THE HIGH TOBY
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
GALLOPING DICK
CAPTAIN FORTUNE
SKIRTS OF HAPPY CHANCE
THE ADVENTURERS
TWISTED EGLANTINE
[Illustration: BUT, BEING BY THE DOOR, HE SWEPT IT OPEN WITH A
MOVEMENT, AND BACKED INTO THE PASSAGE
PAGE 292]
THE HIGH TOBY
BEING FURTHER CHAPTERS IN THE LIFE AND
FORTUNES OF DICK RYDER, OTHERWISE
GALLOPING DICK, SOMETIME
GENTLEMAN OF THE
ROAD
BY
H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON
AUTHOR OF "TWISTED EGLANTINE"
WITH A FRONTISPIECE BY CLAUDE SHEPPERSON
METHUEN & CO.
36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON
_First Published in 1906_
To J. M. BARRIE
MY DEAR BARRIE,--It is all but twenty years since we were first
acquainted, for if we live till the spring of 1908, our friendship
will have reached its majority. Of those far-off days I cherish, as
I believe you do, a grateful memory. How many problems had we to
discuss, how many ideals had we to satisfy, and how much ambition
had we to fulfil! I think you, at least, have gone far to fulfil all
yours, who have written your name indelibly in the literature of our
generation. That name I am, after the long lapse of years, prefixing
to this book of stories, in the hope that they will interest you, and
as a testimony to the enduring quality of our friendship.
Yours always,
H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON.
_January 1906_
CONTENTS
PAGE
UNDER THE MOON 1
THE DRAPER'S NIECE 26
MISS AND MY LADY 52
THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE 80
THE ATTACK ON THE CHAISE 121
THE GENTLEMANLY HABERDASHER 149
THE MAN IN BLACK 174
THE LADY IN THE COACH 197
THE TURTLE-DOVES 232
MY LADY'S RING 257
GALLOWS GATE 281
THE HIGH TOBY
UNDER THE MOON
I ever had the name of one that kept to himself, nor was bedfellow to
none upon the high toby. 'Tis true enough that I have mixed in one
or two affairs with others of my kidney, but these were mainly in my
heady youth and when I was raw upon the pad, and the issues for the
more part were against me. For one, there was that business with Creech
about the King's treasure chests, the which came near to hanging of
us all through that toad, Timothy Grubbe. Indeed, I have never cared
to participate in any act that was not of my own devising, and there
was none on the road that I would ha' pinned my faith on--no, not even
old Jeremy Starbottle, that was hanged afore my time. For this reason
it was that I was used to avoid the Portsmouth Road, which, being so
greatly traversed, and so set with wastes and wilds, was pretty much
in favour with our gentry. I was often in the West, where my chief
quarry lay, or the North Road was that on which I beat; but, Lord!
there was no point nor parcel of these shires that knew me not at
one time or another, and I warrant I kept the officers all over the
country a-jigging. Yet I was once took for an affair near Petersfield,
and swore not to touch that road again, but to leave it to the scurvy
tiddlers that hold it. I came back, however, once after, and that was
upon a late December night, and when the moon was shining and the sky
alight and glistening.
I had rode across from Alton with two bottles of good wine under
my jacket, and a pocket of gold guineas, and I was trotting across
Witley Common whistling of an air, very merry, and with no thought
but to come by town the easier, lying maybe by Guildford that night
in a cosy private tavern that I knew. Some imp of mischief shook me
up and cozened me that night, for I had no intent in the world but to
walk like a plain citizen or any talking parson. Yet what happens but
this--that I, like a sorry fool, spying of a coach that was running
down from the hills with a great clatter, and two postilions before,
set up a cry and a hulloa, and ere they or Dick Ryder himself was aware
of what he would do, why Calypso was alongside, I had gotten the reins
in my hands, and the nose of my pistol was through the window.
The body of that coach trembled under a concussion of someone that
threw himself about within, but there came a voice on that.
"Stay, Nick, you fool, and let's guess at where we are."
"'Sdeath," says another voice, "I will run this fellow through."
"Young man," says I, seeing the moon shine clear upon his face as he
peered through the window, "you know not with whom ye are dealing.
Heaven rest the soul of them that withstand Dick Ryder!"
At that the other man puts his head to the window also and looks out.
"Oh," says he, in a quiet voice, "so this is Captain Ryder! I ha' heard
some talk of you, Captain; your name has travelled."
"Why, yes," said I, laughing, for this was no news to me; "you will
find it from the Quantocks to the Humber, and that with a significance.
I tell you, sirs, that Ryder spells terror to those that he chooses."
"Well, then," says the second gentleman, eyeing me queerly, "we are now
to learn if Captain Ryder does so choose with us poor devils."
"Stab me!" cries t'other, who was a hot young blood, "I will snick the
rogue through, Avory."
"You will do nothing of the like, Nick," says he, sharply. "Would ye
peril our precious lives? Hear ye not that I have some inkling of this
gentleman's repute? Gad, I would keep my skin sound, so I would;" and
turning to me he smiled pleasantly, beckoning away my pistol that was
still directed on the window.
"We are at your mercy, Captain," said he, coolly. "What prize guess you
that you have taken?"
"Why," said I, "I give not a groat for prize or no prize. I do what I
list, and 'tis my whim to catch a pair of fine cocks thus."
"Well," says he to the other, "I see we must needs open our pockets. I
thank Heaven that 'twas you won from me this evening; so I shall lose
the less."
He was a tall fellow was this one, with a fair wig and two cold eyes,
and he spoke in an equable fashion, with neither a smile nor a frown
upon him. Yet he had clearly a command of the other, who prepared to
empty his pockets. This set me thinking.
"What," says I to myself, "is amiss with this game cock that he will
not venture his spurs?" and I looked sharply on him.
"Captain Ryder," says he, very deliberate, "there is on our bodies, as
I assure you as a gentleman, but ten poor guineas, scant alms for this
great office of yours, as I will admit."
"Deliver," said I. "'Twill serve me for some madam in town as well as
you."
"That is very true, Ryder," said he, bending his golden eyebrows at me.
"Yet consider this. Behind these fine apparels no doubt you will say
there is a stout purse somewhere. Ay, so it is. We are upon our way
to Godalming, where we lie at the Angel. What! D'ye suppose that any
gentleman of the Court would travel abroad so ill provided?"
"What does this mean?" I asked bluntly, looking at both, but very wary;
for I trusted him not.
"Look ye, Captain," he answered, showing his teeth, "I am in want of
some such brave fellow as yourself, and you shall choose between two
courses--whether to strip us of these few and paltry coins or to take
service for a noble sum."
"There is some emprise you would do?" I asked surprised.
"Nay, a very easy task," said he, airily, "but one to be well paid, I
warrant."
"What price would you put on this job?" said I, considering.
"I believe, Nick, there is one hundred guineas awaiting at the Angel,
is't not?" said he, turning to his fellow.
He that was termed Nick nodded in a surly fashion.
"'Tis a nice round bag," said I, "and what should be done for this?"
for I was sick of these approaches, and I liked him not.
"I have a runaway wife," says he, with a faint smile. "Faith, Captain,
she is a madcap; she stalketh by day and by night, and she has taken
wings from her dear husband. I would have you to unite us again."
I grinned on him, for I knew what this portended. "Sure this poor lady
must be clipped, but where?" I asked.
"She rides from Midhurst," said he, "and doubtless will pass this way.
I had intended with this friend, who is so kind to give me sympathy
and his company--I had intended to have catched her myself and brought
her to a meeting. But, Captain, you will understand my feelings. My
emotions run. I am wax. She were best in your civil hands, that would
not imbrue themselves in hasty deeds. You will soothe and dissuade her,
I warrant, a man of your tongue. She needs but a sure hand and a cool
heart, which I dare not promise. I am disaffected by my passion. I
would use an instrument rather."
Again I corresponded with him in a grin, for I guessed at what fellow
he was.
"This is very well," said I, "but by your leave I would learn what
warranty have I of this payment."
"You have the honour of Sir Gilbert Avory," said he.
I knew him then for what he was, the greatest Cupid in the Court, and
one that stood at no hazards to boot. There were tales of this Sir
Gilbert, in sooth, upon every wench's tongue. But this was no business
of mine.
"Very well," said I, "if 'tis a petticoat you are after I say no more.
Faith, I have been about them myself, and I know no greater zest in a
pursuit. 'Slife, your worship, I blame you not, and you shall come by
your own."
"That is spoken with spirit," he answered, "and now there remains to
set you on your quarry. The coach has a green body, and the lady--my
lady that is--is crowned with a mass of red hair."
"There was never a nut," said I, "given Dick Ryder but he cracked it i'
the jaw."
"Then," says he, smiling civilly out of his broad face, "we have your
leave to depart."
"Go in Heaven's name," said I, laughing, "and if I get not those
hundred guineas, call me catchpole."
With that I drew off, and the coach rolled away, disappearing into the
shining distance; but I rode back a little distance until I had come
to the Half Moon tavern in the middle of that wilderness. Here I sat
for an hour or more, hob-a-nobbing with the landlord, and drinking of
mulled wine to keep me warm. There was no sound upon the roads in all
that time, so that I had grown to fear Sir Gilbert was mistaken, and
that the lady was gone another way. A little on eleven, however, there
comes a sound from far away, and the landlord sets his ear to the door.
"'Tis a coach," says he, "and they drive fast."
"They have a need," said I, with a yawn, "for 'tis growing late enough,
and indeed, 'tis time I was upon my road." With which I called on the
ostler for Calypso. By the time I was in the saddle, and standing ready
before the tavern in that great open space of the woods, the coach had
rolled up and fled past into the night with a huge clamour and the
groaning of axles and shrieking of postilions. But in that glimpse of
the lights I had seen that the body was of a greenish colour.
I pulled Calypso out on the highway, therefore, and, taking to my
pistols, set her to canter sharply across the waste. The coach was
flying like a frightened pigeon, and the lights dwindled afore me,
shaking and rocking as they ran. But I was in no hurry, and fetched the
mare nearer, keeping her at an even distance. Then it seemed that some
suspicion took them, for the moonlight struck full upon me, throwing me
out like a black shadow a-riding on them. So the postilions heightened
their pace, plying their whips, and when that would not serve, they
began to call out, and turned the horses from the highway upon a track
that ran among vast and sombre pines. I cried to them to halt, but
the fools only increased their terror and their efforts, and the big
coach lurched and rumbled over the rough ground, crashing among the
branches of the firs, while the horses galloped and leaped in a panic.
I put spurs to the mare and went after them, cautiously enough, for the
road was darkened by the trees about it. Yet I drew nigh foot by foot,
being in no haste, for the wretches knew not whither they rushed. And
presently I heard a woman's voice calling angrily and calling loudly,
and then there was a stream of oaths from the postboys mingled with
some shrill screaming. I came out at that instant from the cover of
the firs, and there before me was the coach, sunk to its axles in a
marshy place such as are thereabouts, with the devil of a commotion in
progress.
"What ado is this?" I cried, coming up and pulling in the nag. But at
that the screaming began again, and one of the postboys levelled a
pistol at me. "Put up that toy," said I, sharply, "or by the Lord I
will let light in your brains, you numbskull."
"Jerry, do as the gentleman bids you," said a woman's voice out of the
coach, and looking in I saw plain enough that I had here what I wanted.
She was a slim-bodied girl with a great canopy of guinea-coloured hair,
her bosom moved quickly for all her brave voice. But that gave me a
kindly sense of her.
"Who are you?" she says boldly enough, while the maid was still
whimpering by her.
"Bless those red lips," says I, "but who should I be save one attracted
by your distress who is come to help you?" She regarded me doubtfully.
"Come," I went on, "let me give you a hand, mistress, for that pretty
face will ere long kiss the mud else, which is no business for it."
She shrank away, but I took hold on her. "Come, come," said I, "by your
leave, pretty miss."
She trembled, but she kept her face. "I will give you what you wish,"
she answered. "Put no finger upon me. Here is my purse. You would not
rob my maid."
"'Tis not your purse I want," said I, laughing, "but your person, my
dear."
"Oh," she cried out in alarm; and then, "Had not these cravens refused
my commands we should be galloping into Milford and not thus at your
mercy."
"I would ha' gone, not only to Milford, but to the gallows, for that
sweet face," I said, bowing.
"What would you do with me?" she asked, now all of a flutter. "Know you
not that I am Mrs Barbara Crawford, wife to Mr Crawford of Grebe?"
"Fie!" said I, laughing at her. "I would be ashamed at your years to
talk so! What does a chit like you know of wives?"
She turned red, and then suddenly white, as I haled her from the coach,
struggling with me like a vixen.
"Fire, Jerry, fire," she cried; but the lout was too frightened, and so
I flung her before me on Calypso, and, with a discharge of my pistol
through Jerry's hat as he fumbled with his blunderbuss, which set up
a new alarm, I got out of the marsh swiftly, and was soon striking
through the firs towards Milford.
This Mrs Barbara, as she called herself, wrestled like Satan, but
presently came to be quiet, and, says she, in a cool voice,--
"I would sit up. Fear not; you have done your will with me."
"There is spirit in this wench," said I, and I fetched her up on the
mare's crupper, where she sat, gaping out into the night.
"You go by blind ways," said she next. "This is not the road."
"Why," said I, "no, or that dulcet voice of yours would call louder
than I like. You may squeal, my pretty," says I, "but you are bound
upon what path your legs should go."
"And what path is that?" she asked soberly.
"'Tis where all women walk," I answered with a chuckle. "They know the
road. I have seen 'em ride that way in troops."
"You have a generous knowledge of the sex," says she after a pause.
"I ha' been in many circumstances," said I, "and I know a stark
wench--also, mark ye, I know when one kicks that would be fain."
"I think you mistake me, sir," said she with dignity. "But whither are
we set?"
"What you shall see that you shall see," said I, lightly, for I had an
acquaintance with women and knew what way was best to take them.
"Sir," says she to me on that, "I have no doubt that you are a man of
honour."
"Ay, so it is there you would tickle me?" I cried, laughing. "Gadzooks,
so I am, and one to keep my word whenever it is given."
"Then 'tis given against me?" she said, after a moment's silence, and
very gravely.
"Faith, but you talk too much," I cried, in an irritation at her
persistence. "You shall neither cajole nor trick me, and that's plain
enough for you. I have shut my ears afore to many pleading tongues
that wagged in dainty mouths. You are none so sweet as to dissuade me,
madam, fair though you be."
She was silent again for a time, and then she spoke bitterly. "Ay,"
said she, "yet 'tis my fairness that has pulled this ruin upon me."
"Why, you gabble of ruin," said I, with a sneer, "as one that wears
the buskin. I warrant there is that in you that knows well enough and
laments not. I care not what ye think or what ye wish. You shall do my
will and no other."
She made no answer, and now we were come to a hamlet upon the back
parts of Milford, where a stream ran under a bridgeway and by high
cliffs. 'Twas a place called Eashing. Here was an inn that I had once
visited, with an old goose-neck for a landlord, and, taking pity on Mrs
Barbara (if she were so called) and her white face, I stopped before
the door and, demanding to be shown into a privy room, led her thither.
"You will have a glass of wine against your faintness," said I,
quickly, "but I will have no speaking. Raise your voice and you shall
learn the worst, and what it is to offend Dick Ryder."
She said nothing, but sat very still and pallid, watching me with
fluttering eyes; nor would she take the wine I ordered.
"Drink, my little cockatrice," said I, with command, and on that she
sipped at the liquor, making a pretence.
A little after comes the innkeeper, and, staring on us, beckons me
forth with his finger. I stepped into the passage wondering what game
this might be, when says he, suddenly,--
"I recognise you, Captain. Yonder are fine feathers. A precious morsel
you ha' gotten somewhere," says he.
"Oh, damn your words," says I. "D'ye suppose I left my home to hear
this muck?"
"No, Captain," says he, lowering his voice, "but there has been a
pother on the heaths this past week, and the traps are about. There is
one or more in the room behind you."
At that I whistled and thanked him. "I will put the wine in my gullet
and mizzle," said I, not that I cared for the traps, but 'twas safer
for the aim I was making. So I was not three minutes ere I was in the
saddle with the girl as before, and we were riding amain for Godalming.
"You ride hard, sir," said she, presently; and when I made no answer,
for to say the truth I wanted no more of her voice, and the job for the
first time disaffected me, "I think I should say," she went on quietly,
"that when you were with the taverner there was one looked in upon me
from a further room."
"Why d'ye say this?" I asked abruptly.
"He was well armed," says she, "and there was another with him. I had
but to raise my finger," she says quietly.
"Why did you not?" I asked in a surprise.
"I knew nought of them," she answered; "and I know this of you, that
you are more honest than you seem, sir."
At that I laughed, though I will confess the wench took me by her talk,
pretty parrot. "Well, you must know," I said, "that those were the
officers of the law who watched you, and they would ha' been glad to
lay hands on Dick Ryder."
"It may be," she replied thoughtfully. "But I regret not. There is that
in your face I would rather trust."
At that I pulled in Calypso. "Look you!" said I, "who are you, and what
do you here? I can get no ease of this puzzle. Are ye maid, saint or
sinner?"
"Nay, but I am wife and maid, sir," says she, her face deepening with
colour; "I am the Mistress Barbara Crawford, that was wed this day at
Midhurst."
"What!" cried I, "you are wed this day!"
"Indeed," says she, "'tis so; and now am I stolen away and like to be
no longer what I am."
"Where is your husband?" I asked sharply, fixing her with my eyes.
"He was called away almost ere the marriage was finished," she answered
distressfully. "There was news brought of his father's illness, and he
rode off. Yet was he to meet me this night at Guildford."
For a moment I was silent, for there leaped into my mind a notion
of what that rogue, Sir Gilbert Avory, was about, and then--for the
creature drew me compassionately, and she was but a chick for all her
steady face,--
"By Heaven," says I, "but this is to go beyond me. I spoil no proper
sport, not I; and you and your husband sup together to-night, I promise
you, so shall ye."
She looked at me somewhat startled, but with a glow of colour on her
face.
"I knew you were true, I knew you were true," said she, repeating it,
and seizing of my hand.
"Oh, faugh," says I, "I am well enough," for it irked me to think for
what I had taken her all along.
"Will you tell me," she asked in a hesitating voice, "who was it that
put you to this?"
"You are welcome to that," I returned bluntly. "'Twas Sir Gilbert Avory
himself."
She sighed. "So I had guessed," she said. "He has persecuted me a full
year, and no doubt 'twas he that drew off my husband."
That, as I knew, was like enough, but there was no time to fall
discussing of Mr Crawford nor Sir Gilbert neither. The hour was late
and we must be pushing.
"You will take me back?" says she, softly.
I broke out laughing. "Lord no!" says I. "Bless your bobbing heart,
d'ye think you will find the coach still a-sticking in the mud?"
"You will ride then to Guildford?" she asked with some diffidence, and
regarding me beseechingly. "'Twould try your generosity to do this for
me."
"Ay," said I, "we ride for Guildford, but by way of Godalming."
"What!" she cried, stricken with fear, "you would carry me where that
man lies!"
"'Twas that very maggot was in my head, mistress," I said; for indeed I
had taken a notion to have the laugh of this same smiling _beau_.
She clasped her hands, and would have appealed to me, but I broke in
sharply on that silly pate. "Faith, you must render yourself to me, or
I will none of it. I make my plans and so abide. You shall come off
with a sound skin, and cry 'pap' to your husband. Have no fears."
To this soothing she said nothing, and presently we resumed our
journey, and, getting into the town, pulled up afore the Angel. It
was now close upon midnight, and there was but one light in the inn,
which shone from a room above. Mrs Barbara looked on me in alarm when
she saw this, but she still said nothing. As for me, I left the mare
standing--a trick she was used to--and pressed up the stairway with the
girl. It was not my design to seek Sir Gilbert Avory for the nonce,
as I had other work to do; but, as it fell, the matter was taken out
of my hands, for the man himself met us at the stair-head smiling and
courteous.
"I give you welcome, madam," says he, bowing with ceremony. "There is a
chamber all prepared for you, and a warming supper. You must ha' gotten
a rare appetite with the winds."
She returned him no word, but shrank away towards me; and says he to
me,--
"I fear my lady has lost her tongue i' the cold. You have had a rough
journey; but 'tis well done. I swear the lady was never in more careful
custody," and a little smile illumined his even features.
As we had come upon him there was nought to do save to make the best of
the case, and though I will admit that at first I was put about I soon
recovered my wits, and entered the chamber with him, whence the light
shone, with some merry jest on my tongue.
Here was a table spread very generously, and some wine heating by the
fire.
"By the Lord," said I, "I am fain of good liquor."
"You have earned it, Captain," says he, pouring forth a glass, but
keeping his eyes on the girl.
I drained the glass. "And now," says I, "to business, Sir Gilbert."
"Ay, to business, sir," says he, and, with a gentle motion of his
hands, he would have invited Mrs Barbara to an inner room. "These
coarse facts are not for a lady, Ryder," says he.
"Seeing the lady is a main pawn in this business, by your leave she
shall stay," said I, with a laugh.
"Why, yes," he says, controlling his lips into that little smile, "she
is certainly of chief importance. But I would rather call her Queen,
Captain."
"Call her what you will," said I, bluffly. "'Tis all you shall do with
her, my master."
He turned slowly from considering her, and gazed on me quietly.
"Ha!" says he, without showing any perturbation, for he was a man of
spirit, and he must have suspected that something was wrong. "Here we
have a riddle for tobymen. What is the explanation, sirrah?"
"Very simple," said I, grinning at him. "I ha' made the lady's
acquaintance, and ha' taken a fancy to her myself."
He raised his eyebrows, while he looked from one to the other of us, as
though he would disentangle my real intention.
"I fear me you have been drinking, Ryder," said he, pleasantly.
"True," said I, "but none so deep as you think."
"Would you go back on your bargain?" he asked, bending his brows on me.
"Nay," said I, "I will take no unfair advantage of any man, huff or
Bishop. We shall stand both of us where we stood, you and I."
"And where is that?" he asked as quietly as before.
"Upon the heath," I answered. "I had you under my hands, you and
t'other, and there were ten guineas atween you, so ye said. Well," said
I, "I will have those guineas and cry quits with you."
"Ten guineas, was it?" he says, considering--"ah, so 'twas. I would
not cheat you, Captain Ryder," and smiling softly he drew a bag from
his pocket. "I perceive you to be a man of honour," says he, equably.
"I love to do business so! Sure, if there were more such at Court!
Ten guineas, say you, Captain? Keep your tally," and he paid out the
pictures on the table afore him.
I took them up with a nod, where I sat, but the girl, Mrs Barbara,
watched us from the distance, standing with her arm resting upon a tall
chair to support her.
"Then here's your good health, Sir Gilbert," said I, wondering what
method he would take; for I was sure enough that he had a design
against me.
"Now," says he, "we are quits, as you say; and that leaves us free, you
to go your way, and me to ask the offices of the law to recover that
which is stolen of me. Nick," cries he in a clear voice, and at the
word the young fellow's nose was through the door. "An officer from the
justice, Nick," he says. "I have been robbed," and smiled pleasantly in
my face.
Now I will confess that this predicament had not occurred to me, for
to say the truth, I had a thought that he would fall on me with his
weapon, which I minded not, being as good a swordsman as ever any
chamber knight in town. And on that astonishment followed also these
sequels in my mind--that if so be he carried out the plan he had, I
should not only go to the jug, but he would have the wife that was
maid. This put me in a frenzy, yet I dared not attack him with Nick
outside, and I knew not what other also. So, very quickly making my
resolution, I broke out a-laughing, and said I,--
"You have me held, your worship, by Heaven you have. Yet I was but
jesting. Am I a fool to peril a hundred guineas for a chitty face?
Come, here are your ten guineas. Pay me down my price, and there stands
your madam for you."
He cocked his eye on Mrs Barbara, smiling the while, as if pleased
with his victory, but mightily civil.
"Madam," he says, "you will see that I have no responsibility in this
insult. 'Tis the gentleman's manner, no doubt. I can but think myself
fortunate to deliver you of his custody."
But she stood where she was, white and fearful, throwing her troubled
eyes about; and part of her terror was no doubt feigned, but I think
that in part it was earnest. She knew not, poor wretch, what I would be
at.
But, Lord love you, I had no fears. "The hundred guineas," says I,
"and I pray Mr Nick for witness," for I was resolved to get that young
bantam into the room forthwith.
"Ho, Nick!" says Sir Gilbert, merrily. "Come in for a witness to me,"
and in steps that young and elegant ninny, looking very sour and
sleepy. Sir Gilbert pulled out his bag and counted the money to me.
"'Slife," says he, with a frown, "'tis like the thirty pieces," and
then he shrugged his shoulders.
I took 'em up one by one, and with the very movement in which the last
was taken to my pouch out slipped my sword, and,--
"Defend ye, defend ye," said I, "or I will run ye through. D'ye think
to get even with Dick Ryder, you fool, you?"
Sir Gilbert started back and lugged out his iron, and Master Nick
leaped forward.
"Let be, Nick, let be," says t'other. "The fellow shall have his way,
devil take him! He shall feed the crows some way."
But in the course of my life I have never come upon any, save one, that
was more than the match of Dick Ryder, and so he soon found. For he
plied his point elegantly, but with no proper freedom; and presently
down comes I with my favourite twist and took him through the left
breast. He fell a-bleeding to the floor.
"Curse you!" he cried and gasped. But Nick then sprang at my throat
with his weapon drawn; yet was I no such lambkin to be took unawares by
such a raw smooth-face.
"What!" says I, "d'ye fancy that such as I will take thought to drill
holes in veal? Not I, young master, not I," and dodging his point I
drove the hilt of my rapier hard upon his forehead. He dropped like a
shot partridge; and giving neither any further thought I turned to the
lady.
"Fly!" says I, "down the stairway, mistress, for I have not a blink of
wind more within me."
She ran in terror, and I clattered after her, being afraid lest the
noise might have woke those in the inn. And so, indeed, it proved; for
when we were got into the road, where Calypso stood, a commotion broke
out behind us, and I heard Sir Gilbert's voice raised in angry oaths.
'Twas the work of a moment to set the lady on the mare and to leap
after her. Calypso has carried heavier burdens than that, yet she has
carried none so gallantly or so speedily. And thus it had grown to be
scarce one o'clock in the morning on that frosty night when we reached
Guildford in company, and drew up at the Red Lion.
THE DRAPER'S NIECE
'Twas late of night when I reached Wimbledon Common, out of the West,
where I had been patrolling the roads for some two months or more, and
with mighty little success, as it chanced that year. I love the West
Country, not only because I have, as a rule, found there fat pockets
jogging home untimely on a nag, or fine noblemen in rich chaises,
very proud but tender to pick, but I have also a sentimental leaning
towards that part, and that's the truth I will not deny. There is some
that hanker after the Great North Road, and boast that there is no
better toby-ground than 'twixt Stevenage and Grantham, while I have
even known 'em to set up Finchley Common or Hounslow for choice. Old
Irons, who never had much self-respect, and was not above turning
common crib-cracker if it so served him, was wont to go no further than
Finchley when he was lacking a goldfinch or two.
"Sink me!" says he in my presence once to the landlord of the King's
Head, who spoke of his score there, "I will pay you to-morrow, and be
hanged to you!" The which he did, sure enough, by a visit to Finchley
and not so much as a charged pistol. That was never my way. I never
could abide such sport. Give me a creditable fellow that shows fight
and gives your wits some exercise. There's the true spirit in which to
take the life of the road. I would not give a pint of mulled ale for it
else.
But the West is after my heart, being big and populous and swarming
with squires and comfortable warm folk. I know the North Road, and was
once very well known there myself, and celebrated on the Yorkshire
moors, a confounded cold, uncivil place. Indeed, there are few parts of
the kingdom I have not traversed in my time. Well, I was newly out of
the West that May night, but on this occasion in no very good humour,
as you may imagine, when I say that I had been forced to leave a belt
of guineas behind at Devizes--so close upon me were the traps. Indeed,
I was very nearly taken in the night, all owing to the treachery of an
innkeeper, roast him! 'Twas a fine, mild night, and I was for lying
in Clerkenwell at a house I knew, but I had reached no further than
Roehampton Lane, when of a sudden I reined in, for I remembered an inn
there that I had sometimes used, and, to say the truth, I was thirsty.
"Well," thinks I, "maybe I will lie here and maybe not. I will let
fortune decide," and I was turning the mare into the lane, when
something comes up quick in the thick of the darkness, and rushes upon
Calypso's rump.
The mare started and backed into the hedge, and I raised my voice and
cursed, as you may guess.
"Why," says I, "you toad, you muckrake, you dung-fork--" and the Lord
knows where I should ha' gotten to if a gleam of white in the blackness
had not in that instant disclosed to me the blunderer. 'Twas a woman,
or, at least, a slip so young and silly that maybe she should not be so
styled; and I had no sooner made that out and ceased in the middle of
my objurgations, than I made another discovery. It was her voice that
did it, for no doubt she was mightily in terror, seeing me so wrathful
and the night being so black and lonely.
"Oh, sir," she calls in a trembling voice, "I did not see--I--" and
here she broke a-weeping.
Well, Dick Ryder is not the man to stand by while a pretty woman weeps
(for I could have sworn she was pretty enough), and so down I popped
off Calypso and approached her.
"Why," said I, "I love not to see a miss like you in tears, and as for
my words, pray forget them. I thought you was some blundering, hulking
bully that was meat for my bodkin, or my whip, if no more. But as it
is," says I, "there's no more ado. So dry your eyes, my dear, for I am
no ogre to eat pretty children."
"Oh," she says, with a gulp, "I was not afraid of you. I only feared I
had angered you justly."
"Oh!" I said, trying for a look at her face in the darkness. "Why, I
see you are a very brave girl, for sure. That I'll swear you are. And
if those pearly drops be not for me, why, I should like to know what
opened the wells, my dear? and then I will see if you have broken the
mare's leg with your onset, and get on to bed like any honest, sober
man that leaves the witching hours to maids and misses and innocent
children, as is only right and proper."
I do not suppose the girl took me, for women have but scant
appreciation of irony, but she spoke glibly enough.
"I--I am thrown out into the night, sir!" she cries. "I have nowhere to
go!"
Now you may imagine how this touched me, and what I felt; but she was
innocent as a lamb and as foolish, as you might detect from her voice,
to say nothing of her face, the which I saw later. So I considered a
moment.
"That's just my case," said I. "And I was going to wake up some fat
villain, to take me in and sup me. But," says I, "if you will find me
the particular villain, fat or lean and cock or cockatrice, that has
thrown out a ba-lamb like you, miss, well, 'tis he or she I will have
awake and out, and something more beside, rip me if I don't!"
I had put her down as a child from her stature, which was small,
and her body, which was slight, but I was to be undeceived in that
presently.
"'Tis my uncle," she sobbed. "He has shut the door on me. He will not
let me in. He vows he has done with me."
"Maybe," said I, "he has some cause for his anger. But uncles are not
hard masters even to young misses that know not the world nor their own
minds."
"Nay," she says, "he has a reason for his anger, and he will not
relent. He has threatened me before, and he is full of burning fury.
He will not have me back," she said in a voice of hesitating timidity;
and, seeming of a sudden to have taken in the shame of her situation,
she began to withdraw into the night.
"Not so fast, young madam," said I, "you have broken my mare's leg, I
believe, and I must have a talk with you. What's the reason?" says I.
She paused, and then in a tremulous quick voice said, "He will not hear
that George Riseley shall marry me."
"Oh, ho!" said I, "I begin to smell powder. And he has turned you out
of doors?"
"No," she faltered. "He would not admit me."
"I begin to see beyond my nose," I said; "you were walking with this
George, and returned late?" She hesitated. "Why, come," I said,
rallying her, "I'd ha' done the same myself, although you would not
credit it of a prim and proper youth like me. You was back late?"
"Yes," says she in a low voice.
"Well," said I, "old hunks shall take you in, never fear; so come along
of me, and show me where Nunky lives and fumes and fusses."
At that I threw Calypso's bridle over my arm, and began to go along the
road, the little miss walking by my side, something reluctant, as I
guessed, but cheering as she went. Her uncle, says she, was a draper
in the city with a good custom and a deep purse, while this George was
but a 'prentice with small prospects.
"Well, I have no prospects myself," said I, "but I warrant I can get
what I want in the end. 'Tis the same with George. Let him worry at it
as a dog a bone. I'll wager he is a handsome fellow to have taken a
pretty girl's eyes."
"He is very handsome," says miss, with enthusiasm; "and he is the best
judge of calico in the city."
"Damme!" says I, smacking my thigh as we walked on together quite
friendly, "damme! that's the lad for my money, and I don't wonder at
you," said I.
Whereat, poor chit, she brings me forth tales of her blessed George's
goodness and estimable virtues, and how his master trusted him, and how
his neighbours loved him.
"Well," I said, "best let 'em not love him too much, or maybe this
paragon will slip you."
And on that she came to a halt, and falling very tremulous again,
pointed at a house.
"'Tis my uncle's," she says, "but there are no lights and he is gone to
bed."
"So shall you," said I, and forthwith went up and banged upon the door.
Now I could guess very much what had happened in that house, and how
old hunks had taken a fit of choler and, choking on it, had sent his
niece packing for a peccadillo. To be sure she was out over-late for
virtuous maids, but what's a clock in the balance with lovers' vows?
And if any was to blame, 'twas this same George that should have been
swinged, not pretty miss like a dove. Thought I to myself--old hunks
slams the door in an Anabaptist frenzy, and, presently after, while
setting on his night-cap and a-saying his prayers, remembers and
considers what a fool he is, and how the girl is under his authority
and malleable, and that he has pitched her into the roads to come by
what she may on a lone night. What does that come to, then, but this,
that Nunky sits uneasy, and a-tremble at the first knock, and ready to
open and take miss to his arms? Well, I was right about the readiness
to open, but as for the rest you shall hear.
The door comes open sharply, and there was an old fat fellow with a
candle in his hand, glaring at me.
"Who are you?" says he, for my appearance took him by surprise.
"Well," says I in a friendly way, "I'm not Old Rowley, nor am I the
topsman, but something in between, and what that is matters nothing.
But I found a poor maid astray on the heath, and have taken the liberty
to fetch her home safe and secure."
He pushed his head further out, holding the candle so as to throw the
light into the road. "It's you, Nelly!" said he, sharply. "Have I not
said I have done with you? Go to your lover, you baggage!" and he made
a motion to pull to the door, but my foot was inside.
"Softly," said I, "softly, gaffer. This is your niece, I believe,"
nodding over my arm to miss.
"Well," he snarled, "as she is mine and not yours I can do what I like
with her."
"Oh! is that how the wind blows?" said I. "Then, sink me! but I shall
have to go to school again to learn morals. But there is one thing
I have no need to learn again, and that's how to knock sense and
discretion into a thick head," said I, meaningly, and at the same time
I threw the bridle over Calypso's ears and stood free before the old
villain.
He looked at me a moment, the flame of the candle wagging before his
face, and the grease guttering down the candlestick. "You do not
understand, sir," he said in a quieter voice. "I have to give my niece
lessons; I have to teach her by severity; but since it is probable that
she has been sufficiently frightened by this night's adventure, and
come to reason, let her enter." And so saying, he stepped back and held
the door wide.
That he was of a savage, uncontrollable temper was evident, but I had
not reckoned with the old bear's cunning, and I vow I was to blame
for it. So old a hand as Dick Ryder should not have been caught by
so simple a trick. Yet he was miss's uncle, and how was I to suspect
him so deeply? At anyrate, the facts are that, on seeing him alter so
reasonably, and step back with the invitation on his lips and in his
bearing, I too stepped back from the doorway to leave way for miss to
enter. Then of a sudden bang goes the door to, shaking the very walls
of the house, and a great key is turned on the inside, groaning rustily.
I will confess I felt blank, but I recovered in a moment, when out of
the window above the old rascal stuck his head.
"Let her go back to her lover!" he says with a sneer. "Or maybe you can
take her yourself. I want no soiled pieces in a Christian house," and
then the head was withdrawn, the window shut tight, and the house was
plunged in darkness.
You may suppose how this usage annoyed me, who am not wont to be
treated in so scurvy a fashion, or to come out of any contest so
shabbily. I was, on the instant, for flying at the door and employing
barkers and point forthwith, but it is not wise to leap too soon with
your eyes shut, and so I held my temper and my tongue, only showing my
teeth in an ugly grin as I turned to Mrs Nelly.
"Why," says I, "the old buck has said the truth. And there is something
in his whimsies after all. It seems that George and I must fight or
toss for you, my dear." You must remember that I had not seen her face
all this time, for all the streaming candle the old gentleman carried,
but I gathered that she was in distress from the note of her voice,
which trembled.
"You cannot mean it, sir," she cried, and shrank away into the
darkness, whence I caught the noise of sobbing.
"Why, bless you, child," said I, touched at the exhibition of her
weakness and innocence, "such chitterkins as you are no meat for me,
pretty as you be, I'll swear. No, you're for George, or may I perish! I
would as leave mishandle a sucking babe as pink-and-white-and-fifteen;
so I would, child."
"Sir," says she, staying her tears, and speaking with an air of
dignity, vastly entertaining, "I am past eighteen."
"Well," says I, "if you are so old as that, I would I had a mother like
you, granny. But as for old Suet yonder, rip and stab me if I do not
pay him back in gold coin before two hours is out! And in the meantime
you come along with me, grandam."
I think she was confused and fluttered to be so addressed, not
understanding my sarcasm; but she followed me obediently, not having
any ideas of her own, poor soul. I led the way towards Roehampton,
where I had made up my mind she should lie meanwhile in the care of a
wench I knew at the inn. I was fashioning in my mind a plan for the
confounding of the old tub-of-lard as I went, for I never lose time,
but am speedy at my aim; yet all the same I talked with miss pretty
jovial, for she was a shrinking slip of a girl who was beginning now to
get scared, and no wonder. When we were got to the tavern I came into
the tap-room and called out for Costley, who had the house then, but is
since dead of good liquor; and out runs he in his apron, with a lively
face, for he was in a merry state enough, the hour being late.
"What, Dick Ryder!" says he in surprise.
"Yes, 'tis Dick Ryder!" says I; "and he wants a bed along of Sally for
a little madam, and supper for both."
"A madam!" he calls out, and laughs broadly. "'Tis unexpected orders,
Captain," says he. "At least 'tis put in an amazing odd way. But," he
cries out, bursting with his news, "Old Irons is here!"
"What! that old damber," said I, annoyed, for I was no friend to Old
Irons.
"Yes," said he, eagerly, "you'll sup along of him?"
"Damme, I won't!" said I. "I want no cutpurses in my company."
"Come, Captain," says he, protesting, for he had a fear of me, and knew
of my repute on many roads. "Fair play and equality in a trade," says
he.
I was on the point to give him the rough edge of my tongue--for it was
like his impudence to try cozening me--when down the stairs into the
passage came a man, walking very stiffly, and with his head in the
air. I stopped at once, for I knew not who he might be, and down he
stepped into the light, showing a foppish sort of a face, hair very
particularly curled, and a becoming dress. No sooner did I clap eyes
on him than I knew what kidney he was, and that he was not worth two
blinks of the ogles, as they say. So I turned my back on him and was
beginning on Costley again, when I was surprised by the girl's voice
crying out from the entrance behind me.
"What the devil?" says I, flying about, for I thought she was insulted
maybe by some of Costley's fellows, and I ran to the door. But there
was she with her arms about the neck of this Jack-a-dandy.
"What's this, miss?" said I, beginning to think there was some truth
in old Nunky's words after all; and at that she stepped into the inn,
in her excitement, and I saw her plainly for the first time. Lord!
there was nothing in her face that would not have convinced any Court
at Old Bailey forthright. She was prettily handsome, like a doll that
turns eyes up or down and smiles out of pink cheeks, in which were two
dimples mighty enticing. Up she comes in a rush, almost breathless, and
breaks out to me,--
"'Tis he; 'tis he, sir!"
"Who the devil is he?" said I, sharply.
"'Tis Mr Riseley," she says, somewhat abashed. "He has been supping
here, and is setting forth for his lodging."
"I commend his discretion," I said dryly; "an excellent good place for
supper, so it is, specially for young bloods like that. Well," says I,
"since you're content, as it seems, I will leave you and young Cupid,
and be about my business."
At that she looked dumbfounded. "But--" she begins, stammering, and
paused.
I threw a glance at Riseley, who stood by with an air something 'twixt
arrogance and uneasiness. I plumbed his depths, for I have come across
many such as he in my time--fine feathers enough and nothing behind
'em. But it was true that the coxcomb's appearance did not better her
case, beyond the titillation of mutual affection; so I considered, and
the idea I had taken suddenly bloomed forth in my mind. There was Old
Irons, and here were we. I could have laughed aloud to think how I was
for binding all the threads in one, to say nothing of Nunky's, on the
Common. So I turned about to Costley.
"I was wrong," says I; "I will do Captain Irons the honour to sup with
him, and this young gentleman, I make no doubt, will join me."
"I beg your pardon--I--I have supped," he stammered.
"'Tis a friend," I heard her whisper: "if it were not for him I know
not what must have happened to me."
"Well," says I, "miss here will sup at anyrate," at which I saw his
colour move.
"I will take the pleasure myself to keep you company, sir," said he,
and forthwith we marched into the room. Here was Old Irons, rude,
jovial, and blatant as ever, but happily not too far gone as yet. He
stared at my guests hard enough, but seemed to be at a loss what to
make of them or how to deal by them. So that he was for a time pretty
silent, casting glances of perplexity at me and frowning, as if he
would invite me to say what I was doing. He was drinking, however, of
humpty-dumpty, which soon loosened his tongue.
"What cock and pullet have ye got here, Dick?" says he in a loud
whisper.
"Friends of mine," says I.
"Oh!" says he, and stared; then passed off into a chuckle, with his
eyes twinkling on miss; at which my apprentice in the fine clothes, not
knowing, poor fool, what sort of man he had to deal with, fired up and
demanded haughtily why he laughed at a lady. But Irons only roared the
more, paying no more heed to him than if he were a babe in arms.
"Shut your mouth!" says I to him, seeing the girl's colour fly about.
"Why," says he, on the grin still, "you've turned Anabaptist, Dick.
What fad's this? I will say it's as toothsome and sweet mutton as--"
"If you close not your cheese-trap," said I, sharply, "I will take
leave to do it for you with my pistol-butt."
At that Old Irons stared at me, for he was never very quarrelsome save
in his cups, and he had a respect for me. "Captain," says he, "don't
go for to say you're going to commit assault on Old Irons, and shut
his pretty peepers for ever. I'll warrant this pretty lady would be
affrighted by it, and the gentleman too, rip me! when they see Old
Irons a-lying in his gore--"
"Oh," says I, impatiently, "have done and pull up, for I maybe shall
want you afore the day comes."
"Now that's like Dick Ryder's own self," said the old fool, and feigned
to wipe a tear from his eye and regain his spirits. He whistled a
snatch, and called for more ale and brandy, which was his favourite
drink.
"I will now proceed to deliver a toast, Captain," says the dirty old
rogue, holding his beaker up and ogling towards miss. "Here's to the
beauty of Roehampton--rip me! no--of Putney Heath to Kingston! Toast me
that, Dick."
I let him drink his toast, for I did not wish to thwart him too much
in view of what I intended later, and he continued in a wheedling
tone to address the girl, asking if she was not the Duchess of this
or my Lady that, and feigning to inquire after his friends at Court
in a mincing, fashionable voice that was grotesque to hear. But at
last I stopped him, for I thought it was time to come to business, and
moreover, Old Irons had taken enough within his jacket for my purpose.
"Irons," says I, "a man of heart and tenderness like you would be all
agog to do service to a young lady that was in trouble," and I winked
at him meaningly across the table.