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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9835-8.txt b/9835-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d68eb7 --- /dev/null +++ b/9835-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11426 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Martin Conisby's Vengeance, by Jeffery Farnol + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Martin Conisby's Vengeance + +Author: Jeffery Farnol + +Posting Date: December 5, 2011 [EBook #9835] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: October 23, 2003 +Last Updated: June 18, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE + +BY JEFFERY FARNOL + + +1921 + + +TO MY DEAR AUNTS + +MRS. MARRIOTT + +AND + +MISS JEFFERY +"AUNTIE KIZ" + +I DEDICATE THIS BOOK + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + +I HOW MY SOLITUDE CAME TO AN END + +II MY TROUBLES BEGIN + +III HOW I HEARD A SONG THAT I KNEW + +IV HOW I LABOURED TO MY SALVATION + +V TELLETH HOW ALL MY TRAVAIL CAME TO NOUGHT + +VI HOW I SUCCOURED ONE DON FEDERIGO, A GENTLEMAN OF SPAIN + +VII I AM DETERMINED ON MY VENGEANCE, AND MY REASONS THEREFOR + +VIII HOW THE DAYS OF MY WATCHING WERE ACCOMPLISHED + +IX WE FALL AMONG PIRATES + +X HOW I CAME ABOARD THE _HAPPY DESPATCH_ AND OF MY SUFFERINGS THERE + +XI HOW I FOUGHT IN THE DARK WITH ONE POMPEY, A GREAT BLACKAMOOR + +XII OF BATTLE, MURDER AND RESOLUTION DAY, HIS POINT OF VIEW + +XIII HOW WE FOUGHT AN ENGLISH SHIP + +XIV TELLETH HOW THE FIGHT ENDED + +XV HOW I FELL IN WITH MY FRIEND, CAPTAIN SIR ADAM PENFEATHER + +XVI HOW I HAD WORD WITH MY LADY, JOAN BRANDON + +XVII TELLETH THE OUTCOME OF MY PRIDEFUL FOLLY + +XVIII OF ROGER TRESSADY AND HOW THE SILVER WOMAN CLAIMED HER OWN AT LAST + +XIX HOW JOANNA CHANGED HER MIND + +XX I GO TO SEEK MY VENGEANCE + +XXI HOW I CAME TO NOMBRE DE DIOS + +XXII HOW AT LAST I FOUND MY ENEMY, RICHARD BRANDON + +XXIII HOW I FOUND MY SOUL + +XXIV OF OUR ADVENTURE AT SEA + +XXV WE ARE DRIVEN ASHORE + +XXVI OUR DESPERATE SITUATION + +XXVII WE COMMENCE OUR JOURNEY + +XXVIII WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF + +XXIX TELLETH SOMEWHAT OF A STRANGE CITY + +XXX WE RESUME OUR JOURNEY + +XXXI I MEET A MADMAN + +XXXII HOW I FOUND MY BELOVED AT LAST + +XXXIII OF DREAMS + +XXXIV OF LOVE + +XXXV OF THE COMING OF ADAM AND OF OUR GREAT JOY THEREIN + + + + +MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +HOW MY SOLITUDE CAME TO AN END + + +"Justice, O God, upon mine enemy. For the pain I suffer, may I see him +suffer; for the anguish that is mine, so may I watch his agony! Thou art a +just God, so, God of Justice, give to me vengeance!" + +And having spoken this, which had been my prayer for three weary years, I +composed myself to slumber. But even so, I started up broad awake and my +every nerve a-tingle, only to see the moonlight flooding my solitude and +nought to hear save the rustle of the soft night wind beyond the open door +of the cave that was my habitation and the far-off, never-ceasing murmur +that was the voice of those great waters that hemmed me in,--a desolate +ocean where no ships ever sailed, a trackless waste that stretched away to +the infinite blue. + +Crouched upon my bed I fell vaguely a-wondering what should have roused me, +hearkening to the distant roar of the surf that seemed to me now plaintive +and despairing, now full of an ominous menace that banished gentle sleep. + +Thereupon I must needs bethink me how often I had waked thus during my long +and weary sojourn on this lonely island; how many times I had leapt from +slumber, fancying I heard a sound of oars or voices hailing cheerily beyond +the reef, or again (and this most often and bitterest phantasy of all) a +voice, soft and low yet with a wondrous sweet and vital ring, the which as +I knew must needs sound within my dreams henceforth,--a voice out of the +past that called upon my name: + +"Martin--Oh, Martin!" + +And this a voice that came to me in the blazing heat of tropic day, in +the cool of eve, in the calm serenity of night, a voice calling, calling +infinite pitiful and sweet, yet mocking me with my loneliness. + +"Martin, dear love! Oh, Martin!" + +"Joan!" I whispered and reached out yearning arms to the empty air. +"Damaris--beloved!" + +Beyond the open door I heard the sighing of the wind and the roar of the +surf, soft with distance, infinite plaintive and despairing. Then, because +sleep was not for me, I arose and came groping within my inner cave where +stood a coffer and, lifting the lid, drew forth that I sought and went and +sat me on my bed where the moon made a glory. And sitting there, I unfolded +this my treasure that was no more than a woman's gown and fell to smoothing +its folds with reverent hand; very tattered it was and worn by much hard +usage, its bravery all tarnished and faded, yet for me it seemed yet to +compass something of the vivid grace and beauty of that loved and vanished +presence. + +Almost three years of solitude, of deluding hopes and black despair, almost +three years, forgotten alike of God and man. So that I had surely run mad +but for the labour of my days and the secret hope I cherished even yet that +some day (soon or late) I should see again that loved form, hear again the +sweet, vital ring of that voice whereof I had dreamed so long. + +Almost three years, forgotten alike of God and man. And so albeit I prayed +no more (since I had proved prayers vain) hope yet lived within me and +every day, night and morn, I would climb that high hill the which I had +named the Hill of Blessed Hope, to strain my eyes across the desolation +of waters for some sign which should tell me my time of waiting was +accomplished. + +Now as I sat thus, lost in bitter thought, I rose to my feet, letting fall +the gown to lie all neglected, for borne to me on the gentle wind came a +sound there was no mistaking, the sharp report of a musket. + +For a moment I stood utterly still while the shot yet rang and re-echoed +in my ears and felt all at once such an ecstasy of joy that I came nigh +swooning and needs must prop myself against the rocky wall; then, the +faintness passing, I came hasting and breathless where I might look seaward +and beheld this: + +Hard beyond the reef (her yards braced slovenly aback) a ship. Betwixt this +vessel and the reef a boat rowed furiously, and upon the reef itself a man +fled shorewards marvellous fleet and nimble. Presently from his pursuers in +the boat came a red flash and the report of a musquetoon followed by divers +others, whereat the poor fugitive sped but the faster and came running +to that strip of white beach that beareth the name Deliverance. There he +faltered, pausing a moment to glance wildly this way and that, then (as +Fortune willed) turned and sped my way. Then I, standing forth where he +might behold me in the moon's radiance, hailed and beckoned him, at the +which he checked again, then (as reassured by my looks and gesture) came +leaping up that path which led from the beach. Thus as he drew nearer I saw +he was very young, indeed a mere stripling. From him I glanced towards +his pursuers (they being already upon the reef) and counted nine of them +running hitherward and the moon aglint on the weapons they bore. Thereupon +I hasted to my cave and brought thence my six muskets, the which I laid +ready to hand. + +And presently comes this poor fugitive, all panting and distressed with his +exertions, and who (clambering over that rampire I had builded long ago to +my defence) fell at my feet and lay there speechless, drawing his breath +in great, sobbing gasps. But his pursuers had seen and came on amain with +mighty halloo, and though (judging by what I could see of them at the +distance) they were a wild, unlovely company, yet to me, so long bereft of +all human fellowship, their hoarse shouts and cries were infinitely welcome +and I determined to make them the means of my release, more especially as +it seemed by their speech that some of them were Englishmen. To this end I +waited until they were close, then, taking up my nearest piece, I levelled +wide of them and fired. Startled by the sudden roar they incontinent +scattered, betaking them to such cover as they might. Then I (yet kneeling +behind my rampire) hailed them in mighty kindly fashion. + +"Halt, friends!" cries I. "Here is harm for no man that meaneth none. Nay, +rather do I give ye joyous welcome in especial such of you as be English, +for I am an Englishman and very solitary." + +But now (and even as I spake them thus gently) I espied the fugitive on his +knees, saw him whip up one of my muskets (all in a moment) and fire or +ever I might stay him. The shot was answered by a cry and out from the +underbrush a man reeled, clasping his hurt and so fell and lay a-groaning. +At this his comrades let fly their shot in answer and made off forthwith. +Deserted thus, the wounded man scrambled to hands and knees and began to +creep painfully after his fellows, beseeching their aid and cursing them by +turns. Hearing a shrill laugh, I turned to see the fugitive reach for and +level another of my weapons at this wounded wretch, but, leaping on him +as he gave fire, I knocked up the muzzle of the piece so that the bullet +soared harmlessly into the air. Uttering a strange, passionate cry, the +fugitive sprang back and snatching out an evil-looking knife, made at me, +and all so incredibly quick that it was all I could do to parry the blow; +then, or ever he might strike again, I caught that murderous arm, and, for +all his slenderness and seeming youth, a mighty desperate tussle we made of +it ere I contrived to twist the weapon from his grasp and fling him panting +to the sward, where I pinned him beneath my foot. Then as I reached for +the knife where it had fallen, he cried out to me in his shrill, strangely +clear voice, and with sudden, fierce hands wrenched apart the laces and +fine linens at his breast: + +"Stay!" cried he. "Don't kill me--you cannot!" + +Now looking down on him where he lay gasping and writhing beneath my foot, +I started back all in a moment, back until I was stayed by the rampire, for +I saw that here was no man but a young and comely woman. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MY TROUBLES BEGIN + + +Whiles I yet stood, knife in hand, staring at her and mute for wonder, she +pulled off the close-fitting seaman's bonnet she wore and scowling up at me +shook down the abundant tresses of her hair. + +"Beast!" said she. "Oh, beast--you hurt me!" + +"Who are you?" I questioned. + +"One that doth hate you!" Here she took a silver comb from her pocket and +fell to smoothing her hair; and as she sat thus cross-legged upon the +grass, I saw that the snowy linen at throat and bosom was spotted with +great gouts of blood. + +"Are ye wounded?" quoth I, pointing to these ugly stains. + +"Bah! 'Tis none of mine, fool! 'Tis the blood of Cestiforo!" + +"Who is he?" + +"The captain of yon ship." + +"How cometh his blood on you?" + +"'Twas when I killed him." + +"You--killed him?" + +"Aye--he wearied me. So do all my lovers, soon or late." + +Now as I looked on this woman, the strange, sullen beauty of her (despite +her masculine apparel) as she sat thus combing her long hair and foul with +a dead man's blood, I bethought me of the wild tales I had heard of female +daemons, succubi and the like, so that I felt my flesh chill and therewith +a great disgust and loathing of her, insomuch that, not abiding the sight +of her, I turned away and thus beheld a thing the which filled me with +sudden, great dismay: for there, her sails spread to the fitful wind, I saw +the ship standing out to sea, bearing with her all my hopes of escape from +this hated island. Thus stood I, watching deliverance fade on my sight, +until the ship was no more than a speck upon the moon-bright waters and all +other thoughts 'whelmed and lost in raging despair. And now I was roused by +a question sudden and imperious: + +"Who are you?" + +"'Tis no matter." + +"How came you here?" + +"'Tis no matter for that, either." + +"Are you alone?" + +"Aye!" + +"Then wherefore trouble to shave your beard?" + +"'Tis a whim." + +"Are you alone?" + +"I was." + +"And I would you were again." + +"So do I." + +"You are Englishman--yes?" + +"I am." + +"My mother was English--a poor thing that spent her days weeping and died +of her tears when I was small--ah, very small, on this island." + +"Here?" quoth I, staring. + +"Twenty and one years agone!" said she, combing away at her glossy hair. +"My mother was English like you, but my father was a noble gentleman of +Spain and Governor of Santa Catalina, Don Esteban da Silva y Montreale, and +killed by Tressady--Black Tressady--" + +"What, Roger Tressady--o' the Hook?" + +"True, Seņor Englishman," said she softly and glancing up at me through her +hair; "he hath a hook very sharp and bright, in place of his left hand. You +know him? He is your friend--yes?" + +"I know him for a cursed pirate and murderer!" + +"_Moi aussi, mon ami_!" said she, fixing me with her great eyes. "I am +pirate, yes--and have used dagger and pistol ere to-day and shall again." + +"And wear a woman's shape!" + +"Ha--yes, yes!" cried she, gnashing her teeth. "And there's my curse--I am +woman and therefore do hate all women. But my soul is a man's so do I use +all men to my purpose, snare them by my woman's arts and make of 'em my +slaves. See you; there is none of all my lovers but doth obey me, and so do +I rule, with ships and men at my command and fearing no man--" + +"And yet," said I, interrupting, "you came fleeing hither to save your life +from yonder rabblement." + +"Tush--these were mostly drunken rogues that knew me not, 'listed but late +from a prize we took and burned. I shall watch them die yet! Soon shall +come Belvedere in the _Happy Despatch_ to my relief, or Rodriquez of the +_Vengeance_ or Rory or Sol--one or other or all shall come a-seeking me, +soon or late. Meantime, I bide here and 'tis well you stayed me from +killing you, for though I love not Englishmen, I love solitude less, so are +you safe from me so long as we be solitary. Ah--you smile because you are +fool and know me not yet! Ah, ah--mayhap you shall grow wiser anon. But +now," said she, rising and putting away her comb, "bring me where I may +eat, for I am famished with hunger." + +"Also you are very foul of blood!" said I. + +"Yes," says she soft-voiced, and glancing from me to her stained finery and +back again. "Yes. And is this so great a matter?" + +"To-night you murdered a man!" + +"I killed him--yes. Cestiforo--he was drunk. And was this so great a +matter?" + +"And you--a woman!" said I, marvelling. + +"Aye, to my sorrow!" said she, gnashing white teeth, "Yet am I strong as a +man and bolder than most." + +"God preserve me from such!" quoth I fervently. + +"You--you?" cried she. "What thing are you that seeming man must blench at +a little blood? Are you yourself so innocent, you that know Tressady o' the +Hook?" + +"Howbeit I am no murderer, woman." + +"Ah--bah!" cried she, with flick of scornful fingers. "Enough of words, +Master Innocent. Bring me where I may eat and bed me till morning." + +Thereupon (and mighty unwilling) I brought her into the cave and lighting +two candles of my own contriving, I set before her such viands as I had, +together with bread I had newly baked, and with no word of thanks this +strange, fierce creature fell to eating with a voracity methought very +disgusting. + +Now the more I saw of her the more grew my disgust and the end of it was +I determined to put the whole length of the island betwixt us and that at +once. To this end I began collecting such articles as I should want, as +my light hatchet, sword, pistols, etc. I was buckling on my belt when her +voice arrested me, albeit she spoke me very sweetly and soft: + +"You go now to your woman--your light of love--yes?" + +"There is no woman but yourself," said I, frowning. + +"Liar! Then what of this?" and she pointed slender finger; then I saw that +tattered garment lying where I had dropped it and this woman spurning +it with her foot. So I stooped forthwith, and snatching it from her +desecrating touch, folded it across my arm, whereat she fell to sudden +laughter very ill to bear. + +"Ah--ah!" said she, softer than before and most hatefully a-smiling, "'tis +for her sake your chin goeth bare and smooth--yes? She is over-nice in the +matter of--" + +"I tell you she is gone!" said I in fury. + +"Gone--gone, is she? And you alone here, longing but for her return, +through weeks and months and years waiting for her to come back to you; is +not this the truth of it, yes?" Now I, knowing this for very truth, could +but scowl, finding no word to say, whiles this creature nodded and flashed +white teeth in her hateful smile. "You loved this woman," said she, "do +love her; dead or living, rotting bones or another's delight, you do love +her yet, poor, miserable fool!" + +All unheeding, I folded the garment with reverent hands while she taunted +me thus, until, seeing me nothing moved, she fell to rank vileness, +bespattering that pure memory with tongue so shamelessly foul that I +(losing all patience) turned on her at last; but in this moment she was on +her feet and snatching my sword made therewith a furious pass at me, the +which I contrived to parry and, catching the blade in this beloved garment, +I wrenched the weapon from her. Then, pinning her in fierce grip and +despite her furious struggles and writhing, I belaboured her soundly with +the flat of the blade, she meanwhile swearing and cursing at me in Spanish +and English as vilely as ever I had done in all my days, until her voice +broke and she choked upon a great sob. Thereupon I flung her across my bed +and taking such things as I needed, strode out of the cave and so left her. + +But scarce was I without the cave than she came following after me; and +truly never was greater change, for in place of snarling daemon here was +tender maid all tearful sighs, gentle-eyed and with clasped hands reached +out to me in supplication and (despite her male attire) all woman. + +Perceiving the which, I turned my back upon her and hasted away all the +faster. + +So here was I, that had grieved in my solitude and yearned amain for +human fellowship, heartily wishing myself alone again and full of a new +apprehension, viz: That my island being so small I might chance to find the +avoidance of this evil creature a matter of some difficulty, even though +I abandoned my caves and furniture to her use and sought me another +habitation. + +Now as I went I fell to uneasy speculation regarding this woman, her +fierce, wild beauty, her shameless tongue, her proud and passionate temper, +her reckless furies; and bethinking me of all the manifest evil of her, I +felt again that chill of the flesh, that indefinable disgust, insomuch +that (the moon being bright and full) I must glance back, more than once, +half-dreading to see her creeping on my heels. + +Having traversed Deliverance Sands I came into that cleft or defile, 'twixt +bush-girt, steepy cliffs, called Skeleton Cove, where I had builded me a +forge with bellows of goatskin. Here, too, I had set up an anvil (the which +had come ashore in a wreck, together with divers other tools) and a bench +for my carpentry. The roof of this smithy backed upon a cavern wherein I +stored my tools, timber and various odds and ends. + +This place, then, I determined should be my habitation henceforth, there +being a little rill of sweet water adjacent and the cave itself dry and +roomy and so shut in by precipitous cliffs that any who might come to my +disturbance must come only in the one direction. + +And now, as I judged, there being yet some hours to sunrise, I made myself +as comfortable as might be and having laid by sword and belt and set my +pistols within easy reach, I laid down and composed myself to slumber. But +this I could by no means compass, being fretted of distressful thought +and made vain and bitter repining for this ship that had come and sailed, +leaving me a captive still, prisoned on this hateful island with this wild +creature that methought more daemon than woman. And seeing myself thus +mocked of Fortune (in my blind folly) I fell to reviling the God that made +me. Howbeit sleep overtook me at last, but an evil slumber haunted by +visions of this woman, her beauty fouled and bloody, who sought out my +destruction where I lay powerless to resist her will. Low she bent above +me, her dusky hair a cloud that choked me, and through this cloud the +glitter of her eyes, red lips that curled back from snapping teeth, fingers +clawed to rend and tear; then as I gazed, in horror, these eyes grew soft +and languorous, these vivid lips trembled to wistful smile, these cruel +hands clasped, soft-clinging, and drew me near and ever nearer towards that +smiling, tender mouth, until I waked in a panic to behold the dawn and +against the sun's growing splendour the woman standing and holding my +pistols levelled at me as I lay. + +Now I do think there is no hale man, howsoever desperate and careless of +life, but who, faced with sudden, violent death, will not of instinct +blench and find himself mighty unready to take the leap into that dark +unknown whose dread doth fright us one and all; howbeit thus was it with +me, for now as I stared from the pistol muzzle to the merciless eyes behind +them, I, that had hitherto esteemed death no hardship, lay there in dumb +and sweating panic, and, knowing myself afraid, scorned and hated myself +therefor. + +"Ah--ah!" said she softly but with flash of white teeth. "Will ye cower +then, you beater of women? Down to your knees--down and sue pardon of me!" +But now, stung by her words and the quaking of my coward flesh, I found +voice. + +"Shoot, wanton!" said I. "Shoot, lest I beat you again for the vile, +shameless thing you are." At this she flinched and her fierce eyes wavered; +then she laughed loud and shrill: + +"Will ye die then? Yes? Will ye die?" + +"Aye," I nodded, "So I may be quit of you." + +"Hath dying then no fears for you--no?" + +"'Tis overpast!" quoth I. + +"Liar!" said she. "Wipe the craven sweat from you! You beat me, and for +this you should die, but though you fear death you shall live to fear me +more--aye, you shall live awhile--take your life!" + +So saying, she tossed the pistols down beside me and laughed. + +"When I wish to kill and be done with you, my steel shall take you in +your sleep, or you shall die by poison; there be many roots and berries +hereabout, Indian poisons I wot of. So your life is mine to take whensoever +I will." + +"How if I kill you first?" + +"Ah, bah!" said she, snapping her fingers. "Try an you will--but I know men +and you are not the killing sort. I've faced death too oft to fear it, or +the likes of you. There lie your pistols, fool; take 'em and shoot me if +you will!" + +Thereupon I stooped and catching up the pistols tossed them behind me. + +"And now," said I, rising, "leave me--begone lest I thrash you again for +the evil child you are." + +"Child?" says she, staring as one vastly amazed, "child--and to me, fool, +to me? All along the Main my name is known and feared." + +"So now will I whip you," quoth I, "had others done as much ere this, you +had been a little less evil, perchance." And I reached down a coil of +small cord where it hung with divers other odds and ends. For a moment she +watched me, scowling and fierce-eyed, then as I approached her with the +cords in my hands, she turned on her heel with a swirl of her embroidered +coat-skirts and strode away, mighty proud and disdainful. + +When she was clean gone I gathered me brush and driftwood, and striking +flint and steel soon had a fire going and set about cooking certain strips +of dried goat's flesh for my breakfast. Whiles this was a-doing I was +startled by a sudden clatter upon the cliff above and down comes a great +boulder, narrowly missing me but scattering my breakfast and the embers of +my fire broadcast. I was yet surveying the ruin (dolefully enough, for I +was mighty hungry) when hearing a shrill laugh I glanced up to find her +peering down at me from above. Meeting my frowning look she laughed again, +and snapping her fingers at me, vanished 'mid the bushes. + +Spoiled thus of my breakfast I was necessitated to stay my hunger with such +viands as I had by me. Now as I sat eating thus and in very ill humour, my +wandering gaze lighted by chance on the shattered remains of a boat that +lay high and dry where the last great storm had cast it. At one time I had +hoped that I might make this a means to escape from the island and had +laboured to repair and make it seaworthy but, finding this beyond my skill, +had abandoned the attempt; for indeed (as I say) it was wofully bilged and +broken. Moreover, at the back of my mind had always lurked a vague hope +that some day, soon or late, she that was ever in my dreams, she that had +been my love, my Damaris, might yet in her sweet mercy come a-seeking me. +Wherefore, as I have before told, it had become my daily custom, morn and +eve, to climb that high land that I called the Hill of Blessed Hope, that I +might watch for my lady's coming. + +But to-day, since Fate had set me in company with this evil creature, +instead of my noble lady, I came to a sudden and fixed resolution, viz: +That I would waste not another hour in vain dreams and idle expectations +but would use all my wit and every endeavour to get quit of the island so +soon as might be. Filled with this determination I rose and, coming to the +boat, began to examine it. + +And I saw this: it was very stout-built but its planks wofully shrunk with +the sun, and though much stove forward, more especially to larboard, yet +its main timbers looked sound enough. Then, too, it lay none so far from +high-water mark and despite its size and bulk I thought that by digging a +channel I might bring water sufficient to float it, could I but make good +the breakage and caulk the gaping seams. + +The longer I looked the more hopeful I grew and the end of it was I hasted +to bring such tools as I needed and forthwith set to work. All the morning, +and despite the sun, I laboured upon this wrecked boat, stripping off her +cracked and splintered timbers and mightily pleased to find her framework +so much less damaged than I had dared hope, insomuch that I presently fell +a-whistling; but coming on three ribs badly sprung I became immediately +dejected. Howbeit I had all the wood I could wish as planks, bulkheads +and the like, all driven ashore from wrecked vessels, with bolts and nuts +a-plenty; thus as I worked I presently fell a-whistling again. + +Suddenly, I was aware of the woman watching me, and glancing at her as she +leaned cross-legged against an adjacent boulder, she seemed no woman but a +pert and handsome lad rather. Her thick hair, very dark and glossy, fell in +curls to her shoulders like a modish wig, her coat was of fine blue velvet +adorned with silver lace, her cravat and ruffles looked new-washed like +her silk stockings, and on her slender feet were a pair of dainty, buckled +shoes; all this I noticed as she lolled, watching me with her sombre gaze. + +"What would you with the wreck, fool?" she demanded, whereupon I +immediately betook me to my whistling. + +"You do grow merry!" said she, frowning, whiles I whistled the louder. And +when she would have spoken further, I fell to hammering lustily, drowning +her voice thereby. + +"Will you not speak with me then--no?" she questioned, when at last I +paused. But I heeding her no whit, she began swearing at me and I to +hammering again. + +"Curst fool!" cried she at last, "I spit on you!" The which she did and so +swaggered away and I whistling merrier than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HOW I HEARD A SONG THAT I KNEW + + +I was early at work next morning, since now my mind was firm-set on +quitting the island at all hazards, thereby winning free of this woman once +and for all. To this end I laboured heartily, sparing myself no pains and +heedless of sweat and sun-glare, very joyous to see my work go forward +apace; and ere the sun was very high my boat lay stripped of all the +splintered timbers on the larboard side. My next care was to choose me +such planks from my store of driftwood as by reason of shape and thickness +should be best adapted to my purpose. And great plenty of wrought wood had +I and of all sorts, it having long been my wont to collect the best +of such as drove ashore and store it within those caves that opened on +Deliverance Beach. Thus, after no great search, I had discovered all such +planking as I needed and forthwith began to convey it down to the boat. + +In the which labour the woman met me (I staggering under a load of my +planks) and strutted along beside me, vastly supercilious and sneering. + +"Hold!" cried she. "He sweateth, he panteth purple o' the gills! And +wherefore, to what end?" + +"To win free of two things do weary me." + +"Ah--ah? And these?" + +"This island and yourself." + +"So! Do I then weary you, good Master Innocence?" + +"Mightily!" + +"Ah--bah! 'Tis because you be fool and no man!" + +"Mayhap," said I, taking up my hammer, "howbeit I do know this island for a +prison and you for an evil thing--" + +"Ah!" sighed she softly. "I have had men hanged for saying less!" + +"So would I be quit of you as soon as may be," said I, fitting my first +timber in place whiles she watched me, mighty disdainful. + +"So you would mend the boat, _amigo mio_, and sail away from the island and +me--yes?" + +"God knoweth it!" + +"Mayhap He doth, but what o' me? Think ye I shall suffer you to leave me +here alone and destitute, fool?" + +"The which is to be seen!" said I; and having measured my plank and sawed +it to proper length I began to rivet it to the frame, making such din with +my hammer that she, unable to make herself heard, presently strode away in +a fury, to my great content. + +But, in a little back she cometh, and on her hip that bejewelled Spanish +rapier that had once been part of Black Bartlemy's treasure (as hath been +told) and which (having my own stout cut-and-thrust) I had not troubled to +bring away from the cave. + +Whipping out the long blade then, she makes with it various passes in the +air, very supple and dexterous, and would have me fight with her then and +there. + +"So-ho, fool!" cried she, brandishing her weapon. "You have a sword, I +mind--go fetch it and I will teach ye punto riverso, the stoccato, the +imbrocato, and let you some o' your sluggish, English blood. Go fetch the +sword, I bid ye." + +But I nothing heeding, she forthwith pricked me into the arm, whereon I +caught up a sizable timber to my defence but found it avail me no whit +against her skill and nimbleness, for thrice her blade leapt and thrice I +flinched to the sharp bite of her steel, until, goaded thus and what with +her devilish mockery and my own helplessness, I fell to raging anger and +hauled my timber full at her, the which, chancing to catch her upon an +elbow, she let fall her sword and, clasping her hurt, fell suddenly +a-weeping. Yet, even so, betwixt her sobs and moans she cursed and reviled +me shamefully and so at last took herself off, sobbing wofully. + +This put me to no little perturbation and distress lest I had harmed her +more than I had meant, insomuch that I was greatly minded to follow her +and see if this were so indeed. But in the end I went back to my boat and +laboured amain, for it seemed to me the sooner I was quit of her fellowship +the better, lest she goad me into maiming or slaying her outright. + +Thus worked I (and despite the noon's heat) until the sun began to decline +and I was parched with thirst. But now, as I fitted the last of my timbers +into place, the board slipped my nerveless grasp and, despite the heat, a +sudden chill swept over me as borne upon the stilly air came a voice, soft +and rich and sweet, uplifted in song and the words these: + + "There be two at the fore + At the main hang three more + Dead men that swing all in a row + Here's fine, dainty meat + For the fishes to eat, + Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!" + +Awhile I leaned there against the boat, remembering how and with whom I had +last heard this song, then wheeling about I caught my breath and stared as +one that sees at last a long-desired, oft-prayed-for vision: for there, +pacing demurely along the beach towards me, her body's shapely loveliness +offset by embroidered gown, her dark and glossy ringlets caught up by +jewelled comb, I thought to behold again the beloved shape of her I had +lost well-nigh three weary years agone. + +"Damaris!" I whispered, "Oh, loved woman of my dreams!" And I took a long +stride towards her, then stopped and bowed my head, suddenly faint and +heartsick, for now I saw here was no more than this woman who had fled me +a while ago with curses on her tongue. Here she stood all wistful-eyed and +tricked out in one of those fine gowns from Black Bartlemy's secret store +the which had once been my dear lady's delight. + +Now in her hands she bore a pipkin brimful of goat's milk. + +"I prithee, sir," said she softly, "tell now--shall there be room for me in +your boat?" + +"Never in this world!" + +"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate--" + +"I seek neither!" + +"Being a fool, yes. But the sun is hot and you will be a thirsty fool--" + +"Where learned you that evil song?" + +"In Tortuga when I was a child. But come, drink, _amigo mio_, drink an you +will--" + +"Whence had you that gown?" + +"Ah--ah, you love me better thus, yes? Why, 'tis a pretty gown truly, +though out o' the fashion. But, will you not drink?" + +Now, as I have told, I was parched with thirst and the spring some way off, +so taking the pipkin I drained it at a draught and muttering my thanks, +handed it back to her. Then I got me to my labour again, yet very conscious +of her as she sat to watch, so that more than once I missed my stroke and +my fingers seemed strangely awkward. And after she had sat thus silent a +great while, she spoke: + +"You be mighty diligent, and to no purpose." + +"How mean you?" + +"I mean this boat of yours shall never sail except I sail in her." + +"Which is yet to prove!" said I, feeling the air exceeding close and +stifling. + +"Regard now, Master Innocence," said she, holding up one hand and ticking +off these several items on her fingers as she spoke: "You have crossed me +once. You have beat me once. You have refused me honourable fight. You have +hurt me with vile club. And now you would leave me here alone to perish--" + +"All true save the last," quoth I, finding my breath with strange +difficulty, "for though alone you need not perish, for I will show you +where--where you--shall find abundance--of food--and--" But here I stopped +and gasped as an intolerable pain shot through me. + +"Ah--ah!" said she, leaning forward to stare at me keen-eyed. "And doth it +begin to work--yes? Doth it begin so soon?" + +"Woman," I cried, as my pains increased, "what mean you now? Why d'ye stare +on me so? God help me, what have you done--" + +"The milk, fool!" said she, smiling. + +"Ha--what devil's brew--poison--" + +"I warned you but, being fool, you nothing heeded--no!" + +Now hereupon I went aside and, dreading to die thus miserably, thrust a +finger down my throat and was direly sick; thereafter, not abiding the +sun's intolerable heat, I crawled into the shade of a rock and lay there as +it were in a black mist and myself all clammy with a horrible, cold sweat. +And presently in my anguish, feeling a hand shake me, I lifted swooning +eyes to find this woman bending above me. + +"How now," said she, "wilt crave mercy of me and live?" + +"Devil!" I gasped. "Let me die and be done with you!" + +At this she laughed and stooped low and lower until her hair came upon my +face and I might look into the glowing deeps of her eyes; and then her arms +were about me, very strong and compelling. + +"Look--look into my eyes, deep--deep!" she commanded. "Now--ha--speak me +your name!" + +"Martin," I gasped in my agony. + +"Mar--tin," said she slowly. "I will call you Martino. Look now, Martino, +have you not seen me long--long ere this?" + +"No!" I groaned. "God forbid!" + +"And yet we have met, Martino, in this world or another, or mayhap in the +world of dreams. But we have met--somewhere, at some time, and in that time +I grasped you thus in my arms and stared down thus into your eyes and in +that hour I, having killed you, watched you die, and fain would have won +you back to life and me, for you were a man,--ah, yes, a man in those dim +days. But now--ah, bah! You are but poor fool cozened into swallowing a +harmless drug; to-morrow you shall be your sluggish self. Now sleep, but +know this--I may slay you whenso I will! Ah, ah--'tis better to win my love +than my hate." So she loosed me and stood a while looking down on me, then +motioned with imperious hand: "Sleep, fool--sleep!" she commanded and +frowning, turned away. And as she went I heard her singing of that vile +song again ere I sank into unconsciousness: + + "There are two at the fore. + At the main hang three more + Dead men that swing all of a row--" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +HOW I LABOURED TO MY SALVATION + + +I found myself still somewhat qualmish next morning but, none the less, +got me to labour on the boat and, her damage being now made good on her +larboard side, so far as her timbering went, I proceeded to make her seams +as water-tight as I could. This I did by means of the fibre of those great +nuts that grew plenteously here and there on the island, mixed with the gum +of a certain tree in place of pitch, ramming my gummed fibre into every +joint and crevice of the boat's structure so that what with this and +the swelling of her timbers when launched I doubted not she would prove +sufficiently staunch and seaworthy. She was a stout-built craft some +sixteen feet in length; and indeed a poor enough thing she might have +seemed to any but myself, her weather-beaten timbers shrunken and warped by +the sun's immoderate heats, but to me she had become as it were a sign and +symbol of freedom. She lay upon her starboard beam half full of sand, and +it now became my object to turn her that I might come at this under side, +wherefore I fell to work with mattock and spade to free her of the sand +wherein (as I say) she lay half-buried. This done I hove and strained until +the sweat poured from me yet found it impossible to move her, strive how I +would. Hereupon, and after some painful thought, I took to digging away the +sand, undermining her thus until she lay so nicely balanced it needed but a +push and the cumbrous structure, rolling gently over, lay in the necessary +posture, viz: with her starboard beam accessible from gunwale to keel. And +mightily heartened was I thus to discover her damage hereabouts so much +less than I had dared hope. + +So I got me to work with saw, hammer and rivets and wrought so diligently +(staying but to snatch a mouthful of food) that as the sun westered, my +boat was well-nigh finished. Straightening my aching back I stood to +examine my handiwork and though of necessity somewhat rough yet was it +strong and secure; and altogether a very excellent piece of work I thought +it, and mightily yearned I for that hour when I should feel this little +vessel, that had been nought but a shattered ruin, once more riding the +seas in triumph. + +But now and all at once, my soaring hopes were dashed, for though the boat +might be seaworthy, here she lay, high and dry, a good twelve yards from +the tide. + +Now seeing I might not bring my boat to the sea, I began to scheme how best +I should bring the sea to her. I was yet pondering this matter, chin in +hand, when a shadow fell athwart me and starting, I glanced up to find this +woman beside me, who, heeding me no whit, walks about and about the boat, +viewing my work narrowly. + +"If you can launch her she should sail well enough, going large and none +so ill on a bowline, by her looks. 'Tis true scat-boat--yes. Are you a +sailor--can ye navigate, ha?" + +"Not I." + +"'Tis very well, for I am, indeed, and can set ye course by dead reckoning +an need be. Your work is likely enough, though had you butted your timbers +it had been better--so and so!" And in this I saw she was right enough, and +my work seemed more clumsy now than I had thought. + +"I'm no shipwright," said I. + +"And here's sure proof of it!" quoth she. + +"Mayhap 'twill serve once her timbers be swelled." + +"Aye, she may float, Martino, so long as the sea prove kind and the wind +gentle; aye, she should carry us both over to the Main handsomely, yes--" + +"Never!" quoth I, mighty determined. + +"How then--will ye deny me yet, fool? Wherefore would ye leave me here, +curst Englishman?" + +"Lest you goad me into slaying you for the evil thing you are." + +"What evil have I wrought you?" + +"You would have poisoned me but yesterday--" + +"Yet to-day are you strong and hearty, fool." + +And indeed, now I came to think of it, I felt myself as hale and well as +ever in all my life. "Tush--a fico!" says she with an evil gesture. "'Twas +but an Indian herb, fool, and good 'gainst colic and calenture. Now +wherefore will ye be quit o' me?" + +"Because I had rather die solitary than live in your fellowship--" + +"Dolt! Clod! Worm!" cried she 'twixt gnashing teeth, and then all in a +moment she was gazing down at me soft and gentle-eyed, red lips up-curving +and smooth cheek dimpling to a smile: + +"Ah, Martin," sighs she languorously, "see how you do vex me! And I am +foolish to suffer such as you to anger me, but needs must I vex you a +little in quittance, yes." + +At this I did but shrug my shoulders and turned to study again the +problem--how to set about launching my boat. + +"Art a something skilful carpenter, eh, Martino," said she in a while; +"'twas you made the table and chairs and beds in the caves up yonder, eh, +Martino?" + +"Aye." + +"And these the tools you made 'em with, eh, Martino?" and she pointed where +they lay beside the boat. + +"Nay," quoth I, speaking on impulse, being yet busied with my problem, "I +had nought but my hatchet then and chisels of iron." + +"Your hatchet--this?" she questioned, taking it up. + +"Aye!" I nodded. "The hatchet was the first tool I found after we were cast +destitute on this island." + +"Ah--ah--then she was with you when you found it--the woman that wore this +gown before me, eh, Martino?" + +"Aye--and what then?" + +"This!" cried she and wheeling the hatchet strong-armed, she sent it +spinning far out to sea or ever I might stay her. + +Now, beholding the last of this good hatchet that had oft known my dear +lady's touch, that had beside, been, as it were, a weapon to our defence +and a means to our comfort, seeing myself (as I say) now bereft of it thus +wantonly, I sprang to my feet, uttering a cry of mingled grief and rage. +But she, skipping nimbly out of reach, caught up one of my pistols where +she had hid it behind a rock and stood regarding me with her hateful smile. + +"Ah, ah!" says she, mocking, "do I then vex you a little, _amigo mio_? So +is it very well. Ha, scowl, fool Martino, scowl and grind your teeth; 'tis +joy to me and shall never bring back your little axe." + +At this, seeing grief and anger alike unavailing, I sat me down by the boat +and sinking my head in my hands, strove to settle my mind to this problem +of launching; but this I might by no means do, since here was this devilish +creature perched upon an adjacent rock to plague me still. + +"How now, Martino?" she questioned. "What troubleth your sluggish brain +now?" And then, as she had read my very thought: "Is't your boat--to bring +her afloat? Ah--bah! 'tis simple matter! Here she lies and yonder the sea! +Well, dig you a pit about the boat as deep as may be, bank the sand about +your pit as high as may be. Then cut you a channel to high-water mark +and beyond, so with the first tide, wind-driven, the sea shall fill your +channel, pour into your pit, brimming it full and your banks being higher +than your boat she shall swim and be drawn seaward on the backwash. So, +here's the way on't. And so must you sweat and dig and labour, and I joy +to watch--Ah, yes, for you shall sweat, dig and labour in vain, except you +swear me I shall sail with you." So saying, she drops me a mocking courtsey +and away she goes. + +She gone and night being at hand, I set aside two or three stout spars +should serve me as masts, yards, etc., together with rope and cordage for +tackle and therewith two pair of oars; which done, I got me to my cave and, +having supped, to bed. + +Early next morning I set myself to draw a circle about my boat and mark out +a channel thence to the sea (even as she had suggested) since I could hit +upon no better way. This done, I fell to with spade and mattock but found +this a matter of great labour since the sand, being very dry and loose +hereabouts, was constantly shifting and running back upon me. + +And presently, as I strove thus painfully, cometh my tormentor to plague me +anew (albeit the morning was so young) she very gay and debonnaire in her +'broidered gown. + +"Ha!" said she, seating herself hard by. "The sun is new-risen, yet you do +sweat wofully, the which I do joy to see. So-ho, then, labour and sweat, my +pretty man: it shall be all vain, aha--vain and to no purpose." + +But finding I heeded her no more than buzzing fly, she changed her tune, +viewing me tender-eyed and sighing soft: + +"Am I not better as a woman, eh, Martino?" asked she, spreading out her +petticoats. "Aye, to be sure your eyes do tell me so, scowl and mutter as +you will. See now, Martino, I have lived here three days and in all this +woful weary time hast never asked my name, which is strange, unless dost +know it already, for 'tis famous hereabouts and all along the Main; indeed +'tis none so wonderful you should know it--" + +"I don't!" said I. "Nor wish to!" + +"Then I will tell you--'tis Joan!" Hereupon I dropped my spade and she, +seeing how I stared upon her, burst into a peal of laughter. "Ah, ah!" +cried she. "Here is pretty, soft name and should fit me as well as another. +Why must you stare so fool-like; here is no witchcraft, for in the caves +yonder 'Joan' meeteth me at every turn; 'tis carven on walls, on chairs, on +table, together with 'Damaris' and many woful, lovesick mottoes beside." + +Now I, knowing this for truth, turned my back and ground my teeth in +impotent anger, whiles this woman mocked me with her laughter. + +"Damaris--Joan!" said she. "At first methought these two women, but now do +I know Joan is Damaris and Damaris Joan and you a poor, lovelorn fool. But +as for me--I am Joanna--" + +Now at this I turned and looked at her. + +"Joanna?" said I, wondering. + +"Ah, you have heard it--this name, before--yes?" + +"Aye, in a song." + +"Oh, verily!" said she and forthwith began singing in her deep, rich voice: + + "There's a fine Spanish dame + And Joanna's her name + Shall follow wherever you go--" + +"Aha, and mark this, Martino: + + "Till your black heart shall feel + Your own cursed steel + Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!" + +"But this was my mother--" + +"Ha--she that stabbed and killed the pirate Bartlemy ere he slew her? But +she was a Spanish lady." + +"Nay, she was English, and lieth buried hereabouts, 'tis said; howbeit, +she died here whiles I was with the Indians. They found me, very small and +helpless, in the ruins of a burned town and took me away into the mountains +and, being Indians, used me kindly and well. Then came white men, twenty +and two, and, being Christians, slew the Indians and used me evilly and +were cruel, save only one; twenty and two they were and all dead long ago, +each and every, save only one. Aha, Martino, for the evil men have made me +endure, I have ever been excellent well avenged! For I am Joanna that some +call 'Culebra' and some 'Gadfly' and some 'Fighting Jo.' And indeed there +be few men can match me at swordplay and as for musket and pistol--watch +now, Martino, the macaw yonder!" She pointed to a bird that stood preening +itself on a rock at no little distance and, catching up the pistol, +levelled and fired; and in place of the bird was nought but a splash of +blood and a few poor, gaudy feathers stirring lazily in the gentle wind. + +"See," cried she, with a little, soft laugh, "am I not a goodly _camarado_ +for any brave fellow, yes?" + +"Truly," said I, turning away, "I think your breeches do become you best--" + +"Liar!" she cried. "You know I am handsomer thus! Your eyes ha' told me so +already. And look ye, I can be as soft and tender, as meek and helpless as +any puling woman of 'em all, when I will. And if I hate fiercely, so is my +love--ha, d'ye blench, fool, d'ye shrink; you thing shaped like a man, must +ye cringe at the word 'love'?" + +"Aye!" said I, over my shoulder. "On your lips 'tis desecration!" + +"Desecration--desecration?" quoth she, staring on me great-eyed and biting +at her scarlet nether lip. "Ha, dare ye say it, dog?" And crying thus, she +hurled the pistol at me with aim so true that I staggered and came nigh +falling. Stung by the blow I turned on her in a fury, but she leapt to her +feet and showed me my own knife glittering in her fist. + +"Ah, bah--back to your labour, slave!" she mocked. + +"Have done, woman!" I cried. "Have done, or by the living God, you will +goad me into slaying you yet--" + +"Tush!" said she, "I am used to outfacing men, but you--ha, you should be +fed on pap and suckets, you that are no man! 'Tis small wonder you lost +your Joan--Damaris; 'tis no wonder she fled away and left you--" + +Now at this (and nothing heeding her knife) I sprang at her and she, +letting fall the knife, leapt towards me; and then I had her, felt her all +soft and palpitant in my furious grip, heard a quivering sigh, saw her +head sway back across my arm and she drooping in my embrace, helpless and +a-swoon. And holding her thus 'prisoned and crushed against me, I could not +but be conscious of all the tender, languorous beauty of her ere I hasted +to lay her upon the sand. My arms were yet about her (and I upon my knees) +when her bosom heaved to sudden, tremulous sigh and opening her eyes, she +smiled up at me. + +"Ah, Martino," sighed she softly, "do not these petticoats become me vastly +well, yes?" And reaching up, she set her arms about me. "Am I not better +than dream-woman, I that men have died for--I, Joanna?" + +Now hereupon I shivered and loosing her hold rose to my feet and stood with +head averted that I might not behold her. Presently she arose also and +coming where lay the knife, took it up and stood turning it this way and +that. + +"Martin," said she in her soft, dreamy speech, "you are mightily strong +and--mightily gentle, and I do think we shall make a man of you yet!" + +So saying, she turned and went away, the knife glittering in her hand. As +for me I cast myself down and with no thought or will to labour now, for it +seemed that my strength was gone from me. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +TELLETH HOW ALL MY TRAVAIL CAME TO NOUGHT + + +That night, the moon being at the full and I very wakeful, I lay harassed +of a thousand fretting thoughts, and each and every of this woman Joanna; +and turning on my sleepless couch I cursed that hour the which had set her +in my company. + +Yet, even so, I must needs bethink me of all the supple warmth of her as +she lay in my arms, of the velvety touch of her cheek that had by chance +brushed my hand. Hereupon I would strive to turn my thoughts upon the +labours of to-morrow only to find myself recalling the sound of her voice, +now deep and soft and infinite sweet, now harsh and shrill and hatefully +shrewish; or her golden-brown eyes, thick-lashed and marvellous quick in +their changes from sleepy languor to flaming malevolence. + +Thus lay I, haunted of her memory and all the sudden, bewildering changes +of her moods until at last I started up, and coming to the entrance of my +cave, saw her standing without and the moon bright on her face. + +"Art wakeful too, Martino?" asked she softly. "'Tis the moon belike, or the +heat of the night." Here she came a slow pace nearer; and her eyes were +sweet and languorous and on her vivid mouth a smile infinite alluring. +Slowly she drew near, thralling me as it were with the wonder of her look +that I had neither power nor will to move or speak. Confident of herself +and assured in her beauty she reached out her hands to me, her long lashes +swept down, veiling her eyes; but, even then, I had seen their flash of +triumph, and in that moment, bursting the spell that bound me, I turned +from her. + +"Go--leave me!" said I, finding my voice at last. "Here is no place for +you!" And I stood thereafter with head averted, dreading her sighs and +tears; instead (and to my unutterable relief) she brake out into a storm +of sea-oaths, beslavering me with vile abuse and bitter curses. Now, +hearkening to this lewd tirade, I marvelled I should ever have feared and +trembled because of the womanhood of creature so coarse and unsexed. Thus +she continued alternately mocking at and reviling me until she must needs +pause for lack of breath; then I turned to look at her and stood amazed to +behold that passionate head bowed upon her hands. + +"Aye, I weep," she sobbed. "I weep because I am woman, after all, but in +my heart I hate you and with my soul I despise you, for you are but a mock +man,--the blood in your veins skim milk! Ah, by God, there is more of +vigorous life in my little finger than in all your great, heavy, clod-like +carcase. Oh, shame!" Here she lifted her head to scowl on me and I, not +enduring her look, glanced otherwhere. "Ha--rot me!" cried she, wagging +scornful finger. "Rot me but you are afraid of me--afraid, yes!" + +"True!" said I. "So will I win free of you so soon as I may--" + +"Free of me?" cried she, and throwing herself on the sands, sat crouched +there, her head upon her knees and sobbing miserably. "So you will abandon +me then?" said she at last. + +"Aye." + +"Even though I--vow myself your slave?" + +"I want no slave." + +"Even though I beseech you on my knees?" + +"'Twere vain, I sail hence alone." + +"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate." + +"But I was ever a fool." + +"Aye, verily!" she cried passionately. "So do you yearn ever for your +light-o'-love, for your vanished Joan--your Damaris that left you--" + +"Now I pray you go!" said I. + +"I wonder," sighed she, never stirring, "I wonder why I do not kill you? I +hate you--despise you and yet--" + +Slowly she got to her feet and moved away with dragging step but paused +anon and spake again with head a-droop: + +"Living or dead, you shall not leave the island except I go with you!" +Then she went her way and something in her attitude methought infinitely +desolate. + +Left alone, I stood awhile in gloomy thought, but rousing presently, I +betook me into my cave, and lying down, fell at last to uneasy slumber. But +waking suddenly, I started up on elbow full of an indefinable fear, and +glancing without the cave, I saw a strange thing, for sand and rock and +bush-girt cliff had on an unfamiliar aspect, the which I was wholly unable +to account for; rocks and trees and flowering vines shone throbbing upon my +vision with a palpitant glow that came and went, the like of which I had +never seen before. + +Then, all at once, I was up and running along Skeleton Cove, filled with a +dreadful apprehension, and coming out upon Deliverance Beach, stood quaking +like one smitten with a palsy; for there, lapped about in writhing flame +and crackling sparks, was all that remained of my boat, and crouched upon +the sands, watching me by the light of this fire, was she who called +herself Joanna. + +And now, perceiving all the wanton cruelty of this thing, a cold and +merciless rage took me and staring on this woman as she stared on me, I +began to creep towards her. + +"I warned you, fool, I warned you!" cried she, never moving. "'Tis a brave +fire I've made and burns well. And now you shall kill me an you will--but +your boat is lost to you for ever, and so is--your Damaris!" + +Now at sound of this loved name I stopped and stood a great while staring +at the fire, then suddenly I cast myself on my knees, and lifting up my +eyes to the stars already paling to dawn, I prayed God to keep me from the +sin of murder. + +When at last I rose to my feet, Joanna was gone. + +The sun was high-risen when I came again, slow and heavy-footed, to behold +what the fire had left of my boat; a heap of ashes, a few fragments of +charred timber. And this the sorry end of all my fond hopes, my vain +schemes, my sweat and labour. + +And as I gazed, in place of my raging fury of last night was a hopeless +despondency and a great bitterness against that perverse fate that seemed +to mock my every endeavour. + +As I stood thus deject and bitterly cast down, I heard the step of this +woman Joanna and presently she cometh beside me. + +"You will be hating me for this, hating me--yes?" she questioned; then, +finding me all regardless of her, she plucked me by the sleeve. "Ah--and +will you not speak to me?" cried she. Turning from her, I began to pace +aimlessly along beside the lagoon but she, overtaking, halted suddenly in +my path. "Your boat would have leaked and swamped with you, Martino!" said +she, but heeding her no whit I turned and plodded back again, and she ever +beside me. "I tell you the cursed thing would ha' gone to pieces at the +first gust of wind!" she cried. But I paced on with neither word nor look +until, finding me thus blind and deaf to her, she cursed me bitterly and so +left me alone and I, following a haphazard course, presently found myself +in a grove of palmetto trees and sat me down in this pleasant shade where +I might behold the sea, that boundless, that impassable barrier. But in a +while, espying the woman coming thitherwards, I rose and tramped on again +with no thought but to save myself from her companionship. + +All the morning then I rambled aimlessly to and fro, keeping ever amid the +woods and thickets, staying my hunger with such fruit as I fell in with, +as grapes and plantains; or sitting listlessly, my hands idle before me, I +stared out across these empty, sun-smitten waters, until, dazzled by their +glare, I would rise and wander on again, my mind ever and always troubled +of a great perplexity, namely: How might I (having regard to the devilish +nature of this woman Joanna) keep myself from slaying her in some fit of +madness, thereby staining my soul with her murder. + +So came I at last to my habitation in Skeleton Cove and chancing to espy +my great powderhorn where it hung, I reached it down and going without the +cave, scattered its contents broadcast, this being all the powder I had +brought hither. + +It being now late noon and very hot, I cast myself down in the shade of a +rock, and lying there, I presently came to the following resolution, viz: +To shun the woman Joanna's company henceforth as well as I might; moreover +(and let her haunt me how she would) to heed her neither by word or look, +bearing all her scorns and revilings patiently, making no answer, and +enduring all her tyranny to the uttermost. All of which fine conceits were +but the most arrant folly and quickly brought to nothing, as you shall +hear. For even now as I sat with these high-flown notions buzzing in my +head, I started to her sudden call: + +"Martino--Martino!" + +Glancing up, I beheld her poised upon the rocks above me and a noose of +small cord in her hand. As I watched, she began to whirl this around her +head, fast and faster, then, uttering a shrill, strange cry, she let fly +the noose the which, leaping through the air, took me suddenly about the +throat and she, pulling on it, had me half-strangled all in a moment. Then +as, choking, I loosed this devilish noose from me (and or ever I could +rise) she came running and casting herself down before me, clasped my feet +and laid her head upon them. + +"Martino!" she cried, "Oh man, beat me an you will, trample on me, kill me; +only heed me--heed me a little!" + +Now seeing her thus miserably abject and humbled, I grew abashed also and +fain would have loosed me from her clasp but she held me only the faster; +and thus, my hand coming upon her head, she caught that hand and kissed it +passionately, wetting it with her tears. + +"Oh, Martino," said she, wofully a-sobbing, "I do know at last wherefore--I +may not kill you. 'Tis because I love you. I was fool not to guess it ere +this, but--I have never loved man ere now. Aye, I love you--I, Joanna, that +never loved before, do love you, Martino--" + +"What of your many lovers?" + +"I loved no one of them all. 'Tis you ha' learned me--" + +"Nay, this is no love--" + +"Aye, but it is--in very truth. Think you I do not know it? I cannot +sleep, I cannot eat--except you love me I must die, yes. Ah, Martino, be +merciful!" she pleaded. "For thee I will be all woman henceforth, soft and +tender and very gentle--thine always! Oh, be merciful--" + +"No," I cried, "not this! Be rather your other self, curse me, revile me, +fetch the sword and fight with me--" + +"Fight thee--ah, no, no! The time for this is passed away. And if I did +grieve thee 'twas but that I might cherish and comfort thee--for thou art +mine and I thine henceforth--to death and beyond! Look, Martino! See how I +do love thee!" + +And now her arms were about me, soft and strong, and beholding all the +pleading beauty of her, the tender allure of her eyes, the quiver of her +scarlet mouth and all her compelling loveliness, I stooped to her embrace; +but even so, chancing to lift my gaze seaward, I broke the clasp of these +twining arms and rose suddenly to my feet. For there, her rag of sail +spread to the light-breathing air, was a boat standing in for the island. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +HOW I SUCCOURED ONE DON FEDERIGO, A GENTLEMAN OF SPAIN + + +I was out upon the reef, waving my arms like any madman and shouting to +the vague figure huddled in the stern sheets. As the boat drew nearer, I +discovered this figure to be a man in Spanish half-armour, and the head of +this man was bowed meekly upon steel-clad breast like one overcome with +great weariness. But presently as I watched he looked up, like one awaking +from sleep, and gestured feebly with his arm, whiles I, beholding here the +means to my deliverance, babbled prayers of thankfulness to God. + +After some while, the boat being within hail, I began to call out to this +solitary voyager (for companion had he none, it seemed) how he must steer +to avoid the rocks and shoals. At last, the boat being come near enough and +the sea very smooth, I waded out and, watching my chance, clambered aboard +over the bows and came, all dripping, eager to welcome this heavensent +stranger and thus beheld the boat very foul of blood and him pale and +hollow-cheeked, his eyes dim and sunken; moreover his rich armour was +battered and dinted, whiles about one leg was knotted a bloody scarf. + +"Seņor," said I, in my best Spanish, "a lonely man, giveth you right hearty +greeting!" + +"I thank you, sir," he answered and in very excellent English, "though I do +much fear you shall abide solitary, for as I do think I am a-dying. Could +you--bring me--water--" + +The words ended in a sigh and his head drooped so that I feared he was +already gone. But, finding he yet breathed, I made haste to lower the sail +and, shipping oars, paddled towards that opening in the reef that gave upon +the lagoon. Being opposite this narrow channel I felt the boat caught by +some tide and current and swept forward ever more rapidly, insomuch that +I unshipped the oars and hasting into the bow, caught up a stout spar +wherewith to fend us off from the rocks. Yet more than once, despite all my +exertions, we came near striking ere, having passed through this perilous +gut, we floated into the placid waters of the lagoon beyond. + +Very soon I had beached the boat as securely as I might on that spit of +sand opposite Skeleton Cove, and finding the Spaniard yet a-swoon I lifted +him, albeit with much ado, and setting him across my shoulder, bore him +thus into the cool shade of the cave. There I laid him down beside the +little rill to bathe his head and wrists with the sweet water and moisten +his parched lips. At this he revived somewhat and, lifting his head, +eagerly drank so much as I would allow, his sunken eyes uplift to mine in +an ecstasy. + +"Young sir," said he in stronger voice, "for your kind charity and this +good water may the Saints requite thee. 'Tis three nights and two days +since I drank--" + +A shadow fell betwixt us and looking up I beheld Joanna. Now in one hand +she grasped the Spaniard's sword she had stolen out of his boat and her +other hand was hid behind her, wherefore I watched her narrowly, as she +stood gazing down at this wounded man; and at first she scowled at him, but +slowly her look changed and I saw her vivid lips curl in her baleful smile. + +"Oh," said she very softly, "Oh, marvel of marvels! Oh, wonder of wonders, +even and in very truth it is Don Federigo de Rosalva y Maldonada, wafted +hither by wind and tide to Joanna and judgment. Oh, most wonderful!" + +Now hereupon this poor wounded wretch lifted himself to peer up into her +smiling face with hanging jaw, like one amazed beyond all speech, whiles +she, slim and shapely in her 'broidered gown, nodded her handsome head. +"Verily," quoth she, "'tis the hanging, bloody governor of Nombre de Dios +come to Justice! I pray you, Seņor, how many of our company ha' you strung +aloft since last we met?" + +Here, though with much painful ado, the Don got to his feet and made her a +prodigious fine bow. + +"The Seņorita Joanna honours me by her notice," said he. "I should have +doubtless known her at once but for her change of habit. And I am happy to +inform the Seņorita I have been so fortunate as to take and hang no +less than five and twenty of her pirate fellowship since last I had the +gratification of meeting her." + +"Ha, you lie!" cried she passionately. "You lie!" + +"They swing in their chains along the mole outside Nombre de Dios to +witness for my truth, Seņorita. And now," said he, propping himself against +the rock behind him, "it is my turn to die, as I think? Well, strike, +lady--here, above my gorget--" + +"Die then!" cried she and whipped a pistol from behind her, but as she +levelled I struck up the weapon and it exploded harmless in the air. +Uttering a scream of bitter rage, she thrust with the sword, but I put up +the stroke (thereby taking a gash in the arm) and gripping the rapier by +the guards I twisted it from her hold. And now she turned on me in a very +frenzy: + +"Kill me then!" she panted, striving to impale herself on the sword in my +hand. "If this man is to come betwixt us now, kill me in mercy and free +me from this hateful woman's flesh--" But here, spying my arm bloody, she +forgot her anger all in a moment. "Are ye hurt?" said she. "Are ye hurt and +all to save this miserable fool!" And suddenly (or ever I might prevent) +she caught my arm, kissing the wound, heedless of the blood that bedabbled +her cheek in horrid fashion. + +"Oh, Martino," said she, leaning 'gainst a rock when at last I broke from +her, "you are mine now and always, as you were in other times long since +forgot. In those days your blood was on my lips, I mind, and your kisses +also ere you died. Mine you are to death, aye, and through death to life +again--mine. And to-day is to-day and death not for you or me--yet awhile!" + +When she was gone I turned to find this wounded man upon his knees, his +head bowed above a little gold crucifix between his hands. + +"Sir, what would you?" I questioned, struck by his expression, when at last +he looked up. + +"I make my peace with God, Seņor, since I am soon to die--" + +"Nay, sir, I do trust your hardships are ended--" + +"Shall be, Seņor, to-day, to-morrow, the day after?" said he, smiling +faintly and shrugging his shoulders. "A sudden shot, steel i' the +back--'tis better than death by famine in an open boat. You, Seņor, have +saved me alive yet a little, doubtless for your own ends, but my death +walketh yonder as I know, death in form shapely and fair-seeming, yet sure +and unpitying, none the less." + +"Ha, d'ye mean yon woman?" I questioned. + +"The Seņorita Joanna--verily, Seņor." + +"Never think it!" quoth I. "'Tis wild, fierce creature, yet is she but a +woman and young--" + +Now hereupon this wounded man lifted weary head to stare on me, his eyes +very bright and keen. + +"Seņor," says he, "either you do mock me, or you nothing know this woman. +But I do know her well and too well. Seņor, I have warred with and been +prisoner to you English, I have fought Indians, I have campaigned again +buccaneers and pirates these many years, but never have I encountered foe +so desperate, so bold and cunning as this Seņorita Joanna. She is the very +soul of evil; the goddess of every pirate rogue in the Indies; 'tis she +is their genius, their inspiration, her word their law. 'Tis she is ever +foremost in their most desperate ploys, first in attack, last in retreat, +fearless always--I have known her turn rout into victory. But two short +months ago she vowed my destruction, and I with my thousands at command +besides divers ships well armed and manned; to-day I am a woful fugitive, +broken in fortune, fleeing for my life, and, Seņor, Fate has brought me, +through shipwreck and famine all these weary miles, into the grasp of her +slender, cruel hands. Thus and thus do I know myself for dead man and shall +die, howsoever I must, as becometh me." + +His keen eyes lost their fire, his head drooped, and looking down on him as +he lay huddled against the rock, I did not doubt but that much of this was +no more than the raving of his disordered fancy. + +So I set my arm about this poor gentleman and brought him into my +habitation, where I loosed off his chafing armour and set myself to feed +and cherish him, bathing the hurt in his leg, the which I found very angry +and inflamed. This done I bade him be of good comfort and yield himself to +slumber. But this he could no way accomplish, being restless and fevered +and his mind harping continually on the strange fate had set him thus in +Joanna's power and the sure belief that he must die, soon or late, at her +hands. + +"For look now, Seņor," said he, "and observe my strange destiny. Scarce two +months since I set out in a well-found galleon, I and three hundred chosen +men, to hunt down and destroy this very woman--her and her evil company. +One of their ships we fell in with, which ship, after long and sharp +debate, we sunk. But it coming on to blow and our own vessels being much +shattered by their shot, we sprung a leak, the which gaining on us, we +were forced to take to our boats; but the wind increased and we were soon +scattered. On the third day, having endured divers perils, we made the +land, I with Pedro Valdez my chief captain and ten others and, being short +of water, they went ashore one and all, leaving me wounded in the boat. +And I lying there was suddenly aware of great uproar within the thickets +ashore, and thereafter the screams and cries of my companions as they died. +Then cometh Pedro Valdez running, crying out the Indians were on us, that +all was lost and himself sore wounded. Nevertheless he contrived to thrust +off the boat and I to aid him aboard. That night, he died and the wind +drove me whither it would; wherefore, having committed Pedro Valdez his +body to the deep, I resigned myself to the will of God. And God hath +brought me hither, Seņor, and set me in the power of the Seņorita Joanna +that is my bitter foe; so am I like to die sudden and soon. But, Seņor, +for your kindness to me, pray receive a broken man's gratitude and dying +blessing. Sir, I am ever a Maldonada of Castile and we do never forget!" +There he reached out to grasp my hand. "Thus, Seņor, should this be my last +night of life, the which is very like, know that my gratitude is of the +nature that dieth not." + +"Sir," said I, his hand in mine and the night deepening about us, "I am a +very solitary man and you came into my life like a very angel of God (an +there be such) when I stood in direst need, for I was sick of my loneliness +and in my hunger for companionship very nigh to great and shameful folly. +Mayhap, whiles you grow back to strength and health, I will tell you my +story, but this night you shall sleep safe--so rest you secure." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +I AM DETERMINED ON MY VENGEANCE, AND MY REASONS THEREFOR + + +I found this Spanish gentleman very patient in his sickness and ever of a +grave and chivalrous courtesy, insomuch that as our fellowship lengthened +so grew my regard for him. He was, beside, a man of deep learning and +excellent judgment and his conversation and conduct a growing delight to +me. + +And indeed to such poor wretch as I that had been forced by my bitter +wrongs to company with all manner of rogues and fellows of the baser sort, +this Don Federigo (and all unknowing) served but to show me how very far I +had sunk from what I might have been. And knowing myself thus degenerate +I grieved mightily therefore and determined henceforth to meet Fortune's +buffets more as became my condition, with a steadfast and patient serenity, +even as this gentleman of Spain. + +It was at this time he recounted, in his courtly English, something of the +woes he and his had suffered these many years at the hands of these roving +adventurers, these buccaneers and pirates whose names were a terror all +along the Main. He told of the horrid cruelties of Lollonois, of the bloody +Montbars called the "Exterminator," of the cold, merciless ferocity of +Black Bartlemy and of such lesser rouges as Morgan, Tressady, Belvedere and +others of whom I had never heard. + +"There was my son, young sir," said he in his calm, dispassionate voice, +"scarce eighteen turned, and my daughter--both taken by this pirate +Belvedere when he captured the _Margarita_ carrack scarce three years +since. My son they tortured to death because he was my son, and my +daughter, my sweet Dolores--well, she is dead also, I pray the Mother of +Mercies. Truly I have suffered very much, yet there be others, alas! I +might tell you of our goodly towns burned or held to extortionate ransom, +of our women ravished, our children butchered, our men tormented, our +defenceless merchant ships destroyed and their crews with them, but my list +is long, young sir, and would outlast your kind patience." + +"And what o' vengeance?" I demanded, marvelling at the calm serenity of his +look. + +"Vengeance, young sir? Nay, surely, 'tis an empty thing. For may vengeance +bring back the beloved dead? Can it rebuild our desolate towns, or cure any +of a broken heart?" + +"Yet you hang these same rogues?" + +"Truly, Seņor, as speedily as may be, as I would crush a snake. Yet who +would seek vengeance on a worm?" + +"Yet do I seek vengeance!" cried I, upstarting to my feet. "Vengeance for +my wasted years, vengeance on him hath been the ruin of my house, on him +that, forcing me to endure anguish of mind and shame of body, hath made of +me the poor, outcast wretch I am. Ha--'tis vengeance I do live for!" + +"Then do you live to a vain end, young sir! For vengeance is an emptiness +and he that seeketh it wasteth himself." + +"Now tell me, Don Federigo," I questioned, "seek you not the life of this +Belvedere that slew your son?" + +"'Tis my prayer to see him die, Seņor, yet do I live to other, and I pray +to nobler purpose--" + +"Why, then," quoth I fiercely, "so is it my prayer to watch my enemy die +and I do live to none other purpose--" + +"Spoke like true, bully lad, Martino!" cried a voice, and glancing about, I +espied Joanna leaning in the opening to the cave. She was clad in her +male attire as I had seen her first, save that by her side she bore +the bejewelled Spanish rapier. Thus lolled she, smiling on me +half-contemptuous, hand poised lightly on the hilt of her sword, all +graceful insolence. + +"Eye for eye, Martino," said she, nodding. "Tooth for tooth, blood for +blood: 'tis a good law and just, yes! How say you, Seņor Don Federigo; you +agree--no?" + +With an effort Don Federigo got to his feet and, folding his cloak about +his spare form, made her a prodigious deep obeisance. + +"'Tis a law ancient of days, Seņorita," said he. + +"And your health improves, Seņor, I hope--yes?" + +"The Seņorita is vastly gracious! Thanks to Don Martino I mend apace. Oh, +yes, and shall soon be strong enough to die decorously, I trust, and in +such fashion as the Seņorita shall choose." + +"Aha, Seņor," said she, with flash of white teeth, "'tis an everlasting joy +to me that I also am of noble Spanish blood. Some day when justice hath +been done, and you are no more, I will have a stone raised up to mark where +lie the bones of a great Spanish gentleman. As for thee, my poor Martino, +that babblest o' vengeance, 'tis not for thee nor ever can be--thou that +art only English, cold--cold--a very clod! Oh, verily there is more life, +more fire and passion in a small, dead fish than in all thy great, slow +body! And now, pray charge me my pistols; you have all the powder here." I +shook my head. "Fool," said she, "I mean not to shoot you, and as for Don +Federigo, since death is but his due, a bullet were kinder--so charge now +these my pistols." + +"I have no powder," said I. + +"Liar!" + +"I cast it into the sea lest I be tempted to shoot you." + +Now at this she must needs burst out a-laughing. + +"Oh, Englishman!" cried she. "Oh, sluggard soul--how like, how very like +thee, Martino!" Then, laughing yet, she turned and left me to stare after +her in frowning wonderment. + +This night after supper, sitting in the light of the fire and finding the +Don very wakeful, I was moved (at his solicitation) to tell him my history; +the which I will here recapitulate as briefly as I may. + +"I was born, sir, in Kent in England exactly thirty years ago, and being +the last of my family 'tis very sure that family shall become a name soon +to be forgotten--" + +"But you, Seņor, so young--" + +"But ancient in suffering, sir." + +"Oh, young sir, but what of love; 'tis a magic--" + +"A dream!" quoth I. "A dream sweet beyond words! But I am done with idle +dreaming, henceforth. I come then of one of two families long at feud, a +bloody strife that had endured for generations and which ended in my father +being falsely accused by his more powerful enemy and thrown into prison +where he speedily perished. Then I, scarce more than lad, was trepanned +aboard ship, carried across seas and sold a slave into the plantations. +And, mark me, sir, all this the doing of our hereditary enemy who, thus +triumphant, dreamed he had ended the feud once and for all. Sir, I need not +weary you with my sufferings as a planter's slave, to labour always 'neath +the lash, to live or die as my master willed. Suffice it I broke free at +last and, though well-nigh famished, made my way to the coast. But here my +travail ended in despair, for I was recaptured and being known for runaway +slave, was chained to an oar aboard the great _Esmeralda_ galleas where +such poor rogues had their miserable lives whipped out of them. And here my +sufferings (since it seemed I could not die) grew well-nigh beyond me to +endure. But from this hell of shame and anguish I cried unceasing upon God +for justice and vengeance on mine enemy that had plunged me from life and +all that maketh it worthy into this living death. And God answered me in +this, for upon a day the _Esmeralda_ was shattered and sunk by an English +ship and I, delivered after five bitter years of agony, came back to my +native land. But friends had I none, nor home, since the house wherein I +was born and all else had been seized by my enemy and he a power at Court. +Him sought I therefore to his destruction, since (as it seemed to me) God +had brought me out of my tribulation to be His instrument of long-delayed +vengeance. So, friendless and destitute, came I at last to that house had +been ours for generations and there learned that my hopes and labour were +vain indeed, since this man I was come to destroy had himself been captured +and cast a prisoner in that very place whence I had so lately escaped!" + +Here the memory of this disappointment waxing in me anew, I must needs +pause in my narration, whereupon my companion spake in his soft, +dispassionate voice: + +"Thus surely God hath answered your many prayers, young sir!" + +"And how so?" cried I. "Of what avail that this man lie pent in dungeon +or sweating in chains and I not there to see his agony? I must behold him +suffer as I suffered, hear his groans, see his tears--I that do grieve a +father untimely dead, I that have endured at this man's will a thousand +shames and torment beyond telling! Thus, sir," I continued, "learning that +his daughter was fitting out a ship to his relief I (by aid of the master +of the ship) did steal myself aboard and sailed back again, back to +discover this my enemy. But on the voyage mutiny broke out, headed by that +evil rogue, Tressady. Then was I tricked and cast adrift in an open boat by +Adam Penfeather, the master--" + +"Penfeather, young sir, Adam Penfeather! Truly there was one I do mind +greatly famous once among the buccaneers of Tortuga." + +"This man, then, this Penfeather casts me adrift (having struck me +unconscious first) that I might secure to him certain treasure that lay +hid on this island, a vast treasure of jewels called 'Black Bartlemy's +treasure.'" + +"I have heard mention of it, Seņor." + +"Here then steered I, perforce, and, storm-tossed, was cast here, I and--my +comrade--" + +"Comrade, Seņor?" + +"Indeed, sir. For with me in the boat was a woman and she the daughter of +my enemy. And here, being destitute of all things, we laboured together to +our common need and surely, aye, surely, never had man braver comrade or +sweeter companion. She taught me many things and amongst them how to +love her, and loving, to honour and respect her for her pure and noble +womanhood. Upon a time, to save herself from certain evil men driven hither +by tempest she leapt into a lake that lieth in the midst of this island, +being carried some distance by a current, came in this marvellous fashion +on the secret of Black Bartlemy's hidden treasure. But I, thinking her +surely dead, fought these rogues, slaying one and driving his fellow back +to sea and, being wounded, fell sick, dreaming my dear lady beside me +again, hale and full of life; and waking at last from my fears, found this +the very truth. In the following days I forgot all my prayers and the great +oath of vengeance I had sworn, by reason of my love for this my sweet +comrade. But then came the pirate Tressady and his fellows seeking the +treasure, and after him, Penfeather, which last, being a very desperate, +cunning man, took Tressady by a wile and would have hanged him with his +comrade Mings, but for my lady. These rogues turned I adrift in one of +the boats to live or die as God should appoint. And now (my vengeance all +forgot) there grew in me a passionate hope to have found me peace at last +and happiness in my dear lady's love, and wedded to her, sail back to +England and home. But such great happiness was not for me, it seemed. I was +falsely accused of murder and (unable to prove my innocence) I chose rather +to abide here solitary than endure her doubting of me, or bring shame or +sorrow on one so greatly loved. Thus, sir, here have I existed a solitary +man ever since." + +"And the Seņorita Joanna, young sir?" + +When I had told him of her coming and the strange manner of it, Don +Federigo lay silent a good while, gazing into the fire. + +"And your enemy, Seņor?" he questioned at last. "Where lieth he now to your +knowledge?" + +"At Nombre de Dios, in the dungeons of the Inquisition, 'tis said." + +"The Inquisition!" quoth Don Federigo in a whisper, and crossed himself. +"Sir," said he, and with a strange look. "Oh, young sir, if this be so +indeed, rest you content, for God hath surely avenged you--aye, to the very +uttermost!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HOW THE DAYS OF MY WATCHING WERE ACCOMPLISHED + + +Our fresh meat being nearly all gone, I set out next morning with my +bow and arrows (in the management of which I had made myself extreme +dexterous); I set out, I say, minded to shoot me a young goat or, failing +this, one of those great birds whose flesh I had found ere now to be very +tender and delicate eating. + +Hardly had I waved adieu to the Don (him sitting in the shade propped in +one of my great elbow chairs) than I started a goat and immediately gave +chase, not troubling to use my bow, for what with my open-air life and +constant exercise I had become so long-winded and fleet of foot that I +would frequently run these wild creatures down. + +Away sped the goat and I after it, along perilous tracks and leaping from +rock to rock, joying in the chase, since of late I had been abroad very +little by reason of Don Federigo's sickness; on I ran after my quarry, the +animal making ever for higher ground and more difficult ways until we were +come to a rocky height whence I might behold a wide expanse of ocean. + +Now, as had become my wont, I cast a look around about this vast horizon +and stopped all at once, clean forgetting my goat and all else in the world +excepting that which had caught my lonely glance, that for which I had +looked and waited and prayed for so long. For there, dim-seen 'twixt the +immensity of sea and sky, was a speck I knew for the topsails of a ship. +Long stood I staring as one entranced, my hands tight clasped, and all +a-sweat with fear lest this glimmering speck should fade and vanish utterly +away. At last, dreading this be but my fancy or a trick of the light, I +summoned enough resolution to close my eyes and, bowing my head between my +hands, remained thus as long as I might endure. Then, opening my eyes, I +uttered a cry of joy to see this speck loom more distinct and plainer than +before. Thereupon I turned and began to hasten back with some wild notion +of putting off in Don Federigo's boat (the which lay securely afloat in the +lagoon) and of standing away for this ship lest peradventure she miss +the island. Full of this dreadful possibility I took to running like any +madman, staying for nothing, leaping, scrambling, slipping and stumbling +down sheer declivities, breasting precipitous cliffs until I reached and +began to descend Skeleton Cove. + +I was half-way down the cliff when I heard the clash of steel, and +presently coming where I might look down into the cove I saw this: with his +back to a rock and a smear of blood on his cheek stood Don Federigo, armed +with my cut-and-thrust, defending himself against Joanna; and as I watched +the flash of their whirling, clashing blades, it did not take me long to +see that the Don was no match for her devilish skill and cunning, and +beholding her swift play of foot and wrist, her lightning volts and passes, +I read death in every supple line of her. Even as I hasted towards them, I +saw the dart of her long blade, followed by a vivid, ever-widening stain on +the shoulder of the Don's tattered shirt. + +"Ha-ha!" cried she and with a gasconading flourish of her blade. "There's +for Pierre Valdaigne you hanged six months agone! There's for Jeremy Price! +And this for Tonio Moretti! And now for John Davis, sa-ha!" With every name +she uttered, her cruel steel, flashing within his weakening guard, bit into +him, arm or leg, and I saw she meant to cut him to pieces. The sword was +beaten from his failing grasp and her point menaced his throat, his +breast, his eyes, whiles he, leaning feebly against the rock, fronted her +unflinching and waited death calm and undismayed. But, staying for no more, +I leapt down into the cove and fell, rolling upon the soft sand, whereupon +she flashed a look at me over her shoulder and in that moment Don Federigo +had grappled her sword-arm; then came I running and she, letting fall her +sword, laughed to see me catch it up. + +"Ha, my brave English clod," cried she. "There be two swords and two +men against one defenceless woman! Come, end me, Martino, end me and be +done--or will you suffer the Don to show you, yes?" And folding her arms +she faced me mighty high and scornful. But now, whiles I stared at her +insolent beauty and no word ready, Don Federigo made her one of his grand +bows and staggered into the cave, spattering blood as he went. + +And in a little (staying only to take up the other sword) I followed him, +leaving her to stand and mock me with her laughter. Reaching the Don I +found him a-swoon and straightway set myself to bare his wounds and staunch +their bleeding as well as I might, in the doing of which I must needs +marvel anew at Joanna's devilish skill, since each and every of these hurts +came near no vital spot and were of little account in themselves, so that a +man might be stabbed thus very many times ere death ended his torment. + +After awhile, recovering himself somewhat, Don Federigo must needs strive +to speak me his gratitude, but I cut him short to tell of the ship I had +seen. + +"I pray what manner of ship?" + +"Nay, she is yet too far to determine," said I, glancing eagerly seawards. +"But since ship she is, what matter for aught beside?" + +"True, Seņor Martino! I am selfish." + +"How so?" + +"Unless she be ship of Spain, here is no friend to me. But you will be +yearning for sight of this vessel whiles I keep you. Go, young sir, go +forth--make you a fire, a smoke plain to be seen and may this ship bring +you to freedom and a surcease of all your tribulations!" + +"A smoke!" cried I, leaping up. "Ha, yes--yes!" And off went I, running; +but reaching Deliverance I saw there was no need for signal of mine, since +on the cliff above a fire burned already, sending up huge columns of thick +smoke very plain to be seen from afar, and beside this fire Joanna staring +seaward beneath her hand. And looking whither she looked, I saw the ship +so much nearer that I might distinguish her lower courses. Thus I stood, +watching the vessel grow upon my sight, very slowly and by degrees, until +it was evident she had seen the smoke and was standing in for the island. +Once assured of this, I was seized of a passion of joy; and bethinking me +of all she might mean to me and of the possibility that one might be aboard +her whose sweet eyes even now gazed from her decks upon this lonely island, +my heart leapt whiles ship and sea swam on my sight and I grew blinded by +stinging tears. And now I paced to and fro upon the sand in a fever of +longing and with my hungry gaze turned ever in the one direction. + +As the time dragged by, my impatience grew almost beyond enduring; but +on came the ship, slow but sure, nearer and nearer until I could +discern shroud and spar and rope, the guns that yawned from her high, +weather-beaten side, the people who crowded her decks. She seemed a great +ship, heavily armed and manned, and high upon her towering poop lolled one +in a vivid scarlet jacket. + +I was gazing upon her in an ecstacy, straining my eyes for the flutter of +a petticoat upon her lofty quarter-deck, when I heard Don Federigo hail me +faintly, and glancing about, espied him leaning against an adjacent rock. + +"Alas, Seņor," says he, "I know yon ship by her looks--aye, and so doth the +Seņorita--see yonder!" Now glancing whither he pointed, I beheld Joanna +pacing daintily along the reef, pausing ever and anon to signal with her +arm; then, as the ship went about to bear up towards the reef, from her +crowded decks rose a great shouting and halloo, a hoarse clamour drowned +all at once in the roar of great guns, and up to the main fluttered a black +ancient; and beholding this accursed flag, its grisly skull and bones, I +cast me down on the sands, my high hopes and fond expectations 'whelmed in +a great despair. + +But as I lay thus was a gentle touch on my bowed head and in my ear Don +Federigo's voice: + +"Alas, good my friend, and doth Hope die for you likewise? Then do I grieve +indeed. But despair not, for in the cave yonder be two swords; go fetch +them, I pray, for I am over-weak." + +"Of what avail," cried I bitterly, looking up into the pale serenity of his +face, "of what avail two swords 'gainst a ship's company?" + +"We can die, Seņor!" said he, with his gentle smile. "To die on our own +steel, by our own hands--here--is clean death and honourable." + +"True!" said I. + +"Then I pray go fetch the swords, my friend; 'tis time methinks--look!" +Glancing towards the ship, I saw she was already come to an anchor and a +boatful of men pulling briskly for the reef where stood Joanna, and as they +rowed they cheered her amain: + +"La Culebra!" they roared. "Ahoy, Joanna! Give a rouse for Fighting Jo! +Cap'n Jo--ha, Joanna!" + +The boat being near enough, many eager hands were reached out to her and +with Joanna on board they paddled into the lagoon. Now as they drew in to +Deliverance Beach they fell silent all, hearkening to her words, and I +saw her point them suddenly to Skeleton Cove, whereupon they rowed amain +towards that spit of sand where we stood screened among the rocks, shouting +in fierce exultation as they came. Don Federigo sank upon his knees with +head bowed reverently above his little crucifix, and when at last he looked +up his face showed placid as ever. + +"Seņor," quoth he gently, "you do hear them howling for my blood? Well, +you bear a knife in your girdle--I pray you lend it to me." For a moment I +hesitated, then, drawing the weapon forth, I sent it spinning far out to +sea. + +"Sir," said I, "we English do hold that whiles life is--so is hope. +Howbeit, if you die you shall not die alone, this I swear." + +Then I sprang forth of the rocks and strode down where these lawless +fellows were beaching their boat. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +WE FALL AMONG PIRATES + + +At my sudden coming they fell silent, one and all, staring from me to +Joanna, where she stood beside a buxom, swaggering ruffling fellow whose +moustachios and beard were cut after the Spanish mode but with a monstrous +great periwig on his head surmounted by a gold-braided, looped hat. His +coat was of scarlet velvet, brave with much adornment of gold lace; his +legs were thrust into a pair of rough sea-boots; and on his hip a long, +curved hanger very broad in the blade. + +"'S fish!" said he, looking me over with his sleepy eyes. "Is this your +Englishman, Jo? And what must we do wi' him--shall he hang?" + +"Mayhap yes--when 'tis so my whim," answered she, 'twixt smiling lips and +staring me in the eyes. + +But now, and all at once, from the wild company rose a sudden hoarse murmur +that swelled again to that fierce, exultant uproar as down towards us paced +Don Federigo. + +"Aha, 'tis the Marquis!" they cried. "'Tis the bloody Marquis! Shoot the +dog! Nay, hang him up! Aye, by his thumbs. Nay, burn him--to the fire wi' +the bloody rogue!" + +Unheeding their vengeful outcry he advanced upon the men (and these +ravening for his blood), viewing their lowering faces and brandished steel +with his calm, dispassionate gaze and very proud and upright for all his +bodily weakness; pausing beside me, he threw up his hand with haughty +gesture and before the command of this ragged arm they abated their clamour +somewhat. + +"Of a surety," said he in his precise English, "it is the Capitan +Belvedere. You captured my daughter--my son--in the _Margarita_ carrack +three years agone. 'Tis said he died at your hands, Seņor Capitan--" + +"Not mine, Don, not mine," answered this Belvedere, smiling sleepily. "We +gave him to Black Pompey to carbonado." I felt Don Federigo's hand against +me as if suddenly faint, but his wide-eyed gaze never left the Captain's +handsome face, who, aware of this look, shifted his own gaze, cocked his +hat and swaggered. "Stare your fill, now," quoth he with an oath, "'tis +little enough you'll be seeing presently. Aye, you'll be blind enough +soon--" + +"Blind is it, Cap'n--ha, good!" cried a squat, ill-looking fellow, whipping +out a long knife. "Hung my comrade Jem, a did, so here's a knife shall +blind him when ye will, Cap'n, by hookey!" And now he and his fellows began +to crowd upon us with evil looks; but they halted suddenly, fumbling with +their weapons and eyeing Joanna uncertainly where she stood, hand on hip, +viewing them with her fleering smile. + +"Die he shall, yes!" said she at last. "Die he must, but in proper fashion +and time, not by such vermin as you--so put up that knife! You hear me, +yes?" + +"Hanged my comrade Jem, a did, along o' many others o' the Fellowship!" +growled the squat man, flourishing his knife, "Moreover the Cap'n says +'blind' says he, so blind it is, says I, and this the knife to--" The +growling voice was drowned in the roar of a pistol and, dropping his knife, +the fellow screamed and caught at his hurt. + +"And there's for you, yes!" said Joanna, smiling into the man's agonised +face, "Be thankful I spared your worthless life. Crawl into the boat, worm, +and wait till I'm minded to patch up your hurt--Go!" + +For a moment was silence, then came a great gust of laughter, and men +clapped and pummelled each other. + +"La Culebra!" they roared. "'Tis our Jo, 'tis Fighting Jo, sure and +sartain; 'tis our luck, the luck o' the Brotherhood--ha, Joanna!" + +But, tossing aside the smoking pistol, Joanna scowled from them to their +captain. + +"Hola, Belvedere," said she. "Your dogs do grow out of hand; 'tis well I'm +back again. Now for these my prisoners, seize 'em up, bind 'em fast and +heave 'em aboard ship." + +"Aye, but," said Belvedere, fingering his beard, "why aboard, Jo, when we +may do their business here and prettily. Yon's a tree shall make notable +good gallows or--look now, here's right plenty o' kindling, and driftwood +shall burn 'em merrily and 'twill better please the lads--" + +"But then I do pleasure myself, yes. So aboard ship they go!" + +"Why, look now, Jo," said Belvedere, biting at his thumb, "'tis ever my +rule to keep no prisoners--" + +"Save women, Cap'n!" cried a voice, drowned in sudden evil laughter. + +"So, as I say, Joanna, these prisoners cannot go aboard my ship." + +"Your ship?" said she, mighty scornful. "Ah, ah, but 'twas I made you +captain of your ship and 'tis I can unmake you--" + +"Why look ye, Jo," said Belvedere, gnawing at his thumb more savagely and +glancing towards his chafing company, "the good lads be growing impatient, +being all heartily for ending these prisoners according to custom--" + +"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" cried divers of the men, beginning to crowd upon us +again. "To the fire with 'em! Nay, send aboard for Black Pompey! Aye, +Pompey's the lad to set 'em dancing Indian fashion--" + +"You hear, Jo, you hear?" cried Belvedere. "The lads are for ending of 'em +sportive fashion--especially the Don; he must die slow and quaint for +sake 'o the good lads as do hang a-rotting on his cursed gibbets e'en +now--quaint and slow; the lads think so and so think I--" + +"But you were ever a dull fool, my pretty man, yes!" said Joanna, showing +her teeth. "And as for these rogues, they do laugh at you--see!" But as +Belvedere turned to scowl upon and curse his ribalds, Joanna deftly whisked +the pistols from his belt and every face was smitten to sudden anxious +gravity as she faced them. + +"I am Joanna!" quoth she, her red lips curving to the smile I ever found so +hateful. "Oh, Madre de Dios, where now are your tongues? And never a smile +among ye! Is there a man here that will not obey Joanna--no? Joanna that +could kill any of ye single-handed as she killed Cestiforo!" At this was an +uneasy stir and muttering among them, and Belvedere's sleepy eyes widened +suddenly. "Apes!" cried she, beslavering them with all manner of abuse, +French, Spanish and English. "Monkeys, cease your chattering and list to +Joanna. And mark--my prisoners go aboard this very hour, yes. And to-day we +sail for Nombre de Dios. Being before the town we send in a boat under flag +of truce to say we hold captive their governor, Don Federigo de Cosalva y +Maldonada, demanding for him a sufficient ransom. The money paid, then +will we fire a broadside into the city and the folk shall see their proud +Governor swung aloft to dangle and kick at our mainyard; so do we achieve +vengeance and money both--" + +From every throat burst a yell of wild acclaim, shout on shout: "Hey, lads, +for Cap'n Jo! 'Tis she hath the wise head, mates! Money and vengeance, says +Jo! Shout, lads, for Fighting Jo--shout!" + +"And what o' your big rogue, Jo?" demanded Belvedere, scowling on me. + +"He?" said Joanna, curling her lip at me. "Oh, la-la, he shall be our +slave--'til he weary me. So--bring them along!" + +But now (and all too late) perceiving death to be the nobler part, even as +Don Federigo had said, I determined to end matters then and there; thus, +turning from Joanna's baleful smile, I leapt suddenly upon the nearest of +the pirates and felling him with a buffet, came to grips with another; this +man I swung full-armed, hurling him among his fellows, and all before a +shot might be fired. But as I stood fronting them, awaiting the stab or +bullet should end me, I heard Joanna's voice shrill and imperious: + +"Hold, lads! You are twelve and he but one and unarmed. So down with your +weapons--down, I say! You shall take me this man with your naked hands--ha, +fists--yes! Smite then--bruise him, fists shall never kill him! To it, with +your hands then; the first man that draweth weapon I shoot! To it, lads, +sa-ha--at him then, good bullies!" + +For a moment they hesitated but seeing Joanna, her cheeks aglow, her +pistols grasped in ready hands, they laughed and cursed and, loosing off +such things as incommoded them, prepared to come at me. Then, perceiving +she had fathomed my design and that here was small chance of finding sudden +quietus, I folded my arms, minded to let them use me as they would. But +this fine resolution was brought to none account by a small piece of +driftwood that one of these fellows hove at me, thereby setting my mouth +a-bleeding. Stung by the blow and forgetting all but my anger, I leapt and +smote with my fist, and then he and his fellows were upon me. But they +being so many their very numbers hampered them, so that as they leapt upon +me many a man was staggered by kick or buffet aimed at me; moreover these +passed their days cooped up on shipboard whiles I was a man hardened by +constant exercise. Scarce conscious of the hurts I took as we reeled to and +fro, locked in furious grapple, I fought them very joyously, making right +good play with my fists; but ever as I smote one down, another leapt to +smite, so that presently my breath began to labour. How long I endured, I +know not. Only I remember marvelling to find myself so strong and the keen +joy of it was succeeded by sudden weariness, a growing sickness: I remember +a sound of groaning breaths all about me, of thudding blows, hoarse shouts, +these, waxing ever fainter, until smiting with failing arms and ever-waning +strength, they dragged me down at last and I lay vanquished and +unresisting. As I sprawled there, drawing my breath in painful gasps, the +hands that smote, the merciless feet that kicked and trampled me were +suddenly stilled and staring up with dimming eyes I saw Joanna looking down +on me. + +"Oh, Martino," said she in my ear, "Oh, fool Englishman, could you but love +as you do fight--" + +But groaning, I turned my face to the trampled sand and knew no more. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HOW I CAME ABOARD THE _HAPPY DESPATCH_ AND OF MY SUFFERINGS THERE + + +I awoke gasping to the shock of cold water and was dimly aware of divers +people crowding about me. + +"'Tis a fine, bull-bodied boy, Job, all brawn and beef--witness your eye, +Lord love me!" exclaimed a jovial voice, "Aha, Job, a lusty lad--heave +t'other bucket over him!" There came another torrent of water, whereupon I +strove to sit up, but finding this vain by reason of strict bonds, I cursed +them all and sundry instead. + +"A sturdy soul, Job, and of a comfortable conversation!" quoth the voice. +"Moreover a man o' mark, as witnesseth your peeper." + +"Rot him!" growled the man Job, a beastly-seeming fellow, very slovenly and +foul of person, who glared down at me out of one eye, the other being so +bruised and swollen as to serve him no whit. + +"He should be overside wi' his guts full o' shot for this same heye of mine +if 'twas my say--" + +"But then it ain't your say, Job, nor yet Belvedere's--'tis hern, +Job--hern--Cap'n Jo's. 'He's to be took care of,' says she, 'treated kind +and gentle,' says she. And, mark me, here's Belvedere's nose out o' joint, +d'ye see? And, talkin' o' noses, there's your eye, Job; sink me but he +wiped your eye for you, my--" + +"Plague and perish him!" snarled Job, kicking me viciously. "Burn him, 'tis +keelhaul 'im I would first and then give 'im to Pompey to carve up what +remained--" + +"Pompey?" exclaimed this fellow Diccon, a merry-seeming fellow but with a +truculent eye. "Look 'ee, Job, here's a match for Pompey at last, as I do +think, man to man, bare fists or knives, a match and I'll lay to't." + +"Pshaw!" growled Job. "Pompey could eat 'im--bones and all, curse 'im! +Pompey would break 'is back as 'e did the big Spaniard's last week." + +"Nay, Job, this fellow should make better fight for't than did the +Spanisher. Look 'ee now, match 'em, and I'll lay all my share o' the voyage +on this fellow, come now!" + +"A match? Why so I would, but what o' Belvedere?" + +"He sulketh, Job, and yonder he cometh, a-sucking of his thumb and all +along o' this fellow and our Jo. Joanna's cocked her eye on this fellow and +Belvedere's cake's dough--see him yonder!" + +Now following the speaker's look, I perceived Captain Belvedere descending +the quarter-ladder, his handsome face very evil and scowling; spying me +where I lay, he came striding up and folding his arms, stood looking over +me silently awhile. + +"Lord love me!" he exclaimed at last in huge disgust and spat upon me. "Aft +with him--to the coach--" + +"Coach, Cap'n?" questioned Job, staring. "And why theer?" + +"Because I say so!" roared Belvedere. + +"And because," quoth Diccon, his eye more truculent than ever, "because +women will be women, eh, Captain?" At this Belvedere's face grew suffused, +his eyes glared and he turned on the speaker with clenched fist; then +laughing grimly, he spurned me savagely with his foot. + +"Joanna hath her whimsies, and here's one of 'em!" quoth he and spat on me +again, whereat I raged and strove, despite my bonds, to come at him. + +"I were a-saying to Job," quoth the man Diccon, thrusting me roughly beyond +reach of Belvedere's heavy foot, "that here was a fellow to match Pompey at +last." + +"Tush!" said Belvedere, with an oath. "Pompey would quarter him wi' naked +hands." + +"I was a-saying to Job I would wager my share in the voyage on this fellow, +Belvedere!" + +"Aye, Cap'n," growled Job, "'tis well enough keeping the Don to hang +afore Nombre but why must this dog live aft and cosseted? He should walk +overboard wi' slit weasand, or better--he's meat for Pompey, and wherefore +no? I asks why, Cap'n?" + +"Aye--why!" cried Belvedere, gnashing his teeth. "Ask her--go ask Joanna, +the curst jade." + +"She be only a woman, when all's said, Cap'n--" + +"Nay, Job," quoth Belvedere, shaking his head. "She's Joanna and behind +her do lie Tressady and Sol and Rory and Abnegation Mings--and all the +Fellowship. So if she says he lives, lives it is, to lie soft and feed +dainty, curse him. Let me die if I don't wish I'd left her on the island to +end him her own way--wi' steel or kindness--" + +"Kindness!" said Diccon, with an ugly leer. "Why, there it is, Cap'n; she's +off wi' the old and on wi' the new, like--" + +"Not yet, by God!" snarled Belvedere 'twixt shut teeth and scowling down on +me while his hand clawed at the pistol in his belt; then his gaze wandered +from me towards the poop and back again. "Curse him!" said he, stamping in +his impotent fury. "I'd give a handful o' gold pieces to see him dead and +be damned!" And here he fell a-biting savagely at his thumb again. + +"Why, then, here's a lad to earn 'em," quoth Job, "an' that's me. I've a +score agin him for this lick o' the eye he give me ashore--nigh blinded me, +'e did, burn an' blast his bones!" + +"Aye, but what o' Joanna, what o' that she-snake, ha?" + +"'Tis no matter for her. I've a plan." + +"What is't, Job lad? Speak fair and the money's good as yourn--" + +"Aye, but it ain't mine yet, Cap'n, so mum it but I've a plan." + +"Belay, Job!" exclaimed Diccon. "Easy all. Yonder she cometh." + +Sure enough, I saw Joanna descend the ladder from the poop and come mincing +across the deck towards us. + +"Hola, Belvedere, mon Capitan!" said she, glancing about her quick-eyed. +"You keep your ship very foul, yes. Dirt to dirt!--ah? But I am aboard and +this shall be amended--look to it. And your mizzen yard is sprung; down +with it and sway up another--" + +"Aye, aye, Jo," said Belvedere, nodding. "It shall be done--" + +"_Maņana_!" quoth she, frowning. "This doth not suit when I am aboard, +no! The new yard must be rigged now, at once, for we sail with the +flood--_voilā_!" + +"Sail, Jo?" said Belvedere, staring. "Can't be, Jo!" + +"And wherefore?" + +"Why--we be short o' water, for one thing." + +"Ah--bah, we shall take all we want from other ships!" + +"And the lads be set, heart and soul, on a few days ashore." + +"But then--I am set, my heart, my soul, on heaving anchor so soon as the +tide serves. We will sail with the flood. Now see the new yard set up and +have this slave Martin o' mine to my cabin." So saying, she turned on her +heel and minced away, while Belvedere stood looking after her and biting at +his thumb, Job scowled and Diccon smiled. + +"So--ho!" quoth he. "Captain Jo says we sail, and sail it is, hey?" + +"Blind you!" cried Belvedere, turning on him in a fury. "Go forward and +turn out two o' the lads to draw this carcass aft!" Here bestowing a final +kick on me, he swaggered away. + +"Sail wi' the flood, is it?" growled Job. "And us wi' scarce any water +and half on us rotten wi' scurvy or calenture, an' no luck this cruise, +neither! 'Sail wi' the flood,' says she--'be damned,' says I. By hookey, +but I marvel she lives; I wonder no one don't snuff her out for good an' +all--aye, burn me but I do!" + +"Because you're a fool, Job, and don't know her like we do. She's 'La +Culebra,' and why? Because she's quick as any snake and as deadly. Besides, +she's our luck and luck she'll bring us; she always do. Whatever ship she's +aboard of has all the luck, wind, weather, and--what's better, rich prizes, +Job. I know it and the lads forrad know it, and Belvedere he knows it and +is mighty feared of her and small blame either--aye, and mayhap you'll be +afeard of her when you know her better. 'She's only a woman,' says you. +'True,' says I. But in all this here world there ain't her match, woman or +man, and you can lay to that, my lad." + +Now the ropes that secured me being very tight, began to cause me no +little pain, insomuch that I besought the man Diccon to loose me a little, +whereupon he made as to comply, but Job, who it seemed was quartermaster, +and new in the office, would have none of it but cursed me vehemently +instead, and hailing two men had me forthwith dragged aft to a small cabin +under the poop and there (having abused and cuffed me to his heart's +content) left me. + +And in right woful plight was I, with clothes nigh torn off and myself +direly bruised from head to foot, and what with this and the cramping +strictness of my bonds I could come by no easement, turn and twist me how I +might. After some while, as I lay thus miserable and pain in every joint of +me, the door opened, closed and Joanna stood above me. + +"Ah, ah--you are very foul o' blood!" said she in bitter mockery. "'Twas +thus you spake me once, Martino, you'll mind! 'Very foul o' blood,' said +you, and I famishing with hunger! Art hungry, Martino?" she questioned, +bending over me; but meeting her look, I scowled and held my peace. "Ha, +won't ye talk? Is the sullen fit on you?" said she, scowling also. +"Then shall you hear me! And first, know this: you are mine henceforth, +aye--mine!" So saying, she seated herself on the cushioned locker whereby +I lay and, setting her foot upon my breast and elbow on knee, leaned above +me, dimpled chin on fist, staring down on me with her sombre gaze. "You +are mine," said she again, "to use as I will, to exalt or cast down. I can +bestow on ye life or very evil death. By my will ye are alive; when I +will you must surely die. Your wants, your every need must you look to me +for--so am I your goddess and ruler of your destiny, yes! Ah, had you been +more of man and less of fish, I had made you captain of this ship, and +loved you, Martino, loved you--!" + +"Aye," cried I bitterly, "until you wearied of me as you have wearied of +this rogue Belvedere, it seems--aye, and God knoweth how many more--" + +"Oh, la-la, fool--these I never loved--" + +"Why, then," said I, "the more your shame!" + +As I uttered the words, she leaned down and smote me lightly upon my +swollen lips and so left me. But presently back she came and with her three +of the crew, bearing chains, etc., which fellows at her command (albeit +they were something gone in liquor) forthwith clapped me up in these +fetters and thereafter cut away the irksome cords that bound me. Whiles +this was a-doing, she (quick to mark their condition) lashed them with her +tongue, giving them "loathly sots," "drunken swine," "scum o' the world" +and the like epithets, all of the which they took in mighty humble fashion, +knuckling their foreheads, ducking their heads with never a word and mighty +glad to stumble away and be gone at flick of her contemptuous finger. + +"So here's you, Martino," said she, when we were alone, "here's you in +chains that might have been free, and here's myself very determined you +shall learn somewhat of shame and be slave at command of such beasts as +yonder. D'ye hear, fool, d'ye hear?" But I heeding her none at all, she +kicked me viciously so that I flinched (despite myself) for I was very +sore; whereat she gave a little laugh: + +"Ah, ah!" said she, nodding. "If I did not love you, now would I watch you +die! But the time is not yet--no. When that hour is then, if I am not your +death, you shall be mine--death for one or other or both, for I--" + +She sprang to her feet as from the deck above came the uproar of sudden +brawl with drunken outcry. + +"Ah, Madre de Dios!" said she, stamping in her anger. "Oh, these bestial +things called men!" which said, she whipped a pistol from her belt, cocked +it and was gone with a quick, light patter of feet. Suddenly I heard the +growing tumult overhead split and smitten to silence by a pistol-shot, +followed by a wailing cry that was drowned in the tramp of feet away +forward. + +As for me, my poor body, freed of its bonds, found great easement thereby +(and despite my irons) so that I presently laid myself down on one of +these cushioned lockers (and indeed, though small, this cabin was rarely +luxurious and fine) but scarce had I stretched my aching limbs than the +door opened and a man entered. + +And surely never in all this world was stranger creature to be seen. Gaunt +and very lean was he of person and very well bedight from heel to head, but +the face that peered out 'twixt the curls of his great periwig lacked for +an eye and was seamed and seared with scars in horrid fashion; moreover the +figure beneath his rich, wide-skirted coat seemed warped and twisted beyond +nature; yet as he stood viewing me with his solitary eye (this grey and +very quick and bright) there was that in his appearance that somehow took +my fancy. + +"What, messmate," quoth he, in full, hearty voice, advancing with a +shambling limp, "here cometh one to lay alongside you awhile, old +Resolution Day, friend, mate o' this here noble ship _Happy Despatch_, +comrade, and that same myself, look'ee!" + +But having no mind to truck with him or any of this evil company, I bid him +leave me be and cursed him roundly for the pirate-rogue he was. + +"Pirate," said he, no whit abashed at my outburst. "Why, pirate it is. But +look'ee, there never was pirate the like o' me for holiness--'specially o' +Sundays! Lord love you, there's never a parson or divine, high church or +low, a patch on me for real holiness--'specially o' Sundays. So do I pray +when cometh my time to die, be it in bed or boots, by sickness, bullet or +noose, it may chance of a Sunday. And then again, why not a pirate? What o' +yourself, friend? There's a regular fire-and-blood, skull-and-bones look +about ye as liketh me very well. And there be many worse things than a mere +pirate, brother. And what? You'll go for to ask. Answer I--Spanishers, +Papishers, the Pope o' Rome and his bloody Inquisition, of which last I +have lasting experience, _camarado_--aye, I have I!" + +"Ah?" said I, sitting up. "You have suffered the torture?" + +"Comrade, look at me! The fire, the pulley, the rack, the wheel, the +water--there's no devilment they ha'n't tried on this poor carcase o' mine +and all by reason of a Spanish nun as bore away with my brother!" + +"Your brother?" + +"Aye, but 'twas me she loved, for I was younger then and something kinder +to the eye. So him they burned, her they buried alive and me they tormented +into the wrack ye see. But I escaped wi' my life, the Lord delivered me +out o' their bloody hands, which was an ill thing for them, d'ye see, for +though I lack my starboard blinker and am somewhat crank i' my spars alow +and aloft, I can yet ply whinger and pull trigger rare and apt enough for +the rooting out of evil. And where a fairer field for the aforesaid rooting +out o' Papishers, Portingales, and the like evil men than this good ship, +the _Happy Despatch?_ Aha, messmate, there's many such as I've despatched +hot-foot to their master Sathanas, 'twixt then and now. And so 'tis I'm a +pirate and so being so do I sing along o' David: 'Blessed be the Lord my +strength that teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight.' A rare +gift o' words had Davy and for curses none may compare." Hereupon, seating +himself on the locker over against me, he thrust a hand into his great side +pocket and brought thence a hank of small-cord, a silver-mounted pistol and +lastly a small, much battered volume. + +"Look'ee, comrade," said he, tapping the worn covers with bony finger, +"the Bible is a mighty fine book to fight by; to stir up a man for battle, +murder or sudden death it hath no equal and for keeping his hate agin his +enemies ever a-burning, there is no book written or ever will be--" + +"You talk blasphemy!" quoth I. + +"Avast, avast!" cried he. "Here's no blasphemy, thought or word. I love +this little Bible o' mine; His meat and drink to me, the friend o' my +solitude, my solace in pain, my joy for ever and alway. Some men, being +crossed in fortune, hopes, ambition or love, take 'em to drink and the like +vanities. I, that suffered all this, took to the Bible and found all my +needs betwixt the covers o' this little book. For where shall a wronged +man find such a comfortable assurance as this? Hark ye what saith our +Psalmist!" Turning over a page or so and lifting one knotted fist aloft, +Resolution Day read this: + +"'I shall bathe my footsteps in the blood of mine enemies and the tongues +of the dogs shall be red with the same!' The which," said he, rolling his +bright eye at me, "the which is a sweet, pretty fancy for the solace of one +hath endured as much as I. Aye, a noble book is Psalms. I know it by heart. +List ye to this, now! 'The wicked shall perish and the enemies of the Lord +be as the fat of rams, as smoke shall they consume away.' Brother, I've +watched 'em so consume many's the time and been the better for't. Hark'ee +again: 'They shall be as chaff before the wind. As a snail that melteth +they shall every one pass away. Break their teeth in their mouth, O God!' +saith Davy, aye and belike did it too, and so have I ere now with a pistol +butt. I mind once when we stormed Santa Catalina and the women and children +a-screaming in the church which chanced to be afire, I took out my Bible +here and read these comfortable words: 'The righteous shall rejoice when he +seeth the vengeance, he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked so +that a man shall say: Verily there is a reward for the righteous.' Aha, +brother, for filling a man wi' a gust of hate and battle, there's nought +like the Bible. And when a curse is wanted, give me David. Davy was a man +of his hands, moreover, and so are you, friend. I watched ye fight on the +sand-spit yonder; twelve to one is long enough odds for any man, and yet +here's five o' the twelve wi' bones broke and never a one but wi' some mark +o' your handiwork to show, which is vastly well, comrade. Joanna's choice +is mine, messmate--" + +"How d'ye mean?" I demanded, scowling, whereupon he beamed on me +friendly-wise and blinked his solitary eye. + +"There is no man aboard this ship," quoth he, nodding again, "no, not one +as could keep twelve in play so long, friend, saving only Black Pompey--" + +"I've heard his name already," said I, "what like is he and who?" + +"A poor heathen, comrade, a blackamoor, friend, a child of Beelzebub +abounding in blood, brother--being torturer, executioner and cook and +notable in each several office. A man small of soul yet great of body, +being nought but a poor, black heathen, as I say. And ashore yonder you +shall hear our Christian messmates a-quarrelling over their rum as is the +way o' your Christians hereabouts--hark to 'em!" + +The _Happy Despatch_ lay anchored hard by the reef and rode so near the +island that, glancing from one of her stern-gallery windows I might behold +Deliverance Beach shining under the moon and a great fire blazing, round +which danced divers of the crew, filling the night with lewd, unholy riot +of drunken singing and shouts that grew ever more fierce and threatening. I +was gazing upon this scene and Resolution Day beside me, when the door was +flung open and Job the quartermaster appeared. + +"Cap'n Jo wants ye ashore wi' her!" said he, beckoning to Resolution, who +nodded and thrusting Bible into pocket, took thence the silver-mounted +pistol, examined flint and priming and thrusting it into his belt, followed +Job out of the cabin, locking the door upon me. Thereafter I was presently +aware of a boat putting off from the ship and craning my neck, saw it was +rowed by Resolution with Joanna in the stern sheets, a naked sword across +her knees; and my gaze held by the glimmer of this steel, I watched them +row into the lagoon and so to that spit of sand opposite Skeleton Cove. +I saw the hateful glitter of this deadly steel as Joanna leapt lightly +ashore, followed more slowly by Resolution. But suddenly divers of the +rogues about the fire, beholding Joanna as she advanced against them thus, +sword in hand, cried out a warning to their fellows, who, ceasing from +their strife, immediately betook them to their heels, fleeing before her +like so many mischievous lads; marvelling, I watched until she had pursued +them out of my view. + +Hereupon I took to an examination of my fetters, link by link, but finding +them mighty secure, laid me down as comfortably as they would allow and +fell to pondering my desperate situation, and seeing no way out herefrom +(and study how I might) I began to despond; but presently, bethinking me of +Don Federigo and judging his case more hopeless than mine (if this could +well be), and further, remembering how, but for me, he would by death have +delivered himself, I (that had not prayed this many a long month) now +petitioned the God to whom nothing is impossible that He would save alive +this noble gentleman of Spain, and thus, in his sorrows, forgot mine own +awhile. + +All at once I started up, full of sudden great and joyful content in all +that was, or might be, beholding in my fetters the very Providence of God +(as it were) and in my captivity His answer to my so oft-repeated prayer; +for now I remembered that with the flood this ship was to sail for Nombre +de Dios, where, safe-dungeoned and secure against my coming lay my +hated foe and deadly enemy, Richard Brandon. And now, in my vain and +self-deluding pride (my heart firm-set on this miserable man, his undoing +and destruction) I cast me down on my knees and babbled forth my passionate +gratitude to Him that is from everlasting to everlasting the God of Mercy, +Love and Forgiveness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +HOW I FOUGHT IN THE DARK WITH ONE POMPEY, A GREAT BLACKAMOOR + + +I was yet upon my knees when came Job the quartermaster with two men +who, at his command, dragged me to my feet and out upon deck; cursing my +hampering fetters, they tumbled me down the quarter-ladder and so down into +the waist of the ship. + +Now as I went I kept my eyes upraised to the serene majesty of the heavens; +the moon rode high amid a glory of stars, and as I looked it seemed I had +never seen them so bright and wonderful, never felt the air so good and +sweet upon my lips. + +Being come to the fore-hatchway I checked there, despite my captors' +buffets and curses, to cast a final, long look up, above and round about +me, for I had a sudden uneasy feeling, a dreadful suspicion that once I +descended into the gloom below I never should come forth alive. So I stared +eagerly upon these ever-restless waters, so bright beneath the moon, upon +the white sands of Deliverance Beach, on lofty palmetto and bush-girt cliff +and then, shivering despite all my resolution, I suffered them to drag me +down into that place of shadows. + +I remember a sharp, acrid smell, the reek of bilge and thick, mephitic air +as I stumbled on betwixt my captors through this foul-breathing dimness +until a door creaked, yawning suddenly upon a denser blackness, into which +I was thrust so suddenly that I fell, clashing my fetters, and lying thus, +heard the door slammed and bolted. + +So here lay I in sweating, breathless expectation of I knew not what, my +ears on the stretch, my manacled hands tight-clenched and every nerve +a-tingle with this dreadful uncertainty. For a great while it seemed I lay +thus, my ears full of strange noises, faint sighings, unchancy rustlings +and a thousand sly, unaccountable sounds that at first caused me direful +apprehensions but which, as I grew more calm, I knew for no more than the +flow of the tide and the working of the vessel's timbers as she strained at +her anchors. All at once I sat up, crouching in the dark, as from somewhere +about me, soft yet plain to hear, came a sound that told me some one was +stealthily drawing the bolts of the door. Rising to my feet I stood, +shackled fists clenched, ready to leap and smite so soon as chance should +offer. Then came a hissing whisper: + +"Easy all, brother! Soft it is, comrade! 'Tis me, messmate, old Resolution, +friend, come to loose thy bilboes, for fair is fair. Ha, 'tis plaguey dark, +the pit o' Acheron ain't blacker, where d'ye lay--speak soft for there's +ears a-hearkening very nigh us." + +In the dark a hand touched me and then I felt the muzzle of a pistol at my +throat. + +"No tricks, lad--no running for't if I loose ye--you'll bide here--come +life, come death? Is't agreed?" + +"It is!" I whispered. Whereupon and with no more ado, he freed me from my +gyves, making scarcely any sound, despite the dark. + +"I'll take these wi' me, friend and--my finger's on trigger." + +"Resolution, how am I to die?" + +"Black Pompey!" came the hissing whisper. + +"Hath Joanna ordered this?" + +"Never think it, mate--she's ashore and I swam aboard, having my +suspicions." + +"Resolution, a dying man thanks you heartily, purely never, after all, was +there pirate the like o' you for holiness. Could I but find some weapon to +my defence now--a knife, say." In the dark came a griping hand that found +mine and was gone again, but in my grasp was a stout, broad-bladed knife. + +"'Let the heathen rage,' saith Holy Writ, so rage it is, says I, only smite +first, brother and smite--hard. And 'ware the starboard scuttle!" Hereafter +was the rustle of his stealthy departure, the soft noise of bolts, and +silence. + +And now in this pitchy gloom, wondering what and where this scuttle might +be, I crouched, a very wild and desperate creature, peering into the gloom +and starting at every sound; thus presently I heard the scrape of a viol +somewhere beyond the bulkheads that shut me in and therewith a voice that +sang, the words very clear and distinct: + + "Oh, Moll she lives in Deptford town, + In Deptford town lives she; + Let maid be white or black or brown. + Still Moll's the lass for me; + Sweet Moll as lives in Deptford town, + Yo-ho, shipmates, for Deptford town, + Tis there as I would be." + +Mingled with this singing I thought to hear the heavy thud of an unshod +foot on the planking above my head, and setting my teeth I gripped my knife +in sweating palm. + +But now (and to my despair) came the singing again to drown all else, +hearken how I would: + + "Come whistle, messmates all. + For a breeze, for a breeze + Come pipe up, messmates all, + For a breeze. + When to Deptford town we've rolled + Wi' our pockets full o' gold; + Then our lasses we will hold + On our knees, on our knees." + +Somewhere in the dark was the sudden, thin complaint of a rusty and +unwilling bolt, though if this were to my right or left, above or below +me, I could not discover and my passionate listening was once more vain by +reason of this accursed rant: + + "Who will not drink a glass, + Let him drown, let him drown; + Who will not drink a glass, + Let him drown. + Who will not drink a glass + For to toast a pretty lass, + Is no more than fool and ass; + So let him drown, let him drown!" + +A sudden glow upon the gloom overhead, a thin line of light that widened +suddenly to a square of blinding radiance and down through the trap came +a lanthorn grasped in a hugeous, black fist and, beyond this, an arm, a +mighty shoulder, two rows of flashing teeth, two eyes that glared here and +there, rolling in horrid fashion; thus much I made out as I sprang and, +grappling this arm, smote upwards with my knife. The lanthorn fell, +clattering, and was extinguished, but beyond the writhing, shapeless thing +that blocked the scuttle, I might, ever and anon, behold a star twinkling +down upon me where I wrestled with this mighty arm that whirled me from my +feet, and swung me, staggering, to and fro as I strove to get home with +my knife at the vast bulk that loomed above me. Once and twice I stabbed +vainly, but my third stroke seemed more successful, for the animal-like +howl he uttered nigh deafened me; then (whether by my efforts or his own, +I know not) down he came upon me headlong, dashing the good knife from my +grasp and whirling me half-stunned against the bulkhead, and as I leaned +there, sick and faint, a hand clapped-to the scuttle. And now in this +dreadful dark I heard a deep and gusty breathing, like that of some +monstrous beast, heard this breathing checked while he listened for me a +stealthy rustling as he felt here and there to discover my whereabouts. But +I stood utterly still, breathless and sweating, with a horror of death at +this great blackamoor's hands, since, what with the palsy of fear by reason +of the loss of my knife, I did not doubt but that this monster would soon +make an end of me and in horrid fashion. + +Presently I heard him move again and (judging by the sound) creeping on +hands and knees, therefore as he approached I edged myself silently along +the bulkhead and thus (as I do think) we made the complete circuit of the +place; once it seemed he came upon the lanthorn and dashing it fiercely +aside, paused awhile to listen again, and my heart pounding within me so +that I sweated afresh lest he catch the sound of it. And sometimes I would +hear the soft, slurring whisper his fingers made against deck or bulkhead +where he groped for me, and once a snorting gasp and the crunch of his +murderous knife-point biting into wood and thereafter a hoarse and +outlandish muttering. And ever as I crept thus, moving but when he moved, +I felt before me with my foot, praying that I might discover my knife and, +this in hand, face him and end matters one way or another and be done with +the horror. And whiles we crawled thus round and round within this narrow +space, ever and anon above the stealthy rustle of his movements, above his +stertorous breathing and evil muttering, above the wild throbbing of my +heart rose the wail of the fiddle and the singing: + + "Who will not kiss a maid, + Let him hang, let him hang; + Who fears to kiss a maid, + Let him hang. + Who will not kiss a maid + Who of woman is afraid, + Is no better than a shade; + So let him hang, let him hang!" + +until this foolish, ranting ditty seemed to mock me, my breath came and +went to it, my heart beat to it; yet even so, I was praying passionately +and this my prayer, viz: That whoso was waiting above us for my death-cry +should not again lift the scuttle lest I be discovered to this man-thing +that crept and crept upon me in the dark. Even as I prayed thus, the +scuttle was raised and, blinded by the sudden glare of a lanthorn, I heard +Job's hoarse voice: + +"Below there! Pompey, ahoy! Ha'n't ye done yet an' be curst?" + +And suddenly I found in this thing I had so much dreaded the one chance to +my preservation, for I espied the great blackamoor huddled on his knees, +shading his eyes with both hands from the dazzling light and, lying on the +deck before him a long knife. + +"Oh, marse mate," he cried, "me done fin' no curs' man here'bouts--" + +Then I leaped and kicking the knife out of reach, had him in my grip, my +right hand fast about his throat. I remember his roar, the crash of the +trap as it closed, and after this a grim and desperate scuffling in the +dark; now he had me down, rolling and struggling and now we were up, locked +breast to breast, swaying and staggering, stumbling and slipping, crashing +into bulkheads, panting and groaning; and ever he beat and buffeted me with +mighty fists, but my head bowed low betwixt my arms, took small hurt, while +ever my two hands squeezed and wrenched and twisted at his great, fleshy +throat. I remember an awful gasping that changed to a strangling whistle, +choked to a feeble, hissing whine; his great body grew all suddenly lax, +swaying weakly in my grasp, and then, as I momentarily eased my grip, with +a sudden, mighty effort he broke free. I heard a crash of splintering wood, +felt a rush of sweet, pure air, saw him reel out through the shattered door +and sink upon his knees; but as I sprang towards him he was up and fleeing +along the deck amidships, screaming as he ran. + +All about me was a babel of shouts and cries, a rush and trampling of feet, +but I sped all unheeding, my gaze ever upon the loathed, fleeing shape +of this vile blackamoor. I was hard on his heels as he scrambled up the +quarter-ladder and within a yard of him as he gained the deck, while behind +us in the waist were men who ran pell-mell, filling the night with raving +clamour and drunken halloo. Now as I reached the quarter-deck, some one of +these hurled after me a belaying pin and this, catching me on the thigh, +staggered me so that I should have fallen but for the rail; so there clung +I in a smother of sweat and blood while great moon and glittering stars +span dizzily; but crouched before me on his hams, almost within arm's +reach, was this accursed negro who gaped upon me with grinning teeth and +rolled starting eyeballs, his breath coming in great, hoarse gasps. And I +knew great joy to see him in no better case than I, his clothes hanging in +blood-stained tatters so that I might see all the monstrous bulk of him. +Now, as he caught his breath and glared upon me, I suffered my aching body +to droop lower and lower over the rail like one nigh to swooning, yet very +watchful of his every move. Suddenly as we faced each other thus, from the +deck below rose a chorus of confused cries: + +"At him, Pompey! Now's ye time, boy! Lay 'im aboard, lad, 'e be +a-swounding! Ha--out wi' his liver, Pompey--at him, he's yourn!" + +Heartened by these shouts and moreover seeing how feebly I clutched at the +quarter-rail, the great negro uttered a shrill cry of triumph and leapt at +me; but as he came I sprang to meet his rush and stooping swiftly, caught +him below the knees and in that same moment, straining every nerve, every +muscle and sinew to the uttermost, I rose up and hove him whirling over my +shoulder. + +I heard a scream, a scurry of feet, and then the thudding crash of his fall +on the deck below and coming to the rail I leaned down and saw him lie, +his mighty limbs hideously twisted and all about him men who peered and +whispered. But suddenly they found their voices to rage against me, shaking +their fists and brandishing their steel; a pistol flashed and roared and +the bullet hummed by my ear, but standing above them I laughed as a madman +might, jibing at them and daring them to come on how they would, since +indeed death had no terrors for me now. And doubtless steel or shot would +have ended me there and then but for the man Diccon who quelled their +clamour and held them from me by voice and fist: + +"Arrest, ye fools--stand by!" he roared. "Yon man be the property o' +Captain Jo--'tis Joanna's man and whoso harms him swings--" + +"Aye, but he've murdered Pompey, ain't 'e?" demanded Job. + +"Aye, aye--an' so 'e have, for sure!" cried a voice. + +"Well an' good--murder's an 'anging matter, ain't it?" + +"An' so it be, Job--up wi' him--hang him--hang him!" + +"Well an' good!" cried Job again. "'Ang 'im we will, lads, all on us, every +man's fist to the rope--she can't hang us all, d'ye see. You, Diccon, where +be Belvedere; he shall be in it--" + +"Safe fuddled wi' rum, surely. Lord, Job, you do be takin' uncommon risks +for a hatful o' guineas--" + +So they took me and, all unresisting, I was dragged amidships beneath the +main yard where a noose was for my destruction; and though hanging had +seemed a clean death by contrast with that I had so lately escaped at +the obscene hands of this loathly blackamoor, yet none the less a sick +trembling took me as I felt the rope about my neck, insomuch that I sank to +my knees and closed my eyes. + +Kneeling thus and nigh to fainting, I heard a sudden, quick patter of +light-running feet, a gasping sigh and, glancing up, beheld Job before +me, also upon his knees and staring down with wide and awful eyes at an +ever-spreading stain that fouled the bosom of his shirt; and as he knelt +thus, I saw above his stooping head the blue glitter of a long blade that +lightly tapped his brawny neck. + +"The noose--here, Diccon, here, yes!" + +As one in a dream I felt the rope lifted from me and saw it set about the +neck of Job. + +"So! Ready there? Now--heave all!" + +I heard the creak of the block, the quick tramp of feet, a strangling cry, +and Job the quartermaster was snatched aloft to kick and writhe and dangle +against the moon. + +"Diccon, we have lost our quartermaster and we sail on the flood; you are +quartermaster henceforth, yes. Ha--look--see, my Englishman is sick! Dowse +a bucket o' water over him, then let him be ironed and take him forward to +the fo'castle; he shall serve you all for sport--but no killing, mind." +Thus lay I to be kicked and buffeted and half-drowned; yet when they had +shackled me, cometh the man Diccon to clap me heartily on the shoulder and +after him Resolution to nod at me and blink with his single, twinkling eye: + +"Oh, friend," quoth he, "Oh, brother, saw ye ever the like of our Captain +Jo? Had Davy been here to-day he might perchance ha' wrote a psalm to her." + +That morning with the flood tide we hove anchor and the _Happy Despatch_ +stood out to sea and, as she heeled to the freshening wind, Job's +stiffening body lurched and swayed and twisted from the main yard. And thus +it was I saw the last of my island. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +OF BATTLE, MURDER AND RESOLUTION DAY, HIS POINT OF VIEW + + +And now, nothing heeding my defenceless situation and the further horrors +that might be mine aboard this accursed pirate ship, I nevertheless knew +great content for that, with every plunge and roll of the vessel, I was so +much the nearer Nombre de Dios town where lay prisoned my enemy, Richard +Brandon; thus I made of my sinful lust for vengeance a comfort to my +present miseries, and plotting my enemy's destruction, found therein much +solace and consolation. + +I had crept into a sheltered corner and here, my knees drawn up, my back +against one of the weather guns, presently fell a-dozing. I was roused by +a kick to find the ship rolling prodigiously, the air full of spray and a +piping wind, and Captain Belvedere scowling down on me, supporting himself +by grasping a backstay in one hand and flourishing a case-bottle in the +other. + +"Ha, 's fish, d'ye live yet?" roared he in drunken frenzy. "Ha'n't Black +Pompey done your business? Why, then--here's for ye!" And uttering a great +oath, he whirled up the bottle to smite; but, rolling in beneath his arm, I +staggered him with a blow of my fettered hands, then (or ever I might avoid +him) he had crushed me beneath his foot: and then Joanna stood fronting +him. Pallid, bare-headed, wild of eye, she glared on him and before this +look he cowered and shrank away. + +"Drunken sot!" cried she. "Begone lest I send ye aloft to join yon +carrion!" And she pointed where Job's stiff body plunged and swung and +twisted at the reeling yard-arm. + +"Nay, Jo, I--I meant him no harm!" he muttered, and turning obedient to her +gesture, slunk away. + +"Ah, Martino," said Joanna, stooping above me, "'twould seem I must be for +ever saving your life to you, yes. Are you not grateful, no?" + +"Aye, I am grateful!" quoth I, remembering my enemy. + +"Then prove me it!" + +"As how?" + +"Speak me gently, look kindly on me, for I am sick, Martino, and shall be +worse. I never can abide a rolling ship--'tis this cursed woman's body o' +mine. So to-day am I all woman and yearn for tenderness--and we shall have +more bad weather by the look o' things! Have you enough knowledge to handle +this ship in a storm?" + +"Not I!" + +"'Tis pity," she sighed, "'tis pity! I would hang Belvedere and make +you captain in his room--he wearies me, and would kill me were he man +enough--ah, Mother of Heaven, what a sea!" she cried, clinging to me as a +great wave broke forward, filling the air with hissing spray. "Aid me aft, +Martino!" + +Hereupon, seeing her so haggard and faint, and the decks deserted save for +the watch, I did as she bade me as well as I might by reason of my fetters +and the uneasy motion of the ship, and at last (and no small labour) I +brought her into the great cabin or roundhouse under the poop. And now she +would have me bide and talk with her awhile, but this I would by no means +do. + +"And why not, Martino?" she questioned in soft, wheedling fashion. "Am I so +hateful to you yet? Wherefore go?" + +"Because I had rather lie in my fetters out yonder at the mercy o' wind and +wave!" said I. + +Now at this she fell to sudden weeping and, as suddenly, to reviling me +with bitter curses. + +"Go then!" cried she, striking me in her fury. "Keep your chains--aye, I +will give ye to the mercy of this rabble crew ... leave me!" The which I +did forthwith and, finding me a sheltered corner, cast myself down there +and fell to hearkening to the rush of the wind and to watching the +awful might of the racing, foam-capped billows. And, beholding these +manifestations of God's majesty and infinite power, of what must I be +thinking but my own small desires and unworthy schemes of vengeance! And +bethinking me of Don Federigo (and him governor of Nombre de Dios) I +began planning how I might use him to my purpose. My mind full of this, I +presently espied the mate, Resolution Day, his laced hat and noble periwig +replaced by a close-fitting seaman's bonnet, making his way across the +heaving deck as only a seaman might (and despite his limp) and as he drew +nearer I hailed and beckoned him. + +"Aha, and are ye there, camarado!" said he. "'Tis well, for I am a-seeking +ye." + +"Tell me, Resolution, when shall we sight Nombre de Dios?" + +"Why look now, if this wind holdeth fair, we should fetch up wi' it in some +five days or thereabouts." + +"Don Federigo is governor of the town, I think?" + +"Verily and so he is. And what then?" + +"Where lieth he now?" + +"Safe, friend, and secure. You may lay to that, brother!" + +"Could you but get me speech with him--" + +"Not by no manner o' means whatsoever, _amigo_! And the reason why? It +being agin her orders." + +"Is he well?" + +"Well-ish, brother--fairly bobbish, all things considered, mate--though not +such a hell-fire, roaring lad o' mettle as yourself, comrade. David slew +Goliath o' Gath wi' a pebble and you broke Black Pompey's back wi' your +naked hands! Here's a thing as liketh me mighty well! Wherefore I grieve to +find ye such an everlasting fool, brother." + +"How so, Resolution?" + +"When eyes look sweetness--why scowl? When lips woo kisses--wherefore take +a blow instead? When comfort and all manner o' delights be offered--why +choose misery forrard and the bloody rogues o' her fo'castle? For 'tis +there as you be going, mate--aye, verily!" Here he set a silver whistle to +his mouth and blew a shrill blast at which signal came two fellows who, at +his command, dragged me to my feet and so away forward. + +Thus true to her word, Joanna banished me from the gilded luxury of cabin +and roundhouse and gave me up to the rogues forward, a wild and lawless +company of divers races and conditions so that they seemed the very scum of +the world, and yet here, in this reeking forecastle, each and every of them +my master. + +Nor can any words of mine justly paint the wild riot and brutal licence +of this crowded 'tween-deck, foul with the reek of tobacco and a thousand +worse savours, its tiers on tiers of dark and noisome berths where men +snored or thrust forth shaggy heads to rave at and curse each other; its +blotched and narrow table amidships, its rows of battered sea chests, its +loathsome floor; a place of never-ceasing stir and tumult, dim-lighted by +sputtering lamps. + +My advent was hailed by an exultant roar and they were all about me, an +evil company in their rage and draggled finery; here were faces scarred by +battles and brutalised by their own misdeeds, this unlovely company now +thrust upon me with pointing fingers, nudging elbows, scowls and mocking +laughter. + +"What now--is he to us, then?" cried one. "Hath Jo sent us her plaything?" + +"Aye, lads, and verily!" answered Resolution. "Here's him as she calleth +Martin O; here's him as out-fought Pompey--" + +"Aye, aye--remember Pompey!" cried a bedizened rogue pushing towards me, +hand on knife. + +"Why, truly, Thomas Ford, remember Pompey, but forget not Job as died so +sudden--in the midst o' life he were in death, were Job! So hands off your +knife, Thomas Ford; Captain Jo sendeth Martin for your sport and what not, +d'ye see, but when he dieth 'tis herself will do the killing!" + +Left alone and helpless in my fetters, I stood with bowed head, nothing +heeding them for all their baiting of me, whereupon the man Ford, catching +up a pipkin that chanced handy, cast upon me some vileness or other the +which was the signal for others to do likewise so that I was soon miserably +wet from head to foot and this I endured without complaint. But now they +betook them to tormenting me with all manner of missiles, joying to see me +blench and stagger until, stung to a frenzy of rage and being within reach +of the man Ford (my chiefest tormentor) I sprang upon him and fell to +belabouring him heartily with the chain that swung betwixt my wrists, but +an unseen foot tripped me heavily and ere I could struggle free they were +upon me. But now as they kicked and trampled and buffeted me, I once +again called upon God with a loud voice, and this was the manner of my +supplication: + +"Oh, God of Justice, for the pains I now endure, give to me +vengeance--vengeance, Oh, God, upon mine enemy!" + +And hearing this passionate outcry, my tormentors presently drew away from +me, staring on me where I lay and muttering together like men greatly +amazed, and left me in peace awhile. + +Very much might I tell of all I underwent at this time, of the shameful +indignities, tricks and deviltries of which I was victim, so that there +were times when I cursed my Maker and all in this world save only my +miserable self--I, that by reason of my hate and vengeful pursuit of my +enemy, had surely brought all these evils on my own head. Yet every shame +I endured, every pain I suffered did but nerve me anew to this long-sought +vengeance on him that (in my blind folly) I cursed as the author of these +my sufferings. + +But indeed little gust have I to write of these things; moreover I began +to fear that my narrative grow to inordinate length, so will I incontinent +pass on to that time when came the quartermaster Diccon with Resolution Day +to deliver me from my hateful prison. + +And joy unspeakable was it to breathe the sweet, clean air, to hear the +piping song of the wind and the hiss of the tumbling billows, to feel the +lift and roll of the great ship as she ploughed her course through seas +blue as any sapphire; though indeed small leisure had I for the glory of it +all, as they hurried me aft. + +"What now?" I enquired hopelessly. "What new deviltries have ye in store?" + +"'Tis Jo!" answered Diccon. "'Tis Joanna, my bully!" and here he leered and +nodded; "Joanna is sick and groweth womanish--" + +"And look'ee now, friend," quoth Resolution, clapping me on the back, +"you'll mind 'twas old Resolution as was your stay and comfort by means of +a knife i' the matter o' the heathen Pompey, comrade? You'll not forget old +Resolution, shipmate?" + +"And me," quoth Diccon, patting my other shoulder. "I stood your friend so +much as I might--aye, did I!" + +Thus talked they, first in one ear then in the other, picturing to my +imagination favours done me, real or imagined, until, to hear them, they +might have been my guardian angels; while I went between them silent and +mighty sullen, casting about in my mind as to what all this should portend. + +So they brought me aft to that gilded cabin the which gave upon the +stern-gallery; and here, outstretched on downy cushions and covered by a +rich embroidery, lay Joanna. + +Perceiving me, she raised herself languidly and motioned the others to be +gone, whereupon they went out, closing the door; whereupon she spake, quick +and passionate: + +"I have sent for you because I am weak with my sickness, Martino, faint and +very solitary!" + +"And must I weep therefore?" said I, and glancing from her haggard face I +beheld a small, ivory-hilted dagger on the table at her elbow. + +"Ah, mercy of God--how the ship rolls!" she moaned feebly and then burst +forth into cursings and passionate revilings of ship and wind and sea until +these futile ravings were hushed for lack of breath; anon she fell to +sighing and with many wistful looks, but finding me all unheeding, fell +foul of me therefore: + +"Ha, scowl, beast--scowl--this becomes thy surly visage. I shall not know +thee else! Didst ever smile in all thy sullen days or speak me gentle word +or kindly? Never to me, oh, never to me! Will ye not spare a look? Will ye +not speak--have ye no word to my comfort?" + +"Why seek such of me?" I demanded bitterly. "I have endured much of shame +and evil at your will--" + +"Ah, fool," sighed she, "had you but sent to me--one word--and I had freed +you ere this! And I have delivered you at last because I am sick and +weak--a woman and lonely--" + +"Why, there be rogues for you a-plenty hereabouts shall fit ye better than +I--" + +"Oh, 'tis a foul tongue yours, Martino!" + +"Why, then, give me a boat, cast me adrift and be done with me." + +"Ah, no, I would not you should die yet--" + +"Mayhap you will torture me a little more first." + +"'Tis for you to choose! Oh, Martino," she cried; "will you not be my +friend, rather?" + +"Never in this world!" + +At this, and all at once, she was weeping. + +"Ah, but you are cruel!" she sobbed, looking up at me through her +tears. "Have you no pity for one hath never known aught of true love +or gentleness? Wilt not forget past scores and strive to love me--some +little--Martino?" + +Now hearkening to her piteous accents, beholding her thus transfigured, her +tear-wet eyes, the pitiful tremor of her vivid lips and all the pleading +humility of her, I was beyond all thought amazed. + +"Surely," said I, "surely you are the strangest woman God ever made--" + +"Why then," said she, smiling through her tears, "since God made me, then +surely--ah, surely is there something in me worthy your love?" + +"Love?" quoth I, frowning and clenching my shackled hands. "'Tis an +emptiness--I am done with the folly henceforth--" + +"Ah--ah ... and what of your Joan--your Damaris?" she questioned eagerly. +"Do you not love her--no?" + +"No!" said I fiercely. "My life holdeth but one purpose--" + +"What purpose, Martino, what?" + +"Vengeance!" + +"On whom?" + +"'Tis no matter!" said I, and question me how she might I would say no +more, whereupon she importuned me with more talk of love and the like folly +until, finding me heedless alike of her tears and pleadings, she turned on +me in sudden fury, vowing she would have me dragged back to the hell of the +forecastle there and then. + +"I'll shame your cursed pride," cried she. "You shall be rove to a gun and +flayed with whips--" + +But here, reaching forward or ever she might stay me, I caught up the +ivory-hilted dagger: + +"Ah!" said she softly, staring where it glittered in my shackled hand. +"Would you kill me! Come then, death have I never feared--strike, _Martino +mio_!" and she proffered her white bosom to the blow; but I laughed in +fierce derision. + +"Silly wench," said I, "this steel is not for you! Call in your rogues and +watch me blood a few--" + +"Ah, damned coward," she cried, "ye dare not slay me lest Belvedere torment +ye to death--'tis your own vile carcase you do think of!" + +At this I did but laugh anew, whereat, falling to pallid fury, she sprang +upon me, smiting with passionate, small fists, besetting me so close that +I cowered and shrank back lest she impale herself on the dagger I grasped. +But presently being wearied she turned away, then staggered as the ship +rolled to a great sea, and would have fallen but for me. Suddenly, as she +leaned upon me thus, her dark head pillowed on my breast, she reached up +and clasped her hands about my neck and with head yet hid against me burst +into a storm of fierce sobbing. Staring down at this bowed head, feeling +the pleading passion of these vital, soft-clasping hands and shaken by her +heart-bursting sobs, I grew swiftly abashed and discomfited and let the +dagger fall and lie unheeded. + +"Ah, Martino," said she at last, her voice muffled in my breast. "Surely +nought is there in all this wretched world so desolate as a loveless woman! +Can you not--pity me--a little, yes?" + +"Aye, I do pity you!" quoth I, on impulse. + +"And pity is kin to love, Martino! And I can be patient, patient, yes!" + +"'Twere vain!" said I. At this she loosed me and uttering a desolate cry, +cast herself face down upon her couch. + +"Be yourself," said I, spurning the dagger into a corner; "rather would I +have your scorn and hate than tears--" + +"You have," said she, never stirring. "I do scorn you greatly, hate you +mightily, despise you infinitely--yet is my love greater than all--" + +Suddenly she started to an elbow, dashing away her tears, fierce-eyed, +grim-lipped, all womanly tenderness gone, as from the deck above rose the +hoarse roar of a speaking trumpet and the running of feet; and now was loud +rapping on the door that, opening, disclosed Diccon, the quartermaster. + +"By your leave, Captain Jo," cried he, "but your luck's wi' us--aye, is it! +A fine large ship a-plying to wind'ard of us--" + +In a moment Joanna was on her feet and casting a boat-cloak about herself +hasted out of the cabin, bidding Diccon bring me along. + +The wind had fallen light though the seas yet ran high; and now being come +to the lofty poop, I might behold our crowded decks where was mighty bustle +and to-do, casting loose the guns, getting up shot and powder, a-setting +out of half-pikes, swords, pistols and the like with a prodigious coming +and going; a heaving and yo-ho-ing with shouts and boisterous laughter, +whiles ever and anon grimy hands pointed and all heads were turned in the +one direction where, far away across the foam-flecked billows, was a speck +that I knew for a vessel. + +And beholding these pirate rogues, how joyously they laboured, with what +lusty cheers they greeted Joanna and clambered aloft upon swaying yards to +get more sail on the ship obedient to her shrill commands, I knew a great +pity for this ship we were pursuing and a passionate desire that she might +yet escape us. I was yet straining my eyes towards the chase and grieving +for the poor souls aboard her, when, at word from Joanna, I was seized and +fast bound to a ringbolt. + +Scarce was this done than Joanna uttered a groan and, clapping her hand to +her head, called out for Resolution, and with his assistance got her down +to the quarter-deck. + +By afternoon the sea was well-nigh calm and the chase so close that we +might behold her plainly enough and the people on her decks. Her topmasts +were gone, doubtless in the great storm, and indeed a poor, battered thing +she looked as she rolled to the long, oily swell. All at once, out from her +main broke the golden banner of Spain, whereupon rose fierce outcries from +our rogues; then above the clamour rose the voice of Diccon: + +"Shout, lads--shout for Roger, give tongue to Jolly Roger!" and looking +where he pointed with glittering cutlass, I beheld that hideous flag that +is hated by all honest mariners. + +And now began a fight that yet indeed was no fight, for seeing we had the +range of them whereas their shot fell pitifully short, Belvedere kept away +and presently let fly at them with every heavy gun that bore, and, as +the smoke thinned, I saw her foremast totter and fall, and her high, +weather-beaten side sorely splintered by our shot. Having emptied her great +guns to larboard the _Happy Despatch_ went about and thundered death and +destruction against them with her starboard broadside and they powerless +to annoy us any way in return. And thus did we batter them with our great +pieces, keeping ever out of their reach, so that none of all their missiles +came aboard us, until they, poor souls, seeing their case altogether +hopeless, were fain to cry us quarter. Hereupon, we stood towards them, and +as we approached I could behold the havoc our great shot had wrought aboard +them. + +The enemy having yielded to our mercy and struck their flag, we ceased our +fire, and thinking the worst, over and done, I watched where Belvedere +conned the ship with voice and gesture and the crew, mighty quick and +dexterous in obedience, proved themselves prime sailor-men, despite their +loose and riotous ways, so that, coming down upon the enemy, we presently +fell aboard of them by the fore-chains; whereupon up scrambled old +Resolution, sword in hand, first of any man (despite his lameness) and with +a cry of "Boarders away!" sprang down upon the Spaniard's blood-spattered +deck and his powder-blackened rogues leaping and hallooing on his heels. + +And now from these poor, deluded souls who had cast themselves upon our +mercy rose sudden awful shrieks and cries hateful to be heard as they fled +hither and thither about their littered decks before the pitiless steel +that hacked and thrust and smote. Shivering and sweating, I must needs +watch this thing done until, grown faint and sick, I bowed my face that +I might see no more. Gradually these distressful sounds grew weaker and +weaker, and dying away at last, were lost in the fierce laughter and +jubilant shouting of their murderers, where they fell to the work of +pillage. + +But hearing sudden roar of alarm, I looked up to see the Spanish ship was +going down rapidly by the head, whereupon was wild uproar and panic, some +of our rogues cutting away at the grapples even before their comrades had +scrambled back to safety; so was strife amongst them and confusion worse +confounded. The last man was barely aboard than our yards were braced round +and we stood away clear of this sinking ship. Now presently uproar broke +out anew and looking whence it proceeded, I beheld four Spaniards (who it +seemed had leapt aboard us unnoticed in the press), and these miserable +wretches methought would be torn in pieces. But thither swaggered +Belvedere, flourishing his pistols and ordering his rogues back, and falls +to questioning these prisoners and though I could not hear, I saw how +they cast themselves upon their knees, with hands upraised to heaven, +supplicating his mercy. He stood with arms folded, nodding his head now and +then as he listened, so that I began to have some hopes that he would spare +them; but all at once he gestured with his arms, whereon was a great +gust of laughter and cheering, and divers men began rigging a wide plank +out-board from the gangway amidships, whiles others hasted to pinion these +still supplicating wretches. This done, they seized upon one, and hoisting +him up on the plank with his face to the sea, betook them to pricking +him with sword and pike, thus goading him to walk to his death. So this +miserable, doomed man crept out along the plank, whimpering pleas for mercy +to the murderers behind him and prayers for mercy to the God above him, +until he was come to the plank's end and cowered there, raising and +lowering his bound hands in his agony while he gazed down into the +merciless sea that was to engulf him. All at once he stood erect, his +fettered hands upraised to heaven, and then with a piteous, wailing cry he +plunged down to his death and vanished 'mid the surge; once he came up, +struggling and gasping, ere he was swept away in the race of the tide. + +Now hereupon I cast myself on my knees and hiding my face in my fettered +hands, fell to a passion of prayer for the soul of this unknown man. And as +I prayed, I heard yet other lamentable outcries, followed in due season by +the hollow plunge of falling bodies; and so perished these four miserable +captives. + +I was yet upon my knees when I felt a hand upon my shoulder and the touch +(for a wonder) was kindly, and raising my head I found Resolution Day +looking down on me with his solitary, bright eye and his grim lips +up-curling to friendly smile. + +"So perish all Papishers, Romanists, Inquisitioners, and especially +Spanishers, friend!" + +"'Twas cruel and bloody murder!" quoth I, scowling up at him. + +"Why, perceive me now, _amigo_, let us reason together, _camarado_--thus +now it all dependeth upon the point o' view; these were Papishers and evil +men, regarding which Davy sayeth i' the Psalms, 'I will root 'em out,' says +he; why, root it is! says I--and look'ee, brother, I have done a lot o' +rooting hitherto and shall do more yet, as I pray. As to the fight now, +mate, as to the fight, 'twas noble fight--pretty work, and the ship well +handled, as you must allow, _camarado_!" + +"Call it rather brutal butchery!" said I fiercely. + +"Aye, there it is again," quoth he; "it all lieth in the point o' view! Now +in my view was my brother screaming amid crackling flames and a fair young +woman in her living tomb, who screamed for mercy and found none. 'Tis all +in the point o' view!" he repeated, smiling down at a great gout of blood +that blotched the skirt of his laced coat. + +"And I say 'tis foul murder in the sight of God and man!" I cried. + +"Ha, will ye squeak, rat!" quoth Belvedere, towering over me, where I +crouched upon my knees. "'S fish, will ye yap, then, puppy-dog?" + +"Aye--and bite!" quoth I, aiming a futile blow at him with my shackled +fists. "Give me one hand free and I'd choke the beastly soul out o' ye and +heave your foul carcase to the fishes--" + +Now at this he swore a great oath and whipped pistol from belt, but as he +did so Resolution stepped betwixt us. + +"Put up, Belvedere, put up!" said he in soothing tone. "No shooting, +stabbing nor maiming till _she_ gives the word, Captain--" + +"Curse her for a--" Resolution's long arm shot out and his knotted fingers +plunged and buried themselves in Belvedere's bull-throat, choking the word +on his lips. + +"Belay, Captain! Avast, Belvedere! I am one as knew her when she was +innocent child, so easy all's the word, Belvedere." Having said which, +Resolution relaxed his grip and Belvedere staggered back, gasping, and with +murder glaring in his eyes. But the left hand of Resolution Day was hidden +in his great side pocket whose suspicious bulge betrayed the weapon there, +perceiving which Belvedere, speaking no word, turned and swaggered away. + +Now seating himself upon the gun beside me, Resolution drew forth from that +same pocket his small Bible that fell open on his knee at an oft-studied +chapter. + +"Now regarding the point o' view, friend," quoth he, "touching upon the +death o' the evil-doers, of the blood of a righteous man's enemies--hearken +now to the words o' Davy." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HOW WE FOUGHT AN ENGLISH SHIP + + +For the days immediately following I saw nothing of Joanna but learned from +Resolution and Diccon that her sickness had increased upon her. + +"'Tis her soul, I doubt!" quoth Diccon, shaking his head. "'Tis too great +for her body--'tis giant soul and her but a woman--so doth strong soul +overcome weak body, and small wonder, say I?" + +"Nay, Diccon," said Resolution, his bright eye sweeping the hazy distance, +"'tis but that she refuseth her vittles, and since 'man cannot live by +bread alone' neither may woman, and 'tis more than bread she needeth and +so she rageth and thus, like unto Peter's wife's mother, lieth sick of a +fever." Here for a brief moment his bright eye rested on me and he scowled +as he turned to limp the narrow deck. + +Much might I narrate of the divers hazards of battle and storm that befell +us at this time, and more of the goodly ships pillaged and scuttled and +their miserable crews with them, by Belvedere and his bloody rogues; of +prayers for mercy mocked at, of the agonised screams of dying men, of flame +and destruction and death in many hideous shapes. All of the which nameless +evils I must perforce behold since this Belvedere that shrank at Joanna's +mere look, freed of her presence, took joyous advantage to torment me with +the sight of such horrors, such devil's work as shrieked to heaven for +vengeance; insomuch that Diccon and divers others could ill-stomach it at +last and even grim Resolution would have no more. + +Now although Belvedere and his rogues had taken great store of treasure +with small hurt to themselves, yet must they growl and curse their fortune, +since in none of the captured vessels had they taken any women, and never +was the cry of "Sail, ho!" than all men grew eager for chase and attack; +and thus this accursed ship _Happy Despatch_ stood on, day after day. + +Much will I leave untold by reason of the horror of it, and moreover my +space is short for all I have set myself to narrate, viz: how and in what +manner I came at last to my vengeance and what profit I had therein. So +will I pass on to that day when, being in the latitude of the great and +fair island of Hispaniola, we descried a ship bearing westerly. + +Hereupon (since greed is never satisfied) all men were vociferous for chase +and attack, and Belvedere agreeing, we hauled our wind accordingly and +stood after her with every sail we could carry. + +The _Happy Despatch_ was a great ship of some forty guns besides such +smaller pieces as minions, patereros and the like; she was moreover a +notable good sailer and as the hours passed it was manifest we were fast +overhauling our quarry. And very pitiful was it to see her crowding sail +away from us, to behold her (as it were) straining every nerve to escape +the horrors in store. Twice she altered her course and twice we did the +like, fetching ever nearer until it seemed she was doomed to share the +bloody fate of so many others. By noon we were so close that she was plain +to see, a middling-size ship, her paint blistered, her gilding tarnished as +by a long voyage, and though very taut and trim as to spars and rigging, +a heavy-sailing ship and sluggish. A poor thing indeed to cope with such +powerful vessel as this _Happy Despatch_, for as we closed in I could count +no more than six guns in the whole length of her. As to crew she might have +been deserted for all I saw of them, save one man who paced her lofty poop, +a smallish man in great wig and befeathered hat and in his fist a sword +prodigiously long in the blade, which sword he flourished whereat (as it +were a signal) out from her mizzen wafted the banner of Portugal, and +immediately she opened fire on us from her stern-chase guns. But their +shooting was so indifferent and artillery so pitiful that their shot fell +far short of us. Thus my heart grieved mightily for her as with our guns +run out and crew roaring and eager we bore down to her destruction. + +Now all at once, as I watched this unhappy ship, I caught my breath and +sank weakly to my knees as, despite the distance and plain to see, upon +her high poop came a woman, hooded and cloaked, who stood gazing earnestly +towards us. Other eyes had noticed her also, for up from our crowded decks +rose a hum, an evil murmur that swelled to a cry fierce, inarticulate, +bestial, whiles all eyes glared upon that slender, shapely form; presently +amid this ravening clamour I distinguished words: + +"Oh, a woman! Aha--women! Hold your fire, lads--no shooting; we want 'em +all alive! Easy all, bullies--nary a gun, mates--we'll lay 'em 'longside +and board--Aye, aye--board it is!" + +Now being on my knees, I began to whisper in passionate prayer until, +roused by a shambling step, I glanced up to find Resolution Day beside me. + +"What, d'ye pray, brother? 'Tis excellent well!" Said he, setting a +musquetoon ready to hand and glancing at the primings of his pistols. "Pray +unceasing, friend, plague the Throne wi' petitions, comrade, and a word or +so on behalf of old Resolution ere the battle joins, for there's--" + +"I pray God utterly destroy this accursed ship and all aboard her!" I +cried. + +"And do ye so?" said he, setting the pistols in his belt. "Why, then, 'tis +as well you're safe i' your bilboes, _amigo_, and as to your blasphemous +praying, I will offset it wi' prayerful counterblast--Ha, by my deathless +soul--what's doing yonder?" he cried, and leant to peer across at the +chase, and well he might. For suddenly (and marvellous to behold) this ship +that had sailed so heavily seemed to throw off her sluggishness and, taking +on new life, to bound forward; her decks, hitherto deserted, grew alive +with men who leapt to loose and haul at brace and rope and, coming about, +she stood towards us and right athwart our course. So sudden had been this +manoeuvre and so wholly unexpected that all men it seemed could but stare +in stupefied amaze. + +"Ha!" cried Resolution, smiting fist on the rail before him. "Tricked, +by hookey! She's been towing a sea anchor! Below there!" he hailed. +"Belvedere, ahoy--go about, or she'll rake us--" + +And now came Belvedere's voice in fierce and shrill alarm: + +"Down wi' your helm--down! Let go weather braces, jump, ye dogs, jump!" + +I heard the answering tramp of feet, the rattle and creak of the yards as +they swung and a great flapping of canvas as the _Happy Despatch_ came up +into the wind; but watching where our adversary bore down upon us, I beheld +her six guns suddenly multiplied and (or ever we might bring our broadside +to bear) from these gaping muzzles leapt smoke and roaring flame, and we +were smitten with a hurricane of shot that swept us from stem to stern. + +Dazed, deafened, half-stunned, I crouched in the shelter of the mizzen +mast, aware of shrieks and cries and the crash of falling spars, nor moved +I for a space; lifting my head at last, I beheld on the littered decks +below huddled figures that lay strangely twisted, that writhed or crawled. +Then came the hoarse roar of a speaking trumpet and I saw Resolution, his +face a smother of blood, where he leaned hard by across the quarter-rail. + +"Stand to't, my bullies!" he roared, and his voice had never sounded so +jovial. "Clear the guns, baw-cocky boys; 'tis our turn next--but stand by +till she comes about--" + +From the companion below came one running, eyes wild, mouth agape, and I +recognised the man Ford who had been my chief persecutor in the forecastle. + +"What now, lad--what now?" demanded Resolution, mopping at his bloody face. + +"Death!" gasped Ford. "There be dead men a-lay-ing forward--dead, +look'ee--" + +"Likely enough, John Ford, and there'll be dead men a-laying aft if ye're +not back to your gun and lively, d'ye see?" But the fellow, gasping again, +fell to his knees, whereupon Resolution smote him over the head with his +speaking trumpet and tumbled him down the ladder. + +"Look'ee here," quoth he, scowling on me, "this all cometh along o' your +ill-praying us, for prayer is potent, as I know, which was not brotherly in +you, Martin O, not brotherly nor yet friendly!" So saying, he squatted on +the gun beside me and sought to staunch the splinter-gash in his brow; but +seeing how ill he set about it, I proffered to do it for him (and despite +my shackles), whereupon he gave me the scarf and knelt that I might come +at his hurt the better; and being thus on his knees, he began to pray in a +loud, strong voice: + +"Lord God o' battles, close up Thine ear, hearken to and regard not the +unseemly praying of this mail Martin that hath not the just point o' view, +seeing through a glass darkly. Yonder lieth the enemy, Lord, Thine and +mine, wherefore let 'em be rooted out and utterly destroyed; for if these +be Portingales and Papishers--if--ha--if--?" Resolution ceased his prayer +and glancing up, pointed with stabbing finger: "Yon ship's no more +Portingale than I am--look, friend, look!" + +Now glancing whither he would have me, I saw two things: first, that the +_Happy Despatch_ had turned tail and second that our pursuers bore at her +main the English flag; beholding which, a great joy welled up within me so +that I had much ado to keep from shouting outright. + +"English!" quoth Resolution. "And a fighting ship--so fight we must, unless +we win clear!" + +"Ha, will ye run then?" cried I in bitter scorn. + +"With might and main, friend. We are a pirate, d'ye see, w' all to lose and +nought to gain, and then 'tis but a fool as fighteth out o' season!" + +Even as he spoke the English ship yawed and let fly at us with her +fore-chase and mingled with their roar was the sharp crack of parting +timbers and down came our main-topmast. + +"Why, so be it!" quoth Resolution, scowling up at the flapping ruin where +it hung. "Very well, 'tis a smooth sea and a fighting wind, so shall you +ha' your bellyful o' battle now, friend, for yonder cometh Joanna at last!" + +And great wonder was it to behold how the mere sight of her heartened our +sullen rogues, to hear with what howls of joy they welcomed her as she +paced daintily across the littered deck with her quick glance now aloft, +now upon our determined foe. + +"Ha, 'tis so--'tis our Jo--our luck! Shout for Cap'n Jo and the luck o' the +Brotherhood!" + +And now at her rapid commands from chaos came order, the decks were +cleared, and, despite wrecked topmast, round swung the _Happy Despatch_ +until her broadside bore upon the English ship. Even then Joanna waited, +every eye fixed on her where she lolled, hand on hip, watching the approach +of our adversary. Suddenly she gestured with her arm and immediately the +whole fabric of the ship leapt and quivered to the deafening roar of her +guns; then, as the smoke cleared, I saw the enemy's foreyard was gone and +her sides streaked and splintered by our shot, and from our decks rose +shouts of fierce exultation, drowned in the answering thunder of their +starboard broadside, the hiss of their shot all round about us, the crackle +of riven woodwork, the vicious whirr of flying splinters, wails and screams +and wild cheering. + +And thus began a battle surely as desperate as ever was fought and which +indeed no poor words of mine may justly describe. The enemy lay to windward +and little enough could I see by reason of the dense smoke that enveloped +us, a stifling, sulphurous cloud that drifted aboard us ever more thick +as the fight waxed, a choking mist full of blurred shapes, dim forms that +flitted by and vanished spectre-like, a rolling mystery whence came all +manner of cries, piercing screams and shrill wailings dreadful to hear, +while the deck beneath me, the air about me reeled and quivered to the +never-ceasing thunder of artillery. But ever and anon, through some rent +in this smoky curtain, I might catch a glimpse of the English ship, her +shot-scarred side and rent sails, or the grim havoc of our own decks. And +amidst it all, and hard beside me where I crouched in the shelter of the +mizzenmast, I beheld Resolution Day limping to and fro, jovial of voice, +cheering his sweating, powder-grimed gun-crews with word and hand. Suddenly +I was aware of Joanna beside me, gay and debonnaire but ghastly pale. + +"Hola, Martino!" cried she. "D'ye live yet? 'Tis well. If we die to-day we +die together, and where a properer death or one more fitting for such as +you and I, for am I killed first, Resolution shall send you after me to +bear me company, yes." + +So saying, she smiled and nodded and turned to summon Resolution, who came +in limping haste. + +"What, are ye hurt, Jo?" cried he, peering. "Ha, Joanna lass, are ye hit +indeed?" + +"A little, yes!" said she, and staggering against the mast leaned there as +if faint, yet casting a swift, furtive glance over her shoulder. "But death +cometh behind me, Resolution, and my pistol's gone and yours both empty--" + +Now glancing whither she looked, I saw Captain Belvedere come bounding up +the ladder, cutlass in one hand and pistol in the other. + +"Are ye there, Jo, are ye there?" he cried and stood to scowl on her. + +"Resolution," said she, drooping against the mast, "fight me the ship--" + +"And what o' me?" snarled Belvedere. + +"You?" cried she. "Ah--bah!" and turning, she spat at him and, screaming, +fell headlong as his pistol flashed. But over her prostrate form leapt +Resolution and there, while the battle roared about them, I watched as, +with steel that crashed unheard in that raging uproar, they smote and +parried and thrust until an eddying smoke-cloud blotted them from my view. +Now fain would I have come at Joanna where she lay, yet might not for my +bonds, although she was so near; suddenly as I watched her (and struggling +thus vainly to reach her) I saw she was watching me. + +"And would you aid your poor Joanna, yes?" she questioned faintly. + +"'Twas so my thought--" + +"Because I am dying, Martino? Doth this grieve you?" + +"You are over-young to die!" + +"And my life hath been very hard and cruel! Would you kiss a dying woman +an' she might creep to your arms, Martino?" + +Slowly and painfully she dragged herself within my reach and, beholding the +twisted agony of her look, reading the piteous supplication in her eyes, +I stooped to kiss the pale brow she lifted to my lips and--felt two arms +about me vigorous and strong and under mine the quivering passion of her +mouth; then she had loosed me and was before me on her knees, flushed and +tremulous as any simple maid. + +I was yet gazing on her in dumb and stark amaze, when from somewhere +hard by a man cried out in wild and awful fashion, and as this agonised +screaming swelled upon the air, Joanna rose up to her feet and stood +transfigured, her eyes fierce and wild, her clenched teeth agleam 'twixt +curling lips; and presently through the swirling smoke limped Resolution +Day, a dreadful, bedabbled figure, who, beholding Joanna on her feet, +flourished a dripping blade and panted exultant. + +"He is dead?" she questioned. + +"Verily and thoroughly!" said Resolution, wringing blood from his beruffled +shirt sleeve. "And a moist end he made on't. But thee, Joanna, I grieved +thee surely dead--" + +"Nay, I screamed and dropped in time, but--hark, the Englishman's fire +is ceasing and see, Resolution--look yonder!" and she pointed where our +antagonist, sore battered in hull and spars, was staggering out of the +fight. + +And now in place of roaring battle was sudden hush, yet a quietude this, +troubled by thin cryings, waitings and the like distressful sounds; and +the smoke lifting showed something of the havoc about us, viz: our riven +bulwarks, the tangled confusion of shattered spars, ropes and fallen +gear, the still and awful shapes that cumbered the spattered decks, more +especially about the smoking guns where leaned their wearied crews, a +blood-stained, powder-grimed company, cheering fitfully as they watched the +English ship creeping away from us. + +To us presently cometh Diccon, his blackened face streaked with sweat, +hoarse-voiced but hearty: + +"Aha, Captain Jo--your luck's wi' us as ever! Yon curst craft hath her +bellyful at last, aye, has she!" + +"I doubt!" quoth Resolution, shaking his head, whiles Joanna, leaning +against the mast, pointed feebly and I noticed her sleeve was soaked with +blood and her speech dull and indistinct: + +"Resolution is i' the--right--see!" + +And sure enough the English ship, having fetched ahead of us and beyond +range of our broadside guns, had hauled her wind and now lay to, her people +mighty busy making good their damage alow and aloft, stopping shot-holes, +knotting and splicing their gear, etc. Hereupon Diccon falls to a passion +of vain oaths, Resolution to quoting Psalms and Joanna, sighing, slips +suddenly to the deck and lies a-swoon. In a moment Resolution was on his +knees beside her. + +"Water, Diccon, water!" said he. "The lads must never see her thus!" So +Diccon fetched the water and between them they contrived to get Joanna to +her feet, and standing thus supported by their arms, she must needs use her +first breath to curse her weak woman's body: + +"And our mainmast is shot through at the cap--we must wear ship or 'twill +go! Veer, Resolution, wear ship and man the larboard guns ... they are cool +... I must go tend my hurt--a curst on't! Wear ship and fight, Resolution, +fight--to the last!" + +So saying, she put by their hold and (albeit she stumbled for very +weakness) nevertheless contrived to descend the quarter-ladder and wave +cheery greeting to the roar of acclaim that welcomed her. + +"And there's for ye!" quoth Resolution. "Never was such hugeous great +spirit in man's body or woman's body afore, neither in this world or any +other--no, not even Davy at Adullam, by hookey! Down to your guns, Diccon +lad, and cheerily, for it looks as we shall have some pretty fighting, +after all!" + +But at the hoarse roar of Resolution's speaking trumpet was stir and +clamorous outcry from the battle-wearied crew who came aft in a body. + +"Oho, Belvedere!" they shouted, "Us ha' fought as long as men may, and now +what?" + +"Fight again, bullies, and cheerily!" roared Resolution. At this the uproar +grew; pistols and muskets were brandished. + +"We ha' fought enough! 'Tis time to square away and run for't--aye, +aye--what saith Belvedere, Belvedere be our Cap'n--we want Belvedere!" + +"Why then, take him, Bullies, take him and willing!" cried Resolution; +then stooping (and with incredible strength) up to the quarter-railing he +hoisted that awful, mutilated thing that had once been Captain Belvedere +and hove it over to thud down among them on the deck below. "Eye him over, +lads!" quoth Resolution. "View him well, bawcock boys! I made sure work, +d'ye see, though scarce so complete as the heathen Pompey might ha' done, +but 'tis a very thoroughly dead rogue, you'll allow. And I killed him +because he would ha' murdered our Joanna, our luck--and because he was for +yielding us up, you and me, to yon ship that is death for us--for look'ee, +there is never a ship on the Main will grant quarter or show mercy for we; +'tis noose and tar and gibbet for every one on us, d'ye see? So fight, +bully boys, fight for a chance o' life and happy days--here stand I to +fight wi' you and Diccon 'twixt decks and Captain Jo everywhere. We beat +off you Englishman once and so we will again. So fight it is, comrades all, +and a cheer for Captain Jo--ha, Joanna!" + +Cheer they did and (like the desperate rogues they were) back they went, +some to their reeking guns, others to splice running and standing rigging, +to secure our tottering mainmast and to clear the littered decks; overboard +alike went broken gear and dead comrade. Then, with every man at his +quarters, with port fires burning, drums beating, black flag flaunting +aloft, round swung the _Happy Despatch_ to face once more her indomitable +foe (since she might not fly) and to fight for her very life. + +So once again was smoke and flame and roaring battle; broadside for +broadside we fought them until night fell, a night of horror lit by the +quivering red glare of the guns, the vivid flash of pistol and musket +and the pale flicker of the battle lanthorns. And presently the moon was +casting her placid beam upon this hell of destruction and death, whereas I +lay, famished with hunger and thirst, staring up at her pale serenity with +weary, swooning eyes, scarce heeding the raving tumult about me. + +I remember a sudden, rending crash, a stunning shock and all things were +blotted out awhile. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +TELLETH HOW THE FIGHT ENDED + + +When sight returned to me at last, I was yet staring up at the moon, but +now she had climbed the zenith and looked down on me through a dense maze, +a thicket of close-twining branches (as it were) whose density troubled me +mightily. But in a little I saw that these twining branches were verily a +mass of ropes and cordage, a twisted tangle that hung above me yet crushed +me not by reason of a squat column that rose nearby, and staring on this +column I presently knew it for the shattered stump of the mizzenmast. For a +great while I lay staring on this (being yet much dazed) and thus gradually +became aware that the guns had fallen silent; instead of their thunderous +roar was a faint clamour, hoarse, inarticulate, and very far away. I was +yet wondering dreamily and pondering this when I made the further discovery +that by some miraculous chance the chain which had joined my fettered +wrists was broken in sunder and I was free. Nevertheless I lay awhile +blinking drowsily up at the moon until at last, impelled by my raging +thirst, I got to my knees (though with strange reluctance) and strove to +win clear from the tangle of ropes that encompassed me; in the which labour +I came upon the body of a dead man and beyond this, yet another. Howbeit I +was out of this maze at last and rising to my feet, found the deck to heave +oddly 'neath my tread, and so (like one walking in a dream) came stumbling +to the quarter-ladder and paused there awhile to lean against the +splintered rail and to clasp my aching head, for I was still greatly +bemused and my body mighty stiff and painful. + +Looking up after some while I saw the _Happy Despatch_ lay a helpless +wreck, her main and mizzenmasts shot away and her shattered hull fast +locked in close conflict with her indomitable foe. The English ship had +run us aboard at the fore-chains and as the two vessels, fast grappled +together, swung to the gentle swell, the moon glinted on the play of +vicious steel where the fight raged upon our forecastle. Mightily heartened +by this, I strove to shake off this strange lethargy that enthralled me and +looked about for some weapon, but finding none, got me down the ladder (and +marvellous clumsy about it) and reaching; the deck stumbled more than once +over stiffening forms that sprawled across my way. Here and there a battle +lanthorn yet glimmered, casting its uncertain beam on writhen legs, on +wide-tossed arms and shapes that seemed to stir in the gloom; and beholding +so many dead, I marvelled to find myself thus unharmed, though, as I +traversed this littered deck, its ghastliness dim-lit by these flickering +lanthorns and the moon's unearthly radiance, it seemed more than ever that +I walked within a dream, whiles the battle clamoured ever more loud. Once +I paused to twist a boarding-axe from stiffening fingers, and, being come +into the waist of the ship, found myself beside the main hatchway and +leaned there to stare up at the reeling fray on the forecastle where pike +darted, axe whirled, sword smote and the battle roared amain in angry +summons. But as I turned obedient to get me into this desperate fray, I +heard a low and feverish muttering and following this evil sound came upon +one who lay amid the wreckage of a gun, and bending above the man knew him +for Diccon the quartermaster. + +"How now, Diccon?" I questioned, and wondered to hear my voice so strange +and muffled. + +"Dying!" said he. "Dying--aye, am I! And wi' two thousand doubloons hid +away as I shall ne'er ha' the spending on--oh, for a mouthful o' water--two +thousand--a pike-thrust i' the midriff is an--ill thing yet--'tis better +than--noose and tar and gibbet--yet 'tis hard to die wi' two thousand +doubloons unspent--oh, lad, I parch--I burn already--water--a mouthful for +a dying man--" + +So came I to the water-butt that stood abaft the hatchway, and filling a +pannikin that chanced there with some of the little water that remained, +hastened back to Diccon, but ere I could reach him he struggled to his +knees and flinging arms aloft uttered a great cry and sank upon his face. +Then, finding him verily dead, I drank the water myself and, though +lukewarm and none too sweet, felt myself much refreshed and strengthened +thereby and the numbness of mind and body abated somewhat. + +And yet, as I knelt thus, chancing to lift my eyes from the dead man before +me, it seemed that verily I must be dreaming after all, for there, all +daintily bedight in purple gown, I beheld a fine lady tripping lightly +among these mangled dead; crouched in the shadow of the bulwark I watched +this approaching figure; then I saw it was Joanna, saw the moon glint +evilly on the pistol she bore ere she vanished down the hatchway. And now, +reading her fell purpose, I rose to my feet and stole after her down into +the 'tween-decks. + +An evil place this, crowded with forms that moaned and writhed fitfully in +the light of the lanthorns that burned dimly here and there, a place foul +with blood and reeking with the fumes of burnt powder, but I heeded only +the graceful shape that flitted on before; once she paused to reach down +a lanthorn and to open the slide, and when she went on again, flames +smouldered behind her and as often as she stayed to set these fires +a-going, I stayed to extinguish them as well as I might ere I hasted after +her. At last she paused to unlock a door and presently her voice reached +me, high and imperious as ever: + +"Greeting, Don Federigo! The ship's afire and 'tis an ill thing to burn, so +do I bring you kinder death!" + +Creeping to the door of this lock-up, I saw she had set down the lanthorn +and stood above the poor fettered captive, the pistol in her hand. + +"The Seņorita is infinitely generous," said Don Federigo in his courtly +fashion; then, or ever she might level the weapon, I had seized and wrested +it from her grasp. Crying out in passionate fury, she turned and leapt at +me. + +"Off, murderess!" I cried, and whirling her from me, heard her fall and lie +moaning. "Come, sir," said I, aiding the Don to his feet, "let us be gone!" +But what with weakness and his fetters Don Federigo could scarce stand, so +I stooped and taking him across my shoulder, bore him from the place. But +as I went an acrid smoke met me and with here and there a glimmer of flame, +so that it seemed Joanna had fired the ship, my efforts notwithstanding. So +reeled I, panting, to the upper air and, loosing Don Federigo, sank to the +deck and stared dreamily at a dim moon. + +And now I was aware of a voice in my ear, yet nothing heeded until, shaken +by an importunate hand, I roused and sat up, marvelling to find myself so +weak. + +"Loose me, Seņor Martino, loose off my bonds; the fire grows apace and I +must go seek the Seņorita--burning is an evil death as she said. Loose off +my bonds--the Seņorita must not burn--" + +"No, she must not--burn!" said I dully, and struggling to my feet I saw a +thin column of smoke that curled up the hatchway. Gasping and choking, +I fought my way down where flames crackled and smoke grew ever denser. +Suddenly amid this swirling vapour I heard a glad cry: + +"Ah, _Martino mio_--you could not leave me then to die alone!" And I saw +Joanna, with arms stretched out to me, swaying against the angry glow +behind her. So I caught her up in my embrace and slipping, stumbling, blind +and half-choked, struggled up and up until at last I reeled out upon deck, +and with Joanna thus clasped upon my breast, stood staring with dazed and +unbelieving eyes at the vision that had risen up to confront me. For there +before me, hedged about by wild figures and brandished steel, with slender +hands tight-clasped together, with vivid lips apart and eyes wide, I +thought to behold at last my beloved Damaris, my Joan, my dear, dear lady; +but knowing this false, I laughed and shook my head. + +"Deluding vision," said I, "blest sight long-hoped and prayed for--why +plague me now?" + +I was on my knees, staring up at this beloved shape through blinding tears +and babbling I know not what. And then arms were about me, tender yet +strong and compelling, a soft cheek was pressed to mine and in my ear +Joan's voice: + +"Oh, my beloved--fret not thyself--here is no vision, my Martin--" + +"Joan!" I panted. "Oh, Damaris--beloved!" And shaking off these fettering +arms, I rose to my feet. "Joan, is it thou thyself in very truth, or do I +see thee in heaven--" + +And now it seemed I was sinking within an engulfing darkness and nought to +see save only the pale oval of this so loved, oft-visioned face that held +for me the beauty of all beauteous things. At last her voice reached me, +soft and low, yet full of that sweet, vital ring that was beyond all +forgetting. + +"Martin--Oh, Martin!" + +Out towards me in the growing dark I saw her hands reach down to me: and +then these eager, welcoming hands were seized and Joanna was between us on +her knees. + +"Spare him--Oh, lady, in mercy spare my beloved--kill me an you will, but +spare this man of mine--these arms have cradled him ere now, this bosom +been his pillow--" + +"Joan!" I muttered, "Oh, Damaris, beloved--" + +But seeing the stricken agony of her look and how she shrank from my touch, +I uttered a great cry and turning, sped blindly away and stumbling, fell +and was engulfed in choking blackness. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +HOW I FELL IN WITH MY FRIEND, CAPTAIN SIR ADAM PENFEATHER + + +It was the pommel of the long rapier dangling from the chair-back that +first drew and held my eye, for this pommel was extremely bright and +polished and gleamed on me like a very keen and watchful eye as I watched, +though conscious also of the luxury of panelled walls, of rich floor +coverings and tapestried hangings, and the man who sat writing so +studiously at the carven table. And presently, roused by the scratch of his +industrious quill, I fell to watching him, his bowed head, the curve of his +back as he stooped. A small, lean man but very magnificent, for his coat of +rich purple velvet sat on him with scarce a wrinkle, his great peruke fell +in such ample profusion of curls that I could see nought but the tip of +his nose as he bent to his writing, and I wondered idly at his so great +industry. Now presently he paused to read over what he had written and +doing so, began to push and pull at his cumbrous wig and finally, lifting +it off, laid it on the table. Thus I saw the man was white-haired and that +his ears were mighty strange, being cut and trimmed to points like a dog's +ears; and beholding the jut of brow and nose and resolute chin, I fell to +sudden trembling, and striving to lift myself on the bed, wondered to find +this such a business. + +"Adam!" said I, my voice strangely thin and far away, "Adam Penfeather!" + +In one movement, as it seemed to me, he was out of the chair and leaning +above me. "Why, Martin," said he. "Why, comrade! Lord love you, Martin, are +ye awake at last? Here you've lain these twelve hours like a dead man and +small wonder, what with your wound--" + +"So you have come--at last, Adam?" + +"And in good time, shipmate!" + +"Where am I?" + +"Safe aboard my ship, the _Deliverance_." + +"'Twas you fought the _Happy Despatch_?" + +"Aye, Martin, and should have very properly destroyed every rogue aboard +but for my lady--" + +"My lady?" said I, sitting up. "My lady--Joan?" + +"Aye, verily--" + +"Then 'tis true--all true!" said I, and fell a-trembling. "My lady's here?" + +"She is, Martin, and more's the pity. For look'ee, having boarded yon +devil's craft and cut down such as resisted, I was very properly for +hanging such as remained, when down on me comes my lady and is for carrying +the rogues to trial, the which is but vain labour and loss o' time, since +each and all of my twenty and three prisoners is bound to swing soon or +late, as I told her, but, 'No matter, Sir Adam,' says she. 'Law is law, Sir +Adam,' quo' she. When cometh Godby, running, to say the cursed ship was +afire, and coming to the main hatchway, I beheld, half-strangled in the +smoke, yourself, shipmate, and a woman in your arms--" + +"Ha--'twas Joanna!" said I, leaping in the bed. "What of her, Adam--what of +her, man?" + +"A fine woman, I'll allow, Martin, and by her looks a lady of quality--" + +"Say a demon rather--a very she-devil!" + +"Why, as you will, Martin, as you will!" said he. "Only rest you, lest the +fever take you again." + +"How was I wounded, then?" + +"A flying splinter in the head, Martin, so Surgeon Penruddock says. But +then you have a marvellous stout skull, as I do know, shipmate." + +"What ha' you done with Joanna--where is she?" + +"Content you, Martin, she is safe enough and well cared for; you shall see +her anon," said he, stroking his long chin and viewing me with his quick, +keen eyes, "But first you shall eat!" And he rang the small silver bell +that stood upon the table, whereon in came a soft-footed serving-man in +handsome livery, who, receiving Adam's commands, presently bowed himself +out again. + +Hereupon Adam set on his periwig and fell to pacing slowly to and fro, his +feet soundless upon the rich carpet, viewing me now and then like one +that ponders some problem. Now, beholding his air of latent power and +indomitable mastery, the richness of his habit, the luxury that surrounded +him, it seemed in very truth that he was the great gentleman and I the +merest poor suppliant for his bounty; whereupon I must needs contrast his +case with mine and perceiving myself no better than I had been three weary +years since, to wit: the same poor, destitute wretch, I fell into a black +and sullen humour: + +"You go vastly fine these days!" quoth I, scowling (like the surly dog I +was). + +"Aye, Martin--I am so vastly rich!" he sighed. "I am a baronet, shipmate!" +he nodded dolefully. "And what is worse, I own many rich manors and +countless broad acres besides divers castles, mansions, houses and the +like. Thus all men do protest friendship for me, and at this moment there +be many noble ladies do sigh for me or the manors and castles aforesaid. +And there was a duchess, Martin, was set upon wedding my riches (and me +along of 'em) but I have no leaning to duchesses, though this one was young +and comely enough. So went I to the King, who by his grace suffered me to +fit out, provision, arm and man this ship at my own expense, Martin, and +square away for the Spanish Main to sink, burn and utterly destroy such +pirate vessels as I can bring to action. So here am I, shipmate, since I +had rather fight rogues when and where I may than marry a duchess once. And +here cometh what shall do you a world o' good, Martin--broth with a dash +o' rum--which is good for a man, soul and body!" said he, as the +serving-fellow appeared, bearing a silver tray whereon stood broth in a +silver bowl of most delectable odour. And indeed, very good broth I found +it. + +So whiles I ate, Adam, sitting near, told me much of his doings since he +left me solitary on Bartlemy's Island, but of my lady Joan Brandon he spoke +no word. + +"'Tis but three short years since we parted, shipmate, three short years--" + +"Three long, empty years!" said I bitterly. + +"Aye, truth!" quoth he. "You had a mind to nought but vengeance, which is +an empty thing, as belike you'll allow, Martin, you being now three long, +empty years the wiser?" + +Here, what with the hot broth and my hotter anger, I came nigh to choking, +whereupon he rose and, seeing the bowl empty, took it from me and +thereafter set another pillow to my back, the while I reviled him +impotently. + +"There, there, Martin!" said he, patting my shoulder as I had been a +petulant child. "Never miscall Adam that is your friend, for if you have +wasted yourself in a vanity, so have I, for here you see me full of +honours, Martin, a justice, a member o' Parliament, a power at Court with +great lords eager for my friendship and great ladies eager to wed me. Yet +here am I safe at sea and fighting rogues as often as I may, for great +riches is a plague that tainteth love and friendship alike--_vanitas +vanitatum, omnium vanitas_!" + +"Yet your three years have been turned to better account than mine!" said +I, grown suddenly humble. + +"In the matter of houses and land, Martin?" + +"Aye!" I nodded. "For my three years I've nought to show but scars and +rags." + +"Not so, Martin, for your fortune marched with mine. Lord love you, I never +bought stick or stone or acre of land but I bought one for you, comrade, +share and share, shipmate. So, if I am a man o' great possessions, so are +you, Martin; there be lands and houses in old England waiting their master +as you sit there." Now at this I lay silent awhile, but at last I reached +out a fumbling hand, the which he took and wrung in his vital clasp. + +"God help me, Adam!" said I. "What have these years made of me?" + +"That same scowling, unlovely, honest-hearted self-deluder that is my sworn +comrade and blood-brother and that I do love heartily for his own sake and +the sake of my lady Joan. For look'ee, she hath oft told me of you and the +life you lived together on Bartlemy's Island." + +"And has she so indeed?" quoth I. + +"Aye, verily. Lord, Martin, when she waked from her swoon aboard ship and +found I had sailed without you, she was like one distraught and was for +having me 'bout ship that she might stay to comfort you in your solitude. +And so I did, Martin, but we were beset by storm and tempest and blown far +out of our course and further beset by pirates and the like evils, and in +the end came hardly to England with our lives. No sooner there than my lady +fits out an expedition to your relief and I busied with divers weighty +concerns, she sails without me and is wrecked in the Downs, whereby she +lost her ship and therewith all she possessed, save only Conisby Shene, the +which she holdeth in your name, Martin." + +"Adam," said I, "Oh, Adam, surely this world hath not her like--" + +"Assuredly not!" quoth he. "The which doth put me to great wonder you +should come to forget her a while--" + +"Forget her? I?" + +"Aye, Martin--in the matter of the--the lady yonder--Madam Joanna--" + +"Joanna!" I cried, clenching my fists. "That demon!" + +"Ha--demon, is it?" quoth Adam, pinching his chin and eyeing me askance. +"Doth your love grow all sudden cold--" + +"Love?" cried I. "Nay--my hate waxeth for thing so evil--she is a very +devil--" + +"Nay, Martin, she is a poor Spanish lady, exceeding comely and with a hand, +a foot, an eye, a person of birth and breeding, a dainty lady indeed, yet +of a marvellous sweet conversation and gentle deportment, and worthy any +man's love. I do allow--" + +"Man," cried I, "you do speak arrant folly--she is Joanna!" + +"Why, true, Martin, true!" said Adam soothingly and eyeing me anxious-eyed. +"She is the lady Joanna that you preserved from death and worse, it +seems--" + +"Says she so, Adam?" + +"Aye! And, by her showing, some small--some few small--kindnesses have +passed betwixt you." + +"Kindnesses?" I demanded. + +"Aye, Martin, as is but natural, God knoweth. Kisses, d'ye see, embraces--" + +"She lies!" quoth I, starting up in bed, "she lies!" + +"Why, very well, Martin--" + +"Ha, d'ye doubt my word, Adam?" + +"No, Martin, no--except--when first I clapped eyes on you, she chanced to +be lying in your arms, d'ye see?" + +"Tush!" said I. "What o' that? 'Twas after she'd set the ship afire and +sought to murder Don Federigo; we left her in the 'tween-decks and I found +her nigh stifled by the smoke. Have you got her fast in the bilboes--safe +under lock and key?" + +"Lord love you--no. Martin!" said he, viewing me askance as I were raving. +"So young, Martin! And a bullet wound i' the arm and mighty brave, despite +her tenderness, so says Penruddock our surgeon." + +"Why then, in God's name--where is she?" + +"Where should she be, seeing she was wounded and solitary, but with my lady +Joan!" + +"God forbid!" cried I. + +"Why, Martin, 'tis my lady's whim--they walk together, talk, eat, aye, and +sleep together, for aught I know--" + +"Adam," said I, grasping him by the arm. "You know Captain Tressady of old, +and Mings and Red Rory, Sol Aiken and others of the Coast Brotherhood, but +have you ever met the fiercest, bravest, greatest of these rogues; have you +ever heard tell of Captain 'Jo'?" + +"Aye, truly, Martin, some young springald that hath risen among 'em since +my time, a bloody rogue by account and one I would fain come alongside +of--" + +"Captain Jo lies in your power, Adam; Captain Jo is aboard; Captain Jo is +Joanna herself! 'Twas Joanna fought the _Happy Despatch_ so desperately!" + +Now hereupon Adam fell back a pace and stood staring down on me and +pinching his chin, but with never a word. And seeing him thus incredulous +still, I strove to get me out of bed. + +"Easy, Martin!" said he, restraining me. "These be wild and whirling words +and something hard to believe--" + +"Why, then, if you doubt me still, summon hither Don Federigo an he be yet +alive--" + +"Look now, Martin," said he, seating himself on the bed beside me. "Since +we left England I have burned or scuttled four rascally pirate craft and +each and every a fighting ship, yet no one of them so mauled and battered +us as this _Happy Despatch_ (whereby I have lost fourteen good fellows dead +besides thirty wounded) the which as I do know was captained by one calling +himself Belvedere--" + +"Tush!" cried I. "He was a man of straw and would have run or struck to you +after your first broadside! 'Twas Joanna and Resolution Day fought the ship +after Belvedere was dead--" + +"Ah, dead, is he? Why, very good!" said Adam, rising and seating himself +at the table. "Here is yet another name for my journal. You saw him dead, +Martin?" he questioned, taking up his pen. + +"Most horribly! He was killed by the mate, Resolution Day--" + +"Ha!" says Adam, turning to his writing. "'Tis a name sticks in my +memory--a man I took out o' prison and saved from burning along with divers +others, when we took Margarita--a tall, one-eyed man and scarred by the +torment--?" + +"'Tis the same! But, God forgive you, Adam, why must you be wasting time +over your curst journal and idle talk--" + +"I think, Martin! I meditate! For, if this be true indeed, we must go like +Agog--delicately--Martin--delicately!" + +"Folly--oh, folly!" cried I. "Joanna may be firing the ship as you sit +scribbling there, or contriving some harm to my dear lady--act, man--act!" + +"As how, Martin?" he questioned, carefully sanding what he had writ. + +"Seize her ere she can strike, set her fast under lock and key, have her +watched continually--" + +"Hum!" said Adam, pinching his chin and viewing me with his keen gaze. "If +she be so dangerous as you say, why not slay her out of hand--" + +"No!" said I. "No!" + +"But she is a pirate, you tell me?" + +"She is! And I do know her for murderess beside!" + +"How came you in her company, Martin?" + +Hereupon in feverish haste I recounted much of what I have already set down +concerning this strange, wild creature, to all of which he hearkened mighty +attentive, pinching at his chin and a frown on his face. + +"Verily!" said he, when I had done. "Never heard man stranger story!" But +seeing how he regarded me in the same dubious manner, I leapt out of bed +ere he might prevent and staggered with weakness. "Lord love you, Martin," +said he, snatching me in his iron grip, "Lord love you, what would you +be at? Here's Surgeon Penruddock and his two mates with their hands full +enough, as it is, God knoweth, and you sick o' your wound--" So saying, +Adam bundled me back into bed, willy-nilly. + +"Why, then, question Don Federigo, who knoweth her better than I--summon +him hither--" + +"Impossible, Martin, he lieth very nigh to death." + +"And what of Joanna? She is as swift as a snake and as deadly--she is a +lurking danger--a constant menace, beyond thought subtle and crafty--" + +"Hist!" quoth Adam, catching me by the arm and turning suddenly as came a +soft rapping; then the door opened and Joanna herself stood before us, but +indeed a Joanna such as I had never seen. Timid, abashed, great-eyed and +wistful, she stood looking on me, her slender hands tight-clasped, her +tremulous, parted lips more vivid by reason of the pallor of her cheeks, +all shy and tender womanhood from the glossy ringlets at her white brow to +the dainty shoe that peeped forth of her petticoat; as for me, I sank back +among my pillows amazed beyond--all speech by the infinite change in her, +for here was a transformation that went beyond mere lace and velvets; the +change was in her very self, her look, her voice, her every gesture. + +"_Martino mio_!" said she at last, and sure this pen of mine may never tell +all the languorous caress of these two words; and then, or ever I might +speak or stir, she was beside me and had caught my hand to her lips. And +then I saw Joan standing in the doorway, the Damaris of my dreams, and +though her lips smiled upon us, there was that in her eyes that filled me +with bitter shame and an agony beyond the telling. + +"Damaris!" I groaned and freed my hand so suddenly that Joanna stumbled +and would have fallen, but for Adam's ready arm. "Damaris!" I cried. "Ah, +God,'--look not so! All these weary years I have lived and dreamed but +of you--Joan, beloved, 'twas thy sweet memory made my solitude worth the +living--without thee I had died--" Choking with my grief, I reached out my +hands in passionate supplication to that loved shape that drooped in the +doorway, one white hand against the carven panelling; and then Joanna was +on her knees, her soft cheek pressed to my quivering fist, wetting it with +her tears: + +"Martino!" she sobbed. "Ah, _caro mio_, art so strange--dost not know thy +Joanna--dost not know me, Martino?" + +"Aye, I know you, Captain Jo," I cried. "Well I know you to my cost, +as hath many another: I know you for 'La Culebra,' for Joanna that is +worshipped, obeyed and followed by every pirate rogue along the Main. Oh, +truly I know you to my bitter sorrow--" + +Now at this she gave a little, pitiful, helpless gesture and looked from me +to the others, her eyes a-swim with tears. + +"Alas!" she sobbed. "And is he yet so direly sick?" Then, bowing her head +to the pillow beside me, "Oh, loved Martino," she sighed, "art so sick not +to remember all that is betwixt us, that which doth make thee mine so long +as life shall be to me--the wonder I have told to my lady Damaris--" + +Now here I caught her in savage gripe. "What," cried I, shaking her to and +fro despite my weakness, "what ha' you told my lady?" + +"Beloved Martino--I confessed our love--alas, was I wrong, Martino--I told +her my joyous hope to be the mother of your child ere long--" + +"Oh, shame!" cried I. "Oh, accursed liar!" And I hurled her from me; then, +lying gasping amid my tumbled pillows, my aching head between my hands, +I saw my beloved lady stoop to lift her, saw that lying head pillowed +on Joan's pure bosom and uttering a great cry, I sank to a merciful +unconsciousness. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +HOW I HAD WORD WITH MY LADY, JOAN BRANDON + + +"A marvel, Sir Adam (perceive me), a wonder! The constitution of a horse, +an ox, nay an elephant, the which monstrous beast (you'll allow me!) hath a +pachydermatous hide tolerably impervious to spears, axes, darts, javelins +and the like puny offences, and a constitution whereby he liveth (you'll +observe) whole centuries. Indeed, Sir Adam, 'tis a cure marvellous, being +one I ha' wrought on my patient in spite of said patient. For look now (and +heed me) here we have soul, mind and will, or what you will, pulling +one way, and body hauling t'other, and body hath it, physics versus +metaphysics--a pretty and notable case--" + +"Why, he hath a notable hard head, Master Penruddock--" + +"Head, Sir Adam, head--were his head as adamantine, as millstone or hard +as one o' your cannon balls that shall not save him, if mind and body +agreeably seek and desire death, and mind (pray understand, sir) is the +more potent factor, thus (saving and excepting the abnormal vigour of his +body) by all the rules of chirurgical science he should ha' died three days +agone--when the seizure took him." + +"Would to heaven I had!" said I, opening my eyes to scowl up at the little +man who beamed down on me through monstrous horn-rimmed spectacles. + +"Aha, and there we have it confessed, Sir Adam!" said he. "Yet we shall +have him on his legs again in a day or so, thanks to my art--" + +"And his lady's nursing!" + +"What, hath she been with me in my sickness, Adam?" I questioned when the +doctor had departed. + +"Night and day, Martin, as sweet and patient with you as any angel in +heaven, and you cursing and reviling her the while in your ravings--" + +"Oh, God forgive me! Where is she now, Adam?" + +"With my Lady Joan--" + +"How?" I cried. "Was this Joanna nursed me?" + +"Why, truly, Martin. Could she have better employ?" But hereupon I fell to +such fury that Adam turned to stare at me, pen in hand. + +"Lord love you, Martin," said he, pinching his chin, "I begin to think that +skull o' yours is none so hard, after all--" + +"And you," quoth I bitterly. "Your wits are none so keen as I had judged +'em. You are grown a very credulous fool, it seems!" + +"Ha--'tis very well, shipmate!" + +"For here you have Joanna--this evil creature stained by God knoweth how +many shameful crimes--you have her beneath your hand and let her come and +go as she lists, to work such new harms as her cunning may suggest--either +you disbelieve my statements, or you've run mad, unless--" + +"Unless what, Martin?" + +"Unless she's bewitched you as she hath full many a man ere now." + +Adam blenched and (for the first time in my remembrance) his keen eyes +quailed before mine, and over his bronzed face, from aggressive chin to +prominent brow, crept a slow and painful red. + +"Martin," said he, his eyes steady again, "I will confess to you that is my +blood-brother and comrade sworn, I have--thought better of--of her than any +proud lady or duchess of 'em all--" + +"Despite the foul and shameful lie you heard her utter?" + +"Despite everything, Martin." + +"Then God help you, Adam!" + +"Amen," said he. + +"You are surely crazed--" + +"Why, very well, Martin, though you know me for a timid man--" + +"Tush!" quoth I, turning my back on him. + +"And a cautious, more especially in regard to women, having known but few +and understanding none. Thus, Martin, though I seem crazed and foolish, +'tis very well, so long as I have eyes to see and ears to hear, and now +I'll away and use 'em awhile. And here," said he, rising as a knock sounded +on the door, "should be an old friend o' yours that got himself something +scorched on your account." And opening the door he disclosed a squat, +broad-shouldered fellow of a sober habit, his head swathed in a bandage, +but the eyes of him very round and bright and his wide mouth up-curving in +a smile. + +"Godby!" said I, and reached but my hand to him. + +"Why, Mart'n!" cried he. "Oh, pal--here's j'y, choke me wi' a rammer else! +Lord, Mart'n--three years--how time doth gallop! And you no whit changed, +save for your beard! But here's me wi' a fine stocked farm t'other side +Lamberhurst--and, what's more, a wife in't as be sister to Cecily as you'll +mind at the 'Hoppole'--and, what's more, a blessed infant, pal, as I've +named Tom arter myself, by reason that my name is God-be-here, and Mart'n +arter you, by reason you are my pal and brought me all the good fortun' +as I ever had. Aha, 'twas a mortal good hour for me when we first struck +hands, Mart'n." + +"And you're more than quits, Godby, by saving me from the fire--" + +"Why, pal, you fell all of a swound, d'ye see, and there's my Lady Brandon +and t'other 'un a-running to fetch ye, flames or no--so what could I do--" + +"My lady Joan?" + +"Aye and t'other 'un--the Spanish dame as you come up a-cuddling of, +Mart'n--and a notable fine piece she be, as I'm a gunner--" + +"Is my lady on deck?" + +"Which on 'em, pal?" + +"Joan, man--my Lady Brandon!" + +"Aye, and mighty downcast by her look. 'Godby,' says she to me a while +back, 'if I find not my father now, I do think my poor heart will break!' +And the sweet sad eyes of her, pal--" + +"I'll get up!" said I, tossing off the bed clothes. + +"Lord, Mart'n, what'll Cap'n Adam say--" + +"'Tis no matter!" + +"Are ye strong enough, pal?" + +"To be sure!" said I, and getting upon my feet, reeled for very weakness +and should have fallen but that Godby propped me with his shoulder; +supported thus and despite Godby's remonstrances, I staggered to and fro +and gradually found my strength return in some small measure, whereupon I +began to dress myself forthwith. + +"Whither are we sailing, Godby?" + +"To the nearest secure anchorage, Mart'n, for what wi' storm and battle we +are so battered and sprung, alow and aloft--and small wonder, here's four +ships we've destroyed since we left Old England, battle, murder and sudden +death, pal!" + +So with Godby's help I got me out upon the broad quarter-deck and saw +the _Deliverance_ for a fine, roomy ship, very clean and trim, her decks +new-scoured, her brass-work gleaming in the sun; though here and there the +carpenters were still repairing such damage as she had taken in the fight. + +"A noble ship, pal," says Godby, as I sat me down on one of the guns, "and +looks vasty different to what she did three days since, her foreyard and +main-to'-gallant mast shot away and her starboard bulwarks shattered fore +and aft and three shot-holes under water as can't be come at till we +careen." + +"'Twas hot fight--I marvel your damage was no greater," says I, glancing +hither and thither for sight of my lady, and my heart throbbing with +expectation. + +"Nay, Mart'n, 'twas guile, 'twas craft, 'twas seamanship. Lord love +your eyes, pal, Cap'n Adam seized him the vantage point by means of a +fore-course towing under water, and kept it. For look'ee, 'tis slip our +floating anchor, up wi' our helm and down on 'em 'thwart-hawse and let fly +our larboard broadside, veer and pound 'em wi' our starboard guns, keeping +the weather gauge, d'ye see, pal, till their fire slackens and them blind +wi' our smoke and theirs. Then to close wi' 'em till our gun muzzles are +nigh touching and whiles we pound 'em below, 'tis grappling irons and +boarders away! Aha, a wonderful man is Cap'n Adam--oh, 'tis beautiful sight +to watch him take ship into action; 'tis sight to warm a man's in'nards and +make archangels sing for j'y, pal. Aye, deafen, blind and choke me but a +man o' men is Cap'n Adam Penfeather!" + +"He is come to great repute, I hear!" said I, my hungry gaze wandering. + +"Verily he hath, Mart'n; the King do honour him vastly especially since +he pinked a strutting, quarrelsome gentleman through the sword-arm in St. +James's Park, and him a nearl, pal!" + +"At last!" says I. + +"Anan, pal?" he questioned, but looking where I looked. "Aye," he nodded, +"'tis my Lady Brandon, and mighty despondent by her looks as I told ye, +Mart'n." All unconscious of me she crossed the deck slow-footed and coming +to the lee bulwark, paused there, her lovely head down-bent upon her hands. + +Now watching her as she stood thus, my eager gaze dwelling on every line of +the beloved shape, I was filled with such overmastering emotion, an ecstasy +so keen, that I fell a-trembling and my eyes filled with sudden, blinding +tears; and bowing my face on my hand, I sat thus a while until I had +composed myself. Then I arose and made my way towards her on stumbling +feet. + +Suddenly she turned and espying me, started and fell a-trembling, even as +I. + +"Martin," said she below her breath. "Oh, Martin!" + +"Damaris!" I muttered. "Beloved--!" + +Now at this she gave a little gasp and turned to gaze away across the +placid waters, and I saw her slender hands clasp and wring each other. + +"Have you no word of greeting for me?" + +"I rejoice to--to see you well again, Martin!" + +"Have you no word of--love for me, after all these years, Damaris?" At this +she shrank away and, leaning 'gainst the bulwark, shook her head, and again +I saw that hopeless gesture of her quivering hands. + +"Is your love for me dead, then?" I questioned, coming a pace nearer. + +"Ah, never that, Martin!" she whispered. "Only I have--buried it +deep--within my heart--where it shall lie for ever hid for thy sake and her +sake and--and that--which is to be--this poor Joanna hath told me--" + +Now hereupon I laughed and caught her hands and kissed them and they, the +pretty things, trembling 'neath my kisses. + +"God love thee for sweet and noble woman, my Damaris," said I, sinking to +my knees before her, "and now, thus kneeling in the sight of God and thee, +hear me swear that hateful thing of which you speak never was and never +shall be!" Here I clasped my arms about her, felt her yield and sway to my +embrace, saw a dawning glory in her eyes. + +"Martin," said she, quick-breathing, "if this be so indeed--" + +"Indeed and indeed, Joanna spake a shameful lie--a woman prone to every +evil, being a murderess and--" + +"A murderess, Martin?" + +"Aye, by her own confession, and I do know her for a pirate beside, more +desperate and resolute than any, known to every rogue along the Main as +Captain Jo." + +Now here my lady stirred in my embrace and looked down on me with troubled +gaze. + +"And yet, dear Martin, you lived with her on--on our island?" + +"Aye, I did--to my torment, and prayed God I might not slay her." And here +in breathless fashion I told my lady of Joanna's coming and of the ills +that followed; but seeing the growing trouble in her look, my arms fell +from her and great bitterness filled me. "Ah, God in heaven, Damaris!" I +cried, "never say you doubt my word--" + +"Martin!" + +I rose to my feet to behold Joanna within a yard of us. For a long and +breathless moment she looked from me to other of us and then, shuddering, +hid her face in her two hands. + +"Dear my lady," said she at last, "if by reason of his wound my loved +Martin hath grown strange to me and all his love for me forgot--if indeed +you do love him--to you that have been more than sister and gentle friend +to miserable Joanna, to you I do yield my love henceforth, nor will I +repine, since my love for thee shall teach me how to bear my shame, yes--" + +"Ha, damned liar!" I cried, and turned on Joanna with clenched fists; and +then my lady's restraining arms were about me and I sank half-swooning +against the ship's side. + +"Dear Martin," said she, viewing me tearful-eyed, "you are not yourself--" + +"No!" cried I, burying my throbbing head betwixt my arms. "I am Fortune's +Fool--the world is upside down--God help me, I shall run mad in very truth. +Oh, damned Fortune--curst Fate!" and I brake out into futile raving awhile. +When at last I raised my head it was to behold my lady clasping this vile +creature in her arms and cherishing her with tender words and caresses, the +which sight wrought me to a very frenzy of cold and bitter rage. Said I: + +"My Lady Brandon, God knoweth I have greatly loved you, wherein I have +wasted myself on a vain thing as is to me right manifest. So now, since +you have buried your love, mine do I tear from me and cast utterly away; +henceforth I am no more than an instrument of vengeance--" + +"Martin!" cried she. "Oh, dear Martin, for the love of God--" + +But (Oh, vain folly! Oh, detestable pride!) I heeded not this merciful +appeal nor the crying of my own heart, but turning my back upon my noble +lady, stumbled away and with never another word or look. And thus I (that +was born to be my own undoer) once more barred myself out from all that +life offered me of happiness, since pride is ever purblind. + +Presently, espying Godby where divers of his fellows rove new tackle to a +gun, I enquired for Adam. + +"I' the gun room, Mart'n--nay, I'll stand along wi' you." + +So he brought me down to the gun room where sat Adam, elbows on table, chin +on hand, peering up at one who stood before him in fetters, a haggard, +warworn figure. + +"What--Resolution?" said I. + +"That same, friend, brought somewhat low, comrade, yet soon, it seems, to +be exalted--on a gallows, d'ye see, yet constant in prayer, steadfast in +faith and nowise repining--for where would be the use? And moreover, the +way o' the Lord is my way--Amen, brother, and Amen." + +"Adam," said I, turning where he yet gazed up at Resolution's scarred and +bandaged face, "I would fain have you show mercy to this man. But for +Resolution here I had died hideously at the hands of a vile blackamoor." + +"Mercy?" said Adam, scowling up at Resolution. + +"His life, Adam." + +"'Tis forfeit! Here standeth a notable pirate and one of authority +among the rogues, so must he surely die along with Captain Jo--" I saw +Resolution's shackled hands clench suddenly, then he laughed, harsh and +strident. + +"To hang Captain Jo you must needs catch him first!" + +"Why then who--who and what is Joanna?" I demanded. + +"Why, your light-o'-love, for sure, friend, as we found along o' you on a +lonely island, _amigo_." + +"Resolution, you lie--" + +"On a lonely island, _camarado_," says he again. + +"Wait!" I muttered, clasping my aching head. "Wait! Joanna is the daughter +of the murdered Governor of Santa Catalina who was left behind in the +burning town and rescued by Indians, who, being Indians, were kind to her. +But these Indians were killed by white men who took her, and, being white +men, they used her ill all save one who was to her father and mother, +sister and brother and his name Resolution. So she grew up a pirate among +pirates, dressed, spoke and acted as they and rose to be great among +them by reason of her quick wit and resolute spirit, and because of her +quickness and subtle wit is called 'La Culebra' and for her desperate +courage is hailed as 'Captain Jo.'" + +Resolution fell back a step, staring on me amazed, and I saw his shackled +fists were quivering. Then suddenly Adam rose and leaned forward across the +table. + +"Resolution Day," said he, "have you a memory for faces?" + +I saw Resolution's solitary eye widen and dilate as it took in the man +before him, the spare form, the keen, aquiline face with its black brows, +white hair and mutilated ears. + +"Captain--Adam Penfeather--o' the Brotherhood!" + +"Ha!" quoth Adam, nodding grimly. "I see you know me! So, Resolution Day, I +warn you to prepare to make your final exodus with Captain Jo--at sunset!" + +Resolution's scarred head sank, his maimed body seemed to shrink and there +broke from him a groan: + +"To hang--to die--she's so young--so young--all I ever had to love! Oh, +Lord God o' battles--" + +"Godby, summon the guard and see him safely bestowed--in the lock-up aft, +and bring the key to my cabin." So at Godby's word, in came two armed +fellows and marched out Resolution Day, his head still bowed and his +fetters jangling dismally. + +"You'll never hang her, Adam!" said I, when we were alone. "You cannot, +man--you shall not!" + +"Lord, Martin," said he, sitting on his great peruke and looking askance at +me, "Lord, what a marvellous thick skull is thine!" + +"Mayhap!" quoth I, "but you know my story for true at last--you know Joanna +for Captain Jo." + +Now here he answered never a word but falls to pacing back and forth, his +hands clasped behind him; whereupon I seated myself at the table and leaned +my aching head betwixt my hands. + +"Adam," said I at last, "how far are we, do you reckon, from Nombre de +Dios?" + +"Some hundred and fifty miles, maybe a little less." + +"Why, then, give me a boat." + +"A boat?" said he, pausing in his walk to stare on me. + +"Aye, a boat," I nodded. "You cast me adrift once, you'll mind--well--do so +again!" + +"And what o' my Lady Joan? Ha--will ye tell me you've quarrelled already in +true lover-like fashion--is this it?" + +"'Tis no matter," quoth I, "only I do not stay on this ship another hour." + +"Lord!" said he, "Lord love me, Martin! Here you've scarce found her and +now eager to lose her again--heaven save me from love and lovers--" + +"Give me a boat." + +"A boat?" said he, pinching his chin. "A boat, is it? Why, very well, +Martin--a boat! Ha, here me-thinks is the very hand o' Providence, and who +am I to gainsay it? You shall have the longboat, Martin, well stored and +armed; 'tis a goodly boat that I am loth to part with--but seeing 'tis you, +comrade, why very well. Only you must bide till it be dark for reasons +obvious--" + +"So be it!" I nodded. "And if you could give me a chart and set me a course +how to steer for Nombre de Dios, I should be grateful, Adam." + +"Why, so I will, Martin. A course to Nombre--aye, verily! 'Tis said one Sir +Richard Brandon lieth 'prisoned there. Ha--having quarrelled with daughter +you speed away to sire--" + +"And what then?" said I, scowling. + +"Nought, Martin, nought in the world, only if in this world is a fool--art +surely he, comrade. Nay, never rage against your true friend, comrade; give +me your arm, let me aid you up to my cabin, for your legs are yet overly +weak, I doubt." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +TELLETH THE OUTCOME OP MY PRIDEFUL FOLLY + + +The moon had not yet risen when, in despite of Adam's warnings and +remonstrances, I set the great boat-cloak about me and stepped forth into +the stern-gallery of the ship, whence I might look down and behold the dark +loom of the longboat, a gliding, glimmering shadow upon the white spume of +the wake. + +Now if there be any who, reading this my narrative, shall cry out against +me for perverse fool (as I surely was) to all such I would but say that +though indeed a man wild and headstrong by nature and given to passionate +impulse, yet I was not wholly myself at this time by reason of my wound, so +that the unlovely and gloomy spirit of selfishness that possessed me now +had full sway to rule me how it listed; and I would have this plead such +excuse as might be for this my so desperate and unreasonable determination, +the which was to plunge me into further evils and miseries, as you shall +hear. + +"So you are determined on't, Martin?" said Adam, standing beside me where I +prepared to descend the short rope ladder. + +"I am!" + +"Lord, Martin, there is so much to love in you 'tis pity you are so much of +fool--" + +"You said as much before--" + +"Aye, so I did, comrade, so I did. But look'ee, 'tis a smooth sea, a fair +wind--aha, it needeth no pistol butt to persuade you to it this time; you +go of your own will and most express desire, comrade." + +"I do, Adam." + +"And who knoweth," said he, his gaze uplift to the Southern Cross that +glimmered very bright and splendid above us, "who can say what lieth +in wait for you, comrade,--hardship and suffering beyond doubt +and--peradventure, death. But by hardship and suffering man learneth the +wisdom of mercy, or should do, and by death he is but translated to a +greater living--so I do hope. And thus, howsoever it be, all's well, +Martin, all's well." + +"Adam," said I, "give me your hand. You have called me 'fool' and fool am +I, mayhap, yet in my folly, wisdom have I enough for this--to know you for +my good friend and true comrade now and always!" + +"Hark'ee then," said he, grasping my hand and leaning to my ear in the +gloom, "give up this desperate quest, stand by me, and I can promise ye +that which is better than empty vengeance--wealth, Martin, rank, aye, and +what is best of all, a noble woman's love--" + +"Enough!" cried I, "I am no weathercock and my mind is set--" + +"Why, very well, but so is mine, shipmate, and set upon two things--one to +fulfil my duty to the King in the matter of exterminating these pirates and +the like rogues, and t'other to redeem my promise to our lady Joan in the +matter of her father--your enemy." + +"How, are you for Nombre de Dios likewise, Adam?" + +"Just as soon as I have this ship in staunch fighting trim, for, unless you +and your vengeance are afore me, I will have Sir Richard Brandon out o' the +Inquisition's bloody clutches either by battle or stratagem--aye, though it +cost me all I possess, and God knoweth I am a vastly wealthy man, Martin." + +"Why then, we are like to meet at Nombre de Dios?" said I. + +"Mayhap, Martin, who can say? Meantime, here is the chart and your sailing +directions with some few words for you to ponder at leisure, and so fortune +attend you and farewell, comrade." + +"One thing, Adam," said I, grasping the ladder of ropes, "you will save +alive the man Resolution Day--for my sake--" + +"Aha," quoth Adam, clapping me on the shoulder, "and there spake the man +that is my friend! Never doubt it, comrade--he shall live. And look'ee, +Martin, if I have been forced to play prank on ye now and then, think as +kindly of me as ye can." + +Hereupon, and with Adam's assistance, having hauled in the longboat until +she was well under the gallery, I presently got me a-down the swaying rope +ladder and safe aboard of her (though with no little to-do) and at my shout +Adam cast off the towline, and I was adrift. + +For some while I sat huddled in the bows, watching the lofty stern with its +rows of lighted windows and three great lanthorns above topped by the loom +of towering sails, until sails and ship merged into the night, and nought +was to see save the yellow gleam of her lights that grew ever more dim, +leaving me solitary upon that vast expanse of ocean that heaved all about +me,--a dark and bodeful mystery. + +At last, finding the wind, though very light, yet might serve me very +well, I turned with intent to step the mast. And now I saw the sail was +ill-stowed, the canvas lying all abroad and as I rose I beheld this canvas +stirred as by a greater wind; then as I stared me this, it lifted, and from +beneath it crept a shape that rose up very lithe and graceful and stood +with hands reached out towards me, and then as I staggered back came a cry: + +"Quick, Resolution--seize him!" + +Two powerful arms clasped and dragged me down, and lying thus, dazed by the +fall, I stared up to see bending above me the hated face of Joanna. + +I waked to a blaze of sun, a young sun whose level beams made the bellying +sail above me a thing of glory where it swung against an azure heaven, +flecked with clouds pink and gold and flaming red; and stark against this +splendour was the grim figure of Resolution Day, a bloody clout twisted +about his head, where he sat, one sinewy hand upon the tiller, the other +upon the worn Bible open upon his knees, his lips moving as he read, while +hard beside me on the floor of the boat lay Joanna, fast asleep. At sight +of her I started and shrank from her nearness, whereupon Resolution, +lifting his head and closing the Bible on his finger, glared down on me +with his solitary eye. + +"Martin," said he below his breath, and tapping the brass butt of a pistol +that protruded from the pocket of his coat, "there be times when I could +joyfully make an end o' you--for her sake--her that do love you to her +grief and sorrow, since her love is your hate--though what she can see in +ye passes me! Howbeit, love you she doth, poor soul, and if so be you +ha' no love for her, I would ha' you be a little kinder, Martin; 'twould +comfort her and harm you no whit. Look at her now, so fair, so young, so +tender--" + +"Nay, here lies Captain Jo!" said I, scowling. + +"Speak lower, man," he whispered fiercely. "I ha' given her a sleeping +potion out o' the medicine chest Captain Penfeather provided for her; she +is not yet cured of her wound, d'ye see, and I would not have her waked +yet, so speak lower lest I quiet ye wi' a rap o' the tiller. Let her +sleep,--'tis life to her. Saw ye ever a lovelier, sweeter soul?" + +Now viewing her as she lay outstretched, the wild, passionate soul of her +away on the wings of sleep, beholding the dark curtain of her lashes upon +the pallor of her cheek, the wistful droop of her vivid lips and all the +mute appeal of her tender womanhood, I could not but marvel within myself. + +"And yet," said I at last, speaking my thoughts aloud, "I have seen her +foully dabbled with a dead man's blood!" + +"And why for not? Jehovah doth not always strike vile rogues dead, +wherefore He hath given some women strength to do it for Him. And who +are you to judge her; she was innocent once--a pearl before swine and if +they--spattered her wi' their mud, they never trampled her i' their mire! +She hath been at no man's bidding, and fearing no man, hath ruled all men, +outdoing 'em word and deed--aha, two rogues have I seen her slay in duello. +Howbeit, she is as God made her, and 'tis God only shall judge His own +handiwork; she is one wi' the stars, the winds that go about the earth, +blowing how they list, and these great waters that slumber or rage in +dreadful tempest--she and they and we are all of God. So treat her a little +kind, Martin, love or no--'tis little enough o' kindness she has known all +her days; use her a little kinder, for 'tis in my mind you'll not regret it +in after days! And talking o' tempest, I like not the look o' the sky--take +you the tiller whiles I shorten sail and heed not to disturb Joanna." + +"And so," said I, when he had shortened sail and was seated beside me +again, "so Captain Penfeather gave you medicine for her?" + +"Aye, did he!" + +"And knew you were hid in the boat?" + +"'Twas himself set us there." + +Now at this I fell to profound thought, and bethinking me of the letter and +chart he had given me, I took it out of my pocket and breaking the seals, +read as here followeth: + +_Dear Friend, Comrade and Brother_, + +Item: Thou art a fool! Yet is there (as it doth seem) an especial +Providence for such fools, in particular fools of thy sort. Thus do +I bid thee farewell in the sure hope that (saving for shipwreck, +fire, battle, pestilence and the like evils) I shall find thee +again and perchance something wiser, since Folly plus Hardship shall +mayhap work a miracle of Wisdom. + +Herewith I have drawn you a chart, the parallels duly marked and course +likewise, whereby you shall come (Providence aiding) unto Nombre de Dios. +And so to your vengeance, Martin, and when found much good may it do thee +is the prayer of + +Thy patient, hopeful, faithful friend, + +ADAM. + +NOTA BENE: Should we fail to meet at Nombre de Dios I give you +for rendezvous the place which I have clearly marked on the chart +(aforementioned) with a X. + +"Look'ee, friend," said Resolution, when I had made an end of reading. "You +plead and spoke for my life of Captain Penfeather and he regarded your +will, wherefore am I alive, wherefore are we quits in the matter o' the +heathen Pompey and I your friend henceforth 'gainst all the world, saving +only and excepting Joanna." + +"Where do we make for, Resolution?" + +"To a little island well beknown to the Fraternity, comrade--that is three +islands close-set and called Foremast, Main and Mizzen islands, _amigo_, +where we are apt to meet friends, as I say, and sure to find good store +of food and the like, brother. Though to be sure this boat is right well +equipped, both for victuals and weapons." + +"And when are we like to reach these islands?" + +"We should raise 'em to-morrow about dawn, friend, if this wind hold." + +"And what is to become of me, Resolution?" + +"'Tis for Joanna to say, _camarado_" + +Now hereupon, stretched out in such shadow as our scant sail afforded (the +sun being very hot) I began to reflect upon this ill-chance Fate, in the +person of Adam, had played me (cast again thus helpless at the mercy of +Joanna) and instead of wasting myself in futile rages against Adam (and +him so far out of my reach) I began instead to cast about in my mind how +soonest I might escape from this hateful situation; to the which end I +determined to follow Resolution's advice is so far as I might, viz: to +preserve towards Joanna as kindly a seeming as might be, and here, chancing +to look where she lay, I saw her awake and watching me. + +"D'ye grieve for your Joan--Damaris--yes?" she demanded suddenly. + +"Nay--of what avail?" + +"Then I do--from my heart, Martino, from my heart! For she had faith in me, +she was kind to me, oh, kind and very gentle! She is as I--might have been, +perchance, had life but proved a little kinder." + +After this she lay silent a great while and I thought her asleep until she +questioned me again suddenly. + +"She is a great lady in England--yes?" + +"She is." + +"And yourself?" + +"An outcast." + +"And you--loved each other--long since?" + +"Long since." + +"But I have you at the last!" cried Joanna, exultant. "And nought shall +part us now save death and that but for a little while! Dost curse thyself, +Martino--dost curse thyself for saving me from the fire? But for this I had +been dead and thou safe with thy loved Joan--dost curse thyself?" + +"Nay, of what avail?" + +Now, at this, she falls to sudden rage and revilings, naming me +"stock-fish," "clod," "worm," and the like and I (nothing heeding her), +turning to behold the gathering clouds to windward, met the glare of +Resolution's fierce eye. + +"Tell me," cried Joanna, reaching out to nip my leg 'twixt petulant +fingers, "why must you brave the fire to save me you do so hate--tell me?" + +"Yonder, as I judge, is much wind, Resolution!" said I, nodding towards a +threatening cloud bank. Hereupon she struck at me with passionate fist and +thereafter turns from me with a great sob, whereat Resolution growled and +tapped his pistol butt. + +"You were fool to save me!" cried she. "For I, being dead, might now be in +happy circumstance and you with your Joan! You were a fool--" + +"Howbeit you have your life," said I. + +"Life?" quoth she. "What is life to me but a pain, a grief I shall not fear +to lose. Life hath ever brought me so much of evil, so little good, I were +well rid of it that I might live again, to find perchance those joys but +dim remembered that once were mine in better life than this. And now, if +there be aught of food and drink aboard, Resolution, let us eat; then get +you to sleep--you will be weary, yes." + +And surely never was stranger meal than this, Joanna and Resolution, the +compass betwixt them, discussing winds, tides and weather, parallels of +latitude and longitude, the best course to steer, etc., and I watching the +ever-rising billows and hearkening to the piping of the wind. + +Evening found us running through a troubled sea beneath an angry sky and +the wind so loud I might hear nothing of my companions where they crouched +together in the stern sheets. But suddenly Joanna beckoned me with +imperious gesture: + +"Look, Martino!" cried she, with hand outflung towards the billows that +foamed all about us. "Yonder is a death kinder than death by the fire and +yet I do fear this more than the fire by reason of this my hateful woman's +body. Now may you triumph over my weakness an you will, yet none can scorn +it more than I--" + +"God forbid!" said I and would have steadied her against the lurching of +the boat, but Resolution, scowling at my effort, clasped her within his +arm, shielding her as well as he might against the lashing spray, bidding +me let be. + +Thereafter and despite her sickness, she must needs stoop to cover me with +the boat-cloak where I lay, and looking up at Resolution I saw his bronzed +face glinted with moisture that was not of the sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +OF ROGER TRESSADY AND HOW THE SILVER WOMAN CLAIMED HER OWN AT LAST + + +Starting from sleep, instead of gloomy heaven and a desolation of +tempestuous waters, I saw this: + +The sun, newly up, shed his waxing glory on troubled waters deeply blue and +fringed with foam where the waves broke upon a narrow strip of golden sand +backed by trees and dense-growing green boskages infinite pleasant to the +sight; and beyond these greeny tangles rose a hill of no great altitude, +deep-bowered in trees and brush and flowering vines. And viewing all this +peaceful loveliness with sleep-filled eyes, I thought it at first no more +than idle dream; but presently, knowing it for reality, I felt my hard +nature touched and thrilled (as it were) with a great rush of tenderness, +for what with this glory of sun and the thousand sweet and spicy odours +that wafted to us from this fair island, I sudden felt as if, borne on this +well-remembered fragrance, came the sweet and gentle soul of my lady Joan, +a haunting presence, sad and very plaintive, for it seemed she knew at last +that nought henceforth might stay me from my vengeance. And in my ears +seemed the whisper of her desolate cry: + +"Martin--Oh, blind and more than blind! Alas, dear Martin!" + +Now at this, despite the joy of sun and the gladness of birds that shrilled +'mid the mazy thickets above, a great sadness took me and I bowed my head +in gloomy thought. + +"Forward there!" + +Starting at this hoarse summons, I turned to behold Resolution crouched +at the tiller, his great boat-cloak white with brine, his solitary eye +scowling from me to the shore and back again. + +"Ha, d'ye stir at last, sluggard? Here's Joanna been direly sick--speak +low, she sleeps at last, poor lass--and me stiff o' my wounds, clemmed wi' +hunger and parched wi' thirst, you a-snoring and a sea worse than Jonah's +afore they hove him to the whale--" + +"Why not wake me, then?" I demanded, creeping aft and beholding Joanna +where she lay slumbering, pale and worn beneath weather-stained cloak. "Why +not rouse me, Resolution?" + +"Because she forbade me and her word is my law, d'ye see? Reach me a sup o' +rum from the locker yonder." + +"You have brought us safe through the tempest, then," said I, doing as he +bade me. + +"Aye, Joanna and I, and despite her qualms and sickness, poor lass, and +you a-snoring!" Here, having drained the pannikin of rum, his eye lost +something of its ferocity and he nodded. "Twice we came nigh swamping i' +the dark but the Lord interposed to save His own yet a little, and you +a-snoring, but here was Joanna's hand on the tiller and mine on the sail +and plaguing the Almighty wi' prayers of a righteous, meek, long-suffering +and God-fearing man and behold, comrade, here we are, safe in the lee of +Mizzen Island, and yonder is creek very apt to our purpose. So stand by to +let go the halyard and ship oars when I give word, _amigo_." + +"She seems very worn with her sickness, Resolution!" said I, stooping to +observe Joanna where she slumbered like one utterly exhausted. + +"She is, friend!" he nodded. "She never could abide rough seas from a +child, d'ye see, brother, and her wound troubleth her yet--but never a word +o' complaint, comrade--aha, a great soul, a mighty spirit is hers, for all +her woman's slenderness, Martin! Now, let fly your halyard, douse your +sail--so! Now ship oars and pull, _camarado_, pull!" + +Very soon, myself at the oars and Resolution steering, we crept in betwixt +bush-girt rocks to a shelving, sandy beach. Hereupon, Resolution stooped to +lift Joanna but finding his wounds irk him, beckoned to me: + +"Come, friend," said he. "You are lusty and strong, I do know--bear her +ashore and tenderly, brother, tenderly!" + +So I stooped and raising Joanna in my arms, climbed out of the boat (though +with no little to-do) and bore her ashore towards the pleasant shade of +flowering trees adjacent to the sea. Now presently she stirred in my +embrace, and looking down at her, I saw her regarding me, great-eyed. + +"Here do I rest for the second time, Martino," she murmured. "I +wonder--when the third shall be?" + +"God knoweth!" said I; and being come to the trees, I laid her there as +comfortably as I might and went to aid Resolution to secure the boat. + +Having landed such things as we required and lighted a fire, while +Resolution busied himself preparing a meal, I began to look about me +and found this island marvellous fertile, for here on all sides flowers +bloomed, together with divers fruits, as lemons, plantains, limes, grapes, +a very wonder to behold. Now I chanced to reach a certain eminent place +whence I might behold the general trend of the island; and now I saw that +this was the smallest of three islands and remembered how Resolution had +named them to me as Fore, Main and Mizzen islands. I was yet staring at +these islands, each with its fringe of white surf to windward where the +seas yet broke in foam, when my wandering gaze chanced to light on that +which filled me with sudden and strange foreboding, for, plain to my view +despite the distance, I saw the royal yards and topgallant masts of a great +ship (so far as I could judge) betwixt Fore and Mainmast islands, and I +very full of question as to what manner of ship this should be. + +In my wanderings I chanced upon a little glen where bubbled a limpid stream +amid a very paradise of fruits and flowers; here I sat me down well out +of the sun's heat, and having drunk my fill of the sweet water, fell to +munching grapes that grew to hand in great, purple clusters. And now, my +bodily needs satisfied and I stretched at mine ease within this greeny +bower where birds whistled and piped joyously amid flowery thickets and the +little brook leapt and sang as (one and all) vaunting the wondrous mercy of +God, I, lying thus (as I say) surrounded by His goodly handiworks (and yet +blind to their message of mercy) must needs set my wits to work and cast +about in my mind how I might the soonest win free of this goodly place and +set about the accomplishment of my vengeance. Once or twice I thought to +hear Resolution hallooing and calling my name but, being drowsy, paid +no heed and thus, what with the peace and comfort of my surroundings, I +presently fell asleep. + +But in my slumbers I had an evil dream, for I thought to hear a voice, +hoarse yet tuneful, upraised in song, and voice, like the song, was one +heard long ago, the which in my dreaming troubled me mightily, insomuch +that I started up broad awake and infinitely glad to know this no more than +idle fancy. Sitting up and looking about me, I saw the sun low and nigh to +setting, and great was my wonder that I should have slept so long, yet I +found myself vastly invigorated thereby and mightily hungered, therefore I +arose, minded to seek my companions. + +But scarce was I gone a yard than I stopped all at once, as from somewhere +in the gathering shadows about me, plain to be heard, came the sound of a +voice hoarse but tuneful, upraised in song, and these the words: + + "Some by the knife did part wi' life + And some the bullet took O. + But three times three died plaguily + A-wriggling on a hook O. + A hook both long and sharp and strong + They died by gash o' hook O." + +For a long time (as it seemed) I stood motionless with the words of this +hateful chanty yet ringing in my brain, until the sun flamed seawards, +vanished, and it was night. And here amid the gloom sat I, chin on knees, +my mind busied upon a thousand memories conjured up by this evil song. At +last, being come to a determination, I arose and, stumbling in the dark, +made the best of my way towards that narrow, shelving beach where we had +made our landing. In a little, through a tangle of leafy thickets, I espied +the glow of a fire and heard a sound of voices; and going thitherwards, +paused amid the leaves and hid thus, saw this fire was built at the mouth +of a small cave where sat Joanna with Resolution at her elbow, while +opposite them were five wild-looking rogues with muskets in their hands +grouped about a tall, great fellow of a masterful, hectoring air, who stood +staring down on Joanna, his right hand upon the silver-hafted dagger in his +girdle and tapping at his square chin with the bright steel hook he bore in +place of his left hand. And as he stood thus, feet wide apart, tapping at +his chin with his glittering hook and looking down on Joanna, she, leaning +back against the side of the cave, stared up at him eye to eye. + +"So-ho!" quoth he at last. "So you are Captain Jo, eh--Captain Jo of the +Brotherhood?" + +"And you," said she gently, "you are he that killed my father!" + +Now here ensued a silence wherein none moved, it seemed, only I saw +Resolution's bony hand creep and bury itself in his capacious side +pocket. Then, putting by the screening branches, I stepped forth into the +firelight. + +"What, Tressady," said I, "d'ye cheat the gallows yet?" + +Almost as I spoke I saw the flash and glitter of his whirling hook as he +turned, pinning me with it through the breast of my doublet (but with so +just a nicety that the keen point never so much as touched my skin) and +holding me at arm's length upon this hateful thing, he viewed me over, his +pale eyes bright beneath their jut of shaggy brow. But knowing the man and +feeling Joanna's gaze upon me, I folded my arms and scowled back at him. + +"Who be you, bully, who and what?" he demanded, his fingers gripping at the +dagger in his girdle whose silver hilt was wrought to the shape of a naked +woman. "Speak, my hearty, discourse, or kiss this Silver Woman o' mine!" + +"I am he that cut you down when you were choking your rogue's life out in +Adam Penfeather's noose--along of Abnegation Mings yonder--" + +As I spoke I saw Mings thrust away the pistol he had drawn and lean towards +me, peering. + +"Sink me!" cried he. "It's him, Roger; 'tis Martin sure as saved of us from +Penfeather, curse him, on Bartlemy's Island three years agone--it's him, +Roger, it's him!" + +"Bleed me!" said Tressady, nodding. "But you're i' th' right on't, Abny. +You ha' th' right on't, lad. 'Tis Marty, sure enough, Marty as was bonnet +to me aboard the _Faithfull Friend_ and since he stood friend to us in +regard to Adam Penfeather (with a' curse!) it's us shall stand friends t' +him. Here's luck and a fair wind t' ye, Marty!" So saying, he loosed me +from his hook, and, clapping me on the shoulder, brought me to the circle +about the fire. + +"Oh, sink me!" cried Mings, flourishing a case-bottle under my nose. "Burn +me, if this aren't pure joy! I know a man as don't forget past benefits and +that's Abnegation! Sit down, Martin, and let us eat and, which is better, +drink together!" + +"Why, so we will, Abny, so we will," said Tressady, seating himself within +reach of Joanna. "'Twas pure luck us falling in wi' two old messmates like +Marty and Resolution and us in need of a few hell-fire, roaring boys! 'Tis +like a happy family, rot me, all love and good-fellowship and be damned! +Come, we'll eat, drink and be merry, for to-morrow--we sail, all on us, +aboard my ship _Vengeance_, as lieth 'twixt Fore and Main islands yonder, +ready to slip her moorings!" + +"Avast, friend!" said Resolution, blinking his solitary eye at Tressady. +"The captain o' the Coast Brotherhood is Joanna here--Captain Jo, by the +Brotherhood so ordained; 'tis Captain Jo commands here--" + +"Say ye so, Resolution, say ye so, lad?" quoth Tressady, tapping at chin +with glittering hook. "Now mark me--and keep both hands afore ye--so, my +bully--hark'ee now--there's none commands where I am save Roger Tressady!" +said he, looking round upon us and with a flourish of his hook. "Now if so +be any man thinks different, let that man speak out!" + +"And what o' Captain Jo?" demanded Resolution. + +"That!" cried Tressady, snapping finger and thumb. "Captain Jo is not, +henceforth--sit still, lad--so! Now lift his barkers, Abny--in his pockets. +Still and patient, lad, still and patient!" So Resolution perforce suffered +himself to be disarmed, while Joanna, pale and languid in the firelight, +watched all with eyes that gleamed beneath drooping lashes. + +"So now," quoth Tressady, "since I command here, none denying--" + +"And what o' Captain Jo?" demanded Resolution. + +"Why, I'll tell ye, bully, look'ee now! A man's a man and a woman's a +woman, but from report here's one as playeth t'other and which, turn about. +But 'tis as woman I judge her best, and as woman she sails along o' me, +lad, along o' me!" So saying, he nodded and taking out a case-bottle, +wrenched at the cork with his teeth. + +"And how say you, Joanna?" questioned Abnegation. + +"Tush!" said she, with a trill of laughter. "Here is one that talketh very +loud and fool-like and flourisheth iron claw to no purpose, since I heed +one no more than t'other--" + +"Here's death!" cried he fiercely, stabbing the air with his hook. "Death, +wench!" + +"Tush!" said she again, "I fear death no more than I fear you, and as for +your claw--go scratch where you will!" + +Goaded to sudden fury, he raised his hook and would have smitten the +slender foot of her that chanced within his reach, but I caught his arm and +wrenched him round to face me. + +"Hold off, Tressady!" said I. "Here's a man to fight an you're so minded. +But as for Joanna, she's sick of her wounds and Resolution's little better; +but give me a knife and I'm your man!" And I sprang to my feet. Here for a +moment Joanna's eyes met mine full of that melting tenderness I had seen +and wondered at before; then she laughed and turned to Tressady: + +"Sick or no, I am Joanna and better than any man o' you all, yes. Here +shall be no need for fight, for look now, Tressady, though you are fool, +you are one I have yearned to meet--so here's to our better acquaintance." +And speaking, she leaned forward, twitched the bottle from his hand, nodded +and clapped it to her mouth all in a moment. + +As for Tressady, he gaped, scowled, fumbled with the dagger in his girdle, +loosed it, slapped his thigh and burst into a roar of laughter. + +"Oh, burn me, here's a soul!" he cried. "'Tis a wench o' spirit, all +hell-fire spirit and deviltry, rot me! Go to't, lass, drink hearty--here's +you and me agin world and damn all, says I. Let me perish!" quoth he, +when he had drunk the toast and viewing Joanna with something of respect. +"Here's never a man, woman or child dared so much wi' Jolly Roger all his +days--oh, sink me! Why ha' we never met afore--you and me might rule the +Main--" + +"I do!" said she. + +"And how came ye here--in an open boat?" + +"By reason of Adam Penfeather!" + +"What, Adam again, curse him!" + +"He sank the _Happy Despatch_!" + +"Burn me! And there's a stout ship lost to us." + +"But then--we stayed to fight, yes!" + +"What then?" said Tressady, clenching his fist. "Will ye say I ran away--we +beat him off!" + +"Howbeit Adam sank and took us, and swears to hang you soon or late--unless +you chance to die soon!" + +"Blind him for a dog--a dog and murderous rogue as shall bite on this hook +o' mine yet! A small, thieving rogue is Penfeather--" + +"And the likest man to make an end o' the Brotherhood that ever sailed!" +nodded Joanna. + +"Where lays his course?" + +"Who knows!" + +"And what o' Belvedere?" + +"Dead and damned for rogue and coward!" + +"Why, then, drink, my bullies," cried Tressady, with a great oath. "Drink +battle, murder, shipwreck and hell-fire to Adam Penfeather, with a curse! +Here's us safe and snug in a good stout ship yonder, here's us all love and +good-fellowship, merry as grigs, happy as piping birds, here's luck and +long life to each and all on us." + +"Long life!" said Joanna, frowning. "'Tis folly--I weary of it already!" + +So we ate and drank and sprawled about the fire until the moon rose, and +looking up at her as she sailed serene, I shivered, for to-night it seemed +that in her pallid beam was something ominous and foreboding, and casting +my eyes round about on motionless tree and shadowy thicket I felt my flesh +stir again. + +Now ever as the time passed, Tressady drew nearer and nearer to Joanna, +until they were sitting cheek by jowl, he speaking quick and low, his pale +eyes ever upon her, she all careless languor, though once I saw her take +hold upon his gleaming hook and once she pointed to the dagger in his +girdle and laughed; whereupon he drew it forth (that evil thing) and +holding it up in her view fell suddenly a-singing: + + "Oh, I've sought women everywhere + North, South and East and West; + And some were dark and some were fair + But here's what I love best! + Blow high, blow low, in weal or woe + My Silver Woman's best." + +Thus sang Tressady, looking from the languorous woman at his side to the +languorous woman graven on the dagger-hilt and so thrust it back into his +girdle. + +And in a while Joanna rose, drawing the heavy boat-cloak about her +shapeliness: + +"There is a small bower I wot of down in the shadows yonder shall be my +chamber to-night," said she, staring up at the moon. "And so good night! +I'm a-weary!" Then she turned, but doing so her foot touched Resolution's +leg where he sat, whereat he did strange thing, for at this soft touch he +started, glanced up at her, his eye very wide and bright, and I saw his two +powerful hands become two quivering fists, yet when he spoke his voice was +calm and even. + +"Good night, Joanna--fair dreams attend thee." Then Joanna, eluding +Tressady's clutching hand, went her way, singing to herself very sweet and +low. + +Hereupon Tressady grew very boisterous and merry and perceiving Mings and +his fellows inclined for slumber, roared them to wakefulness, bidding them +drink with him and damning them for sleepy dogs. Yet in a while he fell +silent also and presently takes out his dagger and begins fondling it. Then +all at once he was on his feet, the dagger glittering evilly in his hand +the while he glared from me to Resolution and back again. + +"Good night, my bullies!" said he. "Good night--and let him follow that +dare!" And with a sound 'twixt a growl and a laugh, he turned and strode +away, singing as he went. Now hereupon, nothing doubting his intent, I +sprang to my feet and made to follow, but felt myself caught in an iron +grip and stared down into the grim face of Resolution. + +"Easy, friend--sit down, comrade--here beside me, brother." + +"Aye, truly, you were wiser, Martin!" said Mings, winking and tapping the +pistol in his belt. + +Now Resolution sat in the mouth of the small cave I have mentioned and I +noticed he had slipped his right hand behind him and sat thus, very still, +his gaze on the dying fire like one hearkening very eagerly for distant +sounds, wherefore I did the like and thus, from somewhere amid the shadowy +thickets, I heard Tressady sing again that evil song of his: + + "Two by the knife did lose their life + And three the bullet took O. + But three times three died plaguily + A-wriggling--" + +The singing ended suddenly and indescribably in a sound that was neither +cry nor groan nor choke, yet something of each and very ghastly to be +heard. + +"What was yon!" cried Mings, starting and blinking sleep from his eyes to +peer towards those gloomy thickets. + +"What should it be but Captain Jo!" said Resolution; and now I saw his +right hand, hid no longer, grasped a pistol levelled across his knees. "Sit +still, all on ye," he commanded. "Let a man move a leg and that man's dead! +Mark now what saith Davy. 'He hath graven and digged a pit and is fallen +himself into the destruction he made for others. For his travail shall come +upon his own head and his wickedness fall on his own pate.'" + +"Nay, look'ee," says Mings, wiping sweat from him, "nay, but I heard +somewhat--aye, I did, an unchancy sound--" + +"Peace, Abnegation, peace!" quoth Resolution. "Mew not and hark to the +words o' Davy: 'The Lord is known to execute judgment, the ungodly is +trapped in the work of his own hands'--" + +"Nay, but," says Mings, pointing. "See--who comes yonder?" + +And now we saw Joanna, a dark figure against the splendour of the moon, +walking daintily, as was her wont, and as she came she falls a-singing that +same evil song I had heard long ago: + + "There's a fine Spanish dame + And Joanna's her name + Shall follow wherever ye go + Till your black heart shall feel + Your own cursed steel--" + +She stopped suddenly and stood in the light of the fire, looking from one +to the other of us with that smile I ever found so hateful. + +"I am Joanna," said she softly and nodding at Mings; "I am your Captain Jo +and command here. Get you and your fellows aboard and wait my bidding." + +"Aye, aye!" said Mings in strangled voice, his eyes fixed and glaring. "But +what o' Cap'n Tressady? Where's my comrade, Roger?" + +From behind her back Joanna drew forth a slender hand, awfully bedabbled +and let fall a reeking thing at Abnegation's feet and I saw this for +Tressady's silver-hilted dagger. + +"Black Tressady is dead!" said she. "I have just killed him!" + +"Dead!" gasped Mings, shrinking. "Roger dead! My comrade--murdered--I--" +Uttering a wild, passionate cry he whipped forth his pistol, but in that +moment Resolution fired, and rising to his feet, Abnegation Mings groaned +and pitched upon his face and lay mute and still. + +"Glory to God!" said Resolution, catching up the dead man's weapon and +facing the others. "Come, my lads," quoth he; "if Tressady be as dead as +Mings, he can't walk, wherefore he must be carried. And wherefore carried, +you'll ask? Says I, you shall take 'em along wi' you. You shall bring 'em +aboard ship, you shall tell your mates as Captain Jo sends these dead +men aboard to show 'em she's alive. So come and bring away Tressady +first--march it is for Roger, and lively, lads!" + +Now when they were gone, Joanna came beside me where I sat and stood a +while, looking down on me in silence. + +"He forced me to it!" said she at last. "Oh, Martino, there--was none other +way. And he killed my father." + +But I not answering, she presently sighed and went away, leaving me staring +where Mings lay huddled beyond the dying fire. And presently my gaze +chanced to light on Tressady's dagger of the Silver Woman where it lay, +stained by his life's blood, and leaping to my feet, I caught it up and +sent the evil thing whirling and glittering far out to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +HOW JOANNA CHANGED HER MIND + + +"So there's an end o' Tressady and Mings and their fellows, comrade!" said +Resolution, staring away into distant haze where showed the topsails of the +_Vengeance_ already hull down. "And God's will be done, says I, though here +be we as must go solitary awhile and Joanna sick to death, comrade." + +"Resolution," said I, staring up at his grim figure, "she schemed to lure +Tressady to his death?" + +"Aye, she did, brother. What other way was there? She hath wit womanish and +nimble--" + +"She smote him in the shadows--" + +"Most true, friend! She hath a man's will and determination!" + +"He had no chance--" + +"Never a whit, Martin! She is swift as God's lightning and as infallible. +Roger Tressady was an evil man and the evil within him she used to destroy +him and all very right and proper! And now she lieth sick in the cave +yonder and calls for you, brother." + +So I arose and coming within the cave found Joanna outstretched upon a +rough bed contrived of fern and the boat-cloaks. + +"Alas, Martino, I cannot sleep," said she. "I am haunted by the man +Tressady, which is surely very strange--oh, very strange. For he was evil +like all other men save you and Resolution--and Adam Penfeather. Can you +not say somewhat to my comfort? Did he not merit death?" + +"Aye, most truly. Had you not killed him--I would." + +"For my sake, Martino?" + +"Aye," said I, "for yours." + +"Why, then 'tis strange I should grieve thus--I have killed men ere this, +as you do know, nor troubled; belike 'tis my sickness--or the memory of my +lady Joan--Damaris, her gentleness. Howbeit I am sorry and sad and greatly +afraid." + +"Nay," said I. "What should fright you that do fear nothing?" + +"Myself, Martino--I have been--minded to kill you--more than once!" + +"Yet do I live." + +"And yet do I fear!" said she, with a great sigh. + +"And your wound pains you belike?" + +"A little, Martino." + +"Show me!" + +Mutely she suffered me to uncover her arm and unwind the bandages and I +saw the tender flesh was very angry and inflamed, whereupon I summoned +Resolution from his cooking, who at my desire brought the chest of +medicines with water, etc., and set myself to soothe and cherish this +painful wound as gently as I might, and though she often blenched for the +pain of it she uttered no complaint. + +"Do I hurt you overmuch?" I questioned. + +"Nay," said she, catching her breath for pain of it, "I am none so tender. +D'ye mind how I burned the boat you had so laboured at?" + +"Aye, I do!" + +"And how I gave you an evil draught that was agony?" + +"Aye, I do so!" + +"And how I plagued you--" + +"Nay, why remember all this, Joanna?" + +"It helpeth me to endure this pain!" + +When I had anointed and bound up her wound she must needs praise my skill +and vow she was herself again and would be up and about, whereat Resolution +reached down to aid her to rise, but this I would by no means suffer, +telling her that she must rest and sleep the fever from her blood. At this +she scowled, then all of a sudden laughed. + +"Why, then, you shall stay and talk with me!" + +"Rather shall Resolution mix you a sleeping draught." + +"Verily, brother, two have I mixed, but she'll not take 'em!" + +"Why, then, being two to one, we must force her to drink," said I. + +"Force her to drink, comrade? Force Joannas--God's light--!" + +"Mix the potion, man, or teach me!" So in the end Resolution did as I bade; +then kneeling beside Joanna, I raised her upon my arm and set the pannikin +to her lips, whereupon, though she frowned, she presently drank it off +meekly enough, to Resolution's no small wonder and her own, it seemed. + +"I grow marvellous obedient!" said she. "And 'tis hateful stuff!" + +"Now sleep," quoth I. "'Tis life to you--" + +"Wouldst have me live, to plague you again, mayhap?" she questioned. + +"This is as God wills!" + +"Nay, this is as you will, Martino. Wouldst have me live, indeed?" + +Now seeing how she hung upon my answer, beholding the wistful pleading of +her look, I nodded. + +"Aye, I would indeed!" said I. + +"Why, then I will, Martino, I will!" And smiling, she composed herself to +slumber and smiling, she presently fell asleep, whereupon Resolution crept +stealthily out of the little cave and I after him. Being outside, he turned +and suddenly caught and wrung my hand. + +"Friend," said he, his grim features relaxing to unwonted smile. "Brother, +you are a man--the only man could ha' done it. I thought Death had her sure +last night, she all of a fever and crying out for Death to take her." + +"She'll do better out in the air!" said I, glancing about. + +"The air, comrade?" + +"Aye, I must contrive her a shelter of sorts to her comfort where she may +sleep. 'Neath yonder tree should serve--" + +"She'll live, Martino, she'll live and all by reason o' her love for +you--the promise you made her--" + +"I made no promise, man!" + +"Why, 'twas good as promise, comrade." + +"How so?" + +"'Wouldst ha' me live,' says she, 'to plague you again,' says she. 'Aye, +that would I indeed,' says you! And what's that but a promise, Martin?" + +"God forgive you!" quoth I. "'Twas no promise I intended, as you very well +know." + +"Why, as to that, comrade, how if Joanna think as I think?" + +"'Twill be vain folly!" quoth I in petulant anger and strode away, leaving +him to scowl after me, chin in hand. + +Howbeit (and despite my anger) I presently took such tools as we had and +set about making a small hut or rather bower, where an invalid might find +such privacy as she wished and yet have benefit of the pure, sweet air +rather than lie mewed in the stifling heat of the little cave. And +presently, as I laboured, to me cometh Resolution full of praise for my +handiwork and with proffer of aid. At this I turned to him face to face. + +"Did I make Joanna any promise, aye or no?" I demanded. + +"Aye, brother. You vowed Joanna must live to plague you, forsooth, how and +when and where she would, comrade. In the which assured hope she lieth +even now, sleeping herself to health and strength and all to pleasure you, +Martin. And sure, oh, sure you are never one so vile to deceive the poor, +sweet soul?" + +Now perceiving all his specious sophistry and wilful misunderstanding of +the matter, I came nigh choking with anger. + +"Liar!" quoth I. "Liar!" + +"Peace, brother, peace!" said he. "From any other man this were a fighting +word, but as it is, let us reason together, brother! The Lord hath--" + +"Enough!" cried I. + +"Friend, the Lord hath set--" + +"Leave Him out!" quoth I. + +"What, Martin--will ye blaspheme now? Oh, shame on ye! 'The mouth o' the +blasphemer is as an open sepulchre!' But as I say, the Lord hath set you +here i' this flowery garden like Adam and her like Eve--" + +"And yourself like the serpent!" said I. + +"Ha' done, Martin, ha' done! 'The Lord shall root out deceitful lips and +the tongue that speaks proud things!' mark that!" + +"And mark you this, Resolution, an you fill Joanna's head with aught of +such folly, whatsoever sorrow or evil befalls her is upon your head." + +"Why, observe, friend and brother, for any man shall cause Joanna such, +I have this, d'ye see!" And he showed me the butt of the pistol in his +pocket; whereat I cursed him for meddlesome fool and turning my back went +on with my labour, though my pleasure in it was gone. Howbeit I wrought +this, rather than sit with idle hands, wasting myself in profitless +repining. And presently, being intent on the business, I forgot all else +and seeing this little bower was turning out much better than I had hoped, +I fell a-whistling, until, hearing a step, I turned to find Joanna leaning +upon Resolution's arm and in her eyes such a look of yearning tenderness as +filled me with a mighty disquiet. + +"And have you--made this for--me, Martino?" she questioned, a little +breathlessly. + +"Aye," I nodded, "because I do hate idleness--" + +"Hark to him!" said Resolution. "And him picturing to me how snug you would +lie here--" + +"As to that, Resolution," said I, scowling, "you can lie anywhere." + +"Why, true," said he, ignoring my meaning. "Since Jo sleeps here, I shall +sleep 'neath the tree hard by, leaving you the cave yonder, friend." + +That night Joanna lay in the bower and from this time she mended apace, but +as for me, with every hour my impatience to be gone grew upon me beyond all +measure, and as the time passed I waxed surly and morose, insomuch that +upon a day as I sat frowning at the sea, Joanna stole upon me and stooping, +kissed my hand or ever I might stay her. + +"Do I offend?" she questioned with a strange, new humility. "Ah, prithee, +why art grown so strange to me?" + +"I am as I always was!" + +"Nay, in my sickness thou wert kind and gentle--" + +"So should I have been to any other!" + +"You builded me my little house?" + +"I had naught else to do." + +"Martino," said she, sinking on her knees beside me. "Oh, _caro mio_, +if--if you could kiss me in my sickness when I knew naught of it--wherefore +not now when I am all awake and full of life--" + +"I never did!" said I, speaking on rageful impulse "If Resolution told you +this, he lies!" At this she shrank as I had struck her. + +"And did you not--kiss me in my sickness--once, no?" + +"Never once!" + +Here, bowing her head upon her hands, she rested silent awhile. + +"Nay, Joanna, wherefore seek the impossible. In these latter days I have +learned to--to respect you--" + +"Respect!" cried she, clenching her fists, "Rather give me hate; 'twere +easier endured--" + +"Why, then, this island is a rendezvous for the Brotherhood, soon will you +have friends and comrades; give me then the boat and let me go--" + +"To seek her? Nay, that you shall never do. I will kill you first, yes--for +the cold, passionless thing you are!" So she left me and knowing that she +wept, I felt greatly heartsick and ashamed. + +Now the little cave wherein I slept gave upon that stretch of sandy beach +where lay the boat and this night the weather being very hot and no wind +stirring, I came without the cave and sat to watch the play of moonlight on +the placid waters and hearken to their cool plash and ripple. Long time I +sat thus, my mind full of foreboding, mightily cast down and hot with anger +against Resolution, whose subtle lies had set Joanna on this vain folly of +love, teaching her hopes for that which might never be; and guessing some +of her pain therefor, I grieved for her and felt myself humbled that I +(though all unwitting) should cause her this sorrow. + +Sitting thus, full of heavy thoughts, my gaze by chance lighted upon the +boat and, obeying sudden impulse, I arose and coming hither, fell to sudden +temptation, for here she lay afloat; once aboard it needed but to slip +her moorings and all these my present troubles would be resolved. And yet +(thinks I) by so doing I should leave two people on this solitary island +cut off from their kind. And yet again they run no chance of hardship or +starvation, God knows, and this being a known meeting-place for their +fellows, they shall not lack for company very long. + +I was yet debating this in my mind when, roused by a sound behind me, I +turned to find Resolution scowling on me and pistol in hand. + +"Ha!" said he 'twixt shut teeth, "I ha' been expecting this and watched +according. So you'll steal the boat, will ye--leave us marooned here, will +ye?" + +"I haven't decided yet!" quoth I. + +"And what's to let me from shooting ye?" + +"Nought in the world," said I, watching for a chance to close with him, +"only bear witness I have not touched rope or timber yet--" + +"'Tis a rule o' the Coast to shoot or hang the like o' you!" quoth he, +and I heard the sharp click of the pistol as he cocked it and then with a +flutter of petticoats Joanna burst upon us. + +"Resolution, what is't?" she questioned breathlessly, looking from one to +other of us. + +"He was for stealing the boat, Jo!" + +"Is this true?" she demanded, her face set and very pale. But here, seeing +speech was vain, I shook my head and turning my back on them came into my +cave and cast myself down on my rough bed. Lying thus I heard the murmur +of their talk a great while, yet I nothing heeded until Joanna spoke close +without the cave. + +"Bide you there, Resolution!" Then the moonlight was dimmed and I saw her +form outlined in the mouth of the cave. + +"What would you, Joanna?" said I, starting up. + +"Talk with you a small while," said she and came where we might behold each +other. "Nay, do not fear. I will come no nearer, only I would speak to you +now as I would speak if I lay a-dying, I would have you answer as you would +if--if Death stood ready to strike these our bodies and bear our souls out +to the infinite and a better life." + +"Speak!" said I, wondering to see her shaken as by an ague-fit. + +"You do not--love me, then? No?" + +"No." + +"You--never could love me, mind and heart and body? No?" + +"No." + +"You could not endure me beside you, to--to live--with me near you?" + +"'Twould mean only pain, Joanna." + +"Then go!" cried she. "I am not so base-souled to weep and wheedle, to +scheme and pray for thing that can never be truly mine, or to keep you +here in hated bondage--go! The boat lieth yonder; take her and what you +will--only--get you gone!" + +Now at this I rose and would have taken her hands but she snatched them +behind her, and now I wondered at her deathly pallor,--her very lips were +pale and set. + +"Joanna," I stammered, "do you mean--am I--" + +"Go!" + +"Nay, first hear me say that wheresoever I go needs must I--" + +"Respect me!" cried she with a strange, wild laugh. "Oh, begone!" + +"Joanna," said I, "for any harsh word I have spoke you in the past, for any +pain you have suffered because of me, I do most surely grieve and would +most humbly crave your forgiveness and for this generous act I--I--" + +"Respect me?" said she in a small voice. "Ah, cannot you see--how you--hurt +me?" And now all suddenly I did strange thing for, scarce knowing what I +did, I caught her in my arms and kissed her hair, her eyes, her cold lips +and then, half ashamed, turned to leave her. + +"Stay!" said she, but I never heeded. "Martino!" she called, but I never +paused; and then, being come to the mouth of the cave, I heard the quick, +light sound of her feet behind me and as I stepped into the moonlight +felt two arms that swung me aside, saw Joanna leap before me as the +night-silence was split by a ringing, deafening roar; and then I had her in +my arms and she, smiling up at me with blood upon her lips, hid her face +in my breast. "Here in thine arms do I lie for the third time--and last, +Martino!" she sighed, and so Resolution found us. + +"What!" he gasped. "Oh, God! What--?" + +"Some one has shot Joanna!" + +"Aye, Martin, 'twas I!" and I saw the pistol yet smoking in his hand--"I +shot her thinking 'twas you--Oh, God!" + +"Nay, Resolution," said Joanna, opening her eyes. "You did very +right--'twas only that I--being a woman--changed my mind--at the last. +'Twas I bid him--kill you, Martino--if you came forth, but I--I dreamed +you--you would not leave me. Nay, let be, Resolution, I'm a-dying--yes!" + +"Ah, forbid it, God--Oh, God of Mercies, spare her!" he cried, his hands +and eyes uplift to the radiant, starry heavens. + +"Nay, grieve not, Resolution--dear friend!" she murmured painfully. "For +oh, 'tis--a good thing to die--by your hand and with--such reason! Martino, +when--you shall wed your Joan--Damaris, say I--gave you to her with--my +life because I loved you--better than life--and Death had--no fears. I go +back to life--a better life--where I shall find you one day, Martino, and +learn what--happiness is like--mayhap. Resolution," she whispered, "when +I--am dead, do not let me lie a poor, pale thing to grieve over--bury +me--bury me so soon as I--am dead. Dig me a grave--above the tide! Promise +this!" + +"I promise!" + +"Now kiss me--you were ever true and kind--kiss me? And you, Martino, +wilt kiss me--not in gratitude--this last time?" And so I kissed her and +thereafter she lay silent awhile, looking up at me great-eyed. + +"Somewhere," she whispered, "some day--we shall--meet again, beloved--but +now is--farewell. Oh, 'tis coming--'tis coming, Martino!" And then in +stronger voice, "Oh, Death!" she cried. "Oh, welcome Death--I do not fear +thee! Lift me, Martino--lift me--let me die--upon my feet!" + +Very tenderly we lifted her betwixt us and then suddenly with a soft, +murmurous cry, she lifted her arms to the glory of the wide firmament above +us and with shuddering sigh let them slowly fall, and with this sigh the +strange, wild soul of her sped away back to the Infinite whence it had +come. + +And now Resolution, on his knees beside this slender form that lay so mute +and still, broke out into great and awful sobs that were an agony to hear. + +"Dead!" he gasped. "Oh, God--dead! And by my hand! I that loved her all her +days--that would ha' died for her--Oh, smite me, merciful God--cast forth +Thy lightnings--shoot forth Thine arrows and consume me an Thou be merciful +indeed." All at once he arose and hasting away on stumbling feet, presently +came back again, bearing spade and mattock. + +"Come, friend," said he in strange, piping tones. "Come now, let us dig +grave and bury her, according to my promise. Come, brother!" Now looking on +him as he stood all bowed and shaking, I saw that he was suddenly become an +old man; his twisted frame seemed shrunken, while spade and mattock shook +and rattled in his palsied hands. "Come, lad, come!" cried he querulously. +"Why d'ye gape--bring along the body; 'tis nought else! Ah, God, how still +now, she that was so full o' life! Bring her along to high water-mark and +tenderly, friend, ah, tenderly, up wi' her to your heart!" So I did as he +bade and followed Resolution's bowed and limping form till he paused well +above where any sea might break and hard beside a great rock. + +"She'll lie snug here, friend," quoth he, "snug against howling wind and +raging tempest!" So together we dug the grave deep within that shelving, +golden sand, and laying her tenderly therein, knelt together while the moon +sank and shadows lengthened; and when Resolution had recited the prayers +for the dead, he broke into a passion of prayer for himself, which done we +rose and plied spade and mattock in silence; nor would Resolution pause or +stay until we had raised mound sufficiently high to please him. When at +last all was completed to his satisfaction, he dropped his spade and wiping +sweat from him seated himself beside the grave, patting the mound very +tenderly with his open palm. + +"The moon is wondrous bright, friend," said he, staring up at it, "but so +have I seen it many a night; but mark this, never in all our days shall we +see again the like o' her that sleeps, Martino, that sleeps--below here!" +And here he falls to soft mutterings and to patting that small mound of +sand again. + +"Come!" said I at last, touching his bowed shoulder. "Come!" + +"Where away, _camarado_?" he questioned, looking up at me vacantly. "Nay, +I'm best here--mayhap she'll be lonesome-like at first, so I'll bide +here, lad, I'll bide here a while. Go your ways, brother, and leave old +Resolution to pray a little, aye--and, mayhap weep a little, if God be +kind." + +So in the end I turned, miserably enough, and left him crouched there, +his head bowed upon his breast. And in my mind was horror and grief and +something beside these that filled me with a great wonder. Reaching the +cave, I saw the sand there all trampled and stained with the blood she had +shed to save mine own, and hard beside these, the print of her slender +foot. And gazing thus, I was of a sudden blinded by scorching tears, and +sinking upon my knees I wept as never before in all my days. And then +sprang suddenly to my feet as, loud upon the air, rang out a shot that +seemed to echo and re-echo in my brain ere, turning, I began to run back +whence I had come. + +And so I found Resolution face down across the mound that marked Joanna's +grave, his arms clasped about it and on his dead face the marks of many +tears. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +I GO TO SEEK MY VENGEANCE + + +Next day, just as the sun rose, I buried Resolution 'twixt Joanna and the +sea, yet over him I raised no mound, since I judged he would have it so. +Thereafter I ate and drank and stored the boat with such things as I needed +for my voyage and particularly with good supply of fruits. And now, though +the wind and tide both served me, I yet lingered, for it seemed that the +spirit of Joanna still tarried hereabouts. Moved by sudden desire, I began +searching among the tumbled boulders that lay here and there and presently +finding one to my purpose, urged it down the sloping beach and with +infinite pains and labour contrived at last to set it up at the head of +Joanna's resting-place. Then, taking hammer and chisel, I fell to work upon +it, heedless of sun-glare, of thirst, fatigue or the lapse of time, staying +not till my work was complete, and this no more than two words cut deep +within the enduring stone; these: + +JOANNA + +VNFEARING + +And now at last, the tide being on the turn, I unmoored the boat, and +thrusting her off, clambered aboard and betook me to the oars, and ever as +I rowed I kept my gaze upon that small, solitary heap of sand until it grew +all blurred upon my sight. Having presently made sufficient headway, I +unshipped oars and hoisting my sail, stood out into the immeasurable deep +but with my eyes straining towards that stretch of golden sand where lay +all that was mortal of Joanna. + +And with my gaze thus fixed, I must needs wonder what was become of the +fiery, passionate spirit of her, that tameless soul that was one with +the winds and stars and ocean, even as Resolution had said. And thus I +presently fell a-praying and my cheek wet with tears that I thought no +shame. When I looked up, I saw that the narrow strip of beach was no longer +in sight; Joanna had verily gone out of my life and was but a memory. + +All afternoon I held on before a fair wind so that as the sun sank I saw +the three islands no more than a faint speck on the horizon; wherefore, +knowing I should see them no more in this life, I uncovered my head, and +thus it was indeed I saw Joanna's resting-place for the last time. + +And now as the sun slipped westward and vanished in glory, even now as +night fell, I had a strange feeling that her spirit was all about me, +tender and strong and protecting, and herein, as the darkness gathered, I +found great comfort and was much strengthened in the desperate venture I +was about. + +Having close-reefed my sail and lashed the tiller, I rolled myself in a +boat-cloak and, nothing fearing, presently fell asleep and dreamed Joanna +sat above me at the helm, stooping to cover me from the weather as she had +done once before. + +Waking next morning to a glory of sun, I ate and drank (albeit sparingly) +and fell to studying Adam's chart, whereby I saw I must steer due +southwesterly and that by his calculation I should reach the mainland in +some five or six days. Suffice it that instead of five days it was not +until the tenth day (my water being nigh exhausted and I mightily downcast +that I had sailed out of my proper course) that I discovered to my +inexpressible joy a faint, blue haze bearing westerly that I knew must be +the Main. And now the wind fell so that it was not until the following +morning that I steered into a little, green bay where trees grew to the +very water's edge and so dense that, unstepping my mast, I began paddling +along this green barrier, looking for some likely opening, and thus +presently came on a narrow cleft 'mid the green where ran a small creek +roofed in with branches, vines and twining boughs, into which I urged my +boat forthwith (and no little to-do) and passed immediately from the hot +glare of sun into the cool shade of trees and tangled thickets. Having +forced myself a passage so far as I might by reason of these leafy tangles, +my next thought was to select such things as I should need and this took me +some time, I deeming so many things essential since I knew not how far +I might have to tramp through an unknown country, nor in what direction +Nombre de Dios lay. But in the end I narrowed down my necessities to the +following, viz: + +A compass +A perspective-glass +A sword +Two pistols +A gun with powder-horn and shot for same +A light hatchet +A tinder-box and store of buccaned meat. + +And now, having belted on sword and pistols and wrapping the other things +in one of the boat-cloaks, I strapped the unwieldy bundle to my shoulders +and taking up the gun, scrambled ashore, and having found my bearing, set +off due southwesterly. + +Hour after hour I struggled on, often having to hew myself a passage with +my axe, until towards evening I came out upon a broad ride or thoroughfare +amid the green, the which greatly heartened me, since here was evidence of +man's handiwork and must soon or late bring me to some town or village; +forthwith, my weariness forgotten, I set off along this track, my face set +ever westwards; but presently my vaunting hopes were dashed to find the +track could be very little used nowadays, since here and there great trees +had fallen and lay athwart my going, and presently the way itself narrowed +to a mere path and this crossed here and there by hanging vines which was +sure proof that few, if any, had passed this way these many months, mayhap +years. Hereupon I stopped to lean despondent on my gun and looked about me; +and with dejection of mind came weariness of body and seeing night was at +hand, I determined to go no farther and turned in among the trees, minded +to sleep here, though the place was wild and forbidding enough. + +I had just loosed off my heavy pack when the pervading stillness was broken +by a wailing cry, so sudden, so shrill and evil to hear that my flesh crept +and I huddled against a tree, peering into the deepening shadows that had +begun to hem me in. At first I judged this some wild beast and reached for +my musket; then, as the sound rose again, I knew this for human cry, for I +heard these words: + +"Mercy, seņors, mercy for the love o' God!" + +Hereupon I began to run towards whence came this dismal outcry and +presently espied the glow of a fire, and creeping thither discovered four +men grouped about a fifth and him fast bound to a tree, and this poor +wretch they were torturing with a ramrod heated in the fire; even as I +watched he writhed and screamed for the intolerable pain of it. Staying for +no more, I burst upon them and levelling my piece at the chief tormentor, +pulled the trigger, whereupon was no more than a flash of the flint; it +seemed that in my hurry to begone I had forgotten to load it. Howbeit, +loaded or not, it served me well enough, for, swinging it by the barrel, +I was upon them or ever they were aware and smote down two of the rogues, +whereupon their comrades betook them to their heels with the utmost +precipitation. I therefore proceeded to cut the sufferer loose who, sinking +to the earth, lay there, muttering and groaning. + +"Are ye much hurt?" I questioned, stooping above him: whereupon he spat +forth a string of curses by which I judged him English and very far from +dying as I had feared. I now found myself master of four very good guns, +a sword, a steel headpiece, two cloaks and other furniture, with food +a-plenty and three flasks of wine. I was yet examining these and watching +against the return of their late owners when, hearing a sound, I saw the +late poor captive bending above the two men I had felled. + +"Are they dead?" I questioned. + +"Nay, not yet, master; give 'em six minutes or say ten and they'll be as +dead as the pig you ate of last--" + +"How so?" I demanded, staring at the wild, ragged figure of the speaker. + +"By means o' this, master!" said he, and stooping towards the fire showed +me a middling-sized black thorn upon his open palm. "Not much to look at, +master--no, but 'tis death sure and sarten, howsomever. I've many more +besides; I make 'em into darts and shoot 'em through a blowpipe--a trick +I larned o' the Indians. Aye, I spits 'em through a pipe--which is better +than your guns--no noise, no smoke, and sure death wherever it sticketh." + +"Are you an Englishman?" + +"I am that! Born within sound o' Bow Bells; 'tis all o' twenty years since +I heard 'em but they ring in my dreams sometimes. I shipped on a venture +to the Main twenty years ago and fought and rioted as a man may and by +ill-luck fell into the hands o' the bloody Spaniards along o' six other +good lads--all dead long since, master. Then the Inquisition got me and was +going to burn me but not liking the thought on't, I turned Roman. Then they +made me a slave, but I got away at last. Aha, all Spanishers are devils +for cruelty, but their Churchmen are worst and of all their Churchmen the +coldest, softest, bloodiest is Alexo Valdez, Chief Inquisitor of Nombre de +Dios yonder--" + +"Ha, you know Nombre de Dios?" + +"I ha' lived and suffered there, master, and 'tis there I be a-going for to +make an end o' Bloody Valdez, if God be kind." + +"Then," said I, "we will travel so far together--" + +"And what doth an Englishman the like o' you want with the accursed place; +the Inquisition is strong there--" + +"'Tis a matter of life and death," said I. + +"Death!" said he, "Death--they should all be dead and rotting, if I had my +way." So saying, this strange man, whose face I had scarce seen, laid him +down beyond the fire and composed himself to slumber. + +"How then," I demanded, "will ye sleep here in the wild and no watch?" + +"I will that!" said he. "I know the wilderness and I have endured much o' +hardship o' late and as to watching, there's small need. The rogues you +fell upon, being Spaniards, will doubtless be running yet and nigh unto +Nombre, by now." + +"How far is it hence?" + +"Twelve leagues by road, but less the ways I travel." + +"Good!" said I. + +"Though 'tis hard going." + +"No matter." + +"Why, then, sleep, for we march at dawn. And my name is John." + +"And mine Martin." + +"Why, then, Martin, good night." + +"Good night, John." + +Howbeit though (and despite his hurts) my companion presently slept and +snored lustily, and though I kept myself awake and my weapons to hand, +yet I fell a-nodding and at last, overcome with weariness, sank to sleep +likewise. + +I waked to find the sun up and the man John shaking me, a wild, unlovely, +shaggy fellow, very furtive of eye and gesture, who cringed and cowered +away as I started up. + +"Lord, man," quoth I, "I am no enemy!" + +"I know it!" said he, shaking tousled head. "But 'tis become nat'ral to +me to slink and crawl and blench like any lashed cur, all along o' these +accursed Spaniards; I've had more kicks and blows than I've lived days," he +growled, munching away at the viands he had set forth. + +"Have ye suffered so much then?" + +"Suffered!" cried he with a snarl. "I've done little else. Aha, when I +think o' what I've endured, I do love my little blowpipe--" + +"Blowpipe?" I questioned. + +"Aye--this!" And speaking, from somewhere among the pitiful rags that +covered his lank carcase he drew forth a small wooden pipe scarce two foot +long and having a bulbous mouthpiece at one end. "The Indians use 'em +longer than this--aye, six foot I've seen 'em, but then, Lord! they'll blow +ye a dart from eighty to a hundred paces sometimes, whereas I never risk +shot farther away than ten or twenty at most; the nearer the surer, aha!" +Hereupon he nodded, white teeth agleam through tangled beard, and with a +swift, stealthy gesture hid the deadly tube in his rags again. + +"What of the two Spaniards I struck down last night?" I questioned, looking +vainly for them. + +"In the bushes yonder," said he and with jerk of thumb. "I hid 'em, master, +they being a little unsightly--black and swol--as is the natur' o' +this poison!" Hereupon I rose and going whither he pointed, parted the +undergrowth and saw this was indeed so, insomuch that my stomach turned and +I had no more desire for food. + +"You murdered those men!" + +"Aye, that I did, master, an you call it murder. Howbeit, there's more +shall go the same road yet, notably Alexo Valdez, a curse on him!" + +"And you are an Englishman?" + +"I was, but since then I've been slave to be whipped, dog to be kicked, +Lutheran dog to be spat upon, and lastly Indian--" + +"And what now?" + +"A poor soul to be tormented, shot, hanged, or burned as they will, once +I'm taken." + +"And yet you will adventure yourself to Nombre de Dios?" + +"Why, Alexo Valdez is lately come there and Alexo Valdez burned my friend +Dick Burbage, as was 'prentice wi' me at Johnson's, the cutler's, in Friday +Street nigh St. Paul's, twenty odd years agone." + +And in a while, being ready to start, I proffered this wild fellow one of +the Spaniard's guns, but he would have none of it, nor sword, nor even +cloak to cover his rags, so in the end we left all things behind, and there +they be yet, for aught I know. + +Now as we journeyed on together, in answer to my questioning I learned from +this man John something of the illimitable pride and power of the Church +of Rome; more especially he told me of the Spanish Inquisition, its cold +mercilessness and passionless ferocity, its unsleeping watchfulness, its +undying animosity, its constant menace and the hopelessness of escape +therefrom. He gave me particulars of burnings and rackings, he described +to me the torments of the water, the wheel and the fire until my soul +sickened. He told me how it menaced alike the untrained savage, the peasant +in his hut and the noble in his hall. I heard of parents who, by reason +of this corroding fear, had denounced their children to the torment and +children their parents. + +"Aye, and there was a Donna Bianca Vallambrosa, a fine woman, I mind, was +suspected of Lutheranism--so they racked her and she in torment confessed +whatsoever they would and accused her sister Donna Luisa likewise. So they +burned 'em both and made 'em pay for stake and chain and faggots too, afore +they died." + +Many other horrors he recounted, but ever and always he came back to the +name of Alexo Valdez to vomit curses upon until at last I questioned him as +to what manner of man this was to behold. + +"Master," said John, turning to regard me, every hair upon his sunburned +face seeming to bristle, "think o' the most sinful stench ever offended +you, the most loathly corruption you ever saw and there's his soul; think +o' the devil wi' eyes like dim glass, flesh like dough and a sweet, soft +voice, and you have Alexo Valdez inside and out, and may every curse ever +cursed light on and blast him, says I!" + +"Are there many English prisoners in the Inquisition at Nombre?" + +"Why, I know of but one--though like enough there's more--they are so +cursed secret, master." + +"Did ye ever hear of an English gentleman lost or taken hereabouts some six +years since and named Sir Richard Brandon?" + +"Nay, I was slaving down Panama way six years ago. Is it him you come +a-seeking of, master?" + +"Aye," I nodded. "A very masterful man, hale and florid and of a full +habit." + +"Nay, the only Englishman ever I see in Nombre was old and bent wi' white +hair, and went wi' a limp, so it can't be him." + +"No!" said I, frowning. "No!" After this, small chance had we for talk by +reason of the difficulty of our going, yet remembering all he had told, I +had enough to think on, God knows. + +We had now reached a broken, mountainous country very trying and perilous, +what with torrents that foamed athwart our way, jagged boulders, shifting +stones and the like, yet John strode on untiring; but as for me, what with +all this, the heat of sun and the burden I carried, my breath began to +labour painfully. The first thing I tossed away was my gun that fell, +ringing and clattering, down the precipitous rocks below, and the next +was my pack and thereafter my hatchet and pistols, so that by the time we +reached the top of the ascent all I had to encumber me was my sword, and +this I kept, since it was light and seemingly a good blade. + +"Master," said John, with a flourish of his ragged arm, "here's +freedom--here's God. A land o' milk and honey given over to devils--curse +all Spanishers, say I!" + +Now looking around me I stood mute in wonder, for from this height I might +behold a vast stretch of country, towering mountains, deep, shady valleys, +impenetrable woods, rushing rivers, wide-stretching plains and far beyond a +vague haze that I knew was the sea. + +"And yonder, master," said John, pointing with his blowpipe, "yonder lieth +Nombre, though ye can't see it, the which we shall reach ere nightfall, +wherefore it behoveth me to look to my artillery." + +So saying, he squatted down upon his hams and from his rags produced a +small gourd carefully wrapped about with leaves; unwinding these, I saw the +gourd to contain a sticky, blackish substance. + +"Aha!" said John, viewing this with gloating eyes. "Snake poison is +mother's milk to this, master. Here's enough good stuff to make pocky +corpses o' every cursed Spanisher in Nombre ere sunset. Here's that +might end the sufferings o' the poor Indians, the hangings, burnings and +mutilations. I've seen an Indian cut up alive to feed to the dogs afore +now--but here's a cure for croolty, master!" + +While speaking, he had laid on the ground before him some dozen or so +little darts no longer than my finger, each armed with a needle-like point +and feathered with a wad of silky fibres; the point of each of these darts +he dipped into the poison one after the other and laid them in the sun to +dry, which done he wrapped up the little gourd mighty carefully and thrust +it back among his rags. And in a while, the poison on the darts or arrows +being dried to his satisfaction, he took forth a small leathern quiver of +native make and setting the missiles therein, shut down the lid securely +and sprang to his feet. + +"Here's sure death and sarten for some o' the dogs, master," quoth he, "and +now if there truly be a God aloft there, all I ask is one chance at Alexo +Valdez as burns women and maids, as tortures the innocent, as killed my +friend and druv me into the wild--one chance, master, and I'm done!" + +Thus he spake with eyes uplift and one hairy hand upraised to the serene +heavens, then with a nod to me set off along the hazardous track before us. + +Of this, the last stage of our journeying, I will make no mention save +that footsore, bruised and weary I sank amid a place of trees and gloomy +thickets as the sun went down and night came. + +"Straight afore you about half a mile lieth Nombre, master!" said John in +my ear. "Hearken! You may hear the dogs like bees in a hive and be cursed +to 'em!" + +And sure enough I heard an indistinct murmur of sound that was made up of +many; and presently came others more distinct; the faint baying of a hound, +the distant roll of a drum, the soft, sweet tolling of a bell. + +"So here y'are, master, and good luck t'ye!" said John and with scarce a +rustle, swift and stealthy as an Indian, he was gone and I alone in the +gloom. Hereupon I debated with myself whether I should get me into the city +straight away or wait till the morrow, the which question was resolved by +my falling into a sweet and dreamless slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HOW I CAME TO NOMBRE DE DIOS + + +I awoke to the glare of a light and, starting up, was smitten to my knees +and, lying half-stunned, was conscious of voices loud and excited, of hands +that wrenched me here and there. And now (my hands securely trussed) I was +hauled up and marched on stumbling feet amid shadowy captors, all of whom +seemed to talk excitedly and none to listen, the which I little heeded +being yet dazed by the blow. And presently I was aware of a dim street +where lights gleamed, of tall buildings, an open square and a shadowy pile +soaring upward into the dark. And presently from the surrounding gloom a +darker figure stole, slow-moving and silent, at sight of which my captors +halted to kneel, one and all, with bowed heads, whereupon the form raised a +shadowy arm in salutation or blessing. And then a voice spake in sonorous +Spanish, very soft and low and sweet, yet a voice that chilled me none the +less: + +"Whom bring ye?" + +Here came voices five or six, speaking also in Spanish, and amid this babel +I caught such words as: + +"A stranger, holy father!" + +"An Englishman!" + +"A Lutheran dog!" + +"Follow!" the sweet voice commanded, whereupon up sprang my captors and +hauled me along and so presently into a spacious hall with a dais at one +end where stood a table and great elbow-chair; but what drew and held my +gaze was the slender, dark-robed ecclesiastic that, moving on leisured, +soundless feet, went on before until, reaching the table, he seated himself +there, head bowed upon one hand; and thus he sat awhile then beckoned with +one imperious finger, whereupon my captors led me forward to the dais. + +"Begone!" spake the pleasant voice and immediately my captors drew away and +presently were gone, leaving me staring upon the tonsured crown of the man +at the table who, with head still bowed upon his hand, struck a silver +bell that stood beside him. Scarce had the sound died away than I heard a +stealthy rustling and beheld divers forms that closed silently about me, +figures shrouded from head to foot in black habits and nought of them to +see save their hands and the glitter of eyes that gazed on me through the +holes of them black, enveloping hoods. + +Now turning to him at the table, I saw that he had raised his head at last +and was viewing me also, and as he stared on me so stared I on him and this +is what I saw: A lean and pallid face with eyes dim and slumberous, a high +nose with nostrils thin and curling, a wide, close-lipped mouth and long, +pointed chin. When we had stared thus a while, he leaned him back in the +great chair and spoke me in his soft, sweet voice: + +"You are English, seņor?" + +"I am!" said I in Spanish. + +"What do you here?" + +"Seek another Englishman known to be prisoner to the Inquisition of Nombre +de Dios." + +"His name?" + +"Richard Brandon. Is he here?" + +"Are you of the Faith?" + +"Of all or any save that of Rome!" said I, staring up into the pale, +emotionless face. "But Rome I do abominate and all its devil's work!" At +this, from the hooded figures about me rose a gasp of horror and amaze, +while into the dim eyes of my questioner came a momentary glow. + +"Oh, fleshly lips!" quoth he. "Oh, tongue of blasphemy damned. Since you by +the flesh have sinned, so by the flesh, its pains and travail, must your +soul win forgiveness and life hereafter. Oh, vain soul, though your flesh +hath uttered damnable sin and heresy, yet Holy Church in its infinite mercy +shall save your soul in despite sinful flesh, to which end we must lay on +your evil flesh such castigation as shall, by its very pain, purge your +soul and win it to life hereafter--" + +But now, and even as the black-robed familiars closed upon me, I heard +steps behind me, a clash of arms and thereafter a voice whose calm tones I +recognised. + +"What is this, Father Alexo?" + +"An Englishman and blasphemous Lutheran, captured and brought hither within +the hour, Your Excellency." Now here the familiars, at sign of Fra Alexo, +moved aside, and thus I beheld to my surprise and inexpressible joy, Don +Federigo, pale from his late sickness, the which the sombre blackness of +his rich velvet habit did but offset; for a moment his eyes met mine and +with no sign of recognition, whereupon I checked the greeting on my lips. + +"And am I of so little account as not to be warned of this?" said he. + +"Alas, Excellency, if I have something forgot the respect due your high and +noble office, let my zeal plead my excuse. In your faithful charge do we +leave this miserable one until Holy Church shall require him of you." So +saying, Fra Alexo, crossing lean hands meekly on his bosom, bowed himself +in humble fashion, and yet I thought to see his dull eyes lit by that +stealthy glow as Don Federigo, having duly acknowledged his salutation, +turned away. + +Thence I was led into the soft night air to a noble house, through goodly +chambers richly furnished and so at last to a small room; and ever as I +went I had an uneasy feeling that a long, black robe rustled stealthily +amid the shadows, and of dull eyes that watched me unseen, nor could I +altogether shake off the feeling even when the door closed and I found +myself alone with Don Federigo. Indeed it almost seemed as he too felt +something of this, for he stood a while, his head bowed and very still, +like one listening intently; suddenly he was before me, had grasped my two +fettered hands, and when he spake it was in little more than whisper. + +"Alas, Don Martino--good my friend, Death creepeth all about you here--" + +"Fra Alexo's spies!" I nodded. Now at this he gave me a troubled look and +fell to pacing to and fro. + +"A hard man and cunning!" quoth he, as to himself. "The Church--ah, the +power of the Church! Yet must I get you safe away, but how--how?" + +"Nay, Don Federigo, never trouble." + +"Trouble, Seņor? Ah, think you I count that? My life is yours, Don Martino, +and joyfully do I risk it--" + +"Nay, sir," quoth I, grasping his hand, "well do I know you for brave and +noble gentleman whose friendship honoureth me, but here is no need you +should hazard your life for me, since I am here of my own will. I have +delivered myself over to the Inquisition to the fulfilment of a purpose." + +"Sir," said he, his look of trouble deepening. "Alas, young sir--" + +"This only would I ask of your friendship--when they take me hence, see to +it that I am set in company with one that lieth prisoned here, see that +I am fettered along with Sir Richard Brandon. And this do I ask of your +friendship, sir!" + +"Alas!" said he. "Alas, 'tis out of my jurisdiction; you go hence you are +lost--you do pass from the eye of man--none knoweth whither." + +"So long as I come unto mine enemy 'tis very well, sir. 'Tis this I have +prayed for, lived for, hoped and suffered for. Wherefore now, Don Federigo, +in memory of our friendship and all that hath passed betwixt us, I would +ask you to contrive me this one thing howsoever you may." + +At this he fell to his walking again and seemingly very full of anxious +thought. Presently he sounded a whistle that hung about his neck, in answer +to which summons came one I judged to be an Indian by his look, though he +was dressed Christianly enough. And now, with a bow to me, Don Federigo +speaks to him in tongue I had never heard before, a language very soft and +pleasing: + +"Your pardon, sir," said Don Federigo when we were alone, "but Hualipa is +an Indian and hath but indifferent Spanish." + +"An Indian?" + +"An Aztec Cacique that I saved from an evil death. He is one of the few +I can trust. And here another!" said he, as the door opened and a great +blackamoor Centered, bearing a roast with wine, etc., at sight whereof my +mouth watered and I grew mightily hungered. + +While I ate and drank and Don Federigo ministering to my wants, he told me +of Adam Penfeather, praising his courtliness and seamanship; he spoke +also of my lady and how she had cared for him in his sickness. He told me +further how they had been attacked by a great ship and having beaten off +this vessel were themselves so much further shattered and unseaworthy that +'twas wonder they kept afloat. None the less Adam had contrived to stand +in as near to Nombre de Dios as possible and thus set him safely ashore. +Suddenly the arras in the corner was lifted and Hualipa reappeared, who, +lifting one hand, said somewhat in his soft speech, whereupon Don Federigo +rose suddenly and I also. + +"Seņor Martino," said he, taking my hand, "good friend, the familiars of +the Holy Office are come for you, so now is farewell, God go with you, and +so long as I live, I am your friend to aid you whensoever I may. But now +must I see you back in your bonds." + +He now signed to Hualipa who forthwith bound my wrists, though looser than +before, whereupon Don Federigo sighed and left me. Then the Indian brought +me to a corner of the room and lifting the arras, showed me a small door +and led me thence along many dim and winding passages into a lofty +hall where I beheld Don Federigo in confabulation with divers of these +black-robed ecclesiastics who, beholding me, ceased their talk and making +him their several obeisances, carried me away whither they would. Thus very +soon I found myself looking again into the pallid, dim-eyed face of the +Chief Inquisitor who, lifting one white, bony finger, thus admonished me in +his sweet, sad voice: + +"Unworthy son, behold now! Holy Church, of its infinite mercy and great +love to all such detestable sinners as thou manifestly art, doth study how +to preserve thy soul from hell in despite of thyself. And because there +is nought so purging as fire, to the fire art thou adjudged except, thy +conscience teaching thee horror of thine apostacy, thou wilt abjure thy sin +and live. And because nought may so awaken conscience as trouble of mind +and pain of body, therefore to trouble and pain doth Holy Church adjudge +thy sinful flesh, by water, by fire, by rack, pulley and the wheel." Here +he paused and bowed his head upon his hands and thus remained a while; when +at last he spoke, it was with face still hid and slowly, as if unwilling +to give the words utterance: "Yet, first--thou art decreed--a space--for +contemplation of thy heresy vile and abominable, having fellowship with +one who, blasphemous as thyself and of a pride stubborn and hateful, long +persisted in his sinfulness, yet at the last, by oft suffering, hath lately +abjured his damnable heresy and is become of humble and contrite heart, and +thus, being soon to die, shall, by pain of flesh and sorrow of mind, save +his soul alive in Paradise everlasting. Go, miserable wretch, thy body is +but corruption soon to perish, but the immortal soul of thee is in Holy +Church her loving care henceforth, to save in thy despite." + +Then, with face still bowed, he gestured with his hand, whereupon came two +hooded familiars and led me forth of his presence. Now as I walked betwixt +these shapeless forms that flitted on silent feet and spake no word, my +flesh chilled; in despite my reason, for they seemed rather spectres than +truly men, yet phantoms of a grim and relentless purposefulness. Voiceless +and silent they brought me down stone stairs and along echoing passages +into a dim chamber where other cloaked forms moved on soundless feet and +spake in hushed and sibilant whispers. Here my bonds were removed and in +their place fetters were locked upon my wrists, which done, one came with a +lanthorn, who presently led the way along other gloomy passageways where I +beheld many narrow, evil-looking doorways. At last my silent guide halted, +I heard the rattle of iron, the creak of bolts and a door opened suddenly +before me upon a dank and noisome darkness. Into this evil place I was led, +and the door clapped to upon me and locked and bolted forthwith. But to my +wonder they had left me the lanthorn, and by its flickering beam I stared +about me and saw I was in a large dungeon, its corners lost in gloom. + +Suddenly as I stood thus, nigh choked with the foul air of the place and +full of misgiving, I heard a groaning sigh, and from the shadow of a remote +corner a figure reared itself upon its knees to peer under palsied hand +with eyes that blinked as if dazzled by this poor light. + +"So young--so young--oh, pity! God be merciful to thee--alas, what do you +in this place of torment and living death--young sir?" + +Now this voice was pitifully cracked and feeble, yet the words were +English, wherefore I caught up the lanthorn and coming nearer, set it down +where I might better behold the speaker. + +"So young--so young! What dost thou among the living dead?" + +"I come seeking Sir Richard Brandon!" + +Now from the dim figure before me broke a sound that was neither scream nor +laughter yet something of both. I saw wild hands upcast to the gloom above, +a shrunken, pallid face, the gleam of snow-white hair. + +"Oh, God of mercies--oh, God of Justice--at last, oh, God--at last!" + +Stooping, I dragged him to the light and found myself suddenly a-trembling +so violently that he shook in my gripe. + +"What--what mean you?" I cried. + +"That I--I am Richard Brandon." + +"Liar!" I cried, shaking him. "Damned liar!" + +And yet, looking down upon this old, withered creature who crouched before +me on feeble knees, his shrivelled hands clasped and haggard face uplifted, +I knew that he spoke truth, and uttering a great and bitter cry, I cast him +from me, for here, in place of my proud and masterful enemy, the man I had +hated for his fierce and arrogant spirit, God had given to my vengeance at +last no more than this miserable thing, this poor, pale shadow. Wherefore +now I cast myself down upon my face, beating the floor with my shackled +fists and blaspheming my God like the very madman I was. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +HOW AT LAST I FOUND MY ENEMY, RICHARD BRANDON + + +Whether this paroxysm had wrought me to a swoon I know not, but I wondered +to feel a hand upon my head, stroking my hair with touch marvellous gentle, +and therewith a voice: + +"Comfort thee, comfort thee, poor youth! These be rages and despairs that +many do suffer at the first; in a little shall come back thy courage and +with it hope--that hope, alas, that never dieth--even here. 'Lo, I am with +thee,' saith the Lord--so be comforted, young sir. Let other thoughts +distract thy mind--let us converse if thou wilt. Tell me, I pray, how didst +know my unhappy name?" + +"Because," said I, starting from his touch, "I am son to the man you foully +murdered by false accusation. I am Martin Conisby, Lord Wendover of Shere +and last of my line!" + +Now at this he drew away and away, staring on me great-eyed and I heard the +breath gasp between his pallid lips. + +"What--do you here, my lord?" + +"Seek my just vengeance!" + +"The vengeance of a Conisby!" he murmured. + +"Six years ago I broke from the hell of slavery you sold me into and ever +since have sought you with intent to end the feud once and for ever." + +"The feud?" he muttered. "Aye, we have shed each other's blood for +generations--when your grandfather fought and slew my father on the highway +beyond Lamberhurst village I, a weeping boy, kissing the wound his rapier +had made, vowed to end the Conisbys one day and came nigh doing it, God +forgive me. So doth one sin beget others, and so here to-day, in the gloom +of my dungeon, I yield myself to your vengeance, my lord, freely and humbly +confessing the harms I did you and the base perfidy of my actions. So, an +you will have my miserable life, take it and with my last breath I will +beseech God pardon you my blood and bring you safe out of this place of +torment and sorrow. God knoweth I have endured much of agony these latter +years and yet have cherished my life in despite my sufferings hitherto, +aye, cherished it so basely as to turn apostate that I might live yet a +little longer--but now, my lord, freely--aye, joyfully will I give it, +for your vengeance, praying God of His abounding mercy to pardon my most +grievous offences but, being grown weak in courage and body by reason of +frequent and grieveous torturings, this mayhap shall plead my excuse. Come +then, Martin Conisby, your hand upon my throat, your fetter-chain about my +neck--" + +"Have done!" said I. "Have done!" And getting up, I crossed to the +extremest corner of the dungeon and cast myself down there. But in a little +he was beside me again, bearing the lanthorn and with straw from his +bed for my pillow, whereupon I cursed and bade him begone, but he never +stirred. + +"Oh boy," said he, seeing me clench my fist, "I am inured to stripes and +very fain to speech with thee, wherefore suffer me a little and answer me +this question, I pray. You have sought me these many years, you have even +followed me into this hell of suffering, and God at last hath given me to +your vengeance--wherefore not take it?" + +"Because he I sought was masterful, strong and arrogant!" + +"Yet this my body, though sorely changed, is yet the slime; 'twill bleed if +you prick it and I can die as well now as six years ago--?" + +But seeing I made no manner of answer, he left me at last and I watched him +limp disconsolate to his corner, there to bow himself on feeble knees and +with hands crossed on his bosom and white head bowed, fall to a passion of +silent prayer yet with many woful sighings and moanings, and so got him to +his miserable bed. + +As for me, I lay outstretched upon my face, my head pillowed on my arm, +with no desire of sleep, or to move, content only to lie thus staring into +the yellow flame of the lanthorn as a child might, for it verily seemed +that all emotions and desires were clean gone out of me; thus lay I, my +mind a-swoon, staring at this glimmering flame until it flickered and +vanished, leaving me in outer darkness. But within me was a darkness +blacker still, wherein my soul groped vainly. + +So the long night wore itself to an end, for presently, lifting heavy head, +I was aware of a faint glow waxing ever brighter, till suddenly, athwart +the gloom of my prison, shot a beam of radiant glory, like a very messenger +of God, telling of a fair, green world, of tree and herb and flower, of the +sweet, glad wind of morning and all the infinite mercies of God; so that, +beholding this heavenly vision, I came nigh weeping for pure joy and +thankfulness. + +Now this thrice-blessed sunlight poured in through a small grating high +up in the massy wall and showed me the form of my companion, the shining +silver of his hair, his arms wide-tossed in slumber. Moved by sudden +impulse I arose and (despite the ache and stiffness of my limbs) came +softly to look upon him as he lay thus, his cares forgot awhile in blessed +sleep; and thus, beneath his rags, I saw divers and many grievous scars of +wounds old and new, the marks of hot and searing iron, of biting steel and +cruel lash, and in joints, swollen and inflamed, I read the oft-repeated +torture of the rack. And yet in these features, gaunt and haggard by +suffering, furrowed and lined by pain, was a serene patience and nobility +wholly unfamiliar. + +Thus it seemed God had hearkened to my oft-repeated prayers, had given up +to me mine enemy bound; here at last, beneath my hand, lay the contriver of +my father's ruin and death and of my own evil fortunes. But it seemed the +sufferings that had thus whitened his hair, bowed his once stalwart frame +and chastened his fierce pride had left behind them something greater and +more enduring, before which my madness of hate and passionate desire +of vengeance shrank abashed. Now as I stood thus, lost in frowning +contemplation of my enemy, he groaned of a sudden and starting to his +elbow, stared up at me haggard-eyed. + +"Ah, my lord!" said he, meeting my threatening look. "Is the hour of +vengeance at hand--seek ye my life indeed? Why, then, I am ready!" + +But, nothing speaking, I got me back to my gloomy corner and crouched +there, my knees up-drawn, my head bowed upon my arms; and now, my two hands +gripping upon the empty air, I prayed again these words so often wrung from +me by past agonies: "Oh, God of Justice, give me now vengeance--vengeance +upon mine enemy. His life, Oh, God, his life!" But even as I spake these +words within myself I knew the vengeance I had dreamed of and cherished so +dearly was but a dream indeed, a fire that had burned utterly away, leaving +nought but the dust and ashes of all that might have been. And realising +somewhat of the bitter mockery of my situation, bethinking me of all I had +so wantonly cast away for this dream, and remembering the vain labour and +all the wasted years, I fell to raging despair, insomuch that I groaned +aloud and casting myself down, smote upon the stone floor of my prison with +shackled fists. And thus I presently felt a touch and glanced up to behold +my enemy bending above me. + +"My lord--" said he. + +"Devil!" I cried, smiting the frail hand from me. "I am no more than the +poor outcast wretch you ha' made of me!" Thus, with curses and revilings, I +bade him plague me no more and presently, wearied mind and body by my long +vigil, I fell a-nodding, until, wakened by the opening of the door, I +looked up to behold one of the black-robed familiars, who, having set down +meat and drink, vanished again, silent and speechless. + +Roused by the delectable savours of this meat, which was hot and +well-seasoned, I felt myself ravenous and ate with keen appetite, and +taking up the drink, found it to be wine, very rich and comforting. So +I ate and drank my fill, never heeding my companion, and thereafter, +stretching myself as comfortably as I might, I sank into a deep slumber. +But my sleep was troubled by all manner of dreams wherein was a nameless +fear that haunted me, a thing dim-seen and silent, save for the stealthy +rustling of a trailing robe. And even as I strove to flee it grew upon me +until I knew this was Death in the shape of Fra Alexo. And now, as I strove +vainly to escape those white, cruel fingers, Joanna was betwixt us; I heard +her shrill, savage cry, saw the glitter of her steel and, reeling back, Fra +Alexo stood clutching his throat in his two hands, staring horribly ere +he fell. But looking upon him as he lay I saw this was not Fra Alexo, for +gazing on the pale, dead face, I recognised the beloved features of my lady +Joan. But, sudden and swift, Joanna stooped to clasp that stilly form, +to lay her ruddy mouth to these pallid lips; and lo, she that was dead +stirred, and rose up quick and vivid with life and reached out yearning +arms to me, seeing nothing of Joanna where she lay, a pale, dead thing. + +I started up, crying aloud, and blinked to the glare of a lanthorn; as I +crouched thus, shielding my eyes from this dazzling beam, from the darkness +beyond came a voice, very soft and tenderly sweet, the which set me +shivering none the less. + +"Most miserable man, forswear now the error of thy beliefs, or prepare thy +unworthy flesh to chastisement. In this dead hour of night when all do +sleep, save the God thou blasphemest and Holy Church, thou shall be brought +to the question--" + +"Hold, damned Churchman!" cried a voice, and turning I beheld my enemy, Sir +Richard Brandon, his gaunt and fettered arms upraised, his eyes fierce and +steadfast. "Heed not this bloody-minded man! And you, Fra Alexo and these +cowled fiends that do your evil work, I take you to witness, one and all, +that I, Richard Brandon, Knight banneret of Kent, do now, henceforth and +for ever, renounce and abjure the oath you wrung from my coward flesh by +your devilish tortures. Come, do to my body what ye will, but my soul--aye, +my soul belongs to God--not to the Church of Rome! May God reckon up +against you the innocent blood you have shed and in every groan and tear +and cry you have wrung from tortured flesh may you find a curse in this +world and hereafter!" + +The loud, fierce voice ceased; instead I heard a long and gentle sigh, a +murmured command, and Sir Richard was seized by dim forms and borne away, +his irons clashing. Then I sprang, whirling up my fetter-chains to smite, +was tripped heavily, felt my limbs close-pinioned and was dragged forth of +the dungeon. And now, thus helpless at the mercy of these hideous, hooded +forms that knew no mercy, my soul shrank for stark horror of what was to +be, and my body shook and trembled in abject terror. + +In this miserable state I was dragged along, until once again I heard the +murmur of that sweet, soft voice, whereupon my captors halted, a door +was unlocked, and I was cast into a place of outer darkness there to lie +bruised and half-stunned yet agonised with fear, insomuch that for very +shame I summoned up all my resolution, and mastering my fear, I clenched +chattering teeth and sweating palms, determined to meet what was to be with +what courage and fortitude I might. Slowly the shivering horror passed and +in its place was a strange calm as I waited for them to bear me to the +torture. + +Suddenly my heart leapt to a shrill scream and thereafter I heard an +awful voice, loud and hoarse and tremulous, and between each gasping cry, +dreadful periods of silence: + +"Oh, God ... Oh, God of pity, aid me ... make me to endure ... Lord God, +strengthen my coward soul ... help me to be worthy ... faithful at last ... +faithful to the end...." + +As for me, well knowing the wherefore of these outcries, the meaning of +these ghastly silences, a frenzy of horror seized me so that I shouted and +raved, rolling to and fro in my bonds. Yet even so I could hear them at +their devils work, until the hoarse screams sank to a piteous wailing, a +dreadful inarticulate babble, until, wrought to a frenzy, I struggled to my +feet (despite my bonds) and (like the madman I was) leapt towards whence +these awful sounds came, and falling, knew no more. + +From this blessed oblivion I was roused by a kindly warmth and opening my +eyes, saw that I lay face down in a beam of sunshine that poured in through +the small grille high in the wall like a blessing; being very weary and +full of pain, and feeling this kindly ray mighty comforting, I lay where I +was and no desire to move, minded to sleep again. But little by little I +became conscious of a dull, low murmur of sound very distressful to hear +and that set me vaguely a-wondering. Therefore, after some while, I +troubled to lift my head and wondered no more. + +A twisted heap of blood-stained rags, the pallid oval of a face, the dull +gleam of a chain, this much I saw at a glance, but when I came beside Sir +Richard's prostrate form and beheld the evils they had wrought on him, a +cry of horror and passionate anger broke from me, whereupon he checked his +groaning and opening swimming eyes, smiled wanly up at me. + +"Glory--and thanks to God--I--endured!" he whispered. Now at this I sank on +my knees beside him, and when I would have spoken, could not for a while; +at last: + +"Is there aught I may do?" I questioned. + +"Water!" he murmured feebly. So I reached the water and setting my arm +'neath his neck (and despite my fetters) lifted him as gently as I might +and held the jar to his cracked lips. When he had drank what he would +I made a rough pillow for his head and rent strips from my shirt for +bandages, and finding my pitcher full-charged with wine, mixed some with +water and betook me to bathing his divers hurts (though greatly hampered by +the chain of my fetters) and found him very patient to endure my awkward +handling, in the midst of which, meeting my eye, he smiled faintly: + +"Martin Conisby," he whispered. "Am I not--your--enemy?" + +"Howbeit you endured!" quoth I. + +"Thanks be to God!" said he humbly. "And is it for this. You will cherish +thus--and comfort one--hath wronged you and yours--so bitterly?" + +But at this I grew surly and having made an end of my rough surgery, I went +and cast myself upon my bed of straw and, lying there, watching the sunbeam +creep upon the wall, I fell to pondering this problem, viz: How came I thus +striving to soothe the woes of this man I had hunted all these years to his +destruction; why must I pity his hurts and compassionate his weakness--why? + +And as I sat, my fists clenched, scowling at the sun-ray, it verily seemed +as he had read these my thoughts. + +"Martin Conisby," said he, his voice grown stronger. "Oh, Martin, think it +not shame to pity thine enemy; to cherish them that despitefully use you; +this is Godlike. I was a proud man and merciless but I have learned much +by sufferings, and for the wrongs I did you--bitterly have I repented. So +would I humbly sue forgiveness of you since I am to die so soon--" + +"To die?" + +"Aye, Martin, at the next auto-da-fé--by the fire--" + +"The fire!" said I, clenching my fists. + +"They have left me my life that I may burn--" + +"When?" I demanded 'twixt shut teeth. "When?" + +"To-day--to-morrow--the day after--what matter? But when the flames have +done their work, I would fain go to God bearing with me your forgiveness. +But if this be too much to hope--why, then, Martin, I will beseech God to +pluck you forth of this place of horror and to give you back to England, to +happiness, to honour and all that I reft from you--" + +"Nay, this were thing impossible!" I cried. + +"There is nought impossible to God, Martin!" Here fell silence awhile and +then, "Oh, England--England!" cried he. "D'ye mind how the road winds +'twixt the hedgerows a-down hill into Lamberhurst, Martin; d'ye mind the +wonder of it all--the green meadows, the dim woods full of bird song and +fragrance--you shall see it all again one day, but as for me--ah, to +breathe just once again the sweet smell of English earth! But God's will be +done!" + +For a while I sat picturing to my fancy the visions his words had conjured +up; lifting my head at last, I started up to see him so pale and still and +bending above him, saw him sleeping, placid as any child, yet with the +marks of tears upon his shrunken cheek. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +HOW I FOUND MY SOUL + + +The torment by fire, torture by water, rack and thumbscrews, pulley and +wheel, the weights, the press, the glove and the boot,--these the devices +men hath schemed out for the plaguing of his neighbour, the hellish engines +he hath troubled to invent and build for the crushing, twisting, tearing +and maiming of his fellow-man, yet of all these devilish machines nought +is there so constant, so pitiless and hard of endurance as the agony of +suspense; there is a spectre mopping and mowing at our shoulder by day and +haunting the misery of our nights; here is a disease slowly but surely +sapping hope and courage and life itself. + +Howbeit it was thus I found it in the time that followed, for little by +little I became the prey of a terror that grew, until the opening of the +door would bring me to my feet in sweating panic, or the mere rattle of my +fellow-prisoner's chains fill me with shivering despair. And because of +these sick fears I felt great scorn of myself, and knowing I was in this +place of horror by my own will and contrivance, to despair and scorn was +added a bitter self-hatred. And now, remembering how Adam had vowed to +rescue Sir Richard, I prayed for his coming, at one moment full of hope, +the next in an agony of despair lest he should come too late. Thus I fell +to my black mood, speaking no word or answering my companion but by curses; +and thus would I sit for hours, sullen and morose, gnawing my knuckles and +staring on vacancy. Or again, beholding my enemy so serene, so placid and +unmoved (and his case no better than my own) I would fall to sudden bitter +revilings of him, until, meeting the gentle patience of his look, I would +fall silent for very shame. + +At last, upon a night, tossing upon my wretched bed in dire torment of +soul, I chanced to espy my enemy and him sleeping; whereat I fell to fierce +anger. + +"Ha, Brandon!" I cried. "Will ye sleep, man, will ye sleep and I in +torment. Wake--wake and tell me, must we die soon? Wake, I say!" At this +he raised himself to blink at me in the beam of the lanthorn. "Must we die +soon, think ye?" I demanded fiercely. + +"In God's time, Martin!" said he. + +"Think ye they will--torture me first?" Now here, seeing his troubled look +and how he groped for an answer, I cursed and bade him tell me, aye or no. + +"Alas, I do fear it!" said he. + +"We are beyond hope?" I demanded. + +"Nay, there is always God," said he. "But we are beyond all human aid. This +do I know by reason of this airy dungeon and the luxury of food and light. +Fra Alexo doeth nought unreasonably; thus we have our lanthorn that we, +haply waking from dreams of home and happiness, may behold our prison walls +and know an added grief. Instead of the water-dungeon or the black terror +of cell deep-hidden from the blessed day, he hath set us in this goodly +place that we, beholding the sun, may yearn amain for the blessed freedom +of God's green world--" + +"Ha!" quoth I. "And for those he dooms to the torment he sendeth rich food +and generous wine--aye, aye, I see it now--a man strong and full-blooded +may endure more agony and longer. So they will torture me--as they did +you--but when, ah, God--when?" And here I sank face down upon my bed and +lay there shuddering. And presently I was aware of my companion kneeling +beside me, his hand upon my shoulder, his gentle voice in my ear: + +"Comfort ye, Martin, comfort ye, God shall give ye strength--" + +"Nay, I am a coward!" I cried bitterly, "A shameful craven!" + +"Yet you do not fear! You have endured! The fire hath no terrors for you!" + +"Because I am old in suffering, and am done with fear, because, beyond +smoke and flame, I shall find God at last." + +"Think ye there is a God?" + +"I know it, Martin!" + +"Yet am I coward!" I groaned. "Though 'tis not death I fear, nor the +torture so much, 'tis rather to be thus counting the hours--" + +"I know," said he, sighing. "I know. 'Tis the waiting for what is to be, +ah, the weary, weary waiting--'tis this doth shake the strongest; the hour +of suffering may be now, or to-morrow, or a month hence." + +"God send it be to-night!" said I fervently. "And to-night, and while I am +yet the man I am, know this; I, that lived but for vengeance, dying, do +renounce it once and for ever. I, that came hither seeking an enemy, find, +in place of hated foe, a man ennobled by his sufferings and greater than +myself. So, as long as life remains to us, let there be peace and good will +betwixt us, Sir Richard. And as you once sued forgiveness of me, now do I +sue your friendship--" + +"Martin!" said he in choking voice, and then again, "Oh, Martin Conisby, +thus hath God answered my prayer and thus doth the feud betwixt Conisby and +Brandon end--" + +"Yes!" said I. "Yes--so do I know at last that I have followed a vain thing +and lost all the sweetness life had to offer." + +Now here, seeing me lie thus deject and forlorn, he stooped and set his +ragged arm about me. + +"Grieve not, Martin," said he in strange, glad voice, "grieve not, for in +losing so much you have surely found a greater thing. Here, in this dread +place, you have found your soul." + +And presently, sheltered in the frail arm of the man had been my bitter +enemy, I took comfort and fell to sweet and dreamless slumber. + +Another day had dragged its weary length: Sir Richard lay asleep, I think, +and I, gloomy and sullen, lay watching the light fade beyond the grating in +the wall when; catching my breath, I started and peered up, misdoubting my +eyes, for suddenly, 'twixt the bars of this grating, furtive and silent +crept a hand that opening, let fall something white and shapeless that +struck the stone floor with a sharp, metallic sound, and vanished +stealthily as it had come. For a while I stared up at this rusty grating, +half-fearing I was going mad at last, yet when I thought to look below, +there on the floor lay the shapeless something where it had fallen. With +every nerve a-thrill I rose and creeping thither, took it up and saw it was +Adam's chart, the which had been taken from me, with all else I possessed; +this wrapped about a key and a small, sharp knife; on the back of which, +traced in a scrawling hand, I read these words, viz: + + "A key to your fetters. A knife to your release. + Once free of your dungeon take every passage + Bearing to the left; so shall you reach the postern. + There one shall wait, wearing a white scarf. + Follow him and God speed you. + You will be visited at sunset." + +To be lifted thus from blackest despair to hope's very pinnacle wrought on +me so that I was like one entranced, staring down at knife and paper and +key where they had fallen from my nerveless hold; then, catching up the +knife, I stood ecstatic to thumb over point and edge and felt myself a man +once more, calm and resolute, to defy every inquisitor in Spanish America, +and this merely by reason of the touch of this good steel, since here was +a means whereby (as a last resource) I might set myself safe beyond their +devilish torments once and for all. And now my soul went out in passionate +gratitude to Don Federigo since this (as I judged) must be of his +contrivance. + +But the shadows deepening warned me that the sun had set wherefore I +slipped off my shoes as softly as possible not to disturb Sir Richard's +slumbers, and made me ready to kill or be killed. + +And presently I heard the creak of bolts and, creeping in my stockinged +feet, posted myself behind the door as it opened to admit the silent, +shrouded form of a familiar bearing a lanthorn. Now, seeing he came alone, +I set the knife in my girdle and, crouched in the shadow of the door, +watched my time; for a moment he stood, seeming to watch Sir Richard who, +roused by the light, stirred and, waking, blinked fearfully at this silent +shape. + +"Ah, what now?" he questioned. "Is it me ye seek?" For answer the familiar +set down the lanthorn and beckoned with his finger. Then, as Sir Richard +struggled painfully to his feet, I sprang and grappled this hateful, +muffled form ere he could cry out, had him fast by the throat, and dragging +him backwards across my knee, I choked him thus, his hoarse whistling gasps +muffled in his enveloping hood. And then Sir Richard was beside me. + +"Will ye slay him, Martin?" cried he. + +"Aye!" I nodded and tightened my grip. + +"Nay, rather spare him because he is an enemy; thus shall your soul go +lighter henceforth, Martin." + +So in the end I loosed my hold, whereupon the familiar sank to the floor +and lay, twitching feebly. Hereupon I rent off hood and robe and found him +a poor, mean creature that wept and moaned, wherefore I incontinent gagged +him with stuff from his own habit and thereafter locked him securely into +my fetters. And now, trembling with haste, I donned his habit and, catching +up the lanthorn, turned on Sir Richard: + +"Come!" said I. + +"Nay!" said he, wringing his fettered hands. "Nay--alas, I should but +hamper you--" + +"Come!" said I, my every nerve a-tingle to be gone. "Come--I will aid +you--hurry, man--hurry!" + +"Nay, 'twere vain, Martin, I can scarce walk--'twere selfish in me to let +you run such needless risks. Go, Martin, go--God bless you and bring you +safe out of this evil place." + +Without more ado I tucked my shoes into my bosom, caught up the lanthorn +and hasted away. + +But as I went I must needs remember the pitiful eagerness of Sir Richard's +look and the despairing gesture of those helpless, fettered hands. + +Hereupon I cursed fiercely to myself and, turning about, came running back +and, finding him upon his knees, hove him to his feet and, or ever he +guessed my purpose, swung him across my shoulder and so away again, finding +him no great burden (God knows) for all his fetters that clanked now and +then despite his efforts. Presently espying a passage to my left, thither +hurried I and so in a little to another; indeed it seemed the place was a +very maze and with many evil-looking doors that shut in God only knew what +of misery and horror. So I hasted on, while my breath laboured and the +sweat ran from me; and with every clank of Sir Richard's fetters my heart +leapt with dread lest any hear, though indeed these gloomy passageways +seemed quite deserted. And ever as we went, nought was to see save these +evil doors and gloomy walls, yet I struggled on until my strength began to +fail and I reeled for very weariness, until at last I stopped and set Sir +Richard on his feet since I could carry him no further, and leaned panting +against the wall, my strength all gone and my heart full of despair, since +it seemed I had missed my way. + +Suddenly, as I leaned thus, I heard the tinkle of a lute and a voice +singing, and though these sounds were dull and muffled, I judged them at no +great distance; therefore I began to creep forward, the knife ready in one +hand, the lanthorn in the other, and thus presently turning a sharp angle, +I beheld a flight of steps surmounted by a door. Creeping up to this door, +I hearkened and found the singing much nearer; trying the door, I found it +yield readily and opening it an inch or so beheld a small chamber lighted +by a hanging lamp and upon a table a pair of silver-mounted pistols; +coming to the table I took them up and found them primed and loaded. I now +beckoned Sir Richard who crept up the stairs with infinite caution lest his +fetter-chains should rattle. + +The chamber wherein we stood seemed the apartment of some officer, for +across a small bed lay a cloak and plumed hat together with a silver-hilted +rapier, which last I motioned Sir Richard to take. Beyond the bed was +another door, and coming thither I heard a sound of voices and laughter, +so that I judged here was a guard-room. As I stood listening, I saw Sir +Richard standing calm and serene, the gleaming sword grasped in practised +hand and such a look of resolution on his lined face as heartened me +mightily. And now again came the tinkle of the lute and, giving a sign to +Sir Richard, I softly raised the latch and, plucking open the door, stepped +into the room behind, the pistols levelled in my hands. + +Before me were five men--four at cards and a fifth fingering a lute, who +turned to gape, one and all, at my sudden appearance. + +"Hold!" said I in Spanish, through the muffing folds of my hood. "Let a man +move and I shoot!" At this they sat still enough, save the man with the +lute, a small, fat fellow who grovelled on his knees; to him I beckoned. +"Bind me these fellows!" I commanded. + +"No ropes here!" he stammered. + +"With their belts, fool; their arms behind them--so!" Which done, I +commanded him to free Sir Richard of his gyves; whereupon the little fellow +obeyed me very expeditiously with one of the many keys that hung against +the wall. Then I gave my pistols to Sir Richard and seizing on the little, +fat man, bound him also. Hereupon I gagged them all five as well as I might +and having further secured their legs with their scarves and neckerchiefs, +I dragged them one by one into the inner chamber (the doors of which I +locked) and left them there mightily secure. Then, catching up a good, +stout sword and a cloak to cover Sir Richard's rags, I opened another door +and, having traversed a sort of anteroom, presently stepped out into the +free air. + +It was a dark night; indeed I never saw Nombre de Dios any other than in +the dark, yet the stars made a glory of the heavens and I walked awhile, +my eyes upraised in a very ecstasy, clean forgetting my companion until he +spoke. + +"Whither now, Martin?" + +"I am directed to a postern, and one bearing a white scarf." + +"The postern?" quoth Sir Richard. "I know it well, as doth many another +unhappy soul; 'tis the gate whereby suspects are conveyed secretly to the +question!" + +We kept to the smaller streets and lanes, the which, being ill-lighted, +we passed without observation; thus at last, following the loom of a high +wall, very grim and forbidding, we came in sight of a small gateway beneath +a gloomy arch, where stood two shadowy figures as if on the lookout, +whereupon I stopped to reconnoitre them, loosening my sword in the +scabbard. But now one of these figures approached and, halting to peer at +us, spoke in strange, muffled tones. + +"Seek ye the white scarf?" questioned the voice in Spanish. + +"We do!" said I. At this the man opened the long cloak he wore and +flourished to view a white scarf. + +"Aye, but there were two of you," said I. "What is come of your fellow?" + +"He but goeth before, Seņor." And true enough, when I looked, the other dim +form had vanished, the which I liked so little that, drawing my sword, I +clapped it to the fellow's breast. + +"Look now," quoth I, "play us false and you die!" + +"The Seņor may rest assured!" says he, never flinching. + +"Why, then, lead on!" I commanded. + +Now as we followed this unknown, I had an uncanny feeling that we were +being dogged by something or some one that flitted in the darkness, +now behind us, now before us, now upon our flank, wherefore I walked +soft-treading and with my ears on the stretch. And presently our guide +brought us amid the denser gloom of trees whose leaves rustled faintly +above us and grass whispered under foot; and thus (straining my ears, as +I say) I thought to catch the sound of stealthy movement that was neither +leaf nor grass, insomuch that, shifting the sword to my left hand, I drew +forth and cocked one of the pistols. At last we came out from among the +trees and before us was the gleam of water and I saw we were upon the bank +of a stream. Here our guide paused as if unsure; but suddenly was the gleam +of a lanthorn and I heard Don Federigo's welcome voice: + +"Is that Hualipa?" + +Our guide moved forward and, pausing in the glare of the lanthorn, let fall +his cloak and I, beholding that pallid, impressive face, the dull eyes, +small mouth, and high thin nose, knew him for Fra Alexo, Chief Inquisitor +of Nombre de Dios. Then, lifting one hand to point slim finger at Don +Federigo, he spoke in his soft, sweet voice: + +"Don Federigo, long hath Holy Church suspected thee--and Holy Church hath +many eyes--and hands. So is thy messenger dead and so I favoured the escape +of these declared heretics that through them thou mightest be taken in thy +shameful treachery. Even now come armed servants of the Church to take +again these doomed heretics and with them--thee also. Now kill me an you +will, but thine apostasy is uncovered; the Holy Inquisition hath thee safe +at last. Thy good name, thy pride of birth and place shall not shelter thee +from the avenging fire--oh, most treacherous one--" + +Suddenly he choked, clapped his two hands to his throat, staring horribly; +and betwixt his fingers I saw a small, tufted thing deep-buried in his +throat. Then all at once there burst from his writhen lips an awful, +gasping scream, dreadful to hear, and then he was down, writhing and +gasping awhile, with Don Federigo and Sir Richard bending above him. + +But I, well knowing what this was and remembering the unseen thing that had +tracked us, turned to the shadow of a bush hard by and thus beheld a shaggy +head that peered amid the leaves, a hairy face with wild, fierce eyes and +teeth that gleamed. + +So the man John stared down at his handiwork, flourished his deadly +blowpipe and was gone. + +"He is dead!" said Don Federigo. "'Tis an Indian poison I have met with ere +this--very sudden and deadly. Fra Alexo stands at the tribunal of his God!" +and baring his head, Don Federigo glanced down at the dark, contorted shape +and thence to the gloomy trees beyond, and beckoning, brought me to a boat +moored under the bank hard by. + +"Seņor Martino," said he, "'tis time you were gone, for if Don Alexo hath +turned out the guard--" + +"Nay, sir," quoth I, "they must be some while a-coming," and I told him +briefly how we had secured the watch. + +"And Fra Alexo is dead!" said he. + +Here I would fain have told him something of my gratitude for the dire +risks and perils he had run on my behalf, but he caught my hands and +silenced me. + +"My friend Martino," said he in his careful English, "you adventured your +life for me many times; if therefore I save yours, it is but just. And your +vengeance--is it achieved?" + +"Indeed, sir," quoth Sir Richard, "achieved to the very uttermost, for he +hath carried that enemy out from the shadow of death, hath perilled his +own chances of life that I might know the joys of freedom--I that was his +bitter enemy." + +"So may all enmity pass one day, I pray God," sighed Don Federigo. "And +now, as for thee, Martino my friend, vengeance such as thine is thing so +rare as maketh me to honour thy friendship and loath to lose thee, since we +shall meet no more in this life. Thus I do grieve a little, for I am an old +man, something solitary and weary, and my son, alas, is dead. This sword +was my father's and should have been his; take you it, I pray, and wear it +in memory of me." And speaking, he loosed off his sword and thrust it upon +me. + +"Noble sir," said I, "dear and good friend, it doth not need this to mind +me of all your high courage and steadfast friendship--and I have nought to +offer in return--" + +"I shall ever remember your strange method of vengeance!" said he. And when +we had embraced each other, I got me into the boat and aided Sir Richard in +beside me. + +"Look now," warned Don Federigo as I loosed the mooring rope, "pull across +the river and be wary, for in a little the whole town will be roused upon +you. Get clear of the river as speedily as you may. And so, farewell, my +friend, and God go with you!" + +For answer I waved my hand, then, betaking me to the oars, I pulled +out--into the stream farther and farther, until the stately form of Don +Federigo was merged and lost in the gloom. + +Sure enough, scarcely had we come into the shadows of the opposite bank +than the silence gave place to a distant clamour, lost all at once in a +ringing of bells, a rolling of drums and a prodigious blowing of horns and +trumpets; the which set me a-sweating in despite the cool night wind, as, +chin on shoulder, I paddled slowly along, unsure of my going and very +fearful lest I run aground. In the midst of which anxieties I heard Sir +Richard's voice, calm and gentle and very comforting: + +"With a will, Martin--pull! I know the river hereabouts; pull, Martin, and +trust to me!" Hereupon I bent to the oars and with no fear of being heard +above the din ashore, since every moment bells and drums and trumpets waxed +louder. Thus presently we came opposite the town, a place of shadows where +lights hovered; and seeing with what nicety Sir Richard steered, keeping +ever within the denser shadow of the tree-clad bank, I rowed amain until we +were past the raving town, and its twinkling lights were blotted out by a +sudden bend of the river. + +Suddenly I saw Sir Richard stand up, peering, heard his voice quick and +commanding: + +"Ship your oars!" Then came a chorus of hoarse shouts, a shock, and we were +rocking, gunwale and gunwale, with a boat where dim figures moved, crying +shrill curses. I remember letting drive at one fellow with an oar and +thereafter laying about me until the stout timber shivered in my grasp. I +remember the dull gleam of Sir Richard's darting blade and then the two +boats had drifted apart. Tossing aside my shattered oar, I found me another +and rowed until, gasping, I must needs pause awhile and so heard Sir +Richard speaking: + +"Easy, Martin, easy! There lieth the blessed ocean at last; but--see!" + +Resting on my oars and glancing whither he pointed, I saw a light suspended +high in air and knew this for the riding-lanthorn of a ship whose shadowy +bulk grew upon me as I gazed, hull and towering masts outlined against the +glimmer of stars and the vague light of a young moon. Hereupon I bowed my +head, despairing, for this ship lay anchored in midstream, so that no boat +might hope to pass unchallenged; thus I began to debate within me whether +or no to row ashore and abandon our boat, when Sir Richard questioned me: + +"Can you sing ever a Spanish boat song, Martin?" + +"No," said I, miserably. "No--" + +"Why, then, I must, though mine is a very indifferent voice and rusty from +lack o' use; meantime do you get up the mast; the wind serves." Which said, +Sir Richard forthwith began to sing a Spanish song very harsh and loud, +whiles I sweated amain in panic fear; none the less I contrived to step +mast and hoist sail and, crouched on the midship thwart, watched the great +galleon as we bore down upon her. + +And presently came a voice hailing us in Spanish with demand as to who and +what we were, whereat Sir Richard broke off his song to shout that we were +fishermen, the which simple answer seemed to reassure our questioner, for +we heard no more and soon the great ship was merely a vague shadow that, +fading on our vision, merged into the night and was gone. + +And thus in a while, having crossed the troubled waters of the bar, I felt +the salt wind sweet and fresh on my brow like a caress, felt the free lift +and roll of the seas; and now, beholding this illimitable expanse of sky +and ocean, needs must I remember the strait prison and dire horrors whence +God had so lately delivered me, and my soul swelled within me too full of +gratitude for any words. + +"Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for +ever!" + +Turning, I espied Sir Richard upon his knees, one hand grasping the tiller +sailorly, the other upraised to the glimmering firmament; hereupon I knelt +also, joining him in this prayer of thanksgiving. And thus we began our +journey. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +OF OUR ADVENTURE AT SEA + + +Dawn found us standing easterly before a gentle wind with the land bearing +away upon our right, a fair and constantly changing prospect of sandy +bays, bold headlands and green uplands backed by lofty mountains blue with +distance. + +And what with all the varied beauties of earth, the blue heaven, the +sparkle of sea, the soft, sweet wind, it verily seemed the late gloomy +terrors of my dungeon were no more than a nightmare until, hearing a moan, +I turned to see my companion stirring in uneasy slumber, his haggard +features contorted as by some spasm, whereupon I touched him to +wakefulness, bidding him see if we had aught aboard to eat or drink; but +he crouched motionless as one rapt in an ecstasy, staring eager-eyed from +cloudless heaven to sapphire sea and round about upon the glory of the dawn +and fell suddenly a-laughing as from pure joy and as suddenly hid his face +within his shrivelled hands. + +"This--O, glory of God! This, instead of black despair!" said he in weeping +voice. "This sweet, healing wind instead of searing flame--and you, Martin, +'tis you have given all this! I dreamed me back in the hell you brought me +from! Sun and wind and sea--oh, God love thee--these be your gifts to me +that was your enemy--" + +"Nay, our enmity is dead and done with--" + +"Martin Conisby," said he, looking on me through his tears, "through you, +by God's grace, I know again the joy of living, and, God aiding me, you +shall yet know the like happiness an I may compass it!" + +Now seeing him thus deeply moved I grew abashed and, beckoning him to take +the tiller, began to overhaul the contents of the boat's lockers and thus +found that Don Federigo had furnished us to admiration with all things +to our comfort and defence. Forthwith I set out breakfast, choosing such +things as I judged the most perishable, and we ate and drank mighty +cheerful. + +But as Sir Richard sat thus in his rags, staring upon all things with +ineffable content, the bright sun showed me the hideous marks of his many +sufferings plain and manifest in his bent and twisted frame, the scars +that disfigured him and the clumsy movements of his limbs misshapen by the +torment, and moreover I noticed how, ever and anon, he would be seized of +violent tremblings and shudderings like one in an ague, insomuch that I +could scarce abide to look on him for very pity and marvelled within myself +that any man could endure so much and yet live. + +"Oh friend!" said he suddenly, "'tis a wondrous world you have given back +to me; I almost grow a man again--" + +Even as he uttered these brave words the shuddering took him once more, but +when I would have aided him he smiled and spake 'twixt chattering teeth: + +"Never heed me, Martin--this cometh of the water-dungeons--'twill soon +pass--" + +"God knoweth you have suffered over-much--" + +"Yet He hath brought me forth a better man therefor, though my body +is--something the worse, 'tis true. Indeed, I am a sorry companion for a +voyage, I doubt--" + +"Howbeit," said I, "last night, but for your ready wit, we had been +taken--" + +"Say you so, Martin? Here is kind thought and comforting, for I began to +dread lest I prove an encumbrance to you. + +"Nay, sir, never think it!" said I. "For 'tis my earnest hope to bring you +to the loving care of one who hath sought you long and patiently--" + +"Is it Joan? Oh, mean you my daughter Joan? Is she in these latitudes?" + +"Even so, sir. For you she hath braved a thousand horrors and evils." + +And here, in answer to his eager questioning, I told him much of what I +have writ here concerning the Lady Joan, her resolute spirit and numberless +virtues, a theme whereof I never wearied. Thus, heedless of time, of thirst +or hunger, I told of the many dire perils she had encountered in her quest, +both aboard ship and on the island, to all of which Sir Richard hearkened, +his haggard gaze now on my face, now fixed yearningly on the empty +distances before us as he would fain conjure up the form of her whose noble +qualities I was describing. When at last I had made an end, he sat silent a +great while. + +"I was a proud, harsh man of old," said he at last, "and a father most +ungentle--and 'tis thus she doth repay me! You and she were children +together--playfellows, Martin." + +"Aye, sir, 'twas long ago." + +"And in my prideful arrogance I parted you, because you were the son of my +enemy, but God hath brought you together again and His will be done. But, +Martin, if she be yet in these latitudes, where may we hope to find her?" + +"At Darien, in the Gulf!" + +"Darien?" said he. "Why there, Martin? 'Tis a wild country and full of +hostile Indians. I landed there once--" + +So I told him how Adam had appointed a place of meeting there, showing +him also the chart Adam had drawn for my guidance, the which we fell to +studying together, whereby we judged we had roughly but some eighty leagues +to sail and a notable good sea-boat under us, and that by keeping in sight +of the Main we could not fail of fetching up with the rendezvous, always +suppose we lost not our bearings by being blown out to sea. + +"Had I but quadrant and compass, Martin--" + +"How, sir," said I, "can you navigate?" + +"I could once," said he, with his faint smile. Hereupon I hasted to reach +these instruments from one of the lockers (since it seemed Don Federigo +had forgot nothing needful to our welfare), perceiving which, Sir Richard +straightened his bowed shoulders somewhat and his sallow cheek flushed. +"Here at last I may serve you somewhat, Martin," said he and, turning his +back to the sun, he set the instrument to his eye and began moving the +three vanes to and fro until he had the proper focus and might obtain the +sun's altitude; whereby he had presently found our present position, the +which he duly pricked upon the chart. He now showed me how, by standing out +on direct course instead of following the tortuous windings of the coast, +we could shorten our passage by very many miles. Hereupon we shaped our +course accordingly and, the wind freshening somewhat, by afternoon the high +coast had faded to a faint blur of distant mountain peaks, and by sunset we +had lost it altogether. + +And so night came down on us, with a kindly wind, cool and refreshing after +the heats of the day, a night full of a palpitant, starry splendour and lit +by a young, horned moon that showed us this wide-rolling infinity of waters +and these vast spaces filled, as it seemed, with the awful majesty of God, +so that when we spake (which was seldom) it was in hushed voices. It being +my turn to sleep, I lay down, yet could not close my eyes for a while for +the wonder of the stars above, and with my gaze thus uplift, I must needs +think of my lady and wonder where she might be, with passionate prayers for +her safety; and beholding these heavenly splendours, I thought perchance +she might be viewing them also and in this thought found me great solace +and comfort. And now what must my companion do but speak of her that was +thus in my thought. + +"Martin," he questioned suddenly, "do you love her?" + +"Aye, I do!" said I, "mightily!" + +"And she you?" + +"God grant it!" + +"Here," said he after some while, "here were a noble ending to the feud, +Martin?" + +"Sir, 'tis ended already, once and for all." + +"Aye, but," said he with a catch in his voice, "all my days I--have +yearned--for a son. More especially now--when I am old and so feeble." + +"Then, sir, you shall lack no longer, if I can thus make up in some small +measure for all you have suffered--" + +At this he fell silent again but in the dark his trembling hand stole down +to touch me lightly as in blessing; and so I fell asleep. + +Prom this slumber I was suddenly aroused by his calling on my name and, +opening drowsy eyes, beheld (as it were) a luminous veil that blotted out +moon and stars and ocean, and, looking about, saw we lay becalmed in a +white mist. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, his face a pale oval in the dimness, "d'ye hear +aught?" + +"No more than the lapping of the waves," I answered, for indeed the sea was +very calm and still. + +"Nay, listen awhile, Martin, for either I'm mad or there's some one or +something crying and wailing to larboard of us, an evil sound like one in +torment. Three times the cry has reached me, yet here we lie far out to +sea. So list ye, son, and tell me if my ears do play me false, for verily +I--" + +His speech died away as from somewhere amid the chill and ghostly vapour +there stole a long-drawn, wailing cry, so woful, so desolate, and so +unearthly here in this vasty solitude that I caught my breath and stared +upon this eddying mist with gaze of fearful expectancy. + +"You heard it, Martin; you heard it?" + +"Aye!" I nodded. + +"'Tis like one cries upon the rack, Martin!" + +"'Tis belike from some ship hid in the fog yonder," said I, handing him a +musket from the arms-locker. + +"There was no ship to see before this fog came down on us," quoth Sir +Richard uneasily; howbeit he took the weapon, handling it so purposefully +as was great comfort to see, whereupon I took oars and began to row towards +whence I judged this awful cry had come. And presently it rose again, +dreadful to hear, a sound to freeze the blood. I heard Sir Richard cock +his piece and glanced instinctively to make sure Don Federigo's sword lay +within my reach. Three times the cry rose, ere, with weapon poised for +action, Sir Richard motioned for me to stop rowing, and glancing over my +shoulder, I saw that which loomed upon us through the mist, a dim shape +that gradually resolved itself into a large ship's boat or pinnace. Sword +in one hand and pistol in the other, I stood up and hailed lustily, yet got +no sound in reply save a strange, dull whimpering. + +Having shouted repeatedly to no better purpose, I took oars again and +paddled cautiously nearer until at last, by standing on the thwart, I might +look into this strange boat and (the fog being luminous) perceived three +dark shapes dreadfully huddled and still; but as I gazed, one of these +stirred slightly, and I heard a strange, dull, thumping sound and then I +saw this for a great hound. Hereupon I cast our boathook over their gunwale +and while Sir Richard held the boats thus grappled, scrambled aboard them, +pistol in hand, and so came upon two dead men and beside them this great +dog. + +And now I saw these men had died in fight and not so long since, for the +blood that fouled them and the boat was still wet, and even as I bent over +them the hound licked the face of him that lay uppermost and whined. And +men and dog alike seemed direly thin and emaciate. Now it was in my mind +to shoot the dog out of its misery, to which end I cocked my pistol, +but seeing how piteously it looked on me and crawled to lick my hand, I +resolved to carry it along with us and forthwith (and no little to-do) +presently contrived to get the creature into our boat, thereby saving both +our lives, as you shall hear. + +So we cast off and I sat to watch the boat until like a phantom, it melted +into the mist and vanished away. Turning, I beheld the hound, his great +head on Sir Richard's knee, licking the hand that fondled him. + +"He is pined of hunger and thirst, Martin; I will tend him whiles you +sleep. He shall be a notable good sentinel and these be very keen of +scent--the Spaniards do use them to track down poor runaway slaves withal, +but these dogs are faithful beasts and this hath been sent us, doubtless, +to some good end." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +WE ARE DRIVEN ASHORE + + +And now were days of stifling heat, of baffling airs and maddening calms, +wherein we rolled helpless, until in my impatience I would betake me to the +oars in a fever of desire to reach our destination and row until the sweat +poured from me. + +What with sea, wind and fierce sun we grew brown as any Indians, but Sir +Richard seemed to mend apace and to my great joy, for as time passed my +respect for him deepened and with it a kindlier feeling; for in these +long days and nights of our fellowship I grew to know how, by suffering +patiently borne, a man might come by a knowledge of himself and his fellows +and a kindly sympathy for their sins and sorrows that is (as I do think) +the truest of all wisdom. + +Fain would I set down some of these heart-searching talks, but I fear lest +my narration grows over-long; suffice it that few sons ever bore tenderer +reverence and love to their father than I to this, my erstwhile enemy. + +So will I now, passing over much that befell us on these treacherous seas, +as scorching calms, torrential rains and rageful winds, and how in despite +all these we held true on our course by reason of Sir Richard's sailorly +skill, I will (I say) come to a certain grey dawn and myself at the tiller +whiles Sir Richard slept and beside him the great hound that we had named +Pluto, since he had come to us from the dead. + +Now presently I saw the dog stir uneasily and lift his head to sniff the +air to windward; thereafter, being on his legs, he growled in his throat, +staring ever in the one direction, and uttered a loud, deep bay, whereupon +up started Sir Richard, full of question. + +"Sir, look at the dog!" said I, pointing where Pluto stood abaft the mast, +snuffing and staring to windward; seeing which, Sir Richard took the +perspective-glass and swept with it the hazy distance. + +"There is wind yonder, Martin; we must reef!" said he, the glass at his +eye. So presently, whiles he steered, I shortened sail but saw his gaze +bent ever to windward. "Dogs have strange senses!" quoth he. "Take the +glass, Martin; your eyes are very keen; tell me if you see aught yonder in +the mist against the cloudbank bearing about three points." Looking whither +he directed, I made out a dim shape that loomed amid the mist. + +"You see it, Martin?" + +"Aye, a ship!" said I, and even as I spoke, the wind freshening, the +rain ceased, the mist thinned away, and I saw a large vessel ahead of us +standing in for the land which bore some five miles to leeward, a high, +rugged coast, very grim and forbidding. + +"How is she heading, Martin?" + +"Southwesterly, I make it, which should bring her close upon us mighty +soon, if the wind hold." And passing Sir Richard the glass, I sat staring +on this distant ship in no little apprehension, since I judged most vessels +that plied hereabouts could be but one of two sorts, viz: pirates or +Spaniards. + +"She is a great ship, Martin, and by her cut I think Spanish." + +"I had liefer she were a pirate!" said I, scowling. + +"Your wish may be granted soon enough, for she is going free and much wind +astern of her." + +Now whiles Sir Richard watched this oncoming vessel, I took up Don +Federigo's sword, and, struck by its beauty, began to examine it as I had +not done hitherto. And indeed a very noble weapon it was, the hilt of rare +craftsmanship, being silver cunningly inlaid with gold, long and narrow in +the blade, whereon, graven in old Spanish, I saw the legend: + +TRUST IN GOD AND ME. + +A most excellent weapon, quick in the hand by reason of its marvellous +poise and balance. But looking upon this, I must needs remember him that +had given it and bethinking me how he had plucked me forth from the horror +of death and worse, I raised my head to scowl again upon the oncoming ship, +and with teeth hard-set vowed within myself that no power should drag me +a living man back to the terrors of dungeon and torment. And now as I +crouched thus, scowling on the ship, the naked sword across my knees, Sir +Richard called to me: + +"She is Spanish-built beyond all doubting and whoever chance to be aboard, +they've seen us," said he, setting by the glass. "Come now, let us take +counsel whether to go about, hold on, or adventure running ashore, the +which were desperate risk by the look of things--" + +"Let us stand on so long as we may," quoth I, "for if the worst come, we +have always this," and reaching a pistol, I laid it on the thwart beside +me. + +"Nay, Martin," said he, his hand on my shoulder, "first let us do all we +may to live, trusting in God Who hath saved and delivered us thus far. We +have arms to our defence and I can still pull trigger at a pinch, or at +extremity we may run ashore and contrive to land, though 'tis an evil coast +as you may see and I, alack! am a better traveller sitting thus than afoot. +As to dying, Martin, if it must be so, why then let us choose our own +fashion, for as Sir Richard Grenville hath it, 'better fall into the hands +of God than into the claws of Spain!" + +Thus spake my companion mighty cheering, his serene blue eyes now on me, +now on the distant ship, as he held our heeling boat to the freshening +wind; hereupon, greatly comforted I grasped his hand and together we vowed +never to be taken alive. Then, seeing the ship come down on us apace, I +busied myself laying to hand such arsenal as Don Federigo had furnished us +withal, viz: four muskets with their bandoliers and two brace of pistols; +which done, I took to watching the ship again until she was so close I +might discern her lofty, crowded decks. And then, all at once, the wind +died utterly away, and left us becalmed, to my inexpressible joy. For now, +seeing the great ship roll thus helpless, I seized the oars. + +"Inshore!" I cried, and began to row might and main, whereat those aboard +ship fired a gun to windward and made a waft with their ensign as much as +to bid us aboard them. But I heeding no whit, they let fly a great shot at +us that, falling short, plunged astern in a whirl of spray. Time and again +they fired such fore-chase guns as chanced to bear, but finding us out of +range, they gave over wasting more powder and I rejoiced, until suddenly I +espied that which made me gloomy enough, for 'twixt the ship and us came +a boat full of men who rowed lustily; and they being many and I one, they +began to overhaul us rapidly despite my efforts, till, panting in sweating +despair, I ceased my vain labour and made to reach for the nearest musket. + +"Let be, my son!" quoth Sir Richard, on his knees in the stern sheets. +"Row, Martin, the boat rides steadier. Ha!" said he, with a little +chuckling laugh, as a bullet hummed over us. "So we must fight, after all; +well, on their own heads be it!" And as he took up and cocked a musket, I +saw his eyes were shining and his lips upcurled in grim smile. "Alas, I was +ever too forward for fight in the old days, God forgive me, but here, as I +think, is just and sufficient cause for bloodshed." + +"They come on amain!" I gasped, as I swung to the heavy oars, wondering to +behold him so unconcerned and deliberate. + +"Let them come, Martin!" said he, crouching in the stern sheets, "only keep +you an even stroke--so, steady it is! Aye, let them come, Martin, and God's +will be done!" + +And now our pursuers began firing amain, though for the most part their +shooting was very wild; but presently, finding we made no reply, they grew +bolder, hallooing and shouting blithely and taking better aim, so that +their shot hummed ever nearer and once or twice the boat was struck. And as +I hearkened to their ribald shouting and the vicious hiss of their bullets, +fierce anger took me and I began to curse Sir Richard's delay; then came +the roar of his piece and as the smoke cleared I saw a man start up in the +bows of the pursuing boat and tossing up his arms, fall backwards upon the +rowers, thereby throwing them into clamorous confusion so that their boat +fell off and lay rolling helplessly. + +"Load, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard 'twixt shut teeth. "Load as I fire--for +now by God I have 'em--see yonder!" And thrusting towards me his smoking +weapon, he caught up the next, levelled and fired again, whereupon their +shouting and confusion were redoubled. + +Thus Sir Richard fired on them repeatedly and with deadly effect, judging +by their outcries, for I was too busy loading and priming to afford them +a glance, so that Sir Richard maintained as rapid a fire as possible. How +long we fought them thus I know not; indeed I remember little of the matter +save smoke and noise, Sir Richard's grim figure and the occasional hiss of +a bullet about us. Suddenly Sir Richard turned to stare up at me, wild-eyed +and trembling, as in one of his ague-fits. + +"Enough, Martin!" he gasped. "God forgive me, I ha' done enough--and here's +the wind at last!" + +Seeing this indeed was so, I sprang to loose out the reefs, which done, I +saw the enemy's boat lie wallowing in the trough and never so much as an +oar stirring. But beyond this was another boat hasting to their assistance +and beyond this again the ship herself, so that I joyed to feel our little +vessel bounding shore-wards. But hearing a groan, I saw Sir Richard +crouched at the tiller, his white head bowed upon his hand. + +"God love me--are you hurt, sir?" I cried, scrambling towards him. + +"No, Martin, no!" And then, "Ah, God forgive me," he groaned again, "I fear +I have been the death of too many of them--more than was needful." + +"Nay, sir," said I, wondering. "How should this be?" + +"I killed--for the joy of it, Martin." + +"'Twas them or us, Sir Richard. And we may have to kill again--see yonder!" +And I pointed where the ship was crowding sail after us with intent to +cut us off ere we could make the shore--a desolation of shaggy rocks and +tree-girt heights that looked ever the more formidable; yet thither we held +our course, since it seemed the lesser of two evils. + +Our boat, as I have said, was a good sailer; none the less the great ship +overhauled us until she was near enough to open on us with her fore-chase +guns again. But presently (being yet some distance from the shore) the +water began to shoal, whereupon the ship bore up lest she run aground, +and let fly her whole broadside, the which yet was short of us. In this +comparative safety we would have brought to, but seeing the second boat had +hoisted sail and was standing into these shallows after us, we perforce ran +on for the shore. Soon we were among rocks and before us a line of breakers +backed by frowning rocks, very dreadful to behold. + +And now, at Sir Richard's command, I struck our sail and, taking to the +oars, began to row, marvelling at the skill with which he steered amid +these difficult waters, and both of us looking here and there for some +opening amid the breakers whereby we might gain the land. + +Presently, sure enough, we espied such a place, though one none would have +attempted save poor souls in such desperate case. The air about us seemed +full of spume and the noise of mighty waters, but Sir Richard never +faltered; his eyes looked upon the death that roared about us, serene and +untroubled. And now we were amid the breakers; over my shoulder, through +whirling spray, I caught a glimpse of sandy foreshore where lay our +salvation; then, with sudden, rending crash, we struck and a great wave +engulfed us. Tossed and buffeted among this choking smother, I was whirled, +half-stunned, into shoal water and stumbling to my knees, looked back for +Sir Richard. And thus I saw the dog Pluto swimming valiantly and dragging +at something that struggled feebly, and plunged back forthwith to the good +beast's assistance, and thus together we brought Sir Richard ashore and lay +there a while, panting and no strength to move. + +At last, being recovered somewhat, I raised myself to behold my companion, +his frail body shaking in an ague, his features blue and pinched. But +beholding my look, he smiled and essayed a reassuring nod. + +"Thanks to you and--the dog, I am very well, Martin!" said he, 'twixt +chattering teeth. "But what of the boat; she should come ashore." Looking +about, sure enough I espied our poor craft, rolling and tossing helplessly +in the shallows hard by, and running thither, was seized of sudden despair, +for I saw her bilged and shattered beyond repair. Now as she rolled thus, +the sport of each incoming wave, I beheld something bright caught up in her +tangled gear, whereupon I contrived to scramble aboard and so found this to +be Don Federigo's rapier, the which was some small mitigation of my gloom +and put me to great hopes that I might find more useful things, as compass +or sextant, and so found a small barrico of water firm-wedged beneath a +thwart; but save for this the boat was swept bare. So having secured the +barrico (and with no small to-do) I hove it ashore and got myself after it, +and so came mighty despondent where sat Sir Richard as one deep in thought, +his gaze on the sea, his shrivelled hand upon the head of the dog Pluto +crouched beside him. "Truly we are in evil case, Martin!" quoth he, when +I had told him the result of my search. "Aye, we are in woful plight! And +this land of Darien is very mountainous and ill-travelling as I remember." + +"Yet needs must we adventure it," said I gloomily. + +"You must, Martin; but as for me, I bide here." + +"Here?" said I, glancing around on the barren, unlovely spot. "Sir, you +talk wildly, I think; to stay here is to die." + +"Aye, Martin, so soon as God shall permit." + +"Surely our case is not so hopeless you despair thus soon?" + +"Sit down, here beside me," said he, smiling up at me. "Come and let us +reason the matter, since 'tis reason lifteth man above the brutes." + +So there, on the coast of this vast, unknown wilderness, sat we two poor +castaways, the great hound at our feet, his bright eyes looking from one to +other of us as we spake and reasoned together thus: + +Sir Richard: First of all, we are destitute, Martin. + +Myself; True. + +Sir Richard: Therefore our food must be such game as we can contrive to +take and kill empty-handed. + +Myself: This shall be my duty. + +Sir Richard: Second, 'tis a perilous country by reason of wild Indians, +and we are scant of arms. Third, 'tis a country of vasty mountains, of +torrents, swamps and thickets and I am a mighty poor walker, being weak of +my leg-joints. + +Myself: Then will I aid you. + +Sir Richard: Fourthly, here is a journey where though one may succeed, two +cannot: full of peril and hardship for such as have a resolute spirit and +strong body, and _I_ am very weak. + +Myself: Yet shall your resolute spirit sustain you. + +Sir Richard: Fifthly and lastly, I am a cripple, so will I stay here, +Martin, praying God to bring you safe to your weary journey's end. + +Myself: I had thought you much stronger of late. + +Sir Richard: Indeed so I am, but my joints have been so oft stretched on +the rack that I cannot go far and then but slowly, alas! + +There was silence awhile, each of us gazing out across the troubled waters, +yet I, for one, seeing nothing of them. Glancing presently at Sir Richard, +I saw his eyes closed, but his mouth very resolute and grim. + +"And what of Joan?" I demanded. "What of your daughter?" + +Now at this he started and glancing at me, his mouth of a sudden lost its +grimness and he averted his head when he answered: + +"Why, Martin, 'tis for her sake I will not hamper you with my useless +body." + +"So is it for her sake I will never leave you here to perish!" + +"Then here," says he in a little, "here is an end to reason, Martin?" + +"Aye, indeed, sir!" + +"God love thee, lad!" cried he, clasping my hand. "For if 'tis reason +raiseth us 'bove the brutes 'tis unselfishness surely lifts us nigh to +God!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +OUR DESPERATE SITUATION + + +"And now," quoth Sir Richard, "since you are bent on dragging this worn-out +carcase along to be your careful burden (for the which may God bless you +everlastingly, dear lad!) let us see what equipment Fortune hath left us +beside your sword and the water." Herewith, upon investigation we found our +worldly possessions amount to the following: + +In Sir Richard's Pockets: + +1 ship's biscuit (somewhat spoiled by water). +A small clasp knife. +A gunflint. + +In Mine: + +A length of small cord. +Adam's chart (and very limp). +9 pistol balls. + +These various objects we set together before us and I for one mighty +disconsolate, for, excepting only the knife, a collection of more useless +odds and ends could not be imagined. Sir Richard, on the contrary, having +viewed each and every with his shrewd, kindly eyes, seemed in no wise cast +down, for, said he. + +"We might be richer, but then we might be poorer--for here we have in this +biscuit one meal, though scant 'tis true and not over tasty. A sword and +knife for weapons and tools, a flint to make us fires, three yards of small +cord wherewith to contrive snares for small game, and though we ha' lost +our compass, we have the coast to follow by day and the stars to guide us +by night and furthermore--" + +"Nine pistol balls!" quoth I gloomily. + +"Hum!" said he, stroking his chin and eyeing me askance. "Having neither +weapons nor powder to project them--" + +"They shall arm me arrows!" + +"Aye, but will they serve?" he questioned doubtfully. + +"Well enough, supposing we find aught to shoot at--" + +"Never fear, in Darien are beasts and fowls a-plenty." + +"Well and good, sir!" said I, gathering up the bullets, and doing so, +espied a piece of driftwood carrying many bent and rusty nails, the which +(the wood being very dry and rotten) I presently broke out and to my nine +bullets I added some dozen nails, pocketing them to the same purpose. And +now having collected our possessions (of more value to us than all the +treasures of Peru), we set forth upon our long and toilsome journey, our +gaze bent ever upon the cliffs that frowned upon our right hand, looking +for some place easy of ascent whereby we might come to the highlands above +(where we judged it easier travelling) and with Pluto stalking on before +like the dignified animal he was, looking back ever and anon as if bidding +us to follow. + +And as I watched this great beast, the thought occurred to me that here was +what should save us from starvation should we come to such extremity; but +I spake nothing of this to Sir Richard who had conceived a great affection +for the dog from the first. And after some while we came to a place where +the cliff had fallen and made a sloping causeway of earth and rocks, topped +by shady trees. This we began to mount forthwith and, finding it none so +steep, I (lost in my thoughts) climbed apace, forgetful of Sir Richard in +my eagerness, until, missing him beside me, I turned to see him on hands +and knees, dragging himself painfully after me thus, whereon I hasted back +to him full of self-reproaches. + +"'Tis only my legs!" he gasped, lifting agonised face. "My spirit is +willing, Martin, but alas, my poor flesh--" + +"Nay--'tis I am selfish!" quoth I. "Aye, a selfish man ever, dreaming only +of my own woes!" Saying which, I raised him and, setting an arm about his +wasted form, aided him as well as I might until, seeing how he failed +despite his brave struggles, I made him sit and rest awhile, unheeding his +breathless protestations, and thus at last, by easy stages, we came to the +top of the ascent amid a grove of very tall trees, in whose pleasant shade +we paused awhile, it being now midday and very hot. + +Behind us lay the ocean, before us a range of mighty mountains blue with +distance that rose, jagged peak on peak, far as eye could see, and betwixt +them and us a vast and rolling wilderness, a land of vivid sun and stark +shadow, dazzling glare on the uplands, gloom in the valleys and above swamp +and thicket and trackless forests a vapour that hung sullen and ominous +like the brooding soul of this evil country. + +"Fever!" quoth Sir Richard, stabbing at the sluggish mist with bony +fingers. "Ague, the flux--death! We must travel ever by the higher levels, +Martin--and I a cripple!" + +"Why, then," said I, "you shall have a staff to aid you on one side and +my arm on t'other, and shall attempt no great distance until you grow +stronger." So having found and cut a staff to serve him, we set off +together upon our long and arduous pilgrimage. + +By mid-afternoon we reached a place of rocks whence bubbled a small rill +mighty pleasant to behold and vastly refreshing to our parched throats and +bodies. Here, though the day was still young and we had come (as I judged) +scarce six miles, I proposed to camp for the night, whereon Sir Richard +must needs earnestly protest he could go further an I would, but finding me +determined, he heaved a prodigious sigh and stretching himself in the cool +shadow, lay there silent awhile, yet mighty content, as I could see. + +"Martin," quoth he at last, "by my reckoning we have some hundred and fifty +miles to go." + +"But, sir, they will be less to-morrow!" said I, busied with my knife on +certain branches I had cut. + +"And but half a ship's biscuit to our sustenance, and that spoiled." + +"Why, then, throw it away; I will get us better fare!" said I, for as we +came along I had spied several of those great birds the which I knew to be +very excellent eating. + +"As how, my son?" he questioned. + +"With bow and arrows." At this he sat up to watch me at work and very eager +to aid me therein. "So you shall, sir," said I, and having tapered my +bow-stave sufficiently, I showed him how to trim the shafts as smooth and +true as possible with a cleft or notch at one end into which I set one of +my rusty nails, binding it there with strips from my tattered shirt; in +place of feathers I used a tuft of grass and behold! my arrow was complete, +and though a poor thing to look at yet it would answer well enough, as I +knew by experience. So we fell to our arrow-making, wherein I found Sir +Richard very quick and skilful, as I told him, the which seemed to please +him mightily. + +"For," said he miserably, "I feel myself such a burden to thee, Martin, +that anything I can do to lighten thy travail be to me great comfort." + +"Sir," said I, "these many years have I been a solitary man hungering for +companionship, and, in place of enemy, God hath given me a friend and one I +do love and honour. As to his crippled body, sir, it beareth no scar but is +a badge of honour, and if he halt in his gait or fail by the way, this +doth but remind me of his dauntless soul that, despite pain and torment, +endured." + +So saying, I caught up such arrows as were finished (four in all) and +taking my bow, set forth in quest of supper, with Pluto at my heels. Nor +had I far to seek, for presently I espied several of these monstrous birds +among the trees and, stringing my bow with a length of cord, I crept +forward until I was in easy range and, setting arrow to string, let fly. +Away sang my shaft, a yard wide of the mark, soaring high into the air and +far beyond all hope of recovery. + +This put me in a fine rage, for not only had I lost my precious arrow, but +the quarry also, for off flapped my bird, uttering a hoarse cackle as in +derision of my ill aim. On I went, seeking for something should serve us +for supper, yet look where I would, saw nothing, no, not so much as parrot +or macaw that might stay us for lack of better fare. On I went, and +mightily hungry, wandering haphazard and nothing to reward me until, +reaching an opening or glade shut in by dense thickets beyond, I sat me +upon a fallen tree and in mighty ill humour, the dog Pluto at my feet. +Suddenly I saw him start and prick his ears, and presently, sure enough, +heard a distant stir and rustling in the thickets that grew rapidly nearer +and louder to trampling rush; and out from the leaves broke some dozen or +so young pigs; but espying the dog they swung about in squealing terror and +plunged back again. But in that moment I let fly among them and was mighty +glad to see one roll over and lie kicking, filling the air with shrill +outcry; then Pluto was upon it and had quickly finished the poor beast, +aye, and would have devoured it, too, had I not driven him off with my +bow-stave. + +It was a small pig and something lean, yet never in this world hunter more +pleased than I as, shouldering the carcase and with Pluto going before, I +made my way back to our halting-place and found Sir Richard had contrived +to light a fire and full of wonder to behold my pig. + +"Though to be sure," said he, "I've heard there were such in Darien, yet I +never saw any, Martin, more especially in these high lands." + +"They were fleeing from some wild beast, as I judge, sir," quoth I. + +"Why, then, 'twere as well to keep our fire going all night!" said he: +to the which I agreed and forthwith set about cutting up the pig, first +flaying it as well as I might, since I judged the skin should be very +serviceable in divers ways. So this night we supped excellent well. + +The meal over, Sir Richard cut up what remained of the carcase into strips +and set me to gather certain small branches with which he built a sort of +grating above some glowing embers and thus dried and smoked the meat after +the manner of the buccaneers. "For look now, Martin," said he, "besides +drying the meat, these twigs are aromatic and do lend a most excellent +flavour, so that there is no better meat in the world--besides, it will +keep." + +Beyond the rocky cleft bright with the light of our fire the vasty +wilderness hemmed us in, black and sullen, for the trees being thick +hereabouts we could see no glimpse of moon or star. And amid this gloom +were things that moved stealthily, shapes that rustled and flitted, and +ever and anon would come the howl of some beast, the cry of some bird, +hunting or hunted, whereat Pluto, crunching on a bone, would lift his head +to growl. So with the fire and the dog's watchfulness we felt tolerably +secure and presently fell asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +WE COMMENCE OUR JOURNEY + + +Day after day we held on, suffering much by reason of heat, thirst and +fatigue, since, fearing lest we should lose sight of our guide, the sea, +and go astray to perish miserably in the wild, we followed ever the trend +of this mountainous coast. + +By rocky ways we marched, by swamps and mazy thickets, down precipitous +slopes, through tangled woods, across wide savannahs, along perilous tracks +high above dim forests that stretched away like a leafy ocean, whence we +might behold a wide prospect of all those weary miles before us. + +And surely nowhere in all this world is to be seen a country more full of +marvels and wonders than this land of Darien. For here rise vasty mountains +whose jagged summits split the very heaven; here are mighty rivers and +roaring cataracts, rolling plains, thirsty deserts and illimitable forests +in whose grim shadow lurk all manner of beasts and reptiles strange beyond +thought; here lie dense groves and tangled thickets where bloom great +flowers of unearthly beauty yet rank of smell and poisonous to the touch; +here are birds of every kind and hue and far beyond this poor pen to +describe by reason of the beauty and brilliancy of their plumage, some of +which would warble so sweet 'twas great joy to hear while the discordant +croakings and shrill clamours of others might scarce be endured. Here, too, +are trees (like the cocos) so beneficent to yield a man food and drink, +aye, and garments to cover him; or others (like the maria and balsam trees) +that besides their timber do distil medicinal oils, and yet here also are +trees so noxious their mere touch bringeth a painful disease of the skin +and to sleep in their shadow breedeth sickness and death; here, too, grow +all manner of luscious fruits as the ananas or pineapple, with oranges, +grapes, medlars and dates, but here again are other fruits as fair to the +eye, yet deadly as fang of snake or sting of _cientopies_. Truly (as I do +think), nowhere is there country of such extremes of good and evil as this +land of Darien. + +Thus day by day we held on and daily learned I much of tree and fruit and +flower, of beast, bird and reptile from Sir Richard who, it seemed, was +deeply versed in the lore of such, both by reading and experience; but +hourly I learned more of this man's many and noble qualities, as his +fortitude, his unflinching courage and the cheerful spirit that could make +light of pain and thirst and weariness so that, misjudging his strength, I +would sometimes march him well-nigh beyond his endurance, but knew nought +of it since he never complained but masked his suffering in brave and +smiling words. And there were times when, burning with impatience, I would +quicken my pace (God forgive me) until, missing his plodding figure, I +would look back to see him stumbling after me afar. + +It was upon the fifth day of our journey that, missing him thus, I turned +to wait for him to come up and found him nowhere in sight. Hereupon I +hasted back the way I had come and after some while beheld him prone in the +dust; he lay outstretched upon his face in the hot glare of the sun, the +dog Pluto squatting beside him, and as I approached the desolate figure I +knew that he was weeping. So came I running to fall beside him on my knees +and lifting that abased head, saw indeed the agony of his tears. + +"Oh, Martin--forgive me!" he gasped. "I can crawl no faster--better were I +dead, dear lad, than hamper you thus--" + +"Rather will I perish!" said I, lifting him in my arms to bear him out of +the sun and much grieved to find him a burden so light; and now, sitting +'neath a great tree, I took his head upon my bosom and wiped the tears from +his furrowed cheeks and set myself diligently to comfort him, but seeing +him so faint and fore-done, I began alternately to berate myself heartily +and lament over him so that he must needs presently take to comforting me +in turn, vowing himself very well, that it was nought but the heat, that he +would be able to go and none the worse in a little, etc. "Besides," said +he, "'tis worth such small discomfort to find you so tender of me, Martin. +Yet indeed I am stronger than I seem and shall be ready to go on as soon as +you will--" + +"Nay, sir," said I, mighty determined, "here we bide till the sun +moderates; 'tis too hot for the dog even," and I nodded where Pluto lay +outstretched and panting, hard by. But now, even as I spoke, the dog lifted +his head to snuff the air and, getting up, bolted off among the adjacent +undergrowth. I was yet idly wondering at this when suddenly, from somewhere +afar in the woods below, came a sound there was no mistaking--the faint, +sharp crack of a firearm. In a moment I was on my feet and, with Sir +Richard beside me, came where we might look into the green depths below us. + +And sure enough, amid this leafy wilderness I saw a glitter that came and +went, the which I knew must be armour, and presently made out the forms +of men and horses with divers hooded litters and long files of tramping +figures. + +"Ah!" quoth Sir Richard. "Yon should be the gold-train for Panama or +Carthagena, or mayhap Indians being marched to slavery in the mines, poor +souls!" + +As he spake, came a puff of white smoke plain to see and thereafter divers +others, and presently the reports of this firing smote upon our ears in +rapid succession. + +"What now?" said I, straining my eyes. "Is there a battle toward--" + +"Nay, Martin, 'tis more like some poor wretch hath broke his bonds and fled +into the woods; if so, God send him safe out of their hands, for I have +endured slavery and--" here his voice broke, and casting himself on his +knees he clasped his arms about me, and I all amazed to see him so moved. + +"Oh, Martin!" he wept, in voice of agony, "oh, dear and gentle lad, 'twas +to such slavery, such shame and misery I sent thee once--thou--that I do so +love--my son--" + +"Sir," said I, stooping to lift him. "Sir, this is all forgot and out of +mind." + +"Yet, dear lad, you do bear the marks yet, scars o' the whip, marks o' the +shackles. I have seen them when you slept--and never a one but set there by +my hand--and now--now you must cherish me if I fail by the way--must bear +me in your arms--grieve for my weakness--Oh, dear lad, I would you were a +little harsher--less kind." + +Now seeing how it was with him, I sat me down and, folding him within my +arm, sought to comfort him in my blundering way, reminding him of all he +had endured and that my sufferings could nowise compare with his own and +that in many ways I was no whit the worse: "Indeed," said I, "in many +ways I am the better man, for solitude hath but taught me to think beyond +myself, though 'tis true I am something slow of speech and rude of manner, +and hardship hath but made me stronger of body than most men I have met." + +"Oh, God love you, lad!" cried he of a sudden, 'twixt laughing and weeping. +"You will be calling me your benefactor next!" + +"And wherefore not?" quoth I. "For indeed, being made wise by suffering, +you have taught me many things and most of all to love you in despite of +myself!" + +Now at this he looks at me all radiant-eyed, yet when he would have spoken, +could not, and so was silence awhile. Now turning to look down into the +valley I saw it all deserted and marking how the forest road ran due east, +I spoke that which was in my thought. + +"Sir, yonder, as I think, must be a highway; at least, where others go, so +may we, and 'twill be easier travelling than these rocky highlands; how +think you?" + +"Why, truly, if road there be, it must bring us again to the sea soon or +late; so come, let us go!" + +So saying, he got him to his legs, whereupon Pluto leapt and fawned upon +him for very joy; and thus finding him something recovered and very earnest +to be gone, we set out again (maugre the sun) looking for some place +whereby we might get us down into the valley, and after some while came +upon a fissure in the cliff face which, though easy going for an able man, +was a different matter I thought for my companion; but as I hesitated, the +matter was put beyond despite by Sir Richard forthwith cheerily beginning +the descent, whereupon I followed him and after me the dog. As we +descended, the way grew easier until We reached at last a small plateau +pleasantly shaded by palm trees; here (and despite his hardihood), Sir +Richard sank down, sweating with the painful effort and gasping for breath, +yet needs must he smile up at me triumphant, so that I admired anew the +indomitable spirit of him. + +"Oh, for a drink!" quoth he, as I set an armful of fern beneath his head. + +"Alas!" said I, "'tis far down to the river--" + +"Nay--above, lad, look above--yonder is drink for a whole ship's company!" +and he pointed feebly to the foliage of the tree 'neath which he lay: + +"What! Is this a cocos palm?" said I, rejoicing; and forthwith doffing my +sword belt, I clambered up this tree hand over fist and had soon plucked +and tossed down a sufficiency of great, green nuts about the bigness of my +two fists. Now sitting beside him, Sir Richard showed me how I must cut two +holes in the green rind and we drank blissfully of this kindly juice that +to our parched tongues was very nectar, for verily never in all my days +have I tasted drink so delectable and invigorating. As for Pluto, when +I offered him of this he merely sniffed and yawned contemptuous. Thus +refreshed we went on again, the way growing ever easier until we entered +the shade of those vast woods we had seen from above. + +But scarce were we here than rose such a chattering, whittling and croaking +from the leafy mysteries above and around us, such a screaming and wailing +as was most distressful to hear, for all about us was a great multitude of +birds; the forest seemed full of them, and very wonderful to see by reason +of their plumage, its radiant and divers hues, so that as they flitted to +and fro in their glowing splendour they seemed like so many flying jewels, +while clustering high in the trees or swinging nimbly among the branches +were troops of monkeys that screamed and chattered and grimaced down at us +for all the world as they had been very fiends of the pit. + +"Heard ye ever such unholy hubbub, Martin?" said Sir Richard, halting to +glance about us. "This portendeth a storm, I judge, for these creatures +possess gifts denied to us humans. See how they do begin to cower and seek +what shelter they may! We were wise to do the like, my son. I marked a cave +back yonder; let us go there, for these woods be an evil place at such +times." + +So back we went accordingly and saw the sunlight suddenly quenched and the +sky lower above us ever darker and more threatening, so that by the time we +had reached the little cave in question, it almost seemed night was upon +us. And now, crouching in this secure haven, I marvelled at the sudden, +unearthly stillness of all things; not a leaf stirred and never a sound to +hear, for beast and bird alike had fallen mute. + +Then all at once was a blinding glare followed by roaring thunder-clap that +echoed and re-echoed from rugged cliff to mountain summit near and far +until this was whelmed and lost in the rush of a booming, mighty wind and +this howling riot full of whirling leaves and twigs and riven branches. And +now came the rain, a hissing downpour that seemed it would drown the world, +while ever the lightning flared and crackled and thunder roared ever more +loud until I shrank, blinded and half-stunned. After some while, these +awful sounds hushing a little, in their stead was the lash and beat of +rain, the rush and trickle of water where it gushed and spouted down from +the cliff above in foaming cascades until I began to dread lest this deluge +overwhelm us and we be drowned miserably in our little cave. But, all +at once, sudden as it had come, the storm was passed, rain and wind and +thunder ceased, the sombre clouds rolled away and down beamed the sun to +show us a new and radiant world of vivid greens spangled as it were with a +myriad shimmering gems, a very glory to behold. + +"'Tis a passionate country this, Martin," as we stepped forth of our +refuge, "but its desperate rages be soon over." + +By late afternoon we came out upon a broad green track that split the +forest east and west, and where, despite the rain, we might yet discern +faint traces here and there of the hoofs and feet had trampled it earlier +in the day, so that it seemed we must march behind them. On we went, very +grateful for the trees that shaded us and the springy grass underfoot, Sir +Richard swinging his staff and striding out right cheerily. Suddenly Pluto, +uttering a single joyous bark, sprang off among the brush that grew very +thick, and looking thither, we espied a small stream and the day being far +spent we decided to pass the night hereabouts, so we turned aside forthwith +and having gone but a few yards, found ourselves quite hidden from the +highway, so thick grew the trees and so dense and tangled the thickets that +shut us in; and here ran this purling brook, making sweet, soft noises in +the shallows mighty soothing to be heard. And here I would have stayed but +Sir Richard shook wise head and was for pushing farther into the wild. +"For," said he, "there may be other travellers behind us to spy some gleam +of our fire and who shall these be but enemies?" So, following the rill +that, it seemed, took its rise from the cliffs to our left, we went on +until Sir Richard paused in the shade of a great tree that soared high +above its fellows and hard beside the stream. + +But scarce were we come hither than Pluto uttered a savage growl and +turned, snuffing the air, whereupon Sir Richard, grasping the battered +collar about his massy throat, bade him sternly to silence. + +"What saw I, Martin? Some one comes--let us go see, and softly!" + +So, following whither Pluto led, we presently heard voices speaking the +Spanish tongue, and one cursed, and one mocked and one sang. Hereupon I +drew sword, and moving with infinite caution, we came where, screened +'mid the leaves, we might behold the highway. And thus we beheld six men +approaching and one a horseman; nearer they came until we could see them +sweating beneath their armour and the weapons they bore, and driving before +them a poor, blood-stained wretch tied to the horseman's stirrup, yet who, +despite wounds and blows, strode with head proudly erect, heeding them no +whit. Yet suddenly he stumbled and fell, whereupon the horseman swore again +and the captive was kicked to his feet and so was dragged on again, reeling +for very weariness; and I saw this poor creature was an Indian. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, when this sorry cavalcade was gone by, "it +would, I think, be action commendable to endeavour rescue of this poor +soul." + +"It would, sir!" quoth I. "And a foolhardy." + +"Mayhap," said he, "yet am I minded to adventure it" + +"How, sir--with one sword and a knife?" + +"Nay, Martin, by God's aid, strategy and a dog. Come then, let us follow; +they cannot go far, and I heard them talk of camping hereabouts. Softly, +lad!" + +"But, sir," said I, amazed at this audacity, "will you outface five lusty +men well-armed?" + +"And wherefore not, Martin? Is the outfacing of five rogues any greater +matter than outfacing this God's wilderness? Nay, I am not mad," said he, +meeting my glance with a smile, "there were times when I adventured greater +odds than this and to worse end, God forgive me! Alas, I have wrought so +much of evil in the past I would fain offset it with a little good, so bear +with me, dear lad--" + +"Yet this man you risk your life for is but a stranger and an Indian at +that!" + +"And what then, Martin? Cannot an Indian suffer--cannot he die?" Here, +finding me silent, he continued. "Moreover, there be very cogent reasons do +urge a little risk, for look now, these rogues do go well shod--and see our +poor shoes! They bear equipment very necessary to us that have so far to go +and their horse should be useful to us. Nor dream I would lightly hazard +your life, Martin, for these men have been drinking, will drink more and +should therefore sleep sound, and I have a plan whereby Pluto and I--" + +"Sir Richard," said I, "where you go, I go!" + +"Why, very well, Martin, 'twere like you--but you shall be subject to my +guidance and do nought without my word." + +As he spoke, his eyes quick and alert, his face grimly purposeful, there +was about him that indefinable air of authority I had noticed more than +once. Thus, with no better weapons than his staff and knife, and my sword, +bow and poor arrows, we held on after these five Spanish soldiers, Sir +Richard nothing daunted by this disparity of power but rather the more +determined and mighty cheerful by his looks, but myself full of doubts +and misgiving. Perceiving which, he presently stopped to slap me on the +shoulder: + +"Martin," said he, "if things go as I think, we shall this night be very +well off for equipment and all without a blow, which is good, and save a +life, which is better!" + +"Aye, but, sir, how if things go contrary-wise?" + +"Why, then, sure a quick death is better than to perish miserably by the +way, for we have cruel going before us, thirsty deserts and barren wilds +where game is scarce; better steel or bullet than to die raving with thirst +or slow starvation--how say ye, lad?" + +"Lead on!" quoth I and tightened my belt. + +"Ha!" said he, halting suddenly as arose a sudden crack of twigs and +underbrush some distance on our front. "They have turned in to the +water--let us sit here and watch for their camp fire." And presently, sure +enough, we saw a red glow through the underbrush ahead that grew ever +brighter as the shadows deepened; and so came the night. + +How long we waited thus, our eyes turned ever towards this red fire-glow, I +know not, but at last I felt Sir Richard touch me and heard his voice in my +ear: + +"Let us advance until we have 'em in better view!" Forthwith we stole +forward, Sir Richard's grasp on Pluto's collar and hushing him to silence, +until we were nigh enough to catch the sound of their voices very loud and +distinct. Here we paused again and so passed another period of patient +waiting wherein we heard them begin to grow merry, to judge by their +laughter and singing, a lewd clamour very strange and out of place in these +wild solitudes, under cover of which uproar we crept upon them nearer and +nearer until we might see them sprawled about the fire, their muskets piled +against a tree, their miserable captive lashed fast to another and drooping +in his bonds like one sleeping or a-swoon. So lay we watching and waiting +while their carouse waxed to a riot and waned anon to sleepy talk and +drowsy murmurs and at last to a lusty snoring. And after some wait, Sir +Richard's hand ever upon Pluto's collar, we crept forward again until we +were drawn close upon that tree where stood the muskets. Then up rose Sir +Richard, letting slip the dog and we were upon them, all three of us, our +roars and shouts mingled with the fierce raving of the great hound. At the +which hellish clamour, these poor rogues waked in sudden panic to behold +the dog snapping and snarling about them and ourselves covering them with +their own weapons, and never a thought among them but to supplicate our +mercy; the which they did forthwith upon their knees and with upraised +hands. Hereupon Sir Richard, scowling mighty fierce, bid such of them as +loved life to be gone, whereat in the utmost haste and as one man, up +started they all five and took themselves off with such impetuous celerity +that we stood alone and masters of all their gear in less time than it +taketh me to write down. + +"Well, Martin," said Sir Richard, grim-smiling, "'twas none so desperate a +business after all! Come now, let us minister to this poor prisoner." + +We found him in sorry plight and having freed him of his bonds I fetched +water from the brook near by and together we did what we might to his +comfort, all of the which he suffered and never a word: which done, we +supped heartily all three on the spoil we had taken. Only once did the +Indian speak, and in broken Spanish, to know who we were. + +"Content you, we are no Spaniards!" answered Sir Richard, setting a cloak +about him as he lay. + +"Truly this do I see, my father!" he murmured, and so fell asleep, the +which so excellent example I bade Sir Richard follow and this after some +demur, he agreed to (though first he must needs help me collect sticks for +the fire), then commanding me wake him in two hours without fail, he rolled +himself in one of the cloaks and very presently fell soundly asleep like +the hardy old campaigner he was. + +And now, the fire blazing cheerily, Pluto outstretched beside me, one +bright eye opening ever and anon, and a pistol in my belt, I took careful +stock of our new-come-by possessions and found them to comprise the +following, viz: + + 3 muskets with powder and shot a-plenty. + 2 brace of pistols. + 3 swords, with belts, hangers, etc. + 3 steel backs and breasts. + 4 morions. + 1 beaver hat excellent wide in the brim, should do for Sir + Richard; he suffering much by the sun despite the hat of leaves + I had made him. + 1 axe heavy and something blunted. + 2 excellent knives, + 2 wine skins, both empty. + 3 flasks, the same. + Good store of meat with cakes of very excellent bread of cassava. + 1 horse with furniture for same, + 5 cloaks, something worn. + 3 pair of boots, very serviceable. + 1 tinder box. + 1 coat. + +One brass compass in the pocket of same and of more value to us, I thought, +than all the rest, the which pleased me mightily; so that for a long time I +sat moving it to and fro to watch the swing of the needle and so at last, +what with the crackle of the fire and the brooding stillness beyond and +around us, I presently fell a-nodding and in a little (faithless sentinel +that I was) to heavy slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF + + +I waked to a scream, a fierce trampling, an awful snarling, this drowned in +the roar of a gun, and started up to see a glitter of darting steel that +Sir Richard sought to parry with his smoking weapon. Then I was up, and, +sword in hand, leapt towards his assailant, a tall, bearded man whose +corselet flashed red in the fire-glow and who turned to meet my onset, +shouting fiercely. And so we fell to it point and point; pushing +desperately at each other in the half-light and raving pandemonium about us +until more by good fortune than skill I ran him in the arm and shoulder, +whereupon, gasping out hoarse maledictions, he incontinent made off into +the dark. Then turned I to find myself alone; even the Indian had vanished, +though from the darkness near at hand was a sound of fierce strife and a +ringing shot. Catching up a musket I turned thitherward, but scarce had I +gone a step than into the light of the fire limped Sir Richard and Pluto +beside him, who licked and licked at his great muzzle as he came. + +"Oh, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard, leaning on his musket and bowing his +head, "oh, Martin--but for Pluto here--" And now, as he paused, I saw the +dog's fangs and tongue horribly discoloured. + +"'Tis all my fault!" said I bitterly. "I fell asleep at my post!" + +"Aye!" he groaned, "whereby are two men dead and one by my hand, God +forgive me!" + +"Nay, but these were enemies bent on our murder!" + +"Had they seen you wakeful and vigilant they had never dared attack us. +As it is, I have another life on my conscience and I am an old man and +soul-weary of strife and bloodshed, yet this it seems is my destiny!" + +So saying he sat him down by the fire exceeding dejected, and when I would +have comforted him I found no word. Suddenly I heard Pluto growl in his +throat, saw the hair on neck and shoulders bristle, and looking where he +looked, cocked my musket and raised it to my shoulder, then lowered it, as, +with no sound of footstep, the Indian stepped into the firelight. In one +hand he grasped the axe and as he came nearer I saw axe and hand and arm +dripped red. At Sir Richard's word and gesture Pluto cowered down and +suffered the Indian to approach, a tall, stately figure, who, coming close +beside the fire, held out to us his left hand open and upon the palm three +human ears, the which he let fall to stamp upon with his moccasined foot. + +"Dead, my brothers!" said he in his broken Spanish and holding up three +fingers. "So be all enemies of Atlamatzin and his good friends." Saying +which he stopped to cleanse himself and the axe in the stream and with +the same grave serenity he came back to the fire and stretching himself +thereby, composed himself to slumber. + +But as for Sir Richard and myself no thought had we of sleep but sat there +very silent for the most part, staring into the fire until it paled to the +day and the woods around us shrilled and echoed to the chatter and cries, +the piping and sweet carol of new-waked birds. + +Then, having broken our fast, we prepared to set out in the early freshness +of the morning, when to us came the Indian Atlamatzin and taking my hand, +touched it to his breast and forehead and having done as much by Sir +Richard, crossed his arms, and looking from one to other of us, spake in +his halting Spanish as much as to say, "My father and brother, whither +go ye?" At this Sir Richard, who it seemed knew something of the Indian +tongue, gave him to understand we went eastwards towards the Gulf. +Whereupon the Indian bowed gravely, answering: + +"Ye be lonely, even as I, and thitherward go I many moons to what little of +good, war and evil have left to me. Therefore will I company with ye an ye +would have me." To the which we presently agreeing, he forthwith took his +share of our burden, and with the axe at his side and our spare musket on +his shoulder, went on before, threading his way by brake and thicket +with such sureness of direction that we were soon out upon the open +thoroughfare. + +And now seeing how stoutly Sir Richard stepped out (despite the gear he +bore as gun, powder horn, water bottle, etc.) what with the sweet freshness +here among the trees and seeing us so well provided against circumstances, +I came nigh singing for pure lightness of heart. But scarce had we gone a +mile than my gaiety was damped and in this fashion. + +"Here is a land of death, Martin--see yonder!" said Sir Richard and pointed +to divers great birds that flapped up heavily from the way before us. +Coming nearer, I saw others of the breed that quarrelled and fought and +screamed and, upon our nearer approach, hopped along in a kind of torpor +ere they rose on lazy wings and flew away; and coming nearer yet I saw the +wherefore of their gathering and Sir Richard's words and grew sick within +me. It was an Indian woman who lay where she had fallen, a dead babe +clasped to dead bosom with one arm, the other shorn off at the elbow. + +"A Spanish sword-stroke, Martin!" said Sir Richard, pointing to this. "God +pity this poor outraged people!" And with this prayer we left these poor +remains, and hasting away, heard again the heavy beat of wings and the +carrion cry of these monstrous birds. And now I bethought me that the +Indian, striding before us, had never so much as turned and scarce deigned +a glance at this pitiful sight, as I noted to Sir Richard. + +"And yet, Martin, he brought in three Spanish ears last night! Moreover, he +is an Indian and one of the Maya tribe that at one time were a noble people +and notable good fighters, but now slaves, alas, all save a sorry few that +do live out of the white man's reach 'mid the ruin of noble cities high up +in the Cordilleras--_sic transit gloria mundi_, alas!" + +For three days we tramped this highway in the wake of the Spanish +treasure-convoy and came on the remains of many of these miserable slaves +who, overcome with fatigue, had fallen in their chains and being cut free, +had been left thus to perish miserably. + +On this, the fourth day, we turned off from this forest road (the which +began to trend southerly); we struck off, I say, following our Indian, into +a narrow track bearing east and by north which heartened me much since, +according to Adam's chart, this should bring us directly towards that spot +he had marked as our rendezvous. And as we advanced, the country changed, +the woods thinned away to a rolling hill-country, and this to rocky ways +that grew ever steeper and more difficult, and though we had no lack of +water, we suffered much by reason of the heat. And now on our right we +beheld great mountains towering high above us, peak on peak, soaring aloft +to the cloudless heaven where blazed a pitiless sun. Indeed, so unendurable +was this heat that we would lie panting in some shade until the day +languished and instead of glaring sun was radiant moon to light us on our +pilgrimage. And here we were often beset by dreadful tempests where mighty +winds shouted and thunder cracked and roared most awful to be heard among +these solitary mountains. So we skirted these great mountains, by frowning +precipice and dark defile, past foaming cataracts and waters that roared +unseen below us. + +And very thankful we were for such a guide as this Indian Atlamatzin who, +grave, solemn and seldom-speaking, was never at a loss and very wise as to +this wilderness and all things in it,--beast and bird, tree and herb and +flower. And stoutly did Sir Richard bear himself during this weary time, +plodding on hour after hour until for very shame I would call a halt, and +he, albeit ready to swoon for weariness, would find breath to berate me for +a laggard and protest himself able to go on, until, taking him in my arms, +I would lay him in some sheltered nook and find him sound asleep before +ever I could prepare our meal. + +Thus held we on until towering mountain and scowling cliff sank behind and +we came into a gentle country of placid streams, grassy tracts, with herb +and tree and flower a very joy to the eyes. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, as we sat at breakfast beside a crystal pool, +"Martin," said he, pulling at Pluto's nearest ear with sunburned fingers, +"I do begin to think that all these days I have been harbouring a shadow." + +"How so, sir?" + +"It hath seemed to me from the first that I should leave this poor body +here in Darien--" + +"God forbid!" quoth I fervently. + +"'Twould be but my body, Martin; my soul would go along with you, dear lad; +aye, 'twould be close by to comfort and aid and bring you safe to--her--my +sweet Joan--and mayhap--with you twain--to England." + +"Nay, dear sir, I had liefer you bear your body along with it. Thank God, +you do grow more hearty every day. And the ague scarce troubles you--" + +"Truly, God hath been very kind. I am thrice the man I was, though I limp +wofully, which grieves me since it shortens the day's journey, lad. We have +been already these many days and yet, as I compute, we have fully eighty +miles yet to go. Alas, dear lad, how my crawling must fret you." + +"Sir Richard," said I, clapping my hand on his, "no man could have endured +more courageously nor with stouter heart than you--no, not even Adam +Penfeather himself, so grieve not for your lameness. Adam will wait us, of +this I am assured." + +"What manner of man is this Adam of yours, Martin?" + +"He is himself, sir, and none other like him: a little, great man, a man of +cunning plots and contrivances, very bold and determined and crafty beyond +words. He is moreover a notable good seaman and commander, quick of hand +and eye. Dangers and difficulty are but a whetstone to set a keener edge to +his abilities. He was once a chief of buccaneers and is now a baronet +of England and justice of the peace, aye, and I think a member of His +Majesty's Parliament beside." + +"Lord, Martin, you do paint me a very Proteus; fain would I meet such a +man." + +"Why, so you shall, sir, and judge for yourself." + +Here Sir Richard sighed and turned to gaze where Atlamatzin was busied upon +a small fire he had lighted some distance away. Now, as to this Indian, if +I have not been particular in his description hitherto, it is because I +know not how to do so, seeing he was (to my mind) rather as one of another +world, a sombre figure proud and solitary and mostly beyond my ken, though +I came to know him something better towards the end and but for him should +have perished miserably. Thus then, I will try to show him to you in as few +words as I may. + +Neither young nor old, tall and slender yet of incredible strength; his +features pleasing and no darker than my own sunburned skin, his voice soft +and deep, his bearing proud and stately and of a most grave courtesy. +Marvellous quick was he and nimble save for his tongue, he being less given +to talk even than I, so that I have known us march by the hour together +and never a word betwixt us. Yet was he a notable good friend, true and +steadfast and loyal, as you shall hear. + +Just now (as I say) he was busy with a fire whereon he cast an armful of +wet leaves so that he had presently a thick column of smoke ascending into +the stilly air; and now he took him one of the cloaks and covered this +smoke, stifling and fanning it aside so that it was no more than a mist, +and anon looses it into a column again; and thus he checked or broke his +smoky pillar at irregular intervals, so that at last I needs must call to +ask him what he did. + +"Brother," answered he in his grave fashion, "I talk with my people. In a +little you shall see them answer me. Hereupon Sir Richard told me how in +some parts these Indians will converse long distances apart by means of +drums, by which they will send you messages quicker than any relay of post +horses may go. And presently, sure enough, from a woody upland afar rose +an answering smoke that came and went and was answered by our fire, as in +question and answer, until at last Atlamatzin, having extinguished his +fire, came and sat him down beside us. + +"Father and my brother," said he, folding his arms, "I read a tale of +blood, fire and battle at sea and along the coast. White men slaying white +men, which is good--so they slay enough!" + +"A battle at sea? Do you mean ships?" I questioned uneasily. + +"And on land, brother. Spanish soldiers have been espied wounded and yet +shouting with singing and laughing. Galleons have sailed from Porto Bello +and Carthagena." + +"God send Adam is not beset!" said I. + +"Amen!" quoth Sir Richard. "Nay, never despond, Martin, for if he be the +man you say he shall not easily be outwitted." + +"Ah, sir, I think on my dear lady." + +"And I also, Martin. But she is in the hands of God Who hath cherished her +thus far." + +"Moreover, oh, father and my brother, yonder my people do send you greeting +and will entertain you for so long as you will." + +"Wherefore we thank you, Atlamatzin, good friend, you and them, but if fire +and battle are abroad we must on so soon as we may." So saying, Sir Richard +got to his feet and we did the like and, taking up our gear, set off with +what speed we might. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +TELLETH SOMEWHAT OF A STRANGE CITY + + +By midday we were come in sight of this Indian city, a place strange beyond +thought, it being builded in vast terraces that rose one upon another up +the face of a great cliff, and embattled by divers many towers. And the +nearer I came the more grew my wonder by reason of the hugeness of this +structure, for these outer defences were builded of wrought stones, but of +such monstrous bulk and might as seemed rather the work of sweating Titans +than the labour of puny man; as indeed I told Sir Richard. + +"Aye, truly, Martin," said he, "this is the abiding wonder! Here standeth +the noble monument of a once great and mighty people." + +In a little Atlamatzin brought us to a stair or causeway that mounted up +from terrace to terrace, and behold, this stair was lined with warriors +grasping shield and lance, and brave in feathered cloaks and headdresses +and betwixt their ordered ranks one advancing,--an old man of a reverend +bearing, clad in a black robe and on whose bosom shone and glittered a +golden emblem that I took for the sun. Upon the lowest platform he halted +and lifted up his hands as in greeting, whereon up went painted shield and +glittering spear and from the stalwart warriors rose a lusty shout, a word +thrice repeated. + +And now, to my wonder, forth stepped Atlamatzin, a proud and stately figure +for all his rags, and lifting one hand aloft, spake to them in voice very +loud and clear, pointing to us from time to time. When he had gone they +shouted amain and, descending from the platform, the priest (as he proved +to be) knelt before Atlamatzin to touch his heart and brow. And now came +divers Indians bearing litters, the which, at Altlamatzin's word, Sir +Richard and I entered and so, Pluto trotting beside us, were borne up from +terrace to terrace unto the town. And I saw this had once been a goodly +city though its glory was departed, its noble buildings decayed or ruinated +and cheek by jowl with primitive dwellings of clay. And these greater +houses were of a noble simplicity, flat-roofed and builded of a red, porous +stone, in some cases coated with white cement, whiles here and there, +towering high among these, rose huge structures that I took for palaces or +temples, yet one and all timeworn and crumbling to decay. Before one of +such, standing in a goodly square, we alighted and here found a crowd +of people--men, women and children--who stood to behold us; a mild, +well-featured people, orderly and of a courteous bearing, yet who stared +and pointed, chattering, at sight of the dog. And if this were all of them, +a pitiful few I thought them in contrast to this great square whence opened +divers wide thoroughfares, and this mighty building that soared above +us, its great walls most wonderful to sight by reason of all manner of +decorations and carvings wrought into the semblance of writhing serpents +cunningly intertwined. + +Betwixt a kind of gatehouse to right and left we entered an enclosure where +stood the temple itself, reared upon terraces. Here Atlamatzin giving us to +know we must leave the dog, Sir Richard tied him up, whereon Pluto, seeing +us leave him, howled in remonstrance, but, obedient to Sir Richard's word, +cowered to silence, yet mighty dismal to behold. And now, Atlamatzin and +the High Priest leading the way, we to climb numberless steps, and though +Richard found this no small labour despite my aid, at last we stood before +the massy portal of the temple that seemed to scowl upon us. And from the +dim interior rose a sound of voices chanting, drowned all at once in the +roll of drums and blare of trumpets and Atlamatzin and the Priest entered, +signing on us to follow. + +"Have your weapons ready, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard. "For I have heard +evil tales of blood and sacrifice in such places as this!" + +And thus side by side we stepped into the cool dimness of this strange +building. Once my eyes were accustomed to the gloom, I stood amazed by the +vast extent of this mighty building and awed by the wonder of it. Midway +burned a dim fire whose small flame flickered palely; all round us, huge +and mountainous, rose the shapes of strange deities wonderfully wrought; +round about the altar fire were grouped many black-robed priests and hard +by this fire stood a thing that brought back memory of Adam Penfeather +his words--of how he had fought for his life on the death-stone; and now, +beholding this grim thing, I shifted round my sword and felt if my pistols +were to hand. And now rose Atlamatzin's voice, rumbling in the dimness high +overhead, and coming to us, he took us each by the hand and, leading us +forward, spake awhile to the motionless priests, who, when he had done, +came about us with hands uplifted in greeting. And now Atlamatzin spake us +on this wise: + +"Father and my brother, well do I know ye have clean hearts despite your +pale skins, so do I make ye welcome and free of this city that once was +overruled by my forefathers. And because ye are white men, loving all such +foolish things as all white men do love, follow me!" + +Saying which, he brought us before one of those great idols that glared +down on us. I saw him lift one hand, then started back from the square of +darkness that yawned suddenly as to engulf us. Taking a torch, Atlamatzin +led us down steps and along a broad passage beneath the temple and so +into a vasty chamber where lay that which gave back the light he bore; +everywhere about us was the sheen of gold. In ordered piles, in great +heaps, in scattered pieces it lay, wrought into a thousand fantastic +shapes, as idols, serpents, basins, pots and the like,--a treasure beyond +the telling. + +"Behold the white man's God, the cause of my people's woes, the ruin of our +cities, of blood and battle!" + +And here he gives us to understand this wealth was ours if we would; all or +such of it as we might bear away with us. Whereupon I shook my head and Sir +Richard told him that of more use to him than all this treasure would be +pen, inkhorn and paper, and a compass. Nothing speaking, Atlamatzin turned, +and by a very maze of winding passageways brought us up the steps and so to +a great and lofty chamber or hall where lay a vast medley of things: arms +and armour, horse furniture and Spanish gear of every sort, and in one +corner a small brass cannon, mounted on wheels. Amongst all of which Sir +Richard began searching and had his patience rewarded, for presently he +came on that he desired; viz: a travelling writing case with pens, paper, +and a sealed bottle of ink, though why he should want such was beyond me, +as I told him, whereat he did but smile, nothing speaking. + +So back we came and unloosed our dog (and he mighty rejoiced to see us) +whereafter, by Atlamatzin's command, we were lodged in a chamber very +sumptuous and with servants observant to our every want; for our meals were +dishes a-plenty, savoury and excellent well cooked and seasoned, and for +our drink was milk, or water cunningly flavoured with fruits, as good as +any wine, to my thinking. And cups and platters, nay, the very pots, were +all of pure gold. + +This night, having bathed me in a small bathhouse adjacent and very +luxurious, I get me to bed early (which was no more than a mat) but Sir +Richard, seated upon the floor hard by (for of chairs there were none), +Sir Richard, I say, must needs fall to with pen and ink, the great hound +drowsing beside him, so that, lulled by the soft scratching of his busy +quill, I presently slumbered also. + +Next morning I awoke late to find Sir Richard squatted where he had sat +last night, but this time, instead of writing case, across his knees lay a +musket, and he was busied in setting a flint to the lock. + +"Why, sir--what now?" I questioned. + +"A musket, lad, and fifty-and-five others in the corner yonder and all +serviceable, which is well." + +Now as I stared at him, his bowed figure and long white hair, there was +about him (despite his benevolent expression) a certain grim, fighting look +that set me wondering; moreover, upon the air I heard a stir that seemed +all about us, a faint yet ominous clamour. + +"Sir," quoth I, getting to my feet, "what's to do?" + +"Battle, Martin!" said he, testing the musket's action. + +"Ha!" cried I, catching up my sword. "Are we beset?" + +"By an army of Spaniards and hostile Indians, Martin. In the night came +Atlamatzin to say news had come of Indians from the West, ancient enemies +of this people, led on by Spanish soldiers, cavalry and arquebuseros, and +bidding us fly and save ourselves before the battle joined. But you were +asleep, Martin, and besides, it seemed ill in us, that had eaten their +bread, to fly and leave this poor folk to death--and worse--" + +"True enough, sir," said I, buckling my weapons about me, "but do you dream +that we, you and I, can hinder such?" + +"'Twere at least commendable in us to so endeavour, Martin. Nor is it thing +so impossible, having regard to these fifty-and-five muskets and the brass +cannon, seeing there is powder and shot abundant." + +"How then--must we stay and fight?" I demanded. And beholding the grim set +of his mouth and chin, at such odds with his white hair and gentle eyes, I +knew that it must be so indeed. + +"'Twas so I thought, Martin," said he a little humbly, and laying his hands +upon my shoulders, "but only for myself, dear lad, I fight better than I +walk, so will I stay and make this my cumbersome body of some little use, +perchance; but as for thee, dear and loved lad, I would have you haste +on--" + +"Enough, sir," quoth I, catching his hands in mine, "if you must stay to +fight, so do I." + +"Tush, Martin!" said he, mighty earnest. "Be reasonable! Atlamatzin hath +vowed, supposing we beat off our assailants, to provide me bearers and +a litter, so shall I travel at mine ease and overtake you very soon; +wherefore, I bid you go--for her sake!" + +But finding me no whit moved by this or any other reason he could invent, +he alternate frowned and sighed, and thereafter, slipping his arm in mine, +brought me forth to show me such dispositions as he had caused to be made +for the defence. Thus came we out upon the highest terrace, Pluto at our +heels, and found divers of the Indians labouring amain to fill and set up +baskets of loose earth after the manner of fascines, and showed me where he +had caused them to plant our cannon where it might sweep that stair I have +mentioned, and well screened from the enemy's observation and sheltered +from his fire. And hard beside the gun stood barrels of musket balls, and +round-shot piled very orderly, and beyond these, powder a-plenty in covered +kegs. + +And now he showed me pieces of armour, that is, a vizored headpiece or +armet, with cuirass, backplates, pauldrons and vambraces, all very richly +gilded, the which it seemed he had chosen for my defence. + +"So, then, sir, you knew I should stay?" + +"Indeed, Martin," he confessed, a little discountenanced, "I guessed you +might." But I (misliking to be so confined) would have none of this gilded +armour until, seeing his distress, I agreed thereto if he would do the +like; so we presently armed each other and I for one mighty hot and +uncomfortable. + +Posted upon this, the highest terrace, at every vantage point were Indians +armed with bows and arrows--men and women, aye and children--and all gazing +ever and anon towards that belt of forest to the West where it seemed +Atlamatzin, with ten chosen warriors, was gone to watch the approach of +the invading host. Presently, from these greeny depths came a distant shot +followed by others in rapid succession, and after some while, forth of the +woods broke six figures that we knew for Atlamatzin and five of the ten, at +sight of whom spear-points glittered and a lusty shout went up. + +"See now, Martin," quoth Sir Richard, speaking quick and incisive, a grim +and warlike figure in his armour, for all his stoop and limping gait, +"here's the way on't: let the Indians shoot their arrows as they may (poor +souls!) but we wait until the enemy be a-throng upon the stair yonder, then +we open on them with our cannon here,--'tis crammed to the muzzle with +musket balls; then whiles you reload, I will to my fifty-and-five muskets +yonder and let fly one after t'other, by which time you, having our brass +piece ready, will reload so many o' the muskets as you may and so, God +aiding, we will so batter these merciless Dons they shall be glad to give +over their bloody attempt and leave these poor folk in peace." + +As he ended, came Atlamatzin, telling us he had fallen suddenly on the +enemy's van and slain divers of them, showing us his axe bloody, and so +away to hearten his people. + +At last, forth of the forest marched the enemy, rank on rank, a seemingly +prodigious company. First rode horsemen a score, and behind these I counted +some sixty musketeers and pikemen as many, marching very orderly and +flashing back the sun from their armour, while behind these again came +plumed Indians beyond count, fierce, wild figures that leapt and shouted +high and shrill very dreadful to hear. On they came, leaping and dancing +from the forest, until it seemed they would never end, nearer and nearer +until we might see their faces and thus behold how these Spaniards talked +and laughed with each other as about a matter of little moment. Indeed, it +angered me to see with what careless assurance these steel-clad Spaniards +advanced against us in their insolent might, and bold in the thought that +they had nought to fear save Indian arrows and lances and they secure +in their armour. Halting below the first terrace, they forthwith began +assault, for whiles divers of the pikemen began to ascend the stairway, +followed by their Indian allies, the musketeers let fly up at us with their +pieces to cover their comrades' advance and all contemptuous of the arrows +discharged against them. But hard beside the cannon stood Sir Richard, +watching keen-eyed, and ever and anon blowing on the slow-match he had +made, waiting until the stairway was choked with the glittering helmets and +tossing feathers of the assailants. + +A deafening roar, a belch of flame and smoke that passing, showed a sight +I will not seek to describe; nor did I look twice, but fell to work with +sponge and rammer, loading this death-dealing piece as quickly as I might, +while louder than the awful wailing that came from that gory shambles rose +a wild hubbub from their comrades,--shouts and cries telling their sudden +panic and consternation. But as they stood thus in huddled amaze, Sir +Richard opened on them with his muskets, firing in rapid succession and +with aim so deadly that they forthwith turned and ran for it, nor did they +check or turn until they were out of range. Then back limped Sir Richard, +his cheek flushed, his eyes bright and fierce in the shade of his helmet, +his voice loud and vibrant with the joy of battle, and seeing how far the +gun was recoiled, summoned divers of the Indians to urge it back into +position; while this was doing, down upon this awful stair leapt Atlamatzin +and his fellows and had soon made an end of such wounded as lay there. + +"I pray God," cried Sir Richard, harsh-voiced, as he struck flint and steel +to relight his match, "I pray God this may suffice them!" + +And beholding the wild disorder of our assailants, I had great hopes this +was so indeed, but as I watched, they reformed their ranks and advanced +again, but with their Indians in the van, who suddenly found themselves +with death before them and behind, for the Spanish musketeers had turned +their pieces against them to force them on to the attacks. So, having no +choice, these poor wretches came on again, leaping and screaming their +battle cries until the stair was a-throng with them; on and up they rushed +until Death met them in roaring flame and smoke. But now all about us was +the hum of bullets, most of which whined harmlessly overhead, though some +few smote the wall behind us. But small chance had I to heed such, being +hard-set to prime and load as, time after time, these poor Indians, driven +on by their cruel masters, rushed, and time after time were swept away; and +thus we fought the gun until the sweat ran from me and I panted and cursed +my stifling armour, stripping it from me piece by piece as occasion +offered. And thus I took a scathe from bullet or splinter of stone, yet +heeded not until I sank down sick and spent and roused to find Pluto +licking my face and thereafter to see Sir Richard kneeling over me, his +goodly armour dinted and scarred by more than one chance bullet. + +"Drink!" he commanded, and set water to my lips, the which mightily +refreshed me. + +"Sir, what o' the fight?" I questioned. + +"Done, lad, so far as we are concerned," said he. "Atlamatzin fell upon 'em +with all his powers and routed them--hark!" + +Sure enough, I heard the battle roar away into the forest and beyond until, +little by little, it sank to a murmurous hum and died utterly away. But all +about us were other sounds, and getting unsteadily to my legs, I saw the +plain 'twixt town and forest thick-strewn with the fallen. + +"So then the town is saved, sir?" + +"God be praised, Martin!" + +"Why, then, let us on--to meet my dear lady!" But now came an Indian to +bathe my hurt, an ugly tear in my upper arm, whereto he set a certain +balsam and a dressing of leaves and so bound it up very deftly and to my +comfort. + +And now was I seized of a fierce desire to be gone; I burned in a fever to +tramp those weary miles that lay 'twixt me and my lady Joan; wherefore, +heedless alike of my own weakness, of Sir Richard's remonstrances and +weariness, or aught beside in my own fevered desire, I set out forthwith, +seeing, as in a dream, the forms of Indians, men, women and children, who +knelt and cried to us as in gratitude or farewell; fast I strode, all +unmindful of the old man who plodded so patiently, limping as fast as he +might to keep pace with me, heeding but dimly his appeals, his cries, +hasting on and on until, stumbling at last, I sank upon my knees and, +looking about, found myself alone and night coming down upon me apace. Then +was I seized of pity for him and myself and a great yearning for my lady, +and sinking upon my face I wept myself to sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +WE RESUME OUR JOURNEY + + +I waked in a place of trees, very still and quiet save for the crackle of +the fire that blazed near by. Close beside me lay my musket; pendant from +a branch within reach dangled my sword. Hereupon, finding myself thus +solitary, I began to call on Sir Richard and wondered to hear my voice so +weak; yet I persisted in my shouting and after some while heard a joyous +bark, and to me bounded Pluto to rub himself against me and butt at me with +his great head. While I was caressing this good friend, cometh Sir Richard +himself and in his hand a goodly fish much like to a trout. + +"Lord, Martin!" said he, sitting beside me, "'tis well art thyself again, +lad. Last evening you must set out, and night upon us, must stride away +like a madman and leave me alone; but for this good dog I should ha' lost +you quite. See now, lad, what I have caught for our breakfast. I was a +notable good angler in the old days and have not lost my cunning, it +seems." + +Now as he showed me his fish and set about gutting and preparing it, I +could not but mark his drawn and haggard look, despite his brave bearing, +and my heart smote me. + +"Sir, you are sick!" quoth I. + +"Nay, Martin, I am well enough and able to go on as soon as you will. But +for the present, rest awhile, lest the fever take you again, this cloak +'neath your head--so!" + +"What o'clock is it?" + +"Scarce noon and the sun very hot." + +"How came I here in the shade?" + +"I dragged you, Martin. Now sleep, lad, and I'll to my cooking." + +At this I protested I had no mind for sleep, yet presently slumbered amain, +only to dream vilely of fire and of Adam and his fellows in desperate +battle, and above the din of fight heard my lady calling on my name as one +in mortal extremity and waking in sweating panic, my throbbing head full of +this evil vision, was for setting out instantly to her succour. But at +Sir Richard's desire I stayed to gulp down such food as he had prepared, +telling him meanwhile of my vision and something comforted by his assurance +that dreams went by contrary. Howbeit, the meal done, we set out once more, +bearing due northeast by the compass Sir Richard had brought from the Maya +city. So we journeyed through this tangled wilderness, my' head full of +strange and evil fancies, cursing the wound that sapped my strength so that +I must stumble for very weakness, yet dreaming ever of my lady's danger, +struggling up and on until I sank to lie and curse or weep because of my +helplessness. + +Very evil times were these, wherein I moved in a vague world, sometimes +aware of Sir Richard's patient, plodding form, of the dog trotting before, +of misty mountains, of rushing streams that must be crossed, of glaring +heats and grateful shadow; sometimes I lay dazzled by a blazing sun, +sometimes it was the fire and Sir Richard's travel-worn figure beyond, +sometimes the calm serenity of stars, but ever and always in my mind was +a growing fear, a soul-blasting dread lest our journey be vain, lest the +peril that me thought threatened Joan be before us and we find her dead. +And this cruel thought was like a whip that lashed me to a frenzy, so that +despite wound and weakness I would drive my fainting body on, pursuing the +phantom of her I sought and oft calling miserably upon her name like the +madman I was; all of the which I learned after from Sir Richard. For, of +an early morning I waked to find myself alone, but a fire of sticks burned +brightly and against an adjacent rock stood our two muskets, orderly and to +hand. + +Now as I gazed about, I was aware of frequent sighings hard by and going +thitherward, beheld Sir Richard upon his knees, absorbed in a passion of +prayer, his furrowed cheeks wet with tears. But beyond this I was struck +with the change in him, his haggard face burned nigh black with fierce +suns, his garments rent and tattered, his poor body more bent and shrunken +than I had thought. Before him sat Pluto, wagging his tail responsive +to every passionate gesture of those reverently clasped hands, but +who, espying me, uttered his deep bark and came leaping to welcome me; +whereupon, seeing I was discovered, I went to Sir Richard and, his prayer +ended, lifted him in my arms. + +"Ah, Martin, dear lad," said he, embracing me likewise, "surely God hath +answered my prayer. You are yourself again." And now, he sitting beside the +fire whiles I prepared such food as we had, he told me how for five days +I had been as one distraught, wandering haphazard and running like any +madman, calling upon my lady's name, and that he should have lost me but +for the dog. + +"Alas, dear sir," quoth I, abashed by this recital, "I fear in my fool's +madness I have worn you out and nigh beyond endurance." + +"Nay, Martin," said he, "it doth but teach me what I knew, that lusty youth +and feeble age are ill travelling companions, for needs must you go, your +soul ever ahead of you, yet schooling your pace to mine, and for this I +do love you so that I would I were dead and you free to speed on your +strength--" + +"Never say so, dear father," quoth I, folding my arm about his drooping +form, "my strength shall be yours henceforth." + +And presently he grew eager to be gone, but seeing me unwilling, grew the +more insistent to travel so far as we might before the scorching heats +should overtake us. So we started, I carrying his musket beside my own and +despite his remonstrances. + +An evil country this, destitute of trees and all vegetation save small +bushes few and prickly cactus a-many, a desolation of grim and jagged rocks +and barren, sandy wastes full of sun-glare and intolerable heat. And now, +our water being gone, we began to be plagued with thirst and a great host +of flies so bold as to settle on our mouths, nostrils and eyes, so that we +must be for ever slapping and brushing them away. Night found us faint and +spent and ravenous for water and none to be found, and to add further to +our agonies, these accursed flies were all about us still, singing and +humming, and whose bite set up a tickling itch, so that what with these and +our thirst we got little or no rest. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, hearing me groan, "we should be scarce four +days from the sea by my reckoning--" + +"Aye," said I, staring up at the glory of stars, "but how if we come on no +water? Our journey shall end the sooner, methinks." + +"True, Martin," said he, "but we are sure to find water soon or late--" + +"God send it be soon!" I groaned. Here he sets himself to comfort Pluto who +lay betwixt us, panting miserably, with lolling tongue or snapping fiercely +at these pestilent flies. + +And thus we lay agonising until the moon rose and then, by common consent, +we stumbled on, seeking our great desire. And now as I went, my mouth +parched, my tongue thickening to the roof of my mouth, I must needs think +of plashing brooks, of bubbling rills, of sweet and pellucid streams, so +that my torment was redoubled, yet we dared not stop, even when day came. + +Then forth of a pitiless heaven blazed a cruel sun to scorch us, thereby +adding to this agony of thirst that parched us where we crawled with +fainting steps, our sunken eyes seeking vainly for the kindly shade of some +tree in this arid desolation. And always was my mind obsessed by that +dream of gurgling brooks and bubbling rills; and now I would imagine I was +drinking long, cool draughts, and thrusting leathern tongue 'twixt cracking +lips, groaned in sharper agony. So crept we on, mile after mile, hoping the +next would show us some blessed glimpse of water, and always disappointed +until at last it seemed that here was our miserable end. + +"Martin," gasped Sir Richard, sinking in my failing clasp, his words scarce +articulate, "I can go no farther--leave me, sweet son--'tis better I die +here--go you on--" + +"No!" groaned I, and seeing Sir Richard nigh to swooning, I took him in my +arms. Reeling and staggering I bore him on, my gaze upon a few scattered +rocks ahead of us where we might at least find shade from this murderous +sun. Thus I struggled on until my strength failed and I sank to this +burning sand where it seemed we were doomed to perish after all, here in +this pitiless wild where even the dog had deserted us. And seeing Death so +near, I clasped Sir Richard ever closer and strove to tell him something of +my love for him, whereupon he raised one feeble hand to touch my drooping +head. + +Now as I babbled thus, I heard a lazy flap of wings and lifting weary eyes, +beheld divers of these great birds that, settling about, hopped languidly +towards us and so stood to watch us, raffling their feathers and croaking +hoarsely. So I watched them, and well-knowing what they portended, drew +forth a pistol and, cocking it, had it ready to hand. But as I did so they +broke into shrill clamour and, rising on heavy wings, soared away as came +Pluto to leap about us, uttering joyous barks and butting at us with his +head. And then I saw him all wet, nay, as I gazed on him, disbelieving my +eyes, he shook himself, sprinkling us with blessed water. Somehow I was +upon my feet and, taking Sir Richard's swooning body across my shoulder, +I stumbled on towards that place of rocks, Pluto running on before and +turning ever and anon to bark, as bidding me hasten. So at last, panting +and all foredone, came I among these rocks and saw them open to a narrow +cleft that gave upon a gorge a-bloom with flowers, a very paradise; and +here, close to hand, a little pool fed by a rill or spring that bubbled up +amid these mossy rocks. + +So took I this life-giving water in my two hands and dashed it in Sir +Richard's face, and he, opening his eyes, uttered a hoarse cry of rapture. +And so we drank, kneeling side by side. Yet our throats and tongues so +swollen we could scarce swallow at the first, and yet these scant drops a +very ecstasy. But when I would have drunk my fill, Sir Richard stayed +me lest I do myself an injury and I, minding how poor souls had killed +themselves thus, drank but moderately as he bade me, yet together we +plunged our heads and arms into this watery delight, praising God and +laughing for pure joy and thankfulness. Then, the rage of our thirst +something appeased, we lay down within this shadow side by side and +presently fell into a most blessed slumber. + +I waked suddenly to a piteous whining and, starting up, beheld Pluto +crawling towards me, his flank transfixed with an Indian arrow. Up I sprang +to wake Sir Richard and peer down into the shadowy gorge below, but saw +no more than flowering thickets and bush-girt rock. But as I gazed thus, +musket in hand, Sir Richard gave fire and while the report yet rang and +echoed, I saw an Indian spring up from amid these bushes and go rolling +down into the thickets below. + +"One, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard and, giving me his piece to reload, turned +to minister to Pluto's hurt. Where he lay whining and whimpering. Suddenly +an arrow struck the rock hard beside me and then came a whizzing shower, +whereupon we took such shelter as offered and whence we might retort upon +them with our shot. And after some while, as we lay thus, staring down into +the gorge, came the report of a musket and a bullet whipped betwixt us. + +"Lord, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard cheerily, his eyes kindling. "It was +vastly unwise to fall asleep by this well in so thirsty a country; 'tis a +known place and much frequented, doubtless. Wisdom doth urge a retreat so +soon as you have filled our water bottles; meantime I will do all I may to +dissuade our assailants from approaching too near." + +So saying, he levelled his piece and, dwelling on his aim, fired, whiles +I, screened from bullets and arrows alike, filled our flasks and doing +so, espied a small cave, excellent suited to our defence and where two +determined men might hold in check a whole army. + +Hereupon I summoned Sir Richard who, seeing this cave commanded the gorge +and might only be carried in front, approved it heartily, so thither we +repaired, taking Pluto with us and him very woful. And lying thus in our +little fort we laid out our armament, that is, our two muskets and four +pistols, and took stock of our ammunition, I somewhat dashed to find we had +but thirty charges betwixt us, the pistols included. Sir Richard, on the +other hand, seemed but the more resolute and cheery therefor. + +"For look now, Martin," said he, cocking his musket and levelling it +betwixt the boulders we had piled to our better defence, "here we have +fifteen lives, or say twenty, though you are better with sword than musket +I take it; should these not suffice, then we have two excellent swords +and lastly our legs, indifferent bad as regards mine own, but in a little +'twill be black dark, the moon doth not rise till near dawn. So here are we +snug for the moment and very able to our defence these many hours, God be +thanked!" And thus he of his own indomitable spirit cheered me. Suddenly he +pulled trigger and as the smoke cleared I saw his bullet had sped true, for +amid certain rocks below us a man rose up, clad in Spanish half-armour, and +sinking forward, lay there motionless, plain to our view. + +"Two!" quoth Sir Richard, and fell to reloading his piece, wadding the +charge with strips from his ragged garments. + +The fall of this Spaniard caused no little stir among our unseen +assailants, for the air rang with fierce outcries and the shrill battle +hootings of the Indians, and a shower of arrows rattled among the rocks +about us and thereafter a volley of shot, and no scathe to us. + +"War is a hateful thing!" quoth Sir Richard suddenly. "See yon Spaniard I +shot, God forgive me--hark how he groaneth, poor soul!" And he showed me +the Spaniard, who writhed ever and anon where he lay across the rock and +wailed feebly for water. "Methinks 'twere merciful to end his sufferings, +Martin!" + +"Mayhap, sir, though we have few enough charges to spare!" + +"Thus speaketh cold prudence and common sense, Martin, and yet--" + +But here the matter was put beyond dispute for, even as Sir Richard +levelled his musket, the wounded Spaniard slipped and rolled behind the +rock and lay quite hid save for a hand and arm that twitched feebly ever +and anon. + +"And he was crying for water!" sighed Sir Richard, "Thirst is an agony, as +we do know. Hark, he crieth yet! Twere act commendable to give drink to a +dying man, enemy though he be." + +"Most true, sir, but--nay, what would you?" I said, grasping his arm as he +made to rise. + +"Endeavour as much good as I may in the little of life left to me, Martin. +The poor soul lieth none so far and--" + +"Sir--sir!" quoth I, tightening my hold. "You would be shot ere you had +gone a yard--are ye mad indeed or--do you seek death?" Now at this he was +silent, and I felt him trembling. + +"This is as God willeth, Martin!" said he at last. "Howbeit I must go; +prithee loose me, dear lad!" + +"Nay!" cried I harshly. "If you will have our enemy drink, I shall bear it +myself--" + +"No, no!" cried he, grappling me in turn as I rose. "What I may do you +cannot--be reasonable, Martin--you bulk so much greater than I, they cannot +fail of such a mark--" + +Now as we argued the matter thus, each mighty determined, Pluto set up a +joyous barking and, rising on three legs, stood with ears cocked and tail +wagging, the which put me in no small perplexity until, all at once, +certain bushes that grew hard by swayed gently and forth of the leaves +stepped an Indian clad for battle, like a great chief or cacique (as 'tis +called) for on arm and breast and forehead gold glittered, and immediately +we knew him for Atlamatzin. + +"Greeting to ye, father and brother!" said he, saluting us in his grave and +stately fashion. "Atlamatzin and his people are full of gratitude to ye and +because ye are great and notable warriors, scornful of the white man's God, +Atlamatzin and his warriors have followed to do ye homage and bring ye safe +to your journey's end, and finding ye, lo! we find also our enemies, whose +eyes seeing nought but ye two, behold nought of the death that creepeth +about them; so now, when the shadow shall kiss the small rock yonder, do +you make your thunder and in that moment shall Atlamatzin smite them to +their destruction and, if the gods spare him, shall surely find ye again +that are his father and brother!" + +Something thus spake he below his breath in his halting Spanish, very grave +and placid, then saluting us, was gone swift and silent as he came. + +"An inch!" quoth Sir Richard, pointing to the creeping shadow and so we +watched this fateful shade until it was come upon the rock, whereupon I +let off my piece and Sir Richard a moment after, and like an echo to +these shots rose sudden dreadful clamour, shouts, the rapid discharge of +firearms; but wilder, fiercer, and louder than all the shrill and awful +Indian battle cry. And now, on bush-girt slopes to right and left was +bitter strife, a close-locked fray that burst suddenly asunder and swirled +down till pursued and pursuer were lost amid that tangle of blooming +thickets where it seemed the battle clamoured awhile, then roared away as +the enemy broke and fled before the sudden furious onset of Atlamatzin's +warriors. + +As for us, we lay within our refuge, nor stirred until this din of conflict +was but a vague murmur, for though we might see divers of the fallen where +they lay, these neither stirred nor made any outcry since it seemed their +business was done effectually. + +"And now, Martin," said Sir Richard, rising, "'tis time we got hence lest +any of our assailants come a-seeking us." + +So being out of the cave, I set myself to see that we had all our gear to +hand, to empty and refill my flask with this good water and the like until, +missing Sir Richard, I turned to behold him already hard upon that rock +where lay the wounded Spaniard, Pluto limping at his heels. Being come to +the rock, Sir Richard unslung his water bottle and stopped, was blotted out +in sudden smoke-cloud, and, even as the report reached me, I began to run, +raving like any madman; and thus, panting out prayers and curses, I came +where stood Sir Richard leaning against this rock, one hand clasped to his +side, and the fingers of this hand horribly red. And now I was aware of a +shrill screaming that, ending suddenly, gave place to dreadful snarling and +worrying sound, but heedless of aught but Sir Richard's wound, I ran to +bear him in my arms as he fell. + +"Oh, Martin," said he faintly, looking up at me with his old brave smile, +"'tis come at last--my journeying is done--" + +Scarce knowing what I did, I gathered him to my bosom and bore him back to +the cave; and now, when I would have staunched his hurt, he shook feeble +head. + +"Let be, dear lad," said he, "nought shall avail--not all your care and +love--for here is friend Death at last come to lift me up to a merciful +God!" + +None the less I did all that I might for his hurt save to probe for the +pistol ball that was gone too deep. And presently, as I knelt beside him in +a very agony of helplessness, cometh Pluto, fouled with blood other than +his own, and limping hither, cast himself down, his great paw across Sir +Richard's legs, licking at those weary feet that should tramp beside us no +farther. And thus night found us. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard suddenly, his voice strong, "bear me out where I +may behold the stars, for I--ever loved them and the wonder of them--even +in my--unregenerate days." So I bore him without, and indeed the heavens +were a glory. + +"Dear lad," said he, clasping my hand, "grieve not that I die, for Death +is my friend--hath marched beside me these many weary miles, yet spared me +long enough to know and love you ever better for the man you are.--Now as +to Joan, my daughter, I--grieve not to see her--but--God's will be done, +lad, Amen. And because I knew I must die here in Darien, I writ her a +letter--'tis here in my bosom--give it her, saying I--ever loved her +greatly more than I let her guess and that--by my sufferings I was a +something better man, being--humbler, gentler, and of--a contrite heart. +And now, Martin--thou that didst forgive and love thine enemy, saving him +at thine own peril and using him as thy dear friend--my time is come--I go +into the infinite--Death's hand is on me but--a kindly hand--lifting me--to +my God--my love shall go with ye--all the way--you and her--alway. Into Thy +hands, O Lord!" + +And thus died my enemy, like the brave and noble gentleman he was, his head +pillowed upon my bosom, his great soul steadfast and unfearing to the last. + +And I, a lost and desolate wretch, wept at my bitter loss and cried out +against the God who had snatched from me this the only man I had ever truly +loved and honoured. And bethinking me of his patient endurance, I thought +I might have been kinder and more loving in many ways and to my grief was +added bitter self-reproaches. + +At last, the day appearing, I arose and, taking up my dead, bore him down +to the gorge and presently came upon a quiet spot unsullied by the foulness +of battle; and here, amid the glory of these blooming thickets, I laid him +to his last rest, whiles Pluto watched me, whining ever and anon. And when +I had made an end, I fell on my knees and would have prayed, yet could not. + +So back went I at last, slow-footed, to the cave and thus came on Sir +Richard's letter, it sealed and superscribed thus: + + Unto my loved daughter, Joan Brandon, + +And beholding this beloved name, a great heart-sickness came on me with a +vision of a joy I scarce dared think on that had been mine but for my blind +selfishness and stubborn will; and with this was a knowledge of all the +wasted years and a loss unutterable. And thus my grief took me again, so +that this letter was wetted with tears of bitter remorse. + +At last I arose (the letter in my bosom) and girding my weapons about me +(choosing that musket had been Sir Richard's) stood ready to begone. But +now, missing the dog, I called to him, and though he howled in answer, +he came not, wherefore following his outcries, they brought me to Sir +Richard's grave and Pluto crouched thereby, whimpering. At my command he +limped towards me a little way, then crawled back again, and this he did as +often as I called, wherefore at last I turned away and, setting forth in my +loneliness, left these two together. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +I MEET A MADMAN + + +Having taken my bearings, I set off at speed nor did I stay for rest or +refreshment until I had traversed many miles and the sun's heat was grown +nigh intolerable. So I halted in such shade as the place offered and having +eaten and drunk, I presently fell asleep and awoke to find the day far +spent and to look around for Sir Richard as had become my wont. And finding +him not, in rushed memory to smite me anew with his death, so that I must +needs fall to thinking of his lonely grave so far behind me in these wilds; +wherefore in my sorrow I bitterly cursed this land of cruel heat, of +quenchless thirst and trackless, weary ways, and falling on my knees, I +prayed as I had never prayed, humbly and with no thought of self, save that +God would guide me henceforth and make me more worthy the great health and +strength wherewith He had blessed me, and, if it so pleased Him, bring me +safe at last to my dear lady's love. Thus after some while I arose and went +my solitary way, and it seemed that I was in some ways a different and a +better man, by reason of Sir Richard his death and my grief therefor. + +And as the darkness of night deepened about me and I striding on, guided by +the dim-seen needle of my compass, often I would fancy Sir Richard's loved +form beside me or the sound of his limping step in my ear, so that in the +solitude of this vasty wilderness I was not solitary, since verily his love +seemed all about me yet, even as he had promised. + +All this night I travelled apace nor stayed until I fell for very weariness +and lying there, ate such food as I had, not troubling to light a fire, and +fell asleep. Now as I lay, it seemed that Sir Richard stood above me, his +arm reached out as to fend from me some evil thing, yet when he spoke, +voice and words were those of Joanna: + +"Hola, Martino fool, and must I be for ever saving your life?" + +And now I saw it was Joanna indeed who stood there, clad in her male +attire, hand on hip, all glowing, insolent beauty; but as I stared she +changed, and I saw her as I had beheld her last, her gown and white bosom +all dabbled with her blood, but on her lips was smile ineffably tender and +in her eyes the radiance of a joy great beyond all telling. + +"Lover Martino," said she, bending above me, "I went for you to death, +unfearing, for only the dead do know the perfect love, since death is more +than life, so is my love around you for ever--wake, beloved!" + +Herewith she bent and touched me and, waking, I saw this that touched +me was no more than the leafy end of a branch 'neath which I chanced to +lie,--but pendant from this swaying branch I espied a monstrous shape that +writhed toward me in the dimness; beholding which awful, silent thing I +leapt up, crying out for very horror and staying but to snatch my gun, sped +from this evil place, nigh sick with dread and loathing. + +The moon was up, dappling these gloomy shades with her pure light and as I +sped, staring fearfully about me, I espied divers of these great serpents +twisted among the boughs overhead, and monstrous bat-like shapes that +flitted hither and thither so that I ran in sweating panic until the +leafage, above and around me, thinning out, showed me the full splendour +of this tropic moon and a single great tree that soared mightily aloft to +thrust out spreading branches high in air. Now as I approached this, I +checked suddenly and, cocking my musket, called out in fierce challenge, +for round the bole of this tree peeped the pallid oval of a face; thrice I +summoned, and getting no answer, levelled and fired point-blank, the +report of my piece waking a thousand echoes and therewith a chattering and +screeching from the strange beasts that stirred in the denser woods about +me; and there (maugre my shot), there, I say, was the face peering at +me evilly as before. But now something in its stark and utter stillness +clutched me with new dread as, slinging my musket and drawing pistol, I +crept towards this pallid, motionless thing and saw it for a face indeed, +with mouth foolishly agape, and presently beheld this for a man fast-bound +to the tree and miserably dead by torture. And coming near this awful, +writhen form, I apprehended something about it vaguely familiar, and +suddenly (being come close) saw this poor body was clad as an English +sailor; perceiving which, I shivered in sudden dread and made haste to +recharge my musket, spilling some of my precious powder in my hurry, and so +hasting from this awful thing with this new dread gnawing at my heart. + +Presently before me rose steepy crags very wild and desolate, but nowhere a +tree to daunt me. Here I halted and my first thought to light a fire, since +the gloomy thickets adjacent and the sombre forests beyond were full of +unchancy noises, stealthy rustlings, shrill cries and challengings very +dismal to hear. But in a while, my fire burning brightly, sword loose in +scabbard, musket across my knee and my back 'gainst the rock, I fell to +pondering my dream and the wonder of it, of Joanna and her many noble +qualities, of her strange, tempestuous nature; and lifting my gaze to the +wonder of stars, it seemed indeed that she, though dead, yet lived and +must do so for ever, even as these quenchless lights of heaven; and thus I +revolved the mystery of life and death until sleep stole upon me. + +I waked suddenly to snatch up my musket and peer at the dim figure sitting +motionless beyond the dying fire, then, as a long arm rose in salutation, +lowered my weapon, mighty relieved to recognise the Indian, Atlamatzin. + +"Greeting, my brother," quoth he; "all yesterday I followed on thy track, +but my brother is swift and Atlamatzin weary of battle." + +"And what of the battle?" + +"Death, my brother: as leaves of the forest lie the Maya warriors, but of +our enemies none return. So am I solitary, my work done, and solitary go I +to Pachacamac that lieth beside the Great Sea. But there is an empty place +betwixt us, brother--what of the old cacique so cunning in battle--what of +my father?" + +Here, as well as I might, I told him of Sir Richard's cruel murder; at this +he was silent a great while, staring sombrely into the fire. Suddenly he +started and pointed upward at a great, flitting shape that hovered above us +and sprang to his feet as one sore affrighted, whereupon I told him this +was but a bat (though of monstrous size) and could nothing harm us. + +"Nay, brother, here is Zotzilaha Chimalman that reigneth in the House of +Bats, for though Atlamatzin was born without fear, yet doth he respect the +gods, in especial Zotzilaha Chimalman!" + +Now hereupon, seeing the dawn was at hand, I rose, nor waited a second +bidding for, gods or no, this seemed to me a place abounding in terrors and +strange evils, and I mighty glad of this Indian's fellowship. So up I rose, +tightening my girdle, but scarce had I shouldered my musket than I stood +motionless, my heart a-leaping, staring towards a certain part of the +surrounding woods whence had sounded a sudden cry. And hearkening to this, +back rushed that sick dread I had known already, for this was a human cry, +very desolate and wistful, and the words English: + +"Jeremy, ahoy--oho, Jeremy!" + +Breaking the spell that numbed me, I made all haste to discover the +wherefore of these dolorous sounds and plunged into the noxious gloom of +the woods, Atlamatzin hard on my heels; and ever as we went, guided by +these hoarse shouts, the dawn lightened about us. + +Thus presently I espied a forlorn figure afar off, crouched beneath a tree, +a strange, wild figure that tossed a knife from hand to hand and laughed +and chattered 'twixt his shouting. + +"Ahoy, Jerry, I'm all adrift--where be you? I'm out o' my soundings, +lad--'tis me--'tis Dick--your old messmate as drank many a pint wi' you +alongside Deptford Pool--Ahoy, Jeremy!" + +Now espying us where we stood, he scrambled to his feet, peering at us, +through his tangled hair: then, dropping his knife, comes running, his arms +outstretched, then checks as suddenly and stares me over with a cunning +leer. + +"Avast, Dick!" said he, smiting himself on ragged breast. "This bean't poor +Jerry--poor Jerry ain't half his size--a little man be Jeremy, not so big +as Sir Adam--" + +"Who!" cried I and, dropping my gun, I caught him by his ragged sleeve, +whereupon he grinned foolishly, then as suddenly scowled and wrenched free. +"Speak, man!" said I in passionate pleading. "Is it Sir Adam Penfeather you +mean--Captain Penfeather?" + +"Maybe I do an' maybe I don't, so all's one!" said he. "Howsomever, 'tis +Jerry I'm arter--my mate Jeremy as went adrift from me--my mate Jerry as +could sing so true, but I was the lad to dance!" And here he must needs +fall a-dancing in his rags, singing hoarsely: + + "Heave-ho, lads, and here's my ditty! + Saw ye e'er in town or city + A lass to kiss so sweet an' pretty + As Bess o' Bednall Green. + + "Heave-ho, lads, she's one to please ye + Bess will kiss an' Bess will--" + +"Oho, Jerry--Jeremy--ahoy--haul your wind, lad; bear up, Jerry, an' let +Dick come 'longside ye, lad--!" and here the poor wretch, from singing and +dancing, falls to doleful wailing with gush of tears and bitter sobs. + +"Tell me," said I as gently as I might and laying a hand on his hairy +shoulder, "who are you--the name of your ship--who was your captain?" + +But all I got was a scowl, a sudden buffet of his fist, and away he sped, +raising again his hoarse and plaintive cry: + +"Ahoy, Jerry--Jeremy, ho!" + +And thus, my mind in a ferment, I must needs watch him go, torn at by +briars, tripped by unseen obstacles, running and leaping like the poor, mad +thing he was. + +Long I stood thus in painful perplexity, when I heard a sudden dreadful +screaming at no great distance: + +"Oh, Jerry--Oh, Jerry, lad--what ha' they done to thee--Oh, Christ Jesus!" + +Then came a ringing shot, and guessing what this was I turned away, +"Atlamatzin," said I, taking up my musket, "you spake truth--verily this +place is accursed--come, let us begone!" + +For long hours I strode on, scarce heeding my silent companion or aught +else, my mind pondering the mention this poor, mad wretch had made of "Sir +Adam," and ever my trouble grew, for if he and the dead man Jeremy were +indeed of Adam's company (the which I suspected) how should they come thus +lost in the wild, except Adam had met with some disaster, and were this +truly so indeed, then what of my dear and gentle lady? And now I must needs +picture to myself Adam slain, his men scattered and, for Joan, such horrors +that it was great wonder I did not run mad like this poor, lost mariner. +Tormented thus of my doubts and most horrid speculations, I went at furious +speed, yet ever my fears grew the more passionate until it grew beyond +enduring and I sighed and groaned, insomuch that my Indian comrade stood +off, eyeing me askance where I had cast myself miserably beside the way. + +"My brother is haunted by the evil spirits sent abroad for his destruction +by Chimalman, so shall he presently run mad and become sacred to Zotzilaha +Chimalman and suddenly die, except he obey me. For I, Atlamatzin, that am +without fear and wise in the magic of my people, shall drive hence these +devils an ye will." + +"Do aught you will," groaned I, "if you can but rid me of evil fancies and +imaginings." + +Forthwith he kindled a fire and I, watching dull and abstracted, being full +of my trouble, was aware of him cracking and bruising certain herbs or +leaves he had plucked, mingling these with brownish powder from the +deerskin pouch he bore at his girdle, which mixture he cast upon the fire, +whence came a smoke very sweet and pungent that he fanned towards me. + +"Behold my smoke, brother!" saith he, his voice suddenly loud and +commanding, "smell of it and watch how it doth thicken and close about +thee!" And verily as I looked, I saw nought but a column of whirling smoke +that grew ever more dense and in it, this loud compelling voice. + +"Hearken, my brother, to the voices of thy good angels; behold and see +truth afar--" The loud voice died away and in its place came another, and I +knew that Joanna spoke to me out of this whirling smoke cloud. + +"Oh, Martino, hast thou so little faith to think my blood spilt in vain? +Did I not give thee unto her that waiteth, living but for thee, yes? Look +and behold!" + +I saw a gleam of metal amid the green and four ship's culverins or +demi-cannon mounted on rough, wheeled carriages and hauled at by +wild-looking men, who toiled and sweated amain, for the way was difficult +and their ordnance heavy; and amongst these men one very quick and active, +very masterful of look and imperious of gesture, a small man in battered +harness, and knowing him for Adam, I would have hailed him, but even then +he was gone and nought to see but this writhing smoke cloud. + +I beheld a great, orbed moon, very bright and clear, and slumbering in this +calm radiance a goodly city with a harbour where rode many ships great and +small, and beside this harbour, defending these ships and the city itself, +a notable strong castle or fort, high-walled and embattled, with great +ordnance mounted both landward and towards the sea. And nigh upon this fort +I beheld the stealthy forms of men, toilworn and ragged, whose battered, +rusty armour glinted ever and anon as they crept in two companies advancing +to right and left. Behind these, masked in the brush on the edge of the +forest, four demi-cannon with gunners to serve them, foremost of whom was +a short, squat fellow who crept from gun to gun, and him I knew for Godby. +And presently from these four guns leapt smoke and flame to batter and +burst asunder the postern gate of the fort, and through this ruin I saw +Adam leap, sword in hand, his desperate company hard on his heels. + +I saw a great galleon spread her sails against the moon, and the red glare +of her broadside flame against the town as, squaring her yards, she bore +away for the open sea. + +I saw the deck of a ship, deserted save for one desolate figure that stood +gazing ever in the one direction; and as I watched, eager-eyed, this lonely +figure knelt suddenly and reached towards me yearning arms, and I saw this +was my beloved Joan. Now would I have leapt to those empty arms, but the +smoke blinded me again, and in this smoke I heard the voice of Joanna. + +"Oh, Martino, thou that love doth make coward, be comforted and of good +courage, for: thy happiness is hers--and mine, yes!" + +So I presently waked and, staring about me, started up amazed to see it was +dawn and the sun rising already, and beyond the fire the sombre form of +Atlamatzin. + +"Are the evil spirits fled from my brother?" he questioned. + +"Indeed," said I, "I have dreamed wonderfully and to my great comfort." + +"Great is the magic of Atlamatzin!" quoth he. "'Tis secret that shall die +with him and that soon, for now must he begone to achieve his destiny. As +for thee--yonder, a day's journey, lieth the Great Water. May Kukulcan have +thee in his care, he that is Father of Life--fare ye well." + +But at this, seeing him on his feet, I rose also, to grasp his hand, asking +whither he went. For answer he pointed to the trackless wild and then +raised his finger to the sun that was flooding the world with his +splendour. + +"Brother," said Atlamatzin, pointing to this glory, "I go back whence I +came, back to Kukulcan that some so call Quetzalcoati, back to the Father +of Life!" + +So saying, he lifted hand aloft in salutation and turning, strode away due +east, so that his form was swallowed up (as it were) in this radiant glory. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +HOW I FOUND MY BELOVED AT LAST + + +Left alone, I broke my fast with such food as I had, meanwhile meditating +upon the visions of last night, debating within myself if this were indeed +a marvel conjured up of Atlamatzin his black magic, or no more than a dream +of my own tortured mind, to the which I found no answer, ponder the matter +how I might. + +None the less I found myself much easier, the haunting fear clean lifted +from me; nay, in my heart sang Hope, blithe as any bird, for the which +comfort I did not fail humbly to thank God. + +I now consulted my compass and decided to bear up more northerly lest I +strike too far east and thus overshoot that bay Adam had marked on his +chart. So having collected my gear, I took my musket in the crook of my arm +and set out accordingly. + +Before me was a wild, rolling country that rose, level on level, very thick +of brush and thickets so tangled that I must oft win me a path by dint of +mine axe. Yet I struggled on as speedily as I might (maugre this arduous +labour and the sun's heat) for more than once amid the thousand heavy +scents of flower and herb and tree, I thought to catch the sweet, keen tang +of the sea. + +All this day I strode resolutely forward, scarce pausing to eat or drink, +nor will I say more of this day's journey except that the sun was setting +as I reached the top of a wooded eminence and, halting suddenly, fell upon +my knees and within me such a joy as I had seen the gates of paradise +opening to receive me; for there, all glorious with the blaze of sunset, +lay the ocean at last. And beholding thus my long and weary journey so +nearly ended, and bethinking me how many times God had preserved me and +brought me safe through so many dire perils of this most evil country, I +bowed my head and strove to tell Him my heart's gratitude. My prayer ended +(and most inadequate!) I began to run, my weariness all forgot, the breath +of the sea sweet in my nostrils, nor stayed until I might look down on the +foaming breakers far below and hear their distant roar. + +Long stood I, like one entranced, for from this height I could make out +the blue shapes of several islands and beyond these a faint blur upon the +horizon, the which added greatly to my comfort and delight, since this I +knew must be the opposite shore of Terra Firma or the Main, and this great +body of water the Gulf of Darien itself. And so came night. + +All next day I followed the coast, keeping the sea upon my left, looking +for some such landlocked harbourage with its cliff shaped like a lion's +head as Adam had described, yet though I was at great pains (and no small +risk to my neck) to peer down into every bay I came upon, nowhere did I +discover any such bay or cliff as bore out his description; thus night +found me eager to push on, yet something despondent and very weary. So I +lighted my fire and ate my supper, harassed by a growing dread lest I was +come too far to the east, after all. + +And presently up came the moon in glory; indeed, never do I remember seeing +it so vivid bright, its radiance flashing back from the waters far below +and showing tree and bush and precipitous cliff, very sharp and clear. Upon +my left, as I sat, the jagged coast line curved away out to sea, forming +thus the lofty headland I had traversed scarce an hour since, that rose +sheer from the moon-dappled waters, a huge, shapeless bluff. Now after some +while I arose, and seeing the moon so glorious, shouldered my gun, minded +to seek a little further before I slept. I had gone thus but a few yards, +my gaze now on the difficult path before me, now upon the sea, when, +chancing to look towards the bluff I have mentioned, I stopped to stare +amazed, for in this little distance, this formless headland, seen from +this angle, had suddenly taken a new shape and there before me, plain and +manifest, was the rough semblance of a lion's head; and I knew that betwixt +it and the high cliff whereon I stood must be Adam's excellent secure +haven. This sudden discovery filled me with such an ecstacy that I fell +a-trembling, howbeit I began to quest here and there for some place where I +might get me down whence I might behold this bay and see if Adam's ship +lay therein. And in a little, finding such a place, I began to descend and +found it so easy and secure it seemed like some natural stair, and I did +not doubt that Adam and his fellows had belike used it as such ere now. + +At last I came where I could look down into a narrow bay shut in by these +high, bush-girt cliffs and floored with gleaming, silver sand, whose +waters, calm and untroubled, mirrored the serene moon, and close under the +dense shadows of these cliffs I made out the loom of a great ship. Hereupon +I looked no more, but gave all my attention to hands and feet, and so, +slipping and stumbling in my eagerness, got me down at last and began +running across these silvery sands. But as I approached the ship where she +lay now plain in my view, I saw her topmasts were gone, and beholding +the ruin of her gear and rigging, I grew cold with sudden dread and came +running. + +She lay upon an even keel, her forefoot deep-buried in the shifting sand +that had silted about her with the tide, and beholding her paint and +gilding blackened and scorched by fire, her timbers rent and scarred by +shot, I knew this fire-blackened, shattered wreck would never sail again. +And now as I viewed this dismal ruin, I prayed this might be some strange +ship rather than that I had come so far a-seeking and, so praying, waded +out beneath her lofty stern (the tide being low) and, gazing up, read as +much of her name as the searing fire had left: viz: + +D E L.... A N C E + +And hereupon, knowing her indeed for Adam's ship, I took to wandering round +about her, gazing idly up at this pitiful ruin, until there rushed upon me +the realisation of what all this meant. Adam was dead or prisoner, and my +dear lady lost to me after all; my coming was too late. + +And now a great sickness took me, my strength deserted me and, groaning, I +sank upon the sand and lying thus, yearned amain for death. Then I heard a +sound, and lifting heavy head, beheld one who stood upon the bulwark above +me, holding on by a backstay with one hand and pistol levelled down at me +in the other. And beholding this slender, youthful figure thus outlined +against the moon, the velvet coat brave with silver lace, the ruffles at +throat and wrist, the silken stockings and buckled shoes, I knew myself +surely mad, for this I saw was Joanna--alive and breathing. + +"Shoot!" I cried, "Death has reft from me all I loved--shoot!" + +"Martin!" cried she, and down came the pistol well-nigh upon me where I +lay. "Oh, dear, kind God, 'tis Martin!" + +"Joan?" said I, wondering, "Damaris--beloved!" + +I was on my feet and, heaving myself up by means of the tangle of gear that +hung from the ship's lofty side I sprang upon the deck and fell on my knees +to clasp this lovely, trembling youth in my hungry arms, my head bowed +against this tender woman's body, lest she see how I wept out of pure joy +and thankfulness. But now she raised my head, and thus I saw her weeping +also, felt her tears upon my face; and now she was laughing albeit she wept +still, her two hands clasping me to her. + +"Such a great--fierce--wild man!" she sobbed; and then: "My man!" and +stooping, she kissed me on the lips. But as for me, I could but gaze up at +her in rapture and never a word to say. Then she was on her knees before me +and thus we knelt in each other's fast clasping arms. "Oh, Martin!" said +she. "Oh, loved Martin--God hath answered my ceaseless prayers!" + +And now when she would have voiced to Him her gratitude, I must needs crush +her upon my heart to look down into this flushed and tear-wet face that +held for me the beauty of all the world and to kiss away her prayers and +breath together, yet even so did she return my kisses. + +At last we arose but had gone scarce a step when we were in each other's +arms again, to stand thus fast clasped together, for I almost dreaded she +might vanish again and feared to let her go. + +"We have been parted so cruelly--so often!" said I. + +"But never again, my Martin!" + +"No, by God!" quoth I fervently. "Not even death--" + +"Not even death!" said she. + +And thus we remained a great while, wandering to and fro upon the +weather-beaten deck, very silent for the most part, being content with each +other's nearness and, for myself, merely to behold her loveliness was joy +unutterable. + +She brought me into Adam's great cabin under the poop, lighted by a great +swinging silver lamp, its stern windows carefully shaded, lest any see this +betraying beam; and standing amid all the luxury of tapestried hangings and +soft carpets, I felt myself mighty strange and out of place; and presently, +catching sight of myself in one of the mirrors, I stood all abashed to +behold the unlovely object I was in my rough and weather-stained garments, +my face burned nigh black by the sun and all set about in a tangle of wild +hair and ragged beard. + +"Is it so great wonder I should not know you at first, dear Martin, and you +so wild and fierce-seeming?" + +"Indeed I am an ill spectacle," quoth I; at this, beholding me thus rueful, +she fell to kissing me, whereat I did but miscall myself the more, telling +her 'twas great marvel she should love one so ill-matched with her; for, +said I, "here are you beautiful beyond all women, and here stand I, of +manners most uncouth, harsh-featured, slow of tongue, dull-witted, and one +you have seldom seen but in sorry rags!" + +"Oh, my dearest heart," said she, nestling but closer in my embrace, "here +is long catalogue and 'tis for each and every I do love you infinitely more +than you do guess, and for this beside--because you are Martin Conisby that +I have loved, do love, and shall love always and ever!" + +"And there's the marvel!" quoth I, kissing her bowed head. + +"And you do think me--very beautiful, Martin?" + +"Aye, I do." + +"Even clad--in these--these things?" she questioned, not looking at me. + +"Aye, truly!" + +"I had not meant you to see me thus, Martin, but it was my custom to watch +for your coming, and 'twas hard to climb the cliff in petticoats, and +besides, since I have been alone, there was so much to do--and it didn't +matter." + +"Aye, but how came you alone, what of Adam and the rest?" + +"Nay, 'tis long story." + +"But why are you thus solitary, you that do so fear solitude, as I +remember." + +"When Adam marched away, I stayed to wait for you, Martin." + +"For me?" + +"Yes, Martin!" + +"Were you not afraid?" + +"Often," said she, clasping me tighter, "but you are come at last, so are +my fears all past and done. And, more than the loneliness I feared lest you +should come and find this poor ship all deserted, and lose hope and faith +in God's mercy." + +"Oh, my brave, sweet soul!" said I, falling on my knees to kiss her hands. +"Oh, God love you for this--had I found you not, I should have dreamed you +dead and died myself, cursing God." + +"Ah hush," said she, closing my lips with her sweet fingers. "Rather will +we bless Him all our days for giving us such a love!" + +And now having no will or thought to sleep, she sets about preparing +supper, while I with scissors, razors, etc. (that she had brought at my +earnest entreaty), began to rid my face of its shaggy hair, and busied with +my razor, must needs turn ever and anon for blessed sight of her where she +flitted lightly to and fro, she bidding me take heed lest I cut myself. Cut +myself I did forthwith, and she, beholding the blood, must come running +to staunch it and it no more than a merest nick. And now, seeing her thus +tender of me who had endured so many hurts and none to grieve or soothe, I +came very near weeping for pure joy. + +And now as she bustled to and fro, she fell silent and oft I caught her +viewing me wistfully, and once or twice she made as to speak yet did not, +and I, guessing what she would say, would have told her, yet could think of +no gentle way of breaking the matter, ponder how I might, and in the end +blurted out the bald truth, very sudden and fool-like, as you shall hear. +For, at last, supper being over (and we having eaten very little and no +eyes for our food or aught in the world save each other) my lady questioned +me at last. + +"Dear Martin, what of my father?" + +"Why, first," said I, avoiding her eyes, "he is dead!" + +"Yes!" said she faintly, "this I guessed." + +"He died nobly like the brave gentleman he was. I buried him in the +wilderness, where flowers bloomed, three days march back." + +"In the wilderness?" says she a little breathlessly. "But he was in +prison!" + +"Aye, 'twas there I found him. But we escaped by the unselfish bravery and +kindness of Don Federigo. So together we set out to find you." + +"Together, Martin?" + +"Yes, and he very cheery, despite his sufferings." + +"Sufferings, Martin?" + +"He--he halted somewhat in his walk--" + +"Nay, he was strong, as I remember--ah, you mean they--had tortured him--" + +"Aye," said I, dreading to see her grief. "Yet despite their devilish +cruelties, he rose triumphant above agony of body, thereby winning to a +great and noble manhood, wherefore I loved and honoured him beyond all +men--" + +"He was--your enemy--" + +"He was my friend, that comforted me when I was greatly afraid; he was +my companion amid the perils of our cruel journey, calm and undismayed, +uncomplaining, brave, and unselfish to his last breath, so needs must I +cherish his memory." + +"Martin!" Lifting my head I saw she was looking at me, her vivid lips +quivering, her eyes all radiant despite their tears, and then, or ever I +might prevent, she was kneeling to me, had caught my hand and kissed it +passionately. + +"Oh, man that I love--you that learned to--love your enemy!" + +"Nay, my Damaris, 'twas he that taught me how to love him, 'twas himself +slew my hatred!" + +And now, drawing her to my heart, I told her much of Sir Richard's +indomitable spirit and bravery, how in my blind haste I would march him +until he sank swooning by the way, of our fightings and sufferings and he +ever serene and undismayed. I told of how we had talked of her beside our +camp fires and how, dying, he had bid me tell her he had ever loved her +better than he had let her guess, and bethinking me of his letter at last, +I gave it to her. But instead of reading it, she put this letter in her +pocket. + +"Come," said she, "'tis near the dawn, and you weary with your journey, +'tis time you were abed." And when I vowed I was not sleepy, she took my +hand (as I had been a child) and bringing me into that had been Adam's +cabin, showed me his bed all prepared. "It hath waited for these many +weeks, dear Martin!" said she, smoothing the pillows with gentle hand. + +"But we have so much to tell each other--" + +"To-morrow!" + +Hereupon she slipped past me to the door and stood there to shake +admonishing finger: + +"Sleep!" said she, nodding her lovely head mighty determined, "and scowl +not, naughty child, I shall be near you--to--to mother you--nay, come and +see for yourself." So saying, she took my hand again and brought me into +the next cabin, a fragrant nest, dainty-sweet as herself, save that in the +panelling above her bed she had driven two nails where hung a brace of +pistols. Seeing my gaze on these, she shivered suddenly and nestled into my +arm. + +"Oh, Martin," said she, her face hid against me, "one night I seemed to +hear a foot that crept on the deck above, and I thought I should have died +with fear. So I kept these ever after, one for--them, and the other for +myself." + +"And all this you endured for my sake!" quoth I. + +"And God hath sent you safe to me, dear Martin, to take care of me, so am I +safe with nought to fright or harm me henceforth." + +"Nothing under heaven," quoth I. Very gingerly she took down the pistols +and gave them to me and, bringing me to the door, kissed me. + +"Good night, dear heart!" said she softly. "God send you sweet dreams!" + +Thus came I back to my cabin and laying by the pistols, got me to bed, and +mighty luxurious, what with these sheets and pillows, and yet, or ever I +had fully appreciated the unwonted comfort, I was asleep. + +I waked to the sudden clasp of her soft arms and a tear-wet cheek against +mine, and opening my eyes, saw her kneeling by my bed in the grey dawn. + +"Oh, loved Martin," said she, "I love you more than I guessed because you +are greater than I dreamed--my father's letter hath told me so much of +you--your goodness to your enemy--how you wiped away his tears, ministered +to his hurts, carried him in your arms. I have read it but now and--'tis +tale so noble--so wonderful, that needs must I come to tell you I do love +you so much--so much. And now--" + +"You are mine!" said I, gathering her in my arms. "Mine for alway." + +"Yes, dear Martin! But because I am yours so utterly, you will be gentle +with me--patient a little and forbearing to a--very foolish maid--" + +For answer I loosed her, whereupon she caught my hand to press it to her +tender cheek, her quivering lips. + +"Oh, Martin!" she whispered. "For this needs must I worship thee!" And so +was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +OF DREAMS + + +I waked marvellous refreshed and full of a great joy to hear her sweet +singing and the light tread of her foot going to and fro in the great +cabin, where she was setting out a meal, as I guessed by the tinkle of +platters, etc., the which homely sound reminded me that I was vastly +hungry. Up I sprang to a glory of sun flooding in at shattered window and +the jagged rent where a round-shot had pierced the stout timbering above; +and having washed and bathed me as well as I might, found my lady had +replaced my ragged, weather-stained garments by others chosen from the +ship's stores. And so at last forth I stepped into the great cabin, eager +for sight of my dear lady, albeit somewhat conscious of my new clothes and +hampered by their tightness. + +"Indeed," said she, holding me off, the better to examine me, "I do find +you something better-looking than you were!" + +"Nay, but I am burned browner than any Indian." + +"This but maketh your eyes the bluer, Martin. And then you are changed +besides--so much more gentle--kindlier--the man I dreamed you might +become--" Here I kissed her. + +"And you," said I, "my Damaris that I have ever loved and shall do, you are +more beautiful than my dream of you--" + +"Am I, Martin--in spite of these things?" "Indeed," said I heartily, "they +do but reveal to me so much of--" + +Here she kissed me and brought me to the table. Now, seeing her as she sat +thus beside me, I started and stared, well-nigh open-mouthed. + +"What now?" she questioned. + +"Your hair!" + +"'Twill grow again, Martin. But why must you stare?" + +"Because when you look and turn so, and your hair short on your shoulders, +you are marvellously like to Joanna." Now at this, seeing how my lady +shrank and turned from me, I could have cursed my foolish tongue. + +"What of her, Martin?" + +"She is dead!" And here I described how bravely Joanna had met Death +standing, and her arms outstretched to the infinite. When I had done, my +lady was silent, as expecting more, and her head still averted. + +"And is this--all?" she questioned at last. + +"Yes!" said I. "Yes!" + +"Yet you do not tell me of the cruel wrong she did you--and me! You do not +say she lied of you." + +"She is dead!" said I. "And very nobly, as I do think!" + +Hereupon my lady rose and going into her cabin, was back all in a moment +and unfolding a paper, set it before me. "This," said she, "I found after +you were fled the ship!" Opening this paper, I saw there, very boldly writ: + +"I lied about him and 'twas a notable lie, notably spoke. Martino is not +like ordinary men and so it is I do most truly love him--yes--for always. +So do I take him for mine now, so shall lie become truth, mayhap. + +"JOANNA." + +And even as I refolded this letter, my lady's arms were about me, her +lovely head upon my shoulder: + +"Dear," said she, "'twas like you to speak no harsh thing of the dead. And +she gave you back to me with her life--so needs must I love her memory for +this." + +And so we presently got to our breakfast,--sweet, white bread new-baked, +with divers fish she had caught that morning whiles I slept. And surely +never was meal more joyous, the sun twinkling on Adam's silver and cut +glass, and my lady sweeter and more radiant than the morn in all the vigour +of her glowing beauty. + +Much we talked and much she said that I would fain set down, since there is +nothing about her that is not a joy to me to dwell upon, yet lest I weary +my readers with overmuch of lovers' talk, I will only set down all she now +told me concerning Adam. + +"For here were we, Martin," said my lady, "our poor ship much wounded with +her many battles and beset by a storm so that we all gave ourselves up for +lost; even Adam confessed he could do no more, and I very woful because +I must die away from you, yet the storm drove us by good hap into these +waters, and next day, the wind moderating, we began to hope we might make +this anchorage, though the ship was dreadfully a-leak, and all night and +all day I would hear the dreadful clank of the pumps always at work. And +thus at last, to our great rejoicing, we saw this land ahead of us that was +to be our salvation. But as we drew nearer our rejoicing changed to dismay +to behold three ships betwixt us and this refuge. So Sir Adam decided to +fight his way through and sailed down upon these three ships accordingly. +And presently we were among them and the battle began, and very dreadful, +what with the smoke and shouting and noise of guns--" + +"Ah!" cried I. "And did not Adam see you safely below?" + +"To be sure, Martin, but I stole up again and found him something hurt by +a splinter yet very happy because Godby had shot away one of the enemy's +masts and nobody hurt but himself, and so we won past these ships for all +their shooting, and I bound up Adam's hurt where he stood conning the ship, +shouting orders and bidding me below, all in a breath. But now cometh Amos +Marsh, the carpenter, running, to say the enemy's shot had widened our +leaks and the water gaining upon the pumps beyond recovery and that we were +sinking. 'How long will she last?' said Adam, staring at the two ships +that were close behind, and still shooting at us now and then. 'An hour, +Captain, maybe less!' said the carpenter. ''Twill serve,' said Adam, in his +quiet voice. 'Do you and your lads stand to the pumps, and we will be +safe ashore within the hour. But mark me, if any man turn laggard or +faint-hearted, shoot that man, but pump your best, Amos--away wi' you!'" + +"Aye," quoth I, clasping tighter the hand I held, "that was like Adam; +'tis as I had heard him speak. And you in such dire peril of death, my +beloved--" + +"Why, Martin, I did not fear or grieve very much, for methought you were +lost to me forever in this life perchance, but in the next--" + +"This and the next I do pray God," quoth I, and kissed her till she bade me +leave her breath for her story. The which she presently did something as +followeth: + +"And now, whiles Godby and his chosen gunners plied our stern cannons, +firing very fast and furious, Adam calls for volunteers to set more sail +and himself was first aloft for all his wounded arm--" + +"And where were you?" + +"Giving water to Godby and his men, for they were parched. And presently +back cometh Adam, panting with his exertions. 'God send no spars carry +away,' quoth he, 'and we must lay alongside the nearest Spaniard and +board.' ''Tis desperate venture,' said Godby, 'they be great ships and full +o' Dons.' 'Aye,' said Adam, 'but we are Englishmen and desperate,' And so +we stood on, Martin, and these great ships after us, and ever our own poor +ship lying lower and lower in the water, until I looked to see it sink +under us and go down altogether. But at last we reached this bay and none +too soon, for to us cometh Amos Marsh, all wet and woebegone with labour, +to say the ship was going. But nothing heeding, Adam took the helm, +shouting to him to let fly braces, and with our sails all shivering we ran +aground, just as she lies now, poor thing. While I lay half-stunned with +the fall, for the shock of grounding had thrown me down, Adam commanded +every one on shore with muskets and pistols, so I presently found myself +running across the sands 'twixt Adam and Godby, nor stayed we till we +reached the cliff yonder, where are many caves very wonderful, as I will +show you, Martin. And then I saw the reason of this haste, for the greatest +Spanish ship was turning to bring her whole broadside to bear, and so began +to shoot off all their cannon, battering our poor ship as you see. Then +came Spaniards in boats with fire to burn it, but our men shot so many of +these that although they set the ship on fire, yet they did it so hastily +because of our shooting that once they were gone, the fire was quickly put +out. But the ship was beyond repair which greatly disheartened us all, save +only Adam, who having walked around the wreck and examined her, chin in +hand, summoned all men to a council on the beach. 'Look now, my comrades,' +said he (as well as I remember, Martin), 'we have fought a sinking ship so +long as we might, and here we lie driven ashore in a hostile country but +we have only one killed and five injured, which is good; but we are +Englishmen, which is better and bad to beat. Well, then, shall we stay here +sucking our thumbs? Shall we set about building another vessel and the +enemy come upon us before 'tis done? Shall we despair? Not us! We stand +a hundred and thirty and two men, and every man a proved and seasoned +fighter; so will we, being smitten thus, forthwith smite back, and smite +where the enemy will least expect. We'll march overland on Carthagena--I +know it well--fall on 'em in the dead hush o' night, surprise their fort, +spike their guns and down to the harbour for a ship. Here's our vessel +a wreck--we'll have one of theirs in place. So, comrades all, who's for +Carthagena along with me; who's for a Spanish ship and Old England?'" + +"Why, then," cried I, amazed, "my dream was true. They have marched across +country on Carthagena--" + +"Yes, Martin, but what dream--?" + +"With four guns, mounted on wheels?" + +"Yes, Martin; they built four gun-carriages to Adam's design. But what of +your dream?" + +So I told her of Atlamatzin and the visions I had beheld; "and I saw you +also, my loved Joan; aye, as I do remember, you knelt on the deck above, +praying and with your arms reached out--" + +"Why, so I did often--one night in especial, I remember, weeping and +calling to you, for I was very fearful and--lonely, dear Martin. And that +night, I remember, I dreamed I saw you, your back leaned to a great rock as +you were very weary, and staring into a fire, sad-eyed and desolate. Across +your knees was your gun and all around you a dark and dismal forest, and +I yearned to come to you and could not, and so watched and lay to weep +anew.--Oh, dear, loved Martin!" + +Here she turned, her eyes dark with remembered sorrow, wherefore I took and +lifted her to my knee, holding her thus close upon my heart. + +"Tell me," said I after some while, "when Adam marched on his desperate +venture, did he name any day for his likely return?" + +"Yes, Martin!" + +"And when was that?" + +"'Twas the day you came." + +"Then he is already late," quoth I. "And he was ever mighty careful and +exact in his calculations. 'Tis an adventure so daring as few would have +attempted, saving only our 'timid' Adam. And how if he never returns, my +Damaris--how then?" + +"Ah, then--we have each other!" said she. + +"And therein is vast comfort and--for me great joy!" quoth I. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +OF LOVE + + +My first care was to see how we stood in regard to stores, more especially +powder and shot great and small, the which I found sufficient and to spare, +as also divers weapons, as muskets, pistols, hangers, etc. The more I +thought, the more I was determined to put the ship into as good a posture +of defence as might be, since I judged it likely the Spaniards might pay +us a visit soon or late, or mayhap some chance band of hostile Indians. To +this end and with great exertion, by means of lever and tackle, I hauled +inboard her four great stern-chase guns, at the which labour my lady +chancing to find me, falls to work beside me right merrily. + +"Why, Martin," said she, when the four pieces stood ready to hand, "I +have seen five men strain hard to move one of these; indeed you must be +marvellous strong." + +At this I grew so foolishly pleased that I fell to charging these pieces +amain, lest she should see aught of this. + +"Strong, great men be usually the gentlest," said she. + +"And generally thick-skulled and dull-witted!" quoth I. + +"Are you so dull-witted, my Martin?" + +"Ah, Damaris, my sweet Joan, when I think on all the wasted tears--" + +"Not wasted, Martin, no, not one, since each hath but helped to make the +man I do so love." + +"That you should so love me is the abiding wonder. I am no man o' the world +and with no fine-gentlemanly graces, alas! I am a simple fellow and nought +to show for his years of life--" + +"Wherefore so humble, poor man? You that were so proud and savage in +England and must burst open gates and beat my servants and fright me in my +chamber--" + +"Aye, I was brute indeed!" said I, sitting down and clean forgetting my +guns in sudden dejection. + +"And so gloomy with me on the island at the first and then something harsh, +and then very wild and masterful; do you remember you would kiss me and I +would not--and struggled--so desperately--and vainly--and was compelled?" + +"Oh, vile!" said I. "You so lonely and helpless, and I would have forced +you to my base will." + +"And did not, Martin! Because yours was a noble love. So is the memory of +our dear island unutterably sweet." + +"Indeed and is this so?" quoth I, lifting my head. + +"Beyond all expression!" said she a little breathlessly and her eyes very +bright. "Ah, did you not know--whatever you did, 'twas you--that I loved. +And, dear Martin, at your fiercest, you were ever--so innocent!" + +"Innocent!" quoth I, wondering. And now her clear gaze wavered, her cheek +flushed, and all in a moment she was beside me on her knees, her face hid +against me and speaking quick and low and passionate. + +"I am a very woman--and had loved for all my life--and there were times--on +the island when--I, too--oh, dear Martin, oft in the night the sound of +your steps going to and fro without our cave--those restless feet--seemed +to tread upon my heart! I loved these fierce, strong arms, even whilst +I struggled in their hold! A man of the world would have known--taken +advantage. But you never guessed because you regarded ever the highest in +me. So would I have you do still--honouring me with your patience--a little +longer--until Adam be come again, or until we be sure he hath perished and +England beyond our reach. Thus, dear, I have confessed my very secret soul +to thee and lie here in thy merciful care even more than I did on +our island, since I do love thee--greatly better! Therefore, be not +so--infinite humble!" + +Here for a while I was silent, being greatly moved and finding no word to +say. At last, clasping her tender loveliness to me, and stooping to kiss +this so loved head: + +"Dear, my lady," said I, "thou art to me the sweetest, holiest thing in all +the world, and so shalt thou ever be." + +Some time after, having put all things in excellent posture to our defence, +viz: our four great pieces full-charged astern, with four lighter guns +and divers pateraros ranged to sweep the quarter-deck, forecastle and +all approaches thereto, I felt my previous charge more secure and myself +(seconded by her brave spirit) able to withstand well-nigh any chance +attack, so long as our powder and shot held. + +This done, I brought hammer, nails, etc., from the carpenter's stores and +set myself to mend such shot-holes, cracks, and rents in the panelling and +the like as I judged would incommode us in wind or rain, and while I did +this (and whistling cheerily) needs must I stay ever and anon to watch my +sweet soul busy at her cookery (and mighty savoury dishes) and she pause +to look on me, until we must needs run to kiss each other and so to our +several labours again. + +For now indeed came I to know a happiness so calm and deep, so much greater +than I had ventured to hope that often I would be seized of panic dread +lest aught came to snatch it from me. Thus lived we, joying in each hour, +busied with such daily duties as came to hand, yet I for one finding these +labours sweet by reason of her that shared them; yet ever our love grew and +we ever more happy in each other's companionship. + +And here I, that by mine own folly of stubborn pride had known so little of +content and the deep and restful joy of it; here, I say, greatly tempted am +I to dwell and enlarge upon these swift-flying, halcyon days whose memory +Time cannot wither; I would paint you her changing moods, her sweet +gravity, her tender seriousness, her pretty rogueries, her demureness, her +thousand winsome tricks of gesture and expression, the vital ring of her +sweet voice, her long-lashed eyes, the dimple in her chin, and all the +constant charm and wonder of her. But what pen could do the sweet soul +justice, what word describe her innumerable graces? Surely not mine, so +would it be but vain labour and mayhap, to you who take up this book, great +weariness to read. + +So I will pass to a certain night, the moon flooding her radiance all +about me and the world very hushed and still with nought to hear save the +murmurous ripple and soft lapping of the incoming tide, and I upon my bed +(very wakeful) and full of speculation and the problem I pondered this: +Adam (and he so precise and exact in all things) had named to my lady a +day for his return, which day was already long past, therefore it was but +natural to suppose his desperate venture against this great fortified city +a failure, his hardy fellows scattered, and his brave self either slain or +a prisoner. What then of our situation, my dear lady's and mine, left thus +solitary in a hostile country and little or no chance of ever reaching +England, but doomed rather to seek some solitude where we might live secure +from hostile Indians or the implacable persecution of the Spaniards. Thus +we must live alone with Nature henceforth, she and I and God. And this +thought filled me alternately with intoxicating joy for my own sake, since +all I sought of life was this loved woman, and despair for her sake, since +secretly she must crave all those refinements of life and civilisation as +had become of none account to myself. And if Adam were slain indeed and +England thus beyond our reach, how long must we wait to be sure of this? + +Here I started to hear my lady calling me softly: + +"Art awake, dear Martin?" + +"Yes, my Joan!" + +"I dreamed myself alone again. Oh, 'tis good to hear your voice! Are you +sleepy?" + +"No whit." + +"Then let us talk awhile as we used sometimes on our loved island." + +"Loved you it--so greatly, Joan?" + +"Beyond any place in the world, Martin." + +"Why, then--" said I and stopped, lest my voice should betray the sudden +joy that filled me. + +"Go on, Martin." + +"'Twas nought." + +"Aye, but it was! You said 'Why, then.' Prithee, dear sir, continue." + +Myself (sitting up and blinking at the moon): Why, then, if +you--we--are--if we should be so unfortunate as to be left solitary in +these cruel wilds and no hope of winning back to England, should you grieve +therefor? + +She (after a moment): Should you, Martin? + +Myself (mighty fervently): Aye, indeed! + +She (quickly): Why, Martin--pray why? + +Myself (clenching my fists): For that we should be miserable outcasts cut +off from all the best of life. + +She: The best? As what, Martin? + +Myself: Civilisation and all its refinements, all neighbourliness, +the comforts of friendship, all security, all laws, and instead of +these--dangers, hardship, and solitude. + +She (softly): Aye, this methinks should break our hearts. Indeed, Martin, +you do fright me. + +Myself (bitterly): Why, 'tis a something desolate possibility! + +She (dolefully): And alas, Adam cometh not! + +Myself: Alas, no! + +She: And is long overdue. + +Myself: He marched on a perilous venture; aye, mighty hazardous and +desperate. + +She: Indeed, dear Martin, so desperate that I do almost pity the folk of +Carthagena. + +Myself (wondering): Then you do think he will succeed--will come sailing +back one day? + +She: Yes, Martin, if he hath to sail the ship back alone. + +Myself: And wherefore believe this? + +She: I know not, except that he is Adam and none like to him. + +Myself: Yet is he only mortal, to be captured or slain one way or another. +How if he cometh never back? + +She: Why then, Martin--needs must I forego all thought of England, of home, +of the comfortable joys of civilisation, of all laws, and instead of all +these cleave to you--my beloved! + +Myself: Damaris! + +She: Oh, Martin, dear, foolish blunderer to dream you could fright me with +tales of hardship, or dangers, or solitude when you were by, to think I +must break my heart for home and England when you are both to me. England +or home without you were a desert; with you the desert shall be my England, +my home all my days, if God so will it. + +Myself: Oh, loved woman, my brave, sweet Joan! And the laws--what of the +laws? + +She: God shall be our law, shall give us some sign. + +Myself: Joan--come to me! + +She (faintly): No! Ah, no! + +Myself: Come! + +She: Very well, Martin. + +In a little I heard her light step, slow and something hesitant, and then +she stood before me in her loveliness, wrapped about in my travel-stained +boat-cloak; so came she to sink beside me on her knees. + +"I am here, Martin," said she, "since I am yours and because I know my +will, thine also. For sure am I that Adam will yet come and with him cometh +law and England and all else; shall we not rest then for God's sign, be it +soon or a little late, and I honour thee the more hereafter. If this indeed +be foolish scruple to your mind, dear Martin, I am here; but if for this +you shall one day reverence your wife the more--beloved, let me go!" + +"Indeed--indeed, sign or no sign, thus do I love thee!" said I, and loosed +her. And now, as she rose from my reluctant arms, even then, soft and faint +with distance but plain and unmistakable came the boom of a gun. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +THE COMING OF ADAM AND OF OUR GREAT JOY THEREIN + + +The moon was paling to daybreak as, having climbed that rocky stair I have +mentioned, we came upon the cliff and stood, hands tight-clasped, where +we might behold the infinity of waters; and after some while, looming +phantom-like upon the dawn, we descried the lofty sails of a great ship +standing in towards the land and growing ever more distinct. And as we +watched, and never a word, her towering canvas flushed rosy with coming +day, a changing colour that grew ever brighter until it glowed all +glorious, and up rose the sun. + +Suddenly, as we watched the proud oncoming of this ship of glory, my lady +uttered a little, soft cry and nestled to me. + +"The sign, Martin!" cried she, "God hath sent us the sign, beloved; see +what she beareth at the main!" And there, sure enough, stirring languid +upon the gentle air was the Cross of St. George. And beholding this +thing (that was no more than shred of bunting) and in these hostile +seas, ship and sea swam upon my vision, and bowing my head lest my +beloved behold this weakness, felt her warm lips on mine. + +"Dear Martin," said she, "hide not your tears from me, for yonder is +England, a noble future--home, at last." + +"Home?" said I, "Aye, home and peace at last and, best of all--you!" Thus +stood we, clean forgetting this great ship in each other until, roused by +the thunder of another gun, we started and turned to see the ship so near +that we could distinguish the glint of armour on her decks here and there, +and presently up to us rose a cheer (though faint) and we saw them make a +waft with the ensign, so that it seemed they had discovered us where we +stood. Hereupon, seeing the ship already going about to fetch into the +harbour, we descended the cliff and, reaching the sands below, stood there +until the vessel hove into view round the headland that was like unto a +lion's head, and, furling upper and lower courses, let go her anchor and +brought up in fashion very seamanlike, and she indeed a great and noble +vessel from whose lofty decks rose lusty shouts of welcome, drowned all at +once in the silvery fanfare of trumpets and a prodigious rolling of drums. +Presently, to this merry clamour, a boat was lowered and pulled towards +us, and surely never was seen a wilder, more ragged company than this that +manned her. In the stem-sheets sat Adam, one hand upon the tiller, the +other slung about him by a scarf, his harness rusty and dinted, but his +eyes very bright beneath the pent of his weather-beaten hat. Scarce had the +boat touched shore than his legs (dight in prodigiously long Spanish boots) +were over the side and he came wading ashore, first of any. + +"Praise God!" said he, halting suddenly to flourish off his battered hat +and glance from one to other of us with his old, whimsical look. "Praise +God I do see again two souls, the most wilful and unruly in all this world, +yet here stand ye that should be most thoroughly dead (what with the peril +consequent upon wilfulness) but for a most especial Providence--there stand +ye fuller of life and the joy o' living than ever." + +"And you, Adam," reaching her hands to him in welcome, "you that must march +'gainst a mighty city with men so few! Death surely hath been very nigh you +also, yet here are you come back to us unscathed save for your arm; surely +God hath been to us infinitely kind and good!" + +"Amen!" said Adam and stooping, raised these slender hands to his lips. +"Howbeit, my Lady Wilfulness," quoth he, shaking his head, "I vow you ha' +caused me more carking care than any unhanged pirate or Spaniard on the +Main! You that must bide here all alone, contemning alike my prayers and +commands, nor suffering any to stay for your comfort and protection and all +for sake of this hare-brained, most obstinate comrade o' mine, that must +go running his poor sconce into a thousand dangers (which was bad) and +upsetting all my schemes and calculations (which was worse, mark you!) +and all to chase a will-o'-the-wisp, a mare's nest, a--oh, Lord love you, +Martin--!" And so we clasped hands. + +In a little, my dear lady betwixt us, and Adam discoursing of his +adventures and particularly of his men's resolution, endurance and +discipline, we got us aboard the _Deliverance_ which the men were already +stripping of such stores as remained, filling the air with cheery shouts, +and yo-ho-ing as they hove at this or hauled at that. Climbing to the +quarter-deck we came at last to the great cabin, where Adam was pleased +to commend the means I had taken to our defence, though more than once I +noticed his quick glance flash here and there as if seeking somewhat. At +last, my lady having left us awhile, he turns his sharp eyes on me: + +"Comrade, how goeth vengeance nowadays?" he questioned. "What of Sir +Richard, your enemy?" + +"Dead; Adam!" + +"Aha!" said he, pinching his chin and eyeing me askance, "was it steel or +did ye shoot him, comrade?" + +"God forgive you for saying such thing, Adam!" quoth I, scowling into his +lean, brown face. + +"Aha," said he again, and viewing me with his furtive leer. "Do ye regret +his murder then, Martin?" + +"Aye, I do from my heart--now and always!" + +"Hum!" said he, seating himself on my tumbled bed and glancing whimsically +at me, "Martin," quoth he, "friend--brother--you that talked bloody murder +and hell-fire with a heart inside you clean and gentle as a child's, +thou'rt plaguey fool to think thy friend Adam be such fool as not to know +thee better. Hark'ee now, here's your fashion: If you found the enemy you +sought so long and him in a Spanish prison, first you cursed, then you +comforted, then eased his pains, watched your chance, throttled your gaoler +and away to freedom, bearing your enemy along wi' you--is't not something +the way of it--come?" + +"Truly, Adam!" said I, all amazed, "though how you chance to know this--" + +"Tush!" said he. "'Tis writ plain all over thee, Martin, and yonder cometh +our lady, as peerless a maid as ever blessed man's sight--for all of the +which I do love thee, Martin. Come, now, I will take ye aboard the prize +and hey for England--this night we sail!" So we joined my lady and coming +down to the boat were presently rowed to the Spanish ship, a great vessel, +her towering stem brave with gilding and her massy timbers enriched by all +manner of carved work. + +"She had a name well-nigh long as herself, Martin," said Adam, "but Godby +christened her _The Joyous Hope_ instead, which shall serve well enough." +So we came beneath her high, curving side, where leaned familiar +figures--lean, bronzed fellows who welcomed us with cheer that waked many +an echo. Upon the quarter-deck was Penruddock the surgeon, who bustled +forward to greet us himself as loquacious as ever and very loud in praise +of the cure he had once wrought in me; and here, too, was Godby, to make a +leg to my lady and grasp my hand. + +"Why, Mart'n--why, pal, here's j'y, scorch me wi' a port-fire else!" quoth +he, then, hearing a hail from the beach, rolled away to look to his many +duties. + +"She's good enough vessel--to look at, Martin," said Adam, bringing us into +the panelled splendour of the coach or roundhouse; "aye, she's roomy and +handsome enough and rich-laden, though something heavy on her helm; of guns +fifty and nine and well-found in all things save clothes, hence my scurvy +rags; but we'll better 'em when our stores come aboard." + +And now, my lady being retired; he showed me over this great galleon, so +massy built for all her gilding and carved finery, and so stout-timbered as +made her well-nigh shot-proof. + +"She's a notable rich prize, Adam!" said I, as we came above deck again, +where the crew were at work getting aboard us the stores from the +_Deliverance_ under Godby's watchful eye. + +"Aye, we were fortunate, Martin," pausing to view this busy scene, "and all +with scarce a blow and but five men lost, and they mostly by sunstroke or +snakebite; we could ha' taken the city also had I been so minded." + +"'Twas marvellous achievement for man so timid, Adam!" quoth I. + +"Nay, comrade, I did but smite the enemy unbeknown and where least +expected; 'twas simple enough. See now, Martin," said he, pinching his +chin and averting his head, "I am very fain to learn more of--to hear your +adventures--you shall tell me of--of 'em if you will, but later, for we +sail on the flood and I have much to do in consequence." + +So I presently fell to pacing the broad deck alone, dreaming on the future +and in my heart a song of gratitude to God. Presently to me comes Godby: + +"Lord, Mart'n!" said he, hitching fiercely at the broad belt of his +galligaskins. "Here's been doin's o' late, pal, doin's as outdoes all other +doin's as ever was done! Talk o' glory? Talk o' fame? There's enough on't +aboard this here ship t' last every man on us all his days and longer. And +what's more to the p'int, Mart'n, there's gold! And silver! In bars! Aye, +pal, shoot me if 'tisn't a-laying in the hold like so much ballast! Cap'n +Adam hath give his share to be divided atwixt us, which is noble in him and +doeth us a power o' good!" + +"Why, the men deserve it; 'twas a desperate business, Godby!" + +"Aye, pal, good lads every one, though we had Cap'n Adam to lead 'em. 'Twas +ever 'Come' wi' him! Ten minutes arter our first salvo the fort was ours, +their guns spiked, an' we running for the harbour, Sir Adam showing the +way. And, Lord! To hear the folk in the tower, you'd ha' thought 'twas the +last trump--such shrieks and howls, Mart'n. So, hard in Cap'n Adam's wake +we scrambled aboard this ship, she laying nighest to shore and well under +the guns o' the fort as we'd just spiked so mighty careful, d'ye see, and +here was some small disputation wi' steel and pistol, and her people was +very presently swimming or rowing for it. So 'twas hoist sail, up anchor +and away, and though this galleon is no duck, being something lubberly on a +wind, she should bear us home well enough. 'Tis long since I last clapped +eye on old England, and never a day I ha'n't blessed that hour I met wi' +you at the 'Hop-pole,' for I'm rich, pal, rich, though I'd give a lot for a +glimpse o' the child I left a babe and a kiss from his bonny mother." + +Thus, walking the broad deck of this stout ship that was soon to bear +us (and myself especially) to England and a new life, I hearkened to +God-be-here Jenkins, who talked, his eyes now cocked aloft at spars or +rigging, now observing the serene blue distances, now upon the boats plying +busily to and fro, until one of the men came to say the last of our stores +was aboard. And presently, being summoned, Adam appeared on the lofty poop +in all the bravery of flowing periwig and 'broidered coat. + +"Ha, Mart'n," sighed Godby, hitching at his belt as we went to meet him, "I +love him best in buff and steel, though he'll ever be my cap'n, pal. There +aren't what you'd call a lot of him, neither, but what there is goeth a +prodigious long way in steel or velvet. Talk o' glory! Talk o' fame! +Pal, glory's a goblin and fame's a phantom compared wi' Cap'n Sir Adam +Penfeather, and you can keel haul, burn and hang me else!" + +This night at moonrise we warped out from our anchorage and with drums +beating and fifes sounding merrily, stood out into the great deep and never +a heart that did not leap at thought of home and England. And now cometh my +lady, dressed in gown I thought marvellous becoming, and herself beautiful +beyond all women, as I told her, whereat she cast down her eyes and +smoothed her dainty silks with her pretty hands. + +"Fie, Martin!" said she, mighty demure. "Is it well to be so extravagant in +praise of your own?" Which last words put me to such ecstasy that I fell +dumb forthwith; noting the which, she came a little nearer to slip her cool +fingers into mine, "Though, indeed," quoth she, "I am glad to find you so +observant! And my hair? Doth it please you, thus?" And now I saw her silky +tresses (and for all their mutilation) right cunningly ordered, and amid +their beauty that same wooden comb I had made for her on the island. "Well, +dear sir?" said she, leaning nearer. At this, being ever a man scant of +words (and the deck deserted hereabouts) I kissed her. And now, hand in +hand, we stood silent awhile to watch this cruel land of Darien fade upon +our sight. At last she turned and I also, to view that vast horizon that +lay before us. + +"What see you, yonder in the distance, dear Martin?" she questioned. + +"Yourself!" said I. "You fill my world. God make me worthy! Aye, in the +future--ever beside me henceforth, I do see you, my Damaris!" + +"Why, to be sure, loved man! But what more?" + +"I want for no more!" + +"Nay, do but look!" said she, soft cheek to mine. "There I do see +happiness, fortune, honours--and--mayhap, if God is kind to us--" She +stopped, with sound like a little sob. + +"What, my Joan?" I questioned, fool-like. + +"Greater blessings--" + +"But," said I, "what should be greater--" + +"Ah, Martin--dear--cannot you guess?" + +"Why, Joan--oh, my beloved!" But stepping out of my hold, she fled from me. +"Nay," cried I, "do not leave me so soon." + +"I must, dear Martin. You--you will be wanting to speak with Adam--" + +"Not I--Lord, no!" + +"Why, then--you shall!" said she and vanished into the roundhouse +forthwith, leaving me wondering like the dull fellow I was until (and all +at once) I understood and my wonder changed to joy so great I might scarce +contain myself; wherefore, beholding Adam coming, I hasted to meet him and +had clapped him in my arms or ever he was aware. + +"Marry us, Adam!" said I. "Marry us, man!" + +"What, ha' ye just thought on't at last, Martin?" + +"Aye, I have!" + +"Tush!" said he. "'Twas all arranged by my lady and me hours agone. Come +into the coach." + +And thus, upon the high seas, Adam (being both captain and magistrate) +married us forthwith, and because I had no other, I wed my Damaris with +my signet ring whereon was graven the motto of my house, viz: a couchant +leopard and the words, "Rouse me not." And who so sweet and grave as my +dear lady as she made the responses and hearkened to Adam, and he mighty +impressive. For witnesses we had Master Penruddock the surgeon and Godby, +and now, my lady retiring, we must crack a bottle, all four, though I know +not what we drank. + +And presently Adam drew me out upon the quarter-deck, there to walk with me +a while under a great moon. + +"Martin," said he suddenly, "you have come by rough seas and mighty +roundabout course to your happiness, but there be some do never make this +blessed haven all their days." + +"God comfort them, poor souls!" quoth I. + +"Amen!" said he; and then in changed voice, and his keen gaze aloft amid +the swelling sail, "What o' the lady Joanna, shipmate?" So I told him all +the best I remembered of her and described how nobly she had died; and he +pacing beside me said never a word. + +"Martin," said he, when I had made an end, "I am a mighty rich man, yet for +all this, I shall be something solitary, I guess." + +"Never in this world, Adam, so long as liveth my dear lady--" + +"Your wife, comrade--'tis a sweet word!" + +"Aye--my wife. And then, am I not your sworn brother? So like brothers will +we live together in England, and friends always!" And hereupon I clasped an +arm about him. + +"This is well, Martin," said he, gripping my hand. "Aye, 'tis mighty well, +for nought under heaven is there to compare with true friendship, except +it be the love of a noble woman. So now go, comrade, go to her who hath +believed in you so faithfully, hath steadfastly endured so much for +you--get you to your wife!" + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Martin Conisby's Vengeance, by Jeffery Farnol + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 9835-8.txt or 9835-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/8/3/9835/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/9835-8.zip b/9835-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7e996cb --- /dev/null +++ b/9835-8.zip diff --git a/9835.txt b/9835.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c86cfdf --- /dev/null +++ b/9835.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11426 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Martin Conisby's Vengeance, by Jeffery Farnol + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Martin Conisby's Vengeance + +Author: Jeffery Farnol + +Posting Date: December 5, 2011 [EBook #9835] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: October 23, 2003 +Last Updated: June 18, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE + +BY JEFFERY FARNOL + + +1921 + + +TO MY DEAR AUNTS + +MRS. MARRIOTT + +AND + +MISS JEFFERY +"AUNTIE KIZ" + +I DEDICATE THIS BOOK + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + +I HOW MY SOLITUDE CAME TO AN END + +II MY TROUBLES BEGIN + +III HOW I HEARD A SONG THAT I KNEW + +IV HOW I LABOURED TO MY SALVATION + +V TELLETH HOW ALL MY TRAVAIL CAME TO NOUGHT + +VI HOW I SUCCOURED ONE DON FEDERIGO, A GENTLEMAN OF SPAIN + +VII I AM DETERMINED ON MY VENGEANCE, AND MY REASONS THEREFOR + +VIII HOW THE DAYS OF MY WATCHING WERE ACCOMPLISHED + +IX WE FALL AMONG PIRATES + +X HOW I CAME ABOARD THE _HAPPY DESPATCH_ AND OF MY SUFFERINGS THERE + +XI HOW I FOUGHT IN THE DARK WITH ONE POMPEY, A GREAT BLACKAMOOR + +XII OF BATTLE, MURDER AND RESOLUTION DAY, HIS POINT OF VIEW + +XIII HOW WE FOUGHT AN ENGLISH SHIP + +XIV TELLETH HOW THE FIGHT ENDED + +XV HOW I FELL IN WITH MY FRIEND, CAPTAIN SIR ADAM PENFEATHER + +XVI HOW I HAD WORD WITH MY LADY, JOAN BRANDON + +XVII TELLETH THE OUTCOME OF MY PRIDEFUL FOLLY + +XVIII OF ROGER TRESSADY AND HOW THE SILVER WOMAN CLAIMED HER OWN AT LAST + +XIX HOW JOANNA CHANGED HER MIND + +XX I GO TO SEEK MY VENGEANCE + +XXI HOW I CAME TO NOMBRE DE DIOS + +XXII HOW AT LAST I FOUND MY ENEMY, RICHARD BRANDON + +XXIII HOW I FOUND MY SOUL + +XXIV OF OUR ADVENTURE AT SEA + +XXV WE ARE DRIVEN ASHORE + +XXVI OUR DESPERATE SITUATION + +XXVII WE COMMENCE OUR JOURNEY + +XXVIII WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF + +XXIX TELLETH SOMEWHAT OF A STRANGE CITY + +XXX WE RESUME OUR JOURNEY + +XXXI I MEET A MADMAN + +XXXII HOW I FOUND MY BELOVED AT LAST + +XXXIII OF DREAMS + +XXXIV OF LOVE + +XXXV OF THE COMING OF ADAM AND OF OUR GREAT JOY THEREIN + + + + +MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +HOW MY SOLITUDE CAME TO AN END + + +"Justice, O God, upon mine enemy. For the pain I suffer, may I see him +suffer; for the anguish that is mine, so may I watch his agony! Thou art a +just God, so, God of Justice, give to me vengeance!" + +And having spoken this, which had been my prayer for three weary years, I +composed myself to slumber. But even so, I started up broad awake and my +every nerve a-tingle, only to see the moonlight flooding my solitude and +nought to hear save the rustle of the soft night wind beyond the open door +of the cave that was my habitation and the far-off, never-ceasing murmur +that was the voice of those great waters that hemmed me in,--a desolate +ocean where no ships ever sailed, a trackless waste that stretched away to +the infinite blue. + +Crouched upon my bed I fell vaguely a-wondering what should have roused me, +hearkening to the distant roar of the surf that seemed to me now plaintive +and despairing, now full of an ominous menace that banished gentle sleep. + +Thereupon I must needs bethink me how often I had waked thus during my long +and weary sojourn on this lonely island; how many times I had leapt from +slumber, fancying I heard a sound of oars or voices hailing cheerily beyond +the reef, or again (and this most often and bitterest phantasy of all) a +voice, soft and low yet with a wondrous sweet and vital ring, the which as +I knew must needs sound within my dreams henceforth,--a voice out of the +past that called upon my name: + +"Martin--Oh, Martin!" + +And this a voice that came to me in the blazing heat of tropic day, in +the cool of eve, in the calm serenity of night, a voice calling, calling +infinite pitiful and sweet, yet mocking me with my loneliness. + +"Martin, dear love! Oh, Martin!" + +"Joan!" I whispered and reached out yearning arms to the empty air. +"Damaris--beloved!" + +Beyond the open door I heard the sighing of the wind and the roar of the +surf, soft with distance, infinite plaintive and despairing. Then, because +sleep was not for me, I arose and came groping within my inner cave where +stood a coffer and, lifting the lid, drew forth that I sought and went and +sat me on my bed where the moon made a glory. And sitting there, I unfolded +this my treasure that was no more than a woman's gown and fell to smoothing +its folds with reverent hand; very tattered it was and worn by much hard +usage, its bravery all tarnished and faded, yet for me it seemed yet to +compass something of the vivid grace and beauty of that loved and vanished +presence. + +Almost three years of solitude, of deluding hopes and black despair, almost +three years, forgotten alike of God and man. So that I had surely run mad +but for the labour of my days and the secret hope I cherished even yet that +some day (soon or late) I should see again that loved form, hear again the +sweet, vital ring of that voice whereof I had dreamed so long. + +Almost three years, forgotten alike of God and man. And so albeit I prayed +no more (since I had proved prayers vain) hope yet lived within me and +every day, night and morn, I would climb that high hill the which I had +named the Hill of Blessed Hope, to strain my eyes across the desolation +of waters for some sign which should tell me my time of waiting was +accomplished. + +Now as I sat thus, lost in bitter thought, I rose to my feet, letting fall +the gown to lie all neglected, for borne to me on the gentle wind came a +sound there was no mistaking, the sharp report of a musket. + +For a moment I stood utterly still while the shot yet rang and re-echoed +in my ears and felt all at once such an ecstasy of joy that I came nigh +swooning and needs must prop myself against the rocky wall; then, the +faintness passing, I came hasting and breathless where I might look seaward +and beheld this: + +Hard beyond the reef (her yards braced slovenly aback) a ship. Betwixt this +vessel and the reef a boat rowed furiously, and upon the reef itself a man +fled shorewards marvellous fleet and nimble. Presently from his pursuers in +the boat came a red flash and the report of a musquetoon followed by divers +others, whereat the poor fugitive sped but the faster and came running +to that strip of white beach that beareth the name Deliverance. There he +faltered, pausing a moment to glance wildly this way and that, then (as +Fortune willed) turned and sped my way. Then I, standing forth where he +might behold me in the moon's radiance, hailed and beckoned him, at the +which he checked again, then (as reassured by my looks and gesture) came +leaping up that path which led from the beach. Thus as he drew nearer I saw +he was very young, indeed a mere stripling. From him I glanced towards +his pursuers (they being already upon the reef) and counted nine of them +running hitherward and the moon aglint on the weapons they bore. Thereupon +I hasted to my cave and brought thence my six muskets, the which I laid +ready to hand. + +And presently comes this poor fugitive, all panting and distressed with his +exertions, and who (clambering over that rampire I had builded long ago to +my defence) fell at my feet and lay there speechless, drawing his breath +in great, sobbing gasps. But his pursuers had seen and came on amain with +mighty halloo, and though (judging by what I could see of them at the +distance) they were a wild, unlovely company, yet to me, so long bereft of +all human fellowship, their hoarse shouts and cries were infinitely welcome +and I determined to make them the means of my release, more especially as +it seemed by their speech that some of them were Englishmen. To this end I +waited until they were close, then, taking up my nearest piece, I levelled +wide of them and fired. Startled by the sudden roar they incontinent +scattered, betaking them to such cover as they might. Then I (yet kneeling +behind my rampire) hailed them in mighty kindly fashion. + +"Halt, friends!" cries I. "Here is harm for no man that meaneth none. Nay, +rather do I give ye joyous welcome in especial such of you as be English, +for I am an Englishman and very solitary." + +But now (and even as I spake them thus gently) I espied the fugitive on his +knees, saw him whip up one of my muskets (all in a moment) and fire or +ever I might stay him. The shot was answered by a cry and out from the +underbrush a man reeled, clasping his hurt and so fell and lay a-groaning. +At this his comrades let fly their shot in answer and made off forthwith. +Deserted thus, the wounded man scrambled to hands and knees and began to +creep painfully after his fellows, beseeching their aid and cursing them by +turns. Hearing a shrill laugh, I turned to see the fugitive reach for and +level another of my weapons at this wounded wretch, but, leaping on him +as he gave fire, I knocked up the muzzle of the piece so that the bullet +soared harmlessly into the air. Uttering a strange, passionate cry, the +fugitive sprang back and snatching out an evil-looking knife, made at me, +and all so incredibly quick that it was all I could do to parry the blow; +then, or ever he might strike again, I caught that murderous arm, and, for +all his slenderness and seeming youth, a mighty desperate tussle we made of +it ere I contrived to twist the weapon from his grasp and fling him panting +to the sward, where I pinned him beneath my foot. Then as I reached for +the knife where it had fallen, he cried out to me in his shrill, strangely +clear voice, and with sudden, fierce hands wrenched apart the laces and +fine linens at his breast: + +"Stay!" cried he. "Don't kill me--you cannot!" + +Now looking down on him where he lay gasping and writhing beneath my foot, +I started back all in a moment, back until I was stayed by the rampire, for +I saw that here was no man but a young and comely woman. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MY TROUBLES BEGIN + + +Whiles I yet stood, knife in hand, staring at her and mute for wonder, she +pulled off the close-fitting seaman's bonnet she wore and scowling up at me +shook down the abundant tresses of her hair. + +"Beast!" said she. "Oh, beast--you hurt me!" + +"Who are you?" I questioned. + +"One that doth hate you!" Here she took a silver comb from her pocket and +fell to smoothing her hair; and as she sat thus cross-legged upon the +grass, I saw that the snowy linen at throat and bosom was spotted with +great gouts of blood. + +"Are ye wounded?" quoth I, pointing to these ugly stains. + +"Bah! 'Tis none of mine, fool! 'Tis the blood of Cestiforo!" + +"Who is he?" + +"The captain of yon ship." + +"How cometh his blood on you?" + +"'Twas when I killed him." + +"You--killed him?" + +"Aye--he wearied me. So do all my lovers, soon or late." + +Now as I looked on this woman, the strange, sullen beauty of her (despite +her masculine apparel) as she sat thus combing her long hair and foul with +a dead man's blood, I bethought me of the wild tales I had heard of female +daemons, succubi and the like, so that I felt my flesh chill and therewith +a great disgust and loathing of her, insomuch that, not abiding the sight +of her, I turned away and thus beheld a thing the which filled me with +sudden, great dismay: for there, her sails spread to the fitful wind, I saw +the ship standing out to sea, bearing with her all my hopes of escape from +this hated island. Thus stood I, watching deliverance fade on my sight, +until the ship was no more than a speck upon the moon-bright waters and all +other thoughts 'whelmed and lost in raging despair. And now I was roused by +a question sudden and imperious: + +"Who are you?" + +"'Tis no matter." + +"How came you here?" + +"'Tis no matter for that, either." + +"Are you alone?" + +"Aye!" + +"Then wherefore trouble to shave your beard?" + +"'Tis a whim." + +"Are you alone?" + +"I was." + +"And I would you were again." + +"So do I." + +"You are Englishman--yes?" + +"I am." + +"My mother was English--a poor thing that spent her days weeping and died +of her tears when I was small--ah, very small, on this island." + +"Here?" quoth I, staring. + +"Twenty and one years agone!" said she, combing away at her glossy hair. +"My mother was English like you, but my father was a noble gentleman of +Spain and Governor of Santa Catalina, Don Esteban da Silva y Montreale, and +killed by Tressady--Black Tressady--" + +"What, Roger Tressady--o' the Hook?" + +"True, Senor Englishman," said she softly and glancing up at me through her +hair; "he hath a hook very sharp and bright, in place of his left hand. You +know him? He is your friend--yes?" + +"I know him for a cursed pirate and murderer!" + +"_Moi aussi, mon ami_!" said she, fixing me with her great eyes. "I am +pirate, yes--and have used dagger and pistol ere to-day and shall again." + +"And wear a woman's shape!" + +"Ha--yes, yes!" cried she, gnashing her teeth. "And there's my curse--I am +woman and therefore do hate all women. But my soul is a man's so do I use +all men to my purpose, snare them by my woman's arts and make of 'em my +slaves. See you; there is none of all my lovers but doth obey me, and so do +I rule, with ships and men at my command and fearing no man--" + +"And yet," said I, interrupting, "you came fleeing hither to save your life +from yonder rabblement." + +"Tush--these were mostly drunken rogues that knew me not, 'listed but late +from a prize we took and burned. I shall watch them die yet! Soon shall +come Belvedere in the _Happy Despatch_ to my relief, or Rodriquez of the +_Vengeance_ or Rory or Sol--one or other or all shall come a-seeking me, +soon or late. Meantime, I bide here and 'tis well you stayed me from +killing you, for though I love not Englishmen, I love solitude less, so are +you safe from me so long as we be solitary. Ah--you smile because you are +fool and know me not yet! Ah, ah--mayhap you shall grow wiser anon. But +now," said she, rising and putting away her comb, "bring me where I may +eat, for I am famished with hunger." + +"Also you are very foul of blood!" said I. + +"Yes," says she soft-voiced, and glancing from me to her stained finery and +back again. "Yes. And is this so great a matter?" + +"To-night you murdered a man!" + +"I killed him--yes. Cestiforo--he was drunk. And was this so great a +matter?" + +"And you--a woman!" said I, marvelling. + +"Aye, to my sorrow!" said she, gnashing white teeth, "Yet am I strong as a +man and bolder than most." + +"God preserve me from such!" quoth I fervently. + +"You--you?" cried she. "What thing are you that seeming man must blench at +a little blood? Are you yourself so innocent, you that know Tressady o' the +Hook?" + +"Howbeit I am no murderer, woman." + +"Ah--bah!" cried she, with flick of scornful fingers. "Enough of words, +Master Innocent. Bring me where I may eat and bed me till morning." + +Thereupon (and mighty unwilling) I brought her into the cave and lighting +two candles of my own contriving, I set before her such viands as I had, +together with bread I had newly baked, and with no word of thanks this +strange, fierce creature fell to eating with a voracity methought very +disgusting. + +Now the more I saw of her the more grew my disgust and the end of it was +I determined to put the whole length of the island betwixt us and that at +once. To this end I began collecting such articles as I should want, as +my light hatchet, sword, pistols, etc. I was buckling on my belt when her +voice arrested me, albeit she spoke me very sweetly and soft: + +"You go now to your woman--your light of love--yes?" + +"There is no woman but yourself," said I, frowning. + +"Liar! Then what of this?" and she pointed slender finger; then I saw that +tattered garment lying where I had dropped it and this woman spurning +it with her foot. So I stooped forthwith, and snatching it from her +desecrating touch, folded it across my arm, whereat she fell to sudden +laughter very ill to bear. + +"Ah--ah!" said she, softer than before and most hatefully a-smiling, "'tis +for her sake your chin goeth bare and smooth--yes? She is over-nice in the +matter of--" + +"I tell you she is gone!" said I in fury. + +"Gone--gone, is she? And you alone here, longing but for her return, +through weeks and months and years waiting for her to come back to you; is +not this the truth of it, yes?" Now I, knowing this for very truth, could +but scowl, finding no word to say, whiles this creature nodded and flashed +white teeth in her hateful smile. "You loved this woman," said she, "do +love her; dead or living, rotting bones or another's delight, you do love +her yet, poor, miserable fool!" + +All unheeding, I folded the garment with reverent hands while she taunted +me thus, until, seeing me nothing moved, she fell to rank vileness, +bespattering that pure memory with tongue so shamelessly foul that I +(losing all patience) turned on her at last; but in this moment she was on +her feet and snatching my sword made therewith a furious pass at me, the +which I contrived to parry and, catching the blade in this beloved garment, +I wrenched the weapon from her. Then, pinning her in fierce grip and +despite her furious struggles and writhing, I belaboured her soundly with +the flat of the blade, she meanwhile swearing and cursing at me in Spanish +and English as vilely as ever I had done in all my days, until her voice +broke and she choked upon a great sob. Thereupon I flung her across my bed +and taking such things as I needed, strode out of the cave and so left her. + +But scarce was I without the cave than she came following after me; and +truly never was greater change, for in place of snarling daemon here was +tender maid all tearful sighs, gentle-eyed and with clasped hands reached +out to me in supplication and (despite her male attire) all woman. + +Perceiving the which, I turned my back upon her and hasted away all the +faster. + +So here was I, that had grieved in my solitude and yearned amain for +human fellowship, heartily wishing myself alone again and full of a new +apprehension, viz: That my island being so small I might chance to find the +avoidance of this evil creature a matter of some difficulty, even though +I abandoned my caves and furniture to her use and sought me another +habitation. + +Now as I went I fell to uneasy speculation regarding this woman, her +fierce, wild beauty, her shameless tongue, her proud and passionate temper, +her reckless furies; and bethinking me of all the manifest evil of her, I +felt again that chill of the flesh, that indefinable disgust, insomuch +that (the moon being bright and full) I must glance back, more than once, +half-dreading to see her creeping on my heels. + +Having traversed Deliverance Sands I came into that cleft or defile, 'twixt +bush-girt, steepy cliffs, called Skeleton Cove, where I had builded me a +forge with bellows of goatskin. Here, too, I had set up an anvil (the which +had come ashore in a wreck, together with divers other tools) and a bench +for my carpentry. The roof of this smithy backed upon a cavern wherein I +stored my tools, timber and various odds and ends. + +This place, then, I determined should be my habitation henceforth, there +being a little rill of sweet water adjacent and the cave itself dry and +roomy and so shut in by precipitous cliffs that any who might come to my +disturbance must come only in the one direction. + +And now, as I judged, there being yet some hours to sunrise, I made myself +as comfortable as might be and having laid by sword and belt and set my +pistols within easy reach, I laid down and composed myself to slumber. But +this I could by no means compass, being fretted of distressful thought +and made vain and bitter repining for this ship that had come and sailed, +leaving me a captive still, prisoned on this hateful island with this wild +creature that methought more daemon than woman. And seeing myself thus +mocked of Fortune (in my blind folly) I fell to reviling the God that made +me. Howbeit sleep overtook me at last, but an evil slumber haunted by +visions of this woman, her beauty fouled and bloody, who sought out my +destruction where I lay powerless to resist her will. Low she bent above +me, her dusky hair a cloud that choked me, and through this cloud the +glitter of her eyes, red lips that curled back from snapping teeth, fingers +clawed to rend and tear; then as I gazed, in horror, these eyes grew soft +and languorous, these vivid lips trembled to wistful smile, these cruel +hands clasped, soft-clinging, and drew me near and ever nearer towards that +smiling, tender mouth, until I waked in a panic to behold the dawn and +against the sun's growing splendour the woman standing and holding my +pistols levelled at me as I lay. + +Now I do think there is no hale man, howsoever desperate and careless of +life, but who, faced with sudden, violent death, will not of instinct +blench and find himself mighty unready to take the leap into that dark +unknown whose dread doth fright us one and all; howbeit thus was it with +me, for now as I stared from the pistol muzzle to the merciless eyes behind +them, I, that had hitherto esteemed death no hardship, lay there in dumb +and sweating panic, and, knowing myself afraid, scorned and hated myself +therefor. + +"Ah--ah!" said she softly but with flash of white teeth. "Will ye cower +then, you beater of women? Down to your knees--down and sue pardon of me!" +But now, stung by her words and the quaking of my coward flesh, I found +voice. + +"Shoot, wanton!" said I. "Shoot, lest I beat you again for the vile, +shameless thing you are." At this she flinched and her fierce eyes wavered; +then she laughed loud and shrill: + +"Will ye die then? Yes? Will ye die?" + +"Aye," I nodded, "So I may be quit of you." + +"Hath dying then no fears for you--no?" + +"'Tis overpast!" quoth I. + +"Liar!" said she. "Wipe the craven sweat from you! You beat me, and for +this you should die, but though you fear death you shall live to fear me +more--aye, you shall live awhile--take your life!" + +So saying, she tossed the pistols down beside me and laughed. + +"When I wish to kill and be done with you, my steel shall take you in +your sleep, or you shall die by poison; there be many roots and berries +hereabout, Indian poisons I wot of. So your life is mine to take whensoever +I will." + +"How if I kill you first?" + +"Ah, bah!" said she, snapping her fingers. "Try an you will--but I know men +and you are not the killing sort. I've faced death too oft to fear it, or +the likes of you. There lie your pistols, fool; take 'em and shoot me if +you will!" + +Thereupon I stooped and catching up the pistols tossed them behind me. + +"And now," said I, rising, "leave me--begone lest I thrash you again for +the evil child you are." + +"Child?" says she, staring as one vastly amazed, "child--and to me, fool, +to me? All along the Main my name is known and feared." + +"So now will I whip you," quoth I, "had others done as much ere this, you +had been a little less evil, perchance." And I reached down a coil of +small cord where it hung with divers other odds and ends. For a moment she +watched me, scowling and fierce-eyed, then as I approached her with the +cords in my hands, she turned on her heel with a swirl of her embroidered +coat-skirts and strode away, mighty proud and disdainful. + +When she was clean gone I gathered me brush and driftwood, and striking +flint and steel soon had a fire going and set about cooking certain strips +of dried goat's flesh for my breakfast. Whiles this was a-doing I was +startled by a sudden clatter upon the cliff above and down comes a great +boulder, narrowly missing me but scattering my breakfast and the embers of +my fire broadcast. I was yet surveying the ruin (dolefully enough, for I +was mighty hungry) when hearing a shrill laugh I glanced up to find her +peering down at me from above. Meeting my frowning look she laughed again, +and snapping her fingers at me, vanished 'mid the bushes. + +Spoiled thus of my breakfast I was necessitated to stay my hunger with such +viands as I had by me. Now as I sat eating thus and in very ill humour, my +wandering gaze lighted by chance on the shattered remains of a boat that +lay high and dry where the last great storm had cast it. At one time I had +hoped that I might make this a means to escape from the island and had +laboured to repair and make it seaworthy but, finding this beyond my skill, +had abandoned the attempt; for indeed (as I say) it was wofully bilged and +broken. Moreover, at the back of my mind had always lurked a vague hope +that some day, soon or late, she that was ever in my dreams, she that had +been my love, my Damaris, might yet in her sweet mercy come a-seeking me. +Wherefore, as I have before told, it had become my daily custom, morn and +eve, to climb that high land that I called the Hill of Blessed Hope, that I +might watch for my lady's coming. + +But to-day, since Fate had set me in company with this evil creature, +instead of my noble lady, I came to a sudden and fixed resolution, viz: +That I would waste not another hour in vain dreams and idle expectations +but would use all my wit and every endeavour to get quit of the island so +soon as might be. Filled with this determination I rose and, coming to the +boat, began to examine it. + +And I saw this: it was very stout-built but its planks wofully shrunk with +the sun, and though much stove forward, more especially to larboard, yet +its main timbers looked sound enough. Then, too, it lay none so far from +high-water mark and despite its size and bulk I thought that by digging a +channel I might bring water sufficient to float it, could I but make good +the breakage and caulk the gaping seams. + +The longer I looked the more hopeful I grew and the end of it was I hasted +to bring such tools as I needed and forthwith set to work. All the morning, +and despite the sun, I laboured upon this wrecked boat, stripping off her +cracked and splintered timbers and mightily pleased to find her framework +so much less damaged than I had dared hope, insomuch that I presently fell +a-whistling; but coming on three ribs badly sprung I became immediately +dejected. Howbeit I had all the wood I could wish as planks, bulkheads +and the like, all driven ashore from wrecked vessels, with bolts and nuts +a-plenty; thus as I worked I presently fell a-whistling again. + +Suddenly, I was aware of the woman watching me, and glancing at her as she +leaned cross-legged against an adjacent boulder, she seemed no woman but a +pert and handsome lad rather. Her thick hair, very dark and glossy, fell in +curls to her shoulders like a modish wig, her coat was of fine blue velvet +adorned with silver lace, her cravat and ruffles looked new-washed like +her silk stockings, and on her slender feet were a pair of dainty, buckled +shoes; all this I noticed as she lolled, watching me with her sombre gaze. + +"What would you with the wreck, fool?" she demanded, whereupon I +immediately betook me to my whistling. + +"You do grow merry!" said she, frowning, whiles I whistled the louder. And +when she would have spoken further, I fell to hammering lustily, drowning +her voice thereby. + +"Will you not speak with me then--no?" she questioned, when at last I +paused. But I heeding her no whit, she began swearing at me and I to +hammering again. + +"Curst fool!" cried she at last, "I spit on you!" The which she did and so +swaggered away and I whistling merrier than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HOW I HEARD A SONG THAT I KNEW + + +I was early at work next morning, since now my mind was firm-set on +quitting the island at all hazards, thereby winning free of this woman once +and for all. To this end I laboured heartily, sparing myself no pains and +heedless of sweat and sun-glare, very joyous to see my work go forward +apace; and ere the sun was very high my boat lay stripped of all the +splintered timbers on the larboard side. My next care was to choose me +such planks from my store of driftwood as by reason of shape and thickness +should be best adapted to my purpose. And great plenty of wrought wood had +I and of all sorts, it having long been my wont to collect the best +of such as drove ashore and store it within those caves that opened on +Deliverance Beach. Thus, after no great search, I had discovered all such +planking as I needed and forthwith began to convey it down to the boat. + +In the which labour the woman met me (I staggering under a load of my +planks) and strutted along beside me, vastly supercilious and sneering. + +"Hold!" cried she. "He sweateth, he panteth purple o' the gills! And +wherefore, to what end?" + +"To win free of two things do weary me." + +"Ah--ah? And these?" + +"This island and yourself." + +"So! Do I then weary you, good Master Innocence?" + +"Mightily!" + +"Ah--bah! 'Tis because you be fool and no man!" + +"Mayhap," said I, taking up my hammer, "howbeit I do know this island for a +prison and you for an evil thing--" + +"Ah!" sighed she softly. "I have had men hanged for saying less!" + +"So would I be quit of you as soon as may be," said I, fitting my first +timber in place whiles she watched me, mighty disdainful. + +"So you would mend the boat, _amigo mio_, and sail away from the island and +me--yes?" + +"God knoweth it!" + +"Mayhap He doth, but what o' me? Think ye I shall suffer you to leave me +here alone and destitute, fool?" + +"The which is to be seen!" said I; and having measured my plank and sawed +it to proper length I began to rivet it to the frame, making such din with +my hammer that she, unable to make herself heard, presently strode away in +a fury, to my great content. + +But, in a little back she cometh, and on her hip that bejewelled Spanish +rapier that had once been part of Black Bartlemy's treasure (as hath been +told) and which (having my own stout cut-and-thrust) I had not troubled to +bring away from the cave. + +Whipping out the long blade then, she makes with it various passes in the +air, very supple and dexterous, and would have me fight with her then and +there. + +"So-ho, fool!" cried she, brandishing her weapon. "You have a sword, I +mind--go fetch it and I will teach ye punto riverso, the stoccato, the +imbrocato, and let you some o' your sluggish, English blood. Go fetch the +sword, I bid ye." + +But I nothing heeding, she forthwith pricked me into the arm, whereon I +caught up a sizable timber to my defence but found it avail me no whit +against her skill and nimbleness, for thrice her blade leapt and thrice I +flinched to the sharp bite of her steel, until, goaded thus and what with +her devilish mockery and my own helplessness, I fell to raging anger and +hauled my timber full at her, the which, chancing to catch her upon an +elbow, she let fall her sword and, clasping her hurt, fell suddenly +a-weeping. Yet, even so, betwixt her sobs and moans she cursed and reviled +me shamefully and so at last took herself off, sobbing wofully. + +This put me to no little perturbation and distress lest I had harmed her +more than I had meant, insomuch that I was greatly minded to follow her +and see if this were so indeed. But in the end I went back to my boat and +laboured amain, for it seemed to me the sooner I was quit of her fellowship +the better, lest she goad me into maiming or slaying her outright. + +Thus worked I (and despite the noon's heat) until the sun began to decline +and I was parched with thirst. But now, as I fitted the last of my timbers +into place, the board slipped my nerveless grasp and, despite the heat, a +sudden chill swept over me as borne upon the stilly air came a voice, soft +and rich and sweet, uplifted in song and the words these: + + "There be two at the fore + At the main hang three more + Dead men that swing all in a row + Here's fine, dainty meat + For the fishes to eat, + Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!" + +Awhile I leaned there against the boat, remembering how and with whom I had +last heard this song, then wheeling about I caught my breath and stared as +one that sees at last a long-desired, oft-prayed-for vision: for there, +pacing demurely along the beach towards me, her body's shapely loveliness +offset by embroidered gown, her dark and glossy ringlets caught up by +jewelled comb, I thought to behold again the beloved shape of her I had +lost well-nigh three weary years agone. + +"Damaris!" I whispered, "Oh, loved woman of my dreams!" And I took a long +stride towards her, then stopped and bowed my head, suddenly faint and +heartsick, for now I saw here was no more than this woman who had fled me +a while ago with curses on her tongue. Here she stood all wistful-eyed and +tricked out in one of those fine gowns from Black Bartlemy's secret store +the which had once been my dear lady's delight. + +Now in her hands she bore a pipkin brimful of goat's milk. + +"I prithee, sir," said she softly, "tell now--shall there be room for me in +your boat?" + +"Never in this world!" + +"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate--" + +"I seek neither!" + +"Being a fool, yes. But the sun is hot and you will be a thirsty fool--" + +"Where learned you that evil song?" + +"In Tortuga when I was a child. But come, drink, _amigo mio_, drink an you +will--" + +"Whence had you that gown?" + +"Ah--ah, you love me better thus, yes? Why, 'tis a pretty gown truly, +though out o' the fashion. But, will you not drink?" + +Now, as I have told, I was parched with thirst and the spring some way off, +so taking the pipkin I drained it at a draught and muttering my thanks, +handed it back to her. Then I got me to my labour again, yet very conscious +of her as she sat to watch, so that more than once I missed my stroke and +my fingers seemed strangely awkward. And after she had sat thus silent a +great while, she spoke: + +"You be mighty diligent, and to no purpose." + +"How mean you?" + +"I mean this boat of yours shall never sail except I sail in her." + +"Which is yet to prove!" said I, feeling the air exceeding close and +stifling. + +"Regard now, Master Innocence," said she, holding up one hand and ticking +off these several items on her fingers as she spoke: "You have crossed me +once. You have beat me once. You have refused me honourable fight. You have +hurt me with vile club. And now you would leave me here alone to perish--" + +"All true save the last," quoth I, finding my breath with strange +difficulty, "for though alone you need not perish, for I will show you +where--where you--shall find abundance--of food--and--" But here I stopped +and gasped as an intolerable pain shot through me. + +"Ah--ah!" said she, leaning forward to stare at me keen-eyed. "And doth it +begin to work--yes? Doth it begin so soon?" + +"Woman," I cried, as my pains increased, "what mean you now? Why d'ye stare +on me so? God help me, what have you done--" + +"The milk, fool!" said she, smiling. + +"Ha--what devil's brew--poison--" + +"I warned you but, being fool, you nothing heeded--no!" + +Now hereupon I went aside and, dreading to die thus miserably, thrust a +finger down my throat and was direly sick; thereafter, not abiding the +sun's intolerable heat, I crawled into the shade of a rock and lay there as +it were in a black mist and myself all clammy with a horrible, cold sweat. +And presently in my anguish, feeling a hand shake me, I lifted swooning +eyes to find this woman bending above me. + +"How now," said she, "wilt crave mercy of me and live?" + +"Devil!" I gasped. "Let me die and be done with you!" + +At this she laughed and stooped low and lower until her hair came upon my +face and I might look into the glowing deeps of her eyes; and then her arms +were about me, very strong and compelling. + +"Look--look into my eyes, deep--deep!" she commanded. "Now--ha--speak me +your name!" + +"Martin," I gasped in my agony. + +"Mar--tin," said she slowly. "I will call you Martino. Look now, Martino, +have you not seen me long--long ere this?" + +"No!" I groaned. "God forbid!" + +"And yet we have met, Martino, in this world or another, or mayhap in the +world of dreams. But we have met--somewhere, at some time, and in that time +I grasped you thus in my arms and stared down thus into your eyes and in +that hour I, having killed you, watched you die, and fain would have won +you back to life and me, for you were a man,--ah, yes, a man in those dim +days. But now--ah, bah! You are but poor fool cozened into swallowing a +harmless drug; to-morrow you shall be your sluggish self. Now sleep, but +know this--I may slay you whenso I will! Ah, ah--'tis better to win my love +than my hate." So she loosed me and stood a while looking down on me, then +motioned with imperious hand: "Sleep, fool--sleep!" she commanded and +frowning, turned away. And as she went I heard her singing of that vile +song again ere I sank into unconsciousness: + + "There are two at the fore. + At the main hang three more + Dead men that swing all of a row--" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +HOW I LABOURED TO MY SALVATION + + +I found myself still somewhat qualmish next morning but, none the less, +got me to labour on the boat and, her damage being now made good on her +larboard side, so far as her timbering went, I proceeded to make her seams +as water-tight as I could. This I did by means of the fibre of those great +nuts that grew plenteously here and there on the island, mixed with the gum +of a certain tree in place of pitch, ramming my gummed fibre into every +joint and crevice of the boat's structure so that what with this and +the swelling of her timbers when launched I doubted not she would prove +sufficiently staunch and seaworthy. She was a stout-built craft some +sixteen feet in length; and indeed a poor enough thing she might have +seemed to any but myself, her weather-beaten timbers shrunken and warped by +the sun's immoderate heats, but to me she had become as it were a sign and +symbol of freedom. She lay upon her starboard beam half full of sand, and +it now became my object to turn her that I might come at this under side, +wherefore I fell to work with mattock and spade to free her of the sand +wherein (as I say) she lay half-buried. This done I hove and strained until +the sweat poured from me yet found it impossible to move her, strive how I +would. Hereupon, and after some painful thought, I took to digging away the +sand, undermining her thus until she lay so nicely balanced it needed but a +push and the cumbrous structure, rolling gently over, lay in the necessary +posture, viz: with her starboard beam accessible from gunwale to keel. And +mightily heartened was I thus to discover her damage hereabouts so much +less than I had dared hope. + +So I got me to work with saw, hammer and rivets and wrought so diligently +(staying but to snatch a mouthful of food) that as the sun westered, my +boat was well-nigh finished. Straightening my aching back I stood to +examine my handiwork and though of necessity somewhat rough yet was it +strong and secure; and altogether a very excellent piece of work I thought +it, and mightily yearned I for that hour when I should feel this little +vessel, that had been nought but a shattered ruin, once more riding the +seas in triumph. + +But now and all at once, my soaring hopes were dashed, for though the boat +might be seaworthy, here she lay, high and dry, a good twelve yards from +the tide. + +Now seeing I might not bring my boat to the sea, I began to scheme how best +I should bring the sea to her. I was yet pondering this matter, chin in +hand, when a shadow fell athwart me and starting, I glanced up to find this +woman beside me, who, heeding me no whit, walks about and about the boat, +viewing my work narrowly. + +"If you can launch her she should sail well enough, going large and none +so ill on a bowline, by her looks. 'Tis true scat-boat--yes. Are you a +sailor--can ye navigate, ha?" + +"Not I." + +"'Tis very well, for I am, indeed, and can set ye course by dead reckoning +an need be. Your work is likely enough, though had you butted your timbers +it had been better--so and so!" And in this I saw she was right enough, and +my work seemed more clumsy now than I had thought. + +"I'm no shipwright," said I. + +"And here's sure proof of it!" quoth she. + +"Mayhap 'twill serve once her timbers be swelled." + +"Aye, she may float, Martino, so long as the sea prove kind and the wind +gentle; aye, she should carry us both over to the Main handsomely, yes--" + +"Never!" quoth I, mighty determined. + +"How then--will ye deny me yet, fool? Wherefore would ye leave me here, +curst Englishman?" + +"Lest you goad me into slaying you for the evil thing you are." + +"What evil have I wrought you?" + +"You would have poisoned me but yesterday--" + +"Yet to-day are you strong and hearty, fool." + +And indeed, now I came to think of it, I felt myself as hale and well as +ever in all my life. "Tush--a fico!" says she with an evil gesture. "'Twas +but an Indian herb, fool, and good 'gainst colic and calenture. Now +wherefore will ye be quit o' me?" + +"Because I had rather die solitary than live in your fellowship--" + +"Dolt! Clod! Worm!" cried she 'twixt gnashing teeth, and then all in a +moment she was gazing down at me soft and gentle-eyed, red lips up-curving +and smooth cheek dimpling to a smile: + +"Ah, Martin," sighs she languorously, "see how you do vex me! And I am +foolish to suffer such as you to anger me, but needs must I vex you a +little in quittance, yes." + +At this I did but shrug my shoulders and turned to study again the +problem--how to set about launching my boat. + +"Art a something skilful carpenter, eh, Martino," said she in a while; +"'twas you made the table and chairs and beds in the caves up yonder, eh, +Martino?" + +"Aye." + +"And these the tools you made 'em with, eh, Martino?" and she pointed where +they lay beside the boat. + +"Nay," quoth I, speaking on impulse, being yet busied with my problem, "I +had nought but my hatchet then and chisels of iron." + +"Your hatchet--this?" she questioned, taking it up. + +"Aye!" I nodded. "The hatchet was the first tool I found after we were cast +destitute on this island." + +"Ah--ah--then she was with you when you found it--the woman that wore this +gown before me, eh, Martino?" + +"Aye--and what then?" + +"This!" cried she and wheeling the hatchet strong-armed, she sent it +spinning far out to sea or ever I might stay her. + +Now, beholding the last of this good hatchet that had oft known my dear +lady's touch, that had beside, been, as it were, a weapon to our defence +and a means to our comfort, seeing myself (as I say) now bereft of it thus +wantonly, I sprang to my feet, uttering a cry of mingled grief and rage. +But she, skipping nimbly out of reach, caught up one of my pistols where +she had hid it behind a rock and stood regarding me with her hateful smile. + +"Ah, ah!" says she, mocking, "do I then vex you a little, _amigo mio_? So +is it very well. Ha, scowl, fool Martino, scowl and grind your teeth; 'tis +joy to me and shall never bring back your little axe." + +At this, seeing grief and anger alike unavailing, I sat me down by the boat +and sinking my head in my hands, strove to settle my mind to this problem +of launching; but this I might by no means do, since here was this devilish +creature perched upon an adjacent rock to plague me still. + +"How now, Martino?" she questioned. "What troubleth your sluggish brain +now?" And then, as she had read my very thought: "Is't your boat--to bring +her afloat? Ah--bah! 'tis simple matter! Here she lies and yonder the sea! +Well, dig you a pit about the boat as deep as may be, bank the sand about +your pit as high as may be. Then cut you a channel to high-water mark +and beyond, so with the first tide, wind-driven, the sea shall fill your +channel, pour into your pit, brimming it full and your banks being higher +than your boat she shall swim and be drawn seaward on the backwash. So, +here's the way on't. And so must you sweat and dig and labour, and I joy +to watch--Ah, yes, for you shall sweat, dig and labour in vain, except you +swear me I shall sail with you." So saying, she drops me a mocking courtsey +and away she goes. + +She gone and night being at hand, I set aside two or three stout spars +should serve me as masts, yards, etc., together with rope and cordage for +tackle and therewith two pair of oars; which done, I got me to my cave and, +having supped, to bed. + +Early next morning I set myself to draw a circle about my boat and mark out +a channel thence to the sea (even as she had suggested) since I could hit +upon no better way. This done, I fell to with spade and mattock but found +this a matter of great labour since the sand, being very dry and loose +hereabouts, was constantly shifting and running back upon me. + +And presently, as I strove thus painfully, cometh my tormentor to plague me +anew (albeit the morning was so young) she very gay and debonnaire in her +'broidered gown. + +"Ha!" said she, seating herself hard by. "The sun is new-risen, yet you do +sweat wofully, the which I do joy to see. So-ho, then, labour and sweat, my +pretty man: it shall be all vain, aha--vain and to no purpose." + +But finding I heeded her no more than buzzing fly, she changed her tune, +viewing me tender-eyed and sighing soft: + +"Am I not better as a woman, eh, Martino?" asked she, spreading out her +petticoats. "Aye, to be sure your eyes do tell me so, scowl and mutter as +you will. See now, Martino, I have lived here three days and in all this +woful weary time hast never asked my name, which is strange, unless dost +know it already, for 'tis famous hereabouts and all along the Main; indeed +'tis none so wonderful you should know it--" + +"I don't!" said I. "Nor wish to!" + +"Then I will tell you--'tis Joan!" Hereupon I dropped my spade and she, +seeing how I stared upon her, burst into a peal of laughter. "Ah, ah!" +cried she. "Here is pretty, soft name and should fit me as well as another. +Why must you stare so fool-like; here is no witchcraft, for in the caves +yonder 'Joan' meeteth me at every turn; 'tis carven on walls, on chairs, on +table, together with 'Damaris' and many woful, lovesick mottoes beside." + +Now I, knowing this for truth, turned my back and ground my teeth in +impotent anger, whiles this woman mocked me with her laughter. + +"Damaris--Joan!" said she. "At first methought these two women, but now do +I know Joan is Damaris and Damaris Joan and you a poor, lovelorn fool. But +as for me--I am Joanna--" + +Now at this I turned and looked at her. + +"Joanna?" said I, wondering. + +"Ah, you have heard it--this name, before--yes?" + +"Aye, in a song." + +"Oh, verily!" said she and forthwith began singing in her deep, rich voice: + + "There's a fine Spanish dame + And Joanna's her name + Shall follow wherever you go--" + +"Aha, and mark this, Martino: + + "Till your black heart shall feel + Your own cursed steel + Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!" + +"But this was my mother--" + +"Ha--she that stabbed and killed the pirate Bartlemy ere he slew her? But +she was a Spanish lady." + +"Nay, she was English, and lieth buried hereabouts, 'tis said; howbeit, +she died here whiles I was with the Indians. They found me, very small and +helpless, in the ruins of a burned town and took me away into the mountains +and, being Indians, used me kindly and well. Then came white men, twenty +and two, and, being Christians, slew the Indians and used me evilly and +were cruel, save only one; twenty and two they were and all dead long ago, +each and every, save only one. Aha, Martino, for the evil men have made me +endure, I have ever been excellent well avenged! For I am Joanna that some +call 'Culebra' and some 'Gadfly' and some 'Fighting Jo.' And indeed there +be few men can match me at swordplay and as for musket and pistol--watch +now, Martino, the macaw yonder!" She pointed to a bird that stood preening +itself on a rock at no little distance and, catching up the pistol, +levelled and fired; and in place of the bird was nought but a splash of +blood and a few poor, gaudy feathers stirring lazily in the gentle wind. + +"See," cried she, with a little, soft laugh, "am I not a goodly _camarado_ +for any brave fellow, yes?" + +"Truly," said I, turning away, "I think your breeches do become you best--" + +"Liar!" she cried. "You know I am handsomer thus! Your eyes ha' told me so +already. And look ye, I can be as soft and tender, as meek and helpless as +any puling woman of 'em all, when I will. And if I hate fiercely, so is my +love--ha, d'ye blench, fool, d'ye shrink; you thing shaped like a man, must +ye cringe at the word 'love'?" + +"Aye!" said I, over my shoulder. "On your lips 'tis desecration!" + +"Desecration--desecration?" quoth she, staring on me great-eyed and biting +at her scarlet nether lip. "Ha, dare ye say it, dog?" And crying thus, she +hurled the pistol at me with aim so true that I staggered and came nigh +falling. Stung by the blow I turned on her in a fury, but she leapt to her +feet and showed me my own knife glittering in her fist. + +"Ah, bah--back to your labour, slave!" she mocked. + +"Have done, woman!" I cried. "Have done, or by the living God, you will +goad me into slaying you yet--" + +"Tush!" said she, "I am used to outfacing men, but you--ha, you should be +fed on pap and suckets, you that are no man! 'Tis small wonder you lost +your Joan--Damaris; 'tis no wonder she fled away and left you--" + +Now at this (and nothing heeding her knife) I sprang at her and she, +letting fall the knife, leapt towards me; and then I had her, felt her all +soft and palpitant in my furious grip, heard a quivering sigh, saw her +head sway back across my arm and she drooping in my embrace, helpless and +a-swoon. And holding her thus 'prisoned and crushed against me, I could not +but be conscious of all the tender, languorous beauty of her ere I hasted +to lay her upon the sand. My arms were yet about her (and I upon my knees) +when her bosom heaved to sudden, tremulous sigh and opening her eyes, she +smiled up at me. + +"Ah, Martino," sighed she softly, "do not these petticoats become me vastly +well, yes?" And reaching up, she set her arms about me. "Am I not better +than dream-woman, I that men have died for--I, Joanna?" + +Now hereupon I shivered and loosing her hold rose to my feet and stood with +head averted that I might not behold her. Presently she arose also and +coming where lay the knife, took it up and stood turning it this way and +that. + +"Martin," said she in her soft, dreamy speech, "you are mightily strong +and--mightily gentle, and I do think we shall make a man of you yet!" + +So saying, she turned and went away, the knife glittering in her hand. As +for me I cast myself down and with no thought or will to labour now, for it +seemed that my strength was gone from me. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +TELLETH HOW ALL MY TRAVAIL CAME TO NOUGHT + + +That night, the moon being at the full and I very wakeful, I lay harassed +of a thousand fretting thoughts, and each and every of this woman Joanna; +and turning on my sleepless couch I cursed that hour the which had set her +in my company. + +Yet, even so, I must needs bethink me of all the supple warmth of her as +she lay in my arms, of the velvety touch of her cheek that had by chance +brushed my hand. Hereupon I would strive to turn my thoughts upon the +labours of to-morrow only to find myself recalling the sound of her voice, +now deep and soft and infinite sweet, now harsh and shrill and hatefully +shrewish; or her golden-brown eyes, thick-lashed and marvellous quick in +their changes from sleepy languor to flaming malevolence. + +Thus lay I, haunted of her memory and all the sudden, bewildering changes +of her moods until at last I started up, and coming to the entrance of my +cave, saw her standing without and the moon bright on her face. + +"Art wakeful too, Martino?" asked she softly. "'Tis the moon belike, or the +heat of the night." Here she came a slow pace nearer; and her eyes were +sweet and languorous and on her vivid mouth a smile infinite alluring. +Slowly she drew near, thralling me as it were with the wonder of her look +that I had neither power nor will to move or speak. Confident of herself +and assured in her beauty she reached out her hands to me, her long lashes +swept down, veiling her eyes; but, even then, I had seen their flash of +triumph, and in that moment, bursting the spell that bound me, I turned +from her. + +"Go--leave me!" said I, finding my voice at last. "Here is no place for +you!" And I stood thereafter with head averted, dreading her sighs and +tears; instead (and to my unutterable relief) she brake out into a storm +of sea-oaths, beslavering me with vile abuse and bitter curses. Now, +hearkening to this lewd tirade, I marvelled I should ever have feared and +trembled because of the womanhood of creature so coarse and unsexed. Thus +she continued alternately mocking at and reviling me until she must needs +pause for lack of breath; then I turned to look at her and stood amazed to +behold that passionate head bowed upon her hands. + +"Aye, I weep," she sobbed. "I weep because I am woman, after all, but in +my heart I hate you and with my soul I despise you, for you are but a mock +man,--the blood in your veins skim milk! Ah, by God, there is more of +vigorous life in my little finger than in all your great, heavy, clod-like +carcase. Oh, shame!" Here she lifted her head to scowl on me and I, not +enduring her look, glanced otherwhere. "Ha--rot me!" cried she, wagging +scornful finger. "Rot me but you are afraid of me--afraid, yes!" + +"True!" said I. "So will I win free of you so soon as I may--" + +"Free of me?" cried she, and throwing herself on the sands, sat crouched +there, her head upon her knees and sobbing miserably. "So you will abandon +me then?" said she at last. + +"Aye." + +"Even though I--vow myself your slave?" + +"I want no slave." + +"Even though I beseech you on my knees?" + +"'Twere vain, I sail hence alone." + +"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate." + +"But I was ever a fool." + +"Aye, verily!" she cried passionately. "So do you yearn ever for your +light-o'-love, for your vanished Joan--your Damaris that left you--" + +"Now I pray you go!" said I. + +"I wonder," sighed she, never stirring, "I wonder why I do not kill you? I +hate you--despise you and yet--" + +Slowly she got to her feet and moved away with dragging step but paused +anon and spake again with head a-droop: + +"Living or dead, you shall not leave the island except I go with you!" +Then she went her way and something in her attitude methought infinitely +desolate. + +Left alone, I stood awhile in gloomy thought, but rousing presently, I +betook me into my cave, and lying down, fell at last to uneasy slumber. But +waking suddenly, I started up on elbow full of an indefinable fear, and +glancing without the cave, I saw a strange thing, for sand and rock and +bush-girt cliff had on an unfamiliar aspect, the which I was wholly unable +to account for; rocks and trees and flowering vines shone throbbing upon my +vision with a palpitant glow that came and went, the like of which I had +never seen before. + +Then, all at once, I was up and running along Skeleton Cove, filled with a +dreadful apprehension, and coming out upon Deliverance Beach, stood quaking +like one smitten with a palsy; for there, lapped about in writhing flame +and crackling sparks, was all that remained of my boat, and crouched upon +the sands, watching me by the light of this fire, was she who called +herself Joanna. + +And now, perceiving all the wanton cruelty of this thing, a cold and +merciless rage took me and staring on this woman as she stared on me, I +began to creep towards her. + +"I warned you, fool, I warned you!" cried she, never moving. "'Tis a brave +fire I've made and burns well. And now you shall kill me an you will--but +your boat is lost to you for ever, and so is--your Damaris!" + +Now at sound of this loved name I stopped and stood a great while staring +at the fire, then suddenly I cast myself on my knees, and lifting up my +eyes to the stars already paling to dawn, I prayed God to keep me from the +sin of murder. + +When at last I rose to my feet, Joanna was gone. + +The sun was high-risen when I came again, slow and heavy-footed, to behold +what the fire had left of my boat; a heap of ashes, a few fragments of +charred timber. And this the sorry end of all my fond hopes, my vain +schemes, my sweat and labour. + +And as I gazed, in place of my raging fury of last night was a hopeless +despondency and a great bitterness against that perverse fate that seemed +to mock my every endeavour. + +As I stood thus deject and bitterly cast down, I heard the step of this +woman Joanna and presently she cometh beside me. + +"You will be hating me for this, hating me--yes?" she questioned; then, +finding me all regardless of her, she plucked me by the sleeve. "Ah--and +will you not speak to me?" cried she. Turning from her, I began to pace +aimlessly along beside the lagoon but she, overtaking, halted suddenly in +my path. "Your boat would have leaked and swamped with you, Martino!" said +she, but heeding her no whit I turned and plodded back again, and she ever +beside me. "I tell you the cursed thing would ha' gone to pieces at the +first gust of wind!" she cried. But I paced on with neither word nor look +until, finding me thus blind and deaf to her, she cursed me bitterly and so +left me alone and I, following a haphazard course, presently found myself +in a grove of palmetto trees and sat me down in this pleasant shade where +I might behold the sea, that boundless, that impassable barrier. But in a +while, espying the woman coming thitherwards, I rose and tramped on again +with no thought but to save myself from her companionship. + +All the morning then I rambled aimlessly to and fro, keeping ever amid the +woods and thickets, staying my hunger with such fruit as I fell in with, +as grapes and plantains; or sitting listlessly, my hands idle before me, I +stared out across these empty, sun-smitten waters, until, dazzled by their +glare, I would rise and wander on again, my mind ever and always troubled +of a great perplexity, namely: How might I (having regard to the devilish +nature of this woman Joanna) keep myself from slaying her in some fit of +madness, thereby staining my soul with her murder. + +So came I at last to my habitation in Skeleton Cove and chancing to espy +my great powderhorn where it hung, I reached it down and going without the +cave, scattered its contents broadcast, this being all the powder I had +brought hither. + +It being now late noon and very hot, I cast myself down in the shade of a +rock, and lying there, I presently came to the following resolution, viz: +To shun the woman Joanna's company henceforth as well as I might; moreover +(and let her haunt me how she would) to heed her neither by word or look, +bearing all her scorns and revilings patiently, making no answer, and +enduring all her tyranny to the uttermost. All of which fine conceits were +but the most arrant folly and quickly brought to nothing, as you shall +hear. For even now as I sat with these high-flown notions buzzing in my +head, I started to her sudden call: + +"Martino--Martino!" + +Glancing up, I beheld her poised upon the rocks above me and a noose of +small cord in her hand. As I watched, she began to whirl this around her +head, fast and faster, then, uttering a shrill, strange cry, she let fly +the noose the which, leaping through the air, took me suddenly about the +throat and she, pulling on it, had me half-strangled all in a moment. Then +as, choking, I loosed this devilish noose from me (and or ever I could +rise) she came running and casting herself down before me, clasped my feet +and laid her head upon them. + +"Martino!" she cried, "Oh man, beat me an you will, trample on me, kill me; +only heed me--heed me a little!" + +Now seeing her thus miserably abject and humbled, I grew abashed also and +fain would have loosed me from her clasp but she held me only the faster; +and thus, my hand coming upon her head, she caught that hand and kissed it +passionately, wetting it with her tears. + +"Oh, Martino," said she, wofully a-sobbing, "I do know at last wherefore--I +may not kill you. 'Tis because I love you. I was fool not to guess it ere +this, but--I have never loved man ere now. Aye, I love you--I, Joanna, that +never loved before, do love you, Martino--" + +"What of your many lovers?" + +"I loved no one of them all. 'Tis you ha' learned me--" + +"Nay, this is no love--" + +"Aye, but it is--in very truth. Think you I do not know it? I cannot +sleep, I cannot eat--except you love me I must die, yes. Ah, Martino, be +merciful!" she pleaded. "For thee I will be all woman henceforth, soft and +tender and very gentle--thine always! Oh, be merciful--" + +"No," I cried, "not this! Be rather your other self, curse me, revile me, +fetch the sword and fight with me--" + +"Fight thee--ah, no, no! The time for this is passed away. And if I did +grieve thee 'twas but that I might cherish and comfort thee--for thou art +mine and I thine henceforth--to death and beyond! Look, Martino! See how I +do love thee!" + +And now her arms were about me, soft and strong, and beholding all the +pleading beauty of her, the tender allure of her eyes, the quiver of her +scarlet mouth and all her compelling loveliness, I stooped to her embrace; +but even so, chancing to lift my gaze seaward, I broke the clasp of these +twining arms and rose suddenly to my feet. For there, her rag of sail +spread to the light-breathing air, was a boat standing in for the island. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +HOW I SUCCOURED ONE DON FEDERIGO, A GENTLEMAN OF SPAIN + + +I was out upon the reef, waving my arms like any madman and shouting to +the vague figure huddled in the stern sheets. As the boat drew nearer, I +discovered this figure to be a man in Spanish half-armour, and the head of +this man was bowed meekly upon steel-clad breast like one overcome with +great weariness. But presently as I watched he looked up, like one awaking +from sleep, and gestured feebly with his arm, whiles I, beholding here the +means to my deliverance, babbled prayers of thankfulness to God. + +After some while, the boat being within hail, I began to call out to this +solitary voyager (for companion had he none, it seemed) how he must steer +to avoid the rocks and shoals. At last, the boat being come near enough and +the sea very smooth, I waded out and, watching my chance, clambered aboard +over the bows and came, all dripping, eager to welcome this heavensent +stranger and thus beheld the boat very foul of blood and him pale and +hollow-cheeked, his eyes dim and sunken; moreover his rich armour was +battered and dinted, whiles about one leg was knotted a bloody scarf. + +"Senor," said I, in my best Spanish, "a lonely man, giveth you right hearty +greeting!" + +"I thank you, sir," he answered and in very excellent English, "though I do +much fear you shall abide solitary, for as I do think I am a-dying. Could +you--bring me--water--" + +The words ended in a sigh and his head drooped so that I feared he was +already gone. But, finding he yet breathed, I made haste to lower the sail +and, shipping oars, paddled towards that opening in the reef that gave upon +the lagoon. Being opposite this narrow channel I felt the boat caught by +some tide and current and swept forward ever more rapidly, insomuch that +I unshipped the oars and hasting into the bow, caught up a stout spar +wherewith to fend us off from the rocks. Yet more than once, despite all my +exertions, we came near striking ere, having passed through this perilous +gut, we floated into the placid waters of the lagoon beyond. + +Very soon I had beached the boat as securely as I might on that spit of +sand opposite Skeleton Cove, and finding the Spaniard yet a-swoon I lifted +him, albeit with much ado, and setting him across my shoulder, bore him +thus into the cool shade of the cave. There I laid him down beside the +little rill to bathe his head and wrists with the sweet water and moisten +his parched lips. At this he revived somewhat and, lifting his head, +eagerly drank so much as I would allow, his sunken eyes uplift to mine in +an ecstasy. + +"Young sir," said he in stronger voice, "for your kind charity and this +good water may the Saints requite thee. 'Tis three nights and two days +since I drank--" + +A shadow fell betwixt us and looking up I beheld Joanna. Now in one hand +she grasped the Spaniard's sword she had stolen out of his boat and her +other hand was hid behind her, wherefore I watched her narrowly, as she +stood gazing down at this wounded man; and at first she scowled at him, but +slowly her look changed and I saw her vivid lips curl in her baleful smile. + +"Oh," said she very softly, "Oh, marvel of marvels! Oh, wonder of wonders, +even and in very truth it is Don Federigo de Rosalva y Maldonada, wafted +hither by wind and tide to Joanna and judgment. Oh, most wonderful!" + +Now hereupon this poor wounded wretch lifted himself to peer up into her +smiling face with hanging jaw, like one amazed beyond all speech, whiles +she, slim and shapely in her 'broidered gown, nodded her handsome head. +"Verily," quoth she, "'tis the hanging, bloody governor of Nombre de Dios +come to Justice! I pray you, Senor, how many of our company ha' you strung +aloft since last we met?" + +Here, though with much painful ado, the Don got to his feet and made her a +prodigious fine bow. + +"The Senorita Joanna honours me by her notice," said he. "I should have +doubtless known her at once but for her change of habit. And I am happy to +inform the Senorita I have been so fortunate as to take and hang no +less than five and twenty of her pirate fellowship since last I had the +gratification of meeting her." + +"Ha, you lie!" cried she passionately. "You lie!" + +"They swing in their chains along the mole outside Nombre de Dios to +witness for my truth, Senorita. And now," said he, propping himself against +the rock behind him, "it is my turn to die, as I think? Well, strike, +lady--here, above my gorget--" + +"Die then!" cried she and whipped a pistol from behind her, but as she +levelled I struck up the weapon and it exploded harmless in the air. +Uttering a scream of bitter rage, she thrust with the sword, but I put up +the stroke (thereby taking a gash in the arm) and gripping the rapier by +the guards I twisted it from her hold. And now she turned on me in a very +frenzy: + +"Kill me then!" she panted, striving to impale herself on the sword in my +hand. "If this man is to come betwixt us now, kill me in mercy and free +me from this hateful woman's flesh--" But here, spying my arm bloody, she +forgot her anger all in a moment. "Are ye hurt?" said she. "Are ye hurt and +all to save this miserable fool!" And suddenly (or ever I might prevent) +she caught my arm, kissing the wound, heedless of the blood that bedabbled +her cheek in horrid fashion. + +"Oh, Martino," said she, leaning 'gainst a rock when at last I broke from +her, "you are mine now and always, as you were in other times long since +forgot. In those days your blood was on my lips, I mind, and your kisses +also ere you died. Mine you are to death, aye, and through death to life +again--mine. And to-day is to-day and death not for you or me--yet awhile!" + +When she was gone I turned to find this wounded man upon his knees, his +head bowed above a little gold crucifix between his hands. + +"Sir, what would you?" I questioned, struck by his expression, when at last +he looked up. + +"I make my peace with God, Senor, since I am soon to die--" + +"Nay, sir, I do trust your hardships are ended--" + +"Shall be, Senor, to-day, to-morrow, the day after?" said he, smiling +faintly and shrugging his shoulders. "A sudden shot, steel i' the +back--'tis better than death by famine in an open boat. You, Senor, have +saved me alive yet a little, doubtless for your own ends, but my death +walketh yonder as I know, death in form shapely and fair-seeming, yet sure +and unpitying, none the less." + +"Ha, d'ye mean yon woman?" I questioned. + +"The Senorita Joanna--verily, Senor." + +"Never think it!" quoth I. "'Tis wild, fierce creature, yet is she but a +woman and young--" + +Now hereupon this wounded man lifted weary head to stare on me, his eyes +very bright and keen. + +"Senor," says he, "either you do mock me, or you nothing know this woman. +But I do know her well and too well. Senor, I have warred with and been +prisoner to you English, I have fought Indians, I have campaigned again +buccaneers and pirates these many years, but never have I encountered foe +so desperate, so bold and cunning as this Senorita Joanna. She is the very +soul of evil; the goddess of every pirate rogue in the Indies; 'tis she +is their genius, their inspiration, her word their law. 'Tis she is ever +foremost in their most desperate ploys, first in attack, last in retreat, +fearless always--I have known her turn rout into victory. But two short +months ago she vowed my destruction, and I with my thousands at command +besides divers ships well armed and manned; to-day I am a woful fugitive, +broken in fortune, fleeing for my life, and, Senor, Fate has brought me, +through shipwreck and famine all these weary miles, into the grasp of her +slender, cruel hands. Thus and thus do I know myself for dead man and shall +die, howsoever I must, as becometh me." + +His keen eyes lost their fire, his head drooped, and looking down on him as +he lay huddled against the rock, I did not doubt but that much of this was +no more than the raving of his disordered fancy. + +So I set my arm about this poor gentleman and brought him into my +habitation, where I loosed off his chafing armour and set myself to feed +and cherish him, bathing the hurt in his leg, the which I found very angry +and inflamed. This done I bade him be of good comfort and yield himself to +slumber. But this he could no way accomplish, being restless and fevered +and his mind harping continually on the strange fate had set him thus in +Joanna's power and the sure belief that he must die, soon or late, at her +hands. + +"For look now, Senor," said he, "and observe my strange destiny. Scarce two +months since I set out in a well-found galleon, I and three hundred chosen +men, to hunt down and destroy this very woman--her and her evil company. +One of their ships we fell in with, which ship, after long and sharp +debate, we sunk. But it coming on to blow and our own vessels being much +shattered by their shot, we sprung a leak, the which gaining on us, we +were forced to take to our boats; but the wind increased and we were soon +scattered. On the third day, having endured divers perils, we made the +land, I with Pedro Valdez my chief captain and ten others and, being short +of water, they went ashore one and all, leaving me wounded in the boat. +And I lying there was suddenly aware of great uproar within the thickets +ashore, and thereafter the screams and cries of my companions as they died. +Then cometh Pedro Valdez running, crying out the Indians were on us, that +all was lost and himself sore wounded. Nevertheless he contrived to thrust +off the boat and I to aid him aboard. That night, he died and the wind +drove me whither it would; wherefore, having committed Pedro Valdez his +body to the deep, I resigned myself to the will of God. And God hath +brought me hither, Senor, and set me in the power of the Senorita Joanna +that is my bitter foe; so am I like to die sudden and soon. But, Senor, +for your kindness to me, pray receive a broken man's gratitude and dying +blessing. Sir, I am ever a Maldonada of Castile and we do never forget!" +There he reached out to grasp my hand. "Thus, Senor, should this be my last +night of life, the which is very like, know that my gratitude is of the +nature that dieth not." + +"Sir," said I, his hand in mine and the night deepening about us, "I am a +very solitary man and you came into my life like a very angel of God (an +there be such) when I stood in direst need, for I was sick of my loneliness +and in my hunger for companionship very nigh to great and shameful folly. +Mayhap, whiles you grow back to strength and health, I will tell you my +story, but this night you shall sleep safe--so rest you secure." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +I AM DETERMINED ON MY VENGEANCE, AND MY REASONS THEREFOR + + +I found this Spanish gentleman very patient in his sickness and ever of a +grave and chivalrous courtesy, insomuch that as our fellowship lengthened +so grew my regard for him. He was, beside, a man of deep learning and +excellent judgment and his conversation and conduct a growing delight to +me. + +And indeed to such poor wretch as I that had been forced by my bitter +wrongs to company with all manner of rogues and fellows of the baser sort, +this Don Federigo (and all unknowing) served but to show me how very far I +had sunk from what I might have been. And knowing myself thus degenerate +I grieved mightily therefore and determined henceforth to meet Fortune's +buffets more as became my condition, with a steadfast and patient serenity, +even as this gentleman of Spain. + +It was at this time he recounted, in his courtly English, something of the +woes he and his had suffered these many years at the hands of these roving +adventurers, these buccaneers and pirates whose names were a terror all +along the Main. He told of the horrid cruelties of Lollonois, of the bloody +Montbars called the "Exterminator," of the cold, merciless ferocity of +Black Bartlemy and of such lesser rouges as Morgan, Tressady, Belvedere and +others of whom I had never heard. + +"There was my son, young sir," said he in his calm, dispassionate voice, +"scarce eighteen turned, and my daughter--both taken by this pirate +Belvedere when he captured the _Margarita_ carrack scarce three years +since. My son they tortured to death because he was my son, and my +daughter, my sweet Dolores--well, she is dead also, I pray the Mother of +Mercies. Truly I have suffered very much, yet there be others, alas! I +might tell you of our goodly towns burned or held to extortionate ransom, +of our women ravished, our children butchered, our men tormented, our +defenceless merchant ships destroyed and their crews with them, but my list +is long, young sir, and would outlast your kind patience." + +"And what o' vengeance?" I demanded, marvelling at the calm serenity of his +look. + +"Vengeance, young sir? Nay, surely, 'tis an empty thing. For may vengeance +bring back the beloved dead? Can it rebuild our desolate towns, or cure any +of a broken heart?" + +"Yet you hang these same rogues?" + +"Truly, Senor, as speedily as may be, as I would crush a snake. Yet who +would seek vengeance on a worm?" + +"Yet do I seek vengeance!" cried I, upstarting to my feet. "Vengeance for +my wasted years, vengeance on him hath been the ruin of my house, on him +that, forcing me to endure anguish of mind and shame of body, hath made of +me the poor, outcast wretch I am. Ha--'tis vengeance I do live for!" + +"Then do you live to a vain end, young sir! For vengeance is an emptiness +and he that seeketh it wasteth himself." + +"Now tell me, Don Federigo," I questioned, "seek you not the life of this +Belvedere that slew your son?" + +"'Tis my prayer to see him die, Senor, yet do I live to other, and I pray +to nobler purpose--" + +"Why, then," quoth I fiercely, "so is it my prayer to watch my enemy die +and I do live to none other purpose--" + +"Spoke like true, bully lad, Martino!" cried a voice, and glancing about, I +espied Joanna leaning in the opening to the cave. She was clad in her +male attire as I had seen her first, save that by her side she bore +the bejewelled Spanish rapier. Thus lolled she, smiling on me +half-contemptuous, hand poised lightly on the hilt of her sword, all +graceful insolence. + +"Eye for eye, Martino," said she, nodding. "Tooth for tooth, blood for +blood: 'tis a good law and just, yes! How say you, Senor Don Federigo; you +agree--no?" + +With an effort Don Federigo got to his feet and, folding his cloak about +his spare form, made her a prodigious deep obeisance. + +"'Tis a law ancient of days, Senorita," said he. + +"And your health improves, Senor, I hope--yes?" + +"The Senorita is vastly gracious! Thanks to Don Martino I mend apace. Oh, +yes, and shall soon be strong enough to die decorously, I trust, and in +such fashion as the Senorita shall choose." + +"Aha, Senor," said she, with flash of white teeth, "'tis an everlasting joy +to me that I also am of noble Spanish blood. Some day when justice hath +been done, and you are no more, I will have a stone raised up to mark where +lie the bones of a great Spanish gentleman. As for thee, my poor Martino, +that babblest o' vengeance, 'tis not for thee nor ever can be--thou that +art only English, cold--cold--a very clod! Oh, verily there is more life, +more fire and passion in a small, dead fish than in all thy great, slow +body! And now, pray charge me my pistols; you have all the powder here." I +shook my head. "Fool," said she, "I mean not to shoot you, and as for Don +Federigo, since death is but his due, a bullet were kinder--so charge now +these my pistols." + +"I have no powder," said I. + +"Liar!" + +"I cast it into the sea lest I be tempted to shoot you." + +Now at this she must needs burst out a-laughing. + +"Oh, Englishman!" cried she. "Oh, sluggard soul--how like, how very like +thee, Martino!" Then, laughing yet, she turned and left me to stare after +her in frowning wonderment. + +This night after supper, sitting in the light of the fire and finding the +Don very wakeful, I was moved (at his solicitation) to tell him my history; +the which I will here recapitulate as briefly as I may. + +"I was born, sir, in Kent in England exactly thirty years ago, and being +the last of my family 'tis very sure that family shall become a name soon +to be forgotten--" + +"But you, Senor, so young--" + +"But ancient in suffering, sir." + +"Oh, young sir, but what of love; 'tis a magic--" + +"A dream!" quoth I. "A dream sweet beyond words! But I am done with idle +dreaming, henceforth. I come then of one of two families long at feud, a +bloody strife that had endured for generations and which ended in my father +being falsely accused by his more powerful enemy and thrown into prison +where he speedily perished. Then I, scarce more than lad, was trepanned +aboard ship, carried across seas and sold a slave into the plantations. +And, mark me, sir, all this the doing of our hereditary enemy who, thus +triumphant, dreamed he had ended the feud once and for all. Sir, I need not +weary you with my sufferings as a planter's slave, to labour always 'neath +the lash, to live or die as my master willed. Suffice it I broke free at +last and, though well-nigh famished, made my way to the coast. But here my +travail ended in despair, for I was recaptured and being known for runaway +slave, was chained to an oar aboard the great _Esmeralda_ galleas where +such poor rogues had their miserable lives whipped out of them. And here my +sufferings (since it seemed I could not die) grew well-nigh beyond me to +endure. But from this hell of shame and anguish I cried unceasing upon God +for justice and vengeance on mine enemy that had plunged me from life and +all that maketh it worthy into this living death. And God answered me in +this, for upon a day the _Esmeralda_ was shattered and sunk by an English +ship and I, delivered after five bitter years of agony, came back to my +native land. But friends had I none, nor home, since the house wherein I +was born and all else had been seized by my enemy and he a power at Court. +Him sought I therefore to his destruction, since (as it seemed to me) God +had brought me out of my tribulation to be His instrument of long-delayed +vengeance. So, friendless and destitute, came I at last to that house had +been ours for generations and there learned that my hopes and labour were +vain indeed, since this man I was come to destroy had himself been captured +and cast a prisoner in that very place whence I had so lately escaped!" + +Here the memory of this disappointment waxing in me anew, I must needs +pause in my narration, whereupon my companion spake in his soft, +dispassionate voice: + +"Thus surely God hath answered your many prayers, young sir!" + +"And how so?" cried I. "Of what avail that this man lie pent in dungeon +or sweating in chains and I not there to see his agony? I must behold him +suffer as I suffered, hear his groans, see his tears--I that do grieve a +father untimely dead, I that have endured at this man's will a thousand +shames and torment beyond telling! Thus, sir," I continued, "learning that +his daughter was fitting out a ship to his relief I (by aid of the master +of the ship) did steal myself aboard and sailed back again, back to +discover this my enemy. But on the voyage mutiny broke out, headed by that +evil rogue, Tressady. Then was I tricked and cast adrift in an open boat by +Adam Penfeather, the master--" + +"Penfeather, young sir, Adam Penfeather! Truly there was one I do mind +greatly famous once among the buccaneers of Tortuga." + +"This man, then, this Penfeather casts me adrift (having struck me +unconscious first) that I might secure to him certain treasure that lay +hid on this island, a vast treasure of jewels called 'Black Bartlemy's +treasure.'" + +"I have heard mention of it, Senor." + +"Here then steered I, perforce, and, storm-tossed, was cast here, I and--my +comrade--" + +"Comrade, Senor?" + +"Indeed, sir. For with me in the boat was a woman and she the daughter of +my enemy. And here, being destitute of all things, we laboured together to +our common need and surely, aye, surely, never had man braver comrade or +sweeter companion. She taught me many things and amongst them how to +love her, and loving, to honour and respect her for her pure and noble +womanhood. Upon a time, to save herself from certain evil men driven hither +by tempest she leapt into a lake that lieth in the midst of this island, +being carried some distance by a current, came in this marvellous fashion +on the secret of Black Bartlemy's hidden treasure. But I, thinking her +surely dead, fought these rogues, slaying one and driving his fellow back +to sea and, being wounded, fell sick, dreaming my dear lady beside me +again, hale and full of life; and waking at last from my fears, found this +the very truth. In the following days I forgot all my prayers and the great +oath of vengeance I had sworn, by reason of my love for this my sweet +comrade. But then came the pirate Tressady and his fellows seeking the +treasure, and after him, Penfeather, which last, being a very desperate, +cunning man, took Tressady by a wile and would have hanged him with his +comrade Mings, but for my lady. These rogues turned I adrift in one of +the boats to live or die as God should appoint. And now (my vengeance all +forgot) there grew in me a passionate hope to have found me peace at last +and happiness in my dear lady's love, and wedded to her, sail back to +England and home. But such great happiness was not for me, it seemed. I was +falsely accused of murder and (unable to prove my innocence) I chose rather +to abide here solitary than endure her doubting of me, or bring shame or +sorrow on one so greatly loved. Thus, sir, here have I existed a solitary +man ever since." + +"And the Senorita Joanna, young sir?" + +When I had told him of her coming and the strange manner of it, Don +Federigo lay silent a good while, gazing into the fire. + +"And your enemy, Senor?" he questioned at last. "Where lieth he now to your +knowledge?" + +"At Nombre de Dios, in the dungeons of the Inquisition, 'tis said." + +"The Inquisition!" quoth Don Federigo in a whisper, and crossed himself. +"Sir," said he, and with a strange look. "Oh, young sir, if this be so +indeed, rest you content, for God hath surely avenged you--aye, to the very +uttermost!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HOW THE DAYS OF MY WATCHING WERE ACCOMPLISHED + + +Our fresh meat being nearly all gone, I set out next morning with my +bow and arrows (in the management of which I had made myself extreme +dexterous); I set out, I say, minded to shoot me a young goat or, failing +this, one of those great birds whose flesh I had found ere now to be very +tender and delicate eating. + +Hardly had I waved adieu to the Don (him sitting in the shade propped in +one of my great elbow chairs) than I started a goat and immediately gave +chase, not troubling to use my bow, for what with my open-air life and +constant exercise I had become so long-winded and fleet of foot that I +would frequently run these wild creatures down. + +Away sped the goat and I after it, along perilous tracks and leaping from +rock to rock, joying in the chase, since of late I had been abroad very +little by reason of Don Federigo's sickness; on I ran after my quarry, the +animal making ever for higher ground and more difficult ways until we were +come to a rocky height whence I might behold a wide expanse of ocean. + +Now, as had become my wont, I cast a look around about this vast horizon +and stopped all at once, clean forgetting my goat and all else in the world +excepting that which had caught my lonely glance, that for which I had +looked and waited and prayed for so long. For there, dim-seen 'twixt the +immensity of sea and sky, was a speck I knew for the topsails of a ship. +Long stood I staring as one entranced, my hands tight clasped, and all +a-sweat with fear lest this glimmering speck should fade and vanish utterly +away. At last, dreading this be but my fancy or a trick of the light, I +summoned enough resolution to close my eyes and, bowing my head between my +hands, remained thus as long as I might endure. Then, opening my eyes, I +uttered a cry of joy to see this speck loom more distinct and plainer than +before. Thereupon I turned and began to hasten back with some wild notion +of putting off in Don Federigo's boat (the which lay securely afloat in the +lagoon) and of standing away for this ship lest peradventure she miss +the island. Full of this dreadful possibility I took to running like any +madman, staying for nothing, leaping, scrambling, slipping and stumbling +down sheer declivities, breasting precipitous cliffs until I reached and +began to descend Skeleton Cove. + +I was half-way down the cliff when I heard the clash of steel, and +presently coming where I might look down into the cove I saw this: with his +back to a rock and a smear of blood on his cheek stood Don Federigo, armed +with my cut-and-thrust, defending himself against Joanna; and as I watched +the flash of their whirling, clashing blades, it did not take me long to +see that the Don was no match for her devilish skill and cunning, and +beholding her swift play of foot and wrist, her lightning volts and passes, +I read death in every supple line of her. Even as I hasted towards them, I +saw the dart of her long blade, followed by a vivid, ever-widening stain on +the shoulder of the Don's tattered shirt. + +"Ha-ha!" cried she and with a gasconading flourish of her blade. "There's +for Pierre Valdaigne you hanged six months agone! There's for Jeremy Price! +And this for Tonio Moretti! And now for John Davis, sa-ha!" With every name +she uttered, her cruel steel, flashing within his weakening guard, bit into +him, arm or leg, and I saw she meant to cut him to pieces. The sword was +beaten from his failing grasp and her point menaced his throat, his +breast, his eyes, whiles he, leaning feebly against the rock, fronted her +unflinching and waited death calm and undismayed. But, staying for no more, +I leapt down into the cove and fell, rolling upon the soft sand, whereupon +she flashed a look at me over her shoulder and in that moment Don Federigo +had grappled her sword-arm; then came I running and she, letting fall her +sword, laughed to see me catch it up. + +"Ha, my brave English clod," cried she. "There be two swords and two +men against one defenceless woman! Come, end me, Martino, end me and be +done--or will you suffer the Don to show you, yes?" And folding her arms +she faced me mighty high and scornful. But now, whiles I stared at her +insolent beauty and no word ready, Don Federigo made her one of his grand +bows and staggered into the cave, spattering blood as he went. + +And in a little (staying only to take up the other sword) I followed him, +leaving her to stand and mock me with her laughter. Reaching the Don I +found him a-swoon and straightway set myself to bare his wounds and staunch +their bleeding as well as I might, in the doing of which I must needs +marvel anew at Joanna's devilish skill, since each and every of these hurts +came near no vital spot and were of little account in themselves, so that a +man might be stabbed thus very many times ere death ended his torment. + +After awhile, recovering himself somewhat, Don Federigo must needs strive +to speak me his gratitude, but I cut him short to tell of the ship I had +seen. + +"I pray what manner of ship?" + +"Nay, she is yet too far to determine," said I, glancing eagerly seawards. +"But since ship she is, what matter for aught beside?" + +"True, Senor Martino! I am selfish." + +"How so?" + +"Unless she be ship of Spain, here is no friend to me. But you will be +yearning for sight of this vessel whiles I keep you. Go, young sir, go +forth--make you a fire, a smoke plain to be seen and may this ship bring +you to freedom and a surcease of all your tribulations!" + +"A smoke!" cried I, leaping up. "Ha, yes--yes!" And off went I, running; +but reaching Deliverance I saw there was no need for signal of mine, since +on the cliff above a fire burned already, sending up huge columns of thick +smoke very plain to be seen from afar, and beside this fire Joanna staring +seaward beneath her hand. And looking whither she looked, I saw the ship +so much nearer that I might distinguish her lower courses. Thus I stood, +watching the vessel grow upon my sight, very slowly and by degrees, until +it was evident she had seen the smoke and was standing in for the island. +Once assured of this, I was seized of a passion of joy; and bethinking me +of all she might mean to me and of the possibility that one might be aboard +her whose sweet eyes even now gazed from her decks upon this lonely island, +my heart leapt whiles ship and sea swam on my sight and I grew blinded by +stinging tears. And now I paced to and fro upon the sand in a fever of +longing and with my hungry gaze turned ever in the one direction. + +As the time dragged by, my impatience grew almost beyond enduring; but +on came the ship, slow but sure, nearer and nearer until I could +discern shroud and spar and rope, the guns that yawned from her high, +weather-beaten side, the people who crowded her decks. She seemed a great +ship, heavily armed and manned, and high upon her towering poop lolled one +in a vivid scarlet jacket. + +I was gazing upon her in an ecstacy, straining my eyes for the flutter of +a petticoat upon her lofty quarter-deck, when I heard Don Federigo hail me +faintly, and glancing about, espied him leaning against an adjacent rock. + +"Alas, Senor," says he, "I know yon ship by her looks--aye, and so doth the +Senorita--see yonder!" Now glancing whither he pointed, I beheld Joanna +pacing daintily along the reef, pausing ever and anon to signal with her +arm; then, as the ship went about to bear up towards the reef, from her +crowded decks rose a great shouting and halloo, a hoarse clamour drowned +all at once in the roar of great guns, and up to the main fluttered a black +ancient; and beholding this accursed flag, its grisly skull and bones, I +cast me down on the sands, my high hopes and fond expectations 'whelmed in +a great despair. + +But as I lay thus was a gentle touch on my bowed head and in my ear Don +Federigo's voice: + +"Alas, good my friend, and doth Hope die for you likewise? Then do I grieve +indeed. But despair not, for in the cave yonder be two swords; go fetch +them, I pray, for I am over-weak." + +"Of what avail," cried I bitterly, looking up into the pale serenity of his +face, "of what avail two swords 'gainst a ship's company?" + +"We can die, Senor!" said he, with his gentle smile. "To die on our own +steel, by our own hands--here--is clean death and honourable." + +"True!" said I. + +"Then I pray go fetch the swords, my friend; 'tis time methinks--look!" +Glancing towards the ship, I saw she was already come to an anchor and a +boatful of men pulling briskly for the reef where stood Joanna, and as they +rowed they cheered her amain: + +"La Culebra!" they roared. "Ahoy, Joanna! Give a rouse for Fighting Jo! +Cap'n Jo--ha, Joanna!" + +The boat being near enough, many eager hands were reached out to her and +with Joanna on board they paddled into the lagoon. Now as they drew in to +Deliverance Beach they fell silent all, hearkening to her words, and I +saw her point them suddenly to Skeleton Cove, whereupon they rowed amain +towards that spit of sand where we stood screened among the rocks, shouting +in fierce exultation as they came. Don Federigo sank upon his knees with +head bowed reverently above his little crucifix, and when at last he looked +up his face showed placid as ever. + +"Senor," quoth he gently, "you do hear them howling for my blood? Well, +you bear a knife in your girdle--I pray you lend it to me." For a moment I +hesitated, then, drawing the weapon forth, I sent it spinning far out to +sea. + +"Sir," said I, "we English do hold that whiles life is--so is hope. +Howbeit, if you die you shall not die alone, this I swear." + +Then I sprang forth of the rocks and strode down where these lawless +fellows were beaching their boat. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +WE FALL AMONG PIRATES + + +At my sudden coming they fell silent, one and all, staring from me to +Joanna, where she stood beside a buxom, swaggering ruffling fellow whose +moustachios and beard were cut after the Spanish mode but with a monstrous +great periwig on his head surmounted by a gold-braided, looped hat. His +coat was of scarlet velvet, brave with much adornment of gold lace; his +legs were thrust into a pair of rough sea-boots; and on his hip a long, +curved hanger very broad in the blade. + +"'S fish!" said he, looking me over with his sleepy eyes. "Is this your +Englishman, Jo? And what must we do wi' him--shall he hang?" + +"Mayhap yes--when 'tis so my whim," answered she, 'twixt smiling lips and +staring me in the eyes. + +But now, and all at once, from the wild company rose a sudden hoarse murmur +that swelled again to that fierce, exultant uproar as down towards us paced +Don Federigo. + +"Aha, 'tis the Marquis!" they cried. "'Tis the bloody Marquis! Shoot the +dog! Nay, hang him up! Aye, by his thumbs. Nay, burn him--to the fire wi' +the bloody rogue!" + +Unheeding their vengeful outcry he advanced upon the men (and these +ravening for his blood), viewing their lowering faces and brandished steel +with his calm, dispassionate gaze and very proud and upright for all his +bodily weakness; pausing beside me, he threw up his hand with haughty +gesture and before the command of this ragged arm they abated their clamour +somewhat. + +"Of a surety," said he in his precise English, "it is the Capitan +Belvedere. You captured my daughter--my son--in the _Margarita_ carrack +three years agone. 'Tis said he died at your hands, Senor Capitan--" + +"Not mine, Don, not mine," answered this Belvedere, smiling sleepily. "We +gave him to Black Pompey to carbonado." I felt Don Federigo's hand against +me as if suddenly faint, but his wide-eyed gaze never left the Captain's +handsome face, who, aware of this look, shifted his own gaze, cocked his +hat and swaggered. "Stare your fill, now," quoth he with an oath, "'tis +little enough you'll be seeing presently. Aye, you'll be blind enough +soon--" + +"Blind is it, Cap'n--ha, good!" cried a squat, ill-looking fellow, whipping +out a long knife. "Hung my comrade Jem, a did, so here's a knife shall +blind him when ye will, Cap'n, by hookey!" And now he and his fellows began +to crowd upon us with evil looks; but they halted suddenly, fumbling with +their weapons and eyeing Joanna uncertainly where she stood, hand on hip, +viewing them with her fleering smile. + +"Die he shall, yes!" said she at last. "Die he must, but in proper fashion +and time, not by such vermin as you--so put up that knife! You hear me, +yes?" + +"Hanged my comrade Jem, a did, along o' many others o' the Fellowship!" +growled the squat man, flourishing his knife, "Moreover the Cap'n says +'blind' says he, so blind it is, says I, and this the knife to--" The +growling voice was drowned in the roar of a pistol and, dropping his knife, +the fellow screamed and caught at his hurt. + +"And there's for you, yes!" said Joanna, smiling into the man's agonised +face, "Be thankful I spared your worthless life. Crawl into the boat, worm, +and wait till I'm minded to patch up your hurt--Go!" + +For a moment was silence, then came a great gust of laughter, and men +clapped and pummelled each other. + +"La Culebra!" they roared. "'Tis our Jo, 'tis Fighting Jo, sure and +sartain; 'tis our luck, the luck o' the Brotherhood--ha, Joanna!" + +But, tossing aside the smoking pistol, Joanna scowled from them to their +captain. + +"Hola, Belvedere," said she. "Your dogs do grow out of hand; 'tis well I'm +back again. Now for these my prisoners, seize 'em up, bind 'em fast and +heave 'em aboard ship." + +"Aye, but," said Belvedere, fingering his beard, "why aboard, Jo, when we +may do their business here and prettily. Yon's a tree shall make notable +good gallows or--look now, here's right plenty o' kindling, and driftwood +shall burn 'em merrily and 'twill better please the lads--" + +"But then I do pleasure myself, yes. So aboard ship they go!" + +"Why, look now, Jo," said Belvedere, biting at his thumb, "'tis ever my +rule to keep no prisoners--" + +"Save women, Cap'n!" cried a voice, drowned in sudden evil laughter. + +"So, as I say, Joanna, these prisoners cannot go aboard my ship." + +"Your ship?" said she, mighty scornful. "Ah, ah, but 'twas I made you +captain of your ship and 'tis I can unmake you--" + +"Why look ye, Jo," said Belvedere, gnawing at his thumb more savagely and +glancing towards his chafing company, "the good lads be growing impatient, +being all heartily for ending these prisoners according to custom--" + +"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" cried divers of the men, beginning to crowd upon us +again. "To the fire with 'em! Nay, send aboard for Black Pompey! Aye, +Pompey's the lad to set 'em dancing Indian fashion--" + +"You hear, Jo, you hear?" cried Belvedere. "The lads are for ending of 'em +sportive fashion--especially the Don; he must die slow and quaint for +sake 'o the good lads as do hang a-rotting on his cursed gibbets e'en +now--quaint and slow; the lads think so and so think I--" + +"But you were ever a dull fool, my pretty man, yes!" said Joanna, showing +her teeth. "And as for these rogues, they do laugh at you--see!" But as +Belvedere turned to scowl upon and curse his ribalds, Joanna deftly whisked +the pistols from his belt and every face was smitten to sudden anxious +gravity as she faced them. + +"I am Joanna!" quoth she, her red lips curving to the smile I ever found so +hateful. "Oh, Madre de Dios, where now are your tongues? And never a smile +among ye! Is there a man here that will not obey Joanna--no? Joanna that +could kill any of ye single-handed as she killed Cestiforo!" At this was an +uneasy stir and muttering among them, and Belvedere's sleepy eyes widened +suddenly. "Apes!" cried she, beslavering them with all manner of abuse, +French, Spanish and English. "Monkeys, cease your chattering and list to +Joanna. And mark--my prisoners go aboard this very hour, yes. And to-day we +sail for Nombre de Dios. Being before the town we send in a boat under flag +of truce to say we hold captive their governor, Don Federigo de Cosalva y +Maldonada, demanding for him a sufficient ransom. The money paid, then +will we fire a broadside into the city and the folk shall see their proud +Governor swung aloft to dangle and kick at our mainyard; so do we achieve +vengeance and money both--" + +From every throat burst a yell of wild acclaim, shout on shout: "Hey, lads, +for Cap'n Jo! 'Tis she hath the wise head, mates! Money and vengeance, says +Jo! Shout, lads, for Fighting Jo--shout!" + +"And what o' your big rogue, Jo?" demanded Belvedere, scowling on me. + +"He?" said Joanna, curling her lip at me. "Oh, la-la, he shall be our +slave--'til he weary me. So--bring them along!" + +But now (and all too late) perceiving death to be the nobler part, even as +Don Federigo had said, I determined to end matters then and there; thus, +turning from Joanna's baleful smile, I leapt suddenly upon the nearest of +the pirates and felling him with a buffet, came to grips with another; this +man I swung full-armed, hurling him among his fellows, and all before a +shot might be fired. But as I stood fronting them, awaiting the stab or +bullet should end me, I heard Joanna's voice shrill and imperious: + +"Hold, lads! You are twelve and he but one and unarmed. So down with your +weapons--down, I say! You shall take me this man with your naked hands--ha, +fists--yes! Smite then--bruise him, fists shall never kill him! To it, with +your hands then; the first man that draweth weapon I shoot! To it, lads, +sa-ha--at him then, good bullies!" + +For a moment they hesitated but seeing Joanna, her cheeks aglow, her +pistols grasped in ready hands, they laughed and cursed and, loosing off +such things as incommoded them, prepared to come at me. Then, perceiving +she had fathomed my design and that here was small chance of finding sudden +quietus, I folded my arms, minded to let them use me as they would. But +this fine resolution was brought to none account by a small piece of +driftwood that one of these fellows hove at me, thereby setting my mouth +a-bleeding. Stung by the blow and forgetting all but my anger, I leapt and +smote with my fist, and then he and his fellows were upon me. But they +being so many their very numbers hampered them, so that as they leapt upon +me many a man was staggered by kick or buffet aimed at me; moreover these +passed their days cooped up on shipboard whiles I was a man hardened by +constant exercise. Scarce conscious of the hurts I took as we reeled to and +fro, locked in furious grapple, I fought them very joyously, making right +good play with my fists; but ever as I smote one down, another leapt to +smite, so that presently my breath began to labour. How long I endured, I +know not. Only I remember marvelling to find myself so strong and the keen +joy of it was succeeded by sudden weariness, a growing sickness: I remember +a sound of groaning breaths all about me, of thudding blows, hoarse shouts, +these, waxing ever fainter, until smiting with failing arms and ever-waning +strength, they dragged me down at last and I lay vanquished and +unresisting. As I sprawled there, drawing my breath in painful gasps, the +hands that smote, the merciless feet that kicked and trampled me were +suddenly stilled and staring up with dimming eyes I saw Joanna looking down +on me. + +"Oh, Martino," said she in my ear, "Oh, fool Englishman, could you but love +as you do fight--" + +But groaning, I turned my face to the trampled sand and knew no more. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HOW I CAME ABOARD THE _HAPPY DESPATCH_ AND OF MY SUFFERINGS THERE + + +I awoke gasping to the shock of cold water and was dimly aware of divers +people crowding about me. + +"'Tis a fine, bull-bodied boy, Job, all brawn and beef--witness your eye, +Lord love me!" exclaimed a jovial voice, "Aha, Job, a lusty lad--heave +t'other bucket over him!" There came another torrent of water, whereupon I +strove to sit up, but finding this vain by reason of strict bonds, I cursed +them all and sundry instead. + +"A sturdy soul, Job, and of a comfortable conversation!" quoth the voice. +"Moreover a man o' mark, as witnesseth your peeper." + +"Rot him!" growled the man Job, a beastly-seeming fellow, very slovenly and +foul of person, who glared down at me out of one eye, the other being so +bruised and swollen as to serve him no whit. + +"He should be overside wi' his guts full o' shot for this same heye of mine +if 'twas my say--" + +"But then it ain't your say, Job, nor yet Belvedere's--'tis hern, +Job--hern--Cap'n Jo's. 'He's to be took care of,' says she, 'treated kind +and gentle,' says she. And, mark me, here's Belvedere's nose out o' joint, +d'ye see? And, talkin' o' noses, there's your eye, Job; sink me but he +wiped your eye for you, my--" + +"Plague and perish him!" snarled Job, kicking me viciously. "Burn him, 'tis +keelhaul 'im I would first and then give 'im to Pompey to carve up what +remained--" + +"Pompey?" exclaimed this fellow Diccon, a merry-seeming fellow but with a +truculent eye. "Look 'ee, Job, here's a match for Pompey at last, as I do +think, man to man, bare fists or knives, a match and I'll lay to't." + +"Pshaw!" growled Job. "Pompey could eat 'im--bones and all, curse 'im! +Pompey would break 'is back as 'e did the big Spaniard's last week." + +"Nay, Job, this fellow should make better fight for't than did the +Spanisher. Look 'ee now, match 'em, and I'll lay all my share o' the voyage +on this fellow, come now!" + +"A match? Why so I would, but what o' Belvedere?" + +"He sulketh, Job, and yonder he cometh, a-sucking of his thumb and all +along o' this fellow and our Jo. Joanna's cocked her eye on this fellow and +Belvedere's cake's dough--see him yonder!" + +Now following the speaker's look, I perceived Captain Belvedere descending +the quarter-ladder, his handsome face very evil and scowling; spying me +where I lay, he came striding up and folding his arms, stood looking over +me silently awhile. + +"Lord love me!" he exclaimed at last in huge disgust and spat upon me. "Aft +with him--to the coach--" + +"Coach, Cap'n?" questioned Job, staring. "And why theer?" + +"Because I say so!" roared Belvedere. + +"And because," quoth Diccon, his eye more truculent than ever, "because +women will be women, eh, Captain?" At this Belvedere's face grew suffused, +his eyes glared and he turned on the speaker with clenched fist; then +laughing grimly, he spurned me savagely with his foot. + +"Joanna hath her whimsies, and here's one of 'em!" quoth he and spat on me +again, whereat I raged and strove, despite my bonds, to come at him. + +"I were a-saying to Job," quoth the man Diccon, thrusting me roughly beyond +reach of Belvedere's heavy foot, "that here was a fellow to match Pompey at +last." + +"Tush!" said Belvedere, with an oath. "Pompey would quarter him wi' naked +hands." + +"I was a-saying to Job I would wager my share in the voyage on this fellow, +Belvedere!" + +"Aye, Cap'n," growled Job, "'tis well enough keeping the Don to hang +afore Nombre but why must this dog live aft and cosseted? He should walk +overboard wi' slit weasand, or better--he's meat for Pompey, and wherefore +no? I asks why, Cap'n?" + +"Aye--why!" cried Belvedere, gnashing his teeth. "Ask her--go ask Joanna, +the curst jade." + +"She be only a woman, when all's said, Cap'n--" + +"Nay, Job," quoth Belvedere, shaking his head. "She's Joanna and behind +her do lie Tressady and Sol and Rory and Abnegation Mings--and all the +Fellowship. So if she says he lives, lives it is, to lie soft and feed +dainty, curse him. Let me die if I don't wish I'd left her on the island to +end him her own way--wi' steel or kindness--" + +"Kindness!" said Diccon, with an ugly leer. "Why, there it is, Cap'n; she's +off wi' the old and on wi' the new, like--" + +"Not yet, by God!" snarled Belvedere 'twixt shut teeth and scowling down on +me while his hand clawed at the pistol in his belt; then his gaze wandered +from me towards the poop and back again. "Curse him!" said he, stamping in +his impotent fury. "I'd give a handful o' gold pieces to see him dead and +be damned!" And here he fell a-biting savagely at his thumb again. + +"Why, then, here's a lad to earn 'em," quoth Job, "an' that's me. I've a +score agin him for this lick o' the eye he give me ashore--nigh blinded me, +'e did, burn an' blast his bones!" + +"Aye, but what o' Joanna, what o' that she-snake, ha?" + +"'Tis no matter for her. I've a plan." + +"What is't, Job lad? Speak fair and the money's good as yourn--" + +"Aye, but it ain't mine yet, Cap'n, so mum it but I've a plan." + +"Belay, Job!" exclaimed Diccon. "Easy all. Yonder she cometh." + +Sure enough, I saw Joanna descend the ladder from the poop and come mincing +across the deck towards us. + +"Hola, Belvedere, mon Capitan!" said she, glancing about her quick-eyed. +"You keep your ship very foul, yes. Dirt to dirt!--ah? But I am aboard and +this shall be amended--look to it. And your mizzen yard is sprung; down +with it and sway up another--" + +"Aye, aye, Jo," said Belvedere, nodding. "It shall be done--" + +"_Manana_!" quoth she, frowning. "This doth not suit when I am aboard, +no! The new yard must be rigged now, at once, for we sail with the +flood--_voila_!" + +"Sail, Jo?" said Belvedere, staring. "Can't be, Jo!" + +"And wherefore?" + +"Why--we be short o' water, for one thing." + +"Ah--bah, we shall take all we want from other ships!" + +"And the lads be set, heart and soul, on a few days ashore." + +"But then--I am set, my heart, my soul, on heaving anchor so soon as the +tide serves. We will sail with the flood. Now see the new yard set up and +have this slave Martin o' mine to my cabin." So saying, she turned on her +heel and minced away, while Belvedere stood looking after her and biting at +his thumb, Job scowled and Diccon smiled. + +"So--ho!" quoth he. "Captain Jo says we sail, and sail it is, hey?" + +"Blind you!" cried Belvedere, turning on him in a fury. "Go forward and +turn out two o' the lads to draw this carcass aft!" Here bestowing a final +kick on me, he swaggered away. + +"Sail wi' the flood, is it?" growled Job. "And us wi' scarce any water +and half on us rotten wi' scurvy or calenture, an' no luck this cruise, +neither! 'Sail wi' the flood,' says she--'be damned,' says I. By hookey, +but I marvel she lives; I wonder no one don't snuff her out for good an' +all--aye, burn me but I do!" + +"Because you're a fool, Job, and don't know her like we do. She's 'La +Culebra,' and why? Because she's quick as any snake and as deadly. Besides, +she's our luck and luck she'll bring us; she always do. Whatever ship she's +aboard of has all the luck, wind, weather, and--what's better, rich prizes, +Job. I know it and the lads forrad know it, and Belvedere he knows it and +is mighty feared of her and small blame either--aye, and mayhap you'll be +afeard of her when you know her better. 'She's only a woman,' says you. +'True,' says I. But in all this here world there ain't her match, woman or +man, and you can lay to that, my lad." + +Now the ropes that secured me being very tight, began to cause me no +little pain, insomuch that I besought the man Diccon to loose me a little, +whereupon he made as to comply, but Job, who it seemed was quartermaster, +and new in the office, would have none of it but cursed me vehemently +instead, and hailing two men had me forthwith dragged aft to a small cabin +under the poop and there (having abused and cuffed me to his heart's +content) left me. + +And in right woful plight was I, with clothes nigh torn off and myself +direly bruised from head to foot, and what with this and the cramping +strictness of my bonds I could come by no easement, turn and twist me how I +might. After some while, as I lay thus miserable and pain in every joint of +me, the door opened, closed and Joanna stood above me. + +"Ah, ah--you are very foul o' blood!" said she in bitter mockery. "'Twas +thus you spake me once, Martino, you'll mind! 'Very foul o' blood,' said +you, and I famishing with hunger! Art hungry, Martino?" she questioned, +bending over me; but meeting her look, I scowled and held my peace. "Ha, +won't ye talk? Is the sullen fit on you?" said she, scowling also. +"Then shall you hear me! And first, know this: you are mine henceforth, +aye--mine!" So saying, she seated herself on the cushioned locker whereby +I lay and, setting her foot upon my breast and elbow on knee, leaned above +me, dimpled chin on fist, staring down on me with her sombre gaze. "You +are mine," said she again, "to use as I will, to exalt or cast down. I can +bestow on ye life or very evil death. By my will ye are alive; when I +will you must surely die. Your wants, your every need must you look to me +for--so am I your goddess and ruler of your destiny, yes! Ah, had you been +more of man and less of fish, I had made you captain of this ship, and +loved you, Martino, loved you--!" + +"Aye," cried I bitterly, "until you wearied of me as you have wearied of +this rogue Belvedere, it seems--aye, and God knoweth how many more--" + +"Oh, la-la, fool--these I never loved--" + +"Why, then," said I, "the more your shame!" + +As I uttered the words, she leaned down and smote me lightly upon my +swollen lips and so left me. But presently back she came and with her three +of the crew, bearing chains, etc., which fellows at her command (albeit +they were something gone in liquor) forthwith clapped me up in these +fetters and thereafter cut away the irksome cords that bound me. Whiles +this was a-doing, she (quick to mark their condition) lashed them with her +tongue, giving them "loathly sots," "drunken swine," "scum o' the world" +and the like epithets, all of the which they took in mighty humble fashion, +knuckling their foreheads, ducking their heads with never a word and mighty +glad to stumble away and be gone at flick of her contemptuous finger. + +"So here's you, Martino," said she, when we were alone, "here's you in +chains that might have been free, and here's myself very determined you +shall learn somewhat of shame and be slave at command of such beasts as +yonder. D'ye hear, fool, d'ye hear?" But I heeding her none at all, she +kicked me viciously so that I flinched (despite myself) for I was very +sore; whereat she gave a little laugh: + +"Ah, ah!" said she, nodding. "If I did not love you, now would I watch you +die! But the time is not yet--no. When that hour is then, if I am not your +death, you shall be mine--death for one or other or both, for I--" + +She sprang to her feet as from the deck above came the uproar of sudden +brawl with drunken outcry. + +"Ah, Madre de Dios!" said she, stamping in her anger. "Oh, these bestial +things called men!" which said, she whipped a pistol from her belt, cocked +it and was gone with a quick, light patter of feet. Suddenly I heard the +growing tumult overhead split and smitten to silence by a pistol-shot, +followed by a wailing cry that was drowned in the tramp of feet away +forward. + +As for me, my poor body, freed of its bonds, found great easement thereby +(and despite my irons) so that I presently laid myself down on one of +these cushioned lockers (and indeed, though small, this cabin was rarely +luxurious and fine) but scarce had I stretched my aching limbs than the +door opened and a man entered. + +And surely never in all this world was stranger creature to be seen. Gaunt +and very lean was he of person and very well bedight from heel to head, but +the face that peered out 'twixt the curls of his great periwig lacked for +an eye and was seamed and seared with scars in horrid fashion; moreover the +figure beneath his rich, wide-skirted coat seemed warped and twisted beyond +nature; yet as he stood viewing me with his solitary eye (this grey and +very quick and bright) there was that in his appearance that somehow took +my fancy. + +"What, messmate," quoth he, in full, hearty voice, advancing with a +shambling limp, "here cometh one to lay alongside you awhile, old +Resolution Day, friend, mate o' this here noble ship _Happy Despatch_, +comrade, and that same myself, look'ee!" + +But having no mind to truck with him or any of this evil company, I bid him +leave me be and cursed him roundly for the pirate-rogue he was. + +"Pirate," said he, no whit abashed at my outburst. "Why, pirate it is. But +look'ee, there never was pirate the like o' me for holiness--'specially o' +Sundays! Lord love you, there's never a parson or divine, high church or +low, a patch on me for real holiness--'specially o' Sundays. So do I pray +when cometh my time to die, be it in bed or boots, by sickness, bullet or +noose, it may chance of a Sunday. And then again, why not a pirate? What o' +yourself, friend? There's a regular fire-and-blood, skull-and-bones look +about ye as liketh me very well. And there be many worse things than a mere +pirate, brother. And what? You'll go for to ask. Answer I--Spanishers, +Papishers, the Pope o' Rome and his bloody Inquisition, of which last I +have lasting experience, _camarado_--aye, I have I!" + +"Ah?" said I, sitting up. "You have suffered the torture?" + +"Comrade, look at me! The fire, the pulley, the rack, the wheel, the +water--there's no devilment they ha'n't tried on this poor carcase o' mine +and all by reason of a Spanish nun as bore away with my brother!" + +"Your brother?" + +"Aye, but 'twas me she loved, for I was younger then and something kinder +to the eye. So him they burned, her they buried alive and me they tormented +into the wrack ye see. But I escaped wi' my life, the Lord delivered me +out o' their bloody hands, which was an ill thing for them, d'ye see, for +though I lack my starboard blinker and am somewhat crank i' my spars alow +and aloft, I can yet ply whinger and pull trigger rare and apt enough for +the rooting out of evil. And where a fairer field for the aforesaid rooting +out o' Papishers, Portingales, and the like evil men than this good ship, +the _Happy Despatch?_ Aha, messmate, there's many such as I've despatched +hot-foot to their master Sathanas, 'twixt then and now. And so 'tis I'm a +pirate and so being so do I sing along o' David: 'Blessed be the Lord my +strength that teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight.' A rare +gift o' words had Davy and for curses none may compare." Hereupon, seating +himself on the locker over against me, he thrust a hand into his great side +pocket and brought thence a hank of small-cord, a silver-mounted pistol and +lastly a small, much battered volume. + +"Look'ee, comrade," said he, tapping the worn covers with bony finger, +"the Bible is a mighty fine book to fight by; to stir up a man for battle, +murder or sudden death it hath no equal and for keeping his hate agin his +enemies ever a-burning, there is no book written or ever will be--" + +"You talk blasphemy!" quoth I. + +"Avast, avast!" cried he. "Here's no blasphemy, thought or word. I love +this little Bible o' mine; His meat and drink to me, the friend o' my +solitude, my solace in pain, my joy for ever and alway. Some men, being +crossed in fortune, hopes, ambition or love, take 'em to drink and the like +vanities. I, that suffered all this, took to the Bible and found all my +needs betwixt the covers o' this little book. For where shall a wronged +man find such a comfortable assurance as this? Hark ye what saith our +Psalmist!" Turning over a page or so and lifting one knotted fist aloft, +Resolution Day read this: + +"'I shall bathe my footsteps in the blood of mine enemies and the tongues +of the dogs shall be red with the same!' The which," said he, rolling his +bright eye at me, "the which is a sweet, pretty fancy for the solace of one +hath endured as much as I. Aye, a noble book is Psalms. I know it by heart. +List ye to this, now! 'The wicked shall perish and the enemies of the Lord +be as the fat of rams, as smoke shall they consume away.' Brother, I've +watched 'em so consume many's the time and been the better for't. Hark'ee +again: 'They shall be as chaff before the wind. As a snail that melteth +they shall every one pass away. Break their teeth in their mouth, O God!' +saith Davy, aye and belike did it too, and so have I ere now with a pistol +butt. I mind once when we stormed Santa Catalina and the women and children +a-screaming in the church which chanced to be afire, I took out my Bible +here and read these comfortable words: 'The righteous shall rejoice when he +seeth the vengeance, he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked so +that a man shall say: Verily there is a reward for the righteous.' Aha, +brother, for filling a man wi' a gust of hate and battle, there's nought +like the Bible. And when a curse is wanted, give me David. Davy was a man +of his hands, moreover, and so are you, friend. I watched ye fight on the +sand-spit yonder; twelve to one is long enough odds for any man, and yet +here's five o' the twelve wi' bones broke and never a one but wi' some mark +o' your handiwork to show, which is vastly well, comrade. Joanna's choice +is mine, messmate--" + +"How d'ye mean?" I demanded, scowling, whereupon he beamed on me +friendly-wise and blinked his solitary eye. + +"There is no man aboard this ship," quoth he, nodding again, "no, not one +as could keep twelve in play so long, friend, saving only Black Pompey--" + +"I've heard his name already," said I, "what like is he and who?" + +"A poor heathen, comrade, a blackamoor, friend, a child of Beelzebub +abounding in blood, brother--being torturer, executioner and cook and +notable in each several office. A man small of soul yet great of body, +being nought but a poor, black heathen, as I say. And ashore yonder you +shall hear our Christian messmates a-quarrelling over their rum as is the +way o' your Christians hereabouts--hark to 'em!" + +The _Happy Despatch_ lay anchored hard by the reef and rode so near the +island that, glancing from one of her stern-gallery windows I might behold +Deliverance Beach shining under the moon and a great fire blazing, round +which danced divers of the crew, filling the night with lewd, unholy riot +of drunken singing and shouts that grew ever more fierce and threatening. I +was gazing upon this scene and Resolution Day beside me, when the door was +flung open and Job the quartermaster appeared. + +"Cap'n Jo wants ye ashore wi' her!" said he, beckoning to Resolution, who +nodded and thrusting Bible into pocket, took thence the silver-mounted +pistol, examined flint and priming and thrusting it into his belt, followed +Job out of the cabin, locking the door upon me. Thereafter I was presently +aware of a boat putting off from the ship and craning my neck, saw it was +rowed by Resolution with Joanna in the stern sheets, a naked sword across +her knees; and my gaze held by the glimmer of this steel, I watched them +row into the lagoon and so to that spit of sand opposite Skeleton Cove. +I saw the hateful glitter of this deadly steel as Joanna leapt lightly +ashore, followed more slowly by Resolution. But suddenly divers of the +rogues about the fire, beholding Joanna as she advanced against them thus, +sword in hand, cried out a warning to their fellows, who, ceasing from +their strife, immediately betook them to their heels, fleeing before her +like so many mischievous lads; marvelling, I watched until she had pursued +them out of my view. + +Hereupon I took to an examination of my fetters, link by link, but finding +them mighty secure, laid me down as comfortably as they would allow and +fell to pondering my desperate situation, and seeing no way out herefrom +(and study how I might) I began to despond; but presently, bethinking me of +Don Federigo and judging his case more hopeless than mine (if this could +well be), and further, remembering how, but for me, he would by death have +delivered himself, I (that had not prayed this many a long month) now +petitioned the God to whom nothing is impossible that He would save alive +this noble gentleman of Spain, and thus, in his sorrows, forgot mine own +awhile. + +All at once I started up, full of sudden great and joyful content in all +that was, or might be, beholding in my fetters the very Providence of God +(as it were) and in my captivity His answer to my so oft-repeated prayer; +for now I remembered that with the flood this ship was to sail for Nombre +de Dios, where, safe-dungeoned and secure against my coming lay my +hated foe and deadly enemy, Richard Brandon. And now, in my vain and +self-deluding pride (my heart firm-set on this miserable man, his undoing +and destruction) I cast me down on my knees and babbled forth my passionate +gratitude to Him that is from everlasting to everlasting the God of Mercy, +Love and Forgiveness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +HOW I FOUGHT IN THE DARK WITH ONE POMPEY, A GREAT BLACKAMOOR + + +I was yet upon my knees when came Job the quartermaster with two men +who, at his command, dragged me to my feet and out upon deck; cursing my +hampering fetters, they tumbled me down the quarter-ladder and so down into +the waist of the ship. + +Now as I went I kept my eyes upraised to the serene majesty of the heavens; +the moon rode high amid a glory of stars, and as I looked it seemed I had +never seen them so bright and wonderful, never felt the air so good and +sweet upon my lips. + +Being come to the fore-hatchway I checked there, despite my captors' +buffets and curses, to cast a final, long look up, above and round about +me, for I had a sudden uneasy feeling, a dreadful suspicion that once I +descended into the gloom below I never should come forth alive. So I stared +eagerly upon these ever-restless waters, so bright beneath the moon, upon +the white sands of Deliverance Beach, on lofty palmetto and bush-girt cliff +and then, shivering despite all my resolution, I suffered them to drag me +down into that place of shadows. + +I remember a sharp, acrid smell, the reek of bilge and thick, mephitic air +as I stumbled on betwixt my captors through this foul-breathing dimness +until a door creaked, yawning suddenly upon a denser blackness, into which +I was thrust so suddenly that I fell, clashing my fetters, and lying thus, +heard the door slammed and bolted. + +So here lay I in sweating, breathless expectation of I knew not what, my +ears on the stretch, my manacled hands tight-clenched and every nerve +a-tingle with this dreadful uncertainty. For a great while it seemed I lay +thus, my ears full of strange noises, faint sighings, unchancy rustlings +and a thousand sly, unaccountable sounds that at first caused me direful +apprehensions but which, as I grew more calm, I knew for no more than the +flow of the tide and the working of the vessel's timbers as she strained at +her anchors. All at once I sat up, crouching in the dark, as from somewhere +about me, soft yet plain to hear, came a sound that told me some one was +stealthily drawing the bolts of the door. Rising to my feet I stood, +shackled fists clenched, ready to leap and smite so soon as chance should +offer. Then came a hissing whisper: + +"Easy all, brother! Soft it is, comrade! 'Tis me, messmate, old Resolution, +friend, come to loose thy bilboes, for fair is fair. Ha, 'tis plaguey dark, +the pit o' Acheron ain't blacker, where d'ye lay--speak soft for there's +ears a-hearkening very nigh us." + +In the dark a hand touched me and then I felt the muzzle of a pistol at my +throat. + +"No tricks, lad--no running for't if I loose ye--you'll bide here--come +life, come death? Is't agreed?" + +"It is!" I whispered. Whereupon and with no more ado, he freed me from my +gyves, making scarcely any sound, despite the dark. + +"I'll take these wi' me, friend and--my finger's on trigger." + +"Resolution, how am I to die?" + +"Black Pompey!" came the hissing whisper. + +"Hath Joanna ordered this?" + +"Never think it, mate--she's ashore and I swam aboard, having my +suspicions." + +"Resolution, a dying man thanks you heartily, purely never, after all, was +there pirate the like o' you for holiness. Could I but find some weapon to +my defence now--a knife, say." In the dark came a griping hand that found +mine and was gone again, but in my grasp was a stout, broad-bladed knife. + +"'Let the heathen rage,' saith Holy Writ, so rage it is, says I, only smite +first, brother and smite--hard. And 'ware the starboard scuttle!" Hereafter +was the rustle of his stealthy departure, the soft noise of bolts, and +silence. + +And now in this pitchy gloom, wondering what and where this scuttle might +be, I crouched, a very wild and desperate creature, peering into the gloom +and starting at every sound; thus presently I heard the scrape of a viol +somewhere beyond the bulkheads that shut me in and therewith a voice that +sang, the words very clear and distinct: + + "Oh, Moll she lives in Deptford town, + In Deptford town lives she; + Let maid be white or black or brown. + Still Moll's the lass for me; + Sweet Moll as lives in Deptford town, + Yo-ho, shipmates, for Deptford town, + Tis there as I would be." + +Mingled with this singing I thought to hear the heavy thud of an unshod +foot on the planking above my head, and setting my teeth I gripped my knife +in sweating palm. + +But now (and to my despair) came the singing again to drown all else, +hearken how I would: + + "Come whistle, messmates all. + For a breeze, for a breeze + Come pipe up, messmates all, + For a breeze. + When to Deptford town we've rolled + Wi' our pockets full o' gold; + Then our lasses we will hold + On our knees, on our knees." + +Somewhere in the dark was the sudden, thin complaint of a rusty and +unwilling bolt, though if this were to my right or left, above or below +me, I could not discover and my passionate listening was once more vain by +reason of this accursed rant: + + "Who will not drink a glass, + Let him drown, let him drown; + Who will not drink a glass, + Let him drown. + Who will not drink a glass + For to toast a pretty lass, + Is no more than fool and ass; + So let him drown, let him drown!" + +A sudden glow upon the gloom overhead, a thin line of light that widened +suddenly to a square of blinding radiance and down through the trap came +a lanthorn grasped in a hugeous, black fist and, beyond this, an arm, a +mighty shoulder, two rows of flashing teeth, two eyes that glared here and +there, rolling in horrid fashion; thus much I made out as I sprang and, +grappling this arm, smote upwards with my knife. The lanthorn fell, +clattering, and was extinguished, but beyond the writhing, shapeless thing +that blocked the scuttle, I might, ever and anon, behold a star twinkling +down upon me where I wrestled with this mighty arm that whirled me from my +feet, and swung me, staggering, to and fro as I strove to get home with +my knife at the vast bulk that loomed above me. Once and twice I stabbed +vainly, but my third stroke seemed more successful, for the animal-like +howl he uttered nigh deafened me; then (whether by my efforts or his own, +I know not) down he came upon me headlong, dashing the good knife from my +grasp and whirling me half-stunned against the bulkhead, and as I leaned +there, sick and faint, a hand clapped-to the scuttle. And now in this +dreadful dark I heard a deep and gusty breathing, like that of some +monstrous beast, heard this breathing checked while he listened for me a +stealthy rustling as he felt here and there to discover my whereabouts. But +I stood utterly still, breathless and sweating, with a horror of death at +this great blackamoor's hands, since, what with the palsy of fear by reason +of the loss of my knife, I did not doubt but that this monster would soon +make an end of me and in horrid fashion. + +Presently I heard him move again and (judging by the sound) creeping on +hands and knees, therefore as he approached I edged myself silently along +the bulkhead and thus (as I do think) we made the complete circuit of the +place; once it seemed he came upon the lanthorn and dashing it fiercely +aside, paused awhile to listen again, and my heart pounding within me so +that I sweated afresh lest he catch the sound of it. And sometimes I would +hear the soft, slurring whisper his fingers made against deck or bulkhead +where he groped for me, and once a snorting gasp and the crunch of his +murderous knife-point biting into wood and thereafter a hoarse and +outlandish muttering. And ever as I crept thus, moving but when he moved, +I felt before me with my foot, praying that I might discover my knife and, +this in hand, face him and end matters one way or another and be done with +the horror. And whiles we crawled thus round and round within this narrow +space, ever and anon above the stealthy rustle of his movements, above his +stertorous breathing and evil muttering, above the wild throbbing of my +heart rose the wail of the fiddle and the singing: + + "Who will not kiss a maid, + Let him hang, let him hang; + Who fears to kiss a maid, + Let him hang. + Who will not kiss a maid + Who of woman is afraid, + Is no better than a shade; + So let him hang, let him hang!" + +until this foolish, ranting ditty seemed to mock me, my breath came and +went to it, my heart beat to it; yet even so, I was praying passionately +and this my prayer, viz: That whoso was waiting above us for my death-cry +should not again lift the scuttle lest I be discovered to this man-thing +that crept and crept upon me in the dark. Even as I prayed thus, the +scuttle was raised and, blinded by the sudden glare of a lanthorn, I heard +Job's hoarse voice: + +"Below there! Pompey, ahoy! Ha'n't ye done yet an' be curst?" + +And suddenly I found in this thing I had so much dreaded the one chance to +my preservation, for I espied the great blackamoor huddled on his knees, +shading his eyes with both hands from the dazzling light and, lying on the +deck before him a long knife. + +"Oh, marse mate," he cried, "me done fin' no curs' man here'bouts--" + +Then I leaped and kicking the knife out of reach, had him in my grip, my +right hand fast about his throat. I remember his roar, the crash of the +trap as it closed, and after this a grim and desperate scuffling in the +dark; now he had me down, rolling and struggling and now we were up, locked +breast to breast, swaying and staggering, stumbling and slipping, crashing +into bulkheads, panting and groaning; and ever he beat and buffeted me with +mighty fists, but my head bowed low betwixt my arms, took small hurt, while +ever my two hands squeezed and wrenched and twisted at his great, fleshy +throat. I remember an awful gasping that changed to a strangling whistle, +choked to a feeble, hissing whine; his great body grew all suddenly lax, +swaying weakly in my grasp, and then, as I momentarily eased my grip, with +a sudden, mighty effort he broke free. I heard a crash of splintering wood, +felt a rush of sweet, pure air, saw him reel out through the shattered door +and sink upon his knees; but as I sprang towards him he was up and fleeing +along the deck amidships, screaming as he ran. + +All about me was a babel of shouts and cries, a rush and trampling of feet, +but I sped all unheeding, my gaze ever upon the loathed, fleeing shape +of this vile blackamoor. I was hard on his heels as he scrambled up the +quarter-ladder and within a yard of him as he gained the deck, while behind +us in the waist were men who ran pell-mell, filling the night with raving +clamour and drunken halloo. Now as I reached the quarter-deck, some one of +these hurled after me a belaying pin and this, catching me on the thigh, +staggered me so that I should have fallen but for the rail; so there clung +I in a smother of sweat and blood while great moon and glittering stars +span dizzily; but crouched before me on his hams, almost within arm's +reach, was this accursed negro who gaped upon me with grinning teeth and +rolled starting eyeballs, his breath coming in great, hoarse gasps. And I +knew great joy to see him in no better case than I, his clothes hanging in +blood-stained tatters so that I might see all the monstrous bulk of him. +Now, as he caught his breath and glared upon me, I suffered my aching body +to droop lower and lower over the rail like one nigh to swooning, yet very +watchful of his every move. Suddenly as we faced each other thus, from the +deck below rose a chorus of confused cries: + +"At him, Pompey! Now's ye time, boy! Lay 'im aboard, lad, 'e be +a-swounding! Ha--out wi' his liver, Pompey--at him, he's yourn!" + +Heartened by these shouts and moreover seeing how feebly I clutched at the +quarter-rail, the great negro uttered a shrill cry of triumph and leapt at +me; but as he came I sprang to meet his rush and stooping swiftly, caught +him below the knees and in that same moment, straining every nerve, every +muscle and sinew to the uttermost, I rose up and hove him whirling over my +shoulder. + +I heard a scream, a scurry of feet, and then the thudding crash of his fall +on the deck below and coming to the rail I leaned down and saw him lie, +his mighty limbs hideously twisted and all about him men who peered and +whispered. But suddenly they found their voices to rage against me, shaking +their fists and brandishing their steel; a pistol flashed and roared and +the bullet hummed by my ear, but standing above them I laughed as a madman +might, jibing at them and daring them to come on how they would, since +indeed death had no terrors for me now. And doubtless steel or shot would +have ended me there and then but for the man Diccon who quelled their +clamour and held them from me by voice and fist: + +"Arrest, ye fools--stand by!" he roared. "Yon man be the property o' +Captain Jo--'tis Joanna's man and whoso harms him swings--" + +"Aye, but he've murdered Pompey, ain't 'e?" demanded Job. + +"Aye, aye--an' so 'e have, for sure!" cried a voice. + +"Well an' good--murder's an 'anging matter, ain't it?" + +"An' so it be, Job--up wi' him--hang him--hang him!" + +"Well an' good!" cried Job again. "'Ang 'im we will, lads, all on us, every +man's fist to the rope--she can't hang us all, d'ye see. You, Diccon, where +be Belvedere; he shall be in it--" + +"Safe fuddled wi' rum, surely. Lord, Job, you do be takin' uncommon risks +for a hatful o' guineas--" + +So they took me and, all unresisting, I was dragged amidships beneath the +main yard where a noose was for my destruction; and though hanging had +seemed a clean death by contrast with that I had so lately escaped at +the obscene hands of this loathly blackamoor, yet none the less a sick +trembling took me as I felt the rope about my neck, insomuch that I sank to +my knees and closed my eyes. + +Kneeling thus and nigh to fainting, I heard a sudden, quick patter of +light-running feet, a gasping sigh and, glancing up, beheld Job before +me, also upon his knees and staring down with wide and awful eyes at an +ever-spreading stain that fouled the bosom of his shirt; and as he knelt +thus, I saw above his stooping head the blue glitter of a long blade that +lightly tapped his brawny neck. + +"The noose--here, Diccon, here, yes!" + +As one in a dream I felt the rope lifted from me and saw it set about the +neck of Job. + +"So! Ready there? Now--heave all!" + +I heard the creak of the block, the quick tramp of feet, a strangling cry, +and Job the quartermaster was snatched aloft to kick and writhe and dangle +against the moon. + +"Diccon, we have lost our quartermaster and we sail on the flood; you are +quartermaster henceforth, yes. Ha--look--see, my Englishman is sick! Dowse +a bucket o' water over him, then let him be ironed and take him forward to +the fo'castle; he shall serve you all for sport--but no killing, mind." +Thus lay I to be kicked and buffeted and half-drowned; yet when they had +shackled me, cometh the man Diccon to clap me heartily on the shoulder and +after him Resolution to nod at me and blink with his single, twinkling eye: + +"Oh, friend," quoth he, "Oh, brother, saw ye ever the like of our Captain +Jo? Had Davy been here to-day he might perchance ha' wrote a psalm to her." + +That morning with the flood tide we hove anchor and the _Happy Despatch_ +stood out to sea and, as she heeled to the freshening wind, Job's +stiffening body lurched and swayed and twisted from the main yard. And thus +it was I saw the last of my island. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +OF BATTLE, MURDER AND RESOLUTION DAY, HIS POINT OF VIEW + + +And now, nothing heeding my defenceless situation and the further horrors +that might be mine aboard this accursed pirate ship, I nevertheless knew +great content for that, with every plunge and roll of the vessel, I was so +much the nearer Nombre de Dios town where lay prisoned my enemy, Richard +Brandon; thus I made of my sinful lust for vengeance a comfort to my +present miseries, and plotting my enemy's destruction, found therein much +solace and consolation. + +I had crept into a sheltered corner and here, my knees drawn up, my back +against one of the weather guns, presently fell a-dozing. I was roused by +a kick to find the ship rolling prodigiously, the air full of spray and a +piping wind, and Captain Belvedere scowling down on me, supporting himself +by grasping a backstay in one hand and flourishing a case-bottle in the +other. + +"Ha, 's fish, d'ye live yet?" roared he in drunken frenzy. "Ha'n't Black +Pompey done your business? Why, then--here's for ye!" And uttering a great +oath, he whirled up the bottle to smite; but, rolling in beneath his arm, I +staggered him with a blow of my fettered hands, then (or ever I might avoid +him) he had crushed me beneath his foot: and then Joanna stood fronting +him. Pallid, bare-headed, wild of eye, she glared on him and before this +look he cowered and shrank away. + +"Drunken sot!" cried she. "Begone lest I send ye aloft to join yon +carrion!" And she pointed where Job's stiff body plunged and swung and +twisted at the reeling yard-arm. + +"Nay, Jo, I--I meant him no harm!" he muttered, and turning obedient to her +gesture, slunk away. + +"Ah, Martino," said Joanna, stooping above me, "'twould seem I must be for +ever saving your life to you, yes. Are you not grateful, no?" + +"Aye, I am grateful!" quoth I, remembering my enemy. + +"Then prove me it!" + +"As how?" + +"Speak me gently, look kindly on me, for I am sick, Martino, and shall be +worse. I never can abide a rolling ship--'tis this cursed woman's body o' +mine. So to-day am I all woman and yearn for tenderness--and we shall have +more bad weather by the look o' things! Have you enough knowledge to handle +this ship in a storm?" + +"Not I!" + +"'Tis pity," she sighed, "'tis pity! I would hang Belvedere and make +you captain in his room--he wearies me, and would kill me were he man +enough--ah, Mother of Heaven, what a sea!" she cried, clinging to me as a +great wave broke forward, filling the air with hissing spray. "Aid me aft, +Martino!" + +Hereupon, seeing her so haggard and faint, and the decks deserted save for +the watch, I did as she bade me as well as I might by reason of my fetters +and the uneasy motion of the ship, and at last (and no small labour) I +brought her into the great cabin or roundhouse under the poop. And now she +would have me bide and talk with her awhile, but this I would by no means +do. + +"And why not, Martino?" she questioned in soft, wheedling fashion. "Am I so +hateful to you yet? Wherefore go?" + +"Because I had rather lie in my fetters out yonder at the mercy o' wind and +wave!" said I. + +Now at this she fell to sudden weeping and, as suddenly, to reviling me +with bitter curses. + +"Go then!" cried she, striking me in her fury. "Keep your chains--aye, I +will give ye to the mercy of this rabble crew ... leave me!" The which I +did forthwith and, finding me a sheltered corner, cast myself down there +and fell to hearkening to the rush of the wind and to watching the +awful might of the racing, foam-capped billows. And, beholding these +manifestations of God's majesty and infinite power, of what must I be +thinking but my own small desires and unworthy schemes of vengeance! And +bethinking me of Don Federigo (and him governor of Nombre de Dios) I +began planning how I might use him to my purpose. My mind full of this, I +presently espied the mate, Resolution Day, his laced hat and noble periwig +replaced by a close-fitting seaman's bonnet, making his way across the +heaving deck as only a seaman might (and despite his limp) and as he drew +nearer I hailed and beckoned him. + +"Aha, and are ye there, camarado!" said he. "'Tis well, for I am a-seeking +ye." + +"Tell me, Resolution, when shall we sight Nombre de Dios?" + +"Why look now, if this wind holdeth fair, we should fetch up wi' it in some +five days or thereabouts." + +"Don Federigo is governor of the town, I think?" + +"Verily and so he is. And what then?" + +"Where lieth he now?" + +"Safe, friend, and secure. You may lay to that, brother!" + +"Could you but get me speech with him--" + +"Not by no manner o' means whatsoever, _amigo_! And the reason why? It +being agin her orders." + +"Is he well?" + +"Well-ish, brother--fairly bobbish, all things considered, mate--though not +such a hell-fire, roaring lad o' mettle as yourself, comrade. David slew +Goliath o' Gath wi' a pebble and you broke Black Pompey's back wi' your +naked hands! Here's a thing as liketh me mighty well! Wherefore I grieve to +find ye such an everlasting fool, brother." + +"How so, Resolution?" + +"When eyes look sweetness--why scowl? When lips woo kisses--wherefore take +a blow instead? When comfort and all manner o' delights be offered--why +choose misery forrard and the bloody rogues o' her fo'castle? For 'tis +there as you be going, mate--aye, verily!" Here he set a silver whistle to +his mouth and blew a shrill blast at which signal came two fellows who, at +his command, dragged me to my feet and so away forward. + +Thus true to her word, Joanna banished me from the gilded luxury of cabin +and roundhouse and gave me up to the rogues forward, a wild and lawless +company of divers races and conditions so that they seemed the very scum of +the world, and yet here, in this reeking forecastle, each and every of them +my master. + +Nor can any words of mine justly paint the wild riot and brutal licence +of this crowded 'tween-deck, foul with the reek of tobacco and a thousand +worse savours, its tiers on tiers of dark and noisome berths where men +snored or thrust forth shaggy heads to rave at and curse each other; its +blotched and narrow table amidships, its rows of battered sea chests, its +loathsome floor; a place of never-ceasing stir and tumult, dim-lighted by +sputtering lamps. + +My advent was hailed by an exultant roar and they were all about me, an +evil company in their rage and draggled finery; here were faces scarred by +battles and brutalised by their own misdeeds, this unlovely company now +thrust upon me with pointing fingers, nudging elbows, scowls and mocking +laughter. + +"What now--is he to us, then?" cried one. "Hath Jo sent us her plaything?" + +"Aye, lads, and verily!" answered Resolution. "Here's him as she calleth +Martin O; here's him as out-fought Pompey--" + +"Aye, aye--remember Pompey!" cried a bedizened rogue pushing towards me, +hand on knife. + +"Why, truly, Thomas Ford, remember Pompey, but forget not Job as died so +sudden--in the midst o' life he were in death, were Job! So hands off your +knife, Thomas Ford; Captain Jo sendeth Martin for your sport and what not, +d'ye see, but when he dieth 'tis herself will do the killing!" + +Left alone and helpless in my fetters, I stood with bowed head, nothing +heeding them for all their baiting of me, whereupon the man Ford, catching +up a pipkin that chanced handy, cast upon me some vileness or other the +which was the signal for others to do likewise so that I was soon miserably +wet from head to foot and this I endured without complaint. But now they +betook them to tormenting me with all manner of missiles, joying to see me +blench and stagger until, stung to a frenzy of rage and being within reach +of the man Ford (my chiefest tormentor) I sprang upon him and fell to +belabouring him heartily with the chain that swung betwixt my wrists, but +an unseen foot tripped me heavily and ere I could struggle free they were +upon me. But now as they kicked and trampled and buffeted me, I once +again called upon God with a loud voice, and this was the manner of my +supplication: + +"Oh, God of Justice, for the pains I now endure, give to me +vengeance--vengeance, Oh, God, upon mine enemy!" + +And hearing this passionate outcry, my tormentors presently drew away from +me, staring on me where I lay and muttering together like men greatly +amazed, and left me in peace awhile. + +Very much might I tell of all I underwent at this time, of the shameful +indignities, tricks and deviltries of which I was victim, so that there +were times when I cursed my Maker and all in this world save only my +miserable self--I, that by reason of my hate and vengeful pursuit of my +enemy, had surely brought all these evils on my own head. Yet every shame +I endured, every pain I suffered did but nerve me anew to this long-sought +vengeance on him that (in my blind folly) I cursed as the author of these +my sufferings. + +But indeed little gust have I to write of these things; moreover I began +to fear that my narrative grow to inordinate length, so will I incontinent +pass on to that time when came the quartermaster Diccon with Resolution Day +to deliver me from my hateful prison. + +And joy unspeakable was it to breathe the sweet, clean air, to hear the +piping song of the wind and the hiss of the tumbling billows, to feel the +lift and roll of the great ship as she ploughed her course through seas +blue as any sapphire; though indeed small leisure had I for the glory of it +all, as they hurried me aft. + +"What now?" I enquired hopelessly. "What new deviltries have ye in store?" + +"'Tis Jo!" answered Diccon. "'Tis Joanna, my bully!" and here he leered and +nodded; "Joanna is sick and groweth womanish--" + +"And look'ee now, friend," quoth Resolution, clapping me on the back, +"you'll mind 'twas old Resolution as was your stay and comfort by means of +a knife i' the matter o' the heathen Pompey, comrade? You'll not forget old +Resolution, shipmate?" + +"And me," quoth Diccon, patting my other shoulder. "I stood your friend so +much as I might--aye, did I!" + +Thus talked they, first in one ear then in the other, picturing to my +imagination favours done me, real or imagined, until, to hear them, they +might have been my guardian angels; while I went between them silent and +mighty sullen, casting about in my mind as to what all this should portend. + +So they brought me aft to that gilded cabin the which gave upon the +stern-gallery; and here, outstretched on downy cushions and covered by a +rich embroidery, lay Joanna. + +Perceiving me, she raised herself languidly and motioned the others to be +gone, whereupon they went out, closing the door; whereupon she spake, quick +and passionate: + +"I have sent for you because I am weak with my sickness, Martino, faint and +very solitary!" + +"And must I weep therefore?" said I, and glancing from her haggard face I +beheld a small, ivory-hilted dagger on the table at her elbow. + +"Ah, mercy of God--how the ship rolls!" she moaned feebly and then burst +forth into cursings and passionate revilings of ship and wind and sea until +these futile ravings were hushed for lack of breath; anon she fell to +sighing and with many wistful looks, but finding me all unheeding, fell +foul of me therefore: + +"Ha, scowl, beast--scowl--this becomes thy surly visage. I shall not know +thee else! Didst ever smile in all thy sullen days or speak me gentle word +or kindly? Never to me, oh, never to me! Will ye not spare a look? Will ye +not speak--have ye no word to my comfort?" + +"Why seek such of me?" I demanded bitterly. "I have endured much of shame +and evil at your will--" + +"Ah, fool," sighed she, "had you but sent to me--one word--and I had freed +you ere this! And I have delivered you at last because I am sick and +weak--a woman and lonely--" + +"Why, there be rogues for you a-plenty hereabouts shall fit ye better than +I--" + +"Oh, 'tis a foul tongue yours, Martino!" + +"Why, then, give me a boat, cast me adrift and be done with me." + +"Ah, no, I would not you should die yet--" + +"Mayhap you will torture me a little more first." + +"'Tis for you to choose! Oh, Martino," she cried; "will you not be my +friend, rather?" + +"Never in this world!" + +At this, and all at once, she was weeping. + +"Ah, but you are cruel!" she sobbed, looking up at me through her +tears. "Have you no pity for one hath never known aught of true love +or gentleness? Wilt not forget past scores and strive to love me--some +little--Martino?" + +Now hearkening to her piteous accents, beholding her thus transfigured, her +tear-wet eyes, the pitiful tremor of her vivid lips and all the pleading +humility of her, I was beyond all thought amazed. + +"Surely," said I, "surely you are the strangest woman God ever made--" + +"Why then," said she, smiling through her tears, "since God made me, then +surely--ah, surely is there something in me worthy your love?" + +"Love?" quoth I, frowning and clenching my shackled hands. "'Tis an +emptiness--I am done with the folly henceforth--" + +"Ah--ah ... and what of your Joan--your Damaris?" she questioned eagerly. +"Do you not love her--no?" + +"No!" said I fiercely. "My life holdeth but one purpose--" + +"What purpose, Martino, what?" + +"Vengeance!" + +"On whom?" + +"'Tis no matter!" said I, and question me how she might I would say no +more, whereupon she importuned me with more talk of love and the like folly +until, finding me heedless alike of her tears and pleadings, she turned on +me in sudden fury, vowing she would have me dragged back to the hell of the +forecastle there and then. + +"I'll shame your cursed pride," cried she. "You shall be rove to a gun and +flayed with whips--" + +But here, reaching forward or ever she might stay me, I caught up the +ivory-hilted dagger: + +"Ah!" said she softly, staring where it glittered in my shackled hand. +"Would you kill me! Come then, death have I never feared--strike, _Martino +mio_!" and she proffered her white bosom to the blow; but I laughed in +fierce derision. + +"Silly wench," said I, "this steel is not for you! Call in your rogues and +watch me blood a few--" + +"Ah, damned coward," she cried, "ye dare not slay me lest Belvedere torment +ye to death--'tis your own vile carcase you do think of!" + +At this I did but laugh anew, whereat, falling to pallid fury, she sprang +upon me, smiting with passionate, small fists, besetting me so close that +I cowered and shrank back lest she impale herself on the dagger I grasped. +But presently being wearied she turned away, then staggered as the ship +rolled to a great sea, and would have fallen but for me. Suddenly, as she +leaned upon me thus, her dark head pillowed on my breast, she reached up +and clasped her hands about my neck and with head yet hid against me burst +into a storm of fierce sobbing. Staring down at this bowed head, feeling +the pleading passion of these vital, soft-clasping hands and shaken by her +heart-bursting sobs, I grew swiftly abashed and discomfited and let the +dagger fall and lie unheeded. + +"Ah, Martino," said she at last, her voice muffled in my breast. "Surely +nought is there in all this wretched world so desolate as a loveless woman! +Can you not--pity me--a little, yes?" + +"Aye, I do pity you!" quoth I, on impulse. + +"And pity is kin to love, Martino! And I can be patient, patient, yes!" + +"'Twere vain!" said I. At this she loosed me and uttering a desolate cry, +cast herself face down upon her couch. + +"Be yourself," said I, spurning the dagger into a corner; "rather would I +have your scorn and hate than tears--" + +"You have," said she, never stirring. "I do scorn you greatly, hate you +mightily, despise you infinitely--yet is my love greater than all--" + +Suddenly she started to an elbow, dashing away her tears, fierce-eyed, +grim-lipped, all womanly tenderness gone, as from the deck above rose the +hoarse roar of a speaking trumpet and the running of feet; and now was loud +rapping on the door that, opening, disclosed Diccon, the quartermaster. + +"By your leave, Captain Jo," cried he, "but your luck's wi' us--aye, is it! +A fine large ship a-plying to wind'ard of us--" + +In a moment Joanna was on her feet and casting a boat-cloak about herself +hasted out of the cabin, bidding Diccon bring me along. + +The wind had fallen light though the seas yet ran high; and now being come +to the lofty poop, I might behold our crowded decks where was mighty bustle +and to-do, casting loose the guns, getting up shot and powder, a-setting +out of half-pikes, swords, pistols and the like with a prodigious coming +and going; a heaving and yo-ho-ing with shouts and boisterous laughter, +whiles ever and anon grimy hands pointed and all heads were turned in the +one direction where, far away across the foam-flecked billows, was a speck +that I knew for a vessel. + +And beholding these pirate rogues, how joyously they laboured, with what +lusty cheers they greeted Joanna and clambered aloft upon swaying yards to +get more sail on the ship obedient to her shrill commands, I knew a great +pity for this ship we were pursuing and a passionate desire that she might +yet escape us. I was yet straining my eyes towards the chase and grieving +for the poor souls aboard her, when, at word from Joanna, I was seized and +fast bound to a ringbolt. + +Scarce was this done than Joanna uttered a groan and, clapping her hand to +her head, called out for Resolution, and with his assistance got her down +to the quarter-deck. + +By afternoon the sea was well-nigh calm and the chase so close that we +might behold her plainly enough and the people on her decks. Her topmasts +were gone, doubtless in the great storm, and indeed a poor, battered thing +she looked as she rolled to the long, oily swell. All at once, out from her +main broke the golden banner of Spain, whereupon rose fierce outcries from +our rogues; then above the clamour rose the voice of Diccon: + +"Shout, lads--shout for Roger, give tongue to Jolly Roger!" and looking +where he pointed with glittering cutlass, I beheld that hideous flag that +is hated by all honest mariners. + +And now began a fight that yet indeed was no fight, for seeing we had the +range of them whereas their shot fell pitifully short, Belvedere kept away +and presently let fly at them with every heavy gun that bore, and, as +the smoke thinned, I saw her foremast totter and fall, and her high, +weather-beaten side sorely splintered by our shot. Having emptied her great +guns to larboard the _Happy Despatch_ went about and thundered death and +destruction against them with her starboard broadside and they powerless +to annoy us any way in return. And thus did we batter them with our great +pieces, keeping ever out of their reach, so that none of all their missiles +came aboard us, until they, poor souls, seeing their case altogether +hopeless, were fain to cry us quarter. Hereupon, we stood towards them, and +as we approached I could behold the havoc our great shot had wrought aboard +them. + +The enemy having yielded to our mercy and struck their flag, we ceased our +fire, and thinking the worst, over and done, I watched where Belvedere +conned the ship with voice and gesture and the crew, mighty quick and +dexterous in obedience, proved themselves prime sailor-men, despite their +loose and riotous ways, so that, coming down upon the enemy, we presently +fell aboard of them by the fore-chains; whereupon up scrambled old +Resolution, sword in hand, first of any man (despite his lameness) and with +a cry of "Boarders away!" sprang down upon the Spaniard's blood-spattered +deck and his powder-blackened rogues leaping and hallooing on his heels. + +And now from these poor, deluded souls who had cast themselves upon our +mercy rose sudden awful shrieks and cries hateful to be heard as they fled +hither and thither about their littered decks before the pitiless steel +that hacked and thrust and smote. Shivering and sweating, I must needs +watch this thing done until, grown faint and sick, I bowed my face that +I might see no more. Gradually these distressful sounds grew weaker and +weaker, and dying away at last, were lost in the fierce laughter and +jubilant shouting of their murderers, where they fell to the work of +pillage. + +But hearing sudden roar of alarm, I looked up to see the Spanish ship was +going down rapidly by the head, whereupon was wild uproar and panic, some +of our rogues cutting away at the grapples even before their comrades had +scrambled back to safety; so was strife amongst them and confusion worse +confounded. The last man was barely aboard than our yards were braced round +and we stood away clear of this sinking ship. Now presently uproar broke +out anew and looking whence it proceeded, I beheld four Spaniards (who it +seemed had leapt aboard us unnoticed in the press), and these miserable +wretches methought would be torn in pieces. But thither swaggered +Belvedere, flourishing his pistols and ordering his rogues back, and falls +to questioning these prisoners and though I could not hear, I saw how +they cast themselves upon their knees, with hands upraised to heaven, +supplicating his mercy. He stood with arms folded, nodding his head now and +then as he listened, so that I began to have some hopes that he would spare +them; but all at once he gestured with his arms, whereon was a great +gust of laughter and cheering, and divers men began rigging a wide plank +out-board from the gangway amidships, whiles others hasted to pinion these +still supplicating wretches. This done, they seized upon one, and hoisting +him up on the plank with his face to the sea, betook them to pricking +him with sword and pike, thus goading him to walk to his death. So this +miserable, doomed man crept out along the plank, whimpering pleas for mercy +to the murderers behind him and prayers for mercy to the God above him, +until he was come to the plank's end and cowered there, raising and +lowering his bound hands in his agony while he gazed down into the +merciless sea that was to engulf him. All at once he stood erect, his +fettered hands upraised to heaven, and then with a piteous, wailing cry he +plunged down to his death and vanished 'mid the surge; once he came up, +struggling and gasping, ere he was swept away in the race of the tide. + +Now hereupon I cast myself on my knees and hiding my face in my fettered +hands, fell to a passion of prayer for the soul of this unknown man. And as +I prayed, I heard yet other lamentable outcries, followed in due season by +the hollow plunge of falling bodies; and so perished these four miserable +captives. + +I was yet upon my knees when I felt a hand upon my shoulder and the touch +(for a wonder) was kindly, and raising my head I found Resolution Day +looking down on me with his solitary, bright eye and his grim lips +up-curling to friendly smile. + +"So perish all Papishers, Romanists, Inquisitioners, and especially +Spanishers, friend!" + +"'Twas cruel and bloody murder!" quoth I, scowling up at him. + +"Why, perceive me now, _amigo_, let us reason together, _camarado_--thus +now it all dependeth upon the point o' view; these were Papishers and evil +men, regarding which Davy sayeth i' the Psalms, 'I will root 'em out,' says +he; why, root it is! says I--and look'ee, brother, I have done a lot o' +rooting hitherto and shall do more yet, as I pray. As to the fight now, +mate, as to the fight, 'twas noble fight--pretty work, and the ship well +handled, as you must allow, _camarado_!" + +"Call it rather brutal butchery!" said I fiercely. + +"Aye, there it is again," quoth he; "it all lieth in the point o' view! Now +in my view was my brother screaming amid crackling flames and a fair young +woman in her living tomb, who screamed for mercy and found none. 'Tis all +in the point o' view!" he repeated, smiling down at a great gout of blood +that blotched the skirt of his laced coat. + +"And I say 'tis foul murder in the sight of God and man!" I cried. + +"Ha, will ye squeak, rat!" quoth Belvedere, towering over me, where I +crouched upon my knees. "'S fish, will ye yap, then, puppy-dog?" + +"Aye--and bite!" quoth I, aiming a futile blow at him with my shackled +fists. "Give me one hand free and I'd choke the beastly soul out o' ye and +heave your foul carcase to the fishes--" + +Now at this he swore a great oath and whipped pistol from belt, but as he +did so Resolution stepped betwixt us. + +"Put up, Belvedere, put up!" said he in soothing tone. "No shooting, +stabbing nor maiming till _she_ gives the word, Captain--" + +"Curse her for a--" Resolution's long arm shot out and his knotted fingers +plunged and buried themselves in Belvedere's bull-throat, choking the word +on his lips. + +"Belay, Captain! Avast, Belvedere! I am one as knew her when she was +innocent child, so easy all's the word, Belvedere." Having said which, +Resolution relaxed his grip and Belvedere staggered back, gasping, and with +murder glaring in his eyes. But the left hand of Resolution Day was hidden +in his great side pocket whose suspicious bulge betrayed the weapon there, +perceiving which Belvedere, speaking no word, turned and swaggered away. + +Now seating himself upon the gun beside me, Resolution drew forth from that +same pocket his small Bible that fell open on his knee at an oft-studied +chapter. + +"Now regarding the point o' view, friend," quoth he, "touching upon the +death o' the evil-doers, of the blood of a righteous man's enemies--hearken +now to the words o' Davy." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HOW WE FOUGHT AN ENGLISH SHIP + + +For the days immediately following I saw nothing of Joanna but learned from +Resolution and Diccon that her sickness had increased upon her. + +"'Tis her soul, I doubt!" quoth Diccon, shaking his head. "'Tis too great +for her body--'tis giant soul and her but a woman--so doth strong soul +overcome weak body, and small wonder, say I?" + +"Nay, Diccon," said Resolution, his bright eye sweeping the hazy distance, +"'tis but that she refuseth her vittles, and since 'man cannot live by +bread alone' neither may woman, and 'tis more than bread she needeth and +so she rageth and thus, like unto Peter's wife's mother, lieth sick of a +fever." Here for a brief moment his bright eye rested on me and he scowled +as he turned to limp the narrow deck. + +Much might I narrate of the divers hazards of battle and storm that befell +us at this time, and more of the goodly ships pillaged and scuttled and +their miserable crews with them, by Belvedere and his bloody rogues; of +prayers for mercy mocked at, of the agonised screams of dying men, of flame +and destruction and death in many hideous shapes. All of the which nameless +evils I must perforce behold since this Belvedere that shrank at Joanna's +mere look, freed of her presence, took joyous advantage to torment me with +the sight of such horrors, such devil's work as shrieked to heaven for +vengeance; insomuch that Diccon and divers others could ill-stomach it at +last and even grim Resolution would have no more. + +Now although Belvedere and his rogues had taken great store of treasure +with small hurt to themselves, yet must they growl and curse their fortune, +since in none of the captured vessels had they taken any women, and never +was the cry of "Sail, ho!" than all men grew eager for chase and attack; +and thus this accursed ship _Happy Despatch_ stood on, day after day. + +Much will I leave untold by reason of the horror of it, and moreover my +space is short for all I have set myself to narrate, viz: how and in what +manner I came at last to my vengeance and what profit I had therein. So +will I pass on to that day when, being in the latitude of the great and +fair island of Hispaniola, we descried a ship bearing westerly. + +Hereupon (since greed is never satisfied) all men were vociferous for chase +and attack, and Belvedere agreeing, we hauled our wind accordingly and +stood after her with every sail we could carry. + +The _Happy Despatch_ was a great ship of some forty guns besides such +smaller pieces as minions, patereros and the like; she was moreover a +notable good sailer and as the hours passed it was manifest we were fast +overhauling our quarry. And very pitiful was it to see her crowding sail +away from us, to behold her (as it were) straining every nerve to escape +the horrors in store. Twice she altered her course and twice we did the +like, fetching ever nearer until it seemed she was doomed to share the +bloody fate of so many others. By noon we were so close that she was plain +to see, a middling-size ship, her paint blistered, her gilding tarnished as +by a long voyage, and though very taut and trim as to spars and rigging, +a heavy-sailing ship and sluggish. A poor thing indeed to cope with such +powerful vessel as this _Happy Despatch_, for as we closed in I could count +no more than six guns in the whole length of her. As to crew she might have +been deserted for all I saw of them, save one man who paced her lofty poop, +a smallish man in great wig and befeathered hat and in his fist a sword +prodigiously long in the blade, which sword he flourished whereat (as it +were a signal) out from her mizzen wafted the banner of Portugal, and +immediately she opened fire on us from her stern-chase guns. But their +shooting was so indifferent and artillery so pitiful that their shot fell +far short of us. Thus my heart grieved mightily for her as with our guns +run out and crew roaring and eager we bore down to her destruction. + +Now all at once, as I watched this unhappy ship, I caught my breath and +sank weakly to my knees as, despite the distance and plain to see, upon +her high poop came a woman, hooded and cloaked, who stood gazing earnestly +towards us. Other eyes had noticed her also, for up from our crowded decks +rose a hum, an evil murmur that swelled to a cry fierce, inarticulate, +bestial, whiles all eyes glared upon that slender, shapely form; presently +amid this ravening clamour I distinguished words: + +"Oh, a woman! Aha--women! Hold your fire, lads--no shooting; we want 'em +all alive! Easy all, bullies--nary a gun, mates--we'll lay 'em 'longside +and board--Aye, aye--board it is!" + +Now being on my knees, I began to whisper in passionate prayer until, +roused by a shambling step, I glanced up to find Resolution Day beside me. + +"What, d'ye pray, brother? 'Tis excellent well!" Said he, setting a +musquetoon ready to hand and glancing at the primings of his pistols. "Pray +unceasing, friend, plague the Throne wi' petitions, comrade, and a word or +so on behalf of old Resolution ere the battle joins, for there's--" + +"I pray God utterly destroy this accursed ship and all aboard her!" I +cried. + +"And do ye so?" said he, setting the pistols in his belt. "Why, then, 'tis +as well you're safe i' your bilboes, _amigo_, and as to your blasphemous +praying, I will offset it wi' prayerful counterblast--Ha, by my deathless +soul--what's doing yonder?" he cried, and leant to peer across at the +chase, and well he might. For suddenly (and marvellous to behold) this ship +that had sailed so heavily seemed to throw off her sluggishness and, taking +on new life, to bound forward; her decks, hitherto deserted, grew alive +with men who leapt to loose and haul at brace and rope and, coming about, +she stood towards us and right athwart our course. So sudden had been this +manoeuvre and so wholly unexpected that all men it seemed could but stare +in stupefied amaze. + +"Ha!" cried Resolution, smiting fist on the rail before him. "Tricked, +by hookey! She's been towing a sea anchor! Below there!" he hailed. +"Belvedere, ahoy--go about, or she'll rake us--" + +And now came Belvedere's voice in fierce and shrill alarm: + +"Down wi' your helm--down! Let go weather braces, jump, ye dogs, jump!" + +I heard the answering tramp of feet, the rattle and creak of the yards as +they swung and a great flapping of canvas as the _Happy Despatch_ came up +into the wind; but watching where our adversary bore down upon us, I beheld +her six guns suddenly multiplied and (or ever we might bring our broadside +to bear) from these gaping muzzles leapt smoke and roaring flame, and we +were smitten with a hurricane of shot that swept us from stem to stern. + +Dazed, deafened, half-stunned, I crouched in the shelter of the mizzen +mast, aware of shrieks and cries and the crash of falling spars, nor moved +I for a space; lifting my head at last, I beheld on the littered decks +below huddled figures that lay strangely twisted, that writhed or crawled. +Then came the hoarse roar of a speaking trumpet and I saw Resolution, his +face a smother of blood, where he leaned hard by across the quarter-rail. + +"Stand to't, my bullies!" he roared, and his voice had never sounded so +jovial. "Clear the guns, baw-cocky boys; 'tis our turn next--but stand by +till she comes about--" + +From the companion below came one running, eyes wild, mouth agape, and I +recognised the man Ford who had been my chief persecutor in the forecastle. + +"What now, lad--what now?" demanded Resolution, mopping at his bloody face. + +"Death!" gasped Ford. "There be dead men a-lay-ing forward--dead, +look'ee--" + +"Likely enough, John Ford, and there'll be dead men a-laying aft if ye're +not back to your gun and lively, d'ye see?" But the fellow, gasping again, +fell to his knees, whereupon Resolution smote him over the head with his +speaking trumpet and tumbled him down the ladder. + +"Look'ee here," quoth he, scowling on me, "this all cometh along o' your +ill-praying us, for prayer is potent, as I know, which was not brotherly in +you, Martin O, not brotherly nor yet friendly!" So saying, he squatted on +the gun beside me and sought to staunch the splinter-gash in his brow; but +seeing how ill he set about it, I proffered to do it for him (and despite +my shackles), whereupon he gave me the scarf and knelt that I might come +at his hurt the better; and being thus on his knees, he began to pray in a +loud, strong voice: + +"Lord God o' battles, close up Thine ear, hearken to and regard not the +unseemly praying of this mail Martin that hath not the just point o' view, +seeing through a glass darkly. Yonder lieth the enemy, Lord, Thine and +mine, wherefore let 'em be rooted out and utterly destroyed; for if these +be Portingales and Papishers--if--ha--if--?" Resolution ceased his prayer +and glancing up, pointed with stabbing finger: "Yon ship's no more +Portingale than I am--look, friend, look!" + +Now glancing whither he would have me, I saw two things: first, that the +_Happy Despatch_ had turned tail and second that our pursuers bore at her +main the English flag; beholding which, a great joy welled up within me so +that I had much ado to keep from shouting outright. + +"English!" quoth Resolution. "And a fighting ship--so fight we must, unless +we win clear!" + +"Ha, will ye run then?" cried I in bitter scorn. + +"With might and main, friend. We are a pirate, d'ye see, w' all to lose and +nought to gain, and then 'tis but a fool as fighteth out o' season!" + +Even as he spoke the English ship yawed and let fly at us with her +fore-chase and mingled with their roar was the sharp crack of parting +timbers and down came our main-topmast. + +"Why, so be it!" quoth Resolution, scowling up at the flapping ruin where +it hung. "Very well, 'tis a smooth sea and a fighting wind, so shall you +ha' your bellyful o' battle now, friend, for yonder cometh Joanna at last!" + +And great wonder was it to behold how the mere sight of her heartened our +sullen rogues, to hear with what howls of joy they welcomed her as she +paced daintily across the littered deck with her quick glance now aloft, +now upon our determined foe. + +"Ha, 'tis so--'tis our Jo--our luck! Shout for Cap'n Jo and the luck o' the +Brotherhood!" + +And now at her rapid commands from chaos came order, the decks were +cleared, and, despite wrecked topmast, round swung the _Happy Despatch_ +until her broadside bore upon the English ship. Even then Joanna waited, +every eye fixed on her where she lolled, hand on hip, watching the approach +of our adversary. Suddenly she gestured with her arm and immediately the +whole fabric of the ship leapt and quivered to the deafening roar of her +guns; then, as the smoke cleared, I saw the enemy's foreyard was gone and +her sides streaked and splintered by our shot, and from our decks rose +shouts of fierce exultation, drowned in the answering thunder of their +starboard broadside, the hiss of their shot all round about us, the crackle +of riven woodwork, the vicious whirr of flying splinters, wails and screams +and wild cheering. + +And thus began a battle surely as desperate as ever was fought and which +indeed no poor words of mine may justly describe. The enemy lay to windward +and little enough could I see by reason of the dense smoke that enveloped +us, a stifling, sulphurous cloud that drifted aboard us ever more thick +as the fight waxed, a choking mist full of blurred shapes, dim forms that +flitted by and vanished spectre-like, a rolling mystery whence came all +manner of cries, piercing screams and shrill wailings dreadful to hear, +while the deck beneath me, the air about me reeled and quivered to the +never-ceasing thunder of artillery. But ever and anon, through some rent +in this smoky curtain, I might catch a glimpse of the English ship, her +shot-scarred side and rent sails, or the grim havoc of our own decks. And +amidst it all, and hard beside me where I crouched in the shelter of the +mizzenmast, I beheld Resolution Day limping to and fro, jovial of voice, +cheering his sweating, powder-grimed gun-crews with word and hand. Suddenly +I was aware of Joanna beside me, gay and debonnaire but ghastly pale. + +"Hola, Martino!" cried she. "D'ye live yet? 'Tis well. If we die to-day we +die together, and where a properer death or one more fitting for such as +you and I, for am I killed first, Resolution shall send you after me to +bear me company, yes." + +So saying, she smiled and nodded and turned to summon Resolution, who came +in limping haste. + +"What, are ye hurt, Jo?" cried he, peering. "Ha, Joanna lass, are ye hit +indeed?" + +"A little, yes!" said she, and staggering against the mast leaned there as +if faint, yet casting a swift, furtive glance over her shoulder. "But death +cometh behind me, Resolution, and my pistol's gone and yours both empty--" + +Now glancing whither she looked, I saw Captain Belvedere come bounding up +the ladder, cutlass in one hand and pistol in the other. + +"Are ye there, Jo, are ye there?" he cried and stood to scowl on her. + +"Resolution," said she, drooping against the mast, "fight me the ship--" + +"And what o' me?" snarled Belvedere. + +"You?" cried she. "Ah--bah!" and turning, she spat at him and, screaming, +fell headlong as his pistol flashed. But over her prostrate form leapt +Resolution and there, while the battle roared about them, I watched as, +with steel that crashed unheard in that raging uproar, they smote and +parried and thrust until an eddying smoke-cloud blotted them from my view. +Now fain would I have come at Joanna where she lay, yet might not for my +bonds, although she was so near; suddenly as I watched her (and struggling +thus vainly to reach her) I saw she was watching me. + +"And would you aid your poor Joanna, yes?" she questioned faintly. + +"'Twas so my thought--" + +"Because I am dying, Martino? Doth this grieve you?" + +"You are over-young to die!" + +"And my life hath been very hard and cruel! Would you kiss a dying woman +an' she might creep to your arms, Martino?" + +Slowly and painfully she dragged herself within my reach and, beholding the +twisted agony of her look, reading the piteous supplication in her eyes, +I stooped to kiss the pale brow she lifted to my lips and--felt two arms +about me vigorous and strong and under mine the quivering passion of her +mouth; then she had loosed me and was before me on her knees, flushed and +tremulous as any simple maid. + +I was yet gazing on her in dumb and stark amaze, when from somewhere +hard by a man cried out in wild and awful fashion, and as this agonised +screaming swelled upon the air, Joanna rose up to her feet and stood +transfigured, her eyes fierce and wild, her clenched teeth agleam 'twixt +curling lips; and presently through the swirling smoke limped Resolution +Day, a dreadful, bedabbled figure, who, beholding Joanna on her feet, +flourished a dripping blade and panted exultant. + +"He is dead?" she questioned. + +"Verily and thoroughly!" said Resolution, wringing blood from his beruffled +shirt sleeve. "And a moist end he made on't. But thee, Joanna, I grieved +thee surely dead--" + +"Nay, I screamed and dropped in time, but--hark, the Englishman's fire +is ceasing and see, Resolution--look yonder!" and she pointed where our +antagonist, sore battered in hull and spars, was staggering out of the +fight. + +And now in place of roaring battle was sudden hush, yet a quietude this, +troubled by thin cryings, waitings and the like distressful sounds; and +the smoke lifting showed something of the havoc about us, viz: our riven +bulwarks, the tangled confusion of shattered spars, ropes and fallen +gear, the still and awful shapes that cumbered the spattered decks, more +especially about the smoking guns where leaned their wearied crews, a +blood-stained, powder-grimed company, cheering fitfully as they watched the +English ship creeping away from us. + +To us presently cometh Diccon, his blackened face streaked with sweat, +hoarse-voiced but hearty: + +"Aha, Captain Jo--your luck's wi' us as ever! Yon curst craft hath her +bellyful at last, aye, has she!" + +"I doubt!" quoth Resolution, shaking his head, whiles Joanna, leaning +against the mast, pointed feebly and I noticed her sleeve was soaked with +blood and her speech dull and indistinct: + +"Resolution is i' the--right--see!" + +And sure enough the English ship, having fetched ahead of us and beyond +range of our broadside guns, had hauled her wind and now lay to, her people +mighty busy making good their damage alow and aloft, stopping shot-holes, +knotting and splicing their gear, etc. Hereupon Diccon falls to a passion +of vain oaths, Resolution to quoting Psalms and Joanna, sighing, slips +suddenly to the deck and lies a-swoon. In a moment Resolution was on his +knees beside her. + +"Water, Diccon, water!" said he. "The lads must never see her thus!" So +Diccon fetched the water and between them they contrived to get Joanna to +her feet, and standing thus supported by their arms, she must needs use her +first breath to curse her weak woman's body: + +"And our mainmast is shot through at the cap--we must wear ship or 'twill +go! Veer, Resolution, wear ship and man the larboard guns ... they are cool +... I must go tend my hurt--a curst on't! Wear ship and fight, Resolution, +fight--to the last!" + +So saying, she put by their hold and (albeit she stumbled for very +weakness) nevertheless contrived to descend the quarter-ladder and wave +cheery greeting to the roar of acclaim that welcomed her. + +"And there's for ye!" quoth Resolution. "Never was such hugeous great +spirit in man's body or woman's body afore, neither in this world or any +other--no, not even Davy at Adullam, by hookey! Down to your guns, Diccon +lad, and cheerily, for it looks as we shall have some pretty fighting, +after all!" + +But at the hoarse roar of Resolution's speaking trumpet was stir and +clamorous outcry from the battle-wearied crew who came aft in a body. + +"Oho, Belvedere!" they shouted, "Us ha' fought as long as men may, and now +what?" + +"Fight again, bullies, and cheerily!" roared Resolution. At this the uproar +grew; pistols and muskets were brandished. + +"We ha' fought enough! 'Tis time to square away and run for't--aye, +aye--what saith Belvedere, Belvedere be our Cap'n--we want Belvedere!" + +"Why then, take him, Bullies, take him and willing!" cried Resolution; +then stooping (and with incredible strength) up to the quarter-railing he +hoisted that awful, mutilated thing that had once been Captain Belvedere +and hove it over to thud down among them on the deck below. "Eye him over, +lads!" quoth Resolution. "View him well, bawcock boys! I made sure work, +d'ye see, though scarce so complete as the heathen Pompey might ha' done, +but 'tis a very thoroughly dead rogue, you'll allow. And I killed him +because he would ha' murdered our Joanna, our luck--and because he was for +yielding us up, you and me, to yon ship that is death for us--for look'ee, +there is never a ship on the Main will grant quarter or show mercy for we; +'tis noose and tar and gibbet for every one on us, d'ye see? So fight, +bully boys, fight for a chance o' life and happy days--here stand I to +fight wi' you and Diccon 'twixt decks and Captain Jo everywhere. We beat +off you Englishman once and so we will again. So fight it is, comrades all, +and a cheer for Captain Jo--ha, Joanna!" + +Cheer they did and (like the desperate rogues they were) back they went, +some to their reeking guns, others to splice running and standing rigging, +to secure our tottering mainmast and to clear the littered decks; overboard +alike went broken gear and dead comrade. Then, with every man at his +quarters, with port fires burning, drums beating, black flag flaunting +aloft, round swung the _Happy Despatch_ to face once more her indomitable +foe (since she might not fly) and to fight for her very life. + +So once again was smoke and flame and roaring battle; broadside for +broadside we fought them until night fell, a night of horror lit by the +quivering red glare of the guns, the vivid flash of pistol and musket +and the pale flicker of the battle lanthorns. And presently the moon was +casting her placid beam upon this hell of destruction and death, whereas I +lay, famished with hunger and thirst, staring up at her pale serenity with +weary, swooning eyes, scarce heeding the raving tumult about me. + +I remember a sudden, rending crash, a stunning shock and all things were +blotted out awhile. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +TELLETH HOW THE FIGHT ENDED + + +When sight returned to me at last, I was yet staring up at the moon, but +now she had climbed the zenith and looked down on me through a dense maze, +a thicket of close-twining branches (as it were) whose density troubled me +mightily. But in a little I saw that these twining branches were verily a +mass of ropes and cordage, a twisted tangle that hung above me yet crushed +me not by reason of a squat column that rose nearby, and staring on this +column I presently knew it for the shattered stump of the mizzenmast. For a +great while I lay staring on this (being yet much dazed) and thus gradually +became aware that the guns had fallen silent; instead of their thunderous +roar was a faint clamour, hoarse, inarticulate, and very far away. I was +yet wondering dreamily and pondering this when I made the further discovery +that by some miraculous chance the chain which had joined my fettered +wrists was broken in sunder and I was free. Nevertheless I lay awhile +blinking drowsily up at the moon until at last, impelled by my raging +thirst, I got to my knees (though with strange reluctance) and strove to +win clear from the tangle of ropes that encompassed me; in the which labour +I came upon the body of a dead man and beyond this, yet another. Howbeit I +was out of this maze at last and rising to my feet, found the deck to heave +oddly 'neath my tread, and so (like one walking in a dream) came stumbling +to the quarter-ladder and paused there awhile to lean against the +splintered rail and to clasp my aching head, for I was still greatly +bemused and my body mighty stiff and painful. + +Looking up after some while I saw the _Happy Despatch_ lay a helpless +wreck, her main and mizzenmasts shot away and her shattered hull fast +locked in close conflict with her indomitable foe. The English ship had +run us aboard at the fore-chains and as the two vessels, fast grappled +together, swung to the gentle swell, the moon glinted on the play of +vicious steel where the fight raged upon our forecastle. Mightily heartened +by this, I strove to shake off this strange lethargy that enthralled me and +looked about for some weapon, but finding none, got me down the ladder (and +marvellous clumsy about it) and reaching; the deck stumbled more than once +over stiffening forms that sprawled across my way. Here and there a battle +lanthorn yet glimmered, casting its uncertain beam on writhen legs, on +wide-tossed arms and shapes that seemed to stir in the gloom; and beholding +so many dead, I marvelled to find myself thus unharmed, though, as I +traversed this littered deck, its ghastliness dim-lit by these flickering +lanthorns and the moon's unearthly radiance, it seemed more than ever that +I walked within a dream, whiles the battle clamoured ever more loud. Once +I paused to twist a boarding-axe from stiffening fingers, and, being come +into the waist of the ship, found myself beside the main hatchway and +leaned there to stare up at the reeling fray on the forecastle where pike +darted, axe whirled, sword smote and the battle roared amain in angry +summons. But as I turned obedient to get me into this desperate fray, I +heard a low and feverish muttering and following this evil sound came upon +one who lay amid the wreckage of a gun, and bending above the man knew him +for Diccon the quartermaster. + +"How now, Diccon?" I questioned, and wondered to hear my voice so strange +and muffled. + +"Dying!" said he. "Dying--aye, am I! And wi' two thousand doubloons hid +away as I shall ne'er ha' the spending on--oh, for a mouthful o' water--two +thousand--a pike-thrust i' the midriff is an--ill thing yet--'tis better +than--noose and tar and gibbet--yet 'tis hard to die wi' two thousand +doubloons unspent--oh, lad, I parch--I burn already--water--a mouthful for +a dying man--" + +So came I to the water-butt that stood abaft the hatchway, and filling a +pannikin that chanced there with some of the little water that remained, +hastened back to Diccon, but ere I could reach him he struggled to his +knees and flinging arms aloft uttered a great cry and sank upon his face. +Then, finding him verily dead, I drank the water myself and, though +lukewarm and none too sweet, felt myself much refreshed and strengthened +thereby and the numbness of mind and body abated somewhat. + +And yet, as I knelt thus, chancing to lift my eyes from the dead man before +me, it seemed that verily I must be dreaming after all, for there, all +daintily bedight in purple gown, I beheld a fine lady tripping lightly +among these mangled dead; crouched in the shadow of the bulwark I watched +this approaching figure; then I saw it was Joanna, saw the moon glint +evilly on the pistol she bore ere she vanished down the hatchway. And now, +reading her fell purpose, I rose to my feet and stole after her down into +the 'tween-decks. + +An evil place this, crowded with forms that moaned and writhed fitfully in +the light of the lanthorns that burned dimly here and there, a place foul +with blood and reeking with the fumes of burnt powder, but I heeded only +the graceful shape that flitted on before; once she paused to reach down +a lanthorn and to open the slide, and when she went on again, flames +smouldered behind her and as often as she stayed to set these fires +a-going, I stayed to extinguish them as well as I might ere I hasted after +her. At last she paused to unlock a door and presently her voice reached +me, high and imperious as ever: + +"Greeting, Don Federigo! The ship's afire and 'tis an ill thing to burn, so +do I bring you kinder death!" + +Creeping to the door of this lock-up, I saw she had set down the lanthorn +and stood above the poor fettered captive, the pistol in her hand. + +"The Senorita is infinitely generous," said Don Federigo in his courtly +fashion; then, or ever she might level the weapon, I had seized and wrested +it from her grasp. Crying out in passionate fury, she turned and leapt at +me. + +"Off, murderess!" I cried, and whirling her from me, heard her fall and lie +moaning. "Come, sir," said I, aiding the Don to his feet, "let us be gone!" +But what with weakness and his fetters Don Federigo could scarce stand, so +I stooped and taking him across my shoulder, bore him from the place. But +as I went an acrid smoke met me and with here and there a glimmer of flame, +so that it seemed Joanna had fired the ship, my efforts notwithstanding. So +reeled I, panting, to the upper air and, loosing Don Federigo, sank to the +deck and stared dreamily at a dim moon. + +And now I was aware of a voice in my ear, yet nothing heeded until, shaken +by an importunate hand, I roused and sat up, marvelling to find myself so +weak. + +"Loose me, Senor Martino, loose off my bonds; the fire grows apace and I +must go seek the Senorita--burning is an evil death as she said. Loose off +my bonds--the Senorita must not burn--" + +"No, she must not--burn!" said I dully, and struggling to my feet I saw a +thin column of smoke that curled up the hatchway. Gasping and choking, +I fought my way down where flames crackled and smoke grew ever denser. +Suddenly amid this swirling vapour I heard a glad cry: + +"Ah, _Martino mio_--you could not leave me then to die alone!" And I saw +Joanna, with arms stretched out to me, swaying against the angry glow +behind her. So I caught her up in my embrace and slipping, stumbling, blind +and half-choked, struggled up and up until at last I reeled out upon deck, +and with Joanna thus clasped upon my breast, stood staring with dazed and +unbelieving eyes at the vision that had risen up to confront me. For there +before me, hedged about by wild figures and brandished steel, with slender +hands tight-clasped together, with vivid lips apart and eyes wide, I +thought to behold at last my beloved Damaris, my Joan, my dear, dear lady; +but knowing this false, I laughed and shook my head. + +"Deluding vision," said I, "blest sight long-hoped and prayed for--why +plague me now?" + +I was on my knees, staring up at this beloved shape through blinding tears +and babbling I know not what. And then arms were about me, tender yet +strong and compelling, a soft cheek was pressed to mine and in my ear +Joan's voice: + +"Oh, my beloved--fret not thyself--here is no vision, my Martin--" + +"Joan!" I panted. "Oh, Damaris--beloved!" And shaking off these fettering +arms, I rose to my feet. "Joan, is it thou thyself in very truth, or do I +see thee in heaven--" + +And now it seemed I was sinking within an engulfing darkness and nought to +see save only the pale oval of this so loved, oft-visioned face that held +for me the beauty of all beauteous things. At last her voice reached me, +soft and low, yet full of that sweet, vital ring that was beyond all +forgetting. + +"Martin--Oh, Martin!" + +Out towards me in the growing dark I saw her hands reach down to me: and +then these eager, welcoming hands were seized and Joanna was between us on +her knees. + +"Spare him--Oh, lady, in mercy spare my beloved--kill me an you will, but +spare this man of mine--these arms have cradled him ere now, this bosom +been his pillow--" + +"Joan!" I muttered, "Oh, Damaris, beloved--" + +But seeing the stricken agony of her look and how she shrank from my touch, +I uttered a great cry and turning, sped blindly away and stumbling, fell +and was engulfed in choking blackness. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +HOW I FELL IN WITH MY FRIEND, CAPTAIN SIR ADAM PENFEATHER + + +It was the pommel of the long rapier dangling from the chair-back that +first drew and held my eye, for this pommel was extremely bright and +polished and gleamed on me like a very keen and watchful eye as I watched, +though conscious also of the luxury of panelled walls, of rich floor +coverings and tapestried hangings, and the man who sat writing so +studiously at the carven table. And presently, roused by the scratch of his +industrious quill, I fell to watching him, his bowed head, the curve of his +back as he stooped. A small, lean man but very magnificent, for his coat of +rich purple velvet sat on him with scarce a wrinkle, his great peruke fell +in such ample profusion of curls that I could see nought but the tip of +his nose as he bent to his writing, and I wondered idly at his so great +industry. Now presently he paused to read over what he had written and +doing so, began to push and pull at his cumbrous wig and finally, lifting +it off, laid it on the table. Thus I saw the man was white-haired and that +his ears were mighty strange, being cut and trimmed to points like a dog's +ears; and beholding the jut of brow and nose and resolute chin, I fell to +sudden trembling, and striving to lift myself on the bed, wondered to find +this such a business. + +"Adam!" said I, my voice strangely thin and far away, "Adam Penfeather!" + +In one movement, as it seemed to me, he was out of the chair and leaning +above me. "Why, Martin," said he. "Why, comrade! Lord love you, Martin, are +ye awake at last? Here you've lain these twelve hours like a dead man and +small wonder, what with your wound--" + +"So you have come--at last, Adam?" + +"And in good time, shipmate!" + +"Where am I?" + +"Safe aboard my ship, the _Deliverance_." + +"'Twas you fought the _Happy Despatch_?" + +"Aye, Martin, and should have very properly destroyed every rogue aboard +but for my lady--" + +"My lady?" said I, sitting up. "My lady--Joan?" + +"Aye, verily--" + +"Then 'tis true--all true!" said I, and fell a-trembling. "My lady's here?" + +"She is, Martin, and more's the pity. For look'ee, having boarded yon +devil's craft and cut down such as resisted, I was very properly for +hanging such as remained, when down on me comes my lady and is for carrying +the rogues to trial, the which is but vain labour and loss o' time, since +each and all of my twenty and three prisoners is bound to swing soon or +late, as I told her, but, 'No matter, Sir Adam,' says she. 'Law is law, Sir +Adam,' quo' she. When cometh Godby, running, to say the cursed ship was +afire, and coming to the main hatchway, I beheld, half-strangled in the +smoke, yourself, shipmate, and a woman in your arms--" + +"Ha--'twas Joanna!" said I, leaping in the bed. "What of her, Adam--what of +her, man?" + +"A fine woman, I'll allow, Martin, and by her looks a lady of quality--" + +"Say a demon rather--a very she-devil!" + +"Why, as you will, Martin, as you will!" said he. "Only rest you, lest the +fever take you again." + +"How was I wounded, then?" + +"A flying splinter in the head, Martin, so Surgeon Penruddock says. But +then you have a marvellous stout skull, as I do know, shipmate." + +"What ha' you done with Joanna--where is she?" + +"Content you, Martin, she is safe enough and well cared for; you shall see +her anon," said he, stroking his long chin and viewing me with his quick, +keen eyes, "But first you shall eat!" And he rang the small silver bell +that stood upon the table, whereon in came a soft-footed serving-man in +handsome livery, who, receiving Adam's commands, presently bowed himself +out again. + +Hereupon Adam set on his periwig and fell to pacing slowly to and fro, his +feet soundless upon the rich carpet, viewing me now and then like one +that ponders some problem. Now, beholding his air of latent power and +indomitable mastery, the richness of his habit, the luxury that surrounded +him, it seemed in very truth that he was the great gentleman and I the +merest poor suppliant for his bounty; whereupon I must needs contrast his +case with mine and perceiving myself no better than I had been three weary +years since, to wit: the same poor, destitute wretch, I fell into a black +and sullen humour: + +"You go vastly fine these days!" quoth I, scowling (like the surly dog I +was). + +"Aye, Martin--I am so vastly rich!" he sighed. "I am a baronet, shipmate!" +he nodded dolefully. "And what is worse, I own many rich manors and +countless broad acres besides divers castles, mansions, houses and the +like. Thus all men do protest friendship for me, and at this moment there +be many noble ladies do sigh for me or the manors and castles aforesaid. +And there was a duchess, Martin, was set upon wedding my riches (and me +along of 'em) but I have no leaning to duchesses, though this one was young +and comely enough. So went I to the King, who by his grace suffered me to +fit out, provision, arm and man this ship at my own expense, Martin, and +square away for the Spanish Main to sink, burn and utterly destroy such +pirate vessels as I can bring to action. So here am I, shipmate, since I +had rather fight rogues when and where I may than marry a duchess once. And +here cometh what shall do you a world o' good, Martin--broth with a dash +o' rum--which is good for a man, soul and body!" said he, as the +serving-fellow appeared, bearing a silver tray whereon stood broth in a +silver bowl of most delectable odour. And indeed, very good broth I found +it. + +So whiles I ate, Adam, sitting near, told me much of his doings since he +left me solitary on Bartlemy's Island, but of my lady Joan Brandon he spoke +no word. + +"'Tis but three short years since we parted, shipmate, three short years--" + +"Three long, empty years!" said I bitterly. + +"Aye, truth!" quoth he. "You had a mind to nought but vengeance, which is +an empty thing, as belike you'll allow, Martin, you being now three long, +empty years the wiser?" + +Here, what with the hot broth and my hotter anger, I came nigh to choking, +whereupon he rose and, seeing the bowl empty, took it from me and +thereafter set another pillow to my back, the while I reviled him +impotently. + +"There, there, Martin!" said he, patting my shoulder as I had been a +petulant child. "Never miscall Adam that is your friend, for if you have +wasted yourself in a vanity, so have I, for here you see me full of +honours, Martin, a justice, a member o' Parliament, a power at Court with +great lords eager for my friendship and great ladies eager to wed me. Yet +here am I safe at sea and fighting rogues as often as I may, for great +riches is a plague that tainteth love and friendship alike--_vanitas +vanitatum, omnium vanitas_!" + +"Yet your three years have been turned to better account than mine!" said +I, grown suddenly humble. + +"In the matter of houses and land, Martin?" + +"Aye!" I nodded. "For my three years I've nought to show but scars and +rags." + +"Not so, Martin, for your fortune marched with mine. Lord love you, I never +bought stick or stone or acre of land but I bought one for you, comrade, +share and share, shipmate. So, if I am a man o' great possessions, so are +you, Martin; there be lands and houses in old England waiting their master +as you sit there." Now at this I lay silent awhile, but at last I reached +out a fumbling hand, the which he took and wrung in his vital clasp. + +"God help me, Adam!" said I. "What have these years made of me?" + +"That same scowling, unlovely, honest-hearted self-deluder that is my sworn +comrade and blood-brother and that I do love heartily for his own sake and +the sake of my lady Joan. For look'ee, she hath oft told me of you and the +life you lived together on Bartlemy's Island." + +"And has she so indeed?" quoth I. + +"Aye, verily. Lord, Martin, when she waked from her swoon aboard ship and +found I had sailed without you, she was like one distraught and was for +having me 'bout ship that she might stay to comfort you in your solitude. +And so I did, Martin, but we were beset by storm and tempest and blown far +out of our course and further beset by pirates and the like evils, and in +the end came hardly to England with our lives. No sooner there than my lady +fits out an expedition to your relief and I busied with divers weighty +concerns, she sails without me and is wrecked in the Downs, whereby she +lost her ship and therewith all she possessed, save only Conisby Shene, the +which she holdeth in your name, Martin." + +"Adam," said I, "Oh, Adam, surely this world hath not her like--" + +"Assuredly not!" quoth he. "The which doth put me to great wonder you +should come to forget her a while--" + +"Forget her? I?" + +"Aye, Martin--in the matter of the--the lady yonder--Madam Joanna--" + +"Joanna!" I cried, clenching my fists. "That demon!" + +"Ha--demon, is it?" quoth Adam, pinching his chin and eyeing me askance. +"Doth your love grow all sudden cold--" + +"Love?" cried I. "Nay--my hate waxeth for thing so evil--she is a very +devil--" + +"Nay, Martin, she is a poor Spanish lady, exceeding comely and with a hand, +a foot, an eye, a person of birth and breeding, a dainty lady indeed, yet +of a marvellous sweet conversation and gentle deportment, and worthy any +man's love. I do allow--" + +"Man," cried I, "you do speak arrant folly--she is Joanna!" + +"Why, true, Martin, true!" said Adam soothingly and eyeing me anxious-eyed. +"She is the lady Joanna that you preserved from death and worse, it +seems--" + +"Says she so, Adam?" + +"Aye! And, by her showing, some small--some few small--kindnesses have +passed betwixt you." + +"Kindnesses?" I demanded. + +"Aye, Martin, as is but natural, God knoweth. Kisses, d'ye see, embraces--" + +"She lies!" quoth I, starting up in bed, "she lies!" + +"Why, very well, Martin--" + +"Ha, d'ye doubt my word, Adam?" + +"No, Martin, no--except--when first I clapped eyes on you, she chanced to +be lying in your arms, d'ye see?" + +"Tush!" said I. "What o' that? 'Twas after she'd set the ship afire and +sought to murder Don Federigo; we left her in the 'tween-decks and I found +her nigh stifled by the smoke. Have you got her fast in the bilboes--safe +under lock and key?" + +"Lord love you--no. Martin!" said he, viewing me askance as I were raving. +"So young, Martin! And a bullet wound i' the arm and mighty brave, despite +her tenderness, so says Penruddock our surgeon." + +"Why then, in God's name--where is she?" + +"Where should she be, seeing she was wounded and solitary, but with my lady +Joan!" + +"God forbid!" cried I. + +"Why, Martin, 'tis my lady's whim--they walk together, talk, eat, aye, and +sleep together, for aught I know--" + +"Adam," said I, grasping him by the arm. "You know Captain Tressady of old, +and Mings and Red Rory, Sol Aiken and others of the Coast Brotherhood, but +have you ever met the fiercest, bravest, greatest of these rogues; have you +ever heard tell of Captain 'Jo'?" + +"Aye, truly, Martin, some young springald that hath risen among 'em since +my time, a bloody rogue by account and one I would fain come alongside +of--" + +"Captain Jo lies in your power, Adam; Captain Jo is aboard; Captain Jo is +Joanna herself! 'Twas Joanna fought the _Happy Despatch_ so desperately!" + +Now hereupon Adam fell back a pace and stood staring down on me and +pinching his chin, but with never a word. And seeing him thus incredulous +still, I strove to get me out of bed. + +"Easy, Martin!" said he, restraining me. "These be wild and whirling words +and something hard to believe--" + +"Why, then, if you doubt me still, summon hither Don Federigo an he be yet +alive--" + +"Look now, Martin," said he, seating himself on the bed beside me. "Since +we left England I have burned or scuttled four rascally pirate craft and +each and every a fighting ship, yet no one of them so mauled and battered +us as this _Happy Despatch_ (whereby I have lost fourteen good fellows dead +besides thirty wounded) the which as I do know was captained by one calling +himself Belvedere--" + +"Tush!" cried I. "He was a man of straw and would have run or struck to you +after your first broadside! 'Twas Joanna and Resolution Day fought the ship +after Belvedere was dead--" + +"Ah, dead, is he? Why, very good!" said Adam, rising and seating himself +at the table. "Here is yet another name for my journal. You saw him dead, +Martin?" he questioned, taking up his pen. + +"Most horribly! He was killed by the mate, Resolution Day--" + +"Ha!" says Adam, turning to his writing. "'Tis a name sticks in my +memory--a man I took out o' prison and saved from burning along with divers +others, when we took Margarita--a tall, one-eyed man and scarred by the +torment--?" + +"'Tis the same! But, God forgive you, Adam, why must you be wasting time +over your curst journal and idle talk--" + +"I think, Martin! I meditate! For, if this be true indeed, we must go like +Agog--delicately--Martin--delicately!" + +"Folly--oh, folly!" cried I. "Joanna may be firing the ship as you sit +scribbling there, or contriving some harm to my dear lady--act, man--act!" + +"As how, Martin?" he questioned, carefully sanding what he had writ. + +"Seize her ere she can strike, set her fast under lock and key, have her +watched continually--" + +"Hum!" said Adam, pinching his chin and viewing me with his keen gaze. "If +she be so dangerous as you say, why not slay her out of hand--" + +"No!" said I. "No!" + +"But she is a pirate, you tell me?" + +"She is! And I do know her for murderess beside!" + +"How came you in her company, Martin?" + +Hereupon in feverish haste I recounted much of what I have already set down +concerning this strange, wild creature, to all of which he hearkened mighty +attentive, pinching at his chin and a frown on his face. + +"Verily!" said he, when I had done. "Never heard man stranger story!" But +seeing how he regarded me in the same dubious manner, I leapt out of bed +ere he might prevent and staggered with weakness. "Lord love you, Martin," +said he, snatching me in his iron grip, "Lord love you, what would you +be at? Here's Surgeon Penruddock and his two mates with their hands full +enough, as it is, God knoweth, and you sick o' your wound--" So saying, +Adam bundled me back into bed, willy-nilly. + +"Why, then, question Don Federigo, who knoweth her better than I--summon +him hither--" + +"Impossible, Martin, he lieth very nigh to death." + +"And what of Joanna? She is as swift as a snake and as deadly--she is a +lurking danger--a constant menace, beyond thought subtle and crafty--" + +"Hist!" quoth Adam, catching me by the arm and turning suddenly as came a +soft rapping; then the door opened and Joanna herself stood before us, but +indeed a Joanna such as I had never seen. Timid, abashed, great-eyed and +wistful, she stood looking on me, her slender hands tight-clasped, her +tremulous, parted lips more vivid by reason of the pallor of her cheeks, +all shy and tender womanhood from the glossy ringlets at her white brow to +the dainty shoe that peeped forth of her petticoat; as for me, I sank back +among my pillows amazed beyond--all speech by the infinite change in her, +for here was a transformation that went beyond mere lace and velvets; the +change was in her very self, her look, her voice, her every gesture. + +"_Martino mio_!" said she at last, and sure this pen of mine may never tell +all the languorous caress of these two words; and then, or ever I might +speak or stir, she was beside me and had caught my hand to her lips. And +then I saw Joan standing in the doorway, the Damaris of my dreams, and +though her lips smiled upon us, there was that in her eyes that filled me +with bitter shame and an agony beyond the telling. + +"Damaris!" I groaned and freed my hand so suddenly that Joanna stumbled +and would have fallen, but for Adam's ready arm. "Damaris!" I cried. "Ah, +God,'--look not so! All these weary years I have lived and dreamed but +of you--Joan, beloved, 'twas thy sweet memory made my solitude worth the +living--without thee I had died--" Choking with my grief, I reached out my +hands in passionate supplication to that loved shape that drooped in the +doorway, one white hand against the carven panelling; and then Joanna was +on her knees, her soft cheek pressed to my quivering fist, wetting it with +her tears: + +"Martino!" she sobbed. "Ah, _caro mio_, art so strange--dost not know thy +Joanna--dost not know me, Martino?" + +"Aye, I know you, Captain Jo," I cried. "Well I know you to my cost, +as hath many another: I know you for 'La Culebra,' for Joanna that is +worshipped, obeyed and followed by every pirate rogue along the Main. Oh, +truly I know you to my bitter sorrow--" + +Now at this she gave a little, pitiful, helpless gesture and looked from me +to the others, her eyes a-swim with tears. + +"Alas!" she sobbed. "And is he yet so direly sick?" Then, bowing her head +to the pillow beside me, "Oh, loved Martino," she sighed, "art so sick not +to remember all that is betwixt us, that which doth make thee mine so long +as life shall be to me--the wonder I have told to my lady Damaris--" + +Now here I caught her in savage gripe. "What," cried I, shaking her to and +fro despite my weakness, "what ha' you told my lady?" + +"Beloved Martino--I confessed our love--alas, was I wrong, Martino--I told +her my joyous hope to be the mother of your child ere long--" + +"Oh, shame!" cried I. "Oh, accursed liar!" And I hurled her from me; then, +lying gasping amid my tumbled pillows, my aching head between my hands, +I saw my beloved lady stoop to lift her, saw that lying head pillowed +on Joan's pure bosom and uttering a great cry, I sank to a merciful +unconsciousness. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +HOW I HAD WORD WITH MY LADY, JOAN BRANDON + + +"A marvel, Sir Adam (perceive me), a wonder! The constitution of a horse, +an ox, nay an elephant, the which monstrous beast (you'll allow me!) hath a +pachydermatous hide tolerably impervious to spears, axes, darts, javelins +and the like puny offences, and a constitution whereby he liveth (you'll +observe) whole centuries. Indeed, Sir Adam, 'tis a cure marvellous, being +one I ha' wrought on my patient in spite of said patient. For look now (and +heed me) here we have soul, mind and will, or what you will, pulling +one way, and body hauling t'other, and body hath it, physics versus +metaphysics--a pretty and notable case--" + +"Why, he hath a notable hard head, Master Penruddock--" + +"Head, Sir Adam, head--were his head as adamantine, as millstone or hard +as one o' your cannon balls that shall not save him, if mind and body +agreeably seek and desire death, and mind (pray understand, sir) is the +more potent factor, thus (saving and excepting the abnormal vigour of his +body) by all the rules of chirurgical science he should ha' died three days +agone--when the seizure took him." + +"Would to heaven I had!" said I, opening my eyes to scowl up at the little +man who beamed down on me through monstrous horn-rimmed spectacles. + +"Aha, and there we have it confessed, Sir Adam!" said he. "Yet we shall +have him on his legs again in a day or so, thanks to my art--" + +"And his lady's nursing!" + +"What, hath she been with me in my sickness, Adam?" I questioned when the +doctor had departed. + +"Night and day, Martin, as sweet and patient with you as any angel in +heaven, and you cursing and reviling her the while in your ravings--" + +"Oh, God forgive me! Where is she now, Adam?" + +"With my Lady Joan--" + +"How?" I cried. "Was this Joanna nursed me?" + +"Why, truly, Martin. Could she have better employ?" But hereupon I fell to +such fury that Adam turned to stare at me, pen in hand. + +"Lord love you, Martin," said he, pinching his chin, "I begin to think that +skull o' yours is none so hard, after all--" + +"And you," quoth I bitterly. "Your wits are none so keen as I had judged +'em. You are grown a very credulous fool, it seems!" + +"Ha--'tis very well, shipmate!" + +"For here you have Joanna--this evil creature stained by God knoweth how +many shameful crimes--you have her beneath your hand and let her come and +go as she lists, to work such new harms as her cunning may suggest--either +you disbelieve my statements, or you've run mad, unless--" + +"Unless what, Martin?" + +"Unless she's bewitched you as she hath full many a man ere now." + +Adam blenched and (for the first time in my remembrance) his keen eyes +quailed before mine, and over his bronzed face, from aggressive chin to +prominent brow, crept a slow and painful red. + +"Martin," said he, his eyes steady again, "I will confess to you that is my +blood-brother and comrade sworn, I have--thought better of--of her than any +proud lady or duchess of 'em all--" + +"Despite the foul and shameful lie you heard her utter?" + +"Despite everything, Martin." + +"Then God help you, Adam!" + +"Amen," said he. + +"You are surely crazed--" + +"Why, very well, Martin, though you know me for a timid man--" + +"Tush!" quoth I, turning my back on him. + +"And a cautious, more especially in regard to women, having known but few +and understanding none. Thus, Martin, though I seem crazed and foolish, +'tis very well, so long as I have eyes to see and ears to hear, and now +I'll away and use 'em awhile. And here," said he, rising as a knock sounded +on the door, "should be an old friend o' yours that got himself something +scorched on your account." And opening the door he disclosed a squat, +broad-shouldered fellow of a sober habit, his head swathed in a bandage, +but the eyes of him very round and bright and his wide mouth up-curving in +a smile. + +"Godby!" said I, and reached but my hand to him. + +"Why, Mart'n!" cried he. "Oh, pal--here's j'y, choke me wi' a rammer else! +Lord, Mart'n--three years--how time doth gallop! And you no whit changed, +save for your beard! But here's me wi' a fine stocked farm t'other side +Lamberhurst--and, what's more, a wife in't as be sister to Cecily as you'll +mind at the 'Hoppole'--and, what's more, a blessed infant, pal, as I've +named Tom arter myself, by reason that my name is God-be-here, and Mart'n +arter you, by reason you are my pal and brought me all the good fortun' +as I ever had. Aha, 'twas a mortal good hour for me when we first struck +hands, Mart'n." + +"And you're more than quits, Godby, by saving me from the fire--" + +"Why, pal, you fell all of a swound, d'ye see, and there's my Lady Brandon +and t'other 'un a-running to fetch ye, flames or no--so what could I do--" + +"My lady Joan?" + +"Aye and t'other 'un--the Spanish dame as you come up a-cuddling of, +Mart'n--and a notable fine piece she be, as I'm a gunner--" + +"Is my lady on deck?" + +"Which on 'em, pal?" + +"Joan, man--my Lady Brandon!" + +"Aye, and mighty downcast by her look. 'Godby,' says she to me a while +back, 'if I find not my father now, I do think my poor heart will break!' +And the sweet sad eyes of her, pal--" + +"I'll get up!" said I, tossing off the bed clothes. + +"Lord, Mart'n, what'll Cap'n Adam say--" + +"'Tis no matter!" + +"Are ye strong enough, pal?" + +"To be sure!" said I, and getting upon my feet, reeled for very weakness +and should have fallen but that Godby propped me with his shoulder; +supported thus and despite Godby's remonstrances, I staggered to and fro +and gradually found my strength return in some small measure, whereupon I +began to dress myself forthwith. + +"Whither are we sailing, Godby?" + +"To the nearest secure anchorage, Mart'n, for what wi' storm and battle we +are so battered and sprung, alow and aloft--and small wonder, here's four +ships we've destroyed since we left Old England, battle, murder and sudden +death, pal!" + +So with Godby's help I got me out upon the broad quarter-deck and saw +the _Deliverance_ for a fine, roomy ship, very clean and trim, her decks +new-scoured, her brass-work gleaming in the sun; though here and there the +carpenters were still repairing such damage as she had taken in the fight. + +"A noble ship, pal," says Godby, as I sat me down on one of the guns, "and +looks vasty different to what she did three days since, her foreyard and +main-to'-gallant mast shot away and her starboard bulwarks shattered fore +and aft and three shot-holes under water as can't be come at till we +careen." + +"'Twas hot fight--I marvel your damage was no greater," says I, glancing +hither and thither for sight of my lady, and my heart throbbing with +expectation. + +"Nay, Mart'n, 'twas guile, 'twas craft, 'twas seamanship. Lord love +your eyes, pal, Cap'n Adam seized him the vantage point by means of a +fore-course towing under water, and kept it. For look'ee, 'tis slip our +floating anchor, up wi' our helm and down on 'em 'thwart-hawse and let fly +our larboard broadside, veer and pound 'em wi' our starboard guns, keeping +the weather gauge, d'ye see, pal, till their fire slackens and them blind +wi' our smoke and theirs. Then to close wi' 'em till our gun muzzles are +nigh touching and whiles we pound 'em below, 'tis grappling irons and +boarders away! Aha, a wonderful man is Cap'n Adam--oh, 'tis beautiful sight +to watch him take ship into action; 'tis sight to warm a man's in'nards and +make archangels sing for j'y, pal. Aye, deafen, blind and choke me but a +man o' men is Cap'n Adam Penfeather!" + +"He is come to great repute, I hear!" said I, my hungry gaze wandering. + +"Verily he hath, Mart'n; the King do honour him vastly especially since +he pinked a strutting, quarrelsome gentleman through the sword-arm in St. +James's Park, and him a nearl, pal!" + +"At last!" says I. + +"Anan, pal?" he questioned, but looking where I looked. "Aye," he nodded, +"'tis my Lady Brandon, and mighty despondent by her looks as I told ye, +Mart'n." All unconscious of me she crossed the deck slow-footed and coming +to the lee bulwark, paused there, her lovely head down-bent upon her hands. + +Now watching her as she stood thus, my eager gaze dwelling on every line of +the beloved shape, I was filled with such overmastering emotion, an ecstasy +so keen, that I fell a-trembling and my eyes filled with sudden, blinding +tears; and bowing my face on my hand, I sat thus a while until I had +composed myself. Then I arose and made my way towards her on stumbling +feet. + +Suddenly she turned and espying me, started and fell a-trembling, even as +I. + +"Martin," said she below her breath. "Oh, Martin!" + +"Damaris!" I muttered. "Beloved--!" + +Now at this she gave a little gasp and turned to gaze away across the +placid waters, and I saw her slender hands clasp and wring each other. + +"Have you no word of greeting for me?" + +"I rejoice to--to see you well again, Martin!" + +"Have you no word of--love for me, after all these years, Damaris?" At this +she shrank away and, leaning 'gainst the bulwark, shook her head, and again +I saw that hopeless gesture of her quivering hands. + +"Is your love for me dead, then?" I questioned, coming a pace nearer. + +"Ah, never that, Martin!" she whispered. "Only I have--buried it +deep--within my heart--where it shall lie for ever hid for thy sake and her +sake and--and that--which is to be--this poor Joanna hath told me--" + +Now hereupon I laughed and caught her hands and kissed them and they, the +pretty things, trembling 'neath my kisses. + +"God love thee for sweet and noble woman, my Damaris," said I, sinking to +my knees before her, "and now, thus kneeling in the sight of God and thee, +hear me swear that hateful thing of which you speak never was and never +shall be!" Here I clasped my arms about her, felt her yield and sway to my +embrace, saw a dawning glory in her eyes. + +"Martin," said she, quick-breathing, "if this be so indeed--" + +"Indeed and indeed, Joanna spake a shameful lie--a woman prone to every +evil, being a murderess and--" + +"A murderess, Martin?" + +"Aye, by her own confession, and I do know her for a pirate beside, more +desperate and resolute than any, known to every rogue along the Main as +Captain Jo." + +Now here my lady stirred in my embrace and looked down on me with troubled +gaze. + +"And yet, dear Martin, you lived with her on--on our island?" + +"Aye, I did--to my torment, and prayed God I might not slay her." And here +in breathless fashion I told my lady of Joanna's coming and of the ills +that followed; but seeing the growing trouble in her look, my arms fell +from her and great bitterness filled me. "Ah, God in heaven, Damaris!" I +cried, "never say you doubt my word--" + +"Martin!" + +I rose to my feet to behold Joanna within a yard of us. For a long and +breathless moment she looked from me to other of us and then, shuddering, +hid her face in her two hands. + +"Dear my lady," said she at last, "if by reason of his wound my loved +Martin hath grown strange to me and all his love for me forgot--if indeed +you do love him--to you that have been more than sister and gentle friend +to miserable Joanna, to you I do yield my love henceforth, nor will I +repine, since my love for thee shall teach me how to bear my shame, yes--" + +"Ha, damned liar!" I cried, and turned on Joanna with clenched fists; and +then my lady's restraining arms were about me and I sank half-swooning +against the ship's side. + +"Dear Martin," said she, viewing me tearful-eyed, "you are not yourself--" + +"No!" cried I, burying my throbbing head betwixt my arms. "I am Fortune's +Fool--the world is upside down--God help me, I shall run mad in very truth. +Oh, damned Fortune--curst Fate!" and I brake out into futile raving awhile. +When at last I raised my head it was to behold my lady clasping this vile +creature in her arms and cherishing her with tender words and caresses, the +which sight wrought me to a very frenzy of cold and bitter rage. Said I: + +"My Lady Brandon, God knoweth I have greatly loved you, wherein I have +wasted myself on a vain thing as is to me right manifest. So now, since +you have buried your love, mine do I tear from me and cast utterly away; +henceforth I am no more than an instrument of vengeance--" + +"Martin!" cried she. "Oh, dear Martin, for the love of God--" + +But (Oh, vain folly! Oh, detestable pride!) I heeded not this merciful +appeal nor the crying of my own heart, but turning my back upon my noble +lady, stumbled away and with never another word or look. And thus I (that +was born to be my own undoer) once more barred myself out from all that +life offered me of happiness, since pride is ever purblind. + +Presently, espying Godby where divers of his fellows rove new tackle to a +gun, I enquired for Adam. + +"I' the gun room, Mart'n--nay, I'll stand along wi' you." + +So he brought me down to the gun room where sat Adam, elbows on table, chin +on hand, peering up at one who stood before him in fetters, a haggard, +warworn figure. + +"What--Resolution?" said I. + +"That same, friend, brought somewhat low, comrade, yet soon, it seems, to +be exalted--on a gallows, d'ye see, yet constant in prayer, steadfast in +faith and nowise repining--for where would be the use? And moreover, the +way o' the Lord is my way--Amen, brother, and Amen." + +"Adam," said I, turning where he yet gazed up at Resolution's scarred and +bandaged face, "I would fain have you show mercy to this man. But for +Resolution here I had died hideously at the hands of a vile blackamoor." + +"Mercy?" said Adam, scowling up at Resolution. + +"His life, Adam." + +"'Tis forfeit! Here standeth a notable pirate and one of authority +among the rogues, so must he surely die along with Captain Jo--" I saw +Resolution's shackled hands clench suddenly, then he laughed, harsh and +strident. + +"To hang Captain Jo you must needs catch him first!" + +"Why then who--who and what is Joanna?" I demanded. + +"Why, your light-o'-love, for sure, friend, as we found along o' you on a +lonely island, _amigo_." + +"Resolution, you lie--" + +"On a lonely island, _camarado_," says he again. + +"Wait!" I muttered, clasping my aching head. "Wait! Joanna is the daughter +of the murdered Governor of Santa Catalina who was left behind in the +burning town and rescued by Indians, who, being Indians, were kind to her. +But these Indians were killed by white men who took her, and, being white +men, they used her ill all save one who was to her father and mother, +sister and brother and his name Resolution. So she grew up a pirate among +pirates, dressed, spoke and acted as they and rose to be great among +them by reason of her quick wit and resolute spirit, and because of her +quickness and subtle wit is called 'La Culebra' and for her desperate +courage is hailed as 'Captain Jo.'" + +Resolution fell back a step, staring on me amazed, and I saw his shackled +fists were quivering. Then suddenly Adam rose and leaned forward across the +table. + +"Resolution Day," said he, "have you a memory for faces?" + +I saw Resolution's solitary eye widen and dilate as it took in the man +before him, the spare form, the keen, aquiline face with its black brows, +white hair and mutilated ears. + +"Captain--Adam Penfeather--o' the Brotherhood!" + +"Ha!" quoth Adam, nodding grimly. "I see you know me! So, Resolution Day, I +warn you to prepare to make your final exodus with Captain Jo--at sunset!" + +Resolution's scarred head sank, his maimed body seemed to shrink and there +broke from him a groan: + +"To hang--to die--she's so young--so young--all I ever had to love! Oh, +Lord God o' battles--" + +"Godby, summon the guard and see him safely bestowed--in the lock-up aft, +and bring the key to my cabin." So at Godby's word, in came two armed +fellows and marched out Resolution Day, his head still bowed and his +fetters jangling dismally. + +"You'll never hang her, Adam!" said I, when we were alone. "You cannot, +man--you shall not!" + +"Lord, Martin," said he, sitting on his great peruke and looking askance at +me, "Lord, what a marvellous thick skull is thine!" + +"Mayhap!" quoth I, "but you know my story for true at last--you know Joanna +for Captain Jo." + +Now here he answered never a word but falls to pacing back and forth, his +hands clasped behind him; whereupon I seated myself at the table and leaned +my aching head betwixt my hands. + +"Adam," said I at last, "how far are we, do you reckon, from Nombre de +Dios?" + +"Some hundred and fifty miles, maybe a little less." + +"Why, then, give me a boat." + +"A boat?" said he, pausing in his walk to stare on me. + +"Aye, a boat," I nodded. "You cast me adrift once, you'll mind--well--do so +again!" + +"And what o' my Lady Joan? Ha--will ye tell me you've quarrelled already in +true lover-like fashion--is this it?" + +"'Tis no matter," quoth I, "only I do not stay on this ship another hour." + +"Lord!" said he, "Lord love me, Martin! Here you've scarce found her and +now eager to lose her again--heaven save me from love and lovers--" + +"Give me a boat." + +"A boat?" said he, pinching his chin. "A boat, is it? Why, very well, +Martin--a boat! Ha, here me-thinks is the very hand o' Providence, and who +am I to gainsay it? You shall have the longboat, Martin, well stored and +armed; 'tis a goodly boat that I am loth to part with--but seeing 'tis you, +comrade, why very well. Only you must bide till it be dark for reasons +obvious--" + +"So be it!" I nodded. "And if you could give me a chart and set me a course +how to steer for Nombre de Dios, I should be grateful, Adam." + +"Why, so I will, Martin. A course to Nombre--aye, verily! 'Tis said one Sir +Richard Brandon lieth 'prisoned there. Ha--having quarrelled with daughter +you speed away to sire--" + +"And what then?" said I, scowling. + +"Nought, Martin, nought in the world, only if in this world is a fool--art +surely he, comrade. Nay, never rage against your true friend, comrade; give +me your arm, let me aid you up to my cabin, for your legs are yet overly +weak, I doubt." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +TELLETH THE OUTCOME OP MY PRIDEFUL FOLLY + + +The moon had not yet risen when, in despite of Adam's warnings and +remonstrances, I set the great boat-cloak about me and stepped forth into +the stern-gallery of the ship, whence I might look down and behold the dark +loom of the longboat, a gliding, glimmering shadow upon the white spume of +the wake. + +Now if there be any who, reading this my narrative, shall cry out against +me for perverse fool (as I surely was) to all such I would but say that +though indeed a man wild and headstrong by nature and given to passionate +impulse, yet I was not wholly myself at this time by reason of my wound, so +that the unlovely and gloomy spirit of selfishness that possessed me now +had full sway to rule me how it listed; and I would have this plead such +excuse as might be for this my so desperate and unreasonable determination, +the which was to plunge me into further evils and miseries, as you shall +hear. + +"So you are determined on't, Martin?" said Adam, standing beside me where I +prepared to descend the short rope ladder. + +"I am!" + +"Lord, Martin, there is so much to love in you 'tis pity you are so much of +fool--" + +"You said as much before--" + +"Aye, so I did, comrade, so I did. But look'ee, 'tis a smooth sea, a fair +wind--aha, it needeth no pistol butt to persuade you to it this time; you +go of your own will and most express desire, comrade." + +"I do, Adam." + +"And who knoweth," said he, his gaze uplift to the Southern Cross that +glimmered very bright and splendid above us, "who can say what lieth +in wait for you, comrade,--hardship and suffering beyond doubt +and--peradventure, death. But by hardship and suffering man learneth the +wisdom of mercy, or should do, and by death he is but translated to a +greater living--so I do hope. And thus, howsoever it be, all's well, +Martin, all's well." + +"Adam," said I, "give me your hand. You have called me 'fool' and fool am +I, mayhap, yet in my folly, wisdom have I enough for this--to know you for +my good friend and true comrade now and always!" + +"Hark'ee then," said he, grasping my hand and leaning to my ear in the +gloom, "give up this desperate quest, stand by me, and I can promise ye +that which is better than empty vengeance--wealth, Martin, rank, aye, and +what is best of all, a noble woman's love--" + +"Enough!" cried I, "I am no weathercock and my mind is set--" + +"Why, very well, but so is mine, shipmate, and set upon two things--one to +fulfil my duty to the King in the matter of exterminating these pirates and +the like rogues, and t'other to redeem my promise to our lady Joan in the +matter of her father--your enemy." + +"How, are you for Nombre de Dios likewise, Adam?" + +"Just as soon as I have this ship in staunch fighting trim, for, unless you +and your vengeance are afore me, I will have Sir Richard Brandon out o' the +Inquisition's bloody clutches either by battle or stratagem--aye, though it +cost me all I possess, and God knoweth I am a vastly wealthy man, Martin." + +"Why then, we are like to meet at Nombre de Dios?" said I. + +"Mayhap, Martin, who can say? Meantime, here is the chart and your sailing +directions with some few words for you to ponder at leisure, and so fortune +attend you and farewell, comrade." + +"One thing, Adam," said I, grasping the ladder of ropes, "you will save +alive the man Resolution Day--for my sake--" + +"Aha," quoth Adam, clapping me on the shoulder, "and there spake the man +that is my friend! Never doubt it, comrade--he shall live. And look'ee, +Martin, if I have been forced to play prank on ye now and then, think as +kindly of me as ye can." + +Hereupon, and with Adam's assistance, having hauled in the longboat until +she was well under the gallery, I presently got me a-down the swaying rope +ladder and safe aboard of her (though with no little to-do) and at my shout +Adam cast off the towline, and I was adrift. + +For some while I sat huddled in the bows, watching the lofty stern with its +rows of lighted windows and three great lanthorns above topped by the loom +of towering sails, until sails and ship merged into the night, and nought +was to see save the yellow gleam of her lights that grew ever more dim, +leaving me solitary upon that vast expanse of ocean that heaved all about +me,--a dark and bodeful mystery. + +At last, finding the wind, though very light, yet might serve me very +well, I turned with intent to step the mast. And now I saw the sail was +ill-stowed, the canvas lying all abroad and as I rose I beheld this canvas +stirred as by a greater wind; then as I stared me this, it lifted, and from +beneath it crept a shape that rose up very lithe and graceful and stood +with hands reached out towards me, and then as I staggered back came a cry: + +"Quick, Resolution--seize him!" + +Two powerful arms clasped and dragged me down, and lying thus, dazed by the +fall, I stared up to see bending above me the hated face of Joanna. + +I waked to a blaze of sun, a young sun whose level beams made the bellying +sail above me a thing of glory where it swung against an azure heaven, +flecked with clouds pink and gold and flaming red; and stark against this +splendour was the grim figure of Resolution Day, a bloody clout twisted +about his head, where he sat, one sinewy hand upon the tiller, the other +upon the worn Bible open upon his knees, his lips moving as he read, while +hard beside me on the floor of the boat lay Joanna, fast asleep. At sight +of her I started and shrank from her nearness, whereupon Resolution, +lifting his head and closing the Bible on his finger, glared down on me +with his solitary eye. + +"Martin," said he below his breath, and tapping the brass butt of a pistol +that protruded from the pocket of his coat, "there be times when I could +joyfully make an end o' you--for her sake--her that do love you to her +grief and sorrow, since her love is your hate--though what she can see in +ye passes me! Howbeit, love you she doth, poor soul, and if so be you +ha' no love for her, I would ha' you be a little kinder, Martin; 'twould +comfort her and harm you no whit. Look at her now, so fair, so young, so +tender--" + +"Nay, here lies Captain Jo!" said I, scowling. + +"Speak lower, man," he whispered fiercely. "I ha' given her a sleeping +potion out o' the medicine chest Captain Penfeather provided for her; she +is not yet cured of her wound, d'ye see, and I would not have her waked +yet, so speak lower lest I quiet ye wi' a rap o' the tiller. Let her +sleep,--'tis life to her. Saw ye ever a lovelier, sweeter soul?" + +Now viewing her as she lay outstretched, the wild, passionate soul of her +away on the wings of sleep, beholding the dark curtain of her lashes upon +the pallor of her cheek, the wistful droop of her vivid lips and all the +mute appeal of her tender womanhood, I could not but marvel within myself. + +"And yet," said I at last, speaking my thoughts aloud, "I have seen her +foully dabbled with a dead man's blood!" + +"And why for not? Jehovah doth not always strike vile rogues dead, +wherefore He hath given some women strength to do it for Him. And who +are you to judge her; she was innocent once--a pearl before swine and if +they--spattered her wi' their mud, they never trampled her i' their mire! +She hath been at no man's bidding, and fearing no man, hath ruled all men, +outdoing 'em word and deed--aha, two rogues have I seen her slay in duello. +Howbeit, she is as God made her, and 'tis God only shall judge His own +handiwork; she is one wi' the stars, the winds that go about the earth, +blowing how they list, and these great waters that slumber or rage in +dreadful tempest--she and they and we are all of God. So treat her a little +kind, Martin, love or no--'tis little enough o' kindness she has known all +her days; use her a little kinder, for 'tis in my mind you'll not regret it +in after days! And talking o' tempest, I like not the look o' the sky--take +you the tiller whiles I shorten sail and heed not to disturb Joanna." + +"And so," said I, when he had shortened sail and was seated beside me +again, "so Captain Penfeather gave you medicine for her?" + +"Aye, did he!" + +"And knew you were hid in the boat?" + +"'Twas himself set us there." + +Now at this I fell to profound thought, and bethinking me of the letter and +chart he had given me, I took it out of my pocket and breaking the seals, +read as here followeth: + +_Dear Friend, Comrade and Brother_, + +Item: Thou art a fool! Yet is there (as it doth seem) an especial +Providence for such fools, in particular fools of thy sort. Thus do +I bid thee farewell in the sure hope that (saving for shipwreck, +fire, battle, pestilence and the like evils) I shall find thee +again and perchance something wiser, since Folly plus Hardship shall +mayhap work a miracle of Wisdom. + +Herewith I have drawn you a chart, the parallels duly marked and course +likewise, whereby you shall come (Providence aiding) unto Nombre de Dios. +And so to your vengeance, Martin, and when found much good may it do thee +is the prayer of + +Thy patient, hopeful, faithful friend, + +ADAM. + +NOTA BENE: Should we fail to meet at Nombre de Dios I give you +for rendezvous the place which I have clearly marked on the chart +(aforementioned) with a X. + +"Look'ee, friend," said Resolution, when I had made an end of reading. "You +plead and spoke for my life of Captain Penfeather and he regarded your +will, wherefore am I alive, wherefore are we quits in the matter o' the +heathen Pompey and I your friend henceforth 'gainst all the world, saving +only and excepting Joanna." + +"Where do we make for, Resolution?" + +"To a little island well beknown to the Fraternity, comrade--that is three +islands close-set and called Foremast, Main and Mizzen islands, _amigo_, +where we are apt to meet friends, as I say, and sure to find good store +of food and the like, brother. Though to be sure this boat is right well +equipped, both for victuals and weapons." + +"And when are we like to reach these islands?" + +"We should raise 'em to-morrow about dawn, friend, if this wind hold." + +"And what is to become of me, Resolution?" + +"'Tis for Joanna to say, _camarado_" + +Now hereupon, stretched out in such shadow as our scant sail afforded (the +sun being very hot) I began to reflect upon this ill-chance Fate, in the +person of Adam, had played me (cast again thus helpless at the mercy of +Joanna) and instead of wasting myself in futile rages against Adam (and +him so far out of my reach) I began instead to cast about in my mind how +soonest I might escape from this hateful situation; to the which end I +determined to follow Resolution's advice is so far as I might, viz: to +preserve towards Joanna as kindly a seeming as might be, and here, chancing +to look where she lay, I saw her awake and watching me. + +"D'ye grieve for your Joan--Damaris--yes?" she demanded suddenly. + +"Nay--of what avail?" + +"Then I do--from my heart, Martino, from my heart! For she had faith in me, +she was kind to me, oh, kind and very gentle! She is as I--might have been, +perchance, had life but proved a little kinder." + +After this she lay silent a great while and I thought her asleep until she +questioned me again suddenly. + +"She is a great lady in England--yes?" + +"She is." + +"And yourself?" + +"An outcast." + +"And you--loved each other--long since?" + +"Long since." + +"But I have you at the last!" cried Joanna, exultant. "And nought shall +part us now save death and that but for a little while! Dost curse thyself, +Martino--dost curse thyself for saving me from the fire? But for this I had +been dead and thou safe with thy loved Joan--dost curse thyself?" + +"Nay, of what avail?" + +Now, at this, she falls to sudden rage and revilings, naming me +"stock-fish," "clod," "worm," and the like and I (nothing heeding her), +turning to behold the gathering clouds to windward, met the glare of +Resolution's fierce eye. + +"Tell me," cried Joanna, reaching out to nip my leg 'twixt petulant +fingers, "why must you brave the fire to save me you do so hate--tell me?" + +"Yonder, as I judge, is much wind, Resolution!" said I, nodding towards a +threatening cloud bank. Hereupon she struck at me with passionate fist and +thereafter turns from me with a great sob, whereat Resolution growled and +tapped his pistol butt. + +"You were fool to save me!" cried she. "For I, being dead, might now be in +happy circumstance and you with your Joan! You were a fool--" + +"Howbeit you have your life," said I. + +"Life?" quoth she. "What is life to me but a pain, a grief I shall not fear +to lose. Life hath ever brought me so much of evil, so little good, I were +well rid of it that I might live again, to find perchance those joys but +dim remembered that once were mine in better life than this. And now, if +there be aught of food and drink aboard, Resolution, let us eat; then get +you to sleep--you will be weary, yes." + +And surely never was stranger meal than this, Joanna and Resolution, the +compass betwixt them, discussing winds, tides and weather, parallels of +latitude and longitude, the best course to steer, etc., and I watching the +ever-rising billows and hearkening to the piping of the wind. + +Evening found us running through a troubled sea beneath an angry sky and +the wind so loud I might hear nothing of my companions where they crouched +together in the stern sheets. But suddenly Joanna beckoned me with +imperious gesture: + +"Look, Martino!" cried she, with hand outflung towards the billows that +foamed all about us. "Yonder is a death kinder than death by the fire and +yet I do fear this more than the fire by reason of this my hateful woman's +body. Now may you triumph over my weakness an you will, yet none can scorn +it more than I--" + +"God forbid!" said I and would have steadied her against the lurching of +the boat, but Resolution, scowling at my effort, clasped her within his +arm, shielding her as well as he might against the lashing spray, bidding +me let be. + +Thereafter and despite her sickness, she must needs stoop to cover me with +the boat-cloak where I lay, and looking up at Resolution I saw his bronzed +face glinted with moisture that was not of the sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +OF ROGER TRESSADY AND HOW THE SILVER WOMAN CLAIMED HER OWN AT LAST + + +Starting from sleep, instead of gloomy heaven and a desolation of +tempestuous waters, I saw this: + +The sun, newly up, shed his waxing glory on troubled waters deeply blue and +fringed with foam where the waves broke upon a narrow strip of golden sand +backed by trees and dense-growing green boskages infinite pleasant to the +sight; and beyond these greeny tangles rose a hill of no great altitude, +deep-bowered in trees and brush and flowering vines. And viewing all this +peaceful loveliness with sleep-filled eyes, I thought it at first no more +than idle dream; but presently, knowing it for reality, I felt my hard +nature touched and thrilled (as it were) with a great rush of tenderness, +for what with this glory of sun and the thousand sweet and spicy odours +that wafted to us from this fair island, I sudden felt as if, borne on this +well-remembered fragrance, came the sweet and gentle soul of my lady Joan, +a haunting presence, sad and very plaintive, for it seemed she knew at last +that nought henceforth might stay me from my vengeance. And in my ears +seemed the whisper of her desolate cry: + +"Martin--Oh, blind and more than blind! Alas, dear Martin!" + +Now at this, despite the joy of sun and the gladness of birds that shrilled +'mid the mazy thickets above, a great sadness took me and I bowed my head +in gloomy thought. + +"Forward there!" + +Starting at this hoarse summons, I turned to behold Resolution crouched +at the tiller, his great boat-cloak white with brine, his solitary eye +scowling from me to the shore and back again. + +"Ha, d'ye stir at last, sluggard? Here's Joanna been direly sick--speak +low, she sleeps at last, poor lass--and me stiff o' my wounds, clemmed wi' +hunger and parched wi' thirst, you a-snoring and a sea worse than Jonah's +afore they hove him to the whale--" + +"Why not wake me, then?" I demanded, creeping aft and beholding Joanna +where she lay slumbering, pale and worn beneath weather-stained cloak. "Why +not rouse me, Resolution?" + +"Because she forbade me and her word is my law, d'ye see? Reach me a sup o' +rum from the locker yonder." + +"You have brought us safe through the tempest, then," said I, doing as he +bade me. + +"Aye, Joanna and I, and despite her qualms and sickness, poor lass, and +you a-snoring!" Here, having drained the pannikin of rum, his eye lost +something of its ferocity and he nodded. "Twice we came nigh swamping i' +the dark but the Lord interposed to save His own yet a little, and you +a-snoring, but here was Joanna's hand on the tiller and mine on the sail +and plaguing the Almighty wi' prayers of a righteous, meek, long-suffering +and God-fearing man and behold, comrade, here we are, safe in the lee of +Mizzen Island, and yonder is creek very apt to our purpose. So stand by to +let go the halyard and ship oars when I give word, _amigo_." + +"She seems very worn with her sickness, Resolution!" said I, stooping to +observe Joanna where she slumbered like one utterly exhausted. + +"She is, friend!" he nodded. "She never could abide rough seas from a +child, d'ye see, brother, and her wound troubleth her yet--but never a word +o' complaint, comrade--aha, a great soul, a mighty spirit is hers, for all +her woman's slenderness, Martin! Now, let fly your halyard, douse your +sail--so! Now ship oars and pull, _camarado_, pull!" + +Very soon, myself at the oars and Resolution steering, we crept in betwixt +bush-girt rocks to a shelving, sandy beach. Hereupon, Resolution stooped to +lift Joanna but finding his wounds irk him, beckoned to me: + +"Come, friend," said he. "You are lusty and strong, I do know--bear her +ashore and tenderly, brother, tenderly!" + +So I stooped and raising Joanna in my arms, climbed out of the boat (though +with no little to-do) and bore her ashore towards the pleasant shade of +flowering trees adjacent to the sea. Now presently she stirred in my +embrace, and looking down at her, I saw her regarding me, great-eyed. + +"Here do I rest for the second time, Martino," she murmured. "I +wonder--when the third shall be?" + +"God knoweth!" said I; and being come to the trees, I laid her there as +comfortably as I might and went to aid Resolution to secure the boat. + +Having landed such things as we required and lighted a fire, while +Resolution busied himself preparing a meal, I began to look about me +and found this island marvellous fertile, for here on all sides flowers +bloomed, together with divers fruits, as lemons, plantains, limes, grapes, +a very wonder to behold. Now I chanced to reach a certain eminent place +whence I might behold the general trend of the island; and now I saw that +this was the smallest of three islands and remembered how Resolution had +named them to me as Fore, Main and Mizzen islands. I was yet staring at +these islands, each with its fringe of white surf to windward where the +seas yet broke in foam, when my wandering gaze chanced to light on that +which filled me with sudden and strange foreboding, for, plain to my view +despite the distance, I saw the royal yards and topgallant masts of a great +ship (so far as I could judge) betwixt Fore and Mainmast islands, and I +very full of question as to what manner of ship this should be. + +In my wanderings I chanced upon a little glen where bubbled a limpid stream +amid a very paradise of fruits and flowers; here I sat me down well out +of the sun's heat, and having drunk my fill of the sweet water, fell to +munching grapes that grew to hand in great, purple clusters. And now, my +bodily needs satisfied and I stretched at mine ease within this greeny +bower where birds whistled and piped joyously amid flowery thickets and the +little brook leapt and sang as (one and all) vaunting the wondrous mercy of +God, I, lying thus (as I say) surrounded by His goodly handiworks (and yet +blind to their message of mercy) must needs set my wits to work and cast +about in my mind how I might the soonest win free of this goodly place and +set about the accomplishment of my vengeance. Once or twice I thought to +hear Resolution hallooing and calling my name but, being drowsy, paid +no heed and thus, what with the peace and comfort of my surroundings, I +presently fell asleep. + +But in my slumbers I had an evil dream, for I thought to hear a voice, +hoarse yet tuneful, upraised in song, and voice, like the song, was one +heard long ago, the which in my dreaming troubled me mightily, insomuch +that I started up broad awake and infinitely glad to know this no more than +idle fancy. Sitting up and looking about me, I saw the sun low and nigh to +setting, and great was my wonder that I should have slept so long, yet I +found myself vastly invigorated thereby and mightily hungered, therefore I +arose, minded to seek my companions. + +But scarce was I gone a yard than I stopped all at once, as from somewhere +in the gathering shadows about me, plain to be heard, came the sound of a +voice hoarse but tuneful, upraised in song, and these the words: + + "Some by the knife did part wi' life + And some the bullet took O. + But three times three died plaguily + A-wriggling on a hook O. + A hook both long and sharp and strong + They died by gash o' hook O." + +For a long time (as it seemed) I stood motionless with the words of this +hateful chanty yet ringing in my brain, until the sun flamed seawards, +vanished, and it was night. And here amid the gloom sat I, chin on knees, +my mind busied upon a thousand memories conjured up by this evil song. At +last, being come to a determination, I arose and, stumbling in the dark, +made the best of my way towards that narrow, shelving beach where we had +made our landing. In a little, through a tangle of leafy thickets, I espied +the glow of a fire and heard a sound of voices; and going thitherwards, +paused amid the leaves and hid thus, saw this fire was built at the mouth +of a small cave where sat Joanna with Resolution at her elbow, while +opposite them were five wild-looking rogues with muskets in their hands +grouped about a tall, great fellow of a masterful, hectoring air, who stood +staring down on Joanna, his right hand upon the silver-hafted dagger in his +girdle and tapping at his square chin with the bright steel hook he bore in +place of his left hand. And as he stood thus, feet wide apart, tapping at +his chin with his glittering hook and looking down on Joanna, she, leaning +back against the side of the cave, stared up at him eye to eye. + +"So-ho!" quoth he at last. "So you are Captain Jo, eh--Captain Jo of the +Brotherhood?" + +"And you," said she gently, "you are he that killed my father!" + +Now here ensued a silence wherein none moved, it seemed, only I saw +Resolution's bony hand creep and bury itself in his capacious side +pocket. Then, putting by the screening branches, I stepped forth into the +firelight. + +"What, Tressady," said I, "d'ye cheat the gallows yet?" + +Almost as I spoke I saw the flash and glitter of his whirling hook as he +turned, pinning me with it through the breast of my doublet (but with so +just a nicety that the keen point never so much as touched my skin) and +holding me at arm's length upon this hateful thing, he viewed me over, his +pale eyes bright beneath their jut of shaggy brow. But knowing the man and +feeling Joanna's gaze upon me, I folded my arms and scowled back at him. + +"Who be you, bully, who and what?" he demanded, his fingers gripping at the +dagger in his girdle whose silver hilt was wrought to the shape of a naked +woman. "Speak, my hearty, discourse, or kiss this Silver Woman o' mine!" + +"I am he that cut you down when you were choking your rogue's life out in +Adam Penfeather's noose--along of Abnegation Mings yonder--" + +As I spoke I saw Mings thrust away the pistol he had drawn and lean towards +me, peering. + +"Sink me!" cried he. "It's him, Roger; 'tis Martin sure as saved of us from +Penfeather, curse him, on Bartlemy's Island three years agone--it's him, +Roger, it's him!" + +"Bleed me!" said Tressady, nodding. "But you're i' th' right on't, Abny. +You ha' th' right on't, lad. 'Tis Marty, sure enough, Marty as was bonnet +to me aboard the _Faithfull Friend_ and since he stood friend to us in +regard to Adam Penfeather (with a' curse!) it's us shall stand friends t' +him. Here's luck and a fair wind t' ye, Marty!" So saying, he loosed me +from his hook, and, clapping me on the shoulder, brought me to the circle +about the fire. + +"Oh, sink me!" cried Mings, flourishing a case-bottle under my nose. "Burn +me, if this aren't pure joy! I know a man as don't forget past benefits and +that's Abnegation! Sit down, Martin, and let us eat and, which is better, +drink together!" + +"Why, so we will, Abny, so we will," said Tressady, seating himself within +reach of Joanna. "'Twas pure luck us falling in wi' two old messmates like +Marty and Resolution and us in need of a few hell-fire, roaring boys! 'Tis +like a happy family, rot me, all love and good-fellowship and be damned! +Come, we'll eat, drink and be merry, for to-morrow--we sail, all on us, +aboard my ship _Vengeance_, as lieth 'twixt Fore and Main islands yonder, +ready to slip her moorings!" + +"Avast, friend!" said Resolution, blinking his solitary eye at Tressady. +"The captain o' the Coast Brotherhood is Joanna here--Captain Jo, by the +Brotherhood so ordained; 'tis Captain Jo commands here--" + +"Say ye so, Resolution, say ye so, lad?" quoth Tressady, tapping at chin +with glittering hook. "Now mark me--and keep both hands afore ye--so, my +bully--hark'ee now--there's none commands where I am save Roger Tressady!" +said he, looking round upon us and with a flourish of his hook. "Now if so +be any man thinks different, let that man speak out!" + +"And what o' Captain Jo?" demanded Resolution. + +"That!" cried Tressady, snapping finger and thumb. "Captain Jo is not, +henceforth--sit still, lad--so! Now lift his barkers, Abny--in his pockets. +Still and patient, lad, still and patient!" So Resolution perforce suffered +himself to be disarmed, while Joanna, pale and languid in the firelight, +watched all with eyes that gleamed beneath drooping lashes. + +"So now," quoth Tressady, "since I command here, none denying--" + +"And what o' Captain Jo?" demanded Resolution. + +"Why, I'll tell ye, bully, look'ee now! A man's a man and a woman's a +woman, but from report here's one as playeth t'other and which, turn about. +But 'tis as woman I judge her best, and as woman she sails along o' me, +lad, along o' me!" So saying, he nodded and taking out a case-bottle, +wrenched at the cork with his teeth. + +"And how say you, Joanna?" questioned Abnegation. + +"Tush!" said she, with a trill of laughter. "Here is one that talketh very +loud and fool-like and flourisheth iron claw to no purpose, since I heed +one no more than t'other--" + +"Here's death!" cried he fiercely, stabbing the air with his hook. "Death, +wench!" + +"Tush!" said she again, "I fear death no more than I fear you, and as for +your claw--go scratch where you will!" + +Goaded to sudden fury, he raised his hook and would have smitten the +slender foot of her that chanced within his reach, but I caught his arm and +wrenched him round to face me. + +"Hold off, Tressady!" said I. "Here's a man to fight an you're so minded. +But as for Joanna, she's sick of her wounds and Resolution's little better; +but give me a knife and I'm your man!" And I sprang to my feet. Here for a +moment Joanna's eyes met mine full of that melting tenderness I had seen +and wondered at before; then she laughed and turned to Tressady: + +"Sick or no, I am Joanna and better than any man o' you all, yes. Here +shall be no need for fight, for look now, Tressady, though you are fool, +you are one I have yearned to meet--so here's to our better acquaintance." +And speaking, she leaned forward, twitched the bottle from his hand, nodded +and clapped it to her mouth all in a moment. + +As for Tressady, he gaped, scowled, fumbled with the dagger in his girdle, +loosed it, slapped his thigh and burst into a roar of laughter. + +"Oh, burn me, here's a soul!" he cried. "'Tis a wench o' spirit, all +hell-fire spirit and deviltry, rot me! Go to't, lass, drink hearty--here's +you and me agin world and damn all, says I. Let me perish!" quoth he, +when he had drunk the toast and viewing Joanna with something of respect. +"Here's never a man, woman or child dared so much wi' Jolly Roger all his +days--oh, sink me! Why ha' we never met afore--you and me might rule the +Main--" + +"I do!" said she. + +"And how came ye here--in an open boat?" + +"By reason of Adam Penfeather!" + +"What, Adam again, curse him!" + +"He sank the _Happy Despatch_!" + +"Burn me! And there's a stout ship lost to us." + +"But then--we stayed to fight, yes!" + +"What then?" said Tressady, clenching his fist. "Will ye say I ran away--we +beat him off!" + +"Howbeit Adam sank and took us, and swears to hang you soon or late--unless +you chance to die soon!" + +"Blind him for a dog--a dog and murderous rogue as shall bite on this hook +o' mine yet! A small, thieving rogue is Penfeather--" + +"And the likest man to make an end o' the Brotherhood that ever sailed!" +nodded Joanna. + +"Where lays his course?" + +"Who knows!" + +"And what o' Belvedere?" + +"Dead and damned for rogue and coward!" + +"Why, then, drink, my bullies," cried Tressady, with a great oath. "Drink +battle, murder, shipwreck and hell-fire to Adam Penfeather, with a curse! +Here's us safe and snug in a good stout ship yonder, here's us all love and +good-fellowship, merry as grigs, happy as piping birds, here's luck and +long life to each and all on us." + +"Long life!" said Joanna, frowning. "'Tis folly--I weary of it already!" + +So we ate and drank and sprawled about the fire until the moon rose, and +looking up at her as she sailed serene, I shivered, for to-night it seemed +that in her pallid beam was something ominous and foreboding, and casting +my eyes round about on motionless tree and shadowy thicket I felt my flesh +stir again. + +Now ever as the time passed, Tressady drew nearer and nearer to Joanna, +until they were sitting cheek by jowl, he speaking quick and low, his pale +eyes ever upon her, she all careless languor, though once I saw her take +hold upon his gleaming hook and once she pointed to the dagger in his +girdle and laughed; whereupon he drew it forth (that evil thing) and +holding it up in her view fell suddenly a-singing: + + "Oh, I've sought women everywhere + North, South and East and West; + And some were dark and some were fair + But here's what I love best! + Blow high, blow low, in weal or woe + My Silver Woman's best." + +Thus sang Tressady, looking from the languorous woman at his side to the +languorous woman graven on the dagger-hilt and so thrust it back into his +girdle. + +And in a while Joanna rose, drawing the heavy boat-cloak about her +shapeliness: + +"There is a small bower I wot of down in the shadows yonder shall be my +chamber to-night," said she, staring up at the moon. "And so good night! +I'm a-weary!" Then she turned, but doing so her foot touched Resolution's +leg where he sat, whereat he did strange thing, for at this soft touch he +started, glanced up at her, his eye very wide and bright, and I saw his two +powerful hands become two quivering fists, yet when he spoke his voice was +calm and even. + +"Good night, Joanna--fair dreams attend thee." Then Joanna, eluding +Tressady's clutching hand, went her way, singing to herself very sweet and +low. + +Hereupon Tressady grew very boisterous and merry and perceiving Mings and +his fellows inclined for slumber, roared them to wakefulness, bidding them +drink with him and damning them for sleepy dogs. Yet in a while he fell +silent also and presently takes out his dagger and begins fondling it. Then +all at once he was on his feet, the dagger glittering evilly in his hand +the while he glared from me to Resolution and back again. + +"Good night, my bullies!" said he. "Good night--and let him follow that +dare!" And with a sound 'twixt a growl and a laugh, he turned and strode +away, singing as he went. Now hereupon, nothing doubting his intent, I +sprang to my feet and made to follow, but felt myself caught in an iron +grip and stared down into the grim face of Resolution. + +"Easy, friend--sit down, comrade--here beside me, brother." + +"Aye, truly, you were wiser, Martin!" said Mings, winking and tapping the +pistol in his belt. + +Now Resolution sat in the mouth of the small cave I have mentioned and I +noticed he had slipped his right hand behind him and sat thus, very still, +his gaze on the dying fire like one hearkening very eagerly for distant +sounds, wherefore I did the like and thus, from somewhere amid the shadowy +thickets, I heard Tressady sing again that evil song of his: + + "Two by the knife did lose their life + And three the bullet took O. + But three times three died plaguily + A-wriggling--" + +The singing ended suddenly and indescribably in a sound that was neither +cry nor groan nor choke, yet something of each and very ghastly to be +heard. + +"What was yon!" cried Mings, starting and blinking sleep from his eyes to +peer towards those gloomy thickets. + +"What should it be but Captain Jo!" said Resolution; and now I saw his +right hand, hid no longer, grasped a pistol levelled across his knees. "Sit +still, all on ye," he commanded. "Let a man move a leg and that man's dead! +Mark now what saith Davy. 'He hath graven and digged a pit and is fallen +himself into the destruction he made for others. For his travail shall come +upon his own head and his wickedness fall on his own pate.'" + +"Nay, look'ee," says Mings, wiping sweat from him, "nay, but I heard +somewhat--aye, I did, an unchancy sound--" + +"Peace, Abnegation, peace!" quoth Resolution. "Mew not and hark to the +words o' Davy: 'The Lord is known to execute judgment, the ungodly is +trapped in the work of his own hands'--" + +"Nay, but," says Mings, pointing. "See--who comes yonder?" + +And now we saw Joanna, a dark figure against the splendour of the moon, +walking daintily, as was her wont, and as she came she falls a-singing that +same evil song I had heard long ago: + + "There's a fine Spanish dame + And Joanna's her name + Shall follow wherever ye go + Till your black heart shall feel + Your own cursed steel--" + +She stopped suddenly and stood in the light of the fire, looking from one +to the other of us with that smile I ever found so hateful. + +"I am Joanna," said she softly and nodding at Mings; "I am your Captain Jo +and command here. Get you and your fellows aboard and wait my bidding." + +"Aye, aye!" said Mings in strangled voice, his eyes fixed and glaring. "But +what o' Cap'n Tressady? Where's my comrade, Roger?" + +From behind her back Joanna drew forth a slender hand, awfully bedabbled +and let fall a reeking thing at Abnegation's feet and I saw this for +Tressady's silver-hilted dagger. + +"Black Tressady is dead!" said she. "I have just killed him!" + +"Dead!" gasped Mings, shrinking. "Roger dead! My comrade--murdered--I--" +Uttering a wild, passionate cry he whipped forth his pistol, but in that +moment Resolution fired, and rising to his feet, Abnegation Mings groaned +and pitched upon his face and lay mute and still. + +"Glory to God!" said Resolution, catching up the dead man's weapon and +facing the others. "Come, my lads," quoth he; "if Tressady be as dead as +Mings, he can't walk, wherefore he must be carried. And wherefore carried, +you'll ask? Says I, you shall take 'em along wi' you. You shall bring 'em +aboard ship, you shall tell your mates as Captain Jo sends these dead +men aboard to show 'em she's alive. So come and bring away Tressady +first--march it is for Roger, and lively, lads!" + +Now when they were gone, Joanna came beside me where I sat and stood a +while, looking down on me in silence. + +"He forced me to it!" said she at last. "Oh, Martino, there--was none other +way. And he killed my father." + +But I not answering, she presently sighed and went away, leaving me staring +where Mings lay huddled beyond the dying fire. And presently my gaze +chanced to light on Tressady's dagger of the Silver Woman where it lay, +stained by his life's blood, and leaping to my feet, I caught it up and +sent the evil thing whirling and glittering far out to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +HOW JOANNA CHANGED HER MIND + + +"So there's an end o' Tressady and Mings and their fellows, comrade!" said +Resolution, staring away into distant haze where showed the topsails of the +_Vengeance_ already hull down. "And God's will be done, says I, though here +be we as must go solitary awhile and Joanna sick to death, comrade." + +"Resolution," said I, staring up at his grim figure, "she schemed to lure +Tressady to his death?" + +"Aye, she did, brother. What other way was there? She hath wit womanish and +nimble--" + +"She smote him in the shadows--" + +"Most true, friend! She hath a man's will and determination!" + +"He had no chance--" + +"Never a whit, Martin! She is swift as God's lightning and as infallible. +Roger Tressady was an evil man and the evil within him she used to destroy +him and all very right and proper! And now she lieth sick in the cave +yonder and calls for you, brother." + +So I arose and coming within the cave found Joanna outstretched upon a +rough bed contrived of fern and the boat-cloaks. + +"Alas, Martino, I cannot sleep," said she. "I am haunted by the man +Tressady, which is surely very strange--oh, very strange. For he was evil +like all other men save you and Resolution--and Adam Penfeather. Can you +not say somewhat to my comfort? Did he not merit death?" + +"Aye, most truly. Had you not killed him--I would." + +"For my sake, Martino?" + +"Aye," said I, "for yours." + +"Why, then 'tis strange I should grieve thus--I have killed men ere this, +as you do know, nor troubled; belike 'tis my sickness--or the memory of my +lady Joan--Damaris, her gentleness. Howbeit I am sorry and sad and greatly +afraid." + +"Nay," said I. "What should fright you that do fear nothing?" + +"Myself, Martino--I have been--minded to kill you--more than once!" + +"Yet do I live." + +"And yet do I fear!" said she, with a great sigh. + +"And your wound pains you belike?" + +"A little, Martino." + +"Show me!" + +Mutely she suffered me to uncover her arm and unwind the bandages and I +saw the tender flesh was very angry and inflamed, whereupon I summoned +Resolution from his cooking, who at my desire brought the chest of +medicines with water, etc., and set myself to soothe and cherish this +painful wound as gently as I might, and though she often blenched for the +pain of it she uttered no complaint. + +"Do I hurt you overmuch?" I questioned. + +"Nay," said she, catching her breath for pain of it, "I am none so tender. +D'ye mind how I burned the boat you had so laboured at?" + +"Aye, I do!" + +"And how I gave you an evil draught that was agony?" + +"Aye, I do so!" + +"And how I plagued you--" + +"Nay, why remember all this, Joanna?" + +"It helpeth me to endure this pain!" + +When I had anointed and bound up her wound she must needs praise my skill +and vow she was herself again and would be up and about, whereat Resolution +reached down to aid her to rise, but this I would by no means suffer, +telling her that she must rest and sleep the fever from her blood. At this +she scowled, then all of a sudden laughed. + +"Why, then, you shall stay and talk with me!" + +"Rather shall Resolution mix you a sleeping draught." + +"Verily, brother, two have I mixed, but she'll not take 'em!" + +"Why, then, being two to one, we must force her to drink," said I. + +"Force her to drink, comrade? Force Joannas--God's light--!" + +"Mix the potion, man, or teach me!" So in the end Resolution did as I bade; +then kneeling beside Joanna, I raised her upon my arm and set the pannikin +to her lips, whereupon, though she frowned, she presently drank it off +meekly enough, to Resolution's no small wonder and her own, it seemed. + +"I grow marvellous obedient!" said she. "And 'tis hateful stuff!" + +"Now sleep," quoth I. "'Tis life to you--" + +"Wouldst have me live, to plague you again, mayhap?" she questioned. + +"This is as God wills!" + +"Nay, this is as you will, Martino. Wouldst have me live, indeed?" + +Now seeing how she hung upon my answer, beholding the wistful pleading of +her look, I nodded. + +"Aye, I would indeed!" said I. + +"Why, then I will, Martino, I will!" And smiling, she composed herself to +slumber and smiling, she presently fell asleep, whereupon Resolution crept +stealthily out of the little cave and I after him. Being outside, he turned +and suddenly caught and wrung my hand. + +"Friend," said he, his grim features relaxing to unwonted smile. "Brother, +you are a man--the only man could ha' done it. I thought Death had her sure +last night, she all of a fever and crying out for Death to take her." + +"She'll do better out in the air!" said I, glancing about. + +"The air, comrade?" + +"Aye, I must contrive her a shelter of sorts to her comfort where she may +sleep. 'Neath yonder tree should serve--" + +"She'll live, Martino, she'll live and all by reason o' her love for +you--the promise you made her--" + +"I made no promise, man!" + +"Why, 'twas good as promise, comrade." + +"How so?" + +"'Wouldst ha' me live,' says she, 'to plague you again,' says she. 'Aye, +that would I indeed,' says you! And what's that but a promise, Martin?" + +"God forgive you!" quoth I. "'Twas no promise I intended, as you very well +know." + +"Why, as to that, comrade, how if Joanna think as I think?" + +"'Twill be vain folly!" quoth I in petulant anger and strode away, leaving +him to scowl after me, chin in hand. + +Howbeit (and despite my anger) I presently took such tools as we had and +set about making a small hut or rather bower, where an invalid might find +such privacy as she wished and yet have benefit of the pure, sweet air +rather than lie mewed in the stifling heat of the little cave. And +presently, as I laboured, to me cometh Resolution full of praise for my +handiwork and with proffer of aid. At this I turned to him face to face. + +"Did I make Joanna any promise, aye or no?" I demanded. + +"Aye, brother. You vowed Joanna must live to plague you, forsooth, how and +when and where she would, comrade. In the which assured hope she lieth +even now, sleeping herself to health and strength and all to pleasure you, +Martin. And sure, oh, sure you are never one so vile to deceive the poor, +sweet soul?" + +Now perceiving all his specious sophistry and wilful misunderstanding of +the matter, I came nigh choking with anger. + +"Liar!" quoth I. "Liar!" + +"Peace, brother, peace!" said he. "From any other man this were a fighting +word, but as it is, let us reason together, brother! The Lord hath--" + +"Enough!" cried I. + +"Friend, the Lord hath set--" + +"Leave Him out!" quoth I. + +"What, Martin--will ye blaspheme now? Oh, shame on ye! 'The mouth o' the +blasphemer is as an open sepulchre!' But as I say, the Lord hath set you +here i' this flowery garden like Adam and her like Eve--" + +"And yourself like the serpent!" said I. + +"Ha' done, Martin, ha' done! 'The Lord shall root out deceitful lips and +the tongue that speaks proud things!' mark that!" + +"And mark you this, Resolution, an you fill Joanna's head with aught of +such folly, whatsoever sorrow or evil befalls her is upon your head." + +"Why, observe, friend and brother, for any man shall cause Joanna such, +I have this, d'ye see!" And he showed me the butt of the pistol in his +pocket; whereat I cursed him for meddlesome fool and turning my back went +on with my labour, though my pleasure in it was gone. Howbeit I wrought +this, rather than sit with idle hands, wasting myself in profitless +repining. And presently, being intent on the business, I forgot all else +and seeing this little bower was turning out much better than I had hoped, +I fell a-whistling, until, hearing a step, I turned to find Joanna leaning +upon Resolution's arm and in her eyes such a look of yearning tenderness as +filled me with a mighty disquiet. + +"And have you--made this for--me, Martino?" she questioned, a little +breathlessly. + +"Aye," I nodded, "because I do hate idleness--" + +"Hark to him!" said Resolution. "And him picturing to me how snug you would +lie here--" + +"As to that, Resolution," said I, scowling, "you can lie anywhere." + +"Why, true," said he, ignoring my meaning. "Since Jo sleeps here, I shall +sleep 'neath the tree hard by, leaving you the cave yonder, friend." + +That night Joanna lay in the bower and from this time she mended apace, but +as for me, with every hour my impatience to be gone grew upon me beyond all +measure, and as the time passed I waxed surly and morose, insomuch that +upon a day as I sat frowning at the sea, Joanna stole upon me and stooping, +kissed my hand or ever I might stay her. + +"Do I offend?" she questioned with a strange, new humility. "Ah, prithee, +why art grown so strange to me?" + +"I am as I always was!" + +"Nay, in my sickness thou wert kind and gentle--" + +"So should I have been to any other!" + +"You builded me my little house?" + +"I had naught else to do." + +"Martino," said she, sinking on her knees beside me. "Oh, _caro mio_, +if--if you could kiss me in my sickness when I knew naught of it--wherefore +not now when I am all awake and full of life--" + +"I never did!" said I, speaking on rageful impulse "If Resolution told you +this, he lies!" At this she shrank as I had struck her. + +"And did you not--kiss me in my sickness--once, no?" + +"Never once!" + +Here, bowing her head upon her hands, she rested silent awhile. + +"Nay, Joanna, wherefore seek the impossible. In these latter days I have +learned to--to respect you--" + +"Respect!" cried she, clenching her fists, "Rather give me hate; 'twere +easier endured--" + +"Why, then, this island is a rendezvous for the Brotherhood, soon will you +have friends and comrades; give me then the boat and let me go--" + +"To seek her? Nay, that you shall never do. I will kill you first, yes--for +the cold, passionless thing you are!" So she left me and knowing that she +wept, I felt greatly heartsick and ashamed. + +Now the little cave wherein I slept gave upon that stretch of sandy beach +where lay the boat and this night the weather being very hot and no wind +stirring, I came without the cave and sat to watch the play of moonlight on +the placid waters and hearken to their cool plash and ripple. Long time I +sat thus, my mind full of foreboding, mightily cast down and hot with anger +against Resolution, whose subtle lies had set Joanna on this vain folly of +love, teaching her hopes for that which might never be; and guessing some +of her pain therefor, I grieved for her and felt myself humbled that I +(though all unwitting) should cause her this sorrow. + +Sitting thus, full of heavy thoughts, my gaze by chance lighted upon the +boat and, obeying sudden impulse, I arose and coming hither, fell to sudden +temptation, for here she lay afloat; once aboard it needed but to slip +her moorings and all these my present troubles would be resolved. And yet +(thinks I) by so doing I should leave two people on this solitary island +cut off from their kind. And yet again they run no chance of hardship or +starvation, God knows, and this being a known meeting-place for their +fellows, they shall not lack for company very long. + +I was yet debating this in my mind when, roused by a sound behind me, I +turned to find Resolution scowling on me and pistol in hand. + +"Ha!" said he 'twixt shut teeth, "I ha' been expecting this and watched +according. So you'll steal the boat, will ye--leave us marooned here, will +ye?" + +"I haven't decided yet!" quoth I. + +"And what's to let me from shooting ye?" + +"Nought in the world," said I, watching for a chance to close with him, +"only bear witness I have not touched rope or timber yet--" + +"'Tis a rule o' the Coast to shoot or hang the like o' you!" quoth he, +and I heard the sharp click of the pistol as he cocked it and then with a +flutter of petticoats Joanna burst upon us. + +"Resolution, what is't?" she questioned breathlessly, looking from one to +other of us. + +"He was for stealing the boat, Jo!" + +"Is this true?" she demanded, her face set and very pale. But here, seeing +speech was vain, I shook my head and turning my back on them came into my +cave and cast myself down on my rough bed. Lying thus I heard the murmur +of their talk a great while, yet I nothing heeded until Joanna spoke close +without the cave. + +"Bide you there, Resolution!" Then the moonlight was dimmed and I saw her +form outlined in the mouth of the cave. + +"What would you, Joanna?" said I, starting up. + +"Talk with you a small while," said she and came where we might behold each +other. "Nay, do not fear. I will come no nearer, only I would speak to you +now as I would speak if I lay a-dying, I would have you answer as you would +if--if Death stood ready to strike these our bodies and bear our souls out +to the infinite and a better life." + +"Speak!" said I, wondering to see her shaken as by an ague-fit. + +"You do not--love me, then? No?" + +"No." + +"You--never could love me, mind and heart and body? No?" + +"No." + +"You could not endure me beside you, to--to live--with me near you?" + +"'Twould mean only pain, Joanna." + +"Then go!" cried she. "I am not so base-souled to weep and wheedle, to +scheme and pray for thing that can never be truly mine, or to keep you +here in hated bondage--go! The boat lieth yonder; take her and what you +will--only--get you gone!" + +Now at this I rose and would have taken her hands but she snatched them +behind her, and now I wondered at her deathly pallor,--her very lips were +pale and set. + +"Joanna," I stammered, "do you mean--am I--" + +"Go!" + +"Nay, first hear me say that wheresoever I go needs must I--" + +"Respect me!" cried she with a strange, wild laugh. "Oh, begone!" + +"Joanna," said I, "for any harsh word I have spoke you in the past, for any +pain you have suffered because of me, I do most surely grieve and would +most humbly crave your forgiveness and for this generous act I--I--" + +"Respect me?" said she in a small voice. "Ah, cannot you see--how you--hurt +me?" And now all suddenly I did strange thing for, scarce knowing what I +did, I caught her in my arms and kissed her hair, her eyes, her cold lips +and then, half ashamed, turned to leave her. + +"Stay!" said she, but I never heeded. "Martino!" she called, but I never +paused; and then, being come to the mouth of the cave, I heard the quick, +light sound of her feet behind me and as I stepped into the moonlight +felt two arms that swung me aside, saw Joanna leap before me as the +night-silence was split by a ringing, deafening roar; and then I had her in +my arms and she, smiling up at me with blood upon her lips, hid her face +in my breast. "Here in thine arms do I lie for the third time--and last, +Martino!" she sighed, and so Resolution found us. + +"What!" he gasped. "Oh, God! What--?" + +"Some one has shot Joanna!" + +"Aye, Martin, 'twas I!" and I saw the pistol yet smoking in his hand--"I +shot her thinking 'twas you--Oh, God!" + +"Nay, Resolution," said Joanna, opening her eyes. "You did very +right--'twas only that I--being a woman--changed my mind--at the last. +'Twas I bid him--kill you, Martino--if you came forth, but I--I dreamed +you--you would not leave me. Nay, let be, Resolution, I'm a-dying--yes!" + +"Ah, forbid it, God--Oh, God of Mercies, spare her!" he cried, his hands +and eyes uplift to the radiant, starry heavens. + +"Nay, grieve not, Resolution--dear friend!" she murmured painfully. "For +oh, 'tis--a good thing to die--by your hand and with--such reason! Martino, +when--you shall wed your Joan--Damaris, say I--gave you to her with--my +life because I loved you--better than life--and Death had--no fears. I go +back to life--a better life--where I shall find you one day, Martino, and +learn what--happiness is like--mayhap. Resolution," she whispered, "when +I--am dead, do not let me lie a poor, pale thing to grieve over--bury +me--bury me so soon as I--am dead. Dig me a grave--above the tide! Promise +this!" + +"I promise!" + +"Now kiss me--you were ever true and kind--kiss me? And you, Martino, +wilt kiss me--not in gratitude--this last time?" And so I kissed her and +thereafter she lay silent awhile, looking up at me great-eyed. + +"Somewhere," she whispered, "some day--we shall--meet again, beloved--but +now is--farewell. Oh, 'tis coming--'tis coming, Martino!" And then in +stronger voice, "Oh, Death!" she cried. "Oh, welcome Death--I do not fear +thee! Lift me, Martino--lift me--let me die--upon my feet!" + +Very tenderly we lifted her betwixt us and then suddenly with a soft, +murmurous cry, she lifted her arms to the glory of the wide firmament above +us and with shuddering sigh let them slowly fall, and with this sigh the +strange, wild soul of her sped away back to the Infinite whence it had +come. + +And now Resolution, on his knees beside this slender form that lay so mute +and still, broke out into great and awful sobs that were an agony to hear. + +"Dead!" he gasped. "Oh, God--dead! And by my hand! I that loved her all her +days--that would ha' died for her--Oh, smite me, merciful God--cast forth +Thy lightnings--shoot forth Thine arrows and consume me an Thou be merciful +indeed." All at once he arose and hasting away on stumbling feet, presently +came back again, bearing spade and mattock. + +"Come, friend," said he in strange, piping tones. "Come now, let us dig +grave and bury her, according to my promise. Come, brother!" Now looking on +him as he stood all bowed and shaking, I saw that he was suddenly become an +old man; his twisted frame seemed shrunken, while spade and mattock shook +and rattled in his palsied hands. "Come, lad, come!" cried he querulously. +"Why d'ye gape--bring along the body; 'tis nought else! Ah, God, how still +now, she that was so full o' life! Bring her along to high water-mark and +tenderly, friend, ah, tenderly, up wi' her to your heart!" So I did as he +bade and followed Resolution's bowed and limping form till he paused well +above where any sea might break and hard beside a great rock. + +"She'll lie snug here, friend," quoth he, "snug against howling wind and +raging tempest!" So together we dug the grave deep within that shelving, +golden sand, and laying her tenderly therein, knelt together while the moon +sank and shadows lengthened; and when Resolution had recited the prayers +for the dead, he broke into a passion of prayer for himself, which done we +rose and plied spade and mattock in silence; nor would Resolution pause or +stay until we had raised mound sufficiently high to please him. When at +last all was completed to his satisfaction, he dropped his spade and wiping +sweat from him seated himself beside the grave, patting the mound very +tenderly with his open palm. + +"The moon is wondrous bright, friend," said he, staring up at it, "but so +have I seen it many a night; but mark this, never in all our days shall we +see again the like o' her that sleeps, Martino, that sleeps--below here!" +And here he falls to soft mutterings and to patting that small mound of +sand again. + +"Come!" said I at last, touching his bowed shoulder. "Come!" + +"Where away, _camarado_?" he questioned, looking up at me vacantly. "Nay, +I'm best here--mayhap she'll be lonesome-like at first, so I'll bide +here, lad, I'll bide here a while. Go your ways, brother, and leave old +Resolution to pray a little, aye--and, mayhap weep a little, if God be +kind." + +So in the end I turned, miserably enough, and left him crouched there, +his head bowed upon his breast. And in my mind was horror and grief and +something beside these that filled me with a great wonder. Reaching the +cave, I saw the sand there all trampled and stained with the blood she had +shed to save mine own, and hard beside these, the print of her slender +foot. And gazing thus, I was of a sudden blinded by scorching tears, and +sinking upon my knees I wept as never before in all my days. And then +sprang suddenly to my feet as, loud upon the air, rang out a shot that +seemed to echo and re-echo in my brain ere, turning, I began to run back +whence I had come. + +And so I found Resolution face down across the mound that marked Joanna's +grave, his arms clasped about it and on his dead face the marks of many +tears. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +I GO TO SEEK MY VENGEANCE + + +Next day, just as the sun rose, I buried Resolution 'twixt Joanna and the +sea, yet over him I raised no mound, since I judged he would have it so. +Thereafter I ate and drank and stored the boat with such things as I needed +for my voyage and particularly with good supply of fruits. And now, though +the wind and tide both served me, I yet lingered, for it seemed that the +spirit of Joanna still tarried hereabouts. Moved by sudden desire, I began +searching among the tumbled boulders that lay here and there and presently +finding one to my purpose, urged it down the sloping beach and with +infinite pains and labour contrived at last to set it up at the head of +Joanna's resting-place. Then, taking hammer and chisel, I fell to work upon +it, heedless of sun-glare, of thirst, fatigue or the lapse of time, staying +not till my work was complete, and this no more than two words cut deep +within the enduring stone; these: + +JOANNA + +VNFEARING + +And now at last, the tide being on the turn, I unmoored the boat, and +thrusting her off, clambered aboard and betook me to the oars, and ever as +I rowed I kept my gaze upon that small, solitary heap of sand until it grew +all blurred upon my sight. Having presently made sufficient headway, I +unshipped oars and hoisting my sail, stood out into the immeasurable deep +but with my eyes straining towards that stretch of golden sand where lay +all that was mortal of Joanna. + +And with my gaze thus fixed, I must needs wonder what was become of the +fiery, passionate spirit of her, that tameless soul that was one with +the winds and stars and ocean, even as Resolution had said. And thus I +presently fell a-praying and my cheek wet with tears that I thought no +shame. When I looked up, I saw that the narrow strip of beach was no longer +in sight; Joanna had verily gone out of my life and was but a memory. + +All afternoon I held on before a fair wind so that as the sun sank I saw +the three islands no more than a faint speck on the horizon; wherefore, +knowing I should see them no more in this life, I uncovered my head, and +thus it was indeed I saw Joanna's resting-place for the last time. + +And now as the sun slipped westward and vanished in glory, even now as +night fell, I had a strange feeling that her spirit was all about me, +tender and strong and protecting, and herein, as the darkness gathered, I +found great comfort and was much strengthened in the desperate venture I +was about. + +Having close-reefed my sail and lashed the tiller, I rolled myself in a +boat-cloak and, nothing fearing, presently fell asleep and dreamed Joanna +sat above me at the helm, stooping to cover me from the weather as she had +done once before. + +Waking next morning to a glory of sun, I ate and drank (albeit sparingly) +and fell to studying Adam's chart, whereby I saw I must steer due +southwesterly and that by his calculation I should reach the mainland in +some five or six days. Suffice it that instead of five days it was not +until the tenth day (my water being nigh exhausted and I mightily downcast +that I had sailed out of my proper course) that I discovered to my +inexpressible joy a faint, blue haze bearing westerly that I knew must be +the Main. And now the wind fell so that it was not until the following +morning that I steered into a little, green bay where trees grew to the +very water's edge and so dense that, unstepping my mast, I began paddling +along this green barrier, looking for some likely opening, and thus +presently came on a narrow cleft 'mid the green where ran a small creek +roofed in with branches, vines and twining boughs, into which I urged my +boat forthwith (and no little to-do) and passed immediately from the hot +glare of sun into the cool shade of trees and tangled thickets. Having +forced myself a passage so far as I might by reason of these leafy tangles, +my next thought was to select such things as I should need and this took me +some time, I deeming so many things essential since I knew not how far +I might have to tramp through an unknown country, nor in what direction +Nombre de Dios lay. But in the end I narrowed down my necessities to the +following, viz: + +A compass +A perspective-glass +A sword +Two pistols +A gun with powder-horn and shot for same +A light hatchet +A tinder-box and store of buccaned meat. + +And now, having belted on sword and pistols and wrapping the other things +in one of the boat-cloaks, I strapped the unwieldy bundle to my shoulders +and taking up the gun, scrambled ashore, and having found my bearing, set +off due southwesterly. + +Hour after hour I struggled on, often having to hew myself a passage with +my axe, until towards evening I came out upon a broad ride or thoroughfare +amid the green, the which greatly heartened me, since here was evidence of +man's handiwork and must soon or late bring me to some town or village; +forthwith, my weariness forgotten, I set off along this track, my face set +ever westwards; but presently my vaunting hopes were dashed to find the +track could be very little used nowadays, since here and there great trees +had fallen and lay athwart my going, and presently the way itself narrowed +to a mere path and this crossed here and there by hanging vines which was +sure proof that few, if any, had passed this way these many months, mayhap +years. Hereupon I stopped to lean despondent on my gun and looked about me; +and with dejection of mind came weariness of body and seeing night was at +hand, I determined to go no farther and turned in among the trees, minded +to sleep here, though the place was wild and forbidding enough. + +I had just loosed off my heavy pack when the pervading stillness was broken +by a wailing cry, so sudden, so shrill and evil to hear that my flesh crept +and I huddled against a tree, peering into the deepening shadows that had +begun to hem me in. At first I judged this some wild beast and reached for +my musket; then, as the sound rose again, I knew this for human cry, for I +heard these words: + +"Mercy, senors, mercy for the love o' God!" + +Hereupon I began to run towards whence came this dismal outcry and +presently espied the glow of a fire, and creeping thither discovered four +men grouped about a fifth and him fast bound to a tree, and this poor +wretch they were torturing with a ramrod heated in the fire; even as I +watched he writhed and screamed for the intolerable pain of it. Staying for +no more, I burst upon them and levelling my piece at the chief tormentor, +pulled the trigger, whereupon was no more than a flash of the flint; it +seemed that in my hurry to begone I had forgotten to load it. Howbeit, +loaded or not, it served me well enough, for, swinging it by the barrel, +I was upon them or ever they were aware and smote down two of the rogues, +whereupon their comrades betook them to their heels with the utmost +precipitation. I therefore proceeded to cut the sufferer loose who, sinking +to the earth, lay there, muttering and groaning. + +"Are ye much hurt?" I questioned, stooping above him: whereupon he spat +forth a string of curses by which I judged him English and very far from +dying as I had feared. I now found myself master of four very good guns, +a sword, a steel headpiece, two cloaks and other furniture, with food +a-plenty and three flasks of wine. I was yet examining these and watching +against the return of their late owners when, hearing a sound, I saw the +late poor captive bending above the two men I had felled. + +"Are they dead?" I questioned. + +"Nay, not yet, master; give 'em six minutes or say ten and they'll be as +dead as the pig you ate of last--" + +"How so?" I demanded, staring at the wild, ragged figure of the speaker. + +"By means o' this, master!" said he, and stooping towards the fire showed +me a middling-sized black thorn upon his open palm. "Not much to look at, +master--no, but 'tis death sure and sarten, howsomever. I've many more +besides; I make 'em into darts and shoot 'em through a blowpipe--a trick +I larned o' the Indians. Aye, I spits 'em through a pipe--which is better +than your guns--no noise, no smoke, and sure death wherever it sticketh." + +"Are you an Englishman?" + +"I am that! Born within sound o' Bow Bells; 'tis all o' twenty years since +I heard 'em but they ring in my dreams sometimes. I shipped on a venture +to the Main twenty years ago and fought and rioted as a man may and by +ill-luck fell into the hands o' the bloody Spaniards along o' six other +good lads--all dead long since, master. Then the Inquisition got me and was +going to burn me but not liking the thought on't, I turned Roman. Then they +made me a slave, but I got away at last. Aha, all Spanishers are devils +for cruelty, but their Churchmen are worst and of all their Churchmen the +coldest, softest, bloodiest is Alexo Valdez, Chief Inquisitor of Nombre de +Dios yonder--" + +"Ha, you know Nombre de Dios?" + +"I ha' lived and suffered there, master, and 'tis there I be a-going for to +make an end o' Bloody Valdez, if God be kind." + +"Then," said I, "we will travel so far together--" + +"And what doth an Englishman the like o' you want with the accursed place; +the Inquisition is strong there--" + +"'Tis a matter of life and death," said I. + +"Death!" said he, "Death--they should all be dead and rotting, if I had my +way." So saying, this strange man, whose face I had scarce seen, laid him +down beyond the fire and composed himself to slumber. + +"How then," I demanded, "will ye sleep here in the wild and no watch?" + +"I will that!" said he. "I know the wilderness and I have endured much o' +hardship o' late and as to watching, there's small need. The rogues you +fell upon, being Spaniards, will doubtless be running yet and nigh unto +Nombre, by now." + +"How far is it hence?" + +"Twelve leagues by road, but less the ways I travel." + +"Good!" said I. + +"Though 'tis hard going." + +"No matter." + +"Why, then, sleep, for we march at dawn. And my name is John." + +"And mine Martin." + +"Why, then, Martin, good night." + +"Good night, John." + +Howbeit though (and despite his hurts) my companion presently slept and +snored lustily, and though I kept myself awake and my weapons to hand, +yet I fell a-nodding and at last, overcome with weariness, sank to sleep +likewise. + +I waked to find the sun up and the man John shaking me, a wild, unlovely, +shaggy fellow, very furtive of eye and gesture, who cringed and cowered +away as I started up. + +"Lord, man," quoth I, "I am no enemy!" + +"I know it!" said he, shaking tousled head. "But 'tis become nat'ral to +me to slink and crawl and blench like any lashed cur, all along o' these +accursed Spaniards; I've had more kicks and blows than I've lived days," he +growled, munching away at the viands he had set forth. + +"Have ye suffered so much then?" + +"Suffered!" cried he with a snarl. "I've done little else. Aha, when I +think o' what I've endured, I do love my little blowpipe--" + +"Blowpipe?" I questioned. + +"Aye--this!" And speaking, from somewhere among the pitiful rags that +covered his lank carcase he drew forth a small wooden pipe scarce two foot +long and having a bulbous mouthpiece at one end. "The Indians use 'em +longer than this--aye, six foot I've seen 'em, but then, Lord! they'll blow +ye a dart from eighty to a hundred paces sometimes, whereas I never risk +shot farther away than ten or twenty at most; the nearer the surer, aha!" +Hereupon he nodded, white teeth agleam through tangled beard, and with a +swift, stealthy gesture hid the deadly tube in his rags again. + +"What of the two Spaniards I struck down last night?" I questioned, looking +vainly for them. + +"In the bushes yonder," said he and with jerk of thumb. "I hid 'em, master, +they being a little unsightly--black and swol--as is the natur' o' +this poison!" Hereupon I rose and going whither he pointed, parted the +undergrowth and saw this was indeed so, insomuch that my stomach turned and +I had no more desire for food. + +"You murdered those men!" + +"Aye, that I did, master, an you call it murder. Howbeit, there's more +shall go the same road yet, notably Alexo Valdez, a curse on him!" + +"And you are an Englishman?" + +"I was, but since then I've been slave to be whipped, dog to be kicked, +Lutheran dog to be spat upon, and lastly Indian--" + +"And what now?" + +"A poor soul to be tormented, shot, hanged, or burned as they will, once +I'm taken." + +"And yet you will adventure yourself to Nombre de Dios?" + +"Why, Alexo Valdez is lately come there and Alexo Valdez burned my friend +Dick Burbage, as was 'prentice wi' me at Johnson's, the cutler's, in Friday +Street nigh St. Paul's, twenty odd years agone." + +And in a while, being ready to start, I proffered this wild fellow one of +the Spaniard's guns, but he would have none of it, nor sword, nor even +cloak to cover his rags, so in the end we left all things behind, and there +they be yet, for aught I know. + +Now as we journeyed on together, in answer to my questioning I learned from +this man John something of the illimitable pride and power of the Church +of Rome; more especially he told me of the Spanish Inquisition, its cold +mercilessness and passionless ferocity, its unsleeping watchfulness, its +undying animosity, its constant menace and the hopelessness of escape +therefrom. He gave me particulars of burnings and rackings, he described +to me the torments of the water, the wheel and the fire until my soul +sickened. He told me how it menaced alike the untrained savage, the peasant +in his hut and the noble in his hall. I heard of parents who, by reason +of this corroding fear, had denounced their children to the torment and +children their parents. + +"Aye, and there was a Donna Bianca Vallambrosa, a fine woman, I mind, was +suspected of Lutheranism--so they racked her and she in torment confessed +whatsoever they would and accused her sister Donna Luisa likewise. So they +burned 'em both and made 'em pay for stake and chain and faggots too, afore +they died." + +Many other horrors he recounted, but ever and always he came back to the +name of Alexo Valdez to vomit curses upon until at last I questioned him as +to what manner of man this was to behold. + +"Master," said John, turning to regard me, every hair upon his sunburned +face seeming to bristle, "think o' the most sinful stench ever offended +you, the most loathly corruption you ever saw and there's his soul; think +o' the devil wi' eyes like dim glass, flesh like dough and a sweet, soft +voice, and you have Alexo Valdez inside and out, and may every curse ever +cursed light on and blast him, says I!" + +"Are there many English prisoners in the Inquisition at Nombre?" + +"Why, I know of but one--though like enough there's more--they are so +cursed secret, master." + +"Did ye ever hear of an English gentleman lost or taken hereabouts some six +years since and named Sir Richard Brandon?" + +"Nay, I was slaving down Panama way six years ago. Is it him you come +a-seeking of, master?" + +"Aye," I nodded. "A very masterful man, hale and florid and of a full +habit." + +"Nay, the only Englishman ever I see in Nombre was old and bent wi' white +hair, and went wi' a limp, so it can't be him." + +"No!" said I, frowning. "No!" After this, small chance had we for talk by +reason of the difficulty of our going, yet remembering all he had told, I +had enough to think on, God knows. + +We had now reached a broken, mountainous country very trying and perilous, +what with torrents that foamed athwart our way, jagged boulders, shifting +stones and the like, yet John strode on untiring; but as for me, what with +all this, the heat of sun and the burden I carried, my breath began to +labour painfully. The first thing I tossed away was my gun that fell, +ringing and clattering, down the precipitous rocks below, and the next +was my pack and thereafter my hatchet and pistols, so that by the time we +reached the top of the ascent all I had to encumber me was my sword, and +this I kept, since it was light and seemingly a good blade. + +"Master," said John, with a flourish of his ragged arm, "here's +freedom--here's God. A land o' milk and honey given over to devils--curse +all Spanishers, say I!" + +Now looking around me I stood mute in wonder, for from this height I might +behold a vast stretch of country, towering mountains, deep, shady valleys, +impenetrable woods, rushing rivers, wide-stretching plains and far beyond a +vague haze that I knew was the sea. + +"And yonder, master," said John, pointing with his blowpipe, "yonder lieth +Nombre, though ye can't see it, the which we shall reach ere nightfall, +wherefore it behoveth me to look to my artillery." + +So saying, he squatted down upon his hams and from his rags produced a +small gourd carefully wrapped about with leaves; unwinding these, I saw the +gourd to contain a sticky, blackish substance. + +"Aha!" said John, viewing this with gloating eyes. "Snake poison is +mother's milk to this, master. Here's enough good stuff to make pocky +corpses o' every cursed Spanisher in Nombre ere sunset. Here's that +might end the sufferings o' the poor Indians, the hangings, burnings and +mutilations. I've seen an Indian cut up alive to feed to the dogs afore +now--but here's a cure for croolty, master!" + +While speaking, he had laid on the ground before him some dozen or so +little darts no longer than my finger, each armed with a needle-like point +and feathered with a wad of silky fibres; the point of each of these darts +he dipped into the poison one after the other and laid them in the sun to +dry, which done he wrapped up the little gourd mighty carefully and thrust +it back among his rags. And in a while, the poison on the darts or arrows +being dried to his satisfaction, he took forth a small leathern quiver of +native make and setting the missiles therein, shut down the lid securely +and sprang to his feet. + +"Here's sure death and sarten for some o' the dogs, master," quoth he, "and +now if there truly be a God aloft there, all I ask is one chance at Alexo +Valdez as burns women and maids, as tortures the innocent, as killed my +friend and druv me into the wild--one chance, master, and I'm done!" + +Thus he spake with eyes uplift and one hairy hand upraised to the serene +heavens, then with a nod to me set off along the hazardous track before us. + +Of this, the last stage of our journeying, I will make no mention save +that footsore, bruised and weary I sank amid a place of trees and gloomy +thickets as the sun went down and night came. + +"Straight afore you about half a mile lieth Nombre, master!" said John in +my ear. "Hearken! You may hear the dogs like bees in a hive and be cursed +to 'em!" + +And sure enough I heard an indistinct murmur of sound that was made up of +many; and presently came others more distinct; the faint baying of a hound, +the distant roll of a drum, the soft, sweet tolling of a bell. + +"So here y'are, master, and good luck t'ye!" said John and with scarce a +rustle, swift and stealthy as an Indian, he was gone and I alone in the +gloom. Hereupon I debated with myself whether I should get me into the city +straight away or wait till the morrow, the which question was resolved by +my falling into a sweet and dreamless slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HOW I CAME TO NOMBRE DE DIOS + + +I awoke to the glare of a light and, starting up, was smitten to my knees +and, lying half-stunned, was conscious of voices loud and excited, of hands +that wrenched me here and there. And now (my hands securely trussed) I was +hauled up and marched on stumbling feet amid shadowy captors, all of whom +seemed to talk excitedly and none to listen, the which I little heeded +being yet dazed by the blow. And presently I was aware of a dim street +where lights gleamed, of tall buildings, an open square and a shadowy pile +soaring upward into the dark. And presently from the surrounding gloom a +darker figure stole, slow-moving and silent, at sight of which my captors +halted to kneel, one and all, with bowed heads, whereupon the form raised a +shadowy arm in salutation or blessing. And then a voice spake in sonorous +Spanish, very soft and low and sweet, yet a voice that chilled me none the +less: + +"Whom bring ye?" + +Here came voices five or six, speaking also in Spanish, and amid this babel +I caught such words as: + +"A stranger, holy father!" + +"An Englishman!" + +"A Lutheran dog!" + +"Follow!" the sweet voice commanded, whereupon up sprang my captors and +hauled me along and so presently into a spacious hall with a dais at one +end where stood a table and great elbow-chair; but what drew and held my +gaze was the slender, dark-robed ecclesiastic that, moving on leisured, +soundless feet, went on before until, reaching the table, he seated himself +there, head bowed upon one hand; and thus he sat awhile then beckoned with +one imperious finger, whereupon my captors led me forward to the dais. + +"Begone!" spake the pleasant voice and immediately my captors drew away and +presently were gone, leaving me staring upon the tonsured crown of the man +at the table who, with head still bowed upon his hand, struck a silver +bell that stood beside him. Scarce had the sound died away than I heard a +stealthy rustling and beheld divers forms that closed silently about me, +figures shrouded from head to foot in black habits and nought of them to +see save their hands and the glitter of eyes that gazed on me through the +holes of them black, enveloping hoods. + +Now turning to him at the table, I saw that he had raised his head at last +and was viewing me also, and as he stared on me so stared I on him and this +is what I saw: A lean and pallid face with eyes dim and slumberous, a high +nose with nostrils thin and curling, a wide, close-lipped mouth and long, +pointed chin. When we had stared thus a while, he leaned him back in the +great chair and spoke me in his soft, sweet voice: + +"You are English, senor?" + +"I am!" said I in Spanish. + +"What do you here?" + +"Seek another Englishman known to be prisoner to the Inquisition of Nombre +de Dios." + +"His name?" + +"Richard Brandon. Is he here?" + +"Are you of the Faith?" + +"Of all or any save that of Rome!" said I, staring up into the pale, +emotionless face. "But Rome I do abominate and all its devil's work!" At +this, from the hooded figures about me rose a gasp of horror and amaze, +while into the dim eyes of my questioner came a momentary glow. + +"Oh, fleshly lips!" quoth he. "Oh, tongue of blasphemy damned. Since you by +the flesh have sinned, so by the flesh, its pains and travail, must your +soul win forgiveness and life hereafter. Oh, vain soul, though your flesh +hath uttered damnable sin and heresy, yet Holy Church in its infinite mercy +shall save your soul in despite sinful flesh, to which end we must lay on +your evil flesh such castigation as shall, by its very pain, purge your +soul and win it to life hereafter--" + +But now, and even as the black-robed familiars closed upon me, I heard +steps behind me, a clash of arms and thereafter a voice whose calm tones I +recognised. + +"What is this, Father Alexo?" + +"An Englishman and blasphemous Lutheran, captured and brought hither within +the hour, Your Excellency." Now here the familiars, at sign of Fra Alexo, +moved aside, and thus I beheld to my surprise and inexpressible joy, Don +Federigo, pale from his late sickness, the which the sombre blackness of +his rich velvet habit did but offset; for a moment his eyes met mine and +with no sign of recognition, whereupon I checked the greeting on my lips. + +"And am I of so little account as not to be warned of this?" said he. + +"Alas, Excellency, if I have something forgot the respect due your high and +noble office, let my zeal plead my excuse. In your faithful charge do we +leave this miserable one until Holy Church shall require him of you." So +saying, Fra Alexo, crossing lean hands meekly on his bosom, bowed himself +in humble fashion, and yet I thought to see his dull eyes lit by that +stealthy glow as Don Federigo, having duly acknowledged his salutation, +turned away. + +Thence I was led into the soft night air to a noble house, through goodly +chambers richly furnished and so at last to a small room; and ever as I +went I had an uneasy feeling that a long, black robe rustled stealthily +amid the shadows, and of dull eyes that watched me unseen, nor could I +altogether shake off the feeling even when the door closed and I found +myself alone with Don Federigo. Indeed it almost seemed as he too felt +something of this, for he stood a while, his head bowed and very still, +like one listening intently; suddenly he was before me, had grasped my two +fettered hands, and when he spake it was in little more than whisper. + +"Alas, Don Martino--good my friend, Death creepeth all about you here--" + +"Fra Alexo's spies!" I nodded. Now at this he gave me a troubled look and +fell to pacing to and fro. + +"A hard man and cunning!" quoth he, as to himself. "The Church--ah, the +power of the Church! Yet must I get you safe away, but how--how?" + +"Nay, Don Federigo, never trouble." + +"Trouble, Senor? Ah, think you I count that? My life is yours, Don Martino, +and joyfully do I risk it--" + +"Nay, sir," quoth I, grasping his hand, "well do I know you for brave and +noble gentleman whose friendship honoureth me, but here is no need you +should hazard your life for me, since I am here of my own will. I have +delivered myself over to the Inquisition to the fulfilment of a purpose." + +"Sir," said he, his look of trouble deepening. "Alas, young sir--" + +"This only would I ask of your friendship--when they take me hence, see to +it that I am set in company with one that lieth prisoned here, see that +I am fettered along with Sir Richard Brandon. And this do I ask of your +friendship, sir!" + +"Alas!" said he. "Alas, 'tis out of my jurisdiction; you go hence you are +lost--you do pass from the eye of man--none knoweth whither." + +"So long as I come unto mine enemy 'tis very well, sir. 'Tis this I have +prayed for, lived for, hoped and suffered for. Wherefore now, Don Federigo, +in memory of our friendship and all that hath passed betwixt us, I would +ask you to contrive me this one thing howsoever you may." + +At this he fell to his walking again and seemingly very full of anxious +thought. Presently he sounded a whistle that hung about his neck, in answer +to which summons came one I judged to be an Indian by his look, though he +was dressed Christianly enough. And now, with a bow to me, Don Federigo +speaks to him in tongue I had never heard before, a language very soft and +pleasing: + +"Your pardon, sir," said Don Federigo when we were alone, "but Hualipa is +an Indian and hath but indifferent Spanish." + +"An Indian?" + +"An Aztec Cacique that I saved from an evil death. He is one of the few +I can trust. And here another!" said he, as the door opened and a great +blackamoor Centered, bearing a roast with wine, etc., at sight whereof my +mouth watered and I grew mightily hungered. + +While I ate and drank and Don Federigo ministering to my wants, he told me +of Adam Penfeather, praising his courtliness and seamanship; he spoke +also of my lady and how she had cared for him in his sickness. He told me +further how they had been attacked by a great ship and having beaten off +this vessel were themselves so much further shattered and unseaworthy that +'twas wonder they kept afloat. None the less Adam had contrived to stand +in as near to Nombre de Dios as possible and thus set him safely ashore. +Suddenly the arras in the corner was lifted and Hualipa reappeared, who, +lifting one hand, said somewhat in his soft speech, whereupon Don Federigo +rose suddenly and I also. + +"Senor Martino," said he, taking my hand, "good friend, the familiars of +the Holy Office are come for you, so now is farewell, God go with you, and +so long as I live, I am your friend to aid you whensoever I may. But now +must I see you back in your bonds." + +He now signed to Hualipa who forthwith bound my wrists, though looser than +before, whereupon Don Federigo sighed and left me. Then the Indian brought +me to a corner of the room and lifting the arras, showed me a small door +and led me thence along many dim and winding passages into a lofty +hall where I beheld Don Federigo in confabulation with divers of these +black-robed ecclesiastics who, beholding me, ceased their talk and making +him their several obeisances, carried me away whither they would. Thus very +soon I found myself looking again into the pallid, dim-eyed face of the +Chief Inquisitor who, lifting one white, bony finger, thus admonished me in +his sweet, sad voice: + +"Unworthy son, behold now! Holy Church, of its infinite mercy and great +love to all such detestable sinners as thou manifestly art, doth study how +to preserve thy soul from hell in despite of thyself. And because there +is nought so purging as fire, to the fire art thou adjudged except, thy +conscience teaching thee horror of thine apostacy, thou wilt abjure thy sin +and live. And because nought may so awaken conscience as trouble of mind +and pain of body, therefore to trouble and pain doth Holy Church adjudge +thy sinful flesh, by water, by fire, by rack, pulley and the wheel." Here +he paused and bowed his head upon his hands and thus remained a while; when +at last he spoke, it was with face still hid and slowly, as if unwilling +to give the words utterance: "Yet, first--thou art decreed--a space--for +contemplation of thy heresy vile and abominable, having fellowship with +one who, blasphemous as thyself and of a pride stubborn and hateful, long +persisted in his sinfulness, yet at the last, by oft suffering, hath lately +abjured his damnable heresy and is become of humble and contrite heart, and +thus, being soon to die, shall, by pain of flesh and sorrow of mind, save +his soul alive in Paradise everlasting. Go, miserable wretch, thy body is +but corruption soon to perish, but the immortal soul of thee is in Holy +Church her loving care henceforth, to save in thy despite." + +Then, with face still bowed, he gestured with his hand, whereupon came two +hooded familiars and led me forth of his presence. Now as I walked betwixt +these shapeless forms that flitted on silent feet and spake no word, my +flesh chilled; in despite my reason, for they seemed rather spectres than +truly men, yet phantoms of a grim and relentless purposefulness. Voiceless +and silent they brought me down stone stairs and along echoing passages +into a dim chamber where other cloaked forms moved on soundless feet and +spake in hushed and sibilant whispers. Here my bonds were removed and in +their place fetters were locked upon my wrists, which done, one came with a +lanthorn, who presently led the way along other gloomy passageways where I +beheld many narrow, evil-looking doorways. At last my silent guide halted, +I heard the rattle of iron, the creak of bolts and a door opened suddenly +before me upon a dank and noisome darkness. Into this evil place I was led, +and the door clapped to upon me and locked and bolted forthwith. But to my +wonder they had left me the lanthorn, and by its flickering beam I stared +about me and saw I was in a large dungeon, its corners lost in gloom. + +Suddenly as I stood thus, nigh choked with the foul air of the place and +full of misgiving, I heard a groaning sigh, and from the shadow of a remote +corner a figure reared itself upon its knees to peer under palsied hand +with eyes that blinked as if dazzled by this poor light. + +"So young--so young--oh, pity! God be merciful to thee--alas, what do you +in this place of torment and living death--young sir?" + +Now this voice was pitifully cracked and feeble, yet the words were +English, wherefore I caught up the lanthorn and coming nearer, set it down +where I might better behold the speaker. + +"So young--so young! What dost thou among the living dead?" + +"I come seeking Sir Richard Brandon!" + +Now from the dim figure before me broke a sound that was neither scream nor +laughter yet something of both. I saw wild hands upcast to the gloom above, +a shrunken, pallid face, the gleam of snow-white hair. + +"Oh, God of mercies--oh, God of Justice--at last, oh, God--at last!" + +Stooping, I dragged him to the light and found myself suddenly a-trembling +so violently that he shook in my gripe. + +"What--what mean you?" I cried. + +"That I--I am Richard Brandon." + +"Liar!" I cried, shaking him. "Damned liar!" + +And yet, looking down upon this old, withered creature who crouched before +me on feeble knees, his shrivelled hands clasped and haggard face uplifted, +I knew that he spoke truth, and uttering a great and bitter cry, I cast him +from me, for here, in place of my proud and masterful enemy, the man I had +hated for his fierce and arrogant spirit, God had given to my vengeance at +last no more than this miserable thing, this poor, pale shadow. Wherefore +now I cast myself down upon my face, beating the floor with my shackled +fists and blaspheming my God like the very madman I was. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +HOW AT LAST I FOUND MY ENEMY, RICHARD BRANDON + + +Whether this paroxysm had wrought me to a swoon I know not, but I wondered +to feel a hand upon my head, stroking my hair with touch marvellous gentle, +and therewith a voice: + +"Comfort thee, comfort thee, poor youth! These be rages and despairs that +many do suffer at the first; in a little shall come back thy courage and +with it hope--that hope, alas, that never dieth--even here. 'Lo, I am with +thee,' saith the Lord--so be comforted, young sir. Let other thoughts +distract thy mind--let us converse if thou wilt. Tell me, I pray, how didst +know my unhappy name?" + +"Because," said I, starting from his touch, "I am son to the man you foully +murdered by false accusation. I am Martin Conisby, Lord Wendover of Shere +and last of my line!" + +Now at this he drew away and away, staring on me great-eyed and I heard the +breath gasp between his pallid lips. + +"What--do you here, my lord?" + +"Seek my just vengeance!" + +"The vengeance of a Conisby!" he murmured. + +"Six years ago I broke from the hell of slavery you sold me into and ever +since have sought you with intent to end the feud once and for ever." + +"The feud?" he muttered. "Aye, we have shed each other's blood for +generations--when your grandfather fought and slew my father on the highway +beyond Lamberhurst village I, a weeping boy, kissing the wound his rapier +had made, vowed to end the Conisbys one day and came nigh doing it, God +forgive me. So doth one sin beget others, and so here to-day, in the gloom +of my dungeon, I yield myself to your vengeance, my lord, freely and humbly +confessing the harms I did you and the base perfidy of my actions. So, an +you will have my miserable life, take it and with my last breath I will +beseech God pardon you my blood and bring you safe out of this place of +torment and sorrow. God knoweth I have endured much of agony these latter +years and yet have cherished my life in despite my sufferings hitherto, +aye, cherished it so basely as to turn apostate that I might live yet a +little longer--but now, my lord, freely--aye, joyfully will I give it, +for your vengeance, praying God of His abounding mercy to pardon my most +grievous offences but, being grown weak in courage and body by reason of +frequent and grieveous torturings, this mayhap shall plead my excuse. Come +then, Martin Conisby, your hand upon my throat, your fetter-chain about my +neck--" + +"Have done!" said I. "Have done!" And getting up, I crossed to the +extremest corner of the dungeon and cast myself down there. But in a little +he was beside me again, bearing the lanthorn and with straw from his +bed for my pillow, whereupon I cursed and bade him begone, but he never +stirred. + +"Oh boy," said he, seeing me clench my fist, "I am inured to stripes and +very fain to speech with thee, wherefore suffer me a little and answer me +this question, I pray. You have sought me these many years, you have even +followed me into this hell of suffering, and God at last hath given me to +your vengeance--wherefore not take it?" + +"Because he I sought was masterful, strong and arrogant!" + +"Yet this my body, though sorely changed, is yet the slime; 'twill bleed if +you prick it and I can die as well now as six years ago--?" + +But seeing I made no manner of answer, he left me at last and I watched him +limp disconsolate to his corner, there to bow himself on feeble knees and +with hands crossed on his bosom and white head bowed, fall to a passion of +silent prayer yet with many woful sighings and moanings, and so got him to +his miserable bed. + +As for me, I lay outstretched upon my face, my head pillowed on my arm, +with no desire of sleep, or to move, content only to lie thus staring into +the yellow flame of the lanthorn as a child might, for it verily seemed +that all emotions and desires were clean gone out of me; thus lay I, my +mind a-swoon, staring at this glimmering flame until it flickered and +vanished, leaving me in outer darkness. But within me was a darkness +blacker still, wherein my soul groped vainly. + +So the long night wore itself to an end, for presently, lifting heavy head, +I was aware of a faint glow waxing ever brighter, till suddenly, athwart +the gloom of my prison, shot a beam of radiant glory, like a very messenger +of God, telling of a fair, green world, of tree and herb and flower, of the +sweet, glad wind of morning and all the infinite mercies of God; so that, +beholding this heavenly vision, I came nigh weeping for pure joy and +thankfulness. + +Now this thrice-blessed sunlight poured in through a small grating high +up in the massy wall and showed me the form of my companion, the shining +silver of his hair, his arms wide-tossed in slumber. Moved by sudden +impulse I arose and (despite the ache and stiffness of my limbs) came +softly to look upon him as he lay thus, his cares forgot awhile in blessed +sleep; and thus, beneath his rags, I saw divers and many grievous scars of +wounds old and new, the marks of hot and searing iron, of biting steel and +cruel lash, and in joints, swollen and inflamed, I read the oft-repeated +torture of the rack. And yet in these features, gaunt and haggard by +suffering, furrowed and lined by pain, was a serene patience and nobility +wholly unfamiliar. + +Thus it seemed God had hearkened to my oft-repeated prayers, had given up +to me mine enemy bound; here at last, beneath my hand, lay the contriver of +my father's ruin and death and of my own evil fortunes. But it seemed the +sufferings that had thus whitened his hair, bowed his once stalwart frame +and chastened his fierce pride had left behind them something greater and +more enduring, before which my madness of hate and passionate desire +of vengeance shrank abashed. Now as I stood thus, lost in frowning +contemplation of my enemy, he groaned of a sudden and starting to his +elbow, stared up at me haggard-eyed. + +"Ah, my lord!" said he, meeting my threatening look. "Is the hour of +vengeance at hand--seek ye my life indeed? Why, then, I am ready!" + +But, nothing speaking, I got me back to my gloomy corner and crouched +there, my knees up-drawn, my head bowed upon my arms; and now, my two hands +gripping upon the empty air, I prayed again these words so often wrung from +me by past agonies: "Oh, God of Justice, give me now vengeance--vengeance +upon mine enemy. His life, Oh, God, his life!" But even as I spake these +words within myself I knew the vengeance I had dreamed of and cherished so +dearly was but a dream indeed, a fire that had burned utterly away, leaving +nought but the dust and ashes of all that might have been. And realising +somewhat of the bitter mockery of my situation, bethinking me of all I had +so wantonly cast away for this dream, and remembering the vain labour and +all the wasted years, I fell to raging despair, insomuch that I groaned +aloud and casting myself down, smote upon the stone floor of my prison with +shackled fists. And thus I presently felt a touch and glanced up to behold +my enemy bending above me. + +"My lord--" said he. + +"Devil!" I cried, smiting the frail hand from me. "I am no more than the +poor outcast wretch you ha' made of me!" Thus, with curses and revilings, I +bade him plague me no more and presently, wearied mind and body by my long +vigil, I fell a-nodding, until, wakened by the opening of the door, I +looked up to behold one of the black-robed familiars, who, having set down +meat and drink, vanished again, silent and speechless. + +Roused by the delectable savours of this meat, which was hot and +well-seasoned, I felt myself ravenous and ate with keen appetite, and +taking up the drink, found it to be wine, very rich and comforting. So +I ate and drank my fill, never heeding my companion, and thereafter, +stretching myself as comfortably as I might, I sank into a deep slumber. +But my sleep was troubled by all manner of dreams wherein was a nameless +fear that haunted me, a thing dim-seen and silent, save for the stealthy +rustling of a trailing robe. And even as I strove to flee it grew upon me +until I knew this was Death in the shape of Fra Alexo. And now, as I strove +vainly to escape those white, cruel fingers, Joanna was betwixt us; I heard +her shrill, savage cry, saw the glitter of her steel and, reeling back, Fra +Alexo stood clutching his throat in his two hands, staring horribly ere +he fell. But looking upon him as he lay I saw this was not Fra Alexo, for +gazing on the pale, dead face, I recognised the beloved features of my lady +Joan. But, sudden and swift, Joanna stooped to clasp that stilly form, +to lay her ruddy mouth to these pallid lips; and lo, she that was dead +stirred, and rose up quick and vivid with life and reached out yearning +arms to me, seeing nothing of Joanna where she lay, a pale, dead thing. + +I started up, crying aloud, and blinked to the glare of a lanthorn; as I +crouched thus, shielding my eyes from this dazzling beam, from the darkness +beyond came a voice, very soft and tenderly sweet, the which set me +shivering none the less. + +"Most miserable man, forswear now the error of thy beliefs, or prepare thy +unworthy flesh to chastisement. In this dead hour of night when all do +sleep, save the God thou blasphemest and Holy Church, thou shall be brought +to the question--" + +"Hold, damned Churchman!" cried a voice, and turning I beheld my enemy, Sir +Richard Brandon, his gaunt and fettered arms upraised, his eyes fierce and +steadfast. "Heed not this bloody-minded man! And you, Fra Alexo and these +cowled fiends that do your evil work, I take you to witness, one and all, +that I, Richard Brandon, Knight banneret of Kent, do now, henceforth and +for ever, renounce and abjure the oath you wrung from my coward flesh by +your devilish tortures. Come, do to my body what ye will, but my soul--aye, +my soul belongs to God--not to the Church of Rome! May God reckon up +against you the innocent blood you have shed and in every groan and tear +and cry you have wrung from tortured flesh may you find a curse in this +world and hereafter!" + +The loud, fierce voice ceased; instead I heard a long and gentle sigh, a +murmured command, and Sir Richard was seized by dim forms and borne away, +his irons clashing. Then I sprang, whirling up my fetter-chains to smite, +was tripped heavily, felt my limbs close-pinioned and was dragged forth of +the dungeon. And now, thus helpless at the mercy of these hideous, hooded +forms that knew no mercy, my soul shrank for stark horror of what was to +be, and my body shook and trembled in abject terror. + +In this miserable state I was dragged along, until once again I heard the +murmur of that sweet, soft voice, whereupon my captors halted, a door +was unlocked, and I was cast into a place of outer darkness there to lie +bruised and half-stunned yet agonised with fear, insomuch that for very +shame I summoned up all my resolution, and mastering my fear, I clenched +chattering teeth and sweating palms, determined to meet what was to be with +what courage and fortitude I might. Slowly the shivering horror passed and +in its place was a strange calm as I waited for them to bear me to the +torture. + +Suddenly my heart leapt to a shrill scream and thereafter I heard an +awful voice, loud and hoarse and tremulous, and between each gasping cry, +dreadful periods of silence: + +"Oh, God ... Oh, God of pity, aid me ... make me to endure ... Lord God, +strengthen my coward soul ... help me to be worthy ... faithful at last ... +faithful to the end...." + +As for me, well knowing the wherefore of these outcries, the meaning of +these ghastly silences, a frenzy of horror seized me so that I shouted and +raved, rolling to and fro in my bonds. Yet even so I could hear them at +their devils work, until the hoarse screams sank to a piteous wailing, a +dreadful inarticulate babble, until, wrought to a frenzy, I struggled to my +feet (despite my bonds) and (like the madman I was) leapt towards whence +these awful sounds came, and falling, knew no more. + +From this blessed oblivion I was roused by a kindly warmth and opening my +eyes, saw that I lay face down in a beam of sunshine that poured in through +the small grille high in the wall like a blessing; being very weary and +full of pain, and feeling this kindly ray mighty comforting, I lay where I +was and no desire to move, minded to sleep again. But little by little I +became conscious of a dull, low murmur of sound very distressful to hear +and that set me vaguely a-wondering. Therefore, after some while, I +troubled to lift my head and wondered no more. + +A twisted heap of blood-stained rags, the pallid oval of a face, the dull +gleam of a chain, this much I saw at a glance, but when I came beside Sir +Richard's prostrate form and beheld the evils they had wrought on him, a +cry of horror and passionate anger broke from me, whereupon he checked his +groaning and opening swimming eyes, smiled wanly up at me. + +"Glory--and thanks to God--I--endured!" he whispered. Now at this I sank on +my knees beside him, and when I would have spoken, could not for a while; +at last: + +"Is there aught I may do?" I questioned. + +"Water!" he murmured feebly. So I reached the water and setting my arm +'neath his neck (and despite my fetters) lifted him as gently as I might +and held the jar to his cracked lips. When he had drank what he would +I made a rough pillow for his head and rent strips from my shirt for +bandages, and finding my pitcher full-charged with wine, mixed some with +water and betook me to bathing his divers hurts (though greatly hampered by +the chain of my fetters) and found him very patient to endure my awkward +handling, in the midst of which, meeting my eye, he smiled faintly: + +"Martin Conisby," he whispered. "Am I not--your--enemy?" + +"Howbeit you endured!" quoth I. + +"Thanks be to God!" said he humbly. "And is it for this. You will cherish +thus--and comfort one--hath wronged you and yours--so bitterly?" + +But at this I grew surly and having made an end of my rough surgery, I went +and cast myself upon my bed of straw and, lying there, watching the sunbeam +creep upon the wall, I fell to pondering this problem, viz: How came I thus +striving to soothe the woes of this man I had hunted all these years to his +destruction; why must I pity his hurts and compassionate his weakness--why? + +And as I sat, my fists clenched, scowling at the sun-ray, it verily seemed +as he had read these my thoughts. + +"Martin Conisby," said he, his voice grown stronger. "Oh, Martin, think it +not shame to pity thine enemy; to cherish them that despitefully use you; +this is Godlike. I was a proud man and merciless but I have learned much +by sufferings, and for the wrongs I did you--bitterly have I repented. So +would I humbly sue forgiveness of you since I am to die so soon--" + +"To die?" + +"Aye, Martin, at the next auto-da-fe--by the fire--" + +"The fire!" said I, clenching my fists. + +"They have left me my life that I may burn--" + +"When?" I demanded 'twixt shut teeth. "When?" + +"To-day--to-morrow--the day after--what matter? But when the flames have +done their work, I would fain go to God bearing with me your forgiveness. +But if this be too much to hope--why, then, Martin, I will beseech God to +pluck you forth of this place of horror and to give you back to England, to +happiness, to honour and all that I reft from you--" + +"Nay, this were thing impossible!" I cried. + +"There is nought impossible to God, Martin!" Here fell silence awhile and +then, "Oh, England--England!" cried he. "D'ye mind how the road winds +'twixt the hedgerows a-down hill into Lamberhurst, Martin; d'ye mind the +wonder of it all--the green meadows, the dim woods full of bird song and +fragrance--you shall see it all again one day, but as for me--ah, to +breathe just once again the sweet smell of English earth! But God's will be +done!" + +For a while I sat picturing to my fancy the visions his words had conjured +up; lifting my head at last, I started up to see him so pale and still and +bending above him, saw him sleeping, placid as any child, yet with the +marks of tears upon his shrunken cheek. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +HOW I FOUND MY SOUL + + +The torment by fire, torture by water, rack and thumbscrews, pulley and +wheel, the weights, the press, the glove and the boot,--these the devices +men hath schemed out for the plaguing of his neighbour, the hellish engines +he hath troubled to invent and build for the crushing, twisting, tearing +and maiming of his fellow-man, yet of all these devilish machines nought +is there so constant, so pitiless and hard of endurance as the agony of +suspense; there is a spectre mopping and mowing at our shoulder by day and +haunting the misery of our nights; here is a disease slowly but surely +sapping hope and courage and life itself. + +Howbeit it was thus I found it in the time that followed, for little by +little I became the prey of a terror that grew, until the opening of the +door would bring me to my feet in sweating panic, or the mere rattle of my +fellow-prisoner's chains fill me with shivering despair. And because of +these sick fears I felt great scorn of myself, and knowing I was in this +place of horror by my own will and contrivance, to despair and scorn was +added a bitter self-hatred. And now, remembering how Adam had vowed to +rescue Sir Richard, I prayed for his coming, at one moment full of hope, +the next in an agony of despair lest he should come too late. Thus I fell +to my black mood, speaking no word or answering my companion but by curses; +and thus would I sit for hours, sullen and morose, gnawing my knuckles and +staring on vacancy. Or again, beholding my enemy so serene, so placid and +unmoved (and his case no better than my own) I would fall to sudden bitter +revilings of him, until, meeting the gentle patience of his look, I would +fall silent for very shame. + +At last, upon a night, tossing upon my wretched bed in dire torment of +soul, I chanced to espy my enemy and him sleeping; whereat I fell to fierce +anger. + +"Ha, Brandon!" I cried. "Will ye sleep, man, will ye sleep and I in +torment. Wake--wake and tell me, must we die soon? Wake, I say!" At this +he raised himself to blink at me in the beam of the lanthorn. "Must we die +soon, think ye?" I demanded fiercely. + +"In God's time, Martin!" said he. + +"Think ye they will--torture me first?" Now here, seeing his troubled look +and how he groped for an answer, I cursed and bade him tell me, aye or no. + +"Alas, I do fear it!" said he. + +"We are beyond hope?" I demanded. + +"Nay, there is always God," said he. "But we are beyond all human aid. This +do I know by reason of this airy dungeon and the luxury of food and light. +Fra Alexo doeth nought unreasonably; thus we have our lanthorn that we, +haply waking from dreams of home and happiness, may behold our prison walls +and know an added grief. Instead of the water-dungeon or the black terror +of cell deep-hidden from the blessed day, he hath set us in this goodly +place that we, beholding the sun, may yearn amain for the blessed freedom +of God's green world--" + +"Ha!" quoth I. "And for those he dooms to the torment he sendeth rich food +and generous wine--aye, aye, I see it now--a man strong and full-blooded +may endure more agony and longer. So they will torture me--as they did +you--but when, ah, God--when?" And here I sank face down upon my bed and +lay there shuddering. And presently I was aware of my companion kneeling +beside me, his hand upon my shoulder, his gentle voice in my ear: + +"Comfort ye, Martin, comfort ye, God shall give ye strength--" + +"Nay, I am a coward!" I cried bitterly, "A shameful craven!" + +"Yet you do not fear! You have endured! The fire hath no terrors for you!" + +"Because I am old in suffering, and am done with fear, because, beyond +smoke and flame, I shall find God at last." + +"Think ye there is a God?" + +"I know it, Martin!" + +"Yet am I coward!" I groaned. "Though 'tis not death I fear, nor the +torture so much, 'tis rather to be thus counting the hours--" + +"I know," said he, sighing. "I know. 'Tis the waiting for what is to be, +ah, the weary, weary waiting--'tis this doth shake the strongest; the hour +of suffering may be now, or to-morrow, or a month hence." + +"God send it be to-night!" said I fervently. "And to-night, and while I am +yet the man I am, know this; I, that lived but for vengeance, dying, do +renounce it once and for ever. I, that came hither seeking an enemy, find, +in place of hated foe, a man ennobled by his sufferings and greater than +myself. So, as long as life remains to us, let there be peace and good will +betwixt us, Sir Richard. And as you once sued forgiveness of me, now do I +sue your friendship--" + +"Martin!" said he in choking voice, and then again, "Oh, Martin Conisby, +thus hath God answered my prayer and thus doth the feud betwixt Conisby and +Brandon end--" + +"Yes!" said I. "Yes--so do I know at last that I have followed a vain thing +and lost all the sweetness life had to offer." + +Now here, seeing me lie thus deject and forlorn, he stooped and set his +ragged arm about me. + +"Grieve not, Martin," said he in strange, glad voice, "grieve not, for in +losing so much you have surely found a greater thing. Here, in this dread +place, you have found your soul." + +And presently, sheltered in the frail arm of the man had been my bitter +enemy, I took comfort and fell to sweet and dreamless slumber. + +Another day had dragged its weary length: Sir Richard lay asleep, I think, +and I, gloomy and sullen, lay watching the light fade beyond the grating in +the wall when; catching my breath, I started and peered up, misdoubting my +eyes, for suddenly, 'twixt the bars of this grating, furtive and silent +crept a hand that opening, let fall something white and shapeless that +struck the stone floor with a sharp, metallic sound, and vanished +stealthily as it had come. For a while I stared up at this rusty grating, +half-fearing I was going mad at last, yet when I thought to look below, +there on the floor lay the shapeless something where it had fallen. With +every nerve a-thrill I rose and creeping thither, took it up and saw it was +Adam's chart, the which had been taken from me, with all else I possessed; +this wrapped about a key and a small, sharp knife; on the back of which, +traced in a scrawling hand, I read these words, viz: + + "A key to your fetters. A knife to your release. + Once free of your dungeon take every passage + Bearing to the left; so shall you reach the postern. + There one shall wait, wearing a white scarf. + Follow him and God speed you. + You will be visited at sunset." + +To be lifted thus from blackest despair to hope's very pinnacle wrought on +me so that I was like one entranced, staring down at knife and paper and +key where they had fallen from my nerveless hold; then, catching up the +knife, I stood ecstatic to thumb over point and edge and felt myself a man +once more, calm and resolute, to defy every inquisitor in Spanish America, +and this merely by reason of the touch of this good steel, since here was +a means whereby (as a last resource) I might set myself safe beyond their +devilish torments once and for all. And now my soul went out in passionate +gratitude to Don Federigo since this (as I judged) must be of his +contrivance. + +But the shadows deepening warned me that the sun had set wherefore I +slipped off my shoes as softly as possible not to disturb Sir Richard's +slumbers, and made me ready to kill or be killed. + +And presently I heard the creak of bolts and, creeping in my stockinged +feet, posted myself behind the door as it opened to admit the silent, +shrouded form of a familiar bearing a lanthorn. Now, seeing he came alone, +I set the knife in my girdle and, crouched in the shadow of the door, +watched my time; for a moment he stood, seeming to watch Sir Richard who, +roused by the light, stirred and, waking, blinked fearfully at this silent +shape. + +"Ah, what now?" he questioned. "Is it me ye seek?" For answer the familiar +set down the lanthorn and beckoned with his finger. Then, as Sir Richard +struggled painfully to his feet, I sprang and grappled this hateful, +muffled form ere he could cry out, had him fast by the throat, and dragging +him backwards across my knee, I choked him thus, his hoarse whistling gasps +muffled in his enveloping hood. And then Sir Richard was beside me. + +"Will ye slay him, Martin?" cried he. + +"Aye!" I nodded and tightened my grip. + +"Nay, rather spare him because he is an enemy; thus shall your soul go +lighter henceforth, Martin." + +So in the end I loosed my hold, whereupon the familiar sank to the floor +and lay, twitching feebly. Hereupon I rent off hood and robe and found him +a poor, mean creature that wept and moaned, wherefore I incontinent gagged +him with stuff from his own habit and thereafter locked him securely into +my fetters. And now, trembling with haste, I donned his habit and, catching +up the lanthorn, turned on Sir Richard: + +"Come!" said I. + +"Nay!" said he, wringing his fettered hands. "Nay--alas, I should but +hamper you--" + +"Come!" said I, my every nerve a-tingle to be gone. "Come--I will aid +you--hurry, man--hurry!" + +"Nay, 'twere vain, Martin, I can scarce walk--'twere selfish in me to let +you run such needless risks. Go, Martin, go--God bless you and bring you +safe out of this evil place." + +Without more ado I tucked my shoes into my bosom, caught up the lanthorn +and hasted away. + +But as I went I must needs remember the pitiful eagerness of Sir Richard's +look and the despairing gesture of those helpless, fettered hands. + +Hereupon I cursed fiercely to myself and, turning about, came running back +and, finding him upon his knees, hove him to his feet and, or ever he +guessed my purpose, swung him across my shoulder and so away again, finding +him no great burden (God knows) for all his fetters that clanked now and +then despite his efforts. Presently espying a passage to my left, thither +hurried I and so in a little to another; indeed it seemed the place was a +very maze and with many evil-looking doors that shut in God only knew what +of misery and horror. So I hasted on, while my breath laboured and the +sweat ran from me; and with every clank of Sir Richard's fetters my heart +leapt with dread lest any hear, though indeed these gloomy passageways +seemed quite deserted. And ever as we went, nought was to see save these +evil doors and gloomy walls, yet I struggled on until my strength began to +fail and I reeled for very weariness, until at last I stopped and set Sir +Richard on his feet since I could carry him no further, and leaned panting +against the wall, my strength all gone and my heart full of despair, since +it seemed I had missed my way. + +Suddenly, as I leaned thus, I heard the tinkle of a lute and a voice +singing, and though these sounds were dull and muffled, I judged them at no +great distance; therefore I began to creep forward, the knife ready in one +hand, the lanthorn in the other, and thus presently turning a sharp angle, +I beheld a flight of steps surmounted by a door. Creeping up to this door, +I hearkened and found the singing much nearer; trying the door, I found it +yield readily and opening it an inch or so beheld a small chamber lighted +by a hanging lamp and upon a table a pair of silver-mounted pistols; +coming to the table I took them up and found them primed and loaded. I now +beckoned Sir Richard who crept up the stairs with infinite caution lest his +fetter-chains should rattle. + +The chamber wherein we stood seemed the apartment of some officer, for +across a small bed lay a cloak and plumed hat together with a silver-hilted +rapier, which last I motioned Sir Richard to take. Beyond the bed was +another door, and coming thither I heard a sound of voices and laughter, +so that I judged here was a guard-room. As I stood listening, I saw Sir +Richard standing calm and serene, the gleaming sword grasped in practised +hand and such a look of resolution on his lined face as heartened me +mightily. And now again came the tinkle of the lute and, giving a sign to +Sir Richard, I softly raised the latch and, plucking open the door, stepped +into the room behind, the pistols levelled in my hands. + +Before me were five men--four at cards and a fifth fingering a lute, who +turned to gape, one and all, at my sudden appearance. + +"Hold!" said I in Spanish, through the muffing folds of my hood. "Let a man +move and I shoot!" At this they sat still enough, save the man with the +lute, a small, fat fellow who grovelled on his knees; to him I beckoned. +"Bind me these fellows!" I commanded. + +"No ropes here!" he stammered. + +"With their belts, fool; their arms behind them--so!" Which done, I +commanded him to free Sir Richard of his gyves; whereupon the little fellow +obeyed me very expeditiously with one of the many keys that hung against +the wall. Then I gave my pistols to Sir Richard and seizing on the little, +fat man, bound him also. Hereupon I gagged them all five as well as I might +and having further secured their legs with their scarves and neckerchiefs, +I dragged them one by one into the inner chamber (the doors of which I +locked) and left them there mightily secure. Then, catching up a good, +stout sword and a cloak to cover Sir Richard's rags, I opened another door +and, having traversed a sort of anteroom, presently stepped out into the +free air. + +It was a dark night; indeed I never saw Nombre de Dios any other than in +the dark, yet the stars made a glory of the heavens and I walked awhile, +my eyes upraised in a very ecstasy, clean forgetting my companion until he +spoke. + +"Whither now, Martin?" + +"I am directed to a postern, and one bearing a white scarf." + +"The postern?" quoth Sir Richard. "I know it well, as doth many another +unhappy soul; 'tis the gate whereby suspects are conveyed secretly to the +question!" + +We kept to the smaller streets and lanes, the which, being ill-lighted, +we passed without observation; thus at last, following the loom of a high +wall, very grim and forbidding, we came in sight of a small gateway beneath +a gloomy arch, where stood two shadowy figures as if on the lookout, +whereupon I stopped to reconnoitre them, loosening my sword in the +scabbard. But now one of these figures approached and, halting to peer at +us, spoke in strange, muffled tones. + +"Seek ye the white scarf?" questioned the voice in Spanish. + +"We do!" said I. At this the man opened the long cloak he wore and +flourished to view a white scarf. + +"Aye, but there were two of you," said I. "What is come of your fellow?" + +"He but goeth before, Senor." And true enough, when I looked, the other dim +form had vanished, the which I liked so little that, drawing my sword, I +clapped it to the fellow's breast. + +"Look now," quoth I, "play us false and you die!" + +"The Senor may rest assured!" says he, never flinching. + +"Why, then, lead on!" I commanded. + +Now as we followed this unknown, I had an uncanny feeling that we were +being dogged by something or some one that flitted in the darkness, +now behind us, now before us, now upon our flank, wherefore I walked +soft-treading and with my ears on the stretch. And presently our guide +brought us amid the denser gloom of trees whose leaves rustled faintly +above us and grass whispered under foot; and thus (straining my ears, as +I say) I thought to catch the sound of stealthy movement that was neither +leaf nor grass, insomuch that, shifting the sword to my left hand, I drew +forth and cocked one of the pistols. At last we came out from among the +trees and before us was the gleam of water and I saw we were upon the bank +of a stream. Here our guide paused as if unsure; but suddenly was the gleam +of a lanthorn and I heard Don Federigo's welcome voice: + +"Is that Hualipa?" + +Our guide moved forward and, pausing in the glare of the lanthorn, let fall +his cloak and I, beholding that pallid, impressive face, the dull eyes, +small mouth, and high thin nose, knew him for Fra Alexo, Chief Inquisitor +of Nombre de Dios. Then, lifting one hand to point slim finger at Don +Federigo, he spoke in his soft, sweet voice: + +"Don Federigo, long hath Holy Church suspected thee--and Holy Church hath +many eyes--and hands. So is thy messenger dead and so I favoured the escape +of these declared heretics that through them thou mightest be taken in thy +shameful treachery. Even now come armed servants of the Church to take +again these doomed heretics and with them--thee also. Now kill me an you +will, but thine apostasy is uncovered; the Holy Inquisition hath thee safe +at last. Thy good name, thy pride of birth and place shall not shelter thee +from the avenging fire--oh, most treacherous one--" + +Suddenly he choked, clapped his two hands to his throat, staring horribly; +and betwixt his fingers I saw a small, tufted thing deep-buried in his +throat. Then all at once there burst from his writhen lips an awful, +gasping scream, dreadful to hear, and then he was down, writhing and +gasping awhile, with Don Federigo and Sir Richard bending above him. + +But I, well knowing what this was and remembering the unseen thing that had +tracked us, turned to the shadow of a bush hard by and thus beheld a shaggy +head that peered amid the leaves, a hairy face with wild, fierce eyes and +teeth that gleamed. + +So the man John stared down at his handiwork, flourished his deadly +blowpipe and was gone. + +"He is dead!" said Don Federigo. "'Tis an Indian poison I have met with ere +this--very sudden and deadly. Fra Alexo stands at the tribunal of his God!" +and baring his head, Don Federigo glanced down at the dark, contorted shape +and thence to the gloomy trees beyond, and beckoning, brought me to a boat +moored under the bank hard by. + +"Senor Martino," said he, "'tis time you were gone, for if Don Alexo hath +turned out the guard--" + +"Nay, sir," quoth I, "they must be some while a-coming," and I told him +briefly how we had secured the watch. + +"And Fra Alexo is dead!" said he. + +Here I would fain have told him something of my gratitude for the dire +risks and perils he had run on my behalf, but he caught my hands and +silenced me. + +"My friend Martino," said he in his careful English, "you adventured your +life for me many times; if therefore I save yours, it is but just. And your +vengeance--is it achieved?" + +"Indeed, sir," quoth Sir Richard, "achieved to the very uttermost, for he +hath carried that enemy out from the shadow of death, hath perilled his +own chances of life that I might know the joys of freedom--I that was his +bitter enemy." + +"So may all enmity pass one day, I pray God," sighed Don Federigo. "And +now, as for thee, Martino my friend, vengeance such as thine is thing so +rare as maketh me to honour thy friendship and loath to lose thee, since we +shall meet no more in this life. Thus I do grieve a little, for I am an old +man, something solitary and weary, and my son, alas, is dead. This sword +was my father's and should have been his; take you it, I pray, and wear it +in memory of me." And speaking, he loosed off his sword and thrust it upon +me. + +"Noble sir," said I, "dear and good friend, it doth not need this to mind +me of all your high courage and steadfast friendship--and I have nought to +offer in return--" + +"I shall ever remember your strange method of vengeance!" said he. And when +we had embraced each other, I got me into the boat and aided Sir Richard in +beside me. + +"Look now," warned Don Federigo as I loosed the mooring rope, "pull across +the river and be wary, for in a little the whole town will be roused upon +you. Get clear of the river as speedily as you may. And so, farewell, my +friend, and God go with you!" + +For answer I waved my hand, then, betaking me to the oars, I pulled +out--into the stream farther and farther, until the stately form of Don +Federigo was merged and lost in the gloom. + +Sure enough, scarcely had we come into the shadows of the opposite bank +than the silence gave place to a distant clamour, lost all at once in a +ringing of bells, a rolling of drums and a prodigious blowing of horns and +trumpets; the which set me a-sweating in despite the cool night wind, as, +chin on shoulder, I paddled slowly along, unsure of my going and very +fearful lest I run aground. In the midst of which anxieties I heard Sir +Richard's voice, calm and gentle and very comforting: + +"With a will, Martin--pull! I know the river hereabouts; pull, Martin, and +trust to me!" Hereupon I bent to the oars and with no fear of being heard +above the din ashore, since every moment bells and drums and trumpets waxed +louder. Thus presently we came opposite the town, a place of shadows where +lights hovered; and seeing with what nicety Sir Richard steered, keeping +ever within the denser shadow of the tree-clad bank, I rowed amain until we +were past the raving town, and its twinkling lights were blotted out by a +sudden bend of the river. + +Suddenly I saw Sir Richard stand up, peering, heard his voice quick and +commanding: + +"Ship your oars!" Then came a chorus of hoarse shouts, a shock, and we were +rocking, gunwale and gunwale, with a boat where dim figures moved, crying +shrill curses. I remember letting drive at one fellow with an oar and +thereafter laying about me until the stout timber shivered in my grasp. I +remember the dull gleam of Sir Richard's darting blade and then the two +boats had drifted apart. Tossing aside my shattered oar, I found me another +and rowed until, gasping, I must needs pause awhile and so heard Sir +Richard speaking: + +"Easy, Martin, easy! There lieth the blessed ocean at last; but--see!" + +Resting on my oars and glancing whither he pointed, I saw a light suspended +high in air and knew this for the riding-lanthorn of a ship whose shadowy +bulk grew upon me as I gazed, hull and towering masts outlined against the +glimmer of stars and the vague light of a young moon. Hereupon I bowed my +head, despairing, for this ship lay anchored in midstream, so that no boat +might hope to pass unchallenged; thus I began to debate within me whether +or no to row ashore and abandon our boat, when Sir Richard questioned me: + +"Can you sing ever a Spanish boat song, Martin?" + +"No," said I, miserably. "No--" + +"Why, then, I must, though mine is a very indifferent voice and rusty from +lack o' use; meantime do you get up the mast; the wind serves." Which said, +Sir Richard forthwith began to sing a Spanish song very harsh and loud, +whiles I sweated amain in panic fear; none the less I contrived to step +mast and hoist sail and, crouched on the midship thwart, watched the great +galleon as we bore down upon her. + +And presently came a voice hailing us in Spanish with demand as to who and +what we were, whereat Sir Richard broke off his song to shout that we were +fishermen, the which simple answer seemed to reassure our questioner, for +we heard no more and soon the great ship was merely a vague shadow that, +fading on our vision, merged into the night and was gone. + +And thus in a while, having crossed the troubled waters of the bar, I felt +the salt wind sweet and fresh on my brow like a caress, felt the free lift +and roll of the seas; and now, beholding this illimitable expanse of sky +and ocean, needs must I remember the strait prison and dire horrors whence +God had so lately delivered me, and my soul swelled within me too full of +gratitude for any words. + +"Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for +ever!" + +Turning, I espied Sir Richard upon his knees, one hand grasping the tiller +sailorly, the other upraised to the glimmering firmament; hereupon I knelt +also, joining him in this prayer of thanksgiving. And thus we began our +journey. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +OF OUR ADVENTURE AT SEA + + +Dawn found us standing easterly before a gentle wind with the land bearing +away upon our right, a fair and constantly changing prospect of sandy +bays, bold headlands and green uplands backed by lofty mountains blue with +distance. + +And what with all the varied beauties of earth, the blue heaven, the +sparkle of sea, the soft, sweet wind, it verily seemed the late gloomy +terrors of my dungeon were no more than a nightmare until, hearing a moan, +I turned to see my companion stirring in uneasy slumber, his haggard +features contorted as by some spasm, whereupon I touched him to +wakefulness, bidding him see if we had aught aboard to eat or drink; but +he crouched motionless as one rapt in an ecstasy, staring eager-eyed from +cloudless heaven to sapphire sea and round about upon the glory of the dawn +and fell suddenly a-laughing as from pure joy and as suddenly hid his face +within his shrivelled hands. + +"This--O, glory of God! This, instead of black despair!" said he in weeping +voice. "This sweet, healing wind instead of searing flame--and you, Martin, +'tis you have given all this! I dreamed me back in the hell you brought me +from! Sun and wind and sea--oh, God love thee--these be your gifts to me +that was your enemy--" + +"Nay, our enmity is dead and done with--" + +"Martin Conisby," said he, looking on me through his tears, "through you, +by God's grace, I know again the joy of living, and, God aiding me, you +shall yet know the like happiness an I may compass it!" + +Now seeing him thus deeply moved I grew abashed and, beckoning him to take +the tiller, began to overhaul the contents of the boat's lockers and thus +found that Don Federigo had furnished us to admiration with all things +to our comfort and defence. Forthwith I set out breakfast, choosing such +things as I judged the most perishable, and we ate and drank mighty +cheerful. + +But as Sir Richard sat thus in his rags, staring upon all things with +ineffable content, the bright sun showed me the hideous marks of his many +sufferings plain and manifest in his bent and twisted frame, the scars +that disfigured him and the clumsy movements of his limbs misshapen by the +torment, and moreover I noticed how, ever and anon, he would be seized of +violent tremblings and shudderings like one in an ague, insomuch that I +could scarce abide to look on him for very pity and marvelled within myself +that any man could endure so much and yet live. + +"Oh friend!" said he suddenly, "'tis a wondrous world you have given back +to me; I almost grow a man again--" + +Even as he uttered these brave words the shuddering took him once more, but +when I would have aided him he smiled and spake 'twixt chattering teeth: + +"Never heed me, Martin--this cometh of the water-dungeons--'twill soon +pass--" + +"God knoweth you have suffered over-much--" + +"Yet He hath brought me forth a better man therefor, though my body +is--something the worse, 'tis true. Indeed, I am a sorry companion for a +voyage, I doubt--" + +"Howbeit," said I, "last night, but for your ready wit, we had been +taken--" + +"Say you so, Martin? Here is kind thought and comforting, for I began to +dread lest I prove an encumbrance to you. + +"Nay, sir, never think it!" said I. "For 'tis my earnest hope to bring you +to the loving care of one who hath sought you long and patiently--" + +"Is it Joan? Oh, mean you my daughter Joan? Is she in these latitudes?" + +"Even so, sir. For you she hath braved a thousand horrors and evils." + +And here, in answer to his eager questioning, I told him much of what I +have writ here concerning the Lady Joan, her resolute spirit and numberless +virtues, a theme whereof I never wearied. Thus, heedless of time, of thirst +or hunger, I told of the many dire perils she had encountered in her quest, +both aboard ship and on the island, to all of which Sir Richard hearkened, +his haggard gaze now on my face, now fixed yearningly on the empty +distances before us as he would fain conjure up the form of her whose noble +qualities I was describing. When at last I had made an end, he sat silent a +great while. + +"I was a proud, harsh man of old," said he at last, "and a father most +ungentle--and 'tis thus she doth repay me! You and she were children +together--playfellows, Martin." + +"Aye, sir, 'twas long ago." + +"And in my prideful arrogance I parted you, because you were the son of my +enemy, but God hath brought you together again and His will be done. But, +Martin, if she be yet in these latitudes, where may we hope to find her?" + +"At Darien, in the Gulf!" + +"Darien?" said he. "Why there, Martin? 'Tis a wild country and full of +hostile Indians. I landed there once--" + +So I told him how Adam had appointed a place of meeting there, showing +him also the chart Adam had drawn for my guidance, the which we fell to +studying together, whereby we judged we had roughly but some eighty leagues +to sail and a notable good sea-boat under us, and that by keeping in sight +of the Main we could not fail of fetching up with the rendezvous, always +suppose we lost not our bearings by being blown out to sea. + +"Had I but quadrant and compass, Martin--" + +"How, sir," said I, "can you navigate?" + +"I could once," said he, with his faint smile. Hereupon I hasted to reach +these instruments from one of the lockers (since it seemed Don Federigo +had forgot nothing needful to our welfare), perceiving which, Sir Richard +straightened his bowed shoulders somewhat and his sallow cheek flushed. +"Here at last I may serve you somewhat, Martin," said he and, turning his +back to the sun, he set the instrument to his eye and began moving the +three vanes to and fro until he had the proper focus and might obtain the +sun's altitude; whereby he had presently found our present position, the +which he duly pricked upon the chart. He now showed me how, by standing out +on direct course instead of following the tortuous windings of the coast, +we could shorten our passage by very many miles. Hereupon we shaped our +course accordingly and, the wind freshening somewhat, by afternoon the high +coast had faded to a faint blur of distant mountain peaks, and by sunset we +had lost it altogether. + +And so night came down on us, with a kindly wind, cool and refreshing after +the heats of the day, a night full of a palpitant, starry splendour and lit +by a young, horned moon that showed us this wide-rolling infinity of waters +and these vast spaces filled, as it seemed, with the awful majesty of God, +so that when we spake (which was seldom) it was in hushed voices. It being +my turn to sleep, I lay down, yet could not close my eyes for a while for +the wonder of the stars above, and with my gaze thus uplift, I must needs +think of my lady and wonder where she might be, with passionate prayers for +her safety; and beholding these heavenly splendours, I thought perchance +she might be viewing them also and in this thought found me great solace +and comfort. And now what must my companion do but speak of her that was +thus in my thought. + +"Martin," he questioned suddenly, "do you love her?" + +"Aye, I do!" said I, "mightily!" + +"And she you?" + +"God grant it!" + +"Here," said he after some while, "here were a noble ending to the feud, +Martin?" + +"Sir, 'tis ended already, once and for all." + +"Aye, but," said he with a catch in his voice, "all my days I--have +yearned--for a son. More especially now--when I am old and so feeble." + +"Then, sir, you shall lack no longer, if I can thus make up in some small +measure for all you have suffered--" + +At this he fell silent again but in the dark his trembling hand stole down +to touch me lightly as in blessing; and so I fell asleep. + +Prom this slumber I was suddenly aroused by his calling on my name and, +opening drowsy eyes, beheld (as it were) a luminous veil that blotted out +moon and stars and ocean, and, looking about, saw we lay becalmed in a +white mist. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, his face a pale oval in the dimness, "d'ye hear +aught?" + +"No more than the lapping of the waves," I answered, for indeed the sea was +very calm and still. + +"Nay, listen awhile, Martin, for either I'm mad or there's some one or +something crying and wailing to larboard of us, an evil sound like one in +torment. Three times the cry has reached me, yet here we lie far out to +sea. So list ye, son, and tell me if my ears do play me false, for verily +I--" + +His speech died away as from somewhere amid the chill and ghostly vapour +there stole a long-drawn, wailing cry, so woful, so desolate, and so +unearthly here in this vasty solitude that I caught my breath and stared +upon this eddying mist with gaze of fearful expectancy. + +"You heard it, Martin; you heard it?" + +"Aye!" I nodded. + +"'Tis like one cries upon the rack, Martin!" + +"'Tis belike from some ship hid in the fog yonder," said I, handing him a +musket from the arms-locker. + +"There was no ship to see before this fog came down on us," quoth Sir +Richard uneasily; howbeit he took the weapon, handling it so purposefully +as was great comfort to see, whereupon I took oars and began to row towards +whence I judged this awful cry had come. And presently it rose again, +dreadful to hear, a sound to freeze the blood. I heard Sir Richard cock +his piece and glanced instinctively to make sure Don Federigo's sword lay +within my reach. Three times the cry rose, ere, with weapon poised for +action, Sir Richard motioned for me to stop rowing, and glancing over my +shoulder, I saw that which loomed upon us through the mist, a dim shape +that gradually resolved itself into a large ship's boat or pinnace. Sword +in one hand and pistol in the other, I stood up and hailed lustily, yet got +no sound in reply save a strange, dull whimpering. + +Having shouted repeatedly to no better purpose, I took oars again and +paddled cautiously nearer until at last, by standing on the thwart, I might +look into this strange boat and (the fog being luminous) perceived three +dark shapes dreadfully huddled and still; but as I gazed, one of these +stirred slightly, and I heard a strange, dull, thumping sound and then I +saw this for a great hound. Hereupon I cast our boathook over their gunwale +and while Sir Richard held the boats thus grappled, scrambled aboard them, +pistol in hand, and so came upon two dead men and beside them this great +dog. + +And now I saw these men had died in fight and not so long since, for the +blood that fouled them and the boat was still wet, and even as I bent over +them the hound licked the face of him that lay uppermost and whined. And +men and dog alike seemed direly thin and emaciate. Now it was in my mind +to shoot the dog out of its misery, to which end I cocked my pistol, +but seeing how piteously it looked on me and crawled to lick my hand, I +resolved to carry it along with us and forthwith (and no little to-do) +presently contrived to get the creature into our boat, thereby saving both +our lives, as you shall hear. + +So we cast off and I sat to watch the boat until like a phantom, it melted +into the mist and vanished away. Turning, I beheld the hound, his great +head on Sir Richard's knee, licking the hand that fondled him. + +"He is pined of hunger and thirst, Martin; I will tend him whiles you +sleep. He shall be a notable good sentinel and these be very keen of +scent--the Spaniards do use them to track down poor runaway slaves withal, +but these dogs are faithful beasts and this hath been sent us, doubtless, +to some good end." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +WE ARE DRIVEN ASHORE + + +And now were days of stifling heat, of baffling airs and maddening calms, +wherein we rolled helpless, until in my impatience I would betake me to the +oars in a fever of desire to reach our destination and row until the sweat +poured from me. + +What with sea, wind and fierce sun we grew brown as any Indians, but Sir +Richard seemed to mend apace and to my great joy, for as time passed my +respect for him deepened and with it a kindlier feeling; for in these +long days and nights of our fellowship I grew to know how, by suffering +patiently borne, a man might come by a knowledge of himself and his fellows +and a kindly sympathy for their sins and sorrows that is (as I do think) +the truest of all wisdom. + +Fain would I set down some of these heart-searching talks, but I fear lest +my narration grows over-long; suffice it that few sons ever bore tenderer +reverence and love to their father than I to this, my erstwhile enemy. + +So will I now, passing over much that befell us on these treacherous seas, +as scorching calms, torrential rains and rageful winds, and how in despite +all these we held true on our course by reason of Sir Richard's sailorly +skill, I will (I say) come to a certain grey dawn and myself at the tiller +whiles Sir Richard slept and beside him the great hound that we had named +Pluto, since he had come to us from the dead. + +Now presently I saw the dog stir uneasily and lift his head to sniff the +air to windward; thereafter, being on his legs, he growled in his throat, +staring ever in the one direction, and uttered a loud, deep bay, whereupon +up started Sir Richard, full of question. + +"Sir, look at the dog!" said I, pointing where Pluto stood abaft the mast, +snuffing and staring to windward; seeing which, Sir Richard took the +perspective-glass and swept with it the hazy distance. + +"There is wind yonder, Martin; we must reef!" said he, the glass at his +eye. So presently, whiles he steered, I shortened sail but saw his gaze +bent ever to windward. "Dogs have strange senses!" quoth he. "Take the +glass, Martin; your eyes are very keen; tell me if you see aught yonder in +the mist against the cloudbank bearing about three points." Looking whither +he directed, I made out a dim shape that loomed amid the mist. + +"You see it, Martin?" + +"Aye, a ship!" said I, and even as I spoke, the wind freshening, the +rain ceased, the mist thinned away, and I saw a large vessel ahead of us +standing in for the land which bore some five miles to leeward, a high, +rugged coast, very grim and forbidding. + +"How is she heading, Martin?" + +"Southwesterly, I make it, which should bring her close upon us mighty +soon, if the wind hold." And passing Sir Richard the glass, I sat staring +on this distant ship in no little apprehension, since I judged most vessels +that plied hereabouts could be but one of two sorts, viz: pirates or +Spaniards. + +"She is a great ship, Martin, and by her cut I think Spanish." + +"I had liefer she were a pirate!" said I, scowling. + +"Your wish may be granted soon enough, for she is going free and much wind +astern of her." + +Now whiles Sir Richard watched this oncoming vessel, I took up Don +Federigo's sword, and, struck by its beauty, began to examine it as I had +not done hitherto. And indeed a very noble weapon it was, the hilt of rare +craftsmanship, being silver cunningly inlaid with gold, long and narrow in +the blade, whereon, graven in old Spanish, I saw the legend: + +TRUST IN GOD AND ME. + +A most excellent weapon, quick in the hand by reason of its marvellous +poise and balance. But looking upon this, I must needs remember him that +had given it and bethinking me how he had plucked me forth from the horror +of death and worse, I raised my head to scowl again upon the oncoming ship, +and with teeth hard-set vowed within myself that no power should drag me +a living man back to the terrors of dungeon and torment. And now as I +crouched thus, scowling on the ship, the naked sword across my knees, Sir +Richard called to me: + +"She is Spanish-built beyond all doubting and whoever chance to be aboard, +they've seen us," said he, setting by the glass. "Come now, let us take +counsel whether to go about, hold on, or adventure running ashore, the +which were desperate risk by the look of things--" + +"Let us stand on so long as we may," quoth I, "for if the worst come, we +have always this," and reaching a pistol, I laid it on the thwart beside +me. + +"Nay, Martin," said he, his hand on my shoulder, "first let us do all we +may to live, trusting in God Who hath saved and delivered us thus far. We +have arms to our defence and I can still pull trigger at a pinch, or at +extremity we may run ashore and contrive to land, though 'tis an evil coast +as you may see and I, alack! am a better traveller sitting thus than afoot. +As to dying, Martin, if it must be so, why then let us choose our own +fashion, for as Sir Richard Grenville hath it, 'better fall into the hands +of God than into the claws of Spain!" + +Thus spake my companion mighty cheering, his serene blue eyes now on me, +now on the distant ship, as he held our heeling boat to the freshening +wind; hereupon, greatly comforted I grasped his hand and together we vowed +never to be taken alive. Then, seeing the ship come down on us apace, I +busied myself laying to hand such arsenal as Don Federigo had furnished us +withal, viz: four muskets with their bandoliers and two brace of pistols; +which done, I took to watching the ship again until she was so close I +might discern her lofty, crowded decks. And then, all at once, the wind +died utterly away, and left us becalmed, to my inexpressible joy. For now, +seeing the great ship roll thus helpless, I seized the oars. + +"Inshore!" I cried, and began to row might and main, whereat those aboard +ship fired a gun to windward and made a waft with their ensign as much as +to bid us aboard them. But I heeding no whit, they let fly a great shot at +us that, falling short, plunged astern in a whirl of spray. Time and again +they fired such fore-chase guns as chanced to bear, but finding us out of +range, they gave over wasting more powder and I rejoiced, until suddenly I +espied that which made me gloomy enough, for 'twixt the ship and us came +a boat full of men who rowed lustily; and they being many and I one, they +began to overhaul us rapidly despite my efforts, till, panting in sweating +despair, I ceased my vain labour and made to reach for the nearest musket. + +"Let be, my son!" quoth Sir Richard, on his knees in the stern sheets. +"Row, Martin, the boat rides steadier. Ha!" said he, with a little +chuckling laugh, as a bullet hummed over us. "So we must fight, after all; +well, on their own heads be it!" And as he took up and cocked a musket, I +saw his eyes were shining and his lips upcurled in grim smile. "Alas, I was +ever too forward for fight in the old days, God forgive me, but here, as I +think, is just and sufficient cause for bloodshed." + +"They come on amain!" I gasped, as I swung to the heavy oars, wondering to +behold him so unconcerned and deliberate. + +"Let them come, Martin!" said he, crouching in the stern sheets, "only keep +you an even stroke--so, steady it is! Aye, let them come, Martin, and God's +will be done!" + +And now our pursuers began firing amain, though for the most part their +shooting was very wild; but presently, finding we made no reply, they grew +bolder, hallooing and shouting blithely and taking better aim, so that +their shot hummed ever nearer and once or twice the boat was struck. And as +I hearkened to their ribald shouting and the vicious hiss of their bullets, +fierce anger took me and I began to curse Sir Richard's delay; then came +the roar of his piece and as the smoke cleared I saw a man start up in the +bows of the pursuing boat and tossing up his arms, fall backwards upon the +rowers, thereby throwing them into clamorous confusion so that their boat +fell off and lay rolling helplessly. + +"Load, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard 'twixt shut teeth. "Load as I fire--for +now by God I have 'em--see yonder!" And thrusting towards me his smoking +weapon, he caught up the next, levelled and fired again, whereupon their +shouting and confusion were redoubled. + +Thus Sir Richard fired on them repeatedly and with deadly effect, judging +by their outcries, for I was too busy loading and priming to afford them +a glance, so that Sir Richard maintained as rapid a fire as possible. How +long we fought them thus I know not; indeed I remember little of the matter +save smoke and noise, Sir Richard's grim figure and the occasional hiss of +a bullet about us. Suddenly Sir Richard turned to stare up at me, wild-eyed +and trembling, as in one of his ague-fits. + +"Enough, Martin!" he gasped. "God forgive me, I ha' done enough--and here's +the wind at last!" + +Seeing this indeed was so, I sprang to loose out the reefs, which done, I +saw the enemy's boat lie wallowing in the trough and never so much as an +oar stirring. But beyond this was another boat hasting to their assistance +and beyond this again the ship herself, so that I joyed to feel our little +vessel bounding shore-wards. But hearing a groan, I saw Sir Richard +crouched at the tiller, his white head bowed upon his hand. + +"God love me--are you hurt, sir?" I cried, scrambling towards him. + +"No, Martin, no!" And then, "Ah, God forgive me," he groaned again, "I fear +I have been the death of too many of them--more than was needful." + +"Nay, sir," said I, wondering. "How should this be?" + +"I killed--for the joy of it, Martin." + +"'Twas them or us, Sir Richard. And we may have to kill again--see yonder!" +And I pointed where the ship was crowding sail after us with intent to +cut us off ere we could make the shore--a desolation of shaggy rocks and +tree-girt heights that looked ever the more formidable; yet thither we held +our course, since it seemed the lesser of two evils. + +Our boat, as I have said, was a good sailer; none the less the great ship +overhauled us until she was near enough to open on us with her fore-chase +guns again. But presently (being yet some distance from the shore) the +water began to shoal, whereupon the ship bore up lest she run aground, +and let fly her whole broadside, the which yet was short of us. In this +comparative safety we would have brought to, but seeing the second boat had +hoisted sail and was standing into these shallows after us, we perforce ran +on for the shore. Soon we were among rocks and before us a line of breakers +backed by frowning rocks, very dreadful to behold. + +And now, at Sir Richard's command, I struck our sail and, taking to the +oars, began to row, marvelling at the skill with which he steered amid +these difficult waters, and both of us looking here and there for some +opening amid the breakers whereby we might gain the land. + +Presently, sure enough, we espied such a place, though one none would have +attempted save poor souls in such desperate case. The air about us seemed +full of spume and the noise of mighty waters, but Sir Richard never +faltered; his eyes looked upon the death that roared about us, serene and +untroubled. And now we were amid the breakers; over my shoulder, through +whirling spray, I caught a glimpse of sandy foreshore where lay our +salvation; then, with sudden, rending crash, we struck and a great wave +engulfed us. Tossed and buffeted among this choking smother, I was whirled, +half-stunned, into shoal water and stumbling to my knees, looked back for +Sir Richard. And thus I saw the dog Pluto swimming valiantly and dragging +at something that struggled feebly, and plunged back forthwith to the good +beast's assistance, and thus together we brought Sir Richard ashore and lay +there a while, panting and no strength to move. + +At last, being recovered somewhat, I raised myself to behold my companion, +his frail body shaking in an ague, his features blue and pinched. But +beholding my look, he smiled and essayed a reassuring nod. + +"Thanks to you and--the dog, I am very well, Martin!" said he, 'twixt +chattering teeth. "But what of the boat; she should come ashore." Looking +about, sure enough I espied our poor craft, rolling and tossing helplessly +in the shallows hard by, and running thither, was seized of sudden despair, +for I saw her bilged and shattered beyond repair. Now as she rolled thus, +the sport of each incoming wave, I beheld something bright caught up in her +tangled gear, whereupon I contrived to scramble aboard and so found this to +be Don Federigo's rapier, the which was some small mitigation of my gloom +and put me to great hopes that I might find more useful things, as compass +or sextant, and so found a small barrico of water firm-wedged beneath a +thwart; but save for this the boat was swept bare. So having secured the +barrico (and with no small to-do) I hove it ashore and got myself after it, +and so came mighty despondent where sat Sir Richard as one deep in thought, +his gaze on the sea, his shrivelled hand upon the head of the dog Pluto +crouched beside him. "Truly we are in evil case, Martin!" quoth he, when +I had told him the result of my search. "Aye, we are in woful plight! And +this land of Darien is very mountainous and ill-travelling as I remember." + +"Yet needs must we adventure it," said I gloomily. + +"You must, Martin; but as for me, I bide here." + +"Here?" said I, glancing around on the barren, unlovely spot. "Sir, you +talk wildly, I think; to stay here is to die." + +"Aye, Martin, so soon as God shall permit." + +"Surely our case is not so hopeless you despair thus soon?" + +"Sit down, here beside me," said he, smiling up at me. "Come and let us +reason the matter, since 'tis reason lifteth man above the brutes." + +So there, on the coast of this vast, unknown wilderness, sat we two poor +castaways, the great hound at our feet, his bright eyes looking from one to +other of us as we spake and reasoned together thus: + +Sir Richard: First of all, we are destitute, Martin. + +Myself; True. + +Sir Richard: Therefore our food must be such game as we can contrive to +take and kill empty-handed. + +Myself: This shall be my duty. + +Sir Richard: Second, 'tis a perilous country by reason of wild Indians, +and we are scant of arms. Third, 'tis a country of vasty mountains, of +torrents, swamps and thickets and I am a mighty poor walker, being weak of +my leg-joints. + +Myself: Then will I aid you. + +Sir Richard: Fourthly, here is a journey where though one may succeed, two +cannot: full of peril and hardship for such as have a resolute spirit and +strong body, and _I_ am very weak. + +Myself: Yet shall your resolute spirit sustain you. + +Sir Richard: Fifthly and lastly, I am a cripple, so will I stay here, +Martin, praying God to bring you safe to your weary journey's end. + +Myself: I had thought you much stronger of late. + +Sir Richard: Indeed so I am, but my joints have been so oft stretched on +the rack that I cannot go far and then but slowly, alas! + +There was silence awhile, each of us gazing out across the troubled waters, +yet I, for one, seeing nothing of them. Glancing presently at Sir Richard, +I saw his eyes closed, but his mouth very resolute and grim. + +"And what of Joan?" I demanded. "What of your daughter?" + +Now at this he started and glancing at me, his mouth of a sudden lost its +grimness and he averted his head when he answered: + +"Why, Martin, 'tis for her sake I will not hamper you with my useless +body." + +"So is it for her sake I will never leave you here to perish!" + +"Then here," says he in a little, "here is an end to reason, Martin?" + +"Aye, indeed, sir!" + +"God love thee, lad!" cried he, clasping my hand. "For if 'tis reason +raiseth us 'bove the brutes 'tis unselfishness surely lifts us nigh to +God!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +OUR DESPERATE SITUATION + + +"And now," quoth Sir Richard, "since you are bent on dragging this worn-out +carcase along to be your careful burden (for the which may God bless you +everlastingly, dear lad!) let us see what equipment Fortune hath left us +beside your sword and the water." Herewith, upon investigation we found our +worldly possessions amount to the following: + +In Sir Richard's Pockets: + +1 ship's biscuit (somewhat spoiled by water). +A small clasp knife. +A gunflint. + +In Mine: + +A length of small cord. +Adam's chart (and very limp). +9 pistol balls. + +These various objects we set together before us and I for one mighty +disconsolate, for, excepting only the knife, a collection of more useless +odds and ends could not be imagined. Sir Richard, on the contrary, having +viewed each and every with his shrewd, kindly eyes, seemed in no wise cast +down, for, said he. + +"We might be richer, but then we might be poorer--for here we have in this +biscuit one meal, though scant 'tis true and not over tasty. A sword and +knife for weapons and tools, a flint to make us fires, three yards of small +cord wherewith to contrive snares for small game, and though we ha' lost +our compass, we have the coast to follow by day and the stars to guide us +by night and furthermore--" + +"Nine pistol balls!" quoth I gloomily. + +"Hum!" said he, stroking his chin and eyeing me askance. "Having neither +weapons nor powder to project them--" + +"They shall arm me arrows!" + +"Aye, but will they serve?" he questioned doubtfully. + +"Well enough, supposing we find aught to shoot at--" + +"Never fear, in Darien are beasts and fowls a-plenty." + +"Well and good, sir!" said I, gathering up the bullets, and doing so, +espied a piece of driftwood carrying many bent and rusty nails, the which +(the wood being very dry and rotten) I presently broke out and to my nine +bullets I added some dozen nails, pocketing them to the same purpose. And +now having collected our possessions (of more value to us than all the +treasures of Peru), we set forth upon our long and toilsome journey, our +gaze bent ever upon the cliffs that frowned upon our right hand, looking +for some place easy of ascent whereby we might come to the highlands above +(where we judged it easier travelling) and with Pluto stalking on before +like the dignified animal he was, looking back ever and anon as if bidding +us to follow. + +And as I watched this great beast, the thought occurred to me that here was +what should save us from starvation should we come to such extremity; but +I spake nothing of this to Sir Richard who had conceived a great affection +for the dog from the first. And after some while we came to a place where +the cliff had fallen and made a sloping causeway of earth and rocks, topped +by shady trees. This we began to mount forthwith and, finding it none so +steep, I (lost in my thoughts) climbed apace, forgetful of Sir Richard in +my eagerness, until, missing him beside me, I turned to see him on hands +and knees, dragging himself painfully after me thus, whereon I hasted back +to him full of self-reproaches. + +"'Tis only my legs!" he gasped, lifting agonised face. "My spirit is +willing, Martin, but alas, my poor flesh--" + +"Nay--'tis I am selfish!" quoth I. "Aye, a selfish man ever, dreaming only +of my own woes!" Saying which, I raised him and, setting an arm about his +wasted form, aided him as well as I might until, seeing how he failed +despite his brave struggles, I made him sit and rest awhile, unheeding his +breathless protestations, and thus at last, by easy stages, we came to the +top of the ascent amid a grove of very tall trees, in whose pleasant shade +we paused awhile, it being now midday and very hot. + +Behind us lay the ocean, before us a range of mighty mountains blue with +distance that rose, jagged peak on peak, far as eye could see, and betwixt +them and us a vast and rolling wilderness, a land of vivid sun and stark +shadow, dazzling glare on the uplands, gloom in the valleys and above swamp +and thicket and trackless forests a vapour that hung sullen and ominous +like the brooding soul of this evil country. + +"Fever!" quoth Sir Richard, stabbing at the sluggish mist with bony +fingers. "Ague, the flux--death! We must travel ever by the higher levels, +Martin--and I a cripple!" + +"Why, then," said I, "you shall have a staff to aid you on one side and +my arm on t'other, and shall attempt no great distance until you grow +stronger." So having found and cut a staff to serve him, we set off +together upon our long and arduous pilgrimage. + +By mid-afternoon we reached a place of rocks whence bubbled a small rill +mighty pleasant to behold and vastly refreshing to our parched throats and +bodies. Here, though the day was still young and we had come (as I judged) +scarce six miles, I proposed to camp for the night, whereon Sir Richard +must needs earnestly protest he could go further an I would, but finding me +determined, he heaved a prodigious sigh and stretching himself in the cool +shadow, lay there silent awhile, yet mighty content, as I could see. + +"Martin," quoth he at last, "by my reckoning we have some hundred and fifty +miles to go." + +"But, sir, they will be less to-morrow!" said I, busied with my knife on +certain branches I had cut. + +"And but half a ship's biscuit to our sustenance, and that spoiled." + +"Why, then, throw it away; I will get us better fare!" said I, for as we +came along I had spied several of those great birds the which I knew to be +very excellent eating. + +"As how, my son?" he questioned. + +"With bow and arrows." At this he sat up to watch me at work and very eager +to aid me therein. "So you shall, sir," said I, and having tapered my +bow-stave sufficiently, I showed him how to trim the shafts as smooth and +true as possible with a cleft or notch at one end into which I set one of +my rusty nails, binding it there with strips from my tattered shirt; in +place of feathers I used a tuft of grass and behold! my arrow was complete, +and though a poor thing to look at yet it would answer well enough, as I +knew by experience. So we fell to our arrow-making, wherein I found Sir +Richard very quick and skilful, as I told him, the which seemed to please +him mightily. + +"For," said he miserably, "I feel myself such a burden to thee, Martin, +that anything I can do to lighten thy travail be to me great comfort." + +"Sir," said I, "these many years have I been a solitary man hungering for +companionship, and, in place of enemy, God hath given me a friend and one I +do love and honour. As to his crippled body, sir, it beareth no scar but is +a badge of honour, and if he halt in his gait or fail by the way, this +doth but remind me of his dauntless soul that, despite pain and torment, +endured." + +So saying, I caught up such arrows as were finished (four in all) and +taking my bow, set forth in quest of supper, with Pluto at my heels. Nor +had I far to seek, for presently I espied several of these monstrous birds +among the trees and, stringing my bow with a length of cord, I crept +forward until I was in easy range and, setting arrow to string, let fly. +Away sang my shaft, a yard wide of the mark, soaring high into the air and +far beyond all hope of recovery. + +This put me in a fine rage, for not only had I lost my precious arrow, but +the quarry also, for off flapped my bird, uttering a hoarse cackle as in +derision of my ill aim. On I went, seeking for something should serve us +for supper, yet look where I would, saw nothing, no, not so much as parrot +or macaw that might stay us for lack of better fare. On I went, and +mightily hungry, wandering haphazard and nothing to reward me until, +reaching an opening or glade shut in by dense thickets beyond, I sat me +upon a fallen tree and in mighty ill humour, the dog Pluto at my feet. +Suddenly I saw him start and prick his ears, and presently, sure enough, +heard a distant stir and rustling in the thickets that grew rapidly nearer +and louder to trampling rush; and out from the leaves broke some dozen or +so young pigs; but espying the dog they swung about in squealing terror and +plunged back again. But in that moment I let fly among them and was mighty +glad to see one roll over and lie kicking, filling the air with shrill +outcry; then Pluto was upon it and had quickly finished the poor beast, +aye, and would have devoured it, too, had I not driven him off with my +bow-stave. + +It was a small pig and something lean, yet never in this world hunter more +pleased than I as, shouldering the carcase and with Pluto going before, I +made my way back to our halting-place and found Sir Richard had contrived +to light a fire and full of wonder to behold my pig. + +"Though to be sure," said he, "I've heard there were such in Darien, yet I +never saw any, Martin, more especially in these high lands." + +"They were fleeing from some wild beast, as I judge, sir," quoth I. + +"Why, then, 'twere as well to keep our fire going all night!" said he: +to the which I agreed and forthwith set about cutting up the pig, first +flaying it as well as I might, since I judged the skin should be very +serviceable in divers ways. So this night we supped excellent well. + +The meal over, Sir Richard cut up what remained of the carcase into strips +and set me to gather certain small branches with which he built a sort of +grating above some glowing embers and thus dried and smoked the meat after +the manner of the buccaneers. "For look now, Martin," said he, "besides +drying the meat, these twigs are aromatic and do lend a most excellent +flavour, so that there is no better meat in the world--besides, it will +keep." + +Beyond the rocky cleft bright with the light of our fire the vasty +wilderness hemmed us in, black and sullen, for the trees being thick +hereabouts we could see no glimpse of moon or star. And amid this gloom +were things that moved stealthily, shapes that rustled and flitted, and +ever and anon would come the howl of some beast, the cry of some bird, +hunting or hunted, whereat Pluto, crunching on a bone, would lift his head +to growl. So with the fire and the dog's watchfulness we felt tolerably +secure and presently fell asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +WE COMMENCE OUR JOURNEY + + +Day after day we held on, suffering much by reason of heat, thirst and +fatigue, since, fearing lest we should lose sight of our guide, the sea, +and go astray to perish miserably in the wild, we followed ever the trend +of this mountainous coast. + +By rocky ways we marched, by swamps and mazy thickets, down precipitous +slopes, through tangled woods, across wide savannahs, along perilous tracks +high above dim forests that stretched away like a leafy ocean, whence we +might behold a wide prospect of all those weary miles before us. + +And surely nowhere in all this world is to be seen a country more full of +marvels and wonders than this land of Darien. For here rise vasty mountains +whose jagged summits split the very heaven; here are mighty rivers and +roaring cataracts, rolling plains, thirsty deserts and illimitable forests +in whose grim shadow lurk all manner of beasts and reptiles strange beyond +thought; here lie dense groves and tangled thickets where bloom great +flowers of unearthly beauty yet rank of smell and poisonous to the touch; +here are birds of every kind and hue and far beyond this poor pen to +describe by reason of the beauty and brilliancy of their plumage, some of +which would warble so sweet 'twas great joy to hear while the discordant +croakings and shrill clamours of others might scarce be endured. Here, too, +are trees (like the cocos) so beneficent to yield a man food and drink, +aye, and garments to cover him; or others (like the maria and balsam trees) +that besides their timber do distil medicinal oils, and yet here also are +trees so noxious their mere touch bringeth a painful disease of the skin +and to sleep in their shadow breedeth sickness and death; here, too, grow +all manner of luscious fruits as the ananas or pineapple, with oranges, +grapes, medlars and dates, but here again are other fruits as fair to the +eye, yet deadly as fang of snake or sting of _cientopies_. Truly (as I do +think), nowhere is there country of such extremes of good and evil as this +land of Darien. + +Thus day by day we held on and daily learned I much of tree and fruit and +flower, of beast, bird and reptile from Sir Richard who, it seemed, was +deeply versed in the lore of such, both by reading and experience; but +hourly I learned more of this man's many and noble qualities, as his +fortitude, his unflinching courage and the cheerful spirit that could make +light of pain and thirst and weariness so that, misjudging his strength, I +would sometimes march him well-nigh beyond his endurance, but knew nought +of it since he never complained but masked his suffering in brave and +smiling words. And there were times when, burning with impatience, I would +quicken my pace (God forgive me) until, missing his plodding figure, I +would look back to see him stumbling after me afar. + +It was upon the fifth day of our journey that, missing him thus, I turned +to wait for him to come up and found him nowhere in sight. Hereupon I +hasted back the way I had come and after some while beheld him prone in the +dust; he lay outstretched upon his face in the hot glare of the sun, the +dog Pluto squatting beside him, and as I approached the desolate figure I +knew that he was weeping. So came I running to fall beside him on my knees +and lifting that abased head, saw indeed the agony of his tears. + +"Oh, Martin--forgive me!" he gasped. "I can crawl no faster--better were I +dead, dear lad, than hamper you thus--" + +"Rather will I perish!" said I, lifting him in my arms to bear him out of +the sun and much grieved to find him a burden so light; and now, sitting +'neath a great tree, I took his head upon my bosom and wiped the tears from +his furrowed cheeks and set myself diligently to comfort him, but seeing +him so faint and fore-done, I began alternately to berate myself heartily +and lament over him so that he must needs presently take to comforting me +in turn, vowing himself very well, that it was nought but the heat, that he +would be able to go and none the worse in a little, etc. "Besides," said +he, "'tis worth such small discomfort to find you so tender of me, Martin. +Yet indeed I am stronger than I seem and shall be ready to go on as soon as +you will--" + +"Nay, sir," said I, mighty determined, "here we bide till the sun +moderates; 'tis too hot for the dog even," and I nodded where Pluto lay +outstretched and panting, hard by. But now, even as I spoke, the dog lifted +his head to snuff the air and, getting up, bolted off among the adjacent +undergrowth. I was yet idly wondering at this when suddenly, from somewhere +afar in the woods below, came a sound there was no mistaking--the faint, +sharp crack of a firearm. In a moment I was on my feet and, with Sir +Richard beside me, came where we might look into the green depths below us. + +And sure enough, amid this leafy wilderness I saw a glitter that came and +went, the which I knew must be armour, and presently made out the forms +of men and horses with divers hooded litters and long files of tramping +figures. + +"Ah!" quoth Sir Richard. "Yon should be the gold-train for Panama or +Carthagena, or mayhap Indians being marched to slavery in the mines, poor +souls!" + +As he spake, came a puff of white smoke plain to see and thereafter divers +others, and presently the reports of this firing smote upon our ears in +rapid succession. + +"What now?" said I, straining my eyes. "Is there a battle toward--" + +"Nay, Martin, 'tis more like some poor wretch hath broke his bonds and fled +into the woods; if so, God send him safe out of their hands, for I have +endured slavery and--" here his voice broke, and casting himself on his +knees he clasped his arms about me, and I all amazed to see him so moved. + +"Oh, Martin!" he wept, in voice of agony, "oh, dear and gentle lad, 'twas +to such slavery, such shame and misery I sent thee once--thou--that I do so +love--my son--" + +"Sir," said I, stooping to lift him. "Sir, this is all forgot and out of +mind." + +"Yet, dear lad, you do bear the marks yet, scars o' the whip, marks o' the +shackles. I have seen them when you slept--and never a one but set there by +my hand--and now--now you must cherish me if I fail by the way--must bear +me in your arms--grieve for my weakness--Oh, dear lad, I would you were a +little harsher--less kind." + +Now seeing how it was with him, I sat me down and, folding him within my +arm, sought to comfort him in my blundering way, reminding him of all he +had endured and that my sufferings could nowise compare with his own and +that in many ways I was no whit the worse: "Indeed," said I, "in many +ways I am the better man, for solitude hath but taught me to think beyond +myself, though 'tis true I am something slow of speech and rude of manner, +and hardship hath but made me stronger of body than most men I have met." + +"Oh, God love you, lad!" cried he of a sudden, 'twixt laughing and weeping. +"You will be calling me your benefactor next!" + +"And wherefore not?" quoth I. "For indeed, being made wise by suffering, +you have taught me many things and most of all to love you in despite of +myself!" + +Now at this he looks at me all radiant-eyed, yet when he would have spoken, +could not, and so was silence awhile. Now turning to look down into the +valley I saw it all deserted and marking how the forest road ran due east, +I spoke that which was in my thought. + +"Sir, yonder, as I think, must be a highway; at least, where others go, so +may we, and 'twill be easier travelling than these rocky highlands; how +think you?" + +"Why, truly, if road there be, it must bring us again to the sea soon or +late; so come, let us go!" + +So saying, he got him to his legs, whereupon Pluto leapt and fawned upon +him for very joy; and thus finding him something recovered and very earnest +to be gone, we set out again (maugre the sun) looking for some place +whereby we might get us down into the valley, and after some while came +upon a fissure in the cliff face which, though easy going for an able man, +was a different matter I thought for my companion; but as I hesitated, the +matter was put beyond despite by Sir Richard forthwith cheerily beginning +the descent, whereupon I followed him and after me the dog. As we +descended, the way grew easier until We reached at last a small plateau +pleasantly shaded by palm trees; here (and despite his hardihood), Sir +Richard sank down, sweating with the painful effort and gasping for breath, +yet needs must he smile up at me triumphant, so that I admired anew the +indomitable spirit of him. + +"Oh, for a drink!" quoth he, as I set an armful of fern beneath his head. + +"Alas!" said I, "'tis far down to the river--" + +"Nay--above, lad, look above--yonder is drink for a whole ship's company!" +and he pointed feebly to the foliage of the tree 'neath which he lay: + +"What! Is this a cocos palm?" said I, rejoicing; and forthwith doffing my +sword belt, I clambered up this tree hand over fist and had soon plucked +and tossed down a sufficiency of great, green nuts about the bigness of my +two fists. Now sitting beside him, Sir Richard showed me how I must cut two +holes in the green rind and we drank blissfully of this kindly juice that +to our parched tongues was very nectar, for verily never in all my days +have I tasted drink so delectable and invigorating. As for Pluto, when +I offered him of this he merely sniffed and yawned contemptuous. Thus +refreshed we went on again, the way growing ever easier until we entered +the shade of those vast woods we had seen from above. + +But scarce were we here than rose such a chattering, whittling and croaking +from the leafy mysteries above and around us, such a screaming and wailing +as was most distressful to hear, for all about us was a great multitude of +birds; the forest seemed full of them, and very wonderful to see by reason +of their plumage, its radiant and divers hues, so that as they flitted to +and fro in their glowing splendour they seemed like so many flying jewels, +while clustering high in the trees or swinging nimbly among the branches +were troops of monkeys that screamed and chattered and grimaced down at us +for all the world as they had been very fiends of the pit. + +"Heard ye ever such unholy hubbub, Martin?" said Sir Richard, halting to +glance about us. "This portendeth a storm, I judge, for these creatures +possess gifts denied to us humans. See how they do begin to cower and seek +what shelter they may! We were wise to do the like, my son. I marked a cave +back yonder; let us go there, for these woods be an evil place at such +times." + +So back we went accordingly and saw the sunlight suddenly quenched and the +sky lower above us ever darker and more threatening, so that by the time we +had reached the little cave in question, it almost seemed night was upon +us. And now, crouching in this secure haven, I marvelled at the sudden, +unearthly stillness of all things; not a leaf stirred and never a sound to +hear, for beast and bird alike had fallen mute. + +Then all at once was a blinding glare followed by roaring thunder-clap that +echoed and re-echoed from rugged cliff to mountain summit near and far +until this was whelmed and lost in the rush of a booming, mighty wind and +this howling riot full of whirling leaves and twigs and riven branches. And +now came the rain, a hissing downpour that seemed it would drown the world, +while ever the lightning flared and crackled and thunder roared ever more +loud until I shrank, blinded and half-stunned. After some while, these +awful sounds hushing a little, in their stead was the lash and beat of +rain, the rush and trickle of water where it gushed and spouted down from +the cliff above in foaming cascades until I began to dread lest this deluge +overwhelm us and we be drowned miserably in our little cave. But, all +at once, sudden as it had come, the storm was passed, rain and wind and +thunder ceased, the sombre clouds rolled away and down beamed the sun to +show us a new and radiant world of vivid greens spangled as it were with a +myriad shimmering gems, a very glory to behold. + +"'Tis a passionate country this, Martin," as we stepped forth of our +refuge, "but its desperate rages be soon over." + +By late afternoon we came out upon a broad green track that split the +forest east and west, and where, despite the rain, we might yet discern +faint traces here and there of the hoofs and feet had trampled it earlier +in the day, so that it seemed we must march behind them. On we went, very +grateful for the trees that shaded us and the springy grass underfoot, Sir +Richard swinging his staff and striding out right cheerily. Suddenly Pluto, +uttering a single joyous bark, sprang off among the brush that grew very +thick, and looking thither, we espied a small stream and the day being far +spent we decided to pass the night hereabouts, so we turned aside forthwith +and having gone but a few yards, found ourselves quite hidden from the +highway, so thick grew the trees and so dense and tangled the thickets that +shut us in; and here ran this purling brook, making sweet, soft noises in +the shallows mighty soothing to be heard. And here I would have stayed but +Sir Richard shook wise head and was for pushing farther into the wild. +"For," said he, "there may be other travellers behind us to spy some gleam +of our fire and who shall these be but enemies?" So, following the rill +that, it seemed, took its rise from the cliffs to our left, we went on +until Sir Richard paused in the shade of a great tree that soared high +above its fellows and hard beside the stream. + +But scarce were we come hither than Pluto uttered a savage growl and +turned, snuffing the air, whereupon Sir Richard, grasping the battered +collar about his massy throat, bade him sternly to silence. + +"What saw I, Martin? Some one comes--let us go see, and softly!" + +So, following whither Pluto led, we presently heard voices speaking the +Spanish tongue, and one cursed, and one mocked and one sang. Hereupon I +drew sword, and moving with infinite caution, we came where, screened +'mid the leaves, we might behold the highway. And thus we beheld six men +approaching and one a horseman; nearer they came until we could see them +sweating beneath their armour and the weapons they bore, and driving before +them a poor, blood-stained wretch tied to the horseman's stirrup, yet who, +despite wounds and blows, strode with head proudly erect, heeding them no +whit. Yet suddenly he stumbled and fell, whereupon the horseman swore again +and the captive was kicked to his feet and so was dragged on again, reeling +for very weariness; and I saw this poor creature was an Indian. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, when this sorry cavalcade was gone by, "it +would, I think, be action commendable to endeavour rescue of this poor +soul." + +"It would, sir!" quoth I. "And a foolhardy." + +"Mayhap," said he, "yet am I minded to adventure it" + +"How, sir--with one sword and a knife?" + +"Nay, Martin, by God's aid, strategy and a dog. Come then, let us follow; +they cannot go far, and I heard them talk of camping hereabouts. Softly, +lad!" + +"But, sir," said I, amazed at this audacity, "will you outface five lusty +men well-armed?" + +"And wherefore not, Martin? Is the outfacing of five rogues any greater +matter than outfacing this God's wilderness? Nay, I am not mad," said he, +meeting my glance with a smile, "there were times when I adventured greater +odds than this and to worse end, God forgive me! Alas, I have wrought so +much of evil in the past I would fain offset it with a little good, so bear +with me, dear lad--" + +"Yet this man you risk your life for is but a stranger and an Indian at +that!" + +"And what then, Martin? Cannot an Indian suffer--cannot he die?" Here, +finding me silent, he continued. "Moreover, there be very cogent reasons do +urge a little risk, for look now, these rogues do go well shod--and see our +poor shoes! They bear equipment very necessary to us that have so far to go +and their horse should be useful to us. Nor dream I would lightly hazard +your life, Martin, for these men have been drinking, will drink more and +should therefore sleep sound, and I have a plan whereby Pluto and I--" + +"Sir Richard," said I, "where you go, I go!" + +"Why, very well, Martin, 'twere like you--but you shall be subject to my +guidance and do nought without my word." + +As he spoke, his eyes quick and alert, his face grimly purposeful, there +was about him that indefinable air of authority I had noticed more than +once. Thus, with no better weapons than his staff and knife, and my sword, +bow and poor arrows, we held on after these five Spanish soldiers, Sir +Richard nothing daunted by this disparity of power but rather the more +determined and mighty cheerful by his looks, but myself full of doubts +and misgiving. Perceiving which, he presently stopped to slap me on the +shoulder: + +"Martin," said he, "if things go as I think, we shall this night be very +well off for equipment and all without a blow, which is good, and save a +life, which is better!" + +"Aye, but, sir, how if things go contrary-wise?" + +"Why, then, sure a quick death is better than to perish miserably by the +way, for we have cruel going before us, thirsty deserts and barren wilds +where game is scarce; better steel or bullet than to die raving with thirst +or slow starvation--how say ye, lad?" + +"Lead on!" quoth I and tightened my belt. + +"Ha!" said he, halting suddenly as arose a sudden crack of twigs and +underbrush some distance on our front. "They have turned in to the +water--let us sit here and watch for their camp fire." And presently, sure +enough, we saw a red glow through the underbrush ahead that grew ever +brighter as the shadows deepened; and so came the night. + +How long we waited thus, our eyes turned ever towards this red fire-glow, I +know not, but at last I felt Sir Richard touch me and heard his voice in my +ear: + +"Let us advance until we have 'em in better view!" Forthwith we stole +forward, Sir Richard's grasp on Pluto's collar and hushing him to silence, +until we were nigh enough to catch the sound of their voices very loud and +distinct. Here we paused again and so passed another period of patient +waiting wherein we heard them begin to grow merry, to judge by their +laughter and singing, a lewd clamour very strange and out of place in these +wild solitudes, under cover of which uproar we crept upon them nearer and +nearer until we might see them sprawled about the fire, their muskets piled +against a tree, their miserable captive lashed fast to another and drooping +in his bonds like one sleeping or a-swoon. So lay we watching and waiting +while their carouse waxed to a riot and waned anon to sleepy talk and +drowsy murmurs and at last to a lusty snoring. And after some wait, Sir +Richard's hand ever upon Pluto's collar, we crept forward again until we +were drawn close upon that tree where stood the muskets. Then up rose Sir +Richard, letting slip the dog and we were upon them, all three of us, our +roars and shouts mingled with the fierce raving of the great hound. At the +which hellish clamour, these poor rogues waked in sudden panic to behold +the dog snapping and snarling about them and ourselves covering them with +their own weapons, and never a thought among them but to supplicate our +mercy; the which they did forthwith upon their knees and with upraised +hands. Hereupon Sir Richard, scowling mighty fierce, bid such of them as +loved life to be gone, whereat in the utmost haste and as one man, up +started they all five and took themselves off with such impetuous celerity +that we stood alone and masters of all their gear in less time than it +taketh me to write down. + +"Well, Martin," said Sir Richard, grim-smiling, "'twas none so desperate a +business after all! Come now, let us minister to this poor prisoner." + +We found him in sorry plight and having freed him of his bonds I fetched +water from the brook near by and together we did what we might to his +comfort, all of the which he suffered and never a word: which done, we +supped heartily all three on the spoil we had taken. Only once did the +Indian speak, and in broken Spanish, to know who we were. + +"Content you, we are no Spaniards!" answered Sir Richard, setting a cloak +about him as he lay. + +"Truly this do I see, my father!" he murmured, and so fell asleep, the +which so excellent example I bade Sir Richard follow and this after some +demur, he agreed to (though first he must needs help me collect sticks for +the fire), then commanding me wake him in two hours without fail, he rolled +himself in one of the cloaks and very presently fell soundly asleep like +the hardy old campaigner he was. + +And now, the fire blazing cheerily, Pluto outstretched beside me, one +bright eye opening ever and anon, and a pistol in my belt, I took careful +stock of our new-come-by possessions and found them to comprise the +following, viz: + + 3 muskets with powder and shot a-plenty. + 2 brace of pistols. + 3 swords, with belts, hangers, etc. + 3 steel backs and breasts. + 4 morions. + 1 beaver hat excellent wide in the brim, should do for Sir + Richard; he suffering much by the sun despite the hat of leaves + I had made him. + 1 axe heavy and something blunted. + 2 excellent knives, + 2 wine skins, both empty. + 3 flasks, the same. + Good store of meat with cakes of very excellent bread of cassava. + 1 horse with furniture for same, + 5 cloaks, something worn. + 3 pair of boots, very serviceable. + 1 tinder box. + 1 coat. + +One brass compass in the pocket of same and of more value to us, I thought, +than all the rest, the which pleased me mightily; so that for a long time I +sat moving it to and fro to watch the swing of the needle and so at last, +what with the crackle of the fire and the brooding stillness beyond and +around us, I presently fell a-nodding and in a little (faithless sentinel +that I was) to heavy slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF + + +I waked to a scream, a fierce trampling, an awful snarling, this drowned in +the roar of a gun, and started up to see a glitter of darting steel that +Sir Richard sought to parry with his smoking weapon. Then I was up, and, +sword in hand, leapt towards his assailant, a tall, bearded man whose +corselet flashed red in the fire-glow and who turned to meet my onset, +shouting fiercely. And so we fell to it point and point; pushing +desperately at each other in the half-light and raving pandemonium about us +until more by good fortune than skill I ran him in the arm and shoulder, +whereupon, gasping out hoarse maledictions, he incontinent made off into +the dark. Then turned I to find myself alone; even the Indian had vanished, +though from the darkness near at hand was a sound of fierce strife and a +ringing shot. Catching up a musket I turned thitherward, but scarce had I +gone a step than into the light of the fire limped Sir Richard and Pluto +beside him, who licked and licked at his great muzzle as he came. + +"Oh, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard, leaning on his musket and bowing his +head, "oh, Martin--but for Pluto here--" And now, as he paused, I saw the +dog's fangs and tongue horribly discoloured. + +"'Tis all my fault!" said I bitterly. "I fell asleep at my post!" + +"Aye!" he groaned, "whereby are two men dead and one by my hand, God +forgive me!" + +"Nay, but these were enemies bent on our murder!" + +"Had they seen you wakeful and vigilant they had never dared attack us. +As it is, I have another life on my conscience and I am an old man and +soul-weary of strife and bloodshed, yet this it seems is my destiny!" + +So saying he sat him down by the fire exceeding dejected, and when I would +have comforted him I found no word. Suddenly I heard Pluto growl in his +throat, saw the hair on neck and shoulders bristle, and looking where he +looked, cocked my musket and raised it to my shoulder, then lowered it, as, +with no sound of footstep, the Indian stepped into the firelight. In one +hand he grasped the axe and as he came nearer I saw axe and hand and arm +dripped red. At Sir Richard's word and gesture Pluto cowered down and +suffered the Indian to approach, a tall, stately figure, who, coming close +beside the fire, held out to us his left hand open and upon the palm three +human ears, the which he let fall to stamp upon with his moccasined foot. + +"Dead, my brothers!" said he in his broken Spanish and holding up three +fingers. "So be all enemies of Atlamatzin and his good friends." Saying +which he stopped to cleanse himself and the axe in the stream and with +the same grave serenity he came back to the fire and stretching himself +thereby, composed himself to slumber. + +But as for Sir Richard and myself no thought had we of sleep but sat there +very silent for the most part, staring into the fire until it paled to the +day and the woods around us shrilled and echoed to the chatter and cries, +the piping and sweet carol of new-waked birds. + +Then, having broken our fast, we prepared to set out in the early freshness +of the morning, when to us came the Indian Atlamatzin and taking my hand, +touched it to his breast and forehead and having done as much by Sir +Richard, crossed his arms, and looking from one to other of us, spake in +his halting Spanish as much as to say, "My father and brother, whither +go ye?" At this Sir Richard, who it seemed knew something of the Indian +tongue, gave him to understand we went eastwards towards the Gulf. +Whereupon the Indian bowed gravely, answering: + +"Ye be lonely, even as I, and thitherward go I many moons to what little of +good, war and evil have left to me. Therefore will I company with ye an ye +would have me." To the which we presently agreeing, he forthwith took his +share of our burden, and with the axe at his side and our spare musket on +his shoulder, went on before, threading his way by brake and thicket +with such sureness of direction that we were soon out upon the open +thoroughfare. + +And now seeing how stoutly Sir Richard stepped out (despite the gear he +bore as gun, powder horn, water bottle, etc.) what with the sweet freshness +here among the trees and seeing us so well provided against circumstances, +I came nigh singing for pure lightness of heart. But scarce had we gone a +mile than my gaiety was damped and in this fashion. + +"Here is a land of death, Martin--see yonder!" said Sir Richard and pointed +to divers great birds that flapped up heavily from the way before us. +Coming nearer, I saw others of the breed that quarrelled and fought and +screamed and, upon our nearer approach, hopped along in a kind of torpor +ere they rose on lazy wings and flew away; and coming nearer yet I saw the +wherefore of their gathering and Sir Richard's words and grew sick within +me. It was an Indian woman who lay where she had fallen, a dead babe +clasped to dead bosom with one arm, the other shorn off at the elbow. + +"A Spanish sword-stroke, Martin!" said Sir Richard, pointing to this. "God +pity this poor outraged people!" And with this prayer we left these poor +remains, and hasting away, heard again the heavy beat of wings and the +carrion cry of these monstrous birds. And now I bethought me that the +Indian, striding before us, had never so much as turned and scarce deigned +a glance at this pitiful sight, as I noted to Sir Richard. + +"And yet, Martin, he brought in three Spanish ears last night! Moreover, he +is an Indian and one of the Maya tribe that at one time were a noble people +and notable good fighters, but now slaves, alas, all save a sorry few that +do live out of the white man's reach 'mid the ruin of noble cities high up +in the Cordilleras--_sic transit gloria mundi_, alas!" + +For three days we tramped this highway in the wake of the Spanish +treasure-convoy and came on the remains of many of these miserable slaves +who, overcome with fatigue, had fallen in their chains and being cut free, +had been left thus to perish miserably. + +On this, the fourth day, we turned off from this forest road (the which +began to trend southerly); we struck off, I say, following our Indian, into +a narrow track bearing east and by north which heartened me much since, +according to Adam's chart, this should bring us directly towards that spot +he had marked as our rendezvous. And as we advanced, the country changed, +the woods thinned away to a rolling hill-country, and this to rocky ways +that grew ever steeper and more difficult, and though we had no lack of +water, we suffered much by reason of the heat. And now on our right we +beheld great mountains towering high above us, peak on peak, soaring aloft +to the cloudless heaven where blazed a pitiless sun. Indeed, so unendurable +was this heat that we would lie panting in some shade until the day +languished and instead of glaring sun was radiant moon to light us on our +pilgrimage. And here we were often beset by dreadful tempests where mighty +winds shouted and thunder cracked and roared most awful to be heard among +these solitary mountains. So we skirted these great mountains, by frowning +precipice and dark defile, past foaming cataracts and waters that roared +unseen below us. + +And very thankful we were for such a guide as this Indian Atlamatzin who, +grave, solemn and seldom-speaking, was never at a loss and very wise as to +this wilderness and all things in it,--beast and bird, tree and herb and +flower. And stoutly did Sir Richard bear himself during this weary time, +plodding on hour after hour until for very shame I would call a halt, and +he, albeit ready to swoon for weariness, would find breath to berate me for +a laggard and protest himself able to go on, until, taking him in my arms, +I would lay him in some sheltered nook and find him sound asleep before +ever I could prepare our meal. + +Thus held we on until towering mountain and scowling cliff sank behind and +we came into a gentle country of placid streams, grassy tracts, with herb +and tree and flower a very joy to the eyes. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, as we sat at breakfast beside a crystal pool, +"Martin," said he, pulling at Pluto's nearest ear with sunburned fingers, +"I do begin to think that all these days I have been harbouring a shadow." + +"How so, sir?" + +"It hath seemed to me from the first that I should leave this poor body +here in Darien--" + +"God forbid!" quoth I fervently. + +"'Twould be but my body, Martin; my soul would go along with you, dear lad; +aye, 'twould be close by to comfort and aid and bring you safe to--her--my +sweet Joan--and mayhap--with you twain--to England." + +"Nay, dear sir, I had liefer you bear your body along with it. Thank God, +you do grow more hearty every day. And the ague scarce troubles you--" + +"Truly, God hath been very kind. I am thrice the man I was, though I limp +wofully, which grieves me since it shortens the day's journey, lad. We have +been already these many days and yet, as I compute, we have fully eighty +miles yet to go. Alas, dear lad, how my crawling must fret you." + +"Sir Richard," said I, clapping my hand on his, "no man could have endured +more courageously nor with stouter heart than you--no, not even Adam +Penfeather himself, so grieve not for your lameness. Adam will wait us, of +this I am assured." + +"What manner of man is this Adam of yours, Martin?" + +"He is himself, sir, and none other like him: a little, great man, a man of +cunning plots and contrivances, very bold and determined and crafty beyond +words. He is moreover a notable good seaman and commander, quick of hand +and eye. Dangers and difficulty are but a whetstone to set a keener edge to +his abilities. He was once a chief of buccaneers and is now a baronet +of England and justice of the peace, aye, and I think a member of His +Majesty's Parliament beside." + +"Lord, Martin, you do paint me a very Proteus; fain would I meet such a +man." + +"Why, so you shall, sir, and judge for yourself." + +Here Sir Richard sighed and turned to gaze where Atlamatzin was busied upon +a small fire he had lighted some distance away. Now, as to this Indian, if +I have not been particular in his description hitherto, it is because I +know not how to do so, seeing he was (to my mind) rather as one of another +world, a sombre figure proud and solitary and mostly beyond my ken, though +I came to know him something better towards the end and but for him should +have perished miserably. Thus then, I will try to show him to you in as few +words as I may. + +Neither young nor old, tall and slender yet of incredible strength; his +features pleasing and no darker than my own sunburned skin, his voice soft +and deep, his bearing proud and stately and of a most grave courtesy. +Marvellous quick was he and nimble save for his tongue, he being less given +to talk even than I, so that I have known us march by the hour together +and never a word betwixt us. Yet was he a notable good friend, true and +steadfast and loyal, as you shall hear. + +Just now (as I say) he was busy with a fire whereon he cast an armful of +wet leaves so that he had presently a thick column of smoke ascending into +the stilly air; and now he took him one of the cloaks and covered this +smoke, stifling and fanning it aside so that it was no more than a mist, +and anon looses it into a column again; and thus he checked or broke his +smoky pillar at irregular intervals, so that at last I needs must call to +ask him what he did. + +"Brother," answered he in his grave fashion, "I talk with my people. In a +little you shall see them answer me. Hereupon Sir Richard told me how in +some parts these Indians will converse long distances apart by means of +drums, by which they will send you messages quicker than any relay of post +horses may go. And presently, sure enough, from a woody upland afar rose +an answering smoke that came and went and was answered by our fire, as in +question and answer, until at last Atlamatzin, having extinguished his +fire, came and sat him down beside us. + +"Father and my brother," said he, folding his arms, "I read a tale of +blood, fire and battle at sea and along the coast. White men slaying white +men, which is good--so they slay enough!" + +"A battle at sea? Do you mean ships?" I questioned uneasily. + +"And on land, brother. Spanish soldiers have been espied wounded and yet +shouting with singing and laughing. Galleons have sailed from Porto Bello +and Carthagena." + +"God send Adam is not beset!" said I. + +"Amen!" quoth Sir Richard. "Nay, never despond, Martin, for if he be the +man you say he shall not easily be outwitted." + +"Ah, sir, I think on my dear lady." + +"And I also, Martin. But she is in the hands of God Who hath cherished her +thus far." + +"Moreover, oh, father and my brother, yonder my people do send you greeting +and will entertain you for so long as you will." + +"Wherefore we thank you, Atlamatzin, good friend, you and them, but if fire +and battle are abroad we must on so soon as we may." So saying, Sir Richard +got to his feet and we did the like and, taking up our gear, set off with +what speed we might. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +TELLETH SOMEWHAT OF A STRANGE CITY + + +By midday we were come in sight of this Indian city, a place strange beyond +thought, it being builded in vast terraces that rose one upon another up +the face of a great cliff, and embattled by divers many towers. And the +nearer I came the more grew my wonder by reason of the hugeness of this +structure, for these outer defences were builded of wrought stones, but of +such monstrous bulk and might as seemed rather the work of sweating Titans +than the labour of puny man; as indeed I told Sir Richard. + +"Aye, truly, Martin," said he, "this is the abiding wonder! Here standeth +the noble monument of a once great and mighty people." + +In a little Atlamatzin brought us to a stair or causeway that mounted up +from terrace to terrace, and behold, this stair was lined with warriors +grasping shield and lance, and brave in feathered cloaks and headdresses +and betwixt their ordered ranks one advancing,--an old man of a reverend +bearing, clad in a black robe and on whose bosom shone and glittered a +golden emblem that I took for the sun. Upon the lowest platform he halted +and lifted up his hands as in greeting, whereon up went painted shield and +glittering spear and from the stalwart warriors rose a lusty shout, a word +thrice repeated. + +And now, to my wonder, forth stepped Atlamatzin, a proud and stately figure +for all his rags, and lifting one hand aloft, spake to them in voice very +loud and clear, pointing to us from time to time. When he had gone they +shouted amain and, descending from the platform, the priest (as he proved +to be) knelt before Atlamatzin to touch his heart and brow. And now came +divers Indians bearing litters, the which, at Altlamatzin's word, Sir +Richard and I entered and so, Pluto trotting beside us, were borne up from +terrace to terrace unto the town. And I saw this had once been a goodly +city though its glory was departed, its noble buildings decayed or ruinated +and cheek by jowl with primitive dwellings of clay. And these greater +houses were of a noble simplicity, flat-roofed and builded of a red, porous +stone, in some cases coated with white cement, whiles here and there, +towering high among these, rose huge structures that I took for palaces or +temples, yet one and all timeworn and crumbling to decay. Before one of +such, standing in a goodly square, we alighted and here found a crowd +of people--men, women and children--who stood to behold us; a mild, +well-featured people, orderly and of a courteous bearing, yet who stared +and pointed, chattering, at sight of the dog. And if this were all of them, +a pitiful few I thought them in contrast to this great square whence opened +divers wide thoroughfares, and this mighty building that soared above +us, its great walls most wonderful to sight by reason of all manner of +decorations and carvings wrought into the semblance of writhing serpents +cunningly intertwined. + +Betwixt a kind of gatehouse to right and left we entered an enclosure where +stood the temple itself, reared upon terraces. Here Atlamatzin giving us to +know we must leave the dog, Sir Richard tied him up, whereon Pluto, seeing +us leave him, howled in remonstrance, but, obedient to Sir Richard's word, +cowered to silence, yet mighty dismal to behold. And now, Atlamatzin and +the High Priest leading the way, we to climb numberless steps, and though +Richard found this no small labour despite my aid, at last we stood before +the massy portal of the temple that seemed to scowl upon us. And from the +dim interior rose a sound of voices chanting, drowned all at once in the +roll of drums and blare of trumpets and Atlamatzin and the Priest entered, +signing on us to follow. + +"Have your weapons ready, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard. "For I have heard +evil tales of blood and sacrifice in such places as this!" + +And thus side by side we stepped into the cool dimness of this strange +building. Once my eyes were accustomed to the gloom, I stood amazed by the +vast extent of this mighty building and awed by the wonder of it. Midway +burned a dim fire whose small flame flickered palely; all round us, huge +and mountainous, rose the shapes of strange deities wonderfully wrought; +round about the altar fire were grouped many black-robed priests and hard +by this fire stood a thing that brought back memory of Adam Penfeather +his words--of how he had fought for his life on the death-stone; and now, +beholding this grim thing, I shifted round my sword and felt if my pistols +were to hand. And now rose Atlamatzin's voice, rumbling in the dimness high +overhead, and coming to us, he took us each by the hand and, leading us +forward, spake awhile to the motionless priests, who, when he had done, +came about us with hands uplifted in greeting. And now Atlamatzin spake us +on this wise: + +"Father and my brother, well do I know ye have clean hearts despite your +pale skins, so do I make ye welcome and free of this city that once was +overruled by my forefathers. And because ye are white men, loving all such +foolish things as all white men do love, follow me!" + +Saying which, he brought us before one of those great idols that glared +down on us. I saw him lift one hand, then started back from the square of +darkness that yawned suddenly as to engulf us. Taking a torch, Atlamatzin +led us down steps and along a broad passage beneath the temple and so +into a vasty chamber where lay that which gave back the light he bore; +everywhere about us was the sheen of gold. In ordered piles, in great +heaps, in scattered pieces it lay, wrought into a thousand fantastic +shapes, as idols, serpents, basins, pots and the like,--a treasure beyond +the telling. + +"Behold the white man's God, the cause of my people's woes, the ruin of our +cities, of blood and battle!" + +And here he gives us to understand this wealth was ours if we would; all or +such of it as we might bear away with us. Whereupon I shook my head and Sir +Richard told him that of more use to him than all this treasure would be +pen, inkhorn and paper, and a compass. Nothing speaking, Atlamatzin turned, +and by a very maze of winding passageways brought us up the steps and so to +a great and lofty chamber or hall where lay a vast medley of things: arms +and armour, horse furniture and Spanish gear of every sort, and in one +corner a small brass cannon, mounted on wheels. Amongst all of which Sir +Richard began searching and had his patience rewarded, for presently he +came on that he desired; viz: a travelling writing case with pens, paper, +and a sealed bottle of ink, though why he should want such was beyond me, +as I told him, whereat he did but smile, nothing speaking. + +So back we came and unloosed our dog (and he mighty rejoiced to see us) +whereafter, by Atlamatzin's command, we were lodged in a chamber very +sumptuous and with servants observant to our every want; for our meals were +dishes a-plenty, savoury and excellent well cooked and seasoned, and for +our drink was milk, or water cunningly flavoured with fruits, as good as +any wine, to my thinking. And cups and platters, nay, the very pots, were +all of pure gold. + +This night, having bathed me in a small bathhouse adjacent and very +luxurious, I get me to bed early (which was no more than a mat) but Sir +Richard, seated upon the floor hard by (for of chairs there were none), +Sir Richard, I say, must needs fall to with pen and ink, the great hound +drowsing beside him, so that, lulled by the soft scratching of his busy +quill, I presently slumbered also. + +Next morning I awoke late to find Sir Richard squatted where he had sat +last night, but this time, instead of writing case, across his knees lay a +musket, and he was busied in setting a flint to the lock. + +"Why, sir--what now?" I questioned. + +"A musket, lad, and fifty-and-five others in the corner yonder and all +serviceable, which is well." + +Now as I stared at him, his bowed figure and long white hair, there was +about him (despite his benevolent expression) a certain grim, fighting look +that set me wondering; moreover, upon the air I heard a stir that seemed +all about us, a faint yet ominous clamour. + +"Sir," quoth I, getting to my feet, "what's to do?" + +"Battle, Martin!" said he, testing the musket's action. + +"Ha!" cried I, catching up my sword. "Are we beset?" + +"By an army of Spaniards and hostile Indians, Martin. In the night came +Atlamatzin to say news had come of Indians from the West, ancient enemies +of this people, led on by Spanish soldiers, cavalry and arquebuseros, and +bidding us fly and save ourselves before the battle joined. But you were +asleep, Martin, and besides, it seemed ill in us, that had eaten their +bread, to fly and leave this poor folk to death--and worse--" + +"True enough, sir," said I, buckling my weapons about me, "but do you dream +that we, you and I, can hinder such?" + +"'Twere at least commendable in us to so endeavour, Martin. Nor is it thing +so impossible, having regard to these fifty-and-five muskets and the brass +cannon, seeing there is powder and shot abundant." + +"How then--must we stay and fight?" I demanded. And beholding the grim set +of his mouth and chin, at such odds with his white hair and gentle eyes, I +knew that it must be so indeed. + +"'Twas so I thought, Martin," said he a little humbly, and laying his hands +upon my shoulders, "but only for myself, dear lad, I fight better than I +walk, so will I stay and make this my cumbersome body of some little use, +perchance; but as for thee, dear and loved lad, I would have you haste +on--" + +"Enough, sir," quoth I, catching his hands in mine, "if you must stay to +fight, so do I." + +"Tush, Martin!" said he, mighty earnest. "Be reasonable! Atlamatzin hath +vowed, supposing we beat off our assailants, to provide me bearers and +a litter, so shall I travel at mine ease and overtake you very soon; +wherefore, I bid you go--for her sake!" + +But finding me no whit moved by this or any other reason he could invent, +he alternate frowned and sighed, and thereafter, slipping his arm in mine, +brought me forth to show me such dispositions as he had caused to be made +for the defence. Thus came we out upon the highest terrace, Pluto at our +heels, and found divers of the Indians labouring amain to fill and set up +baskets of loose earth after the manner of fascines, and showed me where he +had caused them to plant our cannon where it might sweep that stair I have +mentioned, and well screened from the enemy's observation and sheltered +from his fire. And hard beside the gun stood barrels of musket balls, and +round-shot piled very orderly, and beyond these, powder a-plenty in covered +kegs. + +And now he showed me pieces of armour, that is, a vizored headpiece or +armet, with cuirass, backplates, pauldrons and vambraces, all very richly +gilded, the which it seemed he had chosen for my defence. + +"So, then, sir, you knew I should stay?" + +"Indeed, Martin," he confessed, a little discountenanced, "I guessed you +might." But I (misliking to be so confined) would have none of this gilded +armour until, seeing his distress, I agreed thereto if he would do the +like; so we presently armed each other and I for one mighty hot and +uncomfortable. + +Posted upon this, the highest terrace, at every vantage point were Indians +armed with bows and arrows--men and women, aye and children--and all gazing +ever and anon towards that belt of forest to the West where it seemed +Atlamatzin, with ten chosen warriors, was gone to watch the approach of +the invading host. Presently, from these greeny depths came a distant shot +followed by others in rapid succession, and after some while, forth of the +woods broke six figures that we knew for Atlamatzin and five of the ten, at +sight of whom spear-points glittered and a lusty shout went up. + +"See now, Martin," quoth Sir Richard, speaking quick and incisive, a grim +and warlike figure in his armour, for all his stoop and limping gait, +"here's the way on't: let the Indians shoot their arrows as they may (poor +souls!) but we wait until the enemy be a-throng upon the stair yonder, then +we open on them with our cannon here,--'tis crammed to the muzzle with +musket balls; then whiles you reload, I will to my fifty-and-five muskets +yonder and let fly one after t'other, by which time you, having our brass +piece ready, will reload so many o' the muskets as you may and so, God +aiding, we will so batter these merciless Dons they shall be glad to give +over their bloody attempt and leave these poor folk in peace." + +As he ended, came Atlamatzin, telling us he had fallen suddenly on the +enemy's van and slain divers of them, showing us his axe bloody, and so +away to hearten his people. + +At last, forth of the forest marched the enemy, rank on rank, a seemingly +prodigious company. First rode horsemen a score, and behind these I counted +some sixty musketeers and pikemen as many, marching very orderly and +flashing back the sun from their armour, while behind these again came +plumed Indians beyond count, fierce, wild figures that leapt and shouted +high and shrill very dreadful to hear. On they came, leaping and dancing +from the forest, until it seemed they would never end, nearer and nearer +until we might see their faces and thus behold how these Spaniards talked +and laughed with each other as about a matter of little moment. Indeed, it +angered me to see with what careless assurance these steel-clad Spaniards +advanced against us in their insolent might, and bold in the thought that +they had nought to fear save Indian arrows and lances and they secure +in their armour. Halting below the first terrace, they forthwith began +assault, for whiles divers of the pikemen began to ascend the stairway, +followed by their Indian allies, the musketeers let fly up at us with their +pieces to cover their comrades' advance and all contemptuous of the arrows +discharged against them. But hard beside the cannon stood Sir Richard, +watching keen-eyed, and ever and anon blowing on the slow-match he had +made, waiting until the stairway was choked with the glittering helmets and +tossing feathers of the assailants. + +A deafening roar, a belch of flame and smoke that passing, showed a sight +I will not seek to describe; nor did I look twice, but fell to work with +sponge and rammer, loading this death-dealing piece as quickly as I might, +while louder than the awful wailing that came from that gory shambles rose +a wild hubbub from their comrades,--shouts and cries telling their sudden +panic and consternation. But as they stood thus in huddled amaze, Sir +Richard opened on them with his muskets, firing in rapid succession and +with aim so deadly that they forthwith turned and ran for it, nor did they +check or turn until they were out of range. Then back limped Sir Richard, +his cheek flushed, his eyes bright and fierce in the shade of his helmet, +his voice loud and vibrant with the joy of battle, and seeing how far the +gun was recoiled, summoned divers of the Indians to urge it back into +position; while this was doing, down upon this awful stair leapt Atlamatzin +and his fellows and had soon made an end of such wounded as lay there. + +"I pray God," cried Sir Richard, harsh-voiced, as he struck flint and steel +to relight his match, "I pray God this may suffice them!" + +And beholding the wild disorder of our assailants, I had great hopes this +was so indeed, but as I watched, they reformed their ranks and advanced +again, but with their Indians in the van, who suddenly found themselves +with death before them and behind, for the Spanish musketeers had turned +their pieces against them to force them on to the attacks. So, having no +choice, these poor wretches came on again, leaping and screaming their +battle cries until the stair was a-throng with them; on and up they rushed +until Death met them in roaring flame and smoke. But now all about us was +the hum of bullets, most of which whined harmlessly overhead, though some +few smote the wall behind us. But small chance had I to heed such, being +hard-set to prime and load as, time after time, these poor Indians, driven +on by their cruel masters, rushed, and time after time were swept away; and +thus we fought the gun until the sweat ran from me and I panted and cursed +my stifling armour, stripping it from me piece by piece as occasion +offered. And thus I took a scathe from bullet or splinter of stone, yet +heeded not until I sank down sick and spent and roused to find Pluto +licking my face and thereafter to see Sir Richard kneeling over me, his +goodly armour dinted and scarred by more than one chance bullet. + +"Drink!" he commanded, and set water to my lips, the which mightily +refreshed me. + +"Sir, what o' the fight?" I questioned. + +"Done, lad, so far as we are concerned," said he. "Atlamatzin fell upon 'em +with all his powers and routed them--hark!" + +Sure enough, I heard the battle roar away into the forest and beyond until, +little by little, it sank to a murmurous hum and died utterly away. But all +about us were other sounds, and getting unsteadily to my legs, I saw the +plain 'twixt town and forest thick-strewn with the fallen. + +"So then the town is saved, sir?" + +"God be praised, Martin!" + +"Why, then, let us on--to meet my dear lady!" But now came an Indian to +bathe my hurt, an ugly tear in my upper arm, whereto he set a certain +balsam and a dressing of leaves and so bound it up very deftly and to my +comfort. + +And now was I seized of a fierce desire to be gone; I burned in a fever to +tramp those weary miles that lay 'twixt me and my lady Joan; wherefore, +heedless alike of my own weakness, of Sir Richard's remonstrances and +weariness, or aught beside in my own fevered desire, I set out forthwith, +seeing, as in a dream, the forms of Indians, men, women and children, who +knelt and cried to us as in gratitude or farewell; fast I strode, all +unmindful of the old man who plodded so patiently, limping as fast as he +might to keep pace with me, heeding but dimly his appeals, his cries, +hasting on and on until, stumbling at last, I sank upon my knees and, +looking about, found myself alone and night coming down upon me apace. Then +was I seized of pity for him and myself and a great yearning for my lady, +and sinking upon my face I wept myself to sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +WE RESUME OUR JOURNEY + + +I waked in a place of trees, very still and quiet save for the crackle of +the fire that blazed near by. Close beside me lay my musket; pendant from +a branch within reach dangled my sword. Hereupon, finding myself thus +solitary, I began to call on Sir Richard and wondered to hear my voice so +weak; yet I persisted in my shouting and after some while heard a joyous +bark, and to me bounded Pluto to rub himself against me and butt at me with +his great head. While I was caressing this good friend, cometh Sir Richard +himself and in his hand a goodly fish much like to a trout. + +"Lord, Martin!" said he, sitting beside me, "'tis well art thyself again, +lad. Last evening you must set out, and night upon us, must stride away +like a madman and leave me alone; but for this good dog I should ha' lost +you quite. See now, lad, what I have caught for our breakfast. I was a +notable good angler in the old days and have not lost my cunning, it +seems." + +Now as he showed me his fish and set about gutting and preparing it, I +could not but mark his drawn and haggard look, despite his brave bearing, +and my heart smote me. + +"Sir, you are sick!" quoth I. + +"Nay, Martin, I am well enough and able to go on as soon as you will. But +for the present, rest awhile, lest the fever take you again, this cloak +'neath your head--so!" + +"What o'clock is it?" + +"Scarce noon and the sun very hot." + +"How came I here in the shade?" + +"I dragged you, Martin. Now sleep, lad, and I'll to my cooking." + +At this I protested I had no mind for sleep, yet presently slumbered amain, +only to dream vilely of fire and of Adam and his fellows in desperate +battle, and above the din of fight heard my lady calling on my name as one +in mortal extremity and waking in sweating panic, my throbbing head full of +this evil vision, was for setting out instantly to her succour. But at +Sir Richard's desire I stayed to gulp down such food as he had prepared, +telling him meanwhile of my vision and something comforted by his assurance +that dreams went by contrary. Howbeit, the meal done, we set out once more, +bearing due northeast by the compass Sir Richard had brought from the Maya +city. So we journeyed through this tangled wilderness, my' head full of +strange and evil fancies, cursing the wound that sapped my strength so that +I must stumble for very weakness, yet dreaming ever of my lady's danger, +struggling up and on until I sank to lie and curse or weep because of my +helplessness. + +Very evil times were these, wherein I moved in a vague world, sometimes +aware of Sir Richard's patient, plodding form, of the dog trotting before, +of misty mountains, of rushing streams that must be crossed, of glaring +heats and grateful shadow; sometimes I lay dazzled by a blazing sun, +sometimes it was the fire and Sir Richard's travel-worn figure beyond, +sometimes the calm serenity of stars, but ever and always in my mind was +a growing fear, a soul-blasting dread lest our journey be vain, lest the +peril that me thought threatened Joan be before us and we find her dead. +And this cruel thought was like a whip that lashed me to a frenzy, so that +despite wound and weakness I would drive my fainting body on, pursuing the +phantom of her I sought and oft calling miserably upon her name like the +madman I was; all of the which I learned after from Sir Richard. For, of +an early morning I waked to find myself alone, but a fire of sticks burned +brightly and against an adjacent rock stood our two muskets, orderly and to +hand. + +Now as I gazed about, I was aware of frequent sighings hard by and going +thitherward, beheld Sir Richard upon his knees, absorbed in a passion of +prayer, his furrowed cheeks wet with tears. But beyond this I was struck +with the change in him, his haggard face burned nigh black with fierce +suns, his garments rent and tattered, his poor body more bent and shrunken +than I had thought. Before him sat Pluto, wagging his tail responsive +to every passionate gesture of those reverently clasped hands, but +who, espying me, uttered his deep bark and came leaping to welcome me; +whereupon, seeing I was discovered, I went to Sir Richard and, his prayer +ended, lifted him in my arms. + +"Ah, Martin, dear lad," said he, embracing me likewise, "surely God hath +answered my prayer. You are yourself again." And now, he sitting beside the +fire whiles I prepared such food as we had, he told me how for five days +I had been as one distraught, wandering haphazard and running like any +madman, calling upon my lady's name, and that he should have lost me but +for the dog. + +"Alas, dear sir," quoth I, abashed by this recital, "I fear in my fool's +madness I have worn you out and nigh beyond endurance." + +"Nay, Martin," said he, "it doth but teach me what I knew, that lusty youth +and feeble age are ill travelling companions, for needs must you go, your +soul ever ahead of you, yet schooling your pace to mine, and for this I +do love you so that I would I were dead and you free to speed on your +strength--" + +"Never say so, dear father," quoth I, folding my arm about his drooping +form, "my strength shall be yours henceforth." + +And presently he grew eager to be gone, but seeing me unwilling, grew the +more insistent to travel so far as we might before the scorching heats +should overtake us. So we started, I carrying his musket beside my own and +despite his remonstrances. + +An evil country this, destitute of trees and all vegetation save small +bushes few and prickly cactus a-many, a desolation of grim and jagged rocks +and barren, sandy wastes full of sun-glare and intolerable heat. And now, +our water being gone, we began to be plagued with thirst and a great host +of flies so bold as to settle on our mouths, nostrils and eyes, so that we +must be for ever slapping and brushing them away. Night found us faint and +spent and ravenous for water and none to be found, and to add further to +our agonies, these accursed flies were all about us still, singing and +humming, and whose bite set up a tickling itch, so that what with these and +our thirst we got little or no rest. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, hearing me groan, "we should be scarce four +days from the sea by my reckoning--" + +"Aye," said I, staring up at the glory of stars, "but how if we come on no +water? Our journey shall end the sooner, methinks." + +"True, Martin," said he, "but we are sure to find water soon or late--" + +"God send it be soon!" I groaned. Here he sets himself to comfort Pluto who +lay betwixt us, panting miserably, with lolling tongue or snapping fiercely +at these pestilent flies. + +And thus we lay agonising until the moon rose and then, by common consent, +we stumbled on, seeking our great desire. And now as I went, my mouth +parched, my tongue thickening to the roof of my mouth, I must needs think +of plashing brooks, of bubbling rills, of sweet and pellucid streams, so +that my torment was redoubled, yet we dared not stop, even when day came. + +Then forth of a pitiless heaven blazed a cruel sun to scorch us, thereby +adding to this agony of thirst that parched us where we crawled with +fainting steps, our sunken eyes seeking vainly for the kindly shade of some +tree in this arid desolation. And always was my mind obsessed by that +dream of gurgling brooks and bubbling rills; and now I would imagine I was +drinking long, cool draughts, and thrusting leathern tongue 'twixt cracking +lips, groaned in sharper agony. So crept we on, mile after mile, hoping the +next would show us some blessed glimpse of water, and always disappointed +until at last it seemed that here was our miserable end. + +"Martin," gasped Sir Richard, sinking in my failing clasp, his words scarce +articulate, "I can go no farther--leave me, sweet son--'tis better I die +here--go you on--" + +"No!" groaned I, and seeing Sir Richard nigh to swooning, I took him in my +arms. Reeling and staggering I bore him on, my gaze upon a few scattered +rocks ahead of us where we might at least find shade from this murderous +sun. Thus I struggled on until my strength failed and I sank to this +burning sand where it seemed we were doomed to perish after all, here in +this pitiless wild where even the dog had deserted us. And seeing Death so +near, I clasped Sir Richard ever closer and strove to tell him something of +my love for him, whereupon he raised one feeble hand to touch my drooping +head. + +Now as I babbled thus, I heard a lazy flap of wings and lifting weary eyes, +beheld divers of these great birds that, settling about, hopped languidly +towards us and so stood to watch us, raffling their feathers and croaking +hoarsely. So I watched them, and well-knowing what they portended, drew +forth a pistol and, cocking it, had it ready to hand. But as I did so they +broke into shrill clamour and, rising on heavy wings, soared away as came +Pluto to leap about us, uttering joyous barks and butting at us with his +head. And then I saw him all wet, nay, as I gazed on him, disbelieving my +eyes, he shook himself, sprinkling us with blessed water. Somehow I was +upon my feet and, taking Sir Richard's swooning body across my shoulder, +I stumbled on towards that place of rocks, Pluto running on before and +turning ever and anon to bark, as bidding me hasten. So at last, panting +and all foredone, came I among these rocks and saw them open to a narrow +cleft that gave upon a gorge a-bloom with flowers, a very paradise; and +here, close to hand, a little pool fed by a rill or spring that bubbled up +amid these mossy rocks. + +So took I this life-giving water in my two hands and dashed it in Sir +Richard's face, and he, opening his eyes, uttered a hoarse cry of rapture. +And so we drank, kneeling side by side. Yet our throats and tongues so +swollen we could scarce swallow at the first, and yet these scant drops a +very ecstasy. But when I would have drunk my fill, Sir Richard stayed +me lest I do myself an injury and I, minding how poor souls had killed +themselves thus, drank but moderately as he bade me, yet together we +plunged our heads and arms into this watery delight, praising God and +laughing for pure joy and thankfulness. Then, the rage of our thirst +something appeased, we lay down within this shadow side by side and +presently fell into a most blessed slumber. + +I waked suddenly to a piteous whining and, starting up, beheld Pluto +crawling towards me, his flank transfixed with an Indian arrow. Up I sprang +to wake Sir Richard and peer down into the shadowy gorge below, but saw +no more than flowering thickets and bush-girt rock. But as I gazed thus, +musket in hand, Sir Richard gave fire and while the report yet rang and +echoed, I saw an Indian spring up from amid these bushes and go rolling +down into the thickets below. + +"One, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard and, giving me his piece to reload, turned +to minister to Pluto's hurt. Where he lay whining and whimpering. Suddenly +an arrow struck the rock hard beside me and then came a whizzing shower, +whereupon we took such shelter as offered and whence we might retort upon +them with our shot. And after some while, as we lay thus, staring down into +the gorge, came the report of a musket and a bullet whipped betwixt us. + +"Lord, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard cheerily, his eyes kindling. "It was +vastly unwise to fall asleep by this well in so thirsty a country; 'tis a +known place and much frequented, doubtless. Wisdom doth urge a retreat so +soon as you have filled our water bottles; meantime I will do all I may to +dissuade our assailants from approaching too near." + +So saying, he levelled his piece and, dwelling on his aim, fired, whiles +I, screened from bullets and arrows alike, filled our flasks and doing +so, espied a small cave, excellent suited to our defence and where two +determined men might hold in check a whole army. + +Hereupon I summoned Sir Richard who, seeing this cave commanded the gorge +and might only be carried in front, approved it heartily, so thither we +repaired, taking Pluto with us and him very woful. And lying thus in our +little fort we laid out our armament, that is, our two muskets and four +pistols, and took stock of our ammunition, I somewhat dashed to find we had +but thirty charges betwixt us, the pistols included. Sir Richard, on the +other hand, seemed but the more resolute and cheery therefor. + +"For look now, Martin," said he, cocking his musket and levelling it +betwixt the boulders we had piled to our better defence, "here we have +fifteen lives, or say twenty, though you are better with sword than musket +I take it; should these not suffice, then we have two excellent swords +and lastly our legs, indifferent bad as regards mine own, but in a little +'twill be black dark, the moon doth not rise till near dawn. So here are we +snug for the moment and very able to our defence these many hours, God be +thanked!" And thus he of his own indomitable spirit cheered me. Suddenly he +pulled trigger and as the smoke cleared I saw his bullet had sped true, for +amid certain rocks below us a man rose up, clad in Spanish half-armour, and +sinking forward, lay there motionless, plain to our view. + +"Two!" quoth Sir Richard, and fell to reloading his piece, wadding the +charge with strips from his ragged garments. + +The fall of this Spaniard caused no little stir among our unseen +assailants, for the air rang with fierce outcries and the shrill battle +hootings of the Indians, and a shower of arrows rattled among the rocks +about us and thereafter a volley of shot, and no scathe to us. + +"War is a hateful thing!" quoth Sir Richard suddenly. "See yon Spaniard I +shot, God forgive me--hark how he groaneth, poor soul!" And he showed me +the Spaniard, who writhed ever and anon where he lay across the rock and +wailed feebly for water. "Methinks 'twere merciful to end his sufferings, +Martin!" + +"Mayhap, sir, though we have few enough charges to spare!" + +"Thus speaketh cold prudence and common sense, Martin, and yet--" + +But here the matter was put beyond dispute for, even as Sir Richard +levelled his musket, the wounded Spaniard slipped and rolled behind the +rock and lay quite hid save for a hand and arm that twitched feebly ever +and anon. + +"And he was crying for water!" sighed Sir Richard, "Thirst is an agony, as +we do know. Hark, he crieth yet! Twere act commendable to give drink to a +dying man, enemy though he be." + +"Most true, sir, but--nay, what would you?" I said, grasping his arm as he +made to rise. + +"Endeavour as much good as I may in the little of life left to me, Martin. +The poor soul lieth none so far and--" + +"Sir--sir!" quoth I, tightening my hold. "You would be shot ere you had +gone a yard--are ye mad indeed or--do you seek death?" Now at this he was +silent, and I felt him trembling. + +"This is as God willeth, Martin!" said he at last. "Howbeit I must go; +prithee loose me, dear lad!" + +"Nay!" cried I harshly. "If you will have our enemy drink, I shall bear it +myself--" + +"No, no!" cried he, grappling me in turn as I rose. "What I may do you +cannot--be reasonable, Martin--you bulk so much greater than I, they cannot +fail of such a mark--" + +Now as we argued the matter thus, each mighty determined, Pluto set up a +joyous barking and, rising on three legs, stood with ears cocked and tail +wagging, the which put me in no small perplexity until, all at once, +certain bushes that grew hard by swayed gently and forth of the leaves +stepped an Indian clad for battle, like a great chief or cacique (as 'tis +called) for on arm and breast and forehead gold glittered, and immediately +we knew him for Atlamatzin. + +"Greeting to ye, father and brother!" said he, saluting us in his grave and +stately fashion. "Atlamatzin and his people are full of gratitude to ye and +because ye are great and notable warriors, scornful of the white man's God, +Atlamatzin and his warriors have followed to do ye homage and bring ye safe +to your journey's end, and finding ye, lo! we find also our enemies, whose +eyes seeing nought but ye two, behold nought of the death that creepeth +about them; so now, when the shadow shall kiss the small rock yonder, do +you make your thunder and in that moment shall Atlamatzin smite them to +their destruction and, if the gods spare him, shall surely find ye again +that are his father and brother!" + +Something thus spake he below his breath in his halting Spanish, very grave +and placid, then saluting us, was gone swift and silent as he came. + +"An inch!" quoth Sir Richard, pointing to the creeping shadow and so we +watched this fateful shade until it was come upon the rock, whereupon I +let off my piece and Sir Richard a moment after, and like an echo to +these shots rose sudden dreadful clamour, shouts, the rapid discharge of +firearms; but wilder, fiercer, and louder than all the shrill and awful +Indian battle cry. And now, on bush-girt slopes to right and left was +bitter strife, a close-locked fray that burst suddenly asunder and swirled +down till pursued and pursuer were lost amid that tangle of blooming +thickets where it seemed the battle clamoured awhile, then roared away as +the enemy broke and fled before the sudden furious onset of Atlamatzin's +warriors. + +As for us, we lay within our refuge, nor stirred until this din of conflict +was but a vague murmur, for though we might see divers of the fallen where +they lay, these neither stirred nor made any outcry since it seemed their +business was done effectually. + +"And now, Martin," said Sir Richard, rising, "'tis time we got hence lest +any of our assailants come a-seeking us." + +So being out of the cave, I set myself to see that we had all our gear to +hand, to empty and refill my flask with this good water and the like until, +missing Sir Richard, I turned to behold him already hard upon that rock +where lay the wounded Spaniard, Pluto limping at his heels. Being come to +the rock, Sir Richard unslung his water bottle and stopped, was blotted out +in sudden smoke-cloud, and, even as the report reached me, I began to run, +raving like any madman; and thus, panting out prayers and curses, I came +where stood Sir Richard leaning against this rock, one hand clasped to his +side, and the fingers of this hand horribly red. And now I was aware of a +shrill screaming that, ending suddenly, gave place to dreadful snarling and +worrying sound, but heedless of aught but Sir Richard's wound, I ran to +bear him in my arms as he fell. + +"Oh, Martin," said he faintly, looking up at me with his old brave smile, +"'tis come at last--my journeying is done--" + +Scarce knowing what I did, I gathered him to my bosom and bore him back to +the cave; and now, when I would have staunched his hurt, he shook feeble +head. + +"Let be, dear lad," said he, "nought shall avail--not all your care and +love--for here is friend Death at last come to lift me up to a merciful +God!" + +None the less I did all that I might for his hurt save to probe for the +pistol ball that was gone too deep. And presently, as I knelt beside him in +a very agony of helplessness, cometh Pluto, fouled with blood other than +his own, and limping hither, cast himself down, his great paw across Sir +Richard's legs, licking at those weary feet that should tramp beside us no +farther. And thus night found us. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard suddenly, his voice strong, "bear me out where I +may behold the stars, for I--ever loved them and the wonder of them--even +in my--unregenerate days." So I bore him without, and indeed the heavens +were a glory. + +"Dear lad," said he, clasping my hand, "grieve not that I die, for Death +is my friend--hath marched beside me these many weary miles, yet spared me +long enough to know and love you ever better for the man you are.--Now as +to Joan, my daughter, I--grieve not to see her--but--God's will be done, +lad, Amen. And because I knew I must die here in Darien, I writ her a +letter--'tis here in my bosom--give it her, saying I--ever loved her +greatly more than I let her guess and that--by my sufferings I was a +something better man, being--humbler, gentler, and of--a contrite heart. +And now, Martin--thou that didst forgive and love thine enemy, saving him +at thine own peril and using him as thy dear friend--my time is come--I go +into the infinite--Death's hand is on me but--a kindly hand--lifting me--to +my God--my love shall go with ye--all the way--you and her--alway. Into Thy +hands, O Lord!" + +And thus died my enemy, like the brave and noble gentleman he was, his head +pillowed upon my bosom, his great soul steadfast and unfearing to the last. + +And I, a lost and desolate wretch, wept at my bitter loss and cried out +against the God who had snatched from me this the only man I had ever truly +loved and honoured. And bethinking me of his patient endurance, I thought +I might have been kinder and more loving in many ways and to my grief was +added bitter self-reproaches. + +At last, the day appearing, I arose and, taking up my dead, bore him down +to the gorge and presently came upon a quiet spot unsullied by the foulness +of battle; and here, amid the glory of these blooming thickets, I laid him +to his last rest, whiles Pluto watched me, whining ever and anon. And when +I had made an end, I fell on my knees and would have prayed, yet could not. + +So back went I at last, slow-footed, to the cave and thus came on Sir +Richard's letter, it sealed and superscribed thus: + + Unto my loved daughter, Joan Brandon, + +And beholding this beloved name, a great heart-sickness came on me with a +vision of a joy I scarce dared think on that had been mine but for my blind +selfishness and stubborn will; and with this was a knowledge of all the +wasted years and a loss unutterable. And thus my grief took me again, so +that this letter was wetted with tears of bitter remorse. + +At last I arose (the letter in my bosom) and girding my weapons about me +(choosing that musket had been Sir Richard's) stood ready to begone. But +now, missing the dog, I called to him, and though he howled in answer, +he came not, wherefore following his outcries, they brought me to Sir +Richard's grave and Pluto crouched thereby, whimpering. At my command he +limped towards me a little way, then crawled back again, and this he did as +often as I called, wherefore at last I turned away and, setting forth in my +loneliness, left these two together. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +I MEET A MADMAN + + +Having taken my bearings, I set off at speed nor did I stay for rest or +refreshment until I had traversed many miles and the sun's heat was grown +nigh intolerable. So I halted in such shade as the place offered and having +eaten and drunk, I presently fell asleep and awoke to find the day far +spent and to look around for Sir Richard as had become my wont. And finding +him not, in rushed memory to smite me anew with his death, so that I must +needs fall to thinking of his lonely grave so far behind me in these wilds; +wherefore in my sorrow I bitterly cursed this land of cruel heat, of +quenchless thirst and trackless, weary ways, and falling on my knees, I +prayed as I had never prayed, humbly and with no thought of self, save that +God would guide me henceforth and make me more worthy the great health and +strength wherewith He had blessed me, and, if it so pleased Him, bring me +safe at last to my dear lady's love. Thus after some while I arose and went +my solitary way, and it seemed that I was in some ways a different and a +better man, by reason of Sir Richard his death and my grief therefor. + +And as the darkness of night deepened about me and I striding on, guided by +the dim-seen needle of my compass, often I would fancy Sir Richard's loved +form beside me or the sound of his limping step in my ear, so that in the +solitude of this vasty wilderness I was not solitary, since verily his love +seemed all about me yet, even as he had promised. + +All this night I travelled apace nor stayed until I fell for very weariness +and lying there, ate such food as I had, not troubling to light a fire, and +fell asleep. Now as I lay, it seemed that Sir Richard stood above me, his +arm reached out as to fend from me some evil thing, yet when he spoke, +voice and words were those of Joanna: + +"Hola, Martino fool, and must I be for ever saving your life?" + +And now I saw it was Joanna indeed who stood there, clad in her male +attire, hand on hip, all glowing, insolent beauty; but as I stared she +changed, and I saw her as I had beheld her last, her gown and white bosom +all dabbled with her blood, but on her lips was smile ineffably tender and +in her eyes the radiance of a joy great beyond all telling. + +"Lover Martino," said she, bending above me, "I went for you to death, +unfearing, for only the dead do know the perfect love, since death is more +than life, so is my love around you for ever--wake, beloved!" + +Herewith she bent and touched me and, waking, I saw this that touched +me was no more than the leafy end of a branch 'neath which I chanced to +lie,--but pendant from this swaying branch I espied a monstrous shape that +writhed toward me in the dimness; beholding which awful, silent thing I +leapt up, crying out for very horror and staying but to snatch my gun, sped +from this evil place, nigh sick with dread and loathing. + +The moon was up, dappling these gloomy shades with her pure light and as I +sped, staring fearfully about me, I espied divers of these great serpents +twisted among the boughs overhead, and monstrous bat-like shapes that +flitted hither and thither so that I ran in sweating panic until the +leafage, above and around me, thinning out, showed me the full splendour +of this tropic moon and a single great tree that soared mightily aloft to +thrust out spreading branches high in air. Now as I approached this, I +checked suddenly and, cocking my musket, called out in fierce challenge, +for round the bole of this tree peeped the pallid oval of a face; thrice I +summoned, and getting no answer, levelled and fired point-blank, the +report of my piece waking a thousand echoes and therewith a chattering and +screeching from the strange beasts that stirred in the denser woods about +me; and there (maugre my shot), there, I say, was the face peering at +me evilly as before. But now something in its stark and utter stillness +clutched me with new dread as, slinging my musket and drawing pistol, I +crept towards this pallid, motionless thing and saw it for a face indeed, +with mouth foolishly agape, and presently beheld this for a man fast-bound +to the tree and miserably dead by torture. And coming near this awful, +writhen form, I apprehended something about it vaguely familiar, and +suddenly (being come close) saw this poor body was clad as an English +sailor; perceiving which, I shivered in sudden dread and made haste to +recharge my musket, spilling some of my precious powder in my hurry, and so +hasting from this awful thing with this new dread gnawing at my heart. + +Presently before me rose steepy crags very wild and desolate, but nowhere a +tree to daunt me. Here I halted and my first thought to light a fire, since +the gloomy thickets adjacent and the sombre forests beyond were full of +unchancy noises, stealthy rustlings, shrill cries and challengings very +dismal to hear. But in a while, my fire burning brightly, sword loose in +scabbard, musket across my knee and my back 'gainst the rock, I fell to +pondering my dream and the wonder of it, of Joanna and her many noble +qualities, of her strange, tempestuous nature; and lifting my gaze to the +wonder of stars, it seemed indeed that she, though dead, yet lived and +must do so for ever, even as these quenchless lights of heaven; and thus I +revolved the mystery of life and death until sleep stole upon me. + +I waked suddenly to snatch up my musket and peer at the dim figure sitting +motionless beyond the dying fire, then, as a long arm rose in salutation, +lowered my weapon, mighty relieved to recognise the Indian, Atlamatzin. + +"Greeting, my brother," quoth he; "all yesterday I followed on thy track, +but my brother is swift and Atlamatzin weary of battle." + +"And what of the battle?" + +"Death, my brother: as leaves of the forest lie the Maya warriors, but of +our enemies none return. So am I solitary, my work done, and solitary go I +to Pachacamac that lieth beside the Great Sea. But there is an empty place +betwixt us, brother--what of the old cacique so cunning in battle--what of +my father?" + +Here, as well as I might, I told him of Sir Richard's cruel murder; at this +he was silent a great while, staring sombrely into the fire. Suddenly he +started and pointed upward at a great, flitting shape that hovered above us +and sprang to his feet as one sore affrighted, whereupon I told him this +was but a bat (though of monstrous size) and could nothing harm us. + +"Nay, brother, here is Zotzilaha Chimalman that reigneth in the House of +Bats, for though Atlamatzin was born without fear, yet doth he respect the +gods, in especial Zotzilaha Chimalman!" + +Now hereupon, seeing the dawn was at hand, I rose, nor waited a second +bidding for, gods or no, this seemed to me a place abounding in terrors and +strange evils, and I mighty glad of this Indian's fellowship. So up I rose, +tightening my girdle, but scarce had I shouldered my musket than I stood +motionless, my heart a-leaping, staring towards a certain part of the +surrounding woods whence had sounded a sudden cry. And hearkening to this, +back rushed that sick dread I had known already, for this was a human cry, +very desolate and wistful, and the words English: + +"Jeremy, ahoy--oho, Jeremy!" + +Breaking the spell that numbed me, I made all haste to discover the +wherefore of these dolorous sounds and plunged into the noxious gloom of +the woods, Atlamatzin hard on my heels; and ever as we went, guided by +these hoarse shouts, the dawn lightened about us. + +Thus presently I espied a forlorn figure afar off, crouched beneath a tree, +a strange, wild figure that tossed a knife from hand to hand and laughed +and chattered 'twixt his shouting. + +"Ahoy, Jerry, I'm all adrift--where be you? I'm out o' my soundings, +lad--'tis me--'tis Dick--your old messmate as drank many a pint wi' you +alongside Deptford Pool--Ahoy, Jeremy!" + +Now espying us where we stood, he scrambled to his feet, peering at us, +through his tangled hair: then, dropping his knife, comes running, his arms +outstretched, then checks as suddenly and stares me over with a cunning +leer. + +"Avast, Dick!" said he, smiting himself on ragged breast. "This bean't poor +Jerry--poor Jerry ain't half his size--a little man be Jeremy, not so big +as Sir Adam--" + +"Who!" cried I and, dropping my gun, I caught him by his ragged sleeve, +whereupon he grinned foolishly, then as suddenly scowled and wrenched free. +"Speak, man!" said I in passionate pleading. "Is it Sir Adam Penfeather you +mean--Captain Penfeather?" + +"Maybe I do an' maybe I don't, so all's one!" said he. "Howsomever, 'tis +Jerry I'm arter--my mate Jeremy as went adrift from me--my mate Jerry as +could sing so true, but I was the lad to dance!" And here he must needs +fall a-dancing in his rags, singing hoarsely: + + "Heave-ho, lads, and here's my ditty! + Saw ye e'er in town or city + A lass to kiss so sweet an' pretty + As Bess o' Bednall Green. + + "Heave-ho, lads, she's one to please ye + Bess will kiss an' Bess will--" + +"Oho, Jerry--Jeremy--ahoy--haul your wind, lad; bear up, Jerry, an' let +Dick come 'longside ye, lad--!" and here the poor wretch, from singing and +dancing, falls to doleful wailing with gush of tears and bitter sobs. + +"Tell me," said I as gently as I might and laying a hand on his hairy +shoulder, "who are you--the name of your ship--who was your captain?" + +But all I got was a scowl, a sudden buffet of his fist, and away he sped, +raising again his hoarse and plaintive cry: + +"Ahoy, Jerry--Jeremy, ho!" + +And thus, my mind in a ferment, I must needs watch him go, torn at by +briars, tripped by unseen obstacles, running and leaping like the poor, mad +thing he was. + +Long I stood thus in painful perplexity, when I heard a sudden dreadful +screaming at no great distance: + +"Oh, Jerry--Oh, Jerry, lad--what ha' they done to thee--Oh, Christ Jesus!" + +Then came a ringing shot, and guessing what this was I turned away, +"Atlamatzin," said I, taking up my musket, "you spake truth--verily this +place is accursed--come, let us begone!" + +For long hours I strode on, scarce heeding my silent companion or aught +else, my mind pondering the mention this poor, mad wretch had made of "Sir +Adam," and ever my trouble grew, for if he and the dead man Jeremy were +indeed of Adam's company (the which I suspected) how should they come thus +lost in the wild, except Adam had met with some disaster, and were this +truly so indeed, then what of my dear and gentle lady? And now I must needs +picture to myself Adam slain, his men scattered and, for Joan, such horrors +that it was great wonder I did not run mad like this poor, lost mariner. +Tormented thus of my doubts and most horrid speculations, I went at furious +speed, yet ever my fears grew the more passionate until it grew beyond +enduring and I sighed and groaned, insomuch that my Indian comrade stood +off, eyeing me askance where I had cast myself miserably beside the way. + +"My brother is haunted by the evil spirits sent abroad for his destruction +by Chimalman, so shall he presently run mad and become sacred to Zotzilaha +Chimalman and suddenly die, except he obey me. For I, Atlamatzin, that am +without fear and wise in the magic of my people, shall drive hence these +devils an ye will." + +"Do aught you will," groaned I, "if you can but rid me of evil fancies and +imaginings." + +Forthwith he kindled a fire and I, watching dull and abstracted, being full +of my trouble, was aware of him cracking and bruising certain herbs or +leaves he had plucked, mingling these with brownish powder from the +deerskin pouch he bore at his girdle, which mixture he cast upon the fire, +whence came a smoke very sweet and pungent that he fanned towards me. + +"Behold my smoke, brother!" saith he, his voice suddenly loud and +commanding, "smell of it and watch how it doth thicken and close about +thee!" And verily as I looked, I saw nought but a column of whirling smoke +that grew ever more dense and in it, this loud compelling voice. + +"Hearken, my brother, to the voices of thy good angels; behold and see +truth afar--" The loud voice died away and in its place came another, and I +knew that Joanna spoke to me out of this whirling smoke cloud. + +"Oh, Martino, hast thou so little faith to think my blood spilt in vain? +Did I not give thee unto her that waiteth, living but for thee, yes? Look +and behold!" + +I saw a gleam of metal amid the green and four ship's culverins or +demi-cannon mounted on rough, wheeled carriages and hauled at by +wild-looking men, who toiled and sweated amain, for the way was difficult +and their ordnance heavy; and amongst these men one very quick and active, +very masterful of look and imperious of gesture, a small man in battered +harness, and knowing him for Adam, I would have hailed him, but even then +he was gone and nought to see but this writhing smoke cloud. + +I beheld a great, orbed moon, very bright and clear, and slumbering in this +calm radiance a goodly city with a harbour where rode many ships great and +small, and beside this harbour, defending these ships and the city itself, +a notable strong castle or fort, high-walled and embattled, with great +ordnance mounted both landward and towards the sea. And nigh upon this fort +I beheld the stealthy forms of men, toilworn and ragged, whose battered, +rusty armour glinted ever and anon as they crept in two companies advancing +to right and left. Behind these, masked in the brush on the edge of the +forest, four demi-cannon with gunners to serve them, foremost of whom was +a short, squat fellow who crept from gun to gun, and him I knew for Godby. +And presently from these four guns leapt smoke and flame to batter and +burst asunder the postern gate of the fort, and through this ruin I saw +Adam leap, sword in hand, his desperate company hard on his heels. + +I saw a great galleon spread her sails against the moon, and the red glare +of her broadside flame against the town as, squaring her yards, she bore +away for the open sea. + +I saw the deck of a ship, deserted save for one desolate figure that stood +gazing ever in the one direction; and as I watched, eager-eyed, this lonely +figure knelt suddenly and reached towards me yearning arms, and I saw this +was my beloved Joan. Now would I have leapt to those empty arms, but the +smoke blinded me again, and in this smoke I heard the voice of Joanna. + +"Oh, Martino, thou that love doth make coward, be comforted and of good +courage, for: thy happiness is hers--and mine, yes!" + +So I presently waked and, staring about me, started up amazed to see it was +dawn and the sun rising already, and beyond the fire the sombre form of +Atlamatzin. + +"Are the evil spirits fled from my brother?" he questioned. + +"Indeed," said I, "I have dreamed wonderfully and to my great comfort." + +"Great is the magic of Atlamatzin!" quoth he. "'Tis secret that shall die +with him and that soon, for now must he begone to achieve his destiny. As +for thee--yonder, a day's journey, lieth the Great Water. May Kukulcan have +thee in his care, he that is Father of Life--fare ye well." + +But at this, seeing him on his feet, I rose also, to grasp his hand, asking +whither he went. For answer he pointed to the trackless wild and then +raised his finger to the sun that was flooding the world with his +splendour. + +"Brother," said Atlamatzin, pointing to this glory, "I go back whence I +came, back to Kukulcan that some so call Quetzalcoati, back to the Father +of Life!" + +So saying, he lifted hand aloft in salutation and turning, strode away due +east, so that his form was swallowed up (as it were) in this radiant glory. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +HOW I FOUND MY BELOVED AT LAST + + +Left alone, I broke my fast with such food as I had, meanwhile meditating +upon the visions of last night, debating within myself if this were indeed +a marvel conjured up of Atlamatzin his black magic, or no more than a dream +of my own tortured mind, to the which I found no answer, ponder the matter +how I might. + +None the less I found myself much easier, the haunting fear clean lifted +from me; nay, in my heart sang Hope, blithe as any bird, for the which +comfort I did not fail humbly to thank God. + +I now consulted my compass and decided to bear up more northerly lest I +strike too far east and thus overshoot that bay Adam had marked on his +chart. So having collected my gear, I took my musket in the crook of my arm +and set out accordingly. + +Before me was a wild, rolling country that rose, level on level, very thick +of brush and thickets so tangled that I must oft win me a path by dint of +mine axe. Yet I struggled on as speedily as I might (maugre this arduous +labour and the sun's heat) for more than once amid the thousand heavy +scents of flower and herb and tree, I thought to catch the sweet, keen tang +of the sea. + +All this day I strode resolutely forward, scarce pausing to eat or drink, +nor will I say more of this day's journey except that the sun was setting +as I reached the top of a wooded eminence and, halting suddenly, fell upon +my knees and within me such a joy as I had seen the gates of paradise +opening to receive me; for there, all glorious with the blaze of sunset, +lay the ocean at last. And beholding thus my long and weary journey so +nearly ended, and bethinking me how many times God had preserved me and +brought me safe through so many dire perils of this most evil country, I +bowed my head and strove to tell Him my heart's gratitude. My prayer ended +(and most inadequate!) I began to run, my weariness all forgot, the breath +of the sea sweet in my nostrils, nor stayed until I might look down on the +foaming breakers far below and hear their distant roar. + +Long stood I, like one entranced, for from this height I could make out +the blue shapes of several islands and beyond these a faint blur upon the +horizon, the which added greatly to my comfort and delight, since this I +knew must be the opposite shore of Terra Firma or the Main, and this great +body of water the Gulf of Darien itself. And so came night. + +All next day I followed the coast, keeping the sea upon my left, looking +for some such landlocked harbourage with its cliff shaped like a lion's +head as Adam had described, yet though I was at great pains (and no small +risk to my neck) to peer down into every bay I came upon, nowhere did I +discover any such bay or cliff as bore out his description; thus night +found me eager to push on, yet something despondent and very weary. So I +lighted my fire and ate my supper, harassed by a growing dread lest I was +come too far to the east, after all. + +And presently up came the moon in glory; indeed, never do I remember seeing +it so vivid bright, its radiance flashing back from the waters far below +and showing tree and bush and precipitous cliff, very sharp and clear. Upon +my left, as I sat, the jagged coast line curved away out to sea, forming +thus the lofty headland I had traversed scarce an hour since, that rose +sheer from the moon-dappled waters, a huge, shapeless bluff. Now after some +while I arose, and seeing the moon so glorious, shouldered my gun, minded +to seek a little further before I slept. I had gone thus but a few yards, +my gaze now on the difficult path before me, now upon the sea, when, +chancing to look towards the bluff I have mentioned, I stopped to stare +amazed, for in this little distance, this formless headland, seen from +this angle, had suddenly taken a new shape and there before me, plain and +manifest, was the rough semblance of a lion's head; and I knew that betwixt +it and the high cliff whereon I stood must be Adam's excellent secure +haven. This sudden discovery filled me with such an ecstacy that I fell +a-trembling, howbeit I began to quest here and there for some place where I +might get me down whence I might behold this bay and see if Adam's ship +lay therein. And in a little, finding such a place, I began to descend and +found it so easy and secure it seemed like some natural stair, and I did +not doubt that Adam and his fellows had belike used it as such ere now. + +At last I came where I could look down into a narrow bay shut in by these +high, bush-girt cliffs and floored with gleaming, silver sand, whose +waters, calm and untroubled, mirrored the serene moon, and close under the +dense shadows of these cliffs I made out the loom of a great ship. Hereupon +I looked no more, but gave all my attention to hands and feet, and so, +slipping and stumbling in my eagerness, got me down at last and began +running across these silvery sands. But as I approached the ship where she +lay now plain in my view, I saw her topmasts were gone, and beholding +the ruin of her gear and rigging, I grew cold with sudden dread and came +running. + +She lay upon an even keel, her forefoot deep-buried in the shifting sand +that had silted about her with the tide, and beholding her paint and +gilding blackened and scorched by fire, her timbers rent and scarred by +shot, I knew this fire-blackened, shattered wreck would never sail again. +And now as I viewed this dismal ruin, I prayed this might be some strange +ship rather than that I had come so far a-seeking and, so praying, waded +out beneath her lofty stern (the tide being low) and, gazing up, read as +much of her name as the searing fire had left: viz: + +D E L.... A N C E + +And hereupon, knowing her indeed for Adam's ship, I took to wandering round +about her, gazing idly up at this pitiful ruin, until there rushed upon me +the realisation of what all this meant. Adam was dead or prisoner, and my +dear lady lost to me after all; my coming was too late. + +And now a great sickness took me, my strength deserted me and, groaning, I +sank upon the sand and lying thus, yearned amain for death. Then I heard a +sound, and lifting heavy head, beheld one who stood upon the bulwark above +me, holding on by a backstay with one hand and pistol levelled down at me +in the other. And beholding this slender, youthful figure thus outlined +against the moon, the velvet coat brave with silver lace, the ruffles at +throat and wrist, the silken stockings and buckled shoes, I knew myself +surely mad, for this I saw was Joanna--alive and breathing. + +"Shoot!" I cried, "Death has reft from me all I loved--shoot!" + +"Martin!" cried she, and down came the pistol well-nigh upon me where I +lay. "Oh, dear, kind God, 'tis Martin!" + +"Joan?" said I, wondering, "Damaris--beloved!" + +I was on my feet and, heaving myself up by means of the tangle of gear that +hung from the ship's lofty side I sprang upon the deck and fell on my knees +to clasp this lovely, trembling youth in my hungry arms, my head bowed +against this tender woman's body, lest she see how I wept out of pure joy +and thankfulness. But now she raised my head, and thus I saw her weeping +also, felt her tears upon my face; and now she was laughing albeit she wept +still, her two hands clasping me to her. + +"Such a great--fierce--wild man!" she sobbed; and then: "My man!" and +stooping, she kissed me on the lips. But as for me, I could but gaze up at +her in rapture and never a word to say. Then she was on her knees before me +and thus we knelt in each other's fast clasping arms. "Oh, Martin!" said +she. "Oh, loved Martin--God hath answered my ceaseless prayers!" + +And now when she would have voiced to Him her gratitude, I must needs crush +her upon my heart to look down into this flushed and tear-wet face that +held for me the beauty of all the world and to kiss away her prayers and +breath together, yet even so did she return my kisses. + +At last we arose but had gone scarce a step when we were in each other's +arms again, to stand thus fast clasped together, for I almost dreaded she +might vanish again and feared to let her go. + +"We have been parted so cruelly--so often!" said I. + +"But never again, my Martin!" + +"No, by God!" quoth I fervently. "Not even death--" + +"Not even death!" said she. + +And thus we remained a great while, wandering to and fro upon the +weather-beaten deck, very silent for the most part, being content with each +other's nearness and, for myself, merely to behold her loveliness was joy +unutterable. + +She brought me into Adam's great cabin under the poop, lighted by a great +swinging silver lamp, its stern windows carefully shaded, lest any see this +betraying beam; and standing amid all the luxury of tapestried hangings and +soft carpets, I felt myself mighty strange and out of place; and presently, +catching sight of myself in one of the mirrors, I stood all abashed to +behold the unlovely object I was in my rough and weather-stained garments, +my face burned nigh black by the sun and all set about in a tangle of wild +hair and ragged beard. + +"Is it so great wonder I should not know you at first, dear Martin, and you +so wild and fierce-seeming?" + +"Indeed I am an ill spectacle," quoth I; at this, beholding me thus rueful, +she fell to kissing me, whereat I did but miscall myself the more, telling +her 'twas great marvel she should love one so ill-matched with her; for, +said I, "here are you beautiful beyond all women, and here stand I, of +manners most uncouth, harsh-featured, slow of tongue, dull-witted, and one +you have seldom seen but in sorry rags!" + +"Oh, my dearest heart," said she, nestling but closer in my embrace, "here +is long catalogue and 'tis for each and every I do love you infinitely more +than you do guess, and for this beside--because you are Martin Conisby that +I have loved, do love, and shall love always and ever!" + +"And there's the marvel!" quoth I, kissing her bowed head. + +"And you do think me--very beautiful, Martin?" + +"Aye, I do." + +"Even clad--in these--these things?" she questioned, not looking at me. + +"Aye, truly!" + +"I had not meant you to see me thus, Martin, but it was my custom to watch +for your coming, and 'twas hard to climb the cliff in petticoats, and +besides, since I have been alone, there was so much to do--and it didn't +matter." + +"Aye, but how came you alone, what of Adam and the rest?" + +"Nay, 'tis long story." + +"But why are you thus solitary, you that do so fear solitude, as I +remember." + +"When Adam marched away, I stayed to wait for you, Martin." + +"For me?" + +"Yes, Martin!" + +"Were you not afraid?" + +"Often," said she, clasping me tighter, "but you are come at last, so are +my fears all past and done. And, more than the loneliness I feared lest you +should come and find this poor ship all deserted, and lose hope and faith +in God's mercy." + +"Oh, my brave, sweet soul!" said I, falling on my knees to kiss her hands. +"Oh, God love you for this--had I found you not, I should have dreamed you +dead and died myself, cursing God." + +"Ah hush," said she, closing my lips with her sweet fingers. "Rather will +we bless Him all our days for giving us such a love!" + +And now having no will or thought to sleep, she sets about preparing +supper, while I with scissors, razors, etc. (that she had brought at my +earnest entreaty), began to rid my face of its shaggy hair, and busied with +my razor, must needs turn ever and anon for blessed sight of her where she +flitted lightly to and fro, she bidding me take heed lest I cut myself. Cut +myself I did forthwith, and she, beholding the blood, must come running +to staunch it and it no more than a merest nick. And now, seeing her thus +tender of me who had endured so many hurts and none to grieve or soothe, I +came very near weeping for pure joy. + +And now as she bustled to and fro, she fell silent and oft I caught her +viewing me wistfully, and once or twice she made as to speak yet did not, +and I, guessing what she would say, would have told her, yet could think of +no gentle way of breaking the matter, ponder how I might, and in the end +blurted out the bald truth, very sudden and fool-like, as you shall hear. +For, at last, supper being over (and we having eaten very little and no +eyes for our food or aught in the world save each other) my lady questioned +me at last. + +"Dear Martin, what of my father?" + +"Why, first," said I, avoiding her eyes, "he is dead!" + +"Yes!" said she faintly, "this I guessed." + +"He died nobly like the brave gentleman he was. I buried him in the +wilderness, where flowers bloomed, three days march back." + +"In the wilderness?" says she a little breathlessly. "But he was in +prison!" + +"Aye, 'twas there I found him. But we escaped by the unselfish bravery and +kindness of Don Federigo. So together we set out to find you." + +"Together, Martin?" + +"Yes, and he very cheery, despite his sufferings." + +"Sufferings, Martin?" + +"He--he halted somewhat in his walk--" + +"Nay, he was strong, as I remember--ah, you mean they--had tortured him--" + +"Aye," said I, dreading to see her grief. "Yet despite their devilish +cruelties, he rose triumphant above agony of body, thereby winning to a +great and noble manhood, wherefore I loved and honoured him beyond all +men--" + +"He was--your enemy--" + +"He was my friend, that comforted me when I was greatly afraid; he was +my companion amid the perils of our cruel journey, calm and undismayed, +uncomplaining, brave, and unselfish to his last breath, so needs must I +cherish his memory." + +"Martin!" Lifting my head I saw she was looking at me, her vivid lips +quivering, her eyes all radiant despite their tears, and then, or ever I +might prevent, she was kneeling to me, had caught my hand and kissed it +passionately. + +"Oh, man that I love--you that learned to--love your enemy!" + +"Nay, my Damaris, 'twas he that taught me how to love him, 'twas himself +slew my hatred!" + +And now, drawing her to my heart, I told her much of Sir Richard's +indomitable spirit and bravery, how in my blind haste I would march him +until he sank swooning by the way, of our fightings and sufferings and he +ever serene and undismayed. I told of how we had talked of her beside our +camp fires and how, dying, he had bid me tell her he had ever loved her +better than he had let her guess, and bethinking me of his letter at last, +I gave it to her. But instead of reading it, she put this letter in her +pocket. + +"Come," said she, "'tis near the dawn, and you weary with your journey, +'tis time you were abed." And when I vowed I was not sleepy, she took my +hand (as I had been a child) and bringing me into that had been Adam's +cabin, showed me his bed all prepared. "It hath waited for these many +weeks, dear Martin!" said she, smoothing the pillows with gentle hand. + +"But we have so much to tell each other--" + +"To-morrow!" + +Hereupon she slipped past me to the door and stood there to shake +admonishing finger: + +"Sleep!" said she, nodding her lovely head mighty determined, "and scowl +not, naughty child, I shall be near you--to--to mother you--nay, come and +see for yourself." So saying, she took my hand again and brought me into +the next cabin, a fragrant nest, dainty-sweet as herself, save that in the +panelling above her bed she had driven two nails where hung a brace of +pistols. Seeing my gaze on these, she shivered suddenly and nestled into my +arm. + +"Oh, Martin," said she, her face hid against me, "one night I seemed to +hear a foot that crept on the deck above, and I thought I should have died +with fear. So I kept these ever after, one for--them, and the other for +myself." + +"And all this you endured for my sake!" quoth I. + +"And God hath sent you safe to me, dear Martin, to take care of me, so am I +safe with nought to fright or harm me henceforth." + +"Nothing under heaven," quoth I. Very gingerly she took down the pistols +and gave them to me and, bringing me to the door, kissed me. + +"Good night, dear heart!" said she softly. "God send you sweet dreams!" + +Thus came I back to my cabin and laying by the pistols, got me to bed, and +mighty luxurious, what with these sheets and pillows, and yet, or ever I +had fully appreciated the unwonted comfort, I was asleep. + +I waked to the sudden clasp of her soft arms and a tear-wet cheek against +mine, and opening my eyes, saw her kneeling by my bed in the grey dawn. + +"Oh, loved Martin," said she, "I love you more than I guessed because you +are greater than I dreamed--my father's letter hath told me so much of +you--your goodness to your enemy--how you wiped away his tears, ministered +to his hurts, carried him in your arms. I have read it but now and--'tis +tale so noble--so wonderful, that needs must I come to tell you I do love +you so much--so much. And now--" + +"You are mine!" said I, gathering her in my arms. "Mine for alway." + +"Yes, dear Martin! But because I am yours so utterly, you will be gentle +with me--patient a little and forbearing to a--very foolish maid--" + +For answer I loosed her, whereupon she caught my hand to press it to her +tender cheek, her quivering lips. + +"Oh, Martin!" she whispered. "For this needs must I worship thee!" And so +was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +OF DREAMS + + +I waked marvellous refreshed and full of a great joy to hear her sweet +singing and the light tread of her foot going to and fro in the great +cabin, where she was setting out a meal, as I guessed by the tinkle of +platters, etc., the which homely sound reminded me that I was vastly +hungry. Up I sprang to a glory of sun flooding in at shattered window and +the jagged rent where a round-shot had pierced the stout timbering above; +and having washed and bathed me as well as I might, found my lady had +replaced my ragged, weather-stained garments by others chosen from the +ship's stores. And so at last forth I stepped into the great cabin, eager +for sight of my dear lady, albeit somewhat conscious of my new clothes and +hampered by their tightness. + +"Indeed," said she, holding me off, the better to examine me, "I do find +you something better-looking than you were!" + +"Nay, but I am burned browner than any Indian." + +"This but maketh your eyes the bluer, Martin. And then you are changed +besides--so much more gentle--kindlier--the man I dreamed you might +become--" Here I kissed her. + +"And you," said I, "my Damaris that I have ever loved and shall do, you are +more beautiful than my dream of you--" + +"Am I, Martin--in spite of these things?" "Indeed," said I heartily, "they +do but reveal to me so much of--" + +Here she kissed me and brought me to the table. Now, seeing her as she sat +thus beside me, I started and stared, well-nigh open-mouthed. + +"What now?" she questioned. + +"Your hair!" + +"'Twill grow again, Martin. But why must you stare?" + +"Because when you look and turn so, and your hair short on your shoulders, +you are marvellously like to Joanna." Now at this, seeing how my lady +shrank and turned from me, I could have cursed my foolish tongue. + +"What of her, Martin?" + +"She is dead!" And here I described how bravely Joanna had met Death +standing, and her arms outstretched to the infinite. When I had done, my +lady was silent, as expecting more, and her head still averted. + +"And is this--all?" she questioned at last. + +"Yes!" said I. "Yes!" + +"Yet you do not tell me of the cruel wrong she did you--and me! You do not +say she lied of you." + +"She is dead!" said I. "And very nobly, as I do think!" + +Hereupon my lady rose and going into her cabin, was back all in a moment +and unfolding a paper, set it before me. "This," said she, "I found after +you were fled the ship!" Opening this paper, I saw there, very boldly writ: + +"I lied about him and 'twas a notable lie, notably spoke. Martino is not +like ordinary men and so it is I do most truly love him--yes--for always. +So do I take him for mine now, so shall lie become truth, mayhap. + +"JOANNA." + +And even as I refolded this letter, my lady's arms were about me, her +lovely head upon my shoulder: + +"Dear," said she, "'twas like you to speak no harsh thing of the dead. And +she gave you back to me with her life--so needs must I love her memory for +this." + +And so we presently got to our breakfast,--sweet, white bread new-baked, +with divers fish she had caught that morning whiles I slept. And surely +never was meal more joyous, the sun twinkling on Adam's silver and cut +glass, and my lady sweeter and more radiant than the morn in all the vigour +of her glowing beauty. + +Much we talked and much she said that I would fain set down, since there is +nothing about her that is not a joy to me to dwell upon, yet lest I weary +my readers with overmuch of lovers' talk, I will only set down all she now +told me concerning Adam. + +"For here were we, Martin," said my lady, "our poor ship much wounded with +her many battles and beset by a storm so that we all gave ourselves up for +lost; even Adam confessed he could do no more, and I very woful because +I must die away from you, yet the storm drove us by good hap into these +waters, and next day, the wind moderating, we began to hope we might make +this anchorage, though the ship was dreadfully a-leak, and all night and +all day I would hear the dreadful clank of the pumps always at work. And +thus at last, to our great rejoicing, we saw this land ahead of us that was +to be our salvation. But as we drew nearer our rejoicing changed to dismay +to behold three ships betwixt us and this refuge. So Sir Adam decided to +fight his way through and sailed down upon these three ships accordingly. +And presently we were among them and the battle began, and very dreadful, +what with the smoke and shouting and noise of guns--" + +"Ah!" cried I. "And did not Adam see you safely below?" + +"To be sure, Martin, but I stole up again and found him something hurt by +a splinter yet very happy because Godby had shot away one of the enemy's +masts and nobody hurt but himself, and so we won past these ships for all +their shooting, and I bound up Adam's hurt where he stood conning the ship, +shouting orders and bidding me below, all in a breath. But now cometh Amos +Marsh, the carpenter, running, to say the enemy's shot had widened our +leaks and the water gaining upon the pumps beyond recovery and that we were +sinking. 'How long will she last?' said Adam, staring at the two ships +that were close behind, and still shooting at us now and then. 'An hour, +Captain, maybe less!' said the carpenter. ''Twill serve,' said Adam, in his +quiet voice. 'Do you and your lads stand to the pumps, and we will be +safe ashore within the hour. But mark me, if any man turn laggard or +faint-hearted, shoot that man, but pump your best, Amos--away wi' you!'" + +"Aye," quoth I, clasping tighter the hand I held, "that was like Adam; +'tis as I had heard him speak. And you in such dire peril of death, my +beloved--" + +"Why, Martin, I did not fear or grieve very much, for methought you were +lost to me forever in this life perchance, but in the next--" + +"This and the next I do pray God," quoth I, and kissed her till she bade me +leave her breath for her story. The which she presently did something as +followeth: + +"And now, whiles Godby and his chosen gunners plied our stern cannons, +firing very fast and furious, Adam calls for volunteers to set more sail +and himself was first aloft for all his wounded arm--" + +"And where were you?" + +"Giving water to Godby and his men, for they were parched. And presently +back cometh Adam, panting with his exertions. 'God send no spars carry +away,' quoth he, 'and we must lay alongside the nearest Spaniard and +board.' ''Tis desperate venture,' said Godby, 'they be great ships and full +o' Dons.' 'Aye,' said Adam, 'but we are Englishmen and desperate,' And so +we stood on, Martin, and these great ships after us, and ever our own poor +ship lying lower and lower in the water, until I looked to see it sink +under us and go down altogether. But at last we reached this bay and none +too soon, for to us cometh Amos Marsh, all wet and woebegone with labour, +to say the ship was going. But nothing heeding, Adam took the helm, +shouting to him to let fly braces, and with our sails all shivering we ran +aground, just as she lies now, poor thing. While I lay half-stunned with +the fall, for the shock of grounding had thrown me down, Adam commanded +every one on shore with muskets and pistols, so I presently found myself +running across the sands 'twixt Adam and Godby, nor stayed we till we +reached the cliff yonder, where are many caves very wonderful, as I will +show you, Martin. And then I saw the reason of this haste, for the greatest +Spanish ship was turning to bring her whole broadside to bear, and so began +to shoot off all their cannon, battering our poor ship as you see. Then +came Spaniards in boats with fire to burn it, but our men shot so many of +these that although they set the ship on fire, yet they did it so hastily +because of our shooting that once they were gone, the fire was quickly put +out. But the ship was beyond repair which greatly disheartened us all, save +only Adam, who having walked around the wreck and examined her, chin in +hand, summoned all men to a council on the beach. 'Look now, my comrades,' +said he (as well as I remember, Martin), 'we have fought a sinking ship so +long as we might, and here we lie driven ashore in a hostile country but +we have only one killed and five injured, which is good; but we are +Englishmen, which is better and bad to beat. Well, then, shall we stay here +sucking our thumbs? Shall we set about building another vessel and the +enemy come upon us before 'tis done? Shall we despair? Not us! We stand +a hundred and thirty and two men, and every man a proved and seasoned +fighter; so will we, being smitten thus, forthwith smite back, and smite +where the enemy will least expect. We'll march overland on Carthagena--I +know it well--fall on 'em in the dead hush o' night, surprise their fort, +spike their guns and down to the harbour for a ship. Here's our vessel +a wreck--we'll have one of theirs in place. So, comrades all, who's for +Carthagena along with me; who's for a Spanish ship and Old England?'" + +"Why, then," cried I, amazed, "my dream was true. They have marched across +country on Carthagena--" + +"Yes, Martin, but what dream--?" + +"With four guns, mounted on wheels?" + +"Yes, Martin; they built four gun-carriages to Adam's design. But what of +your dream?" + +So I told her of Atlamatzin and the visions I had beheld; "and I saw you +also, my loved Joan; aye, as I do remember, you knelt on the deck above, +praying and with your arms reached out--" + +"Why, so I did often--one night in especial, I remember, weeping and +calling to you, for I was very fearful and--lonely, dear Martin. And that +night, I remember, I dreamed I saw you, your back leaned to a great rock as +you were very weary, and staring into a fire, sad-eyed and desolate. Across +your knees was your gun and all around you a dark and dismal forest, and +I yearned to come to you and could not, and so watched and lay to weep +anew.--Oh, dear, loved Martin!" + +Here she turned, her eyes dark with remembered sorrow, wherefore I took and +lifted her to my knee, holding her thus close upon my heart. + +"Tell me," said I after some while, "when Adam marched on his desperate +venture, did he name any day for his likely return?" + +"Yes, Martin!" + +"And when was that?" + +"'Twas the day you came." + +"Then he is already late," quoth I. "And he was ever mighty careful and +exact in his calculations. 'Tis an adventure so daring as few would have +attempted, saving only our 'timid' Adam. And how if he never returns, my +Damaris--how then?" + +"Ah, then--we have each other!" said she. + +"And therein is vast comfort and--for me great joy!" quoth I. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +OF LOVE + + +My first care was to see how we stood in regard to stores, more especially +powder and shot great and small, the which I found sufficient and to spare, +as also divers weapons, as muskets, pistols, hangers, etc. The more I +thought, the more I was determined to put the ship into as good a posture +of defence as might be, since I judged it likely the Spaniards might pay +us a visit soon or late, or mayhap some chance band of hostile Indians. To +this end and with great exertion, by means of lever and tackle, I hauled +inboard her four great stern-chase guns, at the which labour my lady +chancing to find me, falls to work beside me right merrily. + +"Why, Martin," said she, when the four pieces stood ready to hand, "I +have seen five men strain hard to move one of these; indeed you must be +marvellous strong." + +At this I grew so foolishly pleased that I fell to charging these pieces +amain, lest she should see aught of this. + +"Strong, great men be usually the gentlest," said she. + +"And generally thick-skulled and dull-witted!" quoth I. + +"Are you so dull-witted, my Martin?" + +"Ah, Damaris, my sweet Joan, when I think on all the wasted tears--" + +"Not wasted, Martin, no, not one, since each hath but helped to make the +man I do so love." + +"That you should so love me is the abiding wonder. I am no man o' the world +and with no fine-gentlemanly graces, alas! I am a simple fellow and nought +to show for his years of life--" + +"Wherefore so humble, poor man? You that were so proud and savage in +England and must burst open gates and beat my servants and fright me in my +chamber--" + +"Aye, I was brute indeed!" said I, sitting down and clean forgetting my +guns in sudden dejection. + +"And so gloomy with me on the island at the first and then something harsh, +and then very wild and masterful; do you remember you would kiss me and I +would not--and struggled--so desperately--and vainly--and was compelled?" + +"Oh, vile!" said I. "You so lonely and helpless, and I would have forced +you to my base will." + +"And did not, Martin! Because yours was a noble love. So is the memory of +our dear island unutterably sweet." + +"Indeed and is this so?" quoth I, lifting my head. + +"Beyond all expression!" said she a little breathlessly and her eyes very +bright. "Ah, did you not know--whatever you did, 'twas you--that I loved. +And, dear Martin, at your fiercest, you were ever--so innocent!" + +"Innocent!" quoth I, wondering. And now her clear gaze wavered, her cheek +flushed, and all in a moment she was beside me on her knees, her face hid +against me and speaking quick and low and passionate. + +"I am a very woman--and had loved for all my life--and there were times--on +the island when--I, too--oh, dear Martin, oft in the night the sound of +your steps going to and fro without our cave--those restless feet--seemed +to tread upon my heart! I loved these fierce, strong arms, even whilst +I struggled in their hold! A man of the world would have known--taken +advantage. But you never guessed because you regarded ever the highest in +me. So would I have you do still--honouring me with your patience--a little +longer--until Adam be come again, or until we be sure he hath perished and +England beyond our reach. Thus, dear, I have confessed my very secret soul +to thee and lie here in thy merciful care even more than I did on +our island, since I do love thee--greatly better! Therefore, be not +so--infinite humble!" + +Here for a while I was silent, being greatly moved and finding no word to +say. At last, clasping her tender loveliness to me, and stooping to kiss +this so loved head: + +"Dear, my lady," said I, "thou art to me the sweetest, holiest thing in all +the world, and so shalt thou ever be." + +Some time after, having put all things in excellent posture to our defence, +viz: our four great pieces full-charged astern, with four lighter guns +and divers pateraros ranged to sweep the quarter-deck, forecastle and +all approaches thereto, I felt my previous charge more secure and myself +(seconded by her brave spirit) able to withstand well-nigh any chance +attack, so long as our powder and shot held. + +This done, I brought hammer, nails, etc., from the carpenter's stores and +set myself to mend such shot-holes, cracks, and rents in the panelling and +the like as I judged would incommode us in wind or rain, and while I did +this (and whistling cheerily) needs must I stay ever and anon to watch my +sweet soul busy at her cookery (and mighty savoury dishes) and she pause +to look on me, until we must needs run to kiss each other and so to our +several labours again. + +For now indeed came I to know a happiness so calm and deep, so much greater +than I had ventured to hope that often I would be seized of panic dread +lest aught came to snatch it from me. Thus lived we, joying in each hour, +busied with such daily duties as came to hand, yet I for one finding these +labours sweet by reason of her that shared them; yet ever our love grew and +we ever more happy in each other's companionship. + +And here I, that by mine own folly of stubborn pride had known so little of +content and the deep and restful joy of it; here, I say, greatly tempted am +I to dwell and enlarge upon these swift-flying, halcyon days whose memory +Time cannot wither; I would paint you her changing moods, her sweet +gravity, her tender seriousness, her pretty rogueries, her demureness, her +thousand winsome tricks of gesture and expression, the vital ring of her +sweet voice, her long-lashed eyes, the dimple in her chin, and all the +constant charm and wonder of her. But what pen could do the sweet soul +justice, what word describe her innumerable graces? Surely not mine, so +would it be but vain labour and mayhap, to you who take up this book, great +weariness to read. + +So I will pass to a certain night, the moon flooding her radiance all +about me and the world very hushed and still with nought to hear save the +murmurous ripple and soft lapping of the incoming tide, and I upon my bed +(very wakeful) and full of speculation and the problem I pondered this: +Adam (and he so precise and exact in all things) had named to my lady a +day for his return, which day was already long past, therefore it was but +natural to suppose his desperate venture against this great fortified city +a failure, his hardy fellows scattered, and his brave self either slain or +a prisoner. What then of our situation, my dear lady's and mine, left thus +solitary in a hostile country and little or no chance of ever reaching +England, but doomed rather to seek some solitude where we might live secure +from hostile Indians or the implacable persecution of the Spaniards. Thus +we must live alone with Nature henceforth, she and I and God. And this +thought filled me alternately with intoxicating joy for my own sake, since +all I sought of life was this loved woman, and despair for her sake, since +secretly she must crave all those refinements of life and civilisation as +had become of none account to myself. And if Adam were slain indeed and +England thus beyond our reach, how long must we wait to be sure of this? + +Here I started to hear my lady calling me softly: + +"Art awake, dear Martin?" + +"Yes, my Joan!" + +"I dreamed myself alone again. Oh, 'tis good to hear your voice! Are you +sleepy?" + +"No whit." + +"Then let us talk awhile as we used sometimes on our loved island." + +"Loved you it--so greatly, Joan?" + +"Beyond any place in the world, Martin." + +"Why, then--" said I and stopped, lest my voice should betray the sudden +joy that filled me. + +"Go on, Martin." + +"'Twas nought." + +"Aye, but it was! You said 'Why, then.' Prithee, dear sir, continue." + +Myself (sitting up and blinking at the moon): Why, then, if +you--we--are--if we should be so unfortunate as to be left solitary in +these cruel wilds and no hope of winning back to England, should you grieve +therefor? + +She (after a moment): Should you, Martin? + +Myself (mighty fervently): Aye, indeed! + +She (quickly): Why, Martin--pray why? + +Myself (clenching my fists): For that we should be miserable outcasts cut +off from all the best of life. + +She: The best? As what, Martin? + +Myself: Civilisation and all its refinements, all neighbourliness, +the comforts of friendship, all security, all laws, and instead of +these--dangers, hardship, and solitude. + +She (softly): Aye, this methinks should break our hearts. Indeed, Martin, +you do fright me. + +Myself (bitterly): Why, 'tis a something desolate possibility! + +She (dolefully): And alas, Adam cometh not! + +Myself: Alas, no! + +She: And is long overdue. + +Myself: He marched on a perilous venture; aye, mighty hazardous and +desperate. + +She: Indeed, dear Martin, so desperate that I do almost pity the folk of +Carthagena. + +Myself (wondering): Then you do think he will succeed--will come sailing +back one day? + +She: Yes, Martin, if he hath to sail the ship back alone. + +Myself: And wherefore believe this? + +She: I know not, except that he is Adam and none like to him. + +Myself: Yet is he only mortal, to be captured or slain one way or another. +How if he cometh never back? + +She: Why then, Martin--needs must I forego all thought of England, of home, +of the comfortable joys of civilisation, of all laws, and instead of all +these cleave to you--my beloved! + +Myself: Damaris! + +She: Oh, Martin, dear, foolish blunderer to dream you could fright me with +tales of hardship, or dangers, or solitude when you were by, to think I +must break my heart for home and England when you are both to me. England +or home without you were a desert; with you the desert shall be my England, +my home all my days, if God so will it. + +Myself: Oh, loved woman, my brave, sweet Joan! And the laws--what of the +laws? + +She: God shall be our law, shall give us some sign. + +Myself: Joan--come to me! + +She (faintly): No! Ah, no! + +Myself: Come! + +She: Very well, Martin. + +In a little I heard her light step, slow and something hesitant, and then +she stood before me in her loveliness, wrapped about in my travel-stained +boat-cloak; so came she to sink beside me on her knees. + +"I am here, Martin," said she, "since I am yours and because I know my +will, thine also. For sure am I that Adam will yet come and with him cometh +law and England and all else; shall we not rest then for God's sign, be it +soon or a little late, and I honour thee the more hereafter. If this indeed +be foolish scruple to your mind, dear Martin, I am here; but if for this +you shall one day reverence your wife the more--beloved, let me go!" + +"Indeed--indeed, sign or no sign, thus do I love thee!" said I, and loosed +her. And now, as she rose from my reluctant arms, even then, soft and faint +with distance but plain and unmistakable came the boom of a gun. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +THE COMING OF ADAM AND OF OUR GREAT JOY THEREIN + + +The moon was paling to daybreak as, having climbed that rocky stair I have +mentioned, we came upon the cliff and stood, hands tight-clasped, where +we might behold the infinity of waters; and after some while, looming +phantom-like upon the dawn, we descried the lofty sails of a great ship +standing in towards the land and growing ever more distinct. And as we +watched, and never a word, her towering canvas flushed rosy with coming +day, a changing colour that grew ever brighter until it glowed all +glorious, and up rose the sun. + +Suddenly, as we watched the proud oncoming of this ship of glory, my lady +uttered a little, soft cry and nestled to me. + +"The sign, Martin!" cried she, "God hath sent us the sign, beloved; see +what she beareth at the main!" And there, sure enough, stirring languid +upon the gentle air was the Cross of St. George. And beholding this +thing (that was no more than shred of bunting) and in these hostile +seas, ship and sea swam upon my vision, and bowing my head lest my +beloved behold this weakness, felt her warm lips on mine. + +"Dear Martin," said she, "hide not your tears from me, for yonder is +England, a noble future--home, at last." + +"Home?" said I, "Aye, home and peace at last and, best of all--you!" Thus +stood we, clean forgetting this great ship in each other until, roused by +the thunder of another gun, we started and turned to see the ship so near +that we could distinguish the glint of armour on her decks here and there, +and presently up to us rose a cheer (though faint) and we saw them make a +waft with the ensign, so that it seemed they had discovered us where we +stood. Hereupon, seeing the ship already going about to fetch into the +harbour, we descended the cliff and, reaching the sands below, stood there +until the vessel hove into view round the headland that was like unto a +lion's head, and, furling upper and lower courses, let go her anchor and +brought up in fashion very seamanlike, and she indeed a great and noble +vessel from whose lofty decks rose lusty shouts of welcome, drowned all at +once in the silvery fanfare of trumpets and a prodigious rolling of drums. +Presently, to this merry clamour, a boat was lowered and pulled towards +us, and surely never was seen a wilder, more ragged company than this that +manned her. In the stem-sheets sat Adam, one hand upon the tiller, the +other slung about him by a scarf, his harness rusty and dinted, but his +eyes very bright beneath the pent of his weather-beaten hat. Scarce had the +boat touched shore than his legs (dight in prodigiously long Spanish boots) +were over the side and he came wading ashore, first of any. + +"Praise God!" said he, halting suddenly to flourish off his battered hat +and glance from one to other of us with his old, whimsical look. "Praise +God I do see again two souls, the most wilful and unruly in all this world, +yet here stand ye that should be most thoroughly dead (what with the peril +consequent upon wilfulness) but for a most especial Providence--there stand +ye fuller of life and the joy o' living than ever." + +"And you, Adam," reaching her hands to him in welcome, "you that must march +'gainst a mighty city with men so few! Death surely hath been very nigh you +also, yet here are you come back to us unscathed save for your arm; surely +God hath been to us infinitely kind and good!" + +"Amen!" said Adam and stooping, raised these slender hands to his lips. +"Howbeit, my Lady Wilfulness," quoth he, shaking his head, "I vow you ha' +caused me more carking care than any unhanged pirate or Spaniard on the +Main! You that must bide here all alone, contemning alike my prayers and +commands, nor suffering any to stay for your comfort and protection and all +for sake of this hare-brained, most obstinate comrade o' mine, that must +go running his poor sconce into a thousand dangers (which was bad) and +upsetting all my schemes and calculations (which was worse, mark you!) +and all to chase a will-o'-the-wisp, a mare's nest, a--oh, Lord love you, +Martin--!" And so we clasped hands. + +In a little, my dear lady betwixt us, and Adam discoursing of his +adventures and particularly of his men's resolution, endurance and +discipline, we got us aboard the _Deliverance_ which the men were already +stripping of such stores as remained, filling the air with cheery shouts, +and yo-ho-ing as they hove at this or hauled at that. Climbing to the +quarter-deck we came at last to the great cabin, where Adam was pleased +to commend the means I had taken to our defence, though more than once I +noticed his quick glance flash here and there as if seeking somewhat. At +last, my lady having left us awhile, he turns his sharp eyes on me: + +"Comrade, how goeth vengeance nowadays?" he questioned. "What of Sir +Richard, your enemy?" + +"Dead; Adam!" + +"Aha!" said he, pinching his chin and eyeing me askance, "was it steel or +did ye shoot him, comrade?" + +"God forgive you for saying such thing, Adam!" quoth I, scowling into his +lean, brown face. + +"Aha," said he again, and viewing me with his furtive leer. "Do ye regret +his murder then, Martin?" + +"Aye, I do from my heart--now and always!" + +"Hum!" said he, seating himself on my tumbled bed and glancing whimsically +at me, "Martin," quoth he, "friend--brother--you that talked bloody murder +and hell-fire with a heart inside you clean and gentle as a child's, +thou'rt plaguey fool to think thy friend Adam be such fool as not to know +thee better. Hark'ee now, here's your fashion: If you found the enemy you +sought so long and him in a Spanish prison, first you cursed, then you +comforted, then eased his pains, watched your chance, throttled your gaoler +and away to freedom, bearing your enemy along wi' you--is't not something +the way of it--come?" + +"Truly, Adam!" said I, all amazed, "though how you chance to know this--" + +"Tush!" said he. "'Tis writ plain all over thee, Martin, and yonder cometh +our lady, as peerless a maid as ever blessed man's sight--for all of the +which I do love thee, Martin. Come, now, I will take ye aboard the prize +and hey for England--this night we sail!" So we joined my lady and coming +down to the boat were presently rowed to the Spanish ship, a great vessel, +her towering stem brave with gilding and her massy timbers enriched by all +manner of carved work. + +"She had a name well-nigh long as herself, Martin," said Adam, "but Godby +christened her _The Joyous Hope_ instead, which shall serve well enough." +So we came beneath her high, curving side, where leaned familiar +figures--lean, bronzed fellows who welcomed us with cheer that waked many +an echo. Upon the quarter-deck was Penruddock the surgeon, who bustled +forward to greet us himself as loquacious as ever and very loud in praise +of the cure he had once wrought in me; and here, too, was Godby, to make a +leg to my lady and grasp my hand. + +"Why, Mart'n--why, pal, here's j'y, scorch me wi' a port-fire else!" quoth +he, then, hearing a hail from the beach, rolled away to look to his many +duties. + +"She's good enough vessel--to look at, Martin," said Adam, bringing us into +the panelled splendour of the coach or roundhouse; "aye, she's roomy and +handsome enough and rich-laden, though something heavy on her helm; of guns +fifty and nine and well-found in all things save clothes, hence my scurvy +rags; but we'll better 'em when our stores come aboard." + +And now, my lady being retired; he showed me over this great galleon, so +massy built for all her gilding and carved finery, and so stout-timbered as +made her well-nigh shot-proof. + +"She's a notable rich prize, Adam!" said I, as we came above deck again, +where the crew were at work getting aboard us the stores from the +_Deliverance_ under Godby's watchful eye. + +"Aye, we were fortunate, Martin," pausing to view this busy scene, "and all +with scarce a blow and but five men lost, and they mostly by sunstroke or +snakebite; we could ha' taken the city also had I been so minded." + +"'Twas marvellous achievement for man so timid, Adam!" quoth I. + +"Nay, comrade, I did but smite the enemy unbeknown and where least +expected; 'twas simple enough. See now, Martin," said he, pinching his +chin and averting his head, "I am very fain to learn more of--to hear your +adventures--you shall tell me of--of 'em if you will, but later, for we +sail on the flood and I have much to do in consequence." + +So I presently fell to pacing the broad deck alone, dreaming on the future +and in my heart a song of gratitude to God. Presently to me comes Godby: + +"Lord, Mart'n!" said he, hitching fiercely at the broad belt of his +galligaskins. "Here's been doin's o' late, pal, doin's as outdoes all other +doin's as ever was done! Talk o' glory? Talk o' fame? There's enough on't +aboard this here ship t' last every man on us all his days and longer. And +what's more to the p'int, Mart'n, there's gold! And silver! In bars! Aye, +pal, shoot me if 'tisn't a-laying in the hold like so much ballast! Cap'n +Adam hath give his share to be divided atwixt us, which is noble in him and +doeth us a power o' good!" + +"Why, the men deserve it; 'twas a desperate business, Godby!" + +"Aye, pal, good lads every one, though we had Cap'n Adam to lead 'em. 'Twas +ever 'Come' wi' him! Ten minutes arter our first salvo the fort was ours, +their guns spiked, an' we running for the harbour, Sir Adam showing the +way. And, Lord! To hear the folk in the tower, you'd ha' thought 'twas the +last trump--such shrieks and howls, Mart'n. So, hard in Cap'n Adam's wake +we scrambled aboard this ship, she laying nighest to shore and well under +the guns o' the fort as we'd just spiked so mighty careful, d'ye see, and +here was some small disputation wi' steel and pistol, and her people was +very presently swimming or rowing for it. So 'twas hoist sail, up anchor +and away, and though this galleon is no duck, being something lubberly on a +wind, she should bear us home well enough. 'Tis long since I last clapped +eye on old England, and never a day I ha'n't blessed that hour I met wi' +you at the 'Hop-pole,' for I'm rich, pal, rich, though I'd give a lot for a +glimpse o' the child I left a babe and a kiss from his bonny mother." + +Thus, walking the broad deck of this stout ship that was soon to bear +us (and myself especially) to England and a new life, I hearkened to +God-be-here Jenkins, who talked, his eyes now cocked aloft at spars or +rigging, now observing the serene blue distances, now upon the boats plying +busily to and fro, until one of the men came to say the last of our stores +was aboard. And presently, being summoned, Adam appeared on the lofty poop +in all the bravery of flowing periwig and 'broidered coat. + +"Ha, Mart'n," sighed Godby, hitching at his belt as we went to meet him, "I +love him best in buff and steel, though he'll ever be my cap'n, pal. There +aren't what you'd call a lot of him, neither, but what there is goeth a +prodigious long way in steel or velvet. Talk o' glory! Talk o' fame! +Pal, glory's a goblin and fame's a phantom compared wi' Cap'n Sir Adam +Penfeather, and you can keel haul, burn and hang me else!" + +This night at moonrise we warped out from our anchorage and with drums +beating and fifes sounding merrily, stood out into the great deep and never +a heart that did not leap at thought of home and England. And now cometh my +lady, dressed in gown I thought marvellous becoming, and herself beautiful +beyond all women, as I told her, whereat she cast down her eyes and +smoothed her dainty silks with her pretty hands. + +"Fie, Martin!" said she, mighty demure. "Is it well to be so extravagant in +praise of your own?" Which last words put me to such ecstasy that I fell +dumb forthwith; noting the which, she came a little nearer to slip her cool +fingers into mine, "Though, indeed," quoth she, "I am glad to find you so +observant! And my hair? Doth it please you, thus?" And now I saw her silky +tresses (and for all their mutilation) right cunningly ordered, and amid +their beauty that same wooden comb I had made for her on the island. "Well, +dear sir?" said she, leaning nearer. At this, being ever a man scant of +words (and the deck deserted hereabouts) I kissed her. And now, hand in +hand, we stood silent awhile to watch this cruel land of Darien fade upon +our sight. At last she turned and I also, to view that vast horizon that +lay before us. + +"What see you, yonder in the distance, dear Martin?" she questioned. + +"Yourself!" said I. "You fill my world. God make me worthy! Aye, in the +future--ever beside me henceforth, I do see you, my Damaris!" + +"Why, to be sure, loved man! But what more?" + +"I want for no more!" + +"Nay, do but look!" said she, soft cheek to mine. "There I do see +happiness, fortune, honours--and--mayhap, if God is kind to us--" She +stopped, with sound like a little sob. + +"What, my Joan?" I questioned, fool-like. + +"Greater blessings--" + +"But," said I, "what should be greater--" + +"Ah, Martin--dear--cannot you guess?" + +"Why, Joan--oh, my beloved!" But stepping out of my hold, she fled from me. +"Nay," cried I, "do not leave me so soon." + +"I must, dear Martin. You--you will be wanting to speak with Adam--" + +"Not I--Lord, no!" + +"Why, then--you shall!" said she and vanished into the roundhouse +forthwith, leaving me wondering like the dull fellow I was until (and all +at once) I understood and my wonder changed to joy so great I might scarce +contain myself; wherefore, beholding Adam coming, I hasted to meet him and +had clapped him in my arms or ever he was aware. + +"Marry us, Adam!" said I. "Marry us, man!" + +"What, ha' ye just thought on't at last, Martin?" + +"Aye, I have!" + +"Tush!" said he. "'Twas all arranged by my lady and me hours agone. Come +into the coach." + +And thus, upon the high seas, Adam (being both captain and magistrate) +married us forthwith, and because I had no other, I wed my Damaris with +my signet ring whereon was graven the motto of my house, viz: a couchant +leopard and the words, "Rouse me not." And who so sweet and grave as my +dear lady as she made the responses and hearkened to Adam, and he mighty +impressive. For witnesses we had Master Penruddock the surgeon and Godby, +and now, my lady retiring, we must crack a bottle, all four, though I know +not what we drank. + +And presently Adam drew me out upon the quarter-deck, there to walk with me +a while under a great moon. + +"Martin," said he suddenly, "you have come by rough seas and mighty +roundabout course to your happiness, but there be some do never make this +blessed haven all their days." + +"God comfort them, poor souls!" quoth I. + +"Amen!" said he; and then in changed voice, and his keen gaze aloft amid +the swelling sail, "What o' the lady Joanna, shipmate?" So I told him all +the best I remembered of her and described how nobly she had died; and he +pacing beside me said never a word. + +"Martin," said he, when I had made an end, "I am a mighty rich man, yet for +all this, I shall be something solitary, I guess." + +"Never in this world, Adam, so long as liveth my dear lady--" + +"Your wife, comrade--'tis a sweet word!" + +"Aye--my wife. And then, am I not your sworn brother? So like brothers will +we live together in England, and friends always!" And hereupon I clasped an +arm about him. + +"This is well, Martin," said he, gripping my hand. "Aye, 'tis mighty well, +for nought under heaven is there to compare with true friendship, except +it be the love of a noble woman. So now go, comrade, go to her who hath +believed in you so faithfully, hath steadfastly endured so much for +you--get you to your wife!" + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Martin Conisby's Vengeance, by Jeffery Farnol + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 9835.txt or 9835.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/8/3/9835/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Martin Conisby's Vengeance + +Author: Jeffery Farnol + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9835] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on October 23, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci +and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE + +BY JEFFERY FARNOL + + +1921 + + +TO MY DEAR AUNTS + +MRS. MARRIOTT + +AND + +MISS JEFFERY +"AUNTIE KIZ" + +I DEDICATE THIS BOOK + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + +I HOW MY SOLITUDE CAME TO AN END + +II MY TROUBLES BEGIN + +III HOW I HEARD A SONG THAT I KNEW + +IV HOW I LABOURED TO MY SALVATION + +V TELLETH HOW ALL MY TRAVAIL CAME TO NOUGHT + +VI HOW I SUCCOURED ONE DON FEDERIGO, A GENTLEMAN OF SPAIN + +VII I AM DETERMINED ON MY VENGEANCE, AND MY REASONS THEREFOR + +VIII HOW THE DAYS OF MY WATCHING WERE ACCOMPLISHED + +IX WE FALL AMONG PIRATES + +X HOW I CAME ABOARD THE _HAPPY DESPATCH_ AND OF MY SUFFERINGS THERE + +XI HOW I FOUGHT IN THE DARK WITH ONE POMPEY, A GREAT BLACKAMOOR + +XII OF BATTLE, MURDER AND RESOLUTION DAY, HIS POINT OF VIEW + +XIII HOW WE FOUGHT AN ENGLISH SHIP + +XIV TELLETH HOW THE FIGHT ENDED + +XV HOW I FELL IN WITH MY FRIEND, CAPTAIN SIR ADAM PENFEATHER + +XVI HOW I HAD WORD WITH MY LADY, JOAN BRANDON + +XVII TELLETH THE OUTCOME OF MY PRIDEFUL FOLLY + +XVIII OF ROGER TRESSADY AND HOW THE SILVER WOMAN CLAIMED HER OWN AT LAST + +XIX HOW JOANNA CHANGED HER MIND + +XX I GO TO SEEK MY VENGEANCE + +XXI HOW I CAME TO NOMBRE DE DIOS + +XXII HOW AT LAST I FOUND MY ENEMY, RICHARD BRANDON + +XXIII HOW I FOUND MY SOUL + +XXIV OF OUR ADVENTURE AT SEA + +XXV WE ARE DRIVEN ASHORE + +XXVI OUR DESPERATE SITUATION + +XXVII WE COMMENCE OUR JOURNEY + +XXVIII WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF + +XXIX TELLETH SOMEWHAT OF A STRANGE CITY + +XXX WE RESUME OUR JOURNEY + +XXXI I MEET A MADMAN + +XXXII HOW I FOUND MY BELOVED AT LAST + +XXXIII OF DREAMS + +XXXIV OF LOVE + +XXXV OF THE COMING OF ADAM AND OF OUR GREAT JOY THEREIN + + + + +MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +HOW MY SOLITUDE CAME TO AN END + + +"Justice, O God, upon mine enemy. For the pain I suffer, may I see him +suffer; for the anguish that is mine, so may I watch his agony! Thou art a +just God, so, God of Justice, give to me vengeance!" + +And having spoken this, which had been my prayer for three weary years, I +composed myself to slumber. But even so, I started up broad awake and my +every nerve a-tingle, only to see the moonlight flooding my solitude and +nought to hear save the rustle of the soft night wind beyond the open door +of the cave that was my habitation and the far-off, never-ceasing murmur +that was the voice of those great waters that hemmed me in,--a desolate +ocean where no ships ever sailed, a trackless waste that stretched away to +the infinite blue. + +Crouched upon my bed I fell vaguely a-wondering what should have roused me, +hearkening to the distant roar of the surf that seemed to me now plaintive +and despairing, now full of an ominous menace that banished gentle sleep. + +Thereupon I must needs bethink me how often I had waked thus during my long +and weary sojourn on this lonely island; how many times I had leapt from +slumber, fancying I heard a sound of oars or voices hailing cheerily beyond +the reef, or again (and this most often and bitterest phantasy of all) a +voice, soft and low yet with a wondrous sweet and vital ring, the which as +I knew must needs sound within my dreams henceforth,--a voice out of the +past that called upon my name: + +"Martin--Oh, Martin!" + +And this a voice that came to me in the blazing heat of tropic day, in +the cool of eve, in the calm serenity of night, a voice calling, calling +infinite pitiful and sweet, yet mocking me with my loneliness. + +"Martin, dear love! Oh, Martin!" + +"Joan!" I whispered and reached out yearning arms to the empty air. +"Damaris--beloved!" + +Beyond the open door I heard the sighing of the wind and the roar of the +surf, soft with distance, infinite plaintive and despairing. Then, because +sleep was not for me, I arose and came groping within my inner cave where +stood a coffer and, lifting the lid, drew forth that I sought and went and +sat me on my bed where the moon made a glory. And sitting there, I unfolded +this my treasure that was no more than a woman's gown and fell to smoothing +its folds with reverent hand; very tattered it was and worn by much hard +usage, its bravery all tarnished and faded, yet for me it seemed yet to +compass something of the vivid grace and beauty of that loved and vanished +presence. + +Almost three years of solitude, of deluding hopes and black despair, almost +three years, forgotten alike of God and man. So that I had surely run mad +but for the labour of my days and the secret hope I cherished even yet that +some day (soon or late) I should see again that loved form, hear again the +sweet, vital ring of that voice whereof I had dreamed so long. + +Almost three years, forgotten alike of God and man. And so albeit I prayed +no more (since I had proved prayers vain) hope yet lived within me and +every day, night and morn, I would climb that high hill the which I had +named the Hill of Blessed Hope, to strain my eyes across the desolation +of waters for some sign which should tell me my time of waiting was +accomplished. + +Now as I sat thus, lost in bitter thought, I rose to my feet, letting fall +the gown to lie all neglected, for borne to me on the gentle wind came a +sound there was no mistaking, the sharp report of a musket. + +For a moment I stood utterly still while the shot yet rang and re-echoed +in my ears and felt all at once such an ecstasy of joy that I came nigh +swooning and needs must prop myself against the rocky wall; then, the +faintness passing, I came hasting and breathless where I might look seaward +and beheld this: + +Hard beyond the reef (her yards braced slovenly aback) a ship. Betwixt this +vessel and the reef a boat rowed furiously, and upon the reef itself a man +fled shorewards marvellous fleet and nimble. Presently from his pursuers in +the boat came a red flash and the report of a musquetoon followed by divers +others, whereat the poor fugitive sped but the faster and came running +to that strip of white beach that beareth the name Deliverance. There he +faltered, pausing a moment to glance wildly this way and that, then (as +Fortune willed) turned and sped my way. Then I, standing forth where he +might behold me in the moon's radiance, hailed and beckoned him, at the +which he checked again, then (as reassured by my looks and gesture) came +leaping up that path which led from the beach. Thus as he drew nearer I saw +he was very young, indeed a mere stripling. From him I glanced towards +his pursuers (they being already upon the reef) and counted nine of them +running hitherward and the moon aglint on the weapons they bore. Thereupon +I hasted to my cave and brought thence my six muskets, the which I laid +ready to hand. + +And presently comes this poor fugitive, all panting and distressed with his +exertions, and who (clambering over that rampire I had builded long ago to +my defence) fell at my feet and lay there speechless, drawing his breath +in great, sobbing gasps. But his pursuers had seen and came on amain with +mighty halloo, and though (judging by what I could see of them at the +distance) they were a wild, unlovely company, yet to me, so long bereft of +all human fellowship, their hoarse shouts and cries were infinitely welcome +and I determined to make them the means of my release, more especially as +it seemed by their speech that some of them were Englishmen. To this end I +waited until they were close, then, taking up my nearest piece, I levelled +wide of them and fired. Startled by the sudden roar they incontinent +scattered, betaking them to such cover as they might. Then I (yet kneeling +behind my rampire) hailed them in mighty kindly fashion. + +"Halt, friends!" cries I. "Here is harm for no man that meaneth none. Nay, +rather do I give ye joyous welcome in especial such of you as be English, +for I am an Englishman and very solitary." + +But now (and even as I spake them thus gently) I espied the fugitive on his +knees, saw him whip up one of my muskets (all in a moment) and fire or +ever I might stay him. The shot was answered by a cry and out from the +underbrush a man reeled, clasping his hurt and so fell and lay a-groaning. +At this his comrades let fly their shot in answer and made off forthwith. +Deserted thus, the wounded man scrambled to hands and knees and began to +creep painfully after his fellows, beseeching their aid and cursing them by +turns. Hearing a shrill laugh, I turned to see the fugitive reach for and +level another of my weapons at this wounded wretch, but, leaping on him +as he gave fire, I knocked up the muzzle of the piece so that the bullet +soared harmlessly into the air. Uttering a strange, passionate cry, the +fugitive sprang back and snatching out an evil-looking knife, made at me, +and all so incredibly quick that it was all I could do to parry the blow; +then, or ever he might strike again, I caught that murderous arm, and, for +all his slenderness and seeming youth, a mighty desperate tussle we made of +it ere I contrived to twist the weapon from his grasp and fling him panting +to the sward, where I pinned him beneath my foot. Then as I reached for +the knife where it had fallen, he cried out to me in his shrill, strangely +clear voice, and with sudden, fierce hands wrenched apart the laces and +fine linens at his breast: + +"Stay!" cried he. "Don't kill me--you cannot!" + +Now looking down on him where he lay gasping and writhing beneath my foot, +I started back all in a moment, back until I was stayed by the rampire, for +I saw that here was no man but a young and comely woman. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MY TROUBLES BEGIN + + +Whiles I yet stood, knife in hand, staring at her and mute for wonder, she +pulled off the close-fitting seaman's bonnet she wore and scowling up at me +shook down the abundant tresses of her hair. + +"Beast!" said she. "Oh, beast--you hurt me!" + +"Who are you?" I questioned. + +"One that doth hate you!" Here she took a silver comb from her pocket and +fell to smoothing her hair; and as she sat thus cross-legged upon the +grass, I saw that the snowy linen at throat and bosom was spotted with +great gouts of blood. + +"Are ye wounded?" quoth I, pointing to these ugly stains. + +"Bah! 'Tis none of mine, fool! 'Tis the blood of Cestiforo!" + +"Who is he?" + +"The captain of yon ship." + +"How cometh his blood on you?" + +"'Twas when I killed him." + +"You--killed him?" + +"Aye--he wearied me. So do all my lovers, soon or late." + +Now as I looked on this woman, the strange, sullen beauty of her (despite +her masculine apparel) as she sat thus combing her long hair and foul with +a dead man's blood, I bethought me of the wild tales I had heard of female +daemons, succubi and the like, so that I felt my flesh chill and therewith +a great disgust and loathing of her, insomuch that, not abiding the sight +of her, I turned away and thus beheld a thing the which filled me with +sudden, great dismay: for there, her sails spread to the fitful wind, I saw +the ship standing out to sea, bearing with her all my hopes of escape from +this hated island. Thus stood I, watching deliverance fade on my sight, +until the ship was no more than a speck upon the moon-bright waters and all +other thoughts 'whelmed and lost in raging despair. And now I was roused by +a question sudden and imperious: + +"Who are you?" + +"'Tis no matter." + +"How came you here?" + +"'Tis no matter for that, either." + +"Are you alone?" + +"Aye!" + +"Then wherefore trouble to shave your beard?" + +"'Tis a whim." + +"Are you alone?" + +"I was." + +"And I would you were again." + +"So do I." + +"You are Englishman--yes?" + +"I am." + +"My mother was English--a poor thing that spent her days weeping and died +of her tears when I was small--ah, very small, on this island." + +"Here?" quoth I, staring. + +"Twenty and one years agone!" said she, combing away at her glossy hair. +"My mother was English like you, but my father was a noble gentleman of +Spain and Governor of Santa Catalina, Don Esteban da Silva y Montreale, and +killed by Tressady--Black Tressady--" + +"What, Roger Tressady--o' the Hook?" + +"True, Senor Englishman," said she softly and glancing up at me through her +hair; "he hath a hook very sharp and bright, in place of his left hand. You +know him? He is your friend--yes?" + +"I know him for a cursed pirate and murderer!" + +"_Moi aussi, mon ami_!" said she, fixing me with her great eyes. "I am +pirate, yes--and have used dagger and pistol ere to-day and shall again." + +"And wear a woman's shape!" + +"Ha--yes, yes!" cried she, gnashing her teeth. "And there's my curse--I am +woman and therefore do hate all women. But my soul is a man's so do I use +all men to my purpose, snare them by my woman's arts and make of 'em my +slaves. See you; there is none of all my lovers but doth obey me, and so do +I rule, with ships and men at my command and fearing no man--" + +"And yet," said I, interrupting, "you came fleeing hither to save your life +from yonder rabblement." + +"Tush--these were mostly drunken rogues that knew me not, 'listed but late +from a prize we took and burned. I shall watch them die yet! Soon shall +come Belvedere in the _Happy Despatch_ to my relief, or Rodriquez of the +_Vengeance_ or Rory or Sol--one or other or all shall come a-seeking me, +soon or late. Meantime, I bide here and 'tis well you stayed me from +killing you, for though I love not Englishmen, I love solitude less, so are +you safe from me so long as we be solitary. Ah--you smile because you are +fool and know me not yet! Ah, ah--mayhap you shall grow wiser anon. But +now," said she, rising and putting away her comb, "bring me where I may +eat, for I am famished with hunger." + +"Also you are very foul of blood!" said I. + +"Yes," says she soft-voiced, and glancing from me to her stained finery and +back again. "Yes. And is this so great a matter?" + +"To-night you murdered a man!" + +"I killed him--yes. Cestiforo--he was drunk. And was this so great a +matter?" + +"And you--a woman!" said I, marvelling. + +"Aye, to my sorrow!" said she, gnashing white teeth, "Yet am I strong as a +man and bolder than most." + +"God preserve me from such!" quoth I fervently. + +"You--you?" cried she. "What thing are you that seeming man must blench at +a little blood? Are you yourself so innocent, you that know Tressady o' the +Hook?" + +"Howbeit I am no murderer, woman." + +"Ah--bah!" cried she, with flick of scornful fingers. "Enough of words, +Master Innocent. Bring me where I may eat and bed me till morning." + +Thereupon (and mighty unwilling) I brought her into the cave and lighting +two candles of my own contriving, I set before her such viands as I had, +together with bread I had newly baked, and with no word of thanks this +strange, fierce creature fell to eating with a voracity methought very +disgusting. + +Now the more I saw of her the more grew my disgust and the end of it was +I determined to put the whole length of the island betwixt us and that at +once. To this end I began collecting such articles as I should want, as +my light hatchet, sword, pistols, etc. I was buckling on my belt when her +voice arrested me, albeit she spoke me very sweetly and soft: + +"You go now to your woman--your light of love--yes?" + +"There is no woman but yourself," said I, frowning. + +"Liar! Then what of this?" and she pointed slender finger; then I saw that +tattered garment lying where I had dropped it and this woman spurning +it with her foot. So I stooped forthwith, and snatching it from her +desecrating touch, folded it across my arm, whereat she fell to sudden +laughter very ill to bear. + +"Ah--ah!" said she, softer than before and most hatefully a-smiling, "'tis +for her sake your chin goeth bare and smooth--yes? She is over-nice in the +matter of--" + +"I tell you she is gone!" said I in fury. + +"Gone--gone, is she? And you alone here, longing but for her return, +through weeks and months and years waiting for her to come back to you; is +not this the truth of it, yes?" Now I, knowing this for very truth, could +but scowl, finding no word to say, whiles this creature nodded and flashed +white teeth in her hateful smile. "You loved this woman," said she, "do +love her; dead or living, rotting bones or another's delight, you do love +her yet, poor, miserable fool!" + +All unheeding, I folded the garment with reverent hands while she taunted +me thus, until, seeing me nothing moved, she fell to rank vileness, +bespattering that pure memory with tongue so shamelessly foul that I +(losing all patience) turned on her at last; but in this moment she was on +her feet and snatching my sword made therewith a furious pass at me, the +which I contrived to parry and, catching the blade in this beloved garment, +I wrenched the weapon from her. Then, pinning her in fierce grip and +despite her furious struggles and writhing, I belaboured her soundly with +the flat of the blade, she meanwhile swearing and cursing at me in Spanish +and English as vilely as ever I had done in all my days, until her voice +broke and she choked upon a great sob. Thereupon I flung her across my bed +and taking such things as I needed, strode out of the cave and so left her. + +But scarce was I without the cave than she came following after me; and +truly never was greater change, for in place of snarling daemon here was +tender maid all tearful sighs, gentle-eyed and with clasped hands reached +out to me in supplication and (despite her male attire) all woman. + +Perceiving the which, I turned my back upon her and hasted away all the +faster. + +So here was I, that had grieved in my solitude and yearned amain for +human fellowship, heartily wishing myself alone again and full of a new +apprehension, viz: That my island being so small I might chance to find the +avoidance of this evil creature a matter of some difficulty, even though +I abandoned my caves and furniture to her use and sought me another +habitation. + +Now as I went I fell to uneasy speculation regarding this woman, her +fierce, wild beauty, her shameless tongue, her proud and passionate temper, +her reckless furies; and bethinking me of all the manifest evil of her, I +felt again that chill of the flesh, that indefinable disgust, insomuch +that (the moon being bright and full) I must glance back, more than once, +half-dreading to see her creeping on my heels. + +Having traversed Deliverance Sands I came into that cleft or defile, 'twixt +bush-girt, steepy cliffs, called Skeleton Cove, where I had builded me a +forge with bellows of goatskin. Here, too, I had set up an anvil (the which +had come ashore in a wreck, together with divers other tools) and a bench +for my carpentry. The roof of this smithy backed upon a cavern wherein I +stored my tools, timber and various odds and ends. + +This place, then, I determined should be my habitation henceforth, there +being a little rill of sweet water adjacent and the cave itself dry and +roomy and so shut in by precipitous cliffs that any who might come to my +disturbance must come only in the one direction. + +And now, as I judged, there being yet some hours to sunrise, I made myself +as comfortable as might be and having laid by sword and belt and set my +pistols within easy reach, I laid down and composed myself to slumber. But +this I could by no means compass, being fretted of distressful thought +and made vain and bitter repining for this ship that had come and sailed, +leaving me a captive still, prisoned on this hateful island with this wild +creature that methought more daemon than woman. And seeing myself thus +mocked of Fortune (in my blind folly) I fell to reviling the God that made +me. Howbeit sleep overtook me at last, but an evil slumber haunted by +visions of this woman, her beauty fouled and bloody, who sought out my +destruction where I lay powerless to resist her will. Low she bent above +me, her dusky hair a cloud that choked me, and through this cloud the +glitter of her eyes, red lips that curled back from snapping teeth, fingers +clawed to rend and tear; then as I gazed, in horror, these eyes grew soft +and languorous, these vivid lips trembled to wistful smile, these cruel +hands clasped, soft-clinging, and drew me near and ever nearer towards that +smiling, tender mouth, until I waked in a panic to behold the dawn and +against the sun's growing splendour the woman standing and holding my +pistols levelled at me as I lay. + +Now I do think there is no hale man, howsoever desperate and careless of +life, but who, faced with sudden, violent death, will not of instinct +blench and find himself mighty unready to take the leap into that dark +unknown whose dread doth fright us one and all; howbeit thus was it with +me, for now as I stared from the pistol muzzle to the merciless eyes behind +them, I, that had hitherto esteemed death no hardship, lay there in dumb +and sweating panic, and, knowing myself afraid, scorned and hated myself +therefor. + +"Ah--ah!" said she softly but with flash of white teeth. "Will ye cower +then, you beater of women? Down to your knees--down and sue pardon of me!" +But now, stung by her words and the quaking of my coward flesh, I found +voice. + +"Shoot, wanton!" said I. "Shoot, lest I beat you again for the vile, +shameless thing you are." At this she flinched and her fierce eyes wavered; +then she laughed loud and shrill: + +"Will ye die then? Yes? Will ye die?" + +"Aye," I nodded, "So I may be quit of you." + +"Hath dying then no fears for you--no?" + +"'Tis overpast!" quoth I. + +"Liar!" said she. "Wipe the craven sweat from you! You beat me, and for +this you should die, but though you fear death you shall live to fear me +more--aye, you shall live awhile--take your life!" + +So saying, she tossed the pistols down beside me and laughed. + +"When I wish to kill and be done with you, my steel shall take you in +your sleep, or you shall die by poison; there be many roots and berries +hereabout, Indian poisons I wot of. So your life is mine to take whensoever +I will." + +"How if I kill you first?" + +"Ah, bah!" said she, snapping her fingers. "Try an you will--but I know men +and you are not the killing sort. I've faced death too oft to fear it, or +the likes of you. There lie your pistols, fool; take 'em and shoot me if +you will!" + +Thereupon I stooped and catching up the pistols tossed them behind me. + +"And now," said I, rising, "leave me--begone lest I thrash you again for +the evil child you are." + +"Child?" says she, staring as one vastly amazed, "child--and to me, fool, +to me? All along the Main my name is known and feared." + +"So now will I whip you," quoth I, "had others done as much ere this, you +had been a little less evil, perchance." And I reached down a coil of +small cord where it hung with divers other odds and ends. For a moment she +watched me, scowling and fierce-eyed, then as I approached her with the +cords in my hands, she turned on her heel with a swirl of her embroidered +coat-skirts and strode away, mighty proud and disdainful. + +When she was clean gone I gathered me brush and driftwood, and striking +flint and steel soon had a fire going and set about cooking certain strips +of dried goat's flesh for my breakfast. Whiles this was a-doing I was +startled by a sudden clatter upon the cliff above and down comes a great +boulder, narrowly missing me but scattering my breakfast and the embers of +my fire broadcast. I was yet surveying the ruin (dolefully enough, for I +was mighty hungry) when hearing a shrill laugh I glanced up to find her +peering down at me from above. Meeting my frowning look she laughed again, +and snapping her fingers at me, vanished 'mid the bushes. + +Spoiled thus of my breakfast I was necessitated to stay my hunger with such +viands as I had by me. Now as I sat eating thus and in very ill humour, my +wandering gaze lighted by chance on the shattered remains of a boat that +lay high and dry where the last great storm had cast it. At one time I had +hoped that I might make this a means to escape from the island and had +laboured to repair and make it seaworthy but, finding this beyond my skill, +had abandoned the attempt; for indeed (as I say) it was wofully bilged and +broken. Moreover, at the back of my mind had always lurked a vague hope +that some day, soon or late, she that was ever in my dreams, she that had +been my love, my Damaris, might yet in her sweet mercy come a-seeking me. +Wherefore, as I have before told, it had become my daily custom, morn and +eve, to climb that high land that I called the Hill of Blessed Hope, that I +might watch for my lady's coming. + +But to-day, since Fate had set me in company with this evil creature, +instead of my noble lady, I came to a sudden and fixed resolution, viz: +That I would waste not another hour in vain dreams and idle expectations +but would use all my wit and every endeavour to get quit of the island so +soon as might be. Filled with this determination I rose and, coming to the +boat, began to examine it. + +And I saw this: it was very stout-built but its planks wofully shrunk with +the sun, and though much stove forward, more especially to larboard, yet +its main timbers looked sound enough. Then, too, it lay none so far from +high-water mark and despite its size and bulk I thought that by digging a +channel I might bring water sufficient to float it, could I but make good +the breakage and caulk the gaping seams. + +The longer I looked the more hopeful I grew and the end of it was I hasted +to bring such tools as I needed and forthwith set to work. All the morning, +and despite the sun, I laboured upon this wrecked boat, stripping off her +cracked and splintered timbers and mightily pleased to find her framework +so much less damaged than I had dared hope, insomuch that I presently fell +a-whistling; but coming on three ribs badly sprung I became immediately +dejected. Howbeit I had all the wood I could wish as planks, bulkheads +and the like, all driven ashore from wrecked vessels, with bolts and nuts +a-plenty; thus as I worked I presently fell a-whistling again. + +Suddenly, I was aware of the woman watching me, and glancing at her as she +leaned cross-legged against an adjacent boulder, she seemed no woman but a +pert and handsome lad rather. Her thick hair, very dark and glossy, fell in +curls to her shoulders like a modish wig, her coat was of fine blue velvet +adorned with silver lace, her cravat and ruffles looked new-washed like +her silk stockings, and on her slender feet were a pair of dainty, buckled +shoes; all this I noticed as she lolled, watching me with her sombre gaze. + +"What would you with the wreck, fool?" she demanded, whereupon I +immediately betook me to my whistling. + +"You do grow merry!" said she, frowning, whiles I whistled the louder. And +when she would have spoken further, I fell to hammering lustily, drowning +her voice thereby. + +"Will you not speak with me then--no?" she questioned, when at last I +paused. But I heeding her no whit, she began swearing at me and I to +hammering again. + +"Curst fool!" cried she at last, "I spit on you!" The which she did and so +swaggered away and I whistling merrier than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HOW I HEARD A SONG THAT I KNEW + + +I was early at work next morning, since now my mind was firm-set on +quitting the island at all hazards, thereby winning free of this woman once +and for all. To this end I laboured heartily, sparing myself no pains and +heedless of sweat and sun-glare, very joyous to see my work go forward +apace; and ere the sun was very high my boat lay stripped of all the +splintered timbers on the larboard side. My next care was to choose me +such planks from my store of driftwood as by reason of shape and thickness +should be best adapted to my purpose. And great plenty of wrought wood had +I and of all sorts, it having long been my wont to collect the best +of such as drove ashore and store it within those caves that opened on +Deliverance Beach. Thus, after no great search, I had discovered all such +planking as I needed and forthwith began to convey it down to the boat. + +In the which labour the woman met me (I staggering under a load of my +planks) and strutted along beside me, vastly supercilious and sneering. + +"Hold!" cried she. "He sweateth, he panteth purple o' the gills! And +wherefore, to what end?" + +"To win free of two things do weary me." + +"Ah--ah? And these?" + +"This island and yourself." + +"So! Do I then weary you, good Master Innocence?" + +"Mightily!" + +"Ah--bah! 'Tis because you be fool and no man!" + +"Mayhap," said I, taking up my hammer, "howbeit I do know this island for a +prison and you for an evil thing--" + +"Ah!" sighed she softly. "I have had men hanged for saying less!" + +"So would I be quit of you as soon as may be," said I, fitting my first +timber in place whiles she watched me, mighty disdainful. + +"So you would mend the boat, _amigo mio_, and sail away from the island and +me--yes?" + +"God knoweth it!" + +"Mayhap He doth, but what o' me? Think ye I shall suffer you to leave me +here alone and destitute, fool?" + +"The which is to be seen!" said I; and having measured my plank and sawed +it to proper length I began to rivet it to the frame, making such din with +my hammer that she, unable to make herself heard, presently strode away in +a fury, to my great content. + +But, in a little back she cometh, and on her hip that bejewelled Spanish +rapier that had once been part of Black Bartlemy's treasure (as hath been +told) and which (having my own stout cut-and-thrust) I had not troubled to +bring away from the cave. + +Whipping out the long blade then, she makes with it various passes in the +air, very supple and dexterous, and would have me fight with her then and +there. + +"So-ho, fool!" cried she, brandishing her weapon. "You have a sword, I +mind--go fetch it and I will teach ye punto riverso, the stoccato, the +imbrocato, and let you some o' your sluggish, English blood. Go fetch the +sword, I bid ye." + +But I nothing heeding, she forthwith pricked me into the arm, whereon I +caught up a sizable timber to my defence but found it avail me no whit +against her skill and nimbleness, for thrice her blade leapt and thrice I +flinched to the sharp bite of her steel, until, goaded thus and what with +her devilish mockery and my own helplessness, I fell to raging anger and +hauled my timber full at her, the which, chancing to catch her upon an +elbow, she let fall her sword and, clasping her hurt, fell suddenly +a-weeping. Yet, even so, betwixt her sobs and moans she cursed and reviled +me shamefully and so at last took herself off, sobbing wofully. + +This put me to no little perturbation and distress lest I had harmed her +more than I had meant, insomuch that I was greatly minded to follow her +and see if this were so indeed. But in the end I went back to my boat and +laboured amain, for it seemed to me the sooner I was quit of her fellowship +the better, lest she goad me into maiming or slaying her outright. + +Thus worked I (and despite the noon's heat) until the sun began to decline +and I was parched with thirst. But now, as I fitted the last of my timbers +into place, the board slipped my nerveless grasp and, despite the heat, a +sudden chill swept over me as borne upon the stilly air came a voice, soft +and rich and sweet, uplifted in song and the words these: + + "There be two at the fore + At the main hang three more + Dead men that swing all in a row + Here's fine, dainty meat + For the fishes to eat, + Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!" + +Awhile I leaned there against the boat, remembering how and with whom I had +last heard this song, then wheeling about I caught my breath and stared as +one that sees at last a long-desired, oft-prayed-for vision: for there, +pacing demurely along the beach towards me, her body's shapely loveliness +offset by embroidered gown, her dark and glossy ringlets caught up by +jewelled comb, I thought to behold again the beloved shape of her I had +lost well-nigh three weary years agone. + +"Damaris!" I whispered, "Oh, loved woman of my dreams!" And I took a long +stride towards her, then stopped and bowed my head, suddenly faint and +heartsick, for now I saw here was no more than this woman who had fled me +a while ago with curses on her tongue. Here she stood all wistful-eyed and +tricked out in one of those fine gowns from Black Bartlemy's secret store +the which had once been my dear lady's delight. + +Now in her hands she bore a pipkin brimful of goat's milk. + +"I prithee, sir," said she softly, "tell now--shall there be room for me in +your boat?" + +"Never in this world!" + +"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate--" + +"I seek neither!" + +"Being a fool, yes. But the sun is hot and you will be a thirsty fool--" + +"Where learned you that evil song?" + +"In Tortuga when I was a child. But come, drink, _amigo mio_, drink an you +will--" + +"Whence had you that gown?" + +"Ah--ah, you love me better thus, yes? Why, 'tis a pretty gown truly, +though out o' the fashion. But, will you not drink?" + +Now, as I have told, I was parched with thirst and the spring some way off, +so taking the pipkin I drained it at a draught and muttering my thanks, +handed it back to her. Then I got me to my labour again, yet very conscious +of her as she sat to watch, so that more than once I missed my stroke and +my fingers seemed strangely awkward. And after she had sat thus silent a +great while, she spoke: + +"You be mighty diligent, and to no purpose." + +"How mean you?" + +"I mean this boat of yours shall never sail except I sail in her." + +"Which is yet to prove!" said I, feeling the air exceeding close and +stifling. + +"Regard now, Master Innocence," said she, holding up one hand and ticking +off these several items on her fingers as she spoke: "You have crossed me +once. You have beat me once. You have refused me honourable fight. You have +hurt me with vile club. And now you would leave me here alone to perish--" + +"All true save the last," quoth I, finding my breath with strange +difficulty, "for though alone you need not perish, for I will show you +where--where you--shall find abundance--of food--and--" But here I stopped +and gasped as an intolerable pain shot through me. + +"Ah--ah!" said she, leaning forward to stare at me keen-eyed. "And doth it +begin to work--yes? Doth it begin so soon?" + +"Woman," I cried, as my pains increased, "what mean you now? Why d'ye stare +on me so? God help me, what have you done--" + +"The milk, fool!" said she, smiling. + +"Ha--what devil's brew--poison--" + +"I warned you but, being fool, you nothing heeded--no!" + +Now hereupon I went aside and, dreading to die thus miserably, thrust a +finger down my throat and was direly sick; thereafter, not abiding the +sun's intolerable heat, I crawled into the shade of a rock and lay there as +it were in a black mist and myself all clammy with a horrible, cold sweat. +And presently in my anguish, feeling a hand shake me, I lifted swooning +eyes to find this woman bending above me. + +"How now," said she, "wilt crave mercy of me and live?" + +"Devil!" I gasped. "Let me die and be done with you!" + +At this she laughed and stooped low and lower until her hair came upon my +face and I might look into the glowing deeps of her eyes; and then her arms +were about me, very strong and compelling. + +"Look--look into my eyes, deep--deep!" she commanded. "Now--ha--speak me +your name!" + +"Martin," I gasped in my agony. + +"Mar--tin," said she slowly. "I will call you Martino. Look now, Martino, +have you not seen me long--long ere this?" + +"No!" I groaned. "God forbid!" + +"And yet we have met, Martino, in this world or another, or mayhap in the +world of dreams. But we have met--somewhere, at some time, and in that time +I grasped you thus in my arms and stared down thus into your eyes and in +that hour I, having killed you, watched you die, and fain would have won +you back to life and me, for you were a man,--ah, yes, a man in those dim +days. But now--ah, bah! You are but poor fool cozened into swallowing a +harmless drug; to-morrow you shall be your sluggish self. Now sleep, but +know this--I may slay you whenso I will! Ah, ah--'tis better to win my love +than my hate." So she loosed me and stood a while looking down on me, then +motioned with imperious hand: "Sleep, fool--sleep!" she commanded and +frowning, turned away. And as she went I heard her singing of that vile +song again ere I sank into unconsciousness: + + "There are two at the fore. + At the main hang three more + Dead men that swing all of a row--" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +HOW I LABOURED TO MY SALVATION + + +I found myself still somewhat qualmish next morning but, none the less, +got me to labour on the boat and, her damage being now made good on her +larboard side, so far as her timbering went, I proceeded to make her seams +as water-tight as I could. This I did by means of the fibre of those great +nuts that grew plenteously here and there on the island, mixed with the gum +of a certain tree in place of pitch, ramming my gummed fibre into every +joint and crevice of the boat's structure so that what with this and +the swelling of her timbers when launched I doubted not she would prove +sufficiently staunch and seaworthy. She was a stout-built craft some +sixteen feet in length; and indeed a poor enough thing she might have +seemed to any but myself, her weather-beaten timbers shrunken and warped by +the sun's immoderate heats, but to me she had become as it were a sign and +symbol of freedom. She lay upon her starboard beam half full of sand, and +it now became my object to turn her that I might come at this under side, +wherefore I fell to work with mattock and spade to free her of the sand +wherein (as I say) she lay half-buried. This done I hove and strained until +the sweat poured from me yet found it impossible to move her, strive how I +would. Hereupon, and after some painful thought, I took to digging away the +sand, undermining her thus until she lay so nicely balanced it needed but a +push and the cumbrous structure, rolling gently over, lay in the necessary +posture, viz: with her starboard beam accessible from gunwale to keel. And +mightily heartened was I thus to discover her damage hereabouts so much +less than I had dared hope. + +So I got me to work with saw, hammer and rivets and wrought so diligently +(staying but to snatch a mouthful of food) that as the sun westered, my +boat was well-nigh finished. Straightening my aching back I stood to +examine my handiwork and though of necessity somewhat rough yet was it +strong and secure; and altogether a very excellent piece of work I thought +it, and mightily yearned I for that hour when I should feel this little +vessel, that had been nought but a shattered ruin, once more riding the +seas in triumph. + +But now and all at once, my soaring hopes were dashed, for though the boat +might be seaworthy, here she lay, high and dry, a good twelve yards from +the tide. + +Now seeing I might not bring my boat to the sea, I began to scheme how best +I should bring the sea to her. I was yet pondering this matter, chin in +hand, when a shadow fell athwart me and starting, I glanced up to find this +woman beside me, who, heeding me no whit, walks about and about the boat, +viewing my work narrowly. + +"If you can launch her she should sail well enough, going large and none +so ill on a bowline, by her looks. 'Tis true scat-boat--yes. Are you a +sailor--can ye navigate, ha?" + +"Not I." + +"'Tis very well, for I am, indeed, and can set ye course by dead reckoning +an need be. Your work is likely enough, though had you butted your timbers +it had been better--so and so!" And in this I saw she was right enough, and +my work seemed more clumsy now than I had thought. + +"I'm no shipwright," said I. + +"And here's sure proof of it!" quoth she. + +"Mayhap 'twill serve once her timbers be swelled." + +"Aye, she may float, Martino, so long as the sea prove kind and the wind +gentle; aye, she should carry us both over to the Main handsomely, yes--" + +"Never!" quoth I, mighty determined. + +"How then--will ye deny me yet, fool? Wherefore would ye leave me here, +curst Englishman?" + +"Lest you goad me into slaying you for the evil thing you are." + +"What evil have I wrought you?" + +"You would have poisoned me but yesterday--" + +"Yet to-day are you strong and hearty, fool." + +And indeed, now I came to think of it, I felt myself as hale and well as +ever in all my life. "Tush--a fico!" says she with an evil gesture. "'Twas +but an Indian herb, fool, and good 'gainst colic and calenture. Now +wherefore will ye be quit o' me?" + +"Because I had rather die solitary than live in your fellowship--" + +"Dolt! Clod! Worm!" cried she 'twixt gnashing teeth, and then all in a +moment she was gazing down at me soft and gentle-eyed, red lips up-curving +and smooth cheek dimpling to a smile: + +"Ah, Martin," sighs she languorously, "see how you do vex me! And I am +foolish to suffer such as you to anger me, but needs must I vex you a +little in quittance, yes." + +At this I did but shrug my shoulders and turned to study again the +problem--how to set about launching my boat. + +"Art a something skilful carpenter, eh, Martino," said she in a while; +"'twas you made the table and chairs and beds in the caves up yonder, eh, +Martino?" + +"Aye." + +"And these the tools you made 'em with, eh, Martino?" and she pointed where +they lay beside the boat. + +"Nay," quoth I, speaking on impulse, being yet busied with my problem, "I +had nought but my hatchet then and chisels of iron." + +"Your hatchet--this?" she questioned, taking it up. + +"Aye!" I nodded. "The hatchet was the first tool I found after we were cast +destitute on this island." + +"Ah--ah--then she was with you when you found it--the woman that wore this +gown before me, eh, Martino?" + +"Aye--and what then?" + +"This!" cried she and wheeling the hatchet strong-armed, she sent it +spinning far out to sea or ever I might stay her. + +Now, beholding the last of this good hatchet that had oft known my dear +lady's touch, that had beside, been, as it were, a weapon to our defence +and a means to our comfort, seeing myself (as I say) now bereft of it thus +wantonly, I sprang to my feet, uttering a cry of mingled grief and rage. +But she, skipping nimbly out of reach, caught up one of my pistols where +she had hid it behind a rock and stood regarding me with her hateful smile. + +"Ah, ah!" says she, mocking, "do I then vex you a little, _amigo mio_? So +is it very well. Ha, scowl, fool Martino, scowl and grind your teeth; 'tis +joy to me and shall never bring back your little axe." + +At this, seeing grief and anger alike unavailing, I sat me down by the boat +and sinking my head in my hands, strove to settle my mind to this problem +of launching; but this I might by no means do, since here was this devilish +creature perched upon an adjacent rock to plague me still. + +"How now, Martino?" she questioned. "What troubleth your sluggish brain +now?" And then, as she had read my very thought: "Is't your boat--to bring +her afloat? Ah--bah! 'tis simple matter! Here she lies and yonder the sea! +Well, dig you a pit about the boat as deep as may be, bank the sand about +your pit as high as may be. Then cut you a channel to high-water mark +and beyond, so with the first tide, wind-driven, the sea shall fill your +channel, pour into your pit, brimming it full and your banks being higher +than your boat she shall swim and be drawn seaward on the backwash. So, +here's the way on't. And so must you sweat and dig and labour, and I joy +to watch--Ah, yes, for you shall sweat, dig and labour in vain, except you +swear me I shall sail with you." So saying, she drops me a mocking courtsey +and away she goes. + +She gone and night being at hand, I set aside two or three stout spars +should serve me as masts, yards, etc., together with rope and cordage for +tackle and therewith two pair of oars; which done, I got me to my cave and, +having supped, to bed. + +Early next morning I set myself to draw a circle about my boat and mark out +a channel thence to the sea (even as she had suggested) since I could hit +upon no better way. This done, I fell to with spade and mattock but found +this a matter of great labour since the sand, being very dry and loose +hereabouts, was constantly shifting and running back upon me. + +And presently, as I strove thus painfully, cometh my tormentor to plague me +anew (albeit the morning was so young) she very gay and debonnaire in her +'broidered gown. + +"Ha!" said she, seating herself hard by. "The sun is new-risen, yet you do +sweat wofully, the which I do joy to see. So-ho, then, labour and sweat, my +pretty man: it shall be all vain, aha--vain and to no purpose." + +But finding I heeded her no more than buzzing fly, she changed her tune, +viewing me tender-eyed and sighing soft: + +"Am I not better as a woman, eh, Martino?" asked she, spreading out her +petticoats. "Aye, to be sure your eyes do tell me so, scowl and mutter as +you will. See now, Martino, I have lived here three days and in all this +woful weary time hast never asked my name, which is strange, unless dost +know it already, for 'tis famous hereabouts and all along the Main; indeed +'tis none so wonderful you should know it--" + +"I don't!" said I. "Nor wish to!" + +"Then I will tell you--'tis Joan!" Hereupon I dropped my spade and she, +seeing how I stared upon her, burst into a peal of laughter. "Ah, ah!" +cried she. "Here is pretty, soft name and should fit me as well as another. +Why must you stare so fool-like; here is no witchcraft, for in the caves +yonder 'Joan' meeteth me at every turn; 'tis carven on walls, on chairs, on +table, together with 'Damaris' and many woful, lovesick mottoes beside." + +Now I, knowing this for truth, turned my back and ground my teeth in +impotent anger, whiles this woman mocked me with her laughter. + +"Damaris--Joan!" said she. "At first methought these two women, but now do +I know Joan is Damaris and Damaris Joan and you a poor, lovelorn fool. But +as for me--I am Joanna--" + +Now at this I turned and looked at her. + +"Joanna?" said I, wondering. + +"Ah, you have heard it--this name, before--yes?" + +"Aye, in a song." + +"Oh, verily!" said she and forthwith began singing in her deep, rich voice: + + "There's a fine Spanish dame + And Joanna's her name + Shall follow wherever you go--" + +"Aha, and mark this, Martino: + + "Till your black heart shall feel + Your own cursed steel + Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!" + +"But this was my mother--" + +"Ha--she that stabbed and killed the pirate Bartlemy ere he slew her? But +she was a Spanish lady." + +"Nay, she was English, and lieth buried hereabouts, 'tis said; howbeit, +she died here whiles I was with the Indians. They found me, very small and +helpless, in the ruins of a burned town and took me away into the mountains +and, being Indians, used me kindly and well. Then came white men, twenty +and two, and, being Christians, slew the Indians and used me evilly and +were cruel, save only one; twenty and two they were and all dead long ago, +each and every, save only one. Aha, Martino, for the evil men have made me +endure, I have ever been excellent well avenged! For I am Joanna that some +call 'Culebra' and some 'Gadfly' and some 'Fighting Jo.' And indeed there +be few men can match me at swordplay and as for musket and pistol--watch +now, Martino, the macaw yonder!" She pointed to a bird that stood preening +itself on a rock at no little distance and, catching up the pistol, +levelled and fired; and in place of the bird was nought but a splash of +blood and a few poor, gaudy feathers stirring lazily in the gentle wind. + +"See," cried she, with a little, soft laugh, "am I not a goodly _camarado_ +for any brave fellow, yes?" + +"Truly," said I, turning away, "I think your breeches do become you best--" + +"Liar!" she cried. "You know I am handsomer thus! Your eyes ha' told me so +already. And look ye, I can be as soft and tender, as meek and helpless as +any puling woman of 'em all, when I will. And if I hate fiercely, so is my +love--ha, d'ye blench, fool, d'ye shrink; you thing shaped like a man, must +ye cringe at the word 'love'?" + +"Aye!" said I, over my shoulder. "On your lips 'tis desecration!" + +"Desecration--desecration?" quoth she, staring on me great-eyed and biting +at her scarlet nether lip. "Ha, dare ye say it, dog?" And crying thus, she +hurled the pistol at me with aim so true that I staggered and came nigh +falling. Stung by the blow I turned on her in a fury, but she leapt to her +feet and showed me my own knife glittering in her fist. + +"Ah, bah--back to your labour, slave!" she mocked. + +"Have done, woman!" I cried. "Have done, or by the living God, you will +goad me into slaying you yet--" + +"Tush!" said she, "I am used to outfacing men, but you--ha, you should be +fed on pap and suckets, you that are no man! 'Tis small wonder you lost +your Joan--Damaris; 'tis no wonder she fled away and left you--" + +Now at this (and nothing heeding her knife) I sprang at her and she, +letting fall the knife, leapt towards me; and then I had her, felt her all +soft and palpitant in my furious grip, heard a quivering sigh, saw her +head sway back across my arm and she drooping in my embrace, helpless and +a-swoon. And holding her thus 'prisoned and crushed against me, I could not +but be conscious of all the tender, languorous beauty of her ere I hasted +to lay her upon the sand. My arms were yet about her (and I upon my knees) +when her bosom heaved to sudden, tremulous sigh and opening her eyes, she +smiled up at me. + +"Ah, Martino," sighed she softly, "do not these petticoats become me vastly +well, yes?" And reaching up, she set her arms about me. "Am I not better +than dream-woman, I that men have died for--I, Joanna?" + +Now hereupon I shivered and loosing her hold rose to my feet and stood with +head averted that I might not behold her. Presently she arose also and +coming where lay the knife, took it up and stood turning it this way and +that. + +"Martin," said she in her soft, dreamy speech, "you are mightily strong +and--mightily gentle, and I do think we shall make a man of you yet!" + +So saying, she turned and went away, the knife glittering in her hand. As +for me I cast myself down and with no thought or will to labour now, for it +seemed that my strength was gone from me. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +TELLETH HOW ALL MY TRAVAIL CAME TO NOUGHT + + +That night, the moon being at the full and I very wakeful, I lay harassed +of a thousand fretting thoughts, and each and every of this woman Joanna; +and turning on my sleepless couch I cursed that hour the which had set her +in my company. + +Yet, even so, I must needs bethink me of all the supple warmth of her as +she lay in my arms, of the velvety touch of her cheek that had by chance +brushed my hand. Hereupon I would strive to turn my thoughts upon the +labours of to-morrow only to find myself recalling the sound of her voice, +now deep and soft and infinite sweet, now harsh and shrill and hatefully +shrewish; or her golden-brown eyes, thick-lashed and marvellous quick in +their changes from sleepy languor to flaming malevolence. + +Thus lay I, haunted of her memory and all the sudden, bewildering changes +of her moods until at last I started up, and coming to the entrance of my +cave, saw her standing without and the moon bright on her face. + +"Art wakeful too, Martino?" asked she softly. "'Tis the moon belike, or the +heat of the night." Here she came a slow pace nearer; and her eyes were +sweet and languorous and on her vivid mouth a smile infinite alluring. +Slowly she drew near, thralling me as it were with the wonder of her look +that I had neither power nor will to move or speak. Confident of herself +and assured in her beauty she reached out her hands to me, her long lashes +swept down, veiling her eyes; but, even then, I had seen their flash of +triumph, and in that moment, bursting the spell that bound me, I turned +from her. + +"Go--leave me!" said I, finding my voice at last. "Here is no place for +you!" And I stood thereafter with head averted, dreading her sighs and +tears; instead (and to my unutterable relief) she brake out into a storm +of sea-oaths, beslavering me with vile abuse and bitter curses. Now, +hearkening to this lewd tirade, I marvelled I should ever have feared and +trembled because of the womanhood of creature so coarse and unsexed. Thus +she continued alternately mocking at and reviling me until she must needs +pause for lack of breath; then I turned to look at her and stood amazed to +behold that passionate head bowed upon her hands. + +"Aye, I weep," she sobbed. "I weep because I am woman, after all, but in +my heart I hate you and with my soul I despise you, for you are but a mock +man,--the blood in your veins skim milk! Ah, by God, there is more of +vigorous life in my little finger than in all your great, heavy, clod-like +carcase. Oh, shame!" Here she lifted her head to scowl on me and I, not +enduring her look, glanced otherwhere. "Ha--rot me!" cried she, wagging +scornful finger. "Rot me but you are afraid of me--afraid, yes!" + +"True!" said I. "So will I win free of you so soon as I may--" + +"Free of me?" cried she, and throwing herself on the sands, sat crouched +there, her head upon her knees and sobbing miserably. "So you will abandon +me then?" said she at last. + +"Aye." + +"Even though I--vow myself your slave?" + +"I want no slave." + +"Even though I beseech you on my knees?" + +"'Twere vain, I sail hence alone." + +"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate." + +"But I was ever a fool." + +"Aye, verily!" she cried passionately. "So do you yearn ever for your +light-o'-love, for your vanished Joan--your Damaris that left you--" + +"Now I pray you go!" said I. + +"I wonder," sighed she, never stirring, "I wonder why I do not kill you? I +hate you--despise you and yet--" + +Slowly she got to her feet and moved away with dragging step but paused +anon and spake again with head a-droop: + +"Living or dead, you shall not leave the island except I go with you!" +Then she went her way and something in her attitude methought infinitely +desolate. + +Left alone, I stood awhile in gloomy thought, but rousing presently, I +betook me into my cave, and lying down, fell at last to uneasy slumber. But +waking suddenly, I started up on elbow full of an indefinable fear, and +glancing without the cave, I saw a strange thing, for sand and rock and +bush-girt cliff had on an unfamiliar aspect, the which I was wholly unable +to account for; rocks and trees and flowering vines shone throbbing upon my +vision with a palpitant glow that came and went, the like of which I had +never seen before. + +Then, all at once, I was up and running along Skeleton Cove, filled with a +dreadful apprehension, and coming out upon Deliverance Beach, stood quaking +like one smitten with a palsy; for there, lapped about in writhing flame +and crackling sparks, was all that remained of my boat, and crouched upon +the sands, watching me by the light of this fire, was she who called +herself Joanna. + +And now, perceiving all the wanton cruelty of this thing, a cold and +merciless rage took me and staring on this woman as she stared on me, I +began to creep towards her. + +"I warned you, fool, I warned you!" cried she, never moving. "'Tis a brave +fire I've made and burns well. And now you shall kill me an you will--but +your boat is lost to you for ever, and so is--your Damaris!" + +Now at sound of this loved name I stopped and stood a great while staring +at the fire, then suddenly I cast myself on my knees, and lifting up my +eyes to the stars already paling to dawn, I prayed God to keep me from the +sin of murder. + +When at last I rose to my feet, Joanna was gone. + +The sun was high-risen when I came again, slow and heavy-footed, to behold +what the fire had left of my boat; a heap of ashes, a few fragments of +charred timber. And this the sorry end of all my fond hopes, my vain +schemes, my sweat and labour. + +And as I gazed, in place of my raging fury of last night was a hopeless +despondency and a great bitterness against that perverse fate that seemed +to mock my every endeavour. + +As I stood thus deject and bitterly cast down, I heard the step of this +woman Joanna and presently she cometh beside me. + +"You will be hating me for this, hating me--yes?" she questioned; then, +finding me all regardless of her, she plucked me by the sleeve. "Ah--and +will you not speak to me?" cried she. Turning from her, I began to pace +aimlessly along beside the lagoon but she, overtaking, halted suddenly in +my path. "Your boat would have leaked and swamped with you, Martino!" said +she, but heeding her no whit I turned and plodded back again, and she ever +beside me. "I tell you the cursed thing would ha' gone to pieces at the +first gust of wind!" she cried. But I paced on with neither word nor look +until, finding me thus blind and deaf to her, she cursed me bitterly and so +left me alone and I, following a haphazard course, presently found myself +in a grove of palmetto trees and sat me down in this pleasant shade where +I might behold the sea, that boundless, that impassable barrier. But in a +while, espying the woman coming thitherwards, I rose and tramped on again +with no thought but to save myself from her companionship. + +All the morning then I rambled aimlessly to and fro, keeping ever amid the +woods and thickets, staying my hunger with such fruit as I fell in with, +as grapes and plantains; or sitting listlessly, my hands idle before me, I +stared out across these empty, sun-smitten waters, until, dazzled by their +glare, I would rise and wander on again, my mind ever and always troubled +of a great perplexity, namely: How might I (having regard to the devilish +nature of this woman Joanna) keep myself from slaying her in some fit of +madness, thereby staining my soul with her murder. + +So came I at last to my habitation in Skeleton Cove and chancing to espy +my great powderhorn where it hung, I reached it down and going without the +cave, scattered its contents broadcast, this being all the powder I had +brought hither. + +It being now late noon and very hot, I cast myself down in the shade of a +rock, and lying there, I presently came to the following resolution, viz: +To shun the woman Joanna's company henceforth as well as I might; moreover +(and let her haunt me how she would) to heed her neither by word or look, +bearing all her scorns and revilings patiently, making no answer, and +enduring all her tyranny to the uttermost. All of which fine conceits were +but the most arrant folly and quickly brought to nothing, as you shall +hear. For even now as I sat with these high-flown notions buzzing in my +head, I started to her sudden call: + +"Martino--Martino!" + +Glancing up, I beheld her poised upon the rocks above me and a noose of +small cord in her hand. As I watched, she began to whirl this around her +head, fast and faster, then, uttering a shrill, strange cry, she let fly +the noose the which, leaping through the air, took me suddenly about the +throat and she, pulling on it, had me half-strangled all in a moment. Then +as, choking, I loosed this devilish noose from me (and or ever I could +rise) she came running and casting herself down before me, clasped my feet +and laid her head upon them. + +"Martino!" she cried, "Oh man, beat me an you will, trample on me, kill me; +only heed me--heed me a little!" + +Now seeing her thus miserably abject and humbled, I grew abashed also and +fain would have loosed me from her clasp but she held me only the faster; +and thus, my hand coming upon her head, she caught that hand and kissed it +passionately, wetting it with her tears. + +"Oh, Martino," said she, wofully a-sobbing, "I do know at last wherefore--I +may not kill you. 'Tis because I love you. I was fool not to guess it ere +this, but--I have never loved man ere now. Aye, I love you--I, Joanna, that +never loved before, do love you, Martino--" + +"What of your many lovers?" + +"I loved no one of them all. 'Tis you ha' learned me--" + +"Nay, this is no love--" + +"Aye, but it is--in very truth. Think you I do not know it? I cannot +sleep, I cannot eat--except you love me I must die, yes. Ah, Martino, be +merciful!" she pleaded. "For thee I will be all woman henceforth, soft and +tender and very gentle--thine always! Oh, be merciful--" + +"No," I cried, "not this! Be rather your other self, curse me, revile me, +fetch the sword and fight with me--" + +"Fight thee--ah, no, no! The time for this is passed away. And if I did +grieve thee 'twas but that I might cherish and comfort thee--for thou art +mine and I thine henceforth--to death and beyond! Look, Martino! See how I +do love thee!" + +And now her arms were about me, soft and strong, and beholding all the +pleading beauty of her, the tender allure of her eyes, the quiver of her +scarlet mouth and all her compelling loveliness, I stooped to her embrace; +but even so, chancing to lift my gaze seaward, I broke the clasp of these +twining arms and rose suddenly to my feet. For there, her rag of sail +spread to the light-breathing air, was a boat standing in for the island. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +HOW I SUCCOURED ONE DON FEDERIGO, A GENTLEMAN OF SPAIN + + +I was out upon the reef, waving my arms like any madman and shouting to +the vague figure huddled in the stern sheets. As the boat drew nearer, I +discovered this figure to be a man in Spanish half-armour, and the head of +this man was bowed meekly upon steel-clad breast like one overcome with +great weariness. But presently as I watched he looked up, like one awaking +from sleep, and gestured feebly with his arm, whiles I, beholding here the +means to my deliverance, babbled prayers of thankfulness to God. + +After some while, the boat being within hail, I began to call out to this +solitary voyager (for companion had he none, it seemed) how he must steer +to avoid the rocks and shoals. At last, the boat being come near enough and +the sea very smooth, I waded out and, watching my chance, clambered aboard +over the bows and came, all dripping, eager to welcome this heavensent +stranger and thus beheld the boat very foul of blood and him pale and +hollow-cheeked, his eyes dim and sunken; moreover his rich armour was +battered and dinted, whiles about one leg was knotted a bloody scarf. + +"Senor," said I, in my best Spanish, "a lonely man, giveth you right hearty +greeting!" + +"I thank you, sir," he answered and in very excellent English, "though I do +much fear you shall abide solitary, for as I do think I am a-dying. Could +you--bring me--water--" + +The words ended in a sigh and his head drooped so that I feared he was +already gone. But, finding he yet breathed, I made haste to lower the sail +and, shipping oars, paddled towards that opening in the reef that gave upon +the lagoon. Being opposite this narrow channel I felt the boat caught by +some tide and current and swept forward ever more rapidly, insomuch that +I unshipped the oars and hasting into the bow, caught up a stout spar +wherewith to fend us off from the rocks. Yet more than once, despite all my +exertions, we came near striking ere, having passed through this perilous +gut, we floated into the placid waters of the lagoon beyond. + +Very soon I had beached the boat as securely as I might on that spit of +sand opposite Skeleton Cove, and finding the Spaniard yet a-swoon I lifted +him, albeit with much ado, and setting him across my shoulder, bore him +thus into the cool shade of the cave. There I laid him down beside the +little rill to bathe his head and wrists with the sweet water and moisten +his parched lips. At this he revived somewhat and, lifting his head, +eagerly drank so much as I would allow, his sunken eyes uplift to mine in +an ecstasy. + +"Young sir," said he in stronger voice, "for your kind charity and this +good water may the Saints requite thee. 'Tis three nights and two days +since I drank--" + +A shadow fell betwixt us and looking up I beheld Joanna. Now in one hand +she grasped the Spaniard's sword she had stolen out of his boat and her +other hand was hid behind her, wherefore I watched her narrowly, as she +stood gazing down at this wounded man; and at first she scowled at him, but +slowly her look changed and I saw her vivid lips curl in her baleful smile. + +"Oh," said she very softly, "Oh, marvel of marvels! Oh, wonder of wonders, +even and in very truth it is Don Federigo de Rosalva y Maldonada, wafted +hither by wind and tide to Joanna and judgment. Oh, most wonderful!" + +Now hereupon this poor wounded wretch lifted himself to peer up into her +smiling face with hanging jaw, like one amazed beyond all speech, whiles +she, slim and shapely in her 'broidered gown, nodded her handsome head. +"Verily," quoth she, "'tis the hanging, bloody governor of Nombre de Dios +come to Justice! I pray you, Senor, how many of our company ha' you strung +aloft since last we met?" + +Here, though with much painful ado, the Don got to his feet and made her a +prodigious fine bow. + +"The Senorita Joanna honours me by her notice," said he. "I should have +doubtless known her at once but for her change of habit. And I am happy to +inform the Senorita I have been so fortunate as to take and hang no +less than five and twenty of her pirate fellowship since last I had the +gratification of meeting her." + +"Ha, you lie!" cried she passionately. "You lie!" + +"They swing in their chains along the mole outside Nombre de Dios to +witness for my truth, Senorita. And now," said he, propping himself against +the rock behind him, "it is my turn to die, as I think? Well, strike, +lady--here, above my gorget--" + +"Die then!" cried she and whipped a pistol from behind her, but as she +levelled I struck up the weapon and it exploded harmless in the air. +Uttering a scream of bitter rage, she thrust with the sword, but I put up +the stroke (thereby taking a gash in the arm) and gripping the rapier by +the guards I twisted it from her hold. And now she turned on me in a very +frenzy: + +"Kill me then!" she panted, striving to impale herself on the sword in my +hand. "If this man is to come betwixt us now, kill me in mercy and free +me from this hateful woman's flesh--" But here, spying my arm bloody, she +forgot her anger all in a moment. "Are ye hurt?" said she. "Are ye hurt and +all to save this miserable fool!" And suddenly (or ever I might prevent) +she caught my arm, kissing the wound, heedless of the blood that bedabbled +her cheek in horrid fashion. + +"Oh, Martino," said she, leaning 'gainst a rock when at last I broke from +her, "you are mine now and always, as you were in other times long since +forgot. In those days your blood was on my lips, I mind, and your kisses +also ere you died.. Mine you are to death, aye, and through death to life +again--mine. And to-day is to-day and death not for you or me--yet awhile!" + +When she was gone I turned to find this wounded man upon his knees, his +head bowed above a little gold crucifix between his hands. + +"Sir, what would you?" I questioned, struck by his expression, when at last +he looked up. + +"I make my peace with God, Senor, since I am soon to die--" + +"Nay, sir, I do trust your hardships are ended--" + +"Shall be, Senor, to-day, to-morrow, the day after?" said he, smiling +faintly and shrugging his shoulders. "A sudden shot, steel i' the +back--'tis better than death by famine in an open boat. You, Senor, have +saved me alive yet a little, doubtless for your own ends, but my death +walketh yonder as I know, death in form shapely and fair-seeming, yet sure +and unpitying, none the less." + +"Ha, d'ye mean yon woman?" I questioned. + +"The Senorita Joanna--verily, Senor." + +"Never think it!" quoth I. "'Tis wild, fierce creature, yet is she but a +woman and young--" + +Now hereupon this wounded man lifted weary head to stare on me, his eyes +very bright and keen. + +"Senor," says he, "either you do mock me, or you nothing know this woman. +But I do know her well and too well. Senor, I have warred with and been +prisoner to you English, I have fought Indians, I have campaigned again +buccaneers and pirates these many years, but never have I encountered foe +so desperate, so bold and cunning as this Senorita Joanna. She is the very +soul of evil; the goddess of every pirate rogue in the Indies; 'tis she +is their genius, their inspiration, her word their law. 'Tis she is ever +foremost in their most desperate ploys, first in attack, last in retreat, +fearless always--I have known her turn rout into victory. But two short +months ago she vowed my destruction, and I with my thousands at command +besides divers ships well armed and manned; to-day I am a woful fugitive, +broken in fortune, fleeing for my life, and, Senor, Fate has brought me, +through shipwreck and famine all these weary miles, into the grasp of her +slender, cruel hands. Thus and thus do I know myself for dead man and shall +die, howsoever I must, as becometh me." + +His keen eyes lost their fire, his head drooped, and looking down on him as +he lay huddled against the rock, I did not doubt but that much of this was +no more than the raving of his disordered fancy. + +So I set my arm about this poor gentleman and brought him into my +habitation, where I loosed off his chafing armour and set myself to feed +and cherish him, bathing the hurt in his leg, the which I found very angry +and inflamed. This done I bade him be of good comfort and yield himself to +slumber. But this he could no way accomplish, being restless and fevered +and his mind harping continually on the strange fate had set him thus in +Joanna's power and the sure belief that he must die, soon or late, at her +hands. + +"For look now, Senor," said he, "and observe my strange destiny. Scarce two +months since I set out in a well-found galleon, I and three hundred chosen +men, to hunt down and destroy this very woman--her and her evil company. +One of their ships we fell in with, which ship, after long and sharp +debate, we sunk. But it coming on to blow and our own vessels being much +shattered by their shot, we sprung a leak, the which gaining on us, we +were forced to take to our boats; but the wind increased and we were soon +scattered. On the third day, having endured divers perils, we made the +land, I with Pedro Valdez my chief captain and ten others and, being short +of water, they went ashore one and all, leaving me wounded in the boat. +And I lying there was suddenly aware of great uproar within the thickets +ashore, and thereafter the screams and cries of my companions as they died. +Then cometh Pedro Valdez running, crying out the Indians were on us, that +all was lost and himself sore wounded. Nevertheless he contrived to thrust +off the boat and I to aid him aboard. That night, he died and the wind +drove me whither it would; wherefore, having committed Pedro Valdez his +body to the deep, I resigned myself to the will of God. And God hath +brought me hither, Senor, and set me in the power of the Senorita Joanna +that is my bitter foe; so am I like to die sudden and soon. But, Senor, +for your kindness to me, pray receive a broken man's gratitude and dying +blessing. Sir, I am ever a Maldonada of Castile and we do never forget!" +There he reached out to grasp my hand. "Thus, Senor, should this be my last +night of life, the which is very like, know that my gratitude is of the +nature that dieth not." + +"Sir," said I, his hand in mine and the night deepening about us, "I am a +very solitary man and you came into my life like a very angel of God (an +there be such) when I stood in direst need, for I was sick of my loneliness +and in my hunger for companionship very nigh to great and shameful folly. +Mayhap, whiles you grow back to strength and health, I will tell you my +story, but this night you shall sleep safe--so rest you secure." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +I AM DETERMINED ON MY VENGEANCE, AND MY REASONS THEREFOR + + +I found this Spanish gentleman very patient in his sickness and ever of a +grave and chivalrous courtesy, insomuch that as our fellowship lengthened +so grew my regard for him. He was, beside, a man of deep learning and +excellent judgment and his conversation and conduct a growing delight to +me. + +And indeed to such poor wretch as I that had been forced by my bitter +wrongs to company with all manner of rogues and fellows of the baser sort, +this Don Federigo (and all unknowing) served but to show me how very far I +had sunk from what I might have been. And knowing myself thus degenerate +I grieved mightily therefore and determined henceforth to meet Fortune's +buffets more as became my condition, with a steadfast and patient serenity, +even as this gentleman of Spain. + +It was at this time he recounted, in his courtly English, something of the +woes he and his had suffered these many years at the hands of these roving +adventurers, these buccaneers and pirates whose names were a terror all +along the Main. He told of the horrid cruelties of Lollonois, of the bloody +Montbars called the "Exterminator," of the cold, merciless ferocity of +Black Bartlemy and of such lesser rouges as Morgan, Tressady, Belvedere and +others of whom I had never heard. + +"There was my son, young sir," said he in his calm, dispassionate voice, +"scarce eighteen turned, and my daughter--both taken by this pirate +Belvedere when he captured the _Margarita_ carrack scarce three years +since. My son they tortured to death because he was my son, and my +daughter, my sweet Dolores--well, she is dead also, I pray the Mother of +Mercies. Truly I have suffered very much, yet there be others, alas! I +might tell you of our goodly towns burned or held to extortionate ransom, +of our women ravished, our children butchered, our men tormented, our +defenceless merchant ships destroyed and their crews with them, but my list +is long, young sir, and would outlast your kind patience." + +"And what o' vengeance?" I demanded, marvelling at the calm serenity of his +look. + +"Vengeance, young sir? Nay, surely, 'tis an empty thing. For may vengeance +bring back the beloved dead? Can it rebuild our desolate towns, or cure any +of a broken heart?" + +"Yet you hang these same rogues?" + +"Truly, Senor, as speedily as may be, as I would crush a snake. Yet who +would seek vengeance on a worm?" + +"Yet do I seek vengeance!" cried I, upstarting to my feet. "Vengeance for +my wasted years, vengeance on him hath been the ruin of my house, on him +that, forcing me to endure anguish of mind and shame of body, hath made of +me the poor, outcast wretch I am. Ha--'tis vengeance I do live for!" + +"Then do you live to a vain end, young sir! For vengeance is an emptiness +and he that seeketh it wasteth himself." + +"Now tell me, Don Federigo," I questioned, "seek you not the life of this +Belvedere that slew your son?" + +"'Tis my prayer to see him die, Senor, yet do I live to other, and I pray +to nobler purpose--" + +"Why, then," quoth I fiercely, "so is it my prayer to watch my enemy die +and I do live to none other purpose--" + +"Spoke like true, bully lad, Martino!" cried a voice, and glancing about, I +espied Joanna leaning in the opening to the cave. She was clad in her +male attire as I had seen her first, save that by her side she bore +the bejewelled Spanish rapier. Thus lolled she, smiling on me +half-contemptuous, hand poised lightly on the hilt of her sword, all +graceful insolence. + +"Eye for eye, Martino," said she, nodding. "Tooth for tooth, blood for +blood: 'tis a good law and just, yes! How say you, Senor Don Federigo; you +agree--no?" + +With an effort Don Federigo got to his feet and, folding his cloak about +his spare form, made her a prodigious deep obeisance. + +"'Tis a law ancient of days, Senorita," said he. + +"And your health improves, Senor, I hope--yes?" + +"The Senorita is vastly gracious! Thanks to Don Martino I mend apace. Oh, +yes, and shall soon be strong enough to die decorously, I trust, and in +such fashion as the Senorita shall choose." + +"Aha, Senor," said she, with flash of white teeth, "'tis an everlasting joy +to me that I also am of noble Spanish blood. Some day when justice hath +been done, and you are no more, I will have a stone raised up to mark where +lie the bones of a great Spanish gentleman. As for thee, my poor Martino, +that babblest o' vengeance, 'tis not for thee nor ever can be--thou that +art only English, cold--cold--a very clod! Oh, verily there is more life, +more fire and passion in a small, dead fish than in all thy great, slow +body! And now, pray charge me my pistols; you have all the powder here." I +shook my head. "Fool," said she, "I mean not to shoot you, and as for Don +Federigo, since death is but his due, a bullet were kinder--so charge now +these my pistols." + +"I have no powder," said I. + +"Liar!" + +"I cast it into the sea lest I be tempted to shoot you." + +Now at this she must needs burst out a-laughing. + +"Oh, Englishman!" cried she. "Oh, sluggard soul--how like, how very like +thee, Martino!" Then, laughing yet, she turned and left me to stare after +her in frowning wonderment. + +This night after supper, sitting in the light of the fire and finding the +Don very wakeful, I was moved (at his solicitation) to tell him my history; +the which I will here recapitulate as briefly as I may. + +"I was born, sir, in Kent in England exactly thirty years ago, and being +the last of my family 'tis very sure that family shall become a name soon +to be forgotten--" + +"But you, Senor, so young--" + +"But ancient in suffering, sir." + +"Oh, young sir, but what of love; 'tis a magic--" + +"A dream!" quoth I. "A dream sweet beyond words! But I am done with idle +dreaming, henceforth. I come then of one of two families long at feud, a +bloody strife that had endured for generations and which ended in my father +being falsely accused by his more powerful enemy and thrown into prison +where he speedily perished. Then I, scarce more than lad, was trepanned +aboard ship, carried across seas and sold a slave into the plantations. +And, mark me, sir, all this the doing of our hereditary enemy who, thus +triumphant, dreamed he had ended the feud once and for all. Sir, I need not +weary you with my sufferings as a planter's slave, to labour always 'neath +the lash, to live or die as my master willed. Suffice it I broke free at +last and, though well-nigh famished, made my way to the coast. But here my +travail ended in despair, for I was recaptured and being known for runaway +slave, was chained to an oar aboard the great _Esmeralda_ galleas where +such poor rogues had their miserable lives whipped out of them. And here my +sufferings (since it seemed I could not die) grew well-nigh beyond me to +endure. But from this hell of shame and anguish I cried unceasing upon God +for justice and vengeance on mine enemy that had plunged me from life and +all that maketh it worthy into this living death. And God answered me in +this, for upon a day the _Esmeralda_ was shattered and sunk by an English +ship and I, delivered after five bitter years of agony, came back to my +native land. But friends had I none, nor home, since the house wherein I +was born and all else had been seized by my enemy and he a power at Court. +Him sought I therefore to his destruction, since (as it seemed to me) God +had brought me out of my tribulation to be His instrument of long-delayed +vengeance. So, friendless and destitute, came I at last to that house had +been ours for generations and there learned that my hopes and labour were +vain indeed, since this man I was come to destroy had himself been captured +and cast a prisoner in that very place whence I had so lately escaped!" + +Here the memory of this disappointment waxing in me anew, I must needs +pause in my narration, whereupon my companion spake in his soft, +dispassionate voice: + +"Thus surely God hath answered your many prayers, young sir!" + +"And how so?" cried I. "Of what avail that this man lie pent in dungeon +or sweating in chains and I not there to see his agony? I must behold him +suffer as I suffered, hear his groans, see his tears--I that do grieve a +father untimely dead, I that have endured at this man's will a thousand +shames and torment beyond telling! Thus, sir," I continued, "learning that +his daughter was fitting out a ship to his relief I (by aid of the master +of the ship) did steal myself aboard and sailed back again, back to +discover this my enemy. But on the voyage mutiny broke out, headed by that +evil rogue, Tressady. Then was I tricked and cast adrift in an open boat by +Adam Penfeather, the master--" + +"Penfeather, young sir, Adam Penfeather! Truly there was one I do mind +greatly famous once among the buccaneers of Tortuga." + +"This man, then, this Penfeather casts me adrift (having struck me +unconscious first) that I might secure to him certain treasure that lay +hid on this island, a vast treasure of jewels called 'Black Bartlemy's +treasure.'" + +"I have heard mention of it, Senor." + +"Here then steered I, perforce, and, storm-tossed, was cast here, I and--my +comrade--" + +"Comrade, Senor?" + +"Indeed, sir. For with me in the boat was a woman and she the daughter of +my enemy. And here, being destitute of all things, we laboured together to +our common need and surely, aye, surely, never had man braver comrade or +sweeter companion. She taught me many things and amongst them how to +love her, and loving, to honour and respect her for her pure and noble +womanhood. Upon a time, to save herself from certain evil men driven hither +by tempest she leapt into a lake that lieth in the midst of this island, +being carried some distance by a current, came in this marvellous fashion +on the secret of Black Bartlemy's hidden treasure. But I, thinking her +surely dead, fought these rogues, slaying one and driving his fellow back +to sea and, being wounded, fell sick, dreaming my dear lady beside me +again, hale and full of life; and waking at last from my fears, found this +the very truth. In the following days I forgot all my prayers and the great +oath of vengeance I had sworn, by reason of my love for this my sweet +comrade. But then came the pirate Tressady and his fellows seeking the +treasure, and after him, Penfeather, which last, being a very desperate, +cunning man, took Tressady by a wile and would have hanged him with his +comrade Mings, but for my lady. These rogues turned I adrift in one of +the boats to live or die as God should appoint. And now (my vengeance all +forgot) there grew in me a passionate hope to have found me peace at last +and happiness in my dear lady's love, and wedded to her, sail back to +England and home. But such great happiness was not for me, it seemed. I was +falsely accused of murder and (unable to prove my innocence) I chose rather +to abide here solitary than endure her doubting of; me, or bring shame or +sorrow on one so greatly loved. Thus, sir, here have I existed a solitary +man ever since." + +"And the Senorita Joanna, young sir?" + +When I had told him of her coming and the strange manner of it, Don +Federigo lay silent a good while, gazing into the fire. + +"And your enemy, Senor?" he questioned at last. "Where lieth he now to your +knowledge?" + +"At Nombre de Dios, in the dungeons of the Inquisition, 'tis said." + +"The Inquisition!" quoth Don Federigo in a whisper, and crossed himself. +"Sir," said he, and with a strange look. "Oh, young sir, if this be so +indeed, rest you content, for God hath surely avenged you--aye, to the very +uttermost!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HOW THE DAYS OF MY WATCHING WERE ACCOMPLISHED + + +Our fresh meat being nearly all gone, I set out next morning with my +bow and arrows (in the management of which I had made myself extreme +dexterous); I set out, I say, minded to shoot me a young goat or, failing +this, one of those great birds whose flesh I had found ere now to be very +tender and delicate eating. + +Hardly had I waved adieu to the Don (him sitting in the shade propped in +one of my great elbow chairs) than I started a goat and immediately gave +chase, not troubling to use my bow, for what with my open-air life and +constant exercise I had become so long-winded and fleet of foot that I +would frequently run these wild creatures down. + +Away sped the goat and I after it, along perilous tracks and leaping from +rock to rock, joying in the chase, since of late I had been abroad very +little by reason of Don Federigo's sickness; on I ran after my quarry, the +animal making ever for higher ground and more difficult ways until we were +come to a rocky height whence I might behold a wide expanse of ocean. + +Now, as had become my wont, I cast a look around about this vast horizon +and stopped all at once, clean forgetting my goat and all else in the world +excepting that which had caught my lonely glance, that for which I had +looked and waited and prayed for so long. For there, dim-seen 'twixt the +immensity of sea and sky, was a speck I knew for the topsails of a ship. +Long stood I staring as one entranced, my hands tight clasped, and all +a-sweat with fear lest this glimmering speck should fade and vanish utterly +away. At last, dreading this be but my fancy or a trick of the light, I +summoned enough resolution to close my eyes and, bowing my head between my +hands, remained thus as long as I might endure. Then, opening my eyes, I +uttered a cry of joy to see this speck loom more distinct and plainer than +before. Thereupon I turned and began to hasten back with some wild notion +of putting off in Don Federigo's boat (the which lay securely afloat in the +lagoon) and of standing away for this ship lest peradventure she miss +the island. Full of this dreadful possibility I took to running like any +madman, staying for nothing, leaping, scrambling, slipping and stumbling +down sheer declivities, breasting precipitous cliffs until I reached and +began to descend Skeleton Cove. + +I was half-way down the cliff when I heard the clash of steel, and +presently coming where I might look down into the cove I saw this: with his +back to a rock and a smear of blood on his cheek stood Don Federigo, armed +with my cut-and-thrust, defending himself against Joanna; and as I watched +the flash of their whirling, clashing blades, it did not take me long to +see that the Don was no match for her devilish skill and cunning, and +beholding her swift play of foot and wrist, her lightning volts and passes, +I read death in every supple line of her. Even as I hasted towards them, I +saw the dart of her long blade, followed by a vivid, ever-widening stain on +the shoulder of the Don's tattered shirt. + +"Ha-ha!" cried she and with a gasconading flourish of her blade. "There's +for Pierre Valdaigne you hanged six months agone! There's for Jeremy Price! +And this for Tonio Moretti! And now for John Davis, sa-ha!" With every name +she uttered, her cruel steel, flashing within his weakening guard, bit into +him, arm or leg, and I saw she meant to cut him to pieces. The sword was +beaten from his failing grasp and her point menaced his throat, his +breast, his eyes, whiles he, leaning feebly against the rock, fronted her +unflinching and waited death calm and undismayed. But, staying for no more, +I leapt down into the cove and fell, rolling upon the soft sand, whereupon +she flashed a look at me over her shoulder and in that moment Don Federigo +had grappled her sword-arm; then came I running and she, letting fall her +sword, laughed to see me catch it up. + +"Ha, my brave English clod," cried she. "There be two swords and two +men against one defenceless woman! Come, end me, Martino, end me and be +done--or will you suffer the Don to show you, yes?" And folding her arms +she faced me mighty high and scornful. But now, whiles I stared at her +insolent beauty and no word ready, Don Federigo made her one of his grand +bows and staggered into the cave, spattering blood as he went. + +And in a little (staying only to take up the other sword) I followed him, +leaving her to stand and mock me with her laughter. Reaching the Don I +found him a-swoon and straightway set myself to bare his wounds and staunch +their bleeding as well as I might, in the doing of which I must needs +marvel anew at Joanna's devilish skill, since each and every of these hurts +came near no vital spot and were of little account in themselves, so that a +man might be stabbed thus very many times ere death ended his torment. + +After awhile, recovering himself somewhat, Don Federigo must needs strive +to speak me his gratitude, but I cut him short to tell of the ship I had +seen. + +"I pray what manner of ship?" + +"Nay, she is yet too far to determine," said I, glancing eagerly seawards. +"But since ship she is, what matter for aught beside?" + +"True, Senor Martino! I am selfish." + +"How so?" + +"Unless she be ship of Spain, here is no friend to me. But you will be +yearning for sight of this vessel whiles I keep you. Go, young sir, go +forth--make you a fire, a smoke plain to be seen and may this ship bring +you to freedom and a surcease of all your tribulations!" + +"A smoke!" cried I, leaping up. "Ha, yes--yes!" And off went I, running; +but reaching Deliverance I saw there was no need for signal of mine, since +on the cliff above a fire burned already, sending up huge columns of thick +smoke very plain to be seen from afar, and beside this fire Joanna staring +seaward beneath her hand. And looking whither she looked, I saw the ship +so much nearer that I might distinguish her lower courses. Thus I stood, +watching the vessel grow upon my sight, very slowly and by degrees, until +it was evident she had seen the smoke and was standing in for the island. +Once assured of this, I was seized of a passion of joy; and bethinking me +of all she might mean to me and of the possibility that one might be aboard +her whose sweet eyes even now gazed from her decks upon this lonely island, +my heart leapt whiles ship and sea swam on my sight and I grew blinded by +stinging tears. And now I paced to and fro upon the sand in a fever of +longing and with my hungry gaze turned ever in the one direction. + +As the time dragged by, my impatience grew almost beyond enduring; but +on came the ship, slow but sure, nearer and nearer until I could +discern shroud and spar and rope, the guns that yawned from her high, +weather-beaten side, the people who crowded her decks. She seemed a great +ship, heavily armed and manned, and high upon her towering poop lolled one +in a vivid scarlet jacket. + +I was gazing upon her in an ecstacy, straining my eyes for the flutter of +a petticoat upon her lofty quarter-deck, when I heard Don Federigo hail me +faintly, and glancing about, espied him leaning against an adjacent rock. + +"Alas, Senor," says he, "I know yon ship by her looks--aye, and so doth the +Senorita--see yonder!" Now glancing whither he pointed, I beheld Joanna +pacing daintily along the reef, pausing ever and anon to signal with her +arm; then, as the ship went about to bear up towards the reef, from her +crowded decks rose a great shouting and halloo, a hoarse clamour drowned +all at once in the roar of great guns, and up to the main fluttered a black +ancient; and beholding this accursed flag, its grisly skull and bones, I +cast me down on the sands, my high hopes and fond expectations 'whelmed in +a great despair. + +But as I lay thus was a gentle touch on my bowed head and in my ear Don +Federigo's voice: + +"Alas, good my friend, and doth Hope die for you likewise? Then do I grieve +indeed. But despair not, for in the cave yonder be two swords; go fetch +them, I pray, for I am over-weak." + +"Of what avail," cried I bitterly, looking up into the pale serenity of his +face, "of what avail two swords 'gainst a ship's company?" + +"We can die, Senor!" said he, with his gentle smile. "To die on our own +steel, by our own hands--here--is clean death and honourable." + +"True!" said I. + +"Then I pray go fetch the swords, my friend; 'tis time methinks--look!" +Glancing towards the ship, I saw she was already come to an anchor and a +boatful of men pulling briskly for the reef where stood Joanna, and as they +rowed they cheered her amain: + +"La Culebra!" they roared. "Ahoy, Joanna! Give a rouse for Fighting Jo! +Cap'n Jo--ha, Joanna!" + +The boat being near enough, many eager hands were reached out to her and +with Joanna on board they paddled into the lagoon. Now as they drew in to +Deliverance Beach they fell silent all, hearkening to her words, and I +saw her point them suddenly to Skeleton Cove, whereupon they rowed amain +towards that spit of sand where we stood screened among the rocks, shouting +in fierce exultation as they came. Don Federigo sank upon his knees with +head bowed reverently above his little crucifix, and when at last he looked +up his face showed placid as ever. + +"Senor," quoth he gently, "you do hear them howling for my blood? Well, +you bear a knife in your girdle--I pray you lend it to me." For a moment I +hesitated, then, drawing the weapon forth, I sent it spinning far out to +sea. + +"Sir," said I, "we English do hold that whiles life is--so is hope. +Howbeit, if you die you shall not die alone, this I swear." + +Then I sprang forth of the rocks and strode down where these lawless +fellows were beaching their boat. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +WE FALL AMONG PIRATES + + +At my sudden coming they fell silent, one and all, staring from me to +Joanna, where she stood beside a buxom, swaggering ruffling fellow whose +moustachios and beard were cut after the Spanish mode but with a monstrous +great periwig on his head surmounted by a gold-braided, looped hat. His +coat was of scarlet velvet, brave with much adornment of gold lace; his +legs were thrust into a pair of rough sea-boots; and on his hip a long, +curved hanger very broad in the blade. + +"'S fish!" said he, looking me over with his sleepy eyes. "Is this your +Englishman, Jo? And what must we do wi' him--shall he hang?" + +"Mayhap yes--when 'tis so my whim," answered she, 'twixt smiling lips and +staring me in the eyes. + +But now, and all at once, from the wild company rose a sudden hoarse murmur +that swelled again to that fierce, exultant uproar as down towards us paced +Don Federigo. + +"Aha, 'tis the Marquis!" they cried. "'Tis the bloody Marquis! Shoot the +dog! Nay, hang him up! Aye, by his thumbs. Nay, burn him--to the fire wi' +the bloody rogue!" + +Unheeding their vengeful outcry he advanced upon the men (and these +ravening for his blood), viewing their lowering faces and brandished steel +with his calm, dispassionate gaze and very proud and upright for all his +bodily weakness; pausing beside me, he threw up his hand with haughty +gesture and before the command of this ragged arm they abated their clamour +somewhat. + +"Of a surety," said he in his precise English, "it is the Capitan +Belvedere. You captured my daughter--my son--in the _Margarita_ carrack +three years agone. 'Tis said he died at your hands, Senor Capitan--" + +"Not mine, Don, not mine," answered this Belvedere, smiling sleepily. "We +gave him to Black Pompey to carbonado." I felt Don Federigo's hand against +me as if suddenly faint, but his wide-eyed gaze never left the Captain's +handsome face, who, aware of this look, shifted his own gaze, cocked his +hat and swaggered. "Stare your fill, now," quoth he with an oath, "'tis +little enough you'll be seeing presently. Aye, you'll be blind enough +soon--" + +"Blind is it, Cap'n--ha, good!" cried a squat, ill-looking fellow, whipping +out a long knife. "Hung my comrade Jem, a did, so here's a knife shall +blind him when ye will, Cap'n, by hookey!" And now he and his fellows began +to crowd upon us with evil looks; but they halted suddenly, fumbling with +their weapons and eyeing Joanna uncertainly where she stood, hand on hip, +viewing them with her fleering smile. + +"Die he shall, yes!" said she at last. "Die he must, but in proper fashion +and time, not by such vermin as you--so put up that knife! You hear me, +yes?" + +"Hanged my comrade Jem, a did, along o' many others o' the Fellowship!" +growled the squat man, flourishing his knife, "Moreover the Cap'n says +'blind' says he, so blind it is, says I, and this the knife to--" The +growling voice was drowned in the roar of a pistol and, dropping his knife, +the fellow screamed and caught at his hurt. + +"And there's for you, yes!" said Joanna, smiling into the man's agonised +face, "Be thankful I spared your worthless life. Crawl into the boat, worm, +and wait till I'm minded to patch up your hurt--Go!" + +For a moment was silence, then came a great gust of laughter, and men +clapped and pummelled each other. + +"La Culebra!" they roared. "'Tis our Jo, 'tis Fighting Jo, sure and +sartain; 'tis our luck, the luck o' the Brotherhood--ha, Joanna!" + +But, tossing aside the smoking pistol, Joanna scowled from them to their +captain. + +"Hola, Belvedere," said she. "Your dogs do grow out of hand; 'tis well I'm +back again. Now for these my prisoners, seize 'em up, bind 'em fast and +heave 'em aboard ship." + +"Aye, but," said Belvedere, fingering his beard, "why aboard, Jo, when we +may do their business here and prettily. Yon's a tree shall make notable +good gallows or--look now, here's right plenty o' kindling, and driftwood +shall burn 'em merrily and 'twill better please the lads--" + +"But then I do pleasure myself, yes. So aboard ship they go!" + +"Why, look now, Jo," said Belvedere, biting at his thumb, "'tis ever my +rule to keep no prisoners--" + +"Save women, Cap'n!" cried a voice, drowned in sudden evil laughter. + +"So, as I say, Joanna, these prisoners cannot go aboard my ship." + +"Your ship?" said she, mighty scornful. "Ah, ah, but 'twas I made you +captain of your ship and 'tis I can unmake you--" + +"Why look ye, Jo," said Belvedere, gnawing at his thumb more savagely and +glancing towards his chafing company, "the good lads be growing impatient, +being all heartily for ending these prisoners according to custom--" + +"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" cried divers of the men, beginning to crowd upon us +again. "To the fire with 'em! Nay, send aboard for Black Pompey! Aye, +Pompey's the lad to set 'em dancing Indian fashion--" + +"You hear, Jo, you hear?" cried Belvedere. "The lads are for ending of 'em +sportive fashion--especially the Don; he must die slow and quaint for +sake 'o the good lads as do hang a-rotting on his cursed gibbets e'en +now--quaint and slow; the lads think so and so think I--" + +"But you were ever a dull fool, my pretty man, yes!" said Joanna, showing +her teeth. "And as for these rogues, they do laugh at you--see!" But as +Belvedere turned to scowl upon and curse his ribalds, Joanna deftly whisked +the pistols from his belt and every face was smitten to sudden anxious +gravity as she faced them. + +"I am Joanna!" quoth she, her red lips curving to the smile I ever found so +hateful. "Oh, Madre de Dios, where now are your tongues? And never a smile +among ye! Is there a man here that will not obey Joanna--no? Joanna that +could kill any of ye single-handed as she killed Cestiforo!" At this was an +uneasy stir and muttering among them, and Belvedere's sleepy eyes widened +suddenly. "Apes!" cried she, beslavering them with all manner of abuse, +French, Spanish and English. "Monkeys, cease your chattering and list to +Joanna. And mark--my prisoners go aboard this very hour, yes. And to-day we +sail for Nombre de Dios. Being before the town we send in a boat under flag +of truce to say we hold captive their governor, Don Federigo de Cosalva y +Maldonada, demanding for him a sufficient ransom. The money paid, then +will we fire a broadside into the city and the folk shall see their proud +Governor swung aloft to dangle and kick at our mainyard; so do we achieve +vengeance and money both--" + +From every throat burst a yell of wild acclaim, shout on shout: "Hey, lads, +for Cap'n Jo! 'Tis she hath the wise head, mates! Money and vengeance, says +Jo! Shout, lads, for Fighting Jo--shout!" + +"And what o' your big rogue, Jo?" demanded Belvedere, scowling on me. + +"He?" said Joanna, curling her lip at me. "Oh, la-la, he shall be our +slave--'til he weary me. So--bring: them along!" + +But now (and all too late) perceiving death to be the nobler part, even as +Don Federigo had said, I determined to end matters then and there; thus, +turning from Joanna's baleful smile, I leapt suddenly upon the nearest of +the pirates and felling him with a buffet, came to grips with another; this +man I swung full-armed, hurling him among his fellows, and all before a +shot might be fired. But as I stood fronting them, awaiting the stab or +bullet should end me, I heard Joanna's voice shrill and imperious: + +"Hold, lads! You are twelve and he but one and unarmed. So down with your +weapons--down, I say! You shall take me this man with your naked hands--ha, +fists--yes! Smite then--bruise him, fists shall never kill him! To it, with +your hands then; the first man that draweth weapon I shoot! To it, lads, +sa-ha--at him then, good bullies!" + +For a moment they hesitated but seeing Joanna, her cheeks aglow, her +pistols grasped in ready hands, they laughed and cursed and, loosing off +such things as incommoded them, prepared to come at me. Then, perceiving +she had fathomed my design and that here was small chance of finding sudden +quietus, I folded my arms, minded to let them use me as they would. But +this fine resolution was brought to none account by a small piece of +driftwood that one of these fellows hove at me, thereby setting my mouth +a-bleeding. Stung by the blow and forgetting all but my anger, I leapt and +smote with my fist, and then he and his fellows were upon me. But they +being so many their very numbers hampered them, so that as they leapt upon +me many a man was staggered by kick or buffet aimed at me; moreover these +passed their days cooped up on shipboard whiles I was a man hardened by +constant exercise. Scarce conscious of the hurts I took as we reeled to and +fro, locked in furious grapple, I fought them very joyously, making right +good play with my fists; but ever as I smote one down, another leapt to +smite, so that presently my breath began to labour. How long I endured, I +know not. Only I remember marvelling to find myself so strong and the keen +joy of it was succeeded by sudden weariness, a growing sickness: I remember +a sound of groaning breaths all about me, of thudding blows, hoarse shouts, +these, waxing ever fainter, until smiting with failing arms and ever-waning +strength, they dragged me down at last and I lay vanquished and +unresisting. As I sprawled there, drawing my breath in painful gasps, the +hands that smote, the merciless feet that kicked and trampled me were +suddenly stilled and staring up with dimming eyes I saw Joanna looking down +on me. + +"Oh, Martino," said she in my ear, "Oh, fool Englishman, could you but love +as you do fight--" + +But groaning, I turned my face to the trampled sand and knew no more. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HOW I CAME ABOARD THE _HAPPY DESPATCH_ AND OF MY SUFFERINGS THERE + + +I awoke gasping to the shock of cold water and was dimly aware of divers +people crowding about me. + +"'Tis a fine, bull-bodied boy, Job, all brawn and beef--witness your eye, +Lord love me!" exclaimed a jovial voice, "Aha, Job, a lusty lad--heave +t'other bucket over him!" There came another torrent of water, whereupon I +strove to sit up, but finding this vain by reason of strict bonds, I cursed +them all and sundry instead. + +"A sturdy soul, Job, and of a comfortable conversation!" quoth the voice. +"Moreover a man o' mark, as witnesseth your peeper." + +"Rot him!" growled the man Job, a beastly-seeming fellow, very slovenly and +foul of person, who glared down at me out of one eye, the other being so +bruised and swollen as to serve him no whit. + +"He should be overside wi' his guts full o' shot for this same heye of mine +if 'twas my say--" + +"But then it ain't your say, Job, nor yet Belvedere's--'tis hern, +Job--hern--Cap'n Jo's. 'He's to be took care of,' says she, 'treated kind +and gentle,' says she. And, mark me, here's Belvedere's nose out o' joint, +d'ye see? And, talkin' o' noses, there's your eye, Job; sink me but he +wiped your eye for you, my--" + +"Plague and perish him!" snarled Job, kicking me viciously. "Burn him, 'tis +keelhaul 'im I would first and then give 'im to Pompey to carve up what +remained--" + +"Pompey?" exclaimed this fellow Diccon, a merry-seeming fellow but with a +truculent eye. "Look 'ee, Job, here's a match for Pompey at last, as I do +think, man to man, bare fists or knives, a match and I'll lay to't." + +"Pshaw!" growled Job. "Pompey could eat 'im--bones and all, curse 'im! +Pompey would break 'is back as 'e did the big Spaniard's last week." + +"Nay, Job, this fellow should make better fight for't than did the +Spanisher. Look 'ee now, match 'em, and I'll lay all my share o' the voyage +on this fellow, come now!" + +"A match? Why so I would, but what o' Belvedere?" + +"He sulketh, Job, and yonder he cometh, a-sucking of his thumb and all +along o' this fellow and our Jo. Joanna's cocked her eye on this fellow and +Belvedere's cake's dough--see him yonder!" + +Now following the speaker's look, I perceived Captain Belvedere descending +the quarter-ladder, his handsome face very evil and scowling; spying me +where I lay, he came striding up and folding his arms, stood looking over +me silently awhile. + +"Lord love me!" he exclaimed at last in huge disgust and spat upon me. "Aft +with him--to the coach--" + +"Coach, Cap'n?" questioned Job, staring. "And why theer?" + +"Because I say so!" roared Belvedere. + +"And because," quoth Diccon, his eye more truculent than ever, "because +women will be women, eh, Captain?" At this Belvedere's face grew suffused, +his eyes glared and he turned on the speaker with clenched fist; then +laughing grimly, he spurned me savagely with his foot. + +"Joanna hath her whimsies, and here's one of 'em!" quoth he and spat on me +again, whereat I raged and strove, despite my bonds, to come at him. + +"I were a-saying to Job," quoth the man Diccon, thrusting me roughly beyond +reach of Belvedere's heavy foot, "that here was a fellow to match Pompey at +last." + +"Tush!" said Belvedere, with an oath. "Pompey would quarter him wi' naked +hands." + +"I was a-saying to Job I would wager my share in the voyage on this fellow, +Belvedere!" + +"Aye, Cap'n," growled Job, "'tis well enough keeping the Don to hang +afore Nombre but why must this dog live aft and cosseted? He should walk +overboard wi' slit weasand, or better--he's meat for Pompey, and wherefore +no? I asks why, Cap'n?" + +"Aye--why!" cried Belvedere, gnashing his teeth. "Ask her--go ask Joanna, +the curst jade." + +"She be only a woman, when all's said, Cap'n--" + +"Nay, Job," quoth Belvedere, shaking his head. "She's Joanna and behind +her do lie Tressady and Sol and Rory and Abnegation Mings--and all the +Fellowship. So if she says he lives, lives it is, to lie soft and feed +dainty, curse him. Let me die if I don't wish I'd left her on the island to +end him her own way--wi' steel or kindness--" + +"Kindness!" said Diccon, with an ugly leer. "Why, there it is, Cap'n; she's +off wi' the old and on wi' the new, like--" + +"Not yet, by God!" snarled Belvedere 'twixt shut teeth and scowling down on +me while his hand clawed at the pistol in his belt; then his gaze wandered +from me towards the poop and back again. "Curse him!" said he, stamping in +his impotent fury. "I'd give a handful o' gold pieces to see him dead and +be damned!" And here he fell a-biting savagely at his thumb again. + +"Why, then, here's a lad to earn 'em," quoth Job, "an' that's me. I've a +score agin him for this lick o' the eye he give me ashore--nigh blinded me, +'e did, burn an' blast his bones!" + +"Aye, but what o' Joanna, what o' that she-snake, ha?" + +"'Tis no matter for her. I've a plan." + +"What is't, Job lad? Speak fair and the money's good as yourn--" + +"Aye, but it ain't mine yet, Cap'n, so mum it but I've a plan." + +"Belay, Job!" exclaimed Diccon. "Easy all. Yonder she cometh." + +Sure enough, I saw Joanna descend the ladder from the poop and come mincing +across the deck towards us. + +"Hola, Belvedere, mon Capitan!" said she, glancing about her quick-eyed. +"You keep your ship very foul, yes. Dirt to dirt!--ah? But I am aboard and +this shall be amended--look to it. And your mizzen yard is sprung; down +with it and sway up another--" + +"Aye, aye, Jo," said Belvedere, nodding. "It shall be done--" + +"_Manana_!" quoth she, frowning. "This doth not suit when I am aboard, +no! The new yard must be rigged now, at once, for we sail with the +flood--_voila_!" + +"Sail, Jo?" said Belvedere, staring. "Can't be, Jo!" + +"And wherefore?" + +"Why--we be short o' water, for one thing." + +"Ah--bah, we shall take all we want from other ships!" + +"And the lads be set, heart and soul, on a few days ashore." + +"But then--I am set, my heart, my soul, on heaving anchor so soon as the +tide serves. We will sail with the flood. Now see the new yard set up and +have this slave Martin o' mine to my cabin." So saying, she turned on her +heel and minced away, while Belvedere stood looking after her and biting at +his thumb, Job scowled and Diccon smiled. + +"So--ho!" quoth he. "Captain Jo says we sail, and sail it is, hey?" + +"Blind you!" cried Belvedere, turning on him in a fury. "Go forward and +turn out two o' the lads to draw this carcass aft!" Here bestowing a final +kick on me, he swaggered away. + +"Sail wi' the flood, is it?" growled Job. "And us wi' scarce any water +and half on us rotten wi' scurvy or calenture, an' no luck this cruise, +neither! 'Sail wi' the flood,' says she--'be damned,' says I. By hookey, +but I marvel she lives; I wonder no one don't snuff her out for good an' +all--aye, burn me but I do!" + +"Because you're a fool, Job, and don't know her like we do. She's 'La +Culebra,' and why? Because she's quick as any snake and as deadly. Besides, +she's our luck and luck she'll bring us; she always do. Whatever ship she's +aboard of has all the luck, wind, weather, and--what's better, rich prizes, +Job. I know it and the lads forrad know it, and Belvedere he knows it and +is mighty feared of her and small blame either--aye, and mayhap you'll be +afeard of her when you know her better. 'She's only a woman,' says you. +'True,' says I. But in all this here world there ain't her match, woman or +man, and you can lay to that, my lad." + +Now the ropes that secured me being very tight, began to cause me no +little pain, insomuch that I besought the man Diccon to loose me a little, +whereupon he made as to comply, but Job, who it seemed was quartermaster, +and new in the office, would have none of it but cursed me vehemently +instead, and hailing two men had me forthwith dragged aft to a small cabin +under the poop and there (having abused and cuffed me to his heart's +content) left me. + +And in right woful plight was I, with clothes nigh torn off and myself +direly bruised from head to foot, and what with this and the cramping +strictness of my bonds I could come by no easement, turn and twist me how I +might. After some while, as I lay thus miserable and pain in every joint of +me, the door opened, closed and Joanna stood above me. + +"Ah, ah--you are very foul o' blood!" said she in bitter mockery. "'Twas +thus you spake me once, Martino, you'll mind! 'Very foul o' blood,' said +you, and I famishing with hunger! Art hungry, Martino?" she questioned, +bending over me; but meeting her look, I scowled and held my peace. "Ha, +won't ye talk? Is the sullen fit on you?" said she, scowling also. +"Then shall you hear me! And first, know this: you are mine henceforth, +aye--mine!" So saying, she seated herself on the cushioned locker whereby +I lay and, setting her foot upon my breast and elbow on knee, leaned above +me, dimpled chin on fist, staring down on me with her sombre gaze. "You +are mine," said she again, "to use as I will, to exalt or cast down. I can +bestow on ye life or very evil death. By my will ye are alive; when I +will you must surely die. Your wants, your every need must you look to me +for--so am I your goddess and ruler of your destiny, yes! Ah, had you been +more of man and less of fish, I had made you captain of this ship, and +loved you, Martino, loved you--!" + +"Aye," cried I bitterly, "until you wearied of me as you have wearied of +this rogue Belvedere, it seems--aye, and God knoweth how many more--" + +"Oh, la-la, fool--these I never loved--" + +"Why, then," said I, "the more your shame!" + +As I uttered the words, she leaned down and smote me lightly upon my +swollen lips and so left me. But presently back she came and with her three +of the crew, bearing chains, etc., which fellows at her command (albeit +they were something gone in liquor) forthwith clapped me up in these +fetters and thereafter cut away the irksome cords that bound me. Whiles +this was a-doing, she (quick to mark their condition) lashed them with her +tongue, giving them "loathly sots," "drunken swine," "scum o' the world" +and the like epithets, all of the which they took in mighty humble fashion, +knuckling their foreheads, ducking their heads with never a word and mighty +glad to stumble away and be gone at flick of her contemptuous finger. + +"So here's you, Martino," said she, when we were alone, "here's you in +chains that might have been free, and here's myself very determined you +shall learn somewhat of shame and be slave at command of such beasts as +yonder. D'ye hear, fool, d'ye hear?" But I heeding her none at all, she +kicked me viciously so that I flinched (despite myself) for I was very +sore; whereat she gave a little laugh: + +"Ah, ah!" said she, nodding. "If I did not love you, now would I watch you +die! But the time is not yet--no. When that hour is then, if I am not your +death, you shall be mine--death for one or other or both, for I--" + +She sprang to her feet as from the deck above came the uproar of sudden +brawl with drunken outcry. + +"Ah, Madre de Dios!" said she, stamping in her anger. "Oh, these bestial +things called men!" which said, she whipped a pistol from her belt, cocked +it and was gone with a quick, light patter of feet. Suddenly I heard the +growing tumult overhead split and smitten to silence by a pistol-shot, +followed by a wailing cry that was drowned in the tramp of feet away +forward. + +As for me, my poor body, freed of its bonds, found great easement thereby +(and despite my irons) so that I presently laid myself down on one of +these cushioned lockers (and indeed, though small, this cabin was rarely +luxurious and fine) but scarce had I stretched my aching limbs than the +door opened and a man entered. + +And surely never in all this world was stranger creature to be seen. Gaunt +and very lean was he of person and very well bedight from heel to head, but +the face that peered out 'twixt the curls of his great periwig lacked for +an eye and was seamed and seared with scars in horrid fashion; moreover the +figure beneath his rich, wide-skirted coat seemed warped and twisted beyond +nature; yet as he stood viewing me with his solitary eye (this grey and +very quick and bright) there was that in his appearance that somehow took +my fancy. + +"What, messmate," quoth he, in full, hearty voice, advancing with a +shambling limp, "here cometh one to lay alongside you awhile, old +Resolution Day, friend, mate o' this here noble ship _Happy Despatch_, +comrade, and that same myself, look'ee!" + +But having no mind to truck with him or any of this evil company, I bid him +leave me be and cursed him roundly for the pirate-rogue he was. + +"Pirate," said he, no whit abashed at my outburst. "Why, pirate it is. But +look'ee, there never was pirate the like o' me for holiness--'specially o' +Sundays! Lord love you, there's never a parson or divine, high church or +low, a patch on me for real holiness--'specially o' Sundays. So do I pray +when cometh my time to die, be it in bed or boots, by sickness, bullet or +noose, it may chance of a Sunday. And then again, why not a pirate? What o' +yourself, friend? There's a regular fire-and-blood, skull-and-bones look +about ye as liketh me very well. And there be many worse things than a mere +pirate, brother. And what? You'll go for to ask. Answer I--Spanishers, +Papishers, the Pope o' Rome and his bloody Inquisition, of which last I +have lasting experience, _camarado_--aye, I have I!" + +"Ah?" said I, sitting up. "You have suffered the torture?" + +"Comrade, look at me! The fire, the pulley, the rack, the wheel, the +water--there's no devilment they ha'n't tried on this poor carcase o' mine +and all by reason of a Spanish nun as bore away with my brother!" + +"Your brother?" + +"Aye, but 'twas me she loved, for I was younger then and something kinder +to the eye. So him they burned, her they buried alive and me they tormented +into the wrack ye see. But I escaped wi' my life, the Lord delivered me +out o' their bloody hands, which was an ill thing for them, d'ye see, for +though I lack my starboard blinker and am somewhat crank i' my spars alow +and aloft, I can yet ply whinger and pull trigger rare and apt enough for +the rooting out of evil. And where a fairer field for the aforesaid rooting +out o' Papishers, Portingales, and the like evil men than this good ship, +the _Happy Despatch?_ Aha, messmate, there's many such as I've despatched +hot-foot to their master Sathanas, 'twixt then and now. And so 'tis I'm a +pirate and so being so do I sing along o' David: 'Blessed be the Lord my +strength that teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight.' A rare +gift o' words had Davy and for curses none may compare." Hereupon, seating +himself on the locker over against me, he thrust a hand into his great side +pocket and brought thence a hank of small-cord, a silver-mounted pistol and +lastly a small, much battered volume. + +"Look'ee, comrade," said he, tapping the worn covers with bony finger, +"the Bible is a mighty fine book to fight by; to stir up a man for battle, +murder or sudden death it hath no equal and for keeping his hate agin his +enemies ever a-burning, there is no book written or ever will be--" + +"You talk blasphemy!" quoth I. + +"Avast, avast!" cried he. "Here's no blasphemy, thought or word. I love +this little Bible o' mine; His meat and drink to me, the friend o' my +solitude, my solace in pain, my joy for ever and alway. Some men, being +crossed in fortune, hopes, ambition or love, take 'em to drink and the like +vanities. I, that suffered all this, took to the Bible and found all my +needs betwixt the covers o' this little book. For where shall a wronged +man find such a comfortable assurance as this? Hark ye what saith our +Psalmist!" Turning over a page or so and lifting one knotted fist aloft, +Resolution Day read this: + +"'I shall bathe my footsteps in the blood of mine enemies and the tongues +of the dogs shall be red with the same!' The which," said he, rolling his +bright eye at me, "the which is a sweet, pretty fancy for the solace of one +hath endured as much as I. Aye, a noble book is Psalms. I know it by heart. +List ye to this, now! 'The wicked shall perish and the enemies of the Lord +be as the fat of rams, as smoke shall they consume away.' Brother, I've +watched 'em so consume many's the time and been the better for't. Hark'ee +again: 'They shall be as chaff before the wind. As a snail that melteth +they shall every one pass away. Break their teeth in their mouth, O God!' +saith Davy, aye and belike did it too, and so have I ere now with a pistol +butt. I mind once when we stormed Santa Catalina and the women and children +a-screaming in the church which chanced to be afire, I took out my Bible +here and read these comfortable words: 'The righteous shall rejoice when he +seeth the vengeance, he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked so +that a man shall say: Verily there is a reward for the righteous.' Aha, +brother, for filling a man wi' a gust of hate and battle, there's nought +like the Bible. And when a curse is wanted, give me David. Davy was a man +of his hands, moreover, and so are you, friend. I watched ye fight on the +sand-spit yonder; twelve to one is long enough odds for any man, and yet +here's five o' the twelve wi' bones broke and never a one but wi' some mark +o' your handiwork to show, which is vastly well, comrade. Joanna's choice +is mine, messmate--" + +"How d'ye mean?" I demanded, scowling, whereupon he beamed on me +friendly-wise and blinked his solitary eye. + +"There is no man aboard this ship," quoth he, nodding again, "no, not one +as could keep twelve in play so long, friend, saving only Black Pompey--" + +"I've heard his name already," said I, "what like is he and who?" + +"A poor heathen, comrade, a blackamoor, friend, a child of Beelzebub +abounding in blood, brother--being torturer, executioner and cook and +notable in each several office. A man small of soul yet great of body, +being nought but a poor, black heathen, as I say. And ashore yonder you +shall hear our Christian messmates a-quarrelling over their rum as is the +way o' your Christians hereabouts--hark to 'em!" + +The _Happy Despatch_ lay anchored hard by the reef and rode so near the +island that, glancing from one of her stern-gallery windows I might behold +Deliverance Beach shining under the moon and a great fire blazing, round +which danced divers of the crew, filling the night with lewd, unholy riot +of drunken singing and shouts that grew ever more fierce and threatening. I +was gazing upon this scene and Resolution Day beside me, when the door was +flung open and Job the quartermaster appeared. + +"Cap'n Jo wants ye ashore wi' her!" said he, beckoning to Resolution, who +nodded and thrusting Bible into pocket, took thence the silver-mounted +pistol, examined flint and priming and thrusting it into his belt, followed +Job out of the cabin, locking the door upon me. Thereafter I was presently +aware of a boat putting off from the ship and craning my neck, saw it was +rowed by Resolution with Joanna in the stern sheets, a naked sword across +her knees; and my gaze held by the glimmer of this steel, I watched them +row into the lagoon and so to that spit of sand opposite Skeleton Cove. +I saw the hateful glitter of this deadly steel as Joanna leapt lightly +ashore, followed more slowly by Resolution. But suddenly divers of the +rogues about the fire, beholding Joanna as she advanced against them thus, +sword in hand, cried out a warning to their fellows, who, ceasing from +their strife, immediately betook them to their heels, fleeing before her +like so many mischievous lads; marvelling, I watched until she had pursued +them out of my view. + +Hereupon I took to an examination of my fetters, link by link, but finding +them mighty secure, laid me down as comfortably as they would allow and +fell to pondering my desperate situation, and seeing no way out herefrom +(and study how I might) I began to despond; but presently, bethinking me of +Don Federigo and judging his case more hopeless than mine (if this could +well be), and further, remembering how, but for me, he would by death have +delivered himself, I (that had not prayed this many a long month) now +petitioned the God to whom nothing is impossible that He would save alive +this noble gentleman of Spain, and thus, in his sorrows, forgot mine own +awhile. + +All at once I started up, full of sudden great and joyful content in all +that was, or might be, beholding in my fetters the very Providence of God +(as it were) and in my captivity His answer to my so oft-repeated prayer; +for now I remembered that with the flood this ship was to sail for Nombre +de Dios, where, safe-dungeoned and secure against my coming lay my +hated foe and deadly enemy, Richard Brandon. And now, in my vain and +self-deluding pride (my heart firm-set on this miserable man, his undoing +and destruction) I cast me down on my knees and babbled forth my passionate +gratitude to Him that is from everlasting to everlasting the God of Mercy, +Love and Forgiveness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +HOW I FOUGHT IN THE DARK WITH ONE POMPEY, A GREAT BLACKAMOOR + + +I was yet upon my knees when came Job the quartermaster with two men +who, at his command, dragged me to my feet and out upon deck; cursing my +hampering fetters, they tumbled me down the quarter-ladder and so down into +the waist of the ship. + +Now as I went I kept my eyes upraised to the serene majesty of the heavens; +the moon rode high amid a glory of stars, and as I looked it seemed I had +never seen them so bright and wonderful, never felt the air so good and +sweet upon my lips. + +Being come to the fore-hatchway I checked there, despite my captors' +buffets and curses, to cast a final, long look up, above and round about +me, for I had a sudden uneasy feeling, a dreadful suspicion that once I +descended into the gloom below I never should come forth alive. So I stared +eagerly upon these ever-restless waters, so bright beneath the moon, upon +the white sands of Deliverance Beach, on lofty palmetto and bush-girt cliff +and then, shivering despite all my resolution, I suffered them to drag me +down into that place of shadows. + +I remember a sharp, acrid smell, the reek of bilge and thick, mephitic air +as I stumbled on betwixt my captors through this foul-breathing dimness +until a door creaked, yawning suddenly upon a denser blackness, into which +I was thrust so suddenly that I fell, clashing my fetters, and lying thus, +heard the door slammed and bolted. + +So here lay I in sweating, breathless expectation of I knew not what, my +ears on the stretch, my manacled hands tight-clenched and every nerve +a-tingle with this dreadful uncertainty. For a great while it seemed I lay +thus, my ears full of strange noises, faint sighings, unchancy rustlings +and a thousand sly, unaccountable sounds that at first caused me direful +apprehensions but which, as I grew more calm, I knew for no more than the +flow of the tide and the working of the vessel's timbers as she strained at +her anchors. All at once I sat up, crouching in the dark, as from somewhere +about me, soft yet plain to hear, came a sound that told me some one was +stealthily drawing the bolts of the door. Rising to my feet I stood, +shackled fists clenched, ready to leap and smite so soon as chance should +offer. Then came a hissing whisper: + +"Easy all, brother! Soft it is, comrade! 'Tis me, messmate, old Resolution, +friend, come to loose thy bilboes, for fair is fair. Ha, 'tis plaguey dark, +the pit o' Acheron ain't blacker, where d'ye lay--speak soft for there's +ears a-hearkening very nigh us." + +In the dark a hand touched me and then I felt the muzzle of a pistol at my +throat. + +"No tricks, lad--no running for't if I loose ye--you'll bide here--come +life, come death? Is't agreed?" + +"It is!" I whispered. Whereupon and with no more ado, he freed me from my +gyves, making scarcely any sound, despite the dark. + +"I'll take these wi' me, friend and--my finger's on trigger." + +"Resolution, how am I to die?" + +"Black Pompey!" came the hissing whisper. + +"Hath Joanna ordered this?" + +"Never think it, mate--she's ashore and I swam aboard, having my +suspicions." + +"Resolution, a dying man thanks you heartily, purely never, after all, was +there pirate the like o' you for holiness. Could I but find some weapon to +my defence now--a knife, say." In the dark came a griping hand that found +mine and was gone again, but in my grasp was a stout, broad-bladed knife. + +"'Let the heathen rage,' saith Holy Writ, so rage it is, says I, only smite +first, brother and smite--hard. And 'ware the starboard scuttle!" Hereafter +was the rustle of his stealthy departure, the soft noise of bolts, and +silence. + +And now in this pitchy gloom, wondering what and where this scuttle might +be, I crouched, a very wild and desperate creature, peering into the gloom +and starting at every sound; thus presently I heard the scrape of a viol +somewhere beyond the bulkheads that shut me in and therewith a voice that +sang, the words very clear and distinct: + + "Oh, Moll she lives in Deptford town, + In Deptford town lives she; + Let maid be white or black or brown. + Still Moll's the lass for me; + Sweet Moll as lives in Deptford town, + Yo-ho, shipmates, for Deptford town, + Tis there as I would be." + +Mingled with this singing I thought to hear the heavy thud of an unshod +foot on the planking above my head, and setting my teeth I gripped my knife +in sweating palm. + +But now (and to my despair) came the singing again to drown all else, +hearken how I would: + + "Come whistle, messmates all. + For a breeze, for a breeze + Come pipe up, messmates all, + For a breeze. + When to Deptford town we've rolled + Wi' our pockets full o' gold; + Then our lasses we will hold + On our knees, on our knees." + +Somewhere in the dark was the sudden, thin complaint of a rusty and +unwilling bolt, though if this were to my right or left, above or below +me, I could not discover and my passionate listening was once more vain by +reason of this accursed rant: + + "Who will not drink a glass, + Let him drown, let him drown; + Who will not drink a glass, + Let him drown. + Who will not drink a glass + For to toast a pretty lass, + Is no more than fool and ass; + So let him drown, let him drown!" + +A sudden glow upon the gloom overhead, a thin line of light that widened +suddenly to a square of blinding radiance and down through the trap came +a lanthorn grasped in a hugeous, black fist and, beyond this, an arm, a +mighty shoulder, two rows of flashing teeth, two eyes that glared here and +there, rolling in horrid fashion; thus much I made out as I sprang and, +grappling this arm, smote upwards with my knife. The lanthorn fell, +clattering, and was extinguished, but beyond the writhing, shapeless thing +that blocked the scuttle, I might, ever and anon, behold a star twinkling +down upon me where I wrestled with this mighty arm that whirled me from my +feet, and swung me, staggering, to and fro as I strove to get home with +my knife at the vast bulk that loomed above me. Once and twice I stabbed +vainly, but my third stroke seemed more successful, for the animal-like +howl he uttered nigh deafened me; then (whether by my efforts or his own, +I know not) down he came upon me headlong, dashing the good knife from my +grasp and whirling me half-stunned against the bulkhead, and as I leaned +there, sick and faint, a hand clapped-to the scuttle. And now in this +dreadful dark I heard a deep and gusty breathing, like that of some +monstrous beast, heard this breathing checked while he listened for me a +stealthy rustling as he felt here and there to discover my whereabouts. But +I stood utterly still, breathless and sweating, with a horror of death at +this great blackamoor's hands, since, what with the palsy of fear by reason +of the loss of my knife, I did not doubt but that this monster would soon +make an end of me and in horrid fashion. + +Presently I heard him move again and (judging by the sound) creeping on +hands and knees, therefore as he approached I edged myself silently along +the bulkhead and thus (as I do think) we made the complete circuit of the +place; once it seemed he came upon the lanthorn and dashing it fiercely +aside, paused awhile to listen again, and my heart pounding within me so +that I sweated afresh lest he catch the sound of it. And sometimes I would +hear the soft, slurring whisper his fingers made against deck or bulkhead +where he groped for me, and once a snorting gasp and the crunch of his +murderous knife-point biting into wood and thereafter a hoarse and +outlandish muttering. And ever as I crept thus, moving but when he moved, +I felt before me with my foot, praying that I might discover my knife and, +this in hand, face him and end matters one way or another and be done with +the horror. And whiles we crawled thus round and round within this narrow +space, ever and anon above the stealthy rustle of his movements, above his +stertorous breathing and evil muttering, above the wild throbbing of my +heart rose the wail of the fiddle and the singing: + + "Who will not kiss a maid, + Let him hang, let him hang; + Who fears to kiss a maid, + Let him hang. + Who will not kiss a maid + Who of woman is afraid, + Is no better than a shade; + So let him hang, let him hang!" + +until this foolish, ranting ditty seemed to mock me, my breath came and +went to it, my heart beat to it; yet even so, I was praying passionately +and this my prayer, viz: That whoso was waiting above us for my death-cry +should not again lift the scuttle lest I be discovered to this man-thing +that crept and crept upon me in the dark. Even as I prayed thus, the +scuttle was raised and, blinded by the sudden glare of a lanthorn, I heard +Job's hoarse voice: + +"Below there! Pompey, ahoy! Ha'n't ye done yet an' be curst?" + +And suddenly I found in this thing I had so much dreaded the one chance to +my preservation, for I espied the great blackamoor huddled on his knees, +shading his eyes with both hands from the dazzling light and, lying on the +deck before him a long knife. + +"Oh, marse mate," he cried, "me done fin' no curs' man here'bouts--" + +Then I leaped and kicking the knife out of reach, had him in my grip, my +right hand fast about his throat. I remember his roar, the crash of the +trap as it closed, and after this a grim and desperate scuffling in the +dark; now he had me down, rolling and struggling and now we were up, locked +breast to breast, swaying and staggering, stumbling and slipping, crashing +into bulkheads, panting and groaning; and ever he beat and buffeted me with +mighty fists, but my head bowed low betwixt my arms, took small hurt, while +ever my two hands squeezed and wrenched and twisted at his great, fleshy +throat. I remember an awful gasping that changed to a strangling whistle, +choked to a feeble, hissing whine; his great body grew all suddenly lax, +swaying weakly in my grasp, and then, as I momentarily eased my grip, with +a sudden, mighty effort he broke free. I heard a crash of splintering wood, +felt a rush of sweet, pure air, saw him reel out through the shattered door +and sink upon his knees; but as I sprang towards him he was up and fleeing +along the deck amidships, screaming as he ran. + +All about me was a babel of shouts and cries, a rush and trampling of feet, +but I sped all unheeding, my gaze ever upon the loathed, fleeing shape +of this vile blackamoor. I was hard on his heels as he scrambled up the +quarter-ladder and within a yard of him as he gained the deck, while behind +us in the waist were men who ran pell-mell, filling the night with raving +clamour and drunken halloo. Now as I reached the quarter-deck, some one of +these hurled after me a belaying pin and this, catching me on the thigh, +staggered me so that I should have fallen but for the rail; so there clung +I in a smother of sweat and blood while great moon and glittering stars +span dizzily; but crouched before me on his hams, almost within arm's +reach, was this accursed negro who gaped upon me with grinning teeth and +rolled starting eyeballs, his breath coming in great, hoarse gasps. And I +knew great joy to see him in no better case than I, his clothes hanging in +blood-stained tatters so that I might see all the monstrous bulk of him. +Now, as he caught his breath and glared upon me, I suffered my aching body +to droop lower and lower over the rail like one nigh to swooning, yet very +watchful of his every move. Suddenly as we faced each other thus, from the +deck below rose a chorus of confused cries: + +"At him, Pompey! Now's ye time, boy! Lay 'im aboard, lad, 'e be +a-swounding! Ha--out wi' his liver, Pompey--at him, he's yourn!" + +Heartened by these shouts and moreover seeing how feebly I clutched at the +quarter-rail, the great negro uttered a shrill cry of triumph and leapt at +me; but as he came I sprang to meet his rush and stooping swiftly, caught +him below the knees and in that same moment, straining every nerve, every +muscle and sinew to the uttermost, I rose up and hove him whirling over my +shoulder. + +I heard a scream, a scurry of feet, and then the thudding crash of his fall +on the deck below and coming to the rail I leaned down and saw him lie, +his mighty limbs hideously twisted and all about him men who peered and +whispered. But suddenly they found their voices to rage against me, shaking +their fists and brandishing their steel; a pistol flashed and roared and +the bullet hummed by my ear, but standing above them I laughed as a madman +might, jibing at them and daring them to come on how they would, since +indeed death had no terrors for me now. And doubtless steel or shot would +have ended me there and then but for the man Diccon who quelled their +clamour and held them from me by voice and fist: + +"Arrest, ye fools--stand by!" he roared. "Yon man be the property o' +Captain Jo--'tis Joanna's man and whoso harms him swings--" + +"Aye, but he've murdered Pompey, ain't 'e?" demanded Job. + +"Aye, aye--an' so 'e have, for sure!" cried a voice. + +"Well an' good--murder's an 'anging matter, ain't it?" + +"An' so it be, Job--up wi' him--hang him--hang him!" + +"Well an' good!" cried Job again. "'Ang 'im we will, lads, all on us, every +man's fist to the rope--she can't hang us all, d'ye see. You, Diccon, where +be Belvedere; he shall be in it--" + +"Safe fuddled wi' rum, surely. Lord, Job, you do be takin' uncommon risks +for a hatful o' guineas--" + +So they took me and, all unresisting, I was dragged amidships beneath the +main yard where a noose was for my destruction; and though hanging had +seemed a clean death by contrast with that I had so lately escaped at +the obscene hands of this loathly blackamoor, yet none the less a sick +trembling took me as I felt the rope about my neck, insomuch that I sank to +my knees and closed my eyes. + +Kneeling thus and nigh to fainting, I heard a sudden, quick patter of +light-running feet, a gasping sigh and, glancing up, beheld Job before +me, also upon his knees and staring down with wide and awful eyes at an +ever-spreading stain that fouled the bosom of his shirt; and as he knelt +thus, I saw above his stooping head the blue glitter of a long blade that +lightly tapped his brawny neck. + +"The noose--here, Diccon, here, yes!" + +As one in a dream I felt the rope lifted from me and saw it set about the +neck of Job. + +"So! Ready there? Now--heave all!" + +I heard the creak of the block, the quick tramp of feet, a strangling cry, +and Job the quartermaster was snatched aloft to kick and writhe and dangle +against the moon. + +"Diccon, we have lost our quartermaster and we sail on the flood; you are +quartermaster henceforth, yes. Ha--look--see, my Englishman is sick! Dowse +a bucket o' water over him, then let him be ironed and take him forward to +the fo'castle; he shall serve you all for sport--but no killing, mind." +Thus lay I to be kicked and buffeted and half-drowned; yet when they had +shackled me, cometh the man Diccon to clap me heartily on the shoulder and +after him Resolution to nod at me and blink with his single, twinkling eye: + +"Oh, friend," quoth he, "Oh, brother, saw ye ever the like of our Captain +Jo? Had Davy been here to-day he might perchance ha' wrote a psalm to her." + +That morning with the flood tide we hove anchor and the _Happy Despatch_ +stood out to sea and, as she heeled to the freshening wind, Job's +stiffening body lurched and swayed and twisted from the main yard. And thus +it was I saw the last of my island. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +OF BATTLE, MURDER AND RESOLUTION DAY, HIS POINT OF VIEW + + +And now, nothing heeding my defenceless situation and the further horrors +that might be mine aboard this accursed pirate ship, I nevertheless knew +great content for that, with every plunge and roll of the vessel, I was so +much the nearer Nombre de Dios town where lay prisoned my enemy, Richard +Brandon; thus I made of my sinful lust for vengeance a comfort to my +present miseries, and plotting my enemy's destruction, found therein much +solace and consolation. + +I had crept into a sheltered corner and here, my knees drawn up, my back +against one of the weather guns, presently fell a-dozing. I was roused by +a kick to find the ship rolling prodigiously, the air full of spray and a +piping wind, and Captain Belvedere scowling down on me, supporting himself +by grasping a backstay in one hand and flourishing a case-bottle in the +other. + +"Ha, 's fish, d'ye live yet?" roared he in drunken frenzy. "Ha'n't Black +Pompey done your business? Why, then--here's for ye!" And uttering a great +oath, he whirled up the bottle to smite; but, rolling in beneath his arm, I +staggered him with a blow of my fettered hands, then (or ever I might avoid +him) he had crushed me beneath his foot: and then Joanna stood fronting +him. Pallid, bare-headed, wild of eye, she glared on him and before this +look he cowered and shrank away. + +"Drunken sot!" cried she. "Begone lest I send ye aloft to join yon +carrion!" And she pointed where Job's stiff body plunged and swung and +twisted at the reeling yard-arm. + +"Nay, Jo, I--I meant him no harm!" he muttered, and turning obedient to her +gesture, slunk away. + +"Ah, Martino," said Joanna, stooping above me, "'twould seem I must be for +ever saving your life to you, yes. Are you not grateful, no?" + +"Aye, I am grateful!" quoth I, remembering my enemy. + +"Then prove me it!" + +"As how?" + +"Speak me gently, look kindly on me, for I am sick, Martino, and shall be +worse. I never can abide a rolling ship--'tis this cursed woman's body o' +mine. So to-day am I all woman and yearn for tenderness--and we shall have +more bad weather by the look o' things! Have you enough knowledge to handle +this ship in a storm?" + +"Not I!" + +"'Tis pity," she sighed, "'tis pity! I would hang Belvedere and make +you captain in his room--he wearies me, and would kill me were he man +enough--ah, Mother of Heaven, what a sea!" she cried, clinging to me as a +great wave broke forward, filling the air with hissing spray. "Aid me aft, +Martino!" + +Hereupon, seeing her so haggard and faint, and the decks deserted save for +the watch, I did as she bade me as well as I might by reason of my fetters +and the uneasy motion of the ship, and at last (and no small labour) I +brought her into the great cabin or roundhouse under the poop. And now she +would have me bide and talk with her awhile, but this I would by no means +do. + +"And why not, Martino?" she questioned in soft, wheedling fashion. "Am I so +hateful to you yet? Wherefore go?" + +"Because I had rather lie in my fetters out yonder at the mercy o' wind and +wave!" said I. + +Now at this she fell to sudden weeping and, as suddenly, to reviling me +with bitter curses. + +"Go then!" cried she, striking me in her fury. "Keep your chains--aye, I +will give ye to the mercy of this rabble crew ... leave me!" The which I +did forthwith and, finding me a sheltered corner, cast myself down there +and fell to hearkening to the rush of the wind and to watching the +awful might of the racing, foam-capped billows. And, beholding these +manifestations of God's majesty and infinite power, of what must I be +thinking but my own small desires and unworthy schemes of vengeance! And +bethinking me of Don Federigo (and him governor of Nombre de Dios) I +began planning how I might use him to my purpose. My mind full of this, I +presently espied the mate, Resolution Day, his laced hat and noble periwig +replaced by a close-fitting seaman's bonnet, making his way across the +heaving deck as only a seaman might (and despite his limp) and as he drew +nearer I hailed and beckoned him. + +"Aha, and are ye there, camarado!" said he. "'Tis well, for I am a-seeking +ye." + +"Tell me, Resolution, when shall we sight Nombre de Dios?" + +"Why look now, if this wind holdeth fair, we should fetch up wi' it in some +five days or thereabouts." + +"Don Federigo is governor of the town, I think?" + +"Verily and so he is. And what then?" + +"Where lieth he now?" + +"Safe, friend, and secure. You may lay to that, brother!" + +"Could you but get me speech with him--" + +"Not by no manner o' means whatsoever, _amigo_! And the reason why? It +being agin her orders." + +"Is he well?" + +"Well-ish, brother--fairly bobbish, all things considered, mate--though not +such a hell-fire, roaring lad o' mettle as yourself, comrade. David slew +Goliath o' Gath wi' a pebble and you broke Black Pompey's back wi' your +naked hands! Here's a thing as liketh me mighty well! Wherefore I grieve to +find ye such an everlasting fool, brother." + +"How so, Resolution?" + +"When eyes look sweetness--why scowl? When lips woo kisses--wherefore take +a blow instead? When comfort and all manner o' delights be offered--why +choose misery forrard and the bloody rogues o' her fo'castle? For 'tis +there as you be going, mate--aye, verily!" Here he set a silver whistle to +his mouth and blew a shrill blast at which signal came two fellows who, at +his command, dragged me to my feet and so away forward. + +Thus true to her word, Joanna banished me from the gilded luxury of cabin +and roundhouse and gave me up to the rogues forward, a wild and lawless +company of divers races and conditions so that they seemed the very scum of +the world, and yet here, in this reeking forecastle, each and every of them +my master. + +Nor can any words of mine justly paint the wild riot and brutal licence +of this crowded 'tween-deck, foul with the reek of tobacco and a thousand +worse savours, its tiers on tiers of dark and noisome berths where men +snored or thrust forth shaggy heads to rave at and curse each other; its +blotched and narrow table amidships, its rows of battered sea chests, its +loathsome floor; a place of never-ceasing stir and tumult, dim-lighted by +sputtering lamps. + +My advent was hailed by an exultant roar and they were all about me, an +evil company in their rage and draggled finery; here were faces scarred by +battles and brutalised by their own misdeeds, this unlovely company now +thrust upon me with pointing fingers, nudging elbows, scowls and mocking +laughter. + +"What now--is he to us, then?" cried one. "Hath Jo sent us her plaything?" + +"Aye, lads, and verily!" answered Resolution. "Here's him as she calleth +Martin O; here's him as out-fought Pompey--" + +"Aye, aye--remember Pompey!" cried a bedizened rogue pushing towards me, +hand on knife. + +"Why, truly, Thomas Ford, remember Pompey, but forget not Job as died so +sudden--in the midst o' life he were in death, were Job! So hands off your +knife, Thomas Ford; Captain Jo sendeth Martin for your sport and what not, +d'ye see, but when he dieth 'tis herself will do the killing!" + +Left alone and helpless in my fetters, I stood with bowed head, nothing +heeding them for all their baiting of me, whereupon the man Ford, catching +up a pipkin that chanced handy, cast upon me some vileness or other the +which was the signal for others to do likewise so that I was soon miserably +wet from head to foot and this I endured without complaint. But now they +betook them to tormenting me with all manner of missiles, joying to see me +blench and stagger until, stung to a frenzy of rage and being within reach +of the man Ford (my chiefest tormentor) I sprang upon him and fell to +belabouring him heartily with the chain that swung betwixt my wrists, but +an unseen foot tripped me heavily and ere I could struggle free they were +upon me. But now as they kicked and trampled and buffeted me, I once +again called upon God with a loud voice, and this was the manner of my +supplication: + +"Oh, God of Justice, for the pains I now endure, give to me +vengeance--vengeance, Oh, God, upon mine enemy!" + +And hearing this passionate outcry, my tormentors presently drew away from +me, staring on me where I lay and muttering together like men greatly +amazed, and left me in peace awhile. + +Very much might I tell of all I underwent at this time, of the shameful +indignities, tricks and deviltries of which I was victim, so that there +were times when I cursed my Maker and all in this world save only my +miserable self--I, that by reason of my hate and vengeful pursuit of my +enemy, had surely brought all these evils on my own head. Yet every shame +I endured, every pain I suffered did but nerve me anew to this long-sought +vengeance on him that (in my blind folly) I cursed as the author of these +my sufferings. + +But indeed little gust have I to write of these things; moreover I began +to fear that my narrative grow to inordinate length, so will I incontinent +pass on to that time when came the quartermaster Diccon with Resolution Day +to deliver me from my hateful prison. + +And joy unspeakable was it to breathe the sweet, clean air, to hear the +piping song of the wind and the hiss of the tumbling billows, to feel the +lift and roll of the great ship as she ploughed her course through seas +blue as any sapphire; though indeed small leisure had I for the glory of it +all, as they hurried me aft. + +"What now?" I enquired hopelessly. "What new deviltries have ye in store?" + +"'Tis Jo!" answered Diccon. "'Tis Joanna, my bully!" and here he leered and +nodded; "Joanna is sick and groweth womanish--" + +"And look'ee now, friend," quoth Resolution, clapping me on the back, +"you'll mind 'twas old Resolution as was your stay and comfort by means of +a knife i' the matter o' the heathen Pompey, comrade? You'll not forget old +Resolution, shipmate?" + +"And me," quoth Diccon, patting my other shoulder. "I stood your friend so +much as I might--aye, did I!" + +Thus talked they, first in one ear then in the other, picturing to my +imagination favours done me, real or imagined, until, to hear them, they +might have been my guardian angels; while I went between them silent and +mighty sullen, casting about in my mind as to what all this should portend. + +So they brought me aft to that gilded cabin the which gave upon the +stern-gallery; and here, outstretched on downy cushions and covered by a +rich embroidery, lay Joanna. + +Perceiving me, she raised herself languidly and motioned the others to be +gone, whereupon they went out, closing the door; whereupon she spake, quick +and passionate: + +"I have sent for you because I am weak with my sickness, Martino, faint and +very solitary!" + +"And must I weep therefore?" said I, and glancing from her haggard face I +beheld a small, ivory-hilted dagger on the table at her elbow. + +"Ah, mercy of God--how the ship rolls!" she moaned feebly and then burst +forth into cursings and passionate revilings of ship and wind and sea until +these futile ravings were hushed for lack of breath; anon she fell to +sighing and with many wistful looks, but finding me all unheeding, fell +foul of me therefore: + +"Ha, scowl, beast--scowl--this becomes thy surly visage. I shall not know +thee else! Didst ever smile in all thy sullen days or speak me gentle word +or kindly? Never to me, oh, never to me! Will ye not spare a look? Will ye +not speak--have ye no word to my comfort?" + +"Why seek such of me?" I demanded bitterly. "I have endured much of shame +and evil at your will--" + +"Ah, fool," sighed she, "had you but sent to me--one word--and I had freed +you ere this! And I have delivered you at last because I am sick and +weak--a woman and lonely--" + +"Why, there be rogues for you a-plenty hereabouts shall fit ye better than +I--" + +"Oh, 'tis a foul tongue yours, Martino!" + +"Why, then, give me a boat, cast me adrift and be done with me." + +"Ah, no, I would not you should die yet--" + +"Mayhap you will torture me a little more first." + +"'Tis for you to choose! Oh, Martino," she cried; "will you not be my +friend, rather?" + +"Never in this world!" + +At this, and all at once, she was weeping. + +"Ah, but you are cruel!" she sobbed, looking up at me through her +tears. "Have you no pity for one hath never known aught of true love +or gentleness? Wilt not forget past scores and strive to love me--some +little--Martino?" + +Now hearkening to her piteous accents, beholding her thus transfigured, her +tear-wet eyes, the pitiful tremor of her vivid lips and all the pleading +humility of her, I was beyond all thought amazed. + +"Surely," said I, "surely you are the strangest woman God ever made--" + +"Why then," said she, smiling through her tears, "since God made me, then +surely--ah, surely is there something in me worthy your love?" + +"Love?" quoth I, frowning and clenching my shackled hands. "'Tis an +emptiness--I am done with the folly henceforth--" + +"Ah--ah ... and what of your Joan--your Damaris?" she questioned eagerly. +"Do you not love her--no?" + +"No!" said I fiercely. "My life holdeth but one purpose--" + +"What purpose, Martino, what?" + +"Vengeance!" + +"On whom?" + +"'Tis no matter!" said I, and question me how she might I would say no +more, whereupon she importuned me with more talk of love and the like folly +until, finding me heedless alike of her tears and pleadings, she turned on +me in sudden fury, vowing she would have me dragged back to the hell of the +forecastle there and then. + +"I'll shame your cursed pride," cried she. "You shall be rove to a gun and +flayed with whips--" + +But here, reaching forward or ever she might stay me, I caught up the +ivory-hilted dagger: + +"Ah!" said she softly, staring where it glittered in my shackled hand. +"Would you kill me! Come then, death have I never feared--strike, _Martino +mio_!" and she proffered her white bosom to the blow; but I laughed in +fierce derision. + +"Silly wench," said I, "this steel is not for you! Call in your rogues and +watch me blood a few--" + +"Ah, damned coward," she cried, "ye dare not slay me lest Belvedere torment +ye to death--'tis your own vile carcase you do think of!" + +At this I did but laugh anew, whereat, falling to pallid fury, she sprang +upon me, smiting with passionate, small fists, besetting me so close that +I cowered and shrank back lest she impale herself on the dagger I grasped. +But presently being wearied she turned away, then staggered as the ship +rolled to a great sea, and would have fallen but for me. Suddenly, as she +leaned upon me thus, her dark head pillowed on my breast, she reached up +and clasped her hands about my neck and with head yet hid against me burst +into a storm of fierce sobbing. Staring down at this bowed head, feeling +the pleading passion of these vital, soft-clasping hands and shaken by her +heart-bursting sobs, I grew swiftly abashed and discomfited and let the +dagger fall and lie unheeded. + +"Ah, Martino," said she at last, her voice muffled in my breast. "Surely +nought is there in all this wretched world so desolate as a loveless woman! +Can you not--pity me--a little, yes?" + +"Aye, I do pity you!" quoth I, on impulse. + +"And pity is kin to love, Martino! And I can be patient, patient, yes!" + +"'Twere vain!" said I. At this she loosed me and uttering a desolate cry, +cast herself face down upon her couch. + +"Be yourself," said I, spurning the dagger into a corner; "rather would I +have your scorn and hate than tears--" + +"You have," said she, never stirring. "I do scorn you greatly, hate you +mightily, despise you infinitely--yet is my love greater than all--" + +Suddenly she started to an elbow, dashing away her tears, fierce-eyed, +grim-lipped, all womanly tenderness gone, as from the deck above rose the +hoarse roar of a speaking trumpet and the running of feet; and now was loud +rapping on the door that, opening, disclosed Diccon, the quartermaster. + +"By your leave, Captain Jo," cried he, "but your luck's wi' us--aye, is it! +A fine large ship a-plying to wind'ard of us--" + +In a moment Joanna was on her feet and casting a boat-cloak about herself +hasted out of the cabin, bidding Diccon bring me along. + +The wind had fallen light though the seas yet ran high; and now being come +to the lofty poop, I might behold our crowded decks where was mighty bustle +and to-do, casting loose the guns, getting up shot and powder, a-setting +out of half-pikes, swords, pistols and the like with a prodigious coming +and going; a heaving and yo-ho-ing with shouts and boisterous laughter, +whiles ever and anon grimy hands pointed and all heads were turned in the +one direction where, far away across the foam-flecked billows, was a speck +that I knew for a vessel. + +And beholding these pirate rogues, how joyously they laboured, with what +lusty cheers they greeted Joanna and clambered aloft upon swaying yards to +get more sail on the ship obedient to her shrill commands, I knew a great +pity for this ship we were pursuing and a passionate desire that she might +yet escape us. I was yet straining my eyes towards the chase and grieving +for the poor souls aboard her, when, at word from Joanna, I was seized and +fast bound to a ringbolt. + +Scarce was this done than Joanna uttered a groan and, clapping her hand to +her head, called out for Resolution, and with his assistance got her down +to the quarter-deck. + +By afternoon the sea was well-nigh calm and the chase so close that we +might behold her plainly enough and the people on her decks. Her topmasts +were gone, doubtless in the great storm, and indeed a poor, battered thing +she looked as she rolled to the long, oily swell. All at once, out from her +main broke the golden banner of Spain, whereupon rose fierce outcries from +our rogues; then above the clamour rose the voice of Diccon: + +"Shout, lads--shout for Roger, give tongue to Jolly Roger!" and looking +where he pointed with glittering cutlass, I beheld that hideous flag that +is hated by all honest mariners. + +And now began a fight that yet indeed was no fight, for seeing we had the +range of them whereas their shot fell pitifully short, Belvedere kept away +and presently let fly at them with every heavy gun that bore, and, as +the smoke thinned, I saw her foremast totter and fall, and her high, +weather-beaten side sorely splintered by our shot. Having emptied her great +guns to larboard the _Happy Despatch_ went about and thundered death and +destruction against them with her starboard broadside and they powerless +to annoy us any way in return. And thus did we batter them with our great +pieces, keeping ever out of their reach, so that none of all their missiles +came aboard us, until they, poor souls, seeing their case altogether +hopeless, were fain to cry us quarter. Hereupon, we stood towards them, and +as we approached I could behold the havoc our great shot had wrought aboard +them. + +The enemy having yielded to our mercy and struck their flag, we ceased our +fire, and thinking the worst, over and done, I watched where Belvedere +conned the ship with voice and gesture and the crew, mighty quick and +dexterous in obedience, proved themselves prime sailor-men, despite their +loose and riotous ways, so that, coming down upon the enemy, we presently +fell aboard of them by the fore-chains; whereupon up scrambled old +Resolution, sword in hand, first of any man (despite his lameness) and with +a cry of "Boarders away!" sprang down upon the Spaniard's blood-spattered +deck and his powder-blackened rogues leaping and hallooing on his heels. + +And now from these poor, deluded souls who had cast themselves upon our +mercy rose sudden awful shrieks and cries hateful to be heard as they fled +hither and thither about their littered decks before the pitiless steel +that hacked and thrust and smote. Shivering and sweating, I must needs +watch this thing done until, grown faint and sick, I bowed my face that +I might see no more. Gradually these distressful sounds grew weaker and +weaker, and dying away at last, were lost in the fierce laughter and +jubilant shouting of their murderers, where they fell to the work of +pillage. + +But hearing sudden roar of alarm, I looked up to see the Spanish ship was +going down rapidly by the head, whereupon was wild uproar and panic, some +of our rogues cutting away at the grapples even before their comrades had +scrambled back to safety; so was strife amongst them and confusion worse +confounded. The last man was barely aboard than our yards were braced round +and we stood away clear of this sinking ship. Now presently uproar broke +out anew and looking whence it proceeded, I beheld four Spaniards (who it +seemed had leapt aboard us unnoticed in the press), and these miserable +wretches methought would be torn in pieces. But thither swaggered +Belvedere, flourishing his pistols and ordering his rogues back, and falls +to questioning these prisoners and though I could not hear, I saw how +they cast themselves upon their knees, with hands upraised to heaven, +supplicating his mercy. He stood with arms folded, nodding his head now and +then as he listened, so that I began to have some hopes that he would spare +them; but all at once he gestured with his arms, whereon was a great +gust of laughter and cheering, and divers men began rigging a wide plank +out-board from the gangway amidships, whiles others hasted to pinion these +still supplicating wretches. This done, they seized upon one, and hoisting +him up on the plank with his face to the sea, betook them to pricking +him with sword and pike, thus goading him to walk to his death. So this +miserable, doomed man crept out along the plank, whimpering pleas for mercy +to the murderers behind him and prayers for mercy to the God above him, +until he was come to the plank's end and cowered there, raising and +lowering his bound hands in his agony while he gazed down into the +merciless sea that was to engulf him. All at once he stood erect, his +fettered hands upraised to heaven, and then with a piteous, wailing cry he +plunged down to his death and vanished 'mid the surge; once he came up, +struggling and gasping, ere he was swept away in the race of the tide. + +Now hereupon I cast myself on my knees and hiding my face in my fettered +hands, fell to a passion of prayer for the soul of this unknown man. And as +I prayed, I heard yet other lamentable outcries, followed in due season by +the hollow plunge of falling bodies; and so perished these four miserable +captives. + +I was yet upon my knees when I felt a hand upon my shoulder and the touch +(for a wonder) was kindly, and raising my head I found Resolution Day +looking down on me with his solitary, bright eye and his grim lips +up-curling to friendly smile. + +"So perish all Papishers, Romanists, Inquisitioners, and especially +Spanishers, friend!" + +"'Twas cruel and bloody murder!" quoth I, scowling up at him. + +"Why, perceive me now, _amigo_, let us reason together, _camarado_--thus +now it all dependeth upon the point o' view; these were Papishers and evil +men, regarding which Davy sayeth i' the Psalms, 'I will root 'em out,' says +he; why, root it is! says I--and look'ee, brother, I have done a lot o' +rooting hitherto and shall do more yet, as I pray. As to the fight now, +mate, as to the fight, 'twas noble fight--pretty work, and the ship well +handled, as you must allow, _camarado_!" + +"Call it rather brutal butchery!" said I fiercely. + +"Aye, there it is again," quoth he; "it all lieth in the point o' view! Now +in my view was my brother screaming amid crackling flames and a fair young +woman in her living tomb, who screamed for mercy and found none. 'Tis all +in the point o' view!" he repeated, smiling down at a great gout of blood +that blotched the skirt of his laced coat. + +"And I say 'tis foul murder in the sight of God and man!" I cried. + +"Ha, will ye squeak, rat!" quoth Belvedere, towering over me, where I +crouched upon my knees. "'S fish, will ye yap, then, puppy-dog?" + +"Aye--and bite!" quoth I, aiming a futile blow at him with my shackled +fists. "Give me one hand free and I'd choke the beastly soul out o' ye and +heave your foul carcase to the fishes--" + +Now at this he swore a great oath and whipped pistol from belt, but as he +did so Resolution stepped betwixt us. + +"Put up, Belvedere, put up!" said he in soothing tone. "No shooting, +stabbing nor maiming till _she_ gives the word, Captain--" + +"Curse her for a--" Resolution's long arm shot out and his knotted fingers +plunged and buried themselves in Belvedere's bull-throat, choking the word +on his lips. + +"Belay, Captain! Avast, Belvedere! I am one as knew her when she was +innocent child, so easy all's the word, Belvedere." Having said which, +Resolution relaxed his grip and Belvedere staggered back, gasping, and with +murder glaring in his eyes. But the left hand of Resolution Day was hidden +in his great side pocket whose suspicious bulge betrayed the weapon there, +perceiving which Belvedere, speaking no word, turned and swaggered away. + +Now seating himself upon the gun beside me, Resolution drew forth from that +same pocket his small Bible that fell open on his knee at an oft-studied +chapter. + +"Now regarding the point o' view, friend," quoth he, "touching upon the +death o' the evil-doers, of the blood of a righteous man's enemies--hearken +now to the words o' Davy." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HOW WE FOUGHT AN ENGLISH SHIP + + +For the days immediately following I saw nothing of Joanna but learned from +Resolution and Diccon that her sickness had increased upon her. + +"'Tis her soul, I doubt!" quoth Diccon, shaking his head. "'Tis too great +for her body--'tis giant soul and her but a woman--so doth strong soul +overcome weak body, and small wonder, say I?" + +"Nay, Diccon," said Resolution, his bright eye sweeping the hazy distance, +"'tis but that she refuseth her vittles, and since 'man cannot live by +bread alone' neither may woman, and 'tis more than bread she needeth and +so she rageth and thus, like unto Peter's wife's mother, lieth sick of a +fever." Here for a brief moment his bright eye rested on me and he scowled +as he turned to limp the narrow deck. + +Much might I narrate of the divers hazards of battle and storm that befell +us at this time, and more of the goodly ships pillaged and scuttled and +their miserable crews with them, by Belvedere and his bloody rogues; of +prayers for mercy mocked at, of the agonised screams of dying men, of flame +and destruction and death in many hideous shapes. All of the which nameless +evils I must perforce behold since this Belvedere that shrank at Joanna's +mere look, freed of her presence, took joyous advantage to torment me with +the sight of such horrors, such devil's work as shrieked to heaven for +vengeance; insomuch that Diccon and divers others could ill-stomach it at +last and even grim Resolution would have no more. + +Now although Belvedere and his rogues had taken great store of treasure +with small hurt to themselves, yet must they growl and curse their fortune, +since in none of the captured vessels had they taken any women, and never +was the cry of "Sail, ho!" than all men grew eager for chase and attack; +and thus this accursed ship _Happy Despatch_ stood on, day after day. + +Much will I leave untold by reason of the horror of it, and moreover my +space is short for all I have set myself to narrate, viz: how and in what +manner I came at last to my vengeance and what profit I had therein. So +will I pass on to that day when, being in the latitude of the great and +fair island of Hispaniola, we descried a ship bearing westerly. + +Hereupon (since greed is never satisfied) all men were vociferous for chase +and attack, and Belvedere agreeing, we hauled our wind accordingly and +stood after her with every sail we could carry. + +The _Happy Despatch_ was a great ship of some forty guns besides such +smaller pieces as minions, patereros and the like; she was moreover a +notable good sailer and as the hours passed it was manifest we were fast +overhauling our quarry. And very pitiful was it to see her crowding sail +away from us, to behold her (as it were) straining every nerve to escape +the horrors in store. Twice she altered her course and twice we did the +like, fetching ever nearer until it seemed she was doomed to share the +bloody fate of so many others. By noon we were so close that she was plain +to see, a middling-size ship, her paint blistered, her gilding tarnished as +by a long voyage, and though very taut and trim as to spars and rigging, +a heavy-sailing ship and sluggish. A poor thing indeed to cope with such +powerful vessel as this _Happy Despatch_, for as we closed in I could count +no more than six guns in the whole length of her. As to crew she might have +been deserted for all I saw of them, save one man who paced her lofty poop, +a smallish man in great wig and befeathered hat and in his fist a sword +prodigiously long in the blade, which sword he flourished whereat (as it +were a signal) out from her mizzen wafted the banner of Portugal, and +immediately she opened fire on us from her stern-chase guns. But their +shooting was so indifferent and artillery so pitiful that their shot fell +far short of us. Thus my heart grieved mightily for her as with our guns +run out and crew roaring and eager we bore down to her destruction. + +Now all at once, as I watched this unhappy ship, I caught my breath and +sank weakly to my knees as, despite the distance and plain to see, upon +her high poop came a woman, hooded and cloaked, who stood gazing earnestly +towards us. Other eyes had noticed her also, for up from our crowded decks +rose a hum, an evil murmur that swelled to a cry fierce, inarticulate, +bestial, whiles all eyes glared upon that slender, shapely form; presently +amid this ravening clamour I distinguished words: + +"Oh, a woman! Aha--women! Hold your fire, lads--no shooting; we want 'em +all alive! Easy all, bullies--nary a gun, mates--we'll lay 'em 'longside +and board--Aye, aye--board it is!" + +Now being on my knees, I began to whisper in passionate prayer until, +roused by a shambling step, I glanced up to find Resolution Day beside me. + +"What, d'ye pray, brother? 'Tis excellent well!" Said he, setting a +musquetoon ready to hand and glancing at the primings of his pistols. "Pray +unceasing, friend, plague the Throne wi' petitions, comrade, and a word or +so on behalf of old Resolution ere the battle joins, for there's--" + +"I pray God utterly destroy this accursed ship and all aboard her!" I +cried. + +"And do ye so?" said he, setting the pistols in his belt. "Why, then, 'tis +as well you're safe i' your bilboes, _amigo_, and as to your blasphemous +praying, I will offset it wi' prayerful counterblast--Ha, by my deathless +soul--what's doing yonder?" he cried, and leant to peer across at the +chase, and well he might. For suddenly (and marvellous to behold) this ship +that had sailed so heavily seemed to throw off her sluggishness and, taking +on new life, to bound forward; her decks, hitherto deserted, grew alive +with men who leapt to loose and haul at brace and rope and, coming about, +she stood towards us and right athwart our course. So sudden had been this +manoeuvre and so wholly unexpected that all men it seemed could but stare +in stupefied amaze. + +"Ha!" cried Resolution, smiting fist on the rail before him. "Tricked, +by hookey! She's been towing a sea anchor! Below there!" he hailed. +"Belvedere, ahoy--go about, or she'll rake us--" + +And now came Belvedere's voice in fierce and shrill alarm: + +"Down wi' your helm--down! Let go weather braces, jump, ye dogs, jump!" + +I heard the answering tramp of feet, the rattle and creak of the yards as +they swung and a great flapping of canvas as the _Happy Despatch_ came up +into the wind; but watching where our adversary bore down upon us, I beheld +her six guns suddenly multiplied and (or ever we might bring our broadside +to bear) from these gaping muzzles leapt smoke and roaring flame, and we +were smitten with a hurricane of shot that swept us from stem to stern. + +Dazed, deafened, half-stunned, I crouched in the shelter of the mizzen +mast, aware of shrieks and cries and the crash of falling spars, nor moved +I for a space; lifting my head at last, I beheld on the littered decks +below huddled figures that lay strangely twisted, that writhed or crawled. +Then came the hoarse roar of a speaking trumpet and I saw Resolution, his +face a smother of blood, where he leaned hard by across the quarter-rail. + +"Stand to't, my bullies!" he roared, and his voice had never sounded so +jovial. "Clear the guns, baw-cocky boys; 'tis our turn next--but stand by +till she comes about--" + +From the companion below came one running, eyes wild, mouth agape, and I +recognised the man Ford who had been my chief persecutor in the forecastle. + +"What now, lad--what now?" demanded Resolution, mopping at his bloody face. + +"Death!" gasped Ford. "There be dead men a-lay-ing forward--dead, +look'ee--" + +"Likely enough, John Ford, and there'll be dead men a-laying aft if ye're +not back to your gun and lively, d'ye see?" But the fellow, gasping again, +fell to his knees, whereupon Resolution smote him over the head with his +speaking trumpet and tumbled him down the ladder. + +"Look'ee here," quoth he, scowling on me, "this all cometh along o' your +ill-praying us, for prayer is potent, as I know, which was not brotherly in +you, Martin O, not brotherly nor yet friendly!" So saying, he squatted on +the gun beside me and sought to staunch the splinter-gash in his brow; but +seeing how ill he set about it, I proffered to do it for him (and despite +my shackles), whereupon he gave me the scarf and knelt that I might come +at his hurt the better; and being thus on his knees, he began to pray in a +loud, strong voice: + +"Lord God o' battles, close up Thine ear, hearken to and regard not the +unseemly praying of this mail Martin that hath not the just point o' view, +seeing through a glass darkly. Yonder lieth the enemy, Lord, Thine and +mine, wherefore let 'em be rooted out and utterly destroyed; for if these +be Portingales and Papishers--if--ha--if--?" Resolution ceased his prayer +and glancing up, pointed with stabbing finger: "Yon ship's no more +Portingale than I am--look, friend, look!" + +Now glancing whither he would have me, I saw two things: first, that the +_Happy Despatch_ had turned tail and second that our pursuers bore at her +main the English flag; beholding which, a great joy welled up within me so +that I had much ado to keep from shouting outright. + +"English!" quoth Resolution. "And a fighting ship--so fight we must, unless +we win clear!" + +"Ha, will ye run then?" cried I in bitter scorn. + +"With might and main, friend. We are a pirate, d'ye see, w' all to lose and +nought to gain, and then 'tis but a fool as fighteth out o' season!" + +Even as he spoke the English ship yawed and let fly at us with her +fore-chase and mingled with their roar was the sharp crack of parting +timbers and down came our main-topmast. + +"Why, so be it!" quoth Resolution, scowling up at the flapping ruin where +it hung. "Very well, 'tis a smooth sea and a fighting wind, so shall you +ha' your bellyful o' battle now, friend, for yonder cometh Joanna at last!" + +And great wonder was it to behold how the mere sight of her heartened our +sullen rogues, to hear with what howls of joy they welcomed her as she +paced daintily across the littered deck with her quick glance now aloft, +now upon our determined foe. + +"Ha, 'tis so--'tis our Jo--our luck! Shout for Cap'n Jo and the luck o' the +Brotherhood!" + +And now at her rapid commands from chaos came order, the decks were +cleared, and, despite wrecked topmast, round swung the _Happy Despatch_ +until her broadside bore upon the English ship. Even then Joanna waited, +every eye fixed on her where she lolled, hand on hip, watching the approach +of our adversary. Suddenly she gestured with her arm and immediately the +whole fabric of the ship leapt and quivered to the deafening roar of her +guns; then, as the smoke cleared, I saw the enemy's foreyard was gone and +her sides streaked and splintered by our shot, and from our decks rose +shouts of fierce exultation, drowned in the answering thunder of their +starboard broadside, the hiss of their shot all round about us, the crackle +of riven woodwork, the vicious whirr of flying splinters, wails and screams +and wild cheering. + +And thus began a battle surely as desperate as ever was fought and which +indeed no poor words of mine may justly describe. The enemy lay to windward +and little enough could I see by reason of the dense smoke that enveloped +us, a stifling, sulphurous cloud that drifted aboard us ever more thick +as the fight waxed, a choking mist full of blurred shapes, dim forms that +flitted by and vanished spectre-like, a rolling mystery whence came all +manner of cries, piercing screams and shrill wailings dreadful to hear, +while the deck beneath me, the air about me reeled and quivered to the +never-ceasing thunder of artillery. But ever and anon, through some rent +in this smoky curtain, I might catch a glimpse of the English ship, her +shot-scarred side and rent sails, or the grim havoc of our own decks. And +amidst it all, and hard beside me where I crouched in the shelter of the +mizzenmast, I beheld Resolution Day limping to and fro, jovial of voice, +cheering his sweating, powder-grimed gun-crews with word and hand. Suddenly +I was aware of Joanna beside me, gay and debonnaire but ghastly pale. + +"Hola, Martino!" cried she. "D'ye live yet? 'Tis well. If we die to-day we +die together, and where a properer death or one more fitting for such as +you and I, for am I killed first, Resolution shall send you after me to +bear me company, yes." + +So saying, she smiled and nodded and turned to summon Resolution, who came +in limping haste. + +"What, are ye hurt, Jo?" cried he, peering. "Ha, Joanna lass, are ye hit +indeed?" + +"A little, yes!" said she, and staggering against the mast leaned there as +if faint, yet casting a swift, furtive glance over her shoulder. "But death +cometh behind me, Resolution, and my pistol's gone and yours both empty--" + +Now glancing whither she looked, I saw Captain Belvedere come bounding up +the ladder, cutlass in one hand and pistol in the other. + +"Are ye there, Jo, are ye there?" he cried and stood to scowl on her. + +"Resolution," said she, drooping against the mast, "fight me the ship--" + +"And what o' me?" snarled Belvedere. + +"You?" cried she. "Ah--bah!" and turning, she spat at him and, screaming, +fell headlong as his pistol flashed. But over her prostrate form leapt +Resolution and there, while the battle roared about them, I watched as, +with steel that crashed unheard in that raging uproar, they smote and +parried and thrust until an eddying smoke-cloud blotted them from my view. +Now fain would I have come at Joanna where she lay, yet might not for my +bonds, although she was so near; suddenly as I watched her (and struggling +thus vainly to reach her) I saw she was watching me. + +"And would you aid your poor Joanna, yes?" she questioned faintly. + +"'Twas so my thought--" + +"Because I am dying, Martino? Doth this grieve you?" + +"You are over-young to die!" + +"And my life hath been very hard and cruel! Would you kiss a dying woman +an' she might creep to your arms, Martino?" + +Slowly and painfully she dragged herself within my reach and, beholding the +twisted agony of her look, reading the piteous supplication in her eyes, +I stooped to kiss the pale brow she lifted to my lips and--felt two arms +about me vigorous and strong and under mine the quivering passion of her +mouth; then she had loosed me and was before me on her knees, flushed and +tremulous as any simple maid. + +I was yet gazing on her in dumb and stark amaze, when from somewhere +hard by a man cried out in wild and awful fashion, and as this agonised +screaming swelled upon the air, Joanna rose up to her feet and stood +transfigured, her eyes fierce and wild, her clenched teeth agleam 'twixt +curling lips; and presently through the swirling smoke limped Resolution +Day, a dreadful, bedabbled figure, who, beholding Joanna on her feet, +flourished a dripping blade and panted exultant. + +"He is dead?" she questioned. + +"Verily and thoroughly!" said Resolution, wringing blood from his beruffled +shirt sleeve. "And a moist end he made on't. But thee, Joanna, I grieved +thee surely dead--" + +"Nay, I screamed and dropped in time, but--hark, the Englishman's fire +is ceasing and see, Resolution--look yonder!" and she pointed where our +antagonist, sore battered in hull and spars, was staggering out of the +fight. + +And now in place of roaring battle was sudden hush, yet a quietude this, +troubled by thin cryings, waitings and the like distressful sounds; and +the smoke lifting showed something of the havoc about us, viz: our riven +bulwarks, the tangled confusion of shattered spars, ropes and fallen +gear, the still and awful shapes that cumbered the spattered decks, more +especially about the smoking guns where leaned their wearied crews, a +blood-stained, powder-grimed company, cheering fitfully as they watched the +English ship creeping away from us. + +To us presently cometh Diccon, his blackened face streaked with sweat, +hoarse-voiced but hearty: + +"Aha, Captain Jo--your luck's wi' us as ever! Yon curst craft hath her +bellyful at last, aye, has she!" + +"I doubt!" quoth Resolution, shaking his head, whiles Joanna, leaning +against the mast, pointed feebly and I noticed her sleeve was soaked with +blood and her speech dull and indistinct: + +"Resolution is i' the--right--see!" + +And sure enough the English ship, having fetched ahead of us and beyond +range of our broadside guns, had hauled her wind and now lay to, her people +mighty busy making good their damage alow and aloft, stopping shot-holes, +knotting and splicing their gear, etc. Hereupon Diccon falls to a passion +of vain oaths, Resolution to quoting Psalms and Joanna, sighing, slips +suddenly to the deck and lies a-swoon. In a moment Resolution was on his +knees beside her. + +"Water, Diccon, water!" said he. "The lads must never see her thus!" So +Diccon fetched the water and between them they contrived to get Joanna to +her feet, and standing thus supported by their arms, she must needs use her +first breath to curse her weak woman's body: + +"And our mainmast is shot through at the cap--we must wear ship or 'twill +go! Veer, Resolution, wear ship and man the larboard guns ... they are cool +... I must go tend my hurt--a curst on't! Wear ship and fight, Resolution, +fight--to the last!" + +So saying, she put by their hold and (albeit she stumbled for very +weakness) nevertheless contrived to descend the quarter-ladder and wave +cheery greeting to the roar of acclaim that welcomed her. + +"And there's for ye!" quoth Resolution. "Never was such hugeous great +spirit in man's body or woman's body afore, neither in this world or any +other--no, not even Davy at Adullam, by hookey! Down to your guns, Diccon +lad, and cheerily, for it looks as we shall have some pretty fighting, +after all!" + +But at the hoarse roar of Resolution's speaking trumpet was stir and +clamorous outcry from the battle-wearied crew who came aft in a body. + +"Oho, Belvedere!" they shouted, "Us ha' fought as long as men may, and now +what?" + +"Fight again, bullies, and cheerily!" roared Resolution. At this the uproar +grew; pistols and muskets were brandished. + +"We ha' fought enough! 'Tis time to square away and run for't--aye, +aye--what saith Belvedere, Belvedere be our Cap'n--we want Belvedere!" + +"Why then, take him, Bullies, take him and willing!" cried Resolution; +then stooping (and with incredible strength) up to the quarter-railing he +hoisted that awful, mutilated thing that had once been Captain Belvedere +and hove it over to thud down among them on the deck below. "Eye him over, +lads!" quoth Resolution. "View him well, bawcock boys! I made sure work, +d'ye see, though scarce so complete as the heathen Pompey might ha' done, +but 'tis a very thoroughly dead rogue, you'll allow. And I killed him +because he would ha' murdered our Joanna, our luck--and because he was for +yielding us up, you and me, to yon ship that is death for us--for look'ee, +there is never a ship on the Main will grant quarter or show mercy for we; +'tis noose and tar and gibbet for every one on us, d'ye see? So fight, +bully boys, fight for a chance o' life and happy days--here stand I to +fight wi' you and Diccon 'twixt decks and Captain Jo everywhere. We beat +off you Englishman once and so we will again. So fight it is, comrades all, +and a cheer for Captain Jo--ha, Joanna!" + +Cheer they did and (like the desperate rogues they were) back they went, +some to their reeking guns, others to splice running and standing rigging, +to secure our tottering mainmast and to clear the littered decks; overboard +alike went broken gear and dead comrade. Then, with every man at his +quarters, with port fires burning, drums beating, black flag flaunting +aloft, round swung the _Happy Despatch_ to face once more her indomitable +foe (since she might not fly) and to fight for her very life. + +So once again was smoke and flame and roaring battle; broadside for +broadside we fought them until night fell, a night of horror lit by the +quivering red glare of the guns, the vivid flash of pistol and musket +and the pale flicker of the battle lanthorns. And presently the moon was +casting her placid beam upon this hell of destruction and death, whereas I +lay, famished with hunger and thirst, staring up at her pale serenity with +weary, swooning eyes, scarce heeding the raving tumult about me. + +I remember a sudden, rending crash, a stunning shock and all things were +blotted out awhile. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +TELLETH HOW THE FIGHT ENDED + + +When sight returned to me at last, I was yet staring up at the moon, but +now she had climbed the zenith and looked down on me through a dense maze, +a thicket of close-twining branches (as it were) whose density troubled me +mightily. But in a little I saw that these twining branches were verily a +mass of ropes and cordage, a twisted tangle that hung above me yet crushed +me not by reason of a squat column that rose nearby, and staring on this +column I presently knew it for the shattered stump of the mizzenmast. For a +great while I lay staring on this (being yet much dazed) and thus gradually +became aware that the guns had fallen silent; instead of their thunderous +roar was a faint clamour, hoarse, inarticulate, and very far away. I was +yet wondering dreamily and pondering this when I made the further discovery +that by some miraculous chance the chain which had joined my fettered +wrists was broken in sunder and I was free. Nevertheless I lay awhile +blinking drowsily up at the moon until at last, impelled by my raging +thirst, I got to my knees (though with strange reluctance) and strove to +win clear from the tangle of ropes that encompassed me; in the which labour +I came upon the body of a dead man and beyond this, yet another. Howbeit I +was out of this maze at last and rising to my feet, found the deck to heave +oddly 'neath my tread, and so (like one walking in a dream) came stumbling +to the quarter-ladder and paused there awhile to lean against the +splintered rail and to clasp my aching head, for I was still greatly +bemused and my body mighty stiff and painful. + +Looking up after some while I saw the _Happy Despatch_ lay a helpless +wreck, her main and mizzenmasts shot away and her shattered hull fast +locked in close conflict with her indomitable foe. The English ship had +run us aboard at the fore-chains and as the two vessels, fast grappled +together, swung to the gentle swell, the moon glinted on the play of +vicious steel where the fight raged upon our forecastle. Mightily heartened +by this, I strove to shake off this strange lethargy that enthralled me and +looked about for some weapon, but finding none, got me down the ladder (and +marvellous clumsy about it) and reaching; the deck stumbled more than once +over stiffening forms that sprawled across my way. Here and there a battle +lanthorn yet glimmered, casting its uncertain beam on writhen legs, on +wide-tossed arms and shapes that seemed to stir in the gloom; and beholding +so many dead, I marvelled to find myself thus unharmed, though, as I +traversed this littered deck, its ghastliness dim-lit by these flickering +lanthorns and the moon's unearthly radiance, it seemed more than ever that +I walked within a dream, whiles the battle clamoured ever more loud. Once +I paused to twist a boarding-axe from stiffening fingers, and, being come +into the waist of the ship, found myself beside the main hatchway and +leaned there to stare up at the reeling fray on the forecastle where pike +darted, axe whirled, sword smote and the battle roared amain in angry +summons. But as I turned obedient to get me into this desperate fray, I +heard a low and feverish muttering and following this evil sound came upon +one who lay amid the wreckage of a gun, and bending above the man knew him +for Diccon the quartermaster. + +"How now, Diccon?" I questioned, and wondered to hear my voice so strange +and muffled. + +"Dying!" said he. "Dying--aye, am I! And wi' two thousand doubloons hid +away as I shall ne'er ha' the spending on--oh, for a mouthful o' water--two +thousand--a pike-thrust i' the midriff is an--ill thing yet--'tis better +than--noose and tar and gibbet--yet 'tis hard to die wi' two thousand +doubloons unspent--oh, lad, I parch--I burn already--water--a mouthful for +a dying man--" + +So came I to the water-butt that stood abaft the hatchway, and filling a +pannikin that chanced there with some of the little water that remained, +hastened back to Diccon, but ere I could reach him he struggled to his +knees and flinging arms aloft uttered a great cry and sank upon his face. +Then, finding him verily dead, I drank the water myself and, though +lukewarm and none too sweet, felt myself much refreshed and strengthened +thereby and the numbness of mind and body abated somewhat. + +And yet, as I knelt thus, chancing to lift my eyes from the dead man before +me, it seemed that verily I must be dreaming after all, for there, all +daintily bedight in purple gown, I beheld a fine lady tripping lightly +among these mangled dead; crouched in the shadow of the bulwark I watched +this approaching figure; then I saw it was Joanna, saw the moon glint +evilly on the pistol she bore ere she vanished down the hatchway. And now, +reading her fell purpose, I rose to my feet and stole after her down into +the 'tween-decks. + +An evil place this, crowded with forms that moaned and writhed fitfully in +the light of the lanthorns that burned dimly here and there, a place foul +with blood and reeking with the fumes of burnt powder, but I heeded only +the graceful shape that flitted on before; once she paused to reach down +a lanthorn and to open the slide, and when she went on again, flames +smouldered behind her and as often as she stayed to set these fires +a-going, I stayed to extinguish them as well as I might ere I hasted after +her. At last she paused to unlock a door and presently her voice reached +me, high and imperious as ever: + +"Greeting, Don Federigo! The ship's afire and 'tis an ill thing to burn, so +do I bring you kinder death!" + +Creeping to the door of this lock-up, I saw she had set down the lanthorn +and stood above the poor fettered captive, the pistol in her hand. + +"The Senorita is infinitely generous," said Don Federigo in his courtly +fashion; then, or ever she might level the weapon, I had seized and wrested +it from her grasp. Crying out in passionate fury, she turned and leapt at +me. + +"Off, murderess!" I cried, and whirling her from me, heard her fall and lie +moaning. "Come, sir," said I, aiding the Don to his feet, "let us be gone!" +But what with weakness and his fetters Don Federigo could scarce stand, so +I stooped and taking him across my shoulder, bore him from the place. But +as I went an acrid smoke met me and with here and there a glimmer of flame, +so that it seemed Joanna had fired the ship, my efforts notwithstanding. So +reeled I, panting, to the upper air and, loosing Don Federigo, sank to the +deck and stared dreamily at a dim moon. + +And now I was aware of a voice in my ear, yet nothing heeded until, shaken +by an importunate hand, I roused and sat up, marvelling to find myself so +weak. + +"Loose me, Senor Martino, loose off my bonds; the fire grows apace and I +must go seek the Senorita--burning is an evil death as she said. Loose off +my bonds--the Senorita must not burn--" + +"No, she must not--burn!" said I dully, and struggling to my feet I saw a +thin column of smoke that curled up the hatchway. Gasping and choking, +I fought my way down where flames crackled and smoke grew ever denser. +Suddenly amid this swirling vapour I heard a glad cry: + +"Ah, _Martino mio_--you could not leave me then to die alone!" And I saw +Joanna, with arms stretched out to me, swaying against the angry glow +behind her. So I caught her up in my embrace and slipping, stumbling, blind +and half-choked, struggled up and up until at last I reeled out upon deck, +and with Joanna thus clasped upon my breast, stood staring with dazed and +unbelieving eyes at the vision that had risen up to confront me. For there +before me, hedged about by wild figures and brandished steel, with slender +hands tight-clasped together, with vivid lips apart and eyes wide, I +thought to behold at last my beloved Damaris, my Joan, my dear, dear lady; +but knowing this false, I laughed and shook my head. + +"Deluding vision," said I, "blest sight long-hoped and prayed for--why +plague me now?" + +I was on my knees, staring up at this beloved shape through blinding tears +and babbling I know not what. And then arms were about me, tender yet +strong and compelling, a soft cheek was pressed to mine and in my ear +Joan's voice: + +"Oh, my beloved--fret not thyself--here is no vision, my Martin--" + +"Joan!" I panted. "Oh, Damaris--beloved!" And shaking off these fettering +arms, I rose to my feet. "Joan, is it thou thyself in very truth, or do I +see thee in heaven--" + +And now it seemed I was sinking within an engulfing darkness and nought to +see save only the pale oval of this so loved, oft-visioned face that held +for me the beauty of all beauteous things. At last her voice reached me, +soft and low, yet full of that sweet, vital ring that was beyond all +forgetting. + +"Martin--Oh, Martin!" + +Out towards me in the growing dark I saw her hands reach down to me: and +then these eager, welcoming hands were seized and Joanna was between us on +her knees. + +"Spare him--Oh, lady, in mercy spare my beloved--kill me an you will, but +spare this man of mine--these arms have cradled him ere now, this bosom +been his pillow--" + +"Joan!" I muttered, "Oh, Damaris, beloved--" + +But seeing the stricken agony of her look and how she shrank from my touch, +I uttered a great cry and turning, sped blindly away and stumbling, fell +and was engulfed in choking blackness. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +HOW I FELL IN WITH MY FRIEND, CAPTAIN SIR ADAM PENFEATHER + + +It was the pommel of the long rapier dangling from the chair-back that +first drew and held my eye, for this pommel was extremely bright and +polished and gleamed on me like a very keen and watchful eye as I watched, +though conscious also of the luxury of panelled walls, of rich floor +coverings and tapestried hangings, and the man who sat writing so +studiously at the carven table. And presently, roused by the scratch of his +industrious quill, I fell to watching him, his bowed head, the curve of his +back as he stooped. A small, lean man but very magnificent, for his coat of +rich purple velvet sat on him with scarce a wrinkle, his great peruke fell +in such ample profusion of curls that I could see nought but the tip of +his nose as he bent to his writing, and I wondered idly at his so great +industry. Now presently he paused to read over what he had written and +doing so, began to push and pull at his cumbrous wig and finally, lifting +it off, laid it on the table. Thus I saw the man was white-haired and that +his ears were mighty strange, being cut and trimmed to points like a dog's +ears; and beholding the jut of brow and nose and resolute chin, I fell to +sudden trembling, and striving to lift myself on the bed, wondered to find +this such a business. + +"Adam!" said I, my voice strangely thin and far away, "Adam Penfeather!" + +In one movement, as it seemed to me, he was out of the chair and leaning +above me. "Why, Martin," said he. "Why, comrade! Lord love you, Martin, are +ye awake at last? Here you've lain these twelve hours like a dead man and +small wonder, what with your wound--" + +"So you have come--at last, Adam?" + +"And in good time, shipmate!" + +"Where am I?" + +"Safe aboard my ship, the _Deliverance_." + +"'Twas you fought the _Happy Despatch_?" + +"Aye, Martin, and should have very properly destroyed every rogue aboard +but for my lady--" + +"My lady?" said I, sitting up. "My lady--Joan?" + +"Aye, verily--" + +"Then 'tis true--all true!" said I, and fell a-trembling. "My lady's here?" + +"She is, Martin, and more's the pity. For look'ee, having boarded yon +devil's craft and cut down such as resisted, I was very properly for +hanging such as remained, when down on me comes my lady and is for carrying +the rogues to trial, the which is but vain labour and loss o' time, since +each and all of my twenty and three prisoners is bound to swing soon or +late, as I told her, but, 'No matter, Sir Adam,' says she. 'Law is law, Sir +Adam,' quo' she. When cometh Godby, running, to say the cursed ship was +afire, and coming to the main hatchway, I beheld, half-strangled in the +smoke, yourself, shipmate, and a woman in your arms--" + +"Ha--'twas Joanna!" said I, leaping in the bed. "What of her, Adam--what of +her, man?" + +"A fine woman, I'll allow, Martin, and by her looks a lady of quality--" + +"Say a demon rather--a very she-devil!" + +"Why, as you will, Martin, as you will!" said he. "Only rest you, lest the +fever take you again." + +"How was I wounded, then?" + +"A flying splinter in the head, Martin, so Surgeon Penruddock says. But +then you have a marvellous stout skull, as I do know, shipmate." + +"What ha' you done with Joanna--where is she?" + +"Content you, Martin, she is safe enough and well cared for; you shall see +her anon," said he, stroking his long chin and viewing me with his quick, +keen eyes, "But first you shall eat!" And he rang the small silver bell +that stood upon the table, whereon in dame a soft-footed serving-man in +handsome livery, who, receiving Adam's commands, presently bowed himself +out again. + +Hereupon Adam set on his periwig and fell to pacing slowly to and fro, his +feet soundless upon the rich carpet, viewing me now and then like one +that ponders some problem. Now, beholding his air of latent power and +indomitable mastery, the richness of his habit, the luxury that surrounded +him, it seemed in very truth that he was the great gentleman and I the +merest poor suppliant for his bounty; whereupon I must needs contrast his +case with mine and perceiving myself no better than I had been three weary +years since, to wit: the same poor, destitute wretch, I fell into a black +and sullen humour: + +"You go vastly fine these days!" quoth I, scowling (like the surly dog I +was). + +"Aye, Martin--I am so vastly rich!" he sighed. "I am a baronet, shipmate!" +he nodded dolefully. "And what is worse, I own many rich manors and +countless broad acres besides divers castles, mansions, houses and the +like. Thus all men do protest friendship for me, and at this moment there +be many noble ladies do sigh for me or the manors and castles aforesaid. +And there was a duchess, Martin, was set upon wedding my riches (and me +along of 'em) but I have no leaning to duchesses, though this one was young +and comely enough. So went I to the King, who by his grace suffered me to +fit out, provision, arm and man this ship at my own expense, Martin, and +square away for the Spanish Main to sink, burn and utterly destroy such +pirate vessels as I can bring to action. So here am I, shipmate, since I +had rather fight rogues when and where I may than marry a duchess once. And +here cometh what shall do you a world o' good, Martin--broth with a dash +o' rum--which is good for a man, soul and body!" said he, as the +serving-fellow appeared, bearing a silver tray whereon stood broth in a +silver bowl of most delectable odour. And indeed, very good broth I found +it. + +So whiles I ate, Adam, sitting near, told me much of his doings since he +left me solitary on Bartlemy's Island, but of my lady Joan Brandon he spoke +no word. + +"'Tis but three short years since we parted, shipmate, three short years--" + +"Three long, empty years!" said I bitterly. + +"Aye, truth!" quoth he. "You had a mind to nought but vengeance, which is +an empty thing, as belike you'll allow, Martin, you being now three long, +empty years the wiser?" + +Here, what with the hot broth and my hotter anger, I came nigh to choking, +whereupon he rose and, seeing the bowl empty, took it from me and +thereafter set another pillow to my back, the while I reviled him +impotently. + +"There, there, Martin!" said he, patting my shoulder as I had been a +petulant child. "Never miscall Adam that is your friend, for if you have +wasted yourself in a vanity, so have I, for here you see me full of +honours, Martin, a justice, a member o' Parliament, a power at Court with +great lords eager for my friendship and great ladies eager to wed me. Yet +here am I safe at sea and fighting rogues as often as I may, for great +riches is a plague that tainteth love and friendship alike--_vanitas +vanitatum, omnium vanitas_!" + +"Yet your three years have been turned to better account than mine!" said +I, grown suddenly humble. + +"In the matter of houses and land, Martin?" + +"Aye!" I nodded. "For my three years I've nought to show but scars and +rags." + +"Not so, Martin, for your fortune marched with mine. Lord love you, I never +bought stick or stone or acre of land but I bought one for you, comrade, +share and share, shipmate. So, if I am a man o' great possessions, so are +you, Martin; there be lands and houses in old England waiting their master +as you sit there." Now at this I lay silent awhile, but at last I reached +out a fumbling hand, the which he took and wrung in his vital clasp. + +"God help me, Adam!" said I. "What have these years made of me?" + +"That same scowling, unlovely, honest-hearted self-deluder that is my sworn +comrade and blood-brother and that I do love heartily for his own sake and +the sake of my lady Joan. For look'ee, she hath oft told me of you and the +life you lived together on Bartlemy's Island." + +"And has she so indeed?" quoth I. + +"Aye, verily. Lord, Martin, when she waked from her swoon aboard ship and +found I had sailed without you, she was like one distraught and was for +having me 'bout ship that she might stay to comfort you in your solitude. +And so I did, Martin, but we were beset by storm and tempest and blown far +out of our course and further beset by pirates and the like evils, and in +the end came hardly to England with our lives. No sooner there than my lady +fits out an expedition to your relief and I busied with divers weighty +concerns, she sails without me and is wrecked in the Downs, whereby she +lost her ship and therewith all she possessed, save only Conisby Shene, the +which she holdeth in your name, Martin." + +"Adam," said I, "Oh, Adam, surely this world hath not her like--" + +"Assuredly not!" quoth he. "The which doth put me to great wonder you +should come to forget her a while--" + +"Forget her? I?" + +"Aye, Martin--in the matter of the--the lady yonder--Madam Joanna--" + +"Joanna!" I cried, clenching my fists. "That demon!" + +"Ha--demon, is it?" quoth Adam, pinching his chin and eyeing me askance. +"Doth your love grow all sudden cold--" + +"Love?" cried I. "Nay--my hate waxeth for thing so evil--she is a very +devil--" + +"Nay, Martin, she is a poor Spanish lady, exceeding comely and with a hand, +a foot, an eye, a person of birth and breeding, a dainty lady indeed, yet +of a marvellous sweet conversation and gentle deportment, and worthy any +man's love. I do allow--" + +"Man," cried I, "you do speak arrant folly--she is Joanna!" + +"Why, true, Martin, true!" said Adam soothingly and eyeing me anxious-eyed. +"She is the lady Joanna that you preserved from death and worse, it +seems--" + +"Says she so, Adam?" + +"Aye! And, by her showing, some small--some few small--kindnesses have +passed betwixt you." + +"Kindnesses?" I demanded. + +"Aye, Martin, as is but natural, God knoweth. Kisses, d'ye see, embraces--" + +"She lies!" quoth I, starting up in bed, "she lies!" + +"Why, very well, Martin--" + +"Ha, d'ye doubt my word, Adam?" + +"No, Martin, no--except--when first I clapped eyes on you, she chanced to +be lying in your arms, d'ye see?" + +"Tush!" said I. "What o' that? 'Twas after she'd set the ship afire and +sought to murder Don Federigo; we left her in the 'tween-decks and I found +her nigh stifled by the smoke. Have you got her fast in the bilboes--safe +under lock and key?" + +"Lord love you--no. Martin!" said he, viewing me askance as I were raving. +"So young, Martin! And a bullet wound i' the arm and mighty brave, despite +her tenderness, so says Penruddock our surgeon." + +"Why then, in God's name--where is she?" + +"Where should she be, seeing she was wounded and solitary, but with my lady +Joan!" + +"God forbid!" cried I. + +"Why, Martin, 'tis my lady's whim--they walk together, talk, eat, aye, and +sleep together, for aught I know--" + +"Adam," said I, grasping him by the arm. "You know Captain Tressady of old, +and Mings and Red Rory, Sol Aiken and others of the Coast Brotherhood, but +have you ever met the fiercest, bravest, greatest of these rogues; have you +ever heard tell of Captain 'Jo'?" + +"Aye, truly, Martin, some young springald that hath risen among 'em since +my time, a bloody rogue by account and one I would fain come alongside +of--" + +"Captain Jo lies in your power, Adam; Captain Jo is aboard; Captain Jo is +Joanna herself! 'Twas Joanna fought the _Happy Despatch_ so desperately!" + +Now hereupon Adam fell back a pace and stood staring down on me and +pinching his chin, but with never a word. And seeing him thus incredulous +still, I strove to get me out of bed. + +"Easy, Martin!" said he, restraining me. "These be wild and whirling words +and something hard to believe--" + +"Why, then, if you doubt me still, summon hither Don Federigo an he be yet +alive--" + +"Look now, Martin," said he, seating himself on the bed beside me. "Since +we left England I have burned or scuttled four rascally pirate craft and +each and every a fighting ship, yet no one of them so mauled and battered +us as this _Happy Despatch_ (whereby I have lost fourteen good fellows dead +besides thirty wounded) the which as I do know was captained by one calling +himself Belvedere--" + +"Tush!" cried I. "He was a man of straw and would have run or struck to you +after your first broadside! 'Twas Joanna and Resolution Day fought the ship +after Belvedere was dead--" + +"Ah, dead, is he? Why, very good!" said Adam, rising and seating himself +at the table. "Here is yet another name for my journal. You saw him dead, +Martin?" he questioned, taking up his pen. + +"Most horribly! He was killed by the mate, Resolution Day--" + +"Ha!" says Adam, turning to his writing. "'Tis a name sticks in my +memory--a man I took out o' prison and saved from burning along with divers +others, when we took Margarita--a tall, one-eyed man and scarred by the +torment--?" + +"'Tis the same! But, God forgive you, Adam, why must you be wasting time +over your curst journal and idle talk--" + +"I think, Martin! I meditate! For, if this be true indeed, we must go like +Agog--delicately--Martin--delicately!" + +"Folly--oh, folly!" cried I. "Joanna may be firing the ship as you sit +scribbling there, or contriving some harm to my dear lady--act, man--act!" + +"As how, Martin?" he questioned, carefully sanding what he had writ. + +"Seize her ere she can strike, set her fast under lock and key, have her +watched continually--" + +"Hum!" said Adam, pinching his chin and viewing me with his keen gaze. "If +she be so dangerous as you say, why not slay her out of hand--" + +"No!" said I. "No!" + +"But she is a pirate, you tell me?" + +"She is! And I do know her for murderess beside!" + +"How came you in her company, Martin?" + +Hereupon in feverish haste I recounted much of what I have already set down +concerning this strange, wild creature, to all of which he hearkened mighty +attentive, pinching at his chin and a frown on his face. + +"Verily!" said he, when I had done. "Never heard man stranger story!" But +seeing how he regarded me in the same dubious manner, I leapt out of bed +ere he might prevent and staggered with weakness. "Lord love you, Martin," +said he, snatching me in his iron grip, "Lord love you, what would you +be at? Here's Surgeon Penruddock and his two mates with their hands full +enough, as it is, God knoweth, and you sick o' your wound--" So saying, +Adam bundled me back into bed, willy-nilly. + +"Why, then, question Don Federigo, who knoweth her better than I--summon +him hither--" + +"Impossible, Martin, he lieth very nigh to death." + +"And what of Joanna? She is as swift as a snake and as deadly--she is a +lurking danger--a constant menace, beyond thought subtle and crafty--" + +"Hist!" quoth Adam, catching me by the arm and turning suddenly as came a +soft rapping; then the door opened and Joanna herself stood before us, but +indeed a Joanna such as I had never seen. Timid, abashed, great-eyed and +wistful, she stood looking on me, her slender hands tight-clasped, her +tremulous, parted lips more vivid by reason of the pallor of her cheeks, +all shy and tender womanhood from the glossy ringlets at her white brow to +the dainty shoe that peeped forth of her petticoat; as for me, I sank back +among my pillows amazed beyond--all speech by the infinite change in her, +for here was a transformation that went beyond mere lace and velvets; the +change was in her very self, her look, her voice, her every gesture. + +"_Martino mio_!" said she at last, and sure this pen of mine may never tell +all the languorous caress of these two words; and then, or ever I might +speak or stir, she was beside me and had caught my hand to her lips. And +then I saw Joan standing in the doorway, the Damaris of my dreams, and +though her lips smiled upon us, there was that in her eyes that filled me +with bitter shame and an agony beyond the telling. + +"Damaris!" I groaned and freed my hand so suddenly that Joanna stumbled +and would have fallen, but for Adam's ready arm. "Damaris!" I cried. "Ah, +God,'--look not so! All these weary years I have lived and dreamed but +of you--Joan, beloved, 'twas thy sweet memory made my solitude worth the +living--without thee I had died--" Choking with my grief, I reached out my +hands in passionate supplication to that loved shape that drooped in the +doorway, one white hand against the carven panelling; and then Joanna was +on her knees, her soft cheek pressed to my quivering fist, wetting it with +her tears: + +"Martino!" she sobbed. "Ah, _caro mio_, art so strange--dost not know thy +Joanna--dost not know me, Martino?" + +"Aye, I know you, Captain Jo," I cried. "Well I know you to my cost, +as hath many another: I know you for 'La Culebra,' for Joanna that is +worshipped, obeyed and followed by every pirate rogue along the Main. Oh, +truly I know you to my bitter sorrow--" + +Now at this she gave a little, pitiful, helpless gesture and looked from me +to the others, her eyes a-swim with tears. + +"Alas!" she sobbed. "And is he yet so direly sick?" Then, bowing her head +to the pillow beside me, "Oh, loved Martino," she sighed, "art so sick not +to remember all that is betwixt us, that which doth make thee mine so long +as life shall be to me--the wonder I have told to my lady Damaris--" + +Now here I caught her in savage gripe. "What," cried I, shaking her to and +fro despite my weakness, "what ha' you told my lady?" + +"Beloved Martino--I confessed our love--alas, was I wrong, Martino--I told +her my joyous hope to be the mother of your child ere long--" + +"Oh, shame!" cried I. "Oh, accursed liar!" And I hurled her from me; then, +lying gasping amid my tumbled pillows, my aching head between my hands, +I saw my beloved lady stoop to lift her, saw that lying head pillowed +on Joan's pure bosom and uttering a great cry, I sank to a merciful +unconsciousness. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +HOW I HAD WORD WITH MY LADY, JOAN BRANDON + + +"A marvel, Sir Adam (perceive me), a wonder! The constitution of a horse, +an ox, nay an elephant, the which monstrous beast (you'll allow me!) hath a +pachydermatous hide tolerably impervious to spears, axes, darts, javelins +and the like puny offences, and a constitution whereby he liveth (you'll +observe) whole centuries. Indeed, Sir Adam, 'tis a cure marvellous, being +one I ha' wrought on my patient in spite of said patient. For look now (and +heed me) here we have soul, mind and will, or what you will, pulling +one way, and body hauling t'other, and body hath it, physics versus +metaphysics--a pretty and notable case--" + +"Why, he hath a notable hard head, Master Penruddock--" + +"Head, Sir Adam, head--were his head as adamantine, as millstone or hard +as one o' your cannon balls that shall not save him, if mind and body +agreeably seek and desire death, and mind (pray understand, sir) is the +more potent factor, thus (saving and excepting the abnormal vigour of his +body) by all the rules of chirurgical science he should ha' died three days +agone--when the seizure took him." + +"Would to heaven I had!" said I, opening my eyes to scowl up at the little +man who beamed down on me through monstrous horn-rimmed spectacles. + +"Aha, and there we have it confessed, Sir Adam!" said he. "Yet we shall +have him on his legs again in a day or so, thanks to my art--" + +"And his lady's nursing!" + +"What, hath she been with me in my sickness, Adam?" I questioned when the +doctor had departed. + +"Night and day, Martin, as sweet and patient with you as any angel in +heaven, and you cursing and reviling her the while in your ravings--" + +"Oh, God forgive me! Where is she now, Adam?" + +"With my Lady Joan--" + +"How?" I cried. "Was this Joanna nursed me?" + +"Why, truly, Martin. Could she have better employ?" But hereupon I fell to +such fury that Adam turned to stare at me, pen in hand. + +"Lord love you, Martin," said he, pinching his chin, "I begin to think that +skull o' yours is none so hard, after all--" + +"And you," quoth I bitterly. "Your wits are none so keen as I had judged +'em. You are grown a very credulous fool, it seems!" + +"Ha--'tis very well, shipmate!" + +"For here you have Joanna--this evil creature stained by God knoweth how +many shameful crimes--you have her beneath your hand and let her come and +go as she lists, to work such new harms as her cunning may suggest--either +you disbelieve my statements, or you've run mad, unless--" + +"Unless what, Martin?" + +"Unless she's bewitched you as she hath full many a man ere now." + +Adam blenched and (for the first time in my remembrance) his keen eyes +quailed before mine, and over his bronzed face, from aggressive chin to +prominent brow, crept a slow and painful red. + +"Martin," said he, his eyes steady again, "I will confess to you that is my +blood-brother and comrade sworn, I have--thought better of--of her than any +proud lady or duchess of 'em all--" + +"Despite the foul and shameful lie you heard her utter?" + +"Despite everything, Martin." + +"Then God help you, Adam!" + +"Amen," said he. + +"You are surely crazed--" + +"Why, very well, Martin, though you know me for a timid man--" + +"Tush!" quoth I, turning my back on him. + +"And a cautious, more especially in regard to women, having known but few +and understanding none. Thus, Martin, though I seem crazed and foolish, +'tis very well, so long as I have eyes to see and ears to hear, and now +I'll away and use 'em awhile. And here," said he, rising as a knock sounded +on the door, "should be an old friend o' yours that got himself something +scorched on your account." And opening the door he disclosed a squat, +broad-shouldered fellow of a sober habit, his head swathed in a bandage, +but the eyes of him very round and bright and his wide mouth up-curving in +a smile. + +"Godby!" said I, and reached but my hand to him. + +"Why, Mart'n!" cried he. "Oh, pal--here's j'y, choke me wi' a rammer else! +Lord, Mart'n--three years--how time doth gallop! And you no whit changed, +save for your beard! But here's me wi' a fine stocked farm t'other side +Lamberhurst--and, what's more, a wife in't as be sister to Cecily as you'll +mind at the 'Hoppole'--and, what's more, a blessed infant, pal, as I've +named Tom arter myself, by reason that my name is God-be-here, and Mart'n +arter you, by reason you are my pal and brought me all the good fortun' +as I ever had. Aha, 'twas a mortal good hour for me when we first struck +hands, Mart'n." + +"And you're more than quits, Godby, by saving me from the fire--" + +"Why, pal, you fell all of a swound, d'ye see, and there's my Lady Brandon +and t'other 'un a-running to fetch ye, flames or no--so what could I do--" + +"My lady Joan?" + +"Aye and t'other 'un--the Spanish dame as you come up a-cuddling of, +Mart'n--and a notable fine piece she be, as I'm a gunner--" + +"Is my lady on deck?" + +"Which on 'em, pal?" + +"Joan, man--my Lady Brandon!" + +"Aye, and mighty downcast by her look. 'Godby,' says she to me a while +back, 'if I find not my father now, I do think my poor heart will break!' +And the sweet sad eyes of her, pal--" + +"I'll get up!" said I, tossing off the bed clothes. + +"Lord, Mart'n, what'll Cap'n Adam say--" + +"'Tis no matter!" + +"Are ye strong enough, pal?" + +"To be sure!" said I, and getting upon my feet, reeled for very weakness +and should have fallen but that Godby propped me with his shoulder; +supported thus and despite Godby's remonstrances, I staggered to and fro +and gradually found my strength return in some small measure, whereupon I +began to dress myself forthwith. + +"Whither are we sailing, Godby?" + +"To the nearest secure anchorage, Mart'n, for what wi' storm and battle we +are so battered and sprung, alow and aloft--and small wonder, here's four +ships we've destroyed since we left Old England, battle, murder and sudden +death, pal!" + +So with Godby's help I got me out upon the broad quarter-deck and saw +the _Deliverance_ for a fine, roomy ship, very clean and trim, her decks +new-scoured, her brass-work gleaming in the sun; though here and there the +carpenters were still repairing such damage as she had taken in the fight. + +"A noble ship, pal," says Godby, as I sat me down on one of the guns, "and +looks vasty different to what she did three days since, her foreyard and +main-to'-gallant mast shot away and her starboard bulwarks shattered fore +and aft and three shot-holes under water as can't be come at till we +careen." + +"'Twas hot fight--I marvel your damage was no greater," says I, glancing +hither and thither for sight of my lady, and my heart throbbing with +expectation. + +"Nay, Mart'n, 'twas guile, 'twas craft, 'twas seamanship. Lord love +your eyes, pal, Cap'n Adam seized him the vantage point by means of a +fore-course towing under water, and kept it. For look'ee, 'tis slip our +floating anchor, up wi' our helm and down on 'em 'thwart-hawse and let fly +our larboard broadside, veer and pound 'em wi' our starboard guns, keeping +the weather gauge, d'ye see, pal, till their fire slackens and them blind +wi' our smoke and theirs. Then to close wi' 'em till our gun muzzles are +nigh touching and whiles we pound 'em below, 'tis grappling irons and +boarders away! Aha, a wonderful man is Cap'n Adam--oh, 'tis beautiful sight +to watch him take ship into action; 'tis sight to warm a man's in'nards and +make archangels sing for j'y, pal. Aye, deafen, blind and choke me but a +man o' men is Cap'n Adam Penfeather!" + +"He is come to great repute, I hear!" said I, my hungry gaze wandering. + +"Verily he hath, Mart'n; the King do honour him vastly especially since +he pinked a strutting, quarrelsome gentleman through the sword-arm in St. +James's Park, and him a nearl, pal!" + +"At last!" says I. + +"Anan, pal?" he questioned, but looking where I looked. "Aye," he nodded, +"'tis my Lady Brandon, and mighty despondent by her looks as I told ye, +Mart'n." All unconscious of me she crossed the deck slow-footed and coming +to the lee bulwark, paused there, her lovely head down-bent upon her hands. + +Now watching her as she stood thus, my eager gaze dwelling on every line of +the beloved shape, I was filled with such overmastering emotion, an ecstasy +so keen, that I fell a-trembling and my eyes filled with sudden, blinding +tears; and bowing my face on my hand, I sat thus a while until I had +composed myself. Then I arose and made my way towards her on stumbling +feet. + +Suddenly she turned and espying me, started and fell a-trembling, even as +I. + +"Martin," said she below her breath. "Oh, Martin!" + +"Damaris!" I muttered. "Beloved--!" + +Now at this she gave a little gasp and turned to gaze away across the +placid waters, and I saw her slender hands clasp and wring each other. + +"Have you no word of greeting for me?" + +"I rejoice to--to see you well again, Martin!" + +"Have you no word of--love for me, after all these years, Damaris?" At this +she shrank away and, leaning 'gainst the bulwark, shook her head, and again +I saw that hopeless gesture of her quivering hands. + +"Is your love for me dead, then?" I questioned, coming a pace nearer. + +"Ah, never that, Martin!" she whispered. "Only I have--buried it +deep--within my heart--where it shall lie for ever hid for thy sake and her +sake and--and that--which is to be--this poor Joanna hath told me--" + +Now hereupon I laughed and caught her hands and kissed them and they, the +pretty things, trembling 'neath my kisses. + +"God love thee for sweet and noble woman, my Damaris," said I, sinking to +my knees before her, "and now, thus kneeling in the sight of God and thee, +hear me swear that hateful thing of which you speak never was and never +shall be!" Here I clasped my arms about her, felt her yield and sway to my +embrace, saw a dawning glory in her eyes. + +"Martin," said she, quick-breathing, "if this be so indeed--" + +"Indeed and indeed, Joanna spake a shameful lie--a woman prone to every +evil, being a murderess and--" + +"A murderess, Martin?" + +"Aye, by her own confession, and I do know her for a pirate beside, more +desperate and resolute than any, known to every rogue along the Main as +Captain Jo." + +Now here my lady stirred in my embrace and looked down on me with troubled +gaze. + +"And yet, dear Martin, you lived with her on--on our island?" + +"Aye, I did--to my torment, and prayed God I might not slay her." And here +in breathless fashion I told my lady of Joanna's coming and of the ills +that followed; but seeing the growing trouble in her look, my arms fell +from her and great bitterness filled me. "Ah, God in heaven, Damaris!" I +cried, "never say you doubt my word--" + +"Martin!" + +I rose to my feet to behold Joanna within a yard of us. For a long and +breathless moment she looked from me to other of us and then, shuddering, +hid her face in her two hands. + +"Dear my lady," said she at last, "if by reason of his wound my loved +Martin hath grown strange to me and all his love for me forgot--if indeed +you do love him--to you that have been more than sister and gentle friend +to miserable Joanna, to you I do yield my love henceforth, nor will I +repine, since my love for thee shall teach me how to bear my shame, yes--" + +"Ha, damned liar!" I cried, and turned on Joanna with clenched fists; and +then my lady's restraining arms were about me and I sank half-swooning +against the ship's side. + +"Dear Martin," said she, viewing me tearful-eyed, "you are not yourself--" + +"No!" cried I, burying my throbbing head betwixt my arms. "I am Fortune's +Fool--the world is upside down--God help me, I shall run mad in very truth. +Oh, damned Fortune--curst Fate!" and I brake out into futile raving awhile. +When at last I raised my head it was to behold my lady clasping this vile +creature in her arms and cherishing her with tender words and caresses, the +which sight wrought me to a very frenzy of cold and bitter rage. Said I: + +"My Lady Brandon, God knoweth I have greatly loved you, wherein I have +wasted myself on a vain thing as is to me right manifest. So now, since +you have buried your love, mine do I tear from me and cast utterly away; +henceforth I am no more than an instrument of vengeance--" + +"Martin!" cried she. "Oh, dear Martin, for the love of God--" + +But (Oh, vain folly! Oh, detestable pride!) I heeded not this merciful +appeal nor the crying of my own heart, but turning my back upon my noble +lady, stumbled away and with never another word or look. And thus I (that +was born to be my own undoer) once more barred myself out from all that +life offered me of happiness, since pride is ever purblind. + +Presently, espying Godby where divers of his fellows rove new tackle to a +gun, I enquired for Adam. + +"I' the gun room, Mart'n--nay, I'll stand along wi' you." + +So he brought me down to the gun room where sat Adam, elbows on table, chin +on hand, peering up at one who stood before him in fetters, a haggard, +warworn figure. + +"What--Resolution?" said I. + +"That same, friend, brought somewhat low, comrade, yet soon, it seems, to +be exalted--on a gallows, d'ye see, yet constant in prayer, steadfast in +faith and nowise repining--for where would be the use? And moreover, the +way o' the Lord is my way--Amen, brother, and Amen." + +"Adam," said I, turning where he yet gazed up at Resolution's scarred and +bandaged face, "I would fain have you show mercy to this man. But for +Resolution here I had died hideously at the hands of a vile blackamoor." + +"Mercy?" said Adam, scowling up at Resolution. + +"His life, Adam." + +"'Tis forfeit! Here standeth a notable pirate and one of authority +among the rogues, so must he surely die along with Captain Jo--" I saw +Resolution's shackled hands clench suddenly, then he laughed, harsh and +strident. + +"To hang Captain Jo you must needs catch him first!" + +"Why then who--who and what is Joanna?" I demanded. + +"Why, your light-o'-love, for sure, friend, as we found along o' you on a +lonely island, _amigo_." + +"Resolution, you lie--" + +"On a lonely island, _camarado_," says he again. + +"Wait!" I muttered, clasping my aching head. "Wait! Joanna is the daughter +of the murdered Governor of Santa Catalina who was left behind in the +burning town and rescued by Indians, who, being Indians, were kind to her. +But these Indians were killed by white men who took her, and, being white +men, they used her ill all save one who was to her father and mother, +sister and brother and his name Resolution. So she grew up a pirate among +pirates, dressed, spoke and acted as they and rose to be great among +them by reason of her quick wit and resolute spirit, and because of her +quickness and subtle wit is called 'La Culebra' and for her desperate +courage is hailed as 'Captain Jo.'" + +Resolution fell back a step, staring on me amazed, and I saw his shackled +fists were quivering. Then suddenly Adam rose and leaned forward across the +table. + +"Resolution Day," said he, "have you a memory for faces?" + +I saw Resolution's solitary eye widen and dilate as it took in the man +before him, the spare form, the keen, aquiline face with its black brows, +white hair and mutilated ears. + +"Captain--Adam Penfeather--o' the Brotherhood!" + +"Ha!" quoth Adam, nodding grimly. "I see you know me! So, Resolution Day, I +warn you to prepare to make your final exodus with Captain Jo--at sunset!" + +Resolution's scarred head sank, his maimed body seemed to shrink and there +broke from him a groan: + +"To hang--to die--she's so young--so young--all I ever had to love! Oh, +Lord God o' battles--" + +"Godby, summon the guard and see him safely bestowed--in the lock-up aft, +and bring the key to my cabin." So at Godby's word, in came two armed +fellows and marched out Resolution Day, his head still bowed and his +fetters jangling dismally. + +"You'll never hang her, Adam!" said I, when we were alone. "You cannot, +man--you shall not!" + +"Lord, Martin," said he, sitting on his great peruke and looking askance at +me, "Lord, what a marvellous thick skull is thine!" + +"Mayhap!" quoth I, "but you know my story for true at last--you know Joanna +for Captain Jo." + +Now here he answered never a word but falls to pacing back and forth, his +hands clasped behind him; whereupon I seated myself at the table and leaned +my aching head betwixt my hands. + +"Adam," said I at last, "how far are we, do you reckon, from Nombre de +Dios?" + +"Some hundred and fifty miles, maybe a little less." + +"Why, then, give me a boat." + +"A boat?" said he, pausing in his walk to stare on me. + +"Aye, a boat," I nodded. "You cast me adrift once, you'll mind--well--do so +again!" + +"And what o' my Lady Joan? Ha--will ye tell me you've quarrelled already in +true lover-like fashion--is this it?" + +"'Tis no matter," quoth I, "only I do not stay on this ship another hour." + +"Lord!" said he, "Lord love me, Martin! Here you've scarce found her and +now eager to lose her again--heaven save me from love and lovers--" + +"Give me a boat." + +"A boat?" said he, pinching his chin. "A boat, is it? Why, very well, +Martin--a boat! Ha, here me-thinks is the very hand o' Providence, and who +am I to gainsay it? You shall have the longboat, Martin, well stored and +armed; 'tis a goodly boat that I am loth to part with--but seeing 'tis you, +comrade, why very well. Only you must bide till it be dark for reasons +obvious--" + +"So be it!" I nodded. "And if you could give me a chart and set me a course +how to steer for Nombre de Dios, I should be grateful, Adam." + +"Why, so I will, Martin. A course to Nombre--aye, verily! 'Tis said one Sir +Richard Brandon lieth 'prisoned there. Ha--having quarrelled with daughter +you speed away to sire--" + +"And what then?" said I, scowling. + +"Nought, Martin, nought in the world, only if in this world is a fool--art +surely he, comrade. Nay, never rage against your true friend, comrade; give +me your arm, let me aid you up to my cabin, for your legs are yet overly +weak, I doubt." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +TELLETH THE OUTCOME OP MY PRIDEFUL FOLLY + + +The moon had not yet risen when, in despite of Adam's warnings and +remonstrances, I set the great boat-cloak about me and stepped forth into +the stern-gallery of the ship, whence I might look down and behold the dark +loom of the longboat, a gliding, glimmering shadow upon the white spume of +the wake. + +Now if there be any who, reading this my narrative, shall cry out against +me for perverse fool (as I surely was) to all such I would but say that +though indeed a man wild and headstrong by nature and given to passionate +impulse, yet I was not wholly myself at this time by reason of my wound, so +that the unlovely and gloomy spirit of selfishness that possessed me now +had full sway to rule me how it listed; and I would have this plead such +excuse as might be for this my so desperate and unreasonable determination, +the which was to plunge me into further evils and miseries, as you shall +hear. + +"So you are determined on't, Martin?" said Adam, standing beside me where I +prepared to descend the short rope ladder. + +"I am!" + +"Lord, Martin, there is so much to love in you 'tis pity you are so much of +fool--" + +"You said as much before--" + +"Aye, so I did, comrade, so I did. But look'ee, 'tis a smooth sea, a fair +wind--aha, it needeth no pistol butt to persuade you to it this time; you +go of your own will and most express desire, comrade." + +"I do, Adam." + +"And who knoweth," said he, his gaze uplift to the Southern Cross that +glimmered very bright and splendid above us, "who can say what lieth +in wait for you, comrade,--hardship and suffering beyond doubt +and--peradventure, death. But by hardship and suffering man learneth the +wisdom of mercy, or should do, and by death he is but translated to a +greater living--so I do hope. And thus, howsoever it be, all's well, +Martin, all's well." + +"Adam," said I, "give me your hand. You have called me 'fool' and fool am +I, mayhap, yet in my folly, wisdom have I enough for this--to know you for +my good friend and true comrade now and always!" + +"Hark'ee then," said he, grasping my hand and leaning to my ear in the +gloom, "give up this desperate quest, stand by me, and I can promise ye +that which is better than empty vengeance--wealth, Martin, rank, aye, and +what is best of all, a noble woman's love--" + +"Enough!" cried I, "I am no weathercock and my mind is set--" + +"Why, very well, but so is mine, shipmate, and set upon two things--one to +fulfil my duty to the King in the matter of exterminating these pirates and +the like rogues, and t'other to redeem my promise to our lady Joan in the +matter of her father--your enemy." + +"How, are you for Nombre de Dios likewise, Adam?" + +"Just as soon as I have this ship in staunch fighting trim, for, unless you +and your vengeance are afore me, I will have Sir Richard Brandon out o' the +Inquisition's bloody clutches either by battle or stratagem--aye, though it +cost me all I possess, and God knoweth I am a vastly wealthy man, Martin." + +"Why then, we are like to meet at Nombre de Dios?" said I. + +"Mayhap, Martin, who can say? Meantime, here is the chart and your sailing +directions with some few words for you to ponder at leisure, and so fortune +attend you and farewell, comrade." + +"One thing, Adam," said I, grasping the ladder of ropes, "you will save +alive the man Resolution Day--for my sake--" + +"Aha," quoth Adam, clapping me on the shoulder, "and there spake the man +that is my friend! Never doubt it, comrade--he shall live. And look'ee, +Martin, if I have been forced to play prank on ye now and then, think as +kindly of me as ye can." + +Hereupon, and with Adam's assistance, having hauled in the longboat until +she was well under the gallery, I presently got me a-down the swaying rope +ladder and safe aboard of her (though with no little to-do) and at my shout +Adam cast off the towline, and I was adrift. + +For some while I sat huddled in the bows, watching the lofty stern with its +rows of lighted windows and three great lanthorns above topped by the loom +of towering sails, until sails and ship merged into the night, and nought +was to see save the yellow gleam of her lights that grew ever more dim, +leaving me solitary upon that vast expanse of ocean that heaved all about +me,--a dark and bodeful mystery. + +At last, finding the wind, though very light, yet might serve me very +well, I turned with intent to step the mast. And now I saw the sail was +ill-stowed, the canvas lying all abroad and as I rose I beheld this canvas +stirred as by a greater wind; then as I stared me this, it lifted, and from +beneath it crept a shape that rose up very lithe and graceful and stood +with hands reached out towards me, and then as I staggered back came a cry: + +"Quick, Resolution--seize him!" + +Two powerful arms clasped and dragged me down, and lying thus, dazed by the +fall, I stared up to see bending above me the hated face of Joanna. + +I waked to a blaze of sun, a young sun whose level beams made the bellying +sail above me a thing of glory where it swung against an azure heaven, +flecked with clouds pink and gold and flaming red; and stark against this +splendour was the grim figure of Resolution Day, a bloody clout twisted +about his head, where he sat, one sinewy hand upon the tiller, the other +upon the worn Bible open upon his knees, his lips moving as he read, while +hard beside me on the floor of the boat lay Joanna, fast asleep. At sight +of her I started and shrank from her nearness, whereupon Resolution, +lifting his head and closing the Bible on his finger, glared down on me +with his solitary eye. + +"Martin," said he below his breath, and tapping the brass butt of a pistol +that protruded from the pocket of his coat, "there be times when I could +joyfully make an end o' you--for her sake--her that do love you to her +grief and sorrow, since her love is your hate--though what she can see in +ye passes me! Howbeit, love you she doth, poor soul, and if so be you +ha' no love for her, I would ha' you be a little kinder, Martin; 'twould +comfort her and harm you no whit. Look at her now, so fair, so young, so +tender--" + +"Nay, here lies Captain Jo!" said I, scowling. + +"Speak lower, man," he whispered fiercely. "I ha' given her a sleeping +potion out o' the medicine chest Captain Penfeather provided for her; she +is not yet cured of her wound, d'ye see, and I would not have her waked +yet, so speak lower lest I quiet ye wi' a rap o' the tiller. Let her +sleep,--'tis life to her. Saw ye ever a lovelier, sweeter soul?" + +Now viewing her as she lay outstretched, the wild, passionate soul of her +away on the wings of sleep, beholding the dark curtain of her lashes upon +the pallor of her cheek, the wistful droop of her vivid lips and all the +mute appeal of her tender womanhood, I could not but marvel within myself. + +"And yet," said I at last, speaking my thoughts aloud, "I have seen her +foully dabbled with a dead man's blood!" + +"And why for not? Jehovah doth not always strike vile rogues dead, +wherefore He hath given some women strength to do it for Him. And who +are you to judge her; she was innocent once--a pearl before swine and if +they--spattered her wi' their mud, they never trampled her i' their mire! +She hath been at no man's bidding, and fearing no man, hath ruled all men, +outdoing 'em word and deed--aha, two rogues have I seen her slay in duello. +Howbeit, she is as God made her, and 'tis God only shall judge His own +handiwork; she is one wi' the stars, the winds that go about the earth, +blowing how they list, and these great waters that slumber or rage in +dreadful tempest--she and they and we are all of God. So treat her a little +kind, Martin, love or no--'tis little enough o' kindness she has known all +her days; use her a little kinder, for 'tis in my mind you'll not regret it +in after days! And talking o' tempest, I like not the look o' the sky--take +you the tiller whiles I shorten sail and heed not to disturb Joanna." + +"And so," said I, when he had shortened sail and was seated beside me +again, "so Captain Penfeather gave you medicine for her?" + +"Aye, did he!" + +"And knew you were hid in the boat?" + +"'Twas himself set us there." + +Now at this I fell to profound thought, and bethinking me of the letter and +chart he had given me, I took it out of my pocket and breaking the seals, +read as here followeth: + +_Dear Friend, Comrade and Brother_, + +Item: Thou art a fool! Yet is there (as it doth seem) an especial +Providence for such fools, in particular fools of thy sort. Thus do +I bid thee farewell in the sure hope that (saving for shipwreck, +fire, battle, pestilence and the like evils) I shall find thee +again and perchance something wiser, since Folly plus Hardship shall +mayhap work a miracle of Wisdom. + +Herewith I have drawn you a chart, the parallels duly marked and course +likewise, whereby you shall come (Providence aiding) unto Nombre de Dios. +And so to your vengeance, Martin, and when found much good may it do thee +is the prayer of + +Thy patient, hopeful, faithful friend, + +ADAM. + +NOTA BENE: Should we fail to meet at Nombre de Dios I give you +for rendezvous the place which I have clearly marked on the chart +(aforementioned) with a X. + +"Look'ee, friend," said Resolution, when I had made an end of reading. "You +plead and spoke for my life of Captain Penfeather and he regarded your +will, wherefore am I alive, wherefore are we quits in the matter o' the +heathen Pompey and I your friend henceforth 'gainst all the world, saving +only and excepting Joanna." + +"Where do we make for, Resolution?" + +"To a little island well beknown to the Fraternity, comrade--that is three +islands close-set and called Foremast, Main and Mizzen islands, _amigo_, +where we are apt to meet friends, as I say, and sure to find good store +of food and the like, brother. Though to be sure this boat is right well +equipped, both for victuals and weapons." + +"And when are we like to reach these islands?" + +"We should raise 'em to-morrow about dawn, friend, if this wind hold." + +"And what is to become of me, Resolution?" + +"'Tis for Joanna to say, _camarado_" + +Now hereupon, stretched out in such shadow as our scant sail afforded (the +sun being very hot) I began to reflect upon this ill-chance Fate, in the +person of Adam, had played me (cast again thus helpless at the mercy of +Joanna) and instead of wasting myself in futile rages against Adam (and +him so far out of my reach) I began instead to cast about in my mind how +soonest I might escape from this hateful situation; to the which end I +determined to follow Resolution's advice is so far as I might, viz: to +preserve towards Joanna as kindly a seeming as might be, and here, chancing +to look where she lay, I saw her awake and watching me. + +"D'ye grieve for your Joan--Damaris--yes?" she demanded suddenly. + +"Nay--of what avail?" + +"Then I do--from my heart, Martino, from my heart! For she had faith in me, +she was kind to me, oh, kind and very gentle! She is as I--might have been, +perchance, had life but proved a little kinder." + +After this she lay silent a great while and I thought her asleep until she +questioned me again suddenly. + +"She is a great lady in England--yes?" + +"She is." + +"And yourself?" + +"An outcast." + +"And you--loved each other--long since?" + +"Long since." + +"But I have you at the last!" cried Joanna, exultant. "And nought shall +part us now save death and that but for a little while! Dost curse thyself, +Martino--dost curse thyself for saving me from the fire? But for this I had +been dead and thou safe with thy loved Joan--dost curse thyself?" + +"Nay, of what avail?" + +Now, at this, she falls to sudden rage and revilings, naming me +"stock-fish," "clod," "worm," and the like and I (nothing heeding her), +turning to behold the gathering clouds to windward, met the glare of +Resolution's fierce eye. + +"Tell me," cried Joanna, reaching out to nip my leg 'twixt petulant +fingers, "why must you brave the fire to save me you do so hate--tell me?" + +"Yonder, as I judge, is much wind, Resolution!" said I, nodding towards a +threatening cloud bank. Hereupon she struck at me with passionate fist and +thereafter turns from me with a great sob, whereat Resolution growled and +tapped his pistol butt. + +"You were fool to save me!" cried she. "For I, being dead, might now be in +happy circumstance and you with your Joan! You were a fool--" + +"Howbeit you have your life," said I. + +"Life?" quoth she. "What is life to me but a pain, a grief I shall not fear +to lose. Life hath ever brought me so much of evil, so little good, I were +well rid of it that I might live again, to find perchance those joys but +dim remembered that once were mine in better life than this. And now, if +there be aught of food and drink aboard, Resolution, let us eat; then get +you to sleep--you will be weary, yes." + +And surely never was stranger meal than this, Joanna and Resolution, the +compass betwixt them, discussing winds, tides and weather, parallels of +latitude and longitude, the best course to steer, etc., and I watching the +ever-rising billows and hearkening to the piping of the wind. + +Evening found us running through a troubled sea beneath an angry sky and +the wind so loud I might hear nothing of my companions where they crouched +together in the stern sheets. But suddenly Joanna beckoned me with +imperious gesture: + +"Look, Martino!" cried she, with hand outflung towards the billows that +foamed all about us. "Yonder is a death kinder than death by the fire and +yet I do fear this more than the fire by reason of this my hateful woman's +body. Now may you triumph over my weakness an you will, yet none can scorn +it more than I--" + +"God forbid!" said I and would have steadied her against the lurching of +the boat, but Resolution, scowling at my effort, clasped her within his +arm, shielding her as well as he might against the lashing spray, bidding +me let be. + +Thereafter and despite her sickness, she must needs stoop to cover me with +the boat-cloak where I lay, and looking up at Resolution I saw his bronzed +face glinted with moisture that was not of the sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +OF ROGER TRESSADY AND HOW THE SILVER WOMAN CLAIMED HER OWN AT LAST + + +Starting from sleep, instead of gloomy heaven and a desolation of +tempestuous waters, I saw this: + +The sun, newly up, shed his waxing glory on troubled waters deeply blue and +fringed with foam where the waves broke upon a narrow strip of golden sand +backed by trees and dense-growing green boskages infinite pleasant to the +sight; and beyond these greeny tangles rose a hill of no great altitude, +deep-bowered in trees and brush and flowering vines. And viewing all this +peaceful loveliness with sleep-filled eyes, I thought it at first no more +than idle dream; but presently, knowing it for reality, I felt my hard +nature touched and thrilled (as it were) with a great rush of tenderness, +for what with this glory of sun and the thousand sweet and spicy odours +that wafted to us from this fair island, I sudden felt as if, borne on this +well-remembered fragrance, came the sweet and gentle soul of my lady Joan, +a haunting presence, sad and very plaintive, for it seemed she knew at last +that nought henceforth might stay me from my vengeance. And in my ears +seemed the whisper of her desolate cry: + +"Martin--Oh, blind and more than blind! Alas, dear Martin!" + +Now at this, despite the joy of sun and the gladness of birds that shrilled +'mid the mazy thickets above, a great sadness took me and I bowed my head +in gloomy thought. + +"Forward there!" + +Starting at this hoarse summons, I turned to behold Resolution crouched +at the tiller, his great boat-cloak white with brine, his solitary eye +scowling from me to the shore and back again. + +"Ha, d'ye stir at last, sluggard? Here's Joanna been direly sick--speak +low, she sleeps at last, poor lass--and me stiff o' my wounds, clemmed wi' +hunger and parched wi' thirst, you a-snoring and a sea worse than Jonah's +afore they hove him to the whale--" + +"Why not wake me, then?" I demanded, creeping aft and beholding Joanna +where she lay slumbering, pale and worn beneath weather-stained cloak. "Why +not rouse me, Resolution?" + +"Because she forbade me and her word is my law, d'ye see? Reach me a sup o' +rum from the locker yonder." + +"You have brought us safe through the tempest, then," said I, doing as he +bade me. + +"Aye, Joanna and I, and despite her qualms and sickness, poor lass, and +you a-snoring!" Here, having drained the pannikin of rum, his eye lost +something of its ferocity and he nodded. "Twice we came nigh swamping i' +the dark but the Lord interposed to save His own yet a little, and you +a-snoring, but here was Joanna's hand on the tiller and mine on the sail +and plaguing the Almighty wi' prayers of a righteous, meek, long-suffering +and God-fearing man and behold, comrade, here we are, safe in the lee of +Mizzen Island, and yonder is creek very apt to our purpose. So stand by to +let go the halyard and ship oars when I give word, _amigo_." + +"She seems very worn with her sickness, Resolution!" said I, stooping to +observe Joanna where she slumbered like one utterly exhausted. + +"She is, friend!" he nodded. "She never could abide rough seas from a +child, d'ye see, brother, and her wound troubleth her yet--but never a word +o' complaint, comrade--aha, a great soul, a mighty spirit is hers, for all +her woman's slenderness, Martin! Now, let fly your halyard, douse your +sail--so! Now ship oars and pull, _camarado_, pull!" + +Very soon, myself at the oars and Resolution steering, we crept in betwixt +bush-girt rocks to a shelving, sandy beach. Hereupon, Resolution stooped to +lift Joanna but finding his wounds irk him, beckoned to me: + +"Come, friend," said he. "You are lusty and strong, I do know--bear her +ashore and tenderly, brother, tenderly!" + +So I stooped and raising Joanna in my arms, climbed out of the boat (though +with no little to-do) and bore her ashore towards the pleasant shade of +flowering trees adjacent to the sea. Now presently she stirred in my +embrace, and looking down at her, I saw her regarding me, great-eyed. + +"Here do I rest for the second time, Martino," she murmured. "I +wonder--when the third shall be?" + +"God knoweth!" said I; and being come to the trees, I laid her there as +comfortably as I might and went to aid Resolution to secure the boat. + +Having landed such things as we required and lighted a fire, while +Resolution busied himself preparing a meal, I began to look about me +and found this island marvellous fertile, for here on all sides flowers +bloomed, together with divers fruits, as lemons, plantains, limes, grapes, +a very wonder to behold. Now I chanced to reach a certain eminent place +whence I might behold the general trend of the island; and now I saw that +this was the smallest of three islands and remembered how Resolution had +named them to me as Fore, Main and Mizzen islands. I was yet staring at +these islands, each with its fringe of white surf to windward where the +seas yet broke in foam, when my wandering gaze chanced to light on that +which filled me with sudden and strange foreboding, for, plain to my view +despite the distance, I saw the royal yards and topgallant masts of a great +ship (so far as I could judge) betwixt Fore and Mainmast islands, and I +very full of question as to what manner of ship this should be. + +In my wanderings I chanced upon a little glen where bubbled a limpid stream +amid a very paradise of fruits and flowers; here I sat me down well out +of the sun's heat, and having drunk my fill of the sweet water, fell to +munching grapes that grew to hand in great, purple clusters. And now, my +bodily needs satisfied and I stretched at mine ease within this greeny +bower where birds whistled and piped joyously amid flowery thickets and the +little brook leapt and sang as (one and all) vaunting the wondrous mercy of +God, I, lying thus (as I say) surrounded by His goodly handiworks (and yet +blind to their message of mercy) must needs set my wits to work and cast +about in my mind how I might the soonest win free of this goodly place and +set about the accomplishment of my vengeance. Once or twice I thought to +hear Resolution hallooing and calling my name but, being drowsy, paid +no heed and thus, what with the peace and comfort of my surroundings, I +presently fell asleep. + +But in my slumbers I had an evil dream, for I thought to hear a voice, +hoarse yet tuneful, upraised in song, and voice, like the song, was one +heard long ago, the which in my dreaming troubled me mightily, insomuch +that I started up broad awake and infinitely glad to know this no more than +idle fancy. Sitting up and looking about me, I saw the sun low and nigh to +setting, and great was my wonder that I should have slept so long, yet I +found myself vastly invigorated thereby and mightily hungered, therefore I +arose, minded to seek my companions. + +But scarce was I gone a yard than I stopped all at once, as from somewhere +in the gathering shadows about me, plain to be heard, came the sound of a +voice hoarse but tuneful, upraised in song, and these the words: + + "Some by the knife did part wi' life + And some the bullet took O. + But three times three died plaguily + A-wriggling on a hook O. + A hook both long and sharp and strong + They died by gash o' hook O." + +For a long time (as it seemed) I stood motionless with the words of this +hateful chanty yet ringing in my brain, until the sun flamed seawards, +vanished, and it was night. And here amid the gloom sat I, chin on knees, +my mind busied upon a thousand memories conjured up by this evil song. At +last, being come to a determination, I arose and, stumbling in the dark, +made the best of my way towards that narrow, shelving beach where we had +made our landing. In a little, through a tangle of leafy thickets, I espied +the glow of a fire and heard a sound of voices; and going thitherwards, +paused amid the leaves and hid thus, saw this fire was built at the mouth +of a small cave where sat Joanna with Resolution at her elbow, while +opposite them were five wild-looking rogues with muskets in their hands +grouped about a tall, great fellow of a masterful, hectoring air, who stood +staring down on Joanna, his right hand upon the silver-hafted dagger in his +girdle and tapping at his square chin with the bright steel hook he bore in +place of his left hand. And as he stood thus, feet wide apart, tapping at +his chin with his glittering hook and looking down on Joanna, she, leaning +back against the side of the cave, stared up at him eye to eye. + +"So-ho!" quoth he at last. "So you are Captain Jo, eh--Captain Jo of the +Brotherhood?" + +"And you," said she gently, "you are he that killed my father!" + +Now here ensued a silence wherein none moved, it seemed, only I saw +Resolution's bony hand creep and bury itself in his capacious side +pocket. Then, putting by the screening branches, I stepped forth into the +firelight. + +"What, Tressady," said I, "d'ye cheat the gallows yet?" + +Almost as I spoke I saw the flash and glitter of his whirling hook as he +turned, pinning me with it through the breast of my doublet (but with so +just a nicety that the keen point never so much as touched my skin) and +holding me at arm's length upon this hateful thing, he viewed me over, his +pale eyes bright beneath their jut of shaggy brow. But knowing the man and +feeling Joanna's gaze upon me, I folded my arms and scowled back at him. + +"Who be you, bully, who and what?" he demanded, his fingers gripping at the +dagger in his girdle whose silver hilt was wrought to the shape of a naked +woman. "Speak, my hearty, discourse, or kiss this Silver Woman o' mine!" + +"I am he that cut you down when you were choking your rogue's life out in +Adam Penfeather's noose--along of Abnegation Mings yonder--" + +As I spoke I saw Mings thrust away the pistol he had drawn and lean towards +me, peering. + +"Sink me!" cried he. "It's him, Roger; 'tis Martin sure as saved of us from +Penfeather, curse him, on Bartlemy's Island three years agone--it's him, +Roger, it's him!" + +"Bleed me!" said Tressady, nodding. "But you're i' th' right on't, Abny. +You ha' th' right on't, lad. 'Tis Marty, sure enough, Marty as was bonnet +to me aboard the _Faithfull Friend_ and since he stood friend to us in +regard to Adam Penfeather (with a' curse!) it's us shall stand friends t' +him. Here's luck and a fair wind t' ye, Marty!" So saying, he loosed me +from his hook, and, clapping me on the shoulder, brought me to the circle +about the fire. + +"Oh, sink me!" cried Mings, flourishing a case-bottle under my nose. "Burn +me, if this aren't pure joy! I know a man as don't forget past benefits and +that's Abnegation! Sit down, Martin, and let us eat and, which is better, +drink together!" + +"Why, so we will, Abny, so we will," said Tressady, seating himself within +reach of Joanna. "'Twas pure luck us falling in wi' two old messmates like +Marty and Resolution and us in need of a few hell-fire, roaring boys! 'Tis +like a happy family, rot me, all love and good-fellowship and be damned! +Come, we'll eat, drink and be merry, for to-morrow--we sail, all on us, +aboard my ship _Vengeance_, as lieth 'twixt Fore and Main islands yonder, +ready to slip her moorings!" + +"Avast, friend!" said Resolution, blinking his solitary eye at Tressady. +"The captain o' the Coast Brotherhood is Joanna here--Captain Jo, by the +Brotherhood so ordained; 'tis Captain Jo commands here--" + +"Say ye so, Resolution, say ye so, lad?" quoth Tressady, tapping at chin +with glittering hook. "Now mark me--and keep both hands afore ye--so, my +bully--hark'ee now--there's none commands where I am save Roger Tressady!" +said he, looking round upon us and with a flourish of his hook. "Now if so +be any man thinks different, let that man speak out!" + +"And what o' Captain Jo?" demanded Resolution. + +"That!" cried Tressady, snapping finger and thumb. "Captain Jo is not, +henceforth--sit still, lad--so! Now lift his barkers, Abny--in his pockets. +Still and patient, lad, still and patient!" So Resolution perforce suffered +himself to be disarmed, while Joanna, pale and languid in the firelight, +watched all with eyes that gleamed beneath drooping lashes. + +"So now," quoth Tressady, "since I command here, none denying--" + +"And what o' Captain Jo?" demanded Resolution. + +"Why, I'll tell ye, bully, look'ee now! A man's a man and a woman's a +woman, but from report here's one as playeth t'other and which, turn about. +But 'tis as woman I judge her best, and as woman she sails along o' me, +lad, along o' me!" So saying, he nodded and taking out a case-bottle, +wrenched at the cork with his teeth. + +"And how say you, Joanna?" questioned Abnegation. + +"Tush!" said she, with a trill of laughter. "Here is one that talketh very +loud and fool-like and flourisheth iron claw to no purpose, since I heed +one no more than t'other--" + +"Here's death!" cried he fiercely, stabbing the air with his hook. "Death, +wench!" + +"Tush!" said she again, "I fear death no more than I fear you, and as for +your claw--go scratch where you will!" + +Goaded to sudden fury, he raised his hook and would have smitten the +slender foot of her that chanced within his reach, but I caught his arm and +wrenched him round to face me. + +"Hold off, Tressady!" said I. "Here's a man to fight an you're so minded. +But as for Joanna, she's sick of her wounds and Resolution's little better; +but give me a knife and I'm your man!" And I sprang to my feet. Here for a +moment Joanna's eyes met mine full of that melting tenderness I had seen +and wondered at before; then she laughed and turned to Tressady: + +"Sick or no, I am Joanna and better than any man o' you all, yes. Here +shall be no need for fight, for look now, Tressady, though you are fool, +you are one I have yearned to meet--so here's to our better acquaintance." +And speaking, she leaned forward, twitched the bottle from his hand, nodded +and clapped it to her mouth all in a moment. + +As for Tressady, he gaped, scowled, fumbled with the dagger in his girdle, +loosed it, slapped his thigh and burst into a roar of laughter. + +"Oh, burn me, here's a soul!" he cried. "'Tis a wench o' spirit, all +hell-fire spirit and deviltry, rot me! Go to't, lass, drink hearty--here's +you and me agin world and damn all, says I. Let me perish!" quoth he, +when he had drunk the toast and viewing Joanna with something of respect. +"Here's never a man, woman or child dared so much wi' Jolly Roger all his +days--oh, sink me! Why ha' we never met afore--you and me might rule the +Main--" + +"I do!" said she. + +"And how came ye here--in an open boat?" + +"By reason of Adam Penfeather!" + +"What, Adam again, curse him!" + +"He sank the _Happy Despatch_!" + +"Burn me! And there's a stout ship lost to us." + +"But then--we stayed to fight, yes!" + +"What then?" said Tressady, clenching his fist. "Will ye say I ran away--we +beat him off!" + +"Howbeit Adam sank and took us, and swears to hang you soon or late--unless +you chance to die soon!" + +"Blind him for a dog--a dog and murderous rogue as shall bite on this hook +o' mine yet! A small, thieving rogue is Penfeather--" + +"And the likest man to make an end o' the Brotherhood that ever sailed!" +nodded Joanna. + +"Where lays his course?" + +"Who knows!" + +"And what o' Belvedere?" + +"Dead and damned for rogue and coward!" + +"Why, then, drink, my bullies," cried Tressady, with a great oath. "Drink +battle, murder, shipwreck and hell-fire to Adam Penfeather, with a curse! +Here's us safe and snug in a good stout ship yonder, here's us all love and +good-fellowship, merry as grigs, happy as piping birds, here's luck and +long life to each and all on us." + +"Long life!" said Joanna, frowning. "'Tis folly--I weary of it already!" + +So we ate and drank and sprawled about the fire until the moon rose, and +looking up at her as she sailed serene, I shivered, for to-night it seemed +that in her pallid beam was something ominous and foreboding, and casting +my eyes round about on motionless tree and shadowy thicket I felt my flesh +stir again. + +Now ever as the time passed, Tressady drew nearer and nearer to Joanna, +until they were sitting cheek by jowl, he speaking quick and low, his pale +eyes ever upon her, she all careless languor, though once I saw her take +hold upon his gleaming hook and once she pointed to the dagger in his +girdle and laughed; whereupon he drew it forth (that evil thing) and +holding it up in her view fell suddenly a-singing: + + "Oh, I've sought women everywhere + North, South and East and West; + And some were dark and some were fair + But here's what I love best! + Blow high, blow low, in weal or woe + My Silver Woman's best." + +Thus sang Tressady, looking from the languorous woman at his side to the +languorous woman graven on the dagger-hilt and so thrust it back into his +girdle. + +And in a while Joanna rose, drawing the heavy boat-cloak about her +shapeliness: + +"There is a small bower I wot of down in the shadows yonder shall be my +chamber to-night," said she, staring up at the moon. "And so good night! +I'm a-weary!" Then she turned, but doing so her foot touched Resolution's +leg where he sat, whereat he did strange thing, for at this soft touch he +started, glanced up at her, his eye very wide and bright, and I saw his two +powerful hands become two quivering fists, yet when he spoke his voice was +calm and even. + +"Good night, Joanna--fair dreams attend thee." Then Joanna, eluding +Tressady's clutching hand, went her way, singing to herself very sweet and +low. + +Hereupon Tressady grew very boisterous and merry and perceiving Mings and +his fellows inclined for slumber, roared them to wakefulness, bidding them +drink with him and damning them for sleepy dogs. Yet in a while he fell +silent also and presently takes out his dagger and begins fondling it. Then +all at once he was on his feet, the dagger glittering evilly in his hand +the while he glared from me to Resolution and back again. + +"Good night, my bullies!" said he. "Good night--and let him follow that +dare!" And with a sound 'twixt a growl and a laugh, he turned and strode +away, singing as he went. Now hereupon, nothing doubting his intent, I +sprang to my feet and made to follow, but felt myself caught in an iron +grip and stared down into the grim face of Resolution. + +"Easy, friend--sit down, comrade--here beside me, brother." + +"Aye, truly, you were wiser, Martin!" said Mings, winking and tapping the +pistol in his belt. + +Now Resolution sat in the mouth of the small cave I have mentioned and I +noticed he had slipped his right hand behind him and sat thus, very still, +his gaze on the dying fire like one hearkening very eagerly for distant +sounds, wherefore I did the like and thus, from somewhere amid the shadowy +thickets, I heard Tressady sing again that evil song of his: + + "Two by the knife did lose their life + And three the bullet took O. + But three times three died plaguily + A-wriggling--" + +The singing ended suddenly and indescribably in a sound that was neither +cry nor groan nor choke, yet something of each and very ghastly to be +heard. + +"What was yon!" cried Mings, starting and blinking sleep from his eyes to +peer towards those gloomy thickets. + +"What should it be but Captain Jo!" said Resolution; and now I saw his +right hand, hid no longer, grasped a pistol levelled across his knees. "Sit +still, all on ye," he commanded. "Let a man move a leg and that man's dead! +Mark now what saith Davy. 'He hath graven and digged a pit and is fallen +himself into the destruction he made for others. For his travail shall come +upon his own head and his wickedness fall on his own pate.'" + +"Nay, look'ee," says Mings, wiping sweat from him, "nay, but I heard +somewhat--aye, I did, an unchancy sound--" + +"Peace, Abnegation, peace!" quoth Resolution. "Mew not and hark to the +words o' Davy: 'The Lord is known to execute judgment, the ungodly is +trapped in the work of his own hands'--" + +"Nay, but," says Mings, pointing. "See--who comes yonder?" + +And now we saw Joanna, a dark figure against the splendour of the moon, +walking daintily, as was her wont, and as she came she falls a-singing that +same evil song I had heard long ago: + + "There's a fine Spanish dame + And Joanna's her name + Shall follow wherever ye go + Till your black heart shall feel + Your own cursed steel--" + +She stopped suddenly and stood in the light of the fire, looking from one +to the other of us with that smile I ever found so hateful. + +"I am Joanna," said she softly and nodding at Mings; "I am your Captain Jo +and command here. Get you and your fellows aboard and wait my bidding." + +"Aye, aye!" said Mings in strangled voice, his eyes fixed and glaring. "But +what o' Cap'n Tressady? Where's my comrade, Roger?" + +From behind her back Joanna drew forth a slender hand, awfully bedabbled +and let fall a reeking thing at Abnegation's feet and I saw this for +Tressady's silver-hilted dagger. + +"Black Tressady is dead!" said she. "I have just killed him!" + +"Dead!" gasped Mings, shrinking. "Roger dead! My comrade--murdered--I--" +Uttering a wild, passionate cry he whipped forth his pistol, but in that +moment Resolution fired, and rising to his feet, Abnegation Mings groaned +and pitched upon his face and lay mute and still. + +"Glory to God!" said Resolution, catching up the dead man's weapon and +facing the others. "Come, my lads," quoth he; "if Tressady be as dead as +Mings, he can't walk, wherefore he must be carried. And wherefore carried, +you'll ask? Says I, you shall take 'em along wi' you. You shall bring 'em +aboard ship, you shall tell your mates as Captain Jo sends these dead +men aboard to show 'em she's alive. So come and bring away Tressady +first--march it is for Roger, and lively, lads!" + +Now when they were gone, Joanna came beside me where I sat and stood a +while, looking down on me in silence. + +"He forced me to it!" said she at last. "Oh, Martino, there--was none other +way. And he killed my father." + +But I not answering, she presently sighed and went away, leaving me staring +where Mings lay huddled beyond the dying fire. And presently my gaze +chanced to light on Tressady's dagger of the Silver Woman where it lay, +stained by his life's blood, and leaping to my feet, I caught it up and +sent the evil thing whirling and glittering far out to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +HOW JOANNA CHANGED HER MIND + + +"So there's an end o' Tressady and Mings and their fellows, comrade!" said +Resolution, staring away into distant haze where showed the topsails of the +_Vengeance_ already hull down. "And God's will be done, says I, though here +be we as must go solitary awhile and Joanna sick to death, comrade." + +"Resolution," said I, staring up at his grim figure, "she schemed to lure +Tressady to his death?" + +"Aye, she did, brother. What other way was there? She hath wit womanish and +nimble--" + +"She smote him in the shadows--" + +"Most true, friend! She hath a man's will and determination!" + +"He had no chance--" + +"Never a whit, Martin! She is swift as God's lightning and as infallible. +Roger Tressady was an evil man and the evil within him she used to destroy +him and all very right and proper! And now she lieth sick in the cave +yonder and calls for you, brother." + +So I arose and coming within the cave found Joanna outstretched upon a +rough bed contrived of fern and the boat-cloaks. + +"Alas, Martino, I cannot sleep," said she. "I am haunted by the man +Tressady, which is surely very strange--oh, very strange. For he was evil +like all other men save you and Resolution--and Adam Penfeather. Can you +not say somewhat to my comfort? Did he not merit death?" + +"Aye, most truly. Had you not killed him--I would." + +"For my sake, Martino?" + +"Aye," said I, "for yours." + +"Why, then 'tis strange I should grieve thus--I have killed men ere this, +as you do know, nor troubled; belike 'tis my sickness--or the memory of my +lady Joan--Damaris, her gentleness. Howbeit I am sorry and sad and greatly +afraid." + +"Nay," said I. "What should fright you that do fear nothing?" + +"Myself, Martino--I have been--minded to kill you--more than once!" + +"Yet do I live." + +"And yet do I fear!" said she, with a great sigh. + +"And your wound pains you belike?" + +"A little, Martino." + +"Show me!" + +Mutely she suffered me to uncover her arm and unwind the bandages and I +saw the tender flesh was very angry and inflamed, whereupon I summoned +Resolution from his cooking, who at my desire brought the chest of +medicines with water, etc., and set myself to soothe and cherish this +painful wound as gently as I might, and though she often blenched for the +pain of it she uttered no complaint. + +"Do I hurt you overmuch?" I questioned. + +"Nay," said she, catching her breath for pain of it, "I am none so tender. +D'ye mind how I burned the boat you had so laboured at?" + +"Aye, I do!" + +"And how I gave you an evil draught that was agony?" + +"Aye, I do so!" + +"And how I plagued you--" + +"Nay, why remember all this, Joanna?" + +"It helpeth me to endure this pain!" + +When I had anointed and bound up her wound she must needs praise my skill +and vow she was herself again and would be up and about, whereat Resolution +reached down to aid her to rise, but this I would by no means suffer, +telling her that she must rest and sleep the fever from her blood. At this +she scowled, then all of a sudden laughed. + +"Why, then, you shall stay and talk with me!" + +"Rather shall Resolution mix you a sleeping draught." + +"Verily, brother, two have I mixed, but she'll not take 'em!" + +"Why, then, being two to one, we must force her to drink," said I. + +"Force her to drink, comrade? Force Joannas--God's light--!" + +"Mix the potion, man, or teach me!" So in the end Resolution did as I bade; +then kneeling beside Joanna, I raised her upon my arm and set the pannikin +to her lips, whereupon, though she frowned, she presently drank it off +meekly enough, to Resolution's no small wonder and her own, it seemed. + +"I grow marvellous obedient!" said she. "And 'tis hateful stuff!" + +"Now sleep," quoth I. "'Tis life to you--" + +"Wouldst have me live, to plague you again, mayhap?" she questioned. + +"This is as God wills!" + +"Nay, this is as you will, Martino. Wouldst have me live, indeed?" + +Now seeing how she hung upon my answer, beholding the wistful pleading of +her look, I nodded. + +"Aye, I would indeed!" said I. + +"Why, then I will, Martino, I will!" And smiling, she composed herself to +slumber and smiling, she presently fell asleep, whereupon Resolution crept +stealthily out of the little cave and I after him. Being outside, he turned +and suddenly caught and wrung my hand. + +"Friend," said he, his grim features relaxing to unwonted smile. "Brother, +you are a man--the only man could ha' done it. I thought Death had her sure +last night, she all of a fever and crying out for Death to take her." + +"She'll do better out in the air!" said I, glancing about. + +"The air, comrade?" + +"Aye, I must contrive her a shelter of sorts to her comfort where she may +sleep. 'Neath yonder tree should serve--" + +"She'll live, Martino, she'll live and all by reason o' her love for +you--the promise you made her--" + +"I made no promise, man!" + +"Why, 'twas good as promise, comrade." + +"How so?" + +"'Wouldst ha' me live,' says she, 'to plague you again,' says she. 'Aye, +that would I indeed,' says you! And what's that but a promise, Martin?" + +"God forgive you!" quoth I. "'Twas no promise I intended, as you very well +know." + +"Why, as to that, comrade, how if Joanna think as I think?" + +"'Twill be vain folly!" quoth I in petulant anger and strode away, leaving +him to scowl after me, chin in hand. + +Howbeit (and despite my anger) I presently took such tools as we had and +set about making a small hut or rather bower, where an invalid might find +such privacy as she wished and yet have benefit of the pure, sweet air +rather than lie mewed in the stifling heat of the little cave. And +presently, as I laboured, to me cometh Resolution full of praise for my +handiwork and with proffer of aid. At this I turned to him face to face. + +"Did I make Joanna any promise, aye or no?" I demanded. + +"Aye, brother. You vowed Joanna must live to plague you, forsooth, how and +when and where she would, comrade. In the which assured hope she lieth +even now, sleeping herself to health and strength and all to pleasure you, +Martin. And sure, oh, sure you are never one so vile to deceive the poor, +sweet soul?" + +Now perceiving all his specious sophistry and wilful misunderstanding of +the matter, I came nigh choking with anger. + +"Liar!" quoth I. "Liar!" + +"Peace, brother, peace!" said he. "From any other man this were a fighting +word, but as it is, let us reason together, brother! The Lord hath--" + +"Enough!" cried I. + +"Friend, the Lord hath set--" + +"Leave Him out!" quoth I. + +"What, Martin--will ye blaspheme now? Oh, shame on ye! 'The mouth o' the +blasphemer is as an open sepulchre!' But as I say, the Lord hath set you +here i' this flowery garden like Adam and her like Eve--" + +"And yourself like the serpent!" said I. + +"Ha' done, Martin, ha' done! 'The Lord shall root out deceitful lips and +the tongue that speaks proud things!' mark that!" + +"And mark you this, Resolution, an you fill Joanna's head with aught of +such folly, whatsoever sorrow or evil befalls her is upon your head." + +"Why, observe, friend and brother, for any man shall cause Joanna such, +I have this, d'ye see!" And he showed me the butt of the pistol in his +pocket; whereat I cursed him for meddlesome fool and turning my back went +on with my labour, though my pleasure in it was gone. Howbeit I wrought +this, rather than sit with idle hands, wasting myself in profitless +repining. And presently, being intent on the business, I forgot all else +and seeing this little bower was turning out much better than I had hoped, +I fell a-whistling, until, hearing a step, I turned to find Joanna leaning +upon Resolution's arm and in her eyes such a look of yearning tenderness as +filled me with a mighty disquiet. + +"And have you--made this for--me, Martino?" she questioned, a little +breathlessly. + +"Aye," I nodded, "because I do hate idleness--" + +"Hark to him!" said Resolution. "And him picturing to me how snug you would +lie here--" + +"As to that, Resolution," said I, scowling, "you can lie anywhere." + +"Why, true," said he, ignoring my meaning. "Since Jo sleeps here, I shall +sleep 'neath the tree hard by, leaving you the cave yonder, friend." + +That night Joanna lay in the bower and from this time she mended apace, but +as for me, with every hour my impatience to be gone grew upon me beyond all +measure, and as the time passed I waxed surly and morose, insomuch that +upon a day as I sat frowning at the sea, Joanna stole upon me and stooping, +kissed my hand or ever I might stay her. + +"Do I offend?" she questioned with a strange, new humility. "Ah, prithee, +why art grown so strange to me?" + +"I am as I always was!" + +"Nay, in my sickness thou wert kind and gentle--" + +"So should I have been to any other!" + +"You builded me my little house?" + +"I had naught else to do." + +"Martino," said she, sinking on her knees beside me. "Oh, _caro mio_, +if--if you could kiss me in my sickness when I knew naught of it--wherefore +not now when I am all awake and full of life--" + +"I never did!" said I, speaking on rageful impulse "If Resolution told you +this, he lies!" At this she shrank as I had struck her. + +"And did you not--kiss me in my sickness--once, no?" + +"Never once!" + +Here, bowing her head upon her hands, she rested silent awhile. + +"Nay, Joanna, wherefore seek the impossible. In these latter days I have +learned to--to respect you--" + +"Respect!" cried she, clenching her fists, "Rather give me hate; 'twere +easier endured--" + +"Why, then, this island is a rendezvous for the Brotherhood, soon will you +have friends and comrades; give me then the boat and let me go--" + +"To seek her? Nay, that you shall never do. I will kill you first, yes--for +the cold, passionless thing you are!" So she left me and knowing that she +wept, I felt greatly heartsick and ashamed. + +Now the little cave wherein I slept gave upon that stretch of sandy beach +where lay the boat and this night the weather being very hot and no wind +stirring, I came without the cave and sat to watch the play of moonlight on +the placid waters and hearken to their cool plash and ripple. Long time I +sat thus, my mind full of foreboding, mightily cast down and hot with anger +against Resolution, whose subtle lies had set Joanna on this vain folly of +love, teaching her hopes for that which might never be; and guessing some +of her pain therefor, I grieved for her and felt myself humbled that I +(though all unwitting) should cause her this sorrow. + +Sitting thus, full of heavy thoughts, my gaze by chance lighted upon the +boat and, obeying sudden impulse, I arose and coming hither, fell to sudden +temptation, for here she lay afloat; once aboard it needed but to slip +her moorings and all these my present troubles would be resolved. And yet +(thinks I) by so doing I should leave two people on this solitary island +cut off from their kind. And yet again they run no chance of hardship or +starvation, God knows, and this being a known meeting-place for their +fellows, they shall not lack for company very long. + +I was yet debating this in my mind when, roused by a sound behind me, I +turned to find Resolution scowling on me and pistol in hand. + +"Ha!" said he 'twixt shut teeth, "I ha' been expecting this and watched +according. So you'll steal the boat, will ye--leave us marooned here, will +ye?" + +"I haven't decided yet!" quoth I. + +"And what's to let me from shooting ye?" + +"Nought in the world," said I, watching for a chance to close with him, +"only bear witness I have not touched rope or timber yet--" + +"'Tis a rule o' the Coast to shoot or hang the like o' you!" quoth he, +and I heard the sharp click of the pistol as he cocked it and then with a +flutter of petticoats Joanna burst upon us. + +"Resolution, what is't?" she questioned breathlessly, looking from one to +other of us. + +"He was for stealing the boat, Jo!" + +"Is this true?" she demanded, her face set and very pale. But here, seeing +speech was vain, I shook my head and turning my back on them came into my +cave and cast myself down on my rough bed. Lying thus I heard the murmur +of their talk a great while, yet I nothing heeded until Joanna spoke close +without the cave. + +"Bide you there, Resolution!" Then the moonlight was dimmed and I saw her +form outlined in the mouth of the cave. + +"What would you, Joanna?" said I, starting up. + +"Talk with you a small while," said she and came where we might behold each +other. "Nay, do not fear. I will come no nearer, only I would speak to you +now as I would speak if I lay a-dying, I would have you answer as you would +if--if Death stood ready to strike these our bodies and bear our souls out +to the infinite and a better life." + +"Speak!" said I, wondering to see her shaken as by an ague-fit. + +"You do not--love me, then? No?" + +"No." + +"You--never could love me, mind and heart and body? No?" + +"No." + +"You could not endure me beside you, to--to live--with me near you?" + +"'Twould mean only pain, Joanna." + +"Then go!" cried she. "I am not so base-souled to weep and wheedle, to +scheme and pray for thing that can never be truly mine, or to keep you +here in hated bondage--go! The boat lieth yonder; take her and what you +will--only--get you gone!" + +Now at this I rose and would have taken her hands but she snatched them +behind her, and now I wondered at her deathly pallor,--her very lips were +pale and set. + +"Joanna," I stammered, "do you mean--am I--" + +"Go!" + +"Nay, first hear me say that wheresoever I go needs must I--" + +"Respect me!" cried she with a strange, wild laugh. "Oh, begone!" + +"Joanna," said I, "for any harsh word I have spoke you in the past, for any +pain you have suffered because of me, I do most surely grieve and would +most humbly crave your forgiveness and for this generous act I--I--" + +"Respect me?" said she in a small voice. "Ah, cannot you see--how you--hurt +me?" And now all suddenly I did strange thing for, scarce knowing what I +did, I caught her in my arms and kissed her hair, her eyes, her cold lips +and then, half ashamed, turned to leave her. + +"Stay!" said she, but I never heeded. "Martino!" she called, but I never +paused; and then, being come to the mouth of the cave, I heard the quick, +light sound of her feet behind me and as I stepped into the moonlight +felt two arms that swung me aside, saw Joanna leap before me as the +night-silence was split by a ringing, deafening roar; and then I had her in +my arms and she, smiling up at me with blood upon her lips, hid her face +in my breast. "Here in thine arms do I lie for the third time--and last, +Martino!" she sighed, and so Resolution found us. + +"What!" he gasped. "Oh, God! What--?" + +"Some one has shot Joanna!" + +"Aye, Martin, 'twas I!" and I saw the pistol yet smoking in his hand--"I +shot her thinking 'twas you--Oh, God!" + +"Nay, Resolution," said Joanna, opening her eyes. "You did very +right--'twas only that I--being a woman--changed my mind--at the last. +'Twas I bid him--kill you, Martino--if you came forth, but I--I dreamed +you--you would not leave me. Nay, let be, Resolution, I'm a-dying--yes!" + +"Ah, forbid it, God--Oh, God of Mercies, spare her!" he cried, his hands +and eyes uplift to the radiant, starry heavens. + +"Nay, grieve not, Resolution--dear friend!" she murmured painfully. "For +oh, 'tis--a good thing to die--by your hand and with--such reason! Martino, +when--you shall wed your Joan--Damaris, say I--gave you to her with--my +life because I loved you--better than life--and Death had--no fears. I go +back to life--a better life--where I shall find you one day, Martino, and +learn what--happiness is like--mayhap. Resolution," she whispered, "when +I--am dead, do not let me lie a poor, pale thing to grieve over--bury +me--bury me so soon as I--am dead. Dig me a grave--above the tide! Promise +this!" + +"I promise!" + +"Now kiss me--you were ever true and kind--kiss me? And you, Martino, +wilt kiss me--not in gratitude--this last time?" And so I kissed her and +thereafter she lay silent awhile, looking up at me great-eyed. + +"Somewhere," she whispered, "some day--we shall--meet again, beloved--but +now is--farewell. Oh, 'tis coming--'tis coming, Martino!" And then in +stronger voice, "Oh, Death!" she cried. "Oh, welcome Death--I do not fear +thee! Lift me, Martino--lift me--let me die--upon my feet!" + +Very tenderly we lifted her betwixt us and then suddenly with a soft, +murmurous cry, she lifted her arms to the glory of the wide firmament above +us and with shuddering sigh let them slowly fall, and with this sigh the +strange, wild soul of her sped away back to the Infinite whence it had +come. + +And now Resolution, on his knees beside this slender form that lay so mute +and still, broke out into great and awful sobs that were an agony to hear. + +"Dead!" he gasped. "Oh, God--dead! And by my hand! I that loved her all her +days--that would ha' died for her--Oh, smite me, merciful God--cast forth +Thy lightnings--shoot forth Thine arrows and consume me an Thou be merciful +indeed." All at once he arose and hasting away on stumbling feet, presently +came back again, bearing spade and mattock. + +"Come, friend," said he in strange, piping tones. "Come now, let us dig +grave and bury her, according to my promise. Come, brother!" Now looking on +him as he stood all bowed and shaking, I saw that he was suddenly become an +old man; his twisted frame seemed shrunken, while spade and mattock shook +and rattled in his palsied hands. "Come, lad, come!" cried he querulously. +"Why d'ye gape--bring along the body; 'tis nought else! Ah, God, how still +now, she that was so full o' life! Bring her along to high water-mark and +tenderly, friend, ah, tenderly, up wi' her to your heart!" So I did as he +bade and followed Resolution's bowed and limping form till he paused well +above where any sea might break and hard beside a great rock. + +"She'll lie snug here, friend," quoth he, "snug against howling wind and +raging tempest!" So together we dug the grave deep within that shelving, +golden sand, and laying her tenderly therein, knelt together while the moon +sank and shadows lengthened; and when Resolution had recited the prayers +for the dead, he broke into a passion of prayer for himself, which done we +rose and plied spade and mattock in silence; nor would Resolution pause or +stay until we had raised mound sufficiently high to please him. When at +last all was completed to his satisfaction, he dropped his spade and wiping +sweat from him seated himself beside the grave, patting the mound very +tenderly with his open palm. + +"The moon is wondrous bright, friend," said he, staring up at it, "but so +have I seen it many a night; but mark this, never in all our days shall we +see again the like o' her that sleeps, Martino, that sleeps--below here!" +And here he falls to soft mutterings and to patting that small mound of +sand again. + +"Come!" said I at last, touching his bowed shoulder. "Come!" + +"Where away, _camarado_?" he questioned, looking up at me vacantly. "Nay, +I'm best here--mayhap she'll be lonesome-like at first, so I'll bide +here, lad, I'll bide here a while. Go your ways, brother, and leave old +Resolution to pray a little, aye--and, mayhap weep a little, if God be +kind." + +So in the end I turned, miserably enough, and left him crouched there, +his head bowed upon his breast. And in my mind was horror and grief and +something beside these that filled me with a great wonder. Reaching the +cave, I saw the sand there all trampled and stained with the blood she had +shed to save mine own, and hard beside these, the print of her slender +foot. And gazing thus, I was of a sudden blinded by scorching tears, and +sinking upon my knees I wept as never before in all my days. And then +sprang suddenly to my feet as, loud upon the air, rang out a shot that +seemed to echo and re-echo in my brain ere, turning, I began to run back +whence I had come. + +And so I found Resolution face down across the mound that marked Joanna's +grave, his arms clasped about it and on his dead face the marks of many +tears. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +I GO TO SEEK MY VENGEANCE + + +Next day, just as the sun rose, I buried Resolution 'twixt Joanna and the +sea, yet over him I raised no mound, since I judged he would have it so. +Thereafter I ate and drank and stored the boat with such things as I needed +for my voyage and particularly with good supply of fruits. And now, though +the wind and tide both served me, I yet lingered, for it seemed that the +spirit of Joanna still tarried hereabouts. Moved by sudden desire, I began +searching among the tumbled boulders that lay here and there and presently +finding one to my purpose, urged it down the sloping beach and with +infinite pains and labour contrived at last to set it up at the head of +Joanna's resting-place. Then, taking hammer and chisel, I fell to work upon +it, heedless of sun-glare, of thirst, fatigue or the lapse of time, staying +not till my work was complete, and this no more than two words cut deep +within the enduring stone; these: + +JOANNA + +VNFEARING + +And now at last, the tide being on the turn, I unmoored the boat, and +thrusting her off, clambered aboard and betook me to the oars, and ever as +I rowed I kept my gaze upon that small, solitary heap of sand until it grew +all blurred upon my sight. Having presently made sufficient headway, I +unshipped oars and hoisting my sail, stood out into the immeasurable deep +but with my eyes straining towards that stretch of golden sand where lay +all that was mortal of Joanna. + +And with my gaze thus fixed, I must needs wonder what was become of the +fiery, passionate spirit of her, that tameless soul that was one with +the winds and stars and ocean, even as Resolution had said. And thus I +presently fell a-praying and my cheek wet with tears that I thought no +shame. When I looked up, I saw that the narrow strip of beach was no longer +in sight; Joanna had verily gone out of my life and was but a memory. + +All afternoon I held on before a fair wind so that as the sun sank I saw +the three islands no more than a faint speck on the horizon; wherefore, +knowing I should see them no more in this life, I uncovered my head, and +thus it was indeed I saw Joanna's resting-place for the last time. + +And now as the sun slipped westward and vanished in glory, even now as +night fell, I had a strange feeling that her spirit was all about me, +tender and strong and protecting, and herein, as the darkness gathered, I +found great comfort and was much strengthened in the desperate venture I +was about. + +Having close-reefed my sail and lashed the tiller, I rolled myself in a +boat-cloak and, nothing fearing, presently fell asleep and dreamed Joanna +sat above me at the helm, stooping to cover me from the weather as she had +done once before. + +Waking next morning to a glory of sun, I ate and drank (albeit sparingly) +and fell to studying Adam's chart, whereby I saw I must steer due +southwesterly and that by his calculation I should reach the mainland in +some five or six days. Suffice it that instead of five days it was not +until the tenth day (my water being nigh exhausted and I mightily downcast +that I had sailed out of my proper course) that I discovered to my +inexpressible joy a faint, blue haze bearing westerly that I knew must be +the Main. And now the wind fell so that it was not until the following +morning that I steered into a little, green bay where trees grew to the +very water's edge and so dense that, unstepping my mast, I began paddling +along this green barrier, looking for some likely opening, and thus +presently came on a narrow cleft 'mid the green where ran a small creek +roofed in with branches, vines and twining boughs, into which I urged my +boat forthwith (and no little to-do) and passed immediately from the hot +glare of sun into the cool shade of trees and tangled thickets. Having +forced myself a passage so far as I might by reason of these leafy tangles, +my next thought was to select such things as I should need and this took me +some time, I deeming so many things essential since I knew not how far +I might have to tramp through an unknown country, nor in what direction +Nombre de Dios lay. But in the end I narrowed down my necessities to the +following, viz: + +A compass +A perspective-glass +A sword +Two pistols +A gun with powder-horn and shot for same +A light hatchet +A tinder-box and store of buccaned meat. + +And now, having belted on sword and pistols and wrapping the other things +in one of the boat-cloaks, I strapped the unwieldy bundle to my shoulders +and taking up the gun, scrambled ashore, and having found my bearing, set +off due southwesterly. + +Hour after hour I struggled on, often having to hew myself a passage with +my axe, until towards evening I came out upon a broad ride or thoroughfare +amid the green, the which greatly heartened me, since here was evidence of +man's handiwork and must soon or late bring me to some town or village; +forthwith, my weariness forgotten, I set off along this track, my face set +ever westwards; but presently my vaunting hopes were dashed to find the +track could be very little used nowadays, since here and there great trees +had fallen and lay athwart my going, and presently the way itself narrowed +to a mere path and this crossed here and there by hanging vines which was +sure proof that few, if any, had passed this way these many months, mayhap +years. Hereupon I stopped to lean despondent on my gun and looked about me; +and with dejection of mind came weariness of body and seeing night was at +hand, I determined to go no farther and turned in among the trees, minded +to sleep here, though the place was wild and forbidding enough. + +I had just loosed off my heavy pack when the pervading stillness was broken +by a wailing cry, so sudden, so shrill and evil to hear that my flesh crept +and I huddled against a tree, peering into the deepening shadows that had +begun to hem me in. At first I judged this some wild beast and reached for +my musket; then, as the sound rose again, I knew this for human cry, for I +heard these words: + +"Mercy, senors, mercy for the love o' God!" + +Hereupon I began to run towards whence came this dismal outcry and +presently espied the glow of a fire, and creeping thither discovered four +men grouped about a fifth and him fast bound to a tree, and this poor +wretch they were torturing with a ramrod heated in the fire; even as I +watched he writhed and screamed for the intolerable pain of it. Staying for +no more, I burst upon them and levelling my piece at the chief tormentor, +pulled the trigger, whereupon was no more than a flash of the flint; it +seemed that in my hurry to begone I had forgotten to load it. Howbeit, +loaded or not, it served me well enough, for, swinging it by the barrel, +I was upon them or ever they were aware and smote down two of the rogues, +whereupon their comrades betook them to their heels with the utmost +precipitation. I therefore proceeded to cut the sufferer loose who, sinking +to the earth, lay there, muttering and groaning. + +"Are ye much hurt?" I questioned, stooping above him: whereupon he spat +forth a string of curses by which I judged him English and very far from +dying as I had feared. I now found myself master of four very good guns, +a sword, a steel headpiece, two cloaks and other furniture, with food +a-plenty and three flasks of wine. I was yet examining these and watching +against the return of their late owners when, hearing a sound, I saw the +late poor captive bending above the two men I had felled. + +"Are they dead?" I questioned. + +"Nay, not yet, master; give 'em six minutes or say ten and they'll be as +dead as the pig you ate of last--" + +"How so?" I demanded, staring at the wild, ragged figure of the speaker. + +"By means o' this, master!" said he, and stooping towards the fire showed +me a middling-sized black thorn upon his open palm. "Not much to look at, +master--no, but 'tis death sure and sarten, howsomever. I've many more +besides; I make 'em into darts and shoot 'em through a blowpipe--a trick +I larned o' the Indians. Aye, I spits 'em through a pipe--which is better +than your guns--no noise, no smoke, and sure death wherever it sticketh." + +"Are you an Englishman?" + +"I am that! Born within sound o' Bow Bells; 'tis all o' twenty years since +I heard 'em but they ring in my dreams sometimes. I shipped on a venture +to the Main twenty years ago and fought and rioted as a man may and by +ill-luck fell into the hands o' the bloody Spaniards along o' six other +good lads--all dead long since, master. Then the Inquisition got me and was +going to burn me but not liking the thought on't, I turned Roman. Then they +made me a slave, but I got away at last. Aha, all Spanishers are devils +for cruelty, but their Churchmen are worst and of all their Churchmen the +coldest, softest, bloodiest is Alexo Valdez, Chief Inquisitor of Nombre de +Dios yonder--" + +"Ha, you know Nombre de Dios?" + +"I ha' lived and suffered there, master, and 'tis there I be a-going for to +make an end o' Bloody Valdez, if God be kind." + +"Then," said I, "we will travel so far together--" + +"And what doth an Englishman the like o' you want with the accursed place; +the Inquisition is strong there--" + +"'Tis a matter of life and death," said I. + +"Death!" said he, "Death--they should all be dead and rotting, if I had my +way." So saying, this strange man, whose face I had scarce seen, laid him +down beyond the fire and composed himself to slumber. + +"How then," I demanded, "will ye sleep here in the wild and no watch?" + +"I will that!" said he. "I know the wilderness and I have endured much o' +hardship o' late and as to watching, there's small need. The rogues you +fell upon, being Spaniards, will doubtless be running yet and nigh unto +Nombre, by now." + +"How far is it hence?" + +"Twelve leagues by road, but less the ways I travel." + +"Good!" said I. + +"Though 'tis hard going." + +"No matter." + +"Why, then, sleep, for we march at dawn. And my name is John." + +"And mine Martin." + +"Why, then, Martin, good night." + +"Good night, John." + +Howbeit though (and despite his hurts) my companion presently slept and +snored lustily, and though I kept myself awake and my weapons to hand, +yet I fell a-nodding and at last, overcome with weariness, sank to sleep +likewise. + +I waked to find the sun up and the man John shaking me, a wild, unlovely, +shaggy fellow, very furtive of eye and gesture, who cringed and cowered +away as I started up. + +"Lord, man," quoth I, "I am no enemy!" + +"I know it!" said he, shaking tousled head. "But 'tis become nat'ral to +me to slink and crawl and blench like any lashed cur, all along o' these +accursed Spaniards; I've had more kicks and blows than I've lived days," he +growled, munching away at the viands he had set forth. + +"Have ye suffered so much then?" + +"Suffered!" cried he with a snarl. "I've done little else. Aha, when I +think o' what I've endured, I do love my little blowpipe--" + +"Blowpipe?" I questioned. + +"Aye--this!" And speaking, from somewhere among the pitiful rags that +covered his lank carcase he drew forth a small wooden pipe scarce two foot +long and having a bulbous mouthpiece at one end. "The Indians use 'em +longer than this--aye, six foot I've seen 'em, but then, Lord! they'll blow +ye a dart from eighty to a hundred paces sometimes, whereas I never risk +shot farther away than ten or twenty at most; the nearer the surer, aha!" +Hereupon he nodded, white teeth agleam through tangled beard, and with a +swift, stealthy gesture hid the deadly tube in his rags again. + +"What of the two Spaniards I struck down last night?" I questioned, looking +vainly for them. + +"In the bushes yonder," said he and with jerk of thumb. "I hid 'em, master, +they being a little unsightly--black and swol--as is the natur' o' +this poison!" Hereupon I rose and going whither he pointed, parted the +undergrowth and saw this was indeed so, insomuch that my stomach turned and +I had no more desire for food. + +"You murdered those men!" + +"Aye, that I did, master, an you call it murder. Howbeit, there's more +shall go the same road yet, notably Alexo Valdez, a curse on him!" + +"And you are an Englishman?" + +"I was, but since then I've been slave to be whipped, dog to be kicked, +Lutheran dog to be spat upon, and lastly Indian--" + +"And what now?" + +"A poor soul to be tormented, shot, hanged, or burned as they will, once +I'm taken." + +"And yet you will adventure yourself to Nombre de Dios?" + +"Why, Alexo Valdez is lately come there and Alexo Valdez burned my friend +Dick Burbage, as was 'prentice wi' me at Johnson's, the cutler's, in Friday +Street nigh St. Paul's, twenty odd years agone." + +And in a while, being ready to start, I proffered this wild fellow one of +the Spaniard's guns, but he would have none of it, nor sword, nor even +cloak to cover his rags, so in the end we left all things behind, and there +they be yet, for aught I know. + +Now as we journeyed on together, in answer to my questioning I learned from +this man John something of the illimitable pride and power of the Church +of Rome; more especially he told me of the Spanish Inquisition, its cold +mercilessness and passionless ferocity, its unsleeping watchfulness, its +undying animosity, its constant menace and the hopelessness of escape +therefrom. He gave me particulars of burnings and rackings, he described +to me the torments of the water, the wheel and the fire until my soul +sickened. He told me how it menaced alike the untrained savage, the peasant +in his hut and the noble in his hall. I heard of parents who, by reason +of this corroding fear, had denounced their children to the torment and +children their parents. + +"Aye, and there was a Donna Bianca Vallambrosa, a fine woman, I mind, was +suspected of Lutheranism--so they racked her and she in torment confessed +whatsoever they would and accused her sister Donna Luisa likewise. So they +burned 'em both and made 'em pay for stake and chain and faggots too, afore +they died." + +Many other horrors he recounted, but ever and always he came back to the +name of Alexo Valdez to vomit curses upon until at last I questioned him as +to what manner of man this was to behold. + +"Master," said John, turning to regard me, every hair upon his sunburned +face seeming to bristle, "think o' the most sinful stench ever offended +you, the most loathly corruption you ever saw and there's his soul; think +o' the devil wi' eyes like dim glass, flesh like dough and a sweet, soft +voice, and you have Alexo Valdez inside and out, and may every curse ever +cursed light on and blast him, says I!" + +"Are there many English prisoners in the Inquisition at Nombre?" + +"Why, I know of but one--though like enough there's more--they are so +cursed secret, master." + +"Did ye ever hear of an English gentleman lost or taken hereabouts some six +years since and named Sir Richard Brandon?" + +"Nay, I was slaving down Panama way six years ago. Is it him you come +a-seeking of, master?" + +"Aye," I nodded. "A very masterful man, hale and florid and of a full +habit." + +"Nay, the only Englishman ever I see in Nombre was old and bent wi' white +hair, and went wi' a limp, so it can't be him." + +"No!" said I, frowning. "No!" After this, small chance had we for talk by +reason of the difficulty of our going, yet remembering all he had told, I +had enough to think on, God knows. + +We had now reached a broken, mountainous country very trying and perilous, +what with torrents that foamed athwart our way, jagged boulders, shifting +stones and the like, yet John strode on untiring; but as for me, what with +all this, the heat of sun and the burden I carried, my breath began to +labour painfully. The first thing I tossed away was my gun that fell, +ringing and clattering, down the precipitous rocks below, and the next +was my pack and thereafter my hatchet and pistols, so that by the time we +reached the top of the ascent all I had to encumber me was my sword, and +this I kept, since it was light and seemingly a good blade. + +"Master," said John, with a flourish of his ragged arm, "here's +freedom--here's God. A land o' milk and honey given over to devils--curse +all Spanishers, say I!" + +Now looking around me I stood mute in wonder, for from this height I might +behold a vast stretch of country, towering mountains, deep, shady valleys, +impenetrable woods, rushing rivers, wide-stretching plains and far beyond a +vague haze that I knew was the sea. + +"And yonder, master," said John, pointing with his blowpipe, "yonder lieth +Nombre, though ye can't see it, the which we shall reach ere nightfall, +wherefore it behoveth me to look to my artillery." + +So saying, he squatted down upon his hams and from his rags produced a +small gourd carefully wrapped about with leaves; unwinding these, I saw the +gourd to contain a sticky, blackish substance. + +"Aha!" said John, viewing this with gloating eyes. "Snake poison is +mother's milk to this, master. Here's enough good stuff to make pocky +corpses o' every cursed Spanisher in Nombre ere sunset. Here's that +might end the sufferings o' the poor Indians, the hangings, burnings and +mutilations. I've seen an Indian cut up alive to feed to the dogs afore +now--but here's a cure for croolty, master!" + +While speaking, he had laid on the ground before him some dozen or so +little darts no longer than my finger, each armed with a needle-like point +and feathered with a wad of silky fibres; the point of each of these darts +he dipped into the poison one after the other and laid them in the sun to +dry, which done he wrapped up the little gourd mighty carefully and thrust +it back among his rags. And in a while, the poison on the darts or arrows +being dried to his satisfaction, he took forth a small leathern quiver of +native make and setting the missiles therein, shut down the lid securely +and sprang to his feet. + +"Here's sure death and sarten for some o' the dogs, master," quoth he, "and +now if there truly be a God aloft there, all I ask is one chance at Alexo +Valdez as burns women and maids, as tortures the innocent, as killed my +friend and druv me into the wild--one chance, master, and I'm done!" + +Thus he spake with eyes uplift and one hairy hand upraised to the serene +heavens, then with a nod to me set off along the hazardous track before us. + +Of this, the last stage of our journeying, I will make no mention save +that footsore, bruised and weary I sank amid a place of trees and gloomy +thickets as the sun went down and night came. + +"Straight afore you about half a mile lieth Nombre, master!" said John in +my ear. "Hearken! You may hear the dogs like bees in a hive and be cursed +to 'em!" + +And sure enough I heard an indistinct murmur of sound that was made up of +many; and presently came others more distinct; the faint baying of a hound, +the distant roll of a drum, the soft, sweet tolling of a bell. + +"So here y'are, master, and good luck t'ye!" said John and with scarce a +rustle, swift and stealthy as an Indian, he was gone and I alone in the +gloom. Hereupon I debated with myself whether I should get me into the city +straight away or wait till the morrow, the which question was resolved by +my falling into a sweet and dreamless slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HOW I CAME TO NOMBRE DE DIOS + + +I awoke to the glare of a light and, starting up, was smitten to my knees +and, lying half-stunned, was conscious of voices loud and excited, of hands +that wrenched me here and there. And now (my hands securely trussed) I was +hauled up and marched on stumbling feet amid shadowy captors, all of whom +seemed to talk excitedly and none to listen, the which I little heeded +being yet dazed by the blow. And presently I was aware of a dim street +where lights gleamed, of tall buildings, an open square and a shadowy pile +soaring upward into the dark. And presently from the surrounding gloom a +darker figure stole, slow-moving and silent, at sight of which my captors +halted to kneel, one and all, with bowed heads, whereupon the form raised a +shadowy arm in salutation or blessing. And then a voice spake in sonorous +Spanish, very soft and low and sweet, yet a voice that chilled me none the +less: + +"Whom bring ye?" + +Here came voices five or six, speaking also in Spanish, and amid this babel +I caught such words as: + +"A stranger, holy father!" + +"An Englishman!" + +"A Lutheran dog!" + +"Follow!" the sweet voice commanded, whereupon up sprang my captors and +hauled me along and so presently into a spacious hall with a dais at one +end where stood a table and great elbow-chair; but what drew and held my +gaze was the slender, dark-robed ecclesiastic that, moving on leisured, +soundless feet, went on before until, reaching the table, he seated himself +there, head bowed upon one hand; and thus he sat awhile then beckoned with +one imperious finger, whereupon my captors led me forward to the dais. + +"Begone!" spake the pleasant voice and immediately my captors drew away and +presently were gone, leaving me staring upon the tonsured crown of the man +at the table who, with head still bowed upon his hand, struck a silver +bell that stood beside him. Scarce had the sound died away than I heard a +stealthy rustling and beheld divers forms that closed silently about me, +figures shrouded from head to foot in black habits and nought of them to +see save their hands and the glitter of eyes that gazed on me through the +holes of them black, enveloping hoods. + +Now turning to him at the table, I saw that he had raised his head at last +and was viewing me also, and as he stared on me so stared I on him and this +is what I saw: A lean and pallid face with eyes dim and slumberous, a high +nose with nostrils thin and curling, a wide, close-lipped mouth and long, +pointed chin. When we had stared thus a while, he leaned him back in the +great chair and spoke me in his soft, sweet voice: + +"You are English, senor?" + +"I am!" said I in Spanish. + +"What do you here?" + +"Seek another Englishman known to be prisoner to the Inquisition of Nombre +de Dios." + +"His name?" + +"Richard Brandon. Is he here?" + +"Are you of the Faith?" + +"Of all or any save that of Rome!" said I, staring up into the pale, +emotionless face. "But Rome I do abominate and all its devil's work!" At +this, from the hooded figures about me rose a gasp of horror and amaze, +while into the dim eyes of my questioner came a momentary glow. + +"Oh, fleshly lips!" quoth he. "Oh, tongue of blasphemy damned. Since you by +the flesh have sinned, so by the flesh, its pains and travail, must your +soul win forgiveness and life hereafter. Oh, vain soul, though your flesh +hath uttered damnable sin and heresy, yet Holy Church in its infinite mercy +shall save your soul in despite sinful flesh, to which end we must lay on +your evil flesh such castigation as shall, by its very pain, purge your +soul and win it to life hereafter--" + +But now, and even as the black-robed familiars closed upon me, I heard +steps behind me, a clash of arms and thereafter a voice whose calm tones I +recognised. + +"What is this, Father Alexo?" + +"An Englishman and blasphemous Lutheran, captured and brought hither within +the hour, Your Excellency." Now here the familiars, at sign of Fra Alexo, +moved aside, and thus I beheld to my surprise and inexpressible joy, Don +Federigo, pale from his late sickness, the which the sombre blackness of +his rich velvet habit did but offset; for a moment his eyes met mine and +with no sign of recognition, whereupon I checked the greeting on my lips. + +"And am I of so little account as not to be warned of this?" said he. + +"Alas, Excellency, if I have something forgot the respect due your high and +noble office, let my zeal plead my excuse. In your faithful charge do we +leave this miserable one until Holy Church shall require him of you." So +saying, Fra Alexo, crossing lean hands meekly on his bosom, bowed himself +in humble fashion, and yet I thought to see his dull eyes lit by that +stealthy glow as Don Federigo, having duly acknowledged his salutation, +turned away. + +Thence I was led into the soft night air to a noble house, through goodly +chambers richly furnished and so at last to a small room; and ever as I +went I had an uneasy feeling that a long, black robe rustled stealthily +amid the shadows, and of dull eyes that watched me unseen, nor could I +altogether shake off the feeling even when the door closed and I found +myself alone with Don Federigo. Indeed it almost seemed as he too felt +something of this, for he stood a while, his head bowed and very still, +like one listening intently; suddenly he was before me, had grasped my two +fettered hands, and when he spake it was in little more than whisper. + +"Alas, Don Martino--good my friend, Death creepeth all about you here--" + +"Fra Alexo's spies!" I nodded. Now at this he gave me a troubled look and +fell to pacing to and fro. + +"A hard man and cunning!" quoth he, as to himself. "The Church--ah, the +power of the Church! Yet must I get you safe away, but how--how?" + +"Nay, Don Federigo, never trouble." + +"Trouble, Senor? Ah, think you I count that? My life is yours, Don Martino, +and joyfully do I risk it--" + +"Nay, sir," quoth I, grasping his hand, "well do I know you for brave and +noble gentleman whose friendship honoureth me, but here is no need you +should hazard your life for me, since I am here of my own will. I have +delivered myself over to the Inquisition to the fulfilment of a purpose." + +"Sir," said he, his look of trouble deepening. "Alas, young sir--" + +"This only would I ask of your friendship--when they take me hence, see to +it that I am set in company with one that lieth prisoned here, see that +I am fettered along with Sir Richard Brandon. And this do I ask of your +friendship, sir!" + +"Alas!" said he. "Alas, 'tis out of my jurisdiction; you go hence you are +lost--you do pass from the eye of man--none knoweth whither." + +"So long as I come unto mine enemy 'tis very well, sir. 'Tis this I have +prayed for, lived for, hoped and suffered for. Wherefore now, Don Federigo, +in memory of our friendship and all that hath passed betwixt us, I would +ask you to contrive me this one thing howsoever you may." + +At this he fell to his walking again and seemingly very full of anxious +thought. Presently he sounded a whistle that hung about his neck, in answer +to which summons came one I judged to be an Indian by his look, though he +was dressed Christianly enough. And now, with a bow to me, Don Federigo +speaks to him in tongue I had never heard before, a language very soft and +pleasing: + +"Your pardon, sir," said Don Federigo when we were alone, "but Hualipa is +an Indian and hath but indifferent Spanish." + +"An Indian?" + +"An Aztec Cacique that I saved from an evil death. He is one of the few +I can trust. And here another!" said he, as the door opened and a great +blackamoor Centered, bearing a roast with wine, etc., at sight whereof my +mouth watered and I grew mightily hungered. + +While I ate and drank and Don Federigo ministering to my wants, he told me +of Adam Penfeather, praising his courtliness and seamanship; he spoke +also of my lady and how she had cared for him in his sickness. He told me +further how they had been attacked by a great ship and having beaten off +this vessel were themselves so much further shattered and unseaworthy that +'twas wonder they kept afloat. None the less Adam had contrived to stand +in as near to Nombre de Dios as possible and thus set him safely ashore. +Suddenly the arras in the corner was lifted and Hualipa reappeared, who, +lifting one hand, said somewhat in his soft speech, whereupon Don Federigo +rose suddenly and I also. + +"Senor Martino," said he, taking my hand, "good friend, the familiars of +the Holy Office are come for you, so now is farewell, God go with you, and +so long as I live, I am your friend to aid you whensoever I may. But now +must I see you back in your bonds." + +He now signed to Hualipa who forthwith bound my wrists, though looser than +before, whereupon Don Federigo sighed and left me. Then the Indian brought +me to a corner of the room and lifting the arras, showed me a small door +and led me thence along many dim and winding passages into a lofty +hall where I beheld Don Federigo in confabulation with divers of these +black-robed ecclesiastics who, beholding me, ceased their talk and making +him their several obeisances, carried me away whither they would. Thus very +soon I found myself looking again into the pallid, dim-eyed face of the +Chief Inquisitor who, lifting one white, bony finger, thus admonished me in +his sweet, sad voice: + +"Unworthy son, behold now! Holy Church, of its infinite mercy and great +love to all such detestable sinners as thou manifestly art, doth study how +to preserve thy soul from hell in despite of thyself. And because there +is nought so purging as fire, to the fire art thou adjudged except, thy +conscience teaching thee horror of thine apostacy, thou wilt abjure thy sin +and live. And because nought may so awaken conscience as trouble of mind +and pain of body, therefore to trouble and pain doth Holy Church adjudge +thy sinful flesh, by water, by fire, by rack, pulley and the wheel." Here +he paused and bowed his head upon his hands and thus remained a while; when +at last he spoke, it was with face still hid and slowly, as if unwilling +to give the words utterance: "Yet, first--thou art decreed--a space--for +contemplation of thy heresy vile and abominable, having fellowship with +one who, blasphemous as thyself and of a pride stubborn and hateful, long +persisted in his sinfulness, yet at the last, by oft suffering, hath lately +abjured his damnable heresy and is become of humble and contrite heart, and +thus, being soon to die, shall, by pain of flesh and sorrow of mind, save +his soul alive in Paradise everlasting. Go, miserable wretch, thy body is +but corruption soon to perish, but the immortal soul of thee is in Holy +Church her loving care henceforth, to save in thy despite." + +Then, with face still bowed, he gestured with his hand, whereupon came two +hooded familiars and led me forth of his presence. Now as I walked betwixt +these shapeless forms that flitted on silent feet and spake no word, my +flesh chilled; in despite my reason, for they seemed rather spectres than +truly men, yet phantoms of a grim and relentless purposefulness. Voiceless +and silent they brought me down stone stairs and along echoing passages +into a dim chamber where other cloaked forms moved on soundless feet and +spake in hushed and sibilant whispers. Here my bonds were removed and in +their place fetters were locked upon my wrists, which done, one came with a +lanthorn, who presently led the way along other gloomy passageways where I +beheld many narrow, evil-looking doorways. At last my silent guide halted, +I heard the rattle of iron, the creak of bolts and a door opened suddenly +before me upon a dank and noisome darkness. Into this evil place I was led, +and the door clapped to upon me and locked and bolted forthwith. But to my +wonder they had left me the lanthorn, and by its flickering beam I stared +about me and saw I was in a large dungeon, its corners lost in gloom. + +Suddenly as I stood thus, nigh choked with the foul air of the place and +full of misgiving, I heard a groaning sigh, and from the shadow of a remote +corner a figure reared itself upon its knees to peer under palsied hand +with eyes that blinked as if dazzled by this poor light. + +"So young--so young--oh, pity! God be merciful to thee--alas, what do you +in this place of torment and living death--young sir?" + +Now this voice was pitifully cracked and feeble, yet the words were +English, wherefore I caught up the lanthorn and coming nearer, set it down +where I might better behold the speaker. + +"So young--so young! What dost thou among the living dead?" + +"I come seeking Sir Richard Brandon!" + +Now from the dim figure before me broke a sound that was neither scream nor +laughter yet something of both. I saw wild hands upcast to the gloom above, +a shrunken, pallid face, the gleam of snow-white hair. + +"Oh, God of mercies--oh, God of Justice--at last, oh, God--at last!" + +Stooping, I dragged him to the light and found myself suddenly a-trembling +so violently that he shook in my gripe. + +"What--what mean you?" I cried. + +"That I--I am Richard Brandon." + +"Liar!" I cried, shaking him. "Damned liar!" + +And yet, looking down upon this old, withered creature who crouched before +me on feeble knees, his shrivelled hands clasped and haggard face uplifted, +I knew that he spoke truth, and uttering a great and bitter cry, I cast him +from me, for here, in place of my proud and masterful enemy, the man I had +hated for his fierce and arrogant spirit, God had given to my vengeance at +last no more than this miserable thing, this poor, pale shadow. Wherefore +now I cast myself down upon my face, beating the floor with my shackled +fists and blaspheming my God like the very madman I was. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +HOW AT LAST I FOUND MY ENEMY, RICHARD BRANDON + + +Whether this paroxysm had wrought me to a swoon I know not, but I wondered +to feel a hand upon my head, stroking my hair with touch marvellous gentle, +and therewith a voice: + +"Comfort thee, comfort thee, poor youth! These be rages and despairs that +many do suffer at the first; in a little shall come back thy courage and +with it hope--that hope, alas, that never dieth--even here. 'Lo, I am with +thee,' saith the Lord--so be comforted, young sir. Let other thoughts +distract thy mind--let us converse if thou wilt. Tell me, I pray, how didst +know my unhappy name?" + +"Because," said I, starting from his touch, "I am son to the man you foully +murdered by false accusation. I am Martin Conisby, Lord Wendover of Shere +and last of my line!" + +Now at this he drew away and away, staring on me great-eyed and I heard the +breath gasp between his pallid lips. + +"What--do you here, my lord?" + +"Seek my just vengeance!" + +"The vengeance of a Conisby!" he murmured. + +"Six years ago I broke from the hell of slavery you sold me into and ever +since have sought you with intent to end the feud once and for ever." + +"The feud?" he muttered. "Aye, we have shed each other's blood for +generations--when your grandfather fought and slew my father on the highway +beyond Lamberhurst village I, a weeping boy, kissing the wound his rapier +had made, vowed to end the Conisbys one day and came nigh doing it, God +forgive me. So doth one sin beget others, and so here to-day, in the gloom +of my dungeon, I yield myself to your vengeance, my lord, freely and humbly +confessing the harms I did you and the base perfidy of my actions. So, an +you will have my miserable life, take it and with my last breath I will +beseech God pardon you my blood and bring you safe out of this place of +torment and sorrow. God knoweth I have endured much of agony these latter +years and yet have cherished my life in despite my sufferings hitherto, +aye, cherished it so basely as to turn apostate that I might live yet a +little longer--but now, my lord, freely--aye, joyfully will I give it, +for your vengeance, praying God of His abounding mercy to pardon my most +grievous offences but, being grown weak in courage and body by reason of +frequent and grieveous torturings, this mayhap shall plead my excuse. Come +then, Martin Conisby, your hand upon my throat, your fetter-chain about my +neck--" + +"Have done!" said I. "Have done!" And getting up, I crossed to the +extremest corner of the dungeon and cast myself down there. But in a little +he was beside me again, bearing the lanthorn and with straw from his +bed for my pillow, whereupon I cursed and bade him begone, but he never +stirred. + +"Oh boy," said he, seeing me clench my fist, "I am inured to stripes and +very fain to speech with thee, wherefore suffer me a little and answer me +this question, I pray. You have sought me these many years, you have even +followed me into this hell of suffering, and God at last hath given me to +your vengeance--wherefore not take it?" + +"Because he I sought was masterful, strong and arrogant!" + +"Yet this my body, though sorely changed, is yet the slime; 'twill bleed if +you prick it and I can die as well now as six years ago--?" + +But seeing I made no manner of answer, he left me at last and I watched him +limp disconsolate to his corner, there to bow himself on feeble knees and +with hands crossed on his bosom and white head bowed, fall to a passion of +silent prayer yet with many woful sighings and moanings, and so got him to +his miserable bed. + +As for me, I lay outstretched upon my face, my head pillowed on my arm, +with no desire of sleep, or to move, content only to lie thus staring into +the yellow flame of the lanthorn as a child might, for it verily seemed +that all emotions and desires were clean gone out of me; thus lay I, my +mind a-swoon, staring at this glimmering flame until it flickered and +vanished, leaving me in outer darkness. But within me was a darkness +blacker still, wherein my soul groped vainly. + +So the long night wore itself to an end, for presently, lifting heavy head, +I was aware of a faint glow waxing ever brighter, till suddenly, athwart +the gloom of my prison, shot a beam of radiant glory, like a very messenger +of God, telling of a fair, green world, of tree and herb and flower, of the +sweet, glad wind of morning and all the infinite mercies of God; so that, +beholding this heavenly vision, I came nigh weeping for pure joy and +thankfulness. + +Now this thrice-blessed sunlight poured in through a small grating high +up in the massy wall and showed me the form of my companion, the shining +silver of his hair, his arms wide-tossed in slumber. Moved by sudden +impulse I arose and (despite the ache and stiffness of my limbs) came +softly to look upon him as he lay thus, his cares forgot awhile in blessed +sleep; and thus, beneath his rags, I saw divers and many grievous scars of +wounds old and new, the marks of hot and searing iron, of biting steel and +cruel lash, and in joints, swollen and inflamed, I read the oft-repeated +torture of the rack. And yet in these features, gaunt and haggard by +suffering, furrowed and lined by pain, was a serene patience and nobility +wholly unfamiliar. + +Thus it seemed God had hearkened to my oft-repeated prayers, had given up +to me mine enemy bound; here at last, beneath my hand, lay the contriver of +my father's ruin and death and of my own evil fortunes. But it seemed the +sufferings that had thus whitened his hair, bowed his once stalwart frame +and chastened his fierce pride had left behind them something greater and +more enduring, before which my madness of hate and passionate desire +of vengeance shrank abashed. Now as I stood thus, lost in frowning +contemplation of my enemy, he groaned of a sudden and starting to his +elbow, stared up at me haggard-eyed. + +"Ah, my lord!" said he, meeting my threatening look. "Is the hour of +vengeance at hand--seek ye my life indeed? Why, then, I am ready!" + +But, nothing speaking, I got me back to my gloomy corner and crouched +there, my knees up-drawn, my head bowed upon my arms; and now, my two hands +gripping upon the empty air, I prayed again these words so often wrung from +me by past agonies: "Oh, God of Justice, give me now vengeance--vengeance +upon mine enemy. His life, Oh, God, his life!" But even as I spake these +words within myself I knew the vengeance I had dreamed of and cherished so +dearly was but a dream indeed, a fire that had burned utterly away, leaving +nought but the dust and ashes of all that might have been. And realising +somewhat of the bitter mockery of my situation, bethinking me of all I had +so wantonly cast away for this dream, and remembering the vain labour and +all the wasted years, I fell to raging despair, insomuch that I groaned +aloud and casting myself down, smote upon the stone floor of my prison with +shackled fists. And thus I presently felt a touch and glanced up to behold +my enemy bending above me. + +"My lord--" said he. + +"Devil!" I cried, smiting the frail hand from me. "I am no more than the +poor outcast wretch you ha' made of me!" Thus, with curses and revilings, I +bade him plague me no more and presently, wearied mind and body by my long +vigil, I fell a-nodding, until, wakened by the opening of the door, I +looked up to behold one of the black-robed familiars, who, having set down +meat and drink, vanished again, silent and speechless. + +Roused by the delectable savours of this meat, which was hot and +well-seasoned, I felt myself ravenous and ate with keen appetite, and +taking up the drink, found it to be wine, very rich and comforting. So +I ate and drank my fill, never heeding my companion, and thereafter, +stretching myself as comfortably as I might, I sank into a deep slumber. +But my sleep was troubled by all manner of dreams wherein was a nameless +fear that haunted me, a thing dim-seen and silent, save for the stealthy +rustling of a trailing robe. And even as I strove to flee it grew upon me +until I knew this was Death in the shape of Fra Alexo. And now, as I strove +vainly to escape those white, cruel fingers, Joanna was betwixt us; I heard +her shrill, savage cry, saw the glitter of her steel and, reeling back, Fra +Alexo stood clutching his throat in his two hands, staring horribly ere +he fell. But looking upon him as he lay I saw this was not Fra Alexo, for +gazing on the pale, dead face, I recognised the beloved features of my lady +Joan. But, sudden and swift, Joanna stooped to clasp that stilly form, +to lay her ruddy mouth to these pallid lips; and lo, she that was dead +stirred, and rose up quick and vivid with life and reached out yearning +arms to me, seeing nothing of Joanna where she lay, a pale, dead thing. + +I started up, crying aloud, and blinked to the glare of a lanthorn; as I +crouched thus, shielding my eyes from this dazzling beam, from the darkness +beyond came a voice, very soft and tenderly sweet, the which set me +shivering none the less. + +"Most miserable man, forswear now the error of thy beliefs, or prepare thy +unworthy flesh to chastisement. In this dead hour of night when all do +sleep, save the God thou blasphemest and Holy Church, thou shall be brought +to the question--" + +"Hold, damned Churchman!" cried a voice, and turning I beheld my enemy, Sir +Richard Brandon, his gaunt and fettered arms upraised, his eyes fierce and +steadfast. "Heed not this bloody-minded man! And you, Fra Alexo and these +cowled fiends that do your evil work, I take you to witness, one and all, +that I, Richard Brandon, Knight banneret of Kent, do now, henceforth and +for ever, renounce and abjure the oath you wrung from my coward flesh by +your devilish tortures. Come, do to my body what ye will, but my soul--aye, +my soul belongs to God--not to the Church of Rome! May God reckon up +against you the innocent blood you have shed and in every groan and tear +and cry you have wrung from tortured flesh may you find a curse in this +world and hereafter!" + +The loud, fierce voice ceased; instead I heard a long and gentle sigh, a +murmured command, and Sir Richard was seized by dim forms and borne away, +his irons clashing. Then I sprang, whirling up my fetter-chains to smite, +was tripped heavily, felt my limbs close-pinioned and was dragged forth of +the dungeon. And now, thus helpless at the mercy of these hideous, hooded +forms that knew no mercy, my soul shrank for stark horror of what was to +be, and my body shook and trembled in abject terror. + +In this miserable state I was dragged along, until once again I heard the +murmur of that sweet, soft voice, whereupon my captors halted, a door +was unlocked, and I was cast into a place of outer darkness there to lie +bruised and half-stunned yet agonised with fear, insomuch that for very +shame I summoned up all my resolution, and mastering my fear, I clenched +chattering teeth and sweating palms, determined to meet what was to be with +what courage and fortitude I might. Slowly the shivering horror passed and +in its place was a strange calm as I waited for them to bear me to the +torture. + +Suddenly my heart leapt to a shrill scream and thereafter I heard an +awful voice, loud and hoarse and tremulous, and between each gasping cry, +dreadful periods of silence: + +"Oh, God ... Oh, God of pity, aid me ... make me to endure ... Lord God, +strengthen my coward soul ... help me to be worthy ... faithful at last ... +faithful to the end...." + +As for me, well knowing the wherefore of these outcries, the meaning of +these ghastly silences, a frenzy of horror seized me so that I shouted and +raved, rolling to and fro in my bonds. Yet even so I could hear them at +their devils work, until the hoarse screams sank to a piteous wailing, a +dreadful inarticulate babble, until, wrought to a frenzy, I struggled to my +feet (despite my bonds) and (like the madman I was) leapt towards whence +these awful sounds came, and falling, knew no more. + +From this blessed oblivion I was roused by a kindly warmth and opening my +eyes, saw that I lay face down in a beam of sunshine that poured in through +the small grille high in the wall like a blessing; being very weary and +full of pain, and feeling this kindly ray mighty comforting, I lay where I +was and no desire to move, minded to sleep again. But little by little I +became conscious of a dull, low murmur of sound very distressful to hear +and that set me vaguely a-wondering. Therefore, after some while, I +troubled to lift my head and wondered no more. + +A twisted heap of blood-stained rags, the pallid oval of a face, the dull +gleam of a chain, this much I saw at a glance, but when I came beside Sir +Richard's prostrate form and beheld the evils they had wrought on him, a +cry of horror and passionate anger broke from me, whereupon he checked his +groaning and opening swimming eyes, smiled wanly up at me. + +"Glory--and thanks to God--I--endured!" he whispered. Now at this I sank on +my knees beside him, and when I would have spoken, could not for a while; +at last: + +"Is there aught I may do?" I questioned. + +"Water!" he murmured feebly. So I reached the water and setting my arm +'neath his neck (and despite my fetters) lifted him as gently as I might +and held the jar to his cracked lips. When he had drank what he would +I made a rough pillow for his head and rent strips from my shirt for +bandages, and finding my pitcher full-charged with wine, mixed some with +water and betook me to bathing his divers hurts (though greatly hampered by +the chain of my fetters) and found him very patient to endure my awkward +handling, in the midst of which, meeting my eye, he smiled faintly: + +"Martin Conisby," he whispered. "Am I not--your--enemy?" + +"Howbeit you endured!" quoth I. + +"Thanks be to God!" said he humbly. "And is it for this. You will cherish +thus--and comfort one--hath wronged you and yours--so bitterly?" + +But at this I grew surly and having made an end of my rough surgery, I went +and cast myself upon my bed of straw and, lying there, watching the sunbeam +creep upon the wall, I fell to pondering this problem, viz: How came I thus +striving to soothe the woes of this man I had hunted all these years to his +destruction; why must I pity his hurts and compassionate his weakness--why? + +And as I sat, my fists clenched, scowling at the sun-ray, it verily seemed +as he had read these my thoughts. + +"Martin Conisby," said he, his voice grown stronger. "Oh, Martin, think it +not shame to pity thine enemy; to cherish them that despitefully use you; +this is Godlike. I was a proud man and merciless but I have learned much +by sufferings, and for the wrongs I did you--bitterly have I repented. So +would I humbly sue forgiveness of you since I am to die so soon--" + +"To die?" + +"Aye, Martin, at the next auto-da-fe--by the fire--" + +"The fire!" said I, clenching my fists. + +"They have left me my life that I may burn--" + +"When?" I demanded 'twixt shut teeth. "When?" + +"To-day--to-morrow--the day after--what matter? But when the flames have +done their work, I would fain go to God bearing with me your forgiveness. +But if this be too much to hope--why, then, Martin, I will beseech God to +pluck you forth of this place of horror and to give you back to England, to +happiness, to honour and all that I reft from you--" + +"Nay, this were thing impossible!" I cried. + +"There is nought impossible to God, Martin!" Here fell silence awhile and +then, "Oh, England--England!" cried he. "D'ye mind how the road winds +'twixt the hedgerows a-down hill into Lamberhurst, Martin; d'ye mind the +wonder of it all--the green meadows, the dim woods full of bird song and +fragrance--you shall see it all again one day, but as for me--ah, to +breathe just once again the sweet smell of English earth! But God's will be +done!" + +For a while I sat picturing to my fancy the visions his words had conjured +up; lifting my head at last, I started up to see him so pale and still and +bending above him, saw him sleeping, placid as any child, yet with the +marks of tears upon his shrunken cheek. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +HOW I FOUND MY SOUL + + +The torment by fire, torture by water, rack and thumbscrews, pulley and +wheel, the weights, the press, the glove and the boot,--these the devices +men hath schemed out for the plaguing of his neighbour, the hellish engines +he hath troubled to invent and build for the crushing, twisting, tearing +and maiming of his fellow-man, yet of all these devilish machines nought +is there so constant, so pitiless and hard of endurance as the agony of +suspense; there is a spectre mopping and mowing at our shoulder by day and +haunting the misery of our nights; here is a disease slowly but surely +sapping hope and courage and life itself. + +Howbeit it was thus I found it in the time that followed, for little by +little I became the prey of a terror that grew, until the opening of the +door would bring me to my feet in sweating panic, or the mere rattle of my +fellow-prisoner's chains fill me with shivering despair. And because of +these sick fears I felt great scorn of myself, and knowing I was in this +place of horror by my own will and contrivance, to despair and scorn was +added a bitter self-hatred. And now, remembering how Adam had vowed to +rescue Sir Richard, I prayed for his coming, at one moment full of hope, +the next in an agony of despair lest he should come too late. Thus I fell +to my black mood, speaking no word or answering my companion but by curses; +and thus would I sit for hours, sullen and morose, gnawing my knuckles and +staring on vacancy. Or again, beholding my enemy so serene, so placid and +unmoved (and his case no better than my own) I would fall to sudden bitter +revilings of him, until, meeting the gentle patience of his look, I would +fall silent for very shame. + +At last, upon a night, tossing upon my wretched bed in dire torment of +soul, I chanced to espy my enemy and him sleeping; whereat I fell to fierce +anger. + +"Ha, Brandon!" I cried. "Will ye sleep, man, will ye sleep and I in +torment. Wake--wake and tell me, must we die soon? Wake, I say!" At this +he raised himself to blink at me in the beam of the lanthorn. "Must we die +soon, think ye?" I demanded fiercely. + +"In God's time, Martin!" said he. + +"Think ye they will--torture me first?" Now here, seeing his troubled look +and how he groped for an answer, I cursed and bade him tell me, aye or no. + +"Alas, I do fear it!" said he. + +"We are beyond hope?" I demanded. + +"Nay, there is always God," said he. "But we are beyond all human aid. This +do I know by reason of this airy dungeon and the luxury of food and light. +Fra Alexo doeth nought unreasonably; thus we have our lanthorn that we, +haply waking from dreams of home and happiness, may behold our prison walls +and know an added grief. Instead of the water-dungeon or the black terror +of cell deep-hidden from the blessed day, he hath set us in this goodly +place that we, beholding the sun, may yearn amain for the blessed freedom +of God's green world--" + +"Ha!" quoth I. "And for those he dooms to the torment he sendeth rich food +and generous wine--aye, aye, I see it now--a man strong and full-blooded +may endure more agony and longer. So they will torture me--as they did +you--but when, ah, God--when?" And here I sank face down upon my bed and +lay there shuddering. And presently I was aware of my companion kneeling +beside me, his hand upon my shoulder, his gentle voice in my ear: + +"Comfort ye, Martin, comfort ye, God shall give ye strength--" + +"Nay, I am a coward!" I cried bitterly, "A shameful craven!" + +"Yet you do not fear! You have endured! The fire hath no terrors for you!" + +"Because I am old in suffering, and am done with fear, because, beyond +smoke and flame, I shall find God at last." + +"Think ye there is a God?" + +"I know it, Martin!" + +"Yet am I coward!" I groaned. "Though 'tis not death I fear, nor the +torture so much, 'tis rather to be thus counting the hours--" + +"I know," said he, sighing. "I know. 'Tis the waiting for what is to be, +ah, the weary, weary waiting--'tis this doth shake the strongest; the hour +of suffering may be now, or to-morrow, or a month hence." + +"God send it be to-night!" said I fervently. "And to-night, and while I am +yet the man I am, know this; I, that lived but for vengeance, dying, do +renounce it once and for ever. I, that came hither seeking an enemy, find, +in place of hated foe, a man ennobled by his sufferings and greater than +myself. So, as long as life remains to us, let there be peace and good will +betwixt us, Sir Richard. And as you once sued forgiveness of me, now do I +sue your friendship--" + +"Martin!" said he in choking voice, and then again, "Oh, Martin Conisby, +thus hath God answered my prayer and thus doth the feud betwixt Conisby and +Brandon end--" + +"Yes!" said I. "Yes--so do I know at last that I have followed a vain thing +and lost all the sweetness life had to offer." + +Now here, seeing me lie thus deject and forlorn, he stooped and set his +ragged arm about me. + +"Grieve not, Martin," said he in strange, glad voice, "grieve not, for in +losing so much you have surely found a greater thing. Here, in this dread +place, you have found your soul." + +And presently, sheltered in the frail arm of the man had been my bitter +enemy, I took comfort and fell to sweet and dreamless slumber. + +Another day had dragged its weary length: Sir Richard lay asleep, I think, +and I, gloomy and sullen, lay watching the light fade beyond the grating in +the wall when; catching my breath, I started and peered up, misdoubting my +eyes, for suddenly, 'twixt the bars of this grating, furtive and silent +crept a hand that opening, let fall something white and shapeless that +struck the stone floor with a sharp, metallic sound, and vanished +stealthily as it had come. For a while I stared up at this rusty grating, +half-fearing I was going mad at last, yet when I thought to look below, +there on the floor lay the shapeless something where it had fallen. With +every nerve a-thrill I rose and creeping thither, took it up and saw it was +Adam's chart, the which had been taken from me, with all else I possessed; +this wrapped about a key and a small, sharp knife; on the back of which, +traced in a scrawling hand, I read these words, viz: + + "A key to your fetters. A knife to your release. + Once free of your dungeon take every passage + Bearing to the left; so shall you reach the postern. + There one shall wait, wearing a white scarf. + Follow him and God speed you. + You will be visited at sunset." + +To be lifted thus from blackest despair to hope's very pinnacle wrought on +me so that I was like one entranced, staring down at knife and paper and +key where they had fallen from my nerveless hold; then, catching up the +knife, I stood ecstatic to thumb over point and edge and felt myself a man +once more, calm and resolute, to defy every inquisitor in Spanish America, +and this merely by reason of the touch of this good steel, since here was +a means whereby (as a last resource) I might set myself safe beyond their +devilish torments once and for all. And now my soul went out in passionate +gratitude to Don Federigo since this (as I judged) must be of his +contrivance. + +But the shadows deepening warned me that the sun had set wherefore I +slipped off my shoes as softly as possible not to disturb Sir Richard's +slumbers, and made me ready to kill or be killed. + +And presently I heard the creak of bolts and, creeping in my stockinged +feet, posted myself behind the door as it opened to admit the silent, +shrouded form of a familiar bearing a lanthorn. Now, seeing he came alone, +I set the knife in my girdle and, crouched in the shadow of the door, +watched my time; for a moment he stood, seeming to watch Sir Richard who, +roused by the light, stirred and, waking, blinked fearfully at this silent +shape. + +"Ah, what now?" he questioned. "Is it me ye seek?" For answer the familiar +set down the lanthorn and beckoned with his finger. Then, as Sir Richard +struggled painfully to his feet, I sprang and grappled this hateful, +muffled form ere he could cry out, had him fast by the throat, and dragging +him backwards across my knee, I choked him thus, his hoarse whistling gasps +muffled in his enveloping hood. And then Sir Richard was beside me. + +"Will ye slay him, Martin?" cried he. + +"Aye!" I nodded and tightened my grip. + +"Nay, rather spare him because he is an enemy; thus shall your soul go +lighter henceforth, Martin." + +So in the end I loosed my hold, whereupon the familiar sank to the floor +and lay, twitching feebly. Hereupon I rent off hood and robe and found him +a poor, mean creature that wept and moaned, wherefore I incontinent gagged +him with stuff from his own habit and thereafter locked him securely into +my fetters. And now, trembling with haste, I donned his habit and, catching +up the lanthorn, turned on Sir Richard: + +"Come!" said I. + +"Nay!" said he, wringing his fettered hands. "Nay--alas, I should but +hamper you--" + +"Come!" said I, my every nerve a-tingle to be gone. "Come--I will aid +you--hurry, man--hurry!" + +"Nay, 'twere vain, Martin, I can scarce walk--'twere selfish in me to let +you run such needless risks. Go, Martin, go--God bless you and bring you +safe out of this evil place." + +Without more ado I tucked my shoes into my bosom, caught up the lanthorn +and hasted away. + +But as I went I must needs remember the pitiful eagerness of Sir Richard's +look and the despairing gesture of those helpless, fettered hands. + +Hereupon I cursed fiercely to myself and, turning about, came running back +and, finding him upon his knees, hove him to his feet and, or ever he +guessed my purpose, swung him across my shoulder and so away again, finding +him no great burden (God knows) for all his fetters that clanked now and +then despite his efforts. Presently espying a passage to my left, thither +hurried I and so in a little to another; indeed it seemed the place was a +very maze and with many evil-looking doors that shut in God only knew what +of misery and horror. So I hasted on, while my breath laboured and the +sweat ran from me; and with every clank of Sir Richard's fetters my heart +leapt with dread lest any hear, though indeed these gloomy passageways +seemed quite deserted. And ever as we went, nought was to see save these +evil doors and gloomy walls, yet I struggled on until my strength began to +fail and I reeled for very weariness, until at last I stopped and set Sir +Richard on his feet since I could carry him no further, and leaned panting +against the wall, my strength all gone and my heart full of despair, since +it seemed I had missed my way. + +Suddenly, as I leaned thus, I heard the tinkle of a lute and a voice +singing, and though these sounds were dull and muffled, I judged them at no +great distance; therefore I began to creep forward, the knife ready in one +hand, the lanthorn in the other, and thus presently turning a sharp angle, +I beheld a flight of steps surmounted by a door. Creeping up to this door, +I hearkened and found the singing much nearer; trying the door, I found it +yield readily and opening it an inch or so beheld a small chamber lighted +by a hanging lamp and upon a table a pair of silver-mounted pistols; +coming to the table I took them up and found them primed and loaded. I now +beckoned Sir Richard who crept up the stairs with infinite caution lest his +fetter-chains should rattle. + +The chamber wherein we stood seemed the apartment of some officer, for +across a small bed lay a cloak and plumed hat together with a silver-hilted +rapier, which last I motioned Sir Richard to take. Beyond the bed was +another door, and coming thither I heard a sound of voices and laughter, +so that I judged here was a guard-room. As I stood listening, I saw Sir +Richard standing calm and serene, the gleaming sword grasped in practised +hand and such a look of resolution on his lined face as heartened me +mightily. And now again came the tinkle of the lute and, giving a sign to +Sir Richard, I softly raised the latch and, plucking open the door, stepped +into the room behind, the pistols levelled in my hands. + +Before me were five men--four at cards and a fifth fingering a lute, who +turned to gape, one and all, at my sudden appearance. + +"Hold!" said I in Spanish, through the muffing folds of my hood. "Let a man +move and I shoot!" At this they sat still enough, save the man with the +lute, a small, fat fellow who grovelled on his knees; to him I beckoned. +"Bind me these fellows!" I commanded. + +"No ropes here!" he stammered. + +"With their belts, fool; their arms behind them--so!" Which done, I +commanded him to free Sir Richard of his gyves; whereupon the little fellow +obeyed me very expeditiously with one of the many keys that hung against +the wall. Then I gave my pistols to Sir Richard and seizing on the little, +fat man, bound him also. Hereupon I gagged them all five as well as I might +and having further secured their legs with their scarves and neckerchiefs, +I dragged them one by one into the inner chamber (the doors of which I +locked) and left them there mightily secure. Then, catching up a good, +stout sword and a cloak to cover Sir Richard's rags, I opened another door +and, having traversed a sort of anteroom, presently stepped out into the +free air. + +It was a dark night; indeed I never saw Nombre de Dios any other than in +the dark, yet the stars made a glory of the heavens and I walked awhile, +my eyes upraised in a very ecstasy, clean forgetting my companion until he +spoke. + +"Whither now, Martin?" + +"I am directed to a postern, and one bearing a white scarf." + +"The postern?" quoth Sir Richard. "I know it well, as doth many another +unhappy soul; 'tis the gate whereby suspects are conveyed secretly to the +question!" + +We kept to the smaller streets and lanes, the which, being ill-lighted, +we passed without observation; thus at last, following the loom of a high +wall, very grim and forbidding, we came in sight of a small gateway beneath +a gloomy arch, where stood two shadowy figures as if on the lookout, +whereupon I stopped to reconnoitre them, loosening my sword in the +scabbard. But now one of these figures approached and, halting to peer at +us, spoke in strange, muffled tones. + +"Seek ye the white scarf?" questioned the voice in Spanish. + +"We do!" said I. At this the man opened the long cloak he wore and +flourished to view a white scarf. + +"Aye, but there were two of you," said I. "What is come of your fellow?" + +"He but goeth before, Senor." And true enough, when I looked, the other dim +form had vanished, the which I liked so little that, drawing my sword, I +clapped it to the fellow's breast. + +"Look now," quoth I, "play us false and you die!" + +"The Senor may rest assured!" says he, never flinching. + +"Why, then, lead on!" I commanded. + +Now as we followed this unknown, I had an uncanny feeling that we were +being dogged by something or some one that flitted in the darkness, +now behind us, now before us, now upon our flank, wherefore I walked +soft-treading and with my ears on the stretch. And presently our guide +brought us amid the denser gloom of trees whose leaves rustled faintly +above us and grass whispered under foot; and thus (straining my ears, as +I say) I thought to catch the sound of stealthy movement that was neither +leaf nor grass, insomuch that, shifting the sword to my left hand, I drew +forth and cocked one of the pistols. At last we came out from among the +trees and before us was the gleam of water and I saw we were upon the bank +of a stream. Here our guide paused as if unsure; but suddenly was the gleam +of a lanthorn and I heard Don Federigo's welcome voice: + +"Is that Hualipa?" + +Our guide moved forward and, pausing in the glare of the lanthorn, let fall +his cloak and I, beholding that pallid, impressive face, the dull eyes, +small mouth, and high thin nose, knew him for Fra Alexo, Chief Inquisitor +of Nombre de Dios. Then, lifting one hand to point slim finger at Don +Federigo, he spoke in his soft, sweet voice: + +"Don Federigo, long hath Holy Church suspected thee--and Holy Church hath +many eyes--and hands. So is thy messenger dead and so I favoured the escape +of these declared heretics that through them thou mightest be taken in thy +shameful treachery. Even now come armed servants of the Church to take +again these doomed heretics and with them--thee also. Now kill me an you +will, but thine apostasy is uncovered; the Holy Inquisition hath thee safe +at last. Thy good name, thy pride of birth and place shall not shelter thee +from the avenging fire--oh, most treacherous one--" + +Suddenly he choked, clapped his two hands to his throat, staring horribly; +and betwixt his fingers I saw a small, tufted thing deep-buried in his +throat. Then all at once there burst from his writhen lips an awful, +gasping scream, dreadful to hear, and then he was down, writhing and +gasping awhile, with Don Federigo and Sir Richard bending above him. + +But I, well knowing what this was and remembering the unseen thing that had +tracked us, turned to the shadow of a bush hard by and thus beheld a shaggy +head that peered amid the leaves, a hairy face with wild, fierce eyes and +teeth that gleamed. + +So the man John stared down at his handiwork, flourished his deadly +blowpipe and was gone. + +"He is dead!" said Don Federigo. "'Tis an Indian poison I have met with ere +this--very sudden and deadly. Fra Alexo stands at the tribunal of his God!" +and baring his head, Don Federigo glanced down at the dark, contorted shape +and thence to the gloomy trees beyond, and beckoning, brought me to a boat +moored under the bank hard by. + +"Senor Martino," said he, "'tis time you were gone, for if Don Alexo hath +turned out the guard--" + +"Nay, sir," quoth I, "they must be some while a-coming," and I told him +briefly how we had secured the watch. + +"And Fra Alexo is dead!" said he. + +Here I would fain have told him something of my gratitude for the dire +risks and perils he had run on my behalf, but he caught my hands and +silenced me. + +"My friend Martino," said he in his careful English, "you adventured your +life for me many times; if therefore I save yours, it is but just. And your +vengeance--is it achieved?" + +"Indeed, sir," quoth Sir Richard, "achieved to the very uttermost, for he +hath carried that enemy out from the shadow of death, hath perilled his +own chances of life that I might know the joys of freedom--I that was his +bitter enemy." + +"So may all enmity pass one day, I pray God," sighed Don Federigo. "And +now, as for thee, Martino my friend, vengeance such as thine is thing so +rare as maketh me to honour thy friendship and loath to lose thee, since we +shall meet no more in this life. Thus I do grieve a little, for I am an old +man, something solitary and weary, and my son, alas, is dead. This sword +was my father's and should have been his; take you it, I pray, and wear it +in memory of me." And speaking, he loosed off his sword and thrust it upon +me. + +"Noble sir," said I, "dear and good friend, it doth not need this to mind +me of all your high courage and steadfast friendship--and I have nought to +offer in return--" + +"I shall ever remember your strange method of vengeance!" said he. And when +we had embraced each other, I got me into the boat and aided Sir Richard in +beside me. + +"Look now," warned Don Federigo as I loosed the mooring rope, "pull across +the river and be wary, for in a little the whole town will be roused upon +you. Get clear of the river as speedily as you may. And so, farewell, my +friend, and God go with you!" + +For answer I waved my hand, then, betaking me to the oars, I pulled +out--into the stream farther and farther, until the stately form of Don +Federigo was merged and lost in the gloom. + +Sure enough, scarcely had we come into the shadows of the opposite bank +than the silence gave place to a distant clamour, lost all at once in a +ringing of bells, a rolling of drums and a prodigious blowing of horns and +trumpets; the which set me a-sweating in despite the cool night wind, as, +chin on shoulder, I paddled slowly along, unsure of my going and very +fearful lest I run aground. In the midst of which anxieties I heard Sir +Richard's voice, calm and gentle and very comforting: + +"With a will, Martin--pull! I know the river hereabouts; pull, Martin, and +trust to me!" Hereupon I bent to the oars and with no fear of being heard +above the din ashore, since every moment bells and drums and trumpets waxed +louder. Thus presently we came opposite the town, a place of shadows where +lights hovered; and seeing with what nicety Sir Richard steered, keeping +ever within the denser shadow of the tree-clad bank, I rowed amain until we +were past the raving town, and its twinkling lights were blotted out by a +sudden bend of the river. + +Suddenly I saw Sir Richard stand up, peering, heard his voice quick and +commanding: + +"Ship your oars!" Then came a chorus of hoarse shouts, a shock, and we were +rocking, gunwale and gunwale, with a boat where dim figures moved, crying +shrill curses. I remember letting drive at one fellow with an oar and +thereafter laying about me until the stout timber shivered in my grasp. I +remember the dull gleam of Sir Richard's darting blade and then the two +boats had drifted apart. Tossing aside my shattered oar, I found me another +and rowed until, gasping, I must needs pause awhile and so heard Sir +Richard speaking: + +"Easy, Martin, easy! There lieth the blessed ocean at last; but--see!" + +Resting on my oars and glancing whither he pointed, I saw a light suspended +high in air and knew this for the riding-lanthorn of a ship whose shadowy +bulk grew upon me as I gazed, hull and towering masts outlined against the +glimmer of stars and the vague light of a young moon. Hereupon I bowed my +head, despairing, for this ship lay anchored in midstream, so that no boat +might hope to pass unchallenged; thus I began to debate within me whether +or no to row ashore and abandon our boat, when Sir Richard questioned me: + +"Can you sing ever a Spanish boat song, Martin?" + +"No," said I, miserably. "No--" + +"Why, then, I must, though mine is a very indifferent voice and rusty from +lack o' use; meantime do you get up the mast; the wind serves." Which said, +Sir Richard forthwith began to sing a Spanish song very harsh and loud, +whiles I sweated amain in panic fear; none the less I contrived to step +mast and hoist sail and, crouched on the midship thwart, watched the great +galleon as we bore down upon her. + +And presently came a voice hailing us in Spanish with demand as to who and +what we were, whereat Sir Richard broke off his song to shout that we were +fishermen, the which simple answer seemed to reassure our questioner, for +we heard no more and soon the great ship was merely a vague shadow that, +fading on our vision, merged into the night and was gone. + +And thus in a while, having crossed the troubled waters of the bar, I felt +the salt wind sweet and fresh on my brow like a caress, felt the free lift +and roll of the seas; and now, beholding this illimitable expanse of sky +and ocean, needs must I remember the strait prison and dire horrors whence +God had so lately delivered me, and my soul swelled within me too full of +gratitude for any words. + +"Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for +ever!" + +Turning, I espied Sir Richard upon his knees, one hand grasping the tiller +sailorly, the other upraised to the glimmering firmament; hereupon I knelt +also, joining him in this prayer of thanksgiving. And thus we began our +journey. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +OF OUR ADVENTURE AT SEA + + +Dawn found us standing easterly before a gentle wind with the land bearing +away upon our right, a fair and constantly changing prospect of sandy +bays, bold headlands and green uplands backed by lofty mountains blue with +distance. + +And what with all the varied beauties of earth, the blue heaven, the +sparkle of sea, the soft, sweet wind, it verily seemed the late gloomy +terrors of my dungeon were no more than a nightmare until, hearing a moan, +I turned to see my companion stirring in uneasy slumber, his haggard +features contorted as by some spasm, whereupon I touched him to +wakefulness, bidding him see if we had aught aboard to eat or drink; but +he crouched motionless as one rapt in an ecstasy, staring eager-eyed from +cloudless heaven to sapphire sea and round about upon the glory of the dawn +and fell suddenly a-laughing as from pure joy and as suddenly hid his face +within his shrivelled hands. + +"This--O, glory of God! This, instead of black despair!" said he in weeping +voice. "This sweet, healing wind instead of searing flame--and you, Martin, +'tis you have given all this! I dreamed me back in the hell you brought me +from! Sun and wind and sea--oh, God love thee--these be your gifts to me +that was your enemy--" + +"Nay, our enmity is dead and done with--" + +"Martin Conisby," said he, looking on me through his tears, "through you, +by God's grace, I know again the joy of living, and, God aiding me, you +shall yet know the like happiness an I may compass it!" + +Now seeing him thus deeply moved I grew abashed and, beckoning him to take +the tiller, began to overhaul the contents of the boat's lockers and thus +found that Don Federigo had furnished us to admiration with all things +to our comfort and defence. Forthwith I set out breakfast, choosing such +things as I judged the most perishable, and we ate and drank mighty +cheerful. + +But as Sir Richard sat thus in his rags, staring upon all things with +ineffable content, the bright sun showed me the hideous marks of his many +sufferings plain and manifest in his bent and twisted frame, the scars +that disfigured him and the clumsy movements of his limbs misshapen by the +torment, and moreover I noticed how, ever and anon, he would be seized of +violent tremblings and shudderings like one in an ague, insomuch that I +could scarce abide to look on him for very pity and marvelled within myself +that any man could endure so much and yet live. + +"Oh friend!" said he suddenly, "'tis a wondrous world you have given back +to me; I almost grow a man again--" + +Even as he uttered these brave words the shuddering took him once more, but +when I would have aided him he smiled and spake 'twixt chattering teeth: + +"Never heed me, Martin--this cometh of the water-dungeons--'twill soon +pass--" + +"God knoweth you have suffered over-much--" + +"Yet He hath brought me forth a better man therefor, though my body +is--something the worse, 'tis true. Indeed, I am a sorry companion for a +voyage, I doubt--" + +"Howbeit," said I, "last night, but for your ready wit, we had been +taken--" + +"Say you so, Martin? Here is kind thought and comforting, for I began to +dread lest I prove an encumbrance to you. + +"Nay, sir, never think it!" said I. "For 'tis my earnest hope to bring you +to the loving care of one who hath sought you long and patiently--" + +"Is it Joan? Oh, mean you my daughter Joan? Is she in these latitudes?" + +"Even so, sir. For you she hath braved a thousand horrors and evils." + +And here, in answer to his eager questioning, I told him much of what I +have writ here concerning the Lady Joan, her resolute spirit and numberless +virtues, a theme whereof I never wearied. Thus, heedless of time, of thirst +or hunger, I told of the many dire perils she had encountered in her quest, +both aboard ship and on the island, to all of which Sir Richard hearkened, +his haggard gaze now on my face, now fixed yearningly on the empty +distances before us as he would fain conjure up the form of her whose noble +qualities I was describing. When at last I had made an end, he sat silent a +great while. + +"I was a proud, harsh man of old," said he at last, "and a father most +ungentle--and 'tis thus she doth repay me! You and she were children +together--playfellows, Martin." + +"Aye, sir, 'twas long ago." + +"And in my prideful arrogance I parted you, because you were the son of my +enemy, but God hath brought you together again and His will be done. But, +Martin, if she be yet in these latitudes, where may we hope to find her?" + +"At Darien, in the Gulf!" + +"Darien?" said he. "Why there, Martin? 'Tis a wild country and full of +hostile Indians. I landed there once--" + +So I told him how Adam had appointed a place of meeting there, showing +him also the chart Adam had drawn for my guidance, the which we fell to +studying together, whereby we judged we had roughly but some eighty leagues +to sail and a notable good sea-boat under us, and that by keeping in sight +of the Main we could not fail of fetching up with the rendezvous, always +suppose we lost not our bearings by being blown out to sea. + +"Had I but quadrant and compass, Martin--" + +"How, sir," said I, "can you navigate?" + +"I could once," said he, with his faint smile. Hereupon I hasted to reach +these instruments from one of the lockers (since it seemed Don Federigo +had forgot nothing needful to our welfare), perceiving which, Sir Richard +straightened his bowed shoulders somewhat and his sallow cheek flushed. +"Here at last I may serve you somewhat, Martin," said he and, turning his +back to the sun, he set the instrument to his eye and began moving the +three vanes to and fro until he had the proper focus and might obtain the +sun's altitude; whereby he had presently found our present position, the +which he duly pricked upon the chart. He now showed me how, by standing out +on direct course instead of following the tortuous windings of the coast, +we could shorten our passage by very many miles. Hereupon we shaped our +course accordingly and, the wind freshening somewhat, by afternoon the high +coast had faded to a faint blur of distant mountain peaks, and by sunset we +had lost it altogether. + +And so night came down on us, with a kindly wind, cool and refreshing after +the heats of the day, a night full of a palpitant, starry splendour and lit +by a young, horned moon that showed us this wide-rolling infinity of waters +and these vast spaces filled, as it seemed, with the awful majesty of God, +so that when we spake (which was seldom) it was in hushed voices. It being +my turn to sleep, I lay down, yet could not close my eyes for a while for +the wonder of the stars above, and with my gaze thus uplift, I must needs +think of my lady and wonder where she might be, with passionate prayers for +her safety; and beholding these heavenly splendours, I thought perchance +she might be viewing them also and in this thought found me great solace +and comfort. And now what must my companion do but speak of her that was +thus in my thought. + +"Martin," he questioned suddenly, "do you love her?" + +"Aye, I do!" said I, "mightily!" + +"And she you?" + +"God grant it!" + +"Here," said he after some while, "here were a noble ending to the feud, +Martin?" + +"Sir, 'tis ended already, once and for all." + +"Aye, but," said he with a catch in his voice, "all my days I--have +yearned--for a son. More especially now--when I am old and so feeble." + +"Then, sir, you shall lack no longer, if I can thus make up in some small +measure for all you have suffered--" + +At this he fell silent again but in the dark his trembling hand stole down +to touch me lightly as in blessing; and so I fell asleep. + +Prom this slumber I was suddenly aroused by his calling on my name and, +opening drowsy eyes, beheld (as it were) a luminous veil that blotted out +moon and stars and ocean, and, looking about, saw we lay becalmed in a +white mist. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, his face a pale oval in the dimness, "d'ye hear +aught?" + +"No more than the lapping of the waves," I answered, for indeed the sea was +very calm and still. + +"Nay, listen awhile, Martin, for either I'm mad or there's some one or +something crying and wailing to larboard of us, an evil sound like one in +torment. Three times the cry has reached me, yet here we lie far out to +sea. So list ye, son, and tell me if my ears do play me false, for verily +I--" + +His speech died away as from somewhere amid the chill and ghostly vapour +there stole a long-drawn, wailing cry, so woful, so desolate, and so +unearthly here in this vasty solitude that I caught my breath and stared +upon this eddying mist with gaze of fearful expectancy. + +"You heard it, Martin; you heard it?" + +"Aye!" I nodded. + +"'Tis like one cries upon the rack, Martin!" + +"'Tis belike from some ship hid in the fog yonder," said I, handing him a +musket from the arms-locker. + +"There was no ship to see before this fog came down on us," quoth Sir +Richard uneasily; howbeit he took the weapon, handling it so purposefully +as was great comfort to see, whereupon I took oars and began to row towards +whence I judged this awful cry had come. And presently it rose again, +dreadful to hear, a sound to freeze the blood. I heard Sir Richard cock +his piece and glanced instinctively to make sure Don Federigo's sword lay +within my reach. Three times the cry rose, ere, with weapon poised for +action, Sir Richard motioned for me to stop rowing, and glancing over my +shoulder, I saw that which loomed upon us through the mist, a dim shape +that gradually resolved itself into a large ship's boat or pinnace. Sword +in one hand and pistol in the other, I stood up and hailed lustily, yet got +no sound in reply save a strange, dull whimpering. + +Having shouted repeatedly to no better purpose, I took oars again and +paddled cautiously nearer until at last, by standing on the thwart, I might +look into this strange boat and (the fog being luminous) perceived three +dark shapes dreadfully huddled and still; but as I gazed, one of these +stirred slightly, and I heard a strange, dull, thumping sound and then I +saw this for a great hound. Hereupon I cast our boathook over their gunwale +and while Sir Richard held the boats thus grappled, scrambled aboard them, +pistol in hand, and so came upon two dead men and beside them this great +dog. + +And now I saw these men had died in fight and not so long since, for the +blood that fouled them and the boat was still wet, and even as I bent over +them the hound licked the face of him that lay uppermost and whined. And +men and dog alike seemed direly thin and emaciate. Now it was in my mind +to shoot the dog out of its misery, to which end I cocked my pistol, +but seeing how piteously it looked on me and crawled to lick my hand, I +resolved to carry it along with us and forthwith (and no little to-do) +presently contrived to get the creature into our boat, thereby saving both +our lives, as you shall hear. + +So we cast off and I sat to watch the boat until like a phantom, it melted +into the mist and vanished away. Turning, I beheld the hound, his great +head on Sir Richard's knee, licking the hand that fondled him. + +"He is pined of hunger and thirst, Martin; I will tend him whiles you +sleep. He shall be a notable good sentinel and these be very keen of +scent--the Spaniards do use them to track down poor runaway slaves withal, +but these dogs are faithful beasts and this hath been sent us, doubtless, +to some good end." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +WE ARE DRIVEN ASHORE + + +And now were days of stifling heat, of baffling airs and maddening calms, +wherein we rolled helpless, until in my impatience I would betake me to the +oars in a fever of desire to reach our destination and row until the sweat +poured from me. + +What with sea, wind and fierce sun we grew brown as any Indians, but Sir +Richard seemed to mend apace and to my great joy, for as time passed my +respect for him deepened and with it a kindlier feeling; for in these +long days and nights of our fellowship I grew to know how, by suffering +patiently borne, a man might come by a knowledge of himself and his fellows +and a kindly sympathy for their sins and sorrows that is (as I do think) +the truest of all wisdom. + +Fain would I set down some of these heart-searching talks, but I fear lest +my narration grows over-long; suffice it that few sons ever bore tenderer +reverence and love to their father than I to this, my erstwhile enemy. + +So will I now, passing over much that befell us on these treacherous seas, +as scorching calms, torrential rains and rageful winds, and how in despite +all these we held true on our course by reason of Sir Richard's sailorly +skill, I will (I say) come to a certain grey dawn and myself at the tiller +whiles Sir Richard slept and beside him the great hound that we had named +Pluto, since he had come to us from the dead. + +Now presently I saw the dog stir uneasily and lift his head to sniff the +air to windward; thereafter, being on his legs, he growled in his throat, +staring ever in the one direction, and uttered a loud, deep bay, whereupon +up started Sir Richard, full of question. + +"Sir, look at the dog!" said I, pointing where Pluto stood abaft the mast, +snuffing and staring to windward; seeing which, Sir Richard took the +perspective-glass and swept with it the hazy distance. + +"There is wind yonder, Martin; we must reef!" said he, the glass at his +eye. So presently, whiles he steered, I shortened sail but saw his gaze +bent ever to windward. "Dogs have strange senses!" quoth he. "Take the +glass, Martin; your eyes are very keen; tell me if you see aught yonder in +the mist against the cloudbank bearing about three points." Looking whither +he directed, I made out a dim shape that loomed amid the mist. + +"You see it, Martin?" + +"Aye, a ship!" said I, and even as I spoke, the wind freshening, the +rain ceased, the mist thinned away, and I saw a large vessel ahead of us +standing in for the land which bore some five miles to leeward, a high, +rugged coast, very grim and forbidding. + +"How is she heading, Martin?" + +"Southwesterly, I make it, which should bring her close upon us mighty +soon, if the wind hold." And passing Sir Richard the glass, I sat staring +on this distant ship in no little apprehension, since I judged most vessels +that plied hereabouts could be but one of two sorts, viz: pirates or +Spaniards. + +"She is a great ship, Martin, and by her cut I think Spanish." + +"I had liefer she were a pirate!" said I, scowling. + +"Your wish may be granted soon enough, for she is going free and much wind +astern of her." + +Now whiles Sir Richard watched this oncoming vessel, I took up Don +Federigo's sword, and, struck by its beauty, began to examine it as I had +not done hitherto. And indeed a very noble weapon it was, the hilt of rare +craftsmanship, being silver cunningly inlaid with gold, long and narrow in +the blade, whereon, graven in old Spanish, I saw the legend: + +TRUST IN GOD AND ME. + +A most excellent weapon, quick in the hand by reason of its marvellous +poise and balance. But looking upon this, I must needs remember him that +had given it and bethinking me how he had plucked me forth from the horror +of death and worse, I raised my head to scowl again upon the oncoming ship, +and with teeth hard-set vowed within myself that no power should drag me +a living man back to the terrors of dungeon and torment. And now as I +crouched thus, scowling on the ship, the naked sword across my knees, Sir +Richard called to me: + +"She is Spanish-built beyond all doubting and whoever chance to be aboard, +they've seen us," said he, setting by the glass. "Come now, let us take +counsel whether to go about, hold on, or adventure running ashore, the +which were desperate risk by the look of things--" + +"Let us stand on so long as we may," quoth I, "for if the worst come, we +have always this," and reaching a pistol, I laid it on the thwart beside +me. + +"Nay, Martin," said he, his hand on my shoulder, "first let us do all we +may to live, trusting in God Who hath saved and delivered us thus far. We +have arms to our defence and I can still pull trigger at a pinch, or at +extremity we may run ashore and contrive to land, though 'tis an evil coast +as you may see and I, alack! am a better traveller sitting thus than afoot. +As to dying, Martin, if it must be so, why then let us choose our own +fashion, for as Sir Richard Grenville hath it, 'better fall into the hands +of God than into the claws of Spain!" + +Thus spake my companion mighty cheering, his serene blue eyes now on me, +now on the distant ship, as he held our heeling boat to the freshening +wind; hereupon, greatly comforted I grasped his hand and together we vowed +never to be taken alive. Then, seeing the ship come down on us apace, I +busied myself laying to hand such arsenal as Don Federigo had furnished us +withal, viz: four muskets with their bandoliers and two brace of pistols; +which done, I took to watching the ship again until she was so close I +might discern her lofty, crowded decks. And then, all at once, the wind +died utterly away, and left us becalmed, to my inexpressible joy. For now, +seeing the great ship roll thus helpless, I seized the oars. + +"Inshore!" I cried, and began to row might and main, whereat those aboard +ship fired a gun to windward and made a waft with their ensign as much as +to bid us aboard them. But I heeding no whit, they let fly a great shot at +us that, falling short, plunged astern in a whirl of spray. Time and again +they fired such fore-chase guns as chanced to bear, but finding us out of +range, they gave over wasting more powder and I rejoiced, until suddenly I +espied that which made me gloomy enough, for 'twixt the ship and us came +a boat full of men who rowed lustily; and they being many and I one, they +began to overhaul us rapidly despite my efforts, till, panting in sweating +despair, I ceased my vain labour and made to reach for the nearest musket. + +"Let be, my son!" quoth Sir Richard, on his knees in the stern sheets. +"Row, Martin, the boat rides steadier. Ha!" said he, with a little +chuckling laugh, as a bullet hummed over us. "So we must fight, after all; +well, on their own heads be it!" And as he took up and cocked a musket, I +saw his eyes were shining and his lips upcurled in grim smile. "Alas, I was +ever too forward for fight in the old days, God forgive me, but here, as I +think, is just and sufficient cause for bloodshed." + +"They come on amain!" I gasped, as I swung to the heavy oars, wondering to +behold him so unconcerned and deliberate. + +"Let them come, Martin!" said he, crouching in the stern sheets, "only keep +you an even stroke--so, steady it is! Aye, let them come, Martin, and God's +will be done!" + +And now our pursuers began firing amain, though for the most part their +shooting was very wild; but presently, finding we made no reply, they grew +bolder, hallooing and shouting blithely and taking better aim, so that +their shot hummed ever nearer and once or twice the boat was struck. And as +I hearkened to their ribald shouting and the vicious hiss of their bullets, +fierce anger took me and I began to curse Sir Richard's delay; then came +the roar of his piece and as the smoke cleared I saw a man start up in the +bows of the pursuing boat and tossing up his arms, fall backwards upon the +rowers, thereby throwing them into clamorous confusion so that their boat +fell off and lay rolling helplessly. + +"Load, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard 'twixt shut teeth. "Load as I fire--for +now by God I have 'em--see yonder!" And thrusting towards me his smoking +weapon, he caught up the next, levelled and fired again, whereupon their +shouting and confusion were redoubled. + +Thus Sir Richard fired on them repeatedly and with deadly effect, judging +by their outcries, for I was too busy loading and priming to afford them +a glance, so that Sir Richard maintained as rapid a fire as possible. How +long we fought them thus I know not; indeed I remember little of the matter +save smoke and noise, Sir Richard's grim figure and the occasional hiss of +a bullet about us. Suddenly Sir Richard turned to stare up at me, wild-eyed +and trembling, as in one of his ague-fits. + +"Enough, Martin!" he gasped. "God forgive me, I ha' done enough--and here's +the wind at last!" + +Seeing this indeed was so, I sprang to loose out the reefs, which done, I +saw the enemy's boat lie wallowing in the trough and never so much as an +oar stirring. But beyond this was another boat hasting to their assistance +and beyond this again the ship herself, so that I joyed to feel our little +vessel bounding shore-wards. But hearing a groan, I saw Sir Richard +crouched at the tiller, his white head bowed upon his hand. + +"God love me--are you hurt, sir?" I cried, scrambling towards him. + +"No, Martin, no!" And then, "Ah, God forgive me," he groaned again, "I fear +I have been the death of too many of them--more than was needful." + +"Nay, sir," said I, wondering. "How should this be?" + +"I killed--for the joy of it, Martin." + +"'Twas them or us, Sir Richard. And we may have to kill again--see yonder!" +And I pointed where the ship was crowding sail after us with intent to +cut us off ere we could make the shore--a desolation of shaggy rocks and +tree-girt heights that looked ever the more formidable; yet thither we held +our course, since it seemed the lesser of two evils. + +Our boat, as I have said, was a good sailer; none the less the great ship +overhauled us until she was near enough to open on us with her fore-chase +guns again. But presently (being yet some distance from the shore) the +water began to shoal, whereupon the ship bore up lest she run aground, +and let fly her whole broadside, the which yet was short of us. In this +comparative safety we would have brought to, but seeing the second boat had +hoisted sail and was standing into these shallows after us, we perforce ran +on for the shore. Soon we were among rocks and before us a line of breakers +backed by frowning rocks, very dreadful to behold. + +And now, at Sir Richard's command, I struck our sail and, taking to the +oars, began to row, marvelling at the skill with which he steered amid +these difficult waters, and both of us looking here and there for some +opening amid the breakers whereby we might gain the land. + +Presently, sure enough, we espied such a place, though one none would have +attempted save poor souls in such desperate case. The air about us seemed +full of spume and the noise of mighty waters, but Sir Richard never +faltered; his eyes looked upon the death that roared about us, serene and +untroubled. And now we were amid the breakers; over my shoulder, through +whirling spray, I caught a glimpse of sandy foreshore where lay our +salvation; then, with sudden, rending crash, we struck and a great wave +engulfed us. Tossed and buffeted among this choking smother, I was whirled, +half-stunned, into shoal water and stumbling to my knees, looked back for +Sir Richard. And thus I saw the dog Pluto swimming valiantly and dragging +at something that struggled feebly, and plunged back forthwith to the good +beast's assistance, and thus together we brought Sir Richard ashore and lay +there a while, panting and no strength to move. + +At last, being recovered somewhat, I raised myself to behold my companion, +his frail body shaking in an ague, his features blue and pinched. But +beholding my look, he smiled and essayed a reassuring nod. + +"Thanks to you and--the dog, I am very well, Martin!" said he, 'twixt +chattering teeth. "But what of the boat; she should come ashore." Looking +about, sure enough I espied our poor craft, rolling and tossing helplessly +in the shallows hard by, and running thither, was seized of sudden despair, +for I saw her bilged and shattered beyond repair. Now as she rolled thus, +the sport of each incoming wave, I beheld something bright caught up in her +tangled gear, whereupon I contrived to scramble aboard and so found this to +be Don Federigo's rapier, the which was some small mitigation of my gloom +and put me to great hopes that I might find more useful things, as compass +or sextant, and so found a small barrico of water firm-wedged beneath a +thwart; but save for this the boat was swept bare. So having secured the +barrico (and with no small to-do) I hove it ashore and got myself after it, +and so came mighty despondent where sat Sir Richard as one deep in thought, +his gaze on the sea, his shrivelled hand upon the head of the dog Pluto +crouched beside him. "Truly we are in evil case, Martin!" quoth he, when +I had told him the result of my search. "Aye, we are in woful plight! And +this land of Darien is very mountainous and ill-travelling as I remember." + +"Yet needs must we adventure it," said I gloomily. + +"You must, Martin; but as for me, I bide here." + +"Here?" said I, glancing around on the barren, unlovely spot. "Sir, you +talk wildly, I think; to stay here is to die." + +"Aye, Martin, so soon as God shall permit." + +"Surely our case is not so hopeless you despair thus soon?" + +"Sit down, here beside me," said he, smiling up at me. "Come and let us +reason the matter, since 'tis reason lifteth man above the brutes." + +So there, on the coast of this vast, unknown wilderness, sat we two poor +castaways, the great hound at our feet, his bright eyes looking from one to +other of us as we spake and reasoned together thus: + +Sir Richard: First of all, we are destitute, Martin. + +Myself; True. + +Sir Richard: Therefore our food must be such game as we can contrive to +take and kill empty-handed. + +Myself: This shall be my duty. + +Sir Richard: Second, 'tis a perilous country by reason of wild Indians, +and we are scant of arms. Third, 'tis a country of vasty mountains, of +torrents, swamps and thickets and I am a mighty poor walker, being weak of +my leg-joints. + +Myself: Then will I aid you. + +Sir Richard: Fourthly, here is a journey where though one may succeed, two +cannot: full of peril and hardship for such as have a resolute spirit and +strong body, and _I_ am very weak. + +Myself: Yet shall your resolute spirit sustain you. + +Sir Richard: Fifthly and lastly, I am a cripple, so will I stay here, +Martin, praying God to bring you safe to your weary journey's end. + +Myself: I had thought you much stronger of late. + +Sir Richard: Indeed so I am, but my joints have been so oft stretched on +the rack that I cannot go far and then but slowly, alas! + +There was silence awhile, each of us gazing out across the troubled waters, +yet I, for one, seeing nothing of them. Glancing presently at Sir Richard, +I saw his eyes closed, but his mouth very resolute and grim. + +"And what of Joan?" I demanded. "What of your daughter?" + +Now at this he started and glancing at me, his mouth of a sudden lost its +grimness and he averted his head when he answered: + +"Why, Martin, 'tis for her sake I will not hamper you with my useless +body." + +"So is it for her sake I will never leave you here to perish!" + +"Then here," says he in a little, "here is an end to reason, Martin?" + +"Aye, indeed, sir!" + +"God love thee, lad!" cried he, clasping my hand. "For if 'tis reason +raiseth us 'bove the brutes 'tis unselfishness surely lifts us nigh to +God!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +OUR DESPERATE SITUATION + + +"And now," quoth Sir Richard, "since you are bent on dragging this worn-out +carcase along to be your careful burden (for the which may God bless you +everlastingly, dear lad!) let us see what equipment Fortune hath left us +beside your sword and the water." Herewith, upon investigation we found our +worldly possessions amount to the following: + +In Sir Richard's Pockets: + +1 ship's biscuit (somewhat spoiled by water). +A small clasp knife. +A gunflint. + +In Mine: + +A length of small cord. +Adam's chart (and very limp). +9 pistol balls. + +These various objects we set together before us and I for one mighty +disconsolate, for, excepting only the knife, a collection of more useless +odds and ends could not be imagined. Sir Richard, on the contrary, having +viewed each and every with his shrewd, kindly eyes, seemed in no wise cast +down, for, said he. + +"We might be richer, but then we might be poorer--for here we have in this +biscuit one meal, though scant 'tis true and not over tasty. A sword and +knife for weapons and tools, a flint to make us fires, three yards of small +cord wherewith to contrive snares for small game, and though we ha' lost +our compass, we have the coast to follow by day and the stars to guide us +by night and furthermore--" + +"Nine pistol balls!" quoth I gloomily. + +"Hum!" said he, stroking his chin and eyeing me askance. "Having neither +weapons nor powder to project them--" + +"They shall arm me arrows!" + +"Aye, but will they serve?" he questioned doubtfully. + +"Well enough, supposing we find aught to shoot at--" + +"Never fear, in Darien are beasts and fowls a-plenty." + +"Well and good, sir!" said I, gathering up the bullets, and doing so, +espied a piece of driftwood carrying many bent and rusty nails, the which +(the wood being very dry and rotten) I presently broke out and to my nine +bullets I added some dozen nails, pocketing them to the same purpose. And +now having collected our possessions (of more value to us than all the +treasures of Peru), we set forth upon our long and toilsome journey, our +gaze bent ever upon the cliffs that frowned upon our right hand, looking +for some place easy of ascent whereby we might come to the highlands above +(where we judged it easier travelling) and with Pluto stalking on before +like the dignified animal he was, looking back ever and anon as if bidding +us to follow. + +And as I watched this great beast, the thought occurred to me that here was +what should save us from starvation should we come to such extremity; but +I spake nothing of this to Sir Richard who had conceived a great affection +for the dog from the first. And after some while we came to a place where +the cliff had fallen and made a sloping causeway of earth and rocks, topped +by shady trees. This we began to mount forthwith and, finding it none so +steep, I (lost in my thoughts) climbed apace, forgetful of Sir Richard in +my eagerness, until, missing him beside me, I turned to see him on hands +and knees, dragging himself painfully after me thus, whereon I hasted back +to him full of self-reproaches. + +"'Tis only my legs!" he gasped, lifting agonised face. "My spirit is +willing, Martin, but alas, my poor flesh--" + +"Nay--'tis I am selfish!" quoth I. "Aye, a selfish man ever, dreaming only +of my own woes!" Saying which, I raised him and, setting an arm about his +wasted form, aided him as well as I might until, seeing how he failed +despite his brave struggles, I made him sit and rest awhile, unheeding his +breathless protestations, and thus at last, by easy stages, we came to the +top of the ascent amid a grove of very tall trees, in whose pleasant shade +we paused awhile, it being now midday and very hot. + +Behind us lay the ocean, before us a range of mighty mountains blue with +distance that rose, jagged peak on peak, far as eye could see, and betwixt +them and us a vast and rolling wilderness, a land of vivid sun and stark +shadow, dazzling glare on the uplands, gloom in the valleys and above swamp +and thicket and trackless forests a vapour that hung sullen and ominous +like the brooding soul of this evil country. + +"Fever!" quoth Sir Richard, stabbing at the sluggish mist with bony +fingers. "Ague, the flux--death! We must travel ever by the higher levels, +Martin--and I a cripple!" + +"Why, then," said I, "you shall have a staff to aid you on one side and +my arm on t'other, and shall attempt no great distance until you grow +stronger." So having found and cut a staff to serve him, we set off +together upon our long and arduous pilgrimage. + +By mid-afternoon we reached a place of rocks whence bubbled a small rill +mighty pleasant to behold and vastly refreshing to our parched throats and +bodies. Here, though the day was still young and we had come (as I judged) +scarce six miles, I proposed to camp for the night, whereon Sir Richard +must needs earnestly protest he could go further an I would, but finding me +determined, he heaved a prodigious sigh and stretching himself in the cool +shadow, lay there silent awhile, yet mighty content, as I could see. + +"Martin," quoth he at last, "by my reckoning we have some hundred and fifty +miles to go." + +"But, sir, they will be less to-morrow!" said I, busied with my knife on +certain branches I had cut. + +"And but half a ship's biscuit to our sustenance, and that spoiled." + +"Why, then, throw it away; I will get us better fare!" said I, for as we +came along I had spied several of those great birds the which I knew to be +very excellent eating. + +"As how, my son?" he questioned. + +"With bow and arrows." At this he sat up to watch me at work and very eager +to aid me therein. "So you shall, sir," said I, and having tapered my +bow-stave sufficiently, I showed him how to trim the shafts as smooth and +true as possible with a cleft or notch at one end into which I set one of +my rusty nails, binding it there with strips from my tattered shirt; in +place of feathers I used a tuft of grass and behold! my arrow was complete, +and though a poor thing to look at yet it would answer well enough, as I +knew by experience. So we fell to our arrow-making, wherein I found Sir +Richard very quick and skilful, as I told him, the which seemed to please +him mightily. + +"For," said he miserably, "I feel myself such a burden to thee, Martin, +that anything I can do to lighten thy travail be to me great comfort." + +"Sir," said I, "these many years have I been a solitary man hungering for +companionship, and, in place of enemy, God hath given me a friend and one I +do love and honour. As to his crippled body, sir, it beareth no scar but is +a badge of honour, and if he halt in his gait or fail by the way, this +doth but remind me of his dauntless soul that, despite pain and torment, +endured." + +So saying, I caught up such arrows as were finished (four in all) and +taking my bow, set forth in quest of supper, with Pluto at my heels. Nor +had I far to seek, for presently I espied several of these monstrous birds +among the trees and, stringing my bow with a length of cord, I crept +forward until I was in easy range and, setting arrow to string, let fly. +Away sang my shaft, a yard wide of the mark, soaring high into the air and +far beyond all hope of recovery. + +This put me in a fine rage, for not only had I lost my precious arrow, but +the quarry also, for off flapped my bird, uttering a hoarse cackle as in +derision of my ill aim. On I went, seeking for something should serve us +for supper, yet look where I would, saw nothing, no, not so much as parrot +or macaw that might stay us for lack of better fare. On I went, and +mightily hungry, wandering haphazard and nothing to reward me until, +reaching an opening or glade shut in by dense thickets beyond, I sat me +upon a fallen tree and in mighty ill humour, the dog Pluto at my feet. +Suddenly I saw him start and prick his ears, and presently, sure enough, +heard a distant stir and rustling in the thickets that grew rapidly nearer +and louder to trampling rush; and out from the leaves broke some dozen or +so young pigs; but espying the dog they swung about in squealing terror and +plunged back again. But in that moment I let fly among them and was mighty +glad to see one roll over and lie kicking, filling the air with shrill +outcry; then Pluto was upon it and had quickly finished the poor beast, +aye, and would have devoured it, too, had I not driven him off with my +bow-stave. + +It was a small pig and something lean, yet never in this world hunter more +pleased than I as, shouldering the carcase and with Pluto going before, I +made my way back to our halting-place and found Sir Richard had contrived +to light a fire and full of wonder to behold my pig. + +"Though to be sure," said he, "I've heard there were such in Darien, yet I +never saw any, Martin, more especially in these high lands." + +"They were fleeing from some wild beast, as I judge, sir," quoth I. + +"Why, then, 'twere as well to keep our fire going all night!" said he: +to the which I agreed and forthwith set about cutting up the pig, first +flaying it as well as I might, since I judged the skin should be very +serviceable in divers ways. So this night we supped excellent well. + +The meal over, Sir Richard cut up what remained of the carcase into strips +and set me to gather certain small branches with which he built a sort of +grating above some glowing embers and thus dried and smoked the meat after +the manner of the buccaneers. "For look now, Martin," said he, "besides +drying the meat, these twigs are aromatic and do lend a most excellent +flavour, so that there is no better meat in the world--besides, it will +keep." + +Beyond the rocky cleft bright with the light of our fire the vasty +wilderness hemmed us in, black and sullen, for the trees being thick +hereabouts we could see no glimpse of moon or star. And amid this gloom +were things that moved stealthily, shapes that rustled and flitted, and +ever and anon would come the howl of some beast, the cry of some bird, +hunting or hunted, whereat Pluto, crunching on a bone, would lift his head +to growl. So with the fire and the dog's watchfulness we felt tolerably +secure and presently fell asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +WE COMMENCE OUR JOURNEY + + +Day after day we held on, suffering much by reason of heat, thirst and +fatigue, since, fearing lest we should lose sight of our guide, the sea, +and go astray to perish miserably in the wild, we followed ever the trend +of this mountainous coast. + +By rocky ways we marched, by swamps and mazy thickets, down precipitous +slopes, through tangled woods, across wide savannahs, along perilous tracks +high above dim forests that stretched away like a leafy ocean, whence we +might behold a wide prospect of all those weary miles before us. + +And surely nowhere in all this world is to be seen a country more full of +marvels and wonders than this land of Darien. For here rise vasty mountains +whose jagged summits split the very heaven; here are mighty rivers and +roaring cataracts, rolling plains, thirsty deserts and illimitable forests +in whose grim shadow lurk all manner of beasts and reptiles strange beyond +thought; here lie dense groves and tangled thickets where bloom great +flowers of unearthly beauty yet rank of smell and poisonous to the touch; +here are birds of every kind and hue and far beyond this poor pen to +describe by reason of the beauty and brilliancy of their plumage, some of +which would warble so sweet 'twas great joy to hear while the discordant +croakings and shrill clamours of others might scarce be endured. Here, too, +are trees (like the cocos) so beneficent to yield a man food and drink, +aye, and garments to cover him; or others (like the maria and balsam trees) +that besides their timber do distil medicinal oils, and yet here also are +trees so noxious their mere touch bringeth a painful disease of the skin +and to sleep in their shadow breedeth sickness and death; here, too, grow +all manner of luscious fruits as the ananas or pineapple, with oranges, +grapes, medlars and dates, but here again are other fruits as fair to the +eye, yet deadly as fang of snake or sting of _cientopies_. Truly (as I do +think), nowhere is there country of such extremes of good and evil as this +land of Darien. + +Thus day by day we held on and daily learned I much of tree and fruit and +flower, of beast, bird and reptile from Sir Richard who, it seemed, was +deeply versed in the lore of such, both by reading and experience; but +hourly I learned more of this man's many and noble qualities, as his +fortitude, his unflinching courage and the cheerful spirit that could make +light of pain and thirst and weariness so that, misjudging his strength, I +would sometimes march him well-nigh beyond his endurance, but knew nought +of it since he never complained but masked his suffering in brave and +smiling words. And there were times when, burning with impatience, I would +quicken my pace (God forgive me) until, missing his plodding figure, I +would look back to see him stumbling after me afar. + +It was upon the fifth day of our journey that, missing him thus, I turned +to wait for him to come up and found him nowhere in sight. Hereupon I +hasted back the way I had come and after some while beheld him prone in the +dust; he lay outstretched upon his face in the hot glare of the sun, the +dog Pluto squatting beside him, and as I approached the desolate figure I +knew that he was weeping. So came I running to fall beside him on my knees +and lifting that abased head, saw indeed the agony of his tears. + +"Oh, Martin--forgive me!" he gasped. "I can crawl no faster--better were I +dead, dear lad, than hamper you thus--" + +"Rather will I perish!" said I, lifting him in my arms to bear him out of +the sun and much grieved to find him a burden so light; and now, sitting +'neath a great tree, I took his head upon my bosom and wiped the tears from +his furrowed cheeks and set myself diligently to comfort him, but seeing +him so faint and fore-done, I began alternately to berate myself heartily +and lament over him so that he must needs presently take to comforting me +in turn, vowing himself very well, that it was nought but the heat, that he +would be able to go and none the worse in a little, etc. "Besides," said +he, "'tis worth such small discomfort to find you so tender of me, Martin. +Yet indeed I am stronger than I seem and shall be ready to go on as soon as +you will--" + +"Nay, sir," said I, mighty determined, "here we bide till the sun +moderates; 'tis too hot for the dog even," and I nodded where Pluto lay +outstretched and panting, hard by. But now, even as I spoke, the dog lifted +his head to snuff the air and, getting up, bolted off among the adjacent +undergrowth. I was yet idly wondering at this when suddenly, from somewhere +afar in the woods below, came a sound there was no mistaking--the faint, +sharp crack of a firearm. In a moment I was on my feet and, with Sir +Richard beside me, came where we might look into the green depths below us. + +And sure enough, amid this leafy wilderness I saw a glitter that came and +went, the which I knew must be armour, and presently made out the forms +of men and horses with divers hooded litters and long files of tramping +figures. + +"Ah!" quoth Sir Richard. "Yon should be the gold-train for Panama or +Carthagena, or mayhap Indians being marched to slavery in the mines, poor +souls!" + +As he spake, came a puff of white smoke plain to see and thereafter divers +others, and presently the reports of this firing smote upon our ears in +rapid succession. + +"What now?" said I, straining my eyes. "Is there a battle toward--" + +"Nay, Martin, 'tis more like some poor wretch hath broke his bonds and fled +into the woods; if so, God send him safe out of their hands, for I have +endured slavery and--" here his voice broke, and casting himself on his +knees he clasped his arms about me, and I all amazed to see him so moved. + +"Oh, Martin!" he wept, in voice of agony, "oh, dear and gentle lad, 'twas +to such slavery, such shame and misery I sent thee once--thou--that I do so +love--my son--" + +"Sir," said I, stooping to lift him. "Sir, this is all forgot and out of +mind." + +"Yet, dear lad, you do bear the marks yet, scars o' the whip, marks o' the +shackles. I have seen them when you slept--and never a one but set there by +my hand--and now--now you must cherish me if I fail by the way--must bear +me in your arms--grieve for my weakness--Oh, dear lad, I would you were a +little harsher--less kind." + +Now seeing how it was with him, I sat me down and, folding him within my +arm, sought to comfort him in my blundering way, reminding him of all he +had endured and that my sufferings could nowise compare with his own and +that in many ways I was no whit the worse: "Indeed," said I, "in many +ways I am the better man, for solitude hath but taught me to think beyond +myself, though 'tis true I am something slow of speech and rude of manner, +and hardship hath but made me stronger of body than most men I have met." + +"Oh, God love you, lad!" cried he of a sudden, 'twixt laughing and weeping. +"You will be calling me your benefactor next!" + +"And wherefore not?" quoth I. "For indeed, being made wise by suffering, +you have taught me many things and most of all to love you in despite of +myself!" + +Now at this he looks at me all radiant-eyed, yet when he would have spoken, +could not, and so was silence awhile. Now turning to look down into the +valley I saw it all deserted and marking how the forest road ran due east, +I spoke that which was in my thought. + +"Sir, yonder, as I think, must be a highway; at least, where others go, so +may we, and 'twill be easier travelling than these rocky highlands; how +think you?" + +"Why, truly, if road there be, it must bring us again to the sea soon or +late; so come, let us go!" + +So saying, he got him to his legs, whereupon Pluto leapt and fawned upon +him for very joy; and thus finding him something recovered and very earnest +to be gone, we set out again (maugre the sun) looking for some place +whereby we might get us down into the valley, and after some while came +upon a fissure in the cliff face which, though easy going for an able man, +was a different matter I thought for my companion; but as I hesitated, the +matter was put beyond despite by Sir Richard forthwith cheerily beginning +the descent, whereupon I followed him and after me the dog. As we +descended, the way grew easier until We reached at last a small plateau +pleasantly shaded by palm trees; here (and despite his hardihood), Sir +Richard sank down, sweating with the painful effort and gasping for breath, +yet needs must he smile up at me triumphant, so that I admired anew the +indomitable spirit of him. + +"Oh, for a drink!" quoth he, as I set an armful of fern beneath his head. + +"Alas!" said I, "'tis far down to the river--" + +"Nay--above, lad, look above--yonder is drink for a whole ship's company!" +and he pointed feebly to the foliage of the tree 'neath which he lay: + +"What! Is this a cocos palm?" said I, rejoicing; and forthwith doffing my +sword belt, I clambered up this tree hand over fist and had soon plucked +and tossed down a sufficiency of great, green nuts about the bigness of my +two fists. Now sitting beside him, Sir Richard showed me how I must cut two +holes in the green rind and we drank blissfully of this kindly juice that +to our parched tongues was very nectar, for verily never in all my days +have I tasted drink so delectable and invigorating. As for Pluto, when +I offered him of this he merely sniffed and yawned contemptuous. Thus +refreshed we went on again, the way growing ever easier until we entered +the shade of those vast woods we had seen from above. + +But scarce were we here than rose such a chattering, whittling and croaking +from the leafy mysteries above and around us, such a screaming and wailing +as was most distressful to hear, for all about us was a great multitude of +birds; the forest seemed full of them, and very wonderful to see by reason +of their plumage, its radiant and divers hues, so that as they flitted to +and fro in their glowing splendour they seemed like so many flying jewels, +while clustering high in the trees or swinging nimbly among the branches +were troops of monkeys that screamed and chattered and grimaced down at us +for all the world as they had been very fiends of the pit. + +"Heard ye ever such unholy hubbub, Martin?" said Sir Richard, halting to +glance about us. "This portendeth a storm, I judge, for these creatures +possess gifts denied to us humans. See how they do begin to cower and seek +what shelter they may! We were wise to do the like, my son. I marked a cave +back yonder; let us go there, for these woods be an evil place at such +times." + +So back we went accordingly and saw the sunlight suddenly quenched and the +sky lower above us ever darker and more threatening, so that by the time we +had reached the little cave in question, it almost seemed night was upon +us. And now, crouching in this secure haven, I marvelled at the sudden, +unearthly stillness of all things; not a leaf stirred and never a sound to +hear, for beast and bird alike had fallen mute. + +Then all at once was a blinding glare followed by roaring thunder-clap that +echoed and re-echoed from rugged cliff to mountain summit near and far +until this was whelmed and lost in the rush of a booming, mighty wind and +this howling riot full of whirling leaves and twigs and riven branches. And +now came the rain, a hissing downpour that seemed it would drown the world, +while ever the lightning flared and crackled and thunder roared ever more +loud until I shrank, blinded and half-stunned. After some while, these +awful sounds hushing a little, in their stead was the lash and beat of +rain, the rush and trickle of water where it gushed and spouted down from +the cliff above in foaming cascades until I began to dread lest this deluge +overwhelm us and we be drowned miserably in our little cave. But, all +at once, sudden as it had come, the storm was passed, rain and wind and +thunder ceased, the sombre clouds rolled away and down beamed the sun to +show us a new and radiant world of vivid greens spangled as it were with a +myriad shimmering gems, a very glory to behold. + +"'Tis a passionate country this, Martin," as we stepped forth of our +refuge, "but its desperate rages be soon over." + +By late afternoon we came out upon a broad green track that split the +forest east and west, and where, despite the rain, we might yet discern +faint traces here and there of the hoofs and feet had trampled it earlier +in the day, so that it seemed we must march behind them. On we went, very +grateful for the trees that shaded us and the springy grass underfoot, Sir +Richard swinging his staff and striding out right cheerily. Suddenly Pluto, +uttering a single joyous bark, sprang off among the brush that grew very +thick, and looking thither, we espied a small stream and the day being far +spent we decided to pass the night hereabouts, so we turned aside forthwith +and having gone but a few yards, found ourselves quite hidden from the +highway, so thick grew the trees and so dense and tangled the thickets that +shut us in; and here ran this purling brook, making sweet, soft noises in +the shallows mighty soothing to be heard. And here I would have stayed but +Sir Richard shook wise head and was for pushing farther into the wild. +"For," said he, "there may be other travellers behind us to spy some gleam +of our fire and who shall these be but enemies?" So, following the rill +that, it seemed, took its rise from the cliffs to our left, we went on +until Sir Richard paused in the shade of a great tree that soared high +above its fellows and hard beside the stream. + +But scarce were we come hither than Pluto uttered a savage growl and +turned, snuffing the air, whereupon Sir Richard, grasping the battered +collar about his massy throat, bade him sternly to silence. + +"What saw I, Martin? Some one comes--let us go see, and softly!" + +So, following whither Pluto led, we presently heard voices speaking the +Spanish tongue, and one cursed, and one mocked and one sang. Hereupon I +drew sword, and moving with infinite caution, we came where, screened +'mid the leaves, we might behold the highway. And thus we beheld six men +approaching and one a horseman; nearer they came until we could see them +sweating beneath their armour and the weapons they bore, and driving before +them a poor, blood-stained wretch tied to the horseman's stirrup, yet who, +despite wounds and blows, strode with head proudly erect, heeding them no +whit. Yet suddenly he stumbled and fell, whereupon the horseman swore again +and the captive was kicked to his feet and so was dragged on again, reeling +for very weariness; and I saw this poor creature was an Indian. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, when this sorry cavalcade was gone by, "it +would, I think, be action commendable to endeavour rescue of this poor +soul." + +"It would, sir!" quoth I. "And a foolhardy." + +"Mayhap," said he, "yet am I minded to adventure it" + +"How, sir--with one sword and a knife?" + +"Nay, Martin, by God's aid, strategy and a dog. Come then, let us follow; +they cannot go far, and I heard them talk of camping hereabouts. Softly, +lad!" + +"But, sir," said I, amazed at this audacity, "will you outface five lusty +men well-armed?" + +"And wherefore not, Martin? Is the outfacing of five rogues any greater +matter than outfacing this God's wilderness? Nay, I am not mad," said he, +meeting my glance with a smile, "there were times when I adventured greater +odds than this and to worse end, God forgive me! Alas, I have wrought so +much of evil in the past I would fain offset it with a little good, so bear +with me, dear lad--" + +"Yet this man you risk your life for is but a stranger and an Indian at +that!" + +"And what then, Martin? Cannot an Indian suffer--cannot he die?" Here, +finding me silent, he continued. "Moreover, there be very cogent reasons do +urge a little risk, for look now, these rogues do go well shod--and see our +poor shoes! They bear equipment very necessary to us that have so far to go +and their horse should be useful to us. Nor dream I would lightly hazard +your life, Martin, for these men have been drinking, will drink more and +should therefore sleep sound, and I have a plan whereby Pluto and I--" + +"Sir Richard," said I, "where you go, I go!" + +"Why, very well, Martin, 'twere like you--but you shall be subject to my +guidance and do nought without my word." + +As he spoke, his eyes quick and alert, his face grimly purposeful, there +was about him that indefinable air of authority I had noticed more than +once. Thus, with no better weapons than his staff and knife, and my sword, +bow and poor arrows, we held on after these five Spanish soldiers, Sir +Richard nothing daunted by this disparity of power but rather the more +determined and mighty cheerful by his looks, but myself full of doubts +and misgiving. Perceiving which, he presently stopped to slap me on the +shoulder: + +"Martin," said he, "if things go as I think, we shall this night be very +well off for equipment and all without a blow, which is good, and save a +life, which is better!" + +"Aye, but, sir, how if things go contrary-wise?" + +"Why, then, sure a quick death is better than to perish miserably by the +way, for we have cruel going before us, thirsty deserts and barren wilds +where game is scarce; better steel or bullet than to die raving with thirst +or slow starvation--how say ye, lad?" + +"Lead on!" quoth I and tightened my belt. + +"Ha!" said he, halting suddenly as arose a sudden crack of twigs and +underbrush some distance on our front. "They have turned in to the +water--let us sit here and watch for their camp fire." And presently, sure +enough, we saw a red glow through the underbrush ahead that grew ever +brighter as the shadows deepened; and so came the night. + +How long we waited thus, our eyes turned ever towards this red fire-glow, I +know not, but at last I felt Sir Richard touch me and heard his voice in my +ear: + +"Let us advance until we have 'em in better view!" Forthwith we stole +forward, Sir Richard's grasp on Pluto's collar and hushing him to silence, +until we were nigh enough to catch the sound of their voices very loud and +distinct. Here we paused again and so passed another period of patient +waiting wherein we heard them begin to grow merry, to judge by their +laughter and singing, a lewd clamour very strange and out of place in these +wild solitudes, under cover of which uproar we crept upon them nearer and +nearer until we might see them sprawled about the fire, their muskets piled +against a tree, their miserable captive lashed fast to another and drooping +in his bonds like one sleeping or a-swoon. So lay we watching and waiting +while their carouse waxed to a riot and waned anon to sleepy talk and +drowsy murmurs and at last to a lusty snoring. And after some wait, Sir +Richard's hand ever upon Pluto's collar, we crept forward again until we +were drawn close upon that tree where stood the muskets. Then up rose Sir +Richard, letting slip the dog and we were upon them, all three of us, our +roars and shouts mingled with the fierce raving of the great hound. At the +which hellish clamour, these poor rogues waked in sudden panic to behold +the dog snapping and snarling about them and ourselves covering them with +their own weapons, and never a thought among them but to supplicate our +mercy; the which they did forthwith upon their knees and with upraised +hands. Hereupon Sir Richard, scowling mighty fierce, bid such of them as +loved life to be gone, whereat in the utmost haste and as one man, up +started they all five and took themselves off with such impetuous celerity +that we stood alone and masters of all their gear in less time than it +taketh me to write down. + +"Well, Martin," said Sir Richard, grim-smiling, "'twas none so desperate a +business after all! Come now, let us minister to this poor prisoner." + +We found him in sorry plight and having freed him of his bonds I fetched +water from the brook near by and together we did what we might to his +comfort, all of the which he suffered and never a word: which done, we +supped heartily all three on the spoil we had taken. Only once did the +Indian speak, and in broken Spanish, to know who we were. + +"Content you, we are no Spaniards!" answered Sir Richard, setting a cloak +about him as he lay. + +"Truly this do I see, my father!" he murmured, and so fell asleep, the +which so excellent example I bade Sir Richard follow and this after some +demur, he agreed to (though first he must needs help me collect sticks for +the fire), then commanding me wake him in two hours without fail, he rolled +himself in one of the cloaks and very presently fell soundly asleep like +the hardy old campaigner he was. + +And now, the fire blazing cheerily, Pluto outstretched beside me, one +bright eye opening ever and anon, and a pistol in my belt, I took careful +stock of our new-come-by possessions and found them to comprise the +following, viz: + + 3 muskets with powder and shot a-plenty. + 2 brace of pistols. + 3 swords, with belts, hangers, etc. + 3 steel backs and breasts. + 4 morions. + 1 beaver hat excellent wide in the brim, should do for Sir + Richard; he suffering much by the sun despite the hat of leaves + I had made him. + 1 axe heavy and something blunted. + 2 excellent knives, + 2 wine skins, both empty. + 3 flasks, the same. + Good store of meat with cakes of very excellent bread of cassava. + 1 horse with furniture for same, + 5 cloaks, something worn. + 3 pair of boots, very serviceable. + 1 tinder box. + 1 coat. + +One brass compass in the pocket of same and of more value to us, I thought, +than all the rest, the which pleased me mightily; so that for a long time I +sat moving it to and fro to watch the swing of the needle and so at last, +what with the crackle of the fire and the brooding stillness beyond and +around us, I presently fell a-nodding and in a little (faithless sentinel +that I was) to heavy slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF + + +I waked to a scream, a fierce trampling, an awful snarling, this drowned in +the roar of a gun, and started up to see a glitter of darting steel that +Sir Richard sought to parry with his smoking weapon. Then I was up, and, +sword in hand, leapt towards his assailant, a tall, bearded man whose +corselet flashed red in the fire-glow and who turned to meet my onset, +shouting fiercely. And so we fell to it point and point; pushing +desperately at each other in the half-light and raving pandemonium about us +until more by good fortune than skill I ran him in the arm and shoulder, +whereupon, gasping out hoarse maledictions, he incontinent made off into +the dark. Then turned I to find myself alone; even the Indian had vanished, +though from the darkness near at hand was a sound of fierce strife and a +ringing shot. Catching up a musket I turned thitherward, but scarce had I +gone a step than into the light of the fire limped Sir Richard and Pluto +beside him, who licked and licked at his great muzzle as he came. + +"Oh, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard, leaning on his musket and bowing his +head, "oh, Martin--but for Pluto here--" And now, as he paused, I saw the +dog's fangs and tongue horribly discoloured. + +"'Tis all my fault!" said I bitterly. "I fell asleep at my post!" + +"Aye!" he groaned, "whereby are two men dead and one by my hand, God +forgive me!" + +"Nay, but these were enemies bent on our murder!" + +"Had they seen you wakeful and vigilant they had never dared attack us. +As it is, I have another life on my conscience and I am an old man and +soul-weary of strife and bloodshed, yet this it seems is my destiny!" + +So saying he sat him down by the fire exceeding dejected, and when I would +have comforted him I found no word. Suddenly I heard Pluto growl in his +throat, saw the hair on neck and shoulders bristle, and looking where he +looked, cocked my musket and raised it to my shoulder, then lowered it, as, +with no sound of footstep, the Indian stepped into the firelight. In one +hand he grasped the axe and as he came nearer I saw axe and hand and arm +dripped red. At Sir Richard's word and gesture Pluto cowered down and +suffered the Indian to approach, a tall, stately figure, who, coming close +beside the fire, held out to us his left hand open and upon the palm three +human ears, the which he let fall to stamp upon with his moccasined foot. + +"Dead, my brothers!" said he in his broken Spanish and holding up three +fingers. "So be all enemies of Atlamatzin and his good friends." Saying +which he stopped to cleanse himself and the axe in the stream and with +the same grave serenity he came back to the fire and stretching himself +thereby, composed himself to slumber. + +But as for Sir Richard and myself no thought had we of sleep but sat there +very silent for the most part, staring into the fire until it paled to the +day and the woods around us shrilled and echoed to the chatter and cries, +the piping and sweet carol of new-waked birds. + +Then, having broken our fast, we prepared to set out in the early freshness +of the morning, when to us came the Indian Atlamatzin and taking my hand, +touched it to his breast and forehead and having done as much by Sir +Richard, crossed his arms, and looking from one to other of us, spake in +his halting Spanish as much as to say, "My father and brother, whither +go ye?" At this Sir Richard, who it seemed knew something of the Indian +tongue, gave him to understand we went eastwards towards the Gulf. +Whereupon the Indian bowed gravely, answering: + +"Ye be lonely, even as I, and thitherward go I many moons to what little of +good, war and evil have left to me. Therefore will I company with ye an ye +would have me." To the which we presently agreeing, he forthwith took his +share of our burden, and with the axe at his side and our spare musket on +his shoulder, went on before, threading his way by brake and thicket +with such sureness of direction that we were soon out upon the open +thoroughfare. + +And now seeing how stoutly Sir Richard stepped out (despite the gear he +bore as gun, powder horn, water bottle, etc.) what with the sweet freshness +here among the trees and seeing us so well provided against circumstances, +I came nigh singing for pure lightness of heart. But scarce had we gone a +mile than my gaiety was damped and in this fashion. + +"Here is a land of death, Martin--see yonder!" said Sir Richard and pointed +to divers great birds that flapped up heavily from the way before us. +Coming nearer, I saw others of the breed that quarrelled and fought and +screamed and, upon our nearer approach, hopped along in a kind of torpor +ere they rose on lazy wings and flew away; and coming nearer yet I saw the +wherefore of their gathering and Sir Richard's words and grew sick within +me. It was an Indian woman who lay where she had fallen, a dead babe +clasped to dead bosom with one arm, the other shorn off at the elbow. + +"A Spanish sword-stroke, Martin!" said Sir Richard, pointing to this. "God +pity this poor outraged people!" And with this prayer we left these poor +remains, and hasting away, heard again the heavy beat of wings and the +carrion cry of these monstrous birds. And now I bethought me that the +Indian, striding before us, had never so much as turned and scarce deigned +a glance at this pitiful sight, as I noted to Sir Richard. + +"And yet, Martin, he brought in three Spanish ears last night! Moreover, he +is an Indian and one of the Maya tribe that at one time were a noble people +and notable good fighters, but now slaves, alas, all save a sorry few that +do live out of the white man's reach 'mid the ruin of noble cities high up +in the Cordilleras--_sic transit gloria mundi_, alas!" + +For three days we tramped this highway in the wake of the Spanish +treasure-convoy and came on the remains of many of these miserable slaves +who, overcome with fatigue, had fallen in their chains and being cut free, +had been left thus to perish miserably. + +On this, the fourth day, we turned off from this forest road (the which +began to trend southerly); we struck off, I say, following our Indian, into +a narrow track bearing east and by north which heartened me much since, +according to Adam's chart, this should bring us directly towards that spot +he had marked as our rendezvous. And as we advanced, the country changed, +the woods thinned away to a rolling hill-country, and this to rocky ways +that grew ever steeper and more difficult, and though we had no lack of +water, we suffered much by reason of the heat. And now on our right we +beheld great mountains towering high above us, peak on peak, soaring aloft +to the cloudless heaven where blazed a pitiless sun. Indeed, so unendurable +was this heat that we would lie panting in some shade until the day +languished and instead of glaring sun was radiant moon to light us on our +pilgrimage. And here we were often beset by dreadful tempests where mighty +winds shouted and thunder cracked and roared most awful to be heard among +these solitary mountains. So we skirted these great mountains, by frowning +precipice and dark defile, past foaming cataracts and waters that roared +unseen below us. + +And very thankful we were for such a guide as this Indian Atlamatzin who, +grave, solemn and seldom-speaking, was never at a loss and very wise as to +this wilderness and all things in it,--beast and bird, tree and herb and +flower. And stoutly did Sir Richard bear himself during this weary time, +plodding on hour after hour until for very shame I would call a halt, and +he, albeit ready to swoon for weariness, would find breath to berate me for +a laggard and protest himself able to go on, until, taking him in my arms, +I would lay him in some sheltered nook and find him sound asleep before +ever I could prepare our meal. + +Thus held we on until towering mountain and scowling cliff sank behind and +we came into a gentle country of placid streams, grassy tracts, with herb +and tree and flower a very joy to the eyes. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, as we sat at breakfast beside a crystal pool, +"Martin," said he, pulling at Pluto's nearest ear with sunburned fingers, +"I do begin to think that all these days I have been harbouring a shadow." + +"How so, sir?" + +"It hath seemed to me from the first that I should leave this poor body +here in Darien--" + +"God forbid!" quoth I fervently. + +"'Twould be but my body, Martin; my soul would go along with you, dear lad; +aye, 'twould be close by to comfort and aid and bring you safe to--her--my +sweet Joan--and mayhap--with you twain--to England." + +"Nay, dear sir, I had liefer you bear your body along with it. Thank God, +you do grow more hearty every day. And the ague scarce troubles you--" + +"Truly, God hath been very kind. I am thrice the man I was, though I limp +wofully, which grieves me since it shortens the day's journey, lad. We have +been already these many days and yet, as I compute, we have fully eighty +miles yet to go. Alas, dear lad, how my crawling must fret you." + +"Sir Richard," said I, clapping my hand on his, "no man could have endured +more courageously nor with stouter heart than you--no, not even Adam +Penfeather himself, so grieve not for your lameness. Adam will wait us, of +this I am assured." + +"What manner of man is this Adam of yours, Martin?" + +"He is himself, sir, and none other like him: a little, great man, a man of +cunning plots and contrivances, very bold and determined and crafty beyond +words. He is moreover a notable good seaman and commander, quick of hand +and eye. Dangers and difficulty are but a whetstone to set a keener edge to +his abilities. He was once a chief of buccaneers and is now a baronet +of England and justice of the peace, aye, and I think a member of His +Majesty's Parliament beside." + +"Lord, Martin, you do paint me a very Proteus; fain would I meet such a +man." + +"Why, so you shall, sir, and judge for yourself." + +Here Sir Richard sighed and turned to gaze where Atlamatzin was busied upon +a small fire he had lighted some distance away. Now, as to this Indian, if +I have not been particular in his description hitherto, it is because I +know not how to do so, seeing he was (to my mind) rather as one of another +world, a sombre figure proud and solitary and mostly beyond my ken, though +I came to know him something better towards the end and but for him should +have perished miserably. Thus then, I will try to show him to you in as few +words as I may. + +Neither young nor old, tall and slender yet of incredible strength; his +features pleasing and no darker than my own sunburned skin, his voice soft +and deep, his bearing proud and stately and of a most grave courtesy. +Marvellous quick was he and nimble save for his tongue, he being less given +to talk even than I, so that I have known us march by the hour together +and never a word betwixt us. Yet was he a notable good friend, true and +steadfast and loyal, as you shall hear. + +Just now (as I say) he was busy with a fire whereon he cast an armful of +wet leaves so that he had presently a thick column of smoke ascending into +the stilly air; and now he took him one of the cloaks and covered this +smoke, stifling and fanning it aside so that it was no more than a mist, +and anon looses it into a column again; and thus he checked or broke his +smoky pillar at irregular intervals, so that at last I needs must call to +ask him what he did. + +"Brother," answered he in his grave fashion, "I talk with my people. In a +little you shall see them answer me. Hereupon Sir Richard told me how in +some parts these Indians will converse long distances apart by means of +drums, by which they will send you messages quicker than any relay of post +horses may go. And presently, sure enough, from a woody upland afar rose +an answering smoke that came and went and was answered by our fire, as in +question and answer, until at last Atlamatzin, having extinguished his +fire, came and sat him down beside us. + +"Father and my brother," said he, folding his arms, "I read a tale of +blood, fire and battle at sea and along the coast. White men slaying white +men, which is good--so they slay enough!" + +"A battle at sea? Do you mean ships?" I questioned uneasily. + +"And on land, brother. Spanish soldiers have been espied wounded and yet +shouting with singing and laughing. Galleons have sailed from Porto Bello +and Carthagena." + +"God send Adam is not beset!" said I. + +"Amen!" quoth Sir Richard. "Nay, never despond, Martin, for if he be the +man you say he shall not easily be outwitted." + +"Ah, sir, I think on my dear lady." + +"And I also, Martin. But she is in the hands of God Who hath cherished her +thus far." + +"Moreover, oh, father and my brother, yonder my people do send you greeting +and will entertain you for so long as you will." + +"Wherefore we thank you, Atlamatzin, good friend, you and them, but if fire +and battle are abroad we must on so soon as we may." So saying, Sir Richard +got to his feet and we did the like and, taking up our gear, set off with +what speed we might. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +TELLETH SOMEWHAT OF A STRANGE CITY + + +By midday we were come in sight of this Indian city, a place strange beyond +thought, it being builded in vast terraces that rose one upon another up +the face of a great cliff, and embattled by divers many towers. And the +nearer I came the more grew my wonder by reason of the hugeness of this +structure, for these outer defences were builded of wrought stones, but of +such monstrous bulk and might as seemed rather the work of sweating Titans +than the labour of puny man; as indeed I told Sir Richard. + +"Aye, truly, Martin," said he, "this is the abiding wonder! Here standeth +the noble monument of a once great and mighty people." + +In a little Atlamatzin brought us to a stair or causeway that mounted up +from terrace to terrace, and behold, this stair was lined with warriors +grasping shield and lance, and brave in feathered cloaks and headdresses +and betwixt their ordered ranks one advancing,--an old man of a reverend +bearing, clad in a black robe and on whose bosom shone and glittered a +golden emblem that I took for the sun. Upon the lowest platform he halted +and lifted up his hands as in greeting, whereon up went painted shield and +glittering spear and from the stalwart warriors rose a lusty shout, a word +thrice repeated. + +And now, to my wonder, forth stepped Atlamatzin, a proud and stately figure +for all his rags, and lifting one hand aloft, spake to them in voice very +loud and clear, pointing to us from time to time. When he had gone they +shouted amain and, descending from the platform, the priest (as he proved +to be) knelt before Atlamatzin to touch his heart and brow. And now came +divers Indians bearing litters, the which, at Altlamatzin's word, Sir +Richard and I entered and so, Pluto trotting beside us, were borne up from +terrace to terrace unto the town. And I saw this had once been a goodly +city though its glory was departed, its noble buildings decayed or ruinated +and cheek by jowl with primitive dwellings of clay. And these greater +houses were of a noble simplicity, flat-roofed and builded of a red, porous +stone, in some cases coated with white cement, whiles here and there, +towering high among these, rose huge structures that I took for palaces or +temples, yet one and all timeworn and crumbling to decay. Before one of +such, standing in a goodly square, we alighted and here found a crowd +of people--men, women and children--who stood to behold us; a mild, +well-featured people, orderly and of a courteous bearing, yet who stared +and pointed, chattering, at sight of the dog. And if this were all of them, +a pitiful few I thought them in contrast to this great square whence opened +divers wide thoroughfares, and this mighty building that soared above +us, its great walls most wonderful to sight by reason of all manner of +decorations and carvings wrought into the semblance of writhing serpents +cunningly intertwined. + +Betwixt a kind of gatehouse to right and left we entered an enclosure where +stood the temple itself, reared upon terraces. Here Atlamatzin giving us to +know we must leave the dog, Sir Richard tied him up, whereon Pluto, seeing +us leave him, howled in remonstrance, but, obedient to Sir Richard's word, +cowered to silence, yet mighty dismal to behold. And now, Atlamatzin and +the High Priest leading the way, we to climb numberless steps, and though +Richard found this no small labour despite my aid, at last we stood before +the massy portal of the temple that seemed to scowl upon us. And from the +dim interior rose a sound of voices chanting, drowned all at once in the +roll of drums and blare of trumpets and Atlamatzin and the Priest entered, +signing on us to follow. + +"Have your weapons ready, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard. "For I have heard +evil tales of blood and sacrifice in such places as this!" + +And thus side by side we stepped into the cool dimness of this strange +building. Once my eyes were accustomed to the gloom, I stood amazed by the +vast extent of this mighty building and awed by the wonder of it. Midway +burned a dim fire whose small flame flickered palely; all round us, huge +and mountainous, rose the shapes of strange deities wonderfully wrought; +round about the altar fire were grouped many black-robed priests and hard +by this fire stood a thing that brought back memory of Adam Penfeather +his words--of how he had fought for his life on the death-stone; and now, +beholding this grim thing, I shifted round my sword and felt if my pistols +were to hand. And now rose Atlamatzin's voice, rumbling in the dimness high +overhead, and coming to us, he took us each by the hand and, leading us +forward, spake awhile to the motionless priests, who, when he had done, +came about us with hands uplifted in greeting. And now Atlamatzin spake us +on this wise: + +"Father and my brother, well do I know ye have clean hearts despite your +pale skins, so do I make ye welcome and free of this city that once was +overruled by my forefathers. And because ye are white men, loving all such +foolish things as all white men do love, follow me!" + +Saying which, he brought us before one of those great idols that glared +down on us. I saw him lift one hand, then started back from the square of +darkness that yawned suddenly as to engulf us. Taking a torch, Atlamatzin +led us down steps and along a broad passage beneath the temple and so +into a vasty chamber where lay that which gave back the light he bore; +everywhere about us was the sheen of gold. In ordered piles, in great +heaps, in scattered pieces it lay, wrought into a thousand fantastic +shapes, as idols, serpents, basins, pots and the like,--a treasure beyond +the telling. + +"Behold the white man's God, the cause of my people's woes, the ruin of our +cities, of blood and battle!" + +And here he gives us to understand this wealth was ours if we would; all or +such of it as we might bear away with us. Whereupon I shook my head and Sir +Richard told him that of more use to him than all this treasure would be +pen, inkhorn and paper, and a compass. Nothing speaking, Atlamatzin turned, +and by a very maze of winding passageways brought us up the steps and so to +a great and lofty chamber or hall where lay a vast medley of things: arms +and armour, horse furniture and Spanish gear of every sort, and in one +corner a small brass cannon, mounted on wheels. Amongst all of which Sir +Richard began searching and had his patience rewarded, for presently he +came on that he desired; viz: a travelling writing case with pens, paper, +and a sealed bottle of ink, though why he should want such was beyond me, +as I told him, whereat he did but smile, nothing speaking. + +So back we came and unloosed our dog (and he mighty rejoiced to see us) +whereafter, by Atlamatzin's command, we were lodged in a chamber very +sumptuous and with servants observant to our every want; for our meals were +dishes a-plenty, savoury and excellent well cooked and seasoned, and for +our drink was milk, or water cunningly flavoured with fruits, as good as +any wine, to my thinking. And cups and platters, nay, the very pots, were +all of pure gold. + +This night, having bathed me in a small bathhouse adjacent and very +luxurious, I get me to bed early (which was no more than a mat) but Sir +Richard, seated upon the floor hard by (for of chairs there were none), +Sir Richard, I say, must needs fall to with pen and ink, the great hound +drowsing beside him, so that, lulled by the soft scratching of his busy +quill, I presently slumbered also. + +Next morning I awoke late to find Sir Richard squatted where he had sat +last night, but this time, instead of writing case, across his knees lay a +musket, and he was busied in setting a flint to the lock. + +"Why, sir--what now?" I questioned. + +"A musket, lad, and fifty-and-five others in the corner yonder and all +serviceable, which is well." + +Now as I stared at him, his bowed figure and long white hair, there was +about him (despite his benevolent expression) a certain grim, fighting look +that set me wondering; moreover, upon the air I heard a stir that seemed +all about us, a faint yet ominous clamour. + +"Sir," quoth I, getting to my feet, "what's to do?" + +"Battle, Martin!" said he, testing the musket's action. + +"Ha!" cried I, catching up my sword. "Are we beset?" + +"By an army of Spaniards and hostile Indians, Martin. In the night came +Atlamatzin to say news had come of Indians from the West, ancient enemies +of this people, led on by Spanish soldiers, cavalry and arquebuseros, and +bidding us fly and save ourselves before the battle joined. But you were +asleep, Martin, and besides, it seemed ill in us, that had eaten their +bread, to fly and leave this poor folk to death--and worse--" + +"True enough, sir," said I, buckling my weapons about me, "but do you dream +that we, you and I, can hinder such?" + +"'Twere at least commendable in us to so endeavour, Martin. Nor is it thing +so impossible, having regard to these fifty-and-five muskets and the brass +cannon, seeing there is powder and shot abundant." + +"How then--must we stay and fight?" I demanded. And beholding the grim set +of his mouth and chin, at such odds with his white hair and gentle eyes, I +knew that it must be so indeed. + +"'Twas so I thought, Martin," said he a little humbly, and laying his hands +upon my shoulders, "but only for myself, dear lad, I fight better than I +walk, so will I stay and make this my cumbersome body of some little use, +perchance; but as for thee, dear and loved lad, I would have you haste +on--" + +"Enough, sir," quoth I, catching his hands in mine, "if you must stay to +fight, so do I." + +"Tush, Martin!" said he, mighty earnest. "Be reasonable! Atlamatzin hath +vowed, supposing we beat off our assailants, to provide me bearers and +a litter, so shall I travel at mine ease and overtake you very soon; +wherefore, I bid you go--for her sake!" + +But finding me no whit moved by this or any other reason he could invent, +he alternate frowned and sighed, and thereafter, slipping his arm in mine, +brought me forth to show me such dispositions as he had caused to be made +for the defence. Thus came we out upon the highest terrace, Pluto at our +heels, and found divers of the Indians labouring amain to fill and set up +baskets of loose earth after the manner of fascines, and showed me where he +had caused them to plant our cannon where it might sweep that stair I have +mentioned, and well screened from the enemy's observation and sheltered +from his fire. And hard beside the gun stood barrels of musket balls, and +round-shot piled very orderly, and beyond these, powder a-plenty in covered +kegs. + +And now he showed me pieces of armour, that is, a vizored headpiece or +armet, with cuirass, backplates, pauldrons and vambraces, all very richly +gilded, the which it seemed he had chosen for my defence. + +"So, then, sir, you knew I should stay?" + +"Indeed, Martin," he confessed, a little discountenanced, "I guessed you +might." But I (misliking to be so confined) would have none of this gilded +armour until, seeing his distress, I agreed thereto if he would do the +like; so we presently armed each other and I for one mighty hot and +uncomfortable. + +Posted upon this, the highest terrace, at every vantage point were Indians +armed with bows and arrows--men and women, aye and children--and all gazing +ever and anon towards that belt of forest to the West where it seemed +Atlamatzin, with ten chosen warriors, was gone to watch the approach of +the invading host. Presently, from these greeny depths came a distant shot +followed by others in rapid succession, and after some while, forth of the +woods broke six figures that we knew for Atlamatzin and five of the ten, at +sight of whom spear-points glittered and a lusty shout went up. + +"See now, Martin," quoth Sir Richard, speaking quick and incisive, a grim +and warlike figure in his armour, for all his stoop and limping gait, +"here's the way on't: let the Indians shoot their arrows as they may (poor +souls!) but we wait until the enemy be a-throng upon the stair yonder, then +we open on them with our cannon here,--'tis crammed to the muzzle with +musket balls; then whiles you reload, I will to my fifty-and-five muskets +yonder and let fly one after t'other, by which time you, having our brass +piece ready, will reload so many o' the muskets as you may and so, God +aiding, we will so batter these merciless Dons they shall be glad to give +over their bloody attempt and leave these poor folk in peace." + +As he ended, came Atlamatzin, telling us he had fallen suddenly on the +enemy's van and slain divers of them, showing us his axe bloody, and so +away to hearten his people. + +At last, forth of the forest marched the enemy, rank on rank, a seemingly +prodigious company. First rode horsemen a score, and behind these I counted +some sixty musketeers and pikemen as many, marching very orderly and +flashing back the sun from their armour, while behind these again came +plumed Indians beyond count, fierce, wild figures that leapt and shouted +high and shrill very dreadful to hear. On they came, leaping and dancing +from the forest, until it seemed they would never end, nearer and nearer +until we might see their faces and thus behold how these Spaniards talked +and laughed with each other as about a matter of little moment. Indeed, it +angered me to see with what careless assurance these steel-clad Spaniards +advanced against us in their insolent might, and bold in the thought that +they had nought to fear save Indian arrows and lances and they secure +in their armour. Halting below the first terrace, they forthwith began +assault, for whiles divers of the pikemen began to ascend the stairway, +followed by their Indian allies, the musketeers let fly up at us with their +pieces to cover their comrades' advance and all contemptuous of the arrows +discharged against them. But hard beside the cannon stood Sir Richard, +watching keen-eyed, and ever and anon blowing on the slow-match he had +made, waiting until the stairway was choked with the glittering helmets and +tossing feathers of the assailants. + +A deafening roar, a belch of flame and smoke that passing, showed a sight +I will not seek to describe; nor did I look twice, but fell to work with +sponge and rammer, loading this death-dealing piece as quickly as I might, +while louder than the awful wailing that came from that gory shambles rose +a wild hubbub from their comrades,--shouts and cries telling their sudden +panic and consternation. But as they stood thus in huddled amaze, Sir +Richard opened on them with his muskets, firing in rapid succession and +with aim so deadly that they forthwith turned and ran for it, nor did they +check or turn until they were out of range. Then back limped Sir Richard, +his cheek flushed, his eyes bright and fierce in the shade of his helmet, +his voice loud and vibrant with the joy of battle, and seeing how far the +gun was recoiled, summoned divers of the Indians to urge it back into +position; while this was doing, down upon this awful stair leapt Atlamatzin +and his fellows and had soon made an end of such wounded as lay there. + +"I pray God," cried Sir Richard, harsh-voiced, as he struck flint and steel +to relight his match, "I pray God this may suffice them!" + +And beholding the wild disorder of our assailants, I had great hopes this +was so indeed, but as I watched, they reformed their ranks and advanced +again, but with their Indians in the van, who suddenly found themselves +with death before them and behind, for the Spanish musketeers had turned +their pieces against them to force them on to the attacks. So, having no +choice, these poor wretches came on again, leaping and screaming their +battle cries until the stair was a-throng with them; on and up they rushed +until Death met them in roaring flame and smoke. But now all about us was +the hum of bullets, most of which whined harmlessly overhead, though some +few smote the wall behind us. But small chance had I to heed such, being +hard-set to prime and load as, time after time, these poor Indians, driven +on by their cruel masters, rushed, and time after time were swept away; and +thus we fought the gun until the sweat ran from me and I panted and cursed +my stifling armour, stripping it from me piece by piece as occasion +offered. And thus I took a scathe from bullet or splinter of stone, yet +heeded not until I sank down sick and spent and roused to find Pluto +licking my face and thereafter to see Sir Richard kneeling over me, his +goodly armour dinted and scarred by more than one chance bullet. + +"Drink!" he commanded, and set water to my lips, the which mightily +refreshed me. + +"Sir, what o' the fight?" I questioned. + +"Done, lad, so far as we are concerned," said he. "Atlamatzin fell upon 'em +with all his powers and routed them--hark!" + +Sure enough, I heard the battle roar away into the forest and beyond until, +little by little, it sank to a murmurous hum and died utterly away. But all +about us were other sounds, and getting unsteadily to my legs, I saw the +plain 'twixt town and forest thick-strewn with the fallen. + +"So then the town is saved, sir?" + +"God be praised, Martin!" + +"Why, then, let us on--to meet my dear lady!" But now came an Indian to +bathe my hurt, an ugly tear in my upper arm, whereto he set a certain +balsam and a dressing of leaves and so bound it up very deftly and to my +comfort. + +And now was I seized of a fierce desire to be gone; I burned in a fever to +tramp those weary miles that lay 'twixt me and my lady Joan; wherefore, +heedless alike of my own weakness, of Sir Richard's remonstrances and +weariness, or aught beside in my own fevered desire, I set out forthwith, +seeing, as in a dream, the forms of Indians, men, women and children, who +knelt and cried to us as in gratitude or farewell; fast I strode, all +unmindful of the old man who plodded so patiently, limping as fast as he +might to keep pace with me, heeding but dimly his appeals, his cries, +hasting on and on until, stumbling at last, I sank upon my knees and, +looking about, found myself alone and night coming down upon me apace. Then +was I seized of pity for him and myself and a great yearning for my lady, +and sinking upon my face I wept myself to sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +WE RESUME OUR JOURNEY + + +I waked in a place of trees, very still and quiet save for the crackle of +the fire that blazed near by. Close beside me lay my musket; pendant from +a branch within reach dangled my sword. Hereupon, finding myself thus +solitary, I began to call on Sir Richard and wondered to hear my voice so +weak; yet I persisted in my shouting and after some while heard a joyous +bark, and to me bounded Pluto to rub himself against me and butt at me with +his great head. While I was caressing this good friend, cometh Sir Richard +himself and in his hand a goodly fish much like to a trout. + +"Lord, Martin!" said he, sitting beside me, "'tis well art thyself again, +lad. Last evening you must set out, and night upon us, must stride away +like a madman and leave me alone; but for this good dog I should ha' lost +you quite. See now, lad, what I have caught for our breakfast. I was a +notable good angler in the old days and have not lost my cunning, it +seems." + +Now as he showed me his fish and set about gutting and preparing it, I +could not but mark his drawn and haggard look, despite his brave bearing, +and my heart smote me. + +"Sir, you are sick!" quoth I. + +"Nay, Martin, I am well enough and able to go on as soon as you will. But +for the present, rest awhile, lest the fever take you again, this cloak +'neath your head--so!" + +"What o'clock is it?" + +"Scarce noon and the sun very hot." + +"How came I here in the shade?" + +"I dragged you, Martin. Now sleep, lad, and I'll to my cooking." + +At this I protested I had no mind for sleep, yet presently slumbered amain, +only to dream vilely of fire and of Adam and his fellows in desperate +battle, and above the din of fight heard my lady calling on my name as one +in mortal extremity and waking in sweating panic, my throbbing head full of +this evil vision, was for setting out instantly to her succour. But at +Sir Richard's desire I stayed to gulp down such food as he had prepared, +telling him meanwhile of my vision and something comforted by his assurance +that dreams went by contrary. Howbeit, the meal done, we set out once more, +bearing due northeast by the compass Sir Richard had brought from the Maya +city. So we journeyed through this tangled wilderness, my' head full of +strange and evil fancies, cursing the wound that sapped my strength so that +I must stumble for very weakness, yet dreaming ever of my lady's danger, +struggling up and on until I sank to lie and curse or weep because of my +helplessness. + +Very evil times were these, wherein I moved in a vague world, sometimes +aware of Sir Richard's patient, plodding form, of the dog trotting before, +of misty mountains, of rushing streams that must be crossed, of glaring +heats and grateful shadow; sometimes I lay dazzled by a blazing sun, +sometimes it was the fire and Sir Richard's travel-worn figure beyond, +sometimes the calm serenity of stars, but ever and always in my mind was +a growing fear, a soul-blasting dread lest our journey be vain, lest the +peril that me thought threatened Joan be before us and we find her dead. +And this cruel thought was like a whip that lashed me to a frenzy, so that +despite wound and weakness I would drive my fainting body on, pursuing the +phantom of her I sought and oft calling miserably upon her name like the +madman I was; all of the which I learned after from Sir Richard. For, of +an early morning I waked to find myself alone, but a fire of sticks burned +brightly and against an adjacent rock stood our two muskets, orderly and to +hand. + +Now as I gazed about, I was aware of frequent sighings hard by and going +thitherward, beheld Sir Richard upon his knees, absorbed in a passion of +prayer, his furrowed cheeks wet with tears. But beyond this I was struck +with the change in him, his haggard face burned nigh black with fierce +suns, his garments rent and tattered, his poor body more bent and shrunken +than I had thought. Before him sat Pluto, wagging his tail responsive +to every passionate gesture of those reverently clasped hands, but +who, espying me, uttered his deep bark and came leaping to welcome me; +whereupon, seeing I was discovered, I went to Sir Richard and, his prayer +ended, lifted him in my arms. + +"Ah, Martin, dear lad," said he, embracing me likewise, "surely God hath +answered my prayer. You are yourself again." And now, he sitting beside the +fire whiles I prepared such food as we had, he told me how for five days +I had been as one distraught, wandering haphazard and running like any +madman, calling upon my lady's name, and that he should have lost me but +for the dog. + +"Alas, dear sir," quoth I, abashed by this recital, "I fear in my fool's +madness I have worn you out and nigh beyond endurance." + +"Nay, Martin," said he, "it doth but teach me what I knew, that lusty youth +and feeble age are ill travelling companions, for needs must you go, your +soul ever ahead of you, yet schooling your pace to mine, and for this I +do love you so that I would I were dead and you free to speed on your +strength--" + +"Never say so, dear father," quoth I, folding my arm about his drooping +form, "my strength shall be yours henceforth." + +And presently he grew eager to be gone, but seeing me unwilling, grew the +more insistent to travel so far as we might before the scorching heats +should overtake us. So we started, I carrying his musket beside my own and +despite his remonstrances. + +An evil country this, destitute of trees and all vegetation save small +bushes few and prickly cactus a-many, a desolation of grim and jagged rocks +and barren, sandy wastes full of sun-glare and intolerable heat. And now, +our water being gone, we began to be plagued with thirst and a great host +of flies so bold as to settle on our mouths, nostrils and eyes, so that we +must be for ever slapping and brushing them away. Night found us faint and +spent and ravenous for water and none to be found, and to add further to +our agonies, these accursed flies were all about us still, singing and +humming, and whose bite set up a tickling itch, so that what with these and +our thirst we got little or no rest. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, hearing me groan, "we should be scarce four +days from the sea by my reckoning--" + +"Aye," said I, staring up at the glory of stars, "but how if we come on no +water? Our journey shall end the sooner, methinks." + +"True, Martin," said he, "but we are sure to find water soon or late--" + +"God send it be soon!" I groaned. Here he sets himself to comfort Pluto who +lay betwixt us, panting miserably, with lolling tongue or snapping fiercely +at these pestilent flies. + +And thus we lay agonising until the moon rose and then, by common consent, +we stumbled on, seeking our great desire. And now as I went, my mouth +parched, my tongue thickening to the roof of my mouth, I must needs think +of plashing brooks, of bubbling rills, of sweet and pellucid streams, so +that my torment was redoubled, yet we dared not stop, even when day came. + +Then forth of a pitiless heaven blazed a cruel sun to scorch us, thereby +adding to this agony of thirst that parched us where we crawled with +fainting steps, our sunken eyes seeking vainly for the kindly shade of some +tree in this arid desolation. And always was my mind obsessed by that +dream of gurgling brooks and bubbling rills; and now I would imagine I was +drinking long, cool draughts, and thrusting leathern tongue 'twixt cracking +lips, groaned in sharper agony. So crept we on, mile after mile, hoping the +next would show us some blessed glimpse of water, and always disappointed +until at last it seemed that here was our miserable end. + +"Martin," gasped Sir Richard, sinking in my failing clasp, his words scarce +articulate, "I can go no farther--leave me, sweet son--'tis better I die +here--go you on--" + +"No!" groaned I, and seeing Sir Richard nigh to swooning, I took him in my +arms. Reeling and staggering I bore him on, my gaze upon a few scattered +rocks ahead of us where we might at least find shade from this murderous +sun. Thus I struggled on until my strength failed and I sank to this +burning sand where it seemed we were doomed to perish after all, here in +this pitiless wild where even the dog had deserted us. And seeing Death so +near, I clasped Sir Richard ever closer and strove to tell him something of +my love for him, whereupon he raised one feeble hand to touch my drooping +head. + +Now as I babbled thus, I heard a lazy flap of wings and lifting weary eyes, +beheld divers of these great birds that, settling about, hopped languidly +towards us and so stood to watch us, raffling their feathers and croaking +hoarsely. So I watched them, and well-knowing what they portended, drew +forth a pistol and, cocking it, had it ready to hand. But as I did so they +broke into shrill clamour and, rising on heavy wings, soared away as came +Pluto to leap about us, uttering joyous barks and butting at us with his +head. And then I saw him all wet, nay, as I gazed on him, disbelieving my +eyes, he shook himself, sprinkling us with blessed water. Somehow I was +upon my feet and, taking Sir Richard's swooning body across my shoulder, +I stumbled on towards that place of rocks, Pluto running on before and +turning ever and anon to bark, as bidding me hasten. So at last, panting +and all foredone, came I among these rocks and saw them open to a narrow +cleft that gave upon a gorge a-bloom with flowers, a very paradise; and +here, close to hand, a little pool fed by a rill or spring that bubbled up +amid these mossy rocks. + +So took I this life-giving water in my two hands and dashed it in Sir +Richard's face, and he, opening his eyes, uttered a hoarse cry of rapture. +And so we drank, kneeling side by side. Yet our throats and tongues so +swollen we could scarce swallow at the first, and yet these scant drops a +very ecstasy. But when I would have drunk my fill, Sir Richard stayed +me lest I do myself an injury and I, minding how poor souls had killed +themselves thus, drank but moderately as he bade me, yet together we +plunged our heads and arms into this watery delight, praising God and +laughing for pure joy and thankfulness. Then, the rage of our thirst +something appeased, we lay down within this shadow side by side and +presently fell into a most blessed slumber. + +I waked suddenly to a piteous whining and, starting up, beheld Pluto +crawling towards me, his flank transfixed with an Indian arrow. Up I sprang +to wake Sir Richard and peer down into the shadowy gorge below, but saw +no more than flowering thickets and bush-girt rock. But as I gazed thus, +musket in hand, Sir Richard gave fire and while the report yet rang and +echoed, I saw an Indian spring up from amid these bushes and go rolling +down into the thickets below. + +"One, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard and, giving me his piece to reload, turned +to minister to Pluto's hurt. Where he lay whining and whimpering. Suddenly +an arrow struck the rock hard beside me and then came a whizzing shower, +whereupon we took such shelter as offered and whence we might retort upon +them with our shot. And after some while, as we lay thus, staring down into +the gorge, came the report of a musket and a bullet whipped betwixt us. + +"Lord, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard cheerily, his eyes kindling. "It was +vastly unwise to fall asleep by this well in so thirsty a country; 'tis a +known place and much frequented, doubtless. Wisdom doth urge a retreat so +soon as you have filled our water bottles; meantime I will do all I may to +dissuade our assailants from approaching too near." + +So saying, he levelled his piece and, dwelling on his aim, fired, whiles +I, screened from bullets and arrows alike, filled our flasks and doing +so, espied a small cave, excellent suited to our defence and where two +determined men might hold in check a whole army. + +Hereupon I summoned Sir Richard who, seeing this cave commanded the gorge +and might only be carried in front, approved it heartily, so thither we +repaired, taking Pluto with us and him very woful. And lying thus in our +little fort we laid out our armament, that is, our two muskets and four +pistols, and took stock of our ammunition, I somewhat dashed to find we had +but thirty charges betwixt us, the pistols included. Sir Richard, on the +other hand, seemed but the more resolute and cheery therefor. + +"For look now, Martin," said he, cocking his musket and levelling it +betwixt the boulders we had piled to our better defence, "here we have +fifteen lives, or say twenty, though you are better with sword than musket +I take it; should these not suffice, then we have two excellent swords +and lastly our legs, indifferent bad as regards mine own, but in a little +'twill be black dark, the moon doth not rise till near dawn. So here are we +snug for the moment and very able to our defence these many hours, God be +thanked!" And thus he of his own indomitable spirit cheered me. Suddenly he +pulled trigger and as the smoke cleared I saw his bullet had sped true, for +amid certain rocks below us a man rose up, clad in Spanish half-armour, and +sinking forward, lay there motionless, plain to our view. + +"Two!" quoth Sir Richard, and fell to reloading his piece, wadding the +charge with strips from his ragged garments. + +The fall of this Spaniard caused no little stir among our unseen +assailants, for the air rang with fierce outcries and the shrill battle +hootings of the Indians, and a shower of arrows rattled among the rocks +about us and thereafter a volley of shot, and no scathe to us. + +"War is a hateful thing!" quoth Sir Richard suddenly. "See yon Spaniard I +shot, God forgive me--hark how he groaneth, poor soul!" And he showed me +the Spaniard, who writhed ever and anon where he lay across the rock and +wailed feebly for water. "Methinks 'twere merciful to end his sufferings, +Martin!" + +"Mayhap, sir, though we have few enough charges to spare!" + +"Thus speaketh cold prudence and common sense, Martin, and yet--" + +But here the matter was put beyond dispute for, even as Sir Richard +levelled his musket, the wounded Spaniard slipped and rolled behind the +rock and lay quite hid save for a hand and arm that twitched feebly ever +and anon. + +"And he was crying for water!" sighed Sir Richard, "Thirst is an agony, as +we do know. Hark, he crieth yet! Twere act commendable to give drink to a +dying man, enemy though he be." + +"Most true, sir, but--nay, what would you?" I said, grasping his arm as he +made to rise. + +"Endeavour as much good as I may in the little of life left to me, Martin. +The poor soul lieth none so far and--" + +"Sir--sir!" quoth I, tightening my hold. "You would be shot ere you had +gone a yard--are ye mad indeed or--do you seek death?" Now at this he was +silent, and I felt him trembling. + +"This is as God willeth, Martin!" said he at last. "Howbeit I must go; +prithee loose me, dear lad!" + +"Nay!" cried I harshly. "If you will have our enemy drink, I shall bear it +myself--" + +"No, no!" cried he, grappling me in turn as I rose. "What I may do you +cannot--be reasonable, Martin--you bulk so much greater than I, they cannot +fail of such a mark--" + +Now as we argued the matter thus, each mighty determined, Pluto set up a +joyous barking and, rising on three legs, stood with ears cocked and tail +wagging, the which put me in no small perplexity until, all at once, +certain bushes that grew hard by swayed gently and forth of the leaves +stepped an Indian clad for battle, like a great chief or cacique (as 'tis +called) for on arm and breast and forehead gold glittered, and immediately +we knew him for Atlamatzin. + +"Greeting to ye, father and brother!" said he, saluting us in his grave and +stately fashion. "Atlamatzin and his people are full of gratitude to ye and +because ye are great and notable warriors, scornful of the white man's God, +Atlamatzin and his warriors have followed to do ye homage and bring ye safe +to your journey's end, and finding ye, lo! we find also our enemies, whose +eyes seeing nought but ye two, behold nought of the death that creepeth +about them; so now, when the shadow shall kiss the small rock yonder, do +you make your thunder and in that moment shall Atlamatzin smite them to +their destruction and, if the gods spare him, shall surely find ye again +that are his father and brother!" + +Something thus spake he below his breath in his halting Spanish, very grave +and placid, then saluting us, was gone swift and silent as he came. + +"An inch!" quoth Sir Richard, pointing to the creeping shadow and so we +watched this fateful shade until it was come upon the rock, whereupon I +let off my piece and Sir Richard a moment after, and like an echo to +these shots rose sudden dreadful clamour, shouts, the rapid discharge of +firearms; but wilder, fiercer, and louder than all the shrill and awful +Indian battle cry. And now, on bush-girt slopes to right and left was +bitter strife, a close-locked fray that burst suddenly asunder and swirled +down till pursued and pursuer were lost amid that tangle of blooming +thickets where it seemed the battle clamoured awhile, then roared away as +the enemy broke and fled before the sudden furious onset of Atlamatzin's +warriors. + +As for us, we lay within our refuge, nor stirred until this din of conflict +was but a vague murmur, for though we might see divers of the fallen where +they lay, these neither stirred nor made any outcry since it seemed their +business was done effectually. + +"And now, Martin," said Sir Richard, rising, "'tis time we got hence lest +any of our assailants come a-seeking us." + +So being out of the cave, I set myself to see that we had all our gear to +hand, to empty and refill my flask with this good water and the like until, +missing Sir Richard, I turned to behold him already hard upon that rock +where lay the wounded Spaniard, Pluto limping at his heels. Being come to +the rock, Sir Richard unslung his water bottle and stopped, was blotted out +in sudden smoke-cloud, and, even as the report reached me, I began to run, +raving like any madman; and thus, panting out prayers and curses, I came +where stood Sir Richard leaning against this rock, one hand clasped to his +side, and the fingers of this hand horribly red. And now I was aware of a +shrill screaming that, ending suddenly, gave place to dreadful snarling and +worrying sound, but heedless of aught but Sir Richard's wound, I ran to +bear him in my arms as he fell. + +"Oh, Martin," said he faintly, looking up at me with his old brave smile, +"'tis come at last--my journeying is done--" + +Scarce knowing what I did, I gathered him to my bosom and bore him back to +the cave; and now, when I would have staunched his hurt, he shook feeble +head. + +"Let be, dear lad," said he, "nought shall avail--not all your care and +love--for here is friend Death at last come to lift me up to a merciful +God!" + +None the less I did all that I might for his hurt save to probe for the +pistol ball that was gone too deep. And presently, as I knelt beside him in +a very agony of helplessness, cometh Pluto, fouled with blood other than +his own, and limping hither, cast himself down, his great paw across Sir +Richard's legs, licking at those weary feet that should tramp beside us no +farther. And thus night found us. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard suddenly, his voice strong, "bear me out where I +may behold the stars, for I--ever loved them and the wonder of them--even +in my--unregenerate days." So I bore him without, and indeed the heavens +were a glory. + +"Dear lad," said he, clasping my hand, "grieve not that I die, for Death +is my friend--hath marched beside me these many weary miles, yet spared me +long enough to know and love you ever better for the man you are.--Now as +to Joan, my daughter, I--grieve not to see her--but--God's will be done, +lad, Amen. And because I knew I must die here in Darien, I writ her a +letter--'tis here in my bosom--give it her, saying I--ever loved her +greatly more than I let her guess and that--by my sufferings I was a +something better man, being--humbler, gentler, and of--a contrite heart. +And now, Martin--thou that didst forgive and love thine enemy, saving him +at thine own peril and using him as thy dear friend--my time is come--I go +into the infinite--Death's hand is on me but--a kindly hand--lifting me--to +my God--my love shall go with ye--all the way--you and her--alway. Into Thy +hands, O Lord!" + +And thus died my enemy, like the brave and noble gentleman he was, his head +pillowed upon my bosom, his great soul steadfast and unfearing to the last. + +And I, a lost and desolate wretch, wept at my bitter loss and cried out +against the God who had snatched from me this the only man I had ever truly +loved and honoured. And bethinking me of his patient endurance, I thought +I might have been kinder and more loving in many ways and to my grief was +added bitter self-reproaches. + +At last, the day appearing, I arose and, taking up my dead, bore him down +to the gorge and presently came upon a quiet spot unsullied by the foulness +of battle; and here, amid the glory of these blooming thickets, I laid him +to his last rest, whiles Pluto watched me, whining ever and anon. And when +I had made an end, I fell on my knees and would have prayed, yet could not. + +So back went I at last, slow-footed, to the cave and thus came on Sir +Richard's letter, it sealed and superscribed thus: + + Unto my loved daughter, Joan Brandon, + +And beholding this beloved name, a great heart-sickness came on me with a +vision of a joy I scarce dared think on that had been mine but for my blind +selfishness and stubborn will; and with this was a knowledge of all the +wasted years and a loss unutterable. And thus my grief took me again, so +that this letter was wetted with tears of bitter remorse. + +At last I arose (the letter in my bosom) and girding my weapons about me +(choosing that musket had been Sir Richard's) stood ready to begone. But +now, missing the dog, I called to him, and though he howled in answer, +he came not, wherefore following his outcries, they brought me to Sir +Richard's grave and Pluto crouched thereby, whimpering. At my command he +limped towards me a little way, then crawled back again, and this he did as +often as I called, wherefore at last I turned away and, setting forth in my +loneliness, left these two together. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +I MEET A MADMAN + + +Having taken my bearings, I set off at speed nor did I stay for rest or +refreshment until I had traversed many miles and the sun's heat was grown +nigh intolerable. So I halted in such shade as the place offered and having +eaten and drunk, I presently fell asleep and awoke to find the day far +spent and to look around for Sir Richard as had become my wont. And finding +him not, in rushed memory to smite me anew with his death, so that I must +needs fall to thinking of his lonely grave so far behind me in these wilds; +wherefore in my sorrow I bitterly cursed this land of cruel heat, of +quenchless thirst and trackless, weary ways, and falling on my knees, I +prayed as I had never prayed, humbly and with no thought of self, save that +God would guide me henceforth and make me more worthy the great health and +strength wherewith He had blessed me, and, if it so pleased Him, bring me +safe at last to my dear lady's love. Thus after some while I arose and went +my solitary way, and it seemed that I was in some ways a different and a +better man, by reason of Sir Richard his death and my grief therefor. + +And as the darkness of night deepened about me and I striding on, guided by +the dim-seen needle of my compass, often I would fancy Sir Richard's loved +form beside me or the sound of his limping step in my ear, so that in the +solitude of this vasty wilderness I was not solitary, since verily his love +seemed all about me yet, even as he had promised. + +All this night I travelled apace nor stayed until I fell for very weariness +and lying there, ate such food as I had, not troubling to light a fire, and +fell asleep. Now as I lay, it seemed that Sir Richard stood above me, his +arm reached out as to fend from me some evil thing, yet when he spoke, +voice and words were those of Joanna: + +"Hola, Martino fool, and must I be for ever saving your life?" + +And now I saw it was Joanna indeed who stood there, clad in her male +attire, hand on hip, all glowing, insolent beauty; but as I stared she +changed, and I saw her as I had beheld her last, her gown and white bosom +all dabbled with her blood, but on her lips was smile ineffably tender and +in her eyes the radiance of a joy great beyond all telling. + +"Lover Martino," said she, bending above me, "I went for you to death, +unfearing, for only the dead do know the perfect love, since death is more +than life, so is my love around you for ever--wake, beloved!" + +Herewith she bent and touched me and, waking, I saw this that touched +me was no more than the leafy end of a branch 'neath which I chanced to +lie,--but pendant from this swaying branch I espied a monstrous shape that +writhed toward me in the dimness; beholding which awful, silent thing I +leapt up, crying out for very horror and staying but to snatch my gun, sped +from this evil place, nigh sick with dread and loathing. + +The moon was up, dappling these gloomy shades with her pure light and as I +sped, staring fearfully about me, I espied divers of these great serpents +twisted among the boughs overhead, and monstrous bat-like shapes that +flitted hither and thither so that I ran in sweating panic until the +leafage, above and around me, thinning out, showed me the full splendour +of this tropic moon and a single great tree that soared mightily aloft to +thrust out spreading branches high in air. Now as I approached this, I +checked suddenly and, cocking my musket, called out in fierce challenge, +for round the bole of this tree peeped the pallid oval of a face; thrice I +summoned, and getting no answer, levelled and fired point-blank, the +report of my piece waking a thousand echoes and therewith a chattering and +screeching from the strange beasts that stirred in the denser woods about +me; and there (maugre my shot), there, I say, was the face peering at +me evilly as before. But now something in its stark and utter stillness +clutched me with new dread as, slinging my musket and drawing pistol, I +crept towards this pallid, motionless thing and saw it for a face indeed, +with mouth foolishly agape, and presently beheld this for a man fast-bound +to the tree and miserably dead by torture. And coming near this awful, +writhen form, I apprehended something about it vaguely familiar, and +suddenly (being come close) saw this poor body was clad as an English +sailor; perceiving which, I shivered in sudden dread and made haste to +recharge my musket, spilling some of my precious powder in my hurry, and so +hasting from this awful thing with this new dread gnawing at my heart. + +Presently before me rose steepy crags very wild and desolate, but nowhere a +tree to daunt me. Here I halted and my first thought to light a fire, since +the gloomy thickets adjacent and the sombre forests beyond were full of +unchancy noises, stealthy rustlings, shrill cries and challengings very +dismal to hear. But in a while, my fire burning brightly, sword loose in +scabbard, musket across my knee and my back 'gainst the rock, I fell to +pondering my dream and the wonder of it, of Joanna and her many noble +qualities, of her strange, tempestuous nature; and lifting my gaze to the +wonder of stars, it seemed indeed that she, though dead, yet lived and +must do so for ever, even as these quenchless lights of heaven; and thus I +revolved the mystery of life and death until sleep stole upon me. + +I waked suddenly to snatch up my musket and peer at the dim figure sitting +motionless beyond the dying fire, then, as a long arm rose in salutation, +lowered my weapon, mighty relieved to recognise the Indian, Atlamatzin. + +"Greeting, my brother," quoth he; "all yesterday I followed on thy track, +but my brother is swift and Atlamatzin weary of battle." + +"And what of the battle?" + +"Death, my brother: as leaves of the forest lie the Maya warriors, but of +our enemies none return. So am I solitary, my work done, and solitary go I +to Pachacamac that lieth beside the Great Sea. But there is an empty place +betwixt us, brother--what of the old cacique so cunning in battle--what of +my father?" + +Here, as well as I might, I told him of Sir Richard's cruel murder; at this +he was silent a great while, staring sombrely into the fire. Suddenly he +started and pointed upward at a great, flitting shape that hovered above us +and sprang to his feet as one sore affrighted, whereupon I told him this +was but a bat (though of monstrous size) and could nothing harm us. + +"Nay, brother, here is Zotzilaha Chimalman that reigneth in the House of +Bats, for though Atlamatzin was born without fear, yet doth he respect the +gods, in especial Zotzilaha Chimalman!" + +Now hereupon, seeing the dawn was at hand, I rose, nor waited a second +bidding for, gods or no, this seemed to me a place abounding in terrors and +strange evils, and I mighty glad of this Indian's fellowship. So up I rose, +tightening my girdle, but scarce had I shouldered my musket than I stood +motionless, my heart a-leaping, staring towards a certain part of the +surrounding woods whence had sounded a sudden cry. And hearkening to this, +back rushed that sick dread I had known already, for this was a human cry, +very desolate and wistful, and the words English: + +"Jeremy, ahoy--oho, Jeremy!" + +Breaking the spell that numbed me, I made all haste to discover the +wherefore of these dolorous sounds and plunged into the noxious gloom of +the woods, Atlamatzin hard on my heels; and ever as we went, guided by +these hoarse shouts, the dawn lightened about us. + +Thus presently I espied a forlorn figure afar off, crouched beneath a tree, +a strange, wild figure that tossed a knife from hand to hand and laughed +and chattered 'twixt his shouting. + +"Ahoy, Jerry, I'm all adrift--where be you? I'm out o' my soundings, +lad--'tis me--'tis Dick--your old messmate as drank many a pint wi' you +alongside Deptford Pool--Ahoy, Jeremy!" + +Now espying us where we stood, he scrambled to his feet, peering at us, +through his tangled hair: then, dropping his knife, comes running, his arms +outstretched, then checks as suddenly and stares me over with a cunning +leer. + +"Avast, Dick!" said he, smiting himself on ragged breast. "This bean't poor +Jerry--poor Jerry ain't half his size--a little man be Jeremy, not so big +as Sir Adam--" + +"Who!" cried I and, dropping my gun, I caught him by his ragged sleeve, +whereupon he grinned foolishly, then as suddenly scowled and wrenched free. +"Speak, man!" said I in passionate pleading. "Is it Sir Adam Penfeather you +mean--Captain Penfeather?" + +"Maybe I do an' maybe I don't, so all's one!" said he. "Howsomever, 'tis +Jerry I'm arter--my mate Jeremy as went adrift from me--my mate Jerry as +could sing so true, but I was the lad to dance!" And here he must needs +fall a-dancing in his rags, singing hoarsely: + + "Heave-ho, lads, and here's my ditty! + Saw ye e'er in town or city + A lass to kiss so sweet an' pretty + As Bess o' Bednall Green. + + "Heave-ho, lads, she's one to please ye + Bess will kiss an' Bess will--" + +"Oho, Jerry--Jeremy--ahoy--haul your wind, lad; bear up, Jerry, an' let +Dick come 'longside ye, lad--!" and here the poor wretch, from singing and +dancing, falls to doleful wailing with gush of tears and bitter sobs. + +"Tell me," said I as gently as I might and laying a hand on his hairy +shoulder, "who are you--the name of your ship--who was your captain?" + +But all I got was a scowl, a sudden buffet of his fist, and away he sped, +raising again his hoarse and plaintive cry: + +"Ahoy, Jerry--Jeremy, ho!" + +And thus, my mind in a ferment, I must needs watch him go, torn at by +briars, tripped by unseen obstacles, running and leaping like the poor, mad +thing he was. + +Long I stood thus in painful perplexity, when I heard a sudden dreadful +screaming at no great distance: + +"Oh, Jerry--Oh, Jerry, lad--what ha' they done to thee--Oh, Christ Jesus!" + +Then came a ringing shot, and guessing what this was I turned away, +"Atlamatzin," said I, taking up my musket, "you spake truth--verily this +place is accursed--come, let us begone!" + +For long hours I strode on, scarce heeding my silent companion or aught +else, my mind pondering the mention this poor, mad wretch had made of "Sir +Adam," and ever my trouble grew, for if he and the dead man Jeremy were +indeed of Adam's company (the which I suspected) how should they come thus +lost in the wild, except Adam had met with some disaster, and were this +truly so indeed, then what of my dear and gentle lady? And now I must needs +picture to myself Adam slain, his men scattered and, for Joan, such horrors +that it was great wonder I did not run mad like this poor, lost mariner. +Tormented thus of my doubts and most horrid speculations, I went at furious +speed, yet ever my fears grew the more passionate until it grew beyond +enduring and I sighed and groaned, insomuch that my Indian comrade stood +off, eyeing me askance where I had cast myself miserably beside the way. + +"My brother is haunted by the evil spirits sent abroad for his destruction +by Chimalman, so shall he presently run mad and become sacred to Zotzilaha +Chimalman and suddenly die, except he obey me. For I, Atlamatzin, that am +without fear and wise in the magic of my people, shall drive hence these +devils an ye will." + +"Do aught you will," groaned I, "if you can but rid me of evil fancies and +imaginings." + +Forthwith he kindled a fire and I, watching dull and abstracted, being full +of my trouble, was aware of him cracking and bruising certain herbs or +leaves he had plucked, mingling these with brownish powder from the +deerskin pouch he bore at his girdle, which mixture he cast upon the fire, +whence came a smoke very sweet and pungent that he fanned towards me. + +"Behold my smoke, brother!" saith he, his voice suddenly loud and +commanding, "smell of it and watch how it doth thicken and close about +thee!" And verily as I looked, I saw nought but a column of whirling smoke +that grew ever more dense and in it, this loud compelling voice. + +"Hearken, my brother, to the voices of thy good angels; behold and see +truth afar--" The loud voice died away and in its place came another, and I +knew that Joanna spoke to me out of this whirling smoke cloud. + +"Oh, Martino, hast thou so little faith to think my blood spilt in vain? +Did I not give thee unto her that waiteth, living but for thee, yes? Look +and behold!" + +I saw a gleam of metal amid the green and four ship's culverins or +demi-cannon mounted on rough, wheeled carriages and hauled at by +wild-looking men, who toiled and sweated amain, for the way was difficult +and their ordnance heavy; and amongst these men one very quick and active, +very masterful of look and imperious of gesture, a small man in battered +harness, and knowing him for Adam, I would have hailed him, but even then +he was gone and nought to see but this writhing smoke cloud. + +I beheld a great, orbed moon, very bright and clear, and slumbering in this +calm radiance a goodly city with a harbour where rode many ships great and +small, and beside this harbour, defending these ships and the city itself, +a notable strong castle or fort, high-walled and embattled, with great +ordnance mounted both landward and towards the sea. And nigh upon this fort +I beheld the stealthy forms of men, toilworn and ragged, whose battered, +rusty armour glinted ever and anon as they crept in two companies advancing +to right and left. Behind these, masked in the brush on the edge of the +forest, four demi-cannon with gunners to serve them, foremost of whom was +a short, squat fellow who crept from gun to gun, and him I knew for Godby. +And presently from these four guns leapt smoke and flame to batter and +burst asunder the postern gate of the fort, and through this ruin I saw +Adam leap, sword in hand, his desperate company hard on his heels. + +I saw a great galleon spread her sails against the moon, and the red glare +of her broadside flame against the town as, squaring her yards, she bore +away for the open sea. + +I saw the deck of a ship, deserted save for one desolate figure that stood +gazing ever in the one direction; and as I watched, eager-eyed, this lonely +figure knelt suddenly and reached towards me yearning arms, and I saw this +was my beloved Joan. Now would I have leapt to those empty arms, but the +smoke blinded me again, and in this smoke I heard the voice of Joanna. + +"Oh, Martino, thou that love doth make coward, be comforted and of good +courage, for: thy happiness is hers--and mine, yes!" + +So I presently waked and, staring about me, started up amazed to see it was +dawn and the sun rising already, and beyond the fire the sombre form of +Atlamatzin. + +"Are the evil spirits fled from my brother?" he questioned. + +"Indeed," said I, "I have dreamed wonderfully and to my great comfort." + +"Great is the magic of Atlamatzin!" quoth he. "'Tis secret that shall die +with him and that soon, for now must he begone to achieve his destiny. As +for thee--yonder, a day's journey, lieth the Great Water. May Kukulcan have +thee in his care, he that is Father of Life--fare ye well." + +But at this, seeing him on his feet, I rose also, to grasp his hand, asking +whither he went. For answer he pointed to the trackless wild and then +raised his finger to the sun that was flooding the world with his +splendour. + +"Brother," said Atlamatzin, pointing to this glory, "I go back whence I +came, back to Kukulcan that some so call Quetzalcoati, back to the Father +of Life!" + +So saying, he lifted hand aloft in salutation and turning, strode away due +east, so that his form was swallowed up (as it were) in this radiant glory. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +HOW I FOUND MY BELOVED AT LAST + + +Left alone, I broke my fast with such food as I had, meanwhile meditating +upon the visions of last night, debating within myself if this were indeed +a marvel conjured up of Atlamatzin his black magic, or no more than a dream +of my own tortured mind, to the which I found no answer, ponder the matter +how I might. + +None the less I found myself much easier, the haunting fear clean lifted +from me; nay, in my heart sang Hope, blithe as any bird, for the which +comfort I did not fail humbly to thank God. + +I now consulted my compass and decided to bear up more northerly lest I +strike too far east and thus overshoot that bay Adam had marked on his +chart. So having collected my gear, I took my musket in the crook of my arm +and set out accordingly. + +Before me was a wild, rolling country that rose, level on level, very thick +of brush and thickets so tangled that I must oft win me a path by dint of +mine axe. Yet I struggled on as speedily as I might (maugre this arduous +labour and the sun's heat) for more than once amid the thousand heavy +scents of flower and herb and tree, I thought to catch the sweet, keen tang +of the sea. + +All this day I strode resolutely forward, scarce pausing to eat or drink, +nor will I say more of this day's journey except that the sun was setting +as I reached the top of a wooded eminence and, halting suddenly, fell upon +my knees and within me such a joy as I had seen the gates of paradise +opening to receive me; for there, all glorious with the blaze of sunset, +lay the ocean at last. And beholding thus my long and weary journey so +nearly ended, and bethinking me how many times God had preserved me and +brought me safe through so many dire perils of this most evil country, I +bowed my head and strove to tell Him my heart's gratitude. My prayer ended +(and most inadequate!) I began to run, my weariness all forgot, the breath +of the sea sweet in my nostrils, nor stayed until I might look down on the +foaming breakers far below and hear their distant roar. + +Long stood I, like one entranced, for from this height I could make out +the blue shapes of several islands and beyond these a faint blur upon the +horizon, the which added greatly to my comfort and delight, since this I +knew must be the opposite shore of Terra Firma or the Main, and this great +body of water the Gulf of Darien itself. And so came night. + +All next day I followed the coast, keeping the sea upon my left, looking +for some such landlocked harbourage with its cliff shaped like a lion's +head as Adam had described, yet though I was at great pains (and no small +risk to my neck) to peer down into every bay I came upon, nowhere did I +discover any such bay or cliff as bore out his description; thus night +found me eager to push on, yet something despondent and very weary. So I +lighted my fire and ate my supper, harassed by a growing dread lest I was +come too far to the east, after all. + +And presently up came the moon in glory; indeed, never do I remember seeing +it so vivid bright, its radiance flashing back from the waters far below +and showing tree and bush and precipitous cliff, very sharp and clear. Upon +my left, as I sat, the jagged coast line curved away out to sea, forming +thus the lofty headland I had traversed scarce an hour since, that rose +sheer from the moon-dappled waters, a huge, shapeless bluff. Now after some +while I arose, and seeing the moon so glorious, shouldered my gun, minded +to seek a little further before I slept. I had gone thus but a few yards, +my gaze now on the difficult path before me, now upon the sea, when, +chancing to look towards the bluff I have mentioned, I stopped to stare +amazed, for in this little distance, this formless headland, seen from +this angle, had suddenly taken a new shape and there before me, plain and +manifest, was the rough semblance of a lion's head; and I knew that betwixt +it and the high cliff whereon I stood must be Adam's excellent secure +haven. This sudden discovery filled me with such an ecstacy that I fell +a-trembling, howbeit I began to quest here and there for some place where I +might get me down whence I might behold this bay and see if Adam's ship +lay therein. And in a little, finding such a place, I began to descend and +found it so easy and secure it seemed like some natural stair, and I did +not doubt that Adam and his fellows had belike used it as such ere now. + +At last I came where I could look down into a narrow bay shut in by these +high, bush-girt cliffs and floored with gleaming, silver sand, whose +waters, calm and untroubled, mirrored the serene moon, and close under the +dense shadows of these cliffs I made out the loom of a great ship. Hereupon +I looked no more, but gave all my attention to hands and feet, and so, +slipping and stumbling in my eagerness, got me down at last and began +running across these silvery sands. But as I approached the ship where she +lay now plain in my view, I saw her topmasts were gone, and beholding +the ruin of her gear and rigging, I grew cold with sudden dread and came +running. + +She lay upon an even keel, her forefoot deep-buried in the shifting sand +that had silted about her with the tide, and beholding her paint and +gilding blackened and scorched by fire, her timbers rent and scarred by +shot, I knew this fire-blackened, shattered wreck would never sail again. +And now as I viewed this dismal ruin, I prayed this might be some strange +ship rather than that I had come so far a-seeking and, so praying, waded +out beneath her lofty stern (the tide being low) and, gazing up, read as +much of her name as the searing fire had left: viz: + +D E L.... A N C E + +And hereupon, knowing her indeed for Adam's ship, I took to wandering round +about her, gazing idly up at this pitiful ruin, until there rushed upon me +the realisation of what all this meant. Adam was dead or prisoner, and my +dear lady lost to me after all; my coming was too late. + +And now a great sickness took me, my strength deserted me and, groaning, I +sank upon the sand and lying thus, yearned amain for death. Then I heard a +sound, and lifting heavy head, beheld one who stood upon the bulwark above +me, holding on by a backstay with one hand and pistol levelled down at me +in the other. And beholding this slender, youthful figure thus outlined +against the moon, the velvet coat brave with silver lace, the ruffles at +throat and wrist, the silken stockings and buckled shoes, I knew myself +surely mad, for this I saw was Joanna--alive and breathing. + +"Shoot!" I cried, "Death has reft from me all I loved--shoot!" + +"Martin!" cried she, and down came the pistol well-nigh upon me where I +lay. "Oh, dear, kind God, 'tis Martin!" + +"Joan?" said I, wondering, "Damaris--beloved!" + +I was on my feet and, heaving myself up by means of the tangle of gear that +hung from the ship's lofty side I sprang upon the deck and fell on my knees +to clasp this lovely, trembling youth in my hungry arms, my head bowed +against this tender woman's body, lest she see how I wept out of pure joy +and thankfulness. But now she raised my head, and thus I saw her weeping +also, felt her tears upon my face; and now she was laughing albeit she wept +still, her two hands clasping me to her. + +"Such a great--fierce--wild man!" she sobbed; and then: "My man!" and +stooping, she kissed me on the lips. But as for me, I could but gaze up at +her in rapture and never a word to say. Then she was on her knees before me +and thus we knelt in each other's fast clasping arms. "Oh, Martin!" said +she. "Oh, loved Martin--God hath answered my ceaseless prayers!" + +And now when she would have voiced to Him her gratitude, I must needs crush +her upon my heart to look down into this flushed and tear-wet face that +held for me the beauty of all the world and to kiss away her prayers and +breath together, yet even so did she return my kisses. + +At last we arose but had gone scarce a step when we were in each other's +arms again, to stand thus fast clasped together, for I almost dreaded she +might vanish again and feared to let her go. + +"We have been parted so cruelly--so often!" said I. + +"But never again, my Martin!" + +"No, by God!" quoth I fervently. "Not even death--" + +"Not even death!" said she. + +And thus we remained a great while, wandering to and fro upon the +weather-beaten deck, very silent for the most part, being content with each +other's nearness and, for myself, merely to behold her loveliness was joy +unutterable. + +She brought me into Adam's great cabin under the poop, lighted by a great +swinging silver lamp, its stern windows carefully shaded, lest any see this +betraying beam; and standing amid all the luxury of tapestried hangings and +soft carpets, I felt myself mighty strange and out of place; and presently, +catching sight of myself in one of the mirrors, I stood all abashed to +behold the unlovely object I was in my rough and weather-stained garments, +my face burned nigh black by the sun and all set about in a tangle of wild +hair and ragged beard. + +"Is it so great wonder I should not know you at first, dear Martin, and you +so wild and fierce-seeming?" + +"Indeed I am an ill spectacle," quoth I; at this, beholding me thus rueful, +she fell to kissing me, whereat I did but miscall myself the more, telling +her 'twas great marvel she should love one so ill-matched with her; for, +said I, "here are you beautiful beyond all women, and here stand I, of +manners most uncouth, harsh-featured, slow of tongue, dull-witted, and one +you have seldom seen but in sorry rags!" + +"Oh, my dearest heart," said she, nestling but closer in my embrace, "here +is long catalogue and 'tis for each and every I do love you infinitely more +than you do guess, and for this beside--because you are Martin Conisby that +I have loved, do love, and shall love always and ever!" + +"And there's the marvel!" quoth I, kissing her bowed head. + +"And you do think me--very beautiful, Martin?" + +"Aye, I do." + +"Even clad--in these--these things?" she questioned, not looking at me. + +"Aye, truly!" + +"I had not meant you to see me thus, Martin, but it was my custom to watch +for your coming, and 'twas hard to climb the cliff in petticoats, and +besides, since I have been alone, there was so much to do--and it didn't +matter." + +"Aye, but how came you alone, what of Adam and the rest?" + +"Nay, 'tis long story." + +"But why are you thus solitary, you that do so fear solitude, as I +remember." + +"When Adam marched away, I stayed to wait for you, Martin." + +"For me?" + +"Yes, Martin!" + +"Were you not afraid?" + +"Often," said she, clasping me tighter, "but you are come at last, so are +my fears all past and done. And, more than the loneliness I feared lest you +should come and find this poor ship all deserted, and lose hope and faith +in God's mercy." + +"Oh, my brave, sweet soul!" said I, falling on my knees to kiss her hands. +"Oh, God love you for this--had I found you not, I should have dreamed you +dead and died myself, cursing God." + +"Ah hush," said she, closing my lips with her sweet fingers. "Rather will +we bless Him all our days for giving us such a love!" + +And now having no will or thought to sleep, she sets about preparing +supper, while I with scissors, razors, etc. (that she had brought at my +earnest entreaty), began to rid my face of its shaggy hair, and busied with +my razor, must needs turn ever and anon for blessed sight of her where she +flitted lightly to and fro, she bidding me take heed lest I cut myself. Cut +myself I did forthwith, and she, beholding the blood, must come running +to staunch it and it no more than a merest nick. And now, seeing her thus +tender of me who had endured so many hurts and none to grieve or soothe, I +came very near weeping for pure joy. + +And now as she bustled to and fro, she fell silent and oft I caught her +viewing me wistfully, and once or twice she made as to speak yet did not, +and I, guessing what she would say, would have told her, yet could think of +no gentle way of breaking the matter, ponder how I might, and in the end +blurted out the bald truth, very sudden and fool-like, as you shall hear. +For, at last, supper being over (and we having eaten very little and no +eyes for our food or aught in the world save each other) my lady questioned +me at last. + +"Dear Martin, what of my father?" + +"Why, first," said I, avoiding her eyes, "he is dead!" + +"Yes!" said she faintly, "this I guessed." + +"He died nobly like the brave gentleman he was. I buried him in the +wilderness, where flowers bloomed, three days march back." + +"In the wilderness?" says she a little breathlessly. "But he was in +prison!" + +"Aye, 'twas there I found him. But we escaped by the unselfish bravery and +kindness of Don Federigo. So together we set out to find you." + +"Together, Martin?" + +"Yes, and he very cheery, despite his sufferings." + +"Sufferings, Martin?" + +"He--he halted somewhat in his walk--" + +"Nay, he was strong, as I remember--ah, you mean they--had tortured him--" + +"Aye," said I, dreading to see her grief. "Yet despite their devilish +cruelties, he rose triumphant above agony of body, thereby winning to a +great and noble manhood, wherefore I loved and honoured him beyond all +men--" + +"He was--your enemy--" + +"He was my friend, that comforted me when I was greatly afraid; he was +my companion amid the perils of our cruel journey, calm and undismayed, +uncomplaining, brave, and unselfish to his last breath, so needs must I +cherish his memory." + +"Martin!" Lifting my head I saw she was looking at me, her vivid lips +quivering, her eyes all radiant despite their tears, and then, or ever I +might prevent, she was kneeling to me, had caught my hand and kissed it +passionately. + +"Oh, man that I love--you that learned to--love your enemy!" + +"Nay, my Damaris, 'twas he that taught me how to love him, 'twas himself +slew my hatred!" + +And now, drawing her to my heart, I told her much of Sir Richard's +indomitable spirit and bravery, how in my blind haste I would march him +until he sank swooning by the way, of our fightings and sufferings and he +ever serene and undismayed. I told of how we had talked of her beside our +camp fires and how, dying, he had bid me tell her he had ever loved her +better than he had let her guess, and bethinking me of his letter at last, +I gave it to her. But instead of reading it, she put this letter in her +pocket. + +"Come," said she, "'tis near the dawn, and you weary with your journey, +'tis time you were abed." And when I vowed I was not sleepy, she took my +hand (as I had been a child) and bringing me into that had been Adam's +cabin, showed me his bed all prepared. "It hath waited for these many +weeks, dear Martin!" said she, smoothing the pillows with gentle hand. + +"But we have so much to tell each other--" + +"To-morrow!" + +Hereupon she slipped past me to the door and stood there to shake +admonishing finger: + +"Sleep!" said she, nodding her lovely head mighty determined, "and scowl +not, naughty child, I shall be near you--to--to mother you--nay, come and +see for yourself." So saying, she took my hand again and brought me into +the next cabin, a fragrant nest, dainty-sweet as herself, save that in the +panelling above her bed she had driven two nails where hung a brace of +pistols. Seeing my gaze on these, she shivered suddenly and nestled into my +arm. + +"Oh, Martin," said she, her face hid against me, "one night I seemed to +hear a foot that crept on the deck above, and I thought I should have died +with fear. So I kept these ever after, one for--them, and the other for +myself." + +"And all this you endured for my sake!" quoth I. + +"And God hath sent you safe to me, dear Martin, to take care of me, so am I +safe with nought to fright or harm me henceforth." + +"Nothing under heaven," quoth I. Very gingerly she took down the pistols +and gave them to me and, bringing me to the door, kissed me. + +"Good night, dear heart!" said she softly. "God send you sweet dreams!" + +Thus came I back to my cabin and laying by the pistols, got me to bed, and +mighty luxurious, what with these sheets and pillows, and yet, or ever I +had fully appreciated the unwonted comfort, I was asleep. + +I waked to the sudden clasp of her soft arms and a tear-wet cheek against +mine, and opening my eyes, saw her kneeling by my bed in the grey dawn. + +"Oh, loved Martin," said she, "I love you more than I guessed because you +are greater than I dreamed--my father's letter hath told me so much of +you--your goodness to your enemy--how you wiped away his tears, ministered +to his hurts, carried him in your arms. I have read it but now and--'tis +tale so noble--so wonderful, that needs must I come to tell you I do love +you so much--so much. And now--" + +"You are mine!" said I, gathering her in my arms. "Mine for alway." + +"Yes, dear Martin! But because I am yours so utterly, you will be gentle +with me--patient a little and forbearing to a--very foolish maid--" + +For answer I loosed her, whereupon she caught my hand to press it to her +tender cheek, her quivering lips. + +"Oh, Martin!" she whispered. "For this needs must I worship thee!" And so +was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +OF DREAMS + + +I waked marvellous refreshed and full of a great joy to hear her sweet +singing and the light tread of her foot going to and fro in the great +cabin, where she was setting out a meal, as I guessed by the tinkle of +platters, etc., the which homely sound reminded me that I was vastly +hungry. Up I sprang to a glory of sun flooding in at shattered window and +the jagged rent where a round-shot had pierced the stout timbering above; +and having washed and bathed me as well as I might, found my lady had +replaced my ragged, weather-stained garments by others chosen from the +ship's stores. And so at last forth I stepped into the great cabin, eager +for sight of my dear lady, albeit somewhat conscious of my new clothes and +hampered by their tightness. + +"Indeed," said she, holding me off, the better to examine me, "I do find +you something better-looking than you were!" + +"Nay, but I am burned browner than any Indian." + +"This but maketh your eyes the bluer, Martin. And then you are changed +besides--so much more gentle--kindlier--the man I dreamed you might +become--" Here I kissed her. + +"And you," said I, "my Damaris that I have ever loved and shall do, you are +more beautiful than my dream of you--" + +"Am I, Martin--in spite of these things?" "Indeed," said I heartily, "they +do but reveal to me so much of--" + +Here she kissed me and brought me to the table. Now, seeing her as she sat +thus beside me, I started and stared, well-nigh open-mouthed. + +"What now?" she questioned. + +"Your hair!" + +"'Twill grow again, Martin. But why must you stare?" + +"Because when you look and turn so, and your hair short on your shoulders, +you are marvellously like to Joanna." Now at this, seeing how my lady +shrank and turned from me, I could have cursed my foolish tongue. + +"What of her, Martin?" + +"She is dead!" And here I described how bravely Joanna had met Death +standing, and her arms outstretched to the infinite. When I had done, my +lady was silent, as expecting more, and her head still averted. + +"And is this--all?" she questioned at last. + +"Yes!" said I. "Yes!" + +"Yet you do not tell me of the cruel wrong she did you--and me! You do not +say she lied of you." + +"She is dead!" said I. "And very nobly, as I do think!" + +Hereupon my lady rose and going into her cabin, was back all in a moment +and unfolding a paper, set it before me. "This," said she, "I found after +you were fled the ship!" Opening this paper, I saw there, very boldly writ: + +"I lied about him and 'twas a notable lie, notably spoke. Martino is not +like ordinary men and so it is I do most truly love him--yes--for always. +So do I take him for mine now, so shall lie become truth, mayhap. + +"JOANNA." + +And even as I refolded this letter, my lady's arms were about me, her +lovely head upon my shoulder: + +"Dear," said she, "'twas like you to speak no harsh thing of the dead. And +she gave you back to me with her life--so needs must I love her memory for +this." + +And so we presently got to our breakfast,--sweet, white bread new-baked, +with divers fish she had caught that morning whiles I slept. And surely +never was meal more joyous, the sun twinkling on Adam's silver and cut +glass, and my lady sweeter and more radiant than the morn in all the vigour +of her glowing beauty. + +Much we talked and much she said that I would fain set down, since there is +nothing about her that is not a joy to me to dwell upon, yet lest I weary +my readers with overmuch of lovers' talk, I will only set down all she now +told me concerning Adam. + +"For here were we, Martin," said my lady, "our poor ship much wounded with +her many battles and beset by a storm so that we all gave ourselves up for +lost; even Adam confessed he could do no more, and I very woful because +I must die away from you, yet the storm drove us by good hap into these +waters, and next day, the wind moderating, we began to hope we might make +this anchorage, though the ship was dreadfully a-leak, and all night and +all day I would hear the dreadful clank of the pumps always at work. And +thus at last, to our great rejoicing, we saw this land ahead of us that was +to be our salvation. But as we drew nearer our rejoicing changed to dismay +to behold three ships betwixt us and this refuge. So Sir Adam decided to +fight his way through and sailed down upon these three ships accordingly. +And presently we were among them and the battle began, and very dreadful, +what with the smoke and shouting and noise of guns--" + +"Ah!" cried I. "And did not Adam see you safely below?" + +"To be sure, Martin, but I stole up again and found him something hurt by +a splinter yet very happy because Godby had shot away one of the enemy's +masts and nobody hurt but himself, and so we won past these ships for all +their shooting, and I bound up Adam's hurt where he stood conning the ship, +shouting orders and bidding me below, all in a breath. But now cometh Amos +Marsh, the carpenter, running, to say the enemy's shot had widened our +leaks and the water gaining upon the pumps beyond recovery and that we were +sinking. 'How long will she last?' said Adam, staring at the two ships +that were close behind, and still shooting at us now and then. 'An hour, +Captain, maybe less!' said the carpenter. ''Twill serve,' said Adam, in his +quiet voice. 'Do you and your lads stand to the pumps, and we will be +safe ashore within the hour. But mark me, if any man turn laggard or +faint-hearted, shoot that man, but pump your best, Amos--away wi' you!'" + +"Aye," quoth I, clasping tighter the hand I held, "that was like Adam; +'tis as I had heard him speak. And you in such dire peril of death, my +beloved--" + +"Why, Martin, I did not fear or grieve very much, for methought you were +lost to me forever in this life perchance, but in the next--" + +"This and the next I do pray God," quoth I, and kissed her till she bade me +leave her breath for her story. The which she presently did something as +followeth: + +"And now, whiles Godby and his chosen gunners plied our stern cannons, +firing very fast and furious, Adam calls for volunteers to set more sail +and himself was first aloft for all his wounded arm--" + +"And where were you?" + +"Giving water to Godby and his men, for they were parched. And presently +back cometh Adam, panting with his exertions. 'God send no spars carry +away,' quoth he, 'and we must lay alongside the nearest Spaniard and +board.' ''Tis desperate venture,' said Godby, 'they be great ships and full +o' Dons.' 'Aye,' said Adam, 'but we are Englishmen and desperate,' And so +we stood on, Martin, and these great ships after us, and ever our own poor +ship lying lower and lower in the water, until I looked to see it sink +under us and go down altogether. But at last we reached this bay and none +too soon, for to us cometh Amos Marsh, all wet and woebegone with labour, +to say the ship was going. But nothing heeding, Adam took the helm, +shouting to him to let fly braces, and with our sails all shivering we ran +aground, just as she lies now, poor thing. While I lay half-stunned with +the fall, for the shock of grounding had thrown me down, Adam commanded +every one on shore with muskets and pistols, so I presently found myself +running across the sands 'twixt Adam and Godby, nor stayed we till we +reached the cliff yonder, where are many caves very wonderful, as I will +show you, Martin. And then I saw the reason of this haste, for the greatest +Spanish ship was turning to bring her whole broadside to bear, and so began +to shoot off all their cannon, battering our poor ship as you see. Then +came Spaniards in boats with fire to burn it, but our men shot so many of +these that although they set the ship on fire, yet they did it so hastily +because of our shooting that once they were gone, the fire was quickly put +out. But the ship was beyond repair which greatly disheartened us all, save +only Adam, who having walked around the wreck and examined her, chin in +hand, summoned all men to a council on the beach. 'Look now, my comrades,' +said he (as well as I remember, Martin), 'we have fought a sinking ship so +long as we might, and here we lie driven ashore in a hostile country but +we have only one killed and five injured, which is good; but we are +Englishmen, which is better and bad to beat. Well, then, shall we stay here +sucking our thumbs? Shall we set about building another vessel and the +enemy come upon us before 'tis done? Shall we despair? Not us! We stand +a hundred and thirty and two men, and every man a proved and seasoned +fighter; so will we, being smitten thus, forthwith smite back, and smite +where the enemy will least expect. We'll march overland on Carthagena--I +know it well--fall on 'em in the dead hush o' night, surprise their fort, +spike their guns and down to the harbour for a ship. Here's our vessel +a wreck--we'll have one of theirs in place. So, comrades all, who's for +Carthagena along with me; who's for a Spanish ship and Old England?'" + +"Why, then," cried I, amazed, "my dream was true. They have marched across +country on Carthagena--" + +"Yes, Martin, but what dream--?" + +"With four guns, mounted on wheels?" + +"Yes, Martin; they built four gun-carriages to Adam's design. But what of +your dream?" + +So I told her of Atlamatzin and the visions I had beheld; "and I saw you +also, my loved Joan; aye, as I do remember, you knelt on the deck above, +praying and with your arms reached out--" + +"Why, so I did often--one night in especial, I remember, weeping and +calling to you, for I was very fearful and--lonely, dear Martin. And that +night, I remember, I dreamed I saw you, your back leaned to a great rock as +you were very weary, and staring into a fire, sad-eyed and desolate. Across +your knees was your gun and all around you a dark and dismal forest, and +I yearned to come to you and could not, and so watched and lay to weep +anew.--Oh, dear, loved Martin!" + +Here she turned, her eyes dark with remembered sorrow, wherefore I took and +lifted her to my knee, holding her thus close upon my heart. + +"Tell me," said I after some while, "when Adam marched on his desperate +venture, did he name any day for his likely return?" + +"Yes, Martin!" + +"And when was that?" + +"'Twas the day you came." + +"Then he is already late," quoth I. "And he was ever mighty careful and +exact in his calculations. 'Tis an adventure so daring as few would have +attempted, saving only our 'timid' Adam. And how if he never returns, my +Damaris--how then?" + +"Ah, then--we have each other!" said she. + +"And therein is vast comfort and--for me great joy!" quoth I. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +OF LOVE + + +My first care was to see how we stood in regard to stores, more especially +powder and shot great and small, the which I found sufficient and to spare, +as also divers weapons, as muskets, pistols, hangers, etc. The more I +thought, the more I was determined to put the ship into as good a posture +of defence as might be, since I judged it likely the Spaniards might pay +us a visit soon or late, or mayhap some chance band of hostile Indians. To +this end and with great exertion, by means of lever and tackle, I hauled +inboard her four great stern-chase guns, at the which labour my lady +chancing to find me, falls to work beside me right merrily. + +"Why, Martin," said she, when the four pieces stood ready to hand, "I +have seen five men strain hard to move one of these; indeed you must be +marvellous strong." + +At this I grew so foolishly pleased that I fell to charging these pieces +amain, lest she should see aught of this. + +"Strong, great men be usually the gentlest," said she. + +"And generally thick-skulled and dull-witted!" quoth I. + +"Are you so dull-witted, my Martin?" + +"Ah, Damaris, my sweet Joan, when I think on all the wasted tears--" + +"Not wasted, Martin, no, not one, since each hath but helped to make the +man I do so love." + +"That you should so love me is the abiding wonder. I am no man o' the world +and with no fine-gentlemanly graces, alas! I am a simple fellow and nought +to show for his years of life--" + +"Wherefore so humble, poor man? You that were so proud and savage in +England and must burst open gates and beat my servants and fright me in my +chamber--" + +"Aye, I was brute indeed!" said I, sitting down and clean forgetting my +guns in sudden dejection. + +"And so gloomy with me on the island at the first and then something harsh, +and then very wild and masterful; do you remember you would kiss me and I +would not--and struggled--so desperately--and vainly--and was compelled?" + +"Oh, vile!" said I. "You so lonely and helpless, and I would have forced +you to my base will." + +"And did not, Martin! Because yours was a noble love. So is the memory of +our dear island unutterably sweet." + +"Indeed and is this so?" quoth I, lifting my head. + +"Beyond all expression!" said she a little breathlessly and her eyes very +bright. "Ah, did you not know--whatever you did, 'twas you--that I loved. +And, dear Martin, at your fiercest, you were ever--so innocent!" + +"Innocent!" quoth I, wondering. And now her clear gaze wavered, her cheek +flushed, and all in a moment she was beside me on her knees, her face hid +against me and speaking quick and low and passionate. + +"I am a very woman--and had loved for all my life--and there were times--on +the island when--I, too--oh, dear Martin, oft in the night the sound of +your steps going to and fro without our cave--those restless feet--seemed +to tread upon my heart! I loved these fierce, strong arms, even whilst +I struggled in their hold! A man of the world would have known--taken +advantage. But you never guessed because you regarded ever the highest in +me. So would I have you do still--honouring me with your patience--a little +longer--until Adam be come again, or until we be sure he hath perished and +England beyond our reach. Thus, dear, I have confessed my very secret soul +to thee and lie here in thy merciful care even more than I did on +our island, since I do love thee--greatly better! Therefore, be not +so--infinite humble!" + +Here for a while I was silent, being greatly moved and finding no word to +say. At last, clasping her tender loveliness to me, and stooping to kiss +this so loved head: + +"Dear, my lady," said I, "thou art to me the sweetest, holiest thing in all +the world, and so shalt thou ever be." + +Some time after, having put all things in excellent posture to our defence, +viz: our four great pieces full-charged astern, with four lighter guns +and divers pateraros ranged to sweep the quarter-deck, forecastle and +all approaches thereto, I felt my previous charge more secure and myself +(seconded by her brave spirit) able to withstand well-nigh any chance +attack, so long as our powder and shot held. + +This done, I brought hammer, nails, etc., from the carpenter's stores and +set myself to mend such shot-holes, cracks, and rents in the panelling and +the like as I judged would incommode us in wind or rain, and while I did +this (and whistling cheerily) needs must I stay ever and anon to watch my +sweet soul busy at her cookery (and mighty savoury dishes) and she pause +to look on me, until we must needs run to kiss each other and so to our +several labours again. + +For now indeed came I to know a happiness so calm and deep, so much greater +than I had ventured to hope that often I would be seized of panic dread +lest aught came to snatch it from me. Thus lived we, joying in each hour, +busied with such daily duties as came to hand, yet I for one finding these +labours sweet by reason of her that shared them; yet ever our love grew and +we ever more happy in each other's companionship. + +And here I, that by mine own folly of stubborn pride had known so little of +content and the deep and restful joy of it; here, I say, greatly tempted am +I to dwell and enlarge upon these swift-flying, halcyon days whose memory +Time cannot wither; I would paint you her changing moods, her sweet +gravity, her tender seriousness, her pretty rogueries, her demureness, her +thousand winsome tricks of gesture and expression, the vital ring of her +sweet voice, her long-lashed eyes, the dimple in her chin, and all the +constant charm and wonder of her. But what pen could do the sweet soul +justice, what word describe her innumerable graces? Surely not mine, so +would it be but vain labour and mayhap, to you who take up this book, great +weariness to read. + +So I will pass to a certain night, the moon flooding her radiance all +about me and the world very hushed and still with nought to hear save the +murmurous ripple and soft lapping of the incoming tide, and I upon my bed +(very wakeful) and full of speculation and the problem I pondered this: +Adam (and he so precise and exact in all things) had named to my lady a +day for his return, which day was already long past, therefore it was but +natural to suppose his desperate venture against this great fortified city +a failure, his hardy fellows scattered, and his brave self either slain or +a prisoner. What then of our situation, my dear lady's and mine, left thus +solitary in a hostile country and little or no chance of ever reaching +England, but doomed rather to seek some solitude where we might live secure +from hostile Indians or the implacable persecution of the Spaniards. Thus +we must live alone with Nature henceforth, she and I and God. And this +thought filled me alternately with intoxicating joy for my own sake, since +all I sought of life was this loved woman, and despair for her sake, since +secretly she must crave all those refinements of life and civilisation as +had become of none account to myself. And if Adam were slain indeed and +England thus beyond our reach, how long must we wait to be sure of this? + +Here I started to hear my lady calling me softly: + +"Art awake, dear Martin?" + +"Yes, my Joan!" + +"I dreamed myself alone again. Oh, 'tis good to hear your voice! Are you +sleepy?" + +"No whit." + +"Then let us talk awhile as we used sometimes on our loved island." + +"Loved you it--so greatly, Joan?" + +"Beyond any place in the world, Martin." + +"Why, then--" said I and stopped, lest my voice should betray the sudden +joy that filled me. + +"Go on, Martin." + +"'Twas nought." + +"Aye, but it was! You said 'Why, then.' Prithee, dear sir, continue." + +Myself (sitting up and blinking at the moon): Why, then, if +you--we--are--if we should be so unfortunate as to be left solitary in +these cruel wilds and no hope of winning back to England, should you grieve +therefor? + +She (after a moment): Should you, Martin? + +Myself (mighty fervently): Aye, indeed! + +She (quickly): Why, Martin--pray why? + +Myself (clenching my fists): For that we should be miserable outcasts cut +off from all the best of life. + +She: The best? As what, Martin? + +Myself: Civilisation and all its refinements, all neighbourliness, +the comforts of friendship, all security, all laws, and instead of +these--dangers, hardship, and solitude. + +She (softly): Aye, this methinks should break our hearts. Indeed, Martin, +you do fright me. + +Myself (bitterly): Why, 'tis a something desolate possibility! + +She (dolefully): And alas, Adam cometh not! + +Myself: Alas, no! + +She: And is long overdue. + +Myself: He marched on a perilous venture; aye, mighty hazardous and +desperate. + +She: Indeed, dear Martin, so desperate that I do almost pity the folk of +Carthagena. + +Myself (wondering): Then you do think he will succeed--will come sailing +back one day? + +She: Yes, Martin, if he hath to sail the ship back alone. + +Myself: And wherefore believe this? + +She: I know not, except that he is Adam and none like to him. + +Myself: Yet is he only mortal, to be captured or slain one way or another. +How if he cometh never back? + +She: Why then, Martin--needs must I forego all thought of England, of home, +of the comfortable joys of civilisation, of all laws, and instead of all +these cleave to you--my beloved! + +Myself: Damaris! + +She: Oh, Martin, dear, foolish blunderer to dream you could fright me with +tales of hardship, or dangers, or solitude when you were by, to think I +must break my heart for home and England when you are both to me. England +or home without you were a desert; with you the desert shall be my England, +my home all my days, if God so will it. + +Myself: Oh, loved woman, my brave, sweet Joan! And the laws--what of the +laws? + +She: God shall be our law, shall give us some sign. + +Myself: Joan--come to me! + +She (faintly): No! Ah, no! + +Myself: Come! + +She: Very well, Martin. + +In a little I heard her light step, slow and something hesitant, and then +she stood before me in her loveliness, wrapped about in my travel-stained +boat-cloak; so came she to sink beside me on her knees. + +"I am here, Martin," said she, "since I am yours and because I know my +will, thine also. For sure am I that Adam will yet come and with him cometh +law and England and all else; shall we not rest then for God's sign, be it +soon or a little late, and I honour thee the more hereafter. If this indeed +be foolish scruple to your mind, dear Martin, I am here; but if for this +you shall one day reverence your wife the more--beloved, let me go!" + +"Indeed--indeed, sign or no sign, thus do I love thee!" said I, and loosed +her. And now, as she rose from my reluctant arms, even then, soft and faint +with distance but plain and unmistakable came the boom of a gun. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +THE COMING OF ADAM AND OF OUR GREAT JOY THEREIN + + +The moon was paling to daybreak as, having climbed that rocky stair I have +mentioned, we came upon the cliff and stood, hands tight-clasped, where +we might behold the infinity of waters; and after some while, looming +phantom-like upon the dawn, we descried the lofty sails of a great ship +standing in towards the land and growing ever more distinct. And as we +watched, and never a word, her towering canvas flushed rosy with coming +day, a changing colour that grew ever brighter until it glowed all +glorious, and up rose the sun. + +Suddenly, as we watched the proud oncoming of this ship of glory, my lady +uttered a little, soft cry and nestled to me. + +"The sign, Martin!" cried she, "God hath sent us the sign, beloved; see +what she beareth at the main!" And there, sure enough, stirring languid +upon the gentle air was the Cross of St. George. And beholding this +thing (that was no more than shred of bunting) and in these hostile +seas, ship and sea swam upon my vision, and bowing my head lest my +beloved behold this weakness, felt her warm lips on mine. + +"Dear Martin," said she, "hide not your tears from me, for yonder is +England, a noble future--home, at last." + +"Home?" said I, "Aye, home and peace at last and, best of all--you!" Thus +stood we, clean forgetting this great ship in each other until, roused by +the thunder of another gun, we started and turned to see the ship so near +that we could distinguish the glint of armour on her decks here and there, +and presently up to us rose a cheer (though faint) and we saw them make a +waft with the ensign, so that it seemed they had discovered us where we +stood. Hereupon, seeing the ship already going about to fetch into the +harbour, we descended the cliff and, reaching the sands below, stood there +until the vessel hove into view round the headland that was like unto a +lion's head, and, furling upper and lower courses, let go her anchor and +brought up in fashion very seamanlike, and she indeed a great and noble +vessel from whose lofty decks rose lusty shouts of welcome, drowned all at +once in the silvery fanfare of trumpets and a prodigious rolling of drums. +Presently, to this merry clamour, a boat was lowered and pulled towards +us, and surely never was seen a wilder, more ragged company than this that +manned her. In the stem-sheets sat Adam, one hand upon the tiller, the +other slung about him by a scarf, his harness rusty and dinted, but his +eyes very bright beneath the pent of his weather-beaten hat. Scarce had the +boat touched shore than his legs (dight in prodigiously long Spanish boots) +were over the side and he came wading ashore, first of any. + +"Praise God!" said he, halting suddenly to flourish off his battered hat +and glance from one to other of us with his old, whimsical look. "Praise +God I do see again two souls, the most wilful and unruly in all this world, +yet here stand ye that should be most thoroughly dead (what with the peril +consequent upon wilfulness) but for a most especial Providence--there stand +ye fuller of life and the joy o' living than ever." + +"And you, Adam," reaching her hands to him in welcome, "you that must march +'gainst a mighty city with men so few! Death surely hath been very nigh you +also, yet here are you come back to us unscathed save for your arm; surely +God hath been to us infinitely kind and good!" + +"Amen!" said Adam and stooping, raised these slender hands to his lips. +"Howbeit, my Lady Wilfulness," quoth he, shaking his head, "I vow you ha' +caused me more carking care than any unhanged pirate or Spaniard on the +Main! You that must bide here all alone, contemning alike my prayers and +commands, nor suffering any to stay for your comfort and protection and all +for sake of this hare-brained, most obstinate comrade o' mine, that must +go running his poor sconce into a thousand dangers (which was bad) and +upsetting all my schemes and calculations (which was worse, mark you!) +and all to chase a will-o'-the-wisp, a mare's nest, a--oh, Lord love you, +Martin--!" And so we clasped hands. + +In a little, my dear lady betwixt us, and Adam discoursing of his +adventures and particularly of his men's resolution, endurance and +discipline, we got us aboard the _Deliverance_ which the men were already +stripping of such stores as remained, filling the air with cheery shouts, +and yo-ho-ing as they hove at this or hauled at that. Climbing to the +quarter-deck we came at last to the great cabin, where Adam was pleased +to commend the means I had taken to our defence, though more than once I +noticed his quick glance flash here and there as if seeking somewhat. At +last, my lady having left us awhile, he turns his sharp eyes on me: + +"Comrade, how goeth vengeance nowadays?" he questioned. "What of Sir +Richard, your enemy?" + +"Dead; Adam!" + +"Aha!" said he, pinching his chin and eyeing me askance, "was it steel or +did ye shoot him, comrade?" + +"God forgive you for saying such thing, Adam!" quoth I, scowling into his +lean, brown face. + +"Aha," said he again, and viewing me with his furtive leer. "Do ye regret +his murder then, Martin?" + +"Aye, I do from my heart--now and always!" + +"Hum!" said he, seating himself on my tumbled bed and glancing whimsically +at me, "Martin," quoth he, "friend--brother--you that talked bloody murder +and hell-fire with a heart inside you clean and gentle as a child's, +thou'rt plaguey fool to think thy friend Adam be such fool as not to know +thee better. Hark'ee now, here's your fashion: If you found the enemy you +sought so long and him in a Spanish prison, first you cursed, then you +comforted, then eased his pains, watched your chance, throttled your gaoler +and away to freedom, bearing your enemy along wi' you--is't not something +the way of it--come?" + +"Truly, Adam!" said I, all amazed, "though how you chance to know this--" + +"Tush!" said he. "'Tis writ plain all over thee, Martin, and yonder cometh +our lady, as peerless a maid as ever blessed man's sight--for all of the +which I do love thee, Martin. Come, now, I will take ye aboard the prize +and hey for England--this night we sail!" So we joined my lady and coming +down to the boat were presently rowed to the Spanish ship, a great vessel, +her towering stem brave with gilding and her massy timbers enriched by all +manner of carved work. + +"She had a name well-nigh long as herself, Martin," said Adam, "but Godby +christened her _The Joyous Hope_ instead, which shall serve well enough." +So we came beneath her high, curving side, where leaned familiar +figures--lean, bronzed fellows who welcomed us with cheer that waked many +an echo. Upon the quarter-deck was Penruddock the surgeon, who bustled +forward to greet us himself as loquacious as ever and very loud in praise +of the cure he had once wrought in me; and here, too, was Godby, to make a +leg to my lady and grasp my hand. + +"Why, Mart'n--why, pal, here's j'y, scorch me wi' a port-fire else!" quoth +he, then, hearing a hail from the beach, rolled away to look to his many +duties. + +"She's good enough vessel--to look at, Martin," said Adam, bringing us into +the panelled splendour of the coach or roundhouse; "aye, she's roomy and +handsome enough and rich-laden, though something heavy on her helm; of guns +fifty and nine and well-found in all things save clothes, hence my scurvy +rags; but we'll better 'em when our stores come aboard." + +And now, my lady being retired; he showed me over this great galleon, so +massy built for all her gilding and carved finery, and so stout-timbered as +made her well-nigh shot-proof. + +"She's a notable rich prize, Adam!" said I, as we came above deck again, +where the crew were at work getting aboard us the stores from the +_Deliverance_ under Godby's watchful eye. + +"Aye, we were fortunate, Martin," pausing to view this busy scene, "and all +with scarce a blow and but five men lost, and they mostly by sunstroke or +snakebite; we could ha' taken the city also had I been so minded." + +"'Twas marvellous achievement for man so timid, Adam!" quoth I. + +"Nay, comrade, I did but smite the enemy unbeknown and where least +expected; 'twas simple enough. See now, Martin," said he, pinching his +chin and averting his head, "I am very fain to learn more of--to hear your +adventures--you shall tell me of--of 'em if you will, but later, for we +sail on the flood and I have much to do in consequence." + +So I presently fell to pacing the broad deck alone, dreaming on the future +and in my heart a song of gratitude to God. Presently to me comes Godby: + +"Lord, Mart'n!" said he, hitching fiercely at the broad belt of his +galligaskins. "Here's been doin's o' late, pal, doin's as outdoes all other +doin's as ever was done! Talk o' glory? Talk o' fame? There's enough on't +aboard this here ship t' last every man on us all his days and longer. And +what's more to the p'int, Mart'n, there's gold! And silver! In bars! Aye, +pal, shoot me if 'tisn't a-laying in the hold like so much ballast! Cap'n +Adam hath give his share to be divided atwixt us, which is noble in him and +doeth us a power o' good!" + +"Why, the men deserve it; 'twas a desperate business, Godby!" + +"Aye, pal, good lads every one, though we had Cap'n Adam to lead 'em. 'Twas +ever 'Come' wi' him! Ten minutes arter our first salvo the fort was ours, +their guns spiked, an' we running for the harbour, Sir Adam showing the +way. And, Lord! To hear the folk in the tower, you'd ha' thought 'twas the +last trump--such shrieks and howls, Mart'n. So, hard in Cap'n Adam's wake +we scrambled aboard this ship, she laying nighest to shore and well under +the guns o' the fort as we'd just spiked so mighty careful, d'ye see, and +here was some small disputation wi' steel and pistol, and her people was +very presently swimming or rowing for it. So 'twas hoist sail, up anchor +and away, and though this galleon is no duck, being something lubberly on a +wind, she should bear us home well enough. 'Tis long since I last clapped +eye on old England, and never a day I ha'n't blessed that hour I met wi' +you at the 'Hop-pole,' for I'm rich, pal, rich, though I'd give a lot for a +glimpse o' the child I left a babe and a kiss from his bonny mother." + +Thus, walking the broad deck of this stout ship that was soon to bear +us (and myself especially) to England and a new life, I hearkened to +God-be-here Jenkins, who talked, his eyes now cocked aloft at spars or +rigging, now observing the serene blue distances, now upon the boats plying +busily to and fro, until one of the men came to say the last of our stores +was aboard. And presently, being summoned, Adam appeared on the lofty poop +in all the bravery of flowing periwig and 'broidered coat. + +"Ha, Mart'n," sighed Godby, hitching at his belt as we went to meet him, "I +love him best in buff and steel, though he'll ever be my cap'n, pal. There +aren't what you'd call a lot of him, neither, but what there is goeth a +prodigious long way in steel or velvet. Talk o' glory! Talk o' fame! +Pal, glory's a goblin and fame's a phantom compared wi' Cap'n Sir Adam +Penfeather, and you can keel haul, burn and hang me else!" + +This night at moonrise we warped out from our anchorage and with drums +beating and fifes sounding merrily, stood out into the great deep and never +a heart that did not leap at thought of home and England. And now cometh my +lady, dressed in gown I thought marvellous becoming, and herself beautiful +beyond all women, as I told her, whereat she cast down her eyes and +smoothed her dainty silks with her pretty hands. + +"Fie, Martin!" said she, mighty demure. "Is it well to be so extravagant in +praise of your own?" Which last words put me to such ecstasy that I fell +dumb forthwith; noting the which, she came a little nearer to slip her cool +fingers into mine, "Though, indeed," quoth she, "I am glad to find you so +observant! And my hair? Doth it please you, thus?" And now I saw her silky +tresses (and for all their mutilation) right cunningly ordered, and amid +their beauty that same wooden comb I had made for her on the island. "Well, +dear sir?" said she, leaning nearer. At this, being ever a man scant of +words (and the deck deserted hereabouts) I kissed her. And now, hand in +hand, we stood silent awhile to watch this cruel land of Darien fade upon +our sight. At last she turned and I also, to view that vast horizon that +lay before us. + +"What see you, yonder in the distance, dear Martin?" she questioned. + +"Yourself!" said I. "You fill my world. God make me worthy! Aye, in the +future--ever beside me henceforth, I do see you, my Damaris!" + +"Why, to be sure, loved man! But what more?" + +"I want for no more!" + +"Nay, do but look!" said she, soft cheek to mine. "There I do see +happiness, fortune, honours--and--mayhap, if God is kind to us--" She +stopped, with sound like a little sob. + +"What, my Joan?" I questioned, fool-like. + +"Greater blessings--" + +"But," said I, "what should be greater--" + +"Ah, Martin--dear--cannot you guess?" + +"Why, Joan--oh, my beloved!" But stepping out of my hold, she fled from me. +"Nay," cried I, "do not leave me so soon." + +"I must, dear Martin. You--you will be wanting to speak with Adam--" + +"Not I--Lord, no!" + +"Why, then--you shall!" said she and vanished into the roundhouse +forthwith, leaving me wondering like the dull fellow I was until (and all +at once) I understood and my wonder changed to joy so great I might scarce +contain myself; wherefore, beholding Adam coming, I hasted to meet him and +had clapped him in my arms or ever he was aware. + +"Marry us, Adam!" said I. "Marry us, man!" + +"What, ha' ye just thought on't at last, Martin?" + +"Aye, I have!" + +"Tush!" said he. "'Twas all arranged by my lady and me hours agone. Come +into the coach." + +And thus, upon the high seas, Adam (being both captain and magistrate) +married us forthwith, and because I had no other, I wed my Damaris with +my signet ring whereon was graven the motto of my house, viz: a couchant +leopard and the words, "Rouse me not." And who so sweet and grave as my +dear lady as she made the responses and hearkened to Adam, and he mighty +impressive. For witnesses we had Master Penruddock the surgeon and Godby, +and now, my lady retiring, we must crack a bottle, all four, though I know +not what we drank. + +And presently Adam drew me out upon the quarter-deck, there to walk with me +a while under a great moon. + +"Martin," said he suddenly, "you have come by rough seas and mighty +roundabout course to your happiness, but there be some do never make this +blessed haven all their days." + +"God comfort them, poor souls!" quoth I. + +"Amen!" said he; and then in changed voice, and his keen gaze aloft amid +the swelling sail, "What o' the lady Joanna, shipmate?" So I told him all +the best I remembered of her and described how nobly she had died; and he +pacing beside me said never a word. + +"Martin," said he, when I had made an end, "I am a mighty rich man, yet for +all this, I shall be something solitary, I guess." + +"Never in this world, Adam, so long as liveth my dear lady--" + +"Your wife, comrade--'tis a sweet word!" + +"Aye--my wife. And then, am I not your sworn brother? So like brothers will +we live together in England, and friends always!" And hereupon I clasped an +arm about him. + +"This is well, Martin," said he, gripping my hand. "Aye, 'tis mighty well, +for nought under heaven is there to compare with true friendship, except +it be the love of a noble woman. So now go, comrade, go to her who hath +believed in you so faithfully, hath steadfastly endured so much for +you--get you to your wife!" + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Martin Conisby's Vengeance, by Jeffery Farnol + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE *** + +This file should be named 7mvng10.txt or 7mvng10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 7mvng11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 7mvng10a.txt + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci +and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Martin Conisby's Vengeance + +Author: Jeffery Farnol + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9835] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on October 23, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci +and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE + +BY JEFFERY FARNOL + + +1921 + + +TO MY DEAR AUNTS + +MRS. MARRIOTT + +AND + +MISS JEFFERY +"AUNTIE KIZ" + +I DEDICATE THIS BOOK + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + +I HOW MY SOLITUDE CAME TO AN END + +II MY TROUBLES BEGIN + +III HOW I HEARD A SONG THAT I KNEW + +IV HOW I LABOURED TO MY SALVATION + +V TELLETH HOW ALL MY TRAVAIL CAME TO NOUGHT + +VI HOW I SUCCOURED ONE DON FEDERIGO, A GENTLEMAN OF SPAIN + +VII I AM DETERMINED ON MY VENGEANCE, AND MY REASONS THEREFOR + +VIII HOW THE DAYS OF MY WATCHING WERE ACCOMPLISHED + +IX WE FALL AMONG PIRATES + +X HOW I CAME ABOARD THE _HAPPY DESPATCH_ AND OF MY SUFFERINGS THERE + +XI HOW I FOUGHT IN THE DARK WITH ONE POMPEY, A GREAT BLACKAMOOR + +XII OF BATTLE, MURDER AND RESOLUTION DAY, HIS POINT OF VIEW + +XIII HOW WE FOUGHT AN ENGLISH SHIP + +XIV TELLETH HOW THE FIGHT ENDED + +XV HOW I FELL IN WITH MY FRIEND, CAPTAIN SIR ADAM PENFEATHER + +XVI HOW I HAD WORD WITH MY LADY, JOAN BRANDON + +XVII TELLETH THE OUTCOME OF MY PRIDEFUL FOLLY + +XVIII OF ROGER TRESSADY AND HOW THE SILVER WOMAN CLAIMED HER OWN AT LAST + +XIX HOW JOANNA CHANGED HER MIND + +XX I GO TO SEEK MY VENGEANCE + +XXI HOW I CAME TO NOMBRE DE DIOS + +XXII HOW AT LAST I FOUND MY ENEMY, RICHARD BRANDON + +XXIII HOW I FOUND MY SOUL + +XXIV OF OUR ADVENTURE AT SEA + +XXV WE ARE DRIVEN ASHORE + +XXVI OUR DESPERATE SITUATION + +XXVII WE COMMENCE OUR JOURNEY + +XXVIII WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF + +XXIX TELLETH SOMEWHAT OF A STRANGE CITY + +XXX WE RESUME OUR JOURNEY + +XXXI I MEET A MADMAN + +XXXII HOW I FOUND MY BELOVED AT LAST + +XXXIII OF DREAMS + +XXXIV OF LOVE + +XXXV OF THE COMING OF ADAM AND OF OUR GREAT JOY THEREIN + + + + +MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +HOW MY SOLITUDE CAME TO AN END + + +"Justice, O God, upon mine enemy. For the pain I suffer, may I see him +suffer; for the anguish that is mine, so may I watch his agony! Thou art a +just God, so, God of Justice, give to me vengeance!" + +And having spoken this, which had been my prayer for three weary years, I +composed myself to slumber. But even so, I started up broad awake and my +every nerve a-tingle, only to see the moonlight flooding my solitude and +nought to hear save the rustle of the soft night wind beyond the open door +of the cave that was my habitation and the far-off, never-ceasing murmur +that was the voice of those great waters that hemmed me in,--a desolate +ocean where no ships ever sailed, a trackless waste that stretched away to +the infinite blue. + +Crouched upon my bed I fell vaguely a-wondering what should have roused me, +hearkening to the distant roar of the surf that seemed to me now plaintive +and despairing, now full of an ominous menace that banished gentle sleep. + +Thereupon I must needs bethink me how often I had waked thus during my long +and weary sojourn on this lonely island; how many times I had leapt from +slumber, fancying I heard a sound of oars or voices hailing cheerily beyond +the reef, or again (and this most often and bitterest phantasy of all) a +voice, soft and low yet with a wondrous sweet and vital ring, the which as +I knew must needs sound within my dreams henceforth,--a voice out of the +past that called upon my name: + +"Martin--Oh, Martin!" + +And this a voice that came to me in the blazing heat of tropic day, in +the cool of eve, in the calm serenity of night, a voice calling, calling +infinite pitiful and sweet, yet mocking me with my loneliness. + +"Martin, dear love! Oh, Martin!" + +"Joan!" I whispered and reached out yearning arms to the empty air. +"Damaris--beloved!" + +Beyond the open door I heard the sighing of the wind and the roar of the +surf, soft with distance, infinite plaintive and despairing. Then, because +sleep was not for me, I arose and came groping within my inner cave where +stood a coffer and, lifting the lid, drew forth that I sought and went and +sat me on my bed where the moon made a glory. And sitting there, I unfolded +this my treasure that was no more than a woman's gown and fell to smoothing +its folds with reverent hand; very tattered it was and worn by much hard +usage, its bravery all tarnished and faded, yet for me it seemed yet to +compass something of the vivid grace and beauty of that loved and vanished +presence. + +Almost three years of solitude, of deluding hopes and black despair, almost +three years, forgotten alike of God and man. So that I had surely run mad +but for the labour of my days and the secret hope I cherished even yet that +some day (soon or late) I should see again that loved form, hear again the +sweet, vital ring of that voice whereof I had dreamed so long. + +Almost three years, forgotten alike of God and man. And so albeit I prayed +no more (since I had proved prayers vain) hope yet lived within me and +every day, night and morn, I would climb that high hill the which I had +named the Hill of Blessed Hope, to strain my eyes across the desolation +of waters for some sign which should tell me my time of waiting was +accomplished. + +Now as I sat thus, lost in bitter thought, I rose to my feet, letting fall +the gown to lie all neglected, for borne to me on the gentle wind came a +sound there was no mistaking, the sharp report of a musket. + +For a moment I stood utterly still while the shot yet rang and re-echoed +in my ears and felt all at once such an ecstasy of joy that I came nigh +swooning and needs must prop myself against the rocky wall; then, the +faintness passing, I came hasting and breathless where I might look seaward +and beheld this: + +Hard beyond the reef (her yards braced slovenly aback) a ship. Betwixt this +vessel and the reef a boat rowed furiously, and upon the reef itself a man +fled shorewards marvellous fleet and nimble. Presently from his pursuers in +the boat came a red flash and the report of a musquetoon followed by divers +others, whereat the poor fugitive sped but the faster and came running +to that strip of white beach that beareth the name Deliverance. There he +faltered, pausing a moment to glance wildly this way and that, then (as +Fortune willed) turned and sped my way. Then I, standing forth where he +might behold me in the moon's radiance, hailed and beckoned him, at the +which he checked again, then (as reassured by my looks and gesture) came +leaping up that path which led from the beach. Thus as he drew nearer I saw +he was very young, indeed a mere stripling. From him I glanced towards +his pursuers (they being already upon the reef) and counted nine of them +running hitherward and the moon aglint on the weapons they bore. Thereupon +I hasted to my cave and brought thence my six muskets, the which I laid +ready to hand. + +And presently comes this poor fugitive, all panting and distressed with his +exertions, and who (clambering over that rampire I had builded long ago to +my defence) fell at my feet and lay there speechless, drawing his breath +in great, sobbing gasps. But his pursuers had seen and came on amain with +mighty halloo, and though (judging by what I could see of them at the +distance) they were a wild, unlovely company, yet to me, so long bereft of +all human fellowship, their hoarse shouts and cries were infinitely welcome +and I determined to make them the means of my release, more especially as +it seemed by their speech that some of them were Englishmen. To this end I +waited until they were close, then, taking up my nearest piece, I levelled +wide of them and fired. Startled by the sudden roar they incontinent +scattered, betaking them to such cover as they might. Then I (yet kneeling +behind my rampire) hailed them in mighty kindly fashion. + +"Halt, friends!" cries I. "Here is harm for no man that meaneth none. Nay, +rather do I give ye joyous welcome in especial such of you as be English, +for I am an Englishman and very solitary." + +But now (and even as I spake them thus gently) I espied the fugitive on his +knees, saw him whip up one of my muskets (all in a moment) and fire or +ever I might stay him. The shot was answered by a cry and out from the +underbrush a man reeled, clasping his hurt and so fell and lay a-groaning. +At this his comrades let fly their shot in answer and made off forthwith. +Deserted thus, the wounded man scrambled to hands and knees and began to +creep painfully after his fellows, beseeching their aid and cursing them by +turns. Hearing a shrill laugh, I turned to see the fugitive reach for and +level another of my weapons at this wounded wretch, but, leaping on him +as he gave fire, I knocked up the muzzle of the piece so that the bullet +soared harmlessly into the air. Uttering a strange, passionate cry, the +fugitive sprang back and snatching out an evil-looking knife, made at me, +and all so incredibly quick that it was all I could do to parry the blow; +then, or ever he might strike again, I caught that murderous arm, and, for +all his slenderness and seeming youth, a mighty desperate tussle we made of +it ere I contrived to twist the weapon from his grasp and fling him panting +to the sward, where I pinned him beneath my foot. Then as I reached for +the knife where it had fallen, he cried out to me in his shrill, strangely +clear voice, and with sudden, fierce hands wrenched apart the laces and +fine linens at his breast: + +"Stay!" cried he. "Don't kill me--you cannot!" + +Now looking down on him where he lay gasping and writhing beneath my foot, +I started back all in a moment, back until I was stayed by the rampire, for +I saw that here was no man but a young and comely woman. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MY TROUBLES BEGIN + + +Whiles I yet stood, knife in hand, staring at her and mute for wonder, she +pulled off the close-fitting seaman's bonnet she wore and scowling up at me +shook down the abundant tresses of her hair. + +"Beast!" said she. "Oh, beast--you hurt me!" + +"Who are you?" I questioned. + +"One that doth hate you!" Here she took a silver comb from her pocket and +fell to smoothing her hair; and as she sat thus cross-legged upon the +grass, I saw that the snowy linen at throat and bosom was spotted with +great gouts of blood. + +"Are ye wounded?" quoth I, pointing to these ugly stains. + +"Bah! 'Tis none of mine, fool! 'Tis the blood of Cestiforo!" + +"Who is he?" + +"The captain of yon ship." + +"How cometh his blood on you?" + +"'Twas when I killed him." + +"You--killed him?" + +"Aye--he wearied me. So do all my lovers, soon or late." + +Now as I looked on this woman, the strange, sullen beauty of her (despite +her masculine apparel) as she sat thus combing her long hair and foul with +a dead man's blood, I bethought me of the wild tales I had heard of female +daemons, succubi and the like, so that I felt my flesh chill and therewith +a great disgust and loathing of her, insomuch that, not abiding the sight +of her, I turned away and thus beheld a thing the which filled me with +sudden, great dismay: for there, her sails spread to the fitful wind, I saw +the ship standing out to sea, bearing with her all my hopes of escape from +this hated island. Thus stood I, watching deliverance fade on my sight, +until the ship was no more than a speck upon the moon-bright waters and all +other thoughts 'whelmed and lost in raging despair. And now I was roused by +a question sudden and imperious: + +"Who are you?" + +"'Tis no matter." + +"How came you here?" + +"'Tis no matter for that, either." + +"Are you alone?" + +"Aye!" + +"Then wherefore trouble to shave your beard?" + +"'Tis a whim." + +"Are you alone?" + +"I was." + +"And I would you were again." + +"So do I." + +"You are Englishman--yes?" + +"I am." + +"My mother was English--a poor thing that spent her days weeping and died +of her tears when I was small--ah, very small, on this island." + +"Here?" quoth I, staring. + +"Twenty and one years agone!" said she, combing away at her glossy hair. +"My mother was English like you, but my father was a noble gentleman of +Spain and Governor of Santa Catalina, Don Esteban da Silva y Montreale, and +killed by Tressady--Black Tressady--" + +"What, Roger Tressady--o' the Hook?" + +"True, Seņor Englishman," said she softly and glancing up at me through her +hair; "he hath a hook very sharp and bright, in place of his left hand. You +know him? He is your friend--yes?" + +"I know him for a cursed pirate and murderer!" + +"_Moi aussi, mon ami_!" said she, fixing me with her great eyes. "I am +pirate, yes--and have used dagger and pistol ere to-day and shall again." + +"And wear a woman's shape!" + +"Ha--yes, yes!" cried she, gnashing her teeth. "And there's my curse--I am +woman and therefore do hate all women. But my soul is a man's so do I use +all men to my purpose, snare them by my woman's arts and make of 'em my +slaves. See you; there is none of all my lovers but doth obey me, and so do +I rule, with ships and men at my command and fearing no man--" + +"And yet," said I, interrupting, "you came fleeing hither to save your life +from yonder rabblement." + +"Tush--these were mostly drunken rogues that knew me not, 'listed but late +from a prize we took and burned. I shall watch them die yet! Soon shall +come Belvedere in the _Happy Despatch_ to my relief, or Rodriquez of the +_Vengeance_ or Rory or Sol--one or other or all shall come a-seeking me, +soon or late. Meantime, I bide here and 'tis well you stayed me from +killing you, for though I love not Englishmen, I love solitude less, so are +you safe from me so long as we be solitary. Ah--you smile because you are +fool and know me not yet! Ah, ah--mayhap you shall grow wiser anon. But +now," said she, rising and putting away her comb, "bring me where I may +eat, for I am famished with hunger." + +"Also you are very foul of blood!" said I. + +"Yes," says she soft-voiced, and glancing from me to her stained finery and +back again. "Yes. And is this so great a matter?" + +"To-night you murdered a man!" + +"I killed him--yes. Cestiforo--he was drunk. And was this so great a +matter?" + +"And you--a woman!" said I, marvelling. + +"Aye, to my sorrow!" said she, gnashing white teeth, "Yet am I strong as a +man and bolder than most." + +"God preserve me from such!" quoth I fervently. + +"You--you?" cried she. "What thing are you that seeming man must blench at +a little blood? Are you yourself so innocent, you that know Tressady o' the +Hook?" + +"Howbeit I am no murderer, woman." + +"Ah--bah!" cried she, with flick of scornful fingers. "Enough of words, +Master Innocent. Bring me where I may eat and bed me till morning." + +Thereupon (and mighty unwilling) I brought her into the cave and lighting +two candles of my own contriving, I set before her such viands as I had, +together with bread I had newly baked, and with no word of thanks this +strange, fierce creature fell to eating with a voracity methought very +disgusting. + +Now the more I saw of her the more grew my disgust and the end of it was +I determined to put the whole length of the island betwixt us and that at +once. To this end I began collecting such articles as I should want, as +my light hatchet, sword, pistols, etc. I was buckling on my belt when her +voice arrested me, albeit she spoke me very sweetly and soft: + +"You go now to your woman--your light of love--yes?" + +"There is no woman but yourself," said I, frowning. + +"Liar! Then what of this?" and she pointed slender finger; then I saw that +tattered garment lying where I had dropped it and this woman spurning +it with her foot. So I stooped forthwith, and snatching it from her +desecrating touch, folded it across my arm, whereat she fell to sudden +laughter very ill to bear. + +"Ah--ah!" said she, softer than before and most hatefully a-smiling, "'tis +for her sake your chin goeth bare and smooth--yes? She is over-nice in the +matter of--" + +"I tell you she is gone!" said I in fury. + +"Gone--gone, is she? And you alone here, longing but for her return, +through weeks and months and years waiting for her to come back to you; is +not this the truth of it, yes?" Now I, knowing this for very truth, could +but scowl, finding no word to say, whiles this creature nodded and flashed +white teeth in her hateful smile. "You loved this woman," said she, "do +love her; dead or living, rotting bones or another's delight, you do love +her yet, poor, miserable fool!" + +All unheeding, I folded the garment with reverent hands while she taunted +me thus, until, seeing me nothing moved, she fell to rank vileness, +bespattering that pure memory with tongue so shamelessly foul that I +(losing all patience) turned on her at last; but in this moment she was on +her feet and snatching my sword made therewith a furious pass at me, the +which I contrived to parry and, catching the blade in this beloved garment, +I wrenched the weapon from her. Then, pinning her in fierce grip and +despite her furious struggles and writhing, I belaboured her soundly with +the flat of the blade, she meanwhile swearing and cursing at me in Spanish +and English as vilely as ever I had done in all my days, until her voice +broke and she choked upon a great sob. Thereupon I flung her across my bed +and taking such things as I needed, strode out of the cave and so left her. + +But scarce was I without the cave than she came following after me; and +truly never was greater change, for in place of snarling daemon here was +tender maid all tearful sighs, gentle-eyed and with clasped hands reached +out to me in supplication and (despite her male attire) all woman. + +Perceiving the which, I turned my back upon her and hasted away all the +faster. + +So here was I, that had grieved in my solitude and yearned amain for +human fellowship, heartily wishing myself alone again and full of a new +apprehension, viz: That my island being so small I might chance to find the +avoidance of this evil creature a matter of some difficulty, even though +I abandoned my caves and furniture to her use and sought me another +habitation. + +Now as I went I fell to uneasy speculation regarding this woman, her +fierce, wild beauty, her shameless tongue, her proud and passionate temper, +her reckless furies; and bethinking me of all the manifest evil of her, I +felt again that chill of the flesh, that indefinable disgust, insomuch +that (the moon being bright and full) I must glance back, more than once, +half-dreading to see her creeping on my heels. + +Having traversed Deliverance Sands I came into that cleft or defile, 'twixt +bush-girt, steepy cliffs, called Skeleton Cove, where I had builded me a +forge with bellows of goatskin. Here, too, I had set up an anvil (the which +had come ashore in a wreck, together with divers other tools) and a bench +for my carpentry. The roof of this smithy backed upon a cavern wherein I +stored my tools, timber and various odds and ends. + +This place, then, I determined should be my habitation henceforth, there +being a little rill of sweet water adjacent and the cave itself dry and +roomy and so shut in by precipitous cliffs that any who might come to my +disturbance must come only in the one direction. + +And now, as I judged, there being yet some hours to sunrise, I made myself +as comfortable as might be and having laid by sword and belt and set my +pistols within easy reach, I laid down and composed myself to slumber. But +this I could by no means compass, being fretted of distressful thought +and made vain and bitter repining for this ship that had come and sailed, +leaving me a captive still, prisoned on this hateful island with this wild +creature that methought more daemon than woman. And seeing myself thus +mocked of Fortune (in my blind folly) I fell to reviling the God that made +me. Howbeit sleep overtook me at last, but an evil slumber haunted by +visions of this woman, her beauty fouled and bloody, who sought out my +destruction where I lay powerless to resist her will. Low she bent above +me, her dusky hair a cloud that choked me, and through this cloud the +glitter of her eyes, red lips that curled back from snapping teeth, fingers +clawed to rend and tear; then as I gazed, in horror, these eyes grew soft +and languorous, these vivid lips trembled to wistful smile, these cruel +hands clasped, soft-clinging, and drew me near and ever nearer towards that +smiling, tender mouth, until I waked in a panic to behold the dawn and +against the sun's growing splendour the woman standing and holding my +pistols levelled at me as I lay. + +Now I do think there is no hale man, howsoever desperate and careless of +life, but who, faced with sudden, violent death, will not of instinct +blench and find himself mighty unready to take the leap into that dark +unknown whose dread doth fright us one and all; howbeit thus was it with +me, for now as I stared from the pistol muzzle to the merciless eyes behind +them, I, that had hitherto esteemed death no hardship, lay there in dumb +and sweating panic, and, knowing myself afraid, scorned and hated myself +therefor. + +"Ah--ah!" said she softly but with flash of white teeth. "Will ye cower +then, you beater of women? Down to your knees--down and sue pardon of me!" +But now, stung by her words and the quaking of my coward flesh, I found +voice. + +"Shoot, wanton!" said I. "Shoot, lest I beat you again for the vile, +shameless thing you are." At this she flinched and her fierce eyes wavered; +then she laughed loud and shrill: + +"Will ye die then? Yes? Will ye die?" + +"Aye," I nodded, "So I may be quit of you." + +"Hath dying then no fears for you--no?" + +"'Tis overpast!" quoth I. + +"Liar!" said she. "Wipe the craven sweat from you! You beat me, and for +this you should die, but though you fear death you shall live to fear me +more--aye, you shall live awhile--take your life!" + +So saying, she tossed the pistols down beside me and laughed. + +"When I wish to kill and be done with you, my steel shall take you in +your sleep, or you shall die by poison; there be many roots and berries +hereabout, Indian poisons I wot of. So your life is mine to take whensoever +I will." + +"How if I kill you first?" + +"Ah, bah!" said she, snapping her fingers. "Try an you will--but I know men +and you are not the killing sort. I've faced death too oft to fear it, or +the likes of you. There lie your pistols, fool; take 'em and shoot me if +you will!" + +Thereupon I stooped and catching up the pistols tossed them behind me. + +"And now," said I, rising, "leave me--begone lest I thrash you again for +the evil child you are." + +"Child?" says she, staring as one vastly amazed, "child--and to me, fool, +to me? All along the Main my name is known and feared." + +"So now will I whip you," quoth I, "had others done as much ere this, you +had been a little less evil, perchance." And I reached down a coil of +small cord where it hung with divers other odds and ends. For a moment she +watched me, scowling and fierce-eyed, then as I approached her with the +cords in my hands, she turned on her heel with a swirl of her embroidered +coat-skirts and strode away, mighty proud and disdainful. + +When she was clean gone I gathered me brush and driftwood, and striking +flint and steel soon had a fire going and set about cooking certain strips +of dried goat's flesh for my breakfast. Whiles this was a-doing I was +startled by a sudden clatter upon the cliff above and down comes a great +boulder, narrowly missing me but scattering my breakfast and the embers of +my fire broadcast. I was yet surveying the ruin (dolefully enough, for I +was mighty hungry) when hearing a shrill laugh I glanced up to find her +peering down at me from above. Meeting my frowning look she laughed again, +and snapping her fingers at me, vanished 'mid the bushes. + +Spoiled thus of my breakfast I was necessitated to stay my hunger with such +viands as I had by me. Now as I sat eating thus and in very ill humour, my +wandering gaze lighted by chance on the shattered remains of a boat that +lay high and dry where the last great storm had cast it. At one time I had +hoped that I might make this a means to escape from the island and had +laboured to repair and make it seaworthy but, finding this beyond my skill, +had abandoned the attempt; for indeed (as I say) it was wofully bilged and +broken. Moreover, at the back of my mind had always lurked a vague hope +that some day, soon or late, she that was ever in my dreams, she that had +been my love, my Damaris, might yet in her sweet mercy come a-seeking me. +Wherefore, as I have before told, it had become my daily custom, morn and +eve, to climb that high land that I called the Hill of Blessed Hope, that I +might watch for my lady's coming. + +But to-day, since Fate had set me in company with this evil creature, +instead of my noble lady, I came to a sudden and fixed resolution, viz: +That I would waste not another hour in vain dreams and idle expectations +but would use all my wit and every endeavour to get quit of the island so +soon as might be. Filled with this determination I rose and, coming to the +boat, began to examine it. + +And I saw this: it was very stout-built but its planks wofully shrunk with +the sun, and though much stove forward, more especially to larboard, yet +its main timbers looked sound enough. Then, too, it lay none so far from +high-water mark and despite its size and bulk I thought that by digging a +channel I might bring water sufficient to float it, could I but make good +the breakage and caulk the gaping seams. + +The longer I looked the more hopeful I grew and the end of it was I hasted +to bring such tools as I needed and forthwith set to work. All the morning, +and despite the sun, I laboured upon this wrecked boat, stripping off her +cracked and splintered timbers and mightily pleased to find her framework +so much less damaged than I had dared hope, insomuch that I presently fell +a-whistling; but coming on three ribs badly sprung I became immediately +dejected. Howbeit I had all the wood I could wish as planks, bulkheads +and the like, all driven ashore from wrecked vessels, with bolts and nuts +a-plenty; thus as I worked I presently fell a-whistling again. + +Suddenly, I was aware of the woman watching me, and glancing at her as she +leaned cross-legged against an adjacent boulder, she seemed no woman but a +pert and handsome lad rather. Her thick hair, very dark and glossy, fell in +curls to her shoulders like a modish wig, her coat was of fine blue velvet +adorned with silver lace, her cravat and ruffles looked new-washed like +her silk stockings, and on her slender feet were a pair of dainty, buckled +shoes; all this I noticed as she lolled, watching me with her sombre gaze. + +"What would you with the wreck, fool?" she demanded, whereupon I +immediately betook me to my whistling. + +"You do grow merry!" said she, frowning, whiles I whistled the louder. And +when she would have spoken further, I fell to hammering lustily, drowning +her voice thereby. + +"Will you not speak with me then--no?" she questioned, when at last I +paused. But I heeding her no whit, she began swearing at me and I to +hammering again. + +"Curst fool!" cried she at last, "I spit on you!" The which she did and so +swaggered away and I whistling merrier than ever. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HOW I HEARD A SONG THAT I KNEW + + +I was early at work next morning, since now my mind was firm-set on +quitting the island at all hazards, thereby winning free of this woman once +and for all. To this end I laboured heartily, sparing myself no pains and +heedless of sweat and sun-glare, very joyous to see my work go forward +apace; and ere the sun was very high my boat lay stripped of all the +splintered timbers on the larboard side. My next care was to choose me +such planks from my store of driftwood as by reason of shape and thickness +should be best adapted to my purpose. And great plenty of wrought wood had +I and of all sorts, it having long been my wont to collect the best +of such as drove ashore and store it within those caves that opened on +Deliverance Beach. Thus, after no great search, I had discovered all such +planking as I needed and forthwith began to convey it down to the boat. + +In the which labour the woman met me (I staggering under a load of my +planks) and strutted along beside me, vastly supercilious and sneering. + +"Hold!" cried she. "He sweateth, he panteth purple o' the gills! And +wherefore, to what end?" + +"To win free of two things do weary me." + +"Ah--ah? And these?" + +"This island and yourself." + +"So! Do I then weary you, good Master Innocence?" + +"Mightily!" + +"Ah--bah! 'Tis because you be fool and no man!" + +"Mayhap," said I, taking up my hammer, "howbeit I do know this island for a +prison and you for an evil thing--" + +"Ah!" sighed she softly. "I have had men hanged for saying less!" + +"So would I be quit of you as soon as may be," said I, fitting my first +timber in place whiles she watched me, mighty disdainful. + +"So you would mend the boat, _amigo mio_, and sail away from the island and +me--yes?" + +"God knoweth it!" + +"Mayhap He doth, but what o' me? Think ye I shall suffer you to leave me +here alone and destitute, fool?" + +"The which is to be seen!" said I; and having measured my plank and sawed +it to proper length I began to rivet it to the frame, making such din with +my hammer that she, unable to make herself heard, presently strode away in +a fury, to my great content. + +But, in a little back she cometh, and on her hip that bejewelled Spanish +rapier that had once been part of Black Bartlemy's treasure (as hath been +told) and which (having my own stout cut-and-thrust) I had not troubled to +bring away from the cave. + +Whipping out the long blade then, she makes with it various passes in the +air, very supple and dexterous, and would have me fight with her then and +there. + +"So-ho, fool!" cried she, brandishing her weapon. "You have a sword, I +mind--go fetch it and I will teach ye punto riverso, the stoccato, the +imbrocato, and let you some o' your sluggish, English blood. Go fetch the +sword, I bid ye." + +But I nothing heeding, she forthwith pricked me into the arm, whereon I +caught up a sizable timber to my defence but found it avail me no whit +against her skill and nimbleness, for thrice her blade leapt and thrice I +flinched to the sharp bite of her steel, until, goaded thus and what with +her devilish mockery and my own helplessness, I fell to raging anger and +hauled my timber full at her, the which, chancing to catch her upon an +elbow, she let fall her sword and, clasping her hurt, fell suddenly +a-weeping. Yet, even so, betwixt her sobs and moans she cursed and reviled +me shamefully and so at last took herself off, sobbing wofully. + +This put me to no little perturbation and distress lest I had harmed her +more than I had meant, insomuch that I was greatly minded to follow her +and see if this were so indeed. But in the end I went back to my boat and +laboured amain, for it seemed to me the sooner I was quit of her fellowship +the better, lest she goad me into maiming or slaying her outright. + +Thus worked I (and despite the noon's heat) until the sun began to decline +and I was parched with thirst. But now, as I fitted the last of my timbers +into place, the board slipped my nerveless grasp and, despite the heat, a +sudden chill swept over me as borne upon the stilly air came a voice, soft +and rich and sweet, uplifted in song and the words these: + + "There be two at the fore + At the main hang three more + Dead men that swing all in a row + Here's fine, dainty meat + For the fishes to eat, + Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!" + +Awhile I leaned there against the boat, remembering how and with whom I had +last heard this song, then wheeling about I caught my breath and stared as +one that sees at last a long-desired, oft-prayed-for vision: for there, +pacing demurely along the beach towards me, her body's shapely loveliness +offset by embroidered gown, her dark and glossy ringlets caught up by +jewelled comb, I thought to behold again the beloved shape of her I had +lost well-nigh three weary years agone. + +"Damaris!" I whispered, "Oh, loved woman of my dreams!" And I took a long +stride towards her, then stopped and bowed my head, suddenly faint and +heartsick, for now I saw here was no more than this woman who had fled me +a while ago with curses on her tongue. Here she stood all wistful-eyed and +tricked out in one of those fine gowns from Black Bartlemy's secret store +the which had once been my dear lady's delight. + +Now in her hands she bore a pipkin brimful of goat's milk. + +"I prithee, sir," said she softly, "tell now--shall there be room for me in +your boat?" + +"Never in this world!" + +"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate--" + +"I seek neither!" + +"Being a fool, yes. But the sun is hot and you will be a thirsty fool--" + +"Where learned you that evil song?" + +"In Tortuga when I was a child. But come, drink, _amigo mio_, drink an you +will--" + +"Whence had you that gown?" + +"Ah--ah, you love me better thus, yes? Why, 'tis a pretty gown truly, +though out o' the fashion. But, will you not drink?" + +Now, as I have told, I was parched with thirst and the spring some way off, +so taking the pipkin I drained it at a draught and muttering my thanks, +handed it back to her. Then I got me to my labour again, yet very conscious +of her as she sat to watch, so that more than once I missed my stroke and +my fingers seemed strangely awkward. And after she had sat thus silent a +great while, she spoke: + +"You be mighty diligent, and to no purpose." + +"How mean you?" + +"I mean this boat of yours shall never sail except I sail in her." + +"Which is yet to prove!" said I, feeling the air exceeding close and +stifling. + +"Regard now, Master Innocence," said she, holding up one hand and ticking +off these several items on her fingers as she spoke: "You have crossed me +once. You have beat me once. You have refused me honourable fight. You have +hurt me with vile club. And now you would leave me here alone to perish--" + +"All true save the last," quoth I, finding my breath with strange +difficulty, "for though alone you need not perish, for I will show you +where--where you--shall find abundance--of food--and--" But here I stopped +and gasped as an intolerable pain shot through me. + +"Ah--ah!" said she, leaning forward to stare at me keen-eyed. "And doth it +begin to work--yes? Doth it begin so soon?" + +"Woman," I cried, as my pains increased, "what mean you now? Why d'ye stare +on me so? God help me, what have you done--" + +"The milk, fool!" said she, smiling. + +"Ha--what devil's brew--poison--" + +"I warned you but, being fool, you nothing heeded--no!" + +Now hereupon I went aside and, dreading to die thus miserably, thrust a +finger down my throat and was direly sick; thereafter, not abiding the +sun's intolerable heat, I crawled into the shade of a rock and lay there as +it were in a black mist and myself all clammy with a horrible, cold sweat. +And presently in my anguish, feeling a hand shake me, I lifted swooning +eyes to find this woman bending above me. + +"How now," said she, "wilt crave mercy of me and live?" + +"Devil!" I gasped. "Let me die and be done with you!" + +At this she laughed and stooped low and lower until her hair came upon my +face and I might look into the glowing deeps of her eyes; and then her arms +were about me, very strong and compelling. + +"Look--look into my eyes, deep--deep!" she commanded. "Now--ha--speak me +your name!" + +"Martin," I gasped in my agony. + +"Mar--tin," said she slowly. "I will call you Martino. Look now, Martino, +have you not seen me long--long ere this?" + +"No!" I groaned. "God forbid!" + +"And yet we have met, Martino, in this world or another, or mayhap in the +world of dreams. But we have met--somewhere, at some time, and in that time +I grasped you thus in my arms and stared down thus into your eyes and in +that hour I, having killed you, watched you die, and fain would have won +you back to life and me, for you were a man,--ah, yes, a man in those dim +days. But now--ah, bah! You are but poor fool cozened into swallowing a +harmless drug; to-morrow you shall be your sluggish self. Now sleep, but +know this--I may slay you whenso I will! Ah, ah--'tis better to win my love +than my hate." So she loosed me and stood a while looking down on me, then +motioned with imperious hand: "Sleep, fool--sleep!" she commanded and +frowning, turned away. And as she went I heard her singing of that vile +song again ere I sank into unconsciousness: + + "There are two at the fore. + At the main hang three more + Dead men that swing all of a row--" + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +HOW I LABOURED TO MY SALVATION + + +I found myself still somewhat qualmish next morning but, none the less, +got me to labour on the boat and, her damage being now made good on her +larboard side, so far as her timbering went, I proceeded to make her seams +as water-tight as I could. This I did by means of the fibre of those great +nuts that grew plenteously here and there on the island, mixed with the gum +of a certain tree in place of pitch, ramming my gummed fibre into every +joint and crevice of the boat's structure so that what with this and +the swelling of her timbers when launched I doubted not she would prove +sufficiently staunch and seaworthy. She was a stout-built craft some +sixteen feet in length; and indeed a poor enough thing she might have +seemed to any but myself, her weather-beaten timbers shrunken and warped by +the sun's immoderate heats, but to me she had become as it were a sign and +symbol of freedom. She lay upon her starboard beam half full of sand, and +it now became my object to turn her that I might come at this under side, +wherefore I fell to work with mattock and spade to free her of the sand +wherein (as I say) she lay half-buried. This done I hove and strained until +the sweat poured from me yet found it impossible to move her, strive how I +would. Hereupon, and after some painful thought, I took to digging away the +sand, undermining her thus until she lay so nicely balanced it needed but a +push and the cumbrous structure, rolling gently over, lay in the necessary +posture, viz: with her starboard beam accessible from gunwale to keel. And +mightily heartened was I thus to discover her damage hereabouts so much +less than I had dared hope. + +So I got me to work with saw, hammer and rivets and wrought so diligently +(staying but to snatch a mouthful of food) that as the sun westered, my +boat was well-nigh finished. Straightening my aching back I stood to +examine my handiwork and though of necessity somewhat rough yet was it +strong and secure; and altogether a very excellent piece of work I thought +it, and mightily yearned I for that hour when I should feel this little +vessel, that had been nought but a shattered ruin, once more riding the +seas in triumph. + +But now and all at once, my soaring hopes were dashed, for though the boat +might be seaworthy, here she lay, high and dry, a good twelve yards from +the tide. + +Now seeing I might not bring my boat to the sea, I began to scheme how best +I should bring the sea to her. I was yet pondering this matter, chin in +hand, when a shadow fell athwart me and starting, I glanced up to find this +woman beside me, who, heeding me no whit, walks about and about the boat, +viewing my work narrowly. + +"If you can launch her she should sail well enough, going large and none +so ill on a bowline, by her looks. 'Tis true scat-boat--yes. Are you a +sailor--can ye navigate, ha?" + +"Not I." + +"'Tis very well, for I am, indeed, and can set ye course by dead reckoning +an need be. Your work is likely enough, though had you butted your timbers +it had been better--so and so!" And in this I saw she was right enough, and +my work seemed more clumsy now than I had thought. + +"I'm no shipwright," said I. + +"And here's sure proof of it!" quoth she. + +"Mayhap 'twill serve once her timbers be swelled." + +"Aye, she may float, Martino, so long as the sea prove kind and the wind +gentle; aye, she should carry us both over to the Main handsomely, yes--" + +"Never!" quoth I, mighty determined. + +"How then--will ye deny me yet, fool? Wherefore would ye leave me here, +curst Englishman?" + +"Lest you goad me into slaying you for the evil thing you are." + +"What evil have I wrought you?" + +"You would have poisoned me but yesterday--" + +"Yet to-day are you strong and hearty, fool." + +And indeed, now I came to think of it, I felt myself as hale and well as +ever in all my life. "Tush--a fico!" says she with an evil gesture. "'Twas +but an Indian herb, fool, and good 'gainst colic and calenture. Now +wherefore will ye be quit o' me?" + +"Because I had rather die solitary than live in your fellowship--" + +"Dolt! Clod! Worm!" cried she 'twixt gnashing teeth, and then all in a +moment she was gazing down at me soft and gentle-eyed, red lips up-curving +and smooth cheek dimpling to a smile: + +"Ah, Martin," sighs she languorously, "see how you do vex me! And I am +foolish to suffer such as you to anger me, but needs must I vex you a +little in quittance, yes." + +At this I did but shrug my shoulders and turned to study again the +problem--how to set about launching my boat. + +"Art a something skilful carpenter, eh, Martino," said she in a while; +"'twas you made the table and chairs and beds in the caves up yonder, eh, +Martino?" + +"Aye." + +"And these the tools you made 'em with, eh, Martino?" and she pointed where +they lay beside the boat. + +"Nay," quoth I, speaking on impulse, being yet busied with my problem, "I +had nought but my hatchet then and chisels of iron." + +"Your hatchet--this?" she questioned, taking it up. + +"Aye!" I nodded. "The hatchet was the first tool I found after we were cast +destitute on this island." + +"Ah--ah--then she was with you when you found it--the woman that wore this +gown before me, eh, Martino?" + +"Aye--and what then?" + +"This!" cried she and wheeling the hatchet strong-armed, she sent it +spinning far out to sea or ever I might stay her. + +Now, beholding the last of this good hatchet that had oft known my dear +lady's touch, that had beside, been, as it were, a weapon to our defence +and a means to our comfort, seeing myself (as I say) now bereft of it thus +wantonly, I sprang to my feet, uttering a cry of mingled grief and rage. +But she, skipping nimbly out of reach, caught up one of my pistols where +she had hid it behind a rock and stood regarding me with her hateful smile. + +"Ah, ah!" says she, mocking, "do I then vex you a little, _amigo mio_? So +is it very well. Ha, scowl, fool Martino, scowl and grind your teeth; 'tis +joy to me and shall never bring back your little axe." + +At this, seeing grief and anger alike unavailing, I sat me down by the boat +and sinking my head in my hands, strove to settle my mind to this problem +of launching; but this I might by no means do, since here was this devilish +creature perched upon an adjacent rock to plague me still. + +"How now, Martino?" she questioned. "What troubleth your sluggish brain +now?" And then, as she had read my very thought: "Is't your boat--to bring +her afloat? Ah--bah! 'tis simple matter! Here she lies and yonder the sea! +Well, dig you a pit about the boat as deep as may be, bank the sand about +your pit as high as may be. Then cut you a channel to high-water mark +and beyond, so with the first tide, wind-driven, the sea shall fill your +channel, pour into your pit, brimming it full and your banks being higher +than your boat she shall swim and be drawn seaward on the backwash. So, +here's the way on't. And so must you sweat and dig and labour, and I joy +to watch--Ah, yes, for you shall sweat, dig and labour in vain, except you +swear me I shall sail with you." So saying, she drops me a mocking courtsey +and away she goes. + +She gone and night being at hand, I set aside two or three stout spars +should serve me as masts, yards, etc., together with rope and cordage for +tackle and therewith two pair of oars; which done, I got me to my cave and, +having supped, to bed. + +Early next morning I set myself to draw a circle about my boat and mark out +a channel thence to the sea (even as she had suggested) since I could hit +upon no better way. This done, I fell to with spade and mattock but found +this a matter of great labour since the sand, being very dry and loose +hereabouts, was constantly shifting and running back upon me. + +And presently, as I strove thus painfully, cometh my tormentor to plague me +anew (albeit the morning was so young) she very gay and debonnaire in her +'broidered gown. + +"Ha!" said she, seating herself hard by. "The sun is new-risen, yet you do +sweat wofully, the which I do joy to see. So-ho, then, labour and sweat, my +pretty man: it shall be all vain, aha--vain and to no purpose." + +But finding I heeded her no more than buzzing fly, she changed her tune, +viewing me tender-eyed and sighing soft: + +"Am I not better as a woman, eh, Martino?" asked she, spreading out her +petticoats. "Aye, to be sure your eyes do tell me so, scowl and mutter as +you will. See now, Martino, I have lived here three days and in all this +woful weary time hast never asked my name, which is strange, unless dost +know it already, for 'tis famous hereabouts and all along the Main; indeed +'tis none so wonderful you should know it--" + +"I don't!" said I. "Nor wish to!" + +"Then I will tell you--'tis Joan!" Hereupon I dropped my spade and she, +seeing how I stared upon her, burst into a peal of laughter. "Ah, ah!" +cried she. "Here is pretty, soft name and should fit me as well as another. +Why must you stare so fool-like; here is no witchcraft, for in the caves +yonder 'Joan' meeteth me at every turn; 'tis carven on walls, on chairs, on +table, together with 'Damaris' and many woful, lovesick mottoes beside." + +Now I, knowing this for truth, turned my back and ground my teeth in +impotent anger, whiles this woman mocked me with her laughter. + +"Damaris--Joan!" said she. "At first methought these two women, but now do +I know Joan is Damaris and Damaris Joan and you a poor, lovelorn fool. But +as for me--I am Joanna--" + +Now at this I turned and looked at her. + +"Joanna?" said I, wondering. + +"Ah, you have heard it--this name, before--yes?" + +"Aye, in a song." + +"Oh, verily!" said she and forthwith began singing in her deep, rich voice: + + "There's a fine Spanish dame + And Joanna's her name + Shall follow wherever you go--" + +"Aha, and mark this, Martino: + + "Till your black heart shall feel + Your own cursed steel + Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!" + +"But this was my mother--" + +"Ha--she that stabbed and killed the pirate Bartlemy ere he slew her? But +she was a Spanish lady." + +"Nay, she was English, and lieth buried hereabouts, 'tis said; howbeit, +she died here whiles I was with the Indians. They found me, very small and +helpless, in the ruins of a burned town and took me away into the mountains +and, being Indians, used me kindly and well. Then came white men, twenty +and two, and, being Christians, slew the Indians and used me evilly and +were cruel, save only one; twenty and two they were and all dead long ago, +each and every, save only one. Aha, Martino, for the evil men have made me +endure, I have ever been excellent well avenged! For I am Joanna that some +call 'Culebra' and some 'Gadfly' and some 'Fighting Jo.' And indeed there +be few men can match me at swordplay and as for musket and pistol--watch +now, Martino, the macaw yonder!" She pointed to a bird that stood preening +itself on a rock at no little distance and, catching up the pistol, +levelled and fired; and in place of the bird was nought but a splash of +blood and a few poor, gaudy feathers stirring lazily in the gentle wind. + +"See," cried she, with a little, soft laugh, "am I not a goodly _camarado_ +for any brave fellow, yes?" + +"Truly," said I, turning away, "I think your breeches do become you best--" + +"Liar!" she cried. "You know I am handsomer thus! Your eyes ha' told me so +already. And look ye, I can be as soft and tender, as meek and helpless as +any puling woman of 'em all, when I will. And if I hate fiercely, so is my +love--ha, d'ye blench, fool, d'ye shrink; you thing shaped like a man, must +ye cringe at the word 'love'?" + +"Aye!" said I, over my shoulder. "On your lips 'tis desecration!" + +"Desecration--desecration?" quoth she, staring on me great-eyed and biting +at her scarlet nether lip. "Ha, dare ye say it, dog?" And crying thus, she +hurled the pistol at me with aim so true that I staggered and came nigh +falling. Stung by the blow I turned on her in a fury, but she leapt to her +feet and showed me my own knife glittering in her fist. + +"Ah, bah--back to your labour, slave!" she mocked. + +"Have done, woman!" I cried. "Have done, or by the living God, you will +goad me into slaying you yet--" + +"Tush!" said she, "I am used to outfacing men, but you--ha, you should be +fed on pap and suckets, you that are no man! 'Tis small wonder you lost +your Joan--Damaris; 'tis no wonder she fled away and left you--" + +Now at this (and nothing heeding her knife) I sprang at her and she, +letting fall the knife, leapt towards me; and then I had her, felt her all +soft and palpitant in my furious grip, heard a quivering sigh, saw her +head sway back across my arm and she drooping in my embrace, helpless and +a-swoon. And holding her thus 'prisoned and crushed against me, I could not +but be conscious of all the tender, languorous beauty of her ere I hasted +to lay her upon the sand. My arms were yet about her (and I upon my knees) +when her bosom heaved to sudden, tremulous sigh and opening her eyes, she +smiled up at me. + +"Ah, Martino," sighed she softly, "do not these petticoats become me vastly +well, yes?" And reaching up, she set her arms about me. "Am I not better +than dream-woman, I that men have died for--I, Joanna?" + +Now hereupon I shivered and loosing her hold rose to my feet and stood with +head averted that I might not behold her. Presently she arose also and +coming where lay the knife, took it up and stood turning it this way and +that. + +"Martin," said she in her soft, dreamy speech, "you are mightily strong +and--mightily gentle, and I do think we shall make a man of you yet!" + +So saying, she turned and went away, the knife glittering in her hand. As +for me I cast myself down and with no thought or will to labour now, for it +seemed that my strength was gone from me. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +TELLETH HOW ALL MY TRAVAIL CAME TO NOUGHT + + +That night, the moon being at the full and I very wakeful, I lay harassed +of a thousand fretting thoughts, and each and every of this woman Joanna; +and turning on my sleepless couch I cursed that hour the which had set her +in my company. + +Yet, even so, I must needs bethink me of all the supple warmth of her as +she lay in my arms, of the velvety touch of her cheek that had by chance +brushed my hand. Hereupon I would strive to turn my thoughts upon the +labours of to-morrow only to find myself recalling the sound of her voice, +now deep and soft and infinite sweet, now harsh and shrill and hatefully +shrewish; or her golden-brown eyes, thick-lashed and marvellous quick in +their changes from sleepy languor to flaming malevolence. + +Thus lay I, haunted of her memory and all the sudden, bewildering changes +of her moods until at last I started up, and coming to the entrance of my +cave, saw her standing without and the moon bright on her face. + +"Art wakeful too, Martino?" asked she softly. "'Tis the moon belike, or the +heat of the night." Here she came a slow pace nearer; and her eyes were +sweet and languorous and on her vivid mouth a smile infinite alluring. +Slowly she drew near, thralling me as it were with the wonder of her look +that I had neither power nor will to move or speak. Confident of herself +and assured in her beauty she reached out her hands to me, her long lashes +swept down, veiling her eyes; but, even then, I had seen their flash of +triumph, and in that moment, bursting the spell that bound me, I turned +from her. + +"Go--leave me!" said I, finding my voice at last. "Here is no place for +you!" And I stood thereafter with head averted, dreading her sighs and +tears; instead (and to my unutterable relief) she brake out into a storm +of sea-oaths, beslavering me with vile abuse and bitter curses. Now, +hearkening to this lewd tirade, I marvelled I should ever have feared and +trembled because of the womanhood of creature so coarse and unsexed. Thus +she continued alternately mocking at and reviling me until she must needs +pause for lack of breath; then I turned to look at her and stood amazed to +behold that passionate head bowed upon her hands. + +"Aye, I weep," she sobbed. "I weep because I am woman, after all, but in +my heart I hate you and with my soul I despise you, for you are but a mock +man,--the blood in your veins skim milk! Ah, by God, there is more of +vigorous life in my little finger than in all your great, heavy, clod-like +carcase. Oh, shame!" Here she lifted her head to scowl on me and I, not +enduring her look, glanced otherwhere. "Ha--rot me!" cried she, wagging +scornful finger. "Rot me but you are afraid of me--afraid, yes!" + +"True!" said I. "So will I win free of you so soon as I may--" + +"Free of me?" cried she, and throwing herself on the sands, sat crouched +there, her head upon her knees and sobbing miserably. "So you will abandon +me then?" said she at last. + +"Aye." + +"Even though I--vow myself your slave?" + +"I want no slave." + +"Even though I beseech you on my knees?" + +"'Twere vain, I sail hence alone." + +"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate." + +"But I was ever a fool." + +"Aye, verily!" she cried passionately. "So do you yearn ever for your +light-o'-love, for your vanished Joan--your Damaris that left you--" + +"Now I pray you go!" said I. + +"I wonder," sighed she, never stirring, "I wonder why I do not kill you? I +hate you--despise you and yet--" + +Slowly she got to her feet and moved away with dragging step but paused +anon and spake again with head a-droop: + +"Living or dead, you shall not leave the island except I go with you!" +Then she went her way and something in her attitude methought infinitely +desolate. + +Left alone, I stood awhile in gloomy thought, but rousing presently, I +betook me into my cave, and lying down, fell at last to uneasy slumber. But +waking suddenly, I started up on elbow full of an indefinable fear, and +glancing without the cave, I saw a strange thing, for sand and rock and +bush-girt cliff had on an unfamiliar aspect, the which I was wholly unable +to account for; rocks and trees and flowering vines shone throbbing upon my +vision with a palpitant glow that came and went, the like of which I had +never seen before. + +Then, all at once, I was up and running along Skeleton Cove, filled with a +dreadful apprehension, and coming out upon Deliverance Beach, stood quaking +like one smitten with a palsy; for there, lapped about in writhing flame +and crackling sparks, was all that remained of my boat, and crouched upon +the sands, watching me by the light of this fire, was she who called +herself Joanna. + +And now, perceiving all the wanton cruelty of this thing, a cold and +merciless rage took me and staring on this woman as she stared on me, I +began to creep towards her. + +"I warned you, fool, I warned you!" cried she, never moving. "'Tis a brave +fire I've made and burns well. And now you shall kill me an you will--but +your boat is lost to you for ever, and so is--your Damaris!" + +Now at sound of this loved name I stopped and stood a great while staring +at the fire, then suddenly I cast myself on my knees, and lifting up my +eyes to the stars already paling to dawn, I prayed God to keep me from the +sin of murder. + +When at last I rose to my feet, Joanna was gone. + +The sun was high-risen when I came again, slow and heavy-footed, to behold +what the fire had left of my boat; a heap of ashes, a few fragments of +charred timber. And this the sorry end of all my fond hopes, my vain +schemes, my sweat and labour. + +And as I gazed, in place of my raging fury of last night was a hopeless +despondency and a great bitterness against that perverse fate that seemed +to mock my every endeavour. + +As I stood thus deject and bitterly cast down, I heard the step of this +woman Joanna and presently she cometh beside me. + +"You will be hating me for this, hating me--yes?" she questioned; then, +finding me all regardless of her, she plucked me by the sleeve. "Ah--and +will you not speak to me?" cried she. Turning from her, I began to pace +aimlessly along beside the lagoon but she, overtaking, halted suddenly in +my path. "Your boat would have leaked and swamped with you, Martino!" said +she, but heeding her no whit I turned and plodded back again, and she ever +beside me. "I tell you the cursed thing would ha' gone to pieces at the +first gust of wind!" she cried. But I paced on with neither word nor look +until, finding me thus blind and deaf to her, she cursed me bitterly and so +left me alone and I, following a haphazard course, presently found myself +in a grove of palmetto trees and sat me down in this pleasant shade where +I might behold the sea, that boundless, that impassable barrier. But in a +while, espying the woman coming thitherwards, I rose and tramped on again +with no thought but to save myself from her companionship. + +All the morning then I rambled aimlessly to and fro, keeping ever amid the +woods and thickets, staying my hunger with such fruit as I fell in with, +as grapes and plantains; or sitting listlessly, my hands idle before me, I +stared out across these empty, sun-smitten waters, until, dazzled by their +glare, I would rise and wander on again, my mind ever and always troubled +of a great perplexity, namely: How might I (having regard to the devilish +nature of this woman Joanna) keep myself from slaying her in some fit of +madness, thereby staining my soul with her murder. + +So came I at last to my habitation in Skeleton Cove and chancing to espy +my great powderhorn where it hung, I reached it down and going without the +cave, scattered its contents broadcast, this being all the powder I had +brought hither. + +It being now late noon and very hot, I cast myself down in the shade of a +rock, and lying there, I presently came to the following resolution, viz: +To shun the woman Joanna's company henceforth as well as I might; moreover +(and let her haunt me how she would) to heed her neither by word or look, +bearing all her scorns and revilings patiently, making no answer, and +enduring all her tyranny to the uttermost. All of which fine conceits were +but the most arrant folly and quickly brought to nothing, as you shall +hear. For even now as I sat with these high-flown notions buzzing in my +head, I started to her sudden call: + +"Martino--Martino!" + +Glancing up, I beheld her poised upon the rocks above me and a noose of +small cord in her hand. As I watched, she began to whirl this around her +head, fast and faster, then, uttering a shrill, strange cry, she let fly +the noose the which, leaping through the air, took me suddenly about the +throat and she, pulling on it, had me half-strangled all in a moment. Then +as, choking, I loosed this devilish noose from me (and or ever I could +rise) she came running and casting herself down before me, clasped my feet +and laid her head upon them. + +"Martino!" she cried, "Oh man, beat me an you will, trample on me, kill me; +only heed me--heed me a little!" + +Now seeing her thus miserably abject and humbled, I grew abashed also and +fain would have loosed me from her clasp but she held me only the faster; +and thus, my hand coming upon her head, she caught that hand and kissed it +passionately, wetting it with her tears. + +"Oh, Martino," said she, wofully a-sobbing, "I do know at last wherefore--I +may not kill you. 'Tis because I love you. I was fool not to guess it ere +this, but--I have never loved man ere now. Aye, I love you--I, Joanna, that +never loved before, do love you, Martino--" + +"What of your many lovers?" + +"I loved no one of them all. 'Tis you ha' learned me--" + +"Nay, this is no love--" + +"Aye, but it is--in very truth. Think you I do not know it? I cannot +sleep, I cannot eat--except you love me I must die, yes. Ah, Martino, be +merciful!" she pleaded. "For thee I will be all woman henceforth, soft and +tender and very gentle--thine always! Oh, be merciful--" + +"No," I cried, "not this! Be rather your other self, curse me, revile me, +fetch the sword and fight with me--" + +"Fight thee--ah, no, no! The time for this is passed away. And if I did +grieve thee 'twas but that I might cherish and comfort thee--for thou art +mine and I thine henceforth--to death and beyond! Look, Martino! See how I +do love thee!" + +And now her arms were about me, soft and strong, and beholding all the +pleading beauty of her, the tender allure of her eyes, the quiver of her +scarlet mouth and all her compelling loveliness, I stooped to her embrace; +but even so, chancing to lift my gaze seaward, I broke the clasp of these +twining arms and rose suddenly to my feet. For there, her rag of sail +spread to the light-breathing air, was a boat standing in for the island. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +HOW I SUCCOURED ONE DON FEDERIGO, A GENTLEMAN OF SPAIN + + +I was out upon the reef, waving my arms like any madman and shouting to +the vague figure huddled in the stern sheets. As the boat drew nearer, I +discovered this figure to be a man in Spanish half-armour, and the head of +this man was bowed meekly upon steel-clad breast like one overcome with +great weariness. But presently as I watched he looked up, like one awaking +from sleep, and gestured feebly with his arm, whiles I, beholding here the +means to my deliverance, babbled prayers of thankfulness to God. + +After some while, the boat being within hail, I began to call out to this +solitary voyager (for companion had he none, it seemed) how he must steer +to avoid the rocks and shoals. At last, the boat being come near enough and +the sea very smooth, I waded out and, watching my chance, clambered aboard +over the bows and came, all dripping, eager to welcome this heavensent +stranger and thus beheld the boat very foul of blood and him pale and +hollow-cheeked, his eyes dim and sunken; moreover his rich armour was +battered and dinted, whiles about one leg was knotted a bloody scarf. + +"Seņor," said I, in my best Spanish, "a lonely man, giveth you right hearty +greeting!" + +"I thank you, sir," he answered and in very excellent English, "though I do +much fear you shall abide solitary, for as I do think I am a-dying. Could +you--bring me--water--" + +The words ended in a sigh and his head drooped so that I feared he was +already gone. But, finding he yet breathed, I made haste to lower the sail +and, shipping oars, paddled towards that opening in the reef that gave upon +the lagoon. Being opposite this narrow channel I felt the boat caught by +some tide and current and swept forward ever more rapidly, insomuch that +I unshipped the oars and hasting into the bow, caught up a stout spar +wherewith to fend us off from the rocks. Yet more than once, despite all my +exertions, we came near striking ere, having passed through this perilous +gut, we floated into the placid waters of the lagoon beyond. + +Very soon I had beached the boat as securely as I might on that spit of +sand opposite Skeleton Cove, and finding the Spaniard yet a-swoon I lifted +him, albeit with much ado, and setting him across my shoulder, bore him +thus into the cool shade of the cave. There I laid him down beside the +little rill to bathe his head and wrists with the sweet water and moisten +his parched lips. At this he revived somewhat and, lifting his head, +eagerly drank so much as I would allow, his sunken eyes uplift to mine in +an ecstasy. + +"Young sir," said he in stronger voice, "for your kind charity and this +good water may the Saints requite thee. 'Tis three nights and two days +since I drank--" + +A shadow fell betwixt us and looking up I beheld Joanna. Now in one hand +she grasped the Spaniard's sword she had stolen out of his boat and her +other hand was hid behind her, wherefore I watched her narrowly, as she +stood gazing down at this wounded man; and at first she scowled at him, but +slowly her look changed and I saw her vivid lips curl in her baleful smile. + +"Oh," said she very softly, "Oh, marvel of marvels! Oh, wonder of wonders, +even and in very truth it is Don Federigo de Rosalva y Maldonada, wafted +hither by wind and tide to Joanna and judgment. Oh, most wonderful!" + +Now hereupon this poor wounded wretch lifted himself to peer up into her +smiling face with hanging jaw, like one amazed beyond all speech, whiles +she, slim and shapely in her 'broidered gown, nodded her handsome head. +"Verily," quoth she, "'tis the hanging, bloody governor of Nombre de Dios +come to Justice! I pray you, Seņor, how many of our company ha' you strung +aloft since last we met?" + +Here, though with much painful ado, the Don got to his feet and made her a +prodigious fine bow. + +"The Seņorita Joanna honours me by her notice," said he. "I should have +doubtless known her at once but for her change of habit. And I am happy to +inform the Seņorita I have been so fortunate as to take and hang no +less than five and twenty of her pirate fellowship since last I had the +gratification of meeting her." + +"Ha, you lie!" cried she passionately. "You lie!" + +"They swing in their chains along the mole outside Nombre de Dios to +witness for my truth, Seņorita. And now," said he, propping himself against +the rock behind him, "it is my turn to die, as I think? Well, strike, +lady--here, above my gorget--" + +"Die then!" cried she and whipped a pistol from behind her, but as she +levelled I struck up the weapon and it exploded harmless in the air. +Uttering a scream of bitter rage, she thrust with the sword, but I put up +the stroke (thereby taking a gash in the arm) and gripping the rapier by +the guards I twisted it from her hold. And now she turned on me in a very +frenzy: + +"Kill me then!" she panted, striving to impale herself on the sword in my +hand. "If this man is to come betwixt us now, kill me in mercy and free +me from this hateful woman's flesh--" But here, spying my arm bloody, she +forgot her anger all in a moment. "Are ye hurt?" said she. "Are ye hurt and +all to save this miserable fool!" And suddenly (or ever I might prevent) +she caught my arm, kissing the wound, heedless of the blood that bedabbled +her cheek in horrid fashion. + +"Oh, Martino," said she, leaning 'gainst a rock when at last I broke from +her, "you are mine now and always, as you were in other times long since +forgot. In those days your blood was on my lips, I mind, and your kisses +also ere you died.. Mine you are to death, aye, and through death to life +again--mine. And to-day is to-day and death not for you or me--yet awhile!" + +When she was gone I turned to find this wounded man upon his knees, his +head bowed above a little gold crucifix between his hands. + +"Sir, what would you?" I questioned, struck by his expression, when at last +he looked up. + +"I make my peace with God, Seņor, since I am soon to die--" + +"Nay, sir, I do trust your hardships are ended--" + +"Shall be, Seņor, to-day, to-morrow, the day after?" said he, smiling +faintly and shrugging his shoulders. "A sudden shot, steel i' the +back--'tis better than death by famine in an open boat. You, Seņor, have +saved me alive yet a little, doubtless for your own ends, but my death +walketh yonder as I know, death in form shapely and fair-seeming, yet sure +and unpitying, none the less." + +"Ha, d'ye mean yon woman?" I questioned. + +"The Seņorita Joanna--verily, Seņor." + +"Never think it!" quoth I. "'Tis wild, fierce creature, yet is she but a +woman and young--" + +Now hereupon this wounded man lifted weary head to stare on me, his eyes +very bright and keen. + +"Seņor," says he, "either you do mock me, or you nothing know this woman. +But I do know her well and too well. Seņor, I have warred with and been +prisoner to you English, I have fought Indians, I have campaigned again +buccaneers and pirates these many years, but never have I encountered foe +so desperate, so bold and cunning as this Seņorita Joanna. She is the very +soul of evil; the goddess of every pirate rogue in the Indies; 'tis she +is their genius, their inspiration, her word their law. 'Tis she is ever +foremost in their most desperate ploys, first in attack, last in retreat, +fearless always--I have known her turn rout into victory. But two short +months ago she vowed my destruction, and I with my thousands at command +besides divers ships well armed and manned; to-day I am a woful fugitive, +broken in fortune, fleeing for my life, and, Seņor, Fate has brought me, +through shipwreck and famine all these weary miles, into the grasp of her +slender, cruel hands. Thus and thus do I know myself for dead man and shall +die, howsoever I must, as becometh me." + +His keen eyes lost their fire, his head drooped, and looking down on him as +he lay huddled against the rock, I did not doubt but that much of this was +no more than the raving of his disordered fancy. + +So I set my arm about this poor gentleman and brought him into my +habitation, where I loosed off his chafing armour and set myself to feed +and cherish him, bathing the hurt in his leg, the which I found very angry +and inflamed. This done I bade him be of good comfort and yield himself to +slumber. But this he could no way accomplish, being restless and fevered +and his mind harping continually on the strange fate had set him thus in +Joanna's power and the sure belief that he must die, soon or late, at her +hands. + +"For look now, Seņor," said he, "and observe my strange destiny. Scarce two +months since I set out in a well-found galleon, I and three hundred chosen +men, to hunt down and destroy this very woman--her and her evil company. +One of their ships we fell in with, which ship, after long and sharp +debate, we sunk. But it coming on to blow and our own vessels being much +shattered by their shot, we sprung a leak, the which gaining on us, we +were forced to take to our boats; but the wind increased and we were soon +scattered. On the third day, having endured divers perils, we made the +land, I with Pedro Valdez my chief captain and ten others and, being short +of water, they went ashore one and all, leaving me wounded in the boat. +And I lying there was suddenly aware of great uproar within the thickets +ashore, and thereafter the screams and cries of my companions as they died. +Then cometh Pedro Valdez running, crying out the Indians were on us, that +all was lost and himself sore wounded. Nevertheless he contrived to thrust +off the boat and I to aid him aboard. That night, he died and the wind +drove me whither it would; wherefore, having committed Pedro Valdez his +body to the deep, I resigned myself to the will of God. And God hath +brought me hither, Seņor, and set me in the power of the Seņorita Joanna +that is my bitter foe; so am I like to die sudden and soon. But, Seņor, +for your kindness to me, pray receive a broken man's gratitude and dying +blessing. Sir, I am ever a Maldonada of Castile and we do never forget!" +There he reached out to grasp my hand. "Thus, Seņor, should this be my last +night of life, the which is very like, know that my gratitude is of the +nature that dieth not." + +"Sir," said I, his hand in mine and the night deepening about us, "I am a +very solitary man and you came into my life like a very angel of God (an +there be such) when I stood in direst need, for I was sick of my loneliness +and in my hunger for companionship very nigh to great and shameful folly. +Mayhap, whiles you grow back to strength and health, I will tell you my +story, but this night you shall sleep safe--so rest you secure." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +I AM DETERMINED ON MY VENGEANCE, AND MY REASONS THEREFOR + + +I found this Spanish gentleman very patient in his sickness and ever of a +grave and chivalrous courtesy, insomuch that as our fellowship lengthened +so grew my regard for him. He was, beside, a man of deep learning and +excellent judgment and his conversation and conduct a growing delight to +me. + +And indeed to such poor wretch as I that had been forced by my bitter +wrongs to company with all manner of rogues and fellows of the baser sort, +this Don Federigo (and all unknowing) served but to show me how very far I +had sunk from what I might have been. And knowing myself thus degenerate +I grieved mightily therefore and determined henceforth to meet Fortune's +buffets more as became my condition, with a steadfast and patient serenity, +even as this gentleman of Spain. + +It was at this time he recounted, in his courtly English, something of the +woes he and his had suffered these many years at the hands of these roving +adventurers, these buccaneers and pirates whose names were a terror all +along the Main. He told of the horrid cruelties of Lollonois, of the bloody +Montbars called the "Exterminator," of the cold, merciless ferocity of +Black Bartlemy and of such lesser rouges as Morgan, Tressady, Belvedere and +others of whom I had never heard. + +"There was my son, young sir," said he in his calm, dispassionate voice, +"scarce eighteen turned, and my daughter--both taken by this pirate +Belvedere when he captured the _Margarita_ carrack scarce three years +since. My son they tortured to death because he was my son, and my +daughter, my sweet Dolores--well, she is dead also, I pray the Mother of +Mercies. Truly I have suffered very much, yet there be others, alas! I +might tell you of our goodly towns burned or held to extortionate ransom, +of our women ravished, our children butchered, our men tormented, our +defenceless merchant ships destroyed and their crews with them, but my list +is long, young sir, and would outlast your kind patience." + +"And what o' vengeance?" I demanded, marvelling at the calm serenity of his +look. + +"Vengeance, young sir? Nay, surely, 'tis an empty thing. For may vengeance +bring back the beloved dead? Can it rebuild our desolate towns, or cure any +of a broken heart?" + +"Yet you hang these same rogues?" + +"Truly, Seņor, as speedily as may be, as I would crush a snake. Yet who +would seek vengeance on a worm?" + +"Yet do I seek vengeance!" cried I, upstarting to my feet. "Vengeance for +my wasted years, vengeance on him hath been the ruin of my house, on him +that, forcing me to endure anguish of mind and shame of body, hath made of +me the poor, outcast wretch I am. Ha--'tis vengeance I do live for!" + +"Then do you live to a vain end, young sir! For vengeance is an emptiness +and he that seeketh it wasteth himself." + +"Now tell me, Don Federigo," I questioned, "seek you not the life of this +Belvedere that slew your son?" + +"'Tis my prayer to see him die, Seņor, yet do I live to other, and I pray +to nobler purpose--" + +"Why, then," quoth I fiercely, "so is it my prayer to watch my enemy die +and I do live to none other purpose--" + +"Spoke like true, bully lad, Martino!" cried a voice, and glancing about, I +espied Joanna leaning in the opening to the cave. She was clad in her +male attire as I had seen her first, save that by her side she bore +the bejewelled Spanish rapier. Thus lolled she, smiling on me +half-contemptuous, hand poised lightly on the hilt of her sword, all +graceful insolence. + +"Eye for eye, Martino," said she, nodding. "Tooth for tooth, blood for +blood: 'tis a good law and just, yes! How say you, Seņor Don Federigo; you +agree--no?" + +With an effort Don Federigo got to his feet and, folding his cloak about +his spare form, made her a prodigious deep obeisance. + +"'Tis a law ancient of days, Seņorita," said he. + +"And your health improves, Seņor, I hope--yes?" + +"The Seņorita is vastly gracious! Thanks to Don Martino I mend apace. Oh, +yes, and shall soon be strong enough to die decorously, I trust, and in +such fashion as the Seņorita shall choose." + +"Aha, Seņor," said she, with flash of white teeth, "'tis an everlasting joy +to me that I also am of noble Spanish blood. Some day when justice hath +been done, and you are no more, I will have a stone raised up to mark where +lie the bones of a great Spanish gentleman. As for thee, my poor Martino, +that babblest o' vengeance, 'tis not for thee nor ever can be--thou that +art only English, cold--cold--a very clod! Oh, verily there is more life, +more fire and passion in a small, dead fish than in all thy great, slow +body! And now, pray charge me my pistols; you have all the powder here." I +shook my head. "Fool," said she, "I mean not to shoot you, and as for Don +Federigo, since death is but his due, a bullet were kinder--so charge now +these my pistols." + +"I have no powder," said I. + +"Liar!" + +"I cast it into the sea lest I be tempted to shoot you." + +Now at this she must needs burst out a-laughing. + +"Oh, Englishman!" cried she. "Oh, sluggard soul--how like, how very like +thee, Martino!" Then, laughing yet, she turned and left me to stare after +her in frowning wonderment. + +This night after supper, sitting in the light of the fire and finding the +Don very wakeful, I was moved (at his solicitation) to tell him my history; +the which I will here recapitulate as briefly as I may. + +"I was born, sir, in Kent in England exactly thirty years ago, and being +the last of my family 'tis very sure that family shall become a name soon +to be forgotten--" + +"But you, Seņor, so young--" + +"But ancient in suffering, sir." + +"Oh, young sir, but what of love; 'tis a magic--" + +"A dream!" quoth I. "A dream sweet beyond words! But I am done with idle +dreaming, henceforth. I come then of one of two families long at feud, a +bloody strife that had endured for generations and which ended in my father +being falsely accused by his more powerful enemy and thrown into prison +where he speedily perished. Then I, scarce more than lad, was trepanned +aboard ship, carried across seas and sold a slave into the plantations. +And, mark me, sir, all this the doing of our hereditary enemy who, thus +triumphant, dreamed he had ended the feud once and for all. Sir, I need not +weary you with my sufferings as a planter's slave, to labour always 'neath +the lash, to live or die as my master willed. Suffice it I broke free at +last and, though well-nigh famished, made my way to the coast. But here my +travail ended in despair, for I was recaptured and being known for runaway +slave, was chained to an oar aboard the great _Esmeralda_ galleas where +such poor rogues had their miserable lives whipped out of them. And here my +sufferings (since it seemed I could not die) grew well-nigh beyond me to +endure. But from this hell of shame and anguish I cried unceasing upon God +for justice and vengeance on mine enemy that had plunged me from life and +all that maketh it worthy into this living death. And God answered me in +this, for upon a day the _Esmeralda_ was shattered and sunk by an English +ship and I, delivered after five bitter years of agony, came back to my +native land. But friends had I none, nor home, since the house wherein I +was born and all else had been seized by my enemy and he a power at Court. +Him sought I therefore to his destruction, since (as it seemed to me) God +had brought me out of my tribulation to be His instrument of long-delayed +vengeance. So, friendless and destitute, came I at last to that house had +been ours for generations and there learned that my hopes and labour were +vain indeed, since this man I was come to destroy had himself been captured +and cast a prisoner in that very place whence I had so lately escaped!" + +Here the memory of this disappointment waxing in me anew, I must needs +pause in my narration, whereupon my companion spake in his soft, +dispassionate voice: + +"Thus surely God hath answered your many prayers, young sir!" + +"And how so?" cried I. "Of what avail that this man lie pent in dungeon +or sweating in chains and I not there to see his agony? I must behold him +suffer as I suffered, hear his groans, see his tears--I that do grieve a +father untimely dead, I that have endured at this man's will a thousand +shames and torment beyond telling! Thus, sir," I continued, "learning that +his daughter was fitting out a ship to his relief I (by aid of the master +of the ship) did steal myself aboard and sailed back again, back to +discover this my enemy. But on the voyage mutiny broke out, headed by that +evil rogue, Tressady. Then was I tricked and cast adrift in an open boat by +Adam Penfeather, the master--" + +"Penfeather, young sir, Adam Penfeather! Truly there was one I do mind +greatly famous once among the buccaneers of Tortuga." + +"This man, then, this Penfeather casts me adrift (having struck me +unconscious first) that I might secure to him certain treasure that lay +hid on this island, a vast treasure of jewels called 'Black Bartlemy's +treasure.'" + +"I have heard mention of it, Seņor." + +"Here then steered I, perforce, and, storm-tossed, was cast here, I and--my +comrade--" + +"Comrade, Seņor?" + +"Indeed, sir. For with me in the boat was a woman and she the daughter of +my enemy. And here, being destitute of all things, we laboured together to +our common need and surely, aye, surely, never had man braver comrade or +sweeter companion. She taught me many things and amongst them how to +love her, and loving, to honour and respect her for her pure and noble +womanhood. Upon a time, to save herself from certain evil men driven hither +by tempest she leapt into a lake that lieth in the midst of this island, +being carried some distance by a current, came in this marvellous fashion +on the secret of Black Bartlemy's hidden treasure. But I, thinking her +surely dead, fought these rogues, slaying one and driving his fellow back +to sea and, being wounded, fell sick, dreaming my dear lady beside me +again, hale and full of life; and waking at last from my fears, found this +the very truth. In the following days I forgot all my prayers and the great +oath of vengeance I had sworn, by reason of my love for this my sweet +comrade. But then came the pirate Tressady and his fellows seeking the +treasure, and after him, Penfeather, which last, being a very desperate, +cunning man, took Tressady by a wile and would have hanged him with his +comrade Mings, but for my lady. These rogues turned I adrift in one of +the boats to live or die as God should appoint. And now (my vengeance all +forgot) there grew in me a passionate hope to have found me peace at last +and happiness in my dear lady's love, and wedded to her, sail back to +England and home. But such great happiness was not for me, it seemed. I was +falsely accused of murder and (unable to prove my innocence) I chose rather +to abide here solitary than endure her doubting of; me, or bring shame or +sorrow on one so greatly loved. Thus, sir, here have I existed a solitary +man ever since." + +"And the Seņorita Joanna, young sir?" + +When I had told him of her coming and the strange manner of it, Don +Federigo lay silent a good while, gazing into the fire. + +"And your enemy, Seņor?" he questioned at last. "Where lieth he now to your +knowledge?" + +"At Nombre de Dios, in the dungeons of the Inquisition, 'tis said." + +"The Inquisition!" quoth Don Federigo in a whisper, and crossed himself. +"Sir," said he, and with a strange look. "Oh, young sir, if this be so +indeed, rest you content, for God hath surely avenged you--aye, to the very +uttermost!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +HOW THE DAYS OF MY WATCHING WERE ACCOMPLISHED + + +Our fresh meat being nearly all gone, I set out next morning with my +bow and arrows (in the management of which I had made myself extreme +dexterous); I set out, I say, minded to shoot me a young goat or, failing +this, one of those great birds whose flesh I had found ere now to be very +tender and delicate eating. + +Hardly had I waved adieu to the Don (him sitting in the shade propped in +one of my great elbow chairs) than I started a goat and immediately gave +chase, not troubling to use my bow, for what with my open-air life and +constant exercise I had become so long-winded and fleet of foot that I +would frequently run these wild creatures down. + +Away sped the goat and I after it, along perilous tracks and leaping from +rock to rock, joying in the chase, since of late I had been abroad very +little by reason of Don Federigo's sickness; on I ran after my quarry, the +animal making ever for higher ground and more difficult ways until we were +come to a rocky height whence I might behold a wide expanse of ocean. + +Now, as had become my wont, I cast a look around about this vast horizon +and stopped all at once, clean forgetting my goat and all else in the world +excepting that which had caught my lonely glance, that for which I had +looked and waited and prayed for so long. For there, dim-seen 'twixt the +immensity of sea and sky, was a speck I knew for the topsails of a ship. +Long stood I staring as one entranced, my hands tight clasped, and all +a-sweat with fear lest this glimmering speck should fade and vanish utterly +away. At last, dreading this be but my fancy or a trick of the light, I +summoned enough resolution to close my eyes and, bowing my head between my +hands, remained thus as long as I might endure. Then, opening my eyes, I +uttered a cry of joy to see this speck loom more distinct and plainer than +before. Thereupon I turned and began to hasten back with some wild notion +of putting off in Don Federigo's boat (the which lay securely afloat in the +lagoon) and of standing away for this ship lest peradventure she miss +the island. Full of this dreadful possibility I took to running like any +madman, staying for nothing, leaping, scrambling, slipping and stumbling +down sheer declivities, breasting precipitous cliffs until I reached and +began to descend Skeleton Cove. + +I was half-way down the cliff when I heard the clash of steel, and +presently coming where I might look down into the cove I saw this: with his +back to a rock and a smear of blood on his cheek stood Don Federigo, armed +with my cut-and-thrust, defending himself against Joanna; and as I watched +the flash of their whirling, clashing blades, it did not take me long to +see that the Don was no match for her devilish skill and cunning, and +beholding her swift play of foot and wrist, her lightning volts and passes, +I read death in every supple line of her. Even as I hasted towards them, I +saw the dart of her long blade, followed by a vivid, ever-widening stain on +the shoulder of the Don's tattered shirt. + +"Ha-ha!" cried she and with a gasconading flourish of her blade. "There's +for Pierre Valdaigne you hanged six months agone! There's for Jeremy Price! +And this for Tonio Moretti! And now for John Davis, sa-ha!" With every name +she uttered, her cruel steel, flashing within his weakening guard, bit into +him, arm or leg, and I saw she meant to cut him to pieces. The sword was +beaten from his failing grasp and her point menaced his throat, his +breast, his eyes, whiles he, leaning feebly against the rock, fronted her +unflinching and waited death calm and undismayed. But, staying for no more, +I leapt down into the cove and fell, rolling upon the soft sand, whereupon +she flashed a look at me over her shoulder and in that moment Don Federigo +had grappled her sword-arm; then came I running and she, letting fall her +sword, laughed to see me catch it up. + +"Ha, my brave English clod," cried she. "There be two swords and two +men against one defenceless woman! Come, end me, Martino, end me and be +done--or will you suffer the Don to show you, yes?" And folding her arms +she faced me mighty high and scornful. But now, whiles I stared at her +insolent beauty and no word ready, Don Federigo made her one of his grand +bows and staggered into the cave, spattering blood as he went. + +And in a little (staying only to take up the other sword) I followed him, +leaving her to stand and mock me with her laughter. Reaching the Don I +found him a-swoon and straightway set myself to bare his wounds and staunch +their bleeding as well as I might, in the doing of which I must needs +marvel anew at Joanna's devilish skill, since each and every of these hurts +came near no vital spot and were of little account in themselves, so that a +man might be stabbed thus very many times ere death ended his torment. + +After awhile, recovering himself somewhat, Don Federigo must needs strive +to speak me his gratitude, but I cut him short to tell of the ship I had +seen. + +"I pray what manner of ship?" + +"Nay, she is yet too far to determine," said I, glancing eagerly seawards. +"But since ship she is, what matter for aught beside?" + +"True, Seņor Martino! I am selfish." + +"How so?" + +"Unless she be ship of Spain, here is no friend to me. But you will be +yearning for sight of this vessel whiles I keep you. Go, young sir, go +forth--make you a fire, a smoke plain to be seen and may this ship bring +you to freedom and a surcease of all your tribulations!" + +"A smoke!" cried I, leaping up. "Ha, yes--yes!" And off went I, running; +but reaching Deliverance I saw there was no need for signal of mine, since +on the cliff above a fire burned already, sending up huge columns of thick +smoke very plain to be seen from afar, and beside this fire Joanna staring +seaward beneath her hand. And looking whither she looked, I saw the ship +so much nearer that I might distinguish her lower courses. Thus I stood, +watching the vessel grow upon my sight, very slowly and by degrees, until +it was evident she had seen the smoke and was standing in for the island. +Once assured of this, I was seized of a passion of joy; and bethinking me +of all she might mean to me and of the possibility that one might be aboard +her whose sweet eyes even now gazed from her decks upon this lonely island, +my heart leapt whiles ship and sea swam on my sight and I grew blinded by +stinging tears. And now I paced to and fro upon the sand in a fever of +longing and with my hungry gaze turned ever in the one direction. + +As the time dragged by, my impatience grew almost beyond enduring; but +on came the ship, slow but sure, nearer and nearer until I could +discern shroud and spar and rope, the guns that yawned from her high, +weather-beaten side, the people who crowded her decks. She seemed a great +ship, heavily armed and manned, and high upon her towering poop lolled one +in a vivid scarlet jacket. + +I was gazing upon her in an ecstacy, straining my eyes for the flutter of +a petticoat upon her lofty quarter-deck, when I heard Don Federigo hail me +faintly, and glancing about, espied him leaning against an adjacent rock. + +"Alas, Seņor," says he, "I know yon ship by her looks--aye, and so doth the +Seņorita--see yonder!" Now glancing whither he pointed, I beheld Joanna +pacing daintily along the reef, pausing ever and anon to signal with her +arm; then, as the ship went about to bear up towards the reef, from her +crowded decks rose a great shouting and halloo, a hoarse clamour drowned +all at once in the roar of great guns, and up to the main fluttered a black +ancient; and beholding this accursed flag, its grisly skull and bones, I +cast me down on the sands, my high hopes and fond expectations 'whelmed in +a great despair. + +But as I lay thus was a gentle touch on my bowed head and in my ear Don +Federigo's voice: + +"Alas, good my friend, and doth Hope die for you likewise? Then do I grieve +indeed. But despair not, for in the cave yonder be two swords; go fetch +them, I pray, for I am over-weak." + +"Of what avail," cried I bitterly, looking up into the pale serenity of his +face, "of what avail two swords 'gainst a ship's company?" + +"We can die, Seņor!" said he, with his gentle smile. "To die on our own +steel, by our own hands--here--is clean death and honourable." + +"True!" said I. + +"Then I pray go fetch the swords, my friend; 'tis time methinks--look!" +Glancing towards the ship, I saw she was already come to an anchor and a +boatful of men pulling briskly for the reef where stood Joanna, and as they +rowed they cheered her amain: + +"La Culebra!" they roared. "Ahoy, Joanna! Give a rouse for Fighting Jo! +Cap'n Jo--ha, Joanna!" + +The boat being near enough, many eager hands were reached out to her and +with Joanna on board they paddled into the lagoon. Now as they drew in to +Deliverance Beach they fell silent all, hearkening to her words, and I +saw her point them suddenly to Skeleton Cove, whereupon they rowed amain +towards that spit of sand where we stood screened among the rocks, shouting +in fierce exultation as they came. Don Federigo sank upon his knees with +head bowed reverently above his little crucifix, and when at last he looked +up his face showed placid as ever. + +"Seņor," quoth he gently, "you do hear them howling for my blood? Well, +you bear a knife in your girdle--I pray you lend it to me." For a moment I +hesitated, then, drawing the weapon forth, I sent it spinning far out to +sea. + +"Sir," said I, "we English do hold that whiles life is--so is hope. +Howbeit, if you die you shall not die alone, this I swear." + +Then I sprang forth of the rocks and strode down where these lawless +fellows were beaching their boat. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +WE FALL AMONG PIRATES + + +At my sudden coming they fell silent, one and all, staring from me to +Joanna, where she stood beside a buxom, swaggering ruffling fellow whose +moustachios and beard were cut after the Spanish mode but with a monstrous +great periwig on his head surmounted by a gold-braided, looped hat. His +coat was of scarlet velvet, brave with much adornment of gold lace; his +legs were thrust into a pair of rough sea-boots; and on his hip a long, +curved hanger very broad in the blade. + +"'S fish!" said he, looking me over with his sleepy eyes. "Is this your +Englishman, Jo? And what must we do wi' him--shall he hang?" + +"Mayhap yes--when 'tis so my whim," answered she, 'twixt smiling lips and +staring me in the eyes. + +But now, and all at once, from the wild company rose a sudden hoarse murmur +that swelled again to that fierce, exultant uproar as down towards us paced +Don Federigo. + +"Aha, 'tis the Marquis!" they cried. "'Tis the bloody Marquis! Shoot the +dog! Nay, hang him up! Aye, by his thumbs. Nay, burn him--to the fire wi' +the bloody rogue!" + +Unheeding their vengeful outcry he advanced upon the men (and these +ravening for his blood), viewing their lowering faces and brandished steel +with his calm, dispassionate gaze and very proud and upright for all his +bodily weakness; pausing beside me, he threw up his hand with haughty +gesture and before the command of this ragged arm they abated their clamour +somewhat. + +"Of a surety," said he in his precise English, "it is the Capitan +Belvedere. You captured my daughter--my son--in the _Margarita_ carrack +three years agone. 'Tis said he died at your hands, Seņor Capitan--" + +"Not mine, Don, not mine," answered this Belvedere, smiling sleepily. "We +gave him to Black Pompey to carbonado." I felt Don Federigo's hand against +me as if suddenly faint, but his wide-eyed gaze never left the Captain's +handsome face, who, aware of this look, shifted his own gaze, cocked his +hat and swaggered. "Stare your fill, now," quoth he with an oath, "'tis +little enough you'll be seeing presently. Aye, you'll be blind enough +soon--" + +"Blind is it, Cap'n--ha, good!" cried a squat, ill-looking fellow, whipping +out a long knife. "Hung my comrade Jem, a did, so here's a knife shall +blind him when ye will, Cap'n, by hookey!" And now he and his fellows began +to crowd upon us with evil looks; but they halted suddenly, fumbling with +their weapons and eyeing Joanna uncertainly where she stood, hand on hip, +viewing them with her fleering smile. + +"Die he shall, yes!" said she at last. "Die he must, but in proper fashion +and time, not by such vermin as you--so put up that knife! You hear me, +yes?" + +"Hanged my comrade Jem, a did, along o' many others o' the Fellowship!" +growled the squat man, flourishing his knife, "Moreover the Cap'n says +'blind' says he, so blind it is, says I, and this the knife to--" The +growling voice was drowned in the roar of a pistol and, dropping his knife, +the fellow screamed and caught at his hurt. + +"And there's for you, yes!" said Joanna, smiling into the man's agonised +face, "Be thankful I spared your worthless life. Crawl into the boat, worm, +and wait till I'm minded to patch up your hurt--Go!" + +For a moment was silence, then came a great gust of laughter, and men +clapped and pummelled each other. + +"La Culebra!" they roared. "'Tis our Jo, 'tis Fighting Jo, sure and +sartain; 'tis our luck, the luck o' the Brotherhood--ha, Joanna!" + +But, tossing aside the smoking pistol, Joanna scowled from them to their +captain. + +"Hola, Belvedere," said she. "Your dogs do grow out of hand; 'tis well I'm +back again. Now for these my prisoners, seize 'em up, bind 'em fast and +heave 'em aboard ship." + +"Aye, but," said Belvedere, fingering his beard, "why aboard, Jo, when we +may do their business here and prettily. Yon's a tree shall make notable +good gallows or--look now, here's right plenty o' kindling, and driftwood +shall burn 'em merrily and 'twill better please the lads--" + +"But then I do pleasure myself, yes. So aboard ship they go!" + +"Why, look now, Jo," said Belvedere, biting at his thumb, "'tis ever my +rule to keep no prisoners--" + +"Save women, Cap'n!" cried a voice, drowned in sudden evil laughter. + +"So, as I say, Joanna, these prisoners cannot go aboard my ship." + +"Your ship?" said she, mighty scornful. "Ah, ah, but 'twas I made you +captain of your ship and 'tis I can unmake you--" + +"Why look ye, Jo," said Belvedere, gnawing at his thumb more savagely and +glancing towards his chafing company, "the good lads be growing impatient, +being all heartily for ending these prisoners according to custom--" + +"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" cried divers of the men, beginning to crowd upon us +again. "To the fire with 'em! Nay, send aboard for Black Pompey! Aye, +Pompey's the lad to set 'em dancing Indian fashion--" + +"You hear, Jo, you hear?" cried Belvedere. "The lads are for ending of 'em +sportive fashion--especially the Don; he must die slow and quaint for +sake 'o the good lads as do hang a-rotting on his cursed gibbets e'en +now--quaint and slow; the lads think so and so think I--" + +"But you were ever a dull fool, my pretty man, yes!" said Joanna, showing +her teeth. "And as for these rogues, they do laugh at you--see!" But as +Belvedere turned to scowl upon and curse his ribalds, Joanna deftly whisked +the pistols from his belt and every face was smitten to sudden anxious +gravity as she faced them. + +"I am Joanna!" quoth she, her red lips curving to the smile I ever found so +hateful. "Oh, Madre de Dios, where now are your tongues? And never a smile +among ye! Is there a man here that will not obey Joanna--no? Joanna that +could kill any of ye single-handed as she killed Cestiforo!" At this was an +uneasy stir and muttering among them, and Belvedere's sleepy eyes widened +suddenly. "Apes!" cried she, beslavering them with all manner of abuse, +French, Spanish and English. "Monkeys, cease your chattering and list to +Joanna. And mark--my prisoners go aboard this very hour, yes. And to-day we +sail for Nombre de Dios. Being before the town we send in a boat under flag +of truce to say we hold captive their governor, Don Federigo de Cosalva y +Maldonada, demanding for him a sufficient ransom. The money paid, then +will we fire a broadside into the city and the folk shall see their proud +Governor swung aloft to dangle and kick at our mainyard; so do we achieve +vengeance and money both--" + +From every throat burst a yell of wild acclaim, shout on shout: "Hey, lads, +for Cap'n Jo! 'Tis she hath the wise head, mates! Money and vengeance, says +Jo! Shout, lads, for Fighting Jo--shout!" + +"And what o' your big rogue, Jo?" demanded Belvedere, scowling on me. + +"He?" said Joanna, curling her lip at me. "Oh, la-la, he shall be our +slave--'til he weary me. So--bring: them along!" + +But now (and all too late) perceiving death to be the nobler part, even as +Don Federigo had said, I determined to end matters then and there; thus, +turning from Joanna's baleful smile, I leapt suddenly upon the nearest of +the pirates and felling him with a buffet, came to grips with another; this +man I swung full-armed, hurling him among his fellows, and all before a +shot might be fired. But as I stood fronting them, awaiting the stab or +bullet should end me, I heard Joanna's voice shrill and imperious: + +"Hold, lads! You are twelve and he but one and unarmed. So down with your +weapons--down, I say! You shall take me this man with your naked hands--ha, +fists--yes! Smite then--bruise him, fists shall never kill him! To it, with +your hands then; the first man that draweth weapon I shoot! To it, lads, +sa-ha--at him then, good bullies!" + +For a moment they hesitated but seeing Joanna, her cheeks aglow, her +pistols grasped in ready hands, they laughed and cursed and, loosing off +such things as incommoded them, prepared to come at me. Then, perceiving +she had fathomed my design and that here was small chance of finding sudden +quietus, I folded my arms, minded to let them use me as they would. But +this fine resolution was brought to none account by a small piece of +driftwood that one of these fellows hove at me, thereby setting my mouth +a-bleeding. Stung by the blow and forgetting all but my anger, I leapt and +smote with my fist, and then he and his fellows were upon me. But they +being so many their very numbers hampered them, so that as they leapt upon +me many a man was staggered by kick or buffet aimed at me; moreover these +passed their days cooped up on shipboard whiles I was a man hardened by +constant exercise. Scarce conscious of the hurts I took as we reeled to and +fro, locked in furious grapple, I fought them very joyously, making right +good play with my fists; but ever as I smote one down, another leapt to +smite, so that presently my breath began to labour. How long I endured, I +know not. Only I remember marvelling to find myself so strong and the keen +joy of it was succeeded by sudden weariness, a growing sickness: I remember +a sound of groaning breaths all about me, of thudding blows, hoarse shouts, +these, waxing ever fainter, until smiting with failing arms and ever-waning +strength, they dragged me down at last and I lay vanquished and +unresisting. As I sprawled there, drawing my breath in painful gasps, the +hands that smote, the merciless feet that kicked and trampled me were +suddenly stilled and staring up with dimming eyes I saw Joanna looking down +on me. + +"Oh, Martino," said she in my ear, "Oh, fool Englishman, could you but love +as you do fight--" + +But groaning, I turned my face to the trampled sand and knew no more. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HOW I CAME ABOARD THE _HAPPY DESPATCH_ AND OF MY SUFFERINGS THERE + + +I awoke gasping to the shock of cold water and was dimly aware of divers +people crowding about me. + +"'Tis a fine, bull-bodied boy, Job, all brawn and beef--witness your eye, +Lord love me!" exclaimed a jovial voice, "Aha, Job, a lusty lad--heave +t'other bucket over him!" There came another torrent of water, whereupon I +strove to sit up, but finding this vain by reason of strict bonds, I cursed +them all and sundry instead. + +"A sturdy soul, Job, and of a comfortable conversation!" quoth the voice. +"Moreover a man o' mark, as witnesseth your peeper." + +"Rot him!" growled the man Job, a beastly-seeming fellow, very slovenly and +foul of person, who glared down at me out of one eye, the other being so +bruised and swollen as to serve him no whit. + +"He should be overside wi' his guts full o' shot for this same heye of mine +if 'twas my say--" + +"But then it ain't your say, Job, nor yet Belvedere's--'tis hern, +Job--hern--Cap'n Jo's. 'He's to be took care of,' says she, 'treated kind +and gentle,' says she. And, mark me, here's Belvedere's nose out o' joint, +d'ye see? And, talkin' o' noses, there's your eye, Job; sink me but he +wiped your eye for you, my--" + +"Plague and perish him!" snarled Job, kicking me viciously. "Burn him, 'tis +keelhaul 'im I would first and then give 'im to Pompey to carve up what +remained--" + +"Pompey?" exclaimed this fellow Diccon, a merry-seeming fellow but with a +truculent eye. "Look 'ee, Job, here's a match for Pompey at last, as I do +think, man to man, bare fists or knives, a match and I'll lay to't." + +"Pshaw!" growled Job. "Pompey could eat 'im--bones and all, curse 'im! +Pompey would break 'is back as 'e did the big Spaniard's last week." + +"Nay, Job, this fellow should make better fight for't than did the +Spanisher. Look 'ee now, match 'em, and I'll lay all my share o' the voyage +on this fellow, come now!" + +"A match? Why so I would, but what o' Belvedere?" + +"He sulketh, Job, and yonder he cometh, a-sucking of his thumb and all +along o' this fellow and our Jo. Joanna's cocked her eye on this fellow and +Belvedere's cake's dough--see him yonder!" + +Now following the speaker's look, I perceived Captain Belvedere descending +the quarter-ladder, his handsome face very evil and scowling; spying me +where I lay, he came striding up and folding his arms, stood looking over +me silently awhile. + +"Lord love me!" he exclaimed at last in huge disgust and spat upon me. "Aft +with him--to the coach--" + +"Coach, Cap'n?" questioned Job, staring. "And why theer?" + +"Because I say so!" roared Belvedere. + +"And because," quoth Diccon, his eye more truculent than ever, "because +women will be women, eh, Captain?" At this Belvedere's face grew suffused, +his eyes glared and he turned on the speaker with clenched fist; then +laughing grimly, he spurned me savagely with his foot. + +"Joanna hath her whimsies, and here's one of 'em!" quoth he and spat on me +again, whereat I raged and strove, despite my bonds, to come at him. + +"I were a-saying to Job," quoth the man Diccon, thrusting me roughly beyond +reach of Belvedere's heavy foot, "that here was a fellow to match Pompey at +last." + +"Tush!" said Belvedere, with an oath. "Pompey would quarter him wi' naked +hands." + +"I was a-saying to Job I would wager my share in the voyage on this fellow, +Belvedere!" + +"Aye, Cap'n," growled Job, "'tis well enough keeping the Don to hang +afore Nombre but why must this dog live aft and cosseted? He should walk +overboard wi' slit weasand, or better--he's meat for Pompey, and wherefore +no? I asks why, Cap'n?" + +"Aye--why!" cried Belvedere, gnashing his teeth. "Ask her--go ask Joanna, +the curst jade." + +"She be only a woman, when all's said, Cap'n--" + +"Nay, Job," quoth Belvedere, shaking his head. "She's Joanna and behind +her do lie Tressady and Sol and Rory and Abnegation Mings--and all the +Fellowship. So if she says he lives, lives it is, to lie soft and feed +dainty, curse him. Let me die if I don't wish I'd left her on the island to +end him her own way--wi' steel or kindness--" + +"Kindness!" said Diccon, with an ugly leer. "Why, there it is, Cap'n; she's +off wi' the old and on wi' the new, like--" + +"Not yet, by God!" snarled Belvedere 'twixt shut teeth and scowling down on +me while his hand clawed at the pistol in his belt; then his gaze wandered +from me towards the poop and back again. "Curse him!" said he, stamping in +his impotent fury. "I'd give a handful o' gold pieces to see him dead and +be damned!" And here he fell a-biting savagely at his thumb again. + +"Why, then, here's a lad to earn 'em," quoth Job, "an' that's me. I've a +score agin him for this lick o' the eye he give me ashore--nigh blinded me, +'e did, burn an' blast his bones!" + +"Aye, but what o' Joanna, what o' that she-snake, ha?" + +"'Tis no matter for her. I've a plan." + +"What is't, Job lad? Speak fair and the money's good as yourn--" + +"Aye, but it ain't mine yet, Cap'n, so mum it but I've a plan." + +"Belay, Job!" exclaimed Diccon. "Easy all. Yonder she cometh." + +Sure enough, I saw Joanna descend the ladder from the poop and come mincing +across the deck towards us. + +"Hola, Belvedere, mon Capitan!" said she, glancing about her quick-eyed. +"You keep your ship very foul, yes. Dirt to dirt!--ah? But I am aboard and +this shall be amended--look to it. And your mizzen yard is sprung; down +with it and sway up another--" + +"Aye, aye, Jo," said Belvedere, nodding. "It shall be done--" + +"_Maņana_!" quoth she, frowning. "This doth not suit when I am aboard, +no! The new yard must be rigged now, at once, for we sail with the +flood--_voilā_!" + +"Sail, Jo?" said Belvedere, staring. "Can't be, Jo!" + +"And wherefore?" + +"Why--we be short o' water, for one thing." + +"Ah--bah, we shall take all we want from other ships!" + +"And the lads be set, heart and soul, on a few days ashore." + +"But then--I am set, my heart, my soul, on heaving anchor so soon as the +tide serves. We will sail with the flood. Now see the new yard set up and +have this slave Martin o' mine to my cabin." So saying, she turned on her +heel and minced away, while Belvedere stood looking after her and biting at +his thumb, Job scowled and Diccon smiled. + +"So--ho!" quoth he. "Captain Jo says we sail, and sail it is, hey?" + +"Blind you!" cried Belvedere, turning on him in a fury. "Go forward and +turn out two o' the lads to draw this carcass aft!" Here bestowing a final +kick on me, he swaggered away. + +"Sail wi' the flood, is it?" growled Job. "And us wi' scarce any water +and half on us rotten wi' scurvy or calenture, an' no luck this cruise, +neither! 'Sail wi' the flood,' says she--'be damned,' says I. By hookey, +but I marvel she lives; I wonder no one don't snuff her out for good an' +all--aye, burn me but I do!" + +"Because you're a fool, Job, and don't know her like we do. She's 'La +Culebra,' and why? Because she's quick as any snake and as deadly. Besides, +she's our luck and luck she'll bring us; she always do. Whatever ship she's +aboard of has all the luck, wind, weather, and--what's better, rich prizes, +Job. I know it and the lads forrad know it, and Belvedere he knows it and +is mighty feared of her and small blame either--aye, and mayhap you'll be +afeard of her when you know her better. 'She's only a woman,' says you. +'True,' says I. But in all this here world there ain't her match, woman or +man, and you can lay to that, my lad." + +Now the ropes that secured me being very tight, began to cause me no +little pain, insomuch that I besought the man Diccon to loose me a little, +whereupon he made as to comply, but Job, who it seemed was quartermaster, +and new in the office, would have none of it but cursed me vehemently +instead, and hailing two men had me forthwith dragged aft to a small cabin +under the poop and there (having abused and cuffed me to his heart's +content) left me. + +And in right woful plight was I, with clothes nigh torn off and myself +direly bruised from head to foot, and what with this and the cramping +strictness of my bonds I could come by no easement, turn and twist me how I +might. After some while, as I lay thus miserable and pain in every joint of +me, the door opened, closed and Joanna stood above me. + +"Ah, ah--you are very foul o' blood!" said she in bitter mockery. "'Twas +thus you spake me once, Martino, you'll mind! 'Very foul o' blood,' said +you, and I famishing with hunger! Art hungry, Martino?" she questioned, +bending over me; but meeting her look, I scowled and held my peace. "Ha, +won't ye talk? Is the sullen fit on you?" said she, scowling also. +"Then shall you hear me! And first, know this: you are mine henceforth, +aye--mine!" So saying, she seated herself on the cushioned locker whereby +I lay and, setting her foot upon my breast and elbow on knee, leaned above +me, dimpled chin on fist, staring down on me with her sombre gaze. "You +are mine," said she again, "to use as I will, to exalt or cast down. I can +bestow on ye life or very evil death. By my will ye are alive; when I +will you must surely die. Your wants, your every need must you look to me +for--so am I your goddess and ruler of your destiny, yes! Ah, had you been +more of man and less of fish, I had made you captain of this ship, and +loved you, Martino, loved you--!" + +"Aye," cried I bitterly, "until you wearied of me as you have wearied of +this rogue Belvedere, it seems--aye, and God knoweth how many more--" + +"Oh, la-la, fool--these I never loved--" + +"Why, then," said I, "the more your shame!" + +As I uttered the words, she leaned down and smote me lightly upon my +swollen lips and so left me. But presently back she came and with her three +of the crew, bearing chains, etc., which fellows at her command (albeit +they were something gone in liquor) forthwith clapped me up in these +fetters and thereafter cut away the irksome cords that bound me. Whiles +this was a-doing, she (quick to mark their condition) lashed them with her +tongue, giving them "loathly sots," "drunken swine," "scum o' the world" +and the like epithets, all of the which they took in mighty humble fashion, +knuckling their foreheads, ducking their heads with never a word and mighty +glad to stumble away and be gone at flick of her contemptuous finger. + +"So here's you, Martino," said she, when we were alone, "here's you in +chains that might have been free, and here's myself very determined you +shall learn somewhat of shame and be slave at command of such beasts as +yonder. D'ye hear, fool, d'ye hear?" But I heeding her none at all, she +kicked me viciously so that I flinched (despite myself) for I was very +sore; whereat she gave a little laugh: + +"Ah, ah!" said she, nodding. "If I did not love you, now would I watch you +die! But the time is not yet--no. When that hour is then, if I am not your +death, you shall be mine--death for one or other or both, for I--" + +She sprang to her feet as from the deck above came the uproar of sudden +brawl with drunken outcry. + +"Ah, Madre de Dios!" said she, stamping in her anger. "Oh, these bestial +things called men!" which said, she whipped a pistol from her belt, cocked +it and was gone with a quick, light patter of feet. Suddenly I heard the +growing tumult overhead split and smitten to silence by a pistol-shot, +followed by a wailing cry that was drowned in the tramp of feet away +forward. + +As for me, my poor body, freed of its bonds, found great easement thereby +(and despite my irons) so that I presently laid myself down on one of +these cushioned lockers (and indeed, though small, this cabin was rarely +luxurious and fine) but scarce had I stretched my aching limbs than the +door opened and a man entered. + +And surely never in all this world was stranger creature to be seen. Gaunt +and very lean was he of person and very well bedight from heel to head, but +the face that peered out 'twixt the curls of his great periwig lacked for +an eye and was seamed and seared with scars in horrid fashion; moreover the +figure beneath his rich, wide-skirted coat seemed warped and twisted beyond +nature; yet as he stood viewing me with his solitary eye (this grey and +very quick and bright) there was that in his appearance that somehow took +my fancy. + +"What, messmate," quoth he, in full, hearty voice, advancing with a +shambling limp, "here cometh one to lay alongside you awhile, old +Resolution Day, friend, mate o' this here noble ship _Happy Despatch_, +comrade, and that same myself, look'ee!" + +But having no mind to truck with him or any of this evil company, I bid him +leave me be and cursed him roundly for the pirate-rogue he was. + +"Pirate," said he, no whit abashed at my outburst. "Why, pirate it is. But +look'ee, there never was pirate the like o' me for holiness--'specially o' +Sundays! Lord love you, there's never a parson or divine, high church or +low, a patch on me for real holiness--'specially o' Sundays. So do I pray +when cometh my time to die, be it in bed or boots, by sickness, bullet or +noose, it may chance of a Sunday. And then again, why not a pirate? What o' +yourself, friend? There's a regular fire-and-blood, skull-and-bones look +about ye as liketh me very well. And there be many worse things than a mere +pirate, brother. And what? You'll go for to ask. Answer I--Spanishers, +Papishers, the Pope o' Rome and his bloody Inquisition, of which last I +have lasting experience, _camarado_--aye, I have I!" + +"Ah?" said I, sitting up. "You have suffered the torture?" + +"Comrade, look at me! The fire, the pulley, the rack, the wheel, the +water--there's no devilment they ha'n't tried on this poor carcase o' mine +and all by reason of a Spanish nun as bore away with my brother!" + +"Your brother?" + +"Aye, but 'twas me she loved, for I was younger then and something kinder +to the eye. So him they burned, her they buried alive and me they tormented +into the wrack ye see. But I escaped wi' my life, the Lord delivered me +out o' their bloody hands, which was an ill thing for them, d'ye see, for +though I lack my starboard blinker and am somewhat crank i' my spars alow +and aloft, I can yet ply whinger and pull trigger rare and apt enough for +the rooting out of evil. And where a fairer field for the aforesaid rooting +out o' Papishers, Portingales, and the like evil men than this good ship, +the _Happy Despatch?_ Aha, messmate, there's many such as I've despatched +hot-foot to their master Sathanas, 'twixt then and now. And so 'tis I'm a +pirate and so being so do I sing along o' David: 'Blessed be the Lord my +strength that teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight.' A rare +gift o' words had Davy and for curses none may compare." Hereupon, seating +himself on the locker over against me, he thrust a hand into his great side +pocket and brought thence a hank of small-cord, a silver-mounted pistol and +lastly a small, much battered volume. + +"Look'ee, comrade," said he, tapping the worn covers with bony finger, +"the Bible is a mighty fine book to fight by; to stir up a man for battle, +murder or sudden death it hath no equal and for keeping his hate agin his +enemies ever a-burning, there is no book written or ever will be--" + +"You talk blasphemy!" quoth I. + +"Avast, avast!" cried he. "Here's no blasphemy, thought or word. I love +this little Bible o' mine; His meat and drink to me, the friend o' my +solitude, my solace in pain, my joy for ever and alway. Some men, being +crossed in fortune, hopes, ambition or love, take 'em to drink and the like +vanities. I, that suffered all this, took to the Bible and found all my +needs betwixt the covers o' this little book. For where shall a wronged +man find such a comfortable assurance as this? Hark ye what saith our +Psalmist!" Turning over a page or so and lifting one knotted fist aloft, +Resolution Day read this: + +"'I shall bathe my footsteps in the blood of mine enemies and the tongues +of the dogs shall be red with the same!' The which," said he, rolling his +bright eye at me, "the which is a sweet, pretty fancy for the solace of one +hath endured as much as I. Aye, a noble book is Psalms. I know it by heart. +List ye to this, now! 'The wicked shall perish and the enemies of the Lord +be as the fat of rams, as smoke shall they consume away.' Brother, I've +watched 'em so consume many's the time and been the better for't. Hark'ee +again: 'They shall be as chaff before the wind. As a snail that melteth +they shall every one pass away. Break their teeth in their mouth, O God!' +saith Davy, aye and belike did it too, and so have I ere now with a pistol +butt. I mind once when we stormed Santa Catalina and the women and children +a-screaming in the church which chanced to be afire, I took out my Bible +here and read these comfortable words: 'The righteous shall rejoice when he +seeth the vengeance, he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked so +that a man shall say: Verily there is a reward for the righteous.' Aha, +brother, for filling a man wi' a gust of hate and battle, there's nought +like the Bible. And when a curse is wanted, give me David. Davy was a man +of his hands, moreover, and so are you, friend. I watched ye fight on the +sand-spit yonder; twelve to one is long enough odds for any man, and yet +here's five o' the twelve wi' bones broke and never a one but wi' some mark +o' your handiwork to show, which is vastly well, comrade. Joanna's choice +is mine, messmate--" + +"How d'ye mean?" I demanded, scowling, whereupon he beamed on me +friendly-wise and blinked his solitary eye. + +"There is no man aboard this ship," quoth he, nodding again, "no, not one +as could keep twelve in play so long, friend, saving only Black Pompey--" + +"I've heard his name already," said I, "what like is he and who?" + +"A poor heathen, comrade, a blackamoor, friend, a child of Beelzebub +abounding in blood, brother--being torturer, executioner and cook and +notable in each several office. A man small of soul yet great of body, +being nought but a poor, black heathen, as I say. And ashore yonder you +shall hear our Christian messmates a-quarrelling over their rum as is the +way o' your Christians hereabouts--hark to 'em!" + +The _Happy Despatch_ lay anchored hard by the reef and rode so near the +island that, glancing from one of her stern-gallery windows I might behold +Deliverance Beach shining under the moon and a great fire blazing, round +which danced divers of the crew, filling the night with lewd, unholy riot +of drunken singing and shouts that grew ever more fierce and threatening. I +was gazing upon this scene and Resolution Day beside me, when the door was +flung open and Job the quartermaster appeared. + +"Cap'n Jo wants ye ashore wi' her!" said he, beckoning to Resolution, who +nodded and thrusting Bible into pocket, took thence the silver-mounted +pistol, examined flint and priming and thrusting it into his belt, followed +Job out of the cabin, locking the door upon me. Thereafter I was presently +aware of a boat putting off from the ship and craning my neck, saw it was +rowed by Resolution with Joanna in the stern sheets, a naked sword across +her knees; and my gaze held by the glimmer of this steel, I watched them +row into the lagoon and so to that spit of sand opposite Skeleton Cove. +I saw the hateful glitter of this deadly steel as Joanna leapt lightly +ashore, followed more slowly by Resolution. But suddenly divers of the +rogues about the fire, beholding Joanna as she advanced against them thus, +sword in hand, cried out a warning to their fellows, who, ceasing from +their strife, immediately betook them to their heels, fleeing before her +like so many mischievous lads; marvelling, I watched until she had pursued +them out of my view. + +Hereupon I took to an examination of my fetters, link by link, but finding +them mighty secure, laid me down as comfortably as they would allow and +fell to pondering my desperate situation, and seeing no way out herefrom +(and study how I might) I began to despond; but presently, bethinking me of +Don Federigo and judging his case more hopeless than mine (if this could +well be), and further, remembering how, but for me, he would by death have +delivered himself, I (that had not prayed this many a long month) now +petitioned the God to whom nothing is impossible that He would save alive +this noble gentleman of Spain, and thus, in his sorrows, forgot mine own +awhile. + +All at once I started up, full of sudden great and joyful content in all +that was, or might be, beholding in my fetters the very Providence of God +(as it were) and in my captivity His answer to my so oft-repeated prayer; +for now I remembered that with the flood this ship was to sail for Nombre +de Dios, where, safe-dungeoned and secure against my coming lay my +hated foe and deadly enemy, Richard Brandon. And now, in my vain and +self-deluding pride (my heart firm-set on this miserable man, his undoing +and destruction) I cast me down on my knees and babbled forth my passionate +gratitude to Him that is from everlasting to everlasting the God of Mercy, +Love and Forgiveness. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +HOW I FOUGHT IN THE DARK WITH ONE POMPEY, A GREAT BLACKAMOOR + + +I was yet upon my knees when came Job the quartermaster with two men +who, at his command, dragged me to my feet and out upon deck; cursing my +hampering fetters, they tumbled me down the quarter-ladder and so down into +the waist of the ship. + +Now as I went I kept my eyes upraised to the serene majesty of the heavens; +the moon rode high amid a glory of stars, and as I looked it seemed I had +never seen them so bright and wonderful, never felt the air so good and +sweet upon my lips. + +Being come to the fore-hatchway I checked there, despite my captors' +buffets and curses, to cast a final, long look up, above and round about +me, for I had a sudden uneasy feeling, a dreadful suspicion that once I +descended into the gloom below I never should come forth alive. So I stared +eagerly upon these ever-restless waters, so bright beneath the moon, upon +the white sands of Deliverance Beach, on lofty palmetto and bush-girt cliff +and then, shivering despite all my resolution, I suffered them to drag me +down into that place of shadows. + +I remember a sharp, acrid smell, the reek of bilge and thick, mephitic air +as I stumbled on betwixt my captors through this foul-breathing dimness +until a door creaked, yawning suddenly upon a denser blackness, into which +I was thrust so suddenly that I fell, clashing my fetters, and lying thus, +heard the door slammed and bolted. + +So here lay I in sweating, breathless expectation of I knew not what, my +ears on the stretch, my manacled hands tight-clenched and every nerve +a-tingle with this dreadful uncertainty. For a great while it seemed I lay +thus, my ears full of strange noises, faint sighings, unchancy rustlings +and a thousand sly, unaccountable sounds that at first caused me direful +apprehensions but which, as I grew more calm, I knew for no more than the +flow of the tide and the working of the vessel's timbers as she strained at +her anchors. All at once I sat up, crouching in the dark, as from somewhere +about me, soft yet plain to hear, came a sound that told me some one was +stealthily drawing the bolts of the door. Rising to my feet I stood, +shackled fists clenched, ready to leap and smite so soon as chance should +offer. Then came a hissing whisper: + +"Easy all, brother! Soft it is, comrade! 'Tis me, messmate, old Resolution, +friend, come to loose thy bilboes, for fair is fair. Ha, 'tis plaguey dark, +the pit o' Acheron ain't blacker, where d'ye lay--speak soft for there's +ears a-hearkening very nigh us." + +In the dark a hand touched me and then I felt the muzzle of a pistol at my +throat. + +"No tricks, lad--no running for't if I loose ye--you'll bide here--come +life, come death? Is't agreed?" + +"It is!" I whispered. Whereupon and with no more ado, he freed me from my +gyves, making scarcely any sound, despite the dark. + +"I'll take these wi' me, friend and--my finger's on trigger." + +"Resolution, how am I to die?" + +"Black Pompey!" came the hissing whisper. + +"Hath Joanna ordered this?" + +"Never think it, mate--she's ashore and I swam aboard, having my +suspicions." + +"Resolution, a dying man thanks you heartily, purely never, after all, was +there pirate the like o' you for holiness. Could I but find some weapon to +my defence now--a knife, say." In the dark came a griping hand that found +mine and was gone again, but in my grasp was a stout, broad-bladed knife. + +"'Let the heathen rage,' saith Holy Writ, so rage it is, says I, only smite +first, brother and smite--hard. And 'ware the starboard scuttle!" Hereafter +was the rustle of his stealthy departure, the soft noise of bolts, and +silence. + +And now in this pitchy gloom, wondering what and where this scuttle might +be, I crouched, a very wild and desperate creature, peering into the gloom +and starting at every sound; thus presently I heard the scrape of a viol +somewhere beyond the bulkheads that shut me in and therewith a voice that +sang, the words very clear and distinct: + + "Oh, Moll she lives in Deptford town, + In Deptford town lives she; + Let maid be white or black or brown. + Still Moll's the lass for me; + Sweet Moll as lives in Deptford town, + Yo-ho, shipmates, for Deptford town, + Tis there as I would be." + +Mingled with this singing I thought to hear the heavy thud of an unshod +foot on the planking above my head, and setting my teeth I gripped my knife +in sweating palm. + +But now (and to my despair) came the singing again to drown all else, +hearken how I would: + + "Come whistle, messmates all. + For a breeze, for a breeze + Come pipe up, messmates all, + For a breeze. + When to Deptford town we've rolled + Wi' our pockets full o' gold; + Then our lasses we will hold + On our knees, on our knees." + +Somewhere in the dark was the sudden, thin complaint of a rusty and +unwilling bolt, though if this were to my right or left, above or below +me, I could not discover and my passionate listening was once more vain by +reason of this accursed rant: + + "Who will not drink a glass, + Let him drown, let him drown; + Who will not drink a glass, + Let him drown. + Who will not drink a glass + For to toast a pretty lass, + Is no more than fool and ass; + So let him drown, let him drown!" + +A sudden glow upon the gloom overhead, a thin line of light that widened +suddenly to a square of blinding radiance and down through the trap came +a lanthorn grasped in a hugeous, black fist and, beyond this, an arm, a +mighty shoulder, two rows of flashing teeth, two eyes that glared here and +there, rolling in horrid fashion; thus much I made out as I sprang and, +grappling this arm, smote upwards with my knife. The lanthorn fell, +clattering, and was extinguished, but beyond the writhing, shapeless thing +that blocked the scuttle, I might, ever and anon, behold a star twinkling +down upon me where I wrestled with this mighty arm that whirled me from my +feet, and swung me, staggering, to and fro as I strove to get home with +my knife at the vast bulk that loomed above me. Once and twice I stabbed +vainly, but my third stroke seemed more successful, for the animal-like +howl he uttered nigh deafened me; then (whether by my efforts or his own, +I know not) down he came upon me headlong, dashing the good knife from my +grasp and whirling me half-stunned against the bulkhead, and as I leaned +there, sick and faint, a hand clapped-to the scuttle. And now in this +dreadful dark I heard a deep and gusty breathing, like that of some +monstrous beast, heard this breathing checked while he listened for me a +stealthy rustling as he felt here and there to discover my whereabouts. But +I stood utterly still, breathless and sweating, with a horror of death at +this great blackamoor's hands, since, what with the palsy of fear by reason +of the loss of my knife, I did not doubt but that this monster would soon +make an end of me and in horrid fashion. + +Presently I heard him move again and (judging by the sound) creeping on +hands and knees, therefore as he approached I edged myself silently along +the bulkhead and thus (as I do think) we made the complete circuit of the +place; once it seemed he came upon the lanthorn and dashing it fiercely +aside, paused awhile to listen again, and my heart pounding within me so +that I sweated afresh lest he catch the sound of it. And sometimes I would +hear the soft, slurring whisper his fingers made against deck or bulkhead +where he groped for me, and once a snorting gasp and the crunch of his +murderous knife-point biting into wood and thereafter a hoarse and +outlandish muttering. And ever as I crept thus, moving but when he moved, +I felt before me with my foot, praying that I might discover my knife and, +this in hand, face him and end matters one way or another and be done with +the horror. And whiles we crawled thus round and round within this narrow +space, ever and anon above the stealthy rustle of his movements, above his +stertorous breathing and evil muttering, above the wild throbbing of my +heart rose the wail of the fiddle and the singing: + + "Who will not kiss a maid, + Let him hang, let him hang; + Who fears to kiss a maid, + Let him hang. + Who will not kiss a maid + Who of woman is afraid, + Is no better than a shade; + So let him hang, let him hang!" + +until this foolish, ranting ditty seemed to mock me, my breath came and +went to it, my heart beat to it; yet even so, I was praying passionately +and this my prayer, viz: That whoso was waiting above us for my death-cry +should not again lift the scuttle lest I be discovered to this man-thing +that crept and crept upon me in the dark. Even as I prayed thus, the +scuttle was raised and, blinded by the sudden glare of a lanthorn, I heard +Job's hoarse voice: + +"Below there! Pompey, ahoy! Ha'n't ye done yet an' be curst?" + +And suddenly I found in this thing I had so much dreaded the one chance to +my preservation, for I espied the great blackamoor huddled on his knees, +shading his eyes with both hands from the dazzling light and, lying on the +deck before him a long knife. + +"Oh, marse mate," he cried, "me done fin' no curs' man here'bouts--" + +Then I leaped and kicking the knife out of reach, had him in my grip, my +right hand fast about his throat. I remember his roar, the crash of the +trap as it closed, and after this a grim and desperate scuffling in the +dark; now he had me down, rolling and struggling and now we were up, locked +breast to breast, swaying and staggering, stumbling and slipping, crashing +into bulkheads, panting and groaning; and ever he beat and buffeted me with +mighty fists, but my head bowed low betwixt my arms, took small hurt, while +ever my two hands squeezed and wrenched and twisted at his great, fleshy +throat. I remember an awful gasping that changed to a strangling whistle, +choked to a feeble, hissing whine; his great body grew all suddenly lax, +swaying weakly in my grasp, and then, as I momentarily eased my grip, with +a sudden, mighty effort he broke free. I heard a crash of splintering wood, +felt a rush of sweet, pure air, saw him reel out through the shattered door +and sink upon his knees; but as I sprang towards him he was up and fleeing +along the deck amidships, screaming as he ran. + +All about me was a babel of shouts and cries, a rush and trampling of feet, +but I sped all unheeding, my gaze ever upon the loathed, fleeing shape +of this vile blackamoor. I was hard on his heels as he scrambled up the +quarter-ladder and within a yard of him as he gained the deck, while behind +us in the waist were men who ran pell-mell, filling the night with raving +clamour and drunken halloo. Now as I reached the quarter-deck, some one of +these hurled after me a belaying pin and this, catching me on the thigh, +staggered me so that I should have fallen but for the rail; so there clung +I in a smother of sweat and blood while great moon and glittering stars +span dizzily; but crouched before me on his hams, almost within arm's +reach, was this accursed negro who gaped upon me with grinning teeth and +rolled starting eyeballs, his breath coming in great, hoarse gasps. And I +knew great joy to see him in no better case than I, his clothes hanging in +blood-stained tatters so that I might see all the monstrous bulk of him. +Now, as he caught his breath and glared upon me, I suffered my aching body +to droop lower and lower over the rail like one nigh to swooning, yet very +watchful of his every move. Suddenly as we faced each other thus, from the +deck below rose a chorus of confused cries: + +"At him, Pompey! Now's ye time, boy! Lay 'im aboard, lad, 'e be +a-swounding! Ha--out wi' his liver, Pompey--at him, he's yourn!" + +Heartened by these shouts and moreover seeing how feebly I clutched at the +quarter-rail, the great negro uttered a shrill cry of triumph and leapt at +me; but as he came I sprang to meet his rush and stooping swiftly, caught +him below the knees and in that same moment, straining every nerve, every +muscle and sinew to the uttermost, I rose up and hove him whirling over my +shoulder. + +I heard a scream, a scurry of feet, and then the thudding crash of his fall +on the deck below and coming to the rail I leaned down and saw him lie, +his mighty limbs hideously twisted and all about him men who peered and +whispered. But suddenly they found their voices to rage against me, shaking +their fists and brandishing their steel; a pistol flashed and roared and +the bullet hummed by my ear, but standing above them I laughed as a madman +might, jibing at them and daring them to come on how they would, since +indeed death had no terrors for me now. And doubtless steel or shot would +have ended me there and then but for the man Diccon who quelled their +clamour and held them from me by voice and fist: + +"Arrest, ye fools--stand by!" he roared. "Yon man be the property o' +Captain Jo--'tis Joanna's man and whoso harms him swings--" + +"Aye, but he've murdered Pompey, ain't 'e?" demanded Job. + +"Aye, aye--an' so 'e have, for sure!" cried a voice. + +"Well an' good--murder's an 'anging matter, ain't it?" + +"An' so it be, Job--up wi' him--hang him--hang him!" + +"Well an' good!" cried Job again. "'Ang 'im we will, lads, all on us, every +man's fist to the rope--she can't hang us all, d'ye see. You, Diccon, where +be Belvedere; he shall be in it--" + +"Safe fuddled wi' rum, surely. Lord, Job, you do be takin' uncommon risks +for a hatful o' guineas--" + +So they took me and, all unresisting, I was dragged amidships beneath the +main yard where a noose was for my destruction; and though hanging had +seemed a clean death by contrast with that I had so lately escaped at +the obscene hands of this loathly blackamoor, yet none the less a sick +trembling took me as I felt the rope about my neck, insomuch that I sank to +my knees and closed my eyes. + +Kneeling thus and nigh to fainting, I heard a sudden, quick patter of +light-running feet, a gasping sigh and, glancing up, beheld Job before +me, also upon his knees and staring down with wide and awful eyes at an +ever-spreading stain that fouled the bosom of his shirt; and as he knelt +thus, I saw above his stooping head the blue glitter of a long blade that +lightly tapped his brawny neck. + +"The noose--here, Diccon, here, yes!" + +As one in a dream I felt the rope lifted from me and saw it set about the +neck of Job. + +"So! Ready there? Now--heave all!" + +I heard the creak of the block, the quick tramp of feet, a strangling cry, +and Job the quartermaster was snatched aloft to kick and writhe and dangle +against the moon. + +"Diccon, we have lost our quartermaster and we sail on the flood; you are +quartermaster henceforth, yes. Ha--look--see, my Englishman is sick! Dowse +a bucket o' water over him, then let him be ironed and take him forward to +the fo'castle; he shall serve you all for sport--but no killing, mind." +Thus lay I to be kicked and buffeted and half-drowned; yet when they had +shackled me, cometh the man Diccon to clap me heartily on the shoulder and +after him Resolution to nod at me and blink with his single, twinkling eye: + +"Oh, friend," quoth he, "Oh, brother, saw ye ever the like of our Captain +Jo? Had Davy been here to-day he might perchance ha' wrote a psalm to her." + +That morning with the flood tide we hove anchor and the _Happy Despatch_ +stood out to sea and, as she heeled to the freshening wind, Job's +stiffening body lurched and swayed and twisted from the main yard. And thus +it was I saw the last of my island. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +OF BATTLE, MURDER AND RESOLUTION DAY, HIS POINT OF VIEW + + +And now, nothing heeding my defenceless situation and the further horrors +that might be mine aboard this accursed pirate ship, I nevertheless knew +great content for that, with every plunge and roll of the vessel, I was so +much the nearer Nombre de Dios town where lay prisoned my enemy, Richard +Brandon; thus I made of my sinful lust for vengeance a comfort to my +present miseries, and plotting my enemy's destruction, found therein much +solace and consolation. + +I had crept into a sheltered corner and here, my knees drawn up, my back +against one of the weather guns, presently fell a-dozing. I was roused by +a kick to find the ship rolling prodigiously, the air full of spray and a +piping wind, and Captain Belvedere scowling down on me, supporting himself +by grasping a backstay in one hand and flourishing a case-bottle in the +other. + +"Ha, 's fish, d'ye live yet?" roared he in drunken frenzy. "Ha'n't Black +Pompey done your business? Why, then--here's for ye!" And uttering a great +oath, he whirled up the bottle to smite; but, rolling in beneath his arm, I +staggered him with a blow of my fettered hands, then (or ever I might avoid +him) he had crushed me beneath his foot: and then Joanna stood fronting +him. Pallid, bare-headed, wild of eye, she glared on him and before this +look he cowered and shrank away. + +"Drunken sot!" cried she. "Begone lest I send ye aloft to join yon +carrion!" And she pointed where Job's stiff body plunged and swung and +twisted at the reeling yard-arm. + +"Nay, Jo, I--I meant him no harm!" he muttered, and turning obedient to her +gesture, slunk away. + +"Ah, Martino," said Joanna, stooping above me, "'twould seem I must be for +ever saving your life to you, yes. Are you not grateful, no?" + +"Aye, I am grateful!" quoth I, remembering my enemy. + +"Then prove me it!" + +"As how?" + +"Speak me gently, look kindly on me, for I am sick, Martino, and shall be +worse. I never can abide a rolling ship--'tis this cursed woman's body o' +mine. So to-day am I all woman and yearn for tenderness--and we shall have +more bad weather by the look o' things! Have you enough knowledge to handle +this ship in a storm?" + +"Not I!" + +"'Tis pity," she sighed, "'tis pity! I would hang Belvedere and make +you captain in his room--he wearies me, and would kill me were he man +enough--ah, Mother of Heaven, what a sea!" she cried, clinging to me as a +great wave broke forward, filling the air with hissing spray. "Aid me aft, +Martino!" + +Hereupon, seeing her so haggard and faint, and the decks deserted save for +the watch, I did as she bade me as well as I might by reason of my fetters +and the uneasy motion of the ship, and at last (and no small labour) I +brought her into the great cabin or roundhouse under the poop. And now she +would have me bide and talk with her awhile, but this I would by no means +do. + +"And why not, Martino?" she questioned in soft, wheedling fashion. "Am I so +hateful to you yet? Wherefore go?" + +"Because I had rather lie in my fetters out yonder at the mercy o' wind and +wave!" said I. + +Now at this she fell to sudden weeping and, as suddenly, to reviling me +with bitter curses. + +"Go then!" cried she, striking me in her fury. "Keep your chains--aye, I +will give ye to the mercy of this rabble crew ... leave me!" The which I +did forthwith and, finding me a sheltered corner, cast myself down there +and fell to hearkening to the rush of the wind and to watching the +awful might of the racing, foam-capped billows. And, beholding these +manifestations of God's majesty and infinite power, of what must I be +thinking but my own small desires and unworthy schemes of vengeance! And +bethinking me of Don Federigo (and him governor of Nombre de Dios) I +began planning how I might use him to my purpose. My mind full of this, I +presently espied the mate, Resolution Day, his laced hat and noble periwig +replaced by a close-fitting seaman's bonnet, making his way across the +heaving deck as only a seaman might (and despite his limp) and as he drew +nearer I hailed and beckoned him. + +"Aha, and are ye there, camarado!" said he. "'Tis well, for I am a-seeking +ye." + +"Tell me, Resolution, when shall we sight Nombre de Dios?" + +"Why look now, if this wind holdeth fair, we should fetch up wi' it in some +five days or thereabouts." + +"Don Federigo is governor of the town, I think?" + +"Verily and so he is. And what then?" + +"Where lieth he now?" + +"Safe, friend, and secure. You may lay to that, brother!" + +"Could you but get me speech with him--" + +"Not by no manner o' means whatsoever, _amigo_! And the reason why? It +being agin her orders." + +"Is he well?" + +"Well-ish, brother--fairly bobbish, all things considered, mate--though not +such a hell-fire, roaring lad o' mettle as yourself, comrade. David slew +Goliath o' Gath wi' a pebble and you broke Black Pompey's back wi' your +naked hands! Here's a thing as liketh me mighty well! Wherefore I grieve to +find ye such an everlasting fool, brother." + +"How so, Resolution?" + +"When eyes look sweetness--why scowl? When lips woo kisses--wherefore take +a blow instead? When comfort and all manner o' delights be offered--why +choose misery forrard and the bloody rogues o' her fo'castle? For 'tis +there as you be going, mate--aye, verily!" Here he set a silver whistle to +his mouth and blew a shrill blast at which signal came two fellows who, at +his command, dragged me to my feet and so away forward. + +Thus true to her word, Joanna banished me from the gilded luxury of cabin +and roundhouse and gave me up to the rogues forward, a wild and lawless +company of divers races and conditions so that they seemed the very scum of +the world, and yet here, in this reeking forecastle, each and every of them +my master. + +Nor can any words of mine justly paint the wild riot and brutal licence +of this crowded 'tween-deck, foul with the reek of tobacco and a thousand +worse savours, its tiers on tiers of dark and noisome berths where men +snored or thrust forth shaggy heads to rave at and curse each other; its +blotched and narrow table amidships, its rows of battered sea chests, its +loathsome floor; a place of never-ceasing stir and tumult, dim-lighted by +sputtering lamps. + +My advent was hailed by an exultant roar and they were all about me, an +evil company in their rage and draggled finery; here were faces scarred by +battles and brutalised by their own misdeeds, this unlovely company now +thrust upon me with pointing fingers, nudging elbows, scowls and mocking +laughter. + +"What now--is he to us, then?" cried one. "Hath Jo sent us her plaything?" + +"Aye, lads, and verily!" answered Resolution. "Here's him as she calleth +Martin O; here's him as out-fought Pompey--" + +"Aye, aye--remember Pompey!" cried a bedizened rogue pushing towards me, +hand on knife. + +"Why, truly, Thomas Ford, remember Pompey, but forget not Job as died so +sudden--in the midst o' life he were in death, were Job! So hands off your +knife, Thomas Ford; Captain Jo sendeth Martin for your sport and what not, +d'ye see, but when he dieth 'tis herself will do the killing!" + +Left alone and helpless in my fetters, I stood with bowed head, nothing +heeding them for all their baiting of me, whereupon the man Ford, catching +up a pipkin that chanced handy, cast upon me some vileness or other the +which was the signal for others to do likewise so that I was soon miserably +wet from head to foot and this I endured without complaint. But now they +betook them to tormenting me with all manner of missiles, joying to see me +blench and stagger until, stung to a frenzy of rage and being within reach +of the man Ford (my chiefest tormentor) I sprang upon him and fell to +belabouring him heartily with the chain that swung betwixt my wrists, but +an unseen foot tripped me heavily and ere I could struggle free they were +upon me. But now as they kicked and trampled and buffeted me, I once +again called upon God with a loud voice, and this was the manner of my +supplication: + +"Oh, God of Justice, for the pains I now endure, give to me +vengeance--vengeance, Oh, God, upon mine enemy!" + +And hearing this passionate outcry, my tormentors presently drew away from +me, staring on me where I lay and muttering together like men greatly +amazed, and left me in peace awhile. + +Very much might I tell of all I underwent at this time, of the shameful +indignities, tricks and deviltries of which I was victim, so that there +were times when I cursed my Maker and all in this world save only my +miserable self--I, that by reason of my hate and vengeful pursuit of my +enemy, had surely brought all these evils on my own head. Yet every shame +I endured, every pain I suffered did but nerve me anew to this long-sought +vengeance on him that (in my blind folly) I cursed as the author of these +my sufferings. + +But indeed little gust have I to write of these things; moreover I began +to fear that my narrative grow to inordinate length, so will I incontinent +pass on to that time when came the quartermaster Diccon with Resolution Day +to deliver me from my hateful prison. + +And joy unspeakable was it to breathe the sweet, clean air, to hear the +piping song of the wind and the hiss of the tumbling billows, to feel the +lift and roll of the great ship as she ploughed her course through seas +blue as any sapphire; though indeed small leisure had I for the glory of it +all, as they hurried me aft. + +"What now?" I enquired hopelessly. "What new deviltries have ye in store?" + +"'Tis Jo!" answered Diccon. "'Tis Joanna, my bully!" and here he leered and +nodded; "Joanna is sick and groweth womanish--" + +"And look'ee now, friend," quoth Resolution, clapping me on the back, +"you'll mind 'twas old Resolution as was your stay and comfort by means of +a knife i' the matter o' the heathen Pompey, comrade? You'll not forget old +Resolution, shipmate?" + +"And me," quoth Diccon, patting my other shoulder. "I stood your friend so +much as I might--aye, did I!" + +Thus talked they, first in one ear then in the other, picturing to my +imagination favours done me, real or imagined, until, to hear them, they +might have been my guardian angels; while I went between them silent and +mighty sullen, casting about in my mind as to what all this should portend. + +So they brought me aft to that gilded cabin the which gave upon the +stern-gallery; and here, outstretched on downy cushions and covered by a +rich embroidery, lay Joanna. + +Perceiving me, she raised herself languidly and motioned the others to be +gone, whereupon they went out, closing the door; whereupon she spake, quick +and passionate: + +"I have sent for you because I am weak with my sickness, Martino, faint and +very solitary!" + +"And must I weep therefore?" said I, and glancing from her haggard face I +beheld a small, ivory-hilted dagger on the table at her elbow. + +"Ah, mercy of God--how the ship rolls!" she moaned feebly and then burst +forth into cursings and passionate revilings of ship and wind and sea until +these futile ravings were hushed for lack of breath; anon she fell to +sighing and with many wistful looks, but finding me all unheeding, fell +foul of me therefore: + +"Ha, scowl, beast--scowl--this becomes thy surly visage. I shall not know +thee else! Didst ever smile in all thy sullen days or speak me gentle word +or kindly? Never to me, oh, never to me! Will ye not spare a look? Will ye +not speak--have ye no word to my comfort?" + +"Why seek such of me?" I demanded bitterly. "I have endured much of shame +and evil at your will--" + +"Ah, fool," sighed she, "had you but sent to me--one word--and I had freed +you ere this! And I have delivered you at last because I am sick and +weak--a woman and lonely--" + +"Why, there be rogues for you a-plenty hereabouts shall fit ye better than +I--" + +"Oh, 'tis a foul tongue yours, Martino!" + +"Why, then, give me a boat, cast me adrift and be done with me." + +"Ah, no, I would not you should die yet--" + +"Mayhap you will torture me a little more first." + +"'Tis for you to choose! Oh, Martino," she cried; "will you not be my +friend, rather?" + +"Never in this world!" + +At this, and all at once, she was weeping. + +"Ah, but you are cruel!" she sobbed, looking up at me through her +tears. "Have you no pity for one hath never known aught of true love +or gentleness? Wilt not forget past scores and strive to love me--some +little--Martino?" + +Now hearkening to her piteous accents, beholding her thus transfigured, her +tear-wet eyes, the pitiful tremor of her vivid lips and all the pleading +humility of her, I was beyond all thought amazed. + +"Surely," said I, "surely you are the strangest woman God ever made--" + +"Why then," said she, smiling through her tears, "since God made me, then +surely--ah, surely is there something in me worthy your love?" + +"Love?" quoth I, frowning and clenching my shackled hands. "'Tis an +emptiness--I am done with the folly henceforth--" + +"Ah--ah ... and what of your Joan--your Damaris?" she questioned eagerly. +"Do you not love her--no?" + +"No!" said I fiercely. "My life holdeth but one purpose--" + +"What purpose, Martino, what?" + +"Vengeance!" + +"On whom?" + +"'Tis no matter!" said I, and question me how she might I would say no +more, whereupon she importuned me with more talk of love and the like folly +until, finding me heedless alike of her tears and pleadings, she turned on +me in sudden fury, vowing she would have me dragged back to the hell of the +forecastle there and then. + +"I'll shame your cursed pride," cried she. "You shall be rove to a gun and +flayed with whips--" + +But here, reaching forward or ever she might stay me, I caught up the +ivory-hilted dagger: + +"Ah!" said she softly, staring where it glittered in my shackled hand. +"Would you kill me! Come then, death have I never feared--strike, _Martino +mio_!" and she proffered her white bosom to the blow; but I laughed in +fierce derision. + +"Silly wench," said I, "this steel is not for you! Call in your rogues and +watch me blood a few--" + +"Ah, damned coward," she cried, "ye dare not slay me lest Belvedere torment +ye to death--'tis your own vile carcase you do think of!" + +At this I did but laugh anew, whereat, falling to pallid fury, she sprang +upon me, smiting with passionate, small fists, besetting me so close that +I cowered and shrank back lest she impale herself on the dagger I grasped. +But presently being wearied she turned away, then staggered as the ship +rolled to a great sea, and would have fallen but for me. Suddenly, as she +leaned upon me thus, her dark head pillowed on my breast, she reached up +and clasped her hands about my neck and with head yet hid against me burst +into a storm of fierce sobbing. Staring down at this bowed head, feeling +the pleading passion of these vital, soft-clasping hands and shaken by her +heart-bursting sobs, I grew swiftly abashed and discomfited and let the +dagger fall and lie unheeded. + +"Ah, Martino," said she at last, her voice muffled in my breast. "Surely +nought is there in all this wretched world so desolate as a loveless woman! +Can you not--pity me--a little, yes?" + +"Aye, I do pity you!" quoth I, on impulse. + +"And pity is kin to love, Martino! And I can be patient, patient, yes!" + +"'Twere vain!" said I. At this she loosed me and uttering a desolate cry, +cast herself face down upon her couch. + +"Be yourself," said I, spurning the dagger into a corner; "rather would I +have your scorn and hate than tears--" + +"You have," said she, never stirring. "I do scorn you greatly, hate you +mightily, despise you infinitely--yet is my love greater than all--" + +Suddenly she started to an elbow, dashing away her tears, fierce-eyed, +grim-lipped, all womanly tenderness gone, as from the deck above rose the +hoarse roar of a speaking trumpet and the running of feet; and now was loud +rapping on the door that, opening, disclosed Diccon, the quartermaster. + +"By your leave, Captain Jo," cried he, "but your luck's wi' us--aye, is it! +A fine large ship a-plying to wind'ard of us--" + +In a moment Joanna was on her feet and casting a boat-cloak about herself +hasted out of the cabin, bidding Diccon bring me along. + +The wind had fallen light though the seas yet ran high; and now being come +to the lofty poop, I might behold our crowded decks where was mighty bustle +and to-do, casting loose the guns, getting up shot and powder, a-setting +out of half-pikes, swords, pistols and the like with a prodigious coming +and going; a heaving and yo-ho-ing with shouts and boisterous laughter, +whiles ever and anon grimy hands pointed and all heads were turned in the +one direction where, far away across the foam-flecked billows, was a speck +that I knew for a vessel. + +And beholding these pirate rogues, how joyously they laboured, with what +lusty cheers they greeted Joanna and clambered aloft upon swaying yards to +get more sail on the ship obedient to her shrill commands, I knew a great +pity for this ship we were pursuing and a passionate desire that she might +yet escape us. I was yet straining my eyes towards the chase and grieving +for the poor souls aboard her, when, at word from Joanna, I was seized and +fast bound to a ringbolt. + +Scarce was this done than Joanna uttered a groan and, clapping her hand to +her head, called out for Resolution, and with his assistance got her down +to the quarter-deck. + +By afternoon the sea was well-nigh calm and the chase so close that we +might behold her plainly enough and the people on her decks. Her topmasts +were gone, doubtless in the great storm, and indeed a poor, battered thing +she looked as she rolled to the long, oily swell. All at once, out from her +main broke the golden banner of Spain, whereupon rose fierce outcries from +our rogues; then above the clamour rose the voice of Diccon: + +"Shout, lads--shout for Roger, give tongue to Jolly Roger!" and looking +where he pointed with glittering cutlass, I beheld that hideous flag that +is hated by all honest mariners. + +And now began a fight that yet indeed was no fight, for seeing we had the +range of them whereas their shot fell pitifully short, Belvedere kept away +and presently let fly at them with every heavy gun that bore, and, as +the smoke thinned, I saw her foremast totter and fall, and her high, +weather-beaten side sorely splintered by our shot. Having emptied her great +guns to larboard the _Happy Despatch_ went about and thundered death and +destruction against them with her starboard broadside and they powerless +to annoy us any way in return. And thus did we batter them with our great +pieces, keeping ever out of their reach, so that none of all their missiles +came aboard us, until they, poor souls, seeing their case altogether +hopeless, were fain to cry us quarter. Hereupon, we stood towards them, and +as we approached I could behold the havoc our great shot had wrought aboard +them. + +The enemy having yielded to our mercy and struck their flag, we ceased our +fire, and thinking the worst, over and done, I watched where Belvedere +conned the ship with voice and gesture and the crew, mighty quick and +dexterous in obedience, proved themselves prime sailor-men, despite their +loose and riotous ways, so that, coming down upon the enemy, we presently +fell aboard of them by the fore-chains; whereupon up scrambled old +Resolution, sword in hand, first of any man (despite his lameness) and with +a cry of "Boarders away!" sprang down upon the Spaniard's blood-spattered +deck and his powder-blackened rogues leaping and hallooing on his heels. + +And now from these poor, deluded souls who had cast themselves upon our +mercy rose sudden awful shrieks and cries hateful to be heard as they fled +hither and thither about their littered decks before the pitiless steel +that hacked and thrust and smote. Shivering and sweating, I must needs +watch this thing done until, grown faint and sick, I bowed my face that +I might see no more. Gradually these distressful sounds grew weaker and +weaker, and dying away at last, were lost in the fierce laughter and +jubilant shouting of their murderers, where they fell to the work of +pillage. + +But hearing sudden roar of alarm, I looked up to see the Spanish ship was +going down rapidly by the head, whereupon was wild uproar and panic, some +of our rogues cutting away at the grapples even before their comrades had +scrambled back to safety; so was strife amongst them and confusion worse +confounded. The last man was barely aboard than our yards were braced round +and we stood away clear of this sinking ship. Now presently uproar broke +out anew and looking whence it proceeded, I beheld four Spaniards (who it +seemed had leapt aboard us unnoticed in the press), and these miserable +wretches methought would be torn in pieces. But thither swaggered +Belvedere, flourishing his pistols and ordering his rogues back, and falls +to questioning these prisoners and though I could not hear, I saw how +they cast themselves upon their knees, with hands upraised to heaven, +supplicating his mercy. He stood with arms folded, nodding his head now and +then as he listened, so that I began to have some hopes that he would spare +them; but all at once he gestured with his arms, whereon was a great +gust of laughter and cheering, and divers men began rigging a wide plank +out-board from the gangway amidships, whiles others hasted to pinion these +still supplicating wretches. This done, they seized upon one, and hoisting +him up on the plank with his face to the sea, betook them to pricking +him with sword and pike, thus goading him to walk to his death. So this +miserable, doomed man crept out along the plank, whimpering pleas for mercy +to the murderers behind him and prayers for mercy to the God above him, +until he was come to the plank's end and cowered there, raising and +lowering his bound hands in his agony while he gazed down into the +merciless sea that was to engulf him. All at once he stood erect, his +fettered hands upraised to heaven, and then with a piteous, wailing cry he +plunged down to his death and vanished 'mid the surge; once he came up, +struggling and gasping, ere he was swept away in the race of the tide. + +Now hereupon I cast myself on my knees and hiding my face in my fettered +hands, fell to a passion of prayer for the soul of this unknown man. And as +I prayed, I heard yet other lamentable outcries, followed in due season by +the hollow plunge of falling bodies; and so perished these four miserable +captives. + +I was yet upon my knees when I felt a hand upon my shoulder and the touch +(for a wonder) was kindly, and raising my head I found Resolution Day +looking down on me with his solitary, bright eye and his grim lips +up-curling to friendly smile. + +"So perish all Papishers, Romanists, Inquisitioners, and especially +Spanishers, friend!" + +"'Twas cruel and bloody murder!" quoth I, scowling up at him. + +"Why, perceive me now, _amigo_, let us reason together, _camarado_--thus +now it all dependeth upon the point o' view; these were Papishers and evil +men, regarding which Davy sayeth i' the Psalms, 'I will root 'em out,' says +he; why, root it is! says I--and look'ee, brother, I have done a lot o' +rooting hitherto and shall do more yet, as I pray. As to the fight now, +mate, as to the fight, 'twas noble fight--pretty work, and the ship well +handled, as you must allow, _camarado_!" + +"Call it rather brutal butchery!" said I fiercely. + +"Aye, there it is again," quoth he; "it all lieth in the point o' view! Now +in my view was my brother screaming amid crackling flames and a fair young +woman in her living tomb, who screamed for mercy and found none. 'Tis all +in the point o' view!" he repeated, smiling down at a great gout of blood +that blotched the skirt of his laced coat. + +"And I say 'tis foul murder in the sight of God and man!" I cried. + +"Ha, will ye squeak, rat!" quoth Belvedere, towering over me, where I +crouched upon my knees. "'S fish, will ye yap, then, puppy-dog?" + +"Aye--and bite!" quoth I, aiming a futile blow at him with my shackled +fists. "Give me one hand free and I'd choke the beastly soul out o' ye and +heave your foul carcase to the fishes--" + +Now at this he swore a great oath and whipped pistol from belt, but as he +did so Resolution stepped betwixt us. + +"Put up, Belvedere, put up!" said he in soothing tone. "No shooting, +stabbing nor maiming till _she_ gives the word, Captain--" + +"Curse her for a--" Resolution's long arm shot out and his knotted fingers +plunged and buried themselves in Belvedere's bull-throat, choking the word +on his lips. + +"Belay, Captain! Avast, Belvedere! I am one as knew her when she was +innocent child, so easy all's the word, Belvedere." Having said which, +Resolution relaxed his grip and Belvedere staggered back, gasping, and with +murder glaring in his eyes. But the left hand of Resolution Day was hidden +in his great side pocket whose suspicious bulge betrayed the weapon there, +perceiving which Belvedere, speaking no word, turned and swaggered away. + +Now seating himself upon the gun beside me, Resolution drew forth from that +same pocket his small Bible that fell open on his knee at an oft-studied +chapter. + +"Now regarding the point o' view, friend," quoth he, "touching upon the +death o' the evil-doers, of the blood of a righteous man's enemies--hearken +now to the words o' Davy." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HOW WE FOUGHT AN ENGLISH SHIP + + +For the days immediately following I saw nothing of Joanna but learned from +Resolution and Diccon that her sickness had increased upon her. + +"'Tis her soul, I doubt!" quoth Diccon, shaking his head. "'Tis too great +for her body--'tis giant soul and her but a woman--so doth strong soul +overcome weak body, and small wonder, say I?" + +"Nay, Diccon," said Resolution, his bright eye sweeping the hazy distance, +"'tis but that she refuseth her vittles, and since 'man cannot live by +bread alone' neither may woman, and 'tis more than bread she needeth and +so she rageth and thus, like unto Peter's wife's mother, lieth sick of a +fever." Here for a brief moment his bright eye rested on me and he scowled +as he turned to limp the narrow deck. + +Much might I narrate of the divers hazards of battle and storm that befell +us at this time, and more of the goodly ships pillaged and scuttled and +their miserable crews with them, by Belvedere and his bloody rogues; of +prayers for mercy mocked at, of the agonised screams of dying men, of flame +and destruction and death in many hideous shapes. All of the which nameless +evils I must perforce behold since this Belvedere that shrank at Joanna's +mere look, freed of her presence, took joyous advantage to torment me with +the sight of such horrors, such devil's work as shrieked to heaven for +vengeance; insomuch that Diccon and divers others could ill-stomach it at +last and even grim Resolution would have no more. + +Now although Belvedere and his rogues had taken great store of treasure +with small hurt to themselves, yet must they growl and curse their fortune, +since in none of the captured vessels had they taken any women, and never +was the cry of "Sail, ho!" than all men grew eager for chase and attack; +and thus this accursed ship _Happy Despatch_ stood on, day after day. + +Much will I leave untold by reason of the horror of it, and moreover my +space is short for all I have set myself to narrate, viz: how and in what +manner I came at last to my vengeance and what profit I had therein. So +will I pass on to that day when, being in the latitude of the great and +fair island of Hispaniola, we descried a ship bearing westerly. + +Hereupon (since greed is never satisfied) all men were vociferous for chase +and attack, and Belvedere agreeing, we hauled our wind accordingly and +stood after her with every sail we could carry. + +The _Happy Despatch_ was a great ship of some forty guns besides such +smaller pieces as minions, patereros and the like; she was moreover a +notable good sailer and as the hours passed it was manifest we were fast +overhauling our quarry. And very pitiful was it to see her crowding sail +away from us, to behold her (as it were) straining every nerve to escape +the horrors in store. Twice she altered her course and twice we did the +like, fetching ever nearer until it seemed she was doomed to share the +bloody fate of so many others. By noon we were so close that she was plain +to see, a middling-size ship, her paint blistered, her gilding tarnished as +by a long voyage, and though very taut and trim as to spars and rigging, +a heavy-sailing ship and sluggish. A poor thing indeed to cope with such +powerful vessel as this _Happy Despatch_, for as we closed in I could count +no more than six guns in the whole length of her. As to crew she might have +been deserted for all I saw of them, save one man who paced her lofty poop, +a smallish man in great wig and befeathered hat and in his fist a sword +prodigiously long in the blade, which sword he flourished whereat (as it +were a signal) out from her mizzen wafted the banner of Portugal, and +immediately she opened fire on us from her stern-chase guns. But their +shooting was so indifferent and artillery so pitiful that their shot fell +far short of us. Thus my heart grieved mightily for her as with our guns +run out and crew roaring and eager we bore down to her destruction. + +Now all at once, as I watched this unhappy ship, I caught my breath and +sank weakly to my knees as, despite the distance and plain to see, upon +her high poop came a woman, hooded and cloaked, who stood gazing earnestly +towards us. Other eyes had noticed her also, for up from our crowded decks +rose a hum, an evil murmur that swelled to a cry fierce, inarticulate, +bestial, whiles all eyes glared upon that slender, shapely form; presently +amid this ravening clamour I distinguished words: + +"Oh, a woman! Aha--women! Hold your fire, lads--no shooting; we want 'em +all alive! Easy all, bullies--nary a gun, mates--we'll lay 'em 'longside +and board--Aye, aye--board it is!" + +Now being on my knees, I began to whisper in passionate prayer until, +roused by a shambling step, I glanced up to find Resolution Day beside me. + +"What, d'ye pray, brother? 'Tis excellent well!" Said he, setting a +musquetoon ready to hand and glancing at the primings of his pistols. "Pray +unceasing, friend, plague the Throne wi' petitions, comrade, and a word or +so on behalf of old Resolution ere the battle joins, for there's--" + +"I pray God utterly destroy this accursed ship and all aboard her!" I +cried. + +"And do ye so?" said he, setting the pistols in his belt. "Why, then, 'tis +as well you're safe i' your bilboes, _amigo_, and as to your blasphemous +praying, I will offset it wi' prayerful counterblast--Ha, by my deathless +soul--what's doing yonder?" he cried, and leant to peer across at the +chase, and well he might. For suddenly (and marvellous to behold) this ship +that had sailed so heavily seemed to throw off her sluggishness and, taking +on new life, to bound forward; her decks, hitherto deserted, grew alive +with men who leapt to loose and haul at brace and rope and, coming about, +she stood towards us and right athwart our course. So sudden had been this +manoeuvre and so wholly unexpected that all men it seemed could but stare +in stupefied amaze. + +"Ha!" cried Resolution, smiting fist on the rail before him. "Tricked, +by hookey! She's been towing a sea anchor! Below there!" he hailed. +"Belvedere, ahoy--go about, or she'll rake us--" + +And now came Belvedere's voice in fierce and shrill alarm: + +"Down wi' your helm--down! Let go weather braces, jump, ye dogs, jump!" + +I heard the answering tramp of feet, the rattle and creak of the yards as +they swung and a great flapping of canvas as the _Happy Despatch_ came up +into the wind; but watching where our adversary bore down upon us, I beheld +her six guns suddenly multiplied and (or ever we might bring our broadside +to bear) from these gaping muzzles leapt smoke and roaring flame, and we +were smitten with a hurricane of shot that swept us from stem to stern. + +Dazed, deafened, half-stunned, I crouched in the shelter of the mizzen +mast, aware of shrieks and cries and the crash of falling spars, nor moved +I for a space; lifting my head at last, I beheld on the littered decks +below huddled figures that lay strangely twisted, that writhed or crawled. +Then came the hoarse roar of a speaking trumpet and I saw Resolution, his +face a smother of blood, where he leaned hard by across the quarter-rail. + +"Stand to't, my bullies!" he roared, and his voice had never sounded so +jovial. "Clear the guns, baw-cocky boys; 'tis our turn next--but stand by +till she comes about--" + +From the companion below came one running, eyes wild, mouth agape, and I +recognised the man Ford who had been my chief persecutor in the forecastle. + +"What now, lad--what now?" demanded Resolution, mopping at his bloody face. + +"Death!" gasped Ford. "There be dead men a-lay-ing forward--dead, +look'ee--" + +"Likely enough, John Ford, and there'll be dead men a-laying aft if ye're +not back to your gun and lively, d'ye see?" But the fellow, gasping again, +fell to his knees, whereupon Resolution smote him over the head with his +speaking trumpet and tumbled him down the ladder. + +"Look'ee here," quoth he, scowling on me, "this all cometh along o' your +ill-praying us, for prayer is potent, as I know, which was not brotherly in +you, Martin O, not brotherly nor yet friendly!" So saying, he squatted on +the gun beside me and sought to staunch the splinter-gash in his brow; but +seeing how ill he set about it, I proffered to do it for him (and despite +my shackles), whereupon he gave me the scarf and knelt that I might come +at his hurt the better; and being thus on his knees, he began to pray in a +loud, strong voice: + +"Lord God o' battles, close up Thine ear, hearken to and regard not the +unseemly praying of this mail Martin that hath not the just point o' view, +seeing through a glass darkly. Yonder lieth the enemy, Lord, Thine and +mine, wherefore let 'em be rooted out and utterly destroyed; for if these +be Portingales and Papishers--if--ha--if--?" Resolution ceased his prayer +and glancing up, pointed with stabbing finger: "Yon ship's no more +Portingale than I am--look, friend, look!" + +Now glancing whither he would have me, I saw two things: first, that the +_Happy Despatch_ had turned tail and second that our pursuers bore at her +main the English flag; beholding which, a great joy welled up within me so +that I had much ado to keep from shouting outright. + +"English!" quoth Resolution. "And a fighting ship--so fight we must, unless +we win clear!" + +"Ha, will ye run then?" cried I in bitter scorn. + +"With might and main, friend. We are a pirate, d'ye see, w' all to lose and +nought to gain, and then 'tis but a fool as fighteth out o' season!" + +Even as he spoke the English ship yawed and let fly at us with her +fore-chase and mingled with their roar was the sharp crack of parting +timbers and down came our main-topmast. + +"Why, so be it!" quoth Resolution, scowling up at the flapping ruin where +it hung. "Very well, 'tis a smooth sea and a fighting wind, so shall you +ha' your bellyful o' battle now, friend, for yonder cometh Joanna at last!" + +And great wonder was it to behold how the mere sight of her heartened our +sullen rogues, to hear with what howls of joy they welcomed her as she +paced daintily across the littered deck with her quick glance now aloft, +now upon our determined foe. + +"Ha, 'tis so--'tis our Jo--our luck! Shout for Cap'n Jo and the luck o' the +Brotherhood!" + +And now at her rapid commands from chaos came order, the decks were +cleared, and, despite wrecked topmast, round swung the _Happy Despatch_ +until her broadside bore upon the English ship. Even then Joanna waited, +every eye fixed on her where she lolled, hand on hip, watching the approach +of our adversary. Suddenly she gestured with her arm and immediately the +whole fabric of the ship leapt and quivered to the deafening roar of her +guns; then, as the smoke cleared, I saw the enemy's foreyard was gone and +her sides streaked and splintered by our shot, and from our decks rose +shouts of fierce exultation, drowned in the answering thunder of their +starboard broadside, the hiss of their shot all round about us, the crackle +of riven woodwork, the vicious whirr of flying splinters, wails and screams +and wild cheering. + +And thus began a battle surely as desperate as ever was fought and which +indeed no poor words of mine may justly describe. The enemy lay to windward +and little enough could I see by reason of the dense smoke that enveloped +us, a stifling, sulphurous cloud that drifted aboard us ever more thick +as the fight waxed, a choking mist full of blurred shapes, dim forms that +flitted by and vanished spectre-like, a rolling mystery whence came all +manner of cries, piercing screams and shrill wailings dreadful to hear, +while the deck beneath me, the air about me reeled and quivered to the +never-ceasing thunder of artillery. But ever and anon, through some rent +in this smoky curtain, I might catch a glimpse of the English ship, her +shot-scarred side and rent sails, or the grim havoc of our own decks. And +amidst it all, and hard beside me where I crouched in the shelter of the +mizzenmast, I beheld Resolution Day limping to and fro, jovial of voice, +cheering his sweating, powder-grimed gun-crews with word and hand. Suddenly +I was aware of Joanna beside me, gay and debonnaire but ghastly pale. + +"Hola, Martino!" cried she. "D'ye live yet? 'Tis well. If we die to-day we +die together, and where a properer death or one more fitting for such as +you and I, for am I killed first, Resolution shall send you after me to +bear me company, yes." + +So saying, she smiled and nodded and turned to summon Resolution, who came +in limping haste. + +"What, are ye hurt, Jo?" cried he, peering. "Ha, Joanna lass, are ye hit +indeed?" + +"A little, yes!" said she, and staggering against the mast leaned there as +if faint, yet casting a swift, furtive glance over her shoulder. "But death +cometh behind me, Resolution, and my pistol's gone and yours both empty--" + +Now glancing whither she looked, I saw Captain Belvedere come bounding up +the ladder, cutlass in one hand and pistol in the other. + +"Are ye there, Jo, are ye there?" he cried and stood to scowl on her. + +"Resolution," said she, drooping against the mast, "fight me the ship--" + +"And what o' me?" snarled Belvedere. + +"You?" cried she. "Ah--bah!" and turning, she spat at him and, screaming, +fell headlong as his pistol flashed. But over her prostrate form leapt +Resolution and there, while the battle roared about them, I watched as, +with steel that crashed unheard in that raging uproar, they smote and +parried and thrust until an eddying smoke-cloud blotted them from my view. +Now fain would I have come at Joanna where she lay, yet might not for my +bonds, although she was so near; suddenly as I watched her (and struggling +thus vainly to reach her) I saw she was watching me. + +"And would you aid your poor Joanna, yes?" she questioned faintly. + +"'Twas so my thought--" + +"Because I am dying, Martino? Doth this grieve you?" + +"You are over-young to die!" + +"And my life hath been very hard and cruel! Would you kiss a dying woman +an' she might creep to your arms, Martino?" + +Slowly and painfully she dragged herself within my reach and, beholding the +twisted agony of her look, reading the piteous supplication in her eyes, +I stooped to kiss the pale brow she lifted to my lips and--felt two arms +about me vigorous and strong and under mine the quivering passion of her +mouth; then she had loosed me and was before me on her knees, flushed and +tremulous as any simple maid. + +I was yet gazing on her in dumb and stark amaze, when from somewhere +hard by a man cried out in wild and awful fashion, and as this agonised +screaming swelled upon the air, Joanna rose up to her feet and stood +transfigured, her eyes fierce and wild, her clenched teeth agleam 'twixt +curling lips; and presently through the swirling smoke limped Resolution +Day, a dreadful, bedabbled figure, who, beholding Joanna on her feet, +flourished a dripping blade and panted exultant. + +"He is dead?" she questioned. + +"Verily and thoroughly!" said Resolution, wringing blood from his beruffled +shirt sleeve. "And a moist end he made on't. But thee, Joanna, I grieved +thee surely dead--" + +"Nay, I screamed and dropped in time, but--hark, the Englishman's fire +is ceasing and see, Resolution--look yonder!" and she pointed where our +antagonist, sore battered in hull and spars, was staggering out of the +fight. + +And now in place of roaring battle was sudden hush, yet a quietude this, +troubled by thin cryings, waitings and the like distressful sounds; and +the smoke lifting showed something of the havoc about us, viz: our riven +bulwarks, the tangled confusion of shattered spars, ropes and fallen +gear, the still and awful shapes that cumbered the spattered decks, more +especially about the smoking guns where leaned their wearied crews, a +blood-stained, powder-grimed company, cheering fitfully as they watched the +English ship creeping away from us. + +To us presently cometh Diccon, his blackened face streaked with sweat, +hoarse-voiced but hearty: + +"Aha, Captain Jo--your luck's wi' us as ever! Yon curst craft hath her +bellyful at last, aye, has she!" + +"I doubt!" quoth Resolution, shaking his head, whiles Joanna, leaning +against the mast, pointed feebly and I noticed her sleeve was soaked with +blood and her speech dull and indistinct: + +"Resolution is i' the--right--see!" + +And sure enough the English ship, having fetched ahead of us and beyond +range of our broadside guns, had hauled her wind and now lay to, her people +mighty busy making good their damage alow and aloft, stopping shot-holes, +knotting and splicing their gear, etc. Hereupon Diccon falls to a passion +of vain oaths, Resolution to quoting Psalms and Joanna, sighing, slips +suddenly to the deck and lies a-swoon. In a moment Resolution was on his +knees beside her. + +"Water, Diccon, water!" said he. "The lads must never see her thus!" So +Diccon fetched the water and between them they contrived to get Joanna to +her feet, and standing thus supported by their arms, she must needs use her +first breath to curse her weak woman's body: + +"And our mainmast is shot through at the cap--we must wear ship or 'twill +go! Veer, Resolution, wear ship and man the larboard guns ... they are cool +... I must go tend my hurt--a curst on't! Wear ship and fight, Resolution, +fight--to the last!" + +So saying, she put by their hold and (albeit she stumbled for very +weakness) nevertheless contrived to descend the quarter-ladder and wave +cheery greeting to the roar of acclaim that welcomed her. + +"And there's for ye!" quoth Resolution. "Never was such hugeous great +spirit in man's body or woman's body afore, neither in this world or any +other--no, not even Davy at Adullam, by hookey! Down to your guns, Diccon +lad, and cheerily, for it looks as we shall have some pretty fighting, +after all!" + +But at the hoarse roar of Resolution's speaking trumpet was stir and +clamorous outcry from the battle-wearied crew who came aft in a body. + +"Oho, Belvedere!" they shouted, "Us ha' fought as long as men may, and now +what?" + +"Fight again, bullies, and cheerily!" roared Resolution. At this the uproar +grew; pistols and muskets were brandished. + +"We ha' fought enough! 'Tis time to square away and run for't--aye, +aye--what saith Belvedere, Belvedere be our Cap'n--we want Belvedere!" + +"Why then, take him, Bullies, take him and willing!" cried Resolution; +then stooping (and with incredible strength) up to the quarter-railing he +hoisted that awful, mutilated thing that had once been Captain Belvedere +and hove it over to thud down among them on the deck below. "Eye him over, +lads!" quoth Resolution. "View him well, bawcock boys! I made sure work, +d'ye see, though scarce so complete as the heathen Pompey might ha' done, +but 'tis a very thoroughly dead rogue, you'll allow. And I killed him +because he would ha' murdered our Joanna, our luck--and because he was for +yielding us up, you and me, to yon ship that is death for us--for look'ee, +there is never a ship on the Main will grant quarter or show mercy for we; +'tis noose and tar and gibbet for every one on us, d'ye see? So fight, +bully boys, fight for a chance o' life and happy days--here stand I to +fight wi' you and Diccon 'twixt decks and Captain Jo everywhere. We beat +off you Englishman once and so we will again. So fight it is, comrades all, +and a cheer for Captain Jo--ha, Joanna!" + +Cheer they did and (like the desperate rogues they were) back they went, +some to their reeking guns, others to splice running and standing rigging, +to secure our tottering mainmast and to clear the littered decks; overboard +alike went broken gear and dead comrade. Then, with every man at his +quarters, with port fires burning, drums beating, black flag flaunting +aloft, round swung the _Happy Despatch_ to face once more her indomitable +foe (since she might not fly) and to fight for her very life. + +So once again was smoke and flame and roaring battle; broadside for +broadside we fought them until night fell, a night of horror lit by the +quivering red glare of the guns, the vivid flash of pistol and musket +and the pale flicker of the battle lanthorns. And presently the moon was +casting her placid beam upon this hell of destruction and death, whereas I +lay, famished with hunger and thirst, staring up at her pale serenity with +weary, swooning eyes, scarce heeding the raving tumult about me. + +I remember a sudden, rending crash, a stunning shock and all things were +blotted out awhile. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +TELLETH HOW THE FIGHT ENDED + + +When sight returned to me at last, I was yet staring up at the moon, but +now she had climbed the zenith and looked down on me through a dense maze, +a thicket of close-twining branches (as it were) whose density troubled me +mightily. But in a little I saw that these twining branches were verily a +mass of ropes and cordage, a twisted tangle that hung above me yet crushed +me not by reason of a squat column that rose nearby, and staring on this +column I presently knew it for the shattered stump of the mizzenmast. For a +great while I lay staring on this (being yet much dazed) and thus gradually +became aware that the guns had fallen silent; instead of their thunderous +roar was a faint clamour, hoarse, inarticulate, and very far away. I was +yet wondering dreamily and pondering this when I made the further discovery +that by some miraculous chance the chain which had joined my fettered +wrists was broken in sunder and I was free. Nevertheless I lay awhile +blinking drowsily up at the moon until at last, impelled by my raging +thirst, I got to my knees (though with strange reluctance) and strove to +win clear from the tangle of ropes that encompassed me; in the which labour +I came upon the body of a dead man and beyond this, yet another. Howbeit I +was out of this maze at last and rising to my feet, found the deck to heave +oddly 'neath my tread, and so (like one walking in a dream) came stumbling +to the quarter-ladder and paused there awhile to lean against the +splintered rail and to clasp my aching head, for I was still greatly +bemused and my body mighty stiff and painful. + +Looking up after some while I saw the _Happy Despatch_ lay a helpless +wreck, her main and mizzenmasts shot away and her shattered hull fast +locked in close conflict with her indomitable foe. The English ship had +run us aboard at the fore-chains and as the two vessels, fast grappled +together, swung to the gentle swell, the moon glinted on the play of +vicious steel where the fight raged upon our forecastle. Mightily heartened +by this, I strove to shake off this strange lethargy that enthralled me and +looked about for some weapon, but finding none, got me down the ladder (and +marvellous clumsy about it) and reaching; the deck stumbled more than once +over stiffening forms that sprawled across my way. Here and there a battle +lanthorn yet glimmered, casting its uncertain beam on writhen legs, on +wide-tossed arms and shapes that seemed to stir in the gloom; and beholding +so many dead, I marvelled to find myself thus unharmed, though, as I +traversed this littered deck, its ghastliness dim-lit by these flickering +lanthorns and the moon's unearthly radiance, it seemed more than ever that +I walked within a dream, whiles the battle clamoured ever more loud. Once +I paused to twist a boarding-axe from stiffening fingers, and, being come +into the waist of the ship, found myself beside the main hatchway and +leaned there to stare up at the reeling fray on the forecastle where pike +darted, axe whirled, sword smote and the battle roared amain in angry +summons. But as I turned obedient to get me into this desperate fray, I +heard a low and feverish muttering and following this evil sound came upon +one who lay amid the wreckage of a gun, and bending above the man knew him +for Diccon the quartermaster. + +"How now, Diccon?" I questioned, and wondered to hear my voice so strange +and muffled. + +"Dying!" said he. "Dying--aye, am I! And wi' two thousand doubloons hid +away as I shall ne'er ha' the spending on--oh, for a mouthful o' water--two +thousand--a pike-thrust i' the midriff is an--ill thing yet--'tis better +than--noose and tar and gibbet--yet 'tis hard to die wi' two thousand +doubloons unspent--oh, lad, I parch--I burn already--water--a mouthful for +a dying man--" + +So came I to the water-butt that stood abaft the hatchway, and filling a +pannikin that chanced there with some of the little water that remained, +hastened back to Diccon, but ere I could reach him he struggled to his +knees and flinging arms aloft uttered a great cry and sank upon his face. +Then, finding him verily dead, I drank the water myself and, though +lukewarm and none too sweet, felt myself much refreshed and strengthened +thereby and the numbness of mind and body abated somewhat. + +And yet, as I knelt thus, chancing to lift my eyes from the dead man before +me, it seemed that verily I must be dreaming after all, for there, all +daintily bedight in purple gown, I beheld a fine lady tripping lightly +among these mangled dead; crouched in the shadow of the bulwark I watched +this approaching figure; then I saw it was Joanna, saw the moon glint +evilly on the pistol she bore ere she vanished down the hatchway. And now, +reading her fell purpose, I rose to my feet and stole after her down into +the 'tween-decks. + +An evil place this, crowded with forms that moaned and writhed fitfully in +the light of the lanthorns that burned dimly here and there, a place foul +with blood and reeking with the fumes of burnt powder, but I heeded only +the graceful shape that flitted on before; once she paused to reach down +a lanthorn and to open the slide, and when she went on again, flames +smouldered behind her and as often as she stayed to set these fires +a-going, I stayed to extinguish them as well as I might ere I hasted after +her. At last she paused to unlock a door and presently her voice reached +me, high and imperious as ever: + +"Greeting, Don Federigo! The ship's afire and 'tis an ill thing to burn, so +do I bring you kinder death!" + +Creeping to the door of this lock-up, I saw she had set down the lanthorn +and stood above the poor fettered captive, the pistol in her hand. + +"The Seņorita is infinitely generous," said Don Federigo in his courtly +fashion; then, or ever she might level the weapon, I had seized and wrested +it from her grasp. Crying out in passionate fury, she turned and leapt at +me. + +"Off, murderess!" I cried, and whirling her from me, heard her fall and lie +moaning. "Come, sir," said I, aiding the Don to his feet, "let us be gone!" +But what with weakness and his fetters Don Federigo could scarce stand, so +I stooped and taking him across my shoulder, bore him from the place. But +as I went an acrid smoke met me and with here and there a glimmer of flame, +so that it seemed Joanna had fired the ship, my efforts notwithstanding. So +reeled I, panting, to the upper air and, loosing Don Federigo, sank to the +deck and stared dreamily at a dim moon. + +And now I was aware of a voice in my ear, yet nothing heeded until, shaken +by an importunate hand, I roused and sat up, marvelling to find myself so +weak. + +"Loose me, Seņor Martino, loose off my bonds; the fire grows apace and I +must go seek the Seņorita--burning is an evil death as she said. Loose off +my bonds--the Seņorita must not burn--" + +"No, she must not--burn!" said I dully, and struggling to my feet I saw a +thin column of smoke that curled up the hatchway. Gasping and choking, +I fought my way down where flames crackled and smoke grew ever denser. +Suddenly amid this swirling vapour I heard a glad cry: + +"Ah, _Martino mio_--you could not leave me then to die alone!" And I saw +Joanna, with arms stretched out to me, swaying against the angry glow +behind her. So I caught her up in my embrace and slipping, stumbling, blind +and half-choked, struggled up and up until at last I reeled out upon deck, +and with Joanna thus clasped upon my breast, stood staring with dazed and +unbelieving eyes at the vision that had risen up to confront me. For there +before me, hedged about by wild figures and brandished steel, with slender +hands tight-clasped together, with vivid lips apart and eyes wide, I +thought to behold at last my beloved Damaris, my Joan, my dear, dear lady; +but knowing this false, I laughed and shook my head. + +"Deluding vision," said I, "blest sight long-hoped and prayed for--why +plague me now?" + +I was on my knees, staring up at this beloved shape through blinding tears +and babbling I know not what. And then arms were about me, tender yet +strong and compelling, a soft cheek was pressed to mine and in my ear +Joan's voice: + +"Oh, my beloved--fret not thyself--here is no vision, my Martin--" + +"Joan!" I panted. "Oh, Damaris--beloved!" And shaking off these fettering +arms, I rose to my feet. "Joan, is it thou thyself in very truth, or do I +see thee in heaven--" + +And now it seemed I was sinking within an engulfing darkness and nought to +see save only the pale oval of this so loved, oft-visioned face that held +for me the beauty of all beauteous things. At last her voice reached me, +soft and low, yet full of that sweet, vital ring that was beyond all +forgetting. + +"Martin--Oh, Martin!" + +Out towards me in the growing dark I saw her hands reach down to me: and +then these eager, welcoming hands were seized and Joanna was between us on +her knees. + +"Spare him--Oh, lady, in mercy spare my beloved--kill me an you will, but +spare this man of mine--these arms have cradled him ere now, this bosom +been his pillow--" + +"Joan!" I muttered, "Oh, Damaris, beloved--" + +But seeing the stricken agony of her look and how she shrank from my touch, +I uttered a great cry and turning, sped blindly away and stumbling, fell +and was engulfed in choking blackness. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +HOW I FELL IN WITH MY FRIEND, CAPTAIN SIR ADAM PENFEATHER + + +It was the pommel of the long rapier dangling from the chair-back that +first drew and held my eye, for this pommel was extremely bright and +polished and gleamed on me like a very keen and watchful eye as I watched, +though conscious also of the luxury of panelled walls, of rich floor +coverings and tapestried hangings, and the man who sat writing so +studiously at the carven table. And presently, roused by the scratch of his +industrious quill, I fell to watching him, his bowed head, the curve of his +back as he stooped. A small, lean man but very magnificent, for his coat of +rich purple velvet sat on him with scarce a wrinkle, his great peruke fell +in such ample profusion of curls that I could see nought but the tip of +his nose as he bent to his writing, and I wondered idly at his so great +industry. Now presently he paused to read over what he had written and +doing so, began to push and pull at his cumbrous wig and finally, lifting +it off, laid it on the table. Thus I saw the man was white-haired and that +his ears were mighty strange, being cut and trimmed to points like a dog's +ears; and beholding the jut of brow and nose and resolute chin, I fell to +sudden trembling, and striving to lift myself on the bed, wondered to find +this such a business. + +"Adam!" said I, my voice strangely thin and far away, "Adam Penfeather!" + +In one movement, as it seemed to me, he was out of the chair and leaning +above me. "Why, Martin," said he. "Why, comrade! Lord love you, Martin, are +ye awake at last? Here you've lain these twelve hours like a dead man and +small wonder, what with your wound--" + +"So you have come--at last, Adam?" + +"And in good time, shipmate!" + +"Where am I?" + +"Safe aboard my ship, the _Deliverance_." + +"'Twas you fought the _Happy Despatch_?" + +"Aye, Martin, and should have very properly destroyed every rogue aboard +but for my lady--" + +"My lady?" said I, sitting up. "My lady--Joan?" + +"Aye, verily--" + +"Then 'tis true--all true!" said I, and fell a-trembling. "My lady's here?" + +"She is, Martin, and more's the pity. For look'ee, having boarded yon +devil's craft and cut down such as resisted, I was very properly for +hanging such as remained, when down on me comes my lady and is for carrying +the rogues to trial, the which is but vain labour and loss o' time, since +each and all of my twenty and three prisoners is bound to swing soon or +late, as I told her, but, 'No matter, Sir Adam,' says she. 'Law is law, Sir +Adam,' quo' she. When cometh Godby, running, to say the cursed ship was +afire, and coming to the main hatchway, I beheld, half-strangled in the +smoke, yourself, shipmate, and a woman in your arms--" + +"Ha--'twas Joanna!" said I, leaping in the bed. "What of her, Adam--what of +her, man?" + +"A fine woman, I'll allow, Martin, and by her looks a lady of quality--" + +"Say a demon rather--a very she-devil!" + +"Why, as you will, Martin, as you will!" said he. "Only rest you, lest the +fever take you again." + +"How was I wounded, then?" + +"A flying splinter in the head, Martin, so Surgeon Penruddock says. But +then you have a marvellous stout skull, as I do know, shipmate." + +"What ha' you done with Joanna--where is she?" + +"Content you, Martin, she is safe enough and well cared for; you shall see +her anon," said he, stroking his long chin and viewing me with his quick, +keen eyes, "But first you shall eat!" And he rang the small silver bell +that stood upon the table, whereon in dame a soft-footed serving-man in +handsome livery, who, receiving Adam's commands, presently bowed himself +out again. + +Hereupon Adam set on his periwig and fell to pacing slowly to and fro, his +feet soundless upon the rich carpet, viewing me now and then like one +that ponders some problem. Now, beholding his air of latent power and +indomitable mastery, the richness of his habit, the luxury that surrounded +him, it seemed in very truth that he was the great gentleman and I the +merest poor suppliant for his bounty; whereupon I must needs contrast his +case with mine and perceiving myself no better than I had been three weary +years since, to wit: the same poor, destitute wretch, I fell into a black +and sullen humour: + +"You go vastly fine these days!" quoth I, scowling (like the surly dog I +was). + +"Aye, Martin--I am so vastly rich!" he sighed. "I am a baronet, shipmate!" +he nodded dolefully. "And what is worse, I own many rich manors and +countless broad acres besides divers castles, mansions, houses and the +like. Thus all men do protest friendship for me, and at this moment there +be many noble ladies do sigh for me or the manors and castles aforesaid. +And there was a duchess, Martin, was set upon wedding my riches (and me +along of 'em) but I have no leaning to duchesses, though this one was young +and comely enough. So went I to the King, who by his grace suffered me to +fit out, provision, arm and man this ship at my own expense, Martin, and +square away for the Spanish Main to sink, burn and utterly destroy such +pirate vessels as I can bring to action. So here am I, shipmate, since I +had rather fight rogues when and where I may than marry a duchess once. And +here cometh what shall do you a world o' good, Martin--broth with a dash +o' rum--which is good for a man, soul and body!" said he, as the +serving-fellow appeared, bearing a silver tray whereon stood broth in a +silver bowl of most delectable odour. And indeed, very good broth I found +it. + +So whiles I ate, Adam, sitting near, told me much of his doings since he +left me solitary on Bartlemy's Island, but of my lady Joan Brandon he spoke +no word. + +"'Tis but three short years since we parted, shipmate, three short years--" + +"Three long, empty years!" said I bitterly. + +"Aye, truth!" quoth he. "You had a mind to nought but vengeance, which is +an empty thing, as belike you'll allow, Martin, you being now three long, +empty years the wiser?" + +Here, what with the hot broth and my hotter anger, I came nigh to choking, +whereupon he rose and, seeing the bowl empty, took it from me and +thereafter set another pillow to my back, the while I reviled him +impotently. + +"There, there, Martin!" said he, patting my shoulder as I had been a +petulant child. "Never miscall Adam that is your friend, for if you have +wasted yourself in a vanity, so have I, for here you see me full of +honours, Martin, a justice, a member o' Parliament, a power at Court with +great lords eager for my friendship and great ladies eager to wed me. Yet +here am I safe at sea and fighting rogues as often as I may, for great +riches is a plague that tainteth love and friendship alike--_vanitas +vanitatum, omnium vanitas_!" + +"Yet your three years have been turned to better account than mine!" said +I, grown suddenly humble. + +"In the matter of houses and land, Martin?" + +"Aye!" I nodded. "For my three years I've nought to show but scars and +rags." + +"Not so, Martin, for your fortune marched with mine. Lord love you, I never +bought stick or stone or acre of land but I bought one for you, comrade, +share and share, shipmate. So, if I am a man o' great possessions, so are +you, Martin; there be lands and houses in old England waiting their master +as you sit there." Now at this I lay silent awhile, but at last I reached +out a fumbling hand, the which he took and wrung in his vital clasp. + +"God help me, Adam!" said I. "What have these years made of me?" + +"That same scowling, unlovely, honest-hearted self-deluder that is my sworn +comrade and blood-brother and that I do love heartily for his own sake and +the sake of my lady Joan. For look'ee, she hath oft told me of you and the +life you lived together on Bartlemy's Island." + +"And has she so indeed?" quoth I. + +"Aye, verily. Lord, Martin, when she waked from her swoon aboard ship and +found I had sailed without you, she was like one distraught and was for +having me 'bout ship that she might stay to comfort you in your solitude. +And so I did, Martin, but we were beset by storm and tempest and blown far +out of our course and further beset by pirates and the like evils, and in +the end came hardly to England with our lives. No sooner there than my lady +fits out an expedition to your relief and I busied with divers weighty +concerns, she sails without me and is wrecked in the Downs, whereby she +lost her ship and therewith all she possessed, save only Conisby Shene, the +which she holdeth in your name, Martin." + +"Adam," said I, "Oh, Adam, surely this world hath not her like--" + +"Assuredly not!" quoth he. "The which doth put me to great wonder you +should come to forget her a while--" + +"Forget her? I?" + +"Aye, Martin--in the matter of the--the lady yonder--Madam Joanna--" + +"Joanna!" I cried, clenching my fists. "That demon!" + +"Ha--demon, is it?" quoth Adam, pinching his chin and eyeing me askance. +"Doth your love grow all sudden cold--" + +"Love?" cried I. "Nay--my hate waxeth for thing so evil--she is a very +devil--" + +"Nay, Martin, she is a poor Spanish lady, exceeding comely and with a hand, +a foot, an eye, a person of birth and breeding, a dainty lady indeed, yet +of a marvellous sweet conversation and gentle deportment, and worthy any +man's love. I do allow--" + +"Man," cried I, "you do speak arrant folly--she is Joanna!" + +"Why, true, Martin, true!" said Adam soothingly and eyeing me anxious-eyed. +"She is the lady Joanna that you preserved from death and worse, it +seems--" + +"Says she so, Adam?" + +"Aye! And, by her showing, some small--some few small--kindnesses have +passed betwixt you." + +"Kindnesses?" I demanded. + +"Aye, Martin, as is but natural, God knoweth. Kisses, d'ye see, embraces--" + +"She lies!" quoth I, starting up in bed, "she lies!" + +"Why, very well, Martin--" + +"Ha, d'ye doubt my word, Adam?" + +"No, Martin, no--except--when first I clapped eyes on you, she chanced to +be lying in your arms, d'ye see?" + +"Tush!" said I. "What o' that? 'Twas after she'd set the ship afire and +sought to murder Don Federigo; we left her in the 'tween-decks and I found +her nigh stifled by the smoke. Have you got her fast in the bilboes--safe +under lock and key?" + +"Lord love you--no. Martin!" said he, viewing me askance as I were raving. +"So young, Martin! And a bullet wound i' the arm and mighty brave, despite +her tenderness, so says Penruddock our surgeon." + +"Why then, in God's name--where is she?" + +"Where should she be, seeing she was wounded and solitary, but with my lady +Joan!" + +"God forbid!" cried I. + +"Why, Martin, 'tis my lady's whim--they walk together, talk, eat, aye, and +sleep together, for aught I know--" + +"Adam," said I, grasping him by the arm. "You know Captain Tressady of old, +and Mings and Red Rory, Sol Aiken and others of the Coast Brotherhood, but +have you ever met the fiercest, bravest, greatest of these rogues; have you +ever heard tell of Captain 'Jo'?" + +"Aye, truly, Martin, some young springald that hath risen among 'em since +my time, a bloody rogue by account and one I would fain come alongside +of--" + +"Captain Jo lies in your power, Adam; Captain Jo is aboard; Captain Jo is +Joanna herself! 'Twas Joanna fought the _Happy Despatch_ so desperately!" + +Now hereupon Adam fell back a pace and stood staring down on me and +pinching his chin, but with never a word. And seeing him thus incredulous +still, I strove to get me out of bed. + +"Easy, Martin!" said he, restraining me. "These be wild and whirling words +and something hard to believe--" + +"Why, then, if you doubt me still, summon hither Don Federigo an he be yet +alive--" + +"Look now, Martin," said he, seating himself on the bed beside me. "Since +we left England I have burned or scuttled four rascally pirate craft and +each and every a fighting ship, yet no one of them so mauled and battered +us as this _Happy Despatch_ (whereby I have lost fourteen good fellows dead +besides thirty wounded) the which as I do know was captained by one calling +himself Belvedere--" + +"Tush!" cried I. "He was a man of straw and would have run or struck to you +after your first broadside! 'Twas Joanna and Resolution Day fought the ship +after Belvedere was dead--" + +"Ah, dead, is he? Why, very good!" said Adam, rising and seating himself +at the table. "Here is yet another name for my journal. You saw him dead, +Martin?" he questioned, taking up his pen. + +"Most horribly! He was killed by the mate, Resolution Day--" + +"Ha!" says Adam, turning to his writing. "'Tis a name sticks in my +memory--a man I took out o' prison and saved from burning along with divers +others, when we took Margarita--a tall, one-eyed man and scarred by the +torment--?" + +"'Tis the same! But, God forgive you, Adam, why must you be wasting time +over your curst journal and idle talk--" + +"I think, Martin! I meditate! For, if this be true indeed, we must go like +Agog--delicately--Martin--delicately!" + +"Folly--oh, folly!" cried I. "Joanna may be firing the ship as you sit +scribbling there, or contriving some harm to my dear lady--act, man--act!" + +"As how, Martin?" he questioned, carefully sanding what he had writ. + +"Seize her ere she can strike, set her fast under lock and key, have her +watched continually--" + +"Hum!" said Adam, pinching his chin and viewing me with his keen gaze. "If +she be so dangerous as you say, why not slay her out of hand--" + +"No!" said I. "No!" + +"But she is a pirate, you tell me?" + +"She is! And I do know her for murderess beside!" + +"How came you in her company, Martin?" + +Hereupon in feverish haste I recounted much of what I have already set down +concerning this strange, wild creature, to all of which he hearkened mighty +attentive, pinching at his chin and a frown on his face. + +"Verily!" said he, when I had done. "Never heard man stranger story!" But +seeing how he regarded me in the same dubious manner, I leapt out of bed +ere he might prevent and staggered with weakness. "Lord love you, Martin," +said he, snatching me in his iron grip, "Lord love you, what would you +be at? Here's Surgeon Penruddock and his two mates with their hands full +enough, as it is, God knoweth, and you sick o' your wound--" So saying, +Adam bundled me back into bed, willy-nilly. + +"Why, then, question Don Federigo, who knoweth her better than I--summon +him hither--" + +"Impossible, Martin, he lieth very nigh to death." + +"And what of Joanna? She is as swift as a snake and as deadly--she is a +lurking danger--a constant menace, beyond thought subtle and crafty--" + +"Hist!" quoth Adam, catching me by the arm and turning suddenly as came a +soft rapping; then the door opened and Joanna herself stood before us, but +indeed a Joanna such as I had never seen. Timid, abashed, great-eyed and +wistful, she stood looking on me, her slender hands tight-clasped, her +tremulous, parted lips more vivid by reason of the pallor of her cheeks, +all shy and tender womanhood from the glossy ringlets at her white brow to +the dainty shoe that peeped forth of her petticoat; as for me, I sank back +among my pillows amazed beyond--all speech by the infinite change in her, +for here was a transformation that went beyond mere lace and velvets; the +change was in her very self, her look, her voice, her every gesture. + +"_Martino mio_!" said she at last, and sure this pen of mine may never tell +all the languorous caress of these two words; and then, or ever I might +speak or stir, she was beside me and had caught my hand to her lips. And +then I saw Joan standing in the doorway, the Damaris of my dreams, and +though her lips smiled upon us, there was that in her eyes that filled me +with bitter shame and an agony beyond the telling. + +"Damaris!" I groaned and freed my hand so suddenly that Joanna stumbled +and would have fallen, but for Adam's ready arm. "Damaris!" I cried. "Ah, +God,'--look not so! All these weary years I have lived and dreamed but +of you--Joan, beloved, 'twas thy sweet memory made my solitude worth the +living--without thee I had died--" Choking with my grief, I reached out my +hands in passionate supplication to that loved shape that drooped in the +doorway, one white hand against the carven panelling; and then Joanna was +on her knees, her soft cheek pressed to my quivering fist, wetting it with +her tears: + +"Martino!" she sobbed. "Ah, _caro mio_, art so strange--dost not know thy +Joanna--dost not know me, Martino?" + +"Aye, I know you, Captain Jo," I cried. "Well I know you to my cost, +as hath many another: I know you for 'La Culebra,' for Joanna that is +worshipped, obeyed and followed by every pirate rogue along the Main. Oh, +truly I know you to my bitter sorrow--" + +Now at this she gave a little, pitiful, helpless gesture and looked from me +to the others, her eyes a-swim with tears. + +"Alas!" she sobbed. "And is he yet so direly sick?" Then, bowing her head +to the pillow beside me, "Oh, loved Martino," she sighed, "art so sick not +to remember all that is betwixt us, that which doth make thee mine so long +as life shall be to me--the wonder I have told to my lady Damaris--" + +Now here I caught her in savage gripe. "What," cried I, shaking her to and +fro despite my weakness, "what ha' you told my lady?" + +"Beloved Martino--I confessed our love--alas, was I wrong, Martino--I told +her my joyous hope to be the mother of your child ere long--" + +"Oh, shame!" cried I. "Oh, accursed liar!" And I hurled her from me; then, +lying gasping amid my tumbled pillows, my aching head between my hands, +I saw my beloved lady stoop to lift her, saw that lying head pillowed +on Joan's pure bosom and uttering a great cry, I sank to a merciful +unconsciousness. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +HOW I HAD WORD WITH MY LADY, JOAN BRANDON + + +"A marvel, Sir Adam (perceive me), a wonder! The constitution of a horse, +an ox, nay an elephant, the which monstrous beast (you'll allow me!) hath a +pachydermatous hide tolerably impervious to spears, axes, darts, javelins +and the like puny offences, and a constitution whereby he liveth (you'll +observe) whole centuries. Indeed, Sir Adam, 'tis a cure marvellous, being +one I ha' wrought on my patient in spite of said patient. For look now (and +heed me) here we have soul, mind and will, or what you will, pulling +one way, and body hauling t'other, and body hath it, physics versus +metaphysics--a pretty and notable case--" + +"Why, he hath a notable hard head, Master Penruddock--" + +"Head, Sir Adam, head--were his head as adamantine, as millstone or hard +as one o' your cannon balls that shall not save him, if mind and body +agreeably seek and desire death, and mind (pray understand, sir) is the +more potent factor, thus (saving and excepting the abnormal vigour of his +body) by all the rules of chirurgical science he should ha' died three days +agone--when the seizure took him." + +"Would to heaven I had!" said I, opening my eyes to scowl up at the little +man who beamed down on me through monstrous horn-rimmed spectacles. + +"Aha, and there we have it confessed, Sir Adam!" said he. "Yet we shall +have him on his legs again in a day or so, thanks to my art--" + +"And his lady's nursing!" + +"What, hath she been with me in my sickness, Adam?" I questioned when the +doctor had departed. + +"Night and day, Martin, as sweet and patient with you as any angel in +heaven, and you cursing and reviling her the while in your ravings--" + +"Oh, God forgive me! Where is she now, Adam?" + +"With my Lady Joan--" + +"How?" I cried. "Was this Joanna nursed me?" + +"Why, truly, Martin. Could she have better employ?" But hereupon I fell to +such fury that Adam turned to stare at me, pen in hand. + +"Lord love you, Martin," said he, pinching his chin, "I begin to think that +skull o' yours is none so hard, after all--" + +"And you," quoth I bitterly. "Your wits are none so keen as I had judged +'em. You are grown a very credulous fool, it seems!" + +"Ha--'tis very well, shipmate!" + +"For here you have Joanna--this evil creature stained by God knoweth how +many shameful crimes--you have her beneath your hand and let her come and +go as she lists, to work such new harms as her cunning may suggest--either +you disbelieve my statements, or you've run mad, unless--" + +"Unless what, Martin?" + +"Unless she's bewitched you as she hath full many a man ere now." + +Adam blenched and (for the first time in my remembrance) his keen eyes +quailed before mine, and over his bronzed face, from aggressive chin to +prominent brow, crept a slow and painful red. + +"Martin," said he, his eyes steady again, "I will confess to you that is my +blood-brother and comrade sworn, I have--thought better of--of her than any +proud lady or duchess of 'em all--" + +"Despite the foul and shameful lie you heard her utter?" + +"Despite everything, Martin." + +"Then God help you, Adam!" + +"Amen," said he. + +"You are surely crazed--" + +"Why, very well, Martin, though you know me for a timid man--" + +"Tush!" quoth I, turning my back on him. + +"And a cautious, more especially in regard to women, having known but few +and understanding none. Thus, Martin, though I seem crazed and foolish, +'tis very well, so long as I have eyes to see and ears to hear, and now +I'll away and use 'em awhile. And here," said he, rising as a knock sounded +on the door, "should be an old friend o' yours that got himself something +scorched on your account." And opening the door he disclosed a squat, +broad-shouldered fellow of a sober habit, his head swathed in a bandage, +but the eyes of him very round and bright and his wide mouth up-curving in +a smile. + +"Godby!" said I, and reached but my hand to him. + +"Why, Mart'n!" cried he. "Oh, pal--here's j'y, choke me wi' a rammer else! +Lord, Mart'n--three years--how time doth gallop! And you no whit changed, +save for your beard! But here's me wi' a fine stocked farm t'other side +Lamberhurst--and, what's more, a wife in't as be sister to Cecily as you'll +mind at the 'Hoppole'--and, what's more, a blessed infant, pal, as I've +named Tom arter myself, by reason that my name is God-be-here, and Mart'n +arter you, by reason you are my pal and brought me all the good fortun' +as I ever had. Aha, 'twas a mortal good hour for me when we first struck +hands, Mart'n." + +"And you're more than quits, Godby, by saving me from the fire--" + +"Why, pal, you fell all of a swound, d'ye see, and there's my Lady Brandon +and t'other 'un a-running to fetch ye, flames or no--so what could I do--" + +"My lady Joan?" + +"Aye and t'other 'un--the Spanish dame as you come up a-cuddling of, +Mart'n--and a notable fine piece she be, as I'm a gunner--" + +"Is my lady on deck?" + +"Which on 'em, pal?" + +"Joan, man--my Lady Brandon!" + +"Aye, and mighty downcast by her look. 'Godby,' says she to me a while +back, 'if I find not my father now, I do think my poor heart will break!' +And the sweet sad eyes of her, pal--" + +"I'll get up!" said I, tossing off the bed clothes. + +"Lord, Mart'n, what'll Cap'n Adam say--" + +"'Tis no matter!" + +"Are ye strong enough, pal?" + +"To be sure!" said I, and getting upon my feet, reeled for very weakness +and should have fallen but that Godby propped me with his shoulder; +supported thus and despite Godby's remonstrances, I staggered to and fro +and gradually found my strength return in some small measure, whereupon I +began to dress myself forthwith. + +"Whither are we sailing, Godby?" + +"To the nearest secure anchorage, Mart'n, for what wi' storm and battle we +are so battered and sprung, alow and aloft--and small wonder, here's four +ships we've destroyed since we left Old England, battle, murder and sudden +death, pal!" + +So with Godby's help I got me out upon the broad quarter-deck and saw +the _Deliverance_ for a fine, roomy ship, very clean and trim, her decks +new-scoured, her brass-work gleaming in the sun; though here and there the +carpenters were still repairing such damage as she had taken in the fight. + +"A noble ship, pal," says Godby, as I sat me down on one of the guns, "and +looks vasty different to what she did three days since, her foreyard and +main-to'-gallant mast shot away and her starboard bulwarks shattered fore +and aft and three shot-holes under water as can't be come at till we +careen." + +"'Twas hot fight--I marvel your damage was no greater," says I, glancing +hither and thither for sight of my lady, and my heart throbbing with +expectation. + +"Nay, Mart'n, 'twas guile, 'twas craft, 'twas seamanship. Lord love +your eyes, pal, Cap'n Adam seized him the vantage point by means of a +fore-course towing under water, and kept it. For look'ee, 'tis slip our +floating anchor, up wi' our helm and down on 'em 'thwart-hawse and let fly +our larboard broadside, veer and pound 'em wi' our starboard guns, keeping +the weather gauge, d'ye see, pal, till their fire slackens and them blind +wi' our smoke and theirs. Then to close wi' 'em till our gun muzzles are +nigh touching and whiles we pound 'em below, 'tis grappling irons and +boarders away! Aha, a wonderful man is Cap'n Adam--oh, 'tis beautiful sight +to watch him take ship into action; 'tis sight to warm a man's in'nards and +make archangels sing for j'y, pal. Aye, deafen, blind and choke me but a +man o' men is Cap'n Adam Penfeather!" + +"He is come to great repute, I hear!" said I, my hungry gaze wandering. + +"Verily he hath, Mart'n; the King do honour him vastly especially since +he pinked a strutting, quarrelsome gentleman through the sword-arm in St. +James's Park, and him a nearl, pal!" + +"At last!" says I. + +"Anan, pal?" he questioned, but looking where I looked. "Aye," he nodded, +"'tis my Lady Brandon, and mighty despondent by her looks as I told ye, +Mart'n." All unconscious of me she crossed the deck slow-footed and coming +to the lee bulwark, paused there, her lovely head down-bent upon her hands. + +Now watching her as she stood thus, my eager gaze dwelling on every line of +the beloved shape, I was filled with such overmastering emotion, an ecstasy +so keen, that I fell a-trembling and my eyes filled with sudden, blinding +tears; and bowing my face on my hand, I sat thus a while until I had +composed myself. Then I arose and made my way towards her on stumbling +feet. + +Suddenly she turned and espying me, started and fell a-trembling, even as +I. + +"Martin," said she below her breath. "Oh, Martin!" + +"Damaris!" I muttered. "Beloved--!" + +Now at this she gave a little gasp and turned to gaze away across the +placid waters, and I saw her slender hands clasp and wring each other. + +"Have you no word of greeting for me?" + +"I rejoice to--to see you well again, Martin!" + +"Have you no word of--love for me, after all these years, Damaris?" At this +she shrank away and, leaning 'gainst the bulwark, shook her head, and again +I saw that hopeless gesture of her quivering hands. + +"Is your love for me dead, then?" I questioned, coming a pace nearer. + +"Ah, never that, Martin!" she whispered. "Only I have--buried it +deep--within my heart--where it shall lie for ever hid for thy sake and her +sake and--and that--which is to be--this poor Joanna hath told me--" + +Now hereupon I laughed and caught her hands and kissed them and they, the +pretty things, trembling 'neath my kisses. + +"God love thee for sweet and noble woman, my Damaris," said I, sinking to +my knees before her, "and now, thus kneeling in the sight of God and thee, +hear me swear that hateful thing of which you speak never was and never +shall be!" Here I clasped my arms about her, felt her yield and sway to my +embrace, saw a dawning glory in her eyes. + +"Martin," said she, quick-breathing, "if this be so indeed--" + +"Indeed and indeed, Joanna spake a shameful lie--a woman prone to every +evil, being a murderess and--" + +"A murderess, Martin?" + +"Aye, by her own confession, and I do know her for a pirate beside, more +desperate and resolute than any, known to every rogue along the Main as +Captain Jo." + +Now here my lady stirred in my embrace and looked down on me with troubled +gaze. + +"And yet, dear Martin, you lived with her on--on our island?" + +"Aye, I did--to my torment, and prayed God I might not slay her." And here +in breathless fashion I told my lady of Joanna's coming and of the ills +that followed; but seeing the growing trouble in her look, my arms fell +from her and great bitterness filled me. "Ah, God in heaven, Damaris!" I +cried, "never say you doubt my word--" + +"Martin!" + +I rose to my feet to behold Joanna within a yard of us. For a long and +breathless moment she looked from me to other of us and then, shuddering, +hid her face in her two hands. + +"Dear my lady," said she at last, "if by reason of his wound my loved +Martin hath grown strange to me and all his love for me forgot--if indeed +you do love him--to you that have been more than sister and gentle friend +to miserable Joanna, to you I do yield my love henceforth, nor will I +repine, since my love for thee shall teach me how to bear my shame, yes--" + +"Ha, damned liar!" I cried, and turned on Joanna with clenched fists; and +then my lady's restraining arms were about me and I sank half-swooning +against the ship's side. + +"Dear Martin," said she, viewing me tearful-eyed, "you are not yourself--" + +"No!" cried I, burying my throbbing head betwixt my arms. "I am Fortune's +Fool--the world is upside down--God help me, I shall run mad in very truth. +Oh, damned Fortune--curst Fate!" and I brake out into futile raving awhile. +When at last I raised my head it was to behold my lady clasping this vile +creature in her arms and cherishing her with tender words and caresses, the +which sight wrought me to a very frenzy of cold and bitter rage. Said I: + +"My Lady Brandon, God knoweth I have greatly loved you, wherein I have +wasted myself on a vain thing as is to me right manifest. So now, since +you have buried your love, mine do I tear from me and cast utterly away; +henceforth I am no more than an instrument of vengeance--" + +"Martin!" cried she. "Oh, dear Martin, for the love of God--" + +But (Oh, vain folly! Oh, detestable pride!) I heeded not this merciful +appeal nor the crying of my own heart, but turning my back upon my noble +lady, stumbled away and with never another word or look. And thus I (that +was born to be my own undoer) once more barred myself out from all that +life offered me of happiness, since pride is ever purblind. + +Presently, espying Godby where divers of his fellows rove new tackle to a +gun, I enquired for Adam. + +"I' the gun room, Mart'n--nay, I'll stand along wi' you." + +So he brought me down to the gun room where sat Adam, elbows on table, chin +on hand, peering up at one who stood before him in fetters, a haggard, +warworn figure. + +"What--Resolution?" said I. + +"That same, friend, brought somewhat low, comrade, yet soon, it seems, to +be exalted--on a gallows, d'ye see, yet constant in prayer, steadfast in +faith and nowise repining--for where would be the use? And moreover, the +way o' the Lord is my way--Amen, brother, and Amen." + +"Adam," said I, turning where he yet gazed up at Resolution's scarred and +bandaged face, "I would fain have you show mercy to this man. But for +Resolution here I had died hideously at the hands of a vile blackamoor." + +"Mercy?" said Adam, scowling up at Resolution. + +"His life, Adam." + +"'Tis forfeit! Here standeth a notable pirate and one of authority +among the rogues, so must he surely die along with Captain Jo--" I saw +Resolution's shackled hands clench suddenly, then he laughed, harsh and +strident. + +"To hang Captain Jo you must needs catch him first!" + +"Why then who--who and what is Joanna?" I demanded. + +"Why, your light-o'-love, for sure, friend, as we found along o' you on a +lonely island, _amigo_." + +"Resolution, you lie--" + +"On a lonely island, _camarado_," says he again. + +"Wait!" I muttered, clasping my aching head. "Wait! Joanna is the daughter +of the murdered Governor of Santa Catalina who was left behind in the +burning town and rescued by Indians, who, being Indians, were kind to her. +But these Indians were killed by white men who took her, and, being white +men, they used her ill all save one who was to her father and mother, +sister and brother and his name Resolution. So she grew up a pirate among +pirates, dressed, spoke and acted as they and rose to be great among +them by reason of her quick wit and resolute spirit, and because of her +quickness and subtle wit is called 'La Culebra' and for her desperate +courage is hailed as 'Captain Jo.'" + +Resolution fell back a step, staring on me amazed, and I saw his shackled +fists were quivering. Then suddenly Adam rose and leaned forward across the +table. + +"Resolution Day," said he, "have you a memory for faces?" + +I saw Resolution's solitary eye widen and dilate as it took in the man +before him, the spare form, the keen, aquiline face with its black brows, +white hair and mutilated ears. + +"Captain--Adam Penfeather--o' the Brotherhood!" + +"Ha!" quoth Adam, nodding grimly. "I see you know me! So, Resolution Day, I +warn you to prepare to make your final exodus with Captain Jo--at sunset!" + +Resolution's scarred head sank, his maimed body seemed to shrink and there +broke from him a groan: + +"To hang--to die--she's so young--so young--all I ever had to love! Oh, +Lord God o' battles--" + +"Godby, summon the guard and see him safely bestowed--in the lock-up aft, +and bring the key to my cabin." So at Godby's word, in came two armed +fellows and marched out Resolution Day, his head still bowed and his +fetters jangling dismally. + +"You'll never hang her, Adam!" said I, when we were alone. "You cannot, +man--you shall not!" + +"Lord, Martin," said he, sitting on his great peruke and looking askance at +me, "Lord, what a marvellous thick skull is thine!" + +"Mayhap!" quoth I, "but you know my story for true at last--you know Joanna +for Captain Jo." + +Now here he answered never a word but falls to pacing back and forth, his +hands clasped behind him; whereupon I seated myself at the table and leaned +my aching head betwixt my hands. + +"Adam," said I at last, "how far are we, do you reckon, from Nombre de +Dios?" + +"Some hundred and fifty miles, maybe a little less." + +"Why, then, give me a boat." + +"A boat?" said he, pausing in his walk to stare on me. + +"Aye, a boat," I nodded. "You cast me adrift once, you'll mind--well--do so +again!" + +"And what o' my Lady Joan? Ha--will ye tell me you've quarrelled already in +true lover-like fashion--is this it?" + +"'Tis no matter," quoth I, "only I do not stay on this ship another hour." + +"Lord!" said he, "Lord love me, Martin! Here you've scarce found her and +now eager to lose her again--heaven save me from love and lovers--" + +"Give me a boat." + +"A boat?" said he, pinching his chin. "A boat, is it? Why, very well, +Martin--a boat! Ha, here me-thinks is the very hand o' Providence, and who +am I to gainsay it? You shall have the longboat, Martin, well stored and +armed; 'tis a goodly boat that I am loth to part with--but seeing 'tis you, +comrade, why very well. Only you must bide till it be dark for reasons +obvious--" + +"So be it!" I nodded. "And if you could give me a chart and set me a course +how to steer for Nombre de Dios, I should be grateful, Adam." + +"Why, so I will, Martin. A course to Nombre--aye, verily! 'Tis said one Sir +Richard Brandon lieth 'prisoned there. Ha--having quarrelled with daughter +you speed away to sire--" + +"And what then?" said I, scowling. + +"Nought, Martin, nought in the world, only if in this world is a fool--art +surely he, comrade. Nay, never rage against your true friend, comrade; give +me your arm, let me aid you up to my cabin, for your legs are yet overly +weak, I doubt." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +TELLETH THE OUTCOME OP MY PRIDEFUL FOLLY + + +The moon had not yet risen when, in despite of Adam's warnings and +remonstrances, I set the great boat-cloak about me and stepped forth into +the stern-gallery of the ship, whence I might look down and behold the dark +loom of the longboat, a gliding, glimmering shadow upon the white spume of +the wake. + +Now if there be any who, reading this my narrative, shall cry out against +me for perverse fool (as I surely was) to all such I would but say that +though indeed a man wild and headstrong by nature and given to passionate +impulse, yet I was not wholly myself at this time by reason of my wound, so +that the unlovely and gloomy spirit of selfishness that possessed me now +had full sway to rule me how it listed; and I would have this plead such +excuse as might be for this my so desperate and unreasonable determination, +the which was to plunge me into further evils and miseries, as you shall +hear. + +"So you are determined on't, Martin?" said Adam, standing beside me where I +prepared to descend the short rope ladder. + +"I am!" + +"Lord, Martin, there is so much to love in you 'tis pity you are so much of +fool--" + +"You said as much before--" + +"Aye, so I did, comrade, so I did. But look'ee, 'tis a smooth sea, a fair +wind--aha, it needeth no pistol butt to persuade you to it this time; you +go of your own will and most express desire, comrade." + +"I do, Adam." + +"And who knoweth," said he, his gaze uplift to the Southern Cross that +glimmered very bright and splendid above us, "who can say what lieth +in wait for you, comrade,--hardship and suffering beyond doubt +and--peradventure, death. But by hardship and suffering man learneth the +wisdom of mercy, or should do, and by death he is but translated to a +greater living--so I do hope. And thus, howsoever it be, all's well, +Martin, all's well." + +"Adam," said I, "give me your hand. You have called me 'fool' and fool am +I, mayhap, yet in my folly, wisdom have I enough for this--to know you for +my good friend and true comrade now and always!" + +"Hark'ee then," said he, grasping my hand and leaning to my ear in the +gloom, "give up this desperate quest, stand by me, and I can promise ye +that which is better than empty vengeance--wealth, Martin, rank, aye, and +what is best of all, a noble woman's love--" + +"Enough!" cried I, "I am no weathercock and my mind is set--" + +"Why, very well, but so is mine, shipmate, and set upon two things--one to +fulfil my duty to the King in the matter of exterminating these pirates and +the like rogues, and t'other to redeem my promise to our lady Joan in the +matter of her father--your enemy." + +"How, are you for Nombre de Dios likewise, Adam?" + +"Just as soon as I have this ship in staunch fighting trim, for, unless you +and your vengeance are afore me, I will have Sir Richard Brandon out o' the +Inquisition's bloody clutches either by battle or stratagem--aye, though it +cost me all I possess, and God knoweth I am a vastly wealthy man, Martin." + +"Why then, we are like to meet at Nombre de Dios?" said I. + +"Mayhap, Martin, who can say? Meantime, here is the chart and your sailing +directions with some few words for you to ponder at leisure, and so fortune +attend you and farewell, comrade." + +"One thing, Adam," said I, grasping the ladder of ropes, "you will save +alive the man Resolution Day--for my sake--" + +"Aha," quoth Adam, clapping me on the shoulder, "and there spake the man +that is my friend! Never doubt it, comrade--he shall live. And look'ee, +Martin, if I have been forced to play prank on ye now and then, think as +kindly of me as ye can." + +Hereupon, and with Adam's assistance, having hauled in the longboat until +she was well under the gallery, I presently got me a-down the swaying rope +ladder and safe aboard of her (though with no little to-do) and at my shout +Adam cast off the towline, and I was adrift. + +For some while I sat huddled in the bows, watching the lofty stern with its +rows of lighted windows and three great lanthorns above topped by the loom +of towering sails, until sails and ship merged into the night, and nought +was to see save the yellow gleam of her lights that grew ever more dim, +leaving me solitary upon that vast expanse of ocean that heaved all about +me,--a dark and bodeful mystery. + +At last, finding the wind, though very light, yet might serve me very +well, I turned with intent to step the mast. And now I saw the sail was +ill-stowed, the canvas lying all abroad and as I rose I beheld this canvas +stirred as by a greater wind; then as I stared me this, it lifted, and from +beneath it crept a shape that rose up very lithe and graceful and stood +with hands reached out towards me, and then as I staggered back came a cry: + +"Quick, Resolution--seize him!" + +Two powerful arms clasped and dragged me down, and lying thus, dazed by the +fall, I stared up to see bending above me the hated face of Joanna. + +I waked to a blaze of sun, a young sun whose level beams made the bellying +sail above me a thing of glory where it swung against an azure heaven, +flecked with clouds pink and gold and flaming red; and stark against this +splendour was the grim figure of Resolution Day, a bloody clout twisted +about his head, where he sat, one sinewy hand upon the tiller, the other +upon the worn Bible open upon his knees, his lips moving as he read, while +hard beside me on the floor of the boat lay Joanna, fast asleep. At sight +of her I started and shrank from her nearness, whereupon Resolution, +lifting his head and closing the Bible on his finger, glared down on me +with his solitary eye. + +"Martin," said he below his breath, and tapping the brass butt of a pistol +that protruded from the pocket of his coat, "there be times when I could +joyfully make an end o' you--for her sake--her that do love you to her +grief and sorrow, since her love is your hate--though what she can see in +ye passes me! Howbeit, love you she doth, poor soul, and if so be you +ha' no love for her, I would ha' you be a little kinder, Martin; 'twould +comfort her and harm you no whit. Look at her now, so fair, so young, so +tender--" + +"Nay, here lies Captain Jo!" said I, scowling. + +"Speak lower, man," he whispered fiercely. "I ha' given her a sleeping +potion out o' the medicine chest Captain Penfeather provided for her; she +is not yet cured of her wound, d'ye see, and I would not have her waked +yet, so speak lower lest I quiet ye wi' a rap o' the tiller. Let her +sleep,--'tis life to her. Saw ye ever a lovelier, sweeter soul?" + +Now viewing her as she lay outstretched, the wild, passionate soul of her +away on the wings of sleep, beholding the dark curtain of her lashes upon +the pallor of her cheek, the wistful droop of her vivid lips and all the +mute appeal of her tender womanhood, I could not but marvel within myself. + +"And yet," said I at last, speaking my thoughts aloud, "I have seen her +foully dabbled with a dead man's blood!" + +"And why for not? Jehovah doth not always strike vile rogues dead, +wherefore He hath given some women strength to do it for Him. And who +are you to judge her; she was innocent once--a pearl before swine and if +they--spattered her wi' their mud, they never trampled her i' their mire! +She hath been at no man's bidding, and fearing no man, hath ruled all men, +outdoing 'em word and deed--aha, two rogues have I seen her slay in duello. +Howbeit, she is as God made her, and 'tis God only shall judge His own +handiwork; she is one wi' the stars, the winds that go about the earth, +blowing how they list, and these great waters that slumber or rage in +dreadful tempest--she and they and we are all of God. So treat her a little +kind, Martin, love or no--'tis little enough o' kindness she has known all +her days; use her a little kinder, for 'tis in my mind you'll not regret it +in after days! And talking o' tempest, I like not the look o' the sky--take +you the tiller whiles I shorten sail and heed not to disturb Joanna." + +"And so," said I, when he had shortened sail and was seated beside me +again, "so Captain Penfeather gave you medicine for her?" + +"Aye, did he!" + +"And knew you were hid in the boat?" + +"'Twas himself set us there." + +Now at this I fell to profound thought, and bethinking me of the letter and +chart he had given me, I took it out of my pocket and breaking the seals, +read as here followeth: + +_Dear Friend, Comrade and Brother_, + +Item: Thou art a fool! Yet is there (as it doth seem) an especial +Providence for such fools, in particular fools of thy sort. Thus do +I bid thee farewell in the sure hope that (saving for shipwreck, +fire, battle, pestilence and the like evils) I shall find thee +again and perchance something wiser, since Folly plus Hardship shall +mayhap work a miracle of Wisdom. + +Herewith I have drawn you a chart, the parallels duly marked and course +likewise, whereby you shall come (Providence aiding) unto Nombre de Dios. +And so to your vengeance, Martin, and when found much good may it do thee +is the prayer of + +Thy patient, hopeful, faithful friend, + +ADAM. + +NOTA BENE: Should we fail to meet at Nombre de Dios I give you +for rendezvous the place which I have clearly marked on the chart +(aforementioned) with a X. + +"Look'ee, friend," said Resolution, when I had made an end of reading. "You +plead and spoke for my life of Captain Penfeather and he regarded your +will, wherefore am I alive, wherefore are we quits in the matter o' the +heathen Pompey and I your friend henceforth 'gainst all the world, saving +only and excepting Joanna." + +"Where do we make for, Resolution?" + +"To a little island well beknown to the Fraternity, comrade--that is three +islands close-set and called Foremast, Main and Mizzen islands, _amigo_, +where we are apt to meet friends, as I say, and sure to find good store +of food and the like, brother. Though to be sure this boat is right well +equipped, both for victuals and weapons." + +"And when are we like to reach these islands?" + +"We should raise 'em to-morrow about dawn, friend, if this wind hold." + +"And what is to become of me, Resolution?" + +"'Tis for Joanna to say, _camarado_" + +Now hereupon, stretched out in such shadow as our scant sail afforded (the +sun being very hot) I began to reflect upon this ill-chance Fate, in the +person of Adam, had played me (cast again thus helpless at the mercy of +Joanna) and instead of wasting myself in futile rages against Adam (and +him so far out of my reach) I began instead to cast about in my mind how +soonest I might escape from this hateful situation; to the which end I +determined to follow Resolution's advice is so far as I might, viz: to +preserve towards Joanna as kindly a seeming as might be, and here, chancing +to look where she lay, I saw her awake and watching me. + +"D'ye grieve for your Joan--Damaris--yes?" she demanded suddenly. + +"Nay--of what avail?" + +"Then I do--from my heart, Martino, from my heart! For she had faith in me, +she was kind to me, oh, kind and very gentle! She is as I--might have been, +perchance, had life but proved a little kinder." + +After this she lay silent a great while and I thought her asleep until she +questioned me again suddenly. + +"She is a great lady in England--yes?" + +"She is." + +"And yourself?" + +"An outcast." + +"And you--loved each other--long since?" + +"Long since." + +"But I have you at the last!" cried Joanna, exultant. "And nought shall +part us now save death and that but for a little while! Dost curse thyself, +Martino--dost curse thyself for saving me from the fire? But for this I had +been dead and thou safe with thy loved Joan--dost curse thyself?" + +"Nay, of what avail?" + +Now, at this, she falls to sudden rage and revilings, naming me +"stock-fish," "clod," "worm," and the like and I (nothing heeding her), +turning to behold the gathering clouds to windward, met the glare of +Resolution's fierce eye. + +"Tell me," cried Joanna, reaching out to nip my leg 'twixt petulant +fingers, "why must you brave the fire to save me you do so hate--tell me?" + +"Yonder, as I judge, is much wind, Resolution!" said I, nodding towards a +threatening cloud bank. Hereupon she struck at me with passionate fist and +thereafter turns from me with a great sob, whereat Resolution growled and +tapped his pistol butt. + +"You were fool to save me!" cried she. "For I, being dead, might now be in +happy circumstance and you with your Joan! You were a fool--" + +"Howbeit you have your life," said I. + +"Life?" quoth she. "What is life to me but a pain, a grief I shall not fear +to lose. Life hath ever brought me so much of evil, so little good, I were +well rid of it that I might live again, to find perchance those joys but +dim remembered that once were mine in better life than this. And now, if +there be aught of food and drink aboard, Resolution, let us eat; then get +you to sleep--you will be weary, yes." + +And surely never was stranger meal than this, Joanna and Resolution, the +compass betwixt them, discussing winds, tides and weather, parallels of +latitude and longitude, the best course to steer, etc., and I watching the +ever-rising billows and hearkening to the piping of the wind. + +Evening found us running through a troubled sea beneath an angry sky and +the wind so loud I might hear nothing of my companions where they crouched +together in the stern sheets. But suddenly Joanna beckoned me with +imperious gesture: + +"Look, Martino!" cried she, with hand outflung towards the billows that +foamed all about us. "Yonder is a death kinder than death by the fire and +yet I do fear this more than the fire by reason of this my hateful woman's +body. Now may you triumph over my weakness an you will, yet none can scorn +it more than I--" + +"God forbid!" said I and would have steadied her against the lurching of +the boat, but Resolution, scowling at my effort, clasped her within his +arm, shielding her as well as he might against the lashing spray, bidding +me let be. + +Thereafter and despite her sickness, she must needs stoop to cover me with +the boat-cloak where I lay, and looking up at Resolution I saw his bronzed +face glinted with moisture that was not of the sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +OF ROGER TRESSADY AND HOW THE SILVER WOMAN CLAIMED HER OWN AT LAST + + +Starting from sleep, instead of gloomy heaven and a desolation of +tempestuous waters, I saw this: + +The sun, newly up, shed his waxing glory on troubled waters deeply blue and +fringed with foam where the waves broke upon a narrow strip of golden sand +backed by trees and dense-growing green boskages infinite pleasant to the +sight; and beyond these greeny tangles rose a hill of no great altitude, +deep-bowered in trees and brush and flowering vines. And viewing all this +peaceful loveliness with sleep-filled eyes, I thought it at first no more +than idle dream; but presently, knowing it for reality, I felt my hard +nature touched and thrilled (as it were) with a great rush of tenderness, +for what with this glory of sun and the thousand sweet and spicy odours +that wafted to us from this fair island, I sudden felt as if, borne on this +well-remembered fragrance, came the sweet and gentle soul of my lady Joan, +a haunting presence, sad and very plaintive, for it seemed she knew at last +that nought henceforth might stay me from my vengeance. And in my ears +seemed the whisper of her desolate cry: + +"Martin--Oh, blind and more than blind! Alas, dear Martin!" + +Now at this, despite the joy of sun and the gladness of birds that shrilled +'mid the mazy thickets above, a great sadness took me and I bowed my head +in gloomy thought. + +"Forward there!" + +Starting at this hoarse summons, I turned to behold Resolution crouched +at the tiller, his great boat-cloak white with brine, his solitary eye +scowling from me to the shore and back again. + +"Ha, d'ye stir at last, sluggard? Here's Joanna been direly sick--speak +low, she sleeps at last, poor lass--and me stiff o' my wounds, clemmed wi' +hunger and parched wi' thirst, you a-snoring and a sea worse than Jonah's +afore they hove him to the whale--" + +"Why not wake me, then?" I demanded, creeping aft and beholding Joanna +where she lay slumbering, pale and worn beneath weather-stained cloak. "Why +not rouse me, Resolution?" + +"Because she forbade me and her word is my law, d'ye see? Reach me a sup o' +rum from the locker yonder." + +"You have brought us safe through the tempest, then," said I, doing as he +bade me. + +"Aye, Joanna and I, and despite her qualms and sickness, poor lass, and +you a-snoring!" Here, having drained the pannikin of rum, his eye lost +something of its ferocity and he nodded. "Twice we came nigh swamping i' +the dark but the Lord interposed to save His own yet a little, and you +a-snoring, but here was Joanna's hand on the tiller and mine on the sail +and plaguing the Almighty wi' prayers of a righteous, meek, long-suffering +and God-fearing man and behold, comrade, here we are, safe in the lee of +Mizzen Island, and yonder is creek very apt to our purpose. So stand by to +let go the halyard and ship oars when I give word, _amigo_." + +"She seems very worn with her sickness, Resolution!" said I, stooping to +observe Joanna where she slumbered like one utterly exhausted. + +"She is, friend!" he nodded. "She never could abide rough seas from a +child, d'ye see, brother, and her wound troubleth her yet--but never a word +o' complaint, comrade--aha, a great soul, a mighty spirit is hers, for all +her woman's slenderness, Martin! Now, let fly your halyard, douse your +sail--so! Now ship oars and pull, _camarado_, pull!" + +Very soon, myself at the oars and Resolution steering, we crept in betwixt +bush-girt rocks to a shelving, sandy beach. Hereupon, Resolution stooped to +lift Joanna but finding his wounds irk him, beckoned to me: + +"Come, friend," said he. "You are lusty and strong, I do know--bear her +ashore and tenderly, brother, tenderly!" + +So I stooped and raising Joanna in my arms, climbed out of the boat (though +with no little to-do) and bore her ashore towards the pleasant shade of +flowering trees adjacent to the sea. Now presently she stirred in my +embrace, and looking down at her, I saw her regarding me, great-eyed. + +"Here do I rest for the second time, Martino," she murmured. "I +wonder--when the third shall be?" + +"God knoweth!" said I; and being come to the trees, I laid her there as +comfortably as I might and went to aid Resolution to secure the boat. + +Having landed such things as we required and lighted a fire, while +Resolution busied himself preparing a meal, I began to look about me +and found this island marvellous fertile, for here on all sides flowers +bloomed, together with divers fruits, as lemons, plantains, limes, grapes, +a very wonder to behold. Now I chanced to reach a certain eminent place +whence I might behold the general trend of the island; and now I saw that +this was the smallest of three islands and remembered how Resolution had +named them to me as Fore, Main and Mizzen islands. I was yet staring at +these islands, each with its fringe of white surf to windward where the +seas yet broke in foam, when my wandering gaze chanced to light on that +which filled me with sudden and strange foreboding, for, plain to my view +despite the distance, I saw the royal yards and topgallant masts of a great +ship (so far as I could judge) betwixt Fore and Mainmast islands, and I +very full of question as to what manner of ship this should be. + +In my wanderings I chanced upon a little glen where bubbled a limpid stream +amid a very paradise of fruits and flowers; here I sat me down well out +of the sun's heat, and having drunk my fill of the sweet water, fell to +munching grapes that grew to hand in great, purple clusters. And now, my +bodily needs satisfied and I stretched at mine ease within this greeny +bower where birds whistled and piped joyously amid flowery thickets and the +little brook leapt and sang as (one and all) vaunting the wondrous mercy of +God, I, lying thus (as I say) surrounded by His goodly handiworks (and yet +blind to their message of mercy) must needs set my wits to work and cast +about in my mind how I might the soonest win free of this goodly place and +set about the accomplishment of my vengeance. Once or twice I thought to +hear Resolution hallooing and calling my name but, being drowsy, paid +no heed and thus, what with the peace and comfort of my surroundings, I +presently fell asleep. + +But in my slumbers I had an evil dream, for I thought to hear a voice, +hoarse yet tuneful, upraised in song, and voice, like the song, was one +heard long ago, the which in my dreaming troubled me mightily, insomuch +that I started up broad awake and infinitely glad to know this no more than +idle fancy. Sitting up and looking about me, I saw the sun low and nigh to +setting, and great was my wonder that I should have slept so long, yet I +found myself vastly invigorated thereby and mightily hungered, therefore I +arose, minded to seek my companions. + +But scarce was I gone a yard than I stopped all at once, as from somewhere +in the gathering shadows about me, plain to be heard, came the sound of a +voice hoarse but tuneful, upraised in song, and these the words: + + "Some by the knife did part wi' life + And some the bullet took O. + But three times three died plaguily + A-wriggling on a hook O. + A hook both long and sharp and strong + They died by gash o' hook O." + +For a long time (as it seemed) I stood motionless with the words of this +hateful chanty yet ringing in my brain, until the sun flamed seawards, +vanished, and it was night. And here amid the gloom sat I, chin on knees, +my mind busied upon a thousand memories conjured up by this evil song. At +last, being come to a determination, I arose and, stumbling in the dark, +made the best of my way towards that narrow, shelving beach where we had +made our landing. In a little, through a tangle of leafy thickets, I espied +the glow of a fire and heard a sound of voices; and going thitherwards, +paused amid the leaves and hid thus, saw this fire was built at the mouth +of a small cave where sat Joanna with Resolution at her elbow, while +opposite them were five wild-looking rogues with muskets in their hands +grouped about a tall, great fellow of a masterful, hectoring air, who stood +staring down on Joanna, his right hand upon the silver-hafted dagger in his +girdle and tapping at his square chin with the bright steel hook he bore in +place of his left hand. And as he stood thus, feet wide apart, tapping at +his chin with his glittering hook and looking down on Joanna, she, leaning +back against the side of the cave, stared up at him eye to eye. + +"So-ho!" quoth he at last. "So you are Captain Jo, eh--Captain Jo of the +Brotherhood?" + +"And you," said she gently, "you are he that killed my father!" + +Now here ensued a silence wherein none moved, it seemed, only I saw +Resolution's bony hand creep and bury itself in his capacious side +pocket. Then, putting by the screening branches, I stepped forth into the +firelight. + +"What, Tressady," said I, "d'ye cheat the gallows yet?" + +Almost as I spoke I saw the flash and glitter of his whirling hook as he +turned, pinning me with it through the breast of my doublet (but with so +just a nicety that the keen point never so much as touched my skin) and +holding me at arm's length upon this hateful thing, he viewed me over, his +pale eyes bright beneath their jut of shaggy brow. But knowing the man and +feeling Joanna's gaze upon me, I folded my arms and scowled back at him. + +"Who be you, bully, who and what?" he demanded, his fingers gripping at the +dagger in his girdle whose silver hilt was wrought to the shape of a naked +woman. "Speak, my hearty, discourse, or kiss this Silver Woman o' mine!" + +"I am he that cut you down when you were choking your rogue's life out in +Adam Penfeather's noose--along of Abnegation Mings yonder--" + +As I spoke I saw Mings thrust away the pistol he had drawn and lean towards +me, peering. + +"Sink me!" cried he. "It's him, Roger; 'tis Martin sure as saved of us from +Penfeather, curse him, on Bartlemy's Island three years agone--it's him, +Roger, it's him!" + +"Bleed me!" said Tressady, nodding. "But you're i' th' right on't, Abny. +You ha' th' right on't, lad. 'Tis Marty, sure enough, Marty as was bonnet +to me aboard the _Faithfull Friend_ and since he stood friend to us in +regard to Adam Penfeather (with a' curse!) it's us shall stand friends t' +him. Here's luck and a fair wind t' ye, Marty!" So saying, he loosed me +from his hook, and, clapping me on the shoulder, brought me to the circle +about the fire. + +"Oh, sink me!" cried Mings, flourishing a case-bottle under my nose. "Burn +me, if this aren't pure joy! I know a man as don't forget past benefits and +that's Abnegation! Sit down, Martin, and let us eat and, which is better, +drink together!" + +"Why, so we will, Abny, so we will," said Tressady, seating himself within +reach of Joanna. "'Twas pure luck us falling in wi' two old messmates like +Marty and Resolution and us in need of a few hell-fire, roaring boys! 'Tis +like a happy family, rot me, all love and good-fellowship and be damned! +Come, we'll eat, drink and be merry, for to-morrow--we sail, all on us, +aboard my ship _Vengeance_, as lieth 'twixt Fore and Main islands yonder, +ready to slip her moorings!" + +"Avast, friend!" said Resolution, blinking his solitary eye at Tressady. +"The captain o' the Coast Brotherhood is Joanna here--Captain Jo, by the +Brotherhood so ordained; 'tis Captain Jo commands here--" + +"Say ye so, Resolution, say ye so, lad?" quoth Tressady, tapping at chin +with glittering hook. "Now mark me--and keep both hands afore ye--so, my +bully--hark'ee now--there's none commands where I am save Roger Tressady!" +said he, looking round upon us and with a flourish of his hook. "Now if so +be any man thinks different, let that man speak out!" + +"And what o' Captain Jo?" demanded Resolution. + +"That!" cried Tressady, snapping finger and thumb. "Captain Jo is not, +henceforth--sit still, lad--so! Now lift his barkers, Abny--in his pockets. +Still and patient, lad, still and patient!" So Resolution perforce suffered +himself to be disarmed, while Joanna, pale and languid in the firelight, +watched all with eyes that gleamed beneath drooping lashes. + +"So now," quoth Tressady, "since I command here, none denying--" + +"And what o' Captain Jo?" demanded Resolution. + +"Why, I'll tell ye, bully, look'ee now! A man's a man and a woman's a +woman, but from report here's one as playeth t'other and which, turn about. +But 'tis as woman I judge her best, and as woman she sails along o' me, +lad, along o' me!" So saying, he nodded and taking out a case-bottle, +wrenched at the cork with his teeth. + +"And how say you, Joanna?" questioned Abnegation. + +"Tush!" said she, with a trill of laughter. "Here is one that talketh very +loud and fool-like and flourisheth iron claw to no purpose, since I heed +one no more than t'other--" + +"Here's death!" cried he fiercely, stabbing the air with his hook. "Death, +wench!" + +"Tush!" said she again, "I fear death no more than I fear you, and as for +your claw--go scratch where you will!" + +Goaded to sudden fury, he raised his hook and would have smitten the +slender foot of her that chanced within his reach, but I caught his arm and +wrenched him round to face me. + +"Hold off, Tressady!" said I. "Here's a man to fight an you're so minded. +But as for Joanna, she's sick of her wounds and Resolution's little better; +but give me a knife and I'm your man!" And I sprang to my feet. Here for a +moment Joanna's eyes met mine full of that melting tenderness I had seen +and wondered at before; then she laughed and turned to Tressady: + +"Sick or no, I am Joanna and better than any man o' you all, yes. Here +shall be no need for fight, for look now, Tressady, though you are fool, +you are one I have yearned to meet--so here's to our better acquaintance." +And speaking, she leaned forward, twitched the bottle from his hand, nodded +and clapped it to her mouth all in a moment. + +As for Tressady, he gaped, scowled, fumbled with the dagger in his girdle, +loosed it, slapped his thigh and burst into a roar of laughter. + +"Oh, burn me, here's a soul!" he cried. "'Tis a wench o' spirit, all +hell-fire spirit and deviltry, rot me! Go to't, lass, drink hearty--here's +you and me agin world and damn all, says I. Let me perish!" quoth he, +when he had drunk the toast and viewing Joanna with something of respect. +"Here's never a man, woman or child dared so much wi' Jolly Roger all his +days--oh, sink me! Why ha' we never met afore--you and me might rule the +Main--" + +"I do!" said she. + +"And how came ye here--in an open boat?" + +"By reason of Adam Penfeather!" + +"What, Adam again, curse him!" + +"He sank the _Happy Despatch_!" + +"Burn me! And there's a stout ship lost to us." + +"But then--we stayed to fight, yes!" + +"What then?" said Tressady, clenching his fist. "Will ye say I ran away--we +beat him off!" + +"Howbeit Adam sank and took us, and swears to hang you soon or late--unless +you chance to die soon!" + +"Blind him for a dog--a dog and murderous rogue as shall bite on this hook +o' mine yet! A small, thieving rogue is Penfeather--" + +"And the likest man to make an end o' the Brotherhood that ever sailed!" +nodded Joanna. + +"Where lays his course?" + +"Who knows!" + +"And what o' Belvedere?" + +"Dead and damned for rogue and coward!" + +"Why, then, drink, my bullies," cried Tressady, with a great oath. "Drink +battle, murder, shipwreck and hell-fire to Adam Penfeather, with a curse! +Here's us safe and snug in a good stout ship yonder, here's us all love and +good-fellowship, merry as grigs, happy as piping birds, here's luck and +long life to each and all on us." + +"Long life!" said Joanna, frowning. "'Tis folly--I weary of it already!" + +So we ate and drank and sprawled about the fire until the moon rose, and +looking up at her as she sailed serene, I shivered, for to-night it seemed +that in her pallid beam was something ominous and foreboding, and casting +my eyes round about on motionless tree and shadowy thicket I felt my flesh +stir again. + +Now ever as the time passed, Tressady drew nearer and nearer to Joanna, +until they were sitting cheek by jowl, he speaking quick and low, his pale +eyes ever upon her, she all careless languor, though once I saw her take +hold upon his gleaming hook and once she pointed to the dagger in his +girdle and laughed; whereupon he drew it forth (that evil thing) and +holding it up in her view fell suddenly a-singing: + + "Oh, I've sought women everywhere + North, South and East and West; + And some were dark and some were fair + But here's what I love best! + Blow high, blow low, in weal or woe + My Silver Woman's best." + +Thus sang Tressady, looking from the languorous woman at his side to the +languorous woman graven on the dagger-hilt and so thrust it back into his +girdle. + +And in a while Joanna rose, drawing the heavy boat-cloak about her +shapeliness: + +"There is a small bower I wot of down in the shadows yonder shall be my +chamber to-night," said she, staring up at the moon. "And so good night! +I'm a-weary!" Then she turned, but doing so her foot touched Resolution's +leg where he sat, whereat he did strange thing, for at this soft touch he +started, glanced up at her, his eye very wide and bright, and I saw his two +powerful hands become two quivering fists, yet when he spoke his voice was +calm and even. + +"Good night, Joanna--fair dreams attend thee." Then Joanna, eluding +Tressady's clutching hand, went her way, singing to herself very sweet and +low. + +Hereupon Tressady grew very boisterous and merry and perceiving Mings and +his fellows inclined for slumber, roared them to wakefulness, bidding them +drink with him and damning them for sleepy dogs. Yet in a while he fell +silent also and presently takes out his dagger and begins fondling it. Then +all at once he was on his feet, the dagger glittering evilly in his hand +the while he glared from me to Resolution and back again. + +"Good night, my bullies!" said he. "Good night--and let him follow that +dare!" And with a sound 'twixt a growl and a laugh, he turned and strode +away, singing as he went. Now hereupon, nothing doubting his intent, I +sprang to my feet and made to follow, but felt myself caught in an iron +grip and stared down into the grim face of Resolution. + +"Easy, friend--sit down, comrade--here beside me, brother." + +"Aye, truly, you were wiser, Martin!" said Mings, winking and tapping the +pistol in his belt. + +Now Resolution sat in the mouth of the small cave I have mentioned and I +noticed he had slipped his right hand behind him and sat thus, very still, +his gaze on the dying fire like one hearkening very eagerly for distant +sounds, wherefore I did the like and thus, from somewhere amid the shadowy +thickets, I heard Tressady sing again that evil song of his: + + "Two by the knife did lose their life + And three the bullet took O. + But three times three died plaguily + A-wriggling--" + +The singing ended suddenly and indescribably in a sound that was neither +cry nor groan nor choke, yet something of each and very ghastly to be +heard. + +"What was yon!" cried Mings, starting and blinking sleep from his eyes to +peer towards those gloomy thickets. + +"What should it be but Captain Jo!" said Resolution; and now I saw his +right hand, hid no longer, grasped a pistol levelled across his knees. "Sit +still, all on ye," he commanded. "Let a man move a leg and that man's dead! +Mark now what saith Davy. 'He hath graven and digged a pit and is fallen +himself into the destruction he made for others. For his travail shall come +upon his own head and his wickedness fall on his own pate.'" + +"Nay, look'ee," says Mings, wiping sweat from him, "nay, but I heard +somewhat--aye, I did, an unchancy sound--" + +"Peace, Abnegation, peace!" quoth Resolution. "Mew not and hark to the +words o' Davy: 'The Lord is known to execute judgment, the ungodly is +trapped in the work of his own hands'--" + +"Nay, but," says Mings, pointing. "See--who comes yonder?" + +And now we saw Joanna, a dark figure against the splendour of the moon, +walking daintily, as was her wont, and as she came she falls a-singing that +same evil song I had heard long ago: + + "There's a fine Spanish dame + And Joanna's her name + Shall follow wherever ye go + Till your black heart shall feel + Your own cursed steel--" + +She stopped suddenly and stood in the light of the fire, looking from one +to the other of us with that smile I ever found so hateful. + +"I am Joanna," said she softly and nodding at Mings; "I am your Captain Jo +and command here. Get you and your fellows aboard and wait my bidding." + +"Aye, aye!" said Mings in strangled voice, his eyes fixed and glaring. "But +what o' Cap'n Tressady? Where's my comrade, Roger?" + +From behind her back Joanna drew forth a slender hand, awfully bedabbled +and let fall a reeking thing at Abnegation's feet and I saw this for +Tressady's silver-hilted dagger. + +"Black Tressady is dead!" said she. "I have just killed him!" + +"Dead!" gasped Mings, shrinking. "Roger dead! My comrade--murdered--I--" +Uttering a wild, passionate cry he whipped forth his pistol, but in that +moment Resolution fired, and rising to his feet, Abnegation Mings groaned +and pitched upon his face and lay mute and still. + +"Glory to God!" said Resolution, catching up the dead man's weapon and +facing the others. "Come, my lads," quoth he; "if Tressady be as dead as +Mings, he can't walk, wherefore he must be carried. And wherefore carried, +you'll ask? Says I, you shall take 'em along wi' you. You shall bring 'em +aboard ship, you shall tell your mates as Captain Jo sends these dead +men aboard to show 'em she's alive. So come and bring away Tressady +first--march it is for Roger, and lively, lads!" + +Now when they were gone, Joanna came beside me where I sat and stood a +while, looking down on me in silence. + +"He forced me to it!" said she at last. "Oh, Martino, there--was none other +way. And he killed my father." + +But I not answering, she presently sighed and went away, leaving me staring +where Mings lay huddled beyond the dying fire. And presently my gaze +chanced to light on Tressady's dagger of the Silver Woman where it lay, +stained by his life's blood, and leaping to my feet, I caught it up and +sent the evil thing whirling and glittering far out to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +HOW JOANNA CHANGED HER MIND + + +"So there's an end o' Tressady and Mings and their fellows, comrade!" said +Resolution, staring away into distant haze where showed the topsails of the +_Vengeance_ already hull down. "And God's will be done, says I, though here +be we as must go solitary awhile and Joanna sick to death, comrade." + +"Resolution," said I, staring up at his grim figure, "she schemed to lure +Tressady to his death?" + +"Aye, she did, brother. What other way was there? She hath wit womanish and +nimble--" + +"She smote him in the shadows--" + +"Most true, friend! She hath a man's will and determination!" + +"He had no chance--" + +"Never a whit, Martin! She is swift as God's lightning and as infallible. +Roger Tressady was an evil man and the evil within him she used to destroy +him and all very right and proper! And now she lieth sick in the cave +yonder and calls for you, brother." + +So I arose and coming within the cave found Joanna outstretched upon a +rough bed contrived of fern and the boat-cloaks. + +"Alas, Martino, I cannot sleep," said she. "I am haunted by the man +Tressady, which is surely very strange--oh, very strange. For he was evil +like all other men save you and Resolution--and Adam Penfeather. Can you +not say somewhat to my comfort? Did he not merit death?" + +"Aye, most truly. Had you not killed him--I would." + +"For my sake, Martino?" + +"Aye," said I, "for yours." + +"Why, then 'tis strange I should grieve thus--I have killed men ere this, +as you do know, nor troubled; belike 'tis my sickness--or the memory of my +lady Joan--Damaris, her gentleness. Howbeit I am sorry and sad and greatly +afraid." + +"Nay," said I. "What should fright you that do fear nothing?" + +"Myself, Martino--I have been--minded to kill you--more than once!" + +"Yet do I live." + +"And yet do I fear!" said she, with a great sigh. + +"And your wound pains you belike?" + +"A little, Martino." + +"Show me!" + +Mutely she suffered me to uncover her arm and unwind the bandages and I +saw the tender flesh was very angry and inflamed, whereupon I summoned +Resolution from his cooking, who at my desire brought the chest of +medicines with water, etc., and set myself to soothe and cherish this +painful wound as gently as I might, and though she often blenched for the +pain of it she uttered no complaint. + +"Do I hurt you overmuch?" I questioned. + +"Nay," said she, catching her breath for pain of it, "I am none so tender. +D'ye mind how I burned the boat you had so laboured at?" + +"Aye, I do!" + +"And how I gave you an evil draught that was agony?" + +"Aye, I do so!" + +"And how I plagued you--" + +"Nay, why remember all this, Joanna?" + +"It helpeth me to endure this pain!" + +When I had anointed and bound up her wound she must needs praise my skill +and vow she was herself again and would be up and about, whereat Resolution +reached down to aid her to rise, but this I would by no means suffer, +telling her that she must rest and sleep the fever from her blood. At this +she scowled, then all of a sudden laughed. + +"Why, then, you shall stay and talk with me!" + +"Rather shall Resolution mix you a sleeping draught." + +"Verily, brother, two have I mixed, but she'll not take 'em!" + +"Why, then, being two to one, we must force her to drink," said I. + +"Force her to drink, comrade? Force Joannas--God's light--!" + +"Mix the potion, man, or teach me!" So in the end Resolution did as I bade; +then kneeling beside Joanna, I raised her upon my arm and set the pannikin +to her lips, whereupon, though she frowned, she presently drank it off +meekly enough, to Resolution's no small wonder and her own, it seemed. + +"I grow marvellous obedient!" said she. "And 'tis hateful stuff!" + +"Now sleep," quoth I. "'Tis life to you--" + +"Wouldst have me live, to plague you again, mayhap?" she questioned. + +"This is as God wills!" + +"Nay, this is as you will, Martino. Wouldst have me live, indeed?" + +Now seeing how she hung upon my answer, beholding the wistful pleading of +her look, I nodded. + +"Aye, I would indeed!" said I. + +"Why, then I will, Martino, I will!" And smiling, she composed herself to +slumber and smiling, she presently fell asleep, whereupon Resolution crept +stealthily out of the little cave and I after him. Being outside, he turned +and suddenly caught and wrung my hand. + +"Friend," said he, his grim features relaxing to unwonted smile. "Brother, +you are a man--the only man could ha' done it. I thought Death had her sure +last night, she all of a fever and crying out for Death to take her." + +"She'll do better out in the air!" said I, glancing about. + +"The air, comrade?" + +"Aye, I must contrive her a shelter of sorts to her comfort where she may +sleep. 'Neath yonder tree should serve--" + +"She'll live, Martino, she'll live and all by reason o' her love for +you--the promise you made her--" + +"I made no promise, man!" + +"Why, 'twas good as promise, comrade." + +"How so?" + +"'Wouldst ha' me live,' says she, 'to plague you again,' says she. 'Aye, +that would I indeed,' says you! And what's that but a promise, Martin?" + +"God forgive you!" quoth I. "'Twas no promise I intended, as you very well +know." + +"Why, as to that, comrade, how if Joanna think as I think?" + +"'Twill be vain folly!" quoth I in petulant anger and strode away, leaving +him to scowl after me, chin in hand. + +Howbeit (and despite my anger) I presently took such tools as we had and +set about making a small hut or rather bower, where an invalid might find +such privacy as she wished and yet have benefit of the pure, sweet air +rather than lie mewed in the stifling heat of the little cave. And +presently, as I laboured, to me cometh Resolution full of praise for my +handiwork and with proffer of aid. At this I turned to him face to face. + +"Did I make Joanna any promise, aye or no?" I demanded. + +"Aye, brother. You vowed Joanna must live to plague you, forsooth, how and +when and where she would, comrade. In the which assured hope she lieth +even now, sleeping herself to health and strength and all to pleasure you, +Martin. And sure, oh, sure you are never one so vile to deceive the poor, +sweet soul?" + +Now perceiving all his specious sophistry and wilful misunderstanding of +the matter, I came nigh choking with anger. + +"Liar!" quoth I. "Liar!" + +"Peace, brother, peace!" said he. "From any other man this were a fighting +word, but as it is, let us reason together, brother! The Lord hath--" + +"Enough!" cried I. + +"Friend, the Lord hath set--" + +"Leave Him out!" quoth I. + +"What, Martin--will ye blaspheme now? Oh, shame on ye! 'The mouth o' the +blasphemer is as an open sepulchre!' But as I say, the Lord hath set you +here i' this flowery garden like Adam and her like Eve--" + +"And yourself like the serpent!" said I. + +"Ha' done, Martin, ha' done! 'The Lord shall root out deceitful lips and +the tongue that speaks proud things!' mark that!" + +"And mark you this, Resolution, an you fill Joanna's head with aught of +such folly, whatsoever sorrow or evil befalls her is upon your head." + +"Why, observe, friend and brother, for any man shall cause Joanna such, +I have this, d'ye see!" And he showed me the butt of the pistol in his +pocket; whereat I cursed him for meddlesome fool and turning my back went +on with my labour, though my pleasure in it was gone. Howbeit I wrought +this, rather than sit with idle hands, wasting myself in profitless +repining. And presently, being intent on the business, I forgot all else +and seeing this little bower was turning out much better than I had hoped, +I fell a-whistling, until, hearing a step, I turned to find Joanna leaning +upon Resolution's arm and in her eyes such a look of yearning tenderness as +filled me with a mighty disquiet. + +"And have you--made this for--me, Martino?" she questioned, a little +breathlessly. + +"Aye," I nodded, "because I do hate idleness--" + +"Hark to him!" said Resolution. "And him picturing to me how snug you would +lie here--" + +"As to that, Resolution," said I, scowling, "you can lie anywhere." + +"Why, true," said he, ignoring my meaning. "Since Jo sleeps here, I shall +sleep 'neath the tree hard by, leaving you the cave yonder, friend." + +That night Joanna lay in the bower and from this time she mended apace, but +as for me, with every hour my impatience to be gone grew upon me beyond all +measure, and as the time passed I waxed surly and morose, insomuch that +upon a day as I sat frowning at the sea, Joanna stole upon me and stooping, +kissed my hand or ever I might stay her. + +"Do I offend?" she questioned with a strange, new humility. "Ah, prithee, +why art grown so strange to me?" + +"I am as I always was!" + +"Nay, in my sickness thou wert kind and gentle--" + +"So should I have been to any other!" + +"You builded me my little house?" + +"I had naught else to do." + +"Martino," said she, sinking on her knees beside me. "Oh, _caro mio_, +if--if you could kiss me in my sickness when I knew naught of it--wherefore +not now when I am all awake and full of life--" + +"I never did!" said I, speaking on rageful impulse "If Resolution told you +this, he lies!" At this she shrank as I had struck her. + +"And did you not--kiss me in my sickness--once, no?" + +"Never once!" + +Here, bowing her head upon her hands, she rested silent awhile. + +"Nay, Joanna, wherefore seek the impossible. In these latter days I have +learned to--to respect you--" + +"Respect!" cried she, clenching her fists, "Rather give me hate; 'twere +easier endured--" + +"Why, then, this island is a rendezvous for the Brotherhood, soon will you +have friends and comrades; give me then the boat and let me go--" + +"To seek her? Nay, that you shall never do. I will kill you first, yes--for +the cold, passionless thing you are!" So she left me and knowing that she +wept, I felt greatly heartsick and ashamed. + +Now the little cave wherein I slept gave upon that stretch of sandy beach +where lay the boat and this night the weather being very hot and no wind +stirring, I came without the cave and sat to watch the play of moonlight on +the placid waters and hearken to their cool plash and ripple. Long time I +sat thus, my mind full of foreboding, mightily cast down and hot with anger +against Resolution, whose subtle lies had set Joanna on this vain folly of +love, teaching her hopes for that which might never be; and guessing some +of her pain therefor, I grieved for her and felt myself humbled that I +(though all unwitting) should cause her this sorrow. + +Sitting thus, full of heavy thoughts, my gaze by chance lighted upon the +boat and, obeying sudden impulse, I arose and coming hither, fell to sudden +temptation, for here she lay afloat; once aboard it needed but to slip +her moorings and all these my present troubles would be resolved. And yet +(thinks I) by so doing I should leave two people on this solitary island +cut off from their kind. And yet again they run no chance of hardship or +starvation, God knows, and this being a known meeting-place for their +fellows, they shall not lack for company very long. + +I was yet debating this in my mind when, roused by a sound behind me, I +turned to find Resolution scowling on me and pistol in hand. + +"Ha!" said he 'twixt shut teeth, "I ha' been expecting this and watched +according. So you'll steal the boat, will ye--leave us marooned here, will +ye?" + +"I haven't decided yet!" quoth I. + +"And what's to let me from shooting ye?" + +"Nought in the world," said I, watching for a chance to close with him, +"only bear witness I have not touched rope or timber yet--" + +"'Tis a rule o' the Coast to shoot or hang the like o' you!" quoth he, +and I heard the sharp click of the pistol as he cocked it and then with a +flutter of petticoats Joanna burst upon us. + +"Resolution, what is't?" she questioned breathlessly, looking from one to +other of us. + +"He was for stealing the boat, Jo!" + +"Is this true?" she demanded, her face set and very pale. But here, seeing +speech was vain, I shook my head and turning my back on them came into my +cave and cast myself down on my rough bed. Lying thus I heard the murmur +of their talk a great while, yet I nothing heeded until Joanna spoke close +without the cave. + +"Bide you there, Resolution!" Then the moonlight was dimmed and I saw her +form outlined in the mouth of the cave. + +"What would you, Joanna?" said I, starting up. + +"Talk with you a small while," said she and came where we might behold each +other. "Nay, do not fear. I will come no nearer, only I would speak to you +now as I would speak if I lay a-dying, I would have you answer as you would +if--if Death stood ready to strike these our bodies and bear our souls out +to the infinite and a better life." + +"Speak!" said I, wondering to see her shaken as by an ague-fit. + +"You do not--love me, then? No?" + +"No." + +"You--never could love me, mind and heart and body? No?" + +"No." + +"You could not endure me beside you, to--to live--with me near you?" + +"'Twould mean only pain, Joanna." + +"Then go!" cried she. "I am not so base-souled to weep and wheedle, to +scheme and pray for thing that can never be truly mine, or to keep you +here in hated bondage--go! The boat lieth yonder; take her and what you +will--only--get you gone!" + +Now at this I rose and would have taken her hands but she snatched them +behind her, and now I wondered at her deathly pallor,--her very lips were +pale and set. + +"Joanna," I stammered, "do you mean--am I--" + +"Go!" + +"Nay, first hear me say that wheresoever I go needs must I--" + +"Respect me!" cried she with a strange, wild laugh. "Oh, begone!" + +"Joanna," said I, "for any harsh word I have spoke you in the past, for any +pain you have suffered because of me, I do most surely grieve and would +most humbly crave your forgiveness and for this generous act I--I--" + +"Respect me?" said she in a small voice. "Ah, cannot you see--how you--hurt +me?" And now all suddenly I did strange thing for, scarce knowing what I +did, I caught her in my arms and kissed her hair, her eyes, her cold lips +and then, half ashamed, turned to leave her. + +"Stay!" said she, but I never heeded. "Martino!" she called, but I never +paused; and then, being come to the mouth of the cave, I heard the quick, +light sound of her feet behind me and as I stepped into the moonlight +felt two arms that swung me aside, saw Joanna leap before me as the +night-silence was split by a ringing, deafening roar; and then I had her in +my arms and she, smiling up at me with blood upon her lips, hid her face +in my breast. "Here in thine arms do I lie for the third time--and last, +Martino!" she sighed, and so Resolution found us. + +"What!" he gasped. "Oh, God! What--?" + +"Some one has shot Joanna!" + +"Aye, Martin, 'twas I!" and I saw the pistol yet smoking in his hand--"I +shot her thinking 'twas you--Oh, God!" + +"Nay, Resolution," said Joanna, opening her eyes. "You did very +right--'twas only that I--being a woman--changed my mind--at the last. +'Twas I bid him--kill you, Martino--if you came forth, but I--I dreamed +you--you would not leave me. Nay, let be, Resolution, I'm a-dying--yes!" + +"Ah, forbid it, God--Oh, God of Mercies, spare her!" he cried, his hands +and eyes uplift to the radiant, starry heavens. + +"Nay, grieve not, Resolution--dear friend!" she murmured painfully. "For +oh, 'tis--a good thing to die--by your hand and with--such reason! Martino, +when--you shall wed your Joan--Damaris, say I--gave you to her with--my +life because I loved you--better than life--and Death had--no fears. I go +back to life--a better life--where I shall find you one day, Martino, and +learn what--happiness is like--mayhap. Resolution," she whispered, "when +I--am dead, do not let me lie a poor, pale thing to grieve over--bury +me--bury me so soon as I--am dead. Dig me a grave--above the tide! Promise +this!" + +"I promise!" + +"Now kiss me--you were ever true and kind--kiss me? And you, Martino, +wilt kiss me--not in gratitude--this last time?" And so I kissed her and +thereafter she lay silent awhile, looking up at me great-eyed. + +"Somewhere," she whispered, "some day--we shall--meet again, beloved--but +now is--farewell. Oh, 'tis coming--'tis coming, Martino!" And then in +stronger voice, "Oh, Death!" she cried. "Oh, welcome Death--I do not fear +thee! Lift me, Martino--lift me--let me die--upon my feet!" + +Very tenderly we lifted her betwixt us and then suddenly with a soft, +murmurous cry, she lifted her arms to the glory of the wide firmament above +us and with shuddering sigh let them slowly fall, and with this sigh the +strange, wild soul of her sped away back to the Infinite whence it had +come. + +And now Resolution, on his knees beside this slender form that lay so mute +and still, broke out into great and awful sobs that were an agony to hear. + +"Dead!" he gasped. "Oh, God--dead! And by my hand! I that loved her all her +days--that would ha' died for her--Oh, smite me, merciful God--cast forth +Thy lightnings--shoot forth Thine arrows and consume me an Thou be merciful +indeed." All at once he arose and hasting away on stumbling feet, presently +came back again, bearing spade and mattock. + +"Come, friend," said he in strange, piping tones. "Come now, let us dig +grave and bury her, according to my promise. Come, brother!" Now looking on +him as he stood all bowed and shaking, I saw that he was suddenly become an +old man; his twisted frame seemed shrunken, while spade and mattock shook +and rattled in his palsied hands. "Come, lad, come!" cried he querulously. +"Why d'ye gape--bring along the body; 'tis nought else! Ah, God, how still +now, she that was so full o' life! Bring her along to high water-mark and +tenderly, friend, ah, tenderly, up wi' her to your heart!" So I did as he +bade and followed Resolution's bowed and limping form till he paused well +above where any sea might break and hard beside a great rock. + +"She'll lie snug here, friend," quoth he, "snug against howling wind and +raging tempest!" So together we dug the grave deep within that shelving, +golden sand, and laying her tenderly therein, knelt together while the moon +sank and shadows lengthened; and when Resolution had recited the prayers +for the dead, he broke into a passion of prayer for himself, which done we +rose and plied spade and mattock in silence; nor would Resolution pause or +stay until we had raised mound sufficiently high to please him. When at +last all was completed to his satisfaction, he dropped his spade and wiping +sweat from him seated himself beside the grave, patting the mound very +tenderly with his open palm. + +"The moon is wondrous bright, friend," said he, staring up at it, "but so +have I seen it many a night; but mark this, never in all our days shall we +see again the like o' her that sleeps, Martino, that sleeps--below here!" +And here he falls to soft mutterings and to patting that small mound of +sand again. + +"Come!" said I at last, touching his bowed shoulder. "Come!" + +"Where away, _camarado_?" he questioned, looking up at me vacantly. "Nay, +I'm best here--mayhap she'll be lonesome-like at first, so I'll bide +here, lad, I'll bide here a while. Go your ways, brother, and leave old +Resolution to pray a little, aye--and, mayhap weep a little, if God be +kind." + +So in the end I turned, miserably enough, and left him crouched there, +his head bowed upon his breast. And in my mind was horror and grief and +something beside these that filled me with a great wonder. Reaching the +cave, I saw the sand there all trampled and stained with the blood she had +shed to save mine own, and hard beside these, the print of her slender +foot. And gazing thus, I was of a sudden blinded by scorching tears, and +sinking upon my knees I wept as never before in all my days. And then +sprang suddenly to my feet as, loud upon the air, rang out a shot that +seemed to echo and re-echo in my brain ere, turning, I began to run back +whence I had come. + +And so I found Resolution face down across the mound that marked Joanna's +grave, his arms clasped about it and on his dead face the marks of many +tears. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +I GO TO SEEK MY VENGEANCE + + +Next day, just as the sun rose, I buried Resolution 'twixt Joanna and the +sea, yet over him I raised no mound, since I judged he would have it so. +Thereafter I ate and drank and stored the boat with such things as I needed +for my voyage and particularly with good supply of fruits. And now, though +the wind and tide both served me, I yet lingered, for it seemed that the +spirit of Joanna still tarried hereabouts. Moved by sudden desire, I began +searching among the tumbled boulders that lay here and there and presently +finding one to my purpose, urged it down the sloping beach and with +infinite pains and labour contrived at last to set it up at the head of +Joanna's resting-place. Then, taking hammer and chisel, I fell to work upon +it, heedless of sun-glare, of thirst, fatigue or the lapse of time, staying +not till my work was complete, and this no more than two words cut deep +within the enduring stone; these: + +JOANNA + +VNFEARING + +And now at last, the tide being on the turn, I unmoored the boat, and +thrusting her off, clambered aboard and betook me to the oars, and ever as +I rowed I kept my gaze upon that small, solitary heap of sand until it grew +all blurred upon my sight. Having presently made sufficient headway, I +unshipped oars and hoisting my sail, stood out into the immeasurable deep +but with my eyes straining towards that stretch of golden sand where lay +all that was mortal of Joanna. + +And with my gaze thus fixed, I must needs wonder what was become of the +fiery, passionate spirit of her, that tameless soul that was one with +the winds and stars and ocean, even as Resolution had said. And thus I +presently fell a-praying and my cheek wet with tears that I thought no +shame. When I looked up, I saw that the narrow strip of beach was no longer +in sight; Joanna had verily gone out of my life and was but a memory. + +All afternoon I held on before a fair wind so that as the sun sank I saw +the three islands no more than a faint speck on the horizon; wherefore, +knowing I should see them no more in this life, I uncovered my head, and +thus it was indeed I saw Joanna's resting-place for the last time. + +And now as the sun slipped westward and vanished in glory, even now as +night fell, I had a strange feeling that her spirit was all about me, +tender and strong and protecting, and herein, as the darkness gathered, I +found great comfort and was much strengthened in the desperate venture I +was about. + +Having close-reefed my sail and lashed the tiller, I rolled myself in a +boat-cloak and, nothing fearing, presently fell asleep and dreamed Joanna +sat above me at the helm, stooping to cover me from the weather as she had +done once before. + +Waking next morning to a glory of sun, I ate and drank (albeit sparingly) +and fell to studying Adam's chart, whereby I saw I must steer due +southwesterly and that by his calculation I should reach the mainland in +some five or six days. Suffice it that instead of five days it was not +until the tenth day (my water being nigh exhausted and I mightily downcast +that I had sailed out of my proper course) that I discovered to my +inexpressible joy a faint, blue haze bearing westerly that I knew must be +the Main. And now the wind fell so that it was not until the following +morning that I steered into a little, green bay where trees grew to the +very water's edge and so dense that, unstepping my mast, I began paddling +along this green barrier, looking for some likely opening, and thus +presently came on a narrow cleft 'mid the green where ran a small creek +roofed in with branches, vines and twining boughs, into which I urged my +boat forthwith (and no little to-do) and passed immediately from the hot +glare of sun into the cool shade of trees and tangled thickets. Having +forced myself a passage so far as I might by reason of these leafy tangles, +my next thought was to select such things as I should need and this took me +some time, I deeming so many things essential since I knew not how far +I might have to tramp through an unknown country, nor in what direction +Nombre de Dios lay. But in the end I narrowed down my necessities to the +following, viz: + +A compass +A perspective-glass +A sword +Two pistols +A gun with powder-horn and shot for same +A light hatchet +A tinder-box and store of buccaned meat. + +And now, having belted on sword and pistols and wrapping the other things +in one of the boat-cloaks, I strapped the unwieldy bundle to my shoulders +and taking up the gun, scrambled ashore, and having found my bearing, set +off due southwesterly. + +Hour after hour I struggled on, often having to hew myself a passage with +my axe, until towards evening I came out upon a broad ride or thoroughfare +amid the green, the which greatly heartened me, since here was evidence of +man's handiwork and must soon or late bring me to some town or village; +forthwith, my weariness forgotten, I set off along this track, my face set +ever westwards; but presently my vaunting hopes were dashed to find the +track could be very little used nowadays, since here and there great trees +had fallen and lay athwart my going, and presently the way itself narrowed +to a mere path and this crossed here and there by hanging vines which was +sure proof that few, if any, had passed this way these many months, mayhap +years. Hereupon I stopped to lean despondent on my gun and looked about me; +and with dejection of mind came weariness of body and seeing night was at +hand, I determined to go no farther and turned in among the trees, minded +to sleep here, though the place was wild and forbidding enough. + +I had just loosed off my heavy pack when the pervading stillness was broken +by a wailing cry, so sudden, so shrill and evil to hear that my flesh crept +and I huddled against a tree, peering into the deepening shadows that had +begun to hem me in. At first I judged this some wild beast and reached for +my musket; then, as the sound rose again, I knew this for human cry, for I +heard these words: + +"Mercy, seņors, mercy for the love o' God!" + +Hereupon I began to run towards whence came this dismal outcry and +presently espied the glow of a fire, and creeping thither discovered four +men grouped about a fifth and him fast bound to a tree, and this poor +wretch they were torturing with a ramrod heated in the fire; even as I +watched he writhed and screamed for the intolerable pain of it. Staying for +no more, I burst upon them and levelling my piece at the chief tormentor, +pulled the trigger, whereupon was no more than a flash of the flint; it +seemed that in my hurry to begone I had forgotten to load it. Howbeit, +loaded or not, it served me well enough, for, swinging it by the barrel, +I was upon them or ever they were aware and smote down two of the rogues, +whereupon their comrades betook them to their heels with the utmost +precipitation. I therefore proceeded to cut the sufferer loose who, sinking +to the earth, lay there, muttering and groaning. + +"Are ye much hurt?" I questioned, stooping above him: whereupon he spat +forth a string of curses by which I judged him English and very far from +dying as I had feared. I now found myself master of four very good guns, +a sword, a steel headpiece, two cloaks and other furniture, with food +a-plenty and three flasks of wine. I was yet examining these and watching +against the return of their late owners when, hearing a sound, I saw the +late poor captive bending above the two men I had felled. + +"Are they dead?" I questioned. + +"Nay, not yet, master; give 'em six minutes or say ten and they'll be as +dead as the pig you ate of last--" + +"How so?" I demanded, staring at the wild, ragged figure of the speaker. + +"By means o' this, master!" said he, and stooping towards the fire showed +me a middling-sized black thorn upon his open palm. "Not much to look at, +master--no, but 'tis death sure and sarten, howsomever. I've many more +besides; I make 'em into darts and shoot 'em through a blowpipe--a trick +I larned o' the Indians. Aye, I spits 'em through a pipe--which is better +than your guns--no noise, no smoke, and sure death wherever it sticketh." + +"Are you an Englishman?" + +"I am that! Born within sound o' Bow Bells; 'tis all o' twenty years since +I heard 'em but they ring in my dreams sometimes. I shipped on a venture +to the Main twenty years ago and fought and rioted as a man may and by +ill-luck fell into the hands o' the bloody Spaniards along o' six other +good lads--all dead long since, master. Then the Inquisition got me and was +going to burn me but not liking the thought on't, I turned Roman. Then they +made me a slave, but I got away at last. Aha, all Spanishers are devils +for cruelty, but their Churchmen are worst and of all their Churchmen the +coldest, softest, bloodiest is Alexo Valdez, Chief Inquisitor of Nombre de +Dios yonder--" + +"Ha, you know Nombre de Dios?" + +"I ha' lived and suffered there, master, and 'tis there I be a-going for to +make an end o' Bloody Valdez, if God be kind." + +"Then," said I, "we will travel so far together--" + +"And what doth an Englishman the like o' you want with the accursed place; +the Inquisition is strong there--" + +"'Tis a matter of life and death," said I. + +"Death!" said he, "Death--they should all be dead and rotting, if I had my +way." So saying, this strange man, whose face I had scarce seen, laid him +down beyond the fire and composed himself to slumber. + +"How then," I demanded, "will ye sleep here in the wild and no watch?" + +"I will that!" said he. "I know the wilderness and I have endured much o' +hardship o' late and as to watching, there's small need. The rogues you +fell upon, being Spaniards, will doubtless be running yet and nigh unto +Nombre, by now." + +"How far is it hence?" + +"Twelve leagues by road, but less the ways I travel." + +"Good!" said I. + +"Though 'tis hard going." + +"No matter." + +"Why, then, sleep, for we march at dawn. And my name is John." + +"And mine Martin." + +"Why, then, Martin, good night." + +"Good night, John." + +Howbeit though (and despite his hurts) my companion presently slept and +snored lustily, and though I kept myself awake and my weapons to hand, +yet I fell a-nodding and at last, overcome with weariness, sank to sleep +likewise. + +I waked to find the sun up and the man John shaking me, a wild, unlovely, +shaggy fellow, very furtive of eye and gesture, who cringed and cowered +away as I started up. + +"Lord, man," quoth I, "I am no enemy!" + +"I know it!" said he, shaking tousled head. "But 'tis become nat'ral to +me to slink and crawl and blench like any lashed cur, all along o' these +accursed Spaniards; I've had more kicks and blows than I've lived days," he +growled, munching away at the viands he had set forth. + +"Have ye suffered so much then?" + +"Suffered!" cried he with a snarl. "I've done little else. Aha, when I +think o' what I've endured, I do love my little blowpipe--" + +"Blowpipe?" I questioned. + +"Aye--this!" And speaking, from somewhere among the pitiful rags that +covered his lank carcase he drew forth a small wooden pipe scarce two foot +long and having a bulbous mouthpiece at one end. "The Indians use 'em +longer than this--aye, six foot I've seen 'em, but then, Lord! they'll blow +ye a dart from eighty to a hundred paces sometimes, whereas I never risk +shot farther away than ten or twenty at most; the nearer the surer, aha!" +Hereupon he nodded, white teeth agleam through tangled beard, and with a +swift, stealthy gesture hid the deadly tube in his rags again. + +"What of the two Spaniards I struck down last night?" I questioned, looking +vainly for them. + +"In the bushes yonder," said he and with jerk of thumb. "I hid 'em, master, +they being a little unsightly--black and swol--as is the natur' o' +this poison!" Hereupon I rose and going whither he pointed, parted the +undergrowth and saw this was indeed so, insomuch that my stomach turned and +I had no more desire for food. + +"You murdered those men!" + +"Aye, that I did, master, an you call it murder. Howbeit, there's more +shall go the same road yet, notably Alexo Valdez, a curse on him!" + +"And you are an Englishman?" + +"I was, but since then I've been slave to be whipped, dog to be kicked, +Lutheran dog to be spat upon, and lastly Indian--" + +"And what now?" + +"A poor soul to be tormented, shot, hanged, or burned as they will, once +I'm taken." + +"And yet you will adventure yourself to Nombre de Dios?" + +"Why, Alexo Valdez is lately come there and Alexo Valdez burned my friend +Dick Burbage, as was 'prentice wi' me at Johnson's, the cutler's, in Friday +Street nigh St. Paul's, twenty odd years agone." + +And in a while, being ready to start, I proffered this wild fellow one of +the Spaniard's guns, but he would have none of it, nor sword, nor even +cloak to cover his rags, so in the end we left all things behind, and there +they be yet, for aught I know. + +Now as we journeyed on together, in answer to my questioning I learned from +this man John something of the illimitable pride and power of the Church +of Rome; more especially he told me of the Spanish Inquisition, its cold +mercilessness and passionless ferocity, its unsleeping watchfulness, its +undying animosity, its constant menace and the hopelessness of escape +therefrom. He gave me particulars of burnings and rackings, he described +to me the torments of the water, the wheel and the fire until my soul +sickened. He told me how it menaced alike the untrained savage, the peasant +in his hut and the noble in his hall. I heard of parents who, by reason +of this corroding fear, had denounced their children to the torment and +children their parents. + +"Aye, and there was a Donna Bianca Vallambrosa, a fine woman, I mind, was +suspected of Lutheranism--so they racked her and she in torment confessed +whatsoever they would and accused her sister Donna Luisa likewise. So they +burned 'em both and made 'em pay for stake and chain and faggots too, afore +they died." + +Many other horrors he recounted, but ever and always he came back to the +name of Alexo Valdez to vomit curses upon until at last I questioned him as +to what manner of man this was to behold. + +"Master," said John, turning to regard me, every hair upon his sunburned +face seeming to bristle, "think o' the most sinful stench ever offended +you, the most loathly corruption you ever saw and there's his soul; think +o' the devil wi' eyes like dim glass, flesh like dough and a sweet, soft +voice, and you have Alexo Valdez inside and out, and may every curse ever +cursed light on and blast him, says I!" + +"Are there many English prisoners in the Inquisition at Nombre?" + +"Why, I know of but one--though like enough there's more--they are so +cursed secret, master." + +"Did ye ever hear of an English gentleman lost or taken hereabouts some six +years since and named Sir Richard Brandon?" + +"Nay, I was slaving down Panama way six years ago. Is it him you come +a-seeking of, master?" + +"Aye," I nodded. "A very masterful man, hale and florid and of a full +habit." + +"Nay, the only Englishman ever I see in Nombre was old and bent wi' white +hair, and went wi' a limp, so it can't be him." + +"No!" said I, frowning. "No!" After this, small chance had we for talk by +reason of the difficulty of our going, yet remembering all he had told, I +had enough to think on, God knows. + +We had now reached a broken, mountainous country very trying and perilous, +what with torrents that foamed athwart our way, jagged boulders, shifting +stones and the like, yet John strode on untiring; but as for me, what with +all this, the heat of sun and the burden I carried, my breath began to +labour painfully. The first thing I tossed away was my gun that fell, +ringing and clattering, down the precipitous rocks below, and the next +was my pack and thereafter my hatchet and pistols, so that by the time we +reached the top of the ascent all I had to encumber me was my sword, and +this I kept, since it was light and seemingly a good blade. + +"Master," said John, with a flourish of his ragged arm, "here's +freedom--here's God. A land o' milk and honey given over to devils--curse +all Spanishers, say I!" + +Now looking around me I stood mute in wonder, for from this height I might +behold a vast stretch of country, towering mountains, deep, shady valleys, +impenetrable woods, rushing rivers, wide-stretching plains and far beyond a +vague haze that I knew was the sea. + +"And yonder, master," said John, pointing with his blowpipe, "yonder lieth +Nombre, though ye can't see it, the which we shall reach ere nightfall, +wherefore it behoveth me to look to my artillery." + +So saying, he squatted down upon his hams and from his rags produced a +small gourd carefully wrapped about with leaves; unwinding these, I saw the +gourd to contain a sticky, blackish substance. + +"Aha!" said John, viewing this with gloating eyes. "Snake poison is +mother's milk to this, master. Here's enough good stuff to make pocky +corpses o' every cursed Spanisher in Nombre ere sunset. Here's that +might end the sufferings o' the poor Indians, the hangings, burnings and +mutilations. I've seen an Indian cut up alive to feed to the dogs afore +now--but here's a cure for croolty, master!" + +While speaking, he had laid on the ground before him some dozen or so +little darts no longer than my finger, each armed with a needle-like point +and feathered with a wad of silky fibres; the point of each of these darts +he dipped into the poison one after the other and laid them in the sun to +dry, which done he wrapped up the little gourd mighty carefully and thrust +it back among his rags. And in a while, the poison on the darts or arrows +being dried to his satisfaction, he took forth a small leathern quiver of +native make and setting the missiles therein, shut down the lid securely +and sprang to his feet. + +"Here's sure death and sarten for some o' the dogs, master," quoth he, "and +now if there truly be a God aloft there, all I ask is one chance at Alexo +Valdez as burns women and maids, as tortures the innocent, as killed my +friend and druv me into the wild--one chance, master, and I'm done!" + +Thus he spake with eyes uplift and one hairy hand upraised to the serene +heavens, then with a nod to me set off along the hazardous track before us. + +Of this, the last stage of our journeying, I will make no mention save +that footsore, bruised and weary I sank amid a place of trees and gloomy +thickets as the sun went down and night came. + +"Straight afore you about half a mile lieth Nombre, master!" said John in +my ear. "Hearken! You may hear the dogs like bees in a hive and be cursed +to 'em!" + +And sure enough I heard an indistinct murmur of sound that was made up of +many; and presently came others more distinct; the faint baying of a hound, +the distant roll of a drum, the soft, sweet tolling of a bell. + +"So here y'are, master, and good luck t'ye!" said John and with scarce a +rustle, swift and stealthy as an Indian, he was gone and I alone in the +gloom. Hereupon I debated with myself whether I should get me into the city +straight away or wait till the morrow, the which question was resolved by +my falling into a sweet and dreamless slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +HOW I CAME TO NOMBRE DE DIOS + + +I awoke to the glare of a light and, starting up, was smitten to my knees +and, lying half-stunned, was conscious of voices loud and excited, of hands +that wrenched me here and there. And now (my hands securely trussed) I was +hauled up and marched on stumbling feet amid shadowy captors, all of whom +seemed to talk excitedly and none to listen, the which I little heeded +being yet dazed by the blow. And presently I was aware of a dim street +where lights gleamed, of tall buildings, an open square and a shadowy pile +soaring upward into the dark. And presently from the surrounding gloom a +darker figure stole, slow-moving and silent, at sight of which my captors +halted to kneel, one and all, with bowed heads, whereupon the form raised a +shadowy arm in salutation or blessing. And then a voice spake in sonorous +Spanish, very soft and low and sweet, yet a voice that chilled me none the +less: + +"Whom bring ye?" + +Here came voices five or six, speaking also in Spanish, and amid this babel +I caught such words as: + +"A stranger, holy father!" + +"An Englishman!" + +"A Lutheran dog!" + +"Follow!" the sweet voice commanded, whereupon up sprang my captors and +hauled me along and so presently into a spacious hall with a dais at one +end where stood a table and great elbow-chair; but what drew and held my +gaze was the slender, dark-robed ecclesiastic that, moving on leisured, +soundless feet, went on before until, reaching the table, he seated himself +there, head bowed upon one hand; and thus he sat awhile then beckoned with +one imperious finger, whereupon my captors led me forward to the dais. + +"Begone!" spake the pleasant voice and immediately my captors drew away and +presently were gone, leaving me staring upon the tonsured crown of the man +at the table who, with head still bowed upon his hand, struck a silver +bell that stood beside him. Scarce had the sound died away than I heard a +stealthy rustling and beheld divers forms that closed silently about me, +figures shrouded from head to foot in black habits and nought of them to +see save their hands and the glitter of eyes that gazed on me through the +holes of them black, enveloping hoods. + +Now turning to him at the table, I saw that he had raised his head at last +and was viewing me also, and as he stared on me so stared I on him and this +is what I saw: A lean and pallid face with eyes dim and slumberous, a high +nose with nostrils thin and curling, a wide, close-lipped mouth and long, +pointed chin. When we had stared thus a while, he leaned him back in the +great chair and spoke me in his soft, sweet voice: + +"You are English, seņor?" + +"I am!" said I in Spanish. + +"What do you here?" + +"Seek another Englishman known to be prisoner to the Inquisition of Nombre +de Dios." + +"His name?" + +"Richard Brandon. Is he here?" + +"Are you of the Faith?" + +"Of all or any save that of Rome!" said I, staring up into the pale, +emotionless face. "But Rome I do abominate and all its devil's work!" At +this, from the hooded figures about me rose a gasp of horror and amaze, +while into the dim eyes of my questioner came a momentary glow. + +"Oh, fleshly lips!" quoth he. "Oh, tongue of blasphemy damned. Since you by +the flesh have sinned, so by the flesh, its pains and travail, must your +soul win forgiveness and life hereafter. Oh, vain soul, though your flesh +hath uttered damnable sin and heresy, yet Holy Church in its infinite mercy +shall save your soul in despite sinful flesh, to which end we must lay on +your evil flesh such castigation as shall, by its very pain, purge your +soul and win it to life hereafter--" + +But now, and even as the black-robed familiars closed upon me, I heard +steps behind me, a clash of arms and thereafter a voice whose calm tones I +recognised. + +"What is this, Father Alexo?" + +"An Englishman and blasphemous Lutheran, captured and brought hither within +the hour, Your Excellency." Now here the familiars, at sign of Fra Alexo, +moved aside, and thus I beheld to my surprise and inexpressible joy, Don +Federigo, pale from his late sickness, the which the sombre blackness of +his rich velvet habit did but offset; for a moment his eyes met mine and +with no sign of recognition, whereupon I checked the greeting on my lips. + +"And am I of so little account as not to be warned of this?" said he. + +"Alas, Excellency, if I have something forgot the respect due your high and +noble office, let my zeal plead my excuse. In your faithful charge do we +leave this miserable one until Holy Church shall require him of you." So +saying, Fra Alexo, crossing lean hands meekly on his bosom, bowed himself +in humble fashion, and yet I thought to see his dull eyes lit by that +stealthy glow as Don Federigo, having duly acknowledged his salutation, +turned away. + +Thence I was led into the soft night air to a noble house, through goodly +chambers richly furnished and so at last to a small room; and ever as I +went I had an uneasy feeling that a long, black robe rustled stealthily +amid the shadows, and of dull eyes that watched me unseen, nor could I +altogether shake off the feeling even when the door closed and I found +myself alone with Don Federigo. Indeed it almost seemed as he too felt +something of this, for he stood a while, his head bowed and very still, +like one listening intently; suddenly he was before me, had grasped my two +fettered hands, and when he spake it was in little more than whisper. + +"Alas, Don Martino--good my friend, Death creepeth all about you here--" + +"Fra Alexo's spies!" I nodded. Now at this he gave me a troubled look and +fell to pacing to and fro. + +"A hard man and cunning!" quoth he, as to himself. "The Church--ah, the +power of the Church! Yet must I get you safe away, but how--how?" + +"Nay, Don Federigo, never trouble." + +"Trouble, Seņor? Ah, think you I count that? My life is yours, Don Martino, +and joyfully do I risk it--" + +"Nay, sir," quoth I, grasping his hand, "well do I know you for brave and +noble gentleman whose friendship honoureth me, but here is no need you +should hazard your life for me, since I am here of my own will. I have +delivered myself over to the Inquisition to the fulfilment of a purpose." + +"Sir," said he, his look of trouble deepening. "Alas, young sir--" + +"This only would I ask of your friendship--when they take me hence, see to +it that I am set in company with one that lieth prisoned here, see that +I am fettered along with Sir Richard Brandon. And this do I ask of your +friendship, sir!" + +"Alas!" said he. "Alas, 'tis out of my jurisdiction; you go hence you are +lost--you do pass from the eye of man--none knoweth whither." + +"So long as I come unto mine enemy 'tis very well, sir. 'Tis this I have +prayed for, lived for, hoped and suffered for. Wherefore now, Don Federigo, +in memory of our friendship and all that hath passed betwixt us, I would +ask you to contrive me this one thing howsoever you may." + +At this he fell to his walking again and seemingly very full of anxious +thought. Presently he sounded a whistle that hung about his neck, in answer +to which summons came one I judged to be an Indian by his look, though he +was dressed Christianly enough. And now, with a bow to me, Don Federigo +speaks to him in tongue I had never heard before, a language very soft and +pleasing: + +"Your pardon, sir," said Don Federigo when we were alone, "but Hualipa is +an Indian and hath but indifferent Spanish." + +"An Indian?" + +"An Aztec Cacique that I saved from an evil death. He is one of the few +I can trust. And here another!" said he, as the door opened and a great +blackamoor Centered, bearing a roast with wine, etc., at sight whereof my +mouth watered and I grew mightily hungered. + +While I ate and drank and Don Federigo ministering to my wants, he told me +of Adam Penfeather, praising his courtliness and seamanship; he spoke +also of my lady and how she had cared for him in his sickness. He told me +further how they had been attacked by a great ship and having beaten off +this vessel were themselves so much further shattered and unseaworthy that +'twas wonder they kept afloat. None the less Adam had contrived to stand +in as near to Nombre de Dios as possible and thus set him safely ashore. +Suddenly the arras in the corner was lifted and Hualipa reappeared, who, +lifting one hand, said somewhat in his soft speech, whereupon Don Federigo +rose suddenly and I also. + +"Seņor Martino," said he, taking my hand, "good friend, the familiars of +the Holy Office are come for you, so now is farewell, God go with you, and +so long as I live, I am your friend to aid you whensoever I may. But now +must I see you back in your bonds." + +He now signed to Hualipa who forthwith bound my wrists, though looser than +before, whereupon Don Federigo sighed and left me. Then the Indian brought +me to a corner of the room and lifting the arras, showed me a small door +and led me thence along many dim and winding passages into a lofty +hall where I beheld Don Federigo in confabulation with divers of these +black-robed ecclesiastics who, beholding me, ceased their talk and making +him their several obeisances, carried me away whither they would. Thus very +soon I found myself looking again into the pallid, dim-eyed face of the +Chief Inquisitor who, lifting one white, bony finger, thus admonished me in +his sweet, sad voice: + +"Unworthy son, behold now! Holy Church, of its infinite mercy and great +love to all such detestable sinners as thou manifestly art, doth study how +to preserve thy soul from hell in despite of thyself. And because there +is nought so purging as fire, to the fire art thou adjudged except, thy +conscience teaching thee horror of thine apostacy, thou wilt abjure thy sin +and live. And because nought may so awaken conscience as trouble of mind +and pain of body, therefore to trouble and pain doth Holy Church adjudge +thy sinful flesh, by water, by fire, by rack, pulley and the wheel." Here +he paused and bowed his head upon his hands and thus remained a while; when +at last he spoke, it was with face still hid and slowly, as if unwilling +to give the words utterance: "Yet, first--thou art decreed--a space--for +contemplation of thy heresy vile and abominable, having fellowship with +one who, blasphemous as thyself and of a pride stubborn and hateful, long +persisted in his sinfulness, yet at the last, by oft suffering, hath lately +abjured his damnable heresy and is become of humble and contrite heart, and +thus, being soon to die, shall, by pain of flesh and sorrow of mind, save +his soul alive in Paradise everlasting. Go, miserable wretch, thy body is +but corruption soon to perish, but the immortal soul of thee is in Holy +Church her loving care henceforth, to save in thy despite." + +Then, with face still bowed, he gestured with his hand, whereupon came two +hooded familiars and led me forth of his presence. Now as I walked betwixt +these shapeless forms that flitted on silent feet and spake no word, my +flesh chilled; in despite my reason, for they seemed rather spectres than +truly men, yet phantoms of a grim and relentless purposefulness. Voiceless +and silent they brought me down stone stairs and along echoing passages +into a dim chamber where other cloaked forms moved on soundless feet and +spake in hushed and sibilant whispers. Here my bonds were removed and in +their place fetters were locked upon my wrists, which done, one came with a +lanthorn, who presently led the way along other gloomy passageways where I +beheld many narrow, evil-looking doorways. At last my silent guide halted, +I heard the rattle of iron, the creak of bolts and a door opened suddenly +before me upon a dank and noisome darkness. Into this evil place I was led, +and the door clapped to upon me and locked and bolted forthwith. But to my +wonder they had left me the lanthorn, and by its flickering beam I stared +about me and saw I was in a large dungeon, its corners lost in gloom. + +Suddenly as I stood thus, nigh choked with the foul air of the place and +full of misgiving, I heard a groaning sigh, and from the shadow of a remote +corner a figure reared itself upon its knees to peer under palsied hand +with eyes that blinked as if dazzled by this poor light. + +"So young--so young--oh, pity! God be merciful to thee--alas, what do you +in this place of torment and living death--young sir?" + +Now this voice was pitifully cracked and feeble, yet the words were +English, wherefore I caught up the lanthorn and coming nearer, set it down +where I might better behold the speaker. + +"So young--so young! What dost thou among the living dead?" + +"I come seeking Sir Richard Brandon!" + +Now from the dim figure before me broke a sound that was neither scream nor +laughter yet something of both. I saw wild hands upcast to the gloom above, +a shrunken, pallid face, the gleam of snow-white hair. + +"Oh, God of mercies--oh, God of Justice--at last, oh, God--at last!" + +Stooping, I dragged him to the light and found myself suddenly a-trembling +so violently that he shook in my gripe. + +"What--what mean you?" I cried. + +"That I--I am Richard Brandon." + +"Liar!" I cried, shaking him. "Damned liar!" + +And yet, looking down upon this old, withered creature who crouched before +me on feeble knees, his shrivelled hands clasped and haggard face uplifted, +I knew that he spoke truth, and uttering a great and bitter cry, I cast him +from me, for here, in place of my proud and masterful enemy, the man I had +hated for his fierce and arrogant spirit, God had given to my vengeance at +last no more than this miserable thing, this poor, pale shadow. Wherefore +now I cast myself down upon my face, beating the floor with my shackled +fists and blaspheming my God like the very madman I was. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +HOW AT LAST I FOUND MY ENEMY, RICHARD BRANDON + + +Whether this paroxysm had wrought me to a swoon I know not, but I wondered +to feel a hand upon my head, stroking my hair with touch marvellous gentle, +and therewith a voice: + +"Comfort thee, comfort thee, poor youth! These be rages and despairs that +many do suffer at the first; in a little shall come back thy courage and +with it hope--that hope, alas, that never dieth--even here. 'Lo, I am with +thee,' saith the Lord--so be comforted, young sir. Let other thoughts +distract thy mind--let us converse if thou wilt. Tell me, I pray, how didst +know my unhappy name?" + +"Because," said I, starting from his touch, "I am son to the man you foully +murdered by false accusation. I am Martin Conisby, Lord Wendover of Shere +and last of my line!" + +Now at this he drew away and away, staring on me great-eyed and I heard the +breath gasp between his pallid lips. + +"What--do you here, my lord?" + +"Seek my just vengeance!" + +"The vengeance of a Conisby!" he murmured. + +"Six years ago I broke from the hell of slavery you sold me into and ever +since have sought you with intent to end the feud once and for ever." + +"The feud?" he muttered. "Aye, we have shed each other's blood for +generations--when your grandfather fought and slew my father on the highway +beyond Lamberhurst village I, a weeping boy, kissing the wound his rapier +had made, vowed to end the Conisbys one day and came nigh doing it, God +forgive me. So doth one sin beget others, and so here to-day, in the gloom +of my dungeon, I yield myself to your vengeance, my lord, freely and humbly +confessing the harms I did you and the base perfidy of my actions. So, an +you will have my miserable life, take it and with my last breath I will +beseech God pardon you my blood and bring you safe out of this place of +torment and sorrow. God knoweth I have endured much of agony these latter +years and yet have cherished my life in despite my sufferings hitherto, +aye, cherished it so basely as to turn apostate that I might live yet a +little longer--but now, my lord, freely--aye, joyfully will I give it, +for your vengeance, praying God of His abounding mercy to pardon my most +grievous offences but, being grown weak in courage and body by reason of +frequent and grieveous torturings, this mayhap shall plead my excuse. Come +then, Martin Conisby, your hand upon my throat, your fetter-chain about my +neck--" + +"Have done!" said I. "Have done!" And getting up, I crossed to the +extremest corner of the dungeon and cast myself down there. But in a little +he was beside me again, bearing the lanthorn and with straw from his +bed for my pillow, whereupon I cursed and bade him begone, but he never +stirred. + +"Oh boy," said he, seeing me clench my fist, "I am inured to stripes and +very fain to speech with thee, wherefore suffer me a little and answer me +this question, I pray. You have sought me these many years, you have even +followed me into this hell of suffering, and God at last hath given me to +your vengeance--wherefore not take it?" + +"Because he I sought was masterful, strong and arrogant!" + +"Yet this my body, though sorely changed, is yet the slime; 'twill bleed if +you prick it and I can die as well now as six years ago--?" + +But seeing I made no manner of answer, he left me at last and I watched him +limp disconsolate to his corner, there to bow himself on feeble knees and +with hands crossed on his bosom and white head bowed, fall to a passion of +silent prayer yet with many woful sighings and moanings, and so got him to +his miserable bed. + +As for me, I lay outstretched upon my face, my head pillowed on my arm, +with no desire of sleep, or to move, content only to lie thus staring into +the yellow flame of the lanthorn as a child might, for it verily seemed +that all emotions and desires were clean gone out of me; thus lay I, my +mind a-swoon, staring at this glimmering flame until it flickered and +vanished, leaving me in outer darkness. But within me was a darkness +blacker still, wherein my soul groped vainly. + +So the long night wore itself to an end, for presently, lifting heavy head, +I was aware of a faint glow waxing ever brighter, till suddenly, athwart +the gloom of my prison, shot a beam of radiant glory, like a very messenger +of God, telling of a fair, green world, of tree and herb and flower, of the +sweet, glad wind of morning and all the infinite mercies of God; so that, +beholding this heavenly vision, I came nigh weeping for pure joy and +thankfulness. + +Now this thrice-blessed sunlight poured in through a small grating high +up in the massy wall and showed me the form of my companion, the shining +silver of his hair, his arms wide-tossed in slumber. Moved by sudden +impulse I arose and (despite the ache and stiffness of my limbs) came +softly to look upon him as he lay thus, his cares forgot awhile in blessed +sleep; and thus, beneath his rags, I saw divers and many grievous scars of +wounds old and new, the marks of hot and searing iron, of biting steel and +cruel lash, and in joints, swollen and inflamed, I read the oft-repeated +torture of the rack. And yet in these features, gaunt and haggard by +suffering, furrowed and lined by pain, was a serene patience and nobility +wholly unfamiliar. + +Thus it seemed God had hearkened to my oft-repeated prayers, had given up +to me mine enemy bound; here at last, beneath my hand, lay the contriver of +my father's ruin and death and of my own evil fortunes. But it seemed the +sufferings that had thus whitened his hair, bowed his once stalwart frame +and chastened his fierce pride had left behind them something greater and +more enduring, before which my madness of hate and passionate desire +of vengeance shrank abashed. Now as I stood thus, lost in frowning +contemplation of my enemy, he groaned of a sudden and starting to his +elbow, stared up at me haggard-eyed. + +"Ah, my lord!" said he, meeting my threatening look. "Is the hour of +vengeance at hand--seek ye my life indeed? Why, then, I am ready!" + +But, nothing speaking, I got me back to my gloomy corner and crouched +there, my knees up-drawn, my head bowed upon my arms; and now, my two hands +gripping upon the empty air, I prayed again these words so often wrung from +me by past agonies: "Oh, God of Justice, give me now vengeance--vengeance +upon mine enemy. His life, Oh, God, his life!" But even as I spake these +words within myself I knew the vengeance I had dreamed of and cherished so +dearly was but a dream indeed, a fire that had burned utterly away, leaving +nought but the dust and ashes of all that might have been. And realising +somewhat of the bitter mockery of my situation, bethinking me of all I had +so wantonly cast away for this dream, and remembering the vain labour and +all the wasted years, I fell to raging despair, insomuch that I groaned +aloud and casting myself down, smote upon the stone floor of my prison with +shackled fists. And thus I presently felt a touch and glanced up to behold +my enemy bending above me. + +"My lord--" said he. + +"Devil!" I cried, smiting the frail hand from me. "I am no more than the +poor outcast wretch you ha' made of me!" Thus, with curses and revilings, I +bade him plague me no more and presently, wearied mind and body by my long +vigil, I fell a-nodding, until, wakened by the opening of the door, I +looked up to behold one of the black-robed familiars, who, having set down +meat and drink, vanished again, silent and speechless. + +Roused by the delectable savours of this meat, which was hot and +well-seasoned, I felt myself ravenous and ate with keen appetite, and +taking up the drink, found it to be wine, very rich and comforting. So +I ate and drank my fill, never heeding my companion, and thereafter, +stretching myself as comfortably as I might, I sank into a deep slumber. +But my sleep was troubled by all manner of dreams wherein was a nameless +fear that haunted me, a thing dim-seen and silent, save for the stealthy +rustling of a trailing robe. And even as I strove to flee it grew upon me +until I knew this was Death in the shape of Fra Alexo. And now, as I strove +vainly to escape those white, cruel fingers, Joanna was betwixt us; I heard +her shrill, savage cry, saw the glitter of her steel and, reeling back, Fra +Alexo stood clutching his throat in his two hands, staring horribly ere +he fell. But looking upon him as he lay I saw this was not Fra Alexo, for +gazing on the pale, dead face, I recognised the beloved features of my lady +Joan. But, sudden and swift, Joanna stooped to clasp that stilly form, +to lay her ruddy mouth to these pallid lips; and lo, she that was dead +stirred, and rose up quick and vivid with life and reached out yearning +arms to me, seeing nothing of Joanna where she lay, a pale, dead thing. + +I started up, crying aloud, and blinked to the glare of a lanthorn; as I +crouched thus, shielding my eyes from this dazzling beam, from the darkness +beyond came a voice, very soft and tenderly sweet, the which set me +shivering none the less. + +"Most miserable man, forswear now the error of thy beliefs, or prepare thy +unworthy flesh to chastisement. In this dead hour of night when all do +sleep, save the God thou blasphemest and Holy Church, thou shall be brought +to the question--" + +"Hold, damned Churchman!" cried a voice, and turning I beheld my enemy, Sir +Richard Brandon, his gaunt and fettered arms upraised, his eyes fierce and +steadfast. "Heed not this bloody-minded man! And you, Fra Alexo and these +cowled fiends that do your evil work, I take you to witness, one and all, +that I, Richard Brandon, Knight banneret of Kent, do now, henceforth and +for ever, renounce and abjure the oath you wrung from my coward flesh by +your devilish tortures. Come, do to my body what ye will, but my soul--aye, +my soul belongs to God--not to the Church of Rome! May God reckon up +against you the innocent blood you have shed and in every groan and tear +and cry you have wrung from tortured flesh may you find a curse in this +world and hereafter!" + +The loud, fierce voice ceased; instead I heard a long and gentle sigh, a +murmured command, and Sir Richard was seized by dim forms and borne away, +his irons clashing. Then I sprang, whirling up my fetter-chains to smite, +was tripped heavily, felt my limbs close-pinioned and was dragged forth of +the dungeon. And now, thus helpless at the mercy of these hideous, hooded +forms that knew no mercy, my soul shrank for stark horror of what was to +be, and my body shook and trembled in abject terror. + +In this miserable state I was dragged along, until once again I heard the +murmur of that sweet, soft voice, whereupon my captors halted, a door +was unlocked, and I was cast into a place of outer darkness there to lie +bruised and half-stunned yet agonised with fear, insomuch that for very +shame I summoned up all my resolution, and mastering my fear, I clenched +chattering teeth and sweating palms, determined to meet what was to be with +what courage and fortitude I might. Slowly the shivering horror passed and +in its place was a strange calm as I waited for them to bear me to the +torture. + +Suddenly my heart leapt to a shrill scream and thereafter I heard an +awful voice, loud and hoarse and tremulous, and between each gasping cry, +dreadful periods of silence: + +"Oh, God ... Oh, God of pity, aid me ... make me to endure ... Lord God, +strengthen my coward soul ... help me to be worthy ... faithful at last ... +faithful to the end...." + +As for me, well knowing the wherefore of these outcries, the meaning of +these ghastly silences, a frenzy of horror seized me so that I shouted and +raved, rolling to and fro in my bonds. Yet even so I could hear them at +their devils work, until the hoarse screams sank to a piteous wailing, a +dreadful inarticulate babble, until, wrought to a frenzy, I struggled to my +feet (despite my bonds) and (like the madman I was) leapt towards whence +these awful sounds came, and falling, knew no more. + +From this blessed oblivion I was roused by a kindly warmth and opening my +eyes, saw that I lay face down in a beam of sunshine that poured in through +the small grille high in the wall like a blessing; being very weary and +full of pain, and feeling this kindly ray mighty comforting, I lay where I +was and no desire to move, minded to sleep again. But little by little I +became conscious of a dull, low murmur of sound very distressful to hear +and that set me vaguely a-wondering. Therefore, after some while, I +troubled to lift my head and wondered no more. + +A twisted heap of blood-stained rags, the pallid oval of a face, the dull +gleam of a chain, this much I saw at a glance, but when I came beside Sir +Richard's prostrate form and beheld the evils they had wrought on him, a +cry of horror and passionate anger broke from me, whereupon he checked his +groaning and opening swimming eyes, smiled wanly up at me. + +"Glory--and thanks to God--I--endured!" he whispered. Now at this I sank on +my knees beside him, and when I would have spoken, could not for a while; +at last: + +"Is there aught I may do?" I questioned. + +"Water!" he murmured feebly. So I reached the water and setting my arm +'neath his neck (and despite my fetters) lifted him as gently as I might +and held the jar to his cracked lips. When he had drank what he would +I made a rough pillow for his head and rent strips from my shirt for +bandages, and finding my pitcher full-charged with wine, mixed some with +water and betook me to bathing his divers hurts (though greatly hampered by +the chain of my fetters) and found him very patient to endure my awkward +handling, in the midst of which, meeting my eye, he smiled faintly: + +"Martin Conisby," he whispered. "Am I not--your--enemy?" + +"Howbeit you endured!" quoth I. + +"Thanks be to God!" said he humbly. "And is it for this. You will cherish +thus--and comfort one--hath wronged you and yours--so bitterly?" + +But at this I grew surly and having made an end of my rough surgery, I went +and cast myself upon my bed of straw and, lying there, watching the sunbeam +creep upon the wall, I fell to pondering this problem, viz: How came I thus +striving to soothe the woes of this man I had hunted all these years to his +destruction; why must I pity his hurts and compassionate his weakness--why? + +And as I sat, my fists clenched, scowling at the sun-ray, it verily seemed +as he had read these my thoughts. + +"Martin Conisby," said he, his voice grown stronger. "Oh, Martin, think it +not shame to pity thine enemy; to cherish them that despitefully use you; +this is Godlike. I was a proud man and merciless but I have learned much +by sufferings, and for the wrongs I did you--bitterly have I repented. So +would I humbly sue forgiveness of you since I am to die so soon--" + +"To die?" + +"Aye, Martin, at the next auto-da-fé--by the fire--" + +"The fire!" said I, clenching my fists. + +"They have left me my life that I may burn--" + +"When?" I demanded 'twixt shut teeth. "When?" + +"To-day--to-morrow--the day after--what matter? But when the flames have +done their work, I would fain go to God bearing with me your forgiveness. +But if this be too much to hope--why, then, Martin, I will beseech God to +pluck you forth of this place of horror and to give you back to England, to +happiness, to honour and all that I reft from you--" + +"Nay, this were thing impossible!" I cried. + +"There is nought impossible to God, Martin!" Here fell silence awhile and +then, "Oh, England--England!" cried he. "D'ye mind how the road winds +'twixt the hedgerows a-down hill into Lamberhurst, Martin; d'ye mind the +wonder of it all--the green meadows, the dim woods full of bird song and +fragrance--you shall see it all again one day, but as for me--ah, to +breathe just once again the sweet smell of English earth! But God's will be +done!" + +For a while I sat picturing to my fancy the visions his words had conjured +up; lifting my head at last, I started up to see him so pale and still and +bending above him, saw him sleeping, placid as any child, yet with the +marks of tears upon his shrunken cheek. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +HOW I FOUND MY SOUL + + +The torment by fire, torture by water, rack and thumbscrews, pulley and +wheel, the weights, the press, the glove and the boot,--these the devices +men hath schemed out for the plaguing of his neighbour, the hellish engines +he hath troubled to invent and build for the crushing, twisting, tearing +and maiming of his fellow-man, yet of all these devilish machines nought +is there so constant, so pitiless and hard of endurance as the agony of +suspense; there is a spectre mopping and mowing at our shoulder by day and +haunting the misery of our nights; here is a disease slowly but surely +sapping hope and courage and life itself. + +Howbeit it was thus I found it in the time that followed, for little by +little I became the prey of a terror that grew, until the opening of the +door would bring me to my feet in sweating panic, or the mere rattle of my +fellow-prisoner's chains fill me with shivering despair. And because of +these sick fears I felt great scorn of myself, and knowing I was in this +place of horror by my own will and contrivance, to despair and scorn was +added a bitter self-hatred. And now, remembering how Adam had vowed to +rescue Sir Richard, I prayed for his coming, at one moment full of hope, +the next in an agony of despair lest he should come too late. Thus I fell +to my black mood, speaking no word or answering my companion but by curses; +and thus would I sit for hours, sullen and morose, gnawing my knuckles and +staring on vacancy. Or again, beholding my enemy so serene, so placid and +unmoved (and his case no better than my own) I would fall to sudden bitter +revilings of him, until, meeting the gentle patience of his look, I would +fall silent for very shame. + +At last, upon a night, tossing upon my wretched bed in dire torment of +soul, I chanced to espy my enemy and him sleeping; whereat I fell to fierce +anger. + +"Ha, Brandon!" I cried. "Will ye sleep, man, will ye sleep and I in +torment. Wake--wake and tell me, must we die soon? Wake, I say!" At this +he raised himself to blink at me in the beam of the lanthorn. "Must we die +soon, think ye?" I demanded fiercely. + +"In God's time, Martin!" said he. + +"Think ye they will--torture me first?" Now here, seeing his troubled look +and how he groped for an answer, I cursed and bade him tell me, aye or no. + +"Alas, I do fear it!" said he. + +"We are beyond hope?" I demanded. + +"Nay, there is always God," said he. "But we are beyond all human aid. This +do I know by reason of this airy dungeon and the luxury of food and light. +Fra Alexo doeth nought unreasonably; thus we have our lanthorn that we, +haply waking from dreams of home and happiness, may behold our prison walls +and know an added grief. Instead of the water-dungeon or the black terror +of cell deep-hidden from the blessed day, he hath set us in this goodly +place that we, beholding the sun, may yearn amain for the blessed freedom +of God's green world--" + +"Ha!" quoth I. "And for those he dooms to the torment he sendeth rich food +and generous wine--aye, aye, I see it now--a man strong and full-blooded +may endure more agony and longer. So they will torture me--as they did +you--but when, ah, God--when?" And here I sank face down upon my bed and +lay there shuddering. And presently I was aware of my companion kneeling +beside me, his hand upon my shoulder, his gentle voice in my ear: + +"Comfort ye, Martin, comfort ye, God shall give ye strength--" + +"Nay, I am a coward!" I cried bitterly, "A shameful craven!" + +"Yet you do not fear! You have endured! The fire hath no terrors for you!" + +"Because I am old in suffering, and am done with fear, because, beyond +smoke and flame, I shall find God at last." + +"Think ye there is a God?" + +"I know it, Martin!" + +"Yet am I coward!" I groaned. "Though 'tis not death I fear, nor the +torture so much, 'tis rather to be thus counting the hours--" + +"I know," said he, sighing. "I know. 'Tis the waiting for what is to be, +ah, the weary, weary waiting--'tis this doth shake the strongest; the hour +of suffering may be now, or to-morrow, or a month hence." + +"God send it be to-night!" said I fervently. "And to-night, and while I am +yet the man I am, know this; I, that lived but for vengeance, dying, do +renounce it once and for ever. I, that came hither seeking an enemy, find, +in place of hated foe, a man ennobled by his sufferings and greater than +myself. So, as long as life remains to us, let there be peace and good will +betwixt us, Sir Richard. And as you once sued forgiveness of me, now do I +sue your friendship--" + +"Martin!" said he in choking voice, and then again, "Oh, Martin Conisby, +thus hath God answered my prayer and thus doth the feud betwixt Conisby and +Brandon end--" + +"Yes!" said I. "Yes--so do I know at last that I have followed a vain thing +and lost all the sweetness life had to offer." + +Now here, seeing me lie thus deject and forlorn, he stooped and set his +ragged arm about me. + +"Grieve not, Martin," said he in strange, glad voice, "grieve not, for in +losing so much you have surely found a greater thing. Here, in this dread +place, you have found your soul." + +And presently, sheltered in the frail arm of the man had been my bitter +enemy, I took comfort and fell to sweet and dreamless slumber. + +Another day had dragged its weary length: Sir Richard lay asleep, I think, +and I, gloomy and sullen, lay watching the light fade beyond the grating in +the wall when; catching my breath, I started and peered up, misdoubting my +eyes, for suddenly, 'twixt the bars of this grating, furtive and silent +crept a hand that opening, let fall something white and shapeless that +struck the stone floor with a sharp, metallic sound, and vanished +stealthily as it had come. For a while I stared up at this rusty grating, +half-fearing I was going mad at last, yet when I thought to look below, +there on the floor lay the shapeless something where it had fallen. With +every nerve a-thrill I rose and creeping thither, took it up and saw it was +Adam's chart, the which had been taken from me, with all else I possessed; +this wrapped about a key and a small, sharp knife; on the back of which, +traced in a scrawling hand, I read these words, viz: + + "A key to your fetters. A knife to your release. + Once free of your dungeon take every passage + Bearing to the left; so shall you reach the postern. + There one shall wait, wearing a white scarf. + Follow him and God speed you. + You will be visited at sunset." + +To be lifted thus from blackest despair to hope's very pinnacle wrought on +me so that I was like one entranced, staring down at knife and paper and +key where they had fallen from my nerveless hold; then, catching up the +knife, I stood ecstatic to thumb over point and edge and felt myself a man +once more, calm and resolute, to defy every inquisitor in Spanish America, +and this merely by reason of the touch of this good steel, since here was +a means whereby (as a last resource) I might set myself safe beyond their +devilish torments once and for all. And now my soul went out in passionate +gratitude to Don Federigo since this (as I judged) must be of his +contrivance. + +But the shadows deepening warned me that the sun had set wherefore I +slipped off my shoes as softly as possible not to disturb Sir Richard's +slumbers, and made me ready to kill or be killed. + +And presently I heard the creak of bolts and, creeping in my stockinged +feet, posted myself behind the door as it opened to admit the silent, +shrouded form of a familiar bearing a lanthorn. Now, seeing he came alone, +I set the knife in my girdle and, crouched in the shadow of the door, +watched my time; for a moment he stood, seeming to watch Sir Richard who, +roused by the light, stirred and, waking, blinked fearfully at this silent +shape. + +"Ah, what now?" he questioned. "Is it me ye seek?" For answer the familiar +set down the lanthorn and beckoned with his finger. Then, as Sir Richard +struggled painfully to his feet, I sprang and grappled this hateful, +muffled form ere he could cry out, had him fast by the throat, and dragging +him backwards across my knee, I choked him thus, his hoarse whistling gasps +muffled in his enveloping hood. And then Sir Richard was beside me. + +"Will ye slay him, Martin?" cried he. + +"Aye!" I nodded and tightened my grip. + +"Nay, rather spare him because he is an enemy; thus shall your soul go +lighter henceforth, Martin." + +So in the end I loosed my hold, whereupon the familiar sank to the floor +and lay, twitching feebly. Hereupon I rent off hood and robe and found him +a poor, mean creature that wept and moaned, wherefore I incontinent gagged +him with stuff from his own habit and thereafter locked him securely into +my fetters. And now, trembling with haste, I donned his habit and, catching +up the lanthorn, turned on Sir Richard: + +"Come!" said I. + +"Nay!" said he, wringing his fettered hands. "Nay--alas, I should but +hamper you--" + +"Come!" said I, my every nerve a-tingle to be gone. "Come--I will aid +you--hurry, man--hurry!" + +"Nay, 'twere vain, Martin, I can scarce walk--'twere selfish in me to let +you run such needless risks. Go, Martin, go--God bless you and bring you +safe out of this evil place." + +Without more ado I tucked my shoes into my bosom, caught up the lanthorn +and hasted away. + +But as I went I must needs remember the pitiful eagerness of Sir Richard's +look and the despairing gesture of those helpless, fettered hands. + +Hereupon I cursed fiercely to myself and, turning about, came running back +and, finding him upon his knees, hove him to his feet and, or ever he +guessed my purpose, swung him across my shoulder and so away again, finding +him no great burden (God knows) for all his fetters that clanked now and +then despite his efforts. Presently espying a passage to my left, thither +hurried I and so in a little to another; indeed it seemed the place was a +very maze and with many evil-looking doors that shut in God only knew what +of misery and horror. So I hasted on, while my breath laboured and the +sweat ran from me; and with every clank of Sir Richard's fetters my heart +leapt with dread lest any hear, though indeed these gloomy passageways +seemed quite deserted. And ever as we went, nought was to see save these +evil doors and gloomy walls, yet I struggled on until my strength began to +fail and I reeled for very weariness, until at last I stopped and set Sir +Richard on his feet since I could carry him no further, and leaned panting +against the wall, my strength all gone and my heart full of despair, since +it seemed I had missed my way. + +Suddenly, as I leaned thus, I heard the tinkle of a lute and a voice +singing, and though these sounds were dull and muffled, I judged them at no +great distance; therefore I began to creep forward, the knife ready in one +hand, the lanthorn in the other, and thus presently turning a sharp angle, +I beheld a flight of steps surmounted by a door. Creeping up to this door, +I hearkened and found the singing much nearer; trying the door, I found it +yield readily and opening it an inch or so beheld a small chamber lighted +by a hanging lamp and upon a table a pair of silver-mounted pistols; +coming to the table I took them up and found them primed and loaded. I now +beckoned Sir Richard who crept up the stairs with infinite caution lest his +fetter-chains should rattle. + +The chamber wherein we stood seemed the apartment of some officer, for +across a small bed lay a cloak and plumed hat together with a silver-hilted +rapier, which last I motioned Sir Richard to take. Beyond the bed was +another door, and coming thither I heard a sound of voices and laughter, +so that I judged here was a guard-room. As I stood listening, I saw Sir +Richard standing calm and serene, the gleaming sword grasped in practised +hand and such a look of resolution on his lined face as heartened me +mightily. And now again came the tinkle of the lute and, giving a sign to +Sir Richard, I softly raised the latch and, plucking open the door, stepped +into the room behind, the pistols levelled in my hands. + +Before me were five men--four at cards and a fifth fingering a lute, who +turned to gape, one and all, at my sudden appearance. + +"Hold!" said I in Spanish, through the muffing folds of my hood. "Let a man +move and I shoot!" At this they sat still enough, save the man with the +lute, a small, fat fellow who grovelled on his knees; to him I beckoned. +"Bind me these fellows!" I commanded. + +"No ropes here!" he stammered. + +"With their belts, fool; their arms behind them--so!" Which done, I +commanded him to free Sir Richard of his gyves; whereupon the little fellow +obeyed me very expeditiously with one of the many keys that hung against +the wall. Then I gave my pistols to Sir Richard and seizing on the little, +fat man, bound him also. Hereupon I gagged them all five as well as I might +and having further secured their legs with their scarves and neckerchiefs, +I dragged them one by one into the inner chamber (the doors of which I +locked) and left them there mightily secure. Then, catching up a good, +stout sword and a cloak to cover Sir Richard's rags, I opened another door +and, having traversed a sort of anteroom, presently stepped out into the +free air. + +It was a dark night; indeed I never saw Nombre de Dios any other than in +the dark, yet the stars made a glory of the heavens and I walked awhile, +my eyes upraised in a very ecstasy, clean forgetting my companion until he +spoke. + +"Whither now, Martin?" + +"I am directed to a postern, and one bearing a white scarf." + +"The postern?" quoth Sir Richard. "I know it well, as doth many another +unhappy soul; 'tis the gate whereby suspects are conveyed secretly to the +question!" + +We kept to the smaller streets and lanes, the which, being ill-lighted, +we passed without observation; thus at last, following the loom of a high +wall, very grim and forbidding, we came in sight of a small gateway beneath +a gloomy arch, where stood two shadowy figures as if on the lookout, +whereupon I stopped to reconnoitre them, loosening my sword in the +scabbard. But now one of these figures approached and, halting to peer at +us, spoke in strange, muffled tones. + +"Seek ye the white scarf?" questioned the voice in Spanish. + +"We do!" said I. At this the man opened the long cloak he wore and +flourished to view a white scarf. + +"Aye, but there were two of you," said I. "What is come of your fellow?" + +"He but goeth before, Seņor." And true enough, when I looked, the other dim +form had vanished, the which I liked so little that, drawing my sword, I +clapped it to the fellow's breast. + +"Look now," quoth I, "play us false and you die!" + +"The Seņor may rest assured!" says he, never flinching. + +"Why, then, lead on!" I commanded. + +Now as we followed this unknown, I had an uncanny feeling that we were +being dogged by something or some one that flitted in the darkness, +now behind us, now before us, now upon our flank, wherefore I walked +soft-treading and with my ears on the stretch. And presently our guide +brought us amid the denser gloom of trees whose leaves rustled faintly +above us and grass whispered under foot; and thus (straining my ears, as +I say) I thought to catch the sound of stealthy movement that was neither +leaf nor grass, insomuch that, shifting the sword to my left hand, I drew +forth and cocked one of the pistols. At last we came out from among the +trees and before us was the gleam of water and I saw we were upon the bank +of a stream. Here our guide paused as if unsure; but suddenly was the gleam +of a lanthorn and I heard Don Federigo's welcome voice: + +"Is that Hualipa?" + +Our guide moved forward and, pausing in the glare of the lanthorn, let fall +his cloak and I, beholding that pallid, impressive face, the dull eyes, +small mouth, and high thin nose, knew him for Fra Alexo, Chief Inquisitor +of Nombre de Dios. Then, lifting one hand to point slim finger at Don +Federigo, he spoke in his soft, sweet voice: + +"Don Federigo, long hath Holy Church suspected thee--and Holy Church hath +many eyes--and hands. So is thy messenger dead and so I favoured the escape +of these declared heretics that through them thou mightest be taken in thy +shameful treachery. Even now come armed servants of the Church to take +again these doomed heretics and with them--thee also. Now kill me an you +will, but thine apostasy is uncovered; the Holy Inquisition hath thee safe +at last. Thy good name, thy pride of birth and place shall not shelter thee +from the avenging fire--oh, most treacherous one--" + +Suddenly he choked, clapped his two hands to his throat, staring horribly; +and betwixt his fingers I saw a small, tufted thing deep-buried in his +throat. Then all at once there burst from his writhen lips an awful, +gasping scream, dreadful to hear, and then he was down, writhing and +gasping awhile, with Don Federigo and Sir Richard bending above him. + +But I, well knowing what this was and remembering the unseen thing that had +tracked us, turned to the shadow of a bush hard by and thus beheld a shaggy +head that peered amid the leaves, a hairy face with wild, fierce eyes and +teeth that gleamed. + +So the man John stared down at his handiwork, flourished his deadly +blowpipe and was gone. + +"He is dead!" said Don Federigo. "'Tis an Indian poison I have met with ere +this--very sudden and deadly. Fra Alexo stands at the tribunal of his God!" +and baring his head, Don Federigo glanced down at the dark, contorted shape +and thence to the gloomy trees beyond, and beckoning, brought me to a boat +moored under the bank hard by. + +"Seņor Martino," said he, "'tis time you were gone, for if Don Alexo hath +turned out the guard--" + +"Nay, sir," quoth I, "they must be some while a-coming," and I told him +briefly how we had secured the watch. + +"And Fra Alexo is dead!" said he. + +Here I would fain have told him something of my gratitude for the dire +risks and perils he had run on my behalf, but he caught my hands and +silenced me. + +"My friend Martino," said he in his careful English, "you adventured your +life for me many times; if therefore I save yours, it is but just. And your +vengeance--is it achieved?" + +"Indeed, sir," quoth Sir Richard, "achieved to the very uttermost, for he +hath carried that enemy out from the shadow of death, hath perilled his +own chances of life that I might know the joys of freedom--I that was his +bitter enemy." + +"So may all enmity pass one day, I pray God," sighed Don Federigo. "And +now, as for thee, Martino my friend, vengeance such as thine is thing so +rare as maketh me to honour thy friendship and loath to lose thee, since we +shall meet no more in this life. Thus I do grieve a little, for I am an old +man, something solitary and weary, and my son, alas, is dead. This sword +was my father's and should have been his; take you it, I pray, and wear it +in memory of me." And speaking, he loosed off his sword and thrust it upon +me. + +"Noble sir," said I, "dear and good friend, it doth not need this to mind +me of all your high courage and steadfast friendship--and I have nought to +offer in return--" + +"I shall ever remember your strange method of vengeance!" said he. And when +we had embraced each other, I got me into the boat and aided Sir Richard in +beside me. + +"Look now," warned Don Federigo as I loosed the mooring rope, "pull across +the river and be wary, for in a little the whole town will be roused upon +you. Get clear of the river as speedily as you may. And so, farewell, my +friend, and God go with you!" + +For answer I waved my hand, then, betaking me to the oars, I pulled +out--into the stream farther and farther, until the stately form of Don +Federigo was merged and lost in the gloom. + +Sure enough, scarcely had we come into the shadows of the opposite bank +than the silence gave place to a distant clamour, lost all at once in a +ringing of bells, a rolling of drums and a prodigious blowing of horns and +trumpets; the which set me a-sweating in despite the cool night wind, as, +chin on shoulder, I paddled slowly along, unsure of my going and very +fearful lest I run aground. In the midst of which anxieties I heard Sir +Richard's voice, calm and gentle and very comforting: + +"With a will, Martin--pull! I know the river hereabouts; pull, Martin, and +trust to me!" Hereupon I bent to the oars and with no fear of being heard +above the din ashore, since every moment bells and drums and trumpets waxed +louder. Thus presently we came opposite the town, a place of shadows where +lights hovered; and seeing with what nicety Sir Richard steered, keeping +ever within the denser shadow of the tree-clad bank, I rowed amain until we +were past the raving town, and its twinkling lights were blotted out by a +sudden bend of the river. + +Suddenly I saw Sir Richard stand up, peering, heard his voice quick and +commanding: + +"Ship your oars!" Then came a chorus of hoarse shouts, a shock, and we were +rocking, gunwale and gunwale, with a boat where dim figures moved, crying +shrill curses. I remember letting drive at one fellow with an oar and +thereafter laying about me until the stout timber shivered in my grasp. I +remember the dull gleam of Sir Richard's darting blade and then the two +boats had drifted apart. Tossing aside my shattered oar, I found me another +and rowed until, gasping, I must needs pause awhile and so heard Sir +Richard speaking: + +"Easy, Martin, easy! There lieth the blessed ocean at last; but--see!" + +Resting on my oars and glancing whither he pointed, I saw a light suspended +high in air and knew this for the riding-lanthorn of a ship whose shadowy +bulk grew upon me as I gazed, hull and towering masts outlined against the +glimmer of stars and the vague light of a young moon. Hereupon I bowed my +head, despairing, for this ship lay anchored in midstream, so that no boat +might hope to pass unchallenged; thus I began to debate within me whether +or no to row ashore and abandon our boat, when Sir Richard questioned me: + +"Can you sing ever a Spanish boat song, Martin?" + +"No," said I, miserably. "No--" + +"Why, then, I must, though mine is a very indifferent voice and rusty from +lack o' use; meantime do you get up the mast; the wind serves." Which said, +Sir Richard forthwith began to sing a Spanish song very harsh and loud, +whiles I sweated amain in panic fear; none the less I contrived to step +mast and hoist sail and, crouched on the midship thwart, watched the great +galleon as we bore down upon her. + +And presently came a voice hailing us in Spanish with demand as to who and +what we were, whereat Sir Richard broke off his song to shout that we were +fishermen, the which simple answer seemed to reassure our questioner, for +we heard no more and soon the great ship was merely a vague shadow that, +fading on our vision, merged into the night and was gone. + +And thus in a while, having crossed the troubled waters of the bar, I felt +the salt wind sweet and fresh on my brow like a caress, felt the free lift +and roll of the seas; and now, beholding this illimitable expanse of sky +and ocean, needs must I remember the strait prison and dire horrors whence +God had so lately delivered me, and my soul swelled within me too full of +gratitude for any words. + +"Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for +ever!" + +Turning, I espied Sir Richard upon his knees, one hand grasping the tiller +sailorly, the other upraised to the glimmering firmament; hereupon I knelt +also, joining him in this prayer of thanksgiving. And thus we began our +journey. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +OF OUR ADVENTURE AT SEA + + +Dawn found us standing easterly before a gentle wind with the land bearing +away upon our right, a fair and constantly changing prospect of sandy +bays, bold headlands and green uplands backed by lofty mountains blue with +distance. + +And what with all the varied beauties of earth, the blue heaven, the +sparkle of sea, the soft, sweet wind, it verily seemed the late gloomy +terrors of my dungeon were no more than a nightmare until, hearing a moan, +I turned to see my companion stirring in uneasy slumber, his haggard +features contorted as by some spasm, whereupon I touched him to +wakefulness, bidding him see if we had aught aboard to eat or drink; but +he crouched motionless as one rapt in an ecstasy, staring eager-eyed from +cloudless heaven to sapphire sea and round about upon the glory of the dawn +and fell suddenly a-laughing as from pure joy and as suddenly hid his face +within his shrivelled hands. + +"This--O, glory of God! This, instead of black despair!" said he in weeping +voice. "This sweet, healing wind instead of searing flame--and you, Martin, +'tis you have given all this! I dreamed me back in the hell you brought me +from! Sun and wind and sea--oh, God love thee--these be your gifts to me +that was your enemy--" + +"Nay, our enmity is dead and done with--" + +"Martin Conisby," said he, looking on me through his tears, "through you, +by God's grace, I know again the joy of living, and, God aiding me, you +shall yet know the like happiness an I may compass it!" + +Now seeing him thus deeply moved I grew abashed and, beckoning him to take +the tiller, began to overhaul the contents of the boat's lockers and thus +found that Don Federigo had furnished us to admiration with all things +to our comfort and defence. Forthwith I set out breakfast, choosing such +things as I judged the most perishable, and we ate and drank mighty +cheerful. + +But as Sir Richard sat thus in his rags, staring upon all things with +ineffable content, the bright sun showed me the hideous marks of his many +sufferings plain and manifest in his bent and twisted frame, the scars +that disfigured him and the clumsy movements of his limbs misshapen by the +torment, and moreover I noticed how, ever and anon, he would be seized of +violent tremblings and shudderings like one in an ague, insomuch that I +could scarce abide to look on him for very pity and marvelled within myself +that any man could endure so much and yet live. + +"Oh friend!" said he suddenly, "'tis a wondrous world you have given back +to me; I almost grow a man again--" + +Even as he uttered these brave words the shuddering took him once more, but +when I would have aided him he smiled and spake 'twixt chattering teeth: + +"Never heed me, Martin--this cometh of the water-dungeons--'twill soon +pass--" + +"God knoweth you have suffered over-much--" + +"Yet He hath brought me forth a better man therefor, though my body +is--something the worse, 'tis true. Indeed, I am a sorry companion for a +voyage, I doubt--" + +"Howbeit," said I, "last night, but for your ready wit, we had been +taken--" + +"Say you so, Martin? Here is kind thought and comforting, for I began to +dread lest I prove an encumbrance to you. + +"Nay, sir, never think it!" said I. "For 'tis my earnest hope to bring you +to the loving care of one who hath sought you long and patiently--" + +"Is it Joan? Oh, mean you my daughter Joan? Is she in these latitudes?" + +"Even so, sir. For you she hath braved a thousand horrors and evils." + +And here, in answer to his eager questioning, I told him much of what I +have writ here concerning the Lady Joan, her resolute spirit and numberless +virtues, a theme whereof I never wearied. Thus, heedless of time, of thirst +or hunger, I told of the many dire perils she had encountered in her quest, +both aboard ship and on the island, to all of which Sir Richard hearkened, +his haggard gaze now on my face, now fixed yearningly on the empty +distances before us as he would fain conjure up the form of her whose noble +qualities I was describing. When at last I had made an end, he sat silent a +great while. + +"I was a proud, harsh man of old," said he at last, "and a father most +ungentle--and 'tis thus she doth repay me! You and she were children +together--playfellows, Martin." + +"Aye, sir, 'twas long ago." + +"And in my prideful arrogance I parted you, because you were the son of my +enemy, but God hath brought you together again and His will be done. But, +Martin, if she be yet in these latitudes, where may we hope to find her?" + +"At Darien, in the Gulf!" + +"Darien?" said he. "Why there, Martin? 'Tis a wild country and full of +hostile Indians. I landed there once--" + +So I told him how Adam had appointed a place of meeting there, showing +him also the chart Adam had drawn for my guidance, the which we fell to +studying together, whereby we judged we had roughly but some eighty leagues +to sail and a notable good sea-boat under us, and that by keeping in sight +of the Main we could not fail of fetching up with the rendezvous, always +suppose we lost not our bearings by being blown out to sea. + +"Had I but quadrant and compass, Martin--" + +"How, sir," said I, "can you navigate?" + +"I could once," said he, with his faint smile. Hereupon I hasted to reach +these instruments from one of the lockers (since it seemed Don Federigo +had forgot nothing needful to our welfare), perceiving which, Sir Richard +straightened his bowed shoulders somewhat and his sallow cheek flushed. +"Here at last I may serve you somewhat, Martin," said he and, turning his +back to the sun, he set the instrument to his eye and began moving the +three vanes to and fro until he had the proper focus and might obtain the +sun's altitude; whereby he had presently found our present position, the +which he duly pricked upon the chart. He now showed me how, by standing out +on direct course instead of following the tortuous windings of the coast, +we could shorten our passage by very many miles. Hereupon we shaped our +course accordingly and, the wind freshening somewhat, by afternoon the high +coast had faded to a faint blur of distant mountain peaks, and by sunset we +had lost it altogether. + +And so night came down on us, with a kindly wind, cool and refreshing after +the heats of the day, a night full of a palpitant, starry splendour and lit +by a young, horned moon that showed us this wide-rolling infinity of waters +and these vast spaces filled, as it seemed, with the awful majesty of God, +so that when we spake (which was seldom) it was in hushed voices. It being +my turn to sleep, I lay down, yet could not close my eyes for a while for +the wonder of the stars above, and with my gaze thus uplift, I must needs +think of my lady and wonder where she might be, with passionate prayers for +her safety; and beholding these heavenly splendours, I thought perchance +she might be viewing them also and in this thought found me great solace +and comfort. And now what must my companion do but speak of her that was +thus in my thought. + +"Martin," he questioned suddenly, "do you love her?" + +"Aye, I do!" said I, "mightily!" + +"And she you?" + +"God grant it!" + +"Here," said he after some while, "here were a noble ending to the feud, +Martin?" + +"Sir, 'tis ended already, once and for all." + +"Aye, but," said he with a catch in his voice, "all my days I--have +yearned--for a son. More especially now--when I am old and so feeble." + +"Then, sir, you shall lack no longer, if I can thus make up in some small +measure for all you have suffered--" + +At this he fell silent again but in the dark his trembling hand stole down +to touch me lightly as in blessing; and so I fell asleep. + +Prom this slumber I was suddenly aroused by his calling on my name and, +opening drowsy eyes, beheld (as it were) a luminous veil that blotted out +moon and stars and ocean, and, looking about, saw we lay becalmed in a +white mist. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, his face a pale oval in the dimness, "d'ye hear +aught?" + +"No more than the lapping of the waves," I answered, for indeed the sea was +very calm and still. + +"Nay, listen awhile, Martin, for either I'm mad or there's some one or +something crying and wailing to larboard of us, an evil sound like one in +torment. Three times the cry has reached me, yet here we lie far out to +sea. So list ye, son, and tell me if my ears do play me false, for verily +I--" + +His speech died away as from somewhere amid the chill and ghostly vapour +there stole a long-drawn, wailing cry, so woful, so desolate, and so +unearthly here in this vasty solitude that I caught my breath and stared +upon this eddying mist with gaze of fearful expectancy. + +"You heard it, Martin; you heard it?" + +"Aye!" I nodded. + +"'Tis like one cries upon the rack, Martin!" + +"'Tis belike from some ship hid in the fog yonder," said I, handing him a +musket from the arms-locker. + +"There was no ship to see before this fog came down on us," quoth Sir +Richard uneasily; howbeit he took the weapon, handling it so purposefully +as was great comfort to see, whereupon I took oars and began to row towards +whence I judged this awful cry had come. And presently it rose again, +dreadful to hear, a sound to freeze the blood. I heard Sir Richard cock +his piece and glanced instinctively to make sure Don Federigo's sword lay +within my reach. Three times the cry rose, ere, with weapon poised for +action, Sir Richard motioned for me to stop rowing, and glancing over my +shoulder, I saw that which loomed upon us through the mist, a dim shape +that gradually resolved itself into a large ship's boat or pinnace. Sword +in one hand and pistol in the other, I stood up and hailed lustily, yet got +no sound in reply save a strange, dull whimpering. + +Having shouted repeatedly to no better purpose, I took oars again and +paddled cautiously nearer until at last, by standing on the thwart, I might +look into this strange boat and (the fog being luminous) perceived three +dark shapes dreadfully huddled and still; but as I gazed, one of these +stirred slightly, and I heard a strange, dull, thumping sound and then I +saw this for a great hound. Hereupon I cast our boathook over their gunwale +and while Sir Richard held the boats thus grappled, scrambled aboard them, +pistol in hand, and so came upon two dead men and beside them this great +dog. + +And now I saw these men had died in fight and not so long since, for the +blood that fouled them and the boat was still wet, and even as I bent over +them the hound licked the face of him that lay uppermost and whined. And +men and dog alike seemed direly thin and emaciate. Now it was in my mind +to shoot the dog out of its misery, to which end I cocked my pistol, +but seeing how piteously it looked on me and crawled to lick my hand, I +resolved to carry it along with us and forthwith (and no little to-do) +presently contrived to get the creature into our boat, thereby saving both +our lives, as you shall hear. + +So we cast off and I sat to watch the boat until like a phantom, it melted +into the mist and vanished away. Turning, I beheld the hound, his great +head on Sir Richard's knee, licking the hand that fondled him. + +"He is pined of hunger and thirst, Martin; I will tend him whiles you +sleep. He shall be a notable good sentinel and these be very keen of +scent--the Spaniards do use them to track down poor runaway slaves withal, +but these dogs are faithful beasts and this hath been sent us, doubtless, +to some good end." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +WE ARE DRIVEN ASHORE + + +And now were days of stifling heat, of baffling airs and maddening calms, +wherein we rolled helpless, until in my impatience I would betake me to the +oars in a fever of desire to reach our destination and row until the sweat +poured from me. + +What with sea, wind and fierce sun we grew brown as any Indians, but Sir +Richard seemed to mend apace and to my great joy, for as time passed my +respect for him deepened and with it a kindlier feeling; for in these +long days and nights of our fellowship I grew to know how, by suffering +patiently borne, a man might come by a knowledge of himself and his fellows +and a kindly sympathy for their sins and sorrows that is (as I do think) +the truest of all wisdom. + +Fain would I set down some of these heart-searching talks, but I fear lest +my narration grows over-long; suffice it that few sons ever bore tenderer +reverence and love to their father than I to this, my erstwhile enemy. + +So will I now, passing over much that befell us on these treacherous seas, +as scorching calms, torrential rains and rageful winds, and how in despite +all these we held true on our course by reason of Sir Richard's sailorly +skill, I will (I say) come to a certain grey dawn and myself at the tiller +whiles Sir Richard slept and beside him the great hound that we had named +Pluto, since he had come to us from the dead. + +Now presently I saw the dog stir uneasily and lift his head to sniff the +air to windward; thereafter, being on his legs, he growled in his throat, +staring ever in the one direction, and uttered a loud, deep bay, whereupon +up started Sir Richard, full of question. + +"Sir, look at the dog!" said I, pointing where Pluto stood abaft the mast, +snuffing and staring to windward; seeing which, Sir Richard took the +perspective-glass and swept with it the hazy distance. + +"There is wind yonder, Martin; we must reef!" said he, the glass at his +eye. So presently, whiles he steered, I shortened sail but saw his gaze +bent ever to windward. "Dogs have strange senses!" quoth he. "Take the +glass, Martin; your eyes are very keen; tell me if you see aught yonder in +the mist against the cloudbank bearing about three points." Looking whither +he directed, I made out a dim shape that loomed amid the mist. + +"You see it, Martin?" + +"Aye, a ship!" said I, and even as I spoke, the wind freshening, the +rain ceased, the mist thinned away, and I saw a large vessel ahead of us +standing in for the land which bore some five miles to leeward, a high, +rugged coast, very grim and forbidding. + +"How is she heading, Martin?" + +"Southwesterly, I make it, which should bring her close upon us mighty +soon, if the wind hold." And passing Sir Richard the glass, I sat staring +on this distant ship in no little apprehension, since I judged most vessels +that plied hereabouts could be but one of two sorts, viz: pirates or +Spaniards. + +"She is a great ship, Martin, and by her cut I think Spanish." + +"I had liefer she were a pirate!" said I, scowling. + +"Your wish may be granted soon enough, for she is going free and much wind +astern of her." + +Now whiles Sir Richard watched this oncoming vessel, I took up Don +Federigo's sword, and, struck by its beauty, began to examine it as I had +not done hitherto. And indeed a very noble weapon it was, the hilt of rare +craftsmanship, being silver cunningly inlaid with gold, long and narrow in +the blade, whereon, graven in old Spanish, I saw the legend: + +TRUST IN GOD AND ME. + +A most excellent weapon, quick in the hand by reason of its marvellous +poise and balance. But looking upon this, I must needs remember him that +had given it and bethinking me how he had plucked me forth from the horror +of death and worse, I raised my head to scowl again upon the oncoming ship, +and with teeth hard-set vowed within myself that no power should drag me +a living man back to the terrors of dungeon and torment. And now as I +crouched thus, scowling on the ship, the naked sword across my knees, Sir +Richard called to me: + +"She is Spanish-built beyond all doubting and whoever chance to be aboard, +they've seen us," said he, setting by the glass. "Come now, let us take +counsel whether to go about, hold on, or adventure running ashore, the +which were desperate risk by the look of things--" + +"Let us stand on so long as we may," quoth I, "for if the worst come, we +have always this," and reaching a pistol, I laid it on the thwart beside +me. + +"Nay, Martin," said he, his hand on my shoulder, "first let us do all we +may to live, trusting in God Who hath saved and delivered us thus far. We +have arms to our defence and I can still pull trigger at a pinch, or at +extremity we may run ashore and contrive to land, though 'tis an evil coast +as you may see and I, alack! am a better traveller sitting thus than afoot. +As to dying, Martin, if it must be so, why then let us choose our own +fashion, for as Sir Richard Grenville hath it, 'better fall into the hands +of God than into the claws of Spain!" + +Thus spake my companion mighty cheering, his serene blue eyes now on me, +now on the distant ship, as he held our heeling boat to the freshening +wind; hereupon, greatly comforted I grasped his hand and together we vowed +never to be taken alive. Then, seeing the ship come down on us apace, I +busied myself laying to hand such arsenal as Don Federigo had furnished us +withal, viz: four muskets with their bandoliers and two brace of pistols; +which done, I took to watching the ship again until she was so close I +might discern her lofty, crowded decks. And then, all at once, the wind +died utterly away, and left us becalmed, to my inexpressible joy. For now, +seeing the great ship roll thus helpless, I seized the oars. + +"Inshore!" I cried, and began to row might and main, whereat those aboard +ship fired a gun to windward and made a waft with their ensign as much as +to bid us aboard them. But I heeding no whit, they let fly a great shot at +us that, falling short, plunged astern in a whirl of spray. Time and again +they fired such fore-chase guns as chanced to bear, but finding us out of +range, they gave over wasting more powder and I rejoiced, until suddenly I +espied that which made me gloomy enough, for 'twixt the ship and us came +a boat full of men who rowed lustily; and they being many and I one, they +began to overhaul us rapidly despite my efforts, till, panting in sweating +despair, I ceased my vain labour and made to reach for the nearest musket. + +"Let be, my son!" quoth Sir Richard, on his knees in the stern sheets. +"Row, Martin, the boat rides steadier. Ha!" said he, with a little +chuckling laugh, as a bullet hummed over us. "So we must fight, after all; +well, on their own heads be it!" And as he took up and cocked a musket, I +saw his eyes were shining and his lips upcurled in grim smile. "Alas, I was +ever too forward for fight in the old days, God forgive me, but here, as I +think, is just and sufficient cause for bloodshed." + +"They come on amain!" I gasped, as I swung to the heavy oars, wondering to +behold him so unconcerned and deliberate. + +"Let them come, Martin!" said he, crouching in the stern sheets, "only keep +you an even stroke--so, steady it is! Aye, let them come, Martin, and God's +will be done!" + +And now our pursuers began firing amain, though for the most part their +shooting was very wild; but presently, finding we made no reply, they grew +bolder, hallooing and shouting blithely and taking better aim, so that +their shot hummed ever nearer and once or twice the boat was struck. And as +I hearkened to their ribald shouting and the vicious hiss of their bullets, +fierce anger took me and I began to curse Sir Richard's delay; then came +the roar of his piece and as the smoke cleared I saw a man start up in the +bows of the pursuing boat and tossing up his arms, fall backwards upon the +rowers, thereby throwing them into clamorous confusion so that their boat +fell off and lay rolling helplessly. + +"Load, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard 'twixt shut teeth. "Load as I fire--for +now by God I have 'em--see yonder!" And thrusting towards me his smoking +weapon, he caught up the next, levelled and fired again, whereupon their +shouting and confusion were redoubled. + +Thus Sir Richard fired on them repeatedly and with deadly effect, judging +by their outcries, for I was too busy loading and priming to afford them +a glance, so that Sir Richard maintained as rapid a fire as possible. How +long we fought them thus I know not; indeed I remember little of the matter +save smoke and noise, Sir Richard's grim figure and the occasional hiss of +a bullet about us. Suddenly Sir Richard turned to stare up at me, wild-eyed +and trembling, as in one of his ague-fits. + +"Enough, Martin!" he gasped. "God forgive me, I ha' done enough--and here's +the wind at last!" + +Seeing this indeed was so, I sprang to loose out the reefs, which done, I +saw the enemy's boat lie wallowing in the trough and never so much as an +oar stirring. But beyond this was another boat hasting to their assistance +and beyond this again the ship herself, so that I joyed to feel our little +vessel bounding shore-wards. But hearing a groan, I saw Sir Richard +crouched at the tiller, his white head bowed upon his hand. + +"God love me--are you hurt, sir?" I cried, scrambling towards him. + +"No, Martin, no!" And then, "Ah, God forgive me," he groaned again, "I fear +I have been the death of too many of them--more than was needful." + +"Nay, sir," said I, wondering. "How should this be?" + +"I killed--for the joy of it, Martin." + +"'Twas them or us, Sir Richard. And we may have to kill again--see yonder!" +And I pointed where the ship was crowding sail after us with intent to +cut us off ere we could make the shore--a desolation of shaggy rocks and +tree-girt heights that looked ever the more formidable; yet thither we held +our course, since it seemed the lesser of two evils. + +Our boat, as I have said, was a good sailer; none the less the great ship +overhauled us until she was near enough to open on us with her fore-chase +guns again. But presently (being yet some distance from the shore) the +water began to shoal, whereupon the ship bore up lest she run aground, +and let fly her whole broadside, the which yet was short of us. In this +comparative safety we would have brought to, but seeing the second boat had +hoisted sail and was standing into these shallows after us, we perforce ran +on for the shore. Soon we were among rocks and before us a line of breakers +backed by frowning rocks, very dreadful to behold. + +And now, at Sir Richard's command, I struck our sail and, taking to the +oars, began to row, marvelling at the skill with which he steered amid +these difficult waters, and both of us looking here and there for some +opening amid the breakers whereby we might gain the land. + +Presently, sure enough, we espied such a place, though one none would have +attempted save poor souls in such desperate case. The air about us seemed +full of spume and the noise of mighty waters, but Sir Richard never +faltered; his eyes looked upon the death that roared about us, serene and +untroubled. And now we were amid the breakers; over my shoulder, through +whirling spray, I caught a glimpse of sandy foreshore where lay our +salvation; then, with sudden, rending crash, we struck and a great wave +engulfed us. Tossed and buffeted among this choking smother, I was whirled, +half-stunned, into shoal water and stumbling to my knees, looked back for +Sir Richard. And thus I saw the dog Pluto swimming valiantly and dragging +at something that struggled feebly, and plunged back forthwith to the good +beast's assistance, and thus together we brought Sir Richard ashore and lay +there a while, panting and no strength to move. + +At last, being recovered somewhat, I raised myself to behold my companion, +his frail body shaking in an ague, his features blue and pinched. But +beholding my look, he smiled and essayed a reassuring nod. + +"Thanks to you and--the dog, I am very well, Martin!" said he, 'twixt +chattering teeth. "But what of the boat; she should come ashore." Looking +about, sure enough I espied our poor craft, rolling and tossing helplessly +in the shallows hard by, and running thither, was seized of sudden despair, +for I saw her bilged and shattered beyond repair. Now as she rolled thus, +the sport of each incoming wave, I beheld something bright caught up in her +tangled gear, whereupon I contrived to scramble aboard and so found this to +be Don Federigo's rapier, the which was some small mitigation of my gloom +and put me to great hopes that I might find more useful things, as compass +or sextant, and so found a small barrico of water firm-wedged beneath a +thwart; but save for this the boat was swept bare. So having secured the +barrico (and with no small to-do) I hove it ashore and got myself after it, +and so came mighty despondent where sat Sir Richard as one deep in thought, +his gaze on the sea, his shrivelled hand upon the head of the dog Pluto +crouched beside him. "Truly we are in evil case, Martin!" quoth he, when +I had told him the result of my search. "Aye, we are in woful plight! And +this land of Darien is very mountainous and ill-travelling as I remember." + +"Yet needs must we adventure it," said I gloomily. + +"You must, Martin; but as for me, I bide here." + +"Here?" said I, glancing around on the barren, unlovely spot. "Sir, you +talk wildly, I think; to stay here is to die." + +"Aye, Martin, so soon as God shall permit." + +"Surely our case is not so hopeless you despair thus soon?" + +"Sit down, here beside me," said he, smiling up at me. "Come and let us +reason the matter, since 'tis reason lifteth man above the brutes." + +So there, on the coast of this vast, unknown wilderness, sat we two poor +castaways, the great hound at our feet, his bright eyes looking from one to +other of us as we spake and reasoned together thus: + +Sir Richard: First of all, we are destitute, Martin. + +Myself; True. + +Sir Richard: Therefore our food must be such game as we can contrive to +take and kill empty-handed. + +Myself: This shall be my duty. + +Sir Richard: Second, 'tis a perilous country by reason of wild Indians, +and we are scant of arms. Third, 'tis a country of vasty mountains, of +torrents, swamps and thickets and I am a mighty poor walker, being weak of +my leg-joints. + +Myself: Then will I aid you. + +Sir Richard: Fourthly, here is a journey where though one may succeed, two +cannot: full of peril and hardship for such as have a resolute spirit and +strong body, and _I_ am very weak. + +Myself: Yet shall your resolute spirit sustain you. + +Sir Richard: Fifthly and lastly, I am a cripple, so will I stay here, +Martin, praying God to bring you safe to your weary journey's end. + +Myself: I had thought you much stronger of late. + +Sir Richard: Indeed so I am, but my joints have been so oft stretched on +the rack that I cannot go far and then but slowly, alas! + +There was silence awhile, each of us gazing out across the troubled waters, +yet I, for one, seeing nothing of them. Glancing presently at Sir Richard, +I saw his eyes closed, but his mouth very resolute and grim. + +"And what of Joan?" I demanded. "What of your daughter?" + +Now at this he started and glancing at me, his mouth of a sudden lost its +grimness and he averted his head when he answered: + +"Why, Martin, 'tis for her sake I will not hamper you with my useless +body." + +"So is it for her sake I will never leave you here to perish!" + +"Then here," says he in a little, "here is an end to reason, Martin?" + +"Aye, indeed, sir!" + +"God love thee, lad!" cried he, clasping my hand. "For if 'tis reason +raiseth us 'bove the brutes 'tis unselfishness surely lifts us nigh to +God!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +OUR DESPERATE SITUATION + + +"And now," quoth Sir Richard, "since you are bent on dragging this worn-out +carcase along to be your careful burden (for the which may God bless you +everlastingly, dear lad!) let us see what equipment Fortune hath left us +beside your sword and the water." Herewith, upon investigation we found our +worldly possessions amount to the following: + +In Sir Richard's Pockets: + +1 ship's biscuit (somewhat spoiled by water). +A small clasp knife. +A gunflint. + +In Mine: + +A length of small cord. +Adam's chart (and very limp). +9 pistol balls. + +These various objects we set together before us and I for one mighty +disconsolate, for, excepting only the knife, a collection of more useless +odds and ends could not be imagined. Sir Richard, on the contrary, having +viewed each and every with his shrewd, kindly eyes, seemed in no wise cast +down, for, said he. + +"We might be richer, but then we might be poorer--for here we have in this +biscuit one meal, though scant 'tis true and not over tasty. A sword and +knife for weapons and tools, a flint to make us fires, three yards of small +cord wherewith to contrive snares for small game, and though we ha' lost +our compass, we have the coast to follow by day and the stars to guide us +by night and furthermore--" + +"Nine pistol balls!" quoth I gloomily. + +"Hum!" said he, stroking his chin and eyeing me askance. "Having neither +weapons nor powder to project them--" + +"They shall arm me arrows!" + +"Aye, but will they serve?" he questioned doubtfully. + +"Well enough, supposing we find aught to shoot at--" + +"Never fear, in Darien are beasts and fowls a-plenty." + +"Well and good, sir!" said I, gathering up the bullets, and doing so, +espied a piece of driftwood carrying many bent and rusty nails, the which +(the wood being very dry and rotten) I presently broke out and to my nine +bullets I added some dozen nails, pocketing them to the same purpose. And +now having collected our possessions (of more value to us than all the +treasures of Peru), we set forth upon our long and toilsome journey, our +gaze bent ever upon the cliffs that frowned upon our right hand, looking +for some place easy of ascent whereby we might come to the highlands above +(where we judged it easier travelling) and with Pluto stalking on before +like the dignified animal he was, looking back ever and anon as if bidding +us to follow. + +And as I watched this great beast, the thought occurred to me that here was +what should save us from starvation should we come to such extremity; but +I spake nothing of this to Sir Richard who had conceived a great affection +for the dog from the first. And after some while we came to a place where +the cliff had fallen and made a sloping causeway of earth and rocks, topped +by shady trees. This we began to mount forthwith and, finding it none so +steep, I (lost in my thoughts) climbed apace, forgetful of Sir Richard in +my eagerness, until, missing him beside me, I turned to see him on hands +and knees, dragging himself painfully after me thus, whereon I hasted back +to him full of self-reproaches. + +"'Tis only my legs!" he gasped, lifting agonised face. "My spirit is +willing, Martin, but alas, my poor flesh--" + +"Nay--'tis I am selfish!" quoth I. "Aye, a selfish man ever, dreaming only +of my own woes!" Saying which, I raised him and, setting an arm about his +wasted form, aided him as well as I might until, seeing how he failed +despite his brave struggles, I made him sit and rest awhile, unheeding his +breathless protestations, and thus at last, by easy stages, we came to the +top of the ascent amid a grove of very tall trees, in whose pleasant shade +we paused awhile, it being now midday and very hot. + +Behind us lay the ocean, before us a range of mighty mountains blue with +distance that rose, jagged peak on peak, far as eye could see, and betwixt +them and us a vast and rolling wilderness, a land of vivid sun and stark +shadow, dazzling glare on the uplands, gloom in the valleys and above swamp +and thicket and trackless forests a vapour that hung sullen and ominous +like the brooding soul of this evil country. + +"Fever!" quoth Sir Richard, stabbing at the sluggish mist with bony +fingers. "Ague, the flux--death! We must travel ever by the higher levels, +Martin--and I a cripple!" + +"Why, then," said I, "you shall have a staff to aid you on one side and +my arm on t'other, and shall attempt no great distance until you grow +stronger." So having found and cut a staff to serve him, we set off +together upon our long and arduous pilgrimage. + +By mid-afternoon we reached a place of rocks whence bubbled a small rill +mighty pleasant to behold and vastly refreshing to our parched throats and +bodies. Here, though the day was still young and we had come (as I judged) +scarce six miles, I proposed to camp for the night, whereon Sir Richard +must needs earnestly protest he could go further an I would, but finding me +determined, he heaved a prodigious sigh and stretching himself in the cool +shadow, lay there silent awhile, yet mighty content, as I could see. + +"Martin," quoth he at last, "by my reckoning we have some hundred and fifty +miles to go." + +"But, sir, they will be less to-morrow!" said I, busied with my knife on +certain branches I had cut. + +"And but half a ship's biscuit to our sustenance, and that spoiled." + +"Why, then, throw it away; I will get us better fare!" said I, for as we +came along I had spied several of those great birds the which I knew to be +very excellent eating. + +"As how, my son?" he questioned. + +"With bow and arrows." At this he sat up to watch me at work and very eager +to aid me therein. "So you shall, sir," said I, and having tapered my +bow-stave sufficiently, I showed him how to trim the shafts as smooth and +true as possible with a cleft or notch at one end into which I set one of +my rusty nails, binding it there with strips from my tattered shirt; in +place of feathers I used a tuft of grass and behold! my arrow was complete, +and though a poor thing to look at yet it would answer well enough, as I +knew by experience. So we fell to our arrow-making, wherein I found Sir +Richard very quick and skilful, as I told him, the which seemed to please +him mightily. + +"For," said he miserably, "I feel myself such a burden to thee, Martin, +that anything I can do to lighten thy travail be to me great comfort." + +"Sir," said I, "these many years have I been a solitary man hungering for +companionship, and, in place of enemy, God hath given me a friend and one I +do love and honour. As to his crippled body, sir, it beareth no scar but is +a badge of honour, and if he halt in his gait or fail by the way, this +doth but remind me of his dauntless soul that, despite pain and torment, +endured." + +So saying, I caught up such arrows as were finished (four in all) and +taking my bow, set forth in quest of supper, with Pluto at my heels. Nor +had I far to seek, for presently I espied several of these monstrous birds +among the trees and, stringing my bow with a length of cord, I crept +forward until I was in easy range and, setting arrow to string, let fly. +Away sang my shaft, a yard wide of the mark, soaring high into the air and +far beyond all hope of recovery. + +This put me in a fine rage, for not only had I lost my precious arrow, but +the quarry also, for off flapped my bird, uttering a hoarse cackle as in +derision of my ill aim. On I went, seeking for something should serve us +for supper, yet look where I would, saw nothing, no, not so much as parrot +or macaw that might stay us for lack of better fare. On I went, and +mightily hungry, wandering haphazard and nothing to reward me until, +reaching an opening or glade shut in by dense thickets beyond, I sat me +upon a fallen tree and in mighty ill humour, the dog Pluto at my feet. +Suddenly I saw him start and prick his ears, and presently, sure enough, +heard a distant stir and rustling in the thickets that grew rapidly nearer +and louder to trampling rush; and out from the leaves broke some dozen or +so young pigs; but espying the dog they swung about in squealing terror and +plunged back again. But in that moment I let fly among them and was mighty +glad to see one roll over and lie kicking, filling the air with shrill +outcry; then Pluto was upon it and had quickly finished the poor beast, +aye, and would have devoured it, too, had I not driven him off with my +bow-stave. + +It was a small pig and something lean, yet never in this world hunter more +pleased than I as, shouldering the carcase and with Pluto going before, I +made my way back to our halting-place and found Sir Richard had contrived +to light a fire and full of wonder to behold my pig. + +"Though to be sure," said he, "I've heard there were such in Darien, yet I +never saw any, Martin, more especially in these high lands." + +"They were fleeing from some wild beast, as I judge, sir," quoth I. + +"Why, then, 'twere as well to keep our fire going all night!" said he: +to the which I agreed and forthwith set about cutting up the pig, first +flaying it as well as I might, since I judged the skin should be very +serviceable in divers ways. So this night we supped excellent well. + +The meal over, Sir Richard cut up what remained of the carcase into strips +and set me to gather certain small branches with which he built a sort of +grating above some glowing embers and thus dried and smoked the meat after +the manner of the buccaneers. "For look now, Martin," said he, "besides +drying the meat, these twigs are aromatic and do lend a most excellent +flavour, so that there is no better meat in the world--besides, it will +keep." + +Beyond the rocky cleft bright with the light of our fire the vasty +wilderness hemmed us in, black and sullen, for the trees being thick +hereabouts we could see no glimpse of moon or star. And amid this gloom +were things that moved stealthily, shapes that rustled and flitted, and +ever and anon would come the howl of some beast, the cry of some bird, +hunting or hunted, whereat Pluto, crunching on a bone, would lift his head +to growl. So with the fire and the dog's watchfulness we felt tolerably +secure and presently fell asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +WE COMMENCE OUR JOURNEY + + +Day after day we held on, suffering much by reason of heat, thirst and +fatigue, since, fearing lest we should lose sight of our guide, the sea, +and go astray to perish miserably in the wild, we followed ever the trend +of this mountainous coast. + +By rocky ways we marched, by swamps and mazy thickets, down precipitous +slopes, through tangled woods, across wide savannahs, along perilous tracks +high above dim forests that stretched away like a leafy ocean, whence we +might behold a wide prospect of all those weary miles before us. + +And surely nowhere in all this world is to be seen a country more full of +marvels and wonders than this land of Darien. For here rise vasty mountains +whose jagged summits split the very heaven; here are mighty rivers and +roaring cataracts, rolling plains, thirsty deserts and illimitable forests +in whose grim shadow lurk all manner of beasts and reptiles strange beyond +thought; here lie dense groves and tangled thickets where bloom great +flowers of unearthly beauty yet rank of smell and poisonous to the touch; +here are birds of every kind and hue and far beyond this poor pen to +describe by reason of the beauty and brilliancy of their plumage, some of +which would warble so sweet 'twas great joy to hear while the discordant +croakings and shrill clamours of others might scarce be endured. Here, too, +are trees (like the cocos) so beneficent to yield a man food and drink, +aye, and garments to cover him; or others (like the maria and balsam trees) +that besides their timber do distil medicinal oils, and yet here also are +trees so noxious their mere touch bringeth a painful disease of the skin +and to sleep in their shadow breedeth sickness and death; here, too, grow +all manner of luscious fruits as the ananas or pineapple, with oranges, +grapes, medlars and dates, but here again are other fruits as fair to the +eye, yet deadly as fang of snake or sting of _cientopies_. Truly (as I do +think), nowhere is there country of such extremes of good and evil as this +land of Darien. + +Thus day by day we held on and daily learned I much of tree and fruit and +flower, of beast, bird and reptile from Sir Richard who, it seemed, was +deeply versed in the lore of such, both by reading and experience; but +hourly I learned more of this man's many and noble qualities, as his +fortitude, his unflinching courage and the cheerful spirit that could make +light of pain and thirst and weariness so that, misjudging his strength, I +would sometimes march him well-nigh beyond his endurance, but knew nought +of it since he never complained but masked his suffering in brave and +smiling words. And there were times when, burning with impatience, I would +quicken my pace (God forgive me) until, missing his plodding figure, I +would look back to see him stumbling after me afar. + +It was upon the fifth day of our journey that, missing him thus, I turned +to wait for him to come up and found him nowhere in sight. Hereupon I +hasted back the way I had come and after some while beheld him prone in the +dust; he lay outstretched upon his face in the hot glare of the sun, the +dog Pluto squatting beside him, and as I approached the desolate figure I +knew that he was weeping. So came I running to fall beside him on my knees +and lifting that abased head, saw indeed the agony of his tears. + +"Oh, Martin--forgive me!" he gasped. "I can crawl no faster--better were I +dead, dear lad, than hamper you thus--" + +"Rather will I perish!" said I, lifting him in my arms to bear him out of +the sun and much grieved to find him a burden so light; and now, sitting +'neath a great tree, I took his head upon my bosom and wiped the tears from +his furrowed cheeks and set myself diligently to comfort him, but seeing +him so faint and fore-done, I began alternately to berate myself heartily +and lament over him so that he must needs presently take to comforting me +in turn, vowing himself very well, that it was nought but the heat, that he +would be able to go and none the worse in a little, etc. "Besides," said +he, "'tis worth such small discomfort to find you so tender of me, Martin. +Yet indeed I am stronger than I seem and shall be ready to go on as soon as +you will--" + +"Nay, sir," said I, mighty determined, "here we bide till the sun +moderates; 'tis too hot for the dog even," and I nodded where Pluto lay +outstretched and panting, hard by. But now, even as I spoke, the dog lifted +his head to snuff the air and, getting up, bolted off among the adjacent +undergrowth. I was yet idly wondering at this when suddenly, from somewhere +afar in the woods below, came a sound there was no mistaking--the faint, +sharp crack of a firearm. In a moment I was on my feet and, with Sir +Richard beside me, came where we might look into the green depths below us. + +And sure enough, amid this leafy wilderness I saw a glitter that came and +went, the which I knew must be armour, and presently made out the forms +of men and horses with divers hooded litters and long files of tramping +figures. + +"Ah!" quoth Sir Richard. "Yon should be the gold-train for Panama or +Carthagena, or mayhap Indians being marched to slavery in the mines, poor +souls!" + +As he spake, came a puff of white smoke plain to see and thereafter divers +others, and presently the reports of this firing smote upon our ears in +rapid succession. + +"What now?" said I, straining my eyes. "Is there a battle toward--" + +"Nay, Martin, 'tis more like some poor wretch hath broke his bonds and fled +into the woods; if so, God send him safe out of their hands, for I have +endured slavery and--" here his voice broke, and casting himself on his +knees he clasped his arms about me, and I all amazed to see him so moved. + +"Oh, Martin!" he wept, in voice of agony, "oh, dear and gentle lad, 'twas +to such slavery, such shame and misery I sent thee once--thou--that I do so +love--my son--" + +"Sir," said I, stooping to lift him. "Sir, this is all forgot and out of +mind." + +"Yet, dear lad, you do bear the marks yet, scars o' the whip, marks o' the +shackles. I have seen them when you slept--and never a one but set there by +my hand--and now--now you must cherish me if I fail by the way--must bear +me in your arms--grieve for my weakness--Oh, dear lad, I would you were a +little harsher--less kind." + +Now seeing how it was with him, I sat me down and, folding him within my +arm, sought to comfort him in my blundering way, reminding him of all he +had endured and that my sufferings could nowise compare with his own and +that in many ways I was no whit the worse: "Indeed," said I, "in many +ways I am the better man, for solitude hath but taught me to think beyond +myself, though 'tis true I am something slow of speech and rude of manner, +and hardship hath but made me stronger of body than most men I have met." + +"Oh, God love you, lad!" cried he of a sudden, 'twixt laughing and weeping. +"You will be calling me your benefactor next!" + +"And wherefore not?" quoth I. "For indeed, being made wise by suffering, +you have taught me many things and most of all to love you in despite of +myself!" + +Now at this he looks at me all radiant-eyed, yet when he would have spoken, +could not, and so was silence awhile. Now turning to look down into the +valley I saw it all deserted and marking how the forest road ran due east, +I spoke that which was in my thought. + +"Sir, yonder, as I think, must be a highway; at least, where others go, so +may we, and 'twill be easier travelling than these rocky highlands; how +think you?" + +"Why, truly, if road there be, it must bring us again to the sea soon or +late; so come, let us go!" + +So saying, he got him to his legs, whereupon Pluto leapt and fawned upon +him for very joy; and thus finding him something recovered and very earnest +to be gone, we set out again (maugre the sun) looking for some place +whereby we might get us down into the valley, and after some while came +upon a fissure in the cliff face which, though easy going for an able man, +was a different matter I thought for my companion; but as I hesitated, the +matter was put beyond despite by Sir Richard forthwith cheerily beginning +the descent, whereupon I followed him and after me the dog. As we +descended, the way grew easier until We reached at last a small plateau +pleasantly shaded by palm trees; here (and despite his hardihood), Sir +Richard sank down, sweating with the painful effort and gasping for breath, +yet needs must he smile up at me triumphant, so that I admired anew the +indomitable spirit of him. + +"Oh, for a drink!" quoth he, as I set an armful of fern beneath his head. + +"Alas!" said I, "'tis far down to the river--" + +"Nay--above, lad, look above--yonder is drink for a whole ship's company!" +and he pointed feebly to the foliage of the tree 'neath which he lay: + +"What! Is this a cocos palm?" said I, rejoicing; and forthwith doffing my +sword belt, I clambered up this tree hand over fist and had soon plucked +and tossed down a sufficiency of great, green nuts about the bigness of my +two fists. Now sitting beside him, Sir Richard showed me how I must cut two +holes in the green rind and we drank blissfully of this kindly juice that +to our parched tongues was very nectar, for verily never in all my days +have I tasted drink so delectable and invigorating. As for Pluto, when +I offered him of this he merely sniffed and yawned contemptuous. Thus +refreshed we went on again, the way growing ever easier until we entered +the shade of those vast woods we had seen from above. + +But scarce were we here than rose such a chattering, whittling and croaking +from the leafy mysteries above and around us, such a screaming and wailing +as was most distressful to hear, for all about us was a great multitude of +birds; the forest seemed full of them, and very wonderful to see by reason +of their plumage, its radiant and divers hues, so that as they flitted to +and fro in their glowing splendour they seemed like so many flying jewels, +while clustering high in the trees or swinging nimbly among the branches +were troops of monkeys that screamed and chattered and grimaced down at us +for all the world as they had been very fiends of the pit. + +"Heard ye ever such unholy hubbub, Martin?" said Sir Richard, halting to +glance about us. "This portendeth a storm, I judge, for these creatures +possess gifts denied to us humans. See how they do begin to cower and seek +what shelter they may! We were wise to do the like, my son. I marked a cave +back yonder; let us go there, for these woods be an evil place at such +times." + +So back we went accordingly and saw the sunlight suddenly quenched and the +sky lower above us ever darker and more threatening, so that by the time we +had reached the little cave in question, it almost seemed night was upon +us. And now, crouching in this secure haven, I marvelled at the sudden, +unearthly stillness of all things; not a leaf stirred and never a sound to +hear, for beast and bird alike had fallen mute. + +Then all at once was a blinding glare followed by roaring thunder-clap that +echoed and re-echoed from rugged cliff to mountain summit near and far +until this was whelmed and lost in the rush of a booming, mighty wind and +this howling riot full of whirling leaves and twigs and riven branches. And +now came the rain, a hissing downpour that seemed it would drown the world, +while ever the lightning flared and crackled and thunder roared ever more +loud until I shrank, blinded and half-stunned. After some while, these +awful sounds hushing a little, in their stead was the lash and beat of +rain, the rush and trickle of water where it gushed and spouted down from +the cliff above in foaming cascades until I began to dread lest this deluge +overwhelm us and we be drowned miserably in our little cave. But, all +at once, sudden as it had come, the storm was passed, rain and wind and +thunder ceased, the sombre clouds rolled away and down beamed the sun to +show us a new and radiant world of vivid greens spangled as it were with a +myriad shimmering gems, a very glory to behold. + +"'Tis a passionate country this, Martin," as we stepped forth of our +refuge, "but its desperate rages be soon over." + +By late afternoon we came out upon a broad green track that split the +forest east and west, and where, despite the rain, we might yet discern +faint traces here and there of the hoofs and feet had trampled it earlier +in the day, so that it seemed we must march behind them. On we went, very +grateful for the trees that shaded us and the springy grass underfoot, Sir +Richard swinging his staff and striding out right cheerily. Suddenly Pluto, +uttering a single joyous bark, sprang off among the brush that grew very +thick, and looking thither, we espied a small stream and the day being far +spent we decided to pass the night hereabouts, so we turned aside forthwith +and having gone but a few yards, found ourselves quite hidden from the +highway, so thick grew the trees and so dense and tangled the thickets that +shut us in; and here ran this purling brook, making sweet, soft noises in +the shallows mighty soothing to be heard. And here I would have stayed but +Sir Richard shook wise head and was for pushing farther into the wild. +"For," said he, "there may be other travellers behind us to spy some gleam +of our fire and who shall these be but enemies?" So, following the rill +that, it seemed, took its rise from the cliffs to our left, we went on +until Sir Richard paused in the shade of a great tree that soared high +above its fellows and hard beside the stream. + +But scarce were we come hither than Pluto uttered a savage growl and +turned, snuffing the air, whereupon Sir Richard, grasping the battered +collar about his massy throat, bade him sternly to silence. + +"What saw I, Martin? Some one comes--let us go see, and softly!" + +So, following whither Pluto led, we presently heard voices speaking the +Spanish tongue, and one cursed, and one mocked and one sang. Hereupon I +drew sword, and moving with infinite caution, we came where, screened +'mid the leaves, we might behold the highway. And thus we beheld six men +approaching and one a horseman; nearer they came until we could see them +sweating beneath their armour and the weapons they bore, and driving before +them a poor, blood-stained wretch tied to the horseman's stirrup, yet who, +despite wounds and blows, strode with head proudly erect, heeding them no +whit. Yet suddenly he stumbled and fell, whereupon the horseman swore again +and the captive was kicked to his feet and so was dragged on again, reeling +for very weariness; and I saw this poor creature was an Indian. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, when this sorry cavalcade was gone by, "it +would, I think, be action commendable to endeavour rescue of this poor +soul." + +"It would, sir!" quoth I. "And a foolhardy." + +"Mayhap," said he, "yet am I minded to adventure it" + +"How, sir--with one sword and a knife?" + +"Nay, Martin, by God's aid, strategy and a dog. Come then, let us follow; +they cannot go far, and I heard them talk of camping hereabouts. Softly, +lad!" + +"But, sir," said I, amazed at this audacity, "will you outface five lusty +men well-armed?" + +"And wherefore not, Martin? Is the outfacing of five rogues any greater +matter than outfacing this God's wilderness? Nay, I am not mad," said he, +meeting my glance with a smile, "there were times when I adventured greater +odds than this and to worse end, God forgive me! Alas, I have wrought so +much of evil in the past I would fain offset it with a little good, so bear +with me, dear lad--" + +"Yet this man you risk your life for is but a stranger and an Indian at +that!" + +"And what then, Martin? Cannot an Indian suffer--cannot he die?" Here, +finding me silent, he continued. "Moreover, there be very cogent reasons do +urge a little risk, for look now, these rogues do go well shod--and see our +poor shoes! They bear equipment very necessary to us that have so far to go +and their horse should be useful to us. Nor dream I would lightly hazard +your life, Martin, for these men have been drinking, will drink more and +should therefore sleep sound, and I have a plan whereby Pluto and I--" + +"Sir Richard," said I, "where you go, I go!" + +"Why, very well, Martin, 'twere like you--but you shall be subject to my +guidance and do nought without my word." + +As he spoke, his eyes quick and alert, his face grimly purposeful, there +was about him that indefinable air of authority I had noticed more than +once. Thus, with no better weapons than his staff and knife, and my sword, +bow and poor arrows, we held on after these five Spanish soldiers, Sir +Richard nothing daunted by this disparity of power but rather the more +determined and mighty cheerful by his looks, but myself full of doubts +and misgiving. Perceiving which, he presently stopped to slap me on the +shoulder: + +"Martin," said he, "if things go as I think, we shall this night be very +well off for equipment and all without a blow, which is good, and save a +life, which is better!" + +"Aye, but, sir, how if things go contrary-wise?" + +"Why, then, sure a quick death is better than to perish miserably by the +way, for we have cruel going before us, thirsty deserts and barren wilds +where game is scarce; better steel or bullet than to die raving with thirst +or slow starvation--how say ye, lad?" + +"Lead on!" quoth I and tightened my belt. + +"Ha!" said he, halting suddenly as arose a sudden crack of twigs and +underbrush some distance on our front. "They have turned in to the +water--let us sit here and watch for their camp fire." And presently, sure +enough, we saw a red glow through the underbrush ahead that grew ever +brighter as the shadows deepened; and so came the night. + +How long we waited thus, our eyes turned ever towards this red fire-glow, I +know not, but at last I felt Sir Richard touch me and heard his voice in my +ear: + +"Let us advance until we have 'em in better view!" Forthwith we stole +forward, Sir Richard's grasp on Pluto's collar and hushing him to silence, +until we were nigh enough to catch the sound of their voices very loud and +distinct. Here we paused again and so passed another period of patient +waiting wherein we heard them begin to grow merry, to judge by their +laughter and singing, a lewd clamour very strange and out of place in these +wild solitudes, under cover of which uproar we crept upon them nearer and +nearer until we might see them sprawled about the fire, their muskets piled +against a tree, their miserable captive lashed fast to another and drooping +in his bonds like one sleeping or a-swoon. So lay we watching and waiting +while their carouse waxed to a riot and waned anon to sleepy talk and +drowsy murmurs and at last to a lusty snoring. And after some wait, Sir +Richard's hand ever upon Pluto's collar, we crept forward again until we +were drawn close upon that tree where stood the muskets. Then up rose Sir +Richard, letting slip the dog and we were upon them, all three of us, our +roars and shouts mingled with the fierce raving of the great hound. At the +which hellish clamour, these poor rogues waked in sudden panic to behold +the dog snapping and snarling about them and ourselves covering them with +their own weapons, and never a thought among them but to supplicate our +mercy; the which they did forthwith upon their knees and with upraised +hands. Hereupon Sir Richard, scowling mighty fierce, bid such of them as +loved life to be gone, whereat in the utmost haste and as one man, up +started they all five and took themselves off with such impetuous celerity +that we stood alone and masters of all their gear in less time than it +taketh me to write down. + +"Well, Martin," said Sir Richard, grim-smiling, "'twas none so desperate a +business after all! Come now, let us minister to this poor prisoner." + +We found him in sorry plight and having freed him of his bonds I fetched +water from the brook near by and together we did what we might to his +comfort, all of the which he suffered and never a word: which done, we +supped heartily all three on the spoil we had taken. Only once did the +Indian speak, and in broken Spanish, to know who we were. + +"Content you, we are no Spaniards!" answered Sir Richard, setting a cloak +about him as he lay. + +"Truly this do I see, my father!" he murmured, and so fell asleep, the +which so excellent example I bade Sir Richard follow and this after some +demur, he agreed to (though first he must needs help me collect sticks for +the fire), then commanding me wake him in two hours without fail, he rolled +himself in one of the cloaks and very presently fell soundly asleep like +the hardy old campaigner he was. + +And now, the fire blazing cheerily, Pluto outstretched beside me, one +bright eye opening ever and anon, and a pistol in my belt, I took careful +stock of our new-come-by possessions and found them to comprise the +following, viz: + + 3 muskets with powder and shot a-plenty. + 2 brace of pistols. + 3 swords, with belts, hangers, etc. + 3 steel backs and breasts. + 4 morions. + 1 beaver hat excellent wide in the brim, should do for Sir + Richard; he suffering much by the sun despite the hat of leaves + I had made him. + 1 axe heavy and something blunted. + 2 excellent knives, + 2 wine skins, both empty. + 3 flasks, the same. + Good store of meat with cakes of very excellent bread of cassava. + 1 horse with furniture for same, + 5 cloaks, something worn. + 3 pair of boots, very serviceable. + 1 tinder box. + 1 coat. + +One brass compass in the pocket of same and of more value to us, I thought, +than all the rest, the which pleased me mightily; so that for a long time I +sat moving it to and fro to watch the swing of the needle and so at last, +what with the crackle of the fire and the brooding stillness beyond and +around us, I presently fell a-nodding and in a little (faithless sentinel +that I was) to heavy slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +WE FALL IN WITH ONE ATLAMATZIN, AN INDIAN CHIEF + + +I waked to a scream, a fierce trampling, an awful snarling, this drowned in +the roar of a gun, and started up to see a glitter of darting steel that +Sir Richard sought to parry with his smoking weapon. Then I was up, and, +sword in hand, leapt towards his assailant, a tall, bearded man whose +corselet flashed red in the fire-glow and who turned to meet my onset, +shouting fiercely. And so we fell to it point and point; pushing +desperately at each other in the half-light and raving pandemonium about us +until more by good fortune than skill I ran him in the arm and shoulder, +whereupon, gasping out hoarse maledictions, he incontinent made off into +the dark. Then turned I to find myself alone; even the Indian had vanished, +though from the darkness near at hand was a sound of fierce strife and a +ringing shot. Catching up a musket I turned thitherward, but scarce had I +gone a step than into the light of the fire limped Sir Richard and Pluto +beside him, who licked and licked at his great muzzle as he came. + +"Oh, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard, leaning on his musket and bowing his +head, "oh, Martin--but for Pluto here--" And now, as he paused, I saw the +dog's fangs and tongue horribly discoloured. + +"'Tis all my fault!" said I bitterly. "I fell asleep at my post!" + +"Aye!" he groaned, "whereby are two men dead and one by my hand, God +forgive me!" + +"Nay, but these were enemies bent on our murder!" + +"Had they seen you wakeful and vigilant they had never dared attack us. +As it is, I have another life on my conscience and I am an old man and +soul-weary of strife and bloodshed, yet this it seems is my destiny!" + +So saying he sat him down by the fire exceeding dejected, and when I would +have comforted him I found no word. Suddenly I heard Pluto growl in his +throat, saw the hair on neck and shoulders bristle, and looking where he +looked, cocked my musket and raised it to my shoulder, then lowered it, as, +with no sound of footstep, the Indian stepped into the firelight. In one +hand he grasped the axe and as he came nearer I saw axe and hand and arm +dripped red. At Sir Richard's word and gesture Pluto cowered down and +suffered the Indian to approach, a tall, stately figure, who, coming close +beside the fire, held out to us his left hand open and upon the palm three +human ears, the which he let fall to stamp upon with his moccasined foot. + +"Dead, my brothers!" said he in his broken Spanish and holding up three +fingers. "So be all enemies of Atlamatzin and his good friends." Saying +which he stopped to cleanse himself and the axe in the stream and with +the same grave serenity he came back to the fire and stretching himself +thereby, composed himself to slumber. + +But as for Sir Richard and myself no thought had we of sleep but sat there +very silent for the most part, staring into the fire until it paled to the +day and the woods around us shrilled and echoed to the chatter and cries, +the piping and sweet carol of new-waked birds. + +Then, having broken our fast, we prepared to set out in the early freshness +of the morning, when to us came the Indian Atlamatzin and taking my hand, +touched it to his breast and forehead and having done as much by Sir +Richard, crossed his arms, and looking from one to other of us, spake in +his halting Spanish as much as to say, "My father and brother, whither +go ye?" At this Sir Richard, who it seemed knew something of the Indian +tongue, gave him to understand we went eastwards towards the Gulf. +Whereupon the Indian bowed gravely, answering: + +"Ye be lonely, even as I, and thitherward go I many moons to what little of +good, war and evil have left to me. Therefore will I company with ye an ye +would have me." To the which we presently agreeing, he forthwith took his +share of our burden, and with the axe at his side and our spare musket on +his shoulder, went on before, threading his way by brake and thicket +with such sureness of direction that we were soon out upon the open +thoroughfare. + +And now seeing how stoutly Sir Richard stepped out (despite the gear he +bore as gun, powder horn, water bottle, etc.) what with the sweet freshness +here among the trees and seeing us so well provided against circumstances, +I came nigh singing for pure lightness of heart. But scarce had we gone a +mile than my gaiety was damped and in this fashion. + +"Here is a land of death, Martin--see yonder!" said Sir Richard and pointed +to divers great birds that flapped up heavily from the way before us. +Coming nearer, I saw others of the breed that quarrelled and fought and +screamed and, upon our nearer approach, hopped along in a kind of torpor +ere they rose on lazy wings and flew away; and coming nearer yet I saw the +wherefore of their gathering and Sir Richard's words and grew sick within +me. It was an Indian woman who lay where she had fallen, a dead babe +clasped to dead bosom with one arm, the other shorn off at the elbow. + +"A Spanish sword-stroke, Martin!" said Sir Richard, pointing to this. "God +pity this poor outraged people!" And with this prayer we left these poor +remains, and hasting away, heard again the heavy beat of wings and the +carrion cry of these monstrous birds. And now I bethought me that the +Indian, striding before us, had never so much as turned and scarce deigned +a glance at this pitiful sight, as I noted to Sir Richard. + +"And yet, Martin, he brought in three Spanish ears last night! Moreover, he +is an Indian and one of the Maya tribe that at one time were a noble people +and notable good fighters, but now slaves, alas, all save a sorry few that +do live out of the white man's reach 'mid the ruin of noble cities high up +in the Cordilleras--_sic transit gloria mundi_, alas!" + +For three days we tramped this highway in the wake of the Spanish +treasure-convoy and came on the remains of many of these miserable slaves +who, overcome with fatigue, had fallen in their chains and being cut free, +had been left thus to perish miserably. + +On this, the fourth day, we turned off from this forest road (the which +began to trend southerly); we struck off, I say, following our Indian, into +a narrow track bearing east and by north which heartened me much since, +according to Adam's chart, this should bring us directly towards that spot +he had marked as our rendezvous. And as we advanced, the country changed, +the woods thinned away to a rolling hill-country, and this to rocky ways +that grew ever steeper and more difficult, and though we had no lack of +water, we suffered much by reason of the heat. And now on our right we +beheld great mountains towering high above us, peak on peak, soaring aloft +to the cloudless heaven where blazed a pitiless sun. Indeed, so unendurable +was this heat that we would lie panting in some shade until the day +languished and instead of glaring sun was radiant moon to light us on our +pilgrimage. And here we were often beset by dreadful tempests where mighty +winds shouted and thunder cracked and roared most awful to be heard among +these solitary mountains. So we skirted these great mountains, by frowning +precipice and dark defile, past foaming cataracts and waters that roared +unseen below us. + +And very thankful we were for such a guide as this Indian Atlamatzin who, +grave, solemn and seldom-speaking, was never at a loss and very wise as to +this wilderness and all things in it,--beast and bird, tree and herb and +flower. And stoutly did Sir Richard bear himself during this weary time, +plodding on hour after hour until for very shame I would call a halt, and +he, albeit ready to swoon for weariness, would find breath to berate me for +a laggard and protest himself able to go on, until, taking him in my arms, +I would lay him in some sheltered nook and find him sound asleep before +ever I could prepare our meal. + +Thus held we on until towering mountain and scowling cliff sank behind and +we came into a gentle country of placid streams, grassy tracts, with herb +and tree and flower a very joy to the eyes. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, as we sat at breakfast beside a crystal pool, +"Martin," said he, pulling at Pluto's nearest ear with sunburned fingers, +"I do begin to think that all these days I have been harbouring a shadow." + +"How so, sir?" + +"It hath seemed to me from the first that I should leave this poor body +here in Darien--" + +"God forbid!" quoth I fervently. + +"'Twould be but my body, Martin; my soul would go along with you, dear lad; +aye, 'twould be close by to comfort and aid and bring you safe to--her--my +sweet Joan--and mayhap--with you twain--to England." + +"Nay, dear sir, I had liefer you bear your body along with it. Thank God, +you do grow more hearty every day. And the ague scarce troubles you--" + +"Truly, God hath been very kind. I am thrice the man I was, though I limp +wofully, which grieves me since it shortens the day's journey, lad. We have +been already these many days and yet, as I compute, we have fully eighty +miles yet to go. Alas, dear lad, how my crawling must fret you." + +"Sir Richard," said I, clapping my hand on his, "no man could have endured +more courageously nor with stouter heart than you--no, not even Adam +Penfeather himself, so grieve not for your lameness. Adam will wait us, of +this I am assured." + +"What manner of man is this Adam of yours, Martin?" + +"He is himself, sir, and none other like him: a little, great man, a man of +cunning plots and contrivances, very bold and determined and crafty beyond +words. He is moreover a notable good seaman and commander, quick of hand +and eye. Dangers and difficulty are but a whetstone to set a keener edge to +his abilities. He was once a chief of buccaneers and is now a baronet +of England and justice of the peace, aye, and I think a member of His +Majesty's Parliament beside." + +"Lord, Martin, you do paint me a very Proteus; fain would I meet such a +man." + +"Why, so you shall, sir, and judge for yourself." + +Here Sir Richard sighed and turned to gaze where Atlamatzin was busied upon +a small fire he had lighted some distance away. Now, as to this Indian, if +I have not been particular in his description hitherto, it is because I +know not how to do so, seeing he was (to my mind) rather as one of another +world, a sombre figure proud and solitary and mostly beyond my ken, though +I came to know him something better towards the end and but for him should +have perished miserably. Thus then, I will try to show him to you in as few +words as I may. + +Neither young nor old, tall and slender yet of incredible strength; his +features pleasing and no darker than my own sunburned skin, his voice soft +and deep, his bearing proud and stately and of a most grave courtesy. +Marvellous quick was he and nimble save for his tongue, he being less given +to talk even than I, so that I have known us march by the hour together +and never a word betwixt us. Yet was he a notable good friend, true and +steadfast and loyal, as you shall hear. + +Just now (as I say) he was busy with a fire whereon he cast an armful of +wet leaves so that he had presently a thick column of smoke ascending into +the stilly air; and now he took him one of the cloaks and covered this +smoke, stifling and fanning it aside so that it was no more than a mist, +and anon looses it into a column again; and thus he checked or broke his +smoky pillar at irregular intervals, so that at last I needs must call to +ask him what he did. + +"Brother," answered he in his grave fashion, "I talk with my people. In a +little you shall see them answer me. Hereupon Sir Richard told me how in +some parts these Indians will converse long distances apart by means of +drums, by which they will send you messages quicker than any relay of post +horses may go. And presently, sure enough, from a woody upland afar rose +an answering smoke that came and went and was answered by our fire, as in +question and answer, until at last Atlamatzin, having extinguished his +fire, came and sat him down beside us. + +"Father and my brother," said he, folding his arms, "I read a tale of +blood, fire and battle at sea and along the coast. White men slaying white +men, which is good--so they slay enough!" + +"A battle at sea? Do you mean ships?" I questioned uneasily. + +"And on land, brother. Spanish soldiers have been espied wounded and yet +shouting with singing and laughing. Galleons have sailed from Porto Bello +and Carthagena." + +"God send Adam is not beset!" said I. + +"Amen!" quoth Sir Richard. "Nay, never despond, Martin, for if he be the +man you say he shall not easily be outwitted." + +"Ah, sir, I think on my dear lady." + +"And I also, Martin. But she is in the hands of God Who hath cherished her +thus far." + +"Moreover, oh, father and my brother, yonder my people do send you greeting +and will entertain you for so long as you will." + +"Wherefore we thank you, Atlamatzin, good friend, you and them, but if fire +and battle are abroad we must on so soon as we may." So saying, Sir Richard +got to his feet and we did the like and, taking up our gear, set off with +what speed we might. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +TELLETH SOMEWHAT OF A STRANGE CITY + + +By midday we were come in sight of this Indian city, a place strange beyond +thought, it being builded in vast terraces that rose one upon another up +the face of a great cliff, and embattled by divers many towers. And the +nearer I came the more grew my wonder by reason of the hugeness of this +structure, for these outer defences were builded of wrought stones, but of +such monstrous bulk and might as seemed rather the work of sweating Titans +than the labour of puny man; as indeed I told Sir Richard. + +"Aye, truly, Martin," said he, "this is the abiding wonder! Here standeth +the noble monument of a once great and mighty people." + +In a little Atlamatzin brought us to a stair or causeway that mounted up +from terrace to terrace, and behold, this stair was lined with warriors +grasping shield and lance, and brave in feathered cloaks and headdresses +and betwixt their ordered ranks one advancing,--an old man of a reverend +bearing, clad in a black robe and on whose bosom shone and glittered a +golden emblem that I took for the sun. Upon the lowest platform he halted +and lifted up his hands as in greeting, whereon up went painted shield and +glittering spear and from the stalwart warriors rose a lusty shout, a word +thrice repeated. + +And now, to my wonder, forth stepped Atlamatzin, a proud and stately figure +for all his rags, and lifting one hand aloft, spake to them in voice very +loud and clear, pointing to us from time to time. When he had gone they +shouted amain and, descending from the platform, the priest (as he proved +to be) knelt before Atlamatzin to touch his heart and brow. And now came +divers Indians bearing litters, the which, at Altlamatzin's word, Sir +Richard and I entered and so, Pluto trotting beside us, were borne up from +terrace to terrace unto the town. And I saw this had once been a goodly +city though its glory was departed, its noble buildings decayed or ruinated +and cheek by jowl with primitive dwellings of clay. And these greater +houses were of a noble simplicity, flat-roofed and builded of a red, porous +stone, in some cases coated with white cement, whiles here and there, +towering high among these, rose huge structures that I took for palaces or +temples, yet one and all timeworn and crumbling to decay. Before one of +such, standing in a goodly square, we alighted and here found a crowd +of people--men, women and children--who stood to behold us; a mild, +well-featured people, orderly and of a courteous bearing, yet who stared +and pointed, chattering, at sight of the dog. And if this were all of them, +a pitiful few I thought them in contrast to this great square whence opened +divers wide thoroughfares, and this mighty building that soared above +us, its great walls most wonderful to sight by reason of all manner of +decorations and carvings wrought into the semblance of writhing serpents +cunningly intertwined. + +Betwixt a kind of gatehouse to right and left we entered an enclosure where +stood the temple itself, reared upon terraces. Here Atlamatzin giving us to +know we must leave the dog, Sir Richard tied him up, whereon Pluto, seeing +us leave him, howled in remonstrance, but, obedient to Sir Richard's word, +cowered to silence, yet mighty dismal to behold. And now, Atlamatzin and +the High Priest leading the way, we to climb numberless steps, and though +Richard found this no small labour despite my aid, at last we stood before +the massy portal of the temple that seemed to scowl upon us. And from the +dim interior rose a sound of voices chanting, drowned all at once in the +roll of drums and blare of trumpets and Atlamatzin and the Priest entered, +signing on us to follow. + +"Have your weapons ready, Martin!" gasped Sir Richard. "For I have heard +evil tales of blood and sacrifice in such places as this!" + +And thus side by side we stepped into the cool dimness of this strange +building. Once my eyes were accustomed to the gloom, I stood amazed by the +vast extent of this mighty building and awed by the wonder of it. Midway +burned a dim fire whose small flame flickered palely; all round us, huge +and mountainous, rose the shapes of strange deities wonderfully wrought; +round about the altar fire were grouped many black-robed priests and hard +by this fire stood a thing that brought back memory of Adam Penfeather +his words--of how he had fought for his life on the death-stone; and now, +beholding this grim thing, I shifted round my sword and felt if my pistols +were to hand. And now rose Atlamatzin's voice, rumbling in the dimness high +overhead, and coming to us, he took us each by the hand and, leading us +forward, spake awhile to the motionless priests, who, when he had done, +came about us with hands uplifted in greeting. And now Atlamatzin spake us +on this wise: + +"Father and my brother, well do I know ye have clean hearts despite your +pale skins, so do I make ye welcome and free of this city that once was +overruled by my forefathers. And because ye are white men, loving all such +foolish things as all white men do love, follow me!" + +Saying which, he brought us before one of those great idols that glared +down on us. I saw him lift one hand, then started back from the square of +darkness that yawned suddenly as to engulf us. Taking a torch, Atlamatzin +led us down steps and along a broad passage beneath the temple and so +into a vasty chamber where lay that which gave back the light he bore; +everywhere about us was the sheen of gold. In ordered piles, in great +heaps, in scattered pieces it lay, wrought into a thousand fantastic +shapes, as idols, serpents, basins, pots and the like,--a treasure beyond +the telling. + +"Behold the white man's God, the cause of my people's woes, the ruin of our +cities, of blood and battle!" + +And here he gives us to understand this wealth was ours if we would; all or +such of it as we might bear away with us. Whereupon I shook my head and Sir +Richard told him that of more use to him than all this treasure would be +pen, inkhorn and paper, and a compass. Nothing speaking, Atlamatzin turned, +and by a very maze of winding passageways brought us up the steps and so to +a great and lofty chamber or hall where lay a vast medley of things: arms +and armour, horse furniture and Spanish gear of every sort, and in one +corner a small brass cannon, mounted on wheels. Amongst all of which Sir +Richard began searching and had his patience rewarded, for presently he +came on that he desired; viz: a travelling writing case with pens, paper, +and a sealed bottle of ink, though why he should want such was beyond me, +as I told him, whereat he did but smile, nothing speaking. + +So back we came and unloosed our dog (and he mighty rejoiced to see us) +whereafter, by Atlamatzin's command, we were lodged in a chamber very +sumptuous and with servants observant to our every want; for our meals were +dishes a-plenty, savoury and excellent well cooked and seasoned, and for +our drink was milk, or water cunningly flavoured with fruits, as good as +any wine, to my thinking. And cups and platters, nay, the very pots, were +all of pure gold. + +This night, having bathed me in a small bathhouse adjacent and very +luxurious, I get me to bed early (which was no more than a mat) but Sir +Richard, seated upon the floor hard by (for of chairs there were none), +Sir Richard, I say, must needs fall to with pen and ink, the great hound +drowsing beside him, so that, lulled by the soft scratching of his busy +quill, I presently slumbered also. + +Next morning I awoke late to find Sir Richard squatted where he had sat +last night, but this time, instead of writing case, across his knees lay a +musket, and he was busied in setting a flint to the lock. + +"Why, sir--what now?" I questioned. + +"A musket, lad, and fifty-and-five others in the corner yonder and all +serviceable, which is well." + +Now as I stared at him, his bowed figure and long white hair, there was +about him (despite his benevolent expression) a certain grim, fighting look +that set me wondering; moreover, upon the air I heard a stir that seemed +all about us, a faint yet ominous clamour. + +"Sir," quoth I, getting to my feet, "what's to do?" + +"Battle, Martin!" said he, testing the musket's action. + +"Ha!" cried I, catching up my sword. "Are we beset?" + +"By an army of Spaniards and hostile Indians, Martin. In the night came +Atlamatzin to say news had come of Indians from the West, ancient enemies +of this people, led on by Spanish soldiers, cavalry and arquebuseros, and +bidding us fly and save ourselves before the battle joined. But you were +asleep, Martin, and besides, it seemed ill in us, that had eaten their +bread, to fly and leave this poor folk to death--and worse--" + +"True enough, sir," said I, buckling my weapons about me, "but do you dream +that we, you and I, can hinder such?" + +"'Twere at least commendable in us to so endeavour, Martin. Nor is it thing +so impossible, having regard to these fifty-and-five muskets and the brass +cannon, seeing there is powder and shot abundant." + +"How then--must we stay and fight?" I demanded. And beholding the grim set +of his mouth and chin, at such odds with his white hair and gentle eyes, I +knew that it must be so indeed. + +"'Twas so I thought, Martin," said he a little humbly, and laying his hands +upon my shoulders, "but only for myself, dear lad, I fight better than I +walk, so will I stay and make this my cumbersome body of some little use, +perchance; but as for thee, dear and loved lad, I would have you haste +on--" + +"Enough, sir," quoth I, catching his hands in mine, "if you must stay to +fight, so do I." + +"Tush, Martin!" said he, mighty earnest. "Be reasonable! Atlamatzin hath +vowed, supposing we beat off our assailants, to provide me bearers and +a litter, so shall I travel at mine ease and overtake you very soon; +wherefore, I bid you go--for her sake!" + +But finding me no whit moved by this or any other reason he could invent, +he alternate frowned and sighed, and thereafter, slipping his arm in mine, +brought me forth to show me such dispositions as he had caused to be made +for the defence. Thus came we out upon the highest terrace, Pluto at our +heels, and found divers of the Indians labouring amain to fill and set up +baskets of loose earth after the manner of fascines, and showed me where he +had caused them to plant our cannon where it might sweep that stair I have +mentioned, and well screened from the enemy's observation and sheltered +from his fire. And hard beside the gun stood barrels of musket balls, and +round-shot piled very orderly, and beyond these, powder a-plenty in covered +kegs. + +And now he showed me pieces of armour, that is, a vizored headpiece or +armet, with cuirass, backplates, pauldrons and vambraces, all very richly +gilded, the which it seemed he had chosen for my defence. + +"So, then, sir, you knew I should stay?" + +"Indeed, Martin," he confessed, a little discountenanced, "I guessed you +might." But I (misliking to be so confined) would have none of this gilded +armour until, seeing his distress, I agreed thereto if he would do the +like; so we presently armed each other and I for one mighty hot and +uncomfortable. + +Posted upon this, the highest terrace, at every vantage point were Indians +armed with bows and arrows--men and women, aye and children--and all gazing +ever and anon towards that belt of forest to the West where it seemed +Atlamatzin, with ten chosen warriors, was gone to watch the approach of +the invading host. Presently, from these greeny depths came a distant shot +followed by others in rapid succession, and after some while, forth of the +woods broke six figures that we knew for Atlamatzin and five of the ten, at +sight of whom spear-points glittered and a lusty shout went up. + +"See now, Martin," quoth Sir Richard, speaking quick and incisive, a grim +and warlike figure in his armour, for all his stoop and limping gait, +"here's the way on't: let the Indians shoot their arrows as they may (poor +souls!) but we wait until the enemy be a-throng upon the stair yonder, then +we open on them with our cannon here,--'tis crammed to the muzzle with +musket balls; then whiles you reload, I will to my fifty-and-five muskets +yonder and let fly one after t'other, by which time you, having our brass +piece ready, will reload so many o' the muskets as you may and so, God +aiding, we will so batter these merciless Dons they shall be glad to give +over their bloody attempt and leave these poor folk in peace." + +As he ended, came Atlamatzin, telling us he had fallen suddenly on the +enemy's van and slain divers of them, showing us his axe bloody, and so +away to hearten his people. + +At last, forth of the forest marched the enemy, rank on rank, a seemingly +prodigious company. First rode horsemen a score, and behind these I counted +some sixty musketeers and pikemen as many, marching very orderly and +flashing back the sun from their armour, while behind these again came +plumed Indians beyond count, fierce, wild figures that leapt and shouted +high and shrill very dreadful to hear. On they came, leaping and dancing +from the forest, until it seemed they would never end, nearer and nearer +until we might see their faces and thus behold how these Spaniards talked +and laughed with each other as about a matter of little moment. Indeed, it +angered me to see with what careless assurance these steel-clad Spaniards +advanced against us in their insolent might, and bold in the thought that +they had nought to fear save Indian arrows and lances and they secure +in their armour. Halting below the first terrace, they forthwith began +assault, for whiles divers of the pikemen began to ascend the stairway, +followed by their Indian allies, the musketeers let fly up at us with their +pieces to cover their comrades' advance and all contemptuous of the arrows +discharged against them. But hard beside the cannon stood Sir Richard, +watching keen-eyed, and ever and anon blowing on the slow-match he had +made, waiting until the stairway was choked with the glittering helmets and +tossing feathers of the assailants. + +A deafening roar, a belch of flame and smoke that passing, showed a sight +I will not seek to describe; nor did I look twice, but fell to work with +sponge and rammer, loading this death-dealing piece as quickly as I might, +while louder than the awful wailing that came from that gory shambles rose +a wild hubbub from their comrades,--shouts and cries telling their sudden +panic and consternation. But as they stood thus in huddled amaze, Sir +Richard opened on them with his muskets, firing in rapid succession and +with aim so deadly that they forthwith turned and ran for it, nor did they +check or turn until they were out of range. Then back limped Sir Richard, +his cheek flushed, his eyes bright and fierce in the shade of his helmet, +his voice loud and vibrant with the joy of battle, and seeing how far the +gun was recoiled, summoned divers of the Indians to urge it back into +position; while this was doing, down upon this awful stair leapt Atlamatzin +and his fellows and had soon made an end of such wounded as lay there. + +"I pray God," cried Sir Richard, harsh-voiced, as he struck flint and steel +to relight his match, "I pray God this may suffice them!" + +And beholding the wild disorder of our assailants, I had great hopes this +was so indeed, but as I watched, they reformed their ranks and advanced +again, but with their Indians in the van, who suddenly found themselves +with death before them and behind, for the Spanish musketeers had turned +their pieces against them to force them on to the attacks. So, having no +choice, these poor wretches came on again, leaping and screaming their +battle cries until the stair was a-throng with them; on and up they rushed +until Death met them in roaring flame and smoke. But now all about us was +the hum of bullets, most of which whined harmlessly overhead, though some +few smote the wall behind us. But small chance had I to heed such, being +hard-set to prime and load as, time after time, these poor Indians, driven +on by their cruel masters, rushed, and time after time were swept away; and +thus we fought the gun until the sweat ran from me and I panted and cursed +my stifling armour, stripping it from me piece by piece as occasion +offered. And thus I took a scathe from bullet or splinter of stone, yet +heeded not until I sank down sick and spent and roused to find Pluto +licking my face and thereafter to see Sir Richard kneeling over me, his +goodly armour dinted and scarred by more than one chance bullet. + +"Drink!" he commanded, and set water to my lips, the which mightily +refreshed me. + +"Sir, what o' the fight?" I questioned. + +"Done, lad, so far as we are concerned," said he. "Atlamatzin fell upon 'em +with all his powers and routed them--hark!" + +Sure enough, I heard the battle roar away into the forest and beyond until, +little by little, it sank to a murmurous hum and died utterly away. But all +about us were other sounds, and getting unsteadily to my legs, I saw the +plain 'twixt town and forest thick-strewn with the fallen. + +"So then the town is saved, sir?" + +"God be praised, Martin!" + +"Why, then, let us on--to meet my dear lady!" But now came an Indian to +bathe my hurt, an ugly tear in my upper arm, whereto he set a certain +balsam and a dressing of leaves and so bound it up very deftly and to my +comfort. + +And now was I seized of a fierce desire to be gone; I burned in a fever to +tramp those weary miles that lay 'twixt me and my lady Joan; wherefore, +heedless alike of my own weakness, of Sir Richard's remonstrances and +weariness, or aught beside in my own fevered desire, I set out forthwith, +seeing, as in a dream, the forms of Indians, men, women and children, who +knelt and cried to us as in gratitude or farewell; fast I strode, all +unmindful of the old man who plodded so patiently, limping as fast as he +might to keep pace with me, heeding but dimly his appeals, his cries, +hasting on and on until, stumbling at last, I sank upon my knees and, +looking about, found myself alone and night coming down upon me apace. Then +was I seized of pity for him and myself and a great yearning for my lady, +and sinking upon my face I wept myself to sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +WE RESUME OUR JOURNEY + + +I waked in a place of trees, very still and quiet save for the crackle of +the fire that blazed near by. Close beside me lay my musket; pendant from +a branch within reach dangled my sword. Hereupon, finding myself thus +solitary, I began to call on Sir Richard and wondered to hear my voice so +weak; yet I persisted in my shouting and after some while heard a joyous +bark, and to me bounded Pluto to rub himself against me and butt at me with +his great head. While I was caressing this good friend, cometh Sir Richard +himself and in his hand a goodly fish much like to a trout. + +"Lord, Martin!" said he, sitting beside me, "'tis well art thyself again, +lad. Last evening you must set out, and night upon us, must stride away +like a madman and leave me alone; but for this good dog I should ha' lost +you quite. See now, lad, what I have caught for our breakfast. I was a +notable good angler in the old days and have not lost my cunning, it +seems." + +Now as he showed me his fish and set about gutting and preparing it, I +could not but mark his drawn and haggard look, despite his brave bearing, +and my heart smote me. + +"Sir, you are sick!" quoth I. + +"Nay, Martin, I am well enough and able to go on as soon as you will. But +for the present, rest awhile, lest the fever take you again, this cloak +'neath your head--so!" + +"What o'clock is it?" + +"Scarce noon and the sun very hot." + +"How came I here in the shade?" + +"I dragged you, Martin. Now sleep, lad, and I'll to my cooking." + +At this I protested I had no mind for sleep, yet presently slumbered amain, +only to dream vilely of fire and of Adam and his fellows in desperate +battle, and above the din of fight heard my lady calling on my name as one +in mortal extremity and waking in sweating panic, my throbbing head full of +this evil vision, was for setting out instantly to her succour. But at +Sir Richard's desire I stayed to gulp down such food as he had prepared, +telling him meanwhile of my vision and something comforted by his assurance +that dreams went by contrary. Howbeit, the meal done, we set out once more, +bearing due northeast by the compass Sir Richard had brought from the Maya +city. So we journeyed through this tangled wilderness, my' head full of +strange and evil fancies, cursing the wound that sapped my strength so that +I must stumble for very weakness, yet dreaming ever of my lady's danger, +struggling up and on until I sank to lie and curse or weep because of my +helplessness. + +Very evil times were these, wherein I moved in a vague world, sometimes +aware of Sir Richard's patient, plodding form, of the dog trotting before, +of misty mountains, of rushing streams that must be crossed, of glaring +heats and grateful shadow; sometimes I lay dazzled by a blazing sun, +sometimes it was the fire and Sir Richard's travel-worn figure beyond, +sometimes the calm serenity of stars, but ever and always in my mind was +a growing fear, a soul-blasting dread lest our journey be vain, lest the +peril that me thought threatened Joan be before us and we find her dead. +And this cruel thought was like a whip that lashed me to a frenzy, so that +despite wound and weakness I would drive my fainting body on, pursuing the +phantom of her I sought and oft calling miserably upon her name like the +madman I was; all of the which I learned after from Sir Richard. For, of +an early morning I waked to find myself alone, but a fire of sticks burned +brightly and against an adjacent rock stood our two muskets, orderly and to +hand. + +Now as I gazed about, I was aware of frequent sighings hard by and going +thitherward, beheld Sir Richard upon his knees, absorbed in a passion of +prayer, his furrowed cheeks wet with tears. But beyond this I was struck +with the change in him, his haggard face burned nigh black with fierce +suns, his garments rent and tattered, his poor body more bent and shrunken +than I had thought. Before him sat Pluto, wagging his tail responsive +to every passionate gesture of those reverently clasped hands, but +who, espying me, uttered his deep bark and came leaping to welcome me; +whereupon, seeing I was discovered, I went to Sir Richard and, his prayer +ended, lifted him in my arms. + +"Ah, Martin, dear lad," said he, embracing me likewise, "surely God hath +answered my prayer. You are yourself again." And now, he sitting beside the +fire whiles I prepared such food as we had, he told me how for five days +I had been as one distraught, wandering haphazard and running like any +madman, calling upon my lady's name, and that he should have lost me but +for the dog. + +"Alas, dear sir," quoth I, abashed by this recital, "I fear in my fool's +madness I have worn you out and nigh beyond endurance." + +"Nay, Martin," said he, "it doth but teach me what I knew, that lusty youth +and feeble age are ill travelling companions, for needs must you go, your +soul ever ahead of you, yet schooling your pace to mine, and for this I +do love you so that I would I were dead and you free to speed on your +strength--" + +"Never say so, dear father," quoth I, folding my arm about his drooping +form, "my strength shall be yours henceforth." + +And presently he grew eager to be gone, but seeing me unwilling, grew the +more insistent to travel so far as we might before the scorching heats +should overtake us. So we started, I carrying his musket beside my own and +despite his remonstrances. + +An evil country this, destitute of trees and all vegetation save small +bushes few and prickly cactus a-many, a desolation of grim and jagged rocks +and barren, sandy wastes full of sun-glare and intolerable heat. And now, +our water being gone, we began to be plagued with thirst and a great host +of flies so bold as to settle on our mouths, nostrils and eyes, so that we +must be for ever slapping and brushing them away. Night found us faint and +spent and ravenous for water and none to be found, and to add further to +our agonies, these accursed flies were all about us still, singing and +humming, and whose bite set up a tickling itch, so that what with these and +our thirst we got little or no rest. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard, hearing me groan, "we should be scarce four +days from the sea by my reckoning--" + +"Aye," said I, staring up at the glory of stars, "but how if we come on no +water? Our journey shall end the sooner, methinks." + +"True, Martin," said he, "but we are sure to find water soon or late--" + +"God send it be soon!" I groaned. Here he sets himself to comfort Pluto who +lay betwixt us, panting miserably, with lolling tongue or snapping fiercely +at these pestilent flies. + +And thus we lay agonising until the moon rose and then, by common consent, +we stumbled on, seeking our great desire. And now as I went, my mouth +parched, my tongue thickening to the roof of my mouth, I must needs think +of plashing brooks, of bubbling rills, of sweet and pellucid streams, so +that my torment was redoubled, yet we dared not stop, even when day came. + +Then forth of a pitiless heaven blazed a cruel sun to scorch us, thereby +adding to this agony of thirst that parched us where we crawled with +fainting steps, our sunken eyes seeking vainly for the kindly shade of some +tree in this arid desolation. And always was my mind obsessed by that +dream of gurgling brooks and bubbling rills; and now I would imagine I was +drinking long, cool draughts, and thrusting leathern tongue 'twixt cracking +lips, groaned in sharper agony. So crept we on, mile after mile, hoping the +next would show us some blessed glimpse of water, and always disappointed +until at last it seemed that here was our miserable end. + +"Martin," gasped Sir Richard, sinking in my failing clasp, his words scarce +articulate, "I can go no farther--leave me, sweet son--'tis better I die +here--go you on--" + +"No!" groaned I, and seeing Sir Richard nigh to swooning, I took him in my +arms. Reeling and staggering I bore him on, my gaze upon a few scattered +rocks ahead of us where we might at least find shade from this murderous +sun. Thus I struggled on until my strength failed and I sank to this +burning sand where it seemed we were doomed to perish after all, here in +this pitiless wild where even the dog had deserted us. And seeing Death so +near, I clasped Sir Richard ever closer and strove to tell him something of +my love for him, whereupon he raised one feeble hand to touch my drooping +head. + +Now as I babbled thus, I heard a lazy flap of wings and lifting weary eyes, +beheld divers of these great birds that, settling about, hopped languidly +towards us and so stood to watch us, raffling their feathers and croaking +hoarsely. So I watched them, and well-knowing what they portended, drew +forth a pistol and, cocking it, had it ready to hand. But as I did so they +broke into shrill clamour and, rising on heavy wings, soared away as came +Pluto to leap about us, uttering joyous barks and butting at us with his +head. And then I saw him all wet, nay, as I gazed on him, disbelieving my +eyes, he shook himself, sprinkling us with blessed water. Somehow I was +upon my feet and, taking Sir Richard's swooning body across my shoulder, +I stumbled on towards that place of rocks, Pluto running on before and +turning ever and anon to bark, as bidding me hasten. So at last, panting +and all foredone, came I among these rocks and saw them open to a narrow +cleft that gave upon a gorge a-bloom with flowers, a very paradise; and +here, close to hand, a little pool fed by a rill or spring that bubbled up +amid these mossy rocks. + +So took I this life-giving water in my two hands and dashed it in Sir +Richard's face, and he, opening his eyes, uttered a hoarse cry of rapture. +And so we drank, kneeling side by side. Yet our throats and tongues so +swollen we could scarce swallow at the first, and yet these scant drops a +very ecstasy. But when I would have drunk my fill, Sir Richard stayed +me lest I do myself an injury and I, minding how poor souls had killed +themselves thus, drank but moderately as he bade me, yet together we +plunged our heads and arms into this watery delight, praising God and +laughing for pure joy and thankfulness. Then, the rage of our thirst +something appeased, we lay down within this shadow side by side and +presently fell into a most blessed slumber. + +I waked suddenly to a piteous whining and, starting up, beheld Pluto +crawling towards me, his flank transfixed with an Indian arrow. Up I sprang +to wake Sir Richard and peer down into the shadowy gorge below, but saw +no more than flowering thickets and bush-girt rock. But as I gazed thus, +musket in hand, Sir Richard gave fire and while the report yet rang and +echoed, I saw an Indian spring up from amid these bushes and go rolling +down into the thickets below. + +"One, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard and, giving me his piece to reload, turned +to minister to Pluto's hurt. Where he lay whining and whimpering. Suddenly +an arrow struck the rock hard beside me and then came a whizzing shower, +whereupon we took such shelter as offered and whence we might retort upon +them with our shot. And after some while, as we lay thus, staring down into +the gorge, came the report of a musket and a bullet whipped betwixt us. + +"Lord, Martin!" quoth Sir Richard cheerily, his eyes kindling. "It was +vastly unwise to fall asleep by this well in so thirsty a country; 'tis a +known place and much frequented, doubtless. Wisdom doth urge a retreat so +soon as you have filled our water bottles; meantime I will do all I may to +dissuade our assailants from approaching too near." + +So saying, he levelled his piece and, dwelling on his aim, fired, whiles +I, screened from bullets and arrows alike, filled our flasks and doing +so, espied a small cave, excellent suited to our defence and where two +determined men might hold in check a whole army. + +Hereupon I summoned Sir Richard who, seeing this cave commanded the gorge +and might only be carried in front, approved it heartily, so thither we +repaired, taking Pluto with us and him very woful. And lying thus in our +little fort we laid out our armament, that is, our two muskets and four +pistols, and took stock of our ammunition, I somewhat dashed to find we had +but thirty charges betwixt us, the pistols included. Sir Richard, on the +other hand, seemed but the more resolute and cheery therefor. + +"For look now, Martin," said he, cocking his musket and levelling it +betwixt the boulders we had piled to our better defence, "here we have +fifteen lives, or say twenty, though you are better with sword than musket +I take it; should these not suffice, then we have two excellent swords +and lastly our legs, indifferent bad as regards mine own, but in a little +'twill be black dark, the moon doth not rise till near dawn. So here are we +snug for the moment and very able to our defence these many hours, God be +thanked!" And thus he of his own indomitable spirit cheered me. Suddenly he +pulled trigger and as the smoke cleared I saw his bullet had sped true, for +amid certain rocks below us a man rose up, clad in Spanish half-armour, and +sinking forward, lay there motionless, plain to our view. + +"Two!" quoth Sir Richard, and fell to reloading his piece, wadding the +charge with strips from his ragged garments. + +The fall of this Spaniard caused no little stir among our unseen +assailants, for the air rang with fierce outcries and the shrill battle +hootings of the Indians, and a shower of arrows rattled among the rocks +about us and thereafter a volley of shot, and no scathe to us. + +"War is a hateful thing!" quoth Sir Richard suddenly. "See yon Spaniard I +shot, God forgive me--hark how he groaneth, poor soul!" And he showed me +the Spaniard, who writhed ever and anon where he lay across the rock and +wailed feebly for water. "Methinks 'twere merciful to end his sufferings, +Martin!" + +"Mayhap, sir, though we have few enough charges to spare!" + +"Thus speaketh cold prudence and common sense, Martin, and yet--" + +But here the matter was put beyond dispute for, even as Sir Richard +levelled his musket, the wounded Spaniard slipped and rolled behind the +rock and lay quite hid save for a hand and arm that twitched feebly ever +and anon. + +"And he was crying for water!" sighed Sir Richard, "Thirst is an agony, as +we do know. Hark, he crieth yet! Twere act commendable to give drink to a +dying man, enemy though he be." + +"Most true, sir, but--nay, what would you?" I said, grasping his arm as he +made to rise. + +"Endeavour as much good as I may in the little of life left to me, Martin. +The poor soul lieth none so far and--" + +"Sir--sir!" quoth I, tightening my hold. "You would be shot ere you had +gone a yard--are ye mad indeed or--do you seek death?" Now at this he was +silent, and I felt him trembling. + +"This is as God willeth, Martin!" said he at last. "Howbeit I must go; +prithee loose me, dear lad!" + +"Nay!" cried I harshly. "If you will have our enemy drink, I shall bear it +myself--" + +"No, no!" cried he, grappling me in turn as I rose. "What I may do you +cannot--be reasonable, Martin--you bulk so much greater than I, they cannot +fail of such a mark--" + +Now as we argued the matter thus, each mighty determined, Pluto set up a +joyous barking and, rising on three legs, stood with ears cocked and tail +wagging, the which put me in no small perplexity until, all at once, +certain bushes that grew hard by swayed gently and forth of the leaves +stepped an Indian clad for battle, like a great chief or cacique (as 'tis +called) for on arm and breast and forehead gold glittered, and immediately +we knew him for Atlamatzin. + +"Greeting to ye, father and brother!" said he, saluting us in his grave and +stately fashion. "Atlamatzin and his people are full of gratitude to ye and +because ye are great and notable warriors, scornful of the white man's God, +Atlamatzin and his warriors have followed to do ye homage and bring ye safe +to your journey's end, and finding ye, lo! we find also our enemies, whose +eyes seeing nought but ye two, behold nought of the death that creepeth +about them; so now, when the shadow shall kiss the small rock yonder, do +you make your thunder and in that moment shall Atlamatzin smite them to +their destruction and, if the gods spare him, shall surely find ye again +that are his father and brother!" + +Something thus spake he below his breath in his halting Spanish, very grave +and placid, then saluting us, was gone swift and silent as he came. + +"An inch!" quoth Sir Richard, pointing to the creeping shadow and so we +watched this fateful shade until it was come upon the rock, whereupon I +let off my piece and Sir Richard a moment after, and like an echo to +these shots rose sudden dreadful clamour, shouts, the rapid discharge of +firearms; but wilder, fiercer, and louder than all the shrill and awful +Indian battle cry. And now, on bush-girt slopes to right and left was +bitter strife, a close-locked fray that burst suddenly asunder and swirled +down till pursued and pursuer were lost amid that tangle of blooming +thickets where it seemed the battle clamoured awhile, then roared away as +the enemy broke and fled before the sudden furious onset of Atlamatzin's +warriors. + +As for us, we lay within our refuge, nor stirred until this din of conflict +was but a vague murmur, for though we might see divers of the fallen where +they lay, these neither stirred nor made any outcry since it seemed their +business was done effectually. + +"And now, Martin," said Sir Richard, rising, "'tis time we got hence lest +any of our assailants come a-seeking us." + +So being out of the cave, I set myself to see that we had all our gear to +hand, to empty and refill my flask with this good water and the like until, +missing Sir Richard, I turned to behold him already hard upon that rock +where lay the wounded Spaniard, Pluto limping at his heels. Being come to +the rock, Sir Richard unslung his water bottle and stopped, was blotted out +in sudden smoke-cloud, and, even as the report reached me, I began to run, +raving like any madman; and thus, panting out prayers and curses, I came +where stood Sir Richard leaning against this rock, one hand clasped to his +side, and the fingers of this hand horribly red. And now I was aware of a +shrill screaming that, ending suddenly, gave place to dreadful snarling and +worrying sound, but heedless of aught but Sir Richard's wound, I ran to +bear him in my arms as he fell. + +"Oh, Martin," said he faintly, looking up at me with his old brave smile, +"'tis come at last--my journeying is done--" + +Scarce knowing what I did, I gathered him to my bosom and bore him back to +the cave; and now, when I would have staunched his hurt, he shook feeble +head. + +"Let be, dear lad," said he, "nought shall avail--not all your care and +love--for here is friend Death at last come to lift me up to a merciful +God!" + +None the less I did all that I might for his hurt save to probe for the +pistol ball that was gone too deep. And presently, as I knelt beside him in +a very agony of helplessness, cometh Pluto, fouled with blood other than +his own, and limping hither, cast himself down, his great paw across Sir +Richard's legs, licking at those weary feet that should tramp beside us no +farther. And thus night found us. + +"Martin," said Sir Richard suddenly, his voice strong, "bear me out where I +may behold the stars, for I--ever loved them and the wonder of them--even +in my--unregenerate days." So I bore him without, and indeed the heavens +were a glory. + +"Dear lad," said he, clasping my hand, "grieve not that I die, for Death +is my friend--hath marched beside me these many weary miles, yet spared me +long enough to know and love you ever better for the man you are.--Now as +to Joan, my daughter, I--grieve not to see her--but--God's will be done, +lad, Amen. And because I knew I must die here in Darien, I writ her a +letter--'tis here in my bosom--give it her, saying I--ever loved her +greatly more than I let her guess and that--by my sufferings I was a +something better man, being--humbler, gentler, and of--a contrite heart. +And now, Martin--thou that didst forgive and love thine enemy, saving him +at thine own peril and using him as thy dear friend--my time is come--I go +into the infinite--Death's hand is on me but--a kindly hand--lifting me--to +my God--my love shall go with ye--all the way--you and her--alway. Into Thy +hands, O Lord!" + +And thus died my enemy, like the brave and noble gentleman he was, his head +pillowed upon my bosom, his great soul steadfast and unfearing to the last. + +And I, a lost and desolate wretch, wept at my bitter loss and cried out +against the God who had snatched from me this the only man I had ever truly +loved and honoured. And bethinking me of his patient endurance, I thought +I might have been kinder and more loving in many ways and to my grief was +added bitter self-reproaches. + +At last, the day appearing, I arose and, taking up my dead, bore him down +to the gorge and presently came upon a quiet spot unsullied by the foulness +of battle; and here, amid the glory of these blooming thickets, I laid him +to his last rest, whiles Pluto watched me, whining ever and anon. And when +I had made an end, I fell on my knees and would have prayed, yet could not. + +So back went I at last, slow-footed, to the cave and thus came on Sir +Richard's letter, it sealed and superscribed thus: + + Unto my loved daughter, Joan Brandon, + +And beholding this beloved name, a great heart-sickness came on me with a +vision of a joy I scarce dared think on that had been mine but for my blind +selfishness and stubborn will; and with this was a knowledge of all the +wasted years and a loss unutterable. And thus my grief took me again, so +that this letter was wetted with tears of bitter remorse. + +At last I arose (the letter in my bosom) and girding my weapons about me +(choosing that musket had been Sir Richard's) stood ready to begone. But +now, missing the dog, I called to him, and though he howled in answer, +he came not, wherefore following his outcries, they brought me to Sir +Richard's grave and Pluto crouched thereby, whimpering. At my command he +limped towards me a little way, then crawled back again, and this he did as +often as I called, wherefore at last I turned away and, setting forth in my +loneliness, left these two together. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +I MEET A MADMAN + + +Having taken my bearings, I set off at speed nor did I stay for rest or +refreshment until I had traversed many miles and the sun's heat was grown +nigh intolerable. So I halted in such shade as the place offered and having +eaten and drunk, I presently fell asleep and awoke to find the day far +spent and to look around for Sir Richard as had become my wont. And finding +him not, in rushed memory to smite me anew with his death, so that I must +needs fall to thinking of his lonely grave so far behind me in these wilds; +wherefore in my sorrow I bitterly cursed this land of cruel heat, of +quenchless thirst and trackless, weary ways, and falling on my knees, I +prayed as I had never prayed, humbly and with no thought of self, save that +God would guide me henceforth and make me more worthy the great health and +strength wherewith He had blessed me, and, if it so pleased Him, bring me +safe at last to my dear lady's love. Thus after some while I arose and went +my solitary way, and it seemed that I was in some ways a different and a +better man, by reason of Sir Richard his death and my grief therefor. + +And as the darkness of night deepened about me and I striding on, guided by +the dim-seen needle of my compass, often I would fancy Sir Richard's loved +form beside me or the sound of his limping step in my ear, so that in the +solitude of this vasty wilderness I was not solitary, since verily his love +seemed all about me yet, even as he had promised. + +All this night I travelled apace nor stayed until I fell for very weariness +and lying there, ate such food as I had, not troubling to light a fire, and +fell asleep. Now as I lay, it seemed that Sir Richard stood above me, his +arm reached out as to fend from me some evil thing, yet when he spoke, +voice and words were those of Joanna: + +"Hola, Martino fool, and must I be for ever saving your life?" + +And now I saw it was Joanna indeed who stood there, clad in her male +attire, hand on hip, all glowing, insolent beauty; but as I stared she +changed, and I saw her as I had beheld her last, her gown and white bosom +all dabbled with her blood, but on her lips was smile ineffably tender and +in her eyes the radiance of a joy great beyond all telling. + +"Lover Martino," said she, bending above me, "I went for you to death, +unfearing, for only the dead do know the perfect love, since death is more +than life, so is my love around you for ever--wake, beloved!" + +Herewith she bent and touched me and, waking, I saw this that touched +me was no more than the leafy end of a branch 'neath which I chanced to +lie,--but pendant from this swaying branch I espied a monstrous shape that +writhed toward me in the dimness; beholding which awful, silent thing I +leapt up, crying out for very horror and staying but to snatch my gun, sped +from this evil place, nigh sick with dread and loathing. + +The moon was up, dappling these gloomy shades with her pure light and as I +sped, staring fearfully about me, I espied divers of these great serpents +twisted among the boughs overhead, and monstrous bat-like shapes that +flitted hither and thither so that I ran in sweating panic until the +leafage, above and around me, thinning out, showed me the full splendour +of this tropic moon and a single great tree that soared mightily aloft to +thrust out spreading branches high in air. Now as I approached this, I +checked suddenly and, cocking my musket, called out in fierce challenge, +for round the bole of this tree peeped the pallid oval of a face; thrice I +summoned, and getting no answer, levelled and fired point-blank, the +report of my piece waking a thousand echoes and therewith a chattering and +screeching from the strange beasts that stirred in the denser woods about +me; and there (maugre my shot), there, I say, was the face peering at +me evilly as before. But now something in its stark and utter stillness +clutched me with new dread as, slinging my musket and drawing pistol, I +crept towards this pallid, motionless thing and saw it for a face indeed, +with mouth foolishly agape, and presently beheld this for a man fast-bound +to the tree and miserably dead by torture. And coming near this awful, +writhen form, I apprehended something about it vaguely familiar, and +suddenly (being come close) saw this poor body was clad as an English +sailor; perceiving which, I shivered in sudden dread and made haste to +recharge my musket, spilling some of my precious powder in my hurry, and so +hasting from this awful thing with this new dread gnawing at my heart. + +Presently before me rose steepy crags very wild and desolate, but nowhere a +tree to daunt me. Here I halted and my first thought to light a fire, since +the gloomy thickets adjacent and the sombre forests beyond were full of +unchancy noises, stealthy rustlings, shrill cries and challengings very +dismal to hear. But in a while, my fire burning brightly, sword loose in +scabbard, musket across my knee and my back 'gainst the rock, I fell to +pondering my dream and the wonder of it, of Joanna and her many noble +qualities, of her strange, tempestuous nature; and lifting my gaze to the +wonder of stars, it seemed indeed that she, though dead, yet lived and +must do so for ever, even as these quenchless lights of heaven; and thus I +revolved the mystery of life and death until sleep stole upon me. + +I waked suddenly to snatch up my musket and peer at the dim figure sitting +motionless beyond the dying fire, then, as a long arm rose in salutation, +lowered my weapon, mighty relieved to recognise the Indian, Atlamatzin. + +"Greeting, my brother," quoth he; "all yesterday I followed on thy track, +but my brother is swift and Atlamatzin weary of battle." + +"And what of the battle?" + +"Death, my brother: as leaves of the forest lie the Maya warriors, but of +our enemies none return. So am I solitary, my work done, and solitary go I +to Pachacamac that lieth beside the Great Sea. But there is an empty place +betwixt us, brother--what of the old cacique so cunning in battle--what of +my father?" + +Here, as well as I might, I told him of Sir Richard's cruel murder; at this +he was silent a great while, staring sombrely into the fire. Suddenly he +started and pointed upward at a great, flitting shape that hovered above us +and sprang to his feet as one sore affrighted, whereupon I told him this +was but a bat (though of monstrous size) and could nothing harm us. + +"Nay, brother, here is Zotzilaha Chimalman that reigneth in the House of +Bats, for though Atlamatzin was born without fear, yet doth he respect the +gods, in especial Zotzilaha Chimalman!" + +Now hereupon, seeing the dawn was at hand, I rose, nor waited a second +bidding for, gods or no, this seemed to me a place abounding in terrors and +strange evils, and I mighty glad of this Indian's fellowship. So up I rose, +tightening my girdle, but scarce had I shouldered my musket than I stood +motionless, my heart a-leaping, staring towards a certain part of the +surrounding woods whence had sounded a sudden cry. And hearkening to this, +back rushed that sick dread I had known already, for this was a human cry, +very desolate and wistful, and the words English: + +"Jeremy, ahoy--oho, Jeremy!" + +Breaking the spell that numbed me, I made all haste to discover the +wherefore of these dolorous sounds and plunged into the noxious gloom of +the woods, Atlamatzin hard on my heels; and ever as we went, guided by +these hoarse shouts, the dawn lightened about us. + +Thus presently I espied a forlorn figure afar off, crouched beneath a tree, +a strange, wild figure that tossed a knife from hand to hand and laughed +and chattered 'twixt his shouting. + +"Ahoy, Jerry, I'm all adrift--where be you? I'm out o' my soundings, +lad--'tis me--'tis Dick--your old messmate as drank many a pint wi' you +alongside Deptford Pool--Ahoy, Jeremy!" + +Now espying us where we stood, he scrambled to his feet, peering at us, +through his tangled hair: then, dropping his knife, comes running, his arms +outstretched, then checks as suddenly and stares me over with a cunning +leer. + +"Avast, Dick!" said he, smiting himself on ragged breast. "This bean't poor +Jerry--poor Jerry ain't half his size--a little man be Jeremy, not so big +as Sir Adam--" + +"Who!" cried I and, dropping my gun, I caught him by his ragged sleeve, +whereupon he grinned foolishly, then as suddenly scowled and wrenched free. +"Speak, man!" said I in passionate pleading. "Is it Sir Adam Penfeather you +mean--Captain Penfeather?" + +"Maybe I do an' maybe I don't, so all's one!" said he. "Howsomever, 'tis +Jerry I'm arter--my mate Jeremy as went adrift from me--my mate Jerry as +could sing so true, but I was the lad to dance!" And here he must needs +fall a-dancing in his rags, singing hoarsely: + + "Heave-ho, lads, and here's my ditty! + Saw ye e'er in town or city + A lass to kiss so sweet an' pretty + As Bess o' Bednall Green. + + "Heave-ho, lads, she's one to please ye + Bess will kiss an' Bess will--" + +"Oho, Jerry--Jeremy--ahoy--haul your wind, lad; bear up, Jerry, an' let +Dick come 'longside ye, lad--!" and here the poor wretch, from singing and +dancing, falls to doleful wailing with gush of tears and bitter sobs. + +"Tell me," said I as gently as I might and laying a hand on his hairy +shoulder, "who are you--the name of your ship--who was your captain?" + +But all I got was a scowl, a sudden buffet of his fist, and away he sped, +raising again his hoarse and plaintive cry: + +"Ahoy, Jerry--Jeremy, ho!" + +And thus, my mind in a ferment, I must needs watch him go, torn at by +briars, tripped by unseen obstacles, running and leaping like the poor, mad +thing he was. + +Long I stood thus in painful perplexity, when I heard a sudden dreadful +screaming at no great distance: + +"Oh, Jerry--Oh, Jerry, lad--what ha' they done to thee--Oh, Christ Jesus!" + +Then came a ringing shot, and guessing what this was I turned away, +"Atlamatzin," said I, taking up my musket, "you spake truth--verily this +place is accursed--come, let us begone!" + +For long hours I strode on, scarce heeding my silent companion or aught +else, my mind pondering the mention this poor, mad wretch had made of "Sir +Adam," and ever my trouble grew, for if he and the dead man Jeremy were +indeed of Adam's company (the which I suspected) how should they come thus +lost in the wild, except Adam had met with some disaster, and were this +truly so indeed, then what of my dear and gentle lady? And now I must needs +picture to myself Adam slain, his men scattered and, for Joan, such horrors +that it was great wonder I did not run mad like this poor, lost mariner. +Tormented thus of my doubts and most horrid speculations, I went at furious +speed, yet ever my fears grew the more passionate until it grew beyond +enduring and I sighed and groaned, insomuch that my Indian comrade stood +off, eyeing me askance where I had cast myself miserably beside the way. + +"My brother is haunted by the evil spirits sent abroad for his destruction +by Chimalman, so shall he presently run mad and become sacred to Zotzilaha +Chimalman and suddenly die, except he obey me. For I, Atlamatzin, that am +without fear and wise in the magic of my people, shall drive hence these +devils an ye will." + +"Do aught you will," groaned I, "if you can but rid me of evil fancies and +imaginings." + +Forthwith he kindled a fire and I, watching dull and abstracted, being full +of my trouble, was aware of him cracking and bruising certain herbs or +leaves he had plucked, mingling these with brownish powder from the +deerskin pouch he bore at his girdle, which mixture he cast upon the fire, +whence came a smoke very sweet and pungent that he fanned towards me. + +"Behold my smoke, brother!" saith he, his voice suddenly loud and +commanding, "smell of it and watch how it doth thicken and close about +thee!" And verily as I looked, I saw nought but a column of whirling smoke +that grew ever more dense and in it, this loud compelling voice. + +"Hearken, my brother, to the voices of thy good angels; behold and see +truth afar--" The loud voice died away and in its place came another, and I +knew that Joanna spoke to me out of this whirling smoke cloud. + +"Oh, Martino, hast thou so little faith to think my blood spilt in vain? +Did I not give thee unto her that waiteth, living but for thee, yes? Look +and behold!" + +I saw a gleam of metal amid the green and four ship's culverins or +demi-cannon mounted on rough, wheeled carriages and hauled at by +wild-looking men, who toiled and sweated amain, for the way was difficult +and their ordnance heavy; and amongst these men one very quick and active, +very masterful of look and imperious of gesture, a small man in battered +harness, and knowing him for Adam, I would have hailed him, but even then +he was gone and nought to see but this writhing smoke cloud. + +I beheld a great, orbed moon, very bright and clear, and slumbering in this +calm radiance a goodly city with a harbour where rode many ships great and +small, and beside this harbour, defending these ships and the city itself, +a notable strong castle or fort, high-walled and embattled, with great +ordnance mounted both landward and towards the sea. And nigh upon this fort +I beheld the stealthy forms of men, toilworn and ragged, whose battered, +rusty armour glinted ever and anon as they crept in two companies advancing +to right and left. Behind these, masked in the brush on the edge of the +forest, four demi-cannon with gunners to serve them, foremost of whom was +a short, squat fellow who crept from gun to gun, and him I knew for Godby. +And presently from these four guns leapt smoke and flame to batter and +burst asunder the postern gate of the fort, and through this ruin I saw +Adam leap, sword in hand, his desperate company hard on his heels. + +I saw a great galleon spread her sails against the moon, and the red glare +of her broadside flame against the town as, squaring her yards, she bore +away for the open sea. + +I saw the deck of a ship, deserted save for one desolate figure that stood +gazing ever in the one direction; and as I watched, eager-eyed, this lonely +figure knelt suddenly and reached towards me yearning arms, and I saw this +was my beloved Joan. Now would I have leapt to those empty arms, but the +smoke blinded me again, and in this smoke I heard the voice of Joanna. + +"Oh, Martino, thou that love doth make coward, be comforted and of good +courage, for: thy happiness is hers--and mine, yes!" + +So I presently waked and, staring about me, started up amazed to see it was +dawn and the sun rising already, and beyond the fire the sombre form of +Atlamatzin. + +"Are the evil spirits fled from my brother?" he questioned. + +"Indeed," said I, "I have dreamed wonderfully and to my great comfort." + +"Great is the magic of Atlamatzin!" quoth he. "'Tis secret that shall die +with him and that soon, for now must he begone to achieve his destiny. As +for thee--yonder, a day's journey, lieth the Great Water. May Kukulcan have +thee in his care, he that is Father of Life--fare ye well." + +But at this, seeing him on his feet, I rose also, to grasp his hand, asking +whither he went. For answer he pointed to the trackless wild and then +raised his finger to the sun that was flooding the world with his +splendour. + +"Brother," said Atlamatzin, pointing to this glory, "I go back whence I +came, back to Kukulcan that some so call Quetzalcoati, back to the Father +of Life!" + +So saying, he lifted hand aloft in salutation and turning, strode away due +east, so that his form was swallowed up (as it were) in this radiant glory. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +HOW I FOUND MY BELOVED AT LAST + + +Left alone, I broke my fast with such food as I had, meanwhile meditating +upon the visions of last night, debating within myself if this were indeed +a marvel conjured up of Atlamatzin his black magic, or no more than a dream +of my own tortured mind, to the which I found no answer, ponder the matter +how I might. + +None the less I found myself much easier, the haunting fear clean lifted +from me; nay, in my heart sang Hope, blithe as any bird, for the which +comfort I did not fail humbly to thank God. + +I now consulted my compass and decided to bear up more northerly lest I +strike too far east and thus overshoot that bay Adam had marked on his +chart. So having collected my gear, I took my musket in the crook of my arm +and set out accordingly. + +Before me was a wild, rolling country that rose, level on level, very thick +of brush and thickets so tangled that I must oft win me a path by dint of +mine axe. Yet I struggled on as speedily as I might (maugre this arduous +labour and the sun's heat) for more than once amid the thousand heavy +scents of flower and herb and tree, I thought to catch the sweet, keen tang +of the sea. + +All this day I strode resolutely forward, scarce pausing to eat or drink, +nor will I say more of this day's journey except that the sun was setting +as I reached the top of a wooded eminence and, halting suddenly, fell upon +my knees and within me such a joy as I had seen the gates of paradise +opening to receive me; for there, all glorious with the blaze of sunset, +lay the ocean at last. And beholding thus my long and weary journey so +nearly ended, and bethinking me how many times God had preserved me and +brought me safe through so many dire perils of this most evil country, I +bowed my head and strove to tell Him my heart's gratitude. My prayer ended +(and most inadequate!) I began to run, my weariness all forgot, the breath +of the sea sweet in my nostrils, nor stayed until I might look down on the +foaming breakers far below and hear their distant roar. + +Long stood I, like one entranced, for from this height I could make out +the blue shapes of several islands and beyond these a faint blur upon the +horizon, the which added greatly to my comfort and delight, since this I +knew must be the opposite shore of Terra Firma or the Main, and this great +body of water the Gulf of Darien itself. And so came night. + +All next day I followed the coast, keeping the sea upon my left, looking +for some such landlocked harbourage with its cliff shaped like a lion's +head as Adam had described, yet though I was at great pains (and no small +risk to my neck) to peer down into every bay I came upon, nowhere did I +discover any such bay or cliff as bore out his description; thus night +found me eager to push on, yet something despondent and very weary. So I +lighted my fire and ate my supper, harassed by a growing dread lest I was +come too far to the east, after all. + +And presently up came the moon in glory; indeed, never do I remember seeing +it so vivid bright, its radiance flashing back from the waters far below +and showing tree and bush and precipitous cliff, very sharp and clear. Upon +my left, as I sat, the jagged coast line curved away out to sea, forming +thus the lofty headland I had traversed scarce an hour since, that rose +sheer from the moon-dappled waters, a huge, shapeless bluff. Now after some +while I arose, and seeing the moon so glorious, shouldered my gun, minded +to seek a little further before I slept. I had gone thus but a few yards, +my gaze now on the difficult path before me, now upon the sea, when, +chancing to look towards the bluff I have mentioned, I stopped to stare +amazed, for in this little distance, this formless headland, seen from +this angle, had suddenly taken a new shape and there before me, plain and +manifest, was the rough semblance of a lion's head; and I knew that betwixt +it and the high cliff whereon I stood must be Adam's excellent secure +haven. This sudden discovery filled me with such an ecstacy that I fell +a-trembling, howbeit I began to quest here and there for some place where I +might get me down whence I might behold this bay and see if Adam's ship +lay therein. And in a little, finding such a place, I began to descend and +found it so easy and secure it seemed like some natural stair, and I did +not doubt that Adam and his fellows had belike used it as such ere now. + +At last I came where I could look down into a narrow bay shut in by these +high, bush-girt cliffs and floored with gleaming, silver sand, whose +waters, calm and untroubled, mirrored the serene moon, and close under the +dense shadows of these cliffs I made out the loom of a great ship. Hereupon +I looked no more, but gave all my attention to hands and feet, and so, +slipping and stumbling in my eagerness, got me down at last and began +running across these silvery sands. But as I approached the ship where she +lay now plain in my view, I saw her topmasts were gone, and beholding +the ruin of her gear and rigging, I grew cold with sudden dread and came +running. + +She lay upon an even keel, her forefoot deep-buried in the shifting sand +that had silted about her with the tide, and beholding her paint and +gilding blackened and scorched by fire, her timbers rent and scarred by +shot, I knew this fire-blackened, shattered wreck would never sail again. +And now as I viewed this dismal ruin, I prayed this might be some strange +ship rather than that I had come so far a-seeking and, so praying, waded +out beneath her lofty stern (the tide being low) and, gazing up, read as +much of her name as the searing fire had left: viz: + +D E L.... A N C E + +And hereupon, knowing her indeed for Adam's ship, I took to wandering round +about her, gazing idly up at this pitiful ruin, until there rushed upon me +the realisation of what all this meant. Adam was dead or prisoner, and my +dear lady lost to me after all; my coming was too late. + +And now a great sickness took me, my strength deserted me and, groaning, I +sank upon the sand and lying thus, yearned amain for death. Then I heard a +sound, and lifting heavy head, beheld one who stood upon the bulwark above +me, holding on by a backstay with one hand and pistol levelled down at me +in the other. And beholding this slender, youthful figure thus outlined +against the moon, the velvet coat brave with silver lace, the ruffles at +throat and wrist, the silken stockings and buckled shoes, I knew myself +surely mad, for this I saw was Joanna--alive and breathing. + +"Shoot!" I cried, "Death has reft from me all I loved--shoot!" + +"Martin!" cried she, and down came the pistol well-nigh upon me where I +lay. "Oh, dear, kind God, 'tis Martin!" + +"Joan?" said I, wondering, "Damaris--beloved!" + +I was on my feet and, heaving myself up by means of the tangle of gear that +hung from the ship's lofty side I sprang upon the deck and fell on my knees +to clasp this lovely, trembling youth in my hungry arms, my head bowed +against this tender woman's body, lest she see how I wept out of pure joy +and thankfulness. But now she raised my head, and thus I saw her weeping +also, felt her tears upon my face; and now she was laughing albeit she wept +still, her two hands clasping me to her. + +"Such a great--fierce--wild man!" she sobbed; and then: "My man!" and +stooping, she kissed me on the lips. But as for me, I could but gaze up at +her in rapture and never a word to say. Then she was on her knees before me +and thus we knelt in each other's fast clasping arms. "Oh, Martin!" said +she. "Oh, loved Martin--God hath answered my ceaseless prayers!" + +And now when she would have voiced to Him her gratitude, I must needs crush +her upon my heart to look down into this flushed and tear-wet face that +held for me the beauty of all the world and to kiss away her prayers and +breath together, yet even so did she return my kisses. + +At last we arose but had gone scarce a step when we were in each other's +arms again, to stand thus fast clasped together, for I almost dreaded she +might vanish again and feared to let her go. + +"We have been parted so cruelly--so often!" said I. + +"But never again, my Martin!" + +"No, by God!" quoth I fervently. "Not even death--" + +"Not even death!" said she. + +And thus we remained a great while, wandering to and fro upon the +weather-beaten deck, very silent for the most part, being content with each +other's nearness and, for myself, merely to behold her loveliness was joy +unutterable. + +She brought me into Adam's great cabin under the poop, lighted by a great +swinging silver lamp, its stern windows carefully shaded, lest any see this +betraying beam; and standing amid all the luxury of tapestried hangings and +soft carpets, I felt myself mighty strange and out of place; and presently, +catching sight of myself in one of the mirrors, I stood all abashed to +behold the unlovely object I was in my rough and weather-stained garments, +my face burned nigh black by the sun and all set about in a tangle of wild +hair and ragged beard. + +"Is it so great wonder I should not know you at first, dear Martin, and you +so wild and fierce-seeming?" + +"Indeed I am an ill spectacle," quoth I; at this, beholding me thus rueful, +she fell to kissing me, whereat I did but miscall myself the more, telling +her 'twas great marvel she should love one so ill-matched with her; for, +said I, "here are you beautiful beyond all women, and here stand I, of +manners most uncouth, harsh-featured, slow of tongue, dull-witted, and one +you have seldom seen but in sorry rags!" + +"Oh, my dearest heart," said she, nestling but closer in my embrace, "here +is long catalogue and 'tis for each and every I do love you infinitely more +than you do guess, and for this beside--because you are Martin Conisby that +I have loved, do love, and shall love always and ever!" + +"And there's the marvel!" quoth I, kissing her bowed head. + +"And you do think me--very beautiful, Martin?" + +"Aye, I do." + +"Even clad--in these--these things?" she questioned, not looking at me. + +"Aye, truly!" + +"I had not meant you to see me thus, Martin, but it was my custom to watch +for your coming, and 'twas hard to climb the cliff in petticoats, and +besides, since I have been alone, there was so much to do--and it didn't +matter." + +"Aye, but how came you alone, what of Adam and the rest?" + +"Nay, 'tis long story." + +"But why are you thus solitary, you that do so fear solitude, as I +remember." + +"When Adam marched away, I stayed to wait for you, Martin." + +"For me?" + +"Yes, Martin!" + +"Were you not afraid?" + +"Often," said she, clasping me tighter, "but you are come at last, so are +my fears all past and done. And, more than the loneliness I feared lest you +should come and find this poor ship all deserted, and lose hope and faith +in God's mercy." + +"Oh, my brave, sweet soul!" said I, falling on my knees to kiss her hands. +"Oh, God love you for this--had I found you not, I should have dreamed you +dead and died myself, cursing God." + +"Ah hush," said she, closing my lips with her sweet fingers. "Rather will +we bless Him all our days for giving us such a love!" + +And now having no will or thought to sleep, she sets about preparing +supper, while I with scissors, razors, etc. (that she had brought at my +earnest entreaty), began to rid my face of its shaggy hair, and busied with +my razor, must needs turn ever and anon for blessed sight of her where she +flitted lightly to and fro, she bidding me take heed lest I cut myself. Cut +myself I did forthwith, and she, beholding the blood, must come running +to staunch it and it no more than a merest nick. And now, seeing her thus +tender of me who had endured so many hurts and none to grieve or soothe, I +came very near weeping for pure joy. + +And now as she bustled to and fro, she fell silent and oft I caught her +viewing me wistfully, and once or twice she made as to speak yet did not, +and I, guessing what she would say, would have told her, yet could think of +no gentle way of breaking the matter, ponder how I might, and in the end +blurted out the bald truth, very sudden and fool-like, as you shall hear. +For, at last, supper being over (and we having eaten very little and no +eyes for our food or aught in the world save each other) my lady questioned +me at last. + +"Dear Martin, what of my father?" + +"Why, first," said I, avoiding her eyes, "he is dead!" + +"Yes!" said she faintly, "this I guessed." + +"He died nobly like the brave gentleman he was. I buried him in the +wilderness, where flowers bloomed, three days march back." + +"In the wilderness?" says she a little breathlessly. "But he was in +prison!" + +"Aye, 'twas there I found him. But we escaped by the unselfish bravery and +kindness of Don Federigo. So together we set out to find you." + +"Together, Martin?" + +"Yes, and he very cheery, despite his sufferings." + +"Sufferings, Martin?" + +"He--he halted somewhat in his walk--" + +"Nay, he was strong, as I remember--ah, you mean they--had tortured him--" + +"Aye," said I, dreading to see her grief. "Yet despite their devilish +cruelties, he rose triumphant above agony of body, thereby winning to a +great and noble manhood, wherefore I loved and honoured him beyond all +men--" + +"He was--your enemy--" + +"He was my friend, that comforted me when I was greatly afraid; he was +my companion amid the perils of our cruel journey, calm and undismayed, +uncomplaining, brave, and unselfish to his last breath, so needs must I +cherish his memory." + +"Martin!" Lifting my head I saw she was looking at me, her vivid lips +quivering, her eyes all radiant despite their tears, and then, or ever I +might prevent, she was kneeling to me, had caught my hand and kissed it +passionately. + +"Oh, man that I love--you that learned to--love your enemy!" + +"Nay, my Damaris, 'twas he that taught me how to love him, 'twas himself +slew my hatred!" + +And now, drawing her to my heart, I told her much of Sir Richard's +indomitable spirit and bravery, how in my blind haste I would march him +until he sank swooning by the way, of our fightings and sufferings and he +ever serene and undismayed. I told of how we had talked of her beside our +camp fires and how, dying, he had bid me tell her he had ever loved her +better than he had let her guess, and bethinking me of his letter at last, +I gave it to her. But instead of reading it, she put this letter in her +pocket. + +"Come," said she, "'tis near the dawn, and you weary with your journey, +'tis time you were abed." And when I vowed I was not sleepy, she took my +hand (as I had been a child) and bringing me into that had been Adam's +cabin, showed me his bed all prepared. "It hath waited for these many +weeks, dear Martin!" said she, smoothing the pillows with gentle hand. + +"But we have so much to tell each other--" + +"To-morrow!" + +Hereupon she slipped past me to the door and stood there to shake +admonishing finger: + +"Sleep!" said she, nodding her lovely head mighty determined, "and scowl +not, naughty child, I shall be near you--to--to mother you--nay, come and +see for yourself." So saying, she took my hand again and brought me into +the next cabin, a fragrant nest, dainty-sweet as herself, save that in the +panelling above her bed she had driven two nails where hung a brace of +pistols. Seeing my gaze on these, she shivered suddenly and nestled into my +arm. + +"Oh, Martin," said she, her face hid against me, "one night I seemed to +hear a foot that crept on the deck above, and I thought I should have died +with fear. So I kept these ever after, one for--them, and the other for +myself." + +"And all this you endured for my sake!" quoth I. + +"And God hath sent you safe to me, dear Martin, to take care of me, so am I +safe with nought to fright or harm me henceforth." + +"Nothing under heaven," quoth I. Very gingerly she took down the pistols +and gave them to me and, bringing me to the door, kissed me. + +"Good night, dear heart!" said she softly. "God send you sweet dreams!" + +Thus came I back to my cabin and laying by the pistols, got me to bed, and +mighty luxurious, what with these sheets and pillows, and yet, or ever I +had fully appreciated the unwonted comfort, I was asleep. + +I waked to the sudden clasp of her soft arms and a tear-wet cheek against +mine, and opening my eyes, saw her kneeling by my bed in the grey dawn. + +"Oh, loved Martin," said she, "I love you more than I guessed because you +are greater than I dreamed--my father's letter hath told me so much of +you--your goodness to your enemy--how you wiped away his tears, ministered +to his hurts, carried him in your arms. I have read it but now and--'tis +tale so noble--so wonderful, that needs must I come to tell you I do love +you so much--so much. And now--" + +"You are mine!" said I, gathering her in my arms. "Mine for alway." + +"Yes, dear Martin! But because I am yours so utterly, you will be gentle +with me--patient a little and forbearing to a--very foolish maid--" + +For answer I loosed her, whereupon she caught my hand to press it to her +tender cheek, her quivering lips. + +"Oh, Martin!" she whispered. "For this needs must I worship thee!" And so +was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +OF DREAMS + + +I waked marvellous refreshed and full of a great joy to hear her sweet +singing and the light tread of her foot going to and fro in the great +cabin, where she was setting out a meal, as I guessed by the tinkle of +platters, etc., the which homely sound reminded me that I was vastly +hungry. Up I sprang to a glory of sun flooding in at shattered window and +the jagged rent where a round-shot had pierced the stout timbering above; +and having washed and bathed me as well as I might, found my lady had +replaced my ragged, weather-stained garments by others chosen from the +ship's stores. And so at last forth I stepped into the great cabin, eager +for sight of my dear lady, albeit somewhat conscious of my new clothes and +hampered by their tightness. + +"Indeed," said she, holding me off, the better to examine me, "I do find +you something better-looking than you were!" + +"Nay, but I am burned browner than any Indian." + +"This but maketh your eyes the bluer, Martin. And then you are changed +besides--so much more gentle--kindlier--the man I dreamed you might +become--" Here I kissed her. + +"And you," said I, "my Damaris that I have ever loved and shall do, you are +more beautiful than my dream of you--" + +"Am I, Martin--in spite of these things?" "Indeed," said I heartily, "they +do but reveal to me so much of--" + +Here she kissed me and brought me to the table. Now, seeing her as she sat +thus beside me, I started and stared, well-nigh open-mouthed. + +"What now?" she questioned. + +"Your hair!" + +"'Twill grow again, Martin. But why must you stare?" + +"Because when you look and turn so, and your hair short on your shoulders, +you are marvellously like to Joanna." Now at this, seeing how my lady +shrank and turned from me, I could have cursed my foolish tongue. + +"What of her, Martin?" + +"She is dead!" And here I described how bravely Joanna had met Death +standing, and her arms outstretched to the infinite. When I had done, my +lady was silent, as expecting more, and her head still averted. + +"And is this--all?" she questioned at last. + +"Yes!" said I. "Yes!" + +"Yet you do not tell me of the cruel wrong she did you--and me! You do not +say she lied of you." + +"She is dead!" said I. "And very nobly, as I do think!" + +Hereupon my lady rose and going into her cabin, was back all in a moment +and unfolding a paper, set it before me. "This," said she, "I found after +you were fled the ship!" Opening this paper, I saw there, very boldly writ: + +"I lied about him and 'twas a notable lie, notably spoke. Martino is not +like ordinary men and so it is I do most truly love him--yes--for always. +So do I take him for mine now, so shall lie become truth, mayhap. + +"JOANNA." + +And even as I refolded this letter, my lady's arms were about me, her +lovely head upon my shoulder: + +"Dear," said she, "'twas like you to speak no harsh thing of the dead. And +she gave you back to me with her life--so needs must I love her memory for +this." + +And so we presently got to our breakfast,--sweet, white bread new-baked, +with divers fish she had caught that morning whiles I slept. And surely +never was meal more joyous, the sun twinkling on Adam's silver and cut +glass, and my lady sweeter and more radiant than the morn in all the vigour +of her glowing beauty. + +Much we talked and much she said that I would fain set down, since there is +nothing about her that is not a joy to me to dwell upon, yet lest I weary +my readers with overmuch of lovers' talk, I will only set down all she now +told me concerning Adam. + +"For here were we, Martin," said my lady, "our poor ship much wounded with +her many battles and beset by a storm so that we all gave ourselves up for +lost; even Adam confessed he could do no more, and I very woful because +I must die away from you, yet the storm drove us by good hap into these +waters, and next day, the wind moderating, we began to hope we might make +this anchorage, though the ship was dreadfully a-leak, and all night and +all day I would hear the dreadful clank of the pumps always at work. And +thus at last, to our great rejoicing, we saw this land ahead of us that was +to be our salvation. But as we drew nearer our rejoicing changed to dismay +to behold three ships betwixt us and this refuge. So Sir Adam decided to +fight his way through and sailed down upon these three ships accordingly. +And presently we were among them and the battle began, and very dreadful, +what with the smoke and shouting and noise of guns--" + +"Ah!" cried I. "And did not Adam see you safely below?" + +"To be sure, Martin, but I stole up again and found him something hurt by +a splinter yet very happy because Godby had shot away one of the enemy's +masts and nobody hurt but himself, and so we won past these ships for all +their shooting, and I bound up Adam's hurt where he stood conning the ship, +shouting orders and bidding me below, all in a breath. But now cometh Amos +Marsh, the carpenter, running, to say the enemy's shot had widened our +leaks and the water gaining upon the pumps beyond recovery and that we were +sinking. 'How long will she last?' said Adam, staring at the two ships +that were close behind, and still shooting at us now and then. 'An hour, +Captain, maybe less!' said the carpenter. ''Twill serve,' said Adam, in his +quiet voice. 'Do you and your lads stand to the pumps, and we will be +safe ashore within the hour. But mark me, if any man turn laggard or +faint-hearted, shoot that man, but pump your best, Amos--away wi' you!'" + +"Aye," quoth I, clasping tighter the hand I held, "that was like Adam; +'tis as I had heard him speak. And you in such dire peril of death, my +beloved--" + +"Why, Martin, I did not fear or grieve very much, for methought you were +lost to me forever in this life perchance, but in the next--" + +"This and the next I do pray God," quoth I, and kissed her till she bade me +leave her breath for her story. The which she presently did something as +followeth: + +"And now, whiles Godby and his chosen gunners plied our stern cannons, +firing very fast and furious, Adam calls for volunteers to set more sail +and himself was first aloft for all his wounded arm--" + +"And where were you?" + +"Giving water to Godby and his men, for they were parched. And presently +back cometh Adam, panting with his exertions. 'God send no spars carry +away,' quoth he, 'and we must lay alongside the nearest Spaniard and +board.' ''Tis desperate venture,' said Godby, 'they be great ships and full +o' Dons.' 'Aye,' said Adam, 'but we are Englishmen and desperate,' And so +we stood on, Martin, and these great ships after us, and ever our own poor +ship lying lower and lower in the water, until I looked to see it sink +under us and go down altogether. But at last we reached this bay and none +too soon, for to us cometh Amos Marsh, all wet and woebegone with labour, +to say the ship was going. But nothing heeding, Adam took the helm, +shouting to him to let fly braces, and with our sails all shivering we ran +aground, just as she lies now, poor thing. While I lay half-stunned with +the fall, for the shock of grounding had thrown me down, Adam commanded +every one on shore with muskets and pistols, so I presently found myself +running across the sands 'twixt Adam and Godby, nor stayed we till we +reached the cliff yonder, where are many caves very wonderful, as I will +show you, Martin. And then I saw the reason of this haste, for the greatest +Spanish ship was turning to bring her whole broadside to bear, and so began +to shoot off all their cannon, battering our poor ship as you see. Then +came Spaniards in boats with fire to burn it, but our men shot so many of +these that although they set the ship on fire, yet they did it so hastily +because of our shooting that once they were gone, the fire was quickly put +out. But the ship was beyond repair which greatly disheartened us all, save +only Adam, who having walked around the wreck and examined her, chin in +hand, summoned all men to a council on the beach. 'Look now, my comrades,' +said he (as well as I remember, Martin), 'we have fought a sinking ship so +long as we might, and here we lie driven ashore in a hostile country but +we have only one killed and five injured, which is good; but we are +Englishmen, which is better and bad to beat. Well, then, shall we stay here +sucking our thumbs? Shall we set about building another vessel and the +enemy come upon us before 'tis done? Shall we despair? Not us! We stand +a hundred and thirty and two men, and every man a proved and seasoned +fighter; so will we, being smitten thus, forthwith smite back, and smite +where the enemy will least expect. We'll march overland on Carthagena--I +know it well--fall on 'em in the dead hush o' night, surprise their fort, +spike their guns and down to the harbour for a ship. Here's our vessel +a wreck--we'll have one of theirs in place. So, comrades all, who's for +Carthagena along with me; who's for a Spanish ship and Old England?'" + +"Why, then," cried I, amazed, "my dream was true. They have marched across +country on Carthagena--" + +"Yes, Martin, but what dream--?" + +"With four guns, mounted on wheels?" + +"Yes, Martin; they built four gun-carriages to Adam's design. But what of +your dream?" + +So I told her of Atlamatzin and the visions I had beheld; "and I saw you +also, my loved Joan; aye, as I do remember, you knelt on the deck above, +praying and with your arms reached out--" + +"Why, so I did often--one night in especial, I remember, weeping and +calling to you, for I was very fearful and--lonely, dear Martin. And that +night, I remember, I dreamed I saw you, your back leaned to a great rock as +you were very weary, and staring into a fire, sad-eyed and desolate. Across +your knees was your gun and all around you a dark and dismal forest, and +I yearned to come to you and could not, and so watched and lay to weep +anew.--Oh, dear, loved Martin!" + +Here she turned, her eyes dark with remembered sorrow, wherefore I took and +lifted her to my knee, holding her thus close upon my heart. + +"Tell me," said I after some while, "when Adam marched on his desperate +venture, did he name any day for his likely return?" + +"Yes, Martin!" + +"And when was that?" + +"'Twas the day you came." + +"Then he is already late," quoth I. "And he was ever mighty careful and +exact in his calculations. 'Tis an adventure so daring as few would have +attempted, saving only our 'timid' Adam. And how if he never returns, my +Damaris--how then?" + +"Ah, then--we have each other!" said she. + +"And therein is vast comfort and--for me great joy!" quoth I. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +OF LOVE + + +My first care was to see how we stood in regard to stores, more especially +powder and shot great and small, the which I found sufficient and to spare, +as also divers weapons, as muskets, pistols, hangers, etc. The more I +thought, the more I was determined to put the ship into as good a posture +of defence as might be, since I judged it likely the Spaniards might pay +us a visit soon or late, or mayhap some chance band of hostile Indians. To +this end and with great exertion, by means of lever and tackle, I hauled +inboard her four great stern-chase guns, at the which labour my lady +chancing to find me, falls to work beside me right merrily. + +"Why, Martin," said she, when the four pieces stood ready to hand, "I +have seen five men strain hard to move one of these; indeed you must be +marvellous strong." + +At this I grew so foolishly pleased that I fell to charging these pieces +amain, lest she should see aught of this. + +"Strong, great men be usually the gentlest," said she. + +"And generally thick-skulled and dull-witted!" quoth I. + +"Are you so dull-witted, my Martin?" + +"Ah, Damaris, my sweet Joan, when I think on all the wasted tears--" + +"Not wasted, Martin, no, not one, since each hath but helped to make the +man I do so love." + +"That you should so love me is the abiding wonder. I am no man o' the world +and with no fine-gentlemanly graces, alas! I am a simple fellow and nought +to show for his years of life--" + +"Wherefore so humble, poor man? You that were so proud and savage in +England and must burst open gates and beat my servants and fright me in my +chamber--" + +"Aye, I was brute indeed!" said I, sitting down and clean forgetting my +guns in sudden dejection. + +"And so gloomy with me on the island at the first and then something harsh, +and then very wild and masterful; do you remember you would kiss me and I +would not--and struggled--so desperately--and vainly--and was compelled?" + +"Oh, vile!" said I. "You so lonely and helpless, and I would have forced +you to my base will." + +"And did not, Martin! Because yours was a noble love. So is the memory of +our dear island unutterably sweet." + +"Indeed and is this so?" quoth I, lifting my head. + +"Beyond all expression!" said she a little breathlessly and her eyes very +bright. "Ah, did you not know--whatever you did, 'twas you--that I loved. +And, dear Martin, at your fiercest, you were ever--so innocent!" + +"Innocent!" quoth I, wondering. And now her clear gaze wavered, her cheek +flushed, and all in a moment she was beside me on her knees, her face hid +against me and speaking quick and low and passionate. + +"I am a very woman--and had loved for all my life--and there were times--on +the island when--I, too--oh, dear Martin, oft in the night the sound of +your steps going to and fro without our cave--those restless feet--seemed +to tread upon my heart! I loved these fierce, strong arms, even whilst +I struggled in their hold! A man of the world would have known--taken +advantage. But you never guessed because you regarded ever the highest in +me. So would I have you do still--honouring me with your patience--a little +longer--until Adam be come again, or until we be sure he hath perished and +England beyond our reach. Thus, dear, I have confessed my very secret soul +to thee and lie here in thy merciful care even more than I did on +our island, since I do love thee--greatly better! Therefore, be not +so--infinite humble!" + +Here for a while I was silent, being greatly moved and finding no word to +say. At last, clasping her tender loveliness to me, and stooping to kiss +this so loved head: + +"Dear, my lady," said I, "thou art to me the sweetest, holiest thing in all +the world, and so shalt thou ever be." + +Some time after, having put all things in excellent posture to our defence, +viz: our four great pieces full-charged astern, with four lighter guns +and divers pateraros ranged to sweep the quarter-deck, forecastle and +all approaches thereto, I felt my previous charge more secure and myself +(seconded by her brave spirit) able to withstand well-nigh any chance +attack, so long as our powder and shot held. + +This done, I brought hammer, nails, etc., from the carpenter's stores and +set myself to mend such shot-holes, cracks, and rents in the panelling and +the like as I judged would incommode us in wind or rain, and while I did +this (and whistling cheerily) needs must I stay ever and anon to watch my +sweet soul busy at her cookery (and mighty savoury dishes) and she pause +to look on me, until we must needs run to kiss each other and so to our +several labours again. + +For now indeed came I to know a happiness so calm and deep, so much greater +than I had ventured to hope that often I would be seized of panic dread +lest aught came to snatch it from me. Thus lived we, joying in each hour, +busied with such daily duties as came to hand, yet I for one finding these +labours sweet by reason of her that shared them; yet ever our love grew and +we ever more happy in each other's companionship. + +And here I, that by mine own folly of stubborn pride had known so little of +content and the deep and restful joy of it; here, I say, greatly tempted am +I to dwell and enlarge upon these swift-flying, halcyon days whose memory +Time cannot wither; I would paint you her changing moods, her sweet +gravity, her tender seriousness, her pretty rogueries, her demureness, her +thousand winsome tricks of gesture and expression, the vital ring of her +sweet voice, her long-lashed eyes, the dimple in her chin, and all the +constant charm and wonder of her. But what pen could do the sweet soul +justice, what word describe her innumerable graces? Surely not mine, so +would it be but vain labour and mayhap, to you who take up this book, great +weariness to read. + +So I will pass to a certain night, the moon flooding her radiance all +about me and the world very hushed and still with nought to hear save the +murmurous ripple and soft lapping of the incoming tide, and I upon my bed +(very wakeful) and full of speculation and the problem I pondered this: +Adam (and he so precise and exact in all things) had named to my lady a +day for his return, which day was already long past, therefore it was but +natural to suppose his desperate venture against this great fortified city +a failure, his hardy fellows scattered, and his brave self either slain or +a prisoner. What then of our situation, my dear lady's and mine, left thus +solitary in a hostile country and little or no chance of ever reaching +England, but doomed rather to seek some solitude where we might live secure +from hostile Indians or the implacable persecution of the Spaniards. Thus +we must live alone with Nature henceforth, she and I and God. And this +thought filled me alternately with intoxicating joy for my own sake, since +all I sought of life was this loved woman, and despair for her sake, since +secretly she must crave all those refinements of life and civilisation as +had become of none account to myself. And if Adam were slain indeed and +England thus beyond our reach, how long must we wait to be sure of this? + +Here I started to hear my lady calling me softly: + +"Art awake, dear Martin?" + +"Yes, my Joan!" + +"I dreamed myself alone again. Oh, 'tis good to hear your voice! Are you +sleepy?" + +"No whit." + +"Then let us talk awhile as we used sometimes on our loved island." + +"Loved you it--so greatly, Joan?" + +"Beyond any place in the world, Martin." + +"Why, then--" said I and stopped, lest my voice should betray the sudden +joy that filled me. + +"Go on, Martin." + +"'Twas nought." + +"Aye, but it was! You said 'Why, then.' Prithee, dear sir, continue." + +Myself (sitting up and blinking at the moon): Why, then, if +you--we--are--if we should be so unfortunate as to be left solitary in +these cruel wilds and no hope of winning back to England, should you grieve +therefor? + +She (after a moment): Should you, Martin? + +Myself (mighty fervently): Aye, indeed! + +She (quickly): Why, Martin--pray why? + +Myself (clenching my fists): For that we should be miserable outcasts cut +off from all the best of life. + +She: The best? As what, Martin? + +Myself: Civilisation and all its refinements, all neighbourliness, +the comforts of friendship, all security, all laws, and instead of +these--dangers, hardship, and solitude. + +She (softly): Aye, this methinks should break our hearts. Indeed, Martin, +you do fright me. + +Myself (bitterly): Why, 'tis a something desolate possibility! + +She (dolefully): And alas, Adam cometh not! + +Myself: Alas, no! + +She: And is long overdue. + +Myself: He marched on a perilous venture; aye, mighty hazardous and +desperate. + +She: Indeed, dear Martin, so desperate that I do almost pity the folk of +Carthagena. + +Myself (wondering): Then you do think he will succeed--will come sailing +back one day? + +She: Yes, Martin, if he hath to sail the ship back alone. + +Myself: And wherefore believe this? + +She: I know not, except that he is Adam and none like to him. + +Myself: Yet is he only mortal, to be captured or slain one way or another. +How if he cometh never back? + +She: Why then, Martin--needs must I forego all thought of England, of home, +of the comfortable joys of civilisation, of all laws, and instead of all +these cleave to you--my beloved! + +Myself: Damaris! + +She: Oh, Martin, dear, foolish blunderer to dream you could fright me with +tales of hardship, or dangers, or solitude when you were by, to think I +must break my heart for home and England when you are both to me. England +or home without you were a desert; with you the desert shall be my England, +my home all my days, if God so will it. + +Myself: Oh, loved woman, my brave, sweet Joan! And the laws--what of the +laws? + +She: God shall be our law, shall give us some sign. + +Myself: Joan--come to me! + +She (faintly): No! Ah, no! + +Myself: Come! + +She: Very well, Martin. + +In a little I heard her light step, slow and something hesitant, and then +she stood before me in her loveliness, wrapped about in my travel-stained +boat-cloak; so came she to sink beside me on her knees. + +"I am here, Martin," said she, "since I am yours and because I know my +will, thine also. For sure am I that Adam will yet come and with him cometh +law and England and all else; shall we not rest then for God's sign, be it +soon or a little late, and I honour thee the more hereafter. If this indeed +be foolish scruple to your mind, dear Martin, I am here; but if for this +you shall one day reverence your wife the more--beloved, let me go!" + +"Indeed--indeed, sign or no sign, thus do I love thee!" said I, and loosed +her. And now, as she rose from my reluctant arms, even then, soft and faint +with distance but plain and unmistakable came the boom of a gun. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + +THE COMING OF ADAM AND OF OUR GREAT JOY THEREIN + + +The moon was paling to daybreak as, having climbed that rocky stair I have +mentioned, we came upon the cliff and stood, hands tight-clasped, where +we might behold the infinity of waters; and after some while, looming +phantom-like upon the dawn, we descried the lofty sails of a great ship +standing in towards the land and growing ever more distinct. And as we +watched, and never a word, her towering canvas flushed rosy with coming +day, a changing colour that grew ever brighter until it glowed all +glorious, and up rose the sun. + +Suddenly, as we watched the proud oncoming of this ship of glory, my lady +uttered a little, soft cry and nestled to me. + +"The sign, Martin!" cried she, "God hath sent us the sign, beloved; see +what she beareth at the main!" And there, sure enough, stirring languid +upon the gentle air was the Cross of St. George. And beholding this +thing (that was no more than shred of bunting) and in these hostile +seas, ship and sea swam upon my vision, and bowing my head lest my +beloved behold this weakness, felt her warm lips on mine. + +"Dear Martin," said she, "hide not your tears from me, for yonder is +England, a noble future--home, at last." + +"Home?" said I, "Aye, home and peace at last and, best of all--you!" Thus +stood we, clean forgetting this great ship in each other until, roused by +the thunder of another gun, we started and turned to see the ship so near +that we could distinguish the glint of armour on her decks here and there, +and presently up to us rose a cheer (though faint) and we saw them make a +waft with the ensign, so that it seemed they had discovered us where we +stood. Hereupon, seeing the ship already going about to fetch into the +harbour, we descended the cliff and, reaching the sands below, stood there +until the vessel hove into view round the headland that was like unto a +lion's head, and, furling upper and lower courses, let go her anchor and +brought up in fashion very seamanlike, and she indeed a great and noble +vessel from whose lofty decks rose lusty shouts of welcome, drowned all at +once in the silvery fanfare of trumpets and a prodigious rolling of drums. +Presently, to this merry clamour, a boat was lowered and pulled towards +us, and surely never was seen a wilder, more ragged company than this that +manned her. In the stem-sheets sat Adam, one hand upon the tiller, the +other slung about him by a scarf, his harness rusty and dinted, but his +eyes very bright beneath the pent of his weather-beaten hat. Scarce had the +boat touched shore than his legs (dight in prodigiously long Spanish boots) +were over the side and he came wading ashore, first of any. + +"Praise God!" said he, halting suddenly to flourish off his battered hat +and glance from one to other of us with his old, whimsical look. "Praise +God I do see again two souls, the most wilful and unruly in all this world, +yet here stand ye that should be most thoroughly dead (what with the peril +consequent upon wilfulness) but for a most especial Providence--there stand +ye fuller of life and the joy o' living than ever." + +"And you, Adam," reaching her hands to him in welcome, "you that must march +'gainst a mighty city with men so few! Death surely hath been very nigh you +also, yet here are you come back to us unscathed save for your arm; surely +God hath been to us infinitely kind and good!" + +"Amen!" said Adam and stooping, raised these slender hands to his lips. +"Howbeit, my Lady Wilfulness," quoth he, shaking his head, "I vow you ha' +caused me more carking care than any unhanged pirate or Spaniard on the +Main! You that must bide here all alone, contemning alike my prayers and +commands, nor suffering any to stay for your comfort and protection and all +for sake of this hare-brained, most obstinate comrade o' mine, that must +go running his poor sconce into a thousand dangers (which was bad) and +upsetting all my schemes and calculations (which was worse, mark you!) +and all to chase a will-o'-the-wisp, a mare's nest, a--oh, Lord love you, +Martin--!" And so we clasped hands. + +In a little, my dear lady betwixt us, and Adam discoursing of his +adventures and particularly of his men's resolution, endurance and +discipline, we got us aboard the _Deliverance_ which the men were already +stripping of such stores as remained, filling the air with cheery shouts, +and yo-ho-ing as they hove at this or hauled at that. Climbing to the +quarter-deck we came at last to the great cabin, where Adam was pleased +to commend the means I had taken to our defence, though more than once I +noticed his quick glance flash here and there as if seeking somewhat. At +last, my lady having left us awhile, he turns his sharp eyes on me: + +"Comrade, how goeth vengeance nowadays?" he questioned. "What of Sir +Richard, your enemy?" + +"Dead; Adam!" + +"Aha!" said he, pinching his chin and eyeing me askance, "was it steel or +did ye shoot him, comrade?" + +"God forgive you for saying such thing, Adam!" quoth I, scowling into his +lean, brown face. + +"Aha," said he again, and viewing me with his furtive leer. "Do ye regret +his murder then, Martin?" + +"Aye, I do from my heart--now and always!" + +"Hum!" said he, seating himself on my tumbled bed and glancing whimsically +at me, "Martin," quoth he, "friend--brother--you that talked bloody murder +and hell-fire with a heart inside you clean and gentle as a child's, +thou'rt plaguey fool to think thy friend Adam be such fool as not to know +thee better. Hark'ee now, here's your fashion: If you found the enemy you +sought so long and him in a Spanish prison, first you cursed, then you +comforted, then eased his pains, watched your chance, throttled your gaoler +and away to freedom, bearing your enemy along wi' you--is't not something +the way of it--come?" + +"Truly, Adam!" said I, all amazed, "though how you chance to know this--" + +"Tush!" said he. "'Tis writ plain all over thee, Martin, and yonder cometh +our lady, as peerless a maid as ever blessed man's sight--for all of the +which I do love thee, Martin. Come, now, I will take ye aboard the prize +and hey for England--this night we sail!" So we joined my lady and coming +down to the boat were presently rowed to the Spanish ship, a great vessel, +her towering stem brave with gilding and her massy timbers enriched by all +manner of carved work. + +"She had a name well-nigh long as herself, Martin," said Adam, "but Godby +christened her _The Joyous Hope_ instead, which shall serve well enough." +So we came beneath her high, curving side, where leaned familiar +figures--lean, bronzed fellows who welcomed us with cheer that waked many +an echo. Upon the quarter-deck was Penruddock the surgeon, who bustled +forward to greet us himself as loquacious as ever and very loud in praise +of the cure he had once wrought in me; and here, too, was Godby, to make a +leg to my lady and grasp my hand. + +"Why, Mart'n--why, pal, here's j'y, scorch me wi' a port-fire else!" quoth +he, then, hearing a hail from the beach, rolled away to look to his many +duties. + +"She's good enough vessel--to look at, Martin," said Adam, bringing us into +the panelled splendour of the coach or roundhouse; "aye, she's roomy and +handsome enough and rich-laden, though something heavy on her helm; of guns +fifty and nine and well-found in all things save clothes, hence my scurvy +rags; but we'll better 'em when our stores come aboard." + +And now, my lady being retired; he showed me over this great galleon, so +massy built for all her gilding and carved finery, and so stout-timbered as +made her well-nigh shot-proof. + +"She's a notable rich prize, Adam!" said I, as we came above deck again, +where the crew were at work getting aboard us the stores from the +_Deliverance_ under Godby's watchful eye. + +"Aye, we were fortunate, Martin," pausing to view this busy scene, "and all +with scarce a blow and but five men lost, and they mostly by sunstroke or +snakebite; we could ha' taken the city also had I been so minded." + +"'Twas marvellous achievement for man so timid, Adam!" quoth I. + +"Nay, comrade, I did but smite the enemy unbeknown and where least +expected; 'twas simple enough. See now, Martin," said he, pinching his +chin and averting his head, "I am very fain to learn more of--to hear your +adventures--you shall tell me of--of 'em if you will, but later, for we +sail on the flood and I have much to do in consequence." + +So I presently fell to pacing the broad deck alone, dreaming on the future +and in my heart a song of gratitude to God. Presently to me comes Godby: + +"Lord, Mart'n!" said he, hitching fiercely at the broad belt of his +galligaskins. "Here's been doin's o' late, pal, doin's as outdoes all other +doin's as ever was done! Talk o' glory? Talk o' fame? There's enough on't +aboard this here ship t' last every man on us all his days and longer. And +what's more to the p'int, Mart'n, there's gold! And silver! In bars! Aye, +pal, shoot me if 'tisn't a-laying in the hold like so much ballast! Cap'n +Adam hath give his share to be divided atwixt us, which is noble in him and +doeth us a power o' good!" + +"Why, the men deserve it; 'twas a desperate business, Godby!" + +"Aye, pal, good lads every one, though we had Cap'n Adam to lead 'em. 'Twas +ever 'Come' wi' him! Ten minutes arter our first salvo the fort was ours, +their guns spiked, an' we running for the harbour, Sir Adam showing the +way. And, Lord! To hear the folk in the tower, you'd ha' thought 'twas the +last trump--such shrieks and howls, Mart'n. So, hard in Cap'n Adam's wake +we scrambled aboard this ship, she laying nighest to shore and well under +the guns o' the fort as we'd just spiked so mighty careful, d'ye see, and +here was some small disputation wi' steel and pistol, and her people was +very presently swimming or rowing for it. So 'twas hoist sail, up anchor +and away, and though this galleon is no duck, being something lubberly on a +wind, she should bear us home well enough. 'Tis long since I last clapped +eye on old England, and never a day I ha'n't blessed that hour I met wi' +you at the 'Hop-pole,' for I'm rich, pal, rich, though I'd give a lot for a +glimpse o' the child I left a babe and a kiss from his bonny mother." + +Thus, walking the broad deck of this stout ship that was soon to bear +us (and myself especially) to England and a new life, I hearkened to +God-be-here Jenkins, who talked, his eyes now cocked aloft at spars or +rigging, now observing the serene blue distances, now upon the boats plying +busily to and fro, until one of the men came to say the last of our stores +was aboard. And presently, being summoned, Adam appeared on the lofty poop +in all the bravery of flowing periwig and 'broidered coat. + +"Ha, Mart'n," sighed Godby, hitching at his belt as we went to meet him, "I +love him best in buff and steel, though he'll ever be my cap'n, pal. There +aren't what you'd call a lot of him, neither, but what there is goeth a +prodigious long way in steel or velvet. Talk o' glory! Talk o' fame! +Pal, glory's a goblin and fame's a phantom compared wi' Cap'n Sir Adam +Penfeather, and you can keel haul, burn and hang me else!" + +This night at moonrise we warped out from our anchorage and with drums +beating and fifes sounding merrily, stood out into the great deep and never +a heart that did not leap at thought of home and England. And now cometh my +lady, dressed in gown I thought marvellous becoming, and herself beautiful +beyond all women, as I told her, whereat she cast down her eyes and +smoothed her dainty silks with her pretty hands. + +"Fie, Martin!" said she, mighty demure. "Is it well to be so extravagant in +praise of your own?" Which last words put me to such ecstasy that I fell +dumb forthwith; noting the which, she came a little nearer to slip her cool +fingers into mine, "Though, indeed," quoth she, "I am glad to find you so +observant! And my hair? Doth it please you, thus?" And now I saw her silky +tresses (and for all their mutilation) right cunningly ordered, and amid +their beauty that same wooden comb I had made for her on the island. "Well, +dear sir?" said she, leaning nearer. At this, being ever a man scant of +words (and the deck deserted hereabouts) I kissed her. And now, hand in +hand, we stood silent awhile to watch this cruel land of Darien fade upon +our sight. At last she turned and I also, to view that vast horizon that +lay before us. + +"What see you, yonder in the distance, dear Martin?" she questioned. + +"Yourself!" said I. "You fill my world. God make me worthy! Aye, in the +future--ever beside me henceforth, I do see you, my Damaris!" + +"Why, to be sure, loved man! But what more?" + +"I want for no more!" + +"Nay, do but look!" said she, soft cheek to mine. "There I do see +happiness, fortune, honours--and--mayhap, if God is kind to us--" She +stopped, with sound like a little sob. + +"What, my Joan?" I questioned, fool-like. + +"Greater blessings--" + +"But," said I, "what should be greater--" + +"Ah, Martin--dear--cannot you guess?" + +"Why, Joan--oh, my beloved!" But stepping out of my hold, she fled from me. +"Nay," cried I, "do not leave me so soon." + +"I must, dear Martin. You--you will be wanting to speak with Adam--" + +"Not I--Lord, no!" + +"Why, then--you shall!" said she and vanished into the roundhouse +forthwith, leaving me wondering like the dull fellow I was until (and all +at once) I understood and my wonder changed to joy so great I might scarce +contain myself; wherefore, beholding Adam coming, I hasted to meet him and +had clapped him in my arms or ever he was aware. + +"Marry us, Adam!" said I. "Marry us, man!" + +"What, ha' ye just thought on't at last, Martin?" + +"Aye, I have!" + +"Tush!" said he. "'Twas all arranged by my lady and me hours agone. Come +into the coach." + +And thus, upon the high seas, Adam (being both captain and magistrate) +married us forthwith, and because I had no other, I wed my Damaris with +my signet ring whereon was graven the motto of my house, viz: a couchant +leopard and the words, "Rouse me not." And who so sweet and grave as my +dear lady as she made the responses and hearkened to Adam, and he mighty +impressive. For witnesses we had Master Penruddock the surgeon and Godby, +and now, my lady retiring, we must crack a bottle, all four, though I know +not what we drank. + +And presently Adam drew me out upon the quarter-deck, there to walk with me +a while under a great moon. + +"Martin," said he suddenly, "you have come by rough seas and mighty +roundabout course to your happiness, but there be some do never make this +blessed haven all their days." + +"God comfort them, poor souls!" quoth I. + +"Amen!" said he; and then in changed voice, and his keen gaze aloft amid +the swelling sail, "What o' the lady Joanna, shipmate?" So I told him all +the best I remembered of her and described how nobly she had died; and he +pacing beside me said never a word. + +"Martin," said he, when I had made an end, "I am a mighty rich man, yet for +all this, I shall be something solitary, I guess." + +"Never in this world, Adam, so long as liveth my dear lady--" + +"Your wife, comrade--'tis a sweet word!" + +"Aye--my wife. And then, am I not your sworn brother? So like brothers will +we live together in England, and friends always!" And hereupon I clasped an +arm about him. + +"This is well, Martin," said he, gripping my hand. "Aye, 'tis mighty well, +for nought under heaven is there to compare with true friendship, except +it be the love of a noble woman. So now go, comrade, go to her who hath +believed in you so faithfully, hath steadfastly endured so much for +you--get you to your wife!" + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Martin Conisby's Vengeance, by Jeffery Farnol + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE *** + +This file should be named 8mvng10.txt or 8mvng10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8mvng11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8mvng10a.txt + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci +and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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