OF THE LONELY HUT ON THE SHORE
THAT I should do full justice to the ample meal before me after my
scanty fare of the past two days was not to be wondered at. Meantime,
my host chatted pleasantly upon general subjects, more especially upon
the wars in Flanders, in which I gathered he had studied the art of war
under the great Turenne. Here was a subject upon which, as soldiers, we
could both grow enthusiastic; and we exchanged mutual reminiscences of
that great man--conceded to be the most celebrated general of his age.
At length, when the wine was put before us, I said slowly:
“Doubtless you are curious to learn, sir, how I came to be in the
position from which you rescued me?”
“As to that,” he replied, “seeing that I cannot at present return the
like confidence as regards myself, I can respect your reticence. Enough
that we are followers of the same profession. War is a common mistress
for uniting her devotees all the world over.”
Yet glancing across at him, I felt that he deserved some further
explanation, though I resolved not to reveal the whole truth. Little
did I guess that had I indeed done so, the whole future course of my
life would have been changed. Little did I dream what strange vagary
Fate was playing me there in that little cabin with the grey light of
morning falling upon the handsome face of the man before me!
“Nay,” I said carelessly, “’tis a common story enough. I escaped
yesterday from a rascally privateer, upon which I had been entrapped.”
“They are the curse of the seas!” he said impetuously. “’Tis a sign of
the times and a scandal to our navy that such hornets are permitted to
sail with impunity. Even upon our own Devon coast I have known men to
have been kidnapped for the plantations.”
He stopped abruptly, as if he had said too much, and I saw a shade
of annoyance for a moment upon his face. But on my own part, though
I pretended to see nothing, I was quick to notice his confusion; and
toying with my glass, I replied:
“I learn, sir, from the seamen that this vessel is bound for
Southampton; had it been at all possible, I would fain have landed in
Devonshire.”
“Nothing is easier,” he responded. “My own destination is Teignmouth;
if this will suit your convenience, you are welcome to accompany me
ashore.”
“Sir,” I made answer, “you are a very courteous gentleman, and right
gladly do I accept your offer.”
He bent his head in acknowledgment.
“Then that is settled,” he replied gaily, with a wave of the hand, as
if dismissing the subject. “For the rest, I fear I do but play the host
indifferently. Your glass is empty, permit me to replenish it. And now,
sir, what think you of Luxembourg’s qualities as a general?”
Thereupon we plunged once more into a discussion of the campaigns in
Flanders, upon which subject I found my companion to have an intimate
knowledge; so that it was not until nearly an hour later that we
ascended to the deck. We there found a distinct change for the better
in the appearance of the weather. A fitful gleam of sunshine stole
occasionally through the heavy grey clouds and the mist was gradually
clearing from the surface of the water. Away to the north, a dark
streak of land was faintly discernible, which the master speedily
informed us was the distant coast of Devon. But the wind had fallen
considerably and the little vessel forged but slowly through the water.
One thing I could not help but notice--the unusual deference paid by
the master to my companion; confirming me in my opinion as to his rank
and quality. All morning, indeed, we sailed slowly along the coast,
seeing no other vessel, for at this time the fear of the French kept
our merchantmen to the harbours, save when a goodly number could be
conveyed by a fleet of men-of-war. And with every hour I could see that
my companion’s impatience to reach our destination visibly increased.
Though still preserving his courteous demeanour towards me, a dozen
times, at least, I heard him demand of the master whether sail could
not be increased. But the latter only shook his head, and noon found us
some four miles south of Prawle Point. It was shortly afterwards that
we descended to the cabin to dine; but our meal was not concluded ere
we were again summoned to the deck by the report of a suspicious sail.
My companion rose at once, and together we ascended to the poop, where
we found the master anxiously scanning a sail that showed plainly
through the mist some ten miles to the southward. Nor had we ourselves
escaped observation, for even as we stood watching, the vessel’s course
was changed and she bore down upon us.
My companion turned to the master with a mute inquiry in his eyes.
The latter shook his head with a lugubrious air. “’Tis not, yon vessel
will prove to be some rascally French picaroon. Were there more wind I
would not fear the result; but I misdoubt gentlemen, whether we shall
see Teignmouth this trip.”
The gentleman at my side uttered an exclamation of annoyance.
“But our bargain, captain?” he cried quickly. “You have been paid to
carry me to Teignmouth, and a bargain is a bargain.”
“Aye,” the other answered doggedly; “and a life is a life; and what
think ye would ours be worth should yonder rascals run us aboard? No,
no, Exmouth is our only refuge, for there is a king’s ship in the
harbour--and Lord send that we see it safely!”
In vain my companion remonstrated with him, the fellow was as stubborn
as a rock. And in the light of recent events I could not but admit the
justice of his decision. One concession only would he agree to make--to
run in shore as close as possible and to provide us with a boat, by
which my companion and I might leave the ship if we so desired.
Slowly the afternoon wore away as the chase continued. With every hour
the sun shone out more radiantly, its level beams falling full upon
the white canvas of our pursuing foe; and upon an ominous row of guns
that boded ill for the brig if it were overtaken. From time to time
my companion fell to thoughtfully pacing the deck, at others he would
take the master aside, as if to learn his opinion as to our chances
of escape. As for me, I had no desire to intrude upon his privacy or
to seem curious as to the reason for his evident anxiety. I withdrew,
therefore, to the stern, and leaning upon the low bulwarks, fell into
conversation with the man at the helm.
He was a rough, weather-beaten old seadog and was willing enough to
respond to my advances and to impart me information.
“Aye, aye,” he said in reply to a question I put him. “She will catch
us sure enough ere we reach Exmouth, if so be as the king’s ship hear
not the sound of our guns.”
He glanced as he spoke with sailorly pride at a few antiquated pieces
of brass cannon that had to me the appearance of the veriest toys.
“Take my advice, master,” he added in a lower tone, so that no one but
myself might hear, “leave the ship if ye have the chance; ’tis a deal
the safer.”
A moment later his mahogany face resumed its ordinary blank expression,
as a quick step sounded behind me, and turning swiftly, I found my host
at my elbow.
“The time has come, sir,” he said quietly, “to determine our future
course of action. For my own part, I have decided to leave the vessel,
but I would not unduly influence your own decision. Should you consider
yourself safer on board, you are at full liberty to remain.”
I flung a quick glance around me. Dusk had fallen, but some two miles
away loomed the rugged cliffs of Torbay. Astern the pursuing vessel had
crept up to within three miles of us. My mind was speedily made up.
“On the contrary,” I made answer, “I shall be pleased to accompany you;
though I fear, sir, that you will find me more of an encumbrance in
the boat than otherwise.” And I briefly informed him of my wound. But
he waived aside all my objections, and after a few moments’ earnest
conversation with the master he retraced his steps to my side.
“In five minutes’ time, sir, a boat will be provided for our departure.
If you have any preparations to make, I pray you then to be in
readiness.”
He bowed as he spoke and descended the ladder to the little cabin to
collect I supposed his own belongings; as for me, I went below to the
forecastle and donned once more the clothes I had worn when I first
came on board. This done, I made my way on deck. Swift as I had been
in the process, I found my companion already awaiting me with visible
impatience upon his countenance. To my muttered apology he took no
heed, but stepped to where a boat was already lowered alongside.
“At your convenience,” he said, with a waive of his hand towards the
stern.
“But,” I replied hesitatingly, “there is but room for two. You do not
mean----”
He shrugged his shoulders negligently.
“Our friend here is already shorthanded, therefore for the nonce I must
be my own oarsman. Have no fear, however, on that account,” he added
with a smile, as I broke out into a few words of remonstrance. “’Tis
not the first time I have handled an oar, though I must confess to
being of late years sadly out of practice.”
He seated himself as he spoke, and without further delay I took the
place assigned to me, and with a few words of kindly leave-taking and
advice from the rough seamen above us--which my companion courteously
acknowledged by raising his laced hat--the rope was cast off and the
little vessel forged rapidly ahead.
To me there was something strange and incongruous in the sight of this
gentleman with his aristocratic face and bearing and his shapely white
hands--upon one of which I descried a magnificent ruby--yet plying the
oars with the skill of one accustomed to such exercise. For the rest,
we had covered but half the distance when the pursuing vessel passed
us little more than a mile astern; but to our satisfaction she did not
alter her course, but held on in pursuit of the brig. It was growing
rapidly dark when we approached the cliffs, and passed slowly along
them, seeking some break in their granite barrier where we might safely
land. The unusual exertion I could see was telling upon my companion,
though he resolutely refused to allow me to change places with him,
and presently we came upon such a place as we sought. Two tongues of
rock jutting crescent-shape from the base of the cliff left a clear
space between them some ten feet wide, through which the tide poured
with the fury of a millrace. Inside this rocky opening it widened into
a little bay, the whole forming a natural harbour, ending in a white
pebbly beach. So much we could see, but no more; and without hesitation
my companion pulled for the narrow entrance on the crest of a huge
roller. We had reached it, were all but through, I had opened my lips
to congratulate him upon his skill when he uttered a shout of warning.
Whether we had miscalculated the width of the opening in the deeper
shadows cast by the cliff, or whether my companion’s oar struck against
a sunken rock I do not know, but on a sudden the boat capsized, and I
found myself struggling in the water. Of the next few moments I have
but a confused recollection, for I am no swimmer. I know that the wave
swept me forward, that I went under, rose to the surface sank again,
and the next moment my feet touched the bottom, and I found myself
gasping waist deep in the water. I dashed the water from my eyes and
made for the beach. A little to my right I saw the dark outline of
the boat floating bottom upwards. At the same moment a heavy object
struck against my knees, all but sweeping me from my feet, and glancing
downwards, I saw the white face of my companion, white, but with a
crimson splash upon his forehead. I caught his arm and with set teeth
braced myself to meet the back wash. When this had passed, I raised my
companion’s inert form in my arms and staggered up the beach beyond
reach of the water. Then I laid my burden down and stooped to examine
his injuries. He was quite insensible and was bleeding profusely from
a long, ragged cut upon the temple, inflicted, doubtless, by a sunken
rock or by the boat itself when it capsized. Nor for all my efforts
could I restore him to consciousness. Once, indeed, as I bound up
the cut with the scarf taken from his neck, he groaned slightly, and
bending my head closer--for the darkness had deepened around us--I
fancied that I saw his eyelids quiver. But he speedily lapsed once more
into total unconsciousness, so that I began to fear that his injuries
might be severer than I had at first imagined. ’Twas essential, above
all things, that I should procure assistance, and that speedily, ere
it became quite dark. Accordingly I rose to my feet and took a rapid
survey of my surroundings. On either side of me towered the rugged
cliffs, but in front the beach gave way to a narrow valley--one of
those bosky coombes so common to the coast of Devon. I started to
ascend it, therefore, and scarcely had I advanced a quarter of a mile
than I was overjoyed to see a light shining through the trees. Towards
this I directed my steps, and presently found myself standing upon the
edge of a little clearing in the centre of which stood a rude hut. By
this time the moon had risen above the torrs, and in its clear light,
a short distance away, I saw a white road running past the head of the
coombe. From the hut itself came the sound of hammering, with now and
again a snatch of song. I lost no time in approaching and knocking with
my clenched fist upon the door. At the sound both song and hammering
died away, and a moment later the door was opened and disclosed the
figure of the singer.
He was a little old man, dressed in rough fisherman’s attire and with
the most prominent eyes I had ever seen. Indeed, his whole appearance
gave me the impression that he was not overburdened with wits. The
interior of the hut was of the poorest description. On the one side I
caught sight of a half-finished boat, upon which the fellow had been
engaged when I had disturbed him. Upon the other was a couch of dried
fern leaves. This, together with a rough table and stool and a litter
of nets, seemed to sum up the total of his property. Yet when I had
given him a hurried explanation, he readily consented to return with
me for my companion, and a minute later we were striding down the
coombe side by side. I gathered on the way that we had landed upon
the northern coast of Torbay, and that Cleeve itself lay little more
than two miles distant. I learned also that two days before a French
fleet of six sail of the line had put into the bay, but that upon the
approach of a British squadron they had sailed hurriedly for the coast
of France, so that all danger of invasion was at present at an end.
“Ah,” thought I, “so, my lady, your pretty scheme has failed, and the
wheel of fortune turns once more in my favour!” We found my companion
still lying in the same position in which I had left him, and raising
him in our arms, bore him with difficulty--for he was no light weight
and the trees were thick--back to the hut. But it was upon reaching
this latter, and depositing our senseless burden upon the bed of ferns
that fate culminated in the strangest trick of all. For no sooner
did the old man beside me catch sight of my companion’s face in the
light of the rushlight fixed to the wall than he uttered a startled
exclamation.
“Lord save us!” he cried. “’Tis the master himself.”
“How, fellow!” I said in surprise. “You know this gentleman?”
“Aye, aye,” he answered, scarce finding his tongue. “Know him? I have
lived this forty years upon his land.”
“Then who is he?” I cried, no suspicion of the truth dawning upon my
mind. “Speak out, man?”
“You do not know?” he stammered. “You do not know the Earl of Cleeve?”
“What!”
In my surprise I gripped his arm so tightly that he cried out in
sudden pain, and wrenching himself free, caught up his hammer and put
the table between us. But as for me I had forgotten the fellow’s very
presence, and stood staring down into the white face of the man before
me with but two thoughts gradually dawning upon my stunned senses;
for if this man’s words were true, then this--this--was the Earl of
Cleeve, and my lady’s brother. As all the possibilities of what this
latter phrase might mean to be flashed suddenly upon my mind I could
have shouted aloud in my elation. It was not that I knew this man’s
name to be proscribed, it was not for the sake of the reward offered
by government for his capture, though that alone might have tempted
a more sordid man than I--no, it was the knowledge that I held his
secret and his life in the hollow of my hand--that now at last I
would have a full and final reckoning with my lady. At last! Oh, I
would wring that proud heart! I would humble that haughty spirit to
the very dust! I would crush her without pity or remorse! She should
plead--kneel--nay, grovel at my feet--for the life that I would refuse!
We had parted last with but little seeming hope for me to obtain
revenge; now all the cards were in my hand, and the man whom she had
scorned, despised, and struck--struck!--I swore a bitter oath at the
remembrance--had power to bring ruin upon her house and make her taste
the bitterness of death!
As I conjured up the picture of that proud head bowed low in sorrow, I
laughed aloud in my exultation. Then my eyes encountered those of the
owner of the hut, who still remained in the same attitude, suspiciously
regarding me, and I came back to earth with a sudden start.
“Pshaw!” I said contemptuously. “I will do you no hurt, man! See, I am
in a merry mood!--a right merry mood!” And again I laughed exultantly.
“Aye,” he muttered, crossing himself, “but ’tis merriment that is not
good to hear.”
I paid no further attention to him, but bent low over my companion’s
prostrate form and looked long and earnestly in his face. Now I
understood at a glance the likeness to some one that at our first
meeting had so puzzled me; now on a sudden I remembered of whom the
voice and manners had reminded me. Surely I had been blind not to
see before the likeness to my lady. Even as I gazed at him the colour
returned slightly to his cheeks, and his lips parted in a scarcely
audible sigh. I sank on one knee beside him and threw open his riding
coat. Had I needed corroboration of the fisherman’s words, I received
it then, and the mystery as to why he had retained his coat in the
cabin was at once made clear. For beneath it he was clad in a suit of
violet-coloured velvet and his breast glittered with the insignia of
some half dozen orders, among which my eyes fell upon the blue ribbon
of the Garter and the Order of St. Louis. The hilt of his sword, too,
which had been concealed before by his outer coat, was thickly studded
with jewels, though the blade itself was of the finest Toledo steel, as
I speedily discovered when I essayed to test it. This latter weapon I
did not hesitate to appropriate for my own use, and it was with a sigh
of satisfaction that I fastened it to my side; for ’tis wonderful what
a feeling of security may be given to a man by the possession of three
feet of good honest steel.
Oh, it was all clear to me now--clear as daylight! As James’s most
trusted councillor, having great influence in Devonshire and the
adjacent counties, he had been hurriedly dispatched by his master
to create a diversion in his favour by heading a general rising of
the Jacobites throughout the West. By which means James relied upon
William withdrawing some of his veteran troops from Ireland to quell
it. That it was a plan hurriedly formed and as hurriedly executed was
plain, seeing that the earl had not had time to don any disguise ere
proceeding on board. I bade my unwilling host bring water, and with
this I bathed my companion’s wound and again adjusted the bandage.
“He will do now,” I said briefly to my host, who had drawn slowly near,
watching the proceedings with marked attention. “Leave me to think, my
friend!”
He drew back at that into a corner of the hut and stood furtively
regarding me, whilst I seated myself upon the stool at my patient’s
side and rapidly reflected how best I could profit by this unexpected
development. For some little time I remained buried in thought,
reviewing in all its details a scheme which gradually increased in
favour with me the more I conned it. With so much satisfaction did it
present itself to my mind that my breath grew quicker at the thought,
and I moistened my dry lips in pleasurable anticipation. Indeed, so
absorbed was I in my own thoughts that it was with a start of genuine
surprise I heard from without the sharp clink of a hoof striking
against a stone, with the sound of a hearty oath. I sprang to my feet
and laid my hand upon my sword. I had my own reasons for not desiring
any company at that moment.
“The door, fool!” I cried to the old man, as there came the sound of
footsteps without and the jingle of harness. “Bar the door!”
But it was too late. Even as the words left my lips, and as he moved to
execute my bidding, on a sudden the door was flung open, and a harsh
voice cried: “Within there! Can’st tell me how far it is to--Cassilis?”
I think that an oath rose to my lips also; for there, framed in the
doorway, with his rein slung upon his arm, stood the man of all others
that I least desired to see.
“De Brito!” I cried when I had recovered from my surprise. “What brings
you here?”
“I might with equal justice demand the same of you,” he answered. “But
as I have ridden express from Dartmouth with a message for you, I may
as well acquit me here of my errand.”
“For me?” I cried in still more surprise.
“Aye,” he replied, drawing a sealed paper from his breast; “though I
little expected to find you here when I saw the light from the road
yonder. Curse me, if I understand it!”
“That is my affair,” I said coldly. “Give me the letter.”
“Aye, but,” he continued, unheeding my words, “your uniform--and--
’Sdeath! whom have we there?”
He had, for the first time apparently, observed the inanimate figure
behind me. And at that moment the earl stirred slightly and groaned. I
had placed myself so as to screen his face from De Brito’s view and I
now hastened to answer the latter with what carelessness I could assume.
“’Tis a long story,” I replied, “and must wait the telling at some
future opportunity. But amongst other adventures I was carried off by
a privateer. This is a common sailorman, who assisted me to escape and
was hurt in so doing.”
“Indeed!” De Brito answered with a sneer. I could read in his eyes
that he did not believe my words. “But that I have your word for it I
had not given you credit for playing the part of good Samaritan. How
now! What are you staring at, old death’s head?”
Following the direction of his eyes, I saw that the old man had drawn
gradually nearer during this brief conversation and was now gazing
from one to the other of us with a peculiar expression upon his face.
Meeting my eyes, he drew back hurriedly, muttering to himself. I turned
again to De Brito.
“Enough!” I said impatiently. “The man is half a fool. And now the
paper!”
He had no further excuse for withholding it and gave it into my hands.
Doubtless he hoped that I should move nearer to the light so that he
might be enabled to indulge his curiosity. But I was too wary to be so
caught, and while opening it I still preserved my position in front of
my companion so that he was unable to get a sight of his face. Finding
that I was not to be enticed thus, he sulkily retired a few steps, and
whilst still keeping a watchful eye upon him I turned my attention to
the letter in my hand. Its contents were brief and to the point.
“This is to warn you news has been received that the Earl of Cleeve
hath set sail for England to effect a rising in favour of James
Stuart. So much we know from one who hath betrayed him; but not his
landing place. Therefore, be on your guard. Keep watch upon the house.
Keep watch upon the servants. ’Tis not unlikely he will endeavour to
communicate with his home. And forget not that a thousand crowns await
his apprehension.” The letter was signed “Colonel Savage” and was dated
July 4, 1690.
With what feelings I read these words, knowing that the object of this
reward lay helpless at my feet, may well be imagined. I raised my eyes
to De Brito. He was staring fixedly past me, an evil smile curling his
lips.
“You say that the regiment is at Dartmouth,” I said at length.
“Aye,” he answered laconically. “What then?”
“This,” I replied quickly, anxious only to be rid of his presence. “You
will return at once and tell Colonel Savage from me that I will obey
his instructions in every respect. Aye, and if he can spare me twenty
troopers, so much the better. That is all, I think.” And I glanced
meaningly at the door. But for the moment he made no offer to move.
“Before I go,” he said slowly, “I would ask you a question.”
“Well, what is it, man?” I cried impatiently.
“Do common sailors wear such rings as that?” he answered, nodding in my
direction.
I will own that his words took me somewhat off my guard. I cast a
quick glance behind me, and saw at once what had caught his attention.
The earl had moved slightly, and one hand hung down by his side, and
upon it, flashing and scintillating in the wavering light, was the
magnificent ruby I had remarked when in the boat. But I was quick to
regain my wits.
“Tush!” I replied with affected carelessness. “Stolen, no doubt. Did I
not say it was a privateer?”
“No doubt,” De Brito answered with a sneer. “And that white hand--was
that stolen also?”
But my patience was fast vanishing. “Hark you!” I said sternly,
fingering my sword hilt. “If you are wise you will not seek to meddle
with my affairs. You have received your orders. Go!”
For a moment he stood facing me, a dark scowl upon his face. But he
knew that I was the better swordsman and he had no stomach for a fight.
Stifling an oath, he turned upon his heel and left the hut. I followed
him through the door and watched him mount. When he had gathered up the
reins preparatory to departing, he turned in his saddle and addressed
me.
“Good-night to you, Captain Cassilis,” he cried mockingly. “I think I
promised you once not to forget you. Well, ’tis a pleasant night for
a ride, and Meriden lies but a mile or so out of my way!” Then in a
sudden outburst of rage he shook his fist at me with a furious oath.
The next moment he had set spurs to his horse, and I heard the beat of
his hoofs die away upon the night.