Richard Carvel — Complete

by Winston Churchill

  CHAPTER XIV. THE VOLTE COUPE

  I was of a serious mind to take the advice. To prove this I called formy wrap-rascal and cane, and for a fellow with a flambeau to light me.But just then the party arrived from the assembly. I was tempted, andI sat down again in a corner of the room, resolved to keep a check uponmyself, but to stay awhile.

  The rector was the first in, humming a song, and spied me.

  "Ho!" he cried, "will you drink, Richard? Or do I drink with you?"

  He was already purple with wine.

  "God save me from you and your kind!" I replied.

  "'Sblood! what a devil's nest of fireworks!" he exclaimed, as he wentoff down the room, still humming, to where the rest were gathered. Andthey were soon between bottle and stopper, and quips a-coursing. Therewas the captain of the Thunderer, Collinson by name, Lord Comyn and twobrother officers, Will Fotheringay, my cousin Philip, openly pleasedto be found in such a company, and some dozen other toadeaters whohad followed my Lord a-chair and a-foot from the ball, and would havetracked him to perdition had he chosen to go; and lastly Tom Swain,leering and hiccoughing at the jokes, in such a beastly state ofdrunkenness as I had rarely seen him. His Lordship recognized me andsmiled, and was pushing his chair back, when something Collinson saidseemed to restrain him.

  I believe I was the butt of more than one jest for my aloofness, thoughI could not hear distinctly for the noise they made. I commanded someFrench cognac, and kept my eye on the rector, and the sight of him wasmaking me dangerous.

  I forgot the advice I had received, and remembered only the months hehad goaded me. And I was even beginning to speculate how I could bestpick a quarrel with him on any issue but politics, when an unexpectedincident diverted me. Of a sudden the tall, ungainly form of PercySingleton filled the doorway, wrapped in a greatcoat. He swept the roomat a glance, and then strode rapidly toward the corner where I sat.

  "I had thought to find you here," he said, and dropped into a chairbeside me. I offered him wine, but he refused.

  "Now," he went on, "what has Patty done?"

  "What have I done that I should be publicly insulted?" I cried.

  "Insulted!" says he, "and did she insult you? She said nothing of that."

  "What brings you here, then?" I demanded.

  "Not to talk, Richard," he said quietly, "'tis no time tonight. I cameto fetch you home. Patty sent me."

  Patty sent him! Why had Patty sent him? But this I did not ask, for Ifelt the devil within me.

  "We must first finish this bottle," said I, offhand, "and then I have alittle something to be done which I have set my heart upon. After that Iwill go with you."

  "Richard, Richard, will you never learn prudence? What is it you speakof?"

  I drew my sword and laid it upon the table.

  "I mean to spit that eel of a rector," said I, "or he will bear a slapin the face. And you must see fair play."

  Singleton seized my coat, at the same time grasping the hilt of mysword with the other hand. But neither my words nor my action had goneunnoticed by the other end of the room. The company there fell silentawhile, and then we heard Captain Collinson talking in even, drawlingtones.

  "'Tis strange," said he, "what hot sparks a man meets in these colonies.They should be stamped out. His Majesty pampers these d--d Americans,is too lenient by far. Gentlemen, this is how I would indulge them!" Heraised a closed fist and brought it down on the board.

  He spoke to Tories, but he forgot that Tories were Americans. In thosedays only the meanest of the King's party would listen to such withoutprotest from an Englishman. But some of the meaner sort were there:Philip and Tom laughed, and Mr. Allen, and my Lord's sycophants.Fotheringay and some others of sense shook their heads one to another,comprehending that Captain Collinson was somewhat gone in wine. For,indeed, he had not strayed far from the sideboard at the assembly. Comynmade a motion to rise.

  "It is already past three bells, sir, and a hunt to-morrow," he said.

  "From bottle to saddle, and from saddle to bottle, my Lord. We must haveour pleasure ashore, and sleep at sea," and the captain tipped his flaskwith a leer. He turned his eye uncertainly first on me, then on my Lord."We are lately from Boston, gentlemen, that charnel-house of treason,and before we leave, my Lord, I must tell them how Mr. Robinson of thecustoms served that dog Otis, in the British Coffee House. God's word,'twas as good as a play."

  I know not how many got to their feet at that, for the story of thecowardly beating of Mr. Otis by Robinson and the army officers had sweptover the colonies, burning like a flame all true-hearted men, Tory andWhig alike. I wrested my sword from Singleton's hold, and in a triceI had reached the captain over chairs and table, tearing myself fromFotheringay on the way. I struck a blow that measured a man on thefloor. Then I drew back, amazed.

  I had hit Lord Comyn instead! The captain stood a yard beyond me.

  The thing had been so deftly done by the rector of St. Anne's--Comynjostled at the proper moment between me and Collinson--that none save meguessed beyond an accident; least of all my Lord Comyn himself. He wasup again directly and his sword drawn, addressing me.

  "Bear witness, my Lord, that I have no desire to fight with you," saidI, with what coolness I could muster. "But there is one here I wouldgive much for a chance to run through."

  And I made a step toward Mr. Allen with such a purpose in my face andmovements that he could not mistake. I saw the blood go from his face;yet he was no coward to physical violence. But he (or I?) was saved bythe Satan's luck that followed him, for my Lord stepped in between uswith a bow, his cheek red where I had struck him.

  "It is my quarrel now, Mr. Carvel," he cried.

  "As you please, my Lord," said I.

  "It boots not who crosses with him," Captain Collinson put in. "HisLordship uses the sword better than any here. But it boots not so thathe is opposed by a loyal servant of the King."

  I wheeled on him for this.

  "I would have you know that loyalty does not consist in outrage andmurder, sir," I answered, "nor in the ridiculing of them. And brutescannot be loyal save through interest."

  He was angered, as I had desired. I had hopes then of shouldering thequarrel on to him, for I had near as soon drawn against my own brotheras against Comyn. I protest I loved him then as one with whom I had beenreared.

  "Let me deal with this young gamecock, Comyn," cried the captain, withan oath. "He seems to think his importance sufficient."

  But Comyn would brook no interference. He swore that no man shouldstrike him with impunity, and in this I could not but allow he wasright.

  "You shall hear from me, Mr. Carvel," he said.

  "Nay," I answered, "and fighting is to be done, sir, let us be throughwith it at once. A large room upstairs is at our disposal; and there isa hunt to-morrow which one of us may like to attend."

  There was a laugh at this, in which his Lordship joined.

  "I would to God, Mr. Carvel," he said, "that I had no quarrel with you!"

  "Amen to that, my Lord," I replied; "there are others here I wouldrather fight." And I gave a meaning look at Mr. Allen. I was of twominds to announce the scurvy trick he had played, but saw that I wouldlose rather than gain by the attempt. Up to that time the wretch had notspoken a word; now he pushed himself forward, though well clear of me.

  "I think it my duty as Mr. Carvel's tutor, gentlemen, to protest againstthis matter proceeding," he said, a sneer creeping into his voice. "Norcan I be present at it. Mr. Carvel is young and, besides, is not himselfwith liquor. And, in the choice of politics, he knows not which leg hestands upon. My Lord and gentlemen, your most humble and devoted."

  He made a bow and, before the retort on my lips could be spoken, leftthe tavern. My cousin Philip left with him. Tom Swain had fallen asleepin his chair.

  Captain Collinson and Mr. Furness, of the Thunderer, offered to servehis Lordship, which made me bethink that I, too, would have need of someone. 'Twas then I remembered Singleton, who had passed from my min
d.

  He was standing close behind me, and nodded simply when I asked him. AndWill Fotheringay came forward.

  "I will act, Richard, if you allow me," he said. "I would have you knowI am in no wise hostile to you, my Lord, and I am of the King's party.But I admire Mr. Carvel, and I may say I am not wholly out of sympathywith that which prompted his act."

  It was a noble speech, and changed Will in my eyes; and I thankedhim with warmth. He of all that company had the courage to oppose hisLordship!

  Mr. Claude was called in and, as is the custom in such cases, was toldthat some of us would play awhile above. He was asked for his privateroom. The good man had his suspicions, but could not refuse a partyof such distinction, and sent a drawer thither with wine and cards.Presently we followed, leaving the pack of toadies in sad disappointmentbelow.

  We gathered about the table and made shift at loo until the fellow hadretired, when the seconds proceeded to clear the room of furniture, andLord Comyn and I stripped off our coats and waistcoats. I had lost myanger, but felt no fear, only a kind of pity that blood should be shedbetween two so united in spirit as we. Yes, my dears, I thought ofDorothy. If I died, she would hear that it was like a man--like aCarvel. But the thought of my old grandfather tightened my heart. Thenthe clock on the inn stairs struck two, and the noise of harsh laughterfloated up to us from below.

  And Comyn,--of what was he thinking? Of some fair home set upon thedowns across the sea, of some heroic English mother who had kept hertears until he was gone? Her image rose in dumb entreaty, invoked bythe lad before me. What a picture was he in his spotless shirt with theruffles, his handsome boyish face all that was good and honest!

  I had scarce felt his Lordship's wrist than I knew I had to deal with apupil of Angelo. At first his attacks were all simple, without feintor trickery, as were mine. Collinson cursed and cried out that it wasbuffoonery, and called on my Lord not to let me off so easily; sworethat I fenced like a mercer, that he could have stuck me like apin-cushion twenty and twenty times. Often have I seen two animalsthrust into a pit with nothing but good-will between them, and thosewithout force them into anger and a deadly battle. And so it was,unconsciously, between Comyn and me. I forgot presently that I was notdealing with Captain Collinson, and my feelings went into my sword.Comyn began to press me, nor did I give back. And then, before it cameover me that we had to do with life and death, he was upon me with avolte coupe, feinting in high carte and thrusting in low tierce, hispoint passing through a fold in my shirt. And I were not alive to writethese words had I not leaped out of his measure.

  "Bravo, Richard!" cried Fotheringay.

  "Well made, gads life!" from Mr. Furness.

  We engaged again, our faces hot. Now I knew that if I did not carry thematter against him I should be killed out of hand, and Heaven knowsI was not used to play a passive part. I began to go carefully, butfiercely; tried one attack after another that my grandfather and CaptainDaniel had taught me,--flanconnades, beats, and lunges. Comyn held meeven, and in truth I had much to do to defend myself. Once I thought Ihad him in the sword-arm, after a circular parry, but he was too quickfor me. We were sweating freely by now, and by reason of the buzzing inmy ears I could scarce hear the applause of the seconds.

  What unlucky chance it was I know not that impelled Comyn to essay againthe trick by which he had come so near to spitting me; but try ithe did, this time in prime and seconde. I had come by nature to thatintuition which a true swordsman must have, gleaned from the eyes ofhis adversary. Long ago Captain Daniel had taught me the remedy for thiscoupe. I parried, circled, and straightened, my body in swift motion andmy point at Comyn's heart, when Heaven brought me recollection in thespace of a second. My sword rang clattering on the floor.

  His Lordship understood, but too late. Despairing his life, he made onewild lunge at me that had never gone home had I held to my hilt. But therattle of the blade had scarce reached my ears when there came a sharppain at my throat, and the room faded before me. I heard the clockstriking the half-hour.

  I was blessed with a sturdy health such as few men enjoy, and came tomyself sooner than had been looked for, with a dash of cold water. Andthe first face I beheld was that of Colonel Washington. I heard himspeaking in a voice that was calm, yet urgent and commanding.

  "I pray you, gentlemen, give back. He is coming to, and must have air.Fetch some linen!"

  "Now God be praised!" I heard Captain Daniel cry.

  With that his Lordship began to tear his own shirt into strips, and thecaptain bringing a bowl and napkin, the colonel himself washed the woundand bound it deftly, Singleton and Captain Daniel assisting. When Mr.Washington had finished, he turned to Comyn, who stood, anxious anddishevelled, at my feet.

  "You may be thankful that you missed the artery, my Lord," he said.

  "With all my heart, Colonel Washington!" cried his Lordship. "I owe mylife to his generosity."

  "What's that, sir?"

  Mr. Carvel dropped his sword, rather than run me through."

  "I'll warrant!" Captain Daniel put in; "'Od's heart! The lad has skillto point the eye of a button. I taught him myself."

  Colonel Washington stood up and laid his hand on the captain's arm.

  "He is Jack Carvel over again," I heard him say, in a low voice.

  I tried to struggle to my feet, to speak, but he restrained me. Andsending for his servants, he ordered them to have his baggage removedfrom the Roebuck, which was the best bed in the house. At this momentthe door opened, and Mr. Swain came in hurriedly.

  "I pray you, gentlemen," he cried, "and he is fit to be moved, you willlet me take him to Marlboro' Street. I have a chariot at the door."