Читать книгу Winds of Fortune - John Jeffery Farnol - Страница 12

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I awoke, and very early, to bright sunshine and a piping wind, and not troubling to waken Deborah, bathed and smoothed out my clothes as well as I might (and my wound of small account). I took my hooded cloak and, leaving Deborah still deep in slumber, stole up on deck, fired by such bold and desperate purpose as now (in the light of after events) doth make me tremble to think upon; and what this purpose was, you shall presently understand.

Reaching the deck then, I breathed in very rapture of a soft, sweet, buffeting wind that thrilled me with new vigour of life, a joyous wind that drove the great ship foaming through a sea all asparkle in the young sun's level beams and filled the white sails towering in a maze of ropes and rigging to a blue heaven. From this lofty deck I could look down on the shape and splendour of the ship, brave with carving, paint and gilding, though marred and blackened here and there by marks of shot and flame. I was viewing these ominous signs of past violence somewhat aghast (for I have ever loved the sea and ships), when up carven ladder from the deck below came a gentleman very splendid in velvet, lace, and embroidery, a young man and handsome, though something too dark for an Englishman, I thought. Perceiving me, he stopped like one amazed, then took off his hat and bowed so humbly graceful that the feather of his beaver swept the deck.

"Donna mia," said he in soft musical voice, "you show fair as the morning. Suffer that I present myself. I am Don Luiz da Ramirez, most devotedly at your service."

"Then, Don Luiz," said I, coming to the point at once, "serve me now! If you be man of your word and gentleman of honour, lend me your help 'gainst a villain." At this, his eyes opened suddenly wide (and no wonder); then, stepping near, he spoke, almost whispering.

"Tell me your will, Signorita."

"Turn this ship about and set me safe again in England."

"Madre de dios!" he murmured, falling back a step. "But the so condemned Japhet ... our Captain, how of him?"

"He is but a man," said I. "And if you be the valiant gentleman you seem, you will surely win or force him to sail me back to England."

"Why, this were mutiny, Signorita!" he murmured, with flash of white teeth. "And for mutiny is death ... and yet! Ha now, an' I should adventure my so precious life to your purpose, how then?"

"You would have my ... my undying gratitude," I answered, faltering at something in his look.

"And ... what more?" he murmured, coming so near that I gave back in my turn.

"Money," said I. "All you can ask, though it be—"

"Hist!" he whispered, finger on lip ... "You shall hear from me ... the black fellow Tom!" So saying, he saluted me something hastily and stepped, light and swift, across the broad deck as yet another man appeared, an old man this, yet very upright; a mild-faced, gentle-eyed ancient, whose square, rosy face, framed in flowing white hair, beamed on me in such kindly fashion that my poor, lonely heart went out to him.

"Lady," said he, "you be early abroad."

"Indeed, sir," says I, clasping my hands, "I could not sleep—"

"Daughter," said he, bowing his reverend head, "I greet thee in the Lord. A glad, sweet morning, child, a very morning o' God, may God bless it to thee." Moved by this gentle voice and so kindly aspect, my eyes filled with smarting tears and I reached him my two hands, to have them caught in such vital clasp so strong and comforting that I bowed my head upon his breast as any daughter might have done.

"Oh, sir," said I, "be verily my friend, for no poor soul ever needed one more than poor me."

"That will I!" says he in hearty voice and, drawing my hand within his arm, he began to walk me slowly to and fro.

"Oh, 'tis a sweet ship this Deliverance, child!" said he. "See how nobly she meets and rides the seas, like any duck,—and three and thirty guns. And as to weatherly, ha—going roomer or on a bowline, she handles sweet as managed bloodhorse. Though it be a vain thing to take joy in the legs of a man, any sailorman should take joy in such ship as our 'Avenging Deliverer.' Would God all her crew were worthy of her, for though there be among us many o' the Elect, there be others, daughter—others, alas."

"What others, sir?"

"Heathens, child, black and yellow. Limbs o' Satan should be lopped off. Papistical idolators should be rooted out."

"And what of your Captain Bly?"

"Why faith now, 'tis a child o' grief, a lad o' wrongs, yet a stout lad and notable seaman and navigator, and what's more, 'tis a right Puritan lad o' late, even as I that was one o' Noll Cromwell's Ironsides,—'tis marvellous dispraiser of women, this same Japhet."

"Yet there was the Spanish donna at La Margarita!" said I.

"Ay, and dark, sorry business was yon! Though how you should know—"

"I heard speak of it on the road. And pray, what of Don Luiz da Ramirez?"

"A very son o' Belial! A man o' lies and blood, to be rooted out, child! Yet content ye, for by the Lord's grace, thou shalt see me slit his treacherous weasand anon." Thus speaking, he slapped hand to the long sword on his hip that I had thought so out of keeping with his white hair. "Nay, blench not from me, maiden," quoth he; "evil must be driven hence though it be by the sword. Now speak me o' thyself—nay, first know me for Lovepeace Farrance the gunner, once cornet of Oliver's horse, and one that helped to slay a wicked king. But there came a wickeder that tore poor Noll from's grave, hanged him on gibbet and buried his poor bones shamefully. My comrades they hanged, me they sold into slavery; howbeit, I live yet, by the Lord's grace. Now of thyself, child."

So I told him briefly all that had befallen and of my dread of the future. To all of the which he hearkened in a grim silence and no word until I had done, then:

"So this was the way on't!" quoth he, shaking his head in troubled fashion. "And yet—God knoweth this ship is no place for woman."

"Then, oh, Master Farrance," said I, clasping my hands in manner humbly pitiful, "good Master Farrance, help me to win free of it, for it is a wicked ship and I—"

"Wicked?" says he, opening his mild eyes at me. "Why, no—"

"Is it not a pirate ship—?"

"Why, some do so name us, for we do spoil the Amalekites as well as smite 'em, take from the ungodly what we may, yet ... a pirate? No, no."

"Then what is this ship and pray, sir, where is it taking me?"

"Why, as to that, child,—ha, there cometh Master Penryn that is man o' the Lord having the Word, and was notable preacher once—a holy man. Ask him; he shall answer thee roundly, I'll warrant! What Ezekiel—ho, Zeke!" cried he in roaring voice. "Aft here, Zeke!"

Whereupon Master Penryn, this sweet-voiced, bony man (though now I scarce knew him for he wore a noble, fullbottomed peruke; indeed, a very precisely neat gentleman he showed these days), climbed the ladder very nimbly and taking off his hat to me:

"So hast found the damsel, Brother," said he, "this white ewe lamb that young Japhet hath reft hither so urgently." Now, quick to sense his commiseration for me, I caught his bony hand, bowing my head over it.

"Sir," said I, in weeping tone, "pity me! If, as Master Lovepeace saith, you are indeed man of God, pray for me, protect me from wrong, save me from the evil of your Captain Japhet. Oh, Master Penryn, be my good friend."

"Mistress Revell," saith he, touching my bowed head very gently, "never doubt it."

"May I pray you call me Ursula."

"Then Ursula, the Lord is as near thee aboard this ship as ever He was, nay perchance even nearer."

"But, oh, sir is not this wicked pirate ship?"

"Nay, hearkee—this is ship, Ursula, that saileth by the breath o' the Lord about the Lord's business, and she is called the Joyful Deliverance. See yonder at the main and here at the jackstaff flieth our flag o' deliverance, bold to God's wind."

Now, looking whither he pointed, I saw a broad red flag that bore for its symbol a great black hammer crossed by a broken shackle bolt very plain to see.

"Look you—yon is the Hammer o' Mercy striking asunder the Fetters o' Slavery. 'Tis the Symbol of Freedom. Ursula, there be eyes o' poor wretches that, groaning 'neath the lash, beholding this flag, ha' forgot their agony, have shouted for joy, because they knew it brought them deliverance from their cruel bondage, back to life or quick and merciful death. One thousand two hundred and three poor souls ha' we freed one way or t'other, since first we took and named this ship Joyful Deliverance.... But of yourself now, Mistress Ursula, since Japhet hath gotten you aboard ... what now?"

"Ha, this is the question!" nodded Lovepeace. "Japhet hath ever forbid women aboard—so now—what?"

"Oh, sir," I answered, venturing to steal a hand within the arm of each, "truly I scarce dare think."

"Nay," answered Master Penryn, patting my hand, "Japhet is no brutish satyr, no defiler of innocence. Hitherto he hath lived but for vengeance."

"Verily, Brother," nodded Lovepeace; "but now that he is cheated of his vengeance, how then? Moreover, he is young and this maid uncommon comely! And a glass or so o' rum i' the lad's head—ha? Man is a fire, woman's the tow, and the devil he comes and begins to blow! How then, Zeke? What I say is, having broke his own rule anent women aboard, he must abide the consequences, ay, and we must see to't as Christian men and comrades sworn."

"Assuredly, Lovepeace! Beyond doubting, messmate. Mistress Ursula," says he, squeezing my left arm, "we'll see thou'rt nothing harmed."

"Ay, so," quoth Lovepeace, squeezing my right arm, "we'll see thee right, lass!" Thus these two strange white-headed men walked me to and fro, talking thus of me and to me, and I taking mighty comfort in their kindly friendship and to see them so resolute for my welfare, little dreaming what was in their minds or what means they would take to my salvation. And now up from below cometh the little man Absalom Troy who, saluting my companions and scowling on me, spake in his Sussex drawl that (despite his scowl) warmed my heart:

"Sirs, by your leaves, the Cap'n wants ye alow in 's cabin."

"Why, very well, Absalom," answered Master Penryn, glancing askance at Lovepeace, who glanced sidelong at him.

"And why must ye scowl on the lady, Absalom?" demanded Lovepeace.

"Why, sir," answered Troy, finger to eyebrow, "I never knowed no manner o' luck on no ship nowhen and nowhere, wi' unmarried fe-males aboard."

"Very well, Absalom, you can go forward!" nodded Lovepeace; then taking leave of me, they descended to the lower deck. Thus alone I stood, leaning upon the richly carven rail, watching this noble ship as she rose buoyant to the rolling seas and so greatly heartened to think I had already won me three friends against this my hated abductor that, what with the glad wind, the joyous flash and sparkle of the wide ocean, I could almost have sung, when on the deck below, though at some distance, I saw divers swarthy fellows watching me and amongst these Don Luiz who, catching my glance, waved his feathered hat gallantly and bowed—and then, with flutter of petticoats, Deborah came running to clasp me in her arms.

"Oh, Mis' Ursula!" she cried, "I've wondered whatever was come of ee ... and a great blackamoor wi' gold rings in 's ears below, wi' all manner o' food for us—and silver dishes!"

So down I went with her to find a great black fellow who seemed all rolling eyes and flashing teeth, busy setting forth our meal.

"Tell me," said I breathlessly, "have you word for me?"

"Word, missy?" he repeated, goggling.

"A message from Don Luiz?"

"Laws, no, ma'm; I'se got no message from nobbudy."

"Are you Tom?"

"No, Missy; I's Peteran Paul, I is."

"Oh," says I at a loss; "why then, thank you and ... you may go forrard!" At this he showed his white teeth again and vanished. Then I sat to eat, with Deborah to serve me until I had her sit and share my meal.

"For," says I, "we be two poor prisoners and sisters in woe." Whereat she kissed me and vowing she couldn't so presume presently sat down at my command and a cheery meal (or very nearly) we made together.

Breakfast done, I had her fetch my diary, this same battered volume that is such vast use in the penning of this narrative, wherein I am boldly setting forth all that I saw, thought, did and said (or very nearly), nothing extenuating my own actions (as doth and shall appear). Nay here and now I do confess that I came very near to wrecking my own life and others therewith, for by my scheming came bloodshed, death and such dire perils to myself as you shall hear, and which now I do grieve for and tremble to think on.

I had been writing thus some while, when a knock on the door aroused me and, thinking it might be the black Tom at last with word from Don Luiz, I cried "Come in" and turning expectant, saw instead of this wished messenger the lean, odious face of Captain Japhet, whereat I instantly bent to my writing again, heeding him not at all.

"By your leave, sweet lady!" said he and seating himself opposite me at the table and taking out his snuffbox, sat tapping it softly until I could have struck him and, being unable to write a word, condescended to glance at him.

"Well, sir?" I demanded.

"So, ma'm," says he, with his quirking smile. "It seems you must and will be wed afore I'm ready for you."

"Wed?" says I, 'neath lifted brows.

"My good comrades, Ezekiel and Lovepeace (both very godly and virtuous men) have wooed me on your account, ma'm; your very passionate protestants, they have so pleaded, so argued and entreated that, seeing they insist your honour and my ship's honour requires it, I am here to say that since you are so desperate earnest to be wed eftsoons,—wed you I will and so be done."

Now at this I sank back in my chair, weak with amazement and speechless with indignation, while he inhaled a pinch of snuff and thereafter stared up at the gilded roof beams with look so martyrlike that (I do confess) I yearned to scratch him.

"What folly is this?" I demanded scornfully.

"Yours, ma'm, it seems!" he sighed mournfully. "For you have so filled the ears of my two companions with your chaste fears and maidenly terrors—and they men o' such fierce rectitude—that they are very insistent that I, poor soul, must wed you forthwith."

"Never!" cried I.... "No, never in this world."

"Never?" he repeated. "'Tis true I had hoped to delay our union until you should learn to know me better and more appreciate me, but—never? What, then, if these my so insistent comrades,—and both such grimly virtuous, determined men and, as I say, such passionate suitors on your behalf; what o' these, ma'm?"

"Captain Japhet," said I, speaking firmly as I might, "do not drive me too far, lest I bring death on you and ruin on your ship."

"I like the way you speak my name," he murmured, smiling at the snuffbox in his fingers. "'Tis better name than methought. But how and why destruction on my poor ship, ma'm?"

"Take warning!" I retorted. "Do not force a desperate woman to use all her powers. And now be so good to leave me."

"With joy, ma'm," he answered, bowing, "tempered with woe, for to talk with women is rare experience these days and you, though termagant and something shrewish, are very woman. I leave you to explain matters to your determined ambassadors as best you may." And so he left me; and when my anger was sufficiently abated, I set myself to write into my diary what had just passed betwixt us. In the middle of which I heard Deborah utter affrighted exclamation and, glancing whither she pointed, saw the door opening.

"Lord save us!" she exclaimed.

"Hush!" said I, rising, as swift and furtive came a mulatto youth, who rolling eyes in terrified fashion handed me a crumpled paper, whispering:

"Quick, m' lady ... if dey find me aft here, poor Tom shall be whipped ... quick, ma'm, quick—read and follow Tom." So unfolding this paper I saw these words very ill writ:

Come, noble signorita, and learn how I shall deliver you. Trust the bearer and haste.

So, being quite desperate, heeding not Deborah's expostulations, I rose and followed this shivering creature, who creeping before, now gestured me to stop, now beckoned me on by devious ways, until I found myself descending stairs into a dim place where stood rows of great cannon; and here Don Luiz met me, hat in hand. Him I followed until we reached another stairway and so up into the light once more; across a broad deck he led me, through a massive door into a place long and low and lit by window above, that showed me many wild-seeming men and these crowding about us; and looking round about upon them, my mind misgave me, for these were for the most part blackamoors and mulattos, and such white faces as I saw filled me with a quick, instinctive dread. And now, turning to Don Luiz, my dread waxed to a sick terror for this that I had deemed a courtly gentleman was leering on me with such hateful evil that I recoiled aghast.

"No!" I cried instinctively. "Ah, no! Let me out...." and I sprang for the door, but he was before me and as I strove desperately to pass, I knew the pain and shame of a blow that hurled me to the floor and crouching thus, more dead than alive, I saw how he raised his foot against me. But as I cowered, moaning, to meet his brutality, the mulatto Tom bestrode me, flashing the sword he bore and crying something in Spanish. Don Luiz recoiled, laughed and, sweeping off his hat, bowed to me.

"Your pardon, bewitching lady," he sighed, "but you angered me, you disobeyed and I am Don Luiz. For the little blow you alas caused me to bestow, I now grieve and later you shall be kissed—ah, yes! But for now that I win for you the ship one way or the other way—" Here he paused and turned as came a thunderous hammering on the door and thereafter a voice that filled me with such joyous and thankful relief as caused me great wonder later on, for this was the voice of that so hated man, Captain Japhet Bly.