CHAPTER XXXVII.
_Don Sanchez again proves himself the most mannerly rascal in theworld._
In silence we led Mrs. Godwin to the seat we had occupied, and seatingourselves we said not a word for some time. For my own part, therealisation of our loss threw my spirits into a strange apathy; 'twas asif some actual blow had stunned my senses. Yet I remember observing theMoors about their business,--despatching one to Elche for a train ofmules, charging a second boat with merchandise while the first returned,etc.
"I can feel for you," says Mrs. Godwin at length, addressing Dawson,"for I also have lost an only child."
"Your daughter Judith, Madam?" says I.
"She died two years ago. Yours still lives," says she, again turning toDawson, who sat with a haggard face, rocking himself like one nursing agreat pain. "And while there is life, there's hope, as one says."
"Why, to be sure," says Jack, rousing himself. "This is no more, Kit,than we bargained for. Tell me, Madam, you who know that country, do youthink a carpenter would be held in esteem there? I'm yet a strong man,as you see, with some good serviceable years of life before me. D'yethink they'd take me in exchange for my Moll, who is but a bit of agirl?"
"She is beautiful, and beauty counts for more than strength andabilities there, poor man," says she.
"I'll make 'em the offer," says he, "and though they do not agree togive her freedom, they may yet suffer me to see her time and again, if Iwork well."
"'Tis strange," says she. "Your child has told me all your history. HadI learnt it from other lips, I might have set you down for rogues,destitute of heart or conscience; yet, with this evidence before me, Imust needs regard you and your dear daughter as more noble than manywhose deeds are writ in gold. 'Tis a lesson to teach me faith in thegoodness of God, who redeems his creatures' follies, with one touch oflove. Be of good cheer, my friend," adds she, laying her thin hand onhis arm. "There _is_ hope. I would not have accepted this ransom--no,not for all your daughter's tears and entreaties--without good assurancethat I, in my turn, might deliver her."
I asked the old gentlewoman how this might be accomplished.
"My niece," says she, dwelling on the word with a smile, as if happy inthe alliance, "my niece, coming to Barbary of her free will, is not aslave like those captured in warfare and carried there by force. Sheremains there as a hostage for me, and will be free to return when Isend the price of my ransom."
"Is that a great sum?"
"Three thousand gold ducats,--about one thousand pounds English."
"Why, Madam," says Dawson, "we have nothing, being now reduced to ourlast pieces. And if you have the goodness to raise this money, Heavenonly knows how long it may be ere you succeed. 'Tis a fortnight'sjourney, at the least, to England, and then you have to deal with yoursteward, who will seek only to put obstacles in your way, so that sixweeks may pass ere Moll is redeemed, and what may befall her in themeantime?"
"She is safe. Ali Oukadi is a good man. She has nought to fear while sheis under his protection. Do not misjudge the Moors. They have manyestimable qualities."
"Yet, Madam," says I, "by your saying there is hope, I gather there mustbe also danger."
"There is," answers she, at which Jack nods with conviction. "Abeautiful young woman is never free from danger" (Jack assents again)."There are good and bad men amongst the Moors as amongst other people."
"Aye, to be sure," says Dawson.
"I say she is safe under the protection of Ali Oukadi, but when theransom is paid and she leaves Thadviir, she may stand in peril."
"Why, that's natural enough," cries Dawson, "be she amongst Moors or noMoors; 'tis then she will most need a friend to serve her, and one thatknows the ins and outs of the place and how to deal with these Turksmust surely be better than any half-dozen fresh landed and raw to theirbusiness." Then he fell questioning Mrs. Godwin as to how Moll waslodged, the distance of Thadviir from Alger, the way to get there, anddivers other particulars, which, together with his eager, cheerfulvivacity, showed clearly enough that he was more firmly resolved thanever to go into Barbary and be near Moll without delay. And presently,leaving me with Mrs. Godwin, he goes down to the captain of the galley,who is directing the landing of goods from the play-boat, and, with suchsmall store of words as he possessed, aided by plentiful gesture, heenters into a very lively debate with him, the upshot of which was thatthe captain tells him he shall start the next morning at daybreak ifthere be but a puff of air, and agrees to carry him to Alger for acouple of pieces (upon which they clap hands), as Dawson, in high glee,informs us on his return.
"And now, Kit," says he, "I must go back to Elche to borrow those sametwo pieces of Don Sanchez, so I pray you, Madam, excuse me."
But just then the train of mules from Elche appears, and with them Sidiben Ahmed, who, having information of Mrs. Godwin coming, brings alitter for her carriage, at the same time begging her to accept hishospitality as the true friend of her niece Moll. So we all return toElche together, and none so downcast as I at the thought of losing myfriend, and speculating on the mischances that might befall him; for Idid now begin to regard him as an ill-fated man, whose best intentionsbrought him nothing but evil and misfortune.
Being come to Elche, Don Sanchez presented himself to Mrs. Godwin withall the dignity and calm assurance in the world, and though she receivedhim with a very cold, distant demeanour, as being the deepest rascal ofus all and the one most to blame, yet it ruffled him never a bit, but hecarried himself as if he had never benefited himself a penny by hisroguery and at her expense.
On Dawson asking him for the loan of a couple of pieces and telling hisproject, the Don drew a very long serious face and tried his utmost todissuade him from it, so that at first I suspected him of being loath topart with this petty sum; but herein I did him injustice, for, findingDawson was by no means to be turned from his purpose, he handed him hispurse, advising him the first thing he did on arriving at Alger topresent himself to the Dey and purchase a firman, giving him protectionduring his stay in Barbary (which he said might be done for a few silverducats). Then, after discussing apart with Sidi, he comes to Mrs.Godwin, and says he:
"Madam, with your sanction my friend Sidi ben Ahmed will charge Mr.Dawson with a letter to Ali Oukadi, promising to pay him the sum ofthree thousand gold ducats upon your niece being safely conducted hitherwithin the space of three weeks."
"Senor," answers she, "I thank Sidi ben Ahmed very deeply--and youalso," adds she, overcoming her compunctions, "for this offer. Butunhappily, I cannot hope to have this sum of money in so short a time."
"It is needless to say, Madam," returns he, with a scrape, "that inmaking this proposal I have considered of that difficulty; my friend hasagreed to take my bond for the payment of this sum when it shall beconvenient to you to discharge it."
Mrs. Godwin accepted this arrangement with a profound bow, whichconcealed the astonishment it occasioned her. But she drew a longbreath, and I perceived she cast a curious glance at all three of us, asif she were marvelling at the change that must have taken place incivilised countries since her absence, which should account for a packof thieves nowadays being so very unlike what a pack of thieves was inher young days.