BLACK BARTLEMY'S TREASURE

BY

JEFFREY FARNOL

TO MY NEPHEWS

JAMES JEFFREY FARNOL

AND

RONALD EWART OAKESHOTT

CONTENTS

 PROLOGUE I OF WHAT BEFELL ON PEMBURY HILL II HOW I HEARD A SONG IN THE WOOD AT MIDNIGHT III TELLS HOW I STOLE MY BREAKFAST IV TELLETH HOW I MET ONE ADAM PENFEATHER V HOW I CAME TO CONISBY SHENE VI OF MY SHAMEFUL SUFFERINGS AND HOW I WAS DELIVERED THEREFROM VII HOW I HEARD TELL OF BLACK BARTLEMY'S TREASURE VIII HOW I FELL IN WITH ONE GOD-BE-HERE, A PEDDLER IX HOW I HAD WORD WITH THE LADY JOAN BRANDON FOR THE THIRD TIME X HOW I SWORE TO THE BLOOD-BROTHERHOOD XI ADAM PENFEATHER, HIS NARRATIVE XII TELLETH OF A FIGHT IN THE DARK XIII WE SET OUT FOR DEPTFORD POOL XIV HOW I CAME ABOARD THE "FAITHFUL FRIEND" XV TELLETH OF A NAMELESS BLACK SHIP XVI TELLS HOW WE WERE DOGGED BY THE BLACK SHIP XVII TELLETH HOW AN EYE WATCHED ME FROM THE DARK XVIII CONCERNING THE MARK OF A BLOODY HAND AND HOW I LAY IN THE BILBOES ON SUSPICION OF MURDER XIX CONCERNING THE PRINCESS DAMARIS XX HOW I CAME OUT OF MY BONDS AND OF THE TERRORS OF A FIRE AT SEA XXI TELLETH HOW THE SAID FIRE CAME ABOUT XXII TELLETH HOW WE WERE CAST ADRIFT XXIII DIVERS PERILS AND DANGERS AT SEA XXIV HOW WE CAME TO BLACK BARTLEMY'S ISLAND XXV HOW I WAS HAUNTED OF BLACK BARTLEMY XXVI WE COME UPON GRIM EVIDENCES OF ADAM PENFEATHER XXVII DIVERS ADVENTURES ON THE ISLAND XXVIII I BECOME A JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES XXIX OF MY ENCOUNTER BENEATH BARTLEMY'S TREE XXX OF MY SICK HUMOURS XXXI I TRY MY HAND AT POTTERY XXXII TELLS HOW I FOUND A SECRET CAVE XXXIII WE EXPLORE THE ISLAND XXXIV HOW I STOOD RESOLUTE IN MY FOLLY XXXV HOW MY DEAR LADY WAS LOST TO ME XXXVI TELLETH SOME PART OF A NIGHT OF AGONY XXXVII HOW I SOUGHT DEATH BUT FOUND IT NOT XXXVIII CONCERNING THE DEAD MAN HUMPHREY AND HOW I SAW A VISION IN THE MOONLIGHT XXXIX HOW MY DEAR LADY CAME BACK TO ME XL OF CLOTHES XLI OF THE VOICE THAT SANG ON DELIVERANCE SANDS XLII CONCERNING THE SONG OF A DEAD MAN XLIII OF THE DEATH-DANCE OF THE SILVER WOMAN XLIV HOW I HAD SPEECH WITH ROGER TRESSADY TO MY UNDOING XLV OF THE COMING OF ADAM PENFEATHER XLVI HOW I DOUBTED MYSELF XLVII HOW MY DOUBTING WAS RESOLVED FOR ME

BLACK BARTLEMY'S TREASURE

PROLOGUE

The Frenchman beside me had been dead since dawn. His scarred andshackled body swayed limply back and forth with every sweep of thegreat oar as we, his less fortunate bench-fellows, tugged and strainedto keep time to the stroke. 

Two men had I seen die beside me, yet Death ever passed me by, nay, itseemed rather that despite the pain of stripes, despite the travail andhardship, my strength waxed the mightier; upon arm and thigh, burntnigh black by fierce suns, the muscles showed hard and knotted; withinmy body, scarred by the lash, the life leapt and glowed yet was thesoul of me sick unto death. But it seemed I could not die--findingthereby blessed rest and a surcease from this agony of life as had thisFrenchman, who of all the naked wretches about me, was the only onewith whom I had any sort of fellowship. He had died (as I say) withthe dawn, so quietly that at first I thought he but fainted and pitiedhim, but, when I knew, pity changed to bitterness. 

Therefore, as I strove at the heavy oar I prayed 'twixt gnashing teetha prayer I had often prayed, and the matter of my praying was thus:

"O God of Justice, for the agony I needs must now endure, for thebloody stripes and bitter anguish give to me vengeance--vengeance, OGod, on mine enemy!"

So prayed I, hoarse-panting and with the sweat trickling down whiles Istared at the naked back of him that rowed before me--a great, fatfellow he had been once, but now the skin hung in numberless creaseswhereon were many weals, some raw and bloody, that crossed andre-crossed each other after the manner of lace-work. 

"Justice, O God, upon mine enemy! Since Death is not for me let melive until I be avenged; for the pain I suffer so may I see him suffer, for the anguish that is mine so may I watch his agony. Thou art a justGod, so, God of Justice, give to me vengeance!"

The sun rose high and higher over our quarter, beating down upon ournaked backs and adding greatly to our torments thereby, waking the painof old stripes and lending an added sting to new. 

Ever and anon would come the sharp crack of the drivers' whips followedby the squealing cry of quivering flesh (a cry wherein was none of thehuman) the which, dying to a whine, was lost in the stir and bustle ofthe great galleass. But ever and always, beneath the hoarse voices ofthe mariners, beneath the clash of armour and tramp of feet, beneaththe creak and rumble of the long oars, came yet another sound, risingand falling yet never ceasing, a dull, low sound the like of which youshall sometimes hear among trees when the wind is high--the deep, sobbing moan that was the voice of our anguish as we poor wretchesurged the great "Esmeralda" galleass upon her course. 

The oar whereto I was chained along with my three bench-mates had atsome time been badly sprung, so that the armourers had made shift tostrengthen it with a stout iron fillet some six inches wide. Now it sohappened that my grasp came upon this fillet, and, with every stroke ofthe oar, day after day, week in and week out, it had become my wont torub the links of my chain to and fro across this iron band, wherebythey had become very smooth and shining. 

The words of my prayer were yet upon my lips, when, chancing to lookupon one of these links, I beheld that which set my heart a-leaping andmy riotous blood a-tingle to my fingers' ends; yet 'twas a very smallthing, no more than a mark that showed upon the polished surface of thelink, a line not so thick as a hair and not to be noticed without closelooking; but when I bore upon the link this hair-line grew and widened, it needed but a sudden wrench and I should be free. This threw me intosuch a rapturous transport that I had much ado to contain myself, howbeit after some while I lifted my eyes to the heaven all flushed androsy with the young day, for it seemed that God had indeed heard myprayer. 

Presently, along the gangway amidships, comes none other than thataccursed Portugal, Pedro the whip-master, who, espying the droopingform of the Frenchman beside me, forthwith falls a-cursing in his viletongue and gives a prodigious flourish with his whip. Now by reason ofmuch practice they do become very expert with these same whips, insomuch that they shall (with a certain cunning flick of the lash)gash you a man as it were with a knife, the like of which none may bearand not cry out for the exceeding pain of it. "Ha, thou lazy dog!"cries he, "Think ye to snore and take your ease whiles Pedro isaboard?" And with the word the long lash hissed and cracked upon theFrenchman's naked back like a pistol-shot. 

And lo! he (that meseemed was dead) stirred. I felt the scarred bodyleap and quiver, the swooning eyes opened, rolling dim and sightlessand the pallid face was twisted in sharp anguish; but, even as Iwatched, the lines of agony were smoothed away, into the wild eyes camea wondrous light, and uttering a great, glad cry he sank forward acrossthe oar-shaft and hung there. Hereupon this accursed Pedro betook himto his whip, smiting right heartily, but, seeing the Frenchman stirrednot and perceiving, moreover, the blood to come but slow and in nogreat quantity, he presently desisted and bade us cease rowing one andall. 

This sudden respite from labour served but to teach me how stiff andpainful were my limbs, more especially my left wrist and ankle wherethe fetters had worn great sores. 

The wind was fallen light and there rose that hot, sickening reek, thatsuffocating stench that is like unto nothing on earth save one of thesefloating hells, and the which, if a man hath but smelled it once, heshall nevermore forget. 

After some while, back cometh Pedro with certain of the armourers, and(having by divers methods learned the Frenchman was in sooth dead) theystruck off his fetters, hand and leg, in the doing of which they mustneeds free me also (since we were chained together, he and I) and, binding a great shot to his feet, made ready to heave him overboard. 

And now, seeing no man heeded me, I snapped asunder the cracked linkand was free, save for the heavy chain that cumbered my leg. Stooping, I lifted this chain and crouched to spring for the bulwark; but now(even in this moment), remembering all that I had suffered at the handsof this most accursed Pedro, I turned, and wrapping the brokenoar-chain about my fist, crept towards where he stood to oversee thearmourers. His back was towards me and I was within a yard of him whenhe turned, and, seeing me, uttered a shout and raised his whip, but erethe blow could fall I leapt and smote him. My iron-bound fist took himfull betwixt the eyes, and looking down upon his crushed and spatteredface as he lay I knew that Pedro the whip-master would whip men no morethese many days. 

Then (not minded to die by the whip or upon a pike-head) turned I andsprang for the ship's side, but the chain about my leg hampered mesorely, and ere I could mount the high bulwark I was beset from behind. So would I have faced them and died fighting but fierce strokesbattered me to my knees, fierce hands wrenched and tore at me, andgrown faint with blows I was overborne, my hands lashed behind me, andthus helpless I was dragged along the gangway and so up the ladder tothe poop where, plain to all men's sight, a whipping-post had been setup. Yet even so I struggled still, panting out curses on them, Frenchand Spanish and English, drawing upon all the vile abuse of therowing-bench and lazarette since fain would I have them slay me out ofhand the rather than endure the miseries and anguish of my lot. Yetthis might not be (since slaves were hard to come by and I was mightyand strong) wherefore I struggled no more, but suffered them to strikeoff my broken fetters and bind me to the whipping-post as they listed. Yet scarce had they made an end when there comes a loud hail from themasthead, whereupon was sudden mighty to-do of men running hither andyon, laughing and shouting one to another, some buckling on armour asthey ran, some casting loose the great ordnance, while eyes turned andhands pointed in the one direction; but turn and twist me how I might Icould see nought of any strange sail by reason of the high bulkheadbeside me. 

Of a sudden all voices were hushed as up the poop-ladder comes thecommander Don Miguel in his black armour, who, looking long andsteadily to windward, gives a sign with his gauntleted hand, whereondivers of the officers go off hot-foot, some to muster the long filesof arquebusiers, others to overlook the setting of more sail and thelike. And now was a prodigious cracking of whips followed by groansand cries and screaming curses, and straightway the long oars began toswing with a swifter beat. From where I stood in my bonds I could lookdown upon the poor, naked wretches as they rose and fell, each and allat the same moment, in time to the stroke. 

For maybe half an hour the chase was kept up and then all at once thedecks quivered 'neath the discharge of one of the forward culverins;and presently, as the great galleass altered her course, obedient tothe motion of Don Miguel's hand, I beheld, some half-league towindward, the towering stern of the ship we were pursuing, whose lengthgradually grew upon me as we overhauled her until she was fairly inview. She was a small ship, and by her build I did not doubt but thatshe was English; even as I watched, up to her mizzen-peak fluttered theEnglish flag. And hereupon a great yearning came upon me, insomuchthat of a sudden her high, weatherbeaten sides, her towering masts andpatched canvas grew all blurred and indistinct. 

Thrice already our guns had roared, yet (though she was now so closethat I made out her very rope and spar) she made no sign. In a littleour guns fell silent also, wherefore, looking about, I beheld DonMiguel standing beside the tiller yet with his impassive gaze ever bentupon the foe; and, as I watched, I read his deadly purpose, and a greatfear for the English ship came upon me, and I fell a-praying beneath mybreath, for we carried a weapon more terrible than any culverin thatwas ever cast, the long, sharp ram below the water. 

The English ship was now so near that I could see the yawning muzzlesof her guns, while her high, curving sides seemed to tower over us. AsI gazed, with my heart full of a pitiful fear for her, I saw a headappear above her quarter-railing, a very round head whereon was amariner's red cap. Came a puff of smoke, the sharp crack of a caliver, and one of the officers beside Don Miguel threw up his hands and, twisting on his heels, fell clashing in his armour. When I lookedagain for the red cap, it was gone. But Don Miguel waited, silent andimpassive as ever. Suddenly he gestured with his hand, I saw the heaveof the steersmen's shoulders as they obeyed, while the air rang withshouts of command as, the starboard oars holding water, the larboardthrashed and churned amain and the great "Esmeralda" galleass (turningthus well-nigh in her own length) drove straight for the side of herfoe. 

Never had I seen it better done, and I set my teeth, waiting for thegrinding crash that was to send the English ship to the bottom, but lo!her creaking yards were braced round, and, paying off before the wind(which now blew strongly) she stood away upon a course at right anglesto her old, whereby both vessels were running parallel as before. Yetit had been close, so very close indeed that as we drove past her Iheard the sickening crack of our oars as they snapped off one after theother against her side, tossing those that manned them in bloody, struggling heaps. 

And now from every English gun leaped roaring flame; the air was fullof shrieks and groans and the crash of splintering wood, and throughthe eddying smoke I could see many of our soldiery that lay in strange, contorted attitudes while others crawled, sobbing on hands and knees;but on the scarlet-dropping rowing-benches I dared not look. 

Hotter waxed the fight, louder swelled the din and tumult with thenever-ceasing thunder of the guns; and amid it all Don Miguel paced toand fro, impassive as always, the blade of his long rapier gleaminghere and there as he directed the fire. 

Up rolled the smoke thicker and denser, but, ever and anon, throughsome rift I might catch a glimpse of the scarred, blackened side of theEnglish ship, or the litter and confusion of our decks. Twice shotsploughed up the planking hard by me, and once my post itself wasstruck, so that for a moment I had some hope of winning free of mybonds, yet struggle how I would I could not move; the which filled mewith a keen despair, for I made no doubt (what with the smoke andtumult) I might have plunged overboard unnoticed and belike have gainedthe English ship. 

Slowly and by degrees our fire slackened, one by one the guns fellsilent and in their place rose the more hateful sounds of anguish. Nowas I stood thus, my eyes smarting with burnt powder, my ears yetringing with the din, I grew aware how the deck sloped in strangefashion; at first I paid small heed, yet with every minute this slopebecame steeper, and with this certainty came the knowledge that we weresinking and, moreover (judging by the angle of the deck) sinking by thestern. 

Hereupon, impelled by that lust of life the which is implanted in eachone of us, I fell to a wild struggling against my bonds, until, seeingin a little the hopelessness of this, I grew resigned to despair, and, ceasing my passionate efforts, looked about me, for the smoke wasthinned away. And truly an evil sight was this great galleass, withits shot-torn decks and huddled heaps of dead, its litter of brokenspars and dismantled guns, and with everywhere great gouts and pools ofblood, while below and beyond were the shattered rowing-benchescumbered now with awful red heaps, silent for the most part, yet somethere were who screamed high and shrill. 

Save for myself and divers of the dead the poop lay deserted, butforward such of the soldiers and mariners who yet lived were fightingfor the boats, and all was riot and confusion. 

As I stared about me thus I espied Don Miguel lying among the wreckageof a dismantled gun; his face was towards me and looked as I had seenit an hundred times, save for a smear of blood upon his cheek. Even asI gazed his eyes met mine full and square. For a moment he lay withoutmotion, then (his face a-twitch with the effort) he came slowly to hiselbow, gazed about him and so back to me again. Then I saw his handcreep down to the dagger at his hip, to fumble weakly there--howbeit, at the third essay he drew the blade and began to creep towards me. Very slowly and painfully he dragged himself along, and once I heardhim groan, but he stayed not till he was come within striking distance, yet was he sore wounded and so weak withal that he was fain to rest himawhile. And ever his impassive eyes looked up into mine the while Inerved myself to meet the blow unflinching (an it might be so). Oncemore he raised himself, his arm lifted slowly, the dagger gleamed andfell, its keen edge severing the cords that bound me, and with a suddeneffort I broke free and stood staring down into those impassive eyes asone in a dream. Then, lifting a feeble hand, he pointed to thetattered sails of the English ship hard by, and so, resting his headupon his arm as one that is very weary, he sighed; and with the sigh Ithink the life passed out of him. 

Turning, I was upon the quarter-railing in a single leap, and, withouta glance at the red havoc behind me, I plunged over and down. 

The sharp sting of the brine struck me like a myriad needle-points, butthe sweet cool of the waters was wondrous grateful to my sun-scorchedbody as, coming to the surface, I struck out for the English shipthough sore hampered by my chain. 

Presently coming beneath her lofty stern I found hanging therefrom atangle of ropes and cordage whereby I contrived to clamber aboard, andso beheld a man in a red seaman's bonnet who sat upon the wreckage ofone of the quarter guns tying up a splinter-gash in his arm with handand teeth; perceiving me he rolled a pair of blue eyes up at me andnodded:

"Welcome aboard, lad!" says he, having knotted the bandage to hisliking. "Be ye one as can understand good English?"

"Aye!" says I, nodding. 

"Why then bear witness as I be a patient soul and marciful. Be witnessas I held my fire so long as any marciful soul might by token that Iknew what a broadside can do among crowded rowing-benches--having rowedaboard one o' they Spanish hells afore now--so I held my fire till yondevil's craft came nigh cutting me asunder--and marcy hath its limits. Timothy Spence o' the "Tiger", master, is me, homeward bound for thePort of London, and by this fight am short five good men. But you're aproper big 'un. Go for'ard to the bo'sun, you shall know him by reasonthat he lacketh his starboard yere. Ask him for clothes to cover thynakedness, lad, and--Oho, there goeth yon devil's craft--!" Turning ashe spoke I saw the sharp bows of the "Esmeralda" lift and lift, highand higher, and, with a long-drawn gurgling roar, the great galleassplunged down stern foremost, burying her shame and misery from the eyesof man for evermore. 

Thus then I sailed with Master Timothy Spence aboard the "Tiger, " afree man after five years of anguish. 

CHAPTER I

OF WHAT BEFELL ON PEMBURY HILL

It was a night of tempest with rain and wind, a great wild wind thatshouted mightily near and far, filling the world with halloo; while, ever and anon, thunder crashed and lightning flamed athwart the muddyroad that wound steeply up betwixt grassy banks topped by swayingtrees. Broken twigs, whirling down the wind, smote me in the dark, fallen branches reached out arms that grappled me unseen, but I held onsteadfastly, since every stride carried me nearer to vengeance, thatvengeance for the which I prayed and lived. So with bared head liftedexulting to the tempest and grasping the stout hedge-stake that servedme for staff, I climbed the long ascent of Pembury Hill. 

Reaching the summit at last I must needs stay awhile to catch my breathand shelter me as well as I might 'neath the weather bank, for uponthis eminence the rain lashed and the wind smote me with a furyredoubled. 

And now, as I stood amid that howling darkness, my back propped by thebank, my face lifted to the tempest, I was aware of a strange sound, very shrill and fitful, that reached me 'twixt the booming wind-gusts, a sound that came and went, now loud and clear, anon faint and remote, and I wondered what it might be. Then the rushing dark was splitasunder by a jagged lightning-flash, and I saw. Stark against theglare rose black shaft and crossbeam, wherefrom swung a creaking shapeof rusty chains and iron bands that held together something shrivelledand black and wet with rain, a grisly thing that leapt on the buffetingwind, that strove and jerked as it would fain break free and hurlitself down upon me. 

Now hearkening to the dismal creak of this chained thing, I fell tomeditation. This awful shape (thought I) had been a man once, hale andstrong, --even as I, but this man had contravened the law (even as Ipurposed to do) and he had died a rogue's death and so hung, rotting, in his chains, even as this my own body might do some day. And, hearkening to the shrill wail of his fetters, my flesh crept withloathing and I shivered. But the fit passed, and in my vain pride Ismote my staff into the mud at my feet and vowed within myself thatnought should baulk me of my just vengeance, come what might; as myfather had suffered death untimely and hard, so should die the enemy ofmy race; for the anguish he had made me endure so should he knowanguish. I bethought me how long and deadly had been this feud ofours, handed down from one generation to another, a dark, blood-smirched record of bitter wrongs bitterly avenged. "To hate likea Brandon and revenge like a Conisby!" This had been a saying in oursouth country upon a time; and now--he was the last of his race as Iwas the last of mine, and I had come back out of hell that this sayingmight be fulfilled. Soon--ha, yes, in a few short hours the feudshould be ended once and for all and the house of Conisby avenged tothe uttermost. Thinking thus, I heeded no more the raving tempestaround me until, roused by the plunge and rattle of the gibbet-chains, I raised my head and shaking my staff up at that black and shrivelledthing, I laughed loud and fierce, and, even as I did so, there leapt agreat blaze of crackling flame and thereafter a thunder-clap thatseemed to shake the very earth and smite the roaring wind to awedsilence; and in this silence, I heard a whisper:

"O mercy of God!"

Somewhere in the darkness hard by a woman had cried. Instinctively Iturned thitherward, searching the night vainly until the lightningflared again and I beheld a cloaked and hooded figure huddled miserablyagainst the bank of the road, and, as darkness came, I spoke:

"Woman, doth the gibbet fright you, or is't I? If 'tis the gibbet gohence, if 'tis I rest assured. "

"Who are you?" said a breathless voice. 

"One of no more account than the poor thing that danceth aloft in hischains and for you as harmless. "

And now she was beside me, a dark, wind-blown shape, and above thehowling tempest her voice reached me in passionate pleading:

"Sir--sir, will you aid one in sore danger and distress?"

"Yourself?" I questioned. 

"Nay--indeed nay, " she panted, "'tis Marjorie, my poor, poor braveMarjorie. They stopped my coach--drunken men. I know not what came ofGregory and I leapt out and escaped them in the dark, butMarjorie--they carried her off--there is a light down the lane yonder. I followed and saw--O sir, you will save Marjorie--you are a man--"

A hand was upon my ragged sleeve, a hand that gripped and shook at mein desperate supplication--"You will save her from--from worse thandeath? Speak--speak!"

"Lead on!" quoth I, answering this compelling voice. The gripingfingers slipped down and clasped my hand in the dark, and with neveranother word she led me away unseeing and unseen until we came where wewere more sheltered from rain and wind; and now I took occasion tonotice that the hand that gripped mine so masterfully was small andsoft, so that what with this and her voice and speech I judged her oneof condition. But my curiosity went no further nor did I question her, for in my world was no place for women. So she led me on at hastedespite the dark--like one that was sure of her whereabouts--until Isuddenly espied a dim light that shone out from the open lattice ofwhat I judged to be a small hedge-tavern. Here my companion haltedsuddenly and pointed to the light. 

"Go!" she whispered. "Go--nay, first take this!" and she thrust asmall pistol into my hand. "Haste!" she panted, "O haste--and I dopray God shield and bless you. " Then with never a word I left her andstrode towards the beam of light. 

Being come nigh the casement I paused to cock the weapon and to glanceat the priming, then, creeping to the open lattice, I looked into theroom. 

Three men scowled at each other across a table--desperate-lookingfellows, scarred and ill-featured, with clothes that smacked of thesea; behind them in a corner crouched a maid, comely of seeming butpallid of cheek and with cloak torn by rough hands, and, as shecrouched, her wide eyes stared at the dice-box that one of the men wasshaking vigorously--a tall, hairy fellow this, with great rings in hisears; thus stood he rattling the dice and smiling while his companionscursed him hoarsely. 

With a twist of the hand the hairy man made his throw, and as the threeevil heads stooped above the dice, I clambered through the window, levelled pistol in one hand, heavy staff in the other. 

"What d'ye set?" quoth I. The three sprang apart and stared at mequite chapfallen. 

"What's to do?" growled one. 

"First your barking-irons--lay them here on the table and quick's theword!" One after another they drew the weapons from their belts, andone by one I tossed them through the window. 

"What!" quoth one, a lank rogue with a patch over one eye and winkingthe other jovial-wise, "How now, mate o' mine, shall dog bite dog then?"

"Aye, " says I, "and with a will!"

"Nay, nay, shipmate, " quoth another, a plump, small man with round, bright eyes and but one ear, "easy now--easy. We be three lornmariners d'ye see--jolly dogs, bully boys, shipmate--a little fun wi' apretty lass--nought to harm d'ye see, sink me! Join us and welcome, says I, share and share alike O!"

"Aye, I'll join you, " quoth I, "but first--you wi' the rings--open thedoor!" Here the hairy fellow growled an oath and reached for an emptytankard, and thereupon got the end of my staff driven shrewdly into hismidriff so that he sank to the floor and lay gasping. 

"Nay now, shipmate, " quoth the plump man in wheedling tone but roundeyes snapping, "here's lubberly manners, sink and scuttle me--"

"Open the door!" says I. 

"Heartily--heartily!" says he, his eye upon my cudgel, and edging tothe door, drew the bolts and set it wide. 

"Woman, " quoth I, "run!"

With never a word the maid sprang erect, caught her torn cloak abouther and, speeding across the room, was gone; whereupon the lank fellowsat him down and fell a-cursing viciously in Spanish and English, theplump man clicked his teeth and grinned, while 'Rings, ' leaning againstthe wall, clasped his belly and groaned. 

"Well so, my bully roarer, and what now?" demanded the plump man, softly. 

"Why now, " says I, "'twas share and share alike, I mind--"

"Aye, but she's off, slipped her moorings d'ye see, my good lad, and bedamned t' ye wi' all my heart, " said the little plump man, smiling, butwith the devil peeping through his narrowed lids. 

"Look'ee, " says I, laying a groat upon the table, "there's my all--cometurn out your pockets--"

"Pockets!" murmured the plump man, "Lord love me, what's this? Here'sus cheated of a bit of daintiness, here's Abner wi' all the windknocked out o' him and now here's you for thieving and robbing threepoor lorn sailor-men as never raised hand agin ye--shame, shipmate. "

"Od rot your bones!" snarled the one-eyed man and spat towards me, whereat I raised my staff and he, lifting an arm, took the blow on hiselbow-joint and writhed, cursing; but while I laughed at the fellow'scontortions, the plump man sprang (marvellous nimble) and dashed outthe light and, as I stepped from before the window, I heard the latticego with a crash of glass. Followed a long, tense moment wherein we all(as I judge) held our breath, for though the storm yet roared beyondthe shattered casement, within was a comparative quiet. Thus, as Istood in the dark listening for some rustle, some stealthy creepingstep to guide my next blow, I thrust away my pistol and changing mystaff to my right hand, drew forth the broad-bladed sailor's knife Icarried, and so waited mighty eager and alert, but heard only thefar-off booming of the wind. Then a floorboard creaked faintly to myleft, and turning short, I whirled my staff, felt it strike home andheard a fierce cry and the uneven tread of staggering feet. 

"Fight, rogues!" cried I. "Here's meat and drink to me--fight!" andsetting my back to the wall I waited for their rush. Instead I heard ahoarse whispering, lost all at once in a woman's shrill scream outbeyond the casement, and thereafter a loud voice that hailed:

"House ho! House ahoy! Light ho! Show a glim, ye drunken dogs!" andhere followed a rush of roaring sea-oaths, drowned in a scream, louder, wilder than before. Then, while this distressful cry yet thrilled uponthe air, pandemonium broke loose about me, shouts, cries and a rush andtrample of feet; the table went over with a crash and the darknessabout me rained blows. But as they struck random and fierce, so struckI and (as I do think) made right goodly play with my hedge-stake until, caught by a chance blow, I staggered, tripped and, falling headlong, found myself rolling upon sodden grass outside the shattered window. For a moment I lay half-dazed and found in the wind and rain vastycomfort and refreshment. 

Then in the pitchy gloom hard by I heard that which brought me to myfeet--an evil scuffling, a close and desperate struggling--a man'shoarse laugh and a woman's pitiful pleading and sobbing. I had lost mystaff, but I yet grasped my knife, and with this held point upwards andmy left hand outstretched before me, I crept forward guided by thesesounds. My fingers came upon hair, a woman's long, soft tresses, and Iremember marvelling at the silky feel of them; from these my handslipped to her waist and found there an arm that grasped her close, then, drawing back my hand, I smote with my knife well beneath this armand drove in the stout blade twice. The fellow grunted and, loosingthe maid, leapt full at me, but I met him with clenched fist and hewent down headlong, and I, crouched above him and feeling him struggleto his knees, kicked him back into the mud and thereafter leapt on himwith both feet as I had been wont to do when fighting my fellow-slavesin some lazarette; then, seeing he stirred no more, I left him, doubting nothing I had done his business. Yet as I went I felt myselfshiver, for though I had been compelled to fight the naked wretches whohad been my fellow-slaves, I had killed no man as yet. 

Thus as I went, chancing to stumble against a tree, I leaned thereawhile; and now remembering those two blows under the armpit, what withthis stabbing and my fall and lack of food, for I had eaten but oncethat day, I grew faint and sick. But as I leaned there, out of thegloom came a hand that fumbled timidly my bowed head, my arm, my hand. 

"Sir--are you hurt?" questioned a voice, and here once again I wasstruck by the strange, vital quality of this voice, its bell-like depthand sweetness. 

"No whit!" says I. Now as I spoke it chanced she touched the knife inmy grasp and I felt her shiver a little. 

"Did you--O sir--did you--kill him?"

"And wherefore no?" I questioned. "And why call me 'sir'?"

"You do speak as one of gentle birth. "

"And go like the beggar I am--in rags. I am no 'sir. '"

"How may I call you?"

"Call me rogue, thief, murderer--what ye will, 'tis all one. But asfor you, " quoth I, lifting my head, "'tis time you were gone--seeyonder!" and I pointed where a light winked through the trees, a lightthat danced to and fro, coming slowly nearer until it stopped all atonce, then rose a shout answered by other shouts and a roar of dismayedblasphemy. At this my companion pressed nearer so that I felt hershiver again. 

"Let us be gone!" she whispered. "Marjorie, come, child, let ushaste. " So we went on together at speed, and ever as we went thatsmall, soft hand was upon the hand that held the knife. So we sped onthrough the dark, these two maids and I, unseeing and unseen, speakinglittle by reason of our haste. 

Presently the rain ceased, the wind abated its rage and the thunderpealed faint with distance, while ever and anon the gloom gave place toa vague light, where, beyond the flying cloud-wrack, a faint moonpeeped. 

Guided by that slender hand, so soft and yet instinct with warm andvigorous life, I stumbled on through leafy ways, traversed a littlewood, on and ever on until, the trees thinning, showed beyond a glimmerof the great high road. Here I stayed. 

"Madam, " says I, making some ado over the unfamiliar word. "You shouldbe safe now--and, as I do think, your road lieth yonder. "

"Pembury is but a mile hence, " says she, "and there we may get horses. Come, at least this night you shall find comfort and shelter. "

"No, " says I. "No--I am a thing of the roads, and well enough in hedgeor rick!" and I would have turned but her hand upon my sleeverestrained me. 

"Sir, " says she, "be you what you will, you are a man! Who you are Iknow and care not--but you have this night wrought that I shallnevermore forget and now I--we--would fain express our gratitude--"

"Indeed and indeed!" said the maid Marjorie, speaking for the firsttime. 

"I want no gratitude!" says I, mighty gruff. 

"Yet shall it follow thee, for the passion of gratitude is strong andmay not be denied--even by beggar so proud and arrogant!" And now, hearkening to this voice, so deep and soft and strangely sweet, I knewnot if she laughed at me or no; but even as I debated this withinmyself, she lifted my hand, the hand that grasped the knife, and I feltthe close, firm pressure of two warm, soft lips; then she had freed meand I fell back a step, striving for speech yet finding none. 

"God love me!" quoth I at last. "Why must you--do so!"

"And wherefore not?" she questioned proudly. 

"'Tis the hand of a vagrant, an outcast, a poor creeper o' ditches!"says I. 

"But a man's hand!" she answered. 

"'Tis at hand that hath slain once this night and shall slay again eremany hours be sped. " Now here I heard her sigh as one that is troubled. 

"And yet, " says she gently, "'tis no murderer's hand and you that arevagrant and outcast are no rogue. "

"How judge ye this, having never seen me?" I questioned. 

"In that I am a woman. For God hath armed our weakness with a gift ofknowledge whereby we may oft-times know truth from falsehood, the noblefrom the base, 'spite all their outward seeming. So do I judge you norogue--a strong man but very--aye, very young that, belike, hathsuffered unjustly, and being so young art fierce and impatient of allthings, and apt to rail bitterly 'gainst the world. Is't not so?"

"Aye, " says I, marvelling, "truly 'tis like witchcraft--mayhap you willspeak me my name. " At this she laughed (most wonderful to hear andvastly so to such coarse rogue as I, whose ears had long been strangersto aught but sounds of evil and foul obscenity):

"Nay, " says she, "my knowledge of you goeth no further--but--" (andhere she paused to fetch a shuddering breath) "but for him youkilled--that two-legged beast! You did but what I would have donefor--O man, had you not come I--I should have killed him, maid though Iam! See, here is the dagger I snatched from his girdle as he strovewith me. O, take it--take it!" And, with a passionate gesture, shethrust the weapon into my grasp. 

"O madam--my lady!" cried her companion, "Look, yonder belights--lanthorns aflare on the road. 'Tis Gregory as I do think, withfolk come to seek for us. Shall we go meet them?"

"Nay wait, child--first let us be sure!" So side by side we stood allthree amid the dripping trees, watching the tossing lights that grewever nearer until we might hear the voices of those that bare them, raised, ever and anon, in confused shouting. 

"Aye, 'tis Gregory!" sighed my lady after some while. "He hath raisedthe village and we are safe--"

"Hark!" cried I, starting forward. "What name do they cry upon?"

"Mine, sir!"

"Oho, my lady!" roared the hoarse chorus. "Oho, my Lady Joan--my LadyBrandon--Brandon--Brandon!"

"Brandon!" cried I, choking upon the word. 

"Indeed, sir--I am the Lady Joan Brandon of Shene Manor, and so long aslife be mine needs must I bear within my grateful heart the memory of--"

But, waiting for no more, I turned and sprang away into the densergloom of the wood. And ever as I went, crashing and stumbling throughthe underbrush, above the noise of my headlong flight rang the hatedname of the enemy I had journeyed so far to kill--"Brandon! Brandon!Brandon!"

CHAPTER II

HOW I HEARD A SONG IN THE WOOD AT MIDNIGHT

Headlong went I, staying for nought and heedless of all direction, butpresently, being weary and short of breath, I halted and leaningagainst a tree stood thus very full of bitter thought. The storm wasquite passed, but a chill wind was abroad that moaned dismally, whileall about me sodden trees dripped with mournful, sobbing noises. Andhearkening to all this, what should I be thinking but of the sweet, soft tones of a woman's voice that had stirred within me memories ofbetter days, a voice that had set me to dreams of a future, to fond andfoolish imaginings. For, though shamed and brutalised by mysufferings, I was a man and in this past hour (strange though it doseem) felt scorn of myself and a yearning for higher things, and allthis by no greater reason than the sound of a woman's voice in the darkand the touch of her warm lips on my hand--and she a Brandon! And nowas the bitter mockery of it all rushed upon me, fierce anger swept meand I broke forth into vile oaths and cursings, English and Spanish, foul invectives picked up from the rogues, my fellows in misery; andfeeling a new shame therefore, did but curse the more. So therecrouched I 'gainst the tree, shivering like the miserable wretch I wasand consumed with a ravening hunger. At last, becoming aware that Iyet grasped a weapon in either hand, I thrust my knife in my girdle andfell to handling this other, judging it by touch since it was yet toodark for eyes to serve me. And by its feel I knew it for no honestknife; here was a thing wrought by foreign hands, a haft cunninglyshaped and wrought, a blade curiously slender and long and three-edged, a very deadly thing I judged by the feel. Now since it had no sheath(and it so sharp) I twisted my neckerchief about it from pommel toneedle-point, and thrusting it into the leathern wallet at my belt, went on some way further 'mid the trees, seeking some place where Imight be sheltered from the cold wind. Then, all at once, I heard thatwhich brought me to a stand. 

A man was singing and at no great distance, a strange, merry air andstranger words; and the voice was loud, yet tuneful and mellow, and thewords (the which I came to know all too well) were these:

 "Cheerly O and cheerly O, Right cheerly I'll sing O, Whiles at the mainyard to and fro We watch a dead man swing O. With a rumbelow and to and fro He by the neck doth swing O!

 One by the knife did part wi' life And three the bullet took O, But three times three died plaguily A-wriggling on a hook O. A hook both strong and bright and long, They died by gash o' hook O. 

 So cheerly O and cheerly O, Come shake a leg, lads, all O. Wi' a yo-ho-ho and a rumbelow And main-haul, shipmates, haul O. 

 Some swam in rum to kingdom come, Full many a lusty fellow. And since they're dead I'll lay my head They're flaming now in hell O. 

 So cheerly O, so cheerly O"--

Waiting for no more of the vile rant I strode forward and thuspresently came on a small dell or dingle full of the light of a firethat crackled right merrily; at the which most welcome sight I madeshift to scramble down the steepy bank forthright and approached theblaze on eager feet. Drawing near, I saw the fire burned within asmall cave beneath the bank, and as I came within its radiance the songbroke off suddenly and a man rose up, facing me across the fire andwith one hand hid under the flap of his side pocket. 

"Fibs off your popps, cull!" quoth in the vernacular of the roads. "Here's none but a pal as lacketh warmth and a bite!"

"Aha!" quoth the fellow, peering across the blaze, "And who be you?Stand and give a show o' your figurehead!" Obediently I stood withhands outspread to the flame, warming my shivering body at its gratefulheat. 

"Well?" says I. 

"Why, " quoth he, nodding, "You're big enough and wild enough and aslikely a cut-throat as another--what's the lay?"

"The high pad!" says I. 

"Where away?"

"'Tis no matter!"

"All I asks is, " quoth the fellow with a quizzical look, "how you'vefobbed the nubbing-cheat so long!"

"And what I ask is, " quoth I, "how a sailor-man comes to know thepatter o' the flash coves!"

"'Tis no matter, " says he, "but since you're o' the Brotherhood sit yeand welcome, 'tis dry enough here in this cave. "

Staying for no second bidding I entered the little cave and sat me downin the comforting warmth of the fire. The man was a comely fellow of ahectoring, swashing air, bright of eyes and instant of gesture; closeto hand lay a short cutting-sword, pistols bulged his deepcoat-pockets, while betwixt his knees was a battered case-bottle. 

"Well, " says he, eyeing me over, "what's the word?"

"Food!" says I. 

"Nary a bite!" he answered, shaking his head. "But here's rum now ifyou've a mind to sluice the ivories--ha?"

"Not a drop!" says I. 

"Good! The more for me!" he nodded. "Rum--ha--

"Some swam in rum to kingdom come"--

"You sing a mighty strange song!" quoth I. 

"Ha--d'ye like it?"

"No, I don't!"

"And wherefore no?"

"There seems overmuch death in it. "

"Death?" cries he with a great laugh and hugging his case-bottle. "Death says you--aye, aye, says I and so there is, death in every lineon't. 'Tis song as was made for dead men, of dead men, by a dead man, and there's for ye now!" Here he lifted the bottle, drank, andthereafter smacked his lips with great gusto. "Made by a dead man, " herepeated, "for dead men, of dead men, and there's for ye!"

"I like your song less and less!"

"You've a cursed queasy stomach I think!" he hiccupped. 

"And an empty one!" says I. 

"'Tis a song well bethought on by--by better men nor you, for all yoursize!" says he, glancing at me over his bottle with a truculent eye, and though his glance was steady, I perceived the drink was affectinghim more and more. "Aye, many a better man!" he nodded, frowning. 

"As who?" I questioned. 

"First, there's Abnegation Mings as you shall hear tell of on the Mainfrom Panama to St. Catherine's, aye, by the horns of Nick there be noneof all the coastwise Brotherhood quicker or readier when there's aughti' the wind than Abnegation, and you can lay to that, my delicate cove!"

"And who's he?"

"Myself!" Here he took another draught and nodded at me in drunkensolemnity. "And look'ee, my dainty cull, when you've seen as much o'death as Abnegation Mings you'll know as Death's none so bad a thing, so long as it leaves you alone. And I for one say 'tis a good song andthere's for ye!"

"And who else?"

"Well, there's Montbars as do they call the Exterminator, and there'syoung Harry Morgan--a likely lad, and there's Roger Tressady and SolAiken and Penfeather--sink him!"

"And Abner!" said I at a venture. 

"Aye for sure!" he nodded, and then, "Ha, d'ye know Abner then?"

"I've met him. "

"Where away?"

"In a tavern some mile hence. "

"A tavern!" quoth he, "A tavern, 'od rot 'em and here's me hove shortin this plaguy hole! A tavern, and here's my bottle out--dog bite me!But a mouthful left--well, here's to a bloody shirt and the Brotherhoodo' the Coast. "

"You drink to the buccaneers, I think?" says I. 

"And what if I do?"

"'Tis said they be no better than pirates--"

"Would ye call me a pirate then?" cried he, scowling. 

"I would. " Quick as flash he clapped hand to pocket, but the pistolcaught on the lining, and before he could free it I had covered himwith mine, whereat he grew suddenly rigid and still. "Up wi' yourfambles!" says I. Obediently he raised his hands and, taking hispistols, I opened the pan of each one and, having blown out theprimings, tossed them back. 

"Snake sting me!" says he, laughing ruefully as he re-pocketed hisweapons. "This comes o' harbouring a lousy rogue as balks good liquor. The man as won't take good rum hath the head of a chicken, the heart ofa yellow dog, and the bowels of a w-worm, and bone-rot him, says I. Lord love me, but I've seen many a better throat than yours slit erenow, my buxom lad!"

"And aided too, belike?" says I. 

"Why, here's a leading question--but mum! Here's a hand that knowethnot what doth its fellow--mum, boy, mum!" And tilting back his head hebrake forth anew into his villainous song:

 "Two on a knife did end their life And three the bullet took O, But three times three died plaguily A-wriggling on a hook O. Sing cheerly O and cheerly O, They died by gash o' hook O. "

"And look'ee, my ben cull, if I was to offer ye all Bartlemy'streasure--which I can't, mark me--still you'd never gather just whatmanner o' hook that was. Anan, says you--mum, boy, says I. Howbeit, Isay, 'tis a good song, " quoth he, blinking drowsily at the fire, "here's battle in't, murder and sudden death and wha--what more couldye expect of any song--aye, and there's women in't too!" Here he fellto singing certain lewd ribaldry that I will not here set down, untilwhat with the rum and the drowsy heat of the fire that I hadreplenished, he yawned, stretched, and laying himself down, very soonfell a-snoring, to my no small comfort. As for me, I sat there waitingfor the dayspring; the fire sank lower and lower, filling the littlecave with a rosy glow falling athwart the sprawling form of the sleeperand making his red face seem purplish and suffused like the face of oneI had once seen dead of strangulation; howbeit, he slept well enough, judging from his lusty snoring. Now presently in the surrounding darkbeyond the smouldering fire was a glimmer, a vague blur of sloping, trampled bank backed by misty trees; so came the dawn, very chill andfull of eddying mists that crawled phantom-like, filling the littledingle brimful and blotting out the surrounding trees. In a little Iarose and, coming without the cave, shivered in the colder air, shakenwith raging hunger. And now remembering my utter destitution, I stoopedto peer down at the sleeper, half minded to go through his pockets, butin a while I turned away and left him sprawled in his sottish slumber. 

CHAPTER III

TELLS HOW I STOLE MY BREAKFAST

The mist lay very thick all about me, but when I had climbed to higherground it thinned away somewhat, so that as the pallid light grew Ibegan to see something of the havoc wrought by the storm; here andthere lay trees uprooted, while everywhere was a tangle of brokenboughs and trailing branches, insomuch that I found my going no smalllabour. But presently as I forced a way through these leafy tangles, the birds, awaking, began to fill the dim world with blithe chirpingsthat grew and grew to a sweet clamour, ever swelling until the darkwoods thrilled with gladsome music and I, beholding the first beam ofsun, felt heartened thereby 'spite my lack of sleep and the gnawing ofhunger's sharp fangs, and hastened with blither steps. Thus in a whileI brake forth of the desolate trees and came out upon a fair, rollingmeadow with blooming hedgerows before me and, beyond, the high road. And now as I stayed to get my bearings, up rose the sun in majesty, allglorious in purple and pink and gold, whose level beams turned theworld around me into a fair garden all sweet and fresh and green, while, in the scowling woods behind, the sullen mists crept furtiveaway till they were vanished quite and those leafy solitudes became avery glory. 

But my hunger was very sore, a need I purposed to satisfy soon and atall hazards; therefore, having marked my direction, I went at speedand, crossing the meadow, came into the highway and struck south. Onmy going through the woods I had chosen me a cudgel in place of the onelost, shortish and knotted and very apt for quick wrist-play, and Iplucked forth my sailor's knife meaning to trim my staff therewith; butwith it poised in my hand, I stopped all at once, for I saw that thepoint of the stout blade (the which I had sharpened and whetted to anextreme keenness), I perceived, I say, that the blade was bent somewhatand the point turned, hook-like. Now as I strode on again, the earlysun flashing back from the steel, I fell to wondering how this hadchanced, and bethinking me of those two deadly blows I had struck inthe dark I scrutinised my knife, blade and haft, yet found nowhere onit any trace of blood, so that 'twas manifest the fellow had worn someprotection--chain-shirts were common enough and many a rogue went witha steel skull to line his hat. So it seemed the fellow lived yet and(black rogue though he was) I was vaguely glad 'twas not my hand hadsent him to his account. 

I was yet revolving the matter in my mind when I heard a loud and merrywhistling, and glancing up, beheld a country fellow approaching down aside lane. He wore a wide-eaved hat and his smock was new-washed andspeckless; but that which drew and held my eyes, that which brought meto a sudden stand, was the bundle he bore wrapped in a fair, whiteclout. So, with my gaze on this I stood leaning on my knotted, untrimmed staff, waiting him. Suddenly, chancing to turn his head, heespied me, halted in his stride, then eyeing me askance, advancedagain. A small man he was, with rosy face, little, merry eyes, and awide, up-curving mouth. 

"Goo' marnin' to 'ee--it do have been a tur'ble bad starm las' night, master!"

"Aye!" says I, and my heart warmed to him by reason of his good Kentishtongue--the like of which I had not heard these many weary years; butat sight of that white-clouted bundle my mouth watered and hungergnawed with sharper tooth. "What have ye here?" I questioned, touchingthis with my staff. 

"Nou't but my dinner, master, 's ever was!"

"Nay, " says I scowling, "I think not!"

"Aye, but it be, master!" he nodded. "Bread and beef wi' a mossel ofcheese like, 's ever was!"

"Bread!" says I. "Beef! Cheese! Liar--here is no dinner o' yours!"

"Aye, master, but it do be so, sure!" quoth he, staring. "My very owndinner cut by my very own darter, beef an' bread an' a mossel o'cheese--I take my bible oath t' it, I do--bread an' beef an' a mossel--"

"Show me!" With notable haste he undid the wrapping, discovering agood half-loaf, a thick slice of roast beef and a slab of yellow cheese. 

"Ha, man!" quoth I 'twixt shut teeth. "So you lied to me then. "

"Lied to 'ee, master?" says he faintly. 

"You told me 'twas your dinner!"

"Aye, and so it be, so it be, I lay my oath--beef, d'ye see, an' amossel--"

"Nay, " says I gathering up the viands, "here's my breakfast. "

"Is it?" says he, gaping. 

"It is! Would ye deny it?"

"Not for a moment!" says he, eyeing my staff and the gleaming knife inmy belt. "Lordy, no! Only how was I to know 'twere yourn, master--when my darter cut it for her very own feyther--"

"We live and we learn!" says I, turning away. "What might your namebe?"

"Full-o'-j'y Tucker, master. "

"Why then, Full-of-joy, though my gain be your loss take comfort inthat 'tis more blessed to give than receive. Moreover, though you lacka dinner you have a daughter and a roof to shelter you and I neitherone nor other--a poor, hungry rogue. Methinks of the two of us youhave the better of life. "

"Why, look'ee now, master, " says he, scratching his shaven chin, "sinceyou've got your breakfus' surely, if you're minded t' step along t' mycottage down t' lane, I can give ye a jug of good ale to wash it down. "Now as he spoke thus, seeing the sturdy manliness of him I dropped mystaff and reached out my hand. 

"Full-of-joy, " says I, "a starving man must eat by hook or crook, butif you'll give your honest hand to a thief--there's mine!"

The man stared from my hand to my face, his wide mouth curved, thenrubbing hand on snowy smock he grasped my fingers and wrung themheartily--a clean and honest grip, such as I had not known for many along day. 

"Will 'ee come, master?" he questioned. I shook my head. Quoth I:

"You have a daughter and I'm no fit company for a good, sweet maid--norever shall be for that matter!" So saying, I dropped his hand andturning, strode away down the road, his dinner beneath my arm; and whenat last I glanced back I saw him standing where I had left him, staringafter me chin in hand. Presently, turning in at a gate beside the way, I sat down beneath a hedge in the warm, level beams of the sun and fellto eating with huge appetite and (stolen though it was) never tastedfood more sweet. I was thus rapturously employed when I heard adolorous whine and, starting about, beheld a ragged creature on theopposite side of the hedge who glared at the food with haggard eyes andreached out claw-like hands in supplication. 

"O for the love o' Christ, spare a crust!" she wailed. "Spare a biteto a grannam as dieth o' hunger. O sweet Jesu--a mouthful to a poorsoul as do be pined for lack o' food--"

"Off!" cries I fiercely, "What know you of hunger? Away, hag!" and Ireached for my staff, whereupon she wailed and wept, and clawing herdismal rags about her, crept away moaning. 

But now while my jaws champed ravenously, the food had lost its savour;wherefore I cursed and choked and, springing to my feet, made afterher, but, seeing me follow at speed, she cried out in fear and, striving to flee from me, sank on feeble knees. 

"Old hag!" quoth I, "Be damned for spoiling a hungry man's appetite androbbing him of what he was at pains to rob for himself!" Then I thrustthe well-filled napkin into her clutching fingers and hasted away, buther raptured cry followed me as I went. 

I trudged on slow and heavy through the mud, being very weary for lackof sleep and mightily down cast, heedless of gladsome morn and thefair, fresh world about me, conscious but of my own most miserableestate; insomuch that I presently sank down on the grass by the roadand, with heavy head bowed between my hands, gave myself up to blackdespond. 

But now as I sat thus, very sick and sorrowful, I heard a sound ofwheels and plodding hoofs drawing slowly near, and lifting my head atlast, espied a great wain piled high with fragrant hay whereon thedriver sprawled asleep, a great fat fellow whose snores rose above thejingle of harness and creak of wheels. Now hearkening to his snoring, beholding him so gross and full-fed (and I starving!!) my sadness gaveplace to sudden, hot anger and, as the waggon lumbered by, I swungmyself up behind, and clambering over the hay, raised my staff, mindedto drub the fellow into wakefulness; but even then I stayed the blow, for I spied a wallet that hung to the driving-seat, a large wallet ofplump and inviting aspect. Reaching it down I opened it forthwith andfound therein a new-baked loaf, a roast capon delicately browned and ajar of small beer. And now, couched luxuriously among the hay, I fellto work (tooth and nail) and though I ate in voracious haste, neverbefore or since have I tasted aught so delicate and savoury as thatstolen fowl. I was yet busied with what remained of the carcass whenthe fat fellow choked in his snoring, sighed, grunted, propped himselfon lazy elbow and, catching sight of me, fell a-gaping. So whiles hewatched open-mouthed, I finished what remained of the capon and tossedthe bones over the hedge. 

"Ecod!" quoth he faintly. "O, ecod--my dinner!" As for me, having mymouth full, I spake not. "Ad's bobs!" says he, "A rascally, robbingthief of the roads!"

"Even so!" I nodded and took a long draught of his beer. 

"A-eating and a-drinking of a honest man's dinner, by the Lord!" sayshe, clenching fat fists. "O ecod--a hell-fire rogue--a very lousy, scurvy dog as shall be carted and whipped and set in Sir Richard's newpillory!" At this, being engaged with the bread, I reached out my footand kicked him (very featly) in the belly; whereat he gasped andgrowing thoughtful, dolefully watched me make an end. 

"If there is aught left to eat, " says I, "show it me!"

"As fine a capon as was ever plucked, by the Lord!" he groaned. 

"Most true!" says I, stretching myself in the hay. 

"O!" quoth he, as to himself, "O the pity on't--so foul an end to sofair a bird!"

"Never whine!" says I, "but tell me how far hence lieth Lamberhurst. "

"Better nor six mile!" he sighed, heaving himself into the driving-seat. 

"Why then, do you carry me thither. "

"Ad's love!" he mourned. "'Tis manifest shame a rogue should thievethe food of an honest man--a man like I be as do slave morning, noonand--"

"Slave!" says I, frowning. "What know you of slavery? Be curst for agreat, fat fool that speaketh lies!" Now watching him as I lay, I sawhis hand close stealthily on his heavy whip, but or ever he could turnto strike, I rose and fetched him a buffet 'neath the ear that pitchedhim sprawling upon the broad backs of his horses, whence (with muchgroaning and puffing) he presently got him safely into the road; seeingthe which, I took the reins, whipping the team to faster gait, so thatto keep pace he must needs trot it in the mud. 

"Hold!" cries he. "What would ye wi' my waggon?"

"Ride in 't!"

"Hold! Then suffer me to ride likewise, for I'm scant o' breath--"

"Good! I've been scant o' breath ere now!"

"Show a little pity, master!" he groaned. 

"None ever showed pity on me!"

"Nay, but--what harm have I--ever--done thee?"

"Begrudged food to a starving wretch!"

"'Twas my dinner and I do need a deal of feeding, I! Lord, how Isweat! Prithee, master, let me up. How have I deserved this?"

"Called me rogue and thief!"

"Aye, that I did--to my woe. Aye, rogue I named thee andlikewise--lousy knave--and grieve for't now, I do!"

"And so needs must you sweat awhile!" says I. 

And thus I (aloft and at mine ease) and the fat fellow trottingbreathless at the wheel we went awhile (and never another word) until, what with fear of losing his goods, what with the mud and heat andsweat, the poor gross fool looked wellnigh spent and all foredone (as Ihad seen many a better man than he), whereupon I brought the waggon toa stand and reached down to stir him where he lent half-swooning acrossthe wheel. 

"Hark'ee, fool, dost know of one called Brandon of Shene hereabouts?"

"Aye, truly--truly!" he gasped. "I do know--Sir Richard--passing well. Ad's bobs, my innards be all shook t'pieces and I do be parched wi'thirst. "

"Why then, up with you!" says I, and giving him my hand, aided him backto the driving-seat. Being there, he sighed, groaned and cast ayearning eye towards his wallet. 

"Parched wi' thirst I be!" he groaned. 

"I've been the like ere now!" says I, and having gulped down whatremained of the fellow's beer I tossed the jar into the road, whereathe beat his breast. 

"My beer!" he wailed, "And I a-famishing wi' thirst! O my beer!"

"There's sweet water i' the brook yonder!" says I. 

"You be a chap wi' no bowels, for sure!" he cried. "Aye, a hard manyou be!"

"'Tis a hard world, " says I, "but 'tis no matter for that, tell me ofSir Richard Brandon. "

"Why then, you must know I am Myles Trueman--"

"And truly, man, there be miles of you, but 'tis no matter for thateither--what of Sir Richard?"

"I do be coming to he, " says Trueman in surly tone. "I do farm SirRichard's land--a hard man, see you, though just. "

"So--here's another hard man. "

"Though a just--aye, and a godly! He hath restored our churchweathercock an' all an' set up a fine, large and fair pillory on thegreen. Lunnon couldn't show a finer, wi' stocks an' cucking-stoolcomplete and rare to fancy--"

"And findeth he the wherewithal to fill 'em?"

"That doth he! Aha, there be never a vagrant, gipsy nor beggar darecome anigh in Sir Richard's time. And witches be few hereabouts sinceold Mother Mottridge was ducked, and scolds and shrews be fewer byreason o' the brank, d'ye see?"

"Hum!" says I, "a right proper gentleman this!"

"Aye, " quoth Trueman, nodding until his fat cheeks quivered, "and onethat doth abhor vagrants and such-like vermin--"

"As myself?" says I. To this Trueman answered nothing, but fella-fanning himself with his hat again, eyeing me warily the while. 

"Art strange in these parts?" he questioned. 

"Aye and no!"

"Hast met Sir Richard?"

"I have!"

"Aha!" quoth the fellow, nodding. "He had ye whipped, belike?"

"He did so. "

"For stealing of a fine, fat capon, belike?"

"Nay, 'twas for another matter. But what of him, is he hale o' body, rich and well esteemed, is he strong in friends and a power at courtyet?"

"No, " says Trueman, flicking his plodding horses. "Neither one nort'other!"

"How--not?" quoth I. "And wherefore?"

"Because he's dead--"

"Dead!" says I, starting up. "Dead?"

"Why look'ee, if he ain't dead--leastways--" But here I seized him bythe throat and, twisting him round, shook him to and fro till he choked:

"Rogue--damned rogue!" I cried 'twixt gnashing teeth. "Will ye mock methen!"

"No--no!" he gasped. 

"Then tell me ye lied--confess!"

"Aye, aye--I'll confess--anything--anything ye will, master!"

"Then Sir Richard lieth snug in his manor of Shene--doth he not? Aye orno?"

"Aye--aye, at Shene--at Shene!" Hereupon I loosed him and, fallingback on the hay, found myself all breathless and shaking as with anague-fit. And these tremors were within me as without, since (byreason of this fellow's lying words) I had, for one black moment, doubting God's justice, seen (as it were) my countless anguishedsupplications for vengeance on mine enemy so much vain breath, and thismy toilsome journey a labour to no purpose. But now, bowing my head, I(who knew no forgiveness) humbly prayed forgiveness of God for mydoubting of God, and passionately besought Him that He would cherishmine enemy and save him in health. And this to no other end but that Imyself might destroy him. 

"His life, O God--give this man's life into mine hand!" So prayed I(in my vain pride and selfish blindness) as I jogged along that sunnymidsummer morn; and thereafter, my trembling having passed from me, Istretched myself out amid the hay and fell to blissful slumber. 

Now to all such as reading this my narrative shall contemn and abhor mefor the purblind fool and poor, desperate wretch I was, and who, livingbut for murder, could cry thus on God for the blood of hisfellow-man--to all such I would say that none can despise me moreutterly than I who write these words. For life since then hath learnedme many truths and in some few things I am, mayhap, a little wiser. 

But, because I was proud and stubborn beyond belief, because hatebegetteth hate and evil--evil, so came I to consort and make fellowshipwith pirates and the like rogues and to endure much of harms anddangers as battle, shipwreck, prison and solitude; until God (of Hisinfinite mercy) brought me forth a better man therefor and, in somesense, a more worthy. All of the which I have fully and faithfullyrecorded for such as shall trouble to read this narrative to the end. 

And so will I again to my story. 

CHAPTER IV

TELLETH HOW I MET ONE ADAM PENFEATHER

I awoke to find the waggon at a standstill and Master Trueman watchingme with a scowl the while his plump fingers toyed lovingly with hiswhip-stock; but as I roused, this hand crept up to finger his severalchins. 

"Yonder lieth Lamberhurst!" quoth he sulkily, and nodded where, in thevalley below, was a village with a green wherein was a placid poolshaded by trees; and about this green stood white-walled cottages, manyof them bowered in roses or honeysuckle to the very thatch (rightpleasant to the eye), while beyond these again rose gables of barns orthe pointed roofs of oasthouses. "Lamberhurst!" says Trueman again;whereon, having yawned and stretched myself, I clambered down into theroad. 

"Well?" I questioned, seeing how he watched me, triple chin in hand. 

"Well, " quoth he stoutly, "I be wondering what the likes o' you shouldbe wanting wi' the likes o' Sir Richard Brandon o' Shene?"

"Nought but this, " says I, shaking the hay from my tattered cloak, "Iam come to watch him die, and the manner of it shall mayhap besomething slow and painful!" and speaking, I clenched my right hand toa sunburnt fist. Now looking on this clutching hand, Trueman blinkedand, saying no word, whipped his horses and the heavy wain rumbled andcreaked on its way. But, when he had gone some distance, he grinned atme over his shoulder and called something whereof I caught the words"labour lost. " For a moment I was minded to run after and demand hismeaning; howbeit, in a little, I turned and went down the hill veryfull of thought. 

Reaching the village I found it not yet astir, for the clock of thechurch tower showed the time was but half after four; and now, leaningon my staff I stared up at the church tower with its new weathercock, brave with gilding, agleam in the early sun, and from thence turned mygaze where (hard beside the pool upon the green) rose the grim shape ofSir Richard's new pillory. Just now it stood untenanted and I wonderedidly what unhappy wight was destined next to suffer there. Thus stoodI some while, staring round me on this peaceful hamlet where all (saveonly myself) forgot their cares awhile in blessed sleep; the wide road, the gabled cottages, oast-house and fragrant rick yard--all was as Iminded it five weary years since: nothing strange was there savingonly Sir Richard's hateful pillory, wherefore I smote it with my staffand, cursing him that set it there, turned away. 

Now within a stone's-cast of the church was a goodly tavern with aweatherbeaten signboard a-swing above the door, whereon was paintedwhat purported to be a leopard asleep and below the following legend, viz. :

 ROUSE ME NOT

and below this again:

 YE CONISBY ARMS. 

From this I glanced at the third finger of my left hand, which was abattered signet ring that bore the semblance of another sleepingleopard and the like inscription; and looking from the sleeping leopardon the signboard to the sleeping leopard on my ring, I fell to deep andgloomy thought. Howbeit, rousing in a while, I perceived ahorse-trough hard by full of clean water, and came thither minded towash the dust and sweat from me. But, stooping, I paused and stoodthus, staring down at the face that scowled up at me; a face lean andhaggard with wide, fierce eyes agleam beneath knitted brows, aprominent nose and square chin with short, peaked, golden beard; anunlovely face framed in shaggy, yellow hair patched and streaked withsilver; and beholding lowering brow and ferocious mouth and jaw I stoodawhile marvelling at the ill-changes evil and hardship had wrought inme. 

For thus was it that I first beheld myself after five years of slavery. 

Having looked my fill, I nodded grimly at my watery image and plungedmy face and head within the trough to my great refreshment, which done, I made shift to dry myself on my tattered shirt. Thereafter, coming tothe broad oak settle beside the tavern door, I sat down and fell tomeditation. But now, moved by sudden impulse, I unbuckled the walletat my girdle and taking thence the strange dagger, unwound theneckerchief that swathed it and began to examine the weapon, firstcarelessly enough, then with growing interest and wonder. The blade(as I have told elsewhere) was triangular of form, very narrow and someeight inches in length and exceeding sharp of point; but that whichdrew and held my gaze was the wonder of its haft. I have seen andhandled many fair weapons in my day, but never before or since have Ibeheld such rare craftsmanship as went to the chiselling of this hilt. Of silver it was, wrought into the shape of a standing woman, her feetpoised upon the small, chiselled cross-guard, her head forming thepommel; naked she stood in languorous pose, arms raised and handslocked behind her head. The delicate chiselling of the features wasworn somewhat by handling and rough usage, but even so the evil beautyof the face was plain and manifest, the wanton languor of the longeyes, the mocking cruelty of the smiling mouth. The longer I viewedit, the more manifest became the nameless evil of the thing, so that Iwas greatly minded to whirl it into the horse-pond and be done with it. But bethinking me of my destitution and not doubting but that I mightfind a ready market for a thing so rare, I lapped it up again andthrusting it back into my wallet, stretched myself out upon the broadsettle and presently fell asleep. 

But (even as I slept) methought I was back in torment. I seemed tohear again the crack of whips, the harsh cries of the drivers, theshrill screams and curses, the long, groaning breaths with the rattleand creak of the great oars as they swung ceaselessly back and forth;nay, I could even feel the kick of the oar-shaft that had escaped myfainting grasp. So real was it all that I waked groaning (as I haddone many a time and oft), waked to find the kindly sun making a gloryabout me and a blackbird hard by a-piping most sweet to hear, whilebefore me stood a little, thin fellow in a broad-eaved, steeple-crownedhat, who peered at me through narrowed eyes and poked at me with astick. 

"And how's the wind, shipmate?" he questioned. I sat up and scowled, whereupon he tucked the stick beneath an arm and stood viewing me, chinin hand. "You sleep mighty sound, " says he, "here I've stood a-pokingat ye with my stick, d'ye see, and you snore but the louder--or was itgroans?"

"For the which poking I'm minded to throw you into the horse-pond--"

"Why, that's as may be!" says he, falling back a step. "But nooffence, shipmate. "

"Then leave me in peace. " And I laid me down again. 

"You sleep mighty sound, " says he, "and your bed none so easy!"

"I've known worse!"

"Aye--the rowing-bench of a Spanish floating hell, shipmate--ha?"

At this, I started and turned to look at him again. He was (as I say)a little man and clad in suit of russet-brown (very trim and sober), but at his hip he bore a long rapier or tuck, while in his ears (whichwere trimmed to points in mighty strange fashion) swung great, goldrings such as mariners do wear; his face was lean and sharp and wide ofmouth and lighted by very quick, bright eyes, seeming to take in allthings with swift-darting glances. A scar that ran from brow to chinlent to him a certain hangdog air; as to his age, it might have beenthirty or forty or sixty, for, though he seemed vigorous and active, with smooth, unwrinkled face, his hair was snow-white. 

"Well, shipmate, " he questioned, meeting my searching gaze, "and howd'ye like me?"

"No whit!"

"Sink me, but that's plain enough!" says he, smiling ruefully. "Sothere's nought in me as draws you, then?"

"No!"

"'Tis pity, for I've a feeling we shall sail aboard ship together yet. "

"How should you know I've rowed aboard a Spanish ship?"

"You bear the mark, shipmate; as you lay a-groaning in your sleep Itook occasion to cast an eye over ye, d'ye see, and what wi' thenew-healed scars on your wrist, your sunburnt skin and the desperatesink-or-swim look o' you I judged you new-broke from slavery, and nameda Spanish galleass at a venture, d'ye see. "

"You are an observant man, it seems, " says I, frowning. 

"I have a way o' putting one and one together--'tis a trick I've founduseful now and then!"

"Ha!" says I, mighty scornful, "You'll be telling me my own name next!"

"Why, as to that, " says he, pinching his long, clean-shaven chinthoughtfully, "how would Conisby suit?"

"Damned spy!" I cried, and caught him in my grip; the fellow never somuch as flinched, and there was something formidable in his veryquietude. 

"Easy all, shipmate!" says he mildly and staring up at me eye to eye. "Use me kindly, for I'm a timid soul with a good heart, meaning nooffence. "

"How learned ye my name? What devilry is here?"

"None in the world, Lord love ye! 'Tis just my trick of adding one andone, d'ye see? There's the ring on your finger and the signboard aboveyou. "

"And wherefore spy on a sleeping man?"

"Because I'm a lonely soul doth seek a comrade. Because the moment Iclapped eyes on you I felt drawn to ye, and seeing the scars on yourwrist, knew 'em for shackle-marks--and 'twas a bond betwixt us. "

"How a bond?"

"Loose me, shipmate, and I'll show ye. " Which done, he bared a longand sinewy arm, discovering thereon marks of old fetter-sores likethose upon my own. 

"So you've slaved at an oar, then?" says I. 

"Aye, shipmate!"

"Endured the shame of stripes and nakedness and filth?"

"Aye, shipmate. And more, I've fought for my life on the IncaDeath-stone ere now, as you may see by my ears if you know aught of theMaya Indians. "

And here without so much as a "by your leave" he sat him down on thebench beside me, and leaning forward began to trace idle patterns inthe dust with his stick. 

"Shipmate, " says he, "I'm a timid man--"

"As a snake, " quoth I, "and as deadly!"

Here he stayed his drawing to glance at me askance, to sigh and shakehis head. "You misjudge me, " says he, "howbeit we'll say cautious--acautious man with an honest, kindly heart as yearns to fellowship. "

"And with a pistol 'neath each armpit!"

"True!" he nodded. "I might ha' shot ye a moment since anddidn't--which doth but prove my words, for I'm one as never harmed anyman--without just cause--save once, and that--" here he sighed, "wasyears agone. And me a lonely man to this day. So 'tis I seek acomrade--a right man, one at odds wi' fortune and the world andtherefore apt to desperate ploys, one hath suffered and endured andtherefore scornful of harms and dangers, one as knoweth the sea. Nowlet that man pledge me the blood-brotherhood, let him stand staunch andfaithful blow fair, blow foul, and I'll help him to a fortune greaterthan ever came out of Manoa, El Dorado, or the Indies. Come, what d'yesay, friend?"

"I say sheer off and leave me to my sleep lest I mischief you. "

"Ha' ye no lust for riches, then?"

"No more than I have to your company and I love that less and less. "

"'Tis pity!" says he, shaking his head. "Aye, 'tis pity, for I do likeyou more and more, such a fine blood-and-beef, dare-and-be-damned, gibbet-like figure of a rogue, shipmate, as would grace a cross-roadsbetter than most, which is one reason I was drawn to ye, d'ye see, Ibeing a quiet soul--"

"And a pirate, like as not!"

"Easy, shipmate, easy. Passion is an ill word to steer by. And I'm alonely man as seeks a comrade--"

"And I'm a lonely man that loveth solitude, so e'en now will I go seekit!" and I rose. 

"Stay a bit, shipmate, haul your wind and listen!" says he, laying handon my arm. "Stand in wi' me, blow high, blow low, and I offeryou--wealth untold--riches, fortune--"

"Tush!" says I, "empty things all. " At this his hold tightened whilehis keen gaze held mine. 

"More than this, " says he slowly, "I offer you rank, honours, power andmayhap--love, shipmate. "

"Enough!" quoth I. "You offer nought I desire. "

"Why then, " says he, "in the Fiend's name what would ye have?"

"Vengeance!" I answered, and shaking off his grasp I turned and strodeaway along the dusty road. 

CHAPTER V

HOW I CAME TO CONISBY SHENE

It being yet full early for my purpose I took to the woods, andpresently chancing upon a little stream that bubbled pleasantly 'midshady willows, I sat myself down within this greeny bower and fell towatching the hurrying waters of this brook and hearkening to its drowsymurmur. And lying thus, with the good green world around me, the sunnyair blithe with the mellow piping of birds and the soft wind rustlingthe leaves about me--what must I have in mind but bloodshed and thedestruction of my enemy, insomuch that reaching a stone from the brookI drew the knife from my girdle and set about straightening the bladethereof. 

I was thus employed when all at once the leaves on the opposite side ofthe brook were parted and a girl-child appeared. For a long moment weeyed each other across the brook, then all at once her pretty lipscurved to a smile. 

"Little maid, " says I, furtively thrusting the knife into my belt, "artnot afraid of me then?"

"Nay!" she answered, smiling yet and shaking her golden head. 

"And why?"

"I do like your eyes, big man, kind eyes they be!"

"Are they?" says I, glancing from her smiling innocence into the brook. 

"Aye, and your voice--I do like that too--'tis low and soft--likefather's. "

"And who's your father?"

"He be th' blacksmith. "

"How old are you?"

"Seven, an' a big maid I be. Will 'ee aid me 'cross t'brook, now?"

So I lifted her over and there we sat, side by side, she laughing andtalking and I hearkening to her childish prattle with marvellous greatpleasure. Presently I ventured to touch her soft cheek, to stroke hercurls, and finding she took this not amiss, summoned courage to stoopand kiss her. 

How long we had sat thus I know not, when I was aroused by a shrill, harsh voice and turning, beheld a bony woman who peered at us throughthe leaves. 

"Susan Ann!" she cried. "O you Susan, come away! Come quick or I'llrun for your mother. "

"The child is safe enough!" says I, frowning, but clasping the smalldamsel closer within my arm. 

"Safe?" cries the woman, turning on me in fury. "Safe--aye, for sooth, wi' a great, ill rogue the like o' you! Loose her--loose her or I'llscream and rouse the village on ye for a wild gipsy wastrel that yeare!" And here the old harridan railed at me until the child whimperedfor fear and even I blenched before the woman's fierce aspect andshrewish tongue. Then, while she loaded me with abuse, a ceaselesstorrent (and no lack of breath), I kissed the little maid's tear-wettedcheek and, setting her back across the brook, stood to watch until thechild and woman were lost to my sight. Then I sat down, scowling atthe hurrying water, chin on fist, for my black humour, banished awhileby the child's innocent faith in me, was returned and therewith anadded bitterness. Scowling yet, I plucked forth my knife and seizingmy staff, set to trim and shape it to a formidable weapon; and as Iworked I cursed this woman deep and oft, yet (even so) knew she had theright on't, for truly I was a rogue, an outcast of unlovely look andunlovely ways, a desperate fellow unfit for the company of decent folk, much less an innocent child; and yet, remembering those fearlesschild-eyes, the kiss of those pure child-lips I sighed amain betwixt mymuttered cursings. 

At last, having trimmed my bludgeon to a nicety, I laid it by, and satbrooding, the knife betwixt my knees; now a beam of sun falling athwartthe leaves lit upon the broad blade of the knife and made of it aglory. And beholding this and the hand that grasped it, I tookpleasure to heed how strong and sinewy were my fingers and how themuscles bulged beneath the brown skin of my forearm; and turning theglittering steel this way and that I fell to joyous thought of my enemyand of my vengeance, now so near. 

"To-night!" says I to myself, "Death ever cometh with more terrors inthe dark! To-night!" But now, little by little, my joy gave place toanger that the night must be so long a-coming; and, glancing up, Icursed the sun that it must needs shine and the gladsome day that itwas not grim night. And presently to anger was added a growing fearlest mine enemy might (by some hap) elude me at the eleventhhour--might, even now, be slipping from my reach. Now at this a sweatbrake out on me, and leaping to my feet I was minded to seek him outand end the matter there and then. "Why wait for to-night?" I askedmyself. "Surely in the gladsome light of day Death findeth an addedbitterness. Why wait for night, then?"

So I stood awhile debating within myself, then, catching up my knottedbludgeon, I set off along the stream incontinent, following a path Ihad trodden many a time when but a lad; a path that led on through mazythickets, shady dells and green coppices dappled with sunlight and gladwith the trilling melody of birds; but ever as I went, before my eyeswas a man who twisted in my grasp and died, over and over again, and inmy ears the sounds of his agony. And ever as I went trees reached outarms as if to stay me and bushes stretched forth little, thorny fingersthat caught my garments as if to hinder me from my purpose. But Ibrushed them aside with my scarred arms or beat them down with my heavystaff, o'er-leaping hedge and ditch and fallen tree until I reached thehighway, and even as I came there a distant clock chimed the hour often. I quickened my pace, twirling my staff as I went, so that the twoor three wayfarers I chanced to meet drew from my neighbourhood andeyed me mightily askance. Having gone thus some mile or so, I came toa wall that bordered the road, a high and mossy wall, and followingthis, to a pair of gates set well back from the highway, with pillarsof stone each surmounted by a couchant leopard carved in the stone. Now these gates were of iron, very lofty and strong and fast shut, butbesides these was a smaller gate or postern of wood hard by thegatehouse where stood a lusty fellow in fair livery, picking his teethwith a straw and staring at the square toes of his shoes. Hearing meapproach he glanced up and, frowning, shook his head and waved me away. 

"Here's no road for the likes o' you!" said he while I was yet at somedistance. "Off wi' you!" Howbeit, seeing I still advanced he clappedto the gate, and letting fall the bar, cursed me roundly through thegrille. 

"I would see Sir Richard Brandon!" says I. 

"Then ye can't--nowise. So be off and be danged!"

"Open the gate!" says I. 

"Be hanged for a murderous-looking rogue, a lousy thief, a wastrel anda hangdog knave!" says he all in a breath. 

"All true enough!" says I. "And now, open the gate!"

"Be danged for a prigging gipsy--'A Gad! I'll have ye clapped i' thepillory for a black-visaged clapper-claw!"

"Unbar!" says I, "Or it shall go plaguy ill wi' you when I come in. "

At this he spat upon me through the grille and chuckled. Now, glancingabout, I espied a stone hard by about the bigness of a man's head and, laying by my staff, I wrenched the stone from where it lay and, raisingit aloft, hove it with all my strength; whereon the gate crashed openso suddenly as to catch the fellow a buffet that laid him sprawling onhis back, and as he strove to rise I pinned him down with my staff andkicked him heartily. 

"And now, " says I, "up with you and bring me to your master. "

But or ever he could do aught but groan and rub his hurts, I heard thesound of approaching hoof-strokes and, turning, beheld a lady bravelymounted who galloped furiously towards us down the avenue. When almostupon us she swung her powerful beast aside and, checking him withstrong wrist, sat looking down at me from the shade of her plumed hat. 

"What is this?" she demanded, and her eyes swept over me grey and wideand fearless. "Who--who are you?"

Now at the sound of her voice so rich and wonder-sweet, I feltstrangely abashed and, finding no word, turned from her to scowl downat the man I had pinned beneath my broken shoe. 

"Who are you?" she questioned again. "Speak!"

"A rogue!" says I, keeping my head averted. "A creeper o' hedges!"

"Ah--is't you?" said she in softer tone. "I saw you for a moment bylightning-flash near the gibbet. You are my man o' the woods, and, sir, I owe you much--very much--indeed, sir, if--"

"I am no 'sir'!" quoth I shortly. 

"Gregory, " says she, looking down on the fellow 'neath my foot. "Gregory, get up!"

"Gregory, " says I, "stir not!"

"Sir, would you hurt my servant?" says she, knitting her slender blackbrows. 

"I' faith!" I nodded. "The uncivil rogue forced me to burst open thegate. "

"And why are you here? Who are you? What is your name?" cried she alittle breathlessly, and I wondered at the fixed intensity of her gaze. 

"Gregory, " says I, taking my foot from his middle but threatening himwith my staff, "I am come for no traffic with maids, so rise up andbring me to your master. "

"Nay, " groans the fellow, turning up his eyes, "'tis thing impossible, here's only my lady--"

"And I seek your master--is he within?"

"Nay, " says Gregory, flinching beneath my staff, "as my lady shall tell'ee--he is not here. "

"Ha!" quoth I. "That will I see for myself. " But as I turned tostride up the avenue, my lady wheeled her horse, barring my way. 

"Whither go you?" she demanded, her eyes holding mine. 

"To the house for Sir Richard. I have been at some small pains to gainspeech with him. "

"To what end?"

"Why truly, " I answered, leaning upon my staff and viewing her eye toeye, "'tis a matter of vital moment, aye--in a manner of speaking--'tisa matter of life and death betwixt us. " Now as I stood thus I couldnot but be conscious of her glowing, vigorous beauty, her body's nobleshape and the easy grace of her as she sat her fretting horse, swayingto his every movement. And to me, in my rags, she seemed no woman buta goddess rather, proud, immaculate and very far removed; and yet theseproud lips could (mayhap) grow soft and tender, these clear eyes thatmet mine so fearlessly--

The staff was wrenched from my loosened grasp and Gregory, leaping tohis feet, fetched me therewith staggering blow on blow, shouting withhis every stroke:

"Ho--Peter! Roger! Will! Ho--hither, lads all! Loose thedogs--hither to me, 'a God's name!" But, though mused with blows, Irushed in blindly and, closing with the fellow, got him fairly by thethroat and shook him to and fro. And now was I minded to choke himoutright, but, even then, spied a cavalier who spurred his horseagainst me. Hereupon I dashed the breathless Gregory aside and turnedto meet my new assailant, a spruce young gallant he, from curlinglovelock to Spanish boots. I remember cursing savagely as his whipcaught me, then, or ever he could reach me again, I sprang in beneaththe head of his rearing horse and seizing the rein close by the bridlebegan to drag and wrench at the bit. I heard shouts and a woman's cryof fear, but I strove only the fiercer, while up and up reared thegreat roan horse, snorting in terror, his forelegs lashing wildly;above tossing mane the eyes of his rider glared down at me as, laughingexultant, I wrenched savagely at the bridle until, whinnying with painand terror, the great beast, losing his balance, crashed over backwardsinto the dust. Leaping clear of those desperate, wild-thrashinghooves, I found myself beset by divers fellows armed with staves, whoclosed upon me, shouting; and above these, her eyes wide, her full, redlips close-set, my lady looked down on me and I (meeting that look)laughed, even as her fellows rushed at me:

"Go cosset your pretty springald, wench!" But even then, dazed andhalf-blinded by a hail of blows, I staggered, sank to my knees, struggled up again, smiting with bare fists. A flame seemed to flashbefore my eyes, a taste of blood was on my tongue, and all sounds grewfaint and far away as, stumbling blindly, I threw up my arms, trippedand plunged down and down into an engulfing darkness, and knew no more. 

CHAPTER VI

OF MY SHAMEFUL SUFFERINGS AND HOW I WAS DELIVERED THEREFROM

I awoke with a sound in my ears like the never-ceasing surge and hissof waters, a sound that waxed ever louder. Hearkening to this, Ipresently sought to move and wondered, vaguely uneasy, to find thisimpossible: I strove now to lift my right hand, found it fast held, tried my left and found it in like case, and so became conscious ofsomething that gripped me about the throat, and ever my wonder andunease grew. And now, opening my eyes, the first thing they lighted onwas a small pool of blood and beyond this a battered turnip, and beyondthis, the carcass of a dead cat, and beyond this again, a pair of trim, buckled shoes, cotton stockings, wide breeches and a broad belt whereswung a tuck or rapier prodigiously long of blade; in a while (my eyesranging higher yet) I beheld a thin face scarred from mouth to eyebrow, a brown face with bright, very quick eyes and strange ears, they beingcut to points like a dog's ears. Now looking at this face, it seemedto me in hazy fashion that somewhere and at some time I had seen such aface before. All this while, the noise I have likened to the sea hadbeen growing louder, so that I began to recognise voices and evenwords, and, lifting my head as well as I might (by reason of the thingthat gripped my throat), I saw faces all about me--they hemmed me in onevery side and stretched away to the churchyard wall. 

Then, all at once, the knowledge of my situation rushed upon me; I wasin the pillory. 

"Huroor! 'E be a-coming' round!" cried a voice. 

"Time, too!" shouted a great, strapping fellow near by. "'Tis sinfulshame to waste good bad-eggs on rogue as knoweth not when 'e do be hit!He be a mark as babe couldn't miss--a proper big 'un!" So saying, thefellow let fly an egg at me, the which, striking the board within aninch of my face, filled the air with suffocating stench. 

This was a signal for me to become a target for all the garbage of thevillage. And now, indeed, good cause had I to be thankful for my thickmane of hair which (in some sort) saved me from sundry cuts andbruises, howbeit my face was soon clotted with blood and filth. 

Vain were it to tell all the frenzy of rage that possessed me as Istood thus helpless against my howling tormentors, chief of whom wasthe great fellow I have mentioned, who (by reason of height and lengthof arm) struck me oftenest; once indeed when (beside myself with fury)I raised my head to curse him, he took me a blow in the mouth with somevile missile that set my very gums a-bleeding. 

"Lord love ye, shipmate--that's the spirit!" said a voice below me, "But keep the wind o' them--don't let 'em rake ye--douse yourfigure-head. Lie low, shipmate, lie low and trust to your comrade AdamPenfeather--and that's me. Patience is the word!"

Looking whence the voice came I beheld the man with whom I had talkedthat morning; now as our glances met, one of his bright eyes closedslowly and, nodding twice, he turned and elbowed his way through thecrowd. Small liking had I for this fellow, but with his departure asense of loneliness gripped me and needs must I lift my head to stareafter him, whereupon a rotten egg struck me above the eye, causing amost intolerable smart; at this moment, too, the great fellow swung acat's carcass by the tail, but, or ever he could hurl this stinkingmissile, a hand clouted him heavily over the ear from behind, tumblinghis hat off, whereupon he turned, bellowing with rage, and smote hisnearest neighbour with the foul thing meant for me. In an instant allwas uproar around these two as the crowd, forgetting me, surged aboutthem. Thus for some while, during which the fight raged, I was leftunmolested and looked hither and thither amid the swaying throng forthis fellow, Adam Penfeather, but he was vanished quite. 

At length, the big fellow having sufficiently trounced his opponent, the crowd betook itself (and very joyously) to my further baiting andtorment. Now as I hung thus in my shame and misery, faint with myhurts and parched with cruel thirst, my gaze lighted upon a small, bonyman--a merry-eyed fellow with wide, up-curving mouth, who laughed andjested continually; it was as he stooped for some missile or other thathis eye met mine, and in that bright eye methought I read a sudden pity. 

"O cull, " says I hoarsely, "a mouthful o' water--"

"Pal, " says he, winking, "all's bowmon!" Whereupon he turned andvanished in the crowd and I, burning in a fever of thirst, panted forhis return, straining my eyes for sight of him; then, as he came not, Igroaned and drooped my head, and lo! even then he was before me bearinga tin pannikin full of water. This in hand, he mounted the steps ofthe pillory and, despite the jeers and hootings of the crowd, waslifting the life-giving water to my eager lips when forth leapt the bigfellow and sent water and pannikin flying with a savage blow of hisfist. 

"None o' that, peddler!" he roared. And now, as I groaned and lickedat bleeding lips with swollen tongue, the little man turned (quick as aflash), tripped up the great fellow's heels and, staying for no more, made off through the crowd, that gave him passage, howling its acclaim. 

The afternoon dragged wearily on and, what with the suffocating stenchof the filth that plastered me, what with heat and dust and agonisingthirst, my suffering grew almost beyond endurance; a deadly nauseaseized me and I came nigh to swooning. But now, in this my greatextremity, of a sudden, from somewhere on the outskirts of the crowdrose a shrill cry of "Fire!" the which cry, being taken up by others, filled the air with panic, the crowd melted as if by magic until thevillage green and the road were quite deserted. All this I noted butdimly (being more dead than alive) when I became conscious of one thatspake in my ear. 

"Stand by, shipmate, stand by! There's never a rogue left--all run tothe fire--stand by to slip your moorings!"

"Let be, " I groaned, "I'm a dead man!"

"Then here's that shall make ye quick, " says this fellow Penfeather, dangling a great key before my swimming eyes. "Here's freedom from yourdevil's trap and a plaguy time I've had to come by it. "

"Then for the love o' God--let me out, " I groaned. 

"Easy all, shipmate!" says he, turning the key upon his finger. "Forlook'ee now, here's me, (a timid man) run no small risk this lasthalf-hour and all for you. Now a bargain's a bargain, you'll agree?"

"Well?" says I, faintly. 

"Why then, shipmate, if I free ye of your bonds, wilt be my comradesworn? Aye or no?"

"No!" says I. "Plague take ye that bargain with dying man. No!"

"Why then, " sighs he, "here's a good rick ablaze, here's John Purdy thebeadle wi' his head broke, and here's me in a sweat, alack--and all tono purpose, since needs must you in your bilboes bide. "

"Do but get me a draft of water!" I pleaded. 

"Nary a drop!" says he, spinning the key on his finger under my nose, "Nor yet a foaming stoup o' good Kentish ale--nut brown--"

"Ha, rogue--rogue!" I panted, 'twixt parched lips. "I'll yet--avengethis torment--an' I live!"

"The legs of a man, " says he, "are a vain thing and his strengthlikewise, and as to vengeance, shipmate, well--how goeth your vengeanceas be more to ye than fortune or riches?" Here he paused, but I heldmy peace and he continued, "Here's you now, you that was so mighty andfierce--aye, a very hell-fire roarer--here's that same you a-hanginghere a very helpless, pitiful fool, shipmate, and thirsty 'twouldseem--"

Here I groaned again. 

"And one not over sweet!" says he, stopping his nose. 

Hereupon I cursed him, though faintly, and he comes a step nearer. 

"'Tis said my Lady Brandon and her gallant Sir Rupert Dering--him youoverthrew, shipmate--do mean to come and take a look at you anon, though 'tis shame you should be made a raree show--burn me!"

Hereupon, I fell into a sudden raging fury, striving so desperatelyagainst my bonds that the devilish engine wherein I stood shook andrattled again; but I strove to no purpose, and so presently hung therespent and bruised and breathless whiles Penfeather spun the key on hisfinger and sighed:

"Shipmate, " says he, "wherefore irk yourself wi' bonds? Say but theword and I'll deliver ye, bring ye to safe harbourage and cherish yewith much good ale. Be persuaded, now. "

"Why then, " groans I, "give me but until to-morrow to do what Iwill--and I'm yours!"

"Done!" says he, and forthwith set key to padlock; but scarce had hefreed the head-board than he falls a-cursing 'neath his breath. "Easy, comrade, easy!" quoth he, softly. "Bide still awhile--hither comethyon beefy fool back again--so will I make show of miscalling ye till hebe gone. " The which he did forthwith, giving me "scurvy rogue" and thelike. Now, lifting my head, whom should I behold but that same tallfellow had been my chief tormenter, and who now hasted over the greentowards us. 

"It be now't but Farmer Darrell's rick ablaze, " says he to Penfeather, "so let 'un burn, says I, Farmer Darrell be no friend o' mine. So I become to sport wi' yon big rogue awhile. " Herewith he stooped for somemissile to cast at me; but now I straightened my back, the head-boardgave and, ere the fellow was aware, I was creeping swiftly upon him. Taken thus by surprise small chance had he, for, leaping on him, I borehim over on his back and kneeling on him, buried my fingers in histhroat. And so I choked him (right joyfully) till Penfeather grippedmy arm. 

"Lord love me!" cries he, "Will ye kill the fool?"

"That will I!"

"And hang for him?"

"Nay--he's scarce worth it. "

"Then, devil burn ye--loose his windpipe!" So I loosed the fellow'sthroat, and, despite his feeble kicks, began to drag him over the grass. 

"What now, comrade?" says Penfeather. "Sink me, what now?"

"Watch and see!" So I brought the fellow to the pillory wherein I sethim, and plucking the key from Penfeather, locked him there in mystead; which done I kicked him once or twice, and having found thecat's carcass made shift to hang the stinking thing about his neck;then tossing the key into the pond, I took to my heels and left thefellow groaning mighty dismal. 

CHAPTER VII

HOW I HEARD TELL OF BLACK BARTLEMY'S TREASURE

Now scarce was I clear of the village than I was again seized of adeadly sickness and vertigo so that I stumbled and was like to fall, but that Penfeather propped me with his shoulder. In this fashion Imade shift to drag myself along, nor would he suffer me stay or respite(maugre my weakness) until, following the brook, he had brought me intothe green solitude of the woods. 

Here then I sank down, sucking up the cool, sweet water 'twixt parchedlips, drinking until Penfeather stayed me, lest I should do myself hurtthereby. Thereafter, from strength reviving, I bathed my divers wounds(the which, though painful, were of small account) and fell tocleansing my spattered garments as well as I might. 

"So we're to be comrades, after all!" says Penfeather, watching mewhere he sat hard by. 

"Aye--to-morrow!"

"And how goeth vengeance, shipmate?" At this I turned on him withclenched fist. "Nay, easy does it, " says he, never budging, "for if'twas the folly of vengeance brought ye in the peccadille, 'twas yourcomrade Adam Penfeather got ye out again--so easy all!"

"'Twas you fired the rick, then?"

"None other!"

"'Tis a hanging matter, I've heard!"

"Why a man must needs run some small risk for his comrade d'ye see--"

"Then, Adam Penfeather, I'm your debtor. "

"Nay, " says he, "there be no debts 'twixt comrades o' the Brotherhood, 'tis give and take, share and share!" And speaking, he drew forth apurse and emptying store of money on the grass betwixt us, divided itequally and pushed a pile of silver and copper towards me. 

"And what's this?" I demanded. 

"Share and share, comrade!"

"But I'm no comrade o' yours till after to-night. "

"Aha!" says he, pinching his long chin. "Is't more vengeance then?"

"Keep your money till it be earned!" I muttered. 

"Sink me--and there's pride for ye!" says he. "Pride which is a vainthing and vengeance which is a vainer. Lord love me, shipmate, 'tisplain to see you're o' the quality, 'spite your rags--blue blood, high-breeding, noblesse oblige and all the rest on't. "

"Stint your gab!" says I, scowling. 

"'Tis writ large all over ye, " he went on placidly enough. "As for me, I'm but a plain man wi' no time for vengeance and no whit o' prideabout me anywhere. What I says to you is, get to wind'ard o'vengeance--nay, heave it overboard, shipmate, and you'll ride theeasier, aye and sweeter, and seek something more useful--gold, forinstance, 'tis a handy thing, I've heard say--so ha' done wi'vengeance!"

"No!" says I, frowning. "Not--nay, not for all Bartlemy's treasure!"

"Aha!" quoth he softly. "So you've heard tell of it then, along theSpanish Main?"

"I heard tell of it last night in a cave from a sailor-man. "

"How?" says he starting and with keen eyes glancing hither and thither. "A sailor-man--hereabouts?"

"Damme!" says I, "the country seems thick o' sailor-men. "

"Ha! D'ye say so? And what like was this one?"

"A comely rogue that sang strange song. "

"Ah!" said Penfeather, his eyes narrowing. "A song, says you--andstrange--how strange?"

"'Twas all of dead men and murder!"

"D'ye mind any line o't, shipmate?"

"Aye, the words of it went somewhat like this:

 "'Some on a knife did part wi' life And some a bullet took O! But--'"

Now here, as I stopped at a loss, my companion took up the rhyme almostunconsciously and below his breath:

 "'But three times three died plaguily A wriggling on a hook O!'

"Comrade!" says he in the same low voice, "Did ye see ever among thesemariners a one-handed man, a tall man wi' a hook in place of his lefthand--a very bright, sharp hook?" And now as Penfeather questioned me, he seized my wrist and I was amazed at the iron grip of him. 

"No!" I answered. 

"Nay, " says he, loosing his hold, "how should you--he's dead, along o'so many on 'em! He's done for--him and his hook, devil burn him!"

 "'A hook both long and stout and strong, They died by gash o' hook O!'"

"Ah!" I cried. "So that was the kind of hook!"

"Aye!" nodded Penfeather, "That was the kind. A bullet's bad, aknife's worse, but a steel hook, shipmate, very sharp d'ye see, is adeath no man should die. Shipmate, I've seen divers men dead by thatsame hook--torn and ripped d'ye see--like a dog's fangs! I'd seen manydie ere then, but that way--'twas an ill sight for queasy stomachs!"

"And he--this man with the hook is dead, you say?"

"And burning in hell-fire!"

"Are you sure?"

"I killed him, shipmate!"

"You!" says I. 

"I, shipmate. We fought on a shelf o' rock high above the sea, myknife agin his knife and hook--'twas that same hook gave me this scarathwart my jaw--but as he struck, I struck and saw him go spinning overand over, down and down and splash into the sea. And for three days Iwatched that bit o' shore, living on shell-fish and watching for him, to make sure I had finished him at last. "

"And these other rogues?" says I. 

"What like were they, shipmate?" Hereupon I described (as fully as Imight) the three sailor-men I had fought with in the hedge-tavern(albeit I made no mention of the maid), while Penfeather listened, nodding now and then and pinching at his long chin. "And this otherfellow, " says he, when I had done, "this fellow that sang--d'ye know ifhis name chanced to be Mings--Abnegation Mings, comrade?"

"The very same!" says I. 

"Strange!" quoth Penfeather, and thereafter sat staring gloomily downinto the rippling waters of the brook for a while. "I wonder?" says heat last. "I wonder?"

"What think ye shall bring these fellows so far from the coast--whatshould they be after?"

"Me, shipmate!"

"You!" says I for the second time, marvelling at the strange quiet ofhim. "And what would they have of you?"

"My life, shipmate, and one other thing. What that thing is I willtell you when we have drunk the blood-brotherhood! But now it behovethme to be a-going, so I'll away. But when you shall seek me, as seek meye will, shipmate, shalt hear of me at the Peck-o'-Malt tavern, whichis a small, quiet place 'twixt here and Bedgebury Cross. Come there atany hour, day or night, and say 'The Faithful Friend, ' and you shallfind safe harbourage. Remember, comrade, the word is 'The FaithfulFriend, ' and if so be you can choose your time--night is better. " Sosaying, he arose. 

"Wait!" says I, pointing to the coins yet lying on the grass. "Takeyour money!"

"'Tis none o' mine, " says he, shaking his head. "Keep it or throw itaway--'tis all one to me!" Then he went away through the wood and, ashe went, I thought he walked with a new and added caution. 

CHAPTER VIII

HOW I FELL IN WITH ONE GOD-BE-HERE, A PEDDLER

Evening was at hand as I reached a little alehouse well away from theroad and pleasantly secluded by trees: thither came I, fondlingPenfeather's money in my pocket, for I was again mightily sharp set. But all at once I stopped, for, passing the open lattice, I heard loudlaughter and a merry voice:

"And there, believe me, gossips" (quoth this voice), "as sure as thisbe beef--aye, and good beef and cooked to a turn, mistress--there'sthis great, lob-lolly, hectoring Tom Button fast i' the pillory--and bythis good ale, a woeful sight, his eyes blacked, his nose a-bleeding, his jerkin torn and a dead cat about his neck, oho--aha! TomButton--big Tom, fighting Tom so loud o' tongue and ready o' fist--Tomas have cowed so many--there is he fast by the neck and a-groaning, seeye, gossips, loud enough for six, wish I may die else! And the best o'the joke is--the key be gone, as I'm a sinner! So they needs mustbreak the lock to get him out. Big Tom, as have thrashed every man formiles. " But here merry voice and laughter ceased and a buxom womanthrust smiling face from the window, and face (like her voice) waskindly when she addressed me:

"What would ye, young master?"

"A little food, mistress, " says I, touching my weather-worn hat andpulling it lower over my bruised and swollen features. 

"Why come in, master, come in--there be none here but my Roger andGodby the peddler, as knoweth everyone. "

So I entered forthwith a small, snug chamber, and seating myself in thedarkest corner, acknowledged the salutations of the two men while thegood-looking woman, bustling to and fro, soon set before me a finejoint of roast beef with bread and ale, upon which I incontinent fellto. 

The two men sat cheek by jowl at the farther end of the table, one ared-faced, lusty fellow, the other, a small, bony man who laughed andate and ate and laughed and yet contrived to talk all the while, thatit was a wonder to behold. 

"Was you over to Lamberhurst way, master?" says he to me, all at once. 

"Aye!" I nodded, busy with the beef. 

"Why then, happen ye saw summat o' the sport they had wi' the big gipsyi' the pillory--him as 'saulted my Lady Brandon and nigh did for herladyship's coz?"

"Aye, " says I again, bending over my platter. 

"'Tis ill sport to bait a poor soul as be helpless, I think--nay Iknow, for I've stood there myself ere now, though I won't say as Ididn't clod this fellow once or twice to-day myself--I were a rareclodder in my time, aha! Did you clod this big rogue, master?"

"No!"

"And wherefore not?"

"Because, " says I, cutting myself more beef, "I happened to be thatsame rogue. " Here Roger the landlord stared, his buxom wife shrankaway, and even the talkative peddler grew silent awhile, viewing mewith his shrewd, merry eyes. 

"Aha!" says he at last, "'Twas you, was it?"

"It was!"

"And why must ye 'sault a noble lady?"

"I never did!"

"Gregory swears to it. "

"Gregory's a liar!"

"Which is true enough--so he be!" nodded the landlord. 

"And a cruel-hard man!" added his wife. "But Lord, young master, theydo ha' used ye ill--your poor face, all bruised and swole it be!"

"Which it be!" nodded Roger. "Likewise cut! Which be ill for 'eethough--like Godby here--I won't say but what I moughtn't ha' took aheave at ye, had I been there, it being nat'ral-like to heave things atsuch times, d'ye see?"

"Very natural!" says I. 

"And then why, " questioned the little peddler, "why break open thewicket-gate?"

"To get in!"

"Aha!" quoth Godby the peddler, winking roguish eye, "On the prigginglay perchance, cull, or peradventure the mill-ken? Speak plain, pal, all's bowmon!"

"I'm no flash cull, " says I, "neither buzz, file, mill-ken norscamperer. "

"Mum, pal, mum! I'm no more flash than you be, though I've no love forthe harmon-becks as Roger here will tell 'ee. A peddler be I and wellliked--wish I may swing else! Aye, well beloved is kind Godby, specially by wenches and childer--aha, many's the yard o' riband andlace, the garters, pins, ballads, gingerbread men, pigs and elephants, very fair gilt, as they've had o' kind Godby, and all for love! Andyet, plague and perish it--here's me warned off my pitch, here's me wi'the damned catchpolls on my heels, and all along o' this same GregoryBragg--rot him!"

"As to all that, I know not, " says I, "but this I'll swear to, you area man, Godby the peddler, and one with a bold and kindly heart insideyou. "

"How so?" he questioned, his bright eyes all of a twinkle. "How so, mybully boy?"

"That pannikin of water. "

"Which you didn't get, my cock's-body lad!"

"Which you were man enough to bring me. "

"Which Tom Button did ye out of!"

"Which you knocked him down for!"

"Which is Gospel-true, Roger and Cicely, 'twas a neat throw. Tombumped heavy--aye, uncommon flat were Tom, let me eat worms else!"

"For all of the which, " says I, cutting more beef, "I ask you now todrink a stoup of ale with me. "

"Wi' all my heart!" cries the peddler. 

"Then, " says I, laying my money on the table, "let us all drink infellowship, for ale, like fellowship, is a goodly thing and good thingsbe rare in this world!"

"And that's true, o' conscience!" smiled the buxom Cicely. 

"And ye'll find no better brew than our own!" quoth Roger. 

"And that I'll swear to!" laughed the peddler. "Cram me wi' spiderselse!"

So the good ale was brought and Godby, lifting his tankard, smiled andnodded over the creamy foam:

"Here's a griping colic to every catchpoll, harmon-beck and the likevermin 'twixt this and London town!" says he, and lifted the ale to hislips; but suddenly he sat it down untasted and rose: "Friends, I'mtook!" quoth he. "See yonder!" As he spake the narrow doorway wasdarkened and two rough fellows entered, and each bore a formidablebludgeon. 

"Aye, " says one, a big, surly-voiced fellow, "here be us, peddler, andthere be you, so best come easy--an' no tricks, mind!"

"Then easy does it, lads!" says Godby, no whit abashed. "No lamb couldcome milder than Godby, aye lambs, doves and babes is roaring lionscompared wi' Godby--so easy does it. What is't this time, codgers?"

"Fower hours i' the pillory, three i' the stocks, and a month inMaidstone jail and that's what!"

"And enough too!" growled Roger the landlord, clenching hairy fist andglancing furtively towards a rusty sword suspended above the hearth. 

"Let be, Roger--I'm a lamb!" sighed the peddler. "And I wouldn't ha'you in trouble by me--besides this room o' yourn, though snug, ain'tfit for struggling nor striving! So, friends--good-bye!" Then heturned away between his two captors, but as he did so, his bright eyesfor one moment met mine and in his look I read appeal. 

Now scarce were they gone when I got me to my feet, whereat thelandlord, Roger, did the like:

"What's to do?" he questioned, glancing yearningly from me to the rustysword. 

"Why now, " says I, counting out my reckoning, "bide you here--for yourgood wife's sake. "

"Aye, do now, Roger!" she pleaded. "'Twould be ruination to us!"

"Moreover, " says I, reaching for my cudgel, "they are but two, so bideyou here. " Then I stepped forth of the tavern and very soon came upwith the two fellows, their prisoner walking betwixt them meeklyenough. But, as I approached, they halted all three. 

"And what be you after?" demanded the surly fellow. 

"You!"

"And what d'ye want of us--hey?"

"Your prisoner!"

"Ha! And what for him?"

"I've a mind to him!"

"O! Ye have, eh?"

"I have. Do I get him?"

"Be curst for a black, ugly rogue. "

"That's no answer!"

"'Tis all you'll get o' we, save 'ard knocks!" says the man, spittingin his hand and taking firm grip of his bludgeon. 

"Why then I must take him!" says I. 

"Try and be damned!" roared the fellow. "Ha--look alive, Jem!" Andwhirling up his staff, he made at me amain; but I sprang aside and, ashis rush carried him past, my answering stroke caught him fairly 'twixtwrist and elbow and his cudgel spun harmlessly into the hedge;breathing curses he sought to close with me, but I, keeping mydistance, smote him (very blithely) how and where I would until he (hisarm useless), misliking my bludgeon-play and reading no mercy in mylook, very wisely betook him to his heels. Hereupon I turned to findthe little peddler sitting astride his man's neck and his fist againstthe fellow's nose:

"Smell it, Job!" he was saying. "Smell it, lad, 'tis the fist of a manas would be a-groping for your liver if it weren't for the respect I dobear your old mother--skin me else! So thank your old mother, lad, first as you've got a liver and second for a-saving o' that same liver. And now, get up, Job--begone, Job, arter your pal, and tell folk askind Godby, though sore tempted, never so much as set finger on yourliver, and all along o' your good old mother--away wi' ye!" So thefellow got him to his legs (mighty rueful) and sped away after hiscomrade. 

"Pal, " says the little peddler, reaching out and grasping my hand, "here's full quittance for that pannikin o' water as you never got!And now--what's the word?"

"Now, " says I, "let us go back and drink the good ale!"

"Pal, " quoth the peddler, with a flash of white teeth, "wi' all myheart!"

Thus we presently returned to the little tavern and found there Rogerthe landlord, the rusty sword in one brawny fist, his wife holding fastto the other. At sight of us he dropped the weapon and roaredjoyously, and Cicely, running to us, clasped our hands in heartywelcome. So we sat down all four, and while we quaffed the ale Godbydescribed our late encounter with great exactness. 

"Pal, " says he thereafter, reaching across the table to grip my handagain, "what might your name be?"

"Martin. "

"Why then, Martin, have ye any friends or kin?"

"None!"

"No more have I, and look now, this Kent country is no fit place foryou or me arter to-day! So what I says is, lets you and me pad it, pal--the road, lad--the good high-road, aha! How say ye, Martin?"

"No!"

"Why no, pal?"

"Because, after to-night, if I chance to be neither dead nor in prison, I'm for shipboard. "

"'Tis an ill life, pal!"

"Why, life is an ill thing!" says I. 

"Nay, look'ee, Martin, life may be worth whiles now and then--aye, lad, there be times, good times. "

"What times?"

"Well, Martin, to lie snug 'neath hedge o' star-time, when your fire'slow an' the stars peep down through leaves at a man--wink, they go, andwink, wink, till, watching 'em, a man forgets his troubles awhile andknows something o' content. Aha, many's the time o' star-time theyhave winked me and my troubles asleep. Then there's wakings o'bird-time, wi' the sun up, dew a-sparkle and life calling within ye andwithout, and the birds--O the birds, Martin--a-filling the world wi'brave songs o' hope new-born like the day! Ah, many's the morn thebirds ha' waked me and I as merry as any grig--Lord love their beaksand wings! There's hay-time o' the evening full o' soft, sweetsmells--aye, sweet as lad's first kiss; there's wheat-time at noon wi'the ears a-rustle and the whitt-whitt o' scythe and whetstone; there'snight, Martin, and the long, black road dipping and a-winding, but wi'the beam o' light beyond, lad--the good light as tells o' journey done, of companionship and welcomes and belike--eyes o' love, with--"

"Lusty ale!" quoth Roger, setting three new-filled pipkins before us. "And none better nor ourn--eh, wife?"

"That I do swear to, Roger!" laughed the peddler, "Choke me else! Butnow, as to the sea, Martin pal--'tis a dog's life!"

"You know the sea, then?"

"Like my hand, Martin, and all along o' my father's godliness. A fine, big man he was and devout as he was lusty. Having begot me his nextduty was to name me, and O pal, name me he did! A name as no raskelllad might live up to, a name as brought me into such troublous factionashore that he packed me off to sea. And if you ax me what name 'twas, I'll answer ye bold and true--'God-be-here Jenkins, ' at your service, though Godby for short and 'twixt friends. "

Now the more I saw of this little peddler the better I liked him, sothat the hour was late when, having supped excellently well, I rose totake my leave. 

"If you must be away, young master, " said the buxom Cicely, "don't 'eeforget there be ever a welcome for 'ee at the Hop-pole--eh, Roger?"

"There is so!" nodded the landlord. "Likewise a pipkin of ale and abite and all gratus to a pal!"

"And look 'ee, Martin my cove, " quoth the peddler, grasping my hand, "there be ever and always the good high-road leading on and away tobetter things, so happen ye should change your mind, seek me here'twixt this and dawn, if to-morrow ye shall hear o' Godby at the Fox atSpelmonden. So luck go wi' ye, my bien cull. "

"And you, " says I, "should you be minded to sail with me, go to thePeck-o'-Malt at Bedgbury Cross--the word is 'The Faithful Friend, ' andask for Adam Penfeather. "

So I presently stepped forth of the little tavern where I had foundsuch kindliness and, turning from the narrow lane, struck off acrossthe fields. 

It was a sweet, warm night, the moon not up as yet, thus as I went Ilifted my gaze to the heavens where stars made a glory. And beholdingthese wondrous fires I needs must recall the little peddler's sayingand ponder his "good times"--his "times of stars and birds, of noon andeventide, of welcomes sweet and eyes of love. "

And now I was of a sudden filled with a great yearning and passionatedesire that I too might know such times. But, as I climbed a stile, myhand by chance came upon the knife at my girdle, and sitting on thestile I drew it forth and fell to handling its broad blade, and, doingso, knew in my heart that such times were not for me, nor ever couldbe. And sitting there, knife in hand, desire and yearning were lostand 'whelmed in fierce and black despair. 

CHAPTER IX

HOW I HAD WORD WITH THE LADY JOAN BRANDON FOR THE THIRD TIME

The moon was well up when, striking out from the gloom of the woods, Ireached a wall very high and strong, whereon moss and lichens grew;skirting this, I presently espied that I sought--a place where thecoping was gone with sundry of the bricks, making here a gap very aptto escalade; and here, years agone, I had been wont to climb this wallto the furtherance of some boyish prank on many a night such as this. Awhile stood I staring up at this gap, then, seizing hold of massybrickwork, I drew myself up and dropped into a walled garden. Herewere beds of herbs well tended and orderly, and, as I went, I breathedan air sweet with the smell of thyme and lavender and a thousand otherscents, an air fraught with memories of sunny days and joyous youth, insomuch that I clenched my hands and hasted from the place. Pastsombre trees, mighty of girth and branch, I hurried; past still pools, full of a moony radiance, where lilies floated; past marble fauns anddryads that peeped ghost-like from leafy solitudes; past sundial andcarven bench, by clipped yew-hedges and winding walks until, screenedin shadow, I paused to look upon a great and goodly house; and as Istood there viewing it over from terrace-walk to gabled roof, I heard adistant clock chime ten. 

The great house lay very silent and dark, not a light showed save inone lower chamber. So I waited patiently, my gaze on this light, while, ever and anon, the leaves about me stirred in the softnight-wind with a sound like one that sighed mournfully. 

Thus stayed I some while; howbeit, the light yet aglow and my patiencewaning, I stole forward, keeping ever in the shadows, and, ascendingthe terrace, came where grew ivy, very thick and gnarled, overspreadingthis wing of the house. Groping amid the leaves I found that Isought--a stout staple deep-driven between the bricks with above thisanother and yet other again, the which formed a sort of ladder whereby, as a boy, I had been wont to come and go by night or day as I listed. 

Forthwith I began to climb by means of these staples and the ivy, untilat last my fingers grasped the stone sill of a window; and now, thelattice being open, I contrived (albeit it with much ado) to clamberinto the room. It was a fair-sized chamber, and the moonlight, fallingathwart the floor, lit upon a great carven bed brave with tapestriedhangings. Just now the silken curtains were up-drawn and upon the bedI saw a bundle of garments all ribands, laces and the like, the which, of themselves, gave me sudden pause. From these my gaze wandered towhere, against the panelling, hung a goodly rapier complete with girdleand slings, its silver hilt, its guards and curling quillons bright inthe moonbeams. So came I and, reaching it down, drew it from thescabbard and saw the blade very bright as it had been well cared for. And graven on the forte of the blade was the Conisby blazon and thelegend:

 ROUSE ME NOT. 

Now as I stood watching the moonbeams play up and down the long blade, I heard the light, quick tread of feet ascending the stairs without anda voice (very rich and sweetly melodious) that brake out a-singing, andthe words it sang these:

 "A poor soul sat sighing by a green willow tree With hand on his bosom, his head on his knee, Sighing Willow, willow, willow! O willow, willow, willow! And O the green willow my garland shall be!"

Nearer came the singing while I stood, sword in hand, waiting; the songended suddenly and the sweet voice called:

"O Marjorie, wake me betimes, I must be abroad with the sunto-morrow--good-night, sweet wench!"

I crouched in the curtains of the great bed as the latch clicked andthe room filled with the soft glow of a candle; a moment's silence, then:

"O Marjorie, I'll wear the green taffety in the morning. Nay indeed, I'll be my own tirewoman to-night. "

The light was borne across the room; then coming softly to the door Iclosed it and, setting my back against it, leaned there. At the smallsound I made she turned and, beholding me, shrank back, and I saw thecandlestick shaking in her hand ere she set it down upon the carvedpress beside her. 

"Who is it--who is it?" she questioned breathlessly, staring at mybruised and swollen features. 

"A rogue you had dragged lifeless to the pillory!"

"You?" she breathed. "You! And they set you in the pillory? 'Twas byno order of me. "

"'Tis no matter, lady, here was just reward for a rogue, " says I. "Butnow I seek Sir Richard--"

"Nay indeed--indeed you shall not find him here. "

"That will I prove for myself!" says I, and laid hand on latch. 

"Sir, " says she in the same breathless fashion, "why will you notbelieve me? Seek him an you will, but I tell you Sir Richard sailedinto the Spanish Main two years since and was lost. "

"Lost?" says I, feeling a tremor of apprehension shake me as I met hertruthful eyes. "Lost, say you--how lost?"

"He and his ship were taken by the Spaniards off Hispaniola. "

"Taken?" I repeated, like one sore mazed. "Taken--off--Hispaniola?"And here, bethinking me of the cruel mockery of it all (should thisindeed be so) black anger seized me. "You lie to me!" I cried. "Ha, by God, you lie! An there be aught of justice in heaven then RichardBrandon must be here. "

"Who are you?" she questioned, viewing me with the same wide-eyedstare. "Who are you--so fierce, so young, yet with whitened hair, andthat trembles at the truth? Who are you--speak?"

"You have lied to save him from me!" I cried. "You lie--ha, confess!"And I strode towards her, the long blade a-glitter in my quiveringgrasp. 

"Would you kill me?" says she, all unflinching and with eyes that neverwavered. "Would you murder a helpless maid--Martin Conisby?" Therapier fell to the rug at my feet and lay there, my breath caught, andthus we stood awhile, staring into each other's eyes. 

"Martin Conisby is dead!" says I at last. 

For answer she pointed to the wall above my head and, looking thither, I saw the picture of a young cavalier, richly habited, who smiled downgrey-eyed and gentle-lipped, all care-free youth and gaiety; andbeneath this portrait ran the words:

 MARTIN CONISBY, LORD WENDOVER. Aetat. 21. 

"Madam, " quoth I at last, turning my back on the picture, "Yon innocentwas whipped to death aboard a Spanish galleass years since, whereforeI, a poor rogue, come seeking his destroyer. "

"Sir, " says she, clasping her hands and viewing me with troubled eyes, "O sir--whom mean you?"

"One who, having slain the father, sold the son into slavery, to thehell of Spanish dungeon and rowing-bench, to stripes and shame andtorment, one the just God hath promised to my vengeance--I mean RichardBrandon. "

"Ah--mercy of God--my father! Ah no, no--it cannot be! My father?Sure here is some black mistake. "

"Being his daughter you should know 'tis very truth! Being a Brandonyou must know of the feud hath cursed and rent our families time out ofmind, the bitter faction and bloodshed!"

"Aye!" she murmured, "This I do know. "

"Well, madam, five years agone, or thereabouts, my father falselyattainted of treason, died in his prison and I, drugged and trepannedaboard ship, was sold into the plantations, whence few return--andRichard Brandon, enriched by our loss and great at court, dreamed hehad made an end o' the Conisbys and that the feud was ended once andfor all. "

"My lord, " says she, proud head upflung, "I deny all this! Suchsuspicion, so base and unfounded, shameth but yourself. You have daredforce your way into my house at dead of night, and now--O now you wouldtraduce my absent father, charging him with shameful crimes--and thisto me, his daughter! Enough, I'll hear no more, begone ere I summon myservants and have you driven forth!" and, seizing the bell-rope thathung against the panelling, she faced me, her deep bosom heavingtempestuous, white hands clenched and scorning me with her eyes. 

"Ring!" says I, and seated myself in a chair beside her great bed. 

"Have you no shame?"

"None, madam, 'twas all whipped out o' me aboard the 'Esmeralda'galleass. Ring, madam! But I go not till I learn, once and for all, if Sir Richard be here or no. "

Now at this she loosed the bell-rope very suddenly and, covering herface with her hands, stood thus awhile:

"God pity me!" says she at last in weeping voice. "I may not forgethow you saved me from--" Here a tremor seemed to shake her; then shespake again, yet now scarce above a whisper. "Your face hath lookedupon me night and morn these two years, and now--O Martin Conisby, wereyou but the man I dreamed you!"

"I'm a rogue new-broke from slavery!" says I. 

"Aye, " she cried suddenly, lifting her head and viewing me with new andbitter scorn, "and one that speaketh lies of an absent man!"

"Lies!" quoth I, choking on the word. "Lies, madam? Why then, howcometh my picture here--my coat of arms above the mantel yonder, theConisby 'scutcheon on your gates? What do you at Conisby Shene?"

Now in her look I saw a sudden doubt, a growing dread, her breathcaught and she shrank back to the panelled wall and leaned there, andever the trouble in her eyes grew. "Well, my lady?" I questioned, "Have ye no answer?"

"'Twas said . . . I have heard . . . The Conisbys were no more. "

"Even so, how came Sir Richard by this, our house?"

"Nay--nay, I--I know little of my father's business--he was ever asilent man and I--have passed my days in London or abroad. Butyou--ah, tell me--why seek you my father?"

"That is betwixt him and me!"

"Was it--murder? Was it vengeance, my lord?" Here, as I made noanswer, she crosses over to me and lays one slender hand on myshoulder; whereat I would have risen but her touch stayed me. "Speak!"says she in a whisper. "Was it his life you sought?" Meeting the lookin her deep, soft eyes, I was silent for a while, finding no word, thendumbly I nodded. And now I felt her hand trembling on my shoulder ereit was withdrawn and, looking up, I saw she had clasped her hands andstood with head bowed like one in prayer: "O Martin Conisby, " shewhispered, "now thank God that in His mercy He hath stayed thee frommurder!" So she stood awhile, then, crossing to the carven press, tookthence divers papers and set them before me. "Read!" she commanded. 

So I examined these papers and found therein indisputable evidence thatmy journey here was vain indeed, that Sir Richard, sailing westward, had been taken by Spaniards off Hispaniola and carried away prisoner, none knew whither. 

And in a while, having read these papers, I laid them by and rising, stumbled towards the open casement. 

"Well, my lord?" says she in strange, breathless fashion, "And whatnow?"

"Why now, " says I, wearily, "it seems my vengeance is yet to seek. "

"Vengeance?" she cried, "Ah, God pity thee! Doth life hold for theenought better?"

"Nought!"

"Vengeance is a consuming fire!"

"So seek I vengeance!"

"O Martin Conisby, bethink you! Vengeance is but a sickness of themind--a wasting disease--"

"So seek I vengeance!"

"For him that questeth after vengeance this fair world can hold noughtbeside. "

"So give me vengeance, nought else seek I of this world!"

"Ah, poor soul--poor man that might be, so do I pity thee!"

"I seek no man's pity. "

"But I am a woman, so shall I pity thee alway!"

Now as I prepared to climb through the lattice she, beholding the swordwhere it yet lay, stooped and, taking it up, sheathed it. "This wasthine own once, I've heard, " says she. "Take it, Martin Conisby, keepit clean, free from dishonour and leave thy vengeance to God. "

"Not so!" says I, shaking my head. "I have my knife, 'tis weaponbetter suited to my rags!" So saying, I clambered out through thelattice even as I had come. Being upon the terrace, I glanced up tofind her leaning to watch me and with the moon bright on her face. 

"Live you for nought but vengeance?" she questioned softly. 

"So aid me God!" says I. 

"So shall I pity thee alway, Martin Conisby!" she repeated, and sighed, and so was gone. 

Then I turned, slow of foot, and went my solitary way. 

CHAPTER X

HOW I SWORE TO THE BLOOD-BROTHERHOOD

I remember the moon was very bright as, reaching the end of a grassylane (or rather cart-track) I saw before me a small, snug-seemingtavern with a board over the door, whereon were the words:

 YE PECK OF MALT

 BY

 JOEL BYM. 

And looking the place over, from trim, white steps before the door totrim thatched roof, I marvelled at its air of prosperity; for here itstood, so far removed from road and bye-road, so apparently away fromall habitation, and so lost and hid by trees (it standing within alittle copse) that it was great wonder any customer should ever findhis way hither. 

The place was very quiet, not a light showed anywhere and the door wasfast shut, which was nothing strange, for the hour was late. Steppingup to the door I knocked loudly thereon with my cudgel, at firstwithout effect, but having repeated the summons, a voice from withinhailed me gruffly:

"Who knocks?"

"'The Faithful Friend!'" says I. At this, the door swung suddenly openand a lanthorn was thrust into my face, whereupon I fell back a step, dazzled; then gradually, beyond this glare, I made out a dark shapeblocking the doorway, a great fellow, so prodigiously hairy of head andface that little was there to see of features, save two round eyes anda great, hooked nose. 

"And who d'ye seek, Faithful Friend?" says he. 

"Master Adam Penfeather. "

"Why then, Faithful Friend, heave ahead!" says he, and, making way forme to enter, closed the door (the which I noticed was mighty stout andstrong) and, having locked and bolted it, barred it with a stout ironset into massy sockets in either wall. 

"You go mighty secure!" says I. 

"Cock, " quoth the giant, eyeing me over slowly, "Cock, be ye acackler--because if so be you do cackle overly here's we as won't loveye no whit, my cock. "

"Good!" says I, returning his look. "I seek no man's love!"

"Cock, " quoth he, plunging huge fist into his beard and giving it atug, "I begin to love ye better nor I thought! This way, cock!"Herewith he led me along a wide, flagged passage and up a broad stairwith massy, carven handrail; and as I went I saw the place was muchbigger than I had deemed it, the walls, too, were panelled, and Ijudged it had once formed part of a noble house. At last we reached adoor whereon the fellow knocked softly, and so presently ushered meinto a fair chamber lit by wax candles; and here, seated at a tablewith papers before him and a pen in his fingers, sat Master AdamPenfeather. 

"Ha, shipmate, " says he, motioning to a chair, "you be somethingearlier than I expected. Suffer me to make an end o' thisbusiness--sit ye, comrade, sit! As for you, Bo'sun, have up a flask o'the Spanish wine--the black seal!"

"Aye, cap'n!" says he, and seizing a fistful of hair above his eyebrow, strode away, closing the door behind him. 

Now beholding Penfeather as he bent to his writing--the lean, aquilineface of him so smooth and youthful in contrast to his silver hair--Iwas struck by his changed look; indeed he seemed some bookish studentrather than the lawless rover I had thought him, despite the pistols athis elbow and the long rapier that dangled at his chair-back; moreoverthere was about him also an air of latent power I had not noticed erethis. 

At length, having made an end of his writing, he got up and stretchedhimself:

"So, shipmate, art ready to swear the blood-fellowship wi' me?"

"Aye!" says I. "When do we sail?" At this he glanced at me swiftlyfrom the corners of his eyes:

"So ho!" he murmured, pinching his chin. "The wind's changed it seems, you grow eager--and wherefore?"

"'Tis no matter!"

"Shipmate, " says he, shaking his head, "an we sail as brothers andcomrades there must be never a secret betwixt us--speak!"

"As ye will!" quoth I, leaning back in my chair. "I learn then you aresailing as master in a ship bound for the Main in quest of Sir RichardBrandon lost off Hispaniola two years agone. Sir Richard Brandon isthe man I have sought ever since I broke out of the hell he sold meinto. Now look'ee, Adam Penfeather, " says I, springing to my feet andgrasping his arm, "look'ee now--put me in the way of meeting this man, aid me to get my hand on this man and I am yours--aye, body andsoul--to the end o' things, and this I swear!"

While I spake thus, my voice hoarse with passion, my fingers clutchinghis arm, Penfeather stood pinching his chin and watching me beneath hisblack brows; when I had ended he turned and falls a-pacing to and froacross the room as it had been the narrow poop of a ship. 

"Ah--I know you now, my lord!" says he, pausing suddenly before me. "As the sailor-man who watched you as you lay a-groaning in your sleepoutside the Conisby Arms, I guessed you one o' the Conisby breed byyour ring, and as one born and bred here in Kent I mind well the adage, 'To hate like a Brandon and revenge like a Conisby, ' and by God, mylord, you are a true Conisby, it seemeth! Vengeance!" says he, histhin features grown sharp and austere, "Ah! I have seen much andovermuch of it aboard lawless craft and among the wild islands of theCaribbees. I have seen the devilish cruelties of Spaniard, Portugal, and the red horrors of Indian vengeance--but, for cold, mercilessferocity, for the vengeance that dieth not, biding its time andbattening on poisonous hate, it needeth your man o' noble birth, yourgentleman o' quality!" Here he turned his back and paced slowly to theend of the room; when he faced me again his austere look was gone, inits stead was the grimly whimsical expression of the mariner, as I hadseen him first. 

"Damme!" says I, scowling, "Was it to read me homilies that you had mehere?"

"Aha, shipmate, " says he with rueful smile, "there spake the youngdivine, the excellent divinity student who committed a peccadillo longyears agone and, sailing to the Golden West, gave place to one AdamPenfeather a sailor-man--as you shall hear tell of at St. Kitt's, Tortuga, Santa Catalina and a score o' places along the Main. As toyourself, shipmate, if 'tis only vengeance ye seek, vengeance let itbe, though, when all's done, 'tis but wind--hist! Here cometh theBo'sun--come in, Jo lad, come in! 'Twas trusty Joel Bym here gave me myfirst lesson in navigation--eh, Jo?"

"Aye, Cap'n, " growled the hairy giant, "by cock, them was the days, afair wind, a quick eye an' no favour, aye, them was the days, bycock's-body!" So saying, he placed a flask of wine on the table, together with a curious silver cup, and (at a sign from Penfeather)left us together. 

"And now, comrade, " says Penfeather, filling the goblet, "draw up yourchair and do as I do. "

And now as we sat facing each other (across the table) Penfeather turnsback his left sleeve and, whipping out a knife, nicked himselftherewith on the wrist and squeezed thence a few drops of blood intothe wine; which done, he passed the knife to me and I (though mislikingthe extravagance of the thing) nevertheless did the same. 

"Martin, " says he, "give me your hand--so! Now swear as I do!" Andthus, clasping each other's hands, we swore the oath of brotherhood;and this as followeth, viz. "

(1) To keep ever each other's counsel. 

(2) To aid each other in all things against all men soever. 

(3) To cherish and comfort each other in every adversity. 

(4) To be faithful each to each unto the death. 

Thereafter, at his command, I drank of the wine wherein our blood wasmingled and he did the like. 

"And now, " says he, leaning back in his chair and viewing me with hispensive smile, "since we be brothers and comrades sworn, how d'ye likeme now?"

"Better than I did, " says I, speaking on impulse, "for sure you are thestrangest picaroon that ever cheated the gallows. "

"Ah, " says he, pinching his chin, "an I am neither hanged nor murderedyou shall one day find me a worshipful magistrate, Martin, Justice o'the Peace and quorum--custos rotulorum and the rest on't, there myambition lies. As for you, Martin, Lord Wendover, there is your enemy, ha?--bloody vengeance and murder and what beside?"

"That is mine own concern!" I retorted angrily. "And look 'ee, sincecomrades we are, you will forget who and what I am!"

"Why so I have, Martin, so I have. Art a poor, destitute rogue thatmight be a man and rich but for this vengeful maggot i' thy brain. Howbeit thou'rt my comrade sworn and brother-in-arms and as such Ishall trust thee--to the death, Martin. "

"And shall find me worthy, Adam--despite thy curst tongue. "

"Death is an ill thing, Martin!"

"Is it?" says I, and laughed. 

"Aye, " he nodded, "an ill thing to him that hath ambitions above thebrute. See here!" Unbuttoning his doublet he showed me a shirt offine chain-mail beneath his linen. "'Twill turn any point ever forgedand stop a bullet handsomely, as I do know. "

"Why, sure, " says I, a little scornful, "you avowed yourself a cautiousman--"

"True, Martin, I have another shirt the like o' this for you. And asfor caution, I have need, d'ye see, comrade. The arrow that flieth byday is an ill enough thing, but the knife that stabbeth i' the dark isworse. This shirt hath turned death thrice already--once i' the breasthere and twice 'twixt the shoulders. I am a man marked for death, Martin, murder creepeth at my heels, it hath dogged me overseas andfound me here in Kent at last, it seems. And, comrade, henceforth thesteel that smiteth me shall smite you also, belike. "

"And why is your life sought thus?"

"By reason of a secret I bear about me; wherefore (saving only my goodfriend Nicholas Frant who . . . Perished) I have ever been a solitary manwalking alone and distrustful of my fellows. For, Martin, I have herethe secret of a treasure that hath been the dream and hope of rovingadventurers along the Main this many a year--a treasure beyond price. Men have sought it vainly, have striven and fought, suffered and diedfor it, have endured plague, battle, shipwreck, famine, have diedscreaming 'neath Indian tortures, languished in Spanish dungeon andslaveship, and all for sake of Bartlemy's Treasure. And of all thatever sought it, but one man hath ever seen this treasure, and I am thatman, Martin. And this treasure is so marvellous well hid that withoutme it shall lie unfound till the trump of doom. But now, since we arebrethren and comrades, needs must I share with thee the treasure andthe secret of it. "

"No, no, Adam!" says I. "Keep it to yourself, I'll none of it. "

"Share and share!" says he. "'Tis the law of the Coast. "

"None the less I want nought of it. "

"'Tis the law, " he repeated, "and moreover with such vast wealth a manshall buy anything in this world--even vengeance, Martin. Look'ee now, here's the secret of our treasure. " Hereupon he thrust his hand intohis breast and drew out a small oilskin packet or bag, suspended abouthis lean throat by a thin steel chain, and from this he drew forth asmall roll of parchment. 

"Here 'tis, Martin, " says he softly, "here's that so many lusty menhave perished for--not much to look at, shipmate, torn, d'ye see andstained, but here's wealth, Martin, fame, honours, all the vices andall the evils, and chief among 'em--vengeance!"

So saying, he unrolled the small scrap of parchment, and holding itbefore me, I saw it was a rough chart. 

"Take it, Martin, and study it the while I tell you my story. "

CHAPTER XI

ADAM PENFEATHER, HIS NARRATIVE

"Mine is a strange, wild story, Martin, but needs must I tell it and infew words as may be. Fifteen years agone (or thereabouts) I became oneof that league known as the Brotherhood of the Coast and sworecomradeship with one Nicholas Frant, a Kent man, even as I. Now thoughI was full young and a cautious man, yet, having a natural hatred ofSpaniards and their ways, I wrought right well against them, and wasmighty diligent in many desperate affrays against their ships and alongthe Coast. 'Twas I (and my good comrade Nick Frant) with sixteen lustylads took sea in an open pinnace and captured the great treasuregalleon 'Dolores del Principe' off Carthagena, and what with all this, Martin, and my being blessed with some education and a gift of addingtwo and two together, I got me rapid advancement in the Brotherhooduntil--well, shipmate, I that am poor and solitary was once rich andwith nigh a thousand bully fellows at command. And then it was that Ifell in with that arch-devil, that master rogue whose deeds had longbeen a terror throughout the Main, a fellow more bloody than anySpaniard, more treacherous than any Portugal, and more cruel than anyIndian--Inca, Mosquito, Maya or Aztec, and this man an Englishman, andone of birth and breeding, who hid his identity under the name ofBartlemy. I met him first in Tortuga where we o' the Brotherhood lay, six stout ships and nigh four hundred men convened for an expeditionagainst Santa Catalina, and this for two reasons, first, because 'twasa notable rich city, and second, to rescue certain of the Brotherhoodthat lay there waiting to be burnt at the next auto-de-fe. Well, Martin, 'tis upon a certain evening that this Bartlemy comes aboard myship and with him his mate, by name Tressady. And never was greaterdifference than 'twixt these two, Tressady being a great, wild fellowwith a steel hook in place of his left hand, d'ye see, and Bartlemy aslender, dainty-seeming, fiendly-smiling gentleman, very nice as tospeech and deportment and clad in the latest mode, from curling periwigto jewelled shoe-buckles. 

"'Captain Penfeather, ' says he, 'Your most dutiful, humble--ha, let meparish but here is curst reek o' tar!' with which, Martin, he claps ajewelled pomander to the delicate nose of him. 'You've heard of me, Ithink, Captain, ' says he, 'and of my ship, yonder, the "Ladies'Delight?"' I told him I had, Martin, bluntly and to the point, whereathe laughs and bows and forthwith proffers to aid us against SantaCatalina, the which I refused forthwith. But my council of captains, seeing his ship was larger than any we possessed and exceeding wellarmed and manned, overruled me, and the end of it was we sailed, sixships of the Brotherhood and this accursed pirate. 

"Well, Martin, Santa Catalina fell according to my plans, and theGovernor and Council agreeing to pay ransom, I drew off my companies, and camped outside the walls of the town till they should collect themoney. Now the women of this place were exceeding comely, Martin, inespecial the Governor's lady, and upon the second night was suddenoutcry and uproar within the city, whereupon I marched into the placeforthwith and found this curst Bartlemy and his rogues, grownimpatient, were at their devil's work. Hastening to the Governor'shouse I found it gutted and him dragged from his bed and with the lifegashed out of him--aye, Martin, torn body and throat, d'ye see, as bythe fangs of some great beast! That was the first time I saw what asteel hook may do! As for this poor gentleman's lady, she was gone. Hereupon, we o' the Brotherhood fell upon these pirate rogues andfought them by light o' the blazing houses (for they had fired thecity), and I, thus espying the devil Bartlemy, met him point to point. He was very full o' rapier tricks, but so was I, Martin (also I wasyounger), and winged him sore and had surely ended him, but thatTressady and divers others got him away, and what with the dark nightand the woods that lie shorewards he, together with some few of hiscrew, got them back aboard his ship, the "Ladies' Delight, " and soaway; but twelve of his rogues we took (beyond divers we slew in fight)and those twelve I saw hanged that same hour. A week later we sailedfor Tortuga with no less than ninety and one thousand pieces of eightfor our labour, but I and those with me never had the spending of asingle piece, Martin, for we ran into a storm such as I never saw thelike of even in those seas. Well, we ran afore it for three days andits fury nothing abating all this time I never quit the deck, but I hadbeen wounded, and on the third night, being fevered and outworn, turnedin below. I was awakened by Nick Frant roaring in my ear, for thetempest was very loud and fierce:

"'Adam!' cried he, 'We're lost, every soul and the good money! we'vestruck a reef, Adam, and 'tis the end and O the good money!' HereuponI climbed 'bove deck, the vessel on her beam ends and in desperateplight and nought to be seen i' the dark save the white spume as theseas broke over us. None the less I set the crew to cutting away hermasts and heaving the ordnance overboard (to lighten her thereby), butwhile this was doing comes a great wave roaring out of the dark anddashing aboard us whirled me up and away, and I, borne aloft on thatmighty, hissing sea, strove no more, doubting not my course was run. So, blinded, choking, I was borne aloft and then, Martin, found myselfadrift in water calm as any millpond--a small lagoon, and spyingthrough the dark a grove of palmetto trees presently managed to climbashore, more dead than alive; and, lying there, I prayed--a thing I hadnot done for many a year. As the dawn came I saw the great wave hadhurled me over the barrier reef into this small lagoon, and beyond thereef lay all that remained of my good ship. I was yet viewing thisdolorous sight (and much cast down for the loss of my companions, inespecial my sworn friend Nicholas Frant) when I heard a sound behind meand turning about, espied a woman, and in this woman's face (fairthough it was) I read horror and sadness beyond tears, and yet I knewher for the same had been wife to the murdered governor of SantaCatalina. 

"'Go back!' says she in Spanish, pointing to the surf that thunderedbeyond the reef. 'Go back! Here is the devil--the sea hath moremercy--go back whiles ye may!' And now she checked all at once andfalls a-shivering, for a voice reached us, a man's voice a-singing fairto hear, and the song he sang was this, 'Hey cheerly O and cheerly O And cheerly come sing O! While at the mainyard to and fro--

and knowing this voice (to my cost) I looked around for some weapon, since I had none and was all but naked, and whipping up a jagged andserviceable stone, stood awaiting him with this in my fist. And downthe beach he comes, jocund and debonair in his finery, albeit somethingpale by reason of excess and my rapier work. And now I come to look atyou, Martin, he was just such another as you as to face and feature, though lacking your beef and bone. Now he beholding me where I stood, flourishes off his belaced hat and, making me a bow, comes on smiling. 

"'Ah, ' says he gaily, ''tis Captain Penfeather of the Brotherhood, a-collogueing with my latest wife! Is she not a pearl o' daintywoman-ware, Captain, a sweet and luscious piece, a passionate, proudbeauty worth the taming--ha, Captain? And she is tamed, see you. Toyour dainty knees, wench--down!' Now though he smiled yet and spakeher gentle, she, bowing proud head, sank to her knees, crouching on theground before him, while he looked down on her, the devil in his eyesand his jewelled fingers toying with the dagger in his girdle, astrange dagger with a hilt wrought very artificially in the shape of anaked woman--"

"How, " says I, leaning across the table, "A woman, Penfeather?"

"Aye, shipmate! So I stood mighty alert, my eyes on this dagger, beingminded to whip it into his rogue's heart as chance might offer. 'Iwonder, ' says he to this poor lady, 'I wonder how long I shall keepthee, madonna, a week--a month--a year? Venus knoweth, for you amuseme, sweet. Rise, rise, dear my lady, my Dolores of Joy, rise and aidme with thy counsel, for here hath this misfortunate clumsy Captainfool blundered into our amorous paradise, this tender Cyprian islesacred to our passion. Yet here is he profaning our joys with his basematerial presence. How then shall we rid ourselves of this offence?The knife--this lover o' men of mine? The bullet? Yet 'tis a poorsmall naked rogue and in two days cometh my 'Ladies' Delight' andTressady with his hook. See, my Dolores, for two days he shall be ourslave and thereafter, for thy joy, shall show thee how to die, mysweet--torn 'twixt pimento trees or Tressady's hook--thou shalt choosethe manner of't. And now, unveil, unveil, my goddess of the isle--soshall--' Ha, Martin! My stone took him 'neath the ear, and as heswayed reeling to the blow, lithe and swift as any panther thistortured woman sprang, and I saw the flash of steel ere it was buriedin his breast. Even then he didn't fall, but, staggering to a pimentotree, leans him there and falls a-laughing, a strange, high-pitched, gasping laugh, and as he laughed thus, I saw the silver haft of thedagger that was a woman leap and quiver in his breast. Then, laughingyet, he, never heeding me, plucked and levelled sudden pistol, and whenthe smoke cleared the brave Spanish lady lay dead upon the sands. 

"'A noble piece, Captain!' says he, gasping for breath, and then toher, 'Art gone, my goddess--I--follow thee!' And now he sinks to hisknees and begins to crawl where she lay, but getting no further thanher feet (by reason of his faintness) he clasps her feet and kissesthem, and laying his head upon them--closes his eyes. 'Penfeather!' hegroans, 'my treasure--hidden--dagger--'

"Then I came very hastily and raised his head (for I had oft heard talko' this treasure), and in that moment he died. So I left them lyingand coming to the seaboard sat there a great while watching the breako' the seas on what was left o' the wreck, yet seeing it not. I satthere till noon, Martin, until, driven by thirst and hunger and heat ofsun, I set off to seek their habitation, for by their looks I judgedthem well-fed and housed. But, and here was the marvel, Martin, seekhow I might I found no sign of any hut or shelter save that afforded bynature (as caves and trees), and was forced to satisfy my cravings withsuch fruits as flourished in profusion, for this island, Martin, is avery earthly paradise. That night, the moon being high and bright, Icame to that stretch of silver sand beside the lagoon where they laytogether rigid and pale and, though I had no other tool but his daggerand a piece o' driftwood, made shift to bury them 'neath the greatpimento tree that stood beside the rock, and both in the same grave. Which done, I betook me to a dry cave hard by a notable fall of waterthat plungeth into a lake, and there passed the night. Next day, having explored the island very thoroughly, and dined as best I mighton shell-fish that do abound, I sat me down where I might behold thesea and fell to viewing of this silver-hilted dagger. "

"The which was shaped like to a woman!" says I. 

"Aye, Martin. And now, bethinking me of Bartlemy's dying words anentthis same dagger, and of the tales I had heard full oft along the Mainregarding this same Bartlemy and his hidden treasure, I fell tohandling this dagger, turning and twisting it this way and that. Andsuddenly, shipmate, I felt the head turn upon the shoulders 'twixt theclasping hands; turn and turn until it came away and showed a cavity, and in this cavity a roll of parchment, and that parchment none otherthan this map with the cryptogram, the which I could make nought of. 

"Now as I sat thus, studying this meaningless jumble of words, I of asudden espied a man below me on the reef, a wild, storm-tossed figure, his scanty clothing all shreds and tatters, and as he went seeking ofshell-fish that were plenteous enough, I knew him for my sworn comrade, Nick Frant. And then, Martin, I did strange thing, for blood-brothersthough we were, I made haste (and all of a tremble) to slip back thismap into its hiding-place, which done, I arose, hailing my comrade andwent to meet him joyously enough. And no two men in the world morerejoiced than we as we clasped hands and embraced each other as onlycomrades may. It seemed the hugeous sea that had caught me had caughthim likewise and hurled him, sore bruised, some mile to the south ofthe reef. So now I told him of the deaths of Bartlemy and the poorlady, yet Martin (and this was strange) I spoke nothing of knife ortreasure; I told him of the expectation I had of the pirate's shipreturn, and yet I never once spake o' the map and chart. And methinksthe secret cast a shadow betwixt us that grew ever deeper, for as thedays passed and no sail appeared, there came a strangeness, an unlovebetwixt us that grew until one day we fell to open quarrel, disputationand deadly strife, and the matter no more than a dead man's shirt (andthat ragged) that had come ashore. And we (being in rags and the sunscorching) each claimed this shirt, and from words came blows. He hadhis seaman's knife and I Bartlemy's accursed dagger, and so we foughtafter the manner of the buccaneers, his leg bound fast to mine, andMartin, though he was a great fellow and strong and wounded me sore, inthe end I got in a thrust under the armpit and he fell a-dying, and Iwith him. Then I (seeing death in his eyes, Martin) clasped him in myarms and kissed him and besought him not to die, whereat he smiled. 'Adam!' says he, 'Why Adam, lad--' and so died. 

"Then I took that accursed dagger, wet with my comrade's life-blood, and hurled it from me, and so with many tears and lamentations Ipresently buried poor Nick Frant in the sands, and lay there face downupon his grave wetting it with my tears and groaning there tillnightfall. But all next day, Martin (though my heart yearned to myslain friend) all next day I spent seeking and searching for the daggerhad killed him. And as the sun set, I found it. Thereafter I passedmy days (since the pirate ship came not, doubtless owing to the latetempest) studying the writing on the chart here, yet came no nearer asolution, though my imagination was inflamed by mention of diamonds, rubies and pearls, as ye may see written here for yourself. So thetime passed till one day at dawn I beheld a great ship, her mizzen andfore-topmasts gone, standing in for my island, and as she drew nearer, I knew her at last for that accursed pirate ship called "Ladies'Delight. " Being come to anchor within some half-mile or so, I saw aboat put off for the reef, and lying well hid I watched this boat, steered by a knowing hand, pass through the reef by a narrow channeland so enter the lagoon. Now in this boat were six men and at therudder sat Tressady, and I saw his hook flash in the sun as he sprangashore. Having beached their boat, they fell to letting off theircalivers and pistols and hallooing:

"'Oho, Captain!' they roared, 'Bartlemy, ahoy!' And this outcrymaintained they for some while. But none appearing to answer, theyseemed to take counsel together, and thereafter set off three andthree, shouting as they went. And now it seemed they knew no more ofBartlemy's hiding-place than I, whereat I rejoiced greatly. So lay Iall that forenoon watching their motions and hearing their outcries nowhere, now there, until, marvelling at the absence of Bartlemy, they satdown all six upon the spit of sand whereby I lay hid and fell to eatingand drinking, talking the while, though too low for me to hear whatpassed. But all at once they seemed to fall to disputation, Tressadyand a small, dark fellow against the four, and thereafter to brawl andfight, though this was more butchery than fight, Martin, for Tressadyshoots down two ere they can rise, and leaping up falls on the othertwo with his hook! So with aid from the small, dark fellow they soonhave made an end o' their four companions, and leaving them lying, comeup the beach and sitting below the ledge of rock whereon I lay snughidden, fell to talk. 

"'So, Ben, camarado mio, we be committed to it now! Since these fourbe dead and all men well-loved by Bartlemy, needs must Bartlemy follow'em!'

"'Aye!' says the man Ben, 'when we have found him. Though Bartlemy's afighting man!'

"'And being a man can die, Ben. And he once dead we stand hisheirs--you and I, Ben, I and you!'

"'Well and good!' says Ben. 'But for this treasure where lieth it, andfor that matter, Roger, where is Bartlemy?'

"'Both to find, Ben, so let us set about it forthwith. ' The which theydid, Martin; for three days they sought the island over and I watching'em. On the third day, as they are sitting 'neath the great pimentotree I have mentioned (and I watching close by) Tressady sits up all atonce. 

"'Ben!' says he, 'What be yon?' and he pointed to a mound of sand hardby. 

"'Lord knoweth!' says Ben. 

"'Yon's been digging!' says Tressady, 'and none so long since!'

"'Aye, ' said Ben, 'and now what?'

"'Now, ' says Tressady, 'let us dig likewise. '

"'Aye, but what with?' says Ben. 

"'Our fingers!' says Tressady. So there and then they fell to digging, casting up the loose sand with their two hands, dog-fashion, and I, watching, turned my head that I might not see. 

"'Ha!' says Tressady, in a while, 'Here is foul reek, Ben, foul reek. '

"'Right curst!' says Ben, and then uttered a great, hoarse cry. And I, knowing what they had come upon, kept my face turned away. ''Tis she!'says Ben in a whisper. 

"'Aye, and him!' says Tressady. 'Faugh! Man, 'tis ill thing but needsmust--his dagger, Ben, his dagger. '

"'Here's no dagger, ' says Ben. 'Here's empty sheath but no steel in't!'

"''Tis fallen out!' says Tressady in a strangled voice. 'Seek, Ben, seek!' So despite the horror of the thing, they sought, Martin, violating death and careless of corruption they sought, and all thetime the thing they sought was quivering in this right hand. 

"'Ben, ' says Tressady, when they were done. 'Ben--how came hedead--how?'

"'Who shall say, Roger? Mayhap they did each other's business. '

"'Why then--where's the dagger o' the woman--the silver goddess--where?And how came they buried?'

"'Aye, there's the rub, Roger!'

"'Why, ' says Tressady, 'look'ee, Ben, 'tis in my mind we're not aloneon this island--'

"'And who should be here, Roger?'

"'The man that slew our Captain!' Here there was silence awhile, thenthe man Ben arose and spat. 

"'Faugh!' says he. 'Come away, Roger, ere I stifle--come, i' thedevil's name!' So they went and I, lying hid secure, watched them outof sight. 

"Now when they were gone I took counsel with myself, for here were twodesperate, bloody rogues, very well armed, and here was I, a solitaryman with nought to my defence save for Nick's knife and thesilver-hilted dagger, which was heavy odds, Martin, as you'll agree. Now I have ever accounted myself a something timid man, wherefore incases of desperate need and danger I have been wont to rely on my witrather than weapons, on head rather than hands. So now as I lookedupon this cursed dagger wherewith I had slain my poor friend, beholdingthis evil silver woman whose smile seemed verily to allure men tostrife and bloodshed--the end of it was I stole from my lurking-placeand set the dagger amid the gnarled roots of the great pimento tree, where it might have slipped from dying fingers, and so got me back intohiding. And sure enough in a while comes the big man Tressadya-stealing furtive-fashion and falls to hunting both in the open graveand round about it but, finding nothing, steals him off again. Scarcewas he out of eye-shot, Martin, than cometh the little dark fellow Ben, who likewise fell to stealthy search, grubbing here and there on handsand knees, yet with none better fortune than his comrade. But of asudden he gives a spring and, stooping, stands erect with Bartlemy'sdagger in his hand. Now scarce had he found it than comes Tressadycreeping from where he had lain watching. 

"'Ha, Ben!' says he jovially. 'How then, lad, how then? Hast foundwhat we sought? Here's luck, Ben, here's luck! Aye, by cock, 'tisyour fortune to find it and your fortune's my fortune, eh, Ben--usbeing comrades, Ben?'

"'Aye, ' says Ben, turning the dagger this way and that. 

"'Ha' ye come on the chart, Ben, ha' ye found the luck in't Ben?'

"'Stay, Roger, I've but just picked it up--'

"'And was coming to your comrade with it, eh, Ben--share and share--eh, Benno--Bennie?'

"'Aye, ' says Ben, staring down at the thing, 'but 'twas me as found it, Roger!'

"'And what then, lad, what then?'

"'Why then, Roger, since I found it, 'tis mine, ' says he gripping thedagger in quivering fist and glancing up sideways. 

"'Hilt and blade, Ben!'

"'And the chart, Roger?'

"'Aye, and the chart, Ben!' says Tressady, coming a pace nearer, and Isaw his hook glitter. 

"'And the treasure, Roger!' says Ben, making little passes in the airto see the blue gleam of the steel. 

"'All yours, Ben all yours, and what's yours is mine, according tooath, Ben, to oath! But come, Ben, you hold the secret o' the treasurein your fist--the silver goddess. Come, the chart, lad, out wi' thechart and Bartlemy's jewels are ours--pearls, Ben--diamonds, rubies--aha, come, find the chart--let your comrade aid ye, lad--'

"'Stand back!' says Ben and whips a pistol from his belt. 'Look'ee, Roger, says he, 'I found the dagger without ye and I'll find thechart--stand back!'

"'Why here's ill manners to a comrade, Ben ill manners, sink me--but asye will. Only out wi' the chart and let's go seek the treasure, Ben. '

"'D'ye know the secret o' this thing, Roger?'

"'Not I, Ben!'

"'Why then must I break it asunder. Hand me yon piece o' of rock, 'says Ben, pointing to a heavy stone that chanced to be near. 

"'Stay, Ben lad, 'twere pity to crush the silver woman, but if youwill, you will Ben--take a hold!' So saying, Tressady picked up thestone, but, as his comrade reached to take it, let it fall, whereuponBen stooped for it and in that moment Tressady was on him. Andthen--ha, Martin, I heard the man Ben scream, and as he writhed, sawTressady's hook at work . . . The man screamed but once . . . And then, wiping the hook on his dead comrade's coat he took up the dagger andbegan to unscrew the head. But now, Martin, methought 'twas time forme to act if I meant to save my life, for I had nought but Nick Frant'sknife, while within Tressady's reach lay the dead man's pistols anddivers musquetoons and fusees on the beach behind him, which put me tono small panic lest he shoot me ere I could come at him with my knife. Thus, as I lay watching, I took counsel with myself how I might lurehim away from these firearms wherewith he might hunt me down anddestroy me at his ease; and the end of it was I started up all at onceand, leaning down towards him, shook the parchment in his face. 'Ha, Tressady!' says I, 'Is this the thing you've murdered your comradefor?' Now at this Tressady sprang back, to stare from me to the thingin my hand, Martin, and then--ha, then with a wild-beast roar he sprangstraight at me with his hook--even as I had judged he would. As forme, I turned and ran, making for a rocky ledge I knew, with Tressadypanting behind me, his hook ringing on the rocks as he scrambled inpursuit. So at last we reached the place I sought--a shelf of rock, the cliff on one side, Martin, and on the other a void with the seathundering far below--a narrow ledge where his great bulk hampered himand his strength availed little. And there we fought, his dagger andhook against my dead comrade's knife, and thus as he sprang I, fallingon my knee, smote up beneath raised arm, heard him roar and saw him gowhirling over and down and splash into the sea--"

"And he had the dagger with him, Adam!" says I in eager question. 

"Aye, Martin, which was the end of an ill rogue and an evil thing. "

"The end, " says I, "the end, Adam? Why then--what o' this?"

So saying I whipped the strange dagger from my wallet and held ittowards him balanced upon my palm. Now, beholding this, Penfeather'seyes opened suddenly wide, then narrowed to slits as, viewing thisdeadly thing, he drew back and back, and so sat huddled in his chairutterly still, only I heard his breath hiss softly 'twixt clenchedteeth. 

"Martin, " says he in the same hushed voice, "when a man's dead he'sdead, and the dead can never come back, can they, shipmate?"

But now, as we sat thus, eyeing the evil thing on the table betwixt us, my answer died on my lips, for there came a sharp, quick rapping offingers on the lattice. 

CHAPTER XII

TELLETH OF A FIGHT IN THE DARK

Penfeather was at the casement, had whipped open the lattice and, pinning the intruder by the throat, thrust a pistol into his face allin a moment; and then I recognised Godby the peddler. 

"Let be, Adam!" I cried, springing forward. "Let be, here's a friend!"Saying nothing, Penfeather thrust away the weapon, and gripping thelittle man in both hands, with prodigious strength jerked him bodily inthrough the window; which done, he clapped to the lattice and drawingthe curtain stood fronting Godby grim-lipped. 

"And now what?" says he softly. 

"Lord!" gasped Godby, "Lord love me, but here's a welcome to a pal, here's the second pistol I've had under my nose this night--throttle mein a hayband else!"

"What d'ye seek?"

"My pal Martin, 'cording to his word. "

"D'ye know this fellow, Martin?"

"Aye!" I nodded and told briefly how and where we had met. 

"God-be-here Jenkins am I, master, " said Godby, "and well beknown toJoel Bym as keepeth this house, strangle me else--ask Joel! And ifyou're Master Penfeather I've first, this here for ye, and second, awarning. " And speaking, Godby drew a letter from the breast of hisleathern jerkin. 

"A warning?" says Penfeather, glancing at the superscription, "Againstwhom?"

"A black dog as goes erect on two legs and calls himself Gregory Bragg. "

"You mean Lady Brandon's under-bailiff?"

"I do so. Well, he be no friend o' yourn, and what's more, he's handand fist wi' others as be no friends o' yourn either, cut-throatsailor-men and black rogues every one. "

"How d'ye know 'em for sailor-men?"

"By their speech, master--I was a mariner once--and moreover by aranting, hell-fire chorus. "

"Ha!" says Penfeather, shooting a glance at me. "A chorus, was it?"

"Aye, master, concerning murder and what not. "

"And the words running like this--

 'Two on a knife did part wi' life And three a bullet took O! But three times three died plaguily A-wriggling on a hook O!'

Was that the way of it?"

"Smother me if it weren't!" quoth Godby, staring. 

"Sit down, Godby, and tell me how you chanced on this, " says Adam, seating himself at the table. 

"Well, master, I happened to lie snug hid 'neath a heap o' straw--andfor why, says you? Says I to you, by reason o' two lousy catchpolls aswon't let poor Godby be. Now this straw chanced to be in my LadyBrandon's stables--and why there, says you? Says I to you, becausethese lousy catchpolls being set on poor Godby by this black dogGregory, and him my lady's man, my lady's stables is the last placecatchpolls would come a-seeking Godby. Well now, as I lie there I fallasleep. Now I'm a light sleeper and presently I'm roused by the soundo' your name, master. "

"Mine?" says Penfeather, softly. 

"Aye. 'Here's a black passage to Captain Penfeather--curse him!" saysa voice. 'Aye, ' says another, 'by knife or bullet or--' and here hefalls to singing of a knife and a bullet and a hook. 'Avast!' says athird voice. 'Belay that, Abny, you'll be having all the lubbers aboutthe place aboard of us!' 'Why, ' says the man Abny, 'since you're wi'us well and good, but don't forget we was hard in his wake, aye, andready to lay him aboard long before you hove in sight and damn all, says I. ' 'Some day, Abny, some day, ' says the other, "I shall cut outthat tongue o' yourn and watch ye eat it, lad, eat it--hist, herecometh Gregory at last--easy all. ' Now the moon was very bright, master, and looking out o' my hay-pile as the door opened I spied thisrogue Gregory--"

"Did ye see aught o' the others?" questioned Adam. 

"No master, not plain, for they kept to the dark, but I could see theywas four and one a very big man. 'Ha' ye got it, friend, ha' ye gotit?' says the big rogue. 'No, plague on't!' says Gregory. 'Look how Iwill, I can find nought. ' 'Here's luck!' says the big fellow, 'Badluck, as I'm a soul. Where's he lie?' 'Can't say, ' says Gregory. 'Hismessages go to the Conisby Arms, but he aren't there, I know. ' 'TheFaithful Friend, was it, ' says the big fellow, 'a-lying off DeptfordCreek?' 'Aye, the Faithful Friend, ' says Gregory, and then chancing tolook outside, claps finger to lip and comes creeping into the shadow. 'Lie low!' says he in a whisper--here's my lady!' And then, master, close outside comes my lady's voice calling 'Gregory! Gregory!''Answer, fool!' whispers the big man. 'Quick, or she'll be athwart ourcable!' 'Here, my lady!' says Gregory and steps out o' the stable asshe's about to step in. 'Gregory, ' says she in hesitating fashion, 'have ye seen a stranger hereabouts to-night?' 'Not a soul, my lady!'says Gregory. 'A tall, wild man, ' says she, 'very ragged and withyellow hair?' 'No, my lady, ' says Gregory. Here she gives a sigh. 'Why then, ' says she, 'bear you this letter to Master Penfeather--atonce. ' 'To the Conisby Arms, my lady?' says Gregory. 'No, ' says she, 'to the Peck-o'-Malt by Bedgebury Cross. And, Gregory, should you seeaught of the poor man that suffered lately in the pillory, say I wouldspeak with him. And now saddle and begone with my letter. ' 'ToBedgebury, ' says Gregory, 'the Peck-o'-Malt--to-night, my lady?' 'Thismoment!' says she, mighty sharp. 'And, Gregory, I hear tales of yourhard dealing with some of the tenantry: let me hear no more or youquit my service!' And away she goes, leaving Gregory staring afterher, letter in hand. ''Twas she!' says the big man in a whisper. 'I'dknow her voice anywhere--aye, 'twas she whipped it from my girdle, myluck, shipmates--our luck, but we'll find it if we have to pull thecursed house down brick and brick. '"

"Godby, " says Adam suddenly, leaning forward, "did ye get no glimpse o'this man's face?"

"Nary a one, master, and for why?--the place was dark and he wore agreat flapped hat. "

"Why then, " says Adam, pinching his chin, "did ye chance to see hishands?"

"No whit, master, and for why?--he wore a loose cloak about him. "

"And what more did ye hear?"

"No more, master, and for why?--because, as luck would have it a strawtickled my nose and I sneezed loud as a demi-culverin, and there's poorGodby up and running for his life and these murderous rogues after poorGodby. Howbeit they durst not shoot lest they should alarm the house, and I'm very light on my feet and being small and used to dodgingcatchpolls and the like vermin, I got safe away. Having done which andbethinking me of my pal Martin, I made for the Peck-o'-Malt. Now asluck would have it, Gregory overtakes me (as I had purposed he should, I being minded to get even wi' him for good and all). Down he getsfrom the saddle and me by the collar, and claps a great snaphaunceunder my nose. 'So it was you, ye rogue, was it?' says he. 'Thatsame, ' says I, 'but who's that peeping over the hedge there?' The foolturns to see, I twist the pistol out of his grip, and have him veryneatly trussed and gagged with his belt and my girdle, and so, heavinghim i' the ditch, into the saddle and here I am. "

"Godby, " says Penfeather, viewing him keen-eyed, "I need men--will yesail with us for the Main?"

"Does Martin sail?"

"He does! Will ye along?"

"Heartily, captain, heartily!"

"Are ye armed, Godby?"

"I've Gregory's dag here, " says Godby, pulling out a long-barrelledpistol. 

"Joel shall find ye another to go with it. And ye know the sea?"

"Aye, Captain, I sailed with Captain Myddleton as gunner and will layyou a gun with any man from a murdering-piece or minion to a greatculverin. "

"Good!" says Penfeather and summoned Joel Bym, who, beholding thepeddler, stared, bellowed jovial greeting, and at nod from Penfeather, departed with him, arm in arm. 

"Well, Martin, " says Adam when the door had closed, "and what d'ye makeo' this tale of sailor-men?"

"That they're the same rogues I fell out with. "

"Beyond doubt, Martin. And what more?"

"That like enough they're on their road hither. "

"Beyond any peradventure, shipmate. "

"Well?"

"Well, let 'em come, Martin, let 'em come. There's somewhat here Idon't understand and I mislike mystery. So let them come, here in thislittle room, in light or dark, I ask no better. "

"And you such a timid man, Adam!"

"True, Martin, but there's occasion when a worm turneth. " Here he tookup the letter Godby had brought and breaking the seal, read it through, once with a glimmer of his grim smile, read it again and frowned andfrowning, glanced across at me:

"Here's matter concerning you, Martin, hark'ee!" And he read this:

"To MASTER ADAM PENFEATHER:

Should you chance upon the poore man that suffered lately in thepillory (by no order or will of mine) you will I charge you do all youmay to succour him in any manner soever: This letter I do write inmuch haste to instruct you that I purpose to sail in the 'FaithfullFriend' along with you and my good cuzen Sir Rupert in this quest formy father. Moreover I will you should sail as speedily soon as may be. 

As regardeth the poore young man afore-mentioned, if he be quitedestitute as I do think him, and will take no money as I do judge mostlike, then Master Adam you shall offer to him such employ in my shipthe 'Faithfull Friend' as he will accept. 

And this is my wish and command. 

JOAN BRANDON. 

He is great and tall and fierce with yellow hair and cruell mouth, yetseemeth more cruell than he trulie is. "

"So there you are to a hair, Martin, and here's our enterprise broughtto nought if she sail on this venture!"

"Why then she mustn't sail!" says I. 

"'Tis her ship, Martin, and she's a Brandon!"

"Then sail without her. "

"And be taken before we're clear o' the Downs and strung up atExecution Dock for piracy. "

"Why then if she goeth aboard I don't!"

"And wherefore not, Martin?"

"I'll take no service with a Brandon!"

"Aye verily there's your pride, Martin, which is cumbersome cargo. "

"Call it what you will, I'll not sail. "

"And your oath, comrade? Sail along o' me you must and shall! Buthaving respect for your high-stomached pride you shall stow away insome hole or corner and she never know you're aboard. "

Hereupon I scowled, but perceiving him so serene albeit a little grim, I said no more and he fell to pacing slowly back and forth, head bowedand hands locked behind him. 

"I need you, Martin, " says he at last, "aye, I need you even more thanI thought, the one man I may trust to in a pinch. For, Martin, here'sthat I don't understand. "

So saying he halted by the table, and presently taking up the dagger(and with a strange reluctance) fell to twisting it this way and that;finally he gave a sudden twist and the smiling head of the silver womancoming away, showed a hollow cavity, running the length of the haft, roomy and cunningly contrived. Slowly he fitted the head into placeagain and, laying the weapon down, shook his head:

"Here's Bartlemy's dagger true enough, Martin, " says he, touching itskeen point. "Here's what found Bartlemy's black heart--aye, and manyanother! Here's what went hurtling over cliff in Tressady's fist--andyet here it lies--which is great matter for wonder, Martin. And, since'tis here--why then--where sis the vile rogue Tressady? Which ismatter for painful speculation, Martin--where?"

"Snoring, likely enough!" says I, "Not so far hence, or trampinghither. "

"If so, Martin, then Death cannot touch him, the which is out of allreason!"

"'Tis more like the fall did not kill him, Adam. "

"Had you but seen the place, shipmate! But if water won't drown himand steel won't harm him--"

"Like you, he wears a chain-shirt, Adam, that I do know. Moreover, thedevil cherisheth his own, I've heard. "

"Why here's reason, Martin, plain reason I grant, and yet--but 'tislate and you'll be for sleep, and there's reason in that too. Come, I'll show your bed--"

"Spare yourself--I want no bed, " says I bitterly. "'Twere a luxurywasted on the likes o' me. My couch shall be the corner yonder. "

"Ah, prideful youth! 'Tis sweet to be young, Martin!" says Penfeatherwith his sudden, whimsical half-smile and clapping his hand on myshoulder. "Sleep where ye will, that corner is as good as another. See, there stands my tuck, a Spanish blade of notable good temper, ithath been a true friend to me many a time ere now and should be atrusty bedfellow. As for me, I'm for a feather-bed. And, Martin, "says he, pausing to pinch his chin and view me sideways, "if aughtshould chance to me--at any time--the chart and treasure will be yours. So good-night, comrade, and sleep sound, for 'tis like we shall wakebetimes. "

Saying which he turned, slow and thoughtful, and went out, closing thedoor softly behind him. As for me, being very drowsy, I wrapped myselfin my weather-worn cloak, blew out the candles and, lying down in thecorner, was presently fast asleep. 

Now as I slept I dreamed that Penfeather's long rapier, standing in thedark corner close by, was stealthily endeavouring to free itself fromits leathern scabbard with intent to skewer me to the floor as I lay;and, striving thus to draw itself, made soft, strange noises andrustlings insomuch that I presently woke, and staring motionless intothe darkness above, knew that these sounds were real. Somewhere closeby was a furtive whisper of sound that came and went, a soft-drawnbreath, a scraping of fingers on the panelling above me in thedarkness; and in that moment also I became aware that the latticeyawned wide upon a square of glimmering blackness. Suddenly asly-creeping foot touched me unseen and then (even as the owner of thisfoot tripped over me) came the roaring flash of a pistol hard by, followed immediately by another and, as I lay deafened and half-dazed, the floor quivered to the soft, vicious thud of leaping, swift-trampling feet, and on the air was a confused scuffling, mingledwith an awful, beast-like worrying sound. And now (though I wasbroad-awake and tingling for action) I constrained myself to lie still, nothing stirring, for here (as I judged) was desperate knife-play, indeed more than once I heard the faint click of steel. And now roseshouts and cries and a tramp of feet on the stair without. Someonereeled staggering across the room, came a-scrabbling at the opencasement and, as I leapt up, the door burst open and Joel Bym appearedflourishing a naked hanger and with Godby behind bearing a lanthorn, whose flickering light showed Adam, knife in hand, where he leanedpanting against the wall, a smear of blood across his pallid face andwith shirt and doublet torn in horrid fashion. 

"The window!" he gasped. "Shutters! 'Ware bullets!" I sprangforward, but Joel was before me, and crouching beneath the open latticeswung the heavy shutters into position, but even as he did so, a bulletcrashed through the stout oak. 

"Doors all fast, Joel?"

"Aye, Cap'n! But who's here--is't the preventive? And me wi' thecellars choke-full. My cock! Is't the customs, Cap'n?"

"Worse, Joel!" says Penfeather, wiping sweat from him. 

"Art hurt, Adam?" I questioned, eyeing his wild figure, and now I sawthat the thin, steel chain was gone from his sinewy throat. 

"No, shipmate. But the dagger, look ye--'tis clean disappeared, Martin. "

"And good riddance, " quoth I. "But, Adam--what o' your chart--gonealong o' the dagger, has it?"

"Tush, man!" says he, sheathing his knife, "'Tis snug in that wallet o'yours. "

"My wallet!" I cried, clapping hand on it where it hung at my girdle. 

"Aye, shipmate. I slipped it there as I bid ye good-night! But, Martin--O Martin, the dead is alive again--see how I'm all gashed withhis hook. "

"Hook?" quoth Joel, shooting great, hairy head forward. "Did ye--saya--hook, Cap'n?"

"Aye, Joel--Tressady's alive again. "

"God love us!" gasped the giant and sank into a chair. 

CHAPTER XIII

WE SET OUT FOR DEPTFORD POOL

Penfeather drew clenched hand across his brow, and coming to the tablereached the half-emptied flagon and drank what remained of the winethirstily, while Bym, his great body huddled in the chair, stared atthe bullet hole in the shutter with starting eyes: as to me, I pickedup Penfeather's fallen pistols and laid them on the table, where Godbyhad set the lanthorn. 

"Tressady!" says Bym at last in a hoarse whisper, "Tressady--O Cap'n, be ye sarten sure?"

"Sure!" says Penfeather, in the same hushed manner, and reaching powderand bullets from a cupboard he began methodically to reload hispistols. "He'll be outside now where the shadows be thickest, waitingme with Abnegation and Sol and Rory, and God knoweth how many more. "

"Then he aren't dead, Cap'n?" Penfeather's black brows flickered andhis keen eyes glanced from his rent doublet round about the room:

"Howbeit--he was here, Joel!" said he. 

"Why then, Cap'n, the dying woman's curse holds and he can't die?" saysBym, clawing at his great beard. 

"He was here, Joel, in this room, " says Penfeather, busy withpowder-horn, "man to man, knife to knife--and I missed him. Sincemidnight I've waited wi' pistols cocked and never closed eye--and yethere was he or ever I was aware; for, as I sat there i' the dark by thewindow above the porch, which is therefore easiest to come at, I spiedMings and him staring up at the lattice of this chamber. So herecreeps I and opening the door saw him move against the open latticeyonder--a shot no man could miss. "

"Aye, Cap'n--aye?"

"And I--missed him, Joel--with both weapons and I within three yards ofhim, aye, I missed him with both pistols. "

"Which is small wonder, " says I, "for as you fired he tripped over me, Adam--"

"And why should he trip just then--at the one and only moment, Martin?Chance, says you? Why, when he came leaping on me in the black darkshould his hook meet and turn my knife from his throat? Chance again, says you? Why, when he flung me off and made for the window--why mustI catch my foot 'gainst that staff o' yours and bring up against thewall with all the strength and breath knocked out o' me, and no chancefor one thrust as he clambered through the lattice? By the Lord, Martin, here's more than chance, says I. "

"Aye, by cock!" muttered Joel, shaking his head. "'Tis 'witched he be!You'll mind what I told ye, Cap'n--the poor lady as died raving madaboard the 'Delight, ' how she died cursing him wi' life. And himstanding by a-polishing o' that hook o' his--ah, Cap'n, I'll neverforget the work o' that same hook . . . Many's the time . . . Bartlemy'sprisoners . . . Men and women . . . Aboard that cursed 'Ladies' Delight!'By cock, I dream on't sometimes and wake all of a sweat--"

"Here's no time for dreams!" says Penfeather, ramming home the chargeof his second pistol, "Is the passage clear?"

"Save for the matter of a few kegs, Cap'n, but 'twill serve. "

"We start in half an hour, Joel. "

"The three o' you, Cap'n?"

"Aye, we must be aboard as soon as maybe now. "

"Captain, " says Godby, "speaking as a master-gunner, a mariner and apeddler, I'm bold to say as there's nought like bite and sup to hastena man for a journey or aught beside--flog me else! And there's noughtmore heartening than ham or neat's tongue, or brisket o' beef, thewhich I chanced to spy i' the kitchen--"

"Why then, master-gunner, " says Penfeather, "go you and engage thosesame in close action and I'll join ye as soon as I've shifted theserags o' mine. "

"Adam, " says I, unstrapping my wallet as Bym and Godby descended thestair, "if we are to have our throats cut to-night, 'twere as well Ihanded back your chart first"; and I laid it on the table. 

"Why 'tis as safe with you, comrade--but as you will!" says he, slipping the chain about his neck. "As for any throat-slitting, Martin, you'll find that with danger my inborn caution groweth totimidity--"

"Ha, yes!" I nodded. "Such timidity as walks under the very noses ofdesperate, well-armed rogues of a moonlight night. "

"Why, the moon is down--or nearly so, Martin. And then, besides, thistrim little inn hath divers exits discreetly non-apparent. 'Twas amonastery once, I've heard. "

"And now a smuggling-ken it seems, Adam. "

"Even so, comrade, and no place better suited! And there's the Bo's'nhailing!" says he, as a hoarse roar of "Supper O!" reached us. "Godown, Martin, I stay but to make things ship-shape!" and he noddedtowards the books and papers that littered the table. Upon the stairs Imet Godby, who brought me to a kitchen, very spacious and lofty, pavedwith great flagstones and with groined arches supporting the roof, andwhat with this and the wide fireplace flanked with fluted columns andenriched by carvings, I did not doubt that here had once stood a nobleabbey or the like. 

"Pal, " said Godby, as I stared about me, "you'd never guess as there benigh three hundred kegs stowed hereabouts besides bales and the like, choke me else! Ha, many's the good cargo I've helped Jo and the ladsto run--eh, Joel?"

"So you're a smuggler, Godby, " says I. 

"Cock, " says Bym reproachfully, and setting a goodly cheese on thetable with a bang, "say free-trader, cock--t'other 'un's a cacklingword and I don't like cackle--"

"Aye, " nodded Godby, "that's the word, 'free-trader, ' Mart'n. So I amand what then? 'Twas summat o' the sort as got me suspicioned byGregory and his catchpolls, rot 'em. " But here Adam entered, verysoberly dressed in sad-coloured clothes, and we sat down to supforthwith. 

"Do we sail soon, Captain?" questioned Godby in a while. 

"I hope to be clear o' the Downs a few days hence, " says Adam. 

"And you so short-handed, Cap'n, " quoth Bym. 

"Sir Rupert hath 'listed thirty new men, I hear, and rogues every oneI'll be sworn. "

"Sir Rupert--?" says I. 

"My lady's cousin, Martin, and captain of the expedition. "

"Is he a sailor, Adam?"

"No, Martin, like most o' your fine gentlemen-adventurers, he knows nomore of navigation than this cheese, which is just as well, Martin, aye, mighty well!"

"How so?"

"Who shall say, Martin, who shall say?" And here he took a longdraught of ale. In a while, our meal being ended, Penfeather rose:

"As to arms, Martin, ha' ye aught beside your knife?"

"My staff and this pistol, " says I, taking out the silver-mountedweapon my lady Brandon had thrust upon me. 

"Is't loaded, Martin?" I examined charge and priming and nodded. "Good!" says Adam, "Here's five shot betwixt us, that should suffice. Up wi' the trap, Jo, and we'll out. " Hereupon Bym lighted his lanthornand putting aside the great settle by the hearth, stooped and raisedone of the flagstones, discovering a flight of worn, stone steps, downwhich we followed him and so into a great cellar or vaulted crypt, where stood row upon row of barrels and casks, piled very orderly tothe stone roof. Along the narrow way between strode Bym, and haltingsuddenly, stooped and lifted another flagstone with more steps below, down which we followed him into a passage-way fairly paved, whencedivers other passages opened right and left. And when we had gone somedistance Adam halted. 

"Best bring the light no further, Jo, " says he. "And hark'ee, Joel, asto this black rogue--this--y'know who I mean, Jo?"

"Aye--him, Cap'n!"

"That same, Jo. Well, keep an eye lifting and if you find out aughtworth the telling, let one o' your lads ride post to Deptford, Jo. "

"Aye, Cap'n. Aboard ship?"

"Aboard ship. "

"Cap'n, " quoth he, grasping Adam's hand, "I'm man o' few words, an'thanks t' you I'm snug enough here wi' my wife and darter as is awaytill this cargo's run, but, say the word, and I'll sail along o' youcome battle, murder or shipwreck--"

"Or a hook, Joel?" says Penfeather softly, whereat Joel clawed at hisbeard and blinked into the lanthorn; finally he gives a great tug tohis beard and nods:

"Aye, Cap'n, " says he, "for you--even that, by cock!"

"Good lad, " says Penfeather, clapping him on brawny shoulder. "Bidewhere you are, Jo, and Fortune with you and yours. This way, Martin. "

So having taken our leave of Bym, Godby and I followed Adam along thepassage, guided by the Bo's'n's lanthorn until, turning a sudden, sharpcorner, we plunged into pitchy gloom wherein I groped my way untilPenfeather's voice stayed me:

"Easy all!" says he, softly. "Have your pistols ready and heed how youcome. " Creeping cautiously I found myself amid leaves that yieldedbefore me, and stepping through this natural screen, I stumbled into abush and presently found myself standing in a small copse dim-lightedby a waning moon; and never a sound to be heard save the soft whisperof leaves about us and the faint, far cry of some night-bird. 

"Ha!" says Adam at last, gazing away to the sinking moon, "So ourjourney begins, and from the look o' things, Martin, from the look o'things here's going to be need of all your resolution and all mycaution ere we can see the end. Come!"

CHAPTER XIV

HOW I CAME ABOARD THE "FAITHFUL FRIEND"

We followed a roundabout course, now across broad meadows, now treadinggreen cart-tracks, now climbing some grassy upland, anon plunging intothe shadow of lonely wood or coppice until the moon was down, until wasa glimmer of dawn with low-lying mists brimming every grassy hollow andcreeping phantom-like in leafy boskages; until in the east was a glory, warming the grey mist to pink and amber and gold, and the sun, uprising, darted his level beams athwart our way and it was day. 

And now from coppice and hedgerow, near and far, was stir and flutter, a whistling and a piping that rose ever louder and swelled to atrilling ecstasy of gladness. 

"Hark to 'em--O pal, hark to 'em!" quoth Godby, lifting head to watch alark that soared aloft. "Here's music, Martin, here's cure for themegrims, hope for the downcast and promise o' joys to come. O hark to'em!"

All the day Penfeather led us on by lonely ways, never seeming to wearyand never at a loss, silent for the most part as one in profoundthought, and I speaking little as is my wont, but Godby talked and sangand laughed for the three of us. 

It was as we sat outside a little ale-house snugged 'mid trees, eatingof bread and cheese, that Penfeather turned suddenly and gripped my arm:

"Martin, " says he, "'twill be plaguy business carrying women aboardship--along o' these lambs o' mine--there's scarce a rogue but cheatsthe gallows with his every breath!"

"Why then, tell her so, Adam, plain and to the point. "

"'Twould be vain breath, Martin, I know her too well--and she is aBrandon!"

"A curse on the name!" says I, whereupon Godby choked into his ale, stared in surprise and would fain have questioned me, but meeting myeye, spake no word. 

"D'ye know aught of navigation, Martin?" says Adam suddenly. 

"No whit, Adam, but I'll handle a boat with any man. "

"Ha!" says he, and sat there pinching his chin until, our hunger beingappeased and the ale all drank, we fared on again. So we tramped, andthough our road was long I will here make short work of it and say thatat last we came, very hot and dusty, into the village of Lewisham, where we would fain have baited awhile at the 'Lion and Lamb, ' a fairinn; but this Adam would by no means permit, so, leaving the village, we presently turned aside from the main road into a lane verypleasantly shaded by tall trees and bloomy hedgerows, the which (as Ido think) is called Mill Lane. In a while we reached a narrow trackdown which Adam turned, and now as we went I was aware of strangesounds, a confused hubbub growing ever louder until, deep amid thegreen, we espied a lonely tavern before which stood a short, stout manwho alternately wrung his hands in lamentation, mopped at bloody pateand stamped and swore mighty vehement, in the midst of which, chancingto behold Penfeather, he uttered joyful shout and came running. 

"Master Penfeather, " cried he, "O Master Penfeather, here's finedoings, love my eyes! Here's your rogues a-fighting and a-murdering ofeach other, which is no great matter, but here's them a-wrecking o' myhouse, which is great matter, here's them has broke my head wi' one o'my own pottlepots, which is greater matter, here's me dursen't set ofit i' the place and my wife and maids all of a swound--O MasterPenfeather, here's doings, love my limbs!"

"Ha, " says Penfeather, "fighting, are they, Jerry?"

"Like devils, Captain, your rogues and the rogues as my Lord Dering'listed and brought here yesterday--O love my liver--look at yon!" Ashe spoke was a crash of splintered glass and a broken chair hurtledthrough the wide lattice. 

"So!" says Adam, striding towards the inn, and I saw a pistol in hishand. Following hard on his heels I entered the inn with him and so tothe scene of the riot. 

A long, low room, full of swirling dust, and amid this choking cloud ahuddle of men who fought and struggled fiercely, roaring blasphemy andcurses. Two or three lay twisted among overturned chairs and tables, others had crawled into corners to look to their hurts, while to andfro the battle raged the fiercer. Leaning in the doorway Penfeathersurveyed the combatants with his quick keen glance, and then the hubbubwas drowned by the roar of his long pistol; the thunderous reportseemed to stun the combatants to silence, who, falling apart, turnedone and all to glare at the intruder. And, in this moment ofcomparative silence while all men panted and stared, from Penfeather'sgrim lips there burst a string of blistering sea-oaths such as even Ihad scarce heard till now; for a long minute he reviled them, the smokecurling from his pistol, his black brows knit across glittering eyes, his thin nostrils a-quiver, the scar glowing on his pallid cheek, hisface indeed so changed and evil that I scarce knew him. 

". . . Ye filthy scum, ye lousy sons o' dogs!" he ended. "Ha, will yefight agin my orders, then--mutiny is it?"

"And who a plague are you and be cursed to ye!" panted a great fellow, flourishing a broken chair-leg threateningly and scowling in murderousfashion. 

"He'll tell ye--there, behind ye, fool!" snarled Penfeather, pointingsinewy finger. The big man turned, Penfeather sprang with upliftedpistol and smote him, stunned and bleeding, to the floor, thenbestriding the prostrate carcass, fronted the rest with head viciouslyout-thrust. 

"And who's next--come!" says he softly, scowling from one to other ofthe shrinking company. "You, Amos Penarth, and you, Richard Farnaby, aye and half a dozen others o' ye, you've sailed wi' me ere now and youknow when I say a thing I mean it. And you'd fight, would ye, my lastwords to you being 'see to it there be no quarrelling or riot. '"

"Why, Cap'n, " says one, "'tis all along o' these new 'listed rogues--"

"Aye, master, " says another, "and that's gospel-true, theer aren't aright sailor-man among 'em--"

"Then we'll learn 'em to be!" says Penfeather. "Stand forward the newmen--show a leg and bustle, ye dogs!" Scowling and muttering, sometwelve unlovely fellows obeyed. "I' faith!" says Penfeather, lookingthem over, "Here's fine stuff for the gallows! And where's the rest of'em?"

"Gone aboard this morning along o' Toby Hudd the bo's'un!"

"See here, my bright lads, " quoth Penfeather, eyeing each scowling facein turn, "learn this--when you come aboard my ship and I say to one o'ye do this or do that, he does it, d'ye see, or--up to the yard-arm heswings by his thumbs or his neck as occasion warrants. D'ye get me, mybully roarers?"

Not a man of them spake a word, but all stood shifting uneasily beneathPenfeather's quick bright eye, shuffling their feet and casting furtiveglances on their fellows. 

"Now as to this lump o' roguery, " says Penfeather, spurning the stillunconscious man with his foot, "have him into the yard and heave abucket o' water over him. As to you, Farnaby, muster the hands, andstand by to go aboard in half an hour--every unhung rascal. "

Without we came on the misfortunate landlord still in the deeps ofgloom, but upon Adam's assurance that all damages should be made good, he brought us up a pair of stairs to a fair chamber and there served usa most excellent meal. 

Scarce had we risen from table than comes the man Penarth a-knocking, cap in hand, to say the men stood ready to go aboard. We found somescore fellows drawn up before the inn, and a desperate lot ofcut-throats they looked, what with their hurts and general hang-dog airas they stood there in the light of a rising moon. Having looked themover each and every, Penfeather spat, and setting them in Godby'scharge, ordered them to go on before. 

"Well, Martin, " says he as we followed together, "and how think ye ofmy lambs?"

"Call them raging tigers, rather--"

"Nay, " says he, "tigers be cleanly creatures, I've heard. "

"'A God's name, Adam, why truck with such ill rogues? Sure there bemany honest mariners to be had?"

"Why as to that, Martin, good men be scarce and ever hard to comeby--moreover these scum are a means to an end, d'ye see?"

"How so?"

"Just that, Martin, " says he, glancing at me in his furtive manner, "ameans to an end. "

"What end?"

"Ah, who may tell, Martin?" he sighed, shaking his head. Now when Iwould have questioned him further he put me off thus with side answers, until we were come to the waterside, which is called Deptford Creek. Here, having seen the others safe embarked we took boat also, and weresoon rowing between the huge bulk of ships where dim lights burned andwhence came, ever and anon, the sound of voices, the rattle of ahawser, a snatch of song and the like, as we paddled betwixt the vasthulls. Presently we were beneath the towering stern of a great ship, and glancing up at this lofty structure, brave with carved-work andgilding, I read the name, THE FAITHFULL FRIEND. 

At a word from Adam the oars were unshipped and we glided alongside herhigh-curving side where hung a ladder, up which I followed Adamforthwith. She was a great ship (as I say) of some two hundred tons atleast, with high forecastle and lofty stern, though I saw little elseere, at a sign from Adam I followed him down the after-gangway where, taking a flickering lanthorn that hung from a deck-beam, he led me'twixt a clutter of stores not yet stowed, past the grim shapes ofgreat ordnance, and so down and down to a noisome place beneath theorlop. 

"'Tis not over sweet, Martin, " says he, "but then bilge-water never is, you'll mind. But you'll grow used to it in time, shipmate, unless, instead o' swallowing this unholy reek you'll swallow your pride and'list as master's mate. "

"I've no knowledge of navigation, " says I. 

"But I've enough for the two of us, Martin. 'Tis a comrade at my backI need. What's the word?"

"No!" says I, mighty short. 

"As you will, shipmate, " he sighed, "as you will. Pride andbilge-water go well together!" which said he brought me to a darkunlovely hole abaft the mizzen. "'Tis none too clean, Martin, " sayshe, casting the light round the dingy place, "but that shall beremedied and Godby shall bring ye bedding and the like, so although'tis plaguy dark and wi' rats a-plenty still, despite the stench, you'll lie snug as your pride will permit of. As for me, shipmate, Ishall scarce close an eye till we be clear o' the Downs, so 'tis acare-full man I shall be this next two days, heigho! So good-night, Martin, I'll send Godby below with all you lack. "

Saying which Penfeather turned, and groping his way into the darkness, left me scowling at the flickering lanthorn. 

CHAPTER XV

TELLETH OF A NAMELESS BLACK SHIP

And now within my gloomy hiding-place, dim-lit by flickering lanthorn, I passed many weary hours, while all about me was a stir and bustle, aconfused sound made up of many, as the never-ending tread of feet, thesound of hoarse voices now faint and far and anon clear and loud, thescrape of a fiddle, snatches of rough song, the ceaseless ring and tapof hammers--a very babel that, telling of life and action, made mygloomy prison the harder to endure. And here (mindful of what is tofollow) I do think it well to describe in few words the place wherein Ilay. It was indeed a very dog-hole, just below the orlop, some ten feetsquare (or thereabouts) shut in 'twixt bulkheads, mighty solid andstrong, but with a crazy door so ill-hung as to leave a good threeinches 'twixt it and the flooring. It had been a store-room (as Iguessed), and judging by the reek that reached me above the stench ofthe bilge, had of late held rancid fat of some sort; just abaft themizzen it lay and hard against the massy rudder-post, for I could hearthe creek and groan of the pintles as the rudder swung to the tide. Against one bulkhead I had contrived a rough bunk with divers planksand barrels, the which with mattress and bedding was well enough. 

Now opposite my berth, within easy reach of my hand, was a knot-holethe which, by some trick of the grain, had much the look of a greatstaring eye, insomuch that (having no better employ) I fell toimproving on nature's handiwork with my knife, carving and trimmingaround it; and in betwixt my sleeping, my eating and drinking (for Adamand Godby kept me excellent well supplied) I would betake me to mycarving and fashioning of this eye and with my initials below it, thewhich foolish business (fond and futile though it was) served in nosmall measure to abate my consuming impatience and the dreary tedium. 

Howbeit on the third day, my situation becoming unbearable, I stumbledout from my dog-hole, and groping my way past kegs and barrelsfirm-wedged in place against the rolling of the vessel, I climbed theladder to the orlop. Here I must needs pause, for, dim though it was, the light from the open scuttle nigh blinded me. In a while, my eyesgrowing strong, I got me to the main-deck, where again I must stay toshade my eyes by reason of the radiance that poured through an opengun-port. Glancing around after some while, I saw no one and wondered, for here was the main gun-deck. Ten great pieces a side I counted, with ports for divers more. I was yet wondering at the emptiness aboutme when I heard sudden uproar from the deck above my head, shouts, cries, a rush and patter of many feet, and above all Penfeather'sfurious hail. 

Wondering, I came to the open port, and leaning out saw it was eveningwith a heavy mist creeping down upon the waters, and through the mistloomed a great, black ship drifting lubberly across our hawse. Louderand more furious grew the shouting above, answered by a hail aboard thegreat, black craft as, broadside on, she swung towards us. 

And now, creeping in the mist, I beheld a small boat with a great, shapeless bundle in the stern-sheets and rowed by a single waterman whoswung easily to his oars, scanning now the "Faithful Friend, " now thegreat black ship, like one who bided the inevitable crash. Sudden Iheard the roar of one of Penfeather's ever-ready pistols followed byhis voice up raised in vicious sea-curses, and glancing up saw theblack ship right aboard of us and braced myself for the impact; came ashock, a quiver of creaking timbers and the groan of our straininghawsers as the black ship, falling off, drifted by in a roaring stormof oaths and blasphemy. Now when her battered stern-gallery was nighlost in the mist, bethinking me of the boat I had seen, I glanced aboutand beheld matter that set me wondering; for he was the fellow plyinghis oars with a will and so near that I might have tossed a biscuitaboard him; moreover the great misshapen bundle had lain in thestern-sheets was there no longer, which set me mightily a-wondering. Long after man and boat were swallowed up in the fog I sat there lostin thought, insomuch that I started to feel a hearty clap on theshoulder and, turning, beheld Godby, a pair of great gold rings in hisears, and very sailor-like in all things from sea-boots to mariner'sbonnet. 

"Here's a ploy, Mart'n!" says he with a round oath. "Here's yon curstlubberly craft carried away our starboard cat-head and six-feet o' theharpings wi't, sink him! And us but waiting for my lady to come aboardto trip anchor and away. And now here's we shorebound for another twodays at the least as I'm a gunner! And all on account of yon black dog, burn him! A plaguy fine craft as sails wi' no name on her anywheres, keelhaul me else! But Penfeather winged one o' the lubberly rogues, praise God, Mart'n! Which done and with due time to curse 'em, everymother's son of 'em, he turns to--him and the carpenter and hismates--there and then to repair damages. Ha, a man o' mark is CaptainAdam, pal. "

"Godby, " says I, "did ye chance to see aught of a boat carrying a greatbundle in the stern-sheets and rowed by a man in a red cap?"

"Nary a blink, Mart'n--why?"

"I'm wondering what came of that same bundle--"

"Hove overboard belike, pal--there's many a strange thing goesa-floating out to sea from hereabouts, Mart'n--drownd me!"

"Belike you're right!" says I. 

"Mart'n, Sir Rupert's ashore to meet her ladyship, so you'm free tocome 'bove deck if so minded?"

"Nay, I'll bide where I am, Godby. "

"Why then come, Mart'n, clap your eye on my beauties--here's guns, Mart'n, six culverins and t'others sakers, and yonder astern twobasilisks as shall work ye death and destruction at two or threethousand paces; 'bove deck amidships I've divers goodly pieces asminions, falcons and patereros with murderers mounted aft to sweep thewaist. For her size she's well armed is the 'Faithful Friend, ' Mart'n!"

Thus Godby, as he led me from gun to gun slapping hand on breech ortrunnion, and as I hearkened 'twas hard to recognise the merry peddlerin this short, square, grave-faced gunner who spake with mariner'stongue, hitched ever and anon at the broad belt of his galligaskins, and rolled in his gait already. 

"She's a fair ship!" says I, seating myself on one of the great gunsmounted astern. 

"She is so, Mart'n. There's no finer e'er sailed from Deptford Pool, which is saying much, split me if it isn't. Though, when all's said, Martin, I could wish for twenty more men to do justice to my nobleguns, aye thirty at the least. "

"Are we so short?"

"We carry but ninety and two all told, pal, which considering my gunsis pity--aye, vast pity, plague me else! 'Twould leave me shorthandedto serve my guns should they be necessary, which is fair and likely, Martin. "

"And black rogues they are!" says I. 

"Never clapped eyes on worse, pal, kick me endwise else! But CaptainAdam's the man for such and I mean to work 'em daily, each and every, at my guns as soon as we be well at sea. Ah, there soundeth TobyHudd's pipe--all hands on deck--this should be her ladyship comingaboard. So here's me aloft and you alow, and good luck to both, pal. "Saying which he nodded, gave a hitch to his wide galligaskins androlled away. Now coming to the gun-port I have mentioned I must needspause there awhile to look out across the misty river already darkeningto evening; and thus presently beheld a boat, vague and blurred atfirst, but as it drew nearer saw in the stern-sheets four gallants wholaughed and talked gaily enough, and the muffled forms of two women, and in one, from the bold, free carriage of her head, I recognised, despite hood and cloak, my Lady Joan Brandon; nay, as the boat drew in, I heard the sweet, vital tones of her voice, and with this in my ears Icaught up my lanthorn and so descended to the orlop. Now as I pausedat the narrow scuttle that gave down to my noxious hiding-place, Ithought to hear a step somewhere in the gloom below. 

"Ha, Godby!" says I. "Are you down there, man?" But getting noanswer, I descended the ladder, bethinking me of the rats (whereof Ihad no lack of company), and coming into my dog-hole, closed therickety door, and having supped, cast myself down upon my bed and blewout the light, and despite the rustle and scutter away there in thedark beyond my crazy door I was very soon asleep. 

And in my sleep what must I dream of but rats with eyes that glared inthe dark, that crawled ever nearer, while one that crept upon my bosomgrew and swelled into a great fellow with a steel hook in place of onehand, a face with flashing white teeth and glowing eyes that peeredclose ere eyes and teeth vanished, and I sunk down and down into ablack emptiness of dreamless slumber. 

CHAPTER XVI

TELLS HOW WE WERE DOGGED BY THE BLACK SHIP

I awoke in panic and, leaping up groped in the pitch-dark until myeager fingers closed on the haft of the sheath-knife under my pillow, and with this naked in my hand I crouched awaiting I knew not what; forall about me was direful sound, groans and cries with wailings longdrawn out in shuddering complaint. Then, all at once, my panic waslost in sudden great content, and thrusting away the knife I took flintand steel and therewith lighted my lanthorn; since now indeed I knewthese dismal sounds nought but the creak and groan of the stout ship, the voice of her travail as she rose to the seas. And as I hearkened, every individual timber seemed to find a voice, and what with this andthe uneasy pitching and rolling of the ship I judged we were well underweigh and beyond the river-mouth. This (bethinking me of the damage wehad sustained from the great black ship) set me to wondering, insomuchthat I reached for my lanthorn, minded to steal on deck that I mightknow our whereabouts and if it were day or night, since here in thebowels of the ship it was always night. So (as I say) I reached forthe lanthorn, then paused as above all other sounds rose a cheery hail, and under the door was the flicker of a light. Hereupon I opened thedoor (though with strangely awkward fingers) and thus espied Godbylurching towards me. 

"What, Mart'n pal, " says he, sitting beside me on my berth and settingdown the food and drink he had brought, "are ye waking at last?"

"Have I slept long, Godby?"

"You've slept, Mart'n, a full thirty hours. "

"Thirty hours, Godby?"

"Split me crosswise else, pal!"

"Mighty strange!" says I, reaching for the flask he had brought, for Ifelt my mouth bitterly parched and dry, while, added to the consumingthirst, my head throbbed miserably. 

"Well, here we be, pal, clear o' the river this twelve hours and more. And, Mart'n, this is a ship--aye, by hokey, a sailer! So true on awind, so sweet to her helm, and Master Adam's worthy of her, blister meelse!"

"'Tis strange I should sleep so long!" says I, clasping my aching head. 

"Why, you'm wise to sleep all ye can, pal, seeing there be noughtbetter to do here i' the dark, " says he, setting out the viands beforeme. "What, no appetite, Mart'n?" I shook my head. "Lord love ye, 'tis the dark and the curst reek o' this place, pal--come aloft, all'sbowmon, the fine folk han't found their sea-legs yet, nor like to whilethis wind holds, Mart'n--so come aloft wi' Godby. "

Nothing loth I rose and stumbled towards the ladder, marvelling to findmy hands and feet so unwieldy as I climbed; the higher I went the morethe rolling and pitching of the ship grew on me, so that when at last Idragged myself out on deck it was no wonder to find the weather veryblusterous and with, ever and anon, clouds of white spray lashingaboard out of the hissing dark with much wind that piped shrill andhigh in cordage and rigging. 

Being sheltered by the high bulwark hard beside the quarter-deckladder, I leaned awhile to stare about me and drink in great draughtsof sweet, clean air, so that in a little my head grew easier and theheaviness passed from me. Ever and anon the moon peeped through wrackof flying cloud, by whose pale beam I caught glimpses of bellying sailstowering aloft with their indefinable mass of gear and rigging, and theheel and lift of her looming forecastle as the stately vessel rose tothe heaving seas or plunged in a white smother of foam. 

"She rides well, Mart'n!" roared Godby in my ear. "Aha, here's duck ofa ship, pal!"

"Where's Adam?" I questioned. 

"To'-gallant poop, Mart'n. Lord love ye, it's little sleep he's hadsince we hove anchor. Hark'ee, pal--he's got it into his head as we'mbeing dogged!"

"Dogged, man--by what?"

"By that same great black ship as fouled us--he has so, pal--roast meelse! But come your ways. " So saying, Godby climbed to thequarter-deck and I after him, and mounting the poop-ladder, presentlycame on Penfeather, peering hard over our lee. 

"Ha, is it you, shipmate!" says he, drawing me out of the wind. "Lookyonder, d'ye see aught of a rag o' sail, Martin?" Following hispointing finger, I stared away into the distance across a tumblingspume of waters vague in the half-light. "D'ye glimpse aught, Martin?"

"Nothing, Adam!"

"Wait for the moon, shipmate--now, look yonder!" As the light grew, Iswept the distant horizon with my eyes until, all at once against thenight, I saw the sheen of distant canvas that gleamed and was goneagain as a cloud veiled the moon. "You saw it, Martin?"

"Plainly!" says I, whereupon he sprang away to the men at the helm;came the hoarse roar of speaking-trumpet, and decks and waist belowseemed alive with scurrying, dim figures; and now was a chorus ofshouts and yo-ho-ing as the "Faithful Friend, " obedient to hiscommands, swung off upon an altered course. 

"Godby, " says Adam, beckoning us where stood the compass or bittacle, "look'ee, as she bears now we should be nigh enough yon curst ship tolearn more of her by peep o' dawn. "

"Aye, Cap'n--and then?"

"Then you shall try what you can do wi' one o' those long guns o'yours. "

"Lord love ye, Cap'n, that's the spirit!" cried Godby, hitchingjoyously at his broad belt, "All I asks is a fair light and no favour!"

"And you have the middle watch, Godby man, so I'll get a wink o'sleep, " says Adam, "but do you call me so soon as we raise her hull. As for you, Martin, you'll have slept your fill, I judge. "

"And yet I'm plaguy drowsy still!" says I. 

"There's a spare berth in the coach, comrade, an you're so minded!"

"Nay, Adam, I'll watch awhile with Godby. "

"Good! You've keen eyes, Martin--use 'em!" says he, and goes down theladder forthwith. 

And now, pacing the lofty poop beside Godby, I was aware that the"Faithful Friend" was dark fore and aft, not a light twinkled anywhere. 

"How comes this, Godby!" says I, pointing to the dim shapes of thegreat stern lanthorns above us. 

"Cap'n's orders, Mart'n! We've been dark these two nights, and yet ifyon craft is what we think, 'twould seem she follows us by smell, pal, smell. As how, say you? Says I, last night she was fair to be seenhaving closed us during the day, so out go our lights and up goes ourhelm and we stand away from her. At dawn she was nowhere and yet--hereshe is again--if yon ship be the same. "

"Which we shall learn in an hour or so, Godby. "

"Aye, Mart'n, if she don't smell us a-coming and bear away from us. And yet she must be a clean, fast vessel, but we'll overhaul her goingroomer or on a bowline. "

"Roomer? Speak plain, Godby, I'm no mariner!"

"Time'll teach ye, pal! Look'ee now, 'roomer' means 'large, ' and'large' means 'free, ' and 'free' means wi' a quartering-wind, and thatmeans going away from the wind or the wind astarn of us; whiles 'on abowline' means close-hauled agin the wind, d'ye see?"

"Godby, 'tis hard to believe you that same peddler I fell in with atthe 'Hop-pole. '"

"Why, Mart'n, I'm a cove as adapts himself according. Give me a packand I'm all peddler and j'y in it, gi'e me a ship and I'm all marinerto handle her sweet and kind and lay ye a course wi' any--though gunsis my meat, Mart'n. Fifteen year I followed the sea and a man is aptto learn a little in such time. So here stand I this day not onlygunner but master's mate beside of as tight a ship, maugre the crew, asever sailed--and all along o' that same chance meeting at the'Hop-pole. '"

"And though a friend of Bym you knew little of Adam Penfeather?"

"Little enough, Mart'n. Joel be no talker--but it do seem Jo was oneof the Coast-Brotherhood once when Cap'n Penfeather saved his life andthat, years agone. So Joel comes home and sets up marriage, free-tradeand what not, when one day lately Master Adam walks into the 'Peck o'Malt, ' and no whit changed for all the years save his white hair. Andhere comes rain, Mart'n--"

"And wind!" says I as the stout ship reeled and plunged to the howlinggust. 

"No, Mart'n, " roared Godby above the piping tumult, "not real wind, pal--a stiffish breeze--jolly capful. "

Slowly the night wore away and therewith the buffeting wind gentledsomewhat; gradually in the east was a pale glimmer that, growing, showed great, black masses of torn cloud scudding fast above ourreeling mastheads and all about us a troubled sea. But as the lightgrew, look how I might, nowhere could I descry aught of any ship uponthat vast horizon of foaming waters. 

"Ha!" says Godby, venting huge sigh, "there's to be no play for my gunsthis day, Mart'n. "

"Nay but, " says I, mighty perplexed, "what's come of her? She couldnever have marked our change of course at the distance and 'twas blackdark beside, and we bore no lights. "

"Mayhap she smelt us, pal, as I said afore. Howbeit, 'tis beyond me, cram me wi' rope-yarn else!"

Now, as he spoke, up came the sun, turning lowering sky and tempestuousocean to glory; every ragged cloud became as it were streaming bannersenwrought of scarlet and gold, every foaming billow a rolling splendourrainbow-capped, insomuch that I stood awed by the very beauty of it all. 

"I love the good, kind earth, Mart'n, wi' its green grass and flowersa' peep, 'tis a fair resting-place for a man when all's done and said, but yonder, pal--ah, there's glory for ye! Many's the time I'vewatched it, dawn and sunset, and, minding all the goodly ships and thejolly lads as are a-sleeping down below, at such times, Mart'n, it doseem to me as if all the good and glory of 'em came aloft for eyes tosee awhile--howbeit, 'tis a noble winding-sheet, pal, from everlastingto everlasting, amen! And by that same token the wind's veering, whichmeaneth a fair-weather spell, and I must trim. Meantime do you rouseMaster Adam. " And here, setting hands to mouth, Godby roared highabove the wind:

"Watch ho! Watch! Brace about--bowse away there!"

As I crossed the deck, up the poop ladder comes Adam himself, his redseaman's bonnet tight-drawn about his ears and a perspective-glassunder his arm. "'Tis as I thought, Martin, " says he, pinching his chinand scowling away to leeward, "she changed course as we did. "

"Nay but, Adam, how should she know we changed and the night so black?"

"Very easily, shipmate, by means of a light--"

"We bore no lights, Adam. "

"None the less someone aboard this ship signalled yon black craft bymeans of a lanthorn, 'tis beyond doubt!"

"And why should she follow us, think ye?"

"Why am I a marked man, shipmate, why have I been dogged hither and yonacross seas? Come into the coach and I'll tell ye a thing. Godby!"says he, coming where Godby stood beside the steersman, "lay her on herold course. 'Tis Merrilees takes next watch, I think--tell him to warnme as soon as we raise her accursed topsails. "

"What, " says I, as we climbed from the lofty poop, "you think she willdog us still, then?"

"I know it, Martin!" says he gloomily, and so brought me into asmallish cabin under the top-gallant poop; here were bunks to larboardand starboard with a table mid-way furnished with calendars, charts, across-staff, an astrolabe, with globes and the like, while against thewalls stood rows of calivers, musquetoons and fusees, set in racks veryorderly. "Aye, shipmate, " says he, noting my gaze, "every firelockaboard is either here or in the arm-chests i' the round-house below, and our powder is all stored well aft, by reason that I am a cautiousman, d'ye see! Sit ye, Martin! Now as to this black ship--first ofall she fouls us in the river, the which was no accident, Martin, though just what the motive was I'm yet a-seeking. Second, as shedrifted past us whom should I see aboard her but Abnegation Mings andpulled trigger a moment too late, but winged another o' the rogues. Third, when we'd repaired our damage and got us clear of the river whatshould we see but this same black ship hove short waiting us, for shepresently stands after us. And so she's dogged us ever since and so dogus she will to the world's end unless I can bring her to action. "

"She's a fighting ship by her looks and heavily armed!" says I. 

"So are we, Martin!"

"And our men, Adam?"

"Ah!" says he, pinching his chin, "there it is, Martin, there it is!Look'ee, shipmate, in all this crew there are no more than twenty men Ican count on, nay, less--ten only can I swear by. See now, here's youand Merrilees and Godby, here's Farnaby and Toby Hudd the bo'sun, Treliving the carpenter, and McLean his mate, here's Robins and Perksand Taffery the armourer--good mariners all. These I can trust, shipmate, but never another one!"

"And what of the captain, Sir Rupert Dering?"

"That, Martin!" says Penfeather, snapping his fingers. "A verygentleman-like fool, d'ye see, a bladder of air--like his threefellows. "

"So we have four gentlemen aboard, Adam?"

"Aye--princocks all that do nothing but vie in court to her ladyship!Now look'ee, Martin, what with one thing or another, and this hell-fireship on our heels in especial, there's stir and disaffection among thecrew, a-whispering o' corners that I don't like, and which is apt tospread unless looked to. Wherefore this morning I ordered a certainred-haired rascal fifty lashes athwart a gun. But the bo'sun had laidon but poor ten and the fellow roaring lustily when into the'tween-decks cometh my lady in mighty taking, and seeing the rogue'sback a little bloody, ordered him freed and thereafter cossets him wi'dainties from her own table. Lord love ye! Which cometh o' womenaboard ship!" And here Adam sighed mighty dismal. 

"Why then, " says I, "here's work for me, belike. "

"As how, Martin?"

"Nay, leave it to me, being little better than rogue myself I shouldknow how to outmatch roguery!"

"Meaning you'll spy on 'em, shipmate?"

"And lie and cozen and join fellowship with 'em if need be. Howbeitthere's aught afoot I'll bottom it, one rascally fashion or t'other. "

"'Tis desperate risk, Martin, and should they suspicion you--"

"Why, look, Adam, my life's none so sweet or precious that I'd cherishit in lavender. Besides I've a feeling I may not die until--at least, not yet. "

"Wait!" says he, as I rose. "Bide a while, Martin!" And, opening alocker beneath his bunk, he took thence a shirt of fine chain-work likethat he himself wore. Shaking my head I would have put it by but hecaught my arm in his powerful grip and shook me insistent. "Take it, Martin, " says he, "take it, man, 'tis easy and pleasant as any glove, yet mighty efficacious 'gainst point or edge, and you go where knivesare sudden! Stay then, take it for my sake, shipmate, since trustycomrades be few and mighty hard come by. " So in the end I did it onbeneath my doublet and found it to irk me nothing. "And now, what?" hequestioned, as I opened the door. 

"Sleep, " says I, yawning. 

"There's a bunk yonder, Martin, " says he, eyeing me 'twixt narrowedlids. 

"Nay, I'm for my dog-hole, Adam. "

"You seem to sleep much and mighty well, despite stench and rats, shipmate. "

"I'm grown used to 'em, " says I, with another yawn, "and as to sleepingI do little else of late--'tis the dark, belike, or bad air, or lack ofexercise. " Now as I rose to be gone, the deck seemed to heave oddlybeneath my feet and the cabin to swing dizzily round, so that I mustneeds grip at the table to steady myself, while Adam peered at methrough a haze as it were. 

"What's here, Martin, are ye sick?" he questioned. 

"A vertigo!" I mumbled, "I'll into the air!" In a little the dizzinessabating, I got me out on deck and found in the rushing wind mightycomfort and refreshment, while Adam steadied me with his arm. "Letbe!" says I, shaking off his hold. "'Twas nought--I'll go sleepagain. " And waiting for no more I stumbled down the quarter-ladder;but even as I went, the haze seemed to close about me thicker thanever, and groping my way to the ship's side I sank across the bulwarkand was miserably sick. This agony passing, I made my way below untilI reached the orlop; but now feeling my sickness upon me again I creptaway into a dark corner and cast me down there. And lying thus in mymisery I little by little became aware of someone weeping hard by, adesolate sobbing very pitiful to hear. Insomuch that (maugre myweakness) I got up and going whence this sobbing proceeded, presentlycame on a small, huddled figure, and stooping, saw it was a little lad. At my step he started to his knees, elbow upraised as if expecting ablow. 

"Why d'ye weep, boy?" I questioned. "What's your trouble?"

"Nowt!" says he, cowering away; but taking him by his little, thinshoulders I lifted him into the dim light of a swinging lanthorn, andlooked into a small, pallid face swollen and disfigured by cuts andbruises wrought by some brutal hand. 

"Who did this?" I demanded. 

"Nobody!" says he, gulping a sob. 

"Who are you?"

"'Tween-decks boy. "

"How old are you, child?"

At this he stared up at me out of his swollen eyes, then covering hisface in ragged sleeve broke into convulsive sobbing. 

"What now?" says I, drawing him beside me. "What now?"

"She used to call me 'child'--my mother--" and here his grief chokedhim. Now as I looked down upon this little, pitiful creature, I forgotmy sickness in sudden, fierce anger. 

"Boy, " said I, "who's been flogging you--speak!"

"Red Andy, " he gasped, "'e be always a' doin' of it 'e be--wish I wasdead like my mother!"

"Jim, ho Jimmy, " roared a voice from somewhere in the gloom forward, "Jim--plague seize ye, show a leg, will 'ee--" Here (and before Icould stay him) the boy started up and pattered away drying his tearsas he ran. Now as I lay there I kicked off my shoes and hearkenedexpectant. Thus, all at once I heard a murmur rising to a wail thatended in a shrill scream, and getting to my feet I crept stealthilyforward. Past main and foremasts I crept, past dark store-rooms andcubby-holes, and so to a crack of light, and clapping my eye thereto, espied two fellows rolling dice and beyond them the boy, his handslashed miserably to a staple in the bulkhead, his little body writhingunder the cruel blows of a rope's-end wielded by a great, red-headedfellow. 

Now in my many desperate affrays with my fellow-slaves (thosetwo-legged beasts) I had learned that it is the first blow that tells;wherefore groping for the latch I stealthily opened the door and, orever the red-headed fellow was aware, I was upon him from behind and, giving him no chance for defence, I smote him a buffet under the earthat tumbled him against the bulkhead whence he sank to hands andknees. Then while, half-dazed, he strove to rise, I kicked him downagain, and setting my foot upon his chest, caught up the rope's-end hehad dropped and beat him therewith until he roared, until he groanedand lay writhing, face hid beneath his crossed arms. Then, whippingout my knife, I fronted his two mates, the one a doleful, bony man witha squint, the other a small, mean, black-eyed fellow in a striped shirtwho, closing one bright eye, leered at them with the other; all at oncehe nodded, and pointing from the knife in my fist to the fellowgroaning beneath my foot, drew a long thumb across his own stringythroat, and nodded again. Hereupon I stooped above my captive and setthe flat of my blade to his forehead just below his thick, red hair. 

"Look'ee, dog!" I panted, while he glared up at me beneath his bruisedarms, "Set so much as a finger on yon pitiful brat again and I'll cut amark in your gallows-face shall last your life out. "

"His throat, cully--quick's the word!" breathed a voice in my ear. Butnow as I turned and the little black-eyed fellow leapt nimbly back, wasa creaking and groaning of the ladder that led to the main-deck above, and down comes a pair of prodigious stout legs, and after these a roundbody, and last of all a great, flat face small of mouth, small of nose, and with a pair of little, quick eyes that winked and blinked betwixthairless lids. 

The fat fellow having got him down the ladder (and with wondrous easefor one of his bulk) stood winking and blinking at me the while hepatted one of his plump cheeks with plump fingers. 

"Love my limbs!" says he in soft, high-pitched voice. "Perish andplague me, but who's the friend as be a rope's-ending o' ye, Andylad--you as be cock o' the ship?" Here the fellow beneath my footessays to curse, but groans instead. "Bless my guts!" says the fatman, blinking harder than ever, "So bad as that, Andy lad? Wot then, hath this fine, upstanding cock o' cocks thrashed all the hell-firespirit out o' ye, Andy lad? Love my innards--I thought no man aboardcould do as much, Andy. "

"He jumped me from behind!" says the fellow Andy 'twixt snarl and groanand writhing under my 'prisoning feet. 

"And where, " says the fat man, smiling at me, "where might you ha' comefrom, my bird o' price? The bo'sun's mate Samuel Spraggons is me, friend--Sam for short, called likewise Smiling Sam--come, come, neverscowl on Sam--nobody never quarrels with the Smiler, I'm friends wi'everyone, I am, friend. "

"Why then--loose the child!" says I. 

"Child? Ha, is't this little rogueling ye mean, friend?" As he spoke(and smiling yet) he caught the boy's ear and wrung it 'twixt viciousthumb and finger, whereon I whirled the rope's-end, but he sprang outof reach with wondrous agility and stood patting plump cheek andsmiling more kindly than ever, the while I cut the cords that bound theboy's wrists, who, with an up-flung, wondering look at me, sped awayinto the orlop and was gone. 

"Now mark ye, Spraggons, " says I, "harm the child again--any of ye--andI'll beat your fat carcass to a jelly. "

"No, no!" quoth he, "you can't quarrel wi' me, the Smiler don't neverquarrel wi' none. You'd never strike Smiling Sam, friend!"

"Stand still and see!" says I. But hereupon he retreated to the ladderand I, feeling my sickness upon me again, contented me by throwing therope's-end at the fellow and stepping out backward, clapped to thedoor. So with what speed I might I got me down into the hold and to mydog-hole. And here I saw I had left my lanthorn burning, and found inthis light strange comfort. Now being mighty athirst I reached thedemijohn from the corner and drank deep, but the good water tasted illon my parched tongue; moreover the place seemed strangely close andairless and I in great heat, wherefore I tore off my sleeved doubletand, kicking off my shoes, cast myself upon my miserable bed. But nowas I lay blinking at the lanthorn I was seized of sudden, great dread, though of what I knew not; and ever as my drowsiness increased so grewmy fear until (and all at once) I knew that the thing I dreaded wasSleep, and fain would I have started up, but, even then, sleep seizedme, and strive how I would my eyes closed and I fell into deep andfear-haunted slumber. 

CHAPTER XVII

TELLETH HOW AN EYE WATCHED ME FROM THE DARK

It is not my intention to chronicle all those minor happenings thatbefell us at this time, lest my narrative prove over-long and thereforetedious to the reader. Suffice it then that the fair weather foretoldby Godby had set in and day by day we stood on with a favouring wind. Nevertheless, despite calm weather and propitious gale, thedisaffection among the crew waxed apace by reason of the great blackship that dogged us, some holding her to be a bloody pirate and othersa phantom-ship foredooming us to destruction. 

As to myself, never was poor wretch in more woeful plight for, 'prisoned in the stifling hold where no ray of kindly sun might everpenetrate, and void of all human fellowship, I became a prey to wild, unholy fancies and a mind-sickness bred of my brooding humours; my evilthoughts seemed to take on stealthy shapes that haunted the fetid gloomabout me, shapes of horror and murder conjured up of my own vengefulimaginations. An evil time indeed this, of long, uneasy sleepings, ofhateful dreams and ill wakings, of sullen humours and a horror of allcompanionship, insomuch that when came Godby or Adam to supply my dailywants, I would hide myself until they should be gone; thereafter, tossing feverishly upon my miserable bed, I would brood upon my wrongs, hugging to myself the thought of vengeance and joying in the knowledgethat every hour brought me the nearer its fulfilment. 

And now it was that I became possessed of an uneasy feeling that I wasnot alone, that beyond my crazy door was a thing, soft-breathing, thatlurked watchful-eyed in the gloom, hearkening for my smallest movementand following on soundless feet whithersoever I went. This unease sogrew upon me that when not lost in fevered sleep I would lie, withbreath in check, listening to such sounds as reached me above thenever-ceasing groaning of the vessel's labour, until the squeak andscutter of some rat hard by, or any unwonted rustling beyond the door, would bring me to an elbow in sweating panic. 

To combat the which sick fancies it became my custom to steal up frommy fetid hiding-place at dead of night and to prowl soft-footed aboutthe ship where none stirred save myself and the drowsy watch abovedeck. None the less (and go where I would) it seemed I was hauntedstill, that behind me lurked a nameless dread, a silent, unseenpresence. Night after night I roamed the ship thus, my fingersclenched on the knife in my girdle, my ears on the strain and eyes thatsought vainly every dark corner or patch of shadow. 

At last, on a night, as I crouched beside a gun on the 'tween-decks Iespied of a sudden a shape, dim and impalpable-seeming in the gloom, that flitted silently past me and up the ladder to the deck above. Upstarted I, knife in hand, but in my haste I stumbled over some obstacleand fell; but up the ladder I sprang in pursuit, out into moonlight, and hastening forward came face to face with Adam. 

"Ha-rogue!" I cried, and sprang at him with up lifted knife; but as Icame he stepped aside (incredibly quick) and thrusting out a foottripped me sprawling. 

"Easy, shipmate, easy!" says he, thrusting a pistol under my nose. "Lord love you, Martin, what would you now?"

"So you'll follow me, will you!" I panted. "You'll creep and crawl andspy on me, will you?"

"Neither one nor t'other, Martin. "

"'Twas you climbed the gangway but now!"

"Not I, Martin, not I. " And as I scowled up at him I knew he spoketruth, and a new fear seized me. 

"And you saw no one, Adam? Nothing--no shape that flitted up theladder hitherwards and no sound to it?"

"Never a thing, Martin, save yourself. "

"Why then, " says I, clasping my temples, "why then--I'm mad!"

"How so, comrade?"

"Because I'm followed--I'm watched--spied upon sleeping and waking!"

"Aye, but how d'ye know?" he questioned, stooping to peer at me. 

"I feel it--I've known it for days past, and to-night I saw it. I'mhaunted, I tell you!"

"Who by, shipmate?"

"Aye!" I cried. "Who is it--what? 'Tis a thing that flits i' the darkand with never a sound, that watches and listens. It mounted theladder yonder scarce a moment since plain to my sight--"

"Yet I saw nothing, Martin. And not a soul stirring, save the watchforward, the steersman aft, and myself. "

"Why then I'm verily mad!" says I. 

"Not you, shipmate, not you. 'Tis nought but the solitude anddarkness, they take many a man that way, so ha' done with 'em, Martin!My lady's offer of employ yet holdeth good, so 'list with me asmaster's mate, say but the word and--"

"No!" says I, fiercely. "Come what may I take no service under anaccursed Brandon!" Saying which I got me to my feet and presently backto the haunted dark. 

Thus the days dragged by all unmarked by me (that took no more heed oftime) for my fevered restlessness gave place to a heaviness, a growinginertia that gripped me, mind and body; thus when not lost in troubledsleep I would lie motionless, staring dully at the dim flame of thelanthorn or blinking sightless on the dark. 

This strange sickness (as hath been said) I then set down to no morethan confinement and my unwholesome situation, in the which suppositionI was very far beside the mark, as you shall hear. For there now befella thing that roused me from my apathy once and for all, and therebysaved me from miserably perishing and others with me, and the manner ofit thus:

On a time as I lay 'twixt sleep and wake, my glance (and for no reasonin the world) chanced upon that knot-hole in the opposite bulkhead, thewhich (as already told) I had wrought into the likeness of a great eye. Now, as I stared at it, the thing seemed, all at once, to grow instinctwith life and to stare back at me. I continued to view it (dullyenough) until little by little I became aware of something strangeabout it, and then as I watched this (that was no more than aknot-hole) the thing winked at me. Thinking this but some wild fancyor a trick of the light I lay still, watching it beneath my loweredlids, and thus I suddenly caught the glitter of the thing as it movedand knew it for a very bright, human eye that watched me through theknot-hole. Now this may seem a very small matter in the telling, butto me at that moment (overwrought by my long sojourn in the dark) itwas vastly otherwise. 

For maybe a full minute the eye stared at me, fixed and motionless andwith a piercing intensity, then suddenly was gone, and I lying there, my flesh a-tingle, my heart quick-beating in a strange terror, so thatI marvelled to find myself so shaken. Leaping up in sudden fierce angerI wrenched open the door and rushed forth, only to fall headlong oversome obstacle; and lying there bruised and dazed heard the soft thudand scamper of rats in the dark hard by. So I got me back to my bunk, and lying there fell to a gloomy reflection. And the more I thought, the fiercer grew my anger that any should dare so to spy upon me. 

Thus it was in one of my blackest humours that Godby found me when, having set down the victuals he had brought, he closed the crazy doorand seated himself on the cask that served me as chair, and bent topeer at me where I lay. 

"Mart'n, " said he, speaking almost in a whisper, "be ye awake at last?"For answer I cursed him heartily. "Avast, pal!" says he shaking hishead, "look'ee, Mart'n, 'tis in my mind the devil's aboard this ship. "

"And what then?" I demanded angrily. "Am I a raree show to be peepedat and watched and spied upon?"

"Anan, pal--watched, d'ye say?"

"Aye, stared at through the knot-hole yonder awhile since by you orPenfeather. "

"Never knowed there was a knot-hole, Mart'n, " said he in the samehushed voice and staring at the thing, "and as for Cap'n Adam he aren'tbeen anigh you this two days. But 'tis all one, pal, all one--thisship do be haunted. And as for eyes a-watching of ye, Martin, whoshould it be but this here ghost as walketh the ship o'nights and makesaway wi' good men. "

"How d'ye mean?" I questioned, reaching the ale he had brought. "Whattalk is this of ghosts?"

"What's yon?" he whispered, starting up, as a rustling sounded beyondthe door. 

"Mere rats, man!"

"Lord love ye, Mart'n, " says he, glancing about him, "'tis a chancyplace this. I don't know how ye can abide it. "

"I've known worse!" said I. 

"Then ye don't believe in spectres, Mart'n--ghosts, pal, nor yetphantoms?"

"No, I don't!"

"Well, Mart'n, there be strange talk among the crew o' something as dohaunt the 'tween-decks--"

"Aye, I've overheard some such!" I nodded. "But, look ye, I've hauntedthe ship myself of late. "

"And yet you've seen nowt o' this thing, pal?"

"No. What thing should I see?"

"Who knows, Martin? But the sea aren't the land, and here on thesewild wastes o' waters there's chancy things beyond any man's wisdom asany mariner'll--ha, what's yon?" says he under his breath and whippinground, knife in hand. "'Twas like a shoeless foot, Mart'n . . . Creepingmurder . . . 'Tis there again!" Speaking, he tore open the door and I sawhis knife flash as he sprang into the darkness beyond; as for me Iquaffed my ale. Presently back he comes, claps to the door (mightycareful) and sinking upon the upturned cask, mops at his brow. 

"Content you, Godby, " says I, "here be no ghosts--"

"Soft, lad--speak soft!" he whispered. "For--Lord love you, Mart'n, 'tis worse than ghosts as I do fear! Dog bite me, pal, here's beenblack and bloody doings aboard us this last two nights. "

"How so, Godby?" I questioned, lowering my voice in turn as I met hislook. 

"I mean, lad, as this thing--call it ghost or what ye will--has tookthree men these last two nights. There's Perks o' Deptford, McLean ashails from Leith, and Treliving the Cornishman--three good men, Mart'n--lost, vanished, gone! And, O pal, wi' never a mark or trace totell how!"

"Lost! D'ye mean--overboard?"

"No, Mart'n, I mean--lost! And each of them i' the middle watch--thesleepy hour, Mart'n, just afore dawn. In a fair night, pal, wi' a calmsea--these men vanish and none to see 'em go. And all of 'em primesailor-men and trusty. The which, Mart'n, sets a cove to wonderingwho'll be next. "

"But are you sure they are gone?"

"Aye, Mart'n, we've sought 'em alow and aloft, all over the ship, saveonly this hole o' yourn--the which you might ha' known had ye sleptless. "

"Have I slept so much, then?"

"Pal, you've done little else since you came aboard, seemingly. Allyesterday, as I do know, you slept and never stirred nor took so muchas bite or sup--and I know because while we was a' turning out the holda-seekin' and a-searchin' I come and took a look at ye every now andthen, and here's you a-lyin' like a dead man but for your snoring. "

"Here's strange thing, and mighty strange! For until I came aboard Iwas ever a wondrous light sleeper, Godby. "

"Why, 'tis the stench o' this place--faugh! Come aloft and take amouthful o' good, sweet air, pal. "

"You say you sought these men everywhere--even down here in the hold?"

"Aye, alow and aloft, every bulkhead and timber from trucks to keelson!"

"And all this time I was asleep, Godby?"

"Aye--like a log, Mart'n. "

"And breathing heavily?"

"Aye, ye did so, pal, groaning ye might call it--aye, fit to chill aman's good blood!"

"And neither you nor Adam nor the others thought to search thisdog-hole of mine?"

"Lord love ye--no, Mart'n! How should three men hide here?"

"Three men? Aye, true enough!" says I, clasping my head to stay therush and hurry of my thoughts. 

"Come aloft, pal, 'tis a fair evening and the fine folk all a-suppingin the great cabin. Come into the air. "

"Yes, " I nodded, "yes, 'twill clear my head and I must think, Godby, Imust think. Reach me my doublet, " says I, for now I felt myself allshivering as with cold. So Godby took up the garment where it lay andheld it out to me; but all at once let it fall and, drawing back, stoodstaring down at it, and all with never a word; whiles I sat crouchedupon my bed, my head between my clenched fists and my mind reelingbeneath the growing horror of the thought that filled me. And now, even as this thought took dreadful shape and meaning--even as suspiciongrew to certainty, I heard Godby draw a gasping breath, saw him reach astealthy, fumbling hand behind him and open the door, and then, leapingbackwards, he was swallowed in the dark, and with a hurry of stumblingfeet, was gone. 

But I scarcely heeded his going or the manner of it, so stunned was Iby the sudden realisation of the terror that had haunted my ghastlyslumbers and evil wakings, a terror that (if my dreadful speculationswere true) was very real after all, a peril deadly and imminent. 

The truth of which I now (and feverishly) set myself to prove beyondall doubt, and reached for the lanthorn. Now in so doing my footcaught in the doublet lying where Godby had dropped it, and I picked itup out of the way; but as I lifted it into the light I let it fallagain (even as Godby had done): and now, staring down at it, felt myflesh suddenly a-creep for, as it lay there at my feet, I saw upon onesleeve a great, dark stain that smeared it up from wrist to elbow--thehideous stain of new-spilt blood. 

CHAPTER XVIII

CONCERNING THE MARK OF A BLOODY HAND AND HOW I LAY IN THE BILBOES ONSUSPICION OF MURDER

It was with an effort at last that I dragged my gaze from the hatefulthing at my feet, only to meet the wide stare of that great eye myknife had wrought and (albeit no human eye now glittered there) yet itseemed none the less to watch my every move so persistently that Isnatched off my neckerchief and pinning it against the bulkhead with myknife, hid the thing from sight. Which done, I spurned myblood-stained doublet into a corner and getting to hands and knees withthe light beside me, began my search. 

My bunk was formed of boards supported by four up-ended casks andstretched the whole length of my small chamber. Upon these boards wasa pallet covered by a great blanket that hung down to the veryflooring; lifting this, I advanced the lanthorn and so began to examinevery narrowly this space beneath my bed. And first I noticed that theflooring hereabouts was free of dust as it had been new-swept, andpresently in the far corner espied a blurred mark that, as I looked, took grim form and semblance; stooping nearer I stared at this in thefull glare of the lanthorn, then, shrank back (as well I might) for nowI saw this mark was indeed the print of a great, bloody hand, open atfull stretch. Crouching thus, I felt again all the horror I had knownin my dreams, that dread of some unseen, haunting presence seeming tobreathe in the very air about me, a feeling of some evil thing thatmoved and crept in the dark beyond the door, of ears that hearkened tomy every move and eyes that watched me unseen. And this terror waxedand grew, until hearing a faint stirring behind me, I whirled about inpanic to see the neckerchief gently a-swing against the bulkhead whereI had pinned it; and though this was caused by no more than the motionof the ship (as I judged), yet in my then state of mind I whipped outmy pistol and, levelling at the knot-hole, pulled the trigger, whereonwas a mere flash in the pan and no more. This of itself steadied me, and sitting on my bed I found that the charge had been withdrawn. 

Laying by the useless weapon (for I had neither powder nor ball) I fellto profound meditation. And now indeed many things were plain; here(methought) had been the ghost, here had lain the murderer of threemen, here in the one and only safe place for him in the whole ship, viz. , beneath my bed, the while I lay there in drugged sleep. It wouldbe simple matter to steal hither in my absence and drug my food, andwould explain the strange nausea had so afflicted me of late. Herethen I had the secret of my day-long sleeping, my vapours and blackhumours, here the explanation of my evil dreams and ghastly visionswhile Death, in human guise, crept about my couch or stooped above myunconscious form. But (I reasoned) I was not to be murdered, since Iwas of more use to him alive than dead and for three reasons (as Ijudged). First, that in his stealthy comings and goings he might bemistaken for me and thus left alone; secondly, that dressed in my habithe might haply father his crimes on me; and thirdly, that I (lying heredrugged and asleep) might afford him the one and only escape frompursuit and capture. And yet (thinks I) what manner of man (or ratherdevil) should this be who, clad in my doublet, could make away withthree lusty fellows and no one the wiser? Hereupon (and all in aflash) I seemed to see again the great black ship drifting down on usin the river and the man who rowed the skiff with the misshapen bundlein the stern-sheets--the bundle that had vanished so inexplicably. 

"By the living God, " says I in a whisper, "here's an end to all themystery at last!" And so remained a great while sitting motionless onmy bed, being mightily cast down and utterly confounded. Rousingmyself at last I drew my knife from the bulkhead and put out the light;then very cautiously set wide the door, and thus lapped in the pitchydark (and mighty thankful for the good chain-shirt beneath my jerkin)stood holding my breath to listen. But hearing no more than the usualstir and bustle of the ship, I stole forward silent in my stockingedfeet, and groping before me with my left hand, the knife clenched in myright, began to steal towards the ladder. And now, despite shirt ofmail, I felt a cold chill that crept betwixt my twitchingshoulder-blades as I went, for that which I feared was more hatefulthan any knife. 

Howbeit, reaching the ladder, I got me to the orlop (and mightythankful) and so to the upper deck, to find a wondrous fair nightbreathing a sweet and balmy air and with a round moon uprising againsta great plenitude of stars. The moon was low as yet and, takingadvantage of the shadows, I got me into the gloom of the mainmast wherethe boats were stowed; and here (being well screened from chance view)I sat me down to drink in the glory of sea and sky, and to wait forchance of speech with Adam. And huge joy was it to behold these vastwaters as they heaved to a slumberous swell and all radiant with themoon's loveliness; or, gazing aloft, through the maze of ropes andrigging, marvelled at the glory of the heaven set with its myriadstarry fires. And, contrasting all this with the place of black horrorwhence I had come, I fell to a very ecstasy. And now, even as I satthus lost in pleasing wonderment, from the quarter-deck hard by camethe sweet, throbbing melody of a lute touched by skilled fingers andtherewith a voice richly soft and plaintive, yet thrilling with thatstrange, vital ring had first arrested me and which I should have knownthe world over. So she sang an air that I knew not, yet methought itwondrous sweet; anon she breaks off, all at once, and falls to the songI had heard her sing before now, viz. :

"A poor soul sat sighing by a green willow tree. "

Now as I hearkened, my gaze bent aloft, the starry heavens grew allsudden blurred and misty on my sight, and I knew again that deepyearning for a life far different from that I (in my blind selfishness)had marked out for myself. "Here truly" (thinks I) "is one of Godby's'times of stars, ' the which are good times being times of promise forall that are blessed with eyes to see--saving only myself who (thoughpossessing eyes) am yet not as other men, being indeed one set apartand dedicated to a just act of vengeance. But for this, I too mighthave been happy perchance and with a hope of greater happiness to be. "

Something the like of this was in my thoughts while the song wasa-singing, and I half-blinded by tears that would not be blinked away. Howbeit, the song ending, I was aware of a man's voice somethinghigh-pitched and precise:

"I vow and protest, dear madam, 'tis rare--a night angelic and an angelhere to sing us to an ecstasy. "

"Faith, Joan, " says another voice, "your singing might draw any man'sheart out of him, sweet cousin. "

"And that is but bald truth, I vow, my lady!" spoke a third. 

"Why then, gentlemen, " says she, laughing, "here's an angel will to bedere so ill a chance befall you. "

Now here (being minded to steal a look upon her) I rose, and creepingto the great mast, edged myself into the shadow and so beheld one thatcrouched there already, and knew him for that same red-headed fellow Ihad belaboured with the rope's-end. He was staring up at thequarter-deck and, following his look, I saw my lady stand leaning uponthe rail, her shapely figure outlined against the moonlight, her faceupraised to the sky. So stood she awhile, the gentlemen beside her(very brave in their velvets and new-fangled great periwigs) until cameher maid Marjorie; then she sighed, acknowledged the gentlemen's bowsand flourishes with a graceful curtesy, and bidding them a laughing"good-night" went her way, her shapely arm about Marjorie's trim waist. Hereupon the red-headed fellow uttered a sound 'twixt a sigh and groan, and beholding him now as he yet stared after her, I saw his faceconvulse and a look in his eyes as he tongued his lips as made my verygorge rise, and I crept a pace nearer. 

"Be that you, Smiler?" says he, his gaze still fixed. "O mate, yon's arare dainty bit--a sweet armful, Smiler--"

"Dog!" I cried in sudden choking fury. At this he leapt back, hardlyescaping my fist. 

"Ha--is't you again!" cries he, and with the words sprang at me andfetched me a staggering buffet in the mouth. At this (forgetting allprudence) I closed with him, and, heedless of his blows, secured thewrestling grip I sought and wrenching him down and across my knee, sawhis face suddenly be-splashed with the blood from my cut mouth thewhile I strove to choke him to silence. But he struggled mightily andthrice he cried "murder" in despite of me, whereupon the cry was takenup by one here and others there, until the very ship seemed to roar"murder. "

Followed a rush of feet, a confusion of voices all about me and, loosing my adversary, I reeled back to the mast under a rain of blows. 

"Stand away--back all!" cried a voice. "Gi'e mea shot at the rogue!"and the muzzle of a caliver was thrust into my face, only to be dashedaside as Adam sprang before me. 

"Hold off!" says he, whereupon they shrank back from me, one and all, before his levelled pistol, and there came a moment's silence wherein Iheard Godby utter a gasp, and letting fall the caliver he stared at mea-gape. "Here's no murderer, ye fools!" says Adam, scowling round onthem, "'Tis no more than--ha, way for Sir Rupert--make way for theCaptain, there!"

"Pray what's to do, Master Penfeather?" demanded Sir Rupert, hastingforward with drawn sword and the three gentlemen behind him. "What'sall this riot?"

"Nought but a stowaway rogue, Sir Rupert, and one beknown to me inEngland. "

"Ha!" says Sir Rupert, stroking a curl of his great peruke, "How comethhe brawling with the watch?"

"Look'ee, my masters, " cried the red-headed fellow (gasping and makinggreat to-do of gurgling and clasping his throat where I had squeezedhim) "look'ee, sirs, at my bloody face--all bloodied I be and nigh donefor by yon murdering rogue. Here's me on my watch and no thought o'harm, and suddenly out o' nowhere he takes him and grips me from behindand would ha' murdered me as he murdered t'others!"

"Ha!" cried Sir Rupert, "The man reeks blood, observe, MasterPenfeather, and here's grave charge beside!"

Now as I leaned there against the mast I saw a figure flit down thequarter-ladder and fain would have fled, yet seeing this vain, hung myhead and cowered in a very agony of mortified pride. 

"And you know this man, you say, Master Adam?" questioned Sir Rupert. 

"Aye I do, sir, for a desperate fellow, and so doth my LadyBrandon--and yourself also. "

"Ha? Bring him forward where I may get look of him. " The which beingdone, Sir Rupert starts back with sword-point raised. 

"By heaven!" he cried, "How cometh this fellow aboard?"

"A stowaway as I said, sir, " quoth Adam. "You mind him very well, itseemeth. "

"Aye, verily!" says Sir Rupert, tapping me lightly with his sword as Istood between my captors. "Ha--you're the rogue stood i' the pillory!"

"Aye!" I nodded, scowling at his dainty person. "And you're the onethat set me there!"

"'Tis a rogue ingrain!" said Sir Rupert, frowning in turn. "O a verydesperate fellow as you say, Master Adam, and like enough the murdererwe are a-seeking. " Hereupon I laughed and was kicked (unseen) thereforby Adam. 

"My lady!" says he, turning where she stood hard by, "You have seenthis fellow, I think. "

"Yes, " says she readily. "And indeed, Cousin Rupert, I know more ofthis--of him than you do, and very sure am I he is no murderer--norever will be!" Here for a moment her glance rested on me, and meetingthat look I forgot my wounded vanity and degradation awhile. 

"Sweet my lady, " says Sir Rupert, "Your gentle woman's heart may notbrook scenes the like of this. Go seek thy tender pillow and leavesuch to us of sterner mould. "

"Nay, cousin, my gentle woman's heart knoweth innocence from guilt, methinks, and here standeth innocent man, stowaway though he be. "

"Why then as stowaway will I entreat him, fair cousin. MasterPenfeather, clap him in irons till the morning, away with him--nay, Imyself will see him safely lodged. " Here, and without further parley, I was led below, watched by the whole ship's company, and so to adismal place abaft the lazarette, where the armourer, Master Taffery, duly locked me into the manacles (arm and leg) beneath the eyes ofPenfeather and Sir Rupert who, seeing me this secure, presently left meto darkness and my solitary reflections. 

Howbeit, after some while I heard the sound of key turning and Adamre-entered bearing a light; having locked the door on us, he set downthe lanthorn on the floor and, seating himself on the bench whereto Iwas shackled, falls into a passion of cursing both in English, Spanish(and Indian for aught I know) for never had I heard the like words orsuch deep fervour. 

"Adam, " says I (he being at a pause), "'tis hard to think you were evera student of divinity!"

Hereupon he glances at me from the corners of his eyes and shakes hishead:

"Your face is bloody, Martin, are ye hurt?"

"My belly's empty, Adam. "

"Why, I guessed as much, shipmate, Godby's bringing ye the wherewithalto fill it. In the meantime I'll free you o' your bilboes awhile, though I must lock you up again that you may be found snug and securein the morning. " So saying he took a key from his pocket and therewithset me at liberty. 

"Ah, Martin, " quoth he, as I stretched myself, "why must ye goa-raising of tumults above deck under our very noses? Here's mightyill plight you've got yourself into, and here's me a-wondering how I amto get ye out again. Here's been murder done, and, look'ee, thiscoxcombly captain hath got it into his skull that you're themurderer--aye, and what's worse, every soul aboard likewise save onlyGodby and myself. "

"And my lady!" says I. 

"True, shipmate, true! She spoke for ye, as I guessed she might. "

"And how should you guess this, Adam?"

"By adding one and one, Martin. But even so, comrade, even though shestand by you--what can she do, or Godby and I for that matter, 'gainsta whole ship's company crazed wi' panic fear--fear, aye and smallwonder, Martin! Death is bad enough, murder's worse, but for threehearty fellows to disappear and leave no trace--"

"Aye, but was there no trace, Adam?"

"None, shipmate, none!"

"No blood anywhere?"

"Never a spot, shipmate!"

"Why then is there ever a man aboard with a wounded hand, Adam?"

"Not one to my knowing and I've turned up the crew on deck twice theselast two days--every man and boy, but saw not so much as cut finger orstained garment among 'em--and I've sharp eyes, Martin. But why d'yeask?"

"Because the man who made away with these three fellows was wounded inthe hand, Adam--howbeit that hand was bloody. "

"Hand, shipmate, " says Penfeather softly, "would it be a righthand--ha?"

"It was!" I nodded. "The mark of a great right hand. "

"Aye, aye!" says Adam, pinching his chin. "A right hand, Martin. Andwhere was the mark, d'ye say?"

"Beneath my bed. "

"Bed, Martin--your bed!" Here he caught his breath and rose up andstood looking down at me betwixt narrowed lids and a-pinching at hissquare chin. 

"Aye--there, Adam, the only place in the ship you never thought tosearch--there he lay safe hid and I above him in a drugged sleep!"

"Drugged!" says Adam, betwixt shut teeth. "Aye . . . Drugged . . . Crassfool it was not to ha' guessed it ere this. " And now he falls silentand stands very still, only his sinewy fingers pinched and pinched athis chin as he stared blindly down at the floor. So now I told him ofmy fevered dreams and black imaginations, of my growing fears andsuspicions, of the eye had watched me through the knot-hole and of theman on the river with the boat wherein was the great mis-shapen bundlewhich had vanished just after the black ship ran foul of us. 

"Lord!" says Adam at last. "So the mystery is resolved! The matterlies plain as a pikestaff. Ha, Martin, we've shipped the devil aboardit seems!"

"Who weareth a steel hook, Adam!"

"And yet, Martin, and yet, " says he, looking at me from the corners ofhis eyes, "herein, if we seek far enough, we may find the hand ofProvidence, I think--"

"How?" says I. "Providence, d'ye call it?"

"Aye, Martin--if we do but seek far enough!" Here he turned in answerto a furtive rapping, and opening the door, I heard Godby's voice. "Come in, man, come in, " says Adam, "here's only Martin. "

"Aye, " quoth I heartily, "come in, God-be-here Jenkins that was myfriend. " At this in he comes unwillingly enough and with never so muchas a glance in my direction. 

"Here's the wittles, Cap'n, " says he, and setting down the food anddrink he had brought, turned away. 

"What, Godby, ha' ye no word for a poor murderer in his abasement?"says I. Whereat he shakes his head mighty gloomy and keeping his gazeaverted. As for Adam he stood pinching his chin the while his quick, bright eyes darted from one to other of us. 

"How, are ye going and never a word?" quoth I as Godby crossed to thedoor. 

"Aye, I am!" says he, with gaze still averted. 

"Why you left me in mighty hurry last time, Godby, "

"Aye, I did!" says he. 

"Why then tell us wherefore--speak out, man. "

"Not I, Martin, not I!" says he, and touching his bonnet to Penfeatherhasted away. 

"Ha!" says Adam, closing and locking the door. "And what's the riddle, Martin?"

"My doublet. Godby, chancing to take it up, finds it all a-smear withblood and incontinent suspects me for this black murderer, which comeshard since here's an end of Godby's faith and my friendship. "

"Why look now, Martin, his suspicions are in reason seeing that whatwith drugs, deviltries and what not, you've been mighty strange o' lateand more unlovely company than usual, d'ye see!"

"Howbeit!" says I, scowling and reaching for the food, "Here's an endto my friendship for Godby. Now as to you--what d'you say?"

"I think, shipmate, that your doublet bloody and you the grimly, desperate, gallowsy, hell-fire rogue you strive so hard to appear, Martin, I say here's enough to hang you ten times over. One thing issure, you must leave this ship. "

"Not I, Adam!"

"The long-boat's astern, victualled and ready. "

"No matter!" says I. 

"'Twill be no hard matter to get you safe away, Martin. "

"Howbeit, I stay here!" says I, mighty determined. "I'm no murderer!"

"But you're a man to hang and hanged you'll be and you can lay to that, d'ye see?"

"So be it!" says I. 

"Very fine, shipmate, but as I was saying the long-boat is towingastern, a good boat and well stored. The moon will be down in anhour--"

"And what of it?" I demanded. 

"'Twill be easy for you to slip down from the stern gallery. "

"Never in the world!" quoth I. 

"And as luck will have it, Martin, Bartlemy's Island--our island--liethscarce eighty miles south-westerly. Being thither you shall come onour treasure by the aid of the chart I shall give you, and leaving thegold, take only the four coffers of jewels--"

"You waste your breath, Adam!"

"Then, shipmate, with these jewels aboard you shall stand away foranother island that beareth south a day's sail--"

"Look you, Adam, " says I, clenching my fists, "once and for all, I donot leave this ship, happen what may. "

"Aye, but you will, shipmate. "

"Ha, d'ye think to force me, then?"

"Not I, Martin, but circumstances shall. "

"What circumstances?"

Here and all at once Adam started up as again there came a softknocking at the door. "Who's there?" he cried. And then in my ear, "'Tis she, Martin, as I guess, though sooner than I had expected--intothe bilboes with you. " Thus whispering and with action incrediblyquick, he clapped and locked me back in my shackles, whisked food, platter and bottle into a dark corner and crossed to the door. "Who'sthere?" he demanded gruffly. Ensued a murmur whereupon he turned thekey, set wide the door and fell back bowing, bonnet in hand, all in amoment. 

"Good Master Adam!" says she gently, "Pray you leave us awhile and letnone intrude on us. " At this Adam bows again very low with a whimsicalglance at me, and goes out closing the door behind him. 

CHAPTER XIX

CONCERNING THE PRINCESS DAMARIS

For a while she stood looking down on me, and I, meeting that look, glanced otherwhere yet, conscious of her regard, stirred uneasily sothat my irons rattled dismally. 

"Sir, " says she at last, but there I stayed her. 

"Madam, once and for all, I am no 'sir!'"

"Martin Conisby, " she amended in the same gentle voice, "MasterPenfeather telleth you refused the honourable service I offered--I prayyou wherefore?"

"Because I've no mind to serve a Brandon. "

"Yet you steal aboard my ship, Master Conisby, you eat the food mymoney hath paid for! Doth this suffice your foolish, stubborn pride?"Here, finding nought to say, I scowled at my fetters and held my peace, whereat she sighed a little, as I had been some fretful, peevish child:"Why are you here in my ship?" she questioned patiently. "Was it forvengeance? Tell me, " she demanded, "is it that you came yet seekingyour wicked vengeance?"

"Mine is a just vengeance!"

"Vengeance, howsoever just, is God's--leave it unto God!" At this Iwas silent again, whereupon she continued, her voice more soft andpleading: "Even though my father had . . . Indeed . . . Wronged you andyours . . . How shall his death profit you--?"

"Ha!" I cried, staring up at her troubled face, "Can it be you knowthis for very truth at last? Are you satisfied of my wrongs and knowmy vengeance just? Have ye proof of Sir Richard's blacktreachery--confess!" Now at this her eyes quailed before my look andshe shrank away. 

"God forgive him!" she whispered, bowing stately head. 

"Speak!" says I, fiercely. "Have ye the truth of it at last?"

"'Tis that bringeth me here to you, Martin Conisby, to confess thiswrong on his behalf and on his behalf to offer such reparation as Imay. Alas! for the bodily sufferings you did endure we can neveratone, but . . . In all other ways--"

"Never!" says I, scowling. "What is done--is done, and I am--what Iam. But for yourself his sin toucheth you no whit. "

"How?" cried she passionately. "Am I not his flesh--his blood? 'Twasbut lately I learned the truth from his secret papers . . . And . . . O'twas all there . . . Even the price he paid to have you carried to theplantations! So am I come pleading your forgiveness for him and for me. . . To humble myself before you . . . See thus . . . Thus, upon my knees!"

Now beholding all the warm beauty of her as she knelt humbly before me, the surge and tumult of her bosom, the quiver of her red lips, thetearful light of her eyes, I was moved beyond speech, and ever sheknelt there bowed and shaken in her mute abasement. 

"My Lady Joan, " said I at last, "for your pure self I can have noughtto forgive--I--that am all unworthy to touch the latchet of your shoe. . . Rise, I pray. "

"And for--my father?" she whispered, "Alas, my poor, miserable father--"

"Speak not of him!" I cried. "Needs must there be hate and enmitybetwixt us until the end. " So was silence awhile nor did I look up, dreading to see her grief. 

"Your face is cut, Martin!" said she at last, very softly, "Suffer thatI bathe it. " Now turning in amaze I saw her yet upon her knees, looking up at me despite her falling tears: "Wilt suffer me to batheit, Martin?" says she, her voice unshaken by any sob. I shook my head;but rising she crossed to the door and came back bearing a smallpannikin of water. "I brought this for the purpose, " says she. 

"Nay, indeed, I--I am well enough--"

"Then I will make you better!"

"No!" says I, angrily. 

"Yes!" says she patiently, but setting dimpled chin at me. 

"And wherefore, madam?"

"Because I'm so minded, sir!" So saying she knelt close beside me andfell a-bathing my bruised face as she would (and I helpless to stayher) yet marvelling within me at the gentle touch of her soft hands andthe tender pity in her tear-wet eyes. "Martin, " says she, "as I do thuscherish your hurts, you shall one day, mayhap, cherish your enemy's--"

"Never!" says I. "You can know me not at all to think so. "

"I know you better than you guess, Martin. You think it strange belikeand unmaidenly in me that I should seek you thus, that your name shouldcome so readily to my lip? But I have remembered the name 'Martin' forthe sake of a boy, long years since, who found a little maid (she wasjust ten year old) found her lost and wandering in a wood, very woefuland frightened and forlorn. And this boy seemed very big and strong(he was just eleven, he said) and was armed with a bow and arrows 'toshoot outlaws. ' And yet he was very gentle and kindly, laying by hisweapons the better to comfort her sorrows and dry her tears. So hebrought her to a cave he called his 'castle' and showed her a realsword he kept hidden there (albeit a very rusty one) and said he wouldbe her knight, to do great things for her some day. Then he brought hersafely home; and he told her his name was Martin and she said hers wasDamaris--"

"Damaris!" said I, starting. 

"Often after this they used to meet by a corner of the old park wallwhere he had made a place to go up and down by--for six months, Ithink, they played together daily, and once he fought a great, roughboy on her behalf, and when the boy had run away she bathed herchampion's hurts in a little brook--bathed them with her scarf as thusI do yours. At last she was sent away to a school and the yearspassed, but she never forgot the name of Martin, though he forgot herquite . . . But . . . You . . . You remember now, Martin--O, you remembernow?" says she with a great sob. 

"Aye, I remember now!" quoth I, hoarsely. 

"It is for the sake of this boy, Martin, so brave, so strong, yet sovery gentle and kindly--for him and all he might have been that I prayyou forego your vengeance--I beseech you to here renounce it--"

"Never!" I cried, clenching my shackled hands. "But for my enemy thisboy might now be as other men--'stead of outcast rogue and scarredgalley-slave, he might have come to love and win love--to have knownthe joy of life and its fulness! Howbeit he must go his way, rogue andoutcast to the end. "

"No!" she cried, "No! The wrong may be undone--must--shall be--woundswill heal and even scars will fade with time. "

"Scars of the body, aye--belike!" said I, "But there be scars of themind, wounds of the soul shall never heal--so shall my just vengeancesleep not nor die whiles I have life!"

Here for awhile she was silent again and I saw a tear fall sparkling. 

"And yet, " said she at last and never stirring from her humble posture, "and yet I have faith in you still for, despite all your cruel wrongsand grievous suffering, you are so--young, headstrong and wilful andvery desolate and forlorn. Thus whiles I have life my faith in youshall sleep not nor die, yet greatly do I pity--"

"Pity?" says I fiercely, "You were wiser to hate and see me hanged outof hand. "

"Poor soul!" she sighed, and rising, laid one white hand upon myshackled fist. "And yet mayhap you shall one day find again your sweetand long-lost youth--meanwhile strive to be worthy a sorrowing maid'shonest pity. "

"Pity?" says I again, "'Tis akin to love--so give me hate, 'tis thingmost natural 'twixt your blood and mine. "

"Poor soul!" she repeated, viewing me with her great, calm eyes albeittheir lashes were wet with tears, "How may I hate one so wretched?"Here, seeing mayhap how the words stung me she must needs repeat them:"Poor wretched soul, thou'rt far--far beneath my hate. "

"Belike you'll come to learn in time!" says I, beside myself. At thisI saw the white hand clench itself, but her voice was tender as everwhen she answered:

"Sorrow and suffering may lift a man to greatness if he be strong ofsoul or debase him to the brute if he be weak. "

"Why then, " says I, "begone to your gallants and leave me to thebrutes. "

"Nay, first will I do that which brought me!" and she showed the key ofmy gyves. 

"Let be!" I cried, "I seek no freedom at your hands--let be, I say!"

"As you will!" says she, gently. "So endeth my hope of righting agreat wrong. I have humbled myself to you to-night, Martin Conisby. Ihave begged and prayed you to forego your vengeance, to forgive theevil done, not so much for my father's sake as for your own, and thisbecause of the boy I dreamed a man ennobled by his sufferings and onegreat enough to forgive past wrongs, since by forgiveness comethregeneration. Here ends my dream--alas, you are but rogue andgalley-slave after all. So shall I ever pity you greatly and greatlydespise you!"

Then she turned slowly away and went from me, closing and locking thedoor, and left me once more in the black dark, but now full of yetblacker thoughts. 

To be scorned by her! And she--a Brandon!

And now I (miserable wretch that I was) giving no thought to thepossibility of my so speedy dissolution, raged in my bonds, wastingmyself in futile imprecations against this woman who (as it seemed tome in my blind and brutish anger) had but come to triumph over me in myabasement. Thus of my wounded self-love did I make me a whip ofscorpions whereby I knew an agony beyond expression. 

CHAPTER XX

HOW I CAME OUT OF MY BONDS AND OF THE TERRORS OF A FIRE AT SEA

The Devil, ever zealous for the undoing of poor Humanity, surelyfindeth no readier ally than the blind and merciless Spirit ofMortified Pride. Thus I, minding the Lady Joan's scornful look and thesting of her soft-spoke words, fell to black and raging fury, and vowedthat since rogue and galley-slave she had named me, rogue she shouldfind me in very truth henceforward if I might but escape my periloussituation. 

And now it was that Chance or Fate or the Devil sent me a means wherebyI might put this desperate and most unworthy resolution into practice;for scarce had I uttered this vow when a key turned softly in the lock, the door opened and closed stealthily, and though I could not see (itbeing pitch-dark) I knew that someone stood within a yard of me, andall with scarce a sound and never a word. And when this silence hadendured a while, I spoke sudden and harsh:

"What now? Is it the noose so soon, or a knife sooner?"

I heard a quick-drawn breath, a soft footfall, and a small hand, groping in the dark, touched my cheek and crept thence to my helpless, manacled fist. "Who is it?" I demanded, blenching from the touch, "Whois it? Speak!"

"Hush!" whispered a voice in my ear, "It be only me, master. Jimmy--little Jim as you was good to. Red Andy don't beat me no more, he be afeared o' you. Good to me you was, master, an' so's she--tookme to be her page, she 'ave--"

"Whom d'you mean, boy?"

"I mean Her! Her wi' the beautiful, kind eyes an' little feet! Her assings! Her they calls 'my lady. ' Her! Good t' me she is--an' so'syou, so I be come to ye, master. "

"Ha--did she send you?"

"No, I just come to save you from being hung to-morrow like they saysyou must. "

"And how shall you do this, boy?"

"First wi' this key, master--"

"Stay! Did she give you this key?"

"No, master--I took it!" So, albeit 'twas very dark, the boy very soonhad freed me of my shackles; which done (and all a-quiver with haste)he seizes my hand and tugs at it:

"Come, master!" he whispered, "This way--this way!" So with hislittle, rough hand in mine I suffered him to bring me whither he wouldin the dimness, for not a lanthorn burned anywhere, until at last hehalted me at a ladder propped against a bulkhead and mounting before, bade me follow. Up I climbed forthwith, and so to a narrow trap orscuttle through which I clambered with no little to-do, and foundmyself in a strange place, the roof so low I could barely sit uprightand so strait that I might barely lie out-stretched. 

"Lie you here, master!" he whispers, "And for the love o' God don'tspeak nor make a sound!" Saying which, he got him back through thescuttle, closing the trap after him, and I heard the clatter of theladder as he removed it. 

Hereupon, lying snug in my hiding-place, I presently became aware of asweetness that breathed upon the air, a fragrance very faint but vastlypleasing, and fell a-wondering what this should be. My speculationswere banished by the opening of a door near by and a light appeared, bywhich I saw myself lying in a narrow space shut off by a valance orcurtain that yet showed a strip of carpet beyond, and all at once uponthis carpet came a little, buckled shoe. I was yet staring on this indumb amaze when a voice spoke softly:

"Are you there, Martin Conisby? Hush, speak low I do command you!"

For answer I dragged myself into the light and stared up at the LadyJoan Brandon. 

"Where am I?" I demanded. 

"In my cabin, " says she, meeting my scowl with eyes serene and alluntroubled. "I had you brought hither to save you--"

"To save me! Ha, you--you to save me--"

"Because you are not man enough to die yet, " she went on in her calm, grave voice, "so I will save you alive that haply you may grow moreworthy. "

"So 'twas by your orders? The boy lied then!" says I choking with myanger. "'Twas you gave him the key! 'Twas you bade him bring mehither--"

"Where none shall dare seek you!" says she, all unmoved by my bitterrage, "So do I give you life, Martin Conisby, praying God you may findyour manhood one day--"

"Life!" quoth I, getting to my feet, "My life at your hands? Now lookye, madam, rather will I hang unjustly, rather will I endure again theshame of the lash--aye by God's light, rather will I rot in chains orperish of plague than take my life at your hands. So now, madam, I'llout of this perfumed nest and hang if I must!" saying which I turned tothe door, but she checked me with a gesture. 

"Stay!" she commanded, "Would you shame me?" And now though shefronted me with proud head erect, I saw her cheek flush painfully. 

"Aye, verily!" quoth I, "A lady's honour is delicate ware and not to becheapened by such poor rogue as I! Fear nothing, lady, I will go as--"I stopped all at once, as came footsteps without and a light tapping onthe door. 

"Who is it?" she called, lightly enough, and shot the bolt with nimblefingers. 

"Only I, sweet coz, " answered a gay voice, "And I come but to warn younot to venture on deck to-morrow till justice hath been done upon ourprisoner. "

"Shall you--hang him, Rupert?"

"Assuredly! 'Tis a black rogue and merits a worse fate. "

"Is he then tried and condemned already, Rupert?"

"Nay, though 'twill be soon done. We have come on such evidence of hisguilt as doth condemn him out of hand. "

"What evidence, cousin?"

"His doublet all besmirched with his victim's blood. The man is a verydevil and must hang at dawn. So, Joan, stir not abroad in the morninguntil I come to fetch you. A fair, good night, sweet coz, and sweetdreams attend thee!" And away trips Sir Rupert and leaves us staringon one another, she proud and gracious in all her dainty finery and I avery hang-dog fellow, my worn garments smirched by the grime of my manyhiding-places. 

"Was this indeed your doublet?" she questioned at last. 

"It was. "

"How came it stained with blood?" For answer I shrugged my shouldersand turned away. "Have you nothing to say?"

"Nothing, madam. "

"You would have me think you this murderer?"

"I would have you think of me none at all, " I answered, and smiled tosee how I had stirred her anger at last. 

"Nay, " sighs she, "needs must I think of you as the poor, mean thingyou are and pity you accordingly!"

"Howbeit, " says I, scowling blacker than ever, "I will get me out ofyour sight--"

"Aye, but the ladder is gone!"

"No matter, " says I, "better a broken neck to-night than a nooseto-morrow. To-morrow, aye, the dawn is like to see an end of the feudand the Conisbys both together--"

"And so shameful an end!" says she. At this, I turned my back on her, for anger was very strong in me. So, nothing speaking, I got to myknees that I might come at the trap beneath her berth; but next momentI was on my feet glaring round for some weapon to my defence, for onthe air was sudden wild tumult and hubbub, a running of feet andconfused shouting that waxed ever louder. Then, as I listened, I knewit was not me they hunted, for now was the shrill braying of a trumpetand the loud throbbing of a drum:

"Martin--O Martin Conisby!" She stood with hands clasped and eyes widein a dreadful expectancy, "What is it?" she panted, "O what is it?Hark--what do they cry!"

Rigid and motionless we stood to listen; then every other emotion was'whelmed and lost in sudden, paralysing fear as, above the tramplingrush of feet, above the shrill blast of tucket and rolling of drum wecaught the awful word "Fire!"

"Now God help us all!" cries she, wringing her hands; then sinking toher knees, she leaned, half-swooning, against the door, yet I saw herpallid lips moving in passionate supplication. 

As for me (my first panic over) I sat me on her bed revolving how Imight turn the general confusion to the preservation of my life. Inthis I was suddenly aroused by my lady's hand on my bowed shoulder. 

"Hark!" cries she, "Hark where they cry for aid!"

"Why so they do, " says I. "And so they may!"

"Then come, let us out. You are a strong man, you will help to savethe ship. "

"And hang thereafter? Not I, madam!"

"Will you do nothing?" cried she, clenching her hands. 

"Verily, madam. I shall do my earnest endeavour to preserve this poorrogue's body o' mine from noose and flame. But as for the ship--let itburn, say I. "

"Spoke like a very coward!" says she in bitter scorn. "And a coward isselfish always. " So saying she crossed to the door and reached herhand to the bolt; but in a leap I was beside her and caught this hand, 'prisoning it there:

"Hark'ee, madam!" quoth I, "You tell me that to hang is a shamefuldeath, and the noose as good as round my neck. But, before God, madam, I'll see this ship go up in flame and perish with it ere that nooseshall strangle the life out of me and my wrongs unavenged. So the shipmay burn an it will. Meantime do you seek your salvation and leave meto seek mine!" Then opening the door I stood aside to give her way;instead she stood a moment looking on me great-eyed:

"O blind!" says she at last, "To treasure life for your wickedvengeance! O blind, blind!" Then, and very suddenly she sped out andaway. 

Left alone I stood hearkening to the distant uproar and casting aboutin my mind how best I might contrive my preservation. And now in mydesperate need it seemed there was but one hope for me and this butslender, viz. , to steal myself up to Adam's lodgment under the poop andthat as soon as might be. To this end I stepped forth of the cabin andso into a narrow passage-way with divers doors to right and left thatopened upon other cabins, in one of which I espied a cloak andfeathered hat lying where their owner had dropped them; whipping thecloak about me I clapped on the hat and, staying for no more, hasted onbreathing an air acrid with drifting smoke. Reaching a broad stairwayI climbed at speed and found myself out upon the lofty poop, whence Imight look down on the decks through a haze of smoke that poured upthrough the after hatchway, mounting in billowy wreaths against thesplendour of the moon. Here it seemed was gathered the whole ship'scompany with mighty stir and to-do, and none with eyes to spare for me. Howbeit, I stayed for no second glance, but running to Adam's cabin, found the door unlocked, the which I closed and bolted after me, in thedoing of which I noticed (to my comfort) that this door was mightythick and strong and in it moreover a loophole newly cut, with othersin the bulkheads to right and left and all very neatly plugged fromwithin; and what with this and the musquetoons that stood in racks veryorderly, the place, small though it was, had all the virtues of a fortor citadel. Here then, so far as might be, I was safe whateverchanced, since I had but to lift the trap in the floor and descend intothe roundhouse below, whence I might gain the stern-gallery and so thesea itself. And now, laying by the hat and cloak I cast myself onAdam's bed and there outstretched in great content, hearkened to thedistant voices and tramp of feet where they laboured to put out thefire. 

Little by little these sounds became merged with the droning of thewind and the never-ceasing surge and hiss of the seas; lulled by thisand the sense of my comparative safety, I presently fell a-slumbering. And sleeping thus, dreamed myself young again and playing with thechild Damaris, thrilling to the clasp of her little, childish hands, joying in the tones of her clear, sweet child voice--she that grown upI knew for none other than Joan Brandon. 

CHAPTER XXI

TELLETH HOW THE SAID FIRE CAME ABOUT

"Lord love me, shipmate, here's you to hang at peep o' day anda-smiling in your dreams!"

"What--Adam!" says I, sitting up. 

"In few short hours, Martin, here will be ninety odd souls earnestlyseeking to swing you up to the main-yard and you a-slumbering sweet asany innocent babe, and burn me, shipmate, I love you the better for't!"

"What of the fire, Adam?"

"Why, 'twas an excellent fire, Martin, and smoked bravely! What's moreit served its divers purposes whiles it lasted. "

"Is it out then, Adam?"

"This two hours. "

"And what might you mean by its purposes?"

"Well, mayhap you were one o' them, Martin. Here's the second timefire hath served ye well, you'll mind. "

"How!" I cried, starting to my feet, "Will you be telling me 'twas youset this fire going?"

"As to the other purpose, shipmate, 'tis yonder--hark to it!" Andsmiling grimly, Adam held up a sinewy finger, as, from somewhereforward, rose a confused and dismal wailing. 

"In heaven's name what's toward now, Adam?"

"The crew are singing, Martin, likewise they dance, presently theyshall fall a-quarrelling, then grow pot-valiant, all in regular andaccepted order. Already one poor rogue hath been aft to demand thewomen of us d'ye see, and--"

"To demand the women!" says I in gasping astonishment. 

"Aye, the women, Martin--my Lady Joan and her maid, d'ye see. "

"God's love, Adam!" I cried, gripping his arm, "And you--what said youto the vile dog?"

"Nought! I shot him!"

"Is the mutiny broke out then?"

"Not yet, shipmate, but 'tis coming, aye 'tis coming, which is verywell--"

"And what hath brought things to this pass?"

"Rum, Martin! The fire was in the store-room where there is ruma-plenty, d'ye see, and what was to prevent the rogues making off witha keg or so that chanced to lie handy--not I, shipmate, not I!"

"And why not, in the Devil's name?"

"Because, Martin, " says Adam, sitting at the table and beginning to sethis papers in order, "because there's nought like liquor for puttingthe devil into a man, and of all liquor commend me to rum with a dasho' tobacco or gunpowder, d'ye see. We shall be heaving dead menoverboard ere dawn, I judge, and all along of this same rum, Martin. Black mutiny, murder and sudden death, shipmate, and more's the pitysay I. But if Providence seeth fit why so be it. "

"Providence!" quoth I, scowling down into his impassive face, "Dare yetalk of Providence? 'Twas you set this bloody business a-foot. "

"Aye, Martin, it was!" says he nodding. "As to Providence--look'eenow, if you can ape Providence to your own ends, which is vengeance andbloody murder, I can do as much for mine, which is to save the lives ofsuch as stand true to me and the ship--not to mention the women. There's Tressady skulking below, and I have but contrived that themutiny should come in my time rather than his and theirs. As it is, weare prepared, fifteen stout lads lie in the round-house below withmusquetoon and fusee, and every gun and swivel that will bear (falconetand paterero) aimed to sweep the waist when they rush, as rush theywill, Martin, when the drink hath maddened 'em properly--"

"And having maddened them with your hellish decoctions you'll shoot thepoor rogues down?"

"Aye, Martin, I will so, lest peradventure they shoot me. Thenbesides, shipmate, what o' the women? I have the Lady Joan and hermaid to think on, 'twould be an ill fate theirs in the hands of yonfilthy rabblement. Hark to 'em yonder, hark what they sing!"

For a while I could hear nought but a clamour of fierce shouts andhallooing, then, little by little, this wild, hoarse tumult rose andswelled to a fierce chaunt:

 "Some swam in rum to kingdom come, Full many a lusty fellow. And since they're sped, all stark and dead, They're flaming now in hell O. So cheerly O, Hey cheerly O, They're burning down in hell O!"

"D'ye hear it, Martin, did ye hear it? Shoot the poor rogues d'ye say?Sink me, but I will so if Fortune be so kind. Yonder's short shrift andquick dispatch for me, shipmate, and then--the women! Think of my LadyJoan writhing in their clutches. Hark'ee to the lewd rogues--'tiswomen now--hark to 'em!" And here again their vile song burst forthwith much the same obscenity as I had once heard sung by AbnegationMings in a wood, and the which I will not here transcribe. 

"Well, shipmate, " says Adam, glancing up from his papers, "last of all, there's yourself! Here's you with the rope in prospect unless you quitthis ship, and yonder, Martin, yonder is the long-boat towing astern, all stored ready, a calm sea and a fair wind--"

"No more of that!" says I angrily. 

"But will ye dangle in a noose, Martin, when you might be away in thelong-boat as tows astern of us, and with a fair wind as I say and--"

"Have done!" says I clenching my fists. 

"'Twill be the simplest thing in the world, Martin, " he went on, leaning back in his chair and nodding up at me mighty pleasant, "aye, avery simple matter for you to drop down from the stern-gallery yonderd'ye see, and setting a course south-westerly you should make ourisland in four-and-twenty hours or less what with this wind and the seaso calm--"

"Never!" cried I in growing fury, "Come what will I stay aboard thisship until we reach our destination!"

"Hum!" says he, pinching his chin and eyeing me 'twixt narrowed lids, "Are ye still bent on nought but vengeance then? Why look'ee, Martin, 'tis none so far to seek, for seeing you may not reach the father whynot smite him through the daughter? She'd make fine sport for ourbeastly crew--hark to 'em roaring! Sport for them and a mighty fullvengeance for you--"

The table betwixt us hampered my blow and then, as I strove to come athim, I brought up with the muzzle of his pistol within a foot of mybrow. 

"Easy, shipmate, easy!" says he, leaning back in his chair but keepingme covered. 

"Damned rogue!" I panted. 

"True!" he nodded, "True, Martin, vengeance is kin to roguery, d'yesee. If you're for murdering the father what's to hinder you fromgiving the proud daughter up to--steady, Martin, steady it is! Yoursudden ways be apt to startle a timid man and my finger's on thetrigger. Look'ee now, shipmate, if your scheme of fine-gentlemanlyvengeance doth not permit of such methods towards a woman, what's toprevent you going on another track and carrying her with you, safe fromall chance of brutality? There's stowage for her in the long-boat, which is a stout, roomy craft now towing astern, stored and victualled, a smooth sea, a fair wind--"

"Hark'ee, Adam Penfeather, " says I, choking with passion, "once and forall I bide on this ship until she brings up off Hispaniola. "

"But then, Martin, she never will bring up off Hispaniola, not whiles Inavigate her!"

"Ha!" I cried, "Doth my lady know of this? Doth Sir Rupert?"

"Not yet, Martin. "

"Then, by Heaven, they shall learn this very hour!"

"I think not, Martin. "

"And I swear they shall. Let them hang me an they will, but first theyshall hear you intend to seize the ship to your own purposes--aye, byGod, they shall know you for the pirate you are!"

Now as I turned and strode for the door, I heard the sudden scrape ofAdam's chair behind me, and whirling about, saw his pistol a-swingabove my head, felt the vicious, staggering blow, and reeling to thedoor, sank weakly to my knees, and thence seemed to plunge into a blackimmensity and knew no more. 

CHAPTER XXII

TELLETH HOW WE WERE CAST ADRIFT

I awoke to a wind on my brow, very pleasant and sweet, and in my earsthe soft and drowsy ripple of water right soothing to hear, and thuswould have slumbered on but for another sound that broke out atintervals, a thunderous roar that seemed to shake me where I lay. Therefore I opened my eyes to see above me a great multitude of stars, and lay staring up at them in vague and dreamy wonderment until, rousedagain by another thunderclap, I raised myself and saw I lay in thestern-sheets of a large, open boat that rocked to a gentle swell, andall about me a misty sea grey with the dawn. Now as I gazed around me, greatly troubled and amazed, I beheld, far away across these dimwaters, a flash of red flame, and after some while heard again thethunder of a gun. 

Little by little, as the light waxed, I made out the loom of two shipsand, despite the distance, I knew the foremost for the "FaithfulFriend. " Ever and anon would come the faint crack of caliver orpetronel from her high poop, and the thunder of her stern-chase guns. And with my mind's eyes I seemed to espy Adam firing from his loopholesto sweep the decks forward, the while Godby and his few gunners servedthe great basilisks aft, aiming them at a tall, black ship that stoodhard in their wake, yawing now and then to bring her fore-chase to bearon them in answer. 

Suddenly up flamed the sun turning sea and sky to glory; but I crouchedmiserable in my helplessness, for now I saw the "Faithful Friend"steered a course that was taking her rapidly away from me upon thefreshening wind. Perceiving which bitter truth, beholding myself thusbefooled, bubbled and tricked (and my head throbbing from the blow ofPenfeather's pistol-butt) a mighty anger against him surged within me, and shaking my fists I fell to fierce curses and revilings, like anymadman, until what with my aching head and lack of breath, I castmyself face down and lay there spent with my futile ravings. Yet evenso, bethinking me of all my fine schemes and purposes thus brought tonothingness and myself drifting impotent at the mercy of wind and wave, I sought to spit my puny anger against the God that made me, inblasphemies and bitter imprecations. 

"O shame, shame on you, Martin Conisby! The God you rail upon is myGod also. Have done, I say! Be silent, nor tempt His mercy with yourchildish clamours!"

Up-starting I turned and beheld the Lady Brandon upon her knees withina yard of me, saw her shrink before my gaze and the griping passion ofmy hands; for now, reading in her look all her scorn and loathing forthe thing I was, I must needs turn my fury upon her and did that thewhich shames me to this day, for even as she fronted me, alldefenceless but with head erect and eyes unflinching despite the sickpallor of her cheeks, I seized her in cruel hold and, dragging her tome, bent her backward across a thwart. 

"Ha!" I gasped, "Will ye dare cry shame on me? Will ye mock--will yeflout--will ye scorn me still--and you but a lying, thieving Brandon!Would you trample me 'neath your proud feet--. "

"All this!" says she, staring up into my eyes, "But I do pity you mostfor--what you are become. O--kill me if you will, 'twould be very easyfor you and, mayhap, best for me, and I do not fear to die. So do asyou will, Martin Conisby, I do not fear you since Death is my kindfriend and shall free me of the shame of you if need be!"

Hereupon I loosed her and, crouched again in the stern-sheets, bowed myhead upon my fists, whiles she, kneeling patiently beside the midshipthwart, ordered her wrenched garments with shaking hands. 

And, after some while, her voice with its sweet, vital ring, pierced tothose black deeps where lay the soul of me:

"'Tis growing very rough. What must we do?"

Lifting my head, I saw that the sea was risen considerably, and theboat drifting broadside to the wind, so that the waves, taking usabeam, spilled aboard us ever and anon. So I arose and made shift tostep the mast and hoist sail, nothing heeding her proffered aid; thenshipping the tiller, I put our little vessel before the wind. And now, from a log pitching and rolling at mercy of the waves, this boatbecame, as it were, alive and purposeful, lifting to the seas withjoyous motion, shaking the water from her bows in flashing brine thatsparkled jewel-like in the early sun, her every timber thrilling to thebuffets of the waters that rushed bubbling astern all rainbow-hued andwith a sound like elfin laughter, until what with all this and thestrong, sweet air, even I felt the joy of it; but though my blackhumour lifted somewhat, my shame was sore upon me, wherefore I kept mygaze for the peak of the sail, the cloudless heaven, the deep blue ofthe seas, and never so much as glanced at the patient, solitary figureamidships. 

"Whither do we sail?" she questioned at last. 

"What matter?" says I sullenly. 

"Aye, true!" she sighed. 

"Besides, I have no compass. "

"There is one in the locker here, and with it a packet and a letterwrit to you. Shall I bring them?"

"As you will, " says I, keeping my gaze averted. So she makes her wayover to me (and mighty dexterous) despite the motion of the boat, andsetting the compass beside me, gives me the letter. It was sealed, andsubscribed thus:

"To my well-loved, trusty friend, comrade and brother-adventurerMartin, these:"

Breaking the seal, I read as follows:

"For your sore head, Martin, I grieve, but the blow I regret no whitseeing it was struck to our mutual advantage hereafter. Now you(reading this) being at sea betwixt the parallels 70 and 65 in an openboat and all by reason of circumstances proving too strong for you, Martin, it much behoveth you to mark and heed well these my directions, to wit: You shall lay your course south-westerly, and that for theseseveral and sufficing reasons, viz. , (1) You lie out of the track ofships. (2) These be treacherous seas, given to sudden furies of windand raging tempest. (3) I like not the look of the weather. (4) OurIsland lieth scarce twenty-four hours' sail due south-westerly. Whereof I have drawn for your guidance a chart of these waters, together with a plan of our Island (very just and exact). Also a chartof the passage or channel through the barrier-reef, for saving thispassage, there is no landing upon the island that I know of. Nor shallyou attempt this passage except at the flood and the seas calm. Beinglanded, Martin, you shall, with due regard to rest and refreshment, forthwith secure our Treasure (the secret whereof I have included withthis my letter). Thereupon, and with all dispatch, you shall, troubling not for the gold or silver, take but the four caskets ofjewels, and, setting them aboard your boat, sail away due West (threedays) until you shall fetch up with another island, the which you shallknow by its three several hills plain to be seen, and called GibbetIsland, since 'twas there I hanged one Juan Maldonada (and richlydeserved it!). Here then you shall bury our Treasure (four caskets) insuch place as seemeth to you proper, and there await my coming. And ifI join you not within two months, then shall this mighty treasurethree-quarters thereof be yours. And if I come not within six months, then shall this fortune be wholly yours since I shall be beyond allneed of it. So now, Martin, good Fortune attend you. Your boat(chosen by me long since, and for this very purpose) is staunch, and anexcellent sea-boat and very well stored with everything for your needs, as arms, clothes, food and the like. Moreover within the treasure-caveis all manner of stores, so that a man even though he bides on the landto his life's end need suffer no lack, but have his every comfortsupplied. 

And now, as to your head, Martin, 'twill be none the worse by this, Ijudge. And for the blow, 'twas no harder than called for, and verywell intentioned, as you shall confess one day, mayhap, unless you begreater fool and blinder than I take you for. Howbeit I trust you, Martin, and in bidding you farewell for the nonce, subscribe myself, Your faithful friend and comrade to serve, Adam Penfeather. "

Having read this wordy missive, I crumpled it in angry fist and thrustit into my pocket. But now she gives me the packet named therein, thewhich I forthwith tossed overboard (like the wilful fool I was). Thereby involving us in divers and many great dangers and difficulties, as you shall learn hereafter. 

Howbeit (the wind serving) I altered our course and stood awaysouth-westerly even as Adam had directed, since I perceived the weatherthickening behind us and the sea heaving with uneasy motion. Andpresently my companion questions me again:

"Whither do we sail?"

"South-westerly. "

"Aye, but whither?"

"To an island. "

"Is it far?"

"Two days' journey or thereabouts. "

"Do you know this island?"

"I have never seen it. "

"Then why sail thither?"

"'Tis thereabouts Penfeather would meet with us again if he may. "

"And being there, what then?"

"God knoweth!"

Here was silence again save for the creak of mast and timbers as werose to the gentle swell and the ripple of water 'neath our keel, whilethe sun, high risen, blazed down from the blue, his fierce beamstempered by the cool, sweet wind. 

"Are you hungry, Martin?"

"Is there aught to eat?"

"Plenty!" So saying she opened one of the lockers and brought thence aloaf of fine white bread, a neat's tongue, a flask of wine, and a smallbarrico of water, upon which I, for one, made an excellent meal. Whichdone, she sets all things away again, very orderly, and sits elbow onknee, staring away into the distance and with her back to me. Hereupon, I opened the stern-locker and found therein a couple ofmusquetoons, a brace of pistols, a sword with belt and hangers, anddivers kegs of powder and ball. 

"How came you lying stunned in the boat?" says my companion at last, but without turning her head. 

"By roguery!" I answered. "But how and when did the mutiny start?"

"'Twas when we went to fetch the boy, my little page, Marjorie and I. He lay hurt and crying on the deck; so we ran out to him and took himup betwixt us, and then I heard shouts and rush of feet, and they wereall about us--drunken men singing and dancing. And they struggled withus till came Master Penfeather, with Godby and others, and after muchbitter fighting brought us away. But Marjorie, my dear, faithfulMarjorie, had taken a blow aimed at me and died . . . In my arms . . . Andthe great cabin choking with powder-smoke . . . And wounded men who criedand shouted. My dear, brave Marjorie! With the dark the fight beganagain, and twice I feared they would break in upon us. Then MasterAdam brought me into the stern-gallery and lowered me into the boatwhere I might lie secure, and so got him back into the battle. But in alittle I saw a hand in the gloom cutting at the tow-rope, and Iscreamed, but none heard. And so the boat drifted away, and with thedawn I found you lying under a boat-cloak. "

When she had done, I sat awhile staring up at the peak of the sail:

"My Lady Brandon, " says I at length, "Fate hath set you in scurvycompany, for I am an ill rogue, very rough and rude-mannered, and nofit company for any woman, as you do very well know. Howbeit, I swearthat henceforth, so long as we company together, I will trouble you nomore than I may, either by act or speech, you to your place in the bowsyonder in mine here at the tiller, you to your thoughts, I to mine. And thus methinks we shall do well enough until we can go our severalways. "

"Must we not speak?" she questioned, keeping her face turned from me. 

"When needful, madam!"

"Am I but to answer when you deign me notice? Will it plague you if Ising? Am I to sit with my hands folded henceforth and do nought butthink? Must I stay in the bows until you summon me thence?" says she, and all in the same small, soft voice, so that I perceived my finespeech had been thrown away; wherefore I stared up at the sail and withnever a word in answer. 

But presently, chancing to look at her, I found her regarding me withher dimpled chin set mighty resolute; "Because, " says she, meeting mylook, "I shall talk when I will and sing when so minded, MartinConisby. I shall not sit in the bows for 'tis wet there, and I shallnot fold my hands, but you shall teach me how to steer and handle theboat and do my share of the labour. For look now, here are we, by nowill of our own, God knoweth, companions in misfortune, let us then aideach other that our troubles be the easier. And O pray do you forgetMartin Conisby his woes awhile. " And away she goes, and getting to herknees before one of the lockers, begins rearranging the contents, singing away the while merry as any grig. 

As the day wore on, the skies clouded over with a wind very sudden andblusterous, wherefore, misliking the look of things, I was forshortening sail, but feared to leave the helm lest the boat shouldbroach to and swamp while this was a-doing. But the wind increasing, Iwas necessitated to call my companion beside me and teach her how shemust counter each wind-gust with the helm, and found her very apt andquick to learn. So leaving the boat to her manage I got me forward and(with no little to-do) double-reefed our sail, leaving just sufficientto steer by; which done I glanced to my companion where she leaned tothe tiller, her long hair streaming out upon the wind, her lithe bodya-sway to the pitching of the boat and steering as well as I myself. From her I gazed to windward where an ominous and ever-growingblackness filled me with no small apprehensions; wherefore I made fastall our loose gear, as oars, spare sail, spars and the like. Now inthe bows were stowed her belongings, a leathern trunk and diversbundles, the which I proceeded to secure in their turn. This done, Igot me aft again, but when I would have relieved her of the tiller, sheshook her head. 

"Nay, let me steer a while, " she cried, looking up through herwind-tossed hair, "'tis joy to me! Lay you down and rest a while andtrust the boat to me. " And seeing how quick she was to meet each sendof the seas (that were already running high) glad enough was I tohumour her whim, and clambered forward again. And there (having noughtbetter to do) I set about rigging a rough awning athwart the bows, withcanvas and a stout spar, which methought should keep out the spray andany chance sea that might break forward; though indeed the boat seemedmighty staunch, and sea-worthy to a miracle. 

With every hour the wind waxed in fury and therewith the sea rose, huge, rolling billows that came roaring up astern to whirl us aloftamid hissing brine and passing, left us deep-plunged in great, foaminghollows. Being got back aft at last and with no small exertion (byreason of the boat's pitching) I stared amazed to hear my companionsinging right joyously. 

"O Martin!" she cried, her voice a-thrill with the clear, vital ring Iknew so well, "O Martin, the wonder and glory of it! See yonder onthese mighty waters, Death rides crying to us. But God is there also, and if these rushing surges 'whelm us we, dying, shall find God there. "And beholding her as she sat, her face uplifted to the tempest, hersea-wet hair upborne upon the wind, I marvelled within myself. "Andthe boat, Martin!" cries she as we rose on a hissing wave-crest, "Thisdear, brave boat! See how nobly she rides--indeed and indeed I do loveher every timber!"

And verily to me, awed by these mighty waters, it was wonderful to seehow our little craft rose to the seas, buoyant as any cork; now poised'mid hissing foam high in air, now plunging dizzily down; and ever thewind gathered fury until the very air seemed full of whirling spindrift. 

In a while I took the tiller, and wondered to see my companion droopall at once with head bowed upon her hands. 

"Are you sick?" I cried. 

"'Tis but weariness, " she answered, "I slept no wink last night. "

"Why then go forward and lie down!" says I. The which she didforthwith, and made less business of it than I. Reaching the mast shepaused thereby to behold my handiwork, then going on her knees creptbeneath the awning and vanished from my view. 

Left alone I stared around me on the raging tumult, and beholding allits terrors my mind was full of wonder of this maid who could sing soblithely with Death all about her and behold God, as it were, riding onthe wings of the storm. 

Presently she comes and sits close beside me that we might talk, forthe wind was very loud. 

"It was kind of you to make me so fair a shelter, Martin, and a bedalso, kind and very thoughtful, but I shall not sleep to-night unlessit be here. "

"And why here?"

"Death hath more terrors in the dark and I grow a little fearful, Martin. " So saying she wrapped a boat-cloak about her and, spreadingout the other, lay down thereon and so near that I might have touchedher where she lay. 

And in a while Night rushed down upon us and it was dark; but from thedark her voice reached me where she lay, her head pillowed at my feet, and I, crouching above her, strove to shelter her somewhat from thelashing spray and buffeting wind. Thus in despite of raging tempest wecontrived to make each other hear though with difficulty, talking onthis wise:

She: Are you afraid?

Myself: No. 

She: Have you then no fears of death?

Myself: I have prayed for it, ere now. 

She: And vainly! For God, instead, hath made you very hale and strong. 

Myself: Aye, for a purpose. 

She: What purpose?

Here, seeing I held my peace, she questioned me again: "Was yourpurpose the slaying of my father? He is an old man and feeble!"

Myself: He plotted the downfall of our house and slew my father!

She: And so you have prayed for vengeance?

Myself: I have. 

She: And God hath denied you this also. Should you die to-night you goto him innocent of your enemy's blood. 

Myself: Aye, but if I live--?

She: You shall grow wiser, mayhap, and forgetting the ill that liesbehind you, reach out to the good that lieth before. 

Myself: And what of my just vengeance?

She: Vengeance is but for the weak of soul, 'tis only the strong canforgive. 

Myself: What of my sacred vow? What of my many prayers for vengeance?

She: Empty breath!

Myself: Dare you say so?

She: I dare more, for lying here with Death all about us I tell you, Martin Conisby, despite your size and strength, you are no better thana pitiful, peevish child--"

"Ha!" cried I fiercely, bending over her in the dimness until I mightstare into her eyes, wide and dark in the pale oval of her face, "Willye dare--"

"A child, " says she again, nodding at me, "lost and wilful and veryselfish with no thought above Martin Conisby and his wrongs. Nay, scowlnot nor grind your teeth, 'tis vain! For how may I, that fear notGod's dreadful tempest, stoop to fear poor Martin Conisby?"

"Stoop, madam?" I cried hoarsely. 

"Aye, stoop, " says she. "The wrongs you have endured have plunged youto the very deeps, have stripped you of your manhood. And yet--yours isno murderer's face even when you scowl and clench your fist! 'Twas soyou looked when you fought that rough boy on my behalf so many yearsago when you were Sir Martin the Knight-errant and I was PrincessDamaris. And now, Martin, you that were my playmate and hadforgot--you that were so ready to fight on my behalf--in thisdesolation there is none you may do battle with for my sake savingonly--Martin Conisby!"

Now here she turned, her face hid from me 'neath a fold of the greatboat-cloak, and spake no more. And I, crouched above her, staring downat her muffled form outstretched thus at my mercy, felt my quiveringfist relax, felt my brutish anger cower before her trust andfearlessness. And so, leaning across the tiller, I stared away intothe raging dark; and now it seemed that the soul of me had sunk todeeps more black and, groping blindly there, hungered for the light. 

So all night long we drove before the tempest through a pitchy gloomfull of the hiss of mighty seas that roared past us in the dark likeraging giants. And all night long she lay, her head pillowed at myfeet, sleeping like a wearied child, and her long, wind-tossed hairwithin touch of my hand. 

CHAPTER XXIII

DIVERS PERILS AND DANGERS AT SEA

Towards dawn the wind abated more and more and, glancing into thelightening East, I saw the black storm-clouds pierced, as it were, by asword of glory, a single vivid ray that smote across the angry waters, waxing ever more glorious until up flamed the sun before whose joyousbeams the sullen clouds scattered, little by little, and melted away. 

And now I (that was doomed to be my own undoing) instead of thankingthat merciful God who had delivered us from such dire peril, must needsscowl upon this kindly sun and fall again to my black humours. For, the immediate dangers past, I began to ponder the future and inwardlyto rage against that perverse fate the which was driving me whither itwould. So, crouched chin on fist, scowling across these tempestuouswaters (for though the wind was fallen the seas ran very high) withinmyself I cursed Adam Penfeather and all his works. 

"You are hungry, Martin!" Turning about I beheld my companion sittingup regarding me with eyes that belied her solemn mouth. 

"How should you know this?"

"You frown, Martin! Though the storm is done and we alive, yet youfrown! Have patience and you shall eat and sleep. "

"I want neither one nor other!" I began. 

"And you are wet, Martin!"

"'Tis no matter!"

"And cold!"

"The sun shall warm me. "

"So you shall eat, and lie here i' the sunshine, and sleep!" And awayshe goes to vanish under the dripping pent-house forward (the which hadserved its purpose admirably well) whiles I, perceiving the wavessubsiding and the wind blowing steady and fair, laid our course duesouth-westerly again, and lashing the helm, went forward to shake outthe reefs, finding it no easy task what with the stiffness of mycramped limbs and the pitching of the boat; howbeit, 'twas done at lastbut, coming back, I tripped across a thwart and fell, cursing. 

"Are you hurt?" she questioned, stooping over me; whereupon (for veryshame) I turned my back answering short and ungraciously, and satfrowning like the sullen rogue I was whiles she busily set forth thewherewithal to break our fast, and singing softly to herself. 

"I told you I was an ill rogue and rough!" says I, bitterly. 

"Why so you did, " says she, meeting my scowl with her wide, calm gaze. "Also you are hungry, and the food is unspoiled despite the storm--comeand eat!"

So I ate (though with mighty ill grace) and found little savour in thefood for all my hunger; but she waited on my wants with heedful care, my surliness notwithstanding. 

"Whose was the hand set this boat adrift, think you?" says I suddenly. 

"Nay, 'twas too dark to see!"

"'Twas Penfeather!" says I, clenching my fist. "Aye it was Adam, I'llstake my life on't!"

"Then Poor Master Adam!" she sighed. 

"How? Will you pity a rogue?"

"I speak of Master Penfeather, " says she. "If he indeed cut the boatadrift it was doubtless because the battle was going against him and hedid this to save me!" Hereupon I laughed and she, flushing angrily, turns her back on me. 

"Pray you, " she questioned, "when may we hope to reach the island andbe free of each other?"

"To-night or to-morrow, unless the storm hath driven us further than Ijudge. " And now, our meal done, she sets away everything in itsappointed place and thereafter sat watching the sea all foam andsparkle beneath the young sun. And presently a sigh brake from her andshe turned, her anger forgotten quite. 

"O!" cries she, "'Tis joy to be alive, to breathe such air, and beholdsuch a glory of sea and sky! Look around us, Martin, and give thanks!"And truly the sea was smooth enough save for a long, rolling swell outof the East, and with a soft and gentle wind to abate the sun'sgenerous heat. "Are you not glad to be alive, Martin?" says she. 

"To what end?" I answered. "Of what avail is life to me cast away on adesolate island. "

"Desolate?" says she, starting. "Do you mean we shall be alone?"

"Aye, I do. "

"But surely, " says she with troubled look, "surely Master Adam willfetch us away?"

"There is a chance!"

"And--if not?"

"God knoweth!" says I gloomily, "'Tis a small island as I learn, littleknown and out of the track of vessels. "

"Yet a ship may come thither to our relief?"

"And if one doth not?"

"Then must we tempt the sea again in our boat. "

"I am no navigator, and these seas are strange to me. "

"Howbeit, " says she, bravely, "we have good store of provisions. "

"And when they are gone--how then, think you?"

"I think you do lack for sleep. Go, take your rest, mayhap you shallwaken a little bolder and less despairing. "

"And you, " says I, "you that so look on all this as a joyousadventure--"

"Joyous? Ah God!" she cried, "Do you think because I do not weep thatmy heart is not full of misery and grief to lose thus home and friendsand country and live 'prisoned and solitary with such as you, thatthink but on your own selfish woes and in your big body bear the soulof a fretful babe? I hate you, Martin Conisby, scorn and despise you!And now give me the tiller and begone to your sleep!" Saying which shepointed where she had spread the cloaks hard by the midship thwart andI, amazed by her fierce outburst, suffered her to take the tiller frommy hold, and coming amidships laid myself down even as she hadcommanded. 

But no thought of sleep had I, rather I lay that I might watch her(furtively, beneath my arm) where she sat head aloft, cheeks flushedand bosom tempestuous. And (despite her beauty) a very termagant shrewI thought her. Then, all at once, I saw a tear fall and another; andshe that had sung undaunted to the tempest and outfaced its fury, satbitterly weeping like any heart-broke maid, yet giving due heed to ourcourse none the less. Presently, chancing to look my way, she catchesme watching her and knits her slender brows at me:

"Get you to sleep!" says she. "O get you to sleep nor trouble mygrief!"

Hereupon (and feeling mighty guilty) I pillowed my head and, closing myeyes, presently fell to sweet and dreamless slumber. 

CHAPTER XXIV

HOW WE CAME TO BLACK BARTLEMY'S ISLAND

"Martin, Martin--look!"

I started up, and rubbing sleep from my eyes, turned to gaze whithershe pointed; and there, faint and far, above the rolling blue of theseas rose a blue shape. "'Tis the island, Martin! Our voyaging is nighended. "

"Aye, 'tis the island!" says I. 

"'Tis like an island of dream, Martin. "

"Nay, 'tis real enough!" quoth I, "And solitary!"

"There is a perspective glass in the locker, yonder, Martin. "

"Master Adam was vastly thoughtful!" quoth I, bitterly. And reachingthe glass I gave it to her. 

"Will you not look at the island?" she questioned wonderingly. 

"Nay, I shall see more than enough of it ere long! Do you give me thetiller and view it as you will. "

"I see rocks!" says she, after some while. 

"Ha, a barren place, as I thought. "

"Nay, there are trees--many trees! O 'tis wonderful!" And so she satviewing it all untiring, every moment discovering some new marvel; butI fell to my old, black humour, since to me this island was no betterthan a prison. 

By mid-day we were come so close that I might see the place very well;a smallish island with sheer cliffs very jagged and grim where the seasbroke in foam and crowned with many and divers trees, beyond which rosegreeny slopes with more trees that mounted up and up to a lofty summitof rocks and brush. Being within some two miles of these forbiddingcliffs I steered to fetch a compass about the island, and so presentlyopened a bay of white sand with tree-clad cliffs beyond, and before asheet of placid water or lagoon shut off from the sea by a semicircularbarrier-reef, such as Adam had described in his story. 

And now, bethinking me that (by his account) this was the only means oflanding upon the island, I stood for this reef, against which thefoaming seas dashed with a mighty roaring, looking for that narrowchannel through the reef, that opening amid these breakers whereby wemight steer into those calm waters beyond. 

And presently, sure enough, I espied it well-nigh in the middle of thereef, even as Adam had said, and, putting up the helm, ran for itstraightway. An evil enough place it looked, perilously narrow andwith mighty seas that broke in thunderous spray to right and left ofit; insomuch that heedful of Adam's warning (and all too late) I wasminded to bear up and stand away, plying off and on, until the wavesshould have moderated. But in my folly I had sailed too near and now, swept onward by some current, the boat, responding no more to her helm, was borne on at ever-increasing speed. So thus helpless and at mercyof the seas we drove straight for this perilous channel until I hadsome desperate hope that she might make it; on we sped, nearer andnearer, until the spume of the breakers was all about us and Iwell-nigh deafened by their roar; but this roar was pierced suddenly bya cry:

"O Martin! God pity us--look!" Turning my head, I saw a hugeous wavehard upon us, felt my companion's arms about me, and then--deafened, blinded, choking, I was whirled aloft on this mighty sea, tossed, buffeted, hurled into blinding sunlight, buried beneath green deepsand, expectant of death, suddenly found myself face down on warm sandswherein my griping fingers clutched desperately against the back-rushof the sea. 

So lay I gasping and gripping this kindly earth and waited to do battlefor what remained of life, hearkening for the fierce hiss of that greatwave that was to bear me back to the horror of those green deeps thewhich should bury me for ever; instead I heard the gentle, drowsylapping of water all about me, and opening my eyes beheld myself lyingon the edge of those white sands that bordered the lagoon, while behindme the seas thundered impotent against the reef. And now, little bylittle, I saw that the great wave must have borne me hither inmiraculous fashion; and lying thus bruised and spent I must needsremember how Adam had experienced the like. 

But all at once I staggered up to my feet and began staring hither andthither; then as my brain cleared and strength came back, I took torunning along the edge of the lagoon like one demented, staring downinto those placid waters and searching the white sands with eyes ofdreadful expectancy, yet nowhere could I discover sign or trace of mycompanion. None the less I continued to run aimlessly back and forth, heedless of my going, slipping and stumbling and often falling, butnever staying my search until the sweat poured from me. And ever as Iran I kept repeating these words to myself over and over again, viz. , "Adam's comrade, Nicholas Frant, was cast safe ashore with him!" Thus Iran to and fro gasping these words to myself until, tripping over apiece of driftwood I lay bruised and well-nigh spent. Howbeit, Iforced myself up again and re-commenced my search, and this time withmore method, for I swore to myself that I would find her or perishalso. To this end I determined to get me out upon the reef; now tocome thither I must needs climb over certain rocks, so came I thitherand, breathless with haste, made shift to mount these rocks heedless ofbruises or bleeding hands, and reaching the summit at last, paused allat once. 

She lay face down almost below these rocks, outstretched within alittle cove and her long, wet hair wide-tossed like drifted seaweed allabout her. Now, seeing how still she lay, a great sickness seized meso that I sank weakly to my knees and crouched thus a while, and withno strength nor will to move. At last, and very slowly, I made my waya-down the rocks, and being within the little cove, found myself alltrembling and holding my breath. Then, though the soft sand deadenedall sound of my going, I crept forward. So came I where she lay, herwet draperies clinged fast about her; and standing above this stillyform I looked down upon her slender shapeliness yet feared to touchher. And now I saw that one sleeve was torn away and upon her round, white arm the marks my cruel hands had wrought. 

"Damaris!" says I, falling on my knees beside her, and the word was agroan. And in that moment she raised her head and looked at me, and inher eyes methought to read wonder and a sudden, great joy:

"Martin!" she whispered, "O thank God!" And so hid her face again. Now, being yet on my knees, I looked from her to the blue heaven andround about me like one that wakes upon a new world. 

CHAPTER XXV

HOW I WAS HAUNTED OF BLACK BARTLEMY

"Are you hurt?" says I, at last. 

"Indeed, " she answered, "all over. Yet am I alive and there's thewonder. The wave cast me into the lagoon and I crept ashore here. Then methought you surely dead and I alone within these solitudes andso I swooned, Martin. "

"Being afraid of the loneliness?"

"Yes, Martin. "

"Even fellow as rough as I is better than loneliness?"

"Yes, Martin. "

"Though your arms be bruised by my handling! For this I--I would craveyour pardon--"

"'Tis all forgot!" says she, making shift to cover up her arm. "Butyour hand is bleeding--"

"A scratch!"

"Have you no other hurts?"

"A bruise or so. "

"And did you come a-seeking me, Martin?"

"Yes. "

"Are you glad to find me alive?"

"Yes. "

"Even a Brandon is better than nobody, Martin?" But at this I arose, albeit stiffly, and turned away. "Whither would you go?" shequestioned. 

"To seek some shelter ere night catch us. "

"Shall I not come with you?"

"Can you walk?"

Hereupon she made to rise, but getting to her knees, flinched and bither lip:

"I'm so bruised, Martin!" says she. 

"Why then, bide you here, yonder cleft i' the rock should serve forto-night. Howbeit I'll go look. " So I limped across the beach towhere showed a great fissure in the cliff hard beside a lofty tree;being come within this cleft I found it narrow suddenly, and at the enda small cave very dry and excellent suited to our purpose. Moreover, close at hand was a little rill that bubbled among mossy rocks, mightypleasant to be heard. And hereabouts grew all manner of vines, sweet-smelling shrubs and fern; of these I gathered goodly quantity andstrowing them within the cave therewith made a very passable bed; whichdone, I went back where she lay a-drying her wet garments in the warmsun as well as she might. 

"Martin, " says she, mighty doleful, "I have lost my comb and all myhairpins. "

"I will fashion you others. "

"Aye, but the boat, Martin, our dear, brave boat!"

"To-morrow I will seek what remains of her. "

"And our stores--all lost, Martin!"

"I can find more. "

"Where?"

"Among the rocks and on the trees. There should be no lack of fruitand fish according to Adam. "

"Nay but, " sighed she, shaking woeful head, "even though we contrive tolive thus, yet here must we 'bide far from our kind with small hopes ofrelief and destitute of all things to our comfort. "

"Why look now, " says I, "here in my pocket is a tinder box, the whichis a very comfortable thing, here in my belt a good, stout, knife, which is another comfortable thing, and yonder is a cave, dry and airy, shall make you a goodly chamber; so take comfort to-night, at least. "And drawing my knife I betook me to whetting the blade on the sole ofmy damp shoe. Glancing up at last I found my companion regarding mewith strange expression. 

"Methinks you are greatly changed!" says she. 

"How changed?"

"In the boat you did nought but cry out and rail 'gainst fortune, butnow, Martin--"

"Now, " says I, "the sun is low and night cometh apace in theselatitudes, let me know you sheltered ere it be dark!" and sheathing myknife I rose. Then seeing what effort she made to come to her knees, Ireached her my hand aiding her up to her feet. So she takes a stepand, stifling a cry of pain, would have fallen but for my arm. 

"O Martin, " says she, with rueful shake of the head, "I fear I cannotwalk. "

"Lean on me--"

"'Tis vain, " says she, catching her breath, "I cannot set this foot toground. "

"Have you any bones broke?"

"Nay, 'tis none so bad as that--"

"Where's your hurt?"

"My knee--my ankle! And I'm direly bruised, Martin. "

"But you cannot sleep out here!"

"I needs must. The sand is warm and soft to my bed. "

"There is a better waiting you in the cave yonder. "

"But--if I cannot walk, Martin--"

"Why then, " says I, "why then you must suffer that I carry you. "

"I fear I am--greatly heavy, Martin!"

"As to that--" says I, and lifting her as gently as I might, began tobear her across the beach. And after we had gone thus some way shespoke:

"I fear me I am vastly heavy!"

"No!" says I, keeping my gaze before me. 

"Yet you go very slowly. "

"'Tis that I would not jostle you. "

"And the sand is ill-going, belike, Martin?"

"Most true!" says I, pretending to stumble. 

"Why then, I pray you take your time. " At this I ventured to glancedown at her, but saw no more than the curve of a cheek and the tip of alittle ear; and staring at this came very near blundering into a rock. So I bore her into the rocky cleft already full of shadow, taking dueheed in my going yet mighty conscious of all the yielding softness ofher none the less. 

"Your clothes are very damp!" says I. 

"They will be dry ere morning, " she answered, her voice muffled. 

"I had best light a fire then!"

"There is no need, 'tis very warm, I do think. "

"'Tis good against wild beasts and the like, " says I. 

"Why then, as you will, Martin. "

Reaching the little cave at last she would have had me set her down;but I bade her lie still, and getting to my knees within the cave Ilaid her upon her ferny bed, whereat she uttered a little cry ofpleasure. 

"Why, Martin, " says she, snugging down, "here is wondrous soft bed andfragrant. "

"'Twill serve until I can contrive a better, " quoth I, and comingwithout the cave, stood looking down on her, while the night deepenedabout us apace. 

"And what of you, Martin?"

"I shall sleep here, beyond the fire. "

"Do you think there be any wild beasts hereabouts?"

"God knoweth!" says I. "Howbeit you may sleep secure and fear nothing. "

"I know that, O I know that!" says she gently. 

"Do you lack for aught?"

"Only sleep, Martin. "

"Why then, I'll set about making the fire. " So I fell to gatheringtwigs and driftwood, of which there was no lack, and taking out mytinder-box (albeit the tinder was still damp) soon contrived to havethe fire crackling right merrily. This done and with store of fuel tohand, I scooped me out a hollow in the warm sand and lying thereinfound myself very well, the aches of my many bruises notwithstanding. The night air struck chill through my damp garments, but now, stretchedin the comfort of the fire, there grew within me a great wonder at ourmiraculous deliverance; and this led me to ponder upon our presentsituation, cast thus destitute upon this lonely island where, devoid ofevery comfort and necessity, we must needs live in barbarous fashion asbest we might until either Penfeather should come to our relief or webe taken off by some chance vessel. And supposing (thinks I) thatneither chance befall and we doomed to drag out our days to theirmiserable end? Here I must needs bethink me of all the woeful tales Ihad heard of marooners or poor, shipwrecked mariners who, by reason ofwretchedness and hardship, had run mad or become baser than the brutes. And now, I must needs take out and read Penfeather's crumpled letter, and bethinking me how (in my wicked folly) I had cast overboard thepacket of instructions whereby we must at least have found all thosestores he made mention of, from cursing him I straightway fell tobitter recriminations of my vain self. 

"Are you asleep, Martin?"

"No!" Here I heard her sigh, and a rustle as she turned on her leafycouch. 

"O Martin, surely God hath had us in His care to bring us safe throughso many dangers, and methinks His gentle hand will be over us still. "

"Have you no fear of what is to be?"

"None, Martin--not now. But had I found myself alone here--hurt andhelpless in the dark--and really alone, O methinks I should have diedindeed, or lost my wits and perished so. O truly, truly, God isinfinitely merciful!"

Thus (and all unknowing) she rebuked my ungrateful despondency. For(thinks I) if she, a woman accustomed to ease and comfort, may thusfront our desperate fortunes undismayed and with faith unshaken, howmuch more should I, a man inured to suffering and hardened byprivation? Thus, checking my gloomy foreboding, I too breathed aprayer to God for His infinite mercies, and thereafter fell topondering how I might supply our more pressing needs with such smallmeans as I possessed; and so in a while, dozed off to sleep. 

I started up, knife in hand, to find the moon very big and bright, flooding the world with a radiance wondrous to behold; and blinkingdrowsily, I wondered what had waked me. Now as I gazed about me theplace seemed all at once to take on an evil look, what with its steepysides a-bristle with tangled vines and bushes and pierced here andthere with black holes and fissures, and I shivered. The fire beinglow I, minded to replenish it, was groping for my fuel when I startedand remained peering up at the cliff above, with ears on the stretchand every nerve a-tingle. The night was very calm and still, for thewind had died away, and save for the distant murmur of the surf beyondthe reef, nought was to hear; then and all at once, from one of thoseblack holes in the rock above I heard a long-drawn, sighing breath andtherewith a faint scuffling. Slowly and cautiously I got to my feetand, with knife gripped ready, began to creep thither; and now withinone of these gloomy crevices in the rock-face I saw a crouching shapethat, as I drew nearer, sprang away with a snort and clatter, and I sawthis was a large goat. 

And surely no poor wight ever more relieved than I as, sheathing myknife, I wiped the sweat from me; and now to relief was added a mightysatisfaction, for where was one goat would be others. Thus, my fearsallayed, and bethinking me how savoury was a mess of goat's-flesh, Ifell a-watering at the mouth like the hungry animal I was. 

Having no more mind to sleep (and the moon so marvellous bright) Iwandered forth of these shadowy rocks and, being upon the sands, stoodto look about me. Before me stretched the wide ocean, a desolation ofheaving waters that, rolling shorewards, broke in splendour 'neath themoon; to my right lay a curve of silver beach backed by cliffs andgroves of stately palms; and to my left and hard beside these bush-girtrocks was a great and lofty tree. 

Now observing this tree more closely, its mighty writhen branches andgnarled roots, and how it stood close against the opening in the cliff, an uneasy feeling possessed me that this tree and its immediatesurroundings were all familiar, almost as I had seen it before, thoughI knew this could not be. So stood I chin in hand, staring about meand ever my unease grew; and then:

"So that night, Martin, the moon being high and bright, I came to thatstretch of silver sand where they lay together rigid and pale, andthough I had no tool but his dagger and a piece of driftwood, Icontrived to bury them 'neath the great pimento tree that stood besidethe rock-cleft, and both in the same grave. "

It was, for all the world, as though Adam had repeated the words in myear, insomuch that I glanced round as almost expecting to see him. Sothen it was here Black Bartlemy had died at the hands of the poor, tortured Spanish lady; and here they lay buried, their bones moulderingtogether within a yard of me. And standing in this dismal spot I mustneeds mind Adam's narrative and great was my pity for this poor Spanishlady. 

In a while I got me back to the fire and, lying down, fain would haveslept, but my mind was full of Adam's story. Howbeit after some while, what with fatigue and the warmth of the fire, slumber took me. 

But in my sleep the dead arose and stood fronting each other beneath apallid moon, Bartlemy in all the bravery of velvet and lace and flowingperiwig, and the Spanish lady tall and proud and deadly pale. And nowas she shrank from his evil touch, I saw that her face was the face ofJoan Brandon. Sweating in dumb anguish I watched Bartlemy grip her incruel hands and bend her backward across his knee, while she stared upat him with eyes of horror, her lips moving in passionate entreaty. But, as he bent over her, was a flash of steel, and deep-smitten hestaggered back to the great tree and, leaning there, fell into a fit ofwild laughter so that the silver dagger-hilt that was shaped like awoman seemed to dance and leap upon his quick-heaving breast; then ashe swayed there laughing his life out, he raised his face to the palemoon, and I saw that the face of Black Bartlemy was my own. 

CHAPTER XXVI

WE COME UPON GRIM EVIDENCES OF ADAM PENFEATHER

Waking to a glory of sun, I found my companion looking down on me allanxious-eyed where she knelt, her hand upon my shoulder. 

"Why, Joan, " says I drowsily, "my lady--"

"You are groaning, Martin, so I came to you. "

"Groaning?" says I, flinching from her touch. "'Twas nought! An illfancy--a dream, no more. But here is the sun well up and I a-snoring--"

"Nay, you groaned and cried out, Martin. And 'tis yet full early. "

"And you'll be mighty hungry and for that matter so am I!" So saying Irose and, without more ado, strode away across the sands towards thereef. Now as I went, I chanced upon a great turtle-shell (to my joy!)and divers others marvellously shaped and tinted, and chose such asmight serve us for cups and the like. With these beneath my arm Iclambered out upon the reef and (the tide being out) saw many rocks, amongst which I had soon collected good store of shell-fish as limpets, oysters, and others much like to a periwinkle though larger. Fillingmy turtle-shell with these I took it 'neath my arm again and went on, following the curve of the reef, clambering over these slimy rocks, andfound it no small labour what with my burden and the heat of the sun;but I persevered, seeking some fragment of our boat or the storeswherewith she had been so well laden. Yet, and search how I might, found nought to reward me. Having thus traversed the whole reef andexplored the rocks beyond very thoroughly, I cast me down beside thelagoon to bathe my hands and face and rest myself awhile. Presently, chancing to turn my head, I saw a place of trees hard by, and startedup, my weariness clean forgotten. For divers of these trees bore greatclusters of yellowish fruit, the which I knew for a sort of plantain, very wholesome and of delicate savour. So, casting out my limpets andperiwinkles, I hasted to pluck good store of this fruit, and with myturtle-shell thus well laden, hastened back to our refuge very wellcontent. 

My companion being absent I seated myself in the shade and beganopening the oysters with my knife as well as I might; in the whichoccupation she presently found me, and grew very merry at my clumsyefforts. And now I noticed that she had wrought her long hair into twobraids very thick and glossy, also she had somehow contrived to mendthe rents in her gown and her torn sleeve. 

"Why, you have combed your hair!" says I wondering and speaking mythought aloud. 

"With my fingers, they must be my comb until you can make me abetter--alack, my poor hair!"

"Why then, you must have a comb so soon as I can contrive one. But nowsee the breakfast nature hath provided us withal!"

And who so full of pleased wonderment as she, particularly as regardedthe fruit which she pronounced delicious, but my shell-fish she showedsmall liking for, though I found them eatable enough. Seeing her sopleased I told her I hoped to provide better fare very soon, andrecounted my adventure with the goat. 

"But, " says she, "how shall you go a-hunting and no firearms?"

"With a bow and arrows. "

"Have you found these also?"

"No, I must make them. I shall look out a sapling shaped to my purposeand trim it with my knife. For the cord of my bow I will have leatherstrips cut from my jerkin. "

"Aye, but your arrows, Martin, how shall you barb them without iron?"

"True!" says I, somewhat hipped. But in that moment my eye lighted ona piece of driftwood I had gathered for fuel and, reaching it, I laidit at her feet. "There, " says I, pointing to the heads of divers rustybolts that pierced it, "here is iron enough to arm a score of arrows. "

"But how shall you make them, Martin?"

"Heat the iron soft and hammer it into shape. "

"But you have neither hammer nor anvil. "

"Stones shall do. "

"O wonderful!" she cried. 

"Nay, it is not done yet!" says I, a little shamefaced. 

"And how may I help you?"

"Watch me work. "

"Indeed and I will keep your fire going. So come let us begin. "

Our meal done, I gathered twigs for kindling and a great pile ofdriftwood of which was no lack, and with small boulders I builded afireplace against the cliff where we soon had a fire drawing merrily, wherein I set my precious piece of timber. Having charred itsufficiently I found it an easy matter to break out the iron bolts andnails; five of them there were of from four to eight inches in length, and though the ends were much corroded by the sea, there yet remainedenough sound iron for my purpose. And now, my bolts ready for the fire, I began to look for some stone that might serve me for hammer, and mycompanion likewise. Suddenly, as I sought and mighty diligent, I heardher cry out to me, and beholding her leaning in the cave mouth, allpale and trembling, came running:

"What is't?" cries I, struck by the horror of her look. 

"O Martin!" she gasped. "O Martin--'tis in there--all huddled--in thedarkest corner! And I--I slept with it--beside me all night!" Comingwithin the cave I looked whither her shaking hand pointed and saw whatI took at first for a monstrous egg and beyond this the staves of asmall barrel; then, bending nearer, I saw these were the skull and ribsof a man. And this man had died very suddenly, for the skeleton layface down one bony arm folded under him, the other wide-tossed, and theskull, shattered behind, showed a small, round hole just above andbetwixt the cavernous eye-sockets; about the ribs were the moulderingremains of a leathern jerkin girt by a broad belt wherein was a knifeand a rusty sword; but that which pleased me mightily was a thing stillfast-clenched in these bony fingers, and this no other than a heavyhatchet. So, disturbing these poor bones as little as need be, I tookthe hatchet and thereafter sword and knife; and then, turning to go, stopped all at once, for tied about the bony neck by a leathern thong Iespied a shrivelled parchment. Wondering, I took this also, and comingwithout the cave, found my companion leaning as I had left her and veryshaky. 

"O Martin!" says she, shivering, "and I slept within touch of it!"

"But you slept very well and he, poor soul, is long past harming you orany. " So saying I smoothed out the crackling parchment and holding itin her view, saw this writ very bold and clear:

"Benjamin Galbally Slain of necessity June 20, 1642 This for a sign tolike Rogues. 

"Adam Penfeather. "

"Will this be our Adam Penfeather, Martin?"

"Indeed, " says I, "there is methinks but one Adam Penfeather in thisworld, the which is just as well, mayhap. "

"Then he murdered this poor man?"

"Why the fellow had this hatchet in his fist, it hath lain rusting inhis grasp all these years, methinks his blow came something too late!Though he must be mighty quick who'd outmatch Penfeather, I guess. No, this man I take it died in fight. Though why Adam must set thisplacard about the poor rogue's neck is beyond me. "

"Let us go away, Martin. This is an evil place. "

"It is!" says I, glancing at the great pimento tree that marked thegrave of the poor Spanish lady and Black Bartlemy. "Truly we will seekout another habitation and that at once. Howbeit, I have gotten me myhammer. " And I showed her the hatchet, the which, unlike the ordinaryboarding-axe, was furnished with a flat behind the blade, thus:

(Line drawing of the hatchet. )

CHAPTER XXVII

DIVERS ADVENTURES ON THE ISLAND

Seeing my companion so anxious to be gone, I left my fire to burn outand, giving her my hand, forthwith turned my back on this place ofdeath, nor sorry to do it. 

Following the base of the cliff we found an opening in the rock vaultedand arched by nature so that it was of white sands, bordering thelagoon, the which we there and then agreed to call "Deliverance" inmemory of our escape. What with the soft sand and scattered rocks itwas ill-going for my companion, but though she limped painfully sheheld bravely on nevertheless, being of a mighty resolute mind as thisnarrative will show. 

Now as we went slowly thus, I pointed out caves a-plenty and veryproper to our purpose, but she would have none of them and was foreverlifting her eyes to the cliffs and tree-clad, greeny slopes beyond. 

"Let us seek above, " says she, "where there be trees and mayhapflowers, for, Martin, I do love trees. "

"Nay but, " says I, "none save a bird or a goat may climb yonder. "

"Let us be patient and seek a way, Martin. "

"And you all bruised and lame!"

"Nay, I am very well and--see yonder!" Looking whither she would haveme, I saw, beyond this great jutting rock, a green opening in thecliffs with a gentle ascent. 

"O Martin!" cries she, stopping suddenly, "O Martin, 'tis like England, 'tis like one of our dear Kentish lanes!" And indeed so it was, beingnarrow and grassy and shady with trees, save that these were such treesas never grew on English soil. 

"Let us go, Martin, let us go!"

So we began the ascent and (despite the blazing sun) the slope beinggradual, found it easier than it had looked. On we went, and thoughshe often stumbled she made nought of it nor stayed until we were cometo a green level or plateau, whence the ground before us trendeddownwards to a wondrous fertile little valley where ran a notablestream 'twixt reedy banks; here also bloomed flowers, a blaze of variedcolours; and beyond these again were flowery thickets a very maze ofgreen boskages besplashed with the vivid colour of flower or bird, forhere were many such birds that flew hither and thither on gaudy wings, and filling the air with chatterings and whistlings strange to be heard. 

Now beholding all this, my companion sank to the ground and sat verystill and silent like one rapt in pleasing wonder. 

"O!" says she at last and very softly. "Surely here is an earthlyparadise, O Martin, the beauty of it!"

"Yet these flowers have no smell!" says I. "And for these gaudy birdsI would give them all for one honest English robin or sweet-throatedblack bird!"

But she, chin in hand, sat a-gazing upon this prospect as she wouldnever tire. As for me, I began to look around and, the more I looked, the better I liked this place, pleasantly shaded as it was by trees andaffording from this eminence a wide view of the sea, the lagoon, andDeliverance Beach below. Moreover, I heard near by the pleasant soundof falling water and, drawn by this, came to a flowery thicket, andforcing my way through, paused suddenly, as well I might, for beforeme, set in the face of a rock, was a door. All askew it hung and grownover with a riot of weed and vines; and behind the weatherworn timber Isaw the gloom of a cavern. 

Approaching this door I found it built with ship's timbers exceedingstout and strong, joined by great battens clamped with bolts and nails, and in the midst a loophole; and besides this I saw divers shot-marksin these timbers the which set me a-wondering. Now having my hatchetin hand, I set about cutting away bush and vines, and forcing wide thedoor (the which swung 'twixt great beams like jambs, clamped to therock) I stepped into the cool dimness beyond. The place was irregularof shape but very spacious and lighted by a narrow, weed-choked crevicehigh up that admitted a soft, greeny glow very pleasing after the glareof the sun; by which light I perceived that from this cave two smallercaves opened. Now seeing this place had once been the abode of somepoor castaway, I sought high and low in hopes of finding something toour use if no more than a broken cup, but came on nothing save the ruinof a small table; the place was bare as my hand. I was yet busied inmy fruitless search when comes my companion all pleased-eyed wonderment. 

"Why, 'tis as good as any cottage!" cries she. 

"And better than some, " says I, "for here is no thatch to leak and nowindows to break and let in the rain!"

"O Martin, for a broom!" says she, looking around upon the floorankle-deep in dead leaves, twigs and the like. "O for a broom!"

"These leaves be well enough--"

"But better for a broom, Martin. "

"Why then, a broom you shall have, " says I, and coming without the caveI cut twigs sufficient to my purpose, and divers lengths of vine, verystrong and tough, and therewith bound my twigs about a stick I hadtrimmed for a handle; whiles she, sitting upon a great stone that layhard by, watched me with mighty interest. 

"You are very clever, Martin!" says she. 

"'Tis very rough, I doubt. "

"I have seen many a worse broom used in England, Martin. "

"Why, 'twill serve, mayhap. "

"'Tis excellent!" says she, and taking the broom from me away she limpswith it forthwith and I, standing without the cave, presently heard hersweeping away (despite her bruises) and singing sweet as any mountinglark. I now set out to bring away such things as I had left behind, asmy iron and the turtle-shell (the which I held of more account than allthe jewels in Adam's treasure) and on my way stopped to cut a stout, curved branch that I thought might furnish me a powerful bow; andanother that, bladed with iron, should become a formidable spear. Though why my mind should run to weapons of offence seeing that theisland, so far as I knew, was deserted, and no wild beasts, I know not. Reaching Deliverance Sands I paused to look about me for such pieces ofdriftwood as might serve us, and came on several full of nails andbolts; some of these timbers being warped with age and otherscomparatively new. And looking on these poor remains of so many nobleships and thinking of the numberless poor souls that had manned themand gone to their account, I could not but feel some awe for thesestorm-rent timbers as I handled them. And presently as I laboured Ispied a piece new-painted, and dragging it forth from sand and seaweed, knew it for the gunwale of our own boat. This put me in great hopesthat I might come upon some of our stores, but, though I soughtdiligently then and for days after, I never found anything but thispoor fragment. Having laid by such timbers as shewed iron of any sort, I went my way and so at last reached our first shelter. And whatshould I espy upon a ledge of rock just above me but a goat; for amoment the creature blinked at me, chewing busily, then scrambled toits feet; but in that instant I caught up a heavy stone that chancedhandy and hurled it; the poor beast bleated once, and rolling down therock thudded at my feet, where I despatched it with my knife. My nextcare was to skin it, which unlovely task I made worse by my bungling, howbeit it was done at last and I reeking of blood and sweat. None theless I persevered and, having cleaned the carcass I cut therefrom suchjoints as might satisfy our immediate needs, and setting them in myturtle-shell with my irons, hung up the carcass within the coolest partof the cave out of reach of any prowling beast. This done, I went downto the lagoon and laved my arms and hands and face, cleansing myself aswell as I might, and so, taking my well-laden turtle-shell under onearm and the reeking skin beneath the other, I set off. Now it wasmid-day and the sun very hot, insomuch that the sweat poured from me, and more than once I must needs pause to moisten my hair to keep offthe heat. At last, espying a palmetto that grew adjacent, I made shiftto get me a leaf, whereof, with twigs to skewer and shape it, I made methe semblance of a hat and so tramped on again. Being come to theplateau I set down my burdens, very thankful for the kindly shade andthe sweet, cool wind that stirred up here, and turned to find mycompanion regarding me pale-cheeked and with eyes wide andhorror-struck. 

"Why, what now?" says I taking a step towards her; but seeing how sheshrank away I paused and, glancing down at myself, saw my clothes allsmirched with the blood of the goat. "How, is it this?" says I. "Well, a little blood is no great matter!" But she still eyeing memightily askance I grew angry. "Ha!" quoth I, "You'll be thinkingdoubtless of the murders aboard ship and my bloody jerkin? Why then, madam, think and grow as wise as you may!" Saying which I strode off;and thus I presently heard the soothing sound of falling water, yetlook where I might could see none save that in the little valley below. Being direly athirst I began to seek for this unseen rill, and littleby little was led up a steep, bush-grown acclivity until, all at once, I found myself in a right pleasant place; for here, all set about withsoft mosses, fern and flowers, I beheld a great oval basin or rockyhollow some twelve feet across and brim-full of pellucid water throughwhich I might see the bottom carpeted with mosses and in this water myimage mirrored; and what with the blood that fouled me, my shaggy hairand beard and the shapeless thing upon my head, an ill-enough rogue Ilooked. 

This pool was fed by a little rill that gurgled down from rocks aboveand, having filled the basin, flowed out through a wide fissure anddown the cliff to lose itself amid flowery banks 'twixt which it ranbubbling joyously to meet the river. And now, having satisfied mythirst and found the water very sweet and cool, I stripped and bathingme in this pool, found great solace and content, insomuch that (to mygreat wonder) I presently found myself whistling like any boy. At lastI got me forth mightily refreshed, and that the wind and sun might dryme, strove to cleanse my garments, but finding it a thankless task Igot dressed at last, but my chain-shirt I left folded beside the pooland I much more comfortable therefor. 

Following the dancing rill, I clambered down the rocks and so into thelittle valley where ran the stream. Fording this, I came amid thicketswhere was a glory of flowers of all colours, but one in especial Inoticed, white and trumpet-shaped. And here I was often stayed byquickset and creeping plants, their stems very pliant and strong and ofthe bigness of my little finger. On went I haphazard through a greentwilight of leaves, for here (as hath been said) were many trees bothgreat and small, some of which were utterly strange to me, but others Iknew for cocos-palms, plantain and bread-fruit, the which rejoiced megreatly; and hereabouts I found growing great bunches of black fruitlike to grapes, though smaller, and which I would not dare touch until, seeing divers birds peck at them, I ventured to taste and found themexcellent. So, gathering some of these to stay my hunger I pressed on, despite the heat, for from somewhere before me was the roar of greatwaters, and forced me a passage with my hatchet until this denser woodgave place to a grove of mighty palm trees, and beyond these I camesuddenly upon a great, barren rock that overhung a lake, whose darkwaters were troubled by a torrent hard by that poured into it with agreat rushing sound, a torrent of prodigious volume though of no greatheight. "So here" (thinks I) "is Adam's 'notable fall of water, '" andsitting down, I fell to viewing the place, munching my grapes thewhile. Opposite me the lake was bounded by a high-sloping sandy beachwith trees beyond, while beyond these again rose that high, tree-cladhill whose barren, rocky dome we had seen from afar. Now the waters ofthis lake flooded away through a great rent in the surrounding rocksbetwixt which I might catch a glimpse of the distant sea; and beholdingthis rushing cataract I must needs fall a-wondering where so great abody of water should come from, and to ponder on the marvels of nature. And from this I got to considering how we might cross this stream, supposing we should explore the island. I was yet puzzling this when, glancing up, I found the sun already westering, wherefore (not mindedto be caught in the dark) I rose and, turning my back on these troubledwaters, set out on my return. Ever and anon as I went I caughtglimpses of that rocky eminence with its silver thread of falling waterwhence I had come, and, guided by this, strode on amain, bethinking mehow best I might cook the goat's-flesh for (despite the grapes) I wasmightily an hungered. But reaching the denser woods I lost my way, forhere nought was to see but the greeny gloom of tangled thickets anddense-growing boskages where I must needs cut a path, yet even so Itroubled myself with divers bunches of grapes that my companion mightprove my discovery. Thus my progress was slow and wearisome, and nightfound me still forcing my way through this tangled underwood. Beinglost and in the dark, I sat me down to wait for the moon and stayed myhunger with the grapes meant for better purpose, but one bunch thatmethought the better I preserved. Soon this leafy gloom glowed with asilvery radiance, and by this light I went on and so at last came uponthe stream. But hereabouts it ran fast and deep and I must needs seekabout till I found a ford. Thus the moon was high as, after desperatescramble, I came out upon our grassy plateau and saw the welcome glowof a fire. Moreover, as I approached I smelt right savoury and mostdelectable savour, and hurrying forward saw my companion crouched uponthat stone I have mentioned, her head bowed upon her hands. Hearing mystep she glanced up and rose to her feet. 

"Are you come at last, Martin?" says she in her sweet voice. "Supper isready this hour and more!"

"Supper!" says I. 

"The goat's-flesh. I made a stew, but fear 'tis spoiled. "

"Indeed, " says I, "it smells mighty appetising!"

"I had no salt nor spices, Martin, but in a little garden yonder thatis all run wild, I found some sage and sweet herbs. "

"Good!" says I. So she brought me to the fire and there in our greatturtle-shell was as savoury a stew as ever greeted eyes of hungry man. 

By her directions, and will all due care, I lifted this from the fire, and propping it with stones we sat down side by side. And now sheshows me two of my smaller shells, and dipping hers into the stew I didthe like, and though we had no salt (the which set my wits at work) andthough we lacked for bread, a very excellent meal we made of it, andthe moon shedding its glory all about us. 

The meal done, and while she cleansed the things at a rill thatmurmured hard by, I made up the fire (for after the heat of the day, night struck chill) and by the time she came back I had the flamecrackling merrily. And now as she sat over against me on the stone, Isaw she had been weeping. And she, knowing I saw this, nodded herhead, scorning all subterfuge. 

"I feared you had met with some mischance and lay hurt, Martin--orworse--"

"You mean dead?"

"Aye, dead. "

"Would it have mattered so much?"

"Only that I should have died likewise!"

"Because of the loneliness?" says I. 

"Indeed, " she sighed, staring into the fire, "because of theloneliness. "

"I serve some purpose, then, in the scheme of things?"

"Yes, Martin, you teach a woman how, even in this desolation, beingweak and defenceless she may trust to a man's honour and find courageand great comfort in his strength. 'Twas foolish of me to behorror-struck at your stained garments when you had been slaying that Imight eat. "

"'Tis all forgot!" says I, hastily. 

"And as for the murders on the ship--O Martin, as if you might evermake me believe you had committed murder--or ever could. You that underall your bitterness are still the same gentle boy I knew so long ago. "

"And why should you be so sure of all this and I but what I am?" saysI, staring also into the fire. 

"Mayhap because I am a woman with all a woman's instinct to know theevil from the good. "

Hereupon I began telling her of my exploration and describing thewonders I had seen, as the fruit-trees and waterfall. Whereupon shegrew eager to explore the island so soon as she might. In a while Iarose, and drawing my knife turned where I knew was fern a-plenty. 

"Where away?" she questioned, rising also. 

"I must make you a bed. "

"'Tis done, Martin, and yours also. "

"Mine!" says I, staring. "How should you do all this?"

"With the old, rusty sword, Martin. Come and see!"

So she brought me to the cave, the moon flooding the place with itspale radiance, and I espied a goodly bed of fern very neatly contrived, in one corner. 

"Bravely done!" says I. 

"At least, Martin, 'twill be more easy than your bed of sand, andmethinks you shall have no ill dreams to-night. "

"Dreams!" quoth I, and bethinking me of my last night's hateful visions(and now beholding the beauty of her) I shivered. 

"Are you cold?"

"No!"

"Why then, good-night, Martin. "

"Wait!" says I, "Wait!" And hasting out, I brought her the grapes Ihad saved, telling her that though small she would find them sweet andwholesome. 

"Why, Martin!" says she, under her breath as one greatly surprised, "Why, Martin!" and so vanishes into her little cave forthwith, andnever a word of thanks. 

Now being yet haunted by my dreams of yesternight, I went forth intothe moonlight and walked there awhile, my eyes uplifted to the glory ofthe heavens; and now I must needs bethink me of Godby's star-time, ofthe dark, lonely road, of the beckoning light beyond and the welcomingarms of love. And hereupon I scowled and turned to stare away acrossthe placid sea dimpling 'neath the moon, at the stilly waters of thelagoon, and the white curve of Deliverance Beach below; but, look whereI would, I could see only the proud, lovely face and the great, truthful eyes of this woman Joan Brandon, even when my scowling browswere bent on that distant pimento tree beneath whose towering shadowBlack Bartlemy had laughed his life out. So in a while I came withinthe cave and found it dim, for the moonbeam was there no longer, andcast myself upon my bed, very full of gloomy thoughts. 

"Martin, I thank you for your grapes. To-morrow we will gather more!"

"Aye, to-morrow!"

"I found a shirt of chain-work by the pool, Martin--"

"'Tis mine. "

"I have set it by against your need. "

"Nay, I'm done with it, here is no fear of knives in the back. "

"Are you sleepy, Martin?"

"No, but 'tis plaguy dark. "

"But you are there, " says she, "so I do not fear the dark. "

"To-morrow I will make a lamp. " Here she fell silent and I think tosleep, but as for me I lay long, oppressed by my thoughts. "Aye, verily, " says I at last, speaking my thought aloud as had become mycustom in my solitude, "to-morrow I will contrive a lamp, for light isa goodly thing. " Now here I heard a rustle from the inner cave as shehad turned in her sleep, for she spake no word; and so, despite mythoughts, I too presently fell to blessed slumber. 

Now if there be any who, reading this my narrative, shall think me toodiffuse and particular in the chapters to follow, I do hereby humblycrave their pardon, but (maugre my reader's weariness) shall not abateone word or sentence, since herein I (that by my own folly have knownso little of happiness) do record some of the happiest hours that everman knew, so that it is joy again to write. Therefore to such as wouldread of rogues and roguish doings, of desperate fights, encounters andaffrays, I would engage him to pass over these next few chapters, forhe shall find overmuch of these things ere I make an end of this taleof Black Bartlemy's Treasure. Which very proper advice having duly setdown, I will again to my narrative. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

I BECOME A JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES

Early next morning, having bathed me in the pool and breakfasted withmy companion on what remained of our goat's-flesh, I set to work tobuild me a fireplace in a fissure of the rock over against the littlevalley and close beside a great stone, smooth and flat-topped, thatshould make me an anvil, what time my companion collected a pile ofkindling-wood. Soon we had the fire going merrily, and whilst my ironwas heating, I chose a likely piece of wood, and splitting it with thehatchet, fell to carving it with my knife. 

"What do you make now, Martin?"

"Here shall be a spoon for you, 'twill help you in your cooking. "

"Indeed it will, Martin! But you are very skilful!"

"Nay, 'tis simple matter!" says I, whittling away but very conscious ofher watchful eyes: "I have outworn many a weary hour carving thingswith my knife. Given time and patience a man may make anything. "

"Some men!" says she, whereat I grew foolishly pleased with myself. The wood being soft and dry and my knife sharp the spoon grew apace andher interest in it; and because it was for her (and she so full ofpleased wonder) I elaborated upon it here and there until, havingshaped it to my fancy, I drew my iron from the fire and with theglowing end, burned out the bowl, scraping away the charred wood untilI had hollowed it sufficiently, and the spoon was finished. Andbecause she took such pleasure in it, now and hereafter, I append herea rough drawing of it. 

(Drawing of a spoon. )

"'Tis wonderful!" cries she, turning it this way and that. "'Tisadmirable!"

"It might be better!" says I, wishing I had given more labour to it. 

"I want no better, Martin!" And now she would have me make another formyself. 

"Nay, mine can wait. But there is your comb to make. "

"How shall you do that, Martin?"

"Of wood, like the Indians, but 'twill take time!"

"Why then, it shall wait with your spoon, first should comenecessities. "

"As what?"

"Dear Heaven, they be so many!" says she with rueful laugh. "For onething, a cooking-pot, Martin. "

"There is our turtle-shell!" says I. 

"Why, 'tis very well, Martin, for a turtle-shell, but clumsy--a little. I would have a pan--with handles if you could contrive. And then plateswould be a good thing. "

"Handles?" says I, rubbing my chin. "Handles--aye, by all means, a panwith handles, but for this we must have clay. "

"And then, Martin, platters would be useful things!"

"So they will!" I nodded. "These I can fashion of wood. "

"And then chairs, and a table, Martin. "

"True!" says I, growing gloomy. "Table and chairs would be easy had Ibut a saw! I could make you shelves and a cupboard had I but fortunedto find a saw instead of this hatchet. "

"Nay, Martin, " says she, smiling at my doleful visage. "Why thisdespond? If you can make me so wondrous a spoon with nought but yourknife and a piece of driftwood, I know you will make me chairs andtable of sorts, saw or no, aye, if our table be but a board laid acrossstones, and our chairs the same. "

"What more do we need?" says I, sighing and scowling at my hatchet thatit was not a saw. 

"Well, Martin, if there be many goats in the island, and if you couldtake two or three alive, I have been thinking we might use their milkin many ways if we had pans to put the milk in, as butter and cheese ifyou could make me a press. Here be a-plenty of ifs, Martin, and Ishould not waste breath with so many if you were not the man you are!"

"As how?" I questioned, beginning to grind the hatchet on a stone. 

"A man strong to overcome difficulty! And with such clever hands!"

Here I ground my hatchet harder than before, but scowled at it nolonger. 

"And what more would you have?" I questioned. 

"If you could make our front door to open and shut?"

"That is easily done! And what else beside?"

"Nay, here is enough for the present. We are like to be very busypeople, Martin. "

"Why, 'twill pass the time!" says I. 

"And work is a very good thing!" quoth she thoughtfully. 

"It is!" says I, grinding away at my hatchet again. 

"O Martin!" sighs she after awhile, "I grow impatient to explore ourisland!"

"And so you shall so soon as you are strong enough. "

"And that will be very soon!" says she. "The sea-water is life to me, and what with this sweet air, I grow stronger every day. "

"Meantime there is much to be done and here sit I in idleness. "

"Nay, you are sharpening your axe and I am talking to you and wonderingwhat you will make next?"

"A lamp!" says I. 

"How, Martin?"

"With a shell, the fat of our goat rendered down, and cotton from myshirt. "

"Nay, if you so yearn for a lamp I can do this much. "

"Good!" says I, rising. "Meantime I'll turn carpenter and to beginwith, try my hand at a stool for you. "

"But if you have no saw, Martin--?"

"I will make me a chisel instead. " Crossing to the fire I found myiron red-hot, and taking it betwixt two flat pieces of wood that servedme for tongs I laid it upon my stone anvil, and fell forthwith tobeating and shaping it with the hammer-back of my hatchet until I hadbeaten out a blade some two inches wide. Having cooled my chisel in thebrook I betook me to sharpening it on a stone moistened with water, andsoon had wrought it to a good edge. I now selected from my timber aboard sufficiently wide, and laying this on my anvil-stone began to cuta piece from the plank with hammer and chisel, the which I found a workrequiring great care, lest I split my wood, and patience, since mychisel, being of iron, needed much and repeated grinding. Howbeit itwas done at last, and the result of my labour a piece of wood about twofeet square, and behold the seat of my stool!

Now was my companion idle for, while all this is a-doing, she sets theturtle-shell on the fire with water and collops of meat cut with myknife, and, soon as it simmers, breaks into it divers herbs she haddried in the sun; and so comes to watch and question me at my work, yetturning, ever and anon, to stir at the stew with her new spoon, wherebyI soon began to snuff a savour methought right appetising. As timepassed, this savour grew ever more inviting and my hunger with it, mymouth a-watering so that I might scarce endure, as I told her to her nosmall pleasure. 

"Had I but a handful of salt, Martin!" sighs she. 

"Why, comrade, " says I, pausing 'twixt two hammer-strokes, "Whereforethis despond? If you can make stew so savoury and with nought butflesh of an old goat and a few dried herbs, what matter for salt?" Atthis she laughed and bent to stir at her stew again. 

"There's plenty of salt in the sea yonder, " says she presently. 

"True, but how to come at it?"

"How if we boiled sea-water, Martin?"

"'Tis method unknown to me, " says I, whittling at a leg of my stool, "but we can try. "

And now in the seat of my stool I burned three good-sized holes orsockets, and having trimmed three lengths of wood, I fitted these intomy socket-holes, and there was my stool complete. This done, I mustneeds call her from her cooking to behold it; and though it was no morethan a square of roughish wood set upon three pegs, she praised andviewed it as it had been a great elbow chair and cushioned at that!Hereupon, puffed up with my success, I must immediately begin to thinkupon building us a table and chairs, but being summoned to dinner Iobeyed her gladly enough. And she seated on her stool with me on theground beside her and our turtle-shell dish before us, we ate withhearty good-will until, our hunger appeased, we fell to talk:

She: 'Tis marvellous how well I eat. 

Myself: 'Tis the open air. 

She: And the work, Martin. I have swept and dusted our cottage everyhole and corner. 

Myself: And found nothing left by its last tenant?

She: Nothing. 

Myself: Had he but thought to leave us a saw our chairs and tablewould have been the better. 

She: Then you will make them, Martin?

Myself: Aye--with time. 

She: O 'tis bravely determined. 

And here, for a moment, I felt the light touch of her hand on myshoulder. 

Myself: They will be very unlovely things--very rough--

She: And very wonderful, Martin. 

Myself: As to these goats now, 'tis an excellent thought to catch somealive and rear them. 

She: I could make you excellent cheese and butter. 

Myself: If I cannot run them down, I must contrive to wound one or twowith arrows. 

She: Why then, Martin, why not head your arrows with pebbles in placeof iron points?

Myself: Good again! Or I might make a couple of gins, running noosescut from the goat-skin. Howbeit, I'll try!

Herewith I arose and she also; then while she busied herself to scaldout our turtle-shell, I set off to get my goat-skin. And finding itwhere I had left it hanging on a rock to dry, I fell a-cursing tomyself for very chagrin; for what with the heat of the rock and thefierce glare of the sun, here was my goat-skin all shrivelled and hardas any board. So stood I scowling at the thing, chin in hand, andmightily cast down, and so she presently found me; and beholding mydisconsolate look falls a-laughing. 

"O Martin, " says she, "'tis well there are some things you cannot do!"Saying which, she takes up the skin (albeit it smelt none too sweet)and away she goes with it into the cave. So I got me back to mycarpentry, and selecting as many boards as I required for the width ofmy table, fell to cutting them to their proper lengths with hammer andchisel. And despite the shade of the mighty trees that girt us roundand the soft wind that stirred, plaguy hot work I found it; but everand anon she would bring me water, in one of our shells, cool from thespring, or would sit beside me as I laboured, aiding me in a thousandways and showing herself vastly capable and quick-witted; thus as thesun sank westwards I had all my boards cut to an even size and two ofthe legs, though these, being square, I must needs chop asunder withthe hatchet; yet I persevered, being minded to complete the work erenightfall if possible. 

"But where are your nails?" says she, where she sat watching. 

"Our nails be too few and precious, " quoth I, pausing to re-sharpen myhatchet. "I shall burn holes and pin our table together with pegs. "

"Why then, " says she readily, "let me split and shape you some pegs. "

"Spoke like a true comrade!" says I impulsively. "Sometimes I doforget you are--"

"A woman?" she questioned as I paused; and I wondered to see her eyesso bright and shining. "Here is twice you have named me your comrade, Martin, and so will I be so long as I may. You sometimes would call meyour comrade when we played together years ago, and 'tis a good name, Martin. Come now, teach me how I must make these pegs for our table. "So I showed her how to split divers lengths of wood and shape these asround and smooth as might be, the while I bored holes for them with aheated iron; and thus we sat side by side at our labour, seldomspeaking, yet I (for one) very well content. 

At length, with her assistance, I began setting the framework of ourtable together, joining and pinning it with my wooden pegs drivenmighty secure; last of all I laid the boards across and, pinning thesein place, there was our table; and though it was rude and primitive sofar as looks went, yet very serviceable we were to find it. 

"Well, Martin, " says she, when I had borne it into our cave, "methinksmy shelves and cupboard are none so far to seek!" Here she falls topatting this unlovely thing and viewing it as it were the wonder of theworld; and I must needs leap upon it to prove its strength. 

"'Tis over-heavy, " says I, giving it a final shake, "but 'twill serve!"

"To admiration!" says she, smoothing its rough surface with gentlehand. "To-night we will sup from it. Which reminds me that supper isto cook and our meat nearly all gone, Martin, though we have plenty ofplantains left. " So I told her I would go fetch what remained of thecarcass after supper, so soon as the moon rose. And now whiles shebustled to and fro, I chose me a little piece of wood, and sittingwhere I might watch her at her labours, began to carve her the hair pinI had promised. 

"Our third cave should make us a very good larder!" says she busy ather new table preparing supper. 

"Aye. "

"'Tis so marvellous cool!"

"Aye. "

"I think, because the pool lieth above it. "

"Mayhap!"

"Indeed, these are wonderful caves, Martin. "

"They are. "

"Who lived here before us, I wonder?"

"Penfeather, like as not. "

"Why should you think this?"

"Well, that door yonder was never a carpenter's work, yet 'tis wellmade and furnished with a loop-hole, narrow and horizontal to give alateral fire, the which I have seen but once ere this. Then again thetimbers of this door do carry many marks of shot, and Adam Penfeatheris no stranger to such, violence and danger, steel and bullet seem tofollow him. "

"Why so, Martin? He hath ever seemed a man very quiet and gentle, mostunlike such rough sailor-men as I have seen hitherto. "

"True, " says I, "but 'neath this attitude of mind is a wily cunning anddesperate, bloodthirsty courage and determination worthy any pirate orbuccaneer of them all. "

"Why, courage and determination are good things, Martin. And as forMaster Penfeather, he is as I do know a skilful navigator and very wellread, more especially in the Scriptures, and methought your friend?"

"For his own purposes!" quoth I. 

"And what are these, Martin?"

At this I merely scowled at the wood I was carving, whereupon shequestions me further:

"Master Adam is such a grave and sober man!"

"True!" says I. 

"And so wise in counsel--"

"Say, rather, cunning!"

"Though to be sure he once had a poor man beaten cruelly. "

"Wherein he was exactly right!" says I, grinding my teeth at memory ofRed Andy. "Aye, there Penfeather was very right, this fellow was avile and beastly rogue!"

"What dreadful thing had he done, Martin?"

"Stared at you!" says I, and stopped; and glancing up, found herregarding me with look mighty strange. 

"Did you mind so much?" she questioned. 

"No whit, madam. Why should I?"

"Aye, why indeed!" says she and turns to her cooking again and I to mycarving, yet in a little, hearing her gasp, I glanced up to find hernigh stifled with her laughter. 

"Ha, why must ye laugh, madam?" I demanded. 

"O Martin!" says she, "And must this poor man be whipped--and for amere look? And you so fierce withal! I fear there be many men domerit whipping if this be sin so great. "

"I see no reason in your laughter, my lady!" quoth I, scowling up ather. 

"Because you have no gift of laughter, my lord!" says she, and turnsher back on me. 

Here I came nigh to tossing her half-finished hairpin into the fire;but seeing her turn her head, carved on for very shame. 

"And are you so very angry, Martin?" I bent to sharpen my knife. "Iwould that you might laugh yourself--once in a while, Martin. " I testedmy knife on my thumb. "You are always so grave, Martin, so very solemnand young!" Finding my knife still blunt, I went on sharpening it. Here and all suddenly she was beside me on her knees and clasps myknife-hand in hers. "Indeed I had no thought to anger you. Are youtruly angered or is it only that you are so very--hungry?" Now here Iglanced at her and beholding all the roguish mischief in her eyes, tryhow I might, I could not but smile too. 

"A little of both, comrade!" says I. "Though verily I am a surlyanimal by nature. "

"Indeed yes, Martin, " she sighs, "yet a very comfortable animal, andthough strong and fierce and woefully trying at times, a very gentleanimal to such as know you. "

"And do you know me so well?"

"Better than you think, O a great deal better! Because I am a woman. And now are we friends again?"

"Yes!" says I heartily, "Yes!" And away she goes to her cooking and Imighty glad I had not destroyed her hairpin, the which (my knife beingsharp) I began to ornament with all sorts of elaborations. Presentlyback she comes, spoon in one hand, stool in the other, and sits towatch me at work. 

"What do you make now, Martin?"

"A pin for your hair. "

"Why, 'tis beautiful!"

"'Tis scarce begun yet!"

Here she must needs lavish all manner of praises on my skill until Icame nigh cutting myself. 

"How many will you make me, Martin?"

"As many as you will. "

"Three should suffice. "

"Why, you have a prodigious lot of hair. "

"Do you think so, Martin?" says she, glancing down at the two greatbraids that fell over her bosom well-nigh to her waist. "'Twas wellenough in England, but here 'tis greatly in my way and hampers me in mywork. I had thought of cutting it off. "

"Then don't!"

"Why not, Martin?"

"Well, " says I, glancing at the nearest braid that showed copperylights where the setting sun caught it. "Well, because--" and findingnought else to say I fell to my carving again and away she goes to hercooking. 

"Martin, " says she at last, "what do you know of Master Penfeather?Where did you fall in with him, and why is his life so threatened?"

"All by reason of Black Bartlemy's treasure!"

"Treasure!" says she; and back she comes and onto her stool, all in amoment. "Tell me of it, Martin!"

"'Tis a great treasure of gold and jewels in such. "

"And who is Black Bartlemy?"

"A foul rogue of a pirate that was killed by a poor Spanish lady, andlieth buried with her under the great pimento tree on the beach yonder. "

"O Martin!" says she, getting up that she might behold the tree, "OMartin, I knew, I knew 'twas an evil place! And the poor lady diedtoo?"

"He killed her after she had stabbed him!"

"How do you know of this?"

"Adam Penfeather told me, he saw it done!" Hereupon she sits down andis silent awhile. 

"And where is this great treasure?"

"On this island!"

"Here?" says she, starting to her feet again, "Here, Martin?"

"Aye, 'twas this I was despatched to secure, after I had been rappedover the head with a pistol-butt!"

"And how must you find it?"

"I never shall, the secret of it was in the packet I tossed overboard. Adam may find it himself an he will. "

"And you have no desire for this treasure?"

"None in the world. " And now (at her earnest solicitation) I told herall my association with Adam, of my haunted days and nights aboard shipand my suspicions of Tressady; only I spoke nothing of Adam's avowedintent to steal the "Faithful Friend" to his own purposes. 

"O wonderful!" says she, when I had done, and then again, "O wonderful!So this was why we were cut adrift. Truly Master Penfeather hath quickand subtle wits. "

"A guileful rogue--and very wily!" says I, clenching my fist. 

"But wherein is he rogue, Martin?"

"How!" quoth I, "was it not a wicked, vile and most roguish act to setyou adrift thus, to run the peril of sea and a desolate island--"

"What other could he do, Martin, and the ship good as taken by themutineers? I heard them shouting--for me!" and here she shivered. "True, we have faced perils, have lost all our stores, but at leasthere am I--safe with you, Martin!" Saying which she rose and presentlysummoned me to our evening meal. 

Having supped, I took beneath my arm my rusty sword (the which I hadsharpened and burnished as well as I might) being minded to fetch whatremained of our goat: but now she comes very earnest to go with me, and I agreeing readily enough, we set out together forthwith. 

CHAPTER XXIX

OF MY ENCOUNTER BENEATH BARTLEMY'S TREE

The moon was very bright, casting great, black shadows athwart our way, and now, once our familiar surroundings were left behind, we fellsilent or spake only in low voices, awed by the universal hush of allthings; for the night was very still and hot and breathless, not a leafstirred and no sound to hear save the unceasing roar of the surf. 

"Martin, " says she, very softly, "here is a night of such infinitequiet that I grow almost afraid--"

"Of what?" I demanded, pausing to look down on her where she limpedbeside me. And then, 'twixt my teeth, "Is it me you fear?"

"Ah no, no!" cries she, slipping her hand within my arm, "Never, neverthat, you foolish Martin!" And here she looks at me with such a smilethat I must needs glance otherwhere, yet methought her cheeks showedpale in the moonlight. 

"Why then, what's amiss?" I questioned as we went on again and I veryconscious of her hand yet upon my arm. 

"I know not, " she sighed, "'tis the stillness, mayhap, the lonelinessand dreadful solitude, I feel as though some danger threatened. "

"A storm, belike, " says I, glancing round about us and across theplacid sea. 

"O Martin, 'tis hateful to be a woman! Why should I fear thus and noreason, 'tis folly!" And here she must pause to stamp her foot atherself. "And yet I do fear!" says she after a while. "O Martin, gladam I to have man like you beside me. "

"Though another man might serve as well!" says I, "Of course?"

"Of course, Martin!"

At this I turned to scowl at the placid sea again. 

"Any man?" says I at last. 

"O Martin, no--how foolish under grow--'any man' might be evil as BlackBartlemy. "

"I've heard I am much like him in looks. "

"But then you are Martin and he was--Black Bartlemy. "

After this we were silent a great while nor spoke again until we hadtraversed the whole length of Deliverance Sands, then:

"What manner of man?" I demanded. 

Now at this she turns to look at me and I saw their lips quiver to alittle smile that came but to vanish again. 

"Something your sort, Martin, but without your gloom and evil tempersand one who could laugh betimes. "

"Sir Rupert?" quoth I. 

"He was very gay and merry-hearted!" says she. 

"Yet suffered you to be beguiled and cast adrift to your great peril!"

"But stayed to do his share of the fighting, Martin. "

"Ha!" says I scowling, "'Tis great pity we may not change places, heand I!"

"Would you change places with him--willingly, Martin?"

"Aye--I would so!" At this she whipped her hand from my arm and turnedto frown up at me whiles I scowled sullenly on her. 

"Why then, Master Conisby, " says she, "I would you were anywhere buthere. And know this--when you scowl so, all sullen-eyed, I know youfor the very image of Black Bartlemy!"

Now as she spake thus, we were standing almost in the very shadow ofthat tall pimento tree beneath which Bartlemy had laughed and died, andnow from this gloomy shadow came something that whirred by my ear andwas gone. But in that moment I had swept my companion behind a rockand with sword advanced leapt straight for the tree; and there, in thehalf-light, came on a fantastic shape and closed with it in deadlygrapple. My rusty sword had snapped short at the first onset, yettwice I smote with the broken blade, while arm locked with arm wewrithed and twisted. To and fro we staggered and so out into themoonlight, and I saw my opponent for an Indian. His long hair wasbound by a fillet that bore a feather, a feather cloak was about him, this much I saw as we strove together. Twice he broke my hold andtwice I grappled him, and ever we strove more fiercely, he with hisknife and I with my broken sword, and once I felt the searing pain of awound. And now as we swayed, locked together thus, I saw, over hisbowed shoulder, my lady where she crouched against a rock to watch us, and knowing myself hurt and my opponent very mighty and strong, greatfear seized me. 

"Run, Joan!" cried I, gasping, "O Damaris--run back!"

"Never, Martin--never without you. If you must die--I come with you!"

Mightily heartened by her voice I strove desperately to secure the holdI sought, but my antagonist was supple as any eel, moreover his skinwas greased after the manner of Indian warriors, but in our strugglingwe had come nigh to the rock where crouched my lady and, biding mytime, I let go my broken sword, and seizing him by a sort of collar hewore, I whirled him backward against the rock, saw his knife fly fromhis hold at the impact, felt his body relax and grow limp, and then, asmy grasp loosened, staggered back from a blow of his knee and saw himleap for the lagoon. But I (being greatly minded to make an end of himand for good reasons) set after him hot-foot and so came running hardbehind him to the reef; here, the way being difficult, I must needsslack my pace, but he, surer footed, ran fleetly enough until he wasgotten well-nigh to the middle of the reef, there for a moment hepaused and, looking back on me where I held on in pursuit, I saw hisdark face darker for a great splash of blood; suddenly he raised onehand aloft, shaking it to and fro, and so vanished down the rocks. When I came there it was to behold him paddling away in a long piragua. Panting I stood to watch (and yearning for a bow or firelock) until hisboat was hardly to be seen amid the moonlit ripples that furrowed theplacid waters, yet still I watched, but feeling at hand touch me, turned to find my lady beside me. 

"Martin, " says she, looking up at me great-eyed, "O Martin, you arewounded! Come let me cherish your hurts!"

"Why, Damaris, " says I, yet panting with my running, "You said this tome when I fought the big village boy years agone. "

"Come, Martin, you are bleeding--"

"Nought to matter . . . And I let him go . . . To bring others like enough. . . To-morrow I will make my bow . . . Nay . . . I can walk. " But nowindeed sea and rocks grew all blurred and misty on my sight, and twiceI must needs rest awhile ere we came on Deliverance Sands. And sohomewards, a weary journey whereof I remember nothing save that I fella-grieving that I had suffered this Indian to escape. 

So came we to the plateau at last, her arm about me and mine upon hershoulders; and, angered at my weakness, I strove to go alone yet reeledin my gait like a drunken man, and so suffered her to get me into ourcave as she would. Being upon my bed she brings the lamp, and kneelingby me would examine my hurt whether I would or no, and I being weak, off came my shirt. And then I heard her give a little, gasping cry. 

"Is it so bad?" says I, finding my tongue more unready than usual. 

"Nay, 'tis not--not your--wound, Martin. 

"Then what?"

"Your poor back--all these cruel scars! O Martin!"

"Nought but the lash! They whipped us well aboard the 'Esmeralda'galleass. " In a while I was aware of her soft, gentle hands as shebathed me with water cool from the spring; thereafter she made acompress of moss and leaves, and laying it to my wound bound it thereas well as she might, the which I found very grateful and comforting. This done she sits close beside me to hush and soothe me to sleep as Ihad been a sick child. And I, lying 'twixt sleep and wake, knew Imight not rest until I told her what I had in mind. 

"Damaris, " says I, "this night I lied to you . . . I would not haveanother man in my place . . . Now or . . . Ever!" and so sank to sleep. 

CHAPTER XXX

OF MY SICK HUMOURS

Next day I awoke early and my wound very painful and troublesome; thisnotwithstanding, I presently got me out into the early sunshine and, tomy wonder, found the fire already lighted and no sign of my companion. Hereupon I fell to shouting and hallooing, but getting no answer, satme down mighty doleful, and seeing her stool where it stood straddledon its three legs I cursed it for its unsightliness and turned my backon it. And now crouched in the sunlight I grew mightily sorry formyself thus solitary and deserted, and the hurt in my shoulder all onfire. And in a little, my self-love gave place to a fretful unease sothat I must needs shout her name again and again, listening for soundof her voice, for some rustle to tell me she was nigh, but heard onlythe faint booming of the surf. So I arose and (albeit I found my legsmighty unwilling) came out upon the plateau, but look how and where Imight, saw only a desolation of sea and beach, whereupon, being greatlydisquieted, I set out minded to seek her. By the time I reachedDeliverance the sun was well up, its heat causing my wound to throb anditch intolerably, and I very fretful and peevish. But as I tramped onand no trace of her I needs must remember how I had sought herhereabouts when I had thought her dead, whereupon a great andunreasoning panic seized me, and I began to run. And then, all atonce, I spied her. She was sitting upon a rock, her head bowed wearilyupon her hands, and seeing how her shoulders heaved I knew she wasbitterly a-weeping. Therefore I stopped, and glancing from herdesolate figure round about upon her desolate surroundings, knew thisgrim solitude for the reason of her tears. At this thought a wave ofhot anger swept over me and a rage that, like my panic, reasoned notas, clenching my fists, I strode on. Suddenly she looked up and seeingme, rose at once, and lifting the great turtle-shell limped wearilytowards me with this borne before her. 

"Ha, " says I, viewing her tear-wet cheeks as she came, "must ye weep, madam, must ye weep?"

"May I not weep, Martin?" says she, head pitifully a-droop. "Come, letus go back, you look very pale, 'twas wrong of you to come so far!Here is our breakfast, 'tis the best I can find. " And she showed me afew poor shellfish. 

"Give me the turtle-shell!" says I. 

"Indeed I can bear it very easily, Martin. And you so white andhaggard--your wound is troubling you. Come, let me bathe it--"

"Give me the turtle-shell!"

"No, Martin, be wise and let us--"

"Will you gainsay me--d'ye defy me?"

"O Martin, no, but you are so weak--"

"Weak! Am I so?" And stooping, I caught her up in my arms, upsettingthe turtle-shell and spilling the result of her labours. So with hercrushed to me I turned and set off along the beach, and she, lying thushelpless, must needs fall to weeping again and I, in my selfish andblind folly, to plaguing the sweet soul therewith, as:

"England is far away, my Lady Joan! Here be no courtly swains, noperfumed, mincing lovers, to sigh and bow and languish for you. Hereis Solitude, lady. Desolation hath you fast and is not like to let yougo--here mayhap shall you live--and die! An ill place this and, likenature, strong and cruel. An ill place and an ill rogue for company. You named me rogue once and rogue forsooth you find me. England is faraway--but God--is farther--"

Thus I babbled, scowling down on her, as I bore her on until my breathcame in great gasps, until the sweat poured from me, until I sank to myknees and striving to rise found I might not, and glaring wildly up sawwe were come 'neath Bartlemy's cursed pimento tree. Then she, loosingherself from my fainting arms, bent down to push the matted hair frommy eyes, to support my failing strength in tender arms, and to lower myheavy head to her knee. 

"Foolish child!" she murmured, "Poor, foolish child! England is veryfar I know, but this I know also, Martin, God is all about us, and herein our loneliness within these great solitudes doth walk beside us. "

"Yet you weep!" says I. 

"Aye, I did, Martin. "

"Because--of the--loneliness?"

"No, Martin. "

"Your--lost friends?"

"No, Martin. "

"Then--wherefore?"

"O trouble not for thing so small, a woman's tears come easily, theysay. "

"Not yours, Joan. Yet you wept--"

"Your wound bleeds afresh, lie you there and stir not till I bringwater to bathe it. " And away she hastes and I, burning in a fever ofdoubt and questioning, must needs lie there and watch her bring theturtle-shell to fill it at the little rill that bubbled in that rockycleft as I have described before. While this was a-doing I stared upat the pimento tree, and bethinking me of Black Bartlemy and the poorSpanish lady and of my hateful dream, I felt sudden great shame, forhere had I crushed my lady in arms as cruel well-nigh as his. This putme to such remorse that I might not lie still and strove to rise up, yet got no further than my knees; and 'twas thus she found me. And nowwhen I would have sued her forgiveness for my roughness she soothed mewith gentle words (though what she spake I knew not) and gave me todrink, and so fell to cherishing my hurt until, my strength coming backsomewhat, I got to my feet and suffered her to bring me where shewould, speaking no word, since in my fevered brain I was asking myselfthis question, viz. , "Why must she weep?"

Now whether the Indian's knife was poisoned or no I cannot say, but fortwo days I lay direly sick and scarce able to crawl, conscious only ofthe soothing tones of her voice and touch of her hands. But upon thethird day, opening my eyes I found myself greatly better thoughmarvellous weak. And as I stirred she was beside me on her knees. 

"Drink this, Martin!" says she. And I obeying, found it was excellentbroth. And when I had drunk all I closed my eyes mighty content, andso lay a while. 

"My Lady Joan, " says I at last, "wherefore did you weep?"

"O Martin!" she sighed, "'Twas because that morning I had sought solong and found so little to give you and you so sick!" Here wassilence a while. 

"But whence cometh the broth?" quoth I at last. 

"I caught a young goat, Martin; in a noose of hide set among the rocks;and then--then I had to kill it--O Martin!"

"You--caught and--killed a goat!"

"Yes, Martin. You had to be fed--but O, the poor thing--!"

"Surely, " said I at last, "O surely never had man so brave a comrade asI! How may I ever show you all my gratitude?"

"By going to sleep, Martin. Your wound is well-nigh healed, sleep isall you need. " And sleep I did; though at that time and for manynights to come my slumber was haunted by a fear that the Indian wasback again, and others with him, all stealing upon us to our tormentand destruction. But in this night I awoke parched with thirst and thenight very hot and with the moon making pale glory all about me. So Igot to my feet, albeit with much ado, being yet very feeble when hervoice reached me:

"What is it, Martin? Are you thirsty?"

"Beyond enduring!" says I. 

"Bide you still!" she commanded, and next moment she flits soft-footedinto the moonlight with one of our larger shells to bring me water fromthe rill near by; but seeing me on my feet, looks on me glad-eyed, thenshakes reproving head. 

"Lie you down!" says she mighty serious, "Lie you down!"

"Nay, I'll go myself--" But she was past me and out of the cave orever I might stay her; but scarce had I seated myself upon my bed thanshe was back again, the shell brimming in her hands; so I drank eagerlyenough but with my gaze on the sheen of white, rounded arm and dimpledshoulder. Having emptied the shell I stooped to set it by, and when Ilooked again she had vanished into her own small cave. 

"I am glad you are so greatly better, Martin, " says she from the dark. 

"Indeed, I am well again!" quoth I. "To-morrow I make my bow andarrows. Had I done this before, the Indian should never have got away. "

"Think you he will return and with others, Martin?"

"No, " says I (albeit my mind misgave me). "Yet 'tis best to beprepared, so I will have a good stout pike also in place of my brokensword. "

"And strengthen our door, Martin?"

"Aye, I will so, 'tis a mighty stout door, thank God. "

"Thank God!" says she mighty reverent. "And now go to sleep, Martin. "So here was silence wherein I could hear the murmur of the breakersafar and the soft bubbling of the rill hard by, and yet sleep I couldnot. 

"And you caught and killed a goat!" says I. 

"Nay, Martin, 'tis a horror I would forget. "

"And you did it that I might eat?"

"Yes, Martin. And now hush thee. "

"Though indeed, " says I in a little, "thus much you would have done forany man, to be sure!"

"To be sure, Martin--unless he were man like Black Bartlemy. Good-nightand close your eyes. Are they shut?"

"Yes, " says I. "Good-night to thee, comrade. "

CHAPTER XXXI

I TRY MY HAND AT POTTERY

Next morning, having bathed me in the pool, I descended thence to findbreakfast a-cooking, two noble steaks propped before the fire onskewers stuck upright in the ground, a device methought very ingenious, and told her so; the which did seem to please her mightily. 

"Are you hungry, Martin?"

"'Tis a poor word for it!" says I, sniffing at the roasting steaks. 

"Alas! Our poor turtle-shell is all perished with the fire. Martin, ifyou could but contrive me a pan with handles! I have found plenty ofclay along the river bank yonder. " Here she gives me my steak on apiece of wood for platter, and I being so sharp-set must needs burn mymouth in my eagerness, whereon she gravely reproves me as I had been aravenous boy, yet laughs thereafter to see me eat with such hugeappetite now a bite of plantain, and now a slice of steak cut with myknife. 

"As to your pan with handles, " says I, my hunger appeased somewhat, "Iwill set about it as soon as I have made my bow and arrows--"

"There is no need of them, " quoth she, and rising, away she goes andpresently comes back with a goodly bow and quiver full of arrows. 

"Lord love you!" says I, leaping up in my eagerness. "Here's mightygood weapon!" As indeed it was, being longer than most Indian bows andof good power. Moreover it was tufted with feathers rare to fancy andgarnished here and there with fillets of gold-work, very artificiallywrought as were also the arrows. Nine of these there were in a quiverof tanned leather, adorned with featherwork and gold beads, so that Idid not doubt but that their late owner had been of some account amonghis fellows. 

"I found them two days ago, Martin, but kept them until you should bewell again. And this I found too!" And she showed me a gold collar oftwisted wire, delicately wrought. All of the which put me in high goodhumour and I was minded to set off there and then to try a shot atsomething, but she prevailed upon me to finish my meal first; the whichI did, though hastily. 

"There was a knife also, " says I suddenly. 

"Yes, Martin, but I threw it into the lagoon. "

"O folly!" says I. 

"Nay, we have two knives already, and this as I do think was poisoned. "

"No matter, 'twas a goodly knife--why must you throw it away?"

"Because I was so minded!" says she, mighty serene and regarding mewith her calm, level gaze. "Never scowl, Martin, though indeed 'twasgoodly knife with handle all gold-work. " At this I scowled the moreand she must needs laugh, calling me Black Bartlemy, whereon I turnedmy back on her and she fell a-singing to herself. 

"Think you these arrows are poisoned also?" says she as I rose. Atthis, I emptied them from the quiver, and though their iron barbslooked innocent enough, I held each in the fire until I judged I hadrendered them harmless if poisoned they were indeed. 

And now, though sore tempted to try my skill with this good bow, Ifollowed her down to the river-bank to try my hand at pottery, thoughtaking good care to carry my bow with me. 

Being come to the river I laid aside bow and quiver, and cutting diverslumps of clay (the which seemed very proper to my purpose) I fell tokneading these lumps until I had wrought them to a plastic consistency, and so (keeping my hands continually moistened) I began to mould andshape a pot to her directions. And now, since I was about it, Idetermined to have as many as need be and of different sizes. My firstwas a great ill-looking thing, and my second little better, but as Iprogressed I grew more skilful so that after some while I had six potsof varying size and shape, and each with handles; and, though illthings to look at, my lady found them all she desired. 

"Surely they are very clumsy?" says I, viewing them doubtfully. 

"But very strong, Martin!"

"And very ponderous!"

"But they have handles, Martin!"

"And very ill-shaped!"

"'Tis no matter so long as they will hold water, Martin. "

Hereupon, heartened by her encouragement, I tried my hand at a set ofdishes, platters and the like, for as I grew more expert at the art, myinterest increased. So I laboured all the morning, working 'neath atree upon the river-bank, and my pots set out to dry in the full glareof the sun all of a row, and I, in my heart, not a little proud ofthem. But turning to look at them after some while I saw divers ofthem beginning to crack and gape here and there with the sun's heat, whereon my vain pride gave place to sudden petulant anger, and leapingup I demolished them, one and all, with a couple of savage kicks. 

"O Martin!" cries my lady, desponding, "Is all your labour wasted? Areyou done?"

"No!" says I, clenching my teeth, "I begin now!" And down I sat to myclay-kneading again. But this time I worked it more thoroughly, and sobegan to mould my pots and pipkins over again, and she aiding me aswell as she might. This time the thing came easier, at the which mycompanion did admire and very full of encouragement as the vessels tookshape under my hands. 

"Come, Martin, " says she at last, "'tis dinner-time!"

"No matter!" quoth I. 

"Will you not eat?"

"No!" says I, mighty determined. "Here sit I nor will I go eat till Ican contrive you a pot worthy the name. " And I bent to my work again;but missing her from beside me, turned to see her seated upon thegrassy bank and with two roasted steaks set out upon two great greenleaves, a delectable sight. 

"Pray lend me your knife, Martin. "

"What, have you brought dinner hither?" says I. 

"To be sure, Martin. "

"Why then--!" says I, and laving the clay from my hands came beside herand, using our knife alternately, a very pleasant meal we made of it. 

All that afternoon I wrought at our pots until I had made a dozen or soof all sizes, and each and every furnished with one or more handles;and though I scowled at a crack here and there, they looked none theless serviceable on the whole, and hardening apace. 

"And now, comrade, " quoth I, rising, "now we will fire them. " Sohaving collected wood sufficient, I reached for my biggest pot (thewhich being made first was the hardest-set), and taking it up withinfinite care off tumbled the handles. At this I was minded to dashthe thing to pieces, but her touch restrained me and I set it down, staring at it mighty discomfited and downcast; whereat she laughs rightmerrily. 

"O Martin, " says she, "never gloom so, 'tis an excellent pot evenwithout handles, indeed I do prefer it so!"

"No, " says I, "handles you wanted and handles you shall have!" Sotaking a stick that lay handy, I sharpened it to a point and therewithbored me two holes beneath the lip of the pot and other two opposite. "This pot shall have iron handle, " says I, "unless it perish in thefire. " Then setting the pots as close as might be, I covered them withbrushwood and thereupon (and with infinite caution) builded a fire andpresently had it a-going. Now I would have stayed to tend the fire butmy companion showed me the sun already low, vowed I had done enough, that I was tired, etc. So, having set upon the fire wood enough toburn good time, I turned away and found myself weary even as she said. 

"Goat's-flesh, " says I as we sat side by side after supper, "goat's-flesh is an excellent, wholesome diet and, as you cook it, delicious. "

"'Tis kind of you to say so, Martin, but--"

"We have had it, " says I, "we have had it boiled and baked--"

"And roast and stewed, and broiled across your iron bolts, Martin, andyet 'tis always goat's-flesh and I do yearn for a change, and so doyou. "

"Lord!" says I, "You do read my very thoughts sometimes. "

"Is that so wonderful, Martin?"

"Why, a man's thoughts are but thoughts, " says I, watching where shebraided a long tress of her hair. 

"Some men's thoughts are so easily read!" says she. 

"Are mine?"

"Sometimes, Martin!" Now at this I blenched and well I might, and shesmiled down at the long tress of hair she was braiding and then glancesat me mighty demure; quoth she: "But only sometimes, Martin. Now, forinstance, you are wondering why of late I have taken to wearing my hairtwisted round my head and pinned with these two small pieces of wood infashion so unsightly!"

"Aye, truly, " says I wondering, "indeed and so I was! Though I do notthink it unsightly!"

"I wear it so, Martin, first because my hairpins are yet to make, andsecond because I would not have you find my hairs in your baked goat, boiled goat, roast, fried or stewed goat. And speaking of goat bringsus back where we began, and we began yearning for a change of food. "

"As to that, " says I, taking her half-finished hairpin from my pocketand drawing my knife, "the lagoon is full of fish had I but a hook--"

"Or a net, Martin. "

"How should we contrive our net?"

"In the woods all about us do grow vines very strong and pliable--wouldthese serve, think you?"

"Ha--an excellent thought!" says I. "To-morrow we will attempt it. Asto fish-hooks, I might contrive them out of my nails hammered small, though I fear they'd be but clumsy. Had I but a good stout pin--"

"I have two, Martin, here in my shoe-buckles. "

"Show me!" Stooping, she slipped off one of her shoes and gave it tome; and turning it over in my hand I saw the poor little thing all cutand torn and in woeful estate. 

"I must contrive you other shoes and soon!" says I. 

"Can you make shoes, Martin?"

"I'll tell you this to-morrow. "

"O Martin, 'twould be wonderful if you could, and a great comfort tome. "

"Why then, you shall have them, though unlovely things they'll be, Ifear. "

"No matter so long as they keep out sharp stones and briars, Martin. "

"Your foot is wonderfully small!" says I, studying her shoe. 

"Is it, Martin? Why 'tis a very ordinary foot, I think. And the pinsare behind the buckles. " Sure enough I found these silver bucklesfurnished each with a good stout pin well-suited to my design; sobreaking them from the buckles, I had soon bent them into hooks and(with the back of my knife and a stone) I shaped each with a small ringa-top whereby I might secure them to my line; and though they had nobarbs I thought they might catch any fish were I quick enough. 

"How shall you do for a line, Martin?"

"I shall take the gut of one of our goats and worsted unravelled frommy stocking. "

"Will worsted be strong enough?"

"I shall make it fourfold. "

"Nay, I will plait it into a line for you!"

"Good!" quoth I. And whipping off one of my stockings I unravelledtherefrom sufficient of the worsted. 

"But what shall you do for stockings?" says she, while this was a-doing. 

"I will make me leggings of goat's-skin. " So she took the worsted andnow, sitting in a patch of radiant moonlight, fell to work, she weavingour fish-line with fingers very quick and dexterous, and I carving awayat the pin for her hair. 

"How old are you, Martin?" says she suddenly. 

"Twenty-seven. "

"And I shall be twenty-six to-morrow. "

"I judged you older. "

"Do I look it, Martin?"

"Yes--no, no!"

"Meaning what, Martin!"

"You do seem older, being no silly maid but of a constant mind, and oneto endure hardship. Also you are very brave in peril, very courageousand high-hearted. Moreover you are wise. "

"Do you think me all this?" says she softly. "And wherefore?"

"I have never heard you complain yet--save of me, and I have never seenyou afraid. Moreover you caught a goat and killed it!"

"You are like to make me vain of my so many virtues, Martin!" laughsshe; yet her laugh was very soft and her eyes kind when she looked atme. 

"This hairpin shall be my birthday gift to you, " says I. 

"And surely none like to it in the whole world, Martin!"

After this we worked a great while, speaking no word; but presently sheshows me my fish-line very neatly plaited and a good five feet long, the which did please me mightily, and so I told her. 

"Heigho!" says she, leaning back against the rock, "Our days grow evermore busy!"

"And will do!" quoth I. "Here is strange, rude life for you, days ofhardship and labour unceasing. Your hands shall grow all hard andrough and yourself sick with longing to be hence--"

"Alas, poor me!" she sighed. 

"Why, 'twill be no wonder if you grieve for England and ease, " says I, "'twill be but natural. "

"O very, Martin!"

"For here are you, " I went on, beginning to scowl up at the waningmoon, "here are you bred up to soft and silken comfort, very dainty anddelicate, and belike with lovers a-plenty, courtly gallants full up offine phrases and eager for your service--. "

"Well, Martin?"

"Instead of the which you have this island!"

"An earthly paradise!" says she. 

"And myself!"

"A foolish being and gloomy!" says she. "One that loveth to be woefuland having nought to grieve him for the moment must needs seeksomewhat! So will I to bed ere he find it!"

"Look now, " quoth I, as she rose, "in losing the world you do loseeverything--. "

"And you also, Martin. "

"Nay, " says I, "in losing the world of yesterday I may find more thanever I possessed!"

"Meaning you are content, Martin?"

"Is anyone ever content in this world?"

"Well--I--might be!" says she slowly. "But you--I do fear you willnever know true content, it is not in you, I think. "

And off she goes to bed leaving me very full of thought. Howbeit themoon being very bright (though on the wane) I stayed there until I hadfinished her hairpin, of the which I give here a cut, viz. :--

(Sketch of a hairpin. )

CHAPTER XXXII

TELLS HOW I FOUND A SECRET CAVE

Next morning I was up mighty early and away to the little valley, firstto view my pots and then to pick some flowers for her birthday, remembering her great love for such toys. Coming to the ashes of thefire, I must needs fall a-cursing most vilely like the ill fellow Iwas, and to swearing many great and vain oaths (and it her birthday!). For here were my pots (what the fire had left of them) all swollen andbulged with the heat, warped and misshapen beyond imagining. 

So I stood plucking my beard and cursing them severally and alltogether, and fetched the nearest a kick that nigh broke my toe and setthe pot leaping and bounding a couple of yards, but all unbroken. Going to it I took it up and found it not so much as scratched and hardas any stone. This comforted me somewhat and made me to regret my illlanguage, more especially having regard to this day, being as it were aday apart. And now as I went on, crossing the stream at a place wherewere stepping-stones, set there by other hands than mine, as I went, Isay, I must needs think what a surly, ill-mannered fellow I was, contrasting the gross man I was become with the gentle, sweet-naturedlad I had been. "Well but" (thinks I, excusing myself) "theplantations and a rowing-bench be a school where a man is apt to learnnought but evil and brutality, my wrongs have made me what I am. Butagain" (thinks I--blaming myself) "wrong and hardship, cruelty andsuffering do not debase all men, as witness the brave Frenchman thatwas whipped to death beside me in the 'Esmeralda' galleass. Wrong andsuffering either lift a man to greatness, or debase him to the verybrute! She had said as much to me once. And she was right" (thinks I)"for the Frenchman had died the noble gentleman he was born, whiles I, as well-born as he and suffering no greater wrong than he, according tohis own account, I had sullied myself with all the vileness and filthof slavedom, had fought and rioted with the worst of them!" And nowremembering the shame of it all, I sat me down in the shade of a treeand fell to gloomy and sad reflection, grieving sorely over things longpast and forgotten until now, and very full of remorse and scorn ofmyself. 

"Howbeit" (thinks I) "if rogue and brute I am" (which is beyond alldoubt) "I will keep such for my own kind and she shall know nought ofit!" And here, getting upon my knees I took a great and solemn oath tothis effect, viz. , "Never by look, or word, or gesture to give hercause for shame or fear so long as we should abide together in thissolitude so aid me God!" This done I arose from my knees and betook meto culling flowers, great silver lilies and others of divers hues, being minded to lay them on the threshold of her door to greet her whenshe should arise. With these in my arms I recrossed the brook andstepping out from a thicket came full upon her ere she was aware; andseeing her so suddenly I stood like any fool, my poor flowers hiddenbehind me. She had taken up one of my misshapen pots and was patting itsoftly as she viewed it, and a little smile on her red lips. All atonce she turned and, spying me, came towards me all smiling, fresh andradiant as the morning. 

"O Martin, " says she, turning the pot this way and that, "O Martin, 'tis wonderful--"

"'Tis an abomination!" quoth I. 

"And 'twill hold water!"

"'Tis like an ill dream!" says I. 

"And so strong, Martin. "

"True, 'tis the only merit the things possess, they are likestone--watch now!" And here, to prove my words, I let one drop, thoughindeed I chose a soft place for it. 

"And they will be so easy to carry with these handles, and--why, whathave you there?" Saying which she sets down the pot, gently as it hadbeen an egg-shell, and comes to me; whereupon I showed her my posy, andI more fool-like than ever. 

"I chanced to--see them growing, " says I, "and thought--yourbirthday--they might pleasure you a little, mayhap--"

"Please me?" says she, taking them. "Please me--O the dear, beautifulthings, I love them!" And she buries her face among them. "'Twas kindof you to bring them for me, Martin!" says she, her face hidden in theflowers, "Indeed you are very good to me! After all, you are that samedear Martin I knew long ago, that boy who used to brandish his rustysword and vow he'd suffer no evil to come near me, and yearned forogres and dragons to fight and slay on my behalf. And one day youcaught a boy pulling my hair. "

"It was very long hair even then!" says I. 

"And he made your lip bleed, Martin. "

"And I hit him on the nose!" says I. 

"And he ran away, Martin. "

"And you bathed my lip in the pool and afterwards you--you--"

"Yes I did, Martin. Though 'tis a long time to remember. "

"I--shall never forget!" says I. "Shall you?"

Here she buries her face in her flowers again. 

"As to the pots, Martin, there are four quite unbroken, will you helpme bear them to our refuge, breakfast will be ready. "

"Breakfast is a sweet word!" quoth I. "And as to these things, if youwill have them, well and good!"

And thus, she with her flowers and I with the gallipots, we came to ourhabitation. 

"What do we work at to-day?" she questioned as we rose from our morningmeal. 

"To-day I make you a pair of shoes. "

"How may I aid you, Martin?"

"In a thousand ways, " says I, and I plucked a great fan-shaped leafthat grew adjacent. "First sit you down! And now give me your foot!"So, kneeling before her, I traced out the shape of her foot upon theleaf and got no further for a while, so that presently she goes abouther household duties leaving me staring at my leaf and scratching myhead, puzzling out how I must cut and shape my goat-skin. Well-nighall that morning I sat scheming and studying how best I might achievemy purpose, and the end of it was this:

(Sketch of a leaf cut to shape. )

This shape I cut from the leaf and with it went to find my lady; then, she sitting upon the stool, I took off one of her shoes (and she alllaughing wonderment) and fitting this pattern to her foot, found itwell enough for shape, though something too large. I now took thegoat-skin and, laying it on the table, cut therefrom a piece to mypattern; then with one of my nails ground to a sharp point like acobbler's awl, I pierced it with holes and sewed it together with gutin this fashion:

(Four sketches of shaped hide showing stages of manufacture. )

This is quickly over in the telling, but it was long a-doing, so thathaving wrought steadily all day, night was at hand ere her shoes werecompleted, with two thicknesses of hide for soles and all sewed mightysecure. 

Now though they were not things of beauty (as may plainly be seen frommy drawing herewith) yet, once I had laced them snug upon her feet, they (shaping and moulding themselves to her slender ankles and daintyfeet) were none so ill-looking after all. And now she, walking to andfro in them, must needs admire at their construction and the comfort ofthem, and very lavish in her praise of them and me; the which didpleasure me mightily though I took pains to hide it. 

"Why, Martin" says she, thrusting out a foot and wagging it to and fro(very taking to behold), "I vow our cobbler surpasseth our carpenter!Dian's buskins were no better, nay, not so good, judging by pictures Ihave seen. "

"They will at least keep out any thorns, " says I, "though as to looks--"

"They look what they are, Martin, the shoes of a huntress. You willfind her very swift and sure-footed when her bruises are quite gone. "

"I'm glad they please you, " says I, yet upon my knees and stooping toview them 'neath her petticoat, "though now I see I might better themby trimming and shaping them here and there. "

"No, no, Martin, leave well alone. "

But now and all at once I started to feel a great splash of rain uponmy cheek, and glancing up saw the sky all overcast while seaward thewhole horizon was very black and ominous; great masses of writhingvapour and these threatening clouds lit ever and anon by a reddishglow, and pierced by vivid lightning flashes. All of which took usmightily by surprise, we having been too intent upon these new buskinsto heed aught else. 

"Yonder is storm and tempest, " says I, "see how it sweeps towards us!"And I pointed where, far across the dark sea, a line of foam marked theoncoming fury of the wind. And presently we heard it, a faint hum, growing ever louder and fiercer. 

"O Martin, see yonder!" and she pointed to the onrushing of the foamingwaters. "'Tis very awful but very grand!"

"Let us go in!" says I, catching up my tools. "Come, soon will beroaring havoc all about us!"

"Nay, let us stay awhile and watch. "

As she spoke it seemed as the sea gathered itself into one great andmighty wave, a huge wall of foaming waters that rolled onward hissingand roaring as it would 'whelm the very island beneath it. On itrushed, swelling ever higher, and so burst in thunder upon the barrierreef, filling the air with whirling foam. And then--then came thewind--a screaming, howling, vicious titan that hurled us flat andpinned me breathless and scarce able to move; howbeit I crawled whereshe crouched somewhat sheltered by a rock, and clasping her within myarm lay there nor dared to stir until the mad fury of the wind abatedsomewhat. Then, side by side, on hands and knees, we gained our rockyfastness, and closing the door, which was screened from the directforce of the tempest, I barred it with the beam I had made for thepurpose, and stood staring at my companion and she on me, while all theworld about us roared and clamoured loud and louder until it seemedhere was to be an end of all things. And now suddenly came darkness;and in this darkness her hand found mine and nestled there. Thus weremained a great while hearkening to the awful booming of this rushing, mighty wind, a sound indescribable in itself, yet one to shake the verysoul. In a while, the tumult subsiding a little we might distinguishother sounds, as the rolling of thunder, the rending crash of fallingtrees hard by, and the roar of mighty waters. And presently her voicecame to me:

"God pity all poor mariners, Martin!"

"Amen!" says I. And needs must think of Adam and Godby and wonderwhere they might be. 

"'Tis very dark, shall we not have a light?" she questioned. 

"If I can find our lamp, " says I, groping about for it. 

"Here is a candle!"

"A candle?" says I, "And where should we find a candle?"

"We have three, Martin. I made them with tallow from our goat, thoughthey are poor things, I fear. "

Taking out my tinder-box I very soon had these candles burning, andthough they smoked somewhat, a very excellent light we thought them. "And now for supper!" says she, beginning to bustle about. "Our meatis in the larder, Martin. " Now this larder was our third and smallestcave, and going therein I was immediately struck by the coldness of it, moreover the flame of the candle I bore flickered as in a draught ofair, insomuch that, forgetting the meat, I began searching high andlow, looking for some crack or crevice whence this draught issued, yetfound none. This set me to wondering; for here was the cave some tenfeet by twelve or more, and set deep within the living rock, the wallssmoothed off, here and there, as by hand, but with never a crack orfissure in roof or walls so far as I might discover. Yet was Iconscious of this cold breath of air so that my puzzlement grew thegreater. 

Presently as I stood thus staring about, to me comes my lady:

"Good lack, Martin, " says she, "if we sup on goat to-night we must eatit raw, for we have no fire!"

"Fire?" says I. "Hum! Smoke would do it, 'tis an excellent thought. "

"Do what, Martin!"

"Look at the candle-flame and hark!"

And now, the booming of the wind dying down somewhat, we heard astrange and dismal wailing and therewith a sound of water afar. 

"O Martin!" she whispered, clasping her hands and coming nearer to me, "What is it?"

"Nought to fear, comrade. But somewhere in this larder of ours is anopening or fissure, the question is--where? And this I go to find out. "

"Aye, but how?" she questioned, coming nearer yet, for now the wailinghad sunk to a groan, and this gave place to a bubbling gasp mightyunpleasant to hear. 

"With smoke, " says I, setting the candle in a niche of rock, "I willlight a fire here. "

"But we have no fuel, Martin. "

"There is plenty in my bed. "

"But how will you sleep and no bed?"

"Well enough, as I have done many a time and oft!"

"But, O Martin, 'twill make such dire mess and this our larder!"

"No matter, I'll clean it up. Howbeit I must learn whence cometh thiscold-breathing air. Besides, the fire shall cook our supper andmoreover--"

But here I checked speaking all at once, for above the dismal groansand wailing I had heard a sudden fierce whispering:

"O Martin, O Martin!" sighed my companion, "We are not alone--somewherethere are people whispering! Did you hear, Martin, O did you hear?"And I felt her all of a-tremble where she leaned against me. 

"'Tis gone now!" says I, speaking under my breath. 

"But 'twas there, Martin--a hateful whispering. "

"Aye, I heard it, " says I fierce and loud, "and I'll find out who orwhat--"

"Who or what!" hissed a soft voice. Hereupon I sheathed the knife Ihad drawn and laughed, and immediately there came another laugh, thoughvery soft. 

"Ahoy!" I shouted, and presently back came the answer "Ahoy!" and thenagain, though much fainter, "Ahoy!" "'Tis nought but an echo, " says Ilaughing (yet mighty relieved all the same). 

"Thank God!" says she faintly, and would have fallen but for my arm. 

"Why, comrade, how now?" says I; and for a moment her soft cheek restedagainst my leathern jerkin. 

"O Martin, " says she, sighing, "I do fear me I'm a monstrouscraven--sometimes! Forgive me!"

"Forgive you?" says I, and looking down on her bowed head, feeling herthus all a-tremble against me, I fell a-stammering, "Forgive you, nay--where--here was an unchancy thing--'tis small wonder--no wonderyou should grow affrighted and tremble a little--"

"You are trembling also, " says she, her voice muffled against me. 

"Am I?"

"Yes, Martin. Were you afraid likewise?"

"No--Yes!" says I, and feeling her stir in my hold, I loosed her. 

And now, bringing fern and bracken from my bed I kindled a fire and, damping this a little, made a smoke the which, rising to a certainheight, blew back upon us but always from the one direction; andpeering up thither I judged here must be a space 'twixt the roof andthe face of the rock, though marvellous well-hid from all observation. Hereupon, the place being full of smoke I must needs stamp out the firelest we stifle; yet I had discovered what I sought. So whilst mycompanion busied herself about supper, I dragged our table from theouter cave, setting it in a certain corner and, mounted thereon, reached up and grasped a ledge of rock by which I drew myself up andfound I was in a narrow opening or tunnel, and so low that I must creepon hands and knees. 

"Will you have a candle, Martin?" And there was my lady standing belowme on the table, all anxious-eyed. So I took the candle and creepingthrough this narrow passage suddenly found myself in another cavernvery spacious and lofty; and now, standing in this place, I staredabout me very full of wonder, as well I might be, for I saw this:Before me a narrow door, very stout and pierced with a loophole, andbeyond this a rocky passage that led steeply down: on my right hand, in a corner, a rough bed with a bundle of goat-skins and sheets thatlooked like sailcloth; on my left a table and armchair, rough-buildedlike the bed, and above these, a row of shelves against the rocky wallwhereon stood three pipkins, an iron, three-legged cooking-pot, acandlestick and an inkhorn with pen in it. Lastly, in a corner closebeside the bed, I spied a long-barrelled firelock with bandolierscomplete. I was about to reach this (and very joyously) when my lady'svoice arrested me. 

"Martin, are you there? Are you safe?"

"Indeed!" says I. "And, Damaris, I have found you treasure beyondprice. "

"O Martin, is it Bartlemy's treasure--the jewels?"

"Better than that a thousand times. I have found you a realcooking-pot!"

"O wonderful! Show me! Nay, let me see for myself. Come and aid meup, Martin. "

Setting down my candle I crawled back where she stood all eagerimpatience, and clasping her hands in mine, drew her up and on handsand knees brought her into the cave. 

"Here's a goodly place, comrade!" says I. 

"Yes, Martin. "

"With a ladder to come and go by, this should make you a noblebedchamber. "

"Never!" says she. "O never!"

"And wherefore not?"

"First because I like my little cave best, and second because this istoo much like a dungeon, and third because I like it not--and hark!"and indeed as we spoke the echoes hissed and whispered all about us. 

"Why, 'tis airy and very dry!"

"And very dark by day, Martin. "

"True enough! Still 'tis a wondrous place--"

"O very, Martin, only I like it not at all. "

"Why then, the bed, the bed should serve you handsomely. "

"No!" says she, mighty vehement. "You shall make me a better an youwill, or I will do with my bed of fern. "

"Well then, this pot--here is noble iron pot for you, at least!"

"Why yes, " says she, smiling to see me all chapfallen, "'tis indeed avery good pot, let us bring it away with us, though indeed I could dovery well without it. "

"Lord!" says I gloomily. "Here have I found you all these goodlythings, not to mention chair and table, thinking to please you andinstead--"

"I know, Martin, forgive me, but I love not the place nor anything init. I am very foolish belike, but so it is. " And here she must needsshiver. "As to these things, the bed, the chair and table and theshelves yonder, why you can contrive better in time, Martin; and byyour thought and labour they will be doubly ours, made by you for ourtwo selves and used by none but us. "

"True, " says I, greatly mollified, "but this pot now, I can never makeyou so brave a pot as this. "

"Why, very well, Martin, " says she smiling at my earnestness, "bring itand let us begone. " So I reached down the pot and espied therein along-barrelled pistol; whipping it out, I blew off the dust and saw'twas primed and loaded and with flint in place albeit very rusty. Iwas yet staring at this when my lady gives a little soft cry ofpleasure and comes to me with somewhat hidden behind her. 

"Martin, " says she, "'tis a good place after all, for see--see what ithath given you!" and she shewed me that which I had yawned for sobitterly, viz. A good, stout saw. Tossing aside the pistol, I took iteagerly enough, and, though it was rusty, a very serviceable tool Ifound it to be. 

"Ha, comrade!" says I, "Now shall you have a chair with arms, acupboard, and a bed fit to lie on. Here is all the furniture you maywant!"

"And now, " says she, "let us begone, if you would have your supper, Martin. " So I followed her through the little tunnel and, havinglowered her on to the table, gave her the pot and then (albeit she wasmighty unwilling) turned back, minded to bring away the firelock andpistol and any such odds and ends as might serve me. 

Reaching the cave, I heard again the dismal groans and wailing, butmuch louder than before, and coming to the door, saw it opened on asteep declivity of rock wherein were rough steps or rather notches thatyet gave good foothold; so I began to descend this narrow way, mycandle before me, and taking vast heed to my feet, but as I got lowerthe rock grew moist and slimy so that I was half-minded to turn back;but having come this far, determined to see where it might bring me, for now, from the glooms below, I could hear the soft lapping of water. Then all at once I stopped and stood shivering (as well I might), forimmediately beneath me I saw a narrow ledge of rock and beyond this apit, black and noisome, and full of sluggish water. 

For a long while (as it seemed) I stared down (into this water) scarcedaring to move lest I plunge into this dreadful abyss where the blackwater, lapping sluggishly, made stealthy menacing noises very evil tohear. At last I turned about (and mighty careful) and so made my waysup and out of this unhallowed place more painfully than I had come. Reaching the cave at last (and very thankful) I sought to close thedoor, but found it to resist my efforts. This but made me the moredetermined to shut out this evil place with its cold-breathing air, andI began to examine this door to discover the reason of its immobility. Now this (as I have said) was a narrow door and set betwixt jambs andwith lintel above very strong and excellent well contrived; but as Ilifted my candle to view it better I stopped all at once to stare up ata something fixed midway in this lintel, a strange shrivelled blackthing very like to a great spider with writhen legs updrawn; and now, peering closer, I saw this was a human hand hacked off midway 'twixtwrist and elbow and skewered to the lintel by a great nail. And as Istood staring up at this evil thing, from somewhere in the black voidbeyond the door rose a long, agonised wailing that rose to a bubblingshriek; and though I knew this for no more than some trick of the wind, I felt my flesh tingle to sudden chill. Howbeit I lifted my candlehigher yet, and thus saw beneath this shrivelled, claw-like hand aparchment nailed very precisely at its four corners, though black withdust. Wiping this dust away I read these words, very fair writ inbold, clear characters:

 JAMES BALLANTYNE

 HIS HAND WHEREWITH HE FOULLY MURDERED A GOOD MAN. THIS HAND CUT OFF BY ME THIS JUNE 23 1642. THE SAME BALLANTYNE HAVING PERISHED SUDDENLY BY A PISTOL SHOT ACCORDING TO MY OATH. LIKE ROGUES--TAKE WARNING. 

 ADAM PENFEATHER. 

In a while I turned from this hateful thing, and coming to the bedbegan to examine the huddle of goatskins, and though full of dust andsomething stiff, found them little the worse for their long disuse; thesame applied equally to the sailcloth, the which, though yellow, wasstill strong and serviceable. Reaching the firelock from the corner Ifound it to be furnished with a snaphaunce or flintlock, and thoughvery rusty, methought cleaned and oiled it might make me a very goodweapon had I but powder and shot for it. But the bandoliers held inall but two poor charges, which powder I determined to keep for thepistol. Therefore I set the musket back in the corner, and doing soespied a book that lay open and face down beneath the bedstead. Takingit up I wiped off the dust, and opening this book at the first page Icame on this:

 ADAM PENFEATHER

 HYS JOURNAL

 1642. 

Hereupon, perceiving in it many charts and maps together with a plan ofthe island very well drawn, I thrust it into my bosom, and hearing mylady calling me, took pistol and bandolier and so to supper. 

Thus amidst howling storm and tempest we sat down side by side to sup, very silent for the most part by reason of this elemental strife thatraged about our habitation, filling the world with awful stir andclamour. 

But in a while seeing her so downcast and with head a-droop I mustneeds fall gloomy also, and full of a growing bitterness. 

"Art grieving for England?" says I at last, "Yearning for home andfriends and some man belike that loves and is beloved again!"

"And why not, Martin?"

"Because 'tis vain. "

"And yet 'twould be but natural. "

"Aye indeed, " says I gloomily and forgetting my supper, "forcontrasting all you have lost, home and friends and love, with yourpresent evil plight here in this howling wilderness, 'tis small wonderyou weep. "

"But I am not weeping!" says she, flushing. 

"Yet you well may, " quoth I, "for here are you at the world's end andwith none but myself for company. "

"Why, truly here is good cause for tears!" says she, flashing her eyesat me. 

"Aye!" I nodded. "'Tis a pity Fate hath chosen you so ill a companion. "

"Indeed and so it is!" says she, and turns her back on me. And so wesat awhile, she with her back to me and I gloomy and despondenthearkening to the howling of the wind. 

"You eat no supper!" says I at last. 

"Neither do you!"

"I am not hungry!"

"Nor I!"

Myself (speaking after some while, humbly): Have I angered you?

She: Mightily!

Myself: Aye, but how?

She: By your idle, foolish talk, for if I grow thoughtful sometimeswhy must you ever dream me repining against my lot? To-night, hearkening to this dreadful tempest I was full of gratitude to God thatHe had brought us to this safe harbourage and set me in yourcompanionship. And if my heart cry out for England sometimes 'tisbecause I do love England. Yet my days here are too full of labour forvain grieving and my labour, like my sleep, is joy to me. And there isno man I love in England--or anywhere else. 

Myself (and more humbly than ever): Why then I pray you forgive me, comrade. 

At this she looks at me over her shoulder, frowning and a littleaskance. 

"For indeed, " says I, meeting this look, "I would have you know me everas your comrade to serve you faithfully, seeking only your friendshipand nought beyond; one you may trust unfearing despite my ungentleways. "

And now I saw her frown was vanished quite, her eyes grown wondrousgentle and her lips curving to a smile; and so she reached out her handto me. 

And thus we two poor, desolate souls found great solace and comfort ineach other's companionship, and hearkening to the roar of this mightytempest felt the bonds of our comradeship only strengthened thereby. 

When my lady was gone to bed I, remembering Adam's journal, took itout, and drawing the candle nearer fell to examining the book moreclosely. It was a smallish volume but very thick, and with very manyclose-written pages, its stout leathern covers battered and stained, and an ill-looking thing I thought it; but opening it haphazard, Iforgot all save the words I read (these written in Adam's small clerklyhand) for I came on this:

May 10. --Glory be and thanks unto that Providence hath been mysalvation and poured upon unworthy me His blessing in that I this dayhave fought and killed this murderous rogue and detestable pirate, Roger Tressady. 

Here followed divers accounts of his labours, his discovery of thesecaves and many cunning devices day by day until I came on this:

May 28. --To-day a storm-beat pinnace standing in for my island, and init Abnegation Mings and divers others of Bartlemy's rogues, survivors(as I judge) of that cursed ship "Lady's Delight. " They landed, beingfifteen in all and I in great fear and distress therefore. Theyleaving their boat unwatched I stole thither and to my great joy foundtherein a watch-coat and bonnet, 3 muskets, 2 swords, 5 pistols withpowder and shot, all of which did hide among the rocks adjacent (acunning hiding-place) where I may fetch them at my leisure, Providenceaiding. 

May 29. --This day 1 hour before dawn secured arms, powder, etc. , andvery grateful therefore. 

May 30. --To-day set about strengthening and fortifying my door since, though Roger Tressady is dead, there be other rogues yet to slay, theirevil minds being full of lust for Black Bartlemy's Treasure and myblood. And these their names:

A true list of these rogues each and every known to me aforetime inTortuga, viz. :

 My enemies. My equipment against the same. 

 Abnegation Mings (Mate of A determined mind. The "Vengeance" galley) 3 Musquets with powder and shot Benjamin Galbally a-plenty. Jasper Vokes 2 Swords. Juliano Bartolozzi 1 Axe. Benjamin Denton 2 Pikes. Pierre Durand 5 Pistols. John Ford A chain-shirt. James Ballantyne Izaac Pym Robert Ball William Loveday Daniel Marston Ebenezer Phips A boy and one woman. 

June 1. --This day, waked by a shot and the sounds of lewd brawling, Ito my lookout and mighty alarmed. Upon the sands a fire and thereby awoman and 6 or 7 of these rogues fighting for her. She, poor soul, running to escape falls shot and they to furious fight. But my hopesof their destroying each other and saving me this labour vain by reasonof Abnegation Mings bringing them to accord. Thereafter they todrinking and singing of this lewd piratical rant of theirs. WhereuponI tried a shot at them with my long-barrelled arquebus to no purpose. Have made me some ink and do answer very well. 

June 2. --Went a-hunting three of my destroyers, viz. The roguesGalbally, Vokes and Bartalozzi. But they well-armed and keeping alwaysin company did no more than harm Vokes in the leg by a bullet, and soto my fort and mighty downcast. Began to make myself a chair witharms. This day also wrote me out divers parchments thus:

 JASPER VOKES

 SLAIN Of NECESSITY THIS [----] DAY LIKE ROGUES TAKE WARNING. 

 ADAM PENFEATHER. 

and of these parchments 13 (the boy being already dead), with everyrogue his name fair writ that they might know me for man of my word andleave me and my treasure in peace. 

June 3. --The weather hot and I out after my bloodthirsty enemies. Cameon the French rogue Durand and him sleeping. Removed his firearms andkicked him awake. He to his sword and I to mine. Took him in quarte atthe third passado through the right eye--a shrewd thrust. Tied aparchment about his neck and so to my refuge very full of gratitude. 

June 4. --To-day, guided by Providence, surprised Izaac Pym gorginghimself on wild grapes. Spying me he whips out his pistol, but I firedfirst. Tied a parchment about his neck and so left him. 

June 5. --Evil days for me since these murderous rogues keep evertogether now and on their watch against me day and night. My greatchair finished and all I could wish it. 

June 9. --This night the moon full they assaulted my fort with hugehalloo and many shot, battering my door with a great log for ram. ButI shooting one and wounding others they left me in peace. 

June 10. --All this day ventured not abroad fearing an ambuscado. Andlighting a fire within my inner cave the smoke showed me how I mighthide from my bloodthirsty foes an need be. 

June 11. --My would-be slayers camped all about my refuge and howlingfor my blood, though keeping well out of my line of fire. So I tomaking me a ladder of ropes whereby to come at my new-found sanctuary. Determine to make this my bedchamber. 

June 12. --My cruel enemies yet raging about me ravening for my bloodand I very fearful. Have taken down my bed to set it within my secretchamber. 

June 13. --This morning early the rogue Benjamin Denton, venturingwithin my fire-zone, took a bullet in his midriff, whereof he suddenlyperished. 

June 14. --This morning having gotten all my furniture into my secretchamber do find myself very comfortable. But my stores beginning torun low do put myself on half-rations. 

June 15. --My murderers very silent with intent to lure me to my deathbut I--

The rest of this page was so stained and blotted that I could makenothing of it save a word or phrase here and there as:

. . . Secret pass . . . Pit of black water and very . . . Fear of death . . . Head over ears . . . To my chin so that I . . . Miserably wet . . . On handsand knees being determined . . . Wonderful beyond thought for here . . . Tlemy's Treasure . . . Very great . . . This gold I saw was . . . Emeralds, diamonds and . . . Pearls a-many . . . Through my fingers . . . Like any poorcrazed soul. For here was treasure greater . . . Moreover and wealthundreamed . . . Shaft of . . . Suddenly . . . The valley . . . Sore annoyed Istood to . . . He knelt . . . Seeking the water . . . Turned . . . Our knives. . . Through my forearm but I . . . Broke short against my chain-shirt andI . . . Beneath the armpit. So back by the secret way to bind up my hurtand behold again my treasure. 

Here my candle dying out and I in the dark, I laid the book aside andpresently got me to sleep. 

CHAPTER XXXIII

WE EXPLORE THE ISLAND

I opened my eyes to a great beam of sun pouring in at the open doorway, whereby I judged my companion already astir. So I arose forthwith, andgoing out of the cave stood amazed to see the havoc wrought by lastnight's storm. For everywhere lay trees torn and uprooted, and indivers of the more exposed places the wind it seemed had swept themutterly away, so that the landscape here and there wore an airunfamiliar and not to be recognised. Though the wind was died away Isaw the sea yet rolling tempestuous to break in foam upon the reef andwith dreadful roar. Looking down on Deliverance Beach I beheld itswhite sands littered with piles of driftwood, and over all a cloudlessblue with the sun new-risen and very hot. 

And now taking my hooks and line and a pliant bough for rod, I wentforth to angle for breakfast. Reaching the lagoon great wonder was itto behold these waters so smooth and placid while the surf foamed andthundered beyond the reef. I now baited my hooks with fat of the goatand betook me to my angling; nor had I long to wait ere I felt a jerkon my line, and tingling with the joy of it I whipped my rod sofuriously that my fish whirled glittering through the air, and flyingfrom my barbless hook lay floundering on the sands behind me; andthough of no great size yet a very good fish I thought him. And indeedI found the fish to bite readily enough and mighty dexterous to filchmy bait, and though I lost a-many yet I, becoming more expert, contrived to land five likely fish of different sizes and of marvellouscolouring. 

So there sat I in the shade of a rock, mighty content and quite lost inthe joy of my sport until, chancing to lift my gaze, I beheld mycompanion upon the rocks over against me gazing away across thetroubled ocean. And beholding all the grace of her as she stood there, her shapely figure poised and outlined against the blue sky, her longhair rippling in the soft wind, I clean forgot my fish, for indeed itseemed I had not noticed the vigorous beauty of her until now. And inthis moment, as I sat staring up at her, she turned and spying me, waved her hand in cheery greeting and begins to descend these rocks, leaping sure-footed from ledge to ledge, lithe and graceful as anyfabled nymph or goddess of them all. But I, well knowing the danger ofthese rocks, watched her with breath in check and mighty anxious untilshe sprang nimbly to the sands and so came running all joyous to meetme. Hereupon I caught up my forgotten angle and found my hook empty, whereat she must needs fall a-laughing at my discomfiture. 

"O Martin" says she, "what a glory of sun and sea and sky and the windso sweet! Indeed it seems as nature would make us amends for the cruelstorm, for the poor trees have suffered greatly. "

"Aye, comrade, " quoth I, "so is there much fruit for us to gather ereit rot, and great store of palm-nuts, which are good food and useful ina thousand ways. "

"But nature is very cruel, Martin, for I have seen many birds lyingdead and over yonder a poor goat crushed by a tree. "

"Why then, " says I, "these will we eat also, at least, such as we may. "

"Nay, Martin, your mind runneth overmuch on food, methinks. "

"Mayhap!" says I. "Howbeit here are fish to our breakfast. " Hereuponshe falls on her knees to behold my catch and very full of wonder. 

"Indeed, " says she, "meseemeth we have strayed into Paradise, for eventhe fish are beautiful. Why stare you so, Martin? Is it so wonderfulI joy in life and find it sweet in so fair a world and on such a day?Moreover I have been swimming--"

"How?" says I, "and the sea so rough!"

"I have found me a little bay where the waters run smooth and deep. But come, let us breakfast, for to-day, Martin, to-day we will exploreour island. "

"Why, I had thought to try my saw to-day, " says I, "I had intended tobegin a chair for you. "

"Nay, let this rest awhile; Martin, to-day I yearn to adventure theunknown, who can say what marvels and wonders lie waiting us?"

"As you will!" says I, rising, and so away to the plateau. Now verysoon I had the fire a-going and while she bustled to and fro preparingbreakfast and singing very sweet and blithe to hear, I took the pistol, and having cleaned and oiled it, found it very well; then I loaded itwith one of my six bullets, using a strip from my ragged shirtsleevefor wads. This done I laid it by and, going for Adam's journal, I cuttherefrom the map of the island and fell to studying it with a view toour forthcoming journey. The which map I give herewith:

(Map of the island. )

Hearing my companion call me I went out to find breakfast ready, thefish broiled and very appetising. While we ate I showed her Adam's mapand she greatly pleased therewith and anxious to know how I came by it, all of which I told her. And she, examining this plan, grows but themore eager to be gone on this expedition. 

"But, Martin, " says she all at once as she studied the map, "MasterPenfeather would seem to have been forced to slay a great number ofpoor men, here be--one--two--three--O many men all dead by hishand--and each marked with a little cross. "

"Aye, " I nodded, "and each and every 'slain of necessity'" . . . 

"Which meaneth--what, Martin?"

"Murder, like as not, though 'tis all cunningly glozed in his journal. "

"I would fain see this journal, Martin. "

"Why, so you shall and judge thereby whether he be rogue or no, for'tis beyond me. "

"But now, " says she rising, "let us make ready for our journey, though'twill be no great matter, for according to this plan the island is nomore than seven miles long and some five miles wide. "

"Even so, " quoth I, "'twill be ill travelling by reason of woods andtangled thickets, swamps and the like, so I judge 'twill take the wholeday. "

"Why then, " says she, leaping up, "the sooner we start the better, Martin. "

Hereupon, finding her so set on it I proceeded to equip myself for thejourney; in my belt I thrust my trusty knife and the hatchet, thesebalanced by the pistol, and over my shoulder I slung my bow and quiverof arrows and chose me a good stout sapling for staff. Soon cometh mycompanion, her slender middle girt by a goatskin girdle whereto she hadhung our other sheath-knife and my wallet; so we set out together sideby side. Reaching the little valley, we turned off to the right, orwesterly, according to Adam's map, following the stream that rippledamid great boulders or flowed 'twixt banks adorned with many-huedflowers most rare to be seen. And here were bushes of all kinds andtrees a-plenty untouched by the gale, for the little valley, being wellsecluded, it fortuned the wind had passed over it. Up rose the sunwaxing ever hotter, so that, reaching a grove of trees, I would have mycompanion rest awhile in this right pleasant shade the whiles I, withcertain great leaves, contrived a covering for her head and another formy own; which done, we fared on again and she very merry by reason ofthe strange figures we cut. Thus we presently came out of the valleyinto a pleasant champain--a rolling grassy upland with dim woodsbeyond, even as Adam had set forth in his map. Wherefore, guided bythis map, we struck off north and so in a while came again to the riverand heard the roar of the waterfall away to our left; and turningthither (I being minded to show her this wonder) we saw before us ahigh land, well girt by bush and fern and flowering shrubs, up which wescrambled forthwith, the roar of the fall waxing louder as we climbed. Reaching the summit we saw it had once been covered by noble trees, some few of which the storm had left standing yet, but for the mostpart they lay wind-tossed in wild and tangled confusion. 

"O Martin!" says my companion, "O Martin!" and so stood awed by thedestruction wrought by this mighty and pitiless tempest. Here wasill-going, but by dint of labour with my hatchet I forced us a waythrough the wreckage until we suddenly came where we might behold thefall that leapt from the adjacent rocks, all rainbow-hued, to plungeinto those deep and troubled waters below. 

And now instead of bursting forth into cries of delighted wonder, as Ihad expected, my companion stood mute and still, her handstight-clasped, viewing now the splendour of these falling waters, nowthe foam-sprent deeps below, like one quite dumbfounded. At last:

"O Martin, " says she in my ear, for the noise of the fall was veryloud, "here is wonder on wonder!"

"As how, comrade?"

"This great body of water for all its weight yet disturbeth yonderblack depths very little--and how should this chance except this darklake be immeasurably deep?"

"Aye, true!" says I. "Here belike was a volcano once and this thecrater. "

Hard by, a great rock jutted out above the lake, that same barren rockwherein I had sat the day I discovered this cataract; now as I viewedthis rock I was struck by its grotesque shape and then, all at once, Isaw it was hatefully like to a shrivelled head--there were thefleshless jaws, the shrunken nose and great, hollow eye-socket. Andnow even as I stared at the thing my companion spied it also, for Ifelt her hand on my arm and saw her stand to view it wide-eyed. So we, speaking no word, stared upon this shape, and ever as we stared thenameless evil of it seemed to grow, insomuch that we turned with oneaccord and hasted away. 

"Yonder was an ill sight, Martin. "

"Indeed!" says I. "'Twas like the face of one long dead! And yet 'tisno more than a volcanic rock! Nature playeth strange tricks sometimes, and here was one vastly strange and most unlovely!" After this we wenton side by side and never a word betwixt us until we had reached thatpleasant champain country where flowed the river shaded by goodlytrees, in whose branches fluttered birds of a plumage marvellouslycoloured and diverse, and beneath which bloomed flowers as vivid;insomuch that my lady brake forth ever and anon into little soft criesof delighted wonder. And yet despite all these marvels it was long erewe shook off the evil of that ghastly rock. 

Presently as we journeyed came a wind sweet and fresh from the sea, offsetting the sun's immoderate heat to our great comfort, so that, though ofttimes our way was toilsome, our spirits rose notwithstanding, and we laughed and talked unfeignedly as only good comrades may. 

By noon we had reached a place of rocks where, according to Adam's mapshould be a ford, though hereabouts the stream, swollen by the laterains, ran deep. Howbeit we presently came upon the ford sure enoughand, having crossed it, my lady must needs fall to admiring at her newshoes again, finding them water-fast. 

"And they so comfortable and easy to go in, Martin!"

"Why, you have footed it bravely thus far!" says I, "But--"

"But?" says she, "And what then? You shall find me no laggard thesedays, Martin. Indeed I could run fast as you for all your long legs, sir. "

So she challenges me to race her forthwith, whereupon (and despite thesun) we started off side by side and she so fleet that I might scarcekeep pace with her; thus we ran until at last we stopped all flushedand breathless and laughing for the pure joy of it. 

Presently in our going we came on a little dell, very shady andpleasantly secluded, where flowers bloomed and great clusters of wildgrapes hung ripe for the plucking; and mighty pleasant methought it tobehold my companion's pleased wonderment. Here we sat to rest andfound these grapes very sweet and refreshing. 

Much might I tell of the marvels of this island, of fruit and bird andbeast, of the great butterflies that wheeled and hovered resplendent, and of the many and divers wonders that beset us at every turn; butlest my narrative grow to immoderate length (of the which I do alreadybegin to entertain some doubt) I will pass these with this mere mentionand hurry on to say that we tramped blithely on until, the sundeclining westwards, warned us to be turning back; but close before usrose that high hill whose summit towered above the island, and mycompanion mighty determined that she must climb it. 

"For, Martin, " says she, scornful of all weariness, "once up there wemay behold all our domain spread out before us!"

So having skirted the woods and avoided tangled thickets as well as wemight, we began the ascent, which we found to be no great matter afterall. And now I bethought me how Adam had sped hotfoot up hereabouts ona time and with Tressady's glittering hook ringing loud on the rocksbehind him. More than once as we climbed we came on flocks of goatsthat scampered off at sight of us; here, too, I remarked divers greatbirds and determined to try a shot at one if chance should offer. Asto my companion, I had all I could do to keep up with her until, flushed and breathless, she turned to view me all radiant-eyed where westood panting upon the summit. And now beholding the prospect below, she uttered a soft, inarticulate cry, and sinking down upon the sward, pushed the damp curls from her brow the better to survey the sceneoutstretched before us. 

A rolling, wooded country of broad savannahs, of stately groves andmazy boskages, of dim woods and flashing streams; a blended harmony ofgreens be-splashed, here and there, with blossoming thickets orflowering trees, the whole shut in by towering, tree-girt cliffs andbounded by a limitless ocean, blue as any sapphire. 

Viewing the island from this eminence I could see that Adam's map wastrue in all essentials as to shape and general trend of the country, and sitting beside my lady I fell to viewing the island more narrowly, especially this eminent place; and looking about me I called to mindhow Adam (according to his story) had waged desperate fight withTressady hereabouts--indeed I thought to recognise the very spotitself, viz. , a narrow ledge of rock with, far below, a sea that randeeply blue to break in foam against the base of these precipitouscliffs. Away over hill and dale I saw that greeny cliff with itssilver thread of falling water that marked our refuge, and beyond thisagain, on my right hand, the white spume of the breakers on the reef. And beholding the beauties thus spread out before my eyes, and knowingmyself undisputed lord of it all, there grew within me a sense of joyunknown hitherto. 

At last, moved by a sudden thought, I turned from the beauties of thisour island to study the beauty of her who sat beside me; the proudcarriage of her shapely head 'neath its silky masses of hair, the levelbrows, the calm, deep serenity of her blue eyes, the delicate nose, full red lips and dimpled chin, the soft round column of her throat, deep bosom and slender waist--thus sat I staring upon her lovelinessheedless of all else until she stirred uneasily, as if conscious of myregard, and looked at me. Then I saw that her eyes were serene nolonger, whiles all at once throat and cheeks and brow were suffusedwith slow and painful colour, yet even as I gazed on her she met mylook unflinching. 

"What is it, Martin?" she questioned, a little breathless still. 

"Suppose, " says I slowly, "suppose we are never taken hence--suppose weare destined to end our days here?"

"Surely this is--an ill thought, Martin?"

"Indeed and is it, my lady? Can the world offer a home more fair?"

"Surely not, Martin. "

"Then wherein lieth the ill--Damaris? Is it that you do yearn somightily for England?"

"There lieth my home, Martin!"

"Is home then so dear to you?" Here, finding no answer, she grewtroubled. "Or is it, " says I, bending my staff across my knee andbeginning to frown, "or is it that there waits some man yonder that youlove?"

"No, Martin, have I not told you--"

"Why then, " says I, "is it that you grow a-weary of my unlovely waysand would be quit of me?"

"No, Martin--only--only--" Here she fell silent and I saw her flushagain. 

"Or is it that you fear I might grow to love you--in time?"

"To--love me!" says she, very softly, and now I saw her red lips dimpleto a smile as she stooped to cull a flower blooming hard by. "Nay!"says she lightly, "Here were a wonder beyond thought, Martin!"

"And wherefore should this be so great wonder?" I demanded. 

"Because I am Joan Brandon and you are a man vowed and sworn tovengeance, Martin. "

"Vengeance?" says I and, with the word, the staff snapped in my hands. 

"Is it not so, Martin?" she questioned, wistfully. "Given freedom fromthis island would you not go seeking your enemy's life? Dream you notof vengeance still?"

"Aye, true, " says I, "true! How should it be otherwise? Come, let usbegone!" And casting away my broken staff, I got to my feet. But she, sitting there, lifted her head to view me with look mighty strange. 

"Poor Martin!" says she softly. "Poor Martin!"

Then she arose, albeit slow and wearily, and we went down the hilltogether. Now as we went thus, I in black humour (and never a word) Iespied one of those great birds I have mentioned within easy range, andwhipping off my bow I strung it, and setting arrow on cord let fly andbrought down my quarry (as luck would have it) and running forward hadvery soon despatched it. 

"Why must you kill the poor thing, Martin?"

"For supper. "

"Supper waiteth us at home. "

"Home?" says I. 

"The cave, Martin. "

"We shall not reach there this night. 'Twill be dark in another hourand there is no moon, so needs must we bide here. "

"As you will, Martin. "

Hard beside the river that wound a devious course through the green wasa little grove, and sitting here I fell to plucking the bird. 

"Shall I not do that, Martin?"

"I can do it well enough. "

"As you wish, Martin. "

"You are weary, doubtless. "

"Why, 'tis no great labour to cook supper, Martin. "

"Howbeit, I'll try my hand to-night. "

"Very well, " says she and away she goes to collect sticks for the firewhiles I sat feathering the bird and found the flesh of it very whiteand delicate. But all the while my anger swelled within me for thefolly I had uttered to her, in a moment of impulse, concerning love. Thus as she knelt to build the fire I spoke my thought. 

"I said a vain and foolish thing to you a while since. "

"Aye, Martin you did!" says she, bending over her pile of sticks. "Butwhich do you mean?"

"I mean that folly regarding love. "

"O, was that folly, Martin?" she questioned, busy laying the sticks inplace. 

"Arrant folly, for I could never love you--or any woman--"

"O, why not, Martin?"

"Because I have no gift for't--no leaning that way--nor ever shall--"

"Why indeed, you are no ordinary man, Martin. Shall I light the fire?"

"No, I will. "

"Yes, Martin!" And down she sits with folded hands, watching me mightysolemn and demure and I very conscious of her scrutiny. Having pluckedand drawn my bird, I fell to trimming it with my knife, yet all thetime feeling her gaze upon me, so that what with this and my anger Ipricked my thumb and cursed beneath my breath, whereupon she arose andleft me. 

Having thus prepared my bird for cooking I set it upon two sticks and, lighting the fire, sat down to watch it. But scarce had I done so whenback comes my lady. 

"Martin, " says she, "should you not truss your bird first, Martin?"

"'Twill do as it is. "

"Very well, Martin. But why are you so short with me?"

"I am surly by nature!" quoth I. 

"Aye, true!" she nodded, "But why are you angry with me this time?"

"I ha' forgot. "

"You were merry enough this noon and laughed gaily, and once you fella-whistling--"

"The more fool I!"

"Why then, methinks I do like your folly--sometimes!" says she softly. "But now see this river, Martin, 'tis called the Serpent Water in themap, and indeed it winds and twists like any snake. But where should somuch water come from, think you? Let us go look!"

"Nay, not I--here's the bird to tend--"

"Why then, " says she, stamping her foot at me in sudden anger, "staywhere you are until you find your temper! And may your bird burn to acinder!" And away she goes forthwith and I staring after her like anyfool until she was out of sight. So there sat I beside the fire andgiving all due heed to my cooking; but in a while I fell to deepreflection and became so lost in my thoughts that, roused by a smell ofburning, I started up to find my bird woefully singed. 

This put me in fine rage so that I was minded to cast the carcass intothe fire and have done with it; and my anger grew as the time passedand my companion came not. The sun sank rapidly, and the bird I judgedwell-nigh done; wherefore I began to shout and halloo, bidding her tosupper. But the shadows deepening and getting no answer to myoutcries, I started up, clean forgetting my cookery, and hasted off insearch of my companion, calling her name now and then as I went. Following the stream I found it to narrow suddenly (and it running veryfurious and deep) perceiving which I began to fear lest some mischancehad befallen my wilful lady. Presently as I hurried on, casting myeyes here and there in search of her, I heard, above the rush of thewater, a strange and intermittent roaring, the which I could makenothing of, until, at last, forcing my way through the underbrush I sawbefore me a column of water that spouted up into the air from a fissureat the base of the hill, and this waterspout was about the bigness of afair-sized tree and gushed up some twenty feet or so, now sinking tohalf this height, only to rise again. Scarce pausing to behold thiswonder I would have hasted on (and roaring louder than the water) whenI beheld her seated close by upon a rock and watching me, chin in hand. 

"Why must you shout so loud?" says she reprovingly. 

"I feared you lost!" says I, like any fool. 

"Would it matter so much? And you so angry with me and no reason?"

"Howbeit, supper is ready!"

"I am not hungry, I thank you, sir. "

"But I am!"

"Then go eat!"

"Not alone!" says I; and then very humbly, "Prithee, comrade, come tosupper, indeed you should be hungry!"

"And indeed, Martin, " says she, rising and giving me her hand, "I dothink I am vastly hungry after all. " So back we went together and, reaching the fire, found the accursed bird burned black as any coal, whereupon I stood mighty downcast and abashed the while she laughed andlaughed until she needs must lean against a tree; and I, seeing herthus merry at my expense, presently laughed also. Hereupon she fallson her knees, and taking the thing from the fire sets it upon a greatleaf for dish, and turns it this way and that. 

"Good lack, Martin!" says she, "'Tis burned as black e'en as I wished!This cometh of your usurpation of my duties, sir! And yet methinks'tis not utterly spoiled!" And drawing her knife she scrapes and trimsit, cutting away the burned parts until there little enough remained, but that mighty delectable judging by the smell of it. 

So down we sat to supper forthwith and mighty amicable, nay indeedmethought her kinder than ordinary and our friendship only thestronger, which did comfort me mightily. 

But our supper done we spake little, for night was come upon us verystill and dark save for a glitter of stars, by whose unearthly lightall things took on strange shapes, and our solitude seemed but the moreprofound and awesome. 

Above us a purple sky be-gemmed by a myriad stars, a countless hostwhose distant splendour throbbed upon the night; round about us a gloomof woods and thickets that hemmed us in like a dark and sombre tide, whence stole a sweet air fraught with spicy odours; and over all a deepand brooding quietude. But little by little upon this silence creptsounds near and far, leafy rustlings, a stirring in the undergrowth, the whimper of some animal, the croak of a bird, and the faint, never-ceasing murmur of the surge. 

And I, gazing thus upon this measureless immensity, felt myself humbledthereby, and with this came a knowledge of the futility of my lifehitherto. And now (as often she had done, ere this) my companionvoiced the thought I had no words for. 

"Martin, " says she, softly, "what pitiful things are we, lost thus inGod's infinity. "

"And doth it affright you, Damaris?"

"No, Martin, for God is all-merciful. Yet I needs must think how vainour little strivings, our hopes and fears, how small our joys andsorrows!"

"Aye, truly, truly!" quoth I. 

"But, " says she, leaning towards me in the firelight and with her gazeuplifted to the starry heavens, "He who made the heavens is a mercifulGod, 'who hath made great lights . . . The moon and the stars to governthe night. ' So, Martin, 'let us give thanks unto the Lord for He isgood, for His mercy endureth forever; and in this knowledge methinks wemay surely rest secure. "

After this we fell silent again, I for one being very full oftroublesome thought and perplexity, and the sum of it this, viz. , whether a woman, cast alone on a desolate island with a man such as I, had need to fear him? To the which question answer found I none. Wherefore I got me another speculation, to wit: Whether a man andwoman thus solitary must needs go a-falling in love with one another?Finding no answer to this either, I turned, half-minded to put thequestion to my companion, and found her fast asleep. 

She lay deep-slumbering in the light of the fire, her face half-hid'neath a tress of shining hair; and I viewing her, chin in fist, saw inher only the last of her hated race and knew in that moment that nevermight there be aught of true love, that pure passion, high andennobling, the which may lift man above his baser self--never mightthis be 'twixt her blood and mine. And knowing this I knew also greatdoubt and fear of myself. And in my fear I lifted my gaze to thestars, those "great lights" set there by the hand of God; and spakethus within myself:

"Lord God, " quoth I, "Since love is not nor ever shall be 'twixt thismy companion and me, do Thou protect her from the devil within me, doThou aid me to keep the oath I sware in Thy name. "

But now (and my prayer scarce uttered) the Devil sprang and was uponme, and I, forgetting all my oaths and resolutions, yielded me joyouslyto his will; stirring in her slumbers my lady sighed, turned and, throwing her arm out it chanced that her hand came upon my knee andrested there, and I, shivering at her touch, seized this hand andcaught it to my lips and began to kiss these helpless fingers and theround, soft arm above. I felt her start, heard her breath catch in asob, but, in my madness I swept her to my embrace. Then as I stoopedshe held me off striving fiercely against me; all at once her strugglesceased and I heard her breath come in a long, tremulous sigh. 

"Martin!" says she, "O thank God 'tis you! I dreamed these BlackBartlemy's cruel arms about me and I was sick with fear andhorror--thank God 'tis you, dear Martin, and I safe from all harmssoever. So hold me an you will, Martin, you that have saved me from somuch and will do till the end. "

"Aye, by God!" says I, bending my head above her that she might not seemy face, "And so I will, faithfully, truly, until the very end!"

"Do I not know it--O do I not know it!" says she in choking voice, andhere, lying beside me, she must take my hand and hold it to her softcheek. "Indeed I do think there is no man like you in the whole world. "

At this, knowing myself so unworthy, I thought no man in the world somiserable as I, as I would have told her but dared not. 

"God make me worthy of your trust!" says I at last. 

"'Tis a good prayer, Martin. Now hear mine, 'tis one I have prayedfull oft--God make you strong enough to forgive past wrongs and, forgetting vengeance, to love your enemy. "

"'Tis thing impossible!" says I. 

"Yet the impossible shall come to pass soon or late, Martin, this am Isure. "

"And why so sure?"

"My heart telleth me so!" says she drowsily, and looking down I saw hereyes were closed and she on the verge of slumber. And beholding herthus, my self-hate grew, insomuch that her fingers loosing their hold, I stole away my hand and, seeing her asleep, crept from the place. Being come to the stream I stood awhile staring down at the hurryingwaters, minded to cast myself therein; but presently I turned aside, and coming amid leafy gloom lay there outstretched, my face hidden fromthe stars and I very full of bitterness, for it seemed that I was asgreat a rogue and well-nigh as vile as ever Bartlemy had been. Andthus merciful sleep found me at last. 

CHAPTER XXXIV

HOW I STOOD RESOLUTE IN MY FOLLY

The day was still young when we reached our habitation, and both of usglad to return, especially my lady. 

"For truly I do grow to love this home of ours, " says she, and setsherself to sweeping out her three caves. As for me I was determined onmaking her an arm chair forthright; to the which end I took my saw andset out for Deliverance Sands, there to cut and select such timber as Ineeded from my store. But scarce was I come hither than I uttered ashout of joy, for there, cast up high upon these white sands, lay agreat mast in a tangle of ropes and cordage. 

Drawing near, I saw this for the mainmast of some noble ship but latelywrecked, wherefore I hasted along the beach and out upon the reef tosee if haply any other wreckage had come ashore, but found nothing toreward my search. Returning to the mast I saw to my joy that thiscordage was all new and sound, though woefully tangled. Howbeit I hadsoon unravelled some fifty yards of good stout twine, and abundance ofmore yet to hand together with the heavier ropes such as shrouds andback-stays. Taking this line I came to that rocky cleft where I hadkilled the goat, and clambering up the bush-grown cliff found it to behoney-combed with caves large and small and with abundant evidences ofthe animals I sought. Wherefore, choosing me a narrow, well-worn trackI set there a trap formed of a running noose, and this did I in diversother places, which done I returned to my labours on the mast. At thewhich occupation my lady, finding me, must needs fall to work besideme, aiding as well as she might like the true comrade she was. 

Thus by late afternoon I had coiled and stowed safely away more goodhempen rope and cordage than I could ever want. This accomplished Ifound time to praise my companion's diligence; but finding her allwearied out with such rough and arduous labour, grew mighty vexed withmy heedlessness, reproaching myself therewith; but she (and alltoilworn as she was) laughed her weariness to scorn, as was ever herway:

"Why, Martin, " says she, "labour is a good thing and noble since itgiveth health and strength to both mind and body. And 'tis my joy toshare in your labours when I may and a delight to see how, cast heredestitute of all things, you have contrived so much already. The moreI work and the harder, the more able am I for work, so trouble not if Ido grow a little weary sometimes!" This comforted me somewhat until, chancing to see her hands, I caught them in mine and turning them sawthese tender palms all red and blistered with the ropes; and grievingover them I would have kissed the poor little things had I dared (andindeed came mighty nigh doing it) as she perceived, I think, for sheflushed and laughed and drew them from my hold. 

"Nay, Martin, " says she softly. "I would have you forget mysex--sometimes!"

"'Twere a thing impossible!" says I, whereat she, stealing a glance atme, flushed all the hotter. 

"Why then, " says she, "You must not coddle and cosset me because I am awoman--"

"Never, " quoth I, "'tis not my nature to do so. "

"And yet you do, Martin. "

"As how?"

"O in many ways--these blisters now, why should your hands grow roughand hard and not mine? Nature hath formed me woman but Fate hath mademe your comrade, Martin. And how may I be truly your comrade except Ishare your toil?"

Now when I would have answered I could not, and turning from her tostare away across the limitless ocean saw it a-gleam through a mist asit were. 

"Surely, " says I at last, "O surely never had man so sweet and true acomrade! And I so rude and unlovely--and in all ways so unworthy. "

"But you are not, Martin, you are not!"

"Aye, but I am--beyond your guessing, you that are so pure, sosaintly--"

"Saintly? O Martin!" and here she laughs albeit a little tremulously. "Surely I am a very human saint, for I do grow mighty hungry and yearnfor my supper. So prithee let us go and eat. "

But on our way we turned aside to see if we had any fortune with mysnares; sure enough, coming nigh the place we heard a shuffling andsnorting, and presently discovered a goat fast by the neck andhalf-choked, and beside her a little kid pitifully a-bleating. 

"O Martin!" cries my lady, and falling on her knees began caressing andfondling the little creature whiles I secured the dam, and mightyjoyful. The goat, for all its strangling, strove mightily, but lashingits fore and hind legs I contrived to get it upon my shoulders and thusburdened set off homewards, my lady carrying the kid clasped to herbosom, and it very content there and small wonder. 

"'Tis sweet, pretty thing, " says my lady, stroking its silky hair, "andshall soon grow tame. "

"And here is the beginning of our flock: our cheese and butter shallnot be long a-lacking now, comrade. "

"You must fashion me a press, Martin. "

"And a churn, " says I. 

"Nay I can manage well enough with one of our pipkins. "

"But a churn would be easier for you, so a churn you shall have, ofsorts. "

This evening after supper, sitting by our fire, my lady (and despiteher weariness) was merrier than her wont and very full of plans for thefuture, deciding for me what furniture I must construct next, as chairs(two) a cupboard with shelves, and where these should stand when made:

"And, Martin, " says she, "now that we own goats I must have a dairy formy cheese-making, and my dairy shall be our larder, aye, and stillroomtoo, for I have been tending our garden lately and found growing manygood herbs and simples. In time, Martin, these caves shall grow into ahome indeed and all wrought by our own hands, and this is a sweetthought. "

"Why so it is, " says I, "in very truth--but--"

"But what, sir?" she questioned, lifting admonishing finger. 

"There may come a day when we may weary of it, how then?"

"Nay we are too busy--"

"Can it--could it be"--says I, beginning to stammer--"that you mightlive here thus content to the end of your days?"

"The end of my days?" says she staring thoughtfully into the fire. "Why, Martin, this is a long way in the future I do pray, and ourfuture is in the hands of God, so wherefore trouble?"

"Because I who have been stranger to Happiness hitherto, dread lest itmay desert me and leave me the more woeful. "

"Are you then happy at last--and so suddenly, Martin?"

Now this put me to no little heart-searching and perplexity, forcasting back over the time since our landing on the island I knew that, despite my glooms and ill-humours, happiness had come to me in thathour I had found her alive. 

"Why, I am no longer the miserable wretch I was, " quoth I at last. 

"Because of late you have forgot to grieve for yourself and past wrongand sorrows, Martin. Mayhap you shall one day forget them quite. "

"Never!" quoth I. 

"Yet so do I hope, Martin, with all my heart, " says she and with agreat sigh. 

"Why then, fain would I forget an I might, but 'tis beyond me. Theagony of the rowing-bench, the shame of stripes--the blood andbestiality of it all--these I may never forget. "

"Why then, Martin--dear Martin, " says she, all suddenly slipping fromher stool to kneel before me and reach out her two hands. "I do prayour Heavenly Father, here and now before you, that you, remembering allthis agony and shame, may make of it a crown of glory ennobling yourmanhood--that you, forgetting nothing, may yet put vengeance from younow and for ever and strive to forget--to forgive, Martin, and winthereby your manhood and a happiness undreamed--" here she stopped, herbosom heaving, her eyes all tender pleading; and I (O deaf and purblindfool!) hearing, heard not and seeing, saw nought but the witchingbeauty of her; and now, having her hands in mine, beholding her sonear, I loosed her hands and turned away lest I should crush her to me. 

"'Tis impossible!" I muttered. "I am a man and no angel--'tisimpossible!" Hereupon she rose and stood some while looking down intothe fire and never a word; suddenly she turned as to leave me, then, sitting on her stool, drew out her hairpins and shook down her shininghair that showed bronze-red where the light caught it. And beholdingher thus, her lovely face offset by the curtain of her hair, her deep, long-lashed eyes, the vivid scarlet of her mouth, I knew the worldmight nowhere show me a maid so perfect in beauty nor so vitally awoman. 

"Martin!" says she very softly, as she began braiding a thick tress ofhair. "Have you ever truly loved any woman?"

"No, " says I, "No!"

"Could you so love, I wonder?"

"No!" says I again and clenching my hands. "No--never!"

"Why, true, " says she, more softly, "methinks in your heart is no roomfor poor Love, 'tis over-full of Hate, and hate is a disease incurablewith you. Is't not so, Martin?"

"Yes--no! Nay, how should I know?" quoth I. 

"Yet should love befall you upon a day, 'twould be love unworthy anygood woman, Martin!"

"Why then, " says I, "God keep me from the folly of love. "

"Pray rather that Love, of its infinite wisdom, teach you the folly ofhate, Martin!"

"'Tis a truth, " says I bitterly, "a truth that hath become part of me!It hath been my companion in solitude, my comfort in my shamefulmisery, my hope, my very life or I had died else! And now--now you bidme forget it--as 'twere some mere whimsy, some idle fancy--this thoughtthat hath made me strong to endure such shames and tribulations as fewhave been forced to suffer!"

"Aye, I do, I do!" she cried. "For your own sake, Martin, and formine. "

"No!" quoth I, "A thousand times! This thought hath been life to me, and only with life may I forego it!"

At this, the busy fingers faltered in their pretty labour, and, bowingher head upon her hand, she sat, her face hid from me, until I, notdoubting that she wept, grew uneasy and questioned her at last. 

"Nay, my lady--since this must be so--wherefore grieve?"

"Grieve?" says she lifting her head, and I saw her eyes all radiant andher red lips up-curving in a smile. "Nay, Martin, I do marvel howeloquent you grow upon your wrongs, indeed 'tis as though you fearedyou might forget them. Thus do you spur up slothful memory, whichgiveth me sure hope that one day 'twill sleep to wake no more. "

And now, or ever I might find answer, she rose and giving me"Good-night" was gone, singing, to her bed; and I full of bewilderment. But suddenly as I sat thus, staring into the dying fire, she was backagain. 

"What now?" I questioned. 

"Our goat, Martin! I may not sleep until I know her safe--come let usgo look!" and speaking, she reached me her hand. So I arose, and thuswith her soft, warm fingers in mine we went amid the shadows where Ihad tethered the goat to a tree hard beside the murmurous rill andfound the animal lying secure and placidly enough, the kid beside her. The which sight seemed to please my lady mightily. 

"But 'tis shame the poor mother should go tied always thus. Could younot make a picket fence, Martin? And she should have some refugeagainst the storms, " to the which I agreed. Thus as we went back wefell to making plans, one project begetting another, and we very blitheabout it. 

CHAPTER XXXV

HOW MY DEAR LADY WAS LOST TO ME

And now followed a season of much hard work, each day bringing itsvaried tasks and we right joyous in our labour, so that ofttimes Iwould hear her singing away in her sweet voice merry as any grig, orfind myself whistling lustily to the tap of my hammer. And now indeedmy saw (and all rusty though it was) served me faithfully and well, andmy carpentry went forward apace. During this time also we added fourgoats and six kids to our flock, so that we had good store of milk, andhaving with my lady's help made our net with strands of cord knottedcrosswise, we caught therewith great plenty of fish. 

Remembering my adventure with the Indian I furnished myself with a goodstout pike and a couple of javelins; moreover I set up divers marks, like rovers, and every day I would shoot at these with my bow, so thatI soon became so dexterous I could bring down a bird on the wing sixtimes out of seven, though in teaching myself this proficiency I lostfour of my Indian arrows beyond recovery. 

Thus sped the time all too quickly, but with each day came a greaterunderstanding and a deeper amity betwixt my lady and me. 

Now much and very much might I set down here concerning this my sweetcomrade, her many noble qualities, and how, as our fellowshiplengthened, I (that was a man selfish beyond thought) finding herunselfish always and uncomplaining, seeing her so brave in the face ofadversity, and indomitable to overcome all difficulty, yet ever andalways a woman gracious and tender, I, by my very reverence for hersweet womanhood, became in some sense a better man. 

I might tell how, when my black moods took me, the mere sight of her, the sound of her voice, the touch of her hand, nay her very nearnesswas enough to dispel them. 

I might paint to your imagination the way her hair curled at hertemples, the trick she had of biting her nether lip when at all putout, of the jut of her pretty chin when angered. Then the sweet, vibrant softness of her voice, her laughter, the wonder of her changingmoods--all these I would dilate upon if I might, since 'tis joy to me, but lest I prove wearisome I will hasten on to the finding of BlackBartlemy's Treasure, of all that led up to it and all those evils thatfollowed after it. And this bringeth me to a time whenas we sat, sheand I, eating our breakfast and the world all radiant with a young sun. 

"To-night, " says she, "if my calculations be right, should be a newmoon. And I am glad, for I do love the moon. "

"Aye, but how should you judge this?" says I, wondering. 

"Because I have kept a record, Martin. A stroke for each day and across for every Sunday. "

"Excellent!" quoth I. "Then you will know how long we have lived here?"

"Two months and five days, Martin. "

"So long a time?" says I amazed. 

"Hath it seemed so very long?" she questioned. 

"No indeed!" says I. "No, and there's the marvel!"

"'Tis no marvel, Martin, you have been too full of business to heedtime. Let us reckon up what we have achieved thus far. First of all athree-legged stool for me--"

"Hairpins!" says I. 

"A spoon, Martin, and shoes for me--"

"Lamps and candles!" quoth I. 

"A table, Martin--"

"A fishing line and two hooks. "

"Two armchairs, Martin, a cupboard and a press. "

"A churn!" says I. 

"You are forgetting our five pipkins, Martin. "

"True, " says I, "and clumsy things they are!"

"But very useful, sir! Next a fishing-net, and a bed for me. Here isfine achievement, Martin! Are you not proud to have wrought so muchand with so little?"

"But there is much yet to do!" quoth I. 

"So much the better!" says she. "Thus far I am well content. "

"And happy?" I demanded. 

"Aye, Martin--are you?"

Now at this I fell to profound reverie and she also, and this thesubject of my musings, viz. , In every man and woman born into this world (as it doth seem to me) Godputteth some of His infinite self whereby all things are possible indegree greater or smaller; for to the God within us all things arepossible, 'tis our very humanity that limits our potentialities. Confidence in this power within us is a mighty aid to all endeavourwhereby we, our coward flesh notwithstanding, may attempt great things, and though, being human, we ofttimes fail, yet this very effortstrengthens and ennobles us. 

"Who art thou, " cries Flesh, "to adventure thing so great and above thypuny strength to perform? Who art thou?" "I am God!" answersMan-soul, "Since finite man am I only by reason of thee, base, cowardFlesh. " Thus (to my thinking) in every man is angel and demon, eachstriving 'gainst each for the soul of him; whereby he doeth evil orgood according to the which of these twain he aideth to victory. Howbeit, thus it is with me, I being, despite my seeming slowness, ofquick and passionate temper and of such desperate determination thatonce set on a course needs would I pursue it though it led to my ownconfounding and destruction. For now, indeed, I wrought that the whichbrought on my lady great sorrow and grievous peril, and on myselfshame, bloodshed and a black despair, and this the manner of it. 

"Are you not happy, Martin?" says she, "Happy and proud to haveaccomplished so much with so little?"

"No!" says I, and so bitterly-fierce that she blenched from me. "Forlook now, " says I, clenching my fist, "here have we wrought and slavedtogether day in and day out--and to what end?"

"That we may live--to our comfort--" says she a little breathlessly. 

"And to what end?" I demanded. "To what purpose have you cozened me tolabour thus?"

"I? I don't understand you, Martin!" says she unsteadily. 

"Here's you cast alone with me on this island. 'He is a man, ' says youto yourself, 'and I a lonely woman. So must I keep him busy, his mindever employed on some labour, no matter what, lest peradventure he makelove to me--'"

"Stop!" cries she angrily, leaping up to her feet all in a moment. "For shame, Martin Conisby! You wrong me and yourself--I am yourcomrade--"

"Nay, you are a woman, very subtle, and quick-witted as you arebeautiful. So have you kept me in ploy thus, yearning meanwhile forsome ship--anything to bear you safe away from me! Often have I seenyou staring seaward and praying for a sail. "

"O you lie, Martin, you lie! Ah, have I not trusted you?"

"Aye, as one might a tiger, by humouring me and distracting myattention! All these weeks I have scarce touched you and kissed younever, nor had I thought to--but now by God--"

"Martin--O Martin, what would you--"

"Kiss you!" says I savagely, and caught her wrists. 

"Nay, that you shall never do--with that look on your face!" cries she, and twisted so strongly as nigh broke my hold; but despite all herdesperate striving, struggle how she might, I dragged her to me, pinning her arms in my cruel embrace; but still she withstood me andwith such fury of strength that twice we staggered and came nearfalling, until all at once she yielded and lay all soft, her breathcoming in little, pitiful, panting groans. So I kissed her as I would, her hair, her eyes, her parted lips, her cool, soft throat, until sunand trees and green grass seemed to spin and whirl dizzily about me, until my lips were wet with her salt tears. 

"O God--O God!" she whispered, "O Martin that I trusted so, will youkill my faith and trust? Will you shame your comrade? You that Iloved--"

"Loved!" says I, catching my breath and staring down at her tear-wetlashes, "Loved me--O Damaris--"

"Aye loved, and honoured you above all men until the beast broke loose. "

"And now?" cried I hoarsely, "And now--what? Speak!"

"God's pity--loose me, Martin!"

"And now what--tell me. Is't hate now, scorn and contempt--as 'twasaboard ship?"

"O Martin--let me go!" she sobbed. 

"Answer me, is it hate henceforth?"

"Yes!" she panted, "Yes!" and tore herself from my hold. But, as sheturned to fly me, I caught her back to me and, madman that I was, benther backward across my knee that I might look down into her eyes; and, meeting my look, she folded her hands upon her bosom and closing hereyes, spoke broken and humbled:

"Take--take your will of me--Black Bartlemy--I am not--brave enough tostab you as--she did--"

Now at this I shivered and must needs cast my gaze towards that greatpimento tree that towered afar off. So, then, my hateful dream hadcome true, and now I knew myself for black a rogue as ever Bartlemy hadbeen. So I loosed her and starting up, stood staring across thedesolation of ocean. 

"O Damaris!" says I at last, "Here in my belt was my knife to yourhand, 'twere better you had stabbed me indeed and I, dying, would havekissed your feet after the manner of yon dead rogue. As it is I mustlive hating myself for having destroyed the best, the sweetest thinglife could offer me and that, your trust. But, O my lady, " says I, looking down where she knelt, her face bowed upon her hands, "I do loveyou reverently and beyond my life. "

"Even greatly enough to forego your vengeance?" she questioned softly, and without glancing up. 

"God help me!" cried I, "How may I forget the oath I swore on myfather's grave?"

"You broke your oath to me!" says she, never stirring, "So do I knowthat true love hath not touched you. "

"Think of me as you will, " quoth I, "but--"

"I know!" says she, raising her head at last and looking up at me, "Iam sure, Martin. Where hate is, true love can never be, and lovehowsoever vehement is gentle and reverent and, being of God, a veryholy thing! But you have made of it a thing of passion, merciless andcruel--'tis love debased. "

"So will I get hence, " says I, "for since I have destroyed your faithhow shall you ever sleep again and know yourself secure and such rogueas I near you. I'll go, Damaris, I'll away and take your fears alongwith me. "

Then, the while she watched me dumbly, I slung my bow and quiver ofarrows about me, set the hatchet in my girdle and, taking my pike, turned to go; but, checking my haste, went into the cave (she followingme silent always) and taking the pistol from where it hung, examinedflint and priming and charge and laid it on the table. 

"Should you need me at any time, shoot off this pistol and I will come"says I, "so good-bye, my lady!" But scarce was I without the cave thanshe comes to me with my chain-shirt in her hands, and when I would havenone of it, grew the more insistent. 

"Put it on, " says she gently, "who can tell what may befall you, so putit on I pray!" Thus in the end I donned it, though with ill grace;which done, I took my pike across my shoulder and strode away. Andwhen I had gone some distance I glanced back and saw her standing whereI had left her, watching me and with her hands clasped tight together. 

"Good-bye, Martin!" says she. "O good-bye!" and vanished into thegloom of the cave. 

As for me I strode on at speed and careless of direction, for my mindwas a whirl of conflicting thoughts and a bitter rage against myself. Thus went I a goodish while and all-unheeding, and so at last foundmyself lost amidst mazy thickets and my eight-foot pike verytroublesome. Howbeit I presently gained more open ways and went atspeed, though whither, I cared not. The sun was westering when, comingout from the denser woods, I saw before me that high hill whose rockysummit dominated the island, and bent my steps thitherward; and thenall in a moment my heart gave a great leap and I stood still, for borneto me on the soft air came a sudden, sharp sound, and though faint withdistance I knew it for the report of a firearm. At this thrice-blessedsound an overwhelming great joy and gratitude surged within me sincethus, of her infinite mercy my lady had summoned me back; and now as Iretraced my steps full of thankfulness, I marvelled to find my eyesa-watering and myself all trembling eagerness to behold her lovelinessagain, to hear her voice, mayhap to touch her hand; indeed I felt as wehad been parted a year rather than a brief hour. And now I got me todreaming how I should meet her and how she would greet me. She shouldfind a new Martin, I told myself. Suddenly these deluding dreams wereshivered to horrible fear and myself brought, sweating, to a standstillby another sound that smote me like a blow, for I knew this for thedeep-toned report of a musket. For a moment I stood leaning on my pikeas one dazed, then the hateful truth of it seized me and I began to runlike any madman. Headlong I went, bursting my way through tangledvines and undergrowth, heedless of the thorns that gashed me, cursingsuch obstacles as stayed me; now o'erleaping thorny tangles, nowpausing to beat me a way with my pikestaff, running at breathless speedwhenever I might until (having taken a wrong direction in my frenzy) Icame out amid those vines and bushes that bordered the lake of thewaterfall, and right over against the great rock I have mentioned. Butfrom where I was (the place being high) I could see over and beyondthis rock; and as I stood panting and well-nigh spent, mightydistraught and my gaze bent thitherward, I shivered (despite the sweatthat streamed from me) with sudden awful chill, for from those greenydepths I heard a scream, wild and heartrending, and knowing this voicegrew sick and faint and sank weakly to my knees; and now I heard vilelaughter, then hoarse shouts, and forth of the underbrush oppositebroke a wild, piteous figure all rent and torn yet running veryfleetly; as I watched, cursing my helplessness, she tripped and fell, but was up again all in a moment, yet too late, for then I saw herstruggling in the clasp of a ragged, black-bearded fellow and withdivers other men running towards them. 

And now madness seized me indeed, for between us was the lake, and, though my bow was strung and ready, I dared not shoot lest I harm her. Thus as I watched in an agony at my impotence, my lady broke hercaptor's hold and came running, and he and his fellows hard after her. Straight for the rock she came, and being there stood a moment to stareabout her like the piteous, hunted creature she was:

"Martin!" she cried, "O Martin!" and uttering this dolorous cry (and orever I might answer) she tossed wild arms to heaven and plunged overand down. I saw her body strike the water in a clean dive and vanishinto those dark and troubled deeps, and with breath in check andglaring eyes, waited for her to reappear; I heard vague shouts andcries where her pursuers watched for her likewise, but I heeded themnothing, staring ever and waiting--waiting. But these gloomy watersgave no sign, and so at last my breath burst from me in a bitter, sobbing groan. One by one the minutes dragged by until I thought mybrain must crack, for nowhere was sign of that beloved shape. Andthen--all at once, I knew she must be dead; this sweet innocent slainthus before my eyes, snatched out of life and lost forever to me forall time, lost to me beyond recovery. 

At last I turned my haggard, burning eyes upon her murderers--four ofthem there were and all staring into those cruel, black waters belowand not a word betwixt them. Suddenly the black-bearded man snappedhis fingers and laughed even as my bowstring twanged; then I saw himleap backwards, screaming with pain, his shoulder transfixed by myarrow. Immediately (and ere I might shoot again) his fellows draggedhim down, and lying prone on their bellies let fly wildly in mydirection with petronel and musquetoon. And now, had I been nearenough, I would have leaped upon them to slay and be slain, since lifewas become a hateful thing. As it was, crouched there 'mid the leaves, I watched them crawl from the rock dragging their hurt comrade withthem. Then, seeing them stealing off thus, a mighty rage filled me, ousting all other emotion, and (my bow in one hand and pike in theother) I started running in pursuit. But my great pike provingover-cumbersome, I cast it away that I might go the faster, trustingrather to my five arrows and the long-bladed knife in my girdle, andthe thought of this knife and its deadly work at close quartersheartened me mightily as I ran; yet in a while, the passion of my angersubsiding, grief took its place again and a hopeless desolation beyondwords. So ran I, blinded by scalding tears and my heart breakingwithin me, and thus came I to a place of rocks, and looking not to myfeet it chanced that I fell and, striking my head against a rock, knewno more; and lost in a blessed unconsciousness, forgot awhile theanguish of my breaking heart. 

CHAPTER XXXVI

TELLETH SOME PART OF A NIGHT OF AGONY

When at last I opened my eyes I found myself in a place of gloom andvery stiff and sore; therefore I lay where I was nor sought to move. Little by little, as I lay thus 'twixt sleep and wake, I was aware of apallid glow all about me, and lifting heavy head, saw the moon low downin the sky like a great golden sickle. And staring up at this, of asudden back rushed memory (and with it my hopeless misery) for now Iremembered how, but a few short hours since, my dear lady hadprophesied this new moon. Hereupon, crouching there, my aching headbowed upon my hands, I gave myself up to my despair and a corrodinggrief beyond all comforting. 

From where I crouched I might look down upon this accursed lake, amisty horror of gloomy waters, and beholding this, I knew that mygentle, patient comrade was gone from me, that somewhere within thoseblack and awful depths her tender body was lying. She was dead, hersweet voice for ever hushed, she that had been so vitally alive! Andremembering all her pretty ways I grew suddenly all blind with tearsand, casting myself down, lay a great while sobbing and groaning untilI could weep no more. 

At last, sitting up, I wondered to find my head so painful, and puttingup my hand found my face all wet and sticky with blood that flowed froma gash in my hair. And remembering how I had fallen and the reason ofmy haste I started up and forthwith began seeking my knife and hatchet, and presently found them hard by where I had tripped. Now standingthus, knife in one hand and hatchet in the other, I turned to look downupon these dark and evil waters. 

"Goodbye, my lady!" says I, "Fare thee well, sweet comrade! Beforeto-morrow dawn we will meet again, I pray, and shalt know me for truerman and better than I seemed!" So, turning my back on the lake I wentto seek my vengeance on her destroyers and death at their hands an itmight be so. 

In a while I came to that torrent where the water flowed out from thelake, its bed strewn with tumbled rocks and easy enough to cross, thewater being less in volume by reason of the dry weather. All at once Istopped, for amid these rocks and boulders I saw caught all manner ofdrift, as sticks and bushes, branches and the like, washed down by thecurrent and which, all tangled and twisted together, choked this narrowdefile, forming a kind of barrier against the current. Now as I gazedat this, my eyes (as if directed by the finger of God) beheld somethingcaught in this barrier, something small and piteous to see but whichset me all a-trembling and sent me clambering down these rocks; andreaching out shaking hand I took up that same three-pronged pin I hadcarved and wrought for her hair. Thus stood I to view this through myblinding tears and to kiss and kiss it many times over because it hadknown her better than I. But all at once I thrust this precious relicinto my bosom and stared about me with new and awful expectation, forthe current which had brought this thing would bring more. So I beganto seek among these rocks where the stream ran fast and in each pooland shallow, and once, sweating and shivering, stooped to peer atsomething that gleamed white from a watery hollow, and gasped my reliefto find it was no more than a stone. None the less sought I with aprayer on my lips, dreading to find that white and tender body mangledby the cruel rocks, yet searching feverishly none the less. Long Istayed there, until the moon, high-risen, sent down her tender beam asthough to aid me. But of this time I will write no more, since evennow it is a misery to recall. 

At last, I (that knew myself a man about to die) turned me towards ourhabitation, those rocks she had called "home, " and reaching the plateauI stood still, swept alternately by grief and passion, to see this ourrefuge all desecrated by vile hands, our poor furniture scatteredwithout the cave. And presently I espied her three-legged stoolstanding where she had been wont to sit to watch and cheer me at mylabour; coming thither I fell on my knees, and laying my head thereonwetted this unlovely thing with my tears and kissed it many times. AsI lay thus, much that she had done and said (little things forgot tillnow) rushed upon my memory; her sweet, calm presence seemed all aboutme soothing away the passion of my grief. And in this hour that was toend my miserable life, I knew at last that I had loved her purely andtruly from the first, and with such love as might have lifted me toheaven. And kneeling thus, I spake aloud to this her sweet presencethat seemed to hover about me:

"O Damaris, beloved--as thou, to 'scape shame, hast chosen death--indeath I'll follow thee--trusting to a merciful God that I may find theeagain!" Then uprising from my knees, I came out from the shadows, andstanding in the moon's radiance, looked heedfully to the edge of myaxe, and with it gripped in my hand, went out to find death. 

CHAPTER XXXVII

HOW I SOUGHT DEATH BUT FOUND IT NOT

Beyond Deliverance Sands I saw the glow of their fire, and drawingthither knew them camped in the shadow of that great pimento tree andwithin that rocky gorge the which had afforded my dear lady and me ourfirst night's shelter. Being come thither, I sat me down and tookcounsel how best to attack them that I might slay as many as possibleere they gave me the death I hungered for; and the end of it was Ibegan to scale the cliff, my goatskin buskins soundless and very sureamid the rocks. 

As I mounted I heard the hoarse murmur of their voices and knew bytheir very intonation (since I could hear no words as yet) that theywere speaking English. Reaching the summit, and mighty cautious, Icame where I might look down into the cleft. 

They lay sprawled about their fire, four grim-looking fellows, raggedand unkempt, three of them talking together and one who lay groaningever and anon. 

"Be damned, t'ye, Joel for a lily-livered dog!" growled a great, bonyfellow, "Here's good an island as man can want--"

"And full of bloody Indians--eh, Humphrey?" says a black-jowled fellow, turning on the wounded man. "Us do know the Indians, don't usHumphrey? Inca, Aztec, Mosquito and Cimaroon, we know 'em and theirdevil's ways, don't us, Humphrey?"

"Aye--aye!" groaned the wounded man. "They tortured me once andthey've done for me at last, by God! My shoulder's afire--"

"And the shaft as took ye, Humphrey, were a Indian shaft--a Indianshaft, weren't it, lad? And all trimmed wi' gold, aren't it? Here, yemay see for yourselves! 'Sequently I do know it for the shaft of achief or cacique and where a cacique is there's Indians wi' him--Othick as thieves--I know and Humphrey knows! I say this curst islandbe full of Indians, thick as fleas, curse 'em! And they'll have ussoon or late and torment us. So what I says is, let's away at theflood and stand away for the Main--the sea may be bad now and then, butIndians be worse--always and ever!"

"Why, as to that, Ned, the Indians ha' left us alone--"

"Aye!" cried the bony man, "And what o' the wench--her was no Indian, Ilay! A fine, dainty piece she was, by hooky! And handsome, ah--handsome! But for Humphrey's bungling--"

Here the man Humphrey groaned and cursed the speaker bitterly. 

"Howbeit--'twas an Indian arrer!" says Ned. "And that means Indians, and Indians means death to all on us--ask Humphrey! Death--eh, Humphrey?"

"Aye--death!" groaned Humphrey, "Death's got his grapples aboard menow. I'm a-dying, mates--dying! Get me aboard, death will come easierin open water. "

"Why, if ye must die, Humphrey, " growled the bony man, "die, lad, dieand get done wi' it, the sooner the better. As to Indians I wait tillI see 'em, and as for Death--"

"Death?" gasped Humphrey, "Here's for you first!" and whipping out aknife he made a fierce thrust at the speaker; but the others closedwith him. Then as they strove together panting and cursing I rose tocome at them; but the wounded man, chancing to lift his head, saw mewhere I stood, the moonlight on my bloody face, and uttered a hoarsescream. 

"Death!" cries he, "'Tis on us mates--look, look yonder! Death andwounds--yonder he comes for all of us--O mates look! Yon's death--forall on us!"

But in this moment I leaped down upon them from above, sending one mansprawling and scattering their fire, and 'mid whirling sparks andsmoke, within this dim rock-cleft we fought with a merciless fury anddesperation beyond words. A pistol flashed and roared and then anotheras I leapt with whirling axe and darting knife. I remember a wildhurly-burly of random blows, voices that shouted hoarse blasphemies, screams and groans, a whirl of vicious arms, of hands that clutched;once I reeled to hard-driven sword-thrust, a knife flashed and stabbedbeneath my arm, but twice I got home with my knife and once a mansobbed and went down beneath my hatchet--and then they were running andI after them. But I had taken a scathe in my leg and twice I fell;thus they reached their boat with some hundred yards to spare, and Isaw their frantic struggles to launch it as I staggered after them; butere I could reach them they had it afloat and tumbled aboard pell-mell. Then came I, panting curses, and plunged into the sea, wading afterthem up to my middle and so near that, aiming a blow at one of them, Icut a great chip from the gunwale, but, reeling from the blow of anoar, sank to my knees, and a wave breaking over me bore me backward, choking. Thus when I found my feet again they were well away and plyingtheir oars lustily, whiles I, roaring and shouting, stood to watch themuntil the boat was lost in the distance. Now as I stood thus, ragingbitterly at my impotence, I bethought me that I had seen but three menrun and, turning about, hasted back to deal with the fourth. Reachingthe scene of the struggle, I came on the man Humphrey outstretched uponhis back in the moonlight and his face well-nigh shorn asunder. Seeinghim thus so horribly dead, I went aside and fell to scrubbing myhatchet, blade and haft, with the cleanly sand. 

Then came I, and grasping this thing had been named Humphrey, I draggedit a-down the sands and hove it forthwith into the sea, standingthereafter to watch it borne out on the receding tide. Now as I watchedthus, came a wave that lifted the thing so that this dead man seemed torise up and wave an arm to me ere he vanished. 

This done (and I yet alive!) I took to wandering aimlessly hither andthither, and chancing into the rocky cleft found lying three musketsand four pistols with bandoliers full-charged, together with a knifeand a couple of swords; these I set orderly together and so wanderedaway again. 

All this night I rambled about thus, and dawn found me seated 'neathBartlemy's tree staring at the ocean yet seeing it not. 

So God had refused my appeal! It seemed I could not die. Andpresently, chancing to look down at myself in the growing light Iunderstood the reason, for here was I armed in my shirt of mail(forgotten till now) and scowling down at this, I saw its fine, steellinks scratched and scored by many blows and bedaubed here and therewith blood. So then (thinks I) 'twas she had saved me alive, and inthis thought found me some small solace. Hereupon I arose and wentdown to the sea, limping by reason of my hurt (an ugly gash above myknee) being minded to wash from me the grime and smears that fouled me. But or ever I reached the water I stopped, for there, more hateful insun than moonlight, lay that ghastly thing that had been Humphrey. There he lay, cast up by the tide, and now, with every wave that broke, he stirred gently and moved arms and legs in wanton, silly fashion, andnodding with his shattered head as in mockery of me. So I went and, seizing hold upon the thing, swung it upon my back and, thus burdened, climbed out upon the reef (and with mighty trouble, for my strengthseemed oozing out of me). Reaching a place at last where the water randeep I paused, and with sudden, painful effort whirled the thing abovemy head and hove it far out, where, splashing, it fell with sullenplunge and vanished from my sight. But even so I was possessed ofsudden, uneasy feeling that the thing had turned on me and was swimmingback to shore, so that, drawing my knife, I must needs sit there awhileto watch if this were so indeed. At last I arose, but being come toDeliverance Sands, whirled suddenly about, expectant to behold thatdead thing uprising from the surge to flap derisive arms at me. Andthis did I many times, being haunted thus all that day, and for manyweary hours thereafter, by this dead man Humphrey. Presently, as I wentheedless of all direction and the sun very hot, I began to stagger inmy gait and to mutter her name to myself and presently to shouting it, until the cliffs gave back my cries and the hollow caves murmured, "Damaris! O Damaris!"

And now was a mist all about me wherein dim forms moved mocking me, andever and anon methought to behold my lady, but dim and very far removedfrom me, so that sometimes I ran and oft-times I fell to moaning andshedding weak and impotent tears. Truly a black and evil day for methis, whereof I have but a vague memory save only of pain, a hopelessweariness and intolerable thirst. Thus it was sunset when I foundmyself once more upon that grassy plateau, creeping on hands and knees, though how I came thither I knew not. I remember drinking from thelittle rill and staggering within the cave, there to fall and liefilling the place with my lamentations and oft-repeated cry of"Damaris! O Damaris!" I remember a patch of silver light, a radiancethat crept across the gloom, and of dreaming my lady beside me as ofold, and of babbling of love and forgiveness, of pain and heartbreak, whiles I watched the beam of light creeping nigh me upon the floor;until, sobbing and moaning, yet gazing ever upon this light, I saw growupon it a sudden dark shape that moved, heard a rustle behind me, afootstep--a cry! And knowing this for the man Humphrey come upon me atlast in my weakness, I strove to rise, to turn and face him, butfinding this vain, cried out upon him for murderer. "'Twas you killedher--my love--the very soul of me--'twas you, Humphrey, that aredead--come, that I may slay you again!" Then feeling his hands upon meI strove to draw my knife, but could not and groaned, and so knowledgepassed from me. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII

CONCERNING THE DEAD MAN HUMPHREY AND HOW I SAW A VISION IN THE MOONLIGHT

My next memory was of sun and a dance of leafy shadows on the wall ofthe cave, the which shadows held my attention so that I had no will tolook otherwhere; for these were merry shadows that leapt in sportivegambols, that danced and swayed, pleasing me mightily. And as Iwatched these antic shadows I could hear the pleasant murmur of thelittle rill without the cave, that bubbled with sweet, soft noises likesmall, babbling voices and brake ever and anon into elfin laughter. And presently, mingled with this pretty babblement, I seemed to hear awhisper:

"Martin! Dear Martin!"

And now I saw my lady plunge to death from the rock, and started up, filling the place with my lamentations, until for very weakness I layhushed and heard again the soft rippling of the brook and therewith hervoice very sweet and faint and far away:

"Martin! Dear Martin!"

I remember a season of blackness in which dim-seen, evil things menacedme, and a horror of dreams wherein I, fettered and fast bound, mustwatch my sweet lady struggle, weeping, in the arms of vile rogueswhiles I strove desperately to break my bonds, and finding this vain, fell to raging madness and dashed myself hither and thither to slaymyself and end my torment. Or, axe in hand, amid smoke and flame, Ifell upon her murderers; then would I smite down the man Humphrey onlyfor him to rise to be smitten again and yet again, nodding shatteredhead and flapping nerveless arms in derision of me until, knowing Imight never slay him--he being already dead--I turned to flee, but withhim ever behind me and in my ears his sobbing cry of "Death for all ofus--death!" And feeling his hands on me I would fall to desperatestruggle until the blackness closed over me again thick and stiflinglike a sea. 

And behind all these horrors was a haunting knowledge that I was goingmad, that this man Humphrey was waiting for me out beyond the surfbeckoning to me with flapping arms, and had cast on me a spell whereby, as my brain shrivelled to madness, my body was shrivelling and changinginto that of Black Bartlemy. Always I knew that Humphrey waited mebeyond the reef, watchful for my coming and growing ever more querulousand eager as the spell wrought on me so that he began to call to me instrange, sobbing voice, hailing me by my new name:

"Bartlemy, ahoy! Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy ho! Come your ways toHumphrey, that being dead can die no more and, knowing all, doth knowyou for Bartlemy crept back from hell. So come, Bartlemy, come and beas I am. And there's others here, proper lads as wants ye too, deadmen all--by the rope, by the knife, by the bullet--oho!

 There be two at the fore, At the main be three more, Dead men that swing all of a row; Here's fine, dainty meat For the fishes to eat: Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy ho!

 There's a fine Spanish dame, Joanna's her name, Must follow wherever ye go; Till your black heart shall feel Your own cursed steel: Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy ho!"

And I, hearkening to this awful sobbing voice, sweating and shiveringin the dark, knew that, since I was indeed Black Bartlemy, sooner orlater I must go. 

Thus it befell that of a sudden I found myself, dazzled by a fiercesun, supporting me against a rock and my breath coming in great gasps. And in a while, my eyes growing stronger, I stared away to the reefwhere this man Humphrey waited me with his "dead men all"; and since Imust needs go there I wept because it was so far off. 

Now as I stood grieving thus, I saw one stand below me on Deliverance, looking also towards the reef, a woman tall and very stately andhabited in gown of rich satin and embroidery caught in at slender waistwith golden girdle, and about her head a scarf of lace. And this womanstood with bowed head and hands tight-clasped as one that grieved also;suddenly she raised her head and lifted folded hands to the cloudlessheaven in passionate supplication. And beholding her face I knew herfor the poor Spanish lady imploring just heaven for vengeance on methat had been her undoing; and uttering a great cry, I sank on my knees:

"Mercy, O God--mercy! Let me not be mad!"

Yet, even as I prayed, I knew that madness was upon me ere I plungedagain into the dreadful dark. 

But God (whose mercy is infinite) hearkened to my distressful cry, for, in a while, He brought me up from that black abyss and showed me twomarvels, the which filled me with wonder and a sudden, passionate hope. And the first was the bandage that swathed my thigh; and this of itselfenough to set my poor wits in a maze of speculation. For this bandagewas of linen, very fine and delicate, such as I knew was not to befound upon the whole island; yet here was it, bound about my hurt, plain and manifest and set there by hands well-skilled in such kindlywork. 

And my second wonder was a silver beaker or ewer, very artfully wroughtand all chased and embossed with designs of fruit and flower and of arare craftsmanship, and this jug set within my reach and half-full ofmilk. The better to behold this, I raised myself and with infinitelabour. But now, and suddenly, she was before me again, this poorSpanish lady I had slain upon a time, wherefore I blenched and shrankfrom her coming. But she, falling upon her knees, sought to clasp mein her arms, crying words I heeded not as (maugre my weakness) I strovewildly to hold her off. 

"I am Bartlemy that killed you!" says I. "I am Black Bartlemy! Theyknow out yonder beyond the reef, hark and you shall hear how they hailme--"

"O kind God, teach me how I may win him back to knowledge!" So crying, this Spanish lady of a sudden unpinned her hair and shook its glossyripples all about her:

"Look, Martin!" cries she, "Don't you know me--O don't you know me now?I am Joan--come back to you--"

"No!" says I, "No--Damaris is dead and lost--I saw her die!"

"Then who am I, Martin?"

"The Spanish lady or--one of the ghosts do haunt me. "

But now her hands were clasping mine, her soft hair all about me as shestooped. And feeling these hands so warm and vital, so quick andstrong with life, I began to tremble and strove against her no longer;and so she stooped above me that I might feel her sweet breath onfevered cheek and brow:

"'Tis your Damaris, Martin, " says she, her tears falling fast, "'tisyour comrade hath come back to comfort you. "

Now seeing how I stared all trembling and amazed, she set her armsabout me, and drawing me to her bosom, clasped me there. And my headpillowed thus I fell a-weeping, but these tears were tears of joy andthankfulness beyond all words. 

"O Damaris, " quoth I at last, "if this be death I care not since I haveseen thee again!"

"Why, Martin, " says she, weeping with me, "art indeed so glad--so gladto find again thy poor comrade!"

And thus, knowing myself forgiven, a great joy sang within me. 

CHAPTER XXXIX

HOW MY DEAR LADY CAME BACK TO ME

I was sitting in one of our armchairs amid the leafy shade watching herknead dough with her two pretty fists. To this end she had rolled upthe sleeves of her splendid gown; and thus I, hearkening to her story, must needs stare at her soft, round arms and yearn mightily to kisstheir velvety smoothness and, instantly be-rating myself therefor, shifted my gaze from these temptations to my own unlovely figure, contrasting myself and my worn garments with her rich attire and proudand radiant beauty; she was again the great lady and far removed abovesuch poor wretch as I, for all her pitiful tenderness. 

". . . And so when I plunged from the rock, " she was saying, "I neverthought to see this dear place again or the blessed sun! And I sank . . . O deep--deep! Then, Martin, I seemed to be caught in some current, fardown there in the darkness, that whirled and tossed me and swept me upbehind the torrent. And in the rock was a great cavern sloping to thewater, and there this current threw me, all breathless and nigh dead, Martin. "

"God be thanked!" says I fervently. 

"And there I lay all night, Martin, very sick and fearful. When daycame I saw this great cave opened into a smaller and this into yetanother. So I came to a passage in the rock, and because there wasnone other way for me, I followed this--and then--O Martin!"

"What?" quoth I, leaning forward. 

"Have you ever been to the palace at Versailles, Martin!"

"Once, as a boy with my father. "

"Well, Martin, the cave--the hall I came to at last was more splendidthan any Versailles can show. And then I knew that I had found--BlackBartlemy's Treasure!"

"Ha!" quoth I. "And is it indeed so great?"

"Beyond description!" says she, clasping her floury hands and turningon me with shining eyes. "I have held in my hands, jewels--O by thehandful! Great pearls and diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires--beyond price!"

"Aye!" I nodded, "But was this all?"

"All, Martin?" says she, staring. 

"Why, according to Adam there should be all manner of stores, " says I, "powder and shot, tools--a carpenter's chest--"

"They are all there, with provisions of every kind; as witness thisflour, Martin, but I heeded only these wondrous jewels!" Hereupon sheturns to her work again, describing to me the splendour of theseprecious stones and the wonder of Bartlemy's treasure, whiles I, viewing her loveliness, would have given such foolish treasure athousand times for but her little finger, as watching the play of herround arms again, I fell a-sighing, whereupon she turns, all anxiousquestioning. 

"Doth your wound trouble you, Martin?"

"Nay, indeed, " says I, shaking my head, "I am very well, I thank you!"

"Then wherefore sigh so deep and oft?"

"I am a vasty fool!"

"Are you, Martin--why?" But in place of answer I rose and, comingbeside her, scowled to see the tender flesh of her arms all black andbruised:

"What is this?" I demanded. 

"Nought to matter!"

"Who did it?"

"You, Martin. In your raving you were very strong, mistaking me forthe poor Spanish lady. "

"O forgive me!" I cried, and stooping to this pretty arm would havetouched my lips thereto for mere pity but checked myself, fearing togrieve her; perceiving this she comes a little nearer:

"You may--an you so desire, Martin, " says she, "though 'tis allfloury!" So I kissed her arm, tenderly and very reverently, as it hadbeen some holy thing (as indeed so I thought it). 

"I'm glad 'twas I did this, comrade. "

"Glad, Martin?"

"Aye! I had rather 'twas myself than yon evil rogues--nay forgetthem, " says I, seeing her shiver, "plague on me for reminding you. "

"Hush, Martin!"

"Why then, forget them--and I have their weapons to cope with 'emshould they return. "

"Now thank God!" cries she, clasping my hand in both of hers. "ThankGod, Martin! I feared you had killed them all!"

"Why, I did my best, " I sighed, shaking my head, "but they were toostrong for me! Would to God I had indeed slain--"

"Hush, Martin, O hush!" And here she claps her pretty hand to my lips, where I straightway 'prisoned it to my kisses. "Though truly, " saysshe the whiles this was a-doing, "from your raving I feared them allslain at your hand, so do I rejoice to know you innocent of theirdeaths!" Here, her hand released, she fell a-laughing (albeit a littletremulously) to see my face all patched with flour; and so, back to herlabour. 

"But, Martin, " says she, turning to glance at me in a while, "You mustbe very terrible to drive away these four great men, and very brave!"

"Here was no bravery!" quoth I, "Methought you surely dead and I meantthem to slay me also. "

"Did you--miss me--so greatly?" she questioned and not looking at me. 

"Yes!"

"You fought them in Skeleton Cove, beyond Deliverance, Martin?"

"Aye! You found their guns there?"

"And the sand all trampled and hatefully stained. 'Tis an evil place, Martin. "

"And so it is!" says I. "But as to these weapons, there were two goodfirelocks I mind, and besides--"

"They are all here, Martin, guns and swords and pistols. You raved forthem in your sickness so I fetched them while you slept. Though indeedyou have no need of these, there be weapons of every sort in theTreasure cave, 'tis like an arsenal. "

"Ha, with good store of powder and shot, comrade?"

"Yes, Martin. "

"How many weeks have I lain sick, comrade?"

"Nay, 'twas only four days. "

At this I fell to marvelling that so much of agony might be endured inso little time. 

"And you--tended me, Damaris?"

"Why, to be sure, Martin. "

"And so saved my life. "

"So I pray may it be a life lived to noble purpose, Martin. "

And now I sat awhile very thoughtful and watched her shape the doughinto little cakes and set them to bake. 

"I must contrive you an oven and this at once!" says I. 

"When you are strong again, Martin. "

"Nay, I'm well, thanks to your care of me. And truly 'twill bewonderful to eat bread again. "

"But I warned you I had no yeast!" says she, looking at me a littleanxiously, "Nay, sir, why must you smile?"

"'Tis strange to see you at such labour and clad so vastly fine!"

"Indeed, sir needs must this your cook-maid go bedight like any queensince nought is there in Black Bartlemy's Treasure that is notsumptuous and splendid. Have you no desire to behold these wonders foryourself?"

"Not a tittle!" says I. 

"But, Martin, three months are nigh sped and Master Penfeather notcome, and according to his letter, three-quarters of this greattreasure is yours. "

"Why then, my lady, I do freely bestow it on you. "

"Nay, this have I taken already because I needed it, look!" So sayingshe drew a comb from her hair and showed me how it was all fashioned ofwrought gold and set with great gems, pearls and sapphires and rubiesmarvellous to see. 

"'Tis mighty handsome, " quoth I, "and beyond price, I judge. "

"And yet, " says she, "I would rather have my wooden pin in its stead, for surely there was none like to it in all this world. "

Hereupon, groping in my pocket I brought out that three-pronged pin Ihad carved for her; beholding which, she uttered a little cry of gladsurprise, and letting fall her golden comb, took the pin to turn itthis way and that, viewing it as it had been the very wonder of theworld rather than the poor thing it was. 

"Why, Martin!" says she at last, "Why, Martin, where found you this?"So I told her; and though my words were lame and halting I think sheguessed somewhat of the agony of that hour, for I felt her hand touchmy shoulder like a caress. 

"Death's shadow hath been over us of late, Martin, " says she, "and hathmade us wiser methinks. "

"Death?" says I, "'Tis mayhap but the beginning of a greater lifewherein shall be no more partings, I pray. "

"'Tis a sweet thought, Martin!"

"And you have never feared death!" says I. 

"Aye, but I do, Martin--I do!" cries she. "I am grown craven thesedays, mayhap--"

"Yet you sought death. "

"Because there was no other way, Martin. But when Death clutched at mefrom those black depths I agonised for life. "

"Is life then--become so--sweet to you, Damaris?"

"Yes, Martin!" says she softly. 

"Since when?" I questioned, "Since when?" But instead of answering shefalls a-singing softly and keeping her back to me; thus I saw that shehad set the pin back in her hair, whereat I grew all suddenly andbeyond reason glad. Though indeed the thing accorded but ill with herfine gown, as I told her forthwith. 

"Think you so, Martin?" says she gravely, but with a dimple in hercheek. 

"I do! 'Tis manifestly out of keeping with your 'broideries, yourpleats, tags, lappets, pearl-buttons, galoons and the rest on't. "

"'Twould almost seem you do not like me thus, " says she frowning downat her finery but with the dimple showing plainer than ever. 

"Why truly, " says I, stooping to take up the jewelled comb where itlay, "I liked your ragged gown better. "

"Because your own clothes are so worn and sorry, sir. 'Tis time youhad better, I must see to it--"

"Nay, never trouble!"

"'Twill be joy!" says she sweetly, but setting her chin at me. "Andthen--good lack, your hair, Martin!"

"What of it?"

"All elf-lox. And then, your beard!"

"What o' my beard?"

"So wild and shaggy! And 'tis so completely out o' the mode. "

"Mode?" says I, frowning. 

"Mode, Martin. Your spade beard was, then came your dagger or stilettoand now--"

"Hum!" says I, "It may be your broadsword or half-pike for aught Icare. But as to yon gown--"

"Alas, poor thing! 'Twill soon look worn and ragged as you can wish, Martin. I have already lost three pearl studs, and should grieve forthem were there not a coffer full of better that I wot of. O Martin, when I think of all these wonders, these great diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, pearls and rubies--I do tingle!"

"And can these toys so please you?" says I. 

"Yes!" cries she, "Yes, and so would they any other that was not astock or a stone or--Martin Conisby who is above such vanities!"

"Vanities indeed!" says I, "In this wilderness more especially. "

"How if we should find the world again?"

"Hum!" says I. "But this powder and shot now--"

"Pho!" cries she, and stamping her foot turns her back on me. "Here amI yearning to show you all these hidden marvels, Martin, but I neverwill until you beg me--no, never! And now 'tis time you took yourmedicine. "

"What medicine?" I questioned, wondering. 

"'Tis a soothing draught I have decocted from some of my simples--itwill make you sleep. "

"But I have no mind to sleep!"

"'Tis why you must drink your potion. "

"Never in this world!" says I, mighty determined. 

"Why yes you will, dear Martin, " says she gently, but setting herdimpled chin at me. "I'll go fetch it. " And away she goes forthwithand is presently back bearing an embossed cup (like unto a littleporringer) and of gold curiously ornamented. 

"Here is a noble cup!" says I. 

"In these secret caves, Martin, is nothing that is not beautiful. Thewalls are all hung with rich arras, the floors adorned with marvellousrugs and carpets. And there are many pictures excellent well painted. Pirate and wicked as he was, Black Bartlemy understood and lovedbeautiful things. "

"Aye, he did so!" says I, scowling. 

"And amongst these pictures is one of himself. "

"How should you know this?"

"Because, were you shaven, Martin, this might pass for picture of you, though to be sure your expression is different--except when you scowlas you do now, sir. Come, take your medicine like a good Martin!" Andhere she sets the cup to my lips. 

"No!" says I. 

"Yes, Martin! 'Tis sleep you need, and sleep you shall have. Forindeed I do long to hear you at work again and whistling. So drink itfor my sake, Martin! Indeed, 'tis none so very bitter!"

So in the end I swallowed the stuff to be done with it. And in a while(sure enough) I grew drowsy, and limping into the cave, stared tobehold my bed no longer a heap of bracken but a real bed with sheetsand pillows, such indeed as I had not slept in for many a long day. Thus, instead of throwing myself down all dressed, as I had beenminded, I laid aside my rough clothes lest they soil this dainty gear, and, getting into bed, joyed in the feel of these cool, white sheets, and closing my eyes, fell to dreamless slumber. 

CHAPTER XL

OF CLOTHES

I awoke late next morning to find my clothes clean gone and others intheir place; but garments these whose like I had never seen. For herewere purple breeches be-laced and ribbanded at the knee and buttoningthere with great gold buttons (six a side), and each set with a greatpearl; a fine cambric shirt; a doublet cut in at the waist withgold-braided lappets, the sleeves slashed and very wide and turned upat the wrists with point-lace, and this wondrous garment fastening infront with many gold buttons all set with goodly pearls; so that Ijudged this coat to be a very fortune in itself. Besides this I founda great lace collar or falling band, a pair of silk stockings, shoeswith gold buckles set with diamonds, and a great penthouse of a hatadorned with a curling feather fastened by a diamond brooch; whileshard by was an embroidered shoulder-belt carrying a long rapier, itsguards and quillons of wrought gold, its pommel flaming with greatbrilliants. Beholding all of which gauds and fopperies, I vowed I'dnone of them, and cowering beneath the sheets fell to shouting andhallooing for my lady; but finding this vain, scowled at these garmentsinstead. They were of a fashion such as I remembered my father hadworn; and now as I gazed on them a strange fancy took me to learn how I(that had gone so long half-naked and in rags) might feel in suchsumptuous apparel. So up I got and dressed forthwith, and found this amatter of no small difficulty, what with the unfamiliar shape of thesegarments and their numberless points and buttons. Howbeit 'twas done atlast, and now, coming without the cave, there was my lady upon herthree-legged stool preparing breakfast. Beholding me she staredwide-eyed for a moment, then rose, smiling roguishly, and sank down ina slow and gracious curtsey. 

"Good morrow to your lordship, " says she. "Your lordship called, Ithink, but I could not answer your lordship's shouts since I was busiedpreparing your lordship's breakfast. "

Now beholding all the sweet and roguish witchery of her, the sun sobright and the world about us so joyous, what could I do but smile and, sweeping off my great hat, make her as deep and profound a reverence asever was seen at Whitehall or Versailles. 

"Madame, " quoth I, "your ladyship's most humble and very obedientservant. I trust your ladyship hath breakfast ready, for of a truth mymagnificence is mighty sharp set. "

"O Martin, " cries she, clapping her hands, "I vow 'twas most gallant!It needeth but for you to trim your hair and beard--no, I think I willhave you clean-shaven, 'twill mind me of the boyish Martin of yearsago! Yes, you shall shave--"

"Shave!" quoth I, staring like any fool. 

"Yes, Martin, I have all things ready. Come, it shall not take youlong, we will breakfast when you are shaved and trimmed. " So, willy-nilly, she brings me back to the cave and presently comes bearinga gold-mounted box, wherein lay razors with soap and everything needfulto a fine gentleman's toilet. Then she sets before me a gold-framedmirror, and taking a pair of scissors at her bidding I began to clipthe hair from my face, but so bungled the business that she presentlytook the scissors and did it for me. Thereafter I shaved (awkwardlyenough, and she mighty anxious lest I cut myself--the which I did!)and, having at last washed and dried my face, I stood all amazed tofind myself so much younger-looking. Now, seeing how she stared at me, and with rosy lips all a-quiver, I smiled, then wondered to behold hereyes suddenly a-brim with tears. 

"O Martin, you do look the same Martin after all!" says she and so awayinto the sunshine; yet when I presently joined her I found her blitheenough. 

"Are you hungry, sir?"

"Ravenous, my lady!"

"Why then, here we have broiled fish--caught by my ladyship--salt, Martin! Butter--churned by my ladyship--and--bread, Martin! Breadbaked by my ladyship's own two hands. "

"O marvellous, sweet lady!" says I. 

"And 'tis none so ill though I had no yeast, is it, Martin?"

"Delicious!" says I, my mouth full. 

And now, all our recent woes and sorrows clean forgotten, a rightjoyous meal had we; our hearts light as the sweet air that breathedaround us, and untroubled as the placid ocean and broad serenity ofheaven, with no dark shadow anywhere to warn us of those evils to come. Thus we ate and talked, finding joy in everything. Often my fingersmust go to feel my smooth cheeks and chin, and she, catching me, mustneeds laugh and vow a smooth face suited me well, and that I should behandsome were my nose another shape and my eyes a different colour. Thus (as I say) brooding sorrow seemed clean vanished from my world, sothat my heart swelled with gratitude for that I should live to breathethe air she made sweet. 

Breakfast done, I fetched my saw, and despite her remonstrances and myresplendent breeches, forthwith set about making a cupboard; vowing Iwas well again, that I never felt better, etc. Hereupon, finding me seton it, she presently brings me the following, viz. , an excellent newsaw, divers chisels of goodly edge, a plane, a hammer, an auger and anadze; the which rejoiced me greatly, more especially the adze, thewhich is an exceeding useful tool in skilled hands. All these she hadbrought from the secret store and I mighty grateful therefor, and toldher so. 

"Why then, Martin, " says she, "if your gratitude be real and true, youshall do somewhat for me--"

"What you will!" says I eagerly. 

"Nay, " she laughed, "'tis no more than this--keep youshaved--henceforth. "

And so it was agreed. 

CHAPTER XLI

OF THE VOICE THAT SANG ON DELIVERANCE SANDS

If clothes be the outward and visible (albeit silent) expression of aman, his tastes and certain attitudes of his mind, yet have they ofthemselves a mighty influence on their wearer, being, as it were, aninspiration to him in degree more or less. 

And this is truth I will maintain let say who will to the contrary, since 'tis so my experience teacheth me. 

Hitherto my ragged shirt, my rough leathern jerkin and open-kneedsailor's breeches had been a constant reminder of the poor, desperaterogue I had become, my wild hair and shaggy beard evidences ofslavedom. Thus I had been indeed what I had seemed in looks, a rude, ungentle creature expectant of scorns and ill-usage and therefore veryprone to fight and quarrel, harsh-tongued, bitter of speech, and in allcircumstances sullen, ungoverned and very desperate. 

But now, seeing myself thus gently dight, my wild hair tamed by comband scissors, there grew within me a new respect for my manhood, sothat, little by little, those evils that slavery had wrought slippedfrom me. Thus, though I still laboured at my carpentry and suchbusiness as was to do, yet the fine linen rolled high above my scarredand knotted arm put me to the thought that I was no longer the poor, wild wretch full of despairing rage against Fate her cruel dealings, but rather a man gently born and therefore one who must endure allthings as uncomplainingly as might be, and one moreover who, to greateror less degree, was master of his own fate. 

And now came Hope, that most blessed and beneficent spirit that lifteththe fallen from the slough, that bindeth up the broken heart, thatcheereth the sad and downcast and maketh the oft-defeated bold andcourageous to attempt Fortune yet again. 

O thou that we call Hope, thou sweet, bright angel of God! Without theelife were an evil unendurable, with thee for companion gloomy Doubt, sullen Fear and dark Despair flee utterly away, and we, bold-hearted, patient and undismayed by any dangers or difficulties, may realise ourdreams at last. O sweet, strong angel of God, with thee to companionus all things are possible!

Thus every morning came Hope to greet me on my waking, and I, forgetting the futile past, began to look forward to a future moreglorious than I had ever dreamed; so I, from a sullen rogue full ofblack humours, grew to know again the joy of laughter and put off myungracious speech and ways with my rough attire. Though how much thechange thus wrought in me was the work of my sweet comrade these pages, I do think, will show. 

As for my lady she, very quick to mark this change, grew ever the morekind and trusting, sharing with me all her doubts and perplexities;thus, did some problem vex her, she must come to me, biting her prettylips and her slender brows wrinkled, to ask my advice. 

At this time (and at her suggestion) I builded a fireplace and ovenwithin our third or inmost cave (that was by turns her larder, stillroom, dairy and kitchen) and with a chimney to carry off the smokethe which I formed of clay and large pebbles, and found it answer verywell. Thus, what with those things I contrived and others she broughtfrom her treasure-house (the secret whereof she kept mighty close) welacked for nothing to our comfort, even as Adam had promised in hisletter. Moreover, I was very well armed both for offence and defence, for, one by one, she brought me the following pieces, viz. , a Spanishhelmet, inlaid with gold and very cumbersome; a back and breast of finesteel of proof; four wheel-lock arquebuses, curiously chased andgilded, with shot and powder for the same; three brace of pistols, gold-mounted and very accurate; and what with these, my sword, axe, andtrusty knife, I felt myself capable to drive away any should daremolest us, be he Indian, buccaneer or pirate, as I told her. 

"Aye but, " says she, "whiles you fought for our lives what must I bedoing?"

"Lying secure within your secret treasure-house. "

"Never!" says she, setting her chin at me, "O never, Martin; since I amyour comrade my place must be beside you. "

"'Twould but distress me and spoil my shooting. "

"Why then, my aim should be truer, Martin. Come now, teach me how touse gun and pistol. "

So then and there I fetched a pistol and one of the arquebuses andshowed her their manage, namely--how to hold them, to level, sight, etc. Next I taught her how to charge them, how to wad powder and thenshot lest the ball roll out of the barrel; how having primed she mustbe careful ever to close the pan against the priming being blown away. All of the which she was mighty quick to apprehend. Moreover, I tookcare to keep all my firearms cleaned and loaded, that I might be readyfor any disturbers of our peace. 

So the days sped, each with its meed of work, but each full-charged ofjoy. And dear to me beyond expressing is the memory of those dayswhenas I, labouring with my new tools, had but to lift my head tobehold my dear comrade (herself busy as I). Truly how dear, howthrice-blessed the memory of it all! A memory this, indeed, that wasto become for me sacred beyond all others; for now came Happiness witharms outstretched to me and I (poor, blind wretch) suffered it to pleadin vain and pass me by, as you shall hear. 

It was a night of splendour with a full moon uprising in majesty tofill the world with her soft radiance; a night very warm and still andwe silent, I think because of the tender beauty of the night. 

"Martin, " says my companion softly at last, "here is another day sped--"

"Alas, and more's the pity!" quoth I. 

"O?" says she, looking at me askance. 

"Our days fly all too fast, Damaris, here is a time I fain would lingerupon, an I might. "

"It hath been a very wonderful time truly, Martin, and hath taught mevery much. We are both the better for it, I think, and you--"

"What of me, comrade?" I questioned as she paused. 

"You are grown so much gentler since your sickness, so much more mydear friend and companion. "

"Why, 'tis all your doing, Damaris. "

"I am glad--O very glad!" says she almost in a whisper. 

"Why, 'tis you who have taught me to--to love all good, sweet things, to rule myself that I--I may some day, mayhap, be a little more worthyof--of--" here, beginning to flounder, I came to sudden halt, andcasting about in my mind for a likely phrase, saw her regarding me, thedimple in her cheek, but her eyes all compassionate and ineffablytender. 

"Dear man!" says she, and reached me her hand. 

"Damaris, " says I heavily and looking down at these slender fingers, yet not daring to kiss them lest my passion sweep me away, "you knowthat I do love you?"

"Yes, Martin. "

"And that, my love, be it what it may, is yet an honest love?"

"Yes, dear Martin. "

Here was silence a while, she looking up at the moon, and I at her. 

"I broke my oath to you once, " says I, "nor will I swear again, but, dear my lady, know this: though I do hunger and thirst for you, yetmine is such reverent love that should we live thus together longyears--aye, until the end of our lives, I will school myself topatience and wait ever upon your will. Though 'twill be hard!" says I'twixt my teeth, thrilling to the sudden clasp of her fingers. 

"But, Martin, " says she softly, "how if our days together here shouldall suddenly end--"

"End?" cries I, starting, "Wherefore end? When? Why end?" And Itrembled in a sick panic at the mere possibility. "End?" quoth Iagain, "Would you have an end?"

"No--ah no!" says she leaning to me that I could look down into hereyes. 

"Doth this--O Damaris, can this mean that you are happy with me in thissolitude--content--?"

"So happy, Martin, so content that I do fear lest it may all suddenlyend and vanish like some loved dream. "

"Damaris--O Damaris!" says I, kissing her sweet fingers, "Look now, there is question hath oft been on my lips yet one I have it dared toask. "

"Ask me now, Martin. "

"'Tis this . . . Could it . . . Might it perchance be possible you shouldlearn with time . . . Mayhap . . . To love me a little? Nay, not a little, not gently nor with reason, but fiercely, mightily, beyond the crampingbounds of all reason?"

Now here she laughed, a small, sad laugh with no mirth in it, andleaned her brow against my arm as one very weary. 

"O foolish Martin!" she sighed. "How little you have seen, how littleguessed--how little you know the real me! For I am a woman, Martin, asyou are a man and joy in it. All these months I have watched yougrowing back to your nobler self, I have seen you strive with yourselffor my sake and gloried in your victories, though . . . Sometimes I have. . . Tempted you . . . Just a little, Martin. Nay, wait, dear Martin. Oft-times at night I have known you steal forth, and hearkened to yourstep going to and fro out in the dark, and getting to my knees havethanked God for you, Martin. "

"'Twas not all in vain, then!" says I, hoarsely, bethinking me of theagony of those sleepless nights. 

"Vain?" she cried, "Vain? 'Tis for this I do honour you--"

"Honour--me?" says I, wincing. 

"Above all men, Martin. 'Tis for this I--"

"Wait!" says I, fronting her all shamefaced. "I do love you so greatlyI would not have you dream me better than I am! So now must I tell youthis . . . I stole to you once . . . At midnight . . . You were asleep, themoonlight all about you and looked like an angel of God. "

And now it was my turn to stare up at the moon whiles I waitedmiserably enough for her answer. 

"And when you went away, Martin, " says she at last, "when I heard youstriding to and fro, out here beneath God's stars, I knew that yourswas the greatest, noblest love in all the world. "

"You--saw me?"

"Yes, Martin!"

"Yet your eyes were fast shut. "

"Yes, but not--not all the time. And, O Martin, dear, dear Martin, Isaw your great, strong arms reach out to take me--but they didn't, theydidn't because true love is ever greatly merciful! And your triumphwas mine also, Martin! And so it is I love you--worship you, and needsmust all my days. "

And now we were on our feet, her hands in mine, eyes staring into eyesand never award to speak. 

"Is it true?" says I at last, "God, Damaris--is it true?"

"Seems it so wonderful, dear Martin? Why, this love of mine reachethback through the years to Sir Martin, my little knight-errant, and hathgrown with the years till now it filleth me and the universe about me. Have you forgot 'twas your picture hung opposite my bed at home, yoursword I kept bright because it had been yours? And often, Martin, hereon our dear island I have wept sometimes for love of you because itpained me so! Nay, wait, beloved, first let me speak, though I doyearn for your kisses! But this night is the greatest ever was ormayhap ever shall be, and we, alone here in the wild, do lie beyond allhuman laws soever save those of our great love--and, O Martin, you--youdo love me?"

Now when I would have answered I could not, so I sank to my knees andstooping ere she knew, clasped and kissed the pretty feet of her. 

"No, Martin--beloved, ah no!" cries she as it were pain to her, andkneeling before me, set her soft arms about my neck. "Martin, " saysshe, "as we kneel thus in this wilderness alone with God, here and now, before your lips touch mine, before your dear strong hands take me tohave and hold forever, so great and trusting is my love I ask of you nopledge but this: Swear now in God's sight to renounce and put away allthought of vengeance now and for ever, swear this, Martin!"

Now I, all bemused by words so unexpected, all dazzled as it were bythe pleading, passionate beauty of her, closed my eyes that I mightthink:

"Give me until to-morrow--" I groaned. 

"'Twill be too late! Choose now, Martin. "

"Let me think--"

"'Tis no time for thought! Choose, Martin! This hour shall never comeagain, so, Martin--speak now or--"

The words died on her lip, her eyes opened in sudden dreadful amaze, and thus we remained, kneeling rigid in one another's arms, for, awayacross Deliverance, deep and full and clear a voice was singing:

 "There are two at the fore, At the main are three more, Dead men that swing all in a row; Here's fine dainty meat For the fishes to eat: Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy ho!"

CHAPTER XLII

CONCERNING THE SONG OF A DEAD MAN

Long after the singing was died away I (like one dazed) could think ofnought but this accursed song, these words the which had haunted mysick-bed and methought no more than the outcome of my own feveredimagination; thus my mind running on this and very full of troubledperplexity, I suffered my lady to bring me within our refuge, but withmy ears on the stretch as expectant to hear again that strange, deepvoice sing these words I had heard chanted by a dead man in my dreams. 

Being come within our third cave (or kitchen) my lady shows me a smallcord that dangled in certain shadowy corner, and pulling on this cord, down falls a rope-ladder and hangs suspended; and I knew this forAdam's "ladder of cords" whereby he had been wont to mount into hisfourth (and secret) cavern, as mentioned in his chronicle. 

"Here lieth safety, Martin, " says my lady, "for as Master Penfeatherwrites in his journal 'one resolute man lying upon the hidden ledge'(up yonder) 'may withstand a whole army so long as his shot last. ' Andyou are very resolute and so am I!"

"True!" says I, "True!" Yet, even as I spake, stood all tense andrigid, straining my ears to catch again the words of this hateful song. But now my dear lady catches my hand and, peering up at me in thedimness, presently draws me into the outer cave where the moon made aglory. 

"O Martin!" says she, looking up at me with troubled eyes, "DearMartin, what is it?"

"Aye--what?" quoth I, wiping sweat from me. "God knoweth. But youheard? That song? The words--"

"I heard a man singing, Martin. But what of it--we are safe here!Ah--why are you so strange?"

"Damaris, " says I, joying in the comfort of her soft, strong arms aboutme, "dear love of mine, here is thing beyond my understanding, forthese were words I dreamed sung to me by a dead man--the manHumphrey--out beyond the reef--"

"Nay, but dear Martin, this was a real voice. 'Tis some shipwreckedmariner belike, some castaway--"

"Aye--but did you--mark these words, Damaris?"

"Nay--O my dear, how should I--at such a moment!"

"They were all--of Black Bartlemy! And what should this mean, thinkyou?"

"Nay, dear love, never heed!" says she, clasping me the closer. 

"Aye, but I must, Damaris, for--in a while this singing shall comeagain mayhap and--if it doth--I know what 'twill be!"

"O Martin--Martin, what do you mean?"

"I mean 'twill be about the poor Spanish lady, " says I, and catching upmy belt where it hung, I buckled it about me. 

"Ah--what would you do, Martin?"

"I'm for Deliverance. "

"Then will I come also. "

"No!" says I, catching her in fierce arms, "No! You are minehenceforth and more precious than life to me. So must you bide here--Icharge you by our love. For look now, 'tis in my mind Tressady and hispirates are upon us at last, those same rogues that dogged the'Faithful Friend' over seas. Howbeit I must find out who or what is itis that sings this hateful--" I stopped, all at once, for the voice wascome again, nearer, louder than before, and singing the very words Ihad been hearkening for and dreading to hear:

 "There's a fine Spanish dame, And Joanna's her name, Shall follow wherever ye go: 'Till your black heart shall feel Yow cursed steel: Black Bartlemy--Bartlemy ho!"

"You heard!" says I, clapping hand on knife, "You heard?"

"Yes--yes, " she whispered, her embrace tightening until I might feelher soft body all a-tremble against mine. "But you are safe--here, Martin!"

"So safe, " says I, "that needs must I go and find out this thing--nay, never fear, beloved, life hath become so infinite precious that I shallbe a very coward--a craven for your sake. Here shall be no fighting, Damaris, but go I must. Meanwhile do you wait me in the secret caveand let down the ladder only to my whistle. "

But now, and lying all trembling in my embrace, she brake intopassionate weeping, and I powerless to comfort her. 

"Farewell happiness!" she sobbed. "Only, Martin, dear Martin, whatsoever may chance, know and remember always that I loved and shalllove you to the end of time. "

Then (and all suddenly) she was her sweet, calm self again, andbringing me my chain-shirt, insisted I must don it there and thenbeneath my fine doublet, the which (to please her) I did. Then shebrought me one of the arquebuses, but this I put by as too cumbersome, taking one of the pistols in its stead. So, armed with this togetherwith my hatchet and trusty knife, I stepped from the cave and shebeside me. And now I saw she had dried her tears and the hand claspingmine was firm and resolute, so that my love and wonder grew. 

"Damaris, " I cried, casting me on my knees before her, "O God, how I dolove thee!" And, kneeling thus, I clasped her slender loveliness, kissing the robes that covered her; and so, rising to my feet I hastedaway. Yet in a little I turned to see her watching me but with handsclasped as one in prayer. Now, beholding her thus, I was seized of asudden great desire to go back to give her that promise and swear thatoath she sought of me, viz. , that I would forego my vengeance and allthought thereof, forgetting past wrongs in the wonder of her love. But, even as I stood hesitating, she waved her hand in farewell and wasgone into the cave. 

CHAPTER XLIII

OF THE DEATH-DANCE OF THE SILVER WOMAN

A small wind had sprung up that came in fitful gusts and with soundvery mournful and desolate, but the moon was wonderfully bright and, though I went cautiously, my hand on the butt of the pistol in mygirdle, yet ever and always at the back of my mind was an infinitude ofjoy by reason of my dear lady's love for me and the wonder of it. 

I chose me a devious course, avoiding the white sands of DeliveranceBeach, trending towards that fatal cleft hard by Bartlemy's tree (thewhich we had come to call Skeleton Cove) though why I must go hither Iknew no more then than I do now. 

Thus went I (my eyes and ears on the stretch) pondering what manner ofman this should be who sang words the which had so haunted my sickdreams; more than once I stopped to stare round about me upon the wideexpanse of ocean, dreading and half expecting to behold the loom ofthat black craft had dogged us over seas. 

Full of these disquieting thoughts I reached the cove and began todescend the steep side, following goat-tracks long grown familiar. Theplace hereabouts was honeycombed with small caves and with ledgesscreened by bushes and tangled vines; and here, well hid fromobservation, I paused to look about me. But (and all in a moment) Iwas down on my knees, for from somewhere close by came the sharpsnapping of a dried stick beneath a stealthy foot. 

Very still I waited, every nerve a-tingle, and then, forth into themoonlight, sudden and silent as death, a man crept; and verily if evermurderous death stood in human shape it was before me now. The manstood half-crouching, his head twisted back over his shoulder aswatching one who followed; beneath the vivid scarf that swathed histemples was a shock of red hair and upon his cheek the sweat wasglittering; then he turned his head and I knew him for the man RedAndy, that same I had fought aboard ship. For a long moment he stoodthus, staring back ever and anon across Deliverance, and so comescreeping into the shadow of the cliff, and I saw the moon glint on thebarrel of the long pistol he clutched, as, sinking down behind a greatboulder, he waited there upon his knees. 

Now suddenly as I lay there watching Red Andy's murderous figure andstrung for swift action, I started and (albeit the night was very warm)felt a chill pass over me, as, loud and clear upon the stilly air, roseagain that full, deep voice singing hard by upon Deliverance:

 "Go seek ye women everywhere, North, South, lads, East or West, Let 'em be dark, let 'em be fair, My Silver Woman's best, Blow high, blow low, Where e'er ye go The Silver Woman's best. Aha! My Silver Woman's best!"

Thus sang the unknown who, all unwitting, was coming to his death;sudden as it came the voice was hushed and nought to hear save the hissand murmur of the surge, and I saw the man Andy stir restlessly asminute after minute dragged by. 

The rock where he crouched lay at the mouth of this cove towardsDeliverance, it being one of many that lay piled thereabout. Nowchancing to look towards these scattered rocks (and for no reason inthe world) I saw a thing that held me as it were spellbound, and this asmall enough thing in itself, a sharp, glittering thing that seemedfast caught in a fissure of one of those rocks, and I knew it for asteel hook; but even as I stared at it, the thing was gone and sonoiselessly that I half-doubted if I had seen it or no. But, out fromthe shadow of this rock flashed something that whirled, glittering asit flew, and Red Andy, starting up from his knees was shaken by a fitof strange and awful coughing and came stumbling forward so that Icould see his chin and breast bedabbled with the blood that spurtedfrom his gaping mouth. All at once he sank to his knees and thence tohis face, spreading his arms wide like one very weary, but with themoonlight flashing back from that which stood upright betwixt hisshoulder-blades. And thus I saw again the silver haft of the daggerthat was shaped like to a woman, saw this silver woman dance and leap, glittering, ere it grew terribly still. 

Then came Roger Tressady from the shadows and stooping, turned up thedead face to the moon, and tapped it gently with his shining hook. Andnow, whipping out his dagger, he bent to wipe it on the dead man'sshirt, but checked suddenly as a pebble started beneath my foot, and, stooped thus, he glared up beneath thick brows as I rose up with pistollevelled and the moon bright upon my face, whereupon he leapedbackwards, uttering a choking cry:

"Black Bartlemy--by God!" he gasped and let fall his reeking daggerupon the sand; and so we stood staring on each other and with the deadman sprawling betwixt us. 

CHAPTER XLIV

HOW I HAD SPEECH WITH ROGER TRESSADY TO MY UNDOING

For maybe a full minute we fronted each other unmoving and with never aword; and thus at last I beheld this man Tressady. 

A tall, lusty fellow, square of face and with pale eyes beneath a jutof shaggy brow. A vivid neckerchief was twisted about his head and inhis hairy ears swung great gold rings; his powerful right hand wasclenched to knotted fist, in place of his left glittered the deadlyhook. 

"Sink me!" says he at last, drawing clenched fist across his brow, "Sink me, but ye gave me a turn, my lord! Took ye for a ghost, I did, the ghost of a shipmate o' mine, one as do lie buried yonder, noughtbut poor bones--aye, rotten bones--as this will be soon!" Here hespurned the dead man with his foot. "'Tis black rogue this, my lord, one as would ha' made worm's-meat o' poor Tressady--aye, a lump o'murdered clay like my shipmate Bartlemy yonder--but for this SilverWoman o' mine!" Here he stooped for the dagger, and having cleaned itin the sand, held it towards me upon his open palm: "Aha, here's womanhath never failed me yet! She's faithful and true, friend, faithfuland true, this Silver Woman o' mine. But 'tis an ill world, my master, and full o' bloody rogues like this sly dog as stole ashore to murderme--the fool! O 'tis a black and bloody world. "

"So it is!" quoth I, 'twixt shut teeth, "And all the worse for thelikes o' you, Roger Tressady!"

"So ho--he knoweth my name then!" says Tressady, rubbing shaven chinwith silver dagger-hilt and viewing me with his pale, keen gaze: "Butdo I know him now--do I?"

"I know you for pirate and damned murderer, Roger Tressady, so shallyou quit this island this very hour or stay here to rot along withBartlemy and Red Andy!"

Now at this (and all careless of my pistol) he drew a slow pace nearer, great head out-thrust, peering. 

"Why, " says he at last, "why--bleed me! If--if it aren't--aye'tis--Martin! Why for sure 'tis my bonnet Marty as saved my skin timeand again aboard the 'Faithful Friend!' Though ye go mighty fine, lad, mighty fine! But good luck t'ye and a fair wind, say I!" Andthrusting the dagger into his girdle he nodded mighty affable. "Butlook'ee now, Marty, here's me wishing ye well and you wi' a barker inyour fist, 'tis no fashion to greet a shipmate, I'm thinking. "

"Enough words!" says I, stepping up to him. "Do you go--alive, or stayhere dead--which?"

"Split me!" says he, never stirring. "But 'tis small choice you offer, Marty--"

"My name's Martin!"

"And a curst good name too, Marty. But I've no mind to be worm's-meatyet awhile--no! Come, what's your quarrel wi' me? First Andy wouldmurder me and now 'tis you--why for? Here's me wi' a heart of gold t'cherish a friend and never a friend t' cherish! What's your quarrel, lad, what?"

"Quarrel enough, what with your drugging me and murder aboard ship--"

"Avast, lad! Here's unchancy talk, ill and unmannered!"

"You murdered divers men aboard the 'Faithful Friend. '"

"Only three, Marty, only three--poor souls! Though yours is a foulword for't. I took 'em off, lad, took 'em off as a matter of policy. I've never took off any yet as I wasn't forced to by circumstances. Look'ee, there's men in this world born to be took off by someone orother, and they always come a-drifting across my hawse and get took offaccordingly, but don't blame me, lad, don't. And as for a-drugging ofye, Marty, true again! But love me! What was I to do? But I didn'ttake you off, lad, no, nor never shall unless you and policy force meso to do. I'm no murderer born--like Adam--curse him! Clap mealongside Adam and I'm a turtle-dove, a babe for innocence and a lambfor meekness! There never was such a murderer born into this wickedworld as Adam Penfeather, with a curse! 'Twas he as murdered BlackBartlemy and nine sweet, bright lads arter him, murdered 'em here oneby one, and wi' a parchment rove about the neck of each poor corpse, Marty. 'Twas he as drove their mates out to sea to perish in a leakyboat--ask Abnegation Mings! 'Twas him nigh murdered me more than once, aye me, lad, as can't BE killed according to the prophecy of the poormad soul aboard the old 'Delight. ' Why Adam, curse him, has murderedmore men than you have years. And talking of him, how cometh it youaren't blown t' hell along wi' him and the rest?"

"Do you tell me Adam is dead?"

"Blown up aboard the 'Faithful Friend, ' lad. Just after we run heraboard and grappled, aye blew up she did and nigh took us wi' her. Aha, but Adam's dead at last, curse him! Unless he can't be killedeither, unless he is--"

Here, and all at once, he turned to stare away across Deliverance, thenshrinking, cowered towards me as in sudden terror stabbing at the emptyair with his glittering hook:

"Ha--what's yon!" cried he in awful voice; and I turning whither hisglaring eyes stared (and half-dreading to behold my lady) had thepistol wrenched from my hold and the muzzle under my ear all in amoment; and stood scowling and defenceless like the vast fool I was. 

"Split me!" says he, tapping me gently with his hook "O blind me if Ithought ye such a lubberly fool! So old a trick, Marty! Now look'ee, were I a murderer and loved it--like Adam, curse him--I should pulltrigger! But being Roger Tressady wi' a heart o' gold, I say sit down, lad, sit down and let us talk, friend, let us talk. Come--sit down!Never mind Andy, he shan't trouble us!" So with the pistol at my earwe sat down side by side and the dead man sprawling at our feet. 

"Now first, Marty lad, how come ye here alone on Bartlemy'sisland--how?"

But sitting thus chin on fist I stared down at Red Andy's stiffeningbody silent as he, I being too full of fierce anger and bitter scorn ofmy folly for speech. 

"Come, come, Marty, be sociable!" says Tressady, tapping my cheek withthe pistol-muzzle, "Was it Penfeather sent ye hither t' give an eyeto--the treasure? Was it?"

"Aye!"

"'Twould be the night he made the crew drunk and spoiled my plans. Ha, 'twas like him--a cunning rogue! But for this I'd have had the shipand him and the treasure. O a right cunning, fierce rogue was Adam, and none to match him but me. "

"But he nearly did for you once!" says I bitterly, "And he such asmall, timid man!"

"Look'ee, Martin, when Adam grows timid 'tis time for your bold, desperate fellows to beware! But he's dead at last, though I'd ha'felt more comfort, aye I'd ha' took it kinder had he been took off bymy Silver Woman--or this!" Here he thrust his hook before my eyes. "It ain't a pretty thing, Martin, not pretty, no--but 'tis useful atall times and serves to shepherd my lambs wi' now and then, 'tislikewise a mighty persuading argument, but, and best of all--'tis sure, lad, sure. So I'd ha' took it kinder had I watched him go off on this, lad, this. My hook for my enemies and for my friends a heart o' gold!And, talking o' gold, Marty, what--what o' Bartlemy's Treasure?"

"You are happily welcome to it for all me. "

"Why, that's spoke manly and like a friend, rot me but it is! And nowwhere might it lie, Marty, where?"

"I've no idea. "

"What ha'n't ye found it, lad?"

"No!"

"Not even--seen it, then?"

"No!"

"Why, think o' that now, think of that! And you wi'--a fortun' o'pearls on you, Marty. These pearl studs and buttons, lad. Pearls--ha, pearls was meat and drink to Bartlemy. And here's you wi' pearls I'veseen on Bartlemy many a time. And yet you ha'n't found the treasure, says you. If I was a passionate man, Marty, I should call ye liar, says I. Howsoever what I do say is--as you've forgot, and very rightand proper. But we'm friends, you and me, so far, and so, 'twixtfriends, I ask you to think again until you remember, and to thinkhard, lad, hard. "

Now as I sat (and miserably enough) staring down at my jewelled buttonsthat seemed to leer up at me like so many small, malevolent eyes, uponthe air rose a distant stir that grew and grew to sound of voices withthe creak and rumble of oars. 

"Here come my lambs at last, Marty, and among 'em some o' the lads assailed wi' Bartlemy aboard the 'Delight. ' There's Sam Spraggons forone--Smiling Sam as you'll mind aboard the 'Faithful Friend. ' Now theSmiler knoweth many and divers methods of persuasion, Marty lad, trickslearned of the Indians as shall persuade a man to anything in thisworld. But first, seeing 'tis you, Martin, as played 'bonnet' to meand saved my life aboard ship, though all unknowing, here's my offer:show me how to come by Bartlemy's Treasure as is mine--mine by rights, let me get my hands on to it and none the wiser, and there shall beshare for you, Marty lad, share for you. Otherwise I must let Sam tryto persuade you to remember where it lieth--come, what d'ye say?"

"What--you'll torture me then?"

"If I must, friend, if I must. 'Tis for you to say. "

"Why then 'twill be labour in vain, Tressady, for I swear I know noughtof this treasure--"

"Sit still, lad, sit still!" says he, clapping the pistol to my earagain. "Though a fool in many ways, Marty, you're proper enough man tolook at and 'twill be pity to cripple ye! Aye, there won't be muchleft when Sam is done wi' you, more's the pity. "

Hereupon he hailed loudly and was answered from the lagoon, andglancing thither, I saw two boats crowded with men pulling for thebeach. 

"A wildish company, Martin, desperate fellows as ever roved the Main, as I do love no more than they love me. So say the word and we'llshare Black Bartlemy's treasure betwixt us, just you and me, lad, meand you! Come, what's your will?" But shaking my head (and hopelesslyenough) I set my teeth and watched the coming of my tormentors. 

And foremost was a short, plump, bright-eyed man who lacked an ear, andat his elbows two others, the one a lank rogue with a patch over oneeye, the third a tall, hairy fellow. 

And observing them as they came I knew them for those same three roguesI had fought with in the hedge-tavern beside Pembury Hill on that nightI had first seen my dear lady. Hard upon their heels came a riotouscompany variously armed and accoutred, who forthwith thronged upon mepushing and jostling for sight of me, desecrating the quiet night withtheir hoarse and clamorous ribaldry. Unlovely fellows indeed and cladin garments of every shape and cut, from stained home spun and tatteredshirts to velvet coats be-laced and gold-braided; and beholding thistarnished and sordid finery, these clothes looted from sinking shipsand blazing towns, I wondered vaguely what had become of their lateowners. 

At gesture from Tressady I was dragged to my feet and my arms jerked, twisted and bound before me crosswise, and so stood I helpless and inmuch painful discomfort whiles Tressady harangued his fellows, tappingme gently with his hook:

"Look'ee, my bullies, " quoth he, "I promised ye gold a' plenty andhere, somewhere on this island, it lieth waiting to be found. Itneedeth but for this fool Martin here, as some o' you will mind forAdam Penfeather's comrade, with a curse, it needeth but for him tospeak, I say, and in that same hour each one o' you may fill yourclutch wi' more treasure than ever came out o' Eldorado or Manoa--sospeak he must and shall--eh bullies, eh?"

"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" they roared, pressing upon me with a shaking offists and glitter of eager steel. 

"Twist his thumbs, Cap'n!" cried one. 

"Slit his nose!" roared another. 

"Trim his yeres!" cried a third. But Tressady silenced them with aflourish of his hook. 

"Hark'ee, lads!" says he. "You all mean well, but you're bunglers, here's a little delicate matter as none can handle like the Smiler. There's none like Sam can make a man give tongue! Pass the word forSmiling Sam! Step forward, Sammy. "

Hereupon cometh the great, fat fellow Spraggons who had been bo'sun'smate aboard the "Faithful Friend, " forcing his way with vicious elbowsand mighty anxious to come at me. 

"O love my limbs!" says he in his high-pitched voice and blinking hishairless lids at me, "O cherish my guts--leave him to me, Cap'n! Sam'sthe lad to make this yer cock crow. See now--a good, sharp knife'neath the finger or toe-nails--drew slow, mates, slow! Or a hot ironclose agen his eyes is good. Or boiling water poured in his yeresmight serve. Then--aha, Cap'n! I know a dainty little trick, a smallcord, d'ye see, twisted athwart his head just a-low the brows, twistedand twisted--as shall start his eyes out right pretty to behold. Imind too as Lollonais had a trick o' bursting a man's guts wi' water--"

"Bring him to the beach yonder!" says Tressady, watching me ever withhis pale eyes, "There shall be more room for't yonder!"

So they hailed me along betwixt them, and with huge merriment; butscarce were we out of the cove and hard beside Bartlemy's tree than Istarted to the vicious prick of a knife, and whirling about despite thefierce hands that sought to hold me, I saw Smiling Sam about to stab meagain. But now, as I strove with my reeling captors, was a flicker ofvicious steel as Tressady sprang and, whipping his hook beneath thegreat fellow's belt, whirled Smiling Sam from his feet despite hisprodigious weight and forthwith trampled upon him. 

"So-ho, my merry lad!" quoth Tressady, glaring down into Smiling Sam'sconvulsed face, "And must ye be at it afore I give the word? Who'scaptain here--who? Come speak up, my roaring boy!" and he thrust hishook beneath the Smiler's great, flabby chin. 

"Mercy, Cap'n--mercy!" cried Spraggons, his high-pitched voice risingto a pitiful squeal. "Not the hook, Cap'n--O Lord love me--not thehook!"

"Hook? And why not, Sam, why not? 'Tis sharp and clean and quick, andhath done the business o' nicer rogues than you, bully, aye and better, Sam, better--"

"O Cap'n--for God's sake--"

"Who're you to call on God so glib, Sammy? 'Tis marvel He don't strikeye blind, lad. Or there's your innards, Sam, here's that may whip outyour liver, lad--So!" I saw the glitter of the hook, heard SmilingSam's gasping scream as the steel bit into him, and then Tressady wason his feet smiling round upon his awed and silent company. 

"Look'ee, bullies!" says he, pointing to the Smiler's inanimate form, "Here's poor Sam all swounded away at touch o' my hook like anywoman--and him my bo'sun! Pshaw! I want a man!" Here he stooped, andwrenching the silver pipe from Smiling Sam's fat throat stared from oneshuffling rogue to another: "Step forward, Abner, " says he at last, "Come, you'll do--you're a prime sailor-man, you're my bo'sunhenceforth. "

But now Smiling Sam awaking from his swoon moaned feebly and sat up:

"Not the hook, Cap'n!" he wailed, "O not that--"

"No, Smiler, no, I keep it for better men. Disobey me again and I'lldrown ye in a puddle. And now up wi' you, Sammy, up wi' you and standby to teach Martin here how to talk. "

"Aye, aye, Cap'n--aye, aye!" says the gross fellow, rising nimblyenough, whiles his comrades closed about us expectant, and glancingfrom me to Tressady where he had seated himself on a boulder:

"Here will do!" says he, pointing to a brilliant strip of moonlit sandmidway betwixt the shadows of the cliff and Bartlemy's tree. "On hisback, hearties, and grapple him fast, he's strong well-nigh as I am. Now his hand, Smiler, his right hand--"

"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" quoth the fellow, kneeling above me where I layhelpless. "Will I cut it adrift--slow like?" And as he flourished hisknife I saw a trickle of saliva at the corners of his great, loosemouth, "Off at the wrist, Cap'n, or fingers first?"

"No, fool! His thumb-nail first--try that!"

Sweating and with every nerve a-quiver I watched that cruel knife, holding my breath in expectation of the coming agony, and then--fromthe black gloom of the cliff beyond burst a sudden echoing roar, Iheard the whine of a bullet and immediately all was confusion anduproar, shouts of dismay and a wild rush for shelter from this suddenattack. But as I struggled to my knees Tressady's great hand grippedmy throat, and dragging me behind a boulder he pinned me there. 

"Stand by, lads!" he roared. "Level at the cliff yonder, but let noman pull trigger! Wait till they fire again and mark the flash!"

Helpless in my bonds and crushed beneath Tressady's knee I heard a stirand rustle to right and left of me, the click of cocking triggers andthereafter--silence. And, marking the gleam of pistol andmusket-barrel, I fell to an agony of dread, well knowing whence thatmerciful shot had come. For mayhap five minutes nought was to hearsave the rustle of stealthy arm or leg and the sound of heavybreathing, until at length one spoke, loud-voiced:

"What now, Captain? Us can't bide here all night. "

"How many are we, Purdy?"

"Thirty and nine, Captain. "

"Then do you take ten and scale the starboard cliff and you, Abner, with other ten take the cliff to larboard. I'll bide here wi' the restand so we'll have 'em--"

"Them cliffs be perilous high, Cap'n!"

"My hook is more perilous, Tom Day! Off wi' you, ye dogs, or I'll showye a liver yet and be--"

He stopped all at once as, faint at first yet most dreadful to hear, there rose a man's cry, chilling the flesh with horror, a cry thatwaxed and swelled louder and louder to a hideous screaming thatshrilled upon the night and, sinking to an awful bubbling murmur, wasgone. 

Up sprang Tressady to stare away across Deliverance whence thisdreadful cry had come, and I saw his hook tap-tapping at his greatchin; then beyond these shining sands was the thunderous roar of agreat gun, a furious rattle of small-arms that echoed and re-echoednear and far, and thereafter single shots in rapid succession. Hereupon rose shouts and cries of dismay:

"Lord love us we'm beset! O Cap'n, we be took fore and aft. What shallus do, Cap'n? Yon was a gun. What o' the ship, Cap'n--what o' theship?"

"Yonder--look yonder! Who comes?" cried Tressady, pointing towardsDeliverance Beach with his glittering hook. 

Twisting my head as I lay, I looked whither he pointed, and saw onethat ran towards us, yet in mighty strange fashion, reeling in widezig-zags like a drunken man; and sometimes he checked, only to come onagain, and sometimes he fell, only to struggle up. 

"By God--it's Abnegation!" cries Tressady. "'Tis my comrade Mings!Look to the prisoner, ye dogs--you Tom Purdy! I'm for Abnegation!"And off he went at a run. At his going was mighty talk and discussionwhat they should do, some men being for stealing away in the boats, others for taking to the woods, and all clean forgetting me where Ilay. But suddenly they fell silent all for Abnegation was hailingfeebly, and was come so nigh that we might see him, his face allbloody, his knees bending under him with weakness as he stumbled on. Suddenly, beholding Tressady, he stopped and hailed him in wild, gasping voice:

"Roger--O Roger! The devil's aboard us, Roger--Penfeather's onus--Penfeather's took the ship--I'm all that's left alive! They killedSol first--did ye--hear him die, Roger? O did ye hear--"

I saw him fall and Tressady run to lift him, and watched these piraterogues as, with oaths and cries of dismay, they hasted hither to throngabout the two; then, rolling into the nearest shadow I struggled to myfeet and found myself beneath the spreading branches of Bartlemy'stree. And now, as I strove desperately against the rope that bit intothe flesh of me, I felt the rope fall away, felt two soft arms closeabout me and a soft breath on my cheek:

"Martin--O thank God!" Turning, I caught my dear, brave lady to myheart. Heedless of aught else in the world beside I clasped her in myaching arms, and kissed her until she stayed me and showing me wherestood our enemies, a wild disordered company, took my hand and began torun. Reaching the cliff we climbed together nor stayed until she hadbrought me to a little cave where lay an arquebus together withbandoliers. "I tried to reload it, dear Martin, but 'twas vain--mypoor, silly hands shook so. For, O my dear, I--heard them--saw themand--thought I should run mad--O Martin my love!"

So now whiles I loaded the arquebus I told her as well as I mightsomething of what I thought concerning her brave spirit, of my undyinglove for her, though in fashion very lame and halting. Thereafter, theweapon being ready I placed it near and, sitting within the gloom ofthis little cave, I took my love into my arms, her dear head pillowedon my breast, and kissed the tremors from her sweet mouth and thehorror from her eyes. And thus with her arms about my neck and hersoft, smooth cheek against mine, we waited for what was to be. 

CHAPTER XLV

OF THE COMING OF ADAM PENFEATHER

In the shadow of the cliff below our hiding-place crept divers of thesepirate rogues, and, crouching there cheek by jowl fell to a hoarsemutter of talk yet all too low for us to catch; but presently therebrake out a voice high-pitched, the which I knew for that of SmilingSam. 

"We'm done, lads, I tell ye. O love my lights--we'm done! 'Tis theend o' we since Penfeather hath took the ship--and here's us shall liemarooned to perish o' plagues, or Indian-savages, or hunger unless, lads, unless--"

"Unless what, Smiler?" questioned one, eagerly. 

"Unless we'm up and doing. Penfeather do lack for men--Mings says hecounted but ten at most when they boarded him! Well, mates--what d'yesay?"

"Ha, d'ye mean fight, Smiler? Fall on 'em by surprise and recapturethe ship--ha?"

"O bless my guts--no! Penfeather aren't to be caught so--not him!He'll ha' warped out from the anchorage by this! But he be shorthandedto work the vessel overseas, 'tis a-seekin' o' likely lads and primesailor-men is Penfeather, and we sits on these yere sands. Well, mates, on these yere sands we be but what's took up us on these yeresands? The boats lie yonder! Well?"

"Where be you heading of now, Smiler? Where's the wind? Talk plain!"

"Why look'ee all, if Penfeather wants men, as wants 'em he doth, what'sto stay or let us from rowing out to Penfeather soft and quiet and'listing ourselves along of Penfeather, and watch our chance t' heavePenfeather overboard and go a-roving on our own account? Well?"

At this was sudden silence and thereafter a fierce mutter of whisperinglost all at once in the clatter of arms and breathless scuffling asthey scrambled to their feet; for there, within a yard of them, stoodTressady, hand grasping the dagger in his belt, his glittering hooktapping softly at his great chin as he stared from one to other of them. 

"Ha, my pretty lambs!" says he, coming a pace nearer. "Will ye skulkthen, will ye skulk with your fools' heads together? What now, mutinyis it, mutiny? And what's come o' my prisoner Martin, I don't spy himhereabouts?"

Now at this they shuffled, staring about and upon each other and (as Ithink) missed me for the first time. 

"You, Tom Purdy, step forward--so! Now where's the prisoner as I seti' your charge, where, my merry bird, where?"

The fellow shrank away, muttering some sullen rejoinder that ended in achoking scream as Tressady sprang. Then I (knowing what was toward)clasped my lady to me, covering her ears that she might not hear thoseghastly bubbling groans, yet felt her sweet body shaking with thehorror that shook me. 

"So--there's an end--o' Tom Purdy, my bullies!" gasped Tressady, stooping to clean his hook in the sand. "And I did it--look'ee, because he failed me once, d'ye see! Who'll be next? Who's formutiny--you, Sammy, you--ha?"

"No--no, Cap'n!" piped Smiling Sam, "Us do be but contriving o' waysand means seeing' as Penfeather do ha' took our ship, curse him!"

"And what though he has? 'Tis we have the island and 'tis on thisisland lieth Black Bartlemy's Treasure, and 'tis the treasure we'reafter! As to ways and means, here we be thirty and eight toPenfeather's fourteen, and in a little 'twill be dark and the gunsshan't serve 'em and then--aha, look yonder! The fools be coming intoour very clutches! To cover, lads, and look to your primings and waitmy word. "

Now glancing whither he pointed, I saw, above the adjacent headland, the tapering spars of a ship. Slowly she hove into view, boltsprit, forecastle, waist and poop, until she was plain to view, and I knew herfor that same black ship that fouled us in Deptford Pool. She wasstanding in for the island under her lower courses only, although thewind was very light, but on she came, and very slowly, until she was sonear that I might see the very muzzles of her guns. Suddenly with acheery yo-ho-ing her yards were braced round, her anchor was let go andshe brought to opposite Skeleton Cove and within fair pistol-shot. 

Now glancing below I saw Tressady stand alone and with Abnegation Mingshuddled at his feet, but in the gloom of the cave and to right andleft, in every patch of shadow and behind every bush and rock, was theglimmer of pistol or musket-barrel, and all levelled in the onedirection. 

Presently up to the lofty poop of the ship clambered a short, squat manin marvellous wide breeches and a great cutlass on hip, who clappingspeaking-trumpet to mouth, roared amain:

"Ahoy the shore! We be shorthanded. Now what rogues o' ye will turnhonest mariners and 'list aboard us for England? Who's for a freepardon and Old England?"

Hereupon, from bush and shadow and rock, I heard a whisper, a murmur, and the word "England" oft repeated. 

Tressady heard it also, and stepping forward he drew a long furrow inthe sand with the toe of his shoe. 

"Look'ee my hearty boys, " says he, pointing to this furrow with hishook, "the first man as setteth foot athwart this line I send tohell-fire along o' Tom Purdy yonder!"

"Ahoy the shore!" roared Godby louder than ever, "who's for an honestlife, a free pardon and a share in Black Bartlemy's Treasure--or shallit be a broadside? Here be every gun full charged wi'musket-balls--and 'tis point-blank range! Which shall it be?"

Once again rose a murmur that swelled to an angry muttering, and I sawSmiling Sam come creeping from the shadow of the cave. 

"O Cap'n, " he piped, "'Tis plaguy desperate business, here's some on uslike to be bloody corpses--but I'm wi' you, Cap'n Roger, whether or no, 'tis me to your back!"

"To my back, Sammy? Why so you shall, lad, so you shall, but I'll ha'your pistols first, Smiler--so!" And whipping the weapons from thegreat fellow's belt, Tressady gave them to Abnegation Mings where helay in the shelter of a rock, and sitting down, crossed long legs andcocked an eye at the heavens. 

"Hearties all, " quoth he, "the moon sinketh apace and 'twill be illshooting for 'em in the dark, so with dark 'tis us for theboats--muffled oars--we clap 'em aboard by the forechains larboard andstarboard, and the ship is ours, bullies--ours!"

"Well and good, Cap'n!" piped Smiling Sam. "But how if she slip hercable and stand from us--"

"And how shall she, my fool lad, and the wind dropped? The wind'sfailed 'em and they lie helpless--"

"And that's gospel true, Cap'n. Aye, aye, we'm wi' you! Gi'e us theword, Cap'n!" quoth divers voices in fierce answer. 

"O sink me!" groaned Mings, "here lies poor Abnegation shattered alowand aloft--O burn me, here's luck! But you'll take me along, Roger?If Death boards me to-night I'd rayther go in honest fight than lyinghere like a sick dog--so you'll have me along, Roger?"

"Aye that will I, lad, that will I and--"

"Ahoy the shore!" roared Godby's great voice again, "Let themrogue-dogs as'll turn honest mariners, them as is for England and afree pardon, stand by to come aboard and lively! In ten minutes weopen fire wi' every gun as bears!"

Now here there brake forth a clamour of oaths, cries and dismayedquestioning:

"Lord love us, what now, Cap'n? Is us to be murdered, look'ee? Doomedmen we be, lads! Shall us wait to be shot, mates? What shall us do, Cap'n, what shall us do?"

"Lie low!" quoth Tressady, rising, "Bide still all and let no man stirtill I give word. In half an hour or less 'twill be black dark--verywell, for half an hour I'll hold 'em in parley, I'll speak 'em smoothand mighty friendly, here shall be no shooting. I'll hold 'em till themoon be down--and Smiler shall come wi' me--come, Sammy lad--come!"

So saying he turned and I watched him stride out upon that spit of sandhard by Bartlemy's tree and this great fat fellow trotting at hisheels. Upon the edge of the tide Tressady paused and hailed loud andcheerily:

"Penfeather ahoy! O Adam Penfeather here come I Roger Tressady forword wi' you. Look'ee Adam, we've fought and run foul of each otherthis many a year--aye, half round the world and all for sake o' BlackBartlemy's Treasure as is mine by rights, Adam, mine by rights. Wellnow to-night let's, you and me, make an end once and for all one way ort'other. There's you wi' my ship--true, Adam, true! But here's me wi'the island and the treasure, Adam, and the treasure. And what then?Why then, says I, let's you and me, either come to some composition orfight it out man to man, Adam, man to man. So come ashore, CaptainPenfeather--you as do be blacker pirate than ever was Bartlemy--comeout yonder on the reef alone wi' me and end it one way or t'other. Comeashore, Adam, come ashore if ye dare adventure!"

"Ahoy you, Tressady!" roared Godby in reply, "Cap'n Adam is ashore wi'ye this moment--look astarn o' you, ye rogue!"

Round sprang Tressady as out from the dense shadow of Bartlemy's treestepped Adam Penfeather himself. He stood there in the moonlight verystill and viewing Tressady with head grimly out-thrust, his armscrossed upon his breast, a pistol in the fist and deadly menace inevery line of his small, spare figure. 

"I'm here, Tressady!" says he, his voice ringing loud and clear. "And Iam come to make an end o' you this night. It hath been longa-doing--but I have ye at last, Roger. "

"Be ye sure, Adam, so sure?"

"As death, Tressady, for I have ye secure at last. "

"Bleed me but you're out there, Adam, you're out there! The boot's ont'other leg, for hereabouts do lie thirty and eight o' my lads watchingof ye this moment and wi' finger on trigger. "

"I know it!" says Adam nodding. "But there's never a one dare shootme, for the first shot fired ashore shall bring a whole broadside inanswer, d'ye see. But as for you, Tressady, pray if you can, for thishour you hang. "

"Hang is it, Adam?" says Tressady, and with swift glance towards thesinking moon, "And who's to do it--who?"

"There be thirty and eight shall swing ye aloft so soon as I give 'emthe word, Tressady. "

"You do talk rank folly, Adam, folly, and ye know it!" says he smilingand stealing furtive hand to the dagger in his girdle. "But and Ishould die this night I take you along wi' me and you can lay to--"But he got no further, for Smiling Sam (and marvellous nimble) whippedup a stone, and leaping on him from behind smote him two murderousblows and, staggering helplessly, Tressady pitched forward upon hisface and lay upon the verge of the incoming tide. 

Beholding his handiwork, Smiling Sam uttered a thin, high-shrillinglaugh, and spitting upon that still form kicked it viciously. 

"Oho, Cap'n Penfeather, " cries he, "'tis the Smiler hath saved ye thelabour, look'ee! 'Tis Sam hath finished Tressady at last and be damnedt' him! And now 'tis the Smiler as do be first to 'list wi' ye!" andhe began to shamble across the sands; but passing that rock wherecrouched Abnegation Mings he tripped and fell, and I saw the flash ofAbnegation's knife as they rolled and twisted in the shadow of thisrock, whiles, from this shadow, rose a shrill crying like the wail of ahurt child, and into the moonlight came a great, fat hand that clutchedand tore at the sand then grew suddenly still, and with crooked fingersplunged deep into the sand like a white claw. Then, tossing aside hisbloody knife, Abnegation Mings struggled to his feet and camestaggering to kneel above his comrade Tressady and to turn up thepallid face of him to the moon. 

And now Adam thrust away his pistols and with hands clasped behind him, turned to face the gloomy shadows of Skeleton Cove:

"Come out, sons o' dogs!" says he. "Step forward and showyourselves--and lively it is!" Ensued a moment's breathless pause, then, from bush and shadow and rocks, they stole forth these thirty andeight and, at Adam's harsh command, lined up before him shoulder andshoulder. "Well, " says Adam, pacing slowly along their rank to peerinto every sullen, hang-dog face. "Am I captain here? Aye or no?"

"Aye--aye!" they cried in eager chorus. 

"And us was promised a free pardon, Cap'n!" quoth one. 

"And a share of the treasure, Cap'n!" says another. 

"And England, Cap'n!" cried a third. "There's some on us as do behonest sailor-men and forced to turn pirate in spite o' we--"

"Avast!" says Adam. "What I promise I stand by. But mark this! Letany man fail of his duty to me but once and I shoot that man or hanghim out o' hand--is't understood?"

"Aye, aye, Cap'n--'tis agreed! We'll serve ye faithful and true, " theycried. 

"Why then, bring ropes!" says Adam, and with his new 'listed men at hisheels, goes whither lay Tressady and with Abnegation Mings yet crouchedabove him. 

What now was doing I might not see by reason of the crowd, but I heardthe voice of Mings upraised in fierce invective, and the throngpresently parting, beheld him trussed hand and foot and dragged alongwith Tressady towards Bartlemy's tree. There a noose was set about theneck of each, and the rope's ends cast over a branch. But as at Adam'scommand these miserable wretches were hauled aloft to their deaths, mylady uttered a cry of horror and grasped my arm in desperate hands. 

"Martin!" she panted, "O Martin, 'tis horrible! Save them, this mustnot--shall not be--"

"'Tis but justice, " says I, "these men are pirates and murderers--"

"This is no justice!" cries she breathlessly, her face all pale anddrawn, "And these men are sore hurt beside--Ah God--look! Stop them, Martin--O stop them! Nay then I will!" And here, or ever I could letor stay her, she begins to clamber down into the cove. Howbeit, quickand sure-footed though she was, I was presently before her and so camerunning, knife in hand. Nor was I any too soon, for as I reached thetree Tressady and Mings were dragged, choking, from their feet; butwith a couple of strokes my keen knife had cut those deadly ropesasunder, and as the two fell gasping on the sand I turned to stare intothe scowling eyes of Adam Penfeather. 

Now as I stood thus someone spoke 'twixt sigh and groan:"Bartlemy--'tis Bartlemy!" and the word was taken up by others, "Bartlemy--Black Bartlemy!" and all men fell back from me whiles Adamscowled at me above levelled pistol. 

"Hold off--Adam!" I panted. "Let be, Adam Penfeather--let be!"

"What?" says he, peering, "And is it--Martin? Lord love me, now whatfool's ploy is this?"

"What you will, " quoth I, "only here has been enough of death for onenight--"

"'Tis but you do think so, Martin, and you was ever a fool! I cameashore to see these two rogues hang, and hang they shall!"

"Now look you, Adam Penfeather, " says I, scowling in turn, "you havecozened and tricked me since first you crossed my path, well, let thatgo! But mark this--according to your letter three-quarters of thistreasure is mine. Very well--take it back--I'll buy these rogues'lives of you--"

"Lord love me!" says he, staring in blank amaze, "What new fool crazeis this? Will ye save this bloody murderer Tressady that drugged yeaboard ship, the man that was our bane and plague all along? The roguehath been my deadliest enemy seeking my destruction these fifteenyears, and you would save him alive! It seemeth my pistol-butt must ha'harmed what little brain you have and you be run stark, staring mad, Martin!"

"Howbeit, " says I, mighty determined, "you don't hang these men whilesI live!"

"Why, there's no difficulty either, Martin, for what's to stay me fromhanging you along with 'em, or shooting you for the fool you are?"

"I!" cried a voice, and there betwixt us was my lady, she all statelydignity despite her hurried breathing, at sight of whom these lawlessfellows gave back one and all, even Adam himself retreated a step, staring upon her round-eyed. Then, very slowly he thrust pistols intobelt and uncovering his head bowed full low, and I fancied his thinlips twitched as he did so. 

"So be it, my lady, " says he, "I call on your ladyship to witness thatI sell two bundles of very unseemly merchandise, " and he pointedtowards the two helpless forms at his feet. "And now, with your fairleave, madam, I'll see these fellows safe aboard and warn my LordDering and gentlemen of your welfare and presence here. "

"Wait!" says I as he turned to go. "First I would have these mypurchases set aboard a boat, with such stores needful, and cast adrift. "

"Why, this was not in the bargain, Martin!" says he, shaking his head, "But it shall be done for sake of our one-time comradeship. " And awayhe goes and his fellows with him. True to his word he orders thepinnace launched and sends divers men to bear these two rogues aboard. Hereupon I cut away their bonds, doing the which I found Tressady stillunconscious, but Mings for all his wounds seemed lively enough. 

"Master, " says he, staring hard at me, "Your name's Martin, as I think?"

"And what then?" says I, mighty short. 

"'Tis a name I shall mind as long as I do my own, and that isMings--Abnegation Mings. "

"Aye, " says I. "You told me this when you sang of dead men in a woodat midnight--"

"Ha, 'twas you, was it, master! Well, here lieth poor Roger dead ordying and me little better, and 'tis far to the Main and an illjourney, but should we come there and live, there be two men shallwonder at ye, master, nor ever forget the name o' the man as saved ournecks. Howsoever, come life or death, here's Abnegation doth wish ye afair wind ever and always, master. "

So they bore him, together with Tressady, to the pinnace, and settingthem aboard, shoved them adrift, and I watched Abnegation ply feebleoars until the boat was through the passage in the reef and out in theopen sea beyond. 

CHAPTER XLVI

HOW I DOUBTED MYSELF

Now as I stood thus, staring out to sea, the moon sank and with it myheart also, for as the dark came about me so came darkness within meand sudden sorrow with great fear of the future; wherefore, beholdingthe loom of the ship where lights twinkled, I would gladly have seenher a shattered wreck, and hearing the hoarse laughter and voices ofthese lawless fellows waking the echoes of Deliverance Beach, I hatedthem one and all, and to my fear and sorrow anger was added. But nowcometh my dear lady to stand beside me, to steal her hand into mine, and never a word betwixt us for a while. At last:

"So endeth our solitude, Martin!"

"Aye!"

"Our deliverance is come!" says she and then, very softly, "Doth notthis rejoice you?" Here answer found I none, since now at last I knewthis the very thing I had come most to dread. So was silence againsave for these hoarse unlovely voices where they launched and boardedthe longboat. "Master Adam would have me go on board, Martin, but 'tisnear dawn so will I bide with you to welcome this new day. "

"I'm glad you stayed, Damaris. " At this I felt her clasp tighten on myfingers, and so she brings me to a rock hard by and, sinking on thewarm sand, would have me sit by her; thus, side by side, we watched theboat pull away to the ship, and presently all about us was hushed andstill save for the never-ceasing murmur of the surge. 

"Martin, " says she in a while, "with this new day beginneth for us anew life! In a few short hours we sail for England. "

"England! Aye, to be sure!" says I, mighty doleful, but, conscious ofher regard, strove to look happy yet made such a botch of it that, getting to her knees, she takes my hang-dog face betwixt her two hands. 

"O but you are glad?" she questions, a little breathlessly, "Glad tocome with me to England--to leave this wilderness?"

"Aye!" I nodded, well-nigh choking on the word. 

"Dear Martin, look at me!" she commanded, "Now speak me plain. Whenceis your grief?"

"O, my lady, " quoth I, "'tis the knowledge of my unworthiness, myunloveliness, my rude and graceless ways; England is no place for likeof me. I am well enough here in the wild--to work for you, fight foryou an' need be, but how may I compare with your fine gallants andcourtly gentlemen?"

Now at this she clasps me all sudden in her arms and setting soft cheekto mine falls a-chiding me, yet kissing me full oft, calling me"silly, " "dear, " "foolish, " and "beloved. "

"How shall you compare?" cries she, "Thus and thus, dear Martin--soinfinitely above and beyond all other men that unless you wed me needsmust I die a maid!"

Thus did she comfort me, soothing my fears, and thus the dawn found us. 

"O 'tis day!" she sighed, "'Tis day already!" And now 'twas her voicewas doleful whiles her eyes gazed regretful round about the white sandsof Deliverance and the tree-clad highlands beyond. "O indeed I do lovethis dear island of ours, Martin!"

Sudden upon the stilly air was the beat of oars, and we beheld a boatrowed by a couple of mariners and in the stern-sheets Sir Rupert Deringand the three gentlemen, his companions. Hereupon my lady would haveme go with her to meet them then and there, but I shook my head. 

"Do you go, Damaris, I'll not speak them before I must. And should youhave cause to mention me I pray you will not tell my name. "

"As you will, dear Martin, " says she and, pressing my hand, goes herway. From the shadow of the rock I watched these gentlemen leap gailyashore to bow before her with many and divers elegant posturings, flourishes and flauntings of hats, kissing of her hands and the likegallantries until I must needs scowl otherwhere; yet even so, wasconscious of their merry laughter where they paced to and fro and thenew risen sun making a glory about her. At last she curtseys, andstaying them with a gesture, comes hasting back to me. 

"Martin, " says she, "it seems there be men wounded and dying on boardship, so must I go to them. Will you not come with me?"

"Nay, " I answered, "I'll to the caves for such things as you wouldbring away. "

"Why then, my spoon, Martin, and three-legged stool, bring these--naywait, 'tis there I would bid farewell to this our dear island. Wait methere, Martin. "

So away she goes on her errand of mercy, leaving me to my thoughts andthese all of England and my future life there. I was fain to picturemyself married and happy in my lady's love, my life thenceforth asuccession of peaceful days amid the ordered quiet of that Kentishcountryside I knew and loved so well. With the eye of my mind I seemedto see a road winding 'twixt bloomy hedgerows, past chattering brooksand pleasant meadows, past sleepy hamlet bowered 'mid trees and so, 'neath a leafy shade, to where rose tall gates, their pillars crownedby couchant leopards wrought in the stone, and beyond these a broadavenue, its green shadow splashed with sunlight, leading away to thehouse of Conisby Shene with its wide terrace where stood my ladywaiting and expectant; yet nowhere could I vision myself. And now Imust needs bethink me of Godby's "long, dark road with the beckoninglight and the waiting arms of love, " and in my heart the old doubtwaked and a fear that such peace, such tender meetings and welcomessweet, were not for such as I, nor ever could be. 

From these gloomy reflections I was roused by a giggling laugh, andglancing about, espied Sir Rupert and his three fellows, their finerysomewhat the worse for their late hardship yet themselves very gay anddebonair none the less as they stood viewing me and mighty interested. Presently Sir Rupert steps up to me with his haughtiestfine-gentlemanly air and no civility of bowing. 

"Let me perish but here's notable change!" says he, surveying my richattire, so that I yearned for my rags again. "Here is strangemetamorphosis! The sullen and rustic Cymon bloometh at Beauty'smandate, Caliban is tamed!" At the which sally his companions giggledagain. 

"Sir, " quoth I, and awkwardly enough, "I am in no mood for yourpleasantries. If therefore you have aught else to say of me, prayremove out o' my hearing. " This protest Sir Rupert fanned airily asidewith be-ringed hand. 

"I gather, " says he, "that you have been at some pains of service to myLady Brandon in her late dolorous situation here--receive my thanks!"

"I wish none o' your thanks, sir--"

"None the less I bestow 'em--on my Lady Brandon's behalf. Furthermore--"

"Enough, sir, I would be alone. "

"Furthermore, " he continued and with another airy motion of his whitefingers, "I would have you particularly remark that if my Lady Brandon, lacking better company, hath stooped to any small familiarities withyou, these must be forgot and--"

"Ha!" I cried, springing to my feet, "Begone, paltry fool, lest I kickyou harder than I did last time at Conisby Shene. "

"Insolent gallows'-rogue!" he panted, reaching for his sword-hilt, butas he freed it from scabbard I closed with him and, wrenching it fromhis hold, belaboured him soundly with the flat of it, and such of hiscompanions as chanced within my reach, until hearing shouts, I espiedAdam approaching with divers of his grinning fellows; whereupon Isnapped the blade across my knee and hasted from the place. 

I strode on haphazard in a blind fury, but reaching the woods at lastand safe from all observation, I cast myself down therein, andgradually my anger grew to a great bitterness. For (thinks I)"gallows'-rogue" am I in very truth an outcast from my kind, a creatureshamed by pillory and lash, a poor wretch for spiteful Fortune'sbuffets. Hereupon (being a blind fool ever) I cursed the world and allmen in it saving only my unworthy self. And next, bethinking me of mydear lady who of her infinite mercy had stooped to love such as I, itseemed that my shame must smirch her also, that rather than lifting meto her level I must needs drag her down to mine. She, wedding me, gaveall, whiles I, taking all, had nought to offer in return save myunworthiness. Verily it seemed that my hopes of life with her inEngland were but empty dreams, that I had been living in the veryParadise of Fools unless--

Here I raised bowed head, and clenching my fists stared blindly beforeme. 

How if the ship should sail without us?

CHAPTER XLVII

HOW MY DOUBTING WAS RESOLVED FOR ME

The sun being high-risen and myself famished with hunger, I set off forour habitation by paths well-hid from observation and yearning mightilyto find my lady there. Having scaled the cliff I reached the littleplateau, and parting the bushes, recoiled from the muzzle of a piecelevelled at me by a squat, grim fellow. 

"What, Godby!" says I, frowning, "D'ye take me for murderer still, then?" At this he let fall his musket in blank amaze, and then camerunning and with hands outstretched. 

"O pal!" cries he, "O pal--have I found ye at last? Ha, many's thetime I've grieved for ye and my fool's doubts o' you, Martin, choke meelse? I'm sorry, pal, burn me but I've repented my suspecting o' youever since, though to be sure you was mighty strange aboard the'Faithful Friend' and small wonder. But here's me full o' repentance, Martin, so--if you can forgive poor Godby--?"

"Full and freely!" says I, whereupon he hugs me and the tears runningdown his sunburned cheeks. 

"Then we'm pals again, Martin, and all's bowmon!"

"And what o' me?" Turning about I beheld Adam on the threshold of thecave, "What o' me, shipmate?"

"Aye--what?" says I, folding my arms. 

"Ha, doth the tap o' my pistol-butt smart yet, Martin?"

"I know you beyond all doubt for pirate and buccaneer--"

"All past and done, Martin. "

"I know you planned from the first to seize the 'Faithful Friend. '"

"Aye, but where's your proof--the 'Faithful Friend' is blown up--"

"And by your hand, like as not. "

"True again, so it was, Martin, and thereby did I outwit Tressady andsaved the lives of my own people. "

"You have been at great pains to befool me to your evil ends. "

"At no pains, Martin, 'twas purely simple matter!"

"You have been the death of divers men on this island. "

"But always in fair fight!" says he, glancing at me in his furtivefashion. "'Twas them or me, comrade, and black rogues all. "

"So you say!"

"And who's to deny it, shipmate?"

"Aye, who indeed? It seems you've killed 'em all. "

"Ha, d'ye doubt my word, Martin?"

"Aye, I do so, and judging from what I know, I do take ye for a veryrogue and so I'm done with you henceforth. "

"Rogue?" says he, "'Tis an ill word! And yet I had rather be roguethan fool, and you are the fool of the world, Martin, for here are youseeking quarrel with your best friend. "

"Friend?" quoth I, "O God protect me from such!"

"Now, look'ee, you have named me rogue and good as called me liar, which is great folly seeing you do lie in my power. So here will Iprove my friendship and the depth of your folly. "

"Nay--I'll hear no more!"

"Aye--but you will! Cover him, Godby, and fire if I say so!"

"O Lord love me!" groaned Godby, but obeyed nevertheless, and lookingwhere he stood, his piece levelled at me, I knew he would obey Adam'sword despite his anguished looks. 

"And now, " says Adam, crossing his arms, "here's the truth on't. Ifound a poor wretch bent on vengeance, murder, and a rogue's death, which was pure folly. I offered you riches, the which you refused, andthis was arrant folly. I took you for comrade, brought you aboard shipwith offer of honest employ which you likewise refused and here wasmore folly. Your conduct on board ship was all folly. So, despiteyourself, I set you on a fair island with the right noble and handsomelady that you, by love, might perchance learn some little wisdom. Well, you fall in love--"

"Stop!" cried I, clenching my fists. 

"Not I!" says he, uncrossing his arms, and I saw he had levelled apistol at me in the crook of his arm, "I'm no fine gentleman for ye tobruise, so haul your wind and listen! You fall in love with my lady, as how could you help, and she with you, which is a matter of somewonder. So here are you full o' love, but doth this teach ye wisdom?Never a whit! For now must you fall foul and belabour our fourgallants, and from mere fine gentlemen transform 'em into your deadlyenemies, and here was folly stupendous! And now you must quarrel withme, the which is folly absolute. Thus do I find ye fool persistent andconsistent ever, and I, being so infinitely the opposite, do contemnyou therefore--"

"And now ha' you done?" I demanded, raging. 

"Not quite, Martin. You balked me i' the hanging o' these two roguesTressady and Mings, and here was pitiful folly, since to hang such werea wise and prudent measure. Thus have you loosed murder on my heelsagain, well, let that go. But you doubted my word, you named me rogue, and for this you shall fight me!" So saying he stepped into the caveand brought thence that same be-jewelled Spanish rapier. 

"I've no mind to fight with you, " says I, turning away. 

"An excellent blade!" says he, making a pass in the air, then hetendered it to me hilt foremost and with the little bow. 

"'Tis right you should know I am wearing the chain-shirt. "

"No matter, " quoth he, drawing, "there is your throat or youreye--come!"

So point to point we fell to it. I had been somewhat esteemed at theart once and now I matched his vicious thrusts with cunning parades, with volts and passes, pushing at him when I might, so that twice I wasvery near. But suddenly as he retreated before my attack, his bladedarted and flashed and he called out: "One!" And now he pressed me inturn with quick thrusts and bewildering feints, and presently calledout again: "Two! Three! Four!" Then I saw he was cutting the buttonsfrom my sleeve, how and when he would; therefore I cast away my swordin petulant anger and folded my arms. 

"Lord love me! Are ye done, Martin?"

"O make an end one way or t'other, I'll not be played with!"

"Verily, you were more dangers with the club!" says he, and sheathedhis rapier. As for me, espying the three-legged stool, I sat me downmighty dejected and full of bitter thoughts until, feeling a touch onmy bowed shoulder, I looked up and found him beside me. 

"Martin, " says he, "'tis true you are a fool but your folly harmethnone but yourself! And thou'rt such honest fool that I must needs lovethee, which is strange, yet so it is. Look'ee, we have quarrelled andfought, very well--what's to let us from being friends again?"

"But if I doubt you, Adam?"

"Why, as to that, " says he with his whimsical look, "I verily do thinkmyself a something doubtful being at times. "

Now at this, up I rose and gripped his hand right heartily; which donehe brought me into the cave whiles Godby posted himself on thethreshold, leaning on his musket. 

"What now, Adam?" I questioned. 

"Now let us divide our treasure, Martin--"

"But I bartered my share for the lives of--"

"Tush!" says he, and reaching a valise from shadowy corner he opened itand I beheld such a glory of flashing gems as nigh dazzled me withtheir splendour. "Look at 'em, Martin, look at 'em!" he whispered. "Here's love and hate, life and death, every good and all thesins--look at 'em!" And catching up a handful he let them fall, glittering, through his fingers. "Lord love me, Martin, " he whispered, "'tis enough to turn a man's brain! Have ye counted 'em over, comrade?"

"I never saw them until this moment, Adam. " And I confessed how in myfolly I had cast his letter of instruction into the sea, and of how mylady had found the secret at her dire peril. 

"And she never showed you, Martin?"

"I was always too busy!"

"Busy!" says he, sitting back on his heels to stare up at me. "Busy? OLord love me! Sure there's not your like i' the whole world, Martin!"

"Which is mighty well for the world!" says I bitterly. 

"'Tis vasty treasure, Martin and worth some little risk. And in thecave lie yet fifty and four bars of gold and others of silver, withstore of rix-dollars, doubloons, moidores and pieces of eight--goldcoins of all countries. There let 'em rot--here's more wealth than weshall ever spend. Shall we divide it here or aboard ship?"

"Wait rather until we reach England. "

"So be it, comrade. Then I'm minded to apportion a share to Godbyhere--what d'ye say?"

"With all my heart!"

"Why then 'tis time we got it safe on board. "

"But how to do it--what of Tressady's rogues, Adam?"

"Having buried such of themselves as needed it, Martin, you shall see'em playing leap-frog on the sands down yonder happy as any innocentschool-lads, and never a firearm amongst 'em. "

"Hist, Cap'n!" says Godby, suddenly alert, "The man Abner and his twomates a-peeping and a-prying!"

"Where away, Godby man?"

"Hove to in the lee o' them bushes yonder. "

"'Tis sly, skulking rogue Abner!" says Adam, closing and strapping thevalise, "'Tis in my mind, Godby, this Abner will never live to seeEngland. Summon 'em hither, all three. "

This Godby did forthwith, and presently the three fellows appeared who, knuckling their foreheads, made us their several reverences. 

"What now, lads?" says Adam, viewing them with his keen eyes, "I seemto mind your looks, you sailed with Black Bartlemy aboard the 'Delight'I think? Nay, 'tis no matter, we'll let bygones be bygones, and we beall marvellous honest these days, the which is well. Meantime takethis dunnage down to the boat, " and he pointed to the valise. Hereuponone of the fellows took it up, and knuckled an eyebrow to us in turn. "We sail at sundown, " says Adam, "so, Godby, you may as well go aboardand see that all be ready. "

"Aye, aye!" says Godby, tightening the belt where swung his greatcutlass and, shouldering his musket, set off after the three. 

"So there goeth our fortune aboard, comrade. "

"And in desperate risky fashion, Adam. "

"In safe, straightforward fashion rather, and in broad daylight, thewhich is surer than stealing it aboard in the dark. "

"But should these rogues guess what they carry--"

"They won't, Martin, and if they should they have but their knives'gainst Godby's musket and pistols. "

"Ha--murder, Adam?"

"Would you call this murder, comrade?"

"What other? I wonder what manner of man you'll be, away there inEngland?"

"A worthy, right worshipful justice o' the peace, Martin, if Providenceseeth fit, in laced coat and great peruke, to see that my tenants'cottages be sound and wholesome, to pat the touzled heads o' thechildren, bless 'em! And to have word with every soul i' the village. To snooze i' my great pew o' Sundays and, dying at last, snug abed, toleave behind me a kindly memory. And what for you, Martin? What seeyou in the ship yonder?"

"God knoweth!" says I, gloomily. 

"Why not a woman's love, comrade, why not good works, rank andbelike--children to honour your memory?"

"Were I but worthy all this, Adam. "

"Zounds, but here's humility! Yet your true lover is ever humble, I'veheard, so 'tis very well, Martin. And this doth mind me I bear you amessage from my lady--"

"A message--from her?" I cried, gripping his arm, "Out with it, man, out with it and God forgive you this delay! What says my lady?"

"This, Martin: she would have you shave according to late custom. "

"Why, so I will! But said she no more?"

"Aye, something of meeting you here. So get to your shaving andcheerily, comrade, cheerily. I'll to the ship, for at sunset 'tis upanchor and hey for England! I'll fire two guns to warn you aboard, andtarry not, for the ship lieth within a sunken reef and we must catchthe flood. " Here he turned to go, then paused to glance round thehorizon with a seaman's eye. "The wind is fair to serve us, Martin, "says he, pinching his chin, "yet I could wish for a tempest out o' thenorth and a rising sea!"

"And why, Adam, in Heaven's name?"

"'Twould be the sure and certain end of Tressady and Mings, comrade. Howbeit what's done is done and all things do lie in the hands ofProvidence, so do I cherish hope. Go and shave, Martin, go and shave!"

Left alone I betook me to my razors and shaved me with unwonted care, yet hearkening for her quick, light step the while. 

Scarce was my labour ended that I thought to hear the rustle of leavesand hasted from the cave, calling on her name and mighty joyous andeager:

"Damaris! Art here at last, dear my lady!" And so came face to facewith Sir Rupert. 

He stood smiling at my discomfiture, yet his black brows wereclose--but he halted and folded his arms and I could see the betrayingbulge of the pistol on his great side-pocket. For a while he measuredme with his eye, at last he spoke:

"Within the hour my Lady Brandon sails for England, and from this houryou will forget my Lady Brandon ever existed or--"

"Tush, man!" says I, "Begone, you weary me. "

"Or, " he went on with an airy gesture of his hand, "I shall cure yourweariness for good--"

"Shoot me?"

"Most joyfully! Whatsoever hath chanced betwixt you in thiswilderness, my Lady Brandon's honour must and--"

Warned by my look he clapped hand to his pocket but as he freed theweapon I was upon him, grasping his pistol-hand. For a moment weswayed together, he striving frantically to break my hold, I to wrestthe weapon from him, then it exploded, and uttering a sudden, long-drawn gasp he sank to the grass at my feet and lay very mute andstill. Whilst I yet stared from his pallid face to the pistol where ithad fallen, I heard shouts, a running of feet, and glancing up saw thethree gentlemen, his companions, standing at gaze, motionless; thensuddenly, they turned and hasted away, crying "murder" on me as theyran. Like one in a dream I stared down at Sir Rupert's motionlessform, until I was aware of my lady beside him on her knees and of thepallor of her face as she looked from him to me, her eyes wide withhorror:

"If you have killed him, Martin--if you have killed him, here is an endof our happiness--God forgive you!"

Now would I have spoken but found no words, for in this moment I knewthat Sir Rupert was surely dead. Dumbly I watched the passionatelabour of her dexterous hands, saw them pause at last to clasp andwring themselves in helpless despair, saw the three gentlemen, obedientto her word, stoop and lift that limp form and bear it slowly awaytowards Deliverance Sands and she going beside them. 

Now as I stood watching her leave me, I heard the sudden roar of a gun, and glancing towards the ship saw they were already making sail. Roused by this I came beside my lady, and found my voice at last. 

"Here was the work of chance--not I, Damaris, not I!"

But she, gazing ever on that piteous, limp form, sought to silence mewith a gesture. "God, Damaris, you'll never doubt my word?Speak--will you not speak to me? He threatened me--we strove togetherand the pistol went off in his grasp--"

"Damned Murderer!" cried one of the gentlemen. 

After this I held my peace, despairing, and thus we went in silenceuntil before us was Deliverance Beach. All at once I caught her up inmy arms and, despite her struggles, began to bear her back up theascent. For a moment only she strove, uttering no word, then hidingher face against me, suffered me to bear her where I would. But now Iheard shouts and cries that told me I was pursued:

"You are mine, Damaris!" I cried, "Mine henceforth, and no man shalltake you from me whiles I live!"

Despite my haste the noise of pursuit waxed louder, spurring me togreater effort. And now it became the end and aim of my existence toreach the cave in time, wherefore I began to run, on and up, until mybreath came in great, panting sobs; my heart seemed bursting, and in mythrobbing brain a confusion of wild thoughts:

"Better die thus, my love upon my heart . . . The ship shall sail withoutus . . . The door of the cave is stout, God be thanked and, firing fromthe loophole, I may withstand them all. "

Breathless and reeling I gained the plateau at last, but as I staggeredtowards the cave I tripped and fell heavily, crushing her beneath me. But I struggled up, and bearing her within the cave, laid her upon mybed and closing the door, barred it; then I reached my muskets fromtheir rack and set them in readiness. This done, and finding my lady sostill and silent, I came to view her where she lay and, peering in thedimness, uttered a great cry to see the pale oval of cheek horriblybedabbled with blood. Trembling in a sickness of fear I sank besideher on my knees, then, seeing she yet breathed, I parted the silky hairabove her temple and so came on a cruel gash. Now as I strove tostaunch this precious blood I heard again the echoing thunder of a gun. 

"Damaris!" says I, clasping her to me and kissing her pallid lips, "ODamaris, they are summoning us to England, d'ye hear, beloved, d'yehear? Well, they shall call in vain--they shall sail without us. Lovehath found us and here with Love will we abide. Wake, beloved, wakeand tell me you would have it so!"

But, save for her breathing, and despite all my pleading and caresses, she lay like one dead. So I brought water and bathed her face andthroat and wrists, yet all to no purpose, so that fear grew to agony. How if she die thus? (thinks I) Why then I can die likewise. Butagain, how if she wake, and finding the ship gone, despise me and, inplace of her lover, look on me as her gaoler? For a long while Icrouched there, my head bowed on my fists, since well I knew thatEngland might shelter me nevermore. And yet to part with her that wasbecome my very life--

As I knelt thus, in an agony of indecision, was sudden tumult ofknocking upon the door and the sound of fierce voices:

"Come forth, murderer! Open to us, rogue--open!"

But still I knelt there heeding only the hurry of my thoughts:

"How if the ship sail without us? How if she wake and know me for hergaoler? How might I endure loneliness? How part with her that wasbecome my life? Belike she might not hate me--"

"Open, murderer, open!" roared the voices. 

"A murderer! How if she believe this? Better loneliness and deaththan to read horror of me in her every look!"

And now beyond the door was silence, and then I heard Adam hailing me:

"Oho, shipmate--unbar! Tide's on the turn and we must aboard. Andtrust me, Martin, for your comrade as will see justice done ye. Socome, Martin, you and my lady and let's aboard!"

"Aye, aye, Adam!" quoth I, "Better die o' solitude than live with abreaking heart. So cheerily it is, Adam!"

Then rising, I took my dear lady in my arms, and holding her against myheart, I kissed her hair, her closed eyes, her pale, unresponsive lips, and bearing her to the door, contrived to open it and stepped forth ofthe cave. And here I found Adam, pistol in hand, with divers of hisfellows and the three gentlemen who scowled amain, yet, eyeing Adam'sweapon, did no more than clench their fists and mutter of gibbets andthe like. 

"Look you, Adam, " says I, "my lady is stunned of a fall, but 'twill beno great matter once we come aboard--let us go. "

"Why then, Lord love you, Martin--hasten!" says he, "For tide's fallingand it's all we shall do to clear the reef. "

Reaching Deliverance Sands I saw the boat already launched and mannedand, wading into the water, laid my lady in the stern sheets. 

"Come!" cried Adam, reaching me his hand, "In with ye man--"

"Not I, Adam. "

"Why, what now, comrade?" says he, staring. 

"Now--my hand, Adam, and a prosperous voyage!"

"How, comrade, will ye stay marooned in this desolation?" and hestooped to peer down at me. "Martin, " says he, gripping my hand andstaring into my eyes, "Doth this mean you are safer here by reason ofthe mystery of Sir Rupert's sudden end?"

"Mayhap!" says I, and loosed his hand. "What think you?"

"That you are no murderer, comrade, nor ever will be!"

"My lady said as much once! Farewell, Adam!" And I waded back to thebeach. 

"Give way, lads!" cries he, "Give way!" I heard the splash and beat oftheir oars, and when I turned to look I saw them half-way across thelagoon. 

Then I turned and wandered aimlessly along these white sands that hadknown so often the light tread of her pretty feet. Very slowly I went, with eyes that saw not, ears that heard not and my mind a confusion ofbitter thoughts. 

At last I reached the little plateau, and from this eminence beheld theship standing away under a press of sail, and saw that night was athand. Suddenly as I watched, the ship, her lofty masts and gleamingcanvas swam all blurred and misty on my sight, and sinking to my kneesI bowed my head. 

"Almighty God!" says I, "Thou hast shown unto me the wonder of love andthe heaven it might have been, but since love is not for me, teach mehow I may be avenged. "

But now, even as I prayed thus, my voice brake upon a great sobinsomuch that I might pray no more. Therefore I cast myself upon myface, forgetting all things but my great and bitter loneliness. 

And so came night and shut me in. 

 * * *

Here then I make an end of this narrative of Black Bartlemy's Treasure, but how and in what manner I came to my vengeance is yet to tell.