A FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN.
The Indian slaves, who had been scattered like thistle-down in a wind
during this memorable night, now began to creep back to their various
stations and occupations at Santa Teresa; and from them poor Catalina
learnt, with more or less exaggeration, all that had taken place during
the memorable night, and that it was the Marquis himself who had really
betrayed them into the enemy's hands.
The faithful servant would not abuse her master; but, taking Felipa's
head in her arms, she sobbed over her as if this shower of tears would
make matters better; at the same time pouring out all her information,
which was no comfort to the poor girl. Etta meanwhile stood by, pale
and calm, quickly trying to form some plan which would comfort gentle
Felipa.
But when all at once the bad news reached them that Carlo had been
thrown into a dungeon, and that the pirates had the keys, and, further,
that Captain Morgan was on his way to pay the young ladies a visit, Etta
could not help feeling afraid, though she made up her mind that she
would not show it. She felt very proud of Carlo, and was somewhat
comforted by the idea that kind Harry Fenn would help him if he possibly
could.
Etta possessed one of those natures which troubles only strengthen. Her
captivity, kind though it had proved for her, had not made her forget
her religion and her country; yet now she was anxious to do her utmost
to return gentle, timid Felipa's love; so she did her best to cheer her
with hopeful words, and not to give way herself to fear.
'Do not be afraid, Felipa darling. Captain Morgan cannot eat us, you
know, and he will not dare to do us any bodily harm, for your father,
the Marquis, is still a free man. Besides, the pirates want food, Pedro
says, and when they have that they will most likely go away. Why could
we not send Andreas to warn your uncle of this assault? He is a good
man, and would send us help.'
'Well, Senorita, that is a good idea, which never entered my head,'
cried Catalina; 'but where, in the name of all the saints, shall we find
Andreas? The Indians are terribly afraid of the pirates, and are trying
to hide in the woods; for I have heard they were very cruel to them the
last time they were here.'
'You know, Felipa, that Carlo has taught me the peculiar whistle which
will bring Andreas to the foot of the south window,' said Etta. 'If he
is still in the neighbourhood he will hear it, and he would take his
canoe to the mainland and warn your uncle, the Governor of Chagres--I am
sure he would.'
'But how could he leave his own castle?' answered Felipa. 'Dear Etta,
you are so hopeful and clever! If this could really come to pass! Poor
father would be glad, I am sure; for he must already be sorry all these
horrid men are in our hall. Yet he did it for the best.'
This talk was now interrupted by the tread of footsteps without. The
girls had not been to bed, and were still in the sitting-room. Felipa
turned pale, and tremblingly clung to Catalina till she recognised her
father's voice in the passage, though the tones were sadly changed.
The sun this morning shone gloriously in upon the frightened group as
the unhappy Marquis and Captain Morgan entered. Felipa at once ran up
to her father and put her hand into his, asking in this mute way for his
protection; but Etta, who was never at her ease with the Spanish
Governor, stood alone by the window. Yet, in spite of her inward fears,
she could not help feeling some curiosity at the sight of the dreaded
pirate about whom she had heard so much.
After all, the buccaneer was not as dreadful as she had expected; and,
even if his appearance were somewhat strange, yet Etta felt she was in
the presence of one of her own countrymen; and her fears were further
dispelled by the sight of her new friend, Harry Fenn, close behind the
Captain. As for Catalina, she turned her face to the wall and audibly
muttered her prayers, or perhaps they were curses, on the intruder.
'This, Captain, is my daughter,' said the Marquis, speaking in a very
nervous manner, 'and this other maiden is the English girl I mentioned.
Her father was an English merchant, and was killed here in fair fight;
she will tell you she has been very kindly treated.'
'Thou canst speak thine own tongue, I hope?' said Captain Morgan; 'if
so, tell me thy name, little countrywoman. I trust thou hast not
altogether forgotten the speech of merrie England.'
'My name is Henrietta Allison, and my mother told me our family was from
Kent; but oh, Sir Captain, will you release Carlo? Do not take his
words amiss, for he is as brave as any Englishman, and I should be loth
that my countrymen did him any harm.' Etta spoke with vehemence; her
love for Carlo made her bold, and she altogether forgot her fears.
Captain Morgan frowned a little as he said, 'Marry! An overbold English
girl, I see. That young ragamuffin has only got his deserts, for it
always goes ill with a son who does not follow his father's footsteps.
But I like a wench that is fearless. Speak up, girl, and tell me if
thou hast any other boon to ask.'
'If you will not grant me this one, I will have no other,' replied Etta,
her flashing eyes saying far more than mere words.
'Marry! That is showing a fine spirit! Nay, nay, Mistress Henrietta
Allison, keep your angry looks for those who will be distressed by them.
Eh, Harry, hast made friends with your countrywoman? Stay here, boy, and
learn the courtly manners of the Spaniards, which, by my troth, our
rough fellows sadly lack. Now, please you, Senor, we will finish our
inspection of the castle; for as soon as my men have become rational
creatures again we must proceed to business. I fear I must disarm all
the inhabitants, and for mere form's sake I shall need to examine a few
prisoners. I must find, moreover, several bold spirits who will
faithfully show me the way to Panama; for I've sworn to take that city,
and "St. Catherine" shall serve as the war-cry of Morgan's men. Adieu,
fair maids; and do not distress yourselves about your companion; a few
days on bread and water will kill no lusty knight who has been routed in
battle.'
So saying, he led the way out, and intimated with a wave of the hand
that the Marquis was to be his guide. Don Estevan del Campo staggered
out, feeling now, at last, that he had indeed made a mistake. Rather
would he have perished sword in hand than have heard that the
inhabitants were to be made prisoners, and examined, most likely, under
torture. His peace had, indeed, been bought dearly!
'Do not be unhappy about your brother,' said Harry kindly, approaching
Felipa; 'he will be safe enough so long as the Captain is within this
place, and so long, too, as he bears his captivity patiently. That is
Captain Morgan's way; he cannot bear to be thwarted; yet I have known
him do kind deeds when he was in the humour for it.'
'But I have a plan, bold Harry Fenn,' said Etta, now all eagerness to
carry out her ideas, 'only--may we trust you? You will not betray us.'
'You forget what I have told you. I take no part in the affairs of the
buccaneers; I do not betray their secrets, because that would not be
honourable, but far less would I betray yours. I work enough for
them--work that pays for my victuals; but I will not help in their
robberies.'
'Forgive me, Harry,' said Etta frankly. 'We are afraid of every one
now; yet we heard truly how you defended Carlo. Felipa, where is the
parchment? You must write to your uncle at once, and let the writing be
very small, for Andreas must carry it in his mouth; he says that is the
only safe hiding-place.'
Felipa sat down to write a few words to her uncle Don Alvarez, Governor
of Chagres Castle; whilst Catalina, who could not write at all, looked
on, giving her advice freely. Etta in the meanwhile told Harry of her
plan, but she did not notice the start he gave as she mentioned that Don
Alvarez was Governor of the castle of La Chagres, and a noble and brave
gentleman who had sometimes paid them a visit at Santa Teresa.
When the note was at last written hopeful Etta went softly out of the
room to the end of a long passage. Opening a little window, she
imitated the peculiar whistle which Carlo had taught her, and which was
his signal between Andreas and himself. Harry had accompanied her, and
he seemed as anxious as she was about the arrival of the faithful
Indian.
'Did the Senorita Felipa,' he asked, 'say in what distress you were, and
what was the reason of your needing help?'
'Nay; she said merely, "We are in great sorrow: come at once," and then
something more about her poor father,' said Etta; and Harry could not
help admiring the golden hair and sunny face of his new friend.
But though Etta repeated her whistle no one appeared for a long time,
but just as she was giving up in despair all hope of seeing the Indian,
she noticed Andreas below creeping towards the verandah which he was
accustomed to climb in order to get within hearing of Carlo. Now,
however, he merely shook his head and whistled softly a few notes which
meant 'Come here at sunset'; and with this she was obliged to be
contented, knowing that only real danger would keep him away.
'I fancy he is watched,' said Harry; 'to-night he had better escape, if
he is wise.' And then, very sorrowfully, the girl led the way back to
the sitting-room.
The girls dared not step out of their own chamber all the
morning--indeed Catalina kept good guard over them, so that it was some
comfort to listen to Harry Fenn's adventures and to hear what he liked
best to talk of--the account of his home life. Felipa could not quite
understand how he could be so clever, being neither a noble's son nor a
young priest; but Etta had English ideas, imbibed from her parents, and
her love of England made her listen eagerly to Harry's talk of the old
church on the hill and of the learned and kind Mr. Aylett, who had
taught him so much and whom she hoped to see some day. And, further, as
misfortune draws hearts together, he told Etta of that last day at home,
and how he had made the effort of renouncing his roving wishes, and yet
how he had been forced to cross the ocean and see strange new sights in
spite of himself.
'I have had it often on my conscience that God was punishing me for my
many discontented thoughts,' said the boy; 'and yet I think Mr. Aylett
would not put it so. He must have told my parents that I was willing to
stay.'
'No, no; he could not blame you,' said Etta, clasping her hands, 'for
then you would have also to say that God is punishing me for having been
often in a passion when I was but ten years old. We must always be
friends now, Harry, for our stories are much alike; but some day you
will get back home, and you will tell your parents all you went through
and of all your adventures, and then you will remember me and send some
good merchant to take me away from St. Catherine to my uncle's house in
Kent. I will show you the letters I have some time.'
'If an English man-of-war was to touch here, then I would run away,'
said Harry. 'I have never given my word not to escape.'
'And did you really always say your prayers?' said Etta under her
breath, who looked upon Harry as a very saintly hero. 'For sometimes I
have forgotten them when nobody reminded me; and you must have found it
very difficult.'
'Nay, but without them I think I should have despaired entirely.'
Catalina now broke in upon their talk by saying, 'Come, young
Englishman, if you are as friendly as you pretend, why can you not get
my poor Carlo out of that dungeon? He will die there, for I am sure
those ruffians will give him no food.'
'I will do my best,' said Harry, 'and anyhow I will bring you news later
in the day; and I will go now and see if I can do aught with the Captain
for him.'
When he was gone, Felipa and Etta fell fast asleep on a low couch, being
quite wearied out with the events of the long night and morning, and so
for a little while they forgot their troubles.