_THE BEGINNING OF THE RIVALRY_
And now, lest it be wondered what was done by them at home in the
matter of my flight, I will tell here so much as I afterwards came to
know.
When the letter which I had left behind me was put into my father's
hands, it appears, he read it once through, and delivered it to my
mother. Next, without saying one word, he went out by himself into the
stable, saddled his great horse, Gustavus, which stood seventeen hands
high, presently mounted it, and rode off at a strong gallop, setting
his face towards the London road.
It was not till the end of the second day that he came back, the horse
covered with dirt to the shoulders. He said nothing of where he had
been, but walked into the house with a stern face, and called for the
family Bible, which had belonged to his grandfather in the time of the
Commonwealth. This book was bound in parchment and fastened with iron
clasps, and lay always on the top shelf of the old oak press, whence
it had not been taken down once in a dozen years.
My mother brought it to him trembling, and when she saw him open it at
the blank page within the cover, whereon were written the names of all
the Fords for four generations, she fell upon her knees and implored
him not to carry out what he had in his mind. But he heeded her no
more than if he had been stone deaf, and taking a pen in his right
hand drew it through my name and the date of my birth and baptism,
making a line right across the page, which looks as if it had been
drawn with a ruler to this day. Then he threw the sand upon it, and as
soon as it was dry closed the book and handed it back to my mother,
who was fain to restore it to its place.
All this time not a word had passed his lips. At supper my father ate
but little, and drank still less. When it was time for prayers he bade
my mother read the chapter instead of him, as was his wont when
greatly fatigued. Whereupon that sweet saint, as I must ever have
leave to call her, turned, not to the prophecy of Ezekiel, but to the
gospel of Saint Luke, and read out from that chapter which contains
the parable of the Prodigal Son. And when she came to the words, "For
this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is
found"--when she had come to this place, my father, who had sat and
listened hitherto, cried out in a harsh voice--
"Stop, woman!"
And he took the Bible from her and turned over the leaves till he was
at the book of Ezekiel, and read the chapter in order as usual.
Nevertheless in the night my mother, who lay awake weeping, heard him
give more than one sigh; and presently, while it was still dark, he
rose up and went out of the room and downstairs, and stayed away above
an hour; after which he came back and lay down again. And he strictly
forbade her ever to utter my name in his hearing from that time.
* * * * *
I lay in hiding above a week before I durst venture abroad except at
night. And very soothing to my spirit those night rambles were, though
melancholy; for the look of all things was so changed and solemn under
the black sky, or in the silent radiance of the moon, the houses were
so oppressively still, and the masts of the ships so spectral upon the
water, that it seemed to me by the end of those few days, that I had
been exploring another world, and had got at last to be familiar with
its ways.
In the daytime I was safe enough in my snug quarters in the tavern,
for not a soul knew I was there save the privateer's crew. And to do
those ruffians justice, though there were few other crimes they stuck
at, I believe that a thousand pounds would not have tempted one of
them to give me up after I had been duly embodied in their company.
Indeed, I found some of them to be good fellows enough, and grew not
to dislike old Muzzy, the boatswain--for so he was called, though I
know not if it was his proper name or one bestowed upon him by his
mates. He was, if I mistake not, a foundling. He had conceived a huge
friendship for me, and would come upstairs to the garret where I was
secluded, and give me lessons in the broadsword exercise by the hour,
the knowledge of which stood me in good stead in not very long.
But practise how I might, I never reached that perfection which the
boatswain had attained, who was, I do think, the most complete master
of his weapon then alive. I have heard, not from his mouth only, but
from others of the crew, of the duel which he fought with three
Frenchmen together, at a time of peace between the countries, in
Civita Vecchia, and how he left them all dead upon the ground. For
such were English tars in those days, a manly race of whom we have but
few left now.
The rest of the crew I pass over as being of a class common enough in
all our seaports. The profane language they constantly employed grew,
by dint of repetition, to have no meaning in my ears, as I am sure it
had none, for the most part, in theirs. The thing which I found it
hardest to accustom myself to was the smoking of tobacco. Indeed,
after I had lit my first pipe I fell so ill that I looked upon it as a
judgment of Providence, and vowed I would never light another. But
seeing all the rest at it day by day, I soon ventured again, and came
at last to enjoy it no less than they did. And no doubt if there were
anything mischievous in this habit when pursued in moderation, it
would have been denounced by the sacred writers, who would, by means
of their inspiration, have foreseen its introduction into these
regions, though not then known.
But what will for ever make memorable to me the days which I spent in
Yarmouth, waiting for the _Fair Maid_ to be equipped for sea, was the
deep joy of my first love for the woman whose lot was to be so
strangely cast in with mine. I do not know whether she at first failed
to perceive this passion, or whether she slighted it as the heedless
fancy of a lad, for she behaved towards me as if there could be no
such thoughts between us, caressing me openly before company, and
thereby causing me the keenest joy and anguish at the same time.
Mistress Marian Rising, to give her her full description, was, as I
have said, the niece of my host. Her own parents were settled in the
East India Company's factory at Fort William, on the river Hooghley,
where her father did business in drugs and was amassing, according to
report, a considerable fortune. She told me that her people had
refused to carry her out with them to the East, on account of the
unhealthiness of that climate, but being now grown of age she was
resolved to take the first occasion of going out there to join them.
She spoke much of the marvels of that great region which we now call
Indostan, and of which little then was known in my part of Norfolk,
describing the vast wealth and luxury of its people, the power and
splendour of the nabobs and princes, and the curiosity of their
buildings and manufactures. Of all these she spoke as familiarly as if
she had dwelt among them, deeming, I suppose, that the connection
between her and that region invested her with authority on the
subject. I need scarce say that I drank in every word with greedy
ears, and was become daily more inflamed with desire to voyage
thither.
My cousin Rupert was frequently a third party in our conversations. He
used a tone of familiarity with Marian which I was inclined to resent,
though she took it in good part. But he deeply offended me one day
that we were together by referring openly to what I thought my secret
passion for the girl.
We had been discussing the question of how far it was safe for me to
venture abroad into the streets, and he wound up by saying--
"To speak my mind plainly, Mistress Marian, I think it is high time my
cousin got further out of reach of your fascination. You and he have
been too much together of late; and if I mistake not Master Athelstane
would not object to prolong his captivity for ever on such terms."
"What do you mean?" I cried angrily.
But the girl only laughed.
"Be quiet, sir!" she said. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself for
showing jealousy of a mere boy like this! Why, he is scarce old enough
to notice whether I have brown eyes or black."
This made me still more angry with Rupert.
"Mere boy as I am, I will thank you not to meddle between me and any
lady who may choose to favour me with her goodwill!" I told him.
"I crave your pardon, my venerable cousin," sneered Rupert. "I was not
aware that matters between Mrs. Rising and you had made such progress.
I would offer to go to Saint Nicholas, and bid them put up the banns
next Sunday, if I were not afraid it might bring my worthy uncle over
from Brandon with a whip and a dog-collar."
I sprang to my feet as red as fire, and was as likely to have answered
him with a blow as a word, if Marian had not come between us.
"Sit down, you foolish boy," she said, giving me a look that turned my
wrath into secret exultation. "As for you, Rupert Gurney, I have told
you before that I will not endure your hectoring temper. If you cannot
behave more civilly, there are plenty of other inns in Great Yarmouth,
and you had better betake yourself to one of them."
Rupert now saw he had gone too far, and passed off the thing as a
pleasantry. After that he became as friendly to me as ever; but I
could not so soon get over his ungenerous words, and I think I never
felt quite the same love and admiration for him afterwards.
About this time I overheard a conversation between Mr. Sims and my
cousin which I by no means liked. They were seated in the parlour of
the inn by themselves, overhauling the ship's papers, which they took
out of a tin case, such as is used by mariners to guard against the
chances of a wetting. I had come in to join them, for they sometimes
used me as a clerk in the business of the ship, and found them too
busy to heed my presence.
"I tell you, Gurney, I mislike it," Captain Sims was saying. "Here is
the date of our commission, by which, as you may see, it has run out
since the conclusion of the peace. The _Fair Maid_ cannot sail under
that."
Rupert cursed the commission, and cursed the date upon it, with much
heartiness.
"We must sail without it, then, that's all!" he said, as soon as he
had finished cursing. "It will be all one by the time we make Gheriah.
Thanks to this cursed peace we might as well whistle for another as
apply to the Admiralty Commissioners."
"Nay, not so fast!" exclaimed the other, drawing back in his chair.
"That were to proclaim ourselves pirates at once."
"Well, and pray what else have we been till now?" returned my cousin,
giving him a nasty look.
Mr. Sims shook his head gravely.
"No; I have been a privateersman all my life, barring a few smuggling
ventures in the late peace, but I have never put to sea without my
letters of marque and reprisal, duly signed and sealed."
Rupert curled his lip as he looked at the other.
"And what did your letters of marque say as to the Portuguese slaver
we sank in the Gaboons?" he demanded scornfully. "And what of that
Bristol schooner we mistook for a Frenchman off Finisterre, and had a
thousand pounds of coffee out of, before we discovered the error?"
"No matter," said Sims, setting his fist upon the table with an angry
thump; "I don't profess to be more particular than other men when I
get on the high seas; but I've always got my letters of marque on
board, and as long as I have them, d'ye see, they can't hang me."
Rupert seemed to be casting about for some way to satisfy his
scruples. Presently he said--
"There's no other way for it, then--we must alter the date."
Mr. Sims gave a start, and let drop an oath.
"You're a strange man, Gurney," he said; "I can't make you out this
morning. You talk of forging the king's commission as if it were no
more than altering the log. Why, man, that's a worse hanging matter
than sailing with no papers at all!"
My cousin fairly lost his temper at this, and cursed the other for a
thin-skinned numbskull.
"Either we sail or we don't," he concluded by saying, "and either we
sail with a commission or without it. I am ready here to alter the
date with my own hand--it is but turning a IV into a VI--to give us
two years more, and you need know nothing of the matter."
The captain came into this with surprising readiness thinking, no
doubt, that he had sufficiently guarded his own neck in the business.
Then for the first time they perceived me; and Sims was for making me
take an oath on the gospels not to betray what I had heard. But Rupert
rebuked him sharply, bidding him to know that no Ford had ever
committed treachery or dishonour within the memory of man, any more,
he was good enough to say, than the Gurneys themselves.
And this testimony of his so soothed me that I allowed my conscience
to slumber in the matter of the forged commission. Yet it was plain
enough to me by this time that my cousin was a desperate scoundrel,
and that the company I had enlisted among were little better than a
gang of pirates, if better they could be called.
I daresay it was not to be expected that I should associate for long
with such men without falling into their ways. But what prevailed most
to change me from my former character, and wrought on me for evil was,
I verily believe, the frenzy of the passion which possessed me for
Marian.
By this time I had gathered courage to let her know how she stood in
my regard, and with the worst result for me that could have happened.
For she would listen well-pleased to all the desperate love I poured
into her ear, and then the next day I would find her closeted with my
cousin Rupert, who was become her bold and notorious wooer, or else
with one of the flash young gentlemen of the town, who frequented the
tavern for no other purpose but to make love to her, and brought her
presents of rings and lockets and suchlike matters, which she never
scrupled to accept. And when I upbraided her for this wantonness, she
gave me cruel words.
"I would have you to know that I am not your mistress, pert young sir,
any more than I am your cousin's! And I suppose I am free to do as I
please, without your leave first had! If it likes me to entertain the
society of other young gentlemen, be sure I shall do so; and as for
the trinkets you are pleased to be jealous of, it will be time enough
to cast them in my teeth when you have better to bestow on me
yourself."
With that she flung away, leaving me sore distressed and amazed. But
though this speech removed somewhat of my blindness, yet the love I
had for her was no whit lessened, but rather increased in vehemence.
And seeing that I had but little money of my own to procure her such
toys as she spoke of, I forthwith betook me to dicing and gambling,
which hitherto I had refrained from, in the hopes of bettering my
estate.
The luck I had in this was very various, so that at one time guineas
seemed to be dropping out of my pockets, whereas at others I might
ransack them through without finding so much as a silver penny. And
according to the state of my fortunes, so did I prosper in Marian's
regard; and in this ill-state of my affairs I grew reckless, and drank
to drive away better thoughts, and so came on rapidly to the evil hour
which was to end it all.
For, as it happened, I was one night throwing the dice with my cousin
Rupert, and he had won of me, and as I went on, drinking in between
whiles, I lost what little coolness I had started with, and finally
staked my last penny on the last throw, and lost that too. Then I
flung myself back from the table with an oath.
"Fair and softly, cousin," said Rupert, picking up the money I had
thrown before him. "It does not much matter who wins, seeing that it
all goes into the same pocket afterwards."
"What do you mean?" I cried sharply. For nothing angered me more than
to have him say anything which glanced at our rivalry for Marian, in
which business I had too much reason to suspect he was more fortunate
than myself. That very day, moreover, I had found them together, and
they had looked ill-pleased at being disturbed.
"Faith, I think you must know my meaning well enough by this time,"
answered Rupert, with an insulting smile. "Before you try to play the
gallant you must line your pocket better."
"Hold your tongue!" I said fiercely. "I am not used to buy favours,
like some who have nothing but their purse to commend them."
"Then you should go where favours are not sold," he sneered, with an
evil smile.
"Those words in your teeth!" I shouted, starting up and clapping my
hand on my sword, which I had bought two days before of a Jew.
By this time the noise of our quarrel had aroused the whole room, and
the company were crowding round us, the men of the _Fair Maid_ in the
front. Rupert bit his lip as he saw where he stood.
"Peace, youngster," he said, with a threatening look which belied his
words. "I will not be forced into a quarrel here."
"Here or outside, I care not," says I, "but I swear you shall take
back the slander you have cast upon a woman you are not fit to speak
with!"
"D--n you!" says Rupert, "do you want me to fight for a----"
He got no farther, for with that I caught up the dice-box and dashed
it between his eyes, so that he fairly staggered back, and the blood
started from his nostrils. And then, almost before I knew what was
happening, his sword was out, and mine was clashing against it, and
the table was overturned on the floor, and then there was a rush and a
shout, and some one was holding me back from behind, while Mr. Sims
and the boatswain stood between us, and Rupert, with a look on his
face which I had never seen there before, was saying in a very steady
voice--
"Gentlemen, you may arrange it as you please, but take notice that it
must be _a la mort_."