Redgauntlet: A Tale Of The Eighteenth Century

by Walter Scott

  CHAPTER III

  JOURNAL OF DARSIE LATIMER (The following address is written on theinside of the envelope which contained the Journal.)

  Into what hands soever these leaves may fall, they will instructhim, during a certain time at least, in the history of the life of anunfortunate young man, who, in the heart of a free country, and withoutany crime being laid to his charge, has been, and is, subjected to acourse of unlawful and violent restraint. He who opens this letter, istherefore conjured to apply to the nearest magistrate, and, followingsuch indications as the papers may afford, to exert himself for therelief of one, who, while he possesses every claim to assistancewhich oppressed innocence can give, has, at the same time, both theinclination and the means of being grateful to his deliverers. Or, ifthe person obtaining these letters shall want courage or means to effectthe writer's release, he is, in that case, conjured, by every duty of aman to his fellow mortals, and of a Christian towards one who professesthe same holy faith, to take the speediest measures for conveying themwith speed and safety to the hands of Alan Fairford, Esq., Advocate,residing in the family of his father, Alexander Fairford, Esq., Writerto the Signet, Brown's Square, Edinburgh. He may be assured of a liberalreward, besides the consciousness of having discharged a real duty tohumanity.

  MY DEAREST ALAN, Feeling as warmly towards you in doubt and in distress,as I ever did in the brightest days of our intimacy, it is to you whomI address a history which may perhaps fall into very different hands. Aportion of my former spirit descends to my pen when I write your name,and indulging the happy thought that you may be my deliverer from mypresent uncomfortable and alarming situation, as you have been my guideand counsellor on every former occasion, I will subdue the dejectionwhich would otherwise overwhelm me. Therefore, as, Heaven knows, I havetime enough to write, I will endeavour to pour my thoughts out, as fullyand freely as of old, though probably without the same gay and happylevity.

  If the papers should reach other hands than yours, still I will notregret this exposure of my feelings; for, allowing for an ample share ofthe folly incidental to youth and inexperience, I fear not that I havemuch to be ashamed of in my narrative; nay, I even hope that the opensimplicity and frankness with which I am about to relate every singularand distressing circumstance, may prepossess even a stranger in myfavour; and that, amid the multitude of seemingly trivial circumstanceswhich I detail at length, a clue may be found to effect my liberation.

  Another chance certainly remains--the Journal, as I may call it,may never reach the hands, either of the dear friend to whom it isaddressed, or those of an indifferent stranger, but may become the preyof the persons by whom I am at present treated as a prisoner. Let it beso--they will learn from it little but what they already know; that,as a man and an Englishman, my soul revolts at the usage which I havereceived; that I am determined to essay every possible means to obtainmy freedom; that captivity has not broken my spirit, and that, althoughthey may doubtless complete their oppression by murder, I am stillwilling to bequeath my cause to the justice of my country. Undeterred,therefore, by the probability that my papers may be torn from me, andsubjected to the inspection of one in particular, who, causelesslymy enemy already, may be yet further incensed at me for recording thehistory of my wrongs, I proceed to resume the history of events whichhave befallen me since the conclusion of my last letter to my dear AlanFairford, dated, if I mistake not, on the 5th day of this still currentmonth of August.

  Upon the night preceding the date of that letter, I had been present,for the purpose of an idle frolic, at a dancing party at the village ofBrokenburn, about six miles from Dumfries; many persons must have seenme there, should the fact appear of importance sufficient to requireinvestigation. I danced, played on the violin, and took part in thefestivity till about midnight, when my servant, Samuel Owen, brought memy horses, and I rode back to a small inn called Shepherd's Bush, keptby Mrs. Gregson, which had been occasionally my residence for about afortnight past. I spent the earlier part of the forenoon in writing aletter, which I have already mentioned, to you, my dear Alan, and which,I think, you must have received in safety. Why did I not follow youradvice, so often given me? Why did I linger in the neighbourhood of adanger, of which a kind voice had warned me? These are now unavailingquestions; I was blinded by a fatality, and remained, fluttering like amoth around the candle, until I have been scorched to some purpose.

  The greater part of the day had passed, and time hung heavy on my hands.I ought, perhaps, to blush at recollecting what has been often objectedto me by the dear friend to whom this letter is addressed, viz. thefacility with which I have, in moments of indolence, suffered my motionsto be, directed by any person who chanced to be near me, instead oftaking the labour of thinking or deciding for myself. I had employed forsome time, as a sort of guide and errand-boy, a lad named Benjamin, theson of one widow Coltherd, who lives near the Shepherd's Bush, and Icannot but remember that, upon several occasions, I had of late sufferedhim to possess more influence over my motions than at all became thedifference of our age and condition. At present, he exerted himself topersuade me that it was the finest possible sport to see the fish takenout from the nets placed in the Solway at the reflux of the tide, andurged my going thither this evening so much, that, looking back on thewhole circumstances, I cannot but think he had some especial motive forhis conduct. These particulars I have mentioned, that if these papersfall into friendly hands, the boy may be sought after and submitted toexamination.

  His eloquence being unable to persuade me that I should take anypleasure in seeing the fruitless struggles of the fish when left in thenets and deserted by the tide, he artfully suggested, that Mr. and MissGeddes, a respectable Quaker family well known in the neighbourhoodand with whom I had contracted habits of intimacy, would possibly beoffended if I did not make them an early visit. Both, he said, had beenparticularly inquiring the reasons of my leaving their house rathersuddenly on the previous day. I resolved, therefore, to walk up to MountSharon and make my apologies; and I agreed to permit the boy to attendupon me, and wait my return from the house, that I might fish on my wayhomeward to Shepherd's Bush, for which amusement, he assured me, I wouldfind the evening most favourable. I mention this minute circumstance,because I strongly suspect that this boy had a presentiment how theevening was to terminate with me, and entertained the selfish thoughchildish wish of securing to himself an angling-rod which he had oftenadmired, as a part of my spoils. I may do the boy wrong, but I hadbefore remarked in him the peculiar art of pursuing the trifling objectsof cupidity proper to his age, with the systematic address of much riperyears.

  When we had commenced our walk, I upbraided him with the coolness ofthe evening, considering the season, the easterly wind, and othercircumstances, unfavourable for angling. He persisted in his own story,and made a few casts, as if to convince me of my error, but caughtno fish; and, indeed, as I am now convinced, was much more intent onwatching my motions than on taking any. When I ridiculed him once moreon his fruitless endeavours, he answered with a sneering smile, that'the trouts would not rise, because there was thunder in the air;' anintimation which, in one sense, I have found too true.

  I arrived at Mount Sharon; was received by my friends there with theirwonted kindness; and after being a little rallied on my having suddenlyleft them on the preceding evening, I agreed to make atonementby staying all night, and dismissed the lad who attended with myfishing-rod, to carry that information to Shepherd's Bush. It may bedoubted whether he went thither, or in a different direction.

  Betwixt eight and nine o'clock, when it began to become dark, we walkedon the terrace to enjoy the appearance of the firmament, glittering withten million stars; to which a slight touch of early frost gave tenfoldlustre. As we gazed on this splendid scene, Miss Geddes, I think, wasthe first to point out to our admiration a shooting or falling star,which, she said, drew a long train after it. Looking to the part ofthe heavens which she pointed out, I distinctly observed two successivesky-rockets arise and
burst in the sky.

  'These meteors,' said Mr. Geddes, in answer to his sister's observation,'are not formed in heaven, nor do they bode any good to the dwellersupon earth.'

  As he spoke, I looked to another quarter of the sky, and a rocket, as ifa signal in answer to those which had already appeared, rose high fromthe earth, and burst apparently among the stars.

  Mr. Geddes seemed very thoughtful for some minutes, and then said tohis sister, 'Rachel, though it waxes late. I must go down to the fishingstation, and pass the night in the overseer's room there.'

  'Nay, then,' replied the lady, 'I am but too well assured that the sonsof Belial are menacing these nets and devices. Joshua, art thou a man ofpeace, and wilt thou willingly and wittingly thrust thyself where thoumayst be tempted by the old man Adam within thee, to enter into debateand strife?'

  'I am a man of peace, Rachel,' answered Mr. Geddes, 'even to the utmostextent which our friends can demand of humanity; and neither have I everused, nor, with the help of God, will I at any future time employ, thearm of flesh to repel or to revenge injuries. But if I can, by mildreasons and firm conduct, save those rude men from committing a crime,and the property belonging to myself and others from sustaining damage,surely I do but the duty of a man and a Christian.'

  With these words, he ordered his horse instantly; and his sister,ceasing to argue with him, folded her arms upon her bosom, and looked upto heaven with a resigned and yet sorrowful countenance.

  These particulars may appear trivial; but it is better, in my presentcondition, to exert my faculties in recollecting the past, and inrecording it, than waste them in vain and anxious anticipations of thefuture.

  It would have been scarcely proper in me to remain in the house fromwhich the master was thus suddenly summoned away; and I therefore beggedpermission to attend him to the fishing station, assuring his sisterthat I would be a guarantee for his safety.

  That proposal seemed to give much pleasure to Miss Geddes. 'Let it beso, brother,' she said; 'and let the young man have the desire of hisheart, that there may be a faithful witness to stand by thee in the hourof need, and to report how it shall fare with thee.

  'Nay, Rachel,' said the worthy man, 'thou art to blame in this, thatto quiet thy apprehensions on my account, thou shouldst thrust intodanger--if danger it shall prove to be--this youth, our guest; forwhom, doubtless, in case of mishap, as many hearts will ache as may beafflicted on our account.'

  'No, my good friend,' said I, taking Mr. Geddes's hand, 'I am not sohappy as you suppose me. Were my span to be concluded this evening, fewwould so much as know that such a being had existed for twenty years onthe face of the earth; and of these few, only one would sincerely regretme. Do not, therefore, refuse me the privilege attending you; and ofshowing, by so trifling an act of kindness, that if I have few friends,I am at least desirous to serve them.'

  'Thou hast a kind heart, I warrant thee,' said Joshua Geddes, returningthe pressure of my hand. 'Rachel, the young man shall go with me. Whyshould he not face danger, in order to do justice and preserve peace?There is that within me,' he added, looking upwards, and with a passingenthusiasm which I had not before observed and the absence ofwhich perhaps rather belonged to the sect than to his own personalcharacter--'I say, I have that within which assures me, that though theungodly may rage even like the storm of the ocean, they shall not havefreedom to prevail against us.'

  Having spoken thus, Mr. Geddes appointed a pony to be saddled for myuse; and having taken a basket with some provisions, and a servantto carry back the horses for which there was no accommodation at thefishing station, we set off about nine o'clock at night, and afterthree-quarters of an hour's riding, arrived at our place of destination.

  The station consists, or then consisted, of huts for four or fivefishermen, a cooperage and shed, and a better sort of cottage at whichthe superintendent resided. We gave our horses to the servant, to becarried back to Mount Sharon; my companion expressing himself humanelyanxious for their safety--and knocked at the door of the house. Atfirst we only heard a barking of dogs; but these animals became quiet onsnuffing beneath the door, and acknowledging the presence of friends. Ahoarse voice then demanded, in rather unfriendly accents, who we were,and what we wanted and it was not; until Joshua named himself, andcalled upon his superintendent to open, that the latter appeared at thedoor of the hut, attended by three large dogs of the Newfoundland breed.He had a flambeau in his hand, and two large heavy ship-pistols stuckinto his belt. He was a stout elderly man, who had been a sailor, as Ilearned, during the earlier part of his life, and was now much confidedin by the Fishing Company, whose concerns he directed under the ordersof Mr. Geddes.

  'Thou didst not expect me to-night, friend Davies?' said my friend tothe old man, who was arranging seats for us by the fire.

  'No, Master Geddes,' answered he, 'I did not expect you, nor, to speakthe truth, did I wish for you either.'

  'These are plain terms: John Davies,' answered Mr. Geddes.

  'Aye, aye, sir, I know your worship loves no holiday speeches.'

  'Thou dost guess, I suppose, what brings us here so late, John Davies?'said Mr. Geddes.

  'I do suppose, sir,' answered the superintendent, 'that it was becausethose d--d smuggling wreckers on the coast are showing their lights togather their forces, as they did the night before they broke down thedam-dyke and weirs up the country; but if that same be the case, I wishonce more you had stayed away, for your worship carries no fightingtackle aboard, I think; and there will be work for such ere morning,your worship.'

  'Worship is due to Heaven only, John Davies,' said Geddes, 'I have oftendesired thee to desist from using that phrase to me.'

  'I won't, then,' said John; 'no offence meant: But how the devil can aman stand picking his words, when he is just going to come to blows?'

  'I hope not, John Davies,' said Joshua Geddes. 'Call in the rest of themen, that I may give them their instructions.'

  'I may cry till doomsday Master Geddes, ere a soul answers--the cowardlylubbers have all made sail--the cooper, and all the rest of them, sosoon as they heard the enemy were at sea. They have all taken to thelong-boat, and left the ship among the breakers, except little Phil andmyself--they have, by--!'

  'Swear not at all, John Davies--thou art an honest man; and I believe,without an oath, that thy comrades love their own bones better thanmy goods and chattels. And so thou hast no assistance but little Philagainst a hundred men or two?'

  'Why, there are the dogs, your honour knows, Neptune and Thetis--andthe puppy may do something; and then though your worship--I begpardon--though your honour be no great fighter, this young gentleman maybear a hand.'

  'Aye, and I see you are provided with arms,' said Mr. Geddes; 'let mesee them.'

  'Aye, aye, sir; here be a pair of buffers will bite as well asbark--these will make sure of two rogues at least. It would be a shameto strike without firing a shot. Take care, your honour, they aredouble-shotted.'

  'Aye, John Davies, I will take care of them, throwing the pistols into atub of water beside him; 'and I wish I could render the whole generationof them useless at the same moment.'

  A deep shade of displeasure passed over John Davies's weatherbeatencountenance. 'Belike your honour is going to take the command yourself,then?' he said, after a pause. 'Why, I can be of little use now; andsince your worship, or your honour, or whatever you are, means to strikequietly, I believe you will do it better without me than with me, for Iam like enough to make mischief, I admit; but I'll never leave my postwithout orders.'

  'Then you have mine, John Davies, to go to Mount Sharon directly, andtake the boy Phil with you. Where is he?'

  'He is on the outlook for these scums of the earth,' answered Davies;'but it is to no purpose to know when they come, if we are not to standto our weapons.'

  'We will use none but those of sense and reason, John.'

  'And you may just as well cast chaff against the wind, as speak senseand reason to the like of them.'


  'Well, well, be it so,' said Joshua; 'and now, John Davies, I know thouart what the world calls a brave fellow, and I have ever found thee anhonest one. And now I command you to go to Mount Sharon, and let Phillie on the bank-side--see the poor boy hath a sea-cloak, though--andwatch what happens there, and let him bring you the news; and ifany violence shall be offered to the property there, I trust to yourfidelity to carry my sister to Dumfries to the house of our friendsthe Corsacks, and inform the civil authorities of what mischief hathbefallen.'

  The old seaman paused a moment. 'It is hard lines for me,' he said, 'toleave your honour in tribulation; and yet, staying here, I am only liketo make bad worse; and your honour's sister, Miss Rachel, must be lookedto, that's certain; for if the rogues once get their hand to mischief,they will come to Mount Sharon after they have wasted and destroyed thishere snug little roadstead, where I thought to ride at anchor for life.'

  'Right, right, John Davies,' said Joshua Geddes; 'and best call the dogswith you.'

  'Aye, aye, sir,' said the veteran, 'for they are something of my mind,and would not keep quiet if they saw mischief doing; so maybe they mightcome to mischief, poor dumb creatures. So God bless your honour--Imean your worship--I cannot bring my mouth to say fare you well. Here,Neptune, Thetis! come, dogs, come.'

  So saying, and with a very crestfallen countenance, John Davies left thehut.

  'Now there goes one of the best and most faithful creatures that everwas born,' said Mr. Geddes, as the superintendent shut the door of thecottage. 'Nature made him with a heart that would not have suffered himto harm a fly; but thou seest, friend Latimer, that as men arm theirbull-dogs with spiked collars, and their game-cocks with steel spurs, toaid them in fight, so they corrupt, by education, the best and mildestnatures, until fortitude and spirit become stubbornness and ferocity.Believe me, friend Latimer, I would as soon expose my faithful householddog to a vain combat with a herd of wolves, as yon trusty creature tothe violence of the enraged multitude. But I need say little on thissubject to thee, friend Latimer, who, I doubt not, art trained tobelieve that courage is displayed and honour attained, not by doingand suffering as becomes a man that which fate calls us to suffer andjustice commands us to do, but because thou art ready to retort violencefor violence, and considerest the lightest insult as a sufficient causefor the spilling of blood, nay, the taking of life. But, leaving thesepoints of controversy to a more fit season, let us see what our basketof provision contains; for in truth, friend Latimer, I am one of thosewhom neither fear nor anxiety deprives of their ordinary appetite.'

  We found the means of good cheer accordingly, which Mr. Geddes seemed toenjoy as much as if it had been eaten in a situation of perfect safety;nay, his conversation appeared to be rather more gay than on ordinaryoccasions. After eating our supper, we left the hut together, and walkedfor a few minutes on the banks of the sea. It was high water, and theebb had not yet commenced. The moon shone broad and bright upon theplacid face of the Solway Firth, and showed a slight ripple upon thestakes, the tops of which were just visible above the waves, and onthe dark-coloured buoys which marked the upper edge of the enclosure ofnets. At a much greater distance--for the estuary is here very wide--theline of the English coast was seen on the verge of the water, resemblingone of those fog-banks on which mariners are said to gaze, uncertainwhether it be land or atmospherical delusion.

  'We shall be undisturbed for some hours,' said Mr. Geddes; 'they willnot come down upon us: till the state of the tide permits them todestroy the tide-nets. Is it not strange to think that human passionswill so soon transform such a tranquil scene as this into one ofdevastation and confusion?'

  It was indeed a scene of exquisite stillness; so much so, that therestless waves of the Solway seemed, if not absolutely to sleep, atleast to slumber; on the shore no night-bird was heard--the cock had notsung his first matins, and we ourselves walked more lightly than by day,as if to suit the sounds of our own paces to the serene tranquillityaround us. At length, the plaintive cry of a dog broke the silence, andon our return to the cottage, we found that the younger of the threeanimals which had gone along with John Davies, unaccustomed, perhaps,to distant journeys, and the duty of following to heel, had strayed fromthe party, and, unable to rejoin them, had wandered back to the place ofits birth.

  'Another feeble addition to our feeble garrison,' said Mr. Geddes, as hecaressed the dog, and admitted it into the cottage. 'Poor thing! as thouart incapable of doing any mischief, I hope thou wilt sustain none. Atleast thou mayst do us the good service of a sentinel, and permit us toenjoy a quiet repose, under the certainty that thou wilt alarm us whenthe enemy is at hand.'

  There were two beds in the superintendent's room, upon which we threwourselves. Mr. Geddes, with his happy equanimity of temper, was asleepin the first five minutes. I lay for some time in doubtful and anxiousthoughts, watching the fire, and the motions of the restless dog, which,disturbed probably at the absence of John Davies, wandered from thehearth to the door and back again, then came to the bedside and lickedmy hands and face, and at length, experiencing no repulse to itsadvances, established itself at my feet, and went to sleep, an examplewhich I soon afterwards followed.

  The rage of narration, my dear Alan--for I will never relinquish thehope that what I am writing may one day reach your hands--hasnot forsaken me, even in my confinement, and the extensive thoughunimportant details into which I have been hurried, renders it necessarythat I commence another sheet. Fortunately, my pygmy characterscomprehend a great many words within a small space of paper.