A SET OF ROGUES

NAMELY

CHRISTOPHER SUTTON, JOHN DAWSON, THE SEŅOR DON SANCHEZ DEL CASTILLO DECASTELAŅA AND MOLL DAWSON

Their Wicked Conspiracy, and a True Account of their Travels andAdventures

THE MARRIAGE OF MOLL DAWSON BY SINFUL MEANS TO A WORTHY GENTLEMAN OFMERIT; HER FALL, REMORSE AND GREAT SORROW; HER SECOND EXPEDITION WITHHER FORMER ROGUISH COMPANIONS INTO STRANGE PLACES

HER ATONEMENT TO MR. RICHARD GODWIN (WHEREBY SHE RENDERS UP ALL SHE EVERHAD OF HIM AND MORE) AND SELLING OF HERSELF TO ALGERINE PIRATES ANDGOING INTO BARBARY A SLAVE; TOGETHER WITH THE TRIBULATIONS OF THOSE WHOLED HER TO WRONG DOING, AND MANY OTHER SURPRISING THINGS NOW DISCLOSEDFOR THE FIRST TIME AS THE FAITHFUL CONFESSION OF CHRISTOPHER SUTTON

BY

FRANK BARRETT

1895

[Illustration: "'GIVE ME THY HAND, CHILD, ' SAYS HE. "]

CHAPTER I. 

_Of my companions and our adversities, and in particular from ourgetting into the stocks at Tottenham Cross to our being robbed atEdmonton. _

There being no plays to be acted at the "Red Bull, " because of thePlague, and the players all cast adrift for want of employment, certainof us, to wit, Jack Dawson and his daughter Moll, Ned Herring, andmyself, clubbed our monies together to buy a store of dresses, paintedcloths, and the like, with a cart and horse to carry them, and thusprovided set forth to travel the country and turn an honest penny, inthose parts where the terror of pestilence had not yet turned men'sstomachs against the pleasures of life. And here, at our setting out, let me show what kind of company we were. First, then, for our master, Jack Dawson, who on no occasion was to be given a second place; he was ahale, jolly fellow, who would eat a pound of beef for his breakfast(when he could get it), and make nothing of half a gallon of aletherewith, --a very masterful man, but kindly withal, and pleasant tolook at when not contraried, with never a line of care in his face, though turned of fifty. He played our humorous parts, but he had a sweetvoice for singing of ditties, and could fetch a tear as readily as alaugh, and he was also exceeding nimble at a dance, which was thestrangest thing in the world, considering his great girth. Wife he hadnone, but Moll Dawson was his daughter, who was a most sprightly, merrylittle wench, but no miracle for beauty, being neither child nor womanat this time; surprisingly thin, as if her frame had grown out ofproportion with her flesh, so that her body looked all arms and legs, and her head all mouth and eyes, with a great towzled mass of chestnuthair, which (off the stage) was as often as not half tumbled over hershoulder. But a quicker little baggage at mimicry (she would play anypart, from an urchin of ten to a crone of fourscore), or a livelier atdancing of Brantles or the single Coranto never was, I do think, and asmerry as a grig. Of Ned Herring I need only here say that he was themost tearing villain imaginable on the stage, and off it the mostcivil-spoken, honest-seeming young gentleman. Nor need I trouble to givea very lengthy description of myself; what my character was will appearhereafter, and as for my looks, the less I say about them, the better. Being something of a scholar and a poet, I had nearly died ofstarvation, when Jack Dawson gave me a footing on the stage, where Iwould play the part of a hero in one act, a lacquey in the second, and amerry Andrew in the third, scraping a tune on my fiddle to fill up theintermedios. 

We had designed to return to London as soon as the Plague abated, unlesswe were favoured with extraordinary good fortune, and so, when we heardthat the sickness was certainly past, and the citizens recovering oftheir panic, we (being by this time heartily sick of our venture, whichat the best gave us but beggarly recompense) set about to retrace oursteps with cheerful expectations of better times. But coming to Oxford, we there learned that a prodigious fire had burnt all London down, fromthe Tower to Ludgate, so that if we were there, we should find no houseto play in. This lay us flat in our hopes, and set us again to ourvagabond enterprise; and so for six months more we scoured the countryin a most miserable plight, the roads being exceedingly foul, and folksmore humoured of nights to drowse in their chimnies than to sit in adraughty barn and witness our performances; and then, about the middleof February we, in a kind of desperation, got back again to London, onlyto find that we must go forth again, the town still lying in ruins, andno one disposed to any kind of amusement, except in high places, wheresuch actors as we were held in contempt. So we, with our hearts in ourboots, as one may say, set out again to seek our fortunes on theCambridge road, and here, with no better luck than elsewhere, for atTottenham Cross we had the mischance to set fire to the barn wherein wewere playing, by a candle falling in some loose straw, whereby we didinjury to the extent of some shilling or two, for which the farmer wouldhave us pay a pound, and Jack Dawson stoutly refusing to satisfy hisdemand he sends for the constable, who locks us all up in the cage thatnight, to take us before the magistrate in the morning. And we found toour cost that this magistrate had as little justice as mercy in hiscomposition; for though he lent a patient ear to the farmer's case, hewould not listen to Jack Dawson's argument, which was good enough, beingto the effect that we had not as much as a pound amongst us, and that hewould rather be hanged than pay it if he had; and when Ned Herring(seeing the kind of Puritanical fellow he was) urged that, since thedamage was not done by any design of ours, it must be regarded as avisitation of Providence, he says: "Very good. If it be the will ofProvidence that one should be scourged, I take it as the Divine purposethat I should finish the business by scourging the other"; and therewithhe orders the constable to take what money we have from our pockets andclap us in the stocks till sundown for payment of the difference. So inthe stocks we three poor men were stuck for six mortal hours, which wasa wicked, cruel thing indeed, with the wind blowing a sort of rainy snowabout our ears; and there I do think we must have perished of cold andvexation but that our little Moll brought us a sheet for a cover, andtired not in giving us kind words of comfort. 

At five o'clock the constable unlocked us from our vile confinement, andI do believe we should have fallen upon him and done him a mischief forhis pains there and then, but that we were all frozen as stiff as stoneswith sitting in the cold so long, and indeed it was some time ere wecould move our limbs at all. However, with much ado, we hobbled on atthe tail of our cart, all three very bitter, but especially Ned Herring, who cursed most horridly and as I had never heard him curse off thestage, saying he would rather have stayed in London to carry links forthe gentry than join us again in this damnable adventure, etc. And thatwhich incensed him the more was the merriment of our Moll, who, seatedon the side of the cart, could do nothing better than make sport of ourdiscontent. But there was no malice in her laughter, which, if it sprangnot from sheer love of mischief, arose maybe from overflowing joy at ourrelease. 

Coming at dusk to Edmonton, and finding a fine new inn there, called the"Bell, " Jack Dawson leads the cart into the yard, we following without aword of demur, and, after putting up our trap, into the warm parlour wego, and call for supper as boldly as you please. Then, when we had eatenand drunk till we could no more, all to bed like princes, which, after anight in the cage and a day in the stocks, did seem like a veryparadise. But how we were to pay for this entertainment not one of usknew, nor did we greatly care, being made quite reckless by ournecessities. It was the next morning, when we met together at breakfast, that our faces betrayed some compunctions; but these did not prevent useating prodigiously. "For, " whispers Ned Herring, "if we are to behanged, it may as well be for a sheep as a lamb. " However, Jack Dawson, getting on the right side of the landlord, who seemed a very honest, decent man for an innkeeper, agreed with him that we should give aperformance that night in a cart-shed very proper to our purpose, givinghim half of our taking in payment of our entertainment. This did Jack, thinking from our late ill-luck we should get at the most a dozen peoplein the sixpenny benches, and a score standing at twopence a head. But itturned out, as the cunning landlord had foreseen, that our hanger waspacked close to the very door, in consequence of great numbers coming tothe town in the afternoon to see a bull baited, so that when Jack Dawsonclosed the doors and came behind our scene to dress for his part, hetold us he had as good as five pounds in his pocket. With that to cheerus we played our tragedy of "The Broken Heart" very merrily, and afterthat, changing our dresses in a twinkling, Jack Dawson, disguised as awild man, and Moll as a wood nymph, came on to the stage to dance apastoral, whilst I, in the fashion of a satyr, stood on one side plyingthe fiddle to their footing. Then, all being done, Jack thanks thecompany for their indulgence, and bids 'em good-night. 

And now, before all the company are yet out of the place, and while JackDawson is wiping the sweat from his face, comes the landlord, and askspretty bluntly to be paid his share of our earnings. 

"Well, " says Jack, in a huff, "I see no reason for any such haste; butif you will give me time to put on my breeches, you shall be paid allthe same. " And therewith he takes down his trunks from the nail wherethey hung. And first giving them a doubtful shake, as seeming lighterthan he expected, and hearing no chink of money, he thrusts his handinto one pocket, and then into the other, and cries in dismay: "Heaven'smercy upon us; we are robbed! Every penny of our money is gone!"

"Can you think of nothing better than such an idle story as that?" saysthe landlord. "There hath been none behind this sheet but yourselves allthe night. "

We could make no reply to this, but stood gaping at each other in a mazefor some seconds; then Jack Dawson, recovering his wits, turns himround, and looking about, cries: "Why, where's Ned Herring?"

"If you mean him as was killed in your play, " says the landlord, "I'llanswer for it he's not far off; for, to my knowledge, he was in thehouse drinking with a man while you were a-dancing of your antics like afool. And I only hope you may be as honest a man as he, for he paid forhis liquor like a gentleman. "

That settled the question, for we knew the constable had left never apenny in his pocket when he clapt us in the stocks. 

"Well, " says Jack, "he has our money, as you may prove by searching us, and if you have faith in him 'tis all as one, and you may rest easy foryour reckoning being paid against his return. "

The landlord went off, vowing he would take the law of us if he were notpaid by the morning; and we, as soon as we had shuffled on our clothes, away to hunt for Ned, thinking that maybe he had made off with the moneyto avoid paying half to the landlord, and hoping always that, though hemight play the rogue with him, he would deal honestly by us. But wecould find no trace of him, though we visited every alehouse in thetown, and so back we go, crestfallen, to the Bell, to beg the innkeeperto give us a night's lodging and a crust of bread on the speculationthat Ned would come back and settle our accounts; but he would notlisten to our prayers, and so, hungry and thirsty, and miserable beyondexpression, we were fain to make up with a loft over the stables, where, thanks to a good store of sweet hay, we soon forgot our troubles insleep, but not before we had concerted to get away in the morningbetimes to escape another day in the stocks. 

Accordingly, before the break of day, we were afoot, and afternoiselessly packing our effects in the cart in the misty grey light, Jack Dawson goes in the stable to harness our nag, while I as silentlytake down the heavy bar that fastened the yard gate. But while I was yetfumbling at the bolts, and all of a shake for fear of being caught inthe act, Jack Dawson comes to me, with Moll holding of his hand, as shewould when our troubles were great, and says in a tone of despair:

"Give over, Kit. We are all undone again. For our harness is stole, andthere's never another I can take in its place. "

While we were at this stumble, out comes our landlord to make sport ofus. "Have you found your money yet, friends?" says he, with a sneer. 

"No, " says Jack, savagely, "and our money is not all that we have lost, for some villain has filched our nag's harness, and I warrant you knowwho he is. "

"Why, to be sure, " returns the other, "the same friend may have taken itwho has gone astray with your other belongings; but, be that as it may, I'll answer for it when your money is found your harness will beforthcoming, and not before. "

"Come, Master, " says I, "have you no more heart than to make merry atthe mischances of three poor wretches such as we?"

"Aye, " says he, "when you can show that you deserve better treatment. "

"Done, " says Jack. "I'll show you that as quickly as you please. " Withthat he whips off his cap, and flinging it on the ground, cries: "Offwith your jacket, man, and let us prove by such means as Heaven hasgiven all which is the honester of us two. " And so he squares himself upto fight; but the innkeeper, though as big a man as he, being of aspongy constitution, showed no relish for this mode of argument, andturning his back on us with a shake of the head, said he was very wellsatisfied of his own honesty, and if we doubted it we could seek whatsatisfaction the law would give us, adding slyly, as he turned at thedoor, that he could recommend us a magistrate of his acquaintance, naming him who had set us in the stocks at Tottenham Cross. 

The very hint of this put us again in a quake, and now, the snowbeginning to fall pretty heavily, we went into the shed to cast about asto what on earth we should do next. There we sat, glum and silent, watching idly the big flakes of snow fluttering down from the leadensky, for not one of us could imagine a way out of this hobble. 

"Holy Mother!" cries Jack at length, springing up in a passion, "wecannot sit here and starve of cold and hunger. Cuddle up to my arm, Moll, and do you bring your fiddle, Kit, and let us try our lucka-begging in alehouses. "

And so we trudged out into the driving snow, that blinded us as wewalked, bow our heads as we might, and tried one alehouse after theother, but all to no purpose, the parlours being empty because of theearly hour, and the snow keeping folks within doors; only, about midday, some carters, who had pulled up at an inn, took pity on us, and gave usa mug of penny ale and half a loaf, and that was all the food we had thewhole miserable day. Then at dusk, wet-footed and fagged out in mind andbody, we trudged back to the Bell, thinking to get back into the loftand bury ourselves in the sweet hay for warmth and comfort. But cominghither, we found our nag turned out of the stable and the door locked, so that we were thrown quite into despair by the loss of this last poorhope, and poor Moll, turning her face away from us, burst outa-crying--she who all day had set us a brave example by her cheerfulmerry spirit. 

CHAPTER II. 

_Of our first acquaintance with the Seņor Don Sanchez del Castillo deCastelaņa, and his brave entertaining of us. _

I was taking a turn or two outside the shed, --for the sight of JackDawson hugging poor Moll to his breast and trying to soothe her bodilymisery with gentle words was more than I could bear, --when a drawercoming across from the inn told me that a gentleman in the Cherry roomwould have us come to him. I gave him a civil answer and carried thismessage to my friends. Moll, who had staunched her tears and was smilingpiteously, though her sobs, like those of a child, still shook her thinframe, and her father both looked at me in blank doubt as fearing sometrap for our further discomfiture. 

"Nay, " says Jack, stoutly. "Fate can serve us no worse within doors thanwithout, so let us in and face this gentleman, whoever he is. "

So in we go, and all sodden and bedrabbled as we were, went to followthe drawer upstairs, when the landlady cried out she would not have usgo into her Cherry room in that pickle, to soil her best furniture anddisgrace her house, and bade the fellow carry us into the kitchen totake off our cloaks and change our boots for slip-shoes, adding that ifwe had any respect for ourselves, we should trim our hair and wash thegrime off our faces. So we enter the kitchen, nothing loath, where acouple of pullets browning on the spit, kettles bubbling on the fire, and a pasty drawing from the oven, filled the air with delicious odoursthat nearly drove us mad for envy; and to think that these good thingswere to tempt the appetite of some one who never hungered, while we, famishing for want, had not even a crust to appease our cravings! But itwas some comfort to plunge our blue, numbed fingers into a tub of hotwater and feel the life blood creeping back into our hearts. The paintwe had put on our cheeks the night before was streaked all over ourfaces by the snow, so that we did look the veriest scarecrowsimaginable; but after washing our heads well and stroking our hair intoorder with a comb Mistress Cook lent us, we looked not so bad. And thuschanged, and with dry shoes to our feet, we at length went upstairs, allfull of wondering expectation, and were led into the Cherry room, whichseemed to us a very palace, being lit with half a dozen candles (andthey of wax) and filled with a warm glow by the blazing logs on thehearth reflected in the cherry hangings. And there in the midst was atable laid for supper with a wondrous white cloth, glasses to drinkfrom, and silver forks all set out most bravely. 

"His worship will be down ere long, " says the drawer, and with that hemakes a pretence of building up the fire, being warned thereto very likeby the landlady, with an eye to the safety of her silver. 

"Can you tell me his worship's name, friend?" I whispered, my mindturning at once to his worship of Tottenham Cross. 

"Not I, were you to pay me, " says he. "'Tis that outlandish anduncommon. But for sure he is some great foreign grandee. "

He could tell us no more, so we stood there all together, wondering, till presently the door opens, and a tall, lean gentleman enters, with ahigh front, very finely dressed in linen stockings, a long-waisted coat, and embroidered waistcoat, and rich lace at his cuffs and throat. Hewore no peruke, but his own hair, cut quite close to his head, with apointed beard and a pair of long moustachios twisting up almost to hisears; but his appearance was the more striking by reason of his beardand moustachios being quite black, while the hair on his head was whiteas silver. He had dark brows also, that overhung very rich black eyes;his nose was long and hooked, and his skin, which was of a very darkcomplexion, was closely lined with wrinkles about the eyes, while a deepfurrow lay betwixt his brows. He carried his head very high, and wasmajestic and gracious in all his movements, not one of which (as itseemed to me) was made but of forethought and purpose. I should say hisage was about sixty, though his step and carriage were of a younger man. To my eyes he appeared a very handsome and a pleasing, amiablegentleman. But, Lord, what can you conclude of a man at a single glance, when every line in his face (of which he had a score and more) has eachits history of varying passions, known only to himself, and secretphases of his life!

He saluted us with a most noble bow, and dismissed the drawer with aword in an undertone. Then turning again to us, he said: "I had thepleasure of seeing you act last night, and dance, " he adds with a slightinclination of his head to Moll. "Naturally, I wish to be betteracquainted with you. Will it please you to dine with me?"

I could not have been more dumbfounded had an angel asked me to stepinto heaven; but Dawson was quick enough to say something. 

"That will we, " cries he, "and God bless your worship for taking pity onus, for I doubt not you have heard of our troubles. "

The other bowed his head and set a chair at the end of the table forMoll, which she took with a pretty curtsey, but saying never a word, forglee did seem to choke us all. And being seated, she cast her eyes onthe bread hungrily, as if she would fain begin at once, but she had thegood manners to restrain herself. Then his worship (as we called him), having shown us the chairs on either side, seated himself last of all, at the head of the table, facing our Moll, whom whenever he mightwithout discourtesy, he regarded with most scrutinising glances fromfirst to last. Then the door flinging open, two drawers brought in thosesame fat pullets we had seen browning before the fire, and also thepasty, with abundance of other good cheer, at which Moll, with a littlecry of delight, whispers to me:

"'Tis like a dream. Do speak to me, Kit, or I must think 'twill all fadeaway presently and leave us in the snow. "

Then I, finding my tongue, begged his worship would pardon us if ourmanners were more uncouth than the society to which he was accustomed. 

"Nay, " says Dawson, "Your worship will like us none the worse, Iwarrant, for seeing what we are and aping none. "

Finding himself thus beworshipped on both hands, our good friend says:

"You may call me Seņor. I am a Spaniard. Don Sanchez del Castillo deCastelaņa. " And then to turn the subject, he adds: "I have seen you playtwice. "

"Aye, Seņor, and I should have known you again if by nothing but thispiece of generosity, " replies Dawson, with his cheek full of pasty, "forI remember both times you set down a piece and would take no change. "

Don Sanchez hunched his shoulders cavalierly, as if such trifles werenought to him; but indeed throughout his manner was most high and noble. 

And now, being fairly settled down to our repast, we said no more of anymoment that I can recall to mind till we had done (which was not untilnought remained of the pullets and the pasty but a few bones and thebare dish), and we were drawn round the fire at Don Sanchez'sinvitation. Then the drawers, having cleared the tables, brought up ahuge bowl of hot spiced wine, a dish of tobacco, and some pipes. The Donthen offered us to smoke some cigarros, but we, not understanding them, took instead our homely pipes, and each with a beaker of hot wine to hishand sat roasting before the fire, scarce saying a word, the Don beingsilent because his humour was of the reflective grave kind (with all hiscourtesies he never smiled, as if such demonstrations were unbecoming tohis dignity), and we from repletion and a feeling of wondrouscontentment and repose. And another thing served to keep us still, whichwas that our Moll, sitting beside her father, almost at once fellasleep, her head lying against his shoulder as he sat with his arm abouther waist. As at the table, Don Sanchez had seated himself where hecould best observe her, and now he scarcely once took his eyes off her, which were half closed as if in speculation. At length, taking thecigarro from his lips, he says softly to Jack Dawson, so as not toarouse Moll:

"Your daughter. "

Jack nods for an answer, and looking down on her face with pride andtenderness, he put back with the stem of his pipe a little curl that hadstrayed over her eyes. She was not amiss for looks thus, with her longeyelashes lying like a fringe upon her cheeks, her lips open, showingher good white teeth, and the glow of the firelight upon her face; buther attitude and the innocent, happy expression of her features made upa picture which seemed to me mighty pretty. 

"Where is her mother?" asks Don Sanchez, presently; and Dawson, withouttaking his eyes from Moll's face, lifts his pipe upwards, while his bigthick lips fell a-trembling. Maybe, he was thinking of his poor Betty ashe looked at the child's face. 

"Has she no other relatives?" asks the Don, in the same quiet tone; andJack shakes his head, still looking down, and answers lowly:

"Only me. "

Then after another pause the Don asks:

"What will become of her?"

And that thought also must have been in Jack Dawson's mind; for withoutseeming surprised by the question, which appeared a strange one, heanswers reverently, but with a shake in his hoarse voice, "Almighty Godknows. "

This stilled us all for the moment, and then Don Sanchez, seeing thatthese reflections threw a gloom upon us, turned to me, sitting next him, and asked if I would give him some account of my history, whereupon Ibriefly told him how three years ago Jack Dawson had lifted me out ofthe mire, and how since then we had lived in brotherhood. "And, " says Iin conclusion, "we will continue with the favour of Providence to liveso, sharing good and ill fortune alike to the end, so much we do loveone another. "

To this Jack Dawson nods assent. 

"And your other fellow, --what of him?" asked Don Sanchez. 

I replied that Ned Herring was but a fair-weather friend, who had joinedfortunes with us to get out of London and escape the Plague, and howhaving robbed us, we were like never to see his face again. 

"And well for him if we do not, " cries Dawson, rousing up; "for by theLord, if I clap eyes on him, though it be a score of years hence, heshan't escape the most horrid beating ever man outlived!"

The Don nodded his satisfaction at this, and then Moll, awaking with thesudden outburst of her father's voice, gives first a gape, then ashiver, and looking about her with an air of wonder, smiles as her eyefell on the Don. Whereon, still as solemn as any judge, he pulls thebell, and the maid, coming to the room with a rushlight, he bids hertake the poor weary child to bed, and the best there is in the house, which I think did delight Dawson not less than his Moll to hear. 

Then Moll gives her father a kiss, and me another according to her wont, and drops a civil curtsey to Don Sanchez. 

"Give me thy hand, child, " says he; and having it, he lifts it to hislips and kisses it as if she had been the finest lady in the land. 

She being gone, the Don calls for a second bowl of spiced wine, and we, mightily pleased at the prospect of another half-hour of comfort, stretch our legs out afresh before the fire. Then Don Sanchez, lightinganother cigarro, and setting his chair towards us, says as he takes hisknee up betwixt his long, thin fingers:

"Now let us come to the heart of this business and understand oneanother clearly. "

CHAPTER III. 

_Of that design which Don Sanchez opened to us at the Bell. _

We pulled our pipes from our mouths, Dawson and I, and stretched ourears very eager to know what this business was the Don had to propound, and he, after drawing two or three mouthfuls of smoke, which he expelledthrough his nostrils in a most surprising unnatural manner, says inexcellent good English, but speaking mighty slow and giving every letterits worth:

"What do you go to do to-morrow?"

"The Lord only knows, " answers Jack, and Don Sanchez, lifting hiseyebrows as if he considers this no answer at all, he continues: "Wecannot go hence with none of our stage things; and if we could, I seenot how we are to act our play, now that our villain is gone, with aplague to him! I doubt but we must sell all that we have for the fewshillings they will fetch to get us out of this hobble. "

"With our landlord's permission, " remarks Don Sanchez, dryly. 

"Permission!" cries Dawson, in a passion. "I ask no man's permission todo what I please with my own. "

"Suppose he claims these things in payment of the money you owe him. What then?" asks the Don. 

"We never thought of that, Kit, " says Dawson, turning to me in a pucker. "But 'tis likely enough he has, for I observed he was mighty carelesswhether we found our thief or not. That's it, sure enough. We havenought to hope. All's lost!"

With that he drops his elbows on his knees, and stares into the firewith a most desponding countenance, being in that stage of liquor when aman must either laugh or weep. 

"Come, Jack, " says I. "You are not used to yield like this. Let us makethe best of a bad lot, and face the worst like men. Though we trudgehence with nothing but the rags on our backs, we shall be no worse offto-morrow than we were this morning. "

"Why, that's true enough!" cries he, plucking up his courage. "Let thethieving rascal take our poor nag and our things for his payment, andmuch good may they do him. We will wipe this out of our memory themoment we leave his cursed inn behind us. "

It seemed to me that this would not greatly advance us, and maybe DonSanchez thought the same, for he presently asks:

"And what then?"

"Why, Seņor, " replies Dawson, "we will face each new buffet as it comes, and make a good fight of it till we're beat. A man may die but once. "

"You think only of yourselves, " says the Don, very quietly. 

"And pray, saving your Seņor's presence, who else should we think of?"

"The child above, " answers the Don, a little more sternly than he hadyet spoken. "Is a young creature like that to bear the buffets you areso bold to meet? Can you offer her no shelter from the wind and rain butsuch as chance offers? make no provision for the time when she is leftalone, to protect her against the evils that lie in the path offriendless maids?"

"God forgive me, " says Jack, humbly. And then we could say nothing, forthinking what might befall Moll if we should be parted, but sat thereunder the keen eye of Don Sanchez, looking helplessly into the fire. Andthere was no sound until Jack's pipe, slipping from his hand, fell andbroke in pieces upon the hearth. Then rousing himself up and turning toDon Sanchez, he says:

"The Lord help her, Seņor, if we find no good friend to lend us a fewshillings for our present wants. "

"Good friends are few, " says the Don, "and they who lend need somebetter security for repayment than chance. For my own part, I would assoon fling straws to a drowning man as attempt to save you and thatchild from ruin by setting you on your feet to-day only to fall againto-morrow. "

"If that be so, Seņor, " says I, "you had some larger view in mind thanthat of offering temporary relief to our misery when you gave us asupper and Moll a bed for the night. "

Don Sanchez assented with a grave inclination of his head, and going tothe door opened it sharply, listened awhile, and then closing it softly, returned and stood before us with folded arms. Then, in a low voice, notto be heard beyond the room, he questioned us very particularly as toour relations with other men, the length of time we had been wanderingabout the country, and especially about the tractability of Moll. And, being satisfied with our replies, --above all, with Jack's saying thatMoll would jump out of window at his bidding, without a thought to theconsequences, --he says:

"There's a comedy we might play to some advantage if you were minded totake the parts I give you and act them as I direct. "

"With all my heart, " cries Dawson. "I'll play any part you choose; andas to the directing, you're welcome to that, for I've had my fill of it. If you can make terms with our landlord, those things in the yard shallbe yours, and for our payment I'm willing to trust to your honour'sgenerosity. "

"As regards payment, " says the Don, "I can speak precisely. We shallgain fifty thousand pounds by our performance. "

"Fifty thousand pounds, " says Jack, as if in doubt whether he had heardaright. Don Sanchez bent his head, without stirring a line in his face. 

Dawson took up his beaker slowly, and looked in it, to make sure that hewas none the worse for drink, then, after emptying it, to steady hiswits, he says again:

"Fifty thousand pounds. "

"Fifty thousand pounds, if not more; and that there be no jealousies oneof the other, it shall be divided fairly amongst us, --as much for yourfriend as for you, for the child as for me. "

"Pray God, this part be no more than I can compass, " says Jack, devoutly. 

"You may learn it in a few hours--at least, your first act. "

"And mine?" says I, entering for the first time into the dialogue. 

The Don hunched his shoulders, lifting his eyebrows, and sending twostreams of smoke from his nose. 

"I scarce know what part to give you, yet, " says he. "To be honest, youare not wanted at all in the play. "

"Nay, but you must write him a part, " says Dawson, stoutly; "if it bebut to bring in a letter--that I am determined on. Kit stood by us inill fortune, and he shall share better, or I'll have none of it, norMoll neither. I'll answer for her. "

"There must be no discontent among us, " says the Don, meaning thereby, as I think, that he had included me in his stratagem for fear I mightmar it from envy. "The girl's part is that which gives me mostconcern--and had I not faith in my own judgment--"

"Set your mind at ease on that score, " cried Jack. "I warrant our Mollshall learn her part in a couple of days or so. "

"If she learn it in a twelvemonth, 'twill be time enough. "

"A twelvemonth, " said Jack, going to his beaker again, forunderstanding. "Well, all's as one, so that we can get something inadvance of our payment, to keep us through such a prodigious study. "

"I will charge myself with your expenses, " says Don Sanchez; and then, turning to me, he asks if I have any objection to urge. 

"I take it, Seņor, that you speak in metaphor, " says I; "and that this'comedy' is nought but a stratagem for getting hold of a fortune thatdoesn't belong to us. "

Don Sanchez calmly assented, as if this had been the most innocentdesign in the world. 

"Hang me, " cries Dawson, "if I thought it was anything but a whimsey ofyour honour's. "

"I should like to know if we may carry out this stratagem honestly, "says I. 

"Aye, " cries Jack. "I'll not agree for cutting of throats or breaking ofbones, for any money. "

"I can tell you no more than this, " says the Don. "The fortune we maytake is now in the hands of a man who has no more right to it than wehave. "

"If that's so, " says Jack, "I'm with you, Seņor. For I'd as lief bustlea thief out of his gains as say my prayers, any day, and liefer. "

"Still, " says I, "the money must of right belong to some one. "

"We will say that the money belongs to a child of the same age as Moll. "

"Then it comes to this, Seņor, " says I, bluntly. "We are to rob thatchild of fifty thousand pounds. "

"When you speak of robbing, " says the Don, drawing himself up with muchdignity, "you forget that I am to play a part in this stratagem--I, DonSanchez del Castillo de Castelaņa. "

"Fie, Kit, han't you any manners?" cries Dick. "What's all this talk ofa child? Hasn't the Seņor told us we are but to bustle a cheat?"

"But I would know what is to become of this child, if we take herfortune, though it be withheld from her by another, " says I, beingexceeding obstinate and persistent in my liquor. 

"I shall prove to your conviction, " says the Don, "that the child willbe no worse off, if we take this money, than if we leave it in the handsof that rascally steward. But I see, " adds he, contemptuously, "that forall your brotherly love, 'tis no such matter to you whether poor littleMolly comes to her ruin, as every maid must who goes to the stage, or isset beyond the reach of temptation and the goading of want. "

"Aye, and be hanged to you, Kit!" cries Dawson. 

"Tell me, Mr. Poet, " continues Don Sanchez, "do you consider thissteward who defrauds that child of a fortune is more unfeeling than youwho, for a sickly qualm of conscience, would let slip this chance ofmaking Molly an honest woman?"

"Aye, answer that, Kit, " adds Jack, striking his mug on the table. 

"I'll answer you to-morrow morning, Seņor, " says I. "And whether I fallin with the scheme or not is all as one, since my help is not needed;for if it be to Moll's good, I'll bid you farewell, and you shall see menever again. "

"Spoken like a man!" says Don Sanchez, "and a wise one to boot. Anenterprise of this nature is not to be undertaken without reflection, like the smoking of a pipe. If you put your foot forward, it must bewith the understanding that you cannot go back. I must have thatassurance, for I shall be hundreds of pounds out of pocket ere I can getany return for my venture. "

"Have no fear of me or of Moll turning tail at a scarecrow, " says Jack, adding with a sneer, "we are no poets. "

"Reflect upon it. Argue it out with your friend here, whose scruples donot displease me, and let me know your determination when the last wordis said. Business carries me to London to-morrow; but you shall meet meat night, and we will close the business--aye or nay--ere supper. "

With that he opens the door and gives us our congee, the most noble inthe world; but not offering to give us a bed, we are forced to go out ofdoors and grope our way through the snow to the cart-shed, and seek ashelter there from the wind, which was all the keener and more bitterfor our leaving a good fire. And I believe the shrewd Spaniard had putus to this pinch as a foretaste of the misery we must endure if werejected his design, and so to shape our inclinations to his. 

Happily, the landlord, coming out with a lantern, and finding us by thechattering of our teeth, was moved by the consideration shown us by DonSanchez to relax his severity; and so, unlocking the stable door, hebade us get up into the loft, which we did, blessing him as if he hadbeen the best Christian in the world. And then, having buried ourselvesin hay, Jack Dawson and I fell to arguing the matter in question, Isticking to my scruples (partly from vanity), and he stoutly holdingt'other side; and I, being warmed by my own eloquence, and he not lessheated by liquor (having taken best part of the last bowl to his share), we ran it pretty high, so that at one point Jack was for lighting acandle end he had in his pocket and fighting it out like men. But, little by little, we cooled down, and towards morning, each giving waysomething, we came to the conclusion that we would have Don Sanchez showus the steward, that we might know the truth of his story (which Imisdoubted, seeing that it was but a roguish kind of game at best thathe would have us take part in), and that if we found all things as herepresented them, then we would accept his offer. And also we resolvedto be down betimes and let him know our determination before he set outfor London, to the end that we might not be left fasting all the day. But herein we miscalculated the potency of liquor and a comfortable bedof hay, for 'twas nine o'clock before either of us winked an eye, andwhen we got down, we learnt that Don Sanchez had been gone a full hour, and so no prospect of breaking our fast till nightfall. 

Presently comes Moll, all fresh and pink from the house, and falls toexclaiming upon the joy of sleeping betwixt clean sheets in a featherbed, and could speak of nothing else, saying she would give all theworld to sleep so well every day of her life. 

"Eh, " whispers her father in my ear, "you see how luxuries do tempt thepoor child, and what kind of a bed she is like to lie in if our hopesmiscarry. "

On which, still holding to my scruples, I says to Moll:

"'Tis easy to say you would give the world, Moll, but I know full wellyou would give nothing for all the comfort possible that was not yourown. "

"Nay, " says she, crossing her hands on her breast, and casting up hereyes with the look of a saint, "what are all the fruits of the earth toher who cannot take them with an easy conscience? Honesty is dearer tome than the bread of life. "

Then, as Jack and I are looking at each other ruefully in the face atthis dash to our knavish project, she bursts into a merry peal oflaughter, like a set of Christmas bells chiming, whereupon we, turningabout to find the cause of her merriment, she pulls another demure face, and, slowly lifting her skirt, shows us a white napkin tied about herwaist, stuffed with a dozen delicacies she had filched from DonSanchez's table in coming down from her room. 

CHAPTER IV. 

_Of the several parts that we are appointed to play. _

Finding a sheltered secret corner, we made a very hasty breakfast ofthese stolen dainties, and since we had not the heart to restore them toour innkeeper, so we had not the face to chide Moll for her larceny, butmade light of the business and ate with great content and some mirth. 

A drizzly rain falling and turning the snow into slush, we kept underthe shelter of the shed, and this giving us scope for the reflection DonSanchez had counselled, my compunctions were greatly shaken by theconsideration of our present position and the prospect of worse. When Ithought of our breakfast that Moll had stolen, and how willingly wewould all have eaten a dinner got by the same means, I had toacknowledge that certainly we were all thieves at heart; and thisconclusion, together with sitting all day doing nothing in the raw cold, did make the design of Don Sanchez seem much less heinous to me than itappeared the night before, when I was warm and not exceedingly sober, and indeed towards dusk I came to regard it as no bad thing at all. 

About six comes back our Don on a fine horse, and receives oursalutations with a cool nod--we standing there of a row, looking oursweetest, like hungry dogs in expectation of a bone. Then in he goes tothe house without a word, and now my worst fear was that he had thoughtbetter of his offer and would abandon it. So there we hang about thebest part of an hour, now thinking the Don would presently send for us, and then growing to despair of everything but to be left in the coldforgotten; but in the end comes Master Landlord to tell us his worshipin the Cherry room would see us. So, after the same formalities ofcleansing ourselves as the night afore, upstairs we go at the heels of adrawer, carrying a roast pig, which to our senses was more delightfulthan any bunch of flowers. 

With a gesture of his hands, after saluting us with great dignity, DonSanchez bade us take our places at the table and with never a word ofquestion as to our decision; but that was scarce necessary, for itneeded no subtle observation to perceive that we would accept anyconditions to get our share of that roast pig. This supper differed notgreatly from the former, save that our Moll was taken with a kind oftickling at the throat which presently attracted our notice. 

"What ails you, Molly, my dear?" asks Jack. "Has a bit of crackling gonedown the wrong way?"

She put it off as if she would have us take no notice of it, but it grewworse and worse towards the end of the meal, and became a most horrid, tearing cough, which she did so natural as to deceive us all and put usin great concern, and especially Don Sanchez, who declared she must havetaken a cold by being exposed all day to the damp weather. 

"If I have, " says she, very prettily, after wiping the tears from hereyes upon another fit, "'tis surely a most ungrateful return for thekindness with which you sheltered me last night, Seņor. "

"I shall take better care to shelter you in the future, my poor child, "replies the Don, ringing the bell. Then, the maid coming, he bids herwarm a bed and prepare a hot posset against Moll was tucked up in theblankets. "And, " says he, turning to Moll, "you shall not rise tillnoon, my dear; your breakfast shall be brought to you in your room, where a fire shall be made, and such treatment shown you as if you weremy own child. "

"Oh! what have I done that you should be so gentle to me?" exclaimsMoll, smothering another cough. And with that she reaches out her legunder the table and fetches me a kick of the shin, looking all the whileas pitiful and innocent as any painted picture. "Would it be well tofetch in a doctor?" says Don Sanchez, when Moll was gone barkingupstairs. "The child looks delicate, though she eats with a fairly goodappetite. "

"'Tis nothing serious, " replies Jack, who had doubtless received thesame hint from Moll she had given me. "I warrant she will be mended in aday or so, with proper care. 'Tis a kind of family complaint. I am takenthat way at times, " and with that he rasps his throat as a hint that hewould be none the worse for sleeping a night between sheets. 

This was carrying the matter too far, and I thought it had certainlyundone us; for stopping short, with a start, in crossing the room, heturns and looks first at Dawson, then at me, with anything but apleasant look in his eyes as finding his dignity hurt, to be thusbustled by a mere child. Then his dark eyebrows unbending with thereflection, maybe, that it was so much the better to his purpose thatMoll could so act as to deceive him, he seats himself gravely, andreplies to Jack:

"Your family wit may get you a night's lodging, but I doubt if you willever merit it so well as your daughter. "

"Well, " says Jack, with a laugh, "what wit we have amongst us we areresolved to employ in your honour's service, so that you show us thissteward-fellow is a rascal that deserves to be bounced, and we do nogreat injury to any one else. "

"Good, " says Don Sanchez. "We will proceed to that without delay. Andnow, as we have no matter to discuss, and must be afoot early to-morrow, I will ring for a light to take you to bed. "

So we up presently to a good snug room with a bed to each of us fit fora prince. And there, with the blankets drawn up to our ears, we fellblessing our stars that we were now fairly out of our straits, and afterthat to discussing whether we should consult Moll's inclination to thisbusiness. First, Dawson was for telling her plump out all about ourproject, saying that being so young she had no conscience to speak of, and would like nothing better than to take part in any piece ofmischief. But against this I protested, seeing that it would bedangerous to our design to let her know so much (she having a woman'stongue in her head), and also of a bad tendency to make her, as it were, at the very beginning of her life, a knowing active party to what lookedlike nothing more nor less than a piece of knavery. Therefore I proposedwe should, when necessary, tell her just so much of our plan as wasexpedient, and no more. And this agreeing mightily with Jack's naturalturn for taking of short cuts out of difficulties, he fell in with myviews at once, and so, bidding God bless me, he lays the clothes overhis head and was snoring the next minute. 

In the morning we found the Don just as kind to us as the day before hehad been careless, and so made us eat breakfast with him, to our greatcontent. Also, he sent a maid up to Moll to enquire of her health, andif she could eat anything from our table, to which the baggage sendsreply that she feels a little easier this morning and could fancy a dishof black puddings. These delicacies her father carried to her, beingcharged by the Don to tell her that we should be gone for a couple ofdays, and that in our absence she might command whatever she felt wasnecessary to her complete recovery against our return. Then I told DonSanchez how we had resolved to tell Moll no more of our purpose than wasnecessary for the moment, which pleased him, I thought, mightily, hesaying that our success or failure depended upon secrecy as much asanything, for which reason he had kept us in the dark as much as ever itwas possible. 

About eight o'clock three saddle nags were brought to the door, and we, mounting, set out for London, where we arrived about ten, the roadsbeing fairly passable save in the marshy parts about Shoreditch, wherethe mire was knee-deep; so to Gracious Street, and there leaving ournags at the Turk inn, we walked down to the Bridge stairs, and thencewith a pair of oars to Greenwich. Here, after our tedious chilly voyage, we were not ill-pleased to see the inside of an inn once more, and DonSanchez, taking us to the King's posting-house, orders a fire to belighted in a private room, and the best there was in the larder to beserved us in the warm parlour. While we were at our trenchers DonSanchez says:

"At two o'clock two men are coming hither to see me. One is a mastermariner named Robert Evans, the other a merchant adventurer of hisacquaintance whom I have not yet seen. Now you are to mark these two menwell, note all they say and their manner of speaking, for to-morrow youwill have to personate these characters before one who would be only tooglad to find you at fault. "

"Very good, Seņor, " says Dawson; "but which of these parts am I toplay?"

"That you may decide when you have seen the men, but I should say frommy knowledge of Robert Evans that you may best represent his character. For in your parts to-day you are to be John and Christopher Knight, twoneedy cousins of Lady Godwin, whose husband, Sir Richard Godwin, waslost at sea seven years ago. I doubt if you will have to do anything inthese characters beyond looking eager and answering merely yes and no tosuch questions as I may put. "

Thus primed, we went presently to the sitting-room above, and the drawershortly after coming to say that two gentlemen desired to see DonSanchez, Jack and I seated ourselves side by side at a becoming distancefrom the Don, holding our hats on our knees as humbly as may be. Then incomes a rude, dirty fellow with a patch over one eye and a most peculiarbearish gait, dressed in a tarred coat, with a wool shawl about hisneck, followed by a shrewd-visaged little gentleman in a plain clothsuit, but of very good substance, he looking just as trim andwell-mannered as t'other was uncouth and rude. 

"Well, here am I, " says Evans (whom we knew at once for the mastermariner), flinging his hat and shawl in a corner. "There's hisexcellency Don Sanchez, and here's Mr. Hopkins, the merchant I spoke onyesterday; and who be these?" turning about to fix us with his one blueeye. 

"Two gentlemen related to Mrs. Godwin, and very anxious for her return, "replies the Don. 

"Then we being met friends all, let's have up a bottle and heave off onthis here business without more ado, " says Evans; and with that he seatshimself in the Don's chair, pokes up the fire with his boots, and spitson the hearth. 

The Don graciously places a chair for Mr. Hopkins, rings the bell, andseats himself. Then after a few civilities while the bottle was beingopened and our glasses filled, he says:

"You have doubtless heard from Robert Evans the purpose of our cominghither, Mr. Hopkins. "

"Roughly, " replies Mr. Hopkins, with a dry little cough. "But I shouldbe glad to have the particulars from you, that I may judge more clearlyof my responsibilities in this undertaking. "

"Oh, Lord!" exclaims Evans, in disgust. "Here give us a pipe of tobaccoif we're to warp out half a day ere we get a capful of wind. "

CHAPTER V. 

_Don Sanchez puts us in the way of robbing with an easy conscience. _

Promising to make his story as short as he possibly could, Don Sanchezbegan:

"On the coming of our present king to his throne, Sir Richard Godwin wasrecalled from Italy, whither he had been sent as embassador by theProtector. He sailed from Livorno with his wife and his daughter Judith, a child of nine years old at that time, in the Seahawk. "

"I remember her, " says Evans, "as stout a ship as ever was put to sea. "

"On the second night of her voyage the Seahawk became parted from herconvoy, and the next day she was pursued and overtaken by a pair ofBarbary pirates, to whom she gave battle. "

"Aye, and I'd have done the same, " cries Evans, "though they had been ascore. "

"After a long and bloody fight, " continues Don Sanchez, "the corsairssucceeded in boarding the Seahawk and overcoming the remnant of hercompany. "

"Poor hearts! would I had been there to help 'em, " says Evans. 

"Exasperated by the obstinate resistance of these English and their ownlosses, the pirates would grant no mercy, but tying the living to thedead they cast all overboard save Mrs. Godwin and her daughter. Her lotwas even worse; for her wounded husband, Sir Richard, was snatched fromher arms and flung into the sea before her eyes, and he sank cryingfarewell to her. "

"These Turks have no hearts in their bellies, you must understand, "explains Evans. "And nought but venom in their veins. "

"The Seahawk was taken to Alger, and there Mrs. Godwin and her daughterwere sold for slaves in the public market-place. "

"I have seen 'em sold by the score there, " says Evans, "and fetch but anonion a head. "

"By good fortune the mother and daughter were bought by Sidi ben Moula, a rich old merchant who was smitten by the pretty, delicate looks ofJudith, whom he thenceforth treated as if she had been his own child. Inthis condition they lived with greater happiness than falls to the lotof most slaves, until the beginning of last year, when Sidi died, andhis possessions fell to his brother, Bare ben Moula. Then Mrs. Godwinappeals to Bare for her liberty and to be sent home to her country, saying that what price (in reason) he chooses to set upon their headsshe will pay from her estate in England--a thing which she had proposedbefore to Sidi, but he would not hear of it because of his love forJudith and his needing no greater fortune than he had. But this Bare, though he would be very well content, being also an old man, to have hishousehold managed by Mrs. Godwin and to adopt Judith as his child, beingof a more avaricious turn than his brother, at length consents to it, oncondition that her ransoms be paid before she quits Barbary. And so, casting about how this may be done, Mrs. Godwin finds a captive whoseprice has been paid, about to be taken to Palma in the Baleares, and tohim she entrusts two letters. " Here Don Sanchez pulls two folded sheetsof vellum from his pocket, and presenting one to me, he says:

"Mayhap you recognise this hand, Mr. Knight. "

And I, seeing the signature Elizabeth Godwin, answers quickly enough:"Aye, 'tis my dear cousin Bess, her own hand. "

"This, " says the Don, handing the other to Evans, "you may understand. "

"I can make out 'tis writ in the Moorish style, " says Evans, "but themeaning of it I know not, for I can't tell great A from a bull's footthough it be in printed English. "

"'Tis an undertaking on the part of Bare ben Moula, " says the Don, "todeliver up at Dellys in Barbary the persons of Mrs. Godwin and herdaughter against the payment of five thousand gold ducats within oneyear. The other writing tells its own story. "

Mr. Hopkins took the first sheet from me and read it aloud. It wasaddressed to Mr. Richard Godwin, Hurst Court, Chislehurst in Kent, andafter giving such particulars of her past as we had already heard fromDon Sanchez, she writes thus: "And now, my dear nephew, as I doubt notyou (as the nearest of my kindred to my dear husband after us two poorrelicts) have taken possession of his estate in the belief we were alllost in our voyage from Italy, I do pray you for the love of God and ofmercy to deliver us from our bondage by sending hither a ship with themoney for our ransoms forthwith, and be assured by this that I shall notdispossess you of your fortune (more than my bitter circumstances do nowrequire), so that I but come home to die in a Christian country and havemy sweet Judith where she may be less exposed to harm than in thisinfidel country. I count upon your love, --being ever a dear nephew, --andam your most hopeful, trusting, and loving aunt, Elizabeth Godwin. "

"Very well, sir, " says Mr. Hopkins, returning the letter. "You have beento Chislehurst. "

"I have, " answers the Don, "and there I find the estate in the hands ofa most curious Puritanical steward, whose honesty is rather in theletter than the spirit. For though I have reason to believe that not onepenny's value of the estate has been misemployed since it has been inhis hands, yet will he give nothing--no, not a maravedi to theredemption of his mistress, saying that the letter is addressed toRichard Godwin and not to him, etc. , and that he hath no power to payout monies for this purpose, even though he believed the facts I havelaid before him--which for his own ends doubtless he fains to misdoubt. "

"As a trader, sir, " says Mr. Hopkins, "I cannot blame his conduct inthat respect. For should the venture fall through, the next heir mightcall upon him to repay out of his own pocket all that he had put intothis enterprise. But this Mr. Richard Godwin, what of him?"

"He is nowhere to be found. The only relatives I have been able todiscover are these two gentlemen. "

"Who, " remarks Mr. Hopkins, with a shrewd glance at our soiled clothes, "are not, I venture to think, in a position to pay their cousin'sransom. "

"Alas, no, sir, " says Jack. "We are but two poor shopkeepers of Londonundone by the great fire. "

"Well now, sir, " says Mr. Hopkins, fetching an inkpot, a pen, and apiece of paper from his pocket. "I may conclude that you wish me toadventure upon the redemption of these two ladies in Barbary, upon thehazard of being repaid by Mrs. Godwin when she recovers her estate. " Andthe Don making him a reverence, he continues, "We must first learn theextent of our liabilities. What sum is to be paid to Bare ben Moula?"

"Five thousand gold ducats--about two thousand pounds English. "

"Two thousand, " says Mr. Hopkins, writing. "Then, Robert Evans, whatcharge is yours for fetching the ladies from Dellys?"

"Master Hopkins, I have said fifteen hundred pounds, " says he, "and Iwon't go from my word though all laugh at me for a madman. "

"That seems a great deal of money, " says Mr. Hopkins. 

"Well, if you think fifteen hundred pounds too much for my carcase and aship of twenty men, you can go seek a cheaper market elsewhere. "

"You think there is very small likelihood of coming back alive?"

"Why, comrade, 'tis as if you should go into a den of lions and hope toget out whole; for though I have the Duke's pass, these Moors are nofitter to be trusted than a sackful of serpents. 'Tis ten to one ourship be taken, and we fools all sold into slavery. "

"Ten to one, " says Mr. Hopkins; "that is to say, you would make thisvoyage for the tenth part of what you ask were you sure of returningsafe. "

"I would go as far anywhere outside the straits for an hundred poundswith a lighter heart. "

Mr. Hopkins nods his head, and setting down some figures on his paper, says:

"The bare outlay in hard money amounts to thirty-five hundred pounds. Reckoning the risk at Robert Evans' own valuation (which I take to be avery low one), I must see reasonable prospect of winning thirty-fivethousand pounds by my hazard. "

"Mrs. Godwin's estate I know to be worth double that amount. "

"But who will promise me that return?" asks Mr. Hopkins. "Not you?" (TheDon shook his head. ) "Not you?" (turning to us, with the same result). "Not Mrs. Godwin, for we have no means of communicating with her. Notthe steward--you have shown me that. Who then remains but this RichardGodwin who cannot be found? If, " adds he, getting up from his seat, "youcan find Richard Godwin, put him in possession of the estate, and obtainfrom him a reasonable promise that this sum shall be paid on the returnof Mrs. Godwin, I may feel disposed to consider your proposal moreseriously. But till then I can do nothing. "

"Likewise, masters all, " says Evans, fetching his hat and shawl from thecorner, "I can't wait for a blue moon; and if so be we don't signarticles in a week, I'm off of my bargain, and mighty glad to get out ofit so cheap. "

"You see, " says Don Sanchez, when they were gone out of the room, "howimpossible it is that Mrs. Godwin and her daughter shall be redeemedfrom captivity. To-morrow I shall show you what kind of a fellow thesteward is that he should have the handling of this fortune rather thanwe. "

Then presently, with an indifferent, careless air, as if 'twas nought, he gives us a purse and bids us go out in the town to furnish ourselveswith what disguise was necessary to our purpose. Therewith Dawson getshim some seaman's old clothes at a Jew's, and I a very neat, presentablesuit of cloth, etc. , and the rest of the money we take back to DonSanchez without taking so much as a penny for our other uses; but he, doing all things very magnificent, would have none of it, but bade uskeep it against our other necessities. And now having his money in ourpockets, we felt 'twould be more dishonest to go back from this businessthan to go forward with it, lead us whither it might. 

Next morning off we go betimes, Jack more like Robert Evans than hismother's son, and I a most seeming substantial man (so that the verystable lad took off his hat to me), and on very good horses a long rideto Chislehurst And there coming to a monstrous fine park, Don Sanchezstayed us before the gates, and bidding us look up a broad avenue ofgreat oaks to a most surprising brave house, he told us this was HurstCourt, and we might have it for our own within a year if we were sominded. 

Hence, at no great distance we reach a square plain house, the windowsall barred with stout iron, and the most like a prison I did ever see. Here Don Sanchez ringing a bell, a little grating in the door is opened, and after some parley we are admitted by a sturdy fellow carrying acudgel in his hand. So we into a cold room, with not a spark of fire onthe hearth but a few ashes, no hangings to the windows, nor any ornamentor comfort at all, but only a table and half a dozen wooden stools, anda number of shelves against the wall full of account books and papersprotected by a grating of stout wire secured with sundry padlocks. Andhere, behind a tableful of papers, sat our steward, SimonStout-in-faith, a most withered, lean old man, clothed all in leather, wearing no wig but his own rusty grey hair falling lank on hisshoulders, with a sour face of a very jaundiced complexion, and paleeyes that seemed to swim in a yellowish rheum, which he was for evera-mopping with a rag. 

"I am come, Mr. Steward, " says Don Sanchez, "to conclude the business wewere upon last week. "

"Aye, " cries Dawson, for all the world in the manner of Evans, "but erewe get to this dry matter let's have a bottle to ease the way, for thisriding of horseback has parched up my vitals confoundedly. "

"If thou art athirst, " says Simon, "Peter shall fetch thee a jug ofwater from the well; but other liquor have we none in this house. "

"Let Peter drown in your well, " says Dawson, with an oath; "I'll havenone of it. Let's get this matter done and away, for I'd as lief sit ina leaky hold as in this here place for comfort. "

"Here, " says Don Sanchez, "is a master mariner who is prepared to riskhis life, and here a merchant adventurer of London who will hazard hismoney, to redeem your mistress and her daughter from slavery. "

"Praise the Lord, Peter, " says the steward. Whereupon the sturdy fellowwith the cudgel fell upon his knees, as likewise did Simon, and both ina snuffling voice render thanks to Heaven in words which I do not thinkit proper to write here. Then, being done, they get up, and the steward, having dried his eyes, says:

"So far our prayers have been answered. Put me in mind, friend Peter, that to-night we pray these worthy men prosper in their design. "

"If they succeed, " says Don Sanchez, "it will cost your mistressfive-and-thirty thousand pounds. "

The steward clutched at the table as if at the fortune about to turnfrom him; his jaw fell, and he stared at Don Sanchez in bewilderment, then getting the face to speak, he gasps out, "Thirty-five thousandpounds!" and still in a maze asks: "Art thou in thy right senses, friend?"

The Don hunches his shoulders and turns to me. Whereupon I lay forth inpretty much the same words as Mr. Hopkins used, the risk of the venture, etc. , to all which this Simon listened with starting eyes and gapingmouth. 

"Thirty-five thousand pounds!" he says again; "why, friend, 'tis half ofall I have made of the estate by a life of thrift and care and earnestseeking. "

"'Tis in your power, Simon, " says Don Sanchez, "to spare your mistressthis terrible charge, for which your fine park must be felled, yourfarms cut up, and your economies be scattered. The master here willfetch your mistress home for fifteen hundred pounds. "

"Why, even that is an extortion. "

"Nay, " says Jack, "if you think fifteen hundred pounds too much for mycarcase and a ship of twenty men, you may seek a cheaper market andwelcome, for I've no stomach to risk my life and property for less. "

"To the fifteen hundred pounds you must add the ransom of two thousandpounds. Thus Mrs. Godwin and her daughter may be redeemed forthirty-five hundred pounds to her saving of thirty-one thousand fivehundred pounds, " says the Don. 

And here Dawson and I were secretly struck by his honesty in not seekingto affright the steward from an honest course, but rather tempting himto it by playing upon his parsimony and avarice. 

"Three thousand five hundred, " says Simon, putting it down in writing, that he might the better realise his position. "But you say, friendmerchant, that the risk is as ten to one against seeing thy moneyagain. "

"I will run the risk for thirty-one thousand pounds, and no less, " saysI. 

"But if it may be done for a tenth part, how then?"

"Why, 'tis your risk, sir, and not mine, " says I. 

"Yea, yea, my risk. And you tell me, friend sailor, that you stand indanger of being plundered by these infidels. "

"Aye, more like than not. "

"Why, then we may count half the estate gone; and the peril is to be runagain, and thus all cast away for nought. "

In this manner did Simon halt betwixt two ways like one distracted, butonly he did mingle a mass of sacred words with his arguments whichseemed to me nought but profanity, his sole concern being the gain ofmoney. Then he falls to the old excuses Don Sanchez had told us of, saying he had no money of his own, and offering to show his books thatwe might see he had taken not one penny beyond his bare expenses fromthe estate, save his yearly wage, and that no more than Sir Richard hadgiven him in his lifetime. And on Don Sanchez showing Mrs. Godwin'sletter as a fitting authority to draw out this money for her use, hefirst feigns to doubt her hand, and then says he: "If an accidentbefalls these two women ere they return to justify me, how shall Ianswer to the next heir for this outlay? Verily" (clasping his hands) "Iam as one standing in darkness, and I dare not move until I am betterenlightened; so prithee, friend, give me time to commune with myconscience. "

Don Sanchez hunches up his shoulders and turns to us. 

"Why, look here, Master, " says Dawson. "I can't see as you need muchenlightenment to answer yes or no to a fair offer, and as for me, I'mnot going to hang in a hedge for a blue moon. So if you won't clap handson the bargain without more ado, I throw this business overboard andshall count I've done the best day's work of my life in getting out ofthe affair. "

Then I made as if I would willingly draw out of my share in the project. 

"My friends, " says Simon, "there can be scarce any hope at all if thouwilt not hazard thy money for such a prodigious advantage. " Then turningto Peter as his last hope, he asks in despair, "What shall we do, mybrother?"

"We can keep on a-praying, friend Simon, " replies Peter, in a snivellingvoice. 

"A blessed thought!" exclaims the steward in glee. "Surely that is morerighteous than to lay faith in our own vain effort. So do thou, friend"(turning to me), "put thy money to this use, for I will none. "

"I cannot do that, sir, " says I, "without an assurance that Mrs. Godwin's estate will bear this charge. "

With wondrous alacrity Simon fetches a book with a plan of the estate, whereby he showed us that not a holding on the estate was untenanted, not a single tenant in arrear with his rent, and that the value of theproperty with all deductions made was sixty-five thousand pounds. 

"Very good sir, " says I. "Now you must give me a written note, statingwhat you have shown, with your sanction to my making this venture onMrs. Godwin's behalf, that I may justify my claim hereafter. "

But this Simon stoutly refused to do, saying his conscience would notallow him to sign any bond (clearly with the hope that he might in theend shuffle out of paying anything at all), until Don Sanchez, losingpatience, declared he would certainly hunt all London through to findthat Mr. Richard Godwin, who was the next of kin, hinting that he wouldcertainly give us such sanction as we required if only to prove hisright to the succession should our venture fail. 

This put the steward to a new taking; but the Don holding firm, he atlength agreed to give us this note, upon Don Sanchez writing anotheraffirming that he had seen Mrs. Godwin and her daughter in Barbary, andwas going forth to fetch them, that should Mr. Richard Godwin come toclaim the estate he might be justly put off. 

And so this business ended to our great satisfaction, we saying toourselves that we had done all that man could to redeem the captives, and that it would be no harm at all to put a cheat upon the miserlysteward. Whether we were any way more honest than he in shaping ourconduct according to our inclinations is a question which troubled usthen very little. 

CHAPTER VI. 

_Moll is cast to play the part of a fine lady; doubtful promise for thisundertaking. _

On our way back to Greenwich we stayed at an inn by the road to refreshourselves, and there, having a snug parlour to ourselves, and beingseated about a fine cheese with each a full measure of ale, Don Sanchezasks us if we are satisfied with our undertaking. 

"Aye, that we are, " replies Dawson, mightily pleased as usual to bea-feasting. "We desire nothing better than to serve your honourfaithfully in all ways, and are ready to put our hands to any bond youmay choose to draw up. "

"Can you show me the man, " asks the Don, lifting his eyebrowscontemptuously, "who ever kept a treaty he was minded to break? Men arehonest enough when nought's to be gained by breaking faith. Are you bothagreed to this course?"

"Yes, Seņor, " says I, "and my only compunction now is that I can do solittle to forward this business. "

"Why, so far as I can see into it, " says Dawson, "one of us must be castfor old Mrs. Godwin, if Moll is to be her daughter, and you're fitter toplay the part than I, for I take it this old gentlewoman should be of amore delicate, sickly composition than mine. "

"We will suppose that Mrs. Godwin is dead, " says the Don, gravely. 

"Aye, to be sure; that simplifies the thing mightily. But pray, Seņor, what parts are we to play?"

"The parts you have played to-day. You go with me to fetch Judith Godwinfrom Barbary. "

"This hangs together and ought to play well; eh, Kit?"

I asked Don Sanchez how long, in the ordinary course of things anexpedition of this kind would take. 

"That depends upon accidents of many kinds, " answers he. "We may verywell stretch it out best part of a year. "

"A year, " says Jack, scratching his ear ruefully, for I believe he hadcounted upon coming to live like a lord in a few weeks. "And what onearth are we to do in the meanwhile?"

"Teach Moll, " answers the Don. 

"She can read anything print or scrip, " says Jack, proudly, "and writeher own name. "

"Judith Godwin, " says the Don, reflectively, "lived two years in Italy. She would certainly remember some words of Italian. Consider this: it isnot sufficient merely to obtain possession of the Godwin estate; it mustbe held against the jealous opposition of that shrewd steward and of thepresumptive heir, Mr. Richard Godwin, who may come forward at any time. "

"You're in the right, Seņor. Well, there's Kit knows the language andcan teach her a smattering of the Italian, I warrant, in no time. "

"Judith would probably know something of music, " pursues the Don. 

"Why, Moll can play Kit's fiddle as well as he. "

"But, above all, " continues the Don, as taking no heed of this tributeto Moll's abilities, "Judith Godwin must be able to read and write theMoorish character and speak the tongue readily, answer aptly as to theirways and habits, and to do these things beyond suspect. Moll must livewith these people for some months. "

"God have mercy on us!" cries Jack. "Your honour is not for taking us toBarbary. "

"No, " answers the Don, dryly, passing his long fingers with somesignificance over the many seams in his long face, "but we must go wherethe Moors are to be found, on the hither side of the straits. "

"Well, " says Dawson, "all's as one whither we go in safety if we're tobe out of our fortune for a year. There's nothing more for our Moll tolearn, I suppose, seņor. "

"It will not be amiss to teach her the manners of a lady, " replies theDon, rising and knitting his brows together unpleasantly, "andespecially to keep her feet under her chair at table. "

With this he rings the bell for our reckoning, and so ends ourdiscussion, neither Dawson nor I having a word to say in answer to thislast hit, which showed us pretty plainly that in reaching round with herlong leg for our shins, Moll had caught the Don's shanks a kick thatnight she was seized with a cough. 

So to horse again and a long jog back to Greenwich, where Dawson and Iwould fain have rested the night (being unused to the saddle and veryraw with our journey), but the Don would not for prudence, andtherefore, after changing our clothes, we make a shift to mount oncemore, and thence another long horrid jolt to Edmonton very painfully. 

Coming to the Bell (more dead than alive) about eight, and pitch dark, we were greatly surprised that we could make no one hear to take ourhorses, and further, having turned the brutes into the stable ourselves, to find never a soul in the common room or parlour, so that the placeseemed quite forsaken. But hearing a loud guffaw of laughter from below, we go downstairs to the kitchen, which we could scarce enter for thecrowd in the doorway. And here all darkness, save for a sheet hung atthe further end, and lit from behind, on which a kind of phantasmagoryplay of Jack and the Giant was being acted by shadow characters cut outof paper, the performer being hid by a board that served as a stage forthe puppets. And who should this performer be but our Moll, as we knewby her voice, and most admirably she did it, setting all in a roar oneminute with some merry joke, and enchanting 'em the next with a prettysong for the maid in distress. 

We learnt afterwards that Moll, who could never rest still two minutestogether, but must for ever be a-doing something new, had cut out herimages and devised the show to entertain the servants in the kitchen, and that the guests above hearing their merriment had come down in timeto get the fag end, which pleased them so vastly that they would haveher play it all over again. 

"This may undo us, " says Don Sanchez, in a low voice of displeasure, drawing us away. "Here are a dozen visitors who will presently beexamining Moll as a marvel. Who can say but that one of them may knowher again hereafter to our confusion? We must be seen together no morethan is necessary, until we are out of this country. I shall leave herein the morning, and you will meet me next at the Turk, in GraciousStreet, to-morrow afternoon. " Therewith he goes up to his room, leavingus to shift for ourselves; and we into the parlour to warm our feet atthe fire till we may be served with some victuals, both very silent andsurly, being still sore, and as tired as any dogs with our day'sjolting. 

While we are in this mood, Moll, having finished her play, comes to usin amazing high spirits, and all aglow with pleasure shows us a handfulof silver given her by the gentry; then, pulling up a chair betwixt us, she asks us a dozen questions of a string as to where we have been, whatwe have done, etc. , since we left her. Getting no answer, she presentlystops, looks first at one, then at the other, and bursting into a fit oflaughter, cries: "Why, what ails you both to be so grumpy?"

"In the first place, Moll, " says Jack, "I'll have you to know that I amyour father, and will not be spoken to save with becoming respect. "

"Why, I did but ask you where you have been. "

"Children of your age should not ask questions, but do as they're bid, and there's an end of it. "

"La, I'm not to ask any questions. Is there nothing else I am not todo?"

"Yes; I'll not have you playing of Galimaufray to cook wenches and suchstuff. I'll have you behave with more decency. Take your feet off thehearth, and put 'em under your chair. Let me have no more of thesegalanty-shows. Why, 'twill be said I cannot give you a basin ofporridge, that you must go a-begging of sixpences like this!"

"Oh, if you begrudge me a little pocket-money, " cries she, springing upwith the tears in her eyes, "I'll have none of it. "

And with that she empties her pocket on the chair, and out roll hersixpences together with a couple of silver spoons. 

"What, " cries Jack, after glancing round to see we were alone. "You havefilched a couple of spoons, Moll?"

"And why not?" asks she, her little nose turning quite white withpassion. "If I am to ask no questions, how shall I know but we may havenever a spoon to-morrow for your precious basin of porridge?"

CHAPTER VII. 

_Of our journey through France to a very horrid pass in the Pyraneans. _

Skipping over many unimportant particulars of our leaving Edmonton, ofour finding Don Sanchez at the Turk in Gracious Street, of our goingthence (the next day) to Gravesend, of our preparation there for voyage, I come now to our embarking, the 10th March, in the Rose, for Bordeauxin France. Nor shall I dwell long on that journey, neither, which wasexceedingly long and painful, by reason of our nearing the equinoctials, which dashed us from our course to that degree that it was the 26thbefore we reached our port and cast anchor in still water. And all thosedays we were prostrated with sickness, and especially Jack Dawson, because of his full habit, so that he declared he would rather ridea-horseback to the end of the earth than go another mile on sea. 

We stayed in Bordeaux, which is a noble town, but dirty, four days torefresh ourselves, and here the Don lodged us in a fine inn and fed uson the best; and also he made us buy new clothes and linen (which wesadly needed after the pickle we had lain in a fortnight) and cast awayour old; but no more than was necessary, saying 'twould be better tofurnish ourselves with fresh linen as we needed it, than carry baggage, etc. "And let all you buy be good goods, " says he, "for in this countrya man is valued at what he seems, and the innkeepers do go in such fearof their seigneurs that they will charge him less for entertainment thanif he were a mean fellow who could ill afford to pay. "

So not to displease him we dressed ourselves in the French fashion, morerichly than ever we had been clad in our lives, and especially Moll didprofit by this occasion to furnish herself like any duchess; so thatDawson and I drew lots to decide which of us should present the bill toDon Sanchez, thinking he would certainly take exception to ourextravagance; but he did not so much as raise his eyebrows at the total, but paid it without ever a glance at the items. Nay, when Moll presentsherself in her new equipment, he makes her a low reverence and pays hera most handsome compliment, but in his serious humour and without asmile. He himself wore a new suit all of black, not so fine as ours, butvery noble and becoming, by reason of his easy, graceful manner and hismajestic, high carriage. 

On the last day of March we set forth for Toulouse. At our starting DonSanchez bade Moll ride by his side, and so we, not being bid, fellbehind; and, feeling awkward in our new clothes, we might very well havebeen taken for their servants, or a pair of ill-bred friends at thebest, for our Moll carried herself not a whit less magnificent than theDon, to the admiration of all who looked at her. 

To see these grand airs of hers charmed Jack Dawson. 

"You see, Kit, " whispers he, "what an apt scholar the minx is, and whatan obedient, dutiful, good girl. One word from me is as good as sixmonths' schooling, for all this comes of that lecture I gave her thelast night we were at Edmonton. "

I would not deny him the satisfaction of this belief, but I felt prettysure that had she been riding betwixt us in her old gown, instead ofbeside the Don as his daughter, all her father's preaching would nothave stayed her from behaving herself like an orange wench. 

We journey by easy stages ten days through Toulouse, on the road toPerpignan, and being favoured with remarkably fine weather, a blue sky, and a bright sun above us, and at every turn something strange orbeautiful to admire, no pleasure jaunt in the world could have been moredelightful. At every inn (which here they call hotels) we found goodbeds, good food, excellent wine, and were treated like princes, so thatDawson and I would gladly have given up our promise of a fortune to havelived in this manner to the end of our days. But Don Sanchez professedto hold all on this side of the Pyrenese Mountains in great contempt, saying these hotels were as nothing to the Spanish posadas, that thepeople here would rob you if they dared, whereas, on t'other side, not aSpaniard would take so much as the hair of your horse's tail, though hewere at the last extremity, that the food was not fit for aught but aFrenchman, and so forth. And our Moll, catching this humour, did alsoturn up her nose at everything she was offered, and would send away abottle of wine from the table because 'twas not ripe enough, though buta few weeks before she had been drinking penny ale with a relish, andthat as sour as verjuice. And, indeed, she did carry it mighty high andartificial, wherever respect and humility were to be commanded. But itwas pretty to see how she would unbend and become her natural self whereher heart was touched by some tender sentiment. How she would empty herpockets to give to any one with a piteous tale, how she would get fromher horse to pluck wild-flowers by the roadside, and how, one day, overtaking a poor woman carrying a child painfully on her back, she musthave the little one up on her lap and carry it till we reached thehamlet where the woman lived, etc. On the fifteenth day we stayed at St. Denys, and going thence the next morning, had travelled but a couple ofhours when we were caught in a violent storm of hailstones as big aspeas, that was swept with incredible force by a wind rushing through adeep ravine in the mountains, so that 'twas as much as we could makeheadway through it and gain a village which lay but a little distancefrom us. And here we were forced to stay all day by another storm ofrain, that followed the hail and continued till nightfall. Many othersbesides ourselves were compelled to seek refuge at our inn, and amongstthem a company of Spanish muleteers, for it seems we were come to a passleading through the mountains into Spain. These were the first Spaniardswe had yet seen (save the Don), and for all we had heard to theircredit, we could not admire them greatly, being a low-browed, coarse-featured, ragged crew, and more picturesque than cleanly, besidesstinking intolerably of garlic. By nightfall there was more company thanthe inn could accommodate; nevertheless, in respect to our quality, wewere given the best rooms in the house to ourselves. 

About eight o'clock, as we were about to sit down to supper, ourinnkeeper's wife comes in to tell us that a Spanish grandee is below, who has been travelling for hours in the storm, and then she asked veryhumbly if our excellencies will permit her to lay him a bed in our roomwhen we have done with it, as she can bestow him nowhere else (themuleteers filling her house to the very cock loft), and has not theheart to send him on to St. Denys in this pitiless driving rain. To thisDon Sanchez replies, that a Spanish gentleman is welcome to all we canoffer him, and therewith sends down a mighty civil message, begging hiscompany at our table. 

Moll has just time to whip on a piece of finery, and we to put on ourbest manners, when the landlady returns, followed by a stout, robustSpaniard, in an old coat several times too small for him, whom sheintroduced as Seņor Don Lopez de Calvados. 

Don Lopez makes us a reverence, and then, with his shoulders up to hisears and like gestures, gives us an harangue at some length, but thisbeing in Spanish, is as heathen Greek to our ears. However, Don Sanchezexplains that our visitor is excusing his appearance as being forced tochange his wet clothes for what the innkeeper can lend him, and so we, grinning to express our amiability, all sit down to table and setto--Moll with her most finicking, delicate airs and graces, and Dawsonand I silent as frogs, with understanding nothing of the Dons'conversation. This, we learn from Don Sanchez after supper, has turnedchiefly on the best means of crossing into Spain, from which it appearsthere are two passes through the mountains, both leading to the sametown, but one more circuitous than the other. Don Lopez has come by thelatter, because the former is used by the muleteers, who are not alwaysthe most pleasant companions one can have in a dangerous road; and forthis reason he recommends us to take his way, especially as we have ayoung lady with us, which will be the more practicable, as the sameguides who conducted him will be only too glad to serve us on theirreturn the next morning. To this proposition we very readily agree, andsupper being ended, Don Sanchez sends for the guides, two hardymountaineers, who very readily agree to take us this way the nextmorning, if the weather permits. And so we all, wishing Don Lopez agood-night, to our several chambers. 

I was awoke in the middle of the night, as it seemed to me, by a greatcommotion below of Spanish shouting and roaring with much jingling ofbells; and looking out of window I perceived lanterns hanging here andthere in the courtyard, and the muleteers packing their goods to depart, with a fine clear sky full of stars overhead. And scarce had I turnedinto my warm bed again, thanking God I was no muleteer, when in comesthe Don with a candle, to say the guide will have us moving at once ifwe would reach Ravellos (our Spanish town) before night. So I toDawson's chamber, and he to Moll's, and in a little while we allshivering down to the great kitchen, where is never a muleteer left, butonly a great stench of garlic, to eat a mess of soup, very hot andcomforting. And after that out into the dark (there being as yet but afaint flush of green and primrose colour over towards the east), wherefour fresh mules (which Don Sanchez overnight had bargained to exchangeagainst our horses, as being the only kind of cattle fit for thisservice) are waiting for us with other two mules, belonging to ourguides, all very curiously trapped out with a network of wool and littlejingling bells. Then when Don Sanchez had solemnly debated whether weshould not awake Don Lopez to say farewell, and we had persuaded himthat it would be kinder to let him sleep on, we mounted into our high, fantastic saddles, and set out towards the mountains, our guidesleading, and we following close upon their heels as our mules could get, but by no guidance of ours, though we held the reins, for thesecreatures are very sagacious and so pertinacious and opiniastre that Ibelieve though you pulled their heads off they would yet go their ownway. 

Our road at first lay across a rising plain, very wild and scrubby, as Iimagine, by the frequent deviations of our beast, and then through aforest of cork oaks, which keep their leaves all the year through, andhere, by reason of the great shade, we went, not knowing whither, as ifblindfold, only we were conscious of being on rough, rising ground, bythe jolting of our mules and the clatter of their hoofs upon stones; butafter a wearisome, long spell of this business, the trees growing morescattered and a thin grey light creeping through, we could make out thatwe were all together, which was some comfort. From these oaks, we passedinto a wood of chestnuts, and still going up and up, but by suchdevious, unseen ways, that I think no man, stranger to these parts, could pick it out for himself in broad daylight, we came thence into agreat stretch of pine trees, with great rocks scattered amongst them, asif some mountain had been blown up and fallen in a huge shower offragments. 

And so, still for ever toiling and scambling upwards, we found ourselvesabout seven o'clock, as I should judge by the light beyond the trees andupon the side of the mountain, with the whole champaign laid out like acarpet under us on one side, prodigious slopes of rock on either hand, with only a shrub or a twisted fir here and there, and on the furtherside a horrid stark ravine with a cascade of water thundering down inits midst, and a peak rising beyond, covered with snow, which glitteredin the sunlight like a monstrous heap of white salt. 

After resting at this point half an hour to breathe our mules, theguides got into their saddles, and we did likewise, and so on againalong the side of the ravine, only not of a cluster as heretofore, butone behind the other in a long line, the mules falling into this orderof themselves as if they had travelled the path an hundred times; butthere was no means of going otherwise, the path being atrociously narrowand steep, and only fit for wild goats, there being no landrail, coping, or anything in the world to stay one from being hurled down a thousandfeet, and the mountain sides so inclined that 'twas a miracle the mulescould find foothold and keep their balance. From the bottom of theravine came a constant roar of falling water, though we could spy itonly now and then leaping down from one chasm to another; and more thanonce our guides would cry to us to stop (and that where our mules had tokeep shifting their feet to get a hold) while some huge boulder, loosened by the night's rain, flew down across our path in terrificbounds from the heights above, making the very mountain tremble with theshock. Not a word spoke we; nay, we had scarce courage at times to drawbreath, for two hours and more of this fearful passage, with noencouragement from our guides save that one of them did coolly take outa knife and peel an onion as though he had been on a level, broad road;and then, reaching a flat space, we came to a stand again before anascent that promised to be worse than that we had done. Here we gotdown, Moll clinging to our hands and looking around her with large, frighted eyes. 

"Shall we soon be there?" she asked. 

And the Don, putting this question in Spanish to the guides, theypointed upwards to a gap filled with snow, and answered that was thehighest point. This was some consolation, though we could not regard therugged way that lay betwixt us and that without quaking. Indeed, Ithought that even Don Sanchez, despite the calm, unmoved countenance heever kept, did look about him with a certain kind of uneasiness. However, taking example from our guides, we unloosed our saddle bags, and laid out our store of victuals with a hogskin of wine whichrekindled our spirits prodigiously. 

While we were at this repast, our guides, starting as if they had caughta sound (though we heard none save the horrid bursting of water), lookeddown, and one of them, clapping two dirty fingers in his mouth, made ashrill whistle. Then we, looking down, presently spied two mules farbelow on the path we had come, but at such a distance that we couldscarce make out whether they were mounted or not. 

"Who are they?" asks Don Sanchez, sternly, as I managed to understand. 

"Friends, " replies one of the fellows, with a grin that seemed to layhis face in two halves. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

_How we were entertained in the mountains, and stand in a fair way tohave our throats cut. _

"We will go on when you are ready, " says Don Sanchez, turning to us. 

"Aye, " growled Jack in my ear, "with all my heart. For if these friendsbe of the same kidney as Don Lopez, we may be persuaded to take a betterroad, which God forbid if this be a sample of their preference. "

So being in our saddles forth we set once more and on a path no easierthan before, but worse--like a very housetop for steepness, without atinge of any living thing for succour if one fell, but only sharp, jagged rocks, and that which now added to our peril was here and there apatch of snow, so that the mules must cock their ears and feel their waybefore advancing a step, now halting for dread, and now scuttling onwith their tails betwixt their legs as the stones rolled under them. 

But the longest road hath an end, and so at length reaching that gap wehad seen from below, to our great content we beheld through an angle inthe mountain a tract of open country below, looking mighty green andsweet in the distance. And at the sight of this, Moll clapt her handsand cried out with joy; indeed, we were all as mad as children with thethought that our task was half done. Only the Don kept his gravity. Butturning to Moll, he stretches out his hand towards the plain and sayswith prodigious pride, "My country!"

And now we began the descent, which was actually more perilous than theascent, but we made light of it, being very much enlivened by the highmountain air and the relief from dread uncertainty, shouting out ourreflections one to another as we jolted down the rugged path. 

"After all, Jack, " says I to him at the top of my voice, being inadvance and next to Don Sanchez; "after all, Don Lopez was not such abad friend to us. "

Upon which, the Don, stopping his mule at the risk of being cast downthe abyss, turns in his saddle, and says:

"Fellow, Don Lopez is a Spaniard. A Castilian of noble birth--" but herehis mule deciding that this was no fit place for halting, bundled onwardat a trot to overtake the guides, and obliged his rider to turn hisattention to other matters. 

By the look of the sun it must have been about two in the afternoonwhen, rounding a great bluff of rock, we came upon a kind of tablelandwhich commanded a wide view of the plain below, most dazzling to oureyes after the gloomy recesses of the pass; and here we found treesgrowing and some rude attempt at cultivation, but all very poor andstunted, being still very high and exposed to the bleak winds issuingfrom the gorges. 

Our guides, throwing themselves on the ground, repaired once more totheir store of onions, and we, nothing loath to follow their examples, opened our saddle bags, and with our cold meat and the hogskin of winemade another good repast and very merry. And the Don, falling intodiscourse with the guides, pointed out to us a little white patch on theplain below, and told us that was Ravellos, where we should find one ofthe best posadas in the world, which added to our satisfaction. "But"says he, "'tis yet four hours' march ere we reach it, so we had best bepacking quickly. "

Thereupon we finished our meal in haste, the guides still lying on theground eating onions, and when we were prepared to start they still laythere and would not budge. On this ensued another discussion, veryindignant and passionate on the part of Don Sanchez, and as cool andphlegmatic on the side of the guides, the upshot of which was, as welearned from Don, that these rascals maintained they had fulfilled theirbargain in bringing us over into Spain, but as to carrying us toRavellos they would by no means do that without the permission of theirzefe, who was one of those they had whistled to from our last haltingplace, and whom they were now staying for. 

Then, beginning to quake a bit at the strangeness of this treatment, welooked about us to see if we might venture to continue our journeyalone. But Lord! one might as easily have found a needle in a bundle ofhay as a path amidst this labyrinth of rocks and horrid fissures thatenvironed us; and this was so obvious that the guides, though not yetpaid for their service, made no attempt to follow or to stay us, asknowing full well we must come back in despair. So there was no choicebut to wait the coming up of the zefe, the Don standing with his legsastride and his arms folded, with a very storm of passion in his face, in readiness to confront the tardy zefe with his reproaches for thisdelay and the affront offered to himself, we casting our eye longinglydown at Ravellos, and the guides silently munching their onions. Thus wewaited until the fine ear of our guides catching a sound, they rose totheir feet muttering the word "zefe, " and pull off their hats as two menmounted on mules tricked out like our own, came round the corner andpulled up before us. But what was our surprise to see that the foremostof these fellows was none other than the Don Lopez de Calvados we hadentertained to supper the night before, and of whose noble family DonSanchez had been prating so highly, and not a thread better dressed thanwhen we saw him last, and full as dirty. That which gave us mostuneasiness, however, was to observe that each of these "friends" carriedan ugly kind of musket slung across his back, and a most unpleasant longsheath knife in his waist cloth. 

Not a word says our Don Sanchez, but feigning still to believe him a manof quality, he returns the other Don's salutation with all the ceremonypossible. Then Don Lopez, smiling from ear to ear, begs us (as I learntafterwards) to pardon him for keeping us waiting, which had nothappened, he assures us, if we had not suffered him to oversleephimself. He then informs us that we are now upon his domain, and begs usto accept such hospitality as his Castillo will furnish, in return forour entertainment of last night. To this Don Sanchez replies with athousand thanks that we are anxious to reach Ravellos before nightfall, and that, therefore, we will be going at once if it is all the same tohim. With more bowing and scraping Don Lopez amiably but firmly declinesto accept any refusal of his offer or to talk of business before hisdebt of gratitude is paid. With that he gives a sign to our guides, whoat once lead off our mules at a brisk trot, leaving us to follow on footwith Don Lopez and his companion, whom he introduces as Don Ruiz delPuerto, --as arrant a cut-throat rascal to look at as ever I clapt eyeson. 

So we with very dismal forebodings trudge on, having no other course totake, Don Sanchez, to make the best of it, warranting that no harm shallcome to us while we are under the hospitable protection of a Spaniard, but to no great effect--our faith being already shaken in his valuationof Spaniards. 

Quitting the tableland, ten minutes of leaping and scrambling brought usto a collection of miserable huts built all higgledy-piggledy along theedge of a torrent, overtopped by a square building of more consequence, built of grey stone and roofed with slate shingles, but with nothing butill-shaped holes for windows; and this, Don Lopez with some pride toldus was his castillo. A ragged crew of women and children, apprised ofour coming by the guide, maybe, trooped out of the village to meet usand hailed our approach with shouts of joy, "for all the world like apack of hounds at the sight of their keeper with a dish of bones, "whispers Jack Dawson in my ear ominously. But it was curious to see howthey did all fall back in two lines, those that had hats taking them offas Don Lopez passed, he bowing to them right and left, like any princein his progress. 

So we up to the castillo, where all the men of the village are assembledand all armed like Don Lopez, and they greet us with cries of "Hola!"and throwing up of hats. They making way for us with salutations on bothsides, we enter the castillo, where we find one great ill-paved roomwith a step-ladder on one side leading to the floor above, but nofurniture save a table and some benches of wood, all black and shiningwith grease and dirt. But indeed the walls, the ceiling, and all elseabout us was beyond everything for blackness, and this was easily to beunderstood, for a wench coming in with a cauldron lights a faggot ofwood in a corner, where was no chimney to carry off the smoke, but onlya hole in the wall with a kind of eaves over it, so that presently theplace was so filled with the fumes 'twas difficult to see across it. 

Don Lopez (always as gracious as a cat with a milkmaid) asks Mollthrough Don Sanchez if she would like to make her toilette, while dinneris preparing, and at this offer all of us jump--choosing anything for achange; so he takes us up the step-ladder to the floor above, whichdiffers from that below in being cut up into half a dozen pieces by somelow partition of planks nailed loosely together like cribs for cattle, with some litter of dry leaves and hay in each, but in other respectsbeing just as naked and grimy, with a cloud of smoke coming up throughthe chinks in the floor. 

"You will have the sole use of these chambers during your stay, " saysDon Lopez, "and for your better assurance you can draw the ladder upafter you on retiring for the night. "

But for the gravity of our situation and prospects I could have burstout laughing when Don Sanchez gave us the translation of this promise, for the idea of regarding these pens as chambers was not less ludicrousthan the air of pride with which Don Lopez bestowed the privilege ofusing 'em upon us. 

Don Lopez left us, promising to send a maid with the necessaryappointments for Moll's toilette. 

"A plague of all this finery!" growled Dawson. "How long may it be, think you, Seņor, ere we can quit this palace and get to one of thoseposadas you promised us?"

Don Sanchez hunched his shoulders for all reply and turned away to hidehis mortification. And now a girl comes up with a biggin of water on herhead, a broken comb in her hand, and a ragged cloth on her arm thatlooked as if it had never been washed since it left the loom, and setsthem down on a bench, with a grin at Moll; but she, though notover-nice, turns away with a pout of disgust, and then we to get abreath of fresh air to a hole in the wall on the windward side, where westand all dumb with disappointment and dread until we are called down todinner. But before going down Don Sanchez warns us to stand on our bestbehaviour, as these Spaniards, for all their rude seeming, were of aparticularly punctilious, ticklish disposition, and that we might comebadly out of this business if we happened to displease them. 

"I cannot see reason in that, Seņor, " says Dawson; "for the less weplease 'em, the sooner they are likely to send us hence, and so thebetter for us. "

"As you please, " replies the Don, "but my warning is to your advantage. "

Down we go, and there stands Don Lopez with a dozen choice friends, allthe raggedest, dirty villains in the world; and they saluting us, wereturn their civility with a very fair pretence and take the seatsoffered us--they standing until we are set. Then they sit down, and eachman lugs out a knife from his waist-cloth. The cauldron, filled with amess of kid stewed in a multitude of onions, is fetched from the fire, and, being set upon a smooth board, is slid down the table to our host, who, after picking out some titbits for us, serves himself, and soslides it back, each man in turn picking out a morsel on the end of hisknife. Bearing in mind Don Sanchez's warning, we do our best to eat ofthis dish; but, Heaven knows! with little relish, and mighty glad whenthe cauldron is empty and that part of the performance ended. Then thebones being swept from the table, a huge skin of wine is set before DonLopez, and he serves us each with about a quart in an odd-shaped vesselwith a spout, which Don Sanchez and his countrymen use by holding itabove their heads and letting the wine spurt into their mouths; but we, being unused to this fashion, preferred rather to suck it out of thespout, which seemed to them as odd a mode as theirs was to us. However, better wine, drink it how you may, there is none than the wine of theseparts, and this reconciling us considerably to our condition, welistened with content to their singing of ditties, which they did verywell for such rude fellows, to the music of a guitar and a tambourine. And so when our pots came to be replenished a second time, we were allmighty merry and agreeable save Jack Dawson, who never could take hisliquor like any other man, but must fall into some extravagant humour, and he, I perceived, regarded some of the company with a very sour, jealous eye because, being warmed with drink, they fell to castingglances at Moll with a certain degree of familiarity. Especially therewas one fellow with a hook nose, who stirred his bile exceedingly, sitting with his elbows on the table and his jaws in his hands, andwould scarcely shift his eyes from Moll. And since he could not make hisdispleasure understood in words, and so give vent to it and be done, Jack sat there in sullen silence watching for an opportunity to show hisresentment in some other fashion. The other saw this well enough, butwould not desist, and so these two sat fronting each other like two dogsready to fly at each other's throats. At length, the hook-nosed rascal, growing bolder with his liquor, rises as if to reach for his wine pot, and stretching across the table, chucks Moll under the chin with hisgrimy fingers. At this Jack flinging out his great fist with all theforce of contained passion, catches the other right in the middle of theface, with such effect that the fellow flies clean back over his bench, his head striking the pavement with a crash. Then, in an instant, allhis fellows spring to their feet, and a dozen long knives flash out fromtheir sheaths. 

CHAPTER IX. 

_Of the manner in which we escaped pretty fairly out of the hands ofSeņor Don Lopez and his brigands. _

Up starts Jack Dawson, catching Moll by the arm and his joint stool bythe leg, and stepping back a pace or two not to be taken in the flank, he swings his stool ready to dash the brains out of the first that nearshim. And I do likewise, making the same show of valour with my stool, but cutting a poor figure beside Dawson's mighty presence. 

Seeing their fellow laid out for dead on the floor, with his hook nosesmashed most horridly into his face, the others had no stomach to meetthe same fate, but with their Spanish cunning began to spread out thatso they might attack us on all sides; and surely this had done ourbusiness but that Don Lopez, flinging himself before us with his kniferaised high, cries out at the top of his voice, "Rekbah!"--a word oftheir own language, I am told, taken from the Moorish, and signifyingthat whosoever shall outrage the laws of hospitality under his roofshall be his enemy to the death. And at this word every man stood stillas if by inchantment, and let fall his weapon. Then in the same highvoice he gives them an harangue, showing them that Dawson was in theright to avenge an insult offered his daughter, and the other justlyserved for his offence to us. "For his offence to me as the host ofthese strangers, " adds he, "Jose shall answer to me hereafter if helive; if he be dead, his body shall be flung to the vultures of thegorge, and his name be never uttered again beneath this roof. "

"I bear no grudges, not I, " says Dawson, when Don Sanchez gave him theEnglish of this. "If he live, let his nose be set; and if dead, let himbe buried decently in a churchyard. But hark ye, Seņor, lest we fall outagain and come out worse the next bout, do pray ask his worship if wemay not be accommodated with a guide to take us on our way at once. Wehave yet two hours of daylight before us, there's not a cloud in thesky, and with such a moon as we had the night before last, we may get onwell enough. "

Poor Moll, who was all of a shake with the terror of anothercatastrophe, added her prayers to Dawson's, and Don Sanchez with aprofusion of civilities laid the proposal before Don Lopez, who, thoughprofessing the utmost regret to lose us so soon, consented to gratifyour wish, adding that his mules were so well accustomed to the road thatthey could make the journey as well in the dark as in broad day. 

"Well, then, " says Dawson, when this was told us, "let us settle thebusiness at once, and be off. "

And now, when Don Sanchez proposed to pay for the service of our guides, it was curious to see how every rascal at the table craned forward towatch the upshot. Don Lopez makes a pretence of leaving the payment toDon Sanchez's generosity; and he, not behindhand in courtesy, lugs outhis purse and begs the other to pay himself. Whereupon, with moreapologies, Don Lopez empties the money on the table and carefully countsit, and there being but about a score of gold pieces and some silver, heshakes his head and says a few words to Don Sanchez in a veryreproachful tone of remonstrance, to which our Don replies by turningall the trifles out of his pocket, one after the other, to prove that hehas no money. 

"I thought as much, " growls Jack in my ear. "A pretty nest of hornetswe're fallen into. "

The company, seeing there was no more to be got out of Don Sanchez, began to murmur and cast their eyes at us; whereupon Dawson, seeing howthe land lay, stands up and empties his pockets on the table, and Ilikewise; but betwixt us there was no more than some French pennies anda few odds and ends of no value at all. Fetching a deep sigh, Don Lopeztakes all these possessions into a heap before him, and tells DonSanchez that he cannot believe persons of our quality could travel withso little, that he feels convinced Don Sanchez must have dropped a purseon the way, and that until it is found he can on no account allow us toleave the neighbourhood. 

"This comes of being so mighty fine!" says Dawson, when Don Sanchez hadexplained matters. "Had we travelled as became our condition, thisbrigand would never have ensnared us hither. And if they won't believeyour story, Seņor, I can't blame 'em; for I would have sworn you had athousand pounds to your hand. "

"Do you reproach me for my generosity?" asks the Don. 

"Nay, Master, I love you for being free with your money while you haveit, but 'tis a queer kind of generosity to bring us into these partswith no means of taking us back again. Hows'ever, we'll say no moreabout that if we get out of this cursed smoke-hole; and as we are liketo come off ill if these Jack-thieves keep us here a week or so and getnothing by it, 'twill be best to tell 'em the honest truth, and acquaintthem that we are no gentle folk, but only three poor English mountebanksbrought hither on a wild goose chase. "

This was a bitter pill for Don Sanchez to swallow; however, seeing noother cure for our ills, he gulped it down with the best face he couldput on it. But from the mockery and laughter of all who heard him, 'twasplain to see they would not believe a word of his story. 

"What would you have me do now?" asks the Don, turning to us when theclamour had subsided, and he told us how he had tried to persuade themwe were dancers he was taking for a show to the fair at Barcelona, whichthey, by our looks, would not believe, and especially that a man of suchbuild as Jack Dawson could foot it, even to please such heavy people asthe English. 

"What!" cries Jack. "I can't dance! We will pretty soon put them toanother complexion if they do but give us space and a fair trial. Youcan strum a guitar, Kit, for I've heard you. And Moll, my chick, do youdash the tears from your cheek and pluck up courage to show thesePortugals what an English lass can do. "

The brigands agreeing to this trial, the table is shoved back to give usa space in the best light, and our judges seat themselves conveniently. Moll brushes her eyes (to a little murmur of sympathy, as I thought), and I, striking out the tune, Jack, with all the magnificence of a king, takes her hand and leads her out to a French pavan; and sure no one inthe world ever stepped it more gracefully than our poor little Moll (nowput upon her mettle), nor more lightly than Dawson, so that every rascalin our audience was won to admiration, clapping hands and shouting"Hola!" when it was done. And this warming us, we gave 'em next anItalian coranto, and after that, an English pillow dance; and, in goodfaith, had they all been our dearest friends, these dirty fellows couldnot have gone more mad with delight. And then Moll and her fathersitting down to fetch their breath, a dispute arose among the brigandswhich we were at a loss to understand, until Don Sanchez explained thata certain number would have it we were real dancers, but that anotherparty, with Don Lopez, maintained these were but court dances, whichonly proved the more we were of high quality to be thus accomplished. 

"We'll convince 'em yet, Moll, with a pox of their doubts, " criesDawson, starting to his feet again. "Tell 'em we will give 'em a stagedance of a nymph and a wild man, Seņor, with an excuse for our having nocostume but this. Play us our pastoral, Kit. And sing you your ditty of'Broken Heart, ' Moll, in the right place, that I may get my wind for thelast caper. "

Moll nods, and with ready wit takes the ribbon from her head, lettingher pretty hair tumble all about her shoulders, and then whipping up herlong skirt, tucks one end under her girdle, thereby making a very daintyshow of pink lining against the dark stuff, and also giving more playfor her feet. And so thus they dance their pastoral, Don Sanchez takinga tambourine and tapping it lightly to the measure, up to Moll's song, which so ravished these hardy, stony men by the pathetic sweetness ofher voice, --for they could understand nothing save by herexpression, --that they would not let the dance go on until she had sungit through again. To conclude, Jack springs up as one enamoured tomadness and flings out his last steps with such vigour and agility as toquite astound all. 

[Illustration: "MOLL AND HER FATHER DANCE A PASTORAL. "]

And now the show being ended, and not one but is a-crying of "Hola!" and"Animo!" Moll snatches the tambourine from Don Sanchez's hand, andstepping before Don Lopez drops him a curtsey, and offers it for herreward. At this Don Lopez, glancing at the money on the table by hisside, and looking round for sanction to his company (which they did givehim without one voice of opposition), he takes up two of the gold piecesand drops them on the parchment. Thus did our Moll, by one clever hit, draw an acknowledgment from them that we were indeed no fine folks, butmere players, which point they might have stumbled over in their coolermoments. 

But we were not quit yet; for on Don Sanchez's begging that we shouldnow be set upon our road to Ravellos, the other replies that though hewill do us this service with great pleasure, yet he cannot permit us toencounter the danger again of being taken for persons of quality. "Finedress, " says he, "may be necessary to the Seņor and his daughter fortheir court dances, and they are heartily welcome to them for thepleasure they have given us, but for you and the musician who plays butindifferent well, meaner garb is more suitable; and so you will be goodenough to step upstairs, the pair of you, and change your clothing forsuch as we can furnish from our store. "

And upstairs we were forced to go, Don Sanchez and I, and there beingstripped we were given such dirty foul rags and so grotesque, that whenwe came down, Jack Dawson and Moll fell a-laughing at us, as though theywould burst. And, in truth, we made a most ludicrous spectacle, --especially the Don, whom hitherto we had seen only in theneatest and most noble of clothes, --looking more like a couple ofscarecrows than living men. 

Don Sanchez neither smiled nor frowned at this treatment, taking thismisfortune with the resignation of a philosopher; only to quiet Dawson'smerriment he told him that in the clothes taken from him was sewed up abond for two hundred pounds, but whether this was true or not I cannottell. 

And now, to bring an end to this adventure, we were taken down theintricate passes of the mountain in the moonlight, as many of the gangas could find mules coming with us for escort, and brought at last tothe main road, where we were left with nought but what we stood in (saveMoll's two pieces), the robbers bidding us their adios with all thecourtesy imaginable. But even then, robbed of all he had even to theclothes of his back, Don Sanchez's pride was unshaken, for he bade usnote that the very thieves in Spain were gentlemen. 

As we trudged along the road toward Ravellos, we fell debating on ourcase, as what we should do next, etc. , Don Sanchez promising that weshould have redress for our ill-treatment, that his name alone wouldprocure us a supply of money for our requirements, etc. , to my greatcontent. But Dawson was of another mind. 

"As for seeking redress, " says he, "I would as soon kick at a hive forbeing stung by a bee, and the wisest course when you've been once bit bya dog is to keep out of his way for the future. With respect of gettingmoney by your honour's name, you may do as you please, and so may you, Kit, if you're so minded. But for my part, henceforth I'll pretend to beno better than I am, and the first suit of rags I can get will I wear inthe fashion of this country. And so shall you, Moll, my dear; so make upyour mind to lay aside your fine airs and hold up your nose no longer asif you were too good for your father. "

"Why, surely, Jack, " says I, "you would not quit us and go from yourbargain. "

"Not I, and you should know me well enough, Kit, to have no doubt onthat score. But 'tis no part of our bargain that we should bustleanybody but Simon the steward. "

"We have four hundred miles to go ere we reach Elche, " says Don Sanchez. "Can you tell me how we are to get there without money?"

"Aye, that I can, and I warrant my plan as good as your honour's. Howmany tens are there in four hundred, Kit?"

"Forty. "

"Well, we can walk ten miles a day on level ground, and so may do thisjourney in six weeks or thereabouts, which is no such great matter, seeing we are not to be back in England afore next year. We can buy aguitar and a tabor out of Moll's pieces; with them we can give a showwherever we stay for the night, and if honest men do but pay us half asmuch as the thieves of this country, we may fare pretty well. "

"I confess, " says Don Sanchez, "your scheme is the best, and I wouldmyself have proposed it but that I can do so little for my share. "

"Why, what odds does that make, Seņor?" cries Jack. "You gave us of thebest while you had aught to give, and 'tis but fair we should do thesame now. Besides which, how could we get along without you for aspokesman, and I marked that you drummed to our dance very tunefully. Come, is it a bargain, friend?"

And on Don Sanchez's consenting, Jack would have us all shake hands onit for a sign of faith and good fellowship. Then, perceiving that wewere arrived at the outskirts of the town, we ended our discussion. 

CHAPTER X. 

_Of our merry journeying to Alicante. _

We turned into the first posada we came to--a poor, mean sort of an innand general shop, to be sure, but we were in no condition to cavil abouttrifles, being fagged out with our journey and the adventures of theday, and only too happy to find a house of entertainment still open. Soafter a dish of sausages with very good wine, we to our beds and an endto the torment of fleas I had endured from the moment I changed myFrench habit for Spanish rags. 

The next morning, when we had eaten a meal of goats' milk and bread andpaid our reckoning, which amounted to a few rials and no more, DonSanchez and I, taking what rested of Moll's two pieces, went forth intothe town and there bought two plain suits of clothes for ourselves inthe mode of the country, and (according to his desire) another of thesame cut for Dawson, together with a little jacket and petticoat forMoll. And these expenditures left us but just enough to buy a goodguitar and a tambourine--indeed, we should not have got them at all butthat Don Sanchez higgled and bargained like any Jew, which he could dowith a very good face now that he was dressed so beggarly. Then back toour posada, where in our room Jack and I were mighty merry in putting onour new clothes; but going below we find Moll still dressed in herfinery, and sulking before the petticoat and jacket we had bought forher, which she would not put on by any persuasion until her father fellinto a passion of anger. And the sight of him fuming in a short jacketbarely covering his loins, and a pair of breeches so tight the seamswould scarce hold together, so tickled her sense of humour that she fellinto a long fit of laughter, and this ending her sulks she went upstairswith a good grace and returned in her hated petticoat, carrying her finedress in a bundle. But I never yet knew the time when this sly baggagewould not please herself for all her seeming yielding to others, and wewere yet to have more pain from her than she from us in respect of thatskirt. For ere we had got half way through the town she, dawdling behindto look first in this shop and then in that, gave us the slip, so thatwe were best part of an hour hunting the streets up and down in theutmost anxiety. Then as we were sweating with our exercise and trouble, lo! she steps out of a shop as calm as you please in a petticoat andjacket of her own fancy (and ten times more handsome than our purchase), a red shawl tied about her waist, and a little round hat with a brightred bob in it, set on one side of her head, and all as smart as acarrot. 

"Da!" says she, "where have you been running all this time?"

And we, betwixt joy at finding her and anger at her impudence, could saynothing; and yet we were fain to admire her audacity too. But how, notknowing one word of the language, she had made her wants known was amystery, and how she had obtained this finery was another, seeing thatwe had spent all there was of her two pieces. Certainly she had notchanged her French gown and things for them, for these in a cumbrousbundle had her father been carrying up and down the town since we lostthe minx. 

"If you han't stole 'em, " says Dawson, finding his tongue at last, "where did you find the money to pay for those trappings, slut?"

"In my pocket, sir, " says she, with a curtsey, "where you might havefound yours had you not emptied it so readily for the robbers yesterday. And I fancy, " adds she slyly, "I may still find some left to offer you adinner at midday if you will accept of it. "

This hint disposed us to make light of our grievance against her, and wewent out of Ravellos very well satisfied to know that our next mealdepended not solely upon chance. And this, together with the brightsunlight and the sweet invigorating morning air, did beget in us aspirit of happy carelessness, in keeping with the smiling gay aspect ofthe country about us. 

It was strange to see how easily Moll fell into our happy-go-luckyhumour, she, who had been as stately as any Roman queen in her longgown, being now, in her short coloured petticoat, as frolicsome andfamiliar as a country wench at a fair; but indeed she was a born actressand could accommodate herself as well to one condition as another withthe mere change of clothes. But I think this state was more to her realtaste than the other, as putting no restraint upon her impulses andgiving free play to her healthy, exuberant mirth. Her very step was akind of dance, and she must needs fall a-carolling of songs like a larkwhen it flies. Then she would have us rehearse our old songs to our newmusic. So, slinging my guitar in front of me, I put it in tune, and Jackties his bundle to his back that he may try his hand at the tambourine. And so we march along singing and playing as if to a feast, and stoppingonly to laugh prodigiously when one or other fell out of tune, --the mostmad, light-hearted fools in the world;--but I speak not of Don Sanchez, who, feel what he might, never relaxed his high bearing or unbent hisserious countenance. 

One thing I remember of him on this journey. Having gone about fivemiles, we sat us down on a bridge to rest a while, and there the Donleft us to go a little way up the course of the stream that flowedbeneath, and he came back with a posey of sweet jonquils set off with adelicate kind of fern very pretty, and this he presents to Moll with agracious little speech, which act, it seemed to me, was to let her knowthat he respected her still as a young gentlewoman in spite of her shortpetticoat, and Moll was not dull to the compliment neither; for, afterthe first cry of delight in seeing these natural dainty flowers (sheloving such things beyond all else in the world), she bethought her tomake him a curtsey and reply to his speech with another as good and wellturned, as she set them in her waist scarf. Also I remember on this roadwe saw oranges and lemons growing for the first time, but full a mileafter Moll had first caught their wondrous perfume in the air. And thesetrees, which are about the size of a crab tree, grew in close groves oneither side of the road, with no manner of fence to protect them, sothat any one is lief to pluck what he may without let, so plentiful arethey, and curious to see how fruit and blossom grow together on the samebush, the lemons, as I hear, giving four crops in the year, and moredelicious, full, and juicy than any to be bought in England at six tothe groat. 

We got a dinner of bread and cheese (very high) at a roadside house, andglad to have that, only no meat of any kind, but excellent good winewith dried figs and walnuts, which is the natural food of this country, where one may go a week without touching flesh and yet feel as strongand hearty at the end. And here very merry, Jack in his pertinacious, stubborn spirit declaring he would drink his wine in the custom of thecountry or none at all, and so lifting up the spouted mug at arm'slength he squirts the liquor all over his face, down his new clothes andeverywhere but into his mouth, before he could arrive to do it like DonSanchez; but getting into the trick of it, he so mighty proud of hisachievement that he must drink pot after pot until he got as drunk asany lord. So after that, finding a retired place, --it being midday andprodigious hot (though only now in mid-April), --we lay down under theorange trees and slept a long hour, to our great refreshment. Dawson onwaking remembered nothing of his being drunk, and felt not one penny theworse for it. And so on another long stretch through sweet country, withhere and there a glimpse of the Mediterranean, in the distance, of asurprising blueness, before we reached another town, and that on the topof a high hill. But it seems that all the towns in these parts (savethose armed with fortresses) are thus built for security against thepirates, who ravage the seaboard of this continent incessantly from endto end. And for this reason the roads leading up to the town are madevery narrow, tortuous, and difficult, with watch-towers in places, andmany points where a few armed men lying in ambush may overwhelm an enemyten times as strong. The towns themselves are fortified with gates, thestreets extremely narrow and crooked, and the houses massed all togetherwith secret passages one to another, and a network of little alleysleading whither only the inhabitants knew, so that if an enemy do getinto them 'tis ten to one he will never come out alive. 

It being market day in this town, here Jack and his daughter gave a showof dancing, first in their French suits, which were vastly admired, andafter in their Spanish clothes; but then they were asked to dance afandango, which they could not. However, we fared very well, getting thevalue of five shillings in little moneys, and the innkeepers would takenothing for our entertainment, because of the custom we had brought hishouse, which we considered very handsome on his part. 

We set out again the next morning, but having shown how we passed thefirst day I need not dwell upon those which followed before we reachedBarcelona, there being nothing of any great importance to tell. OnlyMoll was now all agog to learn the Spanish dances, and I cannot easilyforget how, after much coaxing and wheedling on her part, she at lengthpersuaded Don Sanchez to show her a fandango; for, surely, nothing inthe world was ever more comic than this stately Don, without any music, and in the middle of the high road, cutting capers, with a countenanceas solemn as any person at a burying. No one could be more quick toobserve the ludicrous than he, nor more careful to avoid ridicule;therefore it said much for Moll's cajolery, or for the love he bore hereven at this time, to thus expose himself to Dawson's rude mirth andmine in order to please her. 

We reached Barcelona the 25th of April, and there we stayed till the 1stof May, for Moll would go no further before she had learnt a bolero anda fandango--which dances we saw danced at a little theatre excellentlywell, but in a style quite different to ours, and the women very fat andplain. And though Moll, being but a slight slip of a lass, in whom thewarmer passions were unbegotten, could not give the bolero thevoluptuous fervour of the Spanish dancers, yet in agility and in prettyinnocent grace she did surpass them all to nought, which was abundantlyproved when she danced it in our posada before a court full ofSpaniards, for there they were like mad over her, casting their silkhandkerchiefs at her feet in homage, and filling Jack's tambourine threetimes over with cigarros and a plentiful scattering of rials. And Ibelieve, had we stayed there, we might have made more money than ever wewanted at that time--though not so much as Don Sanchez had set his mindon; wherefore he would have us jogging again as soon as Moll could bebrought to it. 

From Barcelona, we journeyed a month to Valencia, growing more indolentwith our easier circumstances, and sometimes trudging no more than fiveor six miles in a day. And we were, I think, the happiest, idlest set ofvagabonds in existence. But, indeed, in this country there is not thatspur to exertion which is for ever goading us in this. The sun fillsone's heart with content, and for one's other wants a few halfpence aday will suffice, and if you have them not 'tis no such great matter. For these people are exceeding kind and hospitable; they will give you ameasure of wine if you are thirsty, as we would give a mug of water, andthe poorest man will not sit down to table without making you an offerto share what he has. Wherever we went we were well received, and inthose poor villages where they had no money to give they would pay usfor our show in kind, one giving us bed, another board, and filling ourwallets ere we left 'em with the best they could afford. 

'Twas our habit to walk a few miles before dinner, to sleep in the shadeduring the heat of the day, and to reach a town (if possible) by thefall of the sun. There would we spend half the night in jollity, and lieabed late in the morning. The inns and big houses in these parts arebuilt in the form of squares, enclosing an open court with a sort ofarcade all round, and mostly with a grape-vine running over the sunnierside, and in this space we used to give our performance, by the light ofoil lamps hung here and there conveniently, with the addition, maybe, ofmoonlight reflected from one of the white walls. Here any one was freeto enter, we making no charge, but taking only what they would freelygive. And this treatment engenders a feeling of kindness on both sides(very different to our sentiment at home, where we players as often asnot dread the audience as a kind of enemy, ready to tear us to pieces ifwe fail to please), and ours was as great a pleasure to amuse as theirsto be amused. I can recall to mind nothing of any moment occurring onthis journey, save that we spent some time every day in perfecting ourSpanish dances, I getting to play the tunes correctly, which at first Imade sad bungling of, and Dawson in learning of his steps. Also, he andMoll acquired the use of a kind of clappers, called costagnettes, whichthey play with their hands in these fandangos and boleros, with a verypleasing effect. 

At Valencia we stayed a week and three days, lingering more than wasnecessary, in order to see a bull-fight. And this pastime they do not aswe with dogs, but with men, and the bull quite free, and, save for theneedless killing of horses, I think this a very noble exercise, being afair trial of human address against brute force. And 'tis not nearly sobeastly as seeing a prize fought by men, and not more cruel, I take it, than the shooting of birds and hares for sport, seeing that the agony ofdeath is no greater for a sturdy bull than for a timid coney, and haththis advantage, that the bull, when exhausted, is despatched quickly, whereas the bird or hare may just escape capture, to die a miserablelong death with a shattered limb. 

From Valencia we travelled five weeks (growing, I think, more lazy everyday), over very hilly country to Alicante, a seaport town very stronglyprotected by a castle on a great rock, armed with guns of brass andiron, so that the pirates dare never venture near. And here I fullythought we were to dawdle away another week at the least, this being avery populous and lively city, promising much entertainment. For Moll, when not playing herself, was mad to see others play, and she did reallygovern, with her subtle wiles and winning smiles, more than her father, for all his masterful spirit, or Don Sanchez with his stern authority. But seeing two or three English ships in the port, the Don deemed itadvisable that we should push on at once for Elche, and, to our greatastonishment, Moll consented to our speedy going without demur, thoughwhy, we could not then discover, but did soon after, as I shallpresently show. 

CHAPTER XI. 

_Of our first coming to Elche and the strangeness of that city. _

Being resolved to our purpose overnight, we set out fairly early in themorning for Elche, which lies half a dozen leagues or thereabouts to thewest of Alicante. Our way lay through gardens of oranges and spreadingvineyards, which flourish exceedingly in this part, being protected fromunkind winds by high mountains against the north and east; and here youshall picture us on the white, dusty road, Moll leading the way a dozenyards in advance, a tambourine slung on her back with streaming ribbonsof many colours, taking two or three steps on one foot, and then two orthree steps on t'other, with a Spanish twist of her hips at each turn, swinging her arms as she claps her costagnettes to the air of a song shehad picked up at Barcelona, and we three men plodding behind, the Donwith a guitar across his back, Dawson with our bundle of clothes, and Iwith a wallet of provisions hanging o' one side and a skin of wine onthe other--and all as white as any millers with the dust of Moll'sdancing. 

"It might be as well, " says Don Sanchez, in his solemn, deliberatemanner, "if Mistress Moll were advised to practise her steps in ourrear. "

"Aye, Seņor, " replied Dawson, "I've been of the same mind these last tenminutes. But with your consent, Don Sanchez, I'll put her to a moreserious exercise. "

The Don consenting with a bow, Jack continues:

"You may have observed that I haven't opened my lips since we left thetown, and the reason thereof is that I've been turning over in my mindwhether, having come thus far, it would not be advisable to let my Mollknow of our project. Because, if she should refuse, the sooner weconsider some other plan, the better, seeing that now she is in goodcase and as careless as a bird on the bough, and she is less tractableto our purposes than when she felt the pinch of hunger and cold andwould have jumped at anything for a bit of comfort. "

"Does she not know of our design?" asks the Don, lifting his eyebrows. 

"No more than the man in the moon, Seņor, " answers Jack. "For, thoughKit and I may have discoursed of it at odd times, we have been mightycareful to shut our mouths or talk of a fine day at her approach. "

"Very good, " says Don Sanchez. "You are her father. "

"And she shall know it, " says Jack, with resolution, and taking a strideor two in advance he calls to her to give over dancing and come to him. 

"Have you forgot your breeding, " he asks as she turns and waits for him, "that you have no more respect for your elders than to choke 'em withdust along of your shuffling?"

"What a thoughtless thing am I!" cries she, in a voice of contrition. "Why, you're floured as white as a shade!"

Then taking up a corner of her waist-shawl, she gently rubs away thedust from the tip of his nose, so that it stood out glowing red from hisface like a cherry through a hole in a pie-crust, at which she claps herhands and rings out a peal of laughter. 

"I counted to make a lady of you, Moll, " says Jack, in sorrow, "but Isee plainly you will ever be a fool, and so 'tis to no purpose to speakseriously. "

"Surely, father, I have ever been what you wish me to be, " answers she, demurely, curious now to know what he would be telling her. 

"Then do you put them plaguy clappers away, and listen to me patiently, "says he. 

Moll puts her hands behind her, and drawing a long lip and casting roundeyes at us over her shoulder, walks along very slowly by her father'sside, while he broaches the matter to her. And this he did with somedifficulty (for 'tis no easy thing to make a roguish plot lookinnocent), as we could see by his shifting his bundle from one shoulderto the other now and again, scratching his ear and the like; but what hesaid, we, walking a pace or two behind, could not catch, he dropping toa very low tone as if ashamed to hear his own voice. To all he has totell she listens very attentively, but in the end she says somethingwhich causes him to stop dead short and turn upon her gaping like a pig. 

"What!" he cries as we came up. "You knew all this two months ago?"

"Yes, father, " answers she, primly, "quite two months. "

"And pray who told you?" he asks. 

"No one, father, since you forbade me to ask questions. But though I maybe dumb to oblige you, I can't be deaf. Kit and you are for evera-talking of it. "

"Maybe, child, " says Dawson, mightily nettled. "Maybe you know why weleft Alicante this morning. "

"I should be dull indeed if I didn't, " answers she. "And if you hadn'tsaid when we saw the ships that we might meet more Englishmen in thetown than we might care to know hereafter, why, --well, maybe we shouldhave been in Alicante now. "

"By denying yourself that satisfaction, " says Don Sanchez, "we mayconclude that the future we are making for you is not unacceptable. "

Moll stopped and says with some passion:

"I would turn back now and go over those mountains the way we came toride through France in my fine gown like a lady. "

"Brava! bravamente!" says the Don, in a low voice, as she steps on infront of us, holding her head high with the recollection of her formerstate. 

"She was ever like that, " whispers Dawson, with pride. "We could neverget her to play a mean part willingly; could we, Kit? She was for everwanting the part of a queen writ for her. "

The next day about sundown, coming to a little eminence, Don Sanchezpoints out a dark patch of forest lying betwixt us and the mountains, and says:

"That is Elche, the place where we are to stay some months. "

We could make out no houses at all, but he told us the town lay in themiddle of the forest, and added some curious particulars as how, lyingon flat ground and within easy access of the sea, it could not exist atall but for the sufferance of the Spaniards on one side and of theBarbary pirates on the other, how both for their own conveniencerespected it as neutral ground on which each could exchange hismerchandise without let or hindrance from the other, how the sort ofsanctuary thus provided was never violated either by Algerine orSpaniard, but each was free to come and go as he pleased, etc. , and thisdid somewhat reassure us, though we had all been more content to see ourdestination on the crest of a high hill. 

From this point we came in less than half an hour to Santa Pola, a smallvillage, but very bustling, for here the cart-road from Alicante ends, all transport of commodities betwixt this and Elche being done on mules;so here great commotion of carriers setting down and taking upmerchandise, and the way choked with carts and mules and a very babel oftongues, there being Moors here as well as Spaniards, and all shoutingtheir highest to be the better understood of each other. These were thefirst Moors we had seen, but they did not encourage us with great hopesof more intimate acquaintance, wearing nothing but a kind of long, ragged shirt to their heels, with a hood for their heads in place of ahat, and all mighty foul with grease and dirt. 

Being astir betimes the next morning, we reached Elche before midday, and here we seemed to be in another world, for this region is no morelike Spain than Spain is like our own country. Entering the forest, wefound ourselves encompassed on all sides by prodigious high palm trees, which hitherto we had seen only singly here and there, cultivated ascuriosities. And noble trees they are, standing eighty to a hundred feethigh, with never a branch, but only a great spreading crown of leaves, with strings of dates hanging down from their midst. Beneath, in marshyplaces, grew sugar-canes as high as any haystack; and elsewhere werepatches of rice, which grows like corn with us, but thrives well in theshade, curiously watered by artificial streams of water. And for hedgesto their property, these Moors have agaves, with great spiky leaveswhich no man can penetrate, and other strange plants, whereof I willmention only one, they call the fig of Barbary, which is no fig at all, but a thing having large, fleshy leaves, growing one out of the other, with fruit and flower sprouting out of the edges, and all monstrousprickly. To garnish and beautify this formidable defence, nature hadcast over all a network of creeping herbs with most extraordinaryflowers, delightful both to see and smell, but why so prickly, no mancan say. 

"Surely, this must be paradise, " cries Moll, staying to look around her. 

And we were of the same thinking, until we came to the town, which, as Ihave said, lies in the midst of this forest, and then all our hopes andexpectations were dashed to the ground. For we had looked to find a cityin keeping with these surroundings, --of fairy palaces and statelymansions; in place whereof was nought but a wilderness of mean, low, squalid houses, with meandering, ill-paved alleys, and all pasteverything for unsavoury smells, --heaps of refuse lying before everydoor, stark naked brats of children screaming everywhere, and a pack offamished dogs snapping at our heels. 

Don Sanchez leads the way, we following, with rueful looks one at theother, till we reach the market-place, and there he takes us into ahouse of entertainment, where a dozen Moors are squatting on theirhaunches in groups about sundry bowls of a smoking mess, calledcuscusson, which is a kind of paste with a little butter in it and astore of spices. Their manner of eating it is simple enough: each mandips his hand in the pot, takes out a handful, and dances it about tillit is fashioned into a ball, and then he eats it with all the gusto inthe world. For our repast we were served with a joint of roast mutton, and this being cut up, we had to take up in our hands and eat like anysavages, --their religion denying these Moors anything but the barenecessities of life. Also, their law forbids the drinking of wine, whichdid most upset Jack Dawson, he having for drink with his meat nothingbut the choice of water and sour milk; but which he liked least I knownot, for he would touch neither, saying he would rather go dry any daythan be poisoned with such liquor. 

Whilst we were at our meal, a good many Moors came in to stare at us, asat a raree show, and especially at Moll, whose bright clothes and loosehair excited their curiosity, for their women do rarely go abroad, except they be old, and wear only long dirty white robes, muffling thelower part of their faces. None of them smiled, and it is noticeablethat these people, like our own Don, do never laugh, taking suchdemonstration as a sign of weak understanding and foolishness, butwatching all our actions very intently. And presently an old Moor, witha white beard and more cleanly dressed than the rest, pushing the crowdaside to see what was forward, recognised Don Sanchez, who at once roseto his feet; we, not to be behind him in good manners, rising also. 

"May Baba, " says the old Moor; and repeating this phrase thrice (whichis a sure sign of hearty welcome), he claps the Don's hand, withoutshaking it, and lays his own upon his breast, the Don doing likewise. Then Don Sanchez, introducing us as we understood by his gestures, theold Moor bends his head gravely, putting his right hand first to hisheart, next to his forehead, and then kissing the two foremost fingerslaid across his lips, we replying as best we could with a bowing andscraping. These formalities concluded, the Don and the old Moor walkapart, and we squat down again to our mutton bones. 

After a lengthy discussion the old Moor goes, and Don Sanchez, havingpaid the reckoning, leads us out of the town by many crooked alleys andcross-passages; he speaking never a word, and we asking no questions, but marvelling exceedingly what is to happen next. And, following a walloverhung by great palms, we turn a corner, and find there our old Moorstanding beside an open door with a key in his hand. The old Moor givesthe key into Don Sanchez's hand, and with a very formal salutation, leaves us. 

Then following the Don through the doorway, we find ourselves in aspacious garden, but quite wild for neglect; flower and weed and fruitall mingling madly together, but very beautiful to my eye, nevertheless, for the abundance of colour, the richness of the vegetables, and thegraceful forms of the adjacent palms. 

A house stood in the midst of this wilderness, and thither Don Sanchezpicked his way, we at his heels still too amazed to speak. Beside thehouse was a well with a little wall about it, and seating himself onthis, Don Sanchez opens his lips for the first time. 

"My friend, Sidi ben Ahmed, has offered me the use of this place as longas we choose to stay here, " says he. "Go look in the house and tell meif you care to live in it for a year. "

CHAPTER XII. 

_How Don Sanchez very honestly offers to free us of our bargain if wewill; but we will not. _

The house, like nearly all Moorish houses of this class, was simply onelarge and lofty room, with a domed ceiling built of very thick masonry, to resist the heat of the sun. There was neither window nor chimney, thedoor serving to admit light and air, and let out the smoke if a firewere lighted within. One half of this chamber was dug out to a depth ofa couple of feet, for the accommodation of cattle (the litter beingthrown into the hollow as it is needed, and nought removed till itreaches the level of the other floor), and above this, about eight feetfrom the ground and four from the roof, was a kind of shelf (the breadthand length of that half), for the storage of fodder and a sleeping-placefor the inhabitants, with no kind of partition, or any issue for thefoul air from the cattle below. 

"Are we to live a year in this hutch?" asks Moll, in affright. 

"Have done with your chatter, Moll!" answers Jack, testily. "Don't yousee I'm a-thinking? Heaven knows there's enough to swallow without anybugbears of your raising. "

With that, having finished his inspection of the interior, he goes outand looks at it outside. 

"Well, " says Don Sanchez, "what think you of the house?"

"Why, Seņor, 'tis no worse as I can see than any other in these parts, and hath this advantage, which they have not, of being in a sweet air. With a bit of contrivance we could make a shift to live here wellenough. We should not do amiss neither for furniture, seeing that 'tisthe custom of the country to eat off the floor and sit upon nothing. Apot to cook victuals in is about all we need in that way. But how we areto get anything to cook in it is one mystery, and" (clacking his tongue)"what we are going to drink is another, neither of which I can fathom. For, look you, Seņor, if one may judge of men's characters by theirfaces or of their means by their habitations, we may dance our legs offere ever these Moors will bestow a penny piece upon us, and as for theirsour milk, I'd as lief drink hemlock, and liefer. Now, if this town hadbeen as we counted on, like Barcelona, all had gone as merry as amarriage bell, for then might we have gained enough to keep us injollity as long as you please; but here, if we die not of the colicks ina week, 'twill be to perish of starvation in a fortnight. What say you, Kit?"

I was forced to admit that I had never seen a town less likely to afforda subsistence than this. 

Then Don Sanchez, having heard us with great patience, and waited aminute to see if we could raise any further objections, answers us inmeasured tones. 

"I doubt not, " says he, "that with a little ingenuity you may make thehouse habitable and this wilderness agreeable. My friend, Sidi benAhmed, has offered to provide us with what commodities are necessary tothat end. I agree with you that it would be impossible to earn themeanest livelihood here by dancing; it would not be advisable if wecould. For that reason, my knowledge of various tongues making me veryserviceable to Sidi ben Ahmed (who is the most considerable merchant ofthis town), I have accepted an office in his house. This will enable meto keep my engagement with you. You will live at my charge, as Ipromised, and you shall want for nothing in reason. If the Moors drinkno wine themselves, they make excellent for those who will, and youshall not be stinted in that particular. "

"Come, this sounds fair enough, " cries Dawson. "But pray, Seņor, are weto do nothing for our keep?"

"Nothing beyond what we came here to do, " replies he, with a meaningglance at Moll. 

"What!" cries poor Moll, in pain. "We are to dance no more!"

The Don shook his head gravely; and, remembering the jolly, vagabond, careless, adventurous life we had led these past two months and more, with a thousand pleasant incidents of our happy junketings, we were alldowncast at the prospect of living in this place--though a paradise--fora year without change. 

"Though I promised you no more than I offer, " says the Don, "yet if thisprospect displease you, we will cry quits and part here. Nay, " adds he, taking a purse from his pocket, "I will give you the means to return toAlicante, where you may live as better pleases you. "

It seemed to me that there was an unfeigned carelessness in his manner, as if he would as lief as not throw up this hazardous enterprise forsome other more sure undertaking. And, indeed, I believe he was thenbalancing another alternative in his mind. 

At this generous offer Moll dashed away the tears that had sprung to hereyes, brightening up wonderfully, but then, casting her eyes upon theDon, her face fell again as at the thought of leaving him. For we alladmired him, and she prodigiously, for his great reserve and many goodqualities which commanded respect, and this feeling was tinged in hercase, I believe, with a kind of growing affection. 

Seeing this sentiment in her eyes, the Don was clearly touched by it, and so, laying his hand gently on her shoulder, he says:

"My poor child, remember you the ugly old women we saw dancing atBarcelona? They were not more than forty; what will they be like in afew years? Who will tolerate them? who love them? Is that the end youchoose for your own life--that the estate to which our little princessshall fall?"

"No, no, no!" cries she, in a passion, clenching her little hands andthrowing up her head in disdain. 

"And no, no, no, say I, " cries Dawson. "Were our case ten times as bad, I'd not go back from my word. As it is, we are not to be pitied, and Iwarrant ere long we make ourselves to be envied. Come, Kit, rouse youout of your lethargies, and let us consult how we may improve ourcondition here; and do you, Seņor, pray order us a little of that sameexcellent wine you spoke of, if it be but a pint, when you feel disposedthat way. "

The Don inclined his head, but lingered, talking to Moll very gravely, and yet tenderly, for some while, Dawson and I going into the house tosee what we could make of it; and then, telling us we should see him nomore till the next day, he left us. But for some time after he was goneMoll sat on the side of the well, very pensive and wistful, as one towhom the future was opened for the first time. 

Anon comes a banging at our garden gate, which Moll had closed behindthe Don; and, going to it, we find a Moorish boy with a barrow chargedwith many things. We could not understand a word he said, but Dawsondecided these chattels were sent us by the Don, by perceiving a hugehogskin of wine, for which he thanked God and Don Sanchez an hundredtimes over. So these commodities we carried up to the house, marvellinggreatly at the Don's forethought and generosity, for here were a scoreof things over and above those we had already found ourselves lacking;namely, earthen pipkins and wooden vessels, a bag of charcoal, a box ofcarpenters' tools (which did greatly like Dawson, he having been bred acarpenter in his youth), instruments for gardening (to my pleasure, as Ihave ever had a taste for such employment), some very fine Moorishblankets, etc. So when the barrow was discharged, Dawson gives the ladsome rials out of his pocket, which pleased him also mightily. 

Then, first of all, Dawson unties the leg of the hogskin, and draws offa quart of wine, very carefully securing the leg after, and this wedrank to our great refreshment; and next Moll, being awoke from herdreams and eager to be doing, sets herself to sort out our goods, suchas belong to us (as tools, etc. ), on one side, and such as belong to her(as pipkins and the rest) on the other. Leaving her to this employment, Dawson and I, armed with a knife and bagging hook, betake ourselves to agreat store of canes stacked in one corner of the garden, and sortingout those most proper to our purpose, we lopped them all of an equallength, and shouldering as many as we could carried them up to ourhouse. Here we found Moll mighty jubilant in having got her work done, and admirably she had done it, to be sure. For, having found a longrecess in the wall, she had brushed it out clean with a whisp of herbs, and stored up her crocks according to their size, very artificial, witha dish of oranges plucked from the tree at our door on one side, and adish of almonds on the other, a pipkin standing betwixt 'em with ahandsome posey of roses in it. She had spread a mat on the floor, andfolded up our fine blankets to serve for cushions; and all that did notbelong to her she had bundled out of sight into that hollowed side Ihave mentioned as being intended for cattle. 

After we had sufficiently admired the performance, she told us she had amind to give us a supper of broth. "But, " says she, "the Don hasforgotten that we must eat, and hath sent us neither bread nor flesh norsalt. "

This put us to a stumble, for how to get these things we knew not; butMoll declared she would get all she needed if we could only find themoney. 

"Why, how?" asks Jack. "You know not their gibberish. "

"That may be, " answers she, "but I warrant the same language that boughtme this petticoat will get us a supper. "

So we gave her what money we had, and she went off a-marketing, with asmuch confidence as if she were a born Barbary Moor. Then Jack falls tothanking God for blessing him with such a daughter, at the same timetaking no small credit to himself for having bred her to suchperfection, and in the midst of his encomiums, being down in the hollowsearching for his hammer, he cries:

"Plague take the careless baggage! she has spilled all our nails, andhere's an hour's work to pick 'em up!"

This accident was repaired, however, and Moll's transgression forgottenwhen she returned with an old woman carrying her purchases. Then were weforced to admire her skill in this business, for she had bought all thatwas needful for a couple of meals, and yet had spent but half our money. Now arose the difficult question how to make a fire, and this Jack leftus to settle by our own devices, he returning to his own occupation. Moll resolved we should do our cooking outside the house, so here webuilt up a kind of grate with stones; and, contriving to strike a sparkwith the back of a jack-knife and a stone, upon a heap of dried leaves, we presently blew up a fine flame, and feeding this with the ends ofcane we had cut and some charcoal, we at last got a royal fire on whichto set our pot of mutton. And into this pot we put rice and a multitudeof herbs from the garden, which by the taste we thought might serve tomake a savoury mess. And, indeed, when it began to boil, the odour wasso agreeable that we would have Jack come out to smell it. And he havingpraised it very highly, we in return went in to look at his handiworkand praise that. This we could do very heartily and without hypocrisy, for he had worked well and made a rare good job, having built a veryseemly partition across the room, by nailing of the canesperpendicularly to that kind of floor that hung over the hollowedportion, thus making us now three rooms out of one. At one end he hadleft an opening to enter the cavity below and the floor above by thelittle ladder that stood there, and these canes were set not so closetogether but that air and light could pass betwixt them, and yet fromthe outer side no eye could see within, which was very commodious. Alsoupon the floor above, he had found sundry bundles of soft dried leaves, and these, opened out upon the surface of both chambers, made a verysweet, convenient bed upon which to lie. Then Dawson offering Moll herchoice, she took the upper floor for her chamber, leaving us two thelower; and so, it being near sundown by this time, we to our supper inthe sweet, cool air of evening, all mightily content with one another, and not less satisfied with our stew, which was indeed most savoury andpalatable. This done, we took a turn round our little domain, admiringthe many strange and wonderful things that grew there (especially thefigs, which, though yet green, were wondrous pleasant to eat); and Ilaying out my plans for the morrow, how to get this wilderness intoorder, tear out the worthless herbs, dig the soil, etc. , Dawson'sthoughts running on the building of an outhouse for the accommodation ofour wine, tools, and such like, and Moll meditating on dishes to give usfor our repasts. And at length, when these divers subjects were no moreto be discussed, we turned into our dormitories, and fell asleep mightytired, but as happy as princes. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

_A brief summary of those twelve months we spent at Elche. _

The surprising activity with which we attacked our domestic business atElche lasted about two days and a half, --Dawson labouring at his shed, Iat the cultivation of the garden, and Moll quitting her cooking andhousehold affairs, as occasion permitted, to lend a helping hand firstto her father and then to me. And as man, when this fever of enterpriseis upon him, must for ever be seeking to add to his cares, we persuadedDon Sanchez to let us have two she-goats to stall in the shed andconsume our waste herbage, that we might have milk and get butter, whichthey do in these parts by shaking the cream in a skin bag (a method thatseems simple enough till you have been shaking the bag for twentyminutes in vain on a sultry morning) without cost. But the novelty ofthe thing wearing off, our eagerness rapidly subsided, and so about thethird day (as I say), the heat being prodigious, we toiled with nospirit at all. 

Dawson was the first to speak his mind. Says he, coming to me whilst Iwas still sweating over my shovel:

"I've done it, but hang me if I do more. There's a good piece of workworth thirty shillings of any man's money, but who'll give me a thank yefor it when we leave here next year?"

And then he can find nothing better to do than fall a-commenting on mylabours, saying there was but precious little to show for my efforts, that had he been in my place he would have ordered matters otherwise, and begun digging t'other end, wagering that I should give up my jobbefore it was quarter done, etc. , all which was mighty discouraging andthe more unpleasant because I felt there was a good deal of truth inwhat he said. 

Consequently, I felt a certain malicious enjoyment the next morning uponfinding that the goats had burst out one side of his famous shed, andgot loose into the garden, which enabled me to wonder that two suchfeeble creatures could undo such a good thirty shillings' worth of work, etc. But ere I was done galling him, I myself was mortified exceedinglyto find these mischievous brutes had torn up all the plants I had set bythe trees in the shade as worthy of cultivation, which gave Jack achance for jibing at me. But that which embittered us as much asanything was to have Moll holding her sides for laughter at our attemptsto catch these two devilish goats, which to our cost we found were notso feeble, after all; for getting one up in a corner, she raises herselfup on her hind legs and brings her skull down with such a smack on myknee that I truly thought she had broke my cramp-bone, whilst t'other, taking Dawson in the ankles with her horns, as he was reaching forwardto lay hold of her, lay him sprawling in our little stream of water. Nordo I think we should ever have captured them, but that, giving over ourendeavours from sheer fatigue, they of their own accord sauntered intothe shed for shelter from the sun, where Moll clapt to the door uponthem, and set her back against the gap in the side, until her fathercame with a hammer and some stout nails to secure the planks. So for therest of that day Jack and I lay on our backs in the shade, doingnothing, but exceedingly sore one against the other for thesemischances. 

But our heart burnings ended not there; for coming in to supper atsundown, Moll has nothing to offer us but dry bread and a dish of dates, which, though it be the common supper of the Moors in this place, waslittle enough to our satisfaction, as Dawson told her in pretty roundterms, asking her what she was good for if not to give us a meal fit forChristians, etc. , and stating very explicitly what he would have herprepare for our dinner next day. Moll takes her upbraiding very humbly(which was ever a bad sign), and promises to be more careful of ourcomfort in the future. And so ended that day. 

The next morning Dawson and I make no attempt at work, but afterbreakfast, by common accord, stretch us out under the palms to meditate;and there about half past ten, Don Sanchez, coming round to pay us avisit, finds us both sound asleep. A sudden exclamation from him arousedus, and as we stumbled to our feet, staring about us, we perceived Mollcoming from the house, but so disfigured with smuts of charcoal all overher face and hands, we scarce knew her. 

"God's mercy!" cries the Don. "What on earth have you been doing, child?"

To which Moll replies with a curtsey:

"I am learning to be a cook-wench, Seņor, at my father's desire. "

"You are here, " answers the Don, with a frown, "to learn to be a lady. If a cook-wench is necessary, you shall have one" (this to us), "andanything else that my means may afford. You will do well to write me alist of your requirements; but observe, " adds he, turning on his heel, "we may have to stay here another twelvemonth, if my economies are notsufficient by the end of the first year to take us hence. "

This hint brought us to our senses very quickly, and overtaking him erehe reached our garden gate, Dawson and I assured the Don we had no needof any servant, and would be careful that Moll henceforth did no menialoffice; that we would tax his generosity no more than we could help, etc. , to our great humiliation when we came to reflect on our conduct. 

Thenceforth Dawson charged himself with the internal economy of thehouse, and I with that part which concerned the custody and care of thegoats, the cultivation of pot-herbs and with such instruction of Moll inthe Italian tongue as I could command. But to tell the truth, we neitherof us did one stroke of work beyond what was absolutely necessary, andespecially Dawson, being past everything for indolence, did so order hispart that from having two dishes of flesh a day, we came, ere long, togetting but one mess a week; he forcing himself and us to be contentwith dates and bread for our repasts, rather than give himself thetrouble of boiling a pot. Beyond browsing my goats, drawing their milk(the making of butter I quickly renounced), and watering my garden nightand morn (which is done by throwing water from the little streambroadcast with a shovel on either side), I did no more than Dawson, butjoined him in yawning the day away, for which my sole excuse is thegreat heat of this region, which doth beget most slothful humours inthose matured in cooler climes. 

With Moll, however, the case was otherwise; for she, being young and ofan exceeding vivacious, active disposition, must for ever be doing ofsomething, and lucky for us when it was not some mischievous trick atour expense--as letting the goats loose, shaking lemons down on ourheads as we lay asleep beneath it, and the like. Being greatly smittenwith the appearance of the Moorish women (who, though they are notpermitted to wander about at will like our women, are yet suffered tofetch water from the public fountains), she surprised us one morning bycoming forth dressed in their mode. And this dress, which seems to benought but a long sheet wound loosely twice or thrice about the body, buckled on the shoulder, with holes for the arms to be put through inthe manner of the old Greeks, became her surprisingly; and we noticedthen for the first time that her arms were rounder and fuller than whenwe had last seen them bare. Then, to get the graceful, noble bearing ofthe Moors, she practised day after day carrying a pitcher of water onher head as they do, until she could do this with perfect ease andsureness. In this habit the Don, who was mightily pleased with herlooks, took her to the house of his friend and employer, Sidi ben Ahmed, where she ingratiated herself so greatly with the women of his householdthat they would have her come to them again the next day, and after thatthe next, --indeed, thenceforth she spent far more of her time with thesenew friends than with us. And here, from the necessity of making herselfunderstood, together with an excellent memory and a natural aptitude, she learned to speak the Moorish tongue in a marvellously short space oftime. Dawson and I were frequently asked to accompany Moll, and we wenttwice to this house, which, though nothing at all to look at outside, was very magnificently furnished within, and the entertainment mostnoble. But Lord! 'twas the most tedious, wearisome business for us, whocould make out never a word of the civil speeches offered us without theaid of Don Sanchez and Moll, and then could think of no witty response, but could only sit there grinning like Gog and Magog. Still, it gave usvast pleasure to see how Moll carried herself with this company, talkingas freely as they, yet holding herself with the dignity of an equal, anddelighting all by her vivacity and sly, pretty ways. 

[Illustration: "SHE PRACTISED DAY AFTER DAY BY CARRYING A PITCHER OFWATER ON HER HEAD. "]

I think no country in Europe can be richer than this Elche in fruits andvegetation, more beautiful in its surrounding aspects of plain andmountain, more blessed with constant, glorious sunlight; and the effectof these charms upon the quick, receptive spirit of our Molly was like agentle May upon a nightingale, so that the days were all too short forher enjoyment, and she must need vent her happiness in song; but on usthey made no more impression than on two owls in a tower, nay, ifanything they did add to that weariness which arose from our lack ofoccupation. For here was no contrast in our lives, one day being as likeanother as two peas in a pod, and having no sort of adversities to givesavour to our ease, we found existence the most flat, insipid, dullthing possible. I remember how, on Christmas day, Dawson did cry outagainst the warm sunshine as a thing contrary to nature, wishing hemight stand up to his knees in snow in a whistling wind, and taking upthe crock Moll had filled with roses (which here bloom more fully in thedepth of winter than with us in the height of summer), he flung it outof the door with a curse for an unchristian thing to have in the houseon such a day. 

As soon as the year had turned, we began to count the days to ourdeparture, and thenceforth we could think of nought but what we would dowith our fortune when we got it; and, the evenings being long, we wouldset the bag of wine betwixt us after our supper of dates, and sit therefor hours discussing our several projects. Moll being with us (for inthese parts no womankind may be abroad after sundown), she would takepart in these debates with as much gusto as we. For though she was notwearied of her life here as we were, yet she was possessed of a verystirring spirit of adventure, and her quick imagination furnishedendless visions of lively pleasures and sumptuous living. We agreed thatwe would live together, and share everything in common as one family, but not in such an outlandish spot as Chislehurst. That estate we wouldhave nothing to do with; but, selling it at once, have in its place twohouses, --one city house in the Cheap, and a country house not furtherfrom town than Bednal Green, or Clerkenwell at the outside, to the endthat when we were fatigued with the pleasures of the town, we might, byan easy journey, resort to the tranquillity of rural life, Dawsondeclaring what wines he would have laid down in our cellars, I whatbooks should furnish our library, and Moll what dresses she would wear(not less than one for every month of the year), what coaches and horseswe should keep, what liveries our servants should wear, whatentertainments we would give, and so forth. Don Sanchez was not excludedfrom our deliberations; indeed, he encouraged us greatly by approving ofall our plans, only stipulating that we would guard one room for him ineach of our houses, that he might feel at home in our society wheneverhe chanced to be in our neighbourhood. In all these arguments, there wasnever one word of question from any of us as to the honesty of ourdesign. We had settled that, once and for all, before starting on thisexpedition; and since then, little by little, we had come to regard theGodwin estate as a natural gift, as freely to be taken as a blackberryfrom the hedge. Nay, I believe Dawson and I would have contested ourright to it by reason of the pains we were taking to possess it. 

And now, being in the month of June, and our year of exile (as it likedus to call it) nigh at an end, Dawson one night put the question to DonSanchez, which had kept us fluttering in painful suspense these past sixmonths, whether he had saved sufficient by his labours, to enable us toreturn to England ere long. 

"Yes, " says he, gravely, at which we did all heave one long sigh ofrelief, "I learn that a convoy of English ships is about to sail fromAlicante in the beginning of July, and if we are happy enough to find afavourable opportunity, we will certainly embark in one of them. "

"Pray, Seņor, " says I, "what may that opportunity be; for 'tis but twodays' march hence to Alicante, and we may do it with a light foot inone. "

"The opportunity I speak of, " answers he, "is the arrival, from Algeria, of a company of pirates, whose good service I hope to engage in puttingus aboard an English ship under a flag of truce as redeemed slaves fromBarbary. "

"Pirates!" cry we, in a low breath. 

"What, Seņor!" adds Dawson, "are we to trust ourselves to the mercy andhonesty of Barbary pirates on the open sea?"

"I would rather trust to their honesty, " answers the Don, dropping hisvoice that he might not be heard by Moll, who was leading home thegoats, "than to the mercy of an English judge, if we should be broughtto trial with insufficient evidence to support our story. "

Jack and I stared at each other aghast at this talk of trial, which hadnever once entered into our reckoning of probabilities. 

"If I know aught of my fellow-men, " continues the Don, surely and slow, "that grasping steward will not yield up his trust before he has madesearching enquiry into Moll's claim, act she her part never so well. Wecannot refuse to give him the name of the ship that brought us home, and, learning that we embarked at Alicante, jealous suspicion may leadhim to seek further information there; with what result?"

"Why, we may be blown with a vengeance, if he come ferreting so nigh asthat, " says Dawson, "and we are like to rot in gaol for our pains. "

"You may choose to run that risk; I will not, " says the Don. 

"Nor I either, " says Dawson, "and God forgive me for overlooking such aperil to my Moll. But, do tell me plainly, Seņor, granting these piratesbe the most honest thieves in the world, is there no other risk tofear?"

The Don hunched his shoulders. 

"Life itself is a game, " says he, "in which the meanest stroke may notbe won without some risk; but, played as I direct, the odds are in ourfavour. Picked up at sea from an Algerine boat, who shall deny our storywhen the evidence against us lies there" (laying his hand out towardsthe south), "where no man in England dare venture to seek it?"

"Why, to be sure, " says Dawson; "that way all hangs together to anicety. For only a wizard could dream of coming hither for our undoing. "

"For the rest, " continues the Don, thoughtfully, "there is little tofear. Judith Godwin has eyes the colour of Moll's, and in all else Simonmust expect to find a change since he last saw his master's daughter. They were in Italy three years. That would make Judith a lisping childwhen she left England. He must look to find her altered. Why, " adds he, in a more gentle voice, as if moved by some inner feeling of affectionand admiration, nodding towards Moll, "see how she has changed in thislittle while. I should not know her for the raw, half-starved spindle ofa thing she was when I saw her first playing in the barn at TottenhamCross. "

Looking at her now (browsing the goats amongst my most cherished herbs), I was struck also by this fact, which, living with her day by day, hadslipped my observation somewhat. She was no longer a gaunt, ungainlychild, but a young woman, well proportioned, with a rounded cheek andchin, brown tinted by the sun, and, to my mind, more beautiful than anyof their vaunted Moorish women. But, indeed, in this country all thingsdo mature quickly; and 'twas less surprising in her case because hergrowth had been checked before by privation and hardship, whereas sinceour coming hither it had been aided by easy circumstances and goodliving. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

_Of our coming to London (with incidents by the way), and of the greataddress whereby Moll confounds Simon, the steward. _

On the third day of July, all things falling in pat with the Don'sdesign, we bade farewell to Elche, Dawson and I with no sort of regret, but Moll in tears at parting from those friends she had grown to lovevery heartily. And these friends would each have her take away somethingfor a keepsake, such as rings to wear on her arms and on her ankles (asis the Moorish fashion), silk shawls, etc. , so that she had quite alarge present of finery to carry away; but we had nothing whatever butthe clothes we stood in, and they of the scantiest, being simply longshirts and "bernouses" such as common Moors wear. For the wise Don wouldlet us take nought that might betray our sojourn in Spain, making useven change our boots for wooden sandals, he himself being arrayed nobetter than we. Nor was this the only change insisted on by ourgovernor; for on Dawson bidding Moll in a surly tone to give over ashedding of tears, Don Sanchez turns upon him, and says he:

"It is time to rehearse the parts we are to play. From this day forthyour daughter is Mistress Judith Godwin, you are Captain Robert Evans, and you" (to me), "Mr. Hopkins, the merchant. Let us each play our partwith care, that we do not betray ourselves by a slip in a moment ofunforeseen danger. "

"You are in the right, Seņor, " answers Jack, "for I doubt it must be ahard task to forget that Mistress Judith is my daughter, as it is for aloving father to hold from chiding of his own flesh and blood; so I prayyou, Madam" (to Moll), "bear that in mind and vex me no more. "

We lay this lesson seriously to heart, Dawson and I, for the Don's hintthat we might end our career in gaol did still rankle woundily in ourminds. And so very soberly we went out of the forest of Elche in thenight on mules lent us by Sidi ben Ahmed, with a long cavalcade of mulescharged with merchandise for embarking on board the pirates' vessel, andan escort of some half-dozen fierce-looking corsairs armed with longfirelocks and a great store of awesome crooked knives stuck in theirwaist-cloths. 

After journeying across the plain, we came about midday to the seaboard, and there we spied, lying in a sheltered bay, a long galley with threemasts, each dressed with a single cross-spar for carrying aleg-of-mutton sail, and on the shore a couple of ship's boats with acompany of men waiting to transport our goods and us aboard. And hereour hearts quaked a bit at the thought of trusting ourselves in thehands of these same murderous-looking pirates. Nevertheless, when ourtime came we got us into their boat, recommending ourselves veryheartily to God's mercy, and so were rowed out to the galley, where wewere very civilly received by an old Moor with a white beard, who seemedwell acquainted with Don Sanchez. Then the merchandise being all aboard, and the anchor up, the men went to their oars, a dozen of each side, androwed us out of the bay until, catching a little wind of air, the sailswere run up, and we put out to sea very bravely. 

"Seņor, " says Dawson, "I know not how I am to play this part of asea-captain when we are sent on board an English ship, for if they askme any questions on this business of navigating, I am done for acertainty. "

"Rest easy on that score, Evans, " replies the Don. "I will answer foryou, for I see very clearly by your complexion that you will soon bepast answering them yourself. "

And this forecast was quickly verified; for ere the galley had dipped adozen times to the waves, poor Dawson was laid low with a most horridsickness like any dying man. 

By sundown we sighted the island of Maggiore, and in the roads there wecast anchor for the night, setting sail again at daybreak; and in thislatitude we beat up and down a day and a night without seeing any sail, but on the morning of the third day a fleet of five big ships appearedto the eastward, and shifting our course we bore down upon them withamazing swiftness. Then when we were near enough to the foremast to seeher English flag and the men aboard standing to their deck guns for adefence, our old Moor fires a gun in the air, takes in his sails, andruns up a great white flag for a sign of peace. And now with shrewdhaste a boat was lowered, and we were set in it with a pair of oars, andthe old pirate bidding us farewell in his tongue, clapt on all sail andstood out before the wind, leaving us there to shift for ourselves. DonSanchez took one oar, and I t'other, --Dawson lying in the bottom and notable to move a hand to save his life, --and Moll held the tiller, and sowe pulled with all our force, crying out now and then for fear we shouldnot be seen, till by God's providence we came alongside the Talbot ofLondon, and were presently hoisted aboard without mishap. Then thecaptain of the Talbot and his officers gathering about us were mightycurious to know our story, and Don Sanchez very briefly told how we hadgone in the Red Rose of Bristol to redeem two ladies from slavery; howwe had found but one of these ladies living (at this Moll buries herface in her hands as if stricken with grief); how, on the eve of ourdeparture, some of our crew in a drunken frolic had drowned a Turk ofAlger, for which we were condemned by their court to pay an indemnityfar and away beyond our means; how they then made this a pretext toseize our things, though we were properly furnished with the Duke'spass, and hold our men in bond; and how having plundered us of all wehad, and seeing there was no more to be got, they did offer us ourfreedom for a written quittance of all they had taken for theirjustification if ever they should be brought to court; and finally, how, accepting of these conditions, we were shipped aboard their galley withnothing in the world but a few trifles, begged by Mistress Judith inremembrance of her mother. 

This story was accepted without any demur; nay, Captain Ballcock, beingone of those men who must ever appear to know all things, supported itin many doubtful particulars, saying that he remembered the Rose ofBristol quite well; that he himself had seen a whole ship's crew soldinto slavery for no greater offence than breaking a mosque window; thatthe Duke's pass counted for nothing with these Turks; that he knew thegalley we were brought in as well as he knew Paul's Church, havingchased it a dozen times, yet never got within gunshot for her swiftsailing, etc. , which did much content us to hear. 

But the officers were mighty curious to know what ailed Captain RobertEvans (meaning Dawson), fearing he might be ill of the plague; however, on the Don's vowing that he was only sick of a surfeit, Captain Ballcockdeclared he had guessed it the moment he clapt eyes on him, as hehimself had been taken of the same complaint with only eating a dish ofpease pudding. Nevertheless, he ordered the sick man to be laid in apart of the ship furthest from his quarters, and so great was the dreadof pestilence aboard that (as his sickness continued) not a soul wouldventure near him during the whole voyage except ourselves, which alsofell in very well with our wishes. And so after a fairly prosperousvoyage we came up the Thames to Chatham, the third day of August. 

We had been provided with some rough seamen's clothes for our bettercovering on the voyage; but now, being landed, and lodged in the Crowninn at Chatham, Don Sanchez would have the captain take them all back. 

"But, " says he, "if you will do us yet another favour, Captain, will yousuffer one of your men to carry a letter to Mistress Godwin's steward atChislehurst, that he may come hither to relieve us from our presentstraits?"

"Aye, " answers he, "I will take the letter gladly, myself; for nothingpleases me better than a ramble in the country where I was born andbred. "

So Moll writes a letter at once to Simon, bidding him come at once toher relief; and Captain Ballcock, after carefully enquiring his way tothis place he knew so well (as he would have us believe), starts offwith it, accompanied by his boatswain, a good-natured kind oflick-spittle, who never failed to back up his captain's assertions, which again was to our great advantage; for Simon would thus learn ourstory from his lips, and find no room to doubt its veracity. 

As soon as these two were out of the house, Dawson, who had been carriedfrom the ship and laid in bed, though as hale since we passed theGodwins as ever he was in his life before, sprang up, and declared hewould go to bed no more, for all the fortunes in the world, till he hadsupped on roast pork and onions, --this being a dish he greatly loved, but not to be had at Elche, because the Moors by their religion forbidthe use of swine's flesh, --and seeing him very determined on this head, Don Sanchez ordered a leg of pork to be served in our chamber, whereofDawson did eat such a prodigious quantity, and drank therewith such avast quantity of strong ale (which he protested was the only liquor anEnglishman could drink with any satisfaction), that in the night he wasseized with most severe cramp in his stomach. This gave us the occasionto send for a doctor in the morning, who, learning that Jack had beenill ever since we left Barbary, and not understanding his presentcomplaint, pulled a very long face, and, declaring his case was verycritical, bled him copiously, forbade him to leave his bed for anotherfortnight, and sent him in half a dozen bottles of physic. About middayhe returns, and, finding his patient no better, administers a bolus; andwhile we are all standing about the bed, and Dawson the colour of death, and groaning, betwixt the nausea of the drug he had swallowed and thecramp in his inwards, in comes our Captain Ballcock and the littlesteward. 

"There!" cries he, turning on Simon, "did not I tell you that my oldfriend Evans lay at death's door with the treatment he hath received ofthese Barbary pirates? Now will you be putting us off with your doubtsand your questionings? Shall I have up my ship's company to testify tothe truth of my history? Look you, Madam, " (to Moll), "we had all thetrouble in the world to make this steward of yours do your bidding; buthe should have come though we had to bring him by the neck and heels, and a pox to him--saving your presence. "

"But this is not Simon, " says Moll, with a pretty air of innocence. "Iseem to remember Simon a bigger man than he. "

"You must consider, Madam, " says Don Sanchez, "that then you were verysmall, scarce higher than his waist, maybe, and so you would have tolook up into his face. "

"I did not think of that. And are you really Simon, who used to scold mefor plucking fruit?"

"Yea, verily, " answers he. "Doubt it not, for thou also hast changedbeyond conception. And so it hath come to pass!" he adds, staring roundat us in our Moorish garb like one bewildered. "And thou art my mistressnow" (turning again to Moll). 

"Alas!" says she, bowing her head and covering her eyes with her hand. 

"Han't I told you so, unbelieving Jew Quaker!" growls Captain Ballcock, in exasperation. "Why will you plague the unhappy lady with her loss?"

"We will leave Evans to repose, " says Moll, brushing her eyes andturning to the door. "You will save his life, Doctor, for he has givenme mine. "

The doctor vowed he would, if bleeding and boluses could make him whole, and so, leaving him with poor groaning Dawson, we went into the nextchamber. And there Captain Ballcock was for taking his leave; but Moll, detaining him, says:

"We owe you something more than gratitude--we have put you to muchexpense. "

"Nay, " cries he. "I will take nought for doing a common act of mercy. "

"You shall not be denied the joy of generosity, " says she, with a sweetgrace. "But you must suffer me to give your ship's company some token ofmy gratitude. " Then turning to Simon with an air of authority, she says, "Simon, I have no money. "

The poor man fumbled in his pocket, and bringing out a purse, laid itopen, showing some four or five pieces of silver and one of gold, whichhe hastily covered with his hand. 

"I see you have not enough, " says Moll, and taking up a pen she quicklywrote some words on a piece of paper, signing it "Judith Godwin. " Thenshowing it to Simon, she says, "You will pay this when it is presentedto you, " and therewith she folds it and places it in the captain's hand, bidding him farewell in a pretty speech. 

"A hundred pounds! a hundred pounds!" gasps Simon, under his breath, inan agony and clutching up his purse to his breast. 

"I am astonished, " says Moll, returning from the door, and addressingSimon, with a frown upon her brow, "that you are not better furnished tosupply my wants, knowing by my letter how I stand. "

"Mistress, " replies he, humbly, "here is all I could raise upon suchsudden notice"--laying his purse before her. 

"What is this?" cries she, emptying the contents upon the table. "'Tisnothing. Here is barely sufficient to pay for our accommodation in thisinn. Where is the money to discharge my debt to these friends who havelost all in saving me? You were given timely notice of their purpose. "

"Prithee, be patient with me, gentle mistress. 'Tis true, I knew oftheir intent, but they were to have returned in six months, and whenthey came not at the end of the year I did truly give up all for lost;and so I made a fresh investment of thy fortune, laying it out all inlife bonds and houses, to great worldly advantage, as thou shalt see ingood time. Ere long I may get in some rents--"

"And in the meanwhile are we to stay in this plight--to beg forcharity?" asks Moll, indignantly. "Nay, mistress. Doubtless for yourpresent wants this kind merchant friend--"

"We have lost all, " says I, "Evans his ship, and I the lading in whichall my capital was embarked. "

"And I every maravedi I possessed, " adds the Don. 

"And had they not, " cries Moll, "were they possessed now of all theyhad, think you that I with an estate, as I am told, of sixty thousandpounds would add to the debt I owe them by one single penny!"

"If I may speak in your steward's defence, Madam, " says I, humbly, "Iwould point out that the richest estate is not always readily convertedinto money. 'Tis like a rich jewel which the owner, though he bestarving, must hold till he find a market. "

"Thee hearest him, mistress, " cries Simon, in delight. "A man ofbusiness--a merchant who knows these things. Explain it further, friend, for thine are words of precious wisdom. "

"With landed property the case is even more difficult. Tenants cannot beforced to pay rent before it is due, nor can their messuages be soldover their heads. And possibly all your capital is invested in land--"

"Every farthing that could be scraped together, " says Simon, "and not arood of it but is leased to substantial men. Oh! what excellentdiscourse! Proceed further, friend. "

"Nevertheless, " says I, "there are means of raising money upon credit. If he live there still, there is a worthy Jew in St. Mary Axe, who uponcertain considerations of interest--"

"Hold, friend, " cries Simon. "What art thee thinking of? Wouldst delivermy simple mistress into the hands of Jew usurers?"

"Not without proper covenants made out by lawyers and attorneys. "

"Lawyers, attorneys, and usurers! Heaven have mercy upon us! Verily, thee wouldst infest us with a pest, and bleed us to death for our cure. "

"I will have such relief as I may, " says Moll; "so pray, sir, do sendfor these lawyers and Jews at once, and the quicker, since my servantseems more disposed to hinder than to help me. "

"Forbear, mistress; for the love of God, forbear!" cries Simon, in anagony, clasping his hands. "Be not misguided by this foolish merchant, who hath all to gain and nought to lose by this proceeding. Give me buta little space, and their claims shall be met, thy desires shall besatisfied, and yet half of thy estate be saved, which else must be alldevoured betwixt these ruthless money-lenders and lawyers. I can make acovenant more binding than any attorney, as I have proved again andagain, and" (with a gulp) "if money must be raised at once, I know anhonest, a fairly honest, goldsmith in Lombard Street who will lend atthe market rate. "

"These gentlemen, " answers Moll, turning to us, "may not choose to wait, and I will not incommode them for my own convenience. "

"Something for our present need we must have, Madam, " says the Don, witha significant glance at his outlandish dress; "but those wants supplied, _I_ am content to wait. "

"And you, sir?" says Moll to me. 

"With a hundred or two, " says I, taking Don Sanchez's hint, "we may dovery well till Michaelmas. "

"Be reasonable, gentlemen, " implores Simon, mopping his eyes, which ranafresh at this demand. "'Tis but some five or six weeks to Michaelmas;surely fifty pounds--"

"Silence!" cries Moll, with an angry tap of her foot. "Will threehundred content you, gentlemen? Consider, the wants of our good friend, Captain Evans, may be more pressing than yours. "

"He is a good, honest, simple man, and I think we may answer for hisaccepting the conditions we make for ourselves. Then, with somereasonable guarantee for our future payment--"

"That may be contrived to our common satisfaction, I hope, " says Moll, with a gracious smile. "I owe you half my estate; share my house atChislehurst with me till the rest is forthcoming. That will give me yeta little longer the pleasure of your company. And there, sir, " turningto me, "you can examine my steward's accounts for your own satisfaction, and counsel me, mayhap, upon the conduct of my affairs, knowing so muchupon matters of business that are incomprehensible to a simple, inexperienced maid. Then, should you find aught amiss in my steward'sbooks, anything to shake your confidence in his management, you will, injustice to your friends, in kindness to me, speak your mind openly, thatinstant reformation may be made. "

Don Sanchez and I expressed our agreement to this proposal, and Moll, turning to the poor, unhappy steward, says in her high tone ofauthority:

"You hear how this matter is ordered, Simon. Take up that purse for yourown uses. Go into the town and send such tradesmen hither as may supplyus with proper clothing. Then to your goldsmith in Lombard Street andbring me back six hundred pounds. "

"Six--hundred--pounds!" cries he, hardly above his breath, and with apause between each word as if to gain strength to speak 'em. 

"Six hundred. Three for these gentlemen and three for my own needs; whenthat is done, hasten to Chislehurst and prepare my house; and, as youvalue my favour, see that nothing is wanting when I come there. "

And here, lest it should be thought that Moll could not possibly playher part so admirably in this business, despite the many secretinstructions given by the longheaded Don, I do protest that I have setdown no more than I recollect, and that without exaggeration. Further, it must be observed that in our common experience many things happenwhich would seem incredible but for the evidence of our senses, andwhich no poet would have the hardihood to represent. 'Tis true that inthis, as in other more surprising particulars to follow, Moll didsurpass all common women; but 'tis only such extraordinary persons thatfurnish material for any history. And I will add that anything ispossible to one who hath the element of greatness in her composition, and that it depends merely on the accident of circumstances whether aMoll Dawson becomes a great saint or a great sinner--a blessing or acurse to humanity. 

CHAPTER XV. 

_Lay our hands on six hundred pounds and quarter ourselves in HurstCourt, but stand in a fair way to be undone by Dawson, his folly. _

The next day comes Simon with a bag of six hundred pounds, which hetells over with infinite care, groaning and mopping his eyes betwixteach four or five pieces with a most rueful visage, so that it seemed hewas weeping over this great expenditure, and then he goes to prepare theCourt and get servants against Moll's arrival. By the end of the week, being furnished with suitable clothing and equipment, Moll and DonSanchez leave us, though Dawson was now as hale and hearty as ever hehad been, we being persuaded to rest at Chatham yet another week, togive countenance to Jack's late distemper, and also that we might appearless like a gang of thieves. 

Before going, Don Sanchez warned us that very likely Simon would pay usa visit suddenly, to satisfy any doubts that might yet crop up in hissuspicious mind; and so, to be prepared for him, I got in a good storeof paper and books, such as a merchant might require in seeking toreestablish himself in business, and Dawson held himself in readiness todo his share of this knavish business. 

Sure enough, about three days after this, the drawer, who had beeninstructed to admit no one to my chamber without my consent, comes up tosay that the little old man in leather, with the weak eyes, would seeme; so I bade him in a high voice bid Mr. Simon step up, and settingmyself before my table of paper, engage in writing a letter (alreadyhalf writ), while Dawson slips out into the next room. 

"Take a seat, Mr. Steward, " says I, when Simon entered, cap in hand, andcasting a very prying, curious look around. "I must keep you a minute ortwo"; and so I feign to be mighty busy, and give him scope forobservation. 

"Well, sir, " says I, finishing my letter with a flourish, and setting itaside. "How do you fare?"

He raised his hands, and dropped them like so much lead on his knees, casting up his eyes and giving a doleful shake of his head for a reply. 

"Nothing is amiss at the Court, I pray--your lady Mistress Godwin iswell?"

"I know not, friend, " says he. "She hath taken my keys, denied meentrance to her house, and left me no privilege of my office save theuse of the lodge house. Thus am I treated like a faithless servant, after toiling night and day all these years, and for her advantage, rather than mine own. "

"That has to be proved, Mr. Steward, " says I, severely; "for you mustadmit that up to this present she has had no reason to love you, seeingthat, had her fate been left in your hands, she would now be in Barbary, and like to end her days there. How, then, can she think but that youhad some selfish, wicked end in denying her the service we, who arestrangers, have rendered her?"

"Thee speakest truth, friend, and yet thee knowest that I observed onlythe righteous prudence of an honest servant. "

"We will say no more on that head, but you may rest assured on mypromise--knowing as I do the noble, generous nature of yourmistress--that if she has done you wrong in suspecting you of basepurpose, she will be the first to admit her fault and offer youreparation. "

"I seek no reparation, no reward, nothing in the world but the right tocherish this estate, " cries he, in passion; and, upon my looking at himvery curiously, as not understanding the motive of such devotion, hecontinues: "Thee canst not believe me, and yet truly I am neither a liarnor a madman. What do others toil for? A wife--children--friends--thegratification of ambition or lust! I have no kith or kin, no ambition, no lust; but this estate is wife, child, everything, to me. 'Tis likesome work of vanity, --a carved image that a man may give his whole lifeto making, and yet die content if he achieves but some approach to thecreation of his soul. I have made this estate out of nothing; it hathgrown larger and larger, richer and more rich, in answer to my skill;why should I not love it, and put my whole heart in the accomplishmentof my design, with the same devotion that you admire in the maker ofgraven images?"

Despite his natural infirmities, Simon delivered this astonishingrhapsody with a certain sort of vehemence that made it eloquent; andindeed, strange as his passion was, I could not deny that it was asreasonable in its way as any nobler act of self-sacrifice. 

"I begin to understand you, Mr. Steward, " says I. 

"Then, good friend, as thee wouldst help the man in peril of being tornfrom his child, render me this estate to govern; save it from the handsof usurers and lawyers, men of no conscience, to whom this Spanish Donwould deliver it for the speedy satisfaction of his greed. "

"Nay, my claim's as great as his, " says I, "and my affairs morepressing" (with a glance at my papers), "I am undone, my credit lost, myoccupation gone. "

"Thee shalt be paid to the last farthing. Examine my books, enquire intothe value of my securities, and thee wilt find full assurance. "

"Well, one of these days mayhap, " says I, as if to put him off. 

"Nay, come at once, I implore thee; for until I am justified to mymistress, I stand like one betwixt life and death. "

"For one thing, " says I, still shuffling, "I can do nothing, nor youeither, to the payment of our just claim, before the inheritance issafely settled upon Mistress Godwin. "

"That shall be done forthwith. I understand the intricacies of the law, and know my way" (tapping his head and then his pocket), "to get a seal, with ten times the despatch of any attorney. I promise by Saturday theeshalt have assurance to thy utmost requirement. Say, good friend, theewilt be at my lodge house on that day. "

"I'll promise nothing, " says I. "Our poor Captain Evans is still aprisoner in his room. "

"Aye, " says Dawson, coming in from the next room, in his nightgown, seeming very feeble and weak despite his blustering voice, "and I'm liketo be no better till I can get a ship of my own and be to sea again. Have you brought my money, Mr. Quaker?"

"Thee shalt have it truly; wait but a little while, good friend, alittle while. "

"Wait a little while and founder altogether, eh? I know you land sharks, and would I'd been born with a smack of your cunning; then had I nevergone of this venture, and lost my ship and twoscore men, that money'llne'er replace. Look at me, a sheer hulk and no more, and all throughlending ear to one prayer and another. I doubt you're minded to turnyour back on poor old Bob Evans, as t'others have, Mr. Hopkins, --and whynot? The poor old man's worth nothing, and cannot help himself. " Withthis he fell a-snivelling like any girl. 

"I vow I'll not quit you, Evans, till you're hale again. "

"Bring him with thee o' Saturday, " urged Simon. "Surely, my mistress cannever have the heart to refuse you shelter at the Court, who owes herlife to ye. Come and stay there till thy wage be paid, friend Evans. "

"What! would ye make an honest sailor play bum-bailiff, and stick in ahouse, willy nilly, till money's found? Plague of your dry land! Give mea pitching ship and a rolling sea, and a gale whistling in my shrouds. Oh, my reins, my reins! give me a paper of tobacco, Mr. Hopkins, and apipe to soothe this agony, or I shall grow desperate!"

I left the room as if to satisfy this desire, and Simon followed, imploring me still to come on Saturday to Chislehurst; and I at lengthgot rid of him by promising to come as soon as Evans could be left orinduced to accompany me. 

I persuaded Dawson, very much against his gree, to delay our going untilMonday, the better to hoodwink old Simon; and on that day we set out forChislehurst, both clad according to our condition, --he in rough frieze, and I in a very proper, seemly sort of cloth, --and with more guineas inour pockets than ever before we had possessed shillings. And a verymerry journey this was; for Dawson, finding himself once more atliberty, and hearty as a lark after his long confinement and under noconstraint, was like a boy let loose from school. Carolling at the topof his voice, playing mad pranks with all who passed us on the road, andstaying at every inn to drink twopenny ale, so that I feared he wouldcertainly fall ill of drinking, as he had before of eating; but theexercise of riding, the fresh, wholesome air, and half an hour's doze ina spinney, did settle his liquor, and so he reached Hurst Court quitesober, thanks be to Heaven, though very gay. And there we had need ofall our self-command, to conceal our joy in finding those gates open tous, which we had looked through so fondly when we were last here, and tospy Moll, in a stately gown, on the fine terrace before this noblehouse, carrying herself as if she had lived here all her life, and DonSanchez walking very deferential by her side. Especially Dawson couldscarce bring himself to speak to her in an uncouth, surly manner, asbefitted his character, and no sooner were we entered the house but hewhips Moll behind a door, and falls a-hugging and kissing her like anysly young lover. 

Whilst he was giving way to these extravagances, which Moll had not theheart to rebuff, --for in her full, warm heart she was as overjoyed tosee him there as he her, --Don Sanchez and I paced up and down thespacious hall, I all of a twitter lest one or other of the servantsmight discover the familiarity of these two (which must have been a finematter for curious gossip in the household and elsewhere), and the Donmighty sombre and grave (as foreseeing an evil outcome of thisbusiness), so that he would make no answer to my civilities save by dumbgestures, showing he was highly displeased. But truly 'twas enough toset us all crazy, but he, with joy, to be in possession of all theseriches and think that we had landed at Chatham scarce a fortnight beforewithout decent clothes to our backs, and now, but for the success of ourdesign, might be the penniless strolling vagabonds we were when DonSanchez lighted on us. 

Presently Moll came out from the side room with her father, her hair alltumbled, and as rosy as a peach, and she would have us visit the housefrom top to bottom, showing us the rooms set apart for us, her ownchamber, the state room, the dining-hall, the store closets for plateand linen, etc. , all prodigious fine and in most excellent condition;for the scrupulous minute care of old Simon had suffered nothing to fallout of repair, the rooms being kept well aired, the pictures, tapestries, and magnificent furniture all preserved fresh with linencovers and the like. From the hall she led us out on to the terrace tosurvey the park and the gardens about the house, and here, as withindoors, all was in most admirable keeping, with no wild growth orrunaweeds anywhere, nor any sign of neglect. But I observed, as anindication of the steward's thrifty, unpoetic mind, that the garden bedswere planted with onions and such marketable produce, in place offlowers, and that instead of deer grazing upon the green slopes of thepark there was only such profitable cattle as sheep, cows, etc. And atthe sight of all this abundance of good things (and especially thewell-stored buttery), Dawson declared he could live here all his lifeand never worry. And with that, all unthinkingly, he lays his arm aboutMoll's waist. 

Then the Don, who had followed us up and down stairs, speaking never oneword till this, says, "We may count ourselves lucky, Captain Evans, ifwe are suffered to stay here another week. "

CHAPTER XVI. 

_Prosper as well as any thieves may; but Dawson greatly tormented. _

The next morning I went to Simon at his lodge house, having writ him anote overnight to prepare him for my visit, and there I found him, withall his books and papers ready for my examination. So to it we set, casting up figures, comparing accounts, and so forth, best part of theday, and in the end I came away convinced that he was the mostscrupulous, honest steward ever man had. And, truly, it appeared that byhis prudent investments and careful management he had trebled the valueof the estate, and more, in the last ten years. He showed me, also, thatin all his valuations he had set off a large sum for loss by accident offire, war, etc. , so that actually at the present moment the estate, which he reckoned at seventy-five thousand pounds, was worth at theleast one hundred and twenty-five thousand. But for better assurance onthis head, I spent the remainder of the week in visiting the farms, messuages, etc. , on his rent roll, and found them all in excellentcondition, and held by good substantial men, nothing in any particularbut what he represented it. 

Reporting on these matters privily to Don Sanchez and Dawson, I askedthe Don what we should now be doing. 

"Two ways lie before us, " says he, lighting a cigarro. "Put Simon out ofhis house--and make an enemy of him, " adds he, betwixt two puffs ofsmoke, "seize his securities, sell them for what they will fetch, andget out of the country as quickly as possible. If the securities beworth one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds, we may" (puff)"possibly" (puff) "get forty thousand for them" (puff), "about a thirdof their value--not more. That yields us ten thousand apiece. On tenthousand pounds a man may live like a prince--in Spain. The other way isto make a friend of Simon by restoring him to his office, suffer him totreble the worth of the estate again in the next ten years, and livelike kings" (puff) "in England. "

"Pray, which way do you incline, Seņor?" says I. 

"Being a Spaniard, " answers he, gravely, "I should prefer to live like aprince in Spain. "

"That would not I, " says Dawson, stoutly. "A year and a half of Elchehave cured me of all fondness for foreign parts. Besides, 'tis abeggarly, scurvy thing to fly one's country, as if we had done someunhandsome, dishonest trick. If I faced an Englishman, I should neverdare look him straight in the eyes again. What say you, Mr. Hopkins?"

"Why, Evans, " says I, "you know my will without telling. I will not, ofmy own accord, go from your choice, which way you will. "

"Since we owe everything to Mistress Judith, " observes the Don, "and asshe is no longer a child, ought not her wishes to be consulted?"

"No, " says Jack, very decidedly, and then, lowering his voice, he adds, "for was she Judith Godwin ten times told, and as old as my grandmotherinto the bargain, she is still my daughter, and shall do as I choose herto do. And if, as you say, we owe her everything, then I count 'twouldbe a mean, dirty return to make her live out of England and feel she hasa sneaking coward for a father. "

"As you please, " says the Don. "Give me ten thousand of the sum you areto be paid at Michaelmas, and you are welcome to all the rest. "

"You mean that, Seņor, " cries Jack, seizing the Don's hand and raisinghis left. 

"By the Holy Mother, " answers Don Sanchez, in Spanish. 

"Done!" cries Dawson, bringing his hand down with a smack on the Don'spalm. "Nay, I always believed you was the most generous man living. Tenfrom t'other. Master Hopkins, " says he, turning to me, "what does thatleave us?"

"More than a hundred thousand!"

"The Lord be praised for evermore!" cries Jack. 

Upon this, Moll, by the advice of Don Sanchez, sends for Simon, andtelling him she is satisfied with the account I have given of hisstewardship, offers him the further control of her affairs, subject atall times to her decision on any question concerning her convenience, and reserving to herself the sole government of her household, theordering of her home, lands, etc. And Simon grasping eagerly at thisproposal, she then gives him the promise of one thousand pounds for hispast services, and doubles the wages due to him under his contract withSir R. Godwin. 

"Give me what it may please thee to bestow that way, " cries he. "Allshall be laid out to enrich this property. I have no other use formoney, no other worldly end in life but that. "

And when he saw me next he was most slavish in his thanks for my goodoffices, vowing I should be paid my claim by Michaelmas, if it were inthe power of man to raise so vast a sum in such short space. Surely, thinks I, there was never a more strange, original creature than this, yet it do seem to me that there is no man but his passion must appear amadness to others. 

I must speak now of Moll, her admirable carriage and sober conduct inthese new circumstances, which would have turned the heads of mostothers. Never once to my knowledge did she lose her self-possession, onthe most trying occasion, and this was due, not alone to her own shrewdwit and understanding, but to the subtle intelligence of Don Sanchez, who in the character of an old and trusty friend was ever by her side, watchful of her interest (and his own), ready at any moment to drop inher ear a quiet word of warning or counsel. By his advice she had takeninto her service a most commendable, proper old gentlewoman, one Mrs. Margery Butterby, who, as being the widow of a country parson, was veryorderly in all things, and particularly nice in the proprieties. Thisnotable good soul was of a cheery, chatty disposition, of very pleasingmanners, and a genteel appearance, and so, though holding but the partof housekeeper, she served as an agreeable companion and a respectableguardian, whose mere presence in the house silenced any question thatmight have arisen from the fact of three men living under the same roofwith the young and beautiful mistress of Hurst Court. Moreover, sheserved us as a very useful kind of mouthpiece; for all those marvellousstories of her life in Barbary, of the pirates we had encountered inredeeming her from the Turk, etc. , with which Moll would beguile awayany tedious half-hour, for the mere amusement of creating Mrs. Butterby's wonder and surprise, --as one will tell stories of fairies tochildren, --this good woman repeated with many additions of her ownconcerning ourselves, which, to reflect credit on herself, were all toour advantage. This was the more fitting, because the news spreadingthat the lost heiress had returned to Hurst Court excited curiosity farand wide, and it was not long before families in the surrounding seats, who had known Sir R. Godwin in bygone times, called to see his daughter. And here Moll's wit was taxed to the utmost, for those who had knownJudith Godwin as an infant expected that she should remember someincident stored in their recollection; but she was ever equal to theoccasion, feigning a pretty doubting innocence at first, then suddenlyasking this lady if she had not worn a cherry dress with a beautifulstomacher at the time, or that gentleman if he had not given her a goldpiece for a token, and it generally happened these shrewd shafts hittheir mark: the lady, though she might have forgotten her gown, remembering she had a very becoming stomacher; the gentleman believingthat he did give her a lucky penny, and so forth, from very vanity. ThenMoll's lofty carriage and her beauty would remind them of their dearlost friend, Mrs. Godwin, in the heyday of her youth, and all agreed inadmiring her beyond anything. And though Moll, from her lack ofknowledge, made many slips, and would now and then say thingsuncustomary to women of breeding, yet these were easily attributed toher living so long in a barbarous country, and were as readily glancedover. Indeed, nothing could surpass Moll's artificial conduct on theseoccasions. She would lard her conversation with those scraps of Italianshe learnt from me, and sometimes, affecting to have forgot her owntongue, she would stumble at a word, and turning to Don Sanchez, ask himthe English of some Moorish phrase. Then one day, there being quite adozen visitors in her state room, she brings down her Moorish dress andthose baubles given her by friends at Elche, to show the ladies, much tothe general astonishment and wonder; then, being prayed to dress herselfin these clothes, she with some hesitation of modesty consents, andafter a short absence from the room returns in this costume, lookinglovelier than ever I had before seen, with the rings about her shapelybare arms and on her ankles, and thus arrayed she brings me a guitar, and to my strumming sings a Moorish song, swaying her arms above herhead and turning gracefully in their fashion, so that all were in anecstasy with this strange performance. And the talk spreading, thenumber of visitors grew apace, --as bees will flock to honey, --andyielding to their urgent entreaties, she would often repeat this pieceof business, and always with a most winning grace, that charmed everyone. But she was most a favourite of gentlemen and elderly ladies; forthe younger ones she did certainly put their noses out of joint, sincenone could at all compare with her in beauty nor in manner, either, forshe had neither the awkward shyness of some nor the boldness of others, but contrived ever to steer neatly betwixt the two extremes by hernatural self-possession and fearlessness. 

Of all her new friends, the most eager in courting her were Sir HarryUpton and his lady (living in the Crays); and they, being about to go toLondon for the winter, did press Moll very hard to go with them, thatshe might be presented to the king; and, truth to tell, they would nothave had to ask her twice had she been governed only by her owninclination. For she was mad to go, --that audacious spirit of adventurestill working very strong in her, --and she, like a winning gamester, must for ever be playing for higher and higher stakes. But we, who hadheard enough of his excellent but lawless Majesty's court to fear thefate of any impulsive, beauteous young woman that came within his sway, were quite against this. Even Don Sanchez, who was no innocent, didpersuade her from it with good strong argument, --showing that, despitehis worldliness, he did really love her as much as 'twas in his witheredheart to love any one. As for Dawson, he declared he would sooner seehis Moll in her winding-sheet than in the king's company, adding that'twould be time enough for her to think of going to court when she had ahusband to keep her out of mischief. And so she refused this offer (butwith secret tears, I believe). "But, " says she to her father, "if I'mnot to have my own way till I'm married, I shall get me a husband assoon as I can. "

And it seemed that she would not have to look far nor wait long for oneneither. Before a month was passed, at least half a dozen young sparkswere courting her, they being attracted, not only by her wit and beauty, but by the report of her wealth, it being known to all how Simon hadenriched the estate. And 'twas this abundance of suitors which preventedMoll from choosing any one in particular, else had there been but one, Ibelieve the business would have been settled very quickly. For now shewas in the very flush of life, and the blood that flowed in her veinswas of no lukewarm kind. 

But here (that I may keep all my strings in harmony) I must quit Mollfor a space to tell of her father. That first hint of the Don's bringinghim to his senses somewhat (like a dash of cold water), and theexuberance of his joy subsiding, he quickly became more circumspect inhis behaviour, and fell into the part he had to play. And the hard, trying, sorrowful part that was, neither he nor I had foreseen. For nowwas he compelled for the first time in his life, at any length, to liveapart from his daughter, to refrain from embracing her when they met inthe morning, to speak to her in a rough, churlish sort when his heart, maybe, was overflowing with love, and to reconcile himself to a cool, indifferent behaviour on her side, when his very soul was yearning forgentle, tender warmth. And these natural cravings of affection wererather strengthened than stilled by repression, as one's hunger bystarving. To add to this, he now saw his Moll more bewitching than evershe was before, the evidence of her wit and understanding stimulatingthat admiration which he dared not express. He beheld her loved andcourted openly by all, whilst he who had deeper feeling for her thanany, and more right to caress her, must at each moment stifle hisdesires and lay fetters on his inclinations, which constraint, likechains binding down a stout, thriving oak, did eat and corrode into hisbeing, so that he did live most of these days in a veritable torment. Yet, for Moll's sake, was he very stubborn in his resolution; and, whenhe could no longer endure to stand indifferently by while others wereenjoying her sprightly conversation, he would go up to his chamber andpace to and fro, like some she-lion parted from her cub. 

These sufferings were not unperceived by Moll, who also had strongfeeling to repress, and therefore could comprehend her father's torture, and she would often seize an opportunity, nay, run great risk ofdiscovery, to hie her secretly to his room, there to throw herself inhis arms and strain him to her heart, covering his great face withtender kisses, and whispering words of hope and good cheer (with thetears on her cheek). And one day when Jack seemed more than usualdownhearted, she offered him to give up everything and return to her oldways, if he would. But this spurring his courage, he declared he wouldlive in hell rather than she should fall from her high estate, andbecome a mere vagabond wench again, adding that 'twas but the firsteffort gave him so much pain, that with practice 'twould all be asnothing; that such sweet kisses as hers once a week did amply compensatehim for his fast, etc. Then her tears being brushed away, she would quithim with noiseless step and all precautions, and maybe five minutesafterwards, whilst Jack was sitting pensive at his window pondering hersweetness and love, he would hear her laughing lightly below, as if hewere already forgotten. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

_How Dawson for Moll's good parts company with us, and goes away alonely man. _

On the eve of Michaelmas day old Simon returned from London, whither hehad gone two days before, to raise the money he had promised; andcalling upon him in the afternoon I found him seated at his table, witha most woe-begone look in his face, and his eyes streaming morecopiously than usual. And with most abject humility he told me thatdoing the utmost that lay in his power, he had not been able to persuadehis goldsmith to lend more than ten thousand pounds on the title deeds. Nor had he got that, he declared, but that the goldsmith knew him for anhonest and trustworthy man whom he would credit beyond any other in theworld; for the seal not yet being given to Judith Godwin's succession, there was always peril of dispute and lawsuits which might make thesepapers of no value at all (the king's ministers vying one with anotherto please their master by bringing money rightly or wrongly into thetreasury), and this, indeed, may have been true enough. 

"But, " says he, "all will go well if thee wilt have but a littlepatience for a while. To-morrow my rents will come in, and I will exactto the last farthing; and there is a parcel of land I may sell, mayhap, for instant payment, though 'twill be at a fearsome loss" (mopping hiseyes), "yet I will do it rather than put thee to greater incommodity;and so, ere the end of the week, thee mayst safely count on having yetanother three thousand, which together makes nigh upon half the sumpromised. And this, dear good friend, " adds he, slyly, "thee mayst welltake on account of thine own share, --and none dispute thy right, for'tis thy money hath done all. And from what I see of him, smoking ofpipes in the public way and drinking with any low fellows in alehouses, this Captain Evans is but a paltry, mean man who may be easily put offwith a pound or two to squander in his pleasures; and as for the Spanishgrandee, he do seem so content to be with our mistress that I doubt heneeds no pretext for quitting her, added to which, being of a haughty, proud nature, he should scorn to claim his own, to the prejudice of amerchant who hath nought but his capital to live upon. And I do implorethee, good friend, to lay this matter before my mistress in such a waythat she may not be wroth with me. "

I told him I would do all he could expect of me in reason, but bade himunderstand that his chance of forgiveness for having broke his firstengagement depended greatly upon his exactitude in keeping the second, and that he might count on little mercy from us if the other threethousand were not forthcoming as he promised. So I took the money andgave him a quittance for it, signing it with my false name, JamesHopkins, but, reflecting on this when I left him, I wished I had not. For I clearly perceived that by this forgery I laid myself open to verygrievous consequences; moreover, taking of this solid money, disguise ithow I would, appeared to me nothing short of downright robbery, be itwhose it might. In short, being now plunged up to my neck in thisbusiness, I felt like a foolish lad who hath waded beyond his depth in arapid current, hoping I might somehow get out of it safely, but withvery little expectation. However, the sight of all this gold told up inscores upon the table in our closed room served to quiet these qualmsconsiderably. Nevertheless, I was not displeased to remember our bargainwith Don Sanchez, feeling that I should breathe more freely when he hadtaken this store of gold out of my hands, etc. Thus did my mind waverthis way and that, like a weather-cock to the blowing of contrary winds. 

'Twas this day that Moll (as I have said) dressed herself in her Moorishclothes for the entertainment of her new friends, and Dawson, hearingher voice, yet not daring to go into the state room where she was, mustneeds linger on the stairs listening to her song, and craning his neckto catch a glimpse of her through the open door below. Here he stands ina sort of ravishment, sucking in her sweet voice, and the sounds ofdelight with which her guests paid tribute to her performance, feedinghis passion which, like some fire, grew more fierce by feeding, till hewas well-nigh beside himself. Presently, out comes Moll from her stateroom, all glowing with exercise, flushed with pleasure, a rich colour inher cheek, and wild fire in her eyes, looking more witching than anysiren. Swiftly she crosses the hall, and runs up the stairs to gain herchamber and reclothe herself, but half way up Dawson stops her, andclasping her about, cries hoarsely in a transport:

"Thou art my own Moll--my own sweet Moll!" adding, as she would breakfrom him to go her way, "Nay, chick. You shall not go till you havebussed your old dad. "

Then she, hesitating a moment betwixt prudence and her warmer feelings, suddenly yields to the impulse of her heart (her head also being turnedmaybe with success and delight), and flinging her arms about his neckgives him a hearty kiss, and then bursts away with a light laugh. 

Jack watches her out of sight, and then, when the moment of escape ispast, he looks below to see if there be any danger, and there he spiesDon Sanchez, regarding him from the open door, where he stands, as if toguard it. Without a sign the Don turns on his heel and goes back intothe room, while Dawson, with a miserable hangdog look, comes to me in mychamber, where I am counting the gold, and confesses his folly with ashamed face, cursing himself freely for his indiscretion, which at thisrate must ruin all ere long. 

This was no great surprise to me, for I myself had seen him many a timeclip his dear daughter's hand, when he thought no one was by, and, morethan once, the name of Moll had slipped out when he should have spokenof Mistress Judith. 

These accidents threw us both into a very grave humour, and especially Iwas tormented with the reflection that a forgery could be proved againstme, if things came to the worst. The danger thereof was not slight; forthough all in the house loved Moll dearly and would willingly do her nohurt, yet the servants, should they notice how Mistress Judith stoodwith Captain Evans, must needs be prating, and there a mischief wouldbegin, to end only the Lord knows where! Thereupon, I thought it as wellto preach Jack a sermon, and caution him to greater prudence; and thishe took in amazing good part--not bidding me tend my own business as hemight at another time, but assenting very submissively to all my hintsof disaster, and thanking me in the end for speaking my mind so freely. Then, seeing him so sadly downcast, I (to give a sweetmeat after abitter draught) bade him take the matter not too much to heart, promising that, with a little practice, he would soon acquire a habit ofself-restraint, and so all would go well. But he made no response, saveby shaking of his head sorrowfully, and would not be comforted. When allwere abed that night, we three men met in my chamber, where I had setthe bags of money on the table, together with a dish of tobacco and abottle of wine for our refreshment, and then the Don, having lit him acigarro, and we our pipes, with full glasses beside us, I proposed weshould talk of our affairs, to which Don Sanchez consented with a solemninclination of his head. But ere I began, I observed with a pang offoreboding, that Jack, who usually had emptied his glass ere others hadsipped theirs, did now leave his untouched, and after the first pull ortwo at his pipe, he cast it on the hearth as though it were foul to histaste. Taking no open notice of this, I showed Don Sanchez the gold, andrelated all that had passed between Simon and me. 

"Happily, Seņor, " says I, in conclusion, "here is just the sum yougenerously offered to accept for your share, and we give it you with afree heart, Evans and I being willing to wait for what may beforthcoming. "

"Is it your wish both, that I take this?" says he, laying his hand onthe money and looking from me to Dawson. 

"Aye, " says he, "'tis but a tithe of what is left to us, and not anhundredth part of what we owe to you. "

"Very good, " says the Don. "I will carry it to London to-morrow. "

"But surely, Seņor, " says I, "you will not quit us so soon. "

Don Sanchez rolls his cigarro in his lips, looking me straight in theface and somewhat sternly, and asks me quietly if I have ever found himlacking in loyalty and friendship. 

"In truth, never, Seņor. "

"Then why should you imagine I mean to quit you now when you have moreneed of a friend in this house" (with a sideward glance as towardsMoll's chamber) "than ever you before had?" Then, turning towards Jack, he says, "What are you going to do, Captain Evans?"

Dawson pauses, as if to snatch one last moment for consideration, andthen, nodding at me, "You'll not leave my--Moll, Kit?" says he, with noattempt to disguise names. 

"Why should I leave her; are we not as brothers, you and I?"

"Aye, I'd trust you with my life, " answers he, "and more than that, withmy--Moll! If you were her uncle, she couldn't love you more, Kit. Andyou will stand by her, too, Seņor?"

The Don bowed his head. 

"Then when you leave, to-morrow, I'll go with you to London, " says Jack. 

"I shall return the next day, " says Don Sanchez, with significance. 

"And I shall not, God help me!" says Jack, bitterly. 

"Give me your hand, " says the Don; but I could speak never a word, andsat staring at Jack, in a maze. 

"We'll say nought of this to her, " continues Jack; "there must be nofarewells, I could never endure that. But it shall seem that I have gonewith you for company, and have fallen in with old comrades who wouldkeep me for a carousing. "

"But without friends--alone--what shall you do there in London?" says I, heart-stricken at the thought of his desolation. The Don answers forJack. 

"Make the best of his lot with a stout heart, like any other brave man, "says he. "There are natural hardships which every man must bear in histime, and this is one of them. " Then lowering his voice, he adds, "Unless you would have her die an old maid, she and her father must partsooner or later. "

"Why, that's true, and yet, Master, " says Jack, "I would have you knowthat I'm not so brave but I would see her now and then. "

"That may be ordered readily enough, " says the Don. 

"Then do you tell her, Seņor, I have but gone a-junketing, and she maylook to see me again when my frolic's over. "

The Don closed his eyes as one in dubitation, and then says, lifting hiseyebrows: "She is a clever woman--shrewd beyond any I have ever known;then why treat her as you would a foolish child? You must let me tellher the truth when I come back, and I warrant it will not break herheart, much as she loves you. "

"As you will, " says t'other. "'Twill be all as one to me, " with a sigh. 

"This falls out well in all ways, " continues the Don, turning to me. "You will tell Simon, whose suspicion we have most to fear, that we havehanded over four thousand of those pieces to Captain Evans as being mostin need, we ourselves choosing to stay here till the rest of our claimis paid. That will account for Evans going away, and give us a pretextfor staying here. "

"I'll visit him myself, if you will, " says Jack, "and wring his hand toshow my gratitude. I warrant I'll make him wince, such a grip will Igive him. And I'll talk of nothing else but seas and winds, and themanner of ship I'll have for his money. "

The following morning before Moll was stirring, Don Sanchez and Dawsonset forth on their journey, and I going with them beyond the park gatesto the bend of the road, we took leave of each other with a great showof cheerfulness on both sides. But Lord! my heart lay in my breast likeany lump of lead, and when Jack turned his back on me, the tears sprangup in my eyes as though indeed this was my brother and I was never tosee him more. And long after he was out of sight I sat on the bank bythe roadside, sick with pain to think of his sorrow in going forth likethis, without one last loving word of parting from his dear Moll, tofind no home in London, no friend to cheer him, and he the mostcompanionable man in the world. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

_Of our getting a painter into the Court, with whom our Moll fallsstraightway in love. _

Being somewhat of a coward, I essayed to put Moll off with a story ofher father having gone a-frolicking with Don Sanchez, leaving it to theDon to break the truth to her on his return. And a sorry, bunglingbusiness I made of it, to be sure. For, looking me straight in the eyes, whenever I dared lift them, she did seem to perceive that I was lying, from the very first, which so disconcerted me, though she interrupted meby never a word, that I could scarce stammer to the end of my tale. Then, without asking a single question, or once breaking her painfulsilence, she laid her face in her hands, her shoulders shook, and thetears ran out between her fingers, and fell upon her lap. 

"I know, I know, " says she, putting me away, when I attempted to speak. "He has gone away for my sake, and will come back no more; and 'tis allmy fault, that I could not play my part better. "

Then, what words of comfort I could find, I offered her; but she wouldnot be consoled, and shut herself up in her room all that morning. Nevertheless, she ate more heartily than I at dinner, and fresh visitorscoming in the afternoon, she entertained them as though no grief lay ather heart. Indeed, she recovered of this cruel blow much easier than Ilooked for; and but that she would at times sit pensive, withmelancholy, wistful eyes, and rise from her seat with a troubled sigh, one would have said, at the end of the week, that she had ceased to feelfor her father. But this was not so (albeit wounds heal quickly in theyoung and healthful), for I believe that they who weep the least do achethe most. 

Then, for her further excuse (if it be needed), Don Sanchez brought backgood tidings of her father, --how he was neatly lodged near the Cherrygarden, where he could hear the birds all day and the fiddles all night, with abundance of good entertainment, etc. To confirm which, she got aletter from him, three days later, very loving and cheerful, tellinghow, his landlord being a carpenter, he did amuse himself mightily athis old trade in the workshop, and was all agog for learning to turnwood in a lathe, promising that he would make her a set of egg-cupsagainst her birthday, please God. Added to this, the number of herfriends multiplying apace, every day brought some new occupation to herthoughts; also, having now those three thousand pounds old Simon hadpromised us, Moll set herself to spending of them as quickly aspossible, by furnishing herself with all sorts of rich gowns andappointments, which is as pretty a diversion of melancholy from a youngwoman's thoughts as any. And so I think I need dwell no longer on thishead. 

About the beginning of October, Simon comes, cap in hand, and veryhumble, to the Court to crave Moll's consent to his setting some menwith guns in her park at night, to lie in ambush for poachers, tellinghow they had shot one man in the act last spring, and had hanged anotherthe year before for stealing of a sheep; adding that a stranger had beenseen loitering in the neighbourhood, who, he doubted not, was of theirthieving crew. 

"What makes you think that?" asks Moll. "He has been seen lingeringabout here these three days, " answers Simon. "Yet to my knowledge hehath not slept at either of the village inns. Moreover, he hath the lookof a desperate, starving rascal, ripe for such work. "

"I will have no man killed for his misfortunes. "

"Gentle mistress, suffer me to point out that if thee lets one man stealwith impunity, others, now innocent, are thereby encouraged to sin, andthus thy mercy tends to greater cruelty. "

"No man shall be killed on my land, --there is my answer, " says Moll, with passion. "If you take this poor, starved creature, it shall bewithout doing him bodily hurt. You shall answer for it else. "

"Not a bone shall be broken, mistress. 'Tis enough if we carry himbefore Justice Martin, a godly, upright man, and a scourge toevil-doers. "

"Nay, you shall not do that, neither, till I have heard his case, " saysMoll. "'Tis for me to decide whether he has injured me or not, and I'llsuffer none to take my place. "

Promising obedience, Simon withdrew before any further restrictionsmight be put upon him; but Moll's mind was much disturbed all day byfear of mischief being done despite her commands, and at night she wouldhave me take her round the park to see all well. Maybe, she thought thather own father, stealing hither to see her privily, might fall a victimto Simon's ambushed hirelings. But we found no one, though Simon hadcertainly hidden these fellows somewhere in the thickets. 

Whilst we were at table next morning, we heard a great commotion in thehall; and Mrs. Butterby coming in a mighty pucker, told how the robberhad been taken in the park, and how Simon had brought him to the housein obedience to her lady's command. "But do, pray, have a care ofyourself, my dear lady, " says she; "for this hardy villain hath struckMr. Simon in the face and made most desperate resistance; and Heavenprotect us from such wicked outlaws as have the villany to showthemselves in broad daylight!"

Moll, smiling, said she would rather face a lion in the day than a mouseby night, and so bade the captive to be brought before her. 

Then in comes Simon, with a stout band over one eye, followed by twosturdy fellows holding their prisoner betwixt them. And this was a verypassionate man, as was evidenced by the looks of fury he cast from sideto side upon his captors as they dragged him this way and that to make ashow of their power, but not ill-looking. In his struggles he had losthis hat, and his threadbare coat and shirt were torn open, laying barehis neck and showing a very fair white skin and a good beard of lightcurling hair. There was nought mean or vile in his face, but rather itseemed to me a noble countenance, though woefully wasted, so that at aglance one might perceive he was no born rascal, but likely enough someruined man of better sort driven to unlawful ways by his distress. Hewas of a fair height, but gaunt beyond everything, and so feeble thatafter one effort to free his arms his chin sank upon his breast as ifhis forces were all spent. 

Seeing this, Moll bade the fellows unbind him, telling them sharply theymight see there was no need of such rigour. 

Being freed, our prisoner lifts his head and makes a slight reverence toMoll, but with little gratitude in his look, and places himself at theend of the table facing us, who are at the other end, Moll sittingbetwixt Don Sanchez and me. And there, setting his hands for supportupon the board, he holds his head up pretty proudly, waiting for whatmight come. 

"Who are you?" asks Moll, in a tone of authority. 

He waits a moment, as if deliberating with himself whether to speakfairly or not, then, being still sore with his ill-treatment, andangered to be questioned thus by a mere girl (he, as I take it, being aman of thirty or thereabouts), he answers:

"I do not choose to tell. Who I am, what I am, concerns you no more thanwho and what you are concerns me, and less since I may justly demand bywhat right these fellows, whom I take to be your servants, have thuslaid hands on me. "

"How do you answer this?" asks Moll, turning to Simon. 

Then Simon told very precisely, as if he were before a magistrate, howthis man, having been seen lingering about the Court several days, andbeing without home or occupation, had been suspected of feloniouspurposes; how, therefore, he had set a watch to lay wait for him; howthat morning they had entrapped him standing within a covert of the parkregarding the house; how he had refused to give his name or any excusefor his being there, and how he had made most desperate attempt toescape when they had lain hands on him. 

"Is this true?" asks Moll of the prisoner. 

"Yes, " says he. 

Moll regards him with incredulous eyes a moment, then, turning to Simon, "What arms had he for this purpose that you speak of?" says she. 

"None, mistress; but 'twould be a dread villain verily who would carrythe engines of his trade abroad in daylight to betray him. " And then hetold how 'tis the habit of these poachers to reconnoitre their ground byday, and keep their nets, guns, etc. , concealed in some thicket orhollow tree convenient for their purpose. "But, " adds he, "we mayclearly prove a trespass against him, which is a punishable offence, andthis assault upon me, whereof I have evidence, shall also count forsomething with Justice Martin, and so the wicked shall yet come by theirdeserts. " And with that he gives his fellows a wink with his one eye tocarry off their quarry. 

"Stay, " says Moll, "I would be further convinced--"

"If he be an honest man, let him show thee his hand, " says Simon. 

The man innocently enough stretches out his palm towards us, notperceiving Simon's end. 

"There!" cries Simon. "What said I? Is that a hand that ever did a day'shonest work?"

"'Tis no worse than mine, " says Moll, regarding the hand which in truthwas exceeding smooth and well formed. "Come, " adds she, still morekindly, "you see I am no harsh judge. I would not deny a fellow-creaturethe pleasure that is not grudged the coney that runs across my lawn. Tell me you were there but to gratify a passing caprice, and I'llforgive you as freely as I'll believe you. "

This gentle appeal seemed to move the young man greatly, and he made asif he would do more than was demanded of him, and make that freeconfession which he had refused to force. But ere a word could leave hisparted lips a deadly shade passed over his face, his knees gave underhim, and staggering to save himself, he fell to the ground in a swoon. 

Then, whilst all we men stood fixed in wonderment, Moll, with the quick, helpful impulse of her womanhood, ran swiftly from her place to hisside, and dropping on her knees cried for water to be brought her. 

"Dead of hunger, " says Don Sanchez, in my ear. "Fetch a flask ofbrandy. "

And then, laying hold of Simon by the shoulder, he pointed significantlyto the open door. This hint Simon was not slow to take, and when Ireturned from the buttery with a case of strong waters, I found no onein the room but Don Sanchez, and Moll with the fainting man's head uponher lap, bathing his temples gently. Life had not come back, and theyoung man's face looked very handsome in death, the curls pushed backfrom his brow, and his long features still and colourless like a carvedmarble. 

Then with a "lack-a-day" and "alas, " in bustles Mrs. Butterby with abottle of cordial in one hand and a bunch of burning feathers in theother. 

"Fling that rubbish in the chimney, " says the Don. "I know thismalady--well enough, " and pouring some hollands in a cup he put it tothe dead man's parted lips. 

In a few moments he breathed again, and hearing Moll's cry of joy, heopened his eyes as one waking from a dream and turned his head to learnwhat had happened. Then finding his head in Moll's lap and her small, soft, cool hand upon his brow, a smile played over his wasted face. Andwell, indeed, might he smile to see that young figure of justice turnedto the living image of tender mercy. 

Perceiving him out of danger, and recovering her own wits at the sametime, Mrs. Butterby cries: "Lord! Madam, do let me call a maid to takeyour place; for, dear heart! you have quite spoiled your new gown withthis mess of water, and all for such a paltry fellow as this!"

Truly, it must have seemed to her understanding an outrageous thing thata lady of her mistress' degree should be nursing such a ragged rascal;but to me, knowing Moll's helpful, impulsive disposition, 'twas no suchextraordinary matter, for she at such a moment could not entertain thosefeelings which might have restrained a lady of more refined breeding. 

The pretty speech of Mrs. Butterby, reaching the fallen man's ear, seemed instantly to quicken his spirits, and, casting off his lethargichumour, he quickly staggered to his feet, while we raised Moll. Then, resting one hand upon the table for support, he craved her pardon forgiving so much trouble, but in a very faint, weak voice. 

"I would have done as much for a dog, " says Moll. "My friends willrender you what further services are fit; and, if it appears that youhave been unjustly used (as I do think you have), be sure you shall havereparation. "

"I ask no more, " says he, "than to be treated as I may merit in youresteem. "

"Justice shall be done, " says Don Sanchez, in his stern voice, and withthat he conducts Moll to the door. 

But Moll was not content with this promise of justice. For the qualityof mercy begetteth love, so that one cannot moderate one's anger againstan enemy, but it doth breed greater compassion and leniency by makingone better content with oneself, and therefore more indulgent to others. And so, when she had left the room, she sends in her maid to fetch me, and taking me aside says with vivacity:

"I will have no punishment made upon that man. "

"Nay, " says I, "but if 'tis proved that his intent was to rob you--"

"What then!" says she. "Hath he not as much right to this estate as we?And are we one whit the better than he, save in the more fortunate issueof our designs? Understand me, " adds she, with passion; "I will havenothing added to his unhappiness. "

I found the young man seated at the table, and Don Sanchez gravelysetting food before him. But he would take nothing but bread, and thathe ate as though it were the sweetest meat in all the world. I lead theDon to the window, and there, in an undertone, told him of Moll'sdecision; and, whether her tone of supreme authority amused him or not, I cannot say, because of his impassive humour, but he answered me with aserious inclination of his head, and then we fell speaking of othermatters in our usual tone, until the young man, having satisfied thecravings of nature, spoke:

"When you are at liberty, gentlemen, " says he, "to question my conduct, I will answer you. "

CHAPTER XIX. 

_Of the business appointed to the painter, and how he set about thesame. _

The young man had risen and was standing by the table when we turnedfrom the window; he seemed greatly refreshed, his face had lost itslivid hue of passion and death, and looked the better for a tinge ofcolour. He met our regard boldly, yet with no braggart, insolent air, but the composure of a brave man facing his trial with a consciousnessof right upon his side. 

"I would ask you, " says the Don, seating himself on t'other side thetable, "why you refused to do that before?"

"Sir, " answers he, "I have lost everything in the world save some smallmodicum of pride, which, being all I have, I do cherish, maybe, unduly. And so, when these unmannerly hinds took me by the throat, calling on meto tell my name and business, this spirit within me flaring up, I couldnot answer with the humility of a villain seeking to slink out of dangerby submissive excuses. "

"Be seated, " says the Don, accepting this explanation with a bow. "Howmay we call you?"

"In Venice, " replies the other, with some hesitation, "I was calledDario--a name given me by my fellow-scholars because my English name wasnot to their taste. "

"Enough, " says the Don. "I can understand a man of better fortune, as Iperceive you have been, wishing in such a position as this to retain hisincognito. There are no parks in Venice, to my knowledge, but surely, sir, you would not enter a palazzo there uninvited without somereasonable pretext. "

"It would be sufficient that in such a house as this I thought I mightfind some employment for a painter. "

"You are a painter?" says I. 

"A poor one, as you see, " replies Dario, with a significant glance athis clothes. 

Don Sanchez turned to me, hunching his shoulders. 

"'Tis clear, " says he, "that Signor Dario has been grossly abused by ourlady's over-zealous steward. You have but to tell us, sir, whatreparation we can make you. "

"I'll not refuse it, " answers Dario, eagerly. "You shall grant mepermission to prove the honesty of my story--and something more thanthat. Somewhere here, " adds he, glancing around him, "I'd leave atribute to the grace of that dear lady who brought me back to life. "

Don Sanchez assents with a bow to this proposal, but with a ruefulglance at the rich panels of the wall, as fearing this painter might beas poor in talent as in his clothes--the latter reflecting discredit onthe former--and would disfigure the handsome walls with some rude daub. 

"Ah!" cries Dario, casting his eye upon the ceiling, which was plasteredin the Italian mode and embellished with a poor design of cherubs andclouds, "this ceiling is ill done. I could paint a fresco that wouldless disgrace the room. "

"You will need materials, " says the Don, laying his purse upon thetable. "When you return with them, you may rely upon having our lady'sconsent to your wishes. "

The painter took the purse with a bow of acknowledgment, and no morehesitation than one gentleman would show in receiving an obligation fromanother, and presently left us. 

"Shall we see him again, think ye, Seņor?" I asked when we were left toourselves. 

He nodded, but with such a reflective, sombre air, that I was impelledto ask him if he lacked confidence in the story told us by the painter. 

"His story may be true enough, but whether Signor Dario be an honest manor not is another matter. A painter's but a man. A ruined gentleman willaccommodate his principles to circumstances" (with a side glance thatseemed to say, "I am a ruined gentleman")--"and my mind would be easierif I knew by what curious accident a painter in need should find himselfin the heart of Kent, and why fixing on this house to seek employment heshould linger to the point of starvation before he can pluck up courageto ask a simple question. We must keep our eyes open, Mr. Hopkins, and, "adds he, dropping his voice, "our mouths shut. "

I could not sleep that night for thinking of house-breakings and bloodystruggles for dear life; for 'tis a matter of common report that thissort of robbers, ere they make attack, do contrive to get one of theirnumber into the house that he may learn where good goods are stowed, which part is easiest of attack, etc. I know not whether these quakingswere shared by the Don, but certainly our misgivings never enteredMoll's little head. Nay, rather, her romantic disposition did lead her(when she heard our narration) to conceive that this mysterious Dariomight be some wandering genius, whose work upon our ceiling would makethe Court for ever glorious. And while in this humour she bade me go toSimon, whose presence she would not tolerate in her house, and make himacquainted with her high displeasure, and furthermore, to command thathe should make satisfactory apology to Dario upon his return. So to himI went, and he wringing his hands in anguish deplored that his bestendeavours to serve his mistress served only to incense her the moreagainst him. But for his apology he declared that has been made themoment he heard of the gentleman's release, at the same time that herestored to him his hat and a pocket-book which had fallen from hispocket. 

This did somewhat reassure me, knowing full well that Simon would nothave given up this book without first acquainting himself with itscontents, and urging that had there been anything in it to incriminatehim, he had certainly laid it before his mistress for his ownjustification. 

A couple of days after this, as Don Sanchez and I were discoursing inthe great avenue, Dario presents himself, looking all the better for adecent suit of clothes and a more prosperous condition, and Moll joiningus at that moment, he makes her a very handsome obeisance and standinguncovered before her, begs to know if it is her will that he shouldpaint the ceiling of her dining-hall. 

As he spoke, the colour rose on his cheek, and a shaft of sunlightfalling on his curling hair, which shone with the lustre of health, madehim look as comely a man as ever I did see, and a good five yearsyounger than when he stood before us in the extremity of distress. 

"Sir, " says Moll, "were you my debtor as much as I am yours, I could notask for better payment. "

Don Sanchez put an end to this pretty exchange of courtesies--whichmaybe he considered overmuch as between a lady of Moll's degree and onewho might turn out to be no more than an indifferent painter at thebest--by proposing that Dario should point out what disposition he wouldhave made for his convenience in working. So he went within doors, andthere Dario gave orders to our gardener, who was a handy sort ofJack-of-all-trades, what pieces of furniture should be removed, how thewalls and floor should be protected, and how a scaffold should be set upfor him to work on. And the gardener promising to carry out all theseinstructions in the course of the day, Dario took his leave of us in avery polished style, saying he would begin his business the next morningbetimes. 

Sure enough, we were awoke next day by a scraping below, and comingdown, we found our painter in a scull-cap and a smock that covered himto his heels, upon his scaffold, preparing the ceiling in a veryworkmanlike manner. And to see him then, with his face and beard thicklycrusted over with a mess of dry plaster and paint, did I think somewhatdispel those fanciful illusions which our Moll had fostered--she, doubtless, expecting to find him in a very graceful attitude andbeautiful to look at, creating a picture as if by inchantment. Hermortification was increased later in the day when, we having invited himon her insistence to dine at our table, he declined (civilly enough), saying he had brought his repast with him, and we presently found himseated astride one of his planks with a pocket knife in one hand and athumb-piece of bread and bacon in the other, which he seemed to beeating with all the relish in the world. 

"Why, he is nought but a common labourer, " says Moll, disgusted to seehim regaling himself in this fashion, as we returned to our room. "Apretty picture we are like to get for all this mess and inconvenience!"

And her idol being broken (as it were), and all her fond fancies dashed, she would not as much as look at him again nor go anigh the room, to bereminded of her folly. 

However, on the third day Dario sent to ask if she would survey hisoutlines and decide whether the design pleased her or not. For thispurpose he had pushed aside his scaffold, and here we saw a perspectivedone on the ceiling in charcoal, representing a vaulted roof with anopening to the sky in the middle, surrounded by a little balcony withtrailing plants running over it, and flowers peeping out betwixt thebalusters. And this, though very rough, was most artificial, making theroom look twice its height, and the most admirable, masterly drawingthat I did ever see. 

And now Moll, who had prepared a courteous speech to cover the contemptshe expected to feel for the work, could say nought for astonishment, but stood casting her eyes round at the work like one in a maze. 

"If you would prefer an allegory of figures, " says Dario, misconceivingher silence. 

"Nay, " answers she, "I would have nothing altered. 'Tis wonderful howsuch effect can be made with mere lines of black. I can scarce believethe ceiling is flat. " And then she drops her eyes upon Dario, regardinghim with wonder, as if doubting that such a dirty-looking man could haveworked this miracle. 

"You must have seen better designs in Rome, " says he. 

At this I took alarm, not thinking for the moment that he might havepicked up some particulars of Judith Godwin's history from Mrs. Butterby, or the curious servants who were ever prying in the room. 

"'Tis so long ago, " says Moll, readily. 

"I think I have seen something like it in the Holy City, " observes theDon, critically. 

"Probably. Nothing has been left undone in Rome--I am told. It has notbeen my good fortune to get so far. "

This was good news; for otherwise he might have put some posers to Moll, which she had found it hard to answer without betraying her ignorance. 

Having Moll's approval, Dario set to work forthwith to colour hisperspective; and this he did with the sure firm hand of one whounderstands his business, and with such nice judgment, that no builder, whose design is ordered by fixed rule and line, could accomplish hiswork with greater truth and justice. He made it to appear that the lowerpart of his vaulted roof was wainscoted in the style of the walls, andto such perfection that 'twould have puzzled a conjurer to decide wherethe oaken panels ended and the painted ones began. 

And now Moll suffers her fancies to run wild again, and could notsufficiently marvel over this poor painter and his work, of which shewould discourse to such lengths, that both the Don and I at times hadsome ado to stifle our yawns. She would have it that he was no commonman, but some great genius, compelled by misfortune or the persecutionof rivals, to wander abroad in disguise, taking for evidence the veryfacts which had lately led her to condemn him, pointing out that, whereas those young gentlemen who courted her so persistently didendeavour, on all occasions, to make their estate and natural partsappear greater than they were, this Dario did not, proving that he hadno such need of fictitious advancement, and could well afford to let theworld judge of his worth by his works, etc. This point we did notcontest, only we were very well content to observe that he introduced noone into the house, had no friends in the village (to our knowledge), and that nought was lacking from our store of plate. 

She never tired of watching him at his work--having the hardihood tomount upon the scaffold where he stood, and there she would sit by thehour on a little stool, chatting like any magpie, when the nature of hisoccupation allowed his thoughts to wander, silent as a mouse when sheperceived that his mind was absorbed in travail--ready at any moment tofetch this or hold t'other, and seizing every opportunity to serve him. Indeed, I believe she would gladly have helped him shift the heavyplanks, when he would have their position altered, had he permitted herthis rough usage of her delicate hands. One day, when he was about tobegin the foliage upon his balcony, he brought in a spray of ivy for amodel; then Moll told him she knew where much better was to be found, and would have him go with her to see it. And she, coming back from thisexpedition, with her arms full of briony and herbage, richly tinted bythe first frost, I perceived that there was a new kind of beauty in herface, a radiance of great happiness and satisfaction which I had neverseen there before. 

Here was herbage enough for a week, but she must have fresh the nextmorning, and thenceforth every day they would go out ere the sun washigh, hunting for new models. 

To prepare for these early excursions, Mistress Moll, though commonlydisposed to lie abed late in the morning, must have been up by daybreak. And, despite her admiration of Dario's simplicity in dress, she showedno inclination to follow his example in this particular; but, on thecontrary, took more pains in adorning her person at this time than evershe had done before; and as she would dress her hair no two morningsalike, so she would change the fashion of her dress with the sameinconstancy until the sly hussy discovered which did most please Dario'staste; then a word of approval from him, nay, a glance, would suffice tofix her choice until she found that his admiration needed rekindling. And so, as if her own imagination was not sufficiently forcible, shewould talk of nothing with her friends but the newest fashions at court, with the result that her maids were for ever a-brewing some new wash forher face (which she considered too brown), compounding charms to removea little mole she had in the nape of her neck, cutting up one gown tomake another, and so forth. One day she presented herself with a blackpatch at the corner of her lip, and having seen nought of this fashionbefore, I cried out in alarm:

"Lord, child! have you injured your face with that mess Betty wasstewing yesterday?"

"What an absurd, old-fashioned creature you are!" answers she, testily. "Don't you know that 'tis the mode now for ladies to wear spots? SignorDario, " adds she, her eyes lighting up, "finds it mighty becoming. " WhenI saw her thus disfiguring her pretty face (as I considered it then, though I came to admire this embellishment later on) to please SignorDario, I began to ask myself how this business was likely to end. 

CHAPTER XX. 

_Of Moll's ill humour and what befel thereby. _

Feeling, in the absence of Dawson, that I stood in the position of aguardian to his daughter, and was responsible for her welfare, my mindgrew very uneasy about the consequences of her extravagant admirationfor the painter; and, knowing that Don Sanchez, despite his phlegmatichumour, loved Moll very sincerely at heart, I took him aside one day, and asked him if he had observed nothing particular in Moll's behaviourof late. 

"One would be blind, " says he, "not to see that she is enamoured ofDario, if that's what you mean. "

I admitted that my suspicions inclined that way, and, explaining myconcern on her behalf, I asked him what he would do in my place. 

"In my country, " says he, "matters never would have been suffered to goso far, and Mistress Judith would have been shut up a prisoner in herroom these past three weeks. But I doubt if our maidens are any thesafer or better for such treatment, and I am quite sure that suchtreatment would be worse than useless for an English girl, andespecially such an one as this. For, guard her how you might, she wouldassuredly find means to break her prison, and then no course is open toher but to throw herself in the arms of the man she loves, trusting tomere accident whether he abuses her devotion or not. You might as wellstrive to catch the wind and hold it as stay and stem the course ofyouthful passion. "

"Aye, Seņor, " says I, "this may be all very true. But what should you doin my place?"

"Nothing, " says he. 

This was a piece of advice which set me scratching my head indubitation. 

"Beware, " continues he, "how you suggest the thing you fear to one whoneeds but a hint to act. I have great faith in the natural modesty ofwomen (and I do think no child more innocent than Mistress Judith), which, though it blind them to their danger, does, at the same time, safeguard them against secret and illicit courses of more fatalconsequences. Let her discourse with him, openly, since it pleases her. In another fortnight or so Dario's work will be finished, he will goaway, our young lady will shed secret tears and be downcast for a week. Then another swain will please her, and she'll smile again. That, as Itake it, will be the natural order of events, unless, " adds he, "thatnatural order is disturbed by some external influence. "

Maugre this sage advice, my concern being unabated, I would step prettyfrequently into the room where these young people were, as if to see howthe work was going forward, and with such a quick step that had anyinterchange of amorous sentiments existed, I must at one time or anotherhave discovered it. But I never detected any sign of this--no bashfulsilence, no sudden confusion, or covert interchange of glances. Sometimes they would be chatting lightly, at others both would bestanding silent, she, maybe, holding a bunch of leaves with untiringsteadfastness, for him to copy. But I observed that she was exceedinglyjealous of his society, and no matter how glibly she was talking when Ientered, or how indifferent the subject, she would quickly becomesilent, showing me very plainly by her manner that she would vastlyprefer my room to my company. 

Still, I was not displeased when I perceived this fresco drawing near toits completion. 

"You are getting on apace, " says I, very cheerfully one day. "I reckonyou will soon have done. "

"Yes, " answers he, "in a week I shall have nought to do but to pack upmy tools and go. " There was an accent of sorrow in his voice, despitehimself, which did not escape me nor Moll neither, for I saw her casther eyes upon his face, as if to read if there were sadness there. Butshe said never a word. 

However, in the afternoon she comes to me, and says she:

"I am resolved I will have all the rooms in the house plastered, ifSignor Dario will consent to paint them. "

"All the rooms!" says I, in alarm. "Surely you have not counted the costof what you propose. "

"I suppose I have enough to keep my house in suitable condition. "

"Without doubt, though I expect such work as Signor Dario's must commanda high price. "

"All I ask of you, then, " says she, "is to bid my steward have fivethousand pounds ready for my uses, and within a week, lest I should needit suddenly. Should he raise objections--"

"As assuredly he will, " says I, who knew the crafty, subtle character ofold Simon full well by, this time. "A thousand objections, and not oneyou can pick a hole in. "

"Then show him this and tell him I accept Mr. Goodman's offer unless hecan find more profitable means of raising money. "

With that she puts in my hand a letter she had that morning receivedfrom one Henry Goodman, a tenant, who having heard that she had disposedof a farm to his neighbour, now humbly prayed she would do him the samegood turn by selling him the land he rented, and for which he wasprepared to pay down in ready money the sum of five thousand pounds. 

Armed with this letter, I sought Simon and delivered Moll's message. AsI expected, the wily old man had good excuses ready for not complyingwith this request, showing me the pains he had taken to get the king'sseal, his failures to move the king's officers, and the refusal of hisgoldsmith to furnish further supplies before the deed of succession waspassed. 

"These objections are all very just, " says I, "so I see no way ofpleasing our lady but by selling Mr. Goodman's farm, which she will havedone at once if there be no alternative. " So I give him the letter, which he can scarce read for trembling with anguish. 

"What, " cries he, coming to the end, "I am to sell this land which Ibought for nine hundred pounds and is now worth six thousand? I wouldrather my mistress had bid me have the last teeth torn from my head. "

"We must have money, " says I. 

"Thee shalt have it in good time. Evans hath been paid, and thy debtshall be discharged; fear not. "

"I spoke as representing our lady; for ourselves we are content to waither better convenience. " And I told him how his mistress would lay outher money in embellishing the Court with paintings, which put him to anew taking to think so much good money should be wasted in suchvanities. 

"But, " says he, "this work must take time, and one pays for nothing ere'tis done. By quarter day our rents will be coming in again--"

"No, " says I, cutting him short, "the money must be found at once, or beassured that your lady will take the management of her affairs out ofyour hands. "

This raised a fresh outcry and more lamentations, but in the end hepromised to procure the money by collecting his rents in advance, if hismistress would refuse Mr. Goodman's offer and wait three weeks; and onMoll's behalf I agreed to these terms. 

A few days after this, we were called into the dining-hall to see thefinished ceiling, which truly deserved all the praise we could bestowupon it, and more. For now that the sky appeared through the opening, with a little pearly cloud creeping across it, the verdure and flowersfalling over the marble coping, and the sunlight falling on one side andthrowing t'other into shade, the illusion was complete, so that onecould scarcely have been more astonished had a leaf fallen from thehanging flowers or a face looked over the balcony. In short; 'twasprodigious. 

Nevertheless, the painter, looking up at his work with half-closed, critical eyes, seemed dissatisfied, and asking us if we found nothinglacking, we (not to appear behindhand in judgment) agreed that on oneside there was a vacant place which might yet be adorned to advantage. 

"Yes, " says he, "I see what is wanted and will supply it. That, " addshe; gently turning to Moll, "will give me still another day. "

"Why, what charm can you add that is not there?" asks she. 

"Something, " says he, in a low voice, "which I must see whenever I docast my eyes heavenwards. "

And now Moll, big with her purpose, which she had hitherto withheld fromDario, begs him to come into her state room, and there she told how shewould have this ceiling plastered over and painted, like herdining-hall, if he would undertake to do it. 

Dario casts his eye round the room and over the ceiling, and then, shaking his head, says: "If I were in your place, I would alter nothinghere. "

"But I will have it altered, " says she, nettled, because he did not leapat once at her offer, which was made rather to prolong their communionthan to obtain a picture. "I detest these old-fashioned beams of wood. "

"They are in keeping with the character of the room. I think, " adds he, looking round him again with renewed admiration, "I think I have neverseen a more perfect example of English art. "

"What of that, " cries she, "if it pleases me to have it otherwise?"

"Nothing, " returns he, calmly. "You have as just a right to stand byyour opinion as I by mine. "

"And am I to understand that you will rather hold by your opinion thangive me pleasure?"

"I pray you, do not press me to discourtesy, " says he. 

"Nay, but I would have a plain answer to my question, " says she, haughtily. 

"Then, " says he, angering in his turn, "I must tell you that I would assoon chip an antique statue to suit the taste of a French modiste asdisfigure the work of him who designed this room. "

Now, whether Moll took this to be a reflection on her own figure, whichhad grown marvellous slim in the waist since she had her new stays fromLondon, or not, I will not say; but certainly this response didexasperate her beyond all endurance (as we could see by her blanchedcheek and flashing eye); so, dismissing him with a deep curtsey, sheturns on her heel without another word. 

This foolish business, which was not very creditable to our Moll's goodsense (though I think she acted no worse than other maids in hercondition, --for I have observed that young people do usually lose theirheads at the same time that they lose their hearts), this foolish scene, I say, I would gladly omit from my history, but that it completelychanged our destiny; for had these two parted with fair words, we shouldprobably have seen no more of Dario, and Don Sanchez's prognostic hadbeen realised. Such trifles as these do influence our career as greatlyas more serious accidents, our lives being a fabric of events that hangtogether by the slenderest threads. 

Unmoved from his design by Moll's displeasure, Dario replaced hisscaffold before he left that day, and the next morning he came to putthe last touch upon his work. Moll, being still in dudgeon, would not gonear him, but sat brooding in a corner of her state room, ready, as Iperceived, to fly out in passion at any one who gave her the occasion. Perceiving this, Don Sanchez prudently went forth for a walk afterdinner; but I, seeing that some one must settle accounts with thepainter for his work, stayed at home. And when I observed that he wascollecting his materials to go, I went in to Moll. 

"My dear, " says I, "I believe Dario is preparing to leave us. "

"My congratulations to him, " says she, "for 'tis evident he is weary ofbeing here. "

"Nay, won't you come in and see his work now 'tis finished?"

"No; I have no desire to see it. If I have lost my taste for Italianart, 'tis through no fault of his. "

"You will see him, surely, before he goes. "

"No; I will not give him another opportunity to presume upon mykindness. "

"Why, to be sure, " says I, like a fool, "you have been a littleover-familiar. "

"Indeed, " says she, firing up like a cracker. "Then I think 'twould havebeen kinder of you to give me a hint of it beforehand. However, 'tis avery good excuse for treating him otherwise now. "

"Well, he must be paid for his work, at any rate. "

"Assuredly. If you have not money enough, I will fetch it from mycloset. "

"I have it ready, and here is a purse for the purpose. The question is, how much to put in it. I should think such a perspective as that couldnot be handsomely paid under fifty guineas. "

"Then you will give him a hundred, and say that I am exceedingly obligedto him. "

I put this sum in the purse and went out into the hall where Dario waswaiting, with his basket of brushes beside him. In a poor, bungling, stammering fashion, I delivered Moll's message, and made the best excuseI could for delivering it in her stead. 

He waited a moment or two after I had spoken, and then, says he, in alow voice:

"Is that all?"

"Nay, " says I, offering the purse, "we do beg you to take this as--"

He stopped me, pushing my hand aside. 

"I have taken a purse from Don Sanchez, " says he. "There was more in itthan I needed--there are still some pieces left. But as I would notaffront him by offering to return them, so I beg you will equallyrespect my feelings. I undertook the task in gratitude, and it hath beena work of love all through, well paid for by the happiness that I havefound here. "

He stood musing a little while, as if he were debating with himselfwhether he should seek to overcome Moll's resentment or not. Then, raising his head quickly, he says: "'Tis best so, maybe. Farewell, sir"(giving me his hand). "Tell her, " adds he, as we stand hand in hand atthe door, "that I can never forget her kindness, and will ever pray forher happiness. "

I found the door ajar and Moll pacing the room very white, when Ireturned. She checked me the moment I essayed to deliver Dario'smessage. 

"You can save your breath, " says she, passionately, "I've heard everyword. "

"More shame for you, " says I, in a passion, casting my purse on thetable. "'Tis infamous to treat an honest gentleman thus, and sillybesides. Come, dear, " altering my tone, "do let me run and fetch himback. "

"You forget whom you are speaking to, Mr. Hopkins, " cries she. 

I saw 'twas impossible to move her whilst she was in this mood, for shehad something of her father's obstinate, stubborn disposition, and didyet hope to bring Dario back to her feet, like a spaniel, by harshtreatment. But he came no more, though a palette he had overlooked couldhave given him the excuse, and for very vexation with Moll I was glad hedid not. 

He had not removed the scaffold, but when I went upon it to see whatelse he had put into his painting, the fading light only allowed me tomake out a figure that seemed to be leaning over the balcony. 

Moll would not go in there, though I warrant she was dying of curiosity;and soon after supper, which she could scarce force herself to touch, she went up to her own chamber, wishing us a very distant, formalgood-night, and keeping her passionate, angry countenance. 

But the next morning, ere I was dressed, she knocked at my door, and, opening it, I found her with swollen eyes and tears running down hercheeks. 

"Come down, " says she, betwixt her sobs, and catching my hand in hers. "Come down and see. "

So we went downstairs together, --I wondering what now had happened, --andso into the dining-hall. And there I found the scaffold pushed aside, and the ceiling open to view. Then looking up, I perceived that thefigure bending over the balcony bore Moll's own face, with a most sweet, compassionate expression in it as she looked down, such as I hadobserved when she bent over Dario, having brought him back to life. Andthis, thinks I, remembering his words, this is what he must ever seewhen he looks heavenwards. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

_Of the strange things told us by the wise woman. _

"Tell me I am wicked; tell me I'm a fool, " says Moll, clinging to myarm. 

But I had no feeling now but pity and forgiveness, and so could only tryto comfort her, saying we would make amends to Dario when we saw himnext. 

"I will go to him, " says she. "For nought in the world would I have himyield to such a heartless fool as I am. I know where he lodges. "

"Well, when we have eaten--"

"Nay; we must go this moment. I cannot be at peace till I have asked himto forgive. Come with me, or I must go alone. "

Yielding to her desire without further ado, I fetched my hat and cloak, and, she doing likewise, we sallied out forthwith. Taking the side pathby which Dario came and went habitually, we reached a little wicketgate, opening from the path upon the highway; and here, seeing a manmending the road, we asked him where we should find Anne Fitch, as shewas called, with whom the painter lodged. Pointing to a neat cottagethat stood by the wayside, within a stone's throw, he told us the "wisewoman" lived there. We crossed over and knocked at the door, and a voicewithin bidding us come in, we did so. 

There was a very sweet, pleasant smell in the room from the herbs thathung in little parcels from the beams, for this Anne Fitch was greatlyskilled in the use of simples, and had no equal for curing fevers andthe like in all the country round. (But, besides this, it was said shecould look into the future and forecast events truer than any Egyptian. )There was a chair by the table, on which was an empty bowl and somebroken bread; but the wise woman sat in the chimney corner, bending overthe hearth, though the fire had burnt out, and not an ember glowed. Anda strange little elf she looked, being very wizen and small, with oneshoulder higher than the other, and a face full of pain. 

When I told her our business, --for Moll was too greatly moved tospeak, --the old woman pointed to the adjoining room. 

"He is gone!" cries Moll, going to the open door, and peering within. 

"Yes, " answers Anne Fitch. "Alas!"

"When did he go?" asks Moll. 

"An hour since, " answers the other. 

"Whither is he gone?"

"I am no witch. "

"At least, you know which way he went. "

"I have not stirred from here since I gave him his last meal. "

Moll sank into the empty chair, and bowed her head in silence. 

Anne Fitch, whose keen eyes had never strayed from Moll since she firstentered the room, seeming as if they would penetrate to the most secretrecesses of her heart, with that shrewd perception which is common tomany whose bodily infirmity compels an extraordinary employment of theirother faculties, rises from her settle in the chimney, and coming to thetable, beside Moll, says:

"I am no witch, I say; yet I could tell you things would make you thinkI am. "

"I want to know nothing further, " answers she, dolefully, "save where heis. "

"Would you not know whether you shall ever see him again, or not?"

"Oh! If you can tell me that!" cries Moll, quickly. 

"I may. " Then, turning to me, the wise woman asks to look at my hand, and on my demurring, she says she must know whether I am a friend or anenemy, ere she speaks before me. So, on that, I give my hand, and sheexamines it. 

"You call yourself James Hopkins, " says she. 

"Why, every one within a mile knows that, " says I. 

"Aye, " answers she, fixing her piercing eye on my face; "but every oneknows not that some call you Kit. "

This fairly staggered me for a moment. 

"How do you answer that?" she asks, observing my confusion. "Why, " saysI, recovering my presence of mind, "'tis most extraordinary, to be sure, that you should read this, for save one or two familiars, none know thatmy second name is Christopher. "

"A fairly honest hand, " says she, looking at my hand again. "Weak insome things, but a faithful friend. You may be trusted. "

And so she drops my hand and takes up Moll's. 

"'Tis strange, " says she. "You call yourself Judith, yet here I see yourname writ Moll. "

[Illustration: "YOU CALL YOURSELF JUDITH, YET HERE I SEE YOUR NAME WRITMOLL. "]

Poor Moll, sick with a night of sorrow and terrified by the wise woman'sdivining powers, could make no answer; but soon Fitch, taking less heedof her tremble than of mine, regards her hand again. 

"How were you called in Barbary?" asks she. 

This question betraying a flaw in the wise woman's perception, gave Mollcourage, and she answered readily enough that she was called "LalaMollah"--which was true, "Lala" being the Moorish for lady, and "Mollah"the name her friends in Elche had called her as being more agreeable totheir ear than the shorter English name. 

"Mollah--Moll!" says Anne Fitch, as if communing with herself. "That maywell be. " Then, following a line in Moll's hand, she adds, "You willlove but once, child. "

"What is my sweetheart's name?" whispers Moll, the colour springing inher face. 

"You have not heard it yet, " replies the other, upon which Moll pullsher hand away impatiently. "But you have seen him, " continues the wisewoman, "and his is the third hand in which I have read another name. "

"Tell me now if I shall see him again, " cries Moll, eagerly--offeringher hand again, and as quickly as she had before withdrawn it. 

"That depends upon yourself, " returns the other. "The line is a deepone. Would you give him all you have?"

Moll bends her head low in silence, to conceal her hot face. 

"'Tis nothing to be ashamed of, " says the old woman, in a strangelygentle tone. "'Tis better to love once than often; better to give yourwhole heart than part. Were I young and handsome and rich, I would givebody and soul for such a man. For he is good and generous and exceedingkind. Look you, he hath lived here but a few weeks, and I feel for him, grieve for him, like a mother. Oh, I am no witch, " adds she, wiping atear from her cheek, "only a crooked old woman with the gift of seeingwhat is open to all who will read, and a heart that quickens still at akind word or a gentle thought. " (Moll's hand had closed upon hers atthat first sight of her grief. ) "For your names, " continues she, recovering her composure, "I learnt from one of your maids who camehither for news of her sweetheart, that the sea captain who was with youdid sometimes let them slip. I was paid to learn this. "

"Not by him, " says Moll. 

"No; by your steward Simon. "

"_He_ paid for that!" says I, incredulous, knowing Simon's reluctance tospend money. 

"Aye, and a good price, too. It seems you call heavily upon him formoney, and do threaten to cut up your estate and sell the land he prizesas his life. "

"That is quite true, " says I. 

"Moreover, he greatly fears that he will be cast from his office, whenyour title to it is made good. For that reason he would move heaven andearth to stay your succession by casting doubts upon your claim. And tothis end he has by all the means at his command tried to provoke yourcousin to contest your right. "

"My cousin!" cries Moll. 

"Richard Godwin. "

"My cousin Richard--why, where is he?"

"Gone, " says the old woman, pointing to the broken bread upon the table. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

_How Moll and Mr. Godwin come together and declare their hearts'passion, and how I carry these tidings to Dawson. _

"What!" cries Moll, starting to her feet. "He whom I have treated thusis--" and here she checked herself, as if recoiling (and for the firsttime) from false pretence in a matter so near her heart. 

"He is your cousin, Richard Godwin, " says the wise woman. "Simon knewthis from the first; for there were letters showing it in thepocket-book he found after the struggle in the park; but for his ownends he kept that knowledge secret, until it fitted his ends to speak. Why your cousin did not reveal himself to you may be more readilyconceived by you than 'twas by me. "

"Why, 'tis clear enough, " says Moll. "Pressed by his necessities, hecame hither to claim assistance of his kinsman; but finding he was deadand none here but me, his pride did shrink from begging of a mere maidthat which he might with justice have demanded from a man. And then, forshame at being handled like a rogue--"

Surely there is something in the blood of a gentleman that tempers hisspirit to a degree scarcely to be comprehended by men of meaner birth, thinks I. 

"When did Simon urge him to dispute my rights?" asks Moll. 

"On Sunday--in the wood out there. I knew by his look he had sometreacherous business in hand, and, matching my stealth with his, I foundmeans to overhear him, creeping from thicket to thicket, as noiseless asa snake, to where they stood; for, be assured, I should not otherwisehave learnt one word of this. "

"How did _he_ receive these hints at my ill doing?" asks Moll. 

"Patiently, till the tale was told; then, taking your steward by thethroat with sudden passion, he cries: 'Why should I not strangle you, rascal? 'Twould be a service to humanity. What have I done to deserveyour love, or this lady your hate? Nothing. You would pit us one againstthe other merely to keep your hold upon these lands, and gratify yourinsensate love of possession. Go, get you gone, beast!' cries he, flinging him off; ''tis punishment enough for you to live and knowyou've failed. For, had you proved your case to my conviction, I'd notstir a hand against this lady, be she who she may. Nay, ' adds he, withgreater fury, 'I will not stay where my loyalty and better judgment maybe affected by the contagion of a vile suspicion. Away while you may; myfingers itch to be revenged on you for sundering me from one who shouldhave been my closest, dearest friend. '"

Moll claps her hands together with a cry of joy and pain mingled, evenas the smile played upon her lips whilst tears filled her eyes. 

"Sunday!" cries she, turning to me and dashing the tears that blindedher from her eyes; "Sunday, and it 'twas o' Monday he refused to stay. O, the brave heart!" Then, in impetuous haste, "He shall be found--wemust overtake him. "

"That may be done if you take horse, " says Anne Fitch, "for he travelsafoot. "

"But which way shall we turn?"

"The way that any man would take, seeking to dispel a useless sorrow, "answers the wise woman; "the way to London. "

"God bless you!" cries Moll, clasping the withered old woman to herheaving breast and kissing her. Then the next moment she would be gone, bidding me get horses for our pursuit. 

So, as quickly as I might, I procured a couple of nags, and we set out, leaving a message for Don Sanchez, who was not yet astir. And we shouldhave gone empty, but that while the horses were a-preparing (and Moll, despite her mighty haste at this business too), I took the precaution toput some store of victuals in a saddle bag. 

Reckoning that Mr. Godwin (as I must henceforth call him) had been setout two hours or thereabouts, I considered that we might overtake him inabout three at an easy amble. But Moll was in no mood for ambling, andno sooner were we started than she put her nag to a gallop and kept upthis reckless pace up hill and down dale, --I trailing behind andexpecting every minute to be cast and get my neck broke, --until herhorse was spent and would answer no more to the whip. Then I begged herfor mercy's sake to take the hill we were coming to at a walk, and breakher fast. "For, " says I, "another such half-hour as the last on an emptystomach will do my business, and you will have another dead man to bringback to life, which will advance your journey nothing, and so morehaste, less speed. " Therewith I opened my saddle bag, and sharing itscontents, we ate a rare good meal and very merry, and indeed it was apleasure now to look at her as great as the pain had been to see her sounhappy a few hours before. For the exercise had brought a flood of richcolour into her face, and a lively hope sparkled in her eyes, and thesound of her voice was like any peal of marriage bells for gaiety. Yetnow and then her tongue would falter, and she would strain a wistfulglance along the road before us as fearing she did hope too much. However, coming to an inn, we made enquiry, and learnt that a man suchas we described had surely passed the house barely an hour gone, and oneadding that he carried a basket on his stick, we felt this must be ourpainter for certain. 

Thence on again at another tear (as if we were flying from ourreckoning) until, turning a bend of the road at the foot of a hill, shesuddenly drew rein with a shrill cry. And coming up, I perceived closeby our side Mr. Godwin, seated upon the bridge that crossed a stream, with his wallet beside him. 

He sprang to his feet and caught in an instant the rein that had fallenfrom Moll's hand, for the commotion in her heart at seeing him sosuddenly had stopped the current of her veins, and she was deadly pale. 

"Take me, take me!" cries she, stretching forth her arms, with a faintvoice. "Take me, or I must fall, " and slipping from her saddle she sankinto his open, ready arms. 

"Help!" says Mr. Godwin, quickly, and in terror. 

"Nay, " says she; "I am better--'tis nothing. But, " adds she, smiling athim, "you may hold me yet a little longer. "

The fervid look in his eyes, as he gazed down at her sweet pale face, seemed to say: "Would I could hold you here for ever, sweetheart. "

"Rest her here, " says I, pointing to the little wall of the bridge, andhe, complying (not too willingly), withdrew his arm from her waist, witha sigh. 

And now the colour coming back to her cheek, Moll turns to him, andsays:

"I thought you would have come again. And since one of us must ask to beforgiven, lo! here am I come to ask your pardon. "

"Why, what is there to pardon, Madam?" says he. 

"Only a girl's folly, which unforgiven must seem something worse. "

"Your utmost folly, " says he, "is to have been over-kind to a poorpainter. And if that be an offence, 'tis my misfortune to be no moreoffended. "

"Have I been over-kind?" says Moll, abashed, as having unwittinglypassed the bounds of maiden modesty. 

"As nature will be over-bounteous in one season, strewing so manyflowers in our path that we do underprize them till they are lost, andall the world seems stricken with wintry desolation. "

"Yet, if I have said or done anything unbecoming to my sex--"

"Nothing womanly is unbecoming to a woman, " returns he. "And, praised beGod, some still live who have not learned to conceal their nature undera mask of fashion. If this be due less to your natural free dispositionthan to an ignorance of our enlightened modish arts, then could I findit in my heart to rejoice that you have lived a captive in Barbary. "

They had been looking into each other's eyes with the delight of readingthere the love that filled their hearts, but now Moll bent her head asif she could no longer bear that searching regard, and unable to makeresponse to his pretty speech, sat twining her fingers in her lap, silent, with pain and pleasure fluttering over her downcast face. And atthis time I do think she was as near as may be on the point ofconfessing she had been no Barbary slave, rather than deceive the manwho loved her, and profit by his faith in her, which had certainlyundone us all; but in her passion, a woman considered the welfare of herfather and best friends very lightly; nay, she will not value her ownbody and soul at two straws, but is ready to yield up everything for onedear smile. 

A full minute Mr. Godwin sat gazing at Moll's pretty, blushing, half-hidface (as if for his last solace), and then, rising slowly from thelittle parapet, he says:

"Had I been more generous, I should have spared you this long morningride. So you have something to forgive, and we may cry quits!" Then, stretching forth his hand, he adds, "Farewell. "

"Stay, " cries Moll, springing to her feet, as fearing to lose himsuddenly again, "I have not eased myself of the burden that layuppermost. Oh!" cries she, passionately, casting off all reserve, "Iknow all; who you are, and why you first came hither, and I am here tooffer you the half of all I have. "

"Half, sweet cousin?" answers he, taking her two hands in his. 

"Aye; for if I had not come to claim it, all would have been yours byright. And 'tis no more than fair that, owing so much to Fortune, Ishould offer you the half. "

"Suppose that half will not suffice me, dear?" says he. 

"Why, then I'll give you all, " answers she; "houses, gardens, everything. "

"Then what will you do, coz?"

"Go hence, as you were going but just now, " answers she, trembling. 

"Why, that's as if you took the diamond from its setting, and left menothing but the foil, " says he. "Oh, I would order it another way: giveme the gem, and let who will take what remains. Unless these littlehands are mine to hold for ever, I will take nothing from them. "

"They are thine, dear love, " cries she, in a transport, flinging themabout his neck, "and my heart as well. "

At this conjuncture I thought it advisable to steal softly away to thebend of the road; for surely any one coming this way by accident, andfinding them locked together thus in tender embrace on the king'shighway, would have fallen to some gross conclusion, not understandingtheir circumstances, and so might have offended their delicacy by somerude jest. And I had not parted myself here a couple of minutes, ere Ispied a team of four stout horses coming over the brow of the hill, drawing the stage waggon behind them which plies betwixt Sevenoaks andLondon. This prompting me to a happy notion, I returned to the happy, smiling pair, who were now seated again upon the bridge, hand in hand, and says I:

"My dear friends, --for so I think I may now count you, sir, as well asmy Mistress Judith here, --the waggon is coming down the hill, by which Ihad intended to go to London this morning upon some pressing business. And so, Madam, if your cousin will take my horse and conduct you back tothe Court, I will profit by this occasion and bid you farewell for thepresent. "

This proposal was received with evident satisfaction on their part, forthere was clearly no further thought of parting; only Moll, alarmed forthe proprieties, did beg her lover to lift her on her horse instantly. Nevertheless, when she was in her saddle, they must linger yet, he tokiss her hands, and she to bend down and yield her cheek to his lips, though the sound of the coming waggon was close at hand. 

Scarcely less delighted than they with this surprising strange turn ofevents, I left 'em there with bright, smiling faces, and journeyed on toLondon, and there taking a pair of oars at the Bridge to Greenwich, alleagerness to give these joyful tidings to my old friend, Jack Dawson. Ifound him in his workroom, before a lathe, and sprinkled from head totoe with chips, mighty proud of a bed-post he was a-turning. And it didmy heart good to see him looking stout and hearty, profitably occupiedin this business, instead of soaking in an alehouse (as I feared at onetime he would) to dull his care; but he was ever a stout, brave fellow, who would rather fight than give in any day. A better man never lived, nor a more honest--circumstances permitting. 

His joy at seeing me was past everything; but his first thought afterour hearty greeting was of his daughter. 

"My Moll, " says he, "my dear girl; you han't brought her to add to myjoy? She's not slinking behind a door to fright me with delight, hey?"

"No, " says I; "but I've brought you great news of her. "

"And good, I'll swear, Kit, for there's not a sad line in your face. Stay, comrade, wait till I've shook these chips off and we are seated inmy parlour, for I do love to have a pipe of tobacco and a mug of alebeside me in times of pleasure. You can talk of indifferent things, though, for Lord! I do love to hear the sound of your voice again. "

I told him how the ceiling of our dining-hall had been painted. 

"Aye, " says he. "I have heard of that; for my dear girl hath writ aboutthat and nought else in her letters; and though I've no great fancy forsuch matters, yet I doubt not it is mighty fine by her long-windedpraises of it. Come, Kit, let us in here and get to something fresher. "

So we into his parlour, which was a neat, cheerful room, with a fineview of the river, and there being duly furnished with a mighty mug ofale and clean pipes, he bids me give him my news, and I tell him howMoll had fallen over head and ears in love with the painter, and he withher, and how that very morning they had come together and laid opentheir hearts' desire one to the other, with the result (as I believed)that they would be married as soon as they could get a parson to dotheir business. 

"This is brave news indeed, " cries he, "and easeth me beyondcomprehension, for I could see clearly enough she was smitten with thispainter, by her writing of nothing else; and seeing she could not get athis true name and condition, I felt some qualms as to how the mattermight end. But do tell me, Kit, is he an honest, wholesome sort of man?"

"As honest as the day, " says I, "and a nobler, handsomer man neverbreathed. "

"God be praised for all things, " says he, devoutly. "Tell me he's anEnglishman, Kit--as Moll did seem to think he was, spite his foreignname--and my joy's complete. "

"As true-born an Englishman as you are, " says I. 

"Lord love him for it!" cries he. 

Then coming down to particulars, I related the events of the past fewdays pretty much as I have writ them here, showing in the end how Mr. Godwin would have gone away, unknown rather than profit by his claim asSir Richard Godwin's kinsman, even though Moll should be no better thanold Simon would have him believe, upon which he cries, "Lord love himfor it, say I again! Let us drink to their health. Drink deep, Kit, forI've a fancy that no man shall put his lips to this mug after us. "

So I drank heartily, and he, emptying the jug, flung it behind thechimney, with another fervent ejaculation of gratitude. Then a shade ofsorrow falling on his face as he lay it in his hand, his elbow restingon the table:

"I'd give best half of the years I've got to live, " says he, "to see 'emtogether, and grasp Mr. Godwin's hand in mine. But I'll not be temptedto it, for I perceive clearly enough by what you tell me that my waywardtongue and weakness have been undoing us all, and ruining my dear Moll'schance of happiness. But tell me, Kit" (straightening himself up), "howthink you this marriage will touch our affairs?"

"Only to better them. For henceforth our prosperity is assured, whichotherwise might have lacked security. "

"Aye, to be sure, for now shall we be all in one family with theseGodwins, and this cousin, profiting by the estate as much as Moll, willnever begrudge her giving us a hundred or two now and then, forrendering him such good service. "

"'Twill appease Moll's compunctions into the bargain, " says I, heedlessly. 

"What compunctions?"

"The word slipped me unintended, " stammers I; "I mean nothing. "

"But something your word must mean. Come, out with it, Kit. "

"Well, " says I, "since this fondness has possessed her, I have observeda greater compunction to telling of lies than she was wont to have. "

"'Tis my fault, " answers he, sadly. "She gets this leaning to honestyfrom me. "

"This very morning, " continues I, "she was, I truly believe, of twominds whether she should not confess to her sweetheart that she was nothis cousin. "

"For all the world my case!" cries he, slapping the table. "If I couldonly have five minutes in secret with the dear girl, I would give her ahint that should make her profit by my folly. " And then he tells me how, in the heyday of courtship and the flush of confiding love, he didconfess to his wife that he had carried gallantry somewhat too far withSukey Taylor, and might have added a good half dozen other names besidehers but for her sudden outcry; and how, though she might very well havesuspected other amours, she did never reproach him therewith, but wasfor ever to her dying day a-flinging Sukey Taylor in his teeth, etc. 

"Lord, Kit!" cries he, in conclusion; "what would I give to save herfrom such torment! You know how obedient she is to my guiding, for Ihave ever studied to make her respect me; and no one in the world hathsuch empire over her. Could it not be contrived anyhow that we shouldmeet for half an hour secretly?"

"Not secretly, " says I. "But there is no reason why you should not visither openly. Nay, it will create less surprise than if you stay away. Forwhat could be more natural than your coming to the Court on your returnfrom a voyage to see the lady you risked so much to save?"

"Now God bless you for a good, true friend!" cries he, clasping my hand. "I'll come, but to stay no great length. Not a drop will I touch thatday, and a fool indeed I must be if I can't act my part without bunglingfor a few hours at a stretch, and I a-listening every night in theparlour of the 'Spotted Dog' to old seamen swearing and singing theirsongs. And I'll find an opportunity to give--Moll a hint of my pastfolly, and so rescue her from a like pitfall. I'll abide by your advice, Kit, --which is the wisest I ever heard from your lips. "

But I was not so sure of this, and, remembering the kind of obedienceMoll had used to yield to her father's commands, my mind misgave me. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

_Don Sanchez proposes a very artful way to make Mr. Godwin a party toour knavery, etc. _

I returned to Hurst Court the following day in the forenoon, and there Ifound Mr. Godwin, with Moll clinging to his arm, in an upper roomcommanding a view of the northern slopes, discussing their future, andMoll told me with glee how this room was to be her husband's workroom, where he would paint pictures for the admiration of all the world, saying that he would not (nor would she have him) renounce his callingto lead the idle life of a country gentleman. 

"If the world admire my pictures, the world shall pay to have them, "says he, with a smile; then turning to her he adds very tenderly: "Iwill owe all my happiness to you, sweetheart; yet guard my independencein more material matters. No mercenary question shall ever castsuspicion on my love. "

Seeing I was not wanted here, I left them to settle their prospectives, and sought Don Sanchez, whom I found reading in a room below, seated ina comfortable chair before a good fire of apple logs. To please me, heshut up his book and agreed to take a stroll in the park while dinnerwas a-dressing. So we clap on our hats and cloaks and set forth, talkingof indifferent matters till we are come into a fair open glade (whichsort of place the prudent Don did ever prefer to holes and corners forsecret conference), and then he told me how Moll and Mr. Godwin hadalready decided they would be married in three weeks. 

"Three weeks?" says I. "I would it were to be done in three days. " Towhich desire the Don coincides with sundry grave nods, and then tells mehow Moll would have herself cried in church, for all to know, and thatnothing may be wanting to her husband's dignity. 

"After all, " says I, "three weeks is no such great matter. And now, Seņor, do tell me what you think of all this. "

"If you had had the ordering of your own destiny, you could not havecontrived it better, " answers he. "'Tis a most excellent game, and youcannot fail to win if" (here he pauses to blow his nose) "if the cardsare played properly. "

This somehow brought Dawson into my thoughts, and I told the Don of myvisit to him, and how he did purpose to come down to see Moll; whereatthe Don, stopping short, looked at me very curiously with his eyebrowsraised, but saying nothing. 

"'Tis no more than natural that a father should want to see what kind ofman is to be his daughter's husband, " says I, in excuse, "and if he_will_ come, what are we to do?"

"I know what I should do in your place, Mr. Hopkins, " says he, quietly. 

"Pray, Seņor, what is that?"

"Squeeze all the money you can out of old Simon before he comes, "answers he. "And it wouldn't be amiss to make Mr. Godwin party to thisbusiness by letting him have a hundred or two for his presentnecessities at once. "

Acting on this hint, when Moll left us after supper and we three menwere seated before the fire, I asked Mr. Godwin if he would permit me tospeak upon a matter which concerned his happiness no less than hiscousin Judith's. 

"Nay, sir, " replies he, "I do pray you to be open with me, for otherwiseI must consider myself unworthy of your friendship. "

"Well, sir, " says I, "my mind is somewhat concerned on account of whatyou said this morning; namely, that no pecuniary question shall ever bediscussed betwixt you and your wife, and that you will owe nothing toher but happiness. This, together with your purpose of painting picturesto sell, means, I take it, that you will leave your wife absolutemistress of her present fortune. "

"That is the case exactly, Mr. Hopkins, " says he. "I am not indifferentto the world's esteem, and I would give no one reason to suspect that Ihad married my dear cousin to possess her fortune. "

"Nevertheless, sir, you would not have it thought that she begrudged youan equal share of her possessions. Your position will necessitate acertain outlay. To maintain your wife's dignity and your own, you mustdress well, mount a good horse, be liberal in hospitality, give largelyto those in need, and so forth. With all due respect to your genius inpainting, I can scarcely think that art will furnish you at once withsupplies necessary to meet all these demands. "

"All this is very true, Mr. Hopkins, " says he, after a littlereflection; "to tell the truth, I have lived so long in want thatpoverty has become my second nature, and so these matters have notentered into my calculations. Pray, sir, continue. "

"Your wife, be she never so considerate, may not always anticipate yourneeds; and hence at some future moment this question of supplies mustarise--unless they are disposed of before your marriage. "

"If that could be done, Mr. Hopkins, " says he, hopefully. 

"It may be done, sir, very easily. With your cousin's consent and yours, I, as her elected guardian, at this time will have a deed drawn up to besigned by you and her, settling one-half the estate upon you, and theother on your cousin. This will make you not her debtor, but herbenefactor; for without this deed, all that is now hers becomes yours bylegal right upon your marriage, and she could not justly give away ashilling without your permission. And thus you assure to her the sameindependence that you yourself would maintain. "

"Very good, " says Don Sanchez, in a sonorous voice of approval, as helies back in his high chair, his eyes closed, and a cigarro in thecorner of his mouth. 

"I thank you with all my heart, Mr. Hopkins, " says Mr. Godwin, warmly. "I entreat you have this deed drawn up--if it be my wife's wish. "

"You may count with certainty on that, " says I; "for if my argumentslacked power, I have but to say 'tis your desire, and 'twould be donethough it took the last penny from her. "

He made no reply to this, but bending forward he gazed into the fire, with a rapture in his face, pressing one hand within the other as if itwere his sweetheart's. 

"In the meantime, " says I, "if you have necessity for a hundred or twoin advance, you have but to give me your note of hand. "

"Can you do me this service?" cries he, eagerly. "Can you let me havefive hundred by to-morrow?"

"I believe I can supply you to the extent of six or seven. "

"All that you can, " says he; "for besides a pressing need that will takeme to London to-morrow, I owe something to a friend here that I wouldfain discharge. "

Don Sanchez waived his hand cavalierly, though I do believe the subtleSpaniard had hinted at this business as much for his own ends as for ourassurance. 

"I will have it ready against we meet in the morning, " says I. "You areso certain of her sanction?" he asks in delight, as if he could not toomuch assure himself of Moll's devotion. 

"She has been guided by me in all matters relating to her estate, andwill be in this, I am convinced. But here's another question, sir, which, while we are about business, might be discussed with advantage. My rule here is nearly at an end. Have you decided who shall govern theestate when I am gone?"

"Only that when I have authority that rascal Simon shall be turned fromhis office, neck and crop. He loves me as little as he loves hismistress, that he would set us by the ears for his own advantage. "

"An honest man, nevertheless--in his peculiar way, " observes the Don. 

"Honest!" cries Mr. Godwin, hotly. "He honest who would have sufferedJudith to die in Barbary! He shall go. "

"Then you will take in your own hands the control of your joint estate?"

"I? Why, I know no more of such matters than the man in the moon. "

"With all respect to your cousin's abilities, I cannot think herqualified for this office. "

"Surely another steward can be found. "

"Undoubtedly, " says I. "But surely, sir, you'd not trust all to himwithout some supervision. Large sums of money must pass through hishands, and this must prove a great temptation to dishonest practices. 'Twould not be fair to any man. "

"This is true, " says he. "And yet from natural disinclination, ignorance, and other reasons, I would keep out of it. " Then after somereflection he adds, "My cousin has told me how you have lost all yourfortune in saving her, and that 'tis not yet possible to repay you. MayI ask, sir, without offence, if you have any occupation for your timewhen you leave us?"

"I went to London when I left you to see what might be done; but amerchant without money is like a carpenter without tools. "

"Then, sir, till your debt is discharged, or you can find some morepleasant and profitable engagement, would you not consent to governthese affairs? I do not ask you to stay here, though assuredly you willever be a welcome guest; but if you would have one of the houses on theestate or come hither from time to time as it might fit your otherpurposes, and take this office as a matter of business, I should regardit as a most generous, friendly kindness on your part. "

I promised him with some demur, and yet with the civility his offerdemanded, to consider of this; and so our debate ended, and I went tobed, very well content with myself, for thus will vanity blind us to ourfaults. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

_I overcome Moll's honest compunctions, lay hold of three thousandpounds more, and do otherwise play the part of rascal to perfection. _

I got together six hundred pounds (out of the sum left us after payingDon Sanchez his ten thousand), and delivered 'em to Mr. Godwin againsthis note of hand, telling him at the same time that, having slept uponhis proposal, I was resolved to be his steward for three months, withfreedom on both sides to alter our position, according to ourconvenience, at the end of that time, and would serve him and his ladyto the best of my power. Thanking me very heartily for my friendlyservice to him (though, God knows, with little reason), he presentlyleft us. And Moll, coming back from taking tender leave of him at hergates, appeared very downcast and pensive. However, after moping an hourin her chamber, she comes to me in her hood, and begs I will take her awalk to dispel her vapours. So we out across the common, it being afine, brisk, dry morning and the ground hard with a frost. Here, beingsecure from observation, I showed her how I had settled matters with Mr. Godwin, dividing the estate in such a manner as would enable her to drawwhat funds she pleased, without let, hindrance, or any inconvenientquestion. 

At this she draws a deep sigh, fixing her eyes sadly enough on theperspective, as if she were thinking rather of her absent lover than thebusiness in hand. Somewhat nettled to find she prized my efforts on herbehalf so lightly, I proceeded to show her the advantages of thisarrangement, adding that, to make her property the surer, I hadconsented to manage both her affairs and Mr. Godwin's when they weremarried. 

"And so, " says I, in conclusion, "you may have what money you want, anddispose of it as you will, and I'll answer for it Mr. Godwin shall neverbe a penny the wiser. "

"Do what you find is necessary, " says she, with passion. "But formercy's sake say no more on this matter to me. For all these hints dostab my heart like sharp knives. "

Not reading rightly the cause of her petulance, I was at first disposedto resent it; but, reflecting that a maiden is no more responsible forher tongue than a donkey for his heels in this season of life (but bothmust be for ever a-flying out at some one when parted from the object oftheir affections), I held my peace; and so we walked on in sullensilence for a space; then, turning suddenly upon me, she cries in atrembling voice:

"Won't you say something to me? Can't you see that I am unhappy?"

And now, seeing her eyes full of tears, her lips quivering, and her facedrawn with pain, my heart melted in a moment; so, taking her arm undermine and pressing it to my side, I bade her be of good cheer, for herlover would return in a day or two at the outside. 

"No, not of him, --not of him, " she entreats. "Talk to me of indifferentthings. "

So, thinking to turn her thoughts to another furrow, I told her how Ihad been to visit her father at Greenwich. 

"My father, " says she, stopping short. "Oh, what a heartless, selfishcreature am I! I have not thought of him in my happiness. Nay, had hebeen dead I could not have forgot him more. You saw him--is he well?"

"As hearty as you could wish, and full of love for you, and rejoicedbeyond measure to know you are to marry a brave, honest gentleman. " ThenI told how we had drunk to their health, and how her father had smashedhis mug for a fancy. And this bringing a smile to her cheek, I went onto tell how he craved to see Mr. Godwin and grip his hand. 

"Oh, if he could see what a noble, handsome man my Richard is!" criesshe. "I do think my heart would ache for pride. "

"Why, so it shall, " says I, "for your father does intend to come hitherbefore long. "

"He is coming to see my dear husband!" says she, her face aglow withjoy. 

"Aye, but he does promise to be most circumspect, and appear as if, returning from a voyage, he had come but to see how you fare, and willstay no longer than is reasonably civil. "

"Only that, " says she, her countenance falling again, "we are to hideour love, pretend indifference, behave towards this dear father as if hewere nought to me but a friend. "

"My dear, " says I, "'tis no new part you have to play. "

"I know it, " she answers hotly, "but that makes it only the worse. "

"Well, what would you?"

"Anything" (with passion). "I would do anything but cheat and cozen theman I love. " Then, after some moments' silence o' both sides, "Oh, if Iwere really Judith Godwin!"

"If you were she, you'd be in Barbary now, and have neither father norlover; is that what you want?" says I, with some impatience. 

"Bear with me, " says she, with a humility as strange in her as thesenew-born scruples of conscience. 

"You may be sure of this, my dear, " says I, in a gentler tone, "if youwere anything but what you are, Mr. Godwin would not marry you. "

"Why, then, not tell him what I am?" asks she, boldly. 

"That means that you would be to-morrow what you're not to-day. "

"If he told me he had done wrong, I could forgive him, and love him nonethe less. "

"Your conditions are not the same. He is a gentleman by birth, you but aplayer's daughter. Come, child, be reasonable. Ponder this matter but amoment justly, and you shall see that you have all to lose and nought togain by yielding to this idle fancy. Is he lacking in affection, thatyou would seek to stimulate his love by this hazardous experiment?"

"Oh, no, no, no!" cries she. 

"Would he be happier knowing all?" (She shakes her head. ) "Happier ifyou force him to give you up and seek another wife?" (She starts as ifflicked with a whip. ) "Would _you_ be happier stripped of yourpossessions, cast out of your house, and forced to fly from justice withyour father?" (She looks at me in pale terror. ) "Why, then, there'snothing to be won, and what's to lose? the love of a noble, honestgentleman, the joy of raising him from penury. "

"Oh, say no more, " cries she, in passion. "I know not what madnesspossessed me to overlook such consequences. I kiss you for bringing meto my senses" (with that she catches up my hand and presses her lips toit again and again). "Look in my face, " cries she, "and if you find alurking vestige of irresolution there, I'll tear it out. "

Indeed, I could see nothing but set determination in her countenance, --amost hard expression of fixed resolve, that seemed to age her by tenyears, astonishing me not less than those other phases in her rapidlydeveloping character. 

"Now, " says she, quickly, and with not a note of her repining tone, "what was that you spoke of lately, --you are to be our steward?"

"Yes, " says I, "for Mr. Godwin has declared most firmly that the momenthe has authority he will cast Simon out for his disloyalty. "

"I will not leave that ungrateful duty to him, " says she. "Take me tothis wretch at once, and choose the shortest path. "

I led her back across the common, and coming to Simon's lodge, sheherself knocked loudly at the door. 

Seeing who it was through his little grating, Simon quickly opens thedoor, and with fawning humility entreats her to step into his poor room, and there he stands, cringing and mopping his eyes, in dreadfulapprehension, as having doubtless gathered from some about the house howmatters stood betwixt Moll and Mr. Godwin. 

"Where are your keys?" demands Moll, in a very hard, merciless voice. 

Perceiving how the land lay, and finding himself thus beset, old Simonfalls to his usual artifices, turning this way and that, like a rat in apit, to find some hole for escape. First he feigns to misunderstand, then, clapping his hands in his pockets, he knows not where he can havelaid them; after that fancies he must have given them to his man Peter, who is gone out of an errand, etc. ; until Moll, losing patience, cut himshort by declaring the loss of the keys unimportant, as doubtless alocksmith could be found to open his boxes and drawers without 'em. 

"My chief requirement is, " adds she, "that you leave this houseforthwith, and return no more. "

Upon this, finding further evasion impossible, the old man turns to bay, and asks upon what grounds she would dismiss him without writ orwarrant. 

"'Tis sufficient, " returns she, "that this house is mine, and that Iwill not have you a day longer for my tenant or my servant. If youdispute my claim, --as I am told you do, --you may take what lawful meansyou please to dispossess me of my estate, and at the same time redresswhat wrong is done you. "

Seeing his secret treachery discovered, Simon falls now to his whiningarts, telling once more of his constant toil to enrich her, his thriftand self-denial; nay, he even carries it so far as to show that he didbut incite Mr. Godwin to dispute her title to the estate, that therebyher claim should be justified before the law to the obtaining of hersuccession without further delay, and at the expense of her cousin, which did surpass anything I had ever heard of for artfulness. But thisonly incensed Moll the more. 

"What!" cries she, "you would make bad blood between two cousins, to theruin and disgrace of one, merely to save the expense of some beggarlyfees! I'll hear no more. Go at once, or I will send for my servants tocarry you out by force. "

He stood some moments in deliberation, and then he says, with a certaindignity unusual to him, "I will go. " Then he casts his eye slowly roundthe room, with a lingering regard for his piles of documents andprecious boxes of title deeds, as if he were bidding a last farewell toall that was dear to him on earth, and grotesque as his appearance mightbe, there was yet something pathetic in it. But even at this moment hisruling passion prevailed. 

"There is no need, " says he, "to burst these goodly locks by force. I dobethink me the keys are here" (opening a drawer, and laying them uponthe table). Then dropping his head, he goes slowly to the door, butthere he turns, lifting his head and fixing his rheumy eyes on Moll. "Iwill take nothing from this house, not even the chattels that belong tome, bought from the mean wage I have allowed myself. So shalt thou judgeof my honesty. They shall stand here till I return, for that I shallreturn I am as fully persuaded as that a just God doth dispose of hiscreatures. Thee hast might on thy side, woman, but whether thee hastright as well, shall yet be proven--not by the laws of man, which are aninvention of the devil to fatten rogues upon the substance of fools, butby the law of Heaven, to which I do appeal with all my soul" (liftinghigh his shaking hands). "Morning and night I will pray that God shallsmite with heavy hand which of us two hath most wronged the other. Offerthe same prayer if thee darest. "

I do confess that this parting shot went home to my conscience, andtroubled my mind considerably; for feeling that he was in the right ofit as regarded our relative honesty, I was constrained to think that hisprophecy might come true also to our shame and undoing. But Moll wasafflicted with no such qualms, her spirit being very combative and high, and her conscience (such as it was) being hardened by our latediscussion to resist sharper slaps than this. Nay, maintaining thatSimon must be dishonest by the proof we had of his hypocrisy and doubledealing, she would have me enter upon my office at once by sendingletters to all her tenants, warning them to pay no rent to any onelately in her service, but only to me; and these letters (which kept mypen going all that afternoon) she signed with the name of Judith Godwin, which seemed to me a very bold, dangerous piece of business; but shewould have it so, and did her signature with a strong hand and aflourish of loops beneath like any queen. 

Nor was this all; for the next morning she would have me go to that Mr. Goodman, who had offered to buy her farm for ready money, and get what Icould from him, seeing that she must furnish herself with fresh gownsand make other outlay for her coming marriage. So to him I go, and aftermuch haggling (having learnt from Simon that the land was worth morethan he offered for it), I brought him to give six thousand poundsinstead of five, and this was clearly better business on his side thanon mine at that, for that the bargain might not slip from his hands hewould have me take three thousand pounds down as a handsell, leaving therest to be paid when the deed of transference was drawn up. 

And now as I jogged home with all this gold chinking in my pockets, Idid feel that I had thrust my head fairly into a halter, and no chanceleft of drawing it out. Look at it how I might, this business wore amost curst aspect, to be sure; nor could I regard myself as anything buta thoroughpaced rogue. 

"For, " thinks I, "if old Simon's prayer be answered, what will become ofthis poor Mr. Goodman? His title deeds will be wrested from him, forthey are but stolen goods he is paying for, and thus an innocent, honestman will be utterly ruined. And for doing this villany I may countmyself lucky if my heels save my neck. "

With this weight on my mind, I resolved to be very watchful and carefulof my safety, and before I fell asleep that night I had devised a dozenschemes for making good my escape as soon as I perceived danger;nevertheless, I could dream of nothing but prisons, scourgings, etc. , and in every vision I perceived old Simon in his leather skull-capsitting on the top of Tyburn tree, with his handkercher a-hanging downready to strangle me. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

_A table of various accidents. _

As your guide, showing you an exhibition of paintings, will linger overthe first room, and then pass the second in hurried review to come thequicker to a third of greater interest, so I, having dwelt, may be, atundue length upon some secondary passages in this history, musteconomise my space by touching lightly on the events that cameimmediately before Moll's marriage, and so get to those more movingaccidents which followed. Here, therefore, will I transcribe certainnotes (forming a brief chronicle) from that secret journal which, forthe clearer understanding of my position, I began to keep the day I tookpossession of Simon's lodge and entered upon my new office. 

_December 8. _ Very busy all this forenoon setting my new house in order, conveying, with the help of the gardener, all those domestic andpersonal goods that belong to Simon into the attick; but Lord! so fewthese things, and they so patched and worn, that altogether they are notworth ten shillings of anybody's money. I find the house wondrous neatand clean in every part, but so comfortless and prison-like, that I lookforward with little relish to living here when the time comes for me toleave the Court. After this to examining books, papers, etc. , and themore closely I look into these, the more assured I am that never was anyservant more scrupulous, exact, and honest in his master's service thanthis old steward, which puts me to the hope that I may be only half asfaithful to my trust as he, but I do fear I shall not. 

Conversing privily with Don Sanchez after dinner, he gave me his opinionthat we had done a very unwise thing in turning out old Simon, showinghow by a little skill I might have persuaded Moll to leave this businessto Mr. Godwin as the proper ruler of her estate; how by such delay Mr. Godwin's resentment would have abated and he willing to listen to goodargument in the steward's favour; how then we should have made Simonmore eager than ever to serve us in order to condone his late offence, and how by abusing our opportunities we had changed this useful servantto a dangerous enemy whose sole endeavour must be to undo us and recoverhis former position, etc. .. . "Why, what have we to fear of thismiserable old man?" says I. "Unless he fetch Mrs. Godwin from Barbary, he cannot disprove Moll's right to the estate, and what else can he do?"

"There's the mischief of it, " answers he. "'Tis because you know not howhe may attack you that you have no means of defending yourself. 'Tisever the unseen trifle in our path which trips us up. " And dismissingthis part of the subject with a hunch of his shoulders, he advises meseriously to sell as many more farms as I may for ready money, and keepit in some secret convenient corner where I may lay hands on it at amoment's warning. 

This discourse coming atop of a night's ill rest, depressed my mind tosuch a degree that I could take no interest in my work, but sat there inmy naked room with my accounts before me, and no spirit to cast 'em up, Nor was I much happier when I gave up work and returned to the Court. For, besides having to wait an hour later than usual for dinner, Moll'streatment of me was none of the best, --she being particularly perverseand contrary, for having dressed herself in her best in expectation ofher lover's return, and he not coming when at last she permitted supperto be dished. We were scarcely seated, however, when she springs up witha cry of joy and runs from the room, crying she hears her Richard'sstep, which was indeed true, though we had heard nothing more pleasantthan the rattle of our plates. Presently they come in, all radiant withhappiness, hand in hand, and thenceforth nought but sweetness and mirthon the part of Mistress Moll, who before had been all frown and pout. Atsupper Mr. Godwin tells us how his sweetheart hath certainly dispelledthe clouds that have hung so long over him, he having heard in Londonthat Sir Peter Lely, on seeing one of his pieces, desires to see him atHatfield (where he is painting) on good business, and to Hatfield hewill go to discharge this matter before his marriage; which joyeth Mollless than me, I being pleased to see he is still of the same, stoutdisposition to live an active life. In the evening he gives Moll a verybeautiful ring for a troth token, which transports her with joy, so thatshe cannot enough caress her lover or this toy, but falls first tokissing one and then t'other in a rapture. In return, she gives him aring from her finger. "'Tis too small for my finger, love, " says he;"but I will wear it against my heart as long as it beats. " After that hefinds another case and puts it in Moll's hand, and she, opening it, fetches her breath quickly and can say nothing for amazement; then, turning it in the light, she regards it with winking eyes, as if dazzledby some fierce brilliancy. And so closing the case as if it were toomuch for her, she lays her face upon Mr. Godwin's breast, he having hisarm about her, murmuring some inarticulate words of passionate love. Recovering her energies presently, she starts up, and putting the casein her lover's hand, she bids him put on his gift, therewith pullingdown her kerchief to expose her beautiful bare neck, whereupon he drawsfrom the box a diamond collar and clasps it about her throat with apretty speech. And truly this was a gift worthy of a princess, the mostbeautiful bauble I have ever seen, and must have cost him all he had ofme to the last shilling. 

_December 10. _ Finding amongst Simon's quittances a bill for lawexpenses of one John Pearson, attorney, at Maidstone, I concluded thismust be the most trustworthy man of his kind in the country; and so setforth early this morning to seek him, --a tedious, long journey, and theroads exceedingly foul. By good luck I found Mr. Pearson at home, --avery civil, shrewd man, as I think. Having laid my business before him, he tells me there will be no difficulty in dividing the estate accordingto the wish of Mr. Godwin and Moll, which may be done by a simple deedof agreement; and this he promises to draw up, and send to us forsignature in a couple of days. But to get the seal to Moll's successionwill not be such an easy matter, and, unless we are willing to giveseven or eight hundred pounds in fees, we may be kept waiting a year, with the chance of being put to greater expense to prove our right; forhe tells me the court and all about it are so corrupt that no ministeris valued if he do not, by straight or crooked ways, draw money into thetreasury, and that they will rather impede than aid the course ofjustice if it be to the king's interest, and that none will stir a handto the advantage of any one but the king, unless it be secretly to hisown, etc. And, though he will say nothing against Simon, save (by way ofhint) that all men must be counted honest till they are proved guilty, yet he do apprehend he will do all in his power to obstruct the grantingof this seal, which it is only reasonable to suppose he will. So, toclose this discussion, I agree he shall spend as much as one thousandpounds in bribery, and he thinks we may certainly look to have it in amonth at that price. Home late, and very sore. 

_December 11. _ Much astonished this morning on going to my house to findall changed within as if by inchantment--fine hangings to my windows, handsome furniture in every room, all arranged in due order (with a pairof pictures in my parlour), the linen press stocked with all that isneedful and more, and even the cellar well garnished with wines, etc. And truly thus embellished my house looks no longer like a prison, butas cheerful and pleasant a dwelling-place as the heart of man coulddesire (in moderation), and better than any I have yet dreamt ofpossessing. And 'twas easy to guess whose hands had worked thistransformation, even had I not recognised certain pieces of furniture ascoming from the Court, for 'twas of a piece with Moll's loving andplayful spirit to prepare this surprise for me while I was goneyesterday to Maidstone. I am resolved I will sleep herehenceforth, --there being two bedrooms all properly furnished, --as beingmore in keeping with my new position. 

_December 13. _ This day a little before dinner time came Dawson to theCourt, quite sober and looking as like a rough honest seaman as anythingcould be, but evidently with his best shore-going manners on. And whenMoll very graciously offers him her hand, he whips out a red handkercherand lays it over her hand before kissing it, which was a piece ofceremony he must have observed at Greenwich, as also many odd phrasesand sea expressions with which he garnished his conversation. 

"Captain Evans, " says Moll, taking her lover's hand, "this is Mr. Godwin, my cousin, and soon to be my husband. "

Mr. Godwin holds forth his hand, but ere he would take it, Dawson lookshim full in the face a good minute; then, taking it in his great grimyhand, and grasping it firmly, "Master, " says Jack, "I see thou art anhonest man, and none lives who hath ever sold me tar for pitch, be henever so double-faced, and so I wish you joy of your sweet wife. As foryou, Mistress" (turning to Moll) "who have ever been kind to me beyondmy deserts, I do wish you all the happiness in the world, and I countall my hardships well paid in bringing you safely to this anchorage. Forsure I would sooner you were still Lala Mollah and a slave in Barbarythan the Queen of Chiney and ill-mated; and so Lord love the both ofyou!"

After staying a couple of hours with us, he was for going (but notbefore he had given us the instructive history of the torment he hadendured, by telling his wife, in an unguarded moment, of his gallantrieswith Sukey Taylor), nor would he be persuaded to sleep at the Court andleave next day, maintaining that whilst he had never a penny in theworld he could very honestly accept Moll's hospitality, but that nowbeing well-to-do, thanks to her bounty, he blessed Heaven he hadsufficient good breeding, and valued himself well enough not to takeadvantage of her beneficence. However, hearing I had a house of my own, and could offer him a bed, he willingly agreed to be my guest for thenight, regarding me as one of his own quality. We stayed to sup at theCourt, where he entertained us with a lengthy account of his latevoyage, and how being taken in a tempest, his masts had all been sweptby the board, and his craft so damaged that 'twas as much as she wouldhold together till he brought her into Falmouth, where she must liea-repairing a good two months ere he could again venture to sea in her. And this story he told with such an abundance of detail and so manynautical particulars, that no one in the world could have dreamt he waslying. 

He explained to me later on that he had refused to lie at the Court, forfear a glass or two after supper might lead his tongue astray, tellingme that he had touched nothing but penny ale all his long journey fromLondon, for fear of losing his head; and on my asking why he hadfabricated that long history of shipwreck he vowed I had put him to itby saying I had a house of my own where he could lie; "For, " says he, "my ship being laid up will furnish me with a very good excuse forcoming to spend a day or two with you now and then. So may I get anotherglimpse of my own dear Moll, and see her in the fulness of her joy. "

He could not sufficiently cry up the excellence of Mr. Godwin, his noblebearing, his frank, honest countenance, his tenderness for Moll, etc. , and he did truly shed tears of gratitude to think that now, whateverbefell him, her welfare and happiness were assured; but this was when hehad emptied his bottle and had got to that stage of emotion whichusually preceded boisterous hilarity when he was in his cups. 

And whilst I am speaking of bottles, it will not be amiss to note here, for my future warning, a grave imprudence of mine, which I discovered onleaving the room to seek more wine. On the flame of my candle blowingaside, I perceived that I had left my door unfastened, so that it nowstood ajar. And, truly, this was as culpable a piece of oversight as Icould well have committed; for here, had an enemy, or even an idlebusybody, been passing, he might very well have entered the littlepassage and overheard that which had been our undoing to have madeknown. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

_How Moll Dawson was married to Mr. Richard Godwin; brief account ofattendant circumstances. _

_December 14. _ Dawson left us this morning. In parting, Mr. Godwingraciously begged him to come to his wedding feast on Christmasday, --they having fixed upon Christmas eve to be married, --and Dawsonpromised he would; but he did assure me afterwards, as we were walkingalong the road to meet the stage waggon, that he would certainly feignsome reason for not coming. "For, " says he, "I am not so foolhardy as tojeopardise my Moll's happiness for the pleasure this feast would giveme. Nay, Kit, I do think 'twould break my heart indeed, if anything ofmy doing should mar my Moll's happiness. " And I was very well pleased tofind him in this humour, promising him that we would make amends for hisabstinence on this occasion by cracking many a bottle to Moll's joy whenwe could come together again secretly at my house. In the afternoon Mr. Pearson's clerk brought the deed of agreement for the settlement of theestate upon Moll and Mr. Godwin, which they signed, and so that isfinished as we would have it. This clerk tells me his master hathalready gone to London about getting the seal. So all things look mightyprosperous. 

_December 17. _ Fearing to displease Sir Peter Lely by longer delay, Mr. Godwin set out for Hatfield Tuesday, we--that is, Moll, Don Sanchez, andI--going with him as far as the borough, where Moll had a thousandthings to buy against her wedding. And here we found great activity ofcommerce, and many shops filled with excellent good goods, --more thanever there were before the great fire drove out so many tradesmen fromthe city. Here Moll spends her money royally, buying whatever catchesher eye that is rich and beautiful, not only for her own personaladornment, but for the embellishment of her house (as hangings, damasks, toys, etc. ), yet always with a consideration of Mr. Godwin's taste, sothat I think she would not buy a pair of stockings but she must askherself whether he would admire 'em. And the more she had, the moreeager she grew to have, buying by candle-light, which was an imprudence, and making no sort of bargain, but giving all the shopkeepers asked fortheir wares, which, to be sure, was another piece of recklessness. Thisbusiness seemed to me the most wearisome in the world, but it servedonly to increase her energies, and she would not be persuaded to desistuntil, the shops closing, she could lay out no more money that night. Supped very well (but mighty late) at the Tabard inn, where we lay allnight. And the next morning, Moll's fever still unabated, we set outagain a-shopping, and no rest until we caught the stage (and that by amiracle) at four; and so home, dead beat. 

_December 18. _ Moll mad all day because the carrier hath brought buthalf her purchases, and they not what she wanted. By the evening waggoncome three seamstresses she engaged yesterday morning, and they are tostay in the house till all is finished; but as yet nothing for them todo, which is less grievous to them than to poor Moll, who, I believe, would set 'em working all night for fear she shall not be fitted againsther wedding. 

_December 19. _ Thank God, the carrier brought all our packages thismorning, and they being all undone and laid out, there is no sittingdown anywhere with comfort, but all confusion, and no regularityanywhere, so I was content to get my meals in the kitchen the best Icould. And here I do perceive the wisdom of Don Sanchez, who did notreturn with us from London, and does intend (he told me) to stay theretill the wedding eve. _December 20. _ Moll, bit by a new maggot, tells methis morning she will have a great feast on Christmas day, and bids meorder matters accordingly. She will have a whole ox roasted before thehouse by midday, and barrels of strong ale set up, that there may bemeat and drink for all who choose to take it; and at four she will havea supper of geese, turkeys, and plum puddings for all her tenants, theirwives and sweethearts, with fiddles afterwards for dancing, etc. Lordknows how we shall come out of this madness; but I have got theinnkeeper (a busy, capable man) to help me, and he does assure me allwill go well enough, and I pray he be right. 

_December 21. _ Sick with fears that all must end ill. For the place is avery Babel for tradesmen and workpeople bringing in goods, and knowingnot where to set them, servants hurrying this way and that, one chargedwith a dozen geese, another with silk petticoats, jostling each other, laughing, quarrelling, and no sort of progress, as it seems, anywhere, but all tumult and disorder. 

_December 22. _ Could not sleep a wink all last night for casting upaccounts of all this feasting and finery will cost us, and finding itmust eat up all that money we had of poor Mr. Goodman, and make a deephole in our quarter's rents besides, I fell a speculating whether ourtenants would pay me with the same punctuality they have used to pay oldSimon, with grievous fears to the contrary. For, assuredly, Simon hathnot been idle these past days, and will do us an ill turn if he can, bythrowing doubts before these same tenants whether they should pay or notbefore Moll's succession is made sure. And I have good reason to fearthey will not, for I observed yesterday when I called upon Farmer Gilesto invite him to our feast, he seemed very jerky and ill at ease, whichperplexed me greatly, until, on quitting, I perceived through a doorthat stood ajar old Simon seated in a side room. And 'tis but naturalthat if they find prudent excuse for withholding their rents they willkeep their money in pocket, which will pinch us smartly when our billscome to be paid. Yet I conceived that this feast would incline ourtenants to regard us kindly; but, on the other hand, thinks I, supposingthey regard this as a snare, and do avoid us altogether! Then shall webe nipped another way; for, having no one to eat our feast but a fewidle rogues, who would get beef and ale for nothing, we shall but layourselves open to mockery, and get further into discredit. Thus, betwixtone fear and another, I lay like a toad under a harrow, all night, in amortal sweat and perturbation of spirit. 

Nor has this day done much to allay my apprehension. For at the Courtall is still at sixes and sevens, none of a very cheerful spirit, butall mighty anxious, save Moll, who throughout has kept a high, boldspirit. And she does declare they will work all night, but everythingshall be in its place before her lover comes to-morrow. And, truly, Ipray they may, but do think they will not. For such a mighty business asthis should have been begun a full month back. But she will not endureme in the house (though God knows I am as willing as any to help), saying that I do hinder all, and damp their spirit for work with mygloomy countenance, which is no more than the truth, I fear. The skyvery overcast, with wind in the south and the air very muggy, mild, andclose, so that I do apprehend our geese will be all stinking before theyare eat. And if it pour of rain on Christmas day how will the ox beroast, and what sort of company can we expect? This puts me to anothertaking for dread of a new fiasco. 

_December 23. _ Going to the Court about midday, I was dumbfounded tofind no sign of the disorder that prevailed there yesterday, but allswept and garnished, and Moll in a brave new gown seated at herfireside, reading a book with the utmost tranquillity, --though I suspectshe did assume something in this to increase my astonishment. She waslargely diverted by my amazement, and made very light of herachievement; but she admitted that all had worked till daybreak, and shehad slept but two hours since. Nevertheless, no one could have lookedfresher and brighter than she, so healthy and vigorous are her naturalparts. About one comes Mr. Godwin to cap her happiness and give freshglory to her beauty. And sure a handsomer or better mated couple neverwas, Mr. Godwin's shapely figure being now set off to advantage by avery noble clothing, as becoming his condition. With him came also bythe morning stage Don Sanchez, mighty fine in a new head, of the latestmode, and a figured silk coat and waistcoat. And seeing the brave showthey made at table, I was much humbled to think I had gone to no expensein this particular. But I was yet more mortified when Don Sanchezpresents Moll with a handsome set of jewels for a wedding gift, to seethat I had nothing in the world to offer her, having as yet taken not apenny of her money, save for the use of others and my bare necessities. Moll, however, was too full of happiness to note this omission on mypart; she could think of no one now but her dear husband, and I countedfor nothing. 

However, this little chagrin was no more than a little cloud on asummer's day, which harms no one and is quickly dispelled by generousheat; and the tender affection of these two for each other did impart aglow of happiness to my heart. 'Tis strange to think how all thingsto-night look bright and hopeful, which yesterday were gloomy andawesome. Even the weather hath changed to keep in harmony with ourcondition. A fresh wind sprang up from the north this morning, andto-night every star shines out sharp and clear through the frosty air, promising well for to-morrow and our Christmas feast. And smelling ofthe geese, I do now find them all as sweet as nuts, which contents memightily, and so I shall go to bed this night blessing God for allthings. 

_December 24. _ Now this blessed day hath ended, and Moll is sure andsafely bound to Mr. Godwin in wedlock, thanks to Providence. Woke atdaybreak and joyed to find all white without and covered with rime, sparkling like diamonds as the sun rose red and jolly above the firs;and so I thought our dear Moll's life must sparkle as she looked out onthis, which is like to be the brightest, happiest day of her life. Dressed in my best with great care, and put on the favour of whiteribbons given me by Moll's woman last night, and so very well pleasedwith my looks, to the Court, where Moll is still a-dressing, but Mr. Godwin and Don Sanchez, nobly arrayed, conversing before the fire. Andhere a great bowpot on the table (which Mr. Godwin had made to come fromLondon this morning) of the most wondrous flowers I have ever seen atthis time of the year, so that I could not believe them real at first, but they are indeed living; and Mr. Godwin tells me they are raised inhouses of glass very artificially heated. Presently comes in Moll withher maids, she looking like any pearl, in a shining gown of white satindecked with rich lace, the collar of diamonds glittering about her whitethroat, her face suffused with happy blushes and past everything forsprightly beauty. Mr. Godwin offers his bowpot and takes her into hisarms, and there for a moment she lay with closed eyes and a pallorspreading over her cheek as if this joy were more than her heart couldbear; but recovering quickly, she was again all lively smiles andradiance. 

Then comes a letter, brought by the night carrier, from her father (amost dirty, ill-written scrawl signed Robert Evans with his mark), praying he may be excused, as his masts are to be stepped o' Wednesday, and he must take the occasion of a ketch leaving Dartford for Falmouththis day, and at the same time begging her acceptance of a canister ofChina tea (which is, I learn, become a fashionable dish in London) as amarriage offering. Soon after this a maid runs in to say the churchbells are a-ringing; so out we go into the crisp, fresh air, with not adamp place to soil Moll's pretty shoes--she and Mr. Godwin first, hermaids next, carrying her train, and the Don and I closing theprocession, very stately. In the churchyard stand two rows of villagemaids with baskets to strew rosemary and sweet herbs in our path, andwithin the church a brave show of gentlefolks, friends and neighbours, to honour the wedding. 

But here was I put to a most horrid quaking the moment I passed thedoor, to perceive old Simon standing foremost in the throng about thealtar, in his leather cap (which he would not remove for clerk orsexton, but threatened them, as I am told, with the law if they lay afinger on him). And seeing him there, I must needs conclude that heintended to do us an ill turn, for his face wore the most wicked, cruel, malicious look that ever thirst of vengeance could impart. Indeed, Iexpected nothing less than that he would forbid the marriage on suchgrounds as we had too good reason to fear; and with this dread Iregarded Moll, who also could not fail to see him. Her face whitened asshe looked at him, but her step never faltered, and this peril seemedbut to fortify her courage and resolution; and indeed I do think by herhigh bearing and the defiance in her eye as she held her lover's armthat she was fully prepared to make good answer if he challenged herright to marry Mr. Godwin. But (the Lord be thanked!) he did not put herto this trial, only he stood there like a thing of evil omen to mar thejoy of this day with fearful foreboding. 

I can say nothing about the ceremony, for all my attention was fixedupon this hideous Simon, and I had no relief until 'twas safely endedand Moll's friends pressed forward to kiss the bride and offer theirgood wishes; nor did I feel really at ease until we were back again atthe Court, and seated to a fine dinner, with all the friends who wouldjoin us, whereof there were as many as could sit comfortably to the longtable. This feast was very joyous and merry, and except that the parsonwould be facetious over his bottle, nothing unseemingly or immodest wassaid. So we stayed at table in exceeding good fellowship till thecandles were lit, and then the parson, being very drunk, we made apretext of carrying him home to break up our company and leave the happycouple to their joy. 

_December 26. _ Down betimes yesterday morning to find the sky stillclear, the air brisk and dry, and ample promise of a fair day. To theCourt, and there perceive the great ox spitted on a stout fir pole, andthe fire just kindling; John the gardener setting up the barrels ofbeer, and a famous crowd of boys and beggars already standing before thegates. And there they might have stayed till their dinner was cooked, ere I had let them in, but Moll coming down from the house with herhusband, and seeing this shivering crew, their pinched cheeks yellow andtheir noses blue with cold, and so famished with hunger they couldscarce find strength to cry, "God bless you, merry gentlefolks!" shewould have them taste at once some of that happiness with which herheart was overflowing, and so did with her own hands unbolt the gatesand set them wide, bidding the halting wretches come in and warmthemselves. Not content with this, she sends up to the house for loavesand gives every one a hunch of bread and a mug of ale to stay his emptystomach. And Lord, 'twas a pleasure to see these poor folks' joy--howthey spread their hands out to the flames; how they cockered up the firehere and there to brown their ox equally, with all hands now and then toturn him on the spit; how they would set their bread to catch thedropping gravy; and how they would lift their noses to catch the savourywhiffs that came from the roasting beef. 

This is all very well, thinks I, but how about our geese and turkeys?will our tenants come, or shall we find that Simon hath spoilt theirappetite, and so be left with nought but starved beggars for ourcompany? However, before four o'clock an end was put to these doubts, for some in waggons, others on horse, with their wives or sweethearts onpillions behind, clasping their men tight, and the rest afoot, all camethat were asked by me, and more, and pretty jolly already with ale onthe road, and a great store of mistletoe amongst them for their furthermerriment. And what pleased me as much as anything was to find allmighty civil to Moll--nearly all offering her a Christmas box of fresheggs, honey, and such homely produce, which she received with the mostpretty, winning grace, that went home to every heart, so that thehardest faces were softened with a glow of contentment and admiration. Then down we sat to table, Moll at one end and her husband beside her;Don Sanchez and I at t'other; and all the rest packed as close as spratsin a barrel; but every lad squeezing closer to his lass to make room forhis neighbour, we found room for all and not a sour look anywhere. Dearheart! what appetites they had, yet would waste nothing, but pickedevery one his bone properly clean (which did satisfy me nothing wasamiss with our geese), and great cheering when the puddings andflapdragons came in all aflame, and all as merry as grigs--flinging oflighted plums at each other, but most mannerly not to fling any at Mollor us. Then more shouting for joy when the bowls of wassail and possetcome in, and all standing to give three times three for their newmistress and her husband. Hearing of which, the beggars without (nowtired of dancing about the embers) troop up to the door and give threetimes three as well, and end with crying joy and long life to the weddedpair. When this tumult was ended and the door shut, Mr. Godwin gave ashort oration, thanking our tenants for their company and good wishes;and then he told them how his dear wife and he, wishing others to sharetheir joy and remember this day, had resolved to forgive every tenantone-half of his quarter's rent. "And so, Mr. Hopkins, " says he, addressing me, "you will think of this to-morrow. "

At first I was disposed to begrudge this munificence--thinking of myaccounts and the bills I should have to pay ere rent day came again; buton second thoughts it rejoiced me much as being a counterblast toanything Simon could do against us. For no tenant, thinks I, will befool enough to withold payment when he may get his quittance to-morrowfor half its value. And herein was I not mistaking; for to-day everytenant hath paid with a cheerful countenance. So that this is very goodbusiness, and I am not in any way astonished to find that our subtleSpaniard was at the bottom of it, for indeed it was Don Sanchez who(knowing my fears on this head and thinking them well-grounded)suggested this act of generosity to Moll, which she, in her fulness ofheart, seized on at once. (Truly, I believe she would give the clothesoff her back, no matter what it cost her, to any one in need, soreckless is she in love and pity. )

_December 27. _ Don Sanchez took leave of us this day, he setting forthfor Spain to-morrow, with the hope to reach his friends there, for theirgreat feast of the New Year. And we are all mighty sorry to lose him;for not only hath he been a rare good friend to us, but also he is amost seemly gentleman (to keep us in countenance), and a very goodstaunch and reliable companion. But this comprises not all our loss, hehaving, as I confess, more wit in his little finger than we in all ourbodies, and being ever ready with an expedient in the hour of need; andI know not why, but I look on his going as a sign of coming evil; nor amI greatly comforted by his telling me privily that when we want him heshall be found by a letter sent to the Albego Puerto del Sole, Toledo, in Spain. And I pray Heaven we have no occasion to write to him. 

To-night at supper I find Moll all cock-a-hoop with a new delight, byreason of her dear husband offering to take her to London for a month tovisit the theatres and other diversions, which put me to a new quirk forfear Moll should be known by any of our former playhouse companions. Butthis I now perceive is a very absurd fear; for no one in the world whohad seen Moll three years ago--a half-starved, long-legged, rawchild--could recognise her now, a beautiful, well-proportioned youngwoman in her fine clothes; and so my mind is at ease on this head. WhenMoll was retired, Mr. Godwin asked if I could let him have a fewhundreds upon his account, and I answered very willingly he shall. Andnow setting aside enough to pay all bills and furnish our wants tillnext quarter day, I am resolved to give him every farthing left of therents paid yesterday, and shall be most hearty glad to be rid of it, forthis money do seem to scar my hands every time I touch it; nor can Ilook at it but my heart is wrung with pity for those poor tenants whopaid so gleefully yesterday, for surely their quittances will hold goodfor no more than spoilt paper if ever our roguery is discovered. 

_December 28. _ This day Moll and Mr. Godwin set out for London, allsmiles and gladness, and Moll did make me promise to visit them there, and share their pleasures. But if I have no more appetite for gaietythan I feel at this moment, I shall do better to stay here and mind mybusiness; though I do expect to find little pleasure in that, and mustabide by a month of very dull, gloomy days. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

_Of the great change in Moll, and the likely explanation thereof. _

A week before the promised month was up, Moll and her husband came backto the Court, and lest I should imagine that her pleasures had beencurtailed by his caprice, she was at great pains to convince me that hehad yielded to her insistence in this matter, declaring she was sick oftheatres, ridottos, masquerades, and sight-seeing, and had sighed to behome ere she had been in London a week. This surprised me exceedingly, knowing how passionate fond she had ever been of the playhouse anddiversions of any kind, and remembering how eager she was to go to townwith her husband; and I perceived there was more significance in thepresent distaste for diversion than she would have known. And I observedfurther (when the joy of return and ordering her household subsided)that she herself had changed in these past three weeks, more than was tobe expected in so short a time. For, though she seemed to love herhusband more than ever she had loved him as her lover, and could not behappy two minutes out of his company, 'twas not that glad, joyous loveof the earlier days, but a yearning, clinging passion, that made me sadto see, for I could not look upon the strained, anxious tenderness inher young face without bethinking me of my poor sister, as she kneltpraying by her babe's cot for God to spare its frail life. 

Yet her husband never looked more hearty and strong, and every look andword of his bespoke increasing love. The change in her was notunperceived by him, and often he would look down into her wistful, craving eyes as if he would ask of her, "What is it, love? tell me all. "And she, as understanding this appeal, would answer nothing, but onlyshake her head, still gazing into his kind eyes as if she would have himbelieve she had nought to tell. 

These things made me very thoughtful and urgent to find somesatisfactory explanation. To be sure, thinks I, marriage is but thebeginning of a woman's real life, and so one may not reasonably expecther to be what she was as a thoughtless child. And 'tis no less naturalthat a young wife should love to be alone with her husband, rather thanin the midst of people who must distract his thoughts from her; as alsoit is right and proper she should wish to be in her own home, directingher domestic affairs and tending to her husband--showing him withal sheis a good and thoughtful housewife. But why these pensive tristfullooks, now she hath her heart's desire? Then, finding I must seek somebetter explanation of her case, I bethought me she must have had a veryhard, difficult task in London to conceal from one, who was now a partof herself, her knowledge of so many things it was unbefitting sheshould reveal. At the playhouse she must feign astonishment at all shesaw, as having never visited one before, and keep constant guard uponherself lest some word slipped her lips to reveal her acquaintance withthe players and their art. At the ridotto she must equally feignignorance of modish dancing--she whose nimble feet had tripped to everymeasure since she could stand alone. There was scarcely a subject onwhich she would dare to speak without deliberation, and she must checkher old habit of singing and be silent, lest she fall by hazard tohumming some known tune. Truly, under such continuous strain (which nonebut such a trained actress could maintain for a single day) her spiritmust have wearied. And if this part was hard to play in public, where weare all, I take it, actors of some sort and on the alert to sustain thecharacter we would have our own, how much more difficult must it be inprivate when we drop our disguise and lay our hearts open to those welove! And here, as it seemed to me, I did hit rightly at the true causeof her present secret distress; for at home as abroad she must still beacting a part, weighing her words, guarding her acts--for ever to behiding of something from her dearest friend--ever denying him thatconfidence he appealed for--ever keeping a cruel, biting bond upon themost generous impulse of her heart, closing that heart when it wasbursting to open to her dear mate. 

Soon after their return Mr. Godwin set to work painting the head of aSybil, which the Lord of Hatfield House had commanded, on therecommendation of Sir Peter Lely, taking Anne Fitch for his model, andshe sitting in that room of the Court house he had prepared for hisworkshop. Here he would be at it every day, as long as there was lightfor his purpose, Moll, near at hand, watching him, ready to chat or holdher peace, according to his inclination--just as she had done when hewas a-painting of the ceiling, only that now her regard was more intentupon him than his work, and when he turned to look at her, 'twas withinterchange of undisguised love in their fond eyes. She ever had a pieceof work or a book in her lap, but she made not half a dozen stitches orturned a single page in the whole day, for he was the sole occupation ofher mind; the living book, ever yielding her sweet thoughts. 

This persevering, patient toil on his part did at first engender in mymind suspicion that some doubting thoughts urged him to assume hisindependence against any accident that might befall the estate; but nowI believe 'twas nothing but a love of work and of his art, and that hismind was free from any taint of misgiving, as regards his wife'shonesty. 'Tis likely enough, that spite her caution, many a word andsign escaped Moll, which an enemy would have quickly seized on to proveher culpable; but we do never see the faults of those we love (or, seeing them, have ready at a moment excuse to prove them no faults atall), and at this time Mr. Godwin's heart was so full of love, there wasno place for other feeling. Venom from a rose had seemed to him morepossible than evil, from one so natural, sweet, and beautiful as Moll. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

_Moll plays us a mad prank for the last time in her life. _

About once in a fortnight I contrived to go to London for a couple ofdays on some pretext of business, and best part of this time I spentwith Dawson. And the first visit I paid him after the return of Moll andher husband, telling him of their complete happiness, Moll's increasingwomanly beauty, and the prosperous aspect of our affairs (for I had thatday positive assurance our seal would be obtained within a month), Iconcluded by asking if his mast might not now be stepped, and he be in aposition to come to Chislehurst and see her as he had before. 

"No, Kit, thanking ye kindly, " says he, after fighting it out withhimself in silence a minute or two, "better not. I am getting in amanner used to this solitude, and bar two or three days a week when Ifeel a bit hangdog and hipped a-thinking there's not much in this worldfor an old fellow to live for when he's lost his child, I am pretty wellcontent. It would only undo me. If you had a child--your own flesh andblood--part of your life--a child that had been to you what my sweetMoll hath been to me, you would comprehend better how I feel. To pretendindifference when you're longing to hug her to your heart, to talk offair weather and foul when you're thinking of old times, and then to bowand scrape and go away without a single desire of your aching heartsatisfied, --'tis more than a man with a spark of warmth in his soul canbear. " And then he proceeded to give a dozen other reasons for decliningthe tempting bait, --the sum of all proving to my conviction that he wasdying to see Moll, and I feared he would soon be doing by stealth thatwhich it were much safer he should do openly. 

About a week after this I got a letter from him, asking me to come againas soon as I might, he having cut his hand with a chisel, "so that Icannot work my lathe, and having nothing to occupy my mind, do plaguemyself beyond endurance. "

Much concerned for my old friend, I lose no time in repairing toGreenwich, where I find him sitting idle before his lathe, with an armhanging in a handkerchief, and his face very yellow; but this, I think, was of drinking too much ale. And here he fell speedily discoursing ofMoll, saying he could not sleep of nights for thinking of the pranks sheused to play us, our merry vagabond life together in Spain ere we got toElche, etc. , and how he missed her now more than ever he did before. After that, as I anticipated, he came in a shuffling, roundabout way (asone ashamed to own his weakness) to hinting at seeing Moll by stealth, declaring he would rather see her for two minutes now and again peeringthrough a bush, though she should never cast a glance his way, than haveher treat him as if she were not his child and ceased to feel any lovefor him. But seeing the peril of such ways, I would by no means consentto his hanging about the Court like a thief, and told him plainly thatunless he would undo us all and ruin Moll, he must come openly as beforeor not at all. 

Without further demur he consents to be guided by me, and then, veryeagerly, asks when it will be proper for him to come; and we agree thatif he come in a week's time, there will be no thought in anybody's mindof our having conspired to this end. 

As the fates would have it, Mr. Godwin finished his painting on theSaturday following (the most wonderful piece of its kind I ever saw, orany one else, in my belief), and being justly proud of his work andanxious Sir Peter Lely should see it soon, he resolved he would carry itto Hatfield on Monday. Moll, who was prouder of her husband's piece thanif it were of her own doing, was not less eager it should be seen; yetthe thought that she must lose him for four days (for this journey couldnot well be accomplished in less time) cast down her spiritsexceedingly. 'Twas painful to see her efforts to be cheerful despite ofherself. And, seeing how incapable she was of concealing her realfeeling from him whom she would cheer, she at length confessed to himher trouble. "I would have you go, and yet I'd have you stay, love, "says she. 

"'Tis but a little while we shall be parted, " says he. 

"A little while?" says she, trembling and wringing one hand within theother. "It seems to me as if we were parting for ever. "

"Why, then, " returns he, laughing, "we will not part at all. You shallcome with me, chuck. What should prevent you?"

She starts with joy at this, then looks at him incredulous for a moment, and so her countenance falling again, she shakes her head as thinking, Itake it, that if it were advisable she should go with him, he would haveproposed it before. 

"No, " says she, "'twas an idle fancy, and I'll not yield to it. I shallbecome a burden, rather than a helpmate, if you cannot stir from homewithout me. Nay, " adds she, when he would override this objection, "youmust not tempt me to be weak, but rather aid me to do that which I feelright. "

And she would not be persuaded from this resolution, but bore herselfmost bravely, even to the moment when she and her husband clasped eachfor the last time in a farewell embrace. 

She stood where he had left her for some moments after he was gone. Suddenly she ran a few paces with parted lips and outstretched hands, asif she would call him back; then, as sharply she halts, clasping herhands, and so presently turns back, looking across her shoulder, withsuch terror in her white face, that I do think her strong imaginationfigured some accusing spirits, threatening the end of all her joys. 

I followed her into the house, but there I learnt from Mrs. Butterbythat her mistress was gone to her own chamber. 

As I was sitting in my office in the afternoon, Jack Dawson came to mein his seaman's dress, his hand still wrapped up, but his face morehealthful for his long ride and cheerful thoughts. 

"Why, this could not have fallen out better, " says I, when we hadexchanged greetings; "for Moll is all alone, and down in the dumps byreason of her husband having left her this morning on business, thatwill hold him absent for three or four days. We will go up presently andhave supper with her. "

"No, Kit, " says he, very resolutely, "I'll not. I am resolved I won't gothere till to-morrow, for this is no hour to be a-calling on ladies, andher husband being away 'twill look as if we had ordered it of purpose. Besides, if Moll's in trouble, how am I to pretend I know nothing of thematter and care less, and this Mother Butterby and a parcel of sly, observant servants about to surprise one at any moment? Say nomore--'tis useless--for I won't be persuaded against my judgment. "

"As you will, " says I. 

"There's another reason, if other's needed, " says he, "and that's thisplaguey thirst of mine, which seizes me when I'm doleful or joyful, witha force there's no resisting. And chiefly it seizes me in the later partof the day; therefore, I'd have you take me to the Court to-morrowmorning betimes, ere it's at its worst. My throat's like any limekilnfor dryness now; so do pray, Kit, fasten the door snug, and give me amug of ale. "

This ended our discussion; but, as it was necessary I should give somereason for not supping with Moll, I left Dawson with a bottle, and wentup to the house to find Moll. There I learnt that she was still in herchamber, and sleeping, as Mrs. Butterby believed; so I bade the goodwoman tell her mistress when she awoke that Captain Evans had come tospend the night with me, and he would call to pay her his devoirs thenext morning. 

Here, that nothing may be unaccounted for in the sequence of events, Imust depart from my train of present observation to speak fromafter-knowledge. 

I have said that when Moll started forward, as if to overtake herhusband, she suddenly stopped as if confronted by some menacing spectre. And this indeed was the case; for at that moment there appeared to herheated imagination (for no living soul was there) a little, bent oldwoman, clothed in a single white garment of Moorish fashion, and Mollknew that she was Mrs. Godwin (though seeing her now for the firsttime), come from Barbary to claim her own, and separate Moll from thehusband she had won by fraud. 

She stood there (says Moll) within her gates, with raised hand and amost bitter, unforgiving look upon her wasted face, barring the way bywhich Moll might regain her husband; and as the poor wife halted, trembling in dreadful awe, the old woman advanced with the sure foot ofright and justice. What reproach she had to make, what malediction topronounce, Moll dared not stay to hear, but turning her back fled to thehouse, where, gaining her chamber, she locked the door, and flungherself upon her husband's bed; and in this last dear refuge, shuttingher eyes, clasping her ears, as if by dulling her senses to escape thephantom, she lay in a convulsion of terror for the mere dread that sucha thing might be. 

Then, at the thought that she might never again be enfolded here in herhusband's arms, an agony of grief succeeded her fit of maddening fear, and she wept till her mind grew calm from sheer exhaustion. And so, little by little, as her courage revived, she began to reason withherself as how 'twas the least likely thing in the world that if Mrs. Godwin were in England, she should come to the Court unattended and inher Moorish clothes; and then, seeing the folly of abandoning herself toa foolish fancy, she rose, washed the tears from her face, and setherself to find some occupation to distract her thoughts. And whatemployment is nearer to her thoughts or dearer to her heart than makingthings straight for her husband; so she goes into the next room where heworked, and falls to washing his brushes, cleaning his paint-board, andputting all things in order against his return, that he may lose no timein setting to work at another picture. And at dinner time, finding herface still disfigured with her late emotions and ashamed of her latefolly, she bids her maid bring a snack to her room, under the pretencethat she feels unwell. This meal she eats, still working in herhusband's room; for one improvement prompting another, she finds plentyto do there: now bethinking her that the hangings of her own privateroom (being handsomer) will look better on these walls, whereas t'othersare more fit for hers, where they are less seen; that this corner looksnaked, and will look better for her little French table standing there, with a china image atop, and so forth. Thus, then, did she devote hertime till sundown, whereabouts Mrs. Butterby raps at her door to know ifshe will have a cup of warm caudle to comfort her, at the same timetelling her that Mr. Hopkins will not sup with her, as he has CaptainEvans for his guest at the lodge. 

And now Moll, by that natural succession of extremes which seems to be agoverning law of nature (as the flow the ebb, the calm the storm, daythe night, etc. ), was not less elated than she had been depressed in theearly part of the day, --but still, I take it, in a nervous, excitablecondition. And hearing her father, whom she has not seen so long, ishere, a thousand mad projects enter her lively imagination. So, whenMrs. Butterby, after the refusal of her warm caudle, proposes she shallbring Madam a tray of victuals, that she may pick something in bed, Moll, stifling a merry thought, asks, in a feeble voice, what there isin the larder. 

"Why, Madam, " says Mrs. Butterby, from the outside, "there's thepartridges you did not eat at breakfast, there's a cold pigeon pasty anda nice fresh ham, and a lovely hasty pudding I made with my own hands, in the pot. "

"Bring 'em all, " says Moll, in the same aching voice; "and I'll pickwhat tempts me. "

Therewith, she silently slips the bolt back, whips on her nightgown, andwhips into bed. 

Presently, up comes Mrs. Butterby, carrying a wax candle, followed by acouple of maids charged with all the provisions Moll had commanded. Having permission to enter, the good woman sets down her candle, puts onher glasses, and, coming to the bedside, says she can see very well byher poor looks, that her dear mistress has got a disorder of thebiliaries on her, and prays Heaven it may not turn to something worse. 

"Nay, " says Moll, very faintly, "I shall be well again when I amrelieved of this headache, and if I can only fall asleep, --as I feeldisposed to, --you will see me to-morrow morning in my usual health. Ishan't attempt to rise this evening" ("For mercy's sake, don't, " criesMrs. Butterby), "and so, I pray you, order that no one shall come nearmy room to disturb me" ("I'll see that no one so much as sets a foot onyour stair, Madam, poor dear!" says t'other), "and you will see that allis closed carefully. And so good-night, mother, and good-night to you, Jane and Betsy--oh, my poor head!"

With a whispered "Good-night, dear madam, " Mrs. Butterby and the maidsleave the room a-tiptoe, closing the door behind them as if 'twere ofgingerbread; and no sooner are they gone than Moll, big with her maddesign, nips out of bed, strips off her nightgown, and finding nothingmore convenient for her purpose, puts the ham, pasty, and partridges ina clean pillow-slip. This done, she puts on her cloak and hood, andhaving with great caution set the door open and seen all safe and quietbelow, she takes up her bag of victuals, blows out the candle, and assilent as any mouse makes her way to the little private staircase at theend of the stairs. And now, with less fear of encountering Mrs. Godwinthan Black Bogey, she feels her way down the dark, narrow staircase, reaches the lower door, unbolts it, and steps out on the path at theback of the house. 

There is still a faint twilight, and this enables her to find her way tothe wicket gate opposite Anne Fitch's cottage. Not a soul is to be seen;and so, with her hood drawn well over her head, she speeds on, and infive minutes reaches my house. Here finding the door fastened, she givesa couple of knocks, and on my opening she asks meekly in a feignedvoice, which for the life of me I should not have known for hers, if Iam minded to buy a couple of partridges a friend has sent and she has nouse for. 

"Partridges!" cries Dawson, from within. "Have 'em, Kit, for your breadand cheese is mighty every-day fare. "

"Let me see 'em, good woman, " says I. 

"Yes, sir, " answers she, meekly, putting her pillow-slip in my hand, which perplexed me vastly by its weight and bulk. 

"They seem to be pretty big birds by the feel of 'em, " says I. "You cancome in and shut the door after you. "

Moll shuts the door and shoots the bolt, then tripping behind me intothe light she casts back her hood and flings her arms round her father'sneck with a peal of joyful laughter. 

"What!" cries I. "Why, what can have brought you here?"

"Why, I knew you'd have nothing to give my poor old dad but mouldycheese, so I've brought you a brace of partridges, if you please, sir, "says she, concluding in her feigned voice, as she emptied the ham, pasty, and partridges all higgledy-piggledy out of the slip on to thetable. 

"But, Mrs. Godwin--" says I, in alarm. 

"Oh, call me Moll, " cries she, wildly. "Let me be myself for this onenight. "

CHAPTER XXIX. 

_Of the subtile means whereby Simon leads Mr. Godwin to doubt his wife. _

Again must I draw upon matter of after-knowledge to show you how allthings came to pass on this fatal night. 

When Mr. Godwin reached London, he went to Sir Peter Lely's house inLincoln's Inn, to know if he was still at Hatfield, and there learninghe was gone hence to Hampton, and no one answering for certainty when hewould return, Mr. Godwin, seeing that he might linger in London for daysto no purpose, and bethinking him how pale and sorrowful his dear wifewas when they parted, concludes to leave his picture at Sir Peter Lely'sand post back to Chislehurst, counting to give his wife a happysurprise. 

About eight o'clock he reaches the Court, to find all shut and barred bythe prudent housekeeper, who, on letting him in (with many exclamationsof joy and wonder), falls presently to sighing and shaking her head, asshe tells how her mistress has lain abed since dinner, and is sick ofthe biliaries. 

In great concern, Mr. Godwin takes the candle from Mrs. Butterby's hand, and hastes up to his wife's room. Opening the door softly, he enters, tofind the bed tumbled, indeed, but empty. He calls her in a soft voice, going into the next room, and, getting no reply, nor finding her there, he calls again, more loudly, and there is no response. Then, as hestands irresolute and amazed, he hears a knock at the door below, andconcluding that 'tis his wife, who has had occasion to go out, seekingfresh air for her comfort maybe, he runs swiftly down and opens, ere aservant can answer the call. And there he is faced, not by sweet Moll, but the jaundiced, wicked old Simon, gasping and panting for breath. 

"Dost thee know, " says he, fetching his breath at every other word, "dost thee know where the woman thy wife is?"

"Where is she?" cries Mr. Godwin, in quick alarm, thinking by thisfellow's sweating haste that some accident had befallen his dear wife. 

"I will show thee where she is; aye, and what she is, " gasps the oldman, and then, clasping his hands, he adds, "Verily, the Lord hath heardmy prayers and delivered mine enemies into my hand. "

Mr. Godwin, who had stepped aside to catch up his hat from the table, where he had flung it on entering, stopped short, hearing this ferventnote of praise, and turning about, with misgivings of Simon's purpose, cries:

"What are your enemies to me?"

"Everything, " cries Simon. "Mine enemies are thine, for as they havecheated me so have they cheated thee. "

"Enough of this, " cries Mr. Godwin. "Tell me where my wife is, and bedone with it. "

"I say I will show thee where she is and what she is. "

"Tell me where she is, " cries Mr. Godwin, with passion. 

"That is my secret, and too precious to throw away. "

"I comprehend you, now, " says Mr. Godwin, bethinking him of the fellow'sgreed. "You shall be paid. Tell me where she is and name your price. "

"The price is this, " returns the other, "thy promise to be secret, tocatch them in this trap, and give no opening for escape. Oh, I knowthem; they are as serpents, that slip through a man's fingers and turnto bite. They shall not serve me so again. Promise--"

"Nothing. Think you I'm of your own base kind, to deal with you intreachery? You had my answer before, when you would poison my mind, rascal. But, " adds he, with fury, "you shall tell me where my wife is. "

"I would tear the tongue from my throat ere it should undo the work ofProvidence. If they escape the present vengeance of Heaven, thee shaltanswer for it, not I. Yet I will give thee a clue to find this woman whohath fooled thee. Seek her where there are thieves and drunkards to mockat thy simplicity, to jeer at their easy gull, for I say again thy wifenever was in Barbary, but playing the farded, wanton--"

The patience with which Mr. Godwin had harkened to this tirade, doubtingby his passion that Simon was stark mad, gave way before this vileaspersion on his wife, and clutching the old man by the throat he flunghim across the threshold and shut the door upon him. 

But where was his wife? That question was still uppermost in histhoughts. His sole misgiving was that accident had befallen her, andthat somewhere in the house he should find her lying cold andinsensible. 

With this terror in his mind, he ran again upstairs. On the landing hewas met by Mrs. Butterby, who (prudent soul), at the first hint ofmisconduct on her mistress's part, had bundled the gaping servants up totheir rooms. 

"Mercy on us, dear master!" says she. "Where can our dear lady be? For asurety she hath not left the house, for I locked all up, as she bade mewhen we carried up her supper, and had the key in my pocket when youknocked. 'See the house safe, ' says she, poor soul, with a voice couldscarce be heared, 'and let no one disturb me, for I do feel most heavywith sleep. '"

Mr. Godwin passed into his wife's room and then into the next, lookingabout him in distraction. 

"Lord! here's the sweet thing's nightgown, " exclaims Mrs. Butterby, fromthe next room, whither she had followed Mr. Godwin. "But dear heart o'me, where's the ham gone?"

Mr. Godwin, entering from the next room, looked at her as doubtingwhether he or all the world had taken leave of their wits. 

"And the pigeon pasty?" added Mrs. Butterby, regarding the table laidout beside her mistress's bed. 

"And the cold partridge, " adds she, in redoubled astonishment. "Why, here's nought left but my pudding, and that as cold as a stone. "

Mr. Godwin, with the candle flaring in his hand, passed hastily by her, too wrought by fear to regard either the ludicrous or incomprehensibleside of Mrs. Butterby's consternation; and so, going down the corridoraway from the stairs, he comes to the door of the little back stairs, standing wide open, and seeming to bid him descend. He goes quicklydown, yet trembling with fear that he may find her at the bottom, brokenby a fall; but all he discovers is the bolt drawn and the door ajar. Ashe pushes it open a gust of wind blows out the light, and here he stoodin the darkness, eager to be doing, yet knowing not which way to turn orhow to act. 

Clearly, his wife had gone out by this door, and so far this gavesupport to Simon's statement that he knew where she was; and with this aflame was kindled within him that seemed to sear his very soul. If Simonspoke truth in one particular, why should he lie in others? Why had hiswife refused to go with him to Hatfield? Why had she bid no one comenear her room? Why had she gone forth by this secret stair, alone? Then, cursing himself for the unnamed suspicion that could thus, though butfor a moment, disfigure the fair image that he worshipped, he askedhimself why his wife should not be free to follow a caprice. But wherewas she? Ever that question surged upwards in the tumult of histhoughts. Where should he seek her? Suddenly it struck him that I mighthelp him to find her, and acting instantly upon this hope he made hisway in breathless haste to the road, and so towards my lodge. 

Ere he has gone a hundred yards, Simon steps out of the shadow, andstands before him like a shade in the dimness. 

"I crave thy pardon, Master, " says he, humbly. "I spoke like a fool inmy passion. "

"If you will have my pardon, tell me where to find my wife; if not, stand aside, " answers Mr. Godwin. 

"Wilt thee hear me speak for two minutes if I promise to tell thee whereshe is and suffer thee to find her how thee willst. 'Twill save theetime. "

"Speak, " says Mr. Godwin. 

"Thy wife is there, " says Simon, under his breath, pointing towards myhouse. "She is revelling with Hopkins and Captain Evans, --men that shedid tramp the country with as vagabond players, ere the Spaniard taughtthem more profitable wickedness. Knock at the door, --which thee mayst besure is fast, --and while one holds thee in parley the rest will set theroom in order, and find a plausible tale to hoodwink thee afresh. Beguided by me, and thee shalt enter the house unknown to them, as I didan hour since, and there thee shalt know, of thine own senses, how thywife doth profit by thy blindness. If this truth be not proved, if theecanst then say that I have lied from malice, envy, and evil purpose, this knife, " says he, showing a blade in his hand, "this knife will Ithrust into my own heart, though I stand the next instant before theEternal Judge, my hands wet with my own blood, to answer for my crime. "

"Have you finished?" asks Mr. Godwin. 

"No, not yet; I hold thee to thy promise, " returns Simon, with eagerhaste. "Why do men lie? for their own profit. What profit have I inlying, when I pray thee to put my word to the proof and not take it ontrust, with the certainty of punishment even if the proof be doubtful. Thee believest this woman is what she pretends to be; what does thatshow?--your simplicity, not hers. How would women trick their husbandswithout such skill to blind them by a pretence of love and virtue?"

"Say no more, " cries Mr. Godwin, hoarsely, "or I may strangle you beforeyou pass trial. Go your devilish way, I'll follow. "

"Now God be praised for this!" cries Simon. "Softly, softly!" adds he, creeping in the shade of the bank towards the house. 

But ere he has gone a dozen paces Mr. Godwin repents him again, withshame in his heart, and stopping, says:

"I'll go no further. "

"Then thee doubtest my word no longer, " whispers Simon, quickly. "'Tisfear that makest thee halt, --the fear of finding thy wife a wanton and atrickster. "

"No, no, by God!"

"If that be so, then art thee bound to prove her innocent, that I maynot say to all the world, thee mightest have put her honour to the testand dared not--choosing rather to cheat thyself and be cheated by her, than know thyself dishonoured. If thee dost truly love this woman andbelieve her guiltless, then for her honour must thee put me--not her--tothis trial. "

"No madman could reason like this, " says Mr. Godwin. "I accept thistrial, and Heaven forgive me if I do wrong. "

CHAPTER XXX. 

_How we are discovered and utterly undone. _

"What!" cries Dawson, catching his daughter in his arms and hugging herto his breast, when the first shock of surprise was past. "My own sweetMoll--come hither to warm her old father's heart?"

"And my own, " says she, tenderly, "which I fear hath grown a littlewanting in love for ye since I have been mated. But, though my dear Dickdraws so deeply from my well of affection, there is still somewhere downhere" (clapping her hand upon her heart) "a source that first sprang foryou and can never dry. "

"Aye, and 'tis a proof, " says he, "your coming here where we may speakand act without restraint, though it be but for five minutes. "

"Five minutes!" cries she, springing up with her natural vivacity, "why, I'll not leave you before the morning, unless you weary of me. " And thenwith infinite relish and sly humour, she told of her device for leavingthe Court without suspicion. 

I do confess I was at first greatly alarmed for the safe issue of thisescapade; but she assuring me 'twas a dirty night, and she had passed noone on the road, I felt a little reassured. To be sure, thinks I, Mr. Godwin by some accident may return, but finding her gone, and hearingCaptain Evans keeps me to my house, he must conclude she has comehither, and think no harm of her for that neither--seeing we are oldfriends and sobered with years, for 'tis the most natural thing in theworld that, feeling lonely and dejected for the loss of her husband, sheshould seek such harmless diversion as may be had in our society. 

However, for the sake of appearances I thought it would be wise to getthis provision of ham and birds out of sight, for fear of misadventure, and also I took instant precaution to turn the key in my street door. Being but two men, and neither of us over-nice in the formalities, I hadset a cheese, a loaf, and a bottle betwixt us on the bare table of myoffice room, for each to serve himself as he would; but I now proposedthat, having a lady in our company, we should pay more regard to thedecencies by going upstairs to my parlour, and there laying a tableclothand napkins for our repast. 

"Aye, certainly!" cries Moll, who had grown mighty fastidious in theseparticulars since she had been mistress of Hurst Court; "this dirtytable would spoil the best appetite in the world. "

So I carried a faggot and some apple logs upstairs, and soon had a bravefire leaping up the chimney, by which time Moll and her father, withabundant mirth, had set forth our victuals on a clean white cloth, andto each of us a clean plate, knife, and fork, most proper. Then, allthings being to our hand, we sat down and made a most hearty meal ofMrs. Butterby's good cheer, and all three of us as merry as grigs, withnot a shadow of misgiving. 

There had seemed something piteous to me in that appeal of Moll's, thatshe might be herself for this night; and indeed I marvelled now how shecould have so trained her natural disposition to an artificial manner, and did no longer wonder at the look of fatigue and weariness in herface on her return to London. For the old reckless, careless, daredevilspirit was still alive in her, as I could plainly see now that sheabandoned herself entirely to the free sway of impulse; the old twinkleof mirth and mischief was in her eyes; she was no longer a fine lady, but a merry vagabond again, and when she laughed 'twas with her handsclasping her sides, her head thrown back, and all her white teethgleaming in the light. 

"Now, " says I, when at length our meal was finished, "I will clear thetable. "

"Hoop!" cries she, catching up the corners of the tablecloth, andflinging them over the fragments; "'tis done. Let us draw round thefire, and tell old tales. Here's a pipe, dear dad; I love the smell oftobacco; and you" (to me) "do fetch me a pipkin, that I may brew a gooddrink to keep our tongues going. "

About the time this drink was brewed, Simon, leading Mr. Godwin by acircuitous way, came through the garden to the back of the house, wherewas a door, which I had never opened for lack of a key to fit the lock. This key was now in Simon's hand, and putting it with infinite care intothe hole, he softly turned it in the wards. Then, with the likeprecaution, he lifts the latch and gently thrusts the door open, listening at every inch to catch the sounds within. At length 'tisopened wide; and so, turning his face to Mr. Godwin, who waits behind, sick with mingled shame and creeping dread, he beckons him to follow. 

Above, Dawson was singing at the top of his voice, a sea-song he hadlearnt of a mariner at the inn he frequented at Greenwich, with a trollat the end, taken up by Moll and me. And to hear his wife's voicebearing part in this rude song, made Mr. Godwin's heart to sink withinhim. Under cover of this noise, Simon mounted the stairs withouthesitation, Mr. Godwin following at his heels, in a kind of sickbewilderment. 'Twas pitch dark up there, and Simon, stretching forth hishands to know if Mr. Godwin was by, touched his hand, which was deadlycold and quivering; for here at the door he was seized with a sweatingfaintness, which so sapped his vigour that he was forced to hold by thewall to save himself from falling. 

"Art thee ready?" asks Simon; but he can get no answer, for Mr. Godwin'senergies, quickened by a word from within like a jaded beast by thesting of a whip, is straining his ears to catch what is passing within. And what hears he?--The song is ended, and Dawson cries:

"You han't lost your old knack of catching a tune, Moll. Come hither, wench, and sit upon my knee, for I do love ye more than ever. Give me abuss, chuck; this fine husband of thine shall not have all thy sweetnessto himself. "

At this moment, Simon, having lifted the latch under his thumb, pusheswide open the door, and there through the thick cloud of tobacco smokeMr. Godwin sees the table in disorder, the white cloth flung back overthe remnants of our repast and stained with a patch of liquor from anoverturned mug, a smutty pipkin set upon the board beside a dish oftobacco, and a broken pipe--me sitting o' one side the hearth heavy anddrowsy with too much good cheer, and on t'other side his young wife, sitting on Dawson's knee, with one arm about his neck, and he in hisuncouth seaman's garb, with a pipe in one hand, the other about Moll'swaist, a-kissing her yielded cheek. With a cry of fury, like any wildbeast, he springs forward and clutches at a knife that lies ready to hishand upon the board, and this cry is answered with a shriek from Moll asshe starts to her feet. 

"Who is this drunken villain?" he cries, stretching the knife in hishand towards Dawson. 

And Moll, flinging herself betwixt the knife and Dawson, with fear forhis life, and yet with some dignity in her voice and gesture, answersswiftly:

"This drunken villain is my father. "

CHAPTER XXXI. 

_Moll's conscience is quickened by grief and humiliation beyond theordinary. _

"Stand aside, Moll, " cries Dawson, stepping to the fore, and facing Mr. Godwin. "This is my crime, and I will answer for it with my blood. Hereis my breast" (tearing open his jerkin). "Strike, for I alone have doneyou wrong, this child of mine being but an instrument to my purpose. "

Mr. Godwin's hand fell by his side, and the knife slipped from hisfingers. 

"Speak, " says he, thickly, after a moment of horrible silence brokenonly by the sound of the knife striking the floor. "If this is yourdaughter, --if she has lied to me, --what in God's name is the truth? Whoare you, I ask?"

"John Dawson, a player, " answers he, seeing the time is past for lying. 

Mr. Godwin makes no response, but turns his eyes upon Moll, who standsbefore him with bowed head and clasped hands, wrung to her innermostfibre with shame, remorse, and awful dread, and for a terrible space Iheard nothing but the deep, painful breathing of this poor, overwroughtman. 

"You are my wife, " says he, at length. "Follow me, " and with that heturns about and goes from the room. Then Moll, without a look at us, without a word, her face ghastly pale and drawn with agony, withfaltering steps, obeys, catching at table and chair, as she passes, forsupport. 

Dawson made a step forward, as if he would have overtaken her; but Iwithheld him, shaking my head, and himself seeing 'twas in vain, hedropped into a chair, and, spreading his arms upon the table, hides hisface in them with a groan of despair. 

Moll totters down the dark stairs, and finds her husband standing in thedoorway, his figure revealed against the patch of grey light beyond, forthe moon was risen, though veiled by a thick pall of cloud. He sees, asshe comes to his side, that she has neither cloak nor hood to protecther from the winter wind, and in silence he takes off his own cloak andlays it on her shoulder. At this act of mercy a ray of hope animatesMoll's numbed soul, and she catches at her husband's hand to press it toher lips, yet can find never a word to express her gratitude. But hishand is cold as ice, and he draws it away from her firmly, with obviousrepugnance. There was no love in this little act of giving her hiscloak; 'twas but the outcome of that chivalry in gentlemen which dothexact lenience even to an enemy. 

So he goes on his way, she following like a whipped dog at his heels, till they reach the Court gates, and these being fast locked, on alittle further, to the wicket gate. And there, as Mr. Godwin is about toenter, there confronts him Peter, that sturdy Puritan hireling of oldSimon's. 

"Thee canst not enter here, friend, " says he, in his canting voice, ashe sets his foot against the gate. 

"Know you who I am?" asks Mr. Godwin. 

"Yea, friend; and I know who thy woman is also. I am bidden by friendSimon, the true and faithful steward of Mistress Godwin in Barbary, todefend her house and lands against robbers and evil-doers of every kind, and without respect of their degree; and, with the Lord's help, " addshe, showing a stout cudgel, "that will I do, friend. "

"'Tis true, fellow, " returns Mr. Godwin. "I have no right to enterhere. "

And then, turning about, he stands irresolute, as not knowing whither heshall go to find shelter for his wife. For very shame, he does not takeher to the village inn, to be questioned by gaping servants andlandlord, who, ere long, must catch the flying news of her shamefulcondition and overthrow. A faint light in the lattice of Anne Fitch'scottage catches his eye, and he crosses to her door, still humblyfollowed by poor Moll. There he finds the thumb-piece gone from thelatch, to him a well-known sign that Mother Fitch has gone outa-nursing; so, pulling the hidden string he wots of, he lifts the latchwithin, and the door opens to his hand. A rush is burning in a cup ofoil upon the table, casting a feeble glimmer round the empty room. Hecloses the door when Moll has entered, sets a chair before the hearth, and rakes the embers together to give her warmth. 

"Forgive me, oh, forgive me!" cries Moll, casting herself at his feet ashe turns, and clasping his knees to her stricken heart. 

[Illustration: "FORGIVE ME, OH, FORGIVE ME!"]

"Forgive you!" says he, bitterly. "Forgive you for dragging me down tothe level of rogues and thieves, for making me party to this vileconspiracy of plunder. A conspiracy that, if it bring me not beneath thelash of Justice, must blast my name and fame for ever. You know not whatyou ask. As well might you bid me take you back to finish the night indrunken riot with those others of our gang. "

"Oh, no, not now! not now!" cries Moll, in agony. "Do but say that someday long hence, you will forgive me. Give me that hope, for I cannotlive without it. "

"That hope's my fear!" says he. "I have known men who, by mere contactwith depravity, have so dulled their sense of shame that they could makelight of sins that once appalled them. Who knows but that one day I mayforgive you, chat easily upon this villany, maybe, regret I went nofurther in it. "

"Oh, God forbid that shall be of my doing!" cries Moll, springing to herfeet. "Broken as I am, I'll not accept forgiveness on such terms. Thinkyou I'm like those plague-stricken wretches who, of wanton wickedness, ran from their beds to infect the clean with their foul ill? Not I. "

"I spoke in heat, " says Mr. Godwin, quickly. "I repent even now what Isaid. "

"Am I so steeped in infamy, " continues she, "that I am past all cure?Think, " adds she, piteously, "I am not eighteen yet. I was but a child ayear ago, with no more judgment of right and wrong than a savagecreature. Until I loved you, I think I scarcely knew the meaning ofconscience. The knowledge came when I yearned to keep no secret fromyou. I do remember the first struggle to do right. 'Twas on the littlebridge; and there I balanced awhile, 'twixt cheating you and robbingmyself. And then, for fear you would not marry me, I dared not own thetruth. Oh, had I thought you'd only keep me for your mistress, I'd havetold you I was not your cousin. Little as this is, there's surely hopein't. Is it more impossible that you, a strong man, should lift me, thanthat I, a weak girl, --no more than that, --should drag you down?"

"I did not weigh my words. "

"Yet, they were true, " says she. "'Tis bred in my body--part of mynature, this spirit of evil, and 'twill exist as long as I. For, evennow, I do feel that I would do this wickedness again, and worse, to winyou once more. "

"My poor wife, " says he, touched with pity; and holding forth his arms, she goes to them and lays her cheek against his breast, and there standscrying very silently with mingled thoughts--now of the room she hadprepared with such delight against his return, of her little table inthe corner, with the chiney image atop, and other trifles with which shehad dreamed to give him pleasure--all lost! No more would she sit by hisside there watching, with wonder and pride, the growth of beauty 'neathhis dexterous hand; and then she feels that 'tis compassion, not love, that hath opened his arms to her, that she hath killed his respect forher, and with it his love. And so, stifling the sobs that rise in herthroat, she weeps on, till her tears trickling from her cheek fall uponhis hand. 

The icy barrier of resentment is melted by the first warm tear, --thissilent testimony of her smothered grief, --and bursting from the bonds ofreason, he yields to the passionate impulse of his heart, and claspingthis poor sorrowing wife to his breast, he seeks to kiss away the tearsfrom her cheek, and soothe her with gentle words. She responds to hispassion, kiss for kiss, as she clasps her hands about his head; butstill her tears flow on, for with her readier wit she perceives thatthis is but the transport of passion on his side, and not the untaxedoutcome of enduring love, proving again the truth of his unmeditatedprophecy; for how can he stand who yields so quickly to the firstassault, and if he cannot stand, how can he raise her? Surely and moresurely, little by little, they must sink together to some lower depth, and one day, thinks she, repeating his words, "We may chat easily uponthis villany and regret we went no further in it. "

Mr. Godwin leads her to the adjoining chamber, which had been his, andsays:

"Lie down, love. To-morrow we shall see things clearer, and think morereasonably. "

"Yes, " says she, in return, "more reasonably, " and with that she doeshis bidding; and he returns to sit before the embers and meditate. Andhere he stays, striving in vain to bring the tumult of his thoughts tosome coherent shape, until from sheer exhaustion he falls into a kind oflethargy of sleep. 

Meanwhile, Moll, lying in the dark, had been thinking also, but (aswomen will at such times) with clearer perception, so that her ideasforming in logical sequence, and growing more clear and decisive (as anargument becomes more lively and conclusive by successful reasoning)served to stimulate her intellect and excite her activity. And the endof it was that she rose quickly from her bed and looked into the nextroom, where she saw her husband sitting, with his chin upon his breastand his hands folded upon his knee before the dead fire. Then wrappinghis cloak about her, she steals toward the outer door; but passing himshe must needs pause at his back to staunch her tears a moment, and lookdown upon him for the last time. The light shines in his brown hair, andshe bending down till her lips touch a stray curl, they part silently, and she breathes upon him from her very soul, a mute "Fare thee well, dear love. "

But she will wait no longer, fearing her courage may give way, and thenext minute she is out in the night, softly drawing the door to thatseparates these two for ever. 

CHAPTER XXXII. 

_How we fought a most bloody battle with Simon, the constable, andothers. _

For some time we spoke never a word, Dawson and I, --he with his headlying on his arm, I seated in a chair with my hands hanging down by myside, quite stunned by the blow that had fallen upon us. At length, raising his head, his eyes puffed, and his face bedaubed with tears, hesays:

"Han't you a word of comfort, Kit, for a broken-hearted man?"

I stammered a few words that had more sound than sense; but indeed Ineeded consolation myself, seeing my own responsibility for bringingthis misfortune upon Moll, and being most heartily ashamed of my roguerynow 'twas discovered. 

"You don't think he'll be too hard on poor Moll, tell me that, Kit?"

"Aye, he'll forgive her, " says I, "sooner than us, or we ourselves. "

"And you don't think he'll be for ever a-casting it in her teeth thather father's a--a drunken vagabond, eh?"

"Nay; I believe he is too good a man for that. "

"Then, " says he, standing up, "I'll go and tell him the whole story, andyou shall come with me to bear me out. "

"To-morrow will be time enough, " says I, flinching from this office;"'tis late now. "

"No matter for that. Time enough to sleep when we've settled thisbusiness. We'll not leave poor Moll to bear all the punishment of ourgetting. Mr. Godwin shall know what an innocent, simple child she waswhen we pushed her into this knavery, and how we dared not tell her ofour purpose lest she should draw back. He shall know how she was ever anobedient, docile, artless girl, yielding always to my guidance; and youcan stretch a point, Kit, to say you have ever known me for aheadstrong, masterful sort of a fellow, who would take denial from none, but must have my own way in all things. I'll take all the blame on myown shoulders, as I should have done at first, but I was so staggered bythis fall. "

"Well, " says I, "if you will have it so--"

"I will, " says he, stoutly. "And now give me a bucket of water that Imay souse my head, and wear a brave look. I would have him think theworst of me that he may feel the kinder to poor Moll. And I'll make whatatonement I can, " adds he, as I led him into my bed-chamber. "If hedesire it, I will promise never to see Moll again; nay, I will offer totake the king's bounty, and go a-sailoring; and so, betwixt sickness andthe Dutch, there'll be an end of Jack Dawson in a very short space. "

When he had ducked his head in a bowl of water, and got our cloaks fromthe room below, we went to the door, and there, to my dismay, I foundthe lock fast and the key which I had left in its socket gone. 

"What's amiss, Kit?" asks Dawson, perceiving my consternation. 

"The key, the key!" says I, holding the candle here and there to seek iton the floor, then, giving up my search as it struck me that Mr. Godwinand Moll could not have left the house had the door been locked on theinside; "I do believe we are locked in and made prisoners, " says I. 

"Why, sure, this is not Mr. Godwin's doing!" cries he. 

"'Tis Simon, " says I, with conviction, seeing him again in my mind, standing behind Mr. Godwin, with wicked triumph in his face. 

"Is there no other door but this one?" asks Dawson. 

"There is one at the back, but I have never yet opened that, for lack ofa key. " And now setting one thing against another, and recalling how Ihad before found the door open, when I felt sure I had locked it fast, the truth appeared to me; namely, that Simon had that key and did get inthe back way, going out by the front on that former occasion in hasteupon some sudden alarm. 

"Is there never a window we can slip through?" asks Jack. 

"Only those above stairs; the lower are all barred. "

"A fig for his bars. Does he think we have neither hands nor wits to behindered by this silly woman's trick?"

"'Tis no silly trick. He's not the man to do an idle thing. There'smischief in this. "

"What mischief can he do us more than he has done?--for I see his handin our misfortune. What mischief, I say?--out with it, man, for yourlooks betray a fear of something worse. "

"Faith, Jack, I dread he has gone to fetch help and will lodge us ingaol for this business. "

"Gaol!" cries he, in a passion of desperation. "Why, this will undo Mollfor ever. Her husband can never forgive her putting such shame upon him. Rouse yourself, man, from your stupor. Get me something in the shape ofa hammer, for God's sake, that we may burst our way from this accursedtrap. "

I bethought me of an axe for splitting wood, that lay in the kitchen, and fetching it quickly, I put it in his hand. Bidding me stand aside, he let fly at the door like a madman. The splinters flew, but the doorheld good; and when he stayed a moment to take a new grip on his axe, Iheard a clamour of voices outside--Simon's, higher than the rest, crying, "My new door, that cost me seven and eightpence!"

"The lock, the lock!" says I. "Strike that off. "

Down came the axe, striking a spark of fire from the lock, which fellwith a clatter at the next blow; but ere we had time to open the door, Simon and his party, entering by the back door, forced us to turn forour defence. Perceiving Dawson armed with an axe, however, these fellowspaused, and the leader, whom I recognised for the constable of ourparish, carrying a staff in one hand and a lanthorn in t'other, cried tous in the king's name to surrender ourselves. 

"Take us, if you can, " cries Dawson; "and the Lord have mercy on thefirst who comes within my reach!"

Deftly enough, old Simon, snatching the fellow's cap who stood next him, flings it at the candle that stands flaring on the floor, and justlesthe constable's lanthorn from his hand, so that in a moment we were allin darkness. Taking us at this disadvantage (for Dawson dared not layabout him with his axe, for fear of hitting me by misadventure), therascals closed at once; and a most bloody, desperate fight ensued. For, after the first onslaught, in which Dawson (dropping his axe, as beinguseless at such close quarters) and I grappled each our man, the rest, knowing not friend from foe in the obscurity, and urged on by fear, fellupon each other, --this one striking out at the first he met, and thatgiving as good as he had taken, --and so all fell a-mauling andbelabouring with such lust of vengeance that presently the whole placewas of an uproar with the din of cursing, howling, and hard blows. Formy own lot I had old Simon to deal with, as I knew at once by the cold, greasy feel of his leathern jerkin, he being enraged to make me hisprisoner for the ill I had done him. Hooking his horny fingers about mythroat, he clung to me like any wildcat; but stumbling, shortly, overtwo who were rolling on the floor, we went down both with a crack, andwith such violence that he, being undermost, was stunned by the fall. Then, my blood boiling at this treatment, I got astride of him, androasted his ribs royally, and with more force than ever I had conceivedmyself to be possessed of. And, growing beside myself with this passionof war, I do think I should have pounded him into a pulp, but that twoother combatants, falling across me with their whole weight, knocked allthe wind out of my body, oppressing me so grievously, that 'twas as muchas I could do to draw myself out of the fray, and get a gasp of breathagain. 

About this time the uproar began to subside, for those who had got theworst of the battle thought it advisable to sneak out of the house forsafety, and those who had fared better, fearing a reverse of fortune, counted they had done enough for this bout, and so also withdrew. 

"Are you living, Kit?" asks Dawson, then. 

"Aye, " says I, as valiantly as you please, "and ready to fight anotherhalf-dozen such rascals, " but pulling the broken door open, all thesame, to get out the easier, in case they returned. 

"Why, then, let's go, " says he, "unless any is minded to have us stay. "

No one responding to this challenge, we made ado to find a couple ofhats and cloaks for our use and sallied out. 

"Which way do we turn?" asks Dawson, as we come into the road. 

"Whither would you go, Jack?"

"Why, to warn Moll of her danger, to be sure. "

I apprehended no danger to her, and believed her husband would defendher in any case better than we could, but Dawson would have it we shouldwarn them, and so we turned towards the Court. And now upon examinationwe found we had come very well out of this fight; for save that thewound in Dawson's hand had been opened afresh, we were neither much theworse. 

"But let us set our best foot foremost, Jack, " says I, "for I do thinkwe have done more mischief to-night than any we have before, and I shallnot be greatly surprised if we are called to account for the death ofold Simon or some of his hirelings. "

"I know not how that may be, " says he, "but I must answer for knockingof somebody's teeth out. "

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

_We take Moll to Greenwich; but no great happiness for her there. _

In the midst of our heroics I was greatly scared by perceiving a cloakedfigure coming hurriedly towards us in the dim light. 

"'Tis another, come to succour his friends, " whispers I. "Let us stepinto this hedge. "

"Too late, " returns he. "Put on a bold face, 'tis only one. "

With a swaggering gait and looking straight before us, we had passed thefigure, when a voice calls "Father!" and there turning, we find that'tis poor Moll in her husband's cloak. 

"Where is thy husband, child?" asks Dawson, as he recovers from hisastonishment, taking Moll by the hand. 

"I have no husband, father, " answers she, piteously. 

"Why, sure he hath not turned you out of doors?"

"No, he'd not do that, " says she, "were I ten times more wicked than Iam. "

"What folly then is this?" asks her father. 

"'Tis no folly. I have left him of my own free will, and shall never goback to him. For he's no more my husband than that house is mine"(pointing to the Court), "Both were got by the same means, and both arelost. "

Then briefly she told how they had been turned from the gate by Peter, and how Mr. Godwin was now as poor and homeless as we. And this newsthrowing us into a silence with new bewilderment, she asks us simplywhither we are going. 

"My poor Moll!" is all the answer Dawson can make, and that in a broken, trembling voice. 

"'Tis no good to cry, " says she, dashing aside her tears that had sprungat this word of loving sympathy, and forcing herself to a more cheerfultone. "Why, let us think that we are just awake from a long sleep tofind ourselves no worse off than when we fell a-dreaming. Nay, not soill, " adds she, "for you have a home near London. Take me there, dear. "

"With all my heart, chuck, " answers her father, eagerly. "There, atleast, I can give you a shelter till your husband can offer better. "

She would not dispute this point (though I perceived clearly her mindwas resolved fully never to claim her right to Mr. Godwin's roof), butonly begged we should hasten on our way, saying she felt chilled; and inpassing Mother Fitch's cottage she constrained us to silence andcaution; then when we were safely past she would have us run, stillfeigning to be cold, but in truth (as I think) to avoid being overtakenby Mr. Godwin, fearing, maybe, that he would overrule her will. This waywe sped till Moll was fain to stop with a little cry of pain, andclapping her hand to her heart, being fairly spent and out of breath. Then we took her betwixt us, lending her our arms for support, andfalling into a more regular pace made good progress. We trudged on tillwe reached Croydon without any accident, save that at one point, Moll'sstep faltering and she with a faint sob weighing heavily upon our arms, we stopped, as thinking her strength overtaxed, and then glancing aboutme I perceived we were upon that little bridge where we had overtakenMr. Godwin and he had offered to make Moll his wife. Then I knew 'twasnot fatigue that weighed her down, and gauging her feelings by my ownremorse, I pitied this poor wife even more than I blamed myself; for hadshe revealed herself to him at that time, though he might have shrunkfrom marriage, he must have loved her still, and so she had been sparedthis shame and hopeless sorrow. 

At Croydon we overtook a carrier on his way to London for the Saturdaymarket, who for a couple of shillings gave us a place in his waggon withsome good bundles of hay for a seat, and here was rest for our tiredbodies (though little for our tormented minds) till we reached MarshEnd, where we were set down; and so, the ground being hard with frost, across the Marsh to Greenwich about daybreak. Having the key of hisworkshop with him, Dawson took us into his lodgings without disturbingthe other inmates of the house (who might well have marvelled to see usenter at this hour with a woman in a man's cloak, and no covering but ahandkerchief to her head), and Moll taking his bed, we disposedourselves on some shavings in his shop to get a little sleep. 

Dawson was already risen when I awoke, and going into his littleparlour, I found him mighty busy setting the place in order, which wasin a sad bachelor's pickle, to be sure--all littered up with odds andends of turning, unwashed plates, broken victuals, etc. , just as he hadleft it. 

"She's asleep, " says he, in a whisper. "And I'd have this room like alittle palace against she comes into it, so do you lend me a hand, Kit, and make no more noise than you can help. The kitchen's through thatdoor; carry everything in there, and what's of no use fling out of thewindow into the road. "

Setting to with a will, we got the parlour and kitchen neat and proper, plates washed, tiles wiped, pots and pans hung up, furniture furbishedup, and everything in its place in no time; then leaving me to light afire in the parlour, Dawson goes forth a-marketing, with a basket on hisarm, in high glee. And truly to see the pleasure in his face later on, making a mess of bread and milk in one pipkin and cooking eggs inanother (for now we heard Moll stirring in her chamber), one would havethought that this was an occasion for rejoicing rather than grief, andthis was due not to want of kind feeling, but to the fond, simple natureof him, he being manly enough in some ways, but a very child in others. He did never see further than his nose (as one says), and because itgave him joy to have Moll beside him once more, he must needs thinkhopefully, that she will quickly recover from this reverse of fortune, and that all will come right again. 

Our dear Moll did nothing to damp his hopes, but played her part bravelyand well to spare him the anguish of remorse that secretly wrung her ownheart. She met us with a cheerful countenance, admired the neatness ofthe parlour, the glowing fire, ate her share of porridge, and findingthe eggs cooked hard, declared she could not abide them soft. Then shewould see her father work his lathe (to his great delight), and beggedhe would make her some cups for eggs, as being more to our presentfashion than eating them from one's hand. 

"Why, " says he, "there's an old bed-post in the corner that will serveme to a nicety. But first I must see our landlord and engage a room forKit and me; for I take it, my dear, " adds he, "you will be content tostay with us here. "

"Yes, " answers she, "'tis a most cheerful view of the river from thewindows. "

She tucked up her skirt and sleeves to busy herself in householdmatters, and when I would have relieved her of this office, she beggedme to go and bear her father company, saying with a piteous look in hereyes that we must leave her some occupation or she should weary. She waspale, there were dark lines beneath her eyes, and she was silent; but Isaw no outward sign of grief till the afternoon, when, coming fromJack's shop unexpected, I spied her sitting by the window, with her facein her hands, bowed over a piece of cloth we had bought in the morning, which she was about to fashion into a plain gown, as being more suitableto her condition than the rich dress in which she had left the Court. 

"Poor soul!" thinks I; "here is a sad awaking from thy dream of richesand joy. "

Upon a seasonable occasion I told Dawson we must soon begin to think ofdoing something for a livelihood--a matter which was as remote from hisconsideration as the day of wrath. 

"Why, Kit, " says he, "I've as good as fifty pounds yet in a hole at thechimney back. "

"Aye, but when that's gone--" says I. 

"That's a good way hence, Kit, but there never was such a man as you forgoing forth to meet troubles half way. However, I warrant I shall findsome jobs of carpentry to keep us from begging our bread when the pinchcomes. "

Not content to wait for this pinch, I resolved I would go into the cityand enquire there if the booksellers could give me any employment--thinking I might very well write some good sermons on honesty, now I had learnt the folly of roguery. Hearing of my purposethe morning I was about to go, Moll takes me aside and asks me in aquavering voice if I knew where Mr. Godwin might be found. This questionstaggered me a moment, for her husband's name had not been spoken by anyof us since the catastrophe, and it came into my mind now that shedesigned to return to him, and I stammered out some foolish hint atHurst Court. 

"No, he is not there, " says he, "but I thought maybe that Sir PeterLely--"

"Aye, " says I; "he will most likely know where Mr. Godwin may be found. "

"Can you tell me where Sir Peter lives?"

"No; but I can learn easily when I am in the city. "

"If you can, write the address and send him this, " says she, drawing aletter from her breast. She had writ her husband's name on it, and nowshe pressed her lips to it twice, and putting the warm letter in myhand, she turned away, her poor mouth twitching with smothered grief. Iknew then that there was no thought in her mind of seeing her husbandagain. 

I carried the letter with me to the city, wondering what was in it. Iknow not now, yet I think it contained but a few words of explanationand farewell, with some prayer, maybe, that she might be forgiven andforgotten. 

Learning where Sir Peter Lely lived, I myself went to his house, and henot being at home, I asked his servant if Mr. Godwin did sometimes comethere. 

"Why, yes, sir, he was here but yesterday, " answers he. "Indeed, never aday passes but he calls to ask if any one hath sought him. "

"In that case, " says I, slipping a piece in his ready hand, and fetchingout Moll's letter, "you will give him this when he comes next. "

"That I will, sir, and without fail. But if you would see him, sir, hebids me say he is ever at his lodging in Holborn, from five in theevening to eight in the morning. "

"'Twill answer all ends if you give him that letter. He is in goodhealth, I hope. "

"Well, sir, he is and he isn't, as you may say, " answers he, droppinginto a familiar, confidential tone after casting his eye over me to besure I was no great person. "He ails nothing, to be sure, for I hear heis ever afoot from morn till even a-searching hither and thither; but amore downhearted, rueful looking gentleman for his age I never see. 'Twixt you and me, sir, I think he hath lost his sweetheart, seeing I amcharged, with Sir Peter's permission, to follow and not lose sight ofany lady who may chance to call here for him. "

I walked back to Greenwich across the fields, debating in my mindwhether I should tell Moll of her husband's distress or not, soperplexed with conflicting arguments that I had come to no decision whenI reached home. 

Moll spying me coming, from her window in the front of the house, met meat the door, in her cloak and hood, and begged I would take her a littleturn over the heath. 

"What have you to tell me?" asks she, pressing my arm as we walked on. 

"I have given your letter to Sir Peter Lely's servant, who promises todeliver it faithfully to your husband. "

"Well, " says she, after a little pause of silence, "that is not all. "

"You will be glad to know that he is well in health, " says I, and then Istop again, all hanging in a hedge for not knowing whether it were wiserto speak or hold my tongue. 

"There is something else. I see it in your face. Hide nothing from mefor love's sake, " says she, piteously. Whereupon, my heart getting thebetter of my head (which, to be sure, was no great achievement), I toldall as I have set it down here. 

"My dear, dear love! my darling Dick!" says she, in the end. And thenshe would have it told all over again, with a thousand questions, todraw forth more; and these being exhausted, she asks why I would haveconcealed so much from her, and if I did fear she would seek him. 

"Nay, my dear, " says I; "'tis t'other way about. For if your husbanddoes forgive you, and yearns but to take you back into his arms, itwould be an unnatural, cruel thing to keep you apart. Therefore, toconfess the whole truth, I did meditate going to him and showing how weand not you are to blame in this matter, and then telling him where hemight find you, if on reflection he felt that he could honestly hold youguiltless. But ere I do that (as I see now), I must know if you arewilling to this accommodation; for if you are not, then are our woundsall opened afresh to no purpose, but to retard their healing. "

She made no reply nor any comment for a long time, nor did I seek tobias her judgment by a single word (doubting my wisdom). But I perceivedby the quivering of her arm within mine that a terrible conflict 'twixtpassion and principle was convulsing every fibre of her being. At thetop of the hill above Greenwich she stopped, and, throwing back herhood, let the keen wind blow upon her face, as she gazed over the greyflats beyond the river. And the air seeming to give her strength and aclearer perception, she says, presently:

"Accommodation!" (And she repeats this unlucky word of mine twice orthrice, as if she liked it less each time. ) "That means we shall agreeto let bygones be bygones, and do our best to get along together for therest of our lives as easily as we may. "

"That's it, my dear, " says I, cheerfully. 

"Hush up the past, " continues she, in the same calculating tone;"conceal it from the world, if possible. Invent some new lie to deceivethe curious, and hoodwink our decent friends. Chuckle at our success, and come in time" (here she paused a moment) "to 'chat so lightly of ourpast knavery, that we could wish we had gone farther in the business. '"Then turning about to me, she asks: "If you were writing the story of mylife for a play, would you end it thus?"

"My dear, " says I, "a play's one thing, real life's another; and believeme, as far as my experience goes of real life, the less heroics thereare in it the better parts are those for the actors in't. "

She shook her head fiercely in the wind, and, turning about with abrusque vigour, cries, "Come on. I'll have no accommodation. And yet, "says she, stopping short after a couple of hasty steps, and with afervent earnestness in her voice, "and yet, if I could wipe out thisstain, if by any act I could redeem my fault, God knows, I'd do it, costwhat it might, to be honoured once again by my dear Dick. "

"This comes of living in a theatre all her life, " thinks I. And indeed, in this, as in other matters yet to be told, the teaching of the stagewas but too evident. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

_All agree to go out to Spain again in search of our old jollity. _

Another week passed by, and then Dawson, shortsighted as he was in hisselfishness, began to perceive that things were not coming all right, ashe had expected. Once or twice when I went into his shop, I caught himsitting idle before his lathe, with a most woe-begone look in his face. 

"What's amiss, Jack?" asks I, one day when I found him thus. 

He looked to see that the door was shut, and then says he, gloomily:

"She don't sing as she used to, Kit; she don't laugh hearty. "

I hunched my shoulders. 

"She doesn't play us any of her old pranks, " continues he. "She don'tsay one thing and go and do t'other the next moment, as she used to do. She's too good. "

What could I say to one who was fond enough to think that the summerwould come back at his wish and last for ever?

"She's not the same, Kit, " he goes on. "No, not by twenty years. Onewould say she is older than I am, yet she's scarce the age of woman. AndI do see she gets more pale and thin each day. D'ye think she's frettingfor _him_?"

"Like enough, Jack, " says I. "What would you? He's her husband, and 'tisas if he was dead to her. She cannot be a maid again. 'Tis young to be awidow, and no hope of being wife ever more. "

"God forgive me, " says he, hanging his head. 

"We did it for the best, " says I. "We could not foresee this. "

"'Twas so natural to think we should be happy again being all together. Howsoever, " adds he, straightening himself with a more manful vigour, "we will do something to chase these black dogs hence. "

On his lathe was the egg cup he had been turning for Moll; he snapped itoff from the chuck and flung it in the litter of chips and shavings, asif 'twere the emblem of his past folly. 

It so happened that night that Moll could eat no supper, pleading forher excuse that she felt sick. 

"What is it, chuck?" says Jack, setting down his knife and drawing hischair beside Moll's. 

"The vapours, I think, " says she, with a faint smile. 

"Nay, " says he, slipping his arm about her waist and drawing her to him. "My Moll hath no such modish humours. 'Tis something else. I havewatched ye, and do perceive you eat less and less. Tell us what ailsyou. "

"Well, dear, " says she, "I do believe 'tis idleness is the root of mydisorder. "

"Idleness was never wont to have this effect on you. "

"But it does now that I am grown older. There's not enough to do. If Icould find some occupation for my thoughts, I should not be so silly. "

"Why, that's a good thought. What say you, dear, shall we goa-play-acting again?"

Moll shook her head. 

"To be sure, " says he, scratching his jaw, "we come out of that businesswith no great encouragement to go further in it. But times are mendedsince then, and I do hear the world is more mad for diversion now thanever they were before the Plague. "

"No, dear, " says Moll, "'tis of no use to think of that I couldn't playnow. "

After this we sat silent awhile, looking into the embers; then Jack, first to give expression to his thoughts, says:

"I think you were never so happy in your life, Moll, as that time wewere in Spain, nor can I recollect ever feeling so free from caremyself, --after we got out of the hands of that gentleman robber. There'sa sort of infectious brightness in the sun, and the winds, blow whichway they may, do chase away dull thoughts and dispose one to jollity;eh, sweetheart? Why, we met never a tattered vagabond on the road but hewas halloing of ditties, and a kinder, more hospitable set of peoplenever lived. With a couple of rials in your pocket, you feel as rich andindependent as with an hundred pounds in your hand elsewhere. "

At this point Moll, who had hitherto listened in apathy to theseeulogies, suddenly pushing back her chair, looks at us with a strangelook in her eyes, and says under her breath, "Elche!"

"Barcelony for my money, " responds Dawson, whose memories of Elche werenot so cheerful as of those parts where we had led a more vagabond life. 

"Elche!" repeats Moll, twining her fingers, and with a smile gleaming inher eyes. 

"Does it please you, chuck, to talk of these matters?"

"Yes, yes!" returns she, eagerly. "You know not the joy it gives me"(clapping her hand on her heart). "Talk on. "

Mightily pleased with himself, her father goes over our pastadventures, --the tricks Moll played us, as buying of her petticoat whilewe were hunting for her, our excellent entertainment in the mountainvillages, our lying abed all one day, and waking at sundown to think itwas daybreak, our lazy days and jovial nights, etc. , at great length;and when his memory began to give out, giving me a kick of the shin, hesays:

"Han't you got anything to say? For a dull companion there's nothing inthe world to equal your man of wit and understanding"; which, as far asmy observation goes, was a very true estimation on his part. 

But, indeed (since I pretend to no great degree of wit orunderstanding), I must say, as an excuse for my silence, that during hisdiscourse I had been greatly occupied in observing Moll, and trying todiscover what was passing in her mind. 'Twas clear this talk of Spainanimated her spirit beyond ordinary measure, so that at one moment Iconceived she did share her father's fond fancy that our lost happinessmight be regained by mere change of scene, and I confess I was persuadedsomewhat to this opinion by reflecting how much we owe to circumstancesfor our varying moods, how dull, sunless days will cast a gloom upon ourspirits, and how a bright, breezy day will lift them up, etc. But Ipresently perceived that the stream of her thoughts was divided; forthough she nodded or shook her head, as occasion required, the strained, earnest expression in her tightened lips and knitted brows showed thatthe stronger current of her ideas flowed in another and deeper channel. Maybe she only desired her father to talk that she might be left thefreer to think. 

"'Twas near about this time of the year that we started on our travels, "said I, in response to Dawson's reminder. 

"Aye, I recollect 'twas mighty cold when we set sail, and the fruittrees were all bursting into bloom when we came into France. I would wewere there now; eh, Moll?"

"What, dear?" asks she, rousing herself at this direct question. 

"I say, would you be back there now, child?"

"Oh, will you take me there if I would go?"

"With all my heart, dear Moll. Is there anything in the world I'd not doto make you happy?"

She took his hand upon her knee, and caressing it, says:

"Let us go soon, father. "

"What, will you be dancing of fandangos again?" asks he; and she nodsfor reply, though I believe her thoughts had wandered again to someother matter. 

"I warrant I shall fall into the step again the moment I smell garlic;but I'll rehearse it an hour to-morrow morning, that we may lose notime. Will you have a short petticoat and a waist-cloth again, Moll?"

She, with her elbows on her knees now, and her chin in her hands, looking into the fire, nodded. 

"And you, Kit, " continues he, "you'll get a guitar and play tunes forus, as I take it you will keep us company still. "

"Yes, you may count on me for that, " says I. 

"We shan't have Don Sanchez to play the tambour for us, but I wager Ishall beat it as well as he; though, seeing he owes us more than we owehim, we might in reason call upon him, and--"

"No, no; only we three, " says Moll. 

"Aye, three's enough, in all conscience, and seeing we know a bit of thelanguage, we shall get on well enough without him. I do long, Moll, tosee you a-flinging over my shoulder, with your clappers going, yourpretty eye and cheek all aglow with pleasure, and a court full of seņorsand caballeros crying 'Holé!' and casting their handkerchiefs at yourfeet. "

Moll fetched a long, fluttering sigh, and, turning to her father, saysin an absent way: "Yes, dear; yes. When shall we go?"

Then, falling to discussing particulars, Dawson, clasping his hands uponhis stomach, asked with a long face if at this season we were likely tofall in with the equinoxes on our voyage, and also if we could not hitsome point of Spain so as to avoid crossing the mountains of Pyranee andthe possibility of falling again into the hands of brigands. To which Ireplied that, knowing nothing of the northern part of Spain and itspeople, we stood a chance of finding a rude climate, unsuitable totravelling at this time of year, and an inhospitable reception, andthat, as our object was to reach, the South as quickly as possible, itwould be more to our advantage to find a ship going through the straitswhich would carry us as far as Alicante or Valencia. And Moll supportingmy argument very vigorously, Dawson gave way with much less reluctancethan I expected at the outset. But, indeed, the good fellow seemed nowready to make any sacrifice of himself so that he might see his Molljoyous again. 

When I entered his shop the next morning, I found him with his coat off, cutting capers, a wooden platter in his hand for a tambourine, and thesweat pouring down his face. 

"I am a couple of stone or so too heavy for the boleros, " gasps he, coming to a stand, "but I doubt not, by the time we land at Alicante, there'll not be an ounce too much of me. "

Learning that a convoy for the Levant was about to set sail with thenext favourable wind from Chatham, we took horse and rode there thatafternoon, and by great good luck we found the Faithful Friend, a goodship bound for Genoa in Italy, whereof Mr. Dixon, the master, havingintent to enter and victual at Alicante, undertook to carry us there forten pounds a head, so being we could get all aboard by the next eveningat sundown. 

Here was short grace, to be sure; but we did so despatch our affairsthat we were embarked in due time, and by daybreak the followingmorning, were under weigh. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

_How we lost our poor Moll, and our long search for her. _

We reached Alicante the 15th March, after a long, tedious voyage. Duringthis time I had ample opportunity for observing Moll, but with littlerelief to my gloomy apprehensions. She rarely quitted her father's side, being now as sympathetic and considerate of him in his sufferings, asbefore she had been thoughtless and indifferent. She had ever a gentleword of encouragement for him; she was ever kind and patient. Only onceher spirit seemed to weary: that was when we had been beating about inthe bay of Cadiz four days, for a favourable gale to take us through thestraits. We were on deck, she and I, the sails flapping the masts idlyabove our heads. 

"Oh, " says she, laying her hand on my shoulder, and her wasted cheekagainst my arm, "oh, that it were all ended!"

She was sweeter with me than ever she had been before; it seemed as ifthe love bred in her heart by marriage must expend itself upon some one. But though this tenderness endeared her more to me, it saddened me, andI would have had her at her tricks once more, making merry at myexpense. For I began to see that our happiness comes from within and notfrom without, and so fell despairing that ever this poor stricken heartof hers would be healed, which set me a-repenting more sincerely thanever the mischief I had helped to do her. 

Dawson also, despite his stubborn disposition to see things as he wouldhave them, had, nevertheless, some secret perception of the incurablesorrow which she, with all her art, could scarce dissimulate. Yet heclung to that fond belief in a return of past happiness, as if 'twerehis last hope on earth. When at last our wind sprang up, and we werecutting through the waters with bending masts and not a crease in thebellied sails, he came upon deck, and spreading his hands out, cries injoy:

"Oh, this blessed sunlight! There is nought in the world like it--no, not the richest wine--to swell one's heart with content. "

And then he fell again to recalling our old adventures and mirthfulescapades. He gave the rascals who fetched us ashore a piece more thanthey demanded, hugely delighted to find they understood his Spanish andsuch quips as he could call to mind. Then being landed, he falls toextolling everything he sees and hears, calling upon Moll to justify hisappreciation; nay, he went so far as to pause in a narrow street wherewas a most unsavoury smell, to sniff the air and declare he could scentthe oranges in bloom. And Lord! to hear him praise the whiteness of thelinen, the excellence of the meat and drink set before us at the posada, one would have said he had never before seen clean sheets or tasteddecent victuals. 

Seeing that neither Moll nor I could work ourselves up (try as we might)to his high pitch of enthusiasm, he was ready with an excuse for us. 

"I perceive, " says he, "you are still suffering from your voyage. Therefore, we will not quit this town before to-morrow" (otherwise Ibelieve he would have started off on our expedition as soon as our mealwas done). "However, " adds he, "do you make enquiry, Kit, if you can getyourself understood, if there be ever a bull to be fought to-day or anydiversion of dancing or play-acting to-night, that the time hang not tooheavy on our hands. "

As no such entertainments were to be had (this being the season of Lent, which is observed very strictly in these parts), Dawson contentedhimself with taking Moll out to visit the shops, and here he speedilypurchased a pair of clappers for her, a tambour for himself, and aguitar for me, though we were difficult to please, for no clapperspleased Moll as those she had first bought; and it did seem to me that Icould strike no notes out of any instrument but they had a sad, mournfultone. 

Then nothing would satisfy him but to go from one draper's to another, seeking a short petticoat, a waist-cloth, and a round hat to Moll'staste, which ended to his disappointment, for she could find none likethe old. 

"Why, don't you like this?" he would say, holding up a gown; "to my eyes'tis the very spit of t'other, only fresher. "

And she demurring, whispers, "To-morrow, dear, to-morrow, " withplaintive entreaty for delay in her wistful eyes. Disheartened, but notyet at the end of his resources, her father at last proposed that sheshould take a turn through the town alone and choose for herself. "For, "says he, "I believe we do rather hinder than help you with our advice insuch matters. "

After a moment's reflection, Moll agreed to this, and saying she wouldmeet us at the posada for supper, left us, and walked briskly back theway we had come. 

When she was gone, Dawson had never a word to say, nor I either, fordejection, yet, had I been questioned, I could have found no betterreason for my despondency than that I felt 'twas all a mistake cominghere for happiness. 

Strolling aimlessly through the narrow back ways, we came presently tothe market that stands against the port. And here, almost at the firststep, Dawson catches my arm and nods towards the opposite side of themarket-place. Some Moors were seated there in their white clothes, withbundles of young palm leaves, plaited up in various forms of crowns, crosses, and the like, --which the people of this country do carry tochurch to be blessed on Palm Sunday; and these Moors I knew came fromElche, because palms grow nowhere else in such abundance. 

"Yes, " says I, thinking 'twas this queer merchandise he would point out, "I noticed these Moors and their ware when we passed here a little whileback with Moll. "

"Don't you see her there now--at the corner?" asks he. 

Then, to my surprise, I perceived Moll in very earnest conversation withtwo Moors, who had at first screened her from my sight. 

"Come away, " continues he. "She left us to go back and speak to them, and would not have us know. "

Why should she be secret about this trifling matter, I asked myself. 'Twas quite natural that, if she recognised in these Moors some oldacquaintance of Elche, she should desire to speak them. 

We stole away to the port; and seating ourselves upon some timber, therewe looked upon the sea nigh upon half an hour without saying a word. Then turning to me, Dawson says: "Unless she speak to us upon thismatter, Kit, we will say nought to her. But, if she say nothing, I shalltake it for a sign her heart is set upon going back to Elche, and shewould have it a secret that we may not be disheartened in our otherproject. "

"That is likely enough, " says I, not a little surprised by hisreasoning. But love sharpens a man's wit, be it never so dull. 

"Nevertheless, " continues he, "if she can be happier at Elche thanelsewhere, then must we abandon our scheme and accept hers with a goodshow of content. We owe her that, Kit. "

"Aye, and more, " says I. 

"Then when we meet to-morrow morning, I will offer to go there, as if'twas a happy notion that had come to me in my sleep, and do you back meup with all the spirit you can muster. "

So after some further discussion we rose, and returned to our posada, where we found Moll waiting for us. She told us she had found no clothesto her liking (which was significant), and said not a word of herspeaking to the Moors in the market-place, so we held our peace on thesematters. 

We did not part till late that night, for Moll would sit up with us, confessing she felt too feverish for sleep; and indeed this was apparentenough by her strange humour, for she kept no constant mood for fiveminutes together. Now, she would sit pensive, paying no heed to us, witha dreamy look in her eyes, as if her thoughts were wandering faraway--to her husband in England maybe; then she would hang her head asthough she dared not look him in the face even at that distance; andanon she would recover herself with a noble exaltation, lifting her headwith a fearless mien. And so presently her body drooping gradually to areflective posture, she falls dreaming again, to rouse herself suddenlyat some new prompting of her spirit, and give us all her thoughts, alleagerness for two moments, all melting sweetness the next, with herpretty manner of clinging to her father's arm, and laying her cheekagainst his shoulder. And when at last we came to say good-night, shehangs about his neck as if she would fain sleep there, quitting him witha deep sigh and a passionate kiss. Also she kissed me mostaffectionately, but could say never a word of farewell to either ofus--hurrying to her chamber to weep, as I think. 

We knew not what to conclude from these symptoms, save that she might besickening of some disorder; so we to our beds, very down in the mouthand faint at heart. 

About six the next morning I was awoke by the door bursting suddenlyopen, and starting up in my bed, I see Dawson at my side, shaking inevery limb, and his eyes wide with terror. 

"Moll's gone!" cries he, and falls a-blubbering. 

"Gone!" says I, springing out of bed. "'Tis not possible. "

"She has not lain in her bed; and one saw her go forth last night as thedoors were closing, knowing her for a foreigner by her hood. Come withme, " adds he, laying his hand on a chair for support. "I dare not goalone. "

"Aye, I'll go with ye, Jack; but whither?"

"Down to the sea, " says he, hoarsely. 

I stopped in the midst of dressing, overcome by this fearful hint; for, knowing Moll's strong nature, the thought had never occurred to me thatshe might do away with herself. Yet now reflecting on her strange mannerof late, especially her parting with us overnight, it seemed not soimpossible neither. For here, seeing the folly of our coming hither, desponding of any happiness in the future, was the speediest way ofending a life that was burdensome to herself and a constant sorrow tous. Nay, with her notions of poetic justice drawn from plays, she mayhave regarded this as the only atonement she could make her husband; theonly means of giving him back freedom to make a happier choice inmarriage. With these conclusions taking shape, I shuffled on my clothes, and then, with shaking fear, we two, hanging to each other's arms forstrength, made our way through the crooked streets to the sea; andthere, seeing a group of men and women gathered at the water's edge somelittle distance from us, we dared not go further, conceiving 'twas adead body they were regarding. But 'twas only a company of fishersexamining their haul of fishes, as we presently perceived. So, somewhatcheered, we cast our eyes to the right and left, and, seeing nothing tojustify our fears, advanced along the mole to the very end, where itjuts out into the sea, with great stones around to break the surf. Here, then, with deadly apprehensions, we peered amongst the rocks, holdingour breath, clutching tight hold of one another by the hand, in terrorof finding that we so eagerly searched, --a hood, a woman's skirtclinging to the stones, a stiffened hand thrust up from the lappingwaters. Never may I forget the sickening horror of the moment when, creeping out amidst the rocks, Dawson twitches my hand, and points downthrough the clear water to something lying white at the bottom. Itlooked for all the world like a dead face, coloured a greenish white bythe water; but presently we saw, by one end curling over in the swell ofa wave, that 'twas only a rag of paper. 

Then I persuaded Dawson to give up this horrid search, and return to ourposada, when, if we found not Moll, we might more justly conclude shehad gone to Elche, than put an end to her life; and though we couldlearn nothing of her at our inn, more than Dawson had already told me, yet our hopes were strengthened in the probability of finding her atElche by recollecting her earnest, secret conversation with the Moors, who might certainly have returned to Elche in the night, they preferringthat time for their journey, as we knew. So, having hastily snatched arepast, whilst our landlord was procuring mules for our use, we set offacross the plain, doing our best to cheer each other on the way. But Iconfess one thing damped my spirits exceedingly, and that was, having nohint from Moll the night before of this project, which then must havebeen fully matured in her mind, nor any written word of explanation andencouragement. For, thinks I, she being no longer a giddy, heedlesschild, ready to play any prank without regard to the consequences, but avery considerate, remorseful woman, would not put us to this anxietywithout cause. Had she resolved to go to her friends at Elche, shewould, at least, have comforted us with the hope of meeting her again;whereas, this utter silence did point to a knowledge on her part that wewere sundered for ever, and that she could give us no hope, but such aswe might glean from uncertainty. 

Arriving at Elche, we made straight for the house of the merchant, Sidiben Ahmed, with whose family Moll had been so intimate previously. Herewe were met by Sidi himself, who, after laying his fingers across hislips, and setting his hand upon his heart, in token of recognition andrespect, asked us very civilly our business, though without any show ofsurprise at seeing us. But these Moors do pride themselves upon a stoicbehaviour at all times, and make it a point to conceal any emotion theymay feel, so that men never can truly judge of their feelings. 

Upon explaining our circumstances as well as our small knowledge of thetongue allowed us, he makes us a gesture of his open hands, as if hewould have us examine his house for ourselves, to see that she was nothid away there for any reason, and then calling his servants, he bidsthem seek through all the town, promising them a rich reward if theybring any tidings of Lala Mollah. And while this search was being made, he entertained us at his own table, where we recounted so much of ourmiserable history as we thought it advisable he should know. 

One by one the servants came in to tell that they had heard nothing, save that some market-men had seen and spoken with Moll at Alicante, buthad not clapt eyes on her since. Not content with doing us this service, the merchant furnished us with fresh mules, to carry us back toAlicante, whither we were now all eagerness to return, in the hope offinding Moll at the posada. So, travelling all night, we came to ourstarting-place the next morning, to learn no tidings of our poor Moll. 

We drew some grain of comfort from this; for, it being now the third daysince the dear girl had disappeared, her body would certainly have beenwashed ashore, had she cast herself, as we feared, in the sea. Itoccurred to us that if Moll were still living, she had either returnedto England, or gone to Don Sanchez at Toledo, whose wise counsels shehad ever held in high respect. The former supposition seemed to me thebetter grounded; for it was easy to understand how, yearning for himnight and day, she should at length abandon every scruple, and throwherself at his feet, reckless of what might follow. 'Twas notinconsistent with her impulsive character, and that more reasonable viewof life she had gained by experience, and the long reflections on hervoyage hither. And that which supported my belief still more was that afleet of four sail (as I learnt) had set forth for England the morningafter our arrival. So now finding, on enquiry, that a carrier was to setout for Toledo that afternoon, I wrote a letter to Don Sanchez, tellinghim the circumstances of our loss, and begging him to let us know, asspeedily as possible, if he had heard aught of Moll. And in this letterI enclosed a second, addressed to Mr. Godwin, having the same purport, which I prayed Don Sanchez to send on with all expedition, if Moll werenot with him. 

And now, having despatched these letters, we had nothing to do but toawait a reply, which, at the earliest, we could not expect to get beforethe end of the week--Toledo being a good eighty English leagues distant. 

We waited in Alicante four days more, making seven in all from the daywe lost Moll; and then, the suspense and torment of inactivity becominginsupportable, we set out again for Elche, the conviction growing strongupon us, with reflection, that we had little to hope from Don Sanchez. And we resolved we would not go this time to Sidi ben Ahmed, but ratherseek to take him unawares, and make enquiry by more subtle means, wehaving our doubts of his veracity. For these Moors are not honest liarslike plain Englishmen, who do generally give you some hint of theirbusiness by shifting of their eyes this way and that, hawking, stammering, etc. , but they will ever look you calmly and straight in theface, never at a loss for the right word, or over-anxious to convinceyou, so that 'twill plague a conjurer to tell if they speak truth orfalsehood. And here I would remark, that in all my observations of menand manners, there is no nation in the world to equal the English, for astraightforward, pious, horse-racing sort of people. 

Well, then, we went about our search in Elche with all the slynesspossible, prying here and there like a couple of thieves a-robbing ahen-roost, and putting cross-questions to every simple fellow wemet, --the best we could with our small knowledge of their tongue, --butall to no purpose, and so another day was wasted. We lay under the palmsthat night, and in the morning began our perquisition afresh; nowhunting up and down the narrow lanes and alleys of the town, as we hadscoured those of Alicante, in vain, until, persuaded of the uselessnessof our quest, we agreed to return to Alicante, in the hope of findingthere a letter from Don Sanchez. But (not to leave a single stoneunturned), we settled we would call once again on Sidi ben Ahmed, andask if he had any tidings to give us, but, openly, feeling we were nomatch for him at subterfuge. So, to his house we went, where we werereceived very graciously by the old merchant, who, chiding us gently forbeing in the neighbourhood a whole day without giving him a call, prayedus to enter his unworthy parlour, adding that we should find there afriend who would be very pleased to see us. 

At this, my heart bounded to such an extent that I could utter never aword (nor could Dawson either), for I expected nothing less than to findthis friend was our dear Moll; and so, silent and shaking with feverishanticipation, we followed him down the tiled passage and round the innergarden of his house by the arcade, till we reached a doorway, and there, lifting aside the heavy hangings, he bade us enter. We pushed by him inrude haste, and then stopped of a sudden, in blank amazement; for, inplace of Moll, whom we fully thought to find, we discovered only DonSanchez, sitting on some pillows gravely smoking a Moorish chibouk. 

"My daughter--my Moll!" cries Dawson, in despair. "Where is she?"

"By this time, " replies Don Sanchez, rising, "your daughter should be inBarbary. "

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

_We learn what hath become of Moll; and how she nobly atoned for oursins. _

"Barbary--Barbary!" gasps Dawson, thunderstruck by this discovery. "MyMoll in Barbary?"

"She sailed three days ago, " says the Don, laying down his pipe, andrising. 

Dawson regards him for a moment or two in a kind of stupor, and then hisideas taking definite shape, he cries in a fury of passion and clenchinghis fists:

"Spanish dog! you shall answer this. And you" (turning in fury uponSidi), "you--I know your cursed traffic--you've sold her to the Turk!"

Though Sidi may have failed to comprehend his words, he could notmisunderstand his menacing attitude, yet he faced him with an unmovedcountenance, not a muscle of his body betraying the slightest fear, hisstoic calm doing more than any argument of words to overthrow Dawson'smad suspicion. But his passion unabated, Dawson turns again upon DonSanchez, crying:

"Han't you won enough by your villany, but you must rob me of mydaughter? Are you not satisfied with bringing us to shame and ruin, butthis poor girl of mine must be cast to the Turk? Speak, rascal!" addshe, advancing a step, and seeking to provoke a conflict. "Speak, if youhave any reason to show why I shouldn't strangle you. "

"You'll not strangle me, " answers the Don, calmly, "and here's my reasonif you would see it. " And with that he tilts his elbow, and with a turnof the wrist displays a long knife that lay concealed under his forearm. "I know no other defence against the attack of a madman. "

"If I be mad, " says Dawson, "and mad indeed I may be, and nowonder, --why, then, put your knife to merciful use and end my miseryhere. "

"Nay, take it in your own hand, " answers the Don, offering the knife. "And use it as you will--on yourself if you are a fool, or on me if, being not a fool, you can hold me guilty of such villany as you chargedme with in your passion. "

Dawson looks upon the offered knife an instant with distraction in hiseyes, and the Don (not to carry this risky business too far), taking hishesitation for refusal, claps up the blade in his waist-cloth, where itlay mighty convenient to his hand. 

"You are wise, " says he, "for if that noble woman is to be served, 'tisnot by spilling the blood of her best friends. "

"You, her friend!" says Dawson. 

"Aye, her best friend!" replies the other, with dignity, "for he is bestwho can best serve her. "

"Then must I be her worst, " says Jack, humbly, "having no power to undothe mischief I have wrought. "

"Tell me, Seņor, " says I, "who hath kidnapped poor Moll?"

"Nobody. She went of her free will, knowing full well the risk sheran--the possible end of her noble adventure--against the dissuasionsand the prayers of all her friends here. She stood in the doorway there, and saw you cross the garden when you first came to seek her--saw you, her father, distracted with grief and fear, and she suffered you to goaway. As you may know, nothing is more sacred to a Moor than the laws ofhospitality, and by those laws Sidi was bound to respect the wishes ofone who had claimed his protection. He could not betray her secret, buthe and his family did their utmost to persuade her from her purpose. While you were yet in the town, they implored her to let them call youback, and she refused. Failing in their entreaties, they despatched amessenger to me; alas! when I arrived, she was gone. She went with acompany of merchants bound for Alger, and all that her friends herecould do was to provide her with a servant and letters, which willensure her safe conduct to Thadviir. "

"But why has she gone there, Seņor?" says I, having heard him in a mazeof wonderment to the end. 

"Cannot you guess? Surely she must have given you some hint of herpurposes, for 'twas in her mind, as I learn, when she agreed to leaveEngland and come hither. "

"Nothing--we know nothing, " falters Dawson. "'Tis all mystery anddarkness. Only we did suppose to find happiness a-wandering about thecountry, dancing and idling, as we did before. "

"That dream was never hers, " answers the Don. "She never thought to findhappiness in idling pleasure. 'Tis the joy of martyrdom she's gone tofind, seeking redemption in self-sacrifice. "

"Be more explicit, sir, I pray, " says I. 

"In a word, then, she has gone to offer herself as a ransom for the realJudith Godwin. "

We were too overwrought for great astonishment; indeed, my chiefsurprise was that I had not foreseen this event in Moll's desire toreturn to Elche, or hit upon the truth in seeking an explanation of herdisappearance. 'Twas of a piece with her natural romantic dispositionand her newly awaked sense of poetic justice, --for here at one strokeshe makes all human atonement for her fault and ours, --earning herhusband's forgiveness by this proof of dearest love, and winning backfor ever an honoured place in his remembrance. And I bethought me of ourLord's saying that greater love is there none than this: that one shalllay down his life for another. 

For some time Dawson stood silent, his arms folded upon his breast, andhis head bent in meditation, his lips pressed together, and every musclein his face contracted with pain and labouring thought. Then, raisinghis head and fixing his eyes on the Don, he says:

"If I understand aright, my Moll hath gone to give herself up for aslave, in the place of her whose name she took. "

The Don assents with a grave inclination of his head, and Dawsoncontinues:

"I ask your pardon for that injustice I did you in my passion; but nowthat I am cool I cannot hold you blameless for what has befallen my poorchild, and I call upon you as a man of honour to repair the wrong you'vedone me. "

Again the Don bows very gravely, and then asks what we would have himdo. 

"I ask you, " says Dawson, "as we have no means for such an expedition, to send me across the sea there to my Moll. "

"I cannot ensure your return, " says the Don, "and I warn you that oncein Barbary you may never leave it. "

"I do not want to return if she is there; nay, " adds he, "if I may movethem to any mercy, they shall do what they will with this body of mine, so that they suffer my child to be free. "

The Don turns to Sidi, and tells him what Dawson has offered to do;whereupon the Moor lays his finger across his lips, then his hand onDawson's breast, and afterwards upon his own, with a reverence, to showhis respect. And so he and the Don fall to discussing the feasibility ofthis project (as I discovered by picking up a word here and there); and, this ended, the Don turns to Dawson, and tells him there is no vessel toconvey him at present, wherefore he must of force wait patiently tillone comes in from Barbary. 

"But, " says he, "we may expect one in a few days, and rest you assuredthat your wish shall be gratified if it be possible. "

We went down, Dawson and I, to the sea that afternoon; and, sitting onthe shore at that point where we had formerly embarked aboard theAlgerine galley, we scanned the waters for a sail that might be cominghither, and Dawson with the eagerness of one who looked to escape fromslavery rather than one seeking it. 

As we sat watching the sea, he fell a-regretting he had no especial giftof nature, by which he might more readily purchase Moll's freedom of hercaptors. 

"However, " says he, "if I can show 'em the use of chairs and benches, for lack of which they are now compelled, as we see, to squat on matsand benches, I may do pretty well with Turks of the better sort who canafford luxuries, and so in time gain my end. "

"You shall teach me this business, Jack, " says I, "for at present I'mmore helpless than you. "

"Kit, " says he, laying hold of my hand, "let us have no misunderstandingon this matter. You go not to Barbary with me. "

"What!" cries I, protesting. "You would have the heart to break from meafter we have shared good and ill fortune together like two brothers allthese years?"

"God knows we shall part with sore hearts o' both sides, and I shallmiss you sadly enough, with no Christian to speak to out there. But 'tisnot of ourselves we must think now. Some one must be here to be a fatherto my Moll when she returns, and I'll trust Don Sanchez no farther thanI can see him, for all his wisdom. So, as you love the dear girl, youwill stay here, Kit, to be her watch and ward, and as you love me youwill spare me any further discussion on this head. For I am resolved. "

I would say nothing then to contrary him, but my judgment and feelingboth revolted against his decision. For, thinks I, if one Christian isworth but a groat to the Turk, two must be worth eightpence, thereforewe together stand a better chance of buying Moll's freedom than eithersingly. And, for my own happiness, I would easier be a slave in Barbarywith Jack than free elsewhere and friendless. Nowhere can a man be freefrom toil and pain of some sort or another, and there is no such solacein the world for one's discomforts as the company of a true man. 

But I was not regardless of Moll's welfare when she returned, neither. For I argued with myself that Mr. Godwin had but to know of hercondition to find means of coming hither for her succour. So the nexttime I met Don Sanchez, I took him aside and told him of my concern, asking him the speediest manner of sending a letter to England (that Ihad enclosed in mine to the Don having missed him through his leavingToledo before it arrived). 

"There is no occasion to write, " says he. "For the moment I learnt yourhistory from Sidi I sent a letter, apprising him of his wife's innocencein this business, and the noble reparation she had made for the fault ofothers. Also, I took the liberty to enclose a sum of money to meet hisrequirements, and I'll answer for it he is now on his way hither. For noman living could be dull to the charms of his wife, or bear resentmentto her for an act that was prompted by love rather than avarice, andwith no calculation on her part. "

This cheered me considerably, and did somewhat return my faith in DonSanchez, who certainly was the most extraordinary gentlemanly rascalthat ever lived. 

Day after day Dawson and I went down to the sea, and on the fifth day ofour watching (after many false hopes and disappointments) we spied aship, which we knew to be of the Algerine sort by the cross-set of itslateen sails, --making it to look like some great bird with spread wingson the water, --bearing down upon the shore. 

We watched the approach of this ship in a fever of joy and expectation, for though we dared not breathe our hopes one to another, we boththought that maybe Moll was there. And this was not impossible. For, supposing Judith was married happily, she would refuse to leave herhusband, and her mother, having lived so long in that country, might notcare to leave it now and quit her daughter; so might they refuse theirransom and Moll be sent back to us. And, besides this reasoning, we hadthat clinging belief of the unfortunate that some unforeseen accidentmight turn to our advantage and overthrow our fears. 

The Algerine came nearer and nearer, until at length we could make outcertain figures moving upon the deck; then Dawson, laying a tremblinghand on my sleeve, asked if I did not think 'twas a woman standing inthe fore part; but I couldn't truly answer yes, which vexed him. 

But, indeed, when the galley was close enough to drop anchor, being atsome distance from the shore because of the shoals, I could notdistinguish any women, and my heart sank, for I knew well that if Mollwere there, she, seeing us, would have given us some signal of waving ahandkerchief or the like. As soon as the anchor was cast, a boat waslowered, and being manned, drew in towards us; then, truly, we perceiveda bent figure sitting idle in the stern, but even Dawson dared notventure to think it might be Moll. 

The boat running on a shallow, a couple of Moors stepped into the water, and lifting the figure in their arms carried it ashore to where westood. And now we perceived 'twas a woman muffled up in the Moorishfashion, a little, wizen old creature, who, casting back her headclothes, showed us a wrinkled face, very pale and worn with care andage. Regarding us, she says in plain English:

"You are my countrymen. Is one of you named Dawson?"

"My name is Dawson, " says Jack. 

She takes his hand in hers, and holding it in hers looks in his facewith great pity, and then at last, as if loath to tell the news she seeshe fears to hear, she says:

"I am Elizabeth Godwin. "

What need of more to let us know that Moll had paid her ransom?

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

_Don Sanchez again proves himself the most mannerly rascal in theworld. _

In silence we led Mrs. Godwin to the seat we had occupied, and seatingourselves we said not a word for some time. For my own part, therealisation of our loss threw my spirits into a strange apathy; 'twas asif some actual blow had stunned my senses. Yet I remember observing theMoors about their business, --despatching one to Elche for a train ofmules, charging a second boat with merchandise while the first returned, etc. 

"I can feel for you, " says Mrs. Godwin at length, addressing Dawson, "for I also have lost an only child. "

"Your daughter Judith, Madam?" says I. 

"She died two years ago. Yours still lives, " says she, again turning toDawson, who sat with a haggard face, rocking himself like one nursing agreat pain. "And while there is life, there's hope, as one says. "

"Why, to be sure, " says Jack, rousing himself. "This is no more, Kit, than we bargained for. Tell me, Madam, you who know that country, do youthink a carpenter would be held in esteem there? I'm yet a strong man, as you see, with some good serviceable years of life before me. D'yethink they'd take me in exchange for my Moll, who is but a bit of agirl?"

"She is beautiful, and beauty counts for more than strength andabilities there, poor man, " says she. 

"I'll make 'em the offer, " says he, "and though they do not agree togive her freedom, they may yet suffer me to see her time and again, if Iwork well. "

"'Tis strange, " says she. "Your child has told me all your history. HadI learnt it from other lips, I might have set you down for rogues, destitute of heart or conscience; yet, with this evidence before me, Imust needs regard you and your dear daughter as more noble than manywhose deeds are writ in gold. 'Tis a lesson to teach me faith in thegoodness of God, who redeems his creatures' follies, with one touch oflove. Be of good cheer, my friend, " adds she, laying her thin hand onhis arm. "There _is_ hope. I would not have accepted this ransom--no, not for all your daughter's tears and entreaties--without good assurancethat I, in my turn, might deliver her. "

I asked the old gentlewoman how this might be accomplished. 

"My niece, " says she, dwelling on the word with a smile, as if happy inthe alliance, "my niece, coming to Barbary of her free will, is not aslave like those captured in warfare and carried there by force. Sheremains there as a hostage for me, and will be free to return when Isend the price of my ransom. "

"Is that a great sum?"

"Three thousand gold ducats, --about one thousand pounds English. "

"Why, Madam, " says Dawson, "we have nothing, being now reduced to ourlast pieces. And if you have the goodness to raise this money, Heavenonly knows how long it may be ere you succeed. 'Tis a fortnight'sjourney, at the least, to England, and then you have to deal with yoursteward, who will seek only to put obstacles in your way, so that sixweeks may pass ere Moll is redeemed, and what may befall her in themeantime?"

"She is safe. Ali Oukadi is a good man. She has nought to fear while sheis under his protection. Do not misjudge the Moors. They have manyestimable qualities. "

"Yet, Madam, " says I, "by your saying there is hope, I gather there mustbe also danger. "

"There is, " answers she, at which Jack nods with conviction. "Abeautiful young woman is never free from danger" (Jack assents again). "There are good and bad men amongst the Moors as amongst other people. "

"Aye, to be sure, " says Dawson. 

"I say she is safe under the protection of Ali Oukadi, but when theransom is paid and she leaves Thadviir, she may stand in peril. "

"Why, that's natural enough, " cries Dawson, "be she amongst Moors or noMoors; 'tis then she will most need a friend to serve her, and one thatknows the ins and outs of the place and how to deal with these Turksmust surely be better than any half-dozen fresh landed and raw to theirbusiness. " Then he fell questioning Mrs. Godwin as to how Moll waslodged, the distance of Thadviir from Alger, the way to get there, anddivers other particulars, which, together with his eager, cheerfulvivacity, showed clearly enough that he was more firmly resolved thanever to go into Barbary and be near Moll without delay. And presently, leaving me with Mrs. Godwin, he goes down to the captain of the galley, who is directing the landing of goods from the play-boat, and, with suchsmall store of words as he possessed, aided by plentiful gesture, heenters into a very lively debate with him, the upshot of which was thatthe captain tells him he shall start the next morning at daybreak ifthere be but a puff of air, and agrees to carry him to Alger for acouple of pieces (upon which they clap hands), as Dawson, in high glee, informs us on his return. 

"And now, Kit, " says he, "I must go back to Elche to borrow those sametwo pieces of Don Sanchez, so I pray you, Madam, excuse me. "

But just then the train of mules from Elche appears, and with them Sidiben Ahmed, who, having information of Mrs. Godwin coming, brings alitter for her carriage, at the same time begging her to accept hishospitality as the true friend of her niece Moll. So we all return toElche together, and none so downcast as I at the thought of losing myfriend, and speculating on the mischances that might befall him; for Idid now begin to regard him as an ill-fated man, whose best intentionsbrought him nothing but evil and misfortune. 

Being come to Elche, Don Sanchez presented himself to Mrs. Godwin withall the dignity and calm assurance in the world, and though she receivedhim with a very cold, distant demeanour, as being the deepest rascal ofus all and the one most to blame, yet it ruffled him never a bit, but hecarried himself as if he had never benefited himself a penny by hisroguery and at her expense. 

On Dawson asking him for the loan of a couple of pieces and telling hisproject, the Don drew a very long serious face and tried his utmost todissuade him from it, so that at first I suspected him of being loath topart with this petty sum; but herein I did him injustice, for, findingDawson was by no means to be turned from his purpose, he handed him hispurse, advising him the first thing he did on arriving at Alger topresent himself to the Dey and purchase a firman, giving him protectionduring his stay in Barbary (which he said might be done for a few silverducats). Then, after discussing apart with Sidi, he comes to Mrs. Godwin, and says he:

"Madam, with your sanction my friend Sidi ben Ahmed will charge Mr. Dawson with a letter to Ali Oukadi, promising to pay him the sum ofthree thousand gold ducats upon your niece being safely conducted hitherwithin the space of three weeks. "

"Seņor, " answers she, "I thank Sidi ben Ahmed very deeply--and youalso, " adds she, overcoming her compunctions, "for this offer. Butunhappily, I cannot hope to have this sum of money in so short a time. "

"It is needless to say, Madam, " returns he, with a scrape, "that inmaking this proposal I have considered of that difficulty; my friend hasagreed to take my bond for the payment of this sum when it shall beconvenient to you to discharge it. "

Mrs. Godwin accepted this arrangement with a profound bow, whichconcealed the astonishment it occasioned her. But she drew a longbreath, and I perceived she cast a curious glance at all three of us, asif she were marvelling at the change that must have taken place incivilised countries since her absence, which should account for a packof thieves nowadays being so very unlike what a pack of thieves was inher young days. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

_How we hear Moll's sweet voice through the walls of her prison, andspeak two words with her though almost to our undoing. _

Having written his letter, Sidi ben Ahmed proposed that Mrs. Godwinshould await the return of Moll before setting out for England, verygraciously offering her the hospitality of his house meanwhile, and thisoffer she willingly accepted. And now, there being no reason for mystaying in Elche, Dawson gladly agreed I should accompany him, the moreso as I knew more of the Moors' language than he. Going down with us tothe water side, Don Sanchez gave us some very good hints for ourbehaviour in Barbary, bidding us, above everything, be very careful notto break any of the laws of that country. "For, " says he, "I have seenthree men hanged there for merely casting a Turk into the sea in adrunken frolic. "

"Be assured, I'll touch nothing but water for my drink, " says Dawson, taking this warning to his share. 

"Be careful, " continues the Don, "to pay for all you have, and take notso much as an orange from a tree by the wayside without first laying afleece or two on the ground. I warn you that they, though upright enoughamongst themselves, are crafty and treacherous towards strangers, whomthey regard as their natural enemies; and they will tempt you to breakthe law either by provoking a quarrel, or putting you to some unlawfulpractice, that they may annul your firman and claim you as convictedoutlaws for their slaves. For stealing a pullet I have seen the fleshbeaten off the soles of an English sailor's feet, and he and hiscompanions condemned to slavery for life. "

"I'll lay a dozen fleeces on the ground for every sour orange I maytake, " says Dawson. "And as for quarrelling, a Turk shall pull my nosebefore ever a curse shall pass my lips. "

With these and other exhortations and promises, we parted, and lyingaboard that night, we set sail by daybreak the next morning, having avery fair gale off the land; and no ships in the world being better thanthese galleys for swiftness, we made an excellent good passage, so thatere we conceived ourselves half over the voyage, we sighted Algerlooking like nothing but a great chalk quarry for the white houses builtup the side of the hill. 

We landed at the mole, which is a splendid construction some fifteenhundred feet or thereabouts in length (with the forts), forming abeautiful terrace walk supported by arches, beneath which large, splendid magazines, all the most handsome in the world, I think. Thenceour captain led us to the Cassanabah, a huge, heavy, square, brickbuilding, surrounded by high, massive walls and defended by a hundredpieces of ordnance, cannons, and mortars, all told. Here the Dey orBashaw lives with his family, and below are many roomy offices for thedischarge of business. Our captain takes us into a vast waiting-hallwhere over a hundred Moors were patiently attending an audience of theDey's minister, and there we also might have lingered the whole day andgone away at night unsatisfied (as many of these Moors do, day afterday, but that counts for nothing with these enduring people), but havinga hint from our friend we found occasion to slip a ducat in the hand ofa go-between officer, who straightway led us to his master. Our captainhaving presented us, with all the usual ceremonies, the grandee takesour letter from Sidi ben Ahmed, reads it, and without further ado signsand seals us a trader's pass for twenty-eight days, to end at sunset theday after the festival of Ranadal. With this paper we went off in highglee, thinking that twenty-eight hours of safe-conduct would havesufficed us. And so to an eating-house, where we treated our friendlycaptain to the best, and greasing his palm also for his good services, parted in mighty good humour on both sides. 

By this time it was getting pretty late in the day; nevertheless, weburnt with such impatience to be near our dear Moll that we set forthfor Thadviir, which lies upon the seacoast about seven English leagueseast of Alger. But a cool, refreshing air from the sea and the great joyin our hearts made this journey seem to us the most delightful of ourlives. And indeed, after passing through the suburbs richly planted withgardens, and crossing the river, on which are many mills, and so cominginto the plain of Mettegia, there is such an abundance of sweet odoursand lovely fertile views to enchant the senses, that a dull man would beinspirited to a happy, cheerful mood. 

'Twas close upon nine o'clock when we reached the little town, and not asoul to be seen anywhere nor a light in any window, but that troubled usnot at all (having provided ourselves with a good store of victualsbefore quitting Alger), for here 'tis as sweet to lie of nights in theopen air as in the finest palace elsewhere. Late as it was, however, wecould not dispose ourselves to sleep before we had gone all round thetown to satisfy our curiosity. At the further extremity we spied abuilding looking very majestic in the moonlight, with a large gardenabout it enclosed with high walls, and deciding that this must be theresidence of Ali Oukadi, who, we had learnt, was the most importantmerchant of these parts, we lay us down against the wall, and fellasleep, thinking of our dear Moll, who perchance, all unconscious, waslying within. 

Rising at daybreak, for Dawson was mightily uneasy unless we might bebreaking the law by sleeping out-of-doors (but there is no cruel law ofthis sort in Barbary), we washed ourselves very properly at aneighbouring stream, made a meal of dry bread and dates, then, layingour bundles in a secret place whence we might conveniently fetch them, if Ali Oukadi insisted on entertaining us a day or two, we went into thetown, and finding, upon enquiry, that this was indeed his palace, as wehad surmised, bethought us what to say and how to behave the most civilpossible, and so presented ourselves at his gate, stating our business. 

Presently, we were admitted to an outer office, and there received by avery bent, venerable old Moor, who, having greeted us with muchceremony, says, "I am Ali Oukadi. What would you have of me?"

"My daughter Moll, " answers Jack, in an eager, choking voice, offeringhis letter. The Moor regarded him keenly, and, taking the letter, sitsdown to study it; and while he is at this business a young Moor enters, whose name, as we shortly learnt, was Mohand ou Mohand. He was, I takeit, about twenty-five or thirty years of age, and as handsome a man ofhis kind as ever I saw, with wondrous soft dark eyes, but a cruel mouthand a most high, imperious bearing which, together with his rich clothesand jewels, betokened him a man of quality. Hearing who we were, hesaluted us civilly enough; but there was a flash of enmity in his eyesand a tightening of his lips, which liked me not at all. 

When the elder man had finished the letter, he hands it to the younger, and he having read it in his turn, they fall to discussing it in a lowtone, and in a dialect of which not one word was intelligible to us. Finally, Ali Oukadi, rising from his cushions, says gravely, addressingDawson:

"I will write without delay to Sidi ben Ahmed in answer to his letter. "

"But my daughter, " says Dawson, aghast, and as well as he could in theMoorish tongue. "Am I not to have her?"

"My friend says nothing here, " answers the old man, regarding theletter, "nothing that would justify my giving her up to you. He says themoney shall be paid upon her being brought safe to Elche. "

"Why, your Excellency, I and my comrade here will undertake to carry hersafely there. What better guard should a daughter have than her father?"

"Are you more powerful than the elements? Can you command the tempest?Have you sufficient armament to combat all the enemies that scour theseas? If any accident befall you, what is this promise ofpayment?--Nothing. "

"At least, you will suffer me to make this voyage with my child. "

"I do not purpose to send her to Elche, " returned the old man, calmly. "'Tis a risk I will not undertake. I have said that when I am paid threethousand ducats, I will give Lala Mollah freedom, and I will keep myword. To send her to Elche is a charge that does not touch my compact. This I will write and tell my friend, Sidi ben Ahmed, and upon hispayment and expressed agreement I will render you your daughter. Notbefore. "

We could say nothing for a while, being so foundered by this reverse;but at length Dawson says in a piteous voice:

"At least you will suffer me to see my daughter. Think, if she wereyours and you had lost her--believing her a while dead--"

Mohand ou Mohand muttered a few words that seemed to fix the old Moor'swavering resolution. 

"I cannot agree to that, " says he. "Your daughter is becoming reconciledto her position. To see you would open her wounds afresh to the dangerof her life, maybe. Reflect, " adds he, laying his hand on the letter, "if this business should come to nought, what could recompense yourdaughter for the disappointment of those false hopes your meeting wouldinspire? It cannot be. "

With this he claps his hands, and a servant, entering at a nod from hismaster, lifts the hangings for us to go. 

Dawson stammered a few broken words of passionate protest, and thenbreaking down as he perceived the folly of resisting, he dropped hishead and suffered me to lead him out. As I saluted the Moors in going, Icaught, as I fancied, a gleam of triumphant gladness in the dark eyes ofMohand ou Mohand. 

Coming back to the place where we had hid our bundles, Dawson casthimself on the ground and gave vent to his passion, declaring he wouldsee his Moll though he should tear the walls down to get at her, andother follies; but after a time he came to his senses again so that hecould reason, and then I persuaded him to have patience, and forbearfrom any outburst of violence such as we had been warned against, showing him that certainly Don Sanchez, hearing of our condition, wouldsend the money speedily, and so we should get Moll by fair means insteadof losing her (and ourselves) by foul; that after all, 'twas but thedelay of a week or so that we had to put up with, and so forth. Then, discussing what we should do next, I offered that we should return toElche and make our case known rather than trust entirely to Ali Oukadi'spromise of writing; for I did suspect some treacherous design on thepart of Mohand ou Mohand, by which Mrs. Godwin failing of her agreement, he might possess himself of Moll; and this falling in with Dawson'swishes, we set out to return to Alger forthwith. But getting to Algerhalf-dead with the fatigue of trudging all that distance in the fullheat of the day, we learnt to our chagrin that no ship would be sailingto Elche for a fortnight at the least, and all the money we had wouldnot tempt any captain to carry us there; so here were we cast down againbeyond everything for miserable, gloomy apprehensions. 

After spending another day in fruitless endeavour to obtain a passage, nothing would satisfy Dawson's painful, restless spirit but we mustreturn to Thadviir; so thither we went once more to linger about thepalace of Ali Oukadi, in the poor hope that we might see Moll come outto take the air. 

One day as we were standing in the shade of the garden wall, sick andweary with dejection and disappointment, Dawson, of a sudden, starts mefrom my lethargy by clutching my arm and raising his finger to bid melisten and be silent. Then straining my ear, I caught the distant soundof female voices, but I could distinguish not one from another, thoughby Dawson's joyous, eager look I perceived he recognised Moll's voiceamongst them. They came nearer and nearer, seeking, as I think, theshade of those palm trees which sheltered us. And presently, quite closeto us, as if but on the other side of the wall, one struck a lute andbegan to sing a Moorish song; when she had concluded her melancholy aira voice, as if saddened by the melody, sighed:

"Ah me! ah me!"

There was no misdoubting that sweet voice: 'twas Moll's. 

Then very softly Dawson begins to whistle her old favourite ditty"Hearts will break. " Scarce had he finished the refrain when Moll withintook it up in a faint trembling voice, but only a bar, to let us know wewere heard; then she fell a-laughing at her maids, who were whisperingin alarm, to disguise her purpose; and so they left that part, as weknew by their voices dying away in the distance. 

"She'll come again, " whispers Dawson, feverishly. 

And he was in the right; for, after we had stood there best part of anhour, we hear Moll again gently humming "Hearts will break, " but so low, for fear of being heard by others, that only we who strained so hard tocatch a sound could be aware of it. 

"Moll, my love!" whispers Dawson, as she comes to an end. 

"Dear father!" answers she, as low. 

"We are here--Kit and I. Be comforted, sweet chuck, --you shall be freeere long. "

"Shall I climb the wall?" asks she. 

"No, no, --for God's sake, refrain!" says I, seeing that Jack was halfminded to bid her come to him. "You will undo all--have patience. "

At this moment other voices came to us from within, calling Lala Mollah;and presently the quick witch answers them from a distance, with alaugh, as if she had been playing at catch-who-can. 

Then Dawson and I, turning about, discovered to our consternation AliOukadi standing quite close beside us, with folded arms and bent brows. 

"You are unwise, " says he, in a calm tone. 

"Nay, master, " says Jack, piteously. "I did but speak a word to mychild. "

"If you understand our tongue, " adds I, "you will know that we did butbid her have patience, and wait. "

"Possibly, " says he. "Nevertheless, you compel me henceforth to keep hera close prisoner, when I would give her all the liberty possible. "

"Master, " says Jack, imploring, "I do pray you not to punish her for myfault. Let her still have the freedom of your garden, and I promise youwe will go away this day and return no more until we can purchase herliberty for ever. "

"Good, " says the old man, "but mark you keep your promise. Know that'tis an offence against the law to incite a slave to revolt. I tell youthis, not as a threat, for I bear you no ill will, but as a warning tosave you from consequences which I may be powerless to avert. "

This did seem to me a hint at some sinister design of Mohand ouMohand--a wild suspicion, maybe, on my part, and yet, as I think, justified by evils yet to come. 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

_Of our bargaining with a Moorish seaman; and of an English slave. _

We lost no time, be sure, in going back to Alger, blessing God on theway for our escape, and vowing most heartily that we would be led intono future folly, no matter how simple and innocent the temptation mightseem. 

And now began again a tedious season of watching on the mole of Alger;but not to make this business as wearisome to others, I will pass thatover and come at once to that joyful, happy morning, when, with butscant hope, looking down upon the deck of a galley entering the port, toour infinite delight and amazement we perceived Richard Godwin wavinghis hand to us in sign of recognition. Then sure, mad with joy, we wouldhave cast ourselves in the sea had we thereby been able to get to himmore quickly. Nor was he much less moved with affection to meet us, andspringing on the quai he took us both in his open arms and embraced us. But his first word was of Moll. "My beloved wife?" says he, and couldquestion us no further. 

We told him she was safe, whereat he thanks God most fervently, and howwe had spoken with her; and then he tells us of his adventures--how ongetting Don Sanchez's letter he had started forth at once with such helpas Sir Peter Lely generously placed at his disposition, and how comingto Elche, he found Mrs. Godwin there in great anxiety because we had notreturned, and how Don Sanchez, guessing at our case, had procured moneyfrom Toledo to pay Moll's ransom, and did further charter a neutralgalley to bring him to Alger--which was truly as handsome a thing as anyman could do, be he thief or no thief. All these matters we discussed onour way to the Cassanabah, where Mr. Godwin furnished himself as we hadwith a trader's permit for twenty-eight days. 

[Illustration: "ONLY IN THE MIDST OF OUR JOY I PERCEIVED THAT MOHAND OUMOHAND HAD ENTERED THE ROOM. "]

This done, we set out with a team of good mules, and reaching Thadviirabout an hour before sundown, we repaired at once to Ali Oukadi's, whoreceived us with much civility, although 'twas clear to see he was yetloath to give up Moll; but the sight of the gold Mr. Godwin laid beforehim did smooth the creases from his brow (for these Moors love moneybefore anything on earth), and having told it carefully he writes anacknowledgment and fills up a formal sheet of parchment bearing theDey's seal, which attested that Moll was henceforth a free subject andentitled to safe-conduct within the confines of the Dey'sadministration. And having delivered these precious documents into Mr. Godwin's hands, he leaves us for a little space and then returns leadingdear Moll by the hand. And she, not yet apprised of her circumstances, seeing her husband with us, gives a shrill cry, and like to faint withhappiness totters forward and falls in his ready arms. 

I will not attempt to tell further of this meeting and our passionate, fond embraces, for 'twas past all description; only in the midst of ourjoy I perceived that Mohand ou Mohand had entered the room and stoodthere, a silent spectator of Moll's tender yielding to her husband'scaresses, his nostrils pinched, and his jaundiced face overcast with awicked look of mortification and envy. And Moll seeing him, paled alittle, drawing closer to her husband; for, as I learnt later on, and'twas no more than I had guessed, he had paid her most assiduousattentions from the first moment he saw her, and had gone so far as toswear by Mahomet that death alone should end his burning passion topossess her. And I observed that when we parted, and Moll in commoncivility offered him her hand, he muttered some oath as he raised it tohis lips. 

Declining as civilly as we might Ali Oukadi's tender of hospitality, werested that night at the large inn or caravansary, and I do think thatthe joy of Moll and her husband lying once more within each other's armswas scarcely less than we felt, Dawson and I, at this happy ending ofour long tribulations; but one thing it is safe to say, we slept assound as they. 

And how gay were we when we set forth the next morning for Alger--Moll'seyes twinkling like stars for happiness, and her cheeks all pink withblushes like any new bride, her husband with not less pride than passionin his noble countenance, and Dawson and I as blithe and jolly asschoolboys on a holiday. For now had Moll by this act of heroism anddevotion redeemed not only herself, but us also, and there was nofurther reason for concealment or deceit, but all might be themselvesand fear no man. 

Thus did joy beguile us into a false sense of security. 

Coming to Alger about midday, we were greatly surprised to find that thesail chartered by Don Sanchez was no longer in the port, and the reasonof this we presently learnt was that the Dey, having information of adescent being about to be made upon the town by the British fleet atTangier, he had commanded, the night before, all alien ships to be gonefrom the port by daybreak. This put us to a quake, for in view of thisdescent not one single Algerine would venture to put to sea for all themoney Mr. Godwin could offer or promise. So here we were forced to stayin trepidation and doubt as to how we, being English, might fare if thetown should be bombarded as we expected, and never did we wish our owncountrymen further. Only our Moll and her husband did seem careless intheir happiness; for so they might die in each other's arms, I do thinkthey would have faced death with a smile upon their faces. 

However, a week passing, and no sign of any English flag upon the seas, the public apprehension subsided; and now we began very seriously tocompass our return to Elche, our trader's passes (that is, Dawson's andmine) being run out within a week, and we knowing full well that weshould not get them renewed after this late menace of an English attackupon the town. So, one after the other, we tried every captain in theport, but all to no purpose. And one of these did openly tell me the Deyhad forbidden any stranger to be carried out of the town, on pain ofhaving his vessel confiscated and being bastinadoed to his lastendurance. 

"And so, " says he, lifting his voice, "if you offered me all the gold inthe world, I would not carry you a furlong hence. " But at the same time, turning his back on a janizary who stood hard by, he gave me a mostsignificant wink and a little beck, as if I were to follow himpresently. 

And this I did as soon as the janizary was gone, following him at adistance through the town and out into the suburbs, at an idle, sauntering gait. When we had got out beyond the houses, to the side ofthe river I have mentioned, he sits him down on the bank, and I, comingup, sit down beside him as if for a passing chat. Then he, havingglanced to the right and left, to make sure we were not observed, asksme what we would give to be taken to Elche; and I answered that we wouldgive him his price so we could be conveyed shortly. 

"When would you go?" asks he. 

"Why, " says I, "our passes expire at sundown after the day of Ramadah, so we must get hence, by hook or by crook, before that. "

"That falls as pat as I would have it, " returns he (but not in thesewords), "for all the world will be up at the Cassanabah on that day, tothe feast the Dey gives to honour his son's coming of age. Moreover, themoon by then will not rise before two in the morning. So all being inour favour, I'm minded to venture on this business. But you mustunderstand that I dare not take you aboard in the port, where I mustmake a pretence of going out a-fishing with my three sons, and give thejanizaries good assurance that no one else is aboard, that I may notfall into trouble on my return. "

"That's reasonable enough, " says I, "but where will you take us aboard?"

"I'll show you, " returns he, "if you will stroll down this bank with me, for my sons and I have discussed this matter ever since we heard youwere seeking a ship for this project, and we have it all cut and driedproperly. "

So up we get and saunter along the bank leisurely, till we reached apart where the river spreads out very broad and shallow. 

"You see that rock, " says he, nodding at a huge boulder lapped by theincoming sea. "There shall you be at midnight. We shall lie about a halfa mile out to sea, and two of my sons will pull to the shore and takeyou up; so may all go well and nought be known, if you are commonlysecret, for never a soul is seen here after sundown. " I told him I wouldconsult with my friends and give him our decision the next day, meetinghim at this spot. 

"Good, " says he, "and ere you decide, you may cast an eye at my ship, which you shall know by a white moon painted on her beam; 'tis as fast aship as any that sails from Alger, though she carry but one mast, and sobe we agree to this venture, you shall find the cabin fitted for yourlady and everything for your comfort. "

On this we separated presently, and I, joining my friends at our inn, laid the matter before them. There being still some light, we then wentforth on the mole, and there we quickly spied the White Moon, which, though a small craft, looked very clean, and with a fair cabin house, built up in the Moorish fashion upon the stern. And here, sitting down, we all agreed to accept this offer, Mr. Godwin being not less eager forthe venture than we, who had so much more to dread by letting it slip, though his pass had yet a fortnight to run. 

So the next day I repaired to the rock, and meeting Haroun (as he wascalled), I closed with him, and put a couple of ducats in his hand forearnest money. 

"'Tis well, " says he, pocketing the money, after kissing it and lookingup to heaven with a "Dill an, " which means "It is from God. " "We willnot meet again till the day of Ramadah at midnight, lest we fall undersuspicion. Farewell. "

We parted as we did before, he going his way, and I mine; but, lookingback by accident before I had gone a couple of hundred yards, Iperceived a fellow stealing forth from a thicket of canes that stood inthe marshy ground near the spot where I had lately stood with Haroun, and turning again presently, I perceived this man following in my steps. Then, fairly alarmed, I gradually hastened my pace (but not so quickneither as to seem to fly), making for the town, where I hoped to escapepursuit in the labyrinth of little, crooked, winding alleys. As Irounded a corner, I perceived him out of the tail of my eye, stillfollowing, but now within fifty yards of me, he having run to thusoverreach me; and ere I had turned up a couple of alleys he was on myheels and twitching me by the sleeve. 

"Lord love you, Master, " says he, in very good English, but gasping forbreath. "Hold hard a moment, for I've a thing or two to say to you as isworth your hearing. "

So I, mightily surprised by these words, stop; and he seeing the alleyquite empty and deserted, sits down on a doorstep, and I do likewise, both of us being spent with our exertions. 

"Was that man you were talking with a little while back named Haroun?"asks he, when he could fetch his breath. I nodded. 

"Did he offer to take you and three others to Elche, aboard a craftcalled the White Moon?"

I nodded again, astonished at his information, for we had not discussedour design to-day, Haroun and I. 

"Did he offer to carry you off in a boat to his craft from the rock onthe mouth?"

Once more I nodded. 

"Can you guess what will happen if you agree to this?"

Now I shook my head. 

"The villain, " says he, "will run you on a shoal, and there will he beoverhauled by the janizaries, and you be carried prisoners back toAlger. Your freedom will be forfeited, and you will be sold for slaves. And that's not all, " adds he; "the lass you have with you will be takenfrom you and given to Mohand ou Mohand, who has laid this trap for yourdestruction and the gratification of his lust. "

I fell a-shaking only to think of this crowning calamity, and could onlyutter broken, unintelligible sounds to express my gratitude for thiswarning. 

"Listen, Master, if you cannot speak, " said he; "for I must quit you ina few minutes, or get my soles thrashed when I return home. What I havetold you is true, as there is a God in heaven; 'twas overheard by mycomrade, who is a slave in Mohand's household. If you escape this trap, you will fall in another, for there is no bounds to Mohand's devilishcunning. I say, if you stay here you are doomed to share our miserablelot, by one device or another. But I will show you how you may turn thetables on this villain, and get to a Christian country ere you are aweek older, if you have but one spark of courage amongst you. "

CHAPTER XL. 

_Of our escape from Barbary, of the pursuit and horrid, fearfulslaughter that followed, together with other moving circumstances. _

So Groves, as my man was named, told me how he and eight other poorEnglishmen, sharing the same bagnio, had endured the hardships andmisery of slavery, some for thirteen, and none less than seven, years;how for three years they had been working a secret tunnel by which theycould escape from their bagnio (in which they were locked up every nightat sundown) at any moment; how for six months, since the completion oftheir tunnel, they had been watching a favourable opportunity to seize aship and make good their escape (seven of them being mariners); and hownow they were, by tedious suspense, wrought to such a pitch ofdesperation that they were ripe for any means of winning their freedom. "And here, " says he, in conclusion, "hath merciful Providence given usthe power to save not only ourselves from this accursed bondage, butyou, also, if you are minded to join us. "

Asking him how he proposed to accomplish this end, he replies:

"'Tis as easy as kiss your hand. First, do you accept Haroun's offer?"

"I have, " says I. 

"Good!" says he, rubbing his hands, and speaking thick with joy. "Youmay be sure that Mohand will suffer no one to interfere with yourgetting aboard, to the achievement of his design. When is it to be?"

I hesitated a moment, lest I should fall into another trap, trying toescape from the first; but, seeing he was an Englishman, I would notbelieve him capable of playing into the Turks' hands for our undoing, and so I told him our business was for midnight on the feast of Ramadah. 

"Sure, nought but Providence could have ordered matters so well, " sayshe, doubling himself up, as if unable to control his joy. "We shall bethere, we nine sturdy men. Some shall hide in the canes, and othersbehind the rock; and when Haroun rows to shore, four of us will get intohis boat (muffled up as you would be to escape detection), and as soonas they lay themselves to their oars, their business shall be settled. "

"As how?" asks I, shrinking (as ever) from deeds of violence. 

"Leave that to us; but be assured they shall not raise a cry that shallfright your lady. Oh, we know the use of a bow-string as well as anyTurk amongst them. We have that to thank 'em for. Well, these two beingdespatched, we return to shore, and two more of our men will get in;then we four to the felucca, and there boarding, we serve the others aswe served the first two; so back comes one of us to fetch off our othercomrades and you four. Then, all being aboard, we cut our cable, up withour sail, and by the time Mohand comes, in the morning, to seek his gameon the sand-bank, we shall be half way to Elche, and farther, ifProvidence do keep pace with this happy beginning. What say you, friend?" adds he, noting my reflective mood. 

Then I frankly confessed that I would have some assurance of hishonesty. 

"I can give you none, Master, " says he, "but the word of a goodYorkshireman. Surely, you may trust me as I trust you; for 'tis in yourpower to reveal all to Haroun, and so bring us all to the galleys. Haveyou no faith in a poor broken Englishman?"

"Yes, " says I; "I'll trust you. "

Then we rose, clapping hands, and he left me, with tears of gratitudeand joy in his eyes. Telling my friends I had something of a secretnature to impart, we went out to the end of the mole, where we weresecure from eavesdroppers, and there I laid the whole story before them, whereupon we fell debating what we should do, looking at this matterfrom every side, with a view to our security; but, slavery lying beforeus, and no better means of escaping it coming to our minds, we did atlast unanimously agree to trust Joe Groves rather than Haroun. 

The next day there fell a great deluge of rain, and the morrow being thefeast of Ramadah, we regarded this as highly favourable to our escape;for here when rain falls it ceases not for forty-eight hours, and thusmight we count upon the aid of darkness. And that evening as we wereregarding some merchandise in a bazaar, a fellow sidles up to me, andwhispers (fingering a piece of cloth as if he were minded to buy it):

"Does all go well?"

Then perceiving this was Joe Groves, I answered in the same manner:

"All goes well. "

"To-morrow at midnight?"

"To-morrow at midnight, " I return. Upon which, casting down the cloth, he goes away without further sign. 

And now comes in the feast of Ramadah with a heavy, steady downpour ofrain all day, and no sign of ceasing at sundown, which greatly contentedus. About ten, the house we lodged in being quite still, and our fear ofaccident pressing us to depart, we crept silently out into the streetwithout let or hindrance (though I warrant some spy of Mohand's waswatching to carry information of our flight to his master), and sothrough the narrow deserted alleys to the outskirts of the town, andthence by the river side to the great rock, with only just so much lightas enabled us to hang together, and no more. And I do believe we shouldhave floundered into the river o' one side of the marsh of canes ort'other, but that having gone over this road the last time with thethought that it might lead us to liberty, every object by the wayimpressed itself upon my mind most astonishingly. 

Here under this rock stood we above an hour with no sound but thebeating of the rain, and the lap of the water running in from the sea. Then, as it might be about half-past eleven, a voice close beside us(which I knew for Joe Groves, though I could see no one but us four, Jack by my side, and Moll bound close to her husband) says:

"All goes well?"

"Yes, all goes well, " says I; whereupon he gives a cry like the croak ofa frog, and his comrades steal up almost unseen and unheard, save thateach as he came whispered his name, as Spinks, Davis, Lee, Best, etc. , till their number was all told. Then Groves, who was clearly chosentheir captain, calls Spinks, Lee, and Best to stand with him, and bidsthe others and us to stand back against the canes till we are called. Sowe do his bidding, and fall back to the growth of canes, whence we couldbut dimly make out the mass of the rock for the darkness, and therewaited breathless, listening for the sound of oars. But these Moors, fora better pretence of secrecy, had muffled their oars, so that we knewnot they were at hand until we heard Haroun's voice speaking low. 

"Englishmen, are you there?" asks he. 

"Aye, we four, " whispers Groves, in reply. 

Then we hear them wade into the water and get into the boat withwhispering of Haroun where they are to dispose themselves, and so forth. After that silence for about ten minutes, and no sound but the ceaselessrain until we next hear Groves' voice. 

"Davis, Negus, " whispers he, on which two of our number leave us and goout to the boat to replace Haroun and that other Moor, who, in themanner of the Turks, had been strangled and cast overboard. 

And now follows a much longer period of silence, but at length thatcomes to an end, and we hear Groves' voice again whispering us to come. At the first sound of his voice his three comrades rush forward; butGroves, recognising them, says hoarsely, "Back, every one of you butthose I called, or I'll brain you! There's room but for six in the boat, and those who helped us shall go first, as I ordered. The rest must waittheir time. "

So these fellows, who would have ousted us, give way, grumbling, and Mr. Godwin carrying Moll to the boat, Dawson and I wade in after him, andso, with great gratitude, take our places as Groves directs. We beingin, he and his mate lay to their oars, and pull out to the felucca, guided by the lanthorn on her bulwarks. 

Having put us aboard safely, Groves and his mate fetch the three fellowsthat remained ashore, and now all being embarked, they abandon the smallboat, slip the anchor, and get out their long sweeps, all in desperatehaste; for that absence of wind, which I at first took to be a blessing, appeared now to be a curse, and our main hope of escape lay in pullingfar out to sea before Mohand discovered the trick put upon him, and gavechase. All night long we toiled with most savage energy, dividing ournumber into two batches, so that one might go to the oars as the othertired, turn and turn about. Not one of us but did his utmost--nay, evenMoll would stand by her husband, and strain like any man at this work. But for all our labour, Alger was yet in sight when the break of daygave us light to see it. Then was every eye searching the waters forsign of a sail, be it to save or to undo us. Sail saw we none, but aboutnine o'clock Groves, scanning the waters over against Alger, perceivedsomething which he took to be a galley; nor were we kept long inuncertainty, for by ten it was obvious to us all, showing that it hadgained considerably upon us in spite of our frantic exertions, whichconvinced us that this was Mohand, and that he had discovered us withthe help of a spy-glass, maybe. 

At the prospect of being overtaken and carried back to slavery, a sortof madness possessed those at the oars, the first oar pulling with sucha fury of violence that it snapped at the rowlock, and was of no furtheruse. Still we made good progress, but what could we with three oars doagainst the galley which maybe was mounted with a dozen? Some were forcutting down the mast and throwing spars, sails, and every useless thingoverboard to lighten our ship, but Groves would not hear of this, seeingby a slant in the rain that a breeze was to be expected; and surelyenough, the rain presently smote us on the cheek smartly, whereuponGroves ran up our sail, which, to our infinite delight, did presentlyswell out fairly, careening us so that the oar on t'other side wasuseless. 

But that which favoured us favoured also our enemies, and shortly afterwe saw two sails go up to match our one. Then Groves called a council ofus and his fellows, and his advice was this: that ere the galley drewnigh enough for our number to be sighted, he and his fellows shouldbestow themselves away in the stern cabin, and lie there with such armsof knives and spikes as they had brought with them ready to their hands, and that, on Mohand boarding us with his men, we four should retiretowards the cabin, when he and his comrades would spring forth and fightevery man to the death for freedom. And he held out good promise of asuccessful issue. "For, " says he, "knowing you four" (meaning us) "areunarmed, 'tis not likely he will have furnished himself with any greatforce; and as his main purpose is to possess this lady, he will notsuffer his men to use their firepieces to the risk of her destruction;therefore, " adds he, "if you have the stomach for your part of thisbusiness, which is but to hold the helm as I direct, all must go well. But for the lady, if she hath any fear, we may find a place in the cabinfor her. "

This proposal was accepted by all with gladness, except Moll, who wouldon no account leave her husband's side; but had he not been there, Ibelieve she would have been the last aboard to feel fear, or play acowardly part. 

So without further parley, the fellows crept into the little cabin, eachfingering his naked weapon, which made me feel very sick withapprehension of bloodshed. The air of wind freshening, we kept on at aspanking rate for another hour, Groves lying on the deck with his eyesjust over the bulwarks and giving orders to Dawson and me, who kept thehelm; then the galley, being within a quarter of a mile of us, fired ashot as a signal to us to haul down our sail, and this having no effect, he soon after fires another, which, striking us in the stern, sent greatsplinters flying up from the bulwarks there. 

"Hold her helm, stiff, " whispers Groves, and then he backs cautiouslyinto the cabin without rising from his belly, for the men aboard thegalley were now clearly distinguishable. 

Presently bang goes another gun, and the same moment, its shot takingour mast a yard or so above the deck, our lateen falls over upon thewater with a great slap, and so are we brought to at once. 

Dropping her sail, the galley sweeps up alongside us, and casting outdivers hooks and tackle they held ready for their purpose, they grappledus securely. My heart sank within me as I perceived the number of ourenemies, thirty or forty, as I reckon (but happily not above half adozen armed men), and Mohand ou Mohand amongst them with a scimitar inhis hand; for now I foresaw the carnage which must ensue when we wereboarded. 

Mohand ou Mohand was the first to spring upon our deck, and behind camehis janizaries and half a score of seamen. We four, Mr. Godwin holdingMoll's hand in his, stood in a group betwixt Mohand and his men and thecabin where Joe Groves lay with his fellows, biding his time. One of thejanizaries was drawing his scimitar, but Mohand bade him put it up, andmaking an obeisance to Moll, he told us we should suffer no hurt if wesurrendered peaceably. 

"Never, you Turkish thief!" cries Dawson, shaking his fist at him. 

Mohand makes a gesture of regret, and turning to his men tells them totake us, but to use no weapons, since we had none. Then, he himselfleading, with his eyes fixed hungrily upon Moll, the rest came on, andwe fell back towards the cabin. 

The next instant, with a wild yell of fury, the hidden men burst out ofthe cabin, and then followed a scene of butchery which I pray Heaven itmay nevermore be my fate to witness. 

Groves was the first to spill blood. Leaping upon Mohand, he buried along curved knife right up to the hilt in his neck striking downwardsjust over the collar bone, and he fell, the blood spurting from hismouth upon the deck. At the same time our men, falling upon thejanizaries, did most horrid battle--nay, 'twas no battle, but sheerbutchery; for these men, being taken so suddenly, had no time to drawtheir weapons, and could only fly to the fore end of the boat forescape, where, by reason of their number and the narrow confines of thedeck, they were so packed and huddled together that none could raise hishand to ward a blow even, and so stood, a writhing, shrieking mass ofhumanity, to be hacked and stabbed and ripped and cut down to theirdeath. 

And their butchers had no mercy. They could think only of their pastwrongs, and of satiating the thirst for vengeance, which had grown to amadness by previous restraint. 

"There's for thirteen years of misery, " cries one, driving his spikeinto the heart of one. "Take that for hanging of my brother, " screams asecond, cleaving a Moor's skull with his hatchet. "Quits for turning anhonest lad into a devil, " calls a third, drawing his knife across thethroat of a shrieking wretch, and so forth, till not one of all thecrowd was left to murder. 

Then still devoured by their lust for blood, they swarmed over the sideof the galley to finish this massacre--Groves leading with a shout of"No quarter, " and all echoing these words with a roar of joy. But herethey were met with some sort of resistance, for the Moors aboard, seeingthe fate of their comrades, forewarning them of theirs, had turned theirswivel gun about and now fired--the ball carrying off the head of JoeGroves, the best man of all that crew, if one were better than another. But this only served to incense the rest the more, and so they went attheir cruel work again, and ceased not till the last of their enemieswas dead. Then, with a wild hurrah, they signal their triumph, and onefellow, holding up his bloody hands, smears them over his face with adevilish scream of laughter. 

And now, caring no more for us or what might befall us, than for theTurks who lay all mangled on our deck, one cuts away the tackle thatlashes their galley to us, while the rest haul up the sail, and so theygo their way, leaving us to shift for ourselves. 

CHAPTER XLI. 

_How Dawson counts himself an unlucky man who were best dead; and so hequits us, and I, the reader. _

The galley bent over to the wind and sped away, and I watched her gowithout regret, not thinking of our own hapless condition, but only ofthe brutal ferocity of that mad crew aboard her. 

Their shouts of joy and diabolical laughter died away, and there was nosound but the lapping of the waves against the felucca's side. They haddone their work thoroughly; not a moan arose from the heaps of butcheredmen, not a limb moved, but all were rigid, some lying in grotesquepostures as the death agony had drawn them. And after the tumult thathad prevailed this stillness of death was terrific. From looking overthis ghastly picture I turned and clutched at Dawson's hand for somecomforting sense of life and humanity. 

We were startled at this moment by a light laugh from the cabin, whitherMr. Godwin had carried Moll, fainting with the horror of this bloodybusiness, and going in there we found her now lying in a little crib, light-headed, --clean out of her wits indeed, for she fancied herself onthe dusty road to Valencia, taking her first lesson in the fandango fromDon Sanchez. Mr. Godwin knelt by the cot side, with his arm supportingher head, and soothing her the best he could. We found a little cask ofwater and a cup, that he might give her drink, and then, seeing we couldbe of no further service, Dawson and I went from the cabin, our thoughtsawaking now to the peril of our position, without sail in mid-sea. 

And first we cast our eyes all round about the sea, but we could descryno sail save the galley (and that at a great distance), nor any sign ofland. Next, casting our eyes upon the deck, we perceived that the thickstream of blood that lay along that side bent over by the broken mast, was greatly spread, and not so black, but redder, which was only to beexplained by the mingling of water; and this was our first notice thatthe felucca was filling and we going down. 

Recovering presently from the stupor into which this suspicion threw us, we pulled up a hatch, and looking down into the hold perceived that thiswas indeed true, a puncheon floating on the water there within arms'reach. Thence, making our way quickly over the dead bodies, which failednow to terrify us, to the fore part of our felucca, we discovered thatthe shot which had hit us had started a plank, and that the water leakedin with every lap of a wave. So now, our wits quickened by our peril, wetook a scimitar and a dirk from a dead janizary, to cut away the cordagethat lashed us to the fallen mast, to free us of that burden and rightthe ship if we might. But ere we did this, Dawson, spying the great saillying out on the water, bethought him to hack out a great sheet as faras we could reach, and this he took to lay over the started plank andstaunch the leakage, while I severed the tackle and freed us from thegreat weight of the hanging mast and long spar. And certainly we thoughtourselves safe when this was done, for the hull lifted at once andrighted itself upon the water. Nevertheless, we were not easy, for weknew not what other planks below the water line were injured, nor how tosink our sheet or bind it over the faulty part. So, still further tolighten us, we mastered our qualms and set to work casting the deadbodies overboard. This horrid business, at another time, would have mademe sick as any dog, but there was no time to yield to mawkishsusceptibilities in the face of such danger as menaced us. Only when allwas done, I did feel very weakened and shaky, and my gorge rising at thelook of my jerkin, all filthy with clotted blood, I tore it off and castit in the sea, as also did Dawson; and so, to turn our thoughts (afterwashing of our hands and cleaning our feet), we looked over the side, and agreed that we were no lower than we were, but rather higher forhaving lightened our burden. But no sail anywhere on the wide sea to addto our comfort. 

Going into the cabin, we found that our dear Moll had fallen into asleep, but was yet very feverish, as we could see by her frequentturning, her sudden starts, and the dreamy, vacant look in her eyes, when she opened them and begged for water. We would not add to Mr. Godwin's trouble by telling him of ours (our minds being still restlesswith apprehensions of the leak), but searching about, and discoveringtwo small, dry loaves, we gave him one, and took the other to dividebetwixt us, Dawson and I. And truly we needed this refreshment (as ourfeeble, shaking limbs testified), after all our exertions of the nightand day (it being now high noon), having eaten nothing since supper thenight before. But, famished as we were, we must needs steal to the sideand look over to mark where the water rose; and neither of us dared saythe hull was no lower, for we perceived full well it had sunk somewhatin the last hour. 

Jack took a bite of his loaf, and offered me the rest, saying he had nostomach for food; but I could not eat my own, and so we thrust the breadin our breeches pockets and set to work, heaving everything overboardthat might lighten us, and for ever a-straining our eyes to sight aship. Then we set to devising means to make the sheet cling over thedamaged planks, but to little purpose, and so Dawson essayed to get atit from the inside by going below, but the water was risen so high therewas no room between it and the deck to breathe, and so again to wedgingthe canvas in from the outside till the sun sank. And by that time thewater was beginning to lap up through the hatchway. Then no longer ableto blink the truth, Jack turns to me and asks:

"How long shall we last?"

"Why, " says I, "we have sunk no more than a foot these last six hours, and at this slow pace we may well last out eight or nine more ere thewater comes over the bulwarks. "

He shook his head ruefully, and, pointing to a sluice hole in the side, said he judged it must be all over with us when the water entered there. 

"Why, in that case, " says I, "let us find something to fill the sluicehole. "

So having nothing left on deck, we went into the cabin on a pretence ofseeing how Moll fared, and Jack sneaked away an old jacket and I a stonebottle, and with these we stopped the sluice hole the best we could. 

By the time we had made a job of this 'twas quite dark, and havingnothing more to do but to await the end, we stood side by side, toodejected to speak for some time, thinking of the cruelty of fate whichrescued us from one evil only to plunge us in a worse. At length, Jackfell to talking in a low tone of his past life, showing how things hadever gone ill with him and those he loved. 

"I think, " says he in conclusion, "I am an unlucky man, Kit. One ofthose who are born to be a curse against their will to others ratherthan a blessing. "

"Fie, Jack, " says I, "'tis an idle superstition. "

"Nay, " says he, "I am convinced 'tis the truth. Not one of us here butwould have been the happier had I died a dozen years ago. 'Tis allthrough me that we drown to-night. "

"Nay, 'tis a blessing that we die all together, and none left to mourn. "

"That may be for you and me who have lived the best years of our life, but for those in there but just tasting the sweets of life, with yearsof joy unspent, 'tis another matter. "

Then we were silent for a while, till feeling the water laving my feet, I asked if we should not now tell Mr. Godwin of our condition. 

"'Twas in my mind, Kit, " answers he; "I will send him out to you. "

He went into the cabin, and Mr. Godwin coming out, I showed him ourstate. But 'twas no surprise to him. Only, it being now about three inthe morning, and the moon risen fair and full in the heavens, he castshis eyes along the silver path on the water in the hope of rescue, andfinding none, he grasps my hand and says:

"God's will be done! 'Tis a mercy that my dear love is spared this lastterror. Our pain will not be long. "

A shaft of moonlight entered the cabin, and there we perceived Dawsonkneeling by the crib, with his head laid upon the pillow beside hisdaughter. 

He rose and came out without again turning to look on Moll, and Mr. Godwin took his place. 

"I feel more happy, Kit, " says Jack, laying his hand upon my shoulder. "I do think God will be merciful to us. "

"Aye, surely, " says I, wilfully mistaking his meaning. "I think thewater hath risen no higher this last hour. "

"I'll see how our sheet hangs; do you look if the water comes in yet atthe sluice hole. "

And so, giving my arm a squeeze as he slips his hand from my shoulder, he went to the fore part of the vessel, while I crossed to the sluicehole, where the water was spurting through a chink. 

I rose after jamming the jacket to staunch the leak, and turning towardsJack I perceived him standing by the bulwark, with the moon beyond. Andthe next moment he was gone. And so ended the life of this poor, loving, unlucky man. 

I know not whether it was this lightening of our burden, or whether atthat time some accident of a fold in the sail sucking into the leakingplanks, stayed the further ingress of waters, but certain it is thatafter this we sank no deeper to any perceptible degree; and so it cameabout that we were sighted by a fishing-boat from Carthagena, a littleafter daybreak, and were saved--we three who were left. 

 * * * * *

I have spent the last week at Hurst Court, where Moll and her husbandhave lived ever since Lady Godwin's death. They are making of hay in themeadows there; and 'twas sweet to see Moll and her husband, with theirtwo boys, cocking the sweet grass. And all very merry at supper; onlyone sad memory cast me down as I thought of poor Jack, sorrowing tothink he could not see the happiness which, as much as our pasttroubles, was due to him.