CHAPTER XX.
If your father will do me any honor, so; If not, let him kill the next Percy himself: I look to be either earl or duke, I can assure you. Falstaff.
Manual cast sundry discontented and sullen looks from his captors to theremnant of his own command, while the process of pinioning the latterwas conducted, with much discretion, under the directions of SergeantDrill, when meeting, in one of his dissatisfied glances, with the paleand disturbed features of Griffith, he gave vent to his ill-humor, bysaying:
"This results from neglecting the precautions of military discipline.Had the command been with men, who, I may say, without boasting, havebeen accustomed to the duties of the field, proper pickets would havebeen posted, and instead of being caught like so many rabbits in aburrow, to be smoked out with brimstone, we should have had an openfield for the struggle; or we might have possessed ourselves of thesewalls, which I could have made good for two hours at least, against thebest regiment that ever wore King George's facings."
"Defend the outworks before retreating to the citadel!" criedBorroughcliffe; "'tis the game of war, and shows science: but had youkept closer to your burrow, the rabbits might now have all been friskingabout in that pleasant abode. The eyes of a timid hind were greeted thismorning, while journeying near this wood, with a passing sight of armedmen in strange attire; and as he fled, with an intent of casting himselfinto the sea, as fear will sometimes urge one of his kind to do, heluckily encountered me on the cliffs, who humanely saved his life, bycompelling him to conduct us hither. There is often wisdom in science,my worthy contemporary in arms; but there is sometimes safety inignorance."
"You have succeeded, sir, and have a right to be pleasant," said Manual,seating himself gloomily on a fragment of the ruin, and fastening hislooks on the melancholy spectacle of the lifeless bodies, as they weresuccessively brought from the vault and placed at his feet; "but thesemen have been my own children, and you will excuse me if I cannot retortyour pleasantries. Ah! Captain Borroughcliffe, you are a soldier, andknow how to value merit. I took those very fellows, who sleep on thesestones so quietly, from the hands of nature, and made them the prideof our art. They were no longer men, but brave lads, who ate and drank,wheeled and marched, loaded and fired, laughed or were sorrowful, spokeor were silent, only at my will. As for soul, there was but one amongthem all, and that was in my keeping! Groan, my children, groan freelynow; there is no longer a reason to be silent. I have known a singlemusket-bullet cut the buttons from the coats of five of them in arow, without raising the skin of a man! I could ever calculate, withcertainty, how many it would be necessary to expend in all regularservice; but this accursed banditti business has robbed me of thechoicest of my treasures. You stand at ease now, my children; groan, itwill soften your anguish."
Borroughcliffe appeared to participate, in some degree, in the feelingsof his captive, and he made a few appropriate remarks in the way ofcondolence, while he watched the preparations that were making by hisown men to move. At length his orderly announced that substitutes forbarrows were provided to sustain the wounded, and inquired if it werehis pleasure to return to their quarters.
"Who has seen the horse?" demanded the captain; "which way did theymarch? Have they gained any tidings of the discovery of this party ofthe enemy?"
"Not from us, your honor," returned the sergeant; "they had riddenalong the coast before we left the cliffs, and it was said their officerintended to scour the shore for several miles, and spread the alarm."
"Let him; it is all such gay gallants are good for. Drill, honor isalmost as scarce an article with our arms just now as promotion. We seembut the degenerate children of the heroes of Poictiers;--you understandme, sergeant?"
"Some battle fou't by his majesty's troops against the French, yourhonor," returned the orderly, a little at a loss to comprehend theexpression of his officer's eye.
"Fellow, you grow dull on victory," exclaimed Borroughcliffe: "comehither, I would give you orders. Do you think, Mister Drill, thereis more honor, or likely to be more profit, in this little morning'samusement than you and I can stand under?"
"I should not, your honor: we have both pretty broad shoulders----"
"That are not weakened by undue burdens of this nature," Interruptedhis captain, significantly: "if we let the news of this affair reach theears of those hungry dragoons, they would charge upon us open-mouthed,like a pack of famished beagles, and claim at least half the credit, andcertainly all the profit."
"But, your honor, there was not a man of them even----"
"No matter, Drill; I've known troops that have been engaged, andhave suffered, cheated out of their share of victory by a well-wordeddespatch. You know, fellow, that in the smoke and confusion of a battle,a man can only see what passes near him, and common prudence requiresthat he only mention in his official letters what he knows can't beeasily contradicted. Thus your Indians, and, indeed, all allies, are notentitled to the right of a general order, any more than to the rightof a parade. Now, I dare say, you have heard of a certain battle ofBlenheim?"
"Lord! your honor, 'tis the pride of the British army, that and theCulloden! 'Twas when the great Corporal John beat the French king, andall his lords and nobility, with half his nation in arms to back him."
"Ay! there is a little of the barrack readings in the account, but it issubstantially true; know you how many French were in the field that day,Mister Drill?"
"I have never seen the totals of their muster, sir, in print; but,judging by the difference betwixt the nations, I should suppose somehundreds of thousands."
"And yet, to oppose this vast army, the duke had only ten or twelvethousand well-fed Englishmen! You look astounded, sergeant!"
"Why, your honor, that does seem rather an over-match for an old soldierto swallow; the random shot would sweep away so small a force."
"And yet the battle was fought, and the victory won! but the Duke ofMarlborough had a certain Mr. Eugene, with some fifty or sixty thousandHigh-Dutchers, to back him. You never heard of Mr. Eugene?"
"Not a syllable, your honor; I always thought that Corporal John----"
"Was a gallant and great general; you thought right, Mister Drill. Sowould a certain nameless gentleman be also, if his majesty would sign acommission to that effect. However, a majority is on the high road toa regiment, and with even a regiment a man is comfortable! In plainEnglish, Mister Drill, we must get our prisoners into the abbey withas little noise as possible, in order that the horse may continue theirgambols along the coast, without coming to devour our meal. All thefuss must be made at the war-office: for that trifle you may trust me;I think I know who holds a quill that is as good in its way as the swordhe wears. Drill is a short name, and can easily be written within thefolds of a letter."
"Lord, your honor!" said the gratified halberdier, "I'm sure such anhonor is more--but your honor can ever command me!"
"I do; and it is to be close, and to make your men keep close, untilit shall be time to speak, when I pledge myself there shall be noiseenough." Borroughcliffe shook his head, with a grave air, as hecontinued: "It has been a devil of a bloody fight, sergeant! look atthe dead and wounded; a wood on each flank--supported by a ruin in thecentre. Oh! ink--ink can be spilt on the details with great effect. Go,fellow, and prepare to march."
Thus enlightened on the subject of his commander's ulterior views,the non-commissioned agent of the captain's wishes proceeded to givesuitable instructions to the rest of the party, and to make themore immediate preparations for a march. The arrangements were sooncompleted. The bodies of the slain were left unsheltered, the seclusionof the ruin being deemed a sufficient security against the danger of anydiscovery, until darkness should favor their removal, In conformity withBorroughcliffe's plan to monopolize the glory. The wounded were placedon rude litters composed of the muskets and blankets of the prisoners,when the conquerors and vanquished moved together in a compact bodyfrom the ruin, in such a manner as to make the former serve as a mask tocon
ceal the latter from the curious gaze of any casual passenger. Therewas but little, indeed, to apprehend on this head, for the alarm andterror, consequent on the exaggerated reports that flew through thecountry, effectually prevented any intruders on the usually quiet andretired domains of St. Ruth.
The party was emerging from the wood, when the cracking of branches, andrustling of dried leaves, announced, however, that an interruption ofsome sort was about to occur.
"If it should be one of their rascally patrols!" exclaimedBorroughcliffe, with very obvious displeasure; "they trample like aregiment of cavalry! but, gentlemen, you will acknowledge yourselves,that we were retiring from the field of battle when we met thereinforcement, if it should prove to be such."
"We are not disposed, sir, to deny you the glory of having achieved yourvictory single-handed," said Griffith, glancing his eyes uneasily in thedirection of the approaching sounds, expecting to see the Pilot issuefrom the thicket in which he seemed to be entangled, instead of anydetachment of his enemies.
"Clear the way, Caesar!" cried a voice at no great distance from them;"break through the accursed vines on my right, Pompey!--press forward,my fine fellows, or we may be too late to smell even the smoke of thefight."
"Hum!" ejaculated the captain, with his philosophic indifference ofmanner entirely re-established, "this must be a Roman legion just awokefrom a trance of some seventeen centuries, and that the voice of acenturion. We will halt, Mister Drill, and view the manner of an ancientmarch!"
While the captain was yet speaking, a violent effort disengaged theadvancing party from the thicket of brambles in which they had beenentangled, when two blacks, each bending under a load of firearms,preceded Colonel Howard, into the clear space where Borroughcliffe hadhalted his detachment. Some little time was necessary to enable theveteran to arrange his disordered dress, and to remove the perspiringeffects of the unusual toil from his features, before he could observethe addition to the captain's numbers.
"We heard you fire," cried the old soldier, making, at the same time,the most diligent application of his bandana, "and I determined to aidyou with a sortie, which, when judiciously timed, has been the meansof raising many a siege; though, had Montcalm rested quietly within hiswalls, the plains of Abr'am might never have drunk his blood."
"Oh! his decision was soldierly, and according to all rules of war,"exclaimed Manual; "and had I followed his example, this day might haveproduced a different tale!"
"Why, who have we here!" cried the colonel, in astonishment; "who is itthat pretends to criticise battles and sieges, dressed in such a garb?"
"Tis a dux incognitorum, my worthy host," said Borroughcliffe; "whichmeans, in our English language, a captain of marines in the service ofthe American Congress."
"What! have you then met the enemy? ay! and by the fame of the immortalWolfe, you have captured them!" cried the delighted veteran. "I waspressing on with a part of my garrison to your assistance, for I hadseen that you were marching in this direction, and even the report of afew muskets was heard."
"A few!" interrupted the conqueror; "I know not what you call a few, mygallant and ancient friend: you may possibly have shot at each other bythe week in the days of Wolfe, and Abercrombie, and Braddock; but I toohave seen smart firing, and can hazard an opinion in such matters Therewas as pretty a roll made by firearms at the battles on the Hudson asever rattled from a drum; it is all over, and many live to talk of it,but this has been the most desperate affair, for the numbers, I ever wasengaged in! I speak always with a reference to the numbers. The wood ispretty well sprinkled with dead; and we have contrived to bring off afew of the desperately wounded with us, as you may perceive."
"Bless me!" exclaimed the surprised veteran, "that such an engagementshould happen within musket-shot of the abbey, and I know so little ofit! My faculties are on the wane, I fear, for the time has been when asingle discharge would rouse me from the deepest sleep."
"The bayonet is a silent weapon," returned the composed captain, witha significant wave of his hand; "'tis the Englishman's pride, and everyexperienced officer knows that one thrust from it is worth the fire of awhole platoon."
"What, did you come to the charge!" cried the colonel; "by the Lord,Borroughcliffe, my gallant young friend, I would have given twentytierces of rice, and two able-bodied negroes, to have seen the fray!"
"It would have been a pleasant spectacle to witness, sans disputation,"returned the captain; "but victory is ours without the presence ofAchilles, this time. I have them, all that survive the affair; at least,all that have put foot on English soil."
"Ay! and the king's cutter has brought in the schooner!" added ColonelHoward. "Thus perish all rebellion for ever more! Where's Kit? mykinsman, Mr. Christopher Dillon; I would ask him what the laws of therealm next prescribe to loyal subjects. Here will be work for the jurorsof Middlesex, Captain Borroughcliffe, if not for a secretary of state'swarrant. Where is Kit, my kinsman; the ductile, the sagacious, the loyalChristopher?"
"The Cacique 'non est,' as more than one bailiff has said of sundryclever fellows in our regiment, when there has been a pressing occasionfor their appearance," said the soldier; "but the cornet of horse hasgiven me reason to believe that his provincial lordship, who repairedon board the cutter to give intelligence of the position of the enemy,continued there to share the dangers and honors of naval combat."
"Ay, 'tis like him!" cried the colonel, rubbing his hands with glee;"'tis like him! he has forgotten the law and his peaceful occupations,at the sounds of military preparation, and has carried the head of astatesman into the fight, with the ardor and thoughtlessness of a boy."
"The Cacique is a man of discretion," observed the captain, with all hisusual dryness of manner, "and will, doubtless, recollect his obligationsto posterity and himself, though he be found entangled in the mazes ofa combat. But I marvel that he does not return, for some time hasnow elapsed since the schooner struck her flag, as my own eyes havewitnessed."
"You will pardon me, gentlemen," said Griffith, advancing towards themwith uncontrollable interest; "but I have unavoidably heard part of yourdiscourse, and cannot think you will find it necessary to withhold thewhole truth from a disarmed captive: say you that a schooner has beencaptured this morning?"
"It is assuredly true," said Borroughcliffe, with a display of natureand delicacy in his manner that did his heart infinite credit; "but Iforbore to tell you, because I thought your own misfortunes would beenough for one time. Mr. Griffith, this gentleman is Colonel Howard,to whose hospitality you will be indebted for some favors before weseparate."
"Griffith!" echoed the colonel, in quick reply, "Griffith! what a sightfor my old eyes to witness!--the child of worthy, gallant, loyal HughGriffith a captive, and taken in arms against his prince! Young man,young man, what would thy honest father, what would his bosom friend,my own poor brother Harry, have said, had it pleased God that theyhad survived to witness this burning shame and lasting stigma on thyrespectable name?"
"Had my father lived, he would now have been upholding the independenceof his native land," said the young man, proudly. "I wish to respecteven the prejudices of Colonel Howard, and beg he will forbear urging asubject on which I fear we never shall agree."
"Never, while thou art to be found in the ranks of rebellion!" cried thecolonel. "Oh! boy! boy! how I could have loved and cherished thee, ifthe skill and knowledge obtained in the service of thy prince werenow devoted to the maintenance of his unalienable rights! I loved thyfather, worthy Hugh, even as I loved my own brother Harry."
"And his son should still be dear to you," interrupted Griffith, takingthe reluctant hand of the colonel into both his own.
"Ah, Edward, Edward!" continued the softened veteran, "how many of myday-dreams have been destroyed by thy perversity! nay, I know not thatKit, discreet and loyal as he is, could have found such a favor in myeyes as thyself; there is a cast of thy father in that face and smile,Ned, that might have won me to anything short of treason--and thenC
icely, provoking, tender, mutinous, kind affectionate, good Cicely,would have been a link to unite us forever."
The youth cast a hasty glance at the deliberate Borroughcliffe, who, ifhe had obeyed the impatient expression of his eye, would have followedthe party that was slowly bearing the wounded towards the abbey, beforehe yielded to his feelings, and answered:
"Nay, sir; let this then be the termination of ourmisunderstanding--your lovely niece shall be that link, and you shall beto me as your friend Hugh would have been had he lived, and to Ceciliatwice a parent."
"Boy, boy," said the veteran, averting his face to conceal the workingof his muscles, "you talk idly; my word is now plighted to my kinsmanKit, and thy scheme is impracticable."
"Nothing is impracticable, sir, to youth and enterprise, when aided byage and experience like yours," returned Griffith; "this war must soonterminate."
"This war!" echoed the colonel, shaking loose the grasp which Griffithheld on his arm; "ay! what of this war, young man? Is it not an accursedattempt to deny the rights of our gracious sovereign, and to placetyrants, reared in kennels, on the throne of princes! a scheme toelevate the wicked at the expense of the good! a project to aidunrighteous ambition, under the mask of sacred liberty and the popularcry of equality! as if there could be liberty without order! or equalityof rights, where the privileges of the sovereign are not as sacred asthose of the people!"
"You judge us harshly, Colonel Howard," said Griffith.
"I judge you!" interrupted the old soldier, who, by this time, thoughtthe youth resembled any one rather than his friend Hugh; "it is not myprovince to judge you at all; if it were!--but the time will come, thetime will come. I am a patient man, and can wait the course of things;yes, yes, age cools the blood, and we learn to suppress the passionsand impatience of youth: but if the ministry would issue a commission ofjustice for the colonies, and put the name of old George Howard in it,I am a dog, if there should be a rebel alive in twelve months. Sir,"turning sternly to Borroughcliffe, "in such a case, I could prove aRoman, and hang--hang--yes, I do think, sir, I could hang my kinsman,Mr. Christopher Dillon!"
"Spare the Cacique such unnatural elevation before his time," returnedthe captain with a grave wave of the hand: "behold," pointing towardsthe wood, "there is a more befitting subject for the gallows! Mr.Griffith, yonder man calls himself your comrade?"
The eyes of Colonel Howard and Griffith followed the direction of hisfinger, and the latter instantly recognized the Pilot, standing inthe skirts of the wood, with his arms folded, apparently surveying thecondition of his friends.
"That man," said Griffith, in confusion, and hesitating to utter eventhe equivocal truth that suggested itself, "that man does not belong toour ship's company."
"And yet he has been seen in _your_ company," returned the incredulousBorroughcliffe; "he was the spokesman in last night's examination,Colonel Howard, and, doubtless, commands the rear-guard of the rebels."
"You say true," cried the veteran; "Pompey! Caesar! present! fire!"
The blacks started at the sudden orders of their master, of whom theystood in the deepest awe; and, presenting their muskets, they avertedtheir faces, and, shutting their eyes, obeyed the bloody mandate.
"Charge!" shouted the colonel, flourishing the ancient sword with whichhe had armed himself, and pressing forward with all the activity thata recent fit of the gout would allow, "charge, and exterminate the dogswith the bayonet! push on, Pompey--dress, boys, dress."
"If your friend stands this charge," said Borroughcliffe to Griffith,with unmoved composure, "his nerves are made of iron; such a chargewould break the Coldstreams; with Pompey in the ranks!"
"I trust in God," cried Griffith, "he will have forbearance enough torespect the weakness of Colonel Howard!--he presents a pistol!"
"But he will not fire; the Romans deem it prudent to halt; nay, byheaven, they countermarch to the rear. Holla! Colonel Howard, my worthyhost, fall back on your reinforcements; the wood is full of armedmen; they cannot escape us; I only wait for the horse to cut off theretreat."
The veteran, who had advanced within a short distance of the single manwho thus deliberately awaited the attack, halted at this summons; andby a glance of his eye, ascertained that he stood alone. Believing thewords of Borroughcliffe to be true, he slowly retired, keeping his facemanfully towards his enemy, until he gained the support of the captain.
"Recall the troops, Borroughcliffe!" he cried, "and let us chargeinto the wood; they will fly before his majesty's arms like guiltyscoundrels, as they are. As for the negroes, I'll teach the blackrascals to desert their master at such a moment. They say Fear is pale,but, damme, Borroughcliffe, if I don't believe his skin is black."
"I have seen him of all colors; blue, white, black, and particolored,"said the captain. "I must take the command of matters on myself,however, my excellent host; let us retire into the abbey, and trust meto cut off the remainder of the rebels."
In this arrangement the colonel reluctantly acquiesced, and the threefollowed the soldier to the dwelling, at a pace that was adapted to theinfirmities of its master. The excitement of the onset, and the currentof his ideas, had united, however, to banish every amicable thoughtfrom the breast of the colonel, and he entered the abbey with a resolutedetermination of seeing justice dealt to Griffith and his companions,even though it should push them to the foot of the gallows.
As the gentlemen disappeared from his view, among the shrubbery of thegrounds, the Pilot replaced the weapon that was hanging from his hand,in his bosom, and, turning with a saddened and thoughtful brow, heslowly re-entered the wood.