HOW NOW?
As I awoke on the morrow, I felt a weight come over me: ’twas the day
on which, by order of the Doctor, Ambrose was to die.
Nay, I could have wept to think that the poor man was already dead.
I got up, and, not staying for breakfast, hasted forth. I went to
Ambrose’s cell; but found it empty, and nobody in the passage. I went
out, and quickly traversed the wood. Coming forth upon the cliff, I
saw a strange sight. The nearer slope of the rising ground hard by the
fortifications, and a great semicircle of the ground below, was all
covered with pirates standing or seated on the grass.
I ran to them, and then I saw what this meant. For, in the midst--that
is, on the rise of the hill--stood Ambrose; and two pirates had guard
over him, bearing muskets. Those looking on made sport of the doomed
man.
“He be going a long voyage, sure!” said one, “and, as parsons say, ’tis
blasting hot in that port! Well then, boys, give him a rum puncheon,
can’t ye? for to take along with him!”
“Ay, ay,” said a second; “there be some jolly mates yonder will be
right glad on’t--Firejaw, an’ Bully Crackerbones, an’ Bullfrog, an’----”
“I’ll warrant, they a’n’t hotter than we!” put in a third, “Why, this
slope be blazing like a grill! If the Doctor come not soon, I shall
weigh!”
“What! and part from old Blackcoat?” returned the other, “Why, ha,
ha,” (turning to Ambrose), “shalt pass for a vicar in that garb! Do
but troll over a little Latin--I know you can--with a _pax vobiscum_
withal, and you’ll make the other port!”
But Ambrose answered not a word, standing with folded arms and stern
gaze bent on the ground.
“Hist!” cried one on a sudden, “the Doctor!”
On this, every man got immediately to his feet, every voice was hushed.
The guards ported their muskets.
Doctor Copicus approached with slow steps, leaning upon a staff of
ivory and gold. His scarlet robe and broad-brimmed hat shone glorious
in the sunlight. As he drew near, I observed that every man looked this
way and that, but never on him. Abashed they stood, those stalwart and
swarthy pirates, like a crew of chidden schoolboys!
As for Ambrose, he gave no sign.
The Doctor regarded them with fiery eyes; and he cried fiercely:
“You madbrained, loggerheaded crew, what do you here? May not one
depart this life” (pointing to Ambrose) “without being gazed by apes?
What! shall I be poisoned with your pestilent breath, ye cattle? Away!
away! and hide you! Into the woods and caves, and cover you! Out of my
sight!”
And, on a sudden, he fell upon them with his ivory staff, with
incredible fury.
Bruised and near blinded with the thick-coming blows, those who stood
within reach of them fell confusedly back, thrusting upon those behind,
forcing them in upon Ambrose and the guards.... The crowd swayed back
and forth.
“Away! Away!” cried the Doctor in a terrible voice; and, as one man,
all fled.
Borne onward by the scurrying crew, I was half-way up the hill before
ever I could recover to stand ground; whilst the last fugitives went
straggling by me. Yet three others, also, did there separate themselves
off from the rest. They were Ambrose and the guards. The four of us
wended slowly down towards the Doctor.
“How now?” said he, when we were come to him, “How now, Ambrose, my
child? Are you ready to depart, passing through the secret door?”
“I am ready,” answered Ambrose.
“So. And fain would I follow you, if seeing and hearing and
understanding I might go! Make ready!” (to the guards) “Up with your
muskets, and, when I give ye the word, when I give ye the word,”
repeated he, “shoot him through the head!”
Thereupon they set light to their matches; and, removing a little way
from Ambrose, levelled their guns upon him. His face was white like
paper; but he held perfectly still and gave no sign.
“Are you ready, Ambrose?” said the Doctor presently, “I see that you
are ready. Have you nothing to ask of me? No boon?”
“Nay,” answered the other; “for hath an outworn garment aught to ask of
him who casts it away?”
There was silence; and thereupon I, who had stood by until then like
one spell-bound, recovered myself. I was ready to have drawn my rapier,
and madly to have fallen upon the guards; but, chancing to look at
Doctor Copicus, I stopped: his face was all twisted like a child’s that
is about to burst forth into strong weeping.
It held but for a moment, and passed.
“Let the man go!” said Doctor Copicus.
But Ambrose sank swooning upon the grass.