CHAPTER IV
OF LOVE AND WAR
All day the rain had splashed down with an unusual persistence, but nowthere was a rising wind and a dash of clear sky over to the south whichpromised fairer weather. I was blithe to see it, for we had our night'swork cut out for us and a driving storm would not add to our comfort.
From my hat, from the elbows of my riding-coat, and from my boot-heelsconstant rivulets ran; but I took pains to keep the pistols under mydoublet dry as toast. At the courtyard of the inn I flung myself from myhorse and strode to the taproom where my companions awaited me. In truththey were making the best of their circumstances. A hot water jug steamedin front of the hearth where Creagh lolled in a big armchair. At the tableCaptain Macdonald was compounding a brew by the aid of lemons, spices, andbrandy. They looked the picture of content, and I stood streaming in thedoorway a moment to admire the scene.
"What luck, Montagu?" asked Creagh.
"They're at 'The Jolly Soldier' all right _en route_ for Epsom," I toldhim. "Arrived a half hour before I left. Hamish Gorm is hanging aboutthere to let us know when they start. Volney has given orders for a freshrelay of horses, so they are to continue their journey to-night."
"And the lady?"
"The child looks like an angel of grief. She is quite out of hope. Faith,her despair took me by the heart."
"My certes! I dare swear it," returned Donald Roy dryly. "And did you makeyourself known to her?"
"No, she went straight to her room. Volney has given it out that the ladyis his wife and is demented. His man Watkins spreads the report broadcastto forestall any appeal she may make for help. I talked with the valet inthe stables. He had much to say about how dearly his master and hismistress loved each other, and what a pity 'twas that the lady has latelyfallen out of her mind by reason of illness. 'Twas the one thing thatspoilt the life of Mr. Armitage, who fairly dotes on his sweet lady. Lud,yes! And one of her worst delusions is that he is not really her husbandand that he wishes to harm her. Oh, they have contrived well theirprecious story to avoid outside interference."
I found more than one cause to doubt the fortunate issue of the enterpriseupon which we were engaged. Volney might take the other road; or he mightpostpone his journey on account of the foul weather. Still othercontingencies rose to my mind, but Donald Roy and Creagh made light ofthem.
"Havers! If he is the man you have drawn for me he will never be letting asmirr of rain interfere with his plans; and as for the other road, it willbe a river in spate by this time," the Highlander reassured me.
"Sure, I'll give you four to one in ponies the thing does not miscarry,"cried Creagh in his rollicking way. "After the King comes home I'll danceat your wedding, me boy; and here's to Mrs. Montagu that is to be,bedad!"
My wildest dreams had never carried me so far as this yet, and I flushedto my wig at his words; but the wild Irishman only laughed at myremonstrance.
"Faith man, 'tis you or I! 'Twould never do for three jolly blades like usto steal the lady from her lover and not offer another in exchange. No,no! Castle Creagh is crying for a mistress, and if you don't spunk up tothe lady Tony Creagh will."
To his humour of daffing I succumbed, and fell into an extraordinary easewith the world. Here I sat in a snug little tavern with the two mosttaking comrades in the world drinking a hot punch brewed to a nicety,while outside the devil of a storm roared and screamed.
As for my companions, they were old campaigners, not to be ruffled by theslings of envious fortune. Captain Donald Roy was wont to bear withcomposure good luck and ill, content to sit him down whistling on thesodden heath to eat his mouthful of sour brose with the same good humourhe would have displayed at a gathering of his clan gentlemen where thetable groaned with usquebaugh, mountain trout, and Highland venison.Creagh's philosophy too was all for taking what the gods sent and leavinguncrossed bridges till the morrow. Was the weather foul? Sure, the sunwould soon shine, and what was a cloak for but to keep out the rain? Inever knew him lose his light gay spirits, and I have seen him at many anevil pass.
The clatter of a horse's hoofs in the courtyard put a period to ourfestivities. Presently rug-headed Hamish Gorm entered, a splash of mudfrom brogues to bonnet.
"What news, Hamish? Has Volney started?" I cried.
"She would be leaving directly. Ta Sassenach iss in ta carriage with tadaughter of Macleod, and he will be a fery goot man to stick a dirk inwhatefer," fumed the gillie.
I caught him roughly by the shoulder. "There will be no dirk play thisnight, Hamish Gorm. Do you hear that? It will be left for your betters tosettle with this man, and if you cannot remember that you will just stayhere."
He muttered sullenly that he would remember, but it was a great pity ifHamish Gorm could not avenge the wrongs of the daughter of his chief.
We rode for some miles along a cross country path where the mud was sodeep that the horses sank to their fetlocks. The wind had driven away therain and the night had cleared overhead. There were still scudding cloudsscouring across the face of the moon, but the promise was for a clearnight. We reached the Surrey road and followed it along the heath till wecame to the shadow of three great oaks. Many a Dick Turpin of the road hadlurked under the drooping boughs of these same trees and sallied out tothe hilltop with his ominous cry of "Stand and deliver!" Many a jollygrazier and fat squire had yielded up his purse at this turn of the road.For a change we meant to rum-pad a baronet, and I flatter myself we madeas dashing a trio of cullies as any gentlemen of the heath among themall.
It might have been a half hour after we had taken our stand that therumbling of a coach came to our ears. The horses were splashing throughthe mud, plainly making no great speed. Long before we saw the chaise, thecries of the postilions urging on the horses were to be heard. After aninterminable period the carriage swung round the turn of the road andbegan to take the rise. We caught the postilion at disadvantage as he wasflogging the weary animals up the brow of the hill. He looked up andcaught sight of us.
"Out of the way, fellows," he cried testily. Next instant he slipped tothe ground and disappeared in the darkness, crying "'Ware highwaymen!" Inthe shine of the coach lamps he had seen Creagh's mask and pistol. Thevalet Watkins, sitting on the box, tried to lash up the leaders, butMacdonald blocked the way with his horse, what time the Irishman and Igave our attention to the occupants of the chaise.
At the first cry of the postilion a bewigged powdered head had been thrustfrom the window and immediately withdrawn. Now I dismounted and wentforward to open the door. From the corner of the coach into which AileenMacleod had withdrawn a pair of bright eager eyes looked into my face, butno Volney was to be seen. The open door opposite explained hisdisappearance. I raised the mask a moment from my face, and the girl gavea cry of joy.
"Did you think I had deserted you?" I asked.
"Oh, I did not know. I wass thinking that perhaps he had killed you. Iwill be thanking God that you are alive," she cried, with a sweet littlelift and tremble to her voice that told me tears were near.
A shot rang out, and then another.
"Excuse me for a moment. I had forgot the gentleman," I said, hastilywithdrawing my head.
As I ran round the back of the coach I came plump into Volney. Thoughdressed to make love and not war, I'll do him the justice to say that onewas as welcome to him as the other. He was shining in silver satin andblue silk and gold lace, but in each hand he carried a great horse pistol,one of which was still smoking at the barrel. The other he pointed at me,but with my sword I thrust up the point and it went off harmlessly in theair. Then I flung him from me and covered him with my barker. Creagh alsowas there to emphasize the wisdom of discretion. Sir Robert Volney was asdaring a man as ever lived, but he was no fool neither. He looked at myweapon shining on him in the moonlight and quietly conceded to himselfthat the game was against him for the moment. From his fingers he slippedthe rings, and the watch from his pocket-coat. To carry out our pretensionI took them and filled my pockets with his
jewelry.
"A black night, my cullies," said Volney as easy as you please.
"The colour of your business," I retorted thoughtlessly.
He started, looking at me very sharp.
"Else you would not be travelling on such a night," I explained lamely.
"Ah! I think we will not discuss my business. As it happens, the lady hasno jewelry with her. If you are quite through with us, my good fellows,we'll wish you a pleasant evening. Watkins, where's that d--d postilion?"
"Softly, Sir Robert! The night's young yet. Will you not spare us fifteenminutes while the horses rest?" proposed Creagh.
"Oh, if you put it that way," he answered negligently, his agile mind busywith the problem before him. I think he began to put two and two together.My words might have been a chance shot, but when on the heel of themCreagh let slip his name Volney did not need to be told that we were notregular fly-by-nights. His eyes and his ears were intent to pierce ourdisguises.
"Faith, my bullies, you deserve success if you operate on such nights asthis. An honest living were easier come by, but Lard! not so enticing by adeal. Your enterprise is worthy of commendation, and I would wager a ponyagainst a pinch of snuff that some day you'll be raised to a high positionby reason of it. How is it the old catch runs?
"'And three merry men, and three merry men, And three merry men are we, As ever did sing three parts in a string, All under the gallows tree.'
"If I have to get up in the milkman hours, begad, when that day comes I'llmake it a point to be at Tyburn to see your promotion over the heads ofhumdrum honest folks," he drawled, and at the tail of his speech yawned inour faces.
"We'll send you cards to the entertainment when that happy day arrives,"laughed Creagh, delighted of course at the aplomb of the Macaroni.
Donald Roy came up to ask what should be done with Watkins. It appearedthat Volney had mistaken him for one of us and let fly at him. The fellowlay groaning on the ground as if he were on the edge of expiration. Istooped and examined him. 'Twas a mere flesh scratch.
"Nothing the matter but a punctured wing. All he needs is a kerchief roundhis arm," I said.
Captain Macdonald looked disgusted and a little relieved.
"'Fore God, he deaved (deafened) me with his yammering till I thought himabout to ship for the other world. These Englishers make a geyan workabout nothing."
For the moment remembrance of Volney had slipped from our minds. As I roseto my feet he stepped forward. Out flashed his sword and ripped the maskfrom my face.
"Egad, I thought so," he chuckled. "My young friend Montagu repairing hisfallen fortunes on the road! Won't you introduce me to the othergentlemen, or would they rather remain incog? Captain Claude Duval, yourmost obedient! Sir Dick Turpin, yours to command! Delighted, 'pon my word,to be rum-padded by such distinguished--er--knights of the road."
"The honour is ours," answered Creagh gravely, returning his bow, but theIrishman's devil-may-care eyes were dancing.
"A strange fortuity, in faith, that our paths have crossed so often oflate, Montagu. Now I would lay something good that our life lines will notcross more than once more."
"Why should we meet at all again?" I cried. "Here is a piece of good turfunder the moonlight. 'Twere a pity to lose it."
He appeared to consider. "As you say, the turf is all that is to bedesired and the light will suffice. Why not? We get in each other's wayconfoundedly, and out of doubt will some day have to settle our littledifference. Well then, if 'twere done 'twere well done quickly. Faith, Mr.Montagu, y'are a man after my own heart, and it gives me a vast deal ofpleasure to accept your proposal. Consider me your most obedient tocommand and prodigiously at your service."
Raffish and flamboyant, he lounged forward to the window of the carriage.
"I beg a thousand pardons, sweet, for leaving you a few minutes alone," hesaid with his most silken irony. "I am desolated at the necessity, butthis gentleman has a claim that cannot be ignored. Believe me, I shallmake the absence very short. Dear my life, every instant that I am fromyou is snatched from Paradise. Fain would I be with you alway, but sternduty"--the villain stopped to draw a plaintive and theatric sigh--"callsme to attend once for all to a matter of small moment. Anon I shall bewith you, life of my life."
She looked at him as if he were the dirt beneath her feet, and still hesmiled his winsome smile, carrying on the mock pretense that she wasdevoted to him.
"Ah, sweet my heart!" he murmured. "'Twere cheap to die for such a lovinglook from thee. All Heaven lies in it. 'Tis better far to live for manymore of such."
There was a rush of feet and a flash of steel. Donald Roy leaped forwardjust in time, and next moment Hamish Gorm lay stretched on the turf,muttering Gaelic oaths and tearing at the sod with his dirk in an impotentrage. Sir Robert looked down at the prostrate man with his inscrutablesmile.
"Your friend from the Highlands is in a vast hurry, Montagu. He can't evenwait till you have had your chance to carve me. Well, are you ready tobegin the argument?"
"Quite at your command. There is a bit of firm turf beyond the oaks. Ifyou will lead the way I shall be with you anon."
"Lud! I had forgot. You have your adieux to make to the lady. Pray do notlet me hurry you," he said urbanely, as he picked his way daintily throughthe mud.
When he had gone I turned to the girl.
"You shall be quit of him," I told her. "You may rely on my friends if--ifthe worst happens. They will take you to Montagu Grange, and my brotherCharles will push on with you to Scotland. In this country you would notbe safe from him while he lives."
Her face was like the snow.
"Iss there no other way whatever?" she cried. "Must you be fighting withthis man for me, and you only a boy? Oh, I could be wishing for my brotherMalcolm or some of the good claymores on the braes of Raasay!"
The vanity in me was stung by her words.
"I'm not such a boy neither, and Angelo judged me a good pupil. You mightfind a worse champion."
"Oh, it iss the good friend you are to me, and I am loving you for it, butI think of what may happen to you."
My pulse leaped and my eyes burned, but I answered lightly,
"For a change think of what may happen to him, and maybe to pass the timeyou might put up a bit prayer for me."
"Believe me, I will be doing that same," she cried with shining eyes, andbefore I divined her intent had stooped to kiss my hand that rested on thecoach door.
My heart lilted as I crossed the heath to where the others were waitingfor me beyond the dip of the hillock.
"Faith, I began to think you had forgotten me and gone off with the ladyyourself," laughed Volney.
I flung off my cloak and my inner coat, for though the night was chill Iknew I should be warm enough when once we got to work. Then, strangelyenough, an unaccountable reluctance to engage came over me, and I stoodtracing figures on the heath with the point of my small sword.
"Are you ready?" asked the baronet.
I broke out impetuously. "Sir Robert, you have ruined many. Your victimsare to be counted by the score. I myself am one. But this girl shall notbe added to the list. I have sworn it; so have my friends. There is stilltime for you to leave unhurt if you desire it, but if we once cross swordsone of us must die."
"And, prithee, Mr. Montagu, why came we here?"
"Yet even now if you will desist----"
His caustic insolent laugh rang out gaily as he mouthed the speech ofTybalt in actor fashion.
"'What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagus, and thee; Have at thee, coward.'"
I drew back from his playful lunge.
"Very well. Have it your own way. But you must have some one to act foryou. Perhaps Captain Mac--er--the gentleman on your right--will secondyou."
Donald Roy drew himself up haughtily. "Feint a bit of it! I'm on the otherside of the dyke. Man, Montagu! I'm wonderi
ng at you, and him wronging aHieland lassie. Gin he waits till I stand back of him he'll go wantin', yemay lippen (trust) to that."
"Then it'll have to be you, Tony," I said, turning to Creagh. "Guard, SirRobert!"
"'Sdeath! You're getting in a hurry, Mr. Montagu. I see you're keen afterthat 'Hic Jacet' I promised you. Lard! I vow you shall have it."
Under the shifting moonlight we fell to work on the dripping heath. Wewere not unevenly matched considering the time and the circumstances. Ihad in my favour youth, an active life, and a wrist of steel. At least Iwas a strong swordsman, even though I could not pretend to anything likethe mastery of the weapon which he possessed. To some extent his superiorskill was neutralized by the dim light. He had been used to win his fightsas much with his head as with his hand, to read his opponent's intentionin advance from the eyes while he concealed his own; but the darkness,combined with my wooden face, made this impossible now. Every turn andtrick of the game he knew, but the shifting shine and shadow disconcertedhim. More than once I heard him curse softly when at a critical moment thescudding clouds drifted across the moon in time to save me.
He had the better of me throughout, but somehow I blundered throughwithout letting him find the chance for which he looked. I kept my head,and parried by sheer luck his brilliant lunges. I broke ground and wonfree--if but barely--from his incessant attack. More than once he prickedme. A high thrust which I diverted too late with the parade of tierce drewblood freely. He fleshed me again on the riposte by a one-two feint intierce and a thrust in carte.
"'L'art de donner et de ne pas recevoir,'" he quoted, as he parried mycounter-thrust with debonair ease.
Try as I would I could not get behind that wonderful guard of his. It waseasy, graceful, careless almost, but it was sure. His point was a gleamingflash of light, but it never wavered from my body line.
A darker cloud obscured the moon, and by common consent we rested.
"Three minutes for good-byes," said Volney, suggestively.
"Oh, my friends need not order the hearse yet--at least for me. Of course,if it would be any convenience----"
He laughed. "Faith, you improve on acquaintance, Mr. Montagu, like goodwine or--to stick to the same colour--the taste of the lady's lips."
I looked blackly at him. "Do you pretend----?"
"Oh, I pretend nothing. Kiss and never tell, egad! Too bad they're not foryou too, Montagu."
"I see that Sir Robert Volney has added another accomplishment to hisvices."
"And that is----?"
"He can couple a woman's name with the hint of a slanderous lie."
Sir Robert turned to Creagh and waved a hand at me, shaking his headsorrowfully. "The country boor in evidence again. Curious how it will cropout. Ah, Mr. Montagu! The moon shines bright again. Shall we have thepleasure of renewing our little debate?"
I nodded curtly. He stopped a moment to say:
"You have a strong wrist and a prodigious good fence, Mr. Montagu, but ifyou will pardon a word of criticism I think your guard too high."
"Y'are not here to instruct me, Sir Robert, but----"
"To kill you. Quite so!" he interrupted jauntily. "Still, a friendly wordof caution--and the guard _is_ overhigh! 'Tis the same fault my third had.I ran under it, and----" He shrugged his shoulders.
"Was that the boy you killed for defending his sister?" I askedinsolently.
Apparently my hit did not pierce the skin. "No. I've forgot the nominationof the gentleman. What matter? He has long been food for worms. Pardon me,I see blood trickling down your sword arm. Allow me to offer mykerchief."
"Thanks! 'Twill do as it is. Art ready?"
"Lard, yes! And guard lower, an you love me. The high guard is the onefault-- Well parried, Montagu!--I find in Angelo's pupils. Correctingthat, you would have made a rare swordsman in time."
His use of the subjunctive did not escape me. "I'm not dead yet," Ipanted.
I parried a feint une-deux, in carte, with the parade in semicircle, andhe came over my blade, thrusting low in carte. His laugh rang out clear asa boy's, and the great eyes of the man blazed with the joy of fight.
"Gad, you're quick to take my meaning! Ah! You nearly began the longjourney that time, my friend."
He had broken ground apparently in disorder, and by the feel of his swordI made sure he had in mind to parry; but the man was as full of tricks asthe French King Louis and with incredible swiftness he sent a straightthrust in high tierce--a thrust which sharply stung my ribs only, since Ihad flung myself aside in time to save my vitals.
After that came the end. He caught me full and fair in the side of theneck. A moist stifling filled my throat and the turf whirled up to meetthe sky. I knew nothing but a mad surge of rage that he had cut me topieces and I had never touched him once. As I went down I flung myselfforward at him wildly. It is to be supposed that he was off guard for themoment, supposing me a man already dead. My blade slipped along his,lurched farther forward, at last struck something soft and ripped down. Ahundred crimson points zigzagged before my eyes, and I dropped down intounconsciousness in a heap.