to have and to hold-第33章

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madam　mistaken　or　bewitched。〃

〃It　's　not　a　likely　tale；〃　I　said　grimly；　〃seeing　that　we　had　already　opened　fire　upon　them。〃

〃I　trust　in　heaven　the　sharks　got　the　men　who　fired　the　culverins！〃　he　cried；　and　then　laughed　at　his　own　savagery。

I　lay　still　and　tried　to　think。　〃Who　are　they　on　board？〃　I　asked　at　last。

〃I　don't　know；〃　he　replied。　〃I　was　only　on　deck　until　my　lord　had　had　his　say　in　the　poop　cabin　with　the　master　and　a　gentleman　who　appeared　most　in　　authority。　Then　the　pirates　were　strung　up；　and　we　were　bundled　down　here　in　quick　order。　But　there　seems　to　be　more　of　quality　than　usual　aboard。〃

〃You　do　not　know　where　we　are？〃

〃We　lay　at　anchor　for　a　day；　…　whilst　they　patched　her　up；　I　suppose；　…　and　since　then　there　has　been　rough　weather。　We　must　be　still　off　Florida；　and　that　is　all　I　know。　Now　go　to　sleep。　You'll　get　your　strength　best　so；　and　there's　nothing　to　be　gotten　by　waking。〃

He　began　to　croon　a　many…versed　psalm。　I　slept　and　waked；　and　slept　again；　and　was　waked　by　the　light　of　a　torch　against　my　eyes。　The　torch　was　held　by　a　much…betarred　seaman；　and　by　its　light　a　gentleman　of　a　very　meagre　aspect；　with　a　weazen　face　and　small　black　eyes；　was　busily　examining　my　wounded　shoulder　and　arm。

〃It　passeth　belief；〃　he　said　in　a　sing…song　voice；　〃how　often　wounds；　with　naught　in　the　world　done　for　them　outside　of　fair　water　and　a　clean　rag；　do　turn　to　and　heal　out　of　sheer　perversity。　Now；　if　I　had　been　allowed　to　treat　this　one　properly　with　scalding　oil　and　melted　lead；　and　to　have　bled　the　patient　as　he　should　have　been　bled；　it　is　ten　to　one　that　by　this　time　there　would　have　been　a　pirate　the　less　in　the　world。〃　He　rose　to　his　feet　with　a　highly　injured　countenance。

〃Then　he's　doing　well？〃　asked　Sparrow。

〃So　well　that　he　could　n't　do　better；〃　replied　the　other。　〃The　arm　was　a　trifling　matter；　though　no　doubt　exquisitely　painful。　The　wound　in　the　shoulder　is　miraculously　healing；　without　either　blood…letting　or　cauteries。　You'll　have　to　hang　after　all；　my　friend。〃　He　looked　at　me　with　his　little　beady　eyes。　〃It　must　　have　been　a　grand　life；〃　he　said　regretfully。　〃I　never　expected　to　see　a　pirate　chief　in　the　flesh。　When　I　was　a　boy；　I　used　to　dream　of　the　black　ships　and　the　gold　and　the　fighting。　By　the　serpent　of　Esculapius；　in　my　heart　of　hearts　I　would　rather　be　such　a　world's　thief；　uncaught；　than　Governor　of　Virginia！〃　He　gathered　up　the　tools　of　his　trade；　and　motioned　to　his　torchbearer　to　go　before。　〃I'll　have　to　report　you　rapidly　recovering；〃　he　said　warningly；　as　he　turned　to　follow　the　light。

〃Very　well；〃　I　made　answer。　〃To　whom　am　I　indebted　for　so　much　kindness？〃

〃I　am　Dr。　John　Pott；　newly　appointed　physician　general　to　the　colony　of　Virginia。　It　is　little　of　my　skill　I　could　give　you；　but　that　little　I　gladly　bestow　upon　a　real　pirate。　What　a　life　it　must　have　been！　And　to　have　to　part　with　it　when　you　are　yet　young！　And　the　good　red　gold　and　the　rich　gems　all　at　the　bottom　of　the　sea！〃

He　sighed　heavily　and　went　his　way。　The　hatches　were　closed　after　him；　and　the　minister　and　I　were　left　in　darkness　while　the　slow　hours　dragged　themselves　past　us。　Through　the　chinks　of　the　hatches　a　very　faint　light　streamed　down；　and　made　the　darkness　gray　instead　of　black。　The　minister　and　I　saw　each　other　dimly；　as　spectres。　Some　one　brought　us　mouldy　biscuit　that　I　wanted　not；　and　water　for　which　I　thirsted。　Sparrow　put　the　small　pitcher　to　his　lips；　kept　it　there　a　moment；　then　held　it　to　mine。　I　drank；　and　with　that　generous　draught　tasted　pure　bliss。　It　was　not　until　five　minutes　later　that　I　raised　myself　upon　my　elbow　and　turned　on　him。

〃The　pitcher　felt　full　to　my　lips！〃　I　exclaimed。　〃Did　you　drink　when　you　said　you　did？〃

He　put　out　his　great　hand　and　pushed　me　gently　down。　〃I　have　no　wound；〃　he　said；　〃and　there　was　not　enough　for　two。〃

The　light　that　trembled　through　the　cracks　above　died　away；　and　the　darkness　became　gross。　The　air　in　the　hold　was　stifling；　our　souls　panted　for　the　wind　and　the　stars　outside。　At　the　worst；　when　the　fetid　blackness　lay　upon　our　chests　like　a　nightmare；　the　hatch　was　suddenly　lifted；　a　rush　of　pure　air　came　to　us；　and　with　it　the　sound　of　men's　voices　speaking　on　the　deck　above。　Said　one；　〃True　the　doctor　pronounces　him　out　of　all　danger；　yet　he　is　a　wounded　man。〃

〃He　is　a　desperate　and　dangerous　man；〃　broke　in　another　harshly。　〃I　know　not　how　you　will　answer　to　your　Company　for　leaving　him　unironed　so　long。〃

〃I　and　the　Company　understand　each　other；　my　lord；〃　rejoined　the　first　speaker；　with　some　haughtiness。　〃I　can　keep　my　prisoner　without　advice。　If　I　now　order　irons　to　be　put　upon　him　and　his　accomplice；　it　is　because　I　see　fit　to　do　so；　and　not　because　of　your　suggestion；　my　lord。　You　wish　to　take　this　opportunity　to　have　speech　with　him；　…　to　that　I　can　have　no　objection。〃

The　speaker　moved　away。　As　his　footsteps　died　in　the　distance　my　lord　laughed；　and　his　merriment　was　echoed　by　three　or　four　harsh　voices。　Some　one　struck　flint　against　steel；　and　there　was　a　sudden　flare　of　torches　and　the　steadier　light　of　a　lantern。　A　man　with　a　brutal；　weather…beaten　face　…　the　master　of　the　ship；　we　guessed　…　came　down　the　ladder；　lantern　in　hand；　turned　when　he　had　reached　the　foot；　aud　held　up　the　lantern　to　light　my　lord　down。　I　lay　and　watched　the　King's　favorite　as　he　descended。　　The　torches　held　slantingly　above　cast　a　fiery　light　over　his　stately　figure　and　the　face　which　had　raised　him　from　the　low　estate　of　a　doubtful　birth　and　a　most　lean　purse　to　a　pinnacle　too　near　the　sun　for　men　to　gaze　at　with　undazzled　eyes。　In　his　rich　dress　and　the　splendor　of　his　beauty；　with　the　red　glow　enveloping　him；　he　lit　the　darkness　like　a　baleful　star。

The　two　torchbearers　and　a　third　man　descended；　closing　the　hatch　after　them。　When　all　were　down；　my　lord；　the　master　at　his　heels；　came　and　stood　over　me。　I　raised　myself；　though　with　difficulty；　for　the　fever　had　left　me　weak　as　a　babe；　and　met　his　gaze。　His　was　a　cruel　look；　if　I　had　expected；　as　assuredly　I　did　not　expect；　mercy　or　generosity　from　this　my　dearest　foe；　his　look　would　have　struck　such　a　hope　dead。　Presently　he　beckoned　to　the　men　behind　him。　〃Put　the　manacles　upon　him　first；〃　he　said；　with　a　jerk　of　his　thumb　toward　Sparrow。

The　man　who　had　come　down　last；　and　who　carried　irons　enough　to　fetter　six　pirates；　started　forward　to　do　my　lord's　bidding。　The　master　glanced　at　Sparrow's　great　frame；　and　pulled　out　a　pistol。　The　minister　laughed。　〃You'll　not　need　it；　friend。　I　know　when　the　odds　are　too　great。〃　He　held　out　his　arms；　and　the　men　fettered　them　wrist　to　wrist。　When　they　had　finished　he　said　calmly：　〃　'I　have　seen　the　wicked　in　great　power；　and　spreading　himself　like　a　green　bay　tree。　Yet　he　passed　away；　and；　lo；　he　was　not：　yea；　I　sought　him；　but　he　could　not　be　found。'　〃

My　lord　turned　from　him；　and　pointed　to　me。　He　kept　his　eyes　upon　my　face　while　they　shackled　me　hand　and　foot；　then　said　abruptly；　〃You　have　cords　there：　bind　his　arms　to　his　sides。〃　The　men　wound　　the　cords　around　me　many　times。　〃Draw　them　tight；〃　commanded　my　lord。

There　came　a　wrathful　clank　of　the　minister's　chains。　〃The　arm　is　torn　and　inflamed　from　shoulder　to　wrist；　as　I　make　no　doubt　you　have　been　told！〃　he　cried。　〃For　very　shame；　man！〃

〃Draw　them　tighter；〃　said　my　lord；　between　his　teeth。

The　men　knotted　the　cords；　and　rose　to　their　feet；　to　be　dismissed　by　my　lord　with　a　curt　〃You　may　go。〃　They　drew　back　to　the　foot　of　the　ladder；　while　the　master　of　the　ship　went　and　perched　himself　upon　one　of　the　rungs。　〃The　air　is　fresher　here　beneath　the　hatch；〃　he　remarked。

As　for　me；　though　I　lay　at　my　enemy's　feet；　I　could　yet　set　my　teeth　and　look　him　in　the　eyes。　The　cup　was　bitter；　but　I　could　drink　it　with　an　unmoved　face。

〃Art　paid？〃　he　demanded。　〃Art　paid　for　the　tree　in　the　red　forest　without　the　haunted　wood？　Art　paid；　thou　bridegroom？〃

〃No；〃　I　answered。　〃Bring　her　here　to　laugh　at　me　as　she　laughed　in　the　twilight　beneath　the　guesthouse　window。〃

I　thought　he　would　murder　me　with　the　poniard　he　drew；　but　presently　he　put　it　up。

〃She　is　come　to　her　senses；〃　he　said。　〃Up　in　the　state　cabin　are　bright　lights；　and　wine　and　laughter。　There　are　gentlewomen　aboard；　and　I　have　been　singing　to　the　lute；　to　them　…　and　to　her。　She　is　saved　from　the　peril　into　which　you　plunged　her；　she　knows　that　the　King's　Court　of　High　Commission；　to　say　nothing　of　the　hangman；　will　soon　snap　the　fetters　which　she　now　shudders　to　think　of；　that　the　King　and　one　besides　will　condone　her　past　short　madness。　　Her　cheeks　are　roses；　her　eyes　are　stars。　But　now；　when　I　pressed　her　hand　between　the　verses　of　my　song；　she　smiled　and　sighed　and　blushed。　She　is　again　the　dutiful　ward　of　the　King；　the　Lady　Jocelyn　Leigh　…　she　hath　asked　to　be　so　called〃　…

〃You　lie；〃　I　said。　〃She　is　my　true　and　noble　wife。　She　may　sit　in　the　state　cabin；　in　the　air　and　warmth　and　light；　she　may　even　laugh　with　her　lips；　but　her　heart　is　here　with　me　in　the　hold。〃

As　I　spoke；　I　knew；　and　knew　not　how　I　knew；　that　the　thing　which　I　had　said　was　true。　With　that　knowledge　came　a　happiness　so　deep　and　strong　that　it　swept　aside　like　straw　the　torment　of　those　cords；　and　the　deeper　hurt　that　I　lay　at　his　feet。　I　suppose　my　face　altered；　and　mirrored　that　blessed　glow　about　my　heart；　for　into　his　own　came　a　white　fury；　changing　its　beauty　into　something　inhuman　and　terrifying。　He　looked　a　devil　baffled。　For　a　minute　he　stood　there　rigid；　with　hands　clenched。　〃Embrace　her　heart；　if　thou　canst；〃　he　said；　in　a　voice　so　low　that　it　came　like　a　whisper　from　the　realm　he　might　have　left。　〃I　shall　press　my　face　against　her　bosom。〃

Another　minute　of　a　silence　that　I　disdained　to　break；　then　he　turned　and　went　up　the　ladder。　The　seamen　and　the　master　followed。　The　hatch　was　clapped　to　and　fastened；　and　we　were　left　to　the　darkness　and　the　heavy　air；　and　to　a　grim　endurance　of　what　could　not　be　cured。

During　those　hours　of　thirst　and　torment　I　came　indeed　to　know　the　man　who　sat　beside　me。　His　hands　were　so　fastened　that　he　could　not　loosen　the　cords；　and　there　was　no　water　for　him　to　give　me；　but　he　could　and　did　bestow　a　higher　alms；　…　the　tenderness　of　a　brother；　the　manly　sympathy　of　a　soldier；　the　balm　　of　the　priest　of　God。　I　lay　in　silence；　and　he　spoke　not　often；　but　when　he　did　so；　there　was　that　in　the　tone　of　his　voice　…　Another　cycle　of　pain；　and　I　awoke　from　a　half　swoon；　in　which　there　was　water　to　drink　and　no　anguish；　to　hear　him　praying　beside　me。　He　ceased　to　speak；　and　in　the　darkness　I　heard　him　draw　his　breath　hard　and　his　great　muscles　crack。　Suddenly　there　came　a　sharp　sound　of　breaking　iron；　and　a　low　〃Thank　Thee；　Lord！〃　Another　moment；　and　I　felt　his　hands　busy　at　the　knotted　cords。　〃I　will　have　them　off　thee　in　a　twinkling；　Ralph；〃　he　said；　〃thanks　to　Him　who　taught　my　hands　to　war；　and　my　arms　to　break　in　two　a　bow　of　steel。〃　As　he　spoke；　the　cords　loosened　beneath　his　fingers。

I　raised　my　head　and　laid　it　on　his　knee；　and　he　put　his　great　arm；　with　the　broken　chain　dangling　from　it；　around　me；　and；　like　a　mother　with　a　babe；　crooned　me　to　sleep　with　the　twenty…third　psalm。



CHAPTER　XXVI　　IN　WHICH　I　AM　BROUGHT　TO　TRIAL


MY　lord　came　not　again　into　the　hold；　and　the　untied　co