CHAPTER VIII
Concerning the Events that Prompted Me to a Desperate Resolve
My father had been removed to his room, and was now lying on hisbed, his head and shoulders raised and supported by pillows, for thenature of his wound had caused him to fight hard for breath.
He was now quite conscious, though very weak. Captain Jeremyafterwards said that what with cupping and applying leeches MasterBlackwood had kept down the fever, but had also done his patientmore harm than good.
My father knew full well that the end was at hand, yet he faced itmanfully, like the stanch old seaman he was. I fancy his voicefaltered when he spoke to me of Constance, but beyond that he wascalm and collected, giving me advice as to my future, and preparinghimself for the end.
'Tis unnecessary to dwell upon the events of the next few hours, forthe remembrance of that mournful time is an affair for the minds ofour own family; but just before midnight, at dead low water by theshore, as Captain Jeremy had predicted, my father passed peacefullyaway.
Neither do I care to relate too minutely the happenings of thefollowing week. There was, according to custom, an inquest, but bymutual consent Captain Jeremy's name was left out of the case,although we were considerably ill at ease lest old Martha shouldbabble on't.
Two days after my father had been laid to rest under the great yewtree in Brockenhurst Churchyard I received a letter from my uncle,John Hammond, stating that, in accordance with arrangements madewith my father many years ago, he would take up his abode in ourhouse, and look after the estate.
Captain Jeremy took his departure before my uncle arrived, andjoined the party of Lymington seamen in the cave. He gave me hisassurance that his understanding with my late parent would remain asbefore, and that he would, to use his own expression, "keep hisweather eye lifting", and endeavour to find a means of procuring astout craft, in order to prosecute his search for the _Madre deDios_ treasure.
Shortly after the arrival of my uncle I had an attack of smallpox,which, Heaven be praised! left me unmarked. Master Blackwood, thechirurgeon, tended me with the utmost care, though at the time Ifeared his remedies more than I did the disorder.
August had run its course, and September was well advanced ere Icould get abroad once more, and during that time much had happenedrelating to the ill-fortuned rising in the West.
Monmouth's head had rolled on the scaffold on Tower Hill, andJeffreys had completed his circuit of the West, leaving behind him anever-to-be-forgotten record of cruelty, infamy, and shame, whilehis brutal actions in condemning Lady Alice Lisle to the stakesickened even the most loyal supporters of King James.
Then, and only then, did I realize the risk we had run in harbouringCaptain Jeremy; yet I had learnt to look upon him as the one stanchfriend in my solitude, and as such I would right willingly take allchances could I but render him further aid.
At the first opportunity, directly I felt strong enough, I crossedthe heath and stealthily approached his place of concealment. Invain I gave the call of the red deer, for no welcome reply came fromthe yawning pit; and when at length I descended by the rude ladder Ifound the place dank and deserted. Captain Miles and his men hadgone--whither?--to bondage, or to freedom?
Neither did I from that day set eyes on Black Lewis; he, too, hadvanished, and thus all chance of communicating with the honestCaptain seemed to be hopelessly lost.
One afternoon towards the close of September I was sent by my uncleinto Lymington to procure some books that an acquaintance hadpromised him.
It was a blustering day, cold for the time of year, and on thejourney I encountered several heavy showers that, for want ofshelter, soaked me to the skin. However, I accomplished my errand,and laden with a heavy burden I trudged homewards, having also takenthe opportunity of obtaining from a cutler's the blade of the daggerwith which my father had been slain, I having left it some weeksbefore for the purpose of having a hilt fitted to it.
At the outskirts of the village I almost ran into the arms ofCaptain Jeremy, who was leading a heavy cob by the bridle.
For a few moments I could scarce believe my eyes; yet 'twas he,bold, jovial, and beaming with kindliness as of yore, before thatfateful journey to the West.
"What cheer, ho!" he shouted. "I've sought you high and low."
"Oh, Captain Miles!" I exclaimed apprehensively, "is it safe for youto be seen, sir?"
"Safe?" he roared. "Why, safe as a parson's barn. Thanks to mypatron Sir William Soams, of whom I have oft spoken beforetimes, andin no small measure to a heavy drain upon my hidden hoard, I'vegained a pardon from His Majesty, and now I can flaunt my Lord ChiefJustice Jeffreys, or any of his satellites, come what may. I've gota ship, lad! A. goodly vessel--as sweet a little craft as ever you'dclap eyes on betwixt Yarmouth and Bristol. Thanks once again to SirWilliam Soams, who threw himself into my plans, the _Golden Hope_has been chartered to seek the _Madre_ treasure--and I'll warrantSir William will receive a good per centum on his outlay. She liesat Poole, lad. We sailed her round from Deptford two days agone, Iand the ten lads you saw in the hole on Brockenhurst Heath, theyhaving made their way safely one by one to a rendezvous at Wapping;and I've ridden over from Poole to tell you the news, though I ambut a sorry horseman."
"You rode well enough when you fled before the dragoons, sir."
"Aye," he replied, with a hearty laugh; "e'en though I rode thefarmer's mare to death. It beats me to think how I kept in thesaddle that day, and I've fallen thrice on my way hither; yet 'tisstrange what a man will do when he's put to it. But can you persuadeyour uncle to let you ride over to Poole and see the _Golden Hope_ere we sail? We weigh on Saturday morn, for 'tis, as you know, illluck to leave port on a Friday."
I shook my head sorrowfully.
"I fear he'll not think of it," I replied. "But, Captain Jeremy, howI wish I were off with you!"
"'Tis not to be thought of, lad. Adventuring in the Indies is no fitbusiness for you. I've spun you yarns times without number, butyou've not heard of the dark side of a seaman's life. No, no,Clifford; make the best of things and bide at home, and I'll do mybest for you and me."
"But, Captain----"
"No buts, lad; your duty lies at home. Now, say no more on 't,though I would you could see the _Golden Hope_ ere she leaves PooleHarbour. Well, well, the best of friends must say farewell, and so'tis with us. Please Heaven another couple o' years will see us homeonce more with the treasure; so good-bye, Clifford."
"Farewell, Captain Jeremy, and God be with you!"
Awkwardly the seaman scrambled into the saddle, urged his nag into atrot, and set off along the Christchurch Road, not daring to lookround for fear of losing his seat. I watched him till his burlyfigure disappeared from view, then slowly I made my way homewards.
"Why have you tarried on your errand, sirrah?" demanded my uncle, asI placed the pile of heavy books on the table. "Hast entered intoworldly and unbecoming conversation with that seafaring man who,with many strange oaths on his lips, hath troubled me with hispresence? To your room, sir! Supperless you shall go; but beforeretiring, read, mark, and learn the beautiful discourse onprocrastination as set forth in this book of godly sermons.To-morrow I'll speak further on this matter."
On the morrow he did more than speak, being a too zealous exponentof King Solomon for my peace of mind; and, smarting under thetreatment I had endured, I determined to run away and join, by hookor by crook, the good ship _Golden Hope_.