CHAPTER XXII
TELLETH HOW WE WERE CAST ADRIFT
I awoke to a wind on my brow, very pleasant and sweet, and in my earsthe soft and drowsy ripple of water right soothing to hear, and thuswould have slumbered on but for another sound that broke out atintervals, a thunderous roar that seemed to shake me where I lay.Therefore I opened my eyes to see above me a great multitude of stars,and lay staring up at them in vague and dreamy wonderment until, rousedagain by another thunderclap, I raised myself and saw I lay in thestern-sheets of a large, open boat that rocked to a gentle swell, andall about me a misty sea grey with the dawn. Now as I gazed around me,greatly troubled and amazed, I beheld, far away across these dimwaters, a flash of red flame, and after some while heard again thethunder of a gun.
Little by little, as the light waxed, I made out the loom of two shipsand, despite the distance, I knew the foremost for the "FaithfulFriend." Ever and anon would come the faint crack of caliver orpetronel from her high poop, and the thunder of her stern-chase guns.And with my mind's eyes I seemed to espy Adam firing from his loopholesto sweep the decks forward, the while Godby and his few gunners servedthe great basilisks aft, aiming them at a tall, black ship that stoodhard in their wake, yawing now and then to bring her fore-chase to bearon them in answer.
Suddenly up flamed the sun turning sea and sky to glory; but I crouchedmiserable in my helplessness, for now I saw the "Faithful Friend"steered a course that was taking her rapidly away from me upon thefreshening wind. Perceiving which bitter truth, beholding myself thusbefooled, bubbled and tricked (and my head throbbing from the blow ofPenfeather's pistol-butt) a mighty anger against him surged within me,and shaking my fists I fell to fierce curses and revilings, like anymadman, until what with my aching head and lack of breath, I castmyself face down and lay there spent with my futile ravings. Yet evenso, bethinking me of all my fine schemes and purposes thus brought tonothingness and myself drifting impotent at the mercy of wind and wave,I sought to spit my puny anger against the God that made me, inblasphemies and bitter imprecations.
"O shame, shame on you, Martin Conisby! The God you rail upon is myGod also. Have done, I say! Be silent, nor tempt His mercy with yourchildish clamours!"
Up-starting I turned and beheld the Lady Brandon upon her knees withina yard of me, saw her shrink before my gaze and the griping passion ofmy hands; for now, reading in her look all her scorn and loathing forthe thing I was, I must needs turn my fury upon her and did that thewhich shames me to this day, for even as she fronted me, alldefenceless but with head erect and eyes unflinching despite the sickpallor of her cheeks, I seized her in cruel hold and, dragging her tome, bent her backward across a thwart.
"Ha!" I gasped, "Will ye dare cry shame on me? Will ye mock--will yeflout--will ye scorn me still--and you but a lying, thieving Brandon!Would you trample me 'neath your proud feet--."
"All this!" says she, staring up into my eyes, "But I do pity you mostfor--what you are become. O--kill me if you will, 'twould be very easyfor you and, mayhap, best for me, and I do not fear to die. So do asyou will, Martin Conisby, I do not fear you since Death is my kindfriend and shall free me of the shame of you if need be!"
Hereupon I loosed her and, crouched again in the stern-sheets, bowed myhead upon my fists, whiles she, kneeling patiently beside the midshipthwart, ordered her wrenched garments with shaking hands.
And, after some while, her voice with its sweet, vital ring, pierced tothose black deeps where lay the soul of me:
"'Tis growing very rough. What must we do?"
Lifting my head, I saw that the sea was risen considerably, and theboat drifting broadside to the wind, so that the waves, taking usabeam, spilled aboard us ever and anon. So I arose and made shift tostep the mast and hoist sail, nothing heeding her proffered aid; thenshipping the tiller, I put our little vessel before the wind. And now,from a log pitching and rolling at mercy of the waves, this boatbecame, as it were, alive and purposeful, lifting to the seas withjoyous motion, shaking the water from her bows in flashing brine thatsparkled jewel-like in the early sun, her every timber thrilling to thebuffets of the waters that rushed bubbling astern all rainbow-hued andwith a sound like elfin laughter, until what with all this and thestrong, sweet air, even I felt the joy of it; but though my blackhumour lifted somewhat, my shame was sore upon me, wherefore I kept mygaze for the peak of the sail, the cloudless heaven, the deep blue ofthe seas, and never so much as glanced at the patient, solitary figureamidships.
"Whither do we sail?" she questioned at last.
"What matter?" says I sullenly.
"Aye, true!" she sighed.
"Besides, I have no compass."
"There is one in the locker here, and with it a packet and a letterwrit to you. Shall I bring them?"
"As you will," says I, keeping my gaze averted. So she makes her wayover to me (and mighty dexterous) despite the motion of the boat, andsetting the compass beside me, gives me the letter. It was sealed, andsubscribed thus:
"To my well-loved, trusty friend, comrade and brother-adventurerMartin, these:"
Breaking the seal, I read as follows:
"For your sore head, Martin, I grieve, but the blow I regret no whitseeing it was struck to our mutual advantage hereafter. Now you(reading this) being at sea betwixt the parallels 70 and 65 in an openboat and all by reason of circumstances proving too strong for you,Martin, it much behoveth you to mark and heed well these my directions,to wit: You shall lay your course south-westerly, and that for theseseveral and sufficing reasons, viz., (1) You lie out of the track ofships. (2) These be treacherous seas, given to sudden furies of windand raging tempest. (3) I like not the look of the weather. (4) OurIsland lieth scarce twenty-four hours' sail due south-westerly.Whereof I have drawn for your guidance a chart of these waters,together with a plan of our Island (very just and exact). Also a chartof the passage or channel through the barrier-reef, for saving thispassage, there is no landing upon the island that I know of. Nor shallyou attempt this passage except at the flood and the seas calm. Beinglanded, Martin, you shall, with due regard to rest and refreshment,forthwith secure our Treasure (the secret whereof I have included withthis my letter). Thereupon, and with all dispatch, you shall,troubling not for the gold or silver, take but the four caskets ofjewels, and, setting them aboard your boat, sail away due West (threedays) until you shall fetch up with another island, the which you shallknow by its three several hills plain to be seen, and called GibbetIsland, since 'twas there I hanged one Juan Maldonada (and richlydeserved it!). Here then you shall bury our Treasure (four caskets) insuch place as seemeth to you proper, and there await my coming. And ifI join you not within two months, then shall this mighty treasurethree-quarters thereof be yours. And if I come not within six months,then shall this fortune be wholly yours since I shall be beyond allneed of it. So now, Martin, good Fortune attend you. Your boat(chosen by me long since, and for this very purpose) is staunch, and anexcellent sea-boat and very well stored with everything for your needs,as arms, clothes, food and the like. Moreover within the treasure-caveis all manner of stores, so that a man even though he bides on the landto his life's end need suffer no lack, but have his every comfortsupplied.
And now, as to your head, Martin, 'twill be none the worse by this, Ijudge. And for the blow, 'twas no harder than called for, and verywell intentioned, as you shall confess one day, mayhap, unless you begreater fool and blinder than I take you for. Howbeit I trust you,Martin, and in bidding you farewell for the nonce, subscribe myself,
Your faithful friend and comrade to serve, Adam Penfeather."
Having read this wordy missive, I crumpled it in angry fist and thrustit into my pocket. But now she gives me the packet named therein, thewhich I forthwith tossed overboard (like the wilful fool I was).Thereby involving us in divers and many great dangers and difficulties,as you shall learn hereafter.
Howbeit (the wind serving) I altered our course and stood awaysouth-westerly even as A
dam had directed, since I perceived the weatherthickening behind us and the sea heaving with uneasy motion. Andpresently my companion questions me again:
"Whither do we sail?"
"South-westerly."
"Aye, but whither?"
"To an island."
"Is it far?"
"Two days' journey or thereabouts."
"Do you know this island?"
"I have never seen it."
"Then why sail thither?"
"'Tis thereabouts Penfeather would meet with us again if he may."
"And being there, what then?"
"God knoweth!"
Here was silence again save for the creak of mast and timbers as werose to the gentle swell and the ripple of water 'neath our keel, whilethe sun, high risen, blazed down from the blue, his fierce beamstempered by the cool, sweet wind.
"Are you hungry, Martin?"
"Is there aught to eat?"
"Plenty!" So saying she opened one of the lockers and brought thence aloaf of fine white bread, a neat's tongue, a flask of wine, and a smallbarrico of water, upon which I, for one, made an excellent meal. Whichdone, she sets all things away again, very orderly, and sits elbow onknee, staring away into the distance and with her back to me.Hereupon, I opened the stern-locker and found therein a couple ofmusquetoons, a brace of pistols, a sword with belt and hangers, anddivers kegs of powder and ball.
"How came you lying stunned in the boat?" says my companion at last,but without turning her head.
"By roguery!" I answered. "But how and when did the mutiny start?"
"'Twas when we went to fetch the boy, my little page, Marjorie and I.He lay hurt and crying on the deck; so we ran out to him and took himup betwixt us, and then I heard shouts and rush of feet, and they wereall about us--drunken men singing and dancing. And they struggled withus till came Master Penfeather, with Godby and others, and after muchbitter fighting brought us away. But Marjorie, my dear, faithfulMarjorie, had taken a blow aimed at me and died ... in my arms ... Andthe great cabin choking with powder-smoke ... and wounded men who criedand shouted. My dear, brave Marjorie! With the dark the fight beganagain, and twice I feared they would break in upon us. Then MasterAdam brought me into the stern-gallery and lowered me into the boatwhere I might lie secure, and so got him back into the battle. But in alittle I saw a hand in the gloom cutting at the tow-rope, and Iscreamed, but none heard. And so the boat drifted away, and with thedawn I found you lying under a boat-cloak."
When she had done, I sat awhile staring up at the peak of the sail:
"My Lady Brandon," says I at length, "Fate hath set you in scurvycompany, for I am an ill rogue, very rough and rude-mannered, and nofit company for any woman, as you do very well know. Howbeit, I swearthat henceforth, so long as we company together, I will trouble you nomore than I may, either by act or speech, you to your place in the bowsyonder in mine here at the tiller, you to your thoughts, I to mine.And thus methinks we shall do well enough until we can go our severalways."
"Must we not speak?" she questioned, keeping her face turned from me.
"When needful, madam!"
"Am I but to answer when you deign me notice? Will it plague you if Ising? Am I to sit with my hands folded henceforth and do nought butthink? Must I stay in the bows until you summon me thence?" says she,and all in the same small, soft voice, so that I perceived my finespeech had been thrown away; wherefore I stared up at the sail and withnever a word in answer.
But presently, chancing to look at her, I found her regarding me withher dimpled chin set mighty resolute; "Because," says she, meeting mylook, "I shall talk when I will and sing when so minded, MartinConisby. I shall not sit in the bows for 'tis wet there, and I shallnot fold my hands, but you shall teach me how to steer and handle theboat and do my share of the labour. For look now, here are we, by nowill of our own, God knoweth, companions in misfortune, let us then aideach other that our troubles be the easier. And O pray do you forgetMartin Conisby his woes awhile." And away she goes, and getting to herknees before one of the lockers, begins rearranging the contents,singing away the while merry as any grig.
As the day wore on, the skies clouded over with a wind very sudden andblusterous, wherefore, misliking the look of things, I was forshortening sail, but feared to leave the helm lest the boat shouldbroach to and swamp while this was a-doing. But the wind increasing, Iwas necessitated to call my companion beside me and teach her how shemust counter each wind-gust with the helm, and found her very apt andquick to learn. So leaving the boat to her manage I got me forward and(with no little to-do) double-reefed our sail, leaving just sufficientto steer by; which done I glanced to my companion where she leaned tothe tiller, her long hair streaming out upon the wind, her lithe bodya-sway to the pitching of the boat and steering as well as I myself.From her I gazed to windward where an ominous and ever-growingblackness filled me with no small apprehensions; wherefore I made fastall our loose gear, as oars, spare sail, spars and the like. Now inthe bows were stowed her belongings, a leathern trunk and diversbundles, the which I proceeded to secure in their turn. This done, Igot me aft again, but when I would have relieved her of the tiller, sheshook her head.
"Nay, let me steer a while," she cried, looking up through herwind-tossed hair, "'tis joy to me! Lay you down and rest a while andtrust the boat to me." And seeing how quick she was to meet each sendof the seas (that were already running high) glad enough was I tohumour her whim, and clambered forward again. And there (having noughtbetter to do) I set about rigging a rough awning athwart the bows, withcanvas and a stout spar, which methought should keep out the spray andany chance sea that might break forward; though indeed the boat seemedmighty staunch, and sea-worthy to a miracle.
With every hour the wind waxed in fury and therewith the sea rose,huge, rolling billows that came roaring up astern to whirl us aloftamid hissing brine and passing, left us deep-plunged in great, foaminghollows. Being got back aft at last and with no small exertion (byreason of the boat's pitching) I stared amazed to hear my companionsinging right joyously.
"O Martin!" she cried, her voice a-thrill with the clear, vital ring Iknew so well, "O Martin, the wonder and glory of it! See yonder onthese mighty waters, Death rides crying to us. But God is there also,and if these rushing surges 'whelm us we, dying, shall find God there."And beholding her as she sat, her face uplifted to the tempest, hersea-wet hair upborne upon the wind, I marvelled within myself. "Andthe boat, Martin!" cries she as we rose on a hissing wave-crest, "Thisdear, brave boat! See how nobly she rides--indeed and indeed I do loveher every timber!"
And verily to me, awed by these mighty waters, it was wonderful to seehow our little craft rose to the seas, buoyant as any cork; now poised'mid hissing foam high in air, now plunging dizzily down; and ever thewind gathered fury until the very air seemed full of whirling spindrift.
In a while I took the tiller, and wondered to see my companion droopall at once with head bowed upon her hands.
"Are you sick?" I cried.
"'Tis but weariness," she answered, "I slept no wink last night."
"Why then go forward and lie down!" says I. The which she didforthwith, and made less business of it than I. Reaching the mast shepaused thereby to behold my handiwork, then going on her knees creptbeneath the awning and vanished from my view.
Left alone I stared around me on the raging tumult, and beholding allits terrors my mind was full of wonder of this maid who could sing soblithely with Death all about her and behold God, as it were, riding onthe wings of the storm.
Presently she comes and sits close beside me that we might talk, forthe wind was very loud.
"It was kind of you to make me so fair a shelter, Martin, and a bedalso, kind and very thoughtful, but I shall not sleep to-night unlessit be here."
"And why here?"
"Death hath more terrors in the dark and I grow a little fearful,Martin." So saying she wrapped a boat-cloak about her and, spreadingout the other, lay down there
on and so near that I might have touchedher where she lay.
And in a while Night rushed down upon us and it was dark; but from thedark her voice reached me where she lay, her head pillowed at my feet,and I, crouching above her, strove to shelter her somewhat from thelashing spray and buffeting wind. Thus in despite of raging tempest wecontrived to make each other hear though with difficulty, talking onthis wise:
She: Are you afraid?
Myself: No.
She: Have you then no fears of death?
Myself: I have prayed for it, ere now.
She: And vainly! For God, instead, hath made you very hale and strong.
Myself: Aye, for a purpose.
She: What purpose?
Here, seeing I held my peace, she questioned me again: "Was yourpurpose the slaying of my father? He is an old man and feeble!"
Myself: He plotted the downfall of our house and slew my father!
She: And so you have prayed for vengeance?
Myself: I have.
She: And God hath denied you this also. Should you die to-night you goto him innocent of your enemy's blood.
Myself: Aye, but if I live--?
She: You shall grow wiser, mayhap, and forgetting the ill that liesbehind you, reach out to the good that lieth before.
Myself: And what of my just vengeance?
She: Vengeance is but for the weak of soul, 'tis only the strong canforgive.
Myself: What of my sacred vow? What of my many prayers for vengeance?
She: Empty breath!
Myself: Dare you say so?
She: I dare more, for lying here with Death all about us I tell you,Martin Conisby, despite your size and strength, you are no better thana pitiful, peevish child--"
"Ha!" cried I fiercely, bending over her in the dimness until I mightstare into her eyes, wide and dark in the pale oval of her face, "Willye dare--"
"A child," says she again, nodding at me, "lost and wilful and veryselfish with no thought above Martin Conisby and his wrongs. Nay, scowlnot nor grind your teeth, 'tis vain! For how may I, that fear notGod's dreadful tempest, stoop to fear poor Martin Conisby?"
"Stoop, madam?" I cried hoarsely.
"Aye, stoop," says she. "The wrongs you have endured have plunged youto the very deeps, have stripped you of your manhood. And yet--yours isno murderer's face even when you scowl and clench your fist! 'Twas soyou looked when you fought that rough boy on my behalf so many yearsago when you were Sir Martin the Knight-errant and I was PrincessDamaris. And now, Martin, you that were my playmate and hadforgot--you that were so ready to fight on my behalf--in thisdesolation there is none you may do battle with for my sake savingonly--Martin Conisby!"
Now here she turned, her face hid from me 'neath a fold of the greatboat-cloak, and spake no more. And I, crouched above her, staring downat her muffled form outstretched thus at my mercy, felt my quiveringfist relax, felt my brutish anger cower before her trust andfearlessness. And so, leaning across the tiller, I stared away intothe raging dark; and now it seemed that the soul of me had sunk todeeps more black and, groping blindly there, hungered for the light.
So all night long we drove before the tempest through a pitchy gloomfull of the hiss of mighty seas that roared past us in the dark likeraging giants. And all night long she lay, her head pillowed at myfeet, sleeping like a wearied child, and her long, wind-tossed hairwithin touch of my hand.