Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
Page 96
CHAPTER XV.
THE WATCHERS BY THE SEA.
By this time, most of the inhabitants of the little town who had beenat Lyme fair had returned, and a great number of them flocked to theinn, and made so much disturbance, that the hostess was fain to servethem, but she would not let them into the parlour, and after they hademptied a few pots of cider--that being the liquor for which Charmouthwas renowned--they quietly departed.
Half an hour later, every house in the village--except the little inn,was closed--and its inmates had apparently retired to rest, since not alight could be seen in any of the windows.
To avoid any chance of danger to his majesty, it had been arranged thatColonel Wyndham, attended by Harry Peters, should ride to the mouth ofthe Char about an hour before midnight, and there await the long-boat.On its arrival, Peters was to gallop back and give information to theking, who would be prepared to start on the instant with his companionsfor the place of rendezvous. The horses would be ready saddled, so thatno delay could occur.
Soon after eleven o'clock, the colonel, having received his majesty'slast commands, prepared to set out. Reuben Rufford, the ostler, broughtout the horses, and both the colonel and Harry Peters noticed that thefellow appeared very inquisitive, and held up his lantern, so as tothrow its light on their faces. When they were gone, Reuben observedto his mistress that he thought they could be about no good, but sherebuked him sharply, and he went back to the stable.
Riding singly along the narrow green lane, already described as leadingto the sea-shore, Colonel Wyndham and Peters presently arrived at themouth of the Char.
The place was perfectly solitary. They had encountered no one in thelane, and no one was to be seen on the beach. The only sound that couldbe heard was that of the waves breaking on the sandy shore. It waswithin half an hour of high water, and the tide was flowing rapidly.
The night was dark, but clear, and they looked out for the _EiderDuck_, and fancied they could distinguish her in the offing, about amile out. A light could be seen at the head of Lyme Cobb, which lookedlike a huge black ship moored to the shore. The dark sloping cliffswere wrapped in gloom, but nothing was to be feared in that direction,for the road along the beach was impassable in this state of the tide.
For some time the watchers remained with their gaze fixed upon the sea,hoping to descry the boat, anxiously listening for the sound of oars.They heard nothing except the wearisome and monotonous sound of thewaves.
Hitherto scarcely a word had passed between them, but now the colonelcould not help expressing astonishment that the boat did not make itsappearance.
"Have a little patience, sir," said Peters. "It will soon be here, I'llwarrant you. Stephen Limbry will not prove false."
"I think not," said the colonel. "Hark! 'tis the hour!"
As he spoke a distant bell struck twelve, so slowly that in the deepstillness the strokes could be counted.
The appointed hour had come, but no boat came with it.
In vain the colonel and his servant strained their gaze towards thespot where they supposed the boat was lying. No boat could be seen.
Sometimes they fancied they could descry it, but the delusive object,whatever it might be, quickly vanished.
Another hour passed by, and found them at their post, still gazing atthe sea, still hoping the boat would come, vainly hoping, as it proved.
The tide had turned, but had not yet perceptibly receded.
Though staggered and uneasy, Colonel Wyndham had not lost faith in theshipmaster.
"Should Limbry turn out a traitor, I will never trust man again," hesaid.
"Perhaps the seamen have gone ashore to the fair, colonel, and he hasnot been able to get them back again," rejoined Peters.
"The delay is unaccountable," cried the colonel. "His majesty will bedistracted."
"Shall I ride back, and inform him that no boat has yet come ashore?"said Peters.
"That would make matters worse," rejoined the colonel. "Stay till youcan take him good news."
They waited for another hour, and for an hour after that,patiently--striving to persuade themselves that the boat would stillcome.
The tide having now retreated to a considerable distance, the colonelrode upon the sand, and dashed into the water in his anxiety to discernthe object he so fruitlessly sought.
No boat met his gaze; and the sky having become clouded, the sea lookeddark and sullen. His own breast was full of sombre thoughts. The hopesthat had animated him a few hours ago were gone, and had given place tobitter disappointment.
Still, though his hopes were crushed, he clung despairingly to hispost, nor would he quit it, or allow Peters to depart, till day broke.
When the first streaks of dawn fell upon the sea, he looked out for thetreacherous bark, and beheld her lying within half a mile of the Cobb.She had not quitted her position since yesterday.
However, it was useless to tarry longer. Even if the boat were sent nowit would be impossible to embark in it at low water. Bidding Petersfollow him, and in a state of mind bordering on distraction, he rodealong the lane to Charmouth.
But how could he face the king?