With all the ardour of an Irish menial to do honour to her master’s
hospitality, Molly Ryan had taken the unwonted step of laying out the
dinner in the “sacristy” of the Abbey, which Luttrell had once on a time
intended to have converted into a grand gallery for all his rare and
curious objects, and from which he soon desisted, deterred by the cost.
It was a long, narrow, vaulted chamber, with four pointed windows in
one wall, and blank niches to correspond to them in the other. If in
the cold unflattering light of day it would have presented an air of
cheerless gloom and destitution, not so did it look now, as a great fire
of turf blazed and glowed on the ample hearth, and the light of four
huge pine-torches flared red from the niches, and threw a warm and
mellow glare over everything; while the board was spread with
an abundance which would have been utterly wasteful, if some
five-and-twenty sailors and fishermen without were not to revel at
second-hand, and feed on what fell from the master’s table.
Luttrell had heard nothing--knew nothing of this arrangement, and when
he was told in a whisper that the dinner was ready in the sacristy,
his brow darkened, and his cheek flushed with anger. “We need not have
starved them with cold as well as hunger,” muttered he, sternly, to the
woman; but she knew better than to await his reproaches, and hastened
away to the kitchen.
“To you who have seen where I live, gentlemen,” said he to his guests,
“it will be unnecessary to apologise for how I live; I can but say how
much I regret it for _your_ sakes, custom has made it easy to myself.”
With this he led the way along a little narrow passage, and then
crossing a court-yard, entered the sacristy. If M’Kinlay and the Yankee
stared with amazement at the ample preparations to regale them, and
the fine old hall--for such it looked--in which they were displayed,
Luttrell could scarcely master his astonishment at what he saw, and
nothing short of that “dignity which doth hedge” a host as well as “a
king,” could have prevented him from openly expressing his surprise.
Molly whispered a word in his ear, to which as hastily he said,
“Certainly, of course,” and just as the guests took their seats, Harry,
dressed in what remained to him of his best, came forward, and stood
near the table. “Sit opposite to me, Harry; the foot of the table is the
fitting place for the heir of the house, is it not, Mr. M’Kinlay?”
“And is this your son, Sir; is this young gentleman the--the----”
“The boy you picked up at sea,” resumed Luttrell, courteously, “and who
will be proud to renew his acquaintance with you more pleasantly than it
opened.”
“Well, young ‘um, you have got a jollier colour on your cheeks now than
when we saw you bobbing behind that bit of broken jib-boom! You was
blue, that’s a fact, but I’m a raw Eastern if you was bluer than the
lawyer!”
Poor Mr. M’Kinlay! scarcely had one shame overcome him when came the
terror of another; for now, for the first time, did he recognise in the
Yankee the terrible tourist of the Welsh mountains. A vague something
wonld cross him as he lay in the lugger, sea-sick and miserable, that
the horrid voice, and the horrid look, and the horrid gesture of his
fellow-traveller, were not encountered for the first time; but he was
too full of his own sorrows to waste a thought on such speculations, and
it was only now, as they sat at the same board, eating of the same dish,
and hob-nobbing together, that the measure of his conviction became
full. “He doesn’t know--he cannot know me!” muttered he, “and I have
only one blunder to atone for, but who could have thought it was his
son!” He turned to engage Harry in conversation, to inquire into his
habits, his tastes, and his amusements, but the boy, fascinated by
the Yankee’s discourse, could not bear to lose a word of it.
Dodge--“Gen’ral” he called himself, as he spoke of those days--Gen’ral
Dodge had served in many of the wars of the South American Republic; he
had been with Bolivar, and against him; he had made and lost his fortune
three successive times, had taken part in a buccaneer expedition
to Mexico, was imprisoned and condemned to death, and saved by an
earthquake that left the gaol and one quarter of Santa Fé in ruins. As
to his shipwrecks and adventures with pirates, his hunting exploits,
his raids either with Indians or against them, they were legion; and
certainly, to these narratives he imparted a “gusto” and an expression
which gave them a marvellous power, occasionally corroborated as they
were by material evidence, as when he showed where he had lost the thumb
and two fingers of his left hand, the terrible cicatrix in the back of
his head from an Indian’s attempt to scalp him, and the mark of a bullet
which had traversed his body from the neck to the opposite collar-bone.
There was no disbelieving a man whose every joint and limb could come
into court as his witnesses, not to say that he was one of those men
whom few love to contradict. If he were, at some times, rather boastful
on the score of his courage and daring, he was, at others, equally frank
as to his short-comings in honesty, and he told with an astonishing
frankness of some acts which, had they not been committed in unsettled
and semi-civilised lands, would worthily have been requited by the
galleys.
“Well, Old Ramskin!” said he, addressing M’Kinlay; for while he talked
he drank freely, and was already in his third bottle of Burgundy, warmed
up with occasional “flashes” of brandy--“well, Old Ramskin, I guess
you’d rather be perched on a tall stool in your counting-house than up
on a rock, watching for an Indian scout party; but, mark me, it’s all
prejudice, and for my part I’d rather put a ball in a red-skin than I’d
torture a white man with law and parchments.” He here diversified his
personal recollections by some anecdotes of lawyers, and of the esteem
in which their fellow-citizens hold them “Far West,” the whole winding
up with a declaration that such creatures “warn’t in natur,” and only
grew out of a rank, rotten, and stagnant condition of society, which,
when only stirred by any healthy breeze of public opinion, either “left
‘em or Lynched ‘em.” He turned round for the approval of his host to
this sentiment, and now saw, for the first time, that he had quitted the
table.
“If you had not been so energetic in your censures of my profession,
Sir;” said M’Kinlay, “you might have heard Mr. Luttrell asking us to
excuse his absence for a few minutes while he spoke to his son.”
Perhaps the American felt this rebuke as a sharp one, for he sat in
silence for some minutes, when he said, “Am I to have the pleasure of
your company to-night when I weigh anchor?”
“Yes; I intend to leave when you do.”
“Your business is done, then?”
“It is.”
“And mine, too,” said the American; and each looked at the other, to see
who first would divulge his secret.
“I have made arrangements for the guardianship of his son, whom, by
the way, I never suspected to be the boy we picked up at sea,” said
M’Kinlay, thus endeavouring, by a half-confidence, to obtain the whole
of the American’s.
“He’ll not want such guardianship, I promise you, when he lives a few
years with me.”
“With you! What do you mean?”
“Just what I say, stranger; that he’s coming aboard the _Squash_, bound
now for the Isthmus; and, I repeat it, five years with Hairy Dodge will
turn him out a long sight cuter than if he passed his ‘prenticeship
even with yourself.”
“It is a strange notion of Mr. Luttrel’s--a very strange notion.”
The American raised himself up in his seat, and looked as if he were
about to resent the speech, but he repressed the temptation, and merely
said, “We’re going to have lighter weather than we came over in, and a
fine bright night besides.”
“I hope so, with all my heart,” said the other; and now each sat and
sipped his wine in silence.
Leaving them thus, let us turn one moment to Luttrell, as he stood at
the window of his room, with his boy beside him. There was neither lamp
nor candle, but a strong moonlight streamed into the chamber, and their
shadows were distinctly marked upon the floor.
“Why is Molly crying so bitterly, papa? Sure I’m not going away for
ever!” said Harry.
“I hope not--I think not; but when people part some are always
faint-hearted about the chances of meeting again.”
“But you are not, papa?”
Luttrell did not answer for a few seconds. “Are you quite sure, Harry,
that this life is what you like? I mean,” said he, correcting himself
quickly--“I mean, would you not rather live here till you were a man,
and make Arran your home, as it is mine now?”
“No, papa. I’d like to see the countries that the Captain told of, and
see some of the things he did, and then come back very rich, and build
a fine castle here, and a great pier out in the sea, and have the finest
cutter that ever sailed.”
“But, before all this can come to pass, bethink you what a hard life is
before you--what days of storm and nights of weariness. You may
be hardly used, and have none to pity you--be ill, and not have one to
speak kindly to you. Are you ready for all this, Harry?”
“I suppose I must bear it if I want to be a man;” and he drew himself up
proudly as he spoke.
“You’ll have to remember, too, Sir, that you are a gentleman,” said
Luttrell, almost sternly; “that there are scores of mean and shabby
things the fellows around may-do, a Luttrell must not stoop to. Keep
your word when you once pledge it; insult no man willingly; fight him
who insults you; and never, if it be your fortune to command others,
never say ‘Go,’ in a moment of danger, but ‘Come.’”
“I’ll not forget that,” said the boy, seriously.
“Keep this purse, Harry. It was one your mother knitted, many years
ago. The few guineas that are in it spend when and how you like; only
remember that when gone they cannot easily be replaced by me. And now
give me a kiss, for they must see us part easily.”
The boy sprang into his arms, and held him fast in his embrace, while
he kissed him over and over; and Luttrell parted the hair upon his
forehead, kissing him tenderly there, as he muttered a few words beneath
his breath.
“There, go back to them, Harry, and tell them I will join them
presently.”
As Harry left the room, Luttrell lighted his lamp, and sat down at his
table to write. It was to Vyner he addressed himself, and intended to be
as brief as might be--very little, indeed, more than the intimation
that he had accepted the trust proposed to him, and begged in turn Vyner
would do as much by him, and consent to be the guardian of his boy,
should he be left fatherless.
“I ask this with all the more confidence,” wrote he, “that your kind
interest in poor Harry is so fresh in my mind, and all your generous
offers to befriend him are the only cheering thoughts that occur to me
in this, one of the gloomiest moments of my life.
“An American trading captain, led hither by an accident, has captivated
the boy’s imagination by stories of travel and adventure, and I have
consented to let Harry go with him. To remain here and live as I have
done was open to him; he could have succeeded me in this wild spot
without the bitterness of feeling the fall that led to it; but, in the
restless spirit of our race, he might some day or other have emerged,
and I dreaded to imagine what a semi-savage Luttrell would be; strong of
limb, vigorous, daring, and ignorant, with pride of blood and poverty
to stimulate him. What is there he might not have done in a fancied
retribution against a world that had crushed his race and ruined his
family--for such were the lessons he has been learning from his cradle.
the only teachings he has ever had!
“The hardships of life at sea will be better training than these. The
boy is very like me. I would sorrow over it, Vyner, if I did not count
on that resemblance for your love to him. In one respect, however, we
are not like. Harry _can_ forgive an injury. Who knows, however, what he
might become were he to grow up in daily contact with me; for I dreaded
to mark how each year seemed to develop the Luttrell more and more in
his nature. Now, pride of birth with prosperity may lead to intolerance
and oppression, but leash it with poverty and it will conduce to
violence, perhaps to crime.
“Before the mast he will see things differently. Night-watches and hard
junk are stern teachers. To rescue him from my influence, to save him
from me, I send him away, and leave myself childless. I can scarcely
expect that you will be able to follow me in these reasonings. How
could you, happy as you are in every accident of your life, blessed in
everything that gives value to existence? I feel I shall never see
him again; but I feel, too, just as confidently, that at some day or
other--distant it may be--you and he will meet and talk of me, speaking
in love and affection, forgiving much, pitying all.
“Say nothing of this guardianship to your wife, lest it should lead her
to speak of me; or, at all events, wait till I am gone. Talk of me then
they may, for there is no voice so eloquent to defend as the wind that
sighs through the long grass over our graves!
“I have made a will, not very formally, perhaps, but there is none
likely to contest it. What a grand immunity there is in beggary! and
Cane and Co. will, I apprehend, if called upon, vouch for me in that
character. There are several lawsuits which have dragged on their slow
course for two generations of us. I believe I myself continued the
contests rather as obligations of honour than aught else. Harry was
not trained with such principles, however, and I shall leave to your
discretion whether our claims be abandoned or maintained.
“Last, but far from least of all, the family to which Harry’s mother
belonged contains many very bold, restless, and I might say dangerous,
men. One of the reasons of my retirement to this lonely spot was the
security I possessed in the midst of my own wild islanders against
demands not always urged with moderation. They are not likely to forget
the near relationship to my boy, if they can make it a source of profit;
or, failing that, to convert it to a matter of menace. On every account,
therefore, I entreat that he may not come back here, or, if so, but
passingly.
“I hope he will never sell these islands; they would be a sorry
commodity in the market, and they are the oldest possessions of our name
in this kingdom. When Henry the Second sent John de Luttrell as Envoy
to Rome but where am I straying to? The shouts that ring without tell me
that all is ready for their departure, and in a few moments more I shall
be alone in the world. Think of me sometimes, dear friend, even if the
thought come in your happy hours to dash its joys with sadness; but do
not speak of, last of all, do not write to,
“Yours, while he lives,
“John Hamilton Luttrell.
“I am half ashamed to add one other request; but if my cheeks grow red
as I write, my heart will be the calmer when it is written. Be a friend
to my boy in all ways that your kindness, your sympathy, your counsel
can dictate. Guide, direct, encourage, or, if need be, reprove him; but
never, whatever you do, aid him with your purse. It is on this condition
alone I commit him to you. Remember!”
“They are growing impatient, papa,” said the boy, entering the room half
timidly. “It is nigh flood, and we shall want all the ebb to take us
round the Caskets.”
“And are _you_ so impatient to be off, Harry?” said he, in a low soft
voice; “do you wish to leave me, Harry?”
“Not if you would have me stay, papa; but I thought, I used to think at
least--that----”
“That we made but little companionship together, you would say,” said
Luttrell, mildly; “that we lived too much apart. Well, it is true,” said
he, with a deep sigh, “quite true.” He paused for a moment, and then,
with a sort of effort, and in a changed voice, continued: “If I should
be no more here when you come back, Harry, do not let this old place
fall to ruin. It has sheltered me during many a year of sorrow, and
sorrow has a very attaching quality!”
“Papa, I will not go. I will not leave you!” said the boy, falling on
his neck, and kissing him over and over.
[Illustration: 187]
“You must be manly, Sir,” said Luttrell, rising and disengaging himself
from the boy’s embrace. “When men promise, they are bound to keep their
word.”
The tone, the look, the gesture, fully as much as the stern words
themselves, recalled Harry to himself, and he drew his hand roughly
across his eyes, and stepping back, stationed himself, as he was wont,
to hear his father’s commands.
“I have written to Sir Gervais Vyner the letter you see here, asking
him to be your guardian in case I should die before your return. I have
reason to hope he will not refuse me. If he accept, you will obey him
in all things. You would obey me, at all events. Whenever you return to
England, seek him out, and learn to know him as the last friend I had
left me.”
“I will, Sir.”
The calm and resolute tone of the boy seemed for an instant almost to
overcome the father, who stood and stared steadfastly at him.
“I have told Sir Gervais,” he continued, “that he will find you
honourable, truthful, and brave; see that my words be borne out. And I
have besought him to give you all that his friendship can bestow; but
on no account--mind this, boy--on no account assist you with money. You
hear me, Harry?”
“I do, Sir. I will not forget your words.”
“If you should have any immediate call for money, I have told your
Captain I will repay him for what he will advance you; be thrifty, for I
have but little to live on, as you will discover one of these days when
it is all your own.”
“My dear Sir,” broke in Mr. M’Kinlay, as he bustled into the room, all
coated and muffled for the journey. “Will you pardon me if I say we
shall lose the tide if we delay. This young gentleman’s luggage is
all onboard, and if there be no very urgent reason for deferring our
departure, I should take it as a favour to say good-by.”
“There is nothing unreasonable in your haste, Sir,” said Luttrell, with
a faint smile. “This is a place where few would care to dally. I have
been saying a few words to my son, before he leaves me. This is the
cause of your delay.”
“My dear Sir, I offer a thousand apologies, and beg to retire at once.”
“They are all said, Sir. Harry and I have nothing more of any
consequence to talk over. If Sir Gervais had not been here himself, Mr.
M’Kinlay, I’d have asked you to paint us somewhat less savage than we
are. Oh, here comes the Captain.”
“I say, youngster,” cried Dodge, entering, “if you ain’t bent on kissin’
the ugliest population I ever saw since I left the Feejees, just step
out by the back of the house, and make the best of your way down to the
shore. Good day, Sir. You shall have news of us. Let me see; it will be
a matter of six months, or so. But I’ll have a sharp look out after the
‘buoy,’ and he’ll do well, you’ll see. Don’t you be surprised if you
see him a comin’ in some fine morning with a green monkey or a far-caped
baboon. Cheer up, Sir! Don’t let the buoy see you down-hearted,”
whispered he. “Come along, Harry! Be lively, my lad; out of that window,
and let me find you aboard when I get down.”
“Be kind to him!” muttered Luttrell, as he drew his hand hastily across
his eyes.
“Lord love ye! I’m the kindest critter that ever breathed. The whole
time I was with the Choctaws, I never scalped an enemy. I couldn’t bear
it; and whenever I cut a fellow’s head off, I turned him right round,
so that I shouldn’t see his face. Soft-hearted, warn’t it? But that’s
my natur’. There, I hear them heaving short; so good-by, for the last
time.”
“Harry, Harry----one word----”
“He’s gone, poor fellow; don’t break down his courage. Good-by. Don’t
call him back.”
“Be it so,” said Luttrell, as he sunk down into his chair, and covered
his face with his hands. For a while all was still; then suddenly a wild
cheer, a cry, in which the wail of sorrow was blended with the swell
of the deep voices crying out; and Luttrell arose, and flung open his
window. The lugger was under weigh. The dark shadow of her full canvas
moved slowly along, growing fainter and fainter, at least to eyes that
were now dimmed with tears; and when he turned away to wipe them, she
was gone.