Читать книгу Winds of Fortune - John Jeffery Farnol - Страница 16

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To record here the daily entries in my journal would be but vain repetition and draw out this narration to wearisome length. Therefore, though each and every day proved more or less eventful, I will begin this chapter with that (to me) never-to-be-forgotten day when we first sighted the two Moorish galleys, since in very truth this day, to wit June the second, was to prove in some sense the most memorable in my life.

It was afternoon and the day hot, for we were nearing the warm latitudes. I was seated beneath an awning they had rigged for me behind (or as I should say, abaft) the mizzenmast, when I espied them first, two long shapes, black against the western glow, with lofty, peaked sails, and plying long oars, for the wind was fallen light. And as I watched their approach, their long, moving oars seemed like the outsprawled, wriggling legs of some monstrous insect; indeed, very ugly craft I thought them. Insomuch that, seeing Captain Japhet near by and none other that I might question, I contrived to meet his glance, whereupon he came beside my chair.

"Well, ma'm?" he enquired very ungraciously (and this the first time I had noticed him in an hour). "What now?"

"Those evil-looking ships."

"Galleys," he nodded.

"Well, but why do they follow us?"

"Because 'tis so their nature, being pirates."

"Pirates!" I gasped, sitting upright of a sudden.

"Indeed, ma'm! And out of Algiers, by their trim."

"Why then, why not sail away from them—instantly?" I demanded.

"So we are, ma'm, and slowly as we may."

"But why—gracious heaven!—why slowly?"

"That they may come up with us for sure."

"Then you mean ... oh ... to fight with them?"

"Right heartily!" he nodded. "In two hours we should be hard at it."

"But there are two."

"Ay, they generally hunt in pairs." So saying, he went to the quarter rail and leaning down thence,

"Below there," he cried. "Pass the word for Absalom Troy." And presently up the ladder cometh Troy the boatswain who, touching an eyebrow, stood very upright and I saw he was belted with a heavy sword and two pistols.

"Pipe the crew aft, Absalom!"

"Ay, ay, Cap'n," and setting whistle to lip, Absalom Troy blew thereon a sweet and mellow blast, whereupon from gangways amidships and forward came men so many that I wondered how and where they could all have been bestowed, and with them came tall Barnabas with Penryn, Lovepeace and divers other officers.

And now, coming to the rail, Captain Japhet looked down on them and spoke much on this wise:

"Men and messmates all, in especial such as be new among us, hearkee: This ship is the Joyful Deliverance, pledged to fight all slaveships, no matter what flag they fly, and free all slaves. Yonder in our lee four miles and coming up handily be Moorish pirates and lusty fighters, perchance worth the looting—well and good. But aboard these floating hells, slaving 'neath the lash to serve their oars, be men the like of us, Christians and therefore brothers, whether they be Englishmen or no. Therefore, Master Gunner, when we bring 'em to action, see your lads aim high at masts and upper works; and you, messmates, when ye follow me aboard 'em, do as little hurt to these poor slaves as ye may. I and Master Barnabas here shall lead the boarders as ever and, whiles we amuse their fighting men, Master Penryn with Master Farrance and such o' ye as they ha' already chosen, shall free the slaves o' their shackles."

So, with many cheers, away sped these men (and mighty cheerful) so that presently the ship seemed deserted, yet from below rose a stir and hum that told of grim yet joyful preparation.

And now, the others being all gone about this hateful business, Captain Japhet turned to me.

"Ma'm Ursula," said he, glancing from me to those black galley ships that showed much nearer now, "in an hour you will go below—"

"No, sir," said I firmly.

"You will be below your cabin on the orlop."

"What is that?"

"A deck, ma'm, well below the waterline, where no chance shot may reach. I have furnished a place there—"

"And so," said I, rising, "you will thus adventure your ship and the lives of your crew—ay, and my life, for sake of men you have never seen."

"Ay, I will, ma'm."

"And why, sir—why?" I demanded. "Wherefore run this deadly peril?"

"You know, ma'm, you heard! Moreover, 'tis in fulfilment of an oath we o' the Deliverance swore years agone, ay, and one we have held by since I took command o' this ship. For most of us have slaved aboard such hellish craft ere now," and he showed me his scarred wrist.

"And suppose they capture us?" He laughed grimly.

"This Deliverance is such fighting ship she shall fight even as she sinks."

"Well, and if she sink, sir? How then—what of me?"

"You, eh, ma'm? Faith, you plague yourself with care for yourself most damnably. Howbeit an' we sink, you die, ma'm, along with the rest on us—"

"Thus, sir, should the worse befall, I must die by reason of your selfish oath."

"Selfish oath?" he repeated, pondering the words. "Can such oath be selfish?... Mayhap. Howbeit, in a while I and these my comrades (hale and well) shall be risking death and wounds to win poor wretches from misery to chance o' life—"

"And for loot!" cried I bitterly.

"Ay—this too!" he nodded, eyeing me askance. "We take what we may, since the labourer is worthy of his hire."

"In fine, sir, spite all your sophistry anent freeing of slaves, poor Deborah and I are to run peril of death by wind and battle that you may go a-pirating on your own account."

"Madam," says he scowling, "when you are my wife, I think I shall begin by thrashing you soundly." At this I turned my back, waving him to begone, and with ogreish snort away he strode, yet presently was back again and clapping hand on my shoulder, spun me round to face him. And now, to my wonder, he spake me almost pleading:

"Ursula, why will you seem baser than you are,—such peevish, light, selfish creature? Let us suppose death should take us to-day; well—we die in right good cause; better so than in the hunting field or fevered of a surfeit." Now, while he spoke, I saw old Lovepeace on the lower deck with divers of his fellows casting loose the great cannon that stood there and looking to their tackle, and this woke in me such apprehension for the horror of bloodshed that should ensue that I turned on the Captain, reviling him for manslayer and murderous ogre, and so bitterly that he gave back before me like one amazed; then without another word strode off, whiles I turned again to watch old Lovepeace and his fellows so busied with their murderous cannons, and my poor heart fluttering to know these soon would be thundering death and destruction for sake of foreign rogues doomed to slavery for their crimes.

Suddenly from atop our mainmast flutters that great scarlet flag, its symbol of the Broken Fetter plain to see even at such height, and from this I glanced again at the galleys, now so much closer that I could almost count the great oars that rose and fell with rhythmic beat and swing,—two long, low vessels that seemed creeping upon us with such fell and murderous intent. And even as I watched them, my flesh a-chill, I must needs remember his words anent dying in good cause, and from this I got to reflecting how he had reviled me as light-minded, selfish and the like. In the midst of which comes Deborah with her sewing.

"La, ma'm," says she above her flying needle, "here's you miles and miles across ocean and but four shifts to your poor sweet back—and one o' them I be a-mending now."

"Deborah," said I, between snapping teeth, "am I peevish, selfish and light-minded?"

"Oh, my precious lamb, no, never. You be mine own sweet, tender bird—"

"And yet I've—sworn at you often, Deborah."

"Nay, but so tenderly, ma'm, and only now and then."

"I've slapped thee, Deborah, and pulled thy pretty hair over and over again! I have, yes, I have, and don't dare deny it! You know I have."

"But oh, Mis' Ursula, you be so fiery-like and I know didst never mean to hurt me."

"Ay, but I did! Oh, my Deborah, thou sweet, patient soul," cried I, kissing her suddenly and to her own surprise. "Now should I ever buffet thee again—strike me back: dost hear?"

"Oh, my dearie, I never nowise couldn't so forget my duty ... nay, my own sweet, why dost weep?"

"Because," said I, burying face on her shoulder, "he is such vile, detestable man and I—hate him."

"Do ee mean the Captain, ma'm? Hush now, for yon he comes this moment." Drying my eyes, I glanced round to see him approaching and followed by a squat, red-headed seaman bearing a lanthorn.

"Madam," says the Captain with his stateliest air, "I am come to show you to the orlop."

"And how if I say I'll remain here, sir?"

"Tom Parsons,—aft here!" he commanded. "Now madam, obey, or Tom shall carry ye like so much dunnage." And now I shivered with disgust to see how this red-headed sailorman spat upon his great hands, then looked to his Captain for further orders; and so because I needs must, I followed, and Deborah too, whither we were led.

Downstairs we went and still down, into the very bowels of the ship, until we reached a narrow chamber, or rather noisome den, ill-lit by smoky, swinging lanthorn and furnished with a table and two narrow couches.

"What foul and fetid prison is this?" said I, handkerchief to nostrils.

"At the least, madam," he answered, gesturing the man Parsons to be gone, "here ye shall come to no harm, and that so precious body of yours, that dainty flesh and blood that you prize so infinite much, shall take no chance hurt. And if the reek o' bilge offends thy delicacy,—well, 'tis better than searing bullet or to be crushed 'neath falling spar. So content you, madam. And now have you aught to say to me?"

"This, sir," I answered passionately. "I am not the craven wretch you deem me.... I do not fear your cannons or swords and would peril life gladly for any and with any man save such ... such—"

"Say it, ma'am, say it with round good oath," said he in his lazy voice.

"Such base, ravishing wretch as yourself!" I ended.

"And now, ma'am," said he, with his quirking smile, "hast aught else to tell me,—any wish for poor Japhet—alive or dead. What—no? Then farewell to thee, Ursula, until—we meet again." So saying, he went out, closing and locking the door behind him. And now, when it was too late, I beat upon the door, calling his name, until Deborah drew me gently upon the couch and opening her large eyes, pleaded to know what it was all about. But ere I could speak came the thunderous boom of a cannon, that was presently answered remotely by another, so that I judged the ships come near enough to begin the battle. But now ensued a long interval of silence, wherein we clung together, hearkening expectant for sounds louder and more fearful. And now my poor Deborah began to weep softly, splashing me with her tears (that are ever so ready and copious) and then she began to pray and in the middle:

"Oh!" she gasped. "If he is killed ... if he is killed!" and then she moaned.

"Ah, true, Deborah," I whispered, well-nigh sobbing too. "If he should be killed! And I so railed on him ... and not one kind word and his hateful eyes so pleading." And then my words were drowned in such dreadful roar and the ship itself so quivering and rocking that I thought we must be blown up; till came other shots singly and together, now very near and now afar, and ever before my eyes a face so pleading and reproachful that hiding my face in Deborah's neck:

"If I had said but one kind word!" I gasped.

"Oh," sobbed Deborah, "if they kill my poor Ben, 'twill break my heart."

"Ben?" said I, wondering.

"Oh, 'twas him lifted me into the boat so gentle!" she wailed. "'Tis him hath so looked and looked on me when he might and ... kissed me behind your back, so clever, ma'm, and give me this little gold cross and 'oh, lass,' says he and so modest, ma'm, ''twill keep ee from harm and my heart goes wi' 't!' says he."

"Lord, Deborah, I had no thought of this—"

"No more had I, ma'm, leastways not much till he kissed me, and the little cross; see here it be!" And drawing the cross from her bosom, she pressed it to her rosy lips, kissing it so fervently that I was amazed, for Deborah had proved something of a coquette ere now.

"Why, Deborah," said I, "you really love this man?"

"Ay, for sure, for sure!" she sobbed. "Wi' all my body and soul!"

"But gracious me, Deborah, you've scarce seen him."

"Ay, true, ma'm, yet enough to know he be the one ... the only man.... And now if he be killed ..." So now I set myself to comfort her as best I might and she so sweetly grateful therefor as moved me to a tenderness for her greater than I had ever known. Thus down in our noisome prison we two poor souls shivered, and clasped and comforted each other, while above us cannon roared and thundered and all about us and over us fierce battle raged, whiles ever and anon above this dreadful tumult rose wild shouts and hoarse cheering. Awhile thus we clung together (as I say), being shocked and terrified by this universal din; but presently in the dark above us I espied a trap-door, so I mounted the table and reaching this trap found to my joy that I could lift it. So on the table I placed a chair and with Deborah to steady this, up I climbed and, throwing back the trap-door, saw nothing but gloom. Nevertheless, with Deborah's unwilling aid, and deaf to her remonstrances, I scrambled through and standing in the darkness looked about me until afar I saw a vague light that I argued must be another trap-door.

"Deborah," says I, peering down at her anxious face, "bide you there—"

"Nay, ma'm, don't leave me!" she wailed. "For 'deed, I dursn't venture me up there—" Thus assured, I turned and began to make my way toward that vague radiance, when down I pitched over some obstacle. Shaken, though all undeterred, I went on more cautiously and so presently came to a ladder and climbing this, found myself on another deck where the light, much stronger, showed me a gangway with steps. And there I paused dismayed, for now the din of battle was much louder; above me was the wild trampling of many feet and confused uproar of voices pierced ever and anon by the hoarse shout of old Lovepeace, with the more dreadful wailing of stricken men, while in my nostrils was the choking reek of gunpowder.

And after some while, summoning all my resolution, I went creeping up the stair into a place so thick with smoke that I could scarce see my way and thus presently stumbled on something that stirred to my foot, groaning dismally ... and now, as I recoiled, shocked and trembling, I heard again old Lovepeace roar.

"High it is, my lads—aim high. Sweep their fo'castle and poop; so shall the Lord make 'em as corn to the sickle—" Guiding myself by this familiar roar, I presently came where he stood beside a great cannon, peering along it through the porthole, yet scarce knew him, so black was he with powder smoke and his long white hair streaked dreadfully with blood.

"Oh, Master Lovepeace," cried I, "show me how to get up into the daylight."

"How now!" he exclaimed, "Good lack, is 't thee, child? And here on my gun deck.... Ahoy, Ben!" he roared. "Ben, come you and bear this lady aloft."

"Ay, ay, sir," cried a voice behind me and then powerful arms swept me up and I was looking into the face above me, a comely face despite its grime and I saw he had great gold rings in his ears. And now, as he bore me on and up, and with wondrous ease, said I:

"Are you the Ben that gave a gold cross to my maid Deborah?"

"Ay, I be so, lady," he answered, nodding.

"And do you then love her truly, Ben?"

"Ay, I do so, lady," said he, nodding more fervently and looking down on me with such bright, honest eyes I must needs believe him.

"Why, then," said I, "should we ever win safe back to England, and your love endure so long, there shall be a cottage for you when she's your wife." Now at this he gaped at me, then:

"Lord!" he exclaimed, "Lord love me!" And so he brought me up into the blessed daylight.

"At your service, lady!" quoth he, setting me down. "But I'm needed alow; my gun be short-'anded like!" And so, touching an eyebrow at me, he vanished back into the smoke of old Lovepeace's gun deck. And now, when I turned to reach that which is called the poop, I stood suddenly aghast, for there outstretched before me, and all about him a horrible stain, lay poor Tom Parsons most dreadfully dead. For a moment I stood sick and nigh aswoon at this ghastly sight then, stumbling to the great mast, I sank down thereby, striving against a growing faintness; and as I crouched, deafened by the wild clamour about me, my eyes smarting with powder smoke, high and clear above this roaring hubbub one shouted:

"Forrard there, Ezekiel!"

"Ay, ay, Japhet!" cried Penryn's sweetly sonorous voice.

"Pass Farrance the word to cease fire."

"Ay, ay, Japhet!" And now, looking up, I saw him high above me on that lofty deck they call the poop, gesturing to the steersman with his drawn sword. And presently he cried again:

"Forrard there, Ezekiel!"

"Ay, ay, Japhet!"

"Stand by to grapple by the larboard."

"Ay so, Japhet."

And now, coming to the ship's side, he leaned there, peering down through the drifting smoke.

"All's fast, Japhet!"

"Then pipe the boarders!" Hereupon rose the clear flute-like twitter of Absalom Troy's silver pipe, and then as the men sprang, mustering themselves, down the ladder came Captain Japhet to run and place himself at their head.

"Boarders away!" he cried. I saw him leap to the ship's side, saw the flash of his sword and then he had vanished and after him Penryn and the rest of the men, cheering fiercely and brandishing swords, pikes and axes, until the deck showed deserted save for one or two shapes that lay so dreadfully mute and still.

Then I too had reached the ship's side and peering down saw that I shall nevermore forget.

Directly below me lay one of the galleys, her tall mast shot away and all aflash and aflicker with cruel steel, where men smote and stabbed at each other with a dreadful fury. I saw Captain Japhet smitten to his knees and his smiter transfixed on the long sword of Master Barnabas. And then, what with these ghastly sights and the foul reek of this galley, I shrank half-swooning once more. When I looked again, I beheld Mr. Penryn and his fellows amid the rowing benches where men were chained like beasts. And then, with a roar, the slaves broke free and, like wild beasts indeed, leapt to action; barehanded, with their broken shackles or weapons snatched haphazard, they fought and with such dire ferocity that when I dared look again the battle was ended; and I staring and staring amid that close-packed press for one that should be there, yet one I could not see.

I beheld these new-freed slaves embracing their deliverers or dancing half-naked in their rags, singing for joy while others wept and some prayed, though many lay sprawled in death among the spattered rowing benches; yet look where I might, nowhere could I see the one form I sought. And then I heard his voice ring out strong above the din:

"Comrades all, stand by! Ye that were slaves are free, this galley yours to bear ye where ye will. Only this,—first ye shall aid us to trans-ship such o' the cargo as we will. And now, are there any among ye that be Englishmen?"

"That am I.... And I.... I too!" cried divers of them.

"Why then, such o' ye as choose to ship 'neath the Broken Shackle along of us, get aboard." And now, seeing them about to throw their dead into the sea (friend and foe alike), I made my way back to the poop and from this eminence saw how the Deliverance was scarred here and there by shot and her decks horridly splashed with deep and awful stains. Nevertheless, I looked upon the great ship now with tender eyes, since it seemed she was indeed a deliverance from such horror of cruelty as till now had been far beyond my imagination.

The battle being done, I stood where I might watch the aftermath of this dreadful business. And great wonder was it to me to see with what speed and cheery goodwill these freed slaves aided their deliverers to strip the galley of the richest of her cargo.

But presently hearing a scream, I turned from the busy scene and beheld a man, very bloody, busied tending divers of the wounded where they lay, and shuddering turned me aside, and thus espied another who watched, and this none other than Captain Japhet himself. He lay awkwardly and his face so deadly pale that I came nearer, whereat he glanced up.

"What, Madam Will-o'-the-Wisp!" said he.

"You are wounded then!" said I, stooping nearer.

"Ma'm," he answered, "you tell me that of which I'm pretty well 'ware. Faith, I've been sure of it this half-hour, though 'tis no great matter as wounds go, and I made shift to bandage it aboard the galley."

"Yet it bleeds," said I, shuddering.

"Yet 'twill serve till Crabtree our surgeon yonder can tend it, for there be worse cases, alas!"

"Yet you are the Captain."

"And so—I wait."

"No!" said I. "For, since needs must, I will stay your bleeding."

"You?" says he with his odious smile.

"Come!" said I, frowning at him. "Aid me with your coat, lest I hurt you." So between us off came the coat, the which I folded and set beneath his head for pillow.

"Lord!" he murmured. "Now sink me,—can this be you?"

Instead of answering, I summoned a sailor who chanced near and bade him bring me water, and dispatched another hotfoot for bandages and lint from the surgeon's store. And when these were brought, I loosed the sodden bandage from Captain Japhet's arm and recoiled shuddering at what I saw.

"Alack and now will she languish!" says he in mocking voice. "What, Purdy man, stand by with that water lest the lady swoon."

"Mocking devil!" said I 'twixt shut teeth, and clapping a cold compress on his pulsing wound, was glad to see him wince. So having bathed thus and bandaged his hurt, "There, sir," quoth I, "spare me your unwanted thanks and get your most detested self to bed and out of my sight."

"Ma'm," says he, sitting up, "having saved my life upon a day, you must now cherish my hurts? Now what shall this portend, think ye?"

"Oh, get you to bed!" cried I and so left him. But when, reaching the poop, I looked back from this elevation, what should I see but this Captain fellow (and despite his wound) hard at work beside the busy surgeon and was minded to go back and proffer my assistance; but being all foredone by my late experiences, went on down into the cabin and finding my Deborah there, and all aflutter with anxiety, I suffered her to undress me and having bathed my smoke-grimed, weary body got me to bed. And lying there, aching yet content, whiles Deborah bustled softly to and fro, my mind must run upon this man that, so fierce in fight, could yet wait his turn with such patient humility and was even now labouring to the comfort of his men.

"Deborah," said I, "the world methinks is upside down."

"Lud, my dearie, and what'll you mean by that, I wonder?"

"Ay—what?" I murmured. "'Tis this that troubles me—what? Black can never be white, nor base lead pure gold, can it, Deborah?"

"No, never, ma'm."

"No, never!" I repeated, in ever-growing perplexity; maugre the which I presently fell very sweetly asleep.