to have and to hold-第7章

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　that　rosy　glow；　in　the　great　armchair；　with　the　turbaned　negress　behind　her。　I　suppose　Rolfe　saw　the　same　thing；　for　he　looked　from　the　light　to　me；　and　I　heard　him　draw　his　breath。

〃Ralph　Percy；　thou　art　the　very　button　upon　the　cap　of　Fortune；〃　he　said。

To　myself　my　laugh　sounded　something　of　the　bitterest；　but　to　him；　I　presume；　it　vaunted　my　return　through　the　darkness　to　the　lit　room　and　its　resplendent　pearl。　He　waved　farewell；　and　the　dusk　swallowed　up　him　and　his　boat。　I　went　back　to　the　house　and　to　her。

She　was　sitting　as　we　had　left　her；　with　her　small　feet　crossed　upon　the　cushion　beneath　them；　her　hands　folded　in　her　silken　lap；　the　air　from　the　waving　fan　blowing　tendrils　of　her　dark　hair　against　her　delicate　standing　ruff。　I　went　and　leaned　against　the　window；　facing　her。

〃I　have　been　chosen　Burgess　for　this　hundred；〃　I　said　abruptly。　〃The　Assembly　meets　next　week。　I　must　be　in　Jamestown　then　and　for　some　time　to　come。〃

She　took　the　fan　from　the　negress；　and　waved　it　lazily　to　and　fro。　〃When　do　we　go？〃　she　asked　at　last。

〃We！〃　I　answered。　〃I　had　thought　to　go　alone。〃

The　fan　dropped　to　the　floor；　and　her　eyes　opened　wide。　〃And　leave　me　here！〃　she　exclaimed。　〃Leave　me　in　these　woods；　at　the　mercy　of　Indians；　wolves；　and　your　rabble　of　servants！〃

I　smiled。　〃We　are　at　peace　with　the　Indians；　it　would　be　a　stout　wolf　that　could　leap　this　palisade；　and　the　servants　know　their　master　too　well　to　care　　to　offend　their　mistress。　Moreover；　I　would　leave　Diccon　in　charge。〃

〃Diccon！〃　she　cried。　〃The　old　woman　in　the　kitchen　hath　told　me　tales　of　Diccon！　Diccon　Bravo！　Diccon　Gamester！　Diccon　Cutthroat！〃

〃Granted；〃　I　said。　〃But　Diccon　Faithful　as　well。　I　can　trust　him。〃

〃But　I　do　not　trust　him！〃　she　retorted。　〃And　I　wish　to　go　to　Jamestown。　This　forest　wearies　me。〃　Her　tone　was　imperious。

〃I　must　think　it　over；〃　I　said　coolly。　〃I　may　take　you；　or　I　may　not。　I　cannot　tell　yet。〃

〃But　I　desire　to　go；　sir！〃

〃And　I　may　desire　you　to　stay。〃

〃You　are　a　churl！〃

I　bowed。　〃I　am　the　man　of　your　choice；　madam。〃

She　rose　with　a　stamp　of　her　foot；　and；　turning　her　back　upon　me；　took　a　flower　from　the　table　and　commenced　to　pull　from　it　its　petals。　I　unsheathed　my　sword；　and；　seating　myself；　began　to　polish　away　a　speck　of　rust　upon　the　blade。　Ten　minutes　later　I　looked　up　from　the　task；　to　receive　full　in　my　face　a　red　rose　tossed　from　the　other　side　of　the　room。　The　missile　was　followed　by　an　enchanting　burst　of　laughter。

〃We　cannot　afford　to　quarrel；　can　we？〃　cried　Mistress　Jocelyn　Percy。　〃Life　is　sad　enough　in　this　solitude　without　that。　Nothing　but　trees　and　water　all　day　long；　and　not　a　soul　to　speak　to！　And　I　am　horribly　afraid　of　the　Indians！　What　if　they　were　to　kill　me　while　you　were　away？　You　know　you　swore　before　the　minister　to　protect　me。　You　won't　leave　me　to　the　mercies　of　the　savages；　will　you？　And　I　may　go　to　Jamestown；　may　n't　I？　I　want　to　　go　to　church。　I　want　to　go　to　the　Governor's　house。　I　want　to　buy　a　many　things。　I　have　gold　in　plenty；　and　but　this　one　decent　dress。　You'll　take　me　with　you；　won't　you？〃

〃There's　not　your　like　in　Virginia；〃　I　told　her。　〃If　you　go　to　town　clad　like　that　and　with　that　bearing；　there　will　be　talk　enough。　And　ships　come　and　go；　and　there　are　those　besides　Rolfe　who　have　been　to　London。〃

For　a　moment　the　laughter　died　from　her　eyes　and　lips；　but　it　returned。　〃Let　them　talk；〃　she　said。　〃What　care　I？　And　I　do　not　think　your　ship　captains；　your　traders　and　adventurers；　do　often　dine　with　my　lord　bishop。　This　barbarous　forest　world　and　another　world　that　I　wot　of　are　so　far　apart　that　the　inhabitants　of　the　one　do　not　trouble　those　of　the　other。　In　that　petty　village　down　there　I　am　safe　enough。　Besides；　sir；　you　wear　a　sword。〃

〃My　sword　is　ever　at　your　service；　madam。〃

〃Then　I　may　go　to　Jamestown？〃

〃If　you　will　it　so。〃

With　her　bright　eyes　upon　me；　and　with　one　hand　softly　striking　a　rose　against　her　laughing　lips；　she　extended　the　other　hand。

〃You　may　kiss　it；　if　you　wish；　sir；〃　she　said　demurely。

I　knelt　and　kissed　the　white　fingers；　and　four　days　later　we　went　to　Jamestown。



CHAPTER　VI　　IN　WHICH　WE　GO　TO　JAMESTOWN


IT　was　early　morning　when　we　set　out　on　horseback　for　Jamestown。　I　rode　in　front；　with　Mistress　Percy　upon　a　pillion　behind　me；　and　Diccon　on　the　brown　mare　brought　up　the　rear。　The　negress　and　the　mails　I　had　sent　by　boat。

Now；　a　ride　through　the　green　wood　with　a　noble　horse　beneath　you；　and　around　you　the　freshness　of　the　morn；　is　pleasant　enough。　Each　twig　had　its　row　of　diamonds；　and　the　wet　leaves　that　we　pushed　aside　spilled　gems　upon　us。　The　horses　set　their　hoofs　daintily　upon　fern　and　moss　and　lush　grass。　In　the　purple　distances　deer　stood　at　gaze；　the　air　rang　with　innumerable　bird　notes；　clear　and　sweet；　squirrels　chattered；　bees　hummed；　and　through　the　thick　leafy　roof　of　the　forest　the　sun　showered　gold　dust。　And　Mistress　Jocelyn　Percy　was　as　merry　as　the　morning。　It　was　now　fourteen　days　since　she　and　I　had　first　met；　and　in　that　time　I　had　found　in　her　thrice　that　number　of　moods。　She　could　be　as　gay　and　sweet　as　the　morning；　as　dark　and　vengeful　as　the　storms　that　came　up　of　afternoons；　pensive　as　the　twilight；　stately　as　the　night；　…　in　her　there　met　a　hundred　minds。　Also　she　could　be　childishly　frank　…　and　tell　you　nothing。

To…day　she　chose　to　be　gracious。　Ten　times　in　an　hour　Diccon　was　off　his　horse　to　pluck　this　or　that　　flower　that　her　white　forefinger　pointed　out。　She　wove　the　blooms　into　a　chaplet；　and　placed　it　upon　her　head；　she　filled　her　lap　with　trailers　of　the　vine　that　swayed　against　us；　and　stained　her　fingers　and　lips　with　the　berries　Diccon　brought　her；　she　laughed　at　the　squirrels；　at　the　scurrying　partridges；　at　the　turkeys　that　crossed　our　path；　at　the　fish　that　leaped　from　the　brooks；　at　old　Jocomb　and　his　sons　who　ferried　us　across　the　Chickahominy。　She　was　curious　concerning　the　musket　I　carried；　and　when；　in　an　open　space　in　the　wood；　we　saw　an　eagle　perched　upon　a　blasted　pine；　she　demanded　my　pistol。　I　took　it　from　my　belt　and　gave　it　to　her；　with　a　laugh。　〃I　will　eat　all　of　your　killing；〃　I　said。

She　aimed　the　weapon。　〃A　wager！〃　she　declared。　〃There　be　mercers　in　Jamestown？　If　I　hit；　thou　'lt　buy　me　a　pearl　hatband？〃

〃Two。〃

She　fired；　and　the　bird　rose　with　a　scream　of　wrath　and　sailed　away。　But　two　or　three　feathers　came　floating　to　the　ground；　and　when　Diccon　had　brought　them　to　her　she　pointed　triumphantly　to　the　blood　upon　them。　〃You　said　two！〃　she　cried。

The　sun　rose　higher；　and　the　heat　of　the　day　set　in。　Mistress　Percy's　interest　in　forest　bloom　and　creature　flagged。　Instead　of　laughter；　we　had　sighs　at　the　length　of　way；　the　vines　slid　from　her　lap；　and　she　took　the　faded　flowers　from　her　head　and　cast　them　aside。　She　talked　no　more；　and　by　and　by　I　felt　her　head　droop　against　my　shoulder。

〃Madam　is　asleep；〃　said　Diccon's　voice　behind　me。

〃Ay；〃　I　answered。　〃She'll　find　a　jack　of　mail　but　a　hard　pillow。　And　look　to　her　that　she　does　not　fall。〃

〃I　had　best　walk　beside　you；　then；〃　he　said。

I　nodded；　and　he　dismounted；　and　throwing　the　mare's　bridle　over　his　arm　strode　on　beside　us；　with　his　hand　upon　the　frame　of　the　pillion。　Ten　minutes　passed；　the　last　five　of　which　I　rode　with　my　face　over　my　shoulder。　〃Diccon！〃　I　cried　at　last；　sharply。

He　came　to　his　senses　with　a　start。　〃Ay；　sir？〃　he　questioned；　his　face　dark　red。

〃Suppose　you　look　at　me　for　a　change；〃　I　said。　〃How　long　since　Dale　came　in；　Diccon？〃

〃Ten　years；　sir。〃

〃Before　we　enter　Jamestown　we'll　pass　through　a　certain　field　and　beneath　a　certain　tree。　Do　you　remember　what　happened　there；　some　years　ago？〃

〃I　am　not　like　to　forget；　sir。　You　saved　me　from　the　wheel。〃

〃Upon　which　you　were　bound；　ready　to　be　broken　for　drunkenness；　gaming；　and　loose　living。　I　begged　your　life　from　Dale　for　no　other　reason；　I　think；　than　that　you　had　been　a　horse…boy　in　my　old　company　in　the　Low　Countries。　God　wot；　the　life　was　scarcely　worth　the　saving！〃

〃I　know　it；　sir。〃

〃Dale　would　not　let　you　go　scot…free；　but　would　sell　you　into　slavery。　At　your　own　entreaty　I　bought　you；　since　when　you　have　served　me　indifferently　well。　You　have　showed　small　penitence　for　past　misdeeds；　and　your　amendment　hath　been　of　yet　lesser　bulk。　A　hardy　rogue　thou　wast　born；　and　a　rogue　thou　wilt　remain　to　the　end　of　time。　But　we　have　lived　and　hunted；　fought　and　bled　together；　and　in　our　own　fashion　I　think　we　bear　each　other　good　will；　…　even　some　love。　I　have　winked　at　much；　have　shielded　you　in　much；　perhaps。　In　return　I　have　demanded　　one　thing；　which　if　you　had　not　given　I　would　have　found　you　another　Dale　to　deal　with。〃

〃Have　I　ever　refused　it；　my　captain？〃

〃Not　yet。　Take　your　hand　from　that　pillion　and　hold　it　up；　then　say　after　me　these　words：　'This　lady　is　my　mistress；　my　master's　wife；　to　be　by　me　reverenced　as　such。　Her　face　is　not　for　my　eyes　nor　her　hand　for　my　lips。　If　I　keep　not　myself　clean　of　all　offense　toward　her；　may　God　approve　that　which　my　master　shall　do！'　〃

The　blood　rushed　to　his　face。　I　watched　his　fingers　slowly　loosening　their　grasp。

〃Tardy　obedience　is　of　the　house　of　mutiny；〃　I　said　sternly。　〃　Will　you；　sirrah；　or　will　you　not？〃

He　raised　his　hand　and　repeated　the　words。

〃Now　hold　her　as　before；〃　I　ordered；　and；　straightening　myself　in　the　saddle；　rode　on；　with　my　eyes　once　more　on　the　path　before　me。

A　mile　further　on；　Mistress　Percy　stirred　and　raised　her　head　from　my　shoulder。　〃　Not　at　Jamestown　yet？〃　she　sighed；　as　yet　but　half　awake。　〃Oh；　the　endless　trees！　I　dreamed　I　was　hawking　at　Windsor；　and　then　suddenly　I　was　here　in　this　forest；　a　bird；　happy　because　I　was　free；　and　then　a　falcon　came　swooping　down　upon　me；　…　it　had　me　in　its　talons；　and　I　changed　to　myself　again；　and　it　changed　to　…　What　am　I　saying？　I　am　talking　in　my　sleep。　Who　is　that　singing？〃

In　fact；　from　the　woods　in　front　of　us；　and　not　a　bowshot　away；　rang　out　a　powerful　voice：　…

〃'In　the　merry　month　of　May；

　In　a　morn　by　break　of　day；

　With　a　troop　of　damsels　playing

　Forth　I　went；　forsooth；　a…maying；'　〃　　and　presently；　the　trees　thinning　in　front　of　us；　we　came　upon　a　little　open　glade　and　upon　the　singer。　He　lay　on　his　back；　on　the　soft　turf　beneath　an　oak；　with　his　hands　clasped　behind　his　head　and　his　eyes　upturned　to　the　blue　sky　showing　between　leaf　and　branch。　On　one　knee　crossed　above　the　other　sat　a　squirrel　with　a　nut　in　its　paws；　and　half　a　dozen　others　scampered　here　and　there　over　his　great　body；　like　so　many　frolicsome　kittens。　At　a　little　distance　grazed　an　old　horse；　gray　and　gaunt；　springhalt　and　spavined；　with　ribs　like　Death's　own。　Its　saddle　and　bridle　adorned　a　limb　of　the　oak。

The　song　went　cheerfully　on：　…

〃　'Much　ado　there　was；　God　wot：

　would　love　and　she　would　not；

　said；　〃Never　man　was　true。〃

　He　said；　〃None　was　false　to　you。〃　'　〃

〃Give　you　good…day；　reverend　sir！〃　I　called。　〃　Art　conning　next　Sunday's　hymn？〃

Nothing　abashed；　Master　Jeremy　Sparrow　gently　shook　off　the　squirrels；　and　getting　to　his　feet　advanced　to　meet　us。

〃A　toy；〃　he　declared；　with　a　wave　of　his　hand；　〃a　trifle；　a　silly　old　song　that　came　into　my　mind　unawares；　the　leaves　being　so　green　and　the　sky　so　blue。　Had　you　come　a　little　earli