RICHARD CARVEL

By Winston Churchill

Volume 8. 

L. Farewell to Gordon'sLI. How an Idle Prophecy came to passLII. How the Gardener's Son fought the SerapisLIII. In which I make Some DiscoveriesLIV. More Discoveries. LV. The Love of a Maid for a ManLVI. How Good came out of EvilLVII. I come to my Own again

CHAPTER L

FAREWELL TO GORDON'S

I cannot bear to recall my misery of mind after Mr. Swain's death. One hope had lightened all the years of my servitude. For, when Iexamined my soul, I knew that it was for Dorothy I had laboured. Andevery letter that came from Comyn telling me she was still free gave menew heart for my work. By some mystic communion--I know not what--I feltthat she loved me yet, and despite distance and degree. I would wake ofa morning with the knowledge of it, and be silent for half the day withsome particle of a dream in my head, lingering like the burden of a songwith its train of memories. 

So, in the days that followed, I scarce knew myself. For a while(I shame to write it) I avoided that sweet woman who had made my comforther care, whose father had taken me when I was homeless. The good in mecried out, but the flesh rebelled. 

Poor Patty! Her grief for her father was pathetic to see. Weeks passedin which she scarcely spoke a word. And I remember her as she sat inchurch Sundays, the whiteness of her face enhanced by the crape she wore, and a piteous appeal in her gray eyes. My own agony was nigh beyondendurance, my will swinging like a pendulum from right to wrong, and backagain. Argue as I might that I had made the barrister no promise, conscience allowed no difference. I was in despair at the trick fatehad played me; at the decree that of all women I must love her whosesphere was now so far removed from mine. For Patty had character andbeauty, and every gift which goes to make man's happiness and to kindlehis affections. 

Her sorrow left her more womanly than ever. And after the first sharpsting of it was deadened, I noticed a marked reserve in her intercoursewith me. I knew then that she must have strong suspicions of herfather's request. Speak I could not soon after the sad event, but Istrove hard that she should see no change in my conduct. 

Before Christmas we went to the Eastern Shore. In Annapolis fife anddrum had taken the place of fiddle and clarion; militia companies weredrilling in the empty streets; despatches were arriving daily from theNorth; and grave gentlemen were hurrying to meetings. But if the war wasto come, I must settle what was to be done at Gordon's Pride with allpossible speed. It was only a few days after our going there, that Irode into Oxford with a black cockade in my hat Patty had made me, andthe army sword Captain Jack had given Captain Daniel at my side. For Ihad been elected a lieutenant in the Oxford company, of which PercySingleton was captain. 

So passed that winter, the darkest of my life. One soft spring day, whenthe birds were twittering amid new-born leaves, and the hyacinths andtulips in Patty's garden were coming to their glory, Master Tom rodeleisurely down the drive at Gordon's Pride. That was a Saturday, the29th of April, 1775. The news which had flown southward, night and dayalike, was in no hurry to run off his tongue; he had been lolling on theporch for half an hour before he told us of the bloodshed between theminute-men of Massachusetts and the British regulars, of the rout ofPercy's panting redcoats from Concord to Boston. Tom added, with thebrutal nonchalance which characterized his dealings with his mother andsister, that he was on his way to Philadelphia to join a company. 

The poor invalid was carried up the stairs in a faint by Banks andRomney. Patty, with pale face and lips compressed, ran to fetch thehartshorn. But Master Tom remained undisturbed. 

"I suppose you are going, Richard, " he remarked affably. For he treatedme with more consideration than his family. "We shall ride together, "said he. 

"We ride different ways, and to different destinations, " I replied dryly. "I go to serve my country, and you to fight against it. "

"I think the King is right, " he answered sullenly. 

"Oh, I beg your pardon, " I remarked, and rose. "Then you have studiedthe question since last I saw you. "

"No, by G-d!" he cried, "and I never will. I do not want to know yourd--d principles--or grievances, or whatever they are. We were living aneasy life, in the plenty of money, and nothing to complain of. You takeit all away, with your cursed cant--"

I left him railing and swearing. And that was the last I saw of TomSwain. When I returned from a final survey of the plantation; and a talkwith Percy Singleton, he had ridden North again. 

I found Patty alone in the parlour. Her work (one of my own stockingsshe was darning) lay idle in her lap, and in her eyes were the unshedtears which are the greatest suffering of women. I sat down beside herand called her name. She did not seem to hear me. 

"Patty!"

She started. And my courage ebbed. 

"Are you going to the war--to leave us, Richard?" she faltered. 

"I fear there is no choice, Patty, " I answered, striving hard to keep myown voice steady. "But you will be well looked after. Ivie Rawlinsonis to be trusted, and Mr. Bordley has promised to keep an eye upon you. "

She took up the darning mechanically. 

"I shall not speak a word to keep you, Richard. He would have wishedit, " she said softly. "And every strong arm in the colonies will beneeded. We shall think of you, and pray for you daily. "

I cast about for a cheerful reply. 

"I think when they discover how determined we are, they will revoke theirmeasures in a hurry. Before you know it, Patty, I shall be back againmaking the rounds in my broad rim, and reading to you out of CaptainCook. "

It was a pitiful attempt. She shook her head sadly. The tears were comenow, and she was smiling through them. The sorrow of that smile!

"I have something to say to you before I go, Patty, " I said. The wordsstuck. I knew that there must be no pretence in that speech. It must betrue as my life after, the consequence of it. "I have something to askyou, and I do not speak without your father's consent. Patty, if Ireturn, will you be my wife?"

The stocking slipped unheeded to the floor. For a moment she sattransfixed, save for the tumultuous swelling of her breast. Then sheturned and gazed earnestly into my face, and the honesty of her eyessmote me. For the first time I could not meet them honestly with my own. 

"Richard, do you love me?" she asked. 

I bowed my head. I could not answer that. And for a while there was nosound save that of the singing of the frogs in the distant marsh. 

Presently I knew that she was standing at my side. I felt her hand laidupon my shoulder. 

"Is--is it Dorothy?" she said gently. 

Still I could not answer. Truly, the bitterness of life, as the joy ofit, is distilled in strong drops. 

"I knew, " she continued, "I have known ever since that autumn morningwhen I went to you as you saddled--when I dreaded that you would leaveus. Father asked you to marry me, the day you took Mr. Stewart from themob. How could you so have misunderstood me, Richard?"

I looked up in wonder. The sweet cadence in her tone sprang from apurity not of this earth. They alone who have consecrated their days toothers may utter it. And the light upon her face was of the same source. It was no will of mine brought me to my feet. But I was not worthy totouch her. 

"I shall make another prayer, beside that for your safety, Richard, " shesaid. 

In the morning she waved me a brave farewell from the block where she hadstood so often as I rode afield, when the dawn was in the sky. Theinvalid mother sat in her chair within the door; the servants weregathered on the lawn, and Ivie Rawlinson and Banks lingered where theyhad held my stirrup. That picture is washed with my own tears. 

The earth was praising God that Sunday as I rode to Mr. Bordley's. Andas it is sorrow which lifts us nearest to heaven, I felt as if I were inchurch. 

I arrived at Wye Island in season to dine with the good judge and hisfamily, and there I made over to his charge the property of Patty and hermother. The afternoon we spent in sober talk, Mr. Bordley giving me muchsound advice, and writing me several letters of recommendation togentlemen in Congress. His conduct was distinguished by even more ofkindness and consideration than he had been wont to show me. 

In the evening I walked out alone, skirting the acres of Carvel Hall, each familiar landmark touching the quick of some memory of other days. Childhood habit drew me into the path to Wilmot House. I came upon itjust as the sunlight was stretching level across the Chesapeake, andburning its windows molten red. I had been sitting long on the stonesteps, when the gaunt figure of McAndrews strode toward me out of thedusk. 

"God be gude to us, it is Mr. Richard!" he cried. "I hae na seen ye'rebonny face these muckle years, sir, sync ye cam' back frae ae sight o'the young mistress. " (I had met him in Annapolis then. ) "An' will ye beaff to the wars?"

I told him yes. That I had come for a last look at the old place beforeI left. 

He sighed. "Ye're vera welcome, sir. " Then he added: "Mr. Bordley'sgi'en me a fair notion o' yere management at Gordon's. The judge isthinking there'll be nane ither lad t' hand a candle to ye. "

"And what news do you hear from London?" I asked, cutting him short. 

"Ill uncos, sir, " he answered, shaking his head with violence. He hadindeed but a sorry tale for my ear, and one to make my heart heavier thanit was. McAndrews opened his mind to me, and seemed the better for it. How Mr. Marmaduke was living with the establishment they wrote of wasmore than the honest Scotchman could imagine. There was a country placein Sussex now, said he, that was the latest. And drafts were coming inbefore the wheat was in the ear; and the plantations of tobacco on theWestern Shore had been idle since the non-exportation, and were mortgagedto their limit to Mr. Willard. Money was even loaned on the Wilmot Houseestate. McAndrews had a shrewd suspicion that neither Mrs. Manners norMiss Dorothy knew aught of this state of affairs. 

"Mr. Richard, " he said earnestly, as he bade me good-by, "I kennt Mr. Manners's mind when he lea'd here. There was a laird in't, sir, an' afortune. An' unless these come soon, I'm thinking I can spae th' en'. "

In truth, a much greater fool than McAndrews might have predicted thatend. 

On Monday Judge Bordley accompanied me as far as Dingley's tavern, andshowed much emotion at parting. 

"You need have no fears for your friends at Gordon's Pride, Richard, "said he. "And when the General comes back, I shall try to give him agood account of my stewardship. "

The General! That title brought old Stanwix's cobwebbed prophecy into myhead again. Here, surely, was the war which he had foretold, and I readyto embark in it. 

Why not the sea, indeed?

CHAPTER LI

HOW AN IDLE PROPHECY CAME TO PASS

Captain Clapsaddle not being at his lodgings, I rode on to the CoffeeHouse to put up my horse. I was stopped by Mr. Claude. 

"Why, Mr. Carvel, " says he, "I thought you on the Eastern Shore. Thereis a gentleman within will be mightily tickled to see you, or else hisprotestations are lies, which they may very well be. His name? Now, 'Pon my faith, it was Jones--no more. "

This thing of being called for at the Coffee House stirred up unpleasantassociations. 

"What appearance does the man make?" I demanded. 

"Merciful gad!" mine host exclaimed; "once seen, never forgotten, andonce heard, never forgotten. He quotes me Thomson, and he tells me ofhis estate in Virginia. "

The answer was not of a sort to allay my suspicions. 

"Then he appears to be a landowner?" said I. 

"'Ods! Blest if I know what he is, " says Mr. Claude. "He may beanything, an impostor or a high-mightiness. But he's something to strikethe eye and hold it, for all his Quaker clothes. He is swarth andthickset, and some five feet eight inches--full six inches under yourown height. And he comes asking for you as if you owned the town betweenyou. 'Send a fellow to Marlboro' Street for Mr. Richard Carvel, my goodhost!' says he, with a snap of his fingers. And when I tell him the newsof you, he is prodigiously affected, and cries--but here's my gentlemannow!"

I jerked my head around. Coming down the steps I beheld my old friendand benefactor, Captain John Paul!

"Ahoy, ahoy!" cries he. "Now Heaven be praised, I have found you atlast. "

Out of the saddle I leaped, and straight into his arms. 

"Hold, hold, Richard!" he gasped. "My ribs, man! Leave me some breaththat I may tell you how glad I am to see you. "

"Mr. Jones!" I said, holding him out, "now where the devil got youthat?"

"Why, I am become a gentleman since I saw you, " he answered, smiling. "My poor brother left me his estate in Virginia. And a gentleman musthave three names at the least. "

I dropped his shoulders and shook with laughter. 

"But Jones!" I cried. "'Ad's heart! could you go no higher? Has yourimagination left you, captain?"

"Republican simplicity, sir, " says he, looking a trifle hurt. But Ilaughed the more. 

"Well, you have contrived to mix oil and vinegar, " said I. "A landedgentleman and republican simplicity. I'll warrant you wear silk-knitunder that gray homespun, and have a cameo in your pocket. "

He shook his head, looking up at me with affection. 

"You might have guessed better, " he answered. "All of quality I haveabout me are an enamelled repeater and a gold brooch. "

This made me suddenly grave, for McAndrews's words had been ringing in myears ever since he had spoken them. I hitched my arm into the captain'sand pulled him toward the Coffee House door. 

"Come, " I said, "you have not dined, and neither have I. We shall bemerry to-day, and you shall have some of the best Madeira in thecolonies. " I commanded a room, that we might have privacy. As he tookhis seat opposite me I marked that he had grown heavier and more browned. But his eye had the same unfathomable mystery in it as of yore. Andfirst I upbraided him for not having writ me. 

"I took you for one who glories in correspondence, captain, " said I; "andI did not think you could be so unfaithful. I directed twice to you inMr. Orchardson's care. "

"Orchardson died before I had made one voyage, " he replied, "and theBetsy changed owners. But I did not forget you, Richard, and wasresolved but now not to leave Maryland until I had seen you. But I burnto hear of you, " he added. "I have had an inkling of your story from thelandlord. So your grandfather is dead, and that blastie, your uncle, ofwhom you told me on the John, is in possession. "

He listened to my narrative keenly, but with many interruptions. Andwhen I was done, he sighed. 

"You are always finding friends, Richard, " said he; "no matter what yourmisfortunes, they are ever double discounted. As for me; I am likeFulmer in Mr. Cumberland's 'West Indian': 'I have beat through everyquarter of the compass; I have bellowed for freedom; I have offered toserve my country; I have'--I am engaging to betray it. No, Scotland isno longer my country, and so I cannot betray her. It is she who hasbetrayed me. "

He fell into a short mood of dejection. And, indeed, I could not butreflect that much of the character fitted him like a jacket. Not thebetrayal of his country. He never did that, no matter how roundly theyaccused him of it afterward. 

To lift him, I cried:

"You were one of my first friends, Captain Paul" (I could not stomach theJones); "but for you I should now be a West Indian, and a miserable one, the slave of some unmerciful hidalgo. Here's that I may live to repayyou!"

"And while we are upon toasts, " says he, bracing immediately, "I give youthe immortal Miss Manners! Her beauty has dwelt unfaded in my memorysince I last beheld her, aboard the Betsy. " Remarking the pain in myface, he added, with a concern which may have been comical: "And she isnot married?"

"Unless she is lately gone to Gretna, she is not, " I replied, trying tospeak lightly. 

"Alack! I knew it, " he exclaimed. "And if there's any prophecy in mybones, she'll be Mrs. Carvel one of these days. "

"Well captain, " I said abruptly, "the wheel has gone around since I sawyou. Now it is you who are the gentleman, while I am a factor. Is itthe bliss you pictured?"

I suspected that his acres were not as broad, nor his produce as salable, as those of Mount Vernon. 

"To speak truth, I am heartily tired of that life, " said he. "There islittle glory in raising nicotia, and sipping bumbo, and cursing negroes. Ho for the sea!" he cried. "The salt sea, and the British prizes. Giveme a tight frigate that leaves a singing wake. Mark me, Richard, " hesaid, a restless gleam coning into his dark eyes, "stirring times arehere, and a chance for all of us to make a name. " For so it seemed everto be with him. 

"They are black times, I fear, " I answered. 

"Black!" he said. "No, glorious is your word. And we are to have anupheaval to throw many of us to the top. "

"I would rather the quarrel were peacefully settled, " said I, gravely. "For my part, I want no distinction that is to come out of strife andmisery. "

He regarded me quizzically. 

"You are grown an hundred years old since I pulled you out of the sea, "says he. "But we shall have to fight for our liberties. Here is a glassto the prospect!"

"And so you are now an American?" I said curiously. 

"Ay, strake and keelson, --as good a one as though I had got my sap in theMaine forests. A plague of monarchs, say I. They are a blotch uponmodern civilization. And I have here, " he continued, tapping his pocket, "some letters writ to the Virginia printers, signed Demosthenes, whichMr. Randolph and Mr. Henry have commended. To speak truth, Richard, I amoff to Congress with a portmanteau full of recommendations. And I wasresolved to stop here even till I secured your company. We shall sweepthe seas together, and so let George beware!"

I smiled. But my blood ran faster at the thought of sailing under such acaptain. However, I made the remark that Congress had as yet no army, let alone a navy. 

"And think you that gentlemen of such spirit and resources will lackeither for long?" he demanded, his eye flashing. 

"Then I know nothing of a ship save the little I learned on the John, " Isaid. 

"You were born for the sea, Richard, " he exclaimed, raising his glasshigh. "And I would rather have one of your brains and strength andhandiness than any merchant's mate I ever sailed with. The moregentlemen get commissions, the better will be our new service. "

At that instant came a knock at the door, and one of the inn negroesto say that Captain Clapsaddle was below, and desired to see me. I persuaded John Paul to descend with me. We found Captain Daniel seatedwith Mr. Carroll, the barrister, and Mr. Chase. 

"Captain, " I said to my old friend, "I have a rare joy this day in makingknown to you Mr. John Paul Jones, of whom I have spoken to you a score oftimes. He it is whose bravery sank the Black Moll, whose charity took meto London, and who got no other reward for his faith than three weeks ina debtors' prison. For his honour, as I have told you, would allow himto accept none, nor his principles to take the commission in the RoyalNavy which Mr. Fox offered him. "

Captain Daniel rose, his honest face flushing with pleasure. "Faith, Mr. Jones, " he cried, when John Paul had finished one of his elaborate bows, "this is well met, indeed. I have been longing these many years for achance to press your hand, and in the names of those who are dead andgone to express my gratitude. "

"I have my reward now, captain, " replied John Paul; "a sight of youis to have Richard's whole life revealed. And what says Mr. Congreve?

 "'For blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, And tho' a late, a sure reward succeeds. '

"Tho' I would not have you believe that my deed was virtuous. And you, who know Richard, may form some notion of the pleasure I had out of hiscompanionship. "

I hastened to present my friend to the other gentlemen, who welcomed himwith warmth, though they could not keep their amusement wholly out oftheir faces. 

"Mr. Jones is now the possessor of an estate in Virginia, sirs, " Iexplained. 

"And do you find it more to your taste than seafaring, Mr. Jones?"inquired Mr. Chase. 

This brought forth a most vehement protest, and another quotation. 

"Why, sir, " he cried, "to be

 'Fixed like a plant on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot, '

is an animal's existence. I have thrown it over, sir, with a right goodwill, and am now on my way to Philadelphia to obtain a commission in thenavy soon to be born. "

Mr. Chase smiled. John Paul little suspected that he was a member of theCongress. 

"This is news indeed, Mr. Jones, " he said. "I have yet to hear of thebirth of this infant navy, for which we have not yet begun to makeswaddling clothes. "

"We are not yet an infant state, sir, " Mr. Carroll put in, with a shadeof rebuke. For Maryland was well content with the government she hadenjoyed, and her best patriots long after shunned the length ofsecession. "I believe and pray that the King will come to his senses. And as for the navy, it is folly. How can we hope to compete withEngland on the sea?"

"All great things must have a beginning sir, " replied John Paul, launching forth at once, nothing daunted by such cold conservatism. "What Israelite brickmaker of Pharaoh's dreamed of Solomon's temple?Nay, Moses himself had no conception of it. And God will send us ourpillars of cloud and of fire. We must be reconciled to our greatdestiny, Mr. Carroll. No fight ever was won by man or nation contentwith half a victory. We have forests to build an hundred armadas, and Iwill command a fleet and it is given me. "

The gentlemen listened in astonishment. 

"I' faith, I believe you, sir, " cried Captain Daniel, with admiration. 

The others, too, were somehow fallen under the spell of this remarkableindividuality. "What plan would you pursue, sir?" asked Mr. Chase, betraying more interest than he cared to show. 

"What plan, sir!" said Captain John Paul, those wonderful eyes of hisalight. "In the first place, we Americans build the fastest ships in theworld, --yours of the Chesapeake are as fleet as any. Here, if I am notmistaken, one hundred and eighty-two were built in the year '71. Theyare idle now. To them I would issue letters of marque, to harryEngland's trade. From Carolina to Maine we have the wood and iron tobuild cruisers, in harbours that may not easily be got at. And skilledmasters and seamen to elude the enemy. "

"But a navy must be organized, sir. It must be an unit, " objected Mr. Carroll. "And you would not for many years have force enough, ordiscipline enough, to meet England's navy. "

"I would never meet it, sir, " he replied instantly. "That would be theheight of folly. I would divide our forces into small, swift-sailingsquadrons, of strength sufficient to repel his cruisers. And I wouldcarry the war straight into his unprotected ports of trade. I can namea score of such defenceless places, and I know every shoal of theirharbours. For example, Whitehaven might be entered. That is a town offifty thousand inhabitants. The fleet of merchantmen might with thegreatest ease be destroyed, a contribution levied, and Ireland's coal cutoff for a winter. The whole of the shipping might be swept out of theClyde. Newcastle is another likely place, and in almost any of the Irishports valuable vessels may be found. The Baltic and West Indian fleetsare to be intercepted. I have reflected upon these matters for years, gentlemen. They are perfectly feasible. And I'll warrant you cannotconceive the havoc and consternation their fulfilment would spread inEngland. "

If the divine power of genius ever made itself felt, 'twas on that Mayevening, at candle-light, in the Annapolis Coffee House. With my owneyes I witnessed two able and cautious statesmen of a cautious provincethrilled to the pitch of enthusiasm by this strange young man of eightand twenty. As for good Captain Daniel, enthusiasm is but a poor word toexpress his feelings. A map was sent for and spread out upon the table. And it was a late hour when Mr. Chase and Mr. Carroll went home, profoundly impressed. Mr. Chase charged John Paul look him up inCongress. 

The next morning I bade Captain Daniel a solemn good-by, and rode awaywith John Paul to Baltimore. Thence we took stage to New Castle on theDelaware, and were eventually landed by Mr. Tatlow's stage-boat atCrooked Billet wharf, Philadelphia. 

 A BRIEF SUMMARY, WHICH BRINGS THIS BIOGRAPHY TO THE FAMOUS FIGHT OF THE BON HOMME RICHARD AND THE SERAPIS

 BY DANIEL CLAPSADDLE CARVEL

Mr. Richard Carvel refers here to the narrative of his experiences in theWar of the Revolution, which he had written in the year 1805 or 1806. The insertion of that account would swell this book, already too long, out of all proportion. Hence I take it upon myself, with apologies, tocompress it. 

Not until October of that year, 1775, was the infant navy born. Mr. Carvel was occupied in the interval in the acquirement of practicalseamanship and the theory of maritime warfare under the most competent ofinstructors, John Paul Jones. An interesting side light is thrown uponthe character of that hero by the fact that, with all his supremeconfidence in his ability, he applied to Congress only for a firstlieutenancy. This was in deference to the older men before that body. "I hoped, " said he, "in that rank to gain much useful knowledge fromthose of more experience than myself. " His lack of assertion for oncecost him dear. He sailed on the New Providence expedition underCommodore Hopkins as first lieutenant of the Alfred, thirty; and he soondiscovered that, instead of gaining information, he was obliged to informothers. He trained the men so thoroughly in the use of the great guns"that they went through the motions of broadsides and rounds exactly assoldiers generally perform the manual exercise. "

Captain Jones was not long in fixing the attention and earning thegratitude of the nation, and of its Commander-in-Chief, GeneralWashington. While in command of the Providence, twelve four-pounders, his successful elusions of the 'Cerberus', which hounded him, and hisescape from the 'Solebay', are too famous to be dwelt upon here. Obtaining the Alfred, he captured and brought into Boston ten thousandsuits of uniform for Washington's shivering army. Then, by the bunglingof Congress, thirteen officers were promoted over his head. Thebitterness this act engendered in the soul of one whose thirst fordistinction was as great as Captain Jones's may be imagined. To hiseverlasting credit be it recorded that he remained true to the country towhich he had dedicated his life and his talents. And it was not until1781 that he got the justice due him. 

That the rough and bluff captains of the American service should haveregarded a man of Paul Jones's type with suspicion is not surprising. They resented his polish and accomplishments, and could not understandhis language. Perhaps it was for this reason, as well as a reward forhis brilliant services, that he was always given a separate command. Inthe summer of 1777 he was singled out for the highest gift in the powerof the United States, nothing less than that of the magnificent frigate'Indien', then building at Amsterdam. And he was ordered to France incommand of the 'Ranger', a new ship then fitting at Portsmouth. CaptainJones was the admiration of all the young officers in the navy, and wasimmediately flooded with requests to sail with him. One of his firstacts, after receiving his command, was to apply to the Marine Committeefor Mr. Carvel. The favour was granted. 

My grandfather had earned much commendation from his superiors. He hadsailed two cruises as master's mate of the Cabot, and was then serving asmaster of the Trumbull, Captain Saltonstall. This was shortly after thatfrigate had captured the two British transports off New York. 

Captain Jones has been at pains to mention in his letters the servicesrendered him by Mr. Carvel in fitting out the Ranger. And my grandfathergives a striking picture of the captain. At that time the privateers, with the larger inducements of profit they offered, were getting all thebest seamen. John Paul had but to take two turns with a man across thedock, and he would sign papers. 

Captain Jones was the first to raise the new flag of the stars andstripes over a man-o'-war. They got away on November 14, 1777, with afair crew and a poor lot of officers. Mr. Carvel had many a brush withthe mutinous first lieutenant Simpson. Family influence deterred thecaptain from placing this man under arrest, and even Dr. Franklin foundtrouble, some years after, in bringing about his dismissal from theservice. To add to the troubles, the Ranger proved crank andslow-sailing; and she had only one barrel of rum aboard, which madethe men discontented. 

Bringing the official news of Burgoyne's surrender, which was to causeKing Louis to acknowledge the independence of the United States, theRanger arrived at Nantes, December 2. Mr. Carvel accompanied CaptainJones to Paris, where a serious blow awaited him. The AmericanCommissioners informed him that the Indien had been transferred to Franceto prevent her confiscation. That winter John Paul spent striving invain for a better ship, and imbibing tactics from the French admirals. Incidentally, he obtained a salute for the American flag. The cruise ofthe Ranger in English waters the following spring was a strikingfulfilment, with an absurdly poor and inadequate force, of the plan setforth by John Paul Jones in the Annapolis Coffee House. His descent uponWhitehaven spread terror and consternation broadcast through England, andhe was branded as a pirate and a traitor. Mr. Carvel was fortunately notof the landing party on St. Mary's Isle, which place he had last beheldin John Paul's company, on the brigantine John, when enteringKirkcudbright. The object of that expedition, as is well known, was toobtain the person of the Earl of Selkirk, in order to bring about therescue of the unfortunate Americans suffering in British prisons. Afterthe celebrated capture of the sloop-of-war Drake, Paul Jones returned toFrance a hero. 

If Captain Jones was ambitious of personal glory, he may never, at least, be accused of mercenary motives. The ragged crew of the Ranger was paidin part out of his own pocket, and for a whole month he supported theDrake's officers and men, no provision having been made for prisoners. He was at large expense in fitting out the Ranger, and he bought back attwice what it was worth the plate taken from St. Mary's Isle, getting buta tardy recognition from the Earl of Selkirk for such a noble andunheard-of action. And, I take pride in writing it, Mr. Carvel spentmuch of what he had earned at Gordon's Pride in a like honourable manner. 

Mr. Carvel's description of the hero's reception at Versailles is graphicand very humorous. For all his republican principles John Paul never gotover his love of courts, and no man was ever a more thorough courtier. He exchanged compliments with Queen Marie Antoinette, who was then in thebloom of her beauty, and declared that she was a "good girl, and deservedto be happy. "

The unruly Simpson sailed for America in the Ranger in July, CaptainJones being retained in France "for a particular enterprise. " Andthrough the kindness of Dr. Franklin, Mr. Carvel remained with him. Thenfollowed another period of heartrending disappointment. The fine shipthe French government promised him was not forthcoming, though CaptainJones wrote a volume of beautiful letters to every one of importance, from her Royal Highness the Duchess of Chartres to his Most ChristianMajesty, Louis, King of France and Navarre. At length, when he wassitting one day in unusual dejection and railing at the vanity of courtsand kings, Mr. Carvel approached him with a book in his hand. 

"What have you there, Richard?" the captain demanded. 

"Dr. Franklin's Maxims, " replied my grandfather. They were greatfavourites with him. The captain took the book and began mechanicallyto turn over the pages. Suddenly he closed it with a bang, jumped up, and put on his coat and hat. Mr. Carvel looked on in astonishment. 

"Where are you going, sir?" says he. 

"To Paris, sir, " says the captain. "Dr. Franklin has taught me morewisdom in a second than I had in all my life before. 'If you wish tohave any business faithfully and expeditiously performed, go and do ityourself; otherwise, send. '"

As a result of that trip he got the Duras, which he renamed the 'Bonhomme Richard' in honour of Dr. Franklin. The Duras was an ancientIndiaman with a high poop, which made my grandfather exclaim, when he sawher, at the remarkable fulfilment of old Stanwix's prophecy. She wasperfectly rotten, and in the constructor's opinion not worth refitting. Her lowest deck (too low for the purpose) was pierced aft with threeports on a side, and six worn-out eighteen-pounders mounted there. Someof them burst in the action, killing their people. The main battery, onthe deck above, was composed of twenty-eight twelve-pounders. On theuncovered deck eight nine-pounders were mounted. Captain Jones againshowed his desire to serve the cause by taking such a ship, and notwaiting for something better. 

In the meantime the American frigate 'Alliance' had brought Lafayette toFrance, and was added to the little squadron that was to sail with the'Bon homme Richard'. One of the most fatal mistakes Congress ever madewas to put Captain Pierre Landais in command of her, out of compliment tothe French allies. He was a man whose temper and vagaries had failed toget him a command in his own navy. His insulting conduct and treacheryto Captain Jones are strongly attested to in Mr. Carvel's manuscript:they were amply proved by the written statements of other officers. 

The squadron sailed from L'Orient in June, but owing to a collisionbetween the Bon homme Richard and the Alliance it was forced to put backinto the Groix roads for repairs. Nails and rivets were with difficultygot to hold in the sides of the old Indianian. On August 14th John PaulJones again set sail for English waters, with the following vessels:Alliance, thirty-six; Pallas, thirty; Cerf, eighteen; Vengeance, twelve;and two French privateers. Owing to the humiliating conditions imposedupon him by the French Minister of Marine, Commodore Jones did not haveabsolute command. In a gale on the 26th the two privateers and the Cerfparted company, never to return. After the most outrageous conduct offthe coast of Ireland, Landais, in the 'Alliance', left the squadron onSeptember 6th, and did not reappear until the 23d, the day of the battle. 

Mr. Carvel was the third lieutenant of the 'Bon homme Richard', tho' heserved as second in the action. Her first lieutenant (afterwards thecelebrated Commodore Richard Dale) was a magnificent man, one worthy inevery respect of the captain he served. When the hour of battle arrived, these two and the sailing master, and a number of raw midshipmen, werethe only line-officers left, and two French officers of marines. 

The rest had been lost in various ways. And the crew of the 'Bon hommeRichard' was as sorry a lot as ever trod a deck. Less than three scoreof the seamen were American born; near four score were British, inclusiveof sixteen Irish; one hundred and thirty-seven were French soldiers, whoacted as marines; and the rest of the three hundred odd souls to fighther were from all over the earth, --Malays and Maltese and Portuguese. In the hold were more than one hundred and fifty English prisoners. 

This was a vessel and a force, truly, with which to conquer a fifty-gunship of the latest type, and with a picked crew. 

Mr. Carvel's chapter opens with Landais's sudden reappearance on themorning of the day the battle was fought. He shows the resentment andanger against the Frenchman felt by all on board, from cabin-boy tocommodore. But none went so far as to accuse the captain of the'Alliance' of such supreme treachery as he was to show during the action. Cowardice may have been in part responsible for his holding aloof fromthe two duels in which the Richard and the Pallas engaged. But the factthat he poured broadsides into the Richard, and into her off side, makesit seem probable that his motive was to sink the commodore's ship, and soget the credit of saving the day, to the detriment of the hero who won itdespite all disasters. To account for the cry that was raised when firstshe attacked the Richard, it must be borne in mind that the crew of the'Alliance' was largely composed of Englishmen. It was thought that thesehad mutinied and taken her. 

CHAPTER LII

HOW THE GARDENER'S SON FOUGHT THE "SERAPIS"

When I came on deck the next morning our yards were a-drip with a clammyfog, and under it the sea was roughed by a southwest breeze. We werestanding to the northward before it. I remember reflecting as I pausedin the gangway that the day was Thursday, September the 23d, and that wewere near two months out of Groix with this tub of an Indiaman. In allthat time we had not so much as got a whiff of an English frigate, thoughwe had almost put a belt around the British Isles. Then straining myeyes through the mist, I made out two white blurs of sails on ourstarboard beam. 

Honest Jack Pearce, one of the few good seamen we had aboard, was rubbingdown one of the nines beside me. 

"Why, Jack, " said I, "what have we there? Another prize?" For thatquestion had become a joke on board the 'Bon homme Richard' since theprisoners had reached an hundred and fifty, and half our crew was gone toman the ships. 

"Bless your 'art, no, sir, " said he. "'Tis that damned Frenchy Landaisin th' Alliance. She turns up with the Pallas at six bells o' the middlewatch. "

"So he's back, is he?"

"Ay, he's back, " he returned, with a grunt that was half a growl; "arterthree weeks breakin' o' liberty. I tell 'ee what, sir, them Frenchies istreecherous devils, an' not to be trusted the len'th of a lead line. An'they beant seamen eno' to keep a full an' by with all their 'takteek'. Ez fer that Landais, I hearn him whinin' at the commodore in the roundhouse when we was off Clear, an' sayin' as how he would tell Sartin on uswhen he gets back to Paree. An' jabberin to th'other Frenchmen as wasthere that this here butter-cask was er King's ship, an' that thecommodore weren't no commodore nohow. They say as how Cap'n Jones bebound up in a hard knot by some articles of agreement, an' daresn'tpunish him. Be that so, Mr. Carvel?"

I said that it was. 

"Shiver my bulkheads!" cried Jack, "I gave my oath to that same, sir. For I knowed the commodore was the lad t' string 'em to the yard-arm an'he had the say on it. Oh, the devil take the Frenchies, " said Jack, rolling his quid to show his pleasure of the topic, "they sits on theirbottoms in Brest and L'Oriong an' talks takteek wi' their han's andmouths, and daresn't as much as show the noses o' their three-deckers inth' Bay o' Biscay, while Cap'n Jones pokes his bowsprit into every portin England with a hulk the rats have left. I've had my bellyful o'Frenchies, Mr. Carvell save it be to fight 'em. An' I tell 'ee 'twouldgive me the greatest joy in life t' leave loose 'Scolding Sairy' at thatthere Landais. Th' gal ain't had a match on her this here cruise, an' t'my mind she couldn't be christened better, sir. "

I left him patting the gun with a tender affection. 

The scene on board was quiet and peaceful enough that morning. A knot ofmidshipmen on the forecastle were discussing Landais's conduct, andcursing the concordat which prevented our commodore from bringing him upshort. Mr. Stacey, the sailing-master, had the deck, and the coastingpilot was conning; now and anon the boatswain's whistle piped for Garrettor Quito or Fogg to lay aft to the mast, where the first lieutenant stoodtalking to Colonel de Chamillard, of the French marines. The scavengerswere sweeping down, and part of the after guard was bending a newbolt-rope on a storm staysail. 

Then the--fore-topmast crosstrees reports a sail on the weather quarter, the Richard is brought around on the wind, and away we go after abrigantine, "flying like a snow laden with English bricks, " as MidshipmanCoram jokingly remarks. A chase is not such a novelty with us that wecrane our necks to windward. 

At noon, when I relieved Mr. Stacey of the deck, the sun had eaten up thefog, and the shores of England stood out boldly. Spurn Head was loomingup across our bows, while that of Flamborough jutted into the sea behindus. I had the starboard watch piped to dinner, and reported twelveo'clock to the commodore. And had just got permission to "make it, "according to a time-honoured custom at sea, when another "Sail, ho!" camedown from aloft. 

"Where away?" called back Mr. Linthwaite, who was midshipman of theforecastle. 

"Starboard quarter, rounding Flamborough Head, sir. Looks like afull-rigged ship, sir. "

I sent the messenger into the great cabin to report. He was barely outof sight before a second cry came from the masthead: "Another sailrounding Flamborough, sir!"

The officers on deck hurried to the taffrail. I had my glass, but not adot was visible above the sea-line. The messenger was scarcely backagain when there came a third hail: "Two more rounding the head, sir!Four in all, sir!"

Here was excitement indeed. Without waiting for instructions, I gave thecommand:

"Up royal yards! Royal yardmen in the tops!"

We were already swaying out of the chains, when Lieutenant Dale appearedand asked the coasting pilot what fleet it was. He answered that it wasthe Baltic fleet, under convoy of the Countess of Scarborough, twentyguns, and the Serapis, forty-four. 

"Forty-four, " repeated Mr. Dale, smiling; "that means fifty, as Englishfrigates are rated. We shall have our hands full this day, my lads, "said he. "You have done well to get the royals on her, Mr. Carvel. "

While he was yet speaking, three more sail were reported from aloft. Then there was a hush on deck, and the commodore himself appeared. As hereached the poop we saluted him and informed him of what had happened. 

"The Baltic fleet, " said he, promptly. "Call away the pilotboat with Mr. Lunt to follow the brigantine, sir, and ease off before the wind. Signal'General Chase' to the squadron, Mr. Mayrant. "

The men had jumped to the weather braces before I gave the command, andall the while more sail were counting from the crosstrees, until theirnumber had reached forty-one. The news spread over the ship; thestarboard watch trooped up with their dinners half eaten. Then a faintbooming of guns drifted down upon our ears. 

"They've got sight of us, sir, " shouted the lookout. "They be firingguns to windward, an' letting fly their topgallant sheets. "

At that the commodore hurried forward, the men falling back to thebulwarks respectfully, and he mounted the fore-rigging as agile as anytopman, followed by his aide with a glass. From the masthead he sung outto me to set our stu'nsails, and he remained aloft till near seven bellsof the watch. At that hour the merchantmen had all scuttled to safetybehind the head, and from the deck a great yellow King's frigate could beplainly seen standing south to meet us, followed by her smaller consort. Presently she hove to, and through our glasses we discerned a small boatmaking for her side, and then a man clambering up her sea-ladder. 

"That be the bailiff of Scarborough, sir, " said the coasting pilot, "cometo tell her cap'n 'tis Paul Jones he has to fight. "

At that moment the commodore lay down from aloft, and our hearts beathigh as he walked swiftly aft to the quarterdeck, where he paused for aword with Mr. Dale. Meanwhile Mr. Mayrant hove out the signal for thesquadron to form line of battle. 

"Recall the pilot-boat, Mr. Carvel, " said the commodore, quietly. "Thenyou may beat to quarters, and I will take the ship, sir. "

"Ay, ay, sir. " I raised my trumpet. "All hands clear ship for action!"

It makes me sigh now to think of the cheer which burst from thattatterdemalion crew. Who were they to fight the bone and sinew of theKing's navy in a rotten ship of an age gone by? And who was he, thatstood so straight upon the quarter-deck, to instil this scum with loveand worship and fervour to blind them to such odds? But the bo'sunspiped and sang out the command in fog-horn voices, the drums beat thelong roll and the fifes whistled, and the decks became suddenly alive. Breechings were loosed and gun-tackles unlashed, rammer and sponge laidout, and pike and pistol and cutlass placed where they would be handywhen the time came to rush the enemy's decks. The powder-monkeys tumbledover each other in their hurry to provide cartridges, and grape andcanister and doubleheaded shot were hoisted up from below. The trimmersrigged the splinter nettings, got out spare spars and blocks and ropesagainst those that were sure to be shot away, and rolled up casks ofwater to put out the fires. Tubs were filled with sand, for blood isslippery upon the boards. The French marines, their scarlet and whitevery natty in contrast to most of our ragged wharf-rats at the guns, weremustered on poop and forecastle, and some were sent aloft to the tops toassist the tars there to sweep the British decks with handgrenade andmusket. And, lastly, the surgeon and his mates went below to cockpit andsteerage, to make ready for the grimmest work of all. 

My own duties took me to the dark lower deck, a vile place indeed, andreeking with the smell of tar and stale victuals. There I had charge ofthe battery of old eighteens, while Mr. Dale commanded the twelves on themiddle deck. We loaded our guns with two shots apiece, though I had mydoubts about their standing such a charge, and then the men strippeduntil they stood naked to the waist, waiting for the fight to begin. Forwe could see nothing of what was going forward. I was pacing up anddown, for it was a task to quiet the nerves in that dingy place with thegun-ports closed, when about three bells of the dog, Mr. Mease, thepurser, appeared on the ladder. 

"Lunt has not come back with the pilot-boat, Carvel, " said he. "I havevolunteered for a battery, and am assigned to this. You are to report tothe commodore. "

I thanked him, and climbed quickly to the quarterdeck. The 'Bon hommeRichard' was lumbering like a leaden ship before the wind, swayingponderously, her topsails flapping and her heavy blocks whacking againstthe yards. And there was the commodore, erect, and with fire in his eye, giving sharp commands to the men at the wheel. I knew at once that notrifle had disturbed him. He wore a brand-new uniform; a blue coat withred lapels and yellow buttons, and slashed cuffs and stand-up collar, ared waistcoat with tawny lace, blue breeches, white silk stockings, and acocked hat and a sword. Into his belt were stuck two brace of pistols. 

It took some effort to realize, as I waited silently for his attention, that this was the man of whose innermost life I had had so intimate aview. Who had taken me to the humble cottage under Criffel, who hadpoured into my ear his ambitions and his wrongs when we had sat togetherin the dingy room of the Castle Yard sponging-house. Then some of thoseludicrous scenes on the road to London came up to me, for which thesky-blue frock was responsible. And yet this commodore was not greatlyremoved from him I had first beheld on the brigantine John. Hisconfidence in his future had not so much as wavered since that day. Thatfuture was now not so far distant as the horizon, and he was ready tomeet it. 

"You will take charge of the battery of nines on this deck, Mr. Carvel, "said he, at length. 

"Very good, sir, " I replied, and was making my way down the poop ladder, when I heard him calling me, in a low voice, by the old name: "Richard!"

I turned and followed him aft to the taffrail, where we were clear of theFrench soldiers. The sun was hanging red over the Yorkshire Wolds, theHead of Flamborough was in the blue shadow, and the clouds were like roseleaves in the sky. The enemy had tacked and was standing west, withensign and jack and pennant flying, the level light washing his sails tothe whiteness of paper. 'Twas then I first remarked that the Alliancehad left her place in line and was sailing swiftly ahead toward theSerapis. The commodore seemed to read my exclamation. 

"Landais means to ruin me yet, by hook or crook, " said he. 

"But he can't intend to close with them, " I replied. "He has not thecourage. "

"God knows what he intends, " said the commodore, bitterly. "It is nogood, at all events. "

My heart bled for him. Some minutes passed that he did not speak, makingshift to raise his glass now and again, and I knew that he was gripped bya strong emotion. "'Twas so he ever behaved when the stress wasgreatest. Presently he lays down the glass on the signal-chest, fumblesin his coat, and brings out the little gold brooch I had not set eyes onsince Dolly and he and I had stood together on the Betsy's deck. 

"When you see her, Richard, tell her that I have kept it as sacred as hermemory, " he said thickly. "She will recall what I spoke of you when shegave it me. You have been leal and true to me indeed, and many a blackhour have you tided me over since this war' began. Do you know how shemay be directed to?" he concluded, with abruptness. 

I glanced at him, surprised at the question. He was staring at theEnglish shore. 

"Mr. Ripley, of Lincoln's Inn, used to be Mr. Manners's lawyer, " Ianswered. 

He took out a little note-book and wrote that down carefully. "And now, "he continued, "God keep you, my friend. We must win, for we fight with arope around our necks. "

"But you, Captain Paul, " I said, "is--is there no one?"

His face took on the look of melancholy it had worn so often of late, despite his triumphs. That look was the stamp of fate. 

"Richard, " replied he, with an ineffable sadness, "I am naught but awanderer upon the face of the earth. I have no ties, no kindred, --noreal friends, save you and Dale, and some of these honest fellows whomI lead to slaughter. My ambition is seamed with a flaw. And all my lifeI must be striving, striving, until I am laid in the grave. I know thatnow, and it is you yourself who have taught me. For I have violentlybroken forth from those bounds which God in His wisdom did set. "

I pressed his hand, and with bowed head went back to my station, profoundly struck by the truth of what he had spoken. Though he foughtunder the flag of freedom, the curse of the expatriated was upon hishead. 

Shortly afterward he appeared at the poop rail, straight and alert, hiseye piercing each man as it fell on him. He was the commodore once more. 

The twilight deepened, until you scarce could see your hands. There wasno sound save the cracking of the cabins and the tumbling of the blocks, and from time to time a muttered command. An age went by before thetrimmers were sent to the lee braces, and the Richard rounded lazily to. And a great frigate loomed out of the night beside us, half a pistolshotaway. 

"What ship is that?" came the hail, intense out of the silence. 

"I don't hear you, " replied our commodore, for he had not yet got hisdistance. 

Again came the hail: "What ship is that?"

John Paul Jones leaned forward over the rail. 

"Pass the word below to the first lieutenant to begin the action, sir. "

Hardly were the words out of my mouth before the deck gave a mighty leap, a hot wind that seemed half of flame blew across my face, and the roarstarted the pain throbbing in my ears. At the same instant the screechof shot sounded overhead, we heard the sharp crack-crack of wood rendingand splitting, --as with a great broadaxe, --and a medley of blocks andropes rattled to the deck with the 'thud of the falling bodies. Then, instead of stillness, moans and shrieks from above and below, oaths andprayers in English and French and Portuguese, and in the heathengibberish of the East. As the men were sponging and ramming home in thefirst fury of hatred, the carpenter jumped out under the battle-lanthornat the main hatch, crying in a wild voice that the old eighteens hadburst, killing half their crews and blowing up the gundeck above them. At this many of our men broke and ran for the hatches. 

"Back, back to your quarters! The first man to desert will be shotdown!"

It was the same strange voice that had quelled the mutiny on the John, that had awed the men of Kirkcudbright. The tackles were seized and theguns run out once more, and fired, and served again in an agony of haste. In the darkness shot shrieked hither and thither about us like demons, striking everywhere, sometimes sending casks of salt water over thenettings. Incessantly the quartermaster walked to and fro scatteringsand over the black pools that kept running, running together as theminutes were tolled out, and the red flashes from the guns revealed facesin a hideous contortion. One little fellow, with whom I had had many alively word at mess, had his arm taken off at the shoulder as he wentskipping past me with the charge under his coat, and I have but to listennow to hear the patter of the blood on the boards as they carried himaway to the cockpit below. Out of the main hatch, from that charnelhouse, rose one continuous cry. It was an odd trick of the mind or soulthat put a hymn on my lips in that dreadful hour of carnage and humanmisery, when men were calling the name of their Maker in vain. But asI ran from crew to crew, I sang over and over again a long-forgottenChristmas carol, and with it came a fleeting memory of my mother on thestairs at Carvel Hall, and of the negroes gathered on the lawn without. 

Suddenly, glancing up at the dim cloud of sails above, I saw that we wereaback and making sternway. We might have tossed a biscuit aboard the bigSerapis as she glided ahead of us. The broadsides thundered, and greatragged scantlings brake from our bulwarks and flew as high as themizzen-top; and the shrieks and groans redoubled. Involuntarily my eyessought the poop, and I gave a sigh of relief at the sight of thecommanding figure in the midst of the whirling smoke. We shotted ourguns with double-headed, manned our lee braces, and gathered headway. 

"Stand by to board!"

The boatswains' whistles trilled through the ship, pikes were seized, andpistol and cutlass buckled on. But even as we waited with set teeth, ourbows ground into the enemy's weather quarter-gallery. For the Richard'srigging was much cut away, and she was crank at best. So we backed andfilled once more, passing the Englishman close aboard, himself beingaback at the time. Several of his shot crushed through the bulwarks infront of me, shattering a nine-pounder and killing half of its crew. Andit is only a miracle that I stand alive to be able to tell the tale. Then I caught a glimpse of the quartermaster whirling the spokes of ourwheel, and over went our helm to lay us athwart the forefoot of the'Serapis', where we might rake and rush her decks. Our old Indiamananswered but doggedly; and the huge bowsprit of the Serapis, toweringover our heads, snapped off our spanker gaff and fouled our mizzenrigging. 

"A hawser, Mr. Stacey, a hawser!" I heard the commodore shout, and sawthe sailing-master slide down the ladder and grope among the dead andwounded and mass of broken spars and tackles, and finally pick up asmeared rope's end, which I helped him drag to the poop. There we foundthe commodore himself taking skilful turns around the mizzen with thesevered stays and shrouds dangling from the bowsprit, the French marineslooking on. 

"Don't swear, Mr. Stacey, " said he, severely; "in another minute we mayall be in eternity. "

I rushed back to my guns, for the wind was rapidly swinging the stern ofthe Serapis to our own bow, now bringing her starboard batteries intoplay. Barely had we time to light our snatches and send our broadsideinto her at three fathoms before the huge vessels came crunchingtogether, the disordered riggings locking, and both pointed northward toa leeward tide in a death embrace. The chance had not been given him toshift his crews or to fling open his starboard gun-ports. 

Then ensued a moment's breathless hush, even the cries of those in agonylulling. The pall of smoke rolled a little, and a silver moonlightfiltered through, revealing the weltering bodies twisted upon the boards. A stern call came from beyond the bulwarks. 

"Have you struck, sir?"

The answer sounded clear, and bred hero-worship in our souls. 

"Sir, I have not yet begun to fight. "

Our men raised a hoarse yell, drowned all at once by the popping ofmusketry in the tops and the bursting of grenades here and there aboutthe decks. A mighty muffled blast sent the Bon homme Richard rolling tolarboard, and the smoke eddied from our hatches and lifted out of thespace between the ships. The Englishman had blown off his gun-ports. And next some one shouted that our battery of twelves was fighting themmuzzle to muzzle below, our rammers leaning into the Serapis to sendtheir shot home. No chance then for the thoughts which had tortured usin moments of suspense. That was a fearful hour, when a shot had scarceto leap a cannon's length to find its commission; when the belches of theEnglish guns burned the hair of our faces; when Death was sovereign, merciful or cruel at his pleasure. The red flashes disclosed many an actof coolness and of heroism. I saw a French lad whip off his coat when agunner called for a wad, and another, who had been a scavenger, snatchthe rammer from Pearce's hands when he staggered with a grape-shotthrough his chest. Poor Jack Pearce! He did not live to see the work'Scolding Sairy' was to do that night. I had but dragged him beyondreach of the recoil when he was gone. 

Then a cry came floating down from aloft. Thrice did I hear it, like onewaking out of a sleep, ere I grasped its import. "The Alliance! TheAlliance!" But hardly had the name resounded with joy throughout theship, when a hail of grape and canister tore through our sails from aftforward. "She rakes us! She rakes us!" And the French soldiers tumbledheadlong down from the poop with a wail of "Les Anglais font prise!""Her Englishmen have taken her, and turned her guns against us!" Ourcaptain was left standing alone beside the staff where the stars andstripes waved black in the moonlight. 

"The Alliance is hauling off, sir!" called the midshipman of themizzen-top. "She is making for the Pallas and the Countess ofScarborough. "

"Very good, sir, " was all the commodore said. 

To us hearkening for his answer his voice betrayed no sign of dismay. Seven times, I say, was that battle lost, and seven times regained again. What was it kept the crews at their quarters and the officers at theirposts through that hell of flame and shot, when a madman could scarcehave hoped for victory? What but the knowledge that somewhere in theswirl above us was still that unswerving and indomitable man who sweptall obstacles from before him, and into whose mind the thought of defeatcould not enter. His spirit held us to our task, for flesh and bloodmight not have endured alone. 

We had now but one of our starboard nine-pounders on its carriage, andword came from below that our battery of twelves was all but knocked toscrap iron, and their ports blown into one yawning gap. Indeed, we didnot have to be told that sides and stanchions had been carried away, forthe deck trembled and teetered under us as we dragged 'Scolding Sairy'from her stand in the larboard waist, clearing a lane for her between thebodies. Our feet slipped and slipped as we hove, and burning bits ofsails and splinters dropping from aloft fell unheeded on our heads andshoulders. With the energy of desperation I was bending to the pull, when the Malay in front of me sank dead across the tackle. But, ere Icould touch him, he was tenderly lifted aside, and a familiar figureseized the rope where the dead man's hands had warmed it. Truly, thecommodore was everywhere that night. 

"Down to the surgeon with you, Richard!" he cried. "I will look to thebattery. "

Dazed, I put my hand to my hair to find it warm and wringing wet. When Ihad been hit, I knew not. But I shook my head, for the very notion ofthat cockpit turned my stomach. The blood was streaming from a gash inhis own temple, to which he gave no heed, and stood encouraging thatpanting line until at last the gun was got across and hooked to thering-bolts of its companion that lay shattered there. "Serve her withdouble-headed, my lads, " he shouted, "and every shot into theEnglishman's mainmast!"

"Ay, ay, sir, " came the answer from every man of that little remnant. 

The Serapis, too, was now beginning to blaze aloft, and chokingwood-smoke eddied out of the Richard's hold and mingled with the powderfumes. Then the enemy's fire abreast us seemed to lull, and Mr. Staceymounted the bulwarks, and cried out: "You have cleared their decks, myhearties!" Aloft, a man was seen to clamber from our mainyard into thevery top of the Englishman, where he threw a hand-grenade, as I thought, down her main hatch. An instant after an explosion came like a, clap ofthunder in our faces, and a great quadrant of light flashed as high asthe 'Serapis's' trucks, and through a breach in her bulwarks I saw menrunning with only the collars of their shirts upon their naked bodies. 

'Twas at this critical moment, when that fearful battle once more waswon, another storm of grape brought the spars about our heads, and thatname which we dreaded most of all was spread again. As we halted inconsternation, a dozen round shot ripped through our unengaged side, anda babel of voices hailed the treacherous Landais with oaths andimprecations. We made out the Alliance with a full head of canvas, blackand sharp, between us and the moon. Smoke hung above her rail. Gettingover against the signal fires blazing on Flamborough Head, she wore shipand stood across our bows, the midshipman on the forecastle singing outto her, by the commodore's orders, to lay the enemy by the board. Therewas no response. 

"Do you hear us?" yelled Mr. Linthwaite. 

"Ay, ay, " came the reply; and with it the smoke broke from her and thegrape and canister swept our forecastle. Then the Alliance sailed away, leaving brave Mr. Caswell among the many Landais had murdered. 

The ominous clank of the chain pumps beat a sort of prelude to whathappened next. The gunner burst out of the hatch with blood running downhis face, shouting that the Richard was sinking, and yelling for quarteras he made for the ensign-staff on the poop, for the flag was shot away. Him the commodore felled with a pistol-butt. At the gunner's heels werethe hundred and fifty prisoners we had taken, released by the master atarms. They swarmed out of the bowels of the ship like a horde ofTartars, unkempt and wild and desperate with fear, until I thought thatthe added weight on the scarce-supported deck would land us all in thebilges. Words fail me when I come to describe the frightful panic ofthese creatures, frenzied by the instinct of self-preservation. Theysurged hither and thither as angry seas driven into a pocket of astorm-swept coast. They trampled rough-shod over the moaning heaps ofwounded and dying, and crowded the crews at the guns, who were powerlessbefore their numbers. Some fought like maniacs, and others flungthemselves into the sea. 

Those of us who had clung to hope lost it then. Standing with my backto the mast, beating them off with a pike, visions of an Englishprison-ship, of an English gallows, came before me. I counted theseconds until the enemy's seamen would be pouring through our raggedports. The seventh and last time, and we were beaten, for we had not menenough left on our two decks to force them down again. Yes, --I shame toconfess it--the heart went clean out of me, and with that the painpulsed and leaped in my head like a devil unbound. At a turn of the handI should have sunk to the boards, had not a voice risen strong and clearabove that turmoil, compelling every man to halt trembling in his steps. 

"Cast off, cast off! 'The Serapis' is sinking. To the pumps, ye fools, if you would save your lives!"

That unerring genius of the gardener's son had struck the only chord!

They were like sheep before us as we beat them back into the reekinghatches, and soon the pumps were heard bumping with a renewed and adesperate vigour. Then, all at once, the towering mainmast of the enemycracked and tottered and swung this way and that on its loosened shrouds. The first intense silence of the battle followed, in the midst of whichcame a cry from our top:

"Their captain is hauling down, sir!"

The sound which broke from our men could scarce be called a cheer. Thatwhich they felt as they sank exhausted on the blood of their comrades maynot have been elation. My own feeling was of unmixed wonder as I gazedat a calm profile above me, sharp-cut against the moon. 

I was moved as out of a revery by the sight of Dale swinging across tothe Serapis by the main brace pennant. Calling on some of my boarders, Iscaled our bulwarks and leaped fairly into the middle of the gangway ofthe Serapis. 

Such is nearly all of my remembrance of that momentous occasion. I hadcaught the one glimpse of our first lieutenant in converse with theircaptain and another officer, when a naked seaman came charging at me. Hehad raised a pike above his shoulder ere I knew what he was about, and mysenses left me. 

CHAPTER LIII

IN WHICH I MAKE SOME DISCOVERIES

The room had a prodigious sense of change about it. That came over mewith something of a shock, since the moment before I had it settled thatI was in Marlboro' Street. The bare branches swaying in the wind outsideshould belong to the trees in Freshwater Lane. But beyond the brancheswere houses, the like of which I had no remembrance of in Annapolis. Andthen my grandfather should be sitting in that window. Surely, he wasthere! He moved! He was coming toward me to say: "Richard, you areforgiven, " and to brush his eyes with his ruffles. 

Then there was the bed-canopy, the pleatings of which were gone, and itwas turned white instead of the old blue. And the chimney-place! Thatwas unaccountably smaller, and glowed with a sea-coal fire. And themantel was now but a bit of a shelf, and held many things that seemedscarce at home on the rough and painted wood, --gold filigree; and Chinaand Japan, and a French clock that ought not to have been just there. Ah, the teacups! Here at last was something to touch a fibre of mybrain, but a pain came with the effort of memory. So my eyes went backto my grandfather in the window. His face was now become black asScipio's, and he wore a red turban and a striped cotton gown that was toolarge for him. And he was sewing. This was monstrous!

I hurried over to the tea-cups, such a twinge did that discovery give me. But they troubled me near as much, and the sea-coal fire held strangeimages. The fascination in the window was not to be denied, for it stoodin line with the houses and the trees. Suddenly there rose up before mea gate. Yes, I knew that gate, and the girlish figure leaning over it. They were in Prince George Street. Behind them was a mass of golden-rosebushes, and out of these came forth a black face under a turban, saying, "Yes, mistis, I'se comin'. "

"Mammy--Mammy Lucy!"

The figure in the window stirred, and the sewing fell its ample lap. 

"Now Lawd'a mercy!"

I trembled--with a violence unspeakable. Was this but one more of thosethousand voices, harsh and gentle, rough and tender, to which I hadlistened in vain this age past? The black face was hovering over me now, and in an agony of apprehension I reached up and felt its honestroughness. Then I could have wept for joy. 

"Mammy Lucy!"

"Yes, Marse Dick?"

"Where--where is Miss Dolly?"

"Now, Marse Dick, doctah done say you not t' talk, suh. "

"Where is Miss Dolly?" I cried, seizing her arm. 

"Hush, Marse Dick. Miss Dolly'll come terectly, suh. She's lyin' down, suh. "

The door creaked, and in my eagerness I tried to lift myself. 'Twas AuntLucy's hand that restrained me, and the next face I saw was that ofDorothy's mother. But why did it appear so old and sorrow-lined? Andwhy was the hair now of a whiteness with the lace of the cap? She tookmy fingers in her own, and asked me anxiously if I felt any pain. 

"Where am I, Mrs. Manners?"

"You are in London, Richard. "

"In Arlington Street?"

She shook her head sadly. "No, my dear, not in Arlington Street. Butyou are not to talk. "

"And Dorothy? May I not see Dorothy? Aunt Lucy tells me she is here. "

Mrs. Manners gave the old mammy a glance of reproof, a signal thatalarmed me vastly. 

"Oh, tell me, Mrs. Manners! You will speak the truth. Tell me if she isgone away?"

"My dear boy, she is here, and under this very roof. And you shall seeher as soon as Dr. Barry will permit. Which will not be soon, " she addedwith a smile, "if you persist in this conduct. "

The threat had the desired effect. And Mrs. Manners quietly left theroom, and after a while as quietly came back again and sat down by thefire, whispering to Aunt Lucy. 

Fate, in some inexplicable way, had carried me into the enemy's countryand made me the guest of Mr. Marmaduke Manners. As I lay staring upward, odd little bits of the past came floating to the top of my mind, presently to be pieced together. The injuries Mr. Marmaduke had done mewere the first to collect, since I was searching for the cause of myresentment against him. The incidents arrived haphazard as magiclanthorn views, but very vivid. His denial of me before Mr. Dix, and histreachery at Vauxhall, when he had sent me to be murdered. Next I feltmyself clutching the skin over his ribs in Arlington Street, when I hadflung him across the room in his yellow night-gown. That brought me tothe most painful scene of my life, when I had parted with Dorothy at thetop of the stairs. Afterward followed scraps of the years at Gordon'sPride, and on top of them the talk with McAndrews. Here was the secretI sought. The crash had come. And they were no longer in Mayfair, butmust have taken a house in some poorer part of London. This thought castme down tremendously. 

And Dorothy! Had time changed her? 'Twas with that query on my lips Ifell asleep, to dream of the sun shining down on Carvel Hall and WilmotHouse; of Aunt Hester and Aunt Lucy, and a lass and a lad romping throughpleasant fields and gardens. 

When I awoke it was broad day once more. A gentleman sat on the edge ofmy bed. He had a queer, short face, ruddy as the harvest moon, and hesmiled good-humouredly when I opened my eyes. 

"I bid you good morning, Mr. Carvel, for the first time since I have madeyour acquaintance, " said he. "And how do you feel, sir?"

"I have never felt better in my life, " I replied, which was the wholetruth. 

"Well, vastly well, " says he, laughing, "prodigious well for a young manwho has as many holes in him as have you. Do you hear him, Mrs. Manners?"

At that last word, I popped up to look about the room, and the doctorcaught hold of me with ludicrous haste. A pain shot through my body. 

"Avast, avast, my hearty, " cries he. "'Tis a miracle you can speak, let alone carry your bed and walk for a while yet. " And he turned toDorothy's mother, whom I beheld smiling at me. "You will give him thephysic, ma'am, at the hours I have chosen. Egad, I begin to think weshall come through. 

"But pray remember, ma'am, if he talks, you are to put a wad in hismouth. "

"He shall have no opportunity to talk, Dr. Barry, " said Mrs. Manners. 

"Save for a favour I have to ask you, doctor, " I cried. 

"'Od's bodkins! Already, sir? And what may that be?"

"That you will allow me to see Miss Manners. "

He shook with laughter, and then winked at me very roguishly. 

"Oh!" says he, "and faith, I should be worse than cruel. First shecomes imploring me to see you, and so prettily that a man of oak couldnot refuse her. And now it is you begging to see her. Had your eyesbeen opened, sir, you might have had many a glimpse of Miss Dolly thesethree weeks past. "

"What! She has been watching with me?" I asked, in a rapture not to beexpressed. 

"'Od's, but those are secrets. And the medical profession isclose-mouthed, Mr. Carvel. So you want to see her? No, " cries he, "'tisnot needful to swear it on the Evangels. And I let her come in, will yougive me your honour as a gentleman not to speak more than two words toher?"

"I promise anything, and you will not deny me looking at her, " said I. 

He shook again, all over. "You rascal! You sad dog, sir! No, sir, faith, you must shut your eyes. Eh, madam, must he not shut his eyes?"

"They were playmates, doctor, " answers Mrs. Manners. She was laughing alittle, too. 

"Well, she shall come in. But remember that I shall have my ear to thekeyhole, and you go beyond your promise, out she's whisked. So I cautionyou not to spend rashly those two words, sir. "

And he followed Mrs. Manners out of the room, frowning and shaking hisfist at me in mock fierceness. I would have died for the man. For aspace--a prodigious long space--I lay very still, my heart bumping like agun-carriage broke loose, and my eyes riveted on the crack of the door. Then I caught the sound of a light footstep, the knob turned, and joypoured into my soul with the sweep of a Fundy tide. 

"Dorothy!" I cried. "Dorothy!"

She put her finger to her lips. 

"There, sir, " said she, "now you have spoken them both at once!"

She closed the door softly behind her, and stood looking down upon mewith such a wondrous love-light in her eyes as no man may describe. My fancy had not lifted me within its compass, my dreams even had notimagined it. And the fire from which it sprang does not burn in humblersouls. So she stood gazing, those lips which once had been the seat ofpride now parted in a smile of infinite tenderness. But her head shestill held high, and her body straight. Down the front of her dress fella tucked apron of the whitest linen, and in her hand was a cup ofsteaming broth. 

"You are to take this, Richard, " she commanded. And added, with a touchof her old mischief, "Mind, sir, if I hear a sound out of you, I am todisappear like the fairy godmother. "

I knew full well she meant it, and the terror of losing her kept mesilent. She put down the cup, placed another pillow behind my head witha marvellous deftness, and then began feeding me in dainty spoonfulssomething which was surely nectar. And mine eyes, too, had their feast. Never before had I seen my lady in this gentle guise, this task ofnursing the sick, which her doing raised to a queenly art. 

Her face had changed some. Years of trial unknown to me had left anennobling mark upon her features, increasing their power an hundred fold. And the levity of girlish years was gone. How I burned to question her!But her lips were now tight closed, her glance now and anon seeking mine, and then falling with an exquisite droop to the coverlet. For the oldarchness, at least, would never be eradicated. Presently, after she hadtaken the cup and smoothed my pillow, I reached out for her hand. It wasa boldness of which I had not believed myself capable; but she did notresist, and even, as I thought, pressed my fingers with her own slenderones, the red of our Maryland holly blushing in her cheeks. And whatneed of words, indeed! Our thoughts, too, flew coursing hand in handthrough primrose paths, and the angels themselves were not to be envied. 

A master might picture my happiness, waking and sleeping, through theshort winter days that came and went like flashes of gray light. Thememory of them is that of a figure tall and lithe, a little more roundedthan of yore, and a chiselled face softened by a power that is one of theworld's mysteries. Dorothy had looked the lady in rags, and housewife'scap and apron became her as well as silks or brocades. When for anyreason she was absent from my side, I moped, to the quiet amusement ofMrs. Manners and the more boisterous delight of Aunt Lucy, who took herturn sewing in the window. I was near to forgetting the use of words, until at length, one rare morning when the sun poured in, the jollydoctor dressed my wounds with more despatch than common, and vouchsafedthat I might talk awhile that day. 

"Oh!" cries he, putting me as ever to confusion, "but I have a guesswhom my gentleman will be wishing to talk with. But I'll warrant, sir, you have said a deal more than I have any notion of without opening yourlips. "

And he went away, intolerably pleased with his joke. 

Alas for the perversity of maiden natures! It was not my dear nurse whobrought my broth that morning, but Mrs. Manners herself. She smiled atmy fallen face, and took a chair at my bedside. 

"Now, my dear boy, " she said, "you may ask what questions you choose, andI will tell you very briefly how you have come here. "

"I have been thinking, Mrs. Manners, " I replied, "that if it were knownthat you harboured one of John Paul Jones's officers in London, veryserious trouble might follow for you. "

I thought her brow clouded a little. 

"No one knows of it, Richard, or is likely to. Dr. Barry, like so manyin England, is a good Whig and friend to America. And you are in a partof London far removed from Mayfair. " She hesitated, and then continuedin a voice that strove to be lighter: "This little house is in CharlotteStreet, Mary-le-Bone, for the war has made all of us suffer some. And weare more fortunate than many, for we are very comfortable here, andthough I say it, happier than in Arlington Street. And the best of ourfriends are still faithful. Mr. Fox, with all his greatness, has neverdeserted us, nor my Lord Comyn. Indeed, we owe them much more than I cantell you of now, " she said, and sighed. "They are here every day of theworld to inquire for you, and it was his Lordship brought you out ofHolland. "

And so I had reason once more to bless this stanch friend!

"Out of Holland?" I cried. 

"Yes. One morning as we sat down to breakfast, Mr. Ripley's clerkbrought in a letter for Dorothy. But I must say first that Mr. Dulany, who is in London, told us that you were with John Paul Jones. You canhave no conception, Richard, of the fear and hatred that name has arousedin England. Insurance rates have gone up past belief, and the King'sships are cruising in every direction after the traitor and pirate, asthey call him. We have prayed daily for your safety, and Dorothy--well, here is the letter she received. It had been opened by the inspector, and allowed to pass. And it is to be kept as a curiosity. " She drew itfrom the pocket of her apron and began to read. 

 "THE TEXEL, October 3, 1779

 "MY DEAR Miss DOROTHY: I would not be thought to flutter y'r Gentle Bosom with Needless Alarms, nor do I believe I have misjudged y'r Warm & Generous Nature when I write you that One who is held very High in y'r Esteem lies Exceeding Ill at this Place, who might by Tender Nursing regain his Health. I seize this Opportunity to say, my dear Lady, that I have ever held my too Brief Acquaintance with you in London as one of the Sacred Associations of my Life. From the Little I saw of you then I feel Sure that this Appeal will not pass in Vain. I remain y'r most Humble and Devoted Admirer, "JAMES ORCHARDSON. "

"And she knew it was from Commodore Jones?" I asked, in astonishment. 

"My dear, " replied Mrs. Manners, with a quiet smile, "we women have akeener instinct than men--though I believe your commodore has a woman'sintuition. Yes, Dorothy knew. And I shall never forget the fright shegave me as she rose from the table and handed me the sheet to read, crying but the one word. She sent off to Brook Street for Lord Comyn, who came at once, and, in half an hour the dear fellow was set out forDover. He waited for nothing, since war with Holland was looked for atany day. And his Lordship himself will tell you about that rescue. Within the week he had brought you to us. Your skull had been trepanned, you had this great hole in your thigh, and your heart was beating butslowly. By Mr. Fox's advice we sent for Dr. Barry, who is a skilledsurgeon, and a discreet man despite his manner. And you have been herefor better than three weeks, Richard, hanging between life and death. "

"And I owe my life to you and to Dorothy, " I said. 

"To Lord Comyn and Dr. Barry, rather, " she replied quickly. "We havedone little but keep the life they saved. And I thank God it was givenme to do it for the son of your mother and father. "

Something of the debt I owed them was forced upon me. 

They were poor, doubtless driven to make ends meet, and yet they hadtaken me in, called upon near the undivided services of an able surgeon, and worn themselves out with nursing me. Nor did I forget the risk theyran with such a guest. For the first time in many years my heartrelented toward Mr. Marmaduke. For their sakes I forgave him over andover what I had suffered, and my treatment of him lay like a weight uponme. And how was I to repay them? They needed the money I had cost them, of that I was sure. After the sums I had expended to aid the commodorewith the 'Ranger' and the 'Bon homme Richard', I had scarce a farthing tomy name. With such leaden reflections was I occupied when I heard Mrs. Manners speaking to me. 

"Richard, I have some news for you which the doctor thinks you can bearto-day. Mr. Dulany, who is exiled like the rest of us, brought them. Itis a great happiness to be able to tell you, my dear, that you are nowthe master of Carvel Hall, and like to stay so. "

The tears stole into her eyes as she spoke. And the enormity of thosetidings, coming as they did on the top of my dejection, benumbed me. All they meant was yet far away from my grasp, but the one supreme resultthat was first up to me brought me near to fainting in my weakness. 

"I would not raise your hopes unduly, Richard, " the good lady was saying, "but the best informed here seem to think that England cannot push thewar much farther. If the Colonies win, you are secure in your title. "

"But how is it come about, Mrs. Manners?" I demanded, with my firstbreath. 

"You doubtless have heard that before the Declaration was signed atPhiladelphia your Uncle Grafton went to the committee at Annapolis andcontributed to the patriot cause, and took very promptly the oath of theAssociated Freemen of Maryland, thus forsaking the loyalist party--"

"Yes, yes, " I interrupted, "I heard of it when I was on the Cabot. Hethought his property in danger. "

"Just so, " said Mrs. Manners, laughing; "he became the best and mostexemplary of patriots, even as he had been the best of Tories. He sentwheat and money to the army, and went about bemoaning that his only sonfought under the English flag. But very little fighting has Philip done, my dear. Well, when the big British fleet sailed up the bay in '77, yourprecious uncle made the first false step in his long career of rascality. He began to correspond with the British at Philadelphia, and one of hisletters was captured near the Head of Elk. A squad was sent to the Kentestate, where he had been living, to arrest him, but he made his escapeto New York. And his lands were at once confiscated by the state. "

"'Then they belong to the state, " I said, with misgiving. 

"Not so fast, Richard. At the last session of the Maryland Legislaturea bill was introduced, through the influence of Mr. Bordley and others, to restore them to you, their rightful owner. And insomuch as you wereeven then serving the country faithfully and bravely, and had a clean andhonourable record of service, the whole of the lands were given to you. And now, my dear, you have had excitement enough for one day. "

CHAPTER LIV

MORE DISCOVERIES

All that morning I pondered over the devious lane of my life, which hadled up to so fair a garden. And one thing above all kept turning andturning in my head, until I thought I should die of waiting for itsfulfilment. Now was I free to ask Dorothy to marry me, to promise herthe ease and comfort that had once been hers, should God bring us safeback to Maryland. The change in her was little less than a marvel to me, when I remembered the wilful miss who had come to London bent uponpleasure alone. Truly, she was of that rare metal which refines, andthen outshines all others. And there was much I could not understand. A miracle had saved her from the Duke of Chartersea, but why she hadrefused so many great men and good was beyond my comprehension. Not aglimpse of her did I get that day, though my eyes wandered little fromthe knob of the door. And even from Aunt Lucy no satisfaction was to behad as to the cause of her absence. 

"'Clare to goodness, Marse Dick, " said she, with great solemnity, "'clareto goodness, I'se nursed Miss Dolly since she was dat high, and neber oneminnit obher life is I knowed what de Chile gwine t' do de next. Sheain't neber yit done what I calcelated on. "

The next morning, after the doctor had dressed my wounds and bantered meto his heart's content, enters Mr. Marmaduke Manners. I was prodigiouslystruck by the change in him, and pitied him then near as much as I hadonce despised him. He was arrayed in finery, as of old. But the finerywas some thing shabby; the lace was frayed at the edges, there was a neatbut obvious patch in his small-clothes, and two more in his coat. Hisair was what distressed me most of all, being that of a man who spendshis days seeking favours and getting none. I had seen too many of thetype not to know the sign of it. 

He ran forward and gave me his hand, which I grasped as heartily as myweakness would permit. 

"They would not let me see you until to-day, my dear Richard, " heexclaimed. "I bid you welcome to what is left of our home. 'Tis notArlington Street, my lad. "

"But more of a home than was that grander house, Mr. Manners. "

He sighed heavily. 

"Alas!" said he, "poverty is a bitter draught, and we have drunk deep ofit since last we beheld you. My great friends know me no more, and willnot take my note for a shilling. They do not remember the dinners andsuppers I gave them. Faith, this war has brought nothing but misery, and how we are to get through it, God knows!"

Now I understood it was not the war, but Mr. Marmaduke himself, which hadcarried his family to this pass. And some of my old resentmentrekindled. 

"I know that I have brought you great additional anxiety and expense, Mr. Manners, " I answered somewhat testily. "The care I have been to Mrs. Manners and Dorothy I may never repay. But it gives me pleasure to feel, sir, that I am in a position to reimburse you, and likewise to loan yousomething until your lands begin to pay again. "

"There the Carvel speaks, " he cried, "and the true son of our generousprovince. You can have no conception of the misfortunes come to me outof this quarrel. The mortgages on my Western Shore tobacco lands areforeclosed, and Wilmot House itself is all but gone. You well know, ofcourse, that I would do the same by you, Richard. "

I smiled, but more in sadness than amusement. Hardship had only degradedMr. Marmaduke the more, and even in trouble his memory was convenient asis that of most people in prosperity. I was of no mind to jog hisrecollection. But I wanted badly to ask about his Grace. Where had myfine nobleman been at the critical point of his friend's misfortunes?For I had had many a wakeful night over that same query since my talkwith McAndrews. 

"So you have come to your own again, Richard, my lad, " said Mr. Marmaduke, breaking in upon my train. "I have felt for you deeply, andtalked many a night with Margaret and Dorothy over the wrong done you. Between you and me, " he whispered, "that uncle of yours is an arrantknave, whom the patriots have served with justice. To speak truth, sir, I begin myself to have a little leaning to that cause which you have sobravely espoused. "

This time I was close to laughing outright. But he was far too seriousto remark my mirth. He commenced once more, with an ahem, which gave mea better inkling than frankness of what bothered him. 

"You will have an agent here, Richard, I take it, " said he. "Yourgrandfather had one. Ahem! Doubtless this agent will advance you allyou shall have need of, when you are well enough to see him. Fact is, he might come here. "

"You forget, Mr. Manners, that I am a pirate and an outlaw, and that youare the shielder of such. "

That thought shook the pinch of Holland he held all over him. But herecovered. 

"My dear Richard, men of business are of no faction and of no nation. Their motto is discretion. And to obtain the factorship in London of alike estate to yours one of them would wear a plaster over his mouth, I'll warrant you. You have but to summon one of the rascals, promise hima bit of war interest, and he will leave you as much as you desire, andnothing spoken. "

"To talk plainly, Mr. Manners, " I replied, "I think 'twould be the heightof folly to resort to such means. When I am better, we shall see whatcan be done. "

His face plainly showed his disappointment. 

"To be sure, " he said, in a whining tone, "I had forgotten your friends, Lord Comyn and Mr. Fox. They may do something for you, now you own yourestate. My dear sir, I dislike to say aught against any man. Mrs. Manners will tell you of their kindness to us, but I vow I have not beenable to see it. With all the money at their command they will not loanme a penny in my pressing need. And I shame to say it, my own daughterprevents me from obtaining the money to keep us out of the Fleet. I knowshe has spoken to Dulany. Think of it, Richard, my own daughter, uponwhom I lavished all when I had it, who might have made a score of grandmatches when I gave her the opportunity, and now we had all been rollingin wealth. I'll be sworn I don't comprehend her, nor her mother either, who abets her. For they prefer to cook Maryland dainties for a living, to put in the hands of the footmen of the ladies whose houses they oncevisited. And how much of that money do you suppose I get, sir? Will youbelieve it that I--" (he was shrieking now), "that I, the man of thefamily, am allowed only my simple meals, a farthing for snuff, and not agroat for chaise-hire? At my age I am obliged to walk to and from theirlordships' side entrances in patched clothes, egad, when a new suit mightobtain us a handsome year's income!"

I turned my face to the wall, completely overcome, and the tears scaldingin my eyes, at the thought of Dorothy and her mother bending over thestove cooking delicacies for their livelihood, and watching at my bedsidenight and day despite their weariness of body. And not a word out ofthese noble women of their sacrifice, nor of the shame and trouble andlabour of their lives, who always had been used to every luxury! Nothingbut cheer had they brought to the sickroom, and not a sign of theirpoverty and hardship, for they knew that their broths and biscuit andjellies must have choked me. No. It remained for this contemptiblecur of a husband and father to open my eyes. 

He had risen when I had brought myself to look at him. And as I hope forheaven he took my emotion for pity of himself. 

"I have worried you enough for one day with my troubles, my lad, " saidhe. "But they are very hard to bear, and once in a while it does me goodto speak of them. "

I did not trust myself to reply. 

It was Aunt Lucy who spent the morning with me, and Mrs. Manners broughtmy dinner. I observed a questioning glance as she entered, which I tookfor an attempt to read whether Mr. Marmaduke had spoke more than heought. But I would have bitten off my tongue rather than tell her of mydiscoveries, though perhaps my voice may have betrayed an added concern. She stayed to talk on the progress of the war, relating the gallantstorming of Stony Point by Mad Anthony in July, and the latest Toryinsurrection on our own Eastern Shore. She passed from these matters toa discussion of General Washington's new policy of the defensive, forMrs. Manners had always been at heart a patriot. And whilst I laylistening with a deep interest, in comes my lady herself. So was itever, when you least expected her, even as Mammy had said. She curtseyedvery prettily, with her chin tilted back and her cheeks red, and asked mehow I did. 

"And where have you been these days gone, Miss Will-o'the-Wisp, since thedoctor has given me back my tongue?" I cried. 

"I like you better when you are asleep, " says she. "For then you aresometimes witty, though I doubt not the wit is other people's. "

So I saw that she had tricked me, and taken her watch at night. For Islept like a trooper after a day's forage. As to what I might have saidin my dreams--that thought made me red as an apple. 

"Dorothy, Dorothy, " says her mother, smiling, "you would provoke asaint. "

"Which would be better fun than teasing a sinner, " replies the minx, witha little face at me. "Mr. Carvel, a gentleman craves the honour of anaudience from your Excellency. "

"A gentleman!"

"Even so. He presents a warrant from your Excellency's physician. "

With that she disappeared, Mrs. Manners going after her. And who shouldcome bursting in at the door but my Lord Comyn? He made one rush at me, and despite my weakness bestowed upon me a bear's hug. 

"Oh, Richard, " cried he, when he had released me, "I give you my oaththat I never hoped to see you rise from that bed when we laid you there. But they say that love works wondrous cures, and, egad, I believe thatnow. 'Tis love is curing you, my lad. "

He held me off at arm's length, the old-time affection beaming from hishandsome face. 

"What am I to say to you, Jack?" I answered. And my voice was all butgone, for the sight of him revived the memory of every separate debt ofthe legion I owed him. "How am I to piece words enough together to thankyou for this supreme act of charity?"

"'Od's, you may thank your own devilish thick head, " said my Lord Comyn. "I should never have bothered my own about you were it not for her. Hadit not been for her happiness do you imagine I would have picked you outof that crew of half-dead pirates in the Texel fort?"

I must needs brush my cheek, then, with the sleeve of my night-rail. 

"And will you give me some account of this last prodigious turn you havedone her?" I said. 

He laughed, and pinched me playfully. 

"Now are you coming to your senses, " said he. "There was cursed littleto the enterprise, Richard, and that's the truth. I got down to Dover, and persuaded the master of a schooner to carry me to Rotterdam. Thatwas not so difficult, since your Terror of the Seas was locked up safeenough in the Texel. In Rotterdam I had a travelling-chaise stripped, and set off at the devil's pace for the Texel. You must know that thewhole Dutch nation was in an uproar--as much of an uproar as those boorsever reach--over the arrival of your infamous squadron. The Court Partyand our ambassador were for having you kicked out, and the Republicansfor making you at home. I heard that their High Mightinesses had givenPaul Jones the use of the Texel fort for his wounded and his prisoners, and thither I ran. And I was even cursing the French sentry at thedrawbridge in his own tongue, when up comes your commodore himself. You may quarter me if wasn't knocked off my feet when I recognized theidentical peacock of a sea-captain we had pulled out of Castle Yardalong with you, and offered a commission in the Royal Navy. "

"Dolly hadn't told you?"

"Dolly tell me!" exclaimed his Lordship, scornfully. "She was in a stateto tell me nothing the morning I left, save only to bring you to Englandalive, and repeat it over and over. But to return to your captain, --he, too, was taken all aback. But presently he whipt out my name, and I his, without the Jones. And when I told him my errand, he wept on my neck, and said he had obtained unlimited leave of absence for you from theParis commissioners. He took me up into a private room in the fort, where you were; and the surgeon, who was there at the time, said thatyour chances were as slim as any man's he had ever seen. Faith, youlooked it, my lad. At sight of your face I took one big gulp, for I hadno notion of getting you back to her. And rather than come without you, and look into her eyes, I would have drowned myself in the Straits ofDover. 

"Despite the host of troubles he had on his hands, your commodore himselfcame with us to Rotterdam. Now I protest I love that man, who has morehumanity in him than most of the virtuous people in England who call himhard names. If you could have seen him leaning over you, and speaking toyou, and feeling every minute for your heart-beats, egad, you would havecried. And when I took you off to the schooner, he gave me an hundreddirections how to care for you, and then his sorrow bowled him all in aheap. "

"And is the commodore still at the Texel?" I asked, after a space. 

"Ay, that he is, with our English cruisers thick as gulls outside'waiting for a dead fish. But he has spurned the French commission theyhave offered him, saying that of the Congress is good enough for him. And he declares openly that when he gets ready he will sail out in theAlliance under the Stars and Stripes. And for this I honour him, " addedhe, "and Charles honours him, and so must all Englishmen honour him whenthey come to their senses. And by Gads life, I believe he will getclear, for he is a marvel at seamanship. "

"I pray with all my heart that he may, " said I, fervently. 

"God help him if they catch him!" my Lord exclaimed. "You should seethe bloody piratical portraits they are scattering over London. "

"Has the risk you ran getting me into England ever occurred to you, Jack?" I asked, with some curiosity. 

"Faith, not until the day after we got back, Richard, " says he, "when Imet Mr. Attorney General on the street. 'Sdeath, I turned and ran theother way like the devil was after me. For Charles Fox vows thatconscience makes cowards of the best of us. "

"So that is some of Charles's wisdom!" I cried, and laughed until I wasforced to stop from pain. 

"Come, my hearty, " says Jack, "you owe me nothing for fishing you out ofHolland--that is her debt. But I declare that you must one day pay mefor saving her for you. What! have I not always sworn that she lovedyou? Did I not pull you into the coffee-room of the Star and Garteryears ago, and tell you that same?"

My face warmed, though I said nothing. 

"Oh, you sly dog! I'll warrant there has been many a tender talk justwhere I'm sitting. "

"Not one, " said I. 

"'Slife, then, what have you been doing, " he cries, "seeing her every dayand not asking her to marry you, my master of Carvel Hall?"

"Since I am permitted to use my tongue, she has not come near me, savewhen I slept, " I answered ruefully. 

"Nor will she, I'll be sworn, " says he, shaken with laughter. 

"'Ods, have you no invention? Egad, you must feign sleep, and seize herunawares. "

I did not inform his Lordship how excellent this plan seemed to me. 

"And I possessed the love of such a woman, Richard, " he said, in anothertone, "I think I should die of happiness. She will never tell you howthese weeks past she has scarce left your side. The threats combinedof her mother and the doctor, and Charles and me, would not induce herto take any sleep. And time and time have I walked from here to BrookStreet without recognizing a step of the way, lifted clear out of myselfby the sight of her devotion. "

What was my life, indeed, that such a blessing should come into it!

"When the crash came, " he continued, "'twas she took command, and 'tisGod's pity she had not done so long before. Mr. Marmaduke was pushed tothe bottom of the family, where he belongs, and was given onlysnuff-money. She would give him no opportunity to contract another debt, and even charged Charles and me to loan him nothing. Nor would shereceive aught from us, but" (he glanced at me uneasily)--"but she andMrs. Manners must take to cooking delicacies--"

"Yes, yes, I know, " I faltered. 

"What! has the puppy told you?" cried he. 

I nodded. "He was in here this morning, with his woes. "

"And did he speak of the bargain he tried to make with our old friend, his Grace of Chartersea?"

"He tried to sell her again?" I cried, my breath catching. "I havefeared as much since I heard of their misfortunes. "

"Yes, " replied Comyn, "that was the first of it. 'Twas while they werestill in Arlington Street, and before Mrs. Manners and Dorothy knew. Mr. Marmaduke goes posting off to Nottinghamshire, and comes back insidethe duke's own carriage. And his Grace goes to dine in Arlington Streetfor the first time in years. Dorothy had wind of the trouble then, Charles having warned her. And not a word would she speak to Charterseathe whole of the dinner, nor look to the right or left of her plate. Andwhen the servants are gone, up gets my lady with a sweep and confrontshim. 

"'Will your Grace spare me a minute in the drawing-room?' says she. 

"He blinked at her in vast astonishment, and pushed back his chair. Whenshe was come to the door, she turns with another sweep on Mr. Marmaduke, who was trotting after. 

"'You will please to remain here, father, ' she said; 'what I am to say isfor his Grace's ear alone. '

"Of what she spoke to the duke I can form only an estimate, Richard, " myLord concluded, "but I'll lay a fortune 'twas greatly to the point. Forin a little while Chartersea comes stumbling down the steps. And he hasnever darkened the door since. And the cream of it is, " said Comyn, "that her father gave me this himself, with a face a foot long, for meto sympathize. The little beast has strange bursts of confidence. "

"And stranger confidants, " I ejaculated, thinking of the morning, and ofCourtenay's letter, long ago. 

But the story had made my blood leap again with pride of her. Thepicture in my mind had followed his every sentence, and even the verywords she must have used were ringing in my ears. 

Then, as we sat talking in low tones, the door opened, and a hearty voicecried out:

"Now where is this rebel, this traitor? They tell me one lies hid inthis house. 'Slife, I must have at him!"

"Mr. Fox!" I exclaimed. 

He took my hands in his, and stood regarding me. 

"For the convenience of my friends, I was christened Charles, " said he. 

I stared at him in amazement. He was grown a deal stouter, but my eyewas caught and held by the blue coat and buff waistcoat he wore. Theywere frayed and stained and shabby, yet they seemed all of a piece withsome new grandeur come upon the man. 

"Is all the world turning virtuous? Is the millennium arrived?" Icried. 

He smiled, with his old boyish smile. 

"You think me changed some since that morning we drove together toHolland House--do you remember it after the night at St. Stephen's?"

"Remember it!" I repeated, with emphasis, "I'll warrant I can give youevery bit of our talk. "

"I have seen many men since, but never have I met your equal for a mostdamnable frankness, Richard Carvel. Even Jack, here, is not half soblunt and uncompromising. But you took my fancy--God knows why!--thatfirst night I clapped eyes on you in Arlington Street, and I loved youwhen your simplicity made us that speech at Brooks's Club. So you havenot forgotten that morning under the trees, when the dew was on thegrass. Faith, I am glad of it. What children we were!" he said, andsighed. 

"And yet you were a Junior Lord, " I said. 

"Which is more than I am now, " he answered. "Somehow--you may laugh--somehow I have never been able to shake off the influence of your words, Richard. Your cursed earnestness scared me. "

"Scared you?" I cried, in astonishment. 

"Just that, " said Charles. "Jack will bear witness that I have saidso to Dolly a score of times. For I had never imagined such a singlecharacter as yours. You know we were all of us rakes at fifteen, to whom everything good in the universe was a joke. And do you recallthe teamster we met by the Park, and how he arrested his salute when hesaw who it was? At another time I should have laughed over that, but itcut me to have it happen when you were along. "

"And I'll lay an hundred guineas to a farthing the fellow would put hishead on the block for Charles now, " cut in his Lordship, with his hand onMr. Fox's shoulder. "Behold, O Prophet, " he cried, "one who is becomethe champion of the People he reviled! Behold the friend of Rebellionand 'Lese Majeste', the viper in Britannia's bosom!"

"Oh, have done, Jack, " said Mr. Fox, impatiently, "you have no more musicin your soul than a cow. Damned little virtue attaches to it, Richard, "he went on. "North threw me out, and the king would have nothing to dowith me, so I had to pick up with you rebels and traitors. "

"You will not believe him, Richard, " cried my Lord; "you have only tolook at him to see that he lies. Take note of the ragged uniform of therebel army he carries, and then think of him 'en petite maitre', with hiscabriolet and his chestnuts. Egad, he might be as rich as Rigby were itnot for those principles which he chooses to deride. And I have seen himreduced to a crown for them. I tell you, Richard, " said my Lord, "byespousing your cause Charles is become greater than the King. For hehas the hearts of the English people, which George has not, and theallegiance of you Americans, which George will never have. And if youonce heard him, in Parliament, you should hear him now, and see theSpeaker wagging his wig like a man bewitched, and hear friends andenemies calling out for him to go on whenever he gives the sign of apause. "

This speech of his Lordship's may seem cold in the writing, my dears, and you who did not know him may wonder at it. It had its birth in anadmiration few men receive, and which in Charles Fox's devoted coteriewas dangerously near to idolatry. During the recital of it Charleswalked to the window, and there stood looking out upon the gray prospect, seemingly paying but little attention. But when Comyn had finished, hewheeled on us with a smile. 

"Egad, he will be telling you next that I have renounced the devil andall his works, Richard, " said he. 

"'Oohs, that I will not, " his Lordship made haste to declare. "For theywere born in him, and will die with him. "

"And you, Jack, " I asked, "how is it that you are not in arms for theKing, and commanding one of his frigates?"

"Why, it is Charles's fault, " said my Lord, smiling. "Were it not forhim I should be helping Sir George Collier lay waste to your coasttowns. "

CHAPTER LV

"THE LOVE OF A MAID FOR A MAN"

The next morning, when Dr. Barry had gone, Mrs. Manners propped me up inbed and left me for a little, so she said. Then who should come in withmy breakfast on a tray but my lady herself, looking so fresh andbeautiful that she startled me vastly. 

"A penny for your thoughts, Richard, " she cried. "Why, you are as graveas a screech-owl this brave morning. "

"To speak truth, Dolly, " said I, "I was wondering how the commodore isto get away from the Texel, with half the British navy lying in waitoutside. "

"Do not worry your head about that, " said she, setting down the tray; "itwill be mere child's play to him. Oh but I should like to see yourcommodore again, and tell him how much I love him. 

"I pray that you may have the chance, " I replied. 

With a marvellous quickness she had tied the napkin beneath my chin, notso much as looking at the knot. Then she stepped to the mantel and tookdown one of Mr. Wedgwood's cups and dishes, and wiping them with herapron, filled the cup with fragrant tea, which she tendered me with hereyes sparkling. 

"Your Excellency is the first to be honoured with this service, " saysshe, with a curtsey. 

I was as a man without a tongue, my hunger gone from sheer happiness--andfright. And yet eating the breakfast with a relish because she had madeit. She busied herself about the room, dusting here and tidying there, and anon throwing a glance at me to see if I needed anything. My eyesfollowed her hither and thither. When I had finished, she undid thenapkin, and brushed the crumbs from the coverlet. 

"You are not going?" I said, with dismay. 

"Did you wish anything more, sir?" she asked. 

"Oh, Dorothy, " I cried, "it is you I want, and you will not come nearme. "

For an instant she stood irresolute. Then she put down the tray and cameover beside me. 

"Do you really want me, sir?"

"Dorothy, " I began, "I must first tell you that I have some guess at thesacrifice you are making for my sake, and of the trouble and danger whichI bring you. "

Without more ado she put her hand over my mouth. 

"No, " she said, reddening, "you shall tell me nothing of the sort. "

I seized her hand, however it struggled, and holding it fast, continued:

"And I have learned that you have been watching with me by night, andworking by day, when you never should have worked at all. To think thatyou should be reduced to that, and I not know it!"

Her eyes sought mine for a fleeting second. 

"Why, you silly boy, I have made a fortune out of my cookery. And fame, too, for now am I known from Mary-le-bone to Chelsea, while before myname was unheard of out of little Mayfair. Indeed, I would not havemissed the experience for a lady-in-waiting-ship. I have learned a dealsince I saw you last, sir. I know that the world, like our Continentalmoney, must not be taken for the price that is stamped upon it. And asfor the watching with you, " said my lady, "that had to be borne with ascheerfully as might be. Since I had sent off for you, I was in dutybound to do my share toward your recovery. I was even going to addthat this watching was a pleasure, --our curate says the sense of dutyperformed is sure to be. But you used to cry out the most terrifyingthings to frighten me: the pattering of blood and the bumping of bodieson the decks, and the black rivulets that ran and ran and ran and neverstopped; and strange, rough commands I could not understand; and the nameof your commodore whom you love so much. And often you would repeat overand over: 'I have not yet begun, to fight, I have not yet begun tofight!'"

"Yes, 'twas that he answered when they asked him if he had struck, "I exclaimed. 

"It must have been an awful scene, " she said, and her shoulders quivered. "When you were at your worst you would talk of it, and sometimes of whathappened to you in London, of that ride in Hyde Park, or--or ofVauxhall, " she continued hurriedly. "And when I could bear it no longer, I would take your hand and call you by name, and often quiet you thus. "

"And did I speak of aught else?" I asked eagerly. 

"Oh, yes. When you were caliper, it would be of your childhood, of yourgrandfather and your birthdays, of Captain Clapsaddle, and of Patty andher father. "

"And never of Dolly, I suppose. "

She turned away her head. 

"And never of Dolly?"

"I will tell you what you said once, Richard, " she answered, her voicedropping very low. "I was sitting by the window there, and the dawn wascoming. And suddenly I heard you cry: 'Patty, when I return will you bemy wife?' I got up and came to your side, and you said it again, twice. "

The room was very still. And the vision of Patty in the parlour ofGordon's Pride, knitting my woollen stocking, rose before me. 

"Yes, " I said at length, "I asked her that the day before I left for thewar. God bless her! She has the warmest heart in the world, and themost generous nature. Do you know what her answer was, Dorothy?"

"No. " 'Twas only her lips moving that formed the word. She was twistingabsently the tassel of the bed curtain. 

"She asked me if I loved her. "

My lady glanced up with a start, then looked me searchingly through andthrough. 

"And you?" she said, in the same inaudible way. 

"I could answer nothing. 'Twas because of her father's dying wish Iasked her, and she guessed that same. I would not tell her a lie, foronly the one woman lives whom I love, and whom I have loved ever sincewe were children together among the strawberries. Need I say that thatwoman is you, Dorothy? I loved you before we sailed to Carvel Hallbetween my grandfather's knees, and I will love you till death claimsme. "

Then it seemed as if my heart had stopped beating. But the snowy apronupon her breast fluttered like a sail stirring in the wind, her head washigh, and her eyes were far away. Even my voice sounded in the distanceas I continued:

"Will you be the mistress of Carvel Hall, Dorothy? Hallowed is the daythat I can ask it. "

What of this earth may excel in sweetness the surrender of that proud andnoble nature! And her words, my dears, shall be sacred to you, too, whoare descended from her. She bent forward a little, those deep blue eyesgazing full into my own with a fondness to make me tremble. 

"Dear Richard, " she said, "I believe I have loved you always. If I havebeen wilful and wicked, I have suffered more than you know--even as Ihave made you suffer. "

"And now our suffering is over, Dorothy. "

"Oh, don't say that, my dear!" she cried, "but let us rather make aprayer to God. "

Down she got on her knees close beside me, and I took both of her handsbetween my own. But presently I sought for a riband that was around myneck, and drew out a locket. Within it were pressed those lilies of thevalley I had picked for her long years gone by on my birthday. And shesmiled, though the tears shone like dewdrops on her lashes. 

"When Jack brought you to us for dead, we did not take it off, dear, "she said gently. "I wept with sorrow and joy at sight of it, for Iremembered you as you were when you picked those flowers, and how lightlyI had thought of leaving you as I wound them into my hair. And then, when I had gone aboard the 'Annapolis', I knew all at once that I wouldhave given anything to stay, and I thought my heart would break when weleft the Severn cliffs behind. But that, sir, has been a secret untilthis day, " she added, smiling archly through her tears. 

She took out one of the withered flowers, and then as caressingly put itback beside the others, and closed the locket. 

"I forbade Dr. Barry to take it off, Richard, when you lay so white andstill. I knew then that you had been true to me, despite what I hadheard. And if you were to die--" her voice broke a little as she passedher hand over my brow, "if you were to die, my single comfort would havebeen that you wore it then. "

"And you heard rumours of me, Dorothy?"

"George Worthington and others told me how ably you managed Mr. Swain'saffairs, and that you had become of some weight with the thinking men ofthe province. Richard, I was proud to think that you had the courage tolaugh at disaster and to become a factor. I believe, " she said shyly, "twas that put the cooking into my head, and gave me courage. And whenI heard that Patty was to marry you, Heaven is my witness that I tried tobe reconciled and think it for the best. Through my own fault I had lostyou, and I knew well she would make you a better wife than I. "

"And you would not even let Jack speak for me!"

"Dear Jack!" she cried; "were it not for Jack we should not be here, Richard. "

"Indeed, Dolly, two people could scarce fall deeper in debt to anotherthan are you and I to my Lord Viscount, " I answered, with feeling. "Hishonesty and loyalty to us both saved you for me at the very outset. "

"Yes, " she replied thoughtfully, "I believed you dead. And I should havemarried him, I think. For Dr. Courtenay had sent me that piece from theGazette telling of the duel between you over Patty Swain--"

"Dr. Courtenay sent you that!" I interrupted. 

"I was a wild young creature then, my dear, with little beside vanityunder my cap. And the notion that you could admire and love any girl butme was beyond endurance. Then his Lordship arrived in England, brimmingwith praise of you, to assure me that the affair was not about Patty atall. This was far from making me satisfied that you were not in lovewith her, and I may say now that I was miserable. Then, as we weresetting out for Castle Howard, came the news of your death on the roadto Upper Marlboro. I could not go a step. Poor Jack, he was very honestwhen he proposed, " she added, with a sigh. 

"He loved you, Dorothy. "

She did not hear me, so deep was she in thought. 

"'Twas he who gave me news of you, when I was starving at Gordon's. "

"And I--I starved, too, Richard, " she answered softly. "Dearest, I slidvery wrong. There are some matters that must be spoken of between us, whatever the pain they give. And my heart aches now when I think of thatdark day in Arlington Street when I gave you the locket, and you went outof my life. I knew that I had done wrong then, Richard, as soon as everthe door closed behind you. I should have gone with you, for better forworse, for richer for poorer. I should have run after you in the rainand thrown myself at your feet. And that would have been best for myfather and for me. "

She covered her face with her hands, and her words were stifled by a sob. 

"Dorothy, Dorothy!" I cried, drawing her to me. "Another time. Not now, when we are so happy. "

"Now, and never again, dear, " she said. "Yes, I saw and heard all thatpassed in the drawing-room. And I did not blame, but praised you for it. I have never spoken a word beyond necessity to my father since. Godforgive me!" she cried, "but I have despised him from that hour. WhenI knew that he had plotted to sell me to that detestable brute, workingupon me to save his honour, of which he has not the smallest spark; thathe had recognized and denied you, friendless before our house, and sentyou into the darkness at Vauxhall to be murdered, then he was no fatherof mine. I would that you might know what my mother has suffered fromsuch a man, Richard. "

"My dear, I have often pitied her from my soul, " I said. 

"And now I shall tell you something of the story of the Duke ofChartersea, " she went on, and I felt her tremble as she spoke that name. "I think of all we have Lord Comyn to thank for, next to saving your lifetwice, was his telling you of the danger I ran. And, Richard, afterrefusing you that day on the balcony over the Park, I had no hope left. You may thank your own nobility and courage that you remained in Londonafter that. Richard, " she said, "do you recall my asking you in thecoach, on the way from Castle Yard, for the exact day you met my fatherin Arlington Street?"

"Yes, " I replied, in some excitement, "yes. " For I was at last to comeat the bottom of this affair. 

"The duke had made a formal offer for me when first we came to London. I think my father wrote of that to Dr. Courtenay. " (I smiled at therecollection, now. ) "Then his Grace persisted in following meeverywhere, and vowed publicly that he would marry me. I ordered himfrom our house, since my father would not. At last one afternoon he cameback to dine with us, insolent to excess. I left the table. He sat withmy father two hours or more, drinking and singing, and giving orders tothe servants. I shut my door, that I might not hear. After a while mymother came up to me, crying, saying that Mr. Manners would be brandedwith dishonour and I did not consent to marry his Grace, --a most terribledishonour, of which she could not speak. That the duke had given myfather a month to win my consent. And that month was up, Richard, thevery afternoon you appeared with Mr. Dix in Arlington Street. "

"And you agreed to marry him, Dolly?" I asked breathlessly. 

"By the grace of Heaven, I did not, " she answered quickly. "The utmostthat I would consent to was a two months' respite, promising to give myhand to no one in that interval. And so I was forced to refuse you, Richard. You must have seen even then that I loved you, dear, thoughI was so cruel when you spoke of saving me from his Grace. I could notbear to think that you knew of any stain upon our family. I think--Ithink I would rather have died, or have married him. That day I threwChartersea's presents out of the window, but my father made the servantsgather them all which escaped breaking, and put them in the drawing-room. Then I fell ill. "

She was silent, I clinging to her, and shuddering to think how near I hadbeen to losing her. 

"It was Jack who came to cheer me, " I said presently. 

"His faith in you was never shaken, sweetheart. But I went to Newmarketand Ampthill, and behaved like the ingrate I was. I richly deserved thescolding he had for me when I got back to town, which sent me running toArlington Street. There I met Dr. James coming out, who asked me if Iwas Mr. Carvel, and told me that you had called my name. "

"And, you goose, you never suspected, " says she, smiling. 

"How was I to suspect that you loved a provincial booby like me, whenyou had the choice of so many accomplished gentlemen with titles andestates?"

"How were you to perceive, indeed, that you had qualities which theylacked?"

"And you were forever vowing that you would marry a nobleman, my lady. For you said to me once that I should call you so, and ride in the coachwith the coroneted panels when I came home on a visit. "

"And I said, too, " retorted Dolly, with mischief in her eyes, "do youremember what I told you the New Year's eve when we sat out by thesundial at Carvel Hall, when I was so proud of having fixed Dr. Courtenay's attentions? I said that I should never marry you, sir, whowas so rough and masterful, and thrashed every lad that did not agreewith you. "

"Alas, so you did, and a deal more!" I exclaimed. 

With that she broke away from me and, getting to her feet, made me a lowcurtsey with the grace that was hers alone. 

"You are my Lord and my King, sir, " she said, "and my rough Patriotsquire, all in one. "

"Are you happy, Dolly?" I asked, tremulous from my own joy. 

"I have never been happy in all my life before, Richard dear, " she said. 

In truth, she was a being transformed, and more wondrous fair than ever. And even then I pictured her in the brave gowns and jewels I would buyher when times were mended, when our dear country would be free. All atonce, ere I could draw a breath, she had stooped and kissed me ever solightly on the forehead. 

The door opened upon Aunt Lucy. She had but to look at us, and her blackface beamed at our blushes. My lady threw her arms about her neck, andhid her face in the ample bosom. 

"Now praise de good Lawd!" cried Mammy; "I knowed it dis longest time. What's I done tole you, Miss Dolly? What's I done tole you, honey?"

But my lady flew from the room. Presently I heard the spinet playingsoftly, and the words of that air came out of my heart from long ago. 

 "Love me little, love me long, Is the burthen of my song. Love that is too hot and strong Burneth soon to waste. Still, I would not have thee cold, Nor too backward, nor too bold. Love that lasteth till 'tis old Fadeth not in haste. "

CHAPTER LVI

HOW GOOD CAME OUT OF EVIL

'Twas about candlelight when I awoke, and Dorothy was sitting alonebeside me. Her fingers were resting upon my arm, and she greeted me witha smile all tenderness. 

"And does my Lord feel better after--after his excitement to-day?" sheasked. 

"Dorothy, you have made me a whole man again. I could walk to Windsorand back. "

"You must have your dinner, or your supper first, sir, " she answeredgayly, "and do you rest quiet until I come back to feed you. Oh, Richarddear, " she cried, "how delightful that you should be the helpless one, and dependent on me!"

As I lay listening for the rustle of her gown, the minutes draggedeternally. Every word and gesture of the morning passed before my mind, and the touch of her lips still burned on my forehead. At last, when Iwas getting fairly restless, the distant tones of a voice, deep andreverberating, smote upon my ear, jarring painfully some long-forgottenchord. That voice belonged to but one man alive, and yet I could notname him. Even as I strained, the tones drew nearer, and they were mixedwith sweeter ones I knew well, and Dorothy's mother's voice. Whilst Iwas still searching, the door opened, the voices fell calm, and Dorothycame in bearing a candle in each hand. As she set them down on thetable, I saw an agitation in her face, which she strove to hide as sheaddressed me. 

"Will you see a visitor, Richard?"

"A visitor!" I repeated, with misgiving. 'Twas not so she had announcedComyn. 

"Will you see Mr. Allen?"--

"Mr. Allen, who was the rector of St. Anne's? Mr. Allen in London, andhere?"

"Yes. " Her breath seemed to catch at the word. "He says he must seeyou, dear, and will not be denied. How he discovered you were with usI know not. "

"See him!" I cried. "And I had but the half of my strength I wouldfling him downstairs, and into the kennel. Will you tell him so for me, Dorothy?"

And I raised up in bed, shaken with anger against the man. In a triceshe was holding me, fearfully. 

"Richard, Richard, you will open your wound. I pray you be quiet. "

"And Mr. Allen has the impudence to ask to see me!"

"Listen, Richard. Your anger makes you forget many things. Rememberthat he is a dangerous man, and now that he knows you are in London heholds your liberty, perhaps your life, in his hands. "

It was true. And not mine alone, but the lives and liberty of others. 

"Do you know what he wishes, Dorothy?"

"No, he will not tell us. But he is greatly excited, and says he mustsee you at once, for your own good. For your own good, Richard!"

"I do not trust the villain, but he may come in, " I said, at length. 

She gave me the one lingering, anxious look, and opened the door. 

Never had I beheld such a change in mortal man as there was in Mr. Allen, my old tutor, and rector of St. Anne's. And 'twas a baffling, intangiblechange. 'Twas as if the mask bad been torn from his face, for he was nowjust a plain adventurer that need not have imposed upon a soul. Thecoarse wine and coarse food of the lower coffee-houses of London hadreplaced the rich and abundant fare of Maryland. The next day was becomeone of the terrors of his life. His clothes were of poor stuff, butaimed at the fashion. And yet--and yet, as I looked upon him, asomething was in his face to puzzle me entirely. I had seen many stampsof men, but this thing I could not recognize. 

He stepped forward with all of his old confidence, and did not regard afarthing my cold stare. 

"'Tis like gone days to see you again, Richard, " he cried. "And Iperceive you have as ever fallen into the best of hands. "

"I am Mr. Carvel to my enemies, if they must speak to me at all, " I said. 

"But, my dear fellow, I am not your enemy, or I should not be here thisday. And presently I shall prove that same. " He took snuff. "But firstI must congratulate you on coming alive out of that great battle offFlamborough. You look as though you had been very near to death, my lad. A deal nearer than I should care to get. "

What to say to the man! What to do save to knock him down, and I couldnot do that. 

"There can be no passing the time of day between you and me, Mr. Allen, "I answered hotly. "You, whose machinations have come as near to ruiningme as a man's can. "

"And that was your own fault, my dear sir, " said he, as he brushedhimself. "You never showed me a whit of consideration, which is verydear to men in my position. "

My head swam. Then I saw Dolly by the door regarding me curiously, withsomething of a smile upon her lips, but anxiety still in her eyes. Witha "by your leave, ma'am, " to her, Mr. Allen took the chair abreast me. 

"You have but to call me when you wish, Richard, " said she. 

"Nay, Dorothy, Mr. Allen can have nothing to say to me that you may nothear, " I said instantly. "And you will do me a favour to remain. "

She sat down without a word, where I could look at her. Mr. Allen raisedhis eyebrows at the revelation in our talk, but by the grace of God hekept his mouth shut. 

"And now, Mr. Allen, " I said, "to what do I owe the pain of this visit?"

"The pain!" he exclaimed, and threw back his head and gave way to a fitof laughter. "By the mass! your politeness drowns me. But I like you, Richard, as I have said more than once. I believe your brutalstraight-dealing has more to do with my predilection than aught else. For I have seen a deal of rogues in my day. "

"And they have seen a deal of you, Mr. Allen. "

"So they have, " he cried, and laughed the more. "Egad, Miss Dorothy, you have saved all of him, I think. " Then he swung round upon me, verycareless. "Has your Uncle Grafton called to express his sympathies, Richard?" he asked. 

That name brought a cry out of my head, Dolly seizing the arm of herchair. 

"Grafton Carvel in London?" I exclaimed. 

"Ay, in very pretty lodgings in Jermyn Street, for he has put by enough, I'll warrant you, despite the loss of his lands. Your aunt is with him, and his dutiful son, Philip, now broken of his rank in the English army. They arrived, before yesterday, from New York. "

"And to what is this an introduction?" I demanded. 

"I merely thought it strange, " said Mr. Allen, imperturbably, "that hehad not called to inquire after his nephew's health. "

Dolly was staring at him, with eyes wide open. 

"And pray, how did he discover I was in London, sir?" I said. "I wasabout to ask how you knew of it, but that is one and the same thing. "

He shot at me a look not to be solved. 

"It is not well to bite the hand that lifts you out of the fire, Richard, " said he. 

"You had not gained admission to this house were I not on my back, Mr. Allen. "

"And that same circumstance is a blessing for you, " he cried. 

'Twas then I saw Dorothy making me mute signals of appeal. 

"I cannot think why you are here, Mr. Allen, " I said. "When you considerall the harm you have done me, and all the double-dealing I may lay atyour door, can you blame me for my feelings?"

"No, " he answered, with more soberness than he had yet used; "I honouryou for them. And perchance I am here to atone for some of that harm. For I like you, my lad, and that's God's truth. "

"All this is neither here nor there, Mr. Allen, " I exclaimed, wholly outof patience. "If you have come with a message, let me have it. If not, I beg you get out of my sight, for I have neither the will nor the desirefor palavering. "

"Oh, Richard, do keep your temper!" implored Dorothy. "Can you not seethat Mr. Allen desires to do us--to do you--a service?"

"Of that I am not so sure, " I replied. 

"It is his way, Miss Manners, " said the rector, "and I hold it notagainst him. To speak truth, I looked for a worse reception, and camesteeled to withstand it. And had my skin been thin, I had left ere now. "He took more snuff. "It was Mr. Dix, " he said to me slowly, "whoinformed Mr. Carvel of your presence in London. "

"And how the devil did Mr. Dix know?"

He did not reply, but glanced apprehensively at Dorothy. 

And I have wondered since at his consideration. 

"Miss Manners may not wish to hear, " he said uneasily. 

"Miss Manners hears all that concerns me, " I answered. 

He shrugged his shoulders in comprehension. 

"It was Mr. Manners, then, who went to Mr. Dix, and told him under thepledge of secrecy. "

Not a sound came from Dorothy, nor did I dare to look at her face. Thewhole matter was clear to me now. After his conversation with me, Mr. Marmaduke had lost no time in seeing Mr. Dix, in order to raise money onmy prospects. And the man of business had gone straight to Grafton withthe intelligence. The suspicion flashed through me that Mr. Allen hadbeen sent to spy, but his very next words disarmed it. 

"And now, Richard, " he continued, "before I say what I have come to say, and since you cannot now prosecute me, I mean to confess to you somethingwhich you probably know almost to a certainty. I was in the plot tocarry you off and deprive you of your fortune. I have been paid for it, though not very handsomely. Fears for my own safety alone kept me fromtelling you and Mr. Swain. And I swear to you that I was sorry for theventure almost before I had embarked, and ere I had received a shilling. The scheme was laid out before I took you for a pupil; indeed, that waspart of it, as you no doubt have guessed. As God hears me, I learned tolove you, Richard, in those days at the rectory. You were all of a man, and such an one as I might have hoped to be had I been born like you. You said what you chose, and spoke from your own convictions, and cateredto no one. You did not whine when the luck went against you, but lostlike a gentleman, and thought no more of it. You had no fear of thedevil himself. Why should you? While your cousin Philip, with hisparrot talk and sneaking ways, turned my stomach. I was sick of him, and sick of Grafton, I tell you. But dread of your uncle drove me on, and I had debts to frighten me. "

He paused. "Twas with a strange medley of emotions I looked at him. AndDorothy, too, was leaning forward, her lips parted and her eyes rivetedupon his face. 

"Oh, I am speaking the truth, " he said bitterly. "And I assume no virtuefor the little justice it remains in my power to do. It is the lot of mylife that I must be false to some one always, and even now I am false toyour uncle. Yes, I am come to do justice, and 'tis a strange errand forme. I know that estates have been restored to you by the MarylandLegislature, Richard, and I believe in my heart that you will win thiswar. " Here he fetched a memorandum from his pocket. "But to make yousecure, " said he, "in the year 1710, and on the 9th of March, old style, your great-grandfather, Mr. George Carvel, drew up a document entailingthe lands of Carvel Hall. By this they legally pass to you. "

"The family settlement Mr. Swain suspected!" I exclaimed. 

"Just so, " he answered. 

"And what am I to pay for this information?" I asked. 

Hardly were the words spoken, when Dorothy ran to my bedside, and seizingmy hand, faced him. 

"He--he is not well, Mr. Allen, " she cried. 

The rector had risen, and stood gazing down at us with the whole of hislife written on his face. That look was fearful to see, and all of hellwas expressed therein. For what is hell if it is not hope dead andburied, and galling regret for what might have been? With mine own greathappiness so contrasted against his torture, my heart melted. 

"I am not well, indeed, Mr. Allen, " I said. "God knows how hard it isfor me to forgive, but I forgive you this night. "

One brief instant he stared at me, and then tumbled suddenly down intohis chair, his head falling forward on his arms. And the long sobs bywhich his frame was shaken awed our very souls. Dorothy drew backagainst me, clasping my shoulder, the tears wet upon her cheeks. Whatwe looked on, there in the candlelight, was the Revelation itself. 

How long it, endured none of us might say. And when at last he raisedhis face, it was haggard and worn in truth, but the evil of it seemed tohave fled. Again and again he strove to speak. The words would notobey. And when he had mastered himself, his voice was shattered andgone. 

"Richard, I have sinned heavily in my time, and preached God's holy wordwith a sneer and unbelief in my heart. He knows what I have suffered, and what I shall yet suffer before His judgment comes for us all. But Ibeg it is no sin to pray to Him for your happiness and Miss Dorothy's. "

He stumbled there, and paused, and then continued with more steadiness:

"I came here to-night to betray you, and might have gone hence to youruncle to claim my pieces of silver. I remain to tell you that Graftonhas an appointment at nine with his Majesty's chief Secretary of State. I need not mention his motives, nor dwell upon your peril. For theKing's sentiments toward Paul Jones are well known. You must leaveLondon without delay, and so must Mr. Manners and his family. "

Is it the generations which decide? When I remember bow Dorothy behavedthat night, I think so. Scarce had the rector ceased when she hadreleased me and was standing erect before him. Pity was in her eyes, but in her face that courage which danger itself begets in heroic women. 

"You have acted a noble part this day, Mr. Allen, " she said, "to atonefor the wrongs you have done Richard. May God forgive you, and make youhappier than you have been!"

He struggled to his feet, listening as to a benediction. Then, with asingle glance to give me confidence, she was gone. And for a minutethere was silence between us. 

"How may you be directed to?" I asked. 

He leaped as out of a trance. 

"Just 'the world, ' Richard, " said he. "For I am adrift again, and notvery like to find a harbour, now. "

"You were to have been paid for this, Mr. Allen, " I replied. "And a manmust live. "

"A man must live!" he cried. "The devil coined that line, and made itsome men's history. "

"I have you on my conscience, Mr. Allen, " I went on, "for I have been atfault as well as you. I might have treated you better, even as you havesaid. And I command you to assign a place in London whence you may bereached. "

"A letter to the Mitre coffee-house will be delivered, " he said. 

"You shall receive it, " I answered. "And now I bid you good-by, andthank you. "

He seized and held my hand. Then walked blindly to the door and turnedabruptly. 

"I do not tell you that I shall change my life, Richard, for I have saidthat too many times before. Indeed, I warn you that any money you maysend will be spent in drink, and--and worse. I will be no hypocrite toyou. But I believe that I am better this hour than I have been sincelast I knelt at my mother's knee in the little Oxfordshire cottage whereI was born. "

When Dorothy returned to me, there was neither haste in her step norexcitement in her voice. Her very coolness inspired me. 

"Do you feel strong enough for a journey, Richard?" she asked. 

"To the world's end, Dolly, if you will but go with me. "

She smiled faintly. "I have sent off for my Lord and Mr. Fox, and praythat one of them may be here presently. "

Scarcely greater were the visible signs of apprehension upon Mrs. Manners. Her first care, and Dorothy's, was to catechise me mostparticularly on my state. And whilst they were so occupied Mr. Marmadukeentered, wholly frenzied from fright, and utterly oblivious to his ownblame in the matter. He was sent out again directly. After that, withAunt Lucy to assist, they hurriedly packed what few things might betaken. The costly relics of Arlington Street were untouched, and theFrench clock was left on the mantel to tick all the night, and for daysto come, in a silent and forsaken room; or perhaps to greet impassivelythe King's officers when they broke in at the door. But I caught my ladyin the act of wrapping up the Wedgwood cups and dishes. 

In the midst of these preparations Mr. Fox was heard without, and was metat the door by Dorothy. Two sentences sufficed her to tell him what hadoccurred, and two seconds for this man of action to make his decision. 

"In an hour you shall have travelling chaises here, Dorothy, " he said. "You must go to Portsmouth, and take ship for Lisbon. And if Jack doesnot arrive, I will go with you. "

"No, Charles, you must not!" she cried, her emotion conquering her forthe nonce. "That might be to ruin your career, and perchance to loseyour life. And suppose we were to escape, what would they say of you!"

"Fish!" Charles retorted, to hide some feelings of his own; "once ourrebel is out of the country, they may speak their minds. They have neverlacked for names to call me, and I have been dubbed a traitor before now, my dear lady. "

He stepped hastily to the bed, and laid his hand on me with affection. 

"Charles, " I said, "this is all of a piece with your old recklessness. You were ever one to take any risk, but I will not hear of such a ventureas this. Do you think I will allow the hope of all England to be stakedfor a pirate? And would you break our commander of her rank? All thatDorothy need do at Portsmouth is to curtsey to the first skipper shemeets, and I'll warrant he will carry us all to the antipodes. "

"Egad, but that is more practical than it sounds, " he replied, with aglance of admiration at my lady, as she stood so tall before us. "Shehas a cool head, Richard Carvel, and a long head, and--and I'm thinkingyou are to come out of this the best of all of us. You cannot get faroff your course, my lad, with her at the helm. "

It was there his voice belied the jest in his words, and he left us withprecipitation. 

They lifted me out of my sheets (I was appalled to discover my weakness), and bundled me with tender care in a dozen shawls and blankets. My feetwere thrust into two pairs of heavy woollen stockings, and Dorothy boundher own silk kerchief at my throat, whispering anxious questions thewhile. And when her mother and mammy went from the room, her arms flewaround my neck in a passion of solicitude. Then she ran away to dressfor the journey, and in a surprising short time was back again, with hermuff and her heavy cloak, and bending over me to see if I gave any signsof failure. 

Fifty and five minutes had been registered by the French clock, when therattle of wheels and the clatter of hoofs sounded below, and Charles Foxpanted up the stairs, muffled in a huge wrap-rascal. 'Twas he and AuntLucy carried me down to the street, Dorothy walking at my side, andpropped me up in the padded corner of one of the two vehicles in waiting. This was an ample travelling-carriage with a lamp hanging from its top, by the light of which my lady tucked me in from head to foot, and thentook her place next me. Aunt Lucy filled most of the seat opposite. Thebaggage was hoisted up behind, and Charles was about to slam the door, when a hackney-chaise turned the corner at a gallop and pulled up in thenarrow street abreast, and the figure of my Lord Comyn suddenly leapedwithin the compass of the lanthorn's rays. He was dressed as for a ball, with only a thin rain-cloak over his shoulders, for the night was thickwith mist. He threw at us a startled look that was a question. 

"Jack, Richard is to be betrayed to-night by his uncle, " said Charles, shortly. "And I am taking them to Portsmouth to get them off forLisbon. "

"Charles, " said his Lordship, sternly, "give me that greatcoat. "

It was just the one time that ever I saw uncertainty on Mr. Fox's face. He threw an uneasy glance into the chaise. 

"I have brought money, " his Lordship went on rapidly; "'Twas that keptme, for I guessed at something of this kind. Give me the coat, I say. "

Mr. Fox wriggled out of it, and took the oiled cape in return. 

"Thank you, Jack, " he said simply, and stepped into the carriage. "Whois to mend my waistcoats now?" he cried. "Faith, I shall treasure thisagainst you, Richard. Good-by, my lad, and obey your rebel general. Alas! I must even ask your permission to salute her. "

And he kissed the unresisting Dorothy on both her cheeks. "God keep thetwo of you, " he said, "for I love you with all my heart. "

Before we could answer he was gone into the night; and my Lord, standingwithout, had closed the carriage door. And that was the last I saw ofthis noble man, the true friend of America, who devoted his glorioustalents and his life to fighting the corruption that was rotting thegreatness of England. He who was followed by the prayers of the Englishrace was ever remembered in our own humble ones. 

CHAPTER LVII

I COME TO MY OWN AGAIN

'Twas a rough, wild journey we made to Portsmouth, my dears, and I thinkit must have killed me had not my lady been at my side. We were nosooner started than she pulled the curtains and opened her portmanteau, which I saw was near filled with things for my aid and comfort. And Iwas made to take a spoonful of something. Never, I believe, was medicineswallowed with a greater willingness. Talk was impossible, so I lay backin the corner and looked at her; and now and anon she would glance at myface, with a troubled guess in her own as to how I might stand the night. For we were still in London. That I knew by the trot of our horses, andby the granite we traversed from time to time. But at length we rumbledover a bridge, there was a sharp call back from our post-boy to him ofthe chaise behind, and then began that rocking and pitching and swayingand creaking, which was to last the whole night long, save for the briefstops at the post-houses. 

After an hour of it, I was holding my breath against the lurches, like asea-sick man against that bottomless fall of the ship's bows on theocean. I had no pain, --only an over whelming exhaustion, --but the joyof her touch and her presence kept me from failing. And though Aunt Lucydozed, not a wink of sleep did my lady get through all of those wearytwelve hours. Always alert was she, solicitous beyond belief, scanningever the dial of her watch to know when to give me brandy and physic; orreaching across to feel my temples for the fever. The womanliness ofthat last motion was a thing for a man to wonder at. But most marvellousof all was the instinct which told her of my chief sickening discomfort, --of the leathery, travelled smell of the carriage. As a relief for thisshe charged her pocket-napkin with a most delicate perfume, and held itto my face. 

When we drew up to shift horses, Jack would come to the door to inquireif there was aught she wanted, and to know how I was bearing up. Andoften Mrs. Manners likewise. At first I was for talking with them, butthis Dorothy would not allow. Presently, indeed, it was beyond my power, and I could only smile feebly at my Lord when I heard Dolly asking himthat the hostlers might be more quiet. Toward morning a lethargy fellupon me. Once I awoke when the lamp had burned low, to perceive thecurtains drawn back, a black blotch of trees without, and the moonlightstreaming in on my lady's features. With the crack of a whip I was offagain. 

When next consciousness came, the tarry, salt smell of a ship was in mynostrils, and I knew that we were embarked. I lay in a clean bunk in afair-sized and sun-washed cabin, and I heard the scraping of ropes andthe tramp of feet on the deck above my head. Framed against theirregular glass of the cabin window, which was greened by the waterbeyond, Dorothy and my Lord stood talking in whispers. 

"Jack!" I said. 

At the sound they turned and ran toward me, asking how I felt. 

"I feel that words are very empty, Jack, to express such a gratitude asmine, " I answered. "Twice you have saved me from death, you have paidmy debts, and have been stanch to us both in our troubles. And--" Theeffort was beyond me, and I glanced appealingly at Dolly. 

"And it is to you, dear Jack, " she finished, "it is to you alone that weowe the great joy of our lives. "

Her eyes were shining through her tears, and her smile was like the sunout of a rain-swept sky. His Lordship took one of her hands in his own, and one of mine. He scanned our faces in a long, lingering look. 

"You will cherish her, Richard, " he said brokenly, "for her like is notto be found in this world. I knew her worth when first she came toLondon, as arrant a baggage as ever led man a dance. I saw then that agreat love alone was needed to make her the highest among women, and fromthe night I fought with you at the Coffee House I have felt upon whomthat love would fall. O thou of little faith, " he cried, "what little Imay have done has been for her. No, Richard, you do not deserve her, butI would rather think of her as your wife than that of any man living. "

I shall not dwell upon that painful farewell which wrung our hearts, andmade us silent for a long, long while after the ship was tossing in theshort seas of the Channel. 

Nor is it my purpose to tell you of that long voyage across the Atlantic. We reached Lisbon in safety, and after a week of lodgings in that city bythe best of fortune got passage in a swift bark bound for Baltimore. Forthe Chesapeake commerce continued throughout the war, and kept alive thecredit of the young nation. There were many excitements ere we sightedthe sand-spits of Virginia, and off the Azores we were chased for a dayand a night by a British sloop of war. Our captain, however, was a coolman and a seaman, and slipped through the cruisers lying in wait off theCapes very triumphantly. 

But the remembrance of those fair days at sea fills my soul with longing. The weather was mild and bright for the season, and morning upon morningtwo stout topmen would carry me out to a sheltered spot on the deck, always chosen by my lady herself. There I sat by the hour, swathed inmany layers of wool, and tended by her hands alone. Every nook andcranny of our lives were revealed to the other. She loved to hear ofPatty and my years at Gordon's, and would listen with bated breath to thestories of the Ranger and the Bonhomme Richard, and of that strange manwhom we both loved, whose genius had made those cruises famous. Sometimes, in low voices, we talked of our future; but often, when thewind blew and the deck rocked and the sun flashed upon the waters, asilence would fall between us that needed no word to interpret. 

Mrs. Manners yielded to my wish for us all to go to Carvel Hall. It wason a sparkling morning in February that we sighted the familiar toe ofKent Island, and the good-natured skipper put about and made for themouth of our river. Then, as of old, the white cupola of Carvel Housegleamed a signal of greeting, to which our full hearts beat a silentresponse. Once again the great windmill waved its welcome, and the samememory was upon us both as we gazed. Of a hale old gentleman in thesheets of a sailing pinnace, of a boy and a girl on his knees quiveringwith excitement of the days to come. Dorothy gently pressed my hand asthe bark came into the wind, and the boat was dropped into the greenwater. Slowly they lowered me into it, for I was still helpless, Dorothyand her mother and Aunt Lucy were got down, and finally Mr. Marmadukestepped gingerly from the sea-ladder over the gunwale. The cutter leapedunder the strong strokes up the river with the tide. Then, as we roundedthe bend, we were suddenly astonished to see people gathered on thelanding at the foot of the lawn, where they had run, no doubt, in aflurry at sight of the ship below. In the front of the group stoodout a strangely familiar figure. 

"Why, " exclaimed Dolly, "it is Ivie Rawlinson!"

Ivie it was, sure enough. And presently, when we drew a little closer, he gave one big shout and whipped off the hat from his head; and off, too, came the caps from the white heads of Scipio and Chess and Johnsonbehind him. Our oars were tossed, Ivie caught our bows, and reached hishand to Dorothy. It was fitting that she should be the first to land atCarvel Hall. 

"'Twas yere bonny face I seed first, Miss Dolly, " he cried, the tearscoursing down the scars of his cheeks. "An' syne I kennt weel the youngmaster was here. Noo God be praised for this blythe day, that Mr. Richard's cam to his ain at last!"

But Scipio and Chess could only blubber as they helped him to lift meout, Dolly begging them to be careful. As they carried me up thefamiliar path to the pillared porch, the first I asked Ivie was of Patty, and next why he had left Gordon's. She was safe and well, despite theTories, and herself had sent him to take charge of Carvel Hall as soon asever Judge Bordley had brought her the news of its restoration to me. Hehad supplied her with another overseer. Thanks to the good judge and toColonel Lloyd, who had looked to my interests since Grafton was fled, Ivie had found the old place in good order, all the negroes quiet, andimpatient with joy against my arrival. 

It is time, my children, to bring this story to a close. I would I mightwrite of those delicious spring days I spent with Dorothy at Carvel Hall, waited on by the old servants of my grandfather. At our whim my chairwould be moved from one to another of the childhood haunts; on cool dayswe sat in the sun by the dial, where the flowers mingled their odourswith the salt breezes off the Chesapeake; or anon, when it was warmer, inthe summer-house my mother loved, or under the shade of the great treeson the lawn, looking out over the river. And once my lady went off verymysteriously, her eyes brimful of mischief, to come back with the firststrawberries of the year staining her apron. 

We were married on the fifteenth of June, already an anniversary for usboth, in the long drawing-room. General Clapsaddle was there from thearmy to take Dorothy in his arms, even as he had embraced another brideon the same spot in years gone by. She wore the wedding gown that washer mother's, but when the hour was come to dress her Aunt Lucy and AuntHester failed in their task, and it was Patty who performed the most ofthat office, and hung the necklace of pearls about her neck. 

Dear Patty! She hath often been with us since. You have heard yourmothers and fathers speak of Aunt Patty, my dears, and they will tellyou how she spoiled them when they went a-visiting to Gordon's Pride. 

Ere I had regained my health, the war for Independence was won. I prayGod that time may soften the bitterness it caused, and heal the breach inthat noble race whose motto is Freedom. That the Stars and Stripes andthe Union Jack may one day float together to cleanse this world oftyranny!

AFTERWORD

The author makes most humble apologies to any who have, or think theyhave, an ancestor in this book. He has drawn the foregoing with a veryfree hand, and in the Maryland scenes has made use of names rather thanof actual personages. His purpose, however poorly accomplished, was togive some semblance of reality to this part of the story. Hence he hasintroduced those names in the setting, choosing them entirely at randomfrom the many prominent families of the colony. 

No one may read the annals of these men, who were at once brave andcourtly, and of these women, who were ladies by nature as well as bybirth, and not love them. The fascination of that free and hospitablelife has been so strong on the writer of this novel that he closes itwith a genuine regret and the hope that its perusal may lead others tothe pleasure he has derived from the history of Maryland. 

As few liberties as possible have been taken with the lives of CharlesJames Fox and of John Paul Jones. The latter hero actually made a voyagein the brigantine 'John' about the time he picked up Richard Carvel fromthe Black Moll, after the episode with Mungo Maxwell at Tobago. TheScotch scene, of course, is purely imaginary. Accuracy has been aimed atin the account of the fight between the 'Bonhomme Richard' and the'Serapis', while a little different arrangement might have been betterfor the medium of the narrative. To be sure, it was Mr. Mease, thepurser, instead of Richard Carvel, who so bravely fought the quarter-deckguns; and in reality Midshipman Mayrant, Commodore Jones's aide, waswounded by a pike in the thigh after the surrender. No injustice is doneto the second and third lieutenants, who were absent from the ship duringthe action. 

The author must acknowledge that the only good anecdote in the book andthe only verse worth printing are stolen. The story on page concerningMr. Garrick and the Archbishop of York may be found in Fitzgerald's lifeof the actor, much better told. The verse (in Chapter X) is by anunknown author in the Annapolis Gazette, and is republished in Mr. ElihuRiley's excellent "History of Annapolis. "