CHAPTER ELEVEN.
HOW THE MISERICORDE CHANGED HER CREW.
We were, I reckon, somewhere off the Yorkshire coast; for we had beensailing a week, for the most part against foul winds. To-night, as Isaid, the light breeze had backed to the south and was sending usforward quietly at some six or seven knots an hour. All seemed topromise a speedy end to our voyage; and yet, as I stood there, drinkingin the beauty of the evening, and rejoicing in my recovered strength, Iwould as soon we had been bound on a voyage ten times as long.
I was standing idly near the foremast. On the high poop behind sat themaiden, singing beside her old nurse, who, like me, was enjoying the airfor the first time to-night. Ludar lolled near me, on a coil of rope,watching the sun dip as he listened to the singing, and betwixt whilesunravelling the tangles of a fishing line. On the forecastle, theFrench seamen sat and whispered, scowling sometimes our way, andsometimes laughing at the poet who strutted near them, intent on thesunset and big with some notable verses thereupon, which were hatchingin his brain. An English fellow was at the helm, half asleep; while thecaptain, grumbling at the slackness of the breeze, paced to and fro,with an oath betwixt his lips and an ugly frown on his brow.
Suddenly I seemed to detect among the Frenchmen a stir, as if somethinghad just been said or resolved upon in their whisperings. The captainat that instant was near them, turning in his walk; when, withoutwarning, two of their number sprang out upon him. There was a shout, astruggle, the gleam of a knife, and then a dead man lay on the deck.All was so quick and sudden that the murder was done under my very eyesbefore I knew what was happening. Then, in a twinkling, the whole shipbecame the scene of a deadly fight. Three of the traitors threwthemselves on Ludar; the poet reeled in the grip of another; two othersmade for me.
"Back, back!" shouted Ludar, in a voice of thunder, as he began hisstruggle.
'Twas well I obeyed him; for the two who had made an end of the captainwere already rushing in the direction of the women, and had I reachedthe ladder a moment later, all might have been lost.
The men, I think, in laying their wicked plan, had scarcely taken me(who late was so weak), into account as a fighting man. They hadreckoned to carry the poop, where lay the supposed treasure and thearms, without a blow; and once there, the ship would be theirs. Itstaggered them, therefore, to find me standing in the way and layingabout me. The two women, as I said, were on the upper deck which formedthe roof of the poop house. To that there was no access save by thesmall ladder, which I accordingly wrenched from its place and swunground with all my might at my assailants. The blow knocked over two ofthem; and before they could regain their feet, I had struck another ablow with my fist, which needed no second. The fourth varlet did notwait for me, but closed on me with his knife. Luckily the blade missedits mark, grazing only my ribs, and before he could strike again I hadhim by the wrist, and the blow he meant for me went home in his ownneck. After that, 'twas easy work to hold off the other two, one ofwhom was the drunken fool who had blabbed his secret days ago, had Ionly heeded it, in my sick cabin. Finding me stubborn, and furtherpassage barred, they sheered off with a curse and hastened forward. Idurst not follow them; for it might be a feint to decoy me from my post.So, with all the haste I could, I threw up an out-work of lumber,sails, spars, and boxes across the deck some distance in front of thepoop, and, relieving my two fallen assailants of their knives, I stoodready for whatever next might betide.
"Humphrey," called the maiden from above, "put up the ladder quickly andlet me down."
"Nay," said I, "'tis no place for you, maiden. You are safe there.Stay."
"Obey me, Humphrey," said she in so commanding a voice that I fetchedthe ladder at once.
She looked pale and stern; but otherwise was cool and collected as shedescended.
"Now," said she, as she stood beside me, "go and bring down my nurse.Give me that knife; I will mount guard here till you are done."
I durst not waste time by arguing; she took the knife from me andmotioned me to my task. The poor old lady, more dead than alive, washard to move; nor was it till I wickedly threatened to cast heroverboard, that she consented to come at all. As I was catching her inmy arms, the man at the helm, whom I had all this time clean forgotten,sprang suddenly on me from behind with a pole which, had it been betteraimed, would have ended my troubles then and there. As it was, thetimber fell on my shoulder, almost cracking the blade. But I was inwith him in a twinkling, and had him by the throat before he couldstrike again. Next moment, the wretch (woe to us that he was anEnglishman!) was over the board, and the Lord have mercy on his soul!
The delay was pitiable for the old woman, whom, when I came to heragain, I found to have swooned away. It was all I could do with mybruised arm to lift her and bring her to the ladder. How I got her downand into her cabin I know not; but when I came out again to my lady'sside, the ship seemed to swim before my eyes. I remember a vision ofLudar, bloody and gasping, reeling across the deck towards us, fightinghis way, foot by foot, with four or five savage devils who followedyelling at his back.
Then for a time all seemed dim and horrible. I knew that we werefighting desperately for our lives; that men fell heavily and with agroan on to the deck; that the maiden stood by us, undaunted; thatpresently there was a report of a pistol, followed by a hideous shoutingand shrieking. After that, all seemed to grow still of a sudden, andLudar shouted, "Look to Humphrey."
When I came to, we were still on the deck. The maiden was bathing mybrow with water. Ludar, pale and blood-stained, stood gloomily by. Ofthe enemy not a man stirred. My swoon could not have lasted long, forthe hues of the sunset lingered yet in the sky. I tried to gathermyself together, but the maiden gently restrained me. "No, Humphrey,"said she, "lie still. There is no more work to be done. Thank God youare safe, as we are."
'Twas sorely tempting to lie thus, so sweetly tended; but the sight ofLudar shamed me into energy. I struggled to my feet. My arm hung limpat my side and my head throbbed; but for that, I was sound and able tostand upright.
Ludar, when I came to look at him, was in a worse plight than I. He wasbleeding from a gash on his face, and another on his leg; while thejacket he wore was torn in shreds on his back. He came and took my arm,and then motioned with his head to the ghastly heap of dead men on thedeck.
"Take her within," said he, "and then come and help me."
"Maiden," said I, "thank Heaven you are safe, and that we are alive toguard you. Your old nurse I fear is more in need of help than we. Ileft her senseless. Will you not go to her?"
I think she guessed what we meant; for she said nothing, but wentquickly within.
Then Ludar and I went out to our task. Of the seven Frenchmen who hadset on us, not one lived. Beside these lay the captain, the maiden'swaiting man (who, Ludar said, had taken side with the traitors), and oneother of the English sailors who had fought for us.
"What of the poet?" said I, when after much labour the ship had beenlightened of all that was not living.
"He is safe at the mast-head," said Ludar.
There, sure enough, when I looked up, clung the poor gallant; peeringdown at us with pasty face, and hugging the mast with arms and legs.
"Let him bide there a while," said Ludar. "He is safe and out of theway. He skipped up at the first assault, and wisely cut the rope ladderbehind him, so that no man could pursue him. But tell me, how do youfare?"
"I am less hurt than you," said I. "Only my arm is numbed by the whackthe English knave gave me; while you, Ludar, are bleeding, head andfoot."
"I was scratched," said he. "The villains who set on me were too quick,as you saw, and had me down before I could shut my fist. Why they didnot despatch me then and there I know not; but in seizing me theycarried their blades in their teeth, the better to use their hands, sothat I was able to snatch one for my own use as I fell. It served onlyto rid me of one of the company. Yet I got my feet again under me, whenthe other two made at me,
as well as the two who had fled from you.Among them all I got these scratches. When the fifth came, who had seenthe poet aloft, I knew I could hold ground no longer; so I gave way, asyou saw, and made for your barrier. After that you know, and how themaiden stood by us all through, and in the end fetched the pistol whichfinished the business. Had these villains but been armed, it is theywho would have buried us. But come in now, Humphrey, and take counsel."
'Twas a strange ship's company that met that evening in the deadcaptain's cabin. The maiden, Ludar, I, and one of the English fellows,who had been sleeping below and knew naught of the fight till all wasover. As for the poet, Ludar still refused to have him down till ourconference was over.
Of all our party the maiden was, I think, the most hopeful. "God andHis saints," said she, "have ordered this to try us, and see of whatmettle we be. Shall we despair, Sir Ludar, when He has proved Hisgoodness to us? The past is done, the future is all before us. You areour captain now, and Humphrey and I and this brave sailor here, ay andour poor poet aloft there, are your crew to follow where you lead. Ican man a gun and haul a rope, as you shall see. Come, Humphrey, whatsay you?"
"I have vowed," said I, "to follow my master to the death. Nor can Ithink heaven will desert us while you who belong there, are aboard."
She blushed at this and turned it off.
"Nay, my friend, it depends on how we do the duty that lies to our handwhether we belong there or not."
Here Ludar broke in abruptly.
"Seaman, where be we now?"
The sailor got up and went out to ascertain our bearings.
"Maiden," said Ludar, then, more grave than I had ever seen him, "I canmake no fine speeches, such as Humphrey here or yonder monkey at themast-head; but I accept you as one of this crew with a prouder heartthan if I were offered my father's castle."
Then he held out his great hand, and she lay her little hand in it, andher true eyes flashed up to meet his. And I who stood by knew that thecompact I witnessed then was for a longer voyage than from here toLeith.
I was glad when presently the man came in and reported.
"By your leave, captain, we be eight leagues east of Flamboro' with asoutherly breeze falling fast. The ship lies in the wind and the tilleris swinging."
"Take the helm, master, and keep her head straight. Humphrey, fetchdown the poet. He and I will mount the first watch to-night. Maiden,do you get what rest you may, ere your turn comes in the morning."
"Ay, ay, my captain," said she cheerily, and went.
"Humphrey," said Ludar, calling me back, when she had gone, "do youwonder that I love that maiden?"
"I do not," said I.
"Is she you love as fair, as brave, as noble?"
"She is," I answered, "every whit as fair, every whit as brave, everywhit as noble."
"Then why," he asked, looking hard at me, "are you sad when you speak ofher?"
"Alas," said I, "she loves me not. Ludar, talk not to me of her; I willgo fetch the poet."
The poor fellow was by this time well-nigh at the end of his patience.For, though he had fixed himself cunningly in the rigging of theforemast, seating himself on the royal yard, and hugging the mastlovingly with his arms and legs, he found himself unable to budge, oreven see what was going on below, by reason of the dizziness whichafflicted him. How he had got up so far, and managed to cut the ropesbehind him, he never could explain. But a man will do desperate featsfor his life's sake.
It was no light task to dislodge him. With my maimed arm I could nothaul myself up the rigging even to the lower top-yard, much less carryup to him his dangling ladder. All I could do was to hail him and bidhim be of good cheer till we had him down.
"Cheer," he cried, "cometh not in a voice from the void, neither isthere help in empty breath. Come up, for I am weary of my perch; andverily, if the mountain come not to Mahomet, the prophet must abasehimself to the mountain. In short, my man, I am near tumbling."
"Hold on," cried I. "I shall fetch help and all will be safe."
"Oh, that the giants would pile Pelion on Ossa and get me out of thisheaven!" I heard him say. Methought, however, the fellow could not yetbe in desperate straits to talk thus.
At last the seaman scrambled up and fetched him down, not without manyprotestations and caveats by the way. Once down, however, he shook hisfluttered plumes, and crowed like any chanticleer.
"_Facilis descensus Averni_, as our Maro hath it. As the muse droppethfrom the heights, and the golden shower descendeth, so visit I once morethe Arcadian plains. Which remindeth me, where is my Danae, and howfareth she? Apprise her, I pray you, of my return. And, by the way,"added he, puffing himself valiantly, "where is the varlet that latesought my life. He and I must settle scores before this night be anhour older. Fetch him hither and by my--"
"See here, Sir Popinjay," said Ludar, coming forward impatiently, andcutting the speech in twain, "the time is gone past for this fooling.If you be a man, you may prove it now. If not, on my soul, you shall goaloft again. Come, you share this watch with me. Put some food intoyour body, and then keep sharp look-out ahead. You see the entire crewof this vessel, save the two women; therefore, cease to be half a manand make yourself two."
The fellow turned pale at this news, and cast a glance up and down theempty ship. Then, without a word, he took up half a loaf and a mug ofbeer from the cabin table and walked forward.
"Humphrey," said Ludar, "get to bed, your turn will come."
But to bed I could not go; and Ludar for once, I found, was not hard topersuade.
There was in truth much to be done before we could think of rest.Together we overhauled the ship's rations, and found what would last usfor long enough yet. We examined, too, our ordnance, which was butmeagre and ill-fashioned; we had three pieces on either side, besides asmall swivel gun on poop and forecastle. The ammunition was sufficientfor these and for the few pistols and muskets which we found in theFrenchman's cabin. Further, we looked long and hard at our charts,which seemed well marked for the passage we were bound on. The Englishfellow, we discovered, had been several times that way; and, though hewas no pilot, he said he yet knew the Bass Rock from a mud bank, and,provided we fell in with neither pirates, tempest, nor the Spaniard,could put us into Leith Roads right side uppermost as well as any man.Whereat we felt easier in our minds than we had been.
By the time all these consultations were ended, the watch was halfspent. Ludar therefore ordered me below, whether I would or no, torest. In truth I was ready for it, and fell asleep almost before myhead touched my pillow.
When I awoke, Ludar stood beside me.
"Up!" said he, "all goes well, and your watch-partner awaits you."
"Ludar," said I, springing up. "Why do you give me the partner whobelongs of right to you?"
"'Tis a time for work," said he, with a smile, "not for play. Am I notcaptain here? To your watch, Humphrey."
I went on board. There stood she on the forecastle, looking ahead andsinging softly to herself.
I left her and went aft. The sailor was still at the helm, havingvolunteered a double watch to see us through the night. All behind wasship-shape and trim. Ludar had been busy, clearing the decks andbringing back to order the confusion left by the late battle. There wasnothing for me to do. Therefore, with beating heart I walked forwardonce more.
She turned at my coming and greeted me frankly.
"Welcome, messmate," said she. "Is all well?"
"All is well," said I. "The Captain has done the work of ten men, andnought is left for me and you but to look ahead."
"And he is resting?" asked she. "Think you his wounds were dressed?"
"I helped him tend them before I went below," said I. "They were butscratches."
"And your arm," said she; "it still hangs heavy. May I not bind it foryou, Humphrey?"
I wished I was the heathen Briareus then, with an hundred arms. Therewas magic in her touch; and no charm of witch or fair
y could have mendedmy bruised limb as did she.
After that, we sat silent awhile, looking out to sea. The soft lightwas spreading on the east, heralding the coming day. The slack breezeflapped lazily in the sails overhead and scarce ruffled the drowsyocean. The stars one by one put out their little lights and vanishedinto the blue. There was no sound but the creaking of the yards and thegentle plash of the water on the hull; only these and the music of amaiden's song. It went hard with me, that night. For a while, as I satthere, gazing into her face and listening to her music and feeling thetouch of her hand on my arm, I was fool enough to think all this--allthis peace, all this beauty of the ocean dawn, all this lulling of thebreeze, all this music, this gentle smile, this tender touch, speltlove; and there came a voice from the tempter that I should tell her asmuch then and there. What hindered me, I know not. 'Twas not alone thethought of Ludar, or the remembrance of my own honour, or the fear ofher contempt. Be it what it may, I was helped by Heaven that night tobe a man, and with a mighty effort to shake off the spell that was onme. So I rose to my feet and walked abaft. Many a time I paced to andfro cooling my fevered brow ere I ventured to return. But when at lastI did, I was safe. She stood there motionless, radiant with the firstbeams of the royal sun as he leapt up from the sea.
"Look, Humphrey," she cried. "Is not that worth keeping watch for?"Then she broke again into song.
"Is that an Irish song you sing?" I asked.
"It is. How knew you that?"
"I guessed it. What does it mean?"
She blushed.
"'Tis a song the maidens sing at home--an old, old song," said she,"that I learned from my nurse."
"I pray you, sing it again," said I.
She turned her face to the rising sun, and sang, in English words, asfollows:
Who cometh from the mountain like the sun for brightness? Whose voice ringeth like the wave on the shingle? Who runneth from the east like the roe? Who cometh?
Is it the wind that kisses my tresses? Or is it the harp of Innis thrilling my ear? Or is it the dawn on Ramore that dims my eyes? Who cometh?
Is he far? Is he near? Whence comes he riding? Dazzling in armour and white of brow? Is it for me that he filleth the mountains with music? Who waiteth? Who cometh?
"'Tis a wild song, full of riddles," said I. "Maybe there is a songsomewhere which has the answers."
"I know it not," said she.
"Not yet," said I.
She looked up at me quickly as if she doubted my meaning. But I lookedout seaward and asked:
"Where in Ireland is your home, maiden? Is it near Ludar's castle onthe sea?"
"Hard by," said she. "The McDonnells and O'Neills are neighbours andfoes." And her brow clouded. "My father, Humphrey, is the bravest ofthe O'Neills as Ludar's father is the bravest of the McDonnells."
"And does your father hold Dunluce?" asked I.
"I know not," said she. "I have never seen my father, Turlogh LuinechO'Neill, though I love him as my life. At two years I was sent away toEngland with my English mother, who was but a hand-fast bride to theO'Neill."
"And what may that be?" I asked.
"'Tis a custom with us," said she, "for the chiefs to take wives who aretheirs only so long as a better does not present herself. My mother,Alice Syngleton, the daughter of my father's English ally and preserver,Captain Syngleton, was thus wedded, and when I was two years old--so myold nurse tells me--he married the great Lady Cantire of the Isles.Wherefore my mother was sent home to England with me, and there we livedtill she died three years ago; since when I have pined in a convent, andam now, in obedience to my father's summons, on my way to my unknownhome. My father, being, as I understand, allied to the English, whohave dispossessed the McDonnells, I was to come over under the escort ofan English officer of Sir William Carleton's choosing, who was mymother's kinsman. You know what peril that brought me to, and how,thanks to you, I am now making a safer journey, and a happier.Humphrey," said she, "till I met you and Sir Ludar, I had thought allmen base; 'twas the one lesson they taught us at the convent. I haveunlearned the lesson since."
"Pray Heaven you never have to relearn it," said I, groaning inwardly tothink how near I had been to giving her cause.
Thus we talked that morning. At every word, what little hope I had oncehad of her love faded like the stars above our heads. Yet, instead ofit came the promise of an almost sisterly friendship, which at the timeseemed poor enough exchange, but which was yet a prize worth any man'shaving. She bade me tell her about myself, and heard me so gently, andconcerned herself so honestly in all that touched me, and praised andchid me so prettily for what I had done well and ill, that I would mystory had been twice as long and twice as pitiful. The only secret Idid not tell her, you may guess. She did not. But she heard megreedily when I came to tell of my meeting with Ludar and of ouradventures near Oxford; and for his sake, as much as for my own, shethought kindly of me and promised me her friendship.
Our watch was ended, and we were in the act of quitting our post, whenthe maiden, taking one last look seaward, cried: "Is not that a sailaway there?"
Sure enough it was, sparkling on the westward horizon, some two leaguesto the larboard.
"Who cometh?" said I to myself, echoing the maiden's song.
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