Of my second setting forth for _Normandy_, and in what guise I took
passage.
I next prepared to start on my journey to St. Pierre Port; and, before I
went, I tarried for awhile in the rude chapel of St Apolline, to say a
prayer for myself and those good men whom it was in my heart to succour.
But, my prayers ended, I must fare forth. And lo! even as I turned to
leave the chapel, I heard the sound of hasty steps and voices, and
already three of the pirates were in the yard, singing out--
"Come forth, master priest, and help us find our quarry!"
How my heart rapped as I made myself seen of them at the gate, and, with
a gay face, fetched out a merry inquiry--
"What seek you, early birds, so soon afield?"
Never face and attitude surely so belied the man within; for, indeed, I
doubted if my legs would bear me, and my poor heart, as I spoke, went
rap, rap!
"Now, hast thou seen two runaways by thy gate this morning, master
priest--one a stalwart, dangerous fellow, the other a measly, monkish
lad? And, prithee, see thou speak the truth."
I assured them lightly none had passed save the fishers to their boats,
and they seemed satisfied, till one, looking more keenly than the rest,
came near to me, and, with a suspicious gesture, cried out--
"And thou hast not got them hidden up thy wide sleeve, good priestling?
Come, we will search with a good will thy parsonage."
My heart leapt again. But I managed to ring out a laugh that sounded
careless--
"Oh yes," said I, "gentlemen galore, and heaps of little beardless monks
lie stacked in my poor house yonder. Bring them forth, good sir, and
leave more room for me."
He led the way to search, but the others seemed unwilling, having good
trust in him that I counterfeited, and all that might afford a
hiding-place in the hut was opened and turned about--nay, the very holy
rest of the chapel was disturbed as search was made, walls and wainscot
rapped, cupboards forced, and stones prised up, the while I stood at
ease peeling a light cane that I had cut from the wood.
"Now, good brothers," said I, lightly, as they stood at fault in the
midst of the chapel, "are you satisfied I am no concealer of other men's
property or persons hereabout?"
"Yea, we will press on," said one of them. "They have taken to the
caves like enough, and we shall have a week's 'rabbiting.'"
"Then I wish you good morn," said I, "with a word of thanks for turning
out in your zeal much old stuff of mine that I thought was lost and
gone."
Glad was I indeed to see my three guests break into the forest opposite.
So, with a thick staff for my luggage, I took the path that led straight
to St. Pierre Port, six miles away. Without let or hindrance I passed
on, imitating as I could the easy gait of Father Augustine, and taking
care to greet all I met, of all conditions, who were about on their
business that autumn morning, with such jests or merry speeches as I
could muster.
Now, I have said already that Le Grand Sarrasin, save for his enmity to
Abbot Michael, had as yet showed no unfriendly disposition to our
islanders, except where they thwarted or marred his designs.
Therefore no ill had happed to St Pierre Port, its fishing, or its
carriage of necessary things, or of persons. And though that heathen
fortress could be seen towering up there miles away upon the hill, the
good burghers of St. Pierre, finding their daily business not
interrupted, made but little grievance of Le Grand Sarrasin's presence.
Wary of running into trouble, they jogged an easy way. Their boats came
in and out. Their bales were landed and embarked. Nay, I have heard that
it was their wont to hush the voices in their states council that were
for craving succour of the duke, regarding one ruler, so long as he
whipped not their backs too hard, as equal to another.
So I went into St. Pierre as into no besieged town, and without
hindrance of any made my way through the winding streets to the harbour,
where I hoped to hear of passage to Normandy. And the good father had
told me of one Le Patourel, that would assist me to embark. This was a
man not too well known to him, for too close acquaintance in this case
were dangerous to me, but one doubtless ready to serve the priest if
need be.
So I sought out this Le Patourel, as it appeared an honest trader, who
took me without doubt for that I seemed. To my joy I found that a
vessel, but just finished lading, would start in a short space for St.
Malo, and the skipper was willing for certain silver pieces to take me
for his passenger. These I paid down out of a sufficient purse Des Bois
had pressed upon me, and with a light and joyous heart tarried on the
quay.
Thither came by presently a bluff priest of the town church that was
like to give me a fall.
"What, Augustine!" he shouted, so that all on the jetty heard. "Whither
art thou journeying?"
"And that thou wilt come near I will tell thee," I replied, not knowing
for the world his name.
"Whither art thou bound?" said he.
"To Coutances," said I. "My lord archbishop, you remember."
"My lord archbishop," said he, "thou shouldst know is far from Coutances
at this season--for his health."
Here I was troubled, for I had told many that my lord had sent for me on
a certain business.
"Ah, yes," said I in haste, "before he went my lord left letters for me
that I alone can fetch. But I must go aboard."
"Stay," said he, "a moment! What didst thou in that matter of Sir
Hubert? There is a like case of conscience here in St Pierre."
I hurriedly told him that it was not proper for me to disclose so nice a
case of conscience, even to my dear friend himself. Whereat he looked
strangely at me, I thought, and soon went on his way, wishing me shortly
a good voyage to Normandy.
By three o'clock we sailed away. And glad I was to see this second time
the highland of the isle grow dim and faint as we sped away with the
wind behind us.