Concerning the Events that Prompted Me to a Desperate Resolve
My father had been removed to his room, and was now lying on his
bed, his head and shoulders raised and supported by pillows, for the
nature of his wound had caused him to fight hard for breath.
He was now quite conscious, though very weak. Captain Jeremy
afterwards said that what with cupping and applying leeches Master
Blackwood had kept down the fever, but had also done his patient
more harm than good.
My father knew full well that the end was at hand, yet he faced it
manfully, like the stanch old seaman he was. I fancy his voice
faltered when he spoke to me of Constance, but beyond that he was
calm and collected, giving me advice as to my future, and preparing
himself for the end.
'Tis unnecessary to dwell upon the events of the next few hours, for
the remembrance of that mournful time is an affair for the minds of
our own family; but just before midnight, at dead low water by the
shore, as Captain Jeremy had predicted, my father passed peacefully
away.
Neither do I care to relate too minutely the happenings of the
following week. There was, according to custom, an inquest, but by
mutual consent Captain Jeremy's name was left out of the case,
although we were considerably ill at ease lest old Martha should
babble on't.
Two days after my father had been laid to rest under the great yew
tree in Brockenhurst Churchyard I received a letter from my uncle,
John Hammond, stating that, in accordance with arrangements made
with my father many years ago, he would take up his abode in our
house, and look after the estate.
Captain Jeremy took his departure before my uncle arrived, and
joined the party of Lymington seamen in the cave. He gave me his
assurance that his understanding with my late parent would remain as
before, and that he would, to use his own expression, "keep his
weather eye lifting", and endeavour to find a means of procuring a
stout craft, in order to prosecute his search for the _Madre de
Dios_ treasure.
Shortly after the arrival of my uncle I had an attack of smallpox,
which, Heaven be praised! left me unmarked. Master Blackwood, the
chirurgeon, tended me with the utmost care, though at the time I
feared his remedies more than I did the disorder.
August had run its course, and September was well advanced ere I
could get abroad once more, and during that time much had happened
relating to the ill-fortuned rising in the West.
Monmouth's head had rolled on the scaffold on Tower Hill, and
Jeffreys had completed his circuit of the West, leaving behind him a
never-to-be-forgotten record of cruelty, infamy, and shame, while
his brutal actions in condemning Lady Alice Lisle to the stake
sickened even the most loyal supporters of King James.
Then, and only then, did I realize the risk we had run in harbouring
Captain Jeremy; yet I had learnt to look upon him as the one stanch
friend in my solitude, and as such I would right willingly take all
chances could I but render him further aid.
At the first opportunity, directly I felt strong enough, I crossed
the heath and stealthily approached his place of concealment. In
vain I gave the call of the red deer, for no welcome reply came from
the yawning pit; and when at length I descended by the rude ladder I
found the place dank and deserted. Captain Miles and his men had
gone--whither?--to bondage, or to freedom?
Neither did I from that day set eyes on Black Lewis; he, too, had
vanished, and thus all chance of communicating with the honest
Captain seemed to be hopelessly lost.
One afternoon towards the close of September I was sent by my uncle
into Lymington to procure some books that an acquaintance had
promised him.
It was a blustering day, cold for the time of year, and on the
journey I encountered several heavy showers that, for want of
shelter, soaked me to the skin. However, I accomplished my errand,
and laden with a heavy burden I trudged homewards, having also taken
the opportunity of obtaining from a cutler's the blade of the dagger
with which my father had been slain, I having left it some weeks
before for the purpose of having a hilt fitted to it.
At the outskirts of the village I almost ran into the arms of
Captain Jeremy, who was leading a heavy cob by the bridle.
For a few moments I could scarce believe my eyes; yet 'twas he,
bold, jovial, and beaming with kindliness as of yore, before that
fateful journey to the West.
"What cheer, ho!" he shouted. "I've sought you high and low."
"Oh, Captain Miles!" I exclaimed apprehensively, "is it safe for you
to be seen, sir?"
"Safe?" he roared. "Why, safe as a parson's barn. Thanks to my
patron Sir William Soams, of whom I have oft spoken beforetimes, and
in no small measure to a heavy drain upon my hidden hoard, I've
gained a pardon from His Majesty, and now I can flaunt my Lord Chief
Justice Jeffreys, or any of his satellites, come what may. I've got
a ship, lad! A. goodly vessel--as sweet a little craft as ever you'd
clap eyes on betwixt Yarmouth and Bristol. Thanks once again to Sir
William Soams, who threw himself into my plans, the _Golden Hope_
has been chartered to seek the _Madre_ treasure--and I'll warrant
Sir William will receive a good per centum on his outlay. She lies
at Poole, lad. We sailed her round from Deptford two days agone, I
and the ten lads you saw in the hole on Brockenhurst Heath, they
having made their way safely one by one to a rendezvous at Wapping;
and I've ridden over from Poole to tell you the news, though I am
but a sorry horseman."
"You rode well enough when you fled before the dragoons, sir."
"Aye," he replied, with a hearty laugh; "e'en though I rode the
farmer's mare to death. It beats me to think how I kept in the
saddle that day, and I've fallen thrice on my way hither; yet 'tis
strange what a man will do when he's put to it. But can you persuade
your uncle to let you ride over to Poole and see the _Golden Hope_
ere we sail? We weigh on Saturday morn, for 'tis, as you know, ill
luck to leave port on a Friday."
I shook my head sorrowfully.
"I fear he'll not think of it," I replied. "But, Captain Jeremy, how
I wish I were off with you!"
"'Tis not to be thought of, lad. Adventuring in the Indies is no fit
business for you. I've spun you yarns times without number, but
you've not heard of the dark side of a seaman's life. No, no,
Clifford; make the best of things and bide at home, and I'll do my
best for you and me."
"But, Captain----"
"No buts, lad; your duty lies at home. Now, say no more on 't,
though I would you could see the _Golden Hope_ ere she leaves Poole
Harbour. Well, well, the best of friends must say farewell, and so
'tis with us. Please Heaven another couple o' years will see us home
once more with the treasure; so good-bye, Clifford."
"Farewell, Captain Jeremy, and God be with you!"
Awkwardly the seaman scrambled into the saddle, urged his nag into a
trot, and set off along the Christchurch Road, not daring to look
round for fear of losing his seat. I watched him till his burly
figure disappeared from view, then slowly I made my way homewards.
"Why have you tarried on your errand, sirrah?" demanded my uncle, as
I placed the pile of heavy books on the table. "Hast entered into
worldly and unbecoming conversation with that seafaring man who,
with many strange oaths on his lips, hath troubled me with his
presence? To your room, sir! Supperless you shall go; but before
retiring, read, mark, and learn the beautiful discourse on
procrastination as set forth in this book of godly sermons.
To-morrow I'll speak further on this matter."
On the morrow he did more than speak, being a too zealous exponent
of King Solomon for my peace of mind; and, smarting under the
treatment I had endured, I determined to run away and join, by hook
or by crook, the good ship _Golden Hope_.