"No," replied Denis; "we can manage that if your men will help."
No time was lost, for the need for doing something grew more and more
evident; and with the young men standing by to calm and caress each
beautiful steed in turn, running nooses were placed round their
fetlocks, and the ropes' ends slipped through ring-bolt and round
belaying pin, to be made fast, so that before half an hour had passed
the horses were thoroughly secured, and stood staring-eyed and
shivering, ready to burst out into a piteous whinnying if the young men
attempted to move away.
It was a rough passage, growing worse hour after hour till nightfall,
and the cares that had come upon them were so onerous that the two young
men were too busy and excited to feel any qualms themselves. Not only
were there the horses, but their companion below made no little call
upon their attention, and in turn they descended into the rough cabin to
see what they could do. But the second time that Saint Simon approached
the spot where his suffering sovereign lay he was ordered back.
"Send Denis," he said. "You go on deck again and mind that nothing
happens to my horse."
"He's very ill," said Saint Simon, who did not look at all sorry, but
more disposed to laugh, as he joined Denis, who was dividing his
attention among the three horses, and patting each in turn.
"Then why did you leave him?"
"Because he wants you. He's ashamed to let me see how bad he is."
"Is he so very ill then?" said Denis.
"He thinks he is; but you had better make haste down."
Denis hurriedly went below, to find that the sea entertained not the
slightest respect for the stricken monarch, who uttered a low groan from
time to time, and grew less king-like in his sufferings.
"This is very bad, Denis," he said, "and it doesn't seem fair. Why am I
ill, and you going about as if we were on dry land?"
"I wish I could suffer for you, my master," said the lad earnestly.
"Thank you. That's very good," said the King; "but unfortunately you
can't. Denis, my lad, it takes all the bravery out of a man when he is
like this. Do you think the shipmaster would call it cowardly if I were
to send word for him to turn the vessel round and make sail back for
Havre de Grace?"
"I don't think he would notice it, my--Comte," said Denis earnestly;
"but I don't think he could do it now."
"Why?" cried the King.
"Because the wind is growing stronger, and blowing hard from behind,
driving us fast for the other coast; and even if he could turn we should
not get back."
"No," said the King. "But this is very horrible, Denis, my lad.--Are
the horses safe?"
"Yes, sir, quite."
"Ah! that's right," moaned the King. "Say sir, not Sire, on your life."
_Boomp_! _Rush_!
"What's that?" cried the King, in a startled voice, sitting up, but
falling back with a groan. "Oh, how my head swims! Can you swim,
Denis, boy?" he moaned.
"Yes, sir; but no one could swim in a sea like this."
_Boomp_! _Crash_! _Rush_!
"What's that, boy?" groaned the King again. "Why don't you tell me?
Didn't I ask before?"
"It was a big wave, sir, leaping at the vessel's bows, and curling over
and rushing along the deck."
"How dreadful!" said the King. "Why is it so dark? Is it the sea
flooding the ship?"
"No, sir; it is nearly night."
"Oh yes, I forgot. I think I have been asleep. Are we almost there?"
"No, sir. It is a long way yet."
"If I could only go to sleep! Why didn't I let that doctor come?
Denis, my boy, if I die, or if we are drowned, or--go up and ask the
shipmaster how long it will be before we get across."
In no wise troubled by the pitching and tossing of the clumsy vessel,
Denis climbed on deck; but it was some moments before he could make out
where the captain stood, and then only by the help of one of the men,
who pointed out the dim figure in the semi-darkness lightened by the
foam, standing beside the man at the rudder beam; and then it needed no
little care to pass along, holding on by the bulwarks, to ask the
question the lad was sent to bear.
"How long, my lad?" said the skipper. "Oh, very soon. We are flying
across to-night. This is the fastest run I can remember to have made."
"But are we nearly there?"
"Nearly there! No, not halfway; but if the wind holds on like this we
shall be across in time for dinner at noon to-morrow, and perhaps
before."
"So long as that?" cried Denis.
"So soon as that," said the skipper, laughing. "There, I see how it is.
You are afraid--"
"I'm not!" cried Denis sharply.
"Don't be in such a hurry, my lad. You don't give a man time to speak--
about your horses, I was going to say. But they're all right. I have
another rope passed from neck to neck, and as soon as the poor beasts
felt it it seemed to give them comfort, like being more in company.
Don't you be afraid. They're noble animals, but not fit for work like
this. Go and see."
Denis hurried to where Saint Simon was standing with the horses,
drenched with spray, and growing impatient at his task.
"Oh, there you are!" he cried. "Why didn't you come before?"
"I couldn't leave him. He sent me up to ask how soon we shall be
across."
"Well?"
"The skipper says at noon to-morrow."
"Not till then?" said Saint Simon.
"No."
"Well, I'm glad of it. Serve him right. It will finish this wild-goose
chase and send him back quite satisfied, ready to settle down again."
"I hope so," said Denis. "How wet you are!"
"Yes, I don't mind now," said Saint Simon. "It was very horrible at
first, but I can't get any wetter, and that's some comfort after all."
"I'd stop and keep guard myself so that you could go into shelter," said
Denis; "but I must go down again to tell him what I have learned. But
why couldn't you go?"
"Because he sent you, and he'd be furious perhaps. There, go and tell
him."
"Yes, I had better go," said the lad thoughtfully; "but--I am sorry to
leave you, all the same."
"Hah! That makes me feel warm," cried Saint Simon--"that and the
knowledge that the horses can't get loose. There, go on down. After
all, he's worse off than we."
Denis crept along by the bulwarks till he could reach the cabin hatch,
lowered himself down to where a vile-odoured lamp was swinging from the
cabin ceil, and then, moving slowly, having hard work to keep his feet,
he reached the spot where the suffering monarch lay, to find to his
great relief that Francis had sunk into a deep sleep, and was breathing
heavily, leaving him nothing to do but sit down and watch.
CHAPTER SIX.
HOW TO LAND HORSES.
It was a long and dreary night, full of suffering; but, like the worst,
it slowly came to an end. The grey dawn began to creep through the dim
skylight, grew stronger and brighter, and at last the sun arose, with
the King still sleeping profoundly, and Denis standing at the top of the
cabin ladder, gazing out over a glorious foaming sea, all purple,
orange, and gold, wide awake to the beauty of the scene, and ready to
wonder what had become of the horror and darkness of the night.
There was a fresh breeze blowing and the sea was rough, but the clumsy
craft rode more easily and had ceased to pitch and toss. Far ahead too
the sea looked smoother, and so Denis said to the rough-looking skipper,
who came up with a nod and smile.
"Only looks so," he said, "because it is so far off. But the wind is
going down, and in a couple of hours we shall be in smooth water. How's
your master?"
"Fast asleep still," replied Denis.
"Best thing for a man not used to the sea. Well, you see, we shall get
your horses over safely. Poor beasts! They are worse sailors than men.
How are you? Feel as if you could eat some breakfast?"
"Yes, I'm getting horribly hungry."
"That's right. You are the best sailor of the lot. There will be some
in an hour's time."
The skipper passed on, leaving Denis with a look of disgust upon his
features, for he was thinking of the roughness of the common vessel upon
which they had been obliged to take their passage, and the pleasant meal
of which he would have eaten at Fontainebleau.
Just then Saint Simon turned, caught sight of him, and signalled to him
to come. Denis started, hesitated, and then ran down into the cabin
again to see whether the King had awakened. But far from it: he was
flat on his back and looking far from king-like, for his mouth was open
and he was giving forth sounds which in a common person would have been
called snores.
Hurrying back to the deck, Denis ran forward, awakening to the fact that
the sea was much smoother, for he could not have progressed like that
over-night.
"Well, how are you?" he cried.
"Beginning to get dry," was the morose reply. "Look here, boy, if I had
known that I was going to play horse-keeper all through a night like
this I wouldn't have volunteered to come. I shall want a week's sleep
to put me straight."
"Why didn't you ask one or two of the sailors to come and help you?"
"Why didn't you come and help me?"
"You know: because I was obliged to be in attendance on the--"
"Comte!" shouted Saint Simon. "You will be spoiling the expedition
before you have done."
"Yes, it is hard work to remember. I am sorry, though, Saint Simon.
You know that I would have come and helped you if I could."
"Oh yes, I know," said the other. "I couldn't trust anyone to help, for
the poor beasts knew me, and at the worst times a word or two and a pat
on the neck seemed to calm them, and they left off shivering with cold
and fear; but I have had a night such as I don't want to have again."
"You must have had. But the skipper says that we shall soon be in
smooth water, and that there will be some breakfast in an hour."
"Heugh!" ejaculated Saint Simon. "Breakfast here! I don't want
anything till we get on shore--if we ever do. Here, look behind you."
Denis turned sharply, to see a familiar face in the full sunshine
peering over the edge of the hatchway and looking about, but apparently
not seeing what was sought till a hand appeared to shade its owner's
eyes, sending forth a flash or two of light from a ring upon one of the
fingers.
"Why, it's the--"
"Comte!" said Saint Simon quickly. "Stop here, and lay hold of his
horse."
Saint Simon said no more, and Denis obeyed, grasping his companion's
reason, while the next minute the King had mounted to the deck, and came
forward to join them, after making a rush to the bulwarks and grasping
the rail.
"Oh, you're here, gentlemen," he said sharply. "Why was not somebody in
attendance--oh, I see; you're minding our steeds. It has been a very
bad night for them. Not injured, I hope?"
"No, sir," replied Saint Simon; "but during the worst part of the storm
we had to have extra ropes. I was afraid at one time that we should
lose them all."
"But they are safe," said the King, "thanks to you, gentlemen. Poor
boys," he continued, as he passed amongst the ropes, each charger in
turn uttering a low, piteous whinny, and stretching out its muzzle to
receive the King's caress, each too snorting its satisfaction the next
moment, and impatiently pawing the deck.
"Morning, master!" cried the skipper, hurrying up. "Been a windy night,
but it will be all smooth directly. Wind's veered round to the north,
and coming off the shore. Sha'n't be getting on so fast now."
"But these horses," said the King; "they ought to have water and food."
"Not they, master. They wouldn't touch it if you gave them of the best.
They want to feel solid ground under their hoofs."
"And how soon will they get that?" asked Denis quickly.
"Two or three hours if the wind doesn't drop," replied the skipper;
"and," he continued, as he held up his hand and shouted an order or two
to his men to stand by the sheets, "it's chopping round again to the
south. Give us an hour like this, and we shall be in shelter, sailing
between the island and the mainland. You can't say but what we have had
a splendid run."
There was such a quaint comical expression upon the King's countenance
that Denis felt obliged to swing swiftly round and bend down to make
believe to loosen the slip-knot about his charger's leg.
"If I hadn't done so," he said afterwards to Saint Simon, "I should have
burst out laughing in the Comte's face. There," he added quickly, in
triumphant tones, "I have got it now!"
"Yes, and you would have got it then," replied Saint Simon, "for my lord
will forgive a good deal sooner than being laughed at."
This was some time later, when they were gliding gently on through the
smooth water on a bright sunny morning with their port close at hand and
full prospect of being, some time during the next half-hour, close up to
the landing-place; and before long so it proved, for the King, quite
recovered now from his indisposition, was in eager converse with the
skipper as to the best means of getting the horses ashore.
"Well, master, you see this: Southampton isn't Havre de Grace."
"Bah!" ejaculated the King impatiently.
"We had nothing to do there but walk the horses straight from the wharf
over the planks, and down through the gangway on to the deck; but you
see it's different here."
"Nonsense!" said the King. "There are landing-places here, for I can
see them. Work your vessel up quite close, and then boards can be laid
from the deck, and the same thing can be done the other way on."
"Yes, master, that's what I meant; but I forgot all about the tide. You
see, we are coming in just at low water, and I sha'n't be able to get
within fifty fathoms of the shore till well on towards night."
"What! And we have to stop here all day?" cried the King angrily.
"Yes, that's about it. I'll get in as close as I can, and then we shall
be in the mud."
"But is there no other way farther along?" cried the King.
"The only other way is for me to hail a barge or a flat, and swing the
horses down into that; but I shouldn't like to undertake the job."
"It must be done," said the King. His words were law, and, in his
impatient eagerness to get clear of the vessel where he had passed so
many uncomfortable hours, he promised to hold the skipper free from
responsibility.
Taking advantage of the King going aft with Saint Simon, Denis went up
to the skipper.
"Do you think there will be any danger," he said, "to the horses?"
"Shouldn't like to promise, my lad," was the reply, "but if they were my
horses I should go to your master and say, What's the use of being in
such a hurry? It's only waiting a tide, and then we could get close
in."
"But you don't know him," said Denis. "He will have his own way."
"Yes, I can see that," said the bluff skipper. "It'd do him good to be
six months aboard my vessel under me. I'd make another man of him. Ah,
you may laugh, my young sharper. You think I'm a quiet, good-tempered
sort of an old chap, but a ship's captain has to be a bit of a Tartar
too. Do you know what he is aboard his ship? Well, I'll tell you.
He's a king."
Denis gazed sharply in the man's face, wondering whether he had any
suspicion as to who his passenger really was, as he went on talking.
"You see, my boy, I'm used to this sort of thing. Sometimes it's
cattle, sometimes it's pigs and sheep. Well, they don't like going down
into a flat-bottomed boat; but," he added, with a chuckle and a nudge,
"they have to go, and if they won't go decently like passengers, we just
shoves them overboard and lets them swim ashore. But with horses like
these it would be spoiling them to treat them roughly."
"But you need not treat them roughly," said Denis. "You could sling
them with your ropes and tackle into the boat."
"Yes, you could," said the skipper; "but they wouldn't let you."
"Oh, they would," said Denis.
"Well, sir," said the skipper, "you wait and see."
CHAPTER SEVEN.
ONLY A BOY.
The rough old skipper was right, for after getting in as close as he
could, the vessel took the ground, and some time was spent in hailing
and getting a large flat barge close alongside to the open gangway.
A big spar with its blocks and tackle was run out, and proceedings were
commenced with the men for slinging the horses off the deck and lowering
them down; but everything was of the roughest kind and perfectly
unsuitable, while the horses, which were recovering fast from their
stormy journey, grew more and more restless, and after several attempts
with the King's charger, which was to be the first, it resented the
handling of the men, lashed out, and then began to rear, proving in a
short time that disaster must follow the attempt, for plainly enough, if
the horse began to struggle when raised from the deck, it would free
itself from the badly fitted on ropes and be seriously damaged and
maimed before being finally lowered down.
The worse matters grew the more the King lost his temper. He bullied,
raged, and stormed, called the skipper and his men clumsy idiots and
imbeciles, till temper was lost on the other side, the skipper's face,
always ruddy and brown, grew red and black, and he ended by telling his
Majesty that he would have to wait, for the men should do no more.
"This will be the end of our travels," whispered Saint Simon, "for the
King will now betray himself."
"The Comte, you mean," said Denis quietly; for he had been standing very
thoughtful and quiet, thinking over his conversation with the skipper
hours before, and starting forward suddenly just as the King was
clapping his hand to his sword, he whispered to him quickly:
"I think I can get the horses ashore, Sire."
"How dare--here--how?"
"Will your Majesty let me try--I mean, Monsieur le Comte, will you let
me try?"
"Hah! That's better, boy. But speak; what do you mean to do?"
"Let me show you, sir," cried the boy excitedly, and going to where his
steed was tethered, he patted and tried to soothe it for a few moments
before taking bit and bridle and fitting them on. Then he called to the
skipper.
"What do you want?" said the man gruffly, as he came up scowling.
"Have that flat hauled away," said Denis quickly, "and then give me a
clear space on the deck. There isn't much room, but I think I can
manage."
"Hah!" cried the skipper. "Well done, youngster! I see what you mean,
and if you can do that there will be no trouble with the others. Well
done! Good idea!"
The anger against the King seemed to die out at once, and giving his
orders sharply, in a very brief space of time the shallow barge had been
allowed to drift astern, there was a fairly clear space on deck, there
was the open gangway on the side of the vessel nearest the shore, and
the time had come for the young esquire to act.
The next minute Denis cast loose the halter which tethered his charger
to the vessel's side, turned it round, patted the arched neck once more,
and then, bridle in hand, sprang up, threw over one leg, and the next
moment was seated upon his barebacked steed.
The sailors gave a cheer, which startled the horse, but a few words from
Denis quieted it again, and in obedience to the pressure of the rider's
heels it paced forward along the deck as far as the hamper of the vessel
would allow, turned in obedience to the pressure on the rein, and paced
back again in the other direction, to be turned once more.
Everyone else on board was turned into a spectator now, the men in the
flat watching as eagerly as the rest. "He will never do it, Saint
Simon," said the King.
"Think not, sir?" was the reply. "I believe he will. Look!"
For after walking his beautiful steed to and fro again, Denis waited
till they reached the open gangway, and then turned the noble animal's
head and let it stop to stretch out its muzzle towards the shore to gaze
with starting eyes at the solid land and moving people there.
It snuffed the air loudly, and then a loud neigh rang out like a
challenge, which was answered by one of the horses attached to a trolley
high-up on a wharf.
This had the effect of setting the other two chargers challenging in
turn, and as they ceased, Denis spoke to and patted his steed, bending
well forward the while. Then he turned its head again and rode a few
yards up and down the deck once more.
"Well done, my lad," cried the skipper, coming to his side. "You will
do it. Go on."
"How deep is the water here?" said Denis eagerly.
"About a fathom. Plenty of room for you to swim."
Denis set his teeth, walked his horse up and down once more, turned it
sharply toward the gangway, and then with voice and heel urged it
forward, but only to elicit a loud snort as it stood with all four feet
pressed firmly on the deck.
Once more, half despairing now, Denis rode up and down again, before
turning toward the open gangway, and it happened that just as he reached
it a neighing challenge came afresh from the shore, sending a quiver
through the charger, which snorted loudly, and then, in obedience to the
rider's voice and the pressure of his heel, rose and bounded bravely
forward from the vessel's side, out into the water, descending with a
heavy splash, and then submerged all but the extended neck, and with the
lad with the water rising above his hips, but firmly in his seat,
bending forward and giving as if part of the brave animal that had begun
swimming steadily towards the shore.
A ringing cheer rose from the vessel, was taken up by the men on the
flat, and answered from the shore, while all watched the progress of
horse and rider, who both seemed as if to the manner born.
"That means success, sir," said Saint Simon eagerly. "Will you go
next?"
"But I shall be so wet, man. You had better follow with my charger
now."
"Yes, sir, I will if you wish," whispered Saint Simon; "but--this is the
beginning of our adventures, and--"
"Yes," said the King, in a voice full of vexation, "it seems so cowardly
if I hang back. I am not afraid to do it, man, but I shall be so
horribly drenched."
"You can get dry, sir, when we are ashore."
"Yes, of course," whispered the King. "Here, I'll go next. I am not
going to be beaten by that boy."
He was in full earnest, and bitting and bridling his horse himself,
refusing Saint Simon's help and leaving him to perform the same task on
his own steed, almost as soon as Denis had reached the shore, for his
steed to stand snorting and shaking the water from its flowing mane and
tail, the King was mounted, barebacked too. He rode his charger to the
open gangway, where the brave beast answered the neigh that came from
its companion on land, and without hesitation made the splashing leap so
suddenly that the rider nearly lost his seat, having an undignified
struggle to get himself upright again; while as soon as there was a
clear way Saint Simon followed without the slightest difficulty, his
charger in a few strides getting abreast of the King's; and they swam
together till the water shallowed and the swimming became a splashing
wade to where, wet and triumphant, Denis was waiting their arrival.
CHAPTER EIGHT.
MADAME THE HOSTESS.
A little crowd of idlers soon began to gather about the adventurers, who
had dismounted to shake the water from their clinging garments and make
much of their brave steeds.
"My faith!" said the King. "We are beginning our adventures indeed; but
we are in a sorry plight, and ought to change."
"Here's the boat coming, sir," cried Denis, who turned away from a man
who began questioning him eagerly as to who they were and why they had
come ashore like this.
The fellow's manner had annoyed him, for though he pretty well
understood his English he replied shortly in his native tongue. But the
man was in no wise rebuffed, and turned now to Saint Simon, with whom he
fared no better, in fact, rather worse, the result being that he
addressed the King, who shortly told him to go and mind his own affairs.
The boat, which soon reached the shore, contained the skipper, who had
thoughtfully brought on the travellers' light valises, their saddles,
and the remains of the horse-gear, ready to offer them any further
assistance, and praising their gallant swim; but warmed up by his
excitement, the King made light of it all, seeming ready to forget the
state of his garments; and eager to get away from the crowd, he joined
with his young companions in saddling up and mounting, to ride away from
the curious crowd and the hangers-on, several of whom seemed on friendly
terms with the man who had first addressed Denis, and whose curiosity
seemed in no degree abated.
"I did think of going to some inn to change and rest, and start forward
later on for Winchester," said the King; "but we will start at once and
get away from here. Do the people think we have come to make an
exhibition for them?"
"But you will want rest and refreshment, sir, and to dry your clothes,"
said Saint Simon.
"No," said the King. "Do you?"
"I am ready--we are ready," said Saint Simon, "to follow you in
everything."