to have and to hold-第1章

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To　Have　and　To　Hold

by　Mary　Johnston






TO　
THE　MEMORY　OF
MY　MOTHER

CONTENTS
CHAPTER　I。　IN　WHICH　I　THROW　AMBS…ACE
CHAPTER　II。　IN　WHICH　I　MEET　MASTER　JEREMY　SPARROW
CHAPTER　III。　IN　WHICH　I　MARRY　IN　HASTE
CHAPTER　IV。　IN　WHICH　I　AM　LIKE　TO　REPENT　AT　LEISURE
CHAPTER　V。　IN　WHICH　A　WOMAN　HAS　HER　WAY
CHAPTER　VI。　IN　WHICH　WE　GO　TO　JAMESTOWN
CHAPTER　VII。　IN　WHICH　WE　PREPARE　TO　FIGHT　THE　SPANIARD
CHAPTER　VIII。　IN　WHICH　ENTERS　MY　LORD　CARNAL
CHAPTER　IX。　IN　WHICH　TWO　DRINK　OF　ONE　CUP
CHAPTER　X。　IN　WHICH　MASTER　PORY　GAINS　TIME　TO　SOME　PURPOSE
CHAPTER　XI。　IN　WHICH　I　MEET　AN　ITALIAN　DOCTOR
CHAPTER　XII。　IN　WHICH　I　RECEIVE　A　WARNING　AND　REPOSE　A　TRUST
CHAPTER　XIII。　IN　WHICH　THE　SANTA　TERESA　DROPS　DOWN…STREAM
CHAPTER　XIV。　IN　WHICH　WE　SEEK　A　LOST　LADY
CHAPTER　XV。　IN　WHICH　WE　FIND　THE　HAUNTED　WOOD
CHAPTER　XVI。　IN　WHICH　I　AM　RID　OF　AN　UNPROFITABLE　SERVANT
CHAPTER　XVII。　IN　WHICH　MY　LORD　AND　I　PLAY　AT　BOWLS
CHAPTER　XVIII。　IN　WHICH　WE　GO　OUT　INTO　THE　NIGHT
CHAPTER　XIX。　IN　WHICH　WE　HAVE　UNEXPECTED　COMPANY
CHAPTER　XX。　IN　WHICH　WE　ARE　IN　DESPERATE　CASE
CHAPTER　XXI。　IN　WHICH　A　GRAVE　IS　DIGGED
CHAPTER　XXII。　IN　WHICH　I　CHANGE　MY　NAME　AND　OCCUPATION
CHAPTER　XXIII。　IN　WHICH　WE　WRITE　UPON　THE　SAND
CHAPTER　XXIV。　IN　WHICH　WE　CHOOSE　THE　LESSER　OF　TWO　EVILS
CHAPTER　XXV。　IN　WHICH　MY　LORD　HATH　HIS　DAY
CHAPTER　XXVI。　IN　WHICH　I　AM　BROUGHT　TO　TRIAL
CHAPTER　XXVII。　IN　WHICH　I　FIND　AN　ADVOCATE
CHAPTER　XXVIII。　IN　WHICH　THE　SPRINGTIME　IS　AT　HAND
CHAPTER　XXIX。　IN　WHICH　I　KEEP　TRYST　
CHAPTER　XXX。　IN　WHICH　WE　START　UPON　A　JOURNEY
CHAPTER　XXXI。　IN　WHICH　NANTAUQUAS　COMES　TO　OUR　RESCUE
CHAPTER　XXXII。　IN　WHICH　WE　ARE　THE　GUESTS　OF　AN　EMPEROR
CHAPTER　XXXIII。　IN　WHICH　MY　FRIEND　BECOMES　MY　FOE
CHAPTER　XXXIV。　IN　WHICH　THE　RACE　IS　NOT　TO　THE　SWIFT
CHAPTER　XXXV。　IN　WHICH　I　COME　TO　THE　GOVERNOR'S　HOUSE
CHAPTER　XXXVI。　IN　WHICH　I　HEAR　ILL　NEWS
CHAPTER　XXXVII。　IN　WHICH　MY　LORD　AND　I　PART　COMPANY
CHAPTER　XXXVIII。　IN　WHICH　I　GO　UPON　A　QUEST
CHAPTER　XXXIX。　IN　WHICH　WE　LISTEN　TO　A　SONG




TO　HAVE　AND　TO　HOLD



CHAPTER　I　　IN　WHICH　I　THROW　AMBS…ACE


THE　work　of　the　day　being　over；　I　sat　down　upon　my　doorstep；　pipe　in　hand；　to　rest　awhile　in　the　cool　of　the　evening。　Death　is　not　more　still　than　is　this　Virginian　land　in　the　hour　when　the　sun　has　sunk　away；　and　it　is　black　beneath　the　trees；　and　the　stars　brighten　slowly　and　softly；　one　by　one。　The　birds　that　sing　all　day　have　hushed；　and　the　horned　owls；　the　monster　frogs；　and　that　strange　and　ominous　fowl　（if　fowl　it　be；　and　not；　as　some　assert；　a　spirit　damned）　which　we　English　call　the　whippoorwill；　are　yet　silent。　Later　the　wolf　will　howl　and　the　panther　scream；　but　now　there　is　no　sound。　The　winds　are　laid；　and　the　restless　leaves　droop　and　are　quiet。　The　low　lap　of　the　water　among　the　reeds　is　like　the　breathing　of　one　who　sleeps　in　his　watch　beside　the　dead。

I　marked　the　light　die　from　the　broad　bosom　of　the　river；　leaving　it　a　dead　man's　hue。　Awhile　ago；　and　for　many　evenings；　it　had　been　crimson；　…　a　river　of　blood。　A　week　before；　a　great　meteor　had　shot　through　the　night；　blood…red　and　bearded；　drawing　a　slow…fading　fiery　trail　across　the　heavens；　and　the　moon　had　risen　that　same　night　blood…red；　and　upon　　its　disk　there　was　drawn　in　shadow　a　thing　most　marvelously　like　a　scalping　knife。　Wherefore；　the　following　day　being　Sunday；　good　Mr。　Stockham；　our　minister　at　Weyanoke；　exhorted　us　to　be　on　our　guard；　and　in　his　prayer　besought　that　no　sedition　or　rebellion　might　raise　its　head　amongst　the　Indian　subjects　of　the　Lord's　anointed。　Afterward；　in　the　churchyard；　between　the　services；　the　more　timorous　began　to　tell　of　divers　portents　which　they　had　observed；　and　to　recount　old　tales　of　how　the　savages　distressed　us　in　the　Starving　Time。　The　bolder　spirits　laughed　them　to　scorn；　but　the　women　began　to　weep　and　cower；　and　I；　though　I　laughed　too；　thought　of　Smith；　and　how　he　ever　held　the　savages；　and　more　especially　that　Opechancanough　who　was　now　their　emperor；　in　a　most　deep　distrust；　telling　us　that　the　red　men　watched　while　we　slept；　that　they　might　teach　wiliness　to　a　Jesuit；　and　how　to　bide　its　time　to　a　cat　crouched　before　a　mousehole。　I　thought　of　the　terms　we　now　kept　with　these　heathen；　of　how　they　came　and　went　familiarly　amongst　us；　spying　out　our　weakness；　and　losing　the　salutary　awe　which　that　noblest　captain　had　struck　into　their　souls；　of　how　many　were　employed　as　hunters　to　bring　down　deer　for　lazy　masters；　of　how；　breaking　the　law；　and　that　not　secretly；　we　gave　them　knives　and　arms；　a　soldier's　bread；　in　exchange　for　pelts　and　pearls；　of　how　their　emperor　was　forever　sending　us　smooth　messages；　of　how　their　lips　smiled　and　their　eyes　frowned。　That　afternoon；　as　I　rode　home　through　the　lengthening　shadows；　a　hunter；　red…brown　and　naked；　rose　from　behind　a　fallen　tree　that　sprawled　across　my　path；　and　made　offer　to　bring　me　my　meat　from　the　moon　of　corn　to　the　moon　of　stags　in　exchange　for　a　　gun。　There　was　scant　love　between　the　savages　and　myself；　…　it　was　answer　enough　when　I　told　him　my　name。　I　left　the　dark　figure　standing；　still　as　a　carved　stone；　in　the　heavy　shadow　of　the　trees；　and；　spurring　my　horse　（sent　me　from　home；　the　year　before；　by　my　cousin　Percy）；　was　soon　at　my　house；　…　a　poor　and　rude　one；　but　pleasantly　set　upon　a　slope　of　green　turf；　and　girt　with　maize　and　the　broad　leaves　of　the　tobacco。　When　I　had　had　my　supper；　I　called　from　their　hut　the　two　Paspahegh　lads　bought　by　me　from　their　tribe　the　Michaelmas　before；　and　soundly　flogged　them　both；　having　in　my　mind　a　saying　of　my　ancient　captain's；　namely；　〃He　who　strikes　first　oft…times　strikes　last。〃

Upon　the　afternoon　of　which　I　now　speak；　in　the　midsummer　of　the　year　of　grace　1621；　as　I　sat　upon　my　doorstep；　my　long　pipe　between　my　teeth　and　my　eyes　upon　the　pallid　stream　below；　my　thoughts　were　busy　with　these　matters；　…　so　busy　that　I　did　not　see　a　horse　and　rider　emerge　from　the　dimness　of　the　forest　into　the　cleared　space　before　my　palisade；　nor　knew；　until　his　voice　came　up　the　bank；　that　my　good　friend；　Master　John　Rolfe；　was　without　and　would　speak　to　me。

I　went　down　to　the　gate；　and；　unbarring　it；　gave　him　my　hand　and　led　the　horse　within　the　inclosure。

〃Thou　careful　man！〃　he　said；　with　a　laugh；　as　he　dismounted。　〃Who　else；　think　you；　in　this　or　any　other　hundred；　now　bars　his　gate　when　the　sun　goes　down？〃

〃It　is　my　sunset　gun；〃　I　answered　briefly；　fastening　his　horse　as　I　spoke。

He　put　his　arm　about　my　shoulder；　for　we　were　old　friends；　and　together　we　went　up　the　green　bank　to　　the　house；　and；　when　I　had　brought　him　a　pipe；　sat　down　side　by　side　upon　the　doorstep。

〃Of　what　were　you　dreaming？〃　he　asked　presently；　when　we　had　made　for　ourselves　a　great　cloud　of　smoke。　〃I　called　you　twice。〃

〃I　was　wishing　for　Dale's　times　and　Dale's　laws。〃

He　laughed；　and　touched　my　knee　with　his　hand；　white　and　smooth　as　a　woman's；　and　with　a　green　jewel　upon　the　forefinger。

〃Thou　Mars　incarnate！〃　he　cried。　〃Thou　first；　last；　and　in　the　meantime　soldier！　Why；　what　wilt　thou　do　when　thou　gettest　to　heaven？　Make　it　too　hot　to　hold　thee？　Or　take　out　letters　of　marque　against　the　Enemy？〃

〃I　am　not　there　yet；〃　I　said　dryly。　〃In　the　meantime　I　would　like　a　commission　against　…　your　relatives。〃

He　laughed；　then　sighed；　and；　sinking　his　chin　into　his　hand　and　softly　tapping　his　foot　against　the　ground；　fell　into　a　reverie。

〃I　would　your　princess　were　alive；〃　I　said　presently。

〃So　do　I；〃　he　answered　softly。　〃So　do　I。〃　Locking　his　hands　behind　his　head；　he　raised　his　quiet　face　to　the　evening　star。　〃Brave　and　wise　and　gentle；〃　he　mused。　〃If　I　did　not　think　to　meet　her　again；　beyond　that　star；　I　could　not　smile　and　speak　calmly；　Ralph；　as　I　do　now。〃

〃　'T　is　a　strange　thing；〃　I　said；　as　I　refilled　my　pipe。　〃Love　for　your　brother…in…arms；　love　for　your　commander　if　he　be　a　commander　worth　having；　love　for　your　horse　and　dog；　I　understand。　But　wedded　love！　to　tie　a　burden　around　one's　neck　because　't　is　pink　and　white；　or　clear　bronze；　and　shaped　with　elegance！　Faugh！〃

〃Yet　I　came　with　half　a　mind　to　persuade　thee　to　that　very　burden！〃　he　cried；　with　another　laugh。

〃Thanks　for　thy　pains；〃　I　said；　blowing　blue　rings　into　the　air。

〃I　have　ridden　to…day　from　Jamestown；〃　he　went　on。　〃I　was　the　only　man；　i'　faith；　that　cared　to　leave　its　gates；　and　I　met　the　world　…　the　bachelor　world　…　flocking　to　them。　Not　a　mile　of　the　way　but　I　encountered　Tom；　Dick；　and　Harry；　dressed　in　their　Sunday　bravery　and　making　full　tilt　for　the　city。　And　the　boats　upon　the　river！　I　have　seen　the　Thames　less　crowded。〃

〃There　was　more　passing　than　usual；〃　I　said；　〃but　I　was　busy　in　the　fields；　and　did　not　attend。　What's　the　lodestar？〃

〃The　star　that　draws　us　all；　…　some　to　ruin；　some　to　bliss　ineffable；　…　woman。〃

〃Humph！　The　maids　have　come；　then？〃

He　nodded。　〃There's　a　goodly　ship　down　there；　with　a　goodly　lading。〃

〃Videlicet；　some　fourscore　waiting　damsels　and　milkmaids；　warranted　honest　by　my　Lord　Warwick；〃　I　muttered。

〃This　business　hath　been　of　Edwyn　Sandys'　management；　as　you　very　well　know；〃　he　rejoined；　with　some　heat。　〃His　word　is　good：　therefore　I　hold　them　chaste。　That　they　are　fair　I　can　testify；　having　seen　them　leave　the　ship。〃

〃Fair　and　chaste；〃　I　said；　〃but　meanly　born。〃

〃I　grant　you　that；〃　he　answered。　〃But　after　all；　what　of　it？　Beggars　must　not　be　choosers。　The　land　is　new　and　must　be　peopled；　nor　will　those　who　come　after　us　look　too　curiously　into　the　lineage　of　those　to　whom　a　nation　owes　its　birth。　What　we　in　　these　plantations　need　is　a　loosening　of　the　bonds　which　tie　us　to　home；　to　England；　and　a　tightening　of　those　which　bind　us　to　this　land　in　which　we　have　cast　our　lot。　We　put　our　hand　to　the　plough；　but　we　turn　our　heads　and　look　to　our　Egypt　and　its　fleshpots。　'T　is　children　and　wife　…　be　that　wife　princess　or　peasant　…　that　make　home　of　a　desert；　that　bind　a　man　with　chains　of　gold　to　the　country　where　they　abide。　Wherefore；　when　at　midday　I　met　good　Master　Wickham　rowing　down　from　Henricus　to　Jamestown；　to　offer　his　aid　to　Master　Bucke　in　his　press　of　business　to…morrow；　I　gave　the　good　man　Godspeed；　and　thought　his　a　fruitful　errand　and　one　pleasing　to　the　Lord。〃

〃Amen；〃　I　yawned。　〃I　love　the　land；　and　call　it　home。　My　withers　are　unwrung。〃

He　rose　to　his　feet；　and　began　to　pace　the　greensward　before　the　door。　My　eyes　followed　his　trim　figure；　richly　though　sombrely　clad；　then　fell　with　a　sudden　dissatisfaction　upon　my　own　stained　and　frayed　apparel。

〃Ralph；〃　he　said　presently；　coming　to　a　stand　before　me；　〃have　you　ever　an　hundred　and　twenty　pounds　of　tobacco　in　hand？　If　not；　I〃　…

〃I　have　the　weed；〃　I　replied。　〃What　then？〃

〃Then　at　dawn　drop　down　with　the　tide　to　the　city；　and　secure　for　thyself　one　of　these　same　errant　damsels。〃

I　stared　at　him；　and　then　broke　into　laughter；　in　which；　after　a　space　and　unwillingly；　he　himself　joined。　When　at　length　I　wiped　the　water　from　my　eyes　it　was　quite　dark；　the　whippoorwills　had　begun　to　call；　and　Rolfe　must　needs　hasten　on。　I　went　with　him　down　to　the　gate。

〃Take　my　advice；　…　it　is　that　of　your　friend；〃　he　said；　as　he　swung　himself　into　the　saddle。　He　gathered　up　the　reins　and　struck　spurs　into　his　horse；　then　turned　to　call　back　to　me：　〃Sleep　upon　my　words；　Ralph；