RICHARD CARVEL

By Winston Churchill

Volume 4. 

XIX. A Man of DestinyXX. A Sad Home-comingXXI. The Gardener's CottageXXII. On the RoadXXIII. London TownXXIV. Castle YardXXV. The Rescue

CHAPTER XIX

A MAN OF DESTINY

I was picked up and thrown into the brigantine's long-boat with a headand stomach full of salt water, and a heart as light as spray with thejoy of it all. A big, red-bearded man lifted my heels to drain me. 

"The mon's deid, " said he. 

"Dead!" cried I, from the bottom-board. "No more dead than you!"

I turned over so lustily that he dropped my feet, and I sat up, somethingto his consternation. And they had scarce hooked the ship's side when Isprang up the sea-ladder, to the great gaping of the boat's crew, andstood with the water running off me in rivulets before the captainhimself. I shall never forget the look of his face as he regarded mysorry figure. 

"Now by Saint Andrew, " exclaimed he, "are ye kelpie or pirate?"

"Neither, captain, " I replied, smiling as the comical end of it came upto me, "but a young gentleman in misfortune. "

"Hoots!" says he, frowning at the grinning half-circle about us, "it'sdaft ye are--"

But there he paused, and took of me a second sizing. How he got at mybirth behind my tangled mat of hair and wringing linsey-woolsey I knownot to this day. But he dropped his Scotch and merchant-captain'smanner, and was suddenly a French courtier, making me a bow that had donecredit to a Richelieu. 

"Your servant, Mr. --"

"Richard Carvel, of Carvel Hall, in his Majesty's province of Maryland. "

He seemed sufficiently impressed. 

"Your very humble servant, Mr. Carvel. 'Tis in faith a privilege to beable to serve a gentleman. "

He bowed me toward his cabin, and then in sharp, quick tones he gave anorder to his mate to get under way, and I saw the men turning to thebraces with wonder in their eyes. My own astonishment was as great. Andso, with my clothes sucking to my body and a trail of water behind melike that of a wet walrus, I accompanied the captain aft. His quarterswere indeed a contrast to those of Griggs, being so neat that I paused atthe door for fear of profaning them; but was so courteously bid to enterthat I came on again. He summoned a boy from the round house. 

"William, " said he, "a bottle of my French brandy. And my compliments toMr. MacMuir, and ask him for a suit of clothes. You are a larger manthan I, Mr. Carvel, " he said to me, "or I would fit you out according toyour station. "

I was too overwhelmed to speak. He poured out a liberal three fingers ofbrandy, and pledged me as handsomely as I had been an admiral comethither in mine own barge, instead of a ragged lad picked off a piraticalslaver, with nothing save my bare word and address. 'Twas then I hadspace to note him more particularly. His skin was the rich colour of awell-seasoned ship's bell, and he was of the middle height, owned aslight, graceful figure, tapering down at the waist like a top, which hadset off a silk coat to perfection and soured the beaus with envy. Hismovements, however, had all the decision of a man of action and of force. But his eye it was took possession of me--an unfathomable, dark eye, which bore more toward melancholy than sternness, and yet had somethingof both. He wore a clean, ruffled shirt, an exceeding neat coat andbreeches of blue broadcloth, with plate burnished buttons, and whitecotton stockings. Truly, this was a person to make one look twice, andthink oftener. Then, as I went to pledge him, I, too, was caught for hisname. 

"Paul, " said he; "John Paul, of the brigantine John, of Kirkcudbright, inthe West India trade. "

"Captain Paul--" I began. But my gratitude stuck fast in my throat andflowed out of my eyes. For the thought of the horrors from which he hadsaved me for the first time swept over me; his own kind treatmentovercame me, and I blubbered like a child. With that he turned his back. 

"Hoots, " says he, again, "dinna ye thank me. 'Tis naething to scuttle anest of vermin, but the duty of ilka man who sails the seas. " By this, having got the better of his emotion, he added: "And if it has been mygood fortune to save a gentleman, Mr. Carvel, I thank God for it, as youmust. "

Save for a slackness inside the leg and in the hips, Macbluir's clothesfitted me well enough, and presently I reappeared in the captain's cabinrigged out in the mate's shore suit of purplish drab, and brass-buckledshoes that came high over the instep, with my hair combed clear and tiedwith a ribbon behind. I felt at last that I might lay some claim torespectability. And what was my surprise to find Captain Paul buried tohis middle in a great chest, and the place strewn about with laced andbroidered coats and waistcoats, frocks and Newmarkets, like any tailor'sshop in Church Street. So strange they looked in those tropical seasthat he was near to catching me in a laugh as he straightened up. 'Twasthen I noted that he was a younger man than I had taken him for. 

"You gentlemen from the southern colonies are too well nourished, byfar, " says he; "you are apt to be large of chest and limb. 'Odds bods, Mr. Carvel, it grieves me to see you apparelled like a barber surgeon. If the good Lord had but made you smaller, now, " and he sighed, "how wellthis skyblue frock had set you off. "

"Indeed, I am content, and more, captain, " I replied with a smile, "and thankful to be safe amongst friends. Never, I assure you, have I had less desire for finery. "

"Ay, " said he, "you may well say that, you who have worn silk all yourlife, and will the rest of it, and we get safe to port. But believe me, sir, the pleasure of seeing one of your face and figure in such a coat asthat would not be a small one. "

And disregarding my blushes and protests, he held up the watchet bluefrock against me, and it was near fitting me but for my breadth, --theskirts being prodigiously long. I wondered mightily what tailor hadthrust this garment upon him; its fashion was of the old king's time, the cuffs slashed like a sea-officer's uniform, and the shoulders madecarefully round. But other thoughts were running within me then. 

"Captain, " I cut in, "you are sailing eastward. "

"Yes, yes, " he answered absently, fingering some Point d'Espagne. 

"There is no chance of touching in the colonies?" I persisted. 

"Colonies! No, " said he, in the same abstraction; "I am making for theSolway, being long overdue. But what think you of this, Mr. Carvel?"

And he held up a wondrous vellum-hole waistcoat of a gone-by vintage, and I saw how futile it were to attempt to lead him, while in that stateof absorption, to topics which touched my affair. Of a sudden thesignificance of what he had said crept over me, the word Solway repeatingitself in my mind. That firth bordered England itself, and Dorothy wasin London! I became reconciled. I had no particle of objection to theSolway save the uneasiness my grandfather would come through, which wasbeyond helping. Fate had ordered things well. 

Then I fell to applauding, while the captain tried on (for he was notcontent with holding up) another frock of white drab, which, cuffs andpockets, I'll take my oath mounted no less than twenty-four: anotherplain one of pink cut-velvet; tail-coats of silk, heavily broidered withflowers, and satin waistcoats with narrow lace. He took an inconceivableenjoyment out of this parade, discoursing the while, like a nobleman withnothing but dress in his head, or, perhaps, like a mastercutter, aboutthe turn of this or that lapel, the length from armpit to fold, and thenumber of button-holes that was proper. And finally he exhibited withevident pride a pair of doeskins that buttoned over the calf to be wornwith high shoes, which I make sure he would have tried on likewise had hebeen offered the slightest encouragement. So he exploited the whole ofhis wardrobe, such an unlucky assortment of finery as I never wish to seeagain; all of which, however, became him marvellously, though I think hehad looked well in anything. I hope I may be forgiven the perjury I didthat day. I wondered greatly that such a foible should crop out in a manof otherwise sound sense and plain ability. 

At length, when the last chest was shut again and locked, and I hadexhausted my ingenuity at commendation, and my patience also, he turnedto me as a man come out of a trance. 

"Od's fish, Mr. Carvel, " he cried, "you will be starved. I had forgotyour state. "

I owned that hunger had nigh overcome me, whereupon he became verysolicitous, bade the boy bring in supper at once, and in a short time wesat down together to the best meal I had seen for a month. It seemedlike a year. Porridge, and bacon nicely done, and duff and ale, with thesea rushing past the cabin windows as we ate, touched into colour by thesetting sun. Captain Paul did not mess with his mates, not he, and hegave me to understand that I was to share his cabin, apologizingprofusely for what he was pleased to call poor fare. He would haveit that he, and not I, were receiving favour. 

"My dear sir, " he said once, "you cannot know what a bit of finery is tome, who has so little chance for the wearing of it. To discuss with agentleman, a connoisseur (I know a bit of French, Mr. Carvel), is apleasure I do not often come at. "

His simplicity in this touched me; it was pathetic. 

"How know you I am a gentleman, Captain Paul?" I asked curiously. 

"I should lack discernment, sir, " he retorted, with some heat, "if Icould not see as much. Breeding shines through sack-cloth, sir. Besides, " he continued, in a milder tone, "the look of you is candouritself. Though I have not greatly the advantage of you in age, I haveseen many men, and I know that such a face as yours cannot lie. "

Here Mr. Lowrie, the second mate, came in with a report; and I remarkedthat he stood up hat in hand whilst making it, very much as if CaptainPaul commanded a frigate. The captain went to a locker and brought forthsome mellow Madeira, and after the mate had taken a glass of it standing, he withdrew. Then we lighted pipes and sat very cosey with a lanthornswung between us, and Captain Paul expressed a wish to hear my story. 

I gave him my early history briefly, dwelling but casually upon theposition enjoyed in Maryland by my family; but I spoke of my grandfather, now turning seventy, gray-haired in the service of King and province. The captain was indeed a most sympathetic listener, now throwing in aquestion showing keen Scotch penetration, and anon making a mostludicrous inquiry as to the dress livery our footmen wore, and whetherMr. Carvel used outriders when he travelled abroad. This was the otherside of the man. As the wine warmed and the pipe soothed, I spoke atlength of Grafton and the rector; and when I came to the wretchedcontrivance by which they got me aboard the Black Moll, he was stalkinghither and thither about the cabin, his fists clenched and his voicethick, breaking into Scotch again and vowing that hell were too good forsuch as they. 

His indignation, which seemed real and generous, transformed him intoanother man. He showered question after question upon me concerning myuncle and Mr. Allen; declared that he had known many villains, but hadyet to hear of their equals; and finally, cooling a little, gave it ashis judgment that the crime could never be brought home to them. Thiswas my own opinion. He advised me, before we turned in, to "gie theparson a Grunt" as soon as ever I could lay hands upon him. 

The John made a good voyage for that season, with fair winds and clearskies for the most part. 'Twas a stout ship and a steady, with generousbreadth of beam, and kept by the master as clean and bright as hisporringer. He was Emperor aboard her. He spelt Command with a large C, and when he inspected, his jacks stood to attention like man-o'-war'smen. The John mounting only four guns, and but two of them ninepounders, I expressed my astonishment that he had dared attack a pirate craft likethe Black Moll, without knowing her condition and armament. 

"Richard, " says he, impressively, for we had become very friendly, "Iwould close with a thirty-two and she flew that flag. Why, sir, a boldfront is half the battle, using circumspection, of a course. A prettywoman, whatever her airs and quality, is to be carried the same way, anda man ought never to be frightened by appearances. "

Sometimes, at our meals, we discussed politics. But he seemed lukewarmupon this subject. He had told me that he had a brother William inVirginia, who was a hot Patriot. The American quarrel seemed to interesthim very little. I should like to underscore this last sentence, mydears, in view of what comes after. What he said on the topic leanedperhaps to the King's side, tho' he was careful to say nothing that wouldgive me offence. I was not surprised, for I had made a fair guess of hisambitions. It is only honest to declare that in my soberer moments myestimate of his character suffered. But he was a strange man, --a genius, as I soon discovered, to rouse the most sluggish nature to enthusiasm. 

The joy of sailing is born into some men, and those who are marked forthe sea go down thither like the very streams, to be salted. Whateverthe sign, old Stanwix was not far wrong when he read it upon me, and'twas no great while before I was part and parcel of the ship beneath myfeet, breathing deep with her every motion. What feeling can comparewith that I tasted when the brigantine lay on her side, the silver sprayhurling over the bulwarks and stinging me to life! Or, in the watches, to hear the sea lashing along her strakes in never ending music! I gaveMacMuir his shore suit again, and hugely delighted and astonished CaptainPaul by donning a jacket of Scotch wool and a pair of seaman's boots, andso became a sailor myself. I had no mind to sit idle the passage, andthe love of it, as I have said, was in me. In a fortnight I went aloftwith the best of the watch to reef topsails, and trod a foot-rope withoutlosing head or balance, bent an easing, and could lay hand on any lift, brace, sheet, or haulyards in the racks. John Paul himself taught me totack and wear ship, and MacMuir to stow a headsail. The craft came tome, as it were, in a hand-gallop. 

At first I could make nothing of the crew, not being able to understand aword of their Scotch; but I remarked, from the first, that they were sourand sulky, and given to gathering in knots when the captain or MacMuirhad not the deck. For Mr. Lowrie, poor man, they had little respect. But they plainly feared the first mate, and John Paul most of all. Of metheir suspicion knew no bounds, and they would give me gruff answers, ornone, when I spoke to them. These things roused both curiosity andforeboding within me. 

Many a watch I paced thro' with MacMuir, big and red and kindly, and Iwas not long in letting him know of the interest which Captain Paul hadinspired within me. His own feeling for him was little short ofidolatry. I had surmised much as to the rank of life from which thecaptain had sprung, but my astonishment was great when I was told thatJohn Paul was the son of a poor gardener. 

"A gardener's son, Mr. MacMuir!" I repeated. 

"Just that, " said he, solemnly, "a guid man an' haly' was auld Paul. Unco puir, by reason o' seven bairns. I kennt the daddie weel. I maksma' doubt the captain'll tak ye hame wi' him, syne the mither an'sisters still be i' the cot i' Mr. Craik's croft. "

"Tell me, MacMuir, " said I, "is not the captain in some trouble?"

For I knew that something, whatever it was, hung heavy on John Paul'smind as we drew nearer Scotland. At times his brow would cloud and hewould fall silent in the midst of a jest. And that night, with the starsjumping and the air biting cold (for we were up in the 40's), and theJohn wish-washing through the seas at three leagues the hour, MacMuirtold me the story of Mungo Maxwell. You may read it for yourselves, mydears, in the life of John Paul Jones. 

"Wae's me!" he said, with a heave of his big chest, "I reca' as yestreenthe night Maxwell cam aboord. The sun gaed loon a' bluidy, an' belyvethe morn rose unco mirk an' dreary, wi' bullers (rollers) frae the westlike muckle sowthers (soldiers) wi' white plumes. I tauld the captain'twas a' the faut o' Maxwell. I ne'er cad bide the blellum. Dour an'din he was, wi' ae girn like th' auld hornie. But the captain wadnahark to my rede when I tauld him naught but dool wad cooin o' takingMungo. "

It seemed that John Paul, contrary to MacMuir's advice, had shipped ascarpenter on the voyage out--near seven months since--a man by the nameof Mungo Maxwell. The captain's motive had nothing in it but kindness, and a laudable desire to do a good turn to a playmate of his boyhood. AsMacMuir said, "they had gaed barefit thegither amang the braes. " The manhailed from Kirkbean, John Paul's own parish. But he had within himlittle of the milk of kindness, being in truth a sour and mutinous devil;and instead of the gratitude he might have shown, he cursed the fate thathad placed him under the gardener's son, whom he deemed no better thanhimself. The John had scarce cleared the Solway before Maxwell showedsigns of impudence and rebellion. 

The crew was three-fourths made of Kirkcudbright men who had known themaster from childhood, many of them, indeed, being older than he; theywere mostly jealous of Paul, envious of the command he had attained toover them, and impatient under the discipline he was ever ready toinflict. 'Tis no light task to enforce obedience from those with whomone has birdnested. But, having more than once felt the weight of hishand, they feared him. 

Dissatisfaction among such spreads apace, if a leader is but given; andMaxwell was such a one. His hatred for John Paul knew no bounds, and, having once tasted of his displeasure, he lay awake o' nights scheming toruin him. And this was the plot: when the Azores should be in the wake, Captain Paul was to be murdered as he paced his quarterdeck in themorning, the two mates clapt into irons, and so brought to submission. And Maxwell, who had no more notion of navigation than a carpentershould, was to take the John to God knows where, --the Guinea coast, most probably. He would have no more navy regulations on a merchantbrigantine, he promised them, nor banyan days, for the matter o' that. 

Happily, MacMuir himself discovered the affair on the eve of itsperpetration, overhearing two men talking in the breadroom, and he ran tothe cabin with the sweat standing out on his forehead. But the captainwould have none of the precautions he urged; declared he would walk thedeck as usual, and vowed he could cope single-handed with a dozen cowardslike Maxwell. Sure enough, at crowdie-time, the men were seen comingaft, with Maxwell in the van carrying a bowl, on the pretext of acomplaint against the cook. 

"John Paul, " said MacMuir, with admiration in his voice and gesture, "John Paul wasna feart a pickle, but gaed to the mast, whyles I stanntchittering i' my claes, fearfu' for his life. He teuk the horns fromMungo, priet (tasted) a soup o' the crowdie, an' wi' that he seiz't hauto' the man by baith shouthers ere the blastie (scoundrel) raught for 'sknife. My aith upo't, sir, the lave (rest) o' the batch cowert frae hise'e for a' the wand like thumpit tykes. '"

So ended that mutiny, by the brave act of a brave man. The carpenter wasclapt into irons himself, and given no less of the cat-o'-nine-tails thanwas good for him, and properly discharged at Tobago with such as hadsupported him. But he brought Captain Paul before the vice-admiraltycourt of that place, charging him with gross cruelty, and this proceedinghad delayed the brigantine six months from her homeward voyage, to thegreat loss of her owners. And tho' at length the captain was handsomelyacquitted, his character suffered unjustly, for there lacked not thosewho put their own interpretation upon the affair. He would most probablylose the brigantine. "He expected as much, " said MacMuir. 

"There be mony aboord, " he concluded, with a sigh, "as'll mucklegash (gossip) when we win to Kirkcudbright. "

CHAPTER XX

A SAD HOME-COMING

Mr. Lowrie and Auctherlonnie, the Dumfries bo'sun, both of whom wouldhave died for the captain, assured me of the truth of MacMuir's story, and shook their heads gravely as to the probable outcome. The peculiarwater-mark of greatness that is woven into some men is often enough toset their own community bitter against them. Sandie, the ploddingpeasant, finds it a hard matter to forgive Jamie, who is taken from theplough next to his, and ends in Parliament. The affair of Mungo Maxwell, altered to suit, had already made its way on more than one vessel toScotland. For according to Lowrie, there was scarce a man or woman inKirkcudbrightshire who did not know that John Paul was master of theJohn, and (in their hearts) that he would be master of more in days tocome. Human nature is such that they resented it, and cried out aloudagainst his cruelty. 

On the voyage I had many sober thoughts of my own to occupy me of theterrible fate, from which, by Divine inter position, I had been rescued;of the home I had left behind. I was all that remained to Mr. Carvel inthe world, and I was sure that he had given me up for dead. How had hesustained the shock? I saw him heavily mounting the stairs upon Scipicksarm when first the news was brought to him. Next Grafton would comehurrying in from Kent to Marlboro Street, disavowing all knowledge of themessenger from New York, and intent only upon comforting his father. Andwhen I pictured my uncle soothing him to his face, and grinning behindhis bed-curtains, my anger would scald me, and the realization of myhelplessness bring tears of very bitterness. 

What would I not have given then for one word with that honest andfaithful friend of our family, Captain Daniel! I knew that he suspectedGrafton: he had told me as much that night at the Coffee House. Perhapsthe greatest of my fears was that my uncle would deny him access to Mr. Carvel when he returned from the North. 

In the evening, when the sun settled red upon the horizon, I would thinkof Patty and my friends in Gloucester Street. For I knew they missed mesadly of a Sunday at the supper-table. But it has ever been my nature toturn forward instead of back, and to accept the twists and flings offortune with hope rather than with discouragement. And so, as we leftleague after, league of the blue ocean behind us, I would set my face tothe forecastle. For Dorothy was in England. 

On a dazzling morning in March, with the brigantine running like a beaglein full cry before a heaping sea that swayed her body, --so I beheld forthe first time the misty green of the high shores of Ireland. Ah! ofwhat heroes' deeds was I capable as I watched the lines come out in boldrelief from a wonderland of cloud! With what eternal life I seemed totingle! 'Twas as though I, Richard Carvel, had discovered all thiscolour; and when a tiny white speck of a cottage came out on the edge ofthe cliff, I thought irresistibly of the joy to live there the year roundwith Dorothy, with the wind whistling about our gables, and the seathundering on the rocks far below. Youth is in truth a mystery. 

How long I was gazing at the shifting coast I know not, for a strangewildness was within me that made me forget all else, until suddenly Ibecame conscious of a presence at my side, and turned to behold thecaptain. 

"'Tis a braw sight, Richard, " said he, "but no sae bonnie as auldScotland. An' the wind hands, we shall see her shores the morn. "

His voice broke, and I looked again to see two great tears rolling uponhis cheeks. 

"Ah, Scotland!" he pressed on, heedless of them, "God aboon kens whatshe is to me! But she hasna' been ower guid to me, laddie. " And hewalked to the taffrail, and stood looking astern that two men who hadcome aft to splice a haulyard might not perceive his disorder. Ifollowed him, emboldened to speak at last what was in me. 

"Captain Paul, " said I, "MacMuir has told me of your trouble. Mygrandfather is rich, and not lacking in gratitude, "--here I paused forsuitable words, as I could not solve his expression, --"you, sir, whosebravery and charity will have restored me to him, shall not want forfriends and money. "

He heard me through. 

"Mr. Carvel, " he replied with an impressiveness that took me aback, "reward is a thing that should not be spoken of between gentlemen. "

And thus he left me, upbraiding myself that I should have mentionedmoney. And yet, I reflected secondly, why not? He was no more nor lessthan a master of a merchantman, and surely nothing was out of the commonin such a one accepting what he had honestly come by. Had my affectionfor him been less sincere, had I not been racked with sympathy, I hadlaughed over his notions of gentility. I resolved, however, that when Ihad reached London and seen Mr. Dix, Mr. Carvel's agent, he should berewarded despite his scruples. And if he lost his ship, he should haveone of my grandfather's. 

But at dinner he had plainly forgot any offence, and I had more causethan ever to be puzzled over his odd mixture of confidence and aloofness. He talked gayly on a score of subjects, --on dress, of which he was nevertired, and described ports in the Indies and South America, in a fashionthat betrayed prodigious powers of acute observation; nor did he lack forwit when he spoke of the rich planters who had wined him, and had me muchin laughter. We fell into a merry mood, in Booth, jingling the glassesin many toasts, for he had a list of healths to make me gasp, near aslong as the brigantine's articles, --Inez in Havana and Maraquita inCartagena, and Clotilde, the Creole, of Martinico, each had her separatecharm. Then there was Bess, in Kingston, the relict of a customsofficial, Captain Paul relating with ingenuous gusto a midnight brushwith a lieutenant of his Majesty, in which the fair widow figured, andshowed her preference, too. But his adoration for the ladies of the morenorthern colonies, he would have me to understand, was unbounded. Forexample, Miss Arabella Pope of Norfolk, in Virginia, --and did I know her?No, I had not that pleasure, though I assured him the Popes of Virginiawere famed. Miss Pope danced divinely as any sylph, and the very memoryof her tripping at the Norfolk Assembly roused the captain to such apitch of enthusiasm as I had never seen in him. Marvellous to say, hisown words failed him, and he had recourse to the poets:

 "Her feet beneath her petticoat Like little mice stole in and out, As if they feared the light; But, oh, she dances such a way! No sun upon an Easter-day Is half so fine a sight. "

The lines, he told me, were Sir John Suckling's; and he gave themstanding, in excellent voice and elegant gesture. 

He was in particular partial to the poets, could quote at will from Gayand Thomson and Goldsmith and Gray, and even from Shakespeare, much to myown astonishment and humiliation. Saving only Dr. Courtenay of AnnapolisI had never met his equal for versatility of speech and command of finelanguage; and, having heard that he had been at sea since the age oftwelve, I made bold to ask him at what school he had got his knowledge. 

"At none, Richard, " he answered with pride, "saving the rudiments at theParish School at Kirkbean. Why, sir, I hold it to be within every man'sprovince to make himself what he will, and I early recognized in Learningthe only guide for such as me. I may say that I married her for thefurtherance of my fortunes, and have come to love her for her own sake. Many and many the 'tween-watch have I passed in a coil of rope in thetops, a volume of the classics in my hand. And 'my happiest days, whennot at sea, have been spent in my brother William's little library. Hehath a modest estate near Fredericksburg, in Virginia, and none holdshigher than he the worth of an education. Ah, Richard, " he added, with acertain sadness, "I fear you little know the value of that which hathbeen so lavishly bestowed upon you. There is no creation in the world toequal your fine gentleman!"

It struck me indeed as strange that a man of his powers should set storeby such trumpery, and, too, that these notions had not impaired hisability as a seaman. I did not reply. He gave no heed, however, butdrew from a case a number of odes and compositions, which he told me werehis own. They were addressed to various of his enamouritas, abounded inorrery, and were all, I make no doubt, incredibly fine, tho' not so muchas one sticks in my mind. To speak truth I listened with a very illgrace, longing the while to be on deck, for we were about to sight theIsle of Man. The wine and the air of the cabin had made my eyes heavy. But presently, when he had run through with some dozen or more, he putthem by, and with a quick motion got from his chair, a light coming intohis dark eyes that startled me to attention. And I forgot the merchantcaptain, and seemed to be looking forward into the years. 

"Mark you, Richard, " said he, "mark well when I say that my time willcome, and a day when the best of them will bow to me. And every ell ofthat triumph shall be mine, sir, -ay, every inch!"

Such was his force, which sprang from some hidden fire within him, thatI believed his words as firmly as they had been writ down in the Book ofIsaiah. Brimming over with enthusiasm, I pledged his coming greatness ina reaming glass of Malaga. 

"Alack, " he cried, "an' they all had your faith, laddie, a fig for theprophecy! Ya maun ken th' incentive's the maist o' the battle. "

There was more of wisdom in this than I dreamed of then. Here lay hidthe very keynote of that ambitious character: he stooped to nothing lessthan greatness for a triumph over his slanderers. 

I rose betimes the next morning to find the sun peeping above the wavyline of the Scottish hills far up the. Solway, and the brigantinesliding smoothly along in the lee of the Galloway Rhinns. And, thoughthe month was March, the slopes of Burrow Head were green as the lawn ofCarvel Hall in May, and the slanting rays danced on the ruffed water. Byeight of the clock we had crept into Kirkcudbright Bay and anchored offSt. Mary's Isle, the tide running ebb, and leaving a wide brown belt ofsand behind it. 

St. Mary's Isle! As we looked upon it that day, John Paul and I, and itlay low against the bright water with its bare oaks and chestnuts againstthe dark pines, 'twas perhaps as well that the future was sealed to us. 

Captain Paul had conned the brigantine hither with a master's hand; butnow that the anchor was on the ground, he became palpably nervous. I haddonned again good MacMuir's shore suit, and was standing by the gangwaywhen the captain approached me. 

"What'll ye be doing now, Dickie lad?" he asked kindly. 

What indeed! I was without money in a foreign port, still dependent uponmy benefactor. And since he had declared his unwillingness to accept anyreturn I was of no mind to go farther into his debt. I thanked him againfor his goodness in what sincere terms I could choose, and told him Ishould be obliged if he would put me in the way of working my passage toLondon upon some coasting vessel. But my voice was thick, my affectionfor him having grown-past my understanding. 

"Hoots!" he replied, moved in his turn, "whyles I hae siller ye shallnalack. Ye maun gae post-chaise to London, as befits yere station. "

And scouting my expostulations, he commanded the longboat, bidding me beready to go ashore with him. I had nothing to do but to say farewell toMacMuir and Lowrie and Auctherlonnie, which was hard enough. For thehonest first mate I had a great liking, and was touched beyond speechwhen he enjoined me to keep his shore suit as long as I had want of it. 

"But you will be needing it, MacMuir, " I said, suspecting he had noother. 

"Haith! I am but a plain man, Mr. Carvel, and ye can sen' back the clawfrae London, wi' this geordie. "

He slipped a guinea into my hand, but this I positively refused to take;and to hide my feelings I climbed quickly over the side and into thestern of the boat, beside the captain, and was rowed away through thelittle fleet of cobles gathering about the ship. Twisting my neck for aparting look at the John, I caught a glimpse of MacMuir's ungainlyshoulders over the fokesle rail, and I was near to tears as he shouted ahearty "God speed" after me. 

As we drew near the town of Kirkcudbright, which lies very low at themouth of the river Dee, I made out a group of men and women on thewharves. The captain was silent, regarding them. When we had got withintwenty feet or so of the landing, a dame in a red woollen kerchief calledout:

"What hae ye done wi' Mungo, John Paul?"

"CAPTAIN John Paul, Mither Birkie, " spoke up a coarse fellow with a roughbeard. And a laugh went round. 

"Ay, captain! I'll captain him!" screamed the carlin, pushing to thefront as the oars were tossed, "I'll tak aith Mr. Currie'll be captaininghim for his towmond voyage o' piratin'. He be leukin' for ye noo, JohnPaul. " With that some of the men on the thwarts, perceiving that matterswere likely to go ill with the captain, began to chaff with their friendsabove. The respect with which he had inspired them, however, preventedany overt insult on their part. As for me, my temper had flared up likethe burning of a loose charge of powder, and by instinct my right handsought the handle of the mate's hanger. The beldame saw the motion. 

"An' hae ye murder't MacMuir, John Paul, an' gien's claw to a Buckskingowk?"

The knot stirred with an angry murmur: in truth they meant violence, --nothing less. But they had counted without their man, for Paul was bornto ride greater crises. With his lips set in a line he stepped lightlyout of the boat into their very midst, and they looked into his eyes toforget time and place. MacMuir had told me how those eyes could conquermutiny, but I had not believed had I trot been thereto see the pack ofthem give back in sullen wonder. And so we walked through and on to thelittle street beyond, and never a word from the captain until we cameopposite the sign of the Hurcheon. "

"Do you await me here, Richard, " he said quite calmly; "I mast seek Mr. Currie, and make my report. "

I have still the remembrance of that pitiful day in the clean littlevillage. I went into the inn and sat down upon an oak settle in a cornerof the bar, under the high lattice, and thought of the bitterness of thishome-coming. If I was amongst strangers, he was amongst worse: verily, to have one's own people set against one is heaviness of heart to a manwhose love of Scotland was great as John Paul's. After a while the placebegan to fill, Willie and Robbie and Jamie arriving to discuss Paul'sreturn over their nappy. The little I could make of their talk was notto my liking, but for the captain's sake I kept my anger under as best Icould, for I had the sense to know that brawling with a lot of alehousefrequenters would not advance his cause. At length, however, came in thesame sneering fellow I had marked on the wharf, calling loudly for swats. "Ay, Captain Paul was noo at Mr. Curries, syne banie Alan seed him gangforbye the kirk. " The speaker's name, I learned, was Davie, and he hadbeen talking with each and every man in the long-boat. Yes, MungoMaxwell had been cat-o'-ninetailed within an inch of his life; and thatwas the truth; for a trifling offence, too; and cruelly discharged atsome outlandish port because, forsooth, he would not accept the gospelof the divinity of Captain Paul. He would as soon sign papers with thedevil. 

This Davie was gifted with a dangerous kind of humour which I have heardcalled innuendo, and he soon had the bar packed with listeners wholaughed and cursed turn about, filling the room to a closeness scarcesupportable. And what between the foul air and my resentment, andapprehension lest John Paul would come hither after me, I was inprodigious discomfort of body and mind. But there was no pushing my waythrough them unnoticed, wedged as I was in a far corner; so I sat stilluntil unfortunately, or fortunately, the eye of Davie chanced to fallupon me, and immediately his yellow face lighted malignantly. 

"Oh! here be the gentleman the captain's brocht hame!" he cried, emphasizing the two words; "as braw a gentleman as eer taen frae pirates, an' nae doubt sin to ae bien Buckskin bonnet-laird. "

I saw through his game of getting satisfaction out of John Paul thro'goading me, and determined he should have his fill of it. For, all inall, he had me mad enough to fight three times over. 

"Set aside the gentleman, " said I, standing up and taking off MacMuir'scoat, "and call me a lubberly clout like yourself, and we will see whichis the better clout. " I put off the longsleeved jacket, and faced himwith my fists doubled, crying: "I'll teach you, you spawn of a dunghill, to speak ill of a good man!"

A clamour of "Fecht! fecht!" arose, and some of them applauded me, calling me a "swankie, " which I believe is a compliment. A certain senseof fairness is often to be found where least expected. They capsized thefat, protesting browsterwife over her own stool, and were pulling Jamie'scoat from his back, when I began to suspect that a fight was not to thesniveller's liking. Indeed, the very look of him made me laugh out--'twas now as mild as a summer's morn. 

"Wow, " says Jamie, "ye maun fecht wi' a man o' yere ain size. "

"I'll lay a guinea that we weigh even, " said I; and suddenly rememberedthat I had not so much as tuppence to bless me. 

Happily he did not accept the wager. In huge disgust they hustled himfrom the inn and put forward the blacksmith, who was standing at the doorin his leather apron. Now I had not bargained with the smith, who seemeda well-natured enough man, and grinned broadly at the prospect. But theymade a ring on the floor, I going over it at one end, and he at theother, when a cry came from the street, those about the entrance parted, and in walked John Paul himself. At sight of him my new adversary, whowas preparing to deal me out a blow to fell an ox, dropped his arms insurprise, and held out his big hand. 

"Haith! John Paul, " he shouted heartily, forgetting me, "'tis blythe Iam to see yere bonnie face ance mair!

"An' wha are ye, Jamie Darrell, " said the captain, "to be bangin' yerebetters? Dinna ye ken gentry when ye see't?"

A puzzled look spread over the smith's grimy face. 

"Gentry!" says he; "nae gentry that I ken, John Paul. Th' fecht be buta bit o' fun, an' nane o' my seekin'. "

"What quarrel is this, Richard?" says John Paul to me. 

"In truth I have no quarrel with this honest man, " I replied; "I desiredbut the pleasure of beating a certain evil-tongued Davie, who seems tohave no stomach for blows, and hath taken his lies elsewhere. "

So quiet was the place that the tinkle of the guidwife's needle, whichshe had dropped to the flags, sounded clear to all. John Paul stood inthe middle of the ring, erect, like a man inspired, and the same strangesense of prophecy that had stirred my blood crept over him and awed therest, as tho' 'twere suddenly given to see him, not as he was, but as hewould be. Then he spoke. 

"You, who are my countrymen, who should be my oldest and best friends, are become my enemies. You who were companions of my childhood arerevilers of my manhood; you have robbed me of my good name and my honour, of my ship, of my very means of livelihood, and you are not content; youwould rob me of my country, which I hold dearer than all. And I havenever done you evil, nor spoken aught against you. As for the manMaxwell, whose part you take, his child is starving in your very midst, and you have not lifted your hands. 'Twas for her sake I shipped him, and none other. May God forgive you! He alone sees the bitterness in myheart this day. He alone knows my love for Scotland, and what it costsme to renounce her. "

He had said so much with an infinite sadness, and I read a response inthe eyes of more than one of his listeners, the guidwife weeping aloud. But now his voice rose, and he ended with a fiery vigour. 

"Renounce her I do, " he cried, "now and forevermore! Henceforth I am nocountryman of yours. And if a day of repentance should come for thisevil, remember well what I have said to you. "

They stood for a moment when he had finished, shifting uneasily, theirtongues gone, like lads caught in a lie. I think they felt his greatnessthen, and had any one of them possessed the nobility to come forward withan honest word, John Paul might yet have been saved to Scotland. As itwas, they slunk away in twos and threes, leaving at last only the goodsmith with us. He was not a man of talk, and the tears had washed thesoot from his face in two white furrows. 

"Ye'll hae a waught wi' me afore ye gang, John, " he said clumsily, "forth' morns we've paddl' 't thegither i' th' Nith. "

The ale was brought by the guidwife, who paused, as she put it down, towipe her eyes with her apron. She gave John Paul one furtive glance andbetook herself again to her knitting with a sigh, speech having failedher likewise. The captain grasped up his mug. 

"May God bless you, Jamie, " he said. 

"Ye'll be gaen noo to see the mither, " said Jamie, after a long space. 

"Ay, for the last time. An', Jamie, ye'll see that nae harm cams to herwhen I'm far awa'?"

The smith promised, and also agreed to have John Paul's chests sent bywagon, that very day, to Dumfries. And we left him at his forge, hishonest breast torn with emotion, looking after us. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE GARDENER'S COTTAGE

So we walked out of the village, with many a head craned after us andmany an eye peeping from behind a shutter, and on into the open highway. The day was heavenly bright, the wind humming around us and playing madpranks with the white cotton clouds, and I forgot awhile the pity withinme to wonder at the orderly look of the country, the hedges with never astone out of place, and the bars always up. The ground was parcelled offin such bits as to make me smile when I remembered our own wide tracts inthe New World. Here waste was sin: with us part and parcel of a creed. I marvelled, too, at the primness and solidity of the houses along theroad, and remarked how their lines belonged rather to the landscape thanto themselves. But I was conscious ever of a strange wish to expand, forI felt as tho' I were in the land of the Liliputians, and the thought ofa gallop of forty miles or so over these honeycombed fields brought me toa laugh. But I was yet to see some estates of the gentry. 

I had it on my tongue's tip to ask the captain whither he was taking me, yet dared not intrude on the sorrow that still gripped him. Time andtime we met people plodding along, some of them nodding uncertainly, others abruptly taking the far side of the pike, and every encounterdrove the poison deeper into his soul. But after we had travelled someway, up hill and down dale, he vouchsafed the intelligence that we weremaking for Arbigland, Mr. Craik's seat near Dumfries, which lies on theNith twenty miles or so up the Solway from Kirkcudbright. On that estatestood the cottage where John Paul was born, and where his mother andsisters still dwelt. 

"I'll juist be saying guidbye, Richard, " he said; "and leave them a bitsiller I hae saved, an' syne we'll be aff to London thegither, forScotland's no but a cauld kintra. "

"You are going to London with me?" I cried. 

"Ay, " answered he; "this is hame nae mair for John Paul. "

I made bold to ask how the John's owners had treated him. 

"I have naught to complain of, laddie, " he answered; "both Mr. Beck andMr. Currie bore the matter of the admiralty court and the delay like thegentlemen they are. They well know that I am hard driven when I resortto the lash. They were both sore at losing me, and says Mr. Beck: IWe'll not soon get another to keep the brigantine like a man-o'-war, asdid you, John Paul. ' I thanked him, and told him I had sworn never totake another merchantman out of the Solway. And I will keep that oath. "

He sighed, and added that he never hoped for better owners. In token ofwhich he drew a certificate of service from his pocket, signed by Messrs. Currie and Beck, proclaiming him the best master and supercargo they hadever had in their service. I perceived that talk lightened him, and ledhim on. I inquired how he had got the 'John'. 

"I took passage on her from Kingston, laddie. On the trip both CaptainMacadam and the chief mate died of the fever. And it was I, thepassenger, who sailed her into Kirkcudbright, tho' I had never been morethan a chief mate before. That is scarce three years gone, when I wasjust turned one and twenty. And old Mr. Currie, who had known my father, was so pleased that he gave me the ship. I had been chief mate of the'Two Friends', a slaver out of Kingston. "

"And so you were in that trade!" I exclaimed. 

He seemed to hesitate. 

"Yes, " he replied, "and sorry I am to say it. But a man must live. Itwas no place for a gentleman, and I left of my own accord. Before that, I was on a slaver out of Whitehaven. "

"You must know Whitehaven, then. "

I said it only to keep the talk going, but I remembered the remark longafter. 

"I do, " said he. "'Tis a fair sample of an English coast town. And Ihave often thought, in the event of war with France, how easy 'twould befor Louis's cruisers to harry the place, and an hundred like it, andraise such a terror as to keep the British navy at home. "

I did not know at the time that this was the inspiration of an admiraland of a genius. The subject waned. And as familiar scenes jogged hismemory, he launched into Scotch and reminiscence. Every barn he knew, and cairn and croft and steeple recalled stories of his boyhood. 

We had long been in sight of Criffel, towering ahead of us, whose summithad beckoned for cycles to Helvellyn and Saddleback looming up to thesouthward, marking the wonderland of the English lakes. And at length, after some five hours of stiff walking, we saw the brown Nith below usgoing down to meet the Solway, and so came to the entrance of Mr. Craik'splace. The old porter recognized Paul by a mere shake of the head andthe words, "Yere back, are ye?" and a lowering of his bushy whiteeyebrows. We took a by-way to avoid the manor-house, which stood on therising ground twixt us and the mountain, I walking close to John Paul'sshoulder and feeling for him at every step. Presently, at a turn of thepath, we were brought face to face with an elderly gentleman in black, and John Paul stopped. 

"Mr. Craik!" he said, removing his hat. 

But the gentleman only whistled to his dogs and went on. 

"My God, even he!" exclaimed the captain, bitterly; "even he, who thoughtso highly of my father!"

A hundred yards more and we came to the little cottage nigh hid among thetrees. John Paul paused a moment, his hand upon the latch of the gate, his eyes drinking in the familiar picture. The light of day was dyingbehind Criffel, and the tiny panes of the cottage windows pulsed with therosy flame on the hearth within, now flaring, and again deepening. Hesighed. He walked with unsteady step to the door and pushed it open. I followed, scarce knowing what I did, halted at the threshold and drewback, for I had been upon holy ground. 

John Paul was kneeling upon the flags by the ingleside, his face buriedon the open Bible in his mother's lap. Her snowy-white head was bentupon his, her tears running fast, and her lips moving in silent prayer toHim who giveth and taketh away. Verily, here in this humble place dwelta love that defied the hard usage of a hard world!

After a space he came to the door and called, and took me by the hand, and I went in with him. Though his eyes were wet, he bore himself like acavalier. 

"Mother, this is Mr. Richard Carvell heir to Carvel Hall in Maryland, --ayoung gentleman whom I have had the honour to rescue from a slaver. "

I bowed low, such was my respect for Dame Paul, and she rose andcurtseyed. She wore a widow's cap and a black gown, and I saw in herdeep-lined face a resemblance to her son. 

"Madam, " I said, the title coming naturally, "I owe Captain Paul a debt Ican never repay. "

"An' him but a laddie!" she cried. "I'm thankful, John, I'm thankful forhis mither that ye saved him. "

"I have no mother, Madam Paul, " said I, "and my father was killed in theFrench war. But I have a grandfather who loves me dearly as I love him. "

Some impulse brought her forward, and she took both my hands in her own. 

"Ye'll forgive an auld woman, sir, " she said, with a dignity that matchedher son's, "but ye're sae young, an' ye hae sic a leuk in yere bonny graye'e that I ken yell aye be a true friend o' John's. He's been a guid sinto me, an' ye maunna reek what they say o' him. "

When now I think of the triumph John Paul has achieved, of the scoffingworld he has brought to his feet, I cannot but recall that sorrowfulevening in the gardener's cottage, when a son was restored but to be tornaway. The sisters came in from their day's work, --both well-favouredlasses, with John's eyes and hair, --and cooked the simple meal of brothand porridge, and the fowl they had kept so long against the captain'shome-coming. He carved with many a light word that cost him dear. DidJanet reca' the simmer nights they had supped here, wi' the bumclocksbizzin' ower the candles? And was Nancy, the cow, still i' the byre?And did the bees still give the same bonnie hiney, and were the redapples still in the far orchard? Ay, Meg had thocht o' him that autumn, and ran to fetch them with her apron to her face, to come back smilingthrough her tears. So it went; and often a lump would rise in my throatthat I could not eat, famished as I was, and the mother and sistersscarce touched a morsel of the feast. 

The one never failing test of a son, my dears, lies in his treatment ofhis mother, and from that hour forth I had not a doubt of John Paul. Hewas a man who had seen the world and become, in more than one meaning ofthe word, a gentleman. Whatever foibles he may have had, he brought noconscious airs and graces to this lowly place, but was again the humblegardener's boy. 

But time pressed, as it ever does. The hour came for us to leave, JohnPaul firmly refusing to remain the night in a house that belonged to Mr. Craik. Of the tenderness, nay, of the pity and cruelty of that parting, I have no power to write. We knelt with bowed heads while the motherprayed for the son, expatriated, whom she never hoped to see again onthis earth. She gave us bannocks of her own baking, and her last wordswere to implore me always to be a friend to John Paul. 

Then we went out into the night and walked all the way to Dumfries insilence. 

We lay that night at the sign of the "Twa Naigs, " where Bonnie PrinceCharlie had rested in the Mars year(1715). Before I went to bed I calledfor pen and paper, and by the light of a tallow dip sat down to compose aletter to my grandfather, telling him that I was alive and well, andrecounting as much of my adventures as I could. I said that I was goingto London, where I would see Mr. Dix, and would take passage thence forAmerica. I prayed that he had been able to bear up against the ordeal ofmy disappearance. I dwelt upon the obligations I was under to John Paul, relating the misfortunes of that worthy seaman (which he so littledeserved!). And said that it was my purpose to bring him to Marylandwith me, where I knew Mr. Carvel would reward him with one of his ships, explaining that he would accept no money. But when it came to accusingGrafton and the rector, I thought twice, and bit the end of the feather. The chances were so great that my grandfather would be in bed and underthe guardianship of my uncle that I forbore, and resolved instead towrite it to Captain Daniel at my first opportunity. 

I arose early to discover a morning gray and drear, with a mist fallingto chill the bones. News travels apace the world over, and that of JohnPaul's home-coming and of his public renunciation of Scotland at the"Hurcheon" had reached Dumfries in good time, substantiated by thearrival of the teamster with the chests the night before. I descendedinto the courtyard in time to catch the captain in his watchet-blue frockhaggling with the landlord for a chaise, the two of them surrounded by amuttering crowd anxious for a glimpse of Mr. Craik's gardener's son, forhe had become a nine-day sensation to the country round about. But JohnPaul minded them not so much as a swarm of flies, and the teamster'saccount of the happenings at Kirkcudbright had given them so wholesome afear of his speech and presence as to cause them to misdoubt their ownwit, which is saying a deal of Scotchmen. But when the bargain had beenstruck and John Paul gone with the 'ostler to see to his chests, minehost thought it a pity not to have a fall out of me. 

"So ye be the Buckskin laud, " he said, with a wink at a leering group offarmers; "ye hae braw gentles in America. "

He was a man of sixty or thereabout, with a shrewd but not unkindly facethat had something familiar in it. 

"You have discernment indeed to recognize a gentleman in Scotch clothes, "I replied, turning the laugh on him. 

"Dinna raise ae Buckskin, Mr. Rawlinson, " said a man in corduroy. 

"Rawlinson!" I exclaimed at random, "there is one of your name in thecolonies who knows his station better. "

"Trowkt!" cried mine host, "ye ken Ivie o' Maryland, Ivie my brither?"

"He is my grandfather's miller at Carvel Hall, " I said. 

"Syne ye maun be nane ither than Mr. Richard Carvel. Yere servan', Mr. Carvel, " and he made me a low bow, to the great dropping of jaws roundabout, and led me into the inn. With trembling hands he took a packetfrom his cabinet and showed me the letters, twenty-three in all, whichIvie had written home since he had gone out as the King's passenger in'45. The sight of them brought tears to my eyes and carried me out ofthe Scotch mist back to dear old Maryland. I had no trouble inconvincing mine host that I was the lad eulogized in the scrawls, and he put hand on the very sheet which announced my birth, nineteenyears since, --the fourth generation of Carvels Ivie had known. 

So it came that the captain and I got the best chaise and pair in placeof the worst, and sat down to a breakfast such as was prepared only formy Lord Selkirk when he passed that way, while I told the landlord of hisbrother; and as I talked I remembered the day I had caught the arm of themill and gone the round, to find that Ivie had written of that, too!

After that our landlord would not hear of a reckoning. I might stay amonth, a year, at the "Twa Naigs" if I wished. As for John Paul, whoseemed my friend, he would say nothing, only to advise me privately thatthe man was queer company, shaking his head when I defended him. He cameto me with ten guineas, which he pressed me to take for Ivies sake, andrepay when occasion offered. I thanked him, but was of no mind to acceptmoney from one who thought ill of my benefactor. 

The refusal of these recalled the chaise, and I took the trouble toexpostulate with the captain on that score, pointing out as delicately asI might that, as he had brought me to Scotland, I held it within my rightto incur the expense of the trip to London, and that I intended toreimburse him when I saw Mr. Dix. For I knew that his wallet was notover full, since he had left the half of his savings with his mother. Much to my secret delight, he agreed to this as within the compass of agentleman's acceptance. Had he not, I had the full intention of leavinghim to post it alone, and of offering myself to the master of the firstschooner. 

Despite the rain, and the painful scenes gone through but yesterday, andthe sour-looking ring of men and women gathered to see the start, I wasin high spirits as we went spinning down the Carlisle road, with my heartleaping to the crack of the postilion's whip. 

I was going to London and to Dorothy!

CHAPTER XXII

ON THE ROAD

Many were the ludicrous incidents we encountered on our journey toLondon. As long as I live, I shall never forget John Paul's alightingupon the bridge of the Sark to rid himself of a mighty farewell addressto Scotland he had been composing upon the road. And this he deliveredwith such appalling voice and gesture as to frighten to a standstill achaise on the English side of the stream, containing a young gentleman ina scarlet coat and a laced hat, and a young lady who sobbed as we passedthem. They were, no doubt, running to Gretna Green to be married. 

Captain Paul, as I have said, was a man of moods, and strangely affectedby ridicule. And this we had in plenty upon the road. Landlords, grooms, and'ostlers, and even our own post-boys, laughed and jestedcoarsely at his sky-blue frock, and their sallies angered him beyond allreason, while they afforded me so great an amusement that more than onceI was on the edge of a serious falling-out with him as a consequence ofmy merriment. Usually, when we alighted from our vehicle, the expressionof mine host would sour, and his sir would shift to a master; while hisservants would go trooping in again, with many a coarse fling that theywould get no vails from such as we. And once we were invited into thekitchen. He would be soar for half a day at a spell after a piece ofinsolence out of the common, and then deliver me a solemn lecture uponthe advantages of birth in a manor. Then his natural buoyancy would lifthim again, and he would be in childish ecstasies at the prospect ofgetting to London, and seeing the great world; and I began to think thathe secretly cherished the hope of meeting some of its votaries. For Ihad told him, casually as possible, that I had friends in ArlingtonStreet, where I remembered the Manners were established. 

"Arlington Street!" he repeated, rolling the words over his tongue; "ithas a fine sound, laddie, a fine sound. That street must be the veryacme of fashion. "

I laughed, and replied that I did not know. And at the ordinary of thenext inn we came to, he took occasion to mention to me, in a louder voicethan was necessary, that I would do well to call in Arlington Street aswe went into town. So far as I could see, the remark did not compel anyincrease of respect from our fellow-diners. 

Upon more than one point I was worried. Often and often I reflected thatsome hitch might occur to prevent my getting money promptly from Mr. Dix. Days would perchance elapse before I could find the man in such a greatcity as London; he might be out of town at this season, Easter being lessthan a se'nnight away. For I had heard my grandfather say that the elderMr. Dix had a house in some merchant's suburb, and loved to play at beinga squire before he died. Again (my heart stood at the thought), theManners might be gone back to America. I cursed the stubborn pride whichhad led the captain to hire a post-chaise, when the wagon had served usso much better, and besides relieved him of the fusillade of ridicule hegot travelling as a gentleman. But such reflections always ended in myupbraiding myself for blaming him whose generosity had rescued me fromperhaps a life-long misery. 

But, on the whole, we rolled southward happily, between high walls andhedges, past trim gardens and fields and meadows, and I marvelled at theregular, park-like look of the country, as though stamped from one designcontinually recurring, like our butter at Carvel Hall. The roads weresometimes good, and sometimes as execrable as a colonial byway in winter, with mud up to the axles. And yet, my heart went out to this country, the home of my ancestors. Spring was at hand; the ploughboys whistledbetween the furrows, the larks circled overhead, and the lilacs werecautiously pushing forth their noses. The air was heavy with the perfumeof living things. 

The welcome we got at our various stopping-places was often scantyindeed, and more than once we were told to go farther down the street, that the inn was full. And I may as well confess that my mind wastroubled about John Paul. Despite all I could say, he would go to thebest hotels in the larger towns, declaring that there we should meet thepeople of fashion. Nor was his eagerness damped when he discovered thatsuch people never came to the ordinary, but were served in their ownrooms by their own servants. 

"I shall know them yet, " he would vow, as we started off of a morning, after having seen no more of my Lord than his liveries below stairs. "Am I not a gentleman in all but birth, Richard? And that is adifficulty many before me have overcome. I have the classics, and thehistory, and the poets. And the French language, though I have nevermade the grand tour. I flatter myself that my tone might be worse. Bythe help of your friends, I shall have a title or two for acquaintancesbefore I leave London; and when my money is gone, there is a shipowner Iknow of who will give me employment, if I have not obtained preferment. "

The desire to meet persons of birth was near to a mania with him. And Ihad not the courage to dampen his hopes. But, inexperienced as I was, Iknew the kind better than he, and understood that it was easier for acamel to enter the eye of a needle, than for John Paul to cross thethresholds of the great houses of London. The way of adventurers ishard, and he could scarce lay claim then to a better name. 

"We shall go to Maryland together, Captain Paul, " I said, "and waste notime upon London save to see Vauxhall, and the opera, and St. James's andthe Queen's House and the Tower, and Parliament, and perchance hisMajesty himself, " I added, attempting merriment, for the notion of seeingDolly only to leave her gave me a pang. And the captain knew nothing ofDolly. 

"So, Richard, you fear I shall disgrace you, " he said reproachfully. "Know, sir, that I have pride enough and to spare. That I can makefriends without going to Arlington Street. "

I was ready to cry with vexation at this childish speech. 

"And a time will come when they shall know me, " he went on. "If theyinsult me now they shall pay dearly for it. "

"My dear captain, " I cried; "nobody will insult you, and least of all myfriends, the Manners. " I had my misgivings about little Mr. Marmaduke. "But we are, neither of us, equipped for a London season. I am but anunknown provincial, and you--" I paused for words. 

For a sudden realization had come upon me that our positions were nowreversed. It seemed strange that I should be interpreting the world tothis man of power. 

"And I?" he repeated bitterly. 

"You have first to become an admiral, " I replied, with inspiration;"Drake was once a common seaman. "

He did not answer. But that evening as we came into Windsor, I perceivedthat he had not abandoned his intentions. The long light flashed on thepeaceful Thames, and the great, grim castle was gilded all over itswestern side. 

The captain leaned out of the window. 

"Postilion, " he called, "which inn here is most favoured by gentlemen?"

"The Castle, " said the boy, turning in his saddle to grin at me. "Butif I might be so bold as to advise your honour, the 'Swan' is acomfortable house, and well attended. "

"Know your place, sirrah, " shouted the captain, angrily, "and drive us tothe 'Castle. '"

The boy snapped his whip disdainfully, and presently pulled us up at theinn, our chaise covered with the mud of three particular showers we hadrun through that day. And, as usual, the landlord, thinking he was aboutto receive quality, came scraping to the chaise door, only to turn with agesture of disgust when he perceived John Paul's sea-boxes tied onbehind, and the costume of that hero, as well as my own. 

The captain demanded a room. But mine host had turned his back, whensuddenly a thought must have struck him, for he wheeled again. 

"Stay, " he cried, glancing suspiciously at the sky-blue frock; "if youare Mr. Dyson's courier, I have reserved a suite. "

This same John Paul, who was like iron with mob and mutiny, was pitiablyhelpless before such a prop of the aristocracy. He flew into a rage, andrated the landlord in Scotch and English, and I was fain to put my tonguein my cheek and turn my back that my laughter might not anger him themore. 

And so I came face to face with another smile, behind a spying-glass, --asmile so cynical and unpleasant withal that my own was smothered. A talland thin gentleman, who had come out of the inn without a hat, wassurveying the dispute with a keen delight. He was past the middle age. His clothes bore that mark which distinguishes his world from the other, but his features were so striking as to hold my attention unwittingly. 

After a while he withdrew his glass, cast one look at me which might havemeant anything, and spoke up. 

"Pray, my good Goble, why all this fol-de-rol about admitting a gentlemanto your house?"

I scarce know which was the more astonished, the landlord, John Paul, orI. Goble bowed at the speaker. 

"A gentleman, your honour!" he gasped. "Your honour is joking again. Surely this trumpery Scotchman in Jews' finery is no gentleman, nor thelongshore lout he has got with him. They may go to the 'Swan. '"

"Jews' finery!" shouted the captain, with his fingers on his sword. 

But the stranger held up a hand deprecatingly. 

"'Pon my oath, Goble, I gave you credit for more penetration, " hedrawled; "you may be right about the Scotchman, but your longshore louthas had both birth and breeding, or I know nothing. "

John Paul, who was in the act of bowing to the speaker, remainedpetrified with his hand upon his heart, entirely discomfited. Thelandlord forsook him instantly for me, then stole a glance at his guestto test his seriousness, and looked at my face to see how greatly it wereat variance with my clothes. The temptation to lay hands on the cringinglittle toadeater grew too strong for me, and I picked him up by thescruff of the collar, --he was all skin and bones, --and spun him roundlike a corpse upon a gibbet, while he cried mercy in a voice to wake thedead. The slim gentleman under the sign laughed until he held his sides, with a heartiness that jarred upon me. It did not seem to fit him. 

"By Hercules and Vulcan, " he cried, when at last I had set the landlorddown, "what an arm and back the lad has! He must have the best in thehouse, Goble, and sup with me. "

Goble pulled himself together. 

"And he is your honour's friend, " he began, with a scowl. 

"Ay, he is my friend, I tell you, " retorted the important personage, impatiently. 

The innkeeper, sulky, half-satisfied, yet fearing to offend, welcomed uswith what grace he could muster, and we were shown to "The Fox and theGrapes, " a large room in the rear of the house. 

John Paul had not spoken since the slim gentleman had drawn thedistinction between us, and I knew that the affront was rankling in hisbreast. He cast himself into a chair with such an air of dejection asmade me pity him from my heart. But I had no consolation to offer. Hisfirst words, far from being the torrent of protest I looked for, almoststartled me into laughter. 

"He can be nothing less than a duke, " said the captain. "Ah, Richard, see what it is to be a gentleman!"

"Fiddlesticks! I had rather own your powers than the best title inEngland, " I retorted sharply. 

He shook his head sorrowfully, which made me wonder the more that a manof his ability should be unhappy without this one bauble attainment. 

"I shall begin to believe the philosophers have the right of it, " heremarked presently. "Have you ever read anything of Monsieur Rousseau's, Richard?"

The words were scarce out of his mouth when we heard a loud rap on thedoor, which I opened to discover a Swiss fellow in a private livery, cometo say that his master begged the young gentleman would sup with him. The man stood immovable while he delivered this message, and put animpudent emphasis upon the gentleman. 

"Say to your master, whoever he may be, " I replied, in some heat at theman's sneer, "that I am travelling with Captain Paul. That anyinvitation to me must include him. "

The lackey stood astounded at my answer, as though he had not heardaright. Then he retired with less assurance than he had come, and JohnPaul sprang to his feet and laid his hands upon my shoulders, as was hiswont when affected. He reproached himself for having misjudged me, andadded a deal more that I have forgotten. 

"And to think, " he cried, "that you have forgone supping with a noblemanon my account!"

"Pish, captain, 'tis no great denial. His Lordship--if Lordship he is--is stranded in an inn, overcome with ennui, and must be amused. That isall. "

Nevertheless I think the good captain was distinctly disappointed, notalone because I gave up what in his opinion was a great advantage, butlikewise because I could have regaled him on my return with an account ofthe meal. For it must be borne in mind, my dears, that those days arenot these, nor that country this one. And in judging Captain Paul itmust be remembered that rank inspired a vast respect when King Georgecame to the throne. It can never be said of John Paul that he lackedeither independence or spirit. But a nobleman was a nobleman then. 

So when presently the gentleman himself appeared smiling at our door, which his servant had left open, we both of us rose up in astonishmentand bowed very respectfully, and my face burned at the thought of themessage I had sent him. For, after all, the captain was but twenty-oneand I nineteen, and the distinguished unknown at least fifty. He took apinch of snuff and brushed his waistcoat before he spoke. 

"Egad, " said he, with good nature, looking up at me, "Mohammed was aphilosopher, and so am I, and come to the mountain. 'Tis worth crossingan inn in these times to see a young man whose strength has not beenwasted upon foppery. May I ask your name, sir?"

"Richard Carvel, " I answered, much put aback. 

"Ah, Carvel, " he repeated; "I know three or four of that name. Perhapsyou are Robert Carvel's son, of Yorkshire. But what the devil do you doin such clothes? I was resolved to have you though I am forced to take adozen watchet-blue mountebanks in the bargain. "

"Sir, I warn you not to insult my friend, " I cried, in a temper again. 

"There, there, not so loud, I beg you, " said he, with a gesture. "Hot aspounded pepper, --but all things are the better for a touch of it. I hadno intention of insulting the worthy man, I give my word. I must have myjoke, sir. No harm meant. " And he nodded at John Paul, who looked as ifhe would sink through the floor. "Robert Carvel is as testy as the devilwith the gout, and you are not unlike him in feature. "

"He is no relation of mine, " I replied, undecided whether to laugh or beangry. And then I added, for I was very young, "I am an American, andheir to Carvel Hall in Maryland. "

"Lord, lord, I might have known, " exclaimed he. "Once I had the honourof dining with your Dr. Franklin, from Pennsylvania. He dresses for allthe world like you, only worse, and wears a hat I would not be caughtunder at Bagnigge Wells, were I so imprudent as to go there. "

"Dr. Franklin has weightier matters than hats to occupy him, sir, " Iretorted. For I was determined to hold my own. 

He made a French gesture, a shrug of his thin shoulders, which caused meto suspect he was not always so good-natured. 

"Dr. Franklin would better have stuck to his newspaper, my young friend, "said he. "But I like your appearance too well to quarrel with you, andwe'll have no politics before eating. Come, gentlemen, come! Let us seewhat Goble has left after his shaking. "

He struck off with something of a painful gait, which he explained wasfrom the gout. And presently we arrived at his parlour, where supper wasset out for us. I had not tasted its equal since I left Maryland. Wesat down to a capon stuffed with eggs, and dainty sausages, and hotrolls, such as we had at home; and a wine which had cobwebbed andmellowed under the Castle Inn for better than twenty years. Thepersonage did not drink wine. He sent his servant to quarrel with Goblebecause he had not been given iced water. While he was tapping on thetable I took occasion to observe him. His was a physiognomy to strikethe stranger, not by reason of its nobility, but because of its oddity. He had a prodigious length of face, the nose long in proportion, but notprominent. The eyes were dark, very bright, and wide apart, with littleeyebrows dabbed over them at a slanting angle. The thin-lipped mouthrather pursed up, which made his smile the contradiction it was. Inshort, my dears, while I do not lay claim to the reading of character, it required no great astuteness to perceive the scholar, the man of theworld, and the ascetic--and all affected. His conversation bore out thesummary. It astonished us. It encircled the earth, embraced history andletters since the world began. And added to all this, he had a thousandanecdotes on his tongue's tip. His words he chose with too great anicety; his sentences were of a foreign formation, twisted around; andhis stories were illustrated with French gesticulations. He threw inquotations galore, in Latin, and French, and English, until the captainbegan casting me odd, uncomfortable looks, as though he wished himselfwell out of the entertainment. Indeed, poor John Paul's perturbationamused me more than the gentleman's anecdotes. To be ill at ease isdiscouraging to any one, but it was peculiarly fatal with the captain. This arch-aristocrat dazzled him. When he attempted to follow in thesame vein he would get lost. And his really considerable learningcounted for nothing. He reached the height of his mortification when theslim gentleman dropped his eyelids and began to yawn. I was wickedlydelighted. He could not have been better met. Another such encounter, and I would warrant the captain's illusions concerning the gentry to goup in smoke. Then he might come to some notion of his own true powers. As for me, I enjoyed the supper which our host had insisted upon ourpartaking, drank his wine, and paid him very little attention. 

"May I make so bold as to ask, sir, whether you are a patron ofliterature?" said the captain, at length. 

"A very poor patron, my dear man, " was the answer. "Merely a humbleworshipper at the shrine. And I might say that I partake of its benefitsas much as a gentleman may. And yet, " he added, with a laugh and acough, "those silly newspapers and magazines insist on calling me aliterary man. "

"And now that you have indulged in a question, and the claret is comingon, " said he, "perhaps you will tell me something of yourself, Mr. Carvel, and of your friend, Captain Paul. And how you come to be so farfrom home. " And he settled himself comfortably to listen, as a man whohas bought his right to an opera box. 

Here was my chance. And I resolved that if I did not further enlightenJohn Paul, it would be no fault of mine. 

"Sir, " I replied, in as dry a monotone as I could assume, "I waskidnapped by the connivance of some unscrupulous persons in my colony, who had designs upon my grandfather's fortune. I was taken abroad in aslaver and carried down to the Caribbean seas, when I soon discoveredthat the captain and his crew were nothing less than pirates. For oneday all hands got into a beastly state of drunkenness, and the captainraised the skull and cross-bones, which he had handy in his chest. I wasforced to climb the main rigging in order to escape being hacked topieces. "

He sat bolt upright, those little eyebrows of his gone up full half aninch, and he raised his thin hands with an air of incredulity. John Paulwas no less astonished at my little ruse. 

"Holy Saint Clement!" exclaimed our host; "pirates! This begins tohave a flavour indeed. And yet you do not seem to be a lad with animagination. Egad, Mr. Carvel, I had put you down for one who might say, with Alceste: 'Etre franc et sincere est mon plus grand talent. 'But pray go on, sir. You have but to call for pen and ink to rivalMr. Fielding. "

With that I pushed back my chair, got up from the table, and made him abow. And the captain, at last seeing my drift, did the same. 

"I am not used at home to have my word doubted, sir, " I said. "Sir, yourhumble servant. I wish you a very good evening. " He rose precipitately, crying out from his gout, and laid a hand upon my arm. 

"Pray, Mr. Carvel, pray, sir, be seated, " he said, in some agitation. "Remember that the story is unusual, and that I have never clapped eyeson you until to-night. Are all young gentlemen from Maryland so fiery?But I should have known from your face that you are incapable of deceit. Pray be seated, captain. "

I was persuaded to go on, not a little delighted that I had scored mypoint, and broken down his mask of affectation and careless cynicism. I told my story, leaving out the family history involved, and he listenedwith every mark of attention and interest. Indeed, to my surprise, hebegan to show some enthusiasm, of which sensation I had not believed himcapable. 

"What a find! what a find!" he continued to exclaim, when I hadfinished. "And true. You say it is true, Mr. Carvel?"

"Sir!" I replied, "I thought we had thrashed that out. "

"Yes, yes, to be sure. I beg pardon, " said he. And then to his servant:"Colomb, is my writing-tablet unpacked?"

I was more mystified than ever as to his identity. Was he going to putthe story in a magazine?

After that he seemed plainly anxious to be rid of us. I bade him goodnight, and he grasped my hand warmly enough. Then he turned to thecaptain in his most condescending manner. But a great change had comeover John Paul. He was ever quick to see and to learn, and I rejoiced toremark that he did not bow over the hand, as he might have done two hourssince. He was again Captain Paul, the man, who fought his way on his ownmerits. He held himself as tho' he was once more pacing the deck of theJohn. 

The slim gentleman poured the width of a finger of claret in his glass, soused it with water, and held it up. 

"Here's to your future, my good captain, " he said, "and to Mr. Carvel'ssafe arrival home again. When you get to town, Mr. Carvel, don't fail togo to Davenport, who makes clothes for most of us at Almack's, and lethim remodel you. I wish to God he might get hold of your doctor. Andput up at the Star and Garter in Pall Mall: I take it that you havefriends in London. "

I replied that I had. But he did not push the inquiry. 

"You should write out this history for your grandchildren, Mr. Carvel, "he added, as he bade his Swiss light us to our room. "A strange yarnindeed, captain. "

"And therefore, " said the captain, coolly, "as a stranger give itwelcome. 

 "'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. '"

Had a meteor struck at the gentleman's feet, he could not have been moretaken aback. 

"What! What's this?" he cried. "You quote Hamlet! And who the devilare you, sir, that you know my name?"

"Your name, sir!" exclaims the captain, in astonishment. 

"Well, well, " he said, stepping back and eying us closely, "'tis nomatter. Good night, gentlemen, good night. "

And we went to bed with many a laugh over the incident. 

"His name must be Horatio. We'll discover it in the morning, " said JohnPaul. 

CHAPTER XXIII

LONDON TOWN

But he had not risen when we set out, nor would the illnatured landlordreveal his name. It mattered little to me, since I desired to forget himas quickly as possible. For here was one of my own people of quality, a gentleman who professed to believe what I told him, and yet would dono more for me than recommend me an inn and a tailor; while a poorsea-captain, driven from his employment and his home, with no better reasonto put faith in my story, was sharing with me his last penny. Goble, intruth, had made us pay dearly for our fun with him, and the hum of thevast unknown fell upon our ears with the question of lodging stillunsettled. The captain was for going to the Star and Garter, the inn thegentleman had mentioned. I was in favour of seeking a more modest andless fashionable hostelry. 

"Remember that you must keep up your condition, Richard, " said John Paul. 

"And if all English gentlemen are like our late friend, " I said, "I wouldrather stay in a city coffee-house. Remember that you have only twoguineas left after paying for the chaise, and that Mr. Dix may be out oftown. "

"And your friends in Arlington Street?" said he. 

"May be back in Maryland, " said I; and added inwardly, "God forbid!"

"We shall have twice the chance at the Star and Garter. They will want ashow of gold at a humbler place, and at the Star we may carry matterswith a high hand. Pick out the biggest frigate, " he cried, for the tenthtime, at least, "or the most beautiful lady, and it will surprise you, mylad, to find out how many times you will win. "

I know of no feeling of awe to equal that of a stranger approaching forthe first time a huge city. The thought of a human multitude is everappalling as that of infinity itself, a human multitude with its infinityof despairs and joys, disgraces and honours, each small unit with all theworld in its own brain, and all the world out of it! Each intent uponhis own business or pleasure, and striving the while by hook or crook tokeep the ground from slipping beneath his feet. For, if he falls, Godhelp him!

Yes, here was London, great and pitiless, and the fear of it was upon oursouls as we rode into it that day. 

Holland House with its shaded gardens, Kensington Palace with the broadgreen acres of parks in front of it stitched by the silver Serpentine, and Buckingham House, which lay to the south over the hill, --all were oneto us in wonder as they loomed through the glittering mist that softenedall. We met with a stream of countless wagons that spoke of a tradebeyond knowledge, sprinkled with the equipages of the gentry floatingupon it; coach and chaise, cabriolet and chariot, gorgeously bedeckedwith heraldry and wreaths; their numbers astonished me, for to my mindthe best of them were no better than we could boast in Annapolis. Onematter, which brings a laugh as I recall it, was the oddity to me ofseeing white coachmen and footmen. 

We clattered down St. James's Street, of which I had often heard mygrandfather speak, and at length we drew up before the Star and Garter inPall Mall, over against the palace. The servants came hurrying out, headed by a chamberlain clad in magnificent livery, a functionary we hadnot before encountered. John Paul alighted to face this personage, who, the moment he perceived us, shifted his welcoming look to one of suchwithering scorn as would have daunted a more timid man than the captain. Without the formality of a sir he demanded our business, which startedthe inn people and our own boy to snickering, and made the passers-bypause and stare. Dandies who were taking the air stopped to ogle us withtheir spying-glasses and to offer quips, and behind them gathered theflunkies and chairmen awaiting their masters at the clubs andcoffee-houses near by. What was my astonishment, therefore, to see achange in the captain's demeanour. Truly for quick learning and theapplication of it I have never known his equal. His air became the oneof careless ease habitual to the little gentleman we had met at Windsor, and he drew from his pocket one of his guineas, which he tossed in theman's palm. 

"Here, my man, " said he, snapping his fingers; "an apartment at once, oryou shall pay for this nonsense, I promise you. " And walked in with hischin in the air, so grandly as to dissolve ridicule into speculation. 

For an instant the chamberlain wavered, and I trembled, for I dreaded adisgrace in Pall Mall, where the Manners might hear of it. Then fear, orhope of gain, or something else got the better of him, for he led us to asnug, well-furnished suite of a parlour and bedroom on the first floor, and stood bowing in the doorway for his honour's further commands. Theywere of a sort to bring the sweat to my forehead. 

"Have a fellow run to bid Davenport, the tailor, come hither as fast ashis legs will carry him. And you may make it known that this younggentleman desires a servant, a good man, mind you, with references, whoknows a gentleman's wants. He will be well paid. "

That name of Davenport was a charm, --the mention of a servant was itsfinishing touch. The chamberlain bent almost double, and retired, closing the door softly behind him. And so great had been my surpriseover these last acquirements of the captain that until now I had had nobreath to expostulate. 

"I must have my fling, Richard, " he answered, laughing; "I shall not be agentleman long. I must know how it feels to take your ease, and strokeyour velvet, and order lackeys about. And when my money is gone I shallbe content to go to sea again, and think about it o' stormy nights. "

This feeling was so far beyond my intelligence that I made no comment. And I could not for the life of me chide him, but prayed that all wouldcome right in the end. 

In less than an hour Davenport himself arrived, bristling withimportance, followed by his man carrying such a variety of silks andsatins, flowered and plain, and broadcloths and velvets, to fill thefurniture. And close behind the tailor came a tall haberdasher from BondStreet, who had got wind of a customer, with a bewildering lot of rufflesand handkerchiefs and neckerchiefs, and bows of lawn and lace which (sohe informed us) gentlemen now wore in the place of solitaires. Then camea hosier and a bootmaker and a hatter; nay, I was forgetting a jewellerfrom Temple Bar. And so imposing a front did the captain wear as hepicked this and recommended the other that he got credit for me for allhe chose, and might have had more besides. For himself he ordered merelya modest street suit of purple, the sword to be thrust through thepocket, Davenport promising it with mine for the next afternoon. For somuch discredit had been cast upon his taste on the road to London that hewas resolved to remain indoors until he could appear with decency. Helearned quickly, as I have said. 

By the time we had done with these matters, which I wished to perdition, some score of applicants was in waiting for me. And out of them I hiredone who had been valet to the young Lord Rereby, and whose recommendationwas excellent. His name was Banks, his face open and ingenuous, hisstature a little above the ordinary, and his manner respectful. I hadDavenport measure him at once for a suit of the Carvel livery, and badehim report on the morrow. 

All this while, my dears, I was aching to be off to Arlington Street, but a foolish pride held me back. I had heard so much of the fashion inwhich the Manners moved that I feared to bring ridicule upon them in poorMacMuir's clothes. But presently the desire to see Dolly took such holdupon me that I set out before dinner, fought my way past the chairmen andchaisemen at the door, and asked my way of the first civil person Iencountered. 'Twas only a little rise up the steps of St. James'sStreet, Arlington Street being but a small pocket of Piccadilly, but itseemed a dull English mile; and my heart thumped when I reached thecorner, and the houses danced before my eyes. I steadied myself by apost and looked again. At last, after a thousand leagues of wandering, I was near her! But how to choose between fifty severe and imposingmansions? I walked on toward that endless race of affairs and fashion, Piccadilly, scanning every door, nay, every window, in the hope that Imight behold my lady's face framed therein. Here a chair was set down, there a chariot or a coach pulled up, and a clocked flunky bowing a ladyin. But no Dorothy. Finally, when I had near made the round of eachside, I summoned courage and asked a butcher's lad, whistling as hepassed me, whether he could point out the residence of Mr. Manners. 

"Ay, " he replied, looking me over out of the corner of his eye, "that Ican. But y'ell not get a glimpse o' the beauty this day, for she's butjust off to Kensington with a coachful o' quality. "

And he led me, all in a tremble over his answer, to a large stonedwelling with arched windows, and pillared portico with lanthorns andlink extinguishers, an area and railing beside it. The flavour ofgenerations of aristocracy hung about the place, and the big knocker onthe carved door seemed to regard with such a forbidding frown my shabbyclothes that I took but the one glance (enough to fix it forever in mymemory), and hurried on. Alas, what hope had I of Dorothy now!

"What cheer, Richard?" cried the captain when I returned; "have you seenyour friends?"

I told him that I had feared to disgrace them, and so refrained fromknocking--a decision which he commended as the very essence of wisdom. Though a desire to meet and talk with quality pushed him hard, he wouldnot go a step to the ordinary, and gave orders to be served in our room, thus fostering the mystery which had enveloped us since our arrival. Dinner at the Star and Garter being at the fashionable hour of half afterfour, I was forced to give over for that day the task of finding Mr. Dix. 

That evening--shall I confess it?--I spent between the Green Park andArlington Street, hoping for a glimpse of Miss Dolly returning fromKensington. 

The next morning I proclaimed my intention of going to Mr. Dix. 

"Send for him, " said the captain. "Gentlemen never seek their men ofaffairs. "

"No, " I cried; "I can contain myself in this place no longer. I must bemoving. "

"As you will, Richard, " he replied, and giving me a queer, puzzled lookhe settled himself between the Morning Post and the Chronicle. 

As I passed the servants in the lower hall, I could not but remark analtered treatment. My friend the chamberlain, more pompous than ever, stood erect in the door with a stony stare, which melted the moment heperceived a young gentleman who descended behind me. I heard him cry out"A chaise for his Lordship!" at which command two of his assistants ranout together. Suspicion had plainly gripped his soul overnight, andthis, added to mortified vanity at having been duped, was sufficient forhim to allow me to leave the inn unattended. Nor could I greatly blamehim, for you must know, my dears, that at that time London was filledwith adventurers of all types. 

I felt a deal like an impostor, in truth, as I stepped into the street, disdaining to inquire of any of the people of the Star and Garter wherean American agent might be found. The day was gray and cheerless, thecolour of my own spirits as I walked toward the east, knowing that thecity lay that way. But I soon found plenty to distract me. 

To a lad such as I, bred in a quiet tho' prosperous colonial town, a walkthrough London was a revelation. Here in the Pall Mall the day was notyet begun, tho' for some scarce ended. I had not gone fifty paces fromthe hotel before I came upon a stout gentleman with twelve hours ofclaret inside him, brought out of a coffee-house and put with vastdifficulty into his chair; and I stopped to watch the men stagger offwith their load to St. James's Street. Next I met a squad of redcoatedguards going to the palace, and after them a grand coach and six rattledover the Scotch granite, swaying to a degree that threatened to shake offthe footmen clinging behind. Within, a man with an eagle nose satimpassive, and I set him down for one of the king's ministers. 

Presently I came out into a wide space, which I knew to be Charing Crossby the statue of Charles the First which stood in the centre of it, andthe throat of a street which was just in front of me must be the Strand. Here all was life and bustle. On one hand was Golden's Hotel, and acrowded mail-coach was dashing out from the arch beneath it, the hornblowing merrily; on the other hand, so I was told by a friendly man inbrown, was Northumberland House, the gloomy grandeur whereof held my eyesfor a time. And I made bold to ask in what district were those who haddealings with the colonies. He scanned me with a puzzling look ofcommiseration. 

"Ye're not a-going to sell yereself for seven year, my lad?" said he. "I was near that myself when I was young, and I thank God' to this daythat I talked first to an honest man, even as you are doing. They'llgive ye a pretty tale, --the factors, --of a land of milk and honey, whenit's naught but stripes and curses yell get. "

And he was about to rebuke me hotly, when I told him I had come fromMaryland, where I was born. 

"Why, ye speak like a gentleman!" he exclaimed. "I was informed thatall talk like naygurs over there. And is it not so of yourredemptioners?"

I said that depended upon the master they got. 

"Then I take it ye are looking for the lawyers, who mostly represent theplanters. And y e'll find them at the Temple or Lincoln's Inn. "

I replied that he I sought was not an attorney, but a man of business. Whereupon he said that I should find all those in a batch about the Northand South American Coffee House, in Threadneedle Street. And he pointedme into the Strand, adding that I had but to follow my nose to St. Paul's, and there inquire. 

I would I might give you some notion of the great artery of London inthose days, for it has changed much since I went down it that heavymorning in April, 1770, fighting my way. Ay, truly, fighting my way, forthe street then was no place for the weak and timid, when bullocks ranthrough it in droves on the way to market, when it was often jammed fromwall to wall with wagons, and carmen and truckmen and coachmen swungtheir whips and cursed one another to the extent of their lungs. NearSt. Clement Danes I was packed in a crowd for ten minutes while two ofthese fellows formed a ring and fought for the right of way, stopping thetraffic as far as I could see. Dustmen, and sweeps, and even beggars, jostled you on the corners, bullies tried to push you against the postsor into the kennels; and once, in Butchers' Row, I was stopped by aflashy, soft-tongued fellow who would have lured me into a tavern nearby. 

The noises were bedlam ten times over. Shopmen stood at their doors andcried, "Rally up, rally up, buy, buy, buy!" venders shouted saloop andbarley, furmity, Shrewsbury cakes and hot peascods, rosemary andlavender, small coal and sealing-wax, and others bawled "Pots to solder!"and "Knives to grind!" Then there was the incessant roar of the heavywheels over the rough stones, and the rasp and shriek of the brewers'sledges as they moved clumsily along. As for the odours, from that ofthe roasted coffee and food of the taverns, to the stale fish on thestalls, and worse, I can say nothing. They surpassed imagination. 

At length, upon emerging from Butchers' Row, I came upon some stocksstanding in the street, and beheld ahead of me a great gateway stretchingacross the Strand from house to house. 

Its stone was stained with age, and the stern front of it seemed to mockthe unseemly and impetuous haste of the tide rushing through its arches. I stood and gazed, nor needed one to tell me that those two grinningskulls above it, swinging to the wind on the pikes, were rebel heads. Bare and bleached now, and exposed to a cruel view, but once caressed byloving hands, was the last of those whose devotion to the house of Stuarthad brought from their homes to Temple Bar. 

I halted by the Fleet Market, nor could I resist the desire to go intoSt. Paul's, to feel like a pebble in a bell under its mighty dome; and itlacked but half an hour of noon when I had come out at the Poultry andfinished gaping at the Mansion House. I missed Threadneedle Street andwent down Cornhill, in my ignorance mistaking the Royal Exchange, withits long piazza and high tower, for the coffeehouse I sought: in thegreat hall I begged a gentleman to direct me to Mr. Dix, if he knew sucha person. He shrugged his shoulders, which mystified me somewhat, butanswered with a ready good-nature that he was likely to be found at thattime at Tom's Coffee House, in Birchin Lane near by, whither I went withhim. He climbed the stairs ahead of me and directed me, puffing, to thenews room, which I found filled with men, some writing, some talkingeagerly, and others turning over newspapers. The servant there looked meover with no great favour, but on telling him my business he went off, and returned with a young man of a pink and white complexion, in a greenriding-frock, leather breeches, and top boots, who said:

"Well, my man, I am Mr. Dix. "

There was a look about him, added to his tone and manner, set me strongagainst him. I knew his father had not been of this stamp. 

"And I am Mr. Richard Carvel, grandson to Mr. Lionel Carvel, of CarvelHall, in Maryland, " I replied, much in the same way. 

He thrust his hands into his breeches and stared very hard. 

"You?" he said finally, with something very near a laugh. 

"Sir, a gentleman's word usually suffices!" I cried. 

He changed his tone a little. 

"Your pardon, Mr. Carvel, " he said, "but we men of business have need tobe careful. Let us sit, and I will examine your letters. Yourdetermination must have been suddenly taken, " he added, "for I havenothing from Mr. Carvel on the subject of your coming. "

"Letters! You have heard nothing!" I gasped, and there stopped shortand clinched the table. "Has not my grandfather written of mydisappearance?"

Immediately his expression went back to the one he had met me with. "Pardon me, " he said again. 

I composed myself as best I could in the face of his incredulity, swallowing with an effort the aversion I felt to giving him my story. 

"I think it strange he has not informed you, " I said; "I was kidnappednear Annapolis last Christmas-time, and put on board of a slaver, fromwhich I was rescued by great good fortune, and brought to Scotland. AndI have but just made my way to London. "

"The thing is not likely, Mr. --, Mr. --, " he said, drumming impatiently onthe board. 

Then I lost control of myself. 

"As sure as I am heir to Carvel Hall, Mr. Dix, " I cried, rising, "youshall pay for your insolence by forfeiting your agency!"

Now the roan was a natural coward, with a sneer for some and a smirk forothers. He went to the smirk. 

"I am but looking to Mr. Carvel's interests the best I know how, " hereplied; "and if indeed you be Mr. Richard Carvel, then you must applaudmy caution, sir, in seeking proofs. "

"Proofs I have none, " I cried; "the very clothes on my back are borrowedfrom a Scotch seaman. My God, Mr. Dix, do I look like a rogue?"

"Were I to advance money upon appearances, sir, I should be insolvent ina fortnight. But stay, " he cried uneasily, as I flung back my chair, "stay, sir. Is there no one of your province in the town to attest youridentity?"

"Ay, that there is, " I said bitterly; "you shall hear from Mr. Mannerssoon, I promise you. "

"Pray, Mr. Carvel, " he said, overtaking me on the stairs, "you willsurely allow the situation to be--extraordinary, you will surely commendmy discretion. Permit me, sir, to go with you to Arlington Street. " Andhe sent a lad in haste to the Exchange for a hackney-chaise, which wassoon brought around. 

I got in, somewhat mollified, and ashamed of my heat: still disliking theman, but acknowledging he had the better right on his side. True to hiskind he gave me every mark of politeness now, asked particularly afterMr. Carvel's health, and encouraged me to give him as much of myadventure as I thought proper. But what with the rattle of the carriageand the street noises and my disgust, I did not care to talk, andpresently told him as much very curtly. He persisted, how: ever, inpointing out the sights, the Fleet prison, and where the Ludgate stoodsix years gone; and the Devil's Tavern, of old Ben Jonson's time, and theMitre and the Cheshire Cheese and the Cock, where Dr. Johnson might befound near the end of the week at his dinner. He showed me the King'sMews above Charing Cross, and the famous theatre in the Haymarket, and wehad but turned the corner into Piccadilly when he cried excitedly at apassing chariot:

"There, Mr. Carvel, there go my Lord North and Mr. Rigby!"

"The devil take them, Mr. Dix!" I exclaimed. 

He was silent after that, glancing at me covertly from while to whileuntil we swung into Arlington Street. Before I knew we were stopped infront of the house, but as I set foot on the step I found myselfconfronted by a footman in the Manners livery, who cried out angrily toour man: "Make way, make way for his Grace of Chartersea!" Turning, I sawa coach behind, the horses dancing at the rear wheels of the chaise. Wealighted hastily, and I stood motionless, my heart jumping quick and hardin the hope and fear that Dorothy was within, my eye fixed on the coachdoor. But when the footman pulled it open and lowered the step, outlolled a very broad man with a bloated face and little, beady eyeswithout a spark of meaning, and something very like a hump was on the topof his back. He wore a yellow top-coat, and red-heeled shoes of thelatest fashion, and I settled at once he was the Duke of Chartersea. 

Next came little Mr. Manners, stepping daintily as ever; and then, as thedoor closed with a bang, I remembered my errand. They had got halfway tothe portico. 

"Mr. Manners!" I cried. 

He faced about, and his Grace also, and both stared in wellbred surprise. As I live, Mr. Manners looked into my face, into my very eyes, and gave nosign of recognition. And what between astonishment and anger, and acontempt that arose within me, I could not speak. 

"Give the man a shilling, Manners, " said his Grace; "we can't stay hereforever. "

"Ay, give the man a shilling, " lisped Mr. Manners to the footman. Andthey passed into the house, and the door eras shut. 

Then I heard Mr. Dix at my elbow, saying in a soft voice: "Now, my finegentleman, is there any good reason why you should not ride to Bow Streetwith me?"

"As there is a God in heaven. Mr. Dix, " I answered, very low, "if youattempt to lay hands on me, you shall answer for it! And you shall hearfrom me yet, at the Star and Garter hotel. "

I spun on my heel and left him, nor did he follow; and a great lump wasin my throat and tears welling in my eyes. 

What would John Paul say?

CHAPTER XXIV

CASTLE YARD

But I did not go direct to the Star and Garter. No, I lacked the courageto say to John Paul: "You have trusted me, and this is how I haverewarded your faith. " And the thought that Dorothy's father, of all men, had served me thus, after what I had gone through, filled me with abitterness I had never before conceived. And when my brain becameclearer I reflected that Mr. Manners had had ample time to learn of mydisappearance from Maryland, and that his action had been one of design, and of cold blood. But I gave to Dorothy or her mother no part in it. Mr. Manners never had had cause to hate me, and the only reason I couldassign was connected with his Grace of Chartersea, which I dismissed asabsurd. 

A few drops of rain warned me to seek shelter. I knew not where I was, nor how long I had been walking the streets at a furious pace. But ahuckster told me I was in Chelsea; and kindly directed me back to PallMall. The usual bunch of chairmen was around the hotel entrance, but Inoticed a couple of men at the door, of sharp features and unkempt dress, and heard a laugh as I went in. My head swam as I stumbled up the stairsand fumbled at the knob, when I heard voices raised inside, and the doorwas suddenly and violently thrown open. Across the sill stood a big, rough-looking man with his hands on his hips. 

"Oho! Here be the other fine bird a-homing, I'll warrant, " he cried. 

The place was full. I caught sight of Davenport, the tailor, with a wryface, talking against the noise; of Banks, the man I had hired, resplendent in my livery. One of the hotel servants was in the cornerperspiring over John Paul's chests, and beside him stood a mandisdainfully turning over with his foot the contents, as they were thrownon the floor. I saw him kick the precious vellum-hole waistcoat acrossthe room in wrath and disgust, and heard him shout above the rest:"The lot of them would not bring a guinea from any Jew in St. Martin'sLane!"

In the other corner, by the writing-desk, stood the hatter and thehaberdasher with their heads together. And in the very centre of theconfusion was the captain himself. He was drest in his new clothesDavenport had brought, and surprised me by his changed appearance, andlooked as fine a gentleman as any I have ever seen. His face lightedwith relief at sight of me. 

"Now may I tell these rogues begone, Richard?" he cried. And turningto the man confronting me, he added, "This gentleman will settle theirbeggarly accounts. "

Then I knew we had to do with bailiffs, and my heart failed me. 

"Likely, " laughed the big man; "I'll stake my oath he has not a groat topay their beggarly accounts, as year honour is pleased to call them. "

They ceased jabbering and straightened to attention, awaiting my reply. But I forgot them all, and thought only of the captain, and of thetrouble I had brought him. He began to show some consternation as I wentup to him. 

"My dear friend, " I said, vainly trying to steady my voice, "I beg, I pray that you will not lose faith in me, --that you will not think anydeceit of mine has brought you to these straits. Mr. Dix did not knowme, and has had no word from my grandfather of my disappearance. And Mr. Manners, whom I thought my friend, spurned me in the street before theDuke of Chartersea. "

And no longer master of myself, I sat down at the table and hid my face, shaken by great sobs, to think that this was my return for his kindness. 

"What, " I heard him cry, "Mr. Manners spurned you, Richard! By allthe law in Coke and Littleton, he shall answer for it to me. Yourfairweather fowl shall have the chance to run me through!"

I sat up in bewilderment, doubting my senses. 

"You believe me, captain, " I said, overcome by the man's faith; "youbelieve me when I tell you that one I have known from childhood refusedto recognize me to-day?"

He raised me in his arms as tenderly as a woman might. 

"And the whole world denied you, lad, I would not. I believe you--" andhe repeated it again and again, unable to get farther. 

And if his words brought tears to my eyes, my strength came with them. 

"Then I care not, " I replied; "I only to live to reward you. "

"Mr. Manners shall answer for it to me!" cried John Paul again, and madea pace toward the door. 

"Not so fast, not so fast, captain, or admiral, or whatever you are, "said the bailiff, stepping in his way, for he was used to such scenes;"as God reigns, the owners of all these fierce titles be fire-eaters, whowould spit you if you spilt snuff upon 'em. Come, come, gentlemen, yourswords, and we shall see the sights o' London. "

This was the signal for another uproar, the tailor shrieking that JohnPaul must take off the suit, and Banks the livery; asking the man in thecorner by the sea-chests (who proved to be the landlord) who was to payhim for his work and his lost cloth. And the landlord shook his fist atus and shouted back, who was to pay him his four pounds odd, whichincluded two ten-shilling dinners and a flask of his best wine? Theother tradesmen seized what was theirs and made off with remarksappropriate to the occasion. And when John Paul and my man were divestedof their plumes, we were marched downstairs and out through a jeeringline of people to a hackney coach. 

"Now, sirs, whereaway?" said the bailiff when we were got in beside oneof his men, and burning with the shame of it; "to the prison? Or I has avery pleasant hotel for gentlemen in Castle Yard. "

The frightful stories my dear grandfather had told me of the Fleet cameflooding into my head, and I shuddered and turned sick. I glanced atJohn Paul. 

"A guinea will not go far in a sponging-house, " said he, and thebailiff's man laughed. 

The bailiff gave a direction we did not hear, and we drove off. He proved a bluff fellow with a bloat yet not unkindly humour, anddespite his calling seemed to have something that was human in him. He passed many a joke on that pitiful journey in an attempt to break ourdespondency, urging us not to be downcast, and reminding us that the lastgentleman he had taken from Pall Mall was in over a thousand pounds, andthat our amount was a bagatelle. And when we had gone through TempleBar, instead of keeping on down Fleet Street, we jolted into ChanceryLane. This roused me. 

"My friend has warned you that he has no money, " I said, "and no morehave I. "

The bailiff regarded me shrewdly. 

"Ay, " he replied, "I know. But I has seen many stripes o' men in mytime, my masters, and I know them to trust, and them whose silver I mustfeel or send to the Fleet. "

I told him unreservedly my case, and that he must take his chance ofbeing paid; that I could not hear from America for three months at least. He listened without much show of attention, shaking his head from side toside. 

"If you ever cheated a man, or the admiral here either, then I begin overagain, " he broke in with decision; "it is the fine sparks from the clubsI has to watch. You'll not worry, sir, about me. Take my oath I'll getinterest out of you on my money. "

Unwilling as we both were to be beholden to a bailiff, the alternative ofthe Fleet was too terrible to be thought of. And so we alighted afterhim with a shiver at the sight of the ugly, grimy face of the house, andthe dirty windows all barred with double iron. In answer to a knock wewere presently admitted by a turnkey to a vestibule as black as a tomb, and the heavy outer door was locked behind us. Then, as the man cursedand groped for the keyhole of the inner door, despair laid hold of me. 

Once inside, in the half light of a narrow hallway, a variety of noisesgreeted our ears, --laughter from above and below, interspersed withoaths; the click of billiard balls, and the occasional hammering of apack of cards on a bare table before the shuffle. The air was closealmost to suffocation, and out of the coffee room, into which I glanced, came a heavy cloud of tobacco smoke. 

"Why, my masters, why so glum?" said the bailiff; "my inn is not such abad place, and you'll find ample good company here, I promise you. "

And he led us into a dingy antechamber littered with papers, on every oneof which, I daresay, was written a tragedy. Then he inscribed our names, ages, descriptions, and the like in a great book, when we followed him upthree flights to a low room under the eaves, having but one small window, and bare of furniture save two narrow cots for beds, a broken chair, anda cracked mirror. He explained that cash boarders got better, and addedthat we might be happy we were not in the Fleet. 

"We dine at two here, gentlemen, and sup at eight. This is not the Starand Garter, " said he as he left us. 

It was the captain who spoke first, though he swallowed twice before thewords came out. 

"Come, Richard, come, laddie, " he said, "'tis no so bad it micht-na bewaur. We'll mak the maist o' it. "

"I care not for myself, Captain Paul, " I replied, marvelling the more athim, "but to think that I have landed you here, that this is my returnfor your sacrifice. "

"Hoots! How was ye to foresee Mr. Manners was a blellum?" And he brokeinto threats which, if Mr. Marmaduke had heard and comprehended, wouldhave driven him into the seventh state of fear. "Have you no otherfriends in London?" he asked, regaining his English. 

I shook my head. Then came--a question I dreaded. 

"And Mr. Manners's family?"

"I would rather remain here for life, " I said, "than to them now. "

For pride is often selfish, my dears, and I did not reflect that if Iremained, the captain would remain likewise. 

"Are they all like Mr. Manners?"

"That they are not, " I returned with more heat than was necessary; "hiswife is goodness itself, and his daughter--" Words failed me, and Ireddened. 

"Ah, he has a daughter, you say, " said the captain, casting a significantlook at me and beginning to pace the little room. He was keener than Ithought, this John Paul. 

If it were not so painful a task, my dears, I would give you here somenotion of what a London sponging-house was in the last century. Comynhas heard me tell of it, and I have seen Bess cry over the story. Gamingwas the king-vice of that age, and it filled these places to overflowing. Heaven help a man who came into the world with that propensity in theearly days of King George the Third. Many, alas, acquired it before theywere come to years of discretion. Next me, at the long table where wewere all thrown in together, --all who could not pay for private meals, --sat a poor fellow who had flung away a patrimony of three thousand ayear. Another had even mortgaged to a Jew his prospects on the death ofhis mother, and had been seized by the bailiffs outside of St. James'spalace, coming to Castle Yard direct from his Majesty's levee. Yetanother, with such a look of dead hope in his eyes as haunts me yet, would talk to us by the hour of the Devonshire house where he was born, of the green valley and the peaceful stream, and of the old tower-room, caressed by trees, where Queen Bess had once lain under the carved oakrafters. Here he had taken his young wife, and they used to sittogether, so he said, in the sunny oriel over the water, and he had swornto give up the cards. That was but three years since, and then all hadgone across the green cloth in one mad night in St. James's Street. Their friends had deserted them, and the poor little woman was lodged inHolborn near by, and came every morning with some little dainty to thebailiff's, for her liege lord who had so used her. He pressed me toshare a fowl with him one day, but it would have choked me. God knowswhere she got the money to buy it. I saw her once hanging on his neck inthe hall, he trying to shield her from the impudent gaze of hisfellow-lodgers. 

But some of them lived like lords in luxury, with never a seeming regret;and had apartments on the first floor, and had their tea and paper inbed, and lounged out the morning in a flowered nightgown, and the rest ofthe day in a laced coat. These drank the bailiff's best port andchampagne, and had nothing better than a frown or haughty look for us, when we passed them at the landing. Whence the piper was paid I knewnot, and the bailiff cared not. But the bulk of the poor gentlemen werea merry crew withal, and had their wit and their wine at table, and kneweach other's histories (and soon enough ours) by heart. They betted awaythe week at billiards or whist or picquet or loo, and sometimes measuredswords for diversion, tho' this pastime the bailiff was greatly setagainst; as calculated to deprive him of a lodger. 

Although we had no money for gaming, and little for wine or tobacco, thecaptain and I were received very heartily into the fraternity. After oneafternoon of despondency we both voted it the worst of bad policy toremain aloof and nurse our misfortune, and spent our first evening inmaking acquaintances over a deal of very thin "debtor's claret. "I tossed long that night on the hard cot, listening to the scurrying ratsamong the roof-timbers. They ran like the thoughts in my brain. Andbefore I slept I prayed again and again that God would put it in my powerto reward him whom charity for a friendless foundling had brought to adebtor's prison. 

Not so much as a single complaint or reproach had passed his lips!

CHAPTER XXV

THE RESCUE

Perchance, my dears, if John Paul and I had not been cast by accident ina debtor's prison, this great man might never have bestowed upon ourcountry those glorious services which contributed so largely to itsliberty. And I might never have comprehended that the AmericanRevolution was brought on and fought by a headstrong king, backed byunscrupulous followers who held wealth above patriotism. It is oftendifficult to lay finger upon the causes which change the drift of a man'sopinions, and so I never wholly knew why John Paul abandoned hisdeep-rooted purpose to obtain advancement in London by grace of theaccomplishments he had laboured so hard to attain. But I believe thebeginning was at the meeting at Windsor with the slim and cynicalgentleman who had treated him to something between patronage andcontempt. Then my experience with Mr. Manners had so embedded itself inhis mind that he could never speak of it but with impatience and disgust. And, lastly, the bailiff's hotel contained many born gentlemen who hadbeen left here to rot out the rest of their dreary lives by friends whowere still in power and opulence. More than once when I climbed to ourgarret I found the captain seated on the three-legged chair, with hishead between his hands, sunk in reflection. 

"You were right, Richard, " said he; "your great world is a hard world forthose in the shadow of it. I see now that it must not be entered frombelow, but from the cabin window. A man may climb around it, lad, andwhen he is above may scourge it. "

"And you will scourge it, captain!" I had no doubt of his ability oneday to do it. 

"Ay, and snap my fingers at it. 'Tis a pretty organization, thissociety, which kicks the man who falls to the dogs. None of your finegentlemen for me!"

And he would descend to talk politics with our fellow-guests. We shouldhave been unhappy indeed had it not been for this pastime. It seems tome strange that these debtors took such a keen interest in outsideaffairs, even tho' it was a time of great agitation. We read witheagerness the cast-off newspapers of the first-floor gentlemen. One poordevil who had waddled (failed) in Change Alley had collected under hismattress the letters of Junius, then selling the Public Advertiser as fewpublications had ever sold before. John Paul devoured these attacks uponhis Majesty and his ministry in a single afternoon, and ere long he hadon the tip of his tongue the name and value of every man in Parliamentand out of it. He learned, almost by heart, the history of theastonishing fight made by Mr. Wilkes for the liberties of England, andspeedily was as good a Whig and a better than the member from Middlesexhimself. 

The most of our companions were Tories, for, odd as it may appear, theyretained their principles even in Castle Yard. And in those days to be aTory was to be the friend of the King, and to be the friend of the Kingwas to have some hope of advancement and reward at his hand. They hadnone. The captain joined forces with the speculator from the Alley, whohad hitherto contended against mighty odds, and together they bore downupon the enemy--ay, and rooted him, too. For John Paul had an air abouthim and a natural gift of oratory to command attention, and shortly thedining room after dinner became the scene of such contests as to call upin the minds of the old stagers a field night in the good days of Mr. Pitt and the second George. The bailiff often sat by the door, aninterested spectator, and the macaroni lodgers condescended to comedownstairs and listen. The captain attained to fame in our little worldfrom his maiden address, in which he very shrewdly separated thepolitical character of Mr. Wilkes from his character as a privategentleman, and so refuted a charge of profligacy against the people'schampion. 

Altho' I never had sufficient confidence in my powers to join in thesediscussions, I followed them zealously, especially when they touchedAmerican questions, as they frequently did. This subject of the wrongsof the colonies was the only one I could ever be got to study at KingWilliam's School, and I believe that my intimate knowledge of it gave thecaptain a surprise. He fell into the habit of seating himself on theedge of my bed after we had retired for the night, and would hold metalking until the small hours upon the injustice of taxing a peoplewithout their consent, and upon the multitude of measures of coercionwhich the King had pressed upon us to punish our resistance. Hedeclaimed so loudly against the tyranny of quartering troops upon apeaceable state that our exhausted neighbours were driven to poundingtheir walls and ceilings for peace. The news of the Boston massacrehad not then reached England. 

I was not, therefore, wholly taken by surprise when he said to me onenight:

"I am resolved to try my fortune in America, lad. That is the land forsuch as I, where a man may stand upon his own merits. "

"Indeed, we shall go together, captain, " I answered heartily, "if we areever free of this cursed house. And you shall taste of our hospitalityat Carvel Hall, and choose that career which pleases you. Faith, I couldpoint you a dozen examples in Annapolis of men who have made their waywithout influence. But you shall have influence, " I cried, glowing atthe notion of rewarding him; "you shall experience Mr. Carvel's gratitudeand mine. You shall have the best of our ships, and you will. "

He was a man to take fire easily, and embraced me. And, strange to say, neither he nor I saw the humour, nor the pity, of the situation. Howmany another would long before have become sceptical of my promises! Andjustly. For I had led him to London, spent all his savings, and then gothim into a miserable prison, and yet he had faith remaining, and tospare!

It occurred to me to notify Mr. Dix of my residence in Castle Yard, notfrom any hope that he would turn his hand to my rescue, but that he mightknow where to find me if he heard from Maryland. And I penned anotherletter to Mr. Carvel, but a feeling I took no pains to define compelledme to withhold an account of Mr. Manners's conduct. And I refrained fromtelling him that I was in a debtor's prison. For I believe the thoughtof a Carvel in a debtor's prison would have killed him. I said only thatwe were comfortably lodged in a modest part of London; that the Mannerswere inaccessible (for I could not bring myself to write that they wereout of town). Just then a thought struck me with such force that I gotup with a cheer and hit the astonished captain between the shoulders. 

"How now!" he cried, ruefully rubbing himself. "If these are thyamenities, Richard, Heaven spare me thy blows. "

"Why, I have been a fool, and worse, " I shouted. "My grandfather's ship, the Sprightly Bess, is overhauling this winter in the Severn. And unlessshe has sailed, which I think unlikely, I have but to despatch a line toBristol to summon Captain Bell, the master, to London. I think he willbring the worthy Mr. Dix to terms. "

"Whether he will or no, " said John Paul, hope lighting his face, "Bellmust have command of the twenty pounds to free us, and will take us backto America. For I must own, Richard, that I have no great love forLondon. "

No more had I. I composed this letter to Bell in such haste that my handshook, and sent it off with a shilling to the bailiff's servant, that itmight catch the post. And that afternoon we had a two-shilling bottle ofport for dinner, which we shared with a broken-down parson who had beenchaplain in ordinary to my Lord Wortley, and who had preached us anEaster sermon the day before. For it was Easter Monday. Our talk wasbroken into by the bailiff, who informed me that a man awaited me in thepassage, and my heart leaped into my, throat. 

There was Banks. Thinking he had come to reproach me; I asked him rathersharply what he wanted. He shifted his hat from one hand to the otherand looked sheepish. 

"Your pardon, sir, " said he, "but your honour must be very ill-servedhere. "

"Better than I should be, Banks, for I have no money, " I said, wonderingif he thought me a first-floor lodger. 

He made no immediate reply to that, either, but seemed more uneasy still. And I took occasion to note his appearance. He was exceeding neat in alivery of his old master, which he had stripped of the trimmings. Then, before I had guessed at his drift, he thrust his hand inside his coat anddrew forth a pile of carefully folded bank notes. 

"I be a single man, sir, and has small need of this. And and I knowsyour honour will pay me when your letter comes from America. "

And he handed me five Bank of England notes of ten pounds apiece. I tookthem mechanically, without knowing what I did. The generosity of the actbenumbed my senses, and for the instant I was inclined to accept theoffer upon the impulse of it. 

"How do you know you would get your money again, Banks?" I askedcuriously. 

"No fear, sir, " he replied promptly, actually brightening at theprospect. "I knows gentlemen, sir, them that are such, sir. And I willgo to America with you, and you say the word, sir. "

I was more touched than I cared to show over his offer, which I scarceknew how to refuse. In truth it was a difficult task, for he pressed meagain and again, and when he saw me firm, turned away to wipe his eyesupon his sleeve. Then he begged me to let him remain and serve me in thesponginghouse, saying that he would pay his own way. The very thought ofa servant in the bailiff's garret made me laugh, and so I put him off, first getting his address, and promising him employment on the day of myrelease. 

On Wednesday we looked for a reply from Bristol, if not for theappearance of Bell himself, and when neither came apprehension seized uslest he had already sailed for Maryland. The slender bag of Thursday'sletters contained none for me. Nevertheless, we both did our best tokeep in humour, forbearing to mention to one another the hope that hadgone. Friday seemed the beginning of eternity; the day dragged through Iknow not how, and toward evening we climbed back to our little room, notdaring to speak of what we knew in our hearts to be so, --that theSprightly Bess had sailed. We sat silently looking out over the drearystretch of roofs and down into a dingy court of Bernard's Inn below, whensuddenly there arose a commotion on the stairs, as of a man mountinghastily. The door was almost flung from its hinges, some one caught meby the shoulders, gazed eagerly into my face, and drew back. For a spaceI thought myself dreaming. I searched my memory, and the name came. Hadit been Dorothy, or Mr. Carvel himself, I could not have been moreastonished, and my knees weakened under me. 

"Jack!" I exclaimed; "Lord Comyn!"

He seized my hand. "Yes; Jack, whose life you saved, and no other, " hecried, with a sailor's impetuosity. "My God, Richard! it was true, then; and you have been in this place for three weeks!"

"For three weeks, " I repeated. 

He looked at me, at John Paul, who was standing by in bewilderment, andthen about the grimy, cobwebbed walls of the dark garret, and then turnedhis back to hide his emotion, and so met the bailiff, who was coming in. 

"For how much are these gentlemen in your books?" he demanded hotly. 

"A small matter, your Lordship, --a mere trifle, " said the man, bowing. 

"How much, I say?"

"Twenty-two guineas, five shillings, and eight pence, my Lord, countingdebts, and board, --and interest, " the bailiff glibly replied; for he hadno doubt taken off the account when he spied his Lordship's coach. "AndI was very good to Mr. Carvel and the captain, as your Lordship willdiscover--"

"D--n your goodness!" said my Lord, cutting him short. 

And he pulled out a wallet and threw some pieces at the bailiff, biddinghim get change with all haste. "And now, Richard, " he added, with aglance of disgust about him, "pack up, and we'll out of this cursedhole!"

"I have nothing to pack, my Lord, " I said. 

"My Lord! Jack, I have told you, or I leave you here. "

"Well, then, Jack, and you will, " said I, overflowing with thankfulnessto God for the friends He had bestowed upon me. "But before we go astep, Jack, you must know the man but for whose bravery I should longago have been dead of fever and ill-treatment in the Indies, and whosegenerosity has brought him hither. My Lord Comyn, this is Captain JohnPaul. "

The captain, who had been quite overwhelmed by this sudden arrival of areal lord to our rescue at the very moment when we had sunk to despair, and no less astonished by the intimacy that seemed to exist between thenewcomer and myself, had the presence of mind to bend his head, and thatwas all. Comyn shook his hand heartily. 

"You shall not lack reward for this, captain, I promise you, " cried he. "What you have done for Mr. Carvel, you have done for me. Captain, Ithank you. You shall have my interest. "

I flushed, seeing John Paul draw his lips together. But how was hisLordship to know that he was dealing with no common sea-captain?

"I have sought no reward, my Lord, " said he. "What I have done was outof friendship for Mr. Carvel, solely. "

Comyn was completely taken by surprise by these words, and by the haughtytone in which they were spoken. He had not looked for a gentleman, andno wonder. He took a quizzical sizing of the sky-blue coat. Such a manin such a station was out of his experience. 

"Egad, I believe you, captain, " he answered, in a voice which saidplainly that he did not. "But he shall be rewarded nevertheless, eh, Richard? I'll see Charles Fox in this matter to-morrow. Come, come, "he added impatiently, "the bailiff must have his change by now. Come, Richard!" and he led the way down the winding stairs. 

"You must not take offence at his ways, " I whispered to the captain. ForI well knew that a year before I should have taken the same tone with onenot of my class. "His Lordship is all kindness. "

"I have learned a bit since I came into England, Richard, " was his soberreply. 

"'Twas a pitiful sight to see gathered on the landings the poor fellowswe had come to know in Castle Yard, whose horizons were then as gray asours was bright. But they each had a cheery word of congratulation forus as we passed, and the unhappy gentleman from Devonshire pressed myhand and begged that I would sometime think of him when I was out underthe sky. I promised even more, and am happy to be able to say, my dears, that I saw both him and his wife off for America before I left London. Our eyes were wet when we reached the lower hall, and I was making forthe door in an agony to leave the place, when the bailiff came out of hislittle office. 

"One moment, sir, " he said, getting in front of me; "there is a littleform yet to be gone through. The haste of gentlemen to leave us is notflattering. "

He glanced slyly at Comyn, and his Lordship laughed a little. I steppedunsuspectingly into the office. 

"Richard!"

I stopped across the threshold as tho' I had been struck. The latesunlight filtering through the dirt of the window fell upon the tallfigure of a girl and lighted an upturned face, and I saw tears glisteningon the long lashes. 

It was Dorothy. Her hands were stretched out in welcome, and then I hadthem pressed in my own. And I could only look and look again, for I wasdumb with joy. 

"Thank God you are alive!" she cried; "alive and well, when we feared youdead. Oh, Richard, we have been miserable indeed since we had news ofyour disappearance. "

"This is worth it all, Dolly, " I said, only brokenly. 

She dropped her eyes, which had searched me through in wonder and pity, --those eyes I had so often likened to the deep blue of the sea, --and herbreast rose and fell quickly with I knew not what emotions. How the mindruns, and the heart runs, at such a time! Here was the same Dorothy Ihad known in Maryland, and yet not the same. For she was a woman now, who had seen the great world, who had refused both titles and estates, --and perchance accepted them. She drew her hands from mine. 

"And how came you in such a place?" she asked, turning with a shudder. "Did you not know you had friends in London, sir?"

Not for so much again would I have told her of Mr. Manners's conduct. SoI stood confused, casting about for a reply with truth in it, when Comynbroke in upon us. 

"I'll warrant you did not look for her here, Richard. Faith, but you area lucky dog, " said my Lord, shaking his head in mock dolefulness; "forthere is no man in London, in the world, for whom she would descend aflight of steps, save you. And now she has driven the length of the townwhen she heard you were in a sponging-house, nor all the dowagers inMayfair could stop her. "

"Fie, Comyn, " said my lady, blushing and gathering up her skirts; "thattongue of yours had hung you long since had it not been for your peer'sprivilege. Richard and I were brought up as brother and sister, and youknow you were full as keen for his rescue as I. "

His Lordship pinched me playfully. 

"I vow I would pass a year in the Fleet to have her do as much for me, "said he. 

"But where is the gallant seaman who saved you, Richard?" asked Dolly, stamping her foot. 

"What, " I exclaimed; "you know the story?"

"Never mind, " said she; "bring him here. "

My conscience smote me, for I had not so much as thought of John Paulsince I came into that room. I found him waiting in the passage, andtook him by the hand. 

"A lady wishes to know you, captain, " I said. 

"A lady!" he cried. "Here? Impossible!" And he looked at his clothes. 

"Who cares more for your heart than your appearance, " I answered gayly, and led him into the office. 

At sight of Dorothy he stopped abruptly, confounded, as a man whosees a diamond in a dust-heap. And a glow came over me as I said:

"Miss Manners, here is Captain Paul, to whose courage and unselfishnessI owe everything. "

"Captain, " said Dorothy, graciously extending her hand, "Richard has manyfriends. You have put us all in your debt, and none deeper than his oldplaymate. "

The captain fairly devoured her with his eyes as she made him a curtsey. But he was never lacking in gallantry, and was as brave on such occasionsas when all the dangers of the deep threatened him. With an elaboratemovement he took Miss Manners's fingers and kissed them, and then sweptthe floor with a bow. 

"To have such a divinity in my debt, madam, is too much happiness for oneman, " he said. "I have done nothing to merit it. A lifetime were alltoo short to pay for such a favour. "

I had almost forgotten Miss Dolly the wayward, the mischievous. But shewas before me now, her eyes sparkling, and biting her lips to keep downher laughter. Comyn turned to fleck the window with his handkerchief, while I was not a little put out at their mirth. But if John Paulobserved it, he gave no sign. 

"Captain, I vow your manners are worthy of a Frenchman, " said my Lord;"and yet I am given to understand you are a Scotchman. "

A shadow crossed the captain's face. 

"I was, sir, " he said. 

"You were!" exclaimed Comyn, astonished; "and pray, what are you now, sir?"

"Henceforth, my Lord, " John Paul replied with vast ceremony: "I am anAmerican, the compatriot of the beautiful Miss Manners!"

"One thing I'll warrant, captain, " said his Lordship, "that you are awit. "