diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:35:32 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:35:32 -0700 |
| commit | 53ebb25f0ce347c98114a69b268b0702b6db3c23 (patch) | |
| tree | 15c5f7fed77de06485de6fd7d881948fbd3734b4 /27603-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '27603-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/27603-h.htm | 15633 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i004.png | bin | 0 -> 56609 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i005.png | bin | 0 -> 19610 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i017-big.png | bin | 0 -> 84696 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i017.png | bin | 0 -> 15175 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i023.png | bin | 0 -> 73882 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i029.png | bin | 0 -> 49161 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i032.png | bin | 0 -> 47456 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i037.png | bin | 0 -> 58933 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i040.png | bin | 0 -> 54083 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i046.png | bin | 0 -> 109177 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i049.png | bin | 0 -> 51804 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i051.png | bin | 0 -> 60567 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i055.png | bin | 0 -> 72788 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i058.png | bin | 0 -> 50895 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i061-big.png | bin | 0 -> 323150 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i061.png | bin | 0 -> 13532 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i062.png | bin | 0 -> 71344 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i065.png | bin | 0 -> 56546 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i069.png | bin | 0 -> 47525 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i073.png | bin | 0 -> 57793 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i075.png | bin | 0 -> 32609 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i077.png | bin | 0 -> 58901 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i081.png | bin | 0 -> 70895 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i085.png | bin | 0 -> 34503 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i091.png | bin | 0 -> 42982 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i095.png | bin | 0 -> 59905 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i098.png | bin | 0 -> 16120 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i101.png | bin | 0 -> 44867 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i105.png | bin | 0 -> 69914 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i109.png | bin | 0 -> 19349 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i113.png | bin | 0 -> 44021 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i119.png | bin | 0 -> 29140 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i124.png | bin | 0 -> 48227 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i127.png | bin | 0 -> 48532 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i131.png | bin | 0 -> 43669 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i135.png | bin | 0 -> 51276 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i139.png | bin | 0 -> 49342 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i142.png | bin | 0 -> 57972 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i146.png | bin | 0 -> 58217 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i151.png | bin | 0 -> 47943 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i155.png | bin | 0 -> 32793 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i157.png | bin | 0 -> 13228 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i160.png | bin | 0 -> 33459 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i164.png | bin | 0 -> 40850 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i169.png | bin | 0 -> 43541 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i176.png | bin | 0 -> 41903 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i178.png | bin | 0 -> 40873 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i181.png | bin | 0 -> 34420 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i184.png | bin | 0 -> 46832 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i189.png | bin | 0 -> 49075 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i194.png | bin | 0 -> 36306 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i200.png | bin | 0 -> 48379 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i201.png | bin | 0 -> 38269 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i204.png | bin | 0 -> 40540 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i205.jpg | bin | 0 -> 52959 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i209.png | bin | 0 -> 68404 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i214.png | bin | 0 -> 37110 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i217.png | bin | 0 -> 35182 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i220.png | bin | 0 -> 43281 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i223.png | bin | 0 -> 43940 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i227.jpg | bin | 0 -> 70410 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i231.png | bin | 0 -> 58919 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i240.png | bin | 0 -> 36108 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i243.png | bin | 0 -> 34893 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i251.png | bin | 0 -> 46531 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i255.png | bin | 0 -> 49118 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i257.png | bin | 0 -> 38246 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i260.png | bin | 0 -> 54553 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i267.png | bin | 0 -> 38445 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i269.png | bin | 0 -> 326615 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i275.png | bin | 0 -> 46618 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i279.png | bin | 0 -> 54789 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i285.png | bin | 0 -> 63505 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i288.png | bin | 0 -> 37828 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i293.png | bin | 0 -> 23360 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i296.png | bin | 0 -> 48033 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i299.png | bin | 0 -> 29950 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i301.png | bin | 0 -> 29465 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i305.png | bin | 0 -> 43361 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i307.png | bin | 0 -> 58391 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i313.png | bin | 0 -> 49407 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i316.png | bin | 0 -> 25995 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i319.png | bin | 0 -> 37502 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i323.png | bin | 0 -> 50474 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i327.png | bin | 0 -> 55127 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i334.png | bin | 0 -> 62504 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i339.png | bin | 0 -> 62228 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i344.png | bin | 0 -> 54239 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i349.png | bin | 0 -> 51474 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i354.png | bin | 0 -> 54359 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i367.png | bin | 0 -> 20057 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i368.png | bin | 0 -> 29062 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i372.png | bin | 0 -> 55249 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i374.png | bin | 0 -> 40628 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i379.png | bin | 0 -> 47990 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i387.png | bin | 0 -> 69583 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i393.png | bin | 0 -> 30092 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i399.png | bin | 0 -> 50623 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i401.png | bin | 0 -> 48395 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i403.png | bin | 0 -> 40598 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i405.png | bin | 0 -> 43588 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i413.png | bin | 0 -> 42401 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i416.png | bin | 0 -> 50873 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i419.png | bin | 0 -> 43204 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/i425.png | bin | 0 -> 71353 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/icover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 52628 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 27603-h/images/ispine.jpg | bin | 0 -> 19154 bytes |
108 files changed, 15633 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/27603-h/27603-h.htm b/27603-h/27603-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba88649 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/27603-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15633 @@ +<!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 The Red True Story Book, by Various</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } +.cap:first-letter {float: left; clear: left; + margin: -0.2em 0.1em 0; margin-top: 0%; + padding: 0; + line-height: .75em; font-size: 300%; text-align: justify;} + .cap {text-align: justify;} + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + .copyright {text-align: center; font-size: 70%;} + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-size: 90%;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .poem2 {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align:baseline; + position: relative; + bottom: 0.33em; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none;} + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Red True Story Book, by Various, Edited +by Andrew Lang, Illustrated by Henry J. Ford</h1> +<pre> +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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Red True Story Book</p> +<p>Author: Various</p> +<p>Editor: Andrew Lang</p> +<p>Release Date: December 23, 2008 [eBook #27603]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED TRUE STORY BOOK***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Emmy,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 328px;"> +<img src="images/icover.jpg" width="328" height="500" alt="Cover" title="Cover" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE</h2><h1>RED TRUE STORY BOOK</h1> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> +<div class='bbox'> +<h2>WORKS BY ANDREW LANG.</h2> + +<div class="hang1">COCK LANE AND COMMON SENSE: a Series of +Papers Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">BAN and ARRIÈRE BAN: a Rally of Fugitive +Rhymes. Crown 8vo. 5<i>s.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">ST. ANDREWS. With 8 Plates and 24 Illustrations +in the Text by T. Hodge. 8vo. 15<i>s.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">HOMER AND THE EPIC. Crown 8vo. 9<i>s.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">CUSTOM AND MYTH: Studies of Early Usage and +Belief. With 15 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">BALLADS OF BOOKS. Edited by <span class="smcap">Andrew Lang</span>. +Fcp. 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">LETTERS TO DEAD AUTHORS. Fcp. 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">BOOKS AND BOOKMEN. With 2 Coloured Plates +and 17 Illustrations. Fcp. 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">OLD FRIENDS. Fcp. 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">LETTERS ON LITERATURE. Fcp. 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">GRASS OF PARNASSUS. Fcp. 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i> <i>net.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">ANGLING SKETCHES. With 3 Etchings and numerous +Illustrations by W. G. Burn-Murdoch. Crown 8vo. 3<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK. Edited by <span class="smcap">Andrew +Lang</span>. With 134 Illustrations by H. J. Ford and G. P. Jacomb +Hood. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">THE RED FAIRY BOOK. Edited by <span class="smcap">Andrew Lang</span>. +With 100 Illustrations by H. J. Ford and Lancelot Speed. Crown +8vo. 6<i>s.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">THE GREEN FAIRY BOOK. Edited by <span class="smcap">Andrew +Lang</span>. With 99 Illustrations by H. J. Ford. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">THE YELLOW FAIRY BOOK. Edited by <span class="smcap">Andrew +Lang</span>. With 104 Illustrations by H. J. Ford. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">THE BLUE POETRY BOOK. Edited by <span class="smcap">Andrew +Lang</span>. With 100 Illustrations by H. J. Ford and Lancelot +Speed. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></div> + +<div class="hang1"> <span class="smcap">School Edition</span>, without Illustrations. Fcp. 8vo. 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></div> + +<div class="hang1"> <span class="smcap">Special Edition</span>, printed on Indian paper. With Notes, but +without Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 7<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i></div> + + +<div class="hang1">THE TRUE STORY BOOK. Edited by <span class="smcap">Andrew +Lang</span>. With 66 Illustrations by H. J. Ford, Lucien Davis, +Lancelot Speed, and L. Bogle. Crown 8vo. 6<i>s.</i></div> + +<div class='center'>—————<br /> + + +LONGMANS, GREEN, & CO.<br /> +London and New York.<br /></div> +</div> +<p> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span><br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p><div class="figcenter" style="width: 340px;"> +<img src="images/i004.png" width="340" height="500" alt="'IN THE BORGHESE GARDENS PRACTISED THAT ROYAL GAME OF GOLF.'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'IN THE BORGHESE GARDENS PRACTISED THAT ROYAL GAME OF GOLF.'</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>THE RED<br /> +TRUE STORY BOOK</h1> + +<h3>EDITED BY</h3> +<h2>ANDREW LANG</h2> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i005.png" width="300" height="245" alt="Title page illustration of woman on horse" title="Title page illustration of woman on horse" /> +</div> + +<div class='center'><br /><br /><i>WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BY HENRY J. FORD</i><br /><br /><br /> + +<br /> +<small>LONDON</small><br /> +LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.<br /> +<small>AND NEW YORK</small><br /> +1895<br /> +<br /> +<i><small>All rights reserved</small></i><br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>INTRODUCTION</i></h2> + + +<div class='unindent'><i>The Red True Story Book</i> needs no long Introduction. The +Editor, in presenting <i>The Blue True Story Book</i>, apologised +for offering tales so much less thrilling and romantic than +the legends of the Fairies, but he added that even real facts +were, sometimes, curious and interesting. Next year he +promises something quite as true as History, and quite as +entertaining as Fairies!</div> + +<p>For this book, Mr. Rider Haggard has kindly prepared a +narrative of 'Wilson's Last Fight,' by aid of conversations +with Mr. Burnham, the gallant American scout. But Mr. +Haggard found, while writing his chapter, that Mr. Burnham +had already told the story in an 'Interview' published by the +<i>Westminster Gazette</i>. The courtesy of the proprietor of that +journal, and of Mr. Burnham, has permitted Mr. Haggard +to incorporate the already printed narrative with his own +matter.</p> + +<p>'The Life and Death of Joan the Maid' is by the Editor, +who has used M. Quicherat's <i>Procès</i> (five volumes, published +for the Historical Society of France), with M. Quicherat's +other researches. He has also used M. Wallon's Biography, +the works of Father Ayroles, S.J., the <i>Jeanne d'Arc à +Domremy</i> of M. Siméon Luce, the works of M. Sepet, of +Michelet, of Henri Martin, and, generally, all printed documents +to which he has had access. Of unprinted contemporary +matter perhaps none is known to exist, except the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span> +Venetian Correspondence, now being prepared for publication +by Father Ayroles.</p> + +<p>'How the Bass was held for King James' is by the Editor, +mainly from Blackadder's <i>Life</i>.</p> + +<p>'The Crowning of Ines de Castro' is by Mrs. Lang, from +Schäfer. 'Orthon,' from Froissart, 'Gustavus Vasa,' 'Monsieur +de Bayard's Duel' (Brantôme), are by the same lady; also +'Gaston de Foix,' from Froissart, and 'The White Man,' from +Mile. Aïssé's Letters.</p> + +<p>Mrs. McCunn has told the story of the Prince's Scottish +Campaign, from the contemporary histories of the Rising of +1745, contemporary tracts, <i>The Lyon in Mourning</i>, Chambers, +Scott, Maxwell of Kirkconnel, and other sources.</p> + +<p>The short Sagas are translated from the Icelandic by the +Rev. W. C. Green, translator of <i>Egil Skalagrim's Saga</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. S. R. Crockett, Author of <i>The Raiders</i>, told the tales +of 'The Bull of Earlstoun' and 'Grisell Baillie.'</p> + +<p>Miss May Kendall and Mrs. Bovill are responsible for the +seafarings and shipwrecks; the Australian adventures are by +Mrs. Bovill.</p> + +<p>Miss Minnie Wright compiled 'The Conquest of Peru,' +from Prescott's celebrated History.</p> + +<p>Miss Agnes Repplier, that famed essayist of America, +wrote the tale of Molly Pitcher.</p> + +<p>'The Adventures of General Marbot' are from the +translation of his Autobiography by Mr. Butler.</p> + +<p>With this information the Editor leaves the book to +children, assuring them that the stories are <i>true</i>, except +perhaps that queer tale of 'Orthon'; and some of the Sagas +also may have been a little altered from the real facts before +the Icelanders became familiar with writing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents and book spine"> +<tr><td align='left'><div class="figcenter" style="width: 105px;"> +<img src="images/ispine.jpg" width="105" height="500" alt="Spine" title="" /> +</div></td><td align='left'><div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Wilson's Last Fight</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Life and Death of Joan the Maid</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>How the Bass was held for King James</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Crowning of Ines de Castro</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Story of Orthon</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>How Gustavus Vasa won his Kingdom</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Monsieur de Bayard's Duel</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Story of Gudbrand of the Dales</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Sir Richard Grenville</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Story of Molly Pitcher</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>The Voyages, Dangerous Adventures, and Imminent Escapes of Captain Richard Falconer</i></div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Marbot's March</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Eylau. The Mare Lisette</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>How Marbot crossed the Danube</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The piteous Death of Gaston, Son of the Count of Foix</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Rolf Stake</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Wreck of the 'Wager'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_195">195</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Peter Williamson</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_213">213</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>A Wonderful Voyage</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_226">226</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Pitcairn Islanders</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>A Relation of three years' Suffering of Robert Everard upon the Island of Assada, near Madagascar, in a Voyage to India, in the year 1686</i></div></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Fight at Svolder Island</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Death of Hacon the Good</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_261">261</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Prince Charlie's War</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Burke and Wills Exploring Expedition</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_324">324</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Story of Emund</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_346">346</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Man in White</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_354">354</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Adventures of 'the Bull of Earlstoun'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_358">358</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Story of Grisell Baillie's Sheep's Head</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_366">366</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Conquest of Peru</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_371">371</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></p> + +<h2><i>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</i></h2> + + +<h3><i>PLATES</i></h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Plates"> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>'In the Borghese gardens practised that royal game of golf'</i></div></td><td align='right' colspan='2'><i>Frontispiece</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>Just as his arm was poised I fired</i></div></td><td align='left'><i>To face p.</i></td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>Joan in church</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>Joan rides to Chinon</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>Joan tells the King his secret</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>The English Archers betrayed by the Stag</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>The Coronation of Charles VII</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>'Instantly a gust of wind blew her off the rock into the sea'</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>'One man . . . stalked about the deck and flourished a cutlass . . . shouting that he was "king of the country"'</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>The Indian threatens Peter Williamson</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>'Another party of Indians arrived, bringing twenty scalps and three prisoners'</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>The savages attack the boat</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_230">230</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>'The madman dwelt alone'</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>King Olaf leaps overboard</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_256">256</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>'In the Borghese gardens practised that royal game of golf</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_266">266</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>'I will, though not another man in the Highlands should draw a sword'</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_272">272</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>'He galloped up the streets of Edinburgh shouting, "Victory! Victory!"'</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo Huaco, the Children of the Sun, come from Lake Titicaca to govern and civilise the tribes of Peru</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_374">374</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><i>In one cave the soldiers found vases of pure gold, etc.</i></div></td><td align='center'>"</td><td align='right' valign='bottom'><a href="#Page_412">412</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span></p> + +<h3><i>WOODCUTS IN TEXT</i></h3> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Woodcuts in text"> +<tr><td align='left'> </td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>One of them lifted his assegai</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'The Fairy Tree'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Joan hears the Voice</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Robert thinks Joan crazed</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Sir, this is ill done of you'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'In a better language than yours,' said Joan</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Lead him to the Cross!' cried she</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Then spurred she her horse . . . and put out the flame'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Joan is wounded by the arrow</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Now arose a dispute among the captains'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_60">61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>One Englishman at least died well</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Joan challenges the English to sally forth</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Go she would not till she had taken that town'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Joan Captured</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Joan at Beaurevoir</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'The burned Joan the Maid'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Bass attacked by the frigates</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Ines pleads for her life</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'I will send you a champion whom you will fear more than you fear me'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Orthon's last appearance</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Gustavus leaves school for good!</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Lazy loon! Have you no work to do?'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Surrender, Don Alonzo, or you are a dead man!'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'In the following night Gudbrand dreamed a dream'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The destruction of the idol</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_130">130</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Still he cried to his men, "Fight on, fight on!"'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Molly takes her husband's place</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'As we approached we saw the pirate sinking'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_143">143</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Falconer knocks down a bird</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Falconer returns to his companions</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_148">148</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Then, drawing their swords, they dashed at the rest'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Marbot's fight with the Carabineers in the alley</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_158">157</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Lisette catches the thief in the stable</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'I regarded myself as a horseman who is trying to win a steeplechase'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Lisette carries off the Russian officer</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Guided by the transport man he reached me and found me living'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'"I will go, sir," I cried'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'We had to saw the rope'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_181">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'The Count leaped up, a knife in his hand'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_188">188</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Gaston in prison</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'But now here sits in the high seat a thin stake'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_192">192</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'He fleeth not the flame</i><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>Who leapeth o'er the same'</i></span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_193">193</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Captain shoots Mr. Cozens</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_202">202</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Mr. Hamilton's fight with the sea-lion</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Cacique fires off the gun</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span><i>Byron rides past the turnpikes</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The captain guarded by the mutineers</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Pitcairn islanders on board the English frigate</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_239">239</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Old John Adams teaches the children</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Death of the supercargo</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'None will now deny that "Long Snake" sails by'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Hacon casts his shield away</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Go, sir, to your general; tell him what you have seen . . .'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_276">276</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Escape of the Duke of Perth</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_281">281</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'In many a panelled parlour'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_284">284</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Och no! she be relieved'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_287">287</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Mrs. Murray of Broughton distributes cockades to the crowd</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_289">289</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>James More wounded at Prestonpans</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_293">293</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Crossing Shap Fell</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_301">301</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Many had their broadswords and dirks sharpened'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_304">304</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'The Prince caught him by the hair'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_307">307</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The poor boy fell, mortally wounded</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_311">311</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The 'Rout of Moy'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_315">315</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The end of Culloden</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_322">322</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'The advance party of eight started on October 29'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_327">327</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Golah is abandoned</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_332">332</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'King, they are gone!'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_337">337</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Death of Burke</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_342">342</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Bessé introduced to the Man in White</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_355">355</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Saw reflected in the mirror the white figure'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_356">356</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>'Sometimes he would find a party searching for him quite close at hand'</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_360">360</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Alexander Gordon wood-chopping in the disguise of a labourer</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_362"><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads '36'">362</ins></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Grisell brings the sheep's head to her father in the vault</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_367">367</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>A Peruvian postman</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_381">381</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Almagro wounded in the eye</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_388">387</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Many of the Spaniards were killed by the snakes and alligators</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_389">389</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Amazement of the Indians at seeing a cavalier fall from his horse</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_391">391</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>Pizarro sees llamas for the first time</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_393">393</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The cavalier displays his horsemanship before Atahuallpa</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_401">401</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The friar urges Pizarro to attack the Peruvians</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_404">404</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><i>The Spaniards destroy the idol at Pachacamac</i></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_407"><ins title="Transcriber's Note: this number unreadable in original text">407</ins></a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<h2><i>WILSON'S LAST FIGHT</i></h2> + +<h3>'They were men whose fathers were men'</h3> + + +<div class='cap'>TO make it clear how Major Wilson and his companions came to +die on the banks of the Shangani on December 4, 1893, it will +be necessary, very briefly, to sketch the events which led to the war +between the English settlers in Mashonaland in South Africa and +the Matabele tribe, an offshoot of the Zulu race.</div> + +<p>In October 1889, at the instance of Mr. Cecil Rhodes and +others interested, the Chartered Company of British South Africa +was incorporated, with the sanction of Her Majesty's Government.</p> + +<p>In 1890 Mashonaland was occupied, a vast and fertile territory +nominally under the rule of Lobengula, king of the Matabele, +which had been ceded by him to the representatives of the Company +in return for certain valuable considerations. It is, however, an +easier task for savage kings to sign concessions than to ensure that +such concessions will be respected by their subjects, especially when +those 'Subjects' are warriors by nature, tradition, and practice, as in +the present case, and organised into regiments, kept from year to +year in perfect efficiency and readiness for attack. Whatever may +have been Lobengula's private wishes and opinions, it soon became +evident that the gathering of the white men upon their borders, +and in a country which they claimed by right of conquest if they +did not occupy it, was most distasteful to the more warlike sections +of the Matabele.</p> + +<p>Mashonaland takes its name from the Mashona tribes who inhabit +it, a peaceful and, speaking by comparison, an industrious +race, whom, ever since they first settled in the neighbourhood, it +had been the custom of the subjects of Lobengula and of his predecessor, +Mosilikatze, 'the lion,' to attack with every cruelty conceivable, +raiding their cattle, slaughtering their men, and sweeping +their maidens and young children into captivity. Terrified, half<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +exterminated indeed, as they were by these constant and unprovoked +onslaughts, the Mashonas welcomed with delight the occupation +of their country by white men, and thankfully placed themselves +under the protection of the Chartered Company.</p> + +<p>The Matabele regiments, however, took a different view of the +question, for now their favourite sport was gone: they could no +longer practise rapine and murder, at least in this direction, whenever +the spirit moved them. Presently the force of habit overcame +their fear of the white men and their respect for treaties, and +towards the end of 1891 the chief Lomaghondi, who lived under +the protection of the Company, was killed by them. Thereon Dr. +Jameson, the Administrator of Mashonaland, remonstrated with +Lobengula, who expressed regret, saying that the incident had +happened by mistake.</p> + +<p>This repudiation notwithstanding, an impi, or armed body of +savages, again crossed the border in 1892, and raided in the +Victoria district. Encouraged by the success of these proceedings, +in July 1893 Lobengula sent a picked company to harry in the +neighbourhood of Victoria itself, writing to Dr. Jameson that he +made no excuse for so doing, claiming as he did the right to +raid when, where, and whom he chose. The 'indunas,' or +captains, in command of this force were instructed not to kill +white men, but to fall particularly upon those tribes who were in +their employ. On July 9, 1893, and the following days came +the climax, for then the impi began to slaughter every Mashona +whom they could find. Many of these unfortunates were butchered +in the presence of their masters, who were bidden to 'stand upon +one side as the time of the white men had not yet come.'</p> + +<p>Seeing that it was necessary to take action, Dr. Jameson +summoned the head indunas of the impi, and ordered them to cross +the border within an hour or to suffer the consequences of their +disobedience. The majority obeyed, and those who defied him were +attacked by Captain Lendy and a small force while in the act +of raiding a kraal, some of them being killed and the rest driven +away.</p> + +<p>From this moment war became inevitable, for the question +lay between the breaking of the power of Lobengula and the +evacuation of Mashonaland. Into the details of that war it +is not proposed to enter; they are outside the scope of this +narrative. It is enough to say that it was one of the most +brilliant and successful ever carried out by Englishmen. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +odds against the little force of a thousand or twelve hundred white +men who invaded Matabeleland were almost overwhelming, and +when it is remembered that the Imperial troops did not succeed +in their contest against Cetywayo, the Zulu king, until nearly as +many soldiers were massed in the country as there were able-bodied +Zulus left to oppose them, the brilliancy of the achievement of these +colonists led by a civilian, Dr. Jameson, can be estimated. The +Matabele were beaten in two pitched battles: that of the Shangani +on October 25, and that of the Imbembezi on November 1. They +fought bravely, even with desperation, but their valour was broken +by the skill and the cool courage of the white man. Those terrible +engines of war, the Maxim guns and the Hotchkiss shells, contributed +largely to our success on these occasions. The Matabele, +brave as they were, could not face the incessant fire of the Maxims, +and as to the Hotchkiss they developed a curious superstition. Seeing +that men fell dead in all directions after the explosion of a shell, +they came to believe that as it burst out of each missile numbers +of tiny and invisible imps ran forth carrying death and destruction +to the white men's foes, and thus it happened that to their minds +moral terrors were added to the physical dangers of warfare. +So strong was this belief among them, indeed, that whenever a +shell struck they would turn and fire at it in the hope that thus +they might destroy the 'live devils' who dwelt within it.</p> + +<p>After these battles Lobengula, having first set fire to it, fled from +his chief place, Buluwayo, which was occupied by the white men +within a month of the commencement of the campaign.</p> + +<p>In reply to a letter sent to him by Dr. Jameson, demanding his +surrender and guaranteeing his safety, Lobengula wrote that he +'would come in.'</p> + +<p>The promised period of two days' grace having gone by, however, +and there being no sign of his appearance, a force was despatched +from Buluwayo to follow and capture him. This force, which was +under the leadership of Major Patrick W. Forbes, consisted of ninety +men of the Salisbury Column, with Captains Heany and Spreckley +and a mule Maxim gun under Lieutenant Biscoe, R.N.; sixty men +of the Victoria Column commanded by Major Wilson, with a horse +Maxim under Captain Lendy; sixty men of the Tuli Column, and +ninety men of the Bechuanaland Border Police, commanded by +Captain Raaf, C.M.G., accompanied by two horse Maxims and a +mule seven-pounder, commanded by Captain Tancred.</p> + +<p>The column, which started on or about November 14, took with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +it food for three days only, carried by natives, and a hundred rounds +of ammunition per man. After several days' journeying northward +the patrol reached the Bubye River, where dissensions arose between +Captain Raaf and Major Forbes, the former being of opinion, rightly +enough as the issue showed, that the mission was too dangerous to +be pursued by a small body of men without supplies of food, and +having no reserve of ammunition and no means of carrying the +wounded. The upshot was that Major Forbes decided to return, +but was prevented from doing so by a letter received from Dr. +Jameson, stating that he was sending forward a reinforcement of +dismounted men under Captain Napier with food, ammunition, +and wagons, also sixteen mounted men under Captain Borrow. +The force then proceeded to a deserted Mission Station known as +Shiloh. On November 25 the column, three hundred strong and +carrying with it three-quarter rations for twelve days, took up the +King's wagon spoor about one mile from Shiloh, and followed it +through much discomfort, caused by the constant rain and the +lack of roads, till, on December S, a point was reached on the +Shangani River, N.N.W. of Shiloh and distant from it about eighty +miles.</p> + +<p>On November 29, however, Major Forbes, finding that he could +make small progress with the wagons, sent them away, and proceeded +with the best mounted men and two Maxims only, so that +the actual force which reached the Shangani on the 3rd consisted +of about one hundred and sixty men and a couple of machine guns.</p> + +<p>At this time the information in possession of the leaders of the +column was to the effect that the King was just in front of them +across the river, accompanied only by a few of his followers. +Under these circumstances Major Forbes instructed Major Wilson +and eighteen men to go forward and reconnoitre along Lobengula's +spoor; the understanding seeming to have been that the party was +to return by sundown, but that if it did not return it was, if necessary, +to be supported by the whole column. With this patrol went +Mr. Burnham, the American scout, one of the three surviving white +men who were eye-witnesses of that eventful night's work, which +ended so tragically at dawn.</p> + +<p>What followed is best told as he narrated it by word of mouth +to the compiler of this true story, and to a reporter of the 'Westminster +Gazette,' the editor of which paper has courteously given +permission for the reproduction of the interview. Indeed, it would +be difficult to tell it so well in words other than Mr. Burnham's own.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a href="images/i017-big.png"><img src="images/i017.png" width="400" height="383" alt="Sketch of Route of the Wilson Patrol" title="" /></a></div> + +<p>'In the afternoon of December 8,' says Mr. Burnham, 'I was +scouting ahead of the column with Colenbrander, when in a strip of +bush we lit on two Matabele boys driving some cattle, one of whom +we caught and brought in. He was a plucky boy, and when threatened +he just looked us sullenly in the face. He turned out to be a sort +of grandson or grand-nephew of Lobengula himself. He said the +King's camp was just ahead, and the King himself near, with very +few men, and these sick, and that he wanted to give himself up. +He represented that the King had been back to this place that very +day to get help because his wagons were stuck in a bog. The +column pushed on through the strip of bush, and there, near by, +was the King's camp—quite deserted. We searched the huts, and +in one lay a Maholi slave-boy, fast asleep. (The Maholis are the +slaves of the Matabele.) We pulled him out, and were questioning +him, when the other boy, the sulky Matabele, caught his eye, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +gave him a ferocious look, shouting across to him to take care what +he told.</p> + +<p>'The slave-boy agreed with the others that the King had only +left this camp the day before; but as it was getting dark, Major +Forbes decided to reconnoitre before going on with the column. I +learnt of the decision to send forward Major Wilson and fifteen +men on the best horses when I got my orders to accompany them, +and, along with Bayne, to do their scouting. My horse was +exhausted with the work he had done already; I told Major Forbes, +and he at once gave me his. It was a young horse, rather skittish, +but strong and fairly fresh by comparison.</p> + +<p>'Ingram, my fellow-scout, remained with the column, and so +got some hours' rest; thanks to which he was able not only to do +his part of tracking for the twenty men afterwards sent on to us +through the bush at night, but also, when he and I got through +after the smash, to do the long and dangerous ride down country +to Buluwayo with the despatches—a ride on which he was accompanied +by Lynch.</p> + +<p>'So we set off along the wagon track, while the main body of +the column went into laager.</p> + +<p>'Close to the river the track turned and led down stream along +the west bank. Two miles down was a drift' (they call a fordable +dip a drift in South Africa), 'and here the track crossed the +Shangani. We splashed through, and the first thing we scouts +knew on the other side was that we were riding into the middle of +a lot of Matabele among some scherms, or temporary shelters. +There were men, and some women and children. The men were +armed. We put a bold face on it, and gave out the usual announcement +that we did not want to kill anybody, but must have the King. +The natives seemed surprised and undecided; presently, as Major +Wilson and the rest of the patrol joined us, one of them volunteered +to come along with us and guide us to the King. He was only just +ahead, the man said. How many men were with him? we asked. +The man put up his little finger—dividing it up, so. Five fingers +mean an impi; part of the little finger, like that, should mean fifty +to one hundred men. Wilson said to me, "Go on ahead, taking +that man beside your saddle; cover him, fire if necessary, but don't +you let him slip."</p> + +<p>'So we started off again at a trot, for the light was failing, +the man running beside my horse, and I keeping a sharp +eye on him. The track led through some thick bush. We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +passed several scherms. Five miles from the river we came to a +long narrow vlei [a vlei is a shallow valley, generally with water +in it], which lay across our path. It was now getting quite dark. +Coming out of the bush on the near edge of the vlei, before going +down into it, I saw fires lit, and scherms and figures showing dark +against the fires right along the opposite edge of the vlei. We +skirted the vlei to our left, got round the end of it, and at once +rode through a lot of scherms containing hundreds of people. As +we went, Captain Napier shouted the message about the King +wherever there was a big group of people. We passed scherm after +scherm, and still more Matabele, more fires, and on we rode. +Instead of the natives having been scattering from the King, they +had been gathering. But it was too late to turn. We were hard +upon our prize, and it was understood among the Wilson patrol +that they were going to bring the King in if man could do it. The +natives were astonished: they thought the whole column was on +them: men jumped up, and ran hither and thither, rifle in hand. +We went on without stopping, and as we passed more and more +men came running after us. Some of them were crowding on the +rearmost men, so Wilson told off three fellows to "keep those +niggers back." They turned, and kept the people in check. At +last, nearly at the other end of the vlei, having passed five sets of +scherms, we came upon what seemed to be the King's wagons, +standing in a kind of enclosure, with a saddled white horse tethered +by it. Just before this, in the crowd and hurry, my man slipped +away, and I had to report to Wilson that I had lost him. Of course +it would not have done to fire. One shot would have been the +match in the powder magazine. We had ridden into the middle of +the Matabele nation.</p> + +<p>'At this enclosure we halted and sang out again, making a +special appeal to the King and those about him. No answer came. +All was silence. A few drops of rain fell. Then it lightened, and +by the flashes we could just see men getting ready to fire on us, +and Napier shouted to Wilson, "Major, they are about to attack." +I at the same-time saw them closing in on us rapidly from the +right. The next thing to this fifth scherm was some thick bush; +the order was given to get into that, and in a moment we were out of +sight there. One minute after hearing us shout, the natives with +the wagons must have been unable to see a sign of us. Just then +it came on to rain heavily; the sky, already cloudy, got black as ink; +the night fell so dark that you could not see your hand before you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>'We could not stay the night where we were, for we were so +close that they would hear our horses' bits. So it was decided to +work down into the vlei, creep along close to the other edge of it +to the end we first came round, farthest from the King's camp, and +there spend the night. This, like all the other moves, was taken after +consultation with the officers, several of whom were experienced +Kaffir campaigners. It was rough going; we were unable to see +our way, now splashing through the little dongas that ran down +into the belly of the vlei, now working round them, through bush +and soft bottoms. At the far end, in a clump of thick bush, we +dismounted, and Wilson sent off Captain Napier, with a man of his +called Robinson, and the Victoria scout, Bayne, to go back along +the wagon-track to the column, report how things stood, and bring +the column on, with the Maxims, as sharp as possible. Wilson +told Captain Napier to tell Forbes if the bush bothered the +Maxim carriages to abandon them and put the guns on horses, +but to bring the Maxims without fail. We all understood—and +we thought the message was this—that if we were caught there at +dawn without the Maxims we were done for. On the other hand +was the chance of capturing the King and ending the campaign at +a stroke.</p> + +<p>'The spot we had selected to stop in until the arrival of Forbes +was a clump of heavy bush not far from the King's spoor—and yet +so far from the Kaffir camps that they could not hear us if we kept +quiet. We dismounted, and on counting it was found that three +of the men were missing. They were Hofmeyer, Bradburn and +Colquhoun. Somewhere in winding through the bush from the +King's wagons to our present position these men were lost. Not a +difficult thing, for we only spoke in whispers, and, save for the +occasional click of a horse's hoof, we could pass within ten feet of +each other and not be aware of it.</p> + +<p>'Wilson came to me and said, "Burnham, can you follow back +along the vlei where we've just come?" I doubted it very much +as it was black and raining; I had no coat, having been sent after +the patrol immediately I came in from firing the King's huts, and +although it was December, or midsummer south of the line, the +rain chilled my fingers. Wilson said, "Come, I must have those +men back." I told him I should need some one to lead my horse +so as to feel the tracks made in the ground by our horses. He +replied, "I will go with you. I want to see how you American +fellows work."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Wilson was no bad hand at tracking himself, and I was put on +my mettle at once. We began, and I was flurried at first, and +did not seem to get on to it somehow; but in a few minutes I +picked up the spoor and hung to it.</p> + +<p>'So we started off together, Wilson and I, in the dark. It was +hard work, for one could see nothing; one had to feel for the +traces with one's fingers. Creeping along, at last we stood close +to the wagons, where the patrol had first retreated into the +bush.</p> + +<p>'"If we only had the force here now," said Wilson, "we would +soon finish."</p> + +<p>'But there was still no sign of the three men, so there was +nothing for it but to shout. Retreating into the vlei in front of +the King's camp, we stood calling and cooeying for them, long and +low at first, then louder. Of course there was a great stir along +the lines of the native scherms, for they did not know what to make +of it. We heard afterwards that the natives were greatly alarmed +as the white men seemed to be everywhere at once, and the indunas +went about quieting the men, and saying "Do you think the white +men are on you, children? Don't you know a wolf's howl when +you hear it?"</p> + +<p>'After calling for a bit, we heard an answering call away down +the vlei, and the darkness favouring us, the lost men soon came up +and we arrived at the clump of bushes where the patrol was +stationed. We all lay down in the mud to rest, for we were tired +out. It had left off raining, but it was a miserable night, and the +hungry horses had been under saddle, some of them twenty hours, +and were quite done.</p> + +<p>'So we waited for the column.</p> + +<p>'During the night we could hear natives moving across into the +bush which lay between us and the river. We heard the branches +as they pushed through. After a while Wilson asked me if I +could go a little way around our position and find out what the +Kaffirs were doing. I always think he heard something, but he +did not say so. I slipped out and on our right heard the swirl of +boughs and the splash of feet. Circling round for a little time I +came on more Kaffirs. I got so close to them I could touch them +as they passed, but it was impossible to say how many there were, +it was so dark. This I reported to Wilson. Raising his head on his +hand he asked me a few questions, and made the remark that if the +column failed to come up before daylight, "we are in a hard hole,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +and told me to go out on the King's spoor and watch for Forbes, so +that by no possibility should he pass us in the darkness. It was +now, I should judge, 1 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> on the 4th of December.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 362px;"> +<img src="images/i023.png" width="362" height="500" alt="'JUST AS HIS ARM WAS POISED I FIRED'" title="'JUST AS HIS ARM WAS POISED I FIRED'" /> +<span class="caption">'JUST AS HIS ARM WAS POISED I FIRED'</span> +</div> + +<p>'I went, and for a long, long time I heard only the dropping +of the rain from the leaves and now and then a dog barking in the +scherms, but at last, just as it got grey in the east, I heard a noise, +and placing my ear close to the ground, made it out to be the tramp +of horses. I ran back to Wilson and said "The column is here."</p> + +<p>'We all led our horses out to the King's spoor. I saw the form +of a man tracking. It was Ingram. I gave him a low whistle; +he came up, and behind him rode—not the column, not the Maxims, +but just twenty men under Captain Borrow. It was a terrible +moment—"<i>If</i> we were caught there at dawn"—and already it was +getting lighter every minute.</p> + +<p>'One of us asked "Where is the column?" to which the reply +was, "You see all there are of us." We answered, "Then you are +only so many more men to die."</p> + +<p>'Wilson went aside with Borrow, and there was earnest talk +for a few moments. Presently all the officers' horses' heads were +together; and Captain Judd said in my hearing, "Well, this is the +end." And Kurten said quite quietly, "We shall never get out of +this."</p> + +<p>'Then Wilson put it to the officers whether we should try and +break through the impis which were now forming up between us +and the river, or whether we would go for the King and sell our +lives in trying to get hold of him. The final decision was for this +latter.</p> + +<p>'So we set off and walked along the vlei back to the King's +wagons. It was quite light now and they saw us from the scherms +all the way, but they just looked at us and we at them, and so we +went along. We walked because the horses hadn't a canter in +them, and there was no hurry anyway.</p> + +<p>'At the wagons we halted and shouted out again about not +wanting to kill anyone. There was a pause, and then came shouts +and a volley. Afterwards it was said that somebody answered, "If +you don't want to kill, we do." My horse jumped away to the right +at the volley, and took me almost into the arms of some natives +who came running from that side. A big induna blazed at me, +missed me, and then fumbled at his belt for another cartridge. It +was not a proper bandolier he had on, and I saw him trying to +pluck out the cartridge instead of easing it up from below with his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +finger. As I got my horse steady and threw my rifle down to cover +him, he suddenly let the cartridge be and lifted an assegai. Waiting +to make sure of my aim, just as his arm was poised I fired and hit +him in the chest; he dropped. All happened in a moment. Then +we retreated. Seeing two horses down, Wilson shouted to somebody +to cut off the saddle pockets which carried extra ammunition. +Ingram picked up one of the dismounted men behind him, Captain +Fitzgerald the other. The most ammunition anyone had, by the +way, was a hundred and ten rounds. There was some very stiff +fighting for a few minutes, the natives having the best of the position; +indeed they might have wiped us out but for their stupid habit +of firing on the run, as they charged. Wilson ordered us to retire +down the vlei; some hundred yards further on we came to an ant-heap +and took our second position on that, and held it for some time. +Wilson jumped on the top of the ant-heap and shouted—"Every +man pick his nigger." There was no random firing, I would be +covering a man when he dropped to somebody's rifle, and I had to +choose another.</p> + +<p>'Now <i>we</i> had the best of the position. The Matabele came on +furiously down the open. Soon we were firing at two hundred yards +and less; and the turned-up shields began to lie pretty thick over +the ground. It got too hot for them; they broke and took cover in +the bush. We fired about twenty rounds per man at this ant-heap. +Then the position was flanked by heavy reinforcements from among +the timbers; several more horses were knocked out and we had to +quit. We retreated in close order into the bush on the opposite side +of the vlei—the other side from the scherms. We went slowly +on account of the disabled men and horses.</p> + +<p>'There was a lull, and Wilson rode up to me and asked if I thought +I could rush through to the main column. A scout on a good horse +might succeed, of course, where the patrol as a whole would not +stand a chance. It was a forlorn hope, but I thought it was only a +question of here or there, and I said I'd try, asking for a man to +be sent with me. A man called Gooding said he was willing to +come, and I picked Ingram also because we had been through +many adventures together, and I thought we might as well see this +last one through together.</p> + +<p>'So we started, and we had not gone five hundred yards when we +came upon the horn of an impi closing in from the river. We saw +the leading men, and they saw us and fired. As they did so I +swerved my horse sharp to the left, and shouting to the others,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +"Now for it!" we thrust the horses through the bush at their best +pace. A bullet whizzed past my eye, and leaves, cut by the firing, +pattered down on us; but as usual the natives fired too high.</p> + +<p>'So we rode along, seeing men, and being fired at continually, +but outstripping the enemy. The peculiar chant of an advancing +impi, like a long, monotonous baying or growling, was loud in our +ears, together with the noise they make drumming on their hide +shields with the assegai—you must hear an army making those +sounds to realise them. As soon as we got where the bush was +thinner, we shook off the niggers who were pressing us, and, coming +to a bit of hard ground, we turned on our tracks and hid in some +thick bush. We did this more than once and stood quiet, listening +to the noise they made beating about for us on all sides. Of course +we knew that scores of them must have run gradually back upon +the river to cut us off, so we doubled and waited, getting so near +again to the patrol that once during the firing which we heard +thickening back there, the spent bullets pattered around us. Those +waiting moments were bad. We heard firing soon from the other +side of the river too, and didn't know but that the column was being +wiped out as well as the patrol.</p> + +<p>'At last, after no end of doubling and hiding and riding in a triple +loop, and making use of every device known to a scout for destroying +a spoor—it took us about three hours and a half to cover as many +miles—we reached the river, and found it a yellow flood two hundred +yards broad. In the way African rivers have, the stream, four feet +across last night, had risen from the rain. We did not think our +horses could swim it, utterly tired as they now were; but we were +just playing the game through, so we decided to try. With their +heads and ours barely above the water, swimming and drifting, we +got across and crawled out on the other side. Then for the first time, +I remember, the idea struck me that we might come through it after +all, and with that the desire of life came passionately back upon me.</p> + +<p>We topped the bank, and there, five hundred yards in front to +the left, stood several hundred Matabele! They stared at us in utter +surprise, wondering, I suppose, if we were the advance guard of +some entirely new reinforcement. In desperation we walked our +horses quietly along in front of them, paying no attention to them. +We had gone some distance like this, and nobody followed behind, +till at last one man took a shot at us; and with that a lot more of +them began to blaze away. Almost at the same moment Ingram +caught sight of horses only four or five hundred yards distant; so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +the column still existed—and there it was. We took the last gallop +out of our horses then, and—well, in a few minutes I was falling out +of the saddle, and saying to Forbes: "It's all over; we are the last +of that party!" Forbes only said, "Well, tell nobody else till we +are through with our own fight," and next minute we were just +firing away along with the others, helping to beat off the attack on +the column.'</p> + +<p>Here Mr. Burnham's narrative ends.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>What happened to Wilson and his gallant companions, and the +exact manner of their end after Burnham and his two comrades left +them, is known only through the reports of natives who took part +in the fight. This, however, is certain: since the immortal company +of Greeks died at Thermopylæ, few, if any, such stands have been +made in the face of inevitable death. They knew what the issue +must be; for them there was no possibility of escape; the sun shone +upon them for the last time, and for the last time the air of heaven +blew upon their brows. Around them, thousand upon thousand, +were massed their relentless foes, the bush echoed with war-cries, +and from behind every tree and stone a ceaseless fire was +poured upon their circle. But these four-and-thirty men never +wavered, never showed a sign of fear. Taking shelter behind the +boles of trees, or the bodies of their dead horses, they answered the +fire shot for shot, coolly, with perfect aim, without haste or hurry.</p> + +<p>The bush around told this tale of them in after days, for the +bark of every tree was scored with bullets, showing that wherever +an enemy had exposed his head there a ball had been sent to seek +him. Also there was another testimony—that of the bones of the +dead Matabele, the majority of whom had clearly fallen shot +through the brain. The natives themselves state that for every +white man who died upon that day, there perished at least ten of +their own people, picked off, be it remembered, singly as they +chanced to expose themselves. Nor did the enemy waste life needlessly, +for their general ordered up the King's elephant hunters, +trained shots, every one of them, to compete with the white man's fire.</p> + +<p>For two long hours or more that fight went on. Now and +again a man was killed, and now and again a man was wounded, +but the wounded still continued to load the rifles that they could not +fire, handing them to those of their companions who were as yet +unhurt. At some period during the fray, so say the Matabele, the +white men began to 'sing.' What is meant by the singing we can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +never know, but probably they cheered aloud after repelling a rash +of the enemy. At length their fire grew faint and infrequent, till by +degrees it flickered away, for men were lacking to handle the rifles. +One was left, however, who stood alone and erect in the ring of the +dead, no longer attempting to defend himself, either because he was +weak with wounds, or because his ammunition was exhausted. +There he stood silent and solitary, presenting one of the most +pathetic yet splendid sights told of in the generation that he adorned. +There was no more firing now, but the natives stole out of their +cover and came up to the man quietly, peering at him half afraid. +Then one of them lifted his assegai and drove it through his breast. +Still he did not fall; so the soldier drew out the spear and, retreating +a few yards, he hurled it at him, transfixing him. Now, very slowly, +making no sound, the white man sank forward upon his face, and +so lay still.</p> + +<p>There seems to be little doubt but that this man was none other +than Major Allan Wilson, the commander of the patrol. Native +reports of his stature and appearance suggest this, but there is a +stronger piece of evidence. The Matabele told Mr. Burnham who +repeated it to the present writer, that this man wore a hat of a +certain shape and size, fastened up at the side in a peculiar fashion; +a hat similar to that which Mr. Burnham wore himself. Now, +these hats were of American make, and Major Wilson was the only +man in that party who possessed one of them, for Mr. Burnham +himself had looped it up for him in the American style, if indeed +he had not presented it to him.</p> + +<p>The tragedy seemed to be finished, but it was not so, for as the +natives stood and stared at the fallen white men, from among the +dead a man rose up, to all appearance unharmed, holding in each +hand a revolver, or a 'little Maxim' as they described it. Having +gained his feet he walked slowly and apparently aimlessly away +towards an ant-heap that stood at some distance. At the sight the +natives began to fire again, scores, and even hundreds, of shots being +aimed at him, but, as it chanced, none of them struck him. Seeing +that he remained untouched amidst this hail of lead, they cried out +that he was 'tagati,' or magic-guarded, but the indunas ordered +them to continue their fire. They did so, and a bullet passing through +his hips, the Englishman fell down paralysed. Then finding that he +could not turn they ran round him and stabbed him, and he died +firing with either hand back over his shoulders at the slaughterers +behind him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>So perished the last of the Wilson patrol. He seems to have +been Alexander Hay Robertson—at least Mr. Burnham believes +that it was he, and for this reason. Robertson, he says, was the only +man of the party who had grey hair, and at a little distance from +the other skeletons was found a skull to which grey hair still +adhered.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i029.png" width="400" height="388" alt="'One of them lifted his assegai'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'One of them lifted his assegai'</span> +</div> + +<p>It is the custom among savages of the Zulu and kindred races, +for reasons of superstition, to rip open and mutilate the bodies of +enemies killed in war, but on this occasion the Matabele general, +having surveyed the dead, issued an order: 'Let them be,' he said; +'they were men who died like men, men whose fathers were men.'</p> + +<p>No finer epitaph could be composed in memory of Wilson and +his comrades. In truth the fame of this death of theirs has spread +far and wide throughout the native races of Southern Africa, and +Englishmen everywhere reap the benefit of its glory. They also +who lie low, they reap the benefit of it, for their story is immortal,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +and it will be told hundreds of years hence when it matters no more +to them whether they died by shot and steel on the banks of the Shangani, +or elsewhere in age and sickness. At least through the fatal +storm of war they have attained to peace and honour, and there +within the circle of the ruins of Zimbabwe they sleep their sleep, +envied of some and revered by all. Surely it is no small thing to +have attained to such a death, and England may be proud of her +sons who won it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE LIFE AND DEATH OF<br /> +JOAN THE MAID</i></h2> + + +<h3>I</h3> + +<h4>THE FAIRIES' TREE</h4> + +<div class='cap'>FOUR hundred and seventy years ago, the children of Domremy, +a little village near the Meuse, on the borders of France and +Lorraine, used to meet and dance and sing beneath a beautiful +beech-tree, 'lovely as a lily.' They called it 'The Fairy Tree,' or +'The Good Ladies' Lodge,' meaning the fairies by the words 'Good +Ladies.' Among these children was one named Jeanne (born 1412), +the daughter of an honest farmer, Jacques d'Arc. Jeanne sang +more than she danced, and though she carried garlands like the +other boys and girls, and hung them on the boughs of the Fairies' +Tree, she liked better to take the flowers into the parish church, +and lay them on the altars of St. Margaret and St. Catherine. It +was said among the villagers that Jeanne's godmother had once +seen the fairies dancing; but though some of the older people +believed in the Good Ladies, it does not seem that Jeanne and the +other children had faith in them or thought much about them. +They only went to the tree and to a neighbouring fairy well to eat +cakes and laugh and play. Yet these fairies were destined to be +fatal to Jeanne d'Arc, <span class="smcap">Joan the Maiden</span>, and her innocent childish +sports were to bring her to the stake and the death by fire. For +she was that famed Jeanne la Pucelle, the bravest, kindest, best, +and wisest of women, whose tale is the saddest, the most wonderful, +and the most glorious page in the history of the world. It is a +page which no good Englishman and no true Frenchman can read +without sorrow and bitter shame, for the English burned Joan +with the help of bad Frenchmen, and the French of her party did +not pay a <i>sou</i>, or write a line, or strike a stroke to save her. But +the Scottish, at least, have no share in the disgrace. The Scottish +archers fought on Joan's side; the only portrait of herself that Joan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +ever saw belonged to a Scottish man-at-arms; their historians +praised her as she deserved; and a Scottish priest from Fife stood +by her to the end.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></div> + +<p>To understand Joan's history it is necessary to say, first, how +we come to know so much about one who died so many years ago, +and, next, to learn how her country chanced to be so wretched +before Joan came to deliver it and to give her life for France.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i032.png" width="400" height="325" alt="'The Fairy Tree'" title="'The Fairy Tree'" /> +<span class="caption">'The Fairy Tree'</span> +</div> + +<p>We know so much about her, not from poets and writers of +books who lived in her day, but because she was tried by French +priests (1431), and all her answers on everything that she ever did +in all her life were written down in Latin. These answers fill most +of a large volume. Then, twenty years later (1550-1556), when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +English had been driven out of France, the French king collected +learned doctors, who examined witnesses from all parts of the +country, men and women who had known Joan as a child, and in +the wars, and in prison, and they heard her case again, and destroyed +the former unjust judgment. The answers of these witnesses +fill two volumes, and thus we have all the Maid's history, +written during her life, or not long after her death, and sworn to on +oath. We might expect that the evidence of her friends, after they +had time to understand her, and perhaps were tempted to overpraise +her, would show us a picture different from that given in the trial +by her mortal enemies. But though the earlier account, put forth +by her foes, reads like a description by the Scribes and Pharisees +of the trial of Our Lord, yet the character of Joan was so noble +that the versions by her friends and her enemies practically agree +in her honour. Her advocates cannot make us admire her more +than we must admire her in the answers which she gave to her +accusers. The records of these two trials, then, with letters and +poems and histories written at the time, or very <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'litttle'">little</ins> later, give +us all our information about Joan of Arc.</p> + +<p>Next, as to 'the great pitifulness that was in France' before +Joan of Arc came to deliver her country, the causes of the misery +are long to tell and not easy to remember. To put it shortly, in +Joan's childhood France was under a mad king, Charles VI., and +was torn to pieces by two factions, the party of Burgundy and the +party of Armagnac. The English took advantage of these disputes, +and overran the land. France was not so much one country, +divided by parties, as a loose knot of states, small and great, with +different interests, obeying greedy and selfish chiefs rather than the +king. Joan cared only for her country, not for a part of it. She +fought not for Orleans, or Anjou, or Britanny, or Lorraine, but for +France. In fact, she made France a nation again. Before she appeared +everywhere was murder, revenge, robbery, burning of towns, +slaughter of peaceful people, wretchedness, and despair. It was to +redeem France from this ruin that Joan came, just when, in 1429, +the English were besieging Orleans. Had they taken the strong +city of Orleans, they could have overrun all southern and central +France, and would have driven the natural king of France, Charles +the Dauphin, into exile. From this ruin Joan saved her country; +but if you wish to know more exactly how matters stood, and who +the people were with whom Joan had to do, you must read what +follows. If not, you can 'skip' to Chapter III.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>II</h3> + +<h4>A PAGE OF HISTORY</h4> + +<div class='cap'>AS you know, Edward III. had made an unjust claim to the +French crown, and, with the Black Prince, had supported it by +the victories of Creçy and Poictiers. But Edward died, and the Black +Prince died, and his son, Richard II., was the friend of France, and +married a French princess. Richard, too, was done to death, but +Henry IV., who succeeded him, had so much work on his hands in +England that he left France alone. Yet France was wretched, because +when the wise Charles V. died in 1380, he left two children, +Charles the Dauphin, and his brother, Louis of Orleans. They were +only little boys, and the Dauphin became weak-minded; moreover, +they were both in the hands of their uncles. The best of these relations, +Philip, Duke of Burgundy, died in 1404. His son, John the +Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, was the enemy of his own cousin, +Louis of Orleans, brother of the Dauphin Charles, who was now +king, under the title of Charles VI. John the Fearless had Louis +of Orleans murdered, yet Paris, the capital of France, was on the +side of the murderer. He was opposed by the Count of Armagnac. +Now, the two parties of Armagnac and Burgundy divided France; +the Armagnacs professing to be on the side of Charles the +Dauphin. They robbed, burned, and murdered on all sides. Meanwhile, +in England, Henry V. had succeeded to his father, and the +weakness of France gave him a chance to assert his unjust claim +to its throne. He defeated the French at Agincourt in 1415, he +carried the Duke of Orleans a prisoner to London, he took Rouen, +and overran Normandy. The French now attempted to make peace +among themselves. The Duke of Burgundy had the mad Charles VI. +in his power. The Dauphin was with the opposite faction of +Armagnac. But, if the Dauphin and the Duke of Burgundy became +friends, the Armagnacs would lose all their importance. The +power would be with the Duke of Burgundy. The Armagnacs, +therefore, treacherously murdered the duke, in the name of the +Dauphin, at a meeting on the Bridge of Montereau (1419). The +son of the duke, Philip the Good, now became Duke of Burgundy, +and was determined to revenge his murdered father. He therefore +made friends with Henry V. and the English. The English being +now so strong in the Burgundian alliance, their terms were accepted +in the Peace of Troyes (1420). The Dauphin was to be shut<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +out from succeeding to the French crown, and was called a Pretender. +Henry V. married the Dauphin's sister Catherine, and when the +mad Charles VI. died, Henry and Catherine were to be King and +Queen of England and France. Meantime, Henry V. was to punish +the Dauphin and the Armagnacs. But Henry V. died first, and, +soon after, the mad Charles died. Who, then, was to be King of +France? The Armagnacs held for the Dauphin, the rightful heir. +The English, of course, and the Burgundians, were for Henry VI., +a baby of ten months old. He, like other princes, had uncles, one +of them, the Duke of Gloucester, managed affairs in England; +another, the Duke of Bedford, the Regent, was to keep down France. +The English possessed Paris and the North; the Dauphin retained +the Centre of France, and much of the South, holding his court at +Bourges. It is needless to say that the uncles of the baby Henry +VI., the Dukes of Gloucester and Bedford, were soon on bad terms, +and their disputes made matters easier for the Dauphin. He lost +two great battles, however, Crevant and Verneuil, where his Scottish +allies were cut to pieces. The hearts of good Frenchmen were with +him, but he was indolent, selfish, good-humoured, and governed by +a fat, foolish favourite, La Tremouille. The Duke of Bedford now +succeeded in patching up the quarrels among the English, and then +it was determined (but not by Bedford's advice) to cross the Loire, +to invade Southern France, to crush the Dauphin, and to conquer +the whole country. But, before he could do all this, Bedford had to +take the strong city of Orleans, on the Loire. And against the walls +of Orleans the tide of English victory was broken, for there the flag +of England went down before the peasant girl who had danced below +the Fairy Tree of Domremy, before Joan the Maiden.</div> + + +<h3>III</h3> + +<h4>THE CHILDHOOD OF JOAN THE MAIDEN</h4> + +<div class='cap'>THE English were besieging Orleans; Joan the Maid drove them +from its walls. How did it happen that a girl of seventeen, +who could neither read nor write, became the greatest general on +the side of France? How did a woman defeat the hardy English +soldiers who were used to chase the French before them like sheep?</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 280px;"> +<img src="images/i037.png" width="280" height="500" alt="JOAN IN CHURCH" title="JOAN IN CHURCH" /> +<span class="caption">JOAN IN CHURCH</span> +</div> + +<p>We must say that France could only be saved by a miracle, and +by a miracle she was saved. This is a mystery; we cannot understand +it. Joan the Maiden was not as other men and women are.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +But, as a little girl, she was a child among children, though better, +kinder, stronger than the rest, and, poor herself, she was always +good and helpful to those who were poorer still.</p> + +<p>Joan's parents were not indigent; they had lands and cattle, +and a little money laid by in case of need. Her father was, at +one time, <i>doyen</i>, or head-man, of Domremy. Their house was hard +by the church, and was in the part of the hamlet where the people +were better off, and had more freedom and privileges than many +of their neighbours. They were devoted to the Royal House of +France, which protected them from the tyranny of lords and earls +further east. As they lived in a village under the patronage of St. +Remigius, they were much interested in Reims, his town, where +the kings of France were crowned, and were anointed with Holy +Oil, which was believed to have been brought in a sacred bottle by +an angel.</p> + +<p>In the Middle Ages, the king was not regarded as really king +till this holy oil had been poured on his head. Thus we shall see, +later, how anxious Joan was that Charles VII., then the Dauphin, +should be crowned and anointed in Reims, though it was still in +the possession of the English. It is also necessary to remember +that Joan had once an elder sister named Catherine, whom she loved +dearly. Catherine died, and perhaps affection for her made Joan more +fond of bringing flowers to the altar of her namesake, St. Catherine, +and of praying often to that saint.</p> + +<p>Joan was brought up by her parents, as she told her judges, to +be industrious, to sew and spin. She did not fear to match herself +at spinning and sewing, she said, against any woman in Rouen. +When very young she sometimes went to the fields to watch the +cattle, like the goose-girl in the fairy tale. As she grew older, she +worked in the house, she did not any longer watch sheep and cattle. +But the times were dangerous, and, when there was an alarm of +soldiers or robbers in the neighbourhood, she sometimes helped to +drive the flock into a fortified island, or peninsula, for which her +father was responsible, in the river near her home. She learned her +creed, she said, from her mother. Twenty years after her death, +her neighbours, who remembered her, described her as she was when +a child. Jean Morin said that she was a good industrious girl, but +that she would often be praying in church when her father and +mother did not know it. Beatrix Estellin, an old widow of eighty, +said Joan was a good girl. When Domremy was burned, Joan +would go to church at Greux, 'and there was not a better girl in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +two towns.' A priest, who had known her, called her 'a good, simple, +well-behaved girl.' Jean Waterin, when he was a boy, had seen +Joan in the fields; 'and when they were all playing together, she +would go apart, and pray to God, as he thought, and he and the +others used to laugh at her. She was good and simple, and often +in churches and holy places. And when she heard the church bell +ring, she would kneel down in the fields.' She used to bribe the +sexton to ring the bells (a duty which he rather neglected) with +presents of knitted wool.</p> + +<p>All those who had seen Joan told the same tale: she was +always kind, simple, industrious, pious, and yet merry and fond of +playing with the others round the Fairy Tree. They say that the +singing birds came to her, and nestled in her breast.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>Thus, as far as anyone could tell, Joan was a child like other children, +but more serious and more religious. One of her friends, a girl +called Mengette, whose cottage was next to that of Joan's father, +said: 'Joan was so pious that we other children told her she was +too good.'</p> + +<p>In peaceful times Joan would have lived and married and died +and been forgotten. But the times were evil. The two parties of +Burgundy and Armagnac divided town from town and village +from village. It was as in the days of the Douglas Wars in Scotland, +when the very children took sides for Queen Mary and King +James, and fought each other in the streets. Domremy was for the +Armagnacs—that is, against the English and for the Dauphin, the +son of the mad Charles VI. But at Maxey, on the Meuse, a village +near Domremy, the people were all for Burgundy and the English. +The boys of Domremy would go out and fight the Maxey boys +with fists and sticks and stones. Joan did not remember having +taken part in those battles, but she had often seen her brothers and +the Domremy boys come home all bruised and bleeding.</p> + + +<h4>THE RAID OF DOMREMY</h4> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 307px;"> +<img src="images/i040.png" width="307" height="400" alt="Joan hears the Voice" title="Joan hears the Voice" /> +<span class="caption">Joan hears the Voice</span> +</div> + +<p>Once Joan saw more of war than these schoolboy bickers. It +was in 1425, when she was a girl of thirteen. There was a kind of +robber chief on the English side, a man named Henri d'Orly, from +Savoy, who dwelt in the castle of Doulevant. There he and his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +band of armed men lived and drank and plundered far and near. +One day there galloped into Domremy a squadron of spearmen, +who rode through the fields driving together the cattle of the +villagers, among them the cows of Joan's father. The country<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +people could make no resistance; they were glad enough if their +houses were not burned. So off rode Henri d'Orly's men, driving +the cattle with their spear-points along the track to the castle of +Doulevant. But cows are not fast travellers, and when the robbers +had reached a little village called Dommartin le France they +rested, and went to the tavern to make merry. But by this time a +lady, Madame d'Ogévillier, had sent in all haste to the Count de +Vaudemont to tell him how the villagers of Domremy had been +ruined. So he called his squire, Barthélemy de Clefmont, and +bade him summon his spears and mount and ride. It reminds us of +the old Scottish ballad, where Jamie Telfer of the Fair Dodhead +has seen all his cattle driven out of his stalls by the English; +and he runs to Branxholme and warns the water, and they with +Harden pursue the English, defeat them, and recover Telfer's kye, +with a great spoil out of England. Just so Barthélemy de +Clefmont, with seven or eight lances, galloped down the path to +Dommartin le France. There they found the cattle, and d'Orly's +men fled like cowards. So Barthélemy with his comrades was +returning very joyously, when Henri d'Orly rode up with a troop +of horse and followed hard after Barthélemy. He was wounded +by a lance, but he cut his way through d'Orly's men, and also +brought the cattle back safely—a very gallant deed of arms. +We may fancy the delight of the villagers when 'the kye cam' +hame.' It may have been now that an event happened, of which +Joan does not tell us herself, but which was reported by the king's +seneschal, in June 1429, when Joan had just begun her wonderful +career. The children of the village, says the seneschal, were +running races and leaping in wild joy about the fields; possibly +their gladness was caused by the unexpected rescue of their cattle. +Joan ran so much more fleetly than the rest, and leaped so far, +that the children believed she actually <i>flew</i>, and they told her so! +Tired and breathless, 'out of herself,' says the seneschal, she +paused, and in that moment she heard a Voice, but saw no man; +the Voice bade her go home, because her mother had need of her. +And when she came home the Voice said many things to her about +the great deeds which God bade her do for France. We shall +later hear Joan's own account of how her visions and Voices first +came to her.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> + +<p>Three years later there was an alarm, and the Domremy people +fled to Neufchâteau, Joan going with her parents. Afterwards her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +enemies tried to prove that she had been a servant at an inn in +Neufchâteau, had lived roughly with grooms and soldiers, and had +learned to ride. But this was absolutely untrue. An ordinary +child would have thought little of war and of the sorrows of her +country in the flowery fields of Domremy and Vaucouleurs; but +Joan always thought of the miseries of <i>France la <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'bele'">belle</ins></i>, fair France, +and prayed for her country and her king. A great road, on the +lines of an old Roman way, passed near Domremy, so Joan would +hear all the miserable news from travellers. Probably she showed +what was in her mind, for her father dreamed that she 'had gone +off with soldiers,' and this dream struck him so much, that he told +his sons that he, or they, must drown Joan if she so disgraced herself. +For many girls of bad character, lazy and rude, followed the +soldiers, as they always have done, and always will. Joan's father +thought that his dream meant that Joan would be like these women. +It would be interesting to know whether he was in the habit of +dreaming true dreams. For Joan, his child, dreamed when wide +awake, dreamed dreams immortal, which brought her to her glory +and her doom.</p> + + +<h4>THE CALLING OF JOAN THE MAID</h4> + +<p>When Joan was between twelve and thirteen, a wonderful thing +befell her. We have already heard one account of it, written when +Joan was in the first flower of her triumph, by the seneschal of the +King of France. A Voice spoke to her and prophesied of what she +was to do. But about all these marvellous things it is more safe to +attend to what Joan always said herself. She told the same story +both to friends and foes; to the learned men who, by her king's +desire, examined her at Poictiers, before she went to war (April 1429); +and to her deadly foes at Rouen. No man can read her answers +to them and doubt that she spoke what she believed. And she died +for this belief. Unluckily the book that was kept of what she said +at Poictiers is lost. Before her enemies at Rouen there were many +things which she did not think it right to say. On one point, after +for long refusing to speak, she told her foes a kind of parable, which +we must not take as part of her real story.</p> + +<p>When Joan was between twelve and thirteen (1424), so she +swore, 'a <i>Voice came to her from God for her guidance</i>, but when +first it came, she was in great fear. And it came, that Voice, about +noonday, in the summer season, she being in her father's garden. +And Joan had not fasted the day before that, but was fasting when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +the Voice came.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> And she heard the Voice on her right side, +towards the church, and rarely did she hear it but she also saw a +great light.' These are her very words. They asked her if she +heard these Voices there, in the hall of judgment, and she answered, +'If I were in a wood, I should well hear these Voices +coming to me.' The Voices at first only told her 'to be a good +girl, and go to church.' She thought it was a holy Voice, and that +it came from God; and the third time she heard it she knew it was +the voice of an angel. The Voice told her of 'the great pity there +was in France,' and that one day she must go into France and help +the country. She had visions with the Voices; visions first of +St. Michael, and then of St. Catherine and St. Margaret.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> She hated +telling her hypocritical judges anything about these heavenly +visions, but it seems that she really believed in their appearance, +believed that she had embraced the knees of St. Margaret and St. +Catherine, and she did reverence to them when they came to her. +'I saw them with my bodily eyes, as I see you,' she said to her +judges, 'and when they departed from me I wept, and well I wished +that they had taken me with them.'</p> + +<p>What are we to think about these visions and these Voices which +were with Joan to her death?</p> + +<p>Some have thought that she was mad; others that she only told +the story to win a hearing and make herself important; or, again, +that a trick was played on her to win her aid. The last idea is impossible. +The French Court did not want her. The second, as everyone +will admit who reads Joan's answers, and follows her step by +step from childhood to victory, to captivity, to death, is also impossible. +She was as truthful as she was brave and wise. But was she +partially insane? It is certain that mad people do hear voices which +are not real, and believe that they come to them from without. But +these mad voices say mad things. Now, Joan's Voices never said +anything but what was wise beyond her own wisdom, and right and +true. She governed almost all her actions by their advice. When +she disobeyed 'her counsel,' as she called it, the result was evil, +and once, as we shall see, was ruinous. Again, Joan was not only +healthy, but wonderfully strong, ready, and nimble. In all her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +converse with princes and priests and warriors, she spoke and acted +like one born in their own rank. In mind, as in body, she was a +marvel, none such has ever been known. It is impossible, then, to +say that she was mad.</p> + +<p>In the whole history of the world, as far as we know it, there is +only one example like that of Joan of Arc. Mad folk hear voices; +starved nuns, living always with their thoughts bent on heaven, +women of feeble body, accustomed to faints and to fits, have heard +voices and seen visions. Some of them have been very good +women; none have been strong, good riders, skilled in arms, able +to march all day long with little food, and to draw the arrow from +their own wound and mount horse and charge again, like Joan of +Arc. Only one great man, strong, brave, wise, and healthy, has +been attended by a Voice, which taught him what to do, or rather +what <i>not</i> to do. That man was Socrates, the most hardy soldier, +the most unwearied in the march, and the wisest man of Greece. +Socrates was put to death for this Voice of his, on the charge of +'bringing in new gods.' Joan of Arc died for her Voices, because +her enemies argued that she was no saint, but a witch! These two, +the old philosopher and the untaught peasant girl of nineteen, +stand alone in the endless generations of men, alone in goodness, +wisdom, courage, strength, combined with a mysterious and fatal +gift. More than this it is now forbidden to us to know. But, when +we remember that such a being as Joan of Arc has only appeared +once since time began, and <i>that</i> once just when France seemed lost +beyond all hope, we need not wonder at those who say that France +was saved by no common good fortune and happy chance, but by +the will of Heaven.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p>In one respect, Joan's conduct after these Voices and visions +began, was perhaps, as regarded herself, unfortunate. She did +not speak of them to her parents, nor tell about them to the +priest when she confessed. Her enemies were thus able to say, +later, that they could not have been holy visions or Voices, otherwise +she would not have concealed them from her father, her +mother, and the priest, to whom she was bound to tell everything, +and from whom she should have sought advice. Thus, long afterwards, +St. Theresa had visions, and, in obedience to her priest, she +at first distrusted these, as perhaps a delusion of evil, or a temptation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +of spiritual pride. Joan, however, was afraid that her father would +interfere with her mission, and prevent her from going to the king. +She believed that she must not be 'disobedient to the heavenly +vision.'</p> + + +<h4>HOW JOAN THE MAID WENT TO VAUCOULEURS</h4> + +<p>It was in 1424 that the Voices first came to Joan the Maid. +The years went on, bringing more and more sorrow to France. In +1428 only a very few small towns in the east still held out for the +Dauphin, and these were surrounded on every side by enemies. +Meanwhile the Voices came more frequently, urging Joan to go +into France, and help her country. She asked how she, a girl, who +could not ride or use sword and lance, could be of any help? Rather +would she stay at home and spin beside her dear mother. At the +same time she was encouraged by one of the vague old prophecies +which were as common in France as in Scotland. A legend ran +'that France was to be saved by a Maiden from the Oak Wood,' +and there was an Oak Wood, <i>le bois chènu</i>, near Domremy. Some +such prophecy had an influence on Joan, and probably helped people +to believe in her. The Voices, moreover, instantly and often commanded +her to go to Vaucouleurs, a neighbouring town which was +loyal, and there meet Robert de Baudricourt, who was captain of +the French garrison. Now, Robert de Baudricourt was not what is +called a romantic person. Though little over thirty, he had already +married, one after the other, two rich widows. He was a gallant +soldier, but a plain practical man, very careful of his own interest, +and cunning enough to hold his own among his many enemies, +English, Burgundian, and Lorrainers. It was to him that Joan +must go, a country girl to a great noble, and tell him that she, and +she alone, could save France! Joan knew what manner of man +Robert de Baudricourt was, for her father had been obliged to visit +him, and speak for the people of Domremy when they were oppressed. +She could hardly hope that he would listen to her, and it was with +a heavy heart that she found a good reason for leaving home to +visit Vaucouleurs. Joan had a cousin, a niece of her mother's, who +was married to one Durand Lassois, at Burey en Vaux, a village +near Vaucouleurs. This cousin invited Joan to visit her for a +week. At the end of that time she spoke to her cousin's husband. +There was an old saying, as we saw, that France would be rescued +by a Maid, and she, as she told Lassois, was that Maid. Lassois +listened, and, whatever he may have thought of her chances, he +led her to Robert de Baudricourt.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>Joan came, on May 18, 1423, in her simple red dress, and walked +straight up to the captain among his men. She knew him, she +said, by what her Voices had told her, but she may also have heard +him described by her father. She told him that the Dauphin must +keep quiet, and risk no battle, for before the middle of Lent next +year (1429) God would send him succour. She added that the kingdom +belonged, not to the Dauphin, but to her Master, who willed +that the Dauphin should be crowned, and she herself would lead +him to Reims, to be anointed with the holy oil.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i046.png" width="400" height="418" alt="Robert thinks Joan crazed" title="Robert thinks Joan crazed" /> +<span class="caption">Robert thinks Joan crazed</span> +</div> + +<p>'And who is your Master?' said Robert.</p> + +<p>'The King of Heaven!'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>Robert, very naturally, thought that Joan was crazed, and +shrugged his shoulders. He bluntly told Lassois to box her ears, +and take her back to her father. So she had to go home; but here +new troubles awaited her. The enemy came down on Domremy +and burned it; Joan and her family fled to Neufchâteau, where they +stayed for a few days. It was perhaps about this time that a young +man declared that Joan had promised to marry him, and he actually +brought her before a court of justice, to make her fulfil her promise.</p> + +<p>Joan was beautiful, well-shaped, dark-haired, and charming in +her manner.</p> + +<p>We have a letter which two young knights, André and Guy +de Laval, wrote to their mother in the following year. 'The Maid +was armed from neck to heel,' they say, 'but unhelmeted; she +carried a lance in her hand. Afterwards, when we lighted down +from our horses at Selles, I went to her lodging to see her, and she +called for wine for me, saying she would soon make me drink wine +in Paris' (then held by the English), 'and, indeed, she seems a thing +wholly divine, both to look on her and to hear her sweet voice.'</p> + +<p>It is no wonder that the young man of Domremy wanted to +marry Joan; but she had given no promise, and he lost his foolish +law-suit. She and her parents soon went back to Domremy.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> + + +<h4>HOW JOAN THE MAID WENT AGAIN TO VAUCOULEURS</h4> + +<p>In Domremy they found that the enemy had ruined everything. +Their cattle were safe, for they had been driven to Neufchâteau, +but when Joan looked from her father's garden to the church, she +saw nothing but a heap of smoking ruins. She had to go to say +her prayers now at the church of Greux. These things only made +her feel more deeply the sorrows of her country. The time was +drawing near when she had prophesied that the Dauphin was to +receive help from heaven—namely, in the Lent of 1429. On that +year the season was held more than commonly sacred, for Good +Friday and the Annunciation fell on the same day. So, early in +January, 1429, Joan the Maid turned her back on Domremy, which +she was never to see again. Her cousin Lassois came and asked +leave for Joan to visit him again; she said good-bye to her father +and mother, and to her friend Mengette, but to her dearest friend +Hauvette she did not even say good-bye, for she could not bear it. +She went to her cousin's house at Burey, and there she stayed for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +six weeks, hearing bad news of the siege of Orleans by the English. +Meanwhile, Robert de Baudricourt, in Vaucouleurs, was not easy +in his mind, for he was likely to lose the protection of René of +Anjou, the Duc de Bar, who was on the point of joining the +English. Thus Robert may have been more inclined to listen to +Joan than when he bade her cousin box her ears and take her +back to her father. A squire named Jean de Nouillompont met +Joan one day.</p> + +<p>'Well, my lass,' said he, 'is our king to be driven from France, +and are we all to become English?'</p> + +<p>'I have come here,' said Joan, 'to bid Robert de Baudricourt +lead me to the king, but he will not listen to me. And yet to the +king I must go, even if I walk my legs down to the knees; for +none in all the world—king, nor duke, nor the King of Scotland's +daughter—can save France, but myself only. <i>Certes</i>, I would +rather stay and spin with my poor mother, for to fight is not my +calling; but I must go and I must fight, for so my Lord will have it.'</p> + +<p>'And who is your Lord?' said Jean de Nouillompont.</p> + +<p>'He is God,' said the Maiden.</p> + +<p>'Then, so help me God, I shall take you to the king,' said Jean, +putting her hands in his. 'When do we start?'</p> + +<p>'To-day is better than to-morrow,' said the Maid.</p> + +<p>Joan was now staying in Vaucouleurs with Catherine le Royer. +One day, as she and Catherine were sitting at their spinning-wheels, +who should come in but Robert de Baudricourt with the <i>curé</i> of +the town. Robert had fancied that perhaps Joan was a witch! +He told the priest to perform some rite of the Church over her, so +that if she were a witch she would be obliged to run away. But +when the words were spoken, Joan threw herself at the knees of +the priest, saying, 'Sir, this is ill done of you, for you have heard +my confession and know that I am not a witch.'</p> + +<p>Robert was now half disposed to send her to the king and let +her take her chance. But days dragged on, and when Joan was +not working she would be on her knees in the crypt or underground +chapel of the Chapel Royal in Vaucouleurs. Twenty-seven years +later a chorister boy told how he often saw her praying there for +France. Now people began to hear of Joan, and the Duke of +Lorraine asked her to visit him at Nancy, where she bade him lead a +better life. He is said to have given her a horse and some money. +On February 12 the story goes that she went to Robert de Baudricourt.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>'You delay too long,' she said. 'On this very day, at Orleans, +the gentle Dauphin has lost a battle.'</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i049.png" width="400" height="428" alt="'Sir, this is ill done of you'" title="'Sir, this is ill done of you'" /> +<span class="caption">'Sir, this is ill done of you'</span> +</div> + +<p>This was, in fact, the Battle of Herrings, so called because the +English defeated and cut off a French and Scottish force which +attacked them as they were bringing herrings into camp for +provisions in Lent. If this tale is true, Joan cannot have known +of the battle by any common means; but though it is vouched for +by the king's secretary, Joan has told us nothing about it herself.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i051.png" width="500" height="293" alt="JOAN RIDES TO CHINON" title="JOAN RIDES TO CHINON" /> +<span class="caption">JOAN RIDES TO CHINON</span> +</div> + +<p>Now the people of Vaucouleurs bought clothes for Joan to wear +on her journey to the Dauphin. They were such clothes as men +wear—doublet, hose, surcoat, boots, and spurs—and Robert de +Baudricourt gave Joan a sword.</p> + +<p>In the end this man's dress, which henceforth she always wore, +proved the ruin of Joan. Her enemies, the English and false +French, made it one of their chief charges against her that she +dressed, as they chose to say, immodestly. It is not very clear +how she came to wear men's garments. Jean de Nouillompont, +her first friend, asked her if she would go to the king (a ten days' +journey on horseback) dressed as she was, in her red frock. She +answered 'that she would gladly have a man's dress,' which he +says that he provided. Her reason was that she would have to be +living alone among men-at-arms, and she thought that it was more +modest to wear armour like the rest. Also her favourite saint, St. +Margaret, had done this once when in danger. St. Marina had +worn a monk's clothes when obliged to live in a monastery. The +same thing is told of St. Eugenia.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> Besides, in all the romances +of chivalry, and the favourite poems of knights and ladies, we find +fair maidens fighting in arms like men, or travelling dressed as +pages, and nobody ever thought the worse of them. Therefore +this foolish charge of the English against Joan the Maid was a +mere piece of cruel hypocrisy.</p> + + +<h4>HOW JOAN THE MAID RODE TO CHINON</h4> + +<p>On February 23, 1429, the gate of the little castle of Vaucouleurs, +'the Gate of France,' which is still standing, was thrown open. +Seven travellers rode out, among them two squires, Jean de +Nouillompont and Bertrand de Poulengy, with their attendants, +and Joan the Maid. 'Go, and let what will come of it come!' said +Robert de Baudricourt. He did not expect much to come of it. It +was a long journey—they were eleven days on the road—and a +dangerous. But Joan laughed at danger. 'God will clear my path +to the king, for to this end I was born.' Often they rode by night, +stopping at monasteries when they could. Sometimes they slept +out under the sky. Though she was so young and so beautiful, +with the happiness of her long desire in her eyes, and the glory of +her future shining on her, these two young gentlemen never dreamed +of paying their court to her and making love, as in romances they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +do, for they regarded her 'as if she had been an angel.' 'They +were in awe of her,' they said, long afterwards, long after the angels +had taken Joan to be with their company in heaven. And all the +knights who had seen her said the same. Dunois and d'Aulon and +the beautiful Duc d'Alençon, '<i>le beau Duc</i>' as Joan called him, +they all said that she was 'a thing enskied and sainted.' So on +they rode, six men and a maid, through a country full of English +and Burgundian soldiery. There were four rivers to cross, Marne, +Aube, Seine, and Yonne, and the rivers were 'great and mickle o' +spate,' running red with the rains from bank to bank, so that they +could not ford the streams, but must go by unfriendly towns, where +alone there were bridges. Joan would have liked to stay and go to +church in every town, but this might not be. However, she heard +mass thrice at the church of her favourite saint, Catherine de +Fierbois, between Loches and Chinon, in a friendly country. And +a strange thing happened later in that church.</p> + +<p>From Fierbois Joan made some clerk write to the king that she +was coming to help him, and that she would know him among all +his men. Probably it was here that she wrote to beg her parents' +pardon, and they forgave her, she says. Meanwhile news reached +the people then besieged in Orleans that a marvellous Maiden was +riding to their rescue. On March 6 Joan arrived in Chinon, where +for two or three days the king's advisers would not let him see her. +At last they yielded, and she went straight up to him, and when he +denied that he was the king, she told him that she knew well who +he was.</p> + +<p>'There is the king,' said Charles, pointing to a richly dressed noble.</p> + +<p>'No, fair sire. You are he!'</p> + +<p>Still, it was not easy to believe. Joan stayed at Chinon in the +house of a noble lady. The young Duc d'Alençon was on her side +from the first, bewitched by her noble horsemanship, which she had +never learned. Great people came to see her, but, when she was +alone, she wept and prayed. The king sent messengers to inquire +about her at Domremy, but time was going on, and Orleans was +not relieved.</p> + + +<h4>HOW JOAN THE MAID SHOWED A SIGN TO THE KING</h4> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 347px;"> +<img src="images/i055.png" width="347" height="500" alt="JOAN TELLS THE KING HIS SECRET" title="JOAN TELLS THE KING HIS SECRET" /> +<span class="caption">JOAN TELLS THE KING HIS SECRET</span> +</div> + +<p>Joan was weary of being asked questions. One day she went +to Charles and said, 'Gentle Dauphin, why do you delay to believe +me? I tell you that God has taken pity on you and your people, +at the prayer of St. Louis and St. Charlemagne. And I will tell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +you, by your leave, something which will show you that you should +believe me.'</p> + +<p>Then she told him secretly something which, as he said, none +could know but God and himself. A few months later, in July, +a man about the court wrote a letter, in which he declares that +none knows what Joan told the king, but he was plainly as glad as +if something had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. We +have three witnesses of this, one of them is the famous Dunois, to +whom the king himself told what happened.</p> + +<p>What did Joan say to the king, and what was the sign? About +this her enemies later examined her ten times. She told them +from the very first that she would never let them know; that, if +they made her speak, what she spoke would not be the truth. At +last she told them a kind of parable about an angel and a crown, +which neither was nor was meant to be taken as true. It was the +king's secret, and Joan kept it.</p> + +<p>We learn the secret in this way. There was a man named +Pierre Sala in the service of Louis XI. and Charles VIII. of France. +In his youth, Pierre Sala used to hunt with M. de Boisy, who, in +his youth, had been gentleman of the bedchamber to Charles VII., +Joan's king. To de Boisy Charles VII. told the secret, and de Boisy +told it to Pierre Sala. At this time of his misfortunes (1429), when +his treasurer had only four crowns in his coffers, Charles went into +his oratory to pray alone, and he made his prayer to God secretly, +not aloud, but in his mind.</p> + +<p>Now, what Joan told the king was the secret prayer which he +had made in his own heart when alone. And, ten years later, when +Joan was long dead, an impostor went about saying that <i>she</i> was +the Maid, who had come to life again. She was brought to Charles, +who said, 'Maiden, my Maid, you are welcome back again if you +can tell me the secret that is between you and me.' But the false +Maid, falling on her knees, confessed all her treason.</p> + +<p>This is the story of the sign given to the king, which is not the +least strange of the things done by Joan the Maid. But there is a +thing stranger yet, though not so rare.</p> + +<p>The king to whom Joan brought this wonderful message, the +king whom she loved so loyally, and for whom she died, spoiled all +her plans. He, with his political advisers, prevented her from +driving the English quite out of France. These favourites, men +like the fat La Tremouille, found their profit in dawdling and +delaying, as politicians generally do. Thus, in our own time, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +hung off and on, till our soldiers were too late to rescue Gordon +from the Arabs. Thus, in Joan's time, she had literally to goad +them into action, to drag them on by constant prayers and tears. +They were lazy, comfortable, cowardly, disbelieving; in their hearts +they hated the Maid, who put them to so much trouble. As for +Charles, to whom the Maid was so loyal, had he been a man like +the Black Prince, or even like Prince Charlie, Joan would have +led him into Paris before summer was ended. 'I shall only last +one year and little more,' she often said to the king. The Duc +d'Alençon heard her,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> and much of that precious year was wasted. +Charles, to tell the truth, never really believed in her; he never +quite trusted her; he never led a charge by her side; and, in the +end, he shamefully deserted her, and left the Maid to her doom.</p> + + +<h4>HOW JOAN THE MAID WAS EXAMINED AT POICTIERS</h4> + +<p>Weeks had passed, and Joan had never yet seen a blow struck +in war. She used to exercise herself in horsemanship, and +knightly sports of tilting, and it is wonderful that a peasant girl +became, at once, one of the best riders among the chivalry of +France. The young Duc d'Alençon, lately come from captivity in +England, saw how gallantly she rode, and gave her a horse. He +and his wife were her friends from the first, when the politicians +and advisers were against her. But, indeed, whatever the Maid +attempted, she did better than others, at once, without teaching or +practice. It was now determined that Joan should be taken to +Poictiers, and examined before all the learned men, bishops, doctors, +and higher clergy who still were on the side of France. There was +good reason for this delay. It was plain to all, friends and foes, +that the wonderful Maid was not like other men and women, with +her Voices, her visions, her prophecies, and her powers. All agreed +that she had some strange help given to her; but who gave it? +This aid must come, people thought then, either from heaven or +hell—either from God and his saints, or from the devil and his +angels. Now, if any doubt could be thrown on the source whence +Joan's aid came, the English might argue (as of course they did), +that she was a witch and a heretic. If she was a heretic and a +witch, then her king was involved in her wickedness, and so he +might be legally shut out from his kingdom. It was necessary, +therefore, that Joan should be examined by learned men. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +must find out whether she had always been good, and a true +believer, and whether her Voices always agreed in everything with +the teachings of the Church. Otherwise her angels must be devils +in disguise. For these reasons Joan was carried to Poictiers. During +three long weeks the learned men asked her questions, and, no +doubt, they wearied her terribly. But they said it was wonderful +how wisely this girl, who 'did not know A from B,' replied to their +puzzling inquiries. She told the story of her visions, of the command +laid upon her to rescue Orleans. Said Guillaume Aymeri, 'You +ask for men-at-arms, and you say that God will have the English to +leave France and go home. If that is true, no men-at-arms are +needed; God's pleasure can drive the English out of the land.'</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i058.png" width="500" height="390" alt="'In a better language than yours,' said Joan" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'In a better language than yours,' said Joan</span> +</div> + +<p>'In God's name,' said the Maid, 'the men-at-arms will fight, +and God will give the victory.' Then came the learned Seguin; +'a right sour man was he,' said those who knew him.</p> + +<p>Seguin was a Limousin, and the Limousins spoke in a queer +accent at which the other French were always laughing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>'In what language do your Voices speak?' asked he.</p> + +<p>'In a better language than <i>yours</i>,' said Joan, and the bishops +smiled at the country quip.</p> + +<p>'We may not believe in you,' said Seguin, 'unless you show us +a sign.'</p> + +<p>'I did not come to Poictiers to work miracles,' said Joan; 'take +me to Orleans, and I shall show you the signs that I am sent to +do.' And show them she did.</p> + +<p>Joan never pretended to work miracles. Though, in that age, +people easily believed in miracles, it is curious that none worth +mentioning were invented about Joan in her own time. She knew +things in some strange way sometimes, but the real miracle was +her extraordinary wisdom, genius, courage, and power of enduring +hardship.</p> + +<p>At last, after examining witnesses from Domremy, and the +Queen of Sicily and other great ladies to whom Joan was entrusted, +the clergy found nothing in her but 'goodness, humility, frank +maidenhood, piety, honesty, and simplicity.' As for her wearing a +man's dress, the Archbishop of Embrun said to the king, 'It is more +becoming to do these things in man's gear, since they have to be +done amongst men.'</p> + +<p>The king therefore made up his mind at last. Jean and Pierre, +Joan's brothers, were to ride with her to Orleans; her old friends, +her first friends, Jean de Nouillompont and Bertrand de Poulengy, +had never left her. She was given a squire, Jean d'Aulon, a very +good man, and a page, Louis de Coutes, and a chaplain. The +king gave Joan armour and horses, and offered her a sword. But +her Voices told her that, behind the altar of St. Catherine de +Fierbois, where she heard mass on her way to Chinon, there was +an old sword, with five crosses on the blade, buried in the earth. That +sword she was to wear. A man whom Joan did not know, and had +never seen, was sent from Tours, and found the sword in the place +which she described. The sword was cleaned of rust, and the king +gave her two sheaths, one of velvet, one of cloth of gold, but Joan +had a leather sheath made for use in war. She also commanded a +banner to be made, with the Lilies of France on a white field. There +was also a picture of God, holding the round world, and two angels +at the sides, with the sacred words, <span class="smcap">Jhesu Maria</span>. On another flag +was the Annunciation, the Virgin holding a lily, and the angel +coming to her. In battle, when she led a charge, Joan always +carried her standard, that she might not be able to use her sword.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +She wished to kill nobody, and said 'she loved her banner forty +times more than her sword.' Joan afterwards broke St. Catherine's +sword, when slapping a girl (who richly deserved to be slapped) +with the flat of the blade. Her enemies, at her trial, wished to prove +that her flag was a kind of magical talisman, but Joan had no +belief in anything of that kind. What she believed in was God, +her Voices, and her just cause. When once it was settled that she +was to lead an army to relieve Orleans, she showed her faith by +writing a letter addressed to the King of England; Bedford, the +Regent; and the English generals at Orleans. This letter was sent +from Blois, late in April. It began <span class="smcap">Jhesu Maria</span>. Joan had no +ill-will against the English. She bade them leave France, 'and if +you are reasonable, you yet may ride in the Maid's company, where +the French will do the fairest feat of arms that ever yet was done +for Christentie.' Probably she had in her mind some Crusade. +But, before France and England can march together, 'do ye justice +to the King of Heaven and the Blood Royal of France. Yield to +the Maid the keys of all the good towns which ye have taken and +assailed in France.' If they did not yield to the Maid and the +king, she will come on them to their sorrow. 'Duke of Bedford, the +Maid prays and entreats you not to work your own destruction!'</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<a href="images/i061-big.png"><img src="images/i061.png" width="500" height="245" alt="ORLÉANS Showing the position of the English forts when Joan arrived." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>We may imagine how the English laughed and swore when +they received this letter. They threw the heralds of the Maid into +prison, and threatened to burn them as heretics. From the very +first, the English promised to burn Joan as a witch and a heretic. +This fate was always before her eyes. But she went where her +Voices called her.</p> + + +<h4>HOW JOAN THE MAID RODE TO RELIEVE ORLEANS</h4> + +<p>At last the men-at-arms who were to accompany Joan were +ready. She rode at their head, as André de Laval and Guy de +Laval saw her, and described her in a letter to their mother. She +was armed in white armour, but unhelmeted, a little axe in her +hand, riding a great black charger, that reared at the door of her +lodging and would not let her mount.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i062.png" width="400" height="455" alt="'Lead him to the Cross!' cried she" title="'Lead him to the Cross!' cried she" /> +<span class="caption">'Lead him to the Cross!' cried she</span> +</div> + +<p>'"Lead him to the Cross!" cried she, for a Cross stood on the +roadside, by the church. There he stood as if he had been stone, +and she mounted. Then she turned to the church, and said, in +her girlish voice, "You priests and churchmen, make prayers and +processions to God." Then she cried, "Forwards, Forwards!" and +on she rode, a pretty page carrying her banner, and with her little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +axe in her hand.' And so Joan went to war.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> She led, she says, +ten or twelve thousand soldiers.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> Among the other generals were +Xaintrailles and La Hire. Joan made her soldiers confess themselves; +as for La Hire, a brave rough soldier, she forbade him to +swear, as he used to do, but, for his weakness, she permitted him +to say, <i>By my bâton!</i> This army was to defend a great convoy of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +provisions, of which the people of Orleans stood in sore need. +Since November they had been besieged, and now it was late April. +The people in Orleans were not yet starving, but food came in +slowly, and in small quantities. From the first the citizens had +behaved well; a Scottish priest describes their noble conduct. +They had burned all the outlying suburbs, beyond the wall, that +they might not give shelter to the English. They had plenty of +cannon, which carried large rough stone balls, and usually did little +harm. But a gun was fired, it is said by a small boy, which killed +Salisbury, the English general, as he looked out of an arrow-slit in +a fort that the English had taken.</p> + +<p>The French general-in-chief was the famous Dunois, then called +the Bastard of Orleans. On the English side was the brave Talbot, +who fought under arms for sixty years, and died fighting when +he was over eighty. There were also Suffolk, Pole, and Glasdale, +whom the French called 'Classidas.' The English had not soldiers +enough to surround and take so large a town, of 30,000 people, in +ordinary war. But as Dunois said, 'two hundred English could +then beat a thousand French'—that is, as the French were before +the coming of the Maid.</p> + +<p>The position of Orleans was this; it may be most easily understood +from the map.</p> + +<p>Looking <i>down</i> the river Loire, Orleans lies on your right hand. +It had strong walls in an irregular square; it had towers on the +wall, and a bridge of many arches crossing to the left side of the +river. At the further end of this bridge were a fort and rampart +called Les Tourelles, and this fort had already been taken by the +English, so that no French army could cross the bridge to help +Orleans. Indeed, the bridge was broken. The rampart and the +fort of Les Tourelles were guarded by another strong work, called +Les Augustins. All round the outside of the town, on the right +bank, the English had built strong redoubts, which they called +<i>bastilles</i>. 'Paris' was the bastille which blocked the road from +Paris, 'London' and 'Rouen' were bastilles on the western side, +but on the east, above the town, and on the Orleans bank of the +Loire, the English had only one bastille, St. Loup. Now, as Joan's +army mustered at Blois, south of Orleans, further down the river, +she might march on the <i>left</i> side of the river, cross it by boats +above Orleans, and enter the town where the English were weakest +and had only one fort, St. Loup. Or she might march up the <i>right</i> +bank, and attack the English where they were strongest, and had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +many bastilles. The Voices bade the Maid act on the boldest plan, +and enter Orleans where the English were strongest, on the right +bank of the river. The English would not move, said the Voices. +She was certain that they would not even sally out against her. +But Dunois in Orleans, and the generals with the Maid, thought +this plan very perilous, as, indeed, it was. They therefore deceived +her, caused her to think that Orleans was on the <i>left</i> bank of the Loire, +and led her thither. When she arrived, she saw that they had not +played her fair, that the river lay between her and the town, and +the strongest force of the enemy.</p> + +<p>The most astonishing thing about Joan is that, though she had +never yet seen a sword-stroke dealt in anger, she understood +the great operations of war better than seasoned generals. It +was not only that she, like old Blücher, always cried <i>Forwards!</i> +Audacity, to fight on every chance, carries men far in battle. +Prince Charlie, who was no great general, saw that, and while his +flag went forward he never lost a fight. But Joan 'was most expert +in war,' said the Duc d'Alençon, 'both with the lance and in +massing an army, and arraying battle, and in the management of +artillery. For all men marvelled how far-sighted and prudent she +was in war, as if she had been a captain of thirty years' standing, +and, above all, in the service of the artillery, for in that she was +right well skilled.'<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + +<p>This girl of seventeen saw that, if a large convoy of provisions +was to be thrown into a besieged town, the worst way was to try +to ferry the supplies across a river under the enemy's fire. But +Dunois and the other generals had brought her to this pass, and +the Maid was sore ill-pleased. Now we shall see what happened, +as it is reported in the very words of Dunois, the French general in +Orleans. Joan had been brought, as we said, to the wrong bank of +the Loire; it ran between her and the town where she would be. +The wind was blowing in her teeth; boats could not cross with the +troops and provisions. There she sat her horse and chafed till +Dunois came out and crossed the Loire to meet her. This is what +he says about Joan and her conduct.</p> + + +<h4>HOW JOAN THE MAID ENTERED ORLEANS</h4> + +<p>They were on the wrong side of the Loire, opposite St. Loup, +where the English held a strong fort.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> 'I did not think, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +other generals did not think,' says Dunois, 'that the men-at-arms +with the Maid were a strong enough force to bring the provisions +into the town. Above all, it was difficult to get boats and ferry +over the supplies, for both wind and stream were dead against us. +Then Joan spoke to me thus:</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 362px;"> +<img src="images/i065.png" width="362" height="400" alt="'Then spurred she her horse . . . and put out the flame'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Then spurred she her horse . . . and put out the flame'</span> +</div> + +<p>'"Are you the Bastard of Orleans?"</p> + +<p>'"That am I, and glad of your coming."</p> + +<p>'"Is it you who gave counsel that I should come hither by +that bank of the stream, and not go straight where Talbot and +the English are?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>'"I myself, and others wiser than I, gave that advice, and we +think it the better way and the surer."</p> + +<p>'"In God's name, the counsel of our God is wiser and surer +than yours. You thought to deceive me, and you have deceived +yourselves, for I bring you a better rescue than ever shall come to +soldier or city—that is, the help of the King of Heaven. . . ."</p> + +<p>'Then instantly, and as it were in one moment, the wind changed +that had been dead against us, and had hindered the boats from +carrying the provisions into Orleans, and the sails filled.'</p> + +<p>Dunois now wished Joan to cross by boat and enter the town, +but her army could not cross, and she was loth to leave them, lest +they fell into sin, for she had made them all confess at Blois. +However, the army returned to Blois, to cross by the bridge there, +and come upon the Orleans bank, as Joan had intended from the +first. Then Joan crossed in the boat, holding in her hand the lily +standard. So she and La Hire and Dunois rode into Orleans, where +the people crowded round her, blessing her, and trying to kiss her +hand. Night had fallen, there were torches flaring in the wind, +and, as the people thronged about her, a torch set fire to the fringe +of her banner. 'Then spurred she her horse, and turned him +gracefully and put out the flame, as if she had long followed the +wars, which the men-at-arms beheld with wonder, and the folk of +Orleans.' So they led her with great joy to the Regnart Gate, and +the house of Jacques Boucher, treasurer of the Duke of Orleans, +and there was she gladly received, with her two brothers and her +gentlemen, her old friends, Nouillompont and Poulengy.</p> + +<p>Next day, without leave from Joan, La Hire led a sally <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'against'">gainst</ins> +the English, fought bravely, but failed, and Joan wished once more +to bid the English go in peace. The English, of course, did not obey +her summons, and it is said that they answered with wicked words +which made her weep. For she wept readily, and blushed when +she was moved. In her anger she went to a rampart, and, crying +aloud, bade the English begone; but they repeated their insults, and +threatened yet again to burn her. Next day (May 1), Dunois went +off to bring the troops from Blois, and Joan rode round and inspected +the English position. They made no attempt to take her. +A superstitious fear of her 'witchcraft' had already fallen on them; +they had lost heart and soon lost all. On May 4 the army returned +from Blois. Joan rode out to meet them, priests marched in procession, +singing hymns, but the English never stirred. They were +expecting fresh troops under Fastolf. 'If you do not let me know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +when Fastolf comes,' cried the Maid merrily to Dunois, 'I will +have your head cut off.' But for some reason, probably because +they did not wish her to run risk, they did not tell Joan when the +next fight began. She had just lain down to sleep when she leaped +up with a noise, wakening her squire. 'My Voices tell me,' she +said, 'that I must go against the English, but whether to their +forts or against Fastolf I know not.'</p> + +<p>There was a cry in the street; Joan armed herself; her page +came in.</p> + +<p>'Wretched boy!' she said. 'French blood is flowing, and you +never told me!'</p> + +<p>In a moment she was in the street, the page handed to her the +lily flag from the upper window. Followed by her squire, d'Aulon, +she galloped to the Burgundy Gate. They met wounded men. +'Never do I see French blood but my hair stands up on my head,' +said Joan. She rode out of the gate to the English fort of St. Loup, +which the Orleans men were attacking. Joan leaped into the +fosse, under fire, holding her banner, and cheering on her men. +St. Loup was taken by the French, in spite of a gallant defence, +and Joan wept for the dead English, fearing that they had died +unconfessed. Next day was Ascension Day. Joan, thinking 'the +better the day the better the deed,' was for fighting. There was +no battle, but she again summoned the English to withdraw, and +again was insulted, and wept.</p> + +<p>The French generals now conceived a plan to make a feint, or +a sham attack, on the English forts where they were strongest, on +the Orleans side of the river. The English on the left side would +cross to help their countrymen, and then the French would take the +forts beyond the bridge. Thus they would have a free path across +the river, and would easily get supplies, and weary out the English. +They only told Joan of the first part of their plan, but she saw that +they were deceiving her. When the plan was explained she agreed +to it, her one wish was to strike swiftly and strongly. However, +they did not carry out the plan, they only assailed the forts on the +left bank.</p> + +<p>The French attacked the English fort of Les Augustins, beyond +the river, but suddenly they fled to their bridge of boats; while +the English sallied out, yelling their insults at Joan. She turned, +she gathered a few men, and charged. The English ran before her +like sheep; she planted her banner again in the ditch. The French +hurried back to her, a great Englishman, who guarded the breach,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +was shot; two French knights leaped in, the others followed, and +the English took refuge in the redoubt of Les Tourelles, their strong +fort at the bridge-head.</p> + +<p>The Maid returned to Orleans, and, though it was a Friday, +and she always fasted on Fridays, she was so weary that she ate +some supper. A bit of bread, her page reports, was all that she +usually ate. Now the generals sent to Joan and said that enough +had been done. They had food, and could wait for another army +from the king. 'You have been with your council,' she said, 'I have +been with mine. The wisdom of God is greater than yours. Rise +early to-morrow, do better than your best, keep close by me; for to-morrow +have I much to do, and more than ever yet I did, and +to-morrow shall my blood flow from a wound above my breast.'<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> + +<p>Joan had always said at Chinon that she would be wounded at +Orleans. From a letter by a Flemish ambassador, written three +weeks before the event happened, we know that this is true.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p> + +<p>Next morning Joan's host had got a fine fish for breakfast. +'Keep it till evening, and I will bring you a God-damn' (an +Englishman) 'to eat his share,' said the Maid, 'and I will return +by the bridge;' which was broken.</p> + +<p>The generals did not wish to attack the bridge-tower, but Joan +paid them no attention. They were glad enough to follow, lest she +took the fort without them.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 298px;"> +<img src="images/i069.png" width="298" height="400" alt="Joan is wounded by the arrow" title="Joan is wounded by the arrow" /> +<span class="caption">Joan is wounded by the arrow</span> +</div> + +<p>About half-past six in the morning the fight began. The +French and Scottish leaped into the fosse, they set ladders against +the walls, they reached the battlements, and were struck down by +English swords and axes. Cannon-balls and great stones and arrows +rained on them. 'Fight on!' cried the Maid; 'the place is ours.' At +one o'clock she set a ladder against the wall with her own hands, +but was deeply wounded by an arrow, which pierced clean +through between neck and shoulder. Joan wept, but seizing the +arrow with her own hands she dragged it out. The men-at-arms +wished to say magic spells over the wound to 'charm' it, but this +the Maid forbade as witchcraft. 'Yet,' says Dunois, 'she did not +withdraw from the battle, nor took any medicine for the wound; +and the onslaught lasted from morning till eight at night, so that +there was no hope of victory. Then I desired that the army should +go back to the town, but the Maid came to me and bade me wait a +little longer. Next she mounted her horse and rode into a vineyard,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +and there prayed for the space of seven minutes or eight. +Then she returned, took her banner, and stood on the brink of the +fosse. The English trembled when they saw her, but our men +returned to the charge and met with no resistance. The English<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +fled or were slain, and Glasdale, who had insulted the Maid, was +drowned' (by the burning of the drawbridge between the redoubt +and Les Tourelles. The Maid in vain besought him, with tears, +to surrender and be ransomed), 'and we returned gladly into +Orleans.' The people of Orleans had a great share in this victory. +Seeing the English hard pressed, they laid long beams across the +broken arches of the bridge, and charged by this perilous way. +The triumph was even more that of the citizens than of the army. +Homer tells us how Achilles, alone and unarmed, stood by the +fosse and shouted, and how all the Trojans fled. But here was a +greater marvel; and the sight of the wounded girl, bowed beneath +the weight of her banner, frighted stouter hearts than those of the +men of Troy.</p> + +<p>Joan returned, as she had prophesied, by the bridge, but she did +not make her supper off the fish: she took a little bread dipped +in wine and water, her wound was dressed, and she slept. Next +day the English drew up their men in line of battle. The French +went out to meet them, and would have begun the attack. Joan +said that God would not have them fight.</p> + +<p>'If the English attack, we shall defeat them; we are to let them +go in peace if they will.'</p> + +<p>Mass was then said before the French army.</p> + +<p>When the rite was done, Joan asked: 'Do they face us, or have +they turned their backs?'</p> + +<p>It was the English backs that the French saw that day: +Talbot's men were in full retreat on Meun.</p> + +<p>From that hour May 8 is kept a holiday at Orleans in honour of +Joan the Maiden. Never was there such a deliverance. In a +week the Maid had driven a strong army, full of courage and well +led, out of forts like Les Tourelles. The Duc d'Alençon visited it, +and said that with a few men-at-arms he would have felt certain +of holding it for a week against any strength however great. But +Joan not only gave the French her spirit: her extraordinary courage +in leading a new charge after so terrible a wound, 'six inches +deep,' says d'Alençon, made the English think that they were +fighting a force not of this world. And that is exactly what they +were doing.</p> + + +<h4>HOW JOAN THE MAID TOOK JARGEAU FROM THE ENGLISH</h4> + +<p>The Maid had shown her sign, as she promised; she had +rescued Orleans. Her next desire was to lead Charles to Reims,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +through a country occupied by the English, and to have him +anointed there with the holy oil. Till this was done she could only +regard him as Dauphin—king, indeed, by blood, but not by consecration.</p> + +<p>After all that Joan had accomplished, the king and his advisers +might have believed in her. She went to the castle of Loches, where +Charles was: he received her kindly, but still he did not seem +eager to go to Reims. It was a dangerous adventure, for which +he and his favourites like La Tremouille had no taste. It seems +that more learned men were asked to give their opinion. Was it +safe and wise to obey the Maid? On May 14, only six days after +the relief of Orleans, the famous Gerson wrote down his ideas. +He believed in the Maid. The king had already trusted her +without fear of being laughed at; she and the generals did not +rely on the saints alone, but on courage, prudence, and skill. +Even if, by ill fortune, she were to fail on a later day, the fault +would not be hers, but would be God's punishment of French ingratitude. +'Let us not harm, by our unbelief or injustice, the help +which God has given us so wonderfully.' Unhappily the French, +or at least the Court, were unbelieving, ungrateful, unjust to Joan, +and so she came to die, leaving her work half done. The Archbishop +of Embrun said that Joan should always be consulted in +great matters, as her wisdom was of God. And as long as the +French took this advice they did well; when they distrusted and +neglected the Maid they failed, and were defeated and dishonoured. +Councils were now held at Tours, and time was wasted as usual. +As usual, Joan was impatient. With Dunois, who tells the story, +she went to see Charles at the castle of Loches. Some nobles and +clergy were with him; Joan entered, knelt, and embraced his +knees.</p> + +<p>'Noble Dauphin,' she said, 'do not hold so many councils, and +such weary ones, but come to Reims and receive the crown.'</p> + +<p>Harcourt asked her if her Voices, or 'counsel' (as she called it) +gave this advice.</p> + +<p>She blushed and said: 'I know what you mean, and will tell +you gladly.'</p> + +<p>The king asked her if she wished to speak before so many people.</p> + +<p>Yes, she would speak. When they doubted her she prayed, +'and then she heard a Voice saying to her:</p> + +<p>'"<i>Fille Dé, va, va, va, je serai à ton aide, va!</i>"'<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +<p>'And when she heard this Voice she was right glad, and wished +that she could always be as she was then; and as she spoke,' says +Dunois, 'she rejoiced strangely, lifting her eyes to heaven.' And +still she repeated: 'I will last for only one year, or little more; +use me while you may.'</p> + +<p>Joan stirred the politicians at last. They would go to Reims, +but could they leave behind them English garrisons in Jargeau, +where Suffolk commanded, in Meun, where Talbot was, and in +other strong places? Already, without Joan, the French had +attacked Jargeau, after the rescue of Orleans, and had failed. +Joan agreed to assail Jargeau. Her army was led by the 'fair +duke,' d'Alençon. He had but lately come from prison in England, +and his young wife was afraid to let him go to war. 'Madame,' +said Joan, 'I will bring him back safe, and even better than he is +now.' We shall see how she saved his life. It was now that Guy +and André de Laval saw her, and wrote the description of her +black horse and white armour. They followed with her gladly, +believing that with her glory was to be won.</p> + +<p>Let us tell what followed in the words of the Duc d'Alençon.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i073.png" width="400" height="385" alt="'Now arose a dispute among the captains'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Now arose a dispute among the captains'</span> +</div> + +<p>'We were about six hundred lances, who wished to go against +the town of Jargeau, then held by the English. That night we +slept in a wood, and next day came Dunois and Florence d'Illiers +and some other captains. When we were all met we were about +twelve hundred lances; and now arose a dispute among the captains, +some thinking that we should attack the city, others not so, +for they said that the English were very strong, and had many +men.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> Seeing this difference, Jeanne bade us have no fear of any +numbers, nor doubt about attacking the English, because God was +guiding us. She herself would rather be herding sheep than fighting, +if she were not certain that God was with us. Thereon we rode +to Jargeau, meaning to occupy the outlying houses, and there pass +the night; but the English knew of our approach, and drove in our +skirmishers. Seeing this, Jeanne took her banner and went to the +front, bidding our men be in good heart. And they did so much +that they held the suburbs of Jargeau that night. . . . Next +morning we got ready our artillery, and brought guns up against +the town. After some days a council was held, and I, with others, +was ill content with La Hire, who was said to have parleyed with +Lord Suffolk. La Hire was sent for, and came. Then it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +decided to storm the town, and the heralds cried, "To the attack!" +and Jeanne said to me, "Forward, gentle duke." I thought it +was too early, but she said, "Doubt not; the hour is come when +God pleases. Ah, gentle duke, are you afraid? Know you not +that I promised your wife to bring you back safe and sound?" as +indeed she had said. As the onslaught was given, Jeanne bade +me leave the place where I stood, "or yonder gun," pointing to +one on the walls, "will slay you." Then I withdrew, and a little +later de Lude was slain in that very place. And I feared greatly, +considering the prophecy of the Maid. Then we both went together +to the onslaught; and Suffolk cried for a parley, but no +man marked him, and we pressed on. Jeanne was climbing a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +ladder, banner in hand, when her flag was struck by a stone, and +she also was struck on her head, but her light helmet saved her. +She leaped up again, crying, "Friends, friends, on, on! Our Lord +has condemned the English. They are ours; be of good heart." +In that moment Jargeau was taken, and the English fled to the +bridges, we following, and more than eleven hundred of them were +slain.'</p> + +<p>One Englishman at least died well. He stood up on the +battlements, and dashed down the ladders till he was shot by a +famous marksman of Lorraine.</p> + +<p>Suffolk and his brother were taken prisoners. According to +one account, written at the time, Suffolk surrendered to the Maid, +as 'the most valiant woman in the world.' And thus the Maid +stormed Jargeau.</p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID DEFEATED THE ENGLISH AT PATHAY, AND OF THE STRANGE GUIDE</h4> + +<p>The French slew some of their prisoners at Jargeau. Once +Joan saw a man-at-arms strike down a prisoner. She leaped from +her horse, and laid the wounded Englishman's head on her breast, +consoling him, and bade a priest come and hear his confession. +Cruel and cowardly deeds are done in all wars, but when was there +ever such a general as the Maid, to comfort the dying?</p> + +<p>From Jargeau the Maid rode back to Orleans, where the people +could not look on her enough, and made great festival. Many men +came in to fight under her flag, among them Richemont, who had +been on bad terms with Charles, the uncrowned king. Then Joan +took the bridge-fort at Meun, which the English held; next she +drove the English at Beaugency into the citadel, and out of the town.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 291px;"> +<img src="images/i075.png" width="291" height="400" alt="One Englishman at least died well" title="" /> +<span class="caption">One Englishman at least died well</span> +</div> + +<p>As to what happened next, we have the story of Wavrin, who +was fighting on the English side under Fastolf.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> The garrison +of the English in Beaugency, he says, did not know whether +to hold out or to yield. Talbot reported all this to Bedford, at +Paris, and large forces were sent to relieve Beaugency. Wavrin +rode with his captain, Fastolf, to Senville, where Talbot joined +them, and a council was held. Fastolf said that the English +had lost heart, and that Beaugency should be left to its fate, while +the rest held out in strong places and waited for reinforcements. +But Talbot cried that, if he had only his own people, he would fight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +the French, with the help of God and St. George. Next morning +Fastolf repeated what he had said, and declared that they would +lose all King Henry had won, But Talbot was for fighting. So<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +they marched to a place between Meun and Beaugency, and drew +up in order of battle. The French saw them, and occupied a strong +position on a little hill. The English then got ready, and invited +the French to come down and fight on the plain. But Joan was +not so chivalrous as James IV. at Flodden.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i077.png" width="500" height="310" alt="THE ENGLISH ARCHERS BETRAYED BY THE STAG" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE ENGLISH ARCHERS BETRAYED BY THE STAG</span> +</div> + +<p>'Go you to bed to-night, for it is late; to-morrow, so please God +and Our Lady, we will see you at close quarters.'</p> + +<p>The English then rode to Meun, and cannonaded the bridge-fort, +which was held by the French. They hoped to take the bridge, +cross it, march to Beaugency, and relieve the besieged there. But +that very night Beaugency surrendered to the Maid! She then +bade her army march on the English, who were retreating to Paris +as soon as they heard how Beaugency had yielded. But how was +the Maid to find the English? 'Ride forward,' she cried, 'and you +shall have a sure guide.' They had a guide, and a strange one.</p> + +<p>The English were marching towards Paris, near Pathay, when +their <i>éclaireurs</i> (who beat the country on all sides) came in with +the news that the French were following. But the French knew +not where the English were, because the deserted and desolate +country was overgrown with wood.</p> + +<p>Talbot decided to do what the English did at Creçy, where +they won so glorious a victory. He lined the hedges in a narrow +way with five hundred archers of his best, and he sent a galloper to +bring thither the rest of his army. On came the French, not seeing +the English in ambush. In a few minutes they would have been +shot down, and choked the pass with dying men and horses. But +now was the moment for the strange guide.</p> + +<p>A stag was driven from cover by the French, and ran blindly +among the ambushed English bowmen. Not knowing that the +French were so near, and being archers from Robin Hood's country, +who loved a deer, they raised a shout, and probably many an arrow +flew at the stag. The French <i>éclaireurs</i> heard the cry, they saw +the English, and hurried back with the news.</p> + +<p>'Forward!' cried the Maid; 'if they were hung to the clouds +we have them. To-day the gentle king will gain such a victory as +never yet did he win.'<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> + +<p>The French dashed into the pass before Talbot had secured it. +Fastolf galloped up, but the English thought that he was in flight; +the captain of the advanced guard turned his horse about and made +off. Talbot was taken, Fastolf fled, 'making more sorrow than ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +yet did man.' The French won a great victory. They needed +their spurs, as the Maid had told them that they would, to follow +their flying foes. The English lost some 3,000 men. In the +evening Talbot, as a prisoner, was presented to the Duc d'Alençon.</p> + +<p>'You did not expect this in the morning?' said the duke.</p> + +<p>'Fortune of war!' said Talbot.</p> + +<p>So ended the day of Pathay, and the adventure of the Strange +Guide.</p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID HAD THE KING CROWNED AT REIMS</h4> + +<p>Here are the exploits which the Maid and the loyal French did in +one week. She took Jargeau on June 11; on June 15 she seized +the bridge of Meun; Beaugency yielded to her on June 17; on +June 18 she defeated the English army at Pathay. Now sieges were +long affairs in those days, as they are even to-day, when cannon are +so much more powerful than they were in Joan's time. Her success +seemed a miracle to the world.</p> + +<p>This miracle, like all miracles, was wrought by faith. Joan +believed in herself, in her country, and in God. It was not by +visions and by knowing things strangely that she conquered, but by +courage, by strength (on one occasion she never put off her armour +for six days and six nights), and by inspiring the French with the +sight of her valour. Without her visions, indeed, she would never +have gone to war. She often said so. But, being at war, her word +was 'Help yourselves, and God will help you.' Who could be lazy +or a coward when a girl set such an example?</p> + +<p>The King of France and his favourites could be indolent and +cowards. Had Charles VII. been such a man as Charles Stuart +was in 1745, his foot would have been in the stirrup, and his lance in +rest. In three months the English would have been driven into +the sea. But the king loitered about the castles of the Loire with +his favourite, La Tremouille, and his adviser, the Archbishop of +Reims. They wasted the one year of Joan. There were jealousies +against the Constable de Richemont of Brittany who had come +with all his lances to follow the lily flag. If once Charles were king +indeed and the English driven out, La Tremouille would cease to +be powerful. This dastard sacrificed the Maid in the end, as he +was ready to sacrifice France to his own private advantage.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 355px;"> +<img src="images/i081.png" width="355" height="500" alt="THE CORONATION OF CHARLES VII" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE CORONATION OF CHARLES VII</span> +</div> + +<p>At last, with difficulty, Charles was brought to visit Reims, and +consent to be crowned like his ancestors. Seeing that he was never +likely to move, Joan left the town where he was and went off into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +the country. This retreat brought Charles to his senses. The +towns which he passed by yielded to him; Joan went and summoned +each. 'Now she was with the king in the centre, now with the +rearguard, now with the van.' The town of Troyes, where there +was an English garrison, did not wish to yield. There was a council +in the king's army: they said they could not take the place.</p> + +<p>'In two days it shall be yours, by force or by good will,' said +the Maid.</p> + +<p>'Six days will do,' said the chancellor, 'if you are sure you +speak truth.'</p> + +<p>Joan made ready for an attack. She was calling 'Forward!' +when the town surrendered. Reims, after some doubts, yielded +also, on July 16, and all the people, with shouts of '<i>Noel!</i>' +welcomed the king. On July 17 the king was crowned and +anointed with the Holy Oil by that very Archbishop of Reims +who always opposed Joan. The Twelve Peers of France were not +all present—some were on the English side—but Joan stood by +Charles, her banner in her hand. 'It bore the brunt, and deserved +to share the renown,' she said later to her accusers.</p> + +<p>When the ceremony was ended, and the Dauphin Charles was +a crowned and anointed king, the Maid knelt weeping at his feet.</p> + +<p>'Gentle king,' she said, 'now is accomplished the will of God, +who desired that you should come to Reims to be consecrated, and +to prove that you are the true king and the kingdom is yours.'</p> + +<p>Then all the knights wept for joy.</p> + +<p>The king bade Joan choose her reward. Already horses, rich +armour, jewelled daggers, had been given to her. These, adding to +the beauty and glory of her aspect, had made men follow her more +gladly, and for that she valued them. She, too, made gifts to +noble ladies, and gave much to the poor. She only wanted money +to wage the war with, not for herself. Her family was made +noble; on their shield, between two lilies, a sword upholds the +crown. Her father was at Reims, and saw her in her glory. +What reward, then, was Joan to choose? She chose nothing for +herself, but that her native village of Domremy should be free +from taxes. This news her father carried home from the splendid +scene at Reims.</p> + +<p>Would that we could leave the Maiden here, with Orleans +saved, and her king crowned! Would that she, who wept when +her saints left her in her visions, and who longed to follow them, +could have been carried by them to their Paradise!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Joan had another task; she was to be foiled by the +cowardice of her king; she was to be captured, possibly by +treachery; she was to be tried with the most cruel injustice; she +was to die by fire; and was to set, through months of agony, such +an example of wisdom, courage, and loyal honour as never was +shown by man.</p> + +<p>Did Joan look forward to her end, did she know that her days +were numbered? On the journey to Reims she met some Domremy +people at Chalons, and told them that she 'feared nothing +but treachery.' Perhaps she already suspected the political enemies, +the Archbishop of Reims and La Tremouille, who were to spoil her +mission.</p> + +<p>As they went from Reims after the coronation, Dunois and the +archbishop were riding by her rein. The people cheered and +cried <i>Noel</i>.</p> + +<p>'They are a good people,' said Joan. 'Never saw I any more +joyous at the coming of their king. Ah, would that I might be so +happy when I end my days as to be buried here!'</p> + +<p>Said the archbishop:</p> + +<p>'Oh, Jeanne, in what place do you hope to die?'</p> + +<p>Then she said:</p> + +<p>'Where it pleases God; for I know not that hour, nor that +place, more than ye do. But would to God, my maker, that now +I might depart, and lay down my arms, and help my father and +mother, and keep their sheep with my brothers and my sister, who +would rejoice to see me!'<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> + +<p>Some writers have reported Joan's words as if she meant that +she wished the king to let her go home and leave the wars. In +their opinion Joan was only acting under heavenly direction till +the consecration of Charles. Afterwards, like Hal of the Wynd, +she was 'fighting for her own hand,' they think, and therefore she +did not succeed. But from the first Joan threatened to drive the +English quite out of France, and she also hoped to bring the Duc +d'Orléans home from captivity in England. If her Voices had told +her <i>not</i> to go on after the coronation, she would probably have said +so at her trial, when she mentioned one or two acts of disobedience +to her Voices. Again, had she been anxious to go home, Charles VII. +and his advisers would have been only too glad to let her go. +They did not wish her to lead them into dangerous places, and +they hated obeying her commands.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> +<p>Some French authors have, very naturally, wished to believe +that the Maid could make no error, and could not fail; they +therefore draw a line between what she did up to the day of +Reims, and what she did afterwards. They hold that she was +divinely led till the coronation, and not later. But it is difficult to +agree with them here. As we saw, Gerson told the French that +by injustice and ingratitude they might hinder the success of the +Maid. His advice was a prophecy.</p> + + +<h3>IV</h3> + +<h4>HOW THE MAID RODE TO PARIS</h4> + +<div class='cap'>WHAT was to be done after the crowning of the king? Bedford, +the regent for the child Henry VI., expected to see +Joan under the walls of Paris. He was waiting for the troops +which the Cardinal of Winchester had collected in England as a +crusading army against the Hussite heretics, a kind of Protestants +who were giving trouble. Bedford induced Winchester to bring +his men to France, but they had not arrived. The Duke of Burgundy, +the head of the great French party which opposed Charles, +had been invited by the Maid to Reims. Again she wrote to him: +'Make a firm, good peace with the King of France,' she said; +'forgive each other with kind hearts'—for the Duke's father had +been murdered by the friends of Charles. 'I pray and implore +you, with joined hands, fight not against France. Great pity it +would be of the great battle and bloodshed if your men come +against us.'</div> + +<p>The Duke of Burgundy, far from listening to Joan's prayer, left +Paris and went to raise men for the English. Meanwhile Charles +was going from town to town, and all received him gladly. But +Joan soon began to see that, instead of marching west from +Reims to Paris, the army was being led south-west towards the +Loire. There the king would be safe among his dear castles, +where he could live indoors, 'in wretched little rooms,' and +take his ease. Thus Bedford was able to throw 5,000 men of +Winchester's into Paris, and even dared to come out and hunt for +the French king. The French should have struck at Paris at once +as Joan desired. The delays were excused, because the Duke of +Burgundy had promised to surrender Paris in a fortnight. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +this he did merely to gain time. Joan knew this, and said there +would be no peace but at the lance-point.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 257px;"> +<img src="images/i085.png" width="257" height="400" alt="Joan challenges the English to sally forth" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Joan challenges the English to sally forth</span> +</div> + +<p>Here we get the best account of what happened from Perceval +de Cagny, a knight in the household of the Duc d'Alençon. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +wrote his book in 1436, only five years after Joan was burned, and +he spoke of what he knew well, as a follower of Joan's friend, 'the +fair duke.' The French and English armies kept watching each +other, and there were skirmishes near Senlis. On August 15 the +Maid and d'Alençon hoped for a battle. But the English had +fortified their position in the night with ditches, palisades, and a +'laager' of wagons. Come out they would not, so Joan rode up +to their fortification, standard in hand, struck the palisade, and +challenged them to sally forth. She even offered to let them +march out and draw themselves up in line of battle. La Tremouille +thought this a fine opportunity of distinguishing himself. He rode +into the skirmish, his horse fell with him, but, by evil luck, he was +rescued. We do not hear that La Tremouille risked himself again.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> +The Maid stayed on the field all night, and next day made a +retreat, hoping to draw the English out of their fort. But they +were too wary, and went back to Paris.</p> + +<p>More towns came in to Charles. Beauvais yielded, and the +Bishop of Beauvais, Pierre Cauchon, had to fly to the English. +He revenged himself by managing Joan's trial and having her +burned. Compiègne, an important place north of Paris, yielded, +and was handed to Guillaume de Flavy as governor. In rescuing +this fatal place later, Joan was taken prisoner. Now the fortnight +was over, after which the Duke of Burgundy was to surrender Paris. +But he did nothing of the kind, and there were more 'long weary +councils,' and a truce was arranged with Burgundy till Christmas. +But the Maid was weary of words. She called the Duc d'Alençon +and said: 'My fair duke, array your men, for, by my staff, I would +fain see Paris more closely than I have seen it yet.'</p> + +<p>On August 23 the Maid and d'Alençon left the king at Compiègne +and rode to St. Denis, where were the tombs of the kings +of France. 'And when the king heard that they were at St. Denis, +he came, very sore against his will, as far as Senlis, and it seems +that his advisers were contrary to the will of the Maid, of the Duc +d'Alençon, and of their company.'</p> + +<p>The great captains, Dunois, Xaintrailles, d'Alençon, were +soldiers, and the king's advisers and favourites were clergymen, +like the Archbishop of Reims, or indolent men of peace, like +La Tremouille. They declared, after the Maid was captured, +that she 'took too much on herself,' and they were glad of her fall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +But she had shown that nobody but herself and her soldiers and +captains were of any use to France.</p> + +<p>The king was afraid to go near Paris, but Bedford was afraid to +stay in the town. He went to Rouen, the strongest English hold +in Normandy, leaving the Burgundian army and 2,000 English in +Paris.</p> + +<p>Every day the Maid and d'Alençon rode from St. Denis and +insulted the gates of Paris, and observed the best places for an +attack in force. And still Charles dallied and delayed, still the +main army did not come up. Meanwhile Paris was strengthened +by the English and Burgundians. The people of the city were told +that Charles intended to plunder the place and utterly destroy it, +'which is difficult to believe,' says the Clerk of Parliament, who was +in the city at that time.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> It was 'difficult to believe,' but the Paris +people believed it, and, far from rising for their king and country, +they were rather in arms against the Maid. They had no wish to +fall in a general massacre, as the English and Burgundians falsely +told them would be their fate.</p> + +<p>Thus the delay of the king gave the English time to make Paris +almost impregnable, and to frighten the people, who, had Charles +marched straight from Reims, would have yielded as Reims did.</p> + +<p>D'Alençon kept going to Senlis urging Charles to come up with +the main army. He went on September 1—the king promised to +start next day. D'Alençon returned to the Maid, the king still +loitered. At last d'Alençon brought him to St. Denis on September 7, +and there was a skirmish that day.</p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID WAS WOUNDED IN ATTACKING PARIS, AND HOW THE KING WOULD NOT LET THE ASSAULT BEGIN AGAIN</h4> + +<p>In all descriptions of battles different accounts are given, each +man telling what he himself saw, or what he remembers. As to +the assault on Paris on September 8, the Maid herself said a few +words at her trial. Her Voices had neither commanded her to +attack nor to abstain from attacking. Her opinion was that the +captains and leaders on her side only meant to skirmish in force, +and to do deeds of chivalry. But her own intention was to press +onwards, and, by her example, to make the army follow her. It +was thus that she took Les Tourelles at Orleans. This account<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +scarcely agrees with what we read in the book of Perceval de Cagny, +who was with his lord, the Duc d'Alençon. He says that about +eight on the morning of September 8, the day of Our Lady, the +army set forth; some were to storm the town; another division was +to remain under cover and protect the former if a sally was made by +the English. The Maid, the Marshal de Rais, and De Gaucourt +led the attack on the Porte St. Honoré.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> Standard in hand, the Maid +leaped into the fosse near the pig market. 'The assault was long +and fierce, and it was marvel to hear the noise of cannons and +culverins from the walls, and to see the clouds of arrows. Few of +those in the fosse with the Maid were struck, though many others on +horse and foot were wounded with arrows and stone cannon-balls, +but by God's grace and the Maid's good fortune, there was none of +them but could return to camp unhelped. The assault lasted from +noon till dusk, say eight in the evening. After sunset the Maid was +struck by a crossbow bolt in the thigh; and, after she was hurt, +she cried but the louder that all should attack, and that the place +was taken. But as night had now fallen, and she was wounded, +and the men-at-arms were weary with the long attack, De Gaucourt +and others came and found her, and, against her will, brought her +forth from the fosse. And so ended that onslaught. But right sad +she was to leave, and said, "By my bâton, the place would have +been taken." They put her on horseback, and led her to her +quarters, and all the rest of the king's company who that day had +come from St. Denis.'</p> + +<p>So Cagny tells the story. He was, we may believe, with +d'Alençon and the party covering the attack. Jean Chartier, who +was living at the time, adds that the Maid did not know that the +inner moats were full of water. When she reached the water, she +had faggots and other things thrown in to fill up a passage. At +nightfall she would not retreat, and at last d'Alençon came and +forced her to return. The Clerk of Parliament, who, of course, +was within the walls, says that the attack lasted till ten or eleven +o'clock at night, and that, in Paris, there was a cry that all was lost.</p> + +<p>Joan behaved as gallantly as she did at Les Tourelles. Though +wounded she was still pressing on, still encouraging her men, but +she was not followed. She was not only always eager to attack, +but she never lost heart, she never lost grip. An army of men as +brave as Joan would have been invincible.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> +<p>'Next day,' says Cagny, 'in spite of her wound, she was first in +the field. She went to d'Alençon and bade him sound the trumpets +for the charge. D'Alençon and the other captains were of the same +mind as the Maid, and Montmorency with sixty gentlemen and +many lances came in, though he had been on the English side +before. So they began to march on Paris, but the king sent +messengers, the Duc de Bar, and the Comte de Clermont, and compelled +the Maid and the captains to return to St. Denis. Right +sorry were they, yet they must obey the king. They hoped to take +Paris from the other side, by a bridge which the Duc d'Alençon +had made across the Seine. But the king knew the duke's and the +Maid's design, and caused the bridge to be broken down, and a +council was held, and the king desired to depart and go to the +Loire, to the great grief of the Maid. When she saw that they +would go, she dedicated her armour, and hung it up before the +statue of Our Lady at St. Denis, and so right sadly went away in +company with the king. And thus were broken the will of the Maid +and the army of the king.'</p> + +<p>The politicians had triumphed. They had thwarted the Maid, +they had made her promise to take Paris of no avail. They had +destroyed the confidence of men in the banner that had never gone +back. Now they might take their ease, now they might loiter in +the gardens of the Loire. The Maid had failed, by their design, +and by their cowardice. The treachery that she, who feared +nothing else, had long dreaded, was accomplished now. 'The will +of the Maid and the army of the king were broken.'<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID AND HER FAIR DUKE WERE SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER</h4> + +<p>The king now went from one pleasant tower on the Loire to +another, taking the Maid with him. Meanwhile, the English took +and plundered some of the cities which had yielded to Charles, and +they carried off the Maid's armour from the chapel in Saint Denis, +where she had dedicated it, 'because <i>Saint Denis!</i> is the cry of France.' +Her Voices had bidden her stay at Saint Denis, but this she was not +permitted to do, and now she must hear daily how the loyal towns that +she had won were plundered by the English. The French garrisons<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +also began to rob, as they had done before she came. There was 'great +pity in France' again, and all her work seemed wasted. The Duc +d'Alençon went to his own place of Beaumont, but he returned, +and offered to lead an army against the English in Normandy, if +the Maid might march with him. Then he would have had +followers in plenty, for the people had not wholly lost faith. 'But +La Tremouille, and Gaucourt, and the Archbishop of Reims, who +managed the king and the war, would not consent, nor suffer the +Maid and the duke to be together, nor ever again might they +meet.' So says Cagny, and he adds that the Maid loved the fair +duke above other men, 'and did for him what she would do for no +other.' She had saved his life at Jargeau, but where was the +duke when Joan was a prisoner? We do not know, but we may +believe that he, at least, would have helped her if he could. They +were separated by the jealousy of cowards, who feared that the +duke might win too much renown and become too powerful.</p> + + +<h4>HOW MARVELLOUSLY THE MAID TOOK SAINT-PIERRE-LE-MOUSTIER</h4> + +<p>Even the banks of Loire, where the king loved to be, were not +free from the English. They held La Charité and Saint-Pierre-le-Moustier. +Joan wanted to return to Paris, but the council sent her +to take La Charité and Saint-Pierre-le-Moustier. This town she +attacked first. Her squire, a gentleman named d'Aulon, was with +her, and described what he saw. 'When they had besieged the +place for some time, an assault was commanded, but, for the great +strength of the forts and the numbers of the enemy, the French +were forced to give way. At that hour, I who speak was wounded +by an arrow in the heel, and could not stand or walk without +crutches. But I saw the Maid holding her ground with a handful +of men, and, fearing ill might come of it, I mounted a horse and +rode to her, asking what she was doing there alone, and why she +did not retreat like the others. She took the <i>salade</i> from her head, +and answered that she was not alone, but had in her company fifty +thousand of her people; and that go she would not till she had +taken that town.</p> + +<p>'But, whatever she said, I saw that she had with her but four +men or five, as others also saw, wherefore I bade her retreat. Then +she commanded me to have faggots brought, and planks to bridge +fosses. And, as she spoke to me, she cried in a loud voice, "All +of you, bring faggots to fill the fosse." And this was done, whereat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +I greatly marvelled, and instantly that town was taken by assault +with no great resistance. And all that the Maid did seemed to me +rather deeds divine than natural, and it was impossible that so +young a maid should do such deeds without the will and guidance +of Our Lord.'</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i091.png" width="400" height="344" alt="'Go she would not till she had taken that town'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Go she would not till she had taken that town'</span> +</div> + +<p>This was the last great feat of arms wrought by the Maid. As +at Les Tourelles she won by sheer dint of faith and courage, and so +might she have done at Paris, but for the king. At this town the +soldiers wished to steal the sacred things in the church, and the +goods laid up there. 'But the Maid right manfully forbade and +hindered them, nor ever would she permit any to plunder.' So says +Reginald Thierry, who was with her at this siege. Once a Scottish +man-at-arms let her know that her dinner was made of a stolen +calf, and she was very angry, wishing to strike that Scot. He came +from a land where 'lifting cattle' was thought rather a creditable +action.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID WAITED WEARILY AT COURT</h4> + +<p>From her latest siege the Maid rode to attack La Charité. But, +though the towns helped her as well as they might with money and +food, her force was too small, and was too ill provided with everything, +for the king did not send supplies. She raised the siege and +departed in great displeasure. The king was not unkind, he ennobled +her and her family, and permitted the dignity to descend +through daughters as well as sons; no one else was ever so +honoured. Her brothers called themselves Du Lys, from the lilies of +their crest, but Joan kept her name and her old banner. She was +trailed after the Court from place to place; for three weeks she stayed +with a lady who describes her as very devout and constantly in +church. People said to Joan that it was easy for her to be brave, +as she knew she would not be slain, but she answered that she had +no more assurance of safety than any one of them. Thinking her +already a saint, people brought her things to touch.</p> + +<p>'Touch them yourselves,' she said; 'your touch is as good as +mine.'</p> + +<p>She wore a little cheap ring, which her father and mother had +given her, inscribed <span class="smcap">jhesu maria</span>, and she believed that with this ring +she had touched the body of St. Catherine. But she was humble, +and thought herself no saint, though surely there never was a +better. She gave great alms, saying that she was sent to help the +poor and needy. Such was the Maid in peace.</p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID MET AN IMPOSTOR</h4> + +<p>There was a certain woman named Catherine de la Rochelle, +who gave out that she had visions. A beautiful lady, dressed in +cloth of gold, came to her by night, and told her who had hidden +treasures. These she offered to discover that there might be money +for the wars, which Joan needed sorely. A certain preacher, named +Brother Richard, wished to make use of this pretender, but Joan +said that she must first herself see the fair lady in cloth of gold. +So she sat up with Catherine till midnight, and then fell asleep, +when the lady appeared, so Catherine said. Joan slept next day, +and watched all the following night. Of course the fair lady never +came. Joan bade Catherine go back to her family; she needed +money for the war, but not money got by false pretences. So she +told the king that the whole story was mere folly. This woman +afterwards lied against the Maid when she was a prisoner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID'S VOICES PROPHESIED OF HER TAKING</h4> + +<p>Winter melted into spring; the truce with Burgundy was +prolonged, but the Burgundians fought under English colours. The +king did nothing, but in Normandy La Hire rode in arms to the +gates of Rouen. Paris became doubtfully loyal to the English. +The Maid could be idle no longer. Without a word to the king +she rode to Lagny, 'for there they had fought bravely against the +English.' These men were Scots, under Sir Hugh Kennedy. +In mid-April she was at Melun. There 'she heard her Voices +almost every day, and many a time they told her that she would +presently be taken prisoner.' Her year was over, and as the +Voices prophesied her wound at Orleans, now they prophesied her +captivity. She prayed that she might die as soon as she was +taken, without the long sorrow of imprisonment. Then her Voices +told her to bear graciously whatever befell her, for so it must be. +But they told her not the hour of her captivity. 'If she had known +the hour she would not then have gone to war. And often she +prayed them to tell her of that hour, but they did not answer.'</p> + +<p>These words are Joan's. She spoke them to her judges at +Rouen.</p> + +<p>Among all her brave deeds this was the bravest. Whatever +the source of her Voices was, she believed in what they said. She +rode to fight with far worse than death under shield before her +eyes, knowing certainly that her English foes would take her, they +who had often threatened to burn her.</p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID TOOK FRANQUET D'ARRAS</h4> + +<p>There was in these parts a robber chief on the Burgundian side +named Franquet d'Arras. The Maid had been sent, as she said, to +help the poor who were oppressed by these brigands. Hearing +that Franquet, with three or four hundred men-at-arms, was near +Lagny-sur-Marne, the Maid rode out to seek him with four hundred +French and Scots. The fight is described in one way by Monstrelet, +in another by Cagny and Joan herself. Monstrelet, being a Burgundian +writer, says that Franquet made a gallant resistance +till he was overwhelmed by numbers, as the Maid called out the +garrison of Lagny. Cagny says that Franquet's force was greater +than that of the Maid who took him. However this may be, +Franquet was a knight, and so should have been kept prisoner till +he paid his ransom. Monstrelet tells us that Joan had his head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +cut off. She herself told her judges that Franquet confessed to +being a traitor, robber, and murderer; that the magistrates of +Senlis and Lagny claimed him as a criminal; that she tried to +exchange him for a prisoner of her own party, but that her man +died, that Franquet had a fair trial, and that then she allowed justice +to take its course. She was asked if she paid money to the captor +of Franquet.</p> + +<p>'I am not treasurer of France, to pay such moneys,' she answered +haughtily.</p> + +<p>Probably Franquet deserved to die, but a trial by his enemies +was not likely to be a fair trial.</p> + +<p>At Lagny the Maid left a gentler memory. She was very fond +of children, and had a girl's love of babies. A boy of three days +old was dying or seemed dead, and the girls of Lagny carried it to +the statue of Our Lady in their church, and there prayed over +it. For three days, ever since its birth, the baby had lain in a +trance without sign of life, so that they dared not christen it. 'It +was black as my doublet,' said Joan at her trial, where she wore +mourning. Joan knelt with the other girls and prayed; colour +came back into the child's face, it gasped thrice, was baptised, then +died, and was buried in holy ground. So Joan said at her trial. +She claimed no share in this good fortune, and never pretended that +she worked miracles.</p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID FOUGHT HER LAST FIGHT</h4> + +<p>The name of Joan was now such a terror to the English that +men deserted rather than face her in arms. At this time the truce +with Burgundy ended, and the duke openly set out to besiege the +strong town of Compiègne, held by de Flavy for France. Joan +hurried to Compiègne, whence she made two expeditions which +were defeated by treachery. Perhaps she thought of this, perhaps +of the future, when in the church of Compiègne she declared one +day to a crowd of children whom she loved that she knew she was +sold and betrayed. Old men who had heard her told this tale long +afterwards.</p> + +<p>Burgundy had invested Compiègne, when Joan, with four +hundred men, rode into the town secretly at dawn. That day +Joan led a sally against the Burgundians. Her Voices told her +nothing, good or bad, she says. The Burgundians were encamped +at Margny and at Clairoix, the English at Venette, villages on a plain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +near the walls. Joan crossed the bridge on a grey charger, in a +surcoat of crimson silk, rode through the redoubt beyond the +bridge, and attacked the Burgundians. Flavy in the town was +to prevent the English from attacking her in the rear. He had +boats on the river to secure Joan's retreat if necessary.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i095.png" width="400" height="439" alt="Joan captured" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Joan captured</span> +</div> + +<p>Joan swept through Margny, driving the Burgundians before +her; the garrison of Clairoix came to their help; the battle was +doubtful. Meanwhile the English came up; they could not have +reached the Burgundians, to aid them, but some of the Maid's men,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +seeing the English standards, fled. The English followed them +under the walls of Compiègne; the gate of the redoubt was closed +to prevent the English from entering with the runaways. Like +Hector under Troy, the Maid was shut out from the town which +she came to save.</p> + +<p>Joan was with her own foremost line when the rear fled. They +told her of her danger, she heeded not. For the last time rang out +in that girlish voice: '<i>Allez avant! Forward, they are ours!</i>'</p> + +<p>Her men seized her bridle and turned her horse's head about. +The English held the entrance from the causeway; Joan and a few +men (her brother was one of them) were driven into a corner of +the outer wall. A rush was made at Joan. 'Yield I yield! give +your faith to me!' each man cried.</p> + +<p>'I have given my faith to Another,' she said, 'and I will keep +my oath.'</p> + +<p>Her enemies confess that on this day Joan did great feats of +arms, covering the rear of her force when they had to fly.</p> + +<p>Some French historians hold that the gates were closed by +treason that the Maid might be taken. We may hope that this +was not so; the commander of Compiègne held his town successfully +for the king, and was rescued by Joan's friend, the brave Pothon +de Xaintrailles.</p> + + +<h4>HOW THE MAID LEAPED FROM THE TOWER OF BEAUREVOIR</h4> + +<p>The sad story that is still to tell shall be shortly told. There is +no word nor deed of the Maid's, in captivity as in victory, that is +not to her immortal honour. But the sight of the wickedness of +men, their cowardice, cruelty, greed, ingratitude, is not a thing to +linger over.</p> + +<p>The Maid, as a prisoner of the Bastard of Wandomme, himself +a man of Jean de Luxembourg, was led to Margny, where the +Burgundian and English captains rejoiced over her. They had +her at last, the girl who had driven them from fort and field. +Luxembourg claimed her and carried her to Beaulieu. Not a +French lance was laid in rest to rescue her; not a sou did the +king send to ransom her. Where were Dunois and d'Alençon, +Xaintrailles and La Hire? The bold Buccleugh, who carried +Kinmont Willie out of Carlisle Castle, would not have left the +Maid unrescued at Beaulieu. 'What is there that a man does +<i>not</i> dare?' he said to the angry Queen Elizabeth. But Dunois, +d'Alençon, Xaintrailles, La Hire, dared all things. Something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +which we do not know of must have held these heroes back, and, +being ignorant, it does not become us to blame them.</p> + +<p>Joan was the very spirit of chivalry, but in that age of chivalry +she was shamefully deserted. As a prisoner of war she should +properly have been held to ransom. But, within two days of her +capture, the Vicar-General of the Inquisition in France claimed +her as a heretic and a witch. The English knights let the priests +and the University of Paris judge and burn the girl whom they +seldom dared to face in war. The English were glad enough to +use French priests and doctors who would sell themselves to the +task of condemning and burning their maiden enemy. She was +the enemy of the English, and they did actually believe in witchcraft. +The English were hideously cruel and superstitious: we +may leave the French to judge Jean de Luxembourg, who sold the +girl to England; Charles, who moved not a finger to help her; +Bishop Cauchon and the University of Paris, who judged her +lawlessly and condemned her to the stake; and the Archbishop +of Reims, who said that she had deserved her fall. There is dishonour +in plenty; let these false Frenchmen of her time divide +their shares among themselves.</p> + +<p>From Beaulieu, where she lay from May to August, Luxembourg +carried his precious prize to Beaurevoir, near Cambrai, further from +the French armies. He need not have been alarmed, not a French +sword was drawn to help the Maid. At Beaurevoir, Joan was +kindly treated by the ladies of the Castle. These ladies alone upheld +the honour of the great name of France. They knelt and +wept before Jean de Luxembourg, imploring him not to sell Joan +to Burgundy, who sold her again to England. May their names +ever be honoured! One of the gentlemen of the place, on the +other hand, was rude to Joan, as he confessed thirty years later.</p> + +<p>Joan was now kept in a high tower at Beaurevoir, and was +allowed to walk on the leads. She knew she was sold to England, +she had heard that the people of Compiègne were to be massacred. +She would rather die than fall into English hands, 'rather give her +soul to God, than her body to the English.' But she hoped to +escape and relieve Compiègne. She, therefore, prayed for counsel +to her Saints; might she leap from the top of the tower? Would +they not bear her up in their hands? St. Catherine bade her not +to leap; God would help her and the people of Compiègne.</p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 188px;"> +<img src="images/i098.png" width="188" height="400" alt="Joan at Beaurevoir" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Joan at Beaurevoir</span> +</div> + +<p>Then, for the first time as far as we know, the Maid wilfully +disobeyed her Voices. She leaped from the tower. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +found her, not wounded, not a limb was broken, but stunned. +She knew not what had happened; they told her she had leaped +down. For three days she could not eat, 'yet was she comforted +by St. Catherine, who bade her confess and seek pardon of God, +and told her that, without fail, +they of Compiègne should be +relieved before Martinmas.' +This prophecy was fulfilled. +Joan was more troubled +about Compiègne, than about +her own coming doom. She +was already sold to the +English, like a sheep to the +slaughter; they bought their +French bishop Cauchon, he +summoned his shavelings, +the doctors of the University +and of the Inquisition.</p> + + +<p>The chivalry of England +locked up the Maid in an +iron cage at Rouen. The +rest was easy to men of +whom all, or almost all, +were the slaves of superstition, +fear, and greed. They +were men like ourselves, +and no worse, if perhaps no +better, but their especial +sins and temptations were +those to which few of us are +inclined. We, like Charles, +are very capable of deserting, +or at least of delaying to +rescue, our bravest and best, +like Gordon in Khartoum. +But, as we are not afraid of +witches, we do not cage and +burn girls of nineteen. If we were as ignorant as our ancestors +on this point, no doubt we should be as cowardly and cruel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>V</h3> + +<h4>HOW THE MAID WAS TRIED AND CONDEMNED, AND HOW BRAVELY SHE DIED</h4> + +<div class='cap'>ABOUT the trial and the death of the Maid, I have not the heart +to write a long story. Some points are to be remembered. +The person who conducted the trial, itself illegal, was her deadly +enemy, the false Frenchman, the Bishop of Beauvais, Cauchon, +whom she and her men had turned out of his bishoprick. It is +most unjust and unheard of, that any one should be tried by a judge +who is his private enemy. Next, Joan was kept in strong irons day +and night, and she, the most modest of maidens, was always guarded +by five brutal English soldiers of the lowest rank. Again, she was +not allowed to receive the Holy Communion as she desired with +tears. Thus weakened by long captivity and ill usage, she, an untaught +girl, was questioned repeatedly for three months, by the +most cunning and learned doctors in law of the Paris University. +Often many spoke at once, to perplex her mind. But Joan always +showed a wisdom which confounded them, and which is at least as +extraordinary as her skill in war. She would never swear an oath +to answer <i>all</i> their questions. About herself, and all matters bearing +on her own conduct, she would answer. About the king and the +secrets of the king, she would not answer. If they forced her to +reply about these things, she frankly said, she would not tell them +the truth. The whole object of the trial was to prove that she +dealt with powers of evil, and that her king had been crowned and +aided by the devil. Her examiners, therefore, attacked her day by +day, in public and in her dungeon, with questions about these +visions which she held sacred, and could only speak of with a blush +among her friends. Had she answered (as a lawyer said at the +time), '<i>it seemed to me</i> I saw a saint,' no man could have condemned +her. Probably she did not know this, for she was not +allowed to have an advocate of her own party, and she, a lonely +girl, was opposed to the keenest and most learned lawyers of +France. But she maintained that she certainly did see, hear, and +touch her Saints, and that they came to her by the will of God. +This was called blasphemy and witchcraft. And now came in the +fatal Fairies! She was accused of dealing with devils under the +Tree of Domremy.</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>Most was made of her refusal to wear woman's dress. For this +she seems to have had two reasons; first, that to give up her old +dress would have been to acknowledge that her mission was ended; +next, for reasons of modesty, she being alone in prison among ruffianly +men. She would wear woman's dress if they would let her take the +Holy Communion, but this they refused. To these points she was constant, +she would not deny her visions; she would not say one word +against her king, 'the noblest Christian in the world' she called +him, who had deserted her. She would not wear woman's dress in +prison. We must remember that, as she was being tried by +churchmen, she should have been, as she often prayed to be, in a +prison of the church, attended by women. They set a spy on her, +a caitiff priest named L'Oyseleur, who pretended to be her friend, +and who betrayed her. The English soldiers were allowed to bully, +threaten, and frighten away every one who gave her any advice. They +took her to the torture-chamber, and threatened her with torture, +but from this even these priests shrunk, except a few more cruel +and cowardly than the rest. Finally, they put her up in public, opposite +a pile of wood ready for burning, and then set a priest to preach +at her. All through her trial, her Voices bade her 'answer boldly,' +in three months she would give her last answer, in three months +'she would be free with great victory, and come into the Kingdom of +Paradise.' In three months from the first day of her trial she went +free through the gate of fire. Boldly she answered, and wisely. She +would submit the truth of her visions to the Church, that is, to God, +and the Pope. But she would <i>not</i> submit them to 'the Church,' if that +meant the clergy round her. At last, in fear of the fire, and the stake +before her, and on promise of being taken to a kindlier prison among +women, and released from chains, she promised to 'abjure,' to renounce +her visions, and submit to the Church, that is to Cauchon, and +her other priestly enemies. Some little note on paper she now signed +with a cross, and repeated 'with a smile,' poor child, a short form +of words. By some trick this signature was changed for a long +document, in which she was made to confess all her visions false. +It is certain that she did not understand her words in this sense.</p> + +<p>Cauchon had triumphed. The blame of heresy and witchcraft +was cast on Joan, and on her king as an accomplice. But the +English were not satisfied; they made an uproar, they threatened +Cauchon, for Joan's life was to be spared. She was to be in prison +all her days, on bread and water, but, while she lived, they dared +scarcely stir against the French. They were soon satisfied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>Joan's prison was not changed. There soon came news that she +had put on man's dress again. The judges went to her. She told +them (they say), that she put on this dress of her own free will. +In confession, later, she told her priest that she had been refused +any other dress, and had been brutally treated both by the soldiers +and by an English lord. In self-defence, she dressed in the only +attire within her reach. In any case, the promises made to her +had been broken. The judge asked her if her Voices had been with +her again?</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i101.png" width="400" height="358" alt="'They burned Joan the Maid'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'They burned Joan the Maid'</span> +</div> + +<p>'Yes.'</p> + +<p>'What did they say?'</p> + +<p>'God told me by the voices of St. Catherine and St. Margaret +of the great sorrow of my treason, when I abjured to save my life; +that I was damning myself for my life's sake.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Do you believe the Voices come from St. Margaret and St. +Catherine?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, and that they are from God.'</p> + +<p>She added that she had never meant to deny this, had not +understood that she had denied it.</p> + +<p>All was over now; she was a 'relapsed heretic.'</p> + +<p>The judges said that they visited Joan again on the morning of +her death, and that she withdrew her belief in her Voices; or, at +least, left it to the Church to decide whether they were good or bad, +while she still maintained that they were <i>real</i>. She had expected +release, and, for the first time, had been disappointed. At the +stake she understood her Voices: they had foretold her martyrdom, +'great victory' over herself, and her entry into rest. But the document +of the judges is not signed by the clerks, as all such documents +must be. One of them, Manchon, who had not been present, +was asked to sign it; he refused. Another, Taquel, is said to have +been present, but he did not sign. The story is, therefore, worth +nothing.</p> + +<p>Enough. They burned Joan the Maid. She did not suffer +long. Her eyes were fixed on a cross which a priest, Martin +L'Advenu, held up before her. She maintained, he says, to her +dying moment, the truth of her Voices. With a great cry of +<span class="smcap">Jesus</span>! she gave up her breath, and her pure soul was with God.</p> + +<p>Even the English wept, even a secretary of the English king +said that they had burned a Saint. One of the three great crimes +of the world's history had been committed, and, of the three, this +was the most cowardly and cruel. It profited the English not at +all. 'Though they ceased not to be brave,' says Patrick Abercromby, +a Scot,<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> 'yet they were almost on all occasions defeated, and within +the short space of twenty-two years, lost not only all the conquests +made by them in little less than a hundred, but also the inheritances +which they had enjoyed for above three centuries bypast. It is +not my part to follow them, as the French and my countrymen +did, from town to town, and from province to province; I take +much more pleasure in relating the glories than the disgraces of +England.'</p> + +<p>This disgrace the English must, and do, most sorrowfully confess, +and, that it may never be forgotten while the civilised world +stands, there lives, among the plays of Shakspeare, whether he +wrote or did not write it, that first part of 'Henry VI.,' which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +may pair with the yet more abominable poem of the Frenchman, +Voltaire.</p> + +<p>Twenty years after her death, as we saw, Charles VII., in his +own interest, induced the Pope and the Inquisition, to try the case +of Joan over again. It was as certain that the clergy would find +her innocent, now, as that they would find her guilty before. But, +happily, they collected the evidence of most of the living people +who had known her. Thus we have heard from the Domremy +peasants how good she was as a child, from Dunois, d'Alençon, +d'Aulon, how she was beautiful, courteous, and brave, from Isambart +and L'Advenu, how nobly she died, and how she never made +one complaint, but forgave all her enemies freely. All these old +Latin documents were collected, edited, and printed, in 1849, by +Monsieur Jules Quicherat, a long and noble labour. After the publication +of this book, there has been, and can be, no doubt about the +perfect goodness of Joan of Arc. The English long believed silly +stories against her, as a bad woman, stories which were not +even mentioned by her judges. The very French, at different +times, have mocked at her memory, in ignorance and disbelief. +They said she was a tool of politicians, who, on the other hand, +never wanted her, or that she was crazy. Men mixed up with her +glorious history the adventures of the false Maid, who pretended to be +Joan come again, and people doubted as to whether she really died at +Rouen. In modern times, some wiseacres have called the strongest +and healthiest of women 'hysterical,' which is their way of accounting +for her Voices. But now, thanks mainly to Monsieur Quicherat, +and other learned Frenchmen, the world, if it chooses, may know +Joan as she was; the stainless Maid, the bravest, gentlest, kindest, +and wisest woman who ever lived. Her country people, in her lifetime, +called her 'the greatest of Saints, after the Blessed Virgin,' +and, at least, she is the greatest concerning whose deeds and noble +sufferings history preserves a record. And her Voices we leave to +Him who alone knows all truth.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>HOW THE BASS WAS HELD FOR KING JAMES</i></h2> + + +<div class="figright" style="width: 360px;"> +<img src="images/i105.png" width="360" height="500" alt="'INSTANTLY A GUST OF WIND BLEW HER OFF THE ROCK +INTO THE SEA'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'INSTANTLY A GUST OF WIND BLEW HER OFF THE ROCK +INTO THE SEA'</span> +</div> + +<div class='cap'>THE Bass Rock is a steep black mass of stone, standing about +two miles out to sea, off the coast of Berwickshire. The sheer +cliffs, straight as a wall, are some four hundred feet in height. At +the top there is a sloping grassy shelf, on which a few sheep are +kept, but the chief inhabitants of the rock are innumerable hosts +of sea-birds. Far up the rock, two hundred years ago, was a +fortress, with twenty cannons and a small garrison. As a boat can +only touch at the little island in very fine weather, the fortress was +considered by the Government of Charles II. an excellent prison +for Covenanters. There was a house for the governor, and a chapel +where powder was kept, but where no clergyman officiated. As +the covenanting prisoners were nearly all ministers, and a few of +them prophets, it was thought, no doubt, that they could attend to +their own devotions for themselves. They passed a good deal of +their time in singing psalms. One prisoner looked into the cell of +another late at night, and saw a shining white figure with him, +which was taken for an angel by the spectator. Another prisoner, a +celebrated preacher, named Peden, once told a merry girl that +a 'sudden surprising judgment was waiting for her,' and instantly +a gust of wind blew her off the rock into the sea. The +Covenanters, one of whom had shot at the Archbishop of St. +Andrews, and hit the Bishop of Orkney, were very harshly +treated. 'They were obliged to drink the twopenny ale of the +governor's brewing, scarcely worth a half-penny the pint,' an inconvenience +which they probably shared with the garrison. They +were sometimes actually compelled to make their own beds, a cruel +hardship, when their servants had been dismissed, probably for plotting +their escape. They had few pleasures except writing accounts of +their sufferings, and books on religion; or studying Greek and +Hebrew.</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<p>When King James II. was driven from his throne, in 1688, by +the Prince of Orange, these sufferers found release, they being +on the Orange side. But the castle of the Bass did not yield to +William till 1690; it was held for King James by Charles Maitland +till his ammunition and stores were exhausted. The Whigs, +who were now in power, used the Bass for a prison, as their enemies +had done, and four Cavalier prisoners were shut up in the cold, smoky, +unwholesome jail, just as the Covenanters had been before. These +men, Middleton, Halyburton, Roy, and Dunbar, all of them young, +had been in arms for King James, and were taken when his Majesty's +forces were surprised and defeated by Livingstone at Cromdale Haugh. +Middleton was a lieutenant; his friends were junior in rank, and +were only ensigns.</p> + +<p>These four lads did not devote their leisure to the composition +of religious treatises, nor to the learning of Latin and Greek. On the +other hand they reckoned it more worthy of their profession to turn +the Whig garrison out of the Bass, and to hold it for King James. +For three years they held it against all comers, and the Royal flag, +driven out of England and Scotland, still floated over this little rock +in the North Sea.</p> + +<p>This is how the Four took the Bass. They observed that when +coals were landed all the garrison except three or four soldiers +went down to the rocky platform where there was a crane for raising +goods. When they went, they locked three of the four gates on +the narrow rocky staircase behind them.</p> + +<p>On June 15, 1691, the soldiers went on this duty, leaving, to +guard the Cavaliers, La Fosse, the sergeant, Swan, the gunner, and +one soldier. These men were overpowered, or won over, by +Middleton, Roy, Dunbar, and Halyburton, who then trained a gun +on the garrison below, and asked them whether they would retire +peacefully, or fight? They preferred to sail away in the coal vessel, +and very foolish they must have felt, when they carried to the +Whigs in Edinburgh the news that four men had turned them out +of an impregnable castle, and held it for King James.</p> + +<p>Next night young Crawford of Ardmillan, with his servant and +two Irish sailors, seized a long-boat on the beach, sailed over, and +joined the brave little garrison of the Bass. Crawford had been +lurking in disguise for some time, and the two Irishmen had +escaped from prison in Edinburgh, and were not particularly well +disposed to the government of William.</p> + +<p>When the news reached King James, in France, he sent a ship,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +laden with provisions and stores of all kinds, and two boats, one of +them carrying two light guns. The Whigs established a force on +the shore opposite, and their boats cruised about to intercept +supplies, but in this they failed, the Cavaliers being too quick and +artful to be caught easily.</p> + +<p>On August 15, however, the enemy seized the large boat at night. +Now Ardmillan and Middleton were absent in search of supplies, +and, being without their leader, Roy and Dunbar thought of surrendering. +But just as they were about signing articles of surrender, +Middleton returned with a large boat and plenty of provisions, and +he ran his boat under the guns of his fort, whence he laughed at +the enemies of his king. Dunbar, however, who was on shore engaged +in the business of the surrender, was held as a prisoner. +The Whigs were not much nearer taking the Bass. On September +3 they sent a sergeant and a drummer to offer a free pardon to +the Cavaliers. They were allowed to land on the rock, but Middleton +merely laughed at the promise of a free pardon, and he kept +the sergeant and drummer, whom he afterwards released. A +Danish ship, sailing between the Bass and shore, had a gun fired +across her bows, and was made prize of; they took out everything +that they needed, and then let her go.</p> + +<p>The Cavaliers lived a gay life: they had sheep on the Bass, +plenty of water, meat, biscuits, beer and wine. Cruising in their +boats they captured several ships, supplied themselves with what +they wanted, and held the ships themselves to ransom. When +food ran short they made raids on the shore, lifted cattle, and, +generally, made war support war.</p> + +<p>The government of the Prince of Orange was driven beyond its +patience, and vowed that the Bass should be taken, if it cost all the +revenue of the country. But Middleton had plenty of powder, he +had carefully collected more than five hundred balls fired at his +fort by the English, and he calmly awaited the arrival of hostile +men-of-war. The 'Sheerness' (Captain Roope) and the 'London +Merchant' (Captain Orton) were sent with orders to bombard the +Bass and destroy the fort. After two days of heavy firing, these +vessels had lost a number of men, their rigging was cut to pieces, +and the ships were so damaged that they were glad to slink off to +harbour.</p> + +<p>A close watch was now set, the 'Lion' (Captain Burd), a dogger +of six guns, and a long-boat cruised constantly in the neighbourhood. +Captain Burd is described as 'a facetious and intelligent man,' and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +a brave officer, but his intelligence and courage were no match for +Middleton. In August 1693 a French frigate of twelve guns +sailed under the Bass and landed supplies. But the Cavaliers were +so few that they had to borrow ten French sailors to help in the +landing of the provisions. At this moment the 'Lion' bore down +on the French vessel, which was obliged to cut her cables to avoid +being run down. The garrison of the Bass was thus left with ten +more mouths to feed, and with only the small supplies that had +been landed. They were soon reduced to two ounces of raw rusk +dough for each man, every day. Halyburton was caught and condemned +to be hanged, and a Mr. Trotter, who had helped the +Cavaliers, was actually hanged on shore, within sight of the Bass. +Middleton fired a shot and scattered the crowd, but that did not +save poor Trotter.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i109.png" width="400" height="249" alt="The Bass attacked by the frigates" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Bass attacked by the frigates</span> +</div> + +<p>Middleton had now only a few pounds of meal left. He therefore +sent in a flag of truce, and announced that he would surrender, but +upon his own terms. Very good terms they were. Envoys were dispatched +by the Whigs: Middleton gave them an excellent luncheon +out of provisions kept for the purpose, and choice French wines. +He had also set coats and caps on the muzzles of guns, above, on +the rocks, so that the Whig envoys believed he had plenty of +men, and no scarcity of provisions. Their lordships returned,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +and told the Privy Council that the Bass was in every respect +well provisioned and well manned. Middleton's terms were, +therefore, gladly accepted.</p> + +<p>He got a full pardon for every one then in the garrison, and for +every one who had ever been in it (including Halyburton, now +under sentence, of death), 'and none hereafter shall call them +to account.' They were to depart with all the honours of war, +with swords and baggage, in their own boat. They were to +be at liberty to come or go, whenever they pleased, till May 15, +1694; and a ship, properly supplied, was to be ready to carry them +to France, if they preferred to join Dundee's gallant officers in the +French service. Finally, <i>all their expenses were to be paid</i>! The +'aliment' formerly granted to them, and unpaid when they +seized the Bass, was to be handed over to them. On these terms +Middleton took leave of the fortress which he could not have +held for a week longer. There have been greater deeds of arms, +but there never was one so boyish, so gallant, and so gay.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE CROWNING OF INES DE CASTRO</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>ABOUT the year 1340, when Edward III. was King of England, +a young Spanish lady set out from Castile on the long journey +to the Court of Portugal. She was the only daughter of John +Manuel, Duke of Villena, a very rich and powerful noble, much +dreaded by the King of Castile for his boldness and restlessness. +Not many years before he had suddenly left his post as Warden +of the French Marches, to fight against the Moors in the province +of Murcia, and though the King was very angry at his conduct, he +did not dare to punish him, for fear that in some way he himself +would suffer. Villena's daughter Constance had passed much of +her time at the Castilian Court, where she lived in the state that +was expected of a great lady of those days, but when the treaty was +made which decided that she was to marry Dom Pedro, Crown +Prince of Portugal, her household was increased, and special +attendants appointed to do honour to her rank.</div> + +<p>Now among the ladies chosen to form part of Constance's court, +was a distant cousin of her own, the beautiful and charming Ines de +Castro. Like Henry II. at the sight of Fair Rosamond, the young +Dom Pedro, who was not more than twenty years of age, fell +passionately in love with her. He did all in his power to hide his +feelings from his bride, the Infanta Constance, but did not succeed, +and in a few years she died, it was said of grief at her husband's coldness, +after giving birth to the Infant, Dom Fernando (1345). After +her death, Dom Pedro's father King Alfonso was anxious that he +should marry again, but he refused all the brides proposed for him, +and people whispered among themselves that he was already secretly +wedded to Ines de Castro. Time went on, and they had four children, +but Ines preferred to live quietly in a convent in the country, and +never took her place as Dom Pedro's wife. Still, however secluded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +she might be, large numbers of her fellow Castilians, weary of the +yoke of their own King, Pedro the Cruel, flocked into Portugal, and +looked to her for protection, which Dom Pedro for her sake always +gave them, and chief among these foreign favourites were Ines' two +brothers, Fernando and Alvaro Perez de Castro. This state of +things was very bitter to the old Portuguese courtiers, who complained +to the King that in future the country would only be +governed by Spaniards. These rumours grew so loud that in +time they even reached the ears of the Queen, and she, with the +Archbishop of Braga, gave Dom Pedro solemn warning that some +plot was assuredly forming which would end in his ruin. But Dom +Pedro, naturally fearless, had faith in his father's goodwill towards +him, and looked on these kindly warnings as mere empty threats, +so proceeded gaily on his path. Thus in silence was prepared the +bloody deed.</p> + +<p>When the courtiers thought all was ready they went in a +deputation to Alfonso IV., and pointed out what might be expected +in the future if Ines de Castro was allowed to remain the fountainhead +for honours and employments to all her countrymen who were +attracted to Portugal by the hopes of better pay. They enlarged on +the fact that the national laws and customs would be changed, and +Portugal become a mere province of Spain; worse than all, that the +life of the Infant Dom Fernando was endangered, as upon the death +of the King, the Castros would naturally desire to secure the +succession to the children of Ines. If Ines were only out of the +way, Dom Pedro would forget her, and consent to make a suitable +marriage. So things went on, working together for the end of Ines.</p> + +<p>At last the King set forth, surrounded by many of his great +nobles and high officials, for Coimbra, a small town in which was +situated the Convent of Santa Clara, where Ines de Castro quietly +dwelt, with her three surviving children. On seeing the sudden +arrival of Alfonso with this great company of armed knights, the +soul of Ines shrank with a horrible fear. She could not fly, as +every avenue was closed, and Dom Pedro was away on the chase, +as the nobles very well knew. Pale as an image of death, Ines +clasped her children in her arms, and flung herself at the feet of the +King. 'My lord,' she cried, 'have I given you cause to wish my +death? Your son is the Prince; I can refuse him nothing. Have +pity on me, wife as I am. Kill me not without reason. And if you +have no compassion left for me, find a place in your heart for your +grandchildren, who are of your own blood.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i113.png" width="300" height="356" alt="Ines pleads for her life" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Ines pleads for her life</span> +</div> + +<p>The innocence and beauty of the unfortunate woman, who indeed +had harmed no one, moved the King, and he withdrew to think +better what should be done. But the envy and hatred of the +courtiers would not suffer Ines to triumph, and again they brought +forward their evil counsels.</p> + +<p>'Do what you will,' at length said the King. And they did it.</p> + +<p>A nameless pain filled the soul of Dom Pedro when on his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +return he stood before the bloody corpse of Ines, whom he had +loved so well. But soon another feeling took possession of him, +which shut out everything else—the desire to revenge himself on +her murderers. Hastily calling together the brothers of Ines and +some followers who were attached to his person, he took counsel +with them, and then collecting all the men-at-arms within his +reach, he fell upon the neighbouring provinces and executed a +fearful vengeance, both with fire and sword, upon the innocent +inhabitants. How long this rage for devastation might have lasted +cannot be told, but Dom Pedro was at length brought to a better +mind by Gonçalo Pereira, Archbishop of Braga, who, by the help +of the Queen, succeeded in establishing peace between father and +son.</p> + +<p>So a parchment deed was drawn up between the King and the +Infant, in which Dom Pedro undertook to pardon all who had been +engaged in the murder of Ines, and Alfonso promised to forgive +those who had taken his son's side, and borne arms against himself. +And for his part Dom Pedro vowed to perform the duties of a +faithful vassal, and to banish from his presence all turbulent and +restless spirits. So peace was made.</p> + +<p>Two years had hardly passed after this event before King +Alfonso lay on his death-bed in Lisbon, and then, thinking over +what would happen when he was dead, the feeling gradually came +over him that in spite of Dom Pedro's solemn oath the murderers of +Ines would not be safe from his revenge. Therefore he sent for the +three knights, Diogo Lopez Pacheco, Alvaro Gonçalves, and Pedro +Coelho, who had counselled him to do the dreadful deed and had +themselves struck the blow, and bade them leave their property +and all they had, and fly while there was yet time to foreign lands +for refuge. The knights saw the wisdom of the advice, and sought +shelter in Castile. Then Alfonso prepared himself to die, the +murder of Ines lying heavy on his soul in his last days (1357).</p> + +<p>King Pedro was thirty-seven years old when he ascended the +throne, and his first care was to secure peace to his kingdom. To +this end he sent several embassies to the King of Castile, who made +a compact with Alfonso 'to be the friend of his friends, and the +enemy of his enemies.' The results of this treaty may be easily +guessed at. The King of Portugal engaged to send back to Castile +all who had fled to his dominions from the tyranny of Pedro the Cruel, +the ally of the Black Prince, and was to receive in return the murderers +of Ines, two of whom he put to a horrible death. The third,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +Pacheco, was more fortunate. A beggar to whom he had been +accustomed to give alms discovered his danger, and hastened to +warn the knight, who was away from the city on a hunting expedition. +By his advice Pacheco changed clothes with the beggar, and made +his way through Aragon to the borders of France, where he took +refuge with Henry of Trastamara, half-brother of the King of +Castile. Here he remained, a poor knight without friends or +property, till the year 1367, when on his death-bed the King of +Portugal suddenly remembered that when dying the other two +knights had sworn that Pacheco was guiltless of the murder of +Ines, and ordered his son to recall him from exile and to restore +all his possessions. Which Dom Fernando joyfully did.</p> + +<p>That, however, happened several years after the time we are +speaking of, when Dom Pedro had only just ascended the throne. +Having satisfied his feelings of revenge against the murderers of +Ines, a nobler desire filled his heart. He resolved that she who +had been so ill-spoken of during her life, and had died such a +shameful death, should be acknowledged openly as his wife and +queen before his Court and his people. So he assembled all the +great nobles and officers, and, laying his hand on the sacred books, +swore solemnly that seven years before he had taken Ines de +Castro to wife, and had lived with her in happiness till her death, +but that through dread of his father the marriage had been kept +secret; and he commanded the Lord High Chamberlain to prepare +a deed recording his oath. And in case there should still be some +who did not believe, three days later the Bishop of Guarda and the +Keeper of the King's Wardrobe bore witness before the great lords +gathered together in Coimbra that they themselves had been +present at the secret marriage, which had taken place at Braganza, +in the royal apartments, according to the rites of the Church.</p> + +<p>This solemn function being over, the last act in the history of +Ines was begun. By command of the King her body was taken +from the convent of Santa Clara, where it had lain in peace for +many years, and was clad in royal garments: a crown was placed on +her head and a sceptre in her hand, and she was seated on a throne +for the subjects, who during her life had despised her, to kneel and +kiss the hem of her robe. One by one the knights and the nobles +and the great officers of the Crown did homage to the dead woman, +and when all had bowed before what was left of the beautiful +Ines they placed her in a splendid coffin, which was borne by +knights over the seven leagues that lay between Coimbra and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +Alcobaça, the royal burying-place of the Portuguese. In this +magnificent cloister a tomb had been prepared carved in white +marble, and at the head stood a statue of Ines in the pride of +her beauty, crowned a queen. Bishops and soldiers, nobles and +peasants, lined the road to watch the coffin pass, and thousands +with lighted torches followed the dead woman to her resting place, +till the whole long road from Coimbra to Alcobaça was lit up with +brightness. So, solemnly, Ines de Castro was laid in her grave, +and the honours which had been denied her in life were heaped +around her tomb.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>THE STORY OF ORTHON</i></h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>[There may be some who doubt whether the following story is in all +respects perfectly true. It is taken, however, from a history book, the +'Chronicle of Jean Froissart,' who wrote about the wars of the Black +Prince.]</p></div> + + +<div class='cap'>GREAT marvel it is to think and consider of a thing that I will +tell you, and that was told to me in the house of the Comte de +Foix at Orthez, by him who gave me to know concerning the battle +of Juberot. And I will tell you of this matter, what it was, for +since the Squire told me this tale, whereof you shall presently have +knowledge, certes I have thought over it a hundred times, and +shall think as long as I live.</div> + +<p>'Certain it is,' quoth the Squire, 'that the day after the fight at +Juberot the Comte de Foix knew of it, whereat men marvelled +much how this might be. And all day, on the Sunday and the +Monday and the Tuesday following, he made in his castle of Orthez +such dull and simple cheer that none could drag a word out of +him. All these three days he would not leave his chamber, nor +speak to knight or squire, howsoever near him they might be. +And when it came to Tuesday at evening, he called his brother, Sir +Ernault Guillaume, and said to him in a low voice:</p> + +<p>'"Our men have fought, whereat I am grieved; for that has +befallen them of their journey which I told them before they set +out."</p> + +<p>'Sir Ernault, who is a right wise knight and of good counsel, +knowing well the manner and ways of his brother the Count, held +his peace for a little while. Then the Count, willing to show his +heart, and weary of his long sadness, spoke again, and louder +than before, saying:</p> + +<p>'"By God, Sir Ernault, it is as I tell you, and shortly we shall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +have news; for never did the land of Béarn lose so much in one +day—no, not these hundred years—as it has lost this time in +Portugal."</p> + +<p>'Many knights and squires standing round who heard the Count +noted these words, and in ten days learned the truth from them +who had been in the fight, and who brought tidings, first to the +Court, and afterwards to all who would hear them, of what befell at +Juberot. Thereby was the Count's grief renewed, and that of all +in the country who had lost brothers and fathers, sons and friends, +in the fray.'</p> + +<p>'Marry!' said I to the Squire, who was telling me his tale, 'and +how could the Count know or guess what befell? Gladly would +I learn this.'</p> + +<p>'By my faith,' said the Squire, 'he knew it well, as appeared.'</p> + +<p>'Is he a prophet, or has he messengers who ride at night with +the wind? Some art he must have.'</p> + +<p>Then the Squire began to laugh.</p> + +<p>'Truly he must learn by some way of necromancy; we know +not here truly how he does it, save by phantasies.'</p> + +<p>'Ah, good sir, of these fancies prithee tell me, and I will be +grateful. If it is a matter to keep silent, silent will I keep it, and +never, while I am in this country, will I open my mouth thereon.'</p> + +<p>'I pray you do not, for I would not that any should know I +had spoken. Yet others talk of it quietly when they are among +their friends.'</p> + +<p>Thereon he drew me apart into a corner of the castle chapel, +and then began his tale, and spoke thus:</p> + +<p>'It may be twenty years since there reigned here a baron +named Raymond, lord of Corasse, a town and castle seven leagues +from Orthez. Now, the lord of Corasse, at the time of which I +speak, held a plea at Avignon before the Pope against a clerk of +Catalonia who laid claim to the tithes of his town, the said clerk +belonging to a powerful order, and claiming the right of the tithes +of Corasse, which, indeed, amounted to a yearly sum of one hundred +florins. This right he set forth and proved before all men, +for in his judgment, given in the Consistory General, Pope Urban V. +declared that the clerk had won his case, and that the Chevalier +had no ground for his claim. The sentence once delivered, letters +were given to the clerk enabling him to take possession, and he +rode so hard that in a very short time he reached Béarn, and by +virtue of the papal bull appropriated the tithes. The Sieur de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +Corasse was right wroth with the clerk and his doings, and came +to him and said:</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 263px;"> +<img src="images/i119.png" width="263" height="400" alt="'I will send you a champion whom you will fear more than you fear me'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'I will send you a champion whom you will fear more than you fear me'</span> +</div> + +<p>'"Master Martin, or Master Pierre, or whatever your name may +be, do you think that I am going to give up my rights just because +of those letters of yours? I scarce fancy you are bold enough to +lay hands on property of mine, for you will risk your life in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +doing. Go elsewhere to seek a benefice, for of my rights you shall +have none, and this I tell you, once and for all."</p> + +<p>'The mind of the clerk misgave him, for he knew that the +Chevalier cared not for men's lives, and he dared not persevere. +So he dropped his claims, and betook himself to his own country +or to Avignon. And when the moment had come that he was to depart, +he entered into the presence of the Sieur de Corasse, and said:</p> + +<p>'"Sir, it is by force and not by right that you lay hands on the +property of the Church, of which you make such ill-use. In this +land you are stronger than I, but know that as soon as I may I will +send you a champion whom you will fear more than you fear me."</p> + +<p>'The Sieur de Corasse, who did not heed his words, replied:</p> + +<p>'"Go, do as you will; I fear you as little alive as dead. For all +your talk, I will never give up my rights."</p> + +<p>'Thus parted the clerk and the Sieur de Corasse, and the clerk +returned to his own country, but whether that was Avignon or +Catalonia I know not. But he did not forget what he had told the +Sieur de Corasse when he bade him farewell; for three months +after, when he expected it least, there came to the castle of Corasse, +while the Chevalier was quietly sleeping, certain invisible messengers, +who began to throw about all that was in the castle, till it +seemed as if, truly, nothing would be left standing. The Chevalier +heard it all, but he said nought, for he would not be thought a +coward, and indeed he had courage enough for any adventure that +might befall.</p> + +<p>'These sounds of falling weights continued for a long space, then +ceased suddenly.</p> + +<p>'When the morning came, the servants all assembled, and their +lord having arisen from bed they came to him and said, "Sir, +have you also heard that which we have heard this night?" And +the Sieur de Corasse hid it in his heart and answered, "No; what +have you heard?" And they told him how that all the furniture +was thrown down, and all the kitchen pots had been broken. But +he began to laugh, and said it was a dream, and that the wind had +caused it. "Ah no," sighed his wife; "I also have heard."</p> + +<p>'When the next night arrived, the noise-makers arrived too, and +made more disturbance than before, and gave great knocks at the +doors, and likewise at the windows of the Sieur de Corasse. And +the Chevalier leaped out of his bed and demanded, "Who is it that +rocks my bed at this hour of the night?".</p> + +<p>'And answer was made him, "That which I am, I am."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Then asked the Chevalier, "By whom are you sent here?"</p> + +<p>'"By the clerk of Catalonia, to whom you have done great wrong, +for you have taken from him his rights and his heritage. Hence +you will never be suffered to dwell in peace till you have given +him what is his due, and he is content."</p> + +<p>'"And you, who are so faithful a messenger," inquired the +Chevalier, "what is your name?"</p> + +<p>'"They call me Orthon."</p> + +<p>'"Orthon," said the knight, "the service of a clerk is worth +nothing, and if you trust him, he will work you ill. Leave me in +peace, I pray you, and take service with me, and I shall be grateful."</p> + +<p>'Now, the knight was pleasing to Orthon, so he answered, "Is +this truly your will?"</p> + +<p>'"Yes," replied the Sieur de Corasse. "Do no ill unto those that +dwell here, and I will cherish you, and we shall be as one."</p> + +<p>'"No," spoke Orthon. "I have no power save to wake you and +others, and to disturb you when you fain would sleep."</p> + +<p>'"Do as I say," said the Chevalier; "we shall agree well, if only +you will abandon this wicked clerk. With him there is nothing +but pain, and if you serve me——"</p> + +<p>'"Since it is your will," replied Orthon, "it is mine also."</p> + +<p>'The Sieur de Corasse pleased Orthon so much that he came +often to see him in his sleep, and pulled away his pillow or gave +great knocks against the window of the room where he lay. And +when the Chevalier was awakened he would exclaim, "Let me sleep, +I pray you, Orthon!"</p> + +<p>'"Not so," said Orthon; "I have news to give you."</p> + +<p>"And what news will you give me? Whence come you?"</p> + +<p>'Then said Orthon, "I come from England, or Germany, or +Hungary, or some other country, which I left, yesterday, and such-and-such +things have happened."</p> + +<p>'Thus it was that the Sieur de Corasse knew so much when he +went into the world; and this trick he kept up for five or six years. +But in the end he could not keep silence, and made it known to +the Comte de Foix in the way I shall tell you.</p> + +<p>'The first year, whenever the Sieur de Corasse came into the +presence of the Count at Ortais or elsewhere, he would say to him: +"Monseigneur, such-and-such a thing has happened in England, or +in Scotland, or in Germany, or in Flanders, or in Brabant, or in +some other country," and the Comte de Foix marvelled greatly at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +these things. But one day he pressed the Sieur de Corasse so hard +that the knight told him how it was he knew all that passed in the +world and who told him. When the Comte de Foix knew the +truth of the matter, his heart leapt with joy, and he said: "Sieur de +Corasse, bind him to you in love. I would I had such a messenger. +He costs you nothing, and knows all that passes throughout the +world."</p> + +<p>'"Monseigneur," said the Chevalier, "thus will I do."</p> + +<p>'Thus the Sieur de Corasse was served by Orthon, and that for +long. I know not if Orthon had more than one master, but certain +it is that every week he came, twice or thrice during the night, to +tell to the Sieur de Corasse the news of all the countries that he had +visited, which the Sieur wrote at once to the Comte de Foix, who +was of all men most joyed in news from other lands. One day when +the Sieur de Corasse was with the Comte de Foix, the talk fell +upon Orthon, and suddenly the Count inquired, "Sieur de Corasse, +have you never seen your messenger?"</p> + +<p>'He answered, "No, by my faith, Monseigneur, and I have never +even asked to."</p> + +<p>'"Well," he replied, "it is very strange. If he had been as +friendly to me as he is to you, I should long ago have begged him +to show me who and what he is. And I pray that you will do all +you can, so that I may know of what fashion he may be. You tell +me that his speech is Gascon, such as yours or mine."</p> + +<p>'"By my faith," said the Sieur de Corasse, "it is only the truth. +His Gascon is as good as the best; and, since you advise it, I will +spare myself no trouble to see what he is like."</p> + +<p>'Two or three nights after came Orthon, and finding the Sieur de +Corasse sleeping soundly, he pulled the pillow, so as to wake him. +So the Sieur de Corasse awoke with a start and inquired, "Who +is there?"</p> + +<p>'He answered, "I am Orthon."</p> + +<p>'"And whence do you come?"</p> + +<p>'"From Prague in Bohemia. The Emperor of Rome is dead."</p> + +<p>'"And when did he die?"</p> + +<p>'"The day before yesterday."</p> + +<p>'"And how far is it from Prague to this?"</p> + +<p>'"How far?" he answered. "Why, it is sixty days' journey."</p> + +<p>'"And you have come so quickly?"</p> + +<p>'"But, by my faith, I travel more quickly than the wind."</p> + +<p>'"And have you wings?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>'"By my faith, no."</p> + +<p>'"How, then, do you fly so fast?"</p> + +<p>'Said Orthon, "That does not concern you."</p> + +<p>'"No," he replied; "but I would gladly see of what form you are."</p> + +<p>'Said Orthon, "My form does not concern you. Content you +with what I tell you and that my news is true."</p> + +<p>'"Now, as I live," cried the Sieur de Corasse, "I should love +you better if I had but seen you."</p> + +<p>'Said Orthon, "Since you have such burning desire to see me, +the first thing you behold to-morrow morning on getting out of +bed will be I."</p> + +<p>'"It is enough," answered the Sieur de Corasse. "Go. I take +leave of you for this night."</p> + +<p>'When the day dawned, the Sieur de Corasse arose from his bed, +but his wife was filled with such dread of meeting Orthon that she +feigned to be ill, and protested she would lie abed all day; for she +said, "Suppose I were to see him?"</p> + +<p>'"Now," cried the Sieur de Corasse, "see what I do," and he +jumped from his bed and sat upon the edge, and looked about for +Orthon; but he saw nothing. Then he threw back the windows so +that he could note more clearly all that was in the room, but again +he saw nought of which he could say, "That is Orthon."</p> + +<p>'The day passed and night came. Hardly had the Sieur de +Corasse climbed up into his bed than Orthon arrived, and began to +talk to him, as his custom was.</p> + +<p>'"Go to, go to," said the Sieur de Corasse; "you are but a +bungler. You promised to show yourself to me yesterday, and you +never appeared."</p> + +<p>'"Never appeared," said he. "But I did, by my faith."</p> + +<p>'"You did not."</p> + +<p>'"And did you see nothing," said Orthon, "when you leapt +from your bed?"</p> + +<p>'The Sieur de Corasse thought for a little; then he answered. +"Yes," he replied; "as I was sitting on my bed and thinking of you, +I noticed two long straws on the floor twisting about and playing +together."</p> + +<p>'"That was I," said Orthon. "That was the form I had taken +upon me."</p> + +<p>'Said the Sieur de Corasse: "That is not enough. You must take +another form, so that I may see you and know you."</p> + +<p>'"You ask so much that I shall become weary of you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +and you will lose me," replied +Orthon.</p> + +<p>'"You will never become +weary of me and I +shall never lose you," answered +the Sieur de Corasse; +"if only I see you once, I +shall be content."</p> + +<p>'"So be it," said Orthon; +"to-morrow you shall see +me, and take notice that +the first thing you see as +you leave your room will +be I."</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 333px;"> +<img src="images/i124.png" width="333" height="500" alt="Orthon's last appearance" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Orthon's last appearance</span> +</div> + +<p>'"It is enough," spoke +the Sieur de Corasse; "and +now go, for I fain would +sleep."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>'So Orthon went; and when it was the third hour next morning<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> +the Sieur de Corasse rose and dressed as was his custom, and, leaving +his chamber, came out into a gallery that looked into the central +court of the castle. He glanced down, and the first thing he saw +was a sow, larger than any he had ever beheld, but so thin that it +seemed nothing but skin and bone. The Sieur de Corasse was +troubled at the sight of the pig, and said to his servants: "Set on +the dogs, and let them chase out that sow."</p> + +<p>'The varlets departed and loosened the dogs, and urged them to +attack the sow, which uttered a great cry and looked at the Sieur +de Corasse, who stood leaning against one of the posts of his chamber. +They saw her no more, for she vanished, and no man could tell +whither she had gone.</p> + +<p>'Then the Sieur de Corasse entered into his room, pondering +deeply, for he remembered the words of Orthon and said to himself: +"I fear me that I have seen my messenger. I repent me that I +have set my dogs upon him, and the more that perhaps he will +never visit me again, for he has told me, not once but many times, +that if I angered him he would depart from me."</p> + +<p>'And in this he said well; for Orthon came no more to the castle +of Corasse, and in less than a year its lord himself was dead.'</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HOW GUSTAVUS VASA WON HIS KINGDOM</h2> + + +<div class='cap'>NEARLY four hundred years ago, on May 12, 1496, Gustavus +Vasa was born in an old house in Sweden. His father was a +noble of a well-known Swedish family, and his mother could claim +as her sister one of the bravest and most unfortunate women of her +time. Now, it was the custom in those days that both boys and +girls should be sent when very young to the house of some great +lord to be taught their duties as pages or ladies-in-waiting, and to +be trained in all sorts of accomplishments. So when Gustavus Vasa +had reached the age of six or seven, he was taken away from all +his brothers and sisters and placed in the household of his uncle by +marriage, whose name was Sten Sture. At that time Sweden had +had no king of her own for a hundred years, when the kingdom had +become united with Norway and Denmark in the reign of Queen +Margaret by a treaty that is known in history as the Union of Calmar +(1397). As long as Queen Margaret lived the three kingdoms were +well-governed and happy; but her successors were by no means as +wise as she, and at the period we are writing of the Danish stewards +of King Hans and his son, Christian II., oppressed and ill-treated +the Swedes in every possible way, and Sten Sture, regent though he +was, had no power to protect them. From time to time the +Danish kings came over to Sweden to look after their own interests, +and on one of these visits King Hans saw little Gustavus Vasa at +the house of Sten Sture in Stockholm. He is said to have taken +notice of the boy, and to have exclaimed grimly that Gustavus +would be a great man if he lived; and the Regent, thinking that +the less attention the King paid to his unwilling subjects the safer +their heads would be, at once sent the boy back to his father.</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 296px;"> +<img src="images/i127.png" width="296" height="400" alt="Gustavus leaves school for good!" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Gustavus leaves school for good!</span> +</div> + +<p>For some years Gustavus lived at home and had a merry time, +learning to shoot by hitting a mark with his arrows before he was +allowed any breakfast, and roaming all over the woods in his little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +coat of scarlet cloth. At thirteen he was sent for a time to school +at Upsala, where he learned music as well as other things, and even +taught himself to make musical instruments. One day, however, +the Danish schoolmaster spoke scornfully of the Swedes, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +Gustavus, dashing the sword which he carried through the book +before him, vowed vengeance on all Danes, and walked out of +the school for good.</p> + +<p>As far as we know, Gustavus probably remained with his father +for the next few years, and we next hear of him in 1514 at the Court +of Sten Sture the younger. Already he had obtained a reputation +among his friends both for boldness and caution, and though so young +had learned experience by carefully watching all that was going +on around him. His enemies, too, even the wicked Archbishop +Trolle of Upsala, had begun to fear him without knowing exactly +why, and he had already made a name for himself by his courage +at the Swedish victory of Bränkyrka, when the standard was +borne by Gustavus through the thickest of the fight. This battle +dashed to the ground the King's hopes of getting Sten Sture, the +Regent, into his power by fair means, so he tried treachery to +persuade the Swede to enter his ship. But the men of Stockholm +saw through his wiles and declined this proposal, and the King was +driven to offer the Swedes a meeting in a church, on condition +that Gustavus Vasa and five other distinguished nobles should be +sent first on board as hostages. This was agreed to; but no sooner +had the young men put off in their boat than a large Danish vessel +cut off their retreat, and they were at once carried off to Denmark +as prisoners.</p> + +<p>For one moment it seemed likely that Gustavus would be hanged, +and Sweden remain in slavery for many years longer, and indeed, +if his life was spared, it was only because Christian thought it might +be to his own advantage. Still, spared it was, and the young man +was delivered to the care of a distant relation in Jutland, who was +to forfeit 400l. in case of his escape. Here things were made as +pleasant to him as possible, and he was allowed to hunt and shoot, +though always attended by keepers.</p> + +<p>One day, after he had behaved with such prudence that his +keepers had almost given up watching him, he managed, while +strolling in the great park, to give them the slip, and to hide +himself where there was no chance of anyone finding him. He +contrived somehow to get hold of a pilgrim's dress; then that +of a cattle-driver, and in this disguise he made his way to the free +city of Lübeck, and threw himself on the mercy of the burgomaster +or mayor. By this time his enemies were on his track, and +his noble gaoler, Sir Eric Bauer, claimed him as an escaped prisoner. +But the people of Lübeck, who at that moment had a trade quarrel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +with Denmark, declared that the fugitive was not a prisoner who +had broken his parole, but a hostage who had been carried off by +treachery, and refused to give him up, though perhaps their own +interest had more to do with their steadfastness than right and +justice. As it was, Gustavus was held fast in Lübeck for eight +months before they would let him go, and it was not until May +1520 that he crossed the Baltic in a little fishing-smack, and sailed +for Stockholm, then besieged by Danish ships and defended by the +widow of the Regent. But finding the town closely invested, he +made for Calmar, and after a short stay in the castle he found his +way into the heart of the country, learning sadly at every step how +the worst enemies of Sweden were the Swedes themselves, who +betrayed each other to their Danish foes for jealousy and gold. +Like Prince Charlie, however, he was soon to find faithful hearts +among his countrymen, and for every traitor there were at least a +hundred who were true. While hiding on his father's property, he +sent some of his tenants to Stockholm, to find out the state of affairs +there. The news they brought was terrible. A fearful massacre, +known in history as the Blood Bath, had taken place by order of +the King. Citizens, bishops, nobles, and even servants had been +executed in the public market, and the King's thirst for blood was +not satisfied until some hundreds of Swedes had laid down their +lives. Among those who fell on the first day was the father of +Gustavus Vasa, who is said to have indignantly rejected the pardon +offered him by the King for his fidelity to his country. 'No,' he +exclaimed; 'let me die with all these honest men.' So he died, and +his son-in-law after him, and his wife, her mother, sister, and three +daughters were thrown into prison, where some of them were +starved to death. To crown all, a price was set on the head of +Gustavus.</p> + +<p>On hearing this last news Gustavus resolved to take refuge in +the province of Dalecarlia, and to trust to the loyalty of the peasants. +By this time it was the end of November (1520), and the snow lay +thick upon the ground; but this was rather in his favour, as his +enemies would be less likely to pursue him. So he cut his hair +short and put on the dress of a peasant, which in those days +consisted of a short, thick jacket, breeches with huge buttons, and a +low soft hat. Then he bought an axe and plunged into the forest. +Here he soon made a friend for life in a very tall, strong woodcutter, +known to his neighbours by the name of the 'Bear-slayer.' This woodcutter +was employed by a rich man, Petersen by name, who had a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +large property near by, and had been at school with Gustavus Vasa +at Upsala. But hearing that Danish spies were lurking around, +Gustavus would not confide even in him, but patiently did what +work was given him like a common servant. An accident betrayed +him. A maid-servant happened one day to see the golden collar +that Gustavus wore next his skin, and told her master. Petersen +then recognised his old schoolfellow; but knowing that he would +lose his own head if he gave him shelter, he advised the young noble +to leave his hiding-place, and take shelter with another old friend, +Arendt, who had once served under him. Here he was received +with open arms; but this hospitality only concealed treachery, for +his old comrade had formed a close friendship with the Danish +stewards who ruled the land, and only wanted an opportunity to +deliver Gustavus up to them. However, he was careful not to let +his guest see anything of his plan, and even pretended to share his +schemes for ridding the country of the enemy. So he hid Gustavus +in an attic, where he assured him he would be perfectly safe, and +left him, saying he would go round to all the neighbouring estates +to enlist soldiers for their cause. But of course he was only going +to give information about Gustavus, and to gain the reward.</p> + +<p>Now, it was only an accident that prevented his treachery being +successful. The first man he applied to, though a friend to the +Danes, scorned to take a mean advantage of anyone, and told the +traitor to go elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Furiously angry, but greedy and determined as ever, the traitor +set forth for the house of the Danish steward who lived nearest, +well knowing that from him he would receive nothing but gratitude.</p> + +<p>But the traitor's wife happened to be standing at her own door +as her husband drove by, and guessed what had occurred and +where he was going. She was an honest woman, who despised all +that was base and underhand, so she stole out to one of her servants +whom she could trust, and ordered him to make ready a sledge, for +he would have to go on a journey. Then, in order that no one +should know of Gustavus's escape until it was too late to overtake +him, she let him down out of the window into the sledge, which +drove off at once, across a frozen lake and past the copper-mines of +Fahlun, to a little village at the far end, where Gustavus left his +deliverer, giving him a beautiful silver dagger as a parting gift.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 319px;"> +<img src="images/i131.png" width="319" height="400" alt="'Lazy loon! Have you no work to do?'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Lazy loon! Have you no work to do?'</span> +</div> + +<p>Sheltered by one person after another, and escaping many +dangers on the way, Gustavus found himself at last in the cottage of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +one of the royal foresters, where he received a hospitable welcome +from the man and his wife. But unknown to himself, Danish +spies had been for some time on his track, and no sooner had +Gustavus sat down to warm his tired limbs before the fire where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +the forester's wife was baking bread, than they entered and inquired +if Gustavus Vasa had been seen to pass that way. Another +moment and they might have become curious about the stranger +sitting at the hearth, when the woman hastily turned round, and +struck him on the shoulder with the huge spoon she held in her +hand. 'Lazy loon!' she cried. 'Have you no work to do? Off with +you at once and see to your threshing.' The Danes only saw before +them a common Swedish servant bullied by his mistress, and it +never entered their heads to ask any questions; so once again +Gustavus was saved.</p> + +<p>Next day the forester hid him under a load of hay, and prepared +to drive him through the forest to the houses of some friends—foresters +like himself—who lived in a distant village. But Gustavus +was not to reach even this place without undergoing a danger +different from those he had met with before; for while they were +jogging peacefully along the road they came across one of the +numerous parties of Danes who were for ever scouring the country, +and on seeing the cart a man stepped up, and thrust through the +hay with his spear. Gustavus, though wounded, managed not to +cry out, but reached, faint with loss of blood, his next resting-place.</p> + +<p>After spending several days hidden among the boughs of a fir-tree, +till the Danes began to think that their information must be false +and Gustavus be looked for elsewhere, the fugitive was guided by +one peasant after another through the forests till he found himself +at the head of a large lake, and in the centre of many thickly-peopled +villages. Here he assembled the dwellers in the country round, and +spoke to them in the churchyard, telling of the wrongs that Sweden +had suffered and of her children that had been slain. The peasants +were moved by his words, but they did not wish to plunge into a war +till they were sure of being successful, so they told Gustavus that +they must find out something more before they took arms; meantime +he was driven to seek a fresh hiding-place.</p> + +<p>Gustavus was terribly dejected at the downfall of his hopes, for +he had thought, with the help of the peasants, to raise at once the +standard of rebellion; still he saw that flight was the only chance just +now, and Norway seemed his best refuge. However, some fresh +acts of tyranny on the part of their Danish masters did what +Gustavus's own words had failed to do, and suddenly the peasants +took their resolve and sent for Gustavus to be their leader.</p> + +<p>The messengers found him at the foot of the Dovre-Fjeld Mountains<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +between Norway and Sweden, and he joyfully returned with +them, rousing the people as he went, till at last he had got +together a force that far outnumbered the army which was sent to +meet it.</p> + +<p>Gustavus was not present at the first battle, which was fought +on the banks of the Dale River, for he was travelling about preaching +a rising among the Swedes of the distant provinces, but he +arrived just after, to find that the peasants had gained an overwhelming +victory. The fruits of this first victory were far-reaching. +It gave the people confidence, thousands flocked to serve under +Gustavus's banner, and within a few months the whole country, +excepting Stockholm and Calmar, was in his hands. Then the +nobles, in gratitude to their deliverer, sought to proclaim him king, +but this he refused as long as a single Swedish castle remained +beneath the Danish yoke, so for two more years he ruled Sweden +under the title of Lord Protector. Then in 1523, when Stockholm +and Calmar at last surrendered, Gustavus Vasa was crowned king.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> +<h2>MONSIEUR DE BAYARD'S DUEL</h2> + + +<div class='cap'>NOW, when Monsieur de Bayard was fighting in the kingdom of +Naples, he made prisoner a valiant Spanish captain, Don +Alonzo de Soto-Mayor by name, who, not liking his situation, complained +of the treatment he received, which he said was unworthy +of his dignity as a knight. This was, however, quite absurd, and +against all reason, for, as all the world knows, there never was a +man more courteous than Monsieur de Bayard. At length, Monsieur +de Bayard, wearied with the continued grumblings of the +Spaniard, sent him a challenge. This was at once accepted, +whether the duel should be fought on foot or on horseback, for Don +Alonzo refused to withdraw anything that he had said of the +French knight.</div> + +<p>When the day arrived, Monsieur de la Palisse, accompanied by +two hundred gentlemen, appeared on the ground, escorting their +champion Monsieur de Bayard, mounted on a beautiful horse, and +dressed all in white, as a mark of humility, the old chronicler tells +us. But Don Alonzo, to whom belonged the choice of arms, +declared that he preferred to fight on foot, because (he pretended) +he was not so skilful a horseman as Monsieur de Bayard, but really +because he knew that his adversary had that day an attack of +malarial fever, and he hoped to find him weakened, and so to get +the better of him. Monsieur de la Palisse and Bayard's other +supporters advised him, from the fact of his fever, to excuse himself, +and to insist on fighting on horseback; but Monsieur de Bayard, +who had never trembled before any man, would make no difficulties, +and agreed to everything, which astonished Don Alonzo greatly, as +he had expected a refusal. An enclosure was formed by a few +large stones piled roughly one on another. Monsieur de Bayard +placed himself at one end of the ground, accompanied by several +brave captains, who all began to offer up prayers for their champion. +Don Alonzo and his friends took up a position at the other end,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +and sent Bayard the weapons that they had chosen—namely, a short +sword and a poignard, with a gorget and coat of mail. Monsieur +de Bayard did not trouble himself enough about the matter to +raise any objection. For second he had an old brother-at-arms, +Bel-Arbre by name, and for keeper of the ground Monsieur de la +Palisse, who was very well skilled in all these things. The Spaniard +also chose a second and a keeper of the ground. So when the +combatants had taken their places, they both sank on their knees +and prayed to God; but Monsieur de Bayard fell on his face and +kissed the earth, then, rising, made the sign of the cross, and went +straight for his enemy, as calmly, says the old chronicler, as if he +were in a palace, and leading out a lady to the dance.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i135.png" width="400" height="365" alt="'Surrender, Don Alonzo, or you are a dead man!'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Surrender, Don Alonzo, or you are a dead man!'</span> +</div> + +<p>Don Alonzo on his side came forward to meet him, and asked, +'Señor Bayardo, what do you want of me?' He answered, 'To +defend my honour,' and without more words drew near; and each<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +thrust hard with the sword, Don Alonzo getting a slight wound on +his face. After that, they thrust at each other many times more, +without touching. Monsieur de Bayard soon discovered the ruse of +his adversary, who no sooner delivered his thrusts than he at once +covered his face so that no hurt could be done him; and he bethought +himself of a way to meet it. So, the moment Don Alonzo raised his +arm to give a thrust, Monsieur de Bayard also raised his; but he kept +his sword in the air, without striking a blow, and when his enemy's +weapon had passed harmlessly by him, he could strike where he +chose, and gave such a fearful blow at the throat that, in spite of +the thickness of the gorget, the sword entered to the depth of +four whole fingers, and he could not pull it out. Don Alonzo, +feeling that he had got his death-blow, dropped his sword and +grasped Monsieur de Bayard round the body, and thus wrestling +they both fell to the ground. But Monsieur de Bayard, quick to +see and to do, seized his sword, and, holding it to the nostrils +of his enemy, he cried, 'Surrender, Don Alonzo, or you are a dead +man;' but he got no answer, for Don Alonzo was dead already. +Then his second, Don Diego de Guignonnes, came forward and said, +'Señor Bayardo, you have conquered him,' which everyone could +see for himself. But Monsieur de Bayard was much grieved, for, +says the chronicler, he would have given a hundred thousand +crowns, if he had had them, to have made Don Alonzo surrender. +Still, he was grateful to God for having given him the victory, and +gave thanks, and, kneeling down, kissed the earth three times. +And after the body of Don Alonzo was carried from the ground, he +said to the second, 'Don Diego, my lord, have I done enough?' +And Don Diego answered sadly, 'Enough and too much, Señor +Bayardo, for the honour of Spain.' 'You know,' said Monsieur de +Bayard, 'that as the victor the body is mine to do as I will, but I +yield it to you; and truly, I would that, my honour satisfied, +it had fallen out otherwise.' So the Spaniards bore away their +champion with sobs and tears, and the French led off the conqueror +with shouts of joy, and the noise of trumpets and clarions, to the +tent of Monsieur de la Palisse, after which Monsieur de Bayard +went straight to the church to give thanks in that he had gained +the victory. Thus it happened to the greater renown of Monsieur +de Bayard, who was esteemed not only by the French, his countrymen, +but by the Spaniards of the kingdom of Naples, to be a +peerless knight, who had no equal look where you may.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><i>STORY OF GUDBRAND OF THE DALES</i><a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>THERE was a man named Gudbrand of the Dales, who was as +good as king over the Dales though he had but the title of +duke. He had one son, of whom this story makes mention. +Now when Gudbrand heard that King Olaf was come to Loa and +was compelling men to receive Christianity, he cut the war-arrow +and summoned all the dalesmen to meet him at the village called +Houndthorpe. Thither came they all in countless numbers, for +the lake Lögr lies near, and they could come by water as well as +by land.</div> + +<p>There Gudbrand held an assembly with them, and said: 'There +is a man come to Loa named Olaf; he would fain offer us a faith +other than we had before, and break all our gods in sunder. And +he says that he has a God far greater and mightier. A wonder it +is that the earth does not burst in sunder beneath him who dares +to say such things; a wonder that our gods let him any longer walk +thereon. And I expect that if we carry Thor out of our temple, +wherein he stands and hath alway helped us, and he see Olaf and +his men, then will Olaf's God and Olaf himself and all his men +melt away and come to nought.'</p> + +<p>At this they all at once shouted loud, and said that Olaf should +never escape alive if he came to meet them. 'Never will he dare +to go further south by the Dales,' said they. Then they appointed +seven hundred men to go and reconnoitre northwards to Breida. +This force was commanded by Gudbrand's son, then eighteen +years old, and many other men of renown with him; and they +came to the village called Hof and were there for three nights, +where they were joined by much people who had fled from Lesja +Loa and Vagi, not being willing to submit to Christianity.</p> + +<p>But King Olaf and Bishop Sigurd, after appointing teachers of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +religion at Loa and Vagi, crossed over the channel between Vagi +and the land and came to Sil, and were there for the night; and +they heard the tidings that a large force was before them. And +the people of the country who were at Breida heard of the King's +movements, and prepared for battle against him. But when the +King rose in the morn, then he clad him for war, and marched south +by Silfield, nor stayed till he came to Breida, where he saw a large +army arrayed for battle.</p> + +<p>Then the King set his men in array and rode himself before +them, and, addressing the country-folk, bade them embrace Christianity.</p> + +<p>They answered: 'Thou wilt have other work to do to-day +than to mock us.'</p> + +<p>And they shouted a war-shout and smote their shields with +their weapons. Then the King's men ran forward and hurled their +spears; but the country-folk turned and fled, few of them standing +their ground. Gudbrand's son was there taken prisoner; but King +Olaf gave him quarter and kept him near himself. Three nights +the King was there. Then spake he with Gudbrand's son, saying: +'Go thou back now to thy father and tell him that I shall come +there soon.'</p> + +<p>Whereupon he went back home and told his father the ill +tidings, how they had met the King and fought with him; 'but our +people all fled at the very first,' said he, 'and I was taken prisoner. +The King gave me quarter, and bade me go and tell thee that he +would come here soon. Now have we left no more than two +hundred men out of that force with which we met him, and I +advise thee, father, not to fight with that man.'</p> + +<p>'One may hear,' said Gudbrand, 'that all vigour is beaten out +of thee. Ill luck went with thee, and long will thy journey be +spoken of. Thou believest at once those mad fancies which that +man brings who hath wrought foul shame on thee and thine.'</p> + +<p>In the following night Gudbrand dreamed a dream. A man +came to him, a shining one, from whom went forth great terror. +And thus he spake: 'Thy son went not on a path of victory +against King Olaf; and far worse wilt thou fare if thou resolvest +to do battle with the King, for thou wilt fall, thyself and all thy +people, and thee and thine will wolves tug and ravens rend.'</p> + +<p>Much afraid was Gudbrand at this terror, and told it to Thord +Fat-paunch, a chief man of the Dales.</p> + +<p>He answered: 'Just the same vision appeared to me.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>And on the morrow they bade the trumpet-blast summon an +assembly, and said that they thought it good counsel to hold a +conference with that man who came from +the north with new doctrine, and to learn +what proofs he could bring.</p> + +<p>After this Gudbrand said to his son: +'Thou shalt go to the King who spared thy +life, and twelve men shall go with thee.' +And so it was done.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 356px;"> +<img src="images/i139.png" width="356" height="500" alt="'In the following night Gudbrand dreamed a dream'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'In the following night Gudbrand dreamed a dream'</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>And they came to the King and told him their errand—that the +country-folk would fain hold a conference with him, and would +have a truce between them. The King liked that well, and they +settled it so by a treaty between them till the appointed meeting +should be; and this done they went back and told Gudbrand and +Thord of the truce. The King then went to the village called +Lidsstadir, and stayed there five nights. Then he went to meet +the country-folk, and held a conference with them; but the day +was very wet.</p> + +<p>As soon as the conference was met, the King stood up and said +that the dwellers in Lesja Loa and Vagi had accepted Christianity +and broken down their heathen house of worship, and now believed +in the true God who made heaven and earth and knew all things. +Then the King sat down; but Gudbrand answered:</p> + +<p>'We know not of whom thou speakest. Thou callest him God +whom neither thou seest nor anyone else. But we have that god +who may be seen every day, though he is not out to-day because +the weather is wet: and terrible will he seem to you, and great +fear will, I expect, strike your hearts if he come into our assembly. +But since thou sayest that your God is so powerful, then let Him +cause that to-morrow the weather be cloudy but without rain, and +meet we here again.'</p> + +<p>Thereafter the King went home to his lodging, and with him +Gudbrand's son as a hostage, while the King gave them another +man in exchange. In the evening the King asked Gudbrand's son +how their god was made. He said that he was fashioned to represent +Thor: he had a hammer in his hand, and was tall of +stature, hollow within, and there was a pedestal under him on +which he stood when out-of-doors; nor was there lack of gold and +silver upon him. Four loaves of bread were brought to him every +day, and flesh-meat therewith. After this talk they went to bed. +But the King was awake all night and at his prayers.</p> + +<p>With dawn of day the King went to mass, then to meat, then +to the assembly. And the weather was just what Gudbrand +had bargained for. Then stood up the bishop in his gown, with +mitre on head and crozier in hand; and he spoke of the faith +before the country-folk, and told of the many miracles which God +had wrought, and brought his speech to an eloquent conclusion.</p> + +<p>Then answered Thord Fat-paunch: 'Plenty of words has that +horned one who holds a staff in his hand crooked at the top like a +wether's horn. But seeing that you, my good fellows, claim that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +your God works so many miracles, bespeak of Him for to-morrow +that He let it be bright sunshine; and meet we then, and do one +of the twain, either agree on this matter or do battle.'</p> + +<p>And with that they broke up the assembly for the time.</p> + +<p>There was a man with King Olaf named Kolbein Strong; he was +from the Firths by kin. He had ever this gear, that he was girded +with a sword, and had a large cudgel or club in his hand. The +King bade Kolbein be close to him on the morrow. And then he +said to his men:</p> + +<p>'Go ye to-night where the country-folk's ships are, and bore +holes in them all, and drive away from their farm-buildings their +yoke-horses.' And they did so.</p> + +<p>But the King spent the night in prayer, praying God that He +would solve this difficulty of His goodness and mercy. And when +service times were over (and that was towards daybreak) then +went he to the assembly. When he came there but few of the +country-folk had come. But soon they saw a great multitude +coming to the assembly; and they bare among them a huge image +of a man, all glittering with gold and silver; which when those +who were already at the assembly saw, they all leapt up and bowed +before this monster. Then was it set up in the middle of the place +of assembly: on the one side sat the folk of the country, on the +other the King and his men.</p> + +<p>Then up stood Gudbrand of the Dales and spake: 'Where is +now thy God, O King? Methinks now He boweth His beard full +low; and, as I think, less is now thy bragging and that of the +horned one whom ye call bishop, and who sits beside thee yea, +less than it was yesterday. For now is come our god who rules +all, and he looks at you with keen glance, and I see that ye are now +full of fear and hardly dare to lift your eyes. Lay down now your +superstition and believe in our god, who holds all your counsel in +his hand.' And so his words were ended.</p> + +<p>The King spake with Kolbein Strong, so that the country-folk +knew it not: 'If it so chance while I am speaking that they look +away from their god, then strike him the strongest blow thou canst +with thy club.'</p> + +<p>Then the King stood up and spake: 'Plenty of words hast thou +spoken to us this morning. Thou thinkest it strange that thou +canst not see our God; but we expect that He will soon come to us. +Thou goest about to terrify us with thy god, who is blind and deaf +and can neither help himself nor others, and can in no way leave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +his place unless he be carried; and I expect now that evil is close +upon him. Nay, look now and see toward the east, there goeth +now our God with great light.'</p> + +<p>Just then up sprang the sun, and toward the sun looked the +country-folk all. But in that moment Kolbein dealt such a blow +on their god that he burst all asunder, and thereout leapt rats as +big as cats, and vipers and snakes.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i142.png" width="400" height="411" alt="The destruction of the idol" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The destruction of the idol</span> +</div> + +<p>But the country-folk fled in terror, some to their ships, which +when they launched, the water poured in and filled them, nor could +they so get away, and some who ran for their horses found them +not. Then the King had them called back and said he would fain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +speak with them; whereupon the country-folk turned back and +assembled.</p> + +<p>Then the King stood up and spake.</p> + +<p>'I know not,' said he, 'what means this tumult and rushing +about that ye make. But now may well be seen what power your +god has, whom ye load with gold and silver, meat and food, +and now ye see what creatures have enjoyed all this—rats and +snakes, vipers and toads. And worse are they who believe in such +things, and will not quit their folly. Take ye your gold and jewels +that are here now on the field and carry them home to your wives, +and never put them again on stocks or stones. But now there are +two choices for us: that you accept Christianity or do battle with +me to-day. And may those win victory to whom it is willed by the +God in whom we believe.'</p> + +<p>Then stood up Gudbrand of the Dales and spake: 'Much +scathe have we gotten now in our god; but, as he cannot help +himself, we will now believe in the God in whom thou believest.' +And so they all accepted Christianity.</p> + +<p>Then did the bishop baptize Gudbrand and his son. King Olaf +and Bishop Sigurd left religious teachers there, and they parted +friends who before were foes. And Gudbrand had a church built +there in the Dales.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> +<h2>SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE</h2> + + +<div class='cap'>SIR RICHARD GRENVILLE, of Bideford, in Devon, was one +of the most noted admirals in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. +Although he had large estates, and was very rich, he liked better +to go abroad to the new countries just then discovered, or to fight +for his country, than to stay at home.</div> + +<p>From his wonderful courage and determination never to fly from +an enemy, however great the odds might be against him, he had +the good fortune to win glory in the most glorious sea-fight that +has ever been fought.</p> + +<p>In 1591 he was vice-admiral of a small fleet consisting of six +line of battle ships, six victuallers, and two or three pinnaces, under +the command of Lord Thomas Howard. In the month of August +in that year, they lay at anchor off the island of Flores, where they +had put in for a fresh supply of water, and to take in ballast, as well +as to refresh the crew, for many of them were sick.</p> + +<p>Half of the crew of Grenville's ship were disabled and were on +shore, when news was brought that a Spanish Armada, consisting +of fifty-three ships, was near at hand.</p> + +<p>When the admiral heard it, knowing himself to be at a disadvantage, +he instantly signalled to the rest of the fleet to cut or +weigh their anchors and to follow him out to sea.</p> + +<p>All the commanders obeyed his summons but Sir Richard +Grenville, whose duty as vice-admiral was to follow at the rear of +the fleet; he also waited until his men who were on shore could +rejoin him.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile he had everything set in readiness to fight, and all +the sick were carried to the lower hold.</p> + +<p>The rest of the English ships were far away, hull down on the +horizon, and the Spaniards, who had come up under cover of the +island, were already bearing down in two divisions on his weatherbow +before the 'Revenge' was ready to sail. Then the master and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +others, seeing the hopelessness of their case, begged Sir Richard +to trust to the good sailing of his ship, 'to cut his maine saile and +cast about, and to follow the admiral.'</p> + +<p>But Sir Richard flew into a terrible passion, and swore he would +hang any man who should then show himself to be a coward. 'That +he would rather choose to dye than to dishonour himselfe, his +countrie, and her maiestie's shippe.'</p> + +<p>He boldly told his men that he feared no enemy, that he would +yet pass through the squadron and <i>force</i> them to give him way.</p> + +<p>Then were the hundred men on the 'Revenge' who were able +to fight and to work the ship, fired with the spirit of their commander, +and they sailed out to meet the foe with a cheer.</p> + +<p>All went well for a little time, and the 'Revenge' poured a +broadside into those ships of the enemy that she passed. But +presently a great ship named 'San Felipe' loomed over her path +and took the wind out of her sails, so that she could no longer +answer to her helm.</p> + +<p>While she lay thus helplessly, all her sails of a sudden slack and +sweeping the yards, she fired her lower tier, charged with crossbar +shot, into the 'San Felipe.' Then the unwieldy galleon of a thousand +and five hundred tons, which bristled with cannon from stem to +stern, had good reason to repent her of her temerity, and 'shifted +herselfe with all dilligence from her sides, utterly misliking her +entertainment.' It is said she foundered shortly afterwards.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile four more Spanish vessels had come up alongside the +'Revenge,' and lay two on her larboard and two on her starboard. +Then a hand to hand fight began in terrible earnest. As those +soldiers in the ships alongside were repulsed or thrown back into +the sea, yet were their places filled with more men from the galleons +around, who brought fresh ammunition and arms. The Spanish +ships were filled with soldiers, in some were two hundred besides +mariners, in some five hundred, in others eight hundred.</p> + +<p>'And a dozen times we shook 'em off as a dog that shakes his +ears when he leaps from the water to the land.'</p> + +<p>Grenville was severely hurt at the beginning of the fight, but he +paid no heed to his wound, and stayed on the upper decks to cheer +and encourage his men. Two of the Spanish ships were sunk by +his side, yet two more came in their places, and ever and ever more +as their need might be.</p> + +<p>Darkness fell upon the scene, and through the silence the +musketry fire crackled unceasingly, and the heavy artillery boomed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +from time to time across the sea. About an hour before midnight +Grenville was shot in the body, and while his wound was being +dressed, the surgeon who attended him was killed, and at the same +time Grenville was shot again in the head.</p> + +<p>Still he cried to his men, 'Fight on, fight on!'</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 409px;"> +<img src="images/i146.png" width="409" height="400" alt="'Still he cried to his men, "Fight on, fight on!"'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Still he cried to his men, "Fight on, fight on!"'</span> +</div> + +<p>Before dawn the Spaniards, weary of the fight that had raged for +fifteen hours, that had cost them fifteen ships and fifteen hundred +men, had drawn off to a little distance, and lay around her in a +ring.</p> + +<p>Daylight discovered the little 'Revenge' a mere water-logged +hulk, with rigging and tackle shot away, her masts overboard, her +upper works riddled, her pikes broken, all her powder spent, and +forty of her best men slain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>The glow that heralded sunrise shot over the sky and stained +the placid waters beneath to crimson. In this sea of blood the +wreck lay, her decks ruddy with the stain of blood sacrificed for +honour.</p> + +<p>She lay alone at the mercy of the waves, and unable to move +save by their rise and fall, alone with her wounded and dying and +her dead to whom could come no help.</p> + +<p>Then Sir Richard Grenville called for the master gunner, whom +he knew to be both brave and trusty, and told him to sink the +ship, so that the Spaniards might have no glory in their conquest. He +besought his sailors to trust themselves to the mercy of God, and +not to the mercy of men, telling them that for the honour of their +country the greater glory would be theirs if they would consent to +die with him.</p> + +<p>The gunner and many others cried, 'Ay, ay, sir,' and consented +to the sinking of the ship.</p> + +<p>But the captain and master would not agree to it: they told Sir +Richard that the Spanish admiral would be glad to listen to a composition, +as themselves were willing to do. Moreover there were +still some men left who were not mortally wounded, and who +might yet live to do their country good service. They told him +too that the Spaniard could never glory in having taken the ship, +for she had six feet of water in the hold already, as well as three +leaks from shot under water, that could not be stopped to resist a +heavy sea.</p> + +<p>But Sir Richard would not listen to any of their reasoning. +Meanwhile the master had gone to the general of the Armada, +Don Alfonso Baffan, who, knowing Grenville's determination to fight +to the last, was afraid to send any of his men on board the 'Revenge' +again, lest they should be blown up or sink on board of her.</p> + +<p>The general yielded that 'all their lives should be saved, the +companie sent for England, and the better sorte to pay such reasonable +ransome as their estate would beare, and in the meane season +to be free from galley or imprisonment.'</p> + +<p>After the men had heard what the captain said they became +unwilling to die, and with these honourable terms for surrender +they drew back from Sir Richard and the master gunner. 'The +maister gunner, finding himselfe prevented and maistered by the +greater number, would have slaine himselfe with a sword had he +not beene by force withhold and locked into his cabben.'</p> + +<p>Then the Spanish general sent to the 'Revenge' to bring Sir<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +Richard to his own ship; for he greatly admired his wonderful +courage.</p> + +<p>Sir Richard told him they might do what they chose with his +body, for he did not care for it; and as he was being carried from +his ship in a fainting state, he asked those of his men near him to +pray for him.</p> + +<p>He only lived for three days after this, but was treated with the +greatest courtesy and kindness by the Spaniards. He did not speak +again until he was dying, when he said:</p> + +<p>'Here am I, Richard Grenville, with a joyful and quiet mind, +for that I have ended my life as a true soldier ought to do, that +hath fought for his country, Queen, religion, and honour. Whereby +my soul most joyfully departeth out of this body, and shall always +leave behind it an everlasting fame of a valiant and true soldier, +that hath done his dutie as he was bound to do.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE STORY OF MOLLY PITCHER</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>IT is a strange and interesting thing to see how history repeats +itself in a series of noble and picturesque incidents which are +so much alike that they might be easily mistaken for one another. +Perhaps in the years to come they will be mistaken for one +another, and then those learned scholars who love to deny all the +things that are worth believing will say, as they say now of +William Tell and the apple: 'Whenever an event is represented +as happening in different countries and among different nations, +we may be sure that it never happened at all.' Yet to Spain +belongs Augustina, the Maid of Saragossa; to England, brave +Mary Ambree; and to America, Molly Pitcher, the stout-hearted +heroine of Monmouth; and these three women won for themselves +honour and renown by the same valorous exploits. Augustina is +the most to be envied, for her praises have been sung by a great +poet; Mary Ambree has a noble ballad to perpetuate her fame; +Molly Pitcher is still without the tribute of a verse to remind her +countrymen occasionally of her splendid courage in the field.</div> + +<p>The Spanish girl was of humble birth, young, poor, and very +handsome. When Saragossa was besieged by the French during +the Peninsular War, she carried food every afternoon to the soldiers +who were defending the batteries. One day the attack was so +fierce, and the fire so deadly, that by the gate of Portillo not a +single man was left alive to repulse the terrible enemy. When +Augustina reached the spot with her basket of coarse and scanty +provisions, she saw the last gunner fall bleeding on the walls. Not +for an instant did she hesitate; but springing over a pile of dead +bodies, she snatched the match from his stiffening fingers and fired +the gun herself. Then calling on her countrymen to rally their +broken ranks, she led them back so unflinchingly to the charge that +the French were driven from the gate they had so nearly captured, +and the honour of Spain was saved. When the siege was lifted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +and the city free a pension was settled on Augustina, together with +the daily pay of an artilleryman, and she was permitted to wear upon +her sleeve an embroidered shield bearing the arms of Saragossa. +Lord Byron, in his poem 'Childe Harold,' has described her beauty +her heroism, and the desperate courage with which she defended +the breach:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'Who can avenge so well a leader's fall?<br /> +What maid retrieve when man's flushed hope is lost!<br /> +Who hang so fiercely on the flying Gaul,<br /> +Foiled by a woman's hand before a battered wall?'<br /> +</div> + +<p>For the story of Mary Ambree we must leave the chroniclers—who +to their own loss and shame never mention her at all—and +take refuge with the poets. From them we learn all we need to +know, and it is quickly told. Her lover was slain treacherously in +the war between Spain and Holland, the English being then allies +of the Dutch; and, vowing to avenge his death, she put on his +armour and marched to the siege of Ghent, where she fought with +reckless courage on its walls. Fortune favours the brave, and +wherever the maiden turned her arms the enemy was repulsed, +until at last the gallant Spanish soldiers vied with the English in +admiration of this valorous foe:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'If England doth yield such brave lassies as thee.<br /> +Full well may she conquer, faire Mary Ambree.'<br /> +</div> + +<p>Even the Great Prince of Parma desired to see this dauntless +young girl, and finding her as chaste as she was courageous and +beautiful, he permitted her to sail for home without any molestation +from his army.</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'Then to her own country she back did returne,<br /> +Still holding the foes of faire England in scorne;<br /> +Therefore English captaines of every degree<br /> +Sing forth the brave valours of Mary Ambree.'<br /> +</div> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i151.png" width="400" height="397" alt="Molly takes her husband's place" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Molly takes her husband's place</span> +</div> + +<p>And now for Molly Pitcher, who, unsung and almost unremembered, +should nevertheless share in the honours heaped so liberally +upon the Spanish and English heroines. 'A red-haired, freckled-faced +young Irishwoman,' without beauty and without distinction, +she was the newly-wedded wife of an artilleryman in Washington's +little army. On June 28, 1778, was fought the battle of Monmouth, +famous for the admirable tactics by which Washington regained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +the advantages lost through the negligence of General Charles Lee, +and also for the splendid charge and gallant death of Captain +Moneton, an officer of the English grenadiers. It was a Sunday +morning, close and sultry. As the day advanced, the soldiers +on both sides suffered terribly from that fierce, unrelenting heat in +which America rivals India. The thermometer stood at 96 in +the shade. Men fell dead in their ranks without a wound, smitten +by sunstroke, and the sight of them filled their comrades with dismay. +Molly Pitcher, regardless of everything save the anguish of +the sweltering, thirsty troops, carried buckets of water from a +neighbouring spring, and passed them along the line. Back and +forward she trudged, this strong, brave, patient young woman, while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +the sweat poured down her freckled face, and her bare arms +blistered in the sun. She was a long time in reaching her husband—so +many soldiers begged for drink as she toiled by—but at last she +saw him, parched, grimy, spent with heat, and she quickened her +lagging steps. Then suddenly a ball whizzed past, and he fell +dead by the side of his gun before ever the coveted water had +touched his blackened lips. Molly dropped her bucket, and for one +dazed moment stood staring at the bleeding corpse. Only for a +moment, for, amid the turmoil of battle, she heard the order given +to drag her husband's cannon from the field. The words roused +her to life and purpose. She seized the rammer from the trodden +grass, and hurried to the gunner's post. There was nothing +strange in the work to her. She was too well versed in the ways +of war for either ignorance or alarm. Strong, skilful, and fearless, +she stood by the weapon and directed its deadly fire until the fall +of Moneton turned the tide of victory. The British troops under +Clinton were beaten back after a desperate struggle, the Americans +took possession of the field, and the battle of Monmouth was won.</p> + +<p>On the following day, poor Molly, no longer a furious Amazon, +but a sad-faced widow, with swollen eyes, and a scanty bit of +crape pinned on her broad young bosom, was presented to Washington, +and received a sergeant's commission with half-pay for life. +It is said that the French officers, then fighting for the freedom of +the colonies, that is, against the English, were so delighted with +her courage that they added to this reward a cocked hat full of +gold pieces, and christened her 'La Capitaine.' What befell her in +after-years has never been told. She lived and died obscurely, and +her name has well-nigh been forgotten in the land she served. But +the memory of brave deeds can never wholly perish, and Molly +Pitcher has won for herself a little niche in the temple of Fame, +where her companions are fair Mary Ambree and the dauntless +Maid of Saragossa.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE VOYAGES, DANGEROUS ADVENTURES, AND IMMINENT ESCAPES OF CAPTAIN RICHARD FALCONER</i><a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>I WAS born at a town called Bruton, in Somersetshire, and my +parents were well-to-do people. My mother died when I was +very young; my father, who had been a great traveller in his days, +often told me of his adventures, which gave me a strong desire for +a roving life. I used to beg my father to let me go to sea with some +captain of his acquaintance; but he only warned me solemnly +against the dangers to which sailors were exposed, and told me I +should soon wish to be at home again.</div> + +<p>But at last, through my father's misfortunes, my wish was +gratified, for he was robbed of a large sum of money, and found +himself unable to provide for me as he wished. Disaster followed +disaster till he was compelled to recommend to me the very life he +had warned me against. I left him for Bristol, carrying with me a +letter he had written to a captain there, begging him to give me all +the help in his power, and never saw him again. But Captain +Pultney, his friend, welcomed me like a son, and before long got me +a berth on the 'Albion' frigate, in which I set sail for Jamaica on +May 2, 1699.</p> + +<p>When we were in the Bay of Biscay a terrible storm came on; +the billows ran mountains high, and our vessel was the sport of the +waves. A ship that had overtaken and followed us the day before +seemed to be in yet worse distress, and signalled to us for aid; but +we could not get very near them without danger to ourselves. We +sent out our long-boat, with two of our men; but the rope that held +her to the ship broke with the violence of the waves, and she was +carried away, nor did we ever hear what became of our unhappy +comrades. Very soon, in spite of the labour of the crew, the vessel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +we were trying to help went down, and out of fifty-four men, only +four were saved who had the good fortune to catch the ropes we +threw out to them. When they told us their story, however, we +could not help wondering at the escape we had had, for the lost ship +belonged to a pirate, who had only been waiting till the storm was +over to attack us, and the men we had saved had, according to their +own account, been compelled against their will to serve the pirates.</p> + +<p>Very soon the storm abated, and we continued our voyage. +It was not long before we had another adventure with pirates, +and the next time they caught us at midnight, and, hailing us, +commanded us to come on board their ship with our captain. We +answered that we had no boat, and asked them to wait till the +morning. At this, the pirate captain threatened to sink us, and +therewith fired a gun at our vessel.</p> + +<p>But we, being on our guard, had already mustered our guns and +our forces, thirty-eight men, counting the passengers, who were as +ready to fight as any of us. So we sent them back a broadside, +which surprised them and did them some damage. Then we tacked +about, and with six of our guns raked the enemy fore and aft; but +we were answered very quickly with a broadside that killed two of +our men and wounded a third. Presently they boarded us with +about fourscore men, and we found all our resistance idle, for they +drove us into the forecastle, where we managed to barricade +ourselves, and threatened to turn our own guns against us if we did +not surrender immediately. But our captain being resolute, ordered +us to fire on them with our small-arms. Now close to our steerage +was a large cistern lined with tin, where several cartridges of powder +happened to be; and, happily for us, in the tumult of the firing this +powder took fire, and blew part of the quarter-deck and at least +thirty of the enemy into the air. On this we sallied out, and drove +the rest into their own vessel again with our cutlasses, killing several. +But, alas! with the explosion and the breach of the quarter-deck our +powder-room was quite blocked up, and we had to go on fighting +with what powder we had by us. Fight we did, nevertheless, for +at least four hours, when dawn broke, and to our great joy we saw +another ship not far away, and distinguished English colours. At +this sight we gave a great shout and fired our small-arms again; +but our enemies very quickly cut away their grappling irons, and +did their best to make off. Their rigging, however, was so shattered +that they could not hoist sail, and in the meantime up came the +English ship, and without so much as hailing the pirate, poured a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +broadside into her. Then followed a desperate fight. As for us, we +steered off, to clear away the lumber from our powder-room, as we +had nothing left to charge our guns with. In half-an-hour we had +loaded again, and returned to the fight; but as we approached we +saw the pirate sinking. The English ship had torn a hole in her +between wind and water, so that she sank in an instant, and only +eight men were saved. They told us that their captain was a pirate +from Guadaloupe, and when they sank they had not more than +twenty men left out of a hundred and fifty. On board our ship +seven sailors and two passengers were killed, while the Guernsey +frigate that rescued us had lost sixteen men and three wounded.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i155.png" width="400" height="305" alt="'As we approached we saw the pirate sinking'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'As we approached we saw the pirate sinking'</span> +</div> + +<p>I need now relate no more of our adventures on the voyage till +I come to a very sad one which befell me in October. We were +sailing towards Jamaica, and one day I went into the boat astern +which had been hoisted overboard in the morning to look after a +wreck we had seen on the water. I pulled a book out of my pocket +and sat reading in the boat; but before I was aware, a storm began +to rise, so that I could not get up the ship side as usual, but called +for the ladder of ropes in order to get back that way. Now, whether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +the ladder was not properly fastened above, or whether, being seldom +used, it broke through rottenness, I cannot tell, but down I fell into +the sea, and though, as I heard afterwards, the ship tacked about to +take me up, I lost sight of it in the dusk of the evening and the +gathering storm.</p> + +<p>Now my condition was terrible. I was forced to drive with the +wind and current, and after having kept myself above water for +about four hours, as near as I could guess in my fright, I felt my +feet touch ground every now and then, and at last a great wave +flung me upon the sand. It was quite dark, and I knew not what +to do; but I got up and walked as well as my tired limbs would +carry me. For I could discover no trace of firm land, and supposed +I was on some sandbank which the sea would overflow at high tide. +But by-and-by I had to sit down out of sheer exhaustion, though I +only looked for death. All my sins came before me, and I prayed +earnestly, and at last recovered calm and courage.</p> + +<p>In spite of all my efforts to keep awake, I fell fast asleep before +dawn came.</p> + +<p>In the morning I was amazed to find myself among four or five +very low sandy islands, all separated half-a-mile or more, as I +guessed, by the sea. With that I became more cheerful, and walked +about to see if I could find anything eatable. To my grief I found +nothing but a few eggs, that I was obliged to eat raw, and this +almost made me wish that the sea had engulfed me rather than +thrown me on this desert island, which seemed to me inhabited only +by rats and several kinds of birds.</p> + +<p>A few bushes grew upon it, and under these I had to shelter at +night, but though I searched through the island, I could not find a +drop of fresh water. Nor could I have continued to live, having +only the eggs I found, if I had not succeeded in knocking down some +birds with a stick, which made me a grand banquet. This gave me +heart to try to make a fire after the fashion of the blacks by rubbing +two sticks together, and I managed to do this after a while, and +cooked my birds on the fire I had lit.</p> + +<p>That night came a great storm, with the reddest lightning I had +ever seen, and rain that drenched me through. But in the morning +I had the joy of finding several pools of rain-water; and this put it +into my mind to make a kind of well, that I might keep a supply +of water by me.</p> + +<p>With my hands and a stick I dug a hollow place, large enough +to hold a hogshead of water, and when it was dug I paved it with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> +stones, and, getting in, stamped them down hard, and beat the sides +close with my stick so that the well would hold water a long time. +But how to get it there was a difficulty, till by soaking my shirt, +which was pretty fine, in water, I found that I could make it fairly +water-tight, and with this holland bucket carry two gallons at a +time, which only leaked out about a pint in two hundred yards. +By this contrivance, in two days I had filled my well.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 281px;"> +<img src="images/i157.png" width="281" height="300" alt="Falconer knocks down a bird" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Falconer knocks down a bird</span> +</div> + +<p>I next made myself a cupboard of earth by mixing water with +it; but unhappily it lasted only four days, the sun drying it so fast +that it cracked.</p> + +<p>I had a small Ovid, printed by Elzevir, which fortunately I had +put in my pocket as I was going up the ladder of ropes. This was +a great solace, for I could entertain myself with it under a bush till +I fell asleep. Moreover, I had good health, though at first I was +troubled with headache for want of my hat, which I had lost in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +water. But I made myself a wooden cap of green sprigs, and +lined it with one of the sleeves of my shirt.</p> + +<p>The island I was upon seemed about two miles round, and +perfectly deserted. Often did I wish to have companions in my +misfortune, and even—Heaven forgive me!—hoped for a wreck. +I fancied that if I stayed there long alone I should lose the power +of speech, so I talked aloud, asked myself questions, and answered +them. If anybody had been by to hear they would certainly have +thought me bewitched, I used to ask myself such odd questions!</p> + +<p>But one morning a violent storm arose, which continued till +noon, when I caught sight of a ship labouring with the waves. At +last, with the fury of the tempest, it was completely thrown out of +the water upon the shore, a quarter of a mile from the place where +I was watching. I ran to see if there was anyone I could help, +and found four men, all who were in the vessel, trying to save what +they could out of her. When I came up and hailed them in +English they were mightily surprised, and asked me how I came +there. I told them my story, and they were greatly distressed for +themselves as well as for me, since they found there was no hope +of getting their vessel off the sands; so we began to bemoan +each other's misfortunes. But I must confess that I was never +more rejoiced in my whole life, for they had on board plenty of +everything for a twelvemonth, and nothing spoiled. We worked +as hard as we could, and got out whatever would be useful to us +before night. Then, taking off the sails, we built a tent big enough +to hold twenty men, and now I thought myself in a palace.</p> + +<p>The names of my four companions were Thomas Randal, +Richard White, William Musgrave, and Ralph Middleton. When +we had been together some time we began to be very easy, and to +wait contentedly till we should get out of this strait. But at last +it came into our minds that a determined effort might free us, and +at once we set to work to clear the sand from the ship. We +laboured at the task for sixteen days, resting only on Sundays, and +by that time we had thrown up the sand on each side, making a +passage for our vessel right to the surface of the water where it +was lowest. We next got poles to put under the vessel to launch +her out, and resolved on the day following, God willing, to thrust +her into the water. But we were prevented by the illness of Mr. +Randal, who had been the guide and counsellor of our whole party. +It soon became evident that he could not recover, and the week +after he died.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>After this we succeeded in launching our vessel, but again a +terrible misfortune happened. We had made the ship fast with +two anchors the night before we intended to begin our voyage, and +my companions resolved to stay on shore, while I, as for some +nights had been my custom, slept on board.</p> + +<p>I rested very contentedly, and in the morning went on deck +ready to call my companions. To my horror the sea surrounded +the vessel; there was not a glimpse of land! The shock was so +terrible that I fell down on the deck unconscious. How long I +continued so I know not, but when I came to myself a little reflection +told me what had happened. A hurricane had risen and +torn away the vessel while I slept heavily, for the night before we +had all drunk too freely, and my remorse was the more bitter for +remembering Mr. Randal, the good man whose warnings, had he +lived, would have prevented this misfortune.</p> + +<p>But fate was kinder to me than I deserved. For a fortnight I +was tossed upon the sea without discovering land, and with only +the company of the dog that had been poor Mr. Randal's. But +three days later I saw land right ahead, to my great joy, though joy +was not unmixed with fear, as I did not know into whose hands +I might fall. It was on January 30 that I reached the bay and +town of Campeche, where I was met by two canoes, with a +Spaniard and six Indians, who, on learning something of my story, +I speaking in broken French, which the Spaniard understood, +immediately took me on shore to the Governor. He, on hearing +of my arrival, sent for me where he sat at dinner, and received me +with the utmost kindness.</p> + +<p>These generous Spaniards not only feasted me while I remained +there, but soon collected among themselves money enough to fit +out my vessel ready to go and rescue my poor companions left on +the desert island. On February 15 we sailed from Campeche Bay, +after I, having nothing else to give, had offered my Ovid to the +Governor. He took it kindly, saying that he should prize it very +highly, not only for its own sake, but in memory of my misfortunes.</p> + +<p>Fifteen days after we reached the island, and found my three +companions, but in a miserable condition. For they were left +without provisions and with hardly any fresh water, every necessary +being on board the ship; and when we arrived they had been +five days without eating or drinking, and were too weak to crawl +in search of food. But now, for the time being, their misfortunes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +were ended, and I cannot describe the joy with which they welcomed +us after having almost despaired of any human help.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 329px;"> +<img src="images/i160.png" width="329" height="400" alt="Falconer returns to his companions" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Falconer returns to his companions</span> +</div> + +<p>We soon set out again in the Spanish ship, and by-and-by, not +without a number of adventures on the way, we reached Jamaica, +where I met with my old shipmates, who were very much surprised +to see me, thinking that I had been lost in the sea many +months ago. The ship had hung lights out for several hours that +I might know where to swim, but all to no purpose, as I could see +nothing through the darkness of the storm. I found that the +captain was very ill, and went to visit him on shore. He told me +that he did not expect to live long, and was glad I had come to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +take charge of the ship, which would have sailed before if he had +been fit to command her. A week after he died, entrusting me +with the management of his affairs, and messages to his wife, who +lived at Bristol.</p> + +<p>We set sail for England on June 1, 1700, and on August 21 we +discovered the Land's End. How rejoiced I was to see England +once more, let them judge that have escaped so many perils as I +had done. My first task when I reached Bristol was to inquire for +my father; but a bitter disappointment awaited me. He was +dead, broken down before his time by grief and misfortune. I +could not bear to stay on shore, where everything reminded me of +him, and, for all my delight in coming back to England, it was not +long before I set sail again in quest of fresh adventures.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>MARBOT'S MARCH</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>I HAVE now [says General Marbot, speaking of his Spanish campaign] +reached one of the most terrible experiences of my military +career. Marshal Lannes had just won a great victory, and the next +day, after having received the reports of the generals, he wrote his +despatch for one of our officers to take to the Emperor. Napoleon's +practice was to give a step to the officer who brought him the news +of an important success, and the marshals on their side entrusted +such tasks to officers for whose speedy promotion they were anxious. +It was a form of recommendation which Napoleon never failed +to recognise. Marshal Lannes did me the honour of appointing +me to carry the news of the victory of Tudela, and I could indulge +the hope of being major before long. But, alas! I had yet much +blood to lose before I reached that rank.</div> + +<p>The high road from Bayonne to Madrid by Vittoria, Miranda +del Ebro, Burgos, and Aranda forks off at Miranda from that +leading to Saragossa by Logroño. A road from Tudela to Aranda +across the mountains about Soria forms the third side of a great +triangle. While Lannes was reaching Tudela the Emperor had +advanced from Burgos to Aranda. It was, therefore, much shorter +for me to go from Tudela to Aranda than by way of Miranda del +Ebro. The latter road, however, had the advantage of being +covered by the French armies; while the other, no doubt, would +be full of Spanish fugitives who had taken refuge after Tudela in +the mountains. The Emperor, however, had informed Lannes that +he was sending Ney's corps direct from Aranda to Tudela; so +thinking Ney to be at no great distance, and that an advanced +force which he had pushed on the day after the battle to get touch +of him at Taragona would secure me from attack as far as Aranda, +Lannes ordered me to take the shortest road. I may frankly +admit that if I had had my choice I should have preferred to make +the round by Miranda and Burgos; but the marshal's orders were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +positive, and how could I express any fear for my own person in +the presence of a man who knew no more fear for others than he +did for himself?</p> + +<p>The duties of marshal's aide-de-camp in Spain were terrible. +During the revolutionary wars the generals had couriers paid by +the state to carry their despatches; but the Emperor, finding that +these men were not capable of giving any intelligible account of +what they had seen, did away with them, and ordered that in +future despatches should be carried by aides-de-camp. This was +all very well as long as we were at war among the good Germans, +to whom it never occurred to attack a French messenger; but the +Spaniards waged fierce war against them. This was of great +advantage to the insurgents, for the contents of our despatches +informed them of the movements of our armies. I do not think I +am exaggerating when I say that more than two hundred staff +officers were killed or captured during the Peninsular War. One +may regret the death of an ordinary courier, but it is less serious +than the loss of a promising officer, who, moreover, is exposed to +the risks of the battlefield in addition to those of a posting journey. +A great number of vigorous men well skilled in their business +begged to be allowed to do this duty, but the Emperor never +consented.</p> + +<p>Just as I was starting from Tudela, Major Saint-Mars hazarded +a remark intended to dissuade Lannes from sending me over the +mountains. The marshal, however, answered, 'Oh, he will meet +Ney's advance guard to-night, and find troops echelonned all the +way to the Emperor's head-quarters.' This was too decided for +any opposition, so I left Tudela November 4, at nightfall, with a +detachment of cavalry, and got without any trouble as far as +Taragona, at the foot of the mountains. In this little town I found +Lannes' advance guard. The officer in command, hearing nothing +of Ney, had pushed an infantry post six leagues forward towards +Agreda. But as this body was detached from its supports, it had +been ordered to fall back on Taragona if the night passed without +Ney's scouts appearing.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i164.png" width="400" height="324" alt="'Then, drawing their swords, they clashed at the rest'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Then, drawing their swords, they clashed at the rest'</span> +</div> + +<p>After Taragona there is no more high road. The way lies +entirely over mountain paths covered with stones and splinters of +rock. The officer commanding our advanced guard had, therefore, +only infantry and a score of hussars of the 2nd (Chamborant) Regiment. +He gave me a troop horse and two orderlies, and I went on +my way in brilliant moonlight. When we had gone two or three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +leagues we heard several musket-shots, and bullets whistled close +past us. We could not see the marksmen, who were hidden among +the rocks. A little farther on we found the corpses of two French +infantry soldiers, recently killed. They were entirely stripped, +but their shakoes were near them, by the numbers on which I +could see that they belonged to one of the regiments in Ney's corps. +Some little distance farther we saw a horrible sight. A young +officer of the 10th Mounted Chasseurs, still wearing his uniform, +was nailed by his hands and feet, head downwards, to a barn door. +A small fire had been lighted beneath him. Happily, his tortures +had been ended by death; but as the blood was still flowing from +his wounds, it was clear that the murderers were not far off. I +drew my sword; my two hussars handled their carbines. It was +just as well that we were on our guard, for a few moments later +seven or eight Spaniards, two of them mounted, fired upon us from +behind a bush. We were none of us wounded, and my two hussars +replied to the fire, and killed each his man. Then, drawing their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +swords, they dashed at the rest. I should have been very glad to +follow them, but my horse had lost a shoe among the stones and +was limping, so that I could not get him into a gallop. I was the +more vexed because I feared that the hussars might let themselves +be carried away in the pursuit and get killed in some ambush. I +called them for five minutes; then I heard the voice of one of them +saying, in a strong Alsatian accent, 'Ah! you thieves! you don't +know the Chamborant Hussars yet. You shall see that they mean +business.' My troopers had knocked over two more Spaniards, a +Capuchin mounted on the horse of the poor lieutenant, whose haversack +he had put over his own neck, and a peasant on a mule, with +the clothes of the slaughtered soldiers on his back. It was quite +clear that we had got the murderers. The Emperor had given +strict orders that every Spanish civilian taken in arms should be +shot on the spot; and, moreover, what could we do with these +two brigands, who were already seriously wounded, and who had +just killed three Frenchmen so barbarously? I moved on, therefore, +so as not to witness the execution, and the hussars shot +the monk and the peasant, repeating, 'Ah, you don't know the +Chamborant!' I could not understand how an officer and two +privates of Ney's corps could be so near Taragona when their regiments +had not come that way; but most probably they had been +captured elsewhere, and were being taken to Saragossa, when their +escort learned the defeat of their countrymen at Tudela, and massacred +their prisoners in revenge for it.</p> + +<p>After this not very encouraging start I continued my journey. +We had gone for some hours, when we saw a bivouac fire of the +detachment belonging to the advance guard which I had left at +Taragona. The sub-lieutenant in command, having no tidings of +Ney, was prepared to return to Taragona at daybreak, in pursuance +of his orders. He knew that we were barely two leagues from +Agreda, but did not know of which side that town was in possession. +This was perplexing for me. The infantry detachment +would return in a few hours, and if I went back with it, when it +might be that in another league I should fall in with Ney's column, +I should be giving a poor display of courage, and laying myself open +to reproach from Lannes. On the other hand, if Ney was still a +day or two's march away, it was almost certain that I should be +murdered by the peasants of the mountains or by fugitive soldiers. +What was more, I had to travel alone, for my two brave hussars +had orders to return to Taragona when we had found the infantry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +detachment. No matter; I determined to push on; but then +came the difficulty of finding a mount. There was no farm or +village in this deserted place where I could procure a horse. That +which I was riding was dead lame; and even if the hussars had +been able, without incurring severe punishment, to lend me one of +theirs, theirs were much fatigued. The horse that had belonged +to the officer of chasseurs had received a bullet in the thigh during +the fighting. There was only the peasant's mule left. This was a +handsome beast, and, according to the laws of war, belonged to the +two hussars, who, no doubt, reckoned on selling her when they got +back to the army. Still the good fellows made no demur about +lending her to me, and put my saddle on her back. But the +infernal beast, more accustomed to the pack than to the saddle, +was so restive that directly I tried to get her away from the group +of horses and make her go alone she fell to kicking, until I had to +choose between being sent over a precipice and dismounting.</p> + +<p>So I decided to set out on foot. After I had taken farewell of +the infantry officer, this excellent young man, M. Tassin by name—he +had been a friend of my poor brother Felix at the military +school—came running after me, and said that he could not bear +to let me thus expose myself all alone, and that though he had no +orders, and his men were raw recruits, with little experience in war, +he must send one with me, so that I might at least have a musket +and some cartridges in case of an attack. We agreed that I should +send the man back with Ney's corps; and I went off, with the +soldier accompanying me. He was a slow-speaking Norman, with +plenty of slyness under an appearance of good nature. The Normans +are for the most part brave, as I learnt when I commanded +the 23rd Chasseurs, where I had five or six hundred of them. Still, +in order to know how far I could rely on my follower, I chatted +with him as we went along, and asked if he would stand his ground +if we were attacked. He said neither yes nor no, but answered, +'Well, sir, we shall see.' Whence I inferred that when the +moment of danger arrived my new companion was not unlikely to +go and see how things were getting on in the rear.</p> + +<p>The moon had just set, and as yet daylight had not appeared. +It was pitch-dark, and at every step we stumbled over the great +stones with which these mountain paths are covered. It was an +unpleasant situation, but I hoped soon to come upon Ney's troops, +and the fact of having seen the bodies of soldiers belonging to his +corps increased the hope. So I went steadily on, listening for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +diversion to the Norman's stories of his country. Dawn appeared +at last, and I saw the first houses of a large village. It was +Agreda. I was alarmed at finding no outposts, for it showed that +not only did no troops of the marshal's occupy the place, but that +his army corps must be at least half a day further on. The map +showed no village within five or six leagues of Agreda, and it was +impossible that the regiments could be quartered in the mountains, +far from any inhabited place. So I kept on my guard, and before +going any farther reconnoitred the position.</p> + +<p>Agreda stands in a rather broad valley. It is built at the foot +of a lofty hill, deeply escarped on both sides. The southern slope, +which reaches the village, is planted with large vineyards. The +ridge is rough and rocky, and the northern slope covered with thick +coppice, a torrent flowing at the foot. Beyond are seen lofty +mountains, uncultivated and uninhabited. The principal street of +Agreda runs through the whole length of the place, with narrow +lanes leading to the vineyards opening into it. As I entered the +village I had these lanes and the vineyards on my right. This +is important to the understanding of my story.</p> + +<p>Everybody was asleep in Agreda; the moment was favourable +for going through it. Besides, I had some hope—feeble, it is true—that +when I reached the farther end I might perhaps see the +fires of Marshal Ney's advance guard. So I went forward, sword +in hand, bidding my soldier cock his musket. The main street was +covered with a thick bed of damp leaves, which the people placed +there to make manure; so that our footsteps made no sound, of +which I was glad. I walked in the middle of the street, with the +soldier on my right; but, finding himself no doubt in a too conspicuous +position, he gradually sheered off to the houses, keeping +close to the walls so that he might be less visible in case of an +attack, or better placed for reaching one of the lanes which open +into the country. This showed me how little I could rely on the +man; but I made no remark to him. The day was beginning to +break. We passed the whole of the main street without meeting +any one. Just as I was congratulating myself on reaching the last +houses of the village, I found myself at twenty-five paces' distance, +face to face with four Royal Spanish Carabineers on horseback with +drawn swords. Under any other circumstances I might have +taken them for French gendarmes, their uniforms being exactly +similar, but the gendarmes never march with the extreme advanced +guard. These men, therefore, could not belong to Ney's corps, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +I at once perceived they were the enemy. In a moment I faced +about, but just as I had turned round to the direction from which +I had come I saw a blade flash six inches from my face. I threw +my head sharply back, but nevertheless got a severe sabre-cut on +the forehead, of which I carry the scar over my left eyebrow to this +day. The man who had wounded me was the corporal of the +carabineers, who, having left his four troopers outside the village, +had according to military practice gone forward to reconnoitre. +That I had not met him was probably due to the fact that he had +been in some side lane, while I had passed through the main street. +He was now coming back through the street to rejoin his troopers, +when, seeing me, he had come up noiselessly over a layer of leaves +and was just going to cleave my head from behind, when, by +turning round, I presented to him my face and received his blow +on my forehead. At the same moment the four carabineers, who +seeing that their corporal was all ready for me had not stirred, +trotted up to join him, and all five dashed upon me. I ran +mechanically towards the houses on the right in order to get my +back against a wall; but by good luck I found, two paces off, one +of the steep and narrow lanes, which went up to the vineyards. +The soldier had already reached it. I flew up there too with the +five carabineers after me; but at any rate they could not attack me +all at once, for there was only room for one horse to pass. The +brigadier went in front; the other four filed after him. My position, +although not as unfavourable as it would have been in the +street, where I should have been surrounded, still remained +alarming; the blood flowing freely from my wound had in a +moment covered my left eye, with which I could not see at all, and +I felt that it was coming towards my right eye, so that I was +compelled by fear of getting blinded to keep my head bent over the +left shoulder so as to bring the blood to that side. I could not +staunch it, being obliged to defend myself against the corporal, who +was cutting at me heavily. I parried as well as I could, going up +backwards all the time. After getting rid of my scabbard and my +busby, the weight of which hampered me, not daring to turn my +head for fear of losing sight of my adversary, whose sword was +crossed with mine, I told the light infantry man, whom I believed +to be behind me, to place his musket on my shoulder, and fire at +the Spanish corporal. Seeing no barrel, however, I leapt a pace +back and turned my head quickly. Lo and behold, there was my +scoundrel of a Norman soldier flying up the hill as fast as his legs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +would carry him. The corporal thereupon attacked with redoubled +vigour, and, seeing that he could not reach me, made his horse rear +so that his feet struck me more than once on the breast. Luckily, as +the ground went on rising the horse had no good hold with his hind +legs, and every time that he came down again I landed a sword cut +on his nose with such effect that the animal presently refused to rear +at me any more. Then the brigadier, losing his temper, called out +to the trooper behind him, 'Take your carbine: I will stoop down, +and you can aim at the Frenchman over my shoulders.' I saw that +this order was my death-signal; but as in order to execute it the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +trooper had to sheathe his sword and unhook his carbine, while +all this time the corporal never ceased thrusting at me, leaning +right over his horse's neck, I determined on a desperate action, +which would be either my salvation or my ruin. Keeping my eye +fixed on the Spaniard, and seeing in his that he was on the point +of again stooping over his horse to reach me, I did not move until +the very instant when he was lowering the upper part of his body +towards me; then I took a pace to the right, and leaning quickly +over to that side, I avoided my adversary's blow, and plunged half +my sword-blade into his left flank. With a fearful yell the corporal +fell back on the croup of his horse; he would probably have fallen +to the ground if the trooper behind him had not caught him in his +arms. My rapid movement in stooping had caused the despatch +which I was carrying to fall out of the pocket of my pelisse. I +picked it up quickly, and at once hastened to the end of the lane +where the vines began. There I turned round and saw the carabineers +busy round their wounded corporal, and apparently much +embarrassed with him and with their horses in the steep and narrow +passage.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 309px;"> +<img src="images/i169.png" width="309" height="400" alt="Marbot's fight with the Carabineers in the alley" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Marbot's fight with the Carabineers in the alley</span> +</div> + +<p>This fight took less time than I have taken to relate it. Finding +myself rid, at least for the moment, of my enemies, I went through +the vines and reached the edge of the hill. Then I considered that +it would be impossible for me to accomplish my errand and reach +the Emperor at Aranda. I resolved, therefore, to return to +Marshal Lannes, regaining first the place where I had left M. Tassin +and his picket of infantry. I did not hope to find them still there; +but at any rate the army which I had left the day before was in that +direction. I looked for my soldier in vain, but I saw something that +was of more use to me—a spring of clear water. I halted there a +moment, and, tearing off a corner of my shirt, I made a compress +which I fastened over my wound with my handkerchief. The blood +spurting from my forehead had stained the despatches which I held +in my hand, but I was too much occupied with my awkward +position to mind that.</p> + +<p>The agitations of the past night, my long walk over the stony +paths in boots and spurs, the fight in which I had just been engaged, +the pain in my head, and the loss of blood had exhausted my +strength. I had taken no food since leaving Tudela, and here I had +nothing but water to refresh myself with. I drank long draughts +of it, and should have rested longer by the spring had I not perceived +three of the Spanish carabineers riding out of Agreda and coming<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +towards me through the vines. If they had been sharp enough to +dismount and take off their long boots, they would probably have +succeeded in reaching me; but their horses, unable to pass between +the vine stocks, ascended the steep and rocky paths with difficulty. +Indeed, when they reached the upper end of the vineyards they +found themselves brought up by the great rocks, on the top of which +I had taken refuge, and unable to climb any farther. Then the +troopers, passing along the bottom of the rocks, marched parallel +with me a long musket-shot off. They called to me to surrender, +saying that as soldiers they would treat me as a prisoner of war, +while if the peasants caught me I should infallibly be murdered. +This reasoning was sound, and I admit that if I had not been +charged with despatches for the Emperor, I was so exhausted that +I should perhaps have surrendered.</p> + +<p>However, wishing to preserve to the best of my ability the +precious charge which had been entrusted to me, I marched on +without answering. Then the three troopers, taking their carbines, +opened fire upon me. Their bullets struck the rocks at my feet but +none touched me, the distance being too great for a correct aim. I +was alarmed, not at the fire, but at the notion that the reports +would probably attract the peasants who would be going to their +work in the morning, and I quite expected to be attacked by these +fierce mountaineers. My presentiment seemed to be verified, for I +perceived some fifteen men half a league away in the valley +advancing towards me at a run. They held in their hands something +that flashed in the sun. I made no doubt that they were +peasants armed with their spades, and that it was the iron of these +that shone thus. I gave myself up for lost, and in my despair I +was on the point of letting myself slide down over the rocks on the +north side of the hill to the torrent, crossing it as best I could, and +hiding myself in some chasm of the great mountains which arose on +the farther side of the gorge. Then, if I was not discovered, and if +I still had the strength, I should set out when night came in the +direction of Taragona.</p> + +<p>This plan, though offering many chances of failure, was my last +hope. Just as I was about to put it into execution, I perceived that +the three carabineers had given up firing on me, and gone forward +to reconnoitre the group which I had taken for peasants. At their +approach the iron instruments which I had taken for spades or +mattocks were lowered, and I had the inexpressible joy of seeing a +volley fired at the Spanish carabineers. Instantly turning, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +took flight towards Agreda, as it seemed, with two of their number +wounded. 'The newcomers, then, are French!' I exclaimed. +'Here goes to meet them!' and, regaining a little strength from +the joy of being delivered, I descended, leaning on my sword. The +French had caught sight of me; they climbed the hill, and I found +myself in the arms of the brave Lieutenant Tassin.</p> + +<p>This providential rescue had come about as follows. The soldier +who had deserted me while I was engaged with the carabineers in +the streets of Agreda had quickly reached the vines; thence, leaping +across the vine stocks, ditches, rocks, and hedges, he had very quickly +run the distance which lay between him and the place where we +had left M. Tassin's picket. The detachment was on the point of +starting for Taragona, and was eating its soup, when my Norman +came up all out of breath. Not wishing, however, to lose a mouthful, +he seated himself by a cooking-pot and began to make a very +tranquil breakfast, without saying a word about what had happened +at Agreda. By great good luck he was noticed by M. Tassin, who, +surprised at seeing him returned, asked him where he had quitted +the officer whom he had been told off to escort. 'Good Lord, sir,' +replied the Norman, 'I left him in that big village with his head +half split open, and fighting with Spanish troopers, and they were +cutting away at him with their swords like anything.' At these +words Lieutenant Tassin ordered his detachment to arms, picked +the fifteen most active, and went off at the double towards Agreda. +The little troop had gone some way when they heard shots, and +inferred from them that I was still alive but in urgent need of +succour. Stimulated by the hope of saving me, the brave fellows +doubled their pace, and finally perceived me on the ridge of the hill, +serving as a mark for three Spanish troopers.</p> + +<p>M. Tassin and his men were tired, and I was at the end of my +strength. We halted, therefore, for a little, and meanwhile you +may imagine that I expressed my warmest gratitude to the lieutenant +and his men, who were almost as glad as I was. We returned +to the bivouac where M. Tassin had left the rest of his people. The +<i>cantinière</i> of the company was there with her mule carrying two +skins of wine, bread, and ham. I bought the lot and gave them to +the soldiers, and we breakfasted, as I was very glad to do, the two +hussars whom I had left there the night before sharing in the meal. +One of these mounted the monk's mule and lent me his horse, and +so we set out for Taragona. I was in horrible pain, because the +blood had hardened over my wound. At Taragona I rejoined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +Lannes' advance guard: the general in command had my wound +dressed, and gave me a horse and an escort of two hussars. I +reached Tudela at midnight, and was at once received by the +marshal, who, though ill himself, seemed much touched by my +misfortune. It was necessary, however, that the despatch about +the battle of Tudela should be promptly forwarded to the Emperor, +who must be impatiently awaiting news from the army on the Ebro. +Enlightened by what had befallen me in the mountains, the marshal +consented that the officer bearing it should go by Miranda and +Burgos, where the presence of French troops on the roads made +the way perfectly safe. I should have liked very much to be the +bearer, but I was in such pain and so tired that it would have been +physically impossible for me to ride hard. The marshal therefore +entrusted the duty to his brother-in-law, Major Guéhéneuc. I +handed him the despatches stained with my blood. Major Saint-Mars, +the secretary, wished to re-copy them and change the +envelope. 'No, no,' cried the marshal, 'the Emperor ought to see +how valiantly Captain Marbot has defended them.' So he sent off +the packet just as it was, adding a note to explain the reason of the +delay, eulogising me, and asking for a reward to Lieutenant Tassin +and his men, who had hastened so zealously to my succour, without +reckoning the danger to which they might have been exposed if the +enemy had been in force.</p> + +<p>The Emperor did, as a matter of fact, a little while after, grant +the Cross both to M. Tassin and to his sergeant, and a gratuity of +100 francs to each of the men who had accompanied them. As for +the Norman soldier, he was tried by court martial for deserting his +post in the presence of the enemy, and condemned to drag a shot +for two years, and to finish his time of service in a pioneer company.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>EYLAU. THE MARE LISETTE</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>GENERAL MARBOT, one of Napoleon's most distinguished +soldiers, thus describes his adventures at the battle of Eylau. +'To enable you to understand my story, I must go back to the +autumn of 1805, when the officers of the Grand Army, among +their preparations for the battle of Austerlitz, were completing +their outfits. I had two good horses, the third, for whom I was +looking, my charger, was to be better still. It was a difficult thing +to find, for though horses were far less dear than now, their price +was pretty high, and I had not much money; but chance served me +admirably. I met a learned German, Herr von Aister, whom I had +known when he was a professor at Sorèze. He had become tutor +to the children of a rich Swiss banker, M. Scherer, established at +Paris in partnership with M. Finguerlin. He informed me that +M. Finguerlin, a wealthy man, living in fine style, had a large stud, +in the first rank of which figured a lovely mare, called Lisette, easy +in her paces, as light as a deer, and so well broken that a child +could lead her. But this mare, when she was ridden, had a terrible +fault, and fortunately a rare one: she bit like a bulldog, and +furiously attacked people whom she disliked, which decided M. +Finguerlin to sell her. She was bought for Mme. de Lauriston +whose husband, one of the Emperor's aides-de-camp, had written to +her to get his campaigning outfit ready. When selling the mare +M. Finguerlin had forgotten to mention her fault, and that very +evening a groom was found disembowelled at her feet. Mme. de +Lauriston, reasonably alarmed, brought an action to cancel the +bargain; not only did she get her verdict, but, in order to prevent +further disasters, the police ordered that a written statement should +be placed in Lisette's stall to inform purchasers of her ferocity, and +that any bargain with regard to her should be void unless the purchaser +declared in writing that his attention had been called to the +notice. You may suppose that with such a character as this the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +mare was not easy to dispose of, and thus Herr von Aister informed +me that her owner had decided to let her go for what anyone would +give. I offered 1,000 francs, and M. Finguerlin delivered Lisette +to me, though she had cost him 5,000. This animal gave me a +good deal of trouble for some months. It took four or five men to +saddle her, and you could only bridle her by covering her eyes and +fastening all four legs; but once you were on her back, you found +her a really incomparable mount.</div> + +<p>'However, since while in my possession she had already bitten +several people, and had not spared me, I was thinking of parting +with her. But I had meanwhile engaged in my service Francis +Woirland, a man who was afraid of nothing, and he, before going +near Lisette, whose bad character had been mentioned to him, +armed himself with a good hot roast leg of mutton. When the +animal flew at him to bite him, he held out the mutton; she +seized it in her teeth, and burning her gums, palate, and tongue, gave +a scream, let the mutton drop, and from that moment was perfectly +submissive to Woirland, and did not venture to attack him again. +I employed the same method with a like result. Lisette became as +docile as a dog, and allowed me and my servant to approach her +freely. She even became a little more tractable towards the stablemen +of the staff, whom she saw every day, but woe to the strangers +who passed near her! I could quote twenty instances of her ferocity, +but I will confine myself to one. While Marshal Augereau was +staying at the château of Bellevue, near Berlin, the servants of the +staff, having observed that when they went to dinner someone stole +the sacks of corn that were left in the stable, got Woirland to unfasten +Lisette and leave her near the door. The thief arrived, +slipped into the stable, and was in the act of carrying off a sack, +when the mare seized him by the nape of the neck, dragged him +into the middle of the yard, and trampled on him till she broke two +of his ribs. At the shrieks of the thief people ran up, but Lisette +would not let him go till my servant and I compelled her, for in +her fury she would have flown at anyone else. She had become +still more vicious ever since the Saxon hussar officer, of whom I +have told you, had treacherously laid open her shoulder with a +sabre-cut on the battlefield of Jena.</p> + +<p>'Such was the mare which I was riding at Eylau at the moment +when the fragments of Augereau's army corps, shattered by a hail +of musketry and cannon-balls, were trying to rally near the great +cemetery. You will remember how the 14th of the line had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +remained alone on a hillock, which it could not quit except by the +Emperor's order. The snow had ceased for the moment; we could +see how the intrepid regiment, surrounded by the enemy, was +waving its eagle in the air to show that it still held its ground and +asked for support. The Emperor, touched by the grand devotion of +these brave men, resolved to try to save them, and ordered +Augereau to send an officer to them with orders to leave the hillock, +form a small square, and make their way towards us, while a +brigade of cavalry should march in their direction and assist their +efforts. This was before Murat's great charge. It was almost +impossible to carry out the Emperor's wishes, because a swarm of +Cossacks was between us and the 14th, and it was clear that any +officer who was sent towards the unfortunate regiment would be +killed or captured before he could get to it. But the order was +positive, and the marshal had to comply.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 350px;"> +<img src="images/i176.png" width="350" height="320" alt="Lisette catches the thief in the stable" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Lisette catches the thief in the stable</span> +</div> + +<p>'It was customary in the Imperial army for the aides-de-camp +to place themselves in file a few paces from their general, and for +the one who was in front to go on duty first: then, when he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +performed his mission, to return and place himself last, in order +that each might carry orders in his turn, and dangers might be +shared equally. A brave captain of engineers named Froissard, +who, though not an aide-de-camp, was on the marshal's staff, +happened to be nearest to him, and was bidden to carry the order +to the 14th. M. Froissard galloped off; we lost sight of him in the +midst of the Cossacks, and never saw him again nor heard what +had become of him. The marshal, seeing that the 14th did not +move, sent an officer named David; he had the same fate as +Froissard: we never heard of him again. Probably both were +killed and stripped, and could not be recognised among the +many corpses which covered the ground. For the third time the +marshal called, "The officer for duty." It was my turn.</p> + +<p>'Seeing the son of his old friend, and I venture to say his +favourite aide-de-camp, come up, the kind marshal's face changed +and his eyes filled with tears, for he could not hide from himself +that he was sending me to almost certain death. But the Emperor +must be obeyed. I was a soldier; it was impossible to make one +of my comrades go in my place, nor would I have allowed it; it +would have been disgracing me. So I dashed off. But though +ready to sacrifice my life I felt bound to take all necessary precautions +to save it. I had observed that the two officers who went +before me had gone with swords drawn, which led me to think that +they had purposed to defend themselves against any Cossacks who +might attack them on the way. Such defence, I thought, was ill-considered, +since it must have compelled them to halt in order to +fight a multitude of enemies, who would overwhelm them in the +end. So I went otherwise to work, and leaving my sword in the +scabbard, I regarded myself as a horseman who is trying to win a +steeplechase, and goes as quickly as possible and by the shortest +line towards the appointed goal, without troubling himself with +what is to right or left of his path. Now, as my goal was the hillock +occupied by the 14th, I resolved to get there without taking any +notice of the Cossacks, whom in thought I abolished. This plan +answered perfectly. Lisette, lighter than a swallow and flying +rather than running, devoured the intervening space, leaping the +piles of dead men and horses, the ditches, the broken gun-carriages, +the half-extinguished bivouac fires. Thousands of Cossacks +swarmed over the plain. The first who saw me acted like sportsmen +who, when beating, start a hare, and announce its presence to +each other by shouts of "Your side! Your side!" but none of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +Cossacks tried to stop me, first, on account of the extreme rapidity of +my pace, and also probably because, their numbers being so great, +each thought that I could not avoid his comrades farther on; so that +I escaped them all, and reached the 14th regiment without either +myself or my excellent mare having received the slightest scratch.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 332px;"> +<img src="images/i178.png" width="332" height="400" alt="'I regarded myself as a horseman who is trying to win a steeplechase'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'I regarded myself as a horseman who is trying to win a steeplechase'</span> +</div> + +<p>'I found the 14th formed in square on the top of the hillock, but +as the slope was very slight the enemy's cavalry had been able to +deliver several charges. These had been vigorously repulsed, and +the French regiment was surrounded by a circle of dead horses and +dragoons, which formed a kind of rampart, making the position by +this time almost inaccessible to cavalry; as I found, for in spite of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +the aid of our men, I had much difficulty in passing over this +horrible entrenchment. At last I was in the square. Since Colonel +Savary's death at the passage of the Wkra, the 14th had been commanded +by a major. While I imparted to this officer, under a hail +of balls, the order to quit his position and try to rejoin his corps, +he pointed out to me that the enemy's artillery had been firing on +the 14th for an hour, and had caused it such loss that the handful +of soldiers which remained would inevitably be exterminated as +they went down into the plain, and that, moreover, there would +not be time to prepare to execute such a movement, since a Russian +column was marching on him, and was not more than a hundred +paces away. "I see no means of saving the regiment," said +the major; "return to the Emperor, bid him farewell from the +14th of the line, which has faithfully executed his orders, and +bear to him the eagle which he gave us, and which we can +defend no longer: it would add too much to the pain of death to +see it fall into the hands of the enemy." Then the major handed +me his eagle, saluted for the last time by the glorious fragment +of the intrepid regiment with cries of "Vive l'Empereur!" they +were going to die for him. It was the <i>Cæsar morituri te salutant</i> +of Tacitus,<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> but in this case the cry was uttered by heroes. The +infantry eagles were very heavy, and their weight was increased by +a stout oak pole on the top of which they were fixed. The length +of the pole embarrassed me much, and as the stick without the +eagle could not constitute a trophy for the enemy, I resolved with +the major's consent to break it and only carry off the eagle. But at +the moment when I was leaning forward from my saddle in order to +get a better purchase to separate the eagle from the pole, one of +the numerous cannon-balls which the Russians were sending at us +went through the hinder peak of my hat, less than an inch from +my head. The shock was all the more terrible since my hat, being +fastened on by a strong leather strap under the chin, offered more +resistance to the blow. I seemed to be blotted out of existence, +but I did not fall from my horse; blood flowed from my nose, +my ears, and even my eyes; nevertheless I still could hear +and see, and I preserved all my intellectual faculties, although my +limbs were paralysed to such an extent that I could not move a +single finger.</p> + +<p>'Meanwhile the column of Russian infantry which we had just +perceived was mounting the hill; they were grenadiers wearing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +mitre-shaped caps with metal ornaments. Soaked with spirits, and +in vastly superior numbers, these men hurled themselves furiously +on the feeble remains of the unfortunate 14th, whose soldiers had +for several days been living only on potatoes and melted snow; +that day they had not had time to prepare even this wretched meal. +Still our brave Frenchmen made a valiant defence with their +bayonets, and when the square had been broken, they held together +in groups and sustained the unequal fight for a long time.</p> + +<p>'During this terrible struggle several of our men, in order not +to be struck from behind, set their backs against my mare's flanks, +she, contrary to her practice, remaining perfectly quiet. If I had +been able to move I should have urged her forward to get away +from this field of slaughter. But it was absolutely impossible for +me to press my legs so as to make the animal I rode understand +my wish. My position was the more frightful since, as I have said, +I retained the power of sight and thought. Not only were they +fighting all round me, which exposed me to bayonet-thrusts, but a +Russian officer with a hideous countenance kept making efforts to +run me through. As the crowd of combatants prevented him from +reaching me, he pointed me out to the soldiers around him, and +they, taking me for the commander of the French, as I was the +only mounted man, kept firing at me over their comrades' heads, +so that bullets were constantly whistling past my ear. One of +them would certainly have taken away the small amount of life +that was still in me had not a terrible incident led to my escape +from the <i>mêlée</i>.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 335px;"> +<img src="images/i181.png" width="335" height="350" alt="Lisette carries off the Russian officer" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Lisette carries off the Russian officer</span> +</div> + +<p>'Among the Frenchmen who had got their flanks against my +mare's near flank was a quartermaster-sergeant, whom I knew from +having frequently seen him at the marshal's, making copies for +him of the "morning states." This man, having been attacked and +wounded by several of the enemy, fell under Lisette's belly, and +was seizing my leg to pull himself up, when a Russian grenadier, +too drunk to stand steady, wishing to finish him by a thrust in the +breast, lost his balance, and the point of his bayonet went astray +into my cloak, which at that moment was puffed out by the wind. +Seeing that I did not fall, the Russian left the sergeant and aimed +a great number of blows at me. These were at first fruitless, but +one at last reached me, piercing my left arm, and I felt with a kind +of horrible pleasure my blood flowing hot. The Russian grenadier +with redoubled fury made another thrust at me, but, stumbling +with the force which he put into it, drove his bayonet into my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +mare's thigh. Her ferocious instincts being restored by the pain, +she sprang at the Russian, and at one mouthful tore off his nose, +lips, eyebrows, and all the skin of his face, making of him a living +death's-head, dripping with blood. Then hurling herself with fury +among the combatants, kicking and biting, Lisette upset everything +that she met on her road. The officer who had made so many +attempts to strike me tried to hold her by the bridle; she seized +him by his belly, and carrying him off with ease, she bore him out +of the crush to the foot of the hillock, where, having torn out his +entrails and mashed his body under her feet, she left him dying +on the snow. Then, taking the road by which she had come, she +made her way at full gallop towards the cemetery of Eylau. +Thanks to the hussar's saddle on which I was sitting, I kept my +seat. But a new danger awaited me. The snow had begun to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +fall again, and great flakes obscured the daylight when, having +arrived close to Eylau, I found myself in front of a battalion of +the Old Guard, who, unable to see clearly at a distance, took me +for an enemy's officer leading a charge of cavalry. The whole +battalion at once opened fire on me; my cloak and my saddle were +riddled, but I was not wounded nor was my mare. She continued +her rapid course, and went through the three ranks of the battalion +as easily as a snake through a hedge. But this last spurt had exhausted +Lisette's strength; she had lost much blood, for one of the +large veins in her thigh had been divided, and the poor animal +collapsed suddenly and fell on one side, rolling me over on the +other.</p> + +<p>'Stretched on the snow among the piles of dead and dying, +unable to move in any way, I gradually and without pain lost consciousness. +I felt as if I was being gently rocked to sleep. At last +I fainted quite away without being revived by the mighty clatter +which Murat's ninety squadrons advancing to the charge must have +made in passing close to me and perhaps over me. I judge that +my swoon lasted four hours, and when I came to my senses I found +myself in this horrible position. I was completely naked, having +nothing on but my hat and my right boot. A man of the transport +corps, thinking me dead, had stripped me in the usual fashion, and +wishing to pull off the only boot that remained, was dragging me +by one leg with his foot against my body. The jerks which the +man gave me no doubt had restored me to my senses. I succeeded +in sitting up and spitting out the clots of blood from my throat. +The shock caused by the wind of the ball had produced such an +extravasation of blood, that my face, shoulders, and chest were +black, while the rest of my body was stained red by the blood from +my wound. My hat and my hair were full of bloodstained snow, +and as I rolled my haggard eyes I must have been horrible to see. +Anyhow, the transport man looked the other way, and went off +with my property without my being able to say a single word to +him, so utterly prostrate was I. But I had recovered my mental +faculties, and my thoughts turned towards God and my mother.</p> + +<p>'The setting sun cast some feeble rays through the clouds. I +took what I believed to be a last farewell of it. "If," thought I, "I had +only not been stripped, some one of the numerous people who pass +near me would notice the gold lace on my pelisse, and, recognising +that I am a marshal's aide-de-camp, would perhaps have carried +me to the ambulance. But seeing me naked, they do not distinguish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +me from the corpses with which I am surrounded, and, +indeed, there soon will be no difference between them and me. I +cannot call help, and the approaching night will take away all hope +of succour. The cold is increasing: shall I be able to bear it till +to-morrow, seeing that I feel my naked limbs stiffening already?" +So I made up my mind to die, for if I had been saved by a miracle +in the midst of the terrible <i>mêlée</i> between the Russians and the +14th, could I expect that there would be a second miracle to extract +me from my present horrible position? The second miracle did +take place in the following manner. Marshal Augereau had a +valet named Pierre Dannel, a very intelligent and very faithful +fellow, but somewhat given to arguing. Now it happened during +our stay at La Houssaye that Dannel, having answered his master, +got dismissed. In despair, he begged me to plead for him. This +I did so zealously that I succeeded in getting him taken back +into favour. From that time the valet had been devotedly attached +to me. The outfit having been all left behind at Landsberg, he had +started all out of his own head on the day of battle to bring provisions +to his master. He had placed these in a very light waggon +which could go everywhere, and contained the articles which the +marshal most frequently required. This little waggon was driven +by a soldier belonging to the same company of the transport corps +as the man who had just stripped me. This latter, with my +property in his hands, passed near the waggon, which was standing +at the side of the cemetery, and, recognising the driver, his old +comrade, he hailed him, and showed him the splendid booty which +he had just taken from a dead man.</p> + +<p>'Now you must know that when we were in cantonments on the +Vistula the marshal happened to send Dannel to Warsaw for provisions, +and I commissioned him to get the trimming of black +astrachan taken from my pelisse, and have it replaced by grey, this +having recently been adopted by Prince Berthier's aides-de-camp, +who set the fashion in the army. Up to now, I was the only one +of Augereau's officers who had grey astrachan. Dannel, who was +present when the transport man made his display, quickly recognised +my pelisse, which made him look more closely at the other +effects of the alleged dead man. Among these he found my watch, +which had belonged to my father and was marked with his cypher. +The valet had no longer any doubt that I had been killed, and +while deploring my loss, he wished to see me for the last time. +Guided by the transport man he reached me and found me living.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +Great was the joy of this worthy man, to whom I certainly owed +my life. He made haste to fetch my servant and some orderlies, +and had me carried to a barn, where he rubbed my body with +rum. Meanwhile someone went to fetch Dr. Raymond, who came +at length, dressed the wound in my arm, and declared that the +release of blood due to it would be the saving of me.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i184.png" width="400" height="349" alt="'Guided by the transport man he reached me and found me living'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Guided by the transport man he reached me and found me living'</span> +</div> + +<p>'My brother and my comrades were quickly round me; something +was given to the transport soldier who had taken my clothes, +which he returned very willingly, but as they were saturated with +water and with blood, Marshal Augereau had me wrapped in things +belonging to himself. The Emperor had given the marshal leave +to go to Landsberg, but as his wound forbad him to ride, his +aides-de-camp had procured a sledge, on which the body of a +carriage had been placed. The marshal, who could not make up +his mind to leave me, had me fastened up beside him, for I was +too weak to sit upright.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p>'Before I was removed from the field of battle I had seen my +poor Lisette near me. The cold had caused the blood from her +wound to clot, and prevented the loss from being too great. The +creature had got on to her legs and was eating the straw which the +soldiers had used the night before for their bivouacs. My servant, +who was very fond of Lisette, had noticed her when he was helping +to remove me, and cutting up into bandages the shirt and hood +of a dead soldier, he wrapped her leg with them, and thus made +her able to walk to Landsberg. The officer in command of the +small garrison there had had the forethought to get quarters ready +for the wounded, so the staff found places in a large and good inn.</p> + +<p>'In this way, instead of passing the night without help, stretched +naked on the snow, I lay on a good bed surrounded by the attention +of my brother, my comrades, and the kind Dr. Raymond. +The doctor had been obliged to cut off the boot which the transport +man had not been able to pull off, and which had become all +the more difficult to remove owing to the swelling of my foot. +You will see presently that this very nearly cost me my leg, and +perhaps my life.</p> + +<p>'We stayed thirty-six hours at Landsberg. This rest, and the +good care taken of me, restored me to the use of speech and senses, +and when on the second day after the battle Marshal Augereau +started for Warsaw I was able to be carried in the sledge. The +journey lasted eight days. Gradually I recovered strength, but as +strength returned I began to feel a sensation of icy cold in my right +foot. At Warsaw I was lodged in the house that had been taken +for the marshal, which suited me the better that I was not able to +leave my bed. Yet the wound in my arm was doing well, the +extravasated blood was becoming absorbed, my skin was recovering +its natural colour. The doctor knew not to what he could ascribe +my inability to rise, till, hearing me complaining of my leg, he +examined it, and found that my foot was gangrened. An accident +of my early days was the cause of this new trouble. At Sorèze I +had my right foot wounded by the unbuttoned foil of a schoolfellow +with whom I was fencing. It seemed that the muscles of the +part had become sensitive, and had suffered much from cold while +I was lying unconscious on the field of Eylau; thence had resulted +a swelling which explained the difficulty experienced by the +soldier in dragging off my right boot. The foot was frost-bitten, +and as it had not been treated in time, gangrene had appeared in +the site of the old wound from the foil. The place was covered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +with an eschar as large as a five-franc piece. The doctor +turned pale when he saw the foot: then, making four servants hold +me, and taking his knife, he lifted the eschar, and dug the mortified +flesh from my foot just as one cuts the damaged part out of an +apple. The pain was great, but I did not complain. It was otherwise, +however, when the knife reached the living flesh, and laid +bare the muscles and bones till one could see them moving. Then +the doctor, standing on a chair, soaked a sponge in hot sweetened +wine, and let it fall drop by drop into the hole which he had just +dug in my foot. The pain became unbearable. Still, for eight +days I had to undergo this torture morning and evening, but my +leg was saved.</p> + +<p>'Nowadays, when promotions and decorations are bestowed so +lavishly, some reward would certainly be given to an officer who +had braved danger as I had done in reaching the 14th regiment; +but under the Empire a devoted act of that kind was thought so +natural that I did not receive the cross, nor did it ever occur to me +to ask for it. A long rest having been ordered for the cure of Marshal +Augereau's wound, the Emperor wrote to bid him return for treatment +to France, and sent to Italy for Masséna, to whom my +brother, Bro, and several of my comrades were attached. Augereau +took me with him, as well as Dr. Raymond and his secretary. I +had to be lifted in and out of the carriage; otherwise I found my +health coming back as I got away from those icy regions towards a +milder climate. My mare passed the winter in the stables of M. +de Launay, head of the forage department. Our road lay through +Silesia. So long as we were in that horrible Poland, it required +twelve, sometimes sixteen, horses to draw the carriage at a walk +through the bogs and quagmires; but in Germany we found at +length civilisation and real roads.</p> + +<p>'After a halt at Dresden, and ten or twelve days' stay at Frankfort, +we reached Paris about March 15. I walked very lame, wore +my arm in a sling, and still felt the terrible shaking caused by the +wind of the cannon-ball; but the joy of seeing my mother again, +and her kind care of me, together with the sweet influences of the +spring, completed my cure. Before leaving Warsaw I had meant +to throw away the hat which the ball had pierced, but the marshal +kept it as a curiosity and gave it to my mother. It still exists in +my possession, and should be kept as a family relic.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>HOW MARBOT CROSSED THE DANUBE</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>AFTER crossing the Traun, burning the bridge at Mauthhausen, +and passing the Enns, the army advanced to Mölk, without +knowing what had become of General Hiller. Some spies assured +us that the archduke had crossed the Danube and joined him, and +that we should on the morrow meet the whole Austrian army, +strongly posted in front of Saint-Pölten. In that case, we must +make ready to fight a great battle; but if it were otherwise, we +had to march quickly on Vienna in order to get there before the +enemy could reach it by the other bank. For want of positive +information the Emperor was very undecided. The question to +be solved was, Had General Hiller crossed the Danube, or was he +still in front of us, masked by a swarm of light cavalry, which, +always flying, never let us get near enough to take a prisoner from +whom one might get some enlightenment?</div> + +<p>Still knowing nothing for certain, we reached, on May 7, the +pretty little town of Mölk, standing on the bank of the Danube, +and overhung by an immense rock, on the summit of which rises a +Benedictine convent, said to be the finest and richest in Christendom. +From the rooms of the monastery a wide view is obtained +over both banks of the Danube. There the Emperor and many +marshals, including Lannes, took up their quarters, while our staff +lodged with the parish priest. Much rain had fallen during the +week, and it had not ceased for twenty-four hours, and still was +falling, so that the Danube and its tributaries were over their +banks. That night, as my comrades and I, delighted at being +sheltered from the bad weather, were having a merry supper with +the parson, a jolly fellow, who gave us an excellent meal, the aide-de-camp +on duty with the marshal came to tell me that I was +wanted, and must go up to the convent that moment. I was so +comfortable where I was that I found it annoying to have to leave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +a good supper and good quarters to go and get wet again, had but I +to obey.</p> + +<p>All the passages and lower rooms of the monastery were full of +soldiers, forgetting the fatigues of the previous days in the monks' +good wine. On reaching the dwelling-rooms, I saw that I had +been sent for about some serious matter, for generals, chamberlains, +orderly officers, said to me repeatedly, 'The Emperor has sent for +you.' Some added, 'It is probably to give you your commission as +major.' This I did not believe, for I did not think I was yet of +sufficient importance to the sovereign for him to send for me at +such an hour to give me my commission with his own hands. I +was shown into a vast and handsome gallery, with a balcony looking +over the Danube; there I found the Emperor at dinner with +several marshals and the abbot of the convent, who has the title of +bishop. On seeing me, the Emperor left the table, and went +towards the balcony, followed by Lannes. I heard him say in a +low tone, 'The execution of this plan is almost impossible; it +would be sending a brave officer for no purpose to almost certain +death.' 'He will go, sir,' replied the marshal; 'I am certain he +will go, at any rate we can but propose it to him.' Then, taking +me by the hand, the marshal opened the window of the balcony +over the Danube. The river at this moment, trebled in volume by +the strong flood, was nearly a league wide; it was lashed by a fierce +wind, and we could hear the waves roaring. It was pitch-dark, +and the rain fell in torrents, but we could see on the other side a +long line of bivouac fires. Napoleon, Marshal Lannes, and I, being +alone on the balcony, the marshal said, 'On the other side of the +river, you see an Austrian camp. Now, the Emperor is keenly +desirous to know whether General Hiller's corps is there, or still +on this bank. In order to make sure he wants a stout-hearted +man, bold enough to cross the Danube, and bring away some +soldier of the enemy's, and I have assured him that you will go.' +Then Napoleon said to me, 'Take notice that I am not giving you +an order; I am only expressing a wish. I am aware that the +enterprise is as dangerous as it can be, and you can decline it without +any fear of displeasing me. Go, and think it over for a few +moments in the next room; come back and tell us frankly your +decision.'</p> + +<p>I admit that when I heard Marshal Lannes' proposal I had +broken out all over in a cold sweat; but at the same moment, a +feeling, which I cannot define, but in which a love of glory and of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +my country was mingled, perhaps, with a noble pride, raised my +ardour to the highest point, and I said to myself, 'The Emperor +has here an army of 150,000 devoted warriors, besides 25,000 men +of his guard, all selected from the bravest. He is surrounded with +aides-de-camp and orderly officers, and yet when an expedition is +on foot, requiring intelligence no less than boldness, it is I whom +the Emperor and Marshal Lannes choose.' 'I will go, sir,' I cried +without hesitation. 'I will go; and if I perish, I leave my mother +to your Majesty's care.' The Emperor pulled my ear to mark his +satisfaction; the marshal shook my hand, 'I was quite right to tell +your Majesty that he would go. There's what you may call a +brave soldier.'</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 333px;"> +<img src="images/i189.png" width="333" height="400" alt="'"I will go, sir," I cried'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'"I will go, sir," I cried'</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> + +<p>My expedition being thus decided on, I had to think about the +means of executing it. The Emperor called General Bertrand, his +aide-de-camp, General Dorsenne, of the guard, and the commandant +of the imperial head-quarters, and ordered them to put at my disposal +whatever I might require. At my request an infantry picket +went into the town to find the burgomaster, the syndic of the boatmen, +and five of his best hands. A corporal and five grenadiers of +the old guard who could all speak German, and had still to earn +their decoration, were also summoned, and voluntarily agreed to go +with me. The Emperor had them brought in first, and promised +that on their return they should receive the Cross at once. The +brave men replied by a 'Vive l'Empereur!' and went to get +ready. As for the five boatmen, on its being explained to them +through the interpreter that they had to take a boat across the +Danube, they fell on their knees and began to weep. The syndic +declared that they might just as well be shot at once, as sent to +certain death. The expedition was absolutely impossible, not only +from the strength of the current, but because the tributaries had +brought into the Danube a great quantity of fir trees recently cut +down in the mountains, which could not be avoided in the dark, +and would certainly come against the boat and sink it. Besides, +how could one land on the opposite bank among willows which +would scuttle the boat, and with a flood of unknown extent? The +syndic concluded, then, that the operation was physically impossible. +In vain did the Emperor tempt them with an offer of +6,000 francs per man; even this could not persuade them, though, +as they said, they were poor boatmen with families, and this sum +would be a fortune to them. But, as I have already said, some +lives must be sacrificed to save those of the greater number, and +the knowledge of this makes commanders sometimes pitiless. The +Emperor was inflexible, and the grenadiers received orders to take +the poor men, whether they would or not, and we went down to the +town.</p> + +<p>The corporal who had been assigned to me was an intelligent man. +Taking him for my interpreter, I charged him as we went along to +tell the syndic of the boatmen that as he had got to come along +with us, he had better in his own interest show us his best boat, +and point out everything that we should require for her fitting. +The poor man obeyed; so we got an excellent vessel, and we took +all that we wanted from the others. We had two anchors, but as +I did not think we should be able to make use of them, I had sewn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +to the end of each cable a piece of canvas with a large stone wrapped +in it. I had seen in the south of France the fishermen use an +apparatus of this kind to hold their boats by throwing the cord +over the willows at the water's edge. I put on a cap, the grenadiers +took their forage caps, we had provisions, ropes, axes, saws, a +ladder,—everything, in short, which I could think of to take.</p> + +<p>Our preparations ended, I was going to give the signal to start, +when the five boatmen implored me with tears to let the soldiers +escort them to their houses, to take perhaps the last farewell of +their wives and children; but, fearing that a tender scene of this +kind would further reduce their small stock of courage, I refused. +Then the syndic said, 'Well, as we have only a short time to live, +allow us five minutes to commend our souls to God, and do you do +the same, for you also are going to your death.' They all fell on +their knees, the grenadiers and I following their example, which +seemed to please the worthy people much. When their prayer was +over, I gave each man a glass of the monks' excellent wine, and we +pushed out into the stream.</p> + +<p>I had bidden the grenadiers follow in silence all the orders of +the syndic who was steering; the current was too strong for us to +cross over straight from Mölk: we went up, therefore, along +the bank under sail for more than a league, and although the wind +and the waves made the boat jump, this part was accomplished +without accident. But when the time came to take to our oars +and row out from the land, the mast, on being lowered, fell over to +one side, and the sail, dragging in the water, offered a strong resistance +to the current and nearly capsized us. The master ordered +the ropes to be cut and the masts to be sent overboard: but the +boatmen, losing their heads, began to pray without stirring. Then +the corporal, drawing his sword, said, 'You can pray and work +too; obey at once, or I will kill you.' Compelled to choose between +possible and certain death, the poor fellows took up their hatchets, +and with the help of the grenadiers, the mast was promptly cut +away and sent floating. It was high time, for hardly were we free +from this dangerous burden when we felt a fearful shock. A pine-stem +borne down by the stream had struck the boat. We all shuddered, +but luckily the planks were not driven in this time. Would +the boat, however, resist more shocks of this kind? We could not +see the stems, and only knew that they were near by the heavier +tumble of the waves. Several touched us, but no serious accident +resulted. Meantime the current bore us along, and as our oars<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +could make very little way against it to give us the necessary slant, +I feared for a moment that it would sweep us below the enemy's +camp, and that my expedition would fail. By dint of hard rowing, +however, we had got three-quarters of the way over, when I saw +an immense black mass looming over the water. Then a sharp +scratching was heard, branches caught us in the face, and the boat +stopped. To our questions the owner replied that we were on an +island covered with willows and poplars, of which the flood had +nearly reached the top. We had to grope about with our hatchets +to clear a passage through the branches, and when we had succeeded +in passing the obstacle, we found the stream much less +furious than in the middle of the river, and finally reached the +left bank in front of the Austrian camp. This shore was bordered +with very thick trees, which, overhanging the bank like a dome, +made the approach difficult no doubt, but at the same time concealed +our boat from the camp. The whole shore was lighted up +by the bivouac fires, while we remained in the shadow thrown by +the branches of the willows. I let the boat float downwards, looking +for a suitable landing-place. Presently I perceived that a +sloping path had been made down the bank by the enemy to allow +the men and horses to get to the water. The corporal adroitly +threw into the willows one of the stones that I had made ready, +the cord caught in a tree, and the boat brought up against the land +a foot or two from the slope. It must have been just about midnight. +The Austrians, having the swollen Danube between them +and the French, felt themselves so secure that except the sentry +the whole camp was asleep.</p> + +<p>It is usual in war for the guns and the sentinels always to face +towards the enemy, however far off he may be. A battery placed in +advance of the camp was therefore turned towards the river, and +sentries were walking on the top of the bank. The trees prevented +them from seeing the extreme edge, while from the boat I could +see through the branches a great part of the bivouac. So far my +mission had been more successful than I had ventured to hope, +but in order to make the success complete I had to bring away a +prisoner, and to execute such an operation fifty paces away from +several thousand enemies, whom a single cry would rouse, seemed +very difficult. Still, I had to do something. I made the five +sailors lie down at the bottom of the boat under guard of two +grenadiers, another grenadier I posted at the bow of the boat which +was close to the bank, and myself disembarked, sword in hand,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +followed by the corporal and two grenadiers. The boat was a few +feet from dry land; we had to walk in the water, but at last we +were on the slope. We went up, and I was making ready to rush +on the nearest sentry, disarm him, gag him, and drag him off to +the boat, when the ring of metal and the sound of singing in a low +voice fell on my ears. A man, carrying a great tin pail, was coming +to draw water, humming a song as he went; we quickly went +down again to the river to hide under the branches, and as the +Austrian stooped to fill his pail my grenadiers seized him by the +throat, put a handkerchief full of wet sand over his mouth, and +placing their sword-points against his body threatened him with +death if he resisted or uttered a sound. Utterly bewildered, the +man obeyed, and let us take him to the boat; we hoisted him into +the hands of the grenadiers posted there, who made him lie down +beside the sailors. While this Austrian was lying captured, I saw +by his clothes that he was not strictly speaking a soldier, but an +officer's servant. I should have preferred to catch a combatant, +who could have given me more precise information; but I was +going to content myself with this capture for want of a better, when +I saw at top of the slope two soldiers carrying a cauldron between +them, on a pole. They were only a few paces off. It was impossible +for us to re-embark without being seen. I therefore signed +to my grenadiers to hide themselves again, and as soon as the two +Austrians stooped to fill their vessel, powerful arms seized them +from behind, and plunged their heads under water. We had to +stupefy them a little, since they had their swords, and I feared that +they might resist. Then they were picked up in turn, their mouths +covered with a handkerchief full of sand, and sword-points against +their breasts constrained them to follow us. They were shipped +as the servant had been, and my men and I got on board again.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i194.png" width="400" height="269" alt="'We had to saw the rope'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'We had to saw the rope'</span> +</div> + +<p>So far all had gone well. I made the sailors get up and take +their oars, and ordered the corporal to cast loose the rope which +held us to the bank. It was, however, so wet, and the knot had +been drawn so tight by the force of the stream, that it was impossible +to unfasten. We had to saw the rope, which took us some +minutes. Meanwhile, the rope, shaking with our efforts, imparted +its movement to the branches of the willow round which it was +wrapped, and the rustling became loud enough to attract the notice +of the sentry. He drew near, unable to see the boat, but perceiving +that the agitation of the branches increased, he called out, +'Who goes there?' No answer. Further challenge from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +sentry. We held our tongues, and worked away. I was in deadly +fear; after facing so many dangers, it would have been too cruel if +we were wrecked in sight of port. At last, the rope was cut and +the boat pushed off. But hardly was it clear of the overhanging +willows than the light of the bivouac fires made it visible to the +sentry, who, shouting, 'To arms,' fired at us. No one was hit +but at the sound the whole camp was astir in a moment, and the +gunners, whose pieces were ready loaded and trained on the river, +honoured my boat with some cannon-shots. At the report my +heart leapt for joy, for I knew that the Emperor and marshal would +hear it. I turned my eyes towards the convent, with its lighted +windows, of which I had, in spite of the distance, never lost sight. +Probably all were open at this moment, but in one only could I +perceive any increase of brilliancy; it was the great balcony window, +which was as large as the doorway of a church, and sent from +afar a flood of light over the stream. Evidently it had just been +opened at the thunder of the cannon, and I said to myself, 'The +Emperor and the marshals are doubtless on the balcony; they +know that I have reached the enemy's camp, and are making vows +for my safe return.' This thought raised my courage, and I +heeded the cannon-balls not a bit. Indeed, they were not very +dangerous, for the stream swept us along at such a pace that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +gunners could not aim with any accuracy, and we must have been +very unlucky to get hit. One shot would have done for us, but all +fell harmless into the Danube. Soon I was out of range, and could +reckon a successful issue to my enterprise. Still, all danger was +not yet at an end; We had still to cross among the floating pine-stems, +and more than once we struck on submerged islands, and +were delayed by the branches of the poplars. At last we reached +the right bank, more than two leagues below Mölk, and a new +terror assailed me. I could see bivouac fires, and had no means +of learning whether they belonged to a French regiment. The +enemy had troops on both banks, and I knew that on the right +bank Marshal Lannes' outposts were not far from Mölk, facing an +Austrian corps, posted at Saint-Pölten.</p> + +<p>Our army would doubtless go forward at daybreak, but was it +already occupying this place? And were the fires that I saw those +of friends or enemies? I was afraid that the current had taken me +too far down, but the problem was solved by French cavalry +trumpets sounding the reveillé. Our uncertainty being at an end, +we rowed with all our strength to the shore, where in the dawning +light we could see a village. As we drew near, the report of a +carbine was heard, and a bullet whistled by our ears. It was +evident that the French sentries took us for a hostile crew. I had +not foreseen this possibility, and hardly knew how we were to +succeed in getting recognised, till the happy thought struck me of +making my six grenadiers shout, 'Vive l'Empereur Napoléon!' +This was, of course, no certain evidence that we were French, but +it would attract the attention of the officers, who would have no +fear of our small numbers, and would no doubt prevent the men +from firing on us before they knew whether we were French or +Austrians. A few moments later I came ashore, and I was received +by Colonel Gautrin and the 9th Hussars, forming part of Lannes' +division. If we had landed half a league lower down we should +have tumbled into the enemy's pickets. The colonel lent me a +horse, and gave me several wagons, in which I placed the grenadiers, +the boatmen, and the prisoners, and the little cavalcade went off +towards Mölk. As we went along, the corporal, at my orders, +questioned the three Austrians, and I learnt with satisfaction that +the camp whence I had brought them away belonged to the very +division, General Killer's, the position of which the Emperor was +so anxious to learn. There was, therefore, no further doubt that +that general had joined the archduke on the other side of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +Danube. There was no longer any question of a battle on the road +which we held, and Napoleon, having only the enemy's cavalry in +front of him, could in perfect safety push his troops forward towards +Vienna, from which we were but three easy marches distant. With +this information I galloped forward, in order to bring it to the +Emperor with the least possible delay.</p> + +<p>When I reached the gate of the monastery, it was broad day. I +found the approach blocked by the whole population of the little +town of Mölk, and heard among the crowd the cries of the wives, +children, and friends of the sailors whom I had carried off. In a +moment I was surrounded by them, and was able to calm their +anxiety by saying, in very bad German, 'Your friends are alive, +and you will see them in a few moments.' A great cry of joy went +up from the crowd, bringing out the officer in command of the guard +at the gate. On seeing me he ran off in pursuance of orders to warn +the aides-de-camp to let the Emperor know of my return. In an +instant the whole palace was up. The good Marshal Lannes came +to me, embraced me cordially, and carried me straight off to the +Emperor, crying out, 'Here he is, sir; I knew he would come back. +He has brought three prisoners from General Hiller's division.' +Napoleon received me warmly, and though I was wet and muddy +all over, he laid his hand on my shoulder, and did not forget to give +his greatest sign of satisfaction by pinching my ear. I leave you +to imagine how I was questioned! The Emperor wanted to know +every incident of the adventure in detail, and when I had finished +my story said, 'I am very well pleased with you, "Major" Marbot.' +These words were equivalent to a commission, and my joy was full. +At that moment, a chamberlain announced that breakfast was +served, and as I was calculating on having to wait in the gallery +until the Emperor had finished, he pointed with his finger towards +the dining-room, and said, 'You will breakfast with me.' As this +honour had never been paid to any officer of my rank, I was the +more flattered. During breakfast I learnt that the Emperor and +the marshal had not been to bed all night, and that when they +heard the cannon on the opposite bank they had all rushed on to +the balcony. The Emperor made me tell again the way in which +I had surprised the three prisoners, and laughed much at the fright +and surprise which they must have felt.</p> + +<p>At last, the arrival of the wagons was announced, but they had +much difficulty in making their way through the crowd, so eager +were the people to see the boatmen. Napoleon, thinking this very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +natural, gave orders to open the gates, and let everybody come into +the court. Soon after, the grenadiers, the boatmen, and the +prisoners were led into the gallery. The Emperor, through his +interpreter, first questioned the three Austrian soldiers, and learning +with satisfaction that not only General Hiller's corps, but the whole +of the archduke's army, were on the other bank, he told Berthier to +give the order for the troops to march at once on Saint-Pölten. +Then, calling up the corporal and the five soldiers, he fastened the +Cross on their breast, appointed them knights of the Empire, and +gave them an annuity of 1,200 francs apiece. All the veterans wept +for joy. Next came the boatmen's turn. The Emperor told them +that, as the danger they had run was a good deal more than he had +expected, it was only fair that he should increase their reward; so, +instead of the 6,000 francs promised, 12,000 in gold were given to +them on the spot. Nothing could express their delight; they kissed +the hands of the Emperor and all present, crying, 'Now we are +rich!' Napoleon laughingly asked the syndic if he would go the +same journey for the same price the next night. But the man +answered that, having escaped by miracle what seemed certain +death, he would not undertake such a journey again even if his +lordship, the abbot of Mölk, would give him the monastery and all +its possessions. The boatmen withdrew, blessing the generosity of +the French Emperor, and the grenadiers, eager to show off their +decoration before their comrades, were about to go off with their +three prisoners, when Napoleon perceived that the Austrian servant +was weeping bitterly. He reassured him as to his safety, but the +poor lad replied, sobbing, that he knew the French treated their +prisoners well, but that, as he had on him a belt, containing nearly +all his captain's money, he was afraid that the officer would accuse +him of deserting in order to rob him, and he was heart-broken at +the thought. Touched by the worthy fellow's distress, the Emperor +told him that he was free, and as soon as we were before Vienna, he +would be passed through the outposts, and be able to return to his +master. Then, taking a rouleau of 1,000 francs, he put it in the +man's hand, saying, 'One must honour goodness wherever it is +shown.' Lastly, the Emperor gave some pieces of gold to each of +the other two prisoners, and ordered that they too should be sent +back to the Austrian outposts, so that they might forget the fright +which we had caused them, and that it might not be said that any +soldiers, even enemies, had spoken to the Emperor of the French +without receiving some benefit.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE PITEOUS DEATH OF GASTON, SON OF THE COUNT OF FOIX</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>MORE than five hundred years ago, on St. Catherine's Day, +1388, Master Jean Froissart, a priest of Hainault, rode into +the little town of Orthez. He was in search of information about +battles and tournaments, for he was writing his famous 'History +and Chronicle.' To get news of all kinds he rode gaily about, with +a white greyhound in a leash, and carrying a novel which he had +begun for the entertainment of ladies and princes. Arriving at +Orthez (where, long afterwards, the Duke of Wellington fought the +French on the borders of Spain), Master Froissart alighted at the +hotel with the sign of the Moon. Meanwhile a knight who had +travelled with Froissart went up to the castle, and paid his court +to Gaston Phœbus, Count of Foix. He found the Count in the +gallery of the palace just after dinner, for this prince always went +to bed at midday and took supper at midnight. He was a great +and powerful noble, of stately and beautiful presence, though now +he was nearly sixty years old. A wise knight he was, bold in +enterprise, and of good counsel. Never did he suffer any unbeliever +in his company, and he was very pious, every day making many +and long prayers, and giving alms to the poor folk at his gate. +He took much delight in minstrelsy, and at his midnight supper +songs and virelays were chanted to him. Till about three o'clock +in the morning he listened while Master Froissart read aloud his +poems, tales, or histories, while the courtiers yawned, no doubt, +and wished for bedtime. But it was the good Count's manner to +turn night into day. He was sometimes melancholy, and, as is +told in the story of Orthon, men believed that he saw and knew +events far distant, but in what manner none could tell. This +great prince dwelt at peace while the wars of France, England, +Portugal, and Spain raged outside his dominions. Rich, powerful, +handsome, and deeply religious, he seemed to have everything that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +could make him happy, but he had no son and heir; his lands, on +his death, would go to a distant cousin. Nor did the lady his +wife live with the Count of Foix. Concerning this, and the early +death of the Count's one son, Gaston, Master Froissart was very +curious, but he found that people did not care to speak of the +matter. At length an old squire told him the story of the death of +Gaston.</div> + +<p>The Countess of Foix was the sister of the King of Navarre, +and between the Count her husband, and the King her brother, a +quarrel arose on a question of money. The Count therefore sent +his wife to her brother at Pampeluna, that she might arrange the +matter; but the end of it was that she stayed in Navarre, and did +not return to her lord. Meanwhile her son Gaston grew up at +Orthez, and married a daughter of the Count of Armagnac, being +now a lad of sixteen, a good squire, and in all things very like his +father. He had a desire to see his mother, and so rode into +Navarre, hoping to bring home his mother, the Countess of Foix. +But she would not leave Navarre for all that he could say, and +the day came when he and the young squires of his company must +return. Then the King of Navarre led him apart into a secret +chamber, and there gave him a little purse. Now the purse was +full of a powder of such sort that no living creature could taste of it +and live, but must die without remedy.</p> + +<p>'Gaston, fair nephew,' said the King, 'you see how your father, +the Count, holds your mother in bitter hate—a sore grief to me and +to you also. Now to change all this, and bring your father and +mother back to their ancient love, you must watch your chance +and sprinkle a little of this powder on any food that your father is +about to eat, taking good care that no man sees you. And the +powder is a charm so strong that your father, as soon as he has +tasted it, will desire nothing so much as to be friends with your +mother again, and never will they leave each other. But you +must take heed that no man knows of this purpose, or all is lost.'</p> + +<p>The young Count, believing, in his innocence, what his uncle +said, made answer that he would gladly do as he was bidden. +Then he rode back to Orthez, and showed his father all the +presents and jewels that had been given to him in Navarre, except +the little purse.</p> + +<p>Now it was the custom of the young Count to be much in the +company of his brother by another mother, and, as they played +together one day, this boy, named Yvain, caught hold of the little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +purse which Gaston wore about his neck under his coat, and asked +him what it was. But Gaston made no answer. Three days later the +lads quarrelled over a stroke at tennis, and Gaston struck Yvain a +blow. Yvain ran weeping to his father, the Count, who asked +what ailed him.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 385px;"> +<img src="images/i200.png" width="385" height="400" alt="'The Count leaped up, a knife in his hand'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'The Count leaped up, a knife in his hand'</span> +</div> + +<p>'Gaston struck me,' said he, 'but it is Gaston, not I, who +deserves a blow.'</p> + +<p>'What has he done?' asked the Count.</p> + +<p>'Ever since he came from his mother's in Navarre he carries +about his neck a little purse full of a powder. But I only know that +he says you and his mother will soon be good friends once more.'</p> + +<p>'Ha!' cried the Count, 'do you be silent.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>That day at dinner, as Gaston served the meats, for this was +his duty, the Count called to him, seized his coat, opened it, and, +with his knife, cut the purse from the boy's neck. Gaston said no +word, but grew pale and trembled. The Count opened the purse, +spread the powder on a piece of bread, and threw it to a dog. No +sooner had the dog eaten the bread than his eyes turned round, +and he fell dead.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 336px;"> +<img src="images/i201.png" width="336" height="350" alt="Gaston in prison" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Gaston in prison</span> +</div> + +<p>The Count leaped up, a knife in his hand, and would have slain +his son as a traitor, but the knights and esquires, kneeling, prayed +him to hold his hand.</p> + +<p>'Perchance,' said they, 'Gaston knew not the nature of that +which was in the purse, and is guiltless in this matter.'</p> + +<p>'So be it,' said the Count. 'Hold him prisoner in the tower at +your own peril.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then he seized all the companions and friends of Gaston, for +they must have known, he said, that his son carried a purse secretly. +Fifteen of the fairest and noblest of the boys he put to death with +horrible tortures, but they knew nothing and could tell nothing. +Then he called together all his nobles and bishops, and told them +that Gaston also must die. But they prayed for his life, because +they loved him dearly, and he was the heir of all the Count's lands. +So the Count decided to keep Gaston in prison for some months, +and then send him to travel for two or three years. The Pope +sent a cardinal to the Count, bidding him spare Gaston, but, before +the Cardinal reached Orthez, Gaston was dead.</p> + +<p>One day the servant who took meat and drink into the boy's +dark dungeon saw that he had not tasted food for many days. All +the dishes lay full of mouldering meat in a row along the wall. +Then the servant ran and warned the Count that Gaston was +starving himself to death. The Count was trimming his nails +with a little knife, and he sped in great anger to the dungeon.</p> + +<p>'Traitor, why dost thou not eat?' he cried, dealt the boy a cuff, +and rushed out again, and so went to his chamber.</p> + +<p>But the point of the little knife, which was in his hand, had cut +a vein in Gaston's neck, and, being weak with hunger and grief, +Gaston died, for the vein could not be staunched. Then the Count +made great lament, and had his head shaven, and wore mourning +for many days.</p> + +<p>Thus it chanced that the Count of Foix lived without an heir, +turning night into day, praying much, and listening to minstrels, +giving alms, and hearkening to strange messages of death and war +that were borne to him how no man knew. And his brother, +Pierre, was a good knight and wise by day, yet at night madness +fell on him, and he raved, beating the air with a naked sword. +And this had been his manner ever since he fought with and slew +a huge bear on the hills. Now when his wife saw that bear +brought home dead she fainted, and in three days she fled with +her children, and came back no more. For her father had once +pursued that bear, which cried to him: 'Thou huntest me who +wish thee no harm, but thou shalt die an ill death.' He then left +off pursuing the bear; but the Count's brother slew the beast on +another day, and thereafter he went mad in the night, though by +day he was wise enough.</p> + +<p>These tales were told to Master Froissart by the old squire at +Orthez.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>ROLF STAKE</i><a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>There was once a king in Denmark named Rolf Stake; right +famous is he among the kings of yore, foremost for liberality, +daring, and courtesy. Of his courtesy one proof celebrated in +story is this.</div> + +<p>A poor little boy named Vögg came into King Rolf's hall: the +King was then young and slender of build. Vögg went near and +looked up at him. Then said the King: 'What wouldst thou say, +boy, that thou lookest at me so?'</p> + +<p>Vögg answered: 'When I was at home, I heard tell that King +Rolf at Hleidr was the tallest man in Northland; but now here sits +in the high seat a thin stake, and they call him their king.'</p> + +<p>Then answered the King: 'Thou, boy, hast given me a name to +be known by—Rolf Stake to wit. 'Tis custom to follow a naming +with a gift. But now I see that thou hast not with the naming +any gift to give me such as would beseem me to accept, wherefore +he of us who hath must give to the other.' With that the King +drew a gold ring from his own hand and gave it to him.</p> + +<p>Then said Vögg: 'Blessed above all kings be thou who givest! +And by this vow I bind me to be that man's bane who shall be +thine.'</p> + +<p>Then said the King with a laugh: 'With small gain is Vögg +fain.'</p> + +<p>Further, this proof is told of Rolf Stake's daring.</p> + +<p>There ruled over Upsala a king named Adils, who had to wife +Yrsa, Rolf Stake's mother. He was at war with Ali, the king who +then ruled Norway. They appointed to meet in battle upon the +ice of the lake called Venir. King Adils sent a message to Rolf +Stake, his stepson, that he should come to help him, and promised +pay to all his force so long as they should be on the campaign, but +the King himself was to receive for his own three costly things<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +from Sweden, whatsoever he should choose. King Rolf could not +go himself by reason of a war that he had against the Saxons; but +he sent to Adils his twelve Berserks, of whom were Bödvar Bjarki, +Hjalti Stoutheart, Whiteserk Bold, Vött, Vidseti, and the brothers +Svipdag and Beigud.</p> + +<p>In the battle then fought fell King Ali and a great part of his +host. And King Adils took from the dead prince the helmet +Battleboar and his horse Raven. Then the Berserks of Rolf +Stake asked for their wage, three pounds of gold apiece; and further +they asked to carry to Rolf Stake those costly things which they in +his behalf should choose. These were the helmet Battleboar, and +the corslet Finnsleif, which no weapon could pierce, and the gold +ring called Sviagriss, an heirloom from Adils' forefathers. But the +King denied them all the costly things, nor did he even pay their +wage.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i204.png" width="400" height="349" alt="'But now here sits in the high seat a thin stake'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'But now here sits in the high seat a thin stake'</span> +</div> + +<p>The Berserks went away ill-content with their lot, and told Rolf +Stake what had been done.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>At once he started for Upsala, and when he came with his ships +into the river Fyri he then rode to Upsala, and with him his +twelve Berserks, without any truce guaranteed. Yrsa, his mother, +welcomed him, and led him, not to the King's hall, but to a lodging. +There fires were lighted for them and ale given them to drink.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i205.jpg" width="400" height="374" alt="'He fleeth not the flame Who leapeth o'er the same'" title="" /> +</div> +<div class='poem'> +<span class="caption">'He fleeth not the flame<br /> +Who leapeth o'er the same'</span></div> +<p>Then some men of King Adils came in and threw billets of +wood on the fire, and made such a blaze that it scorched the +clothes of Rolf's company. And they said: 'Is it true that Rolf +Stake and his Berserks flee neither fire nor iron?' Then up leapt +Rolf and all his twelve, and he crying,</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'Heap we yet higher<br /> +Adils' house-fire,'<br /></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<div class='unindent'>took his shield and cast it on the fire, and leapt thereover, crying +yet again,</div> + +<div class='poem'> +'He fleeth not the flame<br /> +Who leapeth o'er the same.'<br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>Likewise one after the other did all his men. Then they seized +those who had heaped up the fire, and cast them thereon.</div> + +<p>And now came Yrsa and gave to Rolf Stake a deer's horn filled +with gold, and therewith the ring Sviagriss, and bade them ride +away to their fleet. They leapt on their horses and rode down to +Fyris-field. Soon they saw that King Adils rode after them with +his force fully armed, purposing to slay them. Whereupon Rolf +Stake, plunging his right hand into the horn, took of the gold and +sowed it all over the path. But when the Swedes saw that, they +leapt from their saddles and gathered each what he could get; but +King Adils bade them ride on, and himself rode at speed. Slungnir +his horse was named, of all horses the fleetest.</p> + +<p>Then Rolf Stake, when he saw that King Adils rode near him, +took the ring Sviagriss and threw it to him, and bade him accept +the gift. King Adils rode to the ring, and lifting it on his lowered +spear-point slid it up along the shaft. Then did Rolf Stake turn +him back, and, seeing how he louted low, cried: 'Now have I made +Sweden's greatest grovel swine-wise.'</p> + +<p>So they parted.</p> + +<p>For this reason gold is by poets called 'the seed of Stake' or +'of Fyris-field.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE WRECK OF THE 'WAGER'</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>THE Honourable John Byron, grandfather of the poet, was a +celebrated British Admiral who in almost all his voyages fell +in with such rough weather that his sailors nicknamed him 'Foul-weather +Jack.'</div> + +<p>When he was seventeen years old he served as midshipman in +the 'Wager,' a vessel attached to the squadron under the command +of Commodore Anson which sailed out to the Spanish Settlements +in the Pacific in 1740.</p> + +<p>From the set-out the expedition was unfortunate. Almost all +the ships were ill-fitted and ill-provisioned for so long a voyage. +Moreover they were delayed until long after the proper season for +their departure was past, which was regarded by the soldiers and +sailors as an evil omen. This neglect affected the 'Wager' more +than any other ship, as she was an old East Indiaman, and had +been bought into the service for the voyage, and fitted out for it as +a man-of-war.</p> + +<p>Besides this, when under sail she listed to one side, as she was +top-laden with heavy military gear and stores for the use of the +other vessels, while the lower holds were filled with light merchandise +for bartering with the Indians.</p> + +<p>Her crew were men who had been pressed on their return from +long voyages, and the marines a small troop of invalids from the +Chelsea Hospital, who were all alike very miserably depressed at +the prospect of the long voyage which lay before them.</p> + +<p>Even Captain Kid, under whose command the 'Wager' sailed +out of port, when on his death-bed shortly after, foretold her ill-success.</p> + +<p>Upon his death Captain Cheap took command, and was able to +keep with the squadron until they were about to enter the Straits +la Marie, where the wind shifted to the south, and with the turn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +of the tide the 'Wager' was separated from the other ships, and +very narrowly escaped being wrecked off Staten Island.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 321px;"> +<img src="images/i209.png" width="321" height="500" alt="'ONE MAN . . . STALKED ABOUT THE DECK AND FLOURISHED A CUTLASS . . . SHOUTING THAT HE WAS "KING OF THE COUNTRY"'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'ONE MAN . . . STALKED ABOUT THE DECK AND FLOURISHED A CUTLASS . . . SHOUTING THAT HE WAS "KING OF THE COUNTRY"'</span> +</div> + +<p>However, she regained her station with the rest of the fleet until +a few days later, when they were caught by a deep roll of a hollow +sea, and lost their mizzen mast, and all the windward chain plates +were broken.</p> + +<p>They tried to rig up a substitute for the mizzen mast, but +failed, as hard westerly gales set in with a tremendous short +chopping swell, which raised the waves to a mountainous height, +while from time to time a heavy sea broke over the ship. The boats +on the davits were cast from their lashings, and filled with water, +and the ship in all parts was soon in a most shattered and crazy +state.</p> + +<p>They had now lost sight of the squadron, and from the numbers +of birds, and the drifting seaweed in the waters, they found they +were being borne on to a lee shore. The heavy clouds that lowered +above them, or the blinding sleet and snow, hid the sun and +prevented the officers from taking sights; and at night no moon or +stars by which they could steer their course were visible in the wild +gloom through which they tossed.</p> + +<p>When the officers at last found they were out of their bearings, +they tried to persuade the captain to alter the course, but this he +refused to do, as he believed he was making directly for the Island +of Socoro, which was the place arranged for the squadron to meet, +and whence it was intended they should make their first attack +upon the Spaniards.</p> + +<p>At this time, when all but twelve men on the 'Wager' were +disabled by fatigue or sickness, there loomed against the dull +clouds a yet heavier cloud, which was that of mountainous +masses of land. Then Captain Cheap at last realised their danger, +and gave orders to wear ship to the southward, hoping that they +might crowd her off the land.</p> + +<p>But the fury of the gale increased as night fell upon them, while +to add to their dismay, as each sail was set with infinite labour, it +was set only to be blown or rent immediately from the yard.</p> + +<p>At four o'clock in the morning the ship struck, then again for +the second time more violently; and presently she lay helpless on +her beam ends—while the sea every now and then broke over her.</p> + +<p>Everyone who could move rushed to the quarter-deck, but those +who were dying of scurvy and who could not leave their hammocks +were drowned in them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the uncertain light of dawn they could see nothing around +them but leaden breakers from whose foam-crested manes the wind +swept the blinding spray. The ship lay in this terrible plight for +some little time, while every soul on board counted each moment as +his last.</p> + +<p>In this scene of wild disorder the men lost all reason and +restraint, some gave themselves up to death like logs, and were rolled +hither and thither with each jerk and roll of the shivering ship.</p> + +<p>One man in the exaltation of his despair stalked about the +deck, and flourished a cutlass over his head, and struck at anyone +who came near him with it—meanwhile shouting that he was the +'king of the country.'</p> + +<p>Another, and a brave man, was so overcome by the fury of the +seething waters, that he tried to throw himself from the rails at the +quarter-deck, and to end in death a scene he felt too shocking to +look upon.</p> + +<p>The man at the helm still kept his post, though both rudder +and tiller had been carried away; and applied himself to his duty +with the same respect and coolness as though the ship were in +the greatest safety.</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Jones, the mate, spoke to the men, saying, 'My +friends! have you never seen a ship amongst breakers before? +Lend a hand, boys, and lay on to the sheets and braces. I have +no fear but that we shall stick her near enough to the land to save +our lives.'</p> + +<p>Although he said these gallant words without hope of saving a +single soul, he gave courage to many of the men, and they set to +work in earnest.</p> + +<p>They steered as best they could by the sheets and braces, and +presently ran her in between an opening in the breakers, and soon +found themselves wedged fast between two great rocks.</p> + +<p>With the break of day the weather cleared sufficiently to give +them a glimpse of the land. They then set to work to get out the +boats. The first one that was launched was so overladen by those +anxious to save themselves, that they were almost swamped before +they reached the shore.</p> + +<p>On the day before the ship was wrecked, the captain had had +his shoulder dislocated by a fall, and was lying in his berth when +John Byron, whose duty it was to keep him informed of all that +passed on deck, went to ask if he would not like to land. But the +captain refused to leave the ship until everyone else had gone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + +<p>Throughout the ship, the scene was now greatly changed. The +men who but a few moments before had been on their knees praying +for mercy, when they found themselves not in immediate +danger, became very riotous, rushed to the cabins and stores, +and broke open every chest and box they could find, as well as +casks of wine and brandy. And by drinking it some of them were +rendered so helpless that they were drowned on board by the seas +that continually swept over them.</p> + +<p>The boatswain and five other men refused to leave the ship +while there was any liquor to be got; then at last the captain consented +to be helped from his bed, and to be taken on shore.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Although they were thankful to escape from the wreck, when +they reached the land they found themselves in a scene desolate +enough to quell the bravest soul.</p> + +<p>The bay in which they had been cast away was open to the +full force of the ocean, and was formed by rocky headlands and +cliffs with here and there a stretch of beach, while rising abruptly +from the sea a rock-bound steep frowned above them, which they +afterwards named Mount Misery. Stretching back from the beach +lay stagnant lagoons and dreary flats of morass and swamp, the +edges of which were drained by the roots of heavy forest trees +whose impenetrable gloom clothed the intervening country and +hillsides.</p> + +<p>And out before them in the tempestuous waters the wreck lay, +from whose stores must come their only present chance of life.</p> + +<p>With nightfall presently at hand, though they were cold and +wet and hungry, they had to try to find a shelter, and at last +chanced upon an Indian hut at a little distance from the beach. +Into this poor refuge the men packed themselves in a voluntary +imprisonment, while, to add to their distress, they were afraid +of being attacked by Indians.</p> + +<p>One of the officers died in this miserable place during the night, +and of those left outside who were unable from want of room to +press in, two more perished from cold.</p> + +<p>The next morning found them cramped with starvation and +cold, with no food but some fragments of biscuit, a solitary seagull +someone had killed, and the stalks of wild celery that grew +upon the beach. This they made into soup, and served as far as it +would go to the hundred and forty men who clamoured for food.</p> + +<p>The men who had remained on the wreck were now anxious to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +be brought on shore, and repeatedly made signals to that effect; +but the sea was running high and it was not possible at once to +set out to their relief. In their rage at the delay they fired one of +the quarter-deck guns upon the camp, while on board they destroyed +everything they could lay hands on. In his brutality and greed for +spoil, a man named James Mitchell murdered one of their number. +When at last they were brought to land they came dressed in laced +clothes and officers' suits which they had put on over their own +dirty clothes.</p> + +<p>These men Captain Cheap instantly had stripped of their finery +and arms, and enforced the most strict discipline upon them and all +the crew.</p> + +<p>In a few days they had a shelter made with boats turned keel +upwards, and placed on props, while the sides were lined with +canvas and boughs.</p> + +<p>Then followed five weary months, during which these hunger-driven +men roamed the wretched island rocks both night and day, +searching for shell-fish for food—men who were even thankful +at the times when they were able to kill and eat the carrion +crows that fed upon the flesh of their drowned comrades cast +up by the tide. Some Indians surprised them by a visit, and +stayed for several days, and with them they were able to barter +cloth and beads for some dogs, and these they killed and ate.</p> + +<p>The Indians were very short and black, and had long coarse +hair that hung over their faces, and were almost without clothing +of any kind.</p> + +<p>The shipwrecked men grew more and more discontented as the +months went by, and several of them threatened to take the life of +the captain, whose strict discipline and guard over the stores made +them very angry.</p> + +<p>James Mitchell, who had murdered a man on the wreck, and had +since committed another murder on Mount Misery, where his victim +was found shockingly stabbed and mangled, was amongst this set. +They had determined to leave the others, and on the night before +their departure had placed a barrel of gunpowder close to the +captain's hut, intending to blow it up, but were dissuaded from +doing this by one of their number. After wandering about the +island for some time they went up one of the lagoons on a punt +they had made, and were never heard of again.</p> + +<p>Captain Cheap was very jealous of his authority, and hasty in +suspecting both officers and men of a desire to mutiny, and this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +suspicion on his part led to the unfortunate shooting by him of a +midshipman named Mr. Cozens, whom he heard one day disputing +with the purser as to the disposal of some stores he was at the +time receiving from the wreck. The captain already had a personal +dislike to Mr. Cozens, and hearing high words immediately rushed +out of his hut and shot him. Mr. Cozens did not die until several +days after, but the captain would not allow him to be attended to +by the surgeon, or to have any care from the other men, though +they begged to be allowed to carry him to their tent, but ordered +that he should be left upon the ground, under a bit of canvas thrown +over some bushes, until he died. This inhumanity on the part of +Captain Cheap much embittered the men against him.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i214.png" width="400" height="338" alt="The Captain shoots Mr. Cozens" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Captain shoots Mr. Cozens</span> +</div> + +<p>Their numbers were now lessened, chiefly by famine, to one +hundred souls; the weather was still tempestuous and rainy, and +the difficulty of finding food daily increased.</p> + +<p>They had saved the long-boat from the wreck, and about this +time John Bulkely, who had been a gunner on the 'Wager,' formed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +a plan of trying to make the voyage home through the Straits of +Magellan. The plan was proposed to the captain, and though he +thought it wiser to pretend to fall in with it, he had no intention of +doing so. And when Bulkely and his followers suggested that there +should be some restrictions on his command, or that at least he +should do nothing without consulting his officers, the captain +refused to consent to this; whereupon they imprisoned him, intending +to take him to England on the charge of having murdered +Mr. Cozens.</p> + +<p>But when the boats were ready for sailing they found there +would not be enough room for everybody. So the captain, Mr. +Hamilton, and the doctor were left on the island.</p> + +<p>John Byron did not know they were going to do this until the +last moment. There were eighty-one men who left the island, who +were distributed in the long-boat, the cutter, and the barge.</p> + +<p>After they had been out about two days it was thought necessary +to send back to the old station for some spare canvas. John +Byron was sent back with the barge on this errand. When he was +well away from the long-boat he told those with him he did not +mean to return, but to rejoin Captain Cheap; and they agreed to +do so too.</p> + +<p>Although they were welcomed by those left on the island, there +was little food for so many mouths, as almost everything had been +carried off by the voyagers, and for a considerable time they were +forced to live upon a kind of seaweed called slaugh, which with the +stalks of wild celery they fried in the tallow of some candles they +had saved.</p> + +<p>This poor food reduced them to a terrible condition of weakness.</p> + +<p>At last a really fair day broke upon them, when they went out to +the remains of the wreck, and had the good fortune to hook up out +of the bottom, three casks of beef which they brought safely to +shore. The good food gave them renewed strength and energy, +and again they became very anxious to leave the island.</p> + +<p>Accordingly they launched both boats on December 15. The +captain, Lieutenant Hamilton, and John Byron were in the barge +with nine men, and Mr. Campbell in the yawl with six. And thus +they set out on their journey northward.</p> + +<p>Then followed weary days, during which they rowed over high +seas, and weary nights of exposure and cold, when they landed on +some barren shore for rest and to wait for daylight.</p> + +<p>On Christmas Eve they found themselves tossing on a wide bay,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +and unable by the force of the currents to double the rocky headlands +that lay in front of them. Unable, too, by the fury of the +breakers to make the land or to find harbour, they were forced to +lie outside all that night upon their oars.</p> + +<p>They were so hungry then that they ate their shoes, which were +made of raw sealskin.</p> + +<p>On Christmas Day some of them landed, and had the good +fortune to kill a seal. Though the two men who were left in each +boat to take care of it could see their companions on shore eating +seal, they were unable to have any themselves, as again when night +came on the wind blew very hard, and the mighty breakers beat +with pulse-like regularity on the shore.</p> + +<p>John Byron, who had fallen into a comfortless sleep in the boat, +was suddenly awakened by a shriek, and saw the yawl turned +bottom upwards and go down.</p> + +<p>One man was drowned, the other was thrown up by the +breakers on the beach and saved by the people there.</p> + +<p>At this place Mr. Hamilton, who was with the shore party, shot +at a large sea-lion, which he hit with two balls; and when the +brute presently charged at him with open mouth, he thrust his +bayonet down its throat, as well as a great part of the barrel of his +gun. But the sea-lion bit this in two with the greatest ease, and +in spite of all its wounds, and all other efforts to kill it, got away.</p> + +<p>As they had lost the yawl there was not enough of room to +take all the men away from this place, therefore four of the +marines agreed to remain and to try to make their way on foot to +a more habitable country.</p> + +<p>The captain gave them guns and food, and as the boat put off, +they stood upon the beach and gave three cheers, and shouted +'God bless the King.'</p> + +<p>The others made another attempt to double the cape, but the +wind, the sea, and currents were too strong for them, and again +they failed. So disheartened were they now, that caring little for +life, they agreed to return to their original station on Wager's +Island, and to end their days in miserable existence there.</p> + +<p>They went back to the place where they had left the four +marines in order to try to get some seal for their return passage +and to take these men back with them, but when they searched all +traces of them had gone.</p> + +<p>It was here that the surgeon found in a curious cave the bodies +of several Indians that were stretched out on a kind of platform.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +The flesh on the bodies had become perfectly dry and hard, and it +was thought that it must be the kind of burial given to the great +men or Caciques of the Indians.</p> + +<p>After a terrible journey back to Wager's Island they reached it +alive, though again worn out by hunger and fatigue.</p> + +<p>The first thing they did on reaching their old station was to +bury the corpse of the man who had been murdered on Mount +Misery by James Mitchell, for the men thought that all their misfortunes +had arisen from the neglect of this proper duty to the +dead, and they were sure that the restless spirit of this person +haunted the waters around them at night, as they heard strange +and unearthly cries from the sea. And one night, in bright moonlight, +they saw and heard something which looked like a human +being swimming near the shore.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i217.png" width="400" height="320" alt="Mr. Hamilton's fight with the sea-lion" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mr. Hamilton's fight with the sea-lion</span> +</div> + +<p>Inconsistent as this may seem, they were soon so terribly driven +by hunger that the last dreadful suggestion for food was beginning +to be whispered amongst them, when fortunately some Indians +from the island of Chiloc appeared. It was supposed they had +heard of the wreck from those first Indians who had visited them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +and had come to collect old iron and nails, which they value very +much.</p> + +<p>They were able to persuade the Cacique, who was a Christian +named Martini, to promise to show them the safest and best way to +some of the Spanish Settlements. Once more the barge was +launched, with the fifteen souls on board who now remained on +the island of the shipwrecked crew.</p> + +<p>They followed their Indian guide by day for some time, during +which their sufferings were so terrible that it was no unusual thing +for one of their number to fall back dying from the oars, meanwhile +beseeching his comrades for two or three mouthfuls of food +which they had not.</p> + +<p>Captain Cheap, who was always well provided with seal by the +Indians, again showed how regardless he could be of the sufferings +of others, and often though he could have relieved his men by giving +up a small portion of his own food when he heard their heartrending +appeals for it, let them die at their posts unheedful of their +want and misery.</p> + +<p>They were rather taken in by their Christian Indian Martini. +He made them row the heavy barge a very long way up a river +and then deserted them for several days. They found he wished to +secure the barge here, which was to be a part of his reward, and +which was too heavy to be carried over the rocks of the headlands +in the way they carried their own canoes—and by which they escaped +the heavy seas that ran round those places.</p> + +<p>However, the Cacique returned again, and after a time he consented +to take the captain with John Byron to row his canoe on to +another part of the coast where there were more Indians.</p> + +<p>They reached this camp late one evening, and while the captain +was at once taken by Martini to a wigwam, Byron was left outside +to shift for himself as best he could. He was so exhausted that all +he could do was to creep into the shelter of a wigwam, and chance +what fate might bring him.</p> + +<p>These wigwams were built of branches of trees placed in a +circle, which are bound at the top by a kind of creeper called +supple-jack. The frame of the wigwam is covered with boughs +and bark. The fire is lit in the very centre, round which the +Indians lie. As there is no outlet for the smoke, it is not a very +comfortable place to sleep in.</p> + +<p>There were only two Indian women in the wigwam into which +John Byron crept, who were very astonished to see him. However,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +they were kind to him and made up a good fire, and presently, +when he made them understand that he was hungry, they gave +him some fish to eat. But when he had finished it he was still so +hungry that he made signs for more. Then they went out into the +night, taking their dogs with them, and came back in an hour or +two shivering and with water dripping from their hair. They had +caught two more fish, which after they had cooked slightly they +gave him to eat.</p> + +<p>These people live only on what they can take from the sea, and +train their dogs to dive for fish and their women for sea-eggs. +While collecting these the women stay under water a wonderfully +long time; they have really the hardest work to do, as they have +to provide food for their husbands and children. They are not +allowed to touch any food themselves until the husband is satisfied, +when he gives them a very small portion, generally that which he +does not care to eat himself.</p> + +<p>Martini then told them that they would have to return in the +canoe by which they had come to their companions, and that the +Indians they were leaving would join them in a few days, after +which they would all set out together on the journey northwards. +They found Mr. Elliot, the surgeon, very ill, and Mr. Hamilton +and Mr. Campbell were almost starved, having had only a few +sea-eggs to eat since they had left.</p> + +<p>About the middle of March they re-embarked with the other +Indians, and soon afterwards Mr. Elliot died. He had been one +of the strongest of the party, and one of the most useful and self-denying, +and had never spared himself in trying to provide food +for the others. He was also one of the best shots of the party.</p> + +<p>Most of them were now reduced to rags and without shoes, and +when they had to cross the stony headlands and swamps, and to +carry heavy burdens, their feet were often terribly torn.</p> + +<p>The Cacique had now become a very hard master to all but the +captain, and forced them to row like galley slaves when they were +in the boats. Indeed, the captain seemed to encourage the Indian +in this conduct. He had become more selfish and cunning in keeping +all the food he could lay hands on for himself, and was accustomed +to sleep with his head pillowed on a dirty piece of canvas in +which he wrapped portions of seal or sea-eggs. Thorough cleanliness +had become an impossibility to them: they were now terribly +emaciated and covered by vermin. The captain particularly was +a most shocking sight. His legs had become tremendously swelled,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +probably from the disease known as 'beri-beri,' while his body +was almost a skeleton, his beard had grown very long, and his face +was covered with train oil and dirt.</p> + +<p>When at last they were within a few miles of the island of +Chiloc, they found they had to cross a most dangerous bay. After +waiting for two days for fair weather they started, although the +Cacique even then seemed terrified, and there was every reason +for it, as the sea ran so strong and their boat was most crazy, the +bottom plank having opened, and ceaseless bailing had to be carried +on all the time. It was early in June when they reached this +place.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i220.png" width="400" height="337" alt="The Cacique fires off the gun" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Cacique fires off the gun</span> +</div> + +<p>Directly the Cacique landed he buried all the things he had +brought from the wreck, for he knew that the Spaniards would +take everything from him.</p> + +<p>That same evening, as they drew near to a settlement of Chiloc +Indians the Cacique asked them to load their one remaining gun +with the last charge of powder, and to show him how to fire it off.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +Holding the gun as far away from his head as he could he fired, +and fell back into the bottom of the canoe.</p> + +<p>When the Chiloc Indians found out who they were, they +brought fish and potatoes for them to eat, and this was the nicest +meal they had had for more than a year.</p> + +<p>These Indians are very strong and nice-looking people; they +are extremely neat in their dress. The men wear what is called a +puncho, which is a square piece of cloth in stripes of different +colours, with a slit in the centre wide enough to put their heads +through, and it hangs from their shoulders.</p> + +<p>After a little time the shipwrecked men were sent on by these +people to the Spaniards at Castro. There they were met by a +number of soldiers, with three or four officers, who surrounded +them fiercely as though they were a most formidable enemy instead +of the four poor helpless creatures left of the fifteen men that had +set out from Wager's Island.</p> + +<p>Though they had had much better food since they had been +with the kindly Indians, they were so weak that they could hardly +walk up the hill to the shed in which they were to be lodged.</p> + +<p>Numbers of people came to look at them in this place, as +though they were wild beasts or curiosities; and when they heard +they had been starved for more than a year, they brought quantities +of chicken and all kinds of good things for them to eat.</p> + +<p>John Byron then began to feel more comfortable. He was +always ready to make a meal, and used to carry food in his pockets +so that he need not wait a second for it if he felt hungry. Even +the captain owned that he ate so much that he felt quite ashamed +of himself.</p> + +<p>In a little time an old Jesuit priest came to see them. He did +not come because he was sorry for them, but because he had heard +from the Indian Cacique that they had things of great value about +them. The priest began by producing a bottle of brandy, and gave +them all some to open their hearts.</p> + +<p>Captain Cheap told him he had nothing, not remembering that +Martini had seen his gold repeater watch; but at the same time he +said that Mr. Campbell had a silver watch, which he at once +ordered him to make a present of to the priest.</p> + +<p>Soon after the Spanish governor sent for them to be brought to +Chaco, where they were very well treated by the people. Whilst +here John Byron was asked to marry the niece of a very rich old +priest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> + +<p>The lady made the suggestion through her uncle, saying that +first she wished him to be converted, and then he might marry her.</p> + +<p>When the old priest made the offer, he took John Byron into a +room where there were several large chests full of clothes. Taking +from one of them a large piece of linen, he told him it should be +made up into shirts for him at once if he would marry the lady.</p> + +<p>The thought of new shirts was a great temptation to John Byron, +as he had only the one in which he had lived ever since he had +been wrecked.</p> + +<p>However, he denied himself this luxury, and excused himself +for not being able to accept the honour of the lady's hand.</p> + +<p>On <i>this</i> occasion he managed to speak Spanish sufficiently well +to make himself understood.</p> + +<p>In January 1742 they were sent on to Valparaiso as English +prisoners. Only Captain Cheap and Mr. Campbell were recognised +as officers, as they had saved their commissions, and they were sent +to St. Jago, while John Byron and Mr. Hamilton were kept in +prison. However, when they were released they were permitted +to rejoin the others at St. Jago, and found them living with a +Scotch physician named Don Patricio Gedd.</p> + +<p>When Dr. Gedd heard of the four English prisoners, he had +begged the President to allow them to live at his house.</p> + +<p>This was granted, and during the two years they lived there with +him, he treated them most hospitably, and would hear of no return +being made for his kindness.</p> + +<p>Mr. Campbell changed his religion while they were at St. Jago, +and left his companions.</p> + +<p>At the end of two years the President sent for them, and told +them that they were at liberty to leave the country in a French +ship bound for Spain.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, in the end of December 1744, they sailed in the +frigate bound for Conception, where she was to join three more +French ships that were homeward bound.</p> + +<p>On October 27 they reached Cape Ortegal, and after lying at +anchor there for several days they were taken to Landernan, +where they lived on parole for three months, until an order came +from the Court of Spain to allow them to return home by the first +ship that sailed. After arranging with the captain of a Dutch +lugger to land them at Dover they embarked in her and had a very +uncomfortable passage.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 296px;"> +<img src="images/i223.png" width="296" height="400" alt="Byron rides past the turnpikes" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Byron rides past the turnpikes</span> +</div> + +<p>When they got well up Channel they found the Dutchman had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +no intention of landing them at Dover, as he was making his way +up off the coast of France. In the midst of their indignation at +this breach of faith, an English man-of-war appeared to windward, +and bore down upon them. This was the 'Squirrel,' commanded +by Captain Masterton. He at once sent them off in one of his +cutters, and they arrived at Dover that afternoon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<p>They agreed to start for London the next morning. Captain +Cheap and Mr. Hamilton were to drive in a post-chaise, and John +Byron was to ride. But when they came to divide the little money +they had left, it was found there would be barely enough to pay for +horses. There was not a farthing left for John Byron to buy any +food he might want on the way, nothing even to pay for the turnpikes. +However, he boldly cheated these by riding as hard as he +could through them all, and paid no attention to the shouts of the +men when they tried to stop him. The want of food he had to put +up with.</p> + +<p>When he got to the Borough he took a coach and drove to +Marlborough Street, where his people had lived before he left +England. But when he came to the house he found it shut up. +He had been away for five years, and had not heard a word from +home all that time, therefore he was at a loss to know what to do +for a few minutes until he remembered a linen draper's shop near +by which his family had used. He drove there, and told them who +he was. They paid his coachman for him, and told him that his +sister was married to Lord Carlisle, and was living in Soho Square.</p> + +<p>He went at once to her house; but the porter would not admit +him for a long time. He was strangely dressed; half in Spanish, +and half in French clothing, and besides, he wore very large and +very mud-bespattered boots. The porter was about to shut the +door in his face when John Byron persuaded him to let him in.</p> + +<p>Then at last his troubles were over. His sister was delighted +to see him, and at once gave him money with which to buy new +clothes. And until he looked like an Englishman again, he did not +feel he had come to the end of all the strange scenes and adventures +that he had experienced for more than five years.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>PETER WILLIAMSON</i><a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>I WAS born in Hirulay, in the county of Aberdeen. My parents, +though not rich, were respectable, and so long as I was under +their care all went well with me. Unhappily, I was sent to stay +with an aunt at Aberdeen, where, at eight years old, when playing +on the quay, I was noticed as a strong, active little fellow by two +men belonging to a vessel in the harbour. Now this vessel was in +the employ of certain merchants of Aberdeen, who used her for the +villainous purpose of kidnapping—that is, stealing young children +from their parents, and selling them as slaves in the plantations +abroad.</div> + +<p>These impious monsters, marking me out for their prey, tempted +me on board the ship, which I had no sooner entered than they led +me between the decks to some other boys whom they had kidnapped +in like manner. Not understanding what a fate was in +store for me, I passed the time in childish amusement with the +other lads in the steerage, for we were never allowed to go on deck +while the vessel stayed in the harbour, which it did till they had +imprisoned as many luckless boys as they needed.</p> + +<p>Then the ship set sail for America. I cannot remember much +of the voyage, being a mere child at the time, but I shall never +forget what happened when it was nearly ended. We had reached +the American coast when a hard gale of wind sprang up from the +south-east, and about midnight the ship struck on a sandbank off +Cape May, near Delaware. To the terror of all on board, it was +soon almost full of water. The boat was then hoisted out, and the +captain and his fellow-villains, the crew, got into it, leaving me +and my deluded companions, as they supposed, to perish. The +cries, shrieks, and tears of a throng of children had no effect on +these merciless wretches.</p> + +<p>But happily for us the wind abated, and the ship being on a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +sandbank, which did not give way to let her deeper, we lay here till +morning, when the captain, unwilling to lose all his cargo, sent +some of the crew in a boat to the ship's side to bring us ashore. A +sort of camp was made, and here we stayed till we were taken in +by a vessel bound to Philadelphia.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 311px;"> +<img src="images/i227.jpg" width="311" height="500" alt="THE INDIAN THREATENS PETER WILLIAMSON" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE INDIAN THREATENS PETER WILLIAMSON</span> +</div> + +<p>At Philadelphia people soon came to buy us. We were sold for +16<i>l.</i> apiece. I never knew what became of my unhappy companions, +but I was sold for seven years to one of my countrymen, Hugh +Wilson, who in his youth had suffered the same fate as myself in +being kidnapped from his home.</p> + +<p>Happy was my lot in falling into his power, for he was a +humane, worthy man. Having no children of his own, and pitying +my sad condition, he took great care of me till I was fit for business, +and at twelve years old set me about little things till I could +manage harder work. Meanwhile, seeing my fellow-servants +often reading and writing, I felt a strong desire to learn, and told +my master that I should be glad to serve a year longer than the +bond obliged me if he would let me go to school. To this he +readily agreed, and I went every winter for five years, also learning +as much as I could from my fellow-servants.</p> + +<p>With this good master I stayed till I was seventeen years old, +when he died, leaving me a sum of money, about 120<i>l.</i> sterling, his +best horse, and all his wearing apparel.</p> + +<p>I now maintained myself by working about the country, for +anyone who would employ me, for nearly seven years, when I +determined to settle down. I applied to the daughter of a prosperous +planter, and found my suit was acceptable both to her and her +father, so we married. My father-in-law wishing to establish us +comfortably, gave me a tract of land which lay, unhappily for me, +as it has since proved, on the frontiers of Pennsylvania. It +contained about two hundred acres, with a good house and barn.</p> + +<p>I was now happy in my home with a good wife; but my peace +did not last long, for about 1754 the Indians in the French interest, +who had formerly been very troublesome in our province, began to +renew their old practices. Even many of the Indians whom we +supposed to be in the English interest joined the plundering bands; +it was no wonder, for the French did their utmost, to win them over, +promising to pay 15<i>l.</i> for every scalp of an Englishman!</p> + +<p>Hardly a day passed but some unhappy family fell a victim to +French bribery and savage cruelty. As for me, though now in +comfortable circumstances, with an affectionate and amiable wife,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +it was not long before I suddenly became the most pitiable of +mankind. I can never bear to think of the last time I saw my dear +wife, on the fatal 2nd of October, 1754. That day she had left home to +visit some of her relations, and, no one being in the house but myself, +I stayed up later than usual, expecting her return. How great was +my terror when, at eleven o'clock at night, I heard the dismal war-whoop +of the savages, and, flying to the window, saw a band of them +outside, about twelve in number.</p> + +<p>They made several attempts to get in, and I asked them what +they wanted. They paid no attention, but went on beating at the +door, trying to get it open. Then, having my gun loaded in my +hand, I threatened them with death if they would not go away. +But one of them, who could speak a little English, called out in +return that if I did not come out they would burn me alive in the +house. They told me further—what I had already found out—that +they were no friends to the English, but that if I would surrender +myself prisoner they would not kill me.</p> + +<p>My horror was beyond all words. I could not depend on the +promises of such creatures, but I must either accept their offer or +be burnt alive. Accordingly I went out of my house with my gun +in my hand, not knowing what I did or that I still held it. +Immediately, like so many tigers, they rushed on me and disarmed +me. Having me now completely in their power, the merciless +villains bound me to a tree near the door, and then went into the +house and plundered what they could. Numbers of things which +they were unable to carry away were set fire to with the house and +consumed before my eyes. Then they set fire to my barn, stable, +and outhouses, where I had about two hundred bushels of wheat, +and cows, sheep, and horses. My agony as I watched all this havoc +it is impossible to describe.</p> + +<p>When the terrible business was over, one of the monsters came +to me, a tomahawk in his hand, threatening me with a cruel death +if I would not consent to go with them. I was forced to agree, +promising to do all that was in my power for them, and trusting to +Providence to deliver me out of their hands. On this they untied +me, and gave me a great load to carry on my back, under which I +travelled all that night with them, full of the most terrible fear lest +my unhappy wife should likewise have fallen into their clutches. +At daybreak my master ordered me to lay down my load, when, +tying my hands round a tree with a small cord, they forced the +blood out of my finger ends. They then kindled a fire near the tree<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +to which I was bound, which redoubled my agony, for I thought +they were going to sacrifice me there.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 329px;"> +<img src="images/i231.png" width="329" height="500" alt="'ANOTHER PARTY OF INDIANS ARRIVED, BRINGING TWENTY SCALPS AND THREE PRISONERS'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'ANOTHER PARTY OF INDIANS ARRIVED, BRINGING TWENTY SCALPS AND THREE PRISONERS'</span> +</div> + +<p>When the fire was made, they danced round me after their +manner, with all kinds of antics, whooping and crying out in the +most horrible fashion. Then they took the burning coals and sticks, +flaming with fire at the ends; and held them near my face, head, +hands and feet, with fiendish delight, at the same time threatening +to burn me entirely if I called out or made the least noise. So, +tortured as I was, I could make no sign of distress but shedding +silent tears, which, when they saw, they took fresh coals, and held +them near my eyes, telling me my face was wet, and they would +dry it for me. I have often wondered how I endured these tortures; +but at last they were satisfied, and sat down round the fire and +roasted the meat which they had brought from my dwelling!</p> + +<p>When they had prepared it they offered some to me, and though +it may be imagined that I had not much heart to eat, I was forced +to seem pleased, lest if I refused it they should again begin to +torture me. What I could not eat I contrived to get between the +bark and the tree—my foes having unbound my hands till they +supposed I had eaten all they gave me. But then they bound me +as before, and so I continued all day. When the sun was set they +put out the fire, and covered the ashes with leaves, as is their +custom, that the white people may find no signs of their having +been there.</p> + +<p>Travelling thence, by the river, for about six miles, I being +loaded heavily, we reached a spot near the Blue Hills, where the +savages hid their plunder under logs of wood. Thence, shocking to +relate, they went to a neighbouring house, that of Jacob Snider, his +wife, five children, and a young man, a servant. They soon forced +their way into the unhappy man's dwelling, slew the whole family, +and set fire to the house.</p> + +<p>The servant's life was spared for a time, since they thought he +might be of use to them, and forthwith loaded him with plunder. +But he could not bear the cruel treatment that we suffered; and +though I tried to console him with a hope of deliverance, he continued +to sob and moan. One of the savages, seeing this, instantly +came up, struck him to the ground, and slew him.</p> + +<p>The family of John Adams next suffered. All were here put to +death except Adams himself, a good old man, whom they loaded +with plunder, and day after day continued to treat with the most +shocking cruelty, painting him all over with various colours, plucking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +the white hairs from his beard, and telling him he was a fool for +living so long, and many other tortures which he bore with wonderful +composure, praying to God.</p> + +<p>One night after he had been tortured, when he and I were sitting +together, pitying each other's misfortunes, another party of Indians +arrived, bringing twenty scalps and three prisoners, who gave us +terrible accounts of what tragedies had passed in their parts, on +which I cannot bear to dwell.</p> + +<p>These three prisoners contrived to escape, but unhappily, not +knowing the country, they were recaptured and brought back. +They were then all put to death, with terrible tortures.</p> + +<p>A great snow now falling, the savages began to be afraid that +the white people would follow their tracks upon it and find out +their skulking retreats, and this caused them to make their way to +their winter quarters, about two hundred miles further from any +plantations or English inhabitants. There, after a long and tedious +journey, in which I was almost starved, I arrived with this villainous +crew. The place where we had to stay, in their tongue, was +called Alamingo, and there I found a number of wigwams full of +Indian women and children. Dancing, singing, and shooting were +their general amusements, and they told what successes they had +had in their expeditions, in which I found myself part of their +theme. The severity of the cold increasing, they stripped me of +my own clothes and gave me what they usually wear themselves—a +blanket, a piece of coarse cloth, and a pair of shoes made of +deer-skin.</p> + +<p>The better sort of Indians have shirts of the finest linen they +can get; and with these some wear ruffles, but they never put them +on till they have painted them different colours, and do not take +them off to wash, but wear them till they fall into pieces. They +are very proud, and delight in trinkets, such as silver plates round +their wrists and necks, with several strings of <i>wampum</i>, which is +made of cotton, interwoven with pebbles, cockle-shells, &c. From +their ears and noses they have rings and beads, which hang dangling +an inch or two.</p> + +<p>The hair of their heads is managed in different ways: some +pluck out and destroy all except a lock hanging from the crown of +the head, which they interweave with wampum and feathers. But +the women wear it very long, twisted down their backs, with beads, +feathers, and wampum, and on their heads they carry little coronets +of brass or copper.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>No people have a greater love of liberty or affection for their +relations, yet they are the most revengeful race on earth, and inhumanly +cruel. They generally avoid open fighting in war, yet +they are brave when taken, enduring death or torture with +wonderful courage. Nor would they at any time commit such +outrages as they do, if they were not tempted by drink and money +by those who call themselves civilised.</p> + +<p>At Alamingo I was kept nearly two months, till the snow was +off the ground—a long time to be among such creatures! I +was too far from any plantations or white people to try to escape; +besides, the bitter cold made my limbs quite benumbed. But I +contrived to defend myself more or less against the weather by +building a little wigwam with the bark of the trees, covering it with +earth, which made it resemble a cave, and keeping a good fire +always near the door.</p> + +<p>Seeing me outwardly submissive, the savages sometimes gave +me a little meat, but my chief food was Indian corn. Having +liberty to go about was, indeed, more than I had expected; but they +knew well it was impossible for me to escape.</p> + +<p>At length they prepared for another expedition against the +planters and white people, but before they set out they were +joined by many other Indians from Fort Duquesne, well stored with +powder and ball that they had received from the French.</p> + +<p>As soon as the snow was quite gone, so that no trace of their +footsteps could be found, they set out on their journey towards +Pennsylvania, to the number of nearly a hundred and fifty. Their +wives and children were left behind in the wigwams. My duty +was to carry whatever they entrusted to me; but they never gave +me a gun. For several days we were almost famished for want of +proper provisions: I had nothing but a few stalks of Indian corn, +which I was glad to eat dry, and the Indians themselves did not +fare much better.</p> + +<p>When we again reached the Blue Hills, a council of war was +held, and we agreed to divide into companies of about twenty men +each, after which every captain marched with his party where he +thought proper. I still belonged to my old masters, but was left +behind on the mountains with ten Indians, to stay till the rest +returned, as they did not think it safe to carry me nearer to the +plantations.</p> + +<p>Here being left, I began to meditate on my escape, for I knew +the country round very well, having often hunted there. The third<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +day after the great body of the Indians quitted us my keepers +visited the mountains in search of game, leaving me bound in such +a way that I could not get free. When they returned at night +they unbound me, and we all sat down to supper together, feasting +on two polecats which they had killed. Then, being greatly tired +with their day's excursion, they lay down to rest as usual.</p> + +<p>Seeing them apparently fast asleep, I tried different ways of +finding out whether it was a pretence to see what I should do. +But after making a noise and walking about, sometimes touching +them with my feet, I found that they really slept. My heart +exulted at the hope of freedom, but it sank again when I thought +how easily I might be recaptured. I resolved, if possible, to get +one of their guns, and if discovered to die in self-defence rather +than be taken; and I tried several times to take one from under +their heads, where they always secure them. But in vain; I could +not have done so without rousing them.</p> + +<p>So, trusting myself to the divine protection, I set out defenceless. +Such was my terror, however, that at first I halted every four +or five yards, looking fearfully towards the spot where I had left +the Indians, lest they should wake and miss me. But when I was +about two hundred yards off I mended my pace, and made all the +haste I could to the foot of the mountains.</p> + +<p>Suddenly I was struck with the greatest terror and dismay, +hearing behind me the fearful cries and howlings of the savages, +far worse than the roaring of lions or the shrieking of hyænas; and +I knew that they had missed me. The more my dread increased +the faster I hurried, scarce knowing where I trod, sometimes +falling and bruising myself, cutting my feet against the stones, yet, +faint and maimed as I was, rushing on through the woods. I fled +till daybreak, then crept into a hollow tree, where I lay concealed, +thanking God for so far having favoured my escape. I had +nothing to eat but a little corn.</p> + +<p>But my repose did not last long, for in a few hours I heard the +voices of the savages near the tree in which I was hid threatening +me with what they would do if they caught me, which I already +guessed too well. However, at last they left the spot where I +heard them, and I stayed in my shelter the rest of that day without +any fresh alarms.</p> + +<p>At night I ventured out again, trembling at every bush I passed, +and thinking each twig that touched me a savage. The next +day I concealed myself in the same manner, and at night travelled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +forward, keeping off the main road, used by the Indians, as much +as possible, which made my journey far longer, and more painful +than I can express.</p> + +<p>But how shall I describe my terror when, on the fourth night, +a party of Indians lying round a small fire which I had not seen, +hearing the rustling I made among the leaves, started from the +ground, seizing their arms, and ran out into the wood? I did not +know in my agony of fear whether to stand still or rush on. I +expected nothing but a terrible death; but at that very moment a +troop of swine made towards the place where the savages were. +They, seeing the hogs, guessed that their alarm had been caused by +them, and returned merrily to their fire and lay down to sleep +again. As soon as this happened I pursued my way more +cautiously and silently, but in a cold perspiration with terror at +the peril I had just escaped. Bruised, cut, and shaken, I still held +on my path till break of day, when I lay down under a huge log, +and slept undisturbed till noon. Then, getting up, I climbed a +great hill, and, scanning the country round, I saw, to my unspeakable +joy, some habitations of white people, about ten miles +distant.</p> + +<p>My pleasure was somewhat damped by not being able to get +among them that night. But they were too far off; therefore, +when evening fell, I again commended myself to Heaven, and lay +down, utterly exhausted. In the morning, as soon as I woke, I +made towards the nearest of the cleared lands which I had seen the +day before; and that afternoon I reached the house of John Bull, +an old acquaintance. I knocked at the door, and his wife, who +opened it, seeing me in such a frightful condition, flew from me +like lightning, screaming, into the house.</p> + +<p>This alarmed the whole family, who immediately seized their +arms, and I was soon greeted by the master with his gun in his +hand. But when I made myself known—for at first he took me +for an Indian—he and all his family welcomed me with great joy +at finding me alive; since they had been told I was murdered by +the savages some months ago.</p> + +<p>No longer able to bear up, I fainted and fell to the ground. +When they had recovered me, seeing my weak and famished state, +they gave me some food, but let me at first partake of it very +sparingly. Then for two days and nights they made me welcome, +and did their utmost to bring back my strength, with the kindest +hospitality. Finding myself once more able to ride, I borrowed a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +horse and some clothes of these good people, and set out for my +father-in-law's house in Chester county, about a hundred and forty +miles away. I reached it on January 4, 1755; but none of the +family could believe their eyes when they saw me, having lost all +hope on hearing that I had fallen a prey to the Indians.</p> + +<p>They received me with great joy; but when I asked for my +dear wife I found she had been dead two months, and this fatal +news greatly lessened the delight I felt at my deliverance.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>A WONDERFUL VOYAGE</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>THIS is a story of a man who, when in command of his ships and +when everything went prosperously with him, was so overbearing +and cruel that some of his men, in desperation at the treatment +they received, mutinied against him. But the story shows another +side of his character in adversity which it is impossible not to admire.</div> + +<p>In 1787 Captain Bligh was sent from England to Otaheite +in charge of the 'Bounty,' a ship which had been specially fitted +out to carry young plants of the breadfruit tree, for transplantation +to the West Indies.</p> + +<p>'The breadfruit grows on a spreading tree, about the size of a +large apple tree; the fruit is round, and has a thick tough rind. It +is gathered when it is full-grown, and while it is still green and +hard; it is then baked in an oven until the rind is black and +scorched. This is scraped off, and the inside is soft and white like +the crumb of a penny loaf.'</p> + +<p>The Otaheitans use no other bread but the fruit kind. It is, +therefore, little wonder that the West Indian planters were anxious +to grow this valuable fruit in their own islands, as, if it flourished +there, food would be provided with little trouble for their servants +and slaves.</p> + +<p>In the passage to Otaheite, Captain Bligh had several disturbances +with his men. He had an extremely irritable temper, and +would often fly into a passion and make most terrible accusations, +and use most terrible language to his officers and sailors.</p> + +<p>On one occasion he ordered the crew to eat some decayed +pumpkins, instead of their allowance of cheese, which he said they +had stolen from the ship's stores.</p> + +<p>The pumpkin was to be given to the men at the rate of one +pound of pumpkin to two pounds of biscuits.</p> + +<p>The men did not like accepting the substitute on these terms. +When the captain heard this, he was infuriated, and ordered the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +first man of each mess to be called by name, at the same time saying +to them, 'I'll see who will dare refuse the pumpkin or anything +else I may order to be served out.' Then, after swearing at them in +a shocking way, he ended by saying, 'I'll make you eat grass, or +anything else you can catch before I have done with you,' and +threatened to flog the first man who dared to complain again.</p> + +<p>While they were at Otaheite several of the sailors were flogged +for small offences, or without reason, and on the other hand, during +the seven months they stayed at the island, both officers and men +were allowed to spend a great deal of time on shore, and were given +the greatest possible liberty.</p> + +<p>Therefore, when the breadfruit plants were collected, and they +weighed anchor on April 4 in 1787, it is not unlikely they were loth +to return to the strict discipline of the ship, and to leave an island so +lovely, and where it was possible to live in the greatest luxury +without any kind of labour.</p> + +<p>From the time they sailed until April 27, Christian, the third +officer, had been in constant hot water with Captain Bligh. On the +afternoon of that day, when the captain came on deck, he missed +some cocoanuts that had been heaped up between the guns. +He said at once that they had been stolen, and that it could not +have happened without the officers knowing of it. When they told +him they had not seen any of the crew touch them, he cried, 'Then +you must have taken them yourselves!' After this he questioned +them separately; when he came to Christian, he answered, 'I do +not know, sir, but I hope you do not think me so mean as to be +guilty of stealing yours.'</p> + +<p>The captain swore terribly, and said, 'You must have stolen +them from me, or you would be able to give a better account of +them!' He turned to the others with much more abuse, and saying, +'D—n you! you scoundrels, you are all thieves alike, and combine +with the men to rob me. I suppose you'll steal my yams next, but +I'll sweat you for it, you rascals! I'll make half of you jump overboard +before you get through Endeavour Straits!'</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the clerk, giving the order to 'stop the villains' +grog, and to give them but half a pound of yams to-morrow: +if they steal <i>them</i>, I'll reduce them to a quarter.'</p> + +<p>That night Christian, who was hardly less passionate and +resentful than the captain, told two of the midshipmen, Stewart +and Hayward, that he intended to leave the ship on a raft, as he +could no longer endure the captain's suspicion and insults. He was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +very angry and excited, and made some preparations for carrying +out his plan, though these had to be done with the greatest secrecy +and care.</p> + +<p>It was his duty to take the morning watch, which is from four +to eight o'clock, and this time he thought would he a good opportunity +to make his escape. He had only just fallen into a restless +slumber when he was called to take his turn.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i240.png" width="400" height="324" alt="The captain guarded by the mutineers" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The captain guarded by the mutineers</span> +</div> + +<p>He got up with his brain still alert with the sense of injury and +wrong, and most curiously alive to seize any opportunity which +might lead to an escape from so galling a service.</p> + +<p>On reaching the deck, he found the mate of the watch had fallen +asleep, and that the other midshipman was not to be seen.</p> + +<p>Then he made a sudden determination to seize the ship, and +rushing down the gangway ladder, whispered his intention to +Matthew Quintal and Isaac Martin, seamen, both of whom had been +flogged. They readily agreed to join him, and several others of the +watch were found to be quite as willing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>Someone went to the armourer for the keys of the arm chest, +telling him they wanted to fire at a shark alongside.</p> + +<p>Christian then armed those men whom he thought he could trust, +and putting a guard at the officers' cabins, went himself with three +other men to the captain's cabin.</p> + +<p>It was just before sunrise when they dragged him from his bed, +and tying his hands behind his back, threatened him with instant +death if he should call for help or offer any kind of resistance. He +was taken up to the quarter deck in his nightclothes, and made to +stand against the mizzen mast with four men to guard him.</p> + +<p>Christian then gave orders to lower the boat in which he intended +to cast them adrift, and one by one the men were allowed to come +up the hatchways, and made to go over the side of the ship into it. +Meanwhile no heed was given to the remonstrances, reasoning, and +prayers of the captain, saving threats of death unless he was quiet.</p> + +<p>Some twine, canvas, sails, a small cask of water, and a quadrant +and compass were put into the boat, also some bread and a small +quantity of rum and wines. When this was done the officers were +brought up one by one and forced over the side. There was a great +deal of rough joking at the captain's expense, who was still made to +stand by the mizzen-mast, and much bad language was used by +everybody.</p> + +<p>When all the officers were out of the ship, Christian said, 'Come, +Captain Bligh, your officers and men are now in the boat, and you +must go with them; if you make the least resistance you will be +instantly put to death.'</p> + +<p>He was lowered over the side with his hands still fastened behind +his back, and directly after the boat was veered astern with a rope.</p> + +<p>Someone with a little pity for them threw in some pieces of pork +and some clothes, as well as two or three cutlasses; these were the +only arms given.</p> + +<p>There were altogether nineteen men in this pitiful strait. Although +much of the conduct of the mutineers is easily understood +with regard to the captain, the wholesale crime of thrusting so +many innocent persons out on to the mercy of the winds and waves, +or out to the death from hunger and thirst which they must have +believed would inevitably overtake them, is incomprehensible.</p> + +<p>As the 'Bounty' sailed away, leaving them to their fate, those in +the boat cast anxious looks to the captain as wondering what should +then be done. At a time when his mind must have been full of the +injury he had received, and the loss of his ship at a moment when his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +plans were so flourishing and he had every reason to congratulate +himself as to the ultimate success of the undertaking, it is much in +his favour that he seems to have realised their unfortunate position +and to have been determined to make the best of it.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i243.png" width="500" height="304" alt="THE SAVAGES ATTACK THE BOAT" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE SAVAGES ATTACK THE BOAT</span> +</div> + +<p>His first care was to see how much food they had. On examining +it they found there was a hundred and fifty pounds of +bread, thirty-two pounds of pork, six quarts of rum, six bottles of +wine, and twenty-eight gallons of water.</p> + +<p>As they were so near Tofoa they determined to put in there for +a supply of breadfruit and water, so that they might keep their +other provisions. But after rowing along the coast for some time, +they only discovered some cocoanut trees on the top of a stony +cliff, against which the sea beat furiously. After several attempts +they succeeded in getting about twenty nuts. The second day +they failed to get anything at all.</p> + +<p>However, some natives came down to the boat and made inquiries +about the ship; but the captain unfortunately told the men to +say she had been lost, and that only they were saved.</p> + +<p>This proved most disastrous; for the treacherous natives, +finding they were defenceless, at first brought them presents of +breadfruit, plantains and cocoanuts, rendering them all more +hopeful and cheerful by their kindness. But towards night their +numbers increased in a most alarming manner, and soon the whole +beach was lined by them.</p> + +<p>Presently they began knocking stones together, by which the +men knew they intended to make an attack upon them. They +made haste to get all the things into the boat, and all but one, named +John Norton, succeeded in reaching it. The natives rushed upon +this poor man and stoned him to death.</p> + +<p>Those in the boat put to sea with all haste, but were again +terribly alarmed to find themselves followed by natives in canoes +from which they renewed the attack.</p> + +<p>Many of the sailors were a good deal hurt by stones, and they had +no means at all with which to protect themselves. At last they threw +some clothes overboard; these tempted the enemy to stop to pick +them up, and as soon as night came on they gave up the chase and +returned to the shore.</p> + +<p>All the men now begged Captain Bligh to take them towards +England; but he told them there could be no hope of relief until +they reached Timor, a distance of full twelve hundred leagues; and +that, if they wished to reach it, they would have to content themselves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +with one ounce of bread and a quarter of a pint of water a +day. They all readily agreed to this allowance of food, and made +a most solemn oath not to depart from their promise to be satisfied +with the small quantity. This was about May 2. After the +compact was made, the boat was put in order, the men divided +into watches, and they bore away under a reefed lug-foresail.</p> + +<p>A fiery sun rose on the 3rd, which is commonly a sign of rough +weather, and filled the almost hopeless derelicts with a new +terror.</p> + +<p>In an hour or two it blew very hard, and the sea ran so high +that their sail was becalmed between the waves; they did not dare +to set it when on the top of the sea, for the water rushed in over +the stern of the boat, and they were obliged to bale with all their +might.</p> + +<p>The bread was in bags, and in the greatest danger of being +spoiled by the wet. They were obliged to throw some rope and +the spare sails overboard, as well as all the clothes but what they +wore, to lighten the boat, then the carpenter's tool-chest was cleared +and the bread put into it.</p> + +<p>They were all very wet and cold, and a teaspoonful of rum was +served to each man, with a quarter of a breadfruit which was so +bad that it could hardly be eaten; but the captain was determined +at all risks to keep to the compact they had entered into, and to make +their provisions last eight weeks.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon the sea ran even higher, and at night it became +very cold; but still they did not dare to leave off baling for an instant, +though their legs and arms were numb with fatigue and wet.</p> + +<p>In the morning a teaspoonful of rum was served to all, and five +small cocoanuts divided for their dinner, and everyone was satisfied.</p> + +<p>When the gale had subsided they examined the bread, and found +a great deal of it had become mouldy and rotten; but even this was +carefully kept and used. The boat was now near some islands, but +they were afraid to go on shore, as the natives might attack them; +while being in sight of land, where they might replenish their poor +stock of provisions and rest themselves, added to their misery. +One morning they hooked a fish, and were overjoyed at their good +fortune; but in trying to get it into the boat it was lost, and again +they had to content themselves with the damaged bread and small +allowance of water for their supper.</p> + +<p>They were dreadfully cramped for room, and were obliged to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +manage so that half their number should lie down in the bottom of +the boat or upon a chest, while the others sat up and kept watch: +their limbs became so stiff from being constantly wet, and from +want of space to stretch them in, that after a few hours' sleep they +were hardly able to move.</p> + +<p>About May 7 they passed what the captain supposed must be +the Fiji Islands, and two large canoes put off and followed them +for some time, but in the afternoon they gave up the chase. It +rained heavily that day, and everyone in the boat did his best to +catch some water, and they succeeded in increasing their stock to +thirty-four gallons, besides having had enough to drink for the first +time since they had been east adrift; but the rain made them very +cold and miserable, and as they had no dry things their shiverings +were terrible.</p> + +<p>The next morning they had an ounce and a half of pork, a teaspoonful +of rum, half a pint of cocoanut milk, and an ounce of bread +for breakfast, which was quite a large meal for them. The rum, +though (or because) in such small quantities, is said to have been of +the greatest service to them.</p> + +<p>Through fifteen weary days and nights of ceaseless rain they +toiled, sometimes through fierce storms of thunder and lightning, +and before terrific seas lashed into foam and fury by swift and +sudden squalls, with only their miserable pittance of bread and +water to keep body and soul together. Now and then a little rum +was given after any extra fatigue of baling, but only at the times set +apart for meals.</p> + +<p>In this rain and storm the little sleep they got only added to +their discomfort, save for the brief forgetfulness it brought; for they +had to lie down in water in the bottom of the boat, and with no +covering but the streaming clouds above them.</p> + +<p>The captain then advised them to wring their clothes through sea-water, +which they found made them feel much warmer for a time.</p> + +<p>On May 17 everyone was ill and complaining of great pain, and +begging for more food; but the captain refused to increase their +allowance, though he gave them all a small quantity of rum.</p> + +<p>Until the 24th they flew before the wild seas that swept over +stem and stern of their boat, and kept them constantly baling.</p> + +<p>Some of them now looked more than half dead from starvation, +but no one suffered from thirst, as they had absorbed so much water +through the skin.</p> + +<p>A fine morning dawned on the 25th, when they saw the sun for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +the first time for fifteen days, and were able to eat their scanty +allowance in more comfort and warmth. In the afternoon there +were numbers of birds called boobies and noddies near, which are +never seen far from land.</p> + +<p>The captain took this opportunity to look at the state of their +bread, and found if they did not exceed their allowance there was +enough to last for twenty-nine days, when they hoped to reach Timor. +That afternoon some noddies came so near the boat that one +was caught. These birds are about the size of a small pigeon; it +was divided into eighteen parts and given by lot. The men were +much amused when they saw the beak and claws fall to the lot of +the captain. The bird was eaten, bones and all, with bread and +water, for dinner.</p> + +<p>Now they were in calmer seas they were overtaken by a new +trouble. The heat of the sun became so great that many of them +were overcome by faintness, and lay in the bottom of the boat in +an apathetic state all day, only rousing themselves towards evening, +when the catching of birds was attempted.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 28th the sound of breakers could be heard +plainly; they had reached the Great Barrier Beef, which runs up +much of the east coast of Australia.</p> + +<p>After some little time a passage nearly a quarter of a mile in +width was discovered through the reef, and they were carried by a +strong current into the peaceful waters which lie within the Barrier.</p> + +<p>For a little time they were so overjoyed that their past troubles +were forgotten. The dull blue-grey lines of the mainland, with its +white patches of glaring sandhills, could be seen in the distance, +and that afternoon they landed on an island.</p> + +<p>They found the rocks around it were covered with oysters and +huge clams, which could easily be got at low tide. Some of their +party sent out to reconnoitre returned greatly pleased at having +found plenty of fresh water.</p> + +<p>A fire was made by help of a small magnifying-glass. Among +the things thrown into the boat from the ship was a small copper +pot; and thus with a mixture of oysters, bread, and pork a stew +was made, and everyone had plenty to eat.</p> + +<p>The day after they landed was the 29th of May, the anniversary +of the restoration of King Charles II., and as the captain thought +it applied to their own renewed health and strength, he named it +Restoration Island.</p> + +<p>After a few days' rest, which did much to revive the men, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +when they had filled all their vessels with water and had gathered +a large supply of oysters, they were ready to go on again.</p> + +<p>As they were about to start everybody was ordered to attend +prayers, and as they were embarking about twenty naked savages +came running and shouting towards them, each carrying a long +barbed spear, but the English made all haste to put to sea.</p> + +<p>For several days they sailed over the lake-like stillness of the +Barrier reef-bound waters, and past the bold desolations of the +Queensland coast, every headland and bay there bearing the names +Cook gave them only a few years before, and which still tell us by +that nomenclature each its own story of disappointment and +hope.</p> + +<p>Still making way to the north, they passed many more islands +and keys, the onward passage growing hot and hotter, until on +June 3, when they doubled Cape York, the peninsula which is +all but unique in its northward bend, they were again in the open +sea.</p> + +<p>By this time many of them were ill with malaria, then for +the first time some of the wine which they had with them was +used.</p> + +<p>But the little boat still bravely made its way with its crew, whose +faces were so hollow and ghastly that they looked like a crew +of spectres, sailing beneath the scorching sun that beat down +from the pale blue of the cloudless sky upon a sea hardly less blue +in its greater depths. Only the hope that they would soon reach +Timor seemed to rouse them from a state of babbling delirium or +fitful slumber.</p> + +<p>On the 11th the captain told them they had passed the meridian +of the east of Timor; and at three o'clock on the next morning +they sighted the land.</p> + +<p>It was on Sunday, June 14, when they arrived at Company Bay, +and were received with every kindness by the people.</p> + +<p>Thus ended one of the most remarkable voyages that has ever +been made. They had been sent out with provisions only sufficient +for their number for <i>five</i> days, and Captain Bligh had, by his careful +calculation, and determination to give each man only that equal +portion they had agreed to accept, made it last for <i>fifty</i> days, during +which time they had come three thousand six hundred and eighteen +nautical miles.</p> + +<p>There had been days when the men were so hunger-driven that +they had besought him with pitiful prayers for more to eat, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +when it was his painful duty to refuse it; and times, as they passed +those islands where plentiful food could be got, when he had to +turn a deaf ear to their longings to land. He had to endure the +need of food, the cramped position, the uneasy slumber, as did his +men; as well as the more perfect knowledge of their dangers. +There had been days and nights while he worked out their bearings +when he had to be propped up as he took the stars or sun.</p> + +<p>It was, therefore, Captain Bligh's good seamanship, his strict +discipline and fairness in the method of giving food and wine +to those who were sick, that enabled them to land at Timor with +the whole of their number alive, with the exception of the one man +who was stoned to death by the savages at Tofoa.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>IT will be remembered that nothing had been heard of the 'Bounty' +since she was seen off Point Venus on the morning of September +22, 1789.</div> + +<p>In 1809, just twenty years after, when Captain Folger, of the +American ship 'Topaz,' landed at Pitcairn Island, one of the most +remote of the islands in the Pacific, he found there a solitary +Englishman and five Otaheitan women and nineteen children. +The man, who gave his name as Alexander Smith, said he was the +only remaining person of the nine who had escaped in the 'Bounty.'</p> + +<p>Although this information was given to the Admiralty shortly +after, it was not until the year 1814, when the 'Briton,' under +the command of Sir Thomas Staines, and the 'Tagus,' under that +of Captain Pipon, were cruising in the Pacific, that one day on +which the ships were sailing in the same direction about six leagues +apart, both commanders were greatly surprised to see an island in +lat. 24° 40' and long. 130° 24' W.</p> + +<p>They were puzzled to know what it could be, as Pitcairn Island +(named after a son of Major Pitcairn who was lost in the 'Aurora'), +the only one known in the neighbourhood, was marked on their +charts as in long. 133° 24' W., more than three degrees out.</p> + +<p>They thought they had made a new discovery, and as they ran +in for the land they were astonished to see some neatly-built huts +surrounded by gardens and plantations.</p> + +<p>Some people were seen coming down the cliff with canoes on +their shoulders. Presently one was launched and made off through +the heavy surf towards the ships. They were more surprised than +ever when one of the young men in it cried out in English as they +came alongside, 'Won't you heave us a rope, now?'</p> + +<p>He sprang up the side of the ship swiftly. When on deck he told +Sir Thomas Staines and Captain Pipon, when they asked him who +he was, that his name was Thursday October Christian, and that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +was the son of the late Fletcher Christian by an Otaheitan mother; +that he was the first born on the island, and his name was given him +as he had been born on a Thursday in October. He was now +twenty-four years of age, and had a fine muscular figure, dark hair, +and a brownish complexion, and 'in his good-natured and benevolent +countenance he had all the features of an honest English face.' +He wore no clothing except a small piece of cloth about his loins +and a straw hat trimmed with cock's feathers. He spoke English +correctly and pleasantly both as to grammar and pronunciation. +He also told them he was married to a woman much older than +himself, one of those who had come with his father from Otaheite. +His companion was a fine boy of about seventeen or eighteen +years, named George Young, son of Young the midshipman.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i251.png" width="400" height="379" alt="The Pitcairn islanders on board the English frigate" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Pitcairn islanders on board the English frigate</span> +</div> + +<p>The islanders were much surprised at the many things new to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +them in the ship, at the guns, and everything around them. They +were greatly entertained at the sight of a little dog. 'Oh, what a +pretty little thing it is!' exclaimed Young. 'I know it is a dog, +for I have heard of such an animal.'</p> + +<p>The young men told the captains of many of the events that had +happened among the first settlers; but said that John Adams, now +an old man, could tell them much more. He was the only surviving +Englishman that came away in the 'Bounty,' and at that time he +was called Alexander Smith.</p> + +<p>The captains determined to go on shore to see Adams, and to +hear from him the true story of Christian's fate, and of that of his +companions.</p> + +<p>Adams, who had been concealed since the arrival of the ships, +when he found that the two captains had landed and were not +armed, and that they did not intend to take him prisoner, came to +the beach to meet them, and brought his wife with him, who was a +very old woman and nearly blind.</p> + +<p>After so many years the sight of the King's uniform no doubt +brought back the scene of the 'Bounty' to Adams, for at first he +was very nervous and ill at ease.</p> + +<p>However, when Sir Thomas Staines assured him they were not +there with any intention of taking him away, that they were not +even aware that such a person as himself existed, he regained +confidence, and then told them he had taken the name of John +Adams since the sole care of the women and children on the island +had fallen upon him. He pretended he had not taken any great +share in the mutiny, that he was sick in bed when it took place, +and that he had been roused up and compelled to take a musket +in his hand. He said he was now ready and willing to go back to +England in one of the ships.</p> + +<p>When the islanders heard him say this, all the women and +children wept bitterly, and the young men stood motionless and +absorbed in grief. When the officers again assured them that he +should on no account be molested, the people were overcome with +joy and gratitude. Adams then told them of the fate of the +'Bounty' and of the rest of the mutineers.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>It is easy to suppose that when Christian sailed for the last +time from Otaheite his mind was full of misgiving; that he bitterly +repented the rash act by which the ship had fallen into his hands +and by which in all probability nineteen men had lost their lives,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +and also the wrecked and criminal lives of his followers. The +picture of the derelict crew in their little boat was ever in his mind +as he had last seen them watching with despairing eyes their ship +sail away; and again as distance blurred all form, and it lay a +blot on the sunny waters, immediately before it was hidden by the +horizon line.</p> + +<p>That blot became ever blacker and heavier to his mental vision +as one by one his projects failed. A sullen and morose outcast for +ever from civilisation, he sailed out into the unknown seas with his +little band of desperate followers, to find if possible some solitary +island, some unknown spot, where they might be lost for ever from +the world.</p> + +<p>Curiously, the place which he pictured, the object for which he +sought, was soon after given to him to find.</p> + +<p>Its steep cliffs rise from the sea precipitously, and beyond and +above them a ridge of rocky hills runs from north to south, from +which, again, two mountainous peaks of a thousand feet and more in +height stand up like sentinels.</p> + +<p>At a little distance from the coast-line a white wall of surf +lashes itself into fury, and breaks everlastingly over the hidden reefs +that raise so formidable a guard around the island as to render +safe landing impossible save only at particular places and times.</p> + +<p>Encouraged by this forbidding coast-line, after they had sailed +all round the island they effected a landing, and finding it uninhabited, +they decided to make it their home. The 'Bounty' was +run into an inlet between the cliffs, and after she had been dismantled +and her materials used for building houses, in 1790 they +burnt her, as they feared she might attract the notice of any ship +that should chance to pass.</p> + +<p>The first thing they did after their arrival was to divide the +land into nine equal parts, giving none to the Otaheitan men, who +it is said had been carried off from their own island by force. At +first they were kindly treated by the white men; but afterwards +they made them their slaves.</p> + +<p>When they had been on the island a few weeks Christian +became more gloomy and taciturn, and his conduct to the others +grew more overbearing and unreasonable day by day.</p> + +<p>Fear entered into his soul, and he looked with dislike and +suspicion upon all around him, shunned their companionship and +sought a place where he could be alone with his dark thoughts. +Up at the extreme end of the ridge of hills that runs across the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +island the almost inaccessible cave may still be seen to which he +carried a store of provisions and ammunition, and thus shut himself +off from the others, and with only the sound of the roaring breakers +as they beat on the shore below to disturb his solitude, the madman +dwelt alone with his terrible history of the past.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 332px;"> +<img src="images/i255.png" width="332" height="500" alt="'THE MADMAN DWELT ALONE'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'THE MADMAN DWELT ALONE'</span> +</div> + +<p>One story is that in a fit of maniacal insanity he flung himself +over the rocks into the sea. Another that he was shot by one of +the mutineers whilst digging in a plantation.</p> + +<p>The accounts are contradictory. But whether from suicide or +murder, his death happened within a year after he landed at +Pitcairn Island.</p> + +<p>For about two years, while they all worked at the building of the +houses and at cultivating the ground, the Otaheitan men toiled +without a murmur. But when Williams, who had lost his wife, +insisted that he would take one of theirs or leave the island in one +of the 'Bounty's' boats, the other Englishmen, who did not want +to part with him, compelled one of the Otaheitans to give his wife +to him.</p> + +<p>From this time the Otaheitans became discontented, until the +man whose wife had been taken away was murdered in the woods; +then things went on more quietly for a year or two longer, when +two of the most desperate and cruel of the mutineers, Quintal and +M'Koy, at last drove them to form a plot to destroy their oppressors. +A day was fixed by them to attack and put to death all the +Englishmen when they were at work in the yam plots.</p> + +<p>They killed Martin and Brown, one with a maul, the other with +a musket, while Adams made his escape, though he was wounded +in the shoulder by a bullet.</p> + +<p>Young, who was a great favourite with the women, was hidden +by them during the attack, while M'Koy and Quintal fled to the +woods.</p> + +<p>That night all the native men were murdered by the widows of +the Europeans. This happened in 1793. From that time till 1798 +the colonists went on quietly, until M'Koy, who had once been +employed in a Scotch distillery, and had for some time been making +experiments on the <i>ti</i> root, succeeded in extracting from it an +intoxicating liquor.</p> + +<p>After this Quintal also gave his whole time to making the spirit, +and in consequence the two men were constantly drunk, and in +one of his fits of delirium M'Koy threw himself from a cliff, and was +instantly killed. Quintal became more and more unmanageable,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +and frequently threatened to destroy Adams and Young—who, +knowing that he would carry out his threat, determined to kill him. +This they did by felling him with an axe as they would an ox.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that at last only two men were left on the island, +Adams and Young. The latter, who was of a quiet and studious +nature, resolved to have prayers every morning and evening, and +regular services on Sunday, and to teach the children, of whom +there were nineteen, several of them then being between the ages +of seven and nine years. Young, however, did not live long, but +died of asthma about a year after the murder of Quintal.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i257.png" width="400" height="246" alt="Old John Adams teaches the children" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Old John Adams teaches the children</span> +</div> + +<p>In their beautiful island of the sea, where the lordly banyans +grow, and where the feathery cocoanut palms stand boldly along +the cliffs, or here and there fringe the rocky beach—for in this +temperate climate just without the tropics there are but few trees +and vegetables that will not grow—there, unknown for many years +to the world, and far away from its busy jar and fret, the simple +and kindly natures that these children of Pitcairn Island must +have inherited from their Otaheitan mothers were trained to an +almost perfect sense of duty and piety by old John Adams.</p> + +<p>With a Bible and Prayer-book to aid him he persevered with +his self-imposed task. It was a task that must often have cost him +much labour and patient study, for though he could read he was +not able to write until he was a very old man.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + +<p>Though in the eyes of the law his crime can never be wiped out, +in the eyes of humanity, his sincere repentance and long and +tender devotion to his charge—a charge that ended only on the day +of his death—will for ever render the last of the mutineers a +character to be remembered with admiration and respect.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>A RELATION OF THREE YEARS' SUFFERING OF ROBERT EVERARD UPON THE ISLAND OF ASSADA, NEAR MADAGASCAR, IN A VOYAGE TO INDIA, IN THE YEAR 1686</i><a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>WHEN I was a boy, my father, Mr. William Everard, apprenticed +me to the captain of a ship bound for Bombay in +India, and thence to Madagascar, for blacks. I left London on +August 5, 1686, and after different adventures on the voyage, of +which I need not here speak, our ship reached Madagascar.</div> + +<p>The King of Madagascar received us kindly enough, and +promised in about a month to furnish the captain with as many +negroes as he desired. This satisfied us very well, and, mooring +the ship, we stayed some days, trading with the negroes for rice and +hens and bananas.</p> + +<p>Now one day the supercargo and six of the men and myself +went ashore, taking guns and powder, and knives and scissors to +trade with, and the ship's dog went with us. And, carrying our +chest of goods to the house of one of the natives, we traded, and +the negroes brought us such things as they had in exchange.</p> + +<p>But presently we heard a great noise, and a crowd began to +gather, so that we thought the King was coming. But, alas! we +soon found that the people of the town had risen against us, and ten +or twelve broke in with their lances, and killed five of the boat's +crew and the man who took care of the boat! The supercargo, +running out of the house to get to the King, was thrust through by +one of these murderous natives, and died immediately. I myself, +being knocked down by the fall of the others, lay among the dead +like one dead.</p> + +<p>When the blacks took them up, however, they saw I was alive, +and did not kill me in cold blood, but carried me to the King's +house, which was just by the house where they had killed our men,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +whose bodies I saw them carrying down to fling into the sea as +I looked out at the King's door.</p> + +<p>He bade me sit down, and ordered the women to bring me some +boiled rice on a plantain leaf, but in my terrible condition I could +not eat. At night the King's men showed me my lodging in a +small hut among the slaves, where I remained till the morning.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i260.png" width="400" height="364" alt="Death of the supercargo" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Death of the supercargo</span> +</div> + +<p>That morning our ship sailed. All the night as she lay there she +had kept firing her great guns, and one shot came into the middle +of the King's house, and went through it.</p> + +<p>But when she had sailed I saw some of the blacks with bottles +of wine taken out of the great cabin, which I myself had filled the +morning I went ashore. They had also the captain's sword and +the ship's compass, and some great pieces of the flag tied round +their waists. So I asked those negroes who understood a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +English if they had killed any on board. They said 'Yes,' and told me +that the blacks in a canoe that went to our ship to trade had lances +hidden, and fell upon the captain and the mate, who suspected +nothing, and killed them and some others of our men, but the rest +had time to arm themselves, and so drove the blacks away.</p> + +<p>I asked them also why they killed our men, and they told the +King, who answered that an English ship had been before, and +played the rogue with them, and killed some of the natives, and +they had therefore taken revenge.</p> + +<p>After this the King went to visit his towns, and bid me go along +with him; and I went first to one place and then another, to be +shown to the people. But the women when they saw me shrieked +and ran away in a fright—never having seen a white man, and +thinking I was a spirit.</p> + +<p>Then the King and his army went to the other side of the +island, and carried me with them and our dog, and there he began +mustering together a greater army, taking more men out of every +town he visited. As soon as the women saw the King and his army +coming, they got their sticks and came dancing for joy. And when +he came into a town a mat was laid on the ground for him to sit +on. When he sat down the wife of the chief of the town came out +with some white stuff upon a stone, and dipped her finger in it, and +put one spot on the King's forehead, and one on each cheek, and +one on his chin; and so they did to his four wives who went with +him. Then, when the women had done spotting them, the captain +of the town and all his men came before the King, some with great +calabashes full of liquor, and he bid the captain get his men ready +to go along with the army, which was done in a day's time. Thus +he went from town to town.</p> + +<p>The dog belonging to our ship went too, and when he saw any +hogs, he ran and barked at them till the negroes came and killed +them with their lances. And sometimes he would fetch a young +pig and bring it to me.</p> + +<p>It was six or seven weeks before they reached the town of the +enemy, and rushed into it, firing and striking with their lances, +and killing or taking prisoners all who did not run away. Then +marching further up the country they met with the enemy's whole +army; and for about a month they fought with them day after +day, our side nearly always getting the better of it.</p> + +<p>When as many prisoners had been taken as the King needed +for slaves, we marched back again through the towns, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +people brought great parcels of rice made up in plantain leaves, and +pots of boiled fish for the King and his men to eat with their rice. +They used to sit four, and six, or eight together; they also gave +me some by myself, on a plantain leaf. This they did at every +town where the King came. But as I was coming back with them +I was taken lightheaded, so that sometimes I fell down, and could +not stir without extreme pain.</p> + +<p>About a week after we reached our own town the King asked +me if I could make powder. I told him 'No;' he then asked if I +could make shot. I said 'Yes;' and he told his men to fetch some +lead, and clay for the moulds, and as well as I could I made three +or four hundred shot. The King was pleased with these, and while +I was making them I had victuals given me, and some of their +best drink.</p> + +<p>But afterwards the King bid me go about the island with some +of his men to find flint stones; and when I could find none he took +no more notice of me, but turned me out of his house, and would +not let me come into it any more. Then I had to seek for my own +food to save myself from being starved, and it pleased God that I +found such food as the natives eat—yams and potatoes, which I +dug out of the earth with a piece of sharp stone, having neither +knife nor any other tool. And I made fire as the natives did, +rubbing together two pieces of stick, and roasted my yams, and +gathered bananas and oranges and other fruit. Then sometimes I +caught fish with a small, sharp-pointed stick, and crabs, and now +and then a turtle. I also found turtles' eggs. I used to keep +yams and potatoes by me to serve five or six days, and when they +were gone I hunted for more.</p> + +<p>My lodging was under a tree on the hard ground, where I +slept for two years and nine months and sometimes in the year it +would rain for three months together, or only become fine for an +hour or so—yet for all that I lay under the tree still. I always +had a fire on each side of me to keep me warm, because I had no +covering but the branches and leaves of the tree. Sometimes in +the night I crept outside the cottage of one of the natives for +shelter, but I was forced to be gone before they were up for fear +they would do me harm.</p> + +<p>When I wanted water I went almost a mile for a drink, and +had nothing to bring back a little water in to keep by me and drink +whenever I was thirsty. Also, I had to see that there were no +blacks near the water, lest they should set upon me.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span></p> + +<p>Two years after I had come to the country I suffered terrible +pain with sores that broke out upon me, but finding some honey +in a rock by the seaside, I made a kind of salve which gave me a +little ease. But now the time of my worst distress was drawing to +an end.</p> + +<p>For when I had been three years in the island there came Arabs +to buy negroes, and I pleaded with them to take me away, telling +them how it was that I, an English boy, was left in this condition. +Then the chief merchant of the Arabs said he could not carry me +away without the King's leave, for it would spoil their trade; but +he would try to get me clear, and as long as the Arabian vessel lay +there I might come to his house and get food and drink.</p> + +<p>About six weeks after the merchant sent for me, and told me +he had bought me of the King for twenty dollars, and that he +would carry me to my own country people again.</p> + +<p>The ship lay there about ten weeks, and when they had got all +their negroes we sailed from Madagascar. But all the history of +my voyaging with the Arabs, who treated me with much kindness, +and sold me at last to Englishmen, would be too long to relate. +When I first saw my own countrymen I had forgotten English, so that +I could only speak to them in the language of Madagascar; but by +the time I had been among them six or seven days my English +came back, and I could tell them my story.</p> + +<p>At last I was taken on board an English ship called the 'Diana,' +and, sailing in this, I reached Yarmouth and afterwards Blackwall, +where I met my father, to the great joy of us both. Thus I conclude +my narrative, with humble thanks to God for His wonderful +preservation of me through so many hardships and dangers.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE FIGHT AT SVOLDER ISLAND</i> (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1000)</h2> + + +<div class='cap'>OLAF TRYGGVASON, King of Norway, had sailed with a large +fleet eastwards to Wendland, passing through the Danish +king's dominion without his goodwill, and was now returning +thence. He sailed with a light breeze and fair weather for +Denmark, the smaller ships going before, and the larger ships +following behind because they needed more wind.</div> + +<p>At an island off Wendland were gathered many great chiefs: +the island is called Svolder. In this fleet was Sweyn, King of the +Danes, who had many charges against King Olaf—one being that +Olaf had taken to wife Sweyn's sister without his leave; another +that he had established himself in Norway, a land tributary to +Sweyn and subdued by King Harold his father. Earl Sigvaldi +was there with the Danish king because he was his earl. And in +this combined fleet was a mighty chief, Olaf the Swede, King of +the Swedes, who deemed he had to avenge on King Olaf of Norway +great dishonour; for he had broken betrothals with, and smitten +with his glove, Olaf the Swede's mother. This same woman +Sigridr Sweyn, the Danish king, had now to wife, and she was +strongly urging on Sweyn to do King Olaf hurt or dishonour. +With this fleet, too, was Earl Eric, Hacon's son, who deemed he +had very great charges against King Olaf and his men, because +they had been present at the slaying of his father, Earl Hacon, and +had driven out of the land all his sons; and Olaf had established +himself in the kingdom afterwards.</p> + +<p>These chiefs had an overwhelming host, and lay in a harbour +on the inner side of the island; but King Olaf's ships were sailing +past outside, and the chiefs were on the high ground of the island, +and saw where the fleet was sailing from the east. They saw that +the small craft sailed in front.</p> + +<p>Soon they saw a ship large and splendid. Then said King<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +Sweyn: 'Get we to our ships with all speed; there sails Long +Snake from the east.'</p> + +<p>Answered Earl Eric: 'Bide we awhile, sire; they have more +big ships than Long Snake alone.'</p> + +<p>And so it was. This ship belonged to Styrkar of Gimsa.</p> + +<p>Now saw they yet another ship, large and well-equipped, a ship +with a figure-head.</p> + +<p>Said King Sweyn: 'Now here will be sailing Long Snake; and +take we heed that we be not too late in meeting them.'</p> + +<p>Then answered Earl Eric: 'That will not be Long Snake; +few of their big ships have passed as yet; there are many more to +come.'</p> + +<p>And it was even as the Earl said.</p> + +<p>Now sailed a ship with striped sails, a long-ship built for speed, +and much larger than the others that had gone by. And when +King Sweyn saw that this ship had no figure-head on her, then +stood he up and said, laughing the while: 'Olaf Tryggvason is +afraid now; he dares not to sail with his dragon's head; go we +and attack him.'</p> + +<p>Answered then Earl Eric: 'That is not Olaf Tryggvason. I +know the ship, for I have often seen it; it belongs to Erling +Skjalgsson. And 'tis better that we go astern of him to this battle. +Brave wights are on board there, as we shall surely know if we +meet Olaf Tryggvason. Better is a gap in the King's fleet than a +ship thus well-manned.'</p> + +<p>Then said Olaf, the Swedish king, to the Earl: 'We ought not +to fear joining battle with Olaf, though he have many ships. And +it is great shame and disgrace for men to hear in other lands, if we +lie by with an overwhelming host while he sails the high road of +the seas outside.'</p> + +<p>Earl Eric answered: 'Sire, let this swift long-ship pass if she +will. I can tell you good tidings: that Olaf Tryggvason has not +sailed by us, and this day you will have the chance of fighting +with him. There are here now many chiefs, and I expect of this +bout that we shall all have plenty of work.'</p> + +<p>Still they said, when this long-ship and many craft had gone +by: 'That must have been Long Snake. And Earl Eric,' said +the Danes, 'will never fight to avenge his father if he do not so +now.'</p> + +<p>The Earl answered much in wrath, and said that the Danes +would not be found less loath to fight than himself and his men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> + +<p>They waited not long ere three ships came sailing, whereof +one, by far the largest, bore a golden dragon's head. Then all said +that the Earl had spoken truth, and there now was Long Snake.</p> + +<p>Earl Eric answered: 'That is not Long Snake.' But he bade +them attack if they would.</p> + +<p>And at once Sigvaldi took his long-ship and rowed out to the +ships, holding up a white shield; they, on the other hand, lowered +their sails and waited. But that large ship was the Crane, steered +by Thorkell Dydrill, the King's kinsman. They asked of Sigvaldi +what tidings he had to tell them. He declared he could tell them +tidings of Sweyn, the Danish king, which it were right Olaf +Tryggvason should know—he was setting a snare for him if he +were not on his guard. Then Thorkell and his men let their ship +float, and waited for the King.</p> + +<p>Then saw King Sweyn four ships of great size sailing, and one +by far the largest, and on it a dragon's head conspicuous, all of +gold. And they all at once said: 'A wondrous big ship and a +beautiful one is the Long Snake. There will be no long-ship in +the world to match her for beauty, and much glory is there in +causing to be made such a treasure.'</p> + +<p>Then said Sweyn, the Danish king, out loud: 'The Long +Snake shall bear me; I shall steer it this evening before set of +sun.'</p> + +<p>Whereat Earl Eric said, but so that few men heard: 'Though +Olaf Tryggvason had no more ships than may now be seen, never +will Danish king steer this ship if they two and their forces have +dealings together.'</p> + +<p>Sigvaldi, when he saw where the ships were sailing, bade +Thorkell Dydrill draw his ship under the island; but Thorkell said +the wind sat better for them to sail out at sea than to keep under +the land with large ships and light breeze. But they gathered +them under the island, these last four, because they saw some of +their ships rowing under the island, and suspected that there might +be some new tidings; so they tacked and stood in close to the +island, and lowered their sails and took to their oars. The large +ship of this group was named Short Snake.</p> + +<p>And now the chiefs saw three very large ships sailing, and a +fourth last of all. Then said Earl Eric to King Sweyn and to Olaf, +the Swedish king: 'Now stand ye up and to your ships; none +will now deny that Long Snake sails by, and there ye may meet +Olaf Tryggvason.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> + +<p>Whereat silence fell on the chiefs, and none spake; and great +fear was on the crews, and many a one there dreaded his bane.</p> + +<p>Olaf Tryggvason saw where his men had laid them under the +island, and, feeling sure that they must have heard some tidings, +he also turned these ships inwards to the island, and they lowered +sail. Earl Sigvaldi steered his ship inwards along the island to +meet the fleet of the other kings that was coming out from the +harbour inside. Therefore sang Stefnir about Sigvaldi, the foul +traitor who drew Tryggvason into a trap.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i267.png" width="400" height="316" alt="'None will now deny that "Long Snake" sails by'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'None will now deny that "Long Snake" sails by'</span> +</div> + +<p>Sweyn, the Danish king, and Olaf, the Swedish king, and Earl +Eric had made this agreement between them, that, if they slew +Olaf Tryggvason, he of them who should be nearest at the time +should own the ship and all the share of booty taken in the battle; +but of the realm of the Norse king they should each have a third.</p> + +<p>Then saw Olaf Tryggvason and all his men that they were betrayed, +for lo the whole sea about them was covered with ships; +but Olaf had a small force, as his fleet had sailed on before him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +And now lay in his place each one of those three chiefs, Sweyn, +King of Danes, with his force; Olaf, King of Swedes, with his host; +while in the third place Earl Eric set his men in array.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 318px;"> +<img src="images/i269.png" width="318" height="500" alt="KING OLAF LEAPS OVERBOARD" title="" /> +<span class="caption">KING OLAF LEAPS OVERBOARD</span> +</div> + +<p>Then talked with King Olaf a wise man, Thorkell Dydrill, and +said: 'Here are overwhelming odds to fight against. Hoist we our +sails, and sail we after our fleet out to sea; for in no man is it +cowardice to know his own measure.'</p> + +<p>King Olaf answered with loud voice: 'Bind we our ships together +with ropes, and let men don their war apparel and draw +their swords; my men must not think of flight.'</p> + +<p>And Olaf Tryggvason asked his men: 'Who is chief over this +force that lies here nearest to us?'</p> + +<p>They answered:</p> + +<p>'We think it be Sweyn, King of Danes.'</p> + +<p>Then said King Olaf: 'We need not fear that force; never did +Danes win victory in battle when fighting on shipboard against +Norsemen.'</p> + +<p>Again asked King Olaf: 'Who lies there out beyond with so +many ships?'</p> + +<p>He was told that it was Olaf Ericsson, King of Swedes.</p> + +<p>Then answered King Olaf: 'We need not fear Swedish horse-eaters;<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> +they will be more eager to lick up what is in their sacrificial +bowls than to board Long Snake under our weapons.'</p> + +<p>And yet again asked King Olaf Tryggvason: 'Who owns those +large ships that lie out beyond the other squadrons?'</p> + +<p>He was told that it was Earl Eric, Hacon's son, with the Iron +Earn, of all ships the largest.</p> + +<p>Then said King Olaf: 'Many high-born men are arrayed +against us in that host, and with that force we may expect a stubborn +battle: they are Norsemen as are we, and have often seen +bloody swords and exchange of blows, and they will think they +meet their match in us, as in truth they do.'</p> + +<p>So these four chiefs, two kings and two earls, joined battle with +Olaf Tryggvason. Sigvaldi indeed took little part in the fight, +but Skuli Thorsteinsson in his short poem says that Sigvaldi was +there. Very sharp and bloody was this contest, and the Danes fell +most because they were nearest the Norsemen. Soon they did not +hold their ground, but withdrew out of shot range; and this fleet, +as Olaf had said, came off with no glory. But none the less the +battle raged fierce and long, and numbers fell on either side—of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +Swedes, however, most—till it came about that Olaf the Swede saw +this to be the best counsel for himself and his fleet, to make as if +they shunned the fight. And so he bade his ships drop away sternwards; +and then Earl Eric lay broadside on.</p> + +<p>King Olaf Tryggvason had laid the Long Snake between Short +Snake and the Crane, and the smallest ships outside them. But +Earl Eric, as each of these was disabled, caused it to be cut away, +and pressed on to those that were behind. Now, when the small +ships of King Olaf were cleared, the men leapt from them and went up +on the larger ships. There was in this bout much loss of life in either +party; but ever, as men fell in Earl Eric's ships, others took their +place, Swedes and Danes; whereas none took the place of the men +who fell on Olaf's side. All his ships were cleared presently except +Long Snake; this held out because it was highest inboard and best +manned. And while there were men to do so, they had gone +thither aboard, and though some of the crew had perished, the ship +had maintained its full numbers. But when Short Snake and +Crane were disabled, then Earl Eric had them cut away, and thereafter +Iron Ram lay broadside to broadside with Long Snake.</p> + +<p>This battle was so stubborn as to stir wonder, first for the +brave attack, but still more for the defence. When ships made at +the Snake from all sides yet the defenders so hasted to meet them +that they even stepped over the bulwarks into the sea and sank +with their weapons, heedless of all else save, as in a land fight, to +press ever forwards.</p> + +<p>The men fell there first in the ship's waist, where the board was +lowest, while forward about the prow and aft in the space next the +poop they held out longest. And when Earl Eric saw that the +Snake was defenceless amidships he boarded it with fifteen men. +But when Wolf the Red and other forecastlemen saw that, then +they advanced from the forecastle and charged so fiercely on where +the Earl was that he had to fall back to his ship. And when he +came on board the Ram the Earl roused his men to attack +bravely; and they boarded the Snake a second time with a large +force.</p> + +<p>By this time Wolf and all the forecastlemen had come to the +poop, and all the foreship was disabled, Earl Eric's force attacking +King Olaf's on every side. Earl Eric with his men then charged +aft on the space next the poop, and a stubborn resistance was there. +King Olaf had been all that day on the poop of the Snake; he bare +a golden shield and helm, heavy ring-mail, strong so that nought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +could pierce it, though 'tis said that there was no stint of missiles +showered on the poop, for all men knew the King, as his armour +was easily recognised and he stood high on the stern-castle. And by +him stood Kolbjorn, his marshal, clad in armour like to the King's.</p> + +<p>Now, this battle went as might be looked for when brave men on +both sides met: those lost who were fewer in numbers. And when +all King Olaf's force had fallen, then leapt he overboard himself, +holding his shield above his head; and so did Kolbjorn, his marshal, +but his shield was under him on the sea, and he could not manage to +dive, wherefore the men who were in the small ships took him, but he +received quarter from the Earl. And after this all leapt overboard +who yet lived; but most of these were wounded, and those who +received quarter were taken as they swam: these were Thorkell +Netja, Karlshead, Thorstein, and Einar Bowstring-shaker.</p> + +<p>But after the battle was ended Earl Eric took for his own Long +Snake and the other ships of King Olaf, and the weapons of many +men who had wielded them manfully to the death.</p> + +<p>Most famous has been this battle in Northland; first by reason +of the brave defence, next for the attack and victory, wherein that +ship was overcome on the deep sea which all had deemed invincible, +but chiefly because there fell a chief famous beyond any of the +Danish tongue. So greatly did men admire King Olaf and seek +his friendship, that many would not hear of his being dead, but +declared that he was yet alive in Wendland or in the south region. +And about that many stories have been made.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE DEATH OF HACON THE GOOD</i> (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 961)</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>[Eric Bloodaxe, Harold Fairhair's favourite son, ruled Norway for a +year or so after his father's death. Then he and his queen Gunnhilda +became so hated by the people that they welcomed as king his brother +Hacon, who returned from England, where he had been brought up. +Eric was forced to flee. For some time he was in Northumberland; he +fell in the west while freebooting, about <span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 950. Gunnhilda and her +sons went to Denmark; they made many attempts to recover Norway; +the issue of the last is here told.]</p></div> + + +<div class='cap'>KING HACON, Athelstan's foster-son, long ruled over Norway; +but in the latter part of his life Eric's sons came to Norway, +and strove with him for the kingdom. They had battles together, +wherein Hacon ever won the victory. The last battle was fought +in Hordaland, on Stord Island, at Fitjar: there Hacon won the +victory, but also got his death-wound.</div> + +<p>And this battle came about in this wise. Gunnhilda's sons +sailed northward from Denmark, taking the outer way, nor came +they to land oftener than for men to get knowledge of their goings, +while they also got knowledge of the public banquets given to King +Hacon. They had ships well-found in men and weapons; and in +their company was a mighty viking named Eyvind Skreyja; he was +a brother of Queen Gunnhilda.</p> + +<p>Hacon was at a banquet at Fitjar on Stord Island when they +came thither; but he and all his men were unaware of their coming +till the ships were sailing up from the south and had now gotten +close to the island. King Hacon was even then sitting at table.</p> + +<p>Now came a rumour to the King's guard that ships were seen +sailing; wherefore some who were keenest of sight went out to look. +And each said to his fellows that this would be an enemy, and each +bade other to tell the King; but for this task none was found save +Eyvind Finnsson, who was nicknamed Skald-spoiler.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> + +<p>He went in before the King, and spake thus: 'Fleeting hour is +short, sire, but meal-time long.'</p> + +<p>Said the King: 'Skald, what news?'</p> + +<p>Eyvind answered:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'Vengers ('tis said) of Bloodaxe crave<br /> +The battle-shock of belted glaive;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our sitting-time is done.</span><br /> +Hard task, but 'tis thine honour, King,<br /> +I seek, who here war tidings bring.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arm swiftly, every one!'</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>Then answered the King: 'Eyvind, thou art a brave wight and +a wise; thou wouldst not tell war tidings unless they were true.' +Whereupon all said that this was true, that ships were sailing that +way, and within short space of the island. And at once the tables +were taken up, and the King went out to see the fleet.</p> + +<p>But when he had seen it he called to him his counsellors, and +asked what should be done.</p> + +<p>'Here be sailing many ships from the south: we have a force +small but goodly. Now, I wish not to lead my best friends into +overwhelming danger; but surely would be willing to flee, if wise +men should not deem that this were great shame or folly.'</p> + +<p>Then made answer each to other that everyone would rather +fall dead across his fellow than flee before Danes.</p> + +<p>Whereat the King said: 'Well spoken for heroes as ye are! +And let each take his weapons, nor care how many Danes there be +to one Norseman.'</p> + +<p>Thereafter the King took his shield, and donned his coat of ring-mail, +and girded him with the sword Millstone-biter, and set a +golden helm on his head. Then did he marshal his force, putting +together his bodyguard and the guests of the feast.</p> + +<p>Gunnhilda's sons now came up on land, and they likewise +marshalled their force, and it was by far the larger. The day was +hot and sunny; so King Hacon slipped off his mail coat and raised +his helm, and egged on his men to the onset laughing, and thus +cheered his warriors by his blithe bearing. Then the fight began, +and it was most stubborn. When the missiles were all thrown, +King Hacon drew sword and stood in front under the banner, and +hewed right and left; never did he miss, or, if he missed his man, +the sword bit another.</p> + +<p>Eyvind Skreyja went fiercely forward in the battle, challenging +the Norsemen's courage. And chiefly pressed he on where Hacon's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +banner was, crying, 'Where is the Norsemen's king? Why doth +he hide him? Why dares he not come forth and show himself? +Who can point me to him?'</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 315px;"> +<img src="images/i275.png" width="315" height="400" alt="Hacon casts his shield away" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Hacon casts his shield away</span> +</div> + +<p>Then answered King Hacon: 'Hold thou on forward, if thou +wilt find the Norsemen's king.'</p> + +<p>And Hacon cast his shield by his side, and gripped his sword's +mid-hilt with both hands, and ran forth from under the banner.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Thoralf Skumsson said, 'Suffer me, sire, to go against +Eyvind.'</p> + +<p>The King answered: 'Me he wished to find; wherefore me he +shall first meet.' But when the King came where Eyvind was, he +hewed on either side of him, and then, with Millstone-biter in both +hands, hewed at Eyvind's head, and clove him through helm and +head right down to the shoulders.</p> + +<p>This battle was not good for men weak in strength, weapons, or +courage. Nor was it long after the fall of Eyvind Skreyja ere the +whole Danish force turned and fled to their ships. Great numbers +fell on the side of Eric's sons; but they themselves escaped.</p> + +<p>King Hacon's men followed them far that day, and slew all +whom they might; but the King bade his swift ship be launched, +and rowed northwards along the coast, meaning to seek his house +at Alrekstead, for he had gotten a wound by an arrow that pierced +his arm while he drove before him the flying foe. And he lost so +much blood that he swooned away. And when he came to the +place called Hacon's Stone (it was where he was born), there he +stayed for the night, bidding his land tent be set up and himself be +carried ashore.</p> + +<p>And as soon as King Hacon knew that his wound was mortal, +he called to him his counsellors, and talked at large with his friends +about those things that had been done in his days. And of this he +then repented, that he had done much against God and Christian +men's laws during his rule.</p> + +<p>His friends offered to convey his body westwards to England, +and bury it there in Church ground.</p> + +<p>But the King answered: 'Of this I am not worthy; I lived as +heathen men live, so, too, shall ye bury me.'</p> + +<p>He bewailed the quarrels of himself and his kin; and having but +one daughter, a child, and no son, he sent a letter to Gunnhilda's +sons, wherein it was written that he gave to his kinsman Harold +Grayfell his guard and his kingdom.</p> + +<p>After this King Hacon died: he had ruled Norway for twenty-six +years. He was mourned both by friends and foes. As Eyvind +Skald-spoiler says:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'The King is born in blessed day<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such love who gains:</span><br /> +Of his fair age ever and aye<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Good fame remains.'</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>His men carried his body to Sœheim in North Hordaland, and +raised a mound over it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>PRINCE CHARLIE'S WAR</i></h2> + + +<h3>I</h3> + +<h4>THE BOYHOOD OF PRINCE CHARLIE</h4> + +<div class='cap'>IN 1734 the city of Gaeta, in the kingdom of Naples, was held by +an Austrian force, and was besieged by a mixed army of +French, Walloons, Spaniards, and Italians, commanded by the +Duke of Liria. Don Carlos, a Spanish prince, was doing his best, by +their aid, to conquer the kingdom of Naples for himself. There is +now no kingdom of Naples: there are no Austrian forces in Italy, +and there is certainly, in all the armies of Europe, no such officer +as was fighting under the Duke of Liria. This officer, in the uniform +of a general of artillery, was a slim, fair-haired, blue-eyed boy +of thirteen. He seemed to take a pleasure in the sound of the balls +that rained about the trenches. When the Duke of Liria's quarters +had been destroyed by five cannon shots, this very young officer +was seen to enter the house, and the duke entreated, but scarcely +commanded, him to leave. The boy might be heard shouting to +the men of his very mixed force in all their various languages. +He was the darling of the camp, and the favourite of the men, for +his courage and pleasant manners.</div> + +<p>This pretty boy with a taste for danger, Charles Edward Stuart, +was called by his friends 'the Prince of Wales.' He was, indeed, +the eldest son of James VIII. of Scotland and Third of England, +known to his enemies as 'the Pretender.' James, again, was the +son of James II., and was a mere baby when, in 1688, his father +fled from England before the Prince of Orange.</p> + +<p>The child (the son of James II.) grew up in France: he charged +the English armies in Flanders, and fought not without distinction. +He invaded Scotland in 1715, where he failed, and now, for many +years, he had lived in Rome, a pensioner of the Pope. James was +an unfortunate prince, but is so far to be praised that he would not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +change his creed to win a crown. He was a devout Catholic—his +enemies said 'a bigoted Papist'—he was the child of bad luck from +his cradle; he had borne many disappointments, and he was never +the man to win back a kingdom by the sword. He had married a +Polish princess, of the gallant House of Sobieski, and at Gaeta his +eldest son, though only a boy, showed that he had the courage of +the Sobieskis and the charm of the Stuarts. The spies of the +English Government confessed that the boy was more dangerous +than the man, Prince Charles than King James.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 343px;"> +<img src="images/i279.png" width="343" height="500" alt="'IN THE BORGHESE GARDENS PRACTISED THAT ROYAL GAME OF GOLF'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'IN THE BORGHESE GARDENS PRACTISED THAT ROYAL GAME OF GOLF'</span> +</div> + +<p>While Charles, at Gaeta, was learning the art of war, and +causing his cousin, the Duke of Liria, to pass some of the uneasiest +moments of his life, at home in Rome his younger brother Henry, +Duke of York, aged nine, was so indignant with his parents for not +allowing him to go to the war with his brother, that he flung away +his little sword in a temper. From their cradle these boys had +thought and heard of little else but the past glories of their race; it +was the dream of their lives to be restored to their own country. +In all he did, the thought was always uppermost with Charles. On +the way from Gaeta to Naples, leaning over the ship's side, the +young Prince lost his hat; immediately a boat was lowered in the +hope of saving it, but Charles stopped the sailors, saying with a +peculiar smile, 'I shall be obliged before long to go and fetch myself +a hat in England.'</p> + +<p>Every thought, every study, every sport that occupied the next +few years of Charles' life in Rome, had the same end, namely, +preparing himself in every way for the task of regaining his kingdom. +Long days of rowing on the lake of Albano, and boar-hunting +at Cisterna, made him strong and active. He would often make +marches in shoes without stockings, hardening his feet for the part +he played afterwards on many a long tramp in the Highlands. Instead +of enjoying the ordinary effeminate pleasures of the Roman +nobility, he shot and hunted; and in the Borghese Gardens practised +that royal game of golf, which his ancestors had played long before +on the links at St. Andrews and the North Inch of Perth. His more +serious studies were, perhaps, less ardently pursued. Though no +prince ever used a sword more gallantly and to more purpose, it +cannot be denied that he habitually spelled it 'sord,' and though +no son ever wrote more dutiful and affectionate letters to a father, +he seldom got nearer the correct spelling of his parent's name than +'Gems. In lonely parts of Rome the handsome lad and his +melancholy father might often have been seen talking eagerly and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +confidentially, planning, and for ever planning, that long-talked-of +descent upon their lost kingdom.</p> + +<p>If his thoughts turned constantly to Britain, many hearts in +that country were thinking of him with anxious prayers and hopes. +In England, in out-of-the-way manor-houses and parsonages, old-fashioned, +high-church squires and clergymen still secretly toasted +the exiled family. But in the fifty years that had passed since the +Revolution, men had got used to peace and the blessings of a settled +government. Jacobitism in England was a sentiment, hereditary in +certain Tory families; it was not a passion to stir the hearts of the +people and engage them in civil strife. It was very different with +the Scots. The Stuarts were, after all, their old race of kings; once +they were removed and unfortunate, their tyranny was forgotten, +and the old national feeling centred round them. The pride of the +people had suffered at the Union (1707); the old Scots nobility felt +that they had lost in importance; the people resented the enforcement +of new taxes. The Presbyterians of the trading classes were +Whigs; but the persecuted Episcopalians and Catholics, with the +mob of Edinburgh, were for 'the auld Stuarts back again.' This +feeling against the present Government and attachment to the exiled +family were especially strong among the fierce and faithful people of +the Highlands. Among families of distinction, like the Camerons +of Lochiel, the Oliphants of Gask, and many others, Jacobitism +formed part of the religion of gallant, simple-minded gentlemen and +of high-spirited, devoted women. In many a sheiling and farmhouse +old broadswords and muskets, well-hidden from the keen eye of the +Government soldiers, were carefully cherished against the brave day +when 'the king should have his own again.'</p> + +<p>In 1744 that day seemed to have dawned to which Charles had +all his life been looking forward. France, at war with England, +was preparing an invasion of that country, and was glad enough to +use the claims of the Stuarts for her own purposes. A fleet was +actually on the point of starting, and Charles, in the highest spirits, +was already on shipboard, but the English admiral was alert. A +storm worked havoc among the French ships, and it suited the +French Government to give up the expedition. Desperate with +disappointment, Charles proposed to his father's friend, the exiled +Lord Marischall, to sail for Scotland by himself in a herring-boat, +and was hurt and indignant when the old soldier refused to sanction +such an audacious plan.</p> + +<p>Charles had seen enough of hanging about foreign courts and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +depending on their wavoring policy; he was determined to strike a +blow for himself. In Paris he was surrounded by restless spirits +like his own; Scots and Irish officers in the French service, and +heart-broken exiles like old Tullibardine, eager for any chance that +would restore them to their own country. Even prudent men of +business lent themselves to Charles's plans. His bankers in Paris +advanced him 180,000 livres for the purchase of arms, and of two +Scottish merchants at Nantes, Walsh and Routledge, one undertook +to convey him to Scotland in a brig of eighteen guns, the 'Doutelle,' +while the other chartered a French man-of-war, the 'Elizabeth,' to +be the convoy, and to carry arms and ammunition. To provide +these Charles had pawned his jewels, jewels which 'on <i>this</i> side I +could only wear with a very sad heart,' he wrote to his father; for +the same purpose he would gladly have pawned his shirt. On June 22 +he started from the mouth of the Loire in all haste and secrecy, +only writing for his father's blessing and sanction when he knew +it would be too late for any attempt to be made to stop him. The +companions of his voyage were the old Marquis of Tullibardine, +who had been deprived of his dukedom of Athol in the '15; the +Prince's tutor and cousin, Sir Thomas Sheridan, a rather injudicious +Irishman; two other Irishmen in the French and Spanish services; +Kelly, a young English divine; and Æneas Macdonald, a banker in +Paris, and younger brother of the chieftain Macdonald of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Kinlock-moidart'">Kinloch Moidart</ins>, +a prudent young man, who saw himself involved in the +Prince's cause very much against his will and better judgment.</p> + + +<h3>II</h3> + +<h4>PRINCE CHARLIE'S LANDING</h4> + +<div class='unindent'><span class="smcap">England</span> and France being at war at this time, the Channel was +constantly swept by English men-of-war. The 'Doutelle' and her +convoy were hardly four days out before the 'Elizabeth' was attacked +by an English frigate, the 'Lion.' Knowing <i>who</i> it was he had on +board, Walsh, the prudent master of the 'Doutelle,' would by no +means consent to join in the fray, and sheered off to the north in +spite of the commands and remonstrances of the Prince. The unfortunate +'Elizabeth' was so much disabled that she had to return +to Brest, taking with her most of the arms and ammunition for the +expedition. At night the 'Doutelle' sailed without a light and kept +well out to sea, and so escaped further molestation. The first land<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +they sighted was the south end of the Long Island. Gazing with +eager eyes on the Promised Land, old Lord Tullibardine was +the first to notice a large Hebridean eagle which flew above the ship +as they approached. 'Sir,' he said, 'it is a good omen; the king of +birds has come to welcome your royal highness to Scotland.'</div> + +<p>Charles had need of all happy auguries, for on his arrival in +Scotland things did not seem very hopeful. With his usual rash +confidence he had very much exaggerated the eagerness of his +friends and supporters to welcome him in whatever guise he might +come. Never had fallen kings more faithful and unselfish friends +than had the exiled Stuarts in the Highland chiefs and Jacobite +lairds of Scotland, but even they were hardly prepared to risk life and +property with a certainty of failure and defeat. Let the Prince +appear with 5,000 French soldiers and French money and arms, and +they would gather round him with alacrity, but they were prudent +men and knew too well the strength of the existing Government to +think that they could overturn it unaided.</p> + +<p>The first man to tell the Prince this unwelcome truth was Macdonald +of Boisdale, to whom he sent a message as soon as he landed +in Uist. This Boisdale was brother of the old Clanranald, chief of +the loyal clan Macdonald of Clanranald. If these, his stoutest +friends, hesitated to join his expedition Charles should have felt that +his cause was desperate indeed. But his mind was made up with all +the daring of his five-and-twenty years, and all the ill-fated obstinacy +of his race. For hours he argued with the old Highlander as the +ship glided over the waters of the Minch. He enumerated the +friends he could count on, among them the two most powerful chiefs +of the North, Macdonald of Sleat, and the Macleod. 'They have +both declared for the existing Government,' was the sad reply. +Before taking leave of the Prince, Boisdale again urged his returning +'home.' 'I am come <i>home</i>,' replied Charles passionately, 'and +can entertain no notion of returning. I am persuaded that my faithful +Highlanders will stand by me.'</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 339px;"> +<img src="images/i285.png" width="339" height="500" alt="'I WILL, THOUGH NOT ANOTHER MAN IN THE HIGHLANDS SHOULD DRAW A SWORD'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'I WILL, THOUGH NOT ANOTHER MAN IN THE HIGHLANDS SHOULD DRAW A SWORD'</span> +</div> + +<p>On July 19 the 'Doutelle' cast anchor in Loch na-Nuagh, in the +country of the loyal Macdonalds. The first thing Charles did was +to send a letter to the young Clanranald to beg his immediate +presence. The next day four of the chief men of the clan waited on +Charles, Clanranald, Kinloch Moidart, Glenaladale, and another who +has left us a lively picture of the meeting. For three hours, in a +private interview, Clanranald tried in vain to dissuade the Prince. +Then Charles—still preserving his incognito—appeared among the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +assembled gentlemen on deck. 'At his first appearance I found my +heart swell to my very throat 'writes the honest gentleman who +narrates the story. His emotion was fully shared by a younger +brother of Kinloch Moidart's who stood on deck silent from youth +and modesty, but with his whole heart looking out of his eyes. His +brother and the other chiefs walked up and down the deck arguing +and remonstrating with Charles, proving the hopelessness of the +undertaking. As he listened to their talk the boy's colour came and +went, his hand involuntarily tightened on his sword. Charles +caught sight of the eager young face, and, turning suddenly towards +him cried, 'Will <i>you</i> not assist me?' 'I will, I will; though not +another man in the Highlands should draw a sword, I will die for +you.' Indeed, years after all had failed, young Clanranald prepared +a new rising, and had 9,000 stand of arms concealed in the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'aves'">caves</ins> of +Moidart.</p> + +<p>The boy's words were like flint to tinder. Before they left the +ship the hesitating chieftains had pledged themselves to risk property, +influence, freedom, and life itself in the Prince's cause. These +gallant Macdonalds were now willing to run all risks in receiving +the Prince even before a single other clan had declared for him. Old +Macdonald of Boisdale entertained Charles as an honoured guest in +his bare but hospitable Highland house. All the people of the +district crowded to see him as he sat at dinner. The young Prince +delighted all present by his geniality and the interest he showed in +everything Highland, and when he insisted on learning enough +Gaelic to propose the king's health in their native language, the +hearts of the simple and affectionate people were completely gained.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile young Clanranald had gone to Skye to try and persuade +Macleod and Sir Alexander Macdonald to join the Prince. +It was all in vain; these two powerful chiefs were too deeply committed +to the Government. Next to these two, the most influential +man in the Highlands was Cameron of Locheil. Indeed, such was +the respect felt by all his neighbours for his gentle and chivalrous +character, that there was no one whose example would carry such +weight. It was all-important to gain him to the cause. No one +saw more clearly than Locheil the hopelessness of the undertaking, +no one was more unwilling to lead his clansmen to what he knew +was certain destruction. He would see the Prince, he said, and +warn him of the danger and entreat him to return. 'Write to +him,' urged Locheil's brother, 'but do not see him. I know you +better than you know yourself. If this Prince once sets eyes on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +you he will make you do whatever he pleases.' It was but too true +a prophecy. When all argument had failed to move Locheil's +prudent resolution, Charles exclaimed passionately, 'In a few days, +with a few friends, I will raise the Royal Standard and proclaim +to the people of Britain that Charles Stuart is come over to claim +the crown of his ancestors, to win it or perish in the attempt. +Locheil, who, my father has often told me, was our firmest friend, +may stay at home and learn from the newspapers the fate of his +Prince.' It was more than the proud, warm heart of the chief +could stand. 'No,' he cried with emotion, 'I will share the fate +of my Prince, and so shall every man over whom nature and fortune +has given me any power.'</p> + +<p>Even before the Royal Standard was raised an unexpected +success crowned the rebel arms. The Government had troops +stationed both at Fort Augustus and Fort William. The latter +being in the heart of the disaffected district, the commanding officer +at Fort Augustus despatched two companies of newly-raised men to +its assistance. This body, under a Captain Scott, was approaching +the narrow bridge which crossed the Spean some seven miles from +Fort William; all at once a body of Highlanders appeared, occupying +the bridge and barring further passage. Had the troops plucked +up courage enough to advance they would have found only some +dozen Macdonalds; but the wild sound of the pipes, the yells of the +Highlanders, and their constant movement which gave the effect +of a large body, struck terror into the hearts of the recruits; they +wavered and fell back, and their officer, though himself a brave +man, had to order a retreat. But the sound of firing had attracted +other bodies of Macdonalds and Camerons in the neighbourhood. +All at once the steep, rough hillside seemed alive with armed +Highlanders; from rock and bush they sprung up, startling the +echoes by their wild shouts. In vain the disordered troops hurried +along the road and rushed across the isthmus to the further side of +the lakes; there a new party of Macdonalds, led by Keppoch, met +them in front, and the whole body surrendered with hardly a blow +struck. They were carried prisoners to Locheil's house, Achnacarry. +In default of medical aid, the wounded captain was sent to Fort +William, in that spirit of generous courtesy which characterised all +Charles's behaviour to his defeated enemies.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 341px;"> +<img src="images/i288.png" width="341" height="400" alt="'Go, sir, to your general; tell him what you have seen. . . .'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Go, sir, to your general; tell him what you have seen. . . .'</span> +</div> + +<p>On August 19 the Royal Standard was raised at Glenfinnan, a +deep rocky valley between Loch Eil and Loch Sheil, where the +Prince's monument now stands. Charles, with a small body of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +Macdonalds, was the first to arrive, early in the morning. He and +his men rowed up the long narrow Loch Sheil. The valley was +solitary—not a far-off bagpipe broke the silence, not a figure appeared +against the skyline of the hills. With sickening anxiety the small +party waited, while the minutes dragged out their weary length. At +last, when suspense was strained to the utmost, about two in the +afternoon, a sound of pipes was heard, and a body of Camerons +under Lochiel appeared over the hill, bringing with them the +prisoners made at the Bridge of Spean. Others followed: Stewarts +of Appin, Macdonalds of Glencoe and Keppoch, till at least 1,500 +were present. Then the honoured veteran of the party, old Tullibardine,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +advanced in solemn silence and unfurled the royal banner, +with the motto <i>Tandem Triumphans</i>. As its folds of white, blue, +and red silk blew out on the hill breeze, huzzas rent the air, and +the sky was darkened by the bonnets that were flung up. An +English officer, a prisoner taken at Spean, stood by, an unwilling +spectator of the scene. 'Go, sir,' cried the Prince in exultation, +'go to your general; tell him what you have seen, and say that I +am coming to give him battle.'</p> + + +<h3>III</h3> + +<h4>THE MARCH SOUTH</h4> + +<div class='unindent'><span class="smcap">For</span> a full month Prince Charles had been in Scotland. During +that time a body of men, amounting to a small army, had collected +round him; his manifestoes had been scattered all over the country +(some were even printed in Edinburgh), and yet the Government +had taken no steps to oppose him. News travelled slowly from the +Highlands; it was August 9 before any <i>certain</i> account of the +Prince's landing was received in Edinburgh. One bad fruit of the +Union was that Scotch questions had to be settled in London, and +London was three days further away. Moreover, at that greater +distance, men had more difficulty in realising the gravity of the +situation. Conflicting rumours distracted the authorities in Edinburgh; +now it was declared that the Prince had landed with 10,000 +French soldiers, at another time men ridiculed the idea of his getting +a single man to rise for him. Those who knew the country best +took the matter most seriously. The question of defence was not +an easy one. At that time almost all the available British troops +were in Flanders, fighting the French; the soldiers that were left +in Scotland were either old veterans, fit only for garrison duty, +newly raised companies whose mettle was untried, or local militias +which were not to be trusted in all cases. If the great lords who +had raised and who commanded them chose to declare for the +Stuarts, they would carry their men with them.</div> + +<p>The commander-in-chief, Sir John Cope, was not the man to +meet so sudden and so peculiar a crisis. He had nothing of a real +general's love of responsibility and power of decision. To escape +blame and to conduct a campaign according to the laws of war was +all the old campaigner cared for. When it was decided that he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> +to march with all the available forces in Scotland into the Highlands +he willingly obeyed, little guessing what a campaign in the Highlands +meant. Almost at once it was found that it would be impossible +to provide food for horses as well as men. So the dragoons +under Colonel Gardiner were left at Stirling. We shall hear of +them again. But his 1,500 infantry were weighted heavily enough; +a small herd of black cattle followed the army to provide them with +food, and more than 100 horses carried bread and biscuit. Confident +that the loyal clans would come in hundreds to join his standard, +Cope carried 700 stand of arms. By the time he reached Crieff, +however, not a single volunteer had come in, and the stand of +arms was sent back. Cope followed one of the great military roads +which led straight to Fort Augustus, and had been made thirty years +before by General Wade. Now across that road, some ten miles short +of the fort, lies a high precipitous hill, called Corryarack. Up this +mountain wall the road is carried in seventeen sharp zigzags; so +steep is it that the country people call it the 'Devil's Staircase.' +Any army holding the top of the pass would have an ascending +enemy at its mercy, let alone an army of Highlanders, accustomed +to skulk behind rock and shrub, and skilled to rush down the most +rugged hillsides with the swiftness and surefootedness of deer.</p> + +<p>While still some miles distant, Cope learned that the Highlanders +were already in possession of Corryarack. The rumour +was premature, but it thoroughly alarmed the English general. +He dared not attempt the ascent; to return south was against his +orders. A council of war, hastily summoned, gave him the advice +he wished for, and on the 28th the army had turned aside and was +in full retreat on Inverness.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the Prince's army was pressing forward to meet +Cope. The swiftest-footed soldiers that ever took the field, the +Highlanders were also the least heavily-weighted. A bag of oatmeal +on his back supplied each man's need, Charles himself burned +his baggage and marched at the head of his men as light of foot +and as stout of heart as the best of them. On the morning of the +27th they were to ascend Corryarack. The Prince was in the +highest spirits. As he laced his Highland brogues he cried, 'Before +I take these off I shall have fought with Mr. Cope!' Breathless +the Highland army reached the top of the hill; they had gained +<i>that</i> point of vantage. Eagerly they looked down the zigzags +on the further side; to their amazement not a man was to be seen, +their road lay open before them! When they learned from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +deserters the course Cope's army had taken, they were as much disappointed +as triumphant.</p> + +<p>A body of Highlanders was despatched to try and take the +barracks at Ruthven, where twelve soldiers, under a certain Sergeant +Molloy, held the fort for the Government. This man showed a +spirit very different from that of his superior officer's. This is his +own straightforward account of the attack and repulse:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'Noble General,—They summoned me to surrender, but I told +him I was too old a soldier to part with so strong a place without +bloody noses. They offered me honourable terms of marching out +bag and baggage, which I refused. They threatened to hang me +and my party. I said I would take my chance. They set fire to +the sally-port which I extinguished; and failing therein, went off +asking leave to take their dead man, which I granted.'</p></div> + +<p>Honour to Molloy, whatever the colour of his cockade!</p> + +<p>Though unsuccessful at Ruthven, some members of this party, +before rejoining the Prince's army at Dalwhinnie, made an important +capture. Macpherson of Cluny was one of the most distinguished +chiefs in the Highlands, ruling his clan with a firm hand, and +repressing all thieving amongst them. As captain of an independent +company, he held King George's commission; his honour kept him +faithful to the Government, but his whole heart was on the other +side. He was taken prisoner in his own house by a party 'hardly big +enough to take a cow,' and once a prisoner in the Highland army, it +was no difficult task to persuade him to take service with the Prince.</p> + +<p>The army now descended into the district of Athol. With +curious emotion old Tullibardine approached his own house of +Blair from which he had been banished thirty years before. The +brother who held his titles and properties fled before the Highland +army, and the noble old exile had the joy of entertaining his Prince +in his own halls. The Perthshire lairds were almost all Jacobites. +Here at Blair, and later at Perth, gentlemen and their following +flocked to join the Prince.</p> + +<p>One of the most important of these was Tullibardine's brother, +Lord George Murray, an old soldier who had been 'out in the '15.' +He had real genius for generalship, and moreover understood the +Highlanders and their peculiar mode of warfare. He was no +courtier, and unfortunately his blunt, hot-tempered, plain speaking +sometimes ruffled the Prince, too much accustomed to the complacency +of his Irish followers. But all that was to come later.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +On the march south there were no signs of divided counsels. The +command of the army was gladly confided to Lord George.</p> + +<p>Another important adherent who joined at this time was the +Duke of Perth, a far less able man than Lord George, but endeared +to all his friends by his gentleness and courage and modesty. +Brought up in France by a Catholic mother, he was an ardent +Jacobite, and the first man to be suspected by the authorities. As +soon as the news spread that the Prince had landed in the West, the +Government sent an officer to arrest the young duke. There was a +peculiar treachery in the way this was attempted. The officer, a +Mr. Campbell of Inverawe, invited himself to dinner at Drummond +Castle, and, after being hospitably entertained, produced his warrant. +The duke retained his presence of mind, appeared to acquiesce, and, +with habitual courtesy, bowed his guest first out of the room; then +suddenly shut the door, turned the key and made his escape through +an ante-room, a backstairs, and a window, out into the grounds. +Creeping from tree to tree he made his way to a paddock where he +found a horse, without a saddle but with a halter. He mounted, +and the animal galloped off. In this fashion he reached the house +of a friend, where he lay hid till the time he joined the Prince.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 198px;"> +<img src="images/i293.png" width="198" height="450" alt="Escape of the Duke of Perth" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Escape of the Duke of Perth</span> +</div> + +<p>No Jacobite family had a nobler record of services rendered to +the Stuarts than the Oliphants of Gask. The laird had been 'out +in the '15,' and had suffered accordingly, but he did not hesitate a +moment to run the same risks in the '45. He brought with him +to Blair his high-spirited boy, young Lawrence, who records his +loyal enthusiasm in a journal full of fine feeling and bad spelling! +Indeed, one may say that bad spelling was, like the 'white rose,' a +badge of the Jacobite party. Mistress Margaret Oliphant, who with +her mother and sisters donned the white cockade and waited +on their beloved Prince at her aunt's, Lady Nairne's, house, also +kept a journal wherein she regrets in ill-spelt, fervent words that +being 'only a woman' she cannot carry the Prince's banner. This +amiable and honourable family were much loved among their own +people. 'Oliphant is king to us' was a by-word among retainers +who had lived on their land for generations. But at this crisis +the shrewd, prosperous Perthshire farmers refused to follow their +landlord on such a desperate expedition. Deeply mortified and +indignant, the generous, hot-tempered old laird forbade his tenants +to gather in the harvest which that year was early and abundant. +As Charles rode through the Gask fields he noticed the corn hanging +over-ripe and asked the cause. As soon as he was told, he jumped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +from his horse, cut a few blades with his sword and, in his gracious +princely way, exclaimed 'There, <i>I</i> have broken the inhibition! Now +every man may gather +in his own.' It was acts +like this that gained the +hearts of gentle and +simple alike, and explain +that passionate affection +for Charles that remained +with many to the end of +their days as part of their +religion. The strength +of this feeling still +touches our hearts in +many a Jacobite song. +'I pu'ed my bonnet ower +my eyne, For weel I +loued Prince Charlie,' +and the yearning refrain, +'Better loued ye canna +be, Wull ye no come back +again?' On the 3rd +Charles entered Perth, at +the head of a body of +troops, in a handsome +suit of tartan, but with +his last guinea in his +pocket! However, requisitions +levied on Perth +and the neighbouring +towns did much to supply +his exchequer, and it +was with an army increased +in numbers and +importance, as well as +far better organised—thanks +to Lord G. Murray—that +Charles a week +later continued his route +to Edinburgh. Having +no artillery the Highland army avoided Stirling, crossed the Forth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +at the Fords of Frew entirely unopposed, and marched to Linlithgow, +where they expected to fight with Gardiner's dragoons. +That body however did not await their arrival, but withdrew to +Corstorphine, a village two miles from Edinburgh.</p> + +<p>The next halt of the Prince's army was at Kirkliston. In the +neighbourhood lay the house of New Liston, the seat of Lord Stair, +whose father was so deeply and disgracefully implicated in the +massacre of Glencoe. It was remembered that a grandson of the +murdered Macdonald was in the army with the men of his clan. +Fearing that they would seize this opportunity of avenging their cruel +wrong, the general proposed placing a guard round the house. Macdonald +hearing this proposal, went at once to the Prince. 'It is right,' +he said, 'that a guard should be placed round the house of New +Liston, but that guard must be furnished by the Macdonalds of +Glencoe. If they are not thought worthy of this trust they are +not fit to bear arms in your Royal Highness' cause, and I must +withdraw them from your standard.' The passion for revenge +may be strong in the heart of the Highlander, but the love of +honour and the sense of loyalty are stronger still. The Macdonalds, +as we shall see, carried their habit of taking their own way to a +fatal extent.</p> + + +<h3>IV</h3> + +<h4>EDINBURGH</h4> + +<div class='unindent'><span class="smcap">Meanwhile</span> nothing could exceed the panic that had taken possession +of the town of Edinburgh. The question of the hour was, +could the city be defended <i>at all</i>, and if so, could it, in case of siege, +hold out till Cope might be expected with his troops? That dilatory +general, finding nothing to do in the North, was returning to +Edinburgh by sea, and might be looked for any day. There could +be no question of the strength of the Castle. It was armed and +garrisoned, and no army without large guns need attempt to attack +it. But with the town it was different. The old town of Edinburgh, +as everybody knows, is built along the narrow ridge of a hill +running from the hollow of Holyrood, in constant ascent, up to the +Castle rock. On each side narrow wynds and lanes descend down +steep slopes, on the south side to the Grassmarket and the Cowgate, +on the north—at the time of which we write—the sides of the city +sloped down to a lake called the Norloch, a strong position, had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +the city been properly fortified. More than two hundred years +before, in the desolate and anxious days that followed Flodden, the +magistrates of the city, hourly expecting to be invaded, had hastily +built a high wall round the whole city as it then was. For the time +the defence was sufficient. But the wall had been built without +reference to artillery, it had neither towers nor embrasures for +mounting cannons. It was simply a very high, solid, park wall, as +may be seen to this day by the curious who care to visit the last +remnants of it, in an out-of-the-way corner near the Grassmarket.</div> + +<p>If the material defences were weak, the human defenders were +weaker still. The regular soldiers were needed for the Castle; +Hamilton's dragoons, stationed at Leith, were of no use in the +defence of a city, the town guard was merely a body of rather inefficient +policemen, the trained bands mere ornamental volunteers +who shut their eyes if they had to let off a firearm in honour of the +king's birthday. As soon as it seemed certain that the Highland +army was approaching Edinburgh, preparations, frantic but spasmodic, +were made to put the city in a state of defence.</p> + +<p>The patriotic and spirited Maclaurin, professor of mathematics, +alone and unaided, tried to mount cannons on the wall, but not +with much success. The city determined to raise a regiment of +volunteers; funds were not lacking; it was more difficult to find +the men. Even when companies were formed, their ardour was +not very great. Rumour and ignorance had exaggerated the +numbers and fierceness of the Highland army; quiet citizens, drawn +from desk or shop, might well shrink from encountering them in +the field. Parties were divided in the town; the Prince had many +secret friends among the citizens. In back parlours of taverns +'douce writers,' and advocates of Jacobite sympathies, discussed +the situation with secret triumph; in many a panelled parlour high +up in those wonderful old closes, spirited old Jacobite ladies recalled +the adventures of the '15, and bright-eyed young ones busied themselves +making knots of white satin. 'One-third of the men are +Jacobite,' writes a Whig citizen, 'and two-thirds of the ladies.'</p> + +<p>On Saturday, 14th, the news reached Edinburgh that the Prince +had arrived at Linlithgow, and that Gardiner had retired on Corstorphine, +a village two miles from Edinburgh. Consternation was +general; advice was sought from the law officers of the Crown, and +it was found that they had all retired to Dunbar. The Provost was +not above suspicion. His surname was Stuart; no Scotsman +could believe that he really meant to oppose the chief of his name.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 328px;"> +<img src="images/i296.png" width="328" height="400" alt="'In many a panelled parlour'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'In many a panelled parlour'</span> +</div> + +<p>On Sunday, as the townsfolk were at church about eleven o'clock, +the firebell rang out its note of alarm, scattering the congregation +into the streets. It was the signal for the mustering of the +volunteers. The officer in command at the Castle was sending the +dragoons from Leith to reinforce Gardiner at Corstorphine, and the +volunteers were ordered to accompany them. They were standing +in rank in the High Street, when the dragoons rattled up the +Canongate at a hard trot; as they passed they saluted their +brothers in arms with drawn swords and loud huzzas, then swept +down the West Bow and out at the West Port. For a moment<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +military ardour seized the volunteers, but the lamentations and +tears of their wives and children soon softened their mood again. +A group of Jacobite ladies in a balcony mocked and derided the +civic warriors, but had finally to close their windows to prevent +stones being hurled at them.</p> + +<p>One of the volunteer companies was composed of University +students. Among them was, doubtless, more than one stout young +heart, eager for fame and fighting, but most were more at home +with their books than their broadswords. 'Oh, Mr. Hew, Mr. +Hew,' whispered one youth to his comrade, 'does not this remind +you of the passage in Livy where the Gens of the Fabii marched +out of the city, and the matrons and maids of Rome were weeping +and wringing their hands?' 'Hold your tongue,' said Mr. Hew, +affecting a braver spirit, 'you'll discourage the men.' 'Recollect +the end, Mr. Hew,' persisted his trembling comrade; '<i>they all +perished to a man!</i>' This was not destined to be the fate of the +Edinburgh volunteers. On the march down the West Bow, one by +one they stole off, up the narrow wynds and doorways, till by the +time they reached the West Port, only the student corps remained, +and even its ranks were sadly thinned. The remnant were easily +persuaded that their lives were too precious to their country to be +rashly thrown away, and quietly marched back to the college +yards.</p> + +<p>There was no alarm that night. At one o'clock the Provost, accompanied +by a few of the city guard, carrying a lantern before +him, visited the outposts and found all at their places. In the +narrow streets of Edinburgh the people were accustomed to transact +all their business out of doors. Next morning (Monday, 16th), +the streets were already crowded at an early hour with an anxious, +vociferous crowd. At 10 o'clock a man arrived with a message +from the Prince, which he incautiously proclaimed in the street. +If the town would surrender it should be favourably treated; if it +resisted it must expect to be dealt with according to the usages of +war. Greatly alarmed, the people clamoured for a meeting, but the +Provost refused; he trusted to the dragoons to defend the city. A +little after noon, the citizens looking across from the Castle and the +northern windows of their houses, saw the dragoons in retreat from +Coltbridge As they watched the moving figures, the pace +quickened and became a regular flight; by the time the dragoons +were opposite the city on the other side of the Norloch, they were +running like hares. They made at first for their barracks at Leith,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +but the distance still seemed too short between them and the +terrifying Highlanders; they never drew rein till they had reached +Prestonpans, nor did they rest there longer than an hour or two, +but galloped on, and were at Dunbar before nightfall. And yet +they had not exchanged a blow with their foes! At the first sight +of a reconnoitring party of horsemen, panic had seized them and +they had fled. This was the celebrated 'Canter of Coltbridge.'</p> + +<p>The effect on the city was disturbing in the extreme. A +tumultuous meeting was held in the council chamber, the +volunteers were drawn up in the streets. As they stood uncertain +what to do a man on horseback—it was never known who he was—galloped +up the Bow, and as he passed along the ranks, shouted +'The Highlanders are coming, sixteen thousand strong.'</p> + +<p>It was too much for the volunteers, they marched up to the +Castle and gave in their arms! Meanwhile, a packet was handed +into the council chamber signed C. P., and offering the same terms +as in the morning, only adding that the town must open its gates +by two o'clock next morning. The cry was unanimous to +surrender, but to gain time deputies were sent to the Prince at +Gray's Mill, two miles from Edinburgh, to ask for further delay. +Hardly had the deputies gone when, in through the opposite gate +galloped a messenger from Dunbar, to say that Cope had landed +there with his troops. Opinion now swung round the other way, +and men's courage rose to the point of <i>speaking</i> about resistance. +The deputies returned at ten at night; Charles, they said, was inexorable +and stuck to his conditions. To cause a delay, a new set +of deputies were sent forth at a very late hour, and went out by the +West Bow <i>in a hackney coach</i>.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i299.png" width="400" height="302" alt="'Och no! she be relieved'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Och no! she be relieved'</span> +</div> + +<p>To gain time, and then steal another march on Cope, was even +more important to the Prince than to his enemies. There were +weak points in the wall that might be attacked. The chief gate of +the city, the Netherbow, lay midway up the High Street, dividing +the real borough of Edinburgh from the Canongate; on each side +of this gate the wall descended sharply down hill, running along +Leith Wynd on the north side and St. Mary's Wynd on the south. +The houses of the latter—Edinburgh houses numbering their ten or +twelve stories—were actually built on to the wall. By entering +one of these, active and determined men might clear the wall by a +fire of musketry from the upper windows, and then make an +escalade. Another weak point was at the foot of Leith Wynd, where +the wall met the Norloch. About midnight Locheil and five<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +hundred of his men started to make a night attack. They were +guided by Mr. Murray of Broughton (the Prince's secretary, afterwards +a traitor), who had been a student in Edinburgh and knew +the town well. To avoid chance shots from the guns of the Castle, +they made a wide circle round the town, but so still was the night +that across the city they could hear the watches called in the distant +fortress. Swift and silent as Red Indians, the Highlanders marched +in the shadow cast by the high, dark houses of the suburbs without +arousing the sleeping inmates. They could see cannons on the walls, +but no sentinels were visible. They determined to try fraud before +resorting to force. Twenty Camerons placed themselves in hiding +on each side of the gate, sixty stood in the dark recess of the +Wynd, the rest were at the bottom of the slope. One of the +number, disguised as the servant of an English officer of dragoons, +knocked loudly at the gate, demanding admission. The watch +refused to open and threatened to fire. So this stratagem was not +successful. Already the dawn was beginning to break, and a +council was held among the leaders of the band in low hurried +whispers. They were deliberating whether they should not retreat,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +when all at once a heavy rumbling noise from within the city broke +the silence of the night. The hackney coach before mentioned had +deposited its load of deputies at the council chamber and was +returning to its stable-yard in the Canongate. A word to the +watchmen within and the gates swung on their heavy hinges. In +rushed the body of Camerons, secured the bewildered watchmen, +and in a few minutes had seized the city guard-house and disarmed +the soldiers. Then they struck up the wild pibroch 'We'll awa' to +Sheriffmuir to haud the Whigs in order,' and startled citizens +rushing to their windows saw in the dim twilight the streets filled +with plaids and bonnets. The conquerors visited all the outposts +as quietly as if they were troops relieving guard. A citizen strolling +along by the wall early next morning found a Highland soldier +astride on one of the cannons, 'Surely you are not the same +soldiers who were here yesterday?' 'Och no!' was the answer +with a grave twinkle, 'she be relieved.'</p> + +<p>At noon Prince Charles rode to Holyrood by way of Arthur's +Seat and Salisbury Crags. He was on foot as he approached the +ancient home of his race, but the large and enthusiastic crowd +which came out to meet him pressed so closely upon him in their +eagerness to kiss his hand, that he had to mount a horse, and rode +the last half mile between the Duke of Perth and Lord Elcho. A +gallant young figure he must have appeared at that moment—tall +and straight and fresh-coloured, in a tartan coat and blue bonnet, +with the cross of St. Andrew on his breast. As he was about to +enter the old palace of Holyrood, out of the crowd stepped the +noble and venerable figure of Mr. Hepburn of Keith. He drew his +sword, and, holding it aloft, with grave enthusiasm marshalled the +Prince up the stairs. It was surely a good omen; no man in Scotland +bore a higher character for learning, goodness, and patriotism +than Mr. Hepburn; he was hardly less respected by the Whigs than +the Jacobites.</p> + +<p>That same afternoon, at the old Cross in the High Street, with +pomp of heralds and men-at-arms, James VIII. was proclaimed +king, and his son's commission as regent was read aloud to the +listening crowd. Loud huzzas almost drowned the wild music of +the bagpipes, the Highlanders in triumph let off their pieces in the +air, and from every window in the high houses on each side ladies +fluttered their white handkerchiefs. Beside the Cross, beautiful +Mrs. Murray of Broughton sat on horseback, a drawn sword in one +hand, while with the other she distributed white cockades to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +crowd. Even grave Whig statesmen like the Lord President +Forbes were disturbed by the enthusiastic Jacobitism that possessed +all the Scotch ladies. More than one followed the example of the +high-spirited Miss Lumsden, who let her lover clearly understand +that she would have nothing more to say to him unless he took up +arms for the Prince, and doubtless more young gallants than Robert +Strange joined the rebels for no better reason than their ladies' +command.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> +<img src="images/i301.png" width="350" height="294" alt="Mrs. Murray of Broughton distributes cockades to the crowd" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Murray of Broughton distributes cockades to the crowd</span> +</div> + +<p>A ball was given at Holyrood that same evening, and surrounded +by all that was bravest and most beautiful and brilliant in Scottish +society, it was no wonder that Charles felt that this was but the +beginning of a larger and more complete triumph.</p> + + +<h3>V</h3> + +<h4>PRESTONPANS</h4> + +<div class='cap'><span class="smcap">In</span> less than a month Prince Charles had marched through a kingdom, +and gained a capital, but he felt his triumph insecure till he +had met his enemies in fair fight. Nor were his followers less +eager for battle. In a council of war held at Holyrood, Charles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +declared his intention of leading the army against Cope, and of +charging in person at its head. <i>That</i>, however, the chiefs would +not hear of; the Prince's life was all-important to their cause, and +must not be rashly exposed to danger. The arms that the Edinburgh +trained bands had used to so little purpose—about a thousand +muskets—had fallen into the hands of their enemies; but even with +this addition, the Highland soldiers were insufficiently accoutred. +The gentlemen, who marched in the front ranks, were, it is true, +completely armed with broadsword, musket, pistol, and dirk, but +in the rank and file many an unkempt, half-clothed, ill-fed cateran +carried merely a bill-hook or scytheblade fixed into a long pole. +It was the swiftness and splendid daring of their onset that made +these ill-armed, untrained clansmen the equals or more than the +equals of the regular army that opposed them.</div> + +<p>In the meantime Cope, with his army of 2,000 foot, reinforced +by the fugitive dragoons, some 600 men under Gardiner, were +marching from Dunbar. Gardiner, as brave a soldier as he was a +good and devout Christian, was full of foreboding. The 'canter of +Coltbridge' had broken his heart; a 'most foul flight,' he called it, +and added, to a friend who tried to comfort him, that there were not +ten men in his troop whom he could trust not to run away at the +first fire. No such misgiving seems to have disturbed Sir John +Cope. On Friday the 20th the Hanoverian army reached Prestonpans, +and formed its ranks on a plain between the sea on the +north and the ridge of Carberry Hill on the south. The road from +Edinburgh to Haddington passed through this plain, and the simple +old general argued that the advancing army would be sure to take +the easiest road. Fortunately Lord George Murray knew better +where the peculiar strength of the Highlanders lay.</p> + +<p>Early on Friday morning the Prince's army broke up from their +camp at Duddingstone. Charles himself was the first man on the +field. As the troops began their march, he drew his sword and +cried: 'Gentlemen, I have thrown away the scabbard;' high-spirited +words which found an echo in the hearts of all the brave men +present.</p> + +<p>The army marched in column, three abreast, the various clans +holding together under their own chiefs. Two miles short of +Prestonpans Lord George learned the position of Cope's army, and +at once led his light-footed soldiers up the slopes that commanded +the plain. The English general was hourly expecting to see his +enemies approach from the west by the road, and he was fully prepared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +to meet them at that point. At two in the afternoon, to his +amazement, they suddenly appeared from the south, marching over +the ridge of the hill.</p> + +<p>The Hanoverian soldiers had enough spirit to receive them +with cheers, to which the Highlanders responded by wild yells. +They longed ardently to sweep down the slope and give instant +battle, but the nature of the ground made this impossible even +to a Highland army. Intersecting the hillside were high stone +walls, which would have to be scaled under a hot fire from below, +and at the bottom was a swamp, a wide ditch, and a high hedge. A +certain gentleman in the Prince's army—Mr. Ker of Gordon—rode +over the ground on his pony to examine its possibilities. He went +to work as coolly as if he were on the hunting-field, making breaches +in the wall and leading his pony through, in spite of a dropping fire +from the Hanoverians. He reported that to charge over such +ground was impossible. The Highlanders were bitterly disappointed; +their one fear was that Cope should again slip away under cover of +darkness. To prevent this Lord Nairne and 600 Perthshire men +were sent to guard the road to Edinburgh. Seeing that nothing +more could be done that night, both armies settled down to rest; +General Cope lay in comfort at Cockenzie, Prince Charles on the +field; a bundle of peastraw served for his pillow; a long white +cloak thrown over his plaid for a covering.</p> + +<p>Among the volunteers who had recently joined the Prince was +an East Lothian laird called Anderson. He had often shot over the +fields about Prestonpans. During the night he suddenly remembered +a path which led from the heights, down through the morass +on to the plain, slightly to the east of Cope's army. He sought out +Lord George and told him of this path, and he, struck with the +possibility of making immediate use of the information, took him +without delay to the Prince. Charles was alert on the instant, +entered into the plan proposed, and the next moment the word of +command was passed along the sleeping lines. A few moments +later the whole army was moving along the ridge in the dim starlight. +But here a difficulty occurred. At Bannockburn, and in all +great battles afterwards, except Killiekrankie, the Macdonalds had +held the place of honour on the right wing of the army. They +claimed that position now with haughty tenacity. The other clans, +equally brave and equally proud, disputed the claim. It was decided +to draw lots to settle the question. Lots were drawn, and the place +of honour fell to the Camerons and Stewarts. An ominous cloud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +gathered on the brows of the Macdonald chiefs, but Locheil, as +sagacious as he was courteous, induced the other chiefs to waive +their right, and, well content, the clan Macdonald marched on in +the van.</p> + +<p>Up on the hill the sky was clear, but a thick white mist covered +the plain. Under cover of this the Highlanders passed the morass +in the one fordable place. In the darkness the Prince missed a +stepping-stone and slipped into the bog, but recovered so quickly +that no one had time to draw a bad omen from the accident. A +Hanoverian dragoon, standing sentinel near this point, heard the +march of the soldiers while they were still invisible in the dusk, and +galloped off to give the alarm, but not before the Highland army +was free from the swamp and had formed in two lines on the plain. +Macdonalds and Camerons and Stewarts were in the first line; +behind, at a distance of fifty yards, the Perthshiremen and other +regiments led by Charles himself.</p> + +<p>Learning that the enemy was now approaching from the east +side of the plain, Cope drew up his men to face their approach. In +the centre was the infantry—the steadiest body in his army—on +his left, near the sea and opposite the Macdonalds, Hamilton's +dragoons, on the right, the other dragoons under Gardiner, and in +front of these the battery of six cannon. This should have been a +formidable weapon against the Highlanders, who, unfamiliar with +artillery, had an almost superstitious fear of the big guns, but they +were merely manned by half-a-dozen feeble old sailors. There was a +brief pause as the two armies stood opposite each other in the sea +of mist. The Highlanders muttered a short prayer, drew their +bonnets down on their eyes, and moved forward at a smart pace. +At that moment a wind rose from the sea and rolled away the +curtain of mist from between the two armies. In front of them +the Highlanders saw their enemy drawn up like a hedge of steel. +With wild yells they came on, their march quickening to a run, +each clan charging in a close compact body headed by its own chief. +Even while they rushed on, as resistless as a torrent, each man +fired his musket deliberately and with deadly aim, then flung it +away and swept on, brandishing his broadsword. A body of +Stewarts and Camerons actually stormed the battery, rushing +straight on the muzzles of the guns. The old men who had them +in charge had fled at the first sight of the Highlanders; even the +brave Colonel Whiteford, who alone and unassisted stood to his +guns, had to yield to their furious onset. Gardiner's dragoons<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> +standing behind the battery were next seized by the panic; they +made one miserable attempt to advance, halted, and then wheeling +round, dashed wildly in every direction. Nor could Hamilton's +dragoons on the other wing stand the heavy rolling fire of the +advancing Macdonalds. Mad with terror, man and horse fled in +blind confusion, some backwards, confounding their own ranks, +some along the shore, some actually through the ranks of the +enemy.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i305.png" width="400" height="343" alt="James More wounded at Prestonpans" title="" /> +<span class="caption">James More wounded at Prestonpans</span> +</div> + +<p>Only the infantry in the centre stood firm and received the onset +of the Highlanders with a steady fire. A small band of Macgregors, +armed only with scytheblades, charged against this hedge of +musketry. This curious weapon was invented by James More, a +son of Rob Roy Macgregor. He was the leader of this party, and +fell, pierced by five bullets. With undaunted courage he raised +himself on his elbow, and shouted, 'Look ye, my lads, I'm not dead; +by Heaven I shall see if any of you does not do his duty.' In<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> +that wild charge, none of the clansmen failed to 'do his duty.' +Heedless of the rain of bullets, they rushed to close quarters with +the Hanoverian infantry, who, deserted by the dragoons, were now +attacked on both sides as well as in front. A few stood firm, and +the gallant Colonel Gardiner put himself at their head. A blow +from a scytheblade in the hands of a gigantic Macgregor ended his +life, and spared him the shame and sorrow of another defeat. The +Park walls at their back prevented the infantry from seeking ignoble +security in flight, after the fashion of the dragoons, and they +were forced to lay down their weapons and beg for quarter. Some +400 of them fell, struck down by the broadswords and dirks of their +enemy, more than 700 were taken prisoners, and only a few +hundreds escaped.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 351px;"> +<img src="images/i307.png" width="351" height="500" alt="'HE GALLOPED UP THE STREETS OF EDINBURGH SHOUTING, "VICTORY! VICTORY!"'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'HE GALLOPED UP THE STREETS OF EDINBURGH SHOUTING, "VICTORY! VICTORY!"'</span> +</div> + +<p>The battle was won in less than five minutes. Charles himself +commanded the second column, which was only fifty yards behind +the first, but, by the time he arrived on the scene of action, there +was nothing left to be done. Nothing, that is, in securing the +victory, but Charles at once occupied himself in stopping the carnage +and protecting the wounded and prisoners. 'Sir,' cried one of his +staff, riding up to him, 'there are your enemies at your feet.' 'They +are my father's subjects,' answered Charles sadly, turning away.</p> + +<p>In vain did Sir John Cope and the Earl of Home try to rally +the dragoons. Holding pistols to the men's heads, they succeeded +in collecting a body in a field near Clement's Wells, and tried to +form a squadron; but the sound of a pistol-shot renewed the panic +and off they started again at the gallop. There was nothing for it +but for the officers to put themselves at the head of as many fugitives +as they could collect, and conduct the flight. Hardly did they +draw rein till they were safe at Berwick. There the unfortunate +general was received by Lord Mark Ker with the well-known sarcasm—'Sir, +I believe you are the first general in Europe who has +brought the first news of his own defeat.'<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a></p> + +<p>In the meantime, the wounded they had left on the field were +being kindly cared for by the victorious army. Charles despatched +a messenger to bring medical aid—an errand not without danger +to a single horseman on roads covered with straggling bodies of +dragoons. But the adventure just suited the gallant spirit of young +Lawrence Oliphant. At Tranent the sight of him and his servant +at their heels sent off a body of dragoons at the gallop. Single +fugitives he disarmed and dismounted, sending the horses back to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +the Prince by the hands of country lads. Once he had to discharge +his pistol after a servant and pony, but for the most part the terrified +soldiers yielded at a word.</p> + +<p>Entering the Netherbow, he galloped up the streets of Edinburgh +shouting, 'Victory! victory!' From every window in the High +Street and Luckenbows white caps looked out, while the streets were +crowded with eager citizens, and joyful hurrahs were heard on every +side. At Lucky Wilson's, in the Lawn Market, the young gentleman +alighted, called for breakfast, and sent for the magistrates +to deliver his orders that the gates were to be closed against any +fugitive dragoons. Hat in hand, the magistrates waited on the +Prince's aide-de-camp, but at that moment the cry arose that +dragoons and soldiers were coming up the street. Up jumps Mr. +Oliphant and out into the street, faces eight or nine dragoons, and +commands them to dismount in the Prince's name. This the +craven Hanoverians were quite prepared to do. Only one presented +his piece at the young officer. Mr. Oliphant snapped his pistol at +him, forgetting that it was empty. Immediately half a dozen shots +were fired at him, but so wildly that none did him any harm beyond +shattering his buckle, and he retreated hastily up one of the dark +steep lanes that led into a close.</p> + +<p>The commander of the Castle refused to admit the fugitives, +threatened even to fire on them as deserters, and they had to gallop +out at the West Port and on to Stirling. Another of the Prince's +officers, Colquhoun Grant, drove a party of dragoons before him +all the way into Edinburgh, and stuck his bloody dirk into the +Castle gates as a defiance.</p> + +<p>Sadder was the fate of another Perthshire gentleman, as young +and as daring as Lawrence Oliphant. David Thriepland, with a +couple of servants, had followed the dragoons for two miles from +the field; they had fled before him, but, coming to a halt, they +discovered that their pursuers numbered no more than three. They +turned on them and cut them down with their swords. Many +years afterwards, when the grass was rank and green on Mr. Thriepland's +grave, a child named Walter Scott, sitting on it, heard the +story from an old lady who had herself seen the death of the young +soldier.</p> + +<p>The next day (Sunday) the Prince held his triumphant entry +up the High Street of Edinburgh. Clan after clan marched past, +with waving plaids and brandished weapons; the wild music of the +pipes sounded as full of menace as of triumph. From every window<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> +in the dark, high houses on each side, fair faces looked down, each +adorned with the white cockade. In their excitement the Highlanders +let off their pieces into the air. By an unfortunate accident +one musket thus fired happened to be loaded, and the bullet grazed +the temple of a Jacobite lady, Miss Nairne, inflicting a slight wound. +'Thank God that this happened to <i>me</i>, whose opinions are so well +known,' cried the high-spirited girl. 'Had a Whig lady been +wounded, it might have been thought that the deed had been intentional.'<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p> + + +<h3>VI</h3> + +<h4>THE MARCH TO DERBY</h4> + +<div class='unindent'><span class="smcap">A successful</span> army, especially an insurgent army, should never +pause in its onward march. If Prince Charles could have followed +the flying dragoons over the Border into England he would have +found no preparations made to resist him in the Northern counties. +Even after the King and Government were alarmed by the news of +the battle of Preston, a full month was allowed to pass before an +army under General Wade arrived at Newcastle on the 2<ins title="Transcriber's Note: this number only faintly visible in the original and so has been presumed">9</ins>th of October. +Dutch, Hessian, and English troops were ordered home from +Flanders and regiments were raised in the country, though at first +no one seems to have seriously believed in anything so daring as +an invasion of England by Prince Charles and his Highlanders.</div> + +<p>So far there had come no word of encouragement from the +English Jacobites. Still, Charles never doubted but that they +would hasten to join him as soon as he crossed the Border. On the +very morrow of Prestonpans he sent messengers to those whom he +considered his friends in England, telling of his success and bidding +them be ready to join him. In the meantime he waited in Edinburgh +till his army should be large and formidable enough to +undertake the march South. After the battle numbers of his +soldiers had deserted. According to their custom, as soon as any +clansman had secured as much booty as he could conveniently +carry, he started off home to his mountains to deposit his spoil. +A stalwart Highlander was seen staggering along the streets of +Edinburgh with a pier glass on his back, and ragged boys belonging +to the army adorned themselves with gold-laced hats, or any odd +finery they could pick up.</p> + +<p>Many new adherents flocked to join the Prince. Among these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> +was the simple-minded old Lord Pitsligo. He commanded a body +of horse, though at his age he could hardly bear the fatigues of a +campaign. In Aberdeenshire—always Jacobite and Episcopalian—Lord +Lewis Gordon collected a large force; in Perthshire Lord +Ogilvy raised his clan, though neither of these arrived in time to +join the march South. Even a Highland army could not start in +mid-winter to march through a hostile country without any preparations. +Tents and shoes were provided by the city of Edinburgh, +and all the horses in the neighbourhood were pressed for the Prince's +service.</p> + +<p>On the first day of November the army, numbering 6,000 men, +started for the Border. Lord George led one division, carrying the +supplies by Moffat and Annandale to the West Border. Charles himself +commanded the other division. They pretended to be moving +on Newcastle, marched down Tweedside and then turned suddenly +westward and reached England through Liddesdale.</p> + +<p>On the 8th they crossed the Border. The men unsheathed +their swords and raised a great shout. Unfortunately, as he drew +his claymore, Locheil wounded his hand, and his men, seeing the +blood flow, declared it to be a bad omen.</p> + +<p>But fortune still seemed to follow the arms of the Adventurer. +Carlisle was the first strong town on the English Border, and though +insufficiently garrisoned, was both walled and defended by a +Castle. The mayor, a vain-glorious fellow, was ambitious of being +the first man to stay the victorious army, and published a proclamation +saying that he was not 'Patterson, a Scotchman, but Pattieson, +a true-hearted Englishman, who would defend his town against all +comers.'</p> + +<p>A false report that Wade was advancing from the West made +Charles turn aside and advance to Brampton in the hope of meeting +him, but the roads were rough, the weather was wild and cold, +the Hanoverian general was old, and again, as at Corryarack, Charles +prepared to meet an enemy that never appeared.</p> + +<p>In the meantime a division of the army had returned to Carlisle +and was laying siege to it with great vigour. Lord George Murray +and the Duke of Perth worked in the trenches in their shirt sleeves. +The sound of bullets in their ears, the sight of formidable preparations +for an assault, were too much for the mayor and his citizens; on +the 13th, the 'true-hearted Englishmen' hung out a white flag, and +the Prince's army marched in and took possession. It was another +success, as sudden and complete as any of the former ones. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> +there were ominous signs even at this happy moment. The command +of the siege of Carlisle had been given to the Duke of Perth, and +Lord George Murray, the older and abler general, resented the slight. +He sent in his resignation of the command of the forces, but with +proud magnanimity offered to serve as a volunteer. Charles accepted +the resignation, but the idea of losing the one general of any experience +they had, created consternation among the chiefs. The +crisis would have become serious but for the generous good sense +and modesty of the Duke of Perth, who sent in his resignation also +to the Prince. A more ominous fact was that they had been +almost a week in England and no one had declared for them. +Charles refused to let anything damp his hopefulness. Lancashire +was the stronghold of Jacobitism. Once in Lancashire, gentlemen +and their following would flock to join him.</p> + +<p>The road between Carlisle and Preston lies over bare, stony +heights, an inhospitable country in the short, bleak days and long +nights of November. Charles shared every hardship with his +soldiers. He had a carriage but he never used it, and it was chiefly +occupied by Lord Pitsligo. With his target on his shoulder he +marched alongside of the soldiers, keeping up with their rapid pace, +and talking to them in his scanty Gaelic. He seldom dined, had +one good meal at night, lay down with his clothes on, and was up +again at four next morning. No wonder that the Highlanders were +proud of 'a Prince who could eat a dry crust, sleep on pease-straw, +dine in four minutes, and win a battle in five.' Once going over +Shap Fell he was so overcome by drowsiness and cold that he +had to keep hold of one of the Ogilvies by the shoulderbelt and +walked some miles half asleep. Another time the sole of his boot +was quite worn out, and at the next village he got the blacksmith +to nail a thin iron plate to the boot. 'I think you are the first that +ever shod the son of a king,' he said, laughing as he paid the man.</p> + +<p>Still entire silence on the part of the English Jacobites. The +people in the villages and towns through which they passed looked +on the uncouth strangers with ill-concealed aversion and fear. +Once going to his quarters in some small town the 'gentle Locheil' +found that the good woman of the house had hidden her children +in a cupboard, having heard that the Highlanders were cannibals +and ate children!</p> + +<p>The town of Preston was a place of ill omen to the superstitious +Highlanders. There, thirty years before, their countrymen had been +disastrously defeated. They had a presentiment that they too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +would never get beyond that point. To destroy this fear, Lord +George Murray marched half his army across the river and encamped +on the further side.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i313.png" width="400" height="341" alt="Crossing Shap Fell" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Crossing Shap Fell</span> +</div> + +<p>Manchester was the next halting-place, and there the prospects +were rather brighter. An enterprising Sergeant Dickson hurried +on in front of the army with a girl and a drummer boy at his +side. He marched about the streets recruiting, and managed +to raise some score of recruits. In Manchester society there +was a certain Jacobite element; on Sunday the church showed +a crowd of ladies in tartan cloaks and white cockades, and a nonjuring +clergyman preached in favour of the Prince's cause. Among +the officers who commanded the handful of men calling itself the +Manchester Regiment, were three brothers of the name of Deacon, +whose father, a nonjuring clergyman, devoted them all gladly to +the cause. Another, Syddel, a wig-maker, had as a lad of eleven +seen his father executed as a Jacobite in the '15, and had vowed +undying vengeance against the house of Hanover. Manchester<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +was the only place in England that had shown any zeal in the +Prince's cause, and it only contributed some few hundred men +and 3,000<i>l.</i> of money.</p> + +<p>The situation seemed grave to the leaders of the Prince's army. +He himself refused to recognise any other fact than that every day +brought him nearer to London. On October 31 the army left +Manchester. At Stockport they crossed the Mersey, the Prince +wading up to the middle. Here occurred a very touching incident. +A few Cheshire gentlemen met Charles at this point, and with +them came an aged lady, Mrs. Skyring. As a child she remembered +her mother lifting her up to see Charles II. land at Dover. Her +parents were devoted Cavaliers, and despite the ingratitude of the +royal family, loyalty was an hereditary passion with their daughter. +For years she had laid aside half her income and had sent it to the +exiled family, only concealing the name of the donor, as being of +no interest to them. Now, she had sold all her jewels and plate, +and brought the money in a purse as an offering to Charles. With +dim eyes, feeble hands, and feelings too strong for her frail body, +she clasped Charles's hand, and gazing at his face said, 'Lord, now +lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace.'</p> + +<p>The Highland forces were in the very centre of England and +had not yet encountered an enemy, but now they were menaced +on two sides. General Wade—'Grandmother Wade' the Jacobite +soldiers called him—by slow marches through Yorkshire had +arrived within three days' march of them on one side, while, far +more formidable, in front of them at Stafford lay the Duke of +Cumberland with 10,000 men. He was a brave leader, and the +troops under him were seasoned and experienced. At last the +English Government had wakened up to the seriousness of the +danger which they had made light of as long as it only affected +Scotland. When news came that the Scots had got beyond +Manchester, a most unmanly panic prevailed in London. Shops +were shut, there was a run on the Bank, it has even been asserted +that George II. himself had many of his valuables removed on +to yachts in the Thames, and held himself in readiness to fly at +any moment.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Cumberland and his forces were the only obstacle +between the Prince's army and London. Lord George Murray, with +his usual sagacity, determined to slip past this enemy also, as he +had already slipped past Wade. While the Prince, with one +division of the army, marched straight for Derby, he himself led<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> +the remaining troops apparently to meet the Duke of Cumberland. +That able general fell into the snare and marched up his men to +meet the Highlanders at Congleton. Then Lord George broke +up his camp at midnight (of December 2), and, marching across +country in the darkness, joined the Prince at Leek, a day's journey +short of Derby. By this clever stratagem the Highland army +got a start of at least a day's march on their way to London.</p> + +<p>On the 4th, the Highland army entered Derby, marching in all +day in detachments. Here Charles learned the good news from +Scotland that Lord John Drummond had landed at Montrose with +1,000 French soldiers and supplies of money and arms. Never had +fortune seemed to shine more brightly on the young Prince. He +was sure now of French assistance, he shut his eyes to the fact +that the English people were either hostile or indifferent; if it +came to a battle he was confident that hundreds of the enemy +would desert to his standard. The road to London and to a throne +lay open before him! That night at mess he seriously discussed +how he should enter London in triumph. Should it be in Highland +or English dress? On horseback or on foot? Did he notice, one +wonders, that his gay anticipations were received in ominous +silence by the chiefs? At least the private soldiers of his army +shared his hopes. On the afternoon of the 5th many had their +broadswords and dirks sharpened, and some partook of the Sacrament +in the churches. They all felt that a battle was imminent.</p> + +<p>Next morning a council of war was held. Charles was eager to +arrange for an immediate advance on London. Success seemed to +lie within his grasp. Lord George Murray rose as spokesman for +the rest. He urged immediate retreat to Scotland! Two armies +lay one on either hand, a third was being collected to defend London. +Against 30,000 men what could 5,000 avail? He had no faith in +a French invasion, he was convinced that nothing was to be looked +for from the English Jacobites. 'Rather than go back, I would I +were twenty feet underground,' Charles cried in passionate disappointment. +He argued, he commanded, he implored; the chiefs +were inexorable, and it was decided that the retreat should begin +next morning before daybreak. This decision broke the Prince's +heart and quenched his spirit; never again did his buoyant courage +put life into his whole army. Next morning he rose sullen and +enraged, and marched in gloomy silence in the rear.</p> + +<p>All the private soldiers and many of the officers believed that +they were being led against the Duke of Cumberland. When returning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +daylight showed that they were retreating by the same road on +which they had marched so hopefully two days before, they were +filled with grief and rage. 'Would God,' writes a certain brave +Macdonald, 'we had pushed on though we had all been cut to +pieces, when we were in a condition for fighting and doing honour +to our noble Prince and the glorious cause we had taken in hand.' +The distrust caused in the Prince's mind by Lord George's action +had, later, the most fatal effect.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i316.png" width="300" height="313" alt="'Many had their broadswords and dirks sharpened'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Many had their broadswords and dirks sharpened'</span> +</div> + + +<h3>VII</h3> + +<h4>THE RETREAT</h4> + +<div class='unindent'><span class="smcap">Never</span>, perhaps, in any history was there a march more mournful +than that of the Highland army from Derby. These soldiers had +never known defeat, and yet there they were, in full retreat through +a hostile country. So secret and rapid were their movements that +they had gained two full days' march before the Duke of Cumberland +had any certain news of their retreat. Though he started at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> +once in pursuit, mounting a body of infantry on horses that they +might keep up with the cavalry, and though all were fresh and in +good condition, it was not till the 18th that he overtook the Prince's +army in the wilds of Cumberland. Lord George Murray, looking +upon himself as responsible for the safety of the army, had sent on +the first division under the Prince, and himself brought up the rear +with the baggage and artillery. In the hilly country of the North +of England, it was no light task to travel with heavy baggage. +The big wagons could not be dragged up the steep ill-made roads, +and the country people were sullenly unwilling to lend their carts. +The general was reduced to paying sixpence for every cannon ball +that could be carried up the hills. The Prince was already at +Penrith on the 17th, but Lord George had been obliged to stop six +miles short of that point. Marching before daybreak on the 18th, +he reached a village called Clifton as the sun rose. A body of +horsemen stood guarding the village; the Highlanders, exhilarated +at meeting a foe again, cast their plaids and rushed forward. On +this the Hanoverians—a mere body of local yeomanry—fled. +Among a few stragglers who were taken prisoner was a footman +of the Duke of Cumberland, who told his captors that his master +with 4,000 cavalry was following close behind them. Lord George +resolved to make a stand, knowing that nothing would be more +fatal than allowing the dragoons to fall suddenly on his troops when +they had their backs turned. He had a body of Macdonalds and +another of Stuarts with him; he found also some two hundred +Macphersons, under their brave commander Cluny, guarding a +bridge close to the village. The high road here ran between a wall +on one side, and fields enclosed by high hedges and ditches on the +other. On either side he could thus place his soldiers under cover. +As evening fell he learned that the Hanoverian soldiers were drawn +up on the moor, about a mile distant. He sent some of his men +to a point where they should be partly visible to the enemy over a +hedge; these he caused to pass and repass, so as to give a delusive +idea of numbers. When the night fell the Highland soldiers were +drawn up along the wall on the road, and in the enclosures behind +the hedges; Lord George and Cluny stood with drawn swords on +the highway. Every man stood at his post on the alert, in the +breathless silence. Though the moon was up, the night was cloudy +and dark, but in a fitful gleam the watchful general saw dark forms +approaching in a mass behind a hedge. In a rapid whisper he +asked Cluny what was to be done. 'I will charge sword in hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +if you order me,' came the reply, prompt and cheery. A volley from +the advancing troops decided the question. 'There is no time to be +lost; we must charge,' cried Lord George, and raising the Highland +war cry, 'Claymore, Claymore,' he was the first to dash through the +hedge (he lost his hat and wig among the thorns, and fought the rest +of the night bareheaded!). The dragoons were forced back on to the +moor, while another body of horse was similarly driven back along +the high road by the Stuarts and Macdonells of Glengarry. About +a dozen Highlanders, following too eagerly in pursuit, were killed +on this moor, but the loss on the other side was far greater. Nor +did the Duke of Cumberland again attack the retreating enemy; +he had learned, like the other generals before him, the meaning of +a Highland onset.<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a></div> + +<p>A small garrison of Highlanders had been left in Carlisle, but +these rejoined the main army as it passed through the town. There +was an unwillingness among the soldiers to hold a fort that was +bound to be taken by the enemy. Finally the Manchester regiment +consented to remain, probably arguing, in the words of one of the +English volunteers, that they 'might as well be hanged in England +as starved in Scotland.'</p> + +<p>The Esk was at this time in flood, running turbid and swift. +But the Highlanders have a peculiar way of crossing deep rivers. +They stand shoulder to shoulder, with their arms linked, and so +pass in a continuous chain across. As Charles was fording the +stream on horseback, one man was swept away from the rest and +was being rapidly carried down. The Prince caught him by the +hair, shouting in Gaelic, 'Cohear, cohear!' 'Help, help!'</p> + +<p>They were now again on Scottish ground, and the question was, +whither were they to go next? Edinburgh, immediately after the +Prince's departure, had gladly reverted to her Whig allegiance. +She was garrisoned and defended; any return thither was practically +out of the question. It was resolved that the army should retire to +the Highlands through the West country.</p> + +<p>Dumfries, in the centre of the Covenanting district, had always +been hostile to the Stuarts. Two months before, when the Highland +army marched south, some of her citizens had despoiled them +of tents and baggage. To revenge this injury, Charles marched to +Dumfries and levied a large fine on the town. The Provost, Mr. +Carson, was noted for his hostility to the Jacobites. He was warned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> +that his house was to be burned, though the threat was not carried +out. He had a little daughter of six years old at the time; when +she was quite an old lady she told Sir Walter Scott that she remembered +being carried out of the house in the arms of a Highland +officer. She begged him to point out the <i>Pretender</i> to her. This +he consented to do, after the little girl had solemnly promised +always to call him the <i>Prince</i> in future.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i319.png" width="400" height="326" alt="'The Prince caught him by the hair'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'The Prince caught him by the hair'</span> +</div> + +<p>An army which had been on the road continuously for more +than two winter months, generally presents a sufficiently dilapidated +appearance; still more must this have been the case with the +Highland army, ill-clad and ill-shod to begin with. The soldiers—hardly +more than 4,000 now—who on Christmas day marched into +Glasgow, had scarcely a whole pair of boots or a complete suit of +tartans among them. This rich and important town was even +more hostile than Dumfries to the Jacobites, but it was necessity +more than revenge that forced the Prince to levy a heavy sum on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> +the citizens, and exact besides 12,000 shirts, 6,000 pairs of stockings, +and 6,000 pairs of shoes.</p> + +<p>At Stirling, whither the Prince next led his army, the prospects +were much brighter. Here he was joined by the men raised in +Aberdeenshire under Lord Lewis Gordon, Lord Strathallan's Perthshire +regiment, and the French troops under Lord John Drummond. +The whole number of his army must have amounted to not much +less than 9,000 men.</p> + +<p>The Duke of Cumberland had given up the pursuit of the Highland +army after Carlisle; an alarm of a French invasion having sent +him hurrying back to London. In his stead General Hawley had +been sent down to Scotland and was now in Edinburgh at the head +of 8,000 men. He was an officer trained in the Duke of Cumberland's +school, severe to his soldiers and relentlessly cruel to his +enemies. A vain and boastful man, he looked with contempt on +the Highland army, in spite of the experience of General Cope. +On the 16th he marched out of Edinburgh with all his men, anticipating +an easy victory. Lord George Murray was at Linlithgow, +and slowly retreated before the enemy, but not before he had +obtained full information of their numbers and movements. On +the nights of January 15 and 16, the two armies lay only seven miles +apart, the Prince's at Bannockburn and General Hawley's at Falkirk. +From the one camp the lights of the other were visible. The Highland +army kept on the alert, expecting every hour to be attacked.</p> + +<p>All the day of the 16th they waited, but there was no movement +on the part of the English forces. On the 17th the Prince's horse +reconnoitred and reported perfect inactivity in Hawley's camp. +The infatuated general thought so lightly of the enemy that he +was giving himself up to amusement.</p> + +<p>The fair and witty Lady Kilmarnock lived in the neighbourhood +at Callender House. Her husband was with the Prince, and she +secretly favoured the same cause. By skilful flattery and hospitality, +she so fascinated the English general that he recklessly +spent his days in her company, forgetful of the enemy and entirely +neglectful of his soldiers.</p> + +<p>Charles knew that the strength of his army lay in its power of +attack, and so resolved to take the offensive. The high road +between Bannockburn and Falkirk runs in a straight line in front +of an old and decaying forest called Torwood. Along this road, in +the face of the English camp, marched Lord John Drummond, displaying +all the colours in the army, and making a brave show with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +the cavalry and two regiments. Their advance was only a feint. +The main body of the army skirted round to the south of the wood, +then marched across broken country—hidden at first by the trees +and later by the inequalities of the ground—till they got to the +back of a ridge called Falkirk Muir, which overlooked the English +camp. Their object was to gain the top of this ridge before the +enemy, and then to repeat the manœuvres of Prestonpans.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the English soldiers were all unconscious, and their +general was enjoying himself at Callender House. At eleven +o'clock General Huske, the second in command, saw Lord John +Drummond's advance, and sent an urgent message to his superior +officer. He, however, refused to take alarm, sent a message that +the men might put on their accoutrements, and sat down to dinner +with his fascinating hostess. At two o'clock, General Huske, looking +anxiously through his spy-glass, saw the bulk of the Highland +army sweeping round to the back of the ridge.</p> + +<p>A messenger was instantly despatched to Callender House. At +last Hawley was aroused to the imminence of the danger. Leaving +the dinner table, he leaped on his horse and arrived in the camp at a +gallop, breathless and bare-headed. He trusted to the rapidity of +his cavalry to redeem the day. He placed himself at the head of +the dragoons, and up the ridge they rode at a smart trot. It was a +race for the top. The dragoons on their horses were the first to +arrive, and stood in their ranks on the edge of the hill. From the +opposite side came the Highlanders in three lines; first the clans +(the Macdonalds, of course, on the right), then the Aberdeenshire +and Perthshire regiments, lastly cavalry and Lord John Drummond's +Frenchmen. Undismayed, nay, rather exhilarated by the +sight of the three regiments of dragoons drawn up to receive them, +they advanced at a rapid pace. The dragoons, drawing their sabres, +rode on at full trot to charge the Highlanders. With the steadiness +of old soldiers, the clans came on in their ranks, till within +ten yards of the enemy. Then Lord George gave the signal by +presenting his own piece, and at once a withering volley broke the +ranks of the dragoons. About 400 fell under this deadly fire and +the rest fled, fled as wildly and ingloriously as their fellows had +done at Coltbridge or Prestonpans. A wild storm of rain dashing +straight in their faces during the attack added to the confusion and +helplessness of the dragoons. The right and centre of Hawley's +infantry were at the same instant driven back by the other clans, +Camerons and Stewarts and Macphersons. The victory would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> +have been complete but for the good behaviour of three regiments +at the right of Hawley's army, Price's, Ligonier's, and Barrel's. +From a point of vantage on the edge of a ravine they poured such +a steady fire on the left wing of the Highlanders, that they drove +them back and forced them to fly in confusion. Had the victorious +Macdonalds only attacked these three steady regiments, the Highland +army would have been victorious all along the line. Unfortunately +they had followed their natural instinct instead of the word +of command, and flinging away their guns, were pursuing the +fugitive dragoons down the ridge. The flight of the Hanoverians +was so sudden that it caused suspicion of an ambush. The Prince +was lost in the darkness and rain. The pipers had thrown their +pipes to their boys, had gone in with the claymore, and could not +sound the rally. It was not a complete victory for Charles, but it +was a sufficiently complete defeat for General Hawley, who lost his +guns. The camp at Falkirk was abandoned after the tents had +been set on fire, and the general with his dismayed and confused +followers retired first to Linlithgow and then to Edinburgh. +Hawley tried to make light of his defeat and to explain it away, +though to Cumberland he said that his heart was broken; but the +news of the battle spread consternation all over England, and it +was felt that no one but the Duke of Cumberland was fit to deal +with such a stubborn and daring enemy.</p> + +<p>The Prince's army did not reap so much advantage from their +victory as might have been expected; their forces were in too great +confusion to pursue the English general, and on the morrow of the +battle many deserted to their own homes, carrying off their booty. +A more serious loss was the defection of the clan Glengarry. The +day after the battle a young Macdonald, a private soldier of +Clanranald's company, was withdrawing the charge from a gun he +had taken on the field. He had abstracted the bullet, and, to +clean the barrel, fired off the piece. Unfortunately it had been +double loaded, and the remaining bullet struck Glengarry's +second son, Æneas, who was in the street at the time. The +poor boy fell, mortally wounded, in the arms of his comrades, +begging with his last breath that no vengeance should be exacted +for what was purely accidental. It was asking too much +from the feelings of the clansmen. They indignantly demanded +that blood should atone for blood. Clanranald would gladly +have saved his clansman, but dared not risk a feud which would +have weakened the Prince's cause. So another young life as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> +innocent as the first was sacrificed to clan jealousy. The young +man's own father was the first to fire on his son, to make sure that +death should be instantaneous. Young Glengarry was buried with +all military honours, Charles himself being chief mourner; but +nothing could appease the angry pride of the clan, and the greater +part of them returned to their mountains without taking any leave.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i323.png" width="400" height="373" alt="The poor boy fell, mortally wounded" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The poor boy fell, mortally wounded</span> +</div> + + +<h3>VIII</h3> + +<h4>IN THE HIGHLANDS</h4> + +<div class='unindent'><span class="smcap">On</span> January 30 the Duke of Cumberland arrived in Edinburgh. +His reception was a curious parody of Charles's brilliant entry four +months before. The fickle mob cheered the one as well as the other; +the Duke occupied the very room at Holyrood that had been Charles's;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> +where the one had danced with Jacobite beauties, the other held a +reception of Whig ladies. Both were fighting their father's battle; +both were young men of five-and-twenty. But here likeness gives +way to contrast; Charles was graceful in person, and of dignified +and attractive presence; his cousin, Cumberland, was already stout +and unwieldy, and his coarse and cruel nature had traced unpleasant +lines on his face. He was a poor general but a man of undoubted +courage. Yet he had none of that high sense of personal honour +that we associate with a good soldier. In Edinburgh he found +many of the English officers who had been taken prisoner at Prestonpans. +They had been left at large on giving their word not to bear +arms against the Prince. Cumberland declared that this 'parole' +or promise was not binding, and ordered them to return to their +regiments. A small number—it is right that we should know and +honour their names—Sir Peter Halket, Mr. Ross, Captain Lucy +Scott, and Lieutenants Farquharson and Cumming, thereupon sent +in their resignations, saying that the Duke was master of their +commissions but not of their honour.</div> + +<p>On the 30th the Duke and his soldiers were at Linlithgow, and +hoped to engage the Highland army next day near Falkirk. But on +the next day's march they learned from straggling Highlanders that +the enemy had already retired beyond the Forth. They had been +engaged in a futile siege of Stirling Castle. The distant sound of +an explosion which was heard about midday on the 1st, proved to +be the blowing up of the powder magazine, the last act of the +Highlanders before withdrawing from Stirling. This second, sudden +retreat was as bitter to the Prince as the return from Derby. After +the battle at Falkirk he looked forward eagerly and confidently to +fighting Cumberland on the same ground. But there was discontent +and dissension in the camp. Since Derby the Prince had held +no councils, and consulted with no one but Secretary Murray and +his Irish officers. The chiefs were dispirited and deeply hurt, and, +as usual, the numbers dwindled daily from desertion. In the +midst of his plans for the coming battle, Charles was overwhelmed +by a resolution on the part of the chiefs to break up the camp and +to retire without delay to the Highlands. Again he saw his hopes +suddenly destroyed, again he had to yield with silent rage and +bitter disappointment.</p> + +<p>The plan of the chiefs was to withdraw on Inverness, there to +attack Lord Loudon (who held the fort for King George); to rest +and recruit, each clan in its own country, till in the spring they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> +could take the field again with a fresher and larger army. Lord +George Murray led one division by the east coast and Aberdeen, +to the rendezvous near Inverness, Charles led the other by General +Wade's road through Badenoch and Athol. Cumberland with his +heavy troops and baggage could not overtake the light-footed +Highlanders; by the time he reached Perth he was six days' march +behind them. He sent old Sir Andrew Agnew to garrison the house +of Blair, and other small companies to occupy all the chief houses +in Athol. He himself retired with the main body to Aberdeen, and +there waited for milder weather.</p> + +<p>In the neighbourhood of Inverness lies the country of the +Mackintoshes. The laird of that ilk was a poor-spirited, stupid man. +It was his simple political creed that that king was the right one +who was willing and able 'to give a half-guinea to-day and another +to-morrow.' That was probably the pay he drew as officer in one +of King George's Highland companies. Of a very different spirit +was his wife. Lady Mackintosh was a Farquharson of Invercauld; +in her husband's absence she raised a body of mixed Farquharsons +and Mackintoshes, several hundred strong, for the Prince. These +she commanded herself, riding at their head in a tartan habit with +pistols at her saddle. Her soldiers called her 'Colonel Anne.' Once +in a fray between her irregular troops and the militia, her husband +was taken prisoner and brought before his own wife. She received +him with a military salute, 'Your servant, captain;' to which he +replied equally shortly, 'Your servant, colonel.'</p> + +<p>This high-spirited woman received Charles as her guest on +February 16 at the castle of Moy, twelve miles from Inverness.</p> + +<p>Having learnt that Charles was staying there with a small guard, +Lord Loudon conceived the bold plan of capturing the Prince, and +so putting an end to the war once for all. On Sunday the 16th, at +nightfall, he started with 1,500 men with all secrecy and despatch. +Still the secret had oozed out, and the dowager Lady Mackintosh +sent a boy to warn her daughter-in-law and the Prince. The boy +was both faithful and sagacious. Finding the high road already +full of soldiers, he skulked in a ditch till they were past, then, by +secret ways, over moor and moss, running at the top of his pace, he +sped on, till, faint and exhausted, he reached the house at five +o'clock in the morning, and panted out the news that Loudon's men +were not a mile away! The Prince was instantly aroused, and in +a few minutes was out of the house and off to join Lochiel not more +than a mile distant. As it happened, Lord Loudon's troops had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> +already been foiled and driven back by a bold manœuvre of some of +'Colonel Anne's' men. A blacksmith with some half-dozen men—two +pipers amongst them—were patrolling the woods near the high +road, when in the dim morning twilight they saw a large body of +the enemy approaching. They separated, planted themselves at +intervals under cover, fired rapidly and simultaneously, shouted +the war cries of the various clans, Lochiel, Keppoch, Glengarry, +while the pipers blew up their pipes furiously behind. The advancing +soldiers were seized with panic, and flying wildly back, upset +the ranks of the rear and filled them with the same consternation. +The 'Rout of Moy' was hardly more creditable to the Hanoverian +arms than the 'Canter of Coltbridge.' In this affair only one man +fall, MacRimmon, the hereditary piper of the Macleods. Before +leaving Skye he had prophesied his own death in the lament, +'Macleod shall return, but MacRimmon shall never.'</p> + +<p>The next day, February 18, Charles, at the head of a body of +troops, marched out to besiege Inverness. He found that town +already evacuated: Lord Loudon had too little faith in his men to +venture another meeting with the enemy. Two days later Fort +George also fell into the Prince's hands.</p> + +<p>During the next six weeks the Highland army was employed in +detachments against the enemies who surrounded them on all sides. +Lord John Drummond took Fort Augustus, Lochiel and others +besieged—but in vain—the more strongly defended Fort William. +Lord Cromarty pursued Lord Loudon into Sutherland. But the +most notable and gallant feat of arms was performed by Lord George +Murray. He marched a body of his own Athol men, and another of +Macphersons under Cluny—700 men in all—down into his native +district of Athol. At nightfall they started from Dalwhinnie, before +midnight they were at Dalnaspidal, no one but the two leaders having +any idea of the object of the expedition. It was the middle of March; +at that season they might count on five hours of darkness before daybreak. +It was then explained to the men that they were to break up into +some thirty small companies, and each was to march to attack one +of the English garrisons placed in all the considerable houses in the +neighbourhood. It was necessary that each place should be attacked +at the same time, that the alarm might not spread. By daybreak +all were to reassemble at the Falls of Bruar, within a mile or two of +Castle Blair. One after the other the small parties moved off swiftly +and silently in the darkness, one marching some ten miles off to +the house of Faskally, others attacking Lude, Kinnachin, Blairfettie,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span> +and many other houses where the English garrisons were sleeping in +security. Meanwhile Lord George and Cluny, with five-and-twenty +men and a few elderly gentlemen, went straight to the Falls of Bruar. +In the grey of the morning a man from the village of Blair came +up hastily with the news that Sir Andrew Agnew had got the alarm, +and with several hundred men was scouring the neighbourhood and +was now advancing towards the Falls! Lord George might easily +have escaped up the pass, but if he failed to be at the rendezvous, +each small body as it came in would be surrounded and overpowered +by the enemy. The skilful general employed precisely the same +ruse as had been so successful at the Rout of Moy.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 340px;"> +<img src="images/i327.png" width="340" height="400" alt="The 'Rout of Moy'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The 'Rout of Moy'</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span></p> + +<p>He put his followers behind a turf wall at distant intervals, +displayed the colours in a conspicuous place, and placed his pipers +to advantage. As Sir Andrew came in sight, the sun rose, and was +flashed back by brandished broadswords behind the turf wall. All +along the line plaids seemed to be waving, and heads appeared and +disappeared as if a large body of men were behind; while the pipes +blew up a clamorous pibroch, and thirty men shouted for three +hundred. Sir Andrew fell into the snare, and promptly marched +his men back again. One by one the other parties came in: some +thirty houses had yielded to them, and they brought three hundred +prisoners with them.</p> + +<p>After this success Lord George actually attempted to take the +House of Blair. It was a hopeless enterprise; the walls of the +house were seven feet thick, and Lord George had only two small +cannons. 'I daresay the man's mad, knocking down his own +brother's house,' said the stout old commander, Sir Andrew, watching +how little effect the shot had on the walls. Lord George sent +to Charles for reinforcements when it began to seem probable that +he could reduce the garrison by famine, but Charles, embittered +and resentful, and full of unjust suspicion against his general, +refused any help, and on March 31 Lord George had to abandon +the siege and withdraw his men. The Prince's suspicions, though +unjust, were not unnatural. Lord George had twice advised +retreat, where audacity was the only way to success.</p> + + +<h3>IX</h3> + +<h4>CULLODEN</h4> + +<div class='unindent'><span class="smcap">In</span> the meantime the weeks were rolling on. The grey April of the +North, if it brought little warmth, was at least lengthening the +daylight, and melting the snow from the hills, and lowering the +floods that had made the rivers impassable. Since the middle of +February the Duke of Cumberland and his army of at least eight +thousand men—horse and infantry—had been living at free quarters +in Aberdeen. He bullied the inhabitants, but he made careful provision +for his army. English ships keeping along the coast were +ready to supply both stores and ammunition as soon as the forces +should move. With the savage content of a wild animal that +knows that his prey cannot escape, the duke was in no hurry to +force on an engagement till the weather should be more favourable.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span></div> + +<p>To the Highland army every week's delay was a loss. Many +of the clansmen had scattered to their homes in search of subsistence, +for funds were falling lower and lower at Inverness. Fortune +was treating Charles harshly at this time. Supplies had been +sent once and again from France, but the ships that had brought +them had either fallen into the enemy's hands, or had been obliged +to return with their errand unaccomplished. His soldiers had now +to be paid in meal, and that in insufficient quantities. There was +thus discontent in the ranks, and among the chiefs there was a +growing feeling of discouragement. Charles treated with reserve +and suspicion the men who were risking property and life for his +cause, and consulted only with Secretary Murray and his Irish +officers.</p> + +<p>On April 8 the Duke of Cumberland began his march from +Aberdeen. Between the two armies lay the river Spey, always deep +and rapid, almost impassable when the floods were out. A vigilant +body of men commanding the fords from either bank would have +any army at its mercy that might try to cross the stream under +fire. Along the west bank Lord John Drummond and his men +had built a long, low barrack of turf and stone. From this point of +vantage they had hoped to pour their fire on the Hanoverian +soldiers in mid-stream, but the vigilant Duke of Cumberland had +powerful cannons in reserve on the opposite bank, and Lord John +and his soldiers drew off before the enemy got across.</p> + +<p>On Monday the 15th this retreating party arrived at Inverness, +bringing the news that the Duke was already at Nairne, and would +probably next day approach to give battle. Prince Charles was in +the highest spirits at the news. In the streets of Inverness the +pipers blew the gatherings of the various clans, the drums beat, +and with colours flying the whole army marched out of the town +and encamped on the plain of Culloden.</p> + +<p>The Prince expected to be attacked next morning, Tuesday +the 16th, and at six o'clock the soldiers were drawn up in order of +battle. There was an ominous falling away in numbers. The Macphersons +with Cluny had scattered to their homes in distant +Badenoch; the Frasers were also absent. [Neither of these brave +and faithful clans was present at the battle the next day.] The +Keppoch Macdonalds and some other detachments only came in +next morning.</p> + +<p>By the most fatal mismanagement no provision had been +made for feeding the soldiers that day, though there was meal and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +to spare at Inverness. A small loaf of the driest and coarsest bread +was served out to each man. By the afternoon, the starving soldiers +had broken their ranks and were scattering in search of food. Lord +Elcho had reconnoitred in the direction of Nairne, twelve miles off, +and reported that the English army would not move that day; +they were resting in their camp and celebrating their commander's +birthday. Charles called a council of war at three in the afternoon. +Lord George Murray gave the daring counsel that instead of waiting +to be attacked they should march through the night to Nairne, and +while it was still dark surprise and overwhelm the sleeping +enemy. By dividing the Highland forces before reaching Nairne +they might attack the camp in front and rear at the same moment; +no gun was to be fired which might spread the alarm; the Highlanders +were to fall on with dirk and broadsword. The Prince had +meant to propose this very plan: he leaped up and embraced Lord +George. It was a dangerous scheme; but with daring, swiftfooted, +enterprising men it did not seem impossible. Yes! but with men +faint and dispirited by hunger? At the review that morning the +army had numbered about 7,000 men, but hardly more than half +that number assembled in the evening on the field, the rest were still +scattered in search of food. By eight o'clock it was dark enough +to start. The attack on the enemy's camp was timed for two in +the morning, six hours was thus allowed for covering the twelve +miles. The army was to march in three columns, the clans +first in two divisions, Lochiel and Lord George at the head with +30 of the Mackintoshes as guides. The Prince himself commanded +the third column, the Lowland troops, and the French and Irish +regiments. The utmost secrecy was necessary; the men marched +in dead silence. Not only did they avoid the high roads, but wherever +a light showed the presence of a house or sheiling they had to +make a wide circuit round it. The ground they had to go over +was rough and uneven; every now and then the men splashed +into unexpected bogs or stumbled over hidden stones. Add to +this that the night was unusually dark. Instead of marching in +three clear divisions, the columns got mixed in the darkness and +mutually kept each other back. Soon the light-footed clansmen got +ahead of the Lowland and French and Irish regiments unused to +such heavy walking. Every few minutes messengers from the rear +harassed the leaders of the van by begging them to march more +slowly. It was a cruel task to restrain the pace while the +precious hours of darkness were slipping past. At Kilravock House<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> +the van halted. This was the point where it was arranged that +the army was to divide, one part marching straight on the English +camp, the other crossing the river so as to fall on the enemy from +the opposite side. The rear had fallen far behind, and there was +more than one wide gap between the various troops. The Duke of +Perth galloped up from behind and told Lord George that it was +necessary that the van should wait till the others came up; other +officers reported that the men were dropping out of their ranks, +and falling asleep by the roadside. Watches were now consulted. +It was already two o'clock and there were still four miles to be +covered. Some of the officers begged that, at all risks, the march +might be continued. As they stood consulting an aide-de-camp +rode up from the rear saying that the Prince desired to go forward, +but was prepared to yield to Lord George's judgment. Just then +through the darkness there came from the distance the rolling of +drums! All chance of surprising the English camp was at an end. +With a heavy heart Lord George gave the order to march back. +This affair increased the Prince's suspicions of Lord George, which +were fostered by his Irishry.</p> + +<p>In the growing light the retreat was far more rapid than the +advance had been. It was shortly after five that the army found +themselves in their old quarters at Culloden. Many fell down +where they stood, overpowered with sleep; others dispersed in +search of food. Charles himself and his chief officers found nothing +to eat and drink at Culloden House but a little dry bread and +whisky. Instead of holding a council of war, each man lay down +to sleep where he could, on table or floor.</p> + +<p>But the sleep they were able to snatch was but short. At about +eight a patrol coming in declared that the Duke of Cumberland +was already advancing, his main body was within four miles, his +horse even nearer.</p> + +<p>In the utmost haste the chiefs and officers of the Highland army +tried to collect their men. Many had straggled off as far as Inverness, +many were still overpowered with sleep; all were faint for +lack of food. When the ranks were arrayed in order of battle, +their numbers only amounted to 5,000 men. They were drawn up +on the open plain; on the right, high turf walls, enclosing a narrow +field, protected their flank (though, as it proved, quite ineffectually), +on their left lay Culloden House. In spite of hunger and fatigue, +the old fighting instinct was so strong in the clans that they took +up their positions in the first line with all their old fire and enthusiasm,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> +<i>all but the Macdonalds</i>. By extraordinary mismanagement +the clans Glengarry, Keppoch, and Clanranald—they who had so +nobly led the right wing at Prestonpans and Falkirk—were placed +on the left. It was a slight that bitterly hurt their pride; it was +also, to their superstitious minds, a fatal omen. Who was the cause +of the blunder? This does not seem to be certainly known. On +the right, where the Macdonalds should have been, were the Athol +men, the Camerons, the Stewarts of Appin, Macleans, Mackintoshes, +and other smaller clans, each led by their own chiefs, and all commanded +by Lord George. At the extremities of the two wings the +guns were placed, four on each side, the only artillery on the Prince's +side. The second line consisted of the French, Irish, and Lowland +regiments. The Prince and his guards occupied a knoll at the rear, +from which the whole action of the fight was visible. His horse was +later covered with mud from the cannon balls striking the wet moor, +and a man was killed behind him. By one o'clock the Hanoverian +army was drawn up within five hundred paces of their enemies. The +fifteen regiments of foot were placed in three lines, so arranged that +the gaps in the first line were covered by the centres of the regiments +in the second line. Between each regiment in the first line two +powerful cannons were placed, and the three bodies of horse were +drawn up, flanking either wing. The men were fresh, well fed, +confident in their general, and eager to retrieve the dishonour of +Prestonpans and Falkirk.</p> + +<p>A little after one, the day clouded over, and a strong north-easterly +wind drove sudden showers of sleet in the faces of the +Highland army. They were the first to open fire, but their guns +were small, and the firing ill-directed; the balls went over the +heads of the enemy and did little harm. Then the great guns on +the other side poured out the return fire, raking the ranks of the +Highlanders, clearing great gaps, and carrying destruction even into +the second line. For half an hour the Highlanders stood exposed +to this fire while comrade after comrade fell at their side. It was +all they could do to keep their ranks; their white, drawn faces and +kindling eyes spoke of the hunger for revenge that possessed their +hearts. Lord George was about to give the word to charge, when +the Mackintoshes impatiently rushed forward, and the whole of +the centre and left wing followed them. On they dashed blindly, +through the smoke and snow and rattling bullets. So irresistible +was the onset that they actually swept through two regiments in +the first line, though almost all the chiefs and front rank men had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> +fallen in the charge. The regiment in the second rank—Sempill's—was +drawn up three deep—the first rank kneeling, the third upright—all +with bayonets fixed. They received the onrushing Highlanders +with a sharp fire. This brought the clansmen to a halt, a few were +forced back, more perished, flinging themselves against the bayonets. +Their bodies were afterwards found in heaps three or four deep.</p> + +<p>While the right and centre perished in this wild charge, the +Macdonalds on the left remained sullenly in their ranks, rage and +angry pride in their souls. In vain the Duke of Perth urged them +to charge. 'Your courage,' he cried, 'will turn the left into the +right, and I will henceforth call myself Macdonald.'</p> + +<p>In vain Keppoch, with some of his kin, charged alone. 'My +God! have the children of my tribe forsaken me?' he cried, looking +back to where his clansmen stood stubborn and motionless. The +stout old heart was broken by this dishonour. A few minutes +later he fell pierced by many bullets.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the second line had been thrown into confusion. +A detachment of the Hanoverians—the Campbells, in fact—had +broken down the turf walls on the Prince's right. Through the +gaps thus made, there rode a body of dragoons, who fell on the +rear and flanks of the Lowland and French regiments, and scattered +them in flight. Gillie MacBane held a breach with the +claymore, and slew fourteen men before he fell. But the day was +lost. All that courage, and pride, and devotion, and fierce hate +could do had been done, and in vain.</p> + +<p>Charles had, up to the last, looked for victory. He offered to +lead on the second line in person; but his officers told him that +Highlanders would never return to such a charge. Two Irish +officers dragged at his reins; his army was a flying mob, and so he +left his latest field, unless, as was said, he fought at Laffen as a +volunteer, when the Scots Brigade nearly captured Cumberland. +He had been eager to give up Holyrood to the wounded of Prestonpans; +<i>his</i> wounded were left to die, or were stabbed on the field. +He had refused to punish fanatics who tried to murder him; his +faithful followers were tortured to extract information which +they never gave. He lost a throne, but he won hearts, and, +while poetry lives and romance endures, the Prince Charles of the +Forty-Five has a crown more imperishable than gold. This was +the ending of that Jacobite cause, for which men had fought and +died, for which women had been content to lose homes and husbands +and sons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was the end of that gifted race of Stuart kings who, for three +centuries and more of varying fortunes, had worn the crown of +Scotland.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 361px;"> +<img src="images/i334.png" width="361" height="450" alt="The end of Culloden" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The end of Culloden</span> +</div> + +<p>But it was not the end of the romance of the Highland clans. +Crushed down, scattered, and cruelly treated as these were in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span> +years that followed Culloden, nothing could break their fiery spirit +nor kill their native aptitude for war. In the service of that very +government which had dealt so harshly with them, they were to +play a part in the world's history, wider, nobler, and not less +romantic than that of fiercely faithful adherents to a dying cause. +The pages of that history have been written in imperishable deeds +on the hot plains of India, in the mountain passes of Afghanistan, +in Egypt, in the Peninsula, on the fields of Waterloo and Quatre +Bras, and among the snows of the Crimea. And there may be +other pages of this heroic history of the Highland regiments that +our children and our children's children shall read with proud emotion +in days that are to be.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE BURKE AND WILLS EXPLORING EXPEDITION</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>ON August 21, 1860, in the most lovely season of the year—that of +early spring—the citizens of Melbourne crowded to the Royal +Park to witness the departure of the most liberally equipped +exploring party that had yet set out to penetrate the unknown +regions of Australia. Their object was to cross the land from the +South to the Northern Seas, a task which had never before been +accomplished, as well as to add to the scientific knowledge of the +interior.</div> + +<p>The expedition started under the leadership of Robert O'Hara +Burke, who began his career as a cadet at Woolwich, but left +at an early age to enter a regiment of Hussars in the Austrian +service, in which he subsequently held a captaincy.</p> + +<p>When this regiment was disbanded, in 1848, he obtained an +appointment in the Irish Constabulary, which he exchanged for the +Police Force of Victoria in 1853, and in this he was at once made +an inspector.</p> + +<p>A Mr. Landells, in charge of the camels, went as second in +command, and William John Wills, an astronomer and surveyor, as +third.</p> + +<p>Wills was the son of Dr. William Wills, and was born at Totnes, +in Devonshire, in 1834; he was cousin to Lieutenant Le Viscomte, +who perished with Sir John Franklin in the 'Erebus.'</p> + +<p>In 1852 the news of the wonderful gold discoveries induced him +to try his fortune in Victoria; but he soon became attached to the +staff of the Melbourne Observatory, where he remained until selected +for the post of observer and surveyor to the exploring expedition.</p> + +<p>From the time that the expedition first took shape the names +of these leaders were associated in the minds of the people with +those of other brave men who had toiled to solve the mystery that +lay out in the great thirsty wilderness of the interior. Some of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> +them had tried, and, failing, had returned broken in health by the +terrible privations they had met with. Others, having failed, had +tried again; but the seasons and years had rolled on since, and had +brought back no story of their fate.</p> + +<p>Therefore, as late in the afternoon Burke, mounted on a pretty +grey, rode forth at the head of the caravan, cheer after cheer rang +out from either side of the long lane formed by the thousands of +sympathetic colonists who were eager to get a last glimpse of the +adventurers.</p> + +<p>Immediately following the leader came a number of pack horses +led by the European servants on foot; then Landells and Dr. +Beckler mounted on camels; and in their train sepoys, leading two +by two twenty-four camels, each heavily burdened with forage and +provisions, and a mounted sepoy brought up the rear.</p> + +<p>At intervals after these several wagons rolled past, and finally +when nearly dusk, Wills and Fergusson, the foreman, rode out to +their first camping-ground at the village of Essendon, about seven +miles distant.</p> + +<p>Before the evening star, following close the crescent moon, had +dropped below the dark and distant hill range, the green near the +church was crowded by the picturesque confusion of the camp.</p> + +<p>Above the fires of piled gum-tree bark and sticks rose soft +plumes of white smoke that scented the air fragrantly, and the red +light of the flames showed, as they would show many times again, +the explorers' tents in vivid relief against the coming night.</p> + +<p>The horses and camels were unloaded and picketed, and the +men sat at the openings of their tents eating their supper, or stood +in groups talking to those anxious friends who had come out from +Melbourne to say the last good speed, or to repeat fears, to which +imagination often lent the wildest colouring, of perils that awaited +the adventurers in the great unknown land.</p> + +<p>The wet weather which set in soon after their start made +travelling very slow as they crossed Victoria, though at that time +all seemed to go well with the party.</p> + +<p>On fine days Wills found he was able to write his journal and +do much of his work whilst riding his camel; he sat behind the +hump, and had his instruments packed in front of it; thus he only +needed to stop when the bearings had to be carefully taken.</p> + +<p>They halted for several days at Swan Hill, which was their last +resting-place before leaving the Colony. They were very hospitably +entertained there by the people.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span></p> + +<p>This may have had something to do with the ill-content of some +of the party when on the march again, as at Balranald, beyond the +Murray, Burke found himself obliged to discharge the foreman, +Fergusson.</p> + +<p>The plan of their route had to be changed here, as they were +told that all along the Lower Darling, where they intended to travel, +there was absolutely no food for their horses, but a plant called the +Darling Pea, which made the animals that ate it mad.</p> + +<p>Burke was at this time constantly irritated by Landells refusing +to allow the camels to travel the distance of a day's march, or to +carry their proper burden; he was naturally full of anxiety to push +on while the season was favourable, and impatient and hasty when +anything occurred to hinder their progress.</p> + +<p>Landells insisted upon taking a quantity of rum for the use of +the camels, as he had heard of an officer who took two camels +through a two years' campaign in Cabul, the Punjab, and Scind by +allowing them arrack. He had also been sowing dissension in the +camp for some time; and, in short, the camels and the officer in +charge of them seemed likely to disorganise the whole of the +enterprise.</p> + +<p>Complaints were now continually reaching Burke from the +managers of the sheep stations through which they passed, that +their shearers had got drunk on some of the camels' rum, which +had been obtained from the wagons. He therefore, at last, +determined to leave the rum behind. Landells, of course, would +not agree to this, and in the end sent in his resignation.</p> + +<p>In the course of the same day Dr. Beckler followed his example, +giving as his reason that he did not like the manner in which Burke +spoke to Landells, and that he did not consider the party safe +without him to manage the camels. Burke did not, however, accept +the Doctor's resignation.</p> + +<p>This happened shortly before they left Menindie, the last station +of the settled districts, and it was impossible to find anyone to take +Landells' place. Wills was, however, at once promoted to be second +in charge.</p> + +<p>Burke now divided the expedition into two parts—one to act +with him as an exploring party to test the safety of the route to +Cooper's Creek, which was about four hundred miles farther on; +the other to remain at Menindie with the heavy stores, under the +care of Dr. Beckler, until arrangements were made to establish a +permanent depôt in the interior.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span></p> + +<p>The advance party of eight started on October 29, under the +guidance of a man named Wright, who was said to have practical +knowledge of the 'back country.'</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i339.png" width="400" height="479" alt="'The advance party of eight started on October 29'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'The advance party of eight started on October 29'</span> +</div> + +<p>They were Burke, Wills, Brahé, Patten, M'Donough, King, Gray, +and Dost Mahomet, with fifteen horses and sixteen camels.</p> + +<p>When this journey was made it was immediately after one of +those wonderful seasons that transform these parts of Central Australia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> +from a treeless and grassless desert to a land where the +swelling plains that stretch from bound to bound of the horizon are +as vast fields of ripening corn in their yellow summertide.</p> + +<p>Riding girth high through the lovely natural grass, from which +the ripe seed scattered as they passed, or camping at night surrounded +by it, the horses and camels improved in condition each +day, and were never at a loss for water. Sometimes they found a +sufficiency in a natural well or claypan; or again they struck for +some creek towards the west or north, whose irregular curves were +outlined on the plain by the gum-trees growing closely on its +banks.</p> + +<p>Nowhere did they experience great difficulty or serious obstacle +on their northward way, though sometimes, as they crossed the +rough ironstone ranges which crop up now and then on this great +and ever rising table-land, there was little feed, and the sharp stones +cut the feet of the animals as they trod with faltering footsteps +down the precipitous gulleys, out of which the floods had for ages +torn a path. As they followed the dry bed of such a path leading +to rich flats, they would come upon quiet pools deeply shaded by +gums and marsh mallow, that had every appearance of being permanent.</p> + +<p>After they had been out ten days and had travelled over two +hundred miles, Burke had formed so good an opinion of Wright +that he made him third in charge, and sent him back to Menindie +to replace Dr. Beckler—whose resignation was now accepted—in +command of the portion of the expedition at that place. Wright took +with him despatches to forward to Melbourne, and his instructions +were to follow up the advance party with the heavy stores immediately.</p> + +<p>Burke now pushed on to Cooper's Creek; and though the last part +of their journey led them over many of those tracts of country +peculiar to Australia where red sandy ridges rise and fall for many +miles in rigid uniformity, and are clothed for the most part in the +monotonous grey of salt and cotton-bush leafage, yet they saw +before them what has since proved to be one of the finest grazing +lands in the world.</p> + +<p>Still, as they went on, though the creeks and watercourses were +more frequent, everywhere they showed signs of rapid drying up.</p> + +<p>The party reached the Cooper on November 11, and after resting +for a day, they set about preparing the depôt. For about a fortnight +from this point Burke or Wills made frequent short journeys to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> +north or north-east, to feel their way before starting for the northern +coast.</p> + +<p>On one occasion Wills went out taking with him M'Donough and +three camels, and when about ninety miles from the head camp he +walked to a rising ground at some distance from where they intended +to stop to make some observations, leaving M'Donough in charge of +the camels and to prepare tea.</p> + +<p>On his return he found that the man had fallen asleep, and +that the camels had gone. Night closing in almost directly prevented +any search for the missing animals.</p> + +<p>Next morning nothing could be seen of them, though their +tracks were followed for many miles, and though Wills went to some +distant hills and searched the landscape on all sides with his field-glasses.</p> + +<p>With a temperature of 112° in the shade, and the dazzling sun-rays +beating from a pallid and cloudless sky, they started on their +homeward walk of eighty miles, with only a little bread and a few +johnny cakes to eat, each carrying as much water as he could.</p> + +<p>They feared to light a fire even at night, as it might have +attracted the blacks; therefore they took it in turn to sleep and +watch when the others rested; while the dingoes sneaked from +their cover in the belts of scrub, and howled dismally around +them.</p> + +<p>They reached the depôt in three days, having found only one +pool of stagnant water, from which they drank a great deal and +refilled the goatskin bag.</p> + +<p>Wills was obliged to return afterwards with King to recover the +saddles and things that were left when the camels strayed.</p> + +<p>For some time Wright had been expected to arrive with the +caravan from Menindie; yet a whole month passed and he did not +come.</p> + +<p>Burke who had now become very impatient at the loss of opportunity +and time, determined to make a dash across the continent +to the sea.</p> + +<p>He therefore left Brahé, a man who could travel by compass +and observation, in charge at Cooper's Creek depôt until Wright +should arrive, giving him positive instructions to remain there until +the return of the exploring party from the Gulf of Carpentaria, +which he thought would be in about three or four months.</p> + +<p>Burke started northwards on December 16, in company with +Wills, King, and Gray, taking with them six camels, one horse, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> +provisions for three months, while Brahé, three men, and a native +were left at the Creek with the rest of the horses and camels.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The expedition was now in three parts, and Wright, who perhaps +knew more about the uncertainty of the seasons and the terrible +consequences of drought than any of the party, still delayed leaving +Menindie with his contingent, though he well knew that as the +summer advanced the greater would be the difficulty to travel.</p> + +<p>He had become faint-hearted, and every day invented some new +excuse for not leaving. One day it was that there were not enough +camels and horses to carry the necessary provision; the next, that +the country through which they must pass was infested by blacks; +the next, that he waited for his appointment to be confirmed by the +authorities at Melbourne; and all this time he knew that Burke +depended solely upon him to keep up communication with the +depôt from the Darling.</p> + +<p>Finally he started at the end of January (summer in Australia), +more than a month after his appointment was officially confirmed, +and more than two months after his return from Menindie.</p> + +<p>For the first few days after Burke and Wills set off they followed +up the creek, and though the banks were rugged and stony, there +was plenty of grass and soft bush near. They soon fell in with a +large tribe of blacks, the first they had seen, who followed them for +some time, and constantly tried to entice them to their camp to +dance. When they refused to go the natives became very troublesome, +until they threatened to shoot them.</p> + +<p>They were fine-looking men, but easily frightened, and only +carried as a means of defence a shield and a large kind of +boomerang.</p> + +<p>The channel of the Creek was often quite dry for a great distance; +then a chain of magnificent water-holes followed, from +whose shady pools pelicans, black swans, and many species of duck +flew up in flocks at the approach of the travellers.</p> + +<p>After a few days they reached what seemed to be the end of +Cooper's Creek, and, steering a more north-easterly course, they +journeyed for some time over great plains covered by dry grass-stalks +or barren sandy ridges, on the steep sides of which grew +scant tufts of porcupine grass; sometimes following the lines of a +creek, or, again, travelling along the edge of a splendid lagoon that +stretched its placid waters for miles over the monotonous landscape.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span></p> + +<p>Even the stony desert they found far from bad travelling +ground, and but little different from much of what they had already +crossed.</p> + +<p>Yet ever before them there, from the sunrise to its setting, the +spectral illusive shapes of the mirage floated like restless spirit +betwixt heaven and earth on the quivering heat-haze.</p> + +<p>On January 7 they crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, and their +way beyond it soon began to improve.</p> + +<p>In the excitement of exploring fine country Burke rushed on +with almost headlong feverishness, travelling in every available hour +of the day, and often by night, even grudging the necessary time +for food and rest. He walked with Wills in front, taking it in +turn with him to steer by a pocket compass.</p> + +<p>Before they left each camp its number was cut deeply into the +bark of some prominent tree. Wills kept the little record there is +of their journey, and as they went it was the duty of King or Gray +to blaze a tree to mark their route.</p> + +<p>They passed now over many miles of the richly grassed slopes +of a beautiful open forest, intersected by frequent watercourses where +the land trended gradually upward to the distant mountain-range. +Sometimes they had to go out of their course in order to avoid the +tangle of tropic jungle; but onward north by east they went, +beneath the shade of heavy-fruited palms, their road again made +difficult by the large and numerous anthills that give these northern +latitudes so strange a solemnity and appearance of desolation.</p> + +<p>After leaving Cooper's Creek they often crossed the paths the +blacks made for themselves, but had hitherto seen nothing of the +natives. One day Golah, one of the camels (who were all now beginning +to show great signs of fatigue), had gone down into the bed of +a creek to drink, and could not be made to climb its steep sides +again.</p> + +<p>After several unsuccessful attempts to get him up, they determined +to try bringing him down until an easier ascent could be +found. King thereupon went on alone with him, and had great +difficulty in getting him through some of the deeper water-holes.</p> + +<p>But after going in this way for two or three miles they were +forced to leave him behind, as it separated King from the rest of +the party, and they found that a number of blacks were hiding in +the box-trees on the banks, watching, and following them with +stealthy footsteps.</p> + +<p>It now became a very difficult matter for the camels to travel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> +as the heavy rains that had fallen made the land so wet and boggy +that with every footstep they sank several inches into it.</p> + +<p>At Camp 119 Burke left them in charge of Gray and King, and +walked on to the shores of +Carpentaria with Wills, and +took only the horse Billy to +carry their provisions.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 362px;"> +<img src="images/i344.png" width="362" height="500" alt="Golah is abandoned" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Golah is abandoned</span> +</div> + +<p>They followed the banks +of a river which Burke named +the Cloncurry. A few hundred +yards below the camp Billy +got bogged in a quicksand +bank so deeply as to be unable +to stir, and they had +to undermine him on the +creek side and pull him into +the water. About five miles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span> +farther on he bogged again, and afterwards was so weak that he +could hardly crawl.</p> + +<p>After floundering along in this way for some time they came +upon a native path which led through a forest; following it, they +reached a large patch of sandy ground where the blacks had been +digging yams and had left numbers lying on the surface; and these +the explorers were glad enough to eat.</p> + +<p>A little farther on they saw a black lying coiled round his camp +fire, and by him squatted his lubra and piccaninny yabbering at a +great rate. They stopped to take out their pistols in case of need +before disturbing them; almost immediately the black got up to +stretch his limbs, and presently saw the intruders.</p> + +<p>He stared at them for some time, as if he thought he must be +dreaming, then, signing to the others, they all dropped on their +haunches, and shuffled off in the quietest manner.</p> + +<p>Near their fire was a worley (native hut) large enough to shelter +a dozen blacks; it was on the northern outskirt of the forest, and +looked out across a marsh which is sometimes flooded by sea-water. +Upon this were hundreds of wild geese, plover, and pelicans. After +they crossed it they reached a channel through which the sea-water +enters, and there passed three blacks, who silently and unasked +pointed out the best way to go.</p> + +<p>Next day, Billy being completely tired, they short-hobbled and +left him, going forward again at daybreak in the hope of at last +reaching the open sea. After following the Flinders (this country +had already been explored by Gregory) for about fifteen miles, and +finding that the tide ebbed and flowed regularly, and that the water +was quite salt, they decided to go back, having successfully accomplished +one great object of their mission, by crossing the Australian +continent from south to north.</p> + +<p>After rejoining Gray and King on February 13, the whole party +began the return march. The incessant and heavy rains that had +set in rendered travelling very difficult; but the provisions were +running short, and it was necessary to try to get back to the depôt +without delay.</p> + +<p>The damp and suffocating heat that brooded in the air overpowered +both man and beast, who were weak and weary from want +of rest; and to breast the heavy rains and to swim the rapid +creeks in flood well-nigh exhausted all their strength.</p> + +<p>Day after day they stumbled listlessly onward; while the poor +camels, sweating, bleeding, and groaning from fear, had their feet at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span> +almost every step entangled by the climbing plants that clung to +the rank grasses, which had rushed in magical growth to a height +of eight or ten feet.</p> + +<p>If for a moment they went to windward of their camp fires they +were maddened by swarms of mosquitoes, and everywhere were +pestered by ants.</p> + +<p>Wonderful green and scarlet ants dropped upon them from the +trees as they passed; from every log or stick gathered for the fires +a new species crept; inch-long black or brown 'bulldogs' showed +fight at them underfoot: midgets lurked in the cups of flowers; +while the giant white ant ate its stealthy way in swarms through +the sap of the forest trees from root to crown.</p> + +<p>Every night fierce storms of thunder crashed and crackled overhead, +and the vivid lightning flaring across the heavens overpowered +the moonlight.</p> + +<p>Gray, who had been ailing for some time, grew worse, though +probably, as they were all in such evil plight, they did not think +him really ill.</p> + +<p>One night Wills, returning to a camp to bring back some things +that had been left, found him hiding behind a tree eating skilligolee. +He explained he was suffering from dysentery, and had taken the +flour without leave.</p> + +<p>It had already been noticed that the provisions disappeared in +an unaccountable way; therefore Wills ordered him back to report +himself to Burke. But Gray was afraid to tell, and got King to do +so for him. When Burke heard of it, he was very angry, and +flogged him.</p> + +<p>On March 20 they overhauled the packs, and left all they could +do without behind, as the camels were so exhausted.</p> + +<p>Soon after this they were again beyond the line of rainfall, and +once more toiling over the vast plains and endless stony rises of the +interior.</p> + +<p>At the camp called Boocha's Rest they killed the camel Boocha, +and spent the whole day cutting up and jerking the flesh—that +is, removing all bone and fat and drying the lean parts in the +sun; they also now made use of a plant called portulac as a +vegetable, and found it very good, and a great addition to their +food.</p> + +<p>For more than a week it had become very troublesome to get +Gray to walk at all; he was still in such bad odour from his thieving +that the rest of the party thought he pretended illness, and as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> +had to halt continually to wait for him when marching, he was +always in mischief.</p> + +<p>The faithful Billy had to be sacrificed in the Stony Desert, as he +was so reduced and knocked up that there seemed little chance of +his reaching the other side; and another day was taken to cut up +and jerk his flesh.</p> + +<p>At dawn on the fourth day before they reached the depôt, when +they were preparing to start they were shocked to find poor Gray +was dying.</p> + +<p>His companions, full of remorse for bygone harshness, their better +natures stirred to the depths of humanity by his pitiful case, knelt +around to support him in those last moments as he lay stretched +speechless on his desolate sand bed. Thus comforted, his fading +eyes closed for ever as the red sun rose above the level plain.</p> + +<p>The party remained in camp that day to bury him, though they +were so weak that they were hardly able to dig a grave in the +sand sufficiently deep for the purpose.</p> + +<p>They had lived on the flesh of the worn-out horse for fifteen +days, and once or twice were forced to camp without water. +Though the sun was always hot, at night a gusty wind blew from +the south with an edge like a razor, which made their fire so +irregular as to be of little use to them. The sudden and cruel +extremes of heat and cold racked the exhausted frames of the +explorers with pain, and Burke and King were hardly able to walk. +They pushed on, only sustained by the thought that but a few hours, +a few miles, now separated them from the main party, where the +first felicitations on the success of their exploit awaited them, and, +what was of greater importance to men shattered by hardships and +privation, wholesome food, fresh clothing, and the comfort of a +properly organised camp.</p> + +<p>On the morning of April 21, with every impatient nerve strung +to its utmost tension, and full of hope, they urged their two remaining +camels forward for the last thirty miles; and Burke, who rode +a little in advance of the others, shouted for joy when they struck +Cooper's Creek at the exact spot where Brahé had been left in +charge of the depôt.</p> + +<p>'I think I see their tents,' he cried, and putting his weary +camel to its best speed, he called out the names of the men he had +left there.</p> + +<p>'There they are! There they are!' he shouted eagerly, and +with a last spurt left the others far behind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span></p> + +<p>When Wills and King reached the depôt they saw Burke standing +by the side of his camel in a deserted camp, <i>alone</i>.</p> + +<p>He was standing, lost in amazement, staring vacantly around. +Signs of recent departure, of a final packing-up, everywhere met the +eye: odd nails and horseshoes lay about, with other useful things +that would not have been left had the occupants merely decamped +to some other spot. Then, as one struck by some terrible blow, +Burke reeled and fell to the ground, overcome by the revulsion of +feeling from exultant hope to sudden despair.</p> + +<p>Wills, who had ever the greater control of himself, now walked +in all directions to make a careful examination, followed at a little +distance by King.</p> + +<p>Presently he stopped, and pointing to a tree, into the bark of +which had been newly cut the words—</p> + +<div class='center'> +'<span class="smcap">Dig.</span><br /> +'April 21, 1861'<br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>he said:—</div> + +<p>'<i>King, they are gone!</i> They have only gone to-day—there are +the things they have left!'</p> + +<p>The two men immediately set to work to uncover the earth, and +found a few inches below the surface a box containing provisions +and a bottle.</p> + +<p>In the bottle was a note, which was taken to Burke at once, who +read it aloud:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='right'> +'Depôt, Cooper's Creek,<br /> +<span style="margin-right: 1em;">'April 21, 1861.</span></div> + +<p>'The depôt party of the Victorian Exploring Expedition leaves +this camp to-day to return to the Darling.</p> + +<p>'I intend to go S.E. from Camp 60, to get into our old track near +Bulloo. Two of my companions and myself are quite well; the third—Patten—has +been unable to walk for the last eighteen days, +as his leg has been severely hurt when thrown by one of the horses.</p> + +<p>'No person has been up here from the Darling.</p> + +<p>'We have six camels and twelve horses in good working condition.</p> + +<div class='sig'> +'<span class="smcap">William Brahé.</span>'<br /> +</div> +</div> + +<p>When the leader had finished reading it, he turned to the others +and asked if they would start next day to try to overtake Brahé's +party.</p> + +<p>They replied that they could not. With the slightest exertion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> +all felt the indescribable languor and terrible aching in back and legs +that had proved fatal to poor Gray. And, indeed, it was as much +as any one of them could do to crawl to the side of the creek for a +billy of water.</p> + +<p>They were not long in getting out the stores Brahé had left, and +in making themselves a good supper of oatmeal porridge and +sugar.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i349.png" width="400" height="365" alt="'King, they are gone!'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'King, they are gone!'</span> +</div> + +<p>This and the excitement of their unexpected position did much +to revive them. Burke presently decided to make for a station on +the South Australian side which he believed was only one hundred +and twenty miles from the Cooper. Both Wills and King wanted +to follow down their old track to the Darling, but afterwards gave +in to Burke's idea. Therefore it was arranged that after they had +rested they would proceed by gentle stages towards the Mount +Hopeless sheeprun.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span></p> + +<p>Accordingly, on the next day Burke wrote and deposited in the +cache a letter giving a sketch of the exploration, and added the +following postscript:</p> + +<p>'The camels cannot travel, and we cannot walk, or we should +follow the other party. We shall move very slowly down the +Creek.'</p> + +<p>The cache was again covered with earth, and left as they had +found it, though nothing was added to the word 'Dig,' or to the +date on the tree; which curious carelessness on the part of men +accustomed to note every camping-ground in this way seems unaccountable.</p> + +<p>A few days after their return they started with the month's +supply of provisions that had been left.</p> + +<p>They had every reason to hope, with the help of the camels, +they might easily reach Mount Hopeless in time to preserve their +lives and to reap the reward of their successful exertions.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>It will be remembered that when Burke formally appointed +Brahé as officer in command of the depôt until Wright should +arrive, he was told to await his leader's return to Cooper's Creek, +<i>or not to leave it until obliged by absolute necessity</i>. Day after +day, week after week passed, and Wright, with the rest of the +stores from Menindie, never came. It was more than four months +since Burke's party went north, and every day for the last six weeks +Brahé had looked out anxiously for their return.</p> + +<p>On one hand he was worried by Patten, who was dying, and who +wanted to go back to the Darling for advice; on the other, by +M'Donough's continually pouring into his ears the assurance that +Burke would not return that way, but had doubtless by this time +made for some port on the Queensland coast, and had returned to Melbourne +by sea; and that if they stayed at the depôt they would +all get scurvy, and in the end die of starvation. Though they +had sufficient provisions to keep them for another month, they +decided to start on the morning of April 21, leaving the box of +stores and the note hidden in the earth which the explorers found +on their return.</p> + +<p>Following their former route towards the Darling, they fell in +with Wright's party at Bulloo, where they had been stationary for +several weeks, and where three of the men had died of scurvy.</p> + +<p>Brahé at once put himself under Wright's orders; but he did not +rest until Wright consented to go to Cooper's Creek with him, so that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span> +before abandoning the expedition he might feel assured that the +explorers had not returned.</p> + +<p>Wright and Brahé reached the depôt on May 8, a fortnight after +the others had left, and Brahé seeing nothing above ground in the +camp to lead him to think anyone had been there, did not trouble +to disturb the box which he had originally planted—as Wright +suggested the blacks would be more likely to find it; therefore, running +their horses several times over the spot, they completed by +their thoughtless stupidity the most terrible blunder the explorers +had begun.</p> + +<p>Wright and Brahé then rejoined the camp at Bulloo, when all +moved back to Menindie, and reached that place on June 18.</p> + +<p>Brahé at once set off for Melbourne, and by this time everyone +there seemed to be alive to the necessity of sending out to look for +the explorers.</p> + +<p>Two steamers were despatched to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and +a relief party, in charge of Alfred Howitt, up to the Cooper.</p> + +<p>From South Australia an organised expedition of twenty-six +men, with McKinlay as leader, was already engaged in the search, +as well as several smaller parties from the neighbouring colonies.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Burke, Wills, and King, much revived with the rest of a few days +and the food they had found at the depôt, left for Mount Hopeless, +with the intention of following as nearly as possible the route taken +by Gregory many years before.</p> + +<p>Shortly after their departure Landa, one of the camels, bogged at +the side of a water-hole and sank rapidly, as the ground beneath +was a bottomless quicksand; all their efforts to dig him out were +useless, and they had to shoot him where he lay, and cut off what +flesh they could get at to jerk.</p> + +<p>They made a fresh start next day with the last camel, Rajah, +only loaded with the most useful and necessary articles; and +each of the men now carried his own swag of bed and clothing.</p> + +<p>In addition to these misfortunes they had now to contend with +the blast of drought that lay over the land; with the fiery sun, that +streamed from cloudless skies, beneath which the very earth shrunk +from itself in gaping fissures; with the wild night wind, that +shrieked and skirled with devastating breath over the wilderness +beneath the cold light of the crowding stars.</p> + +<p>For a few days they followed the Creek, but found that it split +up into sandy channels which became rapidly smaller as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span> +advanced, and sent off large billabongs (or backwaters) to the south, +slightly changing the course of the Creek each time, until it disappeared +altogether in a north-westerly direction. Burke and Wills +went forward alone to reconnoitre, and found that the land as far +as they could see stretched away in great earthy plains intersected +by lines of trees and empty watercourses.</p> + +<p>Next day they retraced their steps to the last camp, and realised +that their rations were rapidly diminishing and their boots and +clothing falling to pieces.</p> + +<p>Rajah was very ill and on the point of dying, when Burke +ordered him to be shot, his flesh being afterwards dried in the usual +manner.</p> + +<p>Some friendly blacks, whom they amused by lighting fires with +matches, gave them some fish and a kind of bread called nardoo.</p> + +<p>At various times they had tried to learn from the blacks how to +procure the nardoo grain, which is the seed of a small clover-like +plant, but had failed to make them understand what they wanted.</p> + +<p>Then Wills went out alone to look for it; but as he expected to +find it growing on a tree, was of course unsuccessful, and the blacks +had again moved off to some other branch of the Creek.</p> + +<p>The terrible fate of death from starvation awaited them if they +could not obtain this knowledge, and for several days they all persevered +with the search, until quite by chance King at last caught +sight of some seeds which proved to be nardoo lying at the foot of +a sandhill, and they soon found the plain beyond was black with it.</p> + +<p>With the reassurance that they could now support themselves +they made another attempt to reach Mount Hopeless. Burke and +King each carried a billy of water, and the last of the provisions +was packed up in their swags; but after travelling for three days +they found no water, and were forced to turn back to the Creek, at a +point where—though they knew it not—scarce fifty miles remained +to be accomplished, and just as Mount Hopeless would have +appeared above the horizon had they continued their route for even +another day.</p> + +<p>Wearily they retraced their footsteps to the water and to the +prospect of existence. They at once set about collecting nardoo; +two of them were employed in gathering it, while one stayed in +camp to clean and crush it.</p> + +<p>In a few days Burke sent Wills back to the depôt to bury the +field-books of their journey north in the cache, and another letter +to tell of their present condition.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span></p> + +<p>When Wills reached the spot he could see no trace of anyone +having been there but natives, and that the hiding-place had not +been touched.</p> + +<p>Having deposited the field-books and a note, with an account of +their sufferings and a pitiful and useless appeal for food and clothing, +he started back to rejoin Burke, terribly fatigued and weak +from his long walk.</p> + +<p>It had taken him eleven days to cover the seventy miles to and +fro, and he had had very little to eat.</p> + +<p>However, to his surprise, one morning, on his way back he +heard a cooee from the opposite bank of the Creek, and saw +Pitchery, the chief of the friendly blacks, beckoning to him to come +to their camp. Pitchery made him sit down by a fire, upon +which a large pile of fish was cooking.</p> + +<p>This he thought was to provide a breakfast for the half-dozen +natives who sat around; but to his astonishment they made him +eat the whole lot, while they sat by extracting the bones.</p> + +<p>Afterwards a supply of nardoo was given him; at which he ate +until he could eat no more. The blacks then asked him to stay the +night with them; but as he was anxious to rejoin Burke and King, +he went on.</p> + +<p>In his absence Burke, while frying some fish that the natives had +given him, had set fire to the mia-mia (a shelter made by the +blacks of bushes and trees).</p> + +<p>It burnt so quickly that every remnant of their clothing was +destroyed, and nothing saved but a gun.</p> + +<p>In a few days they all started back towards the depôt, in +the hope that they could live with the blacks; but they found they +had again disappeared.</p> + +<p>On again next morning to another of the native camps; but, +finding it empty, the wanderers took possession of the best mia-mia, +and Wills and King were sent out to collect nardoo.</p> + +<p>This was now absolutely their only food, with the exception +of two crows which King shot; he alone seemed to be uninjured +by the nardoo. Wills had at last suddenly collapsed, and could +only lie in the mia-mia, and philosophically contemplate the +situation.</p> + +<p>He strongly advised Burke and King to leave him, as the +only chance for the salvation of any one of them now was to find +the blacks.</p> + +<p>Very reluctantly at last Burke consented to go; and after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span> +placing a large supply of nardoo, wood, and water within easy +reach, Burke said again:</p> + +<p>'I will not leave you, Wills, under any other circumstance +than that of your own wish.'</p> + +<p>And Wills, again repeating 'It is our only chance,' gave him a +letter and his watch for his father.</p> + +<p>King had already buried the rest of the field-books near the +mia-mia.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The first day after they left Wills Burke was very weak, and +complained sadly of great pain in his back and legs. Next day +he was a little better, and walked for about two miles, then lay +down and said he could go no farther.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 537px;"> +<img src="images/i354.png" width="537" height="407" alt="Death of Burke" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Death of Burke</span> +</div> + +<p>King managed to get him up, but as he went he dropped his +swag and threw away everything he had to carry.</p> + +<p>When they halted he said he felt much worse, and could +not last many hours longer, and he gave his pocket-book to King, +saying:—</p> + +<p>'I hope you will remain with me till I am quite dead—it is a +comfort to know someone is by; but when I am dying, it is my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span> +wish that you should place the pistol in my right hand, and +that you leave me unburied as I lie.'</p> + +<p>Doubtless he thought of King's weak state, and wished to +spare him the labour of digging a grave.</p> + +<p>The last of the misfortunes that had followed the enterprise +from the outset, misfortunes in many cases caused by the impatient +zeal of its leader, was drawing to its close.</p> + +<p>Tortured by disappointment and despair, racked by starvation +and disease, he lay in the desert dying.</p> + +<p>Flinging aside the last poor chance of succour, renouncing all hope +that he might yet live to reap the reward of his brilliant dash across +the continent, he met death</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'With the pistol clenched in his failing hand,<br /> +With the death mist spread o'er his fading eyes<br /> +He saw the sun go down on the sand,<br /> +And he slept—and never saw it rise.'<br /> +</div> + +<div class='unindent'>King lingered near the spot for a few hours; but at last, feeling it +to be useless, he went on up the Creek to look for the natives.</div> + +<p>In one of their deserted mia-mias he found a large store of the +nardoo seed, and, carrying it with him, returned to Wills.</p> + +<p>On his way back he shot three crows. This addition to their +food would, he felt, give them a chance of tiding over their difficulties +until the blacks could again be found. But as he drew near +the mia-mia where he and poor Burke had left Wills a few days +before, and saw his lonely figure in the distance lying much as +they had left him, a sudden fear came upon him.</p> + +<p>Hitherto the awful quiet of these desolate scenes had little impressed +him, and now it came upon him heavily. The shrilling of +a solitary locust somewhere in the gums, the brisk crackle of dry +bark and twigs as he trod, the melancholy sighing of the wind-stirred +leafage, offered him those inexplicable contrasts that give +stress to silence.</p> + +<p>Anxious to escape thoughts so little comprehended, King hurried +on, and essayed a feeble 'cooee' when a few yards from the sleeper. +No answering sound or gesture greeted him.</p> + +<p>Wills had fallen peacefully asleep for ever.</p> + +<p>Footprints on the sand showed that the blacks had already been +there, and after King had buried the corpse with sand and rushes +as well as he was able, he started to follow their tracks.</p> + +<p>Feeling desperately lonely and ill, he went on, and as he went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span> +he shot some more crows. The blacks, hearing the report of the +gun, came to meet him, and taking him to their camp gave him food.</p> + +<p>The next day they talked to him by signs, putting one finger in +the ground and covering it with sand, at the same time pointing up +the Creek, saying 'White fellow.'</p> + +<p>By this they meant that one white man was dead.</p> + +<p>King, by putting two fingers in the sand and covering them, made +them understand that his second companion was also dead.</p> + +<p>Finding he was now quite alone, they seemed very sorry for him, +and gave him plenty to eat. However, in a few days they became +tired of him, and by signs told him they meant to go up the Creek, +pointing in the opposite direction to show that that must be his way. +But when he shot some more crows for them they were very pleased. +One woman to whom he gave a part of a crow gave him a ball of +nardoo, and, showing him a wound on her arm, intimated that she +would give him more, but she was unable to pound it. When King +saw the wound he boiled some water in his billy and bathed it. +While the whole tribe sat round, watching and yabbering excitedly, +he touched it with some lunar caustic; she shrieked and ran off, +crying 'mokow! mokow!' (fire! fire!) She was, however, very +grateful for his kindness, and from that time she and her husband +provided him with food.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>About two months later the relief party reached the depôt, where +they found the letters and journals the explorers had placed in the +cache. They at once set off down the Creek, in the hope still of +finding Burke and Wills. They met a black who directed them to +the native camp. Here they found King sitting alone in the mia-mia +the natives had made for him, wasted and worn to a shadow, almost +imbecile from the terrible hardships he had suffered.</p> + +<p>He turned his hopeless face upon the new-comers, staring +vacantly at them, muttering indistinctly words which his lips +refused to articulate. Only the remnants of his clothing marked +him as a civilised being. The blacks who had fed him sat round +to watch the meeting with most gratified and delighted expressions.</p> + +<p>Howitt waited for a few days to give King an opportunity of +recovering his strength, that he might show them where the bodies +of his unfortunate leaders lay, that the last sad duty to the dead +might be performed before they left the place.</p> + +<p>Burke's body had been dragged a short distance from where it +originally lay, and was partly eaten by the dingoes (wild dogs). The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span> +remains were carefully collected, wrapped in a Union Jack, and +placed in a grave dug close to the spot.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>A few weeks later the citizens of Melbourne, once again aroused +to extravagant enthusiasm, lined the streets through which the only +survivor of the only Victorian Exploration Expedition was to pass.</p> + +<p>'Here he comes! Here he comes!' rang throughout the crowd +as King was driven to the Town Hall to tell his narrative to the +company assembled there.</p> + +<p>'There is a man!' shouted one—'There is a man who has lived +in hell.'</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>A few months later Howitt was again sent to Cooper's Creek to +exhume the bodies of Burke and Wills and bring them to Melbourne. +They were honoured by a public funeral, and a monument was +erected to their memory—</p> + +<div class='poem'> +'A statue tall, on a pillar of stone,<br /> +Telling its story to great and small<br /> +Of the dust reclaimed from the sand-waste lone.'<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE STORY OF EMUND</i> (<span class="smcap">a.d.</span> 1020)</h2> + + +<div class='cap'>THERE was a man named Emund of Skara; lawman in +Western Gautland, and very wise and eloquent. Of high +birth he was, had a numerous kin, and was very wealthy. Men +deemed him cunning, and not very trusty. He passed for the +man of most weight in West Gautland now that the Earl was gone +away.</div> + +<p>At the time when Earl Rognvald left Gautland the Gauts held +assemblies, and often murmured among themselves about what the +Swedish king was intending. They heard that he was wroth with +them for having made a friendship with Olaf, King of Norway, +rather than quarrel. He also charged with crime those men who +had accompanied his daughter Astridr to Norway's king. And +some said that they should seek protection of the Norse king and +offer him their service; while others were against this, and said +that the West Gauts had no strength to maintain a quarrel against +the Swedes, 'and the Norse king is far from us,' they said, +'because the main power of his land is far: and this is the first +thing we must do, send men to the Swedish king and try to make +agreement with him; but if that cannot be done, then take we the +other choice of seeking the protection of the Norse king.'</p> + +<p>So the landowners asked Emund to go on this mission, to +which he assented, and went his way with thirty men, and came +to East Gautland. There he had many kinsmen and friends, and +was well received. He had there some talk with the wisest men +about this difficulty, and they were quite agreed in thinking that +what the King was doing with them was against use and law. Then +Emund went on to Sweden, and there talked with many great +men; and there too all were of the same mind. He then held on +his way till he came on the evening of a day to Upsala. There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span> +they found them good lodging and passed the night. The next day +Emund went before the King as he sat in council with many +around him. Emund went up to the King, and bowed down before +him, and greeted him. The King looked at him, returned his +greeting, and asked him what tidings he brought.</p> + +<p>Emund answered: 'Little tidings are there with us Gauts. +But this we deem a novelty: Atti the Silly in Vermaland went in +the winter up to the forest with his snowshoes and bow; we call +him a mighty hunter. On the fell he got such store of grey fur +that he had filled his sledge with as much as he could manage to +draw after him. He turned him homeward from the forest; but then +he saw a squirrel in the wood, and shot at him and missed. Then +was he wroth, and, loosing from him his sledge, he ran after the +squirrel. But the squirrel went ever where the wood was thickest, +sometimes near the tree roots, sometimes high among the +boughs, and passed among the boughs from tree to tree. But +when Atti shot at him, the arrow always flew above or below him, +while the squirrel never went so that Atti could not see him. So +eager was he in this chase that he crept after him for the whole +day, but never could he get this squirrel. And when darkness +came on, he lay down in the snow, as he was wont, and so passed +the night; 'twas drifting weather. Next day Atti went to seek his +sledge, but he never found it again; and so he went home. Such +are my tidings, sire.'</p> + +<p>Said the King: 'Little tidings these, if there be no more to +say.'</p> + +<p>Emund answered: 'Yet further a while ago happened this, +which one may call tidings. Gauti Tofason went out with five +warships by the river Gaut Elbe; but when he lay by the Eikr +Isles, some Danes came there with five large merchant ships. +Gauti and his company soon captured four of the merchant ships +without losing a man, and took great store of wealth; but the fifth +ship escaped out to sea by sailing. Gauti went after that one ship, +and at first gained on it; but soon, as the wind freshened, the +merchant ship went faster. They had got far out to sea, and Gauti +wished to turn back; but a storm came on, and his ship was wrecked +on an island, and all the wealth lost and the more part of the men. +Meanwhile his comrades had had to stay at the Eikr Isles. Then +attacked them fifteen Danish merchant ships, and slew them all, +and took all the wealth which they had before gotten. Such was +the end of this covetousness.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span></p> + +<p>The King answered: 'Great tidings these, and worth telling; +but what is thy errand hither?'</p> + +<p>Emund answered: 'I come, sire, to seek a solution in a +difficulty where our law and Upsala law differ.'</p> + +<p>The King asked: 'What is it of which thou wouldst complain?'</p> + +<p>Emund answered: 'There were two men, nobly born, equal in +family, but unequal in possessions and disposition. They quarrelled +about lands, and each wrought harm on the other, and he wrought +the more who was the more powerful, till their dispute was settled +and judged at the general assembly. He who was the more +powerful was condemned to pay; but at the first repayment he +paid wildgoose for goose, little pig for old swine, and for a mark of +gold he put down half a mark of gold, the other half-mark of clay +and mould, and yet further threatened with rough treatment the +man to whom he was paying this debt. What is thy judgment +herein, sire?'</p> + +<p>The King answered: 'Let him pay in full what was adjudged, +and to his King thrice that amount. And if it be not paid within +the year, then let him go an outlaw from all his possessions, let half +his wealth come into the King's treasury, and half to the man to +whom he owed redress.'</p> + +<p>Emund appealed to all the greatest men there, and to the laws +valid at Upsala Thing in witness of this decision. Then he saluted +the King and went out. Other men brought their complaints +before the King, and he sat long time over men's suits.</p> + +<p>But when the King came to table he asked where was lawman +Emund.</p> + +<p>He was told that he was at home in his lodging.</p> + +<p>Then said the King: 'Go after him, he shall be my guest to-day.'</p> + +<p>Just then came in the viands, and afterwards players with harps +and fiddles and other music, and then drink was served. The King +was very merry, and had many great men as his guests, and thought +no more of Emund. He drank for the rest of the day, and slept +that night.</p> + +<p>But in the morning, when the King waked, then he bethought +him of what Emund had talked of the day before. And so soon as +he was dressed he had his wise men summoned to him. King Olaf +had ever about him twelve of the wisest men; they sate with him +over judgments and counselled him in difficulties; and that was no +easy task, for while the King liked it ill if judgment was perverted, +he yet would not hear any contradiction of himself. When they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span> +were met thus in council, the King took the word, and bade Emund +be called thither.</p> + +<p>But the messenger came back and said: 'Sire, Emund the +lawman rode away yesterday immediately after he had supped.'</p> + +<p>Then spake the King: 'Tell me this, noble lords, whereto pointed +that law question of which Emund asked yesterday?'</p> + +<p>They answered: 'Sire, thou wilt have understood it, if it meant +more than his mere words.'</p> + +<p>The King said: 'By those two nobly-born men of whom he told +the story that they disputed, the one more powerful than the other, +and each wrought the other harm, he meant me and Olaf Stout.'</p> + +<p>'It is even so, sire,' said they, 'as thou sayest.'</p> + +<p>The King went on: 'Judgment there was in our cause at the +Upsala Thing. But what did that mean which he said about the +under-payment, wildgoose for goose, little pig for old swine, half +clay for gold?'</p> + +<p>Arnvid the Blind answered: 'Sire,' said he, 'very unlike are red +gold and clay, but more different are king and thrall. Thou didst +promise to Olaf Stout thy daughter Ingigerdr, who is of royal birth +on both sides, and of Up-Swedish family, the highest in the North, +for it derives from the gods themselves. But now King Olaf has +gotten to wife Astridr. And though she is a king's child, yet her +mother is a bondwoman and a Wendlander.'</p> + +<p>There were three brothers then in the council; Arnvid the Blind, +whose sight was so dim that he could scarce bear arms, but he was +very eloquent; the second was Thorvid the Stammerer, who could +not speak more than two words together, he was most bold and +sincere; the third was called Freyvid the Deaf, he was hard of +hearing. These brothers were all powerful men, wealthy, of noble +kin, prudent, and all were dear to the King.</p> + +<p>Then said King Olaf: 'What means that which Emund told of +Atti the Silly?'</p> + +<p>None answered, but they looked at one another.</p> + +<p>Said the King, 'Speak now.'</p> + +<p>Then said Thorvid the Stammerer: 'Atti quarrelsome, covetous, +ill-willed, silly, foolish.'</p> + +<p>Then asked the King, 'Against whom is aimed this cut?'</p> + +<p>Then answered Freyvid the Deaf: 'Sire, men will speak more +openly, if that may be with thy permission.'</p> + +<p>Said the King: 'Speak now, Freyvid, with permission what thou +wilt.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span></p> + +<p>Freyvid then took the word: 'Thorvid my brother, who is called +the wisest of us, calls the man Atti quarrelsome, silly, and foolish. +He calls him so because, ill-content with peace, he hunts eagerly +after small things, and yet gets them not, while for their sake he +throws away great and good things. I am deaf, but now so many +have spoken that I have been able to understand that men both +great and small like it ill that thou, sire, keepest not thy word with +the King of Norway. And still worse like they this: that thou +makest of none effect the judgment of the General Assembly +at Upsala. Thou hast no need to fear King of Norway or of +Danes, nor anyone else, while the armies of Sweden will follow +thee. But if the people of the land turn against thee with one +consent, then we thy friends see no counsel that is sure to +avail.'</p> + +<p>The King asked: 'Who are the leading men in this counsel to +take the land from me?'</p> + +<p>Freyvid answered: 'All the Swedes wish to have old law and +their full right. Look now, sire, how many of thy nobles sit in +council here with thee. I think we be here but six whom thou +callest thy counsellors; all the others have ridden away, and are +gone into the provinces, and are holding meetings with the people +of the land; and, to tell thee the truth, the war-arrow is cut, and +sent round all the land, and a high court appointed. All we brothers +have been asked to take part in this counsel, but not one of us will +bear this name and be called traitor to his king, for our fathers +were never such.'</p> + +<p>Then said the King: 'What expedient can we find? A great +difficulty is upon us: give ye counsel, noble sirs, that I may keep +the kingdom and my inheritance from my fathers; I wish not to +contend against all the host of Sweden.'</p> + +<p>Arnvid the Blind answered: 'Sire, this seems to me good +counsel: that thou ride down to Aros with such as will follow thee, +take ship there, and go out to the lake; there appoint a meeting +with the people. Behave not with hardness, but offer men law and +land right; put down the war-arrow, it will not have gone far +round the land in so short a time; send men of thine whom thou +canst trust to meet those men who have this business in hand, and +try if this tumult can be quieted.'</p> + +<p>The King said that he would accept this counsel. 'I will,' said +he, 'that ye brothers go on this mission, for I trust you best of my +men.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then said Thorvid the Stammerer: 'I will remain behind, but +let thy son Jacob go; this is needful.'</p> + +<p>And Freyvid said: 'Let us do, sire, even as Thorvid says; he +will not leave thee in this peril; but I and Arnvid will go.'</p> + +<p>So this counsel was followed. King Olaf went to his ships and +stood out to the lake, and many men soon joined him there. But +the brothers Freyvid and Arnvid rode out to Ullar-acre, taking +with them Jacob, the King's son, but his going they kept secret. +They soon got to know that there was a gathering and rush to +arms, and the country people held meetings both by day and night.</p> + +<p>But when Freyvid and his party met their kinsmen and friends +they said that they would join their company, and this offer all +accepted joyfully.</p> + +<p>At once the deliberation was referred to the two brothers, and +numbers followed them, yet all were at one in saying that they +would no longer have Olaf king over them, and would not endure +his breaches of law and his arrogance, for he would hear no man's +cause, even though great chiefs told him the truth.</p> + +<p>But when Freyvid found the vehemence of the people, then he +saw into what danger matters had come, and he held a meeting +with the chiefs, and thus spoke before them: 'It seems to me that +if this great measure is to be taken, to remove Olaf Ericsson from +the kingdom, we Up-Swedes ought to have the ruling of it; it has +always been so, that what the chiefs of the Up-Swedes have resolved +among them, to this the other men of the land have listened. +Our fathers needed not to receive advice from the West Gauts +about their ruling of the land. Now are we not so degenerate that +Emund need teach us counsel; I would have us bind our counsel +together, kinsmen and friends.'</p> + +<p>To this all agreed, and thought it well said. After that the +whole multitude of the people turned to join this union of the Up-Swedish +chiefs; so then Freyvid and Arnvid became chiefs over the +people. But when Emund found this, he guessed how the matter +would end. So he went to meet these brothers, and they had a +talk together; and Freyvid asked Emund: 'What mean ye to do +if Olaf Ericsson is killed; what king will ye have?'</p> + +<p>Emund answered; 'Whosoever suits us best, whether of royal +family or not.'</p> + +<p>Freyvid answered: 'We Up-Swedes will not that the kingdom +in our days go out of the family who from father to son have long +held it, while such good means may be taken to shun that as now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span> +can be. King Olaf has two sons, and we will have one of them +for king. There is, however, a great difference between them; one +is nobly born and Swedish on both sides, the other is a bondwoman's +son and half Wendish.'</p> + +<p>At this decision there was great acclaim, and all would have +Jacob for king.</p> + +<p>Then said Emund: 'You Up-Swedes have power to rule this for +the time; but I warn you that hereafter some of those who will +not hear now of anything else but that the kingdom of Sweden go +in the royal line, will themselves live to consent that the kingdom +pass into other families, and that will turn out better.'</p> + +<p>After this the brothers Freyvid and Arnvid caused Jacob the +King's son to be led before the assembly, and there they gave him +the title of king, and therewith the Swedes gave him the name +Onund, and henceforth he was so called. He was then ten or +twelve years old.</p> + +<p>Then King Onund took to him guards, and chose chiefs with +such force of men about them as seemed needful; and he gave the +common people of the land leave to go home. Thereafter messengers +passed between the kings, and soon they met and made +their agreement. Olaf was to be king over the land while he +lived; he was to hold to peace and agreement with the King of +Norway, as also with all those men who had been implicated in +this counsel. Onund was also to be king, and have so much of the +land as father and son might think fit; but was to be bound to +follow the landowners if King Olaf did any of those things which +they would not tolerate.</p> + +<p>After this messengers went to Norway to seek King Olaf with this +errand, that he should come with a fleet to Konunga Hella (Kings' +Stone) to meet the Swedish king, and that the Swedish king wished +that they should there ratify their treaty. King Olaf was still, as +before, desirous of peace, and came with his fleet as proposed. The +Swedish king also came, and when father-in-law and son-in-law +met, they bound them to agreement and peace. Olaf the Swedish +king showed him affable and gentle.</p> + +<p>Thorstein the Learned says that there was in Hising a portion +of land that had sometimes belonged to Norway, sometimes to +Gautland. The kings agreed between them that for this possession +they would casts lots with dice; he was to have it who should cast +the higher throw. The Swedish king threw two sixes, and said +that King Olaf need not cast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span></p> + +<p>He answered, while shaking the dice in his hand: 'There are +yet two sixes on the dice, and it is but a little thing for God to let +them turn up.' He cast, and turned up two sixes. Then Olaf the +Swedish king cast, and again two sixes. Then cast Olaf, King of +Norway, and there was six on one die, but the other split in two, +and there were then seven. So he got the portion of land. We +have heard no more tidings of that meeting. The kings parted +reconciled.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE MAN IN WHITE</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>'A LITTLE while ago,' writes Mademoiselle Aïssé, the Greek +captive who was such a charming figure in Paris during the +opening years of Louis XV.'s reign, 'a little while ago a strange +thing happened here, which caused a great deal of talk. It cannot +be more than six weeks since Bessé the surgeon received a note, +begging him to come without fail that afternoon at six o'clock to the +Rue au Fer, near the Luxembourg Palace. Punctually at the hour +named the surgeon arrived on the spot, where he found a man +awaiting him. This man conducted the surgeon to a house a few +steps further on, and motioning him to enter through the open door, +promptly closed it, and remained himself outside. Bessé was surprised +to find himself alone, and wondered why he had been +brought there; but he had not to wait long, for the housekeeper soon +appeared, who informed him that he was expected, and that he was +to go up to the first story. The surgeon did as he was told, and +opened the door of an anteroom all hung with white. Here he was +met by an elegant lackey, dressed also in white, frizzed and powdered, +with his white hair tied in a bag wig, carrying two torches in +his hand, who requested the bewildered doctor to wipe his shoes. +Bessé replied that this was quite unnecessary, as he had only just +stepped out of his sedan chair and was not in the least muddy, but +the lackey rejoined that everything in the house was so extraordinarily +clean that it was impossible to be too careful.</div> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 286px;"> +<img src="images/i367.png" width="286" height="300" alt="Bessé introduced to the Man in White" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Bessé introduced to the Man in White</span> +</div> + +<p>'His shoes being wiped, Bessé was next led into another room, +hung with white like the first. A second lackey, in every respect +similar to the other, made his appearance; again the doctor was +forced to wipe his shoes, and for the third time he was conducted +into a room, where carpets, chairs, sofas, and bed were all as white +as snow. A tall figure dressed in a white dressing-gown and nightcap, +and having its face covered by a white mask, sat by the fire. +The moment this ghostly object perceived Bessé, he observed, "My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span> +body is possessed by the devil," and then was silent. For three-quarters +of an hour they remained thus, the white figure occupying +himself with incessantly putting on and taking off six pairs of white +gloves, which were placed on a white table beside him. The +strangeness of the whole affair made Bessé feel very uncomfortable, +but when his eyes fell on a variety of firearms in one corner of +the room he became so frightened that he was obliged to sit down, +lest his legs should give way.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 248px;"> +<img src="images/i368.png" width="248" height="400" alt="'Saw reflected in the mirror the white figure'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Saw reflected in the mirror the white figure'</span> +</div> + +<p>'At last the dead silence grew more than he could bear, and +he turned to the white figure and asked what they wanted of +him, and begged that his orders might be given him as soon as +possible, as his time belonged to the public and he was needed +elsewhere. To this the white figure only answered coldly, "What +does that matter, as long as you are well paid?" and again was +silent. Another quarter of an hour passed, and then the white +figure suddenly pulled one of the white bell-ropes. When the +summons was answered by the two white lackeys, the figure +desired them to bring some bandages, and commanded Bessé to +bleed him, and to take from him five pounds of blood. The surgeon, +amazed at the quantity, inquired what doctor had ordered such +extensive blood-letting. "I myself," replied the white figure. +Bessé felt that he was too much upset by all he had gone through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span> +to trust himself to bleed in the arm without great risk of injury, so +he decided to perform the operation on the foot, which is far less +dangerous. Hot water was brought, and the white phantom removed +a pair of white thread stockings of wonderful beauty, then +another and another, up to six, and took off a slipper of beaver +lined with white. The leg and foot thus left bare were the prettiest +in the world; and Bessé began to think that the figure before him +must be that of a woman. +At the second basinful the +patient showed signs of +fainting, and Bessé wished +to loosen the mask, in order +to give him more air. This +was, however, prevented by +the lackeys, who stretched +him on the floor, and Bessé +bandaged the foot before the +patient had recovered from +his fainting fit. Directly he +came to himself, the white +figure ordered his bed to be +warmed, and as soon as it +was done he lay down in it. +The servants left the room, +and Bessé, after feeling his +pulse, walked over to the +fireplace to clean his lancet, +thinking all the while of his +strange adventure. Suddenly +he heard a noise behind him, +and, turning his head, he saw +reflected in the mirror the +white figure coming hopping +towards him. His heart sank with terror, but the figure only took +five crowns from the chimneypiece, and handed them to him, +asking at the same time if he would be satisfied with that payment. +Trembling all over, Bessé replied that he was. "Well, then, be off +as fast as you can," was the rejoinder. Bessé did not need to be +told twice, but made the best of his way out. As before the +lackeys were awaiting him with lights, and as they walked he +noticed that they looked at each other and smiled. At length<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> +Bessé, provoked at this behaviour, inquired what they were +laughing at. "Ah, Monsieur," was their answer, "what cause have +you to complain? Has anyone done you any harm, and have you +not been well paid for your services?" So saying they conducted +him to his chair, and truly thankful he was to be out of the house. +He rapidly made up his mind to keep silence about his adventures, +but the following day someone sent to inquire how he was feeling +after having bled the Man in White. Bessé saw that it was useless +to make a mystery of the affair, and related exactly what had +happened, and it soon came to the ears of the King. But who was +the Man in White? Echo answers "Who?"'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE ADVENTURES OF 'THE BULL OF EARLSTOUN'</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>THIS is the story of the life of Alexander Gordon, of Earlstoun in +Galloway. Earlstoun is a bonny place, sitting above the +waterside of the Ken in the fair strath of the Glenkens, in the +Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. The grey tower stands ruinous and +empty to-day, but once it was a pleasant dwelling, and dear to the +hearts of those that had dwelt in it when they were in foreign lands +or hiding out on the wild wide moors. It was the time when +Charles II. wished to compel the most part of the people of Scotland to +change their religion and worship as he bade them. Some obeyed the +King; but most hated the new order of things, and cleaved in their +hearts to their old ways and to their old ministers, who had been put +out of their kirks and manses at the coming of the King. Many +even set themselves to resist the King in open battle rather than +obey him in the matter of their consciences. It was only in this +that they were rebellious, for many of them had been active in +bringing him again to the throne.</div> + +<p>Among those who thus went out to fight were William Gordon +and his son Alexander. William Gordon was a grave, courteous, +and venerable man, and his estate was one of the best in all the +province of Galloway. Like nearly all the lairds in the south and +west he was strongly of the Presbyterian party, and resolved to give +up life and lands rather than his principles. Now the King was +doubtless ill-advised, and his councillors did not take the kindly or +the wise way with the people at this time; for a host of wild +Highlanders had been turned into the land, who plundered in +cotter's hut and laird's hall without much distinction between those +that stood for the Covenants and those that held for the King. So +in the year 1679 Galloway was very hot and angry, and many were +ready to fight the King's forces wherever they could be met with.</p> + +<p>So, hearing news of a revolt in the West, William Gordon rode<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span> +away, with many good riders at his back, to take his place in the +ranks of the rebels. His son Alexander, whose story we are to +tell, was there before him. The Covenanting army had gained +one success in Drumclog, which gave them some hope, but at +Bothwell Bridge their forces were utterly broken, largely through +their own quarrels, by the Duke of Monmouth and the disciplined +troops of the Government.</p> + +<p>Alexander Gordon had to flee from the field of Bothwell. He +came home to Earlstoun alone, for his father had been met about six +miles from the battle-field by a troop of horse, and as he refused to +surrender, he was slain there and buried in the parish of Glassford.</p> + +<p>Immediately after Bothwell, Alexander Gordon was compelled +to go into hiding with a price upon his head. Unlike his father, he +was very ready-witted, free with his tongue, even boisterous upon +occasion, and of very great bodily strength. These qualities stood +him in good stead during the long period of his wandering and when +lying in concealment among the hills.</p> + +<p>The day after Bothwell he was passing through the town of +Hamilton, when he was recognised by an old retainer of the family.</p> + +<p>'Save us, Maister Alexander,' said the man, who remembered +the ancient kindnesses of his family, 'do you not know that it is +death for you to be found here?'</p> + +<p>So saying he made his young master dismount, and carried away +all his horseman's gear and his arms, which he hid in a heap of +field-manure behind the house. Then he took Earlstoun to his own +house, and put upon him a long dress of his wife's. Hardly had he +been clean-shaven, and arrayed in a clean white mutch (cap), when +the troopers came clattering into the town. They had heard that he +and some others of the prominent rebels had passed that way; and +they went from door to door, knocking and asking, 'Saw ye +anything of Sandy Gordon of Earlstoun?'</p> + +<p>So going from house to house they came to the door of the +ancient Gordon retainer, and Earlstoun had hardly time to run to +the corner and begin to rock the cradle with his foot before the +soldiers came to ask the same question there. But they passed on +without suspicion, only saying one to the other as they went out, +'My certes, Billy, but yon was a sturdy hizzie!'</p> + +<p>After that there was nothing but the heather and the mountain +cave for Alexander Gordon for many a day. He had wealth of +adventures, travelling by night, hiding and sleeping by day. +Sometimes he would venture to the house of one who sympathised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span> +with the Covenanters, only to find that the troopers were already in +possession. Sometimes, in utter weariness, he slept so long that +when he awoke he would find a party searching for him quite close +at hand; then there was nothing for it but to lie close like a hare in +a covert till the danger passed by.</p> + +<p>Once when he came to his own house of Earlstoun he was only +an hour or two there before the soldiers arrived to search for him. +His wife had hardly time to stow him in a secret recess behind the +ceiling of a room over the kitchen, in which place he abode several +days, having his meals passed to him from above, and breathing +through a crevice in the wall.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 425px;"> +<img src="images/i372.png" width="425" height="395" alt="'Sometimes he would find a party searching for him quite close at hand'" title="" /> +<span class="caption">'Sometimes he would find a party searching for him quite close at hand'</span> +</div> + +<p>After this misadventure he was sometimes in Galloway and +sometimes in Holland for three or four years. He might even have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> +remained in the Low Countries, but his services were so necessary +to his party in Scotland that he was repeatedly summoned to come +over into Galloway and the West to take up the work of organising +resistance to the Government.</p> + +<p>During most of this time the Tower of Earlstoun was a barracks +of the soldiers, and it was only by watching his opportunity that +Alexander Gordon could come home to see his wife, and put his +hand upon his bairns' heads as they lay a-row in their cots. Yet +come he sometimes did, especially when the soldiers of the garrison +were away on duty in the more distant parts of Galloway. Then +the wanderer would steal indoors in the gloaming, soft-footed like a +thief, into his own house, and sit talking with his wife and an old retainer +or two who were fit to be trusted with the secret. Yet while +he sat there one was ever on the watch, and at the slightest signs of +King's men in the neighbourhood Alexander Gordon rushed out +and ran to the great oak tree, which you may see to this day standing +in sadly-diminished glory in front of the great house of Earlstoun.</p> + +<p>Now it stands alone, all the trees of the forest having been cut +away from around it during the subsequent poverty which fell upon +the family. A rope ladder lay snugly concealed among the ivy +that clad the trunk of the tree. Up this Alexander Gordon climbed. +When he arrived at the top he pulled the ladder after him, and +found himself upon an ingeniously constructed platform built with +a shelter over it from the rain, high among the branchy tops of the +great oak. His faithful wife, Jean Hamilton, could make signals +to him out of one of the top windows of Earlstoun whether it was +safe for him to approach the house, or whether he had better remain +hidden among the leaves. If you go now to look for the tree, it +is indeed plain and easy to be seen. But though now so shorn +and lonely, there is no doubt that two hundred years ago it stood +undistinguished among a thousand others that thronged the woodland +about the Tower of Earlstoun.</p> + +<p>Often, in order to give Alexander Gordon a false sense of security, +the garrison would be withdrawn for a week or two, and then in +the middle of some mirky night or early in the morning twilight +the house would be surrounded and the whole place ransacked in +search of its absent master.</p> + +<p>On one occasion, the man who came running along the narrow +river path from Dairy had hardly time to arouse Gordon before the +dragoons were heard clattering down through the wood from the +high-road. There was no time to gain the great oak in safety,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span> +where he had so often hid in time of need. All Alexander Gordon +could do was to put on the rough jerkin of a labouring man, and +set to cleaving firewood in the courtyard with the scolding +assistance of a maid-servant. When the troopers entered to search +for the master of the house, they heard the maid vehemently +'flyting' the great hulking lout for his awkwardness, and threatening +to 'draw a stick across his back' if he did not work to a +better tune.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 307px;"> +<img src="images/i374.png" width="307" height="400" alt="Alexander Gordon wood-chopping in the disguise of a labourer" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Alexander Gordon wood-chopping in the disguise of a labourer</span> +</div> + +<p>The commander ordered him to drop his axe, and to point out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span> +the different rooms and hiding-places about the castle. Alexander +Gordon did so with an air of indifference, as if hunting Whigs +were much the same to him as cleaving firewood. He did his +duty with a stupid unconcern which successfully imposed on the +soldiers; and as soon as they allowed him to go, he fell to his +wood-chopping with the same stolidity and rustic boorishness that +had marked his conduct.</p> + +<p>Some of the officers came up to him and questioned him as to +his master's hiding-place in the woods. But as to this he gave +them no satisfaction.</p> + +<p>'My master,' he said, 'has no hiding-place that I know of. I +always find him here when I have occasion to seek for him, and +that is all I care about. But I am sure that if he thought you were +seeking him he would immediately show himself to you, for that +is ever his custom.'</p> + +<p>This was one of the answers with a double meaning that were +so much in the fashion of the time and so characteristic of the +people.</p> + +<p>On leaving, the commander of the troop said, 'Ye are a stupid +kindly nowt, man. See that ye get no harm in such a rebel service.'</p> + +<p>Sometimes, however, searching waxed so hot and close that +Gordon had to withdraw himself altogether out of Galloway and +seek quieter parts of the country. On one occasion he was speeding +up the Water of Æ when he found himself so weary that +he was compelled to lie down under a bush of heather and rest +before proceeding on his journey. It so chanced that a noted +King's man, Dalyell of Glenæ, was riding homewards over the +moor. His horse started back in astonishment, having nearly +stumbled over the body of a sleeping man. It was Alexander +Gordon. Hearing the horse's feet he leaped up, and Dalyell called +upon him to surrender. But that was no word to say to a Gordon +of Earlstoun. Gordon instantly drew his sword, and, though unmounted, +his lightness of foot on the heather and moss more than +counterbalanced the advantages of the horseman, and the King's +man found himself matched at all points; for the Laird of Earlstoun +was in his day a famous sworder.</p> + +<p>Soon the Covenanter's sword seemed to wrap itself about +Dalyell's blade and sent it twirling high in the air. In a little he +found himself lying on the heather at the mercy of the man whom +he had attacked. He asked for his life, and Alexander Gordon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span> +granted it to him, making him promise by his honour as a gentleman +that whenever he had the fortune to approach a conventicle he +would retire, if he saw a white flag elevated in a particular manner +upon a flagstaff. This seemed but a little condition to weigh +against a man's life, and Dalyell agreed.</p> + +<p>Now the Cavalier was an exceedingly honourable man and +valued his spoken word. So on the occasion of a great conventicle +at Mitchelslacks, in the parish of Closeburn, he permitted a great +field meeting to disperse, drawing off his party in another direction, +because the signal streaming from a staff told him that the man +who had spared his life was amongst the company of worshippers.</p> + +<p>After this, the white signal was frequently used in the neighbourhood +over which Dalyell's jurisdiction extended, and to the +great credit of the Cavalier it is recorded that on no single occasion +did he violate his plighted word, though he is said to have remarked +bitterly that the Whig with whom he fought must have +been the devil, 'for ever going to and fro in the earth, and walking +up and down in it.'</p> + +<p>But Alexander Gordon was too great a man in the affairs of the +Praying Societies to escape altogether. He continually went and +came from Holland, and some of the letters that he wrote from +that country are still in existence. At last, in 1683, having received +many letters and valuable papers for delivery to people in refuge in +Holland, he went secretly to Newcastle, and agreed with the master +of a ship for his voyage to the Low Countries. But just as the +vessel was setting out from the mouth of the Tyne, it was accidentally +stopped. Some watchers for fugitives came on board, and +Earlstoun and his companion were challenged. Earlstoun, fearing +the taking of his papers, threw the box that contained them +overboard; but it floated, and was taken along with himself.</p> + +<p>Then began a long series of misfortunes for Alexander Gordon. +He was five times tried, twice threatened with torture—which he +escaped, in the judgment hall itself, by such an exhibition of his +great strength as terrified his judges.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> He simulated madness, +foamed at the mouth, and finally tore up the benches in order to +attack the judges with the fragments. He was sent first to the +castle of Edinburgh and afterwards to the Bass, 'for a change of +air' as the record quaintly says. Finally, he was despatched to +Blackness Castle, where he remained close in hold till the revolution. +Not till June 5, 1689, were his prison doors thrown open,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> +but even then Alexander Gordon would not go till he had obtained +signed documents from the governor and officials of the +prison to the effect that he had never altered any of his opinions +in order to gain privilege or release.</p> + +<p>Alexander Gordon returned to Earlstoun, and lived there quietly +far into the next century, taking his share in local and county business +with Grierson of Lag and others who had hunted him for +years—which is a strange thing to think on, but one also very +characteristic of those times.</p> + +<p>On account of his great strength and the power of his voice he +was called 'the Bull of Earlstoun,' and it is said that when he was +rebuking his servants, the bellowing of the Bull could plainly be +heard in the clachan of Dalry, which is two miles away across hill +and stream.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE STORY OF GRISELL BAILLIE'S SHEEP'S HEAD</i></h2> + + +<div class='cap'>THE Lady Grisell Baillie, as she was called after her marriage, +was the daughter of a very eminent Covenanter, Sir Patrick +Hume of Polwarth. Grisell was born in 1665, and during all the +years of her girlhood her father was seldom able to come home +to his house of Polwarth, for fear of the officers of the Government +seizing him. On one occasion he was taken and cast into prison +in Dumbarton Castle for full fifteen months. Grisell was but a +little girl at the time, but she had a wisdom and a quaint discretion +beyond her years. Often she was entrusted with a letter to carry +to him past the guard, and succeeded in the attempt where an +elder person would certainly have been suspected and searched.</div> + +<p>When her father was set at liberty, it was not many weeks till +the soldiers again came seeking him; for new troubles had arisen, +and the suspicion of the King was against all men that were not +active in his service.</p> + +<p>Parties of soldiers were continually searching the house in pursuit +of him. But this occasioned no alarm to his family, for they +all, with three exceptions, thought him far from home.</p> + +<p>Only Sir Patrick's wife, his little daughter Grisell, and a carpenter +named James Winter were trusted with the secret. The servants +were frequently put to the oath as to when they saw their +master; but as they knew nothing, all passed off quite well.</p> + +<p>With James Winter's assistance the Lady Polwarth got a bed +and bed-clothes carried in the night to the burying-place, a vault +under the ground at Polwarth Church, a mile from the house. +Here Sir Patrick was concealed a whole month, never venturing out. +For all light he had only an open slit at one end, through which +nobody could see what was below.</p> + +<p>To this lonely place little Grisell went every night by herself at +midnight, to carry her father victuals and drink, and stayed with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> +him as long as she could with a chance of returning home before +the morning. Here in this dismal habitation did they often laugh +heartily at the incidents of the day, for they were both of that +cheerful disposition which is a continual feast.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 295px;"> +<img src="images/i379.png" width="295" height="400" alt="Grisell brings the sheep's head to her father in the vault" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Grisell brings the sheep's head to her father in the vault</span> +</div> + +<p>Grisell had ordinarily a terror of the churchyard, especially in +the dark, for being but a girl, and having been frightened with nursery +stories, she thought to see ghosts behind every tomb. But when +she came to help her father, she had such anxious care for him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span> +that all fear of ghosts went away from her. She stumbled among +the graves every night alone, being only in dread that the stirring +of a leaf or the barking of a dog betokened the coming of a party +of soldiers to carry away her father to his death. The minister's +house was near the church. The first night she went, his dogs kept +up such a barking that it put her in the utmost fear of a discovery. +The next day the Lady Polwarth sent for the curate, and, on pretext +of a mad dog, got him to send away all his dogs. A considerate +curate, in sooth!</p> + +<p>There was great difficulty in getting victuals to carry to Sir +Patrick without the servants, who were not in the secret, suspecting +for what purpose they were taken. The only way that it could be +done was for Grisell to slip things off her plate into her lap as they +sat at dinner.</p> + +<p>Many a diverting story is told about this. Sir Patrick above all +things was fond of sheep's head. One day while the children were +eating their broth, Grisell had conveyed a whole sheep's head into +her lap. Her brother Sandy (who was afterwards Lord Marchmont) +looked up as soon as he had finished, and cried out with great astonishment, +'Mother, will ye look at our Grisell. While we have +been supping our broth, she has eaten up the whole sheep's head!'</p> + +<p>For indeed she needed to be looked to in these circumstances. +This occasioned great merriment when she told her father of it in +his hiding-place at night. And he desired that the next time there +was sheep's head Sandy should have a double share of it.</p> + +<p>His great comfort and constant entertainment while in this +dreary abode (for he had no light to read by) was to repeat over +and over to himself Buchanan's Latin Psalms. And to his dying +day, nearly forty years after, he would give the book to his wife, +and ask her to try him at any place to see if he minded his Psalms +as well as he had done in the hiding-hole among the bones of his +ancestors in Polwarth Kirkyard.</p> + +<p>After this, James Winter and the Lady Polwarth made a hole +in the ground under a bed that drew out of a recess in the wall. +They lifted the boards and took turns at digging out the earth, +scratching it with their hands till they were all rough and bleeding, +for only so could they prevent a noise being heard. Grisell and +her mother helped James Winter to carry the earth in bags and +sheets to the garden at the back. He then made a box bed at his +own house, large enough for Sir Patrick to lie in, with bed and bed-clothes, +and bored holes in the boards for air. But in spite of all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span> +this, the difficulty of their position was so great, and the danger so +certainly increasing, that it was judged better that Sir Patrick +should attempt to escape to Holland.</p> + +<p>It was necessary to tell the grieve, John Allen, who was so +much astonished to hear that his master had been all the time +about the house, that he fainted away. However, he made up +willingly enough a story that he was going to Morpeth Fair to sell +horses, and Sir Patrick having got forth from a window of the stables, +they set out in the dark. Sir Patrick, being absent-minded, let his +horse carry him whither it would, and in the morning found himself +at Tweedside, far out of his way, at a place not fordable and +without his servant.</p> + +<p>But this also was turned to good. For after waiting a while +he found means to get over to the other side, where with great +joy he met his servant. Then the grieve told him that he had +never missed him till, looking about, he heard a great galloping +of horses, and a party of soldiers who had just searched the house +for Sir Patrick, surrounded him and strictly examined him. He +looked about everywhere and could not see his master, for he was +in much fear, thinking him to be close behind. But in this manner, +by his own absent-mindedness, Sir Patrick was preserved, and so +got safely first to London and afterwards to Holland.</p> + +<p>Thence Sir Patrick sent home for his wife and family. They +came to him in a ship, and on the way had an adventure. The +captain was a sordid and brutal man, and agreed with them +and with several other people to give them a bed on the passage. +So when there arose a dispute who would have the bed, the Lady +Polwarth said nothing. But a gentleman coming to her said, 'Let +them be doing. You will see how it will end.' So two of the +other gentlewomen lay on the bed, the Lady Polwarth with Grisell +and a little sister lying on the floor, with a cloak-bag of books +she was taking to Sir Patrick for their only pillow.</p> + +<p>Then in came the captain, and first ate up all their provisions +with a gluttony incredible. Then he said to the women in the +bed, 'Turn out, turn out!' and laid himself down in place of +them. But Providence was upsides with him, for a terrible storm +came on, and he had to get up immediately and go out to try to +save the ship. And so he got no more sleep that night, which +pleased the gentlewomen greatly in spite of all their own fears and +pains. They never saw more of him till they landed at the Brill. +From that they set out on foot for Rotterdam with one of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span> +gentlemen that had been kind to them on the crossing to +Holland.</p> + +<p>It was a cold, wet, dirty night. Grisell's little sister, a girl not +well able to walk, soon lost her shoes in the dirt. Whereupon +the Lady Polwarth took her upon her back, the gentlemen carrying +all their baggage, and Grisell going through the mire at her +mother's side.</p> + +<p>At Rotterdam they found their eldest brother and Sir Patrick +himself waiting to conduct them to Utrecht, where their house +was. No sooner were they met again than they forgot everything, +and felt nothing but happiness and contentment.</p> + +<p>And even after their happy and prosperous return to Scotland +they looked back on these years in Holland, when they were so +poor, and often knew not whence was to come the day's dinner, as +the happiest and most delightful of their lives. Yet the years of +Grisell Baillie's after-life were neither few nor evil.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>THE CONQUEST OF PERU</i></h2> + + +<h3>THE YOUTH OF PIZARRO</h3> + +<div class='cap'>AT the time when the news of the conquest of Mexico by Cortés, +and the report of its marvellous stores of treasure, were inflaming +the minds of the men of Spain with an ardent desire for +fresh discoveries, there happened to be living in the Spanish colony +of Panamá a man named Francisco Pizarro, to whose lot it fell to +discover and conquer the great and flourishing empire of Peru. +He was a distant kinsman of Hernando Cortés, but had from his +childhood been neglected and left to make his living as best he +might. He could neither read nor write, and had chiefly been employed +as a swineherd near the city of Truxillo, where he was born. +But as he grew older and heard the strange and fascinating stories +of adventure in the New World which were daily more widely +circulated, he took the first opportunity of escaping to Seville, from +which port he, with other Spanish adventurers, embarked to seek +their fortunes in the West, the town being at this time left almost +entirely to the women, so great was the tide of emigration. Thenceforward +he lived a stirring life. We hear of him in Hispaniola, and +serving as lieutenant in a colonising expedition under Alonzo de +Ojeda. After this he was associated with Vasco Nunez de Balboa +in establishing a settlement at Darien, and from Balboa he may +first have heard rumours of Peru itself, for it was to Balboa that an +Indian chief had said concerning some gold which had been collected +from the natives: 'If this is what you prize so much that you are +willing to leave your homes and risk even life itself for it, I can +tell you of a land where they eat and drink out of golden vessels, +and gold is as common as iron with you.' Later, Pizarro +was sent to traffic with the natives on the Pacific side of the +isthmus for gold and pearls, and presently from the south came +Andagoya, bringing accounts of the wealth and grandeur of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> +countries which lay beyond, and also of the hardships and difficulties +endured by the few navigators who had sailed in that +direction. Thus the southern expeditions became a common +subject of talk among the colonists of Panamá.</div> + +<p>Pizarro does not at first seem to have shown any special interest +in the matter, nor was he rich enough to do anything without assistance; +but there were two people in the colony who were to help him. +One of them was a soldier of fortune named Diego Almagro, an older +man than Pizarro, who in his early life had been equally neglected; +the other was a Spanish ecclesiastic, Hernando de Luque, a man of +great prudence and worldly wisdom, who had, moreover, control +of the necessary funds. Between these three, then, a compact was +made, most of the money being supplied by De Luque, Pizarro +taking command of the expedition, and Almagro undertaking the +equipment of the ships. Only about a hundred men could be persuaded +to join the explorers, and those but the idle hangers-on in +the colony, who were eager to do anything to mend their fortunes. +Everything being ready, Pizarro set sail with these in the larger +of the two ships, in the month of November 1524, leaving Almagro +to follow as soon as the second vessel could be fitted out. With +such slender means did Pizarro begin his attack on a great people, +and invade the mysterious empire of the Children of the Sun.</p> + + +<h3>THE EMPIRE OF THE INCAS</h3> + +<p>At this time the Peruvian Empire stretched along the Pacific from +about the second degree north to the thirty-seventh degree of south +latitude; its breadth varied, but was nowhere very great. The country +was most remarkable, and seemed peculiarly unfitted for cultivation. +The great range of mountains ran parallel to the coast, sometimes +in a single line, sometimes in two or three, either side by side or running +obliquely to each other, broken here and there by the towering +peaks of huge volcanoes, white with perpetual snows, and descending +towards the coast in jagged cliffs and awful precipices. Between +the rocks and the sea lay a narrow strip of sandy soil, where no +rain ever fell, and which was insufficiently watered by the few scanty +streams that flow down the western side of the Cordilleras. +Nevertheless, by the patient industry of the Peruvians, these difficulties +had all been overcome; by means of canals and subterranean +aqueducts the waste places of the coast were watered and made +fertile, the mountain sides were terraced and cultivated, every form<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span> +of vegetation finding the climate suited to it at a different height, +while over the snowy wastes above wandered the herds of llamas, +or Peruvian sheep, under the care of their herdsmen. The Valley +of Cuzco, the central region of Peru, was the cradle of their civilisation. +According to tradition among the Peruvians, there had been +a time, long past, when the land was held by many tribes, all +plunged in barbarism, who worshipped every object in nature, +made war as a pastime, and feasted upon the flesh of their +slaughtered captives. The Sun, the great parent of mankind, pitying +their degraded condition, sent two of his children, Manco Capac +and Mama Ocllo Huaco, to govern and teach them. They bore +with them as they advanced from the neighbourhood of Lake +Titicaca a golden wedge, and were directed to take up their abode +at the spot where this sacred emblem should sink easily into the +ground. This happened in the Valley of Cuzco; the wedge of gold +sank into the earth and disappeared for ever, and Manco Capac +settled down to teach the men of the land the arts of agriculture, +while Mama Ocllo showed the women how to weave and spin. +Under these wise and benevolent rulers the community grew and +spread, absorbing into itself the neighbouring tribes, and overrunning +the whole tableland. The city of Cuzco was founded, and, under +the successors of the Children of the Sun, became the capital of a +great and flourishing monarchy. In the middle of the fifteenth +century the famous Topa Inca Yupanqui led his armies across the +terrible desert of Atacama, and, penetrating to the southern region +of Chili, made the river Maule the boundary of his dominions, while +his son, Huayna Capac, who succeeded him, pushed his conquests +northward, and added the powerful kingdom of Quito to the empire +of Peru. The city of Cuzco was the royal residence of the Incas, +and also the 'Holy City,' for there stood the great Temple of the +Sun, the most magnificent structure in the New World, to which +came pilgrims from every corner of the empire.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 338px;"> +<img src="images/i387.png" width="338" height="500" alt="MANCO CAPAC AND MAMA OCLLO HUACO, THE CHILDREN OF THE SUN, COME FROM LAKE TITICACA TO GOVERN AND CIVILISE THE TRIBES OF PERU" title="" /> +<span class="caption">MANCO CAPAC AND MAMA OCLLO HUACO, THE CHILDREN OF THE SUN, COME FROM LAKE TITICACA TO GOVERN AND CIVILISE THE TRIBES OF PERU</span> +</div> + +<p>Cuzco was defended on the north by a high hill, a spur of the +Cordilleras, upon which was built a wonderful fortress of stone, with +walls, towers, and subterranean galleries, the remains of which +exist to this day and amaze the traveller by their size and solidity, +some of the stones being thirty-eight feet long by eighteen broad, +and six feet thick, and so exactly fitted together that, though no +cement was used, it would be impossible to put the blade of a knife +between them. As the Peruvians had neither machinery, beasts of +burden, nor iron tools, and as the quarry from which these huge blocks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span> +were hewn lay forty-five miles from Cuzco, over river and ravine, +it is easy to imagine the frightful labour which this building must +have cost; indeed, it is said to have employed twenty thousand +men for fifty years, and was, after all, but one of the many fortifications +established by the Incas throughout their dominions. Their +government was absolutely despotic, the sovereign being held so +far above his subjects that even the proudest of the nobles only ventured +into his presence barefooted, and carrying upon his shoulders +a light burden in token of homage. The title of Inca was borne by +all the nobility who were related to the king, or who, like himself, +claimed descent from the Children of the Sun; but the crown passed +from father to son, the heir being the eldest son of the 'coya,' or +queen. From his earliest years he was educated by the 'amautas,' +or wise men of the kingdom, in the ceremonial of their religion, as +well as in military matters and all manly exercises, that he might +be fitted to reign in his turn.</p> + +<p>At the age of sixteen the prince, with the young Inca nobles +who had shared his studies, underwent a kind of public examination, +their proficiency as warriors being tested by various athletic +exercises and by mimic combats which, though fought with blunted +weapons, generally resulted in wounds, and sometimes in death. +During this trial, which lasted thirty days, the young prince fared +no better than his comrades, wearing mean attire, going barefoot, +and sleeping upon the ground—a mode of life which was supposed +to give him sympathy with the destitute. At the end of that time, +the candidates considered worthy of the honours of this barbaric +chivalry were presented to the sovereign, who reminded them of +the responsibilities of their birth and station, and exhorted them, +as Children of the Sun, to imitate the glorious career of their +ancestor. He then, as they knelt before him one by one, pierced +their ears with a golden bodkin, which they continued to wear until +the hole was made large enough to contain the enormous pendants +worn by the Incas, which made the Spaniards call them 'Orejones.' +Indeed, as one of the conquerors remarked, 'The larger the hole, +the more of a gentleman,' and the sovereign wore so massive an +ornament that the cartilage of his ear was distended by it nearly to +the shoulder. After this ceremony the feet of the candidates were +dressed in the sandals of the order, and girdles, and garlands of +flowers were given them. The head of the prince was then encircled +with a tasselled fringe of a yellow colour, which distinguished +him as the heir apparent, and he at once received the homage of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> +all the Inca nobility; and then the whole assembly proceeded to +the great square of the capital, where with songs, dances, and other +festivities the ceremony was brought to an end. After this the +prince was deemed worthy to sit in the councils of his father, and +to serve under distinguished generals in time of war, and finally +himself to carry the rainbow banner of his house upon distant +campaigns.</p> + +<p>The Inca lived with great pomp and show. His dress was +of the finest vicuña wool, richly dyed, and ornamented with +gold and jewels. Round his head was a many-coloured turban +and a fringe like that worn by the prince, but of a scarlet +colour, and placed upright in it were two feathers of a rare +and curious bird called the coraquenque, which was found in a +desert country among the mountains. It was death to take or +destroy one of these birds; they were reserved exclusively to supply +the king's headgear. In order to communicate with their people, the +Incas were in the habit of making a stately progress through their +land once in every few years. The litter in which they travelled +was richly decorated with gold and emeralds, and surrounded by a +numerous escort. The men who bore it on their shoulders were +provided by two cities specially appointed for the purpose, and the +service was no enviable one, since a fall was punished by death. +Halts were made at the 'tambos,' or inns regularly kept up by the +Government along all the principal roads, and the people assembled +all along the line, clearing stones from the road and strewing it +with flowers, and vying with one another in carrying the baggage +from village to village. Here and there the Inca halted to listen +to the grievances of his subjects, or to decide points referred to him +by the ordinary tribunals, and these spots were long held in +reverence as consecrated by his presence. Everywhere the people +flocked to catch a glimpse of their ruler, and to greet him with +acclamations and blessings.</p> + +<p>The royal palaces were on a magnificent scale, and were +scattered over all the provinces of the great empire. The buildings +were low, covering a large space, the rooms not communicating +with each other, but opening upon a common square. The walls +were of stone rough hewn, and the roofs of rushes; but inside all +was splendour. Gold, silver, and richly-coloured stuffs abounded, +covering the walls, while in niches stood images of animals and +plants curiously wrought in the precious metals. Even the +commonest household utensils were of gold. The favourite residence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> +of the Incas was the delicious valley of Yucay, about twelve +miles from Cuzco; there they loved to retreat to enjoy their exquisite +gardens, and luxurious baths replenished with clear water, +which flowed through subterranean channels of silver into basins +of gold. The gardens were full of flowers and plants, which +flourished in this temperate climate of the tropics; but strangest of +all were those borders which glowed with various forms of +vegetable life, cunningly fashioned in gold and silver. Among +these is specially recorded the beautiful Indian corn, its golden +grain set off by broad silver leaves, and crowned with a light +tassel of silver. But all the wealth displayed by the Inca +belonged to himself alone. When he died, or, as they put it, +'was called home to the mansions of his father the Sun,' his palaces +were abandoned, and all his treasures and possessions were suffered +to remain as he left them, lest his soul should at any time return +to its body, and require again the things it had used before. The +body itself was skilfully embalmed and removed to the great +Temple of the Sun at Cuzco, where were the bodies of all the former +Incas and their queens, ranged in opposite files. Clothed in their +accustomed attire, they sat in chairs of gold, their heads bent, their +hands crossed upon their breasts, their dusky faces and black, or +sometimes silver, hair retaining a perfectly natural look. On +certain festivals they were brought out into the great square of Cuzco, +invitations were issued in their names to all the nobles' and officers +of the Court, and magnificent entertainments were held, when the +display of plate, gold, and jewels was such as no other city in the +world ever witnessed. The banquets were served by the retainers +of the respective houses, and the same forms of courtly etiquette +were used as if the living monarch had presided, instead of his +mummy. The nobility of Peru consisted of two Orders—the Incas +or relatives of the sovereign, and the Curacas, or chiefs of the conquered +nations. The former enjoyed many privileges; they wore +a peculiar dress, and spoke a peculiar dialect. Most of them lived +at Court, sharing the counsels of the king, and dining at his table. +They alone were admissible to the great offices of the priesthood, +and had the command of armies and the government of distant +provinces.</p> + +<p>The whole territory of the empire was divided into three parts: +one for the Sun, another for the Inca, and the last for the people. +The revenue from the lands assigned to the Sun supported the +numerous priests, and provided for the maintenance of the temples<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span> +and their costly ceremonial. The land of the people was parted +equally among them, every man when he was married receiving +enough to support himself and his wife, together with a house. An +additional piece was granted for every child, the portion for a son +being double that for a daughter. The division of the soil was renewed +every year, and the possession of the tenant increased or +diminished according to the number of his family. The country +was wholly cultivated by the people. First the lands of the Sun +were tilled; then those of the old or sick, the widow and orphan, and +soldiers on active service; after this each man was free to attend +to his own, though he was still obliged to help any neighbour who +might require it. Lastly, they cultivated the land of the Inca. This +was done with great ceremony by all the people in a body. At +break of day they were called together, and men, women, and +children appeared in their gayest apparel as if decked for some festival, +and sang as they worked their popular ballads, which told the +heroic deeds of the Inca. The flocks of llamas belonged exclusively +to the Sun and the Inca, they were most carefully tended and +managed, and their number was immense. Under the care of their +shepherds they moved to different pastures according to the climate. +Every year some were killed as sacrifices at the religious festivals +or for the consumption of the Court, and at appointed seasons all +were sheared and their wool stored in the public magazines. Thence +it was given out to each family, and when the women had spun and +woven enough coarse garments to supply their husbands and children +they were required to labour for the Inca. Certain officers decided +what was to be woven, gave out the requisite material, and saw +that the work was faithfully done. In the lower and hotter regions +cotton, given out in the same way, took the place of wool. Occupation +was found for all, from the child of five years to the oldest woman +who could hold a distaff. Idleness was held to be a crime in Peru, +and was severely punished, while industry was publicly commended +and rewarded. In the same way all the mines in the kingdom +belonged to the Inca, and were worked for his benefit by men familiar +with the service, and there were special commissioners whose +duty it was to know the nature of the country and the capabilities +of its inhabitants, so that whatever work was required, it might be +given into competent hands, the different employments generally +descending from father to son. All over the country stood spacious +stone storehouses, divided between the Sun and the Inca, in which +were laid up maize, coca, woollen and cotton stuffs, gold, silver, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span> +copper, and beside these were yet others designed to supply the +wants of the people in times of dearth. Thus in Peru, though no +man who was not an Inca could become rich, all had enough to eat +and to wear.</p> + +<p>To this day the ruins of temples, palaces, aqueducts, and, above all, +the great roads, remain to bear witness to the industry of the Peruvians. +Of these roads the most remarkable were two which ran from +Quito to Cuzco, diverging again thence in the direction of Chili. One +ran through the low lands by the sea, the other over the great plateau, +through galleries cut for leagues from the living rock, over pathless +sierras buried in snow. Rivers were crossed by filling up the +ravines through which they flowed with solid masses of masonry +which remain to this day, though the mountain torrents have in the +course of ages worn themselves a passage through, leaving solid +arches to span the valleys. Over some of the streams they constructed +frail swinging bridges of osiers, which were woven into +cables the thickness of a man's body. Several of these laid side by +side were secured at either end to huge stone buttresses, and covered +with planks. As these bridges were sometimes over two hundred +feet long they dipped and oscillated frightfully over the rapidly-flowing +stream far below, but the Peruvians crossed them fearlessly, +and they are still used by the Spaniards. The wider and smoother +rivers were crossed on 'balsas,' or rafts with sails. The whole +length of this road was about two thousand miles, its breadth did +not exceed twenty feet, and it was paved with heavy flags of freestone, +in parts covered with a cement which time has made harder +than stone itself. The construction of the lower road must have +presented other difficulties. For the most part the causeway +was raised on a high embankment of earth, with a wall of clay on +either side. Trees and sweet-smelling shrubs were planted along +the margin, and where the soil was so light and sandy as to prevent +the road from being continued, huge piles were driven into the +ground to mark the way. All along these highways the 'tambos,' +or inns, were erected at a distance of ten or twelve miles from each +other, and some of them were on an extensive scale, consisting of a +fortress and barracks surrounded by a stone parapet. These were +evidently intended as a shelter for the Imperial armies when on the +march.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 307px;"> +<img src="images/i393.png" width="307" height="450" alt="A Peruvian postman" title="" /> +<span class="caption">A Peruvian postman</span> +</div> + +<p>The communication throughout the country was by means of +runners, each of whom carried the message entrusted to him with +great swiftness for five miles, and then handed it over to another.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> +These runners were specially trained to their work and wore a particular +dress; their stations were small buildings erected five miles +apart along all the roads. The messages might be verbal, or conveyed +by means of the 'quipus.' A quipu was a cord two feet long, +composed of differently coloured threads twisted together, from which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> +were hung a number of smaller threads, also differently coloured +and tied in knots. Indeed, the word 'quipu' means 'a knot.' By +means of the colours and the various knots the Peruvians expressed +ideas—it was their method of writing—but the quipus were chiefly +used for arithmetical purposes. In every district officers were +stationed who were called 'keepers of the quipus'; their duty was +to supply the Government with information as to the revenues, +births, deaths, and marriages, number of population, and so on. +These records—in skeins of many-coloured thread—were inspected +at headquarters and carefully preserved, the whole collection constituting +what might be call the national archives. In like manner +the wise men recorded the history of the empire, and chronicled +the great deeds of the reigning Inca or his ancestors. The Peruvians +had some acquaintance with geography and astronomy, and +showed a decided talent for theatrical exhibitions, but it was in +agriculture that they really excelled. The mountains were regularly +hewn into stone-faced terraces, varying in width from hundreds of +acres at the base to a few feet near the snows. Water was conveyed +in stone-built aqueducts for hundreds of miles, from some +snow-fed lake in the mountains, fertilising all the dry and sandy +places through which it passed. In some of the arid valleys they +dug great pits twenty feet deep and more than an acre in extent, +and, after carefully preparing the soil, planted grain or vegetables. +Their method of ploughing was primitive indeed. Six or eight men +were attached by ropes to a strong stake, to which was fastened a +horizontal piece of wood upon which the ploughman might set his +foot to force the sharp point into the earth as it was dragged along, +while women followed after to break up the clods as they were +turned.</p> + +<p>Much of the wealth of the country consisted in the huge flocks +of llamas and alpacas, and the wild huanacos and vicuñas which +roamed freely over the frozen ranges of the Cordilleras. Once a +year a great hunt took place under the superintendence of the Inca +or some of his officers. Fifty or sixty thousand men encircled the +part of the country that was to be hunted over, and drove all the +wild animals by degrees towards some spacious plain. The beasts +of prey they killed, and also the deer, the flesh of the latter being +dried in strips and distributed among the people. This preparation, +called 'charqui,' was the only animal food of the lower classes in +Peru. The huanacos and vicuñas were only captured and shorn, +being afterwards allowed to escape and go back to their haunts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span> +among the mountains. No district was hunted over more than +once in four years. The Peruvians showed great skill in weaving +the vicuña wool into robes for the Inca and carpets and hangings +for his palaces. The texture was as delicate as silk, and the +brilliancy of the dyes unequalled even in Europe. They also were +expert in the beautiful feather-work for which Mexico was famous, +but they held it of less account than the Mexicans did. In +spite of some chance resemblances in their customs, it seems +certain that the Mexicans and Peruvians were unaware of +each other's existence. They differed in nothing more utterly than +in their treatment of the tribes they conquered. While the Mexicans +kept them in subjection by force and cruelty, the Peruvians did +everything they possibly could to make the conquered people one +with the rest of the nation.</p> + + +<h3>RELIGION OF THE PERUVIANS</h3> + +<p>In religion the Peruvians acknowledged one Supreme Being as +creator and ruler of the universe, whom they called Pachacamac, or +Viracocha. In all the land there was only one temple dedicated to +him, and this had existed before the Incas began to rule. They also +worshipped many other gods, but the Sun was held far above the rest. +In every town and village were temples dedicated to him, and his +worship was taught first of all to every conquered tribe. His temple +at Cuzco was called 'the Place of Gold,' and the interior was a +wonderful sight. On the western wall was a representation of the +Sun-god, a human face surrounded by numberless rays of light. +This was engraved upon a huge and massive plate of gold, thickly +powdered with emeralds and other precious stones. The beams of the +morning sun striking first upon this, and being reflected again upon +all the plates and studs of burnished gold with which the walls and +ceiling were entirely covered, lighted the whole temple with a more +than natural radiance. Even the cornices were of gold, and outside +the temple a broad belt of the precious metal was let into the stonework. +Adjoining this building were several smaller chapels. One +consecrated to the Moon, held next in reverence as the mother of +the Incas, was decorated in an exactly similar way, but with silver +instead of gold, those of the Stars, the Thunder and Lightning, and +the Rainbow were equally beautiful and gorgeous. Every vessel +used in the temple services was of gold or silver, and there were +beside many figures of animals, and copies of plants and flowers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> +The greatest Sun festival was called 'Raymi;' at it a llama was sacrificed, +and from the appearance of its body the priest sought to read +the future. A fire was then kindled by focussing the sun's rays +with a mirror of polished metal upon a quantity of dried cotton, +or when the sky was clouded over, by means of friction; but this +was considered a bad omen. The sacred flame was entrusted to the +care of the Virgins of the Sun, and if by any chance it went out it +was considered to bode some great calamity to the nation. The +festival ended with a great banquet to all the people, who were regaled +upon the flesh of llamas, from the flocks of the Sun, while +at the table of the Inca and his nobles were served fine cakes +kneaded of maize flour by the Virgins of the Sun. These young +maidens were chosen for their beauty from the families of the +Curacas and inferior nobles, and brought up in the great convent-like +establishments under the care of certain elderly matrons, who +instructed them in their religious duties, and taught them to spin +and embroider, and weave the vicuña wool for the temple hangings +and for the use of the Inca. They were entirely cut off from their +own people and from the world at large, only the Inca and the +queen having the right to enter those sacred precincts. From +them the brides of the Inca were chosen, for the law of the land +allowed him to have as many wives as he pleased. They lived in his +various palaces throughout the country, and at his death many of +them sacrificed themselves willingly that they might accompany +him into his new existence. In this wonderful monarchy each +successive Inca seems to have been content with the policy of his +father, to have carried out his schemes and continued his enterprises, +so that the State moved steadily forward, as if under one +hand, in its great career of civilisation and conquest.</p> + + +<h3>PIZARRO'S EXPEDITION</h3> + +<p>This, then, was the country which Pizarro with a mere handful +of followers had set out to discover and subdue. He had sailed at a +most unfavourable time of year, for it was the rainy season, and the +coast was swept by violent tempests. He steered first for the Puerto +de Piñas, a headland which marked the limit of Andagoya's voyage. +Passing this, Pizarro sailed up a little river and came to anchor, and +then landed with his whole force to explore the country; but after +most toilful wanderings in dismal swamps and steaming forests +they were forced to return exhausted and half-starved to their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span> +vessel, and proceed again on their voyage to the southward. Now +they met with a succession of terrific storms, their frail ship leaked, +and their stock of food and water was nearly gone, two ears of +Indian corn a day being all that could be allowed to each man. In +this strait they were glad to turn back and anchor once more a few +leagues from their first halting-place. But they soon found that +they had gained very little; neither bird nor beast was to be seen in +the forest, and they could not live upon the few unwholesome +berries which were all the woods afforded. Pizarro felt that to give +up at this juncture would be utter ruin. So to pacify his complaining +followers he sent an officer back in the ship to the Isle of Pearls, +which was only a few leagues from Panamá, to lay in a fresh stock +of provisions, while he himself with half the company made a +further attempt to explore the country. For some time their efforts +were vain; more than twenty men died from unwholesome food +and the wretched climate, but at last they spied a distant opening +in the woods, and Pizarro with a small party succeeded in reaching +the clearing beyond it, where stood a small Indian village. The +Spaniards rushed eagerly forward and seized upon such poor stores +of food as the huts contained, while the astonished natives fled to +the woods; but finding presently that no violence was offered to +them they came back, and conversed with Pizarro as well as they +could by signs. It was cheering to the adventurers to hear that +these Indians also knew of a rich country lying to the southward, +and to see that the large ornaments of clumsy workmanship which +they wore were of gold. When after six weeks the ship returned, +those on board were horrified at the wild and haggard faces of +their comrades, so wasted were they by hunger and disease; but +they soon revived, and, embarking once more, they joyfully left +behind them the dismal scene of so much suffering, which they had +named the Port of Famine. After a short run to the southward +they again landed, and found another Indian settlement. The inhabitants +fled, and the Spaniards secured a good store of maize and +other food, and gold ornaments of considerable value; but they +retreated to their ship in horror when they discovered human flesh +roasting before a fire in one of the huts.</p> + +<p>Once more they set sail, and encountered a furious storm, which +so shattered their vessel that they were glad to gain the shore at +the first possible landing-place. There they found a considerable +town, the inhabitants of which were a warlike race who speedily +attacked them. After some fighting the Spaniards were victorious,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span> +but they had lost two of their number, and many were wounded. +It was necessary that the ship should be sent back to Panamá for +repairs, but Pizarro did not consider that this place, which they had +named Pueblo Quemado, would be a safe resting-place for those +who were left behind; so he embarked again for Chicamá, and when +he was settled there his treasurer started for Panamá with the gold +that had been collected, and instructions to lay before Pedrarias, the +governor, a full account of the expedition. Meanwhile Almagro +had succeeded in equipping a small caravel, and started with +about seventy men. He steered in the track of his comrade, +and by a previously concerted signal of notches upon the trees he +was able to recognise the places where Pizarro had landed. At +Pueblo Quemado the Indians received him ill, though they did +not venture beyond their palisades. This enraged Almagro, who +stormed and took the place, driving the natives into the woods. +He paid dearly for his victory, however, as a wound from a javelin +deprived him of the sight of one eye. Pursuing his voyage, he discovered +several new places upon the coast, and collected from them +a considerable store of gold; but being anxious as to the fate of +Pizarro, of whom he had lost all trace for some time, he turned +back at the mouth of the San Juan River, and sailed straight to the +Isle of Pearls. Here he gained tidings of his friend and proceeded +at once to Chicamá, where the two commanders at length met, and +each recounted his adventures.</p> + + +<p>After much consultation over what was next to be done, Pizarro +decided to remain where he was while Almagro returned to Panamá +for fresh supplies, and so ended the first expedition. But when +Almagro reached Panamá he found the Governor anything but +inclined to favour him and his schemes, and but for the influence +of De Luque there would have been an end to their chance of discovering +Peru. Fortunately, however, he was able to settle the +difficulties with Pedrarias, who for about 2,500<i>l.</i> gave up all claim +to any of the treasures they might discover, and ceased to oppose +their plans. A memorable contract was then entered into by Father +De Luque, Pizarro, and Almagro, by which the two last solemnly +bound themselves to pursue the undertaking until it was accomplished, +all the lands, gold, jewels, or treasures of any kind that they +might secure to be divided between the three, in consideration of +the funds which De Luque was to provide for the enterprise. Should +they fail altogether, he was to be repaid with every morsel of +property they might possess. This being arranged, two vessels<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span> +were bought, larger and stronger than the ones with which they +had started before, and a greater supply of stores put on board, and +then a proclamation was made of 'an expedition to Peru.' But the +citizens of Panamá showed no great readiness to join it, which was, +perhaps, not surprising, seeing that of those who had volunteered +before only three-fourths had returned, and those half-starved. However, +in the end about one hundred and sixty men were mustered, with +a few horses and a small supply of ammunition, of which there was +probably very little to spare in the colony. The two captains, each +in his own vessel, sailed once more, and this time having with them +an experienced pilot named Ruiz, they stood boldly out to sea, +steering direct for the San Juan River. This was reached without +misadventure, and from the villages on its banks Pizarro secured a +considerable store of gold and one or two natives. Much encouraged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span> +by this success, the two chiefs felt confident that if this +rich spoil, so soon acquired, could be exhibited in Panamá it would +draw many adventurers to their standard, as a larger number of +men was absolutely necessary to cope with the thickening population +of the country. Almagro therefore took the treasure and went +back for reinforcements. Pizarro landed to seek for a place of +encampment, while Ruiz, with the second ship, sailed southward.</p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i399.png" width="400" height="366" alt="Almagro wounded in the eye" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Almagro wounded in the eye</span> +</div> + +<p>Coasting along with fair winds he reached what is now called +the Bay of St. Matthew, having seen by the way many densely-populated +villages in a well-cultivated land. Here the people showed +no signs of fear or hostility, but stood gazing upon the ship of the +white men as it floated on the smooth waters of the bay, fancying +it to be some mysterious being descended from the skies. Without +waiting to undeceive them, Ruiz once more headed for the open sea, +and was soon amazed to see what appeared to be a caravel of considerable +size, advancing slowly, with one large sail hoisted. The +old navigator was convinced that his was the first European vessel +that had ever penetrated into these latitudes, and no Indian nation +yet discovered was acquainted with the use of sails. But as he +drew near he saw it was one of the huge rafts, called 'balsas,' made +of logs and floored with reeds, with a clumsy rudder and movable +keel of planks. Coming alongside, Ruiz found several Indians, +themselves wearing rich ornaments, who were carrying articles of +wrought gold and silver for traffic along the coast. But what attracted +his attention even more was the woollen cloth of which +their robes were made. It was of fine texture, dyed in brilliant +colours, and embroidered with figures of birds and flowers. They +also had a pair of balances for weighing the gold and silver—a thing +unknown even in Mexico. From these Indians he learned that +two of their number came from Tumbez, a Peruvian port further +to the south; that their fields were full of large flocks of the animals +from which the wool was obtained; and that in the palaces of their +king gold and silver were as common as wood. Ruiz only half +believed their report, but he took several of them on board to repeat +the tale to his commander, and also to learn Castilian, that they +might serve as interpreters. Without touching at any other port, +Ruiz then sailed southward as far as Punta de Pasado, being the +first European who, sailing in this direction, had crossed the equinoctial +line, after which he returned to the place where he had left +Pizarro.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i401.png" width="400" height="298" alt="Many of the Spaniards were killed by the snakes and alligators" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Many of the Spaniards were killed by the snakes and alligators</span> +</div> + +<p>He did not reach it too soon. The little band had met with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span> +nothing but disaster. Instead of being able to reach the open +country of which they had heard, they had been lost in dense +forests of gigantic tropical vegetation. Hill rose behind hill, barring +their progress, alternating with ravines of frightful depth. Monkeys +chattered above their heads, hideous snakes and alligators infested +the swamps. Many of the Spaniards were miserably killed by +them, while others were waylaid by lurking natives, who on one +occasion cut off fourteen men whose canoe had unhappily stranded +on the bank of a stream. Their provisions gave out, and they could +barely sustain life on the few cocoa-nuts or wild potatoes they +found. On the shore life was even less tolerable, for the swarms of +mosquitoes compelled the wretched wanderers to bury themselves +up to their very faces in the sand. Worn-out with suffering, their +one wish was to return to Panamá. This was far from being the +desire of Pizarro, and luckily for him at this crisis Ruiz returned, +and very soon after Almagro sailed into port with a fresh supply of +provisions and a band of eighty military adventurers, who had but +lately come to Panamá, and were burning to make their fortunes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span> +in the New World. The enthusiasm of these new recruits, and the +relief of their own immediate miseries, speedily revived the spirits +of Pizarro's men, and they eagerly called upon their commander to +go forward; but the season of favouring winds was past, and it was +only after many days of battling with fearful storms and contrary +currents that they reached the Bay of St. Matthew, and anchored +opposite the port of Tacamez. This was a large town, swarming +with people who wore many ornaments of gold and jewels, for they +belonged to the recently annexed province of Quito, and had not +yet been forced to reserve all such things for the Inca, as the Peruvians +did. Moreover, this part of the country was specially rich in +gold, and through it flowed the River of Emeralds, so called from +the quarries on its banks, from which quantities of those gems were +dug. The Spaniards longed to possess themselves of all these +treasures, but the natives were too numerous, and showed no fear +of the white men. On the contrary, they were quite ready to attack +them; and Pizarro, who had landed with some of his followers in +the hope of a conference with the chiefs, found himself surrounded +by at least ten thousand men, and would have fared but ill had not +one of the cavaliers chanced to fall from his horse. This sudden +division into two parts of what they had looked upon as one creature +so astonished the Indians that they fell back, and left a way open +for the Spaniards to regain their vessels. Here a council of war was +held, and once again Almagro proposed to go back for more men +while Pizarro waited in some safe spot. But the latter commander +had grown rather weary of the part always assigned to him, and +replied that it was all very well for Almagro, who passed his time +sailing pleasantly to and fro, or living in plenty at Panamá, but that +for those who remained behind to starve in a poisonous climate it +was quite another matter. Almagro retorted angrily that he was +quite willing to be the one to stay if Pizarro declined, and the +quarrel would soon have become serious had not Ruiz interposed. +Almagro's plan was adopted, and the little island of Gallo, which +they had lately passed, was chosen as Pizarro's headquarters.</p> + +<p>This decision caused great discontent among the men, who +complained that they were being dragged to this obscure spot to die +of hunger, and many of them wrote to their friends bewailing their +deplorable condition, but Almagro did his best to seize all these +letters, and only one escaped him. This was concealed in a ball of +cotton sent as a present to the wife of the Governor; it was signed +by several of the soldiers, and begged that a ship might be sent to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span> +rescue them from this dismal place before they all perished, and it +warned others from joining the expedition. This letter fell into the +Governor's hands, and caused great dismay in Panamá. Almagro's +men looked sufficiently haggard and dejected to make it generally +believed that the few ill-fated survivors were being detained against +their will by Pizarro, to end their days on his desolate island. The +Governor was so enraged at the number of lives which this unsuccessful +expedition had cost the colony, that he utterly refused the +applications of Almagro and De Luque for further help, and sent +off two ships, under a cavalier named Tafur, to bring back every +Spaniard from Gallo.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i403.png" width="400" height="314" alt="Amazement of the Indians at seeing a cavalier fall from his horse" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Amazement of the Indians at seeing a cavalier fall from his horse</span> +</div> + +<p>Meanwhile Pizarro and his men were suffering great misery +from the inclement weather, for the rainy season had set in, and for +lack of proper food, such crabs and shell-fish as they could pick up +along the shore being all that they had. Therefore the arrival of +Tafur with two well-provisioned ships was greeted with rapture, +and the only thought of the soldiers was to embark as soon as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span> +possible, and leave for ever that dismal island. But the ships had +brought letters from Almagro and De Luque to Pizarro, imploring +him to hold fast to his original purpose, and solemnly promising to +send him the means for going forward in a short time.</p> + + +<h3>THE CHOICE OF PIZARRO</h3> + +<p>For Pizarro a very little hope was enough, but knowing that he +could probably influence such of his followers as he cared to retain +more by example than by word, he merely announced his own +purpose in the briefest way possible. Drawing his sword, he traced a +line upon the sand from east to west.</p> + +<p>'Friends and comrades,' said he, turning to the south, 'on this +side are toil, hunger, the drenching storm, desertion, and death; on +that side ease and pleasure. There lies Peru with its riches, here +Panamá and its poverty. Choose each man what best becomes a +brave Castilian. For my part I go to the south.'</p> + +<p>So saying he stepped across the line, followed by Ruiz, Pedro de +Candia, and eleven others, and Tafur, after vainly trying to persuade +them to return, reluctantly departed, leaving them part of his +store of provisions. Ruiz sailed with him to help Almagro and +De Luque in their preparations. Not long after Pizarro and his +men constructed a raft, and transported themselves to an island +which lay further north. It was uninhabited, and being partly +covered with wood afforded more shelter. There was also plenty +of good water, and pheasants and a species of hare were fairly +numerous. The rain fell incessantly, and the Spaniards built +rude huts to keep themselves dry, but from the swarms of venomous +insects they could find no protection. Pizarro did all he +could to keep up the spirits of his men in this dreary place. +Morning prayers were duly said, the evening hymn chanted, the +Church festivals carefully observed, and, above all, a keen look-out +was kept across the ocean for the expected sail; but seven months +had passed before one small vessel appeared. The Governor had at +last allowed De Luque and Almagro to fit out this ship; but she +carried no more men than were needed to work her, and Pizarro +was commanded to report himself in Panamá within six months, +whatever might be happening.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i405.png" width="400" height="327" alt="Pizarro sees llamas for the first time" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Pizarro sees llamas for the first time</span> +</div> + +<p>Taking with him his faithful followers and the natives of +Tumbez, Pizarro speedily embarked, and under the guidance of +Ruiz sailed to the south for twenty days, and reached at length the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span> +Gulf of Guayaquil. Here the voyagers were abreast of some of +the grandest heights of the Cordilleras. Far above them in the +still air rose the snowy crests of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, while +only a narrow strip of green and fertile land lay between the +mountains and the sea. Tumbez proved to be a large town, and +the inhabitants received the Spaniards well, supplying them plentifully +with fruit and vegetables, game and fish, and sending on +board their ship a number of llamas, which Pizarro then saw for +the first time. The 'little camel,' as the Spaniards called it, was +an object of much interest to them, and they greatly admired its +mixture of wool and hair, from which the beautiful native fabrics +were woven. The Indians were much astonished to find two of +their own countrymen on board the strange vessel, but through +their favourable report of the harmless intentions of the Spaniards, +and by their help as interpreters, Pizarro was able to collect much +valuable information. At that time there happened to be an Inca +noble in Tumbez, distinguished by his rich dress, the huge gold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span> +ornaments in his ears, and the deference paid him by the citizens. +Pizarro received him on board his ship, showing him everything, +and answering his numerous questions as well as he could. He +also took the opportunity of asserting the lawful supremacy of the +King of Spain over the empire of Peru, and of expounding some of +the doctrines of his own religion, to all of which the chief listened +in silence. Several parties of the Spaniards landed at different +times, and came back with wondrous tales of all they had seen: the +temples blazing with silver and gold, and the convent of the Virgins +of the Sun, the gardens of which glowed with imitations of fruits +and flowers in the same metals. The natives greatly admired one +of the Spaniards, a man named Alonso de Molina, who was of fair +complexion and wore a long beard. They even invited him to +settle among them, promising him a beautiful wife; and on his +homeward voyage Pizarro actually left him there, with one or two +others, thinking that at some future time it might be useful to him +that some of his own men should understand the Indian language. +In return he took on board his ship several of the Peruvians, and +one of them, named by the Spaniards Felipillo, played an important +part in after-events.</p> + +<p>Having now learnt all he could, Pizarro pursued his voyage, +touching at all the principal points as he coasted along, and being +everywhere received by the people with kindness and much curiosity, +for the news of the coming of the white men spread rapidly, and +all were eager to see the 'Children of the Sun,' as they began to be +called from their fair complexions, their shining armour, and their +firearms, which were looked upon as thunderbolts.</p> + +<p>Having gone as far south as the port of Santa, and having heard +enough to make the existence and position of the empire of Peru +an absolute certainty, Pizarro turned and sailed to the northward, +landing once or twice by the way, and being hospitably entertained +by an Indian princess, and after an absence of more than eighteen +months anchored again off Panamá. Great was the joy caused +by their arrival, for all supposed them to have perished; yet +even now, in spite of all they had discovered, the Governor refused +his aid, and the confederates, being by this time without funds, had +no alternative but to apply directly to the King of Spain. The +mission was entrusted to Pizarro, who set out in the spring of 1528, +taking with him some of the natives, two or three llamas, and +specimens of the cloth and of the gold and silver ornaments, to +attest the truth of his wonderful story.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>PIZARRO GOES TO SPAIN AND RETURNS</h3> + +<p>It would take too long to tell how Pizarro fared in his native +country, but the matter ended in the King's being convinced of the +importance of his discoveries, and bestowing many honours and +rewards upon him. He was also empowered to conquer and +take possession of Peru, and expressly enjoined to preserve the +existing regulations for the government and protection of the +Indians, and to take with him many priests to convert them. All +being settled to Pizarro's satisfaction, he found time to revisit his +own town, where, his fortunes having somewhat mended since he +turned his back upon it, he found friends and eager followers, and +among these his own four half-brothers, Hernando, Gonzalo, and +Juan Pizarro, and Francisco de Alcántara. It was not without +many difficulties that Francisco Pizarro got together the two hundred +and fifty men he had agreed to raise, and escaped from the +delays and intrigues of the Spanish Court; but it was done at last, +and the adventurers in three vessels started from Seville, and after +a prosperous voyage reached Nombre de Dios, and there met De +Luque and Almagro. Disagreements speedily arose, for the latter +naturally felt aggrieved that Pizarro should have secured for himself +such an unfair share of the riches and honours as the King had +bestowed on him without putting forward the claims of his comrade, +and matters were made worse by the insolent way in which Hernando +Pizarro treated the old soldier, whom he looked upon as an +obstacle in the path of his brother. Matters got to such a pass +that Almagro was actually preparing ships to prosecute the expedition +on his own account, but De Luque at last succeeded in +reconciling the two commanders—at least for the moment—and the +united band started for the third time. Though the number of men +in the three ships did not exceed one hundred and eighty, yet they +had twenty-seven horses, and were now much better provided with +arms and ammunition. Pizarro's intention was to steer for Tumbez, +but the wind being contrary he anchored instead in the Bay of +St. Matthew, where the troops disembarked and advanced along the +coast, while the vessels proceeded in the same direction, keeping as +close inshore as possible. When Pizarro and his men reached a +town of some importance they rushed in upon it sword in hand, +and the inhabitants, without offering any resistance, fled to the +woods, leaving the invaders to rifle their dwellings, from which they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span> +collected an unexpectedly large store of gold, silver, and emeralds, +some of the stones being of great size. Pizarro sent the treasure +back to Panamá in the ships, and continued his march, his soldiers +suffering terribly in crossing the sandy wastes under the burning +sun, which beat upon their iron mail or quilted cotton doublets till +they were nearly suffocated. Here, too, they were attacked by a +dreadful disease, terrible warts of great size breaking out upon them, +of which several died. This plague, which was quite unknown +before, attacked the natives also, spreading over the whole country. +Everywhere as they advanced the Indians fled before them; +the land was poor, and the Spaniards began to grumble and wish +to retreat; but at this juncture one of the ships appeared, and the +march along the coast was continued. Reaching the Gulf of +Guayaquil, Pizarro persuaded the friendly natives of Tumbez to +transport himself and his men to the island of Puná, where he +encamped for the rainy season; but the islanders resented the presence +of their enemies the men of Tumbez, a suspicion of treachery +arose, and Pizarro allowed ten or twelve prisoners, men of Puná, +to be massacred. Then the whole tribe fell upon the Spaniards +and there was a great battle, in which the white men were +victorious; but after this their position was a most uncomfortable +one, the enemy being ever on the watch to cut off stragglers and +destroy provisions, besides making night attacks upon the camp. +Fortunately the other two ships came back at this juncture, bringing +a hundred volunteers and some more horses, and with them +Pizarro felt strong enough to cross to the mainland and resume his +march. He had lately learned something of the state of affairs in +the country, which he thought he might be able to turn to his own +advantage. It seemed that the Inca Huayna Capac, who conquered +Quito, had left three sons—Huascar the heir, the son of the Queen, +Manco Capac his half-brother, and Atahuallpa, son of the Princess +of Quito, who had been married to Huayna Capac after the conquest. +To Atahuallpa the Inca at his death left the kingdom of +Quito, enjoining him to live at peace with his brother Huascar, who +succeeded to the empire of Peru. This happened about seven +years before Pizarro reached Puná. For five years the brothers +ruled their respective kingdoms without dispute. Huascar was of +a gentle and peaceable disposition, but Atahuallpa was warlike, +ambitious, and daring, and constantly endeavouring to enlarge his +territory. His restless spirit at length excited alarm at Cuzco, and +Huascar sent to remonstrate with him, and to require him to render<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span> +homage for the kingdom of Quito. This at once provoked hostilities. +A great battle took place at Ambato, in which Atahuallpa was +victorious, and he marched on in the direction of Cuzco, carrying all +before him, and only experiencing a slight check from the islanders +of Puná. After more desperate encounters, in one of which Huascar +was taken prisoner, Atahuallpa possessed himself of Cuzco, and, +assuming the diadem of the Incas, received the homage of the whole +country.</p> + +<p>But his triumph was not to be for long.</p> + +<p>We left Pizarro preparing to leave Puná and cross to Tumbez. +His surprise when he did so was great, for he found only the ruins +of what had been a flourishing town; moreover, some of his men +were treacherously attacked by the natives, whom he had supposed to +be quite friendly to him. The Spaniards were much disappointed, +as they had looked forward confidently to securing the golden +treasures of Tumbez of which they had heard so much; nor could +Pizarro believe the explanation of this state of affairs given by the +Curaca, who was caught lurking in the woods. However, it was +his policy to remain friendly with the natives if possible, so no +further notice was taken. No true account could be gathered of the +fate of the two men who had been left there from the last expedition, +though it was evident that both had perished. An Indian gave +Pizarro a scroll left by one of them, upon which was written: +'Know, whoever you may be that may chance to set foot in this +country, that it contains more silver and gold than there is iron in +Biscay.' But when this was shown to the soldiers they only +thought it was a device of their captain to give them fresh hope. +Pizarro, seeing that nothing but incessant activity could keep down +the rising spirit of discontent, now spent some weeks in exploring +the country, and finally assembling all his men at a spot some +thirty leagues south of Tumbez, he built there a considerable town, +which he named San Miguel. The site afterwards proved to be +unhealthy, and was abandoned for another on the banks of the river +Piura, where a town still stands. Presently the news reached San +Miguel that Atahuallpa was encamped within twelve days' journey, +and Pizarro after much consideration resolved to present himself +in his camp, trusting doubtless that when he got there circumstances +would arise which he could turn to his own advantage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>PIZARRO MARCHES TO MEET THE INCA</h3> + +<p>Placing himself at the head of his troops, he struck boldly into +the heart of the country, received everywhere by the natives with +confiding hospitality. The Spaniards were careful to give no +offence, being aware that their best chance of success lay in conciliating +the people by whom they were surrounded. After five +days' marching, Pizarro halted in a pleasant valley to rest his +company, and finding that some few among them showed discontent +and were unwilling to proceed, he called them all together, and +told them that they had now reached a crisis which it would require +all their courage to meet, and no man should go forward who had +any misgivings as to the success of the expedition. He added that +the garrison left in San Miguel was by no means as strong as he +would like it to be, and that if any of them wished to return there +instead of going forward with him they were quite free to do so, +and their share in the profits of the expedition should be just the +same as that of the men originally left there. Nine of the soldiers +availed themselves of this permission to turn back, and having thus +got rid of the elements of discontent, which might have become +dangerous, Pizarro resumed his march, halting again at Zaran +while he sent an officer forward to obtain more certain tidings of +the position of Atahuallpa. After eight days the cavalier returned, +bringing with him an envoy from the Inca, who bore a present for +the Spanish commander, and invited him to visit Atahuallpa's camp +among the mountains. Pizarro quite understood that the Inca's +object was to learn the strength and condition of the white men, +but he hospitably entertained his guest, giving him all the information +he demanded by means of the two interpreters, who had by +his forethought been taught Castilian, and were now of inestimable +service. When the Peruvian departed, Pizarro presented him with +a few trifling gifts, and bade him tell Atahuallpa that he would +meet him as soon as possible. After sending an account of their +proceedings back to San Miguel the adventurers continued their +journey towards Caxamalca, and having crossed a deep and rapid +river, fell in with some natives, who gave such contrary reports of +Atahuallpa's position and intentions that Pizarro sent one of the +Indians who accompanied him ostensibly to bear a friendly greeting +to the Inca, but really to find out all he could of the state of affairs.</p> + +<p>After a further march of three days the little army reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span> +the foot of the huge mountain barrier, and entered upon the +labyrinth of passes which were to lead them to Atahuallpa's +camp. The difficulties of the way were enough to have appalled +the stoutest heart. The path was in many places so steep that +the men had to dismount and scramble up as best they could, +dragging their horses after them; often some huge crag so overhung +the track that they could scarcely creep round the narrow +ledge of rock, while a false step would have plunged them into a +fearful precipice. In several of the passes huge stone fortresses +had been built, and places abounded where a handful of men might +have barred the way successfully against an army, but to the relief +of the Spaniards they found all quiet and deserted, the only living +things visible being an occasional condor or vicuña. Finding that +their passage was not to be disputed, Pizarro, who had led the way +with one detachment, encamped for the night, sending word back +to his brother to bring up the remainder of the force without delay. +Another toilful day brought him to the crest of the Cordillera, a +bleak tract where the only vegetation was a dry, yellow grass which +grew up to the snow-line. Here he was met by one of his Indian +messengers, who reported that the path was clear, and an envoy +from the Inca was on his way to the Castilian camp. Very soon +the Peruvians appeared, bringing a welcome present of llamas and +a message from their master, who desired to know when the +Spaniards would reach Caxamalca, that he might provide suitably +for their reception. The ambassador vaunted the power and the +triumphs of Atahuallpa; but Pizarro was not to be outdone, and did +not hesitate to declare that the Inca was as much inferior to the +King of Spain as the petty chiefs of the country were to the Inca. +After another march of two days the Spaniards began the descent +of the eastern side of the Cordillera, meeting by the way another +and more important envoy, and seven days later the valley of +Caxamalca lay before them, the vapour of its hot springs rising in +the still air, and the slope of the further hillside white with the +tents of the Inca's encampment for a space of several miles—a sight +which filled the Spaniards with a dismay they could hardly conceal. +Putting on a bold front they marched into the town, which was +quite deserted, but seemed large enough to hold ten thousand people, +and then Pizarro despatched an embassy consisting of his brother +Hernando, another cavalier, and thirty-five horsemen, to the camp +of Atahuallpa. The party galloped along the causeway, and, fording +a shallow stream, made their way through a guard of Indians to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span> +the open courtyard in the midst of which the Inca's pavilion stood. +The buildings were covered with a shining plaster, both white and +coloured, and there was a spacious stone reservoir in the courtyard, +which remains to this day, and is called 'The Inca's Bath.' The +Court was filled with Indian nobles, and Atahuallpa himself sat +upon a low stool, distinguished from the rest by the crimson fringe +upon his forehead, which he had worn since the defeat of his brother +Huascar. Hernando Pizarro rode up to him and, addressing him +ceremoniously, informed him by the aid of Felipillo that he came +as an ambassador from his brother to acquaint the Inca with the +arrival of the white men in Caxamalca, and to explain that they +were the subjects of a mighty prince across the waters, who, +attracted by the report of his great victories, had come to offer their +services, and to impart to him the doctrines of the true faith which +they professed, and he brought an invitation from the general to +beg Atahuallpa to visit them in their present quarters. To all this +the Inca listened with his eyes fixed upon the ground, and answered +never a word, but one of the nobles standing by said, 'It is well.' +Hernando Pizarro then respectfully begged the Inca to speak to +them himself and inform them of his pleasure, upon which Atahuallpa +smiled faintly and replied: 'Tell your captain that I am +keeping a fast, which will end to-morrow morning; I will then +visit him. In the meantime let him occupy the public buildings +on the square, and no other, till I come and order what shall be +done.'</p> + + +<h3>PIZARRO AND THE INCA</h3> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i413.png" width="400" height="352" alt="The cavalier displays his horsemanship before Atahuallpa" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The cavalier displays his horsemanship before Atahuallpa</span> +</div> + +<p>One of the cavaliers who was mounted upon a fiery steed, seeing +that Atahuallpa looked at it with some interest, caused it to rear +and curvet, and then dashed out over the plain in a wild gallop, and +returning checked it in full career close beside the Inca. But the +face of Atahuallpa never for an instant lost its marble composure, +though several of his soldiers shrank back in manifest +terror as the strange creature passed them; and it is said that +they paid dearly for their timidity, as Atahuallpa caused them +to be put to death for thus showing fear in the presence of the +strangers. Wine was now brought, and offered to the Spaniards in +golden goblets of extraordinary size, and then they took their leave +and rode gloomily back to Caxamalca. Pizarro alone was not discouraged +by the news they brought. He saw that matters had now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span> +come to a climax, and determined upon making a bold stroke. To +encounter the Inca in the open field was manifestly impossible, but +could his person be secured when he entered the city with comparatively +few of his followers the rest might be intimidated, and all +might yet be well. To this end, therefore, he laid his plans. The +building in which the Spaniards were encamped occupied three sides +of a square, and consisted of spacious halls opening upon it with +wide doors. In these halls the general stationed his men, and there +they were to remain under cover till the Inca should have entered +the square, when at a given signal, the firing of a gun, they were to +rush out uttering their battle-cries, and, putting the Peruvians to +the sword, possess themselves of the person of Atahuallpa. After a +quiet night and a careful inspection of their arms and equipments, +the Spaniards took up their respective positions, but it was late in +the day before a great stir was visible in the Peruvian camp. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span> +Inca sent word to Pizarro that he was coming armed, as the +Spaniards had come to him. To which the general replied that, +come as he might, he would be received as a friend and a brother. +At last the procession was seen approaching. First came a large +body of attendants, sweeping every particle of rubbish from the +road. Then high above the crowd the Inca appeared, carried in +a gorgeous litter and surrounded by his nobles, who wore such +quantities of golden ornaments that they blazed like the sun. The +road was lined with Peruvian troops, who also covered the level +meadows as far as the eye could reach. When the company had +arrived within half a mile of the city gate Pizarro observed with +dismay that they halted, and seemed to be preparing to encamp, and +word was brought him that the Inca would enter the city on the +following morning. This was far from suiting the general's plans; +his men had been under arms since daylight, and to prolong the +suspense at this critical moment would he felt be fatal. He returned +an answer, therefore, to Atahuallpa, deprecating his change +of purpose, and saying that everything was provided for his entertainment +and he expected him that night to sup with him. This +message turned the Inca from his purpose, his tents were struck again, +and the procession re-formed. Only he sent Pizarro word that he +should prefer to pass the night at Caxamalca, and so would bring into +the town with him only a few unarmed men. It was near sunset +when the Peruvians, chanting their triumphant songs, entered the city +gate. According to their different ranks their robes were of various +colours, some chequered in white and red, some pure white, while the +guards and attendants of the Inca were distinguished by their gay blue +uniform and the profusion of their ornaments. Atahuallpa sat in +an open litter, lined with the brilliantly coloured plumes of tropical +birds and studded with burnished plates of gold and silver. His dress +was far richer than on the preceding evening; round his neck hung +a collar of large and brilliant emeralds, and his short hair was +decorated with golden ornaments. He was at this time about +thirty years old, and was taller and stronger than most of his +countrymen. His head was large, and he might have been called +handsome but for his fierce and bloodshot eyes. His bearing was +calm and dignified, and he gazed upon the multitudes about him +like one accustomed to command. Not a Spaniard was to be seen +as the procession, in admirable order, entered the great square of +the building that had been assigned to them, and when the place +was occupied by some six thousand of his people Atahuallpa halted,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span> +and asked, 'Where are the strangers?' Upon this Father +Valverde, Pizarro's chaplain, came forward Bible in hand, and proceeded +to expound to him the doctrines of his faith, declaring +finally that the Pope had commissioned the Spanish Emperor to +conquer and convert the inhabitants of the western world, and beseeching +the Inca to embrace the Christian faith and acknowledge +himself a tributary of the Emperor Charles, who would aid and +protect him as a loyal vassal. The eyes of Atahuallpa flashed fire +as he answered: 'I will be no man's tributary; I am greater than +any prince upon earth. Your Emperor may be a great prince. I +do not doubt it when I see that he has sent his subjects so far across +the waters, and I am willing to hold him as a brother. As for the +Pope of whom you speak, he must be crazy to talk of giving away +countries which do not belong to him. For my faith, I will not +change it. Your own God, you say, was put to death by the very +men whom he created, but mine'—and here he pointed to the setting +sun—'my god still lives in the heavens and looks down upon his +children.' He then demanded of Valverde by what authority he +had said these things. The friar pointed to the book he held. +Atahuallpa took it, looked at it for an instant, and then threw it +violently down, exclaiming: 'Tell your comrades they shall give an +account of their doings in my land. I will not go from here till they +have made me full satisfaction for all the wrongs they have committed.'</p> + +<p>The friar thereupon rushed to Pizarro crying: 'Do you not +see that while we stand here wasting our breath in talking with this +dog—full of pride as he is—the fields are filling with Indians? +Set on at once; I absolve you.'</p> + +<p>Pizarro saw that the hour had come. He waved a white scarf, the +fatal gun was fired, and from every opening the Spaniards poured into +the great square, sword in hand, shouting their old battle-cry, 'St. +Jago, and at them!' The Indians, unarmed, taken by surprise, +stunned by the noise of the artillery, and blinded with smoke, knew +not which way to fly. Nobles and soldiers were ruthlessly cut down, +or trampled underfoot by the horses, the entrance to the square was +choked with the fallen bodies of men, but the desperate struggles of +the masses of natives driven together by their fierce assailants +actually broke down the wall of clay and stone for a space of a +hundred paces, through which the wretched fugitives endeavoured +to reach the open country, hotly pursued by the cavalry and struck +down in all directions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span></p> + + +<h3>THE CAPTIVITY OF THE INCA</h3> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i416.png" width="400" height="338" alt="The friar urges Pizarro to attack the Peruvians" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The friar urges Pizarro to attack the Peruvians</span> +</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, a desperate struggle was going on for the person of +the Inca. His nobles surrounded and faithfully strove to defend +him; as fast as one was cut down another took his place, and with +their dying grasp they clung to the bridles of the cavaliers, trying +to force them back. Atahuallpa sat as one stunned in his swaying +litter, forced this way and that by the pressure of the throng. The +Spaniards grew tired at last of the work of destruction, and, fearing +that in the gathering darkness the Inca might after all escape them, +they made an attempt to end the fray at once by taking his life. +But Pizarro, seeing this, cried out in a mighty voice, 'Let no man +who values his life strike at the Inca,' and, stretching out his arm +to shield him, received a wound on the hand from one of his own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> +men—the only wound received by any Spaniard in the action. The +strife now became fiercer round the litter, and several of the nobles +who bore it having been slain, it was overturned, and the Inca +would have come violently to the ground had not Pizarro and some +of his men caught him in their arms. A soldier instantly snatched +the crimson fringe from his forehead, and the unhappy monarch +was taken into the nearest building and carefully guarded. All +attempt at resistance now ceased. The news of the Inca's fate +spread over town and country, and the only thing which had held +them together being gone, each man thought only of his own safety. +The Spaniards pursued the fugitives till night fell and the sound +of the trumpet recalled them to the square of Caxamalca. That +night the Inca supped with Pizarro as he had said, while ten +thousand of his faithful followers lay dead about the city.</p> + +<p>He seemed like one in a dream, not understanding the calamity +that had fallen upon him. He even commended the adroit way in +which the Spaniards had entrapped him, adding that since the +landing of the white men he had been made aware of all their +doings, but had felt sure of being easily able to overpower them as +soon as he thought fit to do so, and had allowed them to reach +Caxamalca unmolested because he desired to see them for himself, +and to obtain possession of their arms and horses. This, at least, +was the interpretation of what the Inca said given by Felipillo; +but he was a malicious youth, who bore Atahuallpa no good will, +and the Spaniards were only too ready to believe anything that +seemed to justify their cruel deeds. Pizarro replied that the fate +of the Inca was the lot that fell to all who resisted the white men, +but he bade Atahuallpa take courage, for the Spaniards were a +generous race, warring only against those who would not submit +themselves. That same night the general reviewed his men, congratulating +them upon the success of their stratagem, but warning +them to be strictly upon their guard, since they were but a handful +of strangers in the heart of a mighty kingdom, encompassed by foes +who were deeply attached to their own sovereign. Next morning, +the prisoners, of whom there were many in the camp, were employed +in burying the dead and removing all traces of the massacre, +while a troop of Spaniards was despatched to spoil the camp of +Atahuallpa and scatter the remnant of the Peruvian forces. At +noon this party returned, bringing the wives and attendants of the +Inca, and a rich booty in gold, silver, emeralds, and other treasures, +beside droves of llamas.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span></p> + +<p>Pizarro would now have liked to march directly upon the +capital, but the distance was great and his force was small. So +after sending a message to San Miguel for reinforcements, he set +his men to work at rebuilding the walls of Caxamalca, and fitting +up a church, in which mass was celebrated daily. Atahuallpa +soon discovered that gold was what the Spaniards chiefly coveted, +and he determined to try and buy his freedom, for he greatly +feared that Huascar might win back his liberty and his kingdom +if the news once reached him of his brother's captivity. So +he one day promised Pizarro to fill with gold the room in which +they stood, not merely covering the floor, but piling it up to +a line drawn round the walls as high as he could reach, if he +would in return set him free. The general hardly knew how +to answer. All he had seen confirmed the rumours of the wealth +of the country, and if it could be collected thus by the Inca's order, +he might really hope to secure it, whereas if he trusted to being +able to seize it for himself the chances were that most of it would +disappear for ever, hidden by the natives beyond recovery. At all +events he decided it would be safe to agree to Atahuallpa's proposal; +when the gold was collected it would be time enough to think about +setting the captive at liberty. The room to be filled was seventeen +feet broad by twenty-two feet long, and the line upon the wall was +drawn nine feet from the ground. A smaller room which adjoined +it the Inca offered to fill with silver twice over, and he demanded +two months' time to accomplish all this.</p> + +<p>As soon as the arrangement was made, Atahuallpa sent couriers +to Cuzco and all the other chief places in the kingdom, with orders +to strip the royal palaces of their treasures and send them without +delay to Caxamalca. Meanwhile he lived in the Spanish quarters, +treated with consideration, and allowed to see his subjects freely, +but at the same time strictly guarded.</p> + + +<h3>THE INCA'S RANSOM</h3> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i419.png" width="400" height="311" alt="The Spaniards destroy the idol at Pachacamac" title="" /> +<span class="caption">The Spaniards destroy the idol at Pachacamac</span> +</div> + +<p>The news of Atahuallpa's capture and the immense ransom he +had offered soon reached the ears of Huascar, who was encouraged +by the tidings to make vigorous efforts to regain his own liberty, +and sent a message to the Spanish commander saying that he would +pay a much larger ransom than that promised by Atahuallpa, who, +never having lived in Cuzco, could not know the quantity of treasure +there, or where it was stored. This was told to Atahuallpa, who also<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span> +knew that Pizarro had said that Huascar should be brought to +Caxamalca, that he himself might determine which of the two +brothers had the better right to the sceptre of the Incas. Furiously +jealous, and fearing that the decision would surely be in favour of +the more docile Huascar, Atahuallpa ordered secretly that he should +be put to death by his guards, and he was accordingly drowned in +the river of Andamarca, declaring with his dying breath that the +white men would avenge his murder, and that his rival would not +long survive him. Week by week the treasure poured in from all +quarters of the realm, borne on the shoulders of the Indian porters, +and consisting mainly of massive pieces of plate, some of them +weighing seventy-five pounds; but as the distances were great, +and the progress necessarily slow, the Spaniards became impatient, +and believed, or pretended to believe, that the Inca was planning +some treachery, and wilfully delaying till he could arrange a general +rising of the Peruvians against the white men. This charge the +Inca indignantly denied, and to prove his good faith offered to give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span> +a safe-conduct to a party of Spaniards, that they might visit Cuzco +for themselves and see that the work of collecting the treasure was +really going on. Pizarro gladly accepted this offer, and three +cavaliers started for the capital. Meanwhile, Hernando Pizarro +with a small troop had set out to make sure that the country round +was really quiet, and, finding that it was, he continued his march to +the town of Pachacamac, to secure the treasures of its famous +temple before they could be hidden by its priests. The city was a +hundred leagues from Caxamalca, and the way lay across the tableland +of the Cordilleras; but after weeks of severe labour the +Spaniards reached it, and, breaking into the temple, in spite of the +remonstrances of the priests, they dragged forth and destroyed the +hideous idol it contained, and secured the greater part of the treasure +of gold and jewels, though the priests, having had warning of his +approach, had managed to conceal a good deal, some of which the +Spaniards afterwards discovered buried in the surrounding land. +The people, seeing that their god was unable to defend himself +against the wonderful strangers, now came and tendered their +homage, and Hernando Pizarro, hearing that one of the Inca's two +great generals, a chief named Challcuchima, was lying with a considerable +force in the town of Xanxa, resolved to march there and +attack him in his own quarters. The road across the mountains +was even rougher and more difficult than the one by which he had +come, and, to add to his troubles, the shoes of the horses were all +worn out, and they suffered severely on the rough and stony ground. +Iron there was none, but silver and gold abounded, so Pizarro +ordered the Indian smiths to make horseshoes of silver, with which +the horses of the troop were shod. On reaching Xanxa the +Spaniards found it a large and populous place, and the Indian +general with five-and-thirty thousand men was encamped at a +distance of a few miles; but, nothing daunted, Hernando Pizarro +sent messages to him, and when he at last consented to an +interview, informed him that the Inca demanded his presence in +Caxamalca. Having been utterly bewildered since the capture of +the Inca, and uncertain as to what course to take, Challcuchima +obeyed at once, and accompanied by a numerous retinue journeyed +back with the Spaniards. He was everywhere received by the +natives with the deepest respect, yet he entered the presence of the +Inca barefooted and with a burden laid upon his back, and kneeling +before his master he kissed his hands and feet, exclaiming, +'Would that I had been here! This would not then have happened.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span></p> + +<p>Atahuallpa himself showed no emotion, only coldly bade him +welcome: even in his present state of captivity he was immeasurably +above the proudest of his vassals. The Spaniards still treated +him with all respect, and with his own people he kept up his usual +state and ceremony, being attended upon by his wives, while a +number of Indian nobles waited always in the antechamber, but +never entered his presence unless sent for, and then only with every +mark of humility. His dress, which he often changed, was sometimes +made of vicuña wool, sometimes of bats' skins, sleek as velvet. +Nothing which he had worn could be used by another; when he +laid it aside it was burned. To while away the time the Spaniards +taught him to play chess, at which he became expert, spending upon +it many of the tedious hours of his imprisonment. Soon after the +return of Hernando Pizarro the three cavaliers came back from +Cuzco. They had travelled six hundred miles in the greatest luxury, +carried in litters by the natives, and received everywhere with awe +and respect. Their accounts of the wealth of the capital confirmed +all that Pizarro had heard, and though they had stayed a week +there, they had not seen all. They had seen the royal mummies in +their golden chairs, and had left them untouched by the Inca's +orders; but they had caused the plates of pure gold to be stripped +from the Temple of the Sun—seven hundred of them, compared in +size to the lid of a chest ten or twelve inches wide. The cornice +was so firmly embedded in the stonework that it defied their efforts +to remove it. But they brought with them full two hundred loads +of gold, beside much silver, all hastily collected, for the arrogant +behaviour of the emissaries had greatly exasperated the people of +Cuzco, who were glad to get rid of them as soon as possible. About +this time Almagro reached San Miguel, having, after many difficulties, +succeeded in collecting a few more adventurers, and heard with +amazement of Pizarro's successes and of the change in his fortunes. +In spite of the feelings of rivalry and distrust that existed between +himself and his old comrade, Pizarro was delighted to hear of his +arrival, as the additional troops he brought with him made it possible +to go forward with the conquest of the country. So when +Almagro reached Caxamalca in the middle of February 1533, he +and his men were received with every mark of joy. Only Atahuallpa +looked on sadly, seeing the chances of regaining his freedom, +or maintaining it if he did regain it, lessened by the increased +number of his enemies, and to add to his dejection a comet just +then made its appearance in the heavens. As one had been seen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span> +shortly before the death of the Inca's father, Huayna Capac, he +looked upon it as a warning of evil to come, and a dread of the +future took possession of him.</p> + +<p>The Spaniards now began to clamour for a division of the gold +which had been already collected: several of them were disposed +to return home with the share that would fall to them, but by +far the greater number only wished to make sure of the spoil +and then hurry on to Cuzco, where they believed as much more +awaited them. For various reasons Pizarro agreed to their +demands; the gold—all but a few particularly beautiful specimens +of the Indian goldsmith's work, which were sent to Castile +as part of the royal fifth—was melted down into solid bars, and when +weighed was found to be worth nearly three and a half millions of +pounds sterling. This was divided amongst Pizarro and his men, +the followers of Almagro not being considered to be entitled to a +share, though a small sum was handed over to them to induce them +to give up their claim. The division being completed, there seemed +to be no further obstacle to their resuming active operations; but +then the question arose what was to become of Atahuallpa, who +was loudly demanding his freedom. He had not, indeed, paid the +whole of his promised ransom; but an immense amount had been +received, and it would have been more, as he urged, but for the +impatience of the Spaniards. Pizarro, telling no one of the dark +purposes he was brooding over in his own mind, issued a proclamation +to the effect that the ransom was considered to be completely +paid, but that the safety of the Spaniards required that the Inca +should be held captive until they were still further reinforced. Soon +rumours began to be spread, probably by Felipillo, who hated the +Inca, that an immense army was mustering at Quito, and that thirty +thousand Caribs, of whom the Spaniards had a peculiar horror, were +on their way to join it. Both Atahuallpa and his general Challcuchima +denied all knowledge of any rising, but their protestations of +innocence did them little good. The soldiers clamoured against the +unhappy Inca, and Pizarro, taking advantage of the temporary +absence of some of the cavaliers who would have defended him, +ordered him to be brought to instant trial. The evidence of Indian +witnesses, as interpreted by Felipillo, sealed his doom, and in spite +of the efforts of a few Spaniards he was found guilty by the majority +on the charge, among other things, of having assassinated his brother +Huascar and raised up insurrection against the Spaniards, and was +sentenced to be burnt alive. When Atahuallpa was told of his approaching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span> +fate his courage gave way for a moment. 'What have +I or my children done,' he said to Pizarro, 'that I should meet +such a doom? And from your hands, too!—you who have met +with nothing but friendship and kindness from my people, with +whom I have shared my treasures, who have received nothing but +benefits from my hands.' Then in most piteous tones he begged +that his life might be spared, offering to answer for the safety of +every Spaniard, and promising to pay double the ransom he had +already given. But it was all of no avail. He was not, however, +burnt to death; for at the last moment, on his consenting to abjure +his own religion and be baptized, he was executed in the usual +Spanish manner—by strangulation.</p> + +<p>A day or two after, the other cavaliers returned, and found +Pizarro making a show of great sorrow for what had happened. +They reproached and blamed him, saying that there was no truth +in the story of treachery—all was quiet, and the people showed +nothing but goodwill. Then Pizarro accused his treasurer and +Father Valverde of having deceived him in the matter and brought +about the catastrophe; and they in their turn exculpated themselves, +and upbraided Pizarro as the only one responsible for the deed, and +the quarrel was fierce between them. Meanwhile, the death of the +Inca, whose power over his people had been so great, caused the +breaking-up of all the ancient institutions. The Indians broke out +into great excesses; villages were burnt and temples plundered; +gold and silver acquired a new importance in their eyes, and were +eagerly seized and hidden in caves and forests; the remote provinces +threw off their allegiance to the Incas; the great captains at the +head of distant armies set up for themselves—one named Ruminavi +sought to detach Quito from the Peruvian Empire and assert its +independence. Pizarro, still in Caxamalca, looked round for a successor +to Atahuallpa, and chose his young brother Toparca, who +was crowned with the usual ceremonies; and then the Spaniards +set out for Cuzco, taking the new Inca with them, and after a toilful +journey and more than one encounter with hostile natives +reached Xanxa in safety. Here Pizarro remained for a time, sending +one of his captains, named Hernando de Soto, forward with a small +body of men to reconnoitre. This cavalier found villages burnt, +bridges destroyed, and heavy rocks and trees placed in the path to +impede his cavalry, and realised at length that the natives had risen +to resistance. As he neared the Sierra of Vilcaconga he heard that +a considerable body of Indians lay in wait for him in its dangerous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span> +passes; but though his men and horses were weary, he rashly +determined to push on and pass it before nightfall if possible. No +sooner had they fairly entered the narrow way than he was attacked +by a multitude of armed warriors, who seemed to spring from every +bush and cavern, and rushed down like a mountain torrent upon +the Spaniards as they struggled up the steep and rocky pathway. +Men and horses were overthrown, and it was only after a severe +struggle that they succeeded in reaching a level spot upon which it +was possible to face the enemy. Night fell while the issue of the +fight was still uncertain, but fortunately Pizarro, when he heard of +the unsettled state of the country, had despatched Almagro to the +support of De Soto. He, hearing that there was the chance of a +fight, had pushed on hastily, and now advanced under cover of the +darkness, sounding his trumpets, which were joyfully answered by +the bugles of De Soto.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 368px;"> +<img src="images/i425.png" width="368" height="500" alt="IN ONE CAVE THE SOLDIERS FOUND VASES OF PURE GOLD, ETC." title="" /> +<span class="caption">IN ONE CAVE THE SOLDIERS FOUND VASES OF PURE GOLD, ETC.</span> +</div> + +<p>When morning broke and the Peruvians saw that their white +enemies had been mysteriously reinforced in the night, they hastily +retreated, leaving the passes open, and the two cavaliers continued +their march through the mountains, and took up a secure position +in the open country beyond, to await Pizarro. Their losses had +not been very great, but they were quite unprepared to meet with +any resistance; and as this seemed a well-organised attack, suspicion +fell upon Challcuchima, who was accused by Pizarro of conspiring +with Quizquiz, the other great general, against the young Inca, and +was told that if he did not at once compel the Peruvians to lay +down their arms he should be burnt alive. Challcuchima denied the +charge, and declared that, captive as he was, he had no power to +bring his countrymen to submission. Nevertheless, he was put in +irons and strongly guarded. Unfortunately for him, the young +Toparca died just at this time, and suspicion at once fell on the +hapless general, who, after the mockery of a trial, was burnt to +death as soon as Pizarro reached Almagro's camp—his own followers +piling up the faggots. Soon after this Pizarro was surprised +by a friendly visit from the young brother of Huascar, Manco Capac, +and seeing that this prince was likely to be a useful instrument in +his hands, Pizarro acknowledged his claim to be the Inca, and, +keeping him with him, resumed the march to Cuzco, which they +entered on November 15, 1533. The suburbs were thronged with +people, who came from far and near to gaze upon the white faces +and the shining armour of the 'Children of the Sun.' The Spaniards +rode directly to the great square, and took up their quarters in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[415]</a></span> +palaces of the Incas. They were greatly struck by the beauty and +order of the city, and though Pizarro on entering it had issued an +order that the dwellings of the inhabitants were not to be plundered +or injured, the soldiers soon stripped the palaces and temples of +the valuables they contained, even taking the golden ornaments of +the royal mummies and rifling the Peruvian graves, which often +contained precious treasures. Believing that the natives had buried +their wealth, they put some of them to the torture, to induce them +to disclose their hiding-places, and by seeking everywhere they +occasionally stumbled upon mines of wealth. In one cave near the +city the soldiers found a number of vases of pure gold, embossed +with figures of animals, serpents, and locusts. Also there were four +life-sized figures of llamas, and ten or twelve statues of women, +some of gold and some of silver. The magazines were stored with +robes of cotton and featherwork, gold sandals and slippers, and +dresses composed entirely of beads of gold. The stores of grain +and other food the conquerors utterly despised, though the time +was to come when they would have been of far greater value to +them than all the treasure. On the whole, the riches of the capital +did not come up to the expectation of the Spaniards, but they had +collected much plunder on the way to it, securing in one place ten +bars of solid silver, each twenty feet in length, one foot in breadth, +and two or three inches thick.</p> + +<p>The natural consequence followed the sudden acquisition of so +much wealth. The soldiers, as soon as they had received their +share, squandered it recklessly, or lost it over dice or cards. A +man who had for his portion one of the great golden images of the +Sun taken from the chief temple, lost it in a single night's gaming, +whence came the proverb common to this day in Spain, 'He plays +away the sun before sunrise.' Another effect of such a superfluity +of gold and silver was the instant rise in the prices of all ordinary +things, till gold and silver seemed to be the only things in Cuzco +that were not wealth. Yet very few indeed of the Spaniards were +wise enough to be contented and return to enjoy their spoils in +their native country. After the division of the treasure, Pizarro's +first care was to place the Inca Manco upon the throne, and demand +for him the recognition of his countrymen. All the coronation +ceremonies were duly observed. The people acquiesced readily, +and there were the usual feastings and rejoicings, at which the royal +mummies were paraded according to custom, decked with such +ornaments as remained to them. Pizarro then organised a government<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[416]</a></span> +for the city of Cuzco after the fashion of his own country, and +turned the temples into churches and monasteries. He himself +was henceforward styled the Governor. Having heard that Atahuallpa's +general Quizquiz was stationed not far from Cuzco with +a large force of the men of Quito, Pizarro sent Almagro and the +Inca Manco to dislodge him, which they did after some sharp +fighting. The general fled to the plains of Quito, where, after +holding out gallantly for a long time, he was massacred by his own +soldiers, weary of the ineffectual struggle.</p> + +<p>About this time, Don Pedro de Alvarado, with five hundred +well-equipped men, landed at the Bay of Caraques and marched +upon Quito, affecting to believe that it was a separate kingdom, and +not part of that conquered by Pizarro. This Alvarado was the +celebrated cavalier who had been with Cortés in the conquest of +Mexico, and earned from the Aztecs the title of 'Tonatiuh,' or +'Child of the Sun.' He had been made Governor of Guatemala, +but his avarice being aroused by the reports of Pizarro's conquests, +he turned in the direction of Quito a large fleet which he had +intended for the Spice Islands. The Governor was much disturbed +by the news of his landing, but as matters turned out he need not +have been, for Alvarado, having set out to cross the sierra in the +direction of Quito, was deserted in the midst of the snowy passes +by his Indian guide. His unhappy followers, fresh from the warm +climate of Guatemala, were perished with the cold, and still further +distressed by suffocating clouds of dust and ashes from the volcano +of Cotopaxi. After days of incredible suffering they emerged at +last, but leaving behind them at least a fourth of their number, +beside two thousand Indians, who had died of cold and hunger. +When, after all, he did reach Quito, he found it in the hands of +Benalcazah, a cavalier who had been left by Pizarro at San Miguel, +and who had deserted his post in order to take possession of Quito, +tempted by the reports of the treasure it contained, which, however, +he failed to find. Almagro, too, had reached the city before Alvarado +got there; moreover, his men had heard so much of the riches of +Cuzco that they were inclined to desert him and join Pizarro. On +the whole, Alvarado judged it expedient to give up all claim to +Quito, and for a sum of money which, though large, did not cover +his expenses, to hand over to the Governor his fleet, forces, stores, +and munitions. This being settled, he went to Pachacamac to +meet Pizarro, who had left his brother Juan in charge of Cuzco, +and was inspecting the defences of the coast. There being now no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[417]</a></span> +question of rivalry, the two cavaliers met in all courtesy, and +Alvarado was hospitably entertained by the Governor, after which +he sailed for Guatemala. Peru might now in a manner be considered +as conquered; some of the tribes in the interior still held +out, but an able officer had been told off to subdue them. Quito and +Cuzco had submitted, the army of Atahuallpa had been beaten and +dispersed, the Inca was the mere shadow of a king, ruled by the +conqueror.</p> + +<p>The Governor now turned his attention to building a city which +should be the capital of this new colonial empire. Cuzco lay too +far inland, San Miguel too far to the north. Pizarro fixed upon a +spot near the mouth of a wide river which flowed through the Valley +of Rimac, and here soon arose what was then called the 'City +of the Kings,' but is now known as Lima. Meanwhile, Hernando +Pizarro returned to Castile with the royal fifth, as the Spanish +Emperor's share of the treasure was called; he also took with him +all the Spaniards who had had enough of the life of adventure and +wished to settle in their native land to enjoy their ill-gotten spoils. +Pizarro judged rightly that the sight of the gold would bring him +ten recruits for every one who thus returned. And so it was, for +when he again sailed for Peru it was at the head of the most +numerous and the best-appointed fleet that had yet set out. But +as so often happened, disaster pursued him, and only a broken remnant +finally reached the Peruvian shore. Quarrels now arose +between Almagro and Pizarro, the former claiming to be Governor +of Cuzco; and when after many difficulties peace was again +made, and Almagro, withdrawing his claim, had led his partisans +off to conquer Chili, a new trouble began. The Inca Manco, +under pretext of showing Hernando Pizarro a hidden treasure, +managed to make his escape; the Peruvians flocked to his banner, +and the party of Spaniards under Juan Pizarro who were sent +out to recapture him returned to Cuzco weary and wounded +after many unsuccessful struggles with the enemy, only to find the +city closely surrounded by a mighty host of Indians. They were, +however, allowed to enter the capital, and then began a terrible siege +which lasted for more than five months. Day and night the +Spaniards were harassed by showers of missiles. Sometimes the +flights of burning arrows or red-hot stones wrapped in some inflammable +substance would cause fearful fires in all quarters of the +town at once; three times in one day did the flames attack the very +building which sheltered the Spaniards, but fortunately they were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[418]</a></span> +extinguished without doing much harm. In vain did the besieged +make desperate sallies; the Indians planted stakes to entangle their +horses, and took the riders prisoners by means of the lasso, which +they used with great skill. To add to their distress the great +citadel which dominated the town had fallen into the hands of +the enemy, and though after a gallant struggle it was retaken, yet it +was at the cost of Juan Pizarro's life. As for the Inca noble who +defended it, when he saw that the citadel must fall, he cast away his +war-club, and, folding his mantle about him, threw himself headlong +from the battlements. Famine now began to be felt sharply, and +it added horror to the situation of the besieged when, after they had +heard no tidings of their countrymen for months, the blood-stained +heads of eight or ten Spaniards were one day rolled into the market +place, leading them to believe that the rising of the Indians had been +simultaneous all over the country, and that their friends were +faring no better than themselves. Things were not, however, quite +so desperate as they imagined, for Francisco Pizarro when attacked +in the City of the Kings had sallied forth and inflicted such a +severe chastisement upon the Peruvians that they afterwards kept +their distance from him, contenting themselves with cutting off +his communication with the interior. Several detachments of +soldiers whom he sent to the relief of his brothers in Cuzco were, +however, enticed by the natives into the mountain passes and +there slain, as also were some solitary settlers on their own +estates.</p> + +<p>At last, in the month of August, the Inca drew off his forces, and +intrenching himself in Tambo, not far from Cuzco, with a considerable +body of men, and posting another force to keep watch upon +Cuzco and intercept supplies, he dismissed the remainder to the +cultivation of their lands. The Spaniards thereupon made frequent +forays, and on one occasion the starving soldiers joyfully secured two +thousand Peruvian sheep, which saved them from hunger for a time. +Once Pizarro desperately attacked Tambo itself, but was driven off +with heavy loss, and hunted back ignominiously into Cuzco; but +this was the last triumph of the Inca. Soon afterwards Almagro +appeared upon the scene, and sent an embassy to the Inca, with +whom he had formerly been friendly. Manco received him well, +but his suspicions being aroused by a secret conference between +Almagro's men and the Spaniards in Cuzco, he fell suddenly upon +the former, and a great battle ensued in which the Peruvians were +decidedly beaten and the power of the Inca was broken. He died<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[419]</a></span> +some few years later, leaving the Spaniards still fighting among +themselves for the possession of the country. Almagro after some +years of strife and adventure was put to death by Hernando Pizarro +when he was nearly seventy years old. His son, a gallant and well-beloved +youth, who succeeded him, met the same fate in the same +place—the great square of Cuzco—a few years later. Hernando +himself suffered a long imprisonment in Spain for the murder of +Almagro, with serene courage, and even lived some time after his +release, being a hundred years old when he died. Gonzola Pizarro +was beheaded in Peru, at the age of forty-two, for rebelling against +the authority of the Spanish Emperor. Francisco Pizarro was +murdered in his own house in the City of the Kings, in the month +of June 1541, by the desperate adherents of the young Almagro, +or the 'Men of Chili' as they were called, and was buried hastily +and secretly by a few faithful servants in an obscure corner of the +cathedral. Such was the miserable end of the conqueror of Peru. +'There was none even,' says an old chronicler, 'to cry "God forgive +him!"'</p> + + +<div class='copyright'> +PRINTED BY<br /> +SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE<br /> +LONDON<br /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='footnotes'> +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> This unnamed monk of Dunfermline describes Joan as 'a maid worthy to be remembered, +who caused the recovery of the kingdom of France from the hands of the +tyrant Henry, King of England. This maid I saw and knew, and was with her in her +conquests and sieges, ever present with her in her life and at her end.' The monk proposed +to write Joan's history; unhappily his manuscript ends in the middle of a sentence. +The French historians, as was natural, say next to nothing of their Scottish allies. See +Quicherat, <i>Procès</i>, v. 339; and <i>The Book of Pluscarden</i>, edited by Mr. Felix Skene.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> M. Quicherat thinks that this is a mere fairy tale, but the author has sometimes +seen wild birds (a lark, kingfisher, robin, and finch) come to men, who certainly had +none of the charm of Joan of Arc. A thoughtful child, sitting alone, and very still, +might find birds alight on her in a friendly way, as has happened to the author. If she +fed them, so much the better.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> See M. Siméon Luce, <i>Jeanne d'Arc in Domremy</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Here we follow Father Ayroles's correction of Quicherat's reading of the manuscripts.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> The Voice and vision of St. Michael alarmed her at first. In 1425 the French +had defeated the English by sea, under Mount St. Michael, the only fortress in +Normandy which never yielded to England. Consequently St. Michael was in high esteem +as the patron of France, and, of all saints, he was most likely to be in Joan's mind. (See +Siméon Luce, <i>Jeanne d'Arc à Domremy</i>.) On the other hand, Father Ayroles correctly +argues that Joan first heard the Voices the year before the victory near Mount St. Michael.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> M. Quicherat distinguishes three strange kinds of power in Joan. These are the +power of seeing at a distance, the power of learning the secret thoughts of men, and the +power of foretelling future events. Of each class 'one example at least rests on evidence +so solid, that it cannot be rejected without rejecting the whole basis of the history.' He +merely states facts, which he makes no attempt to explain. <i>Aperçus Nouveaux</i>, p. 61.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> The date of this affair and that of the flight to Neufchâteau are uncertain.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> It occurs in the <i>Chronique de la Pucelle</i>, by Cousinot de Montreuil, at that time the +king's secretary, and elsewhere.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Theod. de Leliis, <i>Procès</i>, ii. 42.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> <i>Procès</i>, iii. 99.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> This description is a few weeks later than the start from Blois.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> This estimate was probably incorrect; 3,500 was more like the actual number.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> <i>Procès</i>, iii. 100.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> <i>Procès</i>, iii. pp. 5, 6, 7. They were 'near Saint Loup,' he says, 'on the <i>right</i> bank of +the Loire above Orleans.' But (p. 7) he says that after their conversation he and Joan +crossed to the right from the left bank. At all events they were some six miles higher +up the river than Orleans.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Following Pasquerel, her priest. <i>Procès</i>, iii, 109.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Quicherat, <i>Nouveaux Aperçus</i>, p. 76.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> 'Daughter of God, go on, and I will help thee.'</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Sir Walter Scott reckons that there were five men to each 'lance'; perhaps four +men is more usually the right number.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> In <i>Procès</i>, iv. 414.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> D'Alençon, <i>Procès</i>, iii. 98.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Dunois. <i>Procès</i>, iii. 14.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Journal du Siège. <i>Procès</i>, iv. 195. As it stands, this authority is thirty years later +than the events.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> This man was Clement de Fauquemberque. When he recorded the relief of +Orleans, he drew on the margin of his paper a <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'litt e'">little</ins> fancy sketch of Joan, with long hair, +a woman's dress, a sword, and a banner with the monogram of Jesus. This sketch +still exists. (<i>Procès</i>, iv. 451.)</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> This was not far from the present Théâtre Français. The statue of the Maid, on +horseback, is near the place where she was wounded.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Paris, as the Clerk of Parliament wrote in his note-book, could only be taken by +blockade. It was a far larger city than Orleans, and we see how long the English, in the +height of courage and confidence, were delayed by Orleans. But the Maid did not know +the word 'impossible.' Properly supported, she could probably have taken Paris by +assault; at the least she would not have left it while she lived.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> In 1715.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Schäfer's <i>Geschichte von Portugal</i>.</p></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Six o'clock.</p></div> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Chapman's <i>History of Gustavus Vasa</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Brantôme.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> From the Saga of King Olaf the Holy, or St. Olaf.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> London, 1720.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> As a matter of fact, Suetonius, 'The destined to die salute thee.'</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> From Snorri's <i>Edda</i>, cap. 44.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Glasgow, 1758. Written by himself.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Taken from the Churchill Collection, 1732. Written by himself.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> The Swedes were still heathens, and ate horses, meat then forbidden to Christians.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Others were Frederick the Great, and David Leslie!</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> In <i>Waverley</i> this generous speech is attributed to Flora Macivor.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Readers of <i>Waverley</i> will remember that in this fight Fergus Macivor +was taken prisoner.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> See the story of 'How they held the Bass for King James.'</p></div> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><p>Obvious punctuation errors corrected.</p> + +<p>Illustrations were moved outside of paragraphs. Due to this movement, some of the original +page numbers in the list of illustrations may not match the actual location.</p> + +<p>Many and varied were the hyphenations in this text due to the different stories. Examples are: +cocoa-nuts and cocoanuts, and head-quarters and headquarters. These variations were +retained.</p> +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED TRUE STORY BOOK***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 27603-h.txt or 27603-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/7/6/0/27603">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/6/0/27603</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + +<pre> +*** 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 +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>. + + +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.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +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. 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://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +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://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf + +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://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/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. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a> + +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. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a> + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/27603-h/images/i004.png b/27603-h/images/i004.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b637a2 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i004.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i005.png b/27603-h/images/i005.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d91c9be --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i005.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i017-big.png b/27603-h/images/i017-big.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ede34d --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i017-big.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i017.png b/27603-h/images/i017.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0144a6d --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i017.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i023.png b/27603-h/images/i023.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb9eb19 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i023.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i029.png b/27603-h/images/i029.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c5f17e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i029.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i032.png b/27603-h/images/i032.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a46e2da --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i032.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i037.png b/27603-h/images/i037.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..59616fd --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i037.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i040.png b/27603-h/images/i040.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8e36a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i040.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i046.png b/27603-h/images/i046.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..225dc1f --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i046.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i049.png b/27603-h/images/i049.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..edbd2af --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i049.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i051.png b/27603-h/images/i051.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2e84d8a --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i051.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i055.png b/27603-h/images/i055.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9dce6a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i055.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i058.png b/27603-h/images/i058.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ecc715a --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i058.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i061-big.png b/27603-h/images/i061-big.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2933703 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i061-big.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i061.png b/27603-h/images/i061.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cd54429 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i061.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i062.png b/27603-h/images/i062.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c5a2f8b --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i062.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i065.png b/27603-h/images/i065.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..070ca93 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i065.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i069.png b/27603-h/images/i069.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6bc7992 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i069.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i073.png b/27603-h/images/i073.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a49decb --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i073.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i075.png b/27603-h/images/i075.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..698a21b --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i075.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i077.png b/27603-h/images/i077.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3741d6b --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i077.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i081.png b/27603-h/images/i081.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bacafd2 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i081.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i085.png b/27603-h/images/i085.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..49c7763 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i085.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i091.png b/27603-h/images/i091.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8ae887 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i091.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i095.png b/27603-h/images/i095.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..28df174 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i095.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i098.png b/27603-h/images/i098.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b9e2033 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i098.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i101.png b/27603-h/images/i101.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ad758c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i101.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i105.png b/27603-h/images/i105.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1b8238 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i105.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i109.png b/27603-h/images/i109.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d796b2 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i109.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i113.png b/27603-h/images/i113.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..15c0963 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i113.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i119.png b/27603-h/images/i119.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c5f8453 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i119.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i124.png b/27603-h/images/i124.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c1aefa --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i124.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i127.png b/27603-h/images/i127.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f5a690 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i127.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i131.png b/27603-h/images/i131.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f3510d1 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i131.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i135.png b/27603-h/images/i135.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a6f6753 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i135.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i139.png b/27603-h/images/i139.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44be4c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i139.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i142.png b/27603-h/images/i142.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3fa4da6 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i142.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i146.png b/27603-h/images/i146.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..33e25f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i146.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i151.png b/27603-h/images/i151.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ccd8bf5 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i151.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i155.png b/27603-h/images/i155.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..05a79f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i155.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i157.png b/27603-h/images/i157.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c893078 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i157.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i160.png b/27603-h/images/i160.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d4762b8 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i160.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i164.png b/27603-h/images/i164.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..58ef274 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i164.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i169.png b/27603-h/images/i169.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e1229cd --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i169.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i176.png b/27603-h/images/i176.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..70be061 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i176.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i178.png b/27603-h/images/i178.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e10b387 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i178.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i181.png b/27603-h/images/i181.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8636a61 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i181.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i184.png b/27603-h/images/i184.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eac58b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i184.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i189.png b/27603-h/images/i189.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..115d965 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i189.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i194.png b/27603-h/images/i194.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c3dade --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i194.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i200.png b/27603-h/images/i200.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a18c1b --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i200.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i201.png b/27603-h/images/i201.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ddbbc7c --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i201.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i204.png b/27603-h/images/i204.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bad06cb --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i204.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i205.jpg b/27603-h/images/i205.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8ec58d6 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i205.jpg diff --git a/27603-h/images/i209.png b/27603-h/images/i209.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee0277d --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i209.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i214.png b/27603-h/images/i214.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f78991 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i214.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i217.png b/27603-h/images/i217.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f604d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i217.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i220.png b/27603-h/images/i220.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7bf2695 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i220.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i223.png b/27603-h/images/i223.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bdc8571 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i223.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i227.jpg b/27603-h/images/i227.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..befeeea --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i227.jpg diff --git a/27603-h/images/i231.png b/27603-h/images/i231.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e98b744 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i231.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i240.png b/27603-h/images/i240.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ab75cc1 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i240.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i243.png b/27603-h/images/i243.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..52c1e60 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i243.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i251.png b/27603-h/images/i251.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c28720 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i251.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i255.png b/27603-h/images/i255.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..39988dc --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i255.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i257.png b/27603-h/images/i257.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3a0fed --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i257.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i260.png b/27603-h/images/i260.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..14fc329 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i260.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i267.png b/27603-h/images/i267.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..54e8a86 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i267.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i269.png b/27603-h/images/i269.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c60d292 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i269.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i275.png b/27603-h/images/i275.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ae4e06 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i275.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i279.png b/27603-h/images/i279.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a43db69 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i279.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i285.png b/27603-h/images/i285.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..339ec95 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i285.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i288.png b/27603-h/images/i288.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..79116ff --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i288.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i293.png b/27603-h/images/i293.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5308376 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i293.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i296.png b/27603-h/images/i296.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e1d6d26 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i296.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i299.png b/27603-h/images/i299.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e764645 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i299.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i301.png b/27603-h/images/i301.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c437d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i301.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i305.png b/27603-h/images/i305.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1d899da --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i305.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i307.png b/27603-h/images/i307.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..47b07c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i307.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i313.png b/27603-h/images/i313.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f3909a8 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i313.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i316.png b/27603-h/images/i316.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..237a84e --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i316.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i319.png b/27603-h/images/i319.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4bb4a9b --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i319.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i323.png b/27603-h/images/i323.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..71b9270 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i323.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i327.png b/27603-h/images/i327.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..500fccd --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i327.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i334.png b/27603-h/images/i334.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4bf0bf0 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i334.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i339.png b/27603-h/images/i339.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5d0be2 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i339.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i344.png b/27603-h/images/i344.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eacee68 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i344.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i349.png b/27603-h/images/i349.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7728737 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i349.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i354.png b/27603-h/images/i354.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..74e0c69 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i354.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i367.png b/27603-h/images/i367.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..492698b --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i367.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i368.png b/27603-h/images/i368.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..36a92a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i368.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i372.png b/27603-h/images/i372.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..642fd02 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i372.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i374.png b/27603-h/images/i374.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ab95022 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i374.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i379.png b/27603-h/images/i379.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f5dc3d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i379.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i387.png b/27603-h/images/i387.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..298897f --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i387.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i393.png b/27603-h/images/i393.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..70f3c7d --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i393.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i399.png b/27603-h/images/i399.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0db0815 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i399.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i401.png b/27603-h/images/i401.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..48a1a35 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i401.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i403.png b/27603-h/images/i403.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7881fc3 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i403.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i405.png b/27603-h/images/i405.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8e2bbf --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i405.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i413.png b/27603-h/images/i413.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c303f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i413.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i416.png b/27603-h/images/i416.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..84c3c0f --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i416.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i419.png b/27603-h/images/i419.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9b92278 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i419.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/i425.png b/27603-h/images/i425.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..90bbca3 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/i425.png diff --git a/27603-h/images/icover.jpg b/27603-h/images/icover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..97fc67a --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/icover.jpg diff --git a/27603-h/images/ispine.jpg b/27603-h/images/ispine.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..55c93e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/27603-h/images/ispine.jpg |
