BOSTOTsI

PUBLIC
UBl^RY
THE BURNING OF -'THE ENCHANTRESS'
PAGK 8
THE NOVELS OF ALEXANDRE DUMAS

GEORGES
OR
THE ISLE OF FRANCE
NEWLY TRANSLATED BY
ALFRED ALLINSON

WITH THREE COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS BY

MONRO S. ORR

METHUEN & CO.

36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON
[Copyright: all rights reserved']
 b-

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The Burning of the Enchantress .... rAGE

Frontispiece

The Meeting 69

The Escape . . . . . . 115

/
be

'A^'^^'^
}

\
 " ! ! !

INTRODUCTION
THE scene of the pretty and graceful story which goes by the
the romantic half-caste, Georges Munier, is laid in the Mauritius, or as
name of its

it
hero,
was
called by the French previously to the English occupation, The Isle of France. The
leading interest depends on the rivalry between white and black, the ineradicable
prejudice of the former against the latter, and the gallant but unavailing struggle of
the hero, a rich mulatto planter's son educated in Europe, to break through the barrier.
With this main thread is interwoven the account of a slave revolt, and a pleasing
love story, how Georges woos and wins the beautiful Creole, Sara de Malmedie, to
say nothing of a dashing description of the encounter of the rival squadrons of
France and England, and the eventual conquest of the island by the British.
The sea-fight in question is not historical, nor are all its details entirely
convincing to a sailor's mind, but it makes an exciting episode nevertheless. *'
Lord
Williams Murrey " and " le capitaine Villougby " will be searched for in vain in
the Biographical Dictionaries. At any rate, Dumas, when dealing with the sea and
ships (did he not own a yacht of his own, and did he not sail her himself ?), is

nothing if not technical ; and the great fight off Port Louis afforded some fine hard
nuts for the translator to crack
"
The amiable Eugene de Mirecourt — Jacquot of the " mercantiHsme litteraire

accusations —says Georges was written by one Felicien Mallefille ; but then Jacquot
and Querard and their like were always ready to affiliate any child of Dumas' pen on
anybody — except of course the rightful parent, Alexandre Dumas. According to
these gentry Monte Cristo
was one half by Fiorentino, one half by Maquet
itself

" It was such a simple thing to believe I was the author that they never so much as

thought of it," was the great man's laughing comment.

In connection with this same M. Mallefille a good story is told, which we must
apologize for borrowing from Mr. A. E. Davidson's admirable Life and Works of
Dumas : " Speaking of Mallefille —one of his collaborators, and not one of the most
remarkable — the master observed, as if pondering a problem, '
There is just
something he lacks, — I can't define what it is, — to make him a man of talent.'
*'
' Perhaps he lacks the talent,' suggested some one.
" Tiens Dumas,
'
'
said * well, perhaps you are right. I never thought of
that.'

The truth in the case of Georges seems to be that Mallefille, or somebody else
iv INTRODUCTION
familiar with the Mauritius, supplied raw material and local colour ; Dumas did the

rest. Anyhow there can be no doubt of this, that tho hero, Georges Munier, who
suffers humihation and discouragement because of his " dash of the tar brush," but
faces every obstacle and insult with irrepressible energy and spirit, is a fancy portrait
of Dumas himself, Dumas " the inspired mulatto."

The book appeared in 1843, —just before, that is, the "annus mirabilis" that

saw the birth of Monte Crista and Tlie Three Musketeers.

 ;;;
!

GEORGES
CHAPTER I us and sail to meet the spring. Adieu,
Brest Hail, Nantes and Bayonne
!

THE ISLE OF FRANCE Adieu, France See on our right that

1

giant rising to a height of ten thousand

HAS it never been your fate, on one feet, whose granite summit is lost in the

of those long, cold, gloomy winter clouds, above which it seems to hang
evenings when, alone with your own suspended, and whose rocky foundations
thoughts, you stood listening to the wind you can distinguish through the clear
as it howled down the corridors and the water descending into the depths. It
rain as it beat at thu windows, your brow is the peak of Teneriflfe, the ancient
resting against the mantelpiece and your Nivaria, the rendezvous of the sea-
eyes gazing, without seeing them, at the eagles you see wheeling round their eyries
logs crackling on the hearth has it never and looking scarce as big as pigeons.
;

been your fate under such circumstances Pass on, this is not our journey's end
to be seized with a sick disgust of our this is but the flower-garden of Spain,
dismal climate, this wet, muddy Paris of and I have promised you the Paradise of
ours, and to dream fondly of some en- the World. Do you see on our left that
chanted oasis, all carpeted with greenery bare and barren rock scorched incessantly
and refreshed with cooling waters, where, by the tropic sun ? It is the rock where
no matter what the season, you might the modern Prometheus was chained for
gently sink asleep beneath the shade of six long years the pedestal whereon Eng-
;

palms and jameroses, soothed by the land herself has reared the statue of her
babbling of a crystal spring and happy in own shame the counterpart of the pyre of
;

the sensation of physical well-being and Jeanne d'Arc and of the scaffold of Mary
a delicious languor ? Stuart the political Golgotha, for eighteen
;

Well, this Paradise you dreamed of years the pious rendezvous of all vessels
exists, this Eden you coveted awaits you. but this is not where I am taking you.
The streamlet that should lull you to soft Pass on, we have no longer any business
slumber does actually plunge from its rocky there; the regicide St. Helena is widowed
height to rebound in spray, the palm that of the rehcs of her martyr.
should guard your siesta does really spread We
are at the Cape of Storms. Do you
its slender leaves to flutter in the sea- see that mountain emerging from the haze ?
breeze like the plume on a giant's helm, It is the same giant Adamastor which
the jameroses, laden with many-coloured appeared to the author of the Lusiad.*
'

fruitage, do veritably offer you their scented We

are passing the extremity of the earth ;

shade. Up then, and come with me 1 yonder jutting promontory is the prow of
Come to Brest, that warlike sister of the world. See how the ocean breaks
commercial Marseilles, that armed sen- against it, furious but powerless that ;

tinel watching over the ocean and there, good ship fears not its tempests, for its
;

from among the hundred vessels shelter- sails are set for the harbour of eternity, it
ing in its harbour, choose one of those has God Himself for pilot. Pass on, for
brigs with narrow beam, well-cut sails, beyond those verdant mountains we shall
and long tapering masts, such as Walter find barren tracts and sun-scorched deserts.
Scott's rival, the poetic chronicler of the Pass on, I have promised you clear water
sea, assigns to his pirates bold. We are in and sweet shade, fruits ever ripening and
September, the month most propitious for everlasting flowers.
long voyages. Get you aboard the ship Hail to the Indian Ocean where the !

to which we have entrusted our common west wind urges us along hail to the ;

fortune; let us leave the summer behind scene of the Thousand and One Nights
'
'

we are approaching the end of our voyage.
Here is the melancholy Bourbon, devoured
by an eternal volcano. Give a glance at
its flames, and a smile for its odours ; sail
a few knots further and let us pass between
the lie Plate and the Coin-de-Mire ; let us
double Canonneers' Head and stop at the
flag- staff.
Let us drop anchor, the roadstead is
good our brig, wearied with her tedious
;
voyage, craves rest. Besides, we have
arrived, for this is the fortunate land which
Nature seems to have hidden at the ends
of the earth, as a jealous mother conceals
from profane eyes the virginal beauty
of her daughter; for this is the land of
promise, the pearl of the Indian Ocean,
the Isle of France.
Now, chaste daughter of the seas, twin
sister of Bourbon, favoured rival of Cey-
lon, let me lift a corner of thy veil to show
thee to the stranger-friend, the fraternal
traveller, who accompanies me let me un- ; River," rolling down quietly its fertilising
loose thy girdle, fair captive! for we are
two pilgrims from France, and perhaps
one day France will be able to redeem
thee, rich daughter of the Indies, for the
price of some petty kingdom of Europe.
And you who have followed us with your
eyes and thoughts, let me now speak to
you of this wondrous land, with its ever-
fruitful fields, with its double harvests,
with its year made up of springs and sum-
mers following and replacing each other
without intermission, linking flowers to
fruits, and fruits to flowers. Let
of the romantic isle which bathes her feet
in the seaand hides her head in the clouds
a second Venus, born, like her sister, of
the foam of the waves, ascending from her
wet cradle to her celestial empire, crowned
with sparkling days and starry nights,
eternal ornaments which she has received
from the hand of the Creator Himself, and
of which England has not yet had power
to strip her.
Come then,and if aerial flights alarm
you no more than voyages by sea, grasp,
likea new Cleophas, a lappet of my cloak,
and I will transport you with me to the
inverted cone of the Pieterbot, the highest
mountain in the island, next to the Peak of
the Black River. Once arrived there, we
shall look in all directions, successively to
right and left, in front, behind, above us
and below.
Above us, you see, a sky always
is
clear, studded with stars, —an
azure car-
pet on which God raises at each of His
; a
GEORGES
steps a golden dust, whereof each atom
is a world.
Beneath us is the island, stretched at our
feet like a map a hundred and forty-
five leagues incircumference, with its
sixty rivers that look from here like silver
threads designed to chain the sea around
itsshores, and its thirty mountains all
plumed with cocoas, takamakas, and palm-
trees. Amidall these rivers see the water-
falls of the Rediiit and La Fontaine,
which, out of the bosom of the woods they
spring from, let loose their hurtling cata-
racts at headlong speed, to meet the sea
which waits them, and, whether in calm
or tempest, is aye ready to answer their
eternal challenge, now with silent con-
tempt, now with reverberating rage —
duel of Titans, each striving which shall
make the greater noise and havoc in the
—
world, then near this wild scene of
foolish rivalry, see the great, calm " Black
waters, imposing its respected name on all
within its neighbourhood, showing thus
the triumph of wisdom over force, and of
calm over fury. Among all these moun-
tains, see the gloomy Brabant, standing
over the northern point of the Island as a
gigantic sentinel to defend it against sur-
prises of the enemy, and to break the fury
of the ocean. See the peak of the Trois-
Mamelles, at the base of which flow the
rivers of the Tamarin and the Rempart,
as though the Indian Isis had wished to
me tell justify her name in everything —
see,
lastly, the Police, next after the Pieterbot,
where we are standing, the most majestic
peak in the Island it seems to raise a
;
finger to the sky to show to master and to
slave alike that there is a Tribunal above
which will render justice to us all.
In front of us is Port Louis, formerly
Port Napoleon, the capital of the Island,
with its crowded wooden houses, its two
streams which, after every storm, become
torrents; its He des Tonneliers, defending
the approaches, and its hybrid population,
which seems to be a sample of all the
nations of the earth, from the lazy Creole
who is carried in a palanquin if he wants
to cross the street, and who finds conver-
sation so fatiguing that he has trained his
slaves to obey his gestures, down to the
negro hounded by the whip to his work in
the morning and from it in the evening.
Between these two extremes of the social
ladder see the Lascars, distinguished by
their red and green turbans, from which
 ;

GEORGES
two colours they never vary, with bold, itself every day as the other districts do
bronzed features, a cross between the only on festivals Moka, the garden of ;

Malay and the Malabar types. See the this island which we have termed the
Yoloff negro, of the tall and handsome garden of the world.
Senegambian race, with complexion black Let us resume our first position let us ;

as jet, eyes bright as carbuncles, teeth face Madagascar and direct our eyes to our
white as pearls the Chinaman, short, left at our feet, beyond the Reduit, are
; :

flat-chested and broad-shouldered, with the Williams plains, next to Moka the
his bare skull and drooping moustaches, most delightful quarter of the island,
his jargon which nobody understands, bounded, towards the plains of St. Pierre
but with whom, notwithstanding, every- by the Corps-de-Garde mountain, shaped
body deals ; for the Chinaman sells every- like the hind-quarters of a horse ; then,
thing, runs all trades, follows all profes- beyond the Trois-Mamelles and the great
sions, is the Jew of the colony then the woods, the quarter of la Savane, with its
:

Malays, copper-coloured, small, vindic- sweetly-named rivers, Lemon-Trees,' '

tive, cunning, always forgetful of a kind- Negresses' Bath,' and the Arcade,' with
' '

ness, never of an injury selling, like the

;
its harbour so well defended by the
Bohemians, things that one wants quite natural escarpment of its sides that it is
cheap the Mozambiques, gentle, honest
: impossible to land there otherwise than in
and stupid, and valued only for their friendly fashion ; with its pastures rival-
strength the Madagascans, thin, cunning,
: ling those of the plains of St. Pierre, with
of an olive tint, flat-nosed and thick- its soil still virgin as that of an American
lipped, distinguished from the negroes of prairie lastly, in the depths of the woods,
:

the Senegal by the reddish reflection of the great pond where are found muraenas
their skin the Namaquais, slim, skilful
: so gigantic that they are more like serpents
and proud, trained from their infancy in than eels, and which have been seen to
hunting the tiger and the elephant, and carry off and devour alive stags pursued
astonished at being transported to a coun- by hunters and runaway negroes who had
try where there are no wild animals to been so imprudent as to bathe there.
fight: lastly, in the midst of all this, the Next let us turn to the right here is :

English officer, garrisoned in the island or
stationed in the harbour, with his round
scarlet waistcoat, his cap-shaped head-
gear, his white trousers, looking down
from the height of his grandeur upon
Creoles and mulattos, masters and slaves,
colonists and natives, talking only of Lon-
don, boasting only of England, valuing
only himself. Behind us. Grand Port,
formerly Port Imperial, first established
the quarter of the Rempart, dominated by
the Mount of Discovery, on the summit of
which rise ships' masts, which look from
here as thin and small as willow branches
here is Cap Malheurenx, the bay of
the Tomheaux, the church of the Pam-
plemotisses. In this quarter rose the
two neighbouring huts of Madame de la
Tour and Marguerite ; on the Cap
Malheureux the Saint Geran went to
-

by the Dutch, but afterwards abandoned pieces ;in the bay of the Tomheaux was
by them, because it lies to windward of found the body of a girl holding a portrait
the island and the same breeze which clasped in her hand in the church of the
;

brings vessels in, prevents them from
going out. So, after having fallen into
ruins, it is to-day but a town whose
houses barely rise above ground, a
creek where a schooner comes to take
Pamplemousses, two months later, side by
side with this girl, a young man of about
the same age was buried. You have
already guessed the names of these two
lovers whom the same tombstone covers ;

shelter from the pirate's clutches, forest- they were Paul and Virginia, those two
covered mountains in which the slave halcyons of the tropics, whose death the
seeks refuge from his master's tyranny. sea, as it moans on the reefs that surround
Next, bringing our eyes back to the land- the coast, seems evermore to bewail, as a
scape lying almost beneath our feet, we tigress evermore laments her whelps rent
shall distinguish, behind the mountains by to pieces by herself in a transport of fury
the harbour, Moka, perfumed with aloes, or a moment of jealousy.
pomegranates, and currants Moka, al-; And now, whether you traverse the
ways so fresh that it seems to fold up the island from the pass of Descorne in the
treasures of its attire in the evening to south-west, or from Mahebourg to the
display them in the morning, which decks little Malabar, whether you follow the
 ;

GEORGES
coast or plunge into the interior, whether festival, as the return of the Prodigal Son
you descend the rivers or cUmb the moun- was a joy to his father's household.
tains, whether the sun's blazing disc kindle So the English, with their eternal
the plains with flaming rays, or the cres- jealousy of France, long fixed their eyes
cent of the moon silver the mountains on her beloved daughter, hovering round
with melancholy light, should your feet be her incessantly, now trying to seduce her
weary, or your head grow heavy, or your with gold, now to intimidate her by
eyes close should you feel your senses, threats
; but to all these proposals the
;

intoxicated by the perfumed exhalations beautiful Creole replied with supreme dis-
of the China rose, the Spanish or the red dain, so that it soon became apparent that
jasmine, dissolving gently as if under the her lovers, unable to win her by their
influence of opium, you can yield, my wiles, were fain to carry her off" by force,
companion, without fear or reluctance to and that she must be kept in sight like a
the deep and penetrating voluptuousness of Spanish monja. For some time she had
tropic slumber. Lie down, then, on the nothing worse to fear than a series of un-
lush grass, sleep quietly and awake with- important and ineffectual attempts but at ;

out fear, for this light noise which makes last England, unable to resist her charms,
the foliage rustle at its approach, those threw herself headlong upon her, and
two dark sparkling eyes which are fixed when one fine morning the Isle of France
on you, are not the poisoned rustling of learned that her sister Bourbon had just
the Jamaican boqueira, nor the eyes of the been carried off, she besought her protec-
Bengal tiger. Sleep softly, and awake tors to keep a yet stricter guard over her
without fear the isle has never echoed than in time past, and knives began to be
;

the shrill hiss of a reptile, nor the noc- sharpened in deadly earnest and bullets
turnal howl of a beast of prey. No, it is a to be melted, as the enemy was momen-
young negress who parts two bamboo tarily expected.
branches to push her pretty head through On the 23rd of August, 1810, a terrific
and look with curiosity at the newly- cannonade, reverberating through all the
arrived European. Make a sign, without island, announced that the enemy had
even stirring from your place, and she actually arrived.
will pick you the savoury banana, the
scented mango or the tamarind-husk
speak a word, and she will answer you in
her guttural and mournful tone, Mo sel- *

lave, mo faire 9a que vous vie' ('Me II CHAPTER

slave-girl, me do what you will'). Only
too happy should a kind look or a word of LIONS AND LEOPARDS
satisfaction reward her services, she will
then offer to act as your guide to her mas- was five in the evening towards the
ter's dwelling. Follow her it matters ;
IT
end of one of those magnificent
not whither she leads you and, when you summer days unknown in our Europe.
;

perceive a pretty house with an avenue of Half the population of the Isle of France,
trees, engirdled by flowers, you will have arranged in a semi-circle on the moun-
arrived it will be the home of the planter, tains which dominate Grand- Port, were
;

tyrant or patriarch, according as he is good breathlessly watching the contest going

or bad but, be he the one or the other, on at their feet, as in olden days the
;

that is not your concern and affects you Romans leaned over the gallery of the
but little. Enter boldly go and sit down amphitheatre at a contest of gladiators
;

at the family table say, I am your or a combat of martyrs.

;
* Only, on this
guest '
and then will be placed before occasion, the arena was a large harbour en-
;

you the richest china plate, loaded with vironed by rocks on which the combatants
the finest bananas, the silver goblet with had run themselves aground to prevent all
its bottom of glass, in which will foam the possibility of retreat, and, freed from the
best beer of the island you will shoot to distracting anxiety of evolutions, be able to
;

your heart's content in his savannahs, and tear each other to pieces at their ease:
fish in the river with his lines, and each neither again were there any vestal virgins
time you come yourself or introduce a with upturned thumbs to put an end to
friend to him, the fatted calf will be killed; this terrible sea-fight it was, as was fully
;

for here the arrival of a guest is made a understood, a strife of extermination, a

 ;

GEORGES
combat to the death accordingly the ten
; Duperre, who told him in answer to take
thousand spectators present at it main- precautions, and that he would do the like.
tained an anxious silence, while the very As for the Victor it was impossible to give
sea, so often stormy in those regions, was her information she was too far ahead,
;

still, so as not to lose one roar of those
three hundred mouths of fire.
This is what had happened. On the
morning of the 20th Captain Duperre,
coming from Madagascar in the Bellone,
accompanied by the Minerve, Victor,
Ceylan and the Windham, had sighted
the Mountains of the Wind in the Isle of
France.
As three previous fights in which he
had been without exception victorious had
and any signal made to her would have
been seen from the fort and the suspected
vessel.
The Victor then continued to advance
without misgivings, impelled by a gentle
south-east breeze, with all her crew on
deck, while the two ships that follow her
anxiously watch the movements of the
three-master and the fort. Both, how-
ever, still keep up an appearance of friend-
ship indeed the two vessels when opposite
;

caused severe damage to his fleet, he had each other exchange a few words. The
determined to enter the large harbour and Victor continues her course she has al-
;

—
refit there, a course which was the more ready passed the fort, when suddenly a
easy because, as is well known, the Island line of smoke appears on the sides of the
at this time was entirely in our power, and ship that lies broadside towards her and
the tri-coloured flag floating over the fort on the rampart of the fort. Forty-four
of the He de la Passe, and from a three- guns thunder at once, raking the French
master anchored below it, gave the worthy corvette, cutting her rigging and sails,
sailor the assurance of being welcomed by decimating her crew, carrying away her
friends. Consequently Captain Duperre fore-top-sail yard, while at the same in-
gave orders to double the He de la Passe, stant the French colours disappear from
situated about two leagues in front of the fort and the three-master and give
Mahebourg, and, to carry out this man- place to the English flag. W^e have been
oeuvre, ordered the corvette Victor to go duped by trickery, and have fallen into
ahead, folio sved by the Minerve, Ceylan the trap laid for us.
and Bellone, the Windham concluding the But instead of going back, which might
line. The squadron then advanced, each still be possible by abandoning the cor-
ship in front of the next one, the narrow vette which has acted the part of a scout
entrance not allowing of two ships passing and now, having recovered from her sur-
alongside each other. prise, is replying to the fire of the three-
When the Victor was within cannon- master with her two stern-guns. Captain
range of the three-master lying broadside Duperre signals the Windham, which
beneath the fort, the latter signalled that makes for sea again, and orders the Min-
the English were cruising within sight of erve and Ceylan to force the channel.
the Island. Captain Duperre replied that He himself will support them, while the
he was quite aware of it, and that the Windham goes to warn the rest of the
flotilla which he had observed was com- French fleet of the situation in which the
posed of the Enchantress, Nereid, Sirius four vessels are.
and Iphigenia, commanded by Commo- Then the ships continue to advance, no
dore Lambert but that as, on his own longer with the unguardedness of the Vic-
;

side, Captain Hamelin was stationed to tor, but with lighted lintstocks, each man
windward of the Island with the Entre- at his post, and in that profound silence
prenant. La Manche and Astree, he was which always precedes a great crisis.
sufficiently strong to accept battle should Presently the Minerve gets alongside the
the enemy present himself. hostile three-master, but this time it is she
A few moments later. Captain Bouvet, who strikes first. Twenty-four mouths
who was second in the line, thought he burst into flame together the broadside
;

observed some hostile indications in the pierces her hull through and through
vessel that had just signalled besides he but part of the bulwarks of the English
;

had in vain examined all her details with vessel is cut away stifled shrieks are
;

that piercing glance that so rarely deceives heard, then in her turn she thunders with
the sailor, but could not recognise her as her whole battery and sends back to the
belonging to the French navy. He com- Minerve as deadly messengers as she has
municated his observations to Captain just received from her, while the artillery
 GEORGES
of the fort bursts out upon her as well, three frigates had sailed immediately.
but without doing her any other injury The Sirius went back towards Grand-
than killing a man or two and cutting Port, going before the wind, the two other
some of her rigging. frigates turning to windward to reach the
Next comes the Ceylan, a pretty brigan- same point.
tine with twenty-two guns, taken, like the These were the movements which Captain
Victor, Minerve, and Windham, a few Hamelin had seen, and which by their
days previously from the English, and agreement with the news he had just
which, like the Victor and Minerve, was heard cause him to think that Captain
now about to fight for France, her new Duperre is about to be attacked. He
mistress. She advances lightly and hastens therefore to get under weigh, but
gracefully, as a sea-bird skims the waves ;
in spite of all diligence he is only ready
then, when opposite the fort and the on the morning of the 22nd. The three
three-master, all three break out into English frigates are three hours in ad-
flames together, firing so simultaneously vance of him, and the difficulty he must
that the volleys formed one sound, and so experience in reaching Grand-Port is
close to each other that their smoke was still further increased by the wind, which
intermingled. is set in the south-east and freshening
There remained Duperre,in the Bellone. momentarily.
He was even at this period one of the brav- On the evening of the 21st General
est and most skilful officers in our navy. Decaen mounts his horse and arrives at
He advanced, hugging the He de la Mahebourg at five in the morning, fol-
Passe more closely than any of the other lowed by the chief planters and those of
vessels had done ; then, at close quarters, their negroes on whom they think they
broadside to broadside, the two ships can rely. Masters and slaves are armed
burst into fiame, at pistol-range. The with guns, and have each fifty rounds, in
channel was forced the four ships were case the English should attempt to land.
;

within the harbour they rally at the cliff A meeting takes place between him and
;

of the Aigrettes and cast anchor between Duperre. At noon the English frigate
the He aux Singes and the Pointe de la Sirius, which has sailed to leeward of the
Colonie. Duperre having at once put Island, and consequently experienced less
himself in communication with the town, difficulty in her passage than the other
learns that Bourbon is taken, but that, in two frigates, appears at the entrance of
spite of his attempts on the Isle of France, the channel, meets the three - master
the enemy has only been able to seize the moored with her broadside to the fort,
He de la Passe. A messenger is at once now recognised as the frigate Nereid,
despatched in all haste to General Decaen, Captain Willoughby. As though reckon-
Governor of the Island, to inform him ing to attack the French division by them-
the four French vessels, Victor, Minerve, selves, both advance upon us, taking the
Ceylan and Bellone, are at Grand- Port. same course as we had done but, keep- ;

At noon on the 21st Decaen receives this ing too close to the shoal water, the Sirius
advice, transmits it to Captain Hamelin, runs aground and her crew spend the rest
who orders the ships under his command of the day in getting her ofi.
to get under weigh, hurries reinforcements During the night the reinforcement of
of men across country to Captain Duperre, sailors sent by Captain Hamelin arrives,
informs him that he will do what he can and is distributed among the four French
to come to his aid, inasmuch as everything ships, who thus amount to nearly four-
leads him to the conclusion that he is teen hundred men with a hundred and
threatened by superior numbers. forty-two guns, but as immediately on
As a fact, in endeavouring to anchor in their distribution Duperre has made his
the Rivifere Noire at four a.m. on the 21st, division run aground, so that each vessel
the Windham had been captured by the presents its broadside, only the half of the
English frigate Sirius. Captain Pym, guns will take part in the sanguinary
Commander of the latter, had then learned feast that is preparing.
that four French ships under Duperre's At two o'clock the frigates Enchantress
orders had entered Grand-Port, where and Iphigenia appeared in their turn at
they were confined by the wind he had the entrance of the channel, met the
;

at once informed the captains of the En- Sirius and Nereid and advanced all four
chantress and Iphigenia of this, and the to encounter us. Two ran themselves
 ;

GEORGES
aground, the other two lay moored at ing the channel, was slackening her fire,
anchor, presenting a total of seventeen and the order was at once given to direct
hundred men and two hundred guns. It all the firing at her and to give her no
was a solemn and terrible moment when rest. For a whole hour they overwhelmed
the ten thousand spectators who thronged her with shot and grape, thinking at each
the mountains saw the hostile frigates ad- moment that she would strike her flag
vance with furled sails, impelled only by but, as she did not do so, the hail of iron
the slow force of the wind through their continued, mowing down the masts,
rigging, and, with the confidence imparted sweeping her deck, piercing her hull,
by superiority of numbers, range them- until her last gun died away like an expir-
selves at half-gunshot from the French ing sigh, and she remained a demolished
division, presenting in their turn their hulk in the stillness and silence of death.
broadsides, grounding as we had grounded, At this moment, and while Duperre
abandoning retreat beforehand, as we had was giving an order to his lieutenant
abandoned it. Roussin, a grape-shot struck his head and
A battle of extermination, then, was knocked him over against the guns.
about to commence lions and leopards Realising that he was dangerously, per-
;

had met, and were about to rend each haps mortally, wounded, he calls Captain
other with brazen teeth and roars of fire. Bouvet, hands over to him the command
It was our sailors who, with less of the Bellone, orders him to sink the four
patience than the French guards had ships rather than surrender them, and,
shown at Fontenoy, gave the signal for after giving these final orders, extends
slaughter. A long train of smoke rushed his hand to him and swoons away. No-
from the sides of the four vessels at body perceives this incident ; Duperre
whose peak flew the tricolour then at has not left the Bellone, since Bouvet
;

the same moment bellowed forth the roar takes his place.
of seventy guns, and the iron hurricane At ten o'clock it is so dark that the men
fell upon the English squadron. can no longer take aim and have to fire
The latter answered promptly, and then at random. At eleven the firing ceases ;

began, with no other manoeuvre than that but as the spectators understand that it
of clearing from the decks the splinters of is only a truce, they remain at their post.
timber and expiring bodies, with no inter- As a fact, at one o'clock the moon rises,
val but that of loading the guns, one of and by its pale light the strife begins
those struggles to the death such as, afresh.
since Aboukir and Trafalgar, naval annals During this short respite the Nereid
had not witnessed. At first it might be has received some reinforcements five or ;

thought the advantage lay with the six of her guns have been refitted the ;

enemy for the first English volleys had frigate that was thought dead was only in
;

cut the springs on the hawsers of the a swoon and recovers her senses, giving
Minerve and the Ceylan, so that, owing signs of life by attacking us afresh.
to this accident, the fire of these two ships Then Bouvet sends Lieutenant Roussin
was to a large extent masked. But, on board the Victor, whose captain is
under the captain's orders, the Bellone wounded, with orders to float the ship
met every event, replying to the four ships again and go and overwhelm the Nereid
at once having arms, powder and shot at close quarters with his whole artillery.
;

for all incessantly belching forth fire like This time his firing will not cease until
;

a volcano in eruption, and that for two the frigate be really dead.
hours, that is to say, while the Ceylan and Roussin carries out his order to the
Minerve were repairing their injuries. letter; the Victor sets her top-sails and jib,
This done, as though impatient of their moves off and, without firing a single shot,
inaction, they began again to roar and anchors three or four fathoms from the
bite in their turn, forcing the enemy, who Nereid's stern ; from there she opens fire,
had turned from them for a moment to to which the Nereid can only reply with
crush the Bellone, to pay attention to her stem guns, raking her from poop to
them once more, and restoring the unity prow at each discharge. At dawn the
of the fight along the whole line. It then frigate is silent once more. This time she
seemed to Duperre that the Nereid, al- is really dead, yet, notwithstanding, the
ready damaged by three broadsides which EngHsh flag still floats at her peak. She
the squadron had fired at her when forc- is dead, but she has not surrendered. At

8 GEORGES
this moment, shouts of Long live the asunder. A fearful explosion is heard
'
Emperor resound from the Nereid
!
' the Enchantress is blown to bits. The
the seventeen prisoners whom she took in eye follows the burning fragments which
the He de la Passe and had placed in the mount to the sky, descend again and are
hold, burst from their place of confine-
ment, and escape up the hatchways with
a tri-coloured flag in their hands. The
standard of Great Britain is lowered, the
tri-colour floats in its place. Roussin
gives the order to board, but at the
moment when he is about to fasten the
grappling-irons, the enemy directs his fire
on the Nereid, which escapes him. To
continue the struggle is useless; the Nereid
is nothing but a hulk, on which he will
lay hands as soon as the other ships are
subdued. The victor leaves the frigate
floating like the carcase of a dead whale,
takes on board the seventeen prisoners
and resumes her place of battle, announc-
ing to the English, by firing her whole
broadside, that she had returned to her
position.
All the French ships were now ordered
to direct their fire on the Enchantress,
Bouvet wishing to demolish the hostile
frigates one after the other. Towards
three p.m. then the Enchantress became
the target for shots at five, she
all their
answered spasmodically, and
our fire
breathed like a combatant mortally
wounded at six o'clock it could be seen
; a fearful explosion is heard, and the Sirius
from the land that her crew were making
all preparations for abandoning her.
Shouts first, then signals, warn the French
division of this the firing is redoubled
; ;
the two other hostile frigates despatch
their boats to her she herself lowers her
; now but a sheer hulk she makes sail, and,
cutters into the sea the remnant of un- ;
wounded, or slightly-wounded men get
into them, but in the space which they
have to cross to reach the Sirius two
boats are sunk by cannon shot, and the
sea is strewn with men making for the
neighbouring frigates by swimming.
A moment later a thin smoke issues
from the portholes of the Enchantress
then it becomes gradually thicker next,
at the hatchways wounded men are
seen dragging themselves along, raising
their mutilated arms, appealing for help
for already smoke is followed by flames
which dart their fiery tongues through
every porthole. Then they burst out-
side, creep along the netting, climb to
the masts, envelop the yards, and in the
midst of these flames are heard cries of
rage and pain then all at once the ves-
;
sel splits, as the crater of a volcano is rent
—; ;
;
extinguished with a loud hissing sound in
the waves. Of that fine frigate, which the
day before thought herself queen of the
ocean, nothing remains, not even debris,
not even the wounded, not even the dead.
A wide space between the Nereid and the
Iphigenia alone indicates the place where
she was.
Then, as though weary of the strife,
dismayed at the spectacle, English and
French fell silent, and the rest of the
night was consecrated to repose.
But at dawn the fight begins again.
The French division has chosen the Sirius
this time as its victim, and the four-fold
fire of Victor, Minerve, Bellone, and
Ceylan are about to crush her. Shot and
grape are concentrated upon her. At the
end of two hours she has not a mast left,
her bulwarks are cut down, the water
enters her hull through twenty wounds
had she not been aground she must have
sunk. Her crew then abandons her, the
captain being the last to leave. But, as
; with the Enchantress, the fire has re-
mained there a train conducts it to the
;
magazine and at eleven in the forenoon
;
disappears annihilated.
Then the Iphigenia, which has fought
at anchor, realises that no more fighting is
possible. She remains alone against four
for, as we have said, the Nereid is nothing
;
profiting by the fact that she has escaped
almost safe and sound from all this de-
struction, tries to sheer oflf, in order to place
herself under the protection of the fort.
Bouvet at once orders the Minerve and
Bellone to refit and get afloat again.
Duperre, on the blood-stained bed where
he is laid, has learned all that has hap-
pened he does not want a single frigate
:
; to escape destruction, nor a single Eng-
lishman to go and announce their defeat
in England. We
have to avenge Trafal-
;
gar and Aboukir. Pursue the Iphigenia !
And the two noble frigates, battered as
they are, rouse and recover themselves,
make sail and away in pursuit, ordering
the Victor to man the Nereid. As
for the Ceylan she is herself so damaged
that she cannot quit her place until the
caulker has stopped her thousand gaping
wounds.
 ; ;

GEORGES
Then loud shouts of triumph rise from mortally hurt. Accordingly we shall see
the land the whole population, which has him reappear in the course of this history.
;

kept silence, recovers breath and voice to

encourage the Minerve and Bellone in
their pursuit. But the Iphigenia, less
damaged than her two foes, gains on them
visibly, passes the He des Aigrettes, will
reach the fort of la Passe, will gain the
open sea and escape. Already the shot III CHAPTER
from the Minerve and Bellone fail to reach
her, dropping in her wake, when suddenly THREE CHILDREN
three ships appear at the entrance of the
channel, flying .the tri-colour it is Cap-
tain Hamelin, who had sailed from Port
;

AS may well be imagined, the English,

though they had lost four vessels, had
Louis with the Entreprenant, and La not abandoned their designs on the Isle of
Manche and Astree. The Iphigenia and France on the contrary, they had now
;

the fort are caught between two fires both ?. fresh conquest to make and an old
they will surrender at discretion, not an defeat to avenge. Accordingly, hardly
Englishman will escape. During this three months after the events which we
time the Victor has for the second time have just laid before the reader, a second
drawn close to the Nereid and, fearing a ;
struggle no less desperate, but destined
surprise, boards her cautiously. But the to result very differently, had taken place
silence she maintains truly that of death. at Port Louis itself, that is to say, at a
is
Her deck is strewn with corpses the spot in exactly the opposite direction to
;

Lieutenant, who was the first to set foot on that where the former took place.
her, is up to his ankles in blood. This time it was not a question of four
A wounded man raises himself and re- ships or eighteen hundred men. Twelve
lates that six times the order was given to frigates, eight corvettes and fifty trans-
strike the flag, but six times the French ports had landed twenty or twenty-five
discharges carried away the men told oflf thousand men on the coast, and the invad-
to carry out this order. Then the Cap- ing army was advancing on Port Louis,
tain retired to his cabin and was seen no then called Port Napoleon. This was
more. the capital of the island, and at the
Roussin goes towards the cabin and moment of being attacked by so large a
finds Captain Willoughby seated at a force presented a spectacle difficult to de-
table, on which are still a jug of grog and scribe. Everywhere the multitude, hurry-
three glasses. He has an arm and a thigh ing in from different quarters of the island
carried away. In front of him his first and crowded together in the streets,
Lieutenant Thomson, killed by a grape- showed signs of the greatest excitement
shot, which struck him in the chest at as nobody knew the real danger, every one
;

nephew, William Murray, invented some imaginary peril, and those

his feet lies his
likewise wounded in the side by a grape- which obtained most credence were the
shot. most exaggerated and unheard-of ones.
Then Willoughby with his remaining From time to time some aide-de-camp of
hand makes a movement to give up his the General in command would appear
sword but Lieutenant Roussin, in his suddenly, bringing an order and tossing
;

turn extending his arm, salutes the dying to the crowd a proclamation intended to
Englishman, saying :
—
" Captain, when a arouse the hatred which the Nationalists
man uses a sword as you have done, he bore towards the EngUsh and to excite
"
surrenders it alone
to God ! their patriotism. On its being read out,
And he at once orders every possible at- raised on the points hats were
of
tention to be lavished upon Captain Wil-bayonets shouts of " Long live the Em- ;

loughby. But all aid was useless peror " resounded

the oaths to conquer or
; ;

brave defender of the Nereid died on thedie were exchanged a shiver of enthu- ;

morrow. siasm ran through the crowd, which

Lieutenant Roussin was more fortunate passed from a state of noisy idleness to
as regards the nephew than he had been one of furious activity, and rushed head-
with the uncle. Lord Murray, though long from all quarters, demanding to march
wounded deeply and dangerously, was not upon the enemy.
 ;

lO GEORGES
But the real meeting-place was the displayed to view an embroidered vest,
Place d' Amies, that is to say, in the centre frilled shirt and white tie with embroidered
of the town. Thither were continually ends. Near him, a pretty child of twelve,
arriving, now an ammunition waggon attended by a household negro who stood
dragged helter-skelter by two small horses some yards away, dressed in a suit of
of Timor or Pegu, now a gun brought in dimity, displayed, with that ease which
at full gallop by the National Artillery, the habit of being well-dressed imparts,
young fellows of fifteen to sixteen years his large scalloped collar, his jacket of
of age, for whom the powder that green camlet with silver buttons, and his
blackened their faces took the place of grey beaver adorned with a feather. At
beards. There, too, assembled the Civic his side hung with his sabretache the
Guards in fighting trim, Volunteers in scabbard of a little sword, the blade of
miscellaneous garments, who had added which he held in his right hand, trying
bayonets to their sporting guns negroes to copy, as well as he could, the martial
;

clothed in remnants of uniforms and bearing of the officer, whom he took care,
armed with carbines, sabres and lances from time to time to address very loudly
all these mingling, colliding, crossing one as "Father," a title with which the Major
another, upsetting one another, contribut- seemed no less flattered than by the illus-
ing each his share of noise to the insistent trious rank in the national militia to
rumour which rose above the town, just which the confidence of his fellow-citizens
as the hum of an innumerable swarm of had raised him.
bees ascends from a large hive. At a short distance from this group
Once arrived, however, at the Place, which swaggered so gaily, might be dis-
whether rushing in singly or in groups, tinguished another, less brilliant no doubt,
these men assumed a more regular ap- but certainly more remarkable. It con-
pearance and a calmer demeanour. At sisted of a man from forty-five to forty-
the Place d'Armes was stationed, while eight years of age, and two children, one
waiting for the order to march against aged fourteen and the other twelve.
the enemy, half of the garrison of the The man was tall and thin, of bony
Island, composed of regular troops and frame, a little bent, not by age, since, as
forming a total of fifteen to eighteen we have said, he was not more than forty-
hundred men, whose attitude, at once eight at the outside, but by the humility
proud and nonchalant, was a silent re- of a subservient position. From his
proach to the noise and confusion made by copper tint and slightly woolly hair one
those who, less familiar with scenes of this could recognise at first glance one of those
kind, had nevertheless the courage and Mulattos whose fortunes, which are often
goodwill to take part in them. Accordingly, enormous and the result of their own well-
while the negroes hurried pell-mell to one directed industry, avail nothing in the
end of the great square, a regiment of Colonies to excuse their colour. He was
national Volunteers, restraining them- dressed with rich simplicity, held in his
selves at sight of the military discipline hand a carbine embossed with gold, armed
of the Regulars, halted in front of the with a long slender bayonet, and had at
troops, forming in the same order as they, his side a cuirassier's sabre which, thanks
and trying, though without success, to to his great height, hung along his thigh
imitate the regularity of their lines. like a sword. His pockets bulged with
He who appeared to be the leader of cartridges, in addition to those contained
this last body of men, and who, it must in his pouch.
be said, gave himself infinite trouble to The eldest of the two children who ac-
attain the result we have indicated, was a companied him was, as we have said, a
man from forty to forty-five years of age, tall lad of fourteen whose sporting pur-
wearing a Major's epaulettes, and endowed suits, more than his negro origin, had
by nature with one of those insignificant deepened his complexion. Thanks to the
faces to which no emotion can succeed in active life he had led he was as strong as
imparting signs of intelligence or charac- a young man of eighteen, and thus had
ter. For the rest, he was curled, shaved, obtained his father's leave to share in the
smartly got up as if for parade only, engagement which was soon to take
;

occasionally, he unfastened a clasp of his place. He, on his side, was armed with a
coat, originally buttoned from top to double-barrelled gun, the same which he
bottom but which gradually opening, used in his expeditions across the island,
 — '

GEORGES II

and with which, young as he was, he had and Lataniers rivers. He had held on
already gained a reputation for skill which with tenacity the whole morning but, ;

the most celebrated hunters envied him. not wishing to risk all his forces at one
But, at the present moment, his actual blow, and fearing besides that the attack
age overcame his apparent age for having which he met might be merely a feint
;

laid his gun down on the ground, he was during which the English would advance
rolling over and over with an enormous on Port-Louis by some other route, he
Madagascar hound, which seemed to had taken with him only eight hundred
have come there in case the English men, leaving the rest of the garrison, as
should have brought any of their bulldogs has been said, and the national volunteers
with them. to defend the town. The result was that,
The young hunter's brother, younger after prodigies of courage, his small force,
son of the man of tall stature and humble which had to deal with a body of four
mien, who completed the group we have thousand English and two thousand se-
endeavoured to describe, was a child of poys, had been obliged to evacuate posi-
about twelve, whose slim and puny build tion after position, taking advantage of
bore no relation to his father's great every accident of the ground, but soon
height or the powerful frame of his brother, forced to retire again so that from the
;

who seemed to have united in himself
alone the vigour intended for both
contrast therefore to Jacques, as the
oldest was called, little Georges seemed
two years younger than he really was, so
far did his short stature, his pale, thin,
and melancholy face, shaded by long dark
hair, betoken a lack of the physical
strength so common in the Colonies.
But, to make up for this, you might read
in his uneasy, penetrating look such an
eager intelligence, and in the precocious
knitting of the brows which was already
habitual to him, such a manly reflection
Place d'Armes, where the reserves were,
m it was possible, though the actual com-
batants were invisible, to calculate the
progress the English were making by the
increasing roar of the artillery drawing
nearer and nearer every minute. Presently
could be distinguished, between the thun-
ders of the big guns, the crackling of
musketry. But it must be onfessed that
this noise, instead of frightening those de-
fenders of Port-Louis who, condemned to
inaction by their General's orders, were
stationed in the Great Square, only stimu-
lated their bravery so much so that,
;

and such firmness of wall, that you were
amazed to meet with such insignificance
and such vigour united in one and the
same individual.
Having no weapons, he kept close by
his father and grasped with all the strength
of his little hand the barrel of the hand-
some embossed gun, turning his eager
and inquiring eyes from his father to the
Major, asking inwardly, no doubt, why
his father, who was twice as rich and
strong and clever as the other, did not also
while the Regulars were content to bite
their lips or swear beneath their mous-
taches, the Volunteers brandished their
weapons, grumbling openly, and crying
that, if the order to start was delayed any
longer, they would break their ranks and
go and fight as skirmishers.
At this moment there was a general
shout, at the same time an aide-de-camp
galloped up and, without even entering
the Place, raising his hat to attract atten-
tion, shouted from the end of the street :

boast like him some honourable badge or " To your entrenchments the enemy is
;
"
individual mark of rank. here !

A negro in waistcoat and trousers of Then he went off as fast as he had come
blue cloth was
waiting, as his comrade At once the drum of the regulars
was for child with the scalloped
the sounded, and the soldiers, forming line
collar, till the time came for the with the quickness and precision of long
men to march, for the boy would stay be- habit, started off at the double.
hind with him while his father and brother Whatever rivalry might exist between
went to fight. the Volunteers and the Regulars, the for-
The noise of cannon had been heard since mer could not get away with so rapid a
morning, for General Vandermaesen with dash. Some moments elapsed before the
the other half of the garrison had marched ranks were formed then as, when they
;

out to meet the enemy, so as to check were formed, some led off with the right
them in the defiles of the Long Valley foot, others with the left, there was a
and at the crossing of the Pont- Rouge moment of confusion necessitating a halt.
 —— — " ;

12 GEORGES
At moment, seeing a vacant place questioner, turned away his own in con-
this
in the middle of the third file of volun- fusion.
teers, the tall man with the ornamented This added fuel to the other's anger, and
gun embraced the youngest of his children still further roused the man's insolence.
and, putting him into the arms of the " Come What are you doing there ? "
!

negro in the blue suit, ran with his eldest he asked, giving him a push with his open
boy modestly to occupy the place which hand.
the false start of the Volunteers had left " Monsieur de Malmedie," answered
vacant. Munier, " I had hoped that on a day like
But, at the approach of the two pariahs, this diflference of colour would disappear
their neighbours on the right and left in face of the common danger."
turned aside, forcing the same movement " You hoped " said the Major shrug- !

upon the men next to them, so that the ging his shoulders with a loud chuckle.
tall man and his son found themselves " You hoped and what gave you this
!

"
the centre of circles which went moving hope,
you please ? if

from them, just as circles of water retire " The desire that I have to die, if needs
from the spot at which a stone has been be, to save our Island."
thrown in. " Our Island " muttered the Major, !

The stout man in Major's epaulettes, " oii^r Island. Because these fellows have
who had with great difficulty just got plantations like us, they fancy the Island
his first file in order, now perceived belongs to them."
the disorder into which the third was " The Island belongs to us no more thar
being thrown rising on his toes, he to you white gentlemen, I ami well aware,"
;

shouted to those who were executing replied Munier in a timid voice, " but i:
the singular manoeuvre which we have we
stay for such questions at the hour o
described :
fighting, it will soon be no longer eithei
" To your ranks, my men to your yours or ours."
!

ranks "
!

.
" Enough " said the Major, stamping
!

But at this repeated order, made in a his foot to impose silence both by gesture
tone that admitted no reply, a general and voice on his interlocutor. " Enough
shout arose :
Are you in command of the Nationa
" No blacks no blacks with us "
! Guard ?
!

This cry the entire battalion echoed " No, sir, as you very well know,'
with a universal roar. answered Munier " for when I presentee ;

Then the officer understood the cause myself, you rejected me."
of this disorder, and saw in the centre of a " Then what do you want ? "
large circle the mulatto who had remained " I wanted to follow you as a volunteer.'
at the " port arms," while his elder son, " Impossible," said the Major.
red with anger, had already fallen back " Why
impossible ? Ah if you wouk !

two paces to get away from those who only let me, Mons. de Malmedie."
were pushing him back. " Impossible," repeated the Major
On seeing this, the Major passed drawing himself up. " These gentlemei
through the two front ranks which opened who are under my orders will have nc
to make way for him, and went straight mulattos among them."
for the insolent fellow who had dared, " No, no blacks," shouted the Nationa
man of colour as he was, to mix with Guards with one voice.
the whites. When in front of him he " But may I not fight them, sir ? " sai*
looked him up and down with an in- Munier, letting his arms fall dejectedly b;
dignant stare, the man remaining before his sides, and with difficulty keeping bac'
him upright and motionless as a post the large tears which trembled on his eye
:

" Well Pierre Munier," said he, "can't lashes.

!

you hear, or must you be told twice over, " Form a corps of coloured men an
that this is not your place and that you put yourself at their head, or join thi
"
are not wanted here ? detachment of blacks which is going t
Pierre with his strong right hand might follow us."
have crushed at a blow the man who " But —
" murmured Pierre.
spoke thus but instead of this, he made
;
" I order you to quit the battalion
no reply, only raised his head with a order it," repeated M. de Malmedie, brie
scared look, and, meeting the looks of his ling UD.
 — — — ;;

GEORGES 13

" Come, come, and leave these

father, we never confess to ourselves, but which,
men who are insulting you," said a small however, disturbs us when we await, from
voice trembling with anger. And Pierre an inferior, whom we fear in spite of our-
felt himself pulled back with such force selves, his opinion of something we have
that he retreated a step. done.
" Yes ! Jacques, yes, I will follow you," Georges made no reply but turning his
;

said he. head towards the extremity of the Great

" It is not Jacques, father, it is I, Square, said :

Georges." " Father, the negroes down there are

Munier turned astonishment.
in
It was, in fact, the child who had got
down from the negro's arms, and come to
give his father this lesson in dignity.
Munier let his head sink on his breast,
and uttered a deep sigh. During this time
the ranks of the National Guard had re-
formed, M. de Malmedie resumed his post
at the head of the first file, and the regi-
ment set off at increased speed.
Pierre Munier remained alone between
his two children, one of whom was red as
fire, the other pale as death. He glanced
at the red face of Jacques and Georges'
pale one, and as if these symptoms were a
double reproach to him, exclaimed
" What would you have, my poor chil-
—
dren ? there is no help for it." Jacques
was indifferent and philosophical.
first feeling had been painful to him, no which he could not overcome in presence
doubt but reflection had come quickly to of the whites, disappeared and gave way
;
waiting for a leader."
"Why, you are right, Georges!" cried
Jacques joyously, already consoled for his
humiliation by the consciousness of his
strength, and reasoning, no doubt, as
Caesar did, —
It is better to command these
than to obey those.
And Munier, yielding to the advice
given by his youngest son and the impe-
tus imparted by the other, advanced
towards the negroes, who, engaged in dis-
cussing whom to choose as their leader, no
sooner perceived the man whom all
coloured people in the island looked up to
as a father, than they grouped themselves
:
round him as their natural chief, and
begged himto lead them to battle.
Then a strange change took place in
The
man. That feeling of inferiority,
the

his aid and consoled him. to a proper estimation of his own merit
" Bah!" he replied to his father, snap- his bowed frame drew itself up to its full
ping his fingers. " What does it matter to height his eyes, which he had kept
;

us after all if this silly man despises us ? humbly lowered or wandering vaguely be-
We are richer than he, aren't we, father ? fore M. de Malmedie, darted fire his ;

And for myself," he added, casting a side voice, trembling a moment earlier, as-
glance at the child with the scalloped col- sumed an accent of formidable sternness,
lar, " let me find his cub of a Henri at a and it was with a gesture of noble energy
lucky moment, and I will give him a that, throwing back his carbine slung over
drubbing which he will remember." his shoulder, he drew his sword, and, ex-
" Good, Jacques " said Pierre Munier,
! tending his sinewy arm towards the
thanking his eldest son for having in some enemy, cried " Forward " !

degree relieved his shame by his careless Then, taking a last look at his youngest
attitude. Then he turned to his younger child, who hadreturned to the protection
son, to see if the latter would take the of the negro in the blue suit and, filled
matter as philosophically as the elder. with pride and pleasure, was clapping his
But Georges remained motionless all : hands, Pierre disappeared with his black
that his father could discover in his stony company round the corner of the same
countenance was an imperceptible smile street by which the Regulars and National
which contracted his lips still, impercep-
: Guards had just disappeared, shouting
tible as it was, that smile had such a sug- once again to the negro in the blue
gestion of contempt and pity that, as we jacket :
—
" Telemaque, look after my
sometimes reply to words that have not son!"
been uttered, Pierre answered to this The line of defence consisted of three
smile :
divisions. On the left the Fanfaron bas-
" But what do you want me to do tion, situated on the edge of the sea
"
then ? and armed with eighteen cannon in the ;

And he waited for the child's answer, centre the entrenchment, properly so
disquieted by that vague uneasiness which called, lined with twenty-four field guns
H GEORGES
and, on the right, the Dumas battery,
protected by six guns only.
The victorious enemy, after having ad-
vanced at first in three columns on the
three different points, abandoned the two
first, the strength of which they perceived,
so as to concentrate upon the third, which
was not only, as has been said, the
weakest, but which further was only
defended by the National Artillery. How-
ever, contrary to all expectation, at the
sight of the compact mass which marched
on them with the terrible regularity of
British discipline, this martial band of
young men, instead of being alarmed, ran
to their posts, manoeuvring with the
speed and the skill of veteran soldiers,
with a fire so well maintained and directed
that the enemy thought themselves mis-
taken as to the strength of the battery
and the men who served it still, they
; The British, in fact, continued their pro-
continued to advance, for the deadlier the
battery became, the more imperative it
was to silence its fire. But then the con-
founded battery got angry, and like a
juggler who makes us forget one astound-
ing trick by performing another still more
astounding, it redoubled its volleys, mak-
ing shot follow grape, and grape common
shot, with such rapidity that disorder
began to spread in the hostile ranks. At
the same time, and as the British had
come within musket-shot, the rifle dis-
charge in its turn began to splutter, so
that the enemy, seeing their ranks thinned
by cannon shot and whole files swept
away by musket fire, astonished by a
resistance as vigorous as it was unex-
pected, wavered and drew back.
By order of the General in command
the Regulars and the National Battalion
who had combined on the threatened point
now moved off, one to the left, the other
to the right, and charged with fixed
bayonets on the enemy's flanks, while the
formidable battery continued to pound
him in front. The Regulars carried out
their manoeuvre with their customary pre-
upon the British, cut through
cision, fell
their ranks and increased the disorder.
But, whether carried away by their
courage, or that they executed the given
order clumsily, the National Guards,
commanded by M. de Malmedie, instead
of falling upon the left flank and making
an attack parallel to that executed by the
Regulars, made a wrong movement and
encountered the British front. Conse-
quently the battery was obliged to cease
firing, and as it was this fire especially
that frightened the enemy, who now had
only to deal with men inferior in number
to themselves, they regained courage and
turned on the Nationals, who, to their
credit be it said, sustained the shock with-
out giving way a single yard. However,
this resistance could not last on the part
of these brave fellows placed between an
enemy better disciplined than themselves
and ten times superior in numbers, and
the battery which was forced to be silent
to avoid overwhelming them at each;
moment they lost so many men that
they began to give way. Soon, by a
skilful movement, the British left out-
flanked the right of the National Battalion
now on the point of being surrounded and
who, too inexperienced to adopt the forma-
tion in square, were looked upon as lost.
gressive movement and, like a rising tide
were about to surround this island of men
with their waves, when suddenly shouts
of " France !France " resounded in the
!
rear of the enemy. This was followed by
a fearful discharge, succeeded by a silence
more dreadful than the discharge itself.
A strange undulation passed through
the enemy's rear and was felt even in
their front ranks red-coats bent under a
;
vigorous bayonet charge like ripe ears be-
neath the ijiower's sickle it was now
;
their turn to be surrounded, to have to
face front, right and left. But the newly-
arrived reinforcement gave them no respite,
but kept on charging, so that at the end
of ten minutes they had opened a path
through a bloody gap to the unlucky bat-
talion and extricated it. Then, seeing that
they had accomplished their object, the
new arrivals fell back, wheeled to the left
with a circular movement, and charged
the enemy's flank. Malmedie, on his
side, imitating instinctively the same
manoeuvre, had given a similar impulse
to his battalion, so that the battery, seeing
itself unmasked, lost no time, and bursting
forth once more aided the efforts of this
triple attack, belching torrents of grape-
shot on the enemy. From this point vic-
tory decided in favour of the French.
Then Malmedie, feeling himself out of
danger, glanced at his liberators, whom
he had already partly seen, but hesitated to
acknowledge, so much did it go against
the grain to owe his safety to such men.
It was, indeed, the corps of blacks, so
despised by him, that had followed in his
 ; —
GEORGES
wake and joined him at such an oppor-
tune moment, and at their head Pierre
Munier, who, seeing Malm^die surrounded
by the British who thus presented their
backs to him, had with his three hundred
men caught them in the rear and over-
thrown them it was Munier who, after hav-
; ment round Munier and his trophy, to
ing planned this movement with the genius
of a general, had carried it out with the
courage of a soldier, and who at this mo-
ment finding himself in a position where
he need fear nothing except death, fought
in front of all, erect at his full height, his
eyes flashing, his nostrils dilated, his fore-
head bare, his hair floating in the wind,
enthusiastic, daring, sublime. In short, it
was Munier's voice that was raised from
time to time in the midst of the fighting,
drowning all the noise of battle to shout
"
" Forward ! sively clasped his powerful hand and
Then, as to follow him was to advance,
and as the disorder in the British ranks
increased, the cry was heard " Comrades,
make for the flag He was seen to hurl
!
" die, no less curled and bedecked than
himself into the midst of a group of British,
fall, spring up again, plunge into their ranks,
and after an instant reappear with torn
clothes and bleeding forehead, but with
the flag in his hand.
At this moment the General, fearing that
the victors might advance too far in pur-
suit of the British and fall into a trap,
gave the order to fall back. The Regulars
obeyed first, bringing in the prisoners, the
National Guard carrying away the dead ;
the black Volunteers in the rear, surround-
ing their flag.
The whole island had rushed to the
port, crowding to see the victors, for
the inhabitants of Port-Louis thought in
their ignorance that the entire army of
the enemy had been engaged, and hoped
that the British, after being repulsed so
vigorously, would not return to the charge,
so, as each corps passed, they were greeted
with fresh hurrahs all were proud, all
! ;
victorious, all beside themselves. An un-
expected happiness fills their hearts, an
unhoped for success turns their heads
the inhabitants had expected to make
some resistance, but not to gain a victory
so, when they saw victory so completely
and entirely theirs, men, women, veterans
and children swore with one mouth that
they would work at the entrenchments
and die, if needs be, for their defence.
Excellent promises, no doubt, and made
by all with the intention of keeping them,
but not worth, by a great deal, an extra
15
regiment, if an extra regiment could have
arrived !
But, amid this general ovation, no ob-
ject attracted so much notice as the
British flag and the man who had taken
it; there were endless cries of astonish-
which the blacks replied by blustering re-
marks, while their leader, becoming once
more the humble mulatto with whom we
are acquainted, satisfied the questions put
by each with a timid politeness. Stand-
ing near the conqueror, and leaning on his
double-barrelled gun, which had not been
dumb during the engagement and the
bayonet of which was stained with blood,
Jacques carried his head proudly, while
Georges, who had escaped from Telemaque
and joined his father at the port, convul-
vainly tried to check the tears of joy
which fell from his eyes in spite of him-
self. Close by Munier was M. de Malme-
when he started, but with his tie torn, his
frill in rags and covered with sweat and
dirt ; he, too, was surrounded and con-
gratulated by his family but the con-
;
gratulations he received were such as are
offered to a man who has escaped a dan-
ger, not the praises lavished on a victor.
So he appeared rather embarrassed by
the chorus of affecting solicitude, and, to
put a good face on it, was asking loudly
where his son Henri and his negro Bijou
were,when he saw them both appear
making their way through the crowd,
Henri to throw himself into his father's
arms, and Bijou to congratulate his master.
At this moment, some one came to tell
Munier that a negro who had fought
under him and received a mortal Avound,
having been carried to a house near the
port, wished to see him. Pierre looked
round in search of Jacques to entrust him
with his flag, but Jacques had discovered
his friend the dog again, who in his turn
had come with the rest to offer his com-
pliments he had placed his gun on the
;
ground, and the child getting the better
of the man, he and the dog were rolling over
and over, some fifty yards off. Georges,
seeing his father's difficulty, stretched out
his hand, saying :
" Give it me, father ; I will take care
of it for you."
Pierre smiled, and believing that none
would dare to touch the glorious trophy
which belonged to him alone, kissed
 — — ;

i6 GEORGES
Georges on the forehead, handed him the reaching his brother at one bound, sent
flag, which the child with great difficulty the aggressor flying ten yards by a vigor-
held upright by clasping his hands on his ous blow in the middle of his face, and,
breast, and went off to the house where jumping on the sword which the latter had
the sufferings of one of his Volunteers let fall in the struggle, broke it into three
claimed his presence. or four pieces, spat on it, and tossed the
Georges remained alone but the child pieces at him.
;

felt instinctively that, though alone, he was It was now the turn of the boy with the
not isolated his father's fame protected embroidered collar to feel the blood run
;

him, and his eyes beaming with pride he down his face, but he had lost his blood
looked at the crowd that surrounded him; not from a sword blow, but from a blow
this bright and happy glance then met with the fist.
that of the child with the embroidered All this had passed so rapidly that
collar, and became disdainful. The latter, neither M. de Malmedie, who, as we have
on his part, eyed Georges with envy, said, was engaged a few yards off in re-
asking himself no doubt why his father ceiving the congratulations of his family,
too had not taken a flag. This question nor Munier, who was coming from the
naturally led him doubtless to say to him- house where the negro had just breathed
self, that, failing a flag of his own, he his last, had time to anticipate it. They
must monopolise another's. For, rudely were merely spectators of the catastrophe,
approaching Georges, who, though he saw and ran up both at once Pierre panting,
;

his hostile purpose, did not draw back a troubled and trembling ; Malmedie red
step, he said :
with anger and choking with arrogance.
" Give me that." They met in front of Georges.
" What ? " asked Georges. " Did you see," cried M. de Malmedie,
" That flag," repHed Henri. " what happened just now ? "
" This flag is not yours, it's my " Alas !yes, M. de Malmedie," an-
father's." swered Pierre, " and, believe me, had I
" What has that got to do with me ? I been there, this would not have taken
want it "
! place."
" You shall not have it." " Meanwhile, sir," cried M. de Mal-
The child with the embroidered collar medie, " your son laid his hand on mine.
then put out his hand to snatch the staff A mulatto's son has dared to touch a
of the flag, an action to which Georges white man's son."
only replied by tightening his lips, becom- " I am distressed at what has just taken
ing paler than usual, and drawing back a place, M. de Malmedie," stammered the
step. But this act only encouraged Henri, poor father, " and humbly offer my
who, Hke all spoilt children, thought he apologies."
had but to ask to get he stepped forward,
; "Your apologies, sir," replied the angry
and this time laid his plans so well that settler, bridling up as the other humbled
he grasped the stick, shouting loudly with himself '* do you think your apologies
;

"
his little angry voice :
are sufficient ?
" I tell you I want it." " What more can I do, sir ? "
" And I tell you you shan't have it," re- " What can you do ? " repeated Mal-
peated Georges, pushing him back with medie, himself at a loss to name the
one hand, while with the other he con- he wished to obtain " you
satisfaction ;

tinued to press the captured flag against can have that wretch who struck my son
his chest. whipped."
" Ah you nigger, you how dare you
! !
" Have me whipped ? " said Jacques,
touch me ? " cried Henri. " Well, you picking up his double-barrelled gun and
will see." And, drawing his little sword changing from child to man again.
from the scabbard before Georges had " Well, come and meddle with me your-
time to defend himself, he struck him with self, M. de Malmedie."
all his strength on the top of the forehead. " Hush Jacques
! hush, my son,"
;

The blood at once gushed from the wound cried Pierre.

and trickled down the boy's face. " Excuse me, father," said Jacques,
" Coward " said Georges coldly.
! " but I am right, and I will not be silent.
Exasperated by this insult, Henri was M. Henri struck my brother, who was
about to repeat the blow, when Jacques, doing nothing to him, with his sword
 — " — ;

GEORGES 17

and I M. Henri with my fist. So

struck the words died upon his lips his ;

M. Henri wrong, and I am right."

is habitual humiUty got the better of his
" Struck my son with his sword, my courage. He sighed and though obedi-
;

Georges. Georges, dear child," cried ence to such an unjust order grieved him,
Munier, going towards his son, " is it true he himself took the flag from Georges,
"
that you are wounded ? who ceased to offer any resistance, and
" It's nothing, father," said Georges. handed it to the Major, who wilked off
" What nothing ? " ! cried Pierre laden with his stolen trophy.
IMunier " why ;your forehead is cut
! It was incredible, strange, miserable, to
open. Look, sir," he resumed, turning to see a manof a nature so rich, vigorous
M. de Mahnedie, " Jacques spoke the and determined, yield without resistance
truth your son has almost killed mine."
;
to that other nature so vulgar, dull, mean,
Malmedie turned towards Henri, and, common and poor, yet so it was and, ;

as there was no means of resisting the what more extraordinary, the thing
is still
evidence, inquired : surprised nobody, for it happened every
" Come, Henri, how did the thing day in the colonies, not in similar, but in
happen ? parallel circumstances. So, accustomed
" Papa," said Henri, " it is not my from infancy to respect the white as men
fault I wanted the flag to bring it to you,
; of a superior race, Munier had all his life
and that wretch wouldn't give it me." let himself be crushed by that aristocracy
" And why wouldn't you give my son of colour to which he had just yielded
the flag, you little rascal ? " asked M. de once more without even attempting to
Malmedie. resist. He resembles those heroes who
" Because the flag isn't yours, or hold their heads high in the face of grape
your son's, or anybody's, but my father's." shot, and bend the knee to a prejudice.
•'
Well ? " asked Malmedie, continuing The lion attacks man, the terrestrial
to question his son. image God, and flees
of in alarm when
" Well, when I saw he wouldn't give it he hears the cock crow.
me, I tried to take it. Then this brute As for Georges, who had
not shed a
came up and struck me in the face with tear when he saw his blood trickling
his fist." down, he burst into sobs on finding his
" Then that is what happened ? " hands empty in presence of his father,
" Yes, father." who looked at him sadly without even
" He is lying," said Jacques, " and I trying to comfort him.
only struck him when I saw my brother's Jacques, for his part, bit his fists with
blood flowing but for that, I should
; rage, and vowed to be avenged one day
never have hit him." on Henri, M. de Malmedie and all the
" Silence, you villain " cried M. de ! whites.
Malmedie. Then going up to Georges, he Scarcely ten minutes after the scene
said :
which we have just related, a messenger
" Give me
the flag." covered with dust rushed up announcing
But Georges, instead of obeying this that the British, to the number of ten
order, stepped back once more, pressing thousand, were
advancing by the
the flag to his breast with all his might. Williams plains and the Little River
" Give me the fla^" repeated Malmedie then, almost immediately, the look-out
in a threatening tone which showed that, signalled the arrival of a fresh British
if his demand were not complied with, he squadron which, anchoring in the bay of
would resort to the utmost extremities. Grande-Riviere, landed five thousand
" But, sir," muttered Pierre, '• it was I
men on the coast. Finally, it was ascer-
who took the flag from the British." tained at the same time that the division
" I know it, sir, but it shall not be said
repulsed in the morning had rallied on
that a mulatto has coped with a man like the banks of the Riviere des Lataniers,
me with impunity. Give me the flag." and was ready to march again upon Port
'• "—
But, sir Louis, combining its movements with the
" I will have it, I order it two other invading corps who were ad-
obey your ;

officer." vancing, one by Curtois Bay, the other

It entered Pierre's head to answer, by the Reduit. There were no means of
** You
are not my officer, sir, since you resisting such a force so, when some ;

wouldn't have me as your soldier " but despairing voices, appealing to the oath
;
 ;;

i8 GEORGES
taken in the morning to conquer or die, their departure was to get their educa-
demanded fight, the Captain-General re- tion. The real cause of their absence
plied by disbanding the National Guard was the very evident hatred shown to-
and the Volunteers, and declaring that, wards both of them by M. de Malmedie
armed with full powers from his Majesty since the day of the flag incident, a
the Emperor Napoleon, he was about to hatred on account of which their poor
treat with the British for the surrender of father trembled, especially with their
the town. known disposition, lest they should
Only madmen could have tried to com- become the victims.
bat such a step ;twenty-five thousand As for Henri, his mother was too fond
men surrounded less than four thousand of him to part from him. Besides, what
accordingly, on the order of the Captain- did he want to learn ? unless it was that
General every one went home, so that the every coloured man was born to respect
town remained occupied only by the and obey him.
Regulars. On the night of the 2nd of Well ! as we have seen, that was a
December the capitulation was concluded thing Henri had already learned by heart.
and signed at five a.m. it was approved
;

and exchanged the same day the enemy

;

occupied the lines on the morrow he

;

took possession of the town and harbour.

Eight hours afterwards the captured
French squadron left the harbour under
full sail, carrying the whole of the gar- CHAPTER IV
rison, like a poor family driven from the
paternal roof; so long as the last flutter FOURTEEN YEARS LATER
of the last flag could be seen, the crowd
remained on the quay but when the last
;

frigate had disappeared, every one went

THE day when a European vessel is
signalled off the port is a general
home in gloom and silence. Two men holiday in the Isle of France for, long ;

remained alone and were the last to leave severed from the mother country, the
the harbour, the mulatto Pierre Munier majority of the inhabitants impatiently
and the negro Telemaque. await news of their country, their families,
" M. Munier, we will climb the hill and those beyond the seas each hopes ;

we shall still be able to see Masters for something, and keeps his eyes fixed,
Jacques and Georges." directly she comes in sight, upon the
" Yes, you are right, my good Tele- maritime messenger which brings him the
maque," cried Pierre Munier, " and if we letter or the portrait of a friend, male or
do not see them, we shall at least see the female, or it may be that friend, himself
ship that carries them." or herself, in person. For this vessel, the
And Pierre Munier, dashing off with object of so many desires and the source
the rapidity of a young man, in an of so many hopes, is the over-sea chain
instant had climbed the hill of the Dis- joining Europe to Africa, the flying-bridge
covery, from the height of which he could thrown from one world to the other.
follow with his eyes, until it grew dark, Accordingly, no news spreads so rapidly
not his sons, for the distance, as he had through the whole Island as that which
foreseen, was too great for him to dis- issues from the peak of the Discovery,
"
tinguish them any longer, but the frigate " A
vessel in sight !

Bellona on board which they had em- We

say the peak of the Discovery, be-
barked. cause in almost all cases the vessel,
In fact, Pierre Munier had resolved, obliged to keep away to catch the east
cost him what it might, to sever himself wind, passes in front of Grand-Port,
from his children, and was sending them coasts along the land at the distance of
to France under the protection of the two or three leagues, doubles the point of
worthy General Decaen. Jacques and Ouatre-Cocos, steers between the lie Plate
Georges started then for Paris with re- and the Coin-de-Mire, and some hours
commendations to two or three of the after, having cleared this passage, appears
richest merchants in the capital, with at the entrance of Port-Louis, whose in-
whom Pierre Munier had for a long time habitants, warned the previous day by the
had business relations. The pretext for signals which have traversed the Island

to announce its approach, await it in
crowds that throng the quay.
After what has been said of the eager-
ness with which every one in the Isle of
France awaits news from Europe, you
will doubtless not be astonished at the
crowd which one fine morning in the end
of February 1824, about eleven in the
morning, assembled at every point from
which they could see the entry into the
harbour of Port-Louis of the Leicester, a
fine frigate of thirty-six guns, which had
been signalled the day before at two in
the afternoon.
We ask the reader's permission to in-
troduce to him, or rather to renew his ac-
quaintance with, two of the persons whom
she carried on her deck.
The one was a man with fair hair, light
complexion, blue eyes, regular features,
and calm expression, a little above middle
height, whom you would have set
as no more than thirty or thirty-two, but
who was really more than forty. At first
sight you saw nothing specially striking
about him, though it must also be con-
fessed his general appearance was very
agreeable. If, after the first glance,
had any reason to continue the inspec-
tion, you remarked that he had small and
beautifully shaped hands and feet, which
in all countries, but especially in England,
is a sign of good family. His voice was
clear and distinct, but without modula-
tion, and so to speak, unmusical. His
sky-blue eyes, which might in ordinary
circumstances be charged with want of
expression, wandered with a clear glance
which seemed to fasten on nothing in par-
ticular and to examine nothing deeply.
From time to time, however, he blinked
his eyes like one tired of the sunshine,
accompanying this movement with a
slight parting of the lips which exposed a
double row of small, well-set teeth, white
as pearls. This trick seemed to deprive
his face of what little expression it pos-
sessed but, on looking at him carefully,
;
you noticed, on the contrary, that it was
at such moments that his quick and pro-
found glance, darting a ray of fire between
his contracted eyelids, probed the thought
of his questioner to the very depths of his
soul. Those who saw him for the first
time seldom failed to take him for a man
of no parts he knew that this was, in
; parent softness which was due only to the
general, the superficial judgment which
men formed of him, and almost always,
whether designedly or through indiffer-
GEORGES 19
ence, he was content to leave them in that
opinion, quite sure of undeceiving them
when it might suit his humour or when
the proper moment should arrive. For
this deceptive exterior concealed a sin-
gularly profound mind, just as sometimes
two inches of snow will mask a precipice
of a thousand feet ; so, with the con-
sciousness of an almost universal superi-
ority, he waited patiently till it was given
the opportunity to triumph. Then, when
he met with an opinion opposed to his
own, and, in the person giving vent to
that opinion, a foeman worthy of his
steel, he caught up the conversation which
he had allowed to stray into a hundred
capricious bye-ways, gradually became
animated and opened out, growing, as it
were, to his full height ;for his harsh
voice and blazing eyes ably supported his
lively, incisive, and highly coloured
down speech, at once enticing and serious,
dazzling and practical. If on the con-
trary this opportunity did not occur, he
was quite satisfied, and continued to be
looked upon by those who surrounded
him as a commonplace person. Not
you that he lacked self-esteem on the con-
;
trary, he pushed his pride in certain mat-
ters to excess. But it was a plan of con-
duct imposed on himself, from which he
never swerved. Every time that an erron
ecus proposition, a false idea, a badly sup-
ported conceit, in short, anything ridicu
lous, was stated in his presence, the ex-
treme acuteness of his mind brought in-
stantly to his tongue a smart sarcasm or
to his lips a scornful smile. But he at
once checked this sort of outward irony,
and, when he could not entirely suppress
the outburst of contempt, he concealed
beneath one of those blinkings of the
eyes which were habitual to him, the ban-
tering expression which had escaped him
in spite of himself, knowing well that the
way to see and hear everything was to
appear blind and deaf. Perhaps he would
have wished, like Pope Sixtus V., to ap-
pear paralysed as well but, as this would
;
have entailed a too lengthy and tiring
dissimulation, he had abandoned the idea.
The other was a dark young man of
sallow complexion, with long black hair ;
his eyes, which were large, beautifully
formed and velvety, had, behind the ap-
continual pre-occupation of his thoughts,
a firmness of character which struck one
from the first. If he became excited.
20 GEORGES
which was but seldom, for his whole
frame seemed to obey not the physical in-
stincts but a moral force, then his eyes
lighted up with an inward flame, the fire
of which seemed to lie in the depths of his
soul. Though the lines of his face seemed
clear, they wanted regularity to a certain
extent ; his harmonious forehead, though
vigorous and square in mould, was fur-
rowed by a slight scar, almost impercepti-
ble in the state of calmness which was
habitual to him, but which betrayed itself
by a white line when his face became red.
A moustache, as dark as his hair and as
regular as his eyebrows, shaded, while
concealing its size, a mouth with strong
lips and furnished with splendid teeth.
The general aspect of his countenance
was serious by the wrinkles in his fore-
; creating any complication for the future.
head, the almost perpetual frowning of
the eyebrows, and the severity of all his
features, might be recognised a deep re-
flection and an unshaken resolve. Ac-
cordingly, in contrast with his companion,
whose features lacked character, and who,
though forty years old, appeared scarcely
thirty or thirty-two, he, who was hardly
twenty-five, appeared nearly thirty. As
to the rest of his person, he Avas of mode-
rate height, but well-built his limbs were
; gained but one single advantage over the
all perhaps a trifle slender, but one felt
that, when animated by any excitement,
violent tension of nerve would supply
them with strength. By way of compensa-
tion, one understood that nature had en-
dowed him with activity and dexterity be-
yond what she had denied him in the way
of clumsy vigour. For the rest, dressed
almost always with an elegant simplicity,
he wore at this moment trousers, waist-
coat and frock-coat whose cut showed that
they came from the hands of one of the
best Parisian tailors, and in the button-
hole of his frock-coat he wore, knotted
with elegant carelessness, the united
ribands of the Legion of Honour and of
Charles III.
These two men had met on board the
Leicester, which had taken aboard the one
at Portsmouth, the other at Cadiz. At
the first glance they had recognised the
fact that they had already seen each other
circumstances of life, to break
in special
through the general proprieties. How-
ever, the loneliness of the deck, the limited
space within which they walked every
day, the natural attraction two men of
the world instinctively feel for one another,
had soon brought them together. At
first they had exchanged some trifling
remarks, then their conversation had
assumed a more serious character. After
some days, each of the two had recognised
his companion as a man out of the
common, and congratulated himself at
such a meeting on a three months' voyage;
then, after further waiting, they had be-
come united by that friendship of circum-
stances which, without roots in the past,
forms a distraction in the present, without
Then, during those long evenings under
the equator, and fine tropical nights, they
had had time to study each other, and
both had recognised that in art, science
and politics, they had, whether by inquiry
or by experience, learnt all that it is
given to man to know. Both had then
remained constantly face to face like
wrestlers of equal strength, and in this
long voyage the first of these two men had
second, and that was when in a squall
which struck the frigate after doubling
the Cape of Good Hope, and in which the
captain of the Leicester, injured by the
fall of a top-gallant-mast, had been
carried swooning into his cabin, the fair-
haired passenger had seized the speaking-
trumpet, and, springing on the quarter-
deck, had, in the absence of the second
in command, whom severe illness kept
prisoner in his berth, with the firmness
of a man accustomed to command and
the knowledge of an accomplished sailor,
at once issued a series of orders which
saved the vessel from succumbing to the
force of the hurricane. Then, when the
squall was over, his face, shining for a
moment with that sublime pride which
mounts to the brow of every human
creature when struggling against his
Creator, had resumed its ordinary expres-
sion his voice, the stentorian tones of
;

in the saloons of London and Paris, where which had made themselves heard above
one sees everybody ; they had greeted the roll of the thunder and the howling
each other, therefore, as old acquaint- of the storm, had sunk to its normal
ances, but at first without speaking. For, pitch. Lastly, with a gesture as simple
having never been introduced, both had as the preceding ones had been romantic
been restrained by that aristocratic reserve and exalted, he had handed the second
of fashionable people who hesitate, even officer back the speaking-trumpet, that
 ;

GEORGES 21

sceptre of a master mariner which is, in scanned the horizon without observing
the hands of him who wields it, the token anything but a sort of haze which may
of absolute and undisputed authority. quite as well be a mist floating on the sea
During all this time, his companion, on as an island that has its roots at the bot-
whose calm face, let us hasten to say, it tom of the ocean."
would have been impossible to detect the " Yes, I daresay," said the elder man,
least trace of emotion, had followed him " for it is only with difficulty that even the
with his eyes with the envious expression eye can distinguish with certainty,
sailor's
of a man obliged to recognise himself as especially at such a distance, water from
inferior to him whose equal he had hither- sky, and land from clouds ;but I," he
to thought himself. Then, when the dan- added, blinking his eyes, " old sea dog
ger being over, they found themselves side that I am, perceive all the outlines of our
by side again, he had contented himself Island, I might even say all its details."
with saying :
" Well, my Lord, that is a fresh superior-
" You have commanded a ship then, my ity I recognise in your Lordship over my-
Lord ? " self but I assure you it requires that to
;

'•
Yes," the man to whom this title of assure me of such a thing, so as not to
honour had been applied answered simply reject it as incredible."
" I have even reached the rank of Com- " Then take my glass," said the sailor,
modore, but six years ago I went into the "while I with the naked eye will describe
diplomatic service; and at the moment of the coast to you ;will you believe me
"
danger I recollected my old profession then ?
that is all." " My Lord," said the doubter," I consider
Then there had been no further talk be- you in everything a man so superior to
tween the two men on the subject only it others that I believe what you tell me, you
;

was clear that the younger of the two was may rest assured, without your needing to
inwardly humiliated by this superiority add any proof to your words. If I take
which his companion had in such un- the glass which you offer me, it is rather
expected fashion gained over him, and to satisfy a longing of my heart than a
which he would certainly have known desire of my curiosity."
nothing of but for the incident which had " Come, come," said the fair-haired
in a way forced it into the light of day. man, laughing " I see that the land air is
;

The question which we have reported and taking its effect, you are becoming a
the answer it evoked show, moreover, that flatterer."
during the three months they had just "la flatterer, my Lord ? " said the
spent together, neither of these men had young man shaking his head. " Oh your !

asked any question as to their respective Lordship is mistaken. The Leicester, I

social positions they had recognised each assure you, might make a voyage further
;

other as brothers in intelligence, and that than from pole to pole and sail round the
had been enough for them. They knew world more than once before you would
that the Isle of France was for both the see me so changed. No, my Lord, I do
object of their journey, and they had asked not flatter you, I only thank you for the
nothing more. Both appeared equally im- gracious kindness you have shown me
patient to arrive, for both had given orders throughout this interminable voyage, 1
to be told the moment the Island came in will venture almost to say the friendship
view. The order was needless in the case which your Lordship has evidenced to-
of one of them, for the young man with wards an unknown person like me."
dark hair was on deck, leaning against the " My dear comrade," answered the Eng-
taffrail of the poop, when the look-out lishman, holding out his hand to the young
man gave the cry, always so spirit-stir- man, " I hope that for you as for me there
"
ring, even to sailors, of " Land ho ! are no people in the world unknown ex-
' '

At this cry, his companion appeared at cept vulgarians, fools, and rogues but ;

the top of the companion, and, advancing I hope also that for the one as for the
towards the young man with a step more other of us every superior man is a rela-
rapid than usual, came and leant beside tion whom we recognise as belonging to
him. our family, wherever we meet him. That
" Well, my Lord," said the latter, " we granted, a truce to compliments, my young
have arrived, so at least they assure us friend take these glasses and look for we
; ; ;

for I confess to my shame that I have are drawing near so rapidly that there will
 — —
22 GEORGES
soon be no merit in accomplishing the " That is just the time when I left the
littlelesson in geography which I have Isle of France," replied the dark-haired
undertaken to give you." young man.
The young man took the spy-glass and " Were you still there at the time of
put it to his eye. the sea fight that took place at Grand-
" Can you make it out ? " asked the Port, and to which I ought not to allude,
Englishman. from a feeling of national pride, consider-
" Perfectly," said the young man. ing what a splendid beating we got there ?"
" Do you see on our extreme right, like " Oh speak of it,
! my
Lord, speak of it,"
a cone rising out of the sea, the solitary interrupted the young man " you have ;
"
lie Ronde ? so often taken your revenge, you English,
" Wonderfully clearly." that there is almost pride in your confess-
" Do you see closer to us the He Plate, ing to a defeat."
below which is passing at this moment a " Well, that was the time I visited the
brig, which from her shape has to me all Island for I was serving then in the
;

the look of a man-of-war ? This evening navy."

we shall be where she is, and shall pass " As Midshipman, no doubt ? "
where she is passing." " As Lieutenant of the frigate, sir."
The young man put down the glass and " But at that time, allow me to say, my
tried to seewith the naked eye the objects Lord, you were a child."
which his companion made out so easily, " What age do you put me at, sir ? "
and which he himself saw with difficulty " Why, I should think we are nearly of
by the aid of the telescope he held in his the same age, and you are scarcely
hand. Then he said with a smile of as- thirty."
tonishment : " I am just forty," replied the English-
" It is marvellous " ! man, smiling; " I was quite right in saying
And he put up the glass to his eye just now that you were in a flattering
agam. vein."
" Do you
see the Coin-de-Mire," con- The young man was astonished, and
tinued his companion, "which, from here, looked at his companion with more atten-
is almost undistinguishable from Cap tion than he had hitherto paid him, and
Malheureux, of sad and poetic memory ? noticed, by the slight wrinkles at the
Do you see the Piton de Batnbou, be- corners of his eyes and mouth, that he
hind which rises the Mountain of La might actually be the age he declared him-
Faience ? do you see the hill of Grand- self, and which he was so far from appear-
Port and there, do you see on its left the ing to be. Then, leaving his investiga-
;

Morne des Creoles ? " tion to return to the question which had
" Yes, yes, I see it all and recognise it, been put to him, he Avent on :

for all the peaks and summits are familiar " Yes, yes, I remember that battle and
to me from childhood, and I have kept also another which took place at the
them in my memory religiously but," opposite end of the island Do you know
;

"
—
continued the young man, pushing to- Port-Louis, my Lord ?
gether with the palm of his hand the three " No, sir, I only know this side of the
tubes of the spy-glass, " this is not the coast. I was dangerously wounded at
first time that you have seen this coast, the battle of Grand-Port, and carried as
and there is more of memory than of actual prisoner to Europe. Since that time I
sight in the description you have just have not revisited the Indian seas, where I
given me." shall now probably make an indefinite
" True," said the Englishman, smiling, stay."
" and I see that there is no means of Then, as though the last words that
practising trickery on you. Yes, I have they had exchanged had just aroused in
already seen this coast. the two men a source of inward memories,
"Yes, I speak to some extent from each moved away mechanically and dis-
memory, though the recollections which appeared to meditate in silence, one at
it has left me are probably less tender the bows, the other at the stern.
than those which it recalls to you. Yes, It was the day after this conversation
I came here at a time when, in all that, having rounded the He d'Ambre and
probability, we were enemies, my dear passed at the predicted hour at the foot of
companion, for it was fourteen years ago." the He Plate, the frigate Leicester, as we
 — ;;

GEORGES 23

pointed out at the beginning of this chap- years, it is true, had elapsed since that
ter, made her entrance into the harbour of time the older generation had partly dis-
;

Port-Louis, in the midst of the customary appeared, and the new generation only
crowd which welcomed the of cherished the recollection of the past in
arrival
every European vessel. ostentation, and as one cherishes an old
Of course, the fair-haired Englishman family pedigree. Fourteen years had
was no other than Lord Murray, member elapsed, as we have already said, and that
of the Upper House, who after being in is more than are required in order to for-
turn sailor and ambassador, had just been get the death of one's best friend, to
nominated Governor of the Isle of France violate an oath sworn more than are re-
;

by His Britannic Majesty. quired, in short, for killing, burying, or

We invite the reader, then, to recog- changing the name of a great man or a
nise in him the young lieutenant of whom great nation.
he got a glimpse on board the Nereid,
lying at the feet of his uncle. Captain
Willoughby, wounded in the side by a
discharge of grape, and of whom we
announced not only the recovery, but also
the approaching re-appearance as one of
the chief characters of our story. CHAPTER V
At the moment of separating from his
companion. Lord Murray turned to him THE PRODIGAL SON
and said :

" By-the-bye, sir, in three days I am

giving a banquet to the aathorities of the
ALL Government
had
to
eyes Lord Murray
followed
House but, when
;

Island ; I hope that you will do me the the door of the palace had closed on him
honour of being one of my guests." and those who surrounded him, all eyes
"With the greatest pleasure, my Lord," were directed to the ship.
answered the young man " but, before I
; At this moment the young man with
dark hair disembarked in his turn, and the
accept, it is right that I should tell your
Lordship who I am." curiosity of which the Governor had just
"Your name will be announced when been the object, was transferred to him.
you come in, sir," replied Lord Murray, As a matter of fact, they had seen Lord
" and then I shall know who you are Murray talking graciously to him and
meanwhile, I know what you are worth, shaking his hand so that the assembled
;

and that is all I want." crowd decided, with its usual sagacity,
Then, giving his travelling companion that this stranger was some young noble-
a shake of the hand and a smile, the new man belonging to the aristocracy of France
Governor passed down with the Captain or England. This probability had changed
to the barge of honour, which shoved off to an absolute certainty at the sight of the
from the ship's side, and impelled by thedouble riband Avhich adorned his button-
arms of ten stout oarsmen, soon landed athole, one of which ribands, it must be con-
the fountain of the Chien-de-Plomb. fessed, was a little less widely distributed
As the Governor landed, a Guard of at that period than it is to-day. For the
Honour presented arms, the drums beat a rest, the inhabitants of Port-Louis had
time to examine the new arrival
salute, the guns of the forts and the frigate for, ;

roared simultaneously, and those of the after casting his eyes around him as
other ships answered them like an echo though he had expected to find some of
immediately universal shouts of " Long his friends or relations on the pier, he had
live Lord Murray!" joyously welcomed waited on the quay while the Governor's
the new Governor, who, after graciously horses were being disembarked then,
;

saluting those who gave him this honour- when this operation was
over, a servant
able reception, went off to his palace, sur- of a tawny complexion, dressed in the
rounded by the chief authorities of the costume of the African Moors, with whom
Island. And yet, these men who thus the stranger had exchanged some words
feted the representative of His Britannic in an unknown tongue, saddled two horses
Majesty and applauded his arrival, were in Arabian fashion, and leading both of
the same men who had formerly lamented them by their bridles, for their legs, stiff-
the departure of the French. But fourteen ened by long confinement, could not yet
 "
24 GEORGES
be trusted, followed his master who had us " asked
M. de Malmedie of those who
?

already started on foot towards the street,surrounded him.

looking all round him as though he had " I don't know, father," answered
expected a friendly face to appear sud- Henri " but the first time we meet him,
;

denly amid all these, to him, unmeaning if he looks at us in the same fashion, I

countenances. promise you I'll ask him."

Among the groups awaiting the " Why, Henri," said M. de Malmedie
strangers at the spot characteristically with an air of pity for the stranger's ignor-
known as La Poiute-aiix-Blagueurs or ance, ** the poor young fellow does not
" Idlers' Corner," was one in the midst of know who we are."
which stood a man of from fifty to fifty- " Well, then, I will teach him," mur-
four, with hair that was turning grey, mured Henri.
common features, rasping voice, and During this interval the stranger, whose
pointed whiskers which joined the corner look of contempt had aroused this threat-
of his mouth on either side, together with ening dialogue, had continued his way to
a handsome young fellow of twenty-five the Rampart without showing any un-
or six. The elder was dressed in a frock- easiness at the impression which his pass-
coat of maroon merino, nankeen trousers ing had produced, and without conde-
and a waistcoat of white pique. The scending to turn round to see its effect.
younger man, whose features were a When he had gone about a third of the
little more marked than those of his way along the Jardin de la Compagnie,
neighbour, but still bore such a resem- his attention was attracted by a group of
blance to them that it was clear these persons standing on a small bridge which
two individuals were connected by the connected the garden with the court-
closest ties of relationship, wore a grey yard of a fine-looking house. In the
hat, a silk handkerchief knotted carelessly centre of this group was a charming girl
about his neck, and white waistcoat and of fifteen or sixteen, and the stranger,
trousers. who was no doubt a man of artistic
" Myword, there's a nice-looking young tastes and therefore a lover of beauty in
fellow," said the stout man looking at the all forms, stopped in order to get a better
stranger who was passing close to him at look at her. Although she was at her
the moment, "and if he is going to remain very door-step, the girl, who no doubt
in the Island, I advise the husbands and belonged to one of the wealthiest families
mothers to look after their wives and in the Island, was accompanied by a
daughters." European governess, evidently an Eng-
" That's a fine horse," said the young lishwoman, from her long fair hair and
man, putting an eyeglass in his eye, " of the clearness of her skin, while an old
the very purest Arab blood, if I am not grey-haired negro in a suit of white dimity
mistaken an Arab of the Arabs."
; held himself in readiness, with eyes fixed
" Do you know this gentleman, Henri ? on his young mistress, and foot uplifted,
asked the stout man. so to speak, to carry out her slightest
" No, father, but if he wants to sell his orders.
horse, I know who will give him a thou- Perhaps, too, as everything is height-
sand dollars for it." ened by contrast, her beauty, which we
" And that is Henri de Malmedie, is it have described as wonderful, was increased
not, my son ? and, if you like the horse, still further by the ugliness of the person
you will do well to indulge your fancy for who stood dumb and motionless in front
it;
you can afford it, you are rich." of her, and with whom she was endea-
No doubt the stranger heard Henri's vouring to enter into business negotiations
offer and the approval given it by his in respect of one of those charming fans of
father, for his lip curled contemptuously carved ivory, transparent and fragile as
as he gave father and son alternately lace work.
a haughty glance that was not with- The man who was talking to her was
out menace ;then, better informed, no bony in frame, of a yellow complexion,
doubt, as regards them than they were with eyes raised at the corners, and a
about him, he passed on murmuring, broad-brimmed straw hat on his head,
*•
Those people again there's no escapmg from which hung, like a sample of the
!

them!" hair with which the skull that it shaded

'What does that dandy want with was presumably covered, a long plait which
 GEORGES 25

came down to the middle of his back he ;

" Oh Monsieur," replied the gover-
!

was dressed in blue cotton drawers, reach- ness, while the young girl's cheeks were
ing to his knees, and a blouse of the same covered with a layer of the finest pink,
material coming half-way down his thighs. " I am grateful a thousand times for your
At his feet was a bamboo cane, six feet in offer, for Mademoiselle Sara and myself
length, supporting at each of its extremi- have in the last ten minutes exhausted our
ties a basket, the weight of which made philological knowledge without succeed-
this long cane bend like a bow when its ing in making this man understand us.
middle rested on the dealer's shoulders. We have spoken to him by turns in
These baskets were filled with the numerous French, English and Italian, and he has
little knick-knacks which alike in the colo- answered to none of those languages."
nies as in France, in the open-air bazaars " Perhaps Monsieur is acquainted with
of the tropics as in the elegant shops of some language that this man can speak,
Alphonse Giroux and Susse, turn the Henrietta dear," said the young girl; "and
heads of girls and sometimes even of their I want this fan so much that, if Monsieur
mothers. Well, as we have said, the succeeds in finding out the price, he will
beautiful Creole, in the midst of all these have done me a real service."
wonders spread out on a mat stretched at " But you see it is impossible," an-
her feet, had stopped for a moment at a swered Henrietta " the man talks no lan-
;

fan representing houses, pagodas, and im- guage."

possible palaces, dogs, lions, and fantastic " At least he talks that of the country
birds in short, a thousand figures of men, where he was born," said the stranger.
;

animals and buildings that had no exist- " Yes, but he is a Chinaman and who
;
"
ence save in the very lively imagination can speak Chinese ?
of the inhabitant of Canton and Pekin. The stranger smiled, and, turning to the
She was asking then purely and simply dealer, spoke some words in a foreign
the price of this fan. But there lay the tongue.
The Chinaman, who had landed
difficulty. We should try in vain to describe the
only a few days before, didn't know a astonishment that came over the features
single word of French, English, or Italian, of poor Miko-Miko, when the accents of
and ignorance was clearly responsible
this his mother tongue sounded in his ears like
for his failure to reply to the question the echo of distant music. He dropped
which had been put to him in these three the fan which he held, and, staring open-
languages successively. This ignorance mouthed at the man who had just ad-
was already so well known in the colony dressed him, seized his hand and kissed it
that the inhabitant of the banks of the several times ; then, as the stranger re-
Yellow River was alluded to at Port-Louis peated the question that he had already
merely by the name of Miko-Miko, the put to him, he at last decided to answer.
only two words which he uttered while But it was with an expression in his look
going along the streets of the town, carry- and a tone of voice that formed one of the
ing his long bamboo loaded with baskets, strangest contrasts imaginable ; for with
first on one shoulder, then on the other, the most affected and sentimental air pos-
and which in all probability meant " Buy, sible he told him quite simply the price of
buy." The relationship hitherto esta- the fan.
blished between Miko-Miko and his cus- " It is twenty pounds sterling. Made-
tomers was purely and simply that of ges- moiselle," said the stranger, turning to the
tures and signs. As the beautiful girl had girl, " about ninety dollars."
never had occasion to make a profound *'
A thousand thanks, sir," answered
study of the language of the Abbe de Sara, blushing once more. Then, turn-
I'Epee, she found it absolutely impossible ing to her governess, " Is it not really
to understand Miko-Miko or to make her- most fortunate, dear Henrietta," she went
self understood by him. on in English, *' that Monsieur speaks this
"
It was at this moment that the stranger man's language ?
approached her. " Excuse me, Made- " And also most surprising," said Hen-
moiselle," he began, " but, seeing you are rietta.
in a difficulty, I presume to offer you my " And yet it is very simple, ladies," an-
services can I be of use to you in any swered the stranger in the same language.
:

way, and will you condescend to employ " My mother died before I was three
me as interpreter ? " months old, and I was given as nurse a
 —
;

26 GEORGES
woman from the Island of Formosa, who less you were not down at the harbour
was in the service of our house. So her just now when Leicester came to
the
language was the first that I prattled, and, anchor there, — about an hour and a half
though I have not often had occasion to ago?
speak it, I have, as you have seen, re- " Pardon me, I was not there, sir,"
tained some words, for which I shall con- answered the old man in a tone of
gratulate myself all my life, since, thanks mingled humility and astonishment.
to those words I have been able to render "Then," resumed the young man, "you
you a slight service." took no interest in the arrival of this
"
Then, slipping into the Chinaman's vessel from Europe ?
hand a Spanish doubloon, and, signing to " Why so, sir? " said the old man with
his servant to follow him, the young man increasing astonishment.
went off, saluting Mademoiselle Sara and " Because in that case, instead of stop-
her friend Henrietta with perfect grace. ping here, you would have gone like
The stranger took the road to Moka everybody else down to the harbour."
but he had hardly gone a mile on the road " You
are wrong, sir, you are wrong,"
leading to Failles and reached the foot the old man sadly, shaking his
replied
of Discovery Hill, when he suddenly white head " on the contrary I take, I am
;

stopped, and his eyes fastened on a bench certain of it, a greater interest than any
placed half-way up the ascent, on which one in this sight. Every time a ship has
was seated an old man perfectly motion- arrived, no matter from what country, I
less, his hands resting on his knees and have come for fourteen years to see if it
his eyes fixed on the sea. For a moment does not bring me a letter from my chil-
the stranger surveyed this man with a dren, or even my children themselves.
doubtful air then, as if this hesitation And, as it would tire me too much to
;

had given way to an absolute conviction, remain standing, I seat myself here in the
he murmured : morning at the same spot from which I
" It is he, I am certain great heavens! saw them depart and I remain here the
; ;

how changed he Then, after look- whole day until, when every one has gone
is !
"
ing at the old man with an air of remark- away, I have given up all hope."
able interest, the young man took a path " But why do you not go down your-
by which he might approach him without self to the harbour?" asked the stranger.
being seen, a plan which he carried out " So I did during the first years," re-
successfully, after stopping twice or thrice plied the old man
" but then I learned
;

on the way and placing Tais hand on his
breast, as if to give a strong emotion time
to calm down.
As for the old man, he did not stir at
the approach of the stranger, so that it
might have been thought that he had not
even heard the sound of his step but
my fate too quickly; and, as each fresh
disappointment became too painful, I
ended by staying here and sending my
negro Telemaque in my place. In this
way hope lasts longer. If he comes back
quickly, I think he brings me word of
; their arrival if he is slow in returning, I
;

this would have been a mistake, for think he is waiting for a letter. He comes
scarcely had the young man sat down back most times with empty hands. Then
upon the same bench than he turned his I get up and go back alone as I came I ;

head towards him and, saluting him in a
timid manner, got up and began to walk
away.
" Oh ! don't disturb yourself for me,
enter my deserted house and pass the
night in tears, saying to myself, no doubt
it willbe the next time."
" Poor father " murmured the stranger.
!

sir," said the young man. " You pity me, sir ? " asked the old
The old man at once sat down, no man with astonishment.
longer in the middle of the seat but at its " Certainly, I pity you," answered the
extremity. young one.
"
Then a moment's silence ensued " You do not know then who I am ?

between the old man who continued to " You are a man, and you suffer."
gaze at the sea, and the stranger who But I am a mulatto," answered the
"
looked at the old man. old man in a low and profoundly humble
At last, after five minutes of silent and tone.
deep contemplation, the stranger spoke: A deep blush passed over the young
*'
Sir," said he to his neighbour, " doubt- man's forehead.
 — ;

GEORGES 27
" And I, am
a mulatto," he France, in the hope that education would
too, sir,

answered. settle the roving propensities of the elder,

'*
You ? " cried the old man. and subdue the too self-willed character of
" Yes," answered the stranger. the younger. But it seems that God did
" Ycu a mulatto ? " and the old man not approve my resolve; for, in a visit
looked with astonishment at the red and that he made to Brest, Jacques embarked
blue riband knotted in the stranger's on a privateer, and I have only heard
frock-coat. " You a mulatto Oh then from him three times since, and each time
! !

I am not surprised at your pity. I had from a different quarter of the world
taken you for a white but, since you are while Georges in growing up has allowed
;

a man of colour like myself, it becomes the germ of self-will which alarmed me in
another thing at once you are a friend, a him to develop. He has written to me
;

brother." more often, sometimes from England,

" Yes, a friend, a brother," said the sometimes from Egypt, sometimes from
stranger extending both his hands to the Spain, for he too has travelled a great
old man. deal, and, though his letters are very good,
Then he murmured under his breath, I assure you I have not ventured to show
looking at him with an indescribable ex- them to any one."
pression of tenderness, " and even more " Then neither of them has ever men-
"
than that, perhaps." tioned to you the date of his return ?
" Then I can tell you everything," the " Never and who knows even if I
;

old man went on. " Ah I feel that to shall ever see them again for though, on
! ;

speak of my sorrow will do me good. my part, the moment when I saw them
Picture to yourself, sir, that I have, or once more would be the happiest of my
rather had, for God only knows if both life, I have never spoken to them of re-
are still alive —
picture to yourself that I turning. If they stay away, it is because
had two children, two sons, both of whom they are happier there than they would be
I loved with a father's love, one especially." here if they do not feel a desire to see
;

The stranger gave a start and came their old father again, it is because they
closer to the old man. have found people in Europe whom
" Oh if you had known them both," he they love better than him.
! So let them
continued, " you would have understood have their wish, especially if that wish
that. It is not that Georges —
his name can lead them to happiness. Still, though
was Georges, was the most handsome on I regret them both, it is Georges I miss
:

the contrary, his brother Jacques was a especially, and it is he who causes me
finer lad than he but he had in his poor the most grief by never alluding to his
;

little body a mind so intelligent, so keen, return."

so resolute, that, had I put him to the " If he does not speak of his return, sir,"
College at Port- Louis with the other boys, replied the stranger in a tone from which
I am quite certain that, although he was he vainly tried to repress the emotion, " it
only twelve, he would soon have left all is perhaps because he is reserving for him-
the other scholars behind." self the pleasure of surprising you, and
The old man's eyes shone for an in- that he wishes you to conclude in happi-
stant with pride and enthusiasm, but this ness a day begun in expectation."
change passed with the swiftness of light- " God grant it " said the old man, lift-
!

ning, and his look had already resumed ing his eyes and hands to heaven.
its vague, timid, dull expression when he " Perhaps it is," continued the young
added :
man in tones of increased emotion, " that
" Butcould not put him to school here. he wishes to creep up to you without being
I
The College was founded for whites, and recognised by you, and so to enjoy your
we are only mulattos." presence, your love, and your blessing."
The young man's countenance bright- " Ah it would be impossible for me not
!

ened in turn, and a flame, as it were of to recognise him."

contempt and fierce anger, passed over " And yet," cried the young man, un-
his face. able to resist any longer the feeUng which
The old man continued without even agitated him, "you have not recognised
noticing the feeling displayed by the me, father " !

stranger. "You! you!" exclaimed the old man,

"That is why I sent them both to devouring the stranger with an eager
 —
28 GEORGES
glance, while he trembled in all his limbs, we reflected that, this story being entirely
his mouth half open and smiling doubt- one of inmost thoughts and private feel-
fully. Then, shaking his head :
ings, the veracity of a man of Georges'
" No, no," said he, " it is not Georges character, especially when
;
that man
there is some resemblance between you speaks about himself, might with good
and him but he is not tall, not handsome reason be distrusted.
; have deter- We
like you he is but a child, and you are a mined, therefore, to relate the facts, with
;

man." every detail of which we are acquainted

" It is I, father it is I you must recog- personally, and in our own way, promising
;
;

nise me," cried Georges " remember that beforehand, since our own self-esteem is
;

fourteen years have passed since I have not concerned in the matter, to conceal
seen you remember that I am now no feeling, whether good or bad, no
;

twenty-six, and if you doubt, here, look thought, whether creditable or disgraceful.
at this scar on my forehead, the mark of Let us start then from the same point
the blow which M. de Malmedie gave me from which Georges himself had started.
the day when you so gloriously captured Pierre Munier, whose character we
an English flag. Oh father, open your have tried to describe, had, from the time
!

arms, and, when you have embraced me that he first entered on active life, that is
and pressed me to your heart, you will no to say, from the time that he changed
longer doubt that I am your son." from boyhood to manhood, adopted a
And with these words the stranger system of conduct towards the whites
threw himself on the neck of the old man, from which he had never swerved feel- ;

who, looking now at the sky, now at his ing neither the strength nor the wish to
child, could not believe in so much happi- combat as a duellist an overwhelming
ness, and only made up his mind to em- prejudice, he had formed the resolve of
brace the handsome young man when the disarming his enemies by an unalterable
latter had repeated for the twentieth time submission and an inexhaustible humility,
that he was really Georges. his whole life was occupied in apologising
At this moment Telemaque appeared for his birth. Far
from soliciting, in
at the bottom of the hill of La Decouverte, spite of his wealth and intelligence, any
his arms hanging down, his eyes mourn- public office or political employment, he
ful and his head drooping, grieved that he had constantly tried to efface himself by
was returning once more to his master losing himself in the crowd the same
;

without bringing him any news of either motive which had withdrawn him from
of his children. public life guided him in his private
capacity. By nature generous and
magnificent, he regulated his house with
an almost monastic simplicity. There
was abundance everywhere, but a total
absence of luxury, though he had nearly
two hundred slaves, which constitutes in
CHAPTER VI the Colonies a fortune of nearly two
hundred thousand pounds per annum. He
A TRANSFORMATION went about always on horseback until
forced by age, or rather by the troubles
AND now our readers must allow us which had broken him down before his
to leave father and son to the enjoy- time, to exchange this modest custom for a
ment of reunion, and consent to go back more aristocratic one, he bought a palan-
with us over the past, and trace the quin quite as unpretending as that of the
physical and moral transformation which poorest inhabitant of the Island. Always
had taken place during the space of four- careful to avoid the slightest quarrel,
teen years in the hero of our tale, of whom always polite, agreeable, obliging to every-
we have given them a glimpse as a child body, even to those whom, at the bottom
and whom we have just shown them as a of his heart, he disliked, he would rather
man. have lost ten acres of land than commence
We had at first intended to put before or even sustain a law-suit which might
our readers' eyes purely and simply the have gained him twenty acres. If any
history which Georges gave his father of inhabitant wanted plants of coffee, manioc
the events of these fourteen years but or sugar-cane, he was sure of getting them
;
 ;

GEORGES 39

from Pierre Munier, who even thanked left his body in its primitive state of
him for giving him the Well, feebleness,
preference. the moral absorbed the
all this good behaviour, which proceeded physical, the steel wore away the
from the instincts of his excellent heart, scabbard but God
; had given a support
but which might have appeared to be the to the tender plant. Georges enjoyed
result of his timid disposition, had doubt- peace under the protection of Jacques,
less gained for him the goodwill of his who was the strongest and idlest fellow
neighbours, yet merely a passive friendli- in his class, as Georges was the hardest
ness which, never having entertained the worker and the weakest.
idea of doing him good, was limited Unfortunately, this state of things did
purely and simply to doing him no harm. not last long. Two years after their ar-
Still, there were some among them who, rival, when Jacques and Georges had
unable to pardon Pierre Munier his im- gone to spend their holidays at Brest with
mense fortune, his numerous slaves and a business correspondent of their father's
spotless reputation, tried constantly to to whom they had been recommended,
crush him beneath the prejudice of colour. Jacques, who had always had a decided
M. de Malmedie and his son were of that liking for the sea, profited by the oppor-
number. tunity which offered, and, weary of his
Georges, born in the same condition as prison, as he termed the College, em-
his father, but whose weakness of consti- barked on a privateer, which he described
tution had debarred him from physical to his father, in a letter he wrote him, as
exercise, had directed all his mental a Government vessel. On his return to
faculties to reflection, and precocious be- school Georges felt his brother's absence
yond his age, as weakly children generally cruelly. Without protection against the
are, had observed instinctively his father's jealousy which his scholastic triumphs
conduct, the motives of which he had had aroused, and which, from the moment
penetrated while still young and the
; that it could be gratified, turned into
manly pride which surged in the child's absolute hatred, he was insulted by some,
breast had caused him to hate the whites beaten by others, ill-treated by all each ;

who despised him, as well as the mulattos
who allowed themselves to be despised.
Accordingly, he firmly resolved to follow
a line of conduct precisely the opposite of
that which his father had observed, and,
when he had grown big and strong, to
advance vigorously and boldly to confront
had his favourite torture for him. It was
a rough experience, which Georges
endured bravely.
Only, he reflected more deeply than
ever on his position, and realised that
moral superiority was nothing without
physical superiority that the one was re-
;

these ridiculous sentimental prejudices,
and, if they did not give way before him,
to seize them by the body as Hercules
did Antaeus, and crush them in his arms.
Did not the youthful Hannibal, at his
father's instigation, vow eternal hatred
against a nation ? Well the youthful
! ful, noisy and rowdy.
Georges, in spite of his father, swore war
to the death against a prejudice.
Georges quitted the Colony after the
scene that we have related, arrived in
France with his brother, and entered the
College Napoleon. Hardly was he
seated on the benches of the lowest class
before he grasped the difference of ranks
quired to make the other respected, and
that only the union of these two qualities
made a man complete. From this time
he changed his manner of life completely
from being the timid, retiring, inactive
creature that he had been, he became play-
He still worked
pretty hard, but only sufficiently so to
maintain the intellectual pre-eminence he
had gained in the preceding years. At the
start he was clumsy and they made fun of
him. Georges took their mockery in bad
part, and that of set purpose. He had not
by nature the courage of hot temper, but
that of brooding anger that is to say, his
;

and wished to reach the top for him, : first impulse, instead of throwing him into
superiority was a necessity of his organ- danger, was to make him retire in order to
isation ; he learnt quickly and well. A avoid it. He needed reflection to make
first success strengthened his desire by him act bravely, and, though this bravery
giving him the measure of his capabilities. is the most real, since it is moral bravery,
His desire became stronger and his suc- he was afraid of it as though it were an
cesses greater. True this mental work, act of cowardice. He fought then on
and this development of his thoughts, —
every quarrel, or rather he was beaten ;
 — ; ;;

30 GEORGES
but,though beaten once, he started afresh he had made a study of becoming strong
every day until he proved victorious, not and skilful as a boy.
because he was the stronger, but because So, when Georges, after having com-
he was the better disciphned. For in the pleted his course of philosophy, left Col-
thick of the most stubborn fight he pre- lege, he was a graceful young fellow, five
served an admirable coolness, and, thanks feet four in height, and, as we have said,
to this coolness, profited by the least mis- though a trifle sHm, very well propor-
take on the part of his antagonist. This tioned. He knew almost everything that
gained him respect, and his schoolfellows a young man of the world ought to know.
began to think twice before insulting him But he realised that it was not enough to
for, however weak an enemy may be, you possess in all respects the power of the
hesitate to enter into a contest with him average man he determined to surpass
;

when you know he is determined. Besides, him in all respects.

the prodigious ardour with which he em- Besides, the course of training which
braced this new kind of life bore its fruit he had determined to undergo became
Georges gradually gained strength, and, easy to him, now that he was set free from
encouraged by his first attempts, never the routine of school work and henceforth
opened a book during the next hoUdays, master of his own time. He laid down
but began to learn to swim and ride, con- rules for the employment of his day, from
tinually inflicting fatigue upon himself which he resolved never to deviate he ;

fatigue which more than once threw him rode every morning at six; at eight, he
into a fever, but to which in the end he practised pistol-shooting from ten to
;

grew accustomed. Next to exercises of twelve, fencing from twelve to two,

;

skill he added feats of strength for whole attended University lectures

; sketched,
;

days he dug like a labourer, and carried from three to five, sometimes in one
loads like a workman, then, in the even- studio, sometimes in another his even- ;

ing, instead of lying warm and comfort- ings he spent at the theatre or in society,
able in his bed, he wrapped himself in his where all doors were open to him, less on
cloak, threw himself on a bearskin mat, account of his wealth than of his charm-
and so slept all night. For an instant ing manners.
nature hesitated in amazement, not know- Georges accordingly became intimate
ing if she should give in or win the day. with all the best known artists, literary
Georges felt that he was risking his life, men, and leaders of society in Paris
but what did his life matter unless it connoisseur alike in art, science, and
brought him the strength and skill that fashion, he was soon cited as one of the
would give him superiority over others ? most intelligent minds, as one of the most
Nature proved victorious physical weak- logical thinkers, as well as one of the most
;

ness vanquished by energy of will, dis- charming squires-of-dames in the capital.

appeared like a faithless servant dismissed Georges had almost attained his ambi-
by an implacable master. In short, three tion.
months of this system so set up the weakly There remained, however, a final ex-
lad that on his return his comrades periment for him to make. Certain of
scarcely recognised him. Then it was he his mastery over others, he did not yet
who sought out quarrels with others, and know if he was master of himself. Now,
who thrashed in his turn those who had Georges was not the man to remain in
so often thrashed him. Then it was he doubt on any point whatever he resolved ;

who was feared, and who, being feared, to be enlightened on the question of self-
was respected. Besides, in proportion as mastery.
his bodily strength developed, the beauty Georges had often dreaded becoming a
of his countenance increased in harmony gambler.
with it. Georges had always possessed One day he went to Frascati's with his
fine eyes and perfect teeth he allowed his pockets full of gold, having said to him-
;

long black hair to grow, and by dint of self, " I will play three times, each time
care reduced its natural coarseness, making for three hours, and during those three
it supple by constant use of the scissors. hours I will risk ten thousand francs

His unhealthy pallor was replaced by a when the three hours are up, I will leave
fine morbidezza, suggestive of melancholy off, whether I have won or lost."
and distinction in short he made a study
; The first day Georges lost his ten
of becoming handsome as a man, just as thousand francs in an hour and half. He
 ; ;

GEORGES 31

spent the rest of his three hours, how- But, contrary to everybody's expecta-
ever, in watching the others, and though tion, Georges did not appear again. Nay
be had bank-notes in his pocket-book for more he shovelled the gold and notes in-
;

the twenty thousand francs which he had to a drawer of his desk, determining not to
decided to risk in the two remaining at- open the drawer for a week. When the
tempts, he did not put upon the table a day arrived, Georges opened the drawer
louis more than he had and counted his winnings they amounted
in the first instance ;

intended to. two hundred and thirty thousand francs.

to
On the second day, he started by win- Georges was well satisfied with him-
ning twenty-five thousand francs then, self; he had overcome a passion.
;

as he had meant to play for three hours, Georges had the strong sensual pas-
he went on, and lost all his winnings, be- sions of men who live in tropical coun-
sides two thousand francs of his original tries.
capital. At that moment, noticing that his One evening after an orgy, some of his
three hours had expired, he left off with the friends took him to the house of a courte-
same punctuality as the day before. san celebrated for her beauty and capri-
On the third day, he began by losing cious Hkes and dislikes. On this particu-
but, with his last bank-note, luck lar evening this modern Lais was seized
changed and declared in his favour he with a virtuous fit. The evening was
;

had three-quarters of an hour left, during spent in edifying conversation the lady
;

which he played with one of those curious of the house might have passed for a can-
runs of luck which frequenters of the didate for the Prix Montyon. The eyes,
saloons perpetuate by tradition. During however, of the fair preacher might have
these three-quarters of an hour Georges been seen occasionally fixed on Georges
seemed to have made a compact with the with an expression of eager desire which
devil, by whose aid an invisible sprite belied the coldness of her words. Georges
whispered to him beforehand the colour on his side, thought her even more attrac-
which would turn up and the winning tive than she had been described to him,
card. The pile of gold and notes in front and for three days the recollection of this
of him mounted up to the astonishment of seductive Astarte haunted the young
the onlookers. Georges left off calculat- man's maiden fancy. On the fourth day,
ing, and threw his money on the table, Georges took the road to the house where
saying to the banker, " Put it where you she lived, and, with his heart beating
please." The banker staked it at random, loudly, pulled the bell so violently that the
and still Georges w^on. Two professional rope nearly broke in his hand. Then,
gamblers, who had followed his luck and hearing the footsteps of the maid ap-
won enormous sums, thought the moment proaching, he bade his heart stop beating
had arrived to take the opposite line, and and his face look unconcerned, and in
accordingly laid against him but fortune tones in which not the slightest trace of
;

remained faithful to Georges. They lost emotion was apparent, asked the servant
all they had won, as well as all the money to conduct him to her mistress. The lat-
they had about them then, as they were ter, hearing his voice, sprang to him with
;

known as safe customers, the banker lent joy; for Georges' image, the sight of
them fifty thousand francs, which they which had made a deep impression on her
also lost. the moment she saw it, had never left her
Georges watched his heap of gold and mind since. She hoped, then, that love,
notes increasing without betraying by his or at any rate lust, was bringing back this
features the slightest trace of excitement, handsome young fellow, who had so cap-
merely glancing now and then at the tivated her fancy.
clock which would sound the hour for She was mistaken Georges had deter-
;

him to cease playing. At last the time mined to put himself to a further trial
arrived. Georges left off at once, handed he had come there to make a will of iron
his winnings to his servant, and with the give battle to his ardent feelings. For
same calmness, the same sang-froid, with two hours he remained with the woman,
which he had played, whether winning or alleging a wager as the excuse for his
losing, went out, an object of envy to all want of passion, wrestling against the
who had witnessed the scene that had just torrent of his desires and the caresses
taken place, and who fully expected to see of the siren ;then, after two hours he
him come back next day. went away, having come off victorious
 — — ;

32 GEORGES
in this second as he had done in the good enough to give me the clear and
trial,
"
first. precise meaning of your words ?
Georges was well satisfied with him- " My
words need no explanation," an-
self; he had subdued his feeUngs. swered Georges, " and seem to me to speak
We have said that Georges did not pos- for themselves quite sufficiently."
sess the physical courage which rushes " Then, sir, will you be good enough to
into the midst of danger, but only the repeat them once more, that I may esti-
brooding courage that waits until it can- mate their import and the intention that
not avoid it. Georges feared that he was prompted them."
not really brave, and had often trembled " I said," replied Georges, with the most
at the notion that, if danger threatened, perfect calmness, " when I saw you hit
he might not be sure of himself and might, the mark every time, that, if you were
in fact, behave perhaps like a coward. aiming at a man's breast instead of at a
This idea troubled him greatly so he re- target, you would not be so sure either of
;

solved to seize the first opportunity that your hand or your eye."
offered to pit his mind against danger. " And why, may I ask ? "
The opportunity presented itself in a curi- " Because it seems to me that in shoot-
ous manner. ing at a fellow-creature there must always
One day Georges was at Lepage's with be a degree of excitement that is bound to
a friend of his, and, while waiting till disturb the aim."
there was a vacant place, watched the " You have fought many duels, sir ? "
performance of a frequenter of the es- " Not one," replied Georges.
tablishment, who, like himself, was ac- " Ah then I am not surprised at your
!

knowledged to be one of the best pistol- supposing it possible to feel alarm in such
shots in Paris. circumstances," replied the stranger with
The man who was practising at this a slightly ironical smile.
moment was performing nearly all the in- " Excuse me, sir," answered Georges
credible tricks of skill attributed by tradi- " but I think you misunderstood me I ;

tion to St. George and which are the imagine that one would tremble with
despair of the neophyte that is to say, he
; something else besides fear at the moment
hit the bull's eye every time, repeated his of killing one's man."
shots so that the second mark exactly " I never tremble, sir," answered the
covered the first, sliced a bullet on the other.
edge of a knife, and performed many other " Possibly," answered Georges in the
similar feats without a single failure. It same calm manner, " but I am none the
should be said that the presence of less convinced that at twenty paces, at
Georges acted as a further incentive to the same distance that is to say, at which
"
his efforts, for the attendant when hand- you make all your bull's eyes
ing him his pistol had whispered to him " Well, what ? " said the stranger.
that Georges was quite as skilful a shot as " At twenty paces you would miss your
himself, the result being that he surpassed man," repHed Georges.
himself at each turn, but without winning " And I am convinced of the contrary,
from his rival the praise he undoubtedly sir."
deserved, for, in answer to the applause " Allow me to doubt your statement."
"
from the gallery, Georges merely ob- " You give me the lie then ?

served : "
No, I maintain a fact."
" Ohhe shoots well, of course, but
!
'• A fact which I imagine you would
firing at a target is a very different thing shrink from putting to the proof," replied
from firing at a man." the champion shot in a sneering tone.
This depreciation of his skill as a '*
Why should I ? " answered Georges
duellist surprised and mortified the looking him hard in the face.
marksman. So, when Georges had for " But you would prefer the experiment
the third time uttered this qualified form made on some one else than yourself, I
of praise, the other turned and remarked take it ?"
in a tone that was half bantering, half " On somebody else, or on myself, it
threatening :
does not matter which."
" It seems to me, sir, that this is the " You would be something rash, I warn
second or third time you have insinuated you, in risking such a proof."
a doubt as to my courage will you be;
" No, for I have given my opinion, and
 " " ; —— —
GEORGES 33

consequently am convinced that I should paces and each received from his second
run a very slight risk." a pistol ready loaded. Then the seconds
" So, sir, you tell me for the second walked away, leaving the combatants free
time that at twenty paces I should miss to fire at each other in the order agreed
my man ? upon.
" You are wrong, sir, it is the fifth time, Georges took none of the precautions
if I remember right." usual in such circumstances; not attempt-
" Sir, this is too much ;
you evidently ing to guard any part of his body with his
want to insult me." pistol, he let his arm hang down his thigh
" You are quite at liberty to think that, and presented the whole of his breast en-
if you like." tirely unprotected.
"
" Very well, sir. Your hour ? His opponent was puzzled at such
*'
This very moment, if you choose." behaviour. He had often been in a
" Where ? similar situation, but had never seen such
" We are only five hundred yards from coolness, and the firm conviction Georges
the Bois de Boulogne." had expressed now began to produce its
" What weapons ? " effect ;this skilful shot, who had never
" What weapons ? Why, the pistol of yet failed, had misgivings about himself.
course it is not a question of fighting a Twice he levelled his pistol at Georges
;

duel, but of making an experiment." and twice he lowered it. This was con-
" I am at your service, sir." trary to all the rules of duelling, but
"And I at yours." Georges contented himself each time with
The young men, each accompanied by a the remark :

friend, got into two cabs. On arriving at '*

Take your time, sir take your time."
;

the spot the two seconds tried to settle At the third attempt he felt ashamed
the matter, but found a difficulty in doing and fired. It was a moment of terrible
so. Georges' antagonist demanded an suspense for the seconds but directly ;

apology, while Georges declared that no after the report Georges turned first to
apology was due, unless he should be right and then to left, and, bowing to the
wounded or killed, since only in that event seconds to show that he was not wounded,
would he be proved wrong and a quarter- remarked to his opponent
;
:

of-an-hour was wasted by the seconds in " Well, sir, you see that I was right,
fruitless negotiations. Then they wanted and that it is more uncertain work shoot-
to place the combatants thirty yards apart, ing at a man than shooting at a target."
but Georges objected that it was not a " That is so, sir I was wrong," an-
;

genuine experiment unless they stood at swered Georges' opponent. " It is your
the ordinary distance for shooting at the turn to fire."
target, namely, twenty-five yards. Ac- " Mine ? " said Georges, picking up his
cordingly they measured out this distance. hat, which he had placed on the ground,
Then they wished to toss up to decide and handing his pistol to the attendant,
who should fire first, but Georges declared " why should I shoot at you ? "
that he considered this preliminary useless, " But, sir, you are entitled to do so,
as, under the circumstances, the right of and I insist upon it besides, I should
;

priority naturally lay with his opponent like to see how you shoot, yourself."
while his opponent made it a point of " Excuse me," said Georges with his
honour that an advantage which, between imperturbable calmness, " let us understand
two men of so much skill, would give one another, please. I did not say that
every chance to the one who fired first, I should hit you I said you would not
;

should be decided by lot. Georges, how- hit me, and you have not done so that is ;

ever, stuck to his point, and his opponent all."

had to give way. And in spite of all entreaties from his
The attendant from the shooting-gallery opponent that he would fire in return,
had followed the combatants. He loaded Georges got into his cab again, repeating
the pistols with the same quantities of to his friend :

powder and shot that had been used in the "Well, didn't I say that it made a
previous target-praetice in fact, they were
; difference whether you shoot at a wooden
the same pistols, for Georges had insisted figure or a human being."
on this point as a sine qua non. Georges was well satisfied with himself,
The opponents stood at twenty-five for he was now sure about his courage.
 ;

34 GEORGES
These three adventures got talked about the signal for scaling given, Georges
and established our hero firmly in dashed in at the head of the attacking
Society. Two or three coquettes made it column and was the third to enter the
a point of honour to captivate this fortress. His name was quoted in
modern Cato and, as he had no motive despatches, and he received from the
;

for resisting them, he soon became a man hands of the Due d'Angouleme the cross
of fashion. But just when they thought of the Legion of Honour, and from Fer-
him most firmly secured, the time that he dinand VII. the cross of Charles III.
had fixed for his travels arrived, and one Georges had only aimed at one distinc-
fine morning Georges took leave of his tion he had obtained two. The gallant
;

mistresses, and, sending a princely pre- fellow was at the height of delight.
sent to each of them, started for London. He thought the moment was at last
In London Georges was received arrived for his return to the Isle of
everywhere. He kept horses, dogs and France. He had accomplished all that
cocks, and went in for racing and cock- he had dreamed of, and passed every goal
fighting, took all the wagers offered, and he had desired to reach there was;

lost and won large amounts with quite nothing more for him to do in Europe.
aristocratic unconcern. In short, after a His strife with civilisation was over,
year he left London with the reputation while his strife with barbarism was about
of a thorough gentleman, as he had left to begin. His was a mind full of a pride
Paris with that of a charming ladies' that would not be consoled by squander-
man. It was during this stay in the ing in the pleasures of Europe the
capital of Great Britain that he came strength painfully acquired for a combat
across Lord Murray, but, as we have nearer home all that he had gone
;

said, without making further acquaintance through for the last ten years was in order
with him. to surpass his fellow-countrymen, white
It was the period when travelling in as well as black, and be able to crush by
the East became fashionable. Georges his sole influence the dislike which no
visited Greece, Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria coloured man had as yet dared to combat.
and Egypt in succession. He was pre- Little cared he for Europe and its hun-
sented to Mehemet-Ali at the moment dred and fifty millions of inhabitants, for
when Ibrahim Pacha was starting on his France with her thirty-three millions
Said expedition, accompanied the Vice- little for Parliament or ministry, republic
roy's son, fought under his eyes, and was or kingdom. What he preferred above
presented by him with a sword of honour all the rest of the world and what took
and two Arab horses, selected from the up all his thoughts was his own little
finest of his stud. corner of the earth, a mere dot upon the
Georges returned to France through map, like a grain of sand at the bottom
Italy. Preparation was being made for of the sea. But then, on this little spot
the Spanish expedition Georges rushed of earth, he had a great achievement to
;

to Paris and asked permission to serve as perform, a great problem to solve. He

a volunteer. This being granted, he cherished but one recollection, of having
joined the ranks of the first battalion undergone humiliation he had but one ;

that started, and was constantly to the hope, of getting the upper hand.
front. Meanwhile the Leicester put into port
Unfortunately, contrary to all expecta- at Cadiz. She was on her way to the Isle
tion, the Spaniards offered no resistance, of France, where she was to be stationed.
and the campaign, which was thought at Georges asked for a passage on board this
first likely to prove a stiff affair, turned fine which he obtained through
vessel,
out to be merely a military promenade. the recommendation of the French and
At the Trocadero, however, the aspect of Spanish authorities. In reality, he owed
affairs changed, and it was seen that it the favour to the fact that Lord Murray
would be necessary to sweep away by had discovered the person requiring the
force this last bulwark of revolution in passage was a native of the Isle of France,
the Peninsula. and was not at all sorry to have some one
The regiment which Georges had joined who would give him beforehand, during a
was not told off for the assault, so voyage of four thousand leagues, those
Georges exchanged and joined the Grena- numerous bits of information on politics
diers. When the breach was effected and and customs which it is so important for
 — ;

GEORGES 33

a Governor to have acquired before enter- tinually
ing upon his new sphere.
We have seen how Georges and Lord
Murray had gradually formed acquaint-
ance and arrived at a certain degree of in-
timacy on landing at Port-Louis. We
have seen, too, how Georges, dutiful son
as he was and devoted to his father, had
been obliged on his arrival to submit
to a lengthy proof before being recog-
nised. The old man's joy was all the
greater for his having reckoned so little on
his son's return. Moreover, the man who
had come home was so different from the
man who was expected, that all the way
back to Moka the father could never cease
looking at his son, stopping occasionally
as if lost in thought. Each time he did
this, the old man pressed his son to his
heart with such effusion that Georges,
like a bee hovering between two
flowers, or a soul hesitating between two
desires. Lastly, all around it, as far as
the eye could reach, stretched great fields
of cane or maize which, as though over-
weighted with the rich store of food they
bore, seemed to implore the hand of the
reaper.
Last of all you come to what is called,
in every plantation, the Negroes' Canton-
ment. In the middle of this rose a large
building, used in winter as a barn, in sum-
mer as a dancing-hall, whence now pro-
ceeded loud shouts of delight, mingled
with the sound of the tambourine, the
drum and the Madagascar harp. The
Blacks, eagerly availing themselves of their
holiday, had at once put themselves en fete;
for their primitive nature knows no grada-
tions they pass straight from toil to pleas-
;

spite of the self-control on which he prided ure, and rest from their fatigue by danc-
himself, felt the tears come into his eyes. ing. Georges and his father opened the
After three hours' walking they came to door and appeared suddenly among them.
the plantation Telemaque, at a quarter-
; Instantly the dance was interrupted
of-an-hour's distance from the house, had each pressed to his neighbour's side, try-
gone on in advance, so that, on their ing to fall into their places, like soldiers
arrival Georges and his father found all surprised by their Colonel. Then, after a
the negroes awaiting them with a joy that moment of agitated silence, they greeted
was mingled with fear, for this young man their masters with a triple shout, which
whom they had only seen as a child was for once was a perfectly frank expression
come to them as a fresh master, and they of their feelings. Well clothed and well
wondered what sort of a master he would fed, and seldom punished since they sel-
prove. dom failed in their duty, they worshipped
His return indeed had a most impor- Pierre Munier, the only mulatto, perhaps,
tant bearing on the future happiness or in the Colony who, while subservient
misery of all these poor people. The towards the Whites, did not treat the
auguries were favourable. Georges began Blacks with cruelty. As for Georges,
by giving them that day and the next as whose return, as we have said, had in-
a holiday, and, as the day following that spired these poor fellows with grave fears,
again was a Sunday, this holiday meant a as though he had guessed the effect pro-
good three days' rest. Then Georges, duced by his presence, he raised his hand
eager to judge for himself what import- as a sign that he wished to speak. The
ance his landed estate w^ould give him in deepest silence at once ensued, and the
the island, scarcely allowed himself time Negroes listened with eagerness to the
to dine, and then, followed by his father, following words which fell from his mouth
visited the whole estate. Fortunate specu- with a slowness and solemnity befitting a
lations, no than diligent and v/ell-
less promise and an undertaking :

directed labour, had made it one of the
finest properties in the Colony. In the
centre of the estate was the house, a plain
but roomy building, shaded by a triple row
of trees that surrounded it, bananas, man-
" My friends, I am touched by the wel-
come you have given me, and even more
by the happiness beaming on your faces.
My father makes you happy, I know, and
I thank him for it for it is my duty, as it
;

goes, and tamarinds, which opened in the is his, to make happy those who will obey
front on a long avenue of trees leading to me, I hope, as dutifully as they obey him.
the road, and at the back on fragrant or- There are three hundred of you here, and
chards where the double-flowering pome- you have only ninety huts my father ;

granates softly swaying in the wind kissed wishes you to build sixty more, one for
in turn a cluster of oranges or a bunch of every two of you each hut will have a
;

yellow bananas, rising and sinking con- small garden, where every one will be
36 GEORGES
allowed to plant tobacco, yams and sweet shed was situated in the lower part of the
potatoes, and to keep a pig and fowls. Williams Plains, at the foot of the Trois
Those who want to turn these things into Mamelles mountain, round which lay the
money will go and sell them on Sundays property of our old acquaintance M. de
at Port-Louis, and dispose of the produce Malm6die.
of the sale as they please. If any theft is Not that M. de Malmedie was a bad
committed, there will be a severe punish- master in the French acceptation of the
ment for him who has robbed his neigh- term. No, M. de Malmedie was an easy-
bour if any one is unjustly flogged by the going man, incapable of spite or revenge,
;

overseer, let him prove that his punish- but infected in the highest degree with his
ment is not deserved, and justice will be own civil and political importance, filled
done him. The case of runaways I do with pride as he reflected on the purity of
not anticipate, for you are and will be the blood that ran in his veins, and shar-
too happy, I hope, ever to think of leaving ing, with an innate faith which had been
us." handed down from father to son, in the
Fresh cries of joy greeted this short prejudice which still at that period in the
speech, which will no doubt seem trifling Isle of France pursued men of colour. As
and frivolous to the sixty millions of Euro- for the slaves, they were no worse off on
peans who have the good fortune to live his estate than they were elsewhere they ;

under a constitutional system, but which, were unhappy everywhere, for the
out there, was received with the more en- Negroes, in the eyes of M. de Malmedie,
thusiasm since it was the very first char- as of others, were not regarded as human
ter of the kind which had ever been granted beings, but as machines for yielding cer-
in the Colony. tain produce. Now, when a machine
fails to do the work which it is expected
to do, it is set going again by mechanical
means, and so M. de Malmedie simply
applied to the Negroes the theory which
CHAPTER VII he would have applied in the case of
machines. When the Negroes ceased to
THE DINNER DRUM work, either from idleness or fatigue, the
overseer started them again with the
DURING the evening of the
day, which was, as we have
next whip ; the machine resumed its move-
said, a ment, and, at the week's end, the total
Saturday, an assembly of Negroes, less output reached its proper amount.
merry than the one we have just left, was As for Henri de Malmedie, he was the
gathered under a large shed, and, seated replica of his father, only twenty years
round a huge fire of dried branches, was younger, and with an extra dose of pride.
quietly spending the dinner-drum or The moral and material condition then
herloque as it is termed in the Colonies. of the slaves in the district of the Williams
That is to say, each individual, according Plains differed widely from that of the
to his needs or his disposition, was en- labourers in the Moka district.
gaged either in some manual work in- Accordingly, at the dinner-drums,
tended to be sold next day, or in cooking called, as we have said, berloques, gaiety
rice, manioc, or bananas. Some were came quite spontaneously to the slaves of
smoking in wooden pipes tobacco, not Pierre Munier, while, on the other hand,
only of native growth but even gathered in the case of those of M. de Malmedie
from their own gardens others were talk- it had to be stimulated by a song, or a
;

ing together in subdued tones. In the story, or something to be seen. There

middle of all the groups the women and are always to be found, in the tropics as
children, whose business it was to keep up well as in our own land, beneath the
the fires, went to and fro continually. negro's shed as well as in the soldier's
But, notwithstanding all this bustle and camp, one or two of those comic people
movement and the fact that the evening who undertake the business a more —
would be followed by a day of rest, a tiring one than might be supposed of —
feeling of sadness and uneasiness seemed amusing society, and whom society in its
to oppress these unfortunate people. This gratitude repays in many different ways ;

was caused by the tyranny of the Mana- it being understood that if society forgets,
ger, who was himself a Mulatto. The as sometimes happens, to pay its debt,
 — ; ; —
GEORGES 37

the comedian very naturally reminds it " Antonio the Malay ! hurrah for
"
of the fact that he is its creditor. Antonio !

Well, the man who discharged in M. de Two or three of the Negroes, however,
Malmedie's establishment the functions started and half rose they were Malag- ;

which Triboulet and 1' Angeli formerly ful- assies, Yoloffs, or Zanzibar blacks, who
filled at the court of Fran9ois I. and Louis had heard that sound in their childhood
XIII. was a little fellow whose corpulent and had not forgotten it.
body was supported by such slender legs, One of them got up altogether, a dark,
that it seemed at first sight impossible handsome felloAv, whom, apart from his col-
they could bear its weight. our, you might have taken as belonging
However, the balance upset by the to the finest Caucasian race. But no sooner
middle of his person was restored at its had he recognised the cause of the sound
two extremities, the big trunk carrying a that had drawn him from his meditation,
small head with a yellow complexioned than he lay down
again, muttering with a
face, while the thin legs ended in a pair of contempt that equalled the delight of the
enormous feet. As for his arms, they other slaves —
" Antonio the Malay
:
"
!

were of extraordinary length, like those of
—
monkeys, animals which, while walking
on their hind feet, pick up objects which
Antonio with three bounds of his long
limbs found himself in the centre of the
circle then, jumping over the fire, he
;

they find in their path, without stooping. came down on the other side and seated
The result of all this want of propor- himself cross-legged like a tailor.
tion in the limbs of this new character " Asong, Antonio a song " they all ! !

whom we have brought upon the scene shouted.

was a singular mixture of the grotesque Antonio, unlike those artists who are sure
and the terrible. To European eyes, the of producing their effect, needed no press-
latter would have predominated so as to ing he took from his wallet a Jew's harp,
;

cause a feeling of intense repulsion the ; and, putting it to his mouth, extracted
Negroes, however, who are less suscept- from some preparatory sounds by way
it

ible to beauty in the human form than of prelude. Then, accompanying his
ourselves, looked at him generally from words with amusing gestures suitable to
the comic point of view, though occasion- the subject, he sang the following :

ally beneath his monkey's skin the tiger

I.
in him extended his claws and showed his
My home's a little hut,
teeth. His name was Antonio, and he stoop to pass the door
I ;
was born at Tingoram so, to distinguish
;
My head the ceiling strikes
him from the other Antonios, who would When my feet are on the floor.
no doubt have felt hurt at being confused At night I go to sleep,
with him, he was usually called Antonio But do not need a light
the Malay.
There's plenty holes, thank God,
The berloque then was proceeding Through which the moon shines bright.
somewhat sadly, as we have said, when
II.
Antonio who, without being seen, had
glided behind one of the posts supporting My bed an Island mat,
the shed, raised his yellow head and My pillow is a log ;

uttered a little hiss like that made by the My cellar an old gourd,
hooded snake, one of the most terrible rep- In which my grog. I keep
tiles in the Malay peninsula. This noise On Saturday
wife my
if uttered in the plains of Tenasserim, the
My
fav'rite supper hashes,

marshes of Java, or the sands of Quiloa, And in my small hut cooks

would have frozen the hearer with terror Bananas on the ashes.
but in the Isle of France where, with the III.
exception of the sharks that swim in shoals My coffer is not shut,
round its shores, no deadly creature is ever Because it has no locks,
seen, the noise in question produced no For who would look for pelf
other result than that of making the as- Inside a bamboo box.
sembled blacks open their eyes and mouths I empty it on Sunday
wide. Then, as though guided by the sound, My 'baccy for to buy.
all heads were turned to the new-comer, And all week smoke my carob pipe,
and all lips uttered the same cry : I Until my stock runs dry.
 — — ' — "
;

38 GEORGES
To have an idea of the effect produced moment's silence during which the young
by Antonio's song, in spite of the poverty Negro's voice seemed still to vibrate, he
of the rhyme and the simpKcity of the continued :

ideas, one must have lived among these " was

primitive people, with ^vhom everything
whatsoever is matter for sentiment. At
thinking, then, and telling you
I
that the time of the berloque was a plea-
sant one but in order that you, Castor
;

the end of the first and second verses and Bonhomme, may not feel tired with
there was laughter and applause. At the your work, and that the smoke of your
end of the third there were shouts and tobacco may seem nicer to you, Toukal
hurrahs. Only the young Negro, who and that you, Cambeba, may not go to
had manifested his contempt for Antonio, sleep while your banana is cooking, you
shrugged his shoulders with a grimace of want som.e one to tell you stories or to
disgust. sing to you."
As for Antonio, instead of enjoying his "That's true," said Castor, "and An-
triumph as one might have expected, and tonio knows some right good stories and
swelling with pride at the vehemence of; songs too."
the applause, he leaned his elbows on "But," went on the Malay, "when
his knees, letting his head sink upon his Antonio doesn't sing his songs or tell his
hands, and seemed to give himself up to stories, what happens ? Why, everybody
deep thought. goes to sleep, because they are all tired
Now, as Antonio was the life and soul out with the week's work. Then the
of the company, with his silence gloom berloque is a failure you. Castor, don't ;

once more settled upon the assembly. make your bamboo chairs, or you, Bon-
They begged him accordingly to tell them homme, your wooden spoons you, Toukal, ;

a story or sing another song. But Antonio let your pipe go out, and you, Cambeba,
"
turned a deaf ear to them, and the most let your banana bum isn't it so ? ;

urgent entreaties obtained no other an- " Quite true," replied not only those
swer but the same incomprehensible and particularly addressed, but the whole
obstinate silence. crowd of slaves, with the exception of
At last one of those nearest to him, tap- Nazim, who continued to maintain a con-
ping him on the shoulder, asked :
temptuous silence.
" What's the matter, Malay ? are you ;
" Then you ought to be grateful to the
dead?" man who tells you good stories to keep
" No," answered Antonio, " Tm all you awake, and sings nice songs to make
alive." you laugh."
" What are you doing then ? " "Thank you," Antonio, "thank you,"
" Thinking." shouted all the voices.
" What about ? " " Is there any one, besides Antonio, who
" I am thinking," said Antonio, " that can tell you stories ? "
the time of the berloque is a pleasant one. " Laiza —
he knows some fine stories,
^^'hen the kind God has lighted the sky too."
and the hour of the berloque comes, every " Yes, but his stories frighten you."
one works with cheerfulness for every-;
" That's true," answered the Negroes.
body is working for his own benefit, " And, besides Antonio, is there any one
though there are some idle fellows who' who can sing you songs ? "
waste their time in smoking, like you, " Nazim —
he too has some fine songs."
Toukal or greedy ones who amuse them-
;
" Yes, but they make you weep."
selves by cooking bananas, like you, "That's true," continued the Negroes.
Cambeba. But, as I said, there are others " And who gave you a song four days
•'
who work you, for instance, Castor, are ago.^?
;

making chairs you, Bonhomme, wooden

;
" You, Malay."
spoons; you, Nazim, are making " Who
told you a story three days ago ?
nothing." " You, Malay."
"Nazim does as he pleases," answered " Who
sang you a song the day before
"
the young Negro " Nazim is the stag of yesterday ?
;

Anjouan, as Laiza is its lion, and what " You, Malay."

lions and sta?s do is no concern of ser- " \\'ho told you a story yesterday ? "
pents." "You, Malay."
Antonio bit his Ups then, after a
;
" And who has already sung you a
 " " —
GEORGES 39

song to-day and will tell three who had contributed.— A terrible
you a story to-
"
morrow ? idea came into Cambeba's mind.
" You, Malay, you again." " But," said Antonio, disclosing a
" Well then, if it is I who amuse you at double row of grinders, large and shining
your work, and give you more pleasure in like a v/olf's, " I have nothing to put be-
smoking, and prevent you from sleeping tween my little teeth."
while your bananas are cooking, it is only Cambeba felt his hair begin to stand
right that you should give me, who can up, and mechanically stretched out his
make nothing, since I sacrifice myself for hand towards the fire.
your sake, something for my trouble." " It is fair then," Antonio went on,
The justness of this observation struck •'
that Cambeba should give me a Httle
everybody however, our veracity as his- banana, isn't it, all of you ? "
;

torians compels us to confess that only a " Yes, yes, quite fair," cried Toukal,
few voices, coming from the hearts of the Bonhomme and Castor " hand over the ;

most fair-minded of their number, an- banana, Cambeba."'

swered in the affirmative. And all the voices shouted in chorus:
" So," continued Antonio, " it is fair that " The banana, Cambeba " !

Toukal should give me a little tobacco The unhappy man regarded the assem-
to smoke in my pipe, isn't it, Cambeba ? blage with a frightened look and rushed
" Quite fair," cried Cambeba, delighted to the fire to rescue his banana but ;

that not himself but some one else was laid Antonio stopped him on the way, and,
under contribution. holding him with one hand with a
And Toukal was compelled to share his strength of which nobody would have be-
tobacco with Antonio. lieved him capable, he seized with the
" Now the other day," continued An- other the rope by which the sacks of
tonio, " I lost my spoon, and had no money maize are hauled up to the loft, passed
to buy another, because, instead of work- the hook through Cambeba's belt, signal-
ing, I was singing you songs and telUng ling at the same time to Toukal to pull
you stories isn't it fair then that Bon- the other end of the rope.
; Toukal
homme should give me a wooden spoon to grasped the situation w^ith a quickness
eat mv soup with ? Don't you think so, that did credit to his inteUigence, and, at
Toukal?" the moment when he least expected it,
" Quite fair," cried Toukal, delighted at Cambeba found himself Hfted from the
not being the only one taxed by Antonio. ground, and, to the great amusement of
And Antonio held out his hand to Bon- the company, began to ascend to the sky,
homme, who gave him the spoon he had twisting round and round. At about ten
just finished. feet from the ground the ascent ceased,
" Now," resumed Antonio, " I have to- and Cambeba remained suspended, still
bacco for my pipe, and a spoon to eat my holding out his shrivelled hands towards
soup with, but I have no money to buy the unlucky banana, about which he had
—
stock meat. Castor ought therefore to no longer any means of arguing with his
give me that pretty little stool so that I enemy.
can sell it market and buy a small
at " Bravo, Antonio, well done !
" shouted
piece of beef, oughtn't he, Toukal ?
the spectators, holding their sides with
all
oughtn't he, Bonhomme ? oughtn't he, laughter, while Antonio, now perfectly
Cambeba ? master of the object in dispute, carefully
" Quite right," exclaimed all three. pushed aside the embers and drew out the
And Antonio drew, partly with his con- smoking banana, cooked to perfection and
sent, partly by force, from Castor's hands bro^\•ned fit to make your mouth water.
the stool on which he had just nailed the " My
banana, my banana " cried !

last piece of bamboo. Cambeba in a tone of the deepest despair.

" Now," continued Antonio, " I have " Here it is," said Antonio, holding out
sung you a song which has already tired his arm towards Cambeba.
me, and am about to tell you a story which " Me too far off to take it."
will tire me still more. I think I ousjht to " Don't you want it ? "
keep up my strength by eating something, " Me can't reach down to it."
don't you, Toukal, and Bonhomme and " Then," replied Antonio, mimicking
Castor?" the language of the hanging wretch,
" Certainly," shouted with one voice the " me eat him to prevent him being spoilt."
 —— —
40 GEORGES
"
And Antonio began to peel the banana " You are a cur !

with such comic gravity that the laughter A white man would have thrown him-
became convulsive. self upon his enemy and strangled him,
" Antonio," cried Canibeba " me beg if it lay within his power Antonio, on
; ;

you give me back my banana banana, the contrary, took a step backwards,
;

him for my poor wife who is ill and can't folded his long Umbs, gathered himself up
eat anything else. Me stole him, me like a snake, drew his knife from his coat
wanted him so badly." pocket and opened it.
" Stolen goods never profit," answered Nazim saw the movement and guessed
Antonio philosophically, continuing to his purpose but, without deigning to ;

peel the banana. make a gesture of defence, waited, stand-

" Ah poor Narina
! she will have ! ing erect, dumb and motionless, like the
nothing to and
be very hungry."
eat, will statue of a Nubian deity.
" Come, take pity on the unfortunate The Malay glanced for an instant at
man," said the young negro of Anjouan, his foe then raising himself with the
;

who, in the midst of the general merri- suppleness and agility of a snake :

ment, had alone remained grave and " Woe to you " he cried, " Laiza is
!

sad. not here."

" Not such a fool," said Antonio. " Laiza is here " said a grave voice.
!

" I wasn't speaking to you," replied The man who uttered these words had
Nazim. spoken them in his usual tone ; he had
" Who were you speaking to then ? " not added a gesture, he had not accom-
" I am talking to men." panied them by a sign, yet, at the sound
" Well, I speak to you," replied An- of that voice, Antonio stopped dead, and
tonio, " and I say, hold your tongue, which was but two inches from
his knife,
Nazim." Nazim's breast, fell from his hand.
" Untie Cambeba," said the young " Laiza " cried all the Negroes, turn-
!

Negro in a dignified tone that would have ing to the new-comer, and assuming in
done honour to a king. an instant the same attitude of sub-
Toukal, who was holding the rope, mission.
turned to Antonio, uncertain if he should The man who had but to speak a single
obey but, without answering his ques-
; word toproduce such a powerful im-
tioning look, Antonio continued : pression upon them all, including even
" I said, hold your tongue, Nazim, and Antonio, was in the prime of life, of
you have not done so." ordinary height, but his muscular limbs
" When a cur yaps at me I make no betokened herculean strength. He stood
reply and go on my way. You are a cur, upright, motionless, his arms crossed, and
Antonio." from his eyes, half closed like those of a
" Lookout for yourself, Nazim," said lion when meditating, there flashed a
Antonio, shaking his head " when your bright glance, calm and imperious. To
;

brother Laiza is not here, you are not see all these men awaiting thus in respect-
much good. So I fancy you won't repeat ful silence a word or a glance from the
what you said just now." other, one would have deemed it a horde
" Youare a cur, Antonio," repeated of Africans awaiting a nod of the head
Nazim, getting up. from their King as a signal for peace or
All the Negroes who were between war. Yet he was but a slave among
Nazim and Antonio made themselves slaves.
scarce, so that the handsome Anjouan and After remaining for some minutes
the hideous Malay found themselves face motionless as a sculptured figure, Laiza
to face, but at ten paces from each other. slowly raised his hand and pointed to-
" You say that at a good distance," wards Cambeba, who had remained all
replied Antonio, grinding his teeth with this time suspended from the end of the
anger. rope, surveying dumbly, Uke the others,
" And I repeat it at close quarters," the scene that had just passed.
Nazim.
cried Toukal at once lowered the rope, and
And with one bound he came within two Cambeba to his great delight found him-
paces of Antonio then, with a contemp- self on the ground once more.
; His first
tuous tone and haughty look, his nostrils care was to search for the banana which,
dilating, shouted for the third time however, in the confusion that naturally
:
 — "
;;

GEORGES 41

followed the incident we have just de- "Here!" said Laiza in a loud voice,
"
scribed, had disappeared. "who can give me a banana ?
While the search was proceeding, Laiza A
dozen bananas sprang as if by a
had gone out, but re-appeared almost im- miracle from beneath the ashes. Laiza
mediately, carrying on his shoulders a took the largest and gave it to Cambeba.
wild pig, which he threw down by the who made off without even taking time to
fire. " Here, my children," said he "I say thank you then turning to Bon-
; ;

thought of you take it and divide it."

; homme, whose banana it was :

This action, and the generous words " You shan't lose by it, Bonhomme," he
accompanying it touched two chords in said " you shall have Antonio's share ot
;

the hearts of the blacks, greediness and meat instead of your banana."
enthusiasm, too closely for them not to " And what am I going to have ?
produce their effect.. They all surrounded asked Antonio impudently.
the animal and gave vent to their ecstasy " You shall have the banana which you
in their own fashion. stole from Cambeba."
" What a good supper we shall have " But it's lost," answered the Malay.
this evening," said a Malabar. " That is not my business."
" Him black as a Mozambique," said a " Bravo " exclaimed
! the Negroes,
Malagasy. " stolen goods bring no profit."
" Him fat as a Malagasy," said a The Malay got up, glanced at the men
Mozambique. who but an instant before had applauded
But, as may easily be imagined, this his persecutions and who now applauded
kind of admiration was of too ideal a his punishment, and left the shed.
nature not to be soon replaced by some- " Brother," said Nazim to Laiza, " look
thing more practical. Before you could after yourself; I know him, he will be
say " Jack Robinson " the animal was cm doing you some bad turn."
in pieces, half of it put aside for the next " Look after yourself rather, Nazim
day, and the other half carved into fairly for he would not venture to attack me."
thin slices that were laid on the coals, and '•
Well then, I will guard you, and you
more solid bits that were roasted before shall guard me," said Nazim " but that is
;

the fire. not the question now, and we have got,

Then each went back to his place, but you know, something else to speak about."
with a brighter face, for each was expect- " Yes, but not here."
ing a nice supper. Cambeba alone stood " Come out, then."
sadly in a corner. " Presently : when they are all busy
"What are you doing there, Cam- over their meal, no one will pay any
beba ? " asked Laiza. attention to us."
" Me doing nothing, papa Laiza," Cam- " You are right, brother."
" "
beba answered sadly, Papa is, as every- And the two Negroes began to converse
body knows, a title of honour among the in low tones and upon indifferent topics
blacks, and all the Negroes on the estate, but, when the slices were grilled, and the
from the youngest to the oldest, bestowed pieces of steak roasted, profiting by the
this title on Laiza. close attention always bestowed on the
'*
Are you still suffering from having been first part of a meal that is seasoned by a
hung up by your belt?" asked the Negro. good appetite, they both slipped out with-
" Oh no, papa, me not so soft as that." out the rest of the party noticing their dis-
!

" Then you are vexed ? " appearance, exactly as Laiza had fore-
This time Cambeba only answered by seen.
moving his head up and down in an affir-
mative manner.
" And why are you vexed ? " asked
Laiza. CHAPTER VHl
" Antonio, he take my banana which
me forced to steal for my
wife who is ill, THE runaway's TOILET
and me have nothing to take her now."
" Well then, give her a bit of this wild was nearly ten in the evening; the
pig-" ITmoonless night was fine and starry, as
" Her not able to eat meat, no, her no the nights generally are in the tropics to-
able, papa Laiza." wards the end of summer. In the sky
 "" "

42 GEORGES
were to be seen some of those constella- where the Great Spirit is waiting for us,
tions with which we are familiar from and sink to the bottom in each other's
childhood by the name of the Little Bear, arms."
Orion's Belt, and the Pleiades, but in a " Alas " said Laiza.
!

position so different from that in which "That would be better than bemg a
we are accustomed to see them, that a slave," said Nazim.
European would hardly have recognised " So you want to leave the Isle of
them by way of exchange the Southern France ?
;

Cross, invisible in our northern hemi- " I do."

sphere, blazed in the midst of them. The " At the risk of your life ?
silence of night was broken only by the "At the risk of my life."
noise which the numerous woodpeckers, "It is ten to one you never reach
which swarm so plentifully in the neigh- Anjouan."
bourhood of the Black River, made in " There is one chance to ten that I do."
tapping the bark of the trees, by the song " Very well " said Laiza " be it as you
; ;

of the blue fig-eaters and the fondi-jala, wish, my brother. But think over it
those warbling nightingales of Madagas- again."
car, and the almost imperceptible rustle " I have been thinking over it for two
of the dry grass as it bent beneath the years. When the Chief of the Mongallos
feet of the two brothers. captured me in battle, as you yourself had
The two Negroes walked in silence, been captured four years previously, and
glancing round uneasily from time to time, sold me to the Captain of a slave-ship, as
stopping to listen and then resuming their you yourself had been sold, I made up my
way. At last, arriving at a more bushy mind that very instant. I was put in
spot, they entered a sort of little bamboo- chains, I tried to strangle myself with my
copse, and, having reached its centre, they chains, so they riveted me to a bulkhead in
halted, still listening and looking around the hold. Then I wanted to beat out my
them again. The result of this last examin- brains against the ship's side, so they
ation was doubtless more reassuring than spread straw under my head. Then I was
the previous ones, for they exchanged a for letting myself die of hunger, so they
look that indicated that all was safe, and opened my mouth, and, not being able to
both sat down at the foot of a wild banana, make me eat, forced me to drink. They
that spread its broad leaves, like a magnifi- were obliged to sell me quickly, they
cent fan, among the slender leaves of the landed me here and got rid of me at half
roses which surrounded it. price, and even that was dear for I was ;

" Well, brother ? " asked Nazim, with determined to throw myself from the first
that feeling of impatience which Laiza cliff that I should climb. All at once, I
had always checked when the other had heard your voice, brother; all at once, I
wished to question him in the hearing of felt my heart beat against your heart, I
the other Negroes. felt my lips on your lips, and I felt so
**
You are still in the same mind, happy that I thought I could live. That
Nazim ? " said Laiza. lasted for a year. Then, brother, forgive
" More than ever, brother. I should me, your friendship was not enough for

die, you see, if I stayed here. I have me. I remembered our island, I remem-
hardened my heart to work up to now, I, bered my father, and Zirna. Our labour
Nazim, a Chief's son, and your brother. seemed to me first wearisome, then humil-
But I am weary of this wretched life I iating, then intolerable. Then I said to
;

must go back to Anjouan or die." myself that I wanted to flee, to go back to

Laiza uttered a sigh. Anjouan, to see Zirna again, and my
"Anjouan is a long way from here," father, and our island; and you were
said he. kind to me, as ever, and said Rest your- '

" What does it matter ? " answered self, Nazim, you who are weak, and I,
Nazim. who am strong, will work.' Then you
" It is the stormy time of year." went out every evening, for four days,
" The wind will drive us all the faster." and worked while I rested. Did you not,
"
" But if the boat capsizes ? Laiza ?
"We will swim as long as we have " Yes, Nazim, but listen you had better
:

strength ; then, when we can swim no wait a bit longer," replied Laiza, raising
longer, we will take a last look at the sky his forehead. " Slaves to-day, in a month.
 " ; — " ;

GEORGES 43

In three months, in a year, we

have hollowed out a canoe in its trunk,
shall per- I

haps be masters
!
and have cut two oars out of its branches.
" Yes," said Nazim " yes, I know your I have sawed it through above and below
;

plans; yes, I know your hope." the canoe, but I have left it standing for
"Then, you understand what it would fear lest its top should be seen missing
be," resumed Laiza, " to see these whites, among the other tree tops. Now all that
so proud and cruel, humiliated and sup- is left is to push it over, to drag the canoe
pliants in their turn ? to make them work to the river and launch it in the stream.
twelve hours a day ? to beat them, lash Since you will go, Nazim, well, you shall
them with whips, and bruise them with go to-night."
sticks?" " And you, my brother, are you not
"They are but twelve thousand, and coming with me ? " asked Nazim.
there are eighty thousand of us. And on " No," said Laiza " I remain behind." ;

the day when we come to settle accounts, Nazim in his turn heaved a deep sigh.
they will be lost." " And what hinders you then," asked
" I will say to you what you said to me, Nazim, after a moment's silence, " from
Laiza; it is ten to one that you do not returning with me to the land of our fore-
"
succeed . . ." fathers ?
" But I answer you as you
will an- Nazim, what hinders
" I have told you,
swered me, Nazim; there is one chance me for more than a year we have been
;

to ten that I do. Let us wait then ..." determined to rise in revolt, and our friends
" I cannot, Laiza, I cannot I ...
have chosen me as their leader. I cannot
have seen my mother's spirit she told me betray our friends by leaving them."
;

to return to my country." " It is not that which keeps you back,

" You have seen it ? " said Laiza. brother," said Nazim, shaking his head
" Yes every evening for a fortnight, a " there is something besides."
;

fondi-jala has come and perched above " And what else do you suppose can
"
my head it is the same one that sang at keep me back, Nazim ?
;

Anjouan over her grave. It has crossed " The Rose of the Black River," an-
the sea with its little wings, and has come swered the young man, looking fixedly at
here. I recognised its song; listen, it is Laiza.
here." Laiza started then, after a moment's
—
;

And at that very moment a Madagascar silence :

nightingale, perched on the highest branch " It is true," he said " I love her." ;

in the mass of trees beneath which Laiza " Poor brother " replied Nazim. "And !

"
and Nazim were lying, began its melo- what is your plan ?
dious song above the heads of the two " I have none."
brothers. Both listened, bending their " What is your hope ? "
heads sadly, until the nocturnal songster " To see her to-morrow, as I saw her
broke off, and, flying in the direction of yesterday, as I saw her to-day."
the native land of the two slaves, uttered " But she, does she know of your
"
the same strains at a distance of fifty existence ?
yards; then, flying off again, still in the " I doubt it."
"
same direction, repeated for the last time " Has she ever spoken a word to you ?
its song, as a distant echo from their " Never."
country, of which, at this distance, they " Then what of your country ?
could only just catch the highest notes; " I have forgotten it."
then, once more, it flew away, but this " Nessali ? "
time so far, that the two exiles listened in " I remember her no longer.'*
vain they could hear its song no more.
;
" Our father ? "
" It has gone back to Anjouan," said Laiza let his head sink into his hands.
Nazim ;
" and it will return in the same Then,
an instant after :

way to call me and show me he said. "All you can say to

the way, " Listen,"
until I return myself." make me go is as vain as all that I have
" Go then," said Laiza. said to make you stay. She is everything
" Now ? " asked Nazim. to me, family and country I must see !

" Everything is ready. I have chosen her, to live, just as I must have the air
the largest tree I could find in one of the that she breathes, to breathe. Let us
most deserted spots near the Black River each follow our own destiny. For you,
 :

44 GEORGES
Nazim, the return to Anjouan ; for me, to contained in the gourd, and the young
remain here." fellow spread it with his hands over every
" But what shall I say to my father, portion of his body. Thus anointed
when he asks me why Laiza has not from head to foot, the handsome Anjouan
"
returned ? Negro looked like an antique athlete pre-
" You will tell him that Laiza is dead," pared for the race.
answered the Negro a choking voice.
in But, in order quite to satisfy Laiza, an
" He will not believe me," said Nazim, experiment was required. Like Alcides of
shaking his head. old, Laiza could grasp a horse by his
"
" Why
not ? hind feet, and the horse would try in vain
" He will say to me, If my son were* to escape from his hands. Laiza, like
dead, I should have seen my son's spirit Milo of Croton, could take a bull by his
the spirit of Laiza has not visited his horns and throw him over his shoulder or
"
father Laiza is not dead.'
: knock him down at his feet. If Nazim
"Well then, you will tell him that I could escape from Laiza, he could escape
love a white girl," said Laiza, " and he will from everybody accordingly, Laiza seized
:

curse me. But never will I quit the Nazim by the arm, tightening" his fingers
"
Island where she is ! with all the strength of his iron muscles.
" The Great Spirit will inspire me, my Nazim pulled his arm away and it slipped
brother," answered Nazim, rising " take through the fingers of Laiza like an eel in
;

me to the canoe." a fisherman's hands. Laiza seized Nazim

" Wait," said Laiza. by the middle, pressing him against his
And the Negro went up to a hollow breast as Hercules pressed Antaeus;
maple tree, drew from it a piece of glass Nazim placed his hands on Laiza's
and a gourd filled with cocoa-oil. shoulders and slipped between his arms
"
What is that ? asked Nazim. and breast just as a snake slips between
" Listen, my brother," said Laiza: "it the claws of a lion. Then, and not till
is possible that with the help of a good then, was the Negro satisfied Nazim ;

wind and your oars you may, in eight or could not be captured by a surprise, and,
ten days, reach Madagascar, or even the if it came to a chase, Nazim himself could
Continent of Africa; but it is possible outlast the stag from which he took his
that to-morrow, or the day after, a storm name.
may throw you back on this coast. Then Then Laiza gave Nazim the gourd
your departure will be known, then signals three parts filled with cocoa-oil, bidding
about you will have been sent all over the him keep it even more carefully than the
Island, then you will be obliged to play roots of manioc for appeasing his hunger,
the runaway, and fly from wood to wood, and the water to quench his thirst.
from rock to rock." Nazim passed his strap through the
"Brother, I was called the stag of gourd and fastened it to his girdle.
Anjouan, as you were called the lion," Then the two brothers examined the
said Nazim. sky, and, seeing from the position of the
" Yes, but, like the stag, you may fall stars that it must be midnight at least,
( into a trap. Then it will be needful for took the road by the hill of the Riviere
you to give them no hold upon you you Noire, and soon disappeared into the
;

will have to slip through their hands. woods that clothe the base of the Trois-
Here is some glass to cut your hair with, Mamelles. But behind them, at twenty
and some cocoa-oil to grease your limbs. paces from the mass of bamboos, where
Come, brother, let me perform the toilet the conversation which we have just
of the runaway Negro." related took place, a man who, from his
Nazim and Laiza made for a thinner absolute immobility, might have been
part of the wood, and Laiza began, by taken for one of the tree-trunks among
the light of the stars, with the help of his which he lay, slipped like a ghost into
broken piece of glass bottle to cut his the underwood, appeared for an instant
brother's hair as quickly and as thoroughly on the edge of the forest, and, making a
as the most skilful barber with the menacing gesture after the two brothers,
sharpest razor could have done it. When went off, as soon as they had disappeared,
the operation was finished, Nazim threw in the direction of Port-Louis.
off his jacket, while his brother poured It was the Malay, Antonio, who had
over his shoulders a portion of the cocoa-oil promised to be revenged on Laiza and
 —— ;

GEORGES 45

Nazim, and who was going to keep his her fan, charming though it was, and
word. greatly as she had desired to possess it.
And now, quick as he may travel with Her eyes, fixed apparently on some part
his long legs, we must, if our readers of the room where there seemed to be no
permit, precede him to the capital of the special object to account for her steady
Isle of France gaze, had evidently ceased to take in
objects present to her sight, in order to
pursue some internal train of thought.
Nay more; this internal vision evidently
possessed for her all the appearance of
reality; for, from time to time, a slight
smile passed over her face, and her lips
CHAPTER IX moved, answering in dumb language to
some mute remembrance. This preoccu-
THE ROSEBUD OF THE RIVIERE NOIRE pation was too foreign to the girl's usual
manner not to be noticed by her governess
AFTER paying Miko-Miko
the price of which, to
for the fan,
her great
so, after
some moments her
having watched in silence for
pupil's play of features,
astonishment, Georges had found out for Henrietta asked :

her, the girl, of whom we had a moment-
ary glimpse at the door of her house,
ordered her Negro to help the China-
man to pack up his wares, and went in,
followed, of course, by her governess.
She was quite delighted with her new
acquisition, which, nevertheless, was fated
"What is the matter, Sara, dear?"
"Nothing," answered the girl starting
like a person aroused from sleep. " I am
playing, as you see, with my parrot and
ray fan, that's all."
" Yes, I can see you are playing with
your parrot and your fan but I am certain
:

to be forgotten the very next day. She that, at the moment when I disturbed you
now went, with that undulating and in your reverie, you were not thinking
unconstrained gait which adds so much of either one or the other,"
charm to Creole women, and lay down "Oh! my dear Henrietta, I declare to
"
on a large sofa, which was evidently in- you
tended to be used either as a bed or as "You don't usually tell fibs, Sara, and
a lounge. This piece of furniture was least of all to me," interrupted the
placed at one end of a charming little governess; "why begin to-day?"
boudoir, filled to overflowing with many The girl blushed deeply; then, after a
coloured Chinese porcelains and Japanese moment's hesitation:
vases; the hangings which covered the "You are right, dear creature," said
walls were made of that fine printed she; "I was thinking of something quite
calico which the inhabitants of the Isle different."
of France get from the Coromandel coast, " And what were you thinking of?"
and which is called patna. The chairs, " I was wondering who that young
as is usual in hot countries, were made man could be who passed by at such an
of cane, and two windows at opposite opportune moment and got us out of our
sides of the room, the one opening on the difficulty. I have never seen him before
main court which was full of trees, the to-day, and no doubt he came with the
other on a large back enclosure, allowed vessel that brought the Governor. Is
"
the sea breeze and the scent of flowers to there any harm in thinking about him ?
penetrate freely through the bamboo mats " No, my child, there is no harm in
which served as shutters. thinking about him, but it was an untruth
Hardly had the girl stretched herself to tell me that you were thinking of
on the sofa, when a small green parrot something else."
with a grey head, as plump as a sparrow, " I was wrong," said the girl, " forgive
flew from its perch, and, ahghting on her me." And she turned her charming head
shoulder, amused itself by picking the to the governess, who stooped towards
end of the fan which its mistress, amusing her and kissed her on the forehead.
herself in her turn, was opening and shut- Both were silent for a moment, then,
ting mechanically. as Henrietta, like the strictly conscientious
We say mechanically, for it was mani- Englishwoman that she was, did not like
fest the girl was no longer thinking about to allow her pupil's imagination to linger
 " " ' ;

46 GEORGES
too long on the recollection of a young you see, I have been rather spoilt, by you
man, and as Sara, on her part, experienced too, dear Henrietta, among the rest which ;

a certain embarrassment in being silent, has made mewilful. When I have asked
they both opened their mouths at the for things,they have generally been given
same instant. Thus their first words to me and, when it has happened that I
;

clashed, and each stopping short in order have been refused, I have taken them, and
to let the other speak, the result was have been allowed to."
another interval of silence, broken this " And, such being your disposition, how
time by Sara. shall you manage when you are M.
" What were you going to say, my dear Henri's wife ? "
Henrietta ? " asked the girl. " Oh Henri is a good fellow we have ! ;

" Nay, you were saying something already agreed," said Sara, with the most
yourself, Sara. What was it ? " perfect simplicity, "that I shall let him do
" I was going to say I should like to as he pleases, and that I, too, shall do as
know if your new Governor is a young I please. Haven't we, Henri ? " con-
man." tinued Sara, turning to the door, which
" I suppose you would be very glad if opened at this moment to admit M. de
"
he were young ? Malmedie and his son.
" Of course. If he is young, he "
Sara dear ? " asked the
will What is it,

give and fetes, and balls, and young man, going up and kissing her
dinners,
that will wake up our dull Port-Louis a hand.
little. Oh balls, especially, if he would
! —
" Haven't we agreed that, when we are
only give balls." married, you will never oppose me, and
"
" You are fond, then, of dancing, my will give me everything I want ?

child ? " Upon my word "

said M. de Mal- !

" Oh ! am
not ? " cried the girl.
I medie, " I hope this young lady knows
Henrietta smiled. how to make her conditions beforehand " !

" Is there any harm then in being fond " Haven't we agreed," continued Sara,
" " that if 1 like to be always going to balls,
of dancing ?
" There is harm, Sara, in running to ex- you will take me to them and stay as long
tremes in everything, as you do." as I wish, and not be like those wretched
" Can I help it, dear ? " said Sara, in a husbands who go off after the seventh or
sweetly coaxing manner, which she could eighth dance ? that I may sing as much as
assume on occasions, " I am made that I like, and go fishing as much as I like
way I like or I dislike, and I cannot hide and that if I want a nice hat from Paris,
;

either my liking or my disliking. Haven't or a nice English or Arab horse, you will
you often told me pretence was a wicked buy them for me ? "
sin ? " Oh of course," said Henri, smiling, !

" No doubt but there is a vast " but, talking of Arab horses, we saw two
;

difference between disguising one's feelings fine ones to-day, and I am glad you did
and yielding unceasingly to one's desires, I not see them, Sara for as they are pro- ;

might almost say to one's natural instincts,' bably not for sale, I could not have given
replied the severe Englishwoman, who them to you, if you had happened to take
was sometimes as much embarrassed by a fancy to them."
the ready-witted arguments of her pupil, " I saw them too," said Sara " they ;

as she was alarmed at other times by the belong, do they not, to a dark young
outbursts of her wild nature. stranger of twenty-five or twenty-six, with
" Yes, I know you have often told me fine hair and splendid eyes ? "
that, dear. I know that European women, " Confound it, Sara," said Henri *' you ;

those of the fashionable world at least, seem to have paid even more attention
steer in a wonderful way between frankness to the rider than to the horses."
and concealment by means of reticence " It is easily explained, Henri the ;

of speech and immobility of feature. But, gentleman came up and spoke to me,
dear, from me you must not expect too while the horses I saw only at a certain
much I am not a civilised girl, but a distance, and they did not even neigh "
; !

little savage, reared in the wide forests " That young fop spoke to you, Sara ?
and on the banks of great rivers. When and why ? "
I see anything that pleases me, I want it, " In the first place," said Sara, " I
and, if I want it I must have it. Then, noticed no signs of foppishness about him
 — "

GEORGES 47

at all, nor did my dear Henrietta, who person of whom you are speaking seems
was with me. Next, you ask why he to be in a service that will give him a dis-
spoke to me ? Oh good gracious taste for all other employments."
! !

nothing more simple. I was returning " What is that ? "

from church, when I saw waiting for me " In that of the King of France.
at the doorstep a Chinaman with his two Didn't you notice that he wears in his
baskets filled with boxes, fans, pocket button-hole the riband of the Legion of
books, and a host of other things. I Honour, and another riband besides ? "
asked him the price of this fan. . look
.
" Oh ! these ribands are bestowed now-
how pretty it is, Henri " a-days without its being necessary for the
" Well, go on," said M. de Malmedie recipient to have seen service."
;

" all this has nothing to do with the " But still, speaking generally, the man
stranger's speaking to you." who gets them must be a person of note,'
" I am coming to it directly, uncle," replied Sara, vexed without knowing why,
answered Sara. " I asked him the price of and defending the stranger by that in-
the fan, but his answer gave us some stinct, so natural to simple hearts, of de-
trouble, for the worthy man spoke nothing fending those who are unjustly attacked.
but Chinese. Then Henrietta and I were " Well," said Henri, " he must have
quite at a loss, and asked those who were been decorated for knowing Chinese, that's
standing round us looking at the beautiful all."
wares displayed by the dealer, if there was " Anyhow, we shall know all this soon,"
no one who could act as our interpreter, replied M. de Malmedie in a tone that
when this young man came forward and showed that he did not notice the quarrel
placed himself at our service, spoke to the between the young people ;
" for he
Chinaman in his own language, and, arrived on board the Governor's ship, and,
coming back to us, said, Ninety dollars.' as people do not come to the Isle of
'

"
It isn't, dear uncle, is it ? France to leave it next day, we shall no
" Ahem " said M. de Malmedie "it is doubt have the advantage of having him
! ;

the price we paid for a Negro before the with us for some time."
English put a stop to the trade." At this moment a servant entered
"Then this gentleman speaks Chinese? with a letter that bore the Governor's
asked Henri in astonishment. seal, and which had just come from Lord
" Yes," answered Sara. Murray. It was an invitation for M. de
" Just fancy, father," cried Henri, burst- Malmedie, Henri, and Sara, to the dinner
ing mto laughter, " he speaks Chinese." which would take place on the following
" Well, is there anything to laugh at in Monday, and to the ball that would follow
that ?" asked Sara. the dinner.
" Oh, nothing at all," replied Henri, Sara's uncertainties were at once
continuing to give way to merriment. decided in respect to the Governor. He
" Why, this is a charming accomplishment must be a most delightful man who
possessed by the handsome foreigner. He started by giving invitations for a dinner
can chat with the tea-chests and folding- and a ball, and Sara uttered a cry of joy
screens." at the thought of spending a whole night
" The act is that Chinese is a very in dancing.
little-known tongue," answered M. de This fell out the more opportunely
Malmedie. as the last vessel from France had brought
" He must be some mandarin," said her some lovely trimmings of artificial
Henri, continuing to enjoy himself at the flowers, which had not given her half the
expense of the stranger, whose haughty pleasure they ought to have done, since
look had rankled in his mind. she did not know, when she received
" At any rate," answered Sara, " he is them, what opportunity she would get of
an educated mandarin for, after speaking showing them off.
;

Chinese to the dealer, he spoke French to As for Henri, in spite of the dignity
me, and English to my dear Henrietta.'' with which he received the news, he was
" Hang it !The fellow speaks every not, at heart, indifferent to it. Henry re-
language," said M. de Malmedie. " He garded himself as one of the best-looking
is just the sort of man I want in my young men of the Colony, and, although
office." he was engaged and his marriage with
" Unfortunately, uncle," said Sara, " the his cousin quite settled upon, he lost no
48 GEORGES
opportunity meanwhile of flirting with
other women. Besides, tnis was not diffi-
cult for him, as Sara, whether from
indifference or habit, show'ed not the
slightest jealousy in this respect.
As for his father, he was extremely
proud w^hen he saw the invitation, which
he read three times, and which gave him
a still higher idea of his own importance
and, thanks to the calm and method which
Henrietta imported into all the arrange-
ments, Sara was ready to start on Sunday
morning, as she had promised her uncle.
The most important matter, the trying on
of the frock, was finished, and the dress-
maker, a trustworthy woman, undertook
that Sara should find it completed next
morning if anything wanted alteration,
;

at finding himself, two or three hours
after the Governor's arrival, invited to
dinner with him, an honour which in all
probability was extended only to the most
considerable personages in the Island.
there remained part of the day to do it in.
So Sara started in the most joyous
frame of mind possible. Next to a ball,
what she loved best in the world was the
country there she felt free to be idle or
;

The invitation, however, necessitated to rush about at will, —

a freedom which
some change in the family plans. Henri she, so fond of running to opposite
had arranged a grand stag-hunt for the extremes, never quite found in the town.
Sunday and Monday following in the Besides, when incountry, Sara
the
district of the Savane, which, at this ceased to recognise any authority, even
period, being still uninhabited, abounded that of her dear Henrietta, the person
in big game. Moreover as the hunt was who, after all, had the most influence
to take place partly over his father's over her. If she was in an idle mood, she
property, he had invited some dozen of his chose a beautiful spot, lay down beneath
friends to meet on the Sunday morning at a clump of jameroses or shaddocks,
a charming country-house which he and there lived like the flowers, drinking
owned on the banks of the Riviere Noire, in the dew, the air, and the sunshine at
one of the most picturesque parts every pore, Ustening to the songs of the
of the Island. It was impossible to keep blue fig-eaters and fondi-jala, amusing
to the days agreed upon, seeing that one herself with watching the monkeys leaping
of these days was that selected by the from bough to bough or hanging by their
Governor for his ball, so it became tails, following with her eyes the graceful
necessary to ante-date the party by and rapid movements of the pretty green
twenty-four hours, not only on account of lizards speckled and striped with red, that
the Malmedies, but also for some of their are so common in the Isle of France that
guests who would no doubt have the at every step you disturb three or four of
honour of being asked to dine with Lord them. There she would remain whole
Murray. So Henri went to his room hours, putting herself in communication,
to write some dozen letters, telling so to speak, with all nature, to whose
the sportsmen of the change made in thousand voices she listened, whose
their original plan, and which Bijou was thousand aspects she studied, whose
ordered to deliver at their respective thousand harmonies she compared. If,
addresses. M. de Malmedie, in his turn, on the other hand, she was in an active
took leave of Sara, making the excuse of mood, then she was no longer a girl, but
a business-meeting, but in reality to a gazelle, a bird, or a butterfly she ;

announce to his neighbours that in three jumped the streams in pursuit of dragon-
days he would be able to give them flies with heads sparkling like rubies she ;

frankly his opinion of their new Governor, hung over the cliff to gather the broad-
inasmuch as he was dining with him the leaved lilies, on which the dew-drops
following Monday. quiver like globules of quick-silver she ;

As for Sara, she declared that, in these sped, like a water-fairy, beneath a water-
unexpected and serious circumstances, fall whose damp spray shrouded her as
she had so many preparations to make with a gauzy veil, and then her cheeks, in
that she would be unable to start with marked contrast to the other Creole girls
them on the Saturday morning, and would whose dull tint so seldom takes colour,
be content with joining them on Saturday would be flushed with so vivid a pink,
evening or Sunday morning. that the Negroes, accustomed in their
The rest of that day, then, and all the poetic and flowery language to give a
next, was spent, as Sara had foreseen, in descriptive name to everything, called
preparations for the important evening, Sara the Rosebud of the Dark River.
 GEORGES 49

So Sara, as we have said, was very
happy, since she had in prospect, one for
that very day, the other for the day
following, the two things she loved best in
the world, to wit the country and the
dance.
CHAPTER X
A PERILOUS BATHE
Smith then, died a poor man, leaving his
daughter Henrietta very highly accom-
plished, but without a dowry, and in
consequence this young lady attained
the age of twenty-five without finding a
husband.
Just then, one of her friends, an
excellent musician, as she herself was a
perfect linguist, proposed to Miss Smith
to amalgamate their talents and start a
school in partnership. The offer was
accepted. But, though each of the two
partners gave every attention and all the
pains and devotion of which they were
capable to the education of the pupils who
were entrusted to them, the establishment

AT this period the Island

to-day, intersected
it is
was not, as
by roads on
did not prosper, and the two mistresses
were obliged to dissolve partnership.
which you may travel by carriage to the Meanwhile, the father of one of Miss
different parts of the Colony, and the Smith's pupils, a rich London merchant,
only means of transport were horses or received from M. de Malmedie, a
the palanquin. Whenever Sara went correspondent of his, a letter asking him
into the country with Henri or M. de for a governess for his niece, offering her
Malm6die, horses were preferred without advantages sufficient to compensate her
any discussion, for riding was one of the for the sacrifice she would make in
exercises with which the girl was most expatriating herself. The contents of
familiar. But when she travelled in this letter were communicated to
company with Henrietta this method of Henrietta. The poor girl was without
locomotion had to be abandoned, since resources ; she was not wedded to a
Henrietta much preferred the palanquin. country where she had no other prospect
So it was in a palanquin carried by four than that of dying of starvation. She
Negroes, followed by a relay of four looked upon the offer made to her as a
others, that Sara and her governess blessing from heaven, and embarked on
travelled side by side, sufficiently close to the first vessel sailing for the Isle of
one another to be able to talk through France, recommended to M. de Malmedie
the drawn curtains, while their bearers, as a lady worthy of the highest respect.
assured beforehand of a pourboire, sang M. de Malmedie consequently received
at the top of their voices, announcing her, and entrusted her with the education
thus to the passers-by the liberality of of his niece Sara, who was then nine
their young mistress. years old.
Henrietta and Sara presented the most Miss Henrietta's first question was to
complete contrast, physical and moral, ask M. de Malmedie what sort of educa-
that can be imagined. The reader is tion he wished his niece to receive. M.
already acquainted with Sara, the de Malmedie answered that that did not
capricious girl with dark h?ir and eyes, in the least matter ; that he had engaged
complexion as changeful as her mind, a governess to free him from anxiety on
with pearly teeth, hands and feet small as this score, and that it was her business,
a child's, and body supple and undulating having been recommended to him as a
as a sylph's. He must now allow us to very intelligent person, to teach Sara
say a few words about Henrietta. what she knew adding only, by way of
;

Henrietta Smith was born in London ;

her father was a teacher who, having in-
tended her for the teaching profession, had
had her instructed from childhood in Italian
and French, which, thanks to this early
study, were as familiar to her as her
mother tongue. Teaching, as everybody
knows, is an employment in which as a
rule large fortunes are not made. Jack
afterthought, that the girl being definitely
intended as the future wife of her cousin
Henri, it was important that she should
not conceive an affection for any one else.
This decision of M. de Malmedie's in
regard to the union of his son and niece
was influenced, not only by the affection
which he had for both, but still more by
the fact that Sara, who had been left an
50
orphan at the age of three, had inherited
nearly a million francs, a sum which
would double itself during M. de
Malmedie's guardianship.
Sara at first stood in great awe of this
governess who had come from over seas,
and it must be admitted that, at first
sight, the appearance of Miss Smith did
not greatly re-assure her. She was at
that time a tall woman of thirty or thirty-
two, to whom school work had imparted
that dry, stiff look so often to be seen in
ladies engaged in education her cold eye,
; down, and the aforesaid ship begun to
pale complexion and thin lips gave her
a wonderfully wooden appearance, the
frigidity of which was only partly redeemed
by the warmth of her auburn hair. From
early morning fully dressed and with hair
neatly done up, Sara had never once seen
her carelessly attired, and for a long time
believed that Miss Henrietta, instead of
going to bed at night like ordinary people,
was hung up in a wardrobe as dolls are,
and came out in the morning just as she
had entered it the evening before. The
consequence was that in early days Sara
was fairly obedient to her governess, and
learned a little English and Italian. As
for music, Sara was constituted like a
nightingale, and played the piano and
guitar almost by instinct, though the
instrument she preferred to all others was
the Malagasy harp, from which she drew
sounds which delighted the most famous
virtuosos of Madagascar in the Island.
Sara had made all this progress, how-
ever, without losing any of her individu-
ality, or her primitive nature being in
any degree modified, while Miss Henrietta,
on her side, remained such as God and
education had made her so that these
; Sara, according to her wont, would make
two beings, so widely different, lived side
by side without ever yielding to each
other. Still, as both, in their different
ways, were endowed with excellent quali-
ties, Henrietta came to form a deep
attachment for her pupil, and Sara, in her
turn, entertained a lively friendship for
her governess, and the token of this
mutual affection was that the teacher
called Sara " my child," while Sara,
thinking the title of " Miss " or " Made-
moiselle" too cold for the affection she bore
to her governess, invented the more affec-
tionate address of " ma mie Henriette."
But it was especially in regard to
physical exercises that Henrietta main-
tained her feeling of dislike. Her educa-
tion, exclusively scholastic, had only
GEORGES
developed her moral faculties, leaving her
bodily faculties in their natural clumsiness,
so, however much Sara might try to
persuade her, Henrietta had never cared to
ride, even on Berloque, a quiet Java pony
that carried vegetables for the gardener.
The narrow roads made her feel so giddy
that she had often preferred to make a
detour of a mile or two rather than pass
close to a precipice. It was not without
deep searchings of the heart that she went
on board ship, and scarcely had she sat
move, than the poor governess declared
she was overtaken by sea-sickness, which
did not leave her for a moment during the
whole voyage from Portsmouth to Port-
Louis, that is to say for more than four
months. The result was that Henrietta's
life was passed apprehension
in perpetual
in regard to Sara when she saw her ride
;
with the boldness of an Amazon, with her
cousin, or bounding with the lightness of
a fawn from rock to rock, or gliding with
the grace of a water-nymph on the sur-
face of the water, or disappearing for a
moment in its depths, her poor heart was
wrung with a terror almost maternal.
She was like those unfortunate hens who
have hatched swans, and who, seeing
their adopted progeny plunge into the
water, remain on the edge of the bank,
unable to understand such boldness, and
clucking sadly to call back the rash young
ones who are exposing themselves to such
awful danger.
So Henrietta, though for the moment
carried quite comfortably and safely in a
palanquin, was none the less already
anticipating the countless agonies which
her go through, while the young girl was
elated at the thought of these two days of
happiness.
The morning, too, was magnificent. It
was one of those beautiful days at the
beginning of autumn (for the month of
May, which is our spring time, is autumn
in the Isle of France), when nature, get-
ting ready to hide herself behind a veil of
rain,pays the sweetest adieux to the sun-
shine. As they advanced, the country
grew wilder and wilder they crossed, by
;
bridges, the fragility of which made
Henrietta tremble, the double source of
the river of the Rampart, and the falls of
the Tamarin. On reaching the foot of
the Trois-Mamelles mountain, Sara made
enquiries about her uncle and cousin, and
 ;

GEORGES 51

heard that they were at that moment start, she resigned herself as usual, took a
hunting Avith their friends between the big book to read, while Sara ran about, and
pool and the plain of St. Pierre. Finally, got ready to accompany her.
they crossed the little river of the But Sara had planned something else
Boucaut, rounded the hill of the great than a walk this time she had promised
;

Riviere Noire, and found themselves herself a bathe in the beautiful, calm, and
facing M. de Malmedie's abode. peaceful bay of the Rivilre Noire, the
Sara began by paying a visit to the water in which was so clear that at a depth
inmates of the house, whom she had not of twenty feet you could see the polypes
seen for a fortnight then she went off to which grew at the bottom, and the differ-
;

say good morning to her aviary, a large ent tribes of shell-fish crawling among
enclosure of wire netting that surrounded their branches. But Sara had taken good
an entire thicket, in which were confined care, as usual, to give no hint of her
together Guida turtle-doves, blue and grey intention to Henrietta ; only the old
fig-eaters, fondi-jala, and fly-catchers. mulatto woman had been told, and she
From there she went on to her flowers, was to wait for Sara with her bathing-
almost all brought from London there dress at the place which she had pointed
;

were tuberoses, carnations, anemones, out.

ranunculuses, and Indian roses, while in So Sara and her governess descended,
the middle of them the beautiful Cape following the banks of the Rivilre Noire,
immortelle reared its head as queen of the which continually grew wider, and at the
flowers. All these were enclosed by end of which could be seen the bay shin-
hedges of jasmine and China roses, which ing like a vast mirror. On each side of
latter, like our roses of the four seasons, the stream rose a high bank of woods, the
bloom the whole year round. This was trees of which shot up, like tall pillars,
Sara's kingdom the whole island was her seeking for air and sun, in the midst of a
;

conquest. So long as Sara remained in vast dome of leaves so thick that the sky
the grounds belonging to the house, all could only here and there be seen while
;

went well for Henrietta, who enjoyed the their roots, like countless snakes, unable
gravel paths, the cool shade, and the air to dig into the rocks which are continually
redolent with perfumes. But you may rolling down from the top of the hill,
guess that this period of tranquillity was surrounded them with their folds. In
very brief. By the time Sara had said proportion as the bed of the river widened,
a kind word or two to the old mulatto the trees on the two banks bent over,
woman who had been in her service and profiting by the space left by the water,
was spending her declining years by the and formed an arch like a gigantic tent
banks of the Riviere Noire, by the time the effect of the whole was sombre,
she had kissed her favourite dove, and desolate, peaceful, and silent, full of
gathered a few flowers to put in her hair, romantic sadness and mysterious calm.
this part of the day's proceedings was The only sound to be heard was the
over. Then came the turn for the walk, harsh cry of the grey-headed parrot the ;

and then began the anguish of the un- only living creatures to be seen, as far as
happy governess. At first, Henrietta the eye could reach, were some of those
tried to oppose the child's independent reddish monkeys called aigrettes, which
spirit and limit her to amusements that are the scourge of the plantations, but are
involved less roaming about, but she soon so common in the island that all attempts
recognised that this was an impossibility. to exterminate them have failed. Only
Sara had escaped from her hands and from time to time, scared by the noise
made her excursions without her so that, made by Sara and her governess, a green
;

at last, her anxiety for her pupil proving kingfisher with white throat and breast,
greater than her fears for her own safety, darted, with a shrill and plaintive cry,
she made up her mind to accompany her. from the mangroves which dipped their
It is true she nearly always contented her- boughs in the river, crossed the stream
self with sitting on some point of vantage swift as an arrow, shining like an emerald,
from which she could follow the girl with plunged into the mangroves on the
her eyes as she climbed up hill or down, opposite bank and disappeared. This
but at least she seemed to be checking tropical vegetation, this profound solitude,
her by gestures and keeping her in sight. these wild harmonies, so much in keeping
On this occasion, seeing Sara prepared to with each other, rocks, trees, and river,
 ;

52 GEORGES
all this was nature as Sara loved it; this moment her attention was for
it At
was moment distracted by signals which
the country as her primitive imagina- the
tion understood it it
; was a panorama Sara was making. While swimming
such as neither pen, nor crayon, nor brush with one hand, Sara pointed with the
could reproduce, but such as her soul other to the depths of the wood to indicate
reflected it. that something fresh was taking place
Let us hasten to say that Henrietta beneath those sombre arches of verdure.
was not insensible to this magnificent Henrietta listened, and heard the distant
spectacle but, as we know, her perpetual baying of a pack of hounds.
; After an
fear prevented her thorough enjoyment of instant the baying seemed to her to come
it. So having reached the top of a small closer, and she was confirmed in this
hill which commanded a fairly wide opinion by fresh signals from Sara; the
prospect, she sat down, and after having, sound, in fact, became more and more
though without hope of success, invited distinct, and presently could be heard the
Sara to sit beside her, she saw the girl sound of feet rushing through the depths
bound away from her side, and, drawing of the forest. At last, all of a sudden, at
from her pocket the tenth or twelfth two hundred yards above the spot where
volume of " Clarissa Harlowe," her Henrietta was seated, a fine stag was
favourite novel, began to read it for the seen to crash through the branches and
twentieth time. burst out of the forest, spring with one
The girl proceeded to the bank of the bound over the river, and disappear on
river, springing from rock to rock like a the other side. After an instant, the
wag-tail admiring itself in the water hounds in their turn appeared, jumped the
then, after satisfying herself with the river at the spot where the stag had
timid modesty of a nymph of olden days, jumped it, and, hotly pursuing the scent,
that there was no one in sight of her, she disappeared into the forest.
began to let all her garments slip off her Sara had shared their spectacle with all
one after the other, and put on a white the delight of a keen lover of the chase.
woollen tunic, which, drawn tight round So, when the stag and hounds had dis-
the neck and below the bosom, and appeared, she gave a cry of pleasure but ;

coming down to the knees, left her arms this cry was answered by a shout of terror
and legs bare, and consequently free to so deep and heart-rending that Henrietta
move. Standing thus in her fresh turned in amazement. The old mulatto
costume, the girl resembled Diana the woman, standing on the bank, like a
huntress ready to enter her bath. statue of wonder, was pointing her arms
Sara advanced to the edge of a rock to an enormous shark that with the aid ot
which overhung the bay, at a spot where the flood-tide, had cleared the barrier reef,
the water was very deep ;then boldly, and, scarcely sixty yards from Sara, was
and with confidence in her skill and swimming on the surface of the watet
strength, certain of her superiority over towards her. The governess had not even
an element in which she had been, in the strength to cry out, but fell upon her
some degree, born, like \'enus, she knees.
plunged in, disappeared beneath the water, On hearing the woman's shout, Sara
and came up again, swimming at some had turned and seen the danger that
yards from the place where she had threatened her. Then, with admirable
jumped in. All at once Henrietta heard a presence of mind, she made for the near-
call, and, raising her head looked all est point of the shore. But this point
round her then her eyes, directed by a was at least forty yards off, and, no
;

second call, lighted on the fair bather, and matter with what skill and strength she
she saw her water-nymph in the middle swam, the monster seemed likely to over-
of the bay gliding on the surface of the take her before she could reach land.
water. Her first impulse was to recall At this moment another shout was
Sara, but knowing that that would be heard, and a Negro, clasping a long
trouble thrown away, she contented her- dagger between his teeth, rushed through
self with giving her pupil a reproachful the middle of the mangroves that bordered
gesture, and, getting up, she approached the shore, and, with one spring, covered
the river bank as closely as the slope of nearly half the width of the bay. Then,
the rock on which she had been sitting instantly beginning to swim with almost
allowed. superhuman strength, he tried to inter-
 —
GEORGES 53

cept the shark, which all this time, as if dived and disappeared under the water.
sure of his prey, was advancing, without The shark dived in turn presently the
;

quickening the movements of his tail, water was agitated by the lashings of the
towards the girl, who, turning her head monster's tail, its surface was tinged with
at each stroke, could see her foe and her blood, and it became evident that a
defender coming up together with almost struggle was taking place beneath the
equal swiftness. waves.
It was a moment of awful suspense for During this time Henrietta had come
the old mulatto and Henrietta, both of down, or rather, let herself slide down
whom, standing on a higher could from her rock, and had reached the shore
level,
see the progress of this appalling chase. so as to hold out her hand to Sara, who,
Both of them gasping, with outstretched utterly exhausted and still unable to
arms and open mouths, without any believe she had really and truly escaped
means of helping Sara, uttered broken such a fearful peril, no sooner touched
exclamations at each alternative of fear the land than she fell on her knees. As
or hope but presently the fear pre- for Henrietta, scarcely did she see her
;

ponderated, for, spite of the swimmer's pupil safe than, her strength failing her
efforts, the shark gained on her. The in her turn, she collapsed in an almost
Negro was still twenty yards from the swooning condition.
monster, which was but a few strokes When the two women regained their
from Sara. A terrible twist of his tail senses, the first thing they noticed was
brought him still closer. The girl, who Laiza standing, covered with blood from
was pale as death, could hear the wash wounds in his arm and thigh, while the
of the water ten feet behind her. She carcase of the shark was floating on the
threw a last glance at the shore which surface of the sea.
she had now no time to reach. Then she Then both women at the same in-
realised how it was useless to struggle stant and with a spontaneous movement
any longer for her doomed life she raised directed their eyes towards the rock on
;

her eyes to heaven, clasped her hands which had appeared the delivering angel.
above the water, imploring God who alone The rock was deserted the deliverincf :

could succour her. And now the shark angel had disappeared, though not so
turned over to seize his prey; and, instead quickly but that both had had time to
of his green back, his silver belly was recognize him as the young stranger of
seen on the surface of the sea. Henrietta Port-Louis.
covered her face with her hands so as to Then Sara turned towards the Negro
shut out the sight of what was about to who had just given her so signal a proof
happen but, at this supreme moment, of his devotion. But, after an instant of
;

a double report from a gun sounded to mute contemplation, the latter had be-
the governess's right hand two bullets taken himself again into the wood, and
;

followed one another with the rapidity of Sara looked around her in vain like the ;

lightning, making the water spout up, stranger, the Negro had vanished.
and a calm, sonorous voice uttered, in
the satisfied tone of a marksman well-
pleased %vith himself, the words :

" Well hit."

Henrietta turned and saw, dominating
the whole of the dreadful scene, a young
man who, grasping his still smoking rifle
in one hand and holding on with the CHAPTER XI
other to a cinnamon tree, while his feet
A SALE OF STOCK
were supported by the edge of a rock,
watched the convulsions of the shark.
The latter, wounded in two places, had AT the same moment two men rushed
up who had seen, from a point
at once turned over, as if to seek the higher up the river, a part of the scene
invisible enemy who had just struck him. that had just taken place they were M.
;

Then, seeing the Negro, who was not de Malmedie and Henri.
more than three or four strokes from him, The girl then remembered that she was
he abandoned Sara in order to pursue but half-dressed, and, blushing at the idea
him but, on his approach, the man of being seen in that state, she called the
;
 — —
54 GEORGES
old mulatto woman, put on a dressing-
gown, and, leaning on Henrietta's arm,
who was still palpitating with terror,
advanced towards her uncle and cousin.
The latter, following the trail of the
stag, had reached the bank of the river
just as the double report of Georges' gun
going off the direction the noisa
in
came from, and four or five others soon
followed their example. Henri remarked
that it would be bad manners not to go
with his invited guests, to whom he
ought to do the honours of his estate
under all circumstances so at the end ;

made itself heard. Their first im-
pression was that one of their companions
had fired at the animal so they had
; Malmedie.
looked in the direction whence the sound
had come, and had seen, as we have said,
from a distance and indistinctly, part of
the incident which has been related.
Behind the Malmedies came the rest of
the shooting party.
Sara and Henrietta soon found them-
selves the centre of a group of men who
questioned them on what had happened,
but Henrietta was still too agitated and
upset to give any coherent answer, and it
was Sara who told the whole story.
There is a vast difference between being
of ten minutes the only person remain-
ing with Sara and Henrietta was M. de
The three returned to
dwelling-the
house, where an excellent dinner awaited
the sportsmen, who were not long in
arriving, with Henri at their head. He
courteously brought his cousin one of the
stag's hoofs, which he had himself cut off,
to ofter it to her as a trophy. Sara thanked
him for this delicate attention, and Henri,
on his side, congratulated her on having
regained her beautiful colour so completely
that one would have said, to look at her,
that nothing at all out of the way had
happened and Henri's remark was
;

an eye-witness of a scene so terrible as echoed in chorus by the rest of the

the one we have tried to describe, follow- company. The meal was of the gayest.
ing all its details with looks cf horror, Henrietta had asked to be excused from
and merely hearing the relation of it, it the poor woman had received such a
;

whether from the lips of her who had shock that she felt a feverish attack
nearly been the victim, or on the actual coming on. As for Sara, she was, as
spot where it has occurred. Still, as the Henri had said, to all outward appearance
smoke from the reports of the gun at least, perfectly calm, and did the
had hardly cleared away, and as the honours of the dinner with her customary
carcase of the monster was still afloat grace. At dessert several toasts were
there, quivering in convulsions of pain, drunk, among which,
but right to say,
it is

Sara's story produced a great effect. some had reference to the event of the
Each man was gallant enough to regret morning but in these toasts no mention
;

that he had not happened to be there in was made of the unknown Negro or the
the place of the unknown stranger or the strange hunter. The whole honour of the
Negro. Each man was confident that he miracle was credited to the grace of
would certainly have aimed as correctly Providence wishing to preserve to M. de
as the one, or swum as vigorously as the Malmedie and Henri a niece and a fiancee
other. But to all these declarations of so tenderly beloved.
skill and protests of devotion, a silent But if during the toasts no word was
voice replied inwardly in Sara's heart :
breathed of Laiza or Georges, whose
" None but those two could have done names, in fact, were known to nobody,
what they did." each individual, to make up for this
At this moment the noise of the hounds omission, spoke at great length of his
showed that the stag was brought to bay. own prowess, and Sara with charming
Every one knows what a delight it is for irony distributed to each the portion of
keen sportsmen to be present at the death- the praise that was due to him for his
halloo of an animal which they have skill and courage.
hunted the whole morning. Sara was As they were rising from table, the
saved and had nothing to fear. It was Overseer entered, coming to tell M. de
useless, therefore, to waste in condolences Malmedie that a slave who had attempted
over an accident which, after all, had had to escape had been caught and had just
no serious result, the time that might be been brought back to the slaves' quarters.
spent more profitably elsewhere. Two or As this was a matter that happened
three of the sportsmen who were furthest almost every day M. de Malm6die
from the girl made themselves scarce, contented himself with the answer :
 "

GEORGES 55

" All right ; let him have the usual " Sir, said the Overseer, " it is the
punishment." negro Nazim, who is about to receive the
" What is the matter, Uncle ? " asked
hundred and fifty lashes to which he has
Sara. been sentenced."
" Nothing, my child," said M. de " And why has he been sentenced to a
Malmedie. hundred and fifty lashes ? " asked Sara.
And the conversation which had been '*
For running away," answered the
interrupted, was resumed. Ten minutes Overseer.
later it was announced that the horses " Oh said Henri," that is the man
!

were ready. As Lord Murray's dinner whose escape you came to tell us of."
and ball were on the next day, everybody " Yes, the same."
was anxious to have the whole day to " And how did you recapture him ? "
prepare for this solemnity ;so it had " Oh quite easily.
! I just waited until
been arranged that they should return he was too far from the shore either to
to Port-Louis immediately after dinner. row or to swim back to it then I got ;

Sara went into Henrietta's bedroom into a long-boat with eight rowejs and
;

the poor governess, without being started in pursuit on rounding the cape
;

seriously ill, was still so agitated that Sara at the south-west we saw him at about
insisted on her remaining at the Riviere two miles out to sea. As he had but two
Noire ; besides, Sara would be the gainer arms and a miserable canoe, while we had
by Henrietta's prolonged stay, for, instead sixteen and a good pirogue, we very soon
of returning in the palanquin, she would came up with him. Then he plunged in
go on horseback. and swam, to try and reach the island,
As the cavalcade was starting, Sara ob diving like a porpoise but, to cut the ;

served three or four Negroes busy cutting matter short, he was the first to tire, and,
up the shark the mulatto woman had finding the business troublesome, I took
;

told them where they would find its an oar from the hands of one of the
carcase, and they had gone to fish it out, rowers, and, when he came up again to the
so as to make it into oil. surface, struck him such a well-aimed
On approaching the Trois-Mamelles the blow on the head that I thought, the next
sportsmen saw from a distance the Negroes time, that he had gone under for good
all assembled. When they reached the and all. However, we saw him come up
spot, they realised that the crowd was again after a moment, but he was uncon-
caused by the expectation of the punish- scious, and did not recover his senses until
ment of a slave, the custom being, on we reached the Brabant hill, and here we
such occasions, to collect the Negroes on are."
the estate and compel them to witness " But," said Sara eagerly, '* perhaps the
the correction of any of their companions poor man is badly hurt."
who had been guilty of misconduct. "Oh! good gracious no, Mademoiselle," !

The culprit was a youth of seventeen, replied the Overseer, " a mere scratch.
who stood waiting, bound and gagged, These wretched Negroes are as soft as
near the ladder on which he would be anything."
fastened at the hour fixed for his punish- " And why have you been so long in
ment. This, at the urgent entreaty of administering the punishment he has so
another Negro, had been delayed until the richly deserved ? " said M. de Malmedie.
cavalcade of riders should pass by, the "After the orders I gave, it should have
slave who had importuned this favour been already done,"
having said that he had an important " And so it would have, sir," replied the
communication to make to M. de Overseer, " if his brother, who is one of
Malmedie. our best workers, had not assured me that
At the moment, indeed, when M. de he had something of importance to tell
Malmedie arrived opposite the youth, a you, before the orders were carried out.
Negro who was sitting beside him As you were to pass the cantonment, and
occupied in stanching a wound which he as it only involved a quarter of an hour's
had received in the head, got up and delay, I took upon myself to suspend your
came close to the road but the Overseer orders."
;

barred his further advance. " And you have done quite right.
" What is the matter ? " asked M. de Overseer," said Sara. " And where is he ?
Malm6die. "Who?"
 ;

56 GEORGES
"
" The brother of this wretched man ? You are wrong," answered Henri,
"
" Yes, where is he ? " asked M. de taking part in the discussion. " You
Malmedie. ought both to be punished he for run- ;

" Here," said Laiza coming forward. ning away, you for having helped him to
Sara uttered a cry of surprise she ; do so."
had just recognised, in the brother of the " Then give me three hundred lashes,
condemned slave, the man who had so and the matter will be settled."
nobly devoted himself to saving her life said M. de Malmedie,
" Overseer,"
that morning. To her astonishment, how- " give each of these rogues a hundred and
ever, the Negro had not once glanced in fifty lashes, and let that end it."
her direction, and seemed not to recognise " One moment. Uncle," said Sara
her instead of imploring her interference,
;
" I ask for these two men to be let
as he certainly had the right to do, he off."
continued to advance towards M. de " And why ? " asked M. de Malmedie in
Malmedie. It was not possible, however, astonishment.
to be mistaken the gashes left by the
:
" Because this is the man who threw
shark's teeth on his arms and thigh were himself in the water so bravely this morn-
still open and bleeding. ing to save me."
" What do you want ? " said M. de " She recognises me " cried Laiza. !

Malmedie. " Because, instead of the punishment

"To ask a favour of you," answered
Laiza in a low tone, so that his brother,
who was twenty yards off, guarded by some
other Negroes, should not hear.
"
" What is it ?
" Nazim is weak, Nazim. is young,
he deserves, we must give him a recom-
pense," cried Sara.
" Then," said Laiza, " if you think I
have earned a recompense, grant me that
Nazim shall be let oflV
" Confound it " said M. de Malmedie,
!

Nazim is wounded in the head and has lost " how you stick to it Was it you who saved
!

a great deal of blood Nazim is perhaps ; my niece ? "

not strong enough to endure the punish- "It was not I," answered the Negro;
ment he deserves he may die under the
; "but for the young hunter, she would
lash, and then you will have lost a Negro have been lost."
who, upon the whole, is worth a good two " But he did what he could to save me.
hundred dollars. ." . Uncle, and he fought with the shark,"
" Well, what do you want ? " cried the girl. " Why, look at his
" I want you to propose an exchange ? " wounds, which are still bleeding."
" Of what sort ? " " I fought with the shark, but in my
" That the hundred and fifty lashes own defence," replied Laiza. " The
which he has earned should be given to shark attacked me, and I had to kill it in
me instead. I am strong, and can bear order to save myself."
them ;and the punishment will not " Well, Uncle, you will not refuse to
prevent my doing my work to-morrow as let them off for my sake ? " Sara persisted.
usual, while he, I repeat, is but a child, " Yes, I shall certainly refuse," answered
and it would kill him." M.de Malmedie; "for if once an exemption
•' It
cannot be done," answered M. de were to be made on such an occasion,
Malmedie, while Sara, keeping her eyes these blackamoors would all be running
fixed on the Negro, looked at him with away, hoping that there would be some
the most profound astonishment. pretty mouth like yours to intercede for
" And why not ? " them."
•• Because ."
it would be an injustice." " But, Uncle . .

" You are wrong, for it is I who am " Ask these gentlemen if the thing is
really to blame." possible," said M. de Malmedie in a con-
" You " ! fident tone, turning to the young men who
"Yes, I," said Laiza; "it is I who accompanied his son,"
stirred Nazim up to run away, I who " It is a fact," they answered, " that
hollowed out the canoe which he used, such an exemption would be a ruinous
and shaved his head with a piece of bottle precedent."
glass, and gave him cocoa-oil to rub his " You see, Sara."
skin with. So you see that it is I who " But a man who has risked his life for
should be punished, and not Nazim." me," said Sara, " ought not to be punished
 — ; —
GEORGES 57

on the very same day for if you owe

;
**
Good," continued M. de Malmedie,
him a punishment, I owe him a reward." speaking this time to himself, " good, we
" Well, we will each pay our debt shall be able to replace them."
when I have had him punished, you shall " I await your answer, sir," said the
reward him." stranger.
" But, Uncle, now does the fault which " Why, with the greatest pleasure.
sir,

these unhappy men have committed affect The Negroes are yours, you can take
you, after all ? What harm have they done them but, if I were in your place and
;

you, having failed to carry out their design?" could spare them from work for three or
" What harm has it done ? Why, it four days, I should have them punished
takes off part of their value. A Negro this very day in the way they deserve."
who has tried to run away loses a heavy " That is my affair," said the stranger,
percentage of his price. Here are two smiling. " The thousand dollars shall be
fellows who yesterday were worth, one sent you this evening."
five hundred, the other three hundred " Excuse me, sir," said Henri, " you
dollars —
eight hundred dollars in all. are mistaken my father's intention is not
:

Well, if I were to ask six hundred to-day, to sell you these two men, but to give
I should not get them." them to you. The life of two wretched
" For my part, I wouldn't give six Negroes cannot be put in comparison with
hundred for them now," said one of the a life so precious as that of my fair cousin.
sportsmen. Let us, at least, offer you what we have,
" Well, sir, I will be more liberal than and what you appear to desire."
you," said a voice, the tones of which " But, sir," said the stranger, raising
made Sara start, " I will give a thousand." his head haughtily, while M. de Malmedie
The girl turned and recognised the gave his son a most meaning look, " that
stranger of Port-Louis, the Saving Angel was not our agreement."
of the rock, who was standing, dressed in " Well, then," said Sara, " allow me to
an elegant shooting suit and leaning on make an alteration in it, and for the sake
his double-barrelled gun. He had heard of her whose life you have saved, take
all that had passed. these two Negroes whom we offer you."
" Oh it is you, sir," said M. de Mal-
!
" I thank you. Mademoiselle," said the
medie, while Henri's face flushed from stranger ; " it would be absurd of me to
a cause that he could not explain to him- insist further. So I accept and it is I ;

self, " accept, in the first place, my best who now regard myself as in your debt."
thanks, for my niece has told me that she And the stranger bowed and stepped
owes her life to you and, had I known back, as a sign that he did not wish to
;

where to find you, I should have hastened detain the company from their journey
to see you, not to try to acquit myself of any longer.
my obligation to you, which would be The men exchanged bows but Sara ;

impossible, but to express my gratitude." and Georges exchanged looks.

The stranger bowed without replying, The cavalcade resumed its journey, and
and with an air of haughty modesty that Georges followed it with his eye for some
did not escape Sara. Accordingly she time with that contraction of the brows
hastened to add : which was habitual to him when a bitter
" My Uncle is right, sir such a service thought pre-occupied him.
;
Then, turning
cannot be repaid. But be assured that, as to the Negroes and approaching Nazim,
long as I live, I shall remember that I owe he said to the Overseer :

you my life." " Unbind that man ; for he and his

" A couple of charges of powder and
two lead bullets do not deserve such
thanks, Mademoiselle. So I shall con-
sider myself fortunate if M. de Malmedie's
gratitude will go so far as to let me have,
at the price I have offered him, these two
Negroes, whom I need."
" Henri," said M. de Malmedie sotto
voce, "were we not told yesterday that
there was a slave-ship in sight ? "
" Yes father " answered Henri.
1
brother are now my property."
The Overseer, who had heard the con
versation between the stranger and M. de
Malmedie, made no difficulty. Nazim
accordingly was unbound and handed over
with Laiza to his new master.
" Now, my friends," said the stranger
turning to the Negroes and drawing from
his pocket a purse filled with gold, " as I
have received a present from your master,
it is rieht that I, in my turn, should make
 — !

5S GEORGES
you a small present. Take this purse and ernment House, which in the space of
divide its contents amongst you." three days had been entirely refurnished by
And he handed the purse to the Negro Lord Murray in the most fashionable and
who was nearest to him, then, turning to comfortable style, presented, towards
the two slaves, who, standing behind him, four o'clock in the afternoon, all the
were awaiting his orders, he said to appearance of an apartment in the Rue
them :
du Mont-Blanc or Belgrave Square. The
" As for you two, do what you like whole aristocracy of the Colony, male and
now, go where you will, you are free." female, were there assembled ; the men
Laiza and Nazim both uttered a cry of in the simple dress imposed by modem
joy mingled with doubt, for they could fashion the women sparkling with dia-
;

not believe this act of generosity on the monds, loaded with pearls, attired all
part of a man to whom they had rendered ready for the ball, with nothing to dis-
no service. But Georges repeated his tinguish them from our European women
words, upon which Laiza and Nazim fell but that languid and charming morbidezza
on their knees, and kissed the hand of the of complexion possessed by none but
man who had set them free, with an out- Creole women. As each Iresh arrival was
burst of gratitude impossible to describe. announced, the person who entered was
As for Georges, he replaced on his head greeted with a general smile, for, at Port-
his large straw hat, which up to now he Louis, everybody knows everybody else,
had been holding in his hand, threw his and the only curiosity evinced at the
gun over his shoulder, and, as it was be- entrance of a lady into the salon is to
ginning to grow late, resumed his road to discover what new gown she has bought,
Moka. where that gown comes from, of what
material it is made, and how it is trimmed.
It was especially in regard to the English
women that the curiosity of the Creoles
was aroused for, in that perpetual strife
;

of female vanity of which Port-Louis is

CHAPTER XII the scene, the great question with the
native ladies is how to outdo their foreign
IHE BALL sisters in magnificence. The murmurs
and whisperings which were heard at
THE dinner and ball the announce- each fresh arrival were therefore louder
ment of which had caused such and more prolonged when the lackey made
excitement in Port- Louis were to take the official announcement of some British
place, as we have said, on the next day at name, the harsh sound of which contrasted
Government House. as strongly with the soft-sounding native
No one who has not lived in the names as the fair pale daughter of the
Colonies, and especially in the Isle of North differed from the dark maidens of
France, has any idea of the luxury pre- the tropics. As each fresh guest entered,
valent below the twentieth degree of South Lord Murray, with the politeness that
latitude. In addition to the marvels from characterises Englishmen in high society,
Paris which cross the sea for the adorn- advanced to meet them. If it was a lady,
ment of the graceful Creoles of Mauritius, he offered his arm to lead her to her
they can make choice, at first hand, from seat, paying her some compliment on the
among the diamonds of Visapore, the way if it was a man, he shook hands
;

pearls of Ophir, the cashmeres of Siam, with him and said a gracious word in his
and the beautiful muslins of Calcutta. ear, so that everybody acknowledged the
Not a vessel from the land of the " Thou- new Governor to be a charming man.
sand and One Nights " stops at the Isle Presently the Malmedies were an-
of France without leaving behind a por- nounced. Their arrival was expected
tion of the treasures she is carrying to with as much impatience as curiosity, not
Europe, and the dazzling effect presented only because M. de Malmedie was one of
by an assembly in the Isle of France the richest and most important men of
\

causes astonishment even to one who is the Island, but even more because Sara
accustomed to the elegance of Paris or was one of the -wealthiest and most elegant
the profusion of England. of its heiresses. Every one's eyes accord-
Accordingly the drawing-room in Gov- ingly followed Lord Murray as he went
 —
GEORGES 59

to meet her, for the question of how she graceful, lithe shape of limb peculiar to
would be dressed was the one that chiefly men of colour, and, contrary to the
filled the minds of all the prettiest women custom of these latter, he wore no jewellery
among the guests. except a thin gold chain like the one in
Contrary to the custom of Creole his button-hole, the only visible end of
women and to all expectation, Sara was which disappeared into the pocket of his
dressed exceedingly simply, in a charm- white pique waistcoat. In addition, a
ing gown of Indian muslin, transparent black cravat tied with that studied negli-
and light as the gauze which Juvenal gence only acquired by fashionable habits,
terms "woven air," without embroidery, and over which a round shirt-collar was
without a single pearl or diamond its sole turned down, framed his handsome face,
;

adornment was a spray of pink hawthorn. the fine morbidezza of wdiich was set off
A garland of the same leaves surrounded by his dark moustache and hair.
her head, while a bunch of the flowers Lord Murray advanced further to meet
was pinned at her waist not so much as Georges than he had done in the case of
;

a bracelet set off the lustrous tint of her any one else, and, after shaking hands
skin. Only her fine, dark, and silky hair with him, introduced him to three or four
fell in long ringlets over her shoulders, ladies and five or six English officers who
and in her hand she held the fan, that were in the room as a travelling com-
marvel of Chinese workmanship, which panion, on whose society he had congrat-
she had bought from Miko-Miko. ulated himself during the whole of the
As we have said, every one knew every voyage. Then, turning to the rest of
one else in the Isle of France so that, the company he said
;
:

after the arrival of the Malmedies, it was **

Gentlemen, I present to you M.
felt that there was no one else to come, Georges Munier. M. Munier is your
since all those who, by their rank and fellow-countryman, and the return of a
wealth, were in the habit of meeting in man so distinguished as he is, ought
society, were assembled. The company almost to be the occasion of a national
therefore naturally ceased to turn their festivity."
eyes to the door, through which no one Georges bowed in token of acknowledg-
else was expected to enter, and, after ment, but, whatever respect might be due
waiting for ten minutes, began to ask to the Governor, especially in his own
each other what other guest Lord Murray house, scarcely a single voice found
could be expecting, when the door opened strength to stammer a few words in
once more, and the servant in a loud answer to the introduction just made by
voice announced " Monsieur Georges Lord Murray.
Munier." Lord Murray either did not notice this,
Had a thunderbolt fallen into the or appeared not to, and, on the servant
middle of the company whom we have announcing that dinner was served, the
just brought together under the reader's Governor ga^•e his arm to Sara, and a
eyes, it would certainly not have caused move was made to the dining-room.
the effect produced by this simple an- After what we know of Georges'
louncement. On hearing the name, character it will be easily guessed that it
every one turned towards the door, was not unintentionally that he had made
wondering who it could be that was the company wait for him, now that he
coming in for, although the name was
; was on the point of entering upon his
well known in the Isle of France, the struggle with that prejudice which he
person who bore it had been so long had determined to combat ; he had
absent that people had almost forgotten wanted, at the first onset, to see his
his existence. enemy face to face, and what he wished
Georges entered. for had happened the announcement of
;

The young mulatto was dressed with
simplicity, but with extremely good taste.
His well-fitting black coat, from the
button-hole of which were suspended at
the end of a gold chain the two little
crosses with which he had been decorated,
showed off all the elegance of his figure.
His tight-fitting trousers revealed the
his name and his entrance had produced
all the effect he could have expected.
But the person most stirred in the
whole august assembly was undoubtedly
Sara. Knowing that the young hunter
of the Riviere Noire had arrived at Port-
Louis with Lord Murray, she had
expected beforehand to see him, and
 ;

6o GEORGES
possibly it was with a view to this fresh
arrival from Europe that she had dressed
herself with the elegant simplicity so
much appreciated among ourselves, and
which, it must be confessed, is so often
replaced in the Colonies by an overdone
smartness. So, on entering the salon,
she had looked everywhere for the young
stranger. One glance had sufficed to tell
her that he was not there, but she
concluded that he would arrive presently,
When once seatedat table, Sara
^•entured round the room. She
to look
was placed on the right of the Governor,
who had on his left the wife of the
Military Commandant of the Island
opposite to her was the Commandant
himself, seated between two ladies belong-
ing to the most important families in the
Island. Next, to the right and left of
these two ladies, came M. de Malmedie
and his son, and so on while Georges,
;

and that when he was announced, as he either by accident or by the graceful

no doubt would be, she would then learn forethought of Lord Murray, was placed
for a certainty both his name and who he between two English ladies.
was. Sara breathed more freely she knew
:

What Sara had foreseen had happened.
Scarcely had she taken her place in the
circle of ladies, and the Messieurs
Malmedie joined the group of men, than
M. Georges IMunier was announced.
that the prejudice that pursued Georges
did not affect the minds of strangers, and
that any one coming from a European
country must have lived a very long time
in the Colonies before sharing in it she
;

At this name so well-known in the Island, saw Georges therefore carrying out in the
but not usually heard mentioned in such most easy fashion his role of an agreeable
circumstances, Sara started violently and guest between the alternate smiles of
then recovered herself, but yet was over- Lord Murray's compatriots, who were
come with anxiety. She saw the young delighted to have as their neighbour a
stranger of Port-Louis appear, with his man who spoke their language as well as
calm face, his haughty look, his lip curling if he had been himself an Englishman by
with contempt, and on the third appear- birth.
_

ance he seemed, let us hasten to add, While thus directing her glance towards
even more handsome and romantic in her the centre of the table, Sara noticed that
eyes than on the two previous occasions. Henri's eyes were fixed upon her. She
Then she followed, not only with her eyes understood perfectly what was passing in
but with her heart, the introduction of her fiance's mind, and, with a movement
Georges into society made by Lord which her will could not control, lowered
Murray, and her heart was wounded when her own eyes and blushed.
the repulsion inspired by the young Lord Murray was, in the fullest mean-
mulatto's birth expressed itself by silence ing of the term, a great nobleman,
on the part of the guests, and it was with admirably skilled in playing the part of
—
eyes almost blinded by tears that she host a part so difficult to learn, unless it
responded to the swift and penetrating is fulfilled instinctively, and unless a man
glance bestowed upon her by Georges. is, so to speak, born to it. Accordingly,
Then Lord Murray gave her his arm when the constraint and uneasiness which
and she saw nothing further, for she felt usually prevail during the first courses of
herself turning red and pale almost a formal banquet were dispelled, he began
snnultaneously beneath Georges' glance, to address remarks to his guests, speak-
and, feeling convinced that all eyes were ing to each on the subject calculated to
directed towards herself, had immediately elicit the best repHes, reminding the
hastened to escape from the general English officers of some noted engage-
curiosity. But on this point Sara was ment, and the merchants of some
.

mistaken ; nobody had given her a brilliant piece of speculation, in the midst
thought, for, with the exception of M. of all this making an observation from
Malmedie and his son, they were all in time to time to Georges, Avhich showed
ignorance of the two preceding incidents that with him he could converse on all
which had brought the young man and topics, and that he was addressing a man
the girl in contact with each other, and of universal information, and not a
nobody dreamed that there could be specialist on military affairs or on questions
anything in common between Mademoi- of commerce.
selle Sara de Malmedie and M. Georges In this way the dinner progressed.
Munier. Georges v/ith his quick intelligence, but
 GEORGES 6i

with perfect modesty, had answered every first astonishment at finding in Georges
observation and every question from the the preserver of his niece, and at meeting
Governor in a way that proved to the Georges in Lord Murray's house, he had
officers that he, Hke themselves, had seen paid no further attention to him.
service, and to the merchants that he was But, as we have said, this was not the
acquainted with those great commercial case with Henri, who had not lost a word
concerns which make the whole world one of the questions put by Lord Murray
single family, united by the bond of and the answers given by Georges. He
common interests. Moreover, interspersed had recognised the sound sense and culti-
with this fragmentary conversation, there vated thought in each of these answers ;

had sprung to his lips the names of all he had studied the firm glance which was
those who in France or England or Spain the exponent of Georges' authoritative
occupied a high position in the world of will, and realised that here was no longer,
politics, or of society, or of art, each as on the day of his departure, a down-
accompanied by one of those remarks trodden boy whom he saw before him, but
which show, in a single flash, that the a powerful opponent who came to chal-
man who is speaking speaks with a full lenge him.
knowledge of the character, or the genius, Had Georges, on his return to the Isle
or the position of the men whom he has of France, relapsed humbly into the con-
just mentioned. dition for which, according to the views
Although these tit-bits of conversation, of white men, Nature had intended him,
if one may so express it, had passed over and suffered himself to be ecHpsed by the
the heads of the majority of the guests, obscurity of his birth, Henri would in
there were among their number men who that case have passed over, or at any rate
were capable of appreciating the superi- have cherished no malice against him
ority with which Georges had touched for, the wrong inflicted upon him by
upon all these topics, so that, although Georges fourteen years ago. But the
the feeling of repulsion which they had case was far otherwise.
shown towards the young mulatto still He had come back proudly in broad day-
remained, their astonishment had in- light, as it were, and had, by a service
creased, and, together with the astonish- rendered to his family, intermeddled in
ment, envy had entered the hearts of some its life, and now came as his equal in
of them. Henri especially, taken up with rank and his superior in intelligence to sit
the idea that Sara had bestowed more at the same table with himself. This was
notice on Georges than, considering her more than Henri could bear, and Henri
position as his fiance, and her dignity as in his own mind deliberately declared war
a white woman, she had any business to against him.
do, Henri, I say, felt an uncontrollable So, on leaving the table, and when they
bitterness rising in his heart. Then, at had just passed out into the garden,
the mention of the name of Munier, recol- Henri went up to Sara, who, with
lections of his boyhood were awakened ;
several other ladies, was seated in an
he recalled the day Avhen, wishing to arbour parallel to the one beneath
snatch the flag from Georges' hands, which the gentlemen were taking their
the latter's brother Jacques had struck coffee. Sara started, feeling an instinc-
him that severe blow in the face with his tive certainty that what Henri was about
fist. All these bygone misdeeds of the to say concerned Georges.
two brothers stirred menacingly in his " Well, fair cousin," said the young
breast and the thought that Sara had on man, leaning over the bamboo chair on
;

the previous day been rescued by this which the girl was sitting, " what do you
man, instead of effacing these accusing think of the dinner ? "
murmurs in respect to the past, only " That question, I presume, does not
fanned his resentment against him the relate to the menu ? " answered Sara with
more. As for M. Malmedie, he had been a smile.
occupied throughout the dinner in a dis- " No, dear cousin, though, with some
cussion with his neighbour on a new of our fellow-guests, who do not live, like
method of refining sugar, which would yourself, on dew and air and perfumes, that
have the result of increasing by thirty question would not be out of place. No,
per cent, the value of the produce of his my question refers to the social aspect, if
estate. Consequently, apart from his I may say so." e
 "

62 GEORGES
" Well, it was thought.
excellent, I " Undoubtedly she should.
Lord Murray appeared to me to do the " Without reflecting that by declining,
honours of his table admirably, and to she offers a man who has done her no
have made himself, as far as I could harm, and who has even perhaps rendered
see, as agreeable as possible to every- her some small service, an insult for
body." which he would necessarily demand satis-
" Yes, certainly and therefore I am faction from her father, her brother, or
;

greatly astonished that he should have her husband ?

run the risk of compromising us all as he " I presume that, in such a case, M.
has done." Georges would examine himself and have
" In what way ? " asked Sara, who the justice to suppose that a white man
understood perfectly what her cousin was would not condescend to measure swords
driving at, and who, drawing upon a with a Mulatto."
strength that lay, unknown to herself, at " Pardon me, cousin, for venturing to
the bottom of her heart, looked her cousin express an opinion in such a matter,"
straight in the eyes as she put this replied Sara " but either, after the little
;

question to him. I have seen of him I have misjudged M.

" Why," answered Henri, somewhat Georges, or I do not think that, if it was
embarrassed not only by her clear gaze, a question of avenging his honour, a man
but also by the low murmur of his con- who wears two crosses on his breast, as
science, "in inviting M. Georges Munier he does, would be stopped by that inward
to meet us at the same table." feeling of humility with which you have
" And I am no less astonished, Henri, credited him
— quite gratuitously, I think."
that you should not have left to somebody " At any rate I hope, my dear Sara,"
else the task of making this observation replied Henri, his face red with anger,
to me, of all people." " that the fear of exposing my father or
" And why am I alone forbidden to myself to the wrath of M. Georges will
make this remark, my dear cousin ? " not make you so imprudent as to dance
" Because, but for M. Georges Munier, with him, should he have the effrontery to
whose presence here you think so un- ask you to do so."
becoming, your father and you, that is if " I shall dance with no one, sir,"
a cousin is worth bewailing and a niece replied Sara, coldly, rising and taking the
deserving of mourning, would now be in arm of the English lady who had sat next
mourning and tears." Georges at table, and who was a friend of
" Yes, of course," answered Henri, hers.
reddening " I acknowledge all the grati-
; Henri remained for a moment quite
tude we owe to M. Georges for having dumbfounded by this unexpected firm-
saved a life so precious as your own, and ness, then he joined a group of young
you saw yesterday how, when he wanted Creoles, among whom he doubtless found
to buy those two Negroes whom my more sympathy with his aristocratic
father was going to have punished, I notions than his cousin had evinced.
hastened to give them to him." During this time Georges, in the centre
"And by the present of those two of another group, was chatting with some
Negroes you think you have discharged English officers and merchants, who did
your obligation to him ? I thank you, not share, or only to a very slight extent,
cousin, for valuing the life of Sara de the prejudice of his compatriots.
Malmedie at the sum of a thousand An hour passed thus during which all
dollars." the preparations for the ball were com-
" Good heavens my dear Sara," said pleted, and then the doors were thrown
!

Henri, " how strangely you twist things open, giving admission to the rooms from
to-day. Was I thinking for a moment which the furniture had been removed,
of putting a price upon a life, for which I and which were now ablaze with lights.
would sacrifice my own ? No, I only in- At the same instant the orchestra struck
tended to point out to you into what a up, as a signal for the quadrille.
false position, for instance, Lord Murray Sara had had a severe internal struggle
would put any lady who was invited to in condemning herself to merely watch
dance by M. Georges Munier." the dancing, for, as we have said, she was
" Then, in your opinion, my dear Henri, passionately fond of balls. But all the
"
that lady should decline ? bitterness of the sacrifice she was making:
 — — ;

GEORGES 63

recoiledupon the man who had demanded "As you say, my lord," replied Sara,
it of herwhile on the contrary, a more
; in a voice which, by dint of self-control,
deep and tender feeling than any she had she succeeded in rendering almost steady,
yet experienced began to stir in her heart "this fear on the part of M. Georges is
in favour of the man for whose sake she somewhat exaggerated for we are already
;

had made the sacrifice, for it is one of old acquaintances. On the very day of
the sublime characteristics of women, his arrival M. Georges did me a kindness;
whom Nature and Society have combined while yesterday he did more than that,
to make so weak and so winning, to for he saved my life."
display a strong interest in all who are " What the young hunter who had the
!

oppressed, as well as a lofty admiration good fortune to be on the spot and shoot
for such as will not let themselves be that dreadful shark, while you were bath-
"
oppressed. ing, was he M. Georges ?
So, when Henri, hoping that his cousin " The same, my lord," replied Sara,
would be unable to resist the temptation blushing at the mere thought of Georges
of the opening strains, came, in spite of having seen her in her swimming-dress
her expressed decision, to ask her to "and I felt so agitated and alarmed yester-
dance the first quadrille with him as usual, day that I had hardly strength to offer M.
Sara merely answered : Georges my thanks. But to-day I renew
" You know I am not dancing to-night, themmore gratefully, since it is to
all the
cousin." and coolness that I owe the
his skill
Henri bit his lips until the blood came, pleasure of being present at your delight-
and, by an instinctive movement, sought ful entertainment, my lord."
with his eyes for Georges. The latter " And we add our thanks to yours," put
had taken up his position and was dancing in Henri, who had joined the little group
with the Englishwoman whom he had of which Sara formed the central figure
taken in to dinner. With a feeling that " for we too, yesterday, were so disturbed
was merely one of sympathy Sara's eyes and upset by this accident that we scarcely
had followed in the direction of her had the honour of saying a word to M.
cousin's. Her heart was wrung with pain, Georges."
for Georges was dancing with some one Georges, who had not uttered a word,
else, perhaps was not even thinking of but whose piercing eyes had penetrated to
the Sara who had just made a sacrifice the depth of Sara's heart, bowed in token
for his sake, which but yesterday she of acknowledgment, but without making
would have deemed herself incapable of any other reply to Henri.
making for any one in the world. The " Then I hope," said Lord Murray,
minutes during which this quadrille lasted " that the request M. Georges wanted to
were perhaps the most unhappy that Sara make of you will be successful on its own
had ever spent. merits, and I leave my protege to speak
When was
over, Sara, in for himself."
the quadrille
spite of herself, could not " Will Mademoiselle de Malmedie give
keep her eyes
from following Georges. He escorted the me the honour of a dance? " said Georges,
Englishwoman to her place and then bowing once more.
appeared to look about for some one. It " Oh! sir," said Sara, " I am truly sorry,
was Lord Murray whom he sought. As and I hope you will forgive me. I have
soon as he discovered him, he went up just refused my cousin, as I do not intend
and spoke a word or two to him, and then to dance to-night."
both advanced towards Sara. Georges smiled with the air of a man
Sara felt the blood rush to her heart. who grasps the whole situation, and drew
" Mademoiselle," said Lord Murray, himself up, giving Henri a glance of such
"here is a fellow-traveller of mine who utter contempt that Lord Murray per-
is perhaps a too scrupulous observer of ceived, from this glance and the way in
European customs, and therefore does which it was answered by Henri, that
not venture to ask you to dance before he between these two men existed a deep
has had the honour of being introduced and inveterate hatred. But he concealed
to you. Allow me then to present to this observation in the depths of his
you M, Georges Munier, one of the heart, and, as though he had noticed
most distinguished men of my acquaint- nothing, remarked to Sara :

ance." " No doubt the effects of your alarm

 — " " " "
;

64 GEORGES
yesterday are re-acting upon your enjoy- *'
You going also ? " said Lord Murray.
ment to-day." " Yes, my lord you know that for the
;

"Yes, my lord," answered Sara; "and present I am living at Moka, and that,
I even feel so unwell that I will ask my consequently, I have nearly eight miles to

cousin to let M. de Malmedie know that go Antrim fortunately can do that in

;

I should like to go away, and that I about an hour."

depend upon him for taking me home." " You have had no private quarrel,
Henri and Lord Murray both made a have you, with Henri de Malmedie ?
movement in order to carry out the girl's asked the Governor with an expression of
wishes. Georges stooped quickly and interest.
said in a low tone :— " No, my lord, not yet," replied Georges
" You have a noble heart, Mademoiselle, smiling " but, in all probability, it will
;

and I thank you." not be long delayed."

Sara started, and would have answered " Either I am much mistaken, my
him, but Lord Murray had already re- young friend," said the Governor, " or the
turned, so she only exchanged looks, causes of your enmity towards this family
"
almost in spite of herself, with Georges. date from a long time back ?
" You are still resolved to leave us, " Yes, my lord, little bullyings between
Mademoiselle ? " said the Governor. boys which produce iirst-class hatred be-
" Yes, alas " answered Sara. " I should tween grown up men
!

pin-pricks that ;

be so, so delighted to stay, my lord, but develop into sword-thrusts."

I really feel ill." " And is there no way of settling all
" In that case, I feel that it would be this ? " asked the Governor.
selfish to try to keep you and, as M. de
;
" I hoped so at one time, my lord I ;

]\Ialmedie's carriage is probably not with- thought fourteen years of British rule
in reach, I will give orders for the horses might have killed the prejudice which I
to be put to my own." came back to combat. I was mistaken
And Lord Murray went off at once. and nothing remains but that the wrestler
" Sara," said Georges, " when I left should rub his body with oil and step
Europe to come back here, my one desire down into the arena."
Avas to meet with a heart like yours but " Will you not be encountering wind-
;

I did not expect to do so." mills rather than giants, my dear Don
" Sir," murmured Sara, swayed in spite Quixote ?
of herself by the deep tones of his voice, " I leave you to judge," said Georges
" I do not know what you mean." smiling. " Yesterday I saved Mile, de
*'
I mean that, since the day of my Malmedie's life. Do you know how her
"
arrival, I have cherished a dream, and cousin thanked me for it to-day ?

that, should that dream ever be realised, "No."

I men."
shall be the happiest of
Then, without waiting for Sara's an-
swer, Georges bowed with respect and,
seeing M. de Malmedie and his son you, my lord."
approaching, left Sara with her uncle
and cousin.
Five minutes later. Lord Murray re-
turned to tell Sara that the carriage was
ready, and offered her his arm to cross
" By forbidding her to dance with me."
" Impossible!
"It is as I have had the honour to tell
" And why did he do this ? "
" Because I am a Mulatto."
" And what do you intend to do ?
" What do I intend ? "
" Forgive my indiscretion but you ;

the salon. As they reached the door, know what an interest I take in you, and
the girl gave a last look of regret at the besides, we are old friends."
scene where she had promised herself so " You ask what I intend to do ? " said
much enjoyment, and disappeared. But Georges with a smile.
lier look had encountered one from " Yes I am sure you have thought out
;

Georges, which seemed as though it some plan on your side."

would pursue her all the rest of her days. " I have decided upon one this very
On coming back from taking Mile, de evening."
Malmedie to the carriage, the Governor, " What is it ? Come, I will tell you
passing through the ante-room, met if I approve of it."
Georges who, in his turn, was getting " It is this, that in three months I will
ready to leave the ball. be Mademoiselle de Malmedie's husband."
 GEORGES 65

And, before Lord Murray had time to
express either approval or disapproval,
Georges took his leave and went out.
His Moorish servant was waiting at the
door with his two Arab horses.
Georges mounted Antrim and galloped
off towards Moka. On entering his house,
the young man inquired where his father
was, but learned that he had gone out at
seven o'clock that evening and had not
yet returned.
CHAPTER XHI
THE SLAVER
What Georges had told Murray the
previous evening was no empty boast,
but, on the contrary, a resolve firmly
determined. The whole life and training
of the young Mulatto had, as we have
seen, been directed towards the object of
imparting to his will the force and per-
sistency of genius. Having reached such
a superiority in every department, as, aided
by his wealth, would have assured to him
in France or in England, in Londrn or in
Paris, a career of distinction, Georges,
eager for combat, had desired to return to
the Isle of France. It was there that the
prejudice existed which his courage
believed itself destined to combat, and his
pride believed itself able to overcome. He
returned then with the advantage of being
unknown by sight, of being able to study
his enemy while the latter was in ignor-

NEXT morning Pierre Munier came ance of the war which Georges had
into his son's room. declared against him in his inmost heart,
Since his arrival, Georges had gone ready as he was to spring upon him at
over his father's fine estate several times, the moment when he least expected it,
and, from his knowledge of industrial and to enter upon a struggle in which
matters as carried on in Europe, had either the man must perish, or the whole
made several suggestions by way of im- system he was vowed to combat. On
provement, which his father, as a practical setting foot upon the quay, and seeing
man, had grasped immediately. The once more on his return the same men
carrying out of these ideas, however, that he had left at his departure, Georges
necessitated the employment of additional had realised a fact of which he had often
labour; while the abolition of public slave- been doubtful when in Europe, namely,
dealing had so greatly increased the value that everything remained in statu quo in
of slaves, that there was no way of the Isle of France, although fourteen
procuring in the Island, except at an years had elapsed, although the Island
enormous expense, the fifty or sixty which had been French was now English,
Negroes whom the father and son wanted and instead of being called the Isle of
to add to the establishment. Accordingly, France was now called Mauritius. Then,
Pierre had heard with joy the evening and from that moment, he had put him-
before, in the absence of Georges, the self on his guard, had prepared for the
news that there was a slave-ship in sight, moral duel w^hich he had come in search
and had gone down to the coast that very of, just as another prepares for a physical
night, in accordance with the custom then duel, if we may so express it; and had
adopted by the Colonists and the traders waited, sword in hand, till the first oppor-
in " black ivory," to answer the signals tunity of striking a blow at his adversary
made by the slave-ship by other signals should present itself.
which indicated an intention to trade with But just as Caesar Borgia, who had by
her. These had been duly exchanged, his genius foreseen everything necessary
and Pierre Munier came to tell Georges for the conquest of Italy after the death
the good news. It was accordingly of his father, except the fact that he would
arranged that the father and son should then be a dying man himself, Georges
repair at nine in the evening to the Point e- found himself engaged in a manner that
des-Caves, below the Petit-Malabar. he had been unable to foresee, and found
Having made this arrangement, Pierre himself struck at the very moment that
went out to inspect, according to his he wished to strike. On the day of his
custom, the work on the estate, while arrival at Port- Louis, chance had thrown
Georges, also according to his custom, in his path a beautiful girl, whom he
took his gun and made for the woods, in could not forget, do what he would.
order to give himself up to his dreams. Then Providence had brought him there
 ;

66 GEORGES
in the nick of —
time for saving her life the
life of the very girl of whom he had been
dreaming vaguely ever since he had seen
her, so that this dream had entered more
deeply than ever into his life. Finally,
chance had brought them together the
previous evening, and there a single
glance, at the same moment that he
knew he loved, had told him that he was
loved in return. Henceforth, the struggle
The young stranger's face, the tone of
his voice, the words he had spoken, had
all dwelt in Sara's memory, without her
knowing why, like a tune which you have
only heard once, but which, nevertheless,
you repeat over and over again in your
head. No doubt Sara would have for-
gotten this event after a few days' time,
had she met this young man again in
ordinary circumstances possibly a closer
;

presented a fresh interest for him, an in-
terest in which his happiness was doubly
bound up, since henceforth this strife was
carried on, not merely for the satisfaction
of his pride, but also for that of his love.
Only, as we have said, Georges, being
wounded at the beginning of the combat,
lost the advantage of his coolness ;though
it is true that in the exchange he gained
the vehemence of his passion.
But, if the sight of the girlhad made
the impression we have described upon
a man like Georges, satiated with life, and
with passions no longer unsullied, the
sight of the young man and the circum-
stances in which he had successively
appeared before her were bound to pro-
duce a vastly deeper impression upon the
budding life and virgin soul of Sara.
Brought up, since the time when she lost
her parents, in M. de Malmedie's house,
destined from that time to double, by her
dowry, the fortune of the heir to the
estate, she had accustomed herself hence-
forth to look on Henri as her future
husband, and had the more easily sub-
mitted to this prospect, since Henri was a
handsome and worthy youth, ranking
among the wealthiest and most fashion-
able Colonists, not only of Port-Louis,
but throughout the whole Island. As for
Henri's other young friends, who were
her companions in the chase and her
examination, such as is bestowed upon a
second meeting, instead of involving the
man more deeply in her life, might even
have obliterated him from it entirely.
But things had turned out differently.
God had so willed that Georges and Sara
should meet again at a supreme crisis;
the episode of the " Riviere Noire " had
occurred. To the curiosity which accom-
panied his first appearance were joined
the romance and the gratitude that sur-
rounded the second. In an instant
Georges had been transformed in the
girl's eyes. The unknown stranger had
become an angel of deliverance. All the
agony of the death with which Sara had
been threatened, Georges had spared her
all the pleasure, and promise of future
happiness that life holds out at the age of
sixteen, Georges had restored to her at
the moment when she was about to lose
them. Yet when having scarcely seen
him, having scarcely addressed a word to
him, she found herself face to face with
him and was about to pour out all the
was forbidden
gratitude of her heart, she
to grant this man what she would have
granted to the first stranger who asked
it,and moreover was ordered to offer him
an insult which she would not have offered
to the meanest of men. Then the grati-
tude driven back to her heart had changed
to love a look had told Georges every-
;

partners in the dance, she had known thing a word from Georges had told Sara
;

them all too long for it ever to have everything. Sara had been unable to deny
entered her head to make any preference anything, so Georges had the right to
among them to her they were merely
; believe everything. Then, after the
the friends of her childhood who would impression made upon her, had come
be associated in peaceful friendship with reflection. Sara had been unable to
her for the rest of her life, and that was prevent herself from comparing the be-
all. haviour of Henri, her future husband,
Sara then was in this perfectly tranquil with that of this stranger, with whom she
condition of mind when she had noticed was scarcely acquainted. On the first
Georges for the first time. In the life of day, Henri's sneers at the unknown
all young girls, the appearance of a young stranger had hurt her feelings. His in-
man unknown, handsome, of gentlemanly difference, as he rushed off to the death-
bearing and graceful build, is an event, halloo of the stag when his fiance had
and still more so, as you may readily only just escaped a mortal peril, had
believe, in the Isle of France. wounded her heart lastly, the masterful
;
 ;
GEORGES
tone in which Henri had spoken to her
on the day of the ball had offended her
pride. So during that long night which
should have been a happy one, but which
Henri had turned into a sad and lonely
one, Sara had questioned her feelings for
the first time, perhaps, and had realised
for the first time that she did not love her
cousin. From that, to knowing that she
loved another, was but a step.
What usually takes place in such cases
happened now. Sara, after directing
her eyes upon herself, turned them next
upon her surroundings ;she weighed
in the balance of interest her Uncle's
conduct towards her ;she remembered
that she had a fortune of about a million
and a half francs, that is to say, that
she was nearly twice as rich as her
cousin. She asked herself if her Uncle
would have shown the same care and
tenderness for her as a poor orphan which
he had shown for her as a wealthy
heiress, and she saw nothing more in M.
de Malmedie's adoption of her than what
it was in reality, namely, the calculating
policy of a father who prepares a good
marriage for his son. All this was no
doubt rather severe, but so it is with
wounded hearts the wound drives grati-
; when suddenly a man came out of one of
tude away, and the grief which remains
becomes a stern judge.
Georges had foreseen all this, and had
counted upon it as an aid in pleading his
cause and damaging that of his rival.
So, after a good deal of reflection, he
determined to attempt nothing further
that day, though, in the depth of his
heart, he felt very impatient to see Sara
again. That is why he now had his gun
on his shoulder, hoping to find, in his
favourite amusement of shooting, a dis-
traction which would help him to pass the
day. But Georges had deceived himself
his love for Sara was already speaking
in his heart more loudly than any other
feelings. Accordingly, towards four
o'clock, unable any longer to resist his
desire — I will not say to see Sara once
more, for not being able to visit her, it
would only be by chance that he could
—
meet her -but his wish to be somewhere
near her, he had Antrim saddled; then,
giving the rein to the fleet child of Arabia,
in less than an hour he found himself in
the capital of the Island.
Georges came to Port-Louis with but a
single hope; but, as we have said, this
hope was entirely at the mercy of chance,
67
and chance this time proved inflexible.
Georges rode in vain through all the
streets in the neighbourhood of M. de
IMalmedie's house he rode in vain twice
;
through the Jardin de la Compagnie, the
usual promenade of the inhabitants of
Port-Louis he went in vain three times
;
round the Champ de Mars, where prepara-
tions were being made for the forthcom-
—
ing races nowhere, even at a distance,
did he see any woman whose appearance
could have led him to think her to be
Sara.
At seven, Georges gave up all hope,
and, with a pain at his heart as though he
had met with some misfortune, or under-
gone some dreadful hardship, he took once
more the road of the Grande-Riviere, but
slowly this time and holding his horse in ;
for now he was riding away from Sara, who
doubtless had not guessed that Georges
had ridden ten times up and down the
Rue de la Comedie and the Rue du
Gouvernement, that is to say, scarcely a
hundred yards from where she was. He
was passing then the cantonment of the
free blacks, situated outside the town,
still holding in Antrim, who could not at
all understand this unaccustomed pace,
the huts and threw himself at his horse's
stirrup, grasping his knees and kissing his
hand. It was Miko-Miko, the Chinese
dealer, the man of the fan.
On the instant Georges perceived
vaguely the use which he could make of
this man, whose business permitted him
to gain entrance into every house, and
who, through his ignorance of the lan-
guage, could inspire no distrust.
Georges dismounted and went into the
shop of Miko-Miko, who at once made him
inspect all his treasures.
There was no mistaking the feeling
which the poor fellow had expressed for
Georges, and which issued from the
depths of his heart at each word he said
The explanation was quite simple with ;
the exception of two or three of his fellow-
countrymen, who were dealers like him-
self, and, consequently, if not hostile to
him, at least in rivalry with him, Miko-
Miko had not yet found a single person
at Port- Louis with whom he could con-
verse in his own language. Accordingly
he asked Georges in what way he could
make a return for the happiness which he
owed to him.
The request which Georges had to
68
make was a very simple one nothing
; the shimmering rays of the moon on the
more than a plan of the interior of M. de
Malmedie's house, so that, should circum-
stances require it, he might know how to
reach Sara's apartments.
At the first words spoken by Georges,
Miko-Miko understood the whole matter
GEORGES
sea, the movement of oars striking the
water could be discerned, though their
sound was as yet inaudible. Eventually
the boat entered the bay of the Petite-
Riviere, and landed in the creek just
opposite the small fort.
;

we have said that the Chinese were the Georges and his father advanced down
Jews, so to speak, of the Isle of France. the beach. A
man who had been seen
In order, however, to facilitate the ne- sitting in the stern of the boat had already
gotiations between Miko-Miko and Sara, stepped ashore.
and possibly also with a further intention, Behind him came some dozen sailors
Georges wrote upon one of his visiting- armed with guns and axes. They were
cards the prices of various objects which the same men who had been rowing, with
might tempt the girl's fancy, bidding their guns slung over their shoulders.
Miko-Miko let nobody see this card but The man who had landed first gave them
Sara herself. a signal, upon which they began to
Then he gave the dealer another disembark the Negroes, of whom there
doubloon, telling him to come to Moka were thirty lying in the bottom of the
next day at about three in the afternoon. boat, while an equal number were to be
Miko-Miko promised to be at the brought in a second boat.
appointed meeting-place, and undertook Then the two Mulattos and the man
to carry in his head as exact a plan of who had landed first came together and
the house as could be traced by a exchanged a few words, as the result of
draughtsman. which Georges and his father were
After this, inasmuch as it was now convinced of what they had already
eight o'clock, and at nine Georges had to guessed, namely, that they were in the
meet his father, as we have said, at the presence of the Captain of the Slaver
Pointe-aiix-Caves, he remounted his himself.
horse and continued his journey along the He was a man of about two and thirty,
road of the Petite-Riviere, with a lighter tall in stature, and bearing all the signs
heart than before. For those who are of physical strength developed to a pitch
in love, a very little thing is needed to that instinctively commands respect. He
change the aspect of the horizon. had dark frizzled hair, whiskers that met
It was quite dark when Georges arrived under the chin, and moustaches that
at the meeting-place. His father, true to joined the whiskers. His face and hands,
the habit of punctuality, which he had tanned by the suns of the Tropics, had
always observed when dealing with acquired very much the complexion of
white men, had been there for ten minutes. the Indians of Timor or Pegu. He was
At half-past nine the moon rose. dressed in the jacket and trousers of blue
This was the moment for which cloth worn by sportsmen in the Isle of
Georges and his father were waiting. France, and, like them, had a broad
They at once directed their gaze between straw hat and carried a gun over his
the lie Bourbon and the He de Sable, shoulder. Only, unlike them, he wore in
and there they saw a light flash three addition, suspended from his belt, a
times. This was the customary signal, curved sword, shaped like an Arab
given by a mirror reflecting the moon's scimitar, but larger, and with a hilt
rays, and well understood by the resembling that of the Scotch claymore.
Colonists. On seeing it, Telemaque, who If the Captain of the Slaver had been
had accompanied his employers, lighted a the object of a close examination on the
fire on the shore which he extinguished part of the two inhabitants of Moka,
five minutes later, and then they waited. they too, in their turn, had had to undergo
Half-an-hour had not elapsed when an examination no less searching. The
they saw faintly appearing on the sea a trader in black flesh glanced from one to
dark line, like a great fish swimming on the other with equal curiosity, and the
the surface of the water then this line
; more closely he scrutinized them, the
grew larger and more distinct, assuming more did he appear unable to withdraw
the appearance of a pirogue. Soon after, his eyes from them. Georges and his
a large boat could be made out, and, by father failed apparently to notice the
THK MEETING
 — —
GEORGES 69

persistence of his gaze, or, at any appeared to notice the other's reluctance
rate,
were not made uneasy by it, they
for to take his eyes off them no more than
entered upon the negotiation for which they had done before. At last the moment
they had come, examining one after for settling up arrived. Georges asked
another the Negroes who had been the Captain how he would like to be paid,
brought in the first boat, and who were in gold or in notes, his father having
nearly all natives of the West Coast of brought gold in his saddle-bags and notes
Africa, that is to say, of Senegambia and in his pocket-book, so as to be ready for
—
Guinea, a circumstance which further every emergency. The Captain preferred
increases their value, inasmuch as, not gold. The amount was accordingly
having, like the natives of Madagascar, counted out on the spot and conveyed
the Mozambiques, or the Kaffirs, any into the second boat then the sailors
;

hope of reaching their country again, embarked again. But, to the great
they hardly ever make an attempt to astonishment of Georges and his father,
escape. In spite of this excuse for the Captain did not go down with them
raising the price, the Captain was very to the boats, which, at an order given by
reasonable in his demands, and so, when him, pulled away from the shore.
the second boat-load arrived, the bargain The Captain followed them with his
for the first had been already concluded. eyes for some little time then, when they
;

The Negroes in the second boat were as were out of sight and hearing, turned to
good in quality as those of the first. The the astonished Mulattos, and advancing
Captain's stock was first-rate, and showed towards them with a hand outstretched
him to be a thorough connoisseur in his to each, exclaimed :

own line of business. This was a piece " Good day, father Good day,
!

of real good luck for the Isle of France, brother " ! Then, seeing them hesitate,
to which he had come for the first time he added :

*' Why,
to ply his trade, having heretofore shipped do you not recognise your
slaves more especially for the Antilles. Jacques ? " Both uttered a cry of sur-
When all the Negroes had been dis- prise and held out their arms to him.
embarked and the deal was concluded, Jacques threw himself into his father's
Telemaque, himself a native of the Congo, arms, then passed from them to those of
came up to them and delivered a discourse his brother after which Telemaque, too,
;

in his mother-tongue, which was theirs had his turn, although, be it said, it was
also. The aim of this discourse was to not without trembling that he ventured to
boast to them of the mild lot in which touch the hands of the Slave-Captain.
their future life was cast, compared with Thus, by a strange coincidence, did
the life led by their countrymen in the chance re-unite in the same family the
employment of the other planters of the man who had laboured all his life under
Island, and to tell them that they had had the prejudice of colour, the man who was
the good fortune to come into the hands of making his fortune by trading in it, and
MM. Pierre and Georges Munier, who the man who was ready to risk his life in
were the kindest employers in the Island. order to combat it.
Then the Negroes approached the two
Mulattos, and, falling on their knees,
promised, Telemaque acting as their
mouthpiece, that they would prove worthy
of the happiness which Providence had
kept in store for them. CHAPTER XIV
At the name of Pierre and Georges
Munier, the Slave Captain, who had
- THE SLAVE TRADE
followed the discourse of Telemaque witli
an attention which showed that he had
closely studied the different dialects of
THE
man was really Jacques, Jac-
ques, whom
his father had not set
—
Africa, had given a start, and looked even eyes on for fourteen, or his brother for
more attentively than before at the two twelve, years.
men with whom he had just concluded Jacques had left France on board one
with such promptness a transaction of of those privateers, furnished with letters
nearly a hundred and fifty thousand of marque from the Government, which
francs. But Georges and his father at this period darted suddenly out of our
70 GEORGES
harbours, like eagles from their eyries, and tain, when he was there, and to the First
attacked the English. Officer, in the Captain's absence. Though
It was a rough school of training, and this was the case throughout, it was par-
quite as valuable as that of the Imperial ticularly soon board the Calypso, which
Navy, the ships of which, at this time, was the name of the ship which Jacques
constantly blockaded in our ports, were had chosen for serving his naval appren-
as often lying idly at anchor as those of ticeship in in six years she had had only
;

this other branch of marine, swift, light, two refractory seamen, one from Nor-
and independent, were scouring the high mandy, the other a Gascon, the one having
seas. Every day, indeed, there was some disobeyed the authority of the Captain,
the other that of his Lieutenant.
fresh fighting; not that our privateers, bold The
as they were, picked quarrels with men- Captain had smashed in the first man's
of-war, but that they were for ever attack-skull with an axe, while the Lieutenant
ing the great, big-bellied merchantmen, had sent a pistol shot through the other's
bursting with freight from India and body and both had died on the spot.
;

China, homeward bound from Calcutta, Then, as nothing is so much in the way
or Buenos-Ayres, or Vera-Cruz. Now,of working a ship as a dead body, the
either these vessels, harmless as they werecorpses had been chucked overboard, and
to look at, were convoyed by some English there the matter ended. Only these two
frigate, by no means without beak and events, if they left no trace behind them
claws, or they had elected to arm and except in the recollection of the crew, had
defend themselves on their own account. none the less exercised a wholesome influ-
ence over their minds. None, after that,
In the latter case, it was mere child's-play,
a two hours' skirmish, and all was over ever dreamed of picking a quarrel with
;

Captain Bertrand or Lieutenant Rebard,

but, in the first case, the aspect of affairs
was much more serious. Shots were ex- for such were the names of these two
changed, men were killed, and rigging worthies, who henceforth enjoyed the
damaged. Finally it came to boarding privilege of absolutely despotic authority
the vessel, and, after having been pounded on board the Calypso.
from a distance, she was destroyed at Jacques had always had a decided liking
close quarters. for the sea when quite a boy he had been
;

Whilst this was taking place, the mer- constantly on board the ships riding in
chant-ships sheered off, and, if they did Port-Louis, climbing into the shrouds and
not meet, like the ass in the fable, with tops, swinging on the yards, sliding down
any other privateer to lay hands upon the halliards and, as it was especially on
;

them, made some port in England, to the board vessels with which his father had
great satisfaction of the India Company business transactions that Jacques prac-
who voted rewards of money to their tised these gymnastic exercises, the Cap-
defenders. tains treated him with great kindness,
Such was the state of things at this satisfying his boyish curiosity, explaining
period. everything to him and allowing him to
Out of the thirty or thirty-one
days which make up the month, fighting climb from hold to top-gallants and back
took place on twenty or twenty-five of again. The result was, that, at the age
them then, by the way of respite from
; of ten, Jacques was a most efficient cabin-
fighting, came days of tempest. boy, inasmuch as, in default of a vessel
Well,
we repeat, in such a school a man learnedeverything in his eyes represented a ship.
quickly. At the first, as there was noHe climbed trees, of which he made masts,
and along bind-weed, which played the
conscription for the purpose of recruiting,
part of ropes, and at twelve years of age,
and as this little amateur warfare did not
discontinue until in the long run a good knowing the name of every part of the
number of men had been used up, the ship, and every detail of the drill which
crews were hardly ever up to their full takes place on its deck, he could have
entered as a first-class candidate in the
strength. True, the sailors being all volun-
teers, quantity, in this case, was advan-first vessel that appeared.
tageously replaced by quality so, during
; But, as we have already seen, his father
the fighting or the storms, nobody had had decided otherwise for him, and, instead
any fixed duties, and each man could put of sending him to the Ecole d'Angouleme,
his hand to everything. For the rest, to which his tastes summoned him, he had
there was absolute obedience to the Cap- sent him to the College Napoleon. Here
 ; —
GEORGES 71

was afforded a fresh confirmation of the having nothing to do, he had made two
proverb, " Man proposes, and God dis- voyages to the Isle of Elba, and that, on the
poses." Jacques, after spending two years occasion of one of these voyages, he had
in drawing ships in his composition books had the honour of being received by the
and launching frigates on the big pond of ex-master of the world. What had passed
the Luxembourg, availed himself of the between the Emperor and the buccaneer
first opportunity that offered of passing at this intervdew no one ever discovered ;

from theory to practice and having, during all that was remarked was that Captain
;

a stay at Brest, gone to visit the brig Bertrand returned on board whistling :

Calypso, he told his brother, who had *'

Ran tan plan tirelire
accompanied him, that he might go back How we shall laugh, to be sure !"
to land by himself, but that, for his part, which, with Captain Bertrand, denoted an
he had decided to become a sailor. Both inward feeling of most intense satisfaction.
submitted to this sudden decision, and After this, the Captain betook himself to
Georges returned alone, as has been duly Brest, where, without saying a word to
related, to the College Napoleon. As for any one, he began to put the Calypso in
Jacques, whose frank face and gallant fighting trim, to lay in a stock of powder
bearing had at once won over Captain and shot, and to make up the few men who
Bertrand, he was raised forthwith to the were wanting in order that his crew should
rank of able seaman, at which his com- be at its full strength. So that any one
rades grumbled loudly. must have had a very imperfect acquaint-
Jacques let them grumble he had
; in ance with Captain Bertrand who did not
his own mind very clear ideas of justice grasp the fact that he was cockering up
and injustice the men with whom he had behind the scenes some spectacle which
;

just been put on an equality were ignorant would greatly astonish the audience.
of his worth, and so it was quite natural As a matter of fact, six weeks after
that they should be annoyed that a mere Captain Bertrand's last voyage to Porto-
novice should have been treated with such Ferrajo, Napoleon landed at the Gulf of
favour. But, on the occurrence of the Juan. Twenty-four days after his landing
first storm, he cut away a top-gallant-sail at the Gulf of Juan, Napoleon entered
which was blocked in the tackle, and Paris and seventy-two hours after Napo-
;

which threatened to carry away the mast leon's entrance into Paris,Captain Bertrand
while the first time they boarded a ship, he left Brest with all sail set and the tricolour
sprang upon the enemy's deck in front of flying at the peak.
the Captain, a proceeding which earned A week had not elapsed when Captain
him such a tremendous blow from the Bertrand entered the harbour again, haul-
latter's fist that he remained unconscious ing in tow a magnificent English three-
for three days, the rule on board the Caly- master, laden witli the finest spices from
pso being that the Captain must always India she had been so utterly astonished
;

set foot on the enemy's deck before any of at seeing the tri-coloured flag, which was
the crew. However, as this was one of thought to have disappeared off the face
the breaches of discipline for which one of the earth, that it never entered her head
brave man readily forgives another, the to make even the slightest show of resist-
Captain admitted the validity of the ance.
apology made by Jacques, and told him This prize had made Captain Bertrand's
that in future, next after himself and the mouth water. So, no sooner had he got
Lieutenant, he was at liberty, in similar rid of his capture at a suitable price and
circumstances, to take what order pleased divided the proceeds among the crew, who
him. At the second boarding Jacques had lain idle for nearly a year and were
was the third man on deck. getting very weary of this inaction, than he
From that time the sailors ceased to went off in search of a second three-master.
grumble at Jacques, and even the old But, as everybody knows, you do not al-
hands came up to him and were the first ways find precisely what you are looking
to shake hands. So matters went on until for; one fine morning, after a very dark
the year 1815. We say 18 15, because Cap- night, the Calypso found herself cheek by
tain Bertrand, who was of a very sceptical jowl with a frigate. This frigate was none
turn of mind, had never chosen to take the other than the Leicester, the same vessel
fall of Napoleon seriously. Possibly too which we have seen at Port-Louis, con-
this feeling was influenced by the fact that, veying the Governor and Georges.
 ; " — ;

72 GEORGES
The Leicester had ten guns and sixty the silence of his interlocutor Lieutenant
:

men more than the Calypso possessed Rebard had just been cut in two by a
nor had she any cargo of cinnamon, sugar, cannon-shot. The situation was becoming
or coffee but, instead of these, a maga-
;
serious ; it was plain that, before another
zine perfectly equipped, and an arsenal half hour was over, the two ships
stuffed full with shot and grape. Scarcely would be alongside each other, and that
had she discovered, moreover,what country the Calypso would be obliged, to use a
the Calypso hailed from than, without technical term, to fudge it out with a
giving her the slightest warning, she sent crew a third again as strong as her own.
her a sample of her goods, in the shape of Jacques was communicating, in an aside,
a fine thirty- six pounder, which buried this rather disconcerting reflection to the
itself in her hull. Captain of one of the two stern-guns,
Quite differently from her sister when the fellow, in stooping to aim,
Galatea, who fled in order to be seen, apparently took a false step and fell with
the Calypso would have been very glad his nose on the breech of the gun. Seeing
to fly, without being seen. She had that he was slower in getting up again
nothing to gain from the Leicester, even than a man ought to have been in such
should she come off victorious, which circumstances, and in so responsible a
was in the last degree unlikely. Un- position, Jacques took him by his coat-
fortunately, it was hardly probable that collar and restored him to the perpendicu-
she would escape, since her Captain was lar. But this done, he perceived that the
this same Lord Murray, who had not yet, poor wretch had swallowed a grape-shot
at this period, quitted the navy, and who, only, instead of following the perpen-
for all his elegant appearance, to which, dicular, the grape-shot had taken a
later on, his diplomatic labours had given horizontal line. Hence had come the
yet a fresh colour, was one of the most accident. The poor man had died, as
intrepid sea-dogs between the Straits of they say, from being unable to digest
Magellan and Baffin's Bay. Accordingly cast-iron.
Captain Bertrand trained his two largest Jacques, who, at the moment, had
guns astern and sheered off. nothing better to do, stooped in his turn
The Calypso was a veritable ship of towards the gun, rectified the sight by a
prey, designed for speed, narrow and long degree or so, and cried:
!
in the lines. But the poor little Sea- " Fire
swallow was engaged with the Ocean- At the same instant the gun thundered,
eagle; consequently, in spite of her and Jacques, anxious to see the result of
agility, it was soon evident that the frigate his skill, jumped upon the nettings, in
was wearing the schooner down. order to watch, as far as he could do so,
This superiority in pace soon became the effect of the projectile which he had
all the more noticeable from the fact that, just hurled at the enemy.
every five minutes or so, the Leicester The eff"ect was instantaneous. The
despatched leaden messengers to summon mizen-mast, shattered a little above the
the Calypso to stop. To which the main-top, bowed like a tree bent by the
Calypso, still in flight, replied with her wind, then fell with a terrible crash, litter-
stern-guns by messengers of the same ing the deck with sails and rigging, and
character. AH this time, Jacques was crushing a portion of the starboard bul-
examining with the greatest attention the warks. A loud shout of triumph resounded
masting of the brig, and making some on board the Calypso. The frigate had
most sensible remarks to Lieutenant stopped in mid-chase, dipping her broken
Rebard on the improvements that might wing in the sea, while the schooner, safe
be made in the rigging of vessels intended, and sound, but for a few ropes cut away,
like the Calypso, either to chase or to be continued her course, freed from the
chased. There was above all a radical enemy's pursuit.
change to be effected in the top-gallant- The Captain's first care, on seeing him-
masts, and Jacques, with his eyes fixed self out of danger, was to appoint Jacques
on this weak spot in the ship, had just Lieutenant in place of Rebard this rank;

finished his demonstration, when not had devolved upon him, long since, in
receiving any signs of approval from the case of a vacancy, in the minds of all his
Lieutenant, he turned his eyes from the comrades. The announcement of his pro-
sky to the deck, and realised the cause of motion was accordingly welcomed with
 —
GEORGES 73

unanimous acclamations. In the evening made by those who were the first to
a public service was held for the dead. embark in it. War, occasionally smothered
The bodies had been thrown into the sea in Europe, in Africa is perpetual there is ;

as they passed from life to death, only always some tribe that is thirsty, and, as
that of the second in command having the inhabitants of that fine country
been reserved, in order that the honours observed, once and for all, that the surest
due to his rank might be paid him. These means of procuring prisoners was to have
honours consisted in being sewn up in a plenty of brandy, you needed only at this
hammock with a thirty-six pounder at period to follow the coasts of Senegambia,
each foot. The ceremonial was carried Congo, Mozambique or Zanzibar with a
out exactly, and poor Rebard went to bottle of trade brandy in each hand, and
rejoin his companions, having preserved you were sure of returning to your ship
the very slender advantage over them of with a negro under each arm. When
being plunged into the depths of the sea, prisoners ran short, mothers sold their
instead of floating on its surface. children for a glass of liquor true, these
;

In the evening, Captain Bertrand took brats were of no great value but any lack
;

advantage of the darkness to alter his of quality was made up for by their
course, that is to say, thanks to a slant quantity.
of wind, he was able to reverse his Captain Bertrand carried on this busi-
course, so that he entered Brest, while ness with credit and profit for five years,
the Leicester, which had hastened to that is to say, from 1815 to 1820, and was
substitute a fresh mast for her broken one, looking forward to carrying it on for a
pursued her in the direction of Cape Vert. good many more, when an unforeseen
This made Captain Murray extremely accident put an end to his life. One day
angry, and he swore that, if ever the as he was ascending the Riviere dcs
Calypso came within reach of the Poissons, situated on the West Coast of
Leicester again, she should not get off Africa, in company with a Hottentot chief,
so cheaply the second time as she had who was going to hand o\'er to him, for
done on the first occasion. the consideration of two casks of rum,
As soon as ever his damages were a party of Grands-Namaquois Negroes for
repaired, Captain Bertrand returned to which he had just negotiated, and who
his old game, and, well seconded by were booked in advance for Martinique
Jacques, performed many remarkable ex- and Guadaloupe, he happened to set foot
ploits. Unfortunately, Waterloo super- on the tail of a boqueira that lay basking
vened after Waterloo, came the second in the sun. The tail of this species of
;

abdication, and, after the second abdi- snake is, as is well known, so sensitive,
cation, peace. This time there was no that Nature has endowed this part of its
longer room for doubt. The Captain saw body with a number of little bells, so that
the prisoner of Europe pass by, on board the traveller, warned by the sound, may
the Bellerophon, and, as he was acquainted avoid treading upon it. The snake rose
with St. Helena from having called there erect as quick as lightning, and bit
twice, he realised at once that there is no Captain Bertrand in the hand. The
escaping from that island as there is from Captain, though well inured to pain,
Elba. uttered a cry. The Hottentot chief
Captain Bertrand's prospects were turned round, saw what had happened,
greatly compromised by that great cata- and said in a grave tone :

clysm in which so many things were " Man bitten, man die."
shattered. He was obliged, therefore, to " I know it, God help me answered
!

create for himself a fresh trade. He had the Captain, " and that is why I called
a fine schooner, a good sea boat, with a out."
crew of a hundred and fifty men ready to Then, either for his own personal satis-
follow his fortunes, good or bad ; it faction, or from motives of philanthropy,
occurred to him quite naturally to engage and to insure that the snake which had
in the slave trade. bitten him should not bite any one else,
This was quite a nice business before he seized the boqueira with both hands
the profession had been ruined by a heap and wrung its neck. Hardly had the
of philosophical preachments, which no- brave Captain accomplished this than his
body at that time had so much as thought strength suddenly forsook him, and he fell
of, and there were immense fortunes tc be dead beside the reptile.
 ;

74 GEORGES
All this had happened with such or secondly, to appoint a successor to
rapidity that when Jacques, who was Captain Bertrand and continue the
about twenty-five yards behind the business under the style of *' Calypso
Captain, came up to him, he had already and Co.," declaring beforehand that,
turned as green as a lizard. He tried to though he was the Lieutenant, he would
speak, but could only stammer a few submit to be re-elected, and would be the
incoherent words, and expired. Ten first to recognise the new Captain
minutes later, his body was covered with appointed as the result of the ballot.
black and yellow spots, just like a These words were followed by the very
poisonous fungus. appropriate result that Jacques was elected
Owing to the marvellously subtle Captain by acclamation.
nature of the poison, decomposition set in Jacques immediately chose as his
so rapidly that to carry the Captain's Lieutenant the boatswain's mate, a worthy
body on board the Calypso was not to be Breton hailing from Lorient, who was
thought of. Jacques and the twelve usually called, in allusion to the remark-
sailors who accompanied him dug a grave able toughness of his skull, M. Tete de
in which they laid the body, heaping over Fer.
it all the stones they could find in the The same evening the Calypso, with
neighbourhood, so as to preserve it, if shorter memory than the nymph whose
possible, from the ravages of hyenas and name she bore, sailed for the Antilles,
jackals. As for the snake, one of the already consoled, in appearance at least,
sailors, remembering that his Uncle, who not for the departure of King Ulysses,
was a chemist at Brest, had requested but for the death of Captain Bertrand.
him, in case he ever came across one of However, if she had lost one master,
these reptiles, to try and bring it to him, she had found another, and quite as good
carried it off to be placed later on in a a one. The late Captain was one of those
phial at the door of his uncle's shop old sea-dogs who do everything by rule
between a bottle filled with red water and of thumb rather than by calculation. This
another filled with blue. was not the case with Jacques, who was
There a commercial adage which always guided by circumstances, and was
is
says " Business before everything."
: In an all-round man in every branch ot
virtue of this adage, it was decided by the seamanship, knowing as well as any
Hottentot chief and Jacques that this Admiral how to give orders in a battle or
catastrophe should not stand in the way storm, yet, if occasion required, making a
of carrying out the bargain which had sailor's knot as well as the youngest
been concluded. Accordingly Jacques cabin-boy. Jacques was never idle, and,
went to fetch from the neighbouring kraal consequently, never felt dull. Each day
the fifty Grands-Namaquois who had witnessed some improvement in the trim
been sold after which the Hottentot or rigging of the schooner.
; Jacques was
chief brought away from the brig the as fond of the Calypso as a man is of
promised casks of rum. Having efi'ected his mistress, and so his thoughts were
this exchange the two dealers separated, constantly employed in adding something
each delighted with the other, and with to her adornment now it was a sail, the
;

the mutual promise that their commercial shape of which he altered, now a yard, of
relations should be renewed on a future which he simplified the working. And
occasion. so, like the coquette that she was, she
The same evening Jacques piped all obeyed her new lord as she had never
hands on deck, from the boatswain's mate obeyed any other roused into animation
;

to the junior cabin-boy, and after touching at the sound of his voice, bending and
briefly but eloquently on the numerous rearing under his hand, leaping beneath
good qualities that had distinguished his feet like a horse that feels the spur,
Captain Bertrand, he made two she and Jacques appeared so admirably
propositions to the crew first, to dispose matched, that you could not imagine it
;

of the complete cargo and then of the possible that henceforth one could live
ship, which was readily saleable, and, apart from the other.
after distributing the proceeds of the So, but for the recollection of his
whole in the customary proportions, to father and brother, which occasionally
part good friends, and each to seek his clouded his brow, Jacques was happier
fortune in whatever direction pleased him than any man on land or sea. He was
 GEORGES 15

not one of those grasping Slave-Captains agreeably; only, instead of stirring his
who lose half their profits by trying to spirit, they worked upon his senses. He
gain too much, and in whom cruelty, after loved the immensity of space, not because
passing into a habit, becomes a pleasure. it made him think of God, but because,

No, he was a decent trader, carrying on the greater the space, the more freely you
his business conscientiously, treating his breathe he loved the stars, not because
;

Kaffirs, his Hottentots, his Senegambians he conceived of them as so many worlds

and Mozambiques with almost as much
care as if they had been bags of sugar,
chests of rice, or bales of cotton. They
were well fed, had straw to lie on, and
took exercise on deck twice a day. Only
the refractory ones were chained, and,
speaking generally, he endeaA'oured, as
far as possible, to sell the husbands along
with their wives, and the children with
their mothers, —
a kindness hitherto un-
heard of and which found but few imita-
tors among those who followed the same
profession as Jacques. The result was that
his Negroes generally reached their desti-
nation in capital condition and in good
spirits, so that he nearly always sold them
at an enhanced price
unnecessary to remark that Jacques
It is
circling in space, but because it was
pleasant to see overhead an azure canopy
studded with diamonds ; he loved the
lofty forests, not because their depths were
full of mysterious and romantic voices,
but because their dense vault cast a shade
through which the sun's rays could not
penetrate.
As for his opinion on the business in
which he was engaged, he looked upon it
as a perfectly lawful occupation. He had
seen Negroes bought and sold all his life,
and so he honestly believed that they were
made to be bought and sold. As for the
validity of the right claimed by men to
traffic in their fellow-creatures, that in no
way concerned him. He bought and
paid consequently, the goods were his,
;

never stayed long enough on land to form and, from the moment he bought and
any serious attachment. As he was paid for them, he had the right to sell
swimming in gold and rolling in silver, them again. Never had he imitated the
the fair Creoles of Jamaica, Guadeloupe example of his fellow-captains, whom he
and Cuba had more than once set their had seen hunting down Negroes on their
caps at him there were even fathers who,
; own account he would have looked upon
;

not knowing him to be a Mulatto, and it as a fearful injustice personally to seize

taking him for a gentlemanly European upon a free creature, whether by force
Slave-Captain, made him overtures of or by stratagem, in order to make a slave
marriage with their daughters. But of him. But, the moment that free
Jacques had his own ideas on the subject creature had become a slave through cir-
of love. He knew by heart his mythology cumstances for which Jacques was not
and his Bible he was acquainted with responsible, he made no scruples about
;

the legend of Hercules and Omphale, bargaining for him with his owner.
and the story of Samson and Delilah. You can understand, then, that Jacques'
Accordingly he had resolved to have no life was a pleasant one, all the more so
other wife but the Calypso. As for mis- as, now and then, there came days of
tresses, there were plenty of them, thank fighting, as in the time of Captain Bert-
Heaven black, red, yellow, or chocolate, rand.
;
The trading in blacks had been
according as he loaded up at the Congo, abolished by a Congress of Governments,
Florida, Bengal or Madagascar. Every which had probably discovered that it
voyage he took with him a fresh one, affected injuriously the trade in whites ;

whom he handed over on his arrival to so that it sometimes happened that vessels
some friend by whom he was sure that which meddled in what was no business
she would be well treated having made of theirs, peremptorily demanded to know
;

it his rule never to stick to the same one what the Calypso was doing on the coast

for fear lest, be her colour what it might, of Senegal or in the Indian seas. Then,
she should acquire an influence over his if it was one of Captain Jacques' good-
heart, for, it must be said, what Jacques humoured days, he began by amusing the
loved before all else was his freedom. too inquisitive vessels by running up flags
Let us add that Jacques had a whole of all colours next, when he was tired of
;

host of other pleasures. He was as playing charades, he would hoist his own
sensuous as Creoles generally are. All flag, three Negroes' heads sable, two and
the grand effects of Nature impressed him one on a field gules ;upon which the
 ;

76 GEORGES
Calypso took to her heels, and the fun and starboard, not knowing what was the
began. use of the land except to put in at from
In addition to the twenty guns which time to time for fresh water or to dry his
adorned her port-holes, the Calypso pos- fish. Or again, he would be some dandy
sessed, with a view to such occasions only, young Officer just fresh from College, to
two thirty-six pounders astern, superior whom the Government, to recompense the
in range to those of ordinary ships now, services of his ancestors, had given an
;

as she was a splendid sailor, and obeyed appointment which a dozen Officers of
implicitly her master's nod, she hoisted long standing were applying for. In this
just so much sail as was required to keep case, Captain Jacques called himself M.
the pursuer within range of these two de Kergouran or M. de Champ-Fleury
guns. The result was that, while the shots he was short-sighted, looked at you with
from the enemy fell uselessly in her wake, a blinking eye, and lisped. All this would
each of her own shots (and Jacques as have been soon recognised as a piece of
you may suppose, had not forgotten his acting in a French or English harbour,
business as a gunner) raked from bow to but it enjoyed an enormous success in
stern the vessel that displayed such an Cuba, in IMartinique, in Guadeloupe or
interest in Negroes. This went on for as Java.
long as Jacques chose to play what he As to the investment of the money
called his game of skittles then when he which accrued from his trade, Jacques,
;

considered the ship to have been suffici- who did not understand movements of
ently punished for her indiscretion, he agio or rates of discount, had a very
added sundry royals and top-gallant stud- simple plan in exchange for his gold or
:

ding sails, with some spankers of his own bank notes he took from Visapore or
invention, to the sail already set, de- Gujerat the finest diamonds he could find
spatched a couple of shots in token of in those places, so that he had come to be
farewell to his partner in the sport, and, almost as good a judge of diamonds as he
skimming over the water like some belated was of Negroes. Next he placed the
bird making for its nest, left her to plug newly-purchased stones, with those bought
her holes, put her rigging in order, and previously, in a belt which he always
repair her halliards, disappeared on the wore. When he ran short of money he
horizon. rummaged in his belt andextracted,
These pranks, as you will readily according to his needs, a stone as large as
understand, made the business of entering a pea or a diamond the size of a nut,
harbours somewhat risky ;but the walked into a Jew's shop, had it weighed,
Calypso was a jilt who could alter her and let him have it at the tariff price.
figure and even her face, as circumstances Then, like Cleopatra, who drank the
required. Sometimes she assumed some pearls which Anthony gave her, he ate
artless name and a guileless look, calling and drank away his diamond only, unlike
;

herself la belle Jenny or la Jeiine Olynipe, the Queen of Egypt, Jacques usually
and appeared with an air of innocence made it last for several meals.
quite pleasant to behold, having, as she Thanks to this method of investing
said, just freighted tea at Canton, coffee money, Jacques always carried on his per-
at Mocha, or spices at Ceylon. She dis- son property to the value of two or three
played samples of her cargo, took orders, million francs, which, as he could hold it,
and inquired for passengers. Captain literally, in the hollow of his hand, was
Jacques became an honest native of easily concealed should occasion demand.
Lower Brittany, with his big jacket, long For Jacques did not disguise from himself
hair, and broad hat, all the cast-off ward- that a profession like his had its unlucky
robe, in fact, of the defunct Bertrand. side that the business which he carried
;

Sometimes the Calypso changed her sex on was not all a bed of roses, and that
;

was called le Sphynx or le Leonidas ; her after years of good fortune he might meet
crew assumed French uniforms, and she with a day of reverse.
entered harbour, flying the white flag, But, while awaiting this unlucky day,
courteously saluting the fort, which re- Jacques led, as we have said, a very
turned her salute as courteously. Then pleasant life, and would not have ex-
the Captain would be, according to his changed positions with any monarch in
whim, either a seaman, fuming, swearing the world, seeing that at this date to be a
and cursing, talking of nothing but port King was already beginning to be a very

poor amusement. Thus our adventurer
would have been perfectly happy, had not
the recollection of his father and Georges
occasionally saddened his thoughts so,
one fine day, he could hold out no longer,
and having freighted in Senegambia and
Congo, and then come on to complete his
cargo on the coasts of Mozambique and
Zanzibar, he determined to go on to the
Isle of France, and inquire if his father
had not left it, or if his brother had not
returned to it. Accordingly, on approach-
ing the coast, he had made the signals
usually adopted by Slave-ships and had
received a corresponding reply. Chance
had brought it about that these signals
were exchanged between father and son
so that, the same evening, Jacques found
himself not only on his native shore, but
also in the arms of the very persons he
had come to seek.
CHAPTER XV
PANDORA S BOX
was, as you will readily believe, a
ITgreat happiness for the father and
brothers who had not seen each other for
so long a time to find themselves thus
once more together, just when they least
expected it. True, Georges at the first
moment, thanks to his European educa-
tion, experienced a feeling of regret at
finding his brother a merchant of human
flesh but this first feeling soon dis-
; the previous evening.
appeared. As for Pierre Munier, who
had never left the Island, and who
necessarily therefore looked at everything
from the Colonial point of view, he took
no notice of it at all besides, the poor
; reviving the memories of his early days.
father was entirely absorbed in the
unlooked-for delight of seeing his sons
again.
Jacques, as was quite natural, returned
to sleep at Moka. He
and Georges and
their father did not separate until well on
into the night. During the first delight-
ful chat each revealed to these intimates
of his soul all that was in his own
Pierre Munier poured forth his joy, his
sole topic being his paternal love. Jacques
related his life of adventure, his strange
amusements, his eccentric happiness.
!
GEORGES 77
Then came Georges' turn, and Georges
related the story of his love.
On hearing this, Pierre Munier
; trembled in all his limbs. Georges, a
Mulatto, and the son of a Mulatto, loved
a white girl, and declared, while confess-
ing his love, that this girl should be his
wife. Such arrogance was an unheard-of
audacity and unprecedented in the
Colonies, and would draw do^vn upon the
man in whose heart it had been kindled
all the sorrows of earth and all the
wrath of heaven.
As for Jacques, he quite understood
Georges loving a white girl, although, for
many reasons, which he detailed with
;
admirable logic, he much preferred black
women for his own part. But Jacques
was too much of a philosopher not to
understand and respect the tastes of
others. Besides he considered that
Georges, handsome, wealthy and superior
to other men as he was, might aspire to
the hand of any white girl whatsoever,
were she AUne herself, Queen of
Golconda
In any case he suggested to Georges
a plan that would greatly simplify
matters ;namely, that in case of a
refusal on the part of M. de Malmedie,
he should carry off Sara and deposit her
in some corner of the world, wherever
Georges chose, to which he might go and
join her. Georges thanked his brother for
his obliging offer, which however, he de-
clined as he had at the moment decided
upon another plan.
Next day the three met again almost
before daybreak, so much was there fresh
to tell one another that had been forgotten
At about eleven
o'clock Jacques felt a longing to visit all
the spots where his childhood had been
spent, and proposed to his father and
brother a walk round the estate by way of
Pierre Munier agreed to this but Georges,
;
as the reader will remember, was expecting
news from the town. So he was obliged
to let the two go off together and to remain
at the house, where he had directed Miko-
Miko to meet him.
At the end of half-an-hour Georges saw
his messenger appear; he was carrying
heart. his long bamboo rod and his two baskets,
just as though he had been doing business
in the town for the prudent trader had
;
thought it possible that he might meet, on
his way, some fancier of Chinese work-
 ,

78 GEORGES
manship. Georges, in spite of the power over the stream, into the Jardin de la
of self-control which he had been at such Compagnie ; the second, at the back, led,
pains to acquire, went to open the door by means of a winding path planted with
with beating heart, for this man had seen trees, into the Rue du Goiiveruement and, ;

Sara and would speak to him about lastly, the third, which was a side entrance,
her. opened into the Rue de la Coniidie.
Everything had happened in the most Approaching the house by its main en-
natural manner, as you may easily sup- trance, that is to say, by the bridge which
pose. Miko-Miko, making use of his pri- crossed the stream and led to the Jardin
vilege of gaining admittance everywhere, de la Compagnie, you found yourself in a
had gone into M. de Malmedie's house, ]arge square Court, planted with mango-
and Bijou, who had already seen his young trees and China lilacs, through whose
mistress purchase a fan from the China- foliage and flowers you saw, directly oppo-
man, had taken him straight to Sara's site, the principal dwelling, which was
apartments. entered by a door almost in a line with
On seeing the dealer, Sara started for,
; the one leading from the street standing
;

by a perfectly natural connection of ideas
and circumstances, Miko-Miko brought
back Georges to her mind. Accordingly
she welcomed him with eagerness, having
but one regret, namely, at being compelled
to converse with him by signs.
at this main entrance you had, first of all,
the Negroes' quarters to your right, the
stables to your left. Further on, on the
right stood a summer-house shaded by a
magnificent "dragon's blood," and opposite
it, on the left, a second building, also re-

Miko-Miko then drew from his pocket
Georges' card, on which he had written,
with his own hand, the prices of the dif-
ferent objects which Miko-Miko
thought likely to take Sara's fancy, and
gave it to the girl with the side on which
its owner's name was engraved uppermost.
Sara blushed involuntarily and turned
the card over quickly. It was clear that
Georges, being unable to see her, employed
this means of recalling himself to her
memory. She bought, without any bar-
gaining, all the articles of which the price
had been written in the young man's hand-
writing, and, as the dealer did not think of
asking to have the card returned, neither
did she think of giving it back to him.
On coming out from Sara's apartments,
Miko-Miko was stopped by Henri, who in
his turn took him to his rooms to inspect
his stock. Henri bought nothing at that
moment, but gave Miko-Miko to under-
stand that, being on the point of marrying
his cousin, he wanted some of the choicest
knick-knacks which the dealer could pro-
cure for him.
This double visit to the girl and her
served for the slaves. Last of all, you
saw on the left the side entrance leading
to the Rue de la Conudie, and on the
had right a path leading to a little staircase
and winding on until it reached the lane,
planted with trees, which formed a terrace
opposite the Theatre.
From this, if you have followed clearly
the description we have just given, you
will see that the summer-house was
separated from the main body of the house
by the passage. Now, as this summer-
house was Sara's favourite retreat, and as
she spent the greater part of her time
there, the reader will permit us to add
a few words to what we have already
said in a preceding chapter.
This summer-house had four fronts,
although it was itself visible only on three
sides, since the fourth side abutted on to
the Negroes' quarters. The other three
overlooked, one, the Entrance Court
planted with mango-trees, China lilies,
and the dragon's-blood ; another, the
passage leading to the little staircase
the third overlooked a large wood-yard,
almost deserted while the wood-yard, in
;

cousin had given Miko-Miko the opportu- its turn, overlooked, on one side, the
nity of examining the house in detail. same stream which flowed past one flank
Now, as Miko-]\Iiko, among the bumps of M. de Malmedie's house on the other,
;

that adorned his bare skull, had the bump
of locality developed in the highest degree,
he had perfectly retained in his memory
the arrangements of the buildings con-
stituting M. de Malmedie's house.
The house had three entrances :
—
one
which led, as we have said, by a bridge
the lane planted with trees,which was about
twelve feet above the level of the wood-
yard. Leaning against this lane were
two or three buildings the roofs of which,
slightly inclined, offered an easy access to
anybody who, from any motive, should
desire to avoid the public path and slip
 — ;

GEORGES 79

down unobserved from the lane into the compel him to return on board. His sig-
wood-yard. nal had been observed, and Jacques had
The summer-house had three windows no doubt but that in two hours the boat
and a door leading, as we have said, into that had brought him ashore would be
the Court. One of thewindows was ready to take him back.
close to this door, the second looked on to Poor old M. Munier had done all he
the passage, and the third on to the wood- could to keep his son with him, but Jacques
yard. had answered quietly :

During Miko-Miko's narrative Georges " It isimpossible, father."

smiled thrice, but with very different ex-
pressions first, when his messenger told
; which he said
him that Sara had kept the card secondly, ;
when he mentioned Henri's marriage
with his cousin lastly, on hearing that it
;
was possible to enter the summer-house
by the window facing the wood-yard.
Georges put pencil and paper in front
of ]\Iiko-Miko, and, while the latter, to
make things doubly sure, drew a plan of
the house, Georges took up a pen and be-
gan to write a letter.
This letter and the plan of the house
were completed simultaneously.
Then Georges got up and fetched from
his room a wonderful little Buhl cabinet,
worthy of having belonged to Madame de
Pompadour, placed inside it the letter he
had just written, locked the cabinet, and
handed both to Miko-Miko, giving him
his instructions. Miko-Miko next re-
ceived another doubloon in payment for
the fresh commission he was about to
undertake, and then, balancing his bam-
boo rod on his shoulder once more, took
the road to the town at the same pace at
which he had come, which would bring
him to Sara's abode in somewhere about
four hours.
Just as Miko-Miko had disappeared
from sight at the end of the avenue of
trees leading to the plantation, Jacques
and his father entered through a gate be-
hind. Georges, who had been on the
point of starting to meet them, was sur-
prised at their quick return but Jacques
; although the tide was still on the ebb
had seen in the skies signs that foretold a
storm, and though he had absolute confi-
dence in M. Tete-de-Fer, his Lieutenant,
he was much too fond of the Calypso to
entrust her safety to another in such a
crisis. So he came back to bid his
brother good-bye for, from the top of the
; any one but a sailor, betokened only an
Montague dii Pouce, which he had
climbed to see if the Calypso still remained
at her station, he had seen her tacking
about at nearly two miles distance from
the shore, and had then made the signal
arranged between the Lieutenant and
himself, in case circumstances should
And the firm, though tender, manner in
thishad convinced the old
man that his son had fully made up his
mind, so he pressed him no further.
As for Georges, he so thoroughly en-
tered into the motive which took Jacques
back on board, that he did not even
attempt to dissuade him from his purpose.
Only, he declared that he and his father
would go with him as far as the ridge of
the Pieterbot, from the opposite side of
which they could see Jacques embark,
and, once on the sea, follow him with their
eyes as far as the ship.
Jacques accordingly started accom-
panied by Georges and his father, and the
three, taking paths known only to sports-
men, reached the source of the Riviere
dcs CaJchasses. There Jacques took
leave of his father and brother, whom he
had seen for so short a time, giving a
solemn promise to visit them again before
long.
An hour later, the boat had left the shore
with Jacques, who, loyal to the love which
a sailor feels for his ship, went back to
save the Calypso or perish with her.
The moment Jacques was on board, the
schooner, which had been tacking to and
fro off shore till then, headed for the lie
de Sable, and sheered off to the Northward
as quick as possible.
Meanwhile sky and sea had assumed a
more and more threatening aspect. The
sea roared loudly and was visibly rising,
while the sky, as though wishing to rival
the ocean, rolled along hurrying masses of
clouds that parted suddenly to give pass-
age to squalls of wind varying from
east-south-east to south-east and south-
south-east.These symptoms, however, to
ordinary tempest. Several times previously
during the year the aspect of things had
appeared as threatening without being
followed by any catastrophe. But on
entering the house, Georges and his father
were obliged to acknowledge how saga-
cious the prognostications of Jacques had
 —
;;

8o GEORGES
been. The mercury
in the barometer had cabinet and promising to return with the
sunk below twenty-eight inches.
to key.
Pierre Munier at once ordered the over- Ten minutes later, while the girl, with
seer to have all the stalks of the manioc childish eagerness and curiosity was turn-
cut in order to protect the roots, which, ing the wonderful cabinet backwards and
if this precaution is neglected, are nearly forwards. Bijou entered and gave her the
always torn up from the ground and key, which Miko-Miko had been satisfied to
carried off by the wind. send by the hands of a Negro-messenger.
Georges, in his turn, ordered Ali to Little mattered it to Sara how the key
have Antrim saddled by eight o'clock. reached her, so long as it did reach her
On hearing this order Pierre Munier so she took it from the hands of Bijou,
started. who withdrew quickly to close all the
" What do you want your horse saddled shutters of the house that were
for ? " he asked in alarm. threatened by the storm. Sara, left alone,
*'
I have to be at the town at ten, father," hastened to open the cabinet, which, as we
answered Georges. know, contained nothing but a piece of
" But, my poor lad, it is impossible " paper, not even sealed, but folded in four.
!

cried the old man. Georges had anticipated everything, and

must, father," said Georges.
*'
I made every calculation.
And in the tone of these words, as in Sara must be alone at the moment
those of Jacques, the unhappy father when she discovered the letter, and the
recognised such a determination, that he letter must be open so that Sara could
dropped his head with a sigh and insisted not send it back and say that she had not
no further. read it.
Meanwhile Miko-Miko was fulfilling Accordingly Sara, seeing she was quite
his mission. alone, hesitated for a moment guessing,
;

No sooner did he reach Port-Louis however, from whom the letter came, and
than he made for M. de Malm6die's carried away by curiosity, by love, in
house, now doubly open to him owing to short, by the thousand feelings which
the order given by Henri. He presented surge in a young girl's bosom, she could
himself this time with even more not resist the desire to see what Georges
confidence, since in passing the harbour had written to her, but with much agita-
he had seen M. de Malmedie and his son tion and a great deal of blushing, took the
occupied in watching the ships riding at letter, unfolded it, and read as follows :

anchor, whose skippers, in expectation of

the threatening storm, were laying out " Sara,
extra anchors. Accordingly he entered *'
I have no need to tell you I love
the house without fear of being disturbed you, for you know it the dream of my
;

by anybody while transacting his business, life has been to find a companion like
and Bijou, who had seen Miko-Miko that yourself. Now there are exceptional
same morning in conference with his cases, supreme in one's life, when all the
young master as well as with her whom conventionalities of society break down in
he already regarded as his young the presence of an overwhelming necessity.
mistress, took him straight to Sara, who, " Sara, do you love me ?
as usual, was in the summer-house. " Weigh carefully what your life with M.
As Georges had anticipated, among all de Malmedie will be, weigh carefully what
the fresh objects which the dealer offered your life will be with me.
to the curiosity of the young Creole, the " With him, the respect of all men.
charming Buhl cabinet at once attracted "With me, the scorn of all men, except—
her notice. Sara took it up, turned it the few able to rise superior to deeply-
round and round, and, having admired the rooted prejudice.
outside, wished to examine it within, and " Only, I repeat, I love you, more than
asked for the key to open it, upon which any man on earth has ever loved you, or
Miko-Miko pretended to search for it ever will. I know that M. de Malmedie
everywhere, but without success. Finally is hurrying on the hour when he will
he intimated by signs that he had not become your husband. There is, then,
got it, and had doubtless forgotten it at no time to be lost you are free, Sara
;

home, but would go and fetch it so he lay your hand on your heart, and decide
;

went off at once leaving behind the between M. Henri and myself.
 "" —
GEORGES 8i

" Your answer I shall hold sacred as a all became still again, but it was that
mother's commands. This evening, at oppressive stillness that seems the agony
ten o'clock, I shall be at the summer- of gasping Nature. Sara looked out into
house to receive it. ^, _ ,,
the Courtyard and saw the mango-trees
" Georges. shivering as though they were endowed
Sara glanced around her in terror. It with feeling and had a presentiment of
seemed as though on turning round, she the coming struggle between wind, earth
would see Georges. and sky, while the China lilacs drooped
At this moment the door opened and, their flowers sadly towards the ground.
instead of Georges, Sara saw Henri At this sight the girl was seized with
appear she hid the letter in her bosom.
; deadly terror, and clasped her hands
Henri generally, as we have seen, chose together, murmuring :

unfortunate times for his interviews with " Oh God protect him." !

his cousin, and on this occasion he was no At this instant Sara heard her Uncle's
more happily inspired than usual. It voice calling her, and opened the door.
was an inopportune moment for appear- " Sara," said M. de Malmedie, " Sara,
ing before Sara, taken up as she was with come here, my child, you won't be safe in
her thoughts of another. the summer-house."
" Forgive me, Sara dear," said Henri, " Here I am. Uncle," said the girl,
*'
for coming in thus unannounced, but it shutting the door and turning the key
seems to me, whatever you may think after her, lest any one should go in in her
about it, that, situated as we are, and absence.
going to be, in a fortnight, man and wife, But instead of joining Henri and his
such freedom is permissible. Besides, I father, Sara went into her own room. A
have come to tell you that, if you have moment later M.de Malmedie came to see
any nice flowers outside that you care for what she was doing there, and found her
particularly, you would do well to bring on her knees before the crucifix at the
them indoors." foot of her bed.
" Why ?
" asked Sara. " What are you doing there," said he,
" Don't you see there is a storm brew- " instead of coming to have your tea with
"
ing, and that it would be better for flowers, us ?

as well as for people, to be indoors than " Uncle," answered Sara, " I am pray-
out to-night ? ing for all wayfarers abroad to-night."
" Oh good heavens " cried Sara,
! !
" Oh indeed," said M. de Malmedie.
!

thinking of Georges, " will there be any
danger then ?
*'
Not for those of us who have solid
houses," said Henri *'
but for the poor
; " Heaven grant it, Uncle," said Sara.
wretches who live in huts or who have
business in the streets, yes; and I
shouldn't like to be in their place."
" Do you really think so, Henri ? "
" Think so ? by George, I do There, !
" I am sure there won't be a man in the
whole island such a fool as to stir out of
doors in this weather."
And she continued her prayers.
There was, in fact, no longer room for
doubt that the event which Jacques,
sailor as he was, had foretold at a glance,
w^as to be accomplished one of those
;

"
do you hear ? terrible hurricanes, which are the terror
"
" What ? of the Colonies, threatened the Isle of
" The cypresses in the Jardin de la France. Night, as we have said, had
Compagnie." come on with alarming swiftness, but the
" Yes, I hear. They are moaning it is ; lightning flashes followed each other with
"
a sure sign of tempest, is it not ? such rapidity and brightness that this
" And look at the sky, how black it is. darkness was replaced by a blue, livid
So, I repeat, Sara, if you have any flowers light which gave to all objects the sickly
to bring in, you have no time to lose I am ; hue of those extinct worlds which Byron
going to shut up my dogs in the kennels." represents Cain as visiting under the
And Henri went out to put his pack guidance of Satan. Each of the short
under shelter from the storm. intervals during which the almost
Night, in truth, was coming on with incessant lightning allowed the darkness to
unusual rapidity, for the sky was covered reign was filled with heavy peals of
with great, black clouds from time to ; thunder, which, starting from behind the
time gusts of wind shook the house, then mountains, seemed to roll over their
82 GEORGES
slopes, passed above the town and died off like lightning without Georges even
away depths of the horizon. Then,
in the noticing his father, who, to avoid losing
as Ave have said, mighty gusts of wind sight of his favourite son sooner than he
followed the travelling thunder-claps and could help it, had partly opened the door,
passed over in their turn, bowing as if and followed him with his eyes until he
they had been willow rods the stoutest disappeared at the end of the avenue
trees, which rose up again slowly and leading up to the house.
fearfully, only to bend and moan and sigh It was, indeed, wonderful to see the
once more beneath some fresh squall, intrepid rider borne along as rapidly as
ever fiercer than the preceding one. the hurricane through which he passed,
It was especially in the centre of the overleaping space, like Faust hurrying to
Island, in the district of Moka and the the Brocken on his infernal steed. All
Williams plains, that the hurricane, as if around him were disorder and confusion.
delighting in its liberty, was grandest to Nothing was to be heard save the crash
behold. Pierre Munier was therefore of trees, broken by the beating of the
doubly terrified at seeing Jacques start storm. Sugar-canes and manioc plants
off and Georges ready to start as Avell, torn from their roots were flying through
but, always feeble in presence of any the air like feathers carried by the wind.
moral force, the poor father had yielded, Birds, surprised in their sleep and whirled
and, though shuddering at the roaring of away in a flight which they could not
the wind, turning pale at the growling of control, wheeled round Georges, uttering
the thunder, and starting at each fresh shrill cries, while occasionally a terrified
lightning flash, did not even attempt to stag crossed the road swift as an arrow.
keep Georges back. As for the young Georges was now happy, for he felt his
man, you would have said that he rose to heart swell with pride he alone was
;

greater heights of hardihood, the nearer calm amidst this universal confusion, and,
he approached the danger. In contrast while all around him was bending and
to his father, at each threatening roar he breaking, he alone pursued his course
raised his head ;at each flash of towards the goal determined by his will,
lightning he smiled you would have suffering nothing to turn him from his
;

said that he who had hitherto battled in path, or divert him from his purpose.
every human strife, longed, like Don He went on thus for about an hour,
Juan, to battle with his Creator. leaping over trunks of fallen trees, streams
So when the hour for his departure had that had swollen into torrents, and rocks
arrived, with that inflexible determination that had been torn from their roots and
which was the distinctive result of the rolled down from the mountain-top then ;

—
education we will not say which he had he perceived the sea, tossing its dark
received, but which he had given him- waves, foaming and roaring, as it beat
self — Georges approached his father and with terrific din against the shore, as
gave him his hand, and, without seeming though the hand of God could no longer
to understand the old man's reluctance, restrain it. Georges reached the foot of the
went out with as firm a step and as com- Montague dcs Signaux; he turned its
posed a face as though he were leaving base, still carried onwards by his steed's
the house in quite ordinary circumstances. impetuous career, crossed the Pont
At the door he met Ali who, with the Bourgeois, turned to the right up the
passive obedience of Orientals, was holding Rue de la Cute-d'Or, passed behind
Antrim ready saddled. The son of the the walls of the Quarticr and, crossing
desert neighed and reared as though he the rampart, descended by the Rue de
sniffed the hiss of the Simoon, or the roar la Ranipe into the Jardin de la Com-
of the Khamsin ; but, on hearing his pagnie. Thence making his way
rider's well-known voice, seemed to calm through the deserted streets in the midst
down, and turned his wild eye and foam- of fragments of fallen chimneys, tottering
ing nostrils towards him. Georges patted walls, and flying tiles, he followed the
him for a moment on the shoulder, and Rue de la Coniedie, then turned sharp to
spoke a few words in Arabic then, with the right up the Rue du Gouverncnient,
;

the lightness of a perfect horseman, plunged into the blind alley opposite the
jumped into the saddle without the aid Theatre, jumped down from his horse,
of the stirrup. At the same moment Ali opened the wicket which separated the
let go of the bridle, and Antrim dashed alley from the lane planted with trees,
 " -

GEORGES 83

that overlooked j\I. de Malmedie's house, on, Sara thought she heard a horse
closed the gate to behind him, and threw neighing.
his bridle over Antrim's neck, who, having Then she got up suddenly her resolve ;

no outlet, could not run away. Then, was taken. The man who through the
letting himself slide down the roofs abut- midst of such dangers, when the bravest
ting on the lane, and jumping from them were quaking in their houses, came to her
to the ground, he found himself in the across uprooted forests, swollen torrents,
wood-yard, into which opened the windows yawning gulfs, and all to say " I love you,
of the summer-house we have already Sara do you love me ? " this man was
!

described. truly worthy of her. And if Georges had

Meanwhile, Sara was in her room, lis- done this, Georges who had saved her life,
tening to the roaring of the gale, crossing then she belonged to Georges as he be-
herself at each flash of lightning, praying longed to her. It was no longer a resolu-
unceasingly, calling upon the tempest, for tion formed by her free will a hand ;

she hoped that the tempest might stop divine bowed her, without her being able
Georges. Then starting suddenly as she to resist it, beneath a pre-ordained destiny;
told herself that when a man such as her it was no longer hers to choose her lot,

lover says that he will do a thing, do it he
will, though the whole world should fall
upon his head. Then she besought God
to calm the v/ind and quench the lightning;
she saw Georges crushed beneath some
tree, overwhelmed by some rock, rolling
at the bottom of some torrent and she
; herself at the corner of the square Court-
realised in alarm how strong and swift an
influence her rescuer had acquired over
her she felt that all resistance to what so
; of the summer-house so as not to be blown
attracted her was useless, that all struggle,
in short, was vain against that love, born
but the day before, yet already so powerful.
She knew her poor heart could but
struggle and groan, acknowledging it-
self vanquished without having so much
as tried to show fight.
As the hour advanced, Sara's excitement
became more intense. With eyes fixed
on the clock, she followed the movement
of the hands, and a voice whispered in her
heart that, as the hand marked each mi-
nute, Georges was coming nearer. The
hand pointed in succession to nine o'clock,
half-past nine, a quarter to ten, and the
storm, far from diminishing, became every
but passively to obey her fate.
Then with that firmness imparted by a
crisis, Sara quitted her room, reached the
end of the corridor, descended by the little
outer staircase we have mentioned, which
seemed to quake beneath her feet, found
yard,went on, stumbling against fragments
at each step, and leaning against the wall
down by the wind, until she reached the
door. At the moment she turned the
handle, the lightning flashed, showing her
the mango-trees all twisted, the lilacs dis-
hevelled, her flowers crushed; then only
did she fully realise the depths of the
convulsion in which Nature was struggling,
and thought that perhaps she would wait
in vain, and that Georges would not come,
not because he feared to come, but because
he was dead. In face of this idea, every-
thing disappeared, and Sara quickly en-
tered the summer-house.
" Thank you, Sara," said a voice that
startled her to the depths of her heart,
"thank you Oh! I was not mistaken
!
;

moment more appalling. The house you love me, Sara bless you a hundred
;

shook to its foundations you would have

;
times !

thought each instant that the wind would And Sara a hand that grasped her
felt
tear it from its base. P^om time to time,
own, a heart beating against hers, a breath
midst the wail of the cypresses and the that mingled with her breath. An un-
known sensation, rapid, devouring, ran
cries of the Negroes, whose huts, less solid
than the houses of the Whites, were de- through all her frame panting, distracted, ;

molished by the breath of a hurricane just

bending over her as a flower bends upon
as a child blows down the house of cardsits stalk, she fell upon Georges' shoulder,
which he has erected, you could hear, having exhausted, in the struggle which
in answer to the thunder, the mournful she had maintained for two hours, all the
appeal of some building in distress im- strength that she possessed, and only able
ploring help that no human being could to murmur : —
render it. " Georges! Georges! have pity on me " !

Among all these various sounds that Georges understood this appeal from
echoed the destruction that was going weakness to strength, from the modesty
 " — ;

84 GEORGES
of the girl to the loyalty of her lover. It on the He des Tonneliers. Lastly, one
may be he had come with a different object, had sunk in the harbour and perished,
but he felt from that moment Sara was crew and cargo, without any one being able
his that any favour obtained from the
; to afford her the slightest assistance.
maid would be so much ravished from the Onland, the destruction was no less
bride, and, though quivering himself with great. Few of the houses of Port- Louis
love, desire, and happiness, contented him- had altogether escaped the terrible
himself with drawing her closer to the win- cataclysm. Nearly all such as were
dow to see her by the flash of the light- covered with shingles, slates, tiles, copper
ning, and, laying his head on that of the or tin, had had their roofs carried away.
young Creole, said :
Only those which were terminated by
" You are mine, Sara, are you not ? argamasses, that is to say, by terraces in
"
mine for life ? the Indian fashion, had offered a complete
" Oh ! yes, yes, for hfe !
" murmured resistance. So, next morning the streets
the girl. were found strewed with fragments, and
" Nothing shall ever part us, but some of the buildings were only kept
death ?
upright upon their foundations by the
" Nothing but death." aid of numerous struts.
" You swear it, Sara ? " All the stands erected on the Champ-de-
" By my mother Georges " Mars in preparation for the races had been
! !

" Good " said the young man, tremb- blown down. Two heavy guns belonging to
!

ling both with joy and pride. " From the Battery near the Grand-Riviere, had
this moment you are my wife, Sara, and been overturned by the wind and were
woe to him who tries to rob me of found in the morning lying in an opposite
"
you ! direction to that in which they had been
At these words Georges pressed his left the evening before.
lips on those of the girl, and, dreading The interior of the Island presented an
doubtless lest he should no longer control aspect no less deplorable. What was
himself in the presence of such love, and left of the harvest, which happily had been
youth, and beauty, dashed into the neigh- almost all got in, had been torn up out of
bouring room, the window of which, like the ground in several places whole acres ;

that of the summer-house, overlooked the of forest presented the appearance of

wood-yard, and disappeared. wheat laid by the hail. Scarcely any tree
At this moment there was such a standing by itself had been able to resist
deafening peal of thunder that Sara fell the hurricane, and even the tamarinds,
upon her knees. Almost immediately the those pre-eminently flexible trees, had
door of the summer-house opened and been broken off short, a thing hitherto —
M. de IMalmedie and Henri entered. regarded as an impossibility.
The house of M. de Malmedie, one of
the highest in Port-Louis, had suffered
greatly. There had even been a moment
when the shocks had been so violent, that
M. de Malmedie and his son determined
to seek refuge in the summer-house,
CHAPTER XVI which, being built entirely of stone, with
only one storey, and sheltered by the
A MOMENTOUS INTERVIEW terrace, evidently afforded less hold to the
wind. Henri had therefore run to his
DURING the night the hurricane cousin's room, but, finding it empty, con-
cluded that Sara, like his father and him-
ceased, but was not until the it

next morning that the havoc due to it
could be properly estimated.
Many of the ships lying in the harbour
had sustained very considerable damage
several had been dashed against one
another and seriously injured.
The majority had been dismasted and
swept bare like sheer hulks two or three
had dragged their
self, had thought of seeking refuge in the
summer-house, where, upon going down,
they found her. The reason for her being
there was quite natural, and her terror
required no excuse. Consequently neither
father nor son suspected for a moment the
cause which had made Sara leave her
; room, but assigned it to a feeling of fear,
anchors and grounded from which thev themselves had not been
 GEORGES
exempt. Towards dawn, as we have said,
the tempest lulled. But, though nobody
had slept all night, they dared not seek
repose as yet, and each individual occupied
himself in examining what amount of
personal loss would fall upon him. The
Governor, on his side, as soon as it was
light, visited all the streets in the town,
putting the garrison at the disposal of the
inhabitants'. The was that, even
result
before night fell, some portion of the
traces left by the catastrophe had dis-
appeared.
Everybody was doing his very best to
restore to Port-Louis the aspect it had
worn the day before, inasmuch as the Each band ordinarily celebrates the festi-
festival of the Yamse, one of the greatest val in its own Avay with the greatest
solemnities in the Isle of France, was amount of display and splendour possible,
approaching. Now
as this festival, the trying to outshine its rival the result is;
name of whichprobably unknown in
is
Europe, is intimately connected with the
events of this story, we ask the reader's
permission to make a few introductory
remarks on the subject, which are neces-
sary for our purpose.
Everybody knows that the great Maho-
metan family is divided into two sects,
not merely different, but even hostile;
namely, the Siinnite and the Shyife. The
one, to which the Arab and Turkish
populations belong, recognise Abu-Bekr,
Omar and Osman as the legitimate suc-
cessors of Mahomet the other, consisting
; jealousies, and had united, so as to form
of the Persians and Mussulman inhabi-
tants of India, look upon the three Caliphs
as usurpers, and assert that AH, the son-
in-law and minister of the Prophet, had
the sole right to his political and religious
inheritance. In the course of the long
wars waged by the pretenders, Hosein,
All's son, was seized, near the town of
Kerbela, by a band of soldiers sent by
Omar in pursuit of him, and the young
Prince, together with sixty of his re-
latives who accompanied him, was
massacred after a heroic defence.
It is the anniversary of this ill-fated
event which is celebrated every year with
a solemn festival by the Mahometans of
India, and is called the Yamse, from a
corruption of the cries of "Va Hosein!
!
6 Hosein " repeated in chorus by the
Persians. They have, moreover, trans-
formed the festival as well as the name,
by introducing into it certain customs
of their native country and ceremonies
belonging to their ancient religion.
Well, it was on the following Monday,
being the day of the full moon, that the
85
Lascars, who represent the Indian Shyites
in the Isle of France, were to celebrate
the Yamse according to their custom, and
to afford the Colony the spectacle of this
strange ceremony, which was looked
forward to with even greater curiosity
than in preceding years.
In fact an unwonted circumstance was
to render the festival on this occasion
more magnificent than it had ever been
before. The Lascars are divided into
two bands, the Lascars of the sea and
the Lascars of the land those of the sea
;
being distinguished by their green robes,
and those of the land by their white robes.
an emulation which resolves itself into
disputes, and the disputes degenerate into
quarrels. Then the sea Lascars, who
are poorer but more courageous than
those of the land, often avenge themselves
for the financial superiority of their oppo-
nents with sticks and sometimes even
with swords, and the police are obliged
to interfere to prevent fatal results.
But this year, thanks to the active
intervention of an unknown merchant
who was inspired no doubt by religious
zeal, the two parties had abandoned their
but one body. Accordingly, as we have
had been generally spread
said, the report
abroad that the solemnity would be at
once more peaceful and more brilliant
than in preceding years.
You can readily understand that, in a
place where there is so little diversion as
in the Isle of France, this festival, always
regarded with curiosity, even by those
who have witnessed it from childhood, is
awaited with impatience. For three
months beforehand it is the chief topic of
conversation, and people talk of nothing
else but the gouhn, which is to be the
chief ornament of the fete.
The said gouhn is a kind of pagoda
made of bamboo, consisting generally of
three storeys one above the other, each
narrower than the one below, and covered
with paper of all colours. Each of these
storeys is constructed in a separate hut,
square like itself, one of its four sides
being eventually demolished to admit of
the edifice inside being removed. These
three floors are then placed inside a
fourth hut, high enough to allow of their
 ;

86 GEORGES
being erected one above the other. The
whole fabric is then joined together with
ropes, and the finishing touch put both
to its general appearance and its several
details. INIoreover, in order to arrive at
a result worthy of the proposed structure,
the Lascars often four months before-
hand search the whole Colony through
for the most skilful workmen Hindoos,
; ceased, and arrived in the course of the
Chinese, free blacks and black slaves, are
all put under contribution. Only instead
of paying these last their daily wage, it is
handed over to their masters.
Among all the individual losses which
each inhabitant had to deplore the news
was received with general delight that the
house containing the goulin, which had
already reached a state of completion, had
escaped all damage, sheltered as it was
behind a spur of the Montague dii Ponce.
Nothing then would be wanting this
year to the festival, which the Governor,
in celebration of his arrival, had
supplemented by public races, reserving
to himself with aristocratic liberality
the right of giving the prizes, on condition
that owners should ride their own horses,
after the fashion of gentlemen riders in
—
Henriette," whose return to Port-Louis
we have not had the opportunity, amid
such grave incidents, to mention, had —
been so alarmed during the night of the
storm that, although not yet recovered
from the effects of the incident that had
so agitated her, she had started from the
Riviere Noire as soon as the gale had
day at Port- Louis, where she had now
been for two days in the company of her
young charge, whose unaccustomed ab-
sentmindedness was beginning, as we
said, to cause her serious uneasiness.
The fact is that during the last three
days a great change had taken place in
the girl's life. From the moment when
she saw Georges for the first time, the face
and appearance, nay, even the very voice,
of the handsome young fellow had dwelt
in her heart. Then, with an involuntary
sigh, she had thought more than once of
her future marriage with Henri, a mar-
riage to which, for the last ten years, she
had given her tacit consent, owing to the
fact that she had never expected that cir-
cumstances could arise which would render
it an obligation impossible for her to fulfil.

England. But from the day of the banquet with the

So, as you see, everything concurred Governor, she had felt that to take her
to make the pleasure to which all were cousin as a husband would be to condemn
looking forward soon efface the disagree- herself to perpetual unhappiness. Finally,
able experience which they had just gone there came a time, as we have seen, when
through. not only had this fear become a conviction,
Sara, contrary to her wont, absorbed as but when she had given a solemn promise
she was by thoughts unknown to those to Georges that she would never belong
about her, appeared to take no interest in to any one but him. Well, you will allow
a solemnity which, in previous years, had that here was a situation calculated to
given her a much appreciated opportunity make a girl of sixteen reflect seriously,
of exhibiting her fascinations. and to make her regard as of less import-
For the whole aristocracy of the Isle of ance all those fetes and amusements which
France was in the habit of appearing at hitherto she had looked upon as the chief
the races, as well as at the Yamse, either events of her life.
in stands expressly erected or in open Neither had M. de IMalmedie and his
carriages ; in either case it was an son been free from anxiety during the last
opportunity for the handsome Creoles of five or six days. Sara's refusal to dance
Port-Louis to air their showy elegance. with anyone else from the time she declined
Naturally, therefore, it created surprise to dance with Georges, her retirement from
that Sara, on whom the announcement of the ball when it was just opening, whereas
a ball or any spectacle whatsoever as a rule she was the last to come away
generally produced such an impression, her persistent silence, whenever her cousin
now remained so indifferent to what was or her uncle broached the question of her
going on. Henrietta herself, who had coming marriage, all this seemed to them
brought the girl up, and could read her unnatural. Accordingly they had both
mind to its depths, as though it were the decided that the preparations for the wed-
clearest crystal, could not make her out ding should go forward without saying
at all, and became lost in thought on the anything more about it to Sara, and that
subject. she should only be informed, when every-
Let us hasten to say that *'
ma mie thing was in readiness. This course was
 —
GEORGES 87

all the easier, inasmuch as no definite time M. de Malmedie and his son looked at
had ever been fixed for the marriage, while one another with increasing astonish-
Sara, who had just reached the age of ment then ]\I. de Malmedie, feeling that
;

sixteen, was quite old enough to fulfil the the situation must be put an end to,
purpose which M.de Malmedie had always said :

entertained with regard to her. **

Show them in."
All these individual anxieties constituted Lord Murray and Georges entered,
a general pre-occupation, Avhich had for both dressed in dark coats, which denoted
three or four days imparted a coolness and a visit of ceremony.
a feeling of constraint to the meetings M. de Malmedie took a step or two
which took place between the difTerent towards them, while Sara rose blushing,
persons who lived in M. de Malmedie's and, after a timid bow, sat down again,
house. These meetings generally occurred or rather fell down again on her chair,
four times a day in the morning, at the and Henrietta, noticing the thoughtless
;

breakfast hour at two o'clock, which was act which her astonishment had caused,
;

the hour for dinner at five, which was hastily turned the tap of the urn.
;

the tea hour and at nine, which was the

; Bijou, at a sign from his master,
time for supper. brought forward two arm-chairs, but
For three days Sara had requested and Georges bowed to indicate that they
obtained breakfast in her own room. At were unnecessary, and that he would
this meal embarrassment and constraint, stand.
saved up, as it were, from the previous " Sir," said the Governor, addressing
day, always prevailed but there still re- M. de Malmedie, "here is M. Georges
;

mained three daily meetings which she Munier, who has begged me to accompany
could not avoid, except by making illness him to your house, and support by my
her excuse. Well, this excuse could not presence a request which he has to make
last for very long, so Sara hardened her of you. As I am sincerely anxious that
heart, and came down at the accustomed this request should be granted, I have
hours. thought I ought not to refuse to take this
On the third day after the storm, Sara step which, besides, procures me the
was seated accordingly at five o'clock in honour of seeing you." The Governor
the large drawing-room, working near the bowed, and the two men answered by a
window at some embroidery which ne- similar movement.
cessitated her keeping her eyes lowered " Weare under an obligation to M.
Henrietta was giving to the teamaking Georges Munier," said I\L de Malmedie
all the attention which English ladies at last " we shall therefore be delighted
;

usually bestow on that important oc- to be of service to him in any way."

cupation, and M. de Malmedie and his " If you mean by that, sir," answered
son were standing before the fire-place Georges, " to allude to the pleasure I have
talking in low tones, when suddenly the had m
savmg Mademoiselle from the
door opened and Bijou announced Lord danger in which she was placed, allow me
Murray and M. Georges Munier. to declare to you that all the gratitude is
This double announcement affected due from me to God, who brought me
each of those present differently, as you there to do what any one else would have
will readily understand. MM. de Mal- done in my place. Besides," added
medie, thinking they had heard wrongly, Georges, with a smile, " you will see
made Bijou repeat the names. Sara presently that my conduct on that occa-
blushed and lowered her head over her sion was not free from selfishness."
work, while Henrietta, who had just " Excuse me, sir, but I do not under-
opened the tap of the tea-urn, was so stand you," said Henri.
confused that, occupied in looking suc- " Make your mind easy, sir," replied
cessively at the MM, de Malmedie, Sara, Georges, " you will not be long in doubt of
and Bijou, she let the boiling water over- my meaning, which I am about to explain
flow,which now began to trickle from the clearly."
urn over the table and from the table to " We
are listening to you, sir."
the ground. " Shall I retire, Uncle ? " asked Sara.
Bijou repeated the names he had already " If I dared hope," said Georges, half
pronounced, accompanying them with the turning and with a bow, " that a wish
most agreeable smile he could assume. expressed by me would influence you,
 — ! " ;!

88 GEORGES
Mademoiselle, I would beg you, on the " But my
cousin does not love you,
contrary, to remain." sir," Henri, allowing his natural
cried
Sara sat down again. There was a impetuosity to carry him away.
moment's then M. de Malmedie
silence ;
" You are mistaken, sir," answered
indicated by a gesture that he was waiting. Georges, " and I am authorised by
" Monsieur," said Georges in a per- Mademoiselle to tell you that she does
fectly calm tone, " you know me, you love me."
know my family, you know my fortune. " By her by her " cried M. de Mal-
! !

"
I am worth at this moment two million medie. " Impossible !

francs. Forgive my entering into these " Why, cousin, do you dare ? " . . .

details,but they are unavoidable." cried Henri, moving towards Sara with a
" All the same, sir, I must confess," gesture that looked like a threat.
replied Henri, •' that I fail to see how they Georges moved forward the Governor ;

can interest us." restrained him.

" Well, it is not as a matter of
you that I am
speaking, sir," said
Georges, preserving the same calmness
of voice and demeanour, while Henri
showed a visible impatience, " but to your
father."
" Allow me to tell you, sir, that I do not
see that my father, either, requires such
information."
" You will understand it presently, sir,"
replied Georges coldly.
Then, fixing his eyes upon M. de
fact to " I now repeat unflinchingly," said
Sara, answering her cousin's gesture by a
look of supreme contempt, " what I have
already said to M. Georges. The life
which he has saved is his, and I will
never belong to any other but him."
And, at these words, with a gesture
full of grace and dignity, the gesture of
a Queen, she extended her hand to
Georges, who bent over it and placed a
kiss there.
" Ah this is too much " cried Henri,
! !

Malmedie, he continued :
lifting a cane which he held in his hand.
" I have come to ask you for the hand But Lord Murray checked Henri, as he
of Mademoiselle Sara." had already checked Georges.
" For whom ? " asked M. de Malmedie. As for Georges, he contented himself
" For myself, sir," answered Georges. with a contemptuous smile at Henri, and
" For yourself " cried Henri, making then led Sara to the door, bowing once
!

a movement which the young Mulatto more. Sara, in her turn, bowed, signed
checked by a stern look. to Henrietta to follow her, and went out
Sara turned pale. with her. Georges came back.
"For yourself?" asked M. de Mal- " You have seen what has passed, sir,"
medie. said he to Sarah's Uncle. " You no
" For myself, sir," replied Georges with longer doubt the feelings which
a bow. Mademoiselle entertains towards me. I
" But,"_ cried M. de Malmedie, " you venture then to ask you a second time for
know quite well, sir, that my niece is a positive answer to the request which I
"
destined for my son ? have the honour to address to you."
" By whom, sir ? " asked the young *'
An answer, sir " cried M. de !

Mulatto in his turn. Malmedie in his turn " an answer ;

" By whom, by whom !Why Have you the audacity to expect that I
. , .

by me," said M. de Malmedie. shall make you any answer than the one
" I would observe to you, sir," replied you deserve ?
Georges, " that Mademoiselle Sara is not " I do not dictate to you, sir, what
your daughter, but only your niece, con- answer you should give me only, be it ;

sequently she owes you only a qualified what it may, 1 beg you to give me one."
obedience." " I should hope you don't expect any-
" But, sir, this whole discussion appears thing but a refusal ? " cried Henri.
to me more than extraordinary," " It is your father I am asking, and not
" Pardon me," said Georges, " it is, on you, sir," answered Georges "allow your ;

the contrary, perfectly natural. I love father to answer me, and we will discuss
Mademoiselle Sara I believe that I am our affairs afterwards."
;

destined to make her happy I am obey- ;

" Well, sir," said M. de Malmedie,
ing at once the desire of my heart and the " understand that I refuse absolutely."
duty imposed by my conscience." " Very well, sir," answered Georges
 — ; —
GEORGES 89

" I answer, but courtesy as long as he remained in sight; then,

expected that
required that I should make you the when he had disappeared at the corner of
application, and I have done so." the Rue de la Ranipe, he shook his head,
And Georges bowed to M. de Malmedie saying to himself sadly :

with the same politeness and ease as if " There is a man going straight to his
nothing had passed between them then, own destruction. It is a pity truly there
; ;

turning to Henri :
was something noble in that heart of his.'
•'
Now, sir," said he, " as regards us
two, if you please. This is the second
time, recollect, at an interval of fourteen
years, that you have lifted your hand
to me, —
the first time with a sword in
it."
He lifted his hair, and pointed with CHAPTER XVn
his finger to the scar which furrowed his
brow. THE RACES
" The second time with that cane."
And he pointed to
Henri held.
the cane which
THE the
festival of the
following
Yamse began on
Saturday, and the
" Well ? " said Henri. town had decked itself, in honour of the
" Well," said Georges, " I demand day, with such bravery that it was hard
satisfaction for these two insults. You to realise that but six days previously it
are a brave man, I know, and I hope that had all but been destroyed.
you will answer as a man the appeal At early morning the Sea Lascars and
which I make to your courage." the Land Lascars, now united in a single
" I am glad, sir, you are acquainted band, started from the Malabar encamp-
with my bravery, though your opinion on ment situated outside the town between
that point is indifferent to me," answered the brook des Pucelles and the Fanfaron
Henri with a sneer " it puts me at my
; brook, and, preceded by barbaric strains
ease in the answer I have to give you." of music from tambourines, flutes and
*'
And what is that answer, sir? " asked jews' harps, took the road to Port-Louis,
Georges. in order to make what is called the guefe,
" The answer is that your second or collection. The two chiefs walked side
request is at least as presumptuous as by side, dressed according to the party
the first. I do not fight with a Mulatto." which they represented, one in a green,
Georges turned deadly pale, yet an the other in a white, robe, and each
inscrutable smile strayed across his lips. carrying a drawn sabre with an orange
" That is your last word ? " he said. fixed upon its point. Behind them walked
" Yes, sir," answered Henri. two Mullahs, each holding in both hands
" Very good, sir," replied Georges a plate filled with sugar and covered with
;

" now I know what I have got to do." leaves of China roses; next, after the
And, saluting M. de Malmedie and his Mullahs came, in fairly good order, the
son, he withdrew, followed by the phalanx of native devotees.
Governor. The collection began at the first houses
**
I warned you how it would be, sir," in the town for, doubtless in a spirit of
;

said Lord Murray, as they reached the equality, the collectors do not despise the
door. smallest huts, the offerings from which,
" And you told me nothing I did not as in the case of the wealthiest houses, are
know already, my lord," answered Georges intended to defray a part of the enormous
" but I have returned here to accomplish expense which all this poor population
a destiny, and I must see it out to the has incurred in order to render the cere-
end. I have a prejudice to combat it mony as splendid as possible.
: Further,
must crush me, or I must kill it. Mean- it must be stated, the method of begging
while, my lord, accept my grateful adopted by the collectors is affected by
thanks." the pride characteristic of Orientals, and,
Georges bowed, and^ grasping the hand far from being low and servile, exhibits
which the Governor held out to him, something noble and touching. After the
crossed the Jardin de la Compagnie. chiefs, to whom all doors are opened,
Lord Murray followed him with his eyes have saluted the owners of the house by
go GEORGES
lowering the points of their sabres before have contested the prize for elegance with
them, the Mullah advances and offers to the parquet fioor of the most sumptuous
the spectators sugar and rose leaves. drawing-room. Her copper-work shone
Meanwhile other natives, selected by the like gold the companion-ladders, carved
;

chiefs, receive in plates the gifts which in the most precious Indian wood, seemed
have been made to them; then they all rather for ornament than for purposes of
withdraw, saying, " Salaam." In this way ordinary utility. As for her guns, you
they seem not so much to receive alms, would have called them guns de luxe,
as to invite those who are strangers to intended more for a museum of artillery
their creed to a symbolic communion, by than for the armoury of a ship.
sharing with them in a fraternal way the —
Captain Van den Broek for such was
expenses of their worship and their the name of the master of this charming
religious offerings. Usually the collection vessel — seemed to know what the business
extends not only, as we have said, to all was which brought the Lascars on board,
the houses in the town, but even to the for he went to the head of the ladder to
ships in the harbour, to solicit from which receive the chief, and, having spoken a few
is the province of the Sea Lascars. But words to him in his own language, which
on this occasion, as regards this last item, proved that this was not the first time he
the collection was much curtailed, the had sailed the Indian seas, placed upon
majority of the vessels having suffered so the plate held out to him, not a piece of
greatly in the hurricane that their Cap- gold, nor a rouleau of silver, but a nice
tains felt more need of help than disposed little diamond worth, perhaps, a hundred
to give it. However, at the very moment louis, apologising for having no other
when the collectors had reached the quay, money at the moment, and begging the
a ship which had been signalled that chief of the Lascars to be satisfied with
morning appeared between the Labour- this offering. This gift so far exceeded
donnaie Redoubt and Fort Blanc, and the anticipations of the worthy adherent
entered the harbour, flying the Dutch of Ali, and was so little in harmony with
flag, with all sails set, saluting the fort the natural thriftiness of the compatriots
which returned her salute gun for gun. of John de Witt, that the chief of the
She must no doubt have been a long way Lascars hesitated a moment, not venturing
from the Island when the hurricane oc- to take such liberality seriously, and it was
curred, for not a rope in her rigging was not until Captain Van den Broek had as-
missing, and she came onward, leaning sured him three or four times over that
over so gracefully the hand of some the diamond v/as really intended for the
marine goddess might have been pushing Shyite band,with whose efforts he declared
her along the surface of the water. From himself fully in sympathy, that the Lascar
a distance, by the aid of glasses, you could thanked him and presented to him with
see her whole crew on deck, in the full his own hands the plate of rose leaves
uniform of King William, as if they had powdered with sugar. The Captain grace-
donned festival costume on purpose to be fully took a small pinch, which he raised
present at the ceremony. So you may to his mouth and pretended to eat, to the
guess that, thanks to its joyous and great satisfaction of the Indians, who did
prosperous appearance, this vessel became not leave the hospitable ship until after
at once the object aimed at by both chiefs. many 'Salaams.' Then they continued their
Consequently, hardly had she cast anchor collection elsewhere, but without finding
ere the leader of the Sea Lascars got into that the story which they told every one of
a boat, and, accompanied by his plate- the fine windfall which had fallen to them
bearers and a dozen of his followers, put from the sky was successful in producing
off towards the vessel, which certainly did a similar donation.
not belie, when seen close at hand, the The day was spent in this way, each
favourable opinion she had inspired at a preparing himself rather for the festival
distance. of the morrow than taking part in the
Indeed, if ever Dutch spruceness, so proceedings of this day, which are only,
famed all the world over, deserved a so to speak, the prologue to the play.
hearty eulogy, it was at the sight of this On the morrow the races were to take
gallant ship, which appeared as the float- place. Now, the ordinary races were
ing embodiment of that spruceness her already a great institution in the Island
; ;

deck washed, sponged and polished might but the present ones, occurring in the
 —
GEORGES 91

midst of the other fetes and, above all, one of the loveliest
loveliest girls, to-day still
being given by the Governor, were going women, in of France, whose
the Isle
to surpass as you may suppose, anything magnificent dark hair has become pro-
of the kind seen before. verbial, even in the salons of Paris lastly,
;

The Champ-de-Mars was, as usual, the there were the six Demoiselles Druhn,
spot chosen for the fete, and all the un- so fair, so white, so fresh, so graceful, that
reserved space had been crowded with the carriage in which they generally drove
sight-seers from early in the morning; for out all together was called the " Basket
although the great race, that of the gentle- of Roses."
men jockeys, was the chief attraction of The Governor's stand might also have
the day, it was by no means the only one. deserved on this particular day the name
It was to be preceded by other events of given on ordinary days to the carriage of
a comic nature, which, for the populace the Demoiselles Druhn. Any one who has
especially, were all the more interesting, not travelled in the Colonies, and who has
inasmuch as they themselves would take not, in particular, visited the Isle of France,
part in them. These introductory sports is unable to form an idea of the charm
were a pig-hunt, a sack race, and a pony and grace of all these Creole faces with
race. The Governor had offered a prize their velvet eyes and jet-black hair, among
for each of these, as he had done for the which were sprinkled, like flowers of the
big race. The winner of the pony race North, some of the pale daughters of
was to receive a splendid double-barrelled England, with their transparent skin,
gun by Manton of the sack race, a fine aerial hair, and swan-like necks.
; In the
umbrella; while the winner in the pig-hunt opinion of the young men, the bouquets
kept the pig itself as a prize. in the hands of all these fair onlookers,
The prize for the great race was a silver- would in all probability have been far
gilt cup of the finest design, and less valu- more valuable prizes than all the cups
able for its material than for its work- by Odiot, all the guns by Manton, and all
manship. the umbrellas by Verdier, which the Gov-
We have said that from early in the ernor, in his magnificent liberality, could
morning the ground open to the public have offered them.
was thronged with spectators, but it was In the front row of Lord Murray's stand
not until about ten o'clock that the fashion- was Sara, placed between M. de Malmedie
able people began to put in an appear- and ma mie Henriette,' while Henri was
'

ance. As in London, Paris, or anywhere,
in short, where there are races, stands
been reserved for the upper ten
whether from caprice, or to avoid being
jumbled up together, the prettiest women
in Port-Louis had decided to attend the
races in their carriages, and, with the ex-
ception of those who had been invited to
its with the Governor, were all drawn up
in line opposite the winning-post or at
points of vantage nearest to him, leaving
the other stands to the townspeople or
inferior merchants.
The young men were, for the most part,
on horseback, ready to follow the runners
in the inner circle while the gentlemen
; pig is smeared with lard, and the com-
who were members of the Isle of France
Jockey Club were on the lawn, making
bets with all the reckless nonchalance
and prodigality characteristic of Creoles.
By half-past ten the whole of Port-
Louis was assembled in the Champ-de-
Mars. Among the prettiest women in the
most elegant carriages might be noticed
Mademoiselle Conder and Mademoiselle
Cypris de Gersigny, at that time one of the
on the lawn taking all the odds staked
had against him, though it must be admitted
; but, these were not very numerous. For, in
addition to his being a splendid rider, with
a great reputation on the race-course, he
owned at that moment a horse which was
considered to be the fastest ever seen in
the Island.
At eleven, the garrison band, placed
between the two stands, gave the signal
for the first race, which was, as we have
said, the pig-hunt.
The reader is acquainted with this comic
amusement, which is a popular diversion
in many French villages. The tail of a
petitors endeavour one after the other to
hold the animal, being allowed to grasp it
only by the said tail. The man who suc-
ceeds in stopping him is the winner. This
race taking place on the public ground,
and every one having a right to take a
part in it, no entries have been made.
Two Negroes brought in the animal
a fine pig of the largest size, greased
beforehand, and all ready to enter the lists.
 ;

92 GEORGES
On seeing it there was a general shout, increased, and they thereupon became
and Negroes, Hindoos, Malays, Madagas- doubly active and skilful, being further
cans and natives, bursting the barrier encouraged by the shouts of the spectators.
which had hitherto been respected, rushed In the number of the competitors, and
at the animal, which, in astonishment at among those who seemed determined to
this onslaught, started to run away. see the matter through, were two of our
Precautions had however been taken old acquaintances, namely, Antonio the
that he should not escape from his pursuers Malay, and Miko-Miko the Chinaman.
the poor animal had his two forelegs tied Both had pursued the pig from the start,
to the hind ones, much in the way that and had not lost sight of him for a
horses' feet are hobbled to restrict them to a moment. More than a hundred times
walking pace. The result was that the already had the tail slipped through their
pig, being unable to go at more than a hands ; but, each time this happened, they
very moderate trot, was soon overtaken, felt that they were making way and these ;

and the disappointments of the competitors fruitless attempts, far from discouraging
began once more. them, had only added fresh fuel to their
As you may well suppose, the chances ardour. At last, having tired out all the
of winning in such a game do not rest other competitors, there remained only
with those who make the first attempts. these two. It was then that the struggle
It is impossible to retain a grasp of the became really interesting, and that the
newly-greased tail, and the pig eludes his serious betting began.
antagonists without any difficulty; but, as The chase continued for another ten
the first layers of lard are removed in the minutes or so so that after having made
;

successive attempts to grasp its tail, the almost the entire round of the Champ-de-
animal comes slowly to perceive that the Mars, the pig had come to what is called
pretensions of those who hope to stop in sporting parlance his last push, and
him are not so ridiculous as he at first was squealing, grunting, and wriggling,
thought them. At times even, when he without this heroic defence appearing in
is pressed too hard, he turns round upon the least degree to disconcert his two
his most determined foes, who then, enemies, who held on by turns to his tail
according to the degree of courage with with a regularity worthy of the shepherds
which nature has endowed them, either of Virgil. At last Antonio stopped the
pursue their object or relinquish it. At fugitive for a moment, and was thought
last comes the moment when the tail, to have won. But the animal, collecting
deprived of all adventitious aid, and all his strength, shook himself off so
reduced to its natural substance, only slips vigorously, that, for the hundredth time,
with difiiculty, and finally betrays its the tail slipped once more from between
owner, who struggles, grunts, utters the Malay's hands, while Miko-Miko,
unavailing cries, and finds himself by who was on the look out, seized it
general acclamation adjudicated to the instantly, and all Antonio's chances ap-
winner. peared to be transferred to himself. Then
On this occasion the chase followed its you saw him, in a manner worthy of the
usual course of progress. The unhappy hopes which part of the spectators had
pig freed himself with the greatest ease reposed in him, holding on with both
from his first pursuers, and, though ham- hands, stiffening his legs and being
pered by his bonds, began to escape from dragged along, tugging with might and
the enclosure over the Martyrs' Common. main, followed by the Malay, who was
But a dozen of the best and most active shaking his head, as though he thought
runners dashed upon his heels, making the game was up, but nevertheless held
successive grabs at the tail of the poor himself in readiness to take the other's
animal with a rapidity that did not allow place. He kept close alongside the pig,
him a moment's peace, and which must letting his long arms hang down and,
have warned him that, however bravely almost without the need of stooping,
delayed, the hour of his defeat approached. rubbing his hands in the sand, in order to
As a matter of fact, five or six of his give them a better grip. Unfortunately,
antagonists, breathless and panting, now all this commendable pertinacity seemed
gave up the struggle. But, in proportion thrown away, as Miko-Miko seemed on
as the number of claimants diminished, the point of carrying off the prize. After
the chances of those who still stuck to it dragging the Chinaman along for about
 GEORGES 93

ten yards, the pig looked like giving in, sack-race was about to commence, and
and came to a stand-still, still straining everybody resumed his place, having en-
forward, but checked by an equal force joyed the first event too much to run the
that dragged him from behind and, as risk of losing a sight of the second.
;

these two equal forces neutralised each The distance to be run by the com-
other, both pig and Chinaman remained petitorswas from the Dreaper post to the
for a time quite motionless, each making Governor's stand, or about a hundred and
violent efforts, the one to advance, the fifty yards. On the signal being given, the
other to hold his ground, and all to the runners, fifty in number, jumped out of a
loud plaudits of the crowed. Things hut that had been put up as a dressing-
remained in this position for a few seconds, room, and ranged themselves in a line.
and to all appearance were likely to con- To account for the large number ot
tinue so for the required time, when competitors who presented themselves for
suddenly the two antagonists were seen this race, it must be remembered that the
to part with a violent jerk. The pig prize was, as we have said, a magnificent
rolled over in front, while Miko-Miko umbrella, and an umbrella has ahvays
rolled over behind at the same moment, been in the Colonies, and especially in the
only the one sprawled upon his belly, and Isle of France, the Negro's chief object
the other upon his back. Antonio at of ambition. Whence has this idea sprung,
once rushed in eagerly, encouraged by amounting as it does, almost to a mono-
shouts from all those who were interested mania with them ?
in his success, and who now felt sure of I, for my part, cannot tell, and men

victory. But his delight was short-lived, more learned than myself have made it
and his disappointment a cruel one for the subject of deep but fruitless research.
;

at the moment of seizing the animal by We simply state a fact, without assigning
the part specified in the programme, he a reason but certainly the Governor had
;

looked for that part in vain. The unlucky been well advised in choosing the article
pig no longer owned a tail ! This ap- in question as the prize for the sack race.
pendage had remained in the hands of There are none of our readers who have
Miko-Miko, who got up in triumph, hold- not, once in their lives, witnessed a similar
ing out his trophy and appealing to the race ;each of the competitors for the
impartial verdict of the public. prize is tied up in a sack, the mouth of
The case was a novel one. It was re- which is fastened round his neck, his arms
ferred to the decision of the Judges, who, and legs being enclosed. Under such
after a short deliberation, declared, by circumstances, it is not a matter of running,
three votes to two, that inasmuch as Miko- but of jumping well this kind of race,
;

Miko would indubitably have stopped the which is always sufficiently comic, be-
animal if the latter had not elected to part comes still more so in present conditions,
with his tail, he must be considered the for the drollery is increased by the strange
winner. heads surmounting the sacks, which
Miko-Miko's name was accordingly present a curious assortment of different
proclaimed, and he was authorised to carry colours, this race, like the pig-hunt, being
off the prize which belonged to him. To confined to Negroes and Hindoos.
this the Chinaman, to whom the result In the front rank of those who had
was intimated by signs, responded by acquired a reputation from numerous
seizing his property by the hind-legs and victories in this kind of race were Tel6-
marching it off in front of him as you maque and Bijou, who, having inherited
would push a wheelbarrow, while Antonio the feuds of the families to which they
retired grumbling into the crowed, which, belonged, rarely met without exchanging
with that instinct of justice which charac- abusive remarks, remarks which often, to
terises the populace, gave him that hon- the credit of their valour be it said, led to
ourable reception which it generally a vigorous exchange of fisticuffs but, on ;

bestows in cases of bad fortune. this occasion, as their hands were not free,
As generally happens on the conclusion and their feet were confined, in addition
of an event which has engaged all the to their being separated by three or four
attention of the spectators, there was now of their comrades, they contented them-
a good deal of bustle and conversation selves with turning up the whites of their
among the crowd but these were soon eyes at each other. At the last moment
;

arrested by the announcement that the a fifty-first starter sprang out of the hut
G
94 GEORGES
and joined the company; this was Antonio ensued between the two Negroes; and
the Malay, who had been defeated in the both endeavoured, by more gigantic leaps
first race. than they had yet made, to regain their
On the signal being given, they lost advantage, indeed, both did actually
looked for all the world like a herd of begin to regain it, especially Telemaque,
kangaroos, jumping in the most grotesque when a fresh fall gave him a fresh oppor-
fashion, bumping, upsetting, rolling over, tunity. Antonio tumbled, and, quickly
getting up again, bumping again and as the Malay got up, Telemaque found
falling again. For the first sixty yards it himself with the lead.
was impossible to forecast the winner a ; Matters were becoming all the more
dozen competitors were so close together, serious as they were now but a dozen
while the falls were so unexpected, and so yards or so off the finish. Accordingly
altered the face of things, that, like those Bijou uttered a veritable roar, and, with
who run the road to Paradise, the first a desperate effort, came up with his rival,
found themselves last, and the last first. but Telemaque was not the man to let
Still, among the most experienced who himself be passed, so he continued to
were always ahead of the others, were to jump with such ever increasing agility,
be seen Telemaque, Bijou, and Antonio. that you might have sworn the umbrella
At a hundred yards from the start these was already his. But, as the proverb has
three drew away, and the race was clearly it, man proposes and God disposes.
confined to a struggle between the three. Telemaque tripped, staggered for a
Antonio with his customary sharpness moment, and then fell amid the yells of
had promptly recognised, by the furious the crowd but in falling, still faithful to
;

glances which they exchanged, the hatred his hatred, he directed his fall in such a
which Telemaque and Bijou cherished way as to bar the road for Bijou. The
towards each other, and had reckoned latter, whose impetus prevented his getting
upon this furious rivalry almost as much as out of the way, stumbled over Telemaque
upon his own agility. So, as chance had and rolled in his turn in the dust.
brought it about that be found himself Then, the same idea entered both their
placed between the two and, consequently, heads at the same moment namely, that,
;

separating them, the wily Malay had sooner than allow a rival to triumph, it
taken advantage of one of his numerous would be [better that a third party should
falls to roll to one side and leave his two obtain the prize. So, to the great astonish-
opponents close to each other. What he ment of the spectators, the occupants ot
had foreseen now occurred scarcely did the two sacks, instead of getting up and
;

Telemaque and Bijou see the obstacle making for the winning-post, were no
which had hitherto separated them dis- sooner on their feet than they rushed at
appear, than they instantly made for each one another, pommelling each other as
other with the most terrible grimaces, fiercely as the canvas prison in which
grinding their teeth like monkeys quarrel- they were enclosed permitted ; butting
ling over a nut, and interspersing this with their heads in Breton fashion, and
threatening pantomime with words of leaving Antonio to continue in peace, free
abuse. Happily, confined as they were from all opposition on the part of his
in their sacks, they could not pass from rivals, who, rolling one over the other, in
words to actions but it was easy to see, default of feet and hands, the use of
;

by the shaking of the canvas, that their which was precluded, went for each other
hands were itching to avenge the abuse with their teeth.
uttered by their tongues. Accordingly, Meanwhile Antonio arrived in triumph
excited by their mutual hatred, they came at the goal, fairly winning the umbrella,
close alongside of one another, so that which was at once handed over to him
they jostled at each spring, uttering abuse and displa)'ed by him to the applause of
of the most virulent kind and promising all the spectators, who consisted for the
each other that, when once they were out of most part of Negroes envious of the
their sacks, they would have an encounter happiness of the man who was fortunate
more desperate than all their preceding enough to possess such a treasure.
ones. Meanwhile Antonio was rapidly Bijou and Telemaque, who had con-
gaining on them. tinued meanwhile to go for one another
On seeing the Malay, who was five savagely, were eventually separated.
or six yards ahead, a momentary truce Bijou had got off with the loss of a portion

GEORGES
of his nose, while Telemaque had lost
part of an ear.
It was now the turn of the ponies, and
some thirty little animals, all natives of
Timor and Pegu, issued from the reserved
enclosure Hindoo, Malagassy, or
with
Malay riders on their backs. Their
appearance was hailed with loud acclama-
tions, this being a race in which the black
population of the Island always shows
the greatest interest, since these little
animals, being half wild and almost un-
trained, are so uncontrollable that far
more unexpected accidents happen than
in the ordinary races. Accordingly,
shouts went up from a thousand throats
in encouragement of the swarthy jockeys
who rode this band of little demons, and
who required all the strength and skill
they possessed to hold them in and pre-
vent their starting before the signal was
given.
Presently, at a sign from the Governor,
the start was effected, and they all rushed,
or, rather,flew off, for they much more
resembled a flock of birds skimming the
ground than a body of quadrupeds touch-
ing it with their feet. But hardly had
they arrived opposite the Malartic me-
morial than, as usually happens, they
began to bolt, as they say in racing
phraseology, that is to say, half of them
disappeared into the darkness of the woods
together with their riders, despite all their
efforts to keep them in the course. At
the bridge, a third of those who were left
had disappeared, so that on nearing the
'
Dreaper post you could not count more
' money, to everybody's great surprise, on
than seven or eight while one or two
; a horse called Antrim, a
more, having thrown their jockeys, were
galloping down the course riderless.
The race was twice round the course,
so they flew like a whirlwind past the
winning-post without stopping, and dis-
appeared round the corner. Presently
you heard loud shouts, then laughter, then
nothing more, and every one waited vainly.
All the ponies had made off, and not one
was left in the course one and all had
; races in the previous year had carried off
vanished, some into the woods of the
Chateau-d'Eau, some into the streams in
the background, some over the bridge.
After waiting for ten minutes, suddenly
on the rising slope there appeared, with-
out its rider, an animal which had run
through the town, turned by the church,
and come back by one of the streets which
lead to the Champ de Mars, continuing
its course at its own sweet will, instinct-
—
95
ively, and without any one to direct it;
while gradually behind it you could see
the other ponies beginning to appear,
returning from all directions, thougn un-
fortunately too late. For in a twinkUng
the first pony cleared the distance that
separated it from the post, passed it by
fifty yards, and then stopped of its own
accord, as though it understood perfectly
well that it was the winner.
The prize, which, as we ha\-e said, was
a fine gun by Manton, was handed to the
intelligent animal's owner, a Colonist
named M. Saunders.
Meanwhile the other ponies kept coming
in from all directions like pigeons which
have been scared by a hawk, and which,
having flown off in a flock, return to the
dove-cot one by one.
There were seven or eight of them lost
altogether and not recovered for a day or
two afterwards.
The next event being the big race, there
was now an interval of half an hour,
during which race-cards were distributed
and bets booked.
Among those who betted with most
persistence was Captain Van den Broek
who, on leaving his ship, had gone straight
to Viger's, the first goldsmith in the town,
an Auvergnat,and like all his countrymen,
renowned for his scrupulous honesty,
where he had parted with 100,000 francs'
worth of diamonds in exchange for bank-
notes and gold. Accordingly he was quite
ready to face the most desperate plungers.
This he did, putting the whole of his
name entirely
unknown in the Island.
There were four horses entered :
Restoration - Colonel Dreaper.
Virginie - - M. Rondeau de Courcy.
Gester - - M. Henri de Malmedie.
Antrim - - M. (the name was deno-
ted by two asterisks).
The majority of the wagers were laid
on Gester and Restoration, who at the
the honours of the day. This year they
Avere even stronger favourites, ridden as
they were by their owners, both excellent
horsemen, while Virginie was running for
the first time.
Notwithstanding this, and in spite of
being charitably warned that he was acting
as an absolute madman, Captain Van den
Broek continued to bet on Antrim, a pro-
ceeding which aroused no small curiosity
 ;

96 GEORGES
in respect to this unknoun horse and his to
owner.
The horses being ridden by their owners,
there was no need to Aveigh the riders,
consequently there was no surprise at not
seeing under the tent either Antrim or the
gentleman who concealed his identity be-
neath the hieroglyphics which took the
place of his name, and every one expected
that he would suddenly appear at the
starting-post and take his place in line
with his competitors.
In point of fact, when the horses with
their riders came out from the enclosure,
the person who since the distribution of
the race-cards had been the object of pub-
lic curiosity was seen riding up from the
direction of the Malabar encampment.
such horses as possessed staying
power.
The start was made on the dropping of
the flag, but in such circumstances it is
well known that you cannot determine the
actual result by the position of the horses
at the early stages. When the first round
was half over, Virginie, who, Ave repeat,
was running her maiden race, had gained
about thirty yards and Antrim was close
at her heels, while Restoration and Ges-
ter remained in the rear, being clearly
held hard by their riders.
At the hill, that is to say about two
thirds of the circuit, Antrim had gained
half a length, while Restoration and
Gester had lessened their distance by ten
yards then they looked like passing, and
;

But his appearance, instead of dispelling every one was leaning forward clapping
the uncertainty, served but to increase it and encouraging the riders, when Sara,
he was dressed in an Egyptian costume, either accidentally or on purpose, let fall
the embroidery of which was visible be- her bouquet. The unknown horseman
neath a hood concealing the half of his saw it, and, without slackening speed,
face. He rode in the Arab fashion, that slipped under his horse's belly in the
is to say with short stirrups, his horse manner of Arab riders picking up the
being caparisoned in the manner of the djerid,and with wonderful skill picked up
Turks. It was clear to everybody at the the fallen bouquet, bowed to its fair
first glance that he was a perfect horseman. owner, and continued his course, having
Antrim too, for no one doubted but that it lost barely ten yards, which he did not
was the horse entered under this name appear to trouble himself in the least
that had just appeared, Antrim, be it said, about regaining.
seemed to warrant the confidence reposed In the middle of the second round
in him beforehand by Captain Van den Virginie was overtaken by Restoration,
Broek, so graceful, supple, and so much followed by Gester at the distance of a
in harmony with his rider was his appear- length, Avhile Antrim still kept seven or
ance. eight yards behind but, as his rider
;

No one recognized either horse or rider, neither pressed him with whip nor spur,
but, as the entries had been made before it was plain that this slight interval was
the Governor, who must therefore know of no account, and that he would recover
all about him, the incognito of the new the lost ground when he thought it
comer was respected. One person only advisable.
suspected perhaps the identity of the rider At the bridge. Restoration picked up
and leaned forward blushing to assure a stone and rolled over with his rider,
herself of the truth. That person was who, not having lost his stirrups, made
Sara. an effort to pull him on his legs again.
The competitors drew up in a line, The noble animal struggled, rose, and fell
numbering, as we have said, four only, again immediately his leg was broken.
;

since the reputation of Gester and Res- The other three continued their course,
toration had discouraged all the other Gester now leading with Virginie two
starters, and every one fancied that the lengths behind and Antrim at her heels.
race would resolve itself into a struggle But, at the rise, Virginie began to lose
between these two. ground, while Gester maintained his lead,
As this was only a gentlemen's race the though Antrim Avithout any eftbrt noAV
judges had decided that the course should began to gain on him. On reaching the
be a run round twice instead of once, so Dreaper post not more than a length
'
'

as to prolong the entertainment of the separated Antrim from his rival, and
spectators; each horse therefore had to Henri, feeling himself overtaken, began
run about three miles, that is to say a to use his Avhip. The twenty-nA'e
league, which would give a greater chance thousand spectators of this fine race
 — —" " ;

GEORGES 97

applauded loudly, and waved their hand- him. He

thought very naturally that this
kerchiefs to encourage the competitors. was some message from M. Henri de
Then the unknown horseman bent over Malmedie, and ordered the bearer to be
Antrim's neck and uttered some words in shown in.
Arabic, when the intelligent animal, as The moment he saw him, however,
though he understood what his master Georges perceived that he was mistaken
was saying, redoubled his speed. Now he had a vague recollection of having met
they were but twenty-five yards from the this man somewhere, but where, he could
goal and opposite the first stand, Gester not say.
still leading, when the unknown, seeing " Do you not recognise me ? " said the
that there was no time to lose, drove his Negro.
spurs into his horse's flanks, rose in his <'
No," answered Georges, " and yet we
"
stirrups, and, throwing back the hood of have met before, have we not ?
his burnouse, shouted to his rival : " Twice," replied the Negro.
" M, Henri de Malmedie, for two insults " Where was that ? "
that you have offered me, I return you " The first time at the Riviere Noire,
but one; but I hope that it will be an when you saved the girl's life; the
equivalent for both of them." second
And, raising his arm with these words, " Yes, of course," interrupted Georges,
Georges, for it was he, struck Henri a " I remember and the second ? ;
—
violent blow across the face with his whip, " The second," interrupted the Negro
which streaked his face with blood. in his turn " was when you gave me my
;

Then, plunging his spurs into Antrim, liberty. I am called LaVza, and my
he won the race by two lengths ;but, brother's name was Nazim."
instead of waiting to claim the prize, " And what has become of your
?
he continued his course and disappeared, brother
to the profound astonishment of every- " Nazim, as a slave, wanted to escape
body, into the woods surrounding the and return to Anjouan Nazim, now at
:

Malartic monument. liberty, thanks to you, has gone away and

Georges was right in exchange for should be by now at our father's house.
;

two insults received from Henri de Mal- I thank you on his behalf."
medie at an interval of fourteen years he " And you, though free, have remained
had just repaid one, but it w-as an insult behind ? " asked Georges. " That seems
public, terrible, bloody, one which decided strange."
his whole future, since it was not only a " I will explain that," said the Negro
challenge to a rival, but a declaration of with a smile.
war against all whites. " Do so," answered Georges, who was
Thus Georges found himself, by the beginning, in spite of himself, to be in-
irresistible march of events, brought face terested in this conversation,
to face with this prejudice he had come " I am a Chiefs son," replied the Negro.
so far over seas to encounter, and the two " I am of mixed Arab and Zanzibar
antagonists were to fight it out in deadly blood, so I was not born to be a slave."
earnest as mortal enemies. Georges smiled at the Negro's pride,
without reflecting that this pride was
closely allied to his own, while the Negro
went on without seeing or noticing his
smile :

"The chief of Querimbo took me in

CHAPTER XYHI
I.AIZA
GEORGES was reflecting, in the
retirement of the apartment which
he had furnished for himself in his
father's house at Moka, on the position in
which he had just placed himself, when
he was told that a Nesrro wished to see
war and sold me to a Slave-Captain, who
sold me to M. de Malmedie. I offered,
ifthey would send a slave to Anjouan,
to have myself ransomed with tv/enty
pounds of gold dust. They would not
take a slave's word and refused. I in-
some time and then a change—
sisted for
occurred in my life, and I no longer
thought of going away."
" Did M. de Malmedie treat you as you
deserved to be treated ? " asked Georges.
 " " "

98 GEORGES
" No, it was not that," " We
want a single, supreme, absolute
answered the
Negro. " Three years later, my
brother commander, one whose superiority is
Nazim was captured in his turn and sold beyond question."
like myself, and luckily, to the same '*
And where are you to find this man ? "
master but not having the same reasons asked Georges.
;

for remaining here as I had, he wished to " He is found already," answered Laiza,
escape. You know what followed, since looking steadily at Georges " the only ;

"
it was you who rescued him. I loved my point is, will he accept the position ?
brother as my own child, and you," con- " He risks his neck," said Georges.
tinued the Negro, crossing his hands over " And don't we also risk something ?
his breast and bending low, " you I love asked Laiza.
now as my father. Well, this is what is *'
But what guarantee will you offer
going on listen, for it interests you as him ?
;

well as us. There are in this Island " The same as he will offer us, an end
eighty-four thousand coloured men and of persecution and slavery, and a future of
twenty thousand whites." vengeance and freedom."
" I have counted them already," said " And what plan have you formed ? "
Georges with a smile. " To-morrow, after the festival of the
**
I suspected as much," answered LaVza. Yamse, when the whites, wearied with
" Out of these eighty thousand, twenty the day's amusement, have retired after
thousand at least are capable of bearing seeing the burning of the goiihn, the Las-
arms while the whites, including the cars will be left alone on the banks of the
;

eight hundred English soldiers in the Riviere des Lataniers. Then will gather
garrison, can hardly muster four thousand from all quarters Africans, Malays, Mada-
men." gascans, Malabars, Hindoos, all in fact
" I know that too," said Georges. who have joined the conspiracy; once
" Well then, do you guess ? " asked there, they will choose a leader, and that
Laiza. leader will direct them. Well then, say
" I am waiting until you explain," but a word, and that leader will be your-
" We have determined to rid ourselves self."
of the whites. God knows we have " And who has bidden you make this
suffered enough to warrant us in avenging proposal to me ? " asked Georges.
ourselves." Laiza gave a scornful smile.
" Well ? " asked Georges. " Nobody," said he.
" Well, we are ready," answered Laiza. " The idea, then, is your own ? "
" What is stopping the way, then, and " Yes."
" " And who has put it into your head ? "
why do you not avenge yourselves ?
" We are without a leader, or rather, " You have, yourself."
two have been proposed but neither
; of " How can I have done so ? "
the two is fitted for such an undertaking." " You can only attain your desire by
"
" Who are they ? our aid."
" One is Antonio the Malay." " And who told you that I desired aray-
Georges allowed a smile of contempt thing ?
to pass over his lips. " You desire to wed the Rose of the
•' "
And the other ? he asked. Riviere Noire, and you hate M. Henri de
" The other is myself," answered Laiza. Malmedie. You wish to possess the first,
Georges looked hard at the Negro, who and to have your revenge against the
exhibited to white men such an unusual second. We
alone can offer you the
example of modesty, to see in what way means of doing both for they will not ;

he was unworthy of the position to which consent to give you the one as your wife,
he was summoned. and they will not allow the other to fight
—
"The other is yourself?" replied the a duel with you."
young man. " And who told you that I loved Sara ? "
" Yes," answered the Negro " but we ;
" I have seen it."
do not want two leaders for such an " You are mistaken."
enterprise we must have only one."
; Laiza shook his head sadly.
" Ah yes," said Georges, understand-
!
" The eyes of the head are sometimes
ing, as he thought, that Laiza was am- deceived," said he " but the eyes of the
;

bitious of having the supreme command. heart, never."

 — ;

GEORGES 99

" You are my perhaps ? " asked

rival, " Then you are our leader," said Laiza
Georges with a smile of contempt. " the White man will not fight with the
" The only rival is he who has a hope Mulatto."
of being loved," said the Negro with a Georges frowned, he entertained the
for
sigh, " and the Rose of the Riviere Noire same idea himself. And yet, how could a
will never love the Lion of Anjouan." White man keep the mark of the shame
" You are not jealous then ? " which the Mulatto had imprinted on his
" You saved her life, and her life belongs face ?

to you, as is fair; I have not even had At this moment Telemaque entered
the good fortune to die for her, and yet," with his hands pressed to his ear, of which
added the Negro, looking straight at Bijou, as we have said, had carried off a
Georges, *' do you think I have not done portion.
"'
all I could to win that privilege ? " Master," said he, "the Dutch Captain
" Yes, yes," murmured Georges, " you would like to speak to you."
are a brave man ; " but the others, can " Captain Van den Broek ? " asked
"
you reckon upon them ? Georges.
" I can only answer for myself," said "Yes."
Laiza, " and I do so whatever can be
;
" Very well, said Georges. Then,
done with a man who is courageous, loyal, turning to Laiza :

and devoted, that you can do with me." " Wait for me here, I will come back to
" You will be the first to obey me ? " you my answer will probably be more
;

" In everything." speedy than I expected."

" Even as regards ?...." Georges left the room where Laiza was,
Georges stopped, and looked at Laiza. and entered with open arms the one in
" Even as regards the Rose of the which the Captain was waiting.
Riviere Noire," said the Negro, continuing " Well, brother," said the Captain,
"
the young man's thought. " you recognised me then ?
" But why are you thus devoted to " Yes, Jacques, and I am delighted to
me?" embrace you, particularly at this moment."
"The Stag of Anjouan was about to " You very nearly missed the pleasure
die beneath the blows of the executioners, of doing so, at any rate on this trip."
and you ransomed his The Lion of
life. "How so?"
Anjouan was in the and you restored
toils, " I ought to have started before now."
him to liberty. The Lion is not only the "Why?"
strongest, but likewise the most generous "The Governor looks to me like an old
of all animals; and because he is brave sea-fox."
and generous," continued the Negro, " Say rather a sea-wolf, a sea-tiger,
crossing his arms and raising his head Jacques; theGovernor is the famous
proudly, " therefore Laiza is called the Commodore Murray, formerly Captain of
Lion of Anjouan." the Leicester."
" Very well," said Georges, holding out " Of the Leicester ! I ought to have
his hand to the Negro, " I ask for one day suspected it ; then we have an old account
to make up my mind." and now I understand it all."
to settle,
"
" And what consideration will decide "What
has happened then ?
"
your acceptance or refusal ? "This; the Governor came up to me
" I offered M. de Malmedie a very grave after the races and said in a very gracious
insult yesterday in public." manner Captain Van den Broek, you
;
'

" I know, I was there," said the Negro. have a very smart schooner.' Nothing
"Well, if M. de Malmedie will fight wrong, so far but he added, Might I ;
'

with me, I have nothing to say." have the honour of paying her a visit to-
"
" And he decHnes to fight ? " asked
if morrow ?
'

Laiza with a smile. " He suspects something."

" In that case I will join you for, as
;
" Yes, and I who like a fool suspected
he is known to be a brave man, who has nothing head over heels into the trap,
fell
already fought two duels with whites, in and invited him to lunch on board, which
one of which he killed his opponent, he he accepted."
will have added a third insult to the two "Well?"
which he has already offered me, and then " Well, on going back to give orders for
the cup will be fulj," the aforesaid luncheon, I noticed that they
 ;

100
were making signals from the Montague
de la Decoiiverte out to sea, and then I
began to reahse that possibly these signals
were being made in honour of me. So I
climbed the mountain and examined the
horizon with my glass, and within five
minutes I sighted a vessel some twenty
GEORGES
fellow, of the fact that we are Mulattos,
neither more nor less."
" True, and therefore it is not this
refusal which I regarded as an insult
but, in the course of the discussion, he
raised his stick to me."
" Ah in that case, he was in the wrong.
!

miles off, which was replying to the Then,

suppose, you knocked him on the
I
"
signals. head ?
" It was the Leicester " " No," said Georges, laughing at the
?

"Just so; they want to blockade me. methods of conciliation which, in such
But, mark you, Jacques was not born circumstances, always presented them-
yesterday the wind is in the South-East, selves to his brother's mind
; " no, I ;

so that no vessel can enter Port-Louis demanded satisfaction from him."

except by tacking. Well, for that business, " And he refused it ? He is within his
you require at least twelve hours to make rights, for we are Mulattos. True, we
the He des Tonneliers meanwhile, I am sometimes fight the Whites
; but the ;

off, and I am come to find you and take Whites do not fight with us."
you along with me." " And then I promised that I would
" Me ? What reason have I for going ? " force him to fight."
"Ah true, I haven't told you
! that is why you struck him
yet. " And
What the deuce made you take it into across the face with your whip in the
your head to slash that handsome young middle of the race, coram poptilo, as we
man over the face with your whip ? It used to say at the College Napoleon. It
was not polite." was not at all a bad idea but the means ;

" Don't you know then who the man which you took have not been successful."
was ? " " Not successful What do you !

"
" Why a thousand louis mean ?
yes, for I laid
against him. By the way, Antrim is a " I mean that, in point of fact, M. de
fine horse and I hope you will give him Malmedie's first idea was to fight but ;

my compliments." nobody was willing to act as his second,

"Well, don't you remember how this and his friends declared that such a duel
same Henri de Malmedie, fourteen years was out of the question."
ago, on the day of the fight ?...." " Then he will keep the cut of the whip
" What did he do ? " that I gave him he is free to do so." ;

Georges lifted his hair and showed his " Yes, but he is keeping something else
brother the scar on his forehead. in store for you."
"Oh! yes, of course," cried Jacques. " What is he keeping for me ? " asked
" Shiver my timbers yes, you do owe Georges with a frown.
!

him a grudge I had forgotten that little

;
" As the obstinate fellow was still
episode. But, so far as I can recollect, determined to fight spite of all they could
that little attention on his part earned him say to him, they were obliged, in order to
a blow from my fist, which made up for make him give up the duel, to promise
his sword-cut." him one thing."
" Yes, and I had forgotten that first "And what have they promised him ? "
insult, or rather, I was prepared to forgive " That one of these evenings, when you
him for it, when he offered me a second." are at the town, some eight or ten of
" What was that ? " them will lie in wait for you on the road
" He refused me the hand of his cousin to Moka, and surprise you at the moment
in marriage." when you least expect
that they will it ;

" Oh you are delightful, upon my then lay you on a ladder and give you five
!

word !Here are a father and son, who and twenty lashes."
rear an heiress like a quail in a coop, so " The curs but that is the punishment !

as to pluck her at their leisure by a rich of Negroes " !

marriage, and just as she is nicely fatted " Well, what are we then, we Mulat-
up, there comes along a poacher who tos ? White Negroes, nothing else."
wants to take her for himself. Why, " They promised him that ? " repeated
come could they do otherwise than refuse Georges.
!

her to you ? To say nothinij, my dear " Yes, in so many words,"

 " ;

GEORGES TOT

" "
You are quite sure ? bourg, a volcano as grand as that of the
**
I was present. They took me fora Isle of Bourbon."
worthy Dutchman, a pure blood ; they " Ah that's quite another matter you
!
;

had no suspicions about me." have got some idea of fire-works in your
" Very well " said Georges ! I have head, apparently.
; Come, just explain
made up my mind." things to me a bit."
" You will go with me ? " " I mean that within eight days these
" I stay here." Whites who threaten and despise me,
" Listen," said Jacques, laying his hand these Whites who would whip me like a
on Georges' shoulder " be persuaded by runaway Negro, will be at my feet. That's
;

me, brother; follow the advice of an old all."

philosopher. Don't stay behind, but come " A little revolt I under-
"
away with me ! stand," said Jacques. " That might
" Impossible it would look as though be possible, if there were in the Island
!

I were running away. Besides, I love but two thousand men like my hun-
Sara." dred and fifty Lascars. I say Las-
" You love Sara ? What does that cars, from habit for, thank God, there ;

mean ? " isn't one who really belongs to that

" It means that I must possess that wretched race: they are all worthy
girl or die." Bretons, brave Americans, true Dutch-
" Listen, Georges, for my part I do not men, pure-blooded Spaniards, all that is
understand all these refinements. It is best in those four nations. But what
"
true I have never been enamoured, except have you got to sustain the revolt with ?
of my ephemeral mistresses, who are just " Ten thousand slaves who have had
as good as any others, believe me. And, enough of obeying, and think it is now
once you have tried them, mark you, you their turn to command."
will be ready to exchange four white girls " Negroes ? Pooh " said Jacques pro- !

for a girl of the Comorin Islands, for truding his lower lip in contempt. " Lis-
instance. I have six of them at the ten, Georges, I know them well, for I sell
present moment, and you can take your them. They stand heat well, they live on
choice." bananas, they work hard ; in short, they
" Much obliged, Jacques. I tell you have their qualities, and I do not wish to
once more, I cannot leave the Isle of depreciate my merchandise. But, mark
France." you, they make very poor soldiers. See
And I repeat that you are wrong. It
" here, not later than yesterday, at the
is a good opportunity, such as you will races, the Governor asked my advice in
not find again. I start to-night at one regard to Negroes."
o'clock, as quietly as I can. Come with " In what way ? "
me, and to-morrow we shall be twenty- " Yes, he said to me Captain Van
:
'

five leagues from here and able to laugh den Broek, you have travelled a good deal
at all the Whites in Mauritius not to ; and seem to me an excellent observer ;

mention that, if we catch any of them, we now, if you were Governor of some Island,
can administer to them, by the hands of and a revolt of Negroes took place, what
'"
four sailors, the gratification which they should you do ?
were reserving for you." " And what did you tell him ? "
" Thank you, brother," repeated *'
I told him My lord, I should stave;
'

Georges " it is impossible."

; in a hundred casks of spirits in the streets
" Very well then you are a man, and, through which they would pass, and
;

when a man says a thing is impossible, it I should lock my door and go to bed.' "
is really and truly impossible. So I must Georges bit his lip until the blood
just go away without you." came.
" Yes, go only don't go too far, and
;
" Therefore I say again, brother, for the
you will see something which you don't third time, come with me it is the best ;

expect." thing you can do."

"What is that? an eclipse of the " And for the third time, brother, I
moon? answer, impossible."
" You will see a volcano blaze forth " Then there is no use saying any more
from the Passe Descorne to the Monie embrace me, Georges."
Brabant, and from Port- Louis to Alahe- " Good-bye, Jacques " !
 ';

I02 GEORGES
" Good bye, brother : but, believe master, and go about crying,
me, their
don't you trust to Negroes." Bananas bananas " " Cane cane "
" !
!
! !

"
" You are going then ? Curds curds fine curdled milk " or
" ! ! !

" Yes, by Gad, I'm not proud, and I can Kalu fine kalu "
" ! !

make a bolt for blue water, when occasion These excercises last until about six in
requires, as well as anybody, and go as the evening, and then begins the little '

far as ever the Leicester likes. Should procession, so called to distinguish it from
she invite me to a game of skittles, she'll the great procession of the next day.
soon see whether I decHne the offer but, Then the Lascars advance, between
;

in harbour, under the fire of Fort Blanc two lines of spectators, some half hidden
and the Labourdonnaie Redoubt, no under a sort of small pointed pagodas,
thank you For the last time then, you made on the model of the great gouhn,
!

"
refuse ? and which are called a'idores others, ;

" I refuse." armed with sticks and blunt swords;

" Good-bye." others, again, half naked and with torn
" Good-bye." garments. Then, at a given signal, they
" The young men exchanged
a second all spring into action those who carry
;

embrace. then went into his

Jacques the a'idores begin to dance round as
father's room and found him sleeping though on a pivot those with the sticks
;

peacefully, in complete ignorance of all and sabres begin to fight, wheeling round
that had happened. Meantime Georges one another, giving and parrying blows
passed into the room in which Laiza was with marvellous skill while the last beat
;

waiting for him. their beasts and roll on the ground appar-
" Well ? " asked the Negro. ently in despair, all crying together or in
" Well," said Georges " you may tell
; turns '* Yamse
: Yamli! Hosei'n O ! O !

them that they have a leader." Ali!"

The Negro crossed his hands on his While these religious performances are
breast, and, without asking another going on, some of their number go about
question, bowed deeply and went out. offering boiled rice and aromatic herbs to
all comers.
This promenade lasts until midnight
they then enter the Malabar encampment
in the same order in which they had
quitted it, not to come out again until the
next day at the same hour.
CHAPTER XIX The next day however brought a change
and enlargement of the scene. After
THE YAMSE promenading the town in the same way as
on the previous evening, the Lascars re-
THE races, as were only entered the camp at night fall in order to
we have said,
an episode in the amusements of fetch from it the gouhn, the result of the
the second day. Accordingly, when they combined work of the two bands.
were over at about three in the afternoon, Covered with the richest papers of the
the whole of the motley multitude that most brilliant and most incongruous hues,
covered the small mountain made off for illuminated on the inside by large fires,
the Plaine Verte, while the gentlemen and on the outside by paper lanterns of
and ladies of fashion who had witnessed all colours suspended from every angle
the sports, some in carriages, some on and irregular projection, shedding catar-
horseback, went home to dinner, and acts of changing light over its vast sides,
sallied out again directly the meal was it advanced borne along by a great num-
over, in order to be present at the exer- ber of men. Of these some were stationed
cises of the Lascars. inside, others on the outside, all chanting
These exercises consist of symbolical a monotonous and moonlight dirge while ;

gymnastic displays, including races, in front of the gouhn walked the scouts,
dances, and wrestling, accompanied by balancing at the end of a rod a dozen
discordant songs and barbarous music, feet in length lanterns, torches, suns, and
with which are mingled the shouts of the other fireworks. Upon this, the dance of
Negro vendors in the crowd, who do busi- the a'idores and the hand-to-hand combats
ness on their own account or on that of were resumed with renewed ardour, while
 — ;

GEORGES 103

the devotees in torn and tattered garments of the forest, the former, in an immense
began once more to smite their breasts, circle, seated in their palanquins or car-
uttering cries of grief which were taken riages, or mounted on their horses. For a
up by the whole crowd in alternate shouts moment, the water reflected the flames
of: "Yamse! Yamli! O Hosein O which it was about to extinguish for
! ;

Ali !
" — shouts
even more prolonged and a moment, the whole multitude surged
heart-rending than those uttered the day like a sea for a moment, the trees threw
;

before. long shadows like giants rising from the

The reason of this is that the goiiJiti, ground for a moment, the very sky was
;

which accompanies them on this occasion, hidden by a red vapour, which made each
is intended to represent both the town of passing cloud look like a wave of blood.
Kerbela, near which Hosein perished, But soon the light grew fainter and
and the tomb in which his remains were fainter, and all these heads became a
enclosed while in addition, a naked man, confused mass
; ; the trees appeared to
painted to look like a tiger, typifies the recede into the shade the sky grew pale
;

miraculous animal who for several days and gradually resumed its leaden hue
guarded the corpse of the sacred Imaun. the heavens were covered with darker
Occasionally he made a rush at the spec- and ever darker clouds. From time to
tators, uttering a roar as though he would time, some portion hitherto spared by the
devour them but a man, who walked fire burst in its turn into flames, throwing
;

behind him, representing his keeper, a flickering light upon the crowd and the
stopped him by means of a rope; while surrounding country, and then died out
a Mullah who was placed at his side again, rendering the darkness greater than
calmed him with mysterious words and before. Gradually the whole frame- work
magnetic gestures. dissolved into red-hot embers, making the
For several hours the gouJin was carried water in the river hiss. Finally, the last
in procession through and round the portions that remained burning were
town after which its bearers took the extinguished, and the sky being, as we
;

road to the Riviere des Lataniers, followed have said, overcast with clouds, each one
by the entire population of Port-Louis. found himself in a darkness all the more
The festival was drawing to a close the profound as the light that preceded it had
;

gouhn was about to be burned and buried, been brilliant.

and everybody was anxious, after having Then occurred what always happens at
accompanied it during its triumph, to the end of public fetes, especially after
accompany it also to its destruction. illuminations or fireworks : namely, an
When those who carried the immense outburst of loud conversation and every;

structure reached the Riviere des one made off as fast as possible for the
Lataniers, they halted on its bank then, town, talking, laughing, and joking. The
;

as midnight sounded, four men ap- carriages started at a gallop, the Negroes
proached with torches and set fire to each trotted off with their palanquins while ;

of its four corners. At the same moment the pedestrians in chattering groups
the bearers let the gouhn fall into the followed them as fast as they could.
river. Whether owing to a more lively
But as the river is only a mountain curiosity, or from the habit of dawdling
torrent and the base of the gouhn was natural to their kind, the Negroes and men
hardly covered by the water, the flames of colour remained to the last ;but at
spread rapidly over all the upper portions, length they too disappeared, some taking
and shot up like an immense spiral, the road to the Malabar encampment,
mounting in wreaths towards the sky. others ascending by the bank of the river,
Then came a strangely weird moment, —
the latter plunging into the forest, the
during which, by the brightness of this former following the sea-coast.
transient though fierce light, you might After a few minutes the place was
see the thirty thousand spectators of all entirely deserted, and aquarter-of-an-hour
races shouting frantically in all languages, elapsed during which no sound was to be
waving their handkerchiefs and hats, heard save the murmur of the water rolling
standing in groups, some on the bank between the rocks, nothing was to be
itself, the rest on the surrounding rocks, seen, in the bright intervals between the
the latter, in masses darker in pro- clouds, save some enormous bats which
portion as they receded beneath the shade plunged heavily down to the river, as if tg
 :
:

104 GEORGES
extinguish with flapping wings the timers with the panthers, and the snakes
tlieir
few embers that still remained floating on with all of them. Consequently, when
the surface, and presently rose again and the elephants raised their trunks, the
disappeared into the forest. monkeys made the lions, tigers, panthers
Soon, however, a slight noise was heard and snakes march against them; and,
and two men could be seen creeping strong as were the elephants, it always
towards the river, moving to meet one ended in their being defeated. If it was
another, and coming, one from the the lions who roared, the monkeys made
direction of the Dumas Battery, the other the elephants, the snakes, the tigers and
from the Montague Longiie. When only the panthers go against them, so that,
the torrent separated them, they both rose courageous as were the lions, it always
and exchanged signals then one of them ended in their being chained up. If it
;

clapped his hands three times, while the was the tigers who showed their teeth, the
other gave three whistles. monkeys marched the elephants, the lions,
Then out of the depths of the woods, the snakes and the panthers against thena,
from the angles of the fortifications, from and, strong as were the tigers, it always
the mangroves that waved on the margin ended in their being caged. If it was the
of the sea, appeared a whole population panthers who sprang, the serpents made
of Negroes and Natives, whose presence the lions, the elephants, the tigers and the
five minutes earlier it would have been snakes march against them, so that, active
impossible to suspect. The entire crowd, as were the panthers, it always ended in
however, was divided into two quite their being subdued. Lastly, if it was the
distinct bands, the one composed ex- snakes who hissed, the monkeys made the
clusively of Hindoos, the other exclusively elephants, the lions, the tigers and the
of Negroes. The former ranged them- panthers march against them, and cunning
selves round one of the two leaders who as were the snakes, it always ended in
had arrived first, a man of olive com- their being reduced to submission. The
plexion, who spoke in the Malay dialect. result was that the governors, with whom
The Negroes grouped themselves round this device had a hundred times been
the other leader, who was a Negro like successful, laughed in their sleeves every
themselves, and spoke in turns the lan- time they heard a revolt mentioned, and
guage of Madagascar and of Mozam- at once resorting to their customary
bique. tactics, suppressed the rebels. But, one
One of the two leaders walked up and day, it happened that a snake, more sharp
down in the crowd, chattering, scolding, than the rest, reflected upon this he was ;

declaiming, gesticulating, a type of the a snake who knew his four rules of
low-class ringleader, the vulg'-.r intriguer. arithmetic just as well as M. de
This was Antonio the Malay. M 's cashier knows them.
The other, calm, motionless, almost He calculated that the monkeys were
dumb, chary of words, sober in gesture, relatively to the other animals as i to
seemed to attract attention without lo. So he assembled the elephants,
—
seeking it true type of the strength the lions, the tigers, the panthers and
which restrains and the genius which the snakes under the pretext of a festival,
commands. and said to them :

This was Laiza, the Lion of Anjouan. " How many do you number ?'
'

These two men were the leaders of the " The animals counted themselves and
revolt the ten thousand half-breeds who answered
;

surrounded them were the conspirators. "'

Weare eighty thousand.'
Antonio addressed them first. " Good
'
said the snake
;
' ; now count
'

"There was once," said he, "an island your masters, and tell me how many they
governed by monkeys, and Inhabited by are.'
elephants, lions, tigers, panthers and snakes. " The animals counted the monkeys and
The number of those governed was ten answered
times as great as the number of those who " Eight thousand.'
'

governed them but the governir.g class

;
" Then you are very foolish,' said the
'

had had the cleverness, cunning baboons snake, not to exterminate the monkeys,
'

that they were, to sow dissension among since you are ten to one.'
the governed, so that the elephants lived "The animals combined and exterminated
on terms of hatred with the lions the the monkeys, and became masters of the
 ;

GEORGES 105

island, and the best of the fruits, of the cottage and a field, will run the risk of
fields, and of the houses were theirs not losing them. That is the man who is
;

to mention that they made the monkeys worthy to be our leader."

their slaves, and the she-monkeys their " True," said Laiza.
mistresses .... " I know but one man who combines
" Have you understood the story ? " said all these qualifications," said Antonio.
Antonio. " And I also," said Laiza.
Loud shouts resounded, hurrahs and " Do you mean yourself ?
" asked
bravos were heard Antonio had produced
; Antonio.
no less an effect with his fable than the " No," answered Laiza.
"
Consul Menenius Agrippa, two thousand " You agree then that I am the man ?
two hundred years before had produced " No, it is not you either."
with his. " Who is it then ? " cried Antonio.
Laiza waited quietly until the moment " Yes, who is it where is he ? Let
.-'

of enthusiasm had passed then, extending

; him come, let him show himself! " cried
his arms to command silence, he spoke the Negroes and the Natives simul-
these simple words : taneously.
"There was once an island where the Laiza clapped his hands three times ;

slaves desired to be free; they rose to-
gether, and they became free. That
island was formerly called San Domingo,
it is now called Hayti. Let us
. .
do as they did, and we shall be free like
them."
Loud shouts again resounded, and
hurrahs and bravos were heard for the
second time. But it must be confessed
that this speech was too simple to move
the crowd as Antonio's had done Antonio
perceived it and conceived a hope.
at the same moment the gallop of a horse
was heard, and by the first light of the
dawning day a horseman was seen issuing
. from the forest at full speed. Riding into
the centre of the crowd, with a simple
movement of his hand he pulled up his
horse so short that the jerk made tha
animal fall back on his haunches. Laiza
extended his hand with a gesture of
supreme dignity towards the horseman.
;
" There," said he, " is your leader."
" Georges Munier " exclaimed ten !

He made a sign that he wished to speak, thousand voices.

and there was silence. " Yes, Georges Munier," said Laiza.
" Yes," he said, " yes, Laiza has spoken " You have asked for a leader who can
the truth I have heard tell of a large
; oppose cunning to cunning, strength to
island away beyond Africa, very far ofT, strength, courage to courage there he ;

where the sun sets, in which all the is! You have asked for a leader who has
Negroes are kings. But in my own lived with Whites and with Blacks, who
island, as in Laiza's, in the island of is connected by blood with both there ;

animals as in the island of men, a leader he is ! . .You have asked for a

.

was chosen, but a single one." leader who was free and would sacrifice
" That is so," said Laiza, " and Antonio his freedom who had a house and a
;

is right. Power divided is power weakened. field, and would risk the loss of both well, ;

I am then of his opinion we must have a

; there is this leader Where will you find
!

leader, but one only." another ? Where will you find one like
" And who shall this leader be ? " asked him ? "
Antonio. Antonio remained dumbfounded all ;

" It is for those who are assembled here eyes were turned towards Georges, and
to decide," answered Laiza. the crowd were talking eagerly.
" The man who is worthy to be our Georges knew the men with whom he
leader," said Antonio, "is he who can pit had to do, and knew that he must before
cunning against cunning, strength against everything else appeal to them by his
strength, courage against courage." appearance. Accordingly, he was dressed
" That is so," said Laiza. in a magnificent burnouse all covered
" The man who is worthy to be our with gold embroidery beneath this ;

leader," continued Antonio, " is he who he wore the tunic of honour

has lived with both Blacks and Whites, given him by Ibrahim Pacha, on which
who is connected by blood with both glittered the crosses of the Legion of
ihe man, who, though free, will sacrifice Honour and of Charles the Third while ;

his freedom* the man who, having a Antrim, covered with a splendid crimsoD
 ;!

io6 GEORGES
saddle-clot'h, quivered beneath his master, sentence
? For myself I am the first to
;

impatient and full of mettle. agree.

" But," cried Antonio, *' who will be
"
responsible to us for him ?
" Yes, yes " cried all the voices
! ;
" if
there is a traitor, let him be put to death ;

" I will," said Laiza. "

death to the traitor !

" Has he lived with us ? Does he know " Very good. And now, how many
" "
our wants ? are you ?
" No, he has not lived with us ;but he " We are ten thousand," said Laiza.
has lived with the Whites and has studied " My three hundred servants are
their sciences yes, he knows our desires instructed to give each of you four dol-
;

and our wants, for we have but one desire lars for each of you by Friday next must
;

and one want, namely, freedom." have some weapon. Farewell then, until
" Let him begin, then, by giving it to Friday."
his own three hundred slaves." And Georges, waving a salute, departed
" That has already been done this as he had come, while the three hundred
morning," said Georges. Negroes each opened a bag filled with
" Yes, yes," cried voices in the crowd ;
gold, and gave each man the promised
" yes. Master Georges has given us our four dollars.
freedom." It is true that this princely munificence
"But he is connected with the Whites," cost Georges Munier two hundred thou-
said Antonio. sand francs.
" In the presence of all of you, I de- But what was such a sum to a man
clare," answered Georges, " that I broke worth millions, and who would have
with them yesterday." sacrificed his entire fortune to the accom-
" But he loves a white girl," said plishment of the project so long deter-
Antonio. mined upon by his will ?
" That is an additional triumph for us Now, at last, this project was about to
men of colour," answered Georges, " for be accomplished the gauntlet was thrown
;

the white girl loves me." down.

" But, if they offer to give her as his
wife," replied Antonio, " he will betray
us and make his compact with the
Whites."
" If they offer her to me, I shall refuse
her," answered Georges " for I wish to
;

have her of her own accord, and have CHAPTER XX

need of nobody to give her to me."
Antonio wished to raise a fresh ob- THE APPOINTMENT
jection, but shouts of " Long liv3 Georges
long live our leader " resounded on all
! EORGES returned home in a much
sides, and drowned his voice so that he calmer frame of mind than might
C"^jf
could not make a sound heard. have been thought possible. He was one
Georges made a sign that he wished to of those men to whom inaction means
speak, and every one was silent. death, and who grow greater under the
" My friends," said he, " it is day, and, pressure of strife he contented himself
;

consequently, time for us to break up. with making his weapons ready in case of
Friday is a holiday on Friday you shall an unforeseen attack, holding in reserve
;

all be free. On Friday, at eight in the for himself a retreat into the great woods,
evening, I shall be here at this same spot which he had traversed in his youth, and
I will put myself at your head, and we of which the murmur and vastness,
will march upon the town." mingling with the murmur and vastness
" Yes, yes," cried all the voices. of the sea, had made him the pensive
" One word more should there have youth we have already seen.
:

been a traitor among us, let us decide But it was his unhappy father on whom
that, when his treachery has been proved, the weight of all these unforeseen events
any one of us may put him to death that really fell. The desire of his life, for
very instant, by whatever death is most fourteen years, had been to see his
convenient, slow or quick, gentle or children again, and that desire had just
cruel. Do you agree in advance to his been fulfilled. He had seen them both
 ;

GEORGES 107

again. But their presence had merely against Jove ? In that struggle, as we
changed the habitual flaccidity of his know, Satan was blasted, and the Titans
temper into a constantly recurring un- buried beneath Enceladus. But Encela-
easiness in regard to them, the one, —
dus, heaped upon the giants, ever belches
a slave-captain, perpetually at war forth a fresh mountain Satan, though ;

with the elements and social laws crushed, became the monarch of the
the other, a plotting theoriser, at war infernal regions.
with prejudices and men both conten- ; It is true that poor Pierre Munier did
ding with all that is most powerful not understand such considerations as
in the world. Both might at any moment these.
be shattered by the storm while he; So, when Georges, after opening his
himself, fettered by his habit of pas- window, had hung his pistols by his
sive obedience, saw them both steering pillow and put his sword under his bolster,
for the whirlpool without having the and gone to sleep as calmly as though he
strength to hold them back, and having were not sleeping over a powder-magazine,
for his only consolation these words which Pierre Munier, arming five or six Negroes
he repeatedly incessantly : in whom he placed confidence, had posted
**
Of one thing, at least, I am sure, and them as sentinels all round the house, and
that is, of dying with them." put himself on guard in the road from
The which must decide
interval the Moka. In this way a momentary retreat
fate ofGeorges was a short one two ; at least was secured for his Georges, and
days only lay between him and the catas- he did not run the risk of a surprise. The
trophe which would make of him a second night passed without any alarm. It is,
Toussaint-Louverture or a new Petion. moreover, the characteristic of plots
His one regret, during those two days, hatched among the Negroes that their
was his inability to communicate with secret is always scrupulously kept. These
Sara. It would have been imprudent for. poor fellows are not yet sufficiently
him to go into the town to find his usual civilised to enter into calculations of what
messenger, Miko-Miko. But, on the other theymay gain by treachery.
hand, he was reassured by his conviction The next day passed as the preceding
that Sara was certain of him, as he was of night had done, and the following night as
her. There are souls that need but to the day ; nothing occurred to make
exchange a glance or a word to under- Georges think he had been betrayed.
stand each other's worth, and who, from Only a few hours now separated him
that moment, confide in one another with from the accomplishment of his purpose.
the assurance of conviction. Then he At about nine in the morning Laiza
smiled at the thought of this great revenge arrived. Georges had him admitted to
which he was about to obtain from society, his room. No change had taken place
and of this great reparation which fate in the general arrangements but the
;

had in store for him. He would say, enthusiasm produced by the generosity of
when next he saw Sara *' I have not : Georges was increasing. At nine in the
seen you for a week, but that week has evening the ten thousand conspirators
been long enough to enable me to change, would be assembled in arms on the banks
like a volcano, the face of an island. God of the Riviere des Lataniers ; at ten the
desired to annihilate everything by a conspiracy would break out.
hurricane, and could not while I desired
; While Georges was questioning Laiza
to scatter men, laws and prejudices with a as to the individual disposition of the
tempest and I, more powerful than God,
; men, and reckoning up with him the
have been successful." chances of this perilous he
enterprise,
There is a fascinating intoxication in perceived in the distance his messenger
political and social dangers of the kind Miko-Miko, who, still carrying on his
to which Georges was exposing himself shoulders his rod and baskets, was walk-
which will produce conspirators and con- ing at his usual pace and approaching
spiracies till the end of time. The the house. His appearance could not
strongest motive power of human actions possibly have been better timed. Since
is, undoubtedly, pride and what flatters
; the day of the races Georges had not even
our pride, sinners as we are, more than set eyes on Sara.
the notion of renewing the struggle of Self-controlled as was the young man,
Satan against God, or of the Titans he could not restrain himself from open-
io8 GEORGES
ing the window and beckoning
Miko- to written it in his presence if she had been
;

Miko to quicken his pace, which the alone while writing it if her face seemed
;

worthy Chinaman at once did. Laiza sad or joyful. The girl had written it in
wanted to withdraw but Georges ; his presence no one else was there
; her ;

detained him, saying that he had some- face denoted entire calmness and complete
thing further to tell him. happiness.
In point of fact, as Georges had fore- While Georges was proceeding with
seen, Miko-Miko had not come to Moka his inquiry, the gallop of a horse was
on his own initiative immediately on heard. It brought a messenger in the
;

entering he produced a charming little Governor's livery, who, a moment later,

note, folded in the most aristocratic entered the apartment and handed Georges
fashion, that is to say, long and narrow, a letter from Lord Murray. This letter
on which a lady's neat hand had written was couched in the following terms :

his Christian name as its sole address. " My dear Travelling Companion,
Georges' heart beat violently at the mere " I have thought much about you since
sight of the note. He took it from the I saw you last, and think I have arranged
messenger's hand, and to conceal his your little business rather well. Be good
—
emotion poor philosopher that he was, enough to come to me to-day at two
who dared not show the feelings of a man o'clock. I shall have, I hope, some good
— went and read it in a corner of the news for you.
window recess. *'
Yours always,
The letter turned out to be from Sara, *'
Murray."
and this is what it said : These two letters harmonised perfectly
"My friend, with one another. Accordingly, however
•*
Be at Lord Murray's
two o'clock at great the danger for Georges of presenting
this afternoon, and you what I will learn himself in the town in his present situa-
hardly dare tell you, so happy does it tion, and although prudence whispered to
make me. Then, when you leave him, him that to adventure himself at Port-
come and see me I shall be waiting for
; Louis, and especially at the Governor's
you in our summer-house. house, was a foolhardy proceeding,
'« Your Sara." he gave ear only to his pride, which
Georges read this letter twice; he could told him that it would be almost an
make nothing of this double appointment. act of cowardice to decline to keep these
How could Lord Murray tell him any- two appointments, given as they were by
thing that would make Sara happy, and the only two persons who had responded,
how could he, on leaving Lord Murray, the one, to his love, the other to his friend-
that is to say at about three o'clock, in ship. So, turning to the messenger, he
broad daylight, and in sight of everybody, ordered him to present his respec. ^o his
present himself at M. de Malmedie's ? lordship and tell him that he woui. be
Miko-Miko was the only person who there at the hour agreed upon.
could explain all this accordingly he ; The messenger went off with this reply.
appealed to the Chinaman and began to Then Georges sat down and wrote to
question him, but the worthy dealer knew Sara. Let us look over his shoulder and
nothing except that Mademoiselle Sara read the few lines which he wrote :

had sent for him by Bijou, whom he had " Dear Sara,
not recognised at first, since, in his " In the first place, bless you for your
struggle with Telemaque, the poor wretch letter ! Itthe first I have ever
is
had lost part of a nose flat enough received from you, and short as it is, it
already. He had followed him and found tells me all I wanted to know, namely,
the young lady in the summer-house that you have not forgotten me, that you
where he had been twice already, and still love me, and that you are mine, as I
there she had written the letter which he am yours. I shall be at Lord Murray's
had just handed to Georges, and which at the hour you name. Shall you be
the intelligent messenger had guessed to there ? you do not say. Alas the only !

be addressed to him. She had then happy news I can expect must come
given him a piece of gold, and that was from your mouth alone, since the only
all he knew. happiness in the world to which I aspire
Georges howe^'er continued to question is that of being your husband. Hitherto,
Miko-Miko, asking him if the girl had I have done all 1 have been able in order
 ;

GEORGES loq

to attain it ; all thatdo willI shall yet your air of calmness tells me that I was
have the same aim. Keep brave and mistaken."
true then, Sara, as I shall be brave and " You are right, father," answered
true; for, close to us as happiness seems Georges, " goes well
all the revolt is
;

to you to be, I greatly fear that we have still fixed for this evening at the same

both some trying experiences yet to go hour, and these messengers brought me
through before attaining it. two letters one from the Governor,
:

" No matter, Sara my conviction is

; giving me an appointment with him to-
that nothing in the world can withstand a day at two o'clock ;the other from Sara,
powerful and unchanging will, and a deep who tells me that she loves me."
and devoted love have this love, Sara,
; Pierre Munier remained stunned by
and I will have the will. surprise.
" Your Georges." It was the first time that Georges had
Having written Georges
this letter, spoken to him of the revolt of the blacks
gave it to Miko-Miko, who look up his and of the Governor's friendship. He
bamboo and his baskets again, and started had known indirectly of the revolt, and
at his wonted pace for Port-Louis, having the poor father trembled to the depths of
received, goes without saying, the fresh his heart at seeing his dearly-loved child
it

payment wTiich his faithful services so embark on such a road. He stammered

well deserved. some words, but Georges interrupted
Georges was left alone with Laiza, w^ho him.
had heard almost all, and understood " Father," said he with a smile, " do you
everything. recollect the day when, after having per-
" You are going to the town ? " he formed prodigies of valour, after having
asked Georges. rescued the Volunteers and taken a flag,
" Yes," replied the latter. that flag was seized from you by M. de
" It is imprudent," replied the Negro. Malmedie. That day you behaved grandly,
" I know it, but I must go and I nobly, sublimely, in presence of the
;

should be a coward in my own eyes, if enemy, as you always will behave, in-
I did not go." deed, in presence of danger. That day I
" Very well, go then but if at ten swore that some time men and things
;

o'clock you have not arrived at the should be restored to their proper place
Riviere des Lataiiiers ." the time has arrived, and I will not shrink
. . .

" It will be because I am a prisoner or from my oath. God shall judge betvveen
dead in that event, march upon the town slaves and
: masters, between weak and
and rescue me, or avenge me." strong, between martyrs and executioners,
"Very w'ell," said Laiza, "you may that is all."
count upon us." And these two men who Then, as Pierre Munier, without
had such a mutual understanding that strength, without power, without resist-
one word, one gesture, one clasp of the ance to such a will, sank down, as
hand sufficed to make theni sure of one though the weight of the world were
another, parted without exchanging one pressing him under, Georges ordered Ali
further promise or instruction. to saddle the horses, and, after quietly
It was now ten o'clock, and Georges finishing his breakfast, glancing sadly
was informed that his father was asking at his father now and then, rose to go
for him and would breakfast with him. out.
Georges answered by going into the Pierre Munier started and stood up, ex-
dining-room he was as calm as if tending his arms towards his son.
;

nothing had happened. Georges went up to him, took his head

Pierre Munier threw at him a glance in betw-een his hands, and, with an expression
which was depicted all his paternal solici- of filial love to which he had never given
tude ; but w^as reassured by seeing his way before, drew the venerable head close
son's face just the same as usual and to him, and imprinted five or six kisses in
perceiving the same smile upon his lips quick succession upon his grey hair,
with which he greeted him daily. " My son, my son " cried Pierre !

" God be praised, my dear boy " said Munier. !

the good man. " When I saw the messen- " Father," said Georges, " you shall
gers succeeding each other so rapidly I have a respected old age, or I shall have
"
was afraid they brought bad news, but a bloody grave. Farewell !
 ;

lie GEORGES
Georges hurried from the room, and temptuous, that they lowered their glances,
the old man fell back into his chair with a unable to endure the gleam of galling
deep groan. superiority that flashed from his eyes.
Besides, the silver-chased butt ends of a
pair of double-barrelled pistols could be
seen protruding from each of his holsters.
Georges bestowed his chief attention
upon the soldiers and officers whom he
met on his road. But both soldiers and
CHAPTER XXI officers wore the bored expression of
persons who had been transported from
THE REFUSAL one part of the world to another and con-
demned to exile at a distance of four
AT about two leagues from his father's thousand leagues. Certainly, if any of
house Georges overtook Miko-Miko them had the knowledge that Georges
returning to Port-Louis he stopped his was providing employment for them
;

horse, motioned to the Chinaman to during the night, they looked, if not glad,
approach him, spoke a few words in his at least as if they were not at all con-
ear, to which Miko-l\'Iiko replied by a sign cerned.
that he understood, and then continued Georges was reassured by these signs.
his journey. He arrived in due course at the gate of
When he reached the foot of the Mon- Government House, threw his horse's
tagne de la Decoitverfe, Georges began to bridle into All's hands, ordering him not
meet people coming from the town; he to leave the place. Then he crossed the
carefully scrutinized the faces of these court-yard, mounted the steps, and entered
passers-by, but he did not observe on the the ante-chamber.
various countenances of those whom The servants had been given instriic-
chance brought across his path any indi- tions beforehand to admit M. Georges
cation that might lead him to think that Munier as soon as he presented himself.
the project for the revolt which was going A footman accordingly preceded the
to be put into execution by him that even- young man, opened the door of the salon
ing had in the slightest degree leaked out. and announced his name, and Georges
He continued his road, passed the canton- entered.
ments of the Blacks, and entered the In this room were Lord Murray, M. de
town. Malmedie and Sara.
All was quiet there every one appeared
; To the great astonishment of Sara,
to be occupied with his own personal whose eyes had turned to him immedi-
business, and no general anxiety hovered ately, the face of Georges expressed a
over the population. The ships were feeling of pain rather than of joy at sight
rocking peacefully in the shelter of the of her his forehead became slightly
;

harbour. The Pointe aiix Blagtieurs wrinkled, his eyebrows contracted, and an
was furnished with its customary loungers almost bitter smile passed over his mouth.
an American vessel, just arrived from Sara, who had risen quickly, felt her
Calcutta, was casting anchor in front of knees give way under her, and sank back
the Chien-de-Plomb. slowly into her chair.
The appearance of Georges, however, M. de Malm6die stood up stiffly, as was
seemed to create a certain excitement, but his habit, contenting himself with a slight
it was clear that this was connected with inclination of the head Lord Murray
:

the affair of the races and the unheard-of took two steps towards Georges and gave
insult offered by a Mulatto to a White.
Several groups evidently dropped, on
seeing Georges, the subject of conversa-
tion that was occupying them, in order to
follow him with their eyes and exchange
sotto voce some words of astonishment at
his audacity in appearing in the Town
again ; but Georges responded to their
stares with a look so haughty, and to
their whi'^pers with a smile so con-
him his hand.
" My young friend,"said he, " I rejoice
to tell you some news that will, I hope,
crown your desires; namely, that M. de
Malmedie, being desirous of putting an
end to all these distinctions of colour and
all these rivalries of caste which for two
hundred years have been the bane, not
only of the Isle of France, but of the
Colonies in general, M. de Malmedie, I
 GEORGES IIT

say, consents to grant you the hand of his lation, some intention which I do not
niece, Mademoiselle Sara de Malmedie. understand, may be ready to meet me
Sara blushed and raised her eyes im- half-way, but I will not advance the other
perceptibly to Georges, but the latter half. If Mademoiselle Sara Icves me, she
contented himself with bowing without is free, mistress of her hand and her
is
making any reply. M. de Malmedie and fortune for her to show herself more
; it is

Lord Murray looked at one another in noble still in my eyes by descending to

astonishment. my level, and not for me to lower myself
" My dear M. de Malmedie," said Lord in her eyes by trying to climb to hers."
Murray smiling, " I quite see that our " Oh, Monsieur Georges " cried Sara,
!

incredulous friend does not trust my un-
supported word tell him then that you
;
grant him the request he has made you,
and that you wish all recollection of ani-
mosity, past and present, to be forgotten
between your two families."
'*
It is true, sir," said ]\L de IMalmedie,
evidently imposing a great eftbrt upon
"
" you know quite well
" Yes, I know," said Georges, "that you
are a noble girl, that you have a devoted
heart, a pure soul. I know that you will
come to me, Sara, spite of aU obstacles,
all hindrances, all prejudices. I know
that I have only to wait for you and that
I shall see you appear one day, and for

himself, " and the Governor has just just this reason, that, the sacrifice being
acquainted you with my sentiments. If on your side, you have already decided in
you bear any malice on account of a your generous heart that you will make
certain incident which occurred at the this sacrifice for me. But for you, M. de
taking of Port-Louis, forget it, as I promise Malmedie, for your son M. Henri, who
you in my son's name that he will forget agrees to decline to fight with me on con-
the grave insult which you offered him dition that he shall have me whipped by
quite lately. As for your union with my his friends, oh between us it is war to !

niece, his Excellency the Governor has the death, do you understand ? it is a
told you that I give my consent to it, mortal hatred that can only be ended
and, unless to-day it should be you who on my part by his death or his
"
decline humiliation let your son make his choice ;

" Oh, Georges " cried Sara carried then."

!

away by her emotion. " Your Excellency," answered M. de

" Do not judge me hastily by my ansAver, Malmedie Avith more dignity than might
Sara," replied the young man, " for that have been expected from him, " you see
answer is, I assure you, dictated by an that I, for my part, have done what I
imperious necessity. Sara, since the even- could I have sacrificed my pride, I have
;

ing in the summer house, since the night
of the ball, since the day when I saw you
for the first time, you have been my wife
in the sight of God and man. No other
than yourself will ever bear a name which
you have not despised in spite of its
humbleness all that I am about to say
; his attack.
then is merely a question of form and of
time."
Georges turned to the Governor.
" Thank you, my Lord," he continued,
forgotten the old insult as well as the
recent one, but I cannot reasonably be
expected to do more, and I must abide by
the declaration of war which this gentle-
man has made against me. Only, we
shall act on the defensive while awaiting
Now, Mademoiselle," con-
tinued M. de Malm6die turning to Sara,
" you are free in regard to your heart,
your hand, and your fortune. Act then as
you wish stay with this gentleman, or
;

" thank you I acknowledge, in what is

; follow me."
happening to-day, the support of your " Uncle," said Sara, *' it is my duty to
generous philanthropy and of your kind go with you. Farewell, Georges I do !

friendship. But, on the day when M. de not understand at all what you have done
Malm6die refused me his niece, when M. to-day but I am certain that you have
;

Henri insulted me for the second time, acted as you ought to have acted."
and I thought it my duty to avenge that And, bowing with quiet dignity to the
refusal and that insult by insulting him Governor, Sara went out with M. de
publicly and ignominiously, on that day I Malm6die.
broke with the Whites, and there is no Lord Murray accompanied them to the
reconciliation possible between us. M. door and went out with them, returning a
de Malmedie, influenced by some calcu- moment afterwards.
 a

112 GEORGES
His look of inquiry met the steadfast " Yes, I know, but listen to me :I did

glance of Georges, and a short silence not regard myself even then as defeated :

ensued between the two men who, yesterday I went to M. de Malmedie, and
thanks to their lofty nature, understood by dint of prayers and entreaties, by dint
each other so well. of almost abusing the influence which my
" So," said the Governor, " you have position gives me, I obtained from the
refused." father a promise that he would forget his
" I thought it my duty to act thus, my old hatred against your father from the ;

Lord." son, that he would forget his recent hatred

" Forgive me if I appear to question against you ; and from both, that they
you but may I know what sentiment has would consent to your marriage with
;

"
prompted your refusal ? Mademoiselle de Malmedie."
" The sentiment of my own dignity." " Sara is free, my Lord," interrupted
"
'*
That is the only one ? Georges vehemently, " and, thank God,
•'
If there be another, my Lord, allow requires the consent of nobody for be-
me to keep it a secret." coming my wife."
" Listen, Georges," said the Governor, " Yes, I admit it," replied the Governor,
with a degree of unconstraint which was " but what a difference, I put it to you,
all the more charming in him, as you felt in the eyes of the world, between carrying
it to be quite foreign to his cold and placid off a girl clandestinely from her guardian's

disposition, " listen! From the moment house, and receiving her publicly from
w^hen I met you on board the Leicester the hands of her family ! Consult your
and was able to appreciate the high pride, M. Munier, and see if I have not

qualities that distinguish you, my desire secured for it a supreme satisfaction —

was to make you act as a bond which triumph which even your pride did not
should unite the two opposed castes in anticipate."
this Island. I began by discovering your " It is true," answered Georges. " Un-
sentiments, then you made me the confi- happily this consent comes too late."
dant of your love, and I agreed to the " Too late too late for what ? " replied
!

request which you made to me that I the Governor.

would be your intermediary, your sponsor, " Excuse me from answering you on
your second. For that, Georges," re- that point, my Lord. It is my secret."
sumed Lord Murray in response to an " Your secret, poor fellow Well, would
!

inclination of the head from Georges, "for you like that I should tell you this secret
"
that, my young friend, you owe no thanks; which you are unwilling to disclose ?
you were yourself anticipating my wishes, Georges looked at the Governor with a
you were supporting my scheme of con- smile of incredulity.
ciliation, you were making the path easy "Your secret, indeed!" continued the
for my political projects. I therefore went Governor, " a well-guarded secret certainly,
with you to M. de Malmedie's and backed that is confided to ten thousand persons."
up your request with all the authority of my Georges looked again at the Governor,
presence and all the weight of my name." but this time without smiling.
" I know, my Lord, and I thank you. " Listen to me," resumed the Governor,
But you saw for yourself that neither the " you wished to ruin yourself, I wanted to
weight of your name, honourable as it is, save you. I went and found Sara's uncle,
nor the authority of your presence, flatter- I took him apart and said to him : You '

ing as it must have been, were able to have under-rated M. Georges Munier, you
spare me a refusal." have repulsed him with insolence, you
*'
I felt it as much as you did, Georges. have forced him to break openly with

I admired your calm behaviour, and I you, and you were wrong in so doing.
understood from your coolness that you For M. Georges Munier is a distinguished
were planning a terrible revenge. That man, of lofty mind, and noble soul there ;

revenge you took publicly, on the day of was something to be made of such
the races, and on that day it was borne in qualifications as he possesses, and, in
upon me once more that I must in all proof of this, I tell you that M. Georges
probability abandon my schemes of con- Munier holds all our lives in his hand at
ciliation." the present moment ; he is the leader of
" I had warned you, my Lord, when I a vast conspiracy; at ten o'clock to-
left you." morrow evening (it was yesterday that I
 " ;

GEORGES 113

was speaking to him) M. Georges IVIunier " I refuse."

will march upon Port- Louis at the head of " In spite of my entreaties ? "
ten thousand Negroes, and, as we have '•
Pardon me, my Lord, but I cannot
only eighteen hundred soldiers, we shall them."
listen to
all be lost unless chance should suggest "In spite of your love for Sara and her
to me some plan for safety, such as some- love for you?
times occurs to men of genius. In short, " In spite of everything."
the day after to-morrow M. Georges " Reflect once more."
Munier, whom at this moment you look " It is useless, my mind is made up."
down upon as descended from a herd of " Very good Now, sir," said Lord
. . .

slaves, will perhaps be our master, and Murray, "one final question."
perhaps will choose to have you in his " Put it."
turn as a slave. Well, sir,' I said to him, " If I were in your place, and you were
"
'you can prevent all this, you can save in mine, what would you do ?
"
the Colony forgive the past, grant M.
;
" What do you mean ?
Georges your niece's hand which you " Yes if I were Georges Munier, leader
;

refused him, and, if he accepts, if he con- of a revolt, and you Lord Murray,
sents to accept, I ought to say, for, the Governor of the Isle of France if you ;

parts being changed, the claims may be had me in your power as I hold you in
changed also, well, then you will ha\e mine, tell me, I ask you for the second
"
saved not only your own life, your liberty time, what you would do ?
and your fortune, but also the lives, " What should I do, my Lord ? I
liberties, and fortunes of us all.' That is should allow the man to go out from here
what I said to him and then, at my who came on your own invitation,
;

prayers, my entreaties, nay, my orders, believing he was summoned to an inter-

he consented. But what I had foreseen view, and not being dragged into an
has happened you had pledged yourself ambuscade. Then, in the evening, if I
;

too soon, and you are not able to with- had faith in the justice of my cause, I
draw." should appeal to God, that He might
Georges had followed the Governor's decide between us."
words with ever increasing astonishment, " Well, you would be wrong, Georges
yet with perfect calmness. for, the moment I drew the sword you
"Then you know all, my Lord," he would be unable to save me. The
said when the other had finished. moment I had kindled the revolt, I should
" I think you must see that I do, and I have to quench it with my blood. No, . .

believe I have forgotten nothing." Georges, I don't want a man like yourself to
" No," answered Georges, smiling, "no, die upon the scaffold, do you understand ?
your spies are well informed, and I com- to die like a vulgar rebel, whose intentions
pliment you on the manner in which your will be calumniated, and whose name will
police are organised." be blasted. So, in order to save you from
" Well, then," said the Governor, " now such a misfortune, to snatch you from
that you know the motive which caused your fate, you are my prisoner, sir I ;

my action, there is still time accept arrest you! "

;

Sara's hand, be reconciled with her "My Lord " cried Georges, looking
!

family, abandon your mad scheme, and I round him for some weapon which he
will know nothing, I will ignore every- might seize and defend himself with.
thing, forget everything." " Men," said the Governor, raising his
" Impossible " said Georges.
! voice, " enter and seize this man."
" Reflect then on the kind of men to Four soldiers, headed by a corporal,
whom you have bound yourself." entered and surrounded Georges.
" You forget, my Lord, that these men, " Conduct this gentleman to the Police
of w^hom you speak with such contempt, Station," said the Governor; " put him in
are my brothers. They have recognised the room which I made ready this morning;
me, who am despised by the Whites as and, while keeping a strict guard over him,
their inferior, as their Chief. You forget take care that neither you nor any one else
that when these men handed over their fail in the respect which is due to him."
lives into my keeping, I consecrated my With these words, the Governor saluted
life to them." Georges, and Georges quitted the apart-
"
*'
You refuse then ? ment.
IJ4 GEORGES
CHAPTER XXII this help from outside, leaving his
for,
window open, he remained with his eyes
THE REVOLT constantly fixed on the Hotel Coignet,
which, as we have said, rises opposite the
ALL that had just taken place had Police Station. In point of fact, his hopes
occurred so rapidly and in a manner were not disappointed after waiting for
;

so unforeseen that Georges had had no an hour he saw Miko-Miko, with his
time to prepare himself for what had bamboo rod on his shoulder, cross the
befallen him. But, thanks to his wonder- room opposite to his own, conducted by
ful power of self-control, he concealed one of the servants of the house. Georges
beneath an impassive and perpetual smile and he exchanged but one glance but ;

of careless disdain the various emotions this look, rapid as it w^as, restored calm-
by which he was assailed. ness to Georges' brow.
The prisoner and his guards went out From that moment Georges appeared
by a door at the back of the house at almost as much at ease as if he had been
which the Governor's carriage was wait- in his own room at Moka from time to
;

ing ;and, either by accident or by time, however, an attentive observer might

intention, Miko-Miko w^as passing just in have noticed that he knit his brows and
front of this door at the very moment passed his hand across his forehead.
when Georges was getting into the Beneath this apparent calmness a host of
carriage. The young man and his usual reflections were surging in his mind, and,
messenger exchanged glances. like a rising tide, beating upon his brain
Georges was conducted in accordance with their ebb and flow.
with the Governor's orders to the Police However, the hours passed by without
Station, a large building the name of bringing to the prisoner any indication
which indicates its use, situated in the that preparations were being made in the
Rue du Gouvernement, a little below the town. Neither roll of drum nor clash of
Comedy Theatre. Georges was taken to arms was heard. Georges ran to the
the room mentioned by the Governor. window two or three times, deceived by a
This room had evidently been prepared noise resembling the roll of drums; but
beforehand, as Lord Murray had said, each time he saw that he was mistaken,
and it was even clear that there had been and that the sound which he had mistaken
the intention to make it as comfortable as for drums was the noise made by waggons
possible. It was neatly furnished and loaded with barrels passing along the
the bed was almost elegant nothing in streets.
;

the room suggested a prison, except that Night was coming on, and Georges,
its windows were barred. becoming more disturbed and uneasy with
When the door had closed on Georges its advance, kept going from the door
and the prisoner found himself alone, he to the window and back again with a
went at once to the window, which was feverish movement which he made the
about twenty feet from the ground and less effort to suppress since he was alone;
looked out on the Hotel Coignet. One of the door remained guarded by the sen-
the windows of the hotel was just tinel, while the wdndow remained un-
opposite the room occupied by Georges, guarded except for its bars.
so that the prisoner could see into the Occasionally Georges placed his hand
lower part of the room, and all the more over his breast, and a slight contraction
easily because this window stood open. of his features showed that he was feeling
Georges went back from the window to one of those momentary spasms which
the door, listened, and heard the guard the bravest of men cannot overcome in
being mounted in the corridor. Then he critical circumstances. Doubtless he
went back to the window and opened it. was thinking at such moments of his
No sentry had been placed in the street, father, who was ignorant of his peril, and
the bars being relied on for preventing the of Sara, who all unknowingly had
prisoner's escape, and, in point of fact, brought him into this danger. As for
the bars were so thick as to render such a the Governor, though Georges maintained
precaution superfluous. He had therefore against him that cold and concentrated
no hope of escaping unless he received rage which a gambler who has lost feels
some help from outside. towards his antagonist, he could not dis-
But Georges was doubtless expecting guise from himself that, on thib occasion,
 GEORGES "5
he had displayed towards him not only volume proceeding from the direction of
all that gentlemanly conduct which was the Malabar cantonment, the direction
characteristic of him, but further that he from which, as you will zemember, the
had not arrested him until he had offered slaves, after mustering on the banks of
him all the means of escape which were the Riviere des Lataniers, would arrive.
in his power. All this, however, had not Georges redoubled his efforts the bar ;

prevented Georges from being committed was already completely sawn through at
on a charge of high treason. the bottom, and he had just begun upon
Meanwhile the darkness was increas- the top.
ing. Georges looked at his watch, and The noise continued to increase. There
saw that it was half-past eight in an
; was no room for mistake; it was the
hour and a half the revolt would break sound caused by the mingled voices of
out. several thousands of men. Lai'za had
Suddenly Georges raised his head and kept his word. A smile of joy passed
fixed his eyes once more on the H6tel over Georges' lips, a flash of pride lit up
Coignet, where he had seen a shadow his brow there was to be fighting not
; ;

moving in the room opposite his own. victory, perhaps, but, at least, a struggle.
The shadowy figure made him a sign And Georges would be in the thick of it,
;

Georges moved from the window, and a for the bar now held only by a thread.
parcel was thrown across the street So he listened with eager ears and
through the bars and fell into the palpitating heart the sounds came nearer
;

middle of the room. and nearer, while the light which he had
Georges ran forward and picked up the already noticed grew brighter. Was
parcel, which contained a rope and a file; there a fire at Port-Louis ? That could
this was the help from outside that hardly be, for no cry of alarm had been
Georges was expecting. heard.
Georges held his liberty between his Georges waited another quarter of an
hands; but it was only in order to en- hour, hoping that his anxiety would be
counter the hour of danger that he wished relieved by hearing the sound of firing,
to be at liberty. which would tell him that the work was
He concealed the rope beneath his beginning but the same strange noise
;

mattress, and, as it was nowquite dark, which he had heard previously continued,
began to file one of the bars. These bars yet without being intermingled with
were sufficiently wide apart from one the noise which he was expecting to
another to enable him to creep through hear.
the opening, if one of them were removed. The prisoner then thought that the
It was a muffled file, which made important thing for him was to make his
scarcely any noise, and, as his supper had escape at once. Georges gave the bar a
been brought to him at seven o'clock, final wrench, and it yielded. He next tied
Georges felt almost certain that he would the rope firmly to its support, threw the
not be disturbed. bar out to serve as a weapon, let himself
However, the work progressed slowly. slide down the rope, reached the ground
Nine o'clock, half-past nine, ten, sounded. safely, picked up the bar, and rushed
For some time the prisoner while sawing down one of the side streets. The nearer
at the iron bar had thought he saw bright Georges drew to the Rue de Paris, which
lights shining towards the end of the Rue crosses all the northern quarter of the
du GoHverneniciit in the direction of the Town, the brighter grew the light and the
Rue de la Coniedie and the harbour. But louder the noise at last he reached the
;

not a single patrol made its way through corner of a brilliantly illuminated street,
the Town, not a single belated soldier and everything was at once explained to
was going back to barracks. Georges him.
could not understand this indifference on All the streets that led to the Malabar
the Governor's part he knew him too cantonment, and by which the revolted
;

well not to be sure that he had taken all sla^'es would enter the Town, were illumi-
his precautions, and yet, as vve have said, nated as if for a fete, and at different spots
the Town appeared quite undefended, and in front of the principal houses had been
as though abandoned to itself. placed casks of arrack, brandy, and rum,
At ten o'clock, however, he thought he with their heads staved in, as if for distri-
heard sounds gradually increasing in bution gratis.
 ;

ii6 GEORGES
The Negroes liad rushed like a torrent Georges realised once the worthless-
at
upon Port-Louis, utterint,' cries of rage ness of his ambitions his pride had
;

and vengeance. But tlaey arrived to find carried him for a moment to the top of a
the streets illuminated, and had seen these niountain, and had shown him all the
tempting barrels. For an instant the kingdoms of the earth at his feet then all
;

orders of Laiza, and the thought that all —

had disappeared, it was but a dream.
these barrels might be poisoned, restrained And Georges found himself back at the
them but soon their natural craving got
; same spot wliere his deUisive pride had
the better of their discipline and even of seized him.
their fears. Some of them fell out of the He grasped his iron bar betAveen his
ranks and began to drink. On hearing hands; he felt himself smitten with a
their shouts of delight, the other Negroes fierce longing to hurl himself into the
were unable to keep their ranks, and all midst of all these wretches and to smash
this great multitude, sufficient to annihi- all these besotted heads that had not had
late Port-Louis, was split up and scattered the strength to resist the coarse temptation
in a moment, crowding round the casks for which he would have to suffer.
with shouts of joyous infatuation, drinking Some groups of curious onlookers, no
in handfuls rum, brandy, and arrack, the doubt puzzled at this extempore f6te
everlasting poison of the black races, the which the Governor was giving to the
sight of which no Negro can resist, in slaves, stood staring at the proceedings
exchange for which he sells his children, with open mouths. Every one asked his
his father and mother, and often ends by neighbour what it all meant, only to find
selling himself. that his neighbour, as ignorant as himself,
Hence those shouts of strange import could not give him the slightest expla-
which Georges had not been able to nation.
explain. The Governor had put into Georges rushed from group to group,
practice the advice given by Jacques him- searching with his eyes these long streets,
self, and it had turned out only too well. illuminated and filled with drunken
The revolted slaves had entered Port- Negroes uttering frantic cries. He was
Louis, but their rage had cooled down looldng amid all this crowd of filthy crea-
before they were well across the quarter tures for a man, the one man on whom
of the Town extending from the Petite- he still relied among this general degra-
Montagne to the Tro/^-F^r/r/aro;/, and had dation. This man was Laiza.
expired at a hundred yards from Govern- Suddenly, Georges heard a loud noise
ment House. proceeding from the direction of the
At the sight of the strange spectacle Police Station, then a brisk firing began,
which unfolded itself before his eyes, on the one side with the precision custom-
Georges retained no further doubt as to ary to regular troops, on the other with
the result of his enterprise, he remembered that spasmodic fitfulness which accom-
what Jacques had predicted, and shuddered panies the firing of volunteers.
with anger and shame. These men by So, at last, there was a spot where
whose aid he had reckoned on making a fighting was taking place.
revolution which would overthrow the Georges dashed off in that direction,
Island and avenge two centuries of and in five minutes was in the Rue du
slavery by an hour of victory and a future Gouverncincnt. He was not mistaken.
of liberty,— these men were laughing, This small band who were fighting were
singing, dancing, defenceless, intoxicated, led by Laiza, who, having learnt that
staggering ; these men three hundred Georges was a prisoner, had gone round
soldiers armed with whips might now the Town with four hundred picked men,
drive them back to work and these men and had marched on the Police Station
;

numbered ten thousand ! to rescue him.

So all this long toil which Georges had This action had doubtless been foreseen,
imposed upon himself was thrown away for, immediately on seeing the little band
all this lofty study of his own mind, his of revolted slaves appear at the end of the
own strength, his own wortli, was useless; street, an English battalion had moved
all this God-given superiority of character, off to oppose them.
of education at the expense of others, all Laiza had hardly hoped to be allovred
this was crushed in face of the instincts of to rescue Georges without a fight, but he
a race that preferred brandy to liberty. had reckoned on the diversion that would
THE ESCAPE
 : !
GEORGES
be caused by the rest of the Kegroes
arriving by the streets adjacent to the
Malabar cantonment; unfortunately, as
we have seen, this diversion had failed
him from the cause which we have related.
Georges took one leap into the midst of
the combatants, shouting loudly, " Laiza
Laiza !
" He had found one Negro worthy
of the of man
name he had found a
; while others ignored them entirely, shout-
nature equal to his own.
The two leaders met under fire, and,
without seeking cover, and regardless of
the bullets whistling round them, ex-
changed a few short hurried words such
as a crisis demands. In an instant Laiza
had been told the whole situation he ; up a whip and was belabouring the
shook his head, and merely observed : wretches with all his strength; Georges,
"All is lost."
Georges wislied to give him some hope,
urged him to try some efforts with the
drinkers; but Laiza replied, with a smile
of profound contempt:
" Bah They are on the drink and,
! ;
unless the brandy runs short, there is no
hope left!"
But the barrels had been broached in too
great quantities for the brandy to run short.
The struggle was now useless so far as
regards the object with which it had been
begun, since Georges, whom Laiza had
come to rescue, was free it only remained;
then to regret the loss of the dozen or so
of men who had already been disabled,
and to give the signal for a retreat. But
retreat by the Rue dn Gottvernetneui had
become an impossibility for while ;
Laiza's troop faced the English battalion
which had opposed its attempt on the
Police-Station, another detachment issued
with drums beating from the pov.-der-
magazine, where it had been lying in wait,
and blocked the road by which Laiza
with his men had arrived. They were
obliged therefore to make for the streets
surrounding the Law Courts and thus
regain the neighbourhood of the Petite-
Montague and the Malabar cantonments.
Georges and Laiza with their men had
scarcely gone two hundred yards when
they found themselves in the illuminated
streets where the barrels were. The
scene was even more disgusting than
before the drunkenness bad made good
; the first, causing still greater havoc among
proeress.
Then, at the end of each street, could
be seen flashing through the darkness the
bayonets of an English company. Georges
and Laiza looked at one another with a
smile that implied
;
117
" It is not a question here of conquering,
but of dying and dying bravely."
Both, however, wished to make a final
effort, and rushed into the principal street,
trying to rally some of the rebels to their
small body. But some of these were
hardly in a condition to listen to the
appeals and exhortations of their chiefs,
ing with drunken voices and dancing with
staggering limbs; while the greater num-
ber, now in the last stage of intoxication,
were rolling in the street, losing more and
more every minute the little sense that
remained to them. Laiza had snatched
leaning on his iron bar, the only weapon
which he had touched, stood looking at
them motionless and contemptuous, like
a statue of Disdain.
After a few minutes, both were con-
vinced that there was nothing to hope for,
and that each moment that they stayed
there was a year cut off from their life
besides, some men in their own band, led
away by force of example, fascinated by
the sight of the intoxicating liquor, and
made giddy by the alcohohc odour which
mounted to their brain, began in their
turn to desert them. There was then no
time to be lost in leaving the town in- ;
deed it was evident that they had lost too
much time already.
Georges and Laiza collected the little
band which still remained faithful to them,
and which consisted of about three hun-
dred men ; then, placing themselves at
their head, they marched
resolutely to-
wards the end of the street, which, as we
have said, was blocked by a w^all of
soldiers. When within forty yards of the
English, they saw their rifles lowered at
them, a gleam of flame burst along the
whole line and immediately a hail of
bullets swept their ranks ten or twelve
;
men fell, but the two leaders remained
!
unhurt, and the cry of " Forward " uttered
simultaneously by their two powerful
voices, resounded through the air.
When they came within twenty yards,
the fire of the rear rank followed that of
the rebels. Then, almost immediately,
the two forces met, and a hand-to-hand
combat ensued.
The fray was terrible all the world
;
knows what English troops are like, and
how they die at their posts. But, on the
ii8
other hand, they had to deal with desperate
men, who knew that, if taken prisoners,
an ignominious death awaited them, and
who, consequently, wished to die as free
men.
Georges and Laiza performed miracles
of boldness and courage : Laiza, with his
rifle, which he had grasped by the stock
and employed as a flail Georges, with
; banks of the Rnisseau des Pucelles.
the bar which he had wrenched from his
window and used as all weapons combined.
Their men, too, supported them excellently,
rushing on the English with bayonet
thrusts, while the wounded dragged them-
selves between the combatants, and, crawl-
GEORGES
At the same moment a man, whose
rapid flight be detected for a
could
moment shadow, sprang from the
in the
still smoking thicket into a ravine ex-
tending behind him, and, hidden from all
eyes, followed it down its length, regaining
by a circuitous route the ranks of the
English soldiers, who had halted on the
But, swift as had been the flight of the
assassin, Laiza had recognised him, and,
before he quite lost consciousness, the
wounded man heard these three words
muttered, to the accompaniment of a
calm but implacable gesture :

ing up to the enemy, cut their ham-strings " Antonio the Malay " !

with their knives.

Thus for ten minutes the struggle lasted,
furious, desperate, and deadly, no one
being able to say which side would
gain the advantage. Despair, however,
triumphed over discipline the English;

ranks opened like a bursting dam and let CHAPTER XXIII

through the torrent, which at once over-
flowed beyond the town. A FATHER S HEART
Georges and Laiza who had headed
the attack now remained in the rear to
support the retreat. At last, they reached
WHILEthe various events which
we have
just related were taking
the foot of the Petite Montague, which place at Port-Louis Pierre Munier was
was a place too precipitous and too anxiously awaiting at Moka the dreaded
thickly timbered for the English to ven- result of the enterprise of which his son
ture to enter. Accordingly they halted, had given him a hint.
while the Negroes, on their side, paused Accustomed, as we have said, to the
to regain their breath. Some twenty everlasting supremacy of the Whites, he
blacks rallied round their leaders the rest had come to regard it not merely as an
;

scattered in all directions it was no acquired right, but as a natural superior-

;

longer a question of fighting, but of seek- ity. However great the confidence with
ing safety in the great woods. Georges which his son had inspired him, he could
appointed the district of Moka, in which not then believe that these obstacles, which
his father's house was situated, as the he regarded as insurmountable, would be
general meeting-place for those who removed from his path.
wished to rally round him, announcing From the moment when, as has been
that he would start in the morning at described, Georges took leave of him, he
dawn in order to reach the district of had sunk into a profound apathy the ;

Grand-Port, in which, as we have said, very excess of the emotions which crowded
were the thickest forests. his heart, and the diversity of the thoughts
_
Georges was giving his final instruc- which clashed in his mind, had thrown
tions to the miserable remnants of the him into an apparent state of insensibility
force with which he had for an instant almost amounting to imbecility. !More
hoped to conquer the Island, and the than once he very nearly made up his
moon, gHding momentarily across the mind to go himself to Port- Louis, and see
space between two clouds, shed her light with his own eyes what was going on ;

upon the group of men whom he com- but to go and encounter a certainty re-
manded, if not with the sword, at least by quired a strength of will which the poor
word and gesture, when suddenly a father did not possess had it only been ;

thicket, distant about forty yards from the a question of preventing a danger, Pierre
fugitives, burst into flame the report of Munier would have run there.
;

a rifle was heard, and Georges fell at The day was spent then in an anguish
Laiza's feet struck by a bullet in his bide. all the more profound because it was ton-
|
 : "

GEORGES iig

fined within his own breast, and that the of them alternately if they were
eacli
man who suffered it did not dare to tell any
better informed than himself. Then,
any one, not even Telemaque, the cause of seeing that each of them remained dumb,
the dejection about which the latter he went out to ask the Negroes if they
questioned him. From time to time he possessed any more knowledge than he
rose from his arm-chair and went with did as to the unknown cause of his mas-
bowed head open window, looked ter's secret uneasiness.
to the
in the direction of the Town as though he But, to his great astonishment, he
could see, listened as though he could found that there was not a single Negro
hear; then, neither seeing nor hearing any- about the house. He ran at once to the
thing, he sighed and went back with dumb barn where they were in the habit of
lips and lack lustre eyes and sat down in assembling for the berloque. The barn
his chair again. was deserted, so he returned by the huts,
The dinner hour arrived. T6lemaque, but found not a soul in them except the
who was entrusted with the ordinary women and children.
duties of the household, laid the cloth, set On questioning these he learned that
the table, and brought in the dinner ; but the Negroes, as soon as the day's work
all these various occupations were com- was over, instead of taking their rest as
pleted, and meanwhile the man for whom usual, had armed themselves and gone off
the preparations were being made had not in separate bands, but all making in the
even raised his eyes. Then, when all was direction of the Riviere des Lataniers.
ready, Telemaque waited for a quarter of On hearing this, he returned to the
an hour, after which, seeing that his house.
master remained in the same condition of Aroused by the sound of the opening
stupor, he touched him lightly on the door, the old man turned round.
shoulder. Pierre Munier started, and get- " \\'ell ? " he asked.
ting up quickly, asked : Then Telemaque told him of the
" Well, has anything been heard ? " absence of the Negroes, and how they
Telemaque indicated to his master thai had all gone off armed in the same direc-
dinner was served but Pierre Munier tion.
;

smiled sadly, shook his head and relapsed " Yes, yes " said Pierre Munier, " yes,
!

into his reverie. The Negro perceived alas !

that something unusual was happening,
and, without venturing to ask for an ex-
planation, rolled the whites of his eyes
round, as though to look for some sign
that might put him on the track of this
unknown event. Everything was in its
customary place, and all was going on as
usual nevertheless it Avas evident that
; so brave, so confident of himself, so rich
the expectation of some great misfortune
had come to brood that morning over the
domestic hearth.
The day passed in this manner.
Tdlemaque, still hoping that hunger
would assert its rights, left the dinner on
the table; but Pierre Munier was too
profoundly absorbed to interest himself in
anything except his own thoughts. How-
ever, there was a moment when Tele-
maque, seeing great drops of perspiration
standing on his master's forehead, thought
he was feeling the heat, and offered him a
glass of wine and water; but Pierre
There was then no room for doubt, and
this information concurred in making the
poor father believe that the moment had
come when what happened in the Town
would decide his whole fate. I say, his
fate, for, since the return of Georges, the
old man, seeing his son so handsome and
in the experience of the past, so sure of
the future, had so identified his own life
with that of his son that he had come to
feel convinced that their existence was
inseparable, and that he should never be
able to endure the loss of his son, or even
his absence.
How severely did he reproach himself
for having let Georges go away that
morning without questioning him, with-
out learning to what dangers he was
about to expose himself! How did he
upbraid himself for not having insisted on
accompanying him !

Munier pushed the glass gently aside, But the mere idea that his son was
saying about to enter upon an overt struggle
" You have heard nothing yet ? " against the Wliites had so utterly
Telemaque shook his head, looked in prostrated him that he had felt all his
turn'o at the floor and ceiling, as if to ask moral force desert him on the spot. This
 :

I20 GEORGES
simple soul was so constituted, as we the name of heaven, is it you ? Answer,
"
have said, that it had no strength ex- speak, come here !

cept in the presence of dangers that Avere " Here I am, father," answered a weak,
"
physical. but calm, voice " here I am ; !

Night, however, had come, and the At that instant the door opened and
hours went by without bringing any news, Georges entered, but leaning against the
either consoling or the reverse. Although framework of the door, and so pale that
the darkness which prevailed outside, ren- Pierre Munier thought for a moment that
dered even more profound by the light it was his son's ghost which had appeared
shining in the room, prevented him from in answer to his summons; so that, instead
distinguishing any object at the distance of going towards Georges, the old man
of ten yards, Pierre Munier continued to stepped backwards.
move, at intervals almost regular, but " In heaven's name," he murmured,
"
gradually diminishing in length, from his " what has happened to you ?
chair to the window and back from the " I am severely wounded, father, but do
window to his chair. Telemaque, now not be alarmed, the wound is not mortal,
extremely uneasy, had installed himself in for, as you see, I am standing up and
the same room but, devoted as this faith- walking; but I cannot keep up for long."
;

ful servant was, he could not keep awake, Then he added under his breath
and was sleeping on a chair with his head " Help, Laiza, my strength is going!"
against the wall, against which his profile And he fell into the Negro's arms.
stood out like a drawing in charcoal. Pierre Munier rushed towards his son,
At two in the morning, a watch-dog, but Georges had already fainted.
which was usually allowed to run loose With that strength of will which had
about the house during the night, but become the distinctive feature of his
which had been left chained up that even- character, Georges had determined, weak
ing owing to the general pre-occupation, and almost dying as he was, to let his
uttered a low and plaintive howl. Pierre father see him standing up. And this
Munier started and got up but at the time his action was not
; the result of that
sound of that mournful whine which the pride which so often exhibited itself in
superstition of the Blacks regards as the him, but knowing the deep affection which
sure announcement of an approaching his father bore for him, he feared lest the
misfortune, his strength failed him, and he shock which he might receive from seeing
was obhged to lean against the table to him lying down might prove fatal to him.
save himself from falling. Five minutes Accordingly, in spite of the remonstrances
later, the dog gave another howl, louder, of Laiza, he had quitted the litter on
more melancholy and more prolonged which the Negroes had carried him in
than the first then, after a similar relays across the defiles of the Montague
;

interval, a third, even more funereal and du Police, and with superhuman courage,
piteous than the other two. and that strength of will which asserted
Pierre Munier, pale and voiceless, the itself even over physical weakness, he had
perspiration standing on his brow, got up, clung to the wall, and, as he had
remained with his eyes fixed upon the decided what he would do, had appeared
door without moving towards it, like a to his father standing upright on his feet.
man expecting some misfortune which he And, as he had foreseen, the shock had
knows will enter that way. in this way proved less violent to the old
After an instant was heard the tread man.
of a number of men, and the steps Nevertheless his iron will now suc-
approached the house with slow and cumbed beneath the pain, and Georges,
measured pace. They seemed to the poor exhausted by his supreme effort, fell
father like those of men following a fainting into Laiza's arms.
funeral procession. The father's grief was terrible to
The outer chamber soon seemed to fill witness, even for strong men,
• a — grief
with peop'e, but this crowd, whatever it tearless uncomplaining, mute and
and
was, maintained silence. Amid the silence, profoundly mournful. Georges was laid
however, the old man heard a groan, and on a sofa. The old man knelt in front of
in this groan he seemed to recognise the him, passed his arm beneath his son's
voice of his son. head, and waited with his eyes fixed on
" Georires " he cried
! ! " Georges ! in the closed eyes of the other, holding his
 " : !

GEORGES 121

breath as the other's was suspended, knowledge to the use of certain mystic
grasping with his other hand the hand of words and m.agic enchantments, while
the wounded man, asking no questions, the Whites ascribed it to his acquaintance
not anxious for details, nor inquiring how with sundry plants and herbs of which he
the result had come about. He knew alone knew the names and properties.
everything he cared to know : for there Accordingly, Pierre Munier felt more easy
was wounded, bleeding, and un-
his son, when he learned that it was Laiza who
conscious what more did he require to
;
had dressed his son's wound. Daybreak
learn, and what to him mattered the was now approaching, and as the time
cause in face of this terrible result ? went on, Laiza appeared to grow more
Laiza stood erect at a corner of the and more uneasy. At last he could
sideboard, resting on his gun and looking contain himself no onger, and, under
from time to time in the direction of the pretence of feeling the sick man's pulse,
window to see if it were not yet daylight. went over to him and spoke to him in a
The other Negroes, who had withdrawn low voice.
respectfully after laying Georges upon the " What are you asking and what do
sofa, remained next room, occasion-
in the you want, my friend ? " asked Pierre
ally putting their black heads through the Munier.
doorway, while others were grouped out- " I shall have to tell you, father, what
side in front of the window. Many of he wants he does not wish me to fall
;

them had been wounded more or less into the hands of the WHiites, and he is
dangerously, but no one seemed to think asking me if I feel strong enough to be
of his own wound. carried into the great woods."
Every instant their number increased, " Carried into the great woods " cried !

for allthe fugitives, after having first the old man ;

" in your weak condition !

"
separated in order to avoid pursuit by the impossible !

English, had regained the dwelling by " There is nothing else, however, to be
different roads, just as sheep that have done, father, unless you prefer to see me
been scattered find their way back one by arrested under your eyes and
—
one to their enclosure. At four in the " And what ? " asked Pierre Munier
morning there were about two hundred anxiously " what do they want and what
;
"
Negroes round the house. can they do to you ?
Meanwhile Georges had recovered " What do they want, father ? To be
consciousness, and had tried to reassure avenged on a wretched Mulatto who has
his father by speaking a few words, but had the insolence to stand up against
in a voice so faint that, though the old them, and has possibly made them shake
man's delight on hearing him speak was in their shoes for an instant. What can
great, he signed to him to be silent. He they do to me ? Oh a mere trifle," !

had however inquired what was the added Georges with a smile, "just slice
nature of the wound, and what surgeon my head off on the Plaine Verfe."
had dressed it, and Georges with a smile The old man turned pale, then shud-
and a feeble motion of the head had dered from head to foot, and it was evi-
pointed to Laiza. dent that a terrible struggle was going on
It is well known that, in the Colonies, within him. At last, he raised his fore-
some of the Negroes have the reputation head, shook his head, and looking at the
of being skilful in surgery, and that wounded man murmured :

sometimes even the white Colonists send " Take you cut off your head take
! !

for them in preference to the regular pro- my child from me kill him my Georges ! !

fessors of the art. The explanation is and all because he is handsomer, braver
quite simple these primitive creatures, and cleverer than they are Ah let them
; — !

like our own shepherds who often possess come then Let them come !" !

remedies of their own to hold their And the old man, with an energy of
ground against the cleverest doctors, being which, five minutes before, you would
continually in the presence of Nature, have thought him incapable, rushed to
surprise, as do the animals, some of those wards his carbine which was hanging on
secrets which remain hidden from the eyes the wall, and, seizing the weapon that had
of other men. Now, Laiza had a reputa- lain idle for sixteen years, cried out
tion throughout the Island as a clever " Yes, yes, let them come and we will
surgeon the Negroes attributed his see. Ah you Whites, you have robbed
!
172 GEORGES
this poor Mulatto of everything you ;
The procession, which was composed
have robbed him of respect, and he said of about two hundred Negroes, followed
nothing you might have taken his Hfe,
;
for some time the road leading from Port-
and he would still have said nothing. But Louis to Grand- Port tnen, after about
;

now you want to take his son you want ;

half an hour's march, turned to the right,
to take his child and imprison him, torture advancing towards the base of the Piton
him, cut off his head Oh come, you ! ! dtr Milieu, in order to reach the source of
Whites, and we shall see There are fifty ! the Riviere des Creoles.
years of hatred between us come, come, ;
Before disappearing behind the moun-
it istime we should settle our accounts." tain, Pierre Munier, who had continued
" Bravo, father, bravo " cried Georges, ! to act as rear-guard, stopped for a moment,
raising himself on his elbow and looking climbed a small hill and cast a last look
at the old man with a feverish glance ;
at tliis fine estate which he was forsaking.
" bravo that's more hke your old self."
! He took in at a glance those rich plains
" Well, yes, to the great woods then," of cane, manioc, and maize, those splen-
said Pierre, "and we shall see if they dare did groves of shaddocks, jameroses
follow us there. Yes, my son, come the ; and takamakas, that grand horizon of
great woods are better than the towns. mountains which enclosed his immense
There we are under the eyes of God let ; property like a gigantic wall. He reflected
God look down and judge. And you, that it had taken three generations of men,
children," continued the Mulatto, address- honest like himself, laborious like himself,
ing the Negroes, " have you always found esteemed like himself, to render this dis-
me a good master ? " trict the paradise of the Island. Then,
"Yes, yes!" cried all the Negroes with with a sigh, and brushing away a tear,
one voice. he turned his eyes away and shook his
" Have you told me a hundred times head, and with a smile upon his lips over-
that you were devoted to me, not as slaves, took the litter where his wounded child
but as children." —
was waiting for him, the child for whose
"Yes, yes!" sake he was giving up all this.
" Well then, now is the time you must
prove your devotion."
" Give your orders, master, give your
orders," cried all the Negroes.
" Come in, all of you."
The room was filled with Blacks. CHAPTER XXIV
" Here," continued the old man, " here
is my son, who wished to save you, to set THE GREAT WOODS
you free, to make men of you, and see
his reward. And that is not all, they
want to come and take him from me, source of the
THE day was breaking as the band of
fugitives reached the
wounded, bleeding and in pain. WillRiviere des Creoles and the rays of the
you protect him, will you save him ? eastern sun lighted up the granite summit
"
Will you die for him and with him ? of the Piton du Miliexi; and this was the
" Yes, yes, yes " cried all the voices.
! signal for the entire population of the
" To the great woods then, to the great forest to awake also. At each step, the
woods " said the old man.
! fanrecs got up beneath the feet of the
" To the great woods " shouted all the Negroes and scuttled off to their holes,
!

Negroes. the monkeys sprang from bough to bough

Then they brought the litter of branches and scampered out on the tiniest and
to the side of the sofa on which Georges most flexible branches of the vacoas,
was lying, and placed the wounded man cypresses, and tamarind trees; then, hang-
upon it, while four Negroes took hold of ing down and balancing themselves by
the four handles. Georges was carried their tails, hooked themselves on with
out of the house accompanied by Laiza, wonderful cleverness, after a prodigious
and took the head of the procession then jump, to some other tree which afforded
;

followed all the Negroes, while Pierre them a better shelter. The woodcock
Munier came out last, leaving the house got up with a loud whirr, beating the air in
open, forsaken, and widowed of every his heavy flight, while the grey parrots
human creature. seemed to jeer at him with their mocking
 GEORGES 123

cry, and the cardinal-bird, like a Hying The dressing over and the meal
flame, Hashed by swift as lightning and finished, they resumed their journey.
sparkling like a ruby. In a word, Nature, They were now nearing the great woods,
ever youthful, ever careless, ever fruitful, but had still to reach them ; the little
as is her wont, seemed in her serene tran- band, retarded by the transport of the
quillity and her calm happiness ever to wounded man, which was rendered still

mock the troubles and griefs of man. more difficult by the irregularity of the
After marching for three or four hours, ground, advanced but slowly, and, ever
the band halted on a plateau at the foot since their departure from the dv/elling,
of a nameless mountain, the base of had left a track easy to follow.
which ran down to the banks of the river. They marched for about an hour more,
Hunger began to make itself felt, but following the bank of the Riviere des
fortunately, every one had been hunting Creoles, then turned to the left, and began
while on the road some with their sticks to find themsel .es on the outskirts of the
;

had knocked over the tanrecs, an animal forests, for, up to now, they had only
of which the Negroes are very fond others traversed a sort of underwood.
; As they
had killed monkeys or woodcocks lastly, advanced, mimosas recurring in numerous
;

Lai'za had wounded a stag, in pursuit of clusters, and gigantic ferns growing in
which four men had set out, and which the space between the trees, rose as high
they had brought back at the end of an as themselves, while bindweeds of pro-
hour. There were provisions therefore digious size, dropping from the top of the
for the whole company. takamakas like snakes hanging by their
Laiza profited by this halt to dress tails, began to indicate that they were
Georges* wound ; he had left the litter entering the region of the great woods.
from time to time to go and pluck some Soon the forest grew thicker and
herb or plant, of which he alone knew the thicker; the trunks of the trees were
properties. On arriving at the resting- closer together, the ferns were interlaced
place he put together what he had with one another, the bindweed formed
gathered, placed the precious collection barriers through which the passage
which he had just obtained in a hollow of became more and more difficult, especially
a rock, then with a rounded stone he for the men who carried the litter. Every
bruised the simples just as he would have moment Georges, seeing the difficulties
done in a mortar. This operation con- which the march presented, made a
cluded, he pressed out the juice, dipped movement to get out of the litter but, ;

a rag in it, and, removing the bandage each time, Laiza forbade him in such a
which he had put on the previous night, tone of firmness, while his father clasped
placed the newly-soaked compresses upon his hands with such a gesture of entreaty,
the two orifices of the wound ; for, by that, in order not to wound the devotion
good luck, the bullet had not remained of the one nor oflfend the tenderness of the
in the wound, but, after entering a little other, the sick man resumed his place and
below the lowest left rib, had gone out a let them make fresh attempts, attempts
little above the hip. which became every moment more pain-
Pierre Munier followed this operation ful, and which, sometimes, remained for a
with deep anxiety. The wound was long while without result.
serious, but not mortal ; nay more, it was However, the difficulties experienced
evident from an examination of the flesh by the fugitives in penetrating into the
that, supposing no important organ in the interior of these virgin forests formed
interior had been injured, the healing almost a guarantee of their security, as
would perhaps be more rapid than it these difficulties would be found even
would have been under the hands of one greater by their pursuers, since the
of the town doctors. The poor father fugitives were Negroes accustomed to
none the less went through all the agony such journeys, while their pursuers were
which such a sight must needs arouse in English soldiers accustomed to drill on
him while Georges, on the contrary, in the Champ de Mars and the Champ de
;

spite of the pain which a dressing of this Lort.

sort was bound to cause him, did not Presently, however, they arrived at a
even contract his brow, and restrained spot so thick, so full of briars, and of such
even the slightest trembling of the hand compact growth, that all attempts to
which his father held between his own. 1 cross it proved ineffectual. For a long
 ;

124 GEORGES
while the little band went up and down would have been from top to l>otfom,
this kind of wall, through which the axe whereas, on the contraiy, this movement
alone could open a passage ; but this seemed to start from the bottom and
passage, if opened for the one party, would gradually cease towards the extremities
be equally open for the other, and, in of the branches. This did not escape the
offering an issue for escape, would afford notice of Laiza, and he fixed his glance
a means of pursuit. While searching on the thicket. His doubt soon changed
about, they came upon an ajoiipa, a sort into certainty; through the branches he
of shed built by hunters as a shelter, and had perceived a pair of restless eyes
beneath it the remains of a fire still which, after roving in every direction,
smouldering ; it was plain that some were fixed upon himself ; Laiza then re-
runaway Negroes were roaming in the peated the signal which he had already
neighbourhood, and, judging by the fresh- given, whereupon a man glided like a
ness of the tracks they had left, could snake between the loose stones, and Laiza
not be very far away. found himself face to face with a runaway
Laiza started on their trail. The skill Negro.
of savages in following the track of a The two blacks exchanged only a word
friend or an enemy across great solitudes or two, and then Laiza returning on the
is well-known. Laiza, stooping to the track rejoined the little band, which now
ground, examined every twig of grass under his guidance took in its turn the
bent by the heel, every stone moved from same path which he had just taken, and
its bed by the tread of a foot, every branch soon reached the spot where he had found
diverted from its inclination by the the Negro.
pressure of the passer-by but he arrived
; They found that an opening, made by
at last at a place where all trace was moving some of the stones, provided a
lost. passage through the wall, and that this
On one side was a stream which came passage gave entrance to an immense
down from the mountain and fell into the cave.
Riviere des Creoles on the other, a mass
; The fugitives passed two and two
of rocks, stones, and brushwood resembling through this narrow passage, so easy to
a wall, at the top of which the forest defend. When the last man had passed
seemed even thicker than in other parts, through, the Negro replaced the stones
while behind lay the path which Laiza exactly as they had been before, so that
had just followed. Laiza crossed the no trace of the passage was left visible ;

stream, and searched in vain on the other then he, too, by clinging to the brush-
side for the track which had led him to wood and projecting edges of the rocks,
the bank. The Negroes, for there were scaled the wall and disappeared in the
more than one, had therefore gone no forest. Two hundred men had just been
further. swallowed up into the bowels of the
Laiza tried next to climb the wall in earth, and the most practised eye could
;

this he was successful, but, on reaching not have told the spot at which they had
the summit, he saw that it would be im- entered.
possible for a band of men, several of Whether by one of those chances of
whom were wounded, to take such a Nature often met with, in which the hand
path accordingly, he came down again, of man has done nothing to bring about
;

and, being convinced that those whose the effect produced, or, on the other hand,
track he had been looking for could not owing to long and fore-seeing toil on the
be far off, he uttered the various cries by part of the runaway Negroes, the top of
which runaway Negroes are in the habit this mountain, into the side of which the
of recognising one another, and then little band had just disappeared, was de-
waited. fended, on one side by a perpendicular
After a moment, he thought he saw a rock Hke a rampart, and, on the other, by
slight waving of the thickest of the brush- that gigantic hedge composed of trunks
wood that covered the boulders forming of trees, bindweed and brake, which had
the wall just described. Any one else at first stopped the advance of our fugi-
except a man habituated to the mysteries tives. Consequently, the only practicable
of solitudes would have thought that these entrance was the one which has been
branches were being shaken by the wind described, and, as we have said, this en-
but in that case the waving movement trance was entirely hidden behind the
 ;

GEORGES 125

stones that blocked it up and the brush-
wood that concealed the stones. Thus
owing to the care with which it had been
hidden from all eyes, the Colonists who,
armed on their own account, had hunted
runaway Negroes, or the English soldiers
who, acting for the Government, had done
outer opening of the passage, they could
by means of an intrenchment defend the
inner opening, and also mine the cave
with powder, which they had taken the
precaution of bringing from Moka. The
plan of this work was at once sketched
out and taken in hand for Georges did
;

the same, had doubtless passed a hun- not disguise from himself that in all
dred times without noticing this opening, probability he would not be treated as an
which was known to the fugitive slaves ordinary fugitive, and he had sufficient
alone. pride to believe that the Whites would not
But, once on the other side of the hedge regard themselves as victors, so long as
or of the cavern, the aspect of the ground they did not hold him bound hand and
changed completely. You were still in foot in their power.
the great woods, the lofty forests, the They started at once therefore on the
thick cover, but it was at least possible work of defence, which was superintended
to make your way through them, while in passively by Georges and actively by
addition there was no lack of the first Pierre Munier.
necessaries of life in these vast soli- Meanwhile Laiza was going round the
tudes. mountain, which, as we have said, was
A waterfall, that had its source at the protected eA'erywhere either by natural
summit of the peak, fell majestically from palisades or by precipitous rocks. At
a height of sixty feet, and, after being one point, however, these rocks were
dashed into spray against the rocks which capable of being scaled with ladders
it wore away by its perpetual fall, flowed fifteen feet in length. The road, too,
for some time in a gentle stream. Then, which led to this natural wall ran along
suddenly plunging into the bowels of the a precipice and would have been
earth, it re-appeared again beyond the easy to defend but that the band was
enclosed space. Stags, boars, roe-deer, too few in number and required to be
monkeys and tanrecs abounded ; and, spread over too many points at once,
lastly, in the places where the rays of the to allow of any military dispositions
sun shone through the immense vault of being made outside of what may be
foliage, these rays lighted up shaddocks called the fortress.
loaded with their orange globes and Laiza recognised therefore that it was
vacoas bending under their fruit, the this spot and the entrance to the cavern
stalks of which are so frail that the that needed to be guarded more than all
moment the fruit is ripe it falls at the others with the greatest care.
slightest shake or the softest puff of Night was now approaching; Laiza
wind. left ten men to guard this important
So, if only the fugitives were successful post, and returned to give Georges an
in concealing their retreat, they might account of his examination of the moun-
hope to live there without wanting for tain.
anything, until Georges should be healed He found him in a sort of cabin which
and some plan for the future determined had been hastily constructed with
on, when the unfortunate slaves who branches. The intrenchment had already
accompanied Georges had decided to been nearly dug out, and they continued
follow his fortunes to the end, whatever to work hard at it, in spite of the dark-
line of action he might decide upon. ness now rapidly advancing.
Wounded however as Georges was, Five and twenty men were told off for
he had retained his usual coolness, and sentry duty round the enclosure, the
had not examined the retreat to which guard to be relieved every two hours
he had come for shelter without taking Pierre Munier remained at his post in
into consideration all the advantages the cavern, and Laiza, after putting a
which the position offered as a means of fresh bandage on the wound, returned
defence. to his.
As soon then as he had reached the op- Then everyone awaited such fresh
posite side of the cave, he had stopped the developments as the night would doubt-
litter, and, beckoning La'iza to his side, less bring with it.
had pointed out how, after securing the I
126 GEORGES
CHAPTER XXV of these sounds disturbing him from his
motionless position.
JUDGE AND EXECUTIONER Strangely enough, it was in this part of
the mountain, inhabited at that moment
point of fact, in a war of sur- by about two hundred men, that the
INprises like that which was about silence was most absolute, and the soUtude
to take place between the revolted slaves seemed most complete. The ten Negroes
and their white enemies, who would not had lain down with their faces to the
fail to pursue them, the darkness of night ground, so that Laiza himself could hardly
would greatly aid the attack, while add- distinguish them in the darkness, which
ing elements of terror to the defence. was rendered still thicker by the shadow
The night which had just begun was of the trees and though some of them
;

beautiful and calm the moon, however,

; were asleep, you would have said that,
now in its last quarter, would not rise even in their sleep, caution made them
until about eleven o'clock. hold their breath, which could scarcely be
For men less pre-occupied with the heard.
dangers they were exposed to, and espec- As
Laiza himself, resting upright
for
ially for men less accustomed to such against an enormous tamarind, whose
sights, the gradual diminution of the day- flexible branches projected, not merely
light, amid these vast solitudes and the over the path that ran beside the rocks,
wild region which we have tried to depict, but even over the precipice which lay be-
would have been a magnificent spectacle. yond the path, he might defy the most
The darkness first invaded the lower trained eye to distinguish his body from
regions, rising like a tide along the trunks the trunk of the huge tree with which,
of the trees, the sides of the rocks, and the thanks to the night and the colour of his
slopes of the mountain, bringing silence skin, he was completely identified.
in its train and gradually dispersing the Laiza stood thus, silent and motionless,
last gleams of day, which fled for refuge for about an hour, when he heard behind
to the summit of the peak, where they him the noise made by several men walk-
hung for an instant like the flames of a ing over ground that is strewn with
volcano, then died away in their turn, pebbles and dry branches. These steps,
submerged beneath the sea of darkness. though cautious, seemed to make no effort
For eyes, however, accustomed to the to conceal themselves so he turned with- ;

night, this darkness is not total for ears out any uneasiness, knowing that it must
;

accustomed to solitude, this silence is not be a patrol which was advancing towards
absolute. The hfe of Nature is never him. Presently, indeed, his eyes, accus-
quits extinguished to the sounds of day tomed to the darkness, distinguished six
;

which are lulled asleep, succeed the awak- or eight men advancing, at the head of
ing sounds of night. Amid the loud mur- whom he recognised Pierre Munier by his
mur of the rustling leaves intermingled height and the clothes he wore.
with the prattling of the streams are heard Laiza seemed to detach himself from
other noises, caused by the voices or the the tree against which he had been leaning
steps of night —
roving animals, sombre and went up to him.
" Well," said he, *' have the men whom
voices, stealthy and unexpected steps,
"
which inspire the stoutest hearts with you sent to reconnoitre come back ?
that mysterious emotion reason cannot " Yes, and the English are in pursuit of
fight against, since sight cannot reassure us."
it.
" Where are they ? "
None
of these confused sounds escaped *•
They were encamped, an hour
ago,
the trained ear of Laiza a wild hunter between the Piton du Milieu and the
;

and, consequently, a man of solitude and source of the Riviere des Creoles.'"
a traveller in the night, darkness and " They are on our track ? "
solitude had little that was mysterious or " Yes and to-morrow we shall most
;

secret for his eyes or ears. He recognised likely have news of them."
the nibbling of the tanrecs as they gnawed " Sooner than that," answered Laiza.
"
the roots of the trees, the step of the stag ' sooner ?Why
making for accustomed
his spring, the " Yes ; have sent out scouts, they
if xve
beating of the wings of the bat in the will have done the same."
"
glades, and two hours passed without any «« Well ?
 GEORGES 127

" Well, there are prowling about from those whose track he was doubtless
men
in our neighbourhood." searching for. Laiza and Pierre Munier
" How do you know ? have you heard held their breath the other Negroes stood ;

their voices ? have you recognised their as if carved in marble.

"
step ? At this moment a gleam of silver began
*'
No but I heard a stag go by,
; and I to light the summits of the chain of
knew by the rapidity of his pace that he mountains which, through the glades of
had been startled from his lair." the forest, could be seen rising against the
'*
You think then that some prowler is horizon. Soon the hollow outline of the
"
on our track ? waning moon appeared behind the Morne
"
" I am sure of it. Hush des Creoles, and began to move across
!

" What is it ? " the sky.

" Listen—" In direct contrast to the darkness, which
" Yes, I do hear a sound." had mounted upwards, the light came
"It is a woodcock flying at two hundred down from above; but this light pene-
yards from us." trated only the open places, leaving the
" In which direction ? " forest, with the exception of a few spots of
" There " said Laiza, extending his
! ground on which the light poured through
hand towards a clump of trees, the tops the chinks of the foliage, in profound
of which could be seen rising above the obscurity.
ravine. At this moment, there was a slight dis-
" And you think it was a man that turbance of the branches in a thicket
"
startled it ? bordering the path and rising above the
" A
man or several men," answered declivity, of which the rapid slope led, as
Laiza; " cannot determine the number."
I we have said, to a precipice then gradu-
;

** That is not what I mean. You think ally these branches parted and allowed a
"
it was frightened by some human being ? man's head to pass through them.
" Animals recognise instinctively the In spite of the darkness, which however
sounds made by other animals, and are at this spot was not so great since it was
not alarmed by them," answered Laiza. not overshadowed by any tree, Pierre and
"
" So then ? Laiza noticed at the same moment the
" So then they are approaching. There ! movement imparted to the thicket, for the
do you hear ?
" added the Negro, dropping hand of each sought and grasped the hand
his voice. of the other simultaneously.
" What is it ? " asked the old man, The spy remained for an instant
adopting the same precaution. motionless then he thrust his head for-
;

" The noise of a dry branch which has
just cracked beneath the feet of one of
them. Hush for they are now nearly
! his gaze, made another forward move-
close enough to us to hear the sound of
our voices. Hide behind this tamarind,
while I go back to my post."
There was a moment's silence, dur-
ing which nothing disturbed the quiet of
the night, but after a few seconds came
the sound of a pebble detached from the
ground and rolling over the steep slope of
the cliff. Laiza felt Pierre Munier's
breath against his cheek. The latter was
doubtless going to speak, but the Negro
grasped him forcibly by the arm the old
man understood that silence was impera-
tive, and obeyed.
At the same time the woodcock flew off
noisily for the second time, uttering its
ward once more, examining with eyes and
ears the whole of the space disclosed to
ment, and then, reassured by the silence
which made him think that no one was
near, raised himself upon his knees, and
listened once more, and still seeing and
hearing nothing, finally stood upright
altogether.
Laiza then grasped Pierre Munier's
hand more firmly to impress on him a
greater caution, since, for his own part,
he no longer had any doubt but that
this man was looking for their track.
; And, in point of fact, when the prowler
reached the edge of the path, he stooped
once more and examined the ground to
see if it retained any trace of the tread of
a number of men then he touched the
;

peculiar cry, and passing over the top of grass with the palm of his hand to see
the tamarind, made for the higher regions if it had been crushed; he touched the

of the mountain. stones with the point of his finger to be

The prowler was hardly twenty yards quite certain they had not been disturbed
128 GEORGES
from their beds ; and finally, as if even '*
First fasten this fellow to a tree,"
the air might have retained some traces said he; " I must speak to M. Munier.'
of those for whom he was searching, he The Negroes seized Antonio by his
raised his head and fixed his eyes on the hands and feet and tied him with bind-
tamarind, against the trunk and beneath weed to the trunk of a takamaka. Laiza
the shadow of which Laiza was con- made certain that he was tied securely,
cealed. and then, leading the old man a few paces
At this instant a moonbeam passed away, stretched his hand in the direction
between the tops of two trees and threw whence he had heard the dog's bark.
its light on the spy's face. " Did you hear that ? " he asked him.
Then, with a movement quick as light- " What ? " asked the old man.
ning Laiza disengaged his right hand " The bark of a dog."
from Pierre Munier's hand, and, spring- "No."
ing with one bound so as to seize at its " Listen, it's coming nearer."
extremity one of the most flexible " Yes, I heard it that time."
branches of the tree which sheltered him, " They are hunting us like stags."
dived with the swiftness of a swooping " What do you think it is we they are
!

"
eagle to the foot of the rock and seized pursuing ?
the spy by his girdle then, giving with his
;
" What should you think it is then ? "
foot an impulse to the branch which " Some dog that has escaped, hunting
now sprang up again, mounted with him on his own account."
as the eagle soars with its prey. Then " Yes, that is possible, after all," mur-
slipping his hand along the smooth and mured Laiza; "let us listen."
polished bark of the bough, he fell at the There was a moment's silence, at the
foot of the tree in the midst of his com- end of which more barking re-echoed
panions, still grasping his prisoner, who, through the forest, nearer at hand than
knife in hand, strove vainly to wound his on the previous occasions.
captor, as the snake strives vainly to bite " It is we they are chasing."
the king of the air which carries him oflf " And how do you know that ? "
from the depths of a marsh to his eyrie " That is not the bark of a dog hunting,"
near the sky. said Laiza, " it is the howling of a dog in
Then, in spite of the darkness, every search of his master. The devils must
one at the first glance recognised the have found a dog chained up in some
prisoner, who was none other than Antonio Negro's hut, and taken him to guide
the Malay. All this had happened so them ; if that Negro is with us, we are

swiftly and so unexpectedly that Antonio lost."

had not uttered a sound. "It is Fiddle's voice," murmured Pierre
At last then Laiza held his mortal Munier with a start.
enemy in his power, and was about to in- " Yes, yes, I recognise it now," said
flict instant punishment on the traitor and Laiza. " I have heard it before it is the
;

assassin. dog that howled last night, when we

He was pressing him beneath his knee, brought your son wounded to Moka."
looking at him with that terrible smile " I quite forgot to bring him when we
of the victor by which the vanquished started still, if it were Fiddle, I think he
;

realises that there is nothing to hope for, would be running faster. Listen how
when suddenly the distant barking of a slowly his voice comes nearer " !

dog was heard. " They are holding him in a leash and
Without loosing the hand with which following him he has perhaps a whole
;

he grasped his throat, or the hand by regiment at his heels. You must not be
which he held his wrist, Laiza raised his angry with the poor beast," added the
head and listened in the direction whence Anjouan Negro with a grim smile, " he
the sound had come. cannot go any faster. But don't be un-
At this sound Laiza Antonio easy, he will come sure enough."
felt
shudder. " Well, what is to be done ? " asked
" Everything at its proper time," Pierre Munier.-
murmured Laiza, as if speaking to him- " If you had any vessel waiting for you
self. at Grand- Port, I should say that as we are
Then, addressing the Negroes who sur- but eight or ten leagues from it, there was
rounded him : still time for us to get there but you have
;
 " " " : :

GEORGES 129

no chance of escape in that direction, have the oath, and does my brother remember
you ? them ?

" None." " I remember them," said Antonio in a

" Then we must defend ourselves, and, scarcely articulate voice.
ifpossible," added the Negro in a gloomy " Well then, answer the questions I am
tone, " die in doing so." going to put to you," said Laiza.
" Come then," said Pierre Munier, " I do not recognise your right to ques-
regaining all his courage the moment it tion me; you are not my judge," cried
was a question of fighting. " Come then, Antonio.
for the dog will lead them to the opening " Then I shall question some one else,"
of the cavern, and it will take them replied Laiza.
some time to get in, even when they are Then, turning to the Negroes who were
there." lying round him on the ground :

"Very Vv-ell," said Laiza, " away with " Get up, you others, and answer."
you then to the inttenchments." The Negroes obeyed, and some ten or
" But why do you not come with twelve black figures silently ranged them-
me ? " selves in a semi-circle in front of the tree
•'
I ? Oh ! I must wait here for a few to which Antonio was tied.

moments longer." " They are slaves," cried Antonio, " and
" But you will join us again ? " I ought not to be judged by slaves I am ;

" When the first gun is fired, turn no Negro, I am free. It is for a court to
round and you will see me at your side." judge me if I have committed a crime,
The old man extended his hand to and not for you."
Laiza, for the common danger had " That will do," said Laiza. " will We
obliterated difference of rank between
all judge you first, and then you shall appeal
them then he threw his gun over his
; to whom you choose."
shoulder, and, followed by his escort, went Antonio held his tongue, and, in the
off at a rapid pace towards the entrance moment of silence which followed the in-
to the cavern. junction Laiza had just given him, the
Laiza followed him with his eyes until bark of the dog was heard drawing
he was quite lost in the darkness then, ; nearer.
turning to Antonio, whom the Negroes Since the culprit will not answer,"
*'

according to his orders had bound to a Laiza to the Negroes who surrounded
said
tree, he said : Antonio, " you must answer for him.
" And now, Antonio, for you and me." Who was it that denounced the con-
"You and me?" said Antonio in a spiracy to the Governor, because some
trembling voice. " And what does Laiza one else and not himself had been named
want with his friend and brother ? " as leader ?
"

" I want him to remember what was "Antonio the Malay," answered all
said on the evening of the Yamse by the the Negroes in a low tone, but unani-
bank of the Riviere des Lataiiiers." mously.
" Many things were said, and my " It is not true " cried Antonio. " It is !

"
brother Laiza was very eloquent, for every- not true I swear it I protest! ! !

body followed his advice." " Silence !" said Laiza in the same im-
" And among those things does Antonio perative tone.
remember the sentence pronounced before- Then he resumed
hand against traitors ? " Who
was it that, after denouncing
Antonio shuddered from head to foot, the conspiracy to the Governor, shot at
and, in spite of the copper tint of his skin, our leader, by the base of the little moun-
might have been seen to turn pale, had it tain, and wounded him ? "
been daylight. " Antonio the Malay," answered all the
" My brother appears to have lost his Negroes.
memory," resumed Laiza in a tone of " Who
saw me ? " cried the Malay :

cutting irony ; "well, I am going to bring " Who dares to say it was I ? Who
could
it back to him. It was said that, in distinguish one man from another in the
case a traitor should be found among us, darkness ? "
any of us might put an end to him by a " Silence " said Laiza. !

death prompt or lingering, gentle or Then, continuing in the same calm tone
terrible. Are those the exact words of of inquiry, he said
 ! !!

130 GEORGES
" Lastly, after denouncing the conspir- Laiza ; " you have ten minutes, prepare
acy to the Governor and trying to murder yourself."
our leader, who was it came in the night Antonio tried to pronounce some words,
crawling like a snake round our retreat, but his voice failed him.
to discover some opening by which the The barking of the dog was heard
"
English soldiers might enter ? drawing nearer every moment.
" Antonio the Malay," replied the *'
Where is the rope ? " said Laiza.
Negroes once more, with the same accent " Here," answered a Negro, handing
of conviction that had not failed them for Laiza the article which he asked for.
an instant. " Good," said he.
" I was coming to join my brothers," And, the office of the Judge having
cried the prisoner " I was coming to been completed, that of the Executioner
;

share their lot, whatever it might be, I began.

swear and protest I was." Laiza took hold of one of the strongest
" Do you believe what he says?" asked branches of the tamarind, pulled it
Laiza. towards him and fastened one end of the
" No no
! no " chorussed all the rope to it, then made a running knot of
! !

voices. the other end and passed it over Antonio's

•«
My kind friends," said Antonio, head. Next he ordered two Negroes to
" listen to me, I entreat you " hold the branch, and, having assured him-
!

" Silence " said Laiza.

! Then he con- self that the condemned man, spite of the
tinued, with the same accent of solemnity rupture of two or three of his bands, was
which he had maintained all the time, still secured tightly, he bade him a second
and which indicated the greatness of time prepare for death.
the duty which he had imposed upon The condemned man had now recovered
himself: speech but, instead of using it to implore
;

" Antonio is not once, but three times, the mercy of God, he raised his voice to
a traitor Antonio then would deserve to
;
make a last appeal to the pity of men.
die three times, if that were possible. " Well, yes, my brothers, yes, my
Antonio, prepare to appear before the friends," said he, changing his tactics,
"
Great Spirit, for you are about to die ! and trying to obtain by confession what
*'
It is murder " cried Antonio, " and
! had been refused to his denials, " yes, I
you have no right to murder a free man. am very guilty, I know, and you have the
Besides, the English cannot be far off I ; right to treat me as you are doing but
;

will appeal to them, I will shout. Help you will pardon your old comrade, will
help They are cutting my throat they
! ! you not? your comrade who used to amuse
"
are you in the evenings ? poor Antonio, who
Laiza took the Malay by the throat used to tell you such nice stories and sang
and smothered his between his fin-
cries you such rousing songs ! How will you
gers of iron ; then, turning towards the do without him ? who will amuse and
negroes : distract you ? who will make you forget
" Get a rope ready," he said. the fatigue of the day's work ? Let me
On hearing this order, which fore- off, my friends let poor Antonio off
!

"
shadowed the fate awaiting him, An- I ask you on my knees for my life !

tonio struggled so violently that he " Think of the Great Spirit," said
broke some of the bonds which held him. Laiza "for you have but five minutes to
;

But he could not free himself from the live, Antonio."

most terrible of them all, the hand of " Instead of five minutes, Laiza, kind
Laiza. After some seconds, however, the Laiza," resumed Antonio in a tone of
Negro realised, by the convulsions which entreaty, " give me five years, and during
he felt running through Antonio's whole those five years I will be your slave I ;

frame, that, if he continued to grasp him will follow you, be always at your orders,
so tightly, there would soon be no need always ready to obey you, and, when I
for a rope. So he relaxed his hold on the or commit the slightest fault, well,
fail,

throat of the prisoner, who let his head

then you shall punish me, and I will bear
fall on his breast Uke a man with the the lash, the rod, the rope, without com-
death-rattle in his throat. plaint, and say that you are a kind master
" I said that I would grant you time to for having given me my life. Oh
appear before the Great Spirit," said Laiza, give me my life, give me my life!"
 : ;; ;

GEORGES 131

" Listen, Antonio," said Laiza, " do

"
CHAPTER XXVI
you hear that dog barking ?
" Yes and you think it was I who
; NIGGER HUNTING
advised its being let loose ? no, you are
wrong, I swear it."
" Antonio," said Laiza, " it would not
LAIZA had not been mistaken,
the dog, in following the
and
track of
have entered the head of even a White his master, had
led the English straight
to employ a dog to hunt down his own to the entrance of the cavern. Here he
master. This idea was yours, Antonio." had dashed into the brushwood and had
The Malay uttered a deep groan then, ; begun to scratch and to bite at the stones.
after an instant, as though he hoped to Then the English knew they were at the
melt his foe by dint of humility, he end of their pursuit.
said They immediately sent forward soldiers
" Well, yes, it was mine. The Great armed with picks, who fell to work, and
Spirit had forsaken me, the thirst for in a few minutes effected an opening large
revenge had made me mad. You must enough to admit a man's body. soldier A
show pity for a madman, Laiza pardon pushed
;
his body through, in order to look
me, in the name of your brother Nazim." into the opening. Instantly a shot was
" And who was it again who betrayed heard, and the soldier fell, his breast
Nazim, when Nazim wanted to escape ? pierced by a bullet a second soldier suc- ;

Ah that is a name that you were very ceeded the first, and fell in the same Avay
!
;

foolish to pronounce, Antonio. The five a third advanced in his turn and shared
minutes are up. Malay, you are going the same fate.
to die." It was evident from the rebels having
" Oh ! no, no not to die " said themselves given the signal for attack,
no, ! !

Antonio. " Pardon, Laiza pardon, my that they were resolved to make a des-
!

"
friends ! perate defence.
But, without listening to the plaints, The assailants began to go to work
the entreaties, or the prayers of the more cautiously sheltering themselves as
;

condemned man, Laiza drew his knife much as they could, they enlarged the
and at a blow cut all the ties which bound breach so that several men could enter
Antonio. At the same instant the two abreast the drums beat, and the Grena-
;

men, at an order from him, let go the
branch, which sprang back, carrying with
it the unfortunate Malay.
A shriek, terrible, supreme, a shriek
in which seemed to be combined all the
strength of despair, resounded and then
died away in mournful accents and was
lost in the depths of the forest. All wasthe middle of the cavern, but only to leave
over, and Antonio was nothing but a
corpse swinging at the end of the rope
diers advanced with fixed bayonets.
But the besieged occupied such an ad-
vantageous position that in an instant
the breach was littered with dead, and the
bodies had to be removed to make room
a second assault. for
This time the English penetrated to
a still larger number of dead than at the
previous advance sheltered behind the ;

above the precipice. intrenchment which Georges had ordered

Laiza remained for an instant motion- to be raised, the Negroes, under the direc-
less, watching the movements of the rope tion of Laiza and Pierre Munier, fired
as its vibration gradually diminished with unerring accuracy.
then, when it almost described a perpen- Meanwhile, Georges, incapacitated by
dicular and motionless line against the his wound, and lying in his cabin, cursed
blue of the sky, he listened once more to the inactivity to which he was reduced
the barking of the dog, which was now the smell of powder which enveloped him,
hardly more than a hundred yards from the noise of musketry crackling in hie
the cavern. He picked up his gun which ear, everything, including the successivn
he had laid on the ground, and, turning charges made by the English, aroused is
to the other Negroes, said : him that ardent fever of battle which
" Come, my friends, we are avenged makes a man stake his life on the whim
now, we can die." of accident. But, in this case, it was
And, starting off at a rapid pace, he much worse, for it was no foreign cause
marched at their head towards the in- that was being fought out, it was no
trenchments. question of supporting the pleasure of a
 :

132 GEORGES
king, or of a Nation's honour that had to " I will explain, later on."
be avenged. No, it was his own personal Then, turning to the Negroes, he
cause which these men were defending, explained
while he, Georges, the man of stout heart, " Come, children, the supreme moment
of adventurous spirit, could do nothing, has arrived. Fire on the redcoats, and
neither in action, nor even in counsel; don't waste a shot in an hour's time
;

and Georges bit the mattress on which he
was lying, Georges wept with vexation.
At the second attack, when the English
succeeded in reaching the middle of the
powder and ball will be scarce."
Immediately the fusillade broke out.
The Negroes as a rule are excellent
shots they therefore carried out Laiza's
;

cavern, they fired, from the point which injunctions to the letter, and the ranks of
they had gained, several volleys at the the English began to be thinned. But,
intrenchment, and, as the cabin in which after each discharge, the ranks closed up
Georges was lying was just behind the again with admirable discipline, and the
intrenchment, two or three bullets whizzed column, which had been delayed by the
through the branches forming its walls. first difficulties of the passage, continued
This sound, which would have alarmed to advance up the cave. Not a shot was
any one else, consoled and elated Georges, now fired by the English, who appeared
since he reflected that he, too, was in determined this time to carry the intrench-
danger, and that if he could not inflict ment at the point of the bayonet.
death, he might at least meet it. The situation, serious as it was for all,
The English had for the moment was doubly so for Georges, thanks to the
desisted from the attack but it was
; helplessness to which he was condemned.
evident that they were preparing for a He had at first raised himself on his
fresh assault, and you could hear, from elbow; then he had got upon his knees,
the heavy and resounding blows of the and at last succeeded in struggling to his
pick-axe, that they had not abandoned feet.But, having reached this point, his
their project. In point of fact, after a weakness became so great, that the earth
short interval, a portion of the outer wall seemed to give way beneath him, and he
of the cavern fell in, thereby doubling the was forced to cling with his hands to the
size of the opening. Immediately the branches which surrounded him. While
drums beat again, and, by the light of the recognising the courage of the few devoted
moon, the bayonets were seen for the men who accompanied his fortunes to the
third time gleaming at the entrance to end, he could not refrain from admiring
the cavern. the cool and imperturbable bravery of the
Pierre Munier and Laiza exchanged English, who continued to march as if
glances ; this time, it was evident the on parade, although, at each step they
struggle would be a terrible one. took, they were obliged to close up their
" What is your last resource ? " asked ranks. He realised that this time they
Laiza. did not mean to retreat, and that in five
" The cavern is mined," said the old minutes' time they would carry the in-
man. trenchment, spite of the fire that issued
" In that case, we have still a chance from it. Then, the thought that it was
of safety, but, at the decisive moment, for him, forced as he was to remain an
you must do as I tell you, or we are all inactive spectator of the combat, that all
lost, for it is not possible to retreat with these men were about to be killed, filled
a wounded man." his heart with remorse he tried to step
;

_" Well, I shall kill myself at his side," forward and throw himself between the
said the old man." combatants and put a stop to the slaughter
" It would be better that both of you by surrendering himself, since, in all
should escape." probability, it was against himself alone
"Together?" that they bore ill-will. But he felt unable
"Together or separately, it matters to traverse a third of the distance that
which."
little divided him from the English. He wanted
" I shall not leave my son, Laiza, I to call out to the besieged to cease their
warn you." fire, to the besiegers to advance no further,
" You will leave him, if it is his only and that he would give himself up but ;

means of safety." his enfeebled voice was lost in the roar of

" What "
do you mean ? the fusillade. Besides, at this moment he
 ;; :

GEORGES 133

saw his father stand up, showing half his '*

I will save him or die with him," said
height above the intrenchment, then Laiza " that is all I can promise." ;

advance a few steps towards the EngHsh " And I know that you will keep your
with a branch of fir blazing in his hand, promise. Only wait while I go and em-
and, amid the fire and smoke, lower this brace my son once more, and then I will
strange torch to the ground. Instantly a start."
train of flame ran along the earth and, " No, no," said Laiza ;
" if you see
burying itself in the soil, disappeared him, you will not want to leave him if ;

then, at the same moment, the ground he knows that you are exposing yourself
sliook, a terrible explosion was heard, a to danger to save his life, he will not allow
flaming crater opened beneath the feet of you to do it. Go then, go ! And follow
the English, the vault of the cavern him, all of you four men only come with
;

yawned and sank down, the rocks which me, the strongest, most vigorous, and
lay upon it buried themselves with it, most devoted."
and, amid the cries of the rest of the regi- Some dozen men stepped forward, of
ment who were still on the farther side whom Laiza selected four then, as ;

of the opening, the subterranean passage Pierre Munier hesitated to start

disappeared in a yawning chasm. " The EngHsh the English " he cried
1
!

" Now," said Laiza, " there is not a to the old man " they will be here in a
;

moment to lose." moment."

" Give your orders ; what must be " At the mouth of the Grande-Riviere
"
done ? then ? " cried Pierre.
" Fly towards Grand- Port and try to " Yes, if we are not taken or killed."
find refuge on a French ship I will look
;
" Farewell, Georges, farewell " cried !

after Georges." Pierre Munier. And, followed by the re-

' I will not leave my son, I told you so." maining Negroes, he rushed off in the
" And I told you that you will leave direction of the Monfagne des Creoles.
him for, by remaining, you destroy him."
;
"Father," cried Georges, "where are
" How is that ? " you going ? what are you doing ? why do
" With your dog, which they have still you not come and die with your son ?
got, they are following you everywhere, Wait for me, father, here I am."
driving you into the thickest part of the But Pierre Munier was already far
forest, reaching you in the deepest of away, and the last words, especially, were
caverns, and Georges, wounded as he is, uttered in so feeble a tone that the old
will be soon overtaken. But, on the other man could not hear them.
hand, if you fly on your own account, Laiza ran to the wounded man, and
they will think that your son is accom- found him on his knees.
panying you then it is you they will
; "Father!" murmured Georges, and
pursue it;is you they will be intent fell back in a faint.
upon it is you they will perhaps over-
; Laiza lost no time this fainting fit was ;

take. Meantime I profit by the dark- almost a stroke of luck. Doubtless, had
ness, and carry Georges, with four de- Georges been conscious, he would not
voted men, in another direction w-e have wished to make any further struggle
;

shall reach the woods which surround for his life with those who Avere pursuing
the Morne du Bavibou. If you find any him, and would have looked upon this
means of saving us, you will light a fire solitary flight as a thing to be ashamed
on the lie des Oiseaux then we will go of. His weakness, however, placed him
;

down the Grande-Riviere on a raft, and at the mercy of Laiza. The latter laid
you will come with a boat and take us in him, still unconscious, on the litter each ;

at the mouth of the river." of the Negroes whom he had kept with
Pierre Munier had listened to all this him took one of its handles, and, going
with eyes fixed, and breathing sus- ahead himself to point out the road, he
pended, pressing Laiza's hands between made for the direction of the Trois-Ilots,
his own then, as he finished, he threw whence he hoped, by following the course
;

his arms round his neck and cried of the Grande-Riviere, to reach the Piton
:

" Laiza Laiza yes, yes, I understand

! ! du Bambou.
it is the only way, with all this English They had not gone a quarter of a
pack at my heels. Yes, that is the way, league when they heard the barking of
and you will save my Georges." a dog.
 ;

134
At a gesture from Laiza the bearers
halted. Georges was still unconscious,
or at least so exhausted that he appeared
to take no notice of what was going on.
What Laiza had foreseen had happened
the English had scaled the enclosure, and
reckoned on using the dog in order to
GEORGES
all the animals seemed to share in the
uneasiness of man. The firing, which
had resounded all night long, had
awakened the birds in the branches, the
boars in their lairs, the deer in their
thickets; everything was on the move,
everything in a state of alarm you might
;

overtake the fugitives a second time, as
they had already done once.
There was a moment of painful sus-
pense during which Laiza listened to the
dog's barking; for some time the sound
remained stationary. The dog had come
to the spot where the encounter had taken
place ;
presently, two or three barks
sounded still nearer. The dog was
going from the intrenchment where
have thought that all living creatures
were seized with a kind of giddiness.
They marched thus for two hours,
when it became necessary to halt. The
Negroes had been fighting all night and
had eaten nothing since four o'clock the
previous evening. Laiza halted under
the ruins of a shed which had evidently
that very night served as a shelter for
runaway Negroes for, on stirring a heap
;

Georges had remained for some time of ashes, the result apparently of a fairly
and where his father had gone to visit long stay, they found them still alight.
him. Finally the noise of the barks Three of the Negroes went off to hunt
died away in a southerly direction the ; for tanrecs. The fourth busied himself
stratagem of Laiza had been successful; in rekindling the hearth, while Laiza
the hunters were foiled in the scent, and, searched for herbs to renew the wounded
abandoning the son, were following the man's bandages.
father. Strong as Georges was in body and
The situation was now all more vigorous in mind, his moral forces had
the
grave that, during this brief halt, the been overcome by the material he was ;

first gleams of day had appeared, and the now in a fever of delirium, ignorant of
mysterious darkness of the forest began what was going on, unable to help by
to be lighted up. Certainly, had Georges ad\ice or action those who were trying to
been in his usual health and vigour, the save him.
perplexity would have been less, for in The dressing cf the wound, however,
that case craft, courage, and skill would appeared to soothe him. As for Laiza,
have been present in equal proportions on he seemed to triumph over all the
both sides, between pursuers and pursued; physical wants of nature. For sixty
but the fact that Georges was wounded hours he had not slept, yet he seemed to
made the game unequal, and Laiza did need no sleep for twenty hours he had;

not disguise from himself the fact that not tasted food, and yet did not seem to
the position was most critical. be hungry.
One apprehension, especially, engaged The Negroes came back one after the
his thoughts, namely, that in all pro- other with six or eight tanrecs, which they
bability the Enghsh might have taken as hastened to roast before the large fire,
auxiliaries some slaves trained to the which their comrade had made Laiza :

pursuit of runaway Negroes, and have was rather uneasy about the smoke,
made them some promise, as, for example, but he reflected that they must now have
of freedom, if Georges should fall into travelled two or three leagues at least
their hands. In that case Laiza would from the spot where the fight took
lose part of his advantage as a man place, without leaving any track behind
intimate with Nature, by being pitted them, and that, even supposing this smoke
against similar men for whom, like him- was observed, it would only be by some
self, solitude had no secrets and night no outpost sufficiently far off to allow them
mysteries. time to escape before they were overtaken.
He concluded therefore that there was When the meal was finished, the
not a moment to lose, and, his uncertainty Negroes called Laiza, who had remained
as to the direction which the pursuers seated near Georges. Laiza got up, and,
would take being now resolved, he on looking at the group whom he hastily
resumed the march, making always to- rejoined, noticed that one of the Negroes
wards the East. had received a wound in the thigh which
The forest had a strange aspect, and was still bleeding.
 GEORGES 135

This discovery destroyed all his almost impossible to proceed farther; if

feeling
of security his track would be followed he kept to the more open parts, he would
;

like that of a wounded deer, not, perhaps, expose himself to the fire of the enemy.
because the pursuers suspected the im- However he preferred the latter alter-
portance of the capture which they might native.
make by following the track, but because At the start, and by dint of his rapid
the capture of any prisoner, whoever he dash, Laiza found himself almost be-
might be, would be, owing to the infor- yond range of their rifles, and, had it been
mation which he could supply, of too only the English with whom he had to
great importance for the English not to deal, he would doubtless have got away.
do all in their power to secure such a But, though it was perhaps with reluctance
capture. that the Negroes joined in the pursuit,
Just as this reflection struck him, and still, as they were urged on by the soldiers

as he was opening his mouth to bid the
four Negroes who were squatting round
the fire resume their march, a small
cluster of trees, thicker than the rest of
the forest, and on which his uneasy eyes
had rested more than once, burst into
flame, a brisk discharge of musketry was
heard, and five or six bullets whizzed
round him. One of the Negroes fell for-
ward into the fire, the three others jumped
up but, after running five or six yards,
; lets touched him, and his pace was quick-
a second fell, and then a third about ten
yards farther on. The fourth alone
escaped safe and sound and disappeared
into the woods.
with their bayonets, they were compelled
to go forward, and so run down their
human quarry, if not with enthusiasm,
at least from motives of fear.
From time to time, when Laiza could
be seen through the trees, some shots were
fired at him, and the bullets grazed the
bark of the trees round him or furrowed
the earth at his feet. But, as though he
bore an enchanted life, none of these bul-
ened, if one may so say, by reason of the
danger which he had just escaped.
At last he arrived at the edge of the
glade a steep and almost unprotected
;

At the sight of the smoke, the sound of slope, with another thicket of trees at its
the discharge, and the whistling of the summit, had to be climbed but, the sum- ;

bullets, Laiza sprang with one bound to
the litter where Georges was lying and,
snatching him up in his arms as if he
were a child, dashed off in his turn into
the forest, not appearing to slacken his
pace in the slightest degree for the burden
he was bearing.
Immediately eight or ten of the English
soldiers, escorted by five or six Negroes,
leaped out of the cluster of trees and
mit once reached, Laiza would at least be
; able to disappear behind some rock, slip
down some ravine, and thus avoid the
sight of his pursuers. On the other hand,
he would remain unprotected and exposed
to their fire throughout the whole interval
that separated him from the trees.
There was, however, no room for hesi-
tation ; to turn to right or left was to lose
ground chance had, so far, favoured the
;

started in pursuit of the fugitives, of fugitives, the same good luck might still
whom they had recognised Georges to be attend them.
one, knowing that he was wounded. As Laiza dashed into the glade the pur- ;

Laiza had foreseen, the blood had guided
them. They had followed the track, and
arrived within half rifle-range of the shed,
then had aimed with rested rifles, and, as
we have seen, had aimed well, since three
out of the four Negroes had been, if not
killed, at least disabled.
Now began a desperate chase for it
; continued his course. The soldiers had
was evident that, however great the
strength and activity of Laiza, he could
not succeed in getting out of sight of his
pursuers, who must overtake him in the
end. Unhappily, he was placed between
suers in their turn, seeing an opportunity
of firing in the open, redoubled their
speed. Laiza was now about fifty yards
ahead.
Then, as though by word of command,
each soldier halted, took aim, and fired.
Laiza appeared not to be touched, and
still time to reload their weapons before
he disappeared, and hastily slipped the
cartridges into the breech of their rifles.
Meanwhile, Laiza was gaining ground
rapidly it was plain that, if he escaped
;

two dangers almost equally fatal if he ; the second discharge as he had done the
plunged into the thickest of the forest, it first, and reached the thicket safe and
might become so dense that it would be sound, all the chances would be in his
 ; :

i3« GEORGES
favour. Scarcely twenty-five yards separ- delirium, retained only dim recollections,
ated him from the edge of the thicket, and, which did not allow him to calculate the
during the brief halt of his pursuers, he had flight of time or to distinguish one event
gained a hundred and fifty yards on them. from another. One morning, however,
Suddenly, he disappeared in a bend of the he woke as from a sleep disturbed by
ground but, unfortunately, its winding dreadful dreams, and, on opening his eyes,
;

did not extend either to right or left. He realised that he was in a prison. The
followed it, however, as far as he could, Surgeon-Wajor of the regiment stationed
in order to baffle his enemies but, on at Port-Louis was by his side.
;

reaching the extremity of the little ravine On recalling, however, all that he could
the shoulder of which had protected him, remember, Georges succeeded in retracing
he was obliged to climb the slope once more, the events which had happened, but
and, consequently, to show himself again. grouped, as it were, in large masses,
At this moment ten or a dozen shots were much as through the fog you get a
fired simultaneously, and his pursuers glimpse of lakes, mountains and forests.
seemed to see him stagger. In point of fact, Everything came back to him, down to
after taking a few steps, Laiza stopped, the moment when he was wounded. His
staggered again, fell on one knee, then on arrival at Moka and his departure with
both, and laid Georges, who was still un- his father had not quite escaped his
conscious, on the ground. Then, rising memory, but everything, from the time of
to his full height, he turned towards the his reaching the great woods, was vague
English, extending both his hands towards and indistinct, like a dream. However,
them with a final gesture of menace and the only indisputable, positive, and fatal
fierce malediction, and, drawing his knife certainty was that he was now in the
from his girdle, plunged it up to the hilt hands of his enemies. Georges was too
in his breast. scornful to put any question, too proud to
The soldiers dashed forward, uttering ask any service, so he could learn nothing
loud shouts of delight, like hunters at a of what had happened. His heart was
death-halloo. Laiza remained standing distracted, however, by two terrible
for a few seconds then,
; suddenly, anxieties
fell like a tree torn up by the roots Had his father escaped ?
the blade of the knife had pierced his Did Sara still love him ?
heart. These two thoughts pervaded his whole
On reaching the two fugitives, the being when one of them disappeared, it
;

soldiers found Laiza dead, and Georges was to make room for the other they ;

dying. Georges, with a last effort, to were like two ceaseless tides beating in
avoid falling alive into the hands of his turns upon his heart with their everlast-
enemies, had torn the bandages from his ing ebb and flow.
wounds, and the blood was gushing forth ]3ut there were no outward indications
in torrents. of this tempest which was raging in his
As for Laiza, besides the blow aimed mind. His face remained pale, cold and
at his heart with the knife, he had received unruffled as a marble statue, not only in
a bullet in his thigh, and another which presence of all who visited the prison, but
had pierced his breast through and even in presence of himself.
through. When the doctor considered the wounded
man strong enough to undergo an examin-
ation, he informed the authorities, and on
the next day the examining Magistrate,
accompanied by a clerk, presented himself
before Georges. Georges was still unable
CHAPTER XXVII to leave his bed, but he did the honours of
his room nevertheless to the two officials
THE REHEARSAL with a patience full of dignity, and, lean-
ing on his elbow, declared that he was
ALL that passed during the two or ready to answer any questions that might
three days following the catas- be put to him.
trophe which we have just related left but Our readers are too well acquainted
a vague impression on the mind of with the character of Georges to think
Georges. His intellect, disordered by that the idea had for a moment occurred
 GEORGES 137

to him of denying any of the facts with " My own conscience, doctor I have ;

which he was charged. Not merely did played a game in which my head was at
he answer with absolute truth all the stake. I have lost, and am ready to pay ;

questions put to him, but he even that is all."

promised, not that day, for he felt too " All the same," said the doctor, " I am
weak, but on the morrow, that he would of opinion that you need a few days' care
himself dictate to the clerk the whole still before exposing yourself to the fatigue

story of the conspiracy in detail. The
ofifer was too courteous to be declined
by the Magistrate. Georges had a two-
fold object in making this proposal first, ; the examining Ivlagistrate that his wound
to hasten the progress of the trial,
secondly, to take the whole of the responsi-
bility upon himself.
The two presented themselves
officials
next day. Georges gave them the account
which he had promised ; when, however,
he was passing over in silence
proposals which had been made to him
by Laiza, the Magistrate interrupted him
with the remark that he was omitting an
extenuating circumstance which, owing
to the death of Laiza, could not now be
charged against any one.
It was thus that Georges learned the
death of Laiza and its accompanying
circumstances for, as we have said, all
; hatred.
these events were, so far as he was
concerned, shrouded in obscurity.
Not once was his father's name pro-
nounced, either by himself or the others,
nor was the name of Sara, for stronger
of a trial and the excitement of being
sentenced."
But, that very day, Georges wrote to
was completely healed, and that con-
sequently, he was at the disposal of
justice.
Two days afterwards the trial began.
Georges, on appearing before the Judges,
looked round him with anxiety and was
the delighted to see that he was the only
person charged.
Then he glanced confidently down the
hall ;the whole Town was present at the
hearing, with the exception of M. de
Malmedie, Henri, and Sara.
Some of the spectators appeared to
pity the accused man, but the majority
of the faces wore an expression of satisfied
As Georges, his demeanour was
for
calm and haughty, as ever. He was
dressed, as usual, in a black frock-coat
and cravat, with white waistcoat and
trousers his double riband was knotted
;

reasons still, as you may suppose, so much at his button-hole.

as mentioned.
This declaration by Georges rendered
any other inquiry superfluous. Georges
therefore ceased to receive any visits except
from the doctor.
One morning the doctor, on entering
the room, found Georges standing up.
" Sir," said he, " I forbade you to get
up for some days you are not sufficiently
;
strong yet."
" That is to say, my dear doctor,"
answered Georges, " that you do me the
An advocate for the defence had been
appointed for him, Georges having
declined to choose one. His wish was
that no attempt even should be made to
plead his cause.
What Georges himself said was not a
defence, but a history of his whole life.
He did not conceal the fact that he had
returned to the Isle of France with the
intention of overcoming, by all the means
in his power, the prejudice oppressing
men of colour only, he did not breathe
;

injustice of confounding me with the a word of the causes which had hastened
ordinary criminal, who delays the day of the execution of his protest.
trial as long as he possibly can whereas, ; One of the Judges questioned him in
I confess it frankly, I am in a hurry to regard to M. de Malmedie, but Georges
get it over. Now do you think, in all asked to be allowed not to reply.
conscience, that it is worth while getting In spite of the facilities given to the
so thoroughly healed, merely in order 10 Court by Georges, the discussion none
die ? For my own part, 1 thir^- "-hat, the less dragged on for three days even ;

provided I have strength enoi . i.iount when they have nothing to say, lawyers
the scaffold properly, it is all '^v... can be must always talk.
required of me, and all that I can require The Advocate-General spoke for four
of God." hours and pulverised Georges.
" But who tells you that you will be Georges listened to the whole of this
condemned to death ? " said the doctor. long harangue with the greatest calmness,
 ;

138
bowing in token of assent from time to
time.
Then, when the speech of the PubHc
Prosecutor was finished, the President
asked Georges if he wished to say any-
thing.
" Nothing," answered Georges, " except
that the Advocate- General has been very
eloquent."
It was now the turn of the Advocate-
General to bow, which he did.
The President announced that the dis-
cussion was closed, and Georges was
taken back to his prison, the sentence
having to be pronounced in the absence
of the accused, and to be communicated
to him afterwards.
Georges on entering the prison asked
for paper and ink in order to write his
will. Sentences inflicted by English law
not entaiHng confiscation, he was able to
dispose of his fortune. He left to the
doctor who had attended him ;^3,ooo
sterling ;
To the Governor of the prison, ;^i,ooo
GEORGES
Then he inquired if the mode of exe-
cution had been changed since the occu-
pation of the Island by the British; and
the assurance that it still continued the
same greatly pleased Georges, since it
was not the ignoble gibbet of London,
nor the hideous guillotine of Paris. No,
execution at Port-Louis had a picturesque
and romantic aspect, at the thought of
which Georges did not feel degraded. A
Negro, acting as executioner, beheaded
the condemned man with an axe. It was
thus that Charles the First, and Mary
Stuart, Cinq-Mars and De Thou had died.
The mode execution enters largely
of
into the question of how death is faced.
Then he passed into a physiological
discussion with the doctor on the proba-
bility of physical suffering after the head
was severed from the body. The doctor
maintained that death must be instan-
taneous, while Georges thought the con-
trary, and quoted two instances in sup-
port of his opinion. Once, in Egypt, he
had seen a slave beheaded the victim ;

sterling ;
knelt, and the executioner severed his
To each of the turnkeys, one thousand head at a blow, the head rolling seven or
dollars. eight yards away the body immediately
;

This was a fortune to each of the rose upon its feet, took two or three aim-
recipients. less steps waving its arms in the air, and
To Sara he left a gold ring that had then fell, not quite dead, but still in the
come to him from his mother. last throes. On another day, when in the
As he was about to sign his name at same country, he had been present at a
the foot of the document, the clerk entered. similar execution, and had, in his per-
Georges rose, with the pen in his hand, petual desire for investigation, picked up
and the clerk read the sentence. the head at the instant it was separated
As Georges had always expected, he from the body, and, raising it by the hair
was condemned to the penalty of death. to a level with his mouth, had asked in
When the reading was over Georges Arabic : " Do you suffer ?
" At this
bowed, and sitting down again signed his question, the victim's eyes had opened,
name, without its being possible to notice and his lips had moved, trying to frame
the slightest difference between the hand- an answer. Georges therefore felt con-
writing in the body of the document and vinced that life survived for a few
that of the signature. moments at least after execution.
Then he went to a glass, and looked to The doctor ended by agreeing with his
see if he was at all paler than before. it being really his own as well
opinion,
His face was exactly as it had been, pale he had thought it, however, his duty to
but calm. He was pleased with himself, give the condemned man the only conso-
and smiled to himself, as he murmured lation that the promise of an easy and
:

" Well, I thought a man would betray
more feeling than that on hearing his
death sentence."
The doctor came to see him, and, from
force of habit, asked him how he was
gentle death could afford.
The day passed just as the preceding
days had done, except that he wrote to his
father and brother. For one moment he
took up his pen to write to Sara but, ;

feeling. whatever the motive was that restrained

" Oh very well, doctor," answered him, he stopped, and pushed the paper
!

Georges " you have made a wonderful away, letting his head fall upon his hands.
;

cure, and it is annoying that you are not He remained a long time in this position,
allowed time to complete it." and any one who had seen him raise his
 GEORGES 139

forehead, which he did with the haughty in the presence of strength, Georges was
and disdainful movement habitual with humble in presence of weakness.
the
him, would hardly have observed that his Georges accused himself of pride like ;

eyes were slightly red, and that a tear Satan, it was his only fault, and, like
carelessly brushed away trembled at the Satan, this fault had destroyed him.
end of his long dark lashes. But yet, at this very hour, it was this
The cause of this was that, since the pride which sustained him, which made
day when, at the Governor's house, he him strong, which made him great.
had refused to marry the beautiful Creole, It is true that what is great with men is
not only had he not seen her, but had not not great with God.
even heard her name mentioned. Twenty times the name of Sara was
However, he could not believe that she on the young man's lips but on each
;

had forgotten him. occasion he thrust it down to the bottom

—
Night came and Georges, going to bed of his heart, that gloomy abyss where so
;

at his usual hour, slept as well as he had many emotions were swallowed up, and
done on the previous night. On rising whose depths his face concealed, like a
next morning he sent for the Governor of coating of ice.
the prison. While the priest and the condemned
" Sir," said he, " I have a favour to ask man were talking, the door opened and
of you." the Governor of the prison appeared.
" What is it ? " said the Governor. " The man you asked for is here," he
" I should like to say a few words to said, " and is waiting until you can re-
the executioner." ceive him."
" I must have the authority of the Georges turned rather pale, and a slight
Governor of the Island." shudder ran through his body his ;

" Oh " said Georges smiling, " make emotion, however, was scarcely per-
!

the request from me; Lord Murray is a ceptible.

gentleman, and will not deny this favour " Admit him," he said.
to an old friend." The priest wanted to withdraw, but
The Governor of the prison went out, Georges restrained him,
promising to make the desired application. " No, stay," said he " what I have to
;

As he went out, a priest entered. say to this man can be said before you."
Georges held those ideas about religion Possibly, this proud soul needed, in
characteristic of the men of our time, order to maintain all his strength, to have
that is to say, while entirely neglecting a witness of what was going to take
the outward observances of religion, he place.
was in his inmost heart profoundly im- A Negro of tall stature and herculean
pressionable to sacred things. Accordingly, proportions was brought in. He was
a church, with its "dim religious light," a naked, except for his loin cloth, which
lonely cemetery, or a passing coffin, pro- was of red stuff his large, expressionless
;

duced on his mind a far deeper impression eyes denoted the absence of all intelli-
than one of those events which often gence. He turned to the Governor who
unhinge the minds of ordinary men. brought him in, and, looking first at the
The priest was one of those venerable priest and then at Georges, asked :

old men who do not busy themselves with " Which of the two is my man ? "
trying to convince you, but who speak " The young one," answered the
with entire conviction one of those men Governor of the prison, going out of the
;

who, reared in the midst of the grand cell.

scenes of Nature, have sought and found " You are the executioner ? " said
the Almighty in His works in short, one Georges, coldly and calmly.
;

of those serene hearts who draw suffering "Yes," answered the Negro.
hearts to themselves, in order to console " Good. Come here, my friend, and
them by taking a part of the griefs of answer my questions."
others upon themselves. The Negro stepped forward.
At the first words which they ex- " You know that you will execute me
changed, they grasped each other's hands. to-morrow," said Georges.
It was a confidential talk and not a " Yes," answered the Negro; " at seven
confession which the aged priest came to in the morning."
obtain from the young man but, haughty
;
" Ah seven in the morning thank you
! ;
 ;

140 GEORGES
for the information. I had asked to be demned cell, promising to return in the
told the time, but they refused to tell me. evening ; and Georges was left alone.
However, that not the question."
is What then passed within the mind and
The priest felt himself turning faint. showed on the countenance of the prisoner,
" I have never seen an execution at no man knows. It may be. Nature, that
Port-Louis," said Georges " but, as I ; pitiless creditor, resumed her rights it ;

wish things to go properly, I have sent may be, he turned as weak as he had
for you, so that we may have what is just been strong it may
; be, when the
called, in theatrical language, a rehearsal curtain had once fallen between the
together." public and the actor, all this apparent
The Negro was nonplussed ; Georges impassiveness disappeared to give place
was obliged to explain to him more to a veritable agony. But in all prob-
clearly what he wanted. ability it was not so for, when
; the
Then the Negro took a stool to repre- turnkey opened the door to bring Georges
sent the block, led Georges to the proper his dinner, he found him rolling a
distance from the block at which he ought cigarette in his hand with as much calm-
to kneel, showed him how he should ness and tranquillity as a hidalgo on the
place his head upon it, and promised Puerta del Sol, or a fashionable lounger
him that he would sever it at one blow. on the Boulevard de Gaud could have
The old man tried to rise and go out, displayed.
not having the strength of nerve to endure Georges dined as usual only, he re- ;

this strange ordeal in which the two chief called the turnkey to ask him to have a
actors preserved an equal impassiveness, bath ready for him at six next morning,
the one through brutishness of mind, the and to awake him at half-past five.
other by strength of will and courage. Often, when reading in history or in
But his legs failed him and he sank back the newspaper that such and such a con-
in his chair. demned man had been awakened on the
The directions for the execution having morning of his execution, Georges had
been given and received, Georges drew a wondered if this condemned man who
diamond from his finger. had to be awaked had been really asleep.
" My he to the Negro, The moment had come for him to satisfy
friend," said
" as I have no money here, and as I do himself by his own experience, and on
not w'ish your time to have been quite this question Georges was soon to know
wasted, take this ring." what to believe.
" I am not allowed to take anything At nine, the priest came in again.
from condemned persons," said the Negro; Georges was lying down reading. The
" but I inherit from them leave the ring priest asked what was the book in which
;

on your finger, and to-morrow, when he was thus seeking a preparation for
you are dead, I will pull it off." death, whether it was Plato's Phaedo or
" Very well " said Georges.
! the Bible. Georges held it out to him.
And without any emotion he replaced It was Paul and Virginia.
the ring on his finger. Strange that, at this terrible moment,
The Negro then took his departure it should be this calm and romantic story
and Georges turned towards the priest, that the condemned man had chosen !

who was as pale as death. The priest remained with Georges until
" My son," he said, " I am very happy eleven. During these two hours Georges
to have met a spirit like yours. This did nearly all the talking, explaining to
will be the first time I have ever con- the priest his views of God, and deAelop-
ducted a condemned man to the scaffold. ing his theories on the immortality of the
I was afraid I should give way, but you soul. In the ordinary circumstances of life,
"
will support me, will you not ? Georges was eloquent during this last ;

" Make your mind easy, Father," evening, he was sublime.

answered Georges. It was the condemned man who in-
The priest belonged to a small church structed, and the priest who listened.
situated on the road to the place of At eleven, Georges reminded the priest
execution, in which condemned persons that the hour for him to go had arrived,
usually stopped to hear a last mass. and told him that, in order to keep his
The church was called St. Saviour's. full strength for the next morning, he
The priest in his turn left the con- would need to take some repose.
 " ;

GEORGES 141

As the old man went out, a violent Georges smiled proudly.

struggle seemed to be taking place within " Ah you Whites," said he, " you are !

Georges' heart he called the priest back, in a hurry to see me die ? I understand
;

but as he returned to the room, Georges it," he added " perhaps you needed a ;

made an effort over himself. lesson in courage. I will give it you."

" Nothing, Father," he said, "nothing." The turnkey entered to tell the con-
Georges lied once more it was the demned
; man that it was nearly six
name of Sara that his mouth strove to o'clock,
utter. " My
dear doctor," said Georges, " v;ill
But, yet once more, the old man went you let me come
out of the bath ? Don't
out without hearing it uttered. go away, however, I should like to shake
Next morning when, at half-past five, hands with you before leaving the prison."
the turnkey entered his room, he found The doctor withdrew.
Georges sleeping soundly. Georges, left alone, came out of the
" It is true then," said Georges on bath, put on white trousers, polished
waking, " a condemned man can sleep on boots, and a cambric shirt of which he
his last night." turned down the collar himself after ;

But how long had he lain awake in which he went to a small glass and
order to attain this result ? No one arranged his hair, moustache, and beard
knows. with as much care as if he had been going
The bath was brought in. to a ball, or perhaps even more. Then
At this moment the doctor entered. he knocked at the door to intimate that he
" You see, doctor," said he, " I model was ready.
myself on antiquity ; the Athenians used The priest entered and looked at
to take a bath before going to fight." Georges. Never had the young man
" How are you ?
" asked the doctor, appeared so handsome his eyes gleamed, :

employing one of those common-place his brow was radiant.

questions which people adopt when they " Oh ! my son, son my !
''
said the
do not know what to say. priest ;
" beware of pride ;
pride has
" Why, very well, doctor," answered destroyed your body, beware lest it
Georges smiling and I begin to believe
; destroy your soul also."
that I shall not die of my wound." " You will pray for me. Father," said
Then he took his will, duly sealed, and Georges, " and God can refuse nothing, I
handed it to him. am sure, to the prayers of a holy man
" Doctor," he added, " I have appointed Hke yourself."
you executor under my will. You will Then Georges noticed the executioner,
find on this piece of paper three lines that who was standing in the shadow of the
concern you I wanted to leave you a
; doorway.
souvenir of myself." " Ah ! is it you, my friend ?
" said he,
"
The doctor brushed away a tear and " come here !

stammered some words of thanks. The Negro was wrapped in a large

Georges got into the bath. cloak beneath which he concealed his
" Doctor," he said after an instant, axe.
" how many times should the pulse of " Your axe cuts well ? asked Georges,
a calm and healthy man, in the normal " Yes," answered the executioner
"
condition, beat during a minute ? " make your mind easy."
" Why," answered the doctor, " from " Good " said the condemned man. !

sixty-four to sixty-six times." Then he noticed that the Negro was

" Feel mine," said Georges " I am looking at his hand for the diamond which
;

curious to know what effect the approach he had promised him the previous even-
of death has upon my blood." ing, and the stone of which was accident-
The doctor pulled out his watch, took ally turned inside.
his v/rist, and counted the beats. " Make your mind easy in your turn,"
"Sixty-eight," he said at the end of said he, turning his stone outwards, "you
a minute. shall have your ring; besides, to save
" Come, come," said Georges, " I am you the trouble of taking it, here ."
quite satisfied. And you, doctor ? " And he gave the ring to the priest, indica-
" It is miraculous," he answered " are ting by a sign that it was to go to the
;

you made of iron ? executioner. „

 ;;

142 GEORGES
Next he went to a small desk, opened since the sight of a proud and handsome
itand took out the two letters which he man face to face with death always exer-
had written to his father and his brother cises a powerful fascination.
;

and handed these likewise to the priest. Georges walked with a firm step, his
Once more he appeared to have some- head erect, his face calm, in spite of the
thing to say to him, for he placed his bitter thoughts which were passing
hand on his shoulder, looking earnestly at through his mind.
him, and moved his lips as if about to He was thinking of Sara, of Sara, —
speak. But yet again his will proved who had made no attempt to see him,
stronger than his feelings, and the name who had not written him a line, who had
which struggled to escape his breast died not given him a souvenir, of Sara, in —
on his lips so softly that no one heard it. whom he had trusted, and to whom he
At this moment the clock struck six. owed his final self-deception.
" Come," said Georges. It is true that, possessed of Sara's love,
And he went out from the room, fol- he would have regretted losing his life
lowed by the priest and the executioner. but the being forgotten by Sara was the
At the foot of the stairs he met the doc- last drop of tjitterness in his cup.
tor, who was waiting to bid him a last And then, side by side with the betrayal
farewell. of his love came the murmur of his
Georges held out his hand, and, leaning wounded pride.
towards his ear, said to him ; He had miscarried, then, in everything
" I bequeath my body to you." his superiority had brought him no profit
And with these words he stepped into whatsoever.
the court-yard. The was the
result of this long struggle
which he was now walking,
scaffold, to
abandoned by all. When people spoke
of him, they would merely say, " The
fellow was a crack-brained fool."
As he walked on, continually looking
round him, a smile which corresponded
CHAPTER XXVIII well with his thoughts crossed his lips now
and then. This smile, outwardly resem-
THE CHURCH OF ST. SAUVEUR. bling all other smiles, had a bitter source
within.

THE
may
gate leading to the street was, as
easily be guessed, thronged with
spectators. Such sights are rare at Port-
Louis, and every one wished, if not to wit-
ness the actual execution, at least to see
the condemned man go by.
The Governor of the prison had asked
Georges how he would like to be taken to
the scaffold. Georges had answered that
he preferred to walk, and had obtained
this concession as a final act of kindness
on the part of Lord Murray.
Eight mounted Artillery men waited
for him at the gate. In all the streets
through which he would have to pass,
English soldiers lined the road on each
side, to guard the prisoner and keep back
And yet,
to see her,
he hoped
at every street corner
he looked for her at every
window.
She who had dropped her bouquet in
front of him, as he rode in victorious on
Antrim, would she not let fall a tear on
his path, as he walked defeated to the
scaffold ? But nowhere did he see a trace
of her.
In this way he walked the whole length
of the Rue de Paris, then turned to the
right towards the Church of St. Sauveur.
The Church was draped with black as
if for a funeral, which, indeed, this might
be said to be. For what is a condemned
man walking to the scaffold, but a living
corpse ?

the spectators. Onarriving at the door, Georges gave a

On his appearance, a loud clamour start. Beside the good old priest who
arose but, contrary to Georges' expecta-
; was waiting beneath the porch, was a
tion, the accent of hatred did not pre- woman dressed in black, with a black
dominate in the sounds that greeted his veil.
presence. This woman in widow's weeds, what
The cries were of various import, but was she doing there ? for whom was she
mostly expressive of concern and pity, waiting ?
 GEORGES 143

In spite of himself, Georges doubled The brow of Georges was radiant with
his pace his eyes were fastened on the
; these thoughts, as he drew Sara into the
woman and he could not remove his gaze building he was no longer a criminal
:

from her. prepared to mount the scaffold, but a

As he set his foot upon the first step martyr ascending to the skies.
of the little Church, the woman herself Some twenty soldiers lined the aisle of
stepped towards him Georges cleared
; the Church ; four soldiers guarded the
the four steps at a bound, raised her veil, chancel. Georges passed between them
uttered a loud cry, and fell at her knees. without seeing them, and knelt with Sara
It was Sara. before the altar.
Sara extended her hand with a slow The priest began the nuptial mass, but
and solemn gesture a deep silence fell
; Georges did not listen to his words he ;

upon the whole crowd.
" Listen," said she, " on the threshold
of the Church he is entering, on the
threshold of the grave he is about to
enter, I call upon you all to witness, in
the presence of God and man, that I,
Sarade Malmedie, come to ask M. Georges
Munier if he is willing to take me for his
wife."
"Sara," cried Georges, bursting into
sobs, " you are the best, the noblest, the
"
most generous of women ! It would have been
held Sara's hand, and occasionally turned
to the crowd and cast on them a look of
sovereign contempt.
Then he turned back to Sara, who was
pale and almost fainting, — Sara, whose
hand he felt trembling within his own,
and bestowed on her a look full of grati-
tude and love, as he suppressed a sigh.
He was thinking, he who was on the
point of death, what a lifetime it would be,
spent with such a woman.
Heaven but !

Then, rising to his full height, and en- Heaven is not made for the living.
circling her with his arm, as though he Meantime the Mass was proceeding,
feared to lose her : when Georges on turning round saw
" Come, my widowed wife," he said. Miko-Miko, who was doing all that lay in
And he drew her into the Church. his power, not only by words, but by his
If ever victor was proud of his triumph, gestures, to induce the soldiers who
it was Georges. guarded the entrance to the chancel to let
In an instant everything was changed him go close to Georges. Devoted as he
for him Sara, with one word, had placed was to Georges, he wished to see him
;

him above all those men who smiled as once more, and to press his hand in
they saw him pass. He was no longer a gratitude. Georges bpoke to the officer
poor madman, unable to obtain the in English, and asked that the worthy
impossible, and dying with his purposes Chinaman might be allowed to come to
uneffected but a conqueror smitten in him.
;

the hour of victory, an Epaminondas, There seemed no objection to granting

plucking the fatal javelin from his breast, the condemned man this request so, at ;

but with his last glance seeing the enemy a sign from the officer, the soldiers fell
in flight. back and Miko-Miko hurried into the
So, by sheer force of will, by the sole chancel.
influence of his personal worth, he, a We have seen how Miko-Miko had
Mulatto, had made a white girl love him, vowed gratitude to Georges from the first
and, without his making any advance day that he had seen him. This grati-
towards her, without his trying to in- tude had made him seek out the prisoner
fluence her determination by a word, a at the Police Station it now came to
;

letter, a sign, this woman had come to display itself for the last time at the foot
wait for him on his way to the scaffold, of the scaffold.
and in the face of all men, a thing perhaps Miko-Miko threw himself at his knees,
unprecedented in the Colony, had chosen and Georges held out his hand.
him as her husband. Miko-Miko took the hand between his
Now, he felt that he could die that he own and pressed his lips to it but, at the
; ;

was rewarded for his long combat. He same time, Georges felt that the China-
had fought hand to hand with Prejudice, man had slipped a little note between his
and Prejudice, while striking Georges a fingers, and started violently.
mortal blow, had yet been slain in the The Chinaman, as though he had asked
struggle. nothing but this last favour, and satisfied
 ; " ;

144 GEORGES
with having obtained it, wanted nothing
more, disappeared at once, without utter-
ing a single word.
Georges held the note in his hand and
frowned. What could be the meaning of
this note ? It was, no doubt, of great
importance, but Georges did not venture
Jacques and Pierre closed the door
another door led to the country, and at
this door waited two horses ready saddled
they were Antrim and Yambo.
" Mount "! cried Jacques, " mount,
both of you, and gallop as hard as you can
"
to theBaie du Tombeau !

to look at it. " But you and my father !

From time to time, seeing Sara so
beautiful, so devoted, so detached from
all terrestrial love, a grief unspeakable,
and such as he had not felt hitherto,
seized Georges by the heart and pressed
him with an iron grip. In spite of himself,
" cried
Georges.
" Let them come and take us from my
brave seamen," said Jacques, setting Sara
in the saddle, while Pierre Munier forced
his son to mount.
Then, raising his voice, he shouted :

" Here, my gallant Lascars "

as he thought of the happiness he was here ! !

losing, he clung to life, and while feeling
his soul ready to mount to the skies, felt
his heart enchained to earth.
Then he was seized with a terror of
dying in despair.
Instantly a hundred and twenty men
armed to the teeth appeared running out
from the woods of the Montague Lottgue.
" Oft" you go " said Jacques to Sara,
" take him, save him
!

—
And yet this note which burned in his *'
But you ? " said Sara.
hand, which he dared not read for fear of "We will follow you; don't be uneasy."
its being seen by the soldiers who guarded " Georges," said Sara, " in the name of
"
him, seemed to contain some hope within Heaven, come !

it, though, in his situation, to hope seemed And the girl dashed ofT at a gallop.
" Father " cried Georges, " father "
madness. ! !

He was impatient, however, to read it " I will answer for everything, on my

although, thanks to the powder of self- life,"said Jacques, striking Antrim with
control which he always exercised, this the flat of his sword.
impatience Avas betrayed by no outward And Antrim went off like the wind,
sign. Only, his clenched hand crushed carrying his rider with him, who, in less
the note with such force that his nails than ten minutes disappeared with Sara
penetrated the flesh. behind the Malabar cantonment, while
Sara was praying. Pierre Munier, Jacques and his seamen,
They came to the consecration. The followed them so quickly that, before
priest elevated the Host, the chorister rang the English had recovered from their
his bell, and every one knelt. astonishment, the little band was already
Georges took advantage of this moment on the other side of the Ruisseau des
and, kneeling also, opened his hand. Pucelles, that is to say, out of gunshot
The note contained but one line. range.
**
We are here —
Be ready !
"

The first sentence was in the hand-

writing of Jacques the second in that of
;

Pierre Munier.
At the same moment, and as Georges
in his astonishment raised his head, while
all the rest were bowed, and looked round CHAPTER XXIX
him, the door of the sacristy was flung
wide open eight seamen rushed out and
; THE LEICESTER
seized the four soldiers in the chancel,
presenting a pair of daggers at the breast TOWARDS five o'clock on the even-
of each. Jacques and Pierre Munier sprang ofing the same day on which the
in, Jacques carrying off Sara in his arms, events which we have just related had
Pierre dragging Georges by the hand. taken place, the corvette Calypso was
The husband and wife found themselves with nearly all sail set hugging the wind,
in the sacristy the eight seamen entered
; which, as is usual in those latitudes, was
after them, using the four English soldiers from the East.
whom they held in front of them as a In addition to her worthy sailors and
shield against the blows of tb'ur comrades. Master T6te de Far, the first Lieutenant,
 "
;

GEORGES 145

with whom our readers are acquainted, if requirement, he was not proud, but was
not by sight at least by reputation, her hail-fellow-well-met with every one, and
crew had been recruited by three other talked with the first that came.
persons, namely, Pierre Munier, Georges, All the rest of the crew had resumed
and Sara. that careless expression which becomes
Pierre IMunier was walking backwards habitual to the countenance of seamen,
and forwards on the quarter deck with once the battle or the storm is over the ;

Jacques. Georges and Sara were seated men on duty were on deck, the others
aft side by side. Georges held Sara's below.
hand in his, and was looking at her, while Pierre Munier, absorbed as he was in
Sara was looking at the sky. the happiness of Georges and Sara, had
One must have been placed in the terrible not failed, however, to notice Jacques'
situation from which the two lovers had just uneasiness. More than once his eyes had
escaped to be able to analyse the feeling followed the direction in which Jacques
of supreme happiness and boundless joy was gazing, but, seeing nothing but some
which they experienced on finding them- great masses of clouds in the West, he
selves free on that great Ocean which was concluded that it was they that were
carrying them far from the land of their causing him this anxiety.
birth, it is true, but from a land which, " Are w'e threatened with a storm ? " he
like a cruel stepmother, had not troubled asked his son, just as the latter was
herself about them, except now and again gazing at the horizon with one of those
to persecute them. questioning glances of which we have
Nevertheless, a sigh of pain would es- spoken.
cape occasionally from the mouth of the " A storm ? " said Jacques. " Ah my
!

one and make the other start. The heart word if it

! were only a matter of a storm,
that has endured long torture does not the Calypso would care no more than
venture all at once to regain confidence does that gull yonder but we are
;

in its happiness. threatened with something more than

Still, they were free, with nothing above that."
them but the blue sky, nothing beneath " What are we threatened with then ? "
them but the sea, and were flying at their asked Pierrie Munier uneasily. " I
gallant ship's utmost speed from the Isle thought that, from the moment that we
of France which had almost proved so set foot on your ship, we were safe."
fatal to them. Pierre and Jacques were " Well " answered Jacques, " it is a fact
!

chatting, but Georges and Sara did not that we have more chance of escape now
talk ; now and then one would utter the than we had twelve hours ago, when we
other's name, and that was all. were hidden in the woods of the Petite-
Pierre Munier stopped occasionally and Montague, and when Georges was saying
looked at them with an expression of in- his Confiteor
* in the Church of St.
'

effable delight ; the poor old man had Sauveur still, without wishing to make
;

suffered so greatly, that he knew not how you uneasy, father, I cannot say that
he had the strength to bear his happiness. our heads are yet firmly fixed on our
Jacques, who was less sentimental, shoulders."
glanced in the same direction, but it was Then he added, without addressing
clear that it was not the picture which we any one in particular :

have just described that attracted his " Send a man to the top-gallant yard."
attention, for his eyes passed over the Three sailors at once sprang forward
heads of Georges and Sara, and searched one of them reached the place indicated
the horizon in the direction of Port- Louis. in a few seconds the other two came
;

Jacques was not merely below the level down again.

of the general joy, but he even at times " And what are you afraid of, Jacques ?
became anxious, and passed his hand over resumed the old man " do you think they
;

"
his brow as if to dispel a cloud. will attempt to pursue us ?
As for Tete de Fer, he was sitting talk- " Exactly, father," replied Jacques,
ing quietly to the man at the wheel. The " this time you have hit the mark. They
worthy Breton would have cracked the have in Port-Louis a certain frigate called
head of the first man who showed a the Leicester, an old acquaintance of
moment's hesitation in obeying his or- mine, and I confess that I fear she will
ders but, apart from this very natural not let us get away like this without
;
 ; "

146 GEORGES
proposing a little game of skittles, which looking at his father. " I told you we
we shall be obliged to accept." were not out of their clutches."
" But it seems to me," replied Pierre " What is it ? " asked Sara.
Munier, " that, in any case, we have at " Nothing," answered Georges " it ;

least from twenty-five to thirty miles' seems we are pursued, that is all."
start, that, at the rate we are making,
and " Oh Heavens !
" cried Sara, "have you
we slaall soon be out of sight." been given back to me so miraculously
" Heave the log," said Jacques. only to be taken from me again ? It
"
Three sailors busied themselves at thecannot be !

same instant with this operation, which Jacques meanwhile had taken his tele-
Jacques followed with visible interest scope and gone into the main-top.
then, when it was finished, he asked He gazed for some time with great
:

"
" How many knots ?
" Ten knots, Captain," answered one of
the sailors.
" Yes, certainly, that is very good for a
corvette keeping close to the wind, and
there is, perhaps, in the whole British
navy but one frigate that can travel half a
knot faster unfortunately, that frigate is
; mistaken, our good friends the English
just the one we shall have to tackle, in
case the Governor should take into his
head to pursue us."
" Oh if it depends on the Governor,
1 does not rise until two hours after mid-
we shall certainly not be pursued," replied
Pierre Munier " you know that the
;
Governor was your brother's
attention in the direction indicated by the
look-out man, then, shutting the tubes of
the telescope together with his hand, came
down whistling, and resumed his place
near his father.
" Well ? " asked the old man.
" Well," said Jacques, " I was not
are giving chase. Fortunately," he added,
looking at his watch, "in two hours'
time it will be quite dark, and the moon
night."
" Then you think we shall succeed in
friend." escaping them ?

" Certainly but that did not prevent

;
" We
will do all we can for that end,
his allowing him to be condemned to father, be assured. Oh I am not proud, !

death." I assure you I have no liking for ad-

;

" Could he do otherwise w^ithout failing ventures in which there is nothing to be

"
in his duty ? gained but hard knocks, and, in this
"This time, father, it is a question particular instance, be hanged if I abandon
of something else than his duty it is his my prejudices."
;

self-respect which is at stake this time. " Why, Jacques," cried Georges, " will
Yes, no doubt, if the Governor had had you flee before the foe, you, the intrepid
"
the power to do so, he would have and undefeated sea-dog !

pardoned Georges; because to pardon " My shall always run

dear fellow, I

him was to show his own superiority; away from the Devil, when his pockets
but Georges has escaped from his hands are empty and his horns two inches longer
at the moment when he thought he had than my own. If his pockets are full,
got him safe. In these circumstances, that is a different matter, and I don't
then, the superiority has been on the side mind running some risk."
of Georges, and the Governor will take " But do you realise that they will say
revenge." you are afraid ?
" Sail, ho !" cried the man on the look- " And I shall answer that that is true,
out. by God Besides, what do we gain by
!

" Ah " said Jacques nodding signifi-

! coming to blows with those fellows ? If
"
cantly to his father. " Where away ? they capture us, our goose is cooked;
he continued, raising his head. they will string us up to the yards, every
" Under the wind, coming towards us," man jack of us. If, on the other hand,

answered the sailor. we capture them, we shall be obliged to

« Where is she off?" sink them, ship and crew."
" Off the lie des Tonneliers, or there- " What, sink them ? "
abouts." " Undoubtedly what do you want us ;

"
" Where is she coming from ? to do with them ? If only they were
" Coming out of Port-Louis, I should Niggers, we could sell them, but what is
"
say." the good of Whites ?
" There we are," murmured Jacques, " Oh Jacques, my good brother, you
!
 : " " "

GEORGES 147

wouldn't do such a thing as that, would repairs whereas we have but sea, space,
;

you ? immensity, for every land is hostile to

" Sara, little sister," said Jacques, " we us. So we want our wings above all
will do what we can anyhow, when the things."
;

moment arrives, if it should arrive, we " And if it comes to boarding ? "

shall put you in a charming little place " Then our chances are improved. In
from which you Avill not be able to see the first place, we possess howitzers, a
anything that goes on, and so, as far as thing which is not strictly permitted on a
you are concerned, it will be as if nothing man-of-war, but is one of those privileges
had happened." which we pirates allow ourselves on our
Then, turning in the direction of the own private authority. Next, as the
ship frigate is on a peace establishment, she
" Yes, yes, there she points you can has probably not more than two hundred
;

see the heads of her top-sails do you see, and seventy men in her crew, while we
;

there, father ? have two hundred and sixty, which, you

" I see nothing but a white point rocking see, especially with fellows like mine,
on a wave, and which looks to me just puts things at least on an equality. So
like a gull." make your mind easy, father, and, as the
" Well, that is it ;
your gull is a fine bell is sounding, don't let this prevent us
frigate of thirty-six guns. But, you know, taking our supper."
the frigate is a bird as well only, instead
; Indeed, it was now seven in the even-
of being a swallow, she is an eagle." ing, and the signal for the meal had just
" But may it not be some other ship, a been given with its usual punctuality.
"
merchantman, for instance ? Georges gave Sara his arm, Pierre
" A merchantman would not keep close Munier followed them, and all three went
to the wind." down to the Captain's cabin, which had
" But we are doing the same." been transformed, in honour of Sara, into
" Oh we that is another matter we a dining-room.
! ! :

were not able to pass Port-Louis, for that Jacques remained behind for a moment
would have been throwing ourselves into to give some orders to Master Tete-de-
the wolf's jaws, and so we had to keep as Fer, his Lieutenant.
near as we could." The interior of the Calypso was a
" Can you not increase the corvette's curious sight even to a landsman's eye.
"
rate of speed ? As a lover adorns his mistress in all
" She is carrying every stitch she can possible ways, so Jacques had adorned his
at present, father. When we get the wind corvette with all the embellishments by
behind us we will add a few more bits of which a sea nymph can be enriched. The
canvas and make two knots more but mahogany ladders shone like glass the
; ;

the frigate will do the same, so it will copper fittings, polished three times a
come to the same thing. The Leicester day, blazed like gold and all the weapons, ;

is bound to gain a mile an hour on us I axes, sabres, and muskets, arranged in

;

know her of old." fanciful designs round the port-holes

'• Then she will overtake
us to-morrow through which the guns protruded their
"
morning ? iron muzzles, appeared like ornaments
" Yes, unless we escape her during the arranged by a clever decorator in the studio
night." of some famous painter.
" And do you think we shall ? " But the Captain's cabin was especially
" That depends on what sort a remarkable for its luxury. Master Jacques
of
Captain she has got." was, as we have said, a very sensuous
"And supposing she does overtake us ? young man, and, like people who, when
" Well, then, father, it will be a matter circumstances demand, can make shift
of boarding, for, you see, an artillery duel with anything, he loved, in ordinary
is out of the question, so far as we are circumstances, to enjoy everything of the
concerned. In the first place, the Leices- very best. Consequently, his cabin,
ter, if it be she, and I would wager a which was intended to serve at once as a
hundred Niggers to ten it is, has some- drawing-room, a bed-room, and a boudoir,
thing like twelve guns more than we. was a model of its kind.
Besides, she has Bourbon, the Isle of In the first place, on each side, that is
France, or Rodrigue to put into for to say, both port and starboard, were
 "
148 GEORGES
installed two large divans, under which They were at this moment off the
were hidden with their carriages two channel of the Cap, that is to say, they
pieces of ordnance, which were visible were beginning to leave the Island behind ;

only from outside. One of these two
divans served as a bed, the other as a
sofa the space between the windows was
; on with the rapidity peculiar to tropical
filled with a handsome Venetian mirror in
a rococo frame depicting Cupids sur-
rounded with flowers and fruits. Lastly,
from the ceiling was suspended a silver
lamp, taken no doubt from the altar of
some Madonna, the fine ornamentation of
which denoted the best period of the
Renaissance. The divans and partitions
of the walls were covered with a splendid
the sun was setting on the horizon in a
bank of clouds, and night was coming
latitudes.
Jacques beckoned to Master Tete de
Per, who approached hat in hand.
" Well, Master Tete de Per," said
Jacques, " what are we to think of this
"
vessel ?
" Why, with all due respect, you know
more about it than I do. Captain."
" Never mind I want your opinion. 1

Indian material with red ground-work, on "

Is she a merchantman or a man-of-war?
which meandered those beautiful gold " You are joking, Captain," answered
flowers, alike on both sides, which seem Tete de Per with his hearty laugh " you ;

as though embroidered by fairy needles. know there isn't, in the whole merchant
This room had been made over by navy, even in that of the East India Com-
Jacques for the joint use of Georges and pany, a ship that can keep up with us,
Sara. However, as the interrupted ser- and this one is overhauling us."
vice at the Church of St. Sauveur did not " Ah and how much has she gained
!

quite satisfy the girl as to the legality of on us since we first saw her, that is to say,
her marriage, Georges had promptly in three hours ? "
given her to understand that, if he was " You know quite well. Captain."
admitted to this sanctum during the day, " I want your opinion, Master Tete de
he would find another apartment for the Per two heads are better than one."
;

night. " Why, Captain, she has gained about

It was in this room, as we have said, two miles."
that meals were served. " Very well and what ship do you
;

These four persons enjoyed a strange suppose her to be ? "

sense of happiness in finding themselves " You have recognised her. Captain."
thus united round the same table, after so " Perhaps ; but I may be mistaken."
much apprehension of being separated " Impossible " said Tete de Per, with
!

for ever. They forgot the rest of the another laugh.

world for a time, in thinking only of " Never mind tell me." !

themselves forgot the past and the

; " She is the Leicester, by God " !

future, in thinking only of the present. " And what ship, think you, is it, she is
An hour passed like a minute after after tackling ? "
;

which they went up again on deck. " Why, the Calypso, I fancy you ;

Their first glances were directed astern, know. Captain, she has an old grudge
looking for the frigate. against us for some trifle of a fore-mast
There was a moment's silence. we had the insolence to cut in two."
"Why," said Pierre Munier, "the " Bravo Master Tete de Per I knew
! ;

frigate seems to have vanished." all you have just told me but I am not ;

" That is because, the sun being on sorry to see that you agree with me. In
the horizon, her sails are in shadow," five minutes the watch will be changed ;

answered Jacques, " but look this way, make the men off duty take a rest they ;

father." want all their strength in twenty

will
And the young man pointed with hours or so from now."
his
hand to direct the old man's glance. " Don't you intend to take advantage of
" Yes, yes," said Pierre, " now I see her." the night and alter your course. Cap-
" She is even closer than before," said tain ?
Georges. " Silence, sir we will talk of that later.
;

" Yes, about a mile or so; here, Away with you to your business, and
Georges, if you look you can make out carry out the orders I have given."
her lower sails she is not more than
; F'ive minutes later, the watch was re-
fifteen miles from us." lieved, and all the men who were not on
 ;

GEORGES 149

duty disappeared below at the end of after following all the movements of the
;

ten minutes they were all asleep or pre- corvette with the same satisfaction with
tending to be asleep. which a horseman follows the movements
And yet, among all these men, there of his steed, " you will double the Island,
was not one who did not know that the taking advantage of every variation of the
Calypso was being chased but they knew breeze, always keeping your lufF, and
;

their Captain and had confidence in him. making the best weather you can along
Meantime the corvette held on the the whole belt of rocks from the Passe
same course but she was now beginning des Comes to the Criqiie de Flac.
;

to encounter the swell of the open sea, " Aye, aye sir," answered the Lieu- !

which could not fail to impede her rate of tenant.

progress. Sara, Georges, and Pierre "And now, good night," resumed
Munier went down again into the cabin, Jacques ;
" and call me when the moon
leaving Jacques alone on deck. rises."
It was now quite dark, and the frigate And Jacques, in his turn, turned in with
had disappeared entirely from view. Half that happy-go-lucky indifference which is
an hour passed, at the end of which one of the privileges of those who are
Jacques again summoned his Lieutenant, constantly placed 'twixt life and death-
who immediately made his appearance. Ten minutes later he was sleeping as
" Master Tete de Fer," said Jacques, soundly as the rawest of the sailors.
" where do you suppose w^e are now ? "
" North of the Coin-de-Mire," answered
the Lieutenant.
" Exactly; do you think you could steer
the corvette between the Coin -de-Mire
and the He Plate without grounding either
"
to right or left ? CHAPTER XXX
" I could take her through blindfolded,
Captain." THE FIGHT
" Bravo ! In that case, tell your men
to be in readiness, since there is
to lose."
no time MASTER
as
Tete de Fer was as good
word he passed success-
his ;

Each man ran to his post, and there fully the narrows between the Coin -de
was a moment of silent expectation. Mire and the lie Plate, and, after doubling
Then, amid the silence, a voice was the Passe des Comes and the lie d'Ambre,
heard : kept as close as possible to the coast.
" Ready about !" cried Jacques. Then when, half an hour after mid-
" Belay there Ready about " re- night, he saw the young moon south of
! !

peated Tete de Fer. the Island of Rodrigue, he went, accord-

Then the Boatswain's pipe was heard. ing to his instructions, to call the Captain.
The corvette paused for an instant, Jacques on coming on deck examined
like a horse pulled up short in his gallop. all points of the horizon with that rapid
Then she turned slowly, heeling over glance of investigation which belongs
under the influence of a fresh breeze and essentially to the mariner the wind had ;

a considerable sea. freshened and was shifting from East to

" Port your helm " ordered Jacques.! North-East the coast, which looked hazy, ;

The steersman obeyed, and the corvette, lay about nine miles to starboard no ;

coming up to the wind, began to forge vessel was in sight either ahead, to port,
ahead. or astern.
" Keep her away " was the next order
! The corvette was off" Port Bourbon.
"ease your sheets " ! Jacques had played the best game that
These two manoeuvres were carried out he could have played. If the frigate,
with the same rapidity and success as the which had lost sight of him during the
preceding. The corvette fell off; her after- night, had continued her course eastwards,
sails filled, while her fore-sails bellied out it would be too late for her when day
rapidly in their turn, and the graceful broke to return on her tracks, and he was
vessel sprang towards the new point of saved if, on the other hand, the Captain
;

the compass to which she was directed. of the pursuing vessel had, by some fatal
"Master Tete de Fer," said Jacques, inspiration, guessed his manoeuvre and
 " :

150 GEORGES
followed him, he still had the chance of her as in a leash to the Cape of Good
escaping observation by hugging the Hope, and then we would bid her good
coast and profiting by the indentations evening."
of the Island coast line to hide from his Georges made no reply, and the two
enemy. brothers continued to pace the deck in
While Jacques was endeavouring with silence each time, however, that Jacques
;

the aid of a night-glass to pierce the returned aft, his eyes seemed striving to
gloomy horizon, he felt a hand on his pierce the darkness. At last he stopped
shoulder and, turning round, saw Georges. and, instead of continuing his promenade,
"Ah! brother, is it you?" he said, leaned over the taffrail.
holding out his hand. In point of fact, the darkness was
'
Well," asked Georges, " is there any- beginning to lift, although the first
thing fresh ? streaks of day still delayed their appear-
" Nothing at present ; though if the ance, and, in the nascent twilight which
Leicester were in our wake, we could not began to brighten like a fog that disperses
see her at the distance which still separates to give place to a bluish dawn, Jacques
us. At daybreak we shall know all about thought he could distinguish, at a distance
it Halloa!" of about fifteen miles, the frigate holding
" What is it ? " the same course as the corvette.
" Nothing ; a little veering of the wind, At the same moment, and as he was
that is all." extending his hand to point out to
"
" In our favour ? Georges this almost imperceptible dot,
" Yes, if the frigate has kept on her the look-out aloft hailed
"
course if otherwise, this change is as
;
"A sail astern!

good for her as for us. But in any case, "Yes," said Jacques, as though speaking
we must make the most of it." to himself, " yes, I saw it yes, they have
;

Then, turning to the Boatswain, who followed our track as though it had re-
had taken the place of the Lieutenant, he mained marked out behind us. Only,
said : instead of passing betw^een the He Plate
" Stand by to hoist the studding-sails." and the Coin-de-Mire, they have passed
" Hoist the studding-sails " repeated between the lie Plate and the lie Ronde,
!

the mate. which has lost them two hours. They

Instantly you saw ascending from the must have a man on that ship who knows
deck to the top, and then from the top to his business."
top-mast, as it were five floating clouds " But I don't see anything " said !

which were set outside the other sails. Georges.

Almost at the same moment you could "Why look, there, there " replied
!

feel the corvette answer to a more rapid Jacques " you can see as far down as
;

impulsion. Georges mentioned this to her courses, and, when the ship lifts on
his brother. the waves, you can see her bows rising
" Yes, yes," said Jacques, " she is like like a fish putting its head out of the
Antrim, she has a tender mouth, and you water to take breath."
do not need to whip her to make her go. " You are right," said Georges " yes,
;

It is only a matter of giving her a suitable I can see her."

amount of canvas, and she will make a " What can you see, Georges ? " asked
spanking pace." a soft voice behind him.
" And how many knots an hour are we Georges turned and saw Sara.
going at her present pace ? " asked " What do I see, Sara ? Why, a
Georges. splendid sight, namely, the rising sun.
" Heave the log " cried Jacques.
! But there is no perfect happiness on
The order was carried out instantane- earth, and this spectacle is a little spoiled
ously. by the sight of that vessel, which, as you
" How many knots ? " see, despite my brother's calculations and
" Eleven, captain." hopes, has not lost our track."
" That is two knots more than we were " Georges," said Sara, " God, who has
making just now. You cannot ask more so wonderfully brought us together so far,
from wood, and canvas, and iron, and, if will not fail us now, when we have most
we had any other ship at our heels but need of His care, so do not let this sight
that demon of a Leicester, I would lead prevent you from adoring Him in all His
 "

GEORGES 151

works. Look, look, Georges, what a grand " Well, I say that a great injustice will
"
sight !
be done to his Lieutenant if he is not
At the moment, indeed, when day was appointed Captain in his place on the
about to break, you might have thought very day that his superior officer dies.
that the night in her jealousy was trying Why, it is a pleasure to have to deal with
to increase the darkness. A bluish and a fellow like that see how his ship flies
; ;

transparent light had spread over the sky, upon my word, you might call her a race-
growing each instant in extent and horse ; if this goes on, we shall be obliged

brightness; then this light gradually in five or six hours to have a brush with
dispersed, passing from a silvery white to her."
a delicate pink, and from a delicate pink " Well, let us have a brush with her
to a dark rose. Next, a purple cloud, like then," said Pierre Munier, who at this
vapour illuminated by a volcano, rose on moment came up on deck, and whose
the horizon. This heralded the monarch eyes, on the approach of danger, gleamed
of the world coming to take possession of with the ardour which inflamed his soul
his empire, the sun blazing forth as a in great emergencies.
ruler of the firmament. " you ? " said Jacques.
Ah ! father, is it

It was the first time that Sara had seen " Delighted to see you in such good fight
such a spectacle, and she stood in an ing trim, for in a few hours, as I was
ecstacy of delight, clasping her lover's telling you, we shall need every man on
hand with a love full of faith and religion. board."
Georges, however, who during his long Sara turned slightly pale, and Georges
sea voyages had had time to grow accus- felt her press his hand he turned to her ;

tomed to such sights, directed his first with a smile.

glance towards the object of the general " Well, Sara," said he, " after having
anxiety. The pursuing vessel continued such confidence in God, will you doubt
to draw nearer, although she was seen Him now ?
less distinctly, bathed as she was in the " No, Georges, no," repHed Sara; " and
flood of light in the eastern sky while, when, from the bottom of the hold I hear
;

on the other hand, the corvette must now the roar of the guns, the whistling of the
have been clearly visible to the frigate. bullets, and the cries of the wounded, I
" Come," murmured Jacques, " she has shall still remain, I promise you, full of
observed us now, for she is setting her faith and hope, certain of seeing my
studding-sails. Georges, my friend," he Georges again safe and sound. For
continued, bending down to whisper to something tells me we have drained the
his brother, " you know what women are, bitter cup of misfortune, and that, as the
and that they sometimes find it hard to darkness has been succeeded by this
make up their minds you would do well, brilliant sun, so will our night yield to a
;

in my opinion, to give a hint to Sara of bright day."

what is going to happen." " Hear, hear " cried Jacques, " that's
!

" What is your brother saying ? " asked what I call talking to the purpose. Upon
Sara. my
honour, I don't know how it is that I
" He doubts your courage," go about and head off this pre-
replied don't
Georges, and I am answering for you."
" sumptuous ship that would save us half;

" You are right, my friend. Besides, the trouble and annoyance. What say
when the moment comes, you will tell me you, Georges, would you like to make the
what I must do, and I will obey." attempt?"
" The demon flies as though she had " Willingly," said Georges, " but are
wings " continued Jacques.
!
" Dear little you not afraid that at this distance, should
sister, do you happen to have heard the there be any EngHsh vessel in Port Bour-
name of the commander of this ship ? " bon, she may come out when she hears
"
" I have often seen him at my uncle the cannonade, and help her comrade ?
M. de Malmedie's house, and I remember " Upon my word! you talk as eloquently
his name perfectly it is George Paterson. as St. John of the Golden Mouth, brother,
;

Still perhaps he is not in command of the and we will keep on our course. Ah is !

Leicester at this moment, for I remember it you. Master Tete de Fer ? " continued
hearing some one say the day before Jacques, addressing his Lieutenant who
yesterday that he was ill, and, as it was appeared on deck at that moment. " You
reported, dangerously so." come just in time here we are, as you
I
:
 : ;

152 GEORGES
see, offMt. Brabant keep her head west-
;
" It is the Governor in person, I will
south-west upon the mountain. And now vouch for it now. There isn't another
we will have our breakfast, a good pre- blood-hound who could have followed our
caution to take at any time, but especially track as he has done. What an honour
so, when you are not sure of getting any for a humble Slave- Captain like myself to
dinner." have dealings with a Commodore of the
And Jacques gave his arm to Sara and Royal Navy Thank you, Georges it is
! !

led the way down, followed by Pierre and you to whom I am indebted for this good
Georges. fortune."
With the object no doubt of distracting And Jacques laughingly extended his
his guests, for the time at least, from the hand to his brother.
danger that threatened them, Jacques tried But with Jacques, in the critical
to spin out the meal as long as possible, situation in which he would soon find
so it was nearly two hours before they himself, the probability of having to deal
went up again on deck. with Lord Murray himself was only an
Jacques' first glance was at the Leices- additional reason for taking all necessary
ter, which had plainly drawn closer, for precautions. Jacques examined the ship's
her battery could now be seen. Yet sides the hammocks were in the net-
;

Jacques appeared to have expected to find tings ; he examined the crew the crew
;

her even closer still; for, throwing a glance had already instinctively parted into
aloft to make sure that no change had groups, each man standing near the gun
been made in the sails, he observed : which he was to serve. Everything
" Well, what have you been doi^ig. betokened that he had no need to teach
Master Tete de Fer ? It seems to me these men anything, and that each man
that we are going rather faster than we knew as well as he did what was to come
were going two hours ago." next.
" Yes, Captain, yes," answered the At this moment a passing breeze bore
Lieutenant, " I should say it is something the sound of the drum beating on the deck
like that." of the enemy.
"
" What have you done to the ship ? " Ah ah " said Jacques, " they can't
! !

" Oh a mere trifle

! ; I have shifted be accused of being behindhand. Come,
some weights and ordered the men to go my lads, let us follow their example.
forward." The sailors of the Royal Navy are good
'*
Yes, yes, you're a good sailor ; and masters and we shall gain by imitating
what have you gained by that ? " them."
" A knot. Captain, one poor knot, that Then, raising his voice, he gave with
is all. I have just hove the log, and we all the strength of his lungs the order

are making twelve knots an hour, but that " Clear for action " !

won't help us much, and no doubt the Instantly the roll of two drums accom-
enemy has done the same thing, for he panied by the shrill notes of a fife was
also quickened his pace about a quarter of heard in the battery. Presently the three
an hour ago. Look, Captain, you can musicians appeared on deck, emerging
see almost her entire hull. Oh we have from a hatchway, marched round the
!

to deal with some old sea-dog who will vessel and went back by the hatchway
give us a deal of trouble. It puts me at the opposite end.
in mind of the way in which this same The effect of this sight and of the
Leicester chased us when Captain Murray tuneful concert that followed it was
commanded her." magical.
" Ah by God everything is explained
! ! In an instant, every one was at the post
now," exclaimed Jacques " a thousand appointed beforehand, armed with the
;

pounds to a hundred, Georges, it is your light weapons at his disposal the top-
;

enraged Governor on board that vessel; men sprang aloft with their carbines the ;

he wants to have his revenge." musketeers took their station on the deck
" Do you think so ? " cried Georges, and gangways swivels were got ready,
;

rising from the bench on which he was the guns were cast loose, and loaded
sitting, and grasping his brother's arm, supplies of grenades were placed at every
" do you think so ? I declare I should be spot from which they might be rained
glad if it were he, for I, too, want to take down upon the enemy's deck. Finally
revenge on my own account." the Boatswain stoppered all the rigging,
 ; "

GEORGES 153

serpentined the stays of the masts, and " Yes, yes," said the girl, ••
Iam ready
saw that the boarding nettings were ready to obey. You Georges, am reason-
for tricing up, and grappUng irons handy. able but you
;
— see, I

The activity in the interior of the ship
was no less great than on deck. The
magazines were opened, the lanterns
lighted below, the spare stores prepared ;
lastly, the decks were cleared, and two
" Sara, you will not ask me, I hope,
to remain a spectator of what is going
to take place, when so many brave men
are exposing their lives only for my
"
sake ?

guns run aft as stern chasers. " Ohno," said Sara

! ;
" I only ask you
Then perfect silence ensued. Jacques to think of me, and to remember that if

saw that everything was ready, and began you die, it will kill me."
his inspection. Then she her hand to Jacques,
oflFered
Every man was at his post and every- held up her face to Pierre Munier, and
thing in its place. conducted by Georges, went down the
The inspection, nevertheless, occupied after-companion ladder.
half-an-hour, since Jacques realised that A quarter of an hour later Georges
the game he was about to engage in was came up again, holding in his hand a
one of the most serious that he had ever boarding-sword and with a brace of pis-
played in his life. During this inspection tols in his belt.
he examined everything and spoke to each Pierre Munier was armed with his
man. embossed carbine, the trusty friend that
When he returned on deck, the frigate had always served him so faithfully.
had visibly decreased the distance between Jacques was at his place on the quarter
them, and only a mile and a half now deck, holding his speaking-trumpet, the
separated the two ships. token of authority, in his hand, with a
Another half hour passed, during which boarding-sword and a small iron morion
certainly not ten words were exchanged lying at his feet.
on board the corvette all the faculties of
; The two ships were pursuing the same
crew, officers, and passengers seemed to course, the frigate still pressing the
be concentrated in their eyes. corvette, and already so close that the
Each countenance expressed a feeling sailors in the tops could see what was
in harmony with its owner's character passing on each other's decks.
that of Jacques, indifference of Georges,
;
*'
Master Tete de Fer," said Jacques,
pride; of Pierre Munier, paternal solici- " you possess good eyes and good judg-
tude of Sara, devotion.
; ment, be good enough to go into the
All of a sudden a li^ht puff of smoke mizzen-top and tell me what is going on
.^^.^ ^ side, and the yonder."
appeared on the frij^ate's
standard of Great Britain rose majesti- The Lieutenant at once sprang aloft
cally into the air. as actively as any common top-man, and
A fight was now inevitable the cor- in an instant reached the place men-
:

vette could not haul closer to the wind tioned. ;

and the superiority of the frigate's pace " Well ? " said the Captain.
was evident. Jacques gave orders to " Well, Captain, each man is at his
lower the studding-sails, so as not to have post, the gunners at the batteries, the
any canvas set that would hamper his marines at the gangways, and the Captain
manoeuvres then, turning to Sara, he on the quarter-deck."
;

observed : "Are there any troops on board besides

" Come, little sister, j'ou see that we the sailors and marines ? "
are all at our posts, and I think it is time " I think not. Captain, unless indeed
for you go down to yours."
to they are concealed in the battery, for I
"Oh! great heavens!" cried the girl, see the same uniform everywhere."
" the fight then is inevitable ? " " Good In that case the numbers are
!

" In a quarter of an hour," said Jacques, almost equal, within about fifteen or
" the conversation will begin, and as, in twenty. That's all I wanted to know.
all probability, it will not be lacking in Come down. Master Tete de Fer."
warmth, it is necessary that those who " Wait a moment The Englishman
!

are not to take part in it should retire." is putting his trumpet to his mouth if we ;

" Sara," said Georges, " don't forget are quite still, we may hear what he is
what you promised me." going to say."
 : : ; !

154 GEORGES
This last opinion the is we against wnom tney bear a grudge.
was rather in
"
nature of a conjecture, for, in spite of the Politeness for politeness. Fire !

silence on deck, no sound reached the On the instant a double report shook the
corvette ; but the order given by the whole corvette, and Jacques leaned over to
Captain was none the less clearly ex- watch the effect of his repartee one of the ;

plained to the whole crew, for instantly two shot had struck full in the bows, while
two flashes issued from the bows of the the other had buried itself more astern.
hostile vessel, a report was heard, and two " Well " cried Jacques, " what are the
!

shot ricochetted in the wake of the rest of you about ? Give her a broad-
Calypso. side aim at her masts break her legs
! ;

" Good " said Jacques

!
" they have and clip her wings
; masts and sails are ;

only got eighteen-pounders like ourselves more valuable to her at this moment than
"
the chances grow more and more equal." lives. Ah look ! !

Then, raising his head, he called to the Two balls passed at this moment
Lieutenant through the sails and rigging of the
" Come down you are no use there corvette, one of which struck the fore
;

now, and I want you here." yard-arm, and the other carried away the
Master Tete de Fer obeyed, and was by mizzen top-mast.
the Captain's side in a moment. Mean- " Fire confound you
! and take ;

while the frigate continued to advance, example from those fellows. Twenty-
but without firing any more, having found five pounds for the first mast of the
that she was still out of range. frigate that falls."
" Master Tete de Fer," said Jacques, The report followed the order almost
" go down into the battery, and, so long immediately, and you could see the
as we are running away from them, use passage of the shot through the sails of
round shot but, the moment we come to the enemy.
;

boarding, use shells, and nothing but For nearly a quarter of an hour tho
"
shells. You understand ? firing continued thus on both sides the ;

"Aye, aye, sir " answered the Lieu- breeze, lulled by the discharges, had
!

tenant. almost dropped, and the two ships were

And he went down the after-ladder. moving at scarcely more than four or five
The two ships continued their course knots. The intervening space was so
for about half-an-hour without any fresh filled with smoke that the gunners fired
sign of hostility on the part of the frigate, almost at random the frigate, however, ;

while the corvette, judging it useless to still came on, and you could see the tops
waste her powder and shot, remained of her masts rising above the smoke that
insensible to the two challenges from the surrounded her, while the corvette, who
enemy. But it was evident, from the had the wind behind her and fired from
animation that began to appear on the her stern, was quite clear of this incon-
sailors' faces, and the care with which the venience.
Captain measured the distance which This was the moment for which Jacques
still separated the two vessels, that the was waiting. He had done all he could
conversation, as Jacques had said, would to avoid boarding but, being forced in ;

not long be confined to a monologue, and pursuit, was about to turn at last upon
that the dialogue was on the point of his pursuer, like a wounded boar. At this
beginning. moment the frigate was on the starboard
After waiting for another ten minutes side of the corvette, and began to pound
which seemed like an age to everybody, her with the fore-castle guns, while the
the bows of the frigate burst into flame corvette replied with her stern-guns.
once more, a double report was heard, Jacques saw the advantage of his position
followed, this time, by the whistling of and determined to profit by it.
shot passing through the rigging, cutting " All hands on deck for boarding " he !

a hole in the mizzen top-sail and carrying cried.

away two or three ropes. The men instantly rushed on deck.
Jacques followed with a rapid glance " Stand by to take the mainsail off her !

the effect wrought by these two messen- Man the after port braces and spanker
gers of destruction then, seeing that the clewlines
; Fort your helm ! Fori !

"
damage was only trifling, he cried Clew up the mainsail and spanker !

*'
Come, my lads, it seems clear that it Scarcely had these successive orders
 GEORGES ^55

been carried out than the corvette, obey- the English ranks, dealing and receiv-
ing the simultaneous action of her helm ing blows, fighting with coolness, and
and her after sails, turned rapidly to star- courage two English sailors raise their
;

board, having still sufficient way on her
to run athwart the frigate's course,
and remained stationary, thanks to the
precaution the Captain had taken of haul-
ing taut his fore starboard braces. At
the same moment the frigate, deprived of
her power of manoeuvring owing to the
damage to her after sheets, and unable to
double the corvette with the wind, came
on, ploughing through
axes over the head of Jacques, and
both fall, struck by invisible bullets.
Pierre Munier is watching over his son,
the trusty carbine does its work.
Suddenly a terrible cry, rising above
the noise of the grenades, the crackle of
the musketry, the cries of the wounded,
and the groans of the dying, bursts from
the battery, freezing every one with horror.
smoke and sea, " Fire! The ship's on fire " At the
!

and willy nilly ran her bowsprit with a same instant a thick smoke issues from
terrific crash into the main-shrouds of the after hatchways and port-holes. One
the enemy. of the shells has exploded in the Captain's
At this moment the voice of Jacques cabin and set the frigate on fire.
rang out for the last time : At this cry, so terrible, so unexpected,
" Fire ! Rake her fore and aft ! Shave all is hushed for a moment then the
;
"
them bare as a hulk ! voice of Jacques is heard, powerful, im-
Fourteen guns, six of them charged perious, supreme :

with grape and eight with shell, obey this " All aboard the Calypso " !

order, sweeping the deck, on which they Instantly, with the same speed with
cut down thirty or forty men, and bring- which they had descended on to the deck
ing the mizzen-mast down. At the same of the frigate, the pirates abandon her,
instant a shower of grenades descending hauling themselves one over the other,
from the three tops, scours the forward clinging on to the rigging, jumping from
decks of the frigate, which can only reply one deck to the other, while Jacques and
to this storm of fire and hail of shot from Georges, with some of the most resolute
her fore-top, encumbered as it is by the of the crew, support the retreat.
sail. Then the Governor dashes forward in
At this moment the pirates dash for- his turn, pressing hard on the pirates,
ward, rushing headlong and crowding firing on them at close range, hoping
along the yards of the corvette and the to board the Calypso at the same time as
bowsprit of the frigate, over the shrouds, her crew. But at this the first arrivals
the rigging, and the ropes. In vain the spring into the tops of the corvette, and
marines pour upon them a terrible mus- the shower of grenades and bullets begins
ketry fire those who fall are succeeded once more.
;

by others while the very wounded drag

; Ropes are thrown to those who still
themselves along, pushing grenades before remain on the frigate, and each man
them and waving their arms. Georges seizes hold. Jacques leaps back aboard,
and Jacques think that victory is already Georges remams the last. The Governor
theirs, when at the order of "All boarders makes for him, and Georges waits.
on deck " the English sailors stationed in Suddenly Georges is seized and lifted
!

the battery rush in their turn up the in a grasp of iron Pierre IMunier is ;

hatchway and gain the upper deck. This watching over his son, and, for the third
reinforcement steadies the marines, who time that day, saves him from almost
were beginning to fall back. The Com- certain death.
mander of the frigate throws himself at Then a voice, overpowering all this
their head. Jacques had not been mis- horrible confusion, roared " Man the fore :

taken it was indeed the old Captain of port braces

; Hoist the head sails Clew! !

the Leicester, who wanted to take his re- up the main sail and spanker Haul in !

"
venge. Georges Munier and Lord Murray all ropes astern Starboard your helm ! !

meet face to face, but amid blood and All these manoeuvres, ordered in that
slaughter, sword in hand, as mortal foes. powerful voice which compels obedience,
They both recognise and make for one were executed with such marvellous
another, but the confusion is such that rapidity that, spite of the impetuosity
they are carried along as if by a whirl- with which the English rushed in pursuit
wind. The two brothers hurry against of the pirates, they were not in time to
 : — ;

156
make the ships fast to one another. The
corvette, as though endowed with feeling,
seemed to reahse the danger she was in,
and shook herself free with a vigorous
effort, while the frigate, deprived of her
mizzen-mast, moved forward slowly, im-
pelled by the sails of her main and fore-
mast.
To those on board the Calypso, terrible
scenes were now visible.
In the heat of the contest the first
outbreak of fire on board the frigate had
been unperceived, so that when the cry of
" Fire " was raised, the conflagration had
already made such progress that there
was no hope of extinguishing it.
It was at this crisis that the force of
British discipHne compelled admiration.
Amid the smoke, growing denser each
moment, the Governor taking his place
on the port side of the quarter-deck, and
lifting his speaking-trumpet, which he had
kept suspended from his left wrist, shouted
" Steady, men, steady "
Trust to me
! !
Every one paused.
" Lower the boats " continued the
!
GEORGES
from the davits of the Calypso into the
w^ater, notwithstanding the strong sea
running. Immediately, all who could not
find room in the frigate's boats, jumped
into the sea and began to swim towards
those of the corvette.
The Governor remained on board.
They had tried to persuade him to entei
one of the boats, but, unable to save his
wounded, he preferred to die with them.
The sea now presented a fearful spec-
tacle.
The frigate's boats were rowing with
might and main from the burning vessel
the sailors who had been left behind were
swimming towards the corvette's boats.
Motionless amid a whirlwind of smoke,
her Commander standing stern and
motionless on the quarter deck, the
wounded cumbering her deck, the frigate
burned on.
It was a sight so terrible that Georges
felt the trembling hand of Sara resting on
his shoulder, yet did not turn to look at
her.

Having reached a certain distance, the

Governor. boats were resting on their oars.
In five minutes the jolly boat at the This is what now happened :

stern, the two quarter boats at the davits, The smoke grew thicker and thicker ;

and one of the gigs, were lowered and then serpents of flame were seen issuing
alongside the frigate. from the hatchways, and crawling along
"The jolly boat and the gigs for the the masts, devouring the sails and rigging ;

marines " sang out the Governor " the next the flames burst through the port-
! ;

two quarter boats for the Bluejackets " holes, and the loaded guns went off as the
!

Then, as the Calypso kept sheering off, fire reached them. Then a terrible ex-
she heard no more orders given, but she plosion resounded the vessel was rent ;

saw the boats being filled with all those like a crater a cloud of flame and smoke;

who remained uninjured, while the un- rose to the sky finally from this cloud, ;

happy men who were wounded, dragging fragments of masts, yards, and rigging
themselves to the gangways, vainly be- were seen to fall into the boiling sea.
sought their comrades to take them in. This was the last of the Leicester.
" Lower the two quarter boats " cried !
" And Lord Murray ? " asked the girl.
Jacques in his turn, when he saw that the " If I were not going to live with you,
frigate's boats could not hold the whole Sara," said Georges turning to her, " upon
crew. my honour, I could have wished to die as
And the two quarter boats were lowered he has died " !

THE END

rUTKTItn BY OII.BKRT AND RFVINOTON, LTD., ST. JOHN'S HOUSE, CLERK KNWELL, B.O.
ROBIN HOOD
THE OUTLAW
HIS POSITION WAS T.KCOMINC; CRITICAT, TAGE O'l
THE NOVELS OF ALEXANDRE DUMAS

ROBIN HOOD
THE OUTLAW
NEWLY TRANSLATED BY
ALFRED ALLINSON

WITH THREE COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS BY

FRANK ADAMS

METHUEN & CO.

36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON
{Copyright: all rights reserved^
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
FAGS
His Position was becoming Critical .. , . Frontispiece

The wrinkled Face of Sir Tristan appeared . . .29

"Richard Cceur-de-Lion, King of England!" . . . 107
 ; !

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

CHAPTER I " How know you that I am not practised
"
in this exercise ?

hours of a beautiful day " By your fashion of holding the bow.

IN inthetheearly
month of August, Robin Hood, I would wager what you will. Sir Stranger,
with a Hght and a song on his
heart that you are better versed in overthrowing
lips, was strolling down a narrow glade a man on the field of battle than in
in Sherwood Forest. Suddenly a strong stretching out the deer in the green wood."
voice, whose capricious tones evidenced a " Excellently answered," laughed the
profound ignorance of the rules of music, stranger. " Is it permissible to ask the
took up the amorous ballad Robin Hood name of one whose eye is so penetrating
was singing. as to judge by a single shot the difference
•'
By'r Lady " muttered the young betwixt the action of a soldier and that
!

"
man, listening attentively to the stranger's of a forester ?
song, "what an extraordinary thing. " My name boots little in the question
Those words are mine own composition, before us. Sir Stranger, but I can tell
dating from my childhood, and I have you my qualifications. I am one of the
never taught them to a soul." chief keepers of this Forest, and I do not
Reflecting thus, Robin glided behind intend to allow my helpless deer to be
the trunk of a tree, to wait until the exposed to the attacks of any who take
traveller had passed. The latter soon it into their heads to kill them, merely to
appeared. As he came opposite the oak try their skill."
tree at the foot of which Robin was " I care not much for your intentions,
sitting, he stopped and gazed into the fair keeper," rejoined the stranger in a
depths of the wood. deliberate tone, " and I defy you to prevent
" Ha ! ha " he said, perceiving through me from shooting mine arrows as best me
!

the thicket a magnificent herd of deer, seemeth. I will kill the deer, I will kill
" there are some old acquaintances ; let the fawns, I will kill what I please."
us see whether mine eye is still true and " That will be easy, an if I do not op-
my hand sure. By St. Paul I shall pose you, because you are a right good
!

give myself the pleasure of sending an bowman," Robin replied. " And now I
arrow into yonder lusty fellow pacing will make you a proposition. Hear me
along so stately." I am chief of a band of men, stout-hearted,
Saying which, the stranger took an clear-witted, and well skilled in all the
arrow from his quiver, and, adjusting it exercises of their trade. You seem to me
to his bow, aimed at the deer, wounding a good fellow if your heart be honest, if
:

him mortally. you be of a calm and conciliatory spirit,

" Well done " cried a laughing voice
! I shall be happy to enroll you in my
" that was a right clever shot." company. Once you are one of us, you
The stranger, taken by surprise, turned may hunt the deer but if you refuse to
;

abruptly. join our brotherhood, I must ask you to

" Think you so, master ? " said he, quit the Forest."
looking Robin up and down. " Truly, master keeper, you speak in a
" Yea, you are most dexterous." mighty overbearing tone. Come now,
" Indeed " added the other in a scornful hear me in your turn.
! If you do not
tone. speedily show me your heels, I will give
" Never a doubt of it, and especially you such counsel as —
with no grand
so for one Httle used to shoot at deer." —
phrases will teach you to weigh your
 — — ; " ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

words which counsel, pretty bird, will be
;
" Amen !
" said the stranger.
a volley of blows from a cudgel plied The trial of strength commenced. The
pretty briskly." blows, liberally administered on both
*'
You beat me !
" overwhelmed the stranger,
cried Robin, scorn- sides, soon
fully. hitting Robinwho did not succeed in
" Yea, I " ! once. Indignant and breathless, the poor
"My lad," replied Robin, "I would youth flung down his weapon.
fain not lose my temper, for thou wouldst " Cease " he cried. " I have had !

find it would go ill with thee then but enough of this." ;

if thou dost not at once obey my order to " You own yourself beaten ? " asked
quit the Forest, thou wilt be first vigorously Robin.
chastised thereafter we will e'en try the
; " No but I see you are much stronger
;

compass of thy neck and the strength of than I am. You are accustomed to wield
thy body on the highest branch of a tree a cudgel, which gives you too great an
in this Forest." advantage the match should be as equal
;

The stranger began to laugh. as possible. Can you use a sword ? "
" Beat me and hang me," said he " Yea," replied Robin.
" that would be curious, if it were not " Will you continue the struggle with
impossible. Let us see, then. Get to that weapon ?
work I am waiting."
;
" Certainly."
" I do not trouble myself to cudgel with They drew their swords. Each was
mine own hands all the rogues I en- an expert swordsman, and when they had
counter, my friend," returned Robin. " I fought for a quarter of an hour, neither
have those who fill that useful office in had succeeded in wounding the other.
my name. I will summon them, and " Stop " cried Robin, suddenly.
!

thou canst explain thyself to them." **

You are tired ? " asked the stranger,
Robin raised a horn to his lips, and was with a smile of triumph.
about to sound a vigorous call, when the " Yea," Robin replied frankly " since ;

stranger, who had quickly fitted an arrow to me the sword is not a pleasant weapon.
to his bow, shouted The quarter-staff is the thing its blows ;

" Hold, or I kill you " ! are less dangerous and offer some sport
Robin dropped his horn, seized his bow, the sword hath something savage and
and leaping towards the stranger with cruel about it. My fatigue, though real,"
incredible nimbleness, cried Robin went on, scrutinising the face of
" Madman Dost not see with
! what a the stranger, whose head was covered by
power thou wouldst strive ? Before thou a cap which partly concealed his forehead,
couldst strike me, I should have already " is not my sole reason for seeking a truce.
smitten thee, and the death thou wouldst Since I have stood facing thee, memories
aim at me would have recoiled upon thy- of my childhood have surged up within
self. Be reasonable we are strangers to me the look of thy large blue eyes is not
; ;

each other, and for no good cause we unfamiliar to me. Thy voice recalls that
treat each other as enemies. The bow is of a friend, my heart is irresistibly at-
a murderous weapon replace the arrow tracted towards thee. Tell me thy name
:
;

in thy quiver, and, since thou wilt play if thou art he whom I love and long for
with the quarter- staff, so be it. I accept with all the yearning of a tender friend-
thy challenge." ship, thou art welcome a thousand times.
*' The
quarter-staff then " repeated the I will love thee for thyself and for the
!

stranger " and let him who is able to dear memories thou dost recall."
;

knock the other on the head, be not only " You speak with a goodnature which
the victor, but also free to rule the fate of attracts me. Sir Forester," replied the
his adversary." stranger, " but, to my great sorrow, I
" So belt," Robin returned. " Take heed cannot grant your reasonable request. I
of the consequences of the compact thou am not at liberty to do so my name is ;

proposest if I make thee cry for mercy, a secret which prudence counsels me to
;

I shall have the right of enrolling thee in guard with care."

my band." " You have nothing to fear from me,"
"Agreed!" replied Robin ;
" I am one of those whom
Very well
«'
; and may the best man men call outlaws. Moreover, I am in-
win the day." capable of betraying the confidence of
 " " —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
one who trusts me, and I despise the " Yea, I trust so, or rather, I am certain
baseness of him who would reveal even of it. To prove to thee, friend Robin,
a secret involuntarily surprised. Tell me how much I thought of the dear child,
"
your name ? I will tell thee a dream I had in Nor-
The stranger still hesitated. mandy a dream which lingers still in —
" I will be your friend," added Robin, my thoughts, though it dates back nearly
with an air of frankness. a month. I was in the depths of a prison,
" Agreed," replied the stranger. " I am my arms bound, my body loaded with
called William Gamwell." chains, and I saw Maude a few paces
Robin uttered a cry. from me, pale as death and covered with
" Will, Will— merry Will Scarlett ? blood. The poor girl held out supplica-
"Yea." ting hands toward me, and her mouth,
" And I am Robin Hood " with its blood-stained lips, murmured
!

" Robin " cried the young man, as he plaintive words, the sense of which I
!

fell into the arms of his friend " what could not comprehend, but I saw that ;

joy !
she suffered cruelly and was calling me
The two young men embraced each to her aid. As I have just said, I was
other heartily then, with looks of un- bound with chains.
; I rolled upon the
speakable delight, they gazed at each ground, and in my helplessness I bit the
other with an affecting wonder. iron bands which gripped my arms in a ;

" And I threatened thee " said Will. word, I made superhuman efforts to drag
!

" And I did not recognise thee " added myself to Maude. Suddenly the chains
!

Robin. which entwined me slackened gently, then

" I wished to kill thee " cried Will. fell off. I leapt to my feet and ran to
!

" And I cudgelled thee " continued Maude. I took the poor bleeding girl to
!

Robin, breaking into a laugh. my heart I covered with burning kisses ;

" Bah think no more of that.

! Give her wan, white cheeks, and little by little
me news quick of Maude." .the blood, arrested in its course, began to
. .

" Maude is well, very well." circulate, slowly at first, then regularly and
" Is she "
? . . . naturally. Maude's lips gained colour,
"Always a charming girl, who loves she opened her great black eyes, and cast
thee, Will, and only thee in all the world. upon my face a look, at once so grateful
She hath kept her heart for thee she will and so tender that I was touched to the ;

give thee her hand. She hath mourned quick my heart leapt within me, and a ;

thy absence, the dear creature thou hast deep groan escaped my burning bosom. ;

suffered much, my poor Will, but thou I suffered, but at the same time I was
wilt be happy, if thou dost still love the very happy. Awakening soon followed
good and beautiful Maude." this deep emotion, and I leapt from my
" // I love her How can you question bed with the firm resolution of returning
!

it, Robin ? Ah yes, I love her, and to England. I longed to see Maude
!

God bless her for not having forgotten again Maude who must be unhappy —
me I have never ceased thinking of Maude who must be in need of me. I
!

her for a single moment her dear image went at once to my Captain
; he had ;

was ever in my heart, and gave it strength. been my father's steward, and I thought
It was the courage of the soldier on the I had some interest with him. To him
field of battle, and the consolation of the I disclosed, not the reason of my desire to
prisoner in the dark dungeon of the State return to England, for he would have
prison. Maude, dear Robin, hath been laughed at my fears, but the desire alone.
my thought, my dream, my hope, my He refused harshly to give me leave.
future. Through her I have been able This first rebuff did not deter me. I was
to bear the most cruel privations, the like a man possessed, mad to see Maude
most grievous hardships. God implanted once more. I besought this man to whom
in my heart an unshakeable confidence I had once given orders I entreated him ;

in the future. I felt sure of seeing to grant my wish. You will pity me,
Maude again, of becoming her husband, Robin," added Will, blushing " no matter, ;

and of spending the last years of my life I will tell you all. I threw myself on
with her." my knees before him my weakness made ;

" That patient hope is on the point of him smile, and, with a brutal kick, he
being fulfilled, dear Will," said Robin. threw me on my back. Then, Robin,
 —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
I rose. I was wearing my sword ; I drew arrows,shields and short swords, ranged
it from scabbard, and, without hesita-
its themselves silently around their leader.
tion or reflection, I slew the wretch. Ever William stared in amaze, and looked at
since I have been pursued, but I hope my Robin with an air of stupefaction. The
trail is lost. That is why, dear Robin, young man amused himself for a moment
taking you for a stranger, I would not in watching the astonishment and sur-
give you my name but thank Heaven ; prise his cousin displayed at the respect-
for leading me to you Now tell me
! ful attitude of the men summoned by the
about Maude does she still live at
; blast of his horn, then, laying a muscular
Gamwell Hall ? " hand on Will's shoulder, he said laugh-
"At Gamwell Hall, my dear Will?" ingly—
repeated Robin. " Then thou dost not " My lads, here is a man who made me
know what hath happened ? " cry mercy in an encounter with swords."
" I know nothing. But what hath hap- " He ! " cried the men, examining Will
"
pened ? Thou dost frighten me with marked curiosity.
!

" Nay never be uneasy the trouble

! ;
" Yea, he beat me and I am proud of ;

which befell thy family hath been partly his victory, for he hath a sure hand and
repaired. Time and resignation have a brave heart."
effaced all traces of a painful deed Gam- Little John, who seemed less delighted
;

well village and Hall have both been by William's prowess than Robin had
destroyed." been, advanced to the middle of the circle,
" Destroyed " cried Will. !
" Holy and said to the young man
Virgin And my mother, Robin my
!
" Stranger, if thou hast made the valiant
;

"
father and my poor sisters ? Robin Hood ask for quarter, thou must
*'
Are all safe and sound do not be be of superlative strength
; natheless, ;

alarmed Thy family are now living it shall not be said that thou hast
!

at Barnsdale. Later on I will tell thee had the glory of beating the chief of
the fatal story in detail for the present the merry foresters without having been
;

let it suffice that this cruel destruction, thrashed by his lieutenant. I am a good
which was the work of the Normans, hath hand with the quarter-staff wilt play —
cost them dear. We
killed two-thirds of me ? If thou canst make me cry, Hold, '

the troops sent by King Henry." enough I will proclaim thee the best 1
'

"By King Henry 1" exclaimed Wil- blade in all the country side."
liam. Then he added hesitatingly, " Thou "My good Little John," said Robin,
art, thou sayest, Robin, chief keeper of " I wager a quiver of arrows against a
the Forest, and naturally in the service of bow of yew that this brave lad will be
the King." victor once again."
" Not quite, fair cousin," returned the " I take the double stake, master,"
young man, with a smile. " It is the replied John " and if the stranger bears ;

Normans who pay me for my supervision off the prize, he shall be known not only
— at least, those who are rich, for I take as the best blade, but as the most skil-
naught from the poor. I am indeed ful cudgel-player in all merry England
keeper of the Forest, but on my own beside."
account and that of my jolly companions. On hearing Robin Hood address the
In a word, William, I am lord of Sher- tall swarthy young man before him as
wood Forest, and I will maintain my rights "Little John," Will felt his heart beat
and privileges against all pretenders." quickly, though he showed no emotion.
" I do not understand thee, Robin," He composed his face, pulled down the
said Will, in utter amazement. cap which covered his head on to his
" I will explain myself more clearly." brows, and, answering with a smile the
Saying which, Robin lifted his horn to signals Robin was making him, he saluted
his lips and blew three piercing blasts. his adversary gravely, and, armed with his
Scarce had the depths of the wood quarter-staff", awaited the first onslaught.
been stirred by the strident notes, ere "What Little John," cried Will, as I

William saw issue from brake and glade, the young man was about to begin the
to right and left, a hundred men all clad contest, " wouldst fight with Will Scar-
alike in a neat garb, whose green colour lett —
with merry William,' as thou wast '

well became their martial forms. wont to call him ? "

These men, armed with bows and " Good Lord " exclaimed ! Little John,
 — — !

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

as he let fall his quarter- staff. That Robin Hood and
his two friends took
"
"
voice! That look! the road to Mansfield, where they would
He took a few steps forward, and, find horses. They started blithely on
staggering, leant on Robin's shoulder for their way, Robin singing pretty ballads
support. in his true and tuneful voice, while Will,
** Well that voice is mine. Cousin intoxicated with joy, danced along beside
!

John," cried Will, throwing his cap on him, taking up at random the refrain of
"
the grass " look at me
; his songs.
! Little John even ventured on
The long red locks of the young man a wrong note sometimes, whereat Will
clustered in silky curls around his cheeks, shouted with laughter, and Robin joined
and Little John, after gazing in silent in his mirth. If a stranger had seen our
joy at the laughing face of his cousin, friends, he would certainly have taken
threw himself upon him, clipping him them for the guests of a too-generous
fairly in his arms, as he said, with an host, so true is it that intoxication of the
expression of unutterable tenderness heart can resemble closely the intoxica-
" Welcome to merry England, Will, tion of wine.
dear Will welcome to the land of thy
; At a short distance from Mansfield
—
fathers thou who, by thy return, bringest their high spirits received a sudden check.
it happiness and content. To-morrow Three men in the garb of foresters
the inhabitants of Barnsdale will make emerged from behind a group of trees
merry ;to-morrow their arms will be and placed themselves across the road,
around him they believed lost for ever. as if determined to bar their way.
The hour which brings thee back to us Robin Hood and his companions
is an hour blessed of Heaven, beloved stopped for an instant. Then the young
Will and I am glad to
; to see man scrutinised the strangers, and asked
. . . . . .

thee again. Thou must not think that imperiously

"
because thou seest tears on my face, that •'
Who
are ye, and what do ye here ?
I am chicken-hearted. Will. No, no I " I was just about to put the same
—
;

am not weeping I am happy, very questions," replied one of the three men,
happy." a sturdy, square-shouldered fellow, who,
Poor John could say no more he armed with quarter - staff and dagger,
;

clasped Will convulsively in his arms seemed quite prepared to stand any
and continued to weep silently. attack.
William shared in the affecting delight " Verily ? " replied Robin. " Ah, well
of his cousin, and Robin Hood left them I am very glad to have spared you the
for a moment in each other's arms. trouble for had you permitted yourself ;

Their first emotion calmed, Little John to ask me anything so impertinent, it is

gave Will, as briefly as possible, the probable that I might have responded in
details of the frightful catastrophe which such fashion as to make you regret your
had driven his family from Gamwell audacity for ever and a day."
Hall. The tale finished, Robin and John " Thou speakest proudly, my lad,"
conducted Will to the different hiding- replied the Forester, in a mocking tone.
places which the band had made for " Less proudly than I should have acted,
themselves in the Forest, and, at the had you been so impertinent as to ques-
young man's request, he was enrolled in tion me I do not reply, I question. ;

the troop with of lieutenant, Therefore I ask, for the last time, who
the title
which placed him in the same rank as are ye, and what are ye doing here ? One
Little John. would think, by your haughty mien, that
Next morning, Will expressed a wish Sherwood Forest belonged to you."
to go to Barnsdale. Robin perfectly " God be praised, my lad, but thou hast
understood this very natural desire, and a good tongue. Ah thou dost me the !

he at once prepared to accompany the favour of promising me a thrashing, if I

young man, as did Little John also. For question thee in turn ? 'Tis bravely
two days previously Will's brothers had boasted Now, jovial stranger, I am !

been at Barnsdale, preparing a feast to about to give thee a lesson in courtesy

celebrate Sir Guy's birthday, and by and to reply to thy request. That done,
William's return this would be made a I will make known to thee how I chastise
scene of great rejoicings. fools and impudent rascals."
After giving some orders to his men, " Done " returned Robin, gaily. !
*' Tell
 —— "

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

me thy name and title then beat me, an ; replied Robin, in a tone of contempt.
thou canst I should like it."
;
" Come, off with your jacket, draw your
< I am the keeper of this part of the sword. I am your man."
Forest my rights of supervision extend
;
" Stop !
" cried Little John. " Much is
more expert in handling a cudgel than in
from Mansfield as far as a wide cross-
drawing a sword let us fight all against
road about seven miles from hence. These ;

two men are my assistants. I hold my

all. I will take Much Robin and you, ;

commission from King Henry, and by William, take the others, and 'twill be an
his orders I protect the deer against equal match."
" " Done," replied the keeper, " for it
ruffians like you. Dost take me, sirrah ?
" Perfectly but if you are keeper of the shall never be said that Much, the miller
;

Forest, what am I and my

companions ? of Mansfield's son, ran away from Robin
Up to this present I was thought to be Hood and his merry men."
the only man possessing the rights of " Well answered," cried Robin. " Come,
that title. do not hold Little John, take Much, as you wish to
True it is, I
them by the kindness of King Henry, have him for your foe and I will take ;

but entirely of my own will, which is all- this lusty rascal. Art willing to fight
powerful here, because it is called the me? " Robin asked the man whom chance
right of the strongest." had given him as opponent.
" Thou the chief keeper of Sherwood " Right willing, brave outlaw."
Forest " replied the Forester, scornfully.
I
" To work, then, and may the Holy
" Thou art joking art a common rogue Mother of God give the victory to them
;

and vagabond no less." — that deserve her aid."

" My good friend," Robin returned " Amen," said Little John. " The Holy
quickly, " you seek to overawe me with Virgin doth never desert the helpless in
your own importance but you are not the hour of need."
;

the keeper whose name you are attempting " She doth forsake no one," said Much.
to assume. I know the man it belongeth " No one," said Robin, making the sign
to of rights." of the cross.
" Ho ! ho !
" laughed the keeper ;
" canst
Preparations for the contest being
"
tell me his name ? completed, Little John cried
cheerfully
" Certainly. He is called John Cockle, aloud :

the fat miller of Mansfield." " Begin !

" I am his son, and bear the name of " Begin " repeated Will and Robin. !

Much." An old ballad, which has preserved the

" You are Much ? I do not believe it." memory of this combat, describes it
**
He speaks truly," put in Little John. thus :

" I know him by sight. He hath been

pointed out to me as one well skilled in " Robin and Will and Little John
handling a cudgel." Had fought from eight till noon,
All on a lovely summer day
" Thou hast not been misinformed, In the leafy month of June,
forester, and, if thou knowest me, I can And never gave the foemen chance
say the same of thee. Hast a face and To injure them with sword or lance."
figure 'tis impossible to forget."
" You know my name ? " queried the "Little John," panted Much, after
young man. asking for quarter, " I had long heard
" Yea, master John." tell of thy skill and gallantry, and I
•'
As for me, I am Robin Hood, Keeper desired to match myself against thee. I
Much." have had my wish thou hast beaten ;

" I suspected as much, my good fellow, me, and thy victory will teach me a
and I am delighted to meet thee. A salutary lesson in modesty. I considered
handsome reward is offered to him who myself a worthy adversary, and thou hast
can lay hands on thy person. I am natur- e'en taught me I am but a blundering
ally ambitious, and the reward, which is fool."
for a large amount, would be quite to my " Thou art an excellent jouster, friend
taste. To-day I have the opportunity of Much," rephed Little John, shaking the
catching thee, and I do not mean to let hand held out to him by the keeper,
it escape me." " and well deservest thy reputation for
" You are quite right, gallows purveyor," valour."
 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
" I thank thee thy compHment,
for surrounded by soldiers, and I should be
forester," returned " but I consider
Much, obliged to fight or fly, neither of which
it more poHte than sincere. Thou sup- would suit me to-day. I am
expected in
posest, perhaps, that my vanity would Yorkshire, and I want not to delay my
suffer under an unexpected defeat, but departure."
thou mayest undeceive thyself I am not ;
" I can answer for the discretion of my

mortified at having been beaten by a man comrades. As to mine own, how canst
of thy worth." doubt it ? but I think, good Robin, thou
"
" Bravely spoken, valiant miller's son ! dost exaggerate the danger the curiosity;

cried Robin, cheerily. " Thou givest proof
that thou dost possess the most enviable
of all riches —
a good heart and a Saxon
soul. Only an honest man would accept
cheerfully and without the least bitterness
a wound to his self-esteem. Give me thy
hand, Much, and forgive the name that
I called thee when thou madest me the
of the citizens of Mansfield is the only
thing to fear. They will dog thy steps,
so anxious are they to see with their own
eyes the celebrated Robin Hood, the hero
of all the ballads the maidens sing."
" The poor outlaw, you mean to say,
Master Much," replied the young man,
bitterly. " Fear not to call me so the ;

confidant of thy covetous ambition.
did not recognise thee, and my slight
was directed not at thy person but at
thy words. Wilt take a glass of Rhine
I shame of that name falls not on me, but
rather on the head of him who pronounced
a sentence as cruel as it was unjust."
" Very good, my friend but whatever
;

wine ? Wewill drink to our lucky the name added to thine own, they love
meeting and future friendship." and respect it."
" Here is my hand, Robin Hood I ; Robin wrung the honest fellow's hand.
offer it with all my heart. I have often Without attracting any attention, they
heard thy praises sung I know that thou
; reached an inn a little way out of the
art a noble outlaw, and that thou dost town, and installed themselves at a table,
extend a generous protection to the poor. which the host quickly covered with half
Thou art even the friend of those that a dozen long-necked bottles full of that
should hate thee worst, thine enemies good Rhine wine which loosens the tongue
the Normans. They speak of thee with and opens the heart.
esteem, and I have never heard any one The bottles succeeded each other rapidly,
seriously blame thine actions. Thou hast and the conversation became so unre-
been stripped of thy possessions thou ; served and confidential that Much expe-
hast been banished honest men should
; rienced a wish to prolong it indefinitely.
hold thee dear, because misfortune hath Consequently he proposed to join Robin
been a guest in thy home." Hood's band and his companions, en-
;

" I thank thee for those words, friend chanted by the delightful descriptions of
Much I will not forget them, and I hope
; a life of freedom under the great trees
that thou wilt give me the pleasure of thy of Sherwood Forest, followed the example
company as far as Mansfield." of their leader, and engaged themselves
" I am with thee, Robin," replied Much. with heart and lip to follow Robin Hood.
"And I too," said the man who had He accepted the flattering offer made to
fought with Robin. him, and Much, who wished to start at
" I say the same," added Will's ad- once, asked his new chief for permission
versary. to bid his family good-bye. Little John
Arm in arm they took their way to- was to await his return, conduct the three
gether toward the town, laughing and men to the hiding-place in the Forest,
conversing as they went. instal them there, and once more take
*'
My dear Much," asked Robin, as the road to Barnsdale, where he would
they entered Mansfield, ** are thy friends find William and Robin. These several
"
discreet ? arrangements concluded, the conversation
" Why do you ask ? " took another turn.
" Because their silence is necessary Some minutes before the hour of their
for my security. As thou mayst well departure from the inn, two men entered
believe, I am here disguised and if my the room in which they sat. The first of
;

presence at a Mansfield inn were to be the men glanced rapidly at Robin Hood,
made known by an indiscreet word, the looked at little John, then fixed his atten-
dwelling of mine host would promptly be tion on Will Scarlett. This attention was
 — —
8 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
so intense and so tenacious that the young
man noticed it himself, and he was about
to question the new-comer, when the latter,
perceiving that he had roused a feeling
of uneasiness in the young man's mind,
turned away his eyes, swallowed a glass
of wine at a gulp, and left the room with
his companion.
Entirely absorbed in the delight caused
by the hope of seeing Maude before
nightfall. Will neglected to inform his
At my next visit, fair Barbara," Robin
"
returned gaily, *' I will be a messenger of
love, for I will e'en bring you a husband."
" And I will welcome him right gladly,
Robin," replied the girl, laughing merrily.
" You will do well, cousin, for he will
be worthy of your kindest welcome. I
will not draw his portrait, but will content
myself with saying that, so soon as ever
your pretty eyes light upon him, you will
say to Winifred, There, sister, there is
'

companions of what had occurred, and
mounted horse and rode away with Robin
Hood without giving it another thought.
As they went on their way, the two friends
concocted a plan for Will's entry into the
castle.
Robin wished to appear there alone,
and prepare the family for Will's return
but the impatient youth would not allow
"
the right man for Barbara Gamwell.'
" Are you quite sure of that, Robin ? "
" Perfectly sure, little witch,"
" Well, to decide that, we must know
all about the matter, Robin. Though you
might not think it, I am very particular,
and the young man will have to be very
;
nice to please me."
" What do you mean by very nice ? " *
'

this. " Like you, cousin."

" Mydear Robin," said he, " do not " Little flatterer " !

leave alone my emotion is such that

me ;
" I say what I think, and I cannot help
it would be impossible for me to remain it, if you call do not
it flattery. And I
silent and tranquil a few steps from my only require my husband
hand- to be as
father's house. I am so much altered, some as you are, but he must have your
and my face bears such visible traces of good heart too and kindly ways."
a hard life, that it is not to be feared my " You approve of me, then, Barbara ? "
mother will recognise me at a first glance. " Certainly you suit me exactly."
—
;

Present me as a stranger as a friend of " I am

both pained and pleased to have
Will's I shall thus have the happiness
; such luck, cousin mine but, alas if you ; !

of seeing my dear parents the sooner,
and of making myself known when they
have been prepared for my arrival."
Robin acceded to Will's wishes, and
the two young men presented themselves
at Barnsdale Castle together.
The whole family was assembled in
the hall. Robin was received with open
arms, and the Knight extended to the
— —
stranger as he took him to be a cordial
and affectionate hospitality.
are nourishing the secret hope of winning
me, allow me to lament your folly. I
am already pledged, Barbara pledged to
two people."
—
" I know those two people, Robin."
" Really, cousin ? "
" Yea, an if I liked to name them."
" Ah I beseech you not to betray
! my
secret, Mistress Barbara."
" Never fear, I will spare
your blushes.
But to return to me, dear Robin I consent, ;

Winifred and Barbara seated them- if you will graciously grant me this favour,
selves near Robin, and overwhelmed him to be the third of your lady-loves, or even
with questions, for he was usually an the fourth, for I presume that there are
echo of the news of the outer world to at least three other damosels awaiting the
the young girls. felicity of bearing your illustrious name."
The absence of Maude and Marian put " You little scoffer," said the young
Robin at his ease, and after answering man, laughing, " you do not deserve the
his cousins' questions, he rose and said, affection I feel for you. Nevertheless, I
turning to Sir Guy will keep my promise, and within a few
" Uncle, I have good news for you days I will bring you a charming young
news which will make you very happy." man."
" Your visit alone is a great joy to my " If your friend be not young, lively, and
old heart, Robin Hood," replied the old handsome, I will have never a word to
man. say to him, Robin remember that." ;

" Robin Hood is a messenger from " He is all that you could wish for."
heaven," cried pretty Barbara, shaking " Very well now let us hear the news
;

her clustering blonde tresses coquettishly. that you were on the point of telling my
 — "
!

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

father, you bethought you
ere to offer tender greeting was over. " Just now I

me a husband." heard what methought were shouts of

" Mistress Barbara, I was about to tell joy."
my uncle, my aunt,and you too, dear " And so they were, dear Marian, to
Winifred, that I had news of some one celebrate the return of one ardently
very dear to your hearts." longed for."
" Of my brother Will ? " said Barbara. " Whose return ? " asked the girl, tremu-
lously—
"
**
Yea, cousin." " not my brother's ?

" Ah, what joy Well ? "!

" Alas ! no,dear Marian," returned
"Well, that young man who is look- Robin, taking the girl's hand " as yet ;

ing at you so shyly, delighted as he God hath not sent Allan back to us but ;

is to be in the presence of so charming

a girl, saw William only a few days
—
Will you remember Will Scarlett, merry
William ?
"

agone." and I am right glad

" Of course I do,
" Is my boy well ?
" back again safe and
asked Sir Guy, in to hear that he is
"
trembling tones. sound. Where is he ?
" Is he happy ? " questioned Lady " With his mother when I left the ;

Gamwell, clasping her hands. hall his brothers were fighting to embrace
" Where is he ? " added Winifred. him. I am looking for Maude."
" Why does he stay away from us ? " She is in her room. Shall I tell her
"
said Barbara, fixing her eyes, which were to come down ?
full of tears, upon the face of Robin's " No, I must go to her, for the poor
companion. child must be prepared for William's
Poor William was unable to speak a visit. My mission is not easy to fulfil,"
word for the lump in his throat and the Robin went on with a laugh, " for the
beating of his heart. A minute's silence labyrinths of Sherwood Forest are much
followed these searching questions. Bar- better known to me than the mysterious
bara continued to gaze pensively at the recesses of a woman's heart."
young man, then suddenly she uttered a "Why so modest. Master Robin?"
cry, threw herself upon the stranger, replied Marian, gaily. " You know better
putting her arms around him, as she than any one how to set about fathoming
sobbed out a woman's heart."
" It is Will, it is Will I know him !
" Really, Marian, I do believe that my
Dear Will, how glad I am to see you " ! cousins, you and Maude, are all in league
And dropping her head upon her to try and make me vain you vie with
;

brother's shoulder, she began to weep one another in showering compliments

convulsively.
Lady Gamwell, her sons, and Winifred
and Barbara, pressed round the young
man, while Sir Guy, though he tried to
appear calm, sank into an armchair and
wept like a child.
Will's young brothers seemed intoxi-
cated with joy. After giving vent to a
terrific hurrah they picked William up
! in my turn try the effect of my eyes on
in their strong arms and hugged him
until he was nearly stifled.
Robin took advantage of the general
attention being taken off himself to leave
the room, and went to look for Maude.
upon me."
" There is no doubt about it. Master
Robin," said Marian, shaking her finger
at the young man. " You lay yourself out
to make Winifred and Barbara fond of
you. What ? you are trying to break
your little cousins' hearts ? Very well,
then, I am delighted to hear it, and I will
handsome Will Scarlett."
" I give my consent, dear Marian, but
I warn you that you will have a danger-
ous rival. Maude is devotedly loved, she
will defend her own honour and poor ;

Mistress Lindsay was in very delicate Will will blush sorely when he finds
health, requiring the greatest care, so himself betwixt two such charming
that might have been dangerous to women."
it

announce William's return too suddenly " If William cannot blush better than
to her. you do, Robin, I need not be afraid of
As he crossed the apartment adjoining causing him that embarrassing emotion."
Maude's, Robin met Marian. "Hah! hah!" laughed Robin, "you
"What is a-foot in the Castle, Robin mean. Mistress Marian, that I know not
"
dear ? " asked the girl, when her lover's how to blush ?
 " " " ;

10 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

" Nay ! that you have forgotten welcome Will, and tell him that you are
I mean
how, which is quite a different matter. with his betrothed."
Once upon a time, I remember, a brilUant Robin soon reached Maude's room, and
scarlet tinted your cheeks." found the girl within.
" When did that memorable event take " I felt almost sure I heard the shouts
place ? of joy which announced your arrival, dear
" The day when first we met in Sher- Robin," she said, as she offered him a
wood Forest." seat. " Excuse me for not having come
" May I tell you why I blushed, down to the withdrawing room, but I feel
"
Marian ? ill at ease and almost an intruder amongst
" I am afraid to say yea, Robin, for I the general rejoicings."
see a twinkle in your eye and the outline " is that, Maude ? How
of a wicked smile on your lips." " Because I am the only one for whom
" You dread my reply, but at the same you never have any good news."
time you await it impatiently, Marian." " Your turn will come, dear Maude."
" Not at all." " I have lost courage, Robin, and I am
" That's a pity, for I thought I should filled with a feeling of deadly sadness.
please you by divulging the secret of my I like you with all my heart, I am very
first and last blush." glad to see you, and yet I give you no
" You always please me when you talk proof of my affection, nor do I convey to
about yourself, Robin," said Marian, with you how agreeable your presence is; some-
a smile. times, dear Robin, I even try to avoid you."
" That day when I had the happiness " To avoid me ? " cried the young man,
of taking you to my father's house, I had in a tone of surprise.
the greatest desire to behold your face, " Yea, Robin, for when I hear you
which was hidden within the folds of a giving Sir Guy news of his sons, or giving
great hood, leaving visible only the limpid a message from Little John to Winifred,
brightness of your eyes. Walking shyly or one from her brothers to Barbara, I
beside you, I said to myself, If yonder say to myself,' I am alway forgotten '

wench's face be as sweet as her eyes, I I am the only one to whom Robin never
"
will e'en be her lover.' brings anything.'
**
What, Robin, at sixteen you dreamt " Never anything, Maude ? "
"
of making a woman love you ? **
Oh, I am not speaking of the charm-
" I did i' faith and just as I was con- ing presents which you bring, and a very
;

templating devoting my whole life to you, large proportion of which you always give
your adorable face, shaking off the sombre to your sister Maude, thinking thus to
veil which had hidden it from mine eyes, compensate her for the lack of news.
appeared in all its radiant splendour. So Your kind heart wishes to console me,
ardently did I gaze upon you that your dear Robin, but alas I cannot be com- !

cheeks became suffused with blushes. forted."

Something within me cried, This maid " You are a naughty little girl," said
*

shall be thy wife.' The blood which Robin, in a bantering tone. " What, do you
had rushed to my heart mounted to my complain that you never receive from any
face, and I felt that I must love you. one tokens of friendship or remembrance ?
There, dear Marian, that is the story of Ungrateful girl, do I not bring you news
my first and last blush. Since that day," from Nottingham at each of my visits?
Robin went on after a moment of affecting Who was it, who, at the risk of losing his
silence, " this hope, heaven-born promise head, paid frequent visits to your brother
of a happy future, hath been the consola- Hal ? Who, at the still greater risk of
tion and support of mine existence. I losing his heart, exposed himself bravely
hope and I believe." to the murderous fire of two beautiful
Sounds of merriment from the Great eyes ? In order to please you, Maude, I
Hall below reached the room above, where brave the danger of a tete-a-tete with the
hand-in-hand the two young people lovely Grace, I submit to the charms of
continued to exchange tender whispered her gracious smile, I suffer the touch of
confidences. her pretty hand, I even kiss her beautiful
" Quick, dear Robin," said Marian, brow; and for whom, I ask you, do I
pressing her lovely forehead to the young thus endanger my peace of mind ? For
man's lips, " go to Maude I must go to you, Maude, and for you alone."
;
 " "
! " — ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW II

Maude began play with my heart; it beats with such

to laugh.
" I must indeed be of an ungrateful violence as to pain me. I am listening.

nature," said she, " for the pleasure I feel Speak, Robin is dear William sound ;

in hearing you speak of Halbert and his and well ?

wife doth not satisfy the desire of my *'
Without a doubt, since he wishes to
heart." call you his dear little wife at the earliest
"Very well, then, Madam, I will not possible moment."
tell you that I saw Hal last week, that " You have seen him ? Where is he ?
"
he charged me to kiss you on both cheeks; When will he be here ?
nor will I tell you that Grace loves you " I have seen him he will soon come." ;

with all her heart, and that her little " Holy Mother of God, I thank thee " !

—
daughter Maude an angel of goodness cried Maude, clasping her hands and rais-
— wishes her pretty godmother a very ing her tearful eyes to heaven. " How
good day." glad I shall be to see him " added the !

" Thank you a thousand times, dear girl. " But ." continued Maude, as her . .

Robin, for your charming manner of tell- eyes turned irresistibly towards the door,
ing me nothing. I am quite content to on the threshold of which stood a young
"
remain thus in ignorance of what is hap- man, " it is he it is he ! !

pening at Nottingham but, by the way, Maude, with a cry of intense delight,
;

have you told Marian of the attention threw herself into William's arms and
"
you paid to Halbert's charming wife ? swooned away.
" What a spiteful question, Maude **
Poor dear girl " murmured the young !

Well, to give you a proof my conscience man, in a trembling voice, " the emotion
hath naught to reproach itself withal, I hath been too much for her, too sudden
will tell you that I have confided to she hath fainted. Robin, hold her up a
Marian but a small part of my appre- little I am weak as a child, I can hardly ;

ciation of the charms of the beautiful stand."

Grace. However, as I have a great Robin took Maude gently from Wil-
admiration for her eyes, I was very care- liam's arms and carried her to a couch.
ful not to be too expansive upon the As for poor William, with his head hidden
subject." in his hands, he wept bitterly. Maude
*'
What you deceived Marian ? It soon came to herself, and her first thought
!

would serve you right were I to go at was for Will, her first look for him. He
once and reveal to her the full extent of knelt at her feet, and, putting his arms
your wickedness." round her waist, murmured tenderly the
" We
will go together presently, and I name of his beloved
will offer you my arm but before we go " Maude
; Maude " ! !

to Marian, I wish to talk to you." " William dear William " ! !

" _
" What
have you to tell me, Robin ? " I want to speak to Marian," said
" Something very nice, and which, I Robin, smiling. " Good-bye I will leave
;

am sure, will give you great pleasure." you together. Do not quite forget others
" Then you have news of ... of ... who love you."
And the young girl looked at Robin with Maude held out her hand to the young
questioning eyes and an expression of man, and William looked gratefully at
mingled doubt, hope, and joy, while the him.
blood rushed into her face. " Here I am, back at last, dear Maude,"
" "
" Of whom, Maude ? said Will. " Are you glad to see me ?
" Ah ! you are teasing me," said the " How
can you ask, William ? Oh yes,
poor girl, sadly. I am glad, and, more than that, I am
No, dear little friend,
*'
I really have happy, very happy."
something very good to tell you." " You don't want me to go away
" Tell me quick, then." agam ?
" What do you think of a " "
husband ? ever want you to ?
Did I
asked Robin. " No but it depends on you alone
;

" A husband ? What a strange ques- whether I stay here for good or only as
tion !
a visitor."
" Not at all, if that husband were . .
. " What do you mean ? "
" Will Will You have heard
! ! news " Do you remember the last conversa-
"
of Will ! For mercy's sake, Robin, never tion we had together ?
 ; " !

12 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

" Yea, William dear." " Because it is too unexpected, too
" I left you with a heavy heart that soon."
*' Happiness
day, dear Maude; I was in despair. never comes too soon, dear
Robin noticed urged by Maude and could we be married at this
my distress, and, ;

his inquiries, him everything. I very moment, I should be the happiest

I told
thus learned the name of him you once of men. As we must wait until to-
loved. ..." morrow, why, I resign myself to it.
" Do not let us speak of my girlish But it is settled, is it not, that to-morrow
"
follies," interrupted Maude, twining her you will be my wife ?
arms round William's neck " the past " To-morrow " cried the girl.
; !

belongs to God." " Yea and for two reasons, the first ;

" Yea, dear Maude, to God alone, and being that we shall keep my father's
"
the present to us, is it not so? seventy-sixth birthday, the second that
" Yea, to us and to God. Perhaps it my mother wishes to celebrate my return
might be as well for your peace of mind, with great rejoicings. The merrymaking
dear William," added the young girl, " to would be quite complete, if still further
have a clear, frank, and decided idea of brightened by the accomplishment of our
my relations with Robin Hood." mutual desires."
" I know as much as I desire to know, " Your family, dear William, are not
dear Maude Robin told me all that had
; prepared to receive me as one of their
passed betwixt you." number, and your father would perhaps
A delicate pink flooded the girl's face. say .". .

—
" If your departure had been less " My father," interrupted Will " my
hurried," she replied, hiding her blushing father will say that you are an angel,
face on the young man's shoulder, " you that he loves you, and that you have
would have learnt that, deeply touched long been his daughter. Ah, Maude
by the patient tenderness of your love, you do not know the good and kind old
I longed to return it. During your man, if you doubt his joy at the happiness
absence I got into the habit of regarding of his son."
Robin as a brother, and to-day I ask " You have such a gift of persuasion,
myself. Will, if my heart ever beat for my dear Will, that I agree with you
any one but you." entirely."
" quite true that you love
Then it is " Then you consent, Maude ? "
me a little, Maude ? " said William, clasp- " I suppose I must, dear Will."
ing his hands, and with tears in his eyes. •*
You are not forced to do so, Madam."
" A little No but very ! much." " Really, William, you are very difficult
;

" Oh, Maude, how happy you make to please probably you would prefer to ;

me You see, I was right to hope, to hear me reply, I consent with all my
!
'

wait, to be patient, to say to myself, heart.'

'The day will come when I shall be " To marry you to-morrow," added
loved.' We
"
are going to be married, are Will.
" repeated
we not ?
" To '
marry you to-morrow,*
"
"
Dear Will ! Maude, laughing.
"
Say yea, or say, rather, I want to " Very well I am 'content. Come, ;

" announce
marry my good William.' dear little woman, let us go and
"
" I want to marry my good William,'
' our approaching marriage to our friends."
repeated the girl, obediently. William took Maude's arm, drew it
Give me your hand, dear Maude."
«' through his own, and, kissing the girl,
" Here it is." he led her towards the Great Hall, where
William kissed the little hand of his the whole family was still assembled.
betrothed passionately. Lady Gamwell and her husband gave
" When shall our wedding be, Maude ? Maude their blessing, Winifred and Bar-
he asked. bara greeted her by the sweet name of
" I do not know, my dear —
some day." sister, and Will's brothers embraced her
" Of course, but it must be settled enthusiastically.
"
suppose we say to-morrow ? The preparations for the wedding now
" To-morrow, Will You don't mean occupied the ladies, who, all animated
!

it 'tis impossible."
; by the same desire of ministering to the
"
" Impossible Why impossible ? ! happiness of Will and to the beauty of
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 13

Maude, set themselves at once to make With wrinkled and grimacing faces, like
a charming dress for the young girl. two old monkeys, the men talked together
The morrow came slowly, as do all in low voices, and it was evident that
impatiently expected to-miorrows. From they were trying to obtain from one
early morning the courtyard of the Castle another, by dint of cunning and flattery,
had been furnished with innumerable a definite conclusion to some important
casks of ale, which, festooned with gar- business.
lands of leaves, were to wait patiently " You are too hard on me. Baron,"
until their presence was discovered. A said the hideous old man, wagging his
splendid banquet was in preparation, arm- head.
fuls of flowers strewed the halls, the " Faith, no," replied Lord Fitz-Alwine,
musicians tuned their instruments, and briskly. " I wish to secure my daughter's
the expected guests came thronging in. happiness, that is all, and I challenge
The hour fixed for the celebration of you to discover any ulterior motive in me,
the wedding of Mistress Lindsay and my dear Sir Tristan."
William Gamwell was about to strike " I know that you are a good father,
Maude, dressed with exquisite taste, Fitz-Alwine, and that the happiness of the
awaited William's arrival in the Great Lady Christabel is your only thought.
Hall, but William did not come. . . And what dowry intend you to give
.

Sir Guy sent a servant to look for his
son.
The servant looked all over the plea-
saunce, searched the Castle, called the
young man, and got no reply, save the
echo of his own voice.
"
this dear child ?
" I have told you already, five thousand
pieces of gold on her wedding day, and
the same amount later."
" The date must be stated precisely,
Baron the date must be precisely stated,"
;

Robin Hood and Sir Guy's sons
mounted their horses and searched the
neighbourhood they could find no trace
;
of the bridegroom, nor hear any tidings
of him.
The guests divided into parties, and
explored the country in other directions,
but their search was equally futile.
At midnight, the whole family gathered
round Maude, who had been unconscious
for the last hour.
William had disappeared.
grumbled the old man.
" Let us say in five years, then."
" The delay is long, and the dowry you
give your daughter is very small."
"Sir Tristan," said the Baron, dryly,
" you put my patience to too great a trial.
I pray you to remember that my daughter
is young and beautiful, and that you your-
self no longer possess the physical advan-
tages you may have had fifty years ago."
" There, there, don't get angry, Fitz-
Alwine my intentions are good. I can
;

place a million beside your ten thousand

pieces of gold. W^hat am I saying ? One
million, probably two."
CHAPTER n " I know you are rich," interrupted
the Baron. " Unhappily, I am not on a

AS we have already mentioned. Baron

had brought
Fitz-Alwine his
level with you there, and yet I would fain
place my daughter in the rank of the
beautiful and charming daughter, the greatest ladies in Europe. I want the
Lady Christabel, back with him to Lady Christabel's position to be equal to
Nottingham Castle. that of a queen. You are aware of this
Some days before the disappearance of paternal desire, and yet you refuse to
poor Will, the Baron was sitting in one entrust me with the money necessary to
of his apartments opposite to a little man, realise it."
splendidly dressed in a robe laden with " I cannot understand, my dear P'itz-
golden embroidery. Alwine, what difference it can make to
If were possible to be rich in ugliness, the happiness of your daughter, an I keep
it

one would have said that Lord Fitz- the half of my fortune in mine own hands.
Alwine's guest was immensely rich. I will settle the income of a million, of
Judging by his face, this old beau two millions even, on the Lady Chris-
should have been much older than the tabel, but I must retain the control of the
Baron, but he did not seem to recall the capital. Do not distress yourself, my
antiquity of his birth himself. wife shall lead the fife of a queen."
B
 ;

H ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

" is all very well, in words, my demand is absurd.
That I cannot in con-
dear Sir Tristan but permit me
; to remind science place half my fortune in your
you that when there is a great disparity hands."
in the ages of husband and wife, mis- " Do you doubt my honour and good
understanding is apt to be their guest. faith ? " cried the Baron, irritably.
It might happen that the caprices of a " Not in the least, my good friend."
young woman would become unbearable " Do you imagine that I have any
to you, and you would take back what motive other than my daughter's happi-
"
you had given. If I kept half your ness ?
fortune in mine own hands, I should be " I know that you love the Lady Chris-
satisfied as to the future happiness of my tabel, but . .
."

daughter; she would have nothing to " But what ? " thundered the Baron.
fear, and you might e'en quarrel with her " Decide quickly, or I annul for ever the
to your heart's content." promises I have made."
" Quarrel ? You are joking, my dear " You do not give me time for reflec-
Baron never could such a misfortune
; tion."
occur. I am too fond of the pretty little At this moment a serving-man knocked
dove to wish to annoy her. For twelve softly at the door.
years I have aspired to the honour of her " Come in," said the Baron.
hand, and yet you think me capable of " My Lord," said the man, "a messenger
reproving her caprices she may have as; from the King hath brought urgent news,
many as e'er she please, for she will be and awaits your Lordship's good pleasure
rich and able to satisfy them," to announce them."
" Permit me to remark that, if you still " Bring him hither," replied the Baron.
refuse to accede to my demands, I shall " Now, Sir Tristan, one last word. If
distinctly retract the promise I have given you do not accede to my wishes before
you." the entry of the messenger, who will be
" You are too hasty. Baron, much too here in two minutes, you shall not have
hasty," grumbled the old man. " Let us the Lady Christabel."
discuss the matter a little longer." " Hear me, Fitz-Alwine, pray hear me."
" I have already said all there is to say " I will hear nothing. daughter is My
I have come to a decision." worth a million besides, you told me
;

*'
Do not be obstinate, Fitz-Alwine.
What if I were to place fifty thousand
"
pieces of gold in your hands ?
" I should ask whether you intended to
insult me."
" To insult you, Fitz-Alwine ? What a
poor opinion you must have of me! If
I said two hundred thousand pieces of
gold ?"
" Sir Tristan, this must end. I know
your immense fortune, and the offer you
make me a mere mockery. What am
is
I to do with your two hundred thousand
"
pieces of gold?
" Did I say two hundred thousand.
Baron ? I meant to say five hundred
that you loved her."
" Tenderly, very tenderly," mumbled
the hideous old man.
" Well, then. Sir Tristan, you will be
very unhappy, for you are about to be
separated from her for ever. I know a
young lord, as noble as a king, rich, very
rich, and good-looking, who only awaits
my permission to lay his name and fortune
at my daughter's feet. If you hesitate
a second longer, to-morrow note well, —
—
to-morrow the maiden you love, my
daughter, the beautiful and charming
Christabel, will be the wife of your more
fortunate rival."
" You are pitiless, Fitz-Alwine " !

—
thousand five hundred, do you under- *'
I hear the messenger. Answer yes or
stand ? Now, isn't that a noble sum, a no."
" ."
very noble sum ? " But, Fitz-Alwine . .

" "
" True," replied the Baron, " but you Yea or nay ?
have just told me that you could lay two " Yea, yea," stammered the old man.
million beside my daughter's ten thousand " Sir Tristan, my good friend, only
pieces of gold. Give me one million, and think of your happiness my daughter is ;

my Christabel shall be your wife to-morrow a treasure of grace and beauty."

if you wish it, my dear Sir Tristan." " It is true she is very beautiful," said
*'
A million ! You want me to give the amorous old man.
you a million, Fitz-Alwine ! Truly your " And that she is worth a million pieces
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 15

of gold," added the Baron, with a sneer. tightly bound. In him I recognised your
" Sir Tristan, she is yours." friend. The soldiers, who were refresh-
Thus did Baron Fitz-Alwine sell his ing themselves, had left their prisoner
daughter, the beautiful Lady Christabel, guarded by the cords which bound him
to Sir Tristan Goldsborough for a million to the horse. Without attracting their
pieces of gold. attention, I was able to convey to the poor
As soon as he was announced, the lad that I would at once hasten to Barns-
messenger informed the Baron that a dale and inform you of the misfortune
soldier who had killed the captain of his which had overtaken him. This promise
regiment had been pursued as far as revived the courage of your friend, and
Nottinghamshire. The King's orders to he thanked me with an expressive look.
Baron Fitz-Alwine were to have this Without losing a moment I called for a
soldier seized and hanged without mercy. horse, and as I mounted asked a soldier
The messenger dismissed. Lord Fitz- some questions as to the fate in store for
Alwine wrung the trembling hands of their prisoner he replied that by order
;

his daughter's future husband, excusing of Baron Fitz-Alwine they were taking
himself for leaving him at this happy the young man to Nottingham Castle."
moment, but the King's commands were " I thank you for the trouble you have
peremptory, and must be obeyed without taken to help me, my good Much," replied
the least delay. Robin. " You have just told me every-
Three days after this most honourable thing I wanted to know, and we shall be
bargain had been struck between the unlucky indeed an we do not succeed in
Baron and Sir Tristan, the fugitive preventing the cruel intentions of his
soldier was taken prisoner and thrown Norman Lordship. To horse, good Much.
into a dungeon of Nottingham Castle. Let us hasten to the heart of the Forest
Robin Hood still continued an active there I will take measures for a success-
search for William, who was, alas the I ful expedition."
poor soldier seized by the Baron's men. " Where is asked Much.
Little John ?
"
In despair at the ill success of his " He is making our retreat
his way to
investigations throughout the county of by another road by separating, we each
;

Yorkshire, Robin Hood sought the Forest hoped to obtain news. Fortune hath
once more, hoping to hear something from favoured me, since I had the luck to meet
his followers, who, posted on the roads you, brave Much."
leading from Mansfield to Nottingham, " The luck is on my side," replied
might perchance have discovered some Much, cheerily " my actions are governed
;

traces of the young man. by your will alone."

About a mile from Mansfield, Robin Robin smilingly acknowledged the com-
Hood met Much, the miller's son, who, pliment, then set off at a gallop, followed
mounted like himself on a spirited horse,closely by his companion.
was galloping at full speed in the direc- On arriving at the general rendezvous,
tion from which Robin had just come. Robin and Much found Little John already
On seeing his young leader, Much there. After giving the latter the news
uttered a cry of joy, and drew rein. Much had brought, Robin ordered him to
" How glad I am to meet you, friend " assemble the men scattered through the
!

said he. " I was going to Barnsdale. I Forest, form them into one troop, and take
have news of the lad who was with you them to the verge of the wood near
the first time we met." Nottingham Castle. There, concealed in
" Have you, indeed ? Wehave been the covert of the trees, they were to
seeking him these three days past." await a summons from Robin, and hold
" I have seen him." themselves ready to fight. These arrange-
"When?" ments concluded, Robin and Much
" Last evenmg. mounted again, and set off at full gallop
"Where?" on the way to Nottingham.
" At Mansfield, whither
returned,
I " Friend," said Robin, when they had
after forty hours reached the edge of the Forest, " here we
spending eight and
with my new companions. As I drew are at the end of our journey. I must
near my father's house, I perceived at not enter Nottingham my presence in ;

the door a troop of horse, on one of the town would be known at once, and
which sat a young man with his arms its motive (which I wish to conceal)
 "

i6 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

discovered. You understand, don't you ? " Do you belong to Robin Hood's
If William's enemies became aware of band ? "
he asked.
my sudden appearance, they would be on " You judge by appearances. Sir," re-
their guard, and, in consequence, it would plied the young man, "and because you
be more difficult for us to set our friend see me clothed in the garb of the foresters,
at liberty. Yoa must go alone into the you presume that I must belong to Robin
town, and then make your way to a Hood's band. You are wrong. All the
cottage lying on the outskirts of the place. inhabitants of the Forest do not follow
There you will find a good friend of mine, the fortunes of the Outlaw Chief."
by name Halbert Lindsay in the event;
" That's like enow," returned the
of his absence, his comely wife, who well stranger, in a tone of manifest impa-
deserves her pretty name of Grace, will tience. " I thought I had met a member
tell you where to find him. You will of the company of Merrie Men. I was
seek him out and bring him to me. Is wrong, that is all."
"
that quite clear ? The traveller's reply excited Robin's
" Perfectly." curiosity.
" Very well, then go I will stay here
!
" Master," said he, " your countenance
to keep a look-out." betokens a hearty frankness, which, de-
Left alone, Robin hid his horse in the spite the profound hatred I have borne
thicket, stretched himself beneath the against the Normans these many years
shade of an oak, and set to work to past .
." .

devise a plan of campaign for poor Will's
successful deliverance. While bringing
all his inventive faculties to bear upon
this subject, the young man kept a careful
watch on the road.
Presently he saw in the distance a
richly dressed young knight approaching
the Forest from the direction of Notting-
ham.
" By my faith " said Robin to him- proof of my confidence,
!
" I am no Norman, Sir Forester,"
interrupted the traveller, "and I might
imitate you in saying that you, too, judge
by appearances. My
dress and the accent
of my speech lead you into error. I am
Saxon, though there are a few drops of
Norman blood in my veins."
" A
Saxon is a brother to me, Master,
and I am happy to be able to give you a

I do belong to
self, " if this gay traveller is of Norman Robin Hood's band. As you are doubt-
blood, he does well to choose this direction less aware, we use a less disinterested
for his country walk. Dame Fortune fashion of making ourselves known to
appears to have treated him so kindly, Norman travellers."
that it will be a pleasure to relieve his " I know that fashion, at once cour-
pockets of the price of the bows and teous and productive," replied the stranger,
arrows which will be broken to-morrow laughingly. " I have often heard of it,
in William's honour. His habit is sump- and I am on my way to Sherwood solely
tuous, his gait haughty of a truth, this that I may have the pleasure of meeting
;

gallant is well met. Come along, my your leader."

fine gentleman, you will be all the lighter " And what if I were to tell you that
when we have become acquainted." you were now in the presence of Robin
Rising quickly from his recumbent Hood?"
position, Robin placed himself in the " I would offer him my hand," replied
traveller's way. The latter, expecting, the stranger, quickly, accompanying the
doubtless, some token of politeness, words with a friendly gesture. " And I
stopped courteously. would say to him, Friend Robin, have '

" Welcome, Sir Knight," said Robin, you forgotten Marian's brother ? " '

putting his hand to his cap. " The sky " Allan Clare You are Allan Clare
!

is so dark that I took your glorious ap- exclaimed Robin, gleefully.

pearance for a messenger from the sun. " Yea, I am Allan Clare. And the
Your smiling countenance brightens the recollection of your expressive counte-
landscape, and if you would remain a nance, my dear Robin, was so deep graven
few minutes longer on the verge of the on my heart that I recognised you at the
old Forest, the very flowers hidden beneath first glance."
"
its shade would take you for a ray of " How
glad I am to see you, Allan !

light." replied Robin Hood, shaking the young

The stranger laughed gaily. man by both hands. " Marian doth not
 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW ^7

expect the happiness which your return stronger even than he is tall. It was
to England will give her." from him that I learnt of your arrange-
" My poor dear sister " said Allan,
!

ment with the Baron."

with an expression of deep tenderness. " Lord Fitz-Alwine took him into his
"
" Is she well ? Is she happy ? confidence, then
"said Allan, wnth a smile.
?
" Her health is perfect, Allan, and she " Yea, Little John threatened his Lord-
hath no other sorrow than that of being ship, and interrogated him at the point of
separated from you." the dagger."
" I have returned, never to quit my " Then I can quite comprehend the
native land again. My good sister will Baron's expansiveness."
then be quite happy. Did you hear, " My good friend," replied Robin,
Robin, that I was in the service of the gravely, " beware of Lord Fitz-Alwine.
"
King of France ? He bears you no love, and if he can find
" Yea. One of the Baron's men, and a means of breaking his oath, he will not
the Baron himself in a burst of confi- hesitate to do so."
dence produced by fear, made known to " Should he attempt to dispute with me
us your position about the King's person." over Lady Christabel's hand, I swear to
**
A lucky chance enabled me to render you, Robin, I will make him repent it
the King of France a great service," bitterly."
continued the Knight, " and in his grati- " Have you any especial means of
"
tude he deigned to acquaint himself with making the Baron fear your threats ?
my desires, and took a great and friendly " Yea and beside, were I unable to
;

interest in me. His Majesty's kindness obtain the fulfilment of his promise, I
emboldened me, and I made known my would lay siege to the Castle sooner than
troubles to him, I told him how my give up my Christabel."
goods had been confiscated, and I be- " An you want help, I am entirely at
sought him to allow me to return to your service, good Allan I can immedi- ;

England The King was so gracious ately place at your disposal two hundred
as to grant my prayer he gave me a men, fleet of foot and strong of arm.
;

letter to King Henry on rhe spot, and, They are equally well skilled in the use
without losing a moment, I started for of bow, sword, lance and buckler say ;

this country. At the request of the King but one word, and at my command they
of France, Henry II. restored to me my will be with us."
father's property; and the King's Treasury " A thousand thanks, dear Robin. I
will have to give me back in good golden expected no less from your good friend-
crowns the revenue produced by mine ship."
estates since their confiscation. Beside " And you were right but tell me how ;

which, I have realised a large sum, which, learned you that I dwelt in Sherwood
once placed in the hands of Baron Fitz- Forest ? "
Alwine, is to win me the hand of my " Having concluded my business in
dear Christabel." London," replied the Knight, " I came
" I have heard of the bargain," said to Nottingham. There I heard of the
Robin. " The seven years given you by Baron's return, and of Christabel's pre-
the Baron are on the point of expiring, sence at the Castle. Being assured of
"
are they not ? the existence of my beloved, I repaired
" Yea. To-morrow is my last day of to Gamwell. Imagine
astonishment my
grace." on entering the village and finding only
" Well, then, you had best hasten to the ruins of the good Knight's noble
see the Baron, for the delay of an hour dwelling. I returned to Mansfield with
would be your loss." all haste, and an inhabitant of that town
" How did you learn of the existence told me what had occurred. He sang
"
of this contract and its conditions ? your praises to me, and informed me
" From my cousin, Little John." that the Gamwell family had retired
** Sir
Guy of Gamwell's gigantic secretly to their Yorkshire lands. Tell
nephew ? " asked Allan. me of my sister Marian, Robin Hood is ;

" The very same then you remember she much changed ? "
;

"
the worthy fellow ? " Yes, Allan, she is indeed changed."
" Of course I do." " My poor sister " !

" Well, he is now bigger than ever, and " She is of a perfect beauty now,"'
 " —
;

i8 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

continued Robin, laughing, " for each " I had then, and have still, a brotherly
spring hath added to her graces." affection for her.
" Is she married ? " asked Allan. " Really ? " questioned the Knight, slyly.
" Nay, not yet." " On my
honour, yea " replied Robin.
!

" So much the better. Do you know if " But to finish William's story. This is
she hath given her heart to any one, or if what happened to him. An hour before
"
her hand is promised ? the celebration of his marriage, he dis-
" Marian answer that question," appeared, and I have just learnt that he
shall
said Robin, blushing slightly. " How hath been carried off by the Baron's
hot it is to-day! " he added, passing his soldiers. I have collected my men in —
hand over his flushed brow. " Do let a few minutes they will be within call
us go into the shade of the trees I am and I am relying on my skill, supported
;

expecting one of my men, and meseemeth by their aid, to deliver William."

his absence is unduly prolonged. By the " Where is he ? "
way, Allan, do you recall one of the sons Without the least doubt he is in
*'

—
of Sir Guy William, surnamed Scarlett, Nottingham Castle. I shall soon be
by reason of the something vivid hue of certain of it."
" " Do not be too rash, my good Robin
his locks ?
" A well-favoured lad with large blue wait to-morrow. I shall see
till the
?
eyes Baron, and I will bring to bear all the
" The same. The poor fellow, sent to influence which entreaties or threats can
j^ondon by Baron Fitz-Alwine, had been have on him to obtain the release of your
enrolled in a regiment that formed part cousin."
of the army which still occupies Nor- " But if the old miscreant acts sum-
mandy. One fine day William was taken marily, should I not all my life regret
with an unconquerable desire to see his having lost several hours ? "
family again he asked for leave, which
; " Have you reason to fear it ? "
he could not obtain, and, beside himself " How can you ask me such a question,
at the persistent refusal of his Captain, he Allan, when you know the cruel answer
killed him. Will succeeded in reaching to it better than I do myself ? You know
England, a lucky chance brought us well, do you not, that Lord Fitz-Alwine
together, and I took the lad to Barnsdale, is without pity and without feeling ? If
where his family live. The day after his he dared to hang Will with his own
return all the household were rejoicing, hands, be assured he would do it. I
for they were not only celebrating the must hasten to drag William from the
return of the wanderer, but also his lion's jaws, an I would not lose him for
marriage and Sir Guy's birthday." ever."
" Will going to be married ? To " Belike you are right, dear Robin, and
whom ? " my prudent counsel would be dangerous
" To a charming damosel whom you to follow in that case. I shall present
—
know Mistress Lindsay." myself at the Castle this very day, and,
" I do not recollect the lady you name." once inside, I may possibly be able to
" What, you have forgotten the exist- help you. I will question the Baron an ;

ence of the companion, friend, and devoted he will not answer, I shall address myself
follower of the Lady Christabel ? " to the soldiers, who will, I hope, be open
" I know, I know," returned Allan to the temptation of a heavy bribe. Rely
Clare. " You are speaking of the merry on me but an if my efforts be fruitless,
;

daughter of the Keeper of Nottingham, of I will let you know, and you must act
"
the sprightly Maude ? with the greatest promptitude."
" " That's it Maude and William have
;
" That is understood. Here is my
loved each other for a long time." man coming back he is accompanied by ;

"Maude loved Will Scarlett! What Halbert, Maude's foster brother. We

are you saying, Robin ? It was you, my shall now learn something of poor Will's
friend, who had won the girl's heart." fate."
" Nay, nay, you are mistaken." asked Robin, after having
" Well ?
"
" Not not at all I remember greeted his friend.
[at all, ;

now that, if she did not love you, which " I have very little to tell you," replied
I doubt, at least she took a deep and Halbert " I only know that a prisoner
;

tender interest in you." hath been carried to Nottingham Castle,

 " !

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 19

and Much tells me that the unfortunate marriage is to be solemnised at the end
wretch is our poor friend Will Scarlett. of this week, and i' faith you have no
If you wish to try and save him, Robin, time to lose, an you wish to prevent it."
you must lose no time a monk, a pilgrim
;
" I will go and see the Baron this
on his way through Nottingham, hath instant," said Allan. " An he thinks he
been sent for to the Castle to shrive the can still play with me, he is wrong."
prisoner." " You may count on my help. Sir
" Holy Mother of God, have pity on Knight," said Robin; " and I will engage
us " cried Robin, in a trembling voice.
! to put an all-powerful obstacle in the
" Will, my poor Will, is in danger of his way of the accomplishment of this mis-
life we must rescue him it must be
; ; fortune, to wit force allied with cunning.
done at any cost. You know naught else, We shall carry off the Lady Christabel.
Halbert?" he added. My idea is that we should all four go to
" Naught relating to Will but I have the Castle together you will enter alone,
;
;

learnt that the Lady Christabel is going while I await your return with Much and
to be m.arried at the end of the week." Halbert."
" Lady Christabel to be married ? " The young men soon reached the
repeated Allan. approach to the Castle. As the Knight
" Yea, master," replied Halbert, looking went towards the drawbridge, a noise of
at the Knight with an air of surprise. chains was heard, the bridge was lowered,
" She is to marry the richest Norman in and an old man in the garb of a pilgrim
all England." emerged from the postern.
" Impossible ! Quite impossible " ex-!
" Yonder comes the Confessor sum-
claimed Allan Clare. moned by the Baron for poor William,"
" It is perfectly true," returned Hal- said Halbert. " Question him, Robin ;

bert, " and great preparations are on foot perhaps he can tell you what fate is
at the Castle to celebrate the happy destined for our friend."
event." " I had the same idea, good Halbert,
"The happy event!" repeated the and I feel that our meeting with this
Knight, bitterly. " What is the name of holy man is an omen of Divine favour.
the scoundrel who thinks to marry the May the Holy Virgin protect you, good
Lady Christabel ? "
!

Father " said Robin, respectfully saluting

" Are you a stranger to these parts. the old man.
Master ? " continued Halbert, " since you "Amen to thy kind prayer, my son,"
are unaware of the immense delight of replied the pilgrim.
the Baron Fitz-Alwine ? His Lordship " Have you come far. Father ? "
hath manoeuvred so well that he hath " From the Holy Land, where I have
succeeded in securing a colossal fortune in made a long and wearisome pilgrimage
the person of Sir Tristan Goldsborough." to expiate the sins of my youth. Now,
" Lady Christabel to be the wife of worn out with fatigue, I have returned
that hideous old man ? " cried the Knight, to die beneath the sky of my native land."
completely taken aback. " Why, the crea- <'
God hath vouchsafed you a long life.
ture is half dead He is a monster of
! Father."
ugliness and sordid avarice. The daughter " Yea, my son, I shall soon be ninety
of Baron Fitz-Alwine is my betrothed, years old, and my life seems but a dream."
and so long as there is breath in my body, " I pray the Virgin may give you calm
none other save I shall have a right to repose in your last hours."
her." " So be it, my child. I, in my turn, pray
•'
Your betrothed, master Who, then,
! Heaven to shower blessings on thy young
are you? head. Thou art good and a believer, be
" Sir Allan Clare," said Robin. thou also charitable, and give a thought
*'
The brother of the Lady Marian ! to those who suffer, to those about to
The Lady Christabel's dearest friend ? " die."
" Yea, Halbert," said Allan. " Explain
yourself. Father I do not;

" Hurrah " cried Halbert, throwing up

! understand," said Robin, in a broken
his cap. " Here's a piece of good luckvoice.
Welcome to England Your presence
!
" Alas alas " returned the old man,
! !

will change the tears of your beautiful " a soul is about to ascend to heaven, its
betrothed into smiles. This odious last home. The body which it animates
 ;

20 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

can scarce count thirty years. A man of Robin bowed reverently,
and the Pal-
your age is about to die a terrible death. mer, with his hands crossed on his breast,
Pray for him, my son." went on his way praying.
" Hath this man made his last con- " Yea, to-morrow," repeated the young
" " We shall see to-morrow an if
fession to you, Father ? man.
"Yea. In a few hours more he will Will is to be hanged."
be violently removed from this world." "It will be needful," said Halbert, who
" Where is the unfortunate man ? " had listened to Robin's conversation with
" In one of the dark dungeons of this the prisoner's Confessor, " to place your
stately pile." men within a short distance from the
"
"Is he alone? place of execution."
" Yea, my son, alone." "They will be within sound of call,"
" And this unhappy creature is to said Robin.
die ? " questioned the young man. " How will you screen them from view
" "
To-morrow morning at sunrise." of the soldiers ?
" You
are quite sure. Father, that the " Do not be uneasy, my good Halbert,"
execution will not take place before replied Robin. " My merry men have
"
daybreak ? long possessed the art of making them-
" I am quite certain. Alas ! is it not selves invisible, even on the high-road
soon enough ? Thy words grieve me, and, believe me, their doublets will not
my son dost desire a brother's death ? "
; graze the Baron's soldiers, nor will they
" No, holy man, no a thousand times
; make their appearance, save at a pre-
no ! I would give my life to save him. arranged signal from me."
I know the poor lad. Father; I know " You seem so certain of success, my
and love him. Know you to what dear Robin," said Allan, " that I begin to
death he is condemned ? Have you wish I could be as hopeful about mine
heard whether he is to die within the own affairs."
" " Sir Knight," returned the young man,
Castle ?
" I learnt from the gaoler of the prison " first let me set William free, and put
that the unhappy youth is to be put to him safe in the hands of his dear little
death by the hangman of Nottingham. wife at Barnsdale, then we will think
Orders have been given for a public about the Lady Christabel. The pro-
execution in the market-place of that jected marriage will not take place for
town." several days; we have time to prepare
" God keep us " murmured Robin. for a serious struggle with Lord Fitz-
!

" Kind, good Father," he went on, taking Alwine."

the old man's hand, " will you render me " I will go into the Castle," said Allan,
" "
a service ? and by hook or by crook I will get to
" What wouldst thou, my son ? " the bottom of this business. If the Baron
" I desire, I pray, Father, that you will hath thought fit to break an engagement
of your kindness return to the Castle and which he should, in honour, have held
beg the Baron to grant you the favour sacred, I shall consider myself justified
of accompanying the prisoner to the foot in waiving all respect, and, willy-nilly,
ot the gallows." Lady Christabel shall be my wife."
" I have already obtained that permis- " You are right, my friend. Present
sion, my son I shall be near thy friend yourself at once to the Baron
; he doth ;

to-morrow morning." not expect you, and very like in his sur-
" Bless you, holy Father, bless you I prise he will deliver himself into your
!

have one last word to say to the con- hands bound hand and foot. Speak him
demned man, and I would charge you to boldly, and make him understand you
give it him. To-morrow morning I will intend to use force, if need be, to win the
be here, near this clump of trees; will Lady Christabel. Whilst you are taking
you be so good as to confess me before these important measures with Lord Fitz-
"
entering the Castle ? Alwine, I will go and seek out my men
'*
I will meet thee punctually, my son." and prepare for the successful accomplish-
" Thank you, holy Father until to- ment of the expedition I have planned.
;

morrow, then." If you should need me, send without

"To-morrow. And may the peace of delay to the place where we met a few
our Lord go with thee." minutes since there you are sure of ;
 :

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 21

finding one of my brave companions at return in seven years to claim the hand
any hour of the day or night. If it is of the Lady Christabel."
necessary for you to have a talk with " Do you really possess one hundred
your faithful ally, you will be conducted thousand pieces of gold ? " asked the
to my retreat. But are you not afraid Baron, enviously.
lest, once inside the Castle, it may be my
King Henry hath
" Yea, Lord.
"
impossible for you to leave it again ? restored me mine estates, and I have
" Lord Fitz-Alwine would not dare to received the revenue arising from my
treat a man like me with violence," re- patrimony since the day of its confisca-
plied Allan ;
" he would be exposing tion. I am rich, and I insist on your
himself to too great a risk. Beside, an giving me the Lady Christabel to-
if he really intend to give Christabel to morrow."
this hateful Tristan, he will be so eager To-morrow
" !
" cried the Baron " to-
;

to get rid of me that I fear he may refuse morrow and ! if you were not here
to receive me at all, rather than that he to-morrow," he added, sombrely, " the
"
will wish to keep me near him. Farewell, contract would be annulled ?
then, for the present, my good Robin ;
" Yea but hearken to me, Lord Fitz-
;

I shall surely see you again before the Alwine. I advise you to renounce all
end of the day," thoughts of consummating the diabolical
" I shall expect you." schemes you are meditating at this mo-
Whilst Allan Clare made his way ment. I am within my rights; I am
towards the postern of the Castle, Robin, here at the hour appointed me, and
Halbert, and Much hastened to the town. naught in all the world (it is useless to
Introduced without the least difficulty dream of resorting to force) naught in all—
into the apartment of Lord Fitz-Alwine, the world will constrain me to renounce
the Knight soon found himself in the her I love. If in desperation you resort
presence of the terrible Castellan. to fraud and cunning, I will take of —
If a spirit had risen from the tomb, it that you may sure —a terrible revenge.
could scarce have caused the Baron more I know
a dark secret in your life,
of
dismay and terror than he experienced at which I will reveal. I have sojourned
sight of the handsome young man who at the court of the King of France; I
stood before him with proud and dignified have been initiated into the secret of an
mien. affair which doth very narrowly concern
The Baron threw at his serving-man you."
so withering a glance that the latter " What affair ? " questioned the Baron,
escaped from the room with the utmost uneasily.
speed his limbs were capable of. " It is useless for me to enter into long
" I did not expect to see you," said his explanations with you just now; let it
Lordship, bringing back his wrathful eyes suffice that I have learnt and keep a
to the Knight. note of the names of the miserable
" That may well be, my Lord but here Englishmen who have offered to place
;

I am." their country under the yoke of the

" So I see. Happily for me, you have stranger."
—
broken your word the term which I had Lord Fitz-Alwine became livid.
allotted you expired yesterday." " Keep the promise you have made me,
*'
Your Lordship is in error I am my Lord, and I will forget you have been
;

punctual to the rendezvous you gave a coward and a traitor to your King."
me." " Sir Knight, you insult an old man,"
" I can hardly take your word for it." said the Baron, assuming an indignant
" I am sorry, because you will oblige air.
me to force you to do so. We under- " I speak truth, and no more. One
took a formal engagement, and I am in more refusal, my Lord, one more lie, one
the right in exacting its fulfilment." more subterfuge, and the proofs of your
" Have you fulfilled all the conditions patriotism will be sent to the King of
"
of the agreement ? England."
" Of a truth have I. They were three " It is lucky for you, Allan Clare," said
I was to obtain re-possession of my the Baron, blandly, "that Heaven hath
estates ; I must possess one hundred bestowed upon me a calm and equable
thousand pieces of gold ; and I must temper if I were of an irritable and
;
 ;

22 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

hasty nature, you would pay dearly for " Peter," said the Baron, " thou hast
your audacity, for I would have you under thee brave and trustworthy fellows
thrown into one of the Castle moats." that will execute, without comment, any
"
" That would be a great mistake, my orders given them ?
Lord, for it would in no wise save you "Yea, my Lord."
from the Royal vengeance." " They are courageous, and know how
•'
Your youth excuses the impetuosity to forget the services they are able to
"
of your words. Sir Knight I would ; render ?

rather show indulgence where it would "Yea, my Lord."

be easy for me to punish. Why speak " That is well. A knight, elegantly
threateningly, ere you know whether I clad in a red tunic, hath just left here;
really intend to refuse you the hand of follow him with two good men, and see
"
my daughter ? that he is no longer able to trouble any
"
"
Because I have learnt for certain that one. Dost understand ?
you have promised the Lady Christabel " Perfectly, my Lord," replied Black
to a miserable and sordid old man to — Peter, with a frightful leer, and half
Sir Tristan Goldsborough." drawing a huge dagger from its sheath.
" Indeed, indeed And from what silly
!
" Thou shalt be well rewarded, brave
"
gossip learnt you this foolish story ? Peter. Go without fear, but act secretly
" That matters not the whole town of
; and with prudence. An if this butterfly
Nottingham hath heard rumours of the take the road through the wood, let him
preparations for this rich and ridiculous get well under the trees, and there you
marriage. will have it all your own way. After he
" cannot be responsible, Sir Knight,
I hath been despatched to another world,
for the stupid lies which circulate around bury him at the foot of some old oak,
me." and cover the spot with leaves and brush-
" Then you have not promised the hand wood, so that his body is not likely to be
"
of your daughter to Sir Tristan ? discovered."
" I must beg to decline to answer such " Your orders shall be faithfully
a question. Until to-morrow I am at executed, my Lord ; and when you see
liberty to think and wish what I please me again, the Knight will sleep beneath a
to-morrow is yours. Come then, and I carpet of green grass."
will giveyou a full satisfaction of your " I shall look out for thee. Now up and
desires. Sir Allan Clare,"
Farewell, follow yonder impertinent fop without
added the old man, rising " I wish you ; delay."
a very good day, and pray you to leave Accompanied by two men, Black Peter
me." the Castle, and soon found himself on
left
" I shall have the pleasure of seeing you the track of the young Knight.
again, Baron Fitz-Alwine. Remember The latter, with pensive brow, his
that a gentleman hath only one promise." mind absorbed and his heart heavy with
" Very well, very well," grumbled the sorrow, paced slowly along the borders of
old man, turning his back on his visitor. Sherwood Forest. On seeing the young
Allan left the Baron's apartment with man enter under the covert of the trees,
a heavy heart. He could not hide from the assassins following him trembled with
himself that the old Lord meditated some sinister joy. They hastened their steps,
perfidy. His menacing looks had accom- and took hiding behind a bush, ready to
panied the young man to the threshold throw themselves upon the young man at
of the room then he had retired to the
; an opportune moment.
embrasure of the window, disdaining to Allan Clare looked about for the guide
respond to the Knight's parting salute. promised by Robin Hood, and whilst he
As soon as Allan had disappeared (the searched he reflected on the means
young man went to seek Robin Hood) necessary for tearing Christabel from the
the Baron rang a small handbell on the hands of her unworthy father.
table violently. A sound of hurried footsteps roused
"Send Black Peter to me," said the the Knight from his sad reverie. Turn-
Baron, gruffly. ing his head, he beheld three men with
<'
Anon my Lord." ! evil faces advancing towards him, sword
Some minutes later the soldier in ques- in hand.
tion appeared before Lord Fitz-Alwine. Allan set his back against a tree, drew
 —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 23
his sword from the scabbard, and said in thee to another world, where thou mayest
a firm voice have leisure to ask Satan the name thou
" Ho, what would you have ? "
caitiffs ! dost desire to know."
" We would have thy life, thou gaudy " I shall not need to give myself that
butterfly!" cried Black Peter, throwing trouble; an I have the bad luck to die
himself upon the young man. before thee, insolent rogue, I can read on
" Back, rogue " said Allan, striking
! thy face thine infernal parentage. Now
his aggressor in the face, " Back all " ! let me counsel thy sword to keep quiet, for
he continued, disarming with incompar- an it attempt to wag its tongue, my cudgel
able skill the second of his adversaries. will impose an eternal silence on it. Get
Black Peter redoubled his efforts, but thee hence, that is the best thing thou
he could not succeed in touching his canst do."
adversary, who had not only rendered *'
Not until I have shown thee that I
one of the assassins powerless by sending know how to use a sword," said Peter,
his sword up into the branches of a tree, striking at the Monk.
but had likewise broken the skull of the The blow was so rapid, so violent, and
third. so adroitly aimed that it struck the
Disarmed and mad with rage. Black Brother on the left hand, cutting three
Peter uprooted a young tree and again fingers almost to the bone. The monk
rushed upon Allan. He hit the Knight uttered a cry, fell upon Peter on the
on the head with such violence that the instant, and crushing him m
his powerful
latter let fall his weapon and fell sense- embrace, applied a volley of blows from
less to the ground. his cudgel.
" The quarry is pulled down " Peter ! Then a strange sensation overcame
cried exultingly, as he assisted his wounded the miserable assassin he lost his sword,
;

companions to their feet. " Get ye along his eyes grew dim, his senses failed him,
to the Castle, and leave me alone I will and he lost all power of defending him-
;

finish this fellow. Your presence here self. When the Brother ceased beating
is a danger, and your groanings weary him, Peter fell dead.

me. Begone I will myself dig the hole

; " The knave " muttered the Monk,
!

in which to bury the young Lord. Give spent with pain and weariness, " the
me the spade you brought." damned knave Did he imagine that
!

" 'Tis here," said one of the men. the fingers of poor Tuck were made to
" Peter," added the wretched varlet, " I be cut about by a Norman dog ? I think
am half dead, I cannot walk." I have given him a good lesson unfor-;

" Begone, or I will finish thee," replied tunately, he will not derive much benefit
Peter, brutally. from it, since he hath breathed his last
The two men, overcome with pain and breath. So much the worse 'twas all ;

fright, dragged themselves painfully out his fault, not mine. Why
did he kill this
of the Forest. poor boy ? Ah " cried the good Brother,
1

Left alone, Peter set to work he had placing his sound hand on the Knight's
;

half finished his dreadful task when he breast, " he still breathes, his body is
received upon the shoulder a blow from warm and his heart beats, feebly 'tis true,
a stick, so vigorously delivered that he but enow to show that there is still life
fell full length at the edge of the hole. in him. I will bear him on my shoulders
When the violence of the pain was a to the retreat. Poor lad, he is no great
little spent, the wretch turned his eyes weight As for thee, vile assassin,"
!

towards the dealer of this very just retri- added Tuck, pushing away Peter's body
bution. He then perceived the rubicund with his foot, "lie there, and if the wolves
visage of a robust fellow arrayed in the have not yet dined, thou wilt serve them
garb of a Dominican Friar. for a meal."
" How now, profane rascal with the Saying which, the Monk took his way
black muzzle " cried the Friar, in sten- with a firm and rapid step in the direction
!

torian tones, " dost knock a gentleman on of the retreat of the merry men.
the head, and then, to hide thine infamy, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
bury thy victim ? Answer me, robber, A few words will suffice to explain
who art thou ? " Will Scarlett's capture.
" My sword shall speak for me," said The man who had seen him in company
Peter, leaping to his feet. " It shall send with Robin Hood and Little John in the
 ;; ";
;

24 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

Inn at Mansfield was under orders seek- When they reached the hideous gallows
ing the fugitive. Perceiving the young erected by the Baron's orders, William
man accompanied by five strong felloAvs became livid he had not expected to die
;

who might lend him a helping hand, the so infamous a death.

wary scout determined to await a more " I wish to speak to Lord Fitz-Alwine,"
favourable moment to effect the capture. said he.
Quitting the Inn, he sent to Nottingham to In his capacity of Sheriff the latter was
ask for a company of soldiers, and these, obliged to assist at the execution.
guided by the spy, repaired to Barnsdale " What dost want of me, wretch ? "
at midnight. asked the Baron.
Next morning a strange fatality led " My
Lord, may I not hope for pardon ?
Will outside the Castle the poor youth
;
" No," replied the old man, coldly.
fell into the hands of the soldiers, and " Then," said William, in a firm voice,
was carried off without being able to I implore a favour which it is impossible
**

offer the smallest resistance. for a generous soul to refuse me."

At first he was seized with utter " What favour ? "
despair; but the meeting with Much " My
Lord, I belong to a noble Saxon
gave him some hope. He understood family, whose name is the synonym of
instantly that, once made aware of his honour, and never yet hath one of its
unhappy plight, Robin Hood would do members merited the scorn of his fellow-
everything in the world to come to his citizens. I am a soldier and a gentleman
aid, and if he could not succeed in saving I deserve the death of a soldier."
him, at least he would allow no obstacle " Thou wilt be hanged," said the Baron,
to deter him from avenging his death. brutally.
—
He knew, moreover and this afforded " My
Lord, I have risked my life on the
—
some relief to his heavy heart that many field of battle, I do not deserve to be
tears would be shed over his cruel fate hanged like a thief."
he knew, too, that Maude, so happy in " Ah, indeed " sneered the old man.
!

his return, would weep bitterly at the
destruction of their mutual happiness.
Imprisoned in his dark dungeon. Will
awaited in agonies of fear the time fixed
for his execution, and every hour brought
" And in what fashion, then, dost wish to
"
expiate your crime ?
Give me but a sword, and command
"
your soldiers to pierce me with their
spears or pikes I would die as dies an
;

him both hope and anguish. The poor honest man, with free arms and face
prisoner listened with straining ears for upturned to Heaven."
every sound from without, hoping always " Dost think I am fool enough to risk
to hear the echo of Robin Hood's horn. the life of one of my men to satisfy thy
The first streak of dawn found Will at fancy ? Not at all, not at all Thou !

his prayers he had confessed piously to

; wilt be hanged."
the good pilgrim, and with strengthened " My
Lord, I conjure you, I beseech
spirit, and confident in him whose succour you to have pity on me. I will not even
he still expected, he made ready to follow ask for a sword, I will not defend myself,
the guards who came to seek him at I your men hack me in pieces."
will let
sunrise. " Vile wretch " said the Baron " thou
! ;

The Will in their midst,

soldiers set hast killed a Norman, and thou dost ask
and took the road to Nottingham. pity from a Norman. Art mad ? Back,
On entering the town, the escort was I say Thou shalt die upon the gallows
!

soon surrounded by a large concourse
of the inhabitants, who, since dawn, had
been on the look-out for the melancholy
procession.
However great the young man's hopes
might be, he felt his spirits fail at seeing
around him not one single face he knew.
and shalt soon have company, too, I
trust —
the robber who with his band of
rascals doth infest Sherwood Forest."
" An if he you speak of with such
scorn were within earshot, I would laugh
at your boasts, cowardly poltroon that
you are Remember this. Baron Fitz-
!

His heart sank, and the tears, though Alwine, if I die, Robin Hood will avenge
manfully repressed, wetted his eyelashes me Beware of Robin Hood
! Ere this !

nevertheless, he still hoped, for a voice week be gone, he will be at the Castle
within him seemed to say, " Robin Hood of Nottingham."
is not far away, Robin Hood will come." " Let him come, and eke his whole
 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 25
band with him I will have two hundred
! the corpse of the rogue who had your
gallows erected. Hangman, do your orders foully to destroy the good Knight
duty," added the Baron. Allan Clare."
The hangman put his hand on William's " Five hundred pieces of gold to the
shoulder. The poor youth threw a glance man who arrests this robber," bellowed
of despair around him, and seeing only a the Baron " five hundred pieces of gold
;

silent and pitying crowd, commended his to the valiant soldier who will secure
soul to God. him."
" Stay," said the trembling voice of the Robin Hood flashed a glance at the
—
pilgrim " stay I have one last benedic-
; crowd, who stood stupefied with fear.
tion to give to my unhappy penitent." " I do not advise any one to risk his
" Your duties toward the wretched life," said he " my comrades will rally
;

creature are ended," cried the Baron, in round me."

a furious tone. " It is useless to retard
his execution longer."
" Ungodly man," cried the pilgrim,
" would you deprive this young man of
"
the succour of religion ?
As he finished speaking, Robin blew
his horn, and instantly a large body of
forestersissued from the Forest, their
bows ready strung in their hands.
" To arms " cried the Baron, " to
!

" Hurry, then," said Lord Fitz-Alwine, arms, faithful Normans ; exterminate
impatiently " I am aweary of all these
;
these bandits!"
delays." A volley of arrows poured upon the
" Soldiers, stand back a little," said the Baron's company. The latter, seized with
old pilgrim " the prayers of a dying man
; terror, threw himself on his horse, and
must not fall upon profane ears." urged it with loud cries in the direction
At a sign from the Baron the soldiers of the Castle. The citizens of Notting-
fell back a little way from the prisoner, ham, distracted with fright, followed in
and William was left alone with the the steps of their lord and the soldiers,
;

pilgrim at the foot of the gallows. carried away by the terror of the general
The hangman was listening respect- panic, took to their heels in headlong
fully tosome orders from the Baron. flight.
Do
not move, Will," said the pilgrim, " Ho for the good green wood Ho
!

leaning towards the young man " I am ; for brave Robin Hood " shouted the
!

Robin Hood, and I am going to cut the merry men, as they chased their foes
cords which fetter your movements. Then before them with great shouts of laughter.
we will dash into the midst of the soldiers, Citizens, foresters, and soldiers dashed
and sheer surprise will rob them of their through the town, helter-skelter, the first
wits." dumb with fright, the second laughing,
" Bless you, dear Robin, bless "
you ! the last with rage in their hearts. The
murmured poor William, choking with Baron was the first to gain the interior
joy. of the Castle, whither the others followed
Stoop down, William, and pretend to
**
him, all except the merry men, who on
talk tome. Good the cords are cut.
! arriving there took leave of their faint-
Now take the sword which hangs beneath hearted adversaries with shouts of derision.
my gown. Can you feel it ? " When Robin Hood, accompanied by
*'
Yea here it is," murmured Will.
! his band, had again taken the Forest
" Very well now, put your back against road, the citizens who had suffered no
;

mine, and we will show Lord Fitz-Alwine hurt or loss through this strange en-
that you did not come into this world to counter, sang the praises of the young
be hanged." Chief and his readiness to succour any
With a movement quicker than thought, in distress.
Robin Hood dropped his pilgrim's gown, The maidens blended their sweet voices
and revealed to the amazed gaze of the in this chorus of eulogy, one of them
assembled crowd the well-known costume even declaring she thought the Foresters
of the renowned outlaw. appeared such kind and merry gentlemen,
" MyLord," cried Robin, in a firm and she would never more fear to cross the
thrilling voice, " William Gamwell is one Forest alone.
of our band of merry men. You took
him from me. I am come to reclaim
him, and in exchange I will send you
 ;

26 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

that the soldiers, influenced by the feeling
of respect in which they held their Chief,
CHAPTER HI at last came actually to believe that they
alone were really guilty. The Baron's

H AVING assured himself that Robin

Hood had no intention of besieging
the Castle, Lord Fitz- Alwine, with aching
rage appeared to them a righteous in-
dignation they bowed their heads, and
;

fully believed that they were no better

body and mind torn by a thousand pro- than poltroons frightened by their own
jects, each more impossible than the other, shadows. When the Baron had termi-
retired to his own apartments in the nated his pompous discourse, one of the
Castle. men proposed to pursue the outlaws to
There the Baron reflected on the strange their Forest retreat. This proposition
audacity of Robin Hood, who in broad was hailed with acclamation by the entire
daylight, with no other weapon save an troop, and the soldier with whom had
inoffensive sword (for he had only drawn originated this bellicose notion, begged
it from the scabbard to cut the prisoner's the valiant orator to put himself at their
bonds) had enough strength of mind to head. But the latter, little disposed to
hold a large body of men in check. Re- accede to this ill-timed demand, replied
membering the shameful flight of his that though he was gratified at such a
soldiers, and forgetting that he had been token of high esteem, it seemed to him
the first to set them the example, the for the moment far wiser to remain at
Baron cursed their cowardice. home.
" What craven terror cried
!
"" he My
brave fellows," added the Baron,
" what silly panic What will the citizens prudence counsels us to await a more
!
"
of Nottingham think of us ? Their flight favourable opportunity of seizing Robin
was permissible, for they had no means Hood it will be wiser, I think, to abstain;

of defence, but well-disciplined soldiers, from any precipitate measures, at any

armed to the teeth My
reputation for rate, for the present.
I Patience now, and
valour and courage will be gone for ever courage in the hour of battle, is all I ask
"
by this unheard-of behaviour of you."
!

From this reflection, so humiliating to Having thus said, the Baron, who
his self-esteem, the Baron passed to feared that his men might insist more
another train of thought. So greatly did strongly, hastily left them to their dreams
he exaggerate the shame of his defeat, of victory. His mind at ease concerning
that he ended by making his soldiers his military reputation, the Baron forgot
entirely responsible for it he imagined Robin Hood and turned his attention to
;

that instead of having shown the way for his personal affairs, and the aspirants to
their stampede, he had covered their mad his daughter's hand. It is unnecessary
flight, and that with no protection save to add that Lord Fitz-Alwine relied
his own courage, he had cut a way entirely on the proved skill of Black
through the ranks of the outlaws. Utterly Peter for the realisation of his dearest
confounding fact and fancy, this last hopes, and imagined that Allan Clare no
thought brought the Baron's indignation longer existed. It is true that Robin
to a head he dashed from his room and Hood had informed him of the death of
;

burst headlong into the Courtyard, where his blood-thirsty emissary, but it was of
his men, gathered in little groups, were little consequence to the Baron that Peter
talking over their pitiful defeat, for which had paid with his life the services rendered
they blamed their noble lord. The Baron to his lord and master. Allan Clare dis-
fell like a thunderbolt into the midst of posed of, no obstacle could come between
the troop, and ordered them to form up Christabel and Sir Tristan, and the
around him, whilst he read them a lecture latter was so near his grave that the
on their infamous cowardice. After this, young wife might exchange in a day her
he cited imaginary examples of senseless bridal veil for a widow's weeds. Young
panics, adding that never in the memory and passing fair, free of all bonds,
of man had such cowardice been known enormously rich, Christabel might
Lady
as that which they had just exhibited. then make a marriage worthy of her
The Baron spoke with such vehemence beauty and her immense fortune. " But
and indignation, and adopted such an air what marriage ? " asked the Baron of _

of invincible and unappreciated courage, himself; and, fired by an overpowering

 "
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
ambition, he sought for a husband who
should fulfil his highest hopes. The elated
old man had glimpses of the splendour
of the Court, and he dreamt of the son
of Henry H. At that moment of in-
cessant strife between the two parties
which divided the kingdom of England,
necessity had made a great power of
wealth, and the elevation of the Lady
Christabel to the rank of Princess Royal
was not quite impossible of realisation.
The exciting hope which Lord Fitz-Alwine
had conceived began to take the shape of
a project on the eve of execution already
he looked upon himself as the father-in-
law of the King of England, and he
wondered to what nation it would be
27
and indeed his sojourn there was to be
prolonged until the end of the week.
The Baron wished his daughter's mar-
riage to be celebrated in the Castle
Chapel ; but Sir Tristan, who feared
some sinister attack on his person, pre-
ferred to be married openly at Linton
Abbey, about a mile from the town of
Nottingham.
" My good friend," said Lord Fitz-
Alwine, in a peremptory tone, when this
question was broached, " you are a stub-
born fool, for you do not understand
; either my good faith or your own interests.
You must not imagine that my daughter
will be overjoyed to be yours, nor that
she will walk gladly to the altar. I can-

most advantageous to unite his grandsons not tell you the reason, but I have a
and great-grandsons, when Robin's words presentiment that at Linton Abbey some
recurred to his mind, and shattered this great disaster may occur. are in We
castle in the air. Perhaps Allan Clare the neighbourhood of a troop of bandits
was still alive " I must make certain of who, led by an audacious chief, are quite
!

it at once," cried the Baron, almost beside capable of surrounding and plundering
himself at the mere supposition. He rang us."
the hand-bell, placed within his reach " I should be escorted by my servants,"
night and day, violently, and a servant replied Sir Tristan " they are numerous ;

appeared. and of tried courage."

" Is Black Peter in the Castle ? " " As you please," said the Baron. " If
" No, my Lord, he went out yesterday any accident occur, you will only have
with two men, who returned alone, one yourself to blame."
grievously wounded, the other half-dead." " Never be uneasy I will take the ;

" Send the one who is able to get about responsibility of the fault upon myself,
to me." if it be a fault, my choice of the place
" Yea, my Lord." for celebrating the wedding."
The man required soon made his " By the way," said the Baron, " do
ippearance, his head enveloped in ban- not forget, Ibeg, that on the eve of the
dages and his left arm in a sling. happy day you are to give me a million
" Where is Black Peter ? " inquired the pieces of gold."
Baron, without even bestowing a look of " The chest containing that amount is
Dity on the poor creature. in my room, Fitz-Alwine," said Sir Tris-
" I know not, my Lord I left Peter in ; tan, fetching a deep sigh, "and it will
:he Forest digging a hole in which to be carried into your apartment on the
lide the body of the young Lord whom day of the wedding."
Ne had killed." —
"On the eve," said the Baron "the
The Baron's face became purple he ; eve, so it v/as agreed."
ried to speak, confused words rushed to " On the eve, then."
lis lips he turned his head away, and
; With this the old men parted, the one
dgned to the assassin to leave the room. going to pay his court to the Lady Chris-
The latter, who wished for nothing better, tabel, the other returning to his dreams
vent out, supporting himself by the wall. of greatness.
"Dead!" murmured the Baron, with At Barnsdale Hall the gloom was pro-
m indefinable feeling. " Dead " he re- ! found. Old Sir Guy, his wife and their
)eated ; arid, pale as death, he continued daughters, passed the hours of the day
o stammer in a feeble voice, " Dead ! in mutual consolation and the nights in
!

ead weeping over the death of poor Will.

Let us leave Lord Fitz-Alwine a prey The day after the lad's miraculous
evil conscience, and seek his daughter's deliverance, the Gamwell family was
estined husband. assembled in the great hall, talking sadly
Sir Tristan had not left the Castle; over Will's strange disappearance, when
 " ! ' ;'

28 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

the joyous sound of a hunting-horn was the young man, " you see what an affec-
heard at the gate of the Hall. tion Robin hath inspired in my sisters'
" It is Robin " cried Marian, rushing
!

but he well deserves it. In re-

hearts ;

to the window. counting our troubles to you, Robin never

" He must be bringing good news," told how he had rescued my father from
said Barbara. " Come, dear Maude, death he said nothing of his devotion to
;

hope and courage, WilHam is coming Winifred and Barbara he spoke not of ;

back." his affectionate care

the best of —that of
" Alas, my sister! may you prove right," friends —
for Maude, my affianced bride.
said Maude, weeping. When giving you tidings of Lady Marian,
" I am right I am right " cried Bar- Robin added not,
! ! I have watched over '

bara. " Here are Will and Robin with a her happiness when you were far away
young man, doubtless a friend of theirs." in me she had a faithful friend, a devoted
Maude flew to the door, and Marian, brother.' He did not ." . .

who had recognised her brother (for Allan " William, I beseech you," interrupted
Clare had only been stunned, and, after Robin, " spare my blushes for though ;

lying unconscious for a few hours, was
now quite recovered), threw herself, like
Maude, into the young men's outstretched
arms. Maude, nearly delirious with joy,
could only murmur fondly, " Will Will
!
Lady Marian avers that I cannot blush,
my face doth verily feel afire."
" My dear Robin," said Allan, visibl}
affected, as he wrung the young man b)
! the hand, " I have long been greatly ir
your debt, and at length I am happy ir

dear Will " whilst Marian, with her

arms around her brother's neck, was un- being able to repay you. It did not neec
able to utter a word. We
will not attempt Will's words to assure me that you hac J
to depict the joy of this now happy nobly fulfilled the delicate mission con '

family, to whom God had sent back safe fided to you the loyalty of all your deed:
;

and sound him they had mourned as lost was a sure guarantee of that."
for ever. " Oh, brother," said Marian, " if yoi
Laughter soon drove away their tears, only knew how good and generous h<
and both beloved children were strained hath been to us all If you only knev
!

to the maternal bosom with the same how praiseworthy his conduct toward m^
fond kisses and caresses. Sir Guy gave hath been, you would honour him anc
his blessing to Will and to his son's de- you would love him as . . . as . .
."

liverer, while Lady Gamwell, radiant with
joy, pressed the charming Maude to her
heart.
*'
Was
not right in maintaining that
I her face radiant with a smile of unutter
Robin was bringing good tidings ? " said
Barbara, kissing Will as she spoke.
" Of a truth, you were right, dear
Barbara," replied Marian, pressing her
brother's hand.
" As thou dost thyself is it not so ? —
said Allan, with a tender smile.
" Yea, as I do myself," replied Marian
able pride, and her sweet voice tremulou
with emotion. " I fear not to openl;
avow my love for the generous man wh^
hath shared the sorrows of my hearl
Robin loves me, dear Allan his love fo ;

" I should like," said saucy Barbara, me is as deep and hath endured as Ion;
" to pretend that Robin was Will, and as mine for him. My
hand is promise'
hug him with all my might." to Robin Hood, and we only awaite^
" Such a mode of expressing your grati- thy presence to ask of God His hoi
tude would set us a very bad example, benediction."
Barbara dear," laughed Marian " for ;
" I am ashamed of my selfishness
we should all feel constrained to imitate Marian," said Allan " and my sham
;

you, and poor Robin would succumb forces me to admire the more Robin'
beneath the weight of so much happi- gallant behaviour. Thy natural protecto
ness." was far from thee, and thou didst nc
" My
death would be an easy one, at deem it fitting to be happy until he K
any rate. Think you not so, Lady turned. Forgive me both for abandonin
Marian ? you so cruelly Christabel will plead m ;

Marian blushed, and an almost imper- cause to your tender hearts. Thank yoi
ceptible smile hovered on Allan Clare's dear Robin," added the Knight, " than
lips. you no words can express to you m
;

"Sir Knight," said Will, approaching sincere gratitude. You love Marian an

]
THE WRINKLED FACE OF SIR TRISTAN APPEARED
 " —!!
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
Marian loves you I am proud and happy
; the garden that ought to take a good two
to give you her hand."
As he finished speaking, the Knight
took his sister's hand, and with a smile
placed it in that of the young man, who,
straining Marian to his bursting heart,
kissed her passionately. William seemed
quite intoxicated with the joy he saw
around him, and with the object of sup-
pressing the violence of his emotion, he
took Maude round the waist and kissed
her neck again and again, uttering some
incoherent words and finishing with a
"
triumphant " Hurrah ! ing form, and a veil of English point
" We
will be married on the same day,
won't we, Robin ? " cried Will, joyously,
" or rather we will be married to-morrow.
Oh no not to-morrow it is unlucky to
! ;
put off till to-morrow what can be done
—
to-day we will be married to-day. What
"
say you, Maude ?
The girl laughed.
" You are in a tremendous hurry,"
cried the Knight.
"A hurry! It is easy for you, Allan,
to criticise but an if, like me, you had
; ing. Christabel was hardly conscious her
been torn from the arms of your beloved
when you were on the point of giving her
your name, you would not say I was in
too great a hurry. I Am
not right,
Maude?"
" Yea, William, you are right but our
marriage cannot take place to-day."
" Why not ? I should like to know,
why not ? repeated the lad, impatiently.
" he is married to another.
" Because it is necessary for me to
leave Barnsdale in a few hours, friend
Will," replied the Knight, "and I must!
certainly be present at your wedding and
my my
at sister's. part hope to
I for
have the happiness of marrying the Lady
Christabel, and our three weddings could
then be celebrated on the same day.
Wait a little longer, William in one
week from to-day all will be settled to our
mutual satisfaction."
Wait another week ? " cried Will. " It
" tap at the door aroused her from her
!
is impossible
" But, William," said Robin, " a week
is soon gone, and you have a thousand
reasons for patience."
" Well, I resign myself," said the young
man, dismally. " You are all against me,
and I have never a soul to speak up for
me. Maude, who of rights should add
the eloquence of her sweet voice to mine,
remains silent, so I will hold my tongue
too. I suppose, Maude, we ought to talk
of our future home. Come, let us go round
29
;
hours at least, and it will be so much
subtracted from the eternity of a week."
Without awaiting the girl's consent,
Will took her hand, and laughingly led
her out under the shady trees of the
park.
A week after the interview between
Allan Clare and Lord Fitz-Alwine, the
Lady Christabel was alone in her room,
seated, or rather crouching, in an arm-
chair. The silken folds of a beautiful
white satin dress draped the girl's cower-
covered her blonde tresses. A deathly
pallor overspread her delicate and perfect
features, her colourless lips were closed,
and her large eyes, with their listless
look, were fixed in a terrified stare on a
door opposite.
From time to time a large tear rolled
down her cheeks, and this tear, a pearl
of sorrow, was the only sign of life her
enfeebled body gave.
Two hours passed in dreadful wait-
;
mind, steeped in happy memories of a past
beyond recall, regarded with unspeakable
horror the approaching sacrifice.
" He hath forgot me," wailed the poor
girl, suddenly, wringing her hands, whiter
; than the satin of her dress " he hath
;
forgot her whom he said he loved, whom
alone he loved he hath forgot his vows
;
Oh, God
have pity on me my strength fails me,
;
1
for my heart is broken. I have suffered
so much already ! For him have I borne
bitter words, the loveless looks of the
j
i
father I should love and respect For him
!
I bore ill-treatment without complaint,
even the sombre solitude of the cloister
I believed in him and he hath deceived
; me!"
A convulsive sob escaped her, and the
tears gushed from her eyes. A light
painful thoughts.
" Come in," she said in a stifled voice.
The door opened, and the wrinkled
face of Sir Tristan appeared before the
eyes of the unhappy girl.
" Sweet lady," said the old man, with a
leer, which he fondly imagined was an
enchanting smile, " the hour of our
departure is about to strike. Prithee
allow me to offer you my arm the escort
;
awaits us, and we shall soon be the
happiest couple in England."
30 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
"My Lord," stammered Christabel, Sir Tristan kissed the cold hand in his
" Icannot go downstairs." with a respect m.ingled with tenderness
" How say you, dear love
—
you cannot and sympathy.
go downstairs ? I do not well under- " You will be happy, fair lady," he said.
stand; you are quite ready, and they Christabel smiled sadly.
wait for us. Come, give me your dear, " I shall die," she thought to herself.
dainty hand." At Linton Abbey great preparations
" Sir Tristan," replied Christabel, as were being made for the wedding of the
she rose with burning eyes and trembling Lady Christabel and old Sir Tristan.
lips, " hear me, I beseech you, and if there Ever since daybreak the Chapel had
be a spark of pity in you, you will save been hung with magnificent hangings,
the poor girl, who thus implores you, and sweet-smelling flowers diffused the
from this terrible ceremony." most fragrant perfumes throughout the
"Terrible ceremony!" repeated Sir sanctuary. The Bishop of Hereford, who
Tristan, in astonishment. " What means was to perform the marriage ceremony,
this, my Lady ? I do not comprehend stood at the Church door, with Monks
you." in white vestments around him, awaiting
" Spare me the pain of an explanation," the nuptial procession. Shortly before
Christabel answered, with a sob, " and I the arrival of Sir Tristan and the Lady
will bless you, Sir, and ever remember Christabel, a man bearing in his hand a
you in my prayers." small harp presented himself before the
*'
You appear agitated, my pretty dove," Bishop.
said the old man in honeyed accents. " My Lord," said the new-comer, making
" Calm yourself, my love, and this even- a respectful genuflexion, " are you not
ing, or to-morrow, if you prefer it, you about to celebrate a High Mass in honour
"
shall make your little confidences to me. of the bride and bridegroom ?
At present we have no time to lose, but " Yea, friend, I am," returned the
"
when we are married it will be different; Bishop. " But why dost thou ask ?
we shall have plenty of leisure, and I will " My Lord," answered the stranger, " I
listen to you from morn till eve." am the best harpist in France or England,
" In the name of pity, Sir, hear me and usually in much request at all feasts.
now. If my father hath deceived you, I Having heard of the intended marriage
will not buoy you up with false hopes. betwixt the rich Sir Tristan and Baron
My Lord, I do not love you my heart ; Fitz-Alwine's only daughter, I am come
is given to a young Lord who was my to offer his Lordship my services."
childhood's earliest friend. At the very " Anthy talent match thy vanity and
moment when am about to bestow my
I assucance, thou art welcome."
hand upon you, am thinking of him. I
I " I thank you, my Lord."
love him, my Lord, I love him, and my " The sound of the harp pleaseth me
whole soul is his, and his alone." much," the Bishop continued, " and I
" Yousoon forget this young man, should love to hear thee play before the
will
fair lady. Once my wife, believe me, wedding party arriveth."
you will think of him no more." " My Lord," replied the stranger, haugh-
" Never shall I forget him his image tily, drawing the folds of his long cloak
;

is indelibly graven on my heart." around him with a majestic air, "an I

" At your age we think we shall love were a wandering minstrel, like those you
for ever, my dear love then time creeps are wont to hear, I would fall in with
;

on and effaces in his march the tenderly your wishes but I play only at stated ;

cherished image. But come, we will seasons and in suitable places. By-and-
speak of all this another time, and I by I hope to give you complete satis-
will help you to set the hope of the future faction."
betwixt the past and the present." *'
Insolent varlet," replied the Bishop,
" You have no pity, Sir ? " in an angry voice, " I command thee to
" I love you, Christabel." play to me this very instant."
*'
God have pity on me " sighed the !
" I will not touch a string until the
poor girl. escort arrive," said the stranger, imper-
" God will certainly have pity," said the turbably " but when it doth come, you
;

old man, taking Christabel's hand. " He will hear sounds which will astonish you.
will send you resignation and oblivion." Of that rest assured."
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 31

" We be able to judge of thy
shall " Yea, Robin Hood and his Merrie
merits," replied the Bishop, " for here Men," replied our hero, indicating by a
they come." glance a number of foresters, who had
The stranger stepped back a few paces, stolen up silently and surrounded the
while the Bishop advanced to meet the escort.
procession. At the same moment an elegantly clad
As she was about to enter the Church, young knight threw himself at the feet
Christabel turned half fainting to Baron of Lady Christabel.
Fitz-Alwine. " My Lord," said Robin Hood, respect-
" Father," she said in a faltering voice, fully approaching the Bishop with bared
" have pity on me this marriage will be head, " you were about to unite, contrary
;

my death." to all human and social laws, two beings

A severe look from the Baron silenced never destined by Heaven to dwell beneath
the poor girl. one roof. Behold this young maiden
" Sir Knight," added Christabel, laying look at the husband whom the insatiable
her trembling hand on Sir Tristan's avarice of her father would have given
arm, " be not merciless you can still her. Since earliest childhood the Lady
;

restore me to life. Have pity on me " Christabel hath been betrothed to the
!

" We
will speak of that later," said Sir Knight Allan Clare. Like herself he is
Tristan and he signed to the Bishop to young, rich, and noble
; he loves her, ;

enter the Church. and we are come to humbly beg you to

The Baron took his daughter's hand, bless their union."
and was about to conduct her to the " I formally oppose the marriage " !

"
altar, when a loud voice cried " Stay cried the Baron, striving to break from
!

Lord Fitz-Alwine uttered a cry Sir the grasp of Little John, to whom had
;

Tristan tottered, and had to lean for fallen the lot of guarding him.
support against the great doorway of the " Peace, inhuman man " cried Robin !

Church. The stranger took the Lady Hood. " Dost dare to raise thy voice
Christabel's hand in his. on the threshold of this holy place, and
" Presumptuous caitiff " said the give the lie to the promises thou hast
!

Bishop, recognising the minstrel, " who made?"

gave thee permission to lay thy mercenary " I have made no promises," roared
"
hands on this noble lady ? Lord Fitz-Alwine.
" 'Tis Providence sends me to succour " My
Lord," continued Robin Hood,
her in her
helplessness," replied the addressing the Bishop, "will you unite
"
stranger, haughtily. these young people ?
The Baron threw himself upon the " I cannot do it without the consent
minstrel. of Lord Fitz-Alwine."
"Who are you?" he asked; "and "Which consent I will never give."
why come you here to disturb a holy
"
"My Lord," continued Robin, taking
ceremony ? no notice of the vociferations of the old
"Villain!" cried the stranger, "call man, " I await your final decision."
you this shameful union of a young " I cannot take it upon me to do as you
maiden with an old man a holy ceremony ? wish," replied the Bishop " the banns
;

My Lady," he added, bowing respectfully have not been published, and the law
to the Lady who was half
Christabel, doth require .
."
.

dead with anguish, you are come into " "We will obey the law," said Robin.
the House of the Lord to receive the " Friend Little John, confide his Lordship
name of an honest man, and that name to the care of one of our men, and do you
you shall receive. Take courage Divine ! publish the banns."
Providence yet watcheth over your inno- Little John obeyed. Three times he
cence." announced the marriage of Allan Clare
_
The
minstrel loosed with one hand the and the Lady Christabel Fitz-Alwine,
girdlewhich confined his robe, while with but the Bishop again refused to give
the other he raised to his lips a hunting- the young people his blessing.
I
horn. " Your decision is final, my Lord ? "
" Robin Hood !
" cried the Baron. asked Robin.
" Robin Hood ! the friend of Allan " It is," replied the Bishop.
Clare " murmured the Lady Christabel. " So be it. I had foreseen such
\
!
an
 —
32 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
event, and am accompanied by a holy IMaude, my darling ? Hast asked the
man, who hath the right to officiate. My Holy Virgin to grant us for ever the
father," continued Robin, addressing an same radiant joy she doth bestow on us
"
old man, who had remained unnoticed, this day ?

" I pray you enter the Chapel the young

; Maude smiled and wept together, so
couple will follow you." full was her heart
of love and gratitude
The pilgrim, the same who had con- to William.
nived at Will's escape, advanced slowly. Robin's marriage threw the band of
" I am here, my son," he said "I go ; merrie men into transports of delight, and
to pray for the unfortunate and to be- on issuing from the Church they uttered
seech God to pardon the wicked." deafening cheers.
Guarded by the merrie men, the party " The brawling ruffians," growled Lord
entered the Chapel quietly, and the cere- Fitz-Alwine, reluctantly following the
mony began at once. The Bishop dis- form of Little John, who had politely
appeared, Sir Tristan groaned dismally, requested him to leave the Chapel.
and Lord Fitz-Alwine muttered deep A few minutes after the Chapel was
oaths of vengeance. deserted. Lord Fitz-Ahvine and Sir
" Who giveth this woman ? " asked the Tristan, deprived of their horses, dole-
old palmer, laying his palsied hands on fully supporting each other, and in a
Christabel's head, as she knelt before him. state of mind which baffles description,
" Will you be so good as to answer, set out for the Castle with halting steps.
my Lord ? " said Robin Hood. " Fitz-Alwine," said the old man, stum-
" Father, I pray you " besought the bling as he spoke, " you will give me
!

girl. back the million pieces of gold which I

"
"No, no! a thousand times, no!" confided to your care ?
cried the Baron, beside himself with rage. " Nay, i'faith Sir Tristan, for it was
!

" Since her father hath refused to keep not my fault that misfortune befell you.
the solemn promise he gave," said Robin, Had you followed my counsels, this
" I will take his place. I, Robin Hood, disaster would never have occurred. By
do give the Lady Christabel as wife to holding the wedding in the Castle Chapel,
the good Knight Sir Allan Clare." our mutual desires would have been as-
The ceremony proceeded without further sured but you preferred broad daylight
;

obstacle. Hardly were Allan Clare and to obscurity, and behold the result ! This
Christabel wedded ere theGamwell family rascal hath carried off my daughter ; I

appeared on the threshold. Robin Hood must have compensation, therefore I keep
advanced to meet Marian, and led her to the gold."
the altar, William and Maude following Returning to Nottingham in as sorry
them. As he passed close to Robin, who a plight as their masters, the servants
knelt at Marian's side, Will whispered of the two noblemen followed them at a
" At length, Rob, the happy day hath distance, laughing behind their backs at
arrived. Look at Maude how beautiful the strange events of the day.
;

she is, and her dear little heart is beating The wedding party, escorted by the
fast, I warrant you." merrie men, soon gained the depths of
" Silence, Will
; God is listening to us the wood. The old Forest had decked
at this moment." itself out to receive the happy couples,
" Yea, I know, and I am going to pray and the trees, refreshed by the morning
with my whole soul," replied the happy dew, bowed their green branches over
youth. the visitors. Long garlands of flowers
The palmer blessed the new couples, and foliage were wreathed from tree to
and, raising his hands to Heaven, im- tree, and bound together secular oaks
plored the divine mercy upon them. and sturdy elms and slender poplars.
" Maude, dear Maude," said William, Here and there appeared in the distance
as soon as he was able to lead the girl a stag crowned with flowers like a classic ;«

from the Church, " at last you are my god. A fawn, bedecked with ribbons, !|

—
wife ^my dear wife
! Fate hath set so bounded across the path, or a deer,
many obstacles in the way of our hap- wearing its festive collar too, darted
piness, 'tis difficult for me now to realise like an arrow along the greensward. In
its full extent. I am mad with joy thou the midst of a wide clearing in the
;

art mine, and mine alone. Hast prayed, woods a table was spread, a dancing-
 —
! "

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 33

green levelled, and sports prepared in — "
Could it be otherwise ? " said Will, in
short, all the pleasures that could add a tender voice, kissing his wife's hand.
to the satisfaction of the guests were " Robin loved her at first sight, I adored
disposed around them. Most of the fair her from the first, and now, Maude, thou
maids of Nottingham had come to grace art mine."
with their presence the feast of Robin Silence followed Will's passionate ex-
Hood, and the most frolic gaiety prevailed clamation. The Monk bowed his head,
in the happy gathering. and Maude blushed and smiled at her
Maude and William, arm in arm, with husband.
smiling lips and joyous hearts, were wan- " I do hope, friend Tuck," continued
dering apart down a green avenue near William, in a tone of affection, "that
the dancing-green, Avhen Friar Tuck ap- my happiness is not thy pain if I am ;

peared before them. happy to-day, it is by great tribulation

" Halloa, good Tuck, merry Giles, my that I have succeeded in making Maude
fat brother," cried Will, laughing, " art my well-beloved wife. Thou hast not
come to share our stroll ? Welcome known the despair of rejected love thou ;

Giles, my very good friend, and do me the hast not known exile thou hast not ;

honour to look at the treasure of my soul languished far from :hy beloved thou ;

— my cherished wife, my most precious hast not lost thy strength, thy health,
possession look at this angel, Giles, and
; thy peace of mind."
tell me if there doth exist beneath the skies As he enumerated the last of his
a more charming being than my beautiful sorrows, Will cast his eyes upon the
Maude. But methinks, friend Tuck," rubicund countenance of the Monk, and
added the young man, looking more a loud laugh burst from him. Friar
closely at the Monk's anxious face Tuck weighed at least fifteen stone, and
" methinks thou art ill at ease what is
; his expansive resembled a full
figure
it ? Come, confide thy troubles to us I ; moon. Maude, who had understood the
will endeavour to cheer thee. Maude, cause of Will's sudden laughter, shared
my darling, let us be kind to him. Come, in his mirth, and Tuck joined in un-
what is it, Giles ? First, I will hear thy affectedly.
confidences, then I will speak to thee of " I am quite well," he said, with a
my wife, and thine old heart will be young charming good nature " but that makes ;

again in sympathy with mine." no odds. Well, no matter, I quite

. . .

" I have no confidences to make thee,
Will," replied the Monk, in a somewhat
broken voice, " but I rejoice to know that
all thy desires are fulfilled."
" That doth not prevent me, friend
Tuck, from remarking with real sorrow
understand; and by'r lady, good friends,"
he added, taking the clasped hands of the
young people in his own large ones, " I
wish you both perfect happiness. 'Tis
true, sweet Maude, your fawn-like eyes
turned my head long ago but there, it ;

the sad expression of thy countenance. will not bear much tiiought. I have
Come, what is it ? " found a good moral to that chapter I ;

"Naught," replied the Monk, "naught, sought for a consolation in my cruel

unless it were an idea which crossed my sorrow, and I found it."
mind, a will o' the wisp which burns into " Found it " cried William and Maude !

my brain, an elf which plagues my heart. together.

Well, W^ill, I know not whether I should " Yea," replied Tuck, with a smile.
tell thee, but for many years I had hoped " A
blaclf-eyed maid ? " asked the
that the little witch whom thou dost hold coquettish Maude " a young girl who can ;

so tenderly to thee would be my sun- appreciate your good sterling qualities.

beam, the joy of my
existence, my dearest Master Giles ?
and most precious jewel." The Monk began to laugh.
" What, poor Tuck, until now thou hast " Yea, truly," he said, " my consolation
"
loved my pretty Maude ? is a lady with brilliant eyes and ruby
" Yea, William." lips. You ask me, sweet Maude, if she
" If I am not wrong, thou hast known appreciates my merits r That is a question
her longer than Robin ? " difficult to resolve, for my consoler is
" Than Robin ? Yea, indeed." truly a thoughtless creature, and I am
"
*'
And hast loved her ? not the only one to whom she renders
" Alas, yea " sighed the Monk.
! kiss for kiss."
 ;

34 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

" yet thou lovest her ? " said Will,
And " Thou art right, dear little wife," said
in a tone full at once of pity and reproach. Will, kissing Maude's brow ;
" she is not
" Yea, I love her," replied the Monk ;
worthy to look at thee for a moment.
" albeit, as I have just told you, she is My dear Tuck," he continued, " thou wilt
very free with her favours." oblige me by ceasing a pleasantry which
" But she must be a horrid woman," is so disagreeable to Maude. I have
cried Maude, flushing. neither desire nor curiosity to see thy
" What, Tuck," added Will, " as brave beloved, wherefore let us speak of her no
a heart and as honest a soul as thine to more."
be caught in the toils of such an infatua- " But 'tis necessary for the honour of

tion ! As for me, sooner than bestow my my word. Will, that thou shouldest be
." confronted with her."
love on such a creature, I , .

"Tut! tut!" interrupted the Monk, " Not at all, not at all " said Maude.
!

mildly " be careful. Will."

;
" William doth not desire this meeting,
" Careful— why ? " and it would be too painful for me."
" Because it ill becomes thee to speak " I wish thee to see her," replied the
evil of one whom thou hast oft embraced." obstinate Giles ;
" and here she is " !

" You have embraced this woman " ! Saying which, Tuck drew from his robe
cried Maude, in a reproachful voice. a silver flask, and raising it to William's
" Maude, Maude, it is a lie " said Will. ! eyes, he said, " Look at my pretty bottle,
" It is not a lie," replied the Monk, my sweet consolation, and dare to say
tranquilly " thou hast embraced her not
; again that thou hast ne'er embraced
once, but ten times, twenty times." her."
" Will, Will " ! The two young people laughed merrily.
" Never him, Maude, he is
listen to " I do confess my sin, good Tuck,"
deceiving you. Now, look here. Tuck, cried Will, taking the bottle, " and I ask
tell the truth. I have embraced the maid my dear little wife's permission to implant
"
of thy love ? a kiss of friendship on the ruby lips of
" Yea, and I can prove it." this old friend."
"You hear him, Will," said Maude, " Thou hast my consent. Will drink ;

ready to weep. to our happiness and the merry Monk's

" I hear him, but I do not understand prosperity."
him," replied the young man. " Giles, Will sipped the rosy fluid and returned
in the name of our good friendship, I the flask to Tuck, who in his enthusiasm
adjure you to confront me with this maid, drained it completely. The three friends
and we will see whether she hath the then strolled about with linked arms until
effrontery to sustain your imposture." at a call from Robin they rejoined the
" I ask naught better. Will, and I assembly.
wager that not only wilt thou be con- Robin had presented Much to Barbara,
strained to confess the affection thou dost saying that this handsome young man was
bear her, but thou wilt eke give her fresh the long-promised husband. But Barbara
proofs of it, and thou wilt even embrace had shaken her fair curls, saying that she
her." did not want to marry yet.
" I do not wish him to do so," said Little John, who was not of a very
Maude, twining her arms round Will expansive nature, was quite amiable that
" I do not wish him to speak to this day. He showered attentions on his cousin
woman." Winifred, and it was easy to see that the
" He will speak to her and he will two young people had many secrets to
embrace her," replied the Monk, with confide to each other, for they conversed
strange persistency. in whispers, danced together all the time,
" Tis impossible," said Will. and seemed unconscious of everything
*'
Quite impossible," added Maude. going on around them.
" Show me thy beloved. Master Giles. As for Christabel, her sweet face was
Where is she ? " radiant with happiness, but she was still so
" What mean you. Will ? " said Maude. much affected by her abrupt separation
" You cannot desire her presence, and from her father, so much enfeebled by her
beside and beside, Will, methinks recent sufferings, that it was impossible
. . .

the person of whom you speak would not for her to mix in the games. Seated near
be a proper acquaintance for your wife." Allan Clare beneath a canopy, upon a
 ROBIN HOOD THE
littlehillock strewn with flowers, she
looked like a young Queen presiding over
a Royal feast given to her subjects.
Marian, tenderly supported by the arm
of her husband, was walking on the
dancing-green with him.
" I am coming to live near you, Robin,"
said the young and until the happy
wife, "
moment when you are restored to favour,
I shall share the vicissitudes and loneli-
ness of your existence."
*' It
were wiser, my dearest, to live at
Barnsdale."
" No, Robin, my heart is with you, and
I cannot leave my heart."
" I am proud to accept thy courageous
devotion, dear wife, my sweet love,"
replied the young man with emotion,
" and I will do all ever I can for thy
satisfaction and happiness in thy new
hfe."
In truth Robin Hood's wedding day harmony.
was one of happinessand joy.
CHAPTER IV
OUTLAW 35
person of the hardy outlaw, and to put
him to death without delay or mercy.
Whilst the two Normans were conspir-
ing thus against Robin Hood, the latter,
at the height of his bliss, was living
quietly and without a care beneath the
good green trees of Sherwood Forest.
Will Scarlett was the happiest man in
all the world, in the possession of his well-
beloved Maude. Gifted with a vivid
imagination. Will had imagined eternal
bliss as consisting in a wife like Maude,
and in his eyes she was endowed with all
the charms of an angel. Maude was
aware of this flattering affection, and she
strove to remain upon the pedestal to
which her husband's love had elevated
her. Following the example set by Robin
Hood and Marian, Will and his wife had
made their home in the Forest, and they
all lived there together in the greatest
Robin Hood loved the fair sex, firstly
from natural inclination, and secondly out
of regard for the charming creature who
bore his name. Robin Hood's companions
shared his feelings of respect and venera-
tion towards women and thus the maidens
;

MARIAN kept her word, and, despite of the neighbourhood were able to traverse
Robin's mild objections, took up the Forest paths without fear of molesta-
her abode under the great trees of Sher- tion. If by chance they encountered any
wood Forest. Allan Clare, who owned, of the band, they were asked to partake
as we have already said, a large house in of refreshment, and afterwards they were
the valley of Mansfield, could not prevail given an escort through the wood, and
upon his sister to come and live in it with no cause for complaint had ever arisen.
Christabel for Marian was firmly resolved When the kindly courtesy of the Foresters
;

not to leave her husband. became known, its renown travelled afar,
Immediately after his wedding, the and many a bright-eyed maiden with
Knight had offered to sell his Huntingdon- light heart and tripping feet had ventured
shire estates to King Henry II. at two- among the dells and glades of Sher-
thirds of their value, on condition of his wood.
marriage with Lady Christabel Fitz- On Robin's wedding day, a number of
Ahvine being confirmed by letters patent. these young maidens joined in the festivi-
The King, who always seized with avidity ties, and gazed admiringly at the handsome
any opportunity of acquiring the richest couple. As they danced, these fair
domains in England for the Crown, daughters of Eve cast furtive glances at
accepted the offer, and, by a special act, their gallant swains, and were only sur-
confirmed the marriage of the two young prised to think that they had ever feared
people. Allan Clare had made his appli- them for a single moment, whispering to
cation with such adroitness and prompti- each other that it must be very delightful
tude, and the King was so eager to close to share the adventurous loves of the
the bargain, that all was completed by hardy outlaws. In the innocence of their
the time the Bishop of Hereford and young hearts they allowed these secret
Baron Fitz-Alwine arrived at Court. wishes to appear, and the enraptured
It is hardly necessary to remark that Foresters, making the best use of their
the Bishop and the Norman Baron stirred time, the beautiful maidens of Notting-
up the Royal anger against Robin Hood ham found that the language of Robin
to the utmost. At their urgent request, Hood's Merrie Men was no less irresistibly
Henry gave the Bishop leave to seize the eloquent than their eyes.
 ;
;
:
36 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
The result of all this was that Friar
Tuck became overwhelmed with work,
being occupied from morning to night in
solemnising marriages. Very naturally
the good Monk was anxious to discover
whether these multiple unions were not
an epidemic of a peculiar character, and
how many people would still succumb
to it. But his question remained un-
answered. Having attained its zenith,
the rage for marriages abated, and the
cases became fewer. Nevertheless, it is
curious to observe that the symptoms are
still as violent, and that they continue
even to our own day.
The little colony in the Forest lived
very merrily. The cave of which we
have spoken had been divided into cells
and rooms which served only for bed-
chambers, the vast glades serving as
drawing and dining-rooms, and it was
only in winter that they had recourse to
their subterranean retreat. It is difficult
to imagine how quiet and peaceful was
the lifethese men led. Nearly all were
of Saxon origin and attached to one
another like members of one family
most of them had suffered cruel oppres-
sion at the hands of the Norman invaders.
Robin Hood's band levied tribute most
particularly upon two classes of society
the rich Norman nobles and the clergy.
On the first because they had robbed the
Saxons of their titles and patrimony, and
on the second because they were continu-
ally augmenting their already consider-
able riches at the expense of the people.
Robin Hood levied imposts on the Nor-
mans, and though such contributions were
heavy, they were exacted without combat
or bloodshed. The orders of the young
Chief were strictly carried out, for dis-
obedience meant death. The severity of
this discipline had earned an excellent
reputation for Robin Hood's band, whose
loyal and chivalrous character was well
known. Many expeditions were under-
taken vainly to try and oust the Merrie
men from their retreat but the authori-
; rejoicings celebrated these happy events.
ties, wearied at last by their fruitless
endeavours, ceased to harass them, and
Henry II. 's indifference finally compelled
the Normans to submit to the dangerous
vicinity of their enemies.
Marian found her forest life even more
agreeable than she had dared to hope
she was born (as she laughingly said) to
be Queen of this merry tribe. The re-
spectful homage, affection, and devotion
lavished on Robin were extremely flatter-
ing to Marian, and she was proud to
depend on the valiant young man's pro-
tecting arm. If Robin Hood knew how to
gain and keep the affection of his followers
by showing towards every man a con-
sistent kindness and sincere friendship,
he could also exert absolute authority
over them.
The beautiful Forest held a thousand
pleasures for Marian. Now
she wan-
dered with her husband through the
picturesque windings of the wood, anon
she found amusement in the sports and
games then in vogue. Thanks to Robin's
care, she possessed a rare and valuable
flock of falcons, and she learnt to fly
them with a tried and skilful hand. But
the sport which Marian loved best was
archery with indefatigable patience Robin
;
initiated his young wife into all the mys-
teries of the art. Marian attended care-
fully to the lessons given her, and never
was pupil more apt. She thus became
in a an archer of the first
short time
rank. It was a pleasing
sight to Robin
and his Merrie Men to watch Marian,
bow inhand, clad in a tunic of Lincoln
green, her majestic and supple figure
slightly bent, her left hand holding the
bow, while her right, curving gracefully,
drew the arrow to her ear. When Marian
had mastered all the secrets of the art
which had made Robin so famous, she
acquired a like renown. The young
woman's inimitable skill roused the ad-
miration and respect of the inhabitants
of the Forest to the utmost, and the
allies of the band and the citizens of the
towns of Mansfield and Nottingham came
in crowds to witness her prowess.
—
A year slipped by a year of joy, hap-
piness, bliss. Allan-a-Dale (we will now
speak of the Knight by the name of his
property) had become a father Heaven ;
had blessed him with a daughter. Robin
and William each rejoiced in a handsome
son, and a round of dances and general
One morning Robin Hood with Will
Scarlett and Little John met beneath a
tree called the " trysting-tree," because it
served as the rallying-point of the band,
when they heard a faint sound in the
distance.
" Hark !
" said Robin, quickly. " 'Tis
a horse I hear in the clearing go see ;
whether we may expect a guest. You
"
take me, Little John ?
 —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 37
" Perfectly. And I will bring back " Himself, Master."
the rider, an he prove worthy to share " I have long heard
tell of him," added
your repast." the stranger, " and his noble conduct hath
" He will be twice welcome," laughed inspired in me a true regard for him. I
Robin, " for I begin to feel the pangs of am much pleased to have a chance of
hunger," meeting Robin Hood he hath a loyal ;

LittleJohn and Will glided through and faithful heart. I will accept his kind
the thicket toward the road taken by the invitation with pleasure, though I am at
traveller, and soon came near enough to a loss to understand how he was aware
distinguish him. of my journey through his domains."
" By the holy Mass, the poor devil hath " He will be glad to inform thee of that
a sorry look, and I dare swear his fortune himself," replied Little John.
causeth him but little embarrassment." " As you will, brave Forester. Lead the
" I must e'en avow the Knight doth way I will follow in your steps."
;

wear a grievous air," replied Little John Little John took the traveller's horse
;

" but perchance the poverty of his outer by the bridle, and conducted him into
man is but a clever artifice. The traveller the path leading to the cross-road where
trusteth to his seeming misery to traverse Robin still remained. Will followed as
the Forest with impunity. We will teach rear-guard.
him that, an he incline to trickery, we are Little John did not doubt for a single
his match in cunning." moment but that this semblance of grief
Though habited in the garb of a Knight, and poverty was a mask to serve as pass-
the traveller at a first glance inspired a port in case of an unwelcome encounter,
feeling of pity. His clothes hung on him whilst Will divined, more correctly
anyhow, as though adversity had made perhaps, that the traveller was really and
him careless of appearances the hood of
; truly a poor man from whom they would
his cloak hung round his neck; and his obtain no other satisfaction than that of
head, bowed in thought, bore evidence of seeing him eat a right good dinner.
extreme wretchedness. The deep bass The stranger and his guides soon found
voice of Little John roused the stranger Robin Hood. The latter saluted the
suddenly from his reverie. new-comer, and, struck by his dejected
" Good day, Sir Stranger " cried our
! appearance, watched him narrowly, whilst
friend, advancing to meet the traveller; the other strove to readjust in some
" art welcome to the green wood. Thou measure his poor clothing. An
of air
hast been anxiously awaited." the greatest distinction accompanied all
" Awaited ? " asked the stranger, fixing his movements, and Robin soon arrived
his sad gaze upon John's broad counte- at the same conclusion as Little John,
nance. that the stranger affected this careworn
"Yea, Sir Knight," replied Will Scar- melancholy and these tattered garments
lett ;
" our master bade us seek thee, and as a safeguard to his purse.
for three hours he hath awaited thine Nevertheless, the young Chief received
arrival, ere commencing his meal." the dejected stranger with great kindness,
" No one doth expect me," replied the offering him a seat, while he ordered one
stranger, with a troubled air. " You are of his men to look after his guest's horse.
mistaken I am not the guest whom your
; A
delicious repast was spread upon the
master expects." green turf, which is thus described in the
*'
I ask pardon. Master, but 'tis indeed words of an old ballad :

thou. He had learnt thou wouldst be " And then with wine and maiichet bread
coming through the Forest to-day." And mumbrils of the roe,
"Impossible, impossible," repeated the They feasted, while the Malmsey wine
stranger. Around the board did flow.
" We speak the truth," returned Will. And many a sylvan guest was there,
With feathered minstrels of the air."
" May I ask the name of one who shows
such courtesy toward a poor traveller ? " As we have remarked, despite the
_
"_
It is Robin Hood," replied Little John, miserable appearance of his guest, Robin
hiding a smile. did not fail in hospitality toward him. If
" Robin Hood, the famous outlaw ? " sorrow sharpens the appetite, we must
questioned the stranger, in evident sur- say that the stranger was full of woe.
prise. He attacked the dishes with all the ardour
 — "
38 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
of a stomach that has been empty for
twenty-four hours, and the meats dis-
appeared with great draughts of wine
which bore witness to the excellence of
the liquid, or to the weakening effect of
sorrow.
After the repast Robin and his guest
complete the explanation," saying which
Robin took up a hunting horn and
raised it to his lips. Little John and
Will Scarlett appeared in answer to his
summons. " Sir Knight," Robin Hood
went on, " the hospitality comes to an
end be so good as to pay the shot, my
;

stretched themselves beneath the majestic
shade of the great trees, and conversed
without reserve. The Knight's opinions
of men and matters raised him high in
Robin's estimation, and, notwithstanding
his miserable bearing, the young Chief
could not believe in the sincerity of his
apparent misery. Of all vices Robin
most disliked dissimulation; his frank
and open nature hated cunning. There-
fore, in spite of the real esteem with which
the Knight inspired him, he resolved to
make him pay heavily for his repast. An
opportunity for putting this determination
into effect soon presented itself, for, after
manciples stand ready to receive it."
" Since you consider the Forest as an
inn, the charges are no doubt in propor-
tion to its extent ? " said the Knight, in a
calm voice.
" Just so, Master."
" You receive knights, barons, dukes,
and peers of the realm at the same
price ?
" Yea, at the same price," replied Robin
Hood, "and it but just. You would
is
not wish, I imagine, that a poor peasant
like myself should entertain gratuitously
an emblazoned knight, an earl, a duke, or
a prince it would be contrary to all rules,
;

having railed against human ingratitude, of breeding."

the stranger added " You are perfectly right, good host,
" I have so great a scorn for this vice but you will have but a sad opinion of
that it doth no longer astonish me but I
; your guest, when he tells you that his
can affirm that never in all my life have entire fortune consists in ten pistoles."
I been guilty of it myself. Allow me, " Permit me to doubt that assertion,
Robin Hood, to thank you with all my Sir Knight," replied Robin.
heart for your friendly reception of me, " My dear host, I invite your com-
and if ever a lucky chance should lead panions to prove the truth of my state-
you into the neighbourhood of St. Mary's ment by searching me."
Abbey, forget not that at the Castle of Little John, who rarely allowed an
the Plain you will ever find a loving opportunity of demonstrating his social
and cordial hospitality." position to escape him, hastened to obey.
" Sir Knight," replied the young man, " The Knight speaks truth," he cried,
"those whom I receive in the Forest with a disappointed air " he hath but ten
;

never undergo the danger of a visit from pistoles."

me. To those who are really in need of " And that small sum doth represent
a good meal I willingly give a place at all my fortune at present," added the
my table but I am less generous toward stranger.
;

travellers who have the wherewithal to " Have you, then, consumed your in-
pay for my hospitality. I fear to wound heritance ? " asked Robin, with a laugh,
the pride of a man favoured by fortune, " or was that inheritance of so little
"
an if I give him of my venison and wine value ?
for naught. I find it more pleasant both " My patrimony was considerable," re-
for him and myself to say, This Forest is plied the
* Knight, " and I have not
an inn, I am the host, my Merrie Men the squandered it."
servants. As noble guests, pay liberally " How, then, are you so poor ? for you
"
for your refreshment.' will own that your present situation looks
The Knight began to laugh, hopeless enow." j

" That is," said he, " a mighty pleasant "Appearances sometimes err, and to
way of looking at things, and an ingenious make you understand my misfortunes it
fashion of levying tribute. I heard tell, would be necessary to recount to you a

not many days agone, of the courteous very sad story."

way in which you eased travellers of their " Sir Knight, I will give you my best
superfluous wealth, but I have never had attention, and should it be in my power
so clear an explanation as this." to help you, make use of me."
"Well, Sir Knight, I am about to " I am aware, noble Robin Hood, that
 — — —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 39
you generously extend your protection to She was twelve years old, with a
"
•
the oppressed, and that they have claims willowy, graceful figure, and long blonde
on your warm sympathy." tresses covered her pretty shoulders with
" Spare me, Master, I pray you," inter- their silken curls. On entering the room
rupted Robin, " and let us concern our- where I was waiting, she greeted me
selves with your affairs." prettily, fixing upon me two large blue eyes
" My name is Richard," continued the full of sadness. As you may imagine, good
stranger, "and my family is descended host, this charming little maid quite won
from King Ethelred." my heart I took her hands in mine, and
;

" You are a Saxon, then ? " said the implanted on her brow a fatherly kiss.
young man. " You see, Sir Richard,' said the Monk,
'

" Yea, and the nobility of my birth hath this sweet child is worthy of affection.'
*

been the cause of much misfortune." " Yea, truly. Brother, and I avow that
'

" Suffer me to shake a brother's hand," never in my life have mine eyes rested
replied Robin, with a merry smile on his upon so charming a being.'
lips. " Saxons, or poor, are freely
rich " '
Lilias is very
like her mother,' replied
welcome to the Forest of Sherwood." the Monk, and
the sight of her adds to
'

The Knight responded cordially to his my sorrow; she takes my mind from
host's hand-clasp, and continued thus heavenly things and carries back my
:

" I was given the surname of Sir thoughts to the sweet creature sleeping
Richard of the Plain from the situation of yonder within the cold tomb. Adopt my
my Castle in the centre of a vast moor- sweet child. Sir Richard you will never ;

land about two miles from St. Mary's regret your charitable action. Lilias doth
Abbey. While still quite young I was possess excellent qualities and a good
married to a maid whom I had loved from temper she is pious, sweet, and good.'
;

my earliest childhood. Heaven blessed " I will be a father to her, a tender

'

our union and sent us a son. Never did father,' I replied with emotion.
*' The poor little girl heard
parents love their child as we loved our us with an air
little Herbert, and never was child more of surprise, and looking anxiously from
'

love-worthy. Our proximity to the Abbey her father to me with her large blue eyes,
had led to frequent intercourse, and a she said
great intimacy had sprung up betwixt the " Father, you wish
' .'
. .

Brothers and myself. One day a Brother " I only*

wish your happiness, my darling
toward whom I had shown much sympathy child,' replied the Monk. Our separation '

asked me for a few minutes' conversation, hath become imperative.'

,
and taking me aside spoke thus : " I will not attempt to depict the painful
" Sir Richard, I am about to take irre- scene which followed or the long explana-
'
I

vocable vows. I am about to quit the tions given by the Monk to his heart-
world for ever. Beside her mother's tomb broken child. He wept with her, until, at
I leave a poor orphan, defenceless and a sign from the unhappy man, I took
penniless. I am for ever dedicated to Lilias in my arms and bore her from the
God, and I trust that the austerity of the Monastery.
Cloister will give me the courage to " During the days after her arrival,
first
support the burden of life a few years was sad and troubled,
at the Castle, Lilias
longer. I come to ask you in the name of then time and the companionship of my
Divine Providence to have pity on my son Herbert appeared to calm her sorrow.
poor little daughter.' The two children grew up together, and
" My dear brother,' said I to the unhappy
' when Lilias had attained her sixteenth,
I

man, I thank you for your confidence,

'
and Herbert his twentieth year, I could
and since you have placed your trust in plainly see that they loved each other with
me, that trust shall not be betrayed your
;
a more tender love.
daughter shall become mine.' " ' said to my wife,
These young hearts,' I
" The Brother, moved to tears by what after having made this discovery, have '

he called my generosity, thanked me never known sorrow let us protect them ;

warmly and, at my
request, sent for his against its attacks. Herbert adores Lilias,
httle daughter. and on her part Lilias loves our dear son
" I have never experienced any emotion passionately. What matters it to us that
1
like that produced by the sight of this Lilias is of lowly birth ? Though her father
child. was once only a poor Saxon peasant, he
 !

40 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

isnow a holy man. Thanks to our care, approached Mistress Lilias wrung her
;

Lihas possesses all the qualities which are hands. Arrange this bridle,' said the
'

an appanage of her sex she loves Herbert,

;
Knight, gruffly to me. I obeyed, and
and will make him a good wife.' without being perceived, I cut the girths
" My wife consented with all her heart to of the saddle then, whilst pretending to
;

the marriage of her two children, and we
betrothed them that same day.
" The day fixed for the happy union
approaching, when a Norman Knight,
owner of a small fief in Lancashire, came
to pay a visit to the Abbey of St. Mary.
This Norman had seen and admired my
house, and was seized with a desire to
possess it himself. Without disclosing
this covetousness, he learned that I had
under my paternal care a pretty girl of
marriageable age and rightly supposing
; and my son, in which right conquered,
that a portion of my wealth would be
given to Lilias as her dowry, the Norman
appeared at my gate, and under pretext of
visiting the Castle, he managed to gain
an entrance into our family circle. As I
told you, Robin, Lilias was very beautiful,
and the sight of her fired my guest's infamous conduct I pointed out to him
examine the horse's shoes, I managed to
slip a pebble into his hoof. Having done
was which, I fled to warn you.'
My " son Herbert could tarry to listen
to no more, but away to the stables,
saddled a horse, and set ofT at topmost
speed.
" The young peasant's trick had been
When
successful. Herbert overtook the
Norman, he had dismounted. Then there
was a terrible fight between the villain
and my son killed the ravisher.
" Soon as ever the Norman's death be-
came known, a troop of soldiers was sent
to arrest Herbert. I hid him and sent
a humble petition to the King. I made
known to His Majesty the Norman's
;

imagination he repeated his visit, and that my son had fought with his enemy,
;

confided to me his love for my son's be- and had killed him while exposing him-
trothed. Without rejecting the Norman's self to a like fate. The King made me
honourable proposal, I told him of the buy my son's pardon at the price of a
engagement already made by the maiden, considerable ransom. Only too happy
adding at the same time that Lilias was to obtain mercy, I hastened to satisfy
free to bestow her hand where she would. the King's demands. My coffers emptied,
" He then spoke to the girl herself. I appealed to my vassals, and sold my
Lilias' refusal was kind but firm she plate and furniture.
; My last resources
loved Herbert. exhausted, I still required four hundred
" The Norman left the Castle in a rage, gold crowns. The Abbot of Saint Mary's
swearing to have his revenge for what he then offered to lend the required sum on
called our insolence. mortgage, and it is hardly necessary to
" At first we only laughed at his threats, add that I gladly accepted his kind offer.
but we learnt by experience how serious The conditions of the loan were as
they were. Two days after the departure follows A pretended sale of my estates
:

of the Norman, the eldest son of one of would give him the rents for one year.
my vassals came to tell me that he had If on the last day of the twelfth month
met, some four miles from the Castle, the of this year I do not repay him the four
stranger who had lately been my guest, hundred gold crowns, all my goods will
carrying in his arms my poor unhappy remain his. That is my position, good
child. This news caused us terrible dis- host," added the Knight "the day of —
tress. I could hardly believe it, but the reckoning approaches, and my whole
young man gave me irrefutable proofs of fortune consists of ten pistoles."
the calamity. " Do you think that the Abbot of Saint
" Sir Richard,' he said to me,
'
my Mary's
'
will not give you time to free
words are only too true, and it was thus yourself ? " asked Robin Hood.
that I became assured that Mistress " I am unfortunately but too sure that
Lilias had been abducted. I was seated he will not give me an hour, a minute.
at the side of the road when a horseman, If he be not reimbursed to the last crown,
bearing before him a weeping woman my estates will remain in his hands. Alas
and followed by his squire, stopped a I am indeed in a sorry plight my beloved ;

few paces from me. The harness of wife will have no home, my children no
his horse was broken, and with angry food. Could I suffer alone, I should take
threats he called me to his assistance. I courage but to watch the sufferings of
;
 ; ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 41

those I love is too great a trial of my unrolled the piece of cloth with the other'
strength. I have asked help from those and set himself to measure, not by ells'

who called themselves my friends in the but exactly by bow lengths.

day of prosperity, and have received an Will burst out laughing.
icy refusal from some, indifference from " Go on, friend John, go on wilt soon ;

others. I have no friends, Robin Hood come to an end of the whole piece, an
I am alone." thou go on giving three yards for one.
"
As he finished speaking, the Knight Well done !

hid his face in his trembling hands, and " Hold thy tongue, thou prating fool.
a convulsive sob escaped him. Dost not know that Robin would give
"
" Sir Richard," said Robin Hood, " your even more, an he were in our place ?
story is a sad one but you must not
;
" Then will I add a few crowns," said
despair of God's goodness He watcheth William.
;

over you, and I believe you are on the " A

few handfuls, cousin we will ;

point of obtaining heavenly succour." recover it from the Normans."

'<
Alas " sighed the Knight, " could
!
" Well, I have finished."
I but obtain a delay, I might be able When Robin saw the generosity of
to pay off the debt. Unfortunately the John and Will, he smiled, and thanked
only security I can offer is a vow to the them by a look.
Virgin." " Sir Knight," said Will, putting the
" I will take that security," replied gold into the Knight's hand, " each roll
Robin Hood " and, in the revered name contains one hundred crowns."
;

Df the Mother of God, our holy patroness, " But there are six rolls, my young
I will lend you the four hundred golden friend."
:rowns you lack." " You are mistaken. Sir Guest there are
;

The Knight uttered a cry. but four. And, after all, what matter ?
" You, Robin Hood Ah bless you Put the money in your purse, and say no
! !

a, thousand times. I swear with all the more on't."

sincerity of a grateful heart loyally to " When shall I repay it ? " asked the
repay the money." Knight.
'*
I will count on it. Sir Knight. Little " One year from this, day for day, an
John," Robin added, " you know where to that will suit you, and I am still of this
find our horde, since you are treasurer world," said Robin.
Df the Forest go seek me four hundred
;
" Agreed."
crowns. As for you. Will, go look in " Beneath this tree."
my wardrobe and see whether there be " I will attend punctually, Robin Hood,"
not a garment worthy of our guest there." repHed the Knight, as he wrung the
" In truth, Robin Hood, your goodness young Chief's hand with effusive grati-
is so great .
." cried the Knight.
. tude. " But ere we part, let me tell you
" Peace, peace," interrupted Robin, that all the praises lavished on you cannot
laughingly. " We
have just entered upon equal those which fill my heart you have
;

an agreement, and I must honour you saved more than my life you have saved ;

as the envoy of the Holy Virgin. Will, my wife and children."

idd to the clothes some ells of fine cloth " Master," replied Robin Hood, " you
put new harness on the grey horse which are a Saxon, and that name alone doth
the Bishop of Hereford committed to our give you a claim upon my friendship
:are ;and. Will, my friend, add to these beside which, you have another interest
—
nodest gifts all that your inventive mind for me that of distress. I am what men
:an think of as necessary to a Knight." call a robber, a thief —
so be it But !

Little John and Will hastened to an I extort money from the rich, I take
iccomplish their mission. naught from the poor. I detest violence,
"_ Cousin," said John, " thy hands be and I shed no blood I love my country,
;

(limbler than mine, count the money and the Norman race is odious to me
whilst I measure the cloth my bow because to usurpation they have added
;

ivill serve for yard measure." tyranny. Nay, never thank me I have ;

" Cartes," replied Will, with a laugh, done but my duty you had naught, and
'the measure will be good." I gave to you
—
'tis
;

only just."
" It will, as thou shalt see." "Say what you will, your conduct
Little John took his bow in one hand, toward me is noble and generous you, ;
 ; ;

42 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

a stranger, have done more for me than
all they which call themselves my friends.
May God bless you, Robin, for you have
brought joy to my heart. At all times
and in every place I shall be your debtor,
and I pray Heaven to enable me to prove
my gratitude some day. Farewell, Robin
Hood farewell, true friend In one year
! !
I will return to pay my debt."
" Farewell, Sir Knight," replied Robin,
and Much were absent at all hours of
the day without apparent motive. These
absences became so frequent that Robin
wished to know the cause of them. He
made inquiries, and learnt that his cousin
Winifred, being very fond of walking,
had asked Little John to show her the
most noteworthy parts of the Forest.
" Good " said Robin.
!
" So much for
Little John now for Much." He was
;

shaking his guest warmly by the hand told that Barbara, sharing her sister's
" and should fate bring me to a pass curiosity as to the beauties of the country,
where I need your help, believe me, I had wished to accompany her in these
shall not fail to ask it without com- woodland rambles; but that Little John,
punction or reserve." with praiseworthy prudence, had told the
" May God hear you My
! greatest young girl that the responsibility of looking
hope is that I may be able to assist you." after the one lady was already very great,
Sir Richard wrung the hands of Will and that it was impossible for him to
and Little John, and bestrode the Bishop accept her company and the extra respon-
of Hereford's dapple grey. The Knight's sibility involved thereby. Consequently,
own mount, laden with Robin Hood's Much offered his protection to Mistress
presents, was to follow its master. Barbara, and she accepted it. So the
As Robin Hood watched his temporary two couples wandered among the trees
guest disappear at a bend of the road, he and into the most mysterious and gloomy
said to his companions, " We
have made recesses of the woods, talking the while
a man happy the day hath been well of no one knows what. They forgot to
;

spent." look at the objects they had come to see

and the old gnarled oaks, the beeches
with their graceful boughs, the secular
CHAPTER V elms, passed before their eyes without
attracting the least attention. Then a
MARIAN and Maude had been living coincidence, stranger even than this in-
at Barnsdale Hall for a month difference to the beauties of nature, always
past, and they could not return to their led them to remote paths, and they never
old mode of life until their health was met till they came to the gate of the Hall
quite re-established, for it must not be as the stars began to peep out.
forgotten that the young women had These walks, repeated daily, sufficiently
become mothers. explained to Robin the absence of his
But Robin Hood could not endure the two companions.
prolonged absence of his beloved com- It was the evening of a scorching day,
panion, and one day, carrying with him and a warm zephyr fanned the air, when
part of his band, he took up his abode Marian and Maude, leaning on the arms
in Barnsdale Forest. William, who had of Robin and William, set out from the
naturally followed his young chief, soon Hall to take a long walk in the fragrant
declared that the subterranean dwelling, glades of the Forest. Winifred and Bar-
constructed hastily in the neighbourhood bara followed the two young couples,
of the Hall, was infinitely preferable to while Little John and his inseparable
that in the great Forest of Sherwood or, friend Much shadowed the two sisters.
;

at least, if it wanted certain things to " Here I can breathe," said Marian,
complete the well-being of the troop, the holding up her pale face to the breeze.
proximity of Barnsdale Hall was a very " There seems no air in a room, and I
agreeable compensation. long to return to the Forest once again."
Robin and William were enchanted at " Then life in the woods is very plea-
their change of abode, and two young sant ? " questioned Mistress Barbara.
people of our acquaintance shared in "Yea," replied Marian; "there is so
their unreserved satisfaction for the same much sunshine, light, shade, flowers, and
reason these two young men were Little foliage."
;

John and Much Cockle, the miller's son. " Much told me yesterday," continued
Robin soon perceived that Little John Barbara, " that Sherwood Forest dotb
 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 43
surpass Barnsdale in beauty but if that Barbara? Why look
; down, Winifred?
is so, it must contain all the marvels of Look John and Much, neither of them
at
creation, for here we have the most is embarrassed they know so well that
;

bewitching spots." you get lost in the wood without mean-

" You think Barnsdale Wood very ing it."
pretty, then, Barbara ? " said Robin, con- " Yea, i'faith " answered Much " and
!
;

cealing a smile. knowing Mistress Barbara's fancy for

" It is charming," replied the girl, quiet and retired spots, I took her to the
vivaciously ;
" there are such beautiful little valley which she hath just described."
views in it." " I am forced to believe," said Robin,
" Which part of the wood particularly " that Barbara doth possess a great talent
"
attracts your attention, cousin ? for observation to have been able to take
" I cannot well reply to your question, in at one glance all the charming details
Robin ; but I think I prefer a valley, which she hath just depicted. But tell
which I am certain hath not its equal in me, Barbara, did you not find in this
old Sherwood Forest." oasis of Barnsdale —
as you call the vale
" And where is this valley ? "
" Some distance from here.
—
discovered by Much something still more
But you charming yet than the trees with varied
can imagine nothing fresher, m.ore still, green, the verdant sward, the murmuring
or more fragrant than that little spot. stream and the many-hued flowers ? "
Picture to yourself, cousin, a large lawn Barbara blushed.
with sloping sides, on the summit of " I do not know what you mean, cousin."
which all kinds of trees grow in pro- " Oh, indeed ! Much will understand
fusion. The different varieties of leaves better than you, I hope. Come now.
lit up by the sunshine take on marvellous Much, answer frankly : Hath not Bar-
aspects now you see before you a curtain
; bara forgotten to tell us of some charming
of emeralds, anon a veil of multitudinous episode connected with your visit to this
"
colours unrolls itself beneath your gaze. terrestrial paradise ?
The turf which covers this dell is like a " What episode, Robin ? " asked the
large green carpet without a wrinkle to young man, with the shadow of a smile.
break its smooth surface. Scatter flowers " My discreet friend," replied Robin,
of purple and gold and all the colours of " have you never known two young
the rainbow over the declivities beneath people, attracted by one another, go alone
the trees, imagine a slender thread of to this delicious retreat, the memory of
water rippling through the shady ravine, which is engraved on Barbara's heart ? "
and you will have before you the oasis of Much blushed painfully.
Barnsdale Forest. And then," continued " Well," continued Robin, " two young
the girl, " the stillness is so great in this people, intimate acquaintances of mine,
delicious spot, the air one breathes so visited your terrestrial paradise a few
pure, that the heart swells with joy — in days ago. Arrived on the flowering
very truth I have never in all my life banks of the little stream, they seated
seen so ravishing a place." themselves side by side. At first they
" And where is this enchanted valley, admired the landscape, listened to the
Barbara? " asked Winifred, innocently. song of the birds then for some minutes
;

" Oh !then you do not always walk they remained blind and dumb then the ;

about together ? " interrupted Robin, with youth, emboldened by the solitude, the
a smile. stirring silence of his trembling com-
" Yea," added Winifred ;
**
only we panion, took her two little hands in his.
—
always lose each other no, I mean to The maiden did not raise her eyes, but
—
say very often at least sometimes. I she blushed, and this blush spoke for her.
mean to say that Little John loses the Then, in a voice which to the girl sounded
way, and then we get separated we seek sweeter than the song of birds, more
;

for each other, but I do not know how melodious than the murmur of the breeze,
it happens that we never meet until we the young man said to her, There is no
'

arrive at the Hall. This continual sepa- one in all the world I love so much as
ration is quite accidental, I assure you." you I would rather die than lose your
;

"Yea, truly; quite accidental," Robin love and if you will be my wife, you
;

returned mockingly ;
" and no one sup- will make me the happiest of men.' Tell
poses the contrary. Then why blush, me, Barbara," added Robin, with a smile,
 ; ;

44 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

" do you know whether the maiden granted " I
beg thy pardon. Will," replied the
" " I love with all my
her lover's fervent prayer? giant, tranquilly.
" I\Iake no reply to such a very indis- heart, and have long done so, a beautiful
creet question, Barbara " cried Marian. ! and charming maid."
"Speak for Barbara, Much," said Robin. " Ha ha " cried Will. " Little John
! !

" You ask us such strange questions," in love here's something new "
; !

replied the young man, strongly inclined " And why should not Little John
to believe that Robin had overheard his be in love ? " asked the youth, good-
tete-a-tete with Barbara, " that it is im- humouredly. " I ween there is naught
possible to gather what they mean." extraordinary in that."
" r faith, Much," said William, " me- my good friend. I
'•
Naught at all,
seemeth Robin speaks truth, and, judging world happy, and love
like to see all the
by your abashed looks and the brilliant is happiness but, by St. Paul I should ; !

colour which o'erspreads my sister's face, very much like to see thy lady love."
you are the lovers of the vale. Upon " My lady love " exclaimed the other. !

my word, Barbara, if they call me Will "But who could that be save thine
Scarlett because of my ruddy locks, they own sister Winifred, Cousin Will ? Thy
might e'en call th6e Barbara Scarlett, for sister, whom I have loved from child-
thy face is not so, hood as you love Maude, or Much loves
well-nigh purple. Is't
"
Maude ? Barbara."
" Master William," said Barbara, with A general shout of laughter greeted
an air of displeasure, "if thou wert within John's frankness, and Winifred, over-
reach of mine hand, I would have much whelmed with congratulations, threw a
pleasure in pulling out a handful of thine look of tender reproach at the young
ugly locks." giant.
" Thou mightest well behave so, an " Ah, ha Much," Robin resumed, !

those same locks grew on any head save " sooner or later truth will out. I hit the
mine," said William, throwing a look at mark in fixing upon thee as the hero of
Much " but thy brother's head is un- the little scene enacted in Barnsdale
;

assailable. It hath its own particular Wood."

tyrant —eh, Maude ?
"
" You witnessed it, then ?
" asked Much.
" Yea, Will ; but I never pull your hair " Nay ; but I guessed it, or, rather, I
out." recalled mine own impressions. The
" That will come, little wife." same thing happened to me a year agone
" Never," said Maude, with a laugh. Marian had enticed me .
." .

" Then, Much, thou wilt not tell me " What, / enticed you ? " cried the
what answer the maiden gave thee ? " young wife. " I would have you re-
" If you should e'er meet that maiden, member that it was yon, Robin, and had
you can ask her yourself, Robin." I foreseen then how you would treat me
" I will not fail. And
you, Little John, after our marriage ." . .

do you know any youth who loves a " What would you have done in that
"
tcte-a-tete with a charming lady ? case ? " interrupted Barbara.
" Nay, Robin, but if you wish to know "
I should have married all the sooner,

dear Barbara," replied the young wife,

these lovers, I will strive to discover them
for you," replied Little John, naively. smiling at her husband.
" I have just thought of something, " There, I hope that is an answer which
John," cried Will, bursting out a-laughing.will encourage the confidence of which
" These lovers of whom Robin speaks you have already given secret proof, saucy
are not unknown to thee, and I dare Barbara. Come, make a clean breast of
wager what thou wilt that the young man it we are all one family. Tell us that
;

in question might be called my cousin, you love Much, and Much on his part
while the maiden is a sweet lady of this will avow the same."
neighbourhood." " Yea, I will avow it," cried Much, with
" Art wrong. Will," answered John deep emotion. " I will cry aloud, I love '

*'
it is naught to do with me." Barbara Gamwell with all my strength.'
" Certes, I am on the v/rong track," I will say to all who will listen,' Barbara'^
returned Will, with a smile " it could eyes are the light of my day, her sweel
;

not have been thou, for thou hast never thrilling voice echoes in mine ears like
been in love." the harmonious notes of singing birds;
 — ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 45

I prefer the company of my dear Barbara a true heart, and thou wilt be a happy
to the pleasures of the feast and the husband. Barbara, my love. Much is a
elation of the dance beneath the green good man, a brave Saxon, true as steel.
leaves of spring I would rather a tender; He will never disappoint thy tender hopes
look from her eyes, a smile from her lips he will love thee for ever."
or the pressure of her little hand, than all " For ever and ever," cried Much,
the riches of the world. I am entirely taking the hands of his betrothed in his.
devoted to Barbara, and sooner than do " Embrace thy future wife, friend
anything to annoy her, I would e'en ask Much," said Will.
the Sheriff of Nottingham to send me to The young man obeyed, and, despite
the gallows.' Yea, good friends, I love Mistress Gamwell's pretended resistance,
the dear maid, and I call down all the he touched her crimson cheeks with his
holy blessings of Heaven upon her fair lips.
head. If she will give me the happiness The Knight gave his consent to the
of protecting her with my name and life, marriage of his daughters, and the data
she shall be happy and very, very tenderly of the double wedding was fixed forth-
beloved." with.
Hurrah
" "
cried Will, throwing his
! Next morning Robin Hood, Little John,
cap into the air, " 'tis right well spoken. and Will Scarlett were gathered, with about
Dry your eyes, little sister, and I give a hundred of their Merrie Men, beneath
you permission to present your pink nay, — the old trees of Barnsdale Forest, when a
scarlet —
cheeks to this brave wooer. If, young man, who appeared to have come
instead of being a lusty lad, I were but a from a distance, presented himself before
feeble maiden, and I had heard such Robin.
sweet things said, I should have already " Noble master," said he, " I bring you
given my
hand and heart to my lover. good tidings."
Would you not have done the same, " Very good, George," replied the
Maude ? You know you would." young man. " Let us hear them quickly.
Nay, Will, modesty
<' ." What is it all about ? "
. .

" We are a family party, there is no " It is about a visit of the Bishop of
need to blush at so natural an action. I Hereford. His Lordship, accompanied
am assured, Maude, that you are of mine by a score of his servants, will traverse
own opinion. If I were Much and you Barnsdale Wood this very day."
were Barbara, you would be already in " Bravo This is indeed good tidings-
!

mine arms, and I should embrace you Dost know at what hour my Lord Bishop
"
with all my heart." will give us the honour of his company ?
" I am on William's side," said Robin, " About two o'clock, Captain."
smiling a little maliciously. " Barbara " Good. How didst learn of his Lord-
must give us a proof of her affection for ship's journey ? "
Much." " From one of our men, who, in passing
Thus called on, the maiden advanced through Sheffield, learnt that the Bishop
to the centre of the merry group, and of Hereford proposed paying a visit to St.
said timidly Mary's Abbey."
" I sincerely believe in the love which " Art a good lad, George, and I thank
Much doth bear me, and I am very grate- thee for thy kind thought in putting me
ful to him for it. In return I must avow on my guard. My sons," added Robin,
that . that
.
."
. . " pay heed to my words, and we will have
.

"That you love him as much as he a merry jest. Will Scarlett, take with
loves thee," added Will, quickly. " Your thee a score of men, and go guard the
speech is slow to-day, little sister. I road near thy father's house. Thou,
assure you it took me much less time Little John, go with a like number of
to make Maude understand that I loved companions to the path leading to the
her with my whole heart, did it not, north of the Forest. Much, thou wilt
"
Maude ? post thyself at the eastern side of the
" That is young wood with the rest of the band. I will
true, Will," replied the
wife. take up my position on the high-road.
" Much," continued William, more We must not give his Lordship an oppor-
seriously, " I give thee sweet Barbara to tunity of escaping, for I am fain to invite
wife she doth possess all the qualities of him to take part in a right royal feast he
; ;

D
 "

46 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

will be treated nobly, but he must pay for from our labours and to amuse ourselves
it. As for thee, George, thou wilt choose a little, with which idea we killed the two
a deer of good growth and a fine fat roe, fine roes you see before you."
and thou wilt prepare two joints to receive " Of a truth, ye wished to amuse your-
the honours of my table." selves! This is but an artless answer.
When his three lieutenants had set Come, say, who gave you permission to
"
out with their little band of men, Robin hunt the King's game ?
ordered those who were left to dress "No one."
themselves as shepherds (the outlaws "No one, varlet and think ye to calmly
!

kept every kind of disguise in their enjoy the product of so shameless a theft ?
stores), and himself donned a modest " Of a surety, my Lord but an if your
;

smock-frock. This transformation com- Lordship would take your share, we

plete, they planted sticks in the ground, should hold ourselves highly honoured."
to which they suspended the deer, and " Thine offer is an insult, insolent
the flames of a goodly fire, fed with dry shepherd I decline it with scorn.
; Art
branches, soon began to lick the savoury not aware that poaching is punishable by
venison. death ? Peace enough of these useless
;

Towards two o'clock, as George had words. Prepare to follow me to prison,

announced, the Bishop of Hereford and from whence ye will all be conducted to
his suite appeared at the end of the road, the gallows."
in the middle of which sat Robin and his " The gallows " cried Robin, with an
!

men disguised as shepherds. air of despair.

" The prey approaches," said Robin, " Yea, my lad, to the gallows."
with a laugh. " Come, merry friends, " I have no wish to be hanged," groaned

baste the meat here is our guest."

; Robin Hood, in doleful accents.
The Bishop, accompanied by his suite, " Of that I am very sure, but it matters
moved quickly, and the noble company little thou and thy companions deserve
;

soon came up with the shepherds. the noose. Come, fools, prepare to follow
At sight of the gigantic spit turning me I have no time to waste."
;

slowly above the fire, the Prelate gave " Pardon, my Lord, a thousand pardons.
vent to an outburst of violent anger. We have sinned in ignorance be merciful
;

" How is this, rogues? what means.. .?" to poor wretches who are more deserving
Robin Hood raised his eyes to the of pity than of blame."
Bishop, and looked at him stolidly, but "Poor wretches who eat such good
made no reply. roast meat are not to be pitied. Ah, my
" Do ye not hear me, villains ? " repeated fine fellows, you feed yourselves on the
the Bishop. " I ask for whom do ye King's venison
"
it is well
; —
very well I

prepare this noble feast ? Together will we go into the presence

•'
For whom ? repeated Robin, with of His Majesty, and we shall see if he
"
an admirably affected expression of will grant you the pardon which I refuse."
simplicity. " My Lord," continued Robin, in a
" Yea, for whom ? The deer of this supplicating voice, " we have wives and
Forest belong to the King, and I deem children be merciful, I implore you, in
;

you mighty insolent varlets in daring to the name of their weakness and their
lay hands upon it. Answer my question. innocence. What would happen to the
" "
For whom is this repast prepared ? poor creatures without our support ?
" For ourselves, my Lord," replied " What care I for your wives and
Robin. children ? " returned the Bishop, harshly.
" For you, fool ? for you ? What a " Seize the varlets," he added, turning to
jest! Never think to make me believe his followers, " and if they attempt to
that this profusion of food is for your escape, slay them without pity."
repast." " My Lord," said Robin Hood, " allow
" My Lord, I speak truth we be hungry me to give you some good advice.
;
Take
men, and since the roast is cooked to a back your unjust words; they breathe
turn, we will e'en sit down to it." of violence, and are lacking in Christian
" To what estate do ye belong ? Who charity. Believe me, it were wiser for
are ye ?" you to accept the offer I have just made
" Simple shepherds who guard our you, to partake of our dinner."
flocks. To-day we wished to seek repose " I forbid you to address another
 ;; —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 47
word to me," cried the Bishop, furiously. When they were arrived at the trysting-
" Soldiers, seize the robbers " tree, Robin made his prisoner sit down
!

" Stand back " cried Robin, in a voice on a grassy hillock, and bade one of his
!

of thunder, " or, by Our Lady, you will men bring some water.
" " Will you be pleased, my Lord, to
repent it !

" Have at the vile serfs roundly," re- lave your hands and face," asked the
peated the Bishop, " and spare them not." young Chief, politely.
The Bishop's servants hurled them- Although very much surprised at re-
selves upon the group of Merrie Men, and ceiving such a suggestion, the Bishop
the melee threatened to become a bloody condescendingly acquiesced. This done,
one, when Robin wound his horn, and Robin added
instantly the rest of the band, who, " Will you do me the honour of sharing
warned of the Bishop's presence, had my repast ? I am about to dine, for I
stolen up quietly, made their appearance. cannot administer justice fasting,"
The first task of the new-comers was " I will dine, if you insist upon it," re-
to disarm the Bishop's escort. plied the Bishop, in a tone of resignation.
" My Lord," said Robin to the Prelate, " I do not insist, my
Lord I pray you." ;

who had fallen dumb with terror on find- " Then I yield me to your prayer, Sir
ing into whose hands he had fallen, " you Robin."
have shown yourself pitiless ; we will " Good, my Lord ; to dinner, then."
show no pity neither. What is to be With these words, Robin led his guest
done to the man who would have
"
sent to the banqueting hall that is to say, —
us to the gallows ? asked Robin of his towards a green sward spangled with
companions. flowers, where the meal was already set
" His dress must mitigate the severity out.
of his sentence," replied John, quietly The festive board, laden with dishes,
*' he
must not be made to suffer." presented a pleasing spectacle, and its
" Your speech is that of an honest man, appearance seemed to lighten the Prelate's
good Forester." dismal forebodings. Having fasted since
" Think you so, Lord ? " my
replied the night before, the Bishop was hungry,
John, quite unconcerned. " Well, I will and the stimulating odour of the venison
further disclose to you my
peaceful in- mounted to his head.
tentions. Instead of torturing you, both " These," he said, sitting down, " are
body and soul, and killing you by slow admirably cooked viands."
degrees, we will simply cut oft" your head." " And of a delicious flavour," added
" Simply cut off my head " groaned ! Robin, helping his guest to a choice
the Bishop, in a voice of despair. morsel.
" Yea," replied Robin *'
you must ; By the middle of the feast the Bishop
prepare for death, my Lord." had forgotten his fears by the time ;

" Robin Hood, have pity on me, I do dessert came, he looked upon Robin only
!

beseech you " besought the Bishop, as an amiable companion.

clasping his hands. " Grant me a few " My excellent friend, he said, " your
hours I would
; fain not die without wine is delicious, it warms my heart. A
confession." while agone I was cold, I was ill, sorrow-
" Verily, your erstwhile haughtiness ful, anxious now I feel quite light-
;

hath given place to very great humility, hearted,"

my Lord," responded Robin, coldly
" but this humility doth naught affect
me. You are condemned out of your
own mouth, therefore prepare your soul
to appear before God. Little John," he
added, making a sign to his friend, ** see
to it that the ceremony lacketh naught
of due solemnity. Will you follow me,
my Lord ? I will lead
" I am very happy to hear you say so,
my Lord, for you praise my hospitality.
My guests are generally enchanted at
the good cheer they are welcomed here
withal. However, there comes a bad
quarter of an hour with them when it
comes to the settlement of the account.
They are very happy to receive, but they
you to the Court are very loth to give it really seems
;

of Justice." quite disagreeable to them,"

Half paralysed with fear, the Bishop " True, very true," replied the Prelate,
dragged himself along, tottering, in the not knowing in the least what he meant
wake of Robin Hood. by this approval. " Yea, truly, such is
 — — —
48 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
the case. Give me another bumper, an it " MyLord, we thank you for your
please you meseemeth there is a fire in generosity," hs only closed his eyes
;

my veins. Ah mine host, do you

! know completely and muttered some confused
"
you lead a very happy life here ? words, of which Robin caught the follow-
" That is why we are called the Merrie ing only
Men of the Forest." " Saint Mary's Abbey at once .
." .

"That is right, that is right. Now, " He is fain to set forth," said John.
Sir — I do not rightly know your name " Order his horse to be brought up,"
allow me to bid you farewell I must added Robin.
;

continue my journey." At a sign from John one of the Merrie

" Naught could be more reasonable, my Men brought up the horse ready saddled
Lord. I pray you, pay your reckoning, and with its head garlanded with flowers.
and prepare to drink the stirrup-cup." The Bishop was hoisted half asleep
" Pay my reckoning " grumbled the into his saddle, and tied on to prevent
!

Bishop. " Am
I, then, in an inn ? I believed a fall, which might prove serious then, ;

myself to be in Sherwood Forest." followed by his little company, enlivened

" Lord, you are in an inn I am by the wine and good cheer, he took the
My ;

master of the laouse, and these men around road to St, Mary's.
us are my drawers." A
band of the Merrie Men, mingling in
" How say you, all these men are your a friendly way with the Prelate's escort,
drawers ? But there are at least one accompanied the cavalcade to the gates
hundred and fifty or two hundred." of the Abbey.
" Yea, my Lord, not counting the It need scarce be added that after ring,
absentees. You must see, then, that with ing the porter's bell the Foresters hasted
such a following I am bound to make my away as fast as their horses could carry
guests pay as heavily as may be." them.
" Give me my account," said he, " but We
will not attempt to depict the sur-
treat me in a friendly spirit." prise and horror of the reverend brothers
" As a great Lord, Sir Guest, as a great when the Bishop of Hereford appeared i

Lord," replied Robin, gaily. " Little before them with a red face, staggering
John " he called. The latter ran up. gait, and disordered garments.
!

" Make out the charges for my Lord the On the morrow of this fatal day the
Bishop of Hereford." Bishop was mad with shame, rage, and
The Prelate looked at John, and began humiliation. He passed long hours in
to laugh. prayer, asking God to pardon his faults,
"Well indeed, little, little! they call and imploring the Divine protection
you little, and you might be a young against that rogue and villain Robin
tree Come, gentle treasurer, give me Hood.
!

my score." At the request of the outraged Prelate

" That is scarce needful, my Lord only the Prior of St. Mary's armed fifty men
;

tell me where you keep your money, and I and placed them at the disposal of his
will pay myself." guest. Then, his blood boiling with rage,
" Insolent varlet " said the Bishop, " I the Bishop led his little army in pursuit
!

forbid you to poke your long fingers into of the famous outlaw.
my purse. That very day Robin, desiring to see
" I would spare you the trouble of for himself how Sir Richard of the Plain
counting, my Lord." was faring, went alone along a forest
" The trouble of counting Think you path leading to the main road. The sound
!

I am drunk ? Go seek my valise and of an approaching cavalcade attracted his

bring it me I will give you a piece of gold." attention
; he hastened his steps in the
;

Little John hastened to obey the Pre- direction of the sound, and found himself
late's command; he opened the valise face to face with the Bishop of Hereford.
and found a leathern bag. John emptied " Robin Hood " cried the Bishop,
!

it it contained three hundred pieces of recognising

; our hero. '*
It is Robin
"
gold." Hood Traitor, surrender yourself
! !

The Bishop of Hereford, with half- As may be well imagined, Robin Hood
closed eyes, heard John's triumphant ex- had no desire to comply with this request.
clamations without comprehending them, Surrounded on all sides, unable to defend
and when Robin said to him himself or even to call his Merrie Men to
 "
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 49
his aid,he slipped daringly between two "If your enemies discover your retreat
horsemen, who made as if to block his they will kill you," said the old woman.
passage, and darted with the swiftness " Be not uneasy, good mother. They
of a deer towards a little house standing shall not accomplish their end. We will
about a quarter of a mile away. invent a plan for saving ourselves from
The Bishop's men started in pursuit of their violence."
the young man, but, being forced to make " What plan, my son ? Speak I am ;

a detour, they could not reach as soon ready to obey you."

as he did the house in which he sought " Will you exchange your garments for
"
shelter. mine ?

Robin Hood found the door of the " Exchange our garments " cried the !

house open, and entering, he barricaded old dame. " I fear, my son, that would
the windows, without paying any heed be but a useless trick. How could you
to the cries of the old woman within transform a woman of my age into a gay
seated at her spinning-wheel. young gentleman ? "
" Have no fear, good mother," said " I will disguise you so well, good
Robin, when he had finished closing the mother," replied Robin, "that it will be
doors and windows " I am no thief, but quite possible to deceive the soldiers, to
;

a poor unfortunate man, to whom you can whom my face is probably unknown.
render a service." You must feign to be drunk, and my
" What service ? What is your name ? Lord of Hereford will be so anxious to
demanded the old dame, in very uneasy seize my person that he will look only
tones. at your dress."
" I aman outlaw, good mother I am The transformation was quickly effected.
;

Robin Hood. The Bishop of Hereford Robin put on the old woman's grey
pursues me to take my
life." gown then he helped her to dress her-
;

"
" Eh, what ? are Robin Hood ?
You self in his hose, tunic, and buskins.
said the peasant dame, clasping her hands This done, Robin hid the peasant's grey
— " the noble and generous Robin Hood hair under his elegant cap, and attached
!

God be praised for enabhng a poor his weapons to her belt.

creature like myself to pay her debt of The double disguise was just completed
gratitude to the charitable outlaw Look when the soldiers arrived at the door of
!

at me, my son, and search the memory of the cottage.

your good deeds for the features of her First they knocked repeatedly then a ;

who speaks with you now. It is two soldier proposed that he should make his
years agone. An ungrateful woman would horse kick in the door.
say you came in here by chance I say
; The Prelate received the proposition
you were sent by Divine Providence. favourably, whereupon the horseman,
You found me quite alone. I had just lost turning his horse round, backed it against
my husband there was naught left for the door, at the same time pricking it up
;

me but death. Your sweet and consoling with his lance. This produced an effect
words gave me back courage, strength, contrary to that expected by the soldier,
and health. The next day a man, sent for the animal reared and threw his rider
by your orders, brought me food, clothing, to the ground.
and money. I asked him the name of This accident to the poor soldier, who
my generous benefactor, and he answered shot through the air with the rapidity of
me, He is called Robin Hood.' Since an arrow, had a disastrous effect. The
'

that day, my son, I have alway remem- Bishop, who had come up to see the door
bered you in my prayers. My
house and fall in and to prevent Robin Hood from
my life are yours; do as you will with escaping, was struck violently in the face
your servant." by the soldier's spurs.
" I thank you, good mother," re- The pain caused by this blow so
plied Robin Hood, cordially pressing the exasperated the old man that, without
woman's trembling hands. " I crave thinking of the unjust cruelty of his rage,
your help, not through fear of danger, he raised the mace which he carried in
but to avoid useless shedding of blood. his hand as a token of his rank, and
The Bishop is accompanied by fifty men, unmercifully beat the unlucky wretch,
and, as you see, a struggle between us who lay half dead under the hoofs of
is impossible —
I am but one." the plunging horse.
 "

50 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

In the midst of this valiant proceeding " Thine arrow could not touch her," y
the cottage door opened. replied Will, laughing.
" Close your ranks " cried the Bishop,
!
" And wherefore, I pray thee ? Dost
in a tone of command " close your doubt my skill ? "
;

ranks
!
" Not the least in the world but an if,
;

The confusion around as thou dost suppose, this woman is a

soldiers pressed in
the cottage.
The Bishop dismounted, but as he arrow."
touched the ground, he stumbled over the
witch, she could arrest the flight of thine
" By my faith " quoth Much, who had
!

body of the soldier, where it lay welter- kept his attention fixed on the strange
ing in blood, and fell head foremost figure, " I share Little John's opinion.
through the open doorway. This doth seem a very extraordinary old
The confusion caused by this ludicrous dame her figure is gigantic, and, more-
;

accident served Robin Hood's turn ad- over, she doth not walk like a woman,
mirably. Stunned and breathless, the she covers the ground with prodigious
Bishop saw, without examining closely, strides. Verily she afFrighteth me and if ;

a figure standing motionless in the darkest you will suffer it. Will, we will e'en prove
corner of the room. the power of the sorcery she seems so
" Seize the rogue " cried his Lordship, richly endowed withal."
!

pointing out the old woman to his soldiers. " Act not so rashly, Much," replied
" Gag him, bind him to a horse. You are Will. " The garments this poor creature
answerable for his safe keeping with your wears claim our respect and for me, you
;

lives, for if ye let him escape, ye shall know I could not hurt a woman. Beside,
all hang without mercy." who knows whether this strange creature
The soldiers rushed upon the person be verily a witch ? One must not judge
indicated by their leader's furious outcry, by appearances, for ofttimes it happens
and in default of a gag they muffled up that an ugly rind doth enclose an excel-
the old woman's face in a large hand- lent fruit. In spite of her ridiculous
kerchief which happened to be handy. looks, the poor old dame is, mayhap, a
Bold to rashness, Robin Hood in a good wench and an honest Christian. Be
trembling voice implored mercy for the kind to her, and, to make the indulgence
prisoner but the Bishop thrust him easier, call to mind Robin's orders, which
;

aside and left the cottage, after enjoying do straitly forbid any hostile or even
the intense satisfaction of seeing his disrespectful doings toward women."
enemy bound hand and foot on the back Little John made as if to bend his bow
of a horse. and take aim at the supposed witch.
Sick and half blinded by the wound " Hold " cried a deep and sonorous
!

which had gashed his face, his Lordship voice.

remounted and ordered his men to follow The three men uttered a cry of surprise.
him to the Trysting Tree of the outlaws. " I am Robin Hood," added the person
It was upon the highest branch of this who had puzzled the Foresters so sorely,
that the Bishop proposed to hang Robin. and while declaring his name, Robin tore
The worthy man was determined to give off the head-dress which covered his head
the outlaws a terrible warning of the fate and part of his face. " I was quite un-
in store for them, if they continued to recognisable, then ? " asked our hero, as
follow their worthless leader's mode of life. he joined his comrades.
Nosooner had the cavalcade disap- " You are very ugly, my good friend,"
peared into the depths of the wood, than replied Will.
Robin Hood left the cottage and ran " Why
did you assume such an un-
towards the Trysting Tree. becoming disguise ? " asked Much.
He had just entered a glade when he Robin related to his friends as briefly
perceived Little John, Will Scarlett, and as possible the mishap which had befallen
Much at some little distance. him.
" See there in the centre of the clearing," " Now," he continued, having ended
said Little John to his two friends, " what his tale, " we must think about defending
a strange creature approaches it looks
; ourselves. First of all, I must have
like an old witch. By'r Lady, if I thought clothes. You, good Much, will do me
the vixen had evil intentions, I would let the service of hastening to the store-house
fly an arrow at her." and bringing me thence some suitable
 " ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 51

garments. Meanwhile, Will and Little
John assemble
will all the men who are
m the Forest round about the Trysting
Tree. Hasten, my lads; I promise you
compensation for all the trouble caused
us by my Lord Bishop of Hereford."
if the order to attack the bandits was
easy enough to give, it was more difficult
to carry out, for they did not stir.
At a signal from Robin, the Foresters
adjusted their arrows, lifting their bows
with admirable uniformity and their re-
;

Little John and Will dashed off into
the Forest in different directions, while
Much went in search of the garments
required by Robin.
An hour later Robin, arrayed in an
putation for skill was so widely known
and so renowned that the Bishop's sol-
diers, unable to remain inactive, stooped
in their saddles as one man.
" Down with your arms " cried Robin
!

elegant hunting-suit, arrived at the Tryst- Hood. " Unbind the prisoner."
ing Tree. The soldiers obeyed the young man's
John brought sixty men, and Will had orders.
collected forty. " Mygood mother," said Robin, leading
Robin dispersed his men among the the old woman beyond the glade, "go
thickets which formed an impenetrable home now, and to-morrow I will send
background to the clearing, and seated you a reward for your kind action. Go
himself at the foot of the great tree quick. I have no time to thank you now,
designed by his Lordship to serve as a but forget not that my gratitude is great."
gallows. The old dame kissed Robin Hood's
Scarce were these arrangements com- hands, and went her way, accompanied by
pleted, ere the ground echoed with the a guide.
sound of the approaching cavalcade, " O Lord, have pity on me " cried
!

and the Bishop arrived, followed by his the Bishop, wringing his hands.
escort. Robin Hood drew nearer to his enemy.
When the soldiers had made their way " Welcome, my Lord," said he, in a
to the middle of the clearing, the blast of wheedling tone, " and permit me to thank
a horn rang through the air, the foliage you for your visit. My hospitality, I see,
of the young trees stirred, and from every proved so attractive that you could not
side emerged men armed to the teeth. resist the desire of once more partaking
A cold shudder ran through the Bishop its delights."
at sight of the Foresters' formidable ap- The Bishop gazed despairingly at
pearance. The latter ranged themselves Robin, and a deep sigh escaped him.
in battle array at a sign from their Chief, " You appear downcast, my Lord,"
who had not yet been perceived by the Robin continued. " What troubles you ?
Prelate he threw a glance of dismay Are not you pleased to meet with me
;

"
around him, and discovered a young man again ?
clad in a scarlet tunic, with words of " I cannot well say that I am pleased,"
command on his lips, directing the band replied the Bishop, " for, indeed, the
of outlaws. plight in which I find myself renders
" Who is this man ? " demanded the that impossible. You can readily guess
Bishop of a soldier standing beside the my intention in coming here, and your
prisoner, who was bound to a horse. conscience will acquit you if you avenge
" That man is Robin Hood," replied yourself on me, for you will be striking an
the prisoner, in trembling tones. enemy. However, let me say this much.
" Robin Hood " quoth the Bishop. Let me go free, and never, under any
1

" And who, then, art thou, wretch ? " circumstances whatever, will I seek to
—
" I am but a woman, my Lord a poor harm you. Let me go with my men, and
old woman." your soul Avill not have to answer to God
" Woe be to thee, malignant hag " for a mortal sin, for such it would surely
!

cried the infuriated Bishop, " woe be to be, were you to attempt the life of a
thee !Come, my men," continued his high priest of the Holy Church."
Lordship, beckoning to his men, " charge " I detest murder and violence, my
down the glade. Fear nothing; force a Lord," replied Robin Hood, "as mine
road with your swords through the ranks actions do daily prove. I never attack

of these rogues. Forward, my brave I am content to defend my life and the

lads,forward! lives of my brave followers, who trust in

Doubtless the brave lads thought that me. Did I cherish in my heart the least
 " ;

52 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

sentiment of hate or rancour toward you, expenses. Your men are hungry ; they
my Lord, I would inflict on you the same ask for food. Your horses are satisfied
death which you had intended for me. already nor must we be the sufferers by
;

But it is not so. I bear you no ill will, your abstemiousness, and receive naught,
and I take no vengeance on those who because it doth not please you to accept
have not succeeded in harming me. of anything. We
demand largess for the
Therefore I will set you free, but on one servants who have had the trouble of
condition only." entertaining man and beast."
" Speak, Sir," said the Bishop, gra- " Take what you will," answered the
ciously. Bishop, impatiently, " and let me go."
" You must promise to respect my " Is the money still in the same place ? "
independence and the liberty of my men asked Little John, ;

you must swear that at no future period " It is here," replied the Bishop, show-
and under no circumstances whatever ing a little leathern bag attached to his
will you lend a hand to any attempt upon saddle-bow.
my life." "It heavier than at your last
feels
"have willingly promised to do you
I visit, my
Lord."
no harm," replied the Bishop, suavely. " I should well think so," responded the
" A promise is not binding on an un- Bishop, making a desperate effort to appear
scrupulous conscience, my Lord. I must cooland calm ;
" it contains a much larger
have an oath." sum."
" I swear by St. Paul to let you live " You shall watch me take it away, my
as you please." Lord ; and may
I ask how much there is
" Very good, my Lord you are free." "
;
saddle-bag ?
in this elegant
" I thank you a thousand times, Robin " Five hundred pieces of gold ." . .

Hood. Will you be so good as to give " Admirable What generosity to come !

an order to my men to assemble they ; here with such a treasure " said the
!

have dispersed, and are fraternising with young man, ironically.

your companions." " This treasure," stammered the Bishop
" I will do as you wish, my Lord in a ;
— " shall we not divide it ? You dare not
few minutes the men will be in the saddle. utterly despoil me
"
rob me of so large a —
In the mean time will you accept some sum ?
" "
slight refreshment ? " Rob you ! repeated Little John, dis-
" Nay, nay I wish for naught," the
! dainfully. "What do you mean by such
Bishop answered hastily, terrified at the a word ? Do you not comprehend the
mere mention of the word. difference between robbing and taking
" You have been long fasting, my Lord, from a man what is not his ? You have
and a slice of pasty ." . . obtained this money on false pretences
" Not a morsel, good host not a mouth- — you took it from those who needed it, and
ful even." I shall return it to them. Thus you see,
" A cup of good wine, then ? my Lord, I do not rob you."
" " " We call our way the woodland philo-
Nay, nay, a hundred times nay !

" You will neither eat nor drink with sophy," said Robin, with a laugh.
me, my Lord " ? " The legality of such philosophy is
" I am neither hungry nor thirsty. I doubtful," returned the Bishop " but ;

wish to depart, that Do

not seek having no means of defence, I must sub-
is all.
to detain me longer, I pray you." mit to anything you may exact. Therefore,
" As you please, my Lord. Little John," take my purse."
added Robin, " his Reverence wishes to " I have another request to make, my
leave us." Lord," Little John continued.
" His Reverence is at perfect liberty," " What is it ? " questioned the Bishop,
growled John. " I will give him his anxiously.
bill." Our spiritual adviser," replied Little
"
"My bill!" repeated the Bishop, in John, "is not at Barnsdale just now,
surprise. " What do you mean ? I have and as it is long since we have profited
neither eaten nor drunken." by his pious instructions, we would beg
" Oh that boots not," replied Little of you,
! Lord, to say a Mass for my
John, calmly " from the moment you us."
;

enter the hostelry, you must share its " What profane request is this you dare
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 53

make to me ?
" cried the Bishop. " I that had ever been served in the green-
would liever die than do aught so wood.
impious." Led insensibly toward the merry revel-
" Nevertheless, it is your duty, my lersby Robin, the Bishop watched them
Lord," replied Robin, " to help us at all with an envious eye, and the sight of their
times to adore the Lord. Little John is gaiety dissipated the last vestiges of his
right ;for long weeks we have not been bad temper.
able to take part in the Holy Office of the " Your men employtheir time well,"
Mass, and we would not lose this fortunate said Robin, pointing out the most
opportunity I pray you, therefore, be so
; voracious group amongst them.
kind as to prepare yourself to satisfy our " They certainly eat with a good
very proper demands." appetite."
" It would be a mortal sin, a crime, and " They must be hungry, my Lord ; it is

I should expect to be struck by the hand two o'clock, and myself

need of
I feel the
of God, did I commit this unworthy something. Will you play your part in a
sacrilege!" replied the Bishop, purple little unceremonious dinner ? "
with rage. " Thank you, my dear host," replied
*'
MyLord," continued Robin, gravely, the Bishop, trying to remain deaf to the
"we reverence with the most Christian repeated appeals of his stomach " I wish ;

humility the divine symbols of the Catholic for nothing, absolutely nothing, although
faith, and, believe me, you will never find, I am a little hungry."
even within the walls of your vast Cathe- " You should never disregard the calls of
dral, a more attentive or more select nature, my Lord," replied Robin, gravely.
congregation than the Outlaws of Sher- " Mind and body alike suffer thereby, and
wood Forest." the health is injured. Come, let us take
" Can I put any faith in your words ? " our places on this green turf; they will
asked the Bishop, doubtfully. bring us something, and you need only
" Yea, my Lord, and you will soon eat a little bread, an if you be afraid of
recognise the truth of them." retarding your departure."
" Then I will believe you. Conduct me " Am I obliged to obey you ? " said the
to the Chapel." Bishop, with a vainly dissimulated ex-
" This way, my Lord." pression of joy.
Robin, followed by the Bishop, made " You are not constrained, my Lord,"
for an enclosure at a short distance from said Robin, maliciously, " and if you are
the Trysting Tree. There, in the centre not pleased to taste of this delicious
of a declivity appeared an altar of earth venison pasty or the exquisite wine con-
embellished with a thick layer of moss tained in this bottle, abstain, I pray you
sprinkled with flowers. All the vessels for it is even more dangerous to force the
necessary for the celebration of the Holy stomach to receive food than to deprive it
Sacrifice were disposed on the high altar of all nourishment for several hours."
with exquisite taste, and His Reverence " Oh, I do not force my stomach,"
marvelled at the beauty of this natural replied the Bishop, laughing. " I am
shrine. endowed with an excellent appetite, and
It was a touching spectacle to see the as I have been long fasting, why, I think
band of 150 or 200 men kneeling in I will e'en accept your kind invitation."
prayer with bared heads. " To table, then, my Lord, and a good
After Mass the Merrie Men testified appetite " !

their gratitude to the Bishop, and he had The Bishop of Hereford dined well.
been so astonished at their respectful He was fond of the bottle, and the wine
attitude during the celebration of the Robin Hood poured out for him was so
Holy Office that he could not resist putting heady that at the end of the repast the
a host of questions to Robin as to his Bishop was quite drunk, and towards
manner of life beneath the trees of the evening he returned to St. Mary's Abbey
old Forest. in a condition of mind and body which
Whilst Robin responded with a charm- drew forth fresh cries of horror and
ing courtesy to the Bishop's questions, indignation from the pious Monks of that
the foresters placed before the soldiers a Monastery.
substantial repast, and Much looked after
the preparation of the most delicate feast
 '

54 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

hungry
brothers, I die of hunger, give
;

CHAPTER VI me
the charity of some food.'
" We
have no provisions with us,'
'

"T SHOULD much like to know how replied the Monk who had first spoken,
± the Bishop of Hereford finds him- therefore cease your useless demands,
'

self to-day," said Will Scarlett to his and let us pursue our way in peace.'
cousin Little John, who, followed by- " Robin Hood, who still held the bridles
Much, was accompanying Will to Barns- of the horses in his hands, prevented the
dale. Monks from escaping him.
•' Prelate's head must be a
The poor " Brothers,' he went on in a still sadder
'

little heavy," replied Much, "though one and weaker voice, have pity on my '

would think that his Lordship was accus- misery, and as you have no bread to
tomed to the abuse of wine." give me, give me instead a small piece
" Your observation is very just, my of money. I have wandered in this wood
friend," replied John " my Lord of Here- since yesterday morning, and have neither
;

ford doth possess the faculty of drinking eaten nor drunk. Good brothers, in the
heavily without losing his senses." name of the Holy Mother of Christ, give
" Robin treated him right pleasantly," me, I conjure you, this small charity.'
" See here, foolish babbler, let go of
said Much. " Does he act thus toward '

"
every Ecclesiastic he encounters ? our bridles leave us in peace we do not; ;

"Yea, when these same Ecclesiastics, wish to waste our time with a witless loon
like the Bishop of Hereford, do abuse like you,'
their spiritual and temporal power to rob " Yea,' added the second Monk, repeat-
'

the Saxon people it hath even happened ing word for word the speech of his com-
;

to Robin not only to await the arrival of panion, we do not wish to waste our
'

these pious travellers, but eke to go out time with a witless loon like you.'
" For mercy's sake, good Monks, a
of his own way to put himself in theirs." '

" What do you mean by go out of his few pence to keep me from dying of
'

way' ? " said Much. hunger.'

" I will tell you a story as we go along " Even supposing that I were fain to
'

which will explain my words. One morn- give you an alms, thick-headed mendicant,
ing Robin Hood learned that two Black 'twould be impossible, for we do not
Friars, carrying a large sum of money to possess a farthing.'
their Abbey, would traverse a part of "
All the same, brothers, you have not
*

Sherwood Forest. This was good news the appearance of men deprived of all
for Robin, as our funds were on the resources you are well mounted, well
;

decline, and the arrival of the money equipped, and your jovial faces shine with
would be most opportune. Without a good cheer."
word to any one (the waylaying of two " We
had some money a few hours
'

Monks was but a small affair), Robin, agone, but we have been despoiled by
dressed in a long pilgrim's robe, posted robbers.'
himself in the road the two Friars must " They have not left us a penny piece,'
'

take. He had not long to wait, for the added the Monk, whose mission seemed
Monks soon appeared, two large men to be to repeat the words of his superior
sitting squarely in their saddles. like an echo.
" Robin advanced to meet them, bowed " I verily believe,' said Robin, that ye
'
'

to the ground, and, seizing as he rose the both lie with a rare impudence.'
bridles of the two horses, which were " Thou dost dare to accuse us of false-
'

pacing side by side, said in pitiable accents, hood, thou miserable rogue ? cried the '

*
Bless you, holy brethren, and let me tell fat Monk.
you how glad I am to have met you 'tis ;
" Yea, first because ye have not been
•

a great happiness for me, and one for robbed, for there are no robbers in the
which I humbly give thanks to Heaven.' old Forest of Sherwood and then ye ;

" What means this deluge of words ?

' tried to deceive me in saying that ye
asked one of the Monks. had no money. I hate falsehood, and I
" It expresseth my joy, Father.
'
You love to know the truth. So you will see
are the representatives of the God of good- it is but natural I should assure myself
ness, you are the reflection of Divine by mine own investigations of the false-
mercy. I need help, I am unhappy, I am ness of your words.'
 ' a ' ' '

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 55

"he finished speaking, Robin let that at length Robin could control him-
At-,

the bridles of the horses and put his self no longer, but broke into a hearty
fall
hand on a bag which hung from the first peal of laughter.
Monk's saddle-bow, who, startled, put " The Monks, reassured by this trans-
spurs to his horse and made off at a port of mirth, attempted to rise, but Robin
gallop, closely followed by his companion. raised his staff and asked, Have ye '

Robin, who, as you know, is fleet as a received any money ?

deer, overtook the travellers, and at a " No,' they replied, none.' ' '

stroke unhorsed them both. " Then pray once more.' '

" Spare us, worthy mendicant,' mur-

'
" The Monks bore this wearisome tor-
mured the fat Monk have pity on your ture for an hour then they began to
;
'
;

brethren. I assure you we have neither wring their hands in despair, to tear their
money nor food to offer you, wherefore it hair and weep with rage. They were
is a sheer impossibility to exact immediate spent with fatigue and humiliation, but
help from us.' they still protested that they possessed
" We
have naught, worthy mendicant,' nothing.
'

added the Father Superior's echo —

" The Holy Virgin hath never aban-
'

poor lean devil, now livid with fear. doned me,' quoth Robin, to console them.
'
We cannot give you what we have I have not the proofs of her goodness as
'

yet, but I shall not have much longer to

!

not ourselves
" Well, Fathers,' Robin continued, Therefore, my friends, be
' I await them. '

would fain put faith in the sincerity of not disheartened, but, on the contrary, pray
your words. Therefore will I point out the more fervently.'
to you both a means of obtaining a little " The two Monks groaned so dismally
money. We
will all three kneel down that at length Robin got tired of listening
and ask the Holy Virgin to help us. Our to them.
Lady hath never abandoned me in the " Now, my dear brothers,' he said to
'

time of my need, and I am sure she will them, let us see how much money Heaven '

hearken favourably to my supplications. hath sent us.'

I was engaged in prayer when ye " Not a farthing,' cried the fat Friar.
'

appeared at the end of the road, and, " Not a farthing ? repeated Robin.
*
'

thinking that Heaven had sent you to my How is that ? My good brothers, tell
'

assistance, I put my modest request to me, could ye be quite sure I had no

you. Your refusal hath not discouraged mon2y, even though I did affirm the
me. Ye are not the emissaries of Provi- emptiness of my pockets ?
dence, that is all but ye are or should
; —
" No, certainly we could not be quite
'

—
be holy men we will pray, and our sure,' said one of the Monks.
:

" There is always a means of ascer-

united voices will the better carry our '

invocations to the feet of the Lord.' taining.'

" The two Monks refused to kneel, and " What is that ? asked the fat Monk.
'
'

Robin Hood could only constrain them "'It is quite simple,' replied Robin;
to do so by threatening to search their you would have to search me. But it
'

pockets." doth not concern you greatly whether

"What," interrupted Will Scarlett, I have money or no, that question inte-
" they all three fell on their knees to ask resting myself alone. Now I am e'en
Heaven to send them money ? " going to take the liberty of searching your
"Yea," replied the story-teller, "and pockets.'
they prayed, by Robin's orders, aloud and " cannot submit to such an
' We
in an audible voice." outrage,' cried both Monks with one
" It must have made a funny picture," voice.
said Will. " It is not an outrage, my brothers ; I
'

" Very funny indeed. Robin had enough only wish to prove to you that if Heaven
self-control to remain serious, and listened hath heard my prayers, it hath sent me
gravely to the Monks' prayers. *
Holy succour through your holy hands.'
Virgin,' said they, send us some money ' " have nothing, nothing
'
We !

to save us from harm.' It is unneces- " It is of that I wish to assure myself.

'

sary to you that the money came not. Whatever sum of money hath fallen to
tell
The Monk's voices took every minute you jointly, we will divide, one part for
sadder and more lamentable accents, so you and the other for myself. Search
 I
;';

56 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

yourselves, I pray you, and tell me what
What, know you not of Robin's
"
"
you possess.' adventure as a butcher ?
" The Monks obeyed mechanically "Nay; but tell me the tale, Little
each put a hand into his pocket, but John."
brought nothing whatever out. " Willingly. About four years agone
"'I see,' said Robin Hood, 'that you a great dearth of meat was felt in Not-
would fain give me the pleasure of tinghamshire. The butchers kept the price
searching you myself; so be it, then.' of meat so high that only the rich could
" The Monks objected strenuously, but furnish their tables withal. Robin Hood,
Robin Hood, armed with his terrible who is alway on the look-out for news,
staflf, threatened so seriously to beat them learned of this state of things, and resolved

unmercifully that they resigned themselves to find a remedy for the sufferings of the
to a close search. After seeking for some poor. One market day he lay in wait
minutes, Robin got together 500 golden upon the road through the Forest to be
crowns. In despair at the loss of all this taken by a cattle-dealer, who was the
pelf, the fat Monk asked Robin, anxiously, chief purveyor to the town of Nottingham.
• Will you not share the money with us ? Robin met his man mounted upon a
" Do you really think it was sent you thoroughbred and driving before him an
'

by Heaven since we have been together ? immense herd of cattle, and he at once
rephed Robin, looking at the Monk sternly. bought the herd, the mare, the butcher's
The Monks were silent. You have lied consent and his secrecy, and as a guarantee
'

you protested that you had no money of the last purchase, he confided the man
when you carried in your pockets the to our care until his own return to the
ransom of a good man you refused an Forest.
;

alms to one who said that he was famished " Robin, who intended to sell his meat
and dying. Do you think, either of you, at a very low price, thought that if he
this was the conduct of a Christian ? neglected to procure protection for in- —
However, I pardon you. I will keep the stance, that of the Reeve the butchers —
promise I made you here are fifty gold might combine against him, and defeat
;

crowns for each of you. Go, and if upon his good intentions toward the poor.
your way ye should meet with a poor The Reeve kept a large Inn, where the
beggar, remember that Robin Hood hath dealers of the neighbourhood met together
left you the means of helping him.' when they came to Nottingham. Robin
" At the name of Robin Hood the knew this, and to prevent any strife
Monks trembled, and gazed stupidly at betwixt himself and the other dealers,
our friend. Without taking any notice of he took his beasts to the Market Place,
their affrighted looks, Robin saluted them picked out the fattest animal, and led it
and disappeared into the glade. Hardly to the Town Reeve's Inn.
had the sound of his footsteps died away, " The latter was standing at his door,
ere the Monks threw themselves upon and was much struck by the appearance
their horses and fled without a glance of the young bullock Robin was leading.
behind." Our friend, delighted at the great man's
" Robin must have been very skilfully welcome —
which was, perhaps, somewhat
—
disguised not to have been recognised by interested told him he possessed the
the Monks," said Much. finest drove in the Market, and that he
" Robin Hood is wonderfully clever at would be well pleased an if the Reeve
that, as you have seen for yourself in would accept a bullock as a present.
the way he counterfeited the old woman. " The Reeve protested modestly against
I could cite hundreds of examples in so rich a gift.
which he was disguised and not recognised, " Sir Reeve,' continued Robin, I am
* '

and I assure you it was a merry jest he ignorant of the customs of this country.
played upon the Town-Reeve of Not- I do not know my fellow dealers, and I
tingham." greatly fear me they may seek to fasten
" Yea," said Much, " it was a pretty a quarrel upon me. I should therefore
jest, and it made a noise every one laughed be obliged if you would
; extend your
at the Reeve and applauded Robin's protection to one who is only too anxious
audacity." to please you.'
" What wasthat ? " asked William. '« " The Reeve swore (for the moment
have never heard of it." his gratitude equalled the bullock in size)
 — ; — '

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 57

that he would hang any man who should
dare to molest our friend and he declared
; the day right merrily.'
further that Robin was a good fellow,
and the best butcher who had ever sold
him meat.
" With mind at rest on this important
point, Robin returned to the Market Place,
and when the sales began^, a crowd of
poor people came to ask the price of
'"In that case, Master, we will end
"
" Were you with Robin then ? " asked
Much, surprised to hear the narrator
enter into so much detail.
" Of course. Do you think I could have
allowed Robin to expose himself alone to
the danger of being recognised ? He had
ordered me to keep aloof but I did not
;

the meat but, unhappily for their small

; consider myself bound to obey his order,
purses, the price was still very high.
When he saw the prices fixed, Robin
offered as much meat for a penny as
his neighbours were selling for three.
" The news of this extraordinary cheap-
ness spread rapidly through the town,
and the poor flocked in from all sides.
Robin then gave them for a penny about
as much as his neighbours could give for
five. Soon it was known in every corner
of the Market that Robin sold only to
the poor. Thus they formed an excellent
opinion of him, while his fellow-dealers,
who were not disposed to follow his
example, looked upon him as a prodigal
who, in an access of generosity, was
squandering the best part of his wealth
so acting on this supposition, they sent to
Robin all those to whom they could sell
nothing.
" Towards mid-day the cattle-dealers
consulted together, and with one accord
decided that they must make the acquaint-
ance of the new-comer. One of them,
and I was almost at his side. All at once
he became aware of my presence, and,
seizing my hand, he angrily reproached
me for my disobedience. In a low voice
I explained my motive for disregarding
his orders. He calmed down at once,
and regarding me with that sweet smile
you know so well, he said
"_
' Mingle with the crowd, John, and
while keeping an eye on me, look to thine
own safety also.' I obeyed him, and
disappeared in the crowd. When Robin
and the gay band of butchers set out for
the Reeve's Inn, I followed in their wake,
and entered the dining-hall along with him.
" Ordering a good meal, I took my
place in the embrasure of a window.
" Robin was very merry that day, and
toward the end of dinner he invited them
to drink of the best wine in the cellar,
adding that he would bear this last
expense. As you may imagine, Robin's
generous offer was received with acclama-
tion the wine went round the room, and
;

detaching himself from the rest, approached
Robin, and said
" Good friend
' and brother, your con-
duct seems passing strange for, by your
; way.
leave, it quite ruins the trade. But, on
the other hand, as your intentions are
excellent, we can only congratulate you
heartily, and give warm praise to so
admirable a sentiment of generosity. My
I had my share with the rest.
" When the merriment was at its
height, the Reeve appeared in the door-
" Robin invited him to take a seat.
He accepted, and as Robin seemed to
be the guest of honour, he asked him for
news of Robin Hood.
" 'Tis a cunning rascal
'
!

cried one of
'

companions, enraptured with your good- the butchers ; a fine blade, a rare wit,
'

ness of heart, charge me to present their and a good lad.'

compliments and to invite you to dinner " Then the Reeve perceived me. I was
in their names.' not drunk, and my sober face inspired
*'
' I accept their invitation with the him with a desire to question me.
greatest pleasure,' replied Robin, gaily, " That young man,' said he, indicating
'

*and I am ready to follow wherever you Robin by a glance, is doubtless a prodigal

'

are pleased to lead me.' who, having sold lands, house, or castle,
"*
We usually meet at the Town intends to squander his money foolishly.'
Reeve's Inn,' answered the butcher, " It may well be so,' I replied with
'

'and if that house is not out of your indifference.

way .' " Maybe he doth still
. . ' possess some
" Why, certainly
*
not,' interrupted wealth,' continued the Reeve.
Robin. On the contrary, I shall be most
' " That is very likely. Master.'
'

happy to be in the company of a man " Do you think he would be disposed

'

whom you honour with your confidence.' to sell his remaining cattle cheap ?
 ' '

58 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

'"I do not know but there is one the Reeve
;
—
some acres. ... I know the
•*

very simple way of finding out.' neighbourhood, and I cannot quite make
" What is that ?
' ' asked the Reeve, out the situation of your property.'
innocently. " Silence *
!
whispered Robin, leaning
'

" Why, to ask him thyself.'

'
toward the Reeve. I desire for private '

' You are right. Sir Stranger.'

' Say- reasons to conceal my name and quality.
ing which the Reeve approached Robin, A word of explanation as to the where-
and, after paying him some pompous abouts of my cattle would betray a secret
compliments on his generosity, he con- required in mine own interest. You take
gratulated him on the noble use to which me, do you not ?
he was putting his fortune. My young " Perfectly, my young friend,' replied
' '

friend,' added the Reeve, have you not the Reeve, winking slyly
'
friends are ;
'

some cattle to sell ? I will find you a to be feared, the family dreaded. I under-
purchaser, and, while rendering you this stand, I understand.'
service, permit me to remark that a " You possess an admirable penetration
'

man of your rank and appearance cannot of mind,' said Robin, mysteriously, and '

well become a cattle-dealer without com- I am tempted to believe that we under-

promising his dignity.' stand each other wonderfully. Well, an
" Robin perfectly understood the true if you like, we will profit by the inatten-
motive of this crafty speech he began to tion of the butchers, and make off secretly.
;

laugh, and answered the obliging Reeve Are you ready to follow me ?
that he possessed a thousand head of cattle, " How now 'tis I who wait for you.
'
I

and that he would dispose of them will- I will have our horses saddled with all
ingly for five hundred golden crowns. haste.'
" I will offer you three hundred,' said
'
"'Go, then; I will rejoin you imme-
the Reeve. diately.'
" At present prices,' Robin continued,
' " The Reeve left the room, and at Robin's
•
my beasts are worth, taking one with orders I went to seek our companions,
another, two crowns a head.' whom I had posted, in case of misadven-
" If you will consent to sell the whole ture, within sound of his horn, and
*

herd, I will give you three hundred crowns; announced the Town Reeve's visit to
and I might remark, my gallant gentleman, them.
that three hundred gold crowns in your "A few minutes after my departure the
purse would be worth more than one latter took Robin up to his private lodging,
thousand beasts in your pastures. Come, presented him to his wife, a pretty woman
decide ; the bargain will be for three of some twenty years, and begging him to
hundred gold crowns.' take a seat, said he would go and count
*'
''Tis too little,' replied Robin, throwing his money.
a furtive look at me. " When the Reeve returned to the room
" A liberal heart like yours, my Lord,' in which he had left Robin alone with his
*

replied the Reeve, trying to flatter, should wife, he found the young man at the feet
'

not haggle over a few crowns. Come, let of the lady.

us strike a bargain. Where are your "This sight greatly irritated the touchy
cattle ? I should like to see them all husband, but his hope of gulling Robin
together.' enabled him to control his anger. He
" All together repeated Robin, laugh- only bit his lips, and said, I am ready to
!
' '
'

ing at an idea which struck him. follow you, fair Sir.'

" Certainly, my young friend and if
' " Robin threw a kiss to the pretty lady,
;

the pasture of this magnificent herd is not and, to the great indignation of the
very far from here, we could ride over scandalised husband, announced to her
and conclude the bargain there. I will his speedy return.
take the money, and if you are reasonable, "Soon after, the Reeve and Robin set out
the matter can be settled before we return on horseback from Nottingham.
to Nottingham.' " Robin led his companion by the most
" I possess a few acres about a mile deserted woodland paths to the cross-road
*

from the town,' replied Robin my beasts where we were to meet him.
;
'

are penned there, and there you may see " This,' said Robin, pointing to a
'

them at your ease.' delightful valley, is part of my land.' '

' A mile from Nottingham

•
replied
!
" You speak absurdly and falsely,'
' '
 ' ' ' ' ;; " ';

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 59

replied the Reeve, who thought it was all that your companionship hath ceased to be
a hoax. This Forest, with all it contains, agreeable to me.'
'

is the property of the King.' " Happily for me, there are very few *

" Possibly,' returned Robin

' but as I people of that opinion. Sir Reeve,' replied
;
*

have taken possession of it, it belongs to Robin, laughing but since, to my dis- ;
'

me.' tress, you are of that number, it is use-

" To you ?' less to prolong our interview.'
" Certainly, and you shall soon learn in
* " As he said this, Robin bowed ironically
what manner.' to his companion, and raised his hunting-
" '
We
are in a lonely and dangerous horn to his lips.
part,' said the Reeve. The wood is infested " (I forgot to tell you, my friends, that we
'

by robbers. God keep us from falling had followed the travellers step by step.)
into the hands of that wretch, Robin At his first call we ran forward. The
Hood Should such a misfortune befall terrified Reeve very near fell flat upon the
!

us, we should very soon be stripped of all neck of his horse.

we possess.' " What do you desire, noble Master ? '

" '
We shall see what he will do,' replied said I to Robin. *
Give me your
Robin, with a laugh, for I could wager a ' orders, I beg, that I may execute them
thousand to one that we shall be face to instantly.'
face with him immediately.' " Do you always speak thus to Robin,
" The Reeve turned pale, and cast Little John ? " asked Will Scarlett.
affrighted glances into the underwood. " Yea, Will, for it is a duty and a
" I wish,' said he, that your estates
'
'
young giant, good- pleasure," replied the
were less evilly situated and had you humouredly. ;

warned me of the dangers surround- " I have brought hither the puissant '

ing them, I would certainly never have Town Reeve of Nottingham,' replied
come.' Robin. His Lordship wishes to see my '

" I assure you, my dear sir,' replied cattle and share my supper.
' See to it,
Robin, that we are on my land.'
'
my good lieutenant, that our guest is
" What mean you ? Of what land do treated with the style and splendour due
'

you speak ? asked the other, anxiously. ' to his position.'

" My words seem plain enow to me,'
'
" He shall be served with the choicest '

replied Robin. I show you these glades, viands,' I replied,

*
for I know he will '

valleys, cross-roads, and I say, " Behold pay very generously for his dinner.'
my estates." When you speak of your " Pay cried the Reeve. What mean '
1
'
'

wife, do you not say " my wife " ?

'
you by that ?
" Yea, yea, without doubt,' stammered
'
" Explanations will follow in their turn, '

the Reeve. And I pray you, what is Master,' replied Robin. And now permit
* '

your name ? I am anxious to know the me to answer the question you did me the
name of so rich a landlord.' honour to put as we entered the Forest.'
" Your very proper curiosity shall soon
' " What question ? muttered the '
'

be gratified,' laughed Robin Hood. Reeve.

" At that moment a large herd of deer " You asked my name.' *

crossed the road. *'

Alack groaned the Inn-keeper. '
!
'

•'
Look, look. Master, to your right
'
" They call me Robin Hood, Master.' *

there are an hundred beasts. How say " So I see,' said the Reeve, looking *

you, are they not fat and well to look round at the Merrie Men.
upon ? " As to what we mean by paying, it is '

" The poor Reeve trembled in all his this. We keep open house for the poor,
. limbs. but we re-imburse ourselves largely by
" I would I had never come here,' said the guests who are fortunate enow to
'

he, gazing into the depths of the wood possess well-furnished purses.'
, with terror. " What are your conditions ? asked '
'

" Why ?
*
asked Robin. I assure you the Reeve, in a doleful voice.
' '

old Sherwood is a charming dwelling-place " have none, nor any fixed price '
We
.besides, what have you to fear ? I not we take the whole of our guests' money Am
j with you ? without counting it. For example, you
" That is just
' what doth alarm me. Sir have three hundred gold crowns in your
. Stranger. For some moments past I own pocket.'
 ' —
6o ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
!
"
Lord, Lord
'
muttered the Reeve.
' 'A thousand thanks, good host, for
"
Your expenses will be three hundred your courteous entertainment of Robin
*

gold crowns." Hood.'

*
" Three hundred crowns
' !
" Before the Reeve could recover from
" Yea, and I advise you to eat as much the astonishment caused by Robin's words,
'

as possible and drink as much as you can, the latter had vanished."
so as not to have to pay for what you " Good," said William " but this fresh
;

have not consumed.' proof of Robin's ability doth not tell us

•'
An excellent repast was served upon in what manner you were disguised,
the green turf. The Reeve was not Little John."
hungry, and ate but little, though, to make " I dressed myself as a beggar."
up for it, he drank heartily. This bound- " But wherefore ? "
less thirst we supposed to be a result of " To carry out, as I told you, an order

his despair. from Robin, Robin wished to put my

" He
gave us three hundred golden ability to the test, and desired to know
crowns, and no sooner was the last crown whether I was capable of seconding his
in my purse than he manifested an ardent wonderful adroitness. The choice of
desire to quit our company, Robin disguise was left to me, and having learnt
ordered his horse to be brought, helped of the death of a rich Norman whose
him into the saddle, wished him good estates lay in the neighbourhood of Not-
luck, and begged earnestly to be remem- tingham, I resolved to mingle with the
bered to his charming wife. beggars who usually accompany the
" The Reeve made no
reply to our fare- funeral procession. On my head was an
wells he was in such haste to leave the
; old hat adorned with cockle-shells I wore ;

Forest that he put his horse to a gallop, a pilgrim's dress, and carried a mighty
and set off without saying one word. staff, a sack of provisions, and a purse
Thus ended Robin's adventure with the destined for gifts of money. My
garments
Town Reeve of Nottingham." were so wretched, and I so much resembled
" I should much like," said Will a real beggar that even our merry com-
Scarlett, " to prove my cleverness in dis- panions were tempted to offer me an
guising myself one day. Have you ever alms. About a mile from our retreat I
"
tried it. Little John ? fell in with several beggars who, like
" Yea, once, in obedience to Robin's myself, were on their way to the Castle
orders." of the deceased noble. One of these
•' And "
how did you fare ? asked Will. rogues was apparently blind, another
" Well enough for the occasion," replied limped painfully, the others bore no
John. distinctive signs beyond miserable rags
" And what was the occasion ? " asked and tatters.
Much. " Here,' I said to myself, regarding
'

" 'Twas thus. One morning Robin them out of the corner of mine eye
Hood wished to pay a visit to Halbert here are fellows who will serve me
*

Lindsay and his pretty little wife but I for models. ;

I will accost them, so as
pointed out to him the danger of going to be able to take a leaf out of their
openly into the town after what had book.'
happened with the Reeve about the sale of *'
Good day, brothers,' I cried heartily.
'

the cattle, for we feared serious reprisals. I am right glad to meet you.
' Which
Robin Hood laughed at my fears, and way are you going ?
replied that, in order to deceive everybody, '*
' We
are going along the road,' dryly
he would go disguised as a Norman. To replied the man whom I had more
that intent he assumed a magnificent particularly addressed.
knight's dress, paid a visit to Halbert, and " The jester's companions eyed me with
from his abode made his way to the suspicion from head to foot.
Town Reeve's Inn. There he spent much " Might not this fellow be taken for
'

money, complimented the host's pretty the Tower of Linton Abbey ? quoth one '

wife upon her good looks, and chatted of the beggars, stepping back a step or
with the Reeve, who overwhelmed him two.
with attentions. Then, a few minutes '"I might be taken for a man who
before quitting the house, he took the fears no one,' I replied in a menacing
man aside, and said to him with a laugh, tone.

I
 ' '

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 6i

" '
Come, come, peace! growled another
'
" When I left the beggars with my
of the beggars. pockets full of their spoils, they could
" So be it,' I replied.
' But what is scarce stand up. I quickly took my way
*

there to devour at the end of this road, to the Forest, delighted with my prowess,
that I see surging from all directions our for there is a certain justice in plundering
holy fraternity of rags ? Why
do the thieves.
bells of Linton Abbey toll so "
Robin Hood, surrounded by his
mourn-
fully?' Merrie Men, was practising at archery.
" Because a Norman hath just died.'
'
'"Well, Little John,' he cried as I
" Are ye, then, going to his burial ?
' appeared, are you back already ? Had '

" We are going to take our share of you not the courage to carry out your
'

the largess which they distribute among beggar's part to a finish ?

poor devils like us on the occasion of a " Pardon me, dear Robin, I have done
'

funeral you are at liberty to accompany my duty, and my quest hath been pro-
;

us.' ductive. I bring back six hundred gold

" I trow I am, and I owe you no crowns.'
'

thanks for the permission,' I replied " Six hundred golden crowns
'
he !
'

scornfully. cried. Then you have plundered a Prince

*

" Long handle of a dirty broom,' cried

'
of the Church.'
the lustiest of the beggars, if that be so,
' " * Nay, Captain, I gleaned that sum
we are not disposed to bear with thy foolish from members of the beggar tribe.'
company any longer. Thou dost appear " Robin looked grave.
a very sorry rogue, and thy presence is " Explain yourself, John,' he said to
*

distasteful to us. Go, and take as a me. I cannot believe that

*
you have
parting gift this blow on thy pate.' robbed the poor.'
" As he said these words, the tall raga- "
I recounted the adventure to Robin,
muffin dealt me a blow on the head. observing that beggars with pockets full
" This unexpected onslaught made me of gold could only be professional
furious," continued Little John. " I fell thieves.
on the rascal, and rained a volley of blows " Robin was of my opinion, and smiled
upon him. again."
" He was soon incapable of defending " That was a good day's work,"
himself, and cried for mercy. laughed Much " six hundred golden —
" Here's at you, lying dogs
'
!

I cried, crowns at one haul."

'

menacing the other miscreants with my " That very evening," continued John,
staff. I distributed the half of my booty
"
" You would have laughed, I am sure, among the poor in the neighbourhood of
good friends, to have seen the blind man Sherwood."
open his eyes and fearfully watch my " Good John " cried Will, wringing !

movements, and the lame man run at the the young man's hand.
top of his speed toward the woods. " Generous Robin you should say, !

" I silenced the brawlers, who were William, for in acting thus I only obeyed
shouting lit to deafen a man, and laid my the orders of my Chief."
staff soundly and well across their broad " Here we are at Barnsdale," said
shoulders. A wallet, broken open by Much " but the way hath not seemed;

my blows, let fall some pieces of gold, long to me."

and the rogue to whom they belonged fell " I shall tell that to my sister," cried
on his knees upon his treasure, hoping, Will, laughing.
doubtless, to conceal it from me. " And I will add," replied Much, " that
" Oho
'
I
!
cried,
'
'
this puts another I never ceased to think of her for a single
appearance on the matter, miserable raga- instant."
muffins, or rather thieves, that ye are.
Give me instantly, to the last groat, all
the money you possess, or I will beat you
all into a pulp.'
" The cowards again sued for mercy,
and as my arm was beginning to get
tired of beating, beating, beating, I was
merciful.
iL
 " ;

62 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

" So much the better they will be obliged
;

CHAPTER Vn to pay their court to my

sisters' young
friends, and that will be a most pleasing
WILLIAM, Much, and Little John sight. Picture to yourself for one
had been staying at Barnsdale moment the appearance of Gregory, the
for a week, and the happy household was steady, awkward, simple —
fellow of
preparing to celebrate the wedding of Gregory striving to make himself agree-
Winifred and Barbara. By Will Scar- able to a young woman. Come with me,
lett's orders the park and gardens of the Robin, for there is no time to lose; we
Hall had been transformed into dancing- can only give them three days in which
greens for the good-natured young man
; to make their choice. I will call my
was constantly watching over the well- brothers together, and in a grave voice
being of the world in general and the deliver a fatherly oration to them."
happiness of each in particular. Inde- " Marriage is a serious thing, Will, and
fatigable in his efforts, he turned his hand ought not to be lightly treated. If your
to anything, busied himself over every- brothers, persuaded by your eloquence,
thing, and filled the house with his light- consent to marry, and tlaen later on are
hearted mirth. rendered unhappy through a thoughtless
While working hard he talked and choice, will you not keenly regret having
laughed, poking fun at Robin, tormenting helped to make their whole life miser-
"
Much. Suddenly a wild idea struck him, able ?
and he began to roar with laughter. " Have no fears on that score, Robin ;

" What ails you, William ? " asked
Robin.
" My dear friend, I will leave you to
guess the reason of my mirth," replied
Will, "and I wager you will not succeed."
*'
It must be something very entertain-
ing, seeing it doth amuse you so much maiden worthy to call Winifred and
that you laugh all by yourself."
" In sooth, 'tis highly entertaining.
I mean to find my brothers young
maidens worthy of the most tender love
both now and in the future. I know, for
one, a charming little creature who loves
my brother Herbert passionately."
"That is not enough. Will. Is this
"
Barbara her sisters ?
" Without a doubt and, what is more,
;

You know my six brothers ? They are I am certain that she will make an
all built —
much on the same model fair excellent wife."
as corn, gentle, placid, brave, and honest." " And hath Herbert already seen this
"
" What is all this leading up to, young damsel ?
Will ? " Certainly he hath but the poor
;

" To this these good lads are un- artless fellow little imagines that he could
:

acquainted with love." be the object of such a preference.

" Well ? " asked Robin, smiling.
"Well," replied Will Scarlett, "an
idea hath just struck me which might
give us a good deal of amusement."
"
"What is it ?
Several times I tried to make him
perceive that he was always welcome at
Mistress Anna Meadows' house. 'Twas
but wasted labour, for Herbert did not
understand me he is so young, in spite
;

"As you are aware, I have a great of his twenty-nine years. I have a great

influence over my brothers, and this very friendship for a charming damsel who
day I will persuade them they ought all would suit Egbert perfectly in every
to marry." respect then Maude was speaking to me
;

Robin began to laugh. to-day of a maiden in this neighbourhood

" I assemble them in a corner of
will who thinketh Harold a mighty fine
the court-yard," Will went on, "and I fellow. Thus, as you see, Robin, we
will put into their heads the idea of taking have already a part of what is needful to
each of them a wife on the same day as carry out my project."
Much and Little John." " Unfortunately, Will, 'tis not sufficient,
" It is impossible to do such a thing, seeing you have six brothers to marry
my dear Will," responded Robin. " Your off."
brothers are of too placid and phlegmatic "Never distress yourself; I will go
a nature to be influenced by your words seek, and I shall find three more
besides, I know well they are not in maidens."
love." " \'ery good. But when you have
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 63

found the damsels, do you think that approbation or disapprobation of my
" I

your brothers will please them ? words by nodding or shaking your heads.
j

" I am sure of it. My brothers are Attend I am about to begin again. The
;

—
young and strong, fair to look upon they conduct of our father is that of an
resemble me in appearance," added Will, honourable man, and ought to serve as
with a touch of self-conceit in his tone our guide and model."
" and if they be not so attractive as you " Yea," nodded the six fair heads with
are, Robin, if they are not exactly sweet- one accord.
tempered or lively, at any rate there is " Our mother hath followed the same
naught in their looks to offend the eye of path," continued Will. " Her existence
—
a wise and sensible girl a girl who seeks hath been the accomplishment of every
a good husband. There is Herbert," he duty, the example of every virtue ? "
went on, turning towards a young man " Yea, yea!"
crossing a garden path " I will call him.
;
" How, then, have you been able to
Herbert, come here, my lad." remain blind, with this picture of bliss
" What dost want. Will ? " replied the before you ? How can you be so un-
young man, as he came near them. grateful to Providence ? How is it you
" I wish to speak with thee." refuse to accord to our parents a token of
" am "
I listening. Will."
I
respect, tenderness, and gratitude ?
" That which I have to say doth con- Will's brothers stared in astonishment,
cern thy brothers also go seek them."
;
for they could make naught of his
" I will do so at once." words.
Will remained thoughtful during the few " What mean you, William ? " asked
moments which elapsed before Herbert's Gregory.
return. " 1 would say, Sirs, that, following the
The young men came running up, example of our father, you should marry,
their faces wreathed in smiles. and by so doing prove your admiration of
" Here we are, William," said the our father's conduct, who himself married."
eldest, joyfully. " To what must we set "Oh, good Lord! " cried the youths, but
down thy wish to assemble us all around little pleased.
thee?" " Marriage is happiness," Will con-
" To a grave cause, my dear brothers. tinued. " Think how happy you will be
Will you allow me first to ask you all a when you have a dear little creature
"
question ? hanging on your arm like the flower on a
The young men gave signs of assent. vigorous plant, a dear little creature who
" You love our father dearly, do you will love you, think of you, and whose
"
not ? happiness you will be. Look around you,
" Who dare doubt our love for him ? " rogues, and you will see the sweet fruits of
demanded Gregory. marriage. First of all, there are Maude
" No one that question is merely a and me, whom I am sure you must envy
;

preHminary. So, you love our father when we are playing with our dear little
dearly. You have never seen him behave child. Then Robin and Marian. Think
otherwise than as a man of honour, a of Little John, and imitate that worthy
"
true Saxon ? lad's example. Do you want further
" Certainly not," cried Egbert " but, in proof of the happiness shed by heaven on
;

the name of Heaven, Will, what do thy young husbands and wives ? Go and
words signify ? Hath some one slandered visit Halbert Lindsay and his pretty wife
our father's name ? Point out the wretch Grace go down into the valley of Mans-
;

to me, and I undertake to avenge the field, and there you will find Allan Clare
honour of the Gamwells." and the Lady Christabel. You are
"The honour of the Gamwells is un- shockingly selfish to have never thought
sullied, dear brothers and if it had been it was your duty to make a woman happy.
;

soiled by a lie, the stain would have been Nay, do not shake your heads you will ;

already washed out in the slanderer's never persuade any one that you are good
blood. I wish to speak to you of some- and generous lads. I blush for the hard-
thing less grave, but still very serious; ness of your hearts, and I am hurt by
only you must not interrupt me, an if hearing everywhere The sons of the
:
*

you wish to hear the last words of my old Knight have bad hearts.' I am
harangue before nightfall. Show your resolved to put an end to such a state of
 "

64 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

things, and I " As for me, I positively refuse to
warn you that I intend you
to marry." relinquish my liberty," said Gregory.
" Really " said Rupert,!
defiantly. " I did not think to find such selfishness
" Well, I want no wife. Marriage may in a son of my mother's," said William, in
be a very fine thing, but at present it a wounded tone.
doth in no wise concern me." Poor Gregory blushed.
" Thou dost not want a wife ? " replied " See here, Gregory," said Rupert. " Let
Will. " Very possibly but thou shalt Will do as he doth purpose
; he only ;

take one, for I know a maiden who will wishes our happiness, after all, and if he
make thee take back that opinion." will have the kindness to seek me a wife,
Rupert shook his head. why, I will take her. Thou knowest
" Come now, speak freely dost love well, brother, that resistance is useless;
;

"
any one woman more than another ? William hath always done what he would
" Yea," replied the young man, gravely. with us."
" Bravo " cried Will, quite taken
!
*'
Since William doth insist upon
aback at this unexpected confidence, for marrying us off," added Stephen, " I
Rupert shunned the society of girls. would as lieve wed in three days as in six
" Who is she ? Tell us her name." months."
" It is my
mother," said the simple lad. " I am of Stephen's opinion," said the
" Thy " repeated Will, a little
mother ! timid Harold.
scornfully. " Thou dost teach us nothing " I give way to force," added Gregory,
new. I have long been aware that thou " for Will is a very devil ; he would
dost love, venerate, and respect our mother. surely end sooner or later in dragging me
I am not speaking of the filial affection into his nets."
which we have for our parents I speak ;
" Thou wilt soon thank me for having
of another thing —
of love, true love. Love overthrown thy false allegations, and thy
is a sentiment which ... a tender feeling joy shalt be my reward."
that . well, a sensation which makes
. . to oblige thee. Will," " I will marry
the heart leap toward a young woman. said Gregory, again " but I hope that in ;

One can adore one's mother and cherish a return thou wilt give me a pretty little
charming maiden at the same time." bride."
" I do not wish to marry, either," said " I will introduce you one and all to
Gregory. young and charming maidens, and, if ye
"
Dost think thou hast a will of thine do not find them adorable, ye may
own, my boy ? " replied Will. " Wilt soon spread it abroad that Will Scarlett doth
be shown thine error. Canst tell me thy not know a pretty face."
" " I can spare thee the trouble of hunt-
reason for refusing to marry ?
" No," murmured Gregory, fearfully. ing about for me," said Herbert, " my
" Wilt live for thyself alone ? " wife is already found."
Gregory remained silent. «'Ha, ha!" laughed Will, "you will
" Hast thou the audacity to answer me," see, Robin, that my fine fellows are pro-
cried Will, with an affectation of indigna- vided for, and their apparent distaste for
tion, " that thou dost share the opinion of marriage is but a merry jest. Who is thy
"
the rascals who despise the society of beloved, Herbert ?
women ? " Anna Meadows. We had arranged
"
I did not say that, and still less do I that our marriage should take place at the
think it but ;
." . . same time as my sisters'."
" There is no but which can hold good " Sly dog " said Will, giving his !

in the face of reasons so conclusive as brother a dig in the ribs. " I spoke to thee
those which I do give you all. Therefore, yesterday of the maiden, and thou hadst
prepare to set up house, my lads for you never a word to say." ;

will be married at the same time as Wini- " 'Twas only this morning my dear
fred and Barbara." Anna gave me a satisfactory reply."
" What," cried Egbert, " in three "Very good; but when I alluded tO'
days ? Thou art mad. Will we have not her love for thee, thou didst make no
;

time to find wives." response."

Leave that to me I will undertake to
" " I had none to make.
;
Thou saidst toi
satisfy you better even than your natural me, Mistress Anna is very pretty, she '

modesty could dare to hope." hath a good temper, she will make an
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 65

excellent wife.' As I have long known from companions to pay a visit to

his
all that, thy reflections were but an echo his beloved Harold disappeared some
;

of mine own. Thou didst add further, moments later and Will, accompanied
;

'
Mistress Anna loveth thee well.' I by the rest of his brothers, made his way
believed it, thou didst think it we were
; to the home of the maiden destined for
each as wise as the other, and consequently Egbert.
I had nothing to tell thee." Mistress Lucy opened the house-door
" Well answered, discreet Herbert and ; herself. She was a charming girl with a
I see, from my brothers' silence, that thou rosy face and archly sparkling eyes. Her
alone art worthy of mine esteem." smile expressed goodness, and she was
" I had already made up my mind to always smiling.
marry," said Harold " Maude inspired
; William presented his brother to
me with the wish." Mistress Lucy, and told her of Egbert's
"
" Hath Maude chosen thy wife ? good qualities. He was so eloquent and
asked Will, with a laugh. persuasive that the maiden, with her
" Yea, brother Maude said it was very mother's consent, allowed Will to hope
;

agreeable to live with a charming little that his wishes would be accomplished.
wife, and I agree with her." Delighted at Mistress Lucy's com-
" Hurrah " cried Will, in delight. plaisance, William left Egbert to continue
!

" My good brothers, will you consent will- his wooing alone, and went off with his
ingly, with hand on heart, to be married brothers.
on the same day as Winifred and Bar- Hardly were they out of the house
bara?" ere Stephen remarked to Will, " I wish
" We consent," answered the young I could speak with as much wit, animation,
men, who had no prospective wives. and grace as thou dost use in conversa-
" Hurrah for marriage " cried Will, tion."
!

again, throwing his bonnet in the air. " Nothing is easier than to speak grace-
*'
Hurrah "! repeated the six voices, fully to a woman, my dear lad. The
with one accord. words themselves are of little importance ;

"Will," said Egbert, "think of our it is quite enow to tell the truth, and that
brides ;thou must haste to present us right heartily, without embellishing it
to them, for sure they would wish to con- with fine speeches."
verse a little with us before wedding us." " Is she whom thou hast chosen for me
" That is very like. Come with me, all. comely? "
I have a pretty maiden for Egbert, and I " Let me know thy taste tell me of ;

think I know three girls who would suit the kind of beauty thou dost admire."
Gregory, Rupert, and Stephen admirably." " Oh," replied Stephen, " I am not very
" My dear Will," said Rupert, " I wish hard to please a wife like Maude would ;

"
for a fair, slim maiden I would not care suit me well enow
; !

to marry too stout a wife." " A wife Hke Maude would suit thee
" I know thy romantic taste, and I will well enow " repeated Will, overcome !

deal with thee accordingly thy betrothed with astonishment.

;
" That I can readily
is frail as a reed and pretty as an angel. believe, and I would have thee know that

Come, my lads, I will present you one thou art not at all moderate in thy desires.
after another ye shall pay your court, By St. Paul Stephen, a wife like Maude !
;

and if ye do not know how to please a is a rare thing to find if not quite undis- —
woman, I will advise you, or, better still, I coverable. Know well, poor ambitious
will take your places beside your lady- lad, that there doth not exist on earth
loves." any one to be compared with my dear little
" What a pity 'tis that thou canst not wife " !

marry our future wives, brother Will " Dost think so. Will ? "
things would go so much more smoothly " I am certain of it," replied Maude's
then." husband, in a peremptory tone.
William shook his fist at his brother, " Indeed, I did not know it. You must
took Gregory by the arm, and set out excuse my ignorance. Will I have not ;

from Barnsdale, accompanied by the pro- travelled yet," replied the young man,
cession of lovers. innocently. " But if thou couldst give me
The seven brothers soon reached the a wife whose beauty was of Maude's
village, where Herbert separated himself kind ." . .
 "
66 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
" No one in the world doth possess one wilt kiss her. The first obstacle sur-
of Maude's perfections," repHed Will, mounted, thou wilt not find it difficult to
half irritated by his brother's desire. continue the progress."
" Very well, then, Will, choose a wife " I should never dare to be so bold,"

for me after thine own taste," replied said Stephen, timidly.

" I should never dare " repeated Will, !

Stephen, in a disconsolate tone. '

'

"Then thou wilt be happy with her. in a mocking tone. " Upon my word,
First of all, I will tell thee her name it isStephen, if I were not sure that thou
;

Minnie Meadows." wert a brave and valiant forester, I

" I know her," said Stephen, smiling. should take thee for a girl dressed in
" She is a young girl with black eyes and man's clothes."
curly hair. Minnie was in the habit of Stephen blushed.
making fun of me; she said that I was " But," he said hesitatingly, " if the
foolish and sleepy. However, I like her, maiden should be distressed at my be-
"
in spite of her teasing. One day, when haviour ?
we were by ourselves, she laughingly " Well, thou wilt kiss her again, and
asked me if I had ever kissed a maid in say to her, Sweet mistress, adorable *

my life." Minnie, I shall not cease from kissing

" What reply didst make to Minnie's you until you do forgive me.' Beside
" which, bear this in mind, and remember
question?
*'
I answered that certainly I had kissed it on occasion, a girl never seriously
my sisters. Minnie went off into fits of objects to a kiss from the man she loves.
laughter, and asked me again, Have But if her lover displeases her, the case
'

you never kissed any other woman is altered then she defends herself, and ;

but your sisters ? 'By your leave, she defends herself so well that you
'

mistress,' I replied, I have kissed my cannot begin again. Thou needst not
'

mother." fear a real refusal from Minnie. I have

" Thy mother, thou silly fool Well, learnt from a good source that the little
!

what did she say to thee after thy fine maid is friendly disposed toward thee."
" Stephen plucked up courage, and
answer ?
" She laughed louder than ever. Then promised William to get over his
she asked me if I did not wish to kiss shyness.
any other women besides my mother Minnie was alone in the house.
and sisters. I made answer, Nay, mis- ' " Good day, sweet Minnie," said Will,
"
tress.' taking the extended hand of the maiden,
" Thou great ninny thou shouldest who blushed prettily as she greeted him.
!

have kissed Minnie; that was the reply " I have brought my brother Stephen,
due to her questions." who hath something of importance to
" I never thought of it," answered tell you."
Stephen, quietly. " He " cried the girl. " And what very
!

" How did ye part after this pleasant important thing can he have to say to
" "
conversation ? me ?

" Minnie called me a gaby ; then she " I

must tell you," responded Stephen,
ran away, laughing still." quickly, becoming pale with fright, " that
" I thoroughly approve of the epithet I wish to take some lessons ." . .

Doth " Hush hush " interrupted Will.

applied to thee by thy future wife. ! !

" my Dear Minnie,

she really suit thee ? " Not so fast, j
boy.
" Yea, but what shall I say to her Stephen will explain to you presently
I

when we are alone ? " what he wishes you to grant him of your
"Thou must say all sorts of pretty kindness. Meanwhile, allow me to an-
things to her." nounce my sisters' marriages."
"I understand. But tell me, Will, " I have heard of the festivities which
how must I begin a pretty sentence ? It are on foot at the Hall."
is alway difficult to think of the first " I hope, dear Minnie, that you will
word." take part in our merrymakings."
When thou art alone
" with Minnie, " With pleasure, Will the maidens of ;

thou wilt tell her thou dost wish to the village are all busied with their
receive lessons in the art of kissing young dresses, and I myself shall be overjoyed
maidens, and as thou art speaking, thou to dance at a wedding ball."
 " "

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 67

'*
You will bring your lover, will "
I love Winifred and Barbara with all
you
not, Minnie ? my
heart," replied the girl, softly.
" Nay, nay," interrupted Stephen. " Then," said Stephen, " I may hope,
" Thou dost forget, Will ." . mistress, that in consideration of your
.

" I forget naught," said Will. " Be so love for my sisters, you will treat me
"
good as to hold thy tongue for a few kindly ?
minutes. You will bring your lover, eh, " We
shall see," said the girl, coquet-
Minnie ? " continued the young man, tishly.
repeating his question. " Good-bye, charming Minnie," said
" I have no lover," replied the maiden. William, with a smile. " I pray you be
" Is that true, Minnie ? " asked Will. good and kind to the fine fellow who loves
"It is quite true I know not of any you so w^ell, even though he doth not
;

whom I could call lover." testify very eloquently to his love."

" If you wish it, Minnie, I will be your **
You are too severe. Will," replied the
lover," cried Stephen, taking the girl's maiden, gravely. " I do not think Stephen
hand in one of his own trembling ones. could possibly have expressed himself
" Bravo, Stephen " said Will.
! better."
" Yea," continued the young man, " Well, I see that you are really a most
encouraged by his brother's approbation, excellent young woman, sweet Minnie,"
" yea, Minnie, I will be your lover on said Will. " Permit me to kiss your hand
;

the wedding day I will seek you, and we and to say once more, ' Good-bye, sister
will be married at the same time as my mine.'
sisters." " Should I reply to William, * Good-
Astonished at this abrupt declaration, bye, brother mine ? " asked Minnie, '

the maiden did not know how to answer. turning to Stephen.

" Listen to me, dear Minnie," said " Yea, dear lady, yea," cried Stephen,
Will. " Mybrother hath long loved you, joyfully. " Say to him, Good-bye, brother,' '

and his silence cometh not from his heart so that he may go quickly."
but from the extreme timidity of his "Thou dost make progress, my lad,"
nature. I assure you upon mine honour laughed Will. " lessons are evidently My
that Stephen speaks with the sincerity of bearing fruit."
love. You are not betrothed Stephen is With which William kissed Minnie,
;

a fine lad, better still, he is a good and and went on his way with Gregory and
excellent lad, and will be a husband Rupert.
worthy of you. If we have your consent "Now
'tis our turn, is't not. Will?"

and that of your family, your marriage said Gregory. " I am impatient to see my
could be celebrated at the same time as future wife."
my sisters'." "And so am I," added Rupert.
" Really, Will," replied the girl, looking " Where doth she live ? " asked Gre-
down in confusion, " I was so little pre- gory.
"
pared for your proposal ; 'tis so hasty " Shall I see my future bride to-day ?

and unexpected, I do not know how to continued Rupert.

reply." " Your very natural curiosity shall be
" Reply thus I take Stephen for
:
*
satisfied," replied Will. my " Your future
husband,' " said that youth, put quite at wives are cousins, and are called Mabel
his ease by the pretty girl's sweet looks. and Editha Harrowfield."
" I have a very great affection for you, " I know them both," said Gregory.
Minnie," continued he, " and I should be " I know them too," added Rupert.
the happiest of men an if you would give " They are pretty girls," Will continued,
me your hand." " and I am not surprised that their
" 'Tis impossible for me to reply to charming faces have attracted your atten-
your honourable proposal to-day," said tion. I have hardly been eighteen months
the maiden, bowing gracefully and play- at Barnsdale, but there is not a maiden
fully to her timid lover. in the county, blonde or brunette, that I do
" I will leave you alone, good friends," not know. Like yourselves, mine atten-
William continued. " My
presence em- tion hath already been attracted by Mabel
barrasses you, and I am certain that if and Editha."
Minnie loves Winifred and Barbara, she " I never saw a fellow to equal thee.
will be glad to call them sisters." Will," said Gregory " thou dost know all ;
 " ; — ;

68 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

the women, and art always roving. Of a
truth we resemble thee but little."
" Unhappily for yourselves, my lads
for did you resemble me the least bit in
the world, I should not be obliged to seek
wives for you, or have to teach you how
to make love to them."
" Oh," replied Gregory, firmly, " it will
not be difficult for us to make love to
Mabel and Editha. Rupert thinks Mabel
charming, and I am persuaded Editha is
a good creature, so I shall just ask her
an if she will be the wife of Gregory
Gamwell."
" Such a question must not be put
abruptly, my good lad, or thou wilt run
the risk of a refusal."
" Tell me, then, how I should explain
mine intentions to Editha. I do not
know the tricks of cunning. I wish to
have her for wife, and I should think it poor Gregory into great confusion. He
but natural to say, Editha, I am ready sighed, and turning to his brother,
*
voice as sweet as the song of a bird.
" Do us the honour to enter and partake
;
of some refreshment."
" A thousand thanks, charming Mabel,"
replied Will. " So kind and gracious an
offer should not meet with a refusal.We
will drink your health and happiness in a
flagon of ale."
Editha and Mabel, who were kind-
hearted and sprightly maidens, received
the brothers' compliments with much
laughter; then, after an hour's merry
conversation, Gregory summoned up his
courage to ask Editha timidly whether
she intended going to the Hall in the
company of her lover.
" I shall not be accompanied by one
lover alone, but by half a dozen merry
lads," replied Editha, gaily.
This most unexpected answer threw

to marry you.' whispered him aside

" Thou wilt embarrass the maiden " 'Tis all over Avith me dost not think
;

overmuch, an thou dost shoot such a so ? I cannot compete with half a dozen
declaration at her point blank." aspirants. Really, I have no luck, and
" What must I do, then ? " asked must e'en remain a bachelor all my
Gregory, in despair. days."
" Thou must gently lead the conversa- " Since thou dost not wish to marry,
tion in the way thou wouldst follow that will suit thee," said Will, teasingly.
speak first of the ball to be given at the " I had not thought of it, that was all
Hall in three days' time, of the happiness but since the idea entered my mind, I
of Little John and Much; make a skilful have been tormented with the fear of not
allusion to thine approaching marriage, being able to find a wife."
and, in this connection, ask Editha, as I " Thou shalt have Editha ; let me
have asked Minnie, if she thinks of being manage it. Mistress Editha," said
married, and if she will come to the feast William, " our visit had a double object.
at Barnsdale with a lover." First we wished to invite you to our
" What if Editha reply, Yea, Gregory, family festivities, then I would present to
*

"
yea, I will go to the ball with a lover ?'
you, not a gallant for the dance, an
" Well, then thou wilt say,
that lover is myself.'
"
'
Mistress, adorer for four and twenty hours you —
have six of those, and the seventh would
" But," Gregory ventured once again, cut a sorry figure —but an honest lad,
" what if Editha doth refuse my hand ? " steady, good, rich, and one who will be
" Then you will offer it to Mabel." proud and happy to offer you his heart,
" And what of me ? " said Rupert. his hand, and his name."
" Editha will not refuse," answered Mistress Editha looked pensive.
Will " therefore never be uneasy each
; :
" Are you speaking seriously, Will ? "
of you shall have the girl of his heart to she asked.
wife." " Quite seriously. Gregory loves you ;

The young men crossed the village however, he is here himself, and if you
green, and stopped before a pretty house, close your eyes to the eloquence of his
upon the doorstep of which stood two looks, pray be so kind as to give heed to
girls. the sincerity of his words. I will leave
" Good morrow, fair Editha and Mabel," to him the pleasure of pleading a cause
said Will, greeting the cousins. " My which is, I believe, half won already,"
brothers and I are come to ask you to a added the young man, interpreting in
wedding dance." his brother's favour the joyous smile
" Welcome, fair Sirs," said Mabel, in a which hovered on Editha's lips. William
 "

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 69

allowed Gregory to approach the maiden, the merry band of outlaws. The new-
and looked at Rupert to see whether he comers protested loudly, and carried their
required any help, intending to go to his complaints to the authorities in the town
assistance, if it were necessary. But of Nottingham. But these complaints
Rupert did not require his aid he was
; were taxed with exaggeration, and received
talkLig to Mabel in a low voice and no reply, and the reason of this apathy on
holding her hands as he knelt on one the part of the Reeve and other important
knee before her, apparently thanking her personages was as follows.
forsome favour. Manyof Robin Hood's men were
"Good," quoth Will to himself, "he related to
the inhabitants of Nottingham,
can look after himself I; can leave him and quite
naturally these latter used their
to his own resources." influence with the civil and military
He watched the lovers for a few authorities to prevent any rigorous
minutes, and then, without attracting measures being taken against the
their attention, he left the room and ran Foresters. These worthy men were
back to the Hall. terribly afraid that if, in consequence
There he met Robin, Marian, and of a successful attack, the Merrie Men
Maude, to whom he related what had were driven from their green dwelling-
happened, depicting to them the timorous place, they might some morning have
embarrassment of the prospective bride- the melancholy satisfaction of seeing one
grooms, but he ended in recognising that of their own kinsmen hanging by the
the young men had brought themselves neck from the town gallows.
out of their difficult positions very well. However, as it was necessary to make
Towards evening the brothers returned a pretence of righteous indignation and
to the Hall radiant with joy. Their justice, they doubled the reward promised
victory was complete, and they had one to any one who should succeed in captur-
and all obtained the consent of their lady ing Robin Hood. Whoever applied for
loves. it could at once obtain a w^arrant for
The parents of the maidens thought it arresting the famous Outlaw. Many men
a piece of folly to marry with such of great physical strength or of a deter-
precipitation, but the honour of entering mined spirit had made the attempt, but
the noble family of Gamwell removed all an unexpected thing happened —
they had
their scruples. all become, by their own wish, members
Sir Guy, cleverly prepared by Robin to of the band of merry Foresters.
approve of his sons' choice, welcomed the One morning Robin and Will Scarlett
six pretty girls with great kindness. The were strolling through the Forest when
eight marriages were celebrated on one Much suddenly appeared before them,
day with much pomp, and each was streaming with perspiration and panting
delighted at the happiness which had for breath.
fallen to his share. " What hath happened. Much ? " asked
Robin, anxiously. " Are you pursued ?
You are soaking with perspiration."
" Never fear, Robin," replied the
young man, wiping his crimson face.
CHAPTER Vni " Thanks be to Heaven, I have had no
dangerous encounter. I have only come
MONTH after the events just related, from a bout with quarter-staves with
A Robin Hood, his wife, and the Peaceful Arthur. Good Lord the lad
whole of his band of Merrie Men were hath the strength of a giant in his arm."
!

installed once again beneath the trees of " You speak truly, my dear Much, and
Sherwood Forest. 'tis indeed a rough job to fight with
About this time, a number of Normans, Arthur when he is in earnest ." . .

liberally paid for their mihtary services "Arthur always keeps cool," replied
by Henry H., came to take possession of Much " but as he is ignorant of the real
;

the domains given them by the King's rules of the game, he owes his success
generosity. Some of these Normans, only to his tremendous muscle."
who were obliged to cross Sherwood " Did he make you cry for quarter ?
Forest to reach their new estates, were " I should think so. But for that, he
constrained to pay their way liberally by would have knocked all the breath out of
70 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
me. At this moment he is trying a bout looking me up and down from head to foot
with Little John, but with such an adver- disdainfully, gave thee a single blow
'
if I
sary Arthur's defeat cannot be doubted, on the fingers with my staff, thou wouldst
for when he begins to strike hard. Little not be able to use either sword or bow.'
John doth e'en lift his staff and give him " '
Speak civilly, my lad,' I replied, '
an
some shrewd blows on the shoulders, to thou wish not to get a sound thrashing.'
teach him to moderate the transports of " '
How
now, little friend, whip an oak
his strength." with a reed ! Whom
dost take thyself
" For what reason did you engage with for, then, young prodigy of valour ? Learn
the indomitable Arthur ? " asked Robin. that I care not for thee the least bit in the
" Without rhyme or reason, simply to world. However, an if thou wish to fight,
pass an hour agreeably and to give our I am thy man.'
limbs healthy exercise." **
Thou hast no sword,' I observed.
*

" Arthur is a terrible fighter," said " I need none when I have my staff.'
'

Robin, " and one day he overcame me in " Then I must take a staff of the same
*

a bout with quarter-staves." length as thine.'

" You " cried Will.
!
" So be it,' said he, putting himself on
'

"Yea, cousin, he treated me somewhat his guard.

after the fashion in which he hath "I immediately dealt him the first blow,
handled Much the rascal used his oaken and I saw the blood gush from his fore-
;

staff like a bar of iron." head and stream down his cheeks. Stag-
" How was it that he beat you gering under the blow, he made a step
Where did the bout take place ? " asked backward. I lowered my weapon, but
Will, curiously. seeing the movement, which no doubt
" The match took place in the Forest, appeared to him an expression of triumph,
and this is how I made Arthur's ac- he set himself again to wield his staff with
quaintance. I was walking by myself an extraordinary strength and cleverness.
down a lonely path in the wood, when With such violence did he strike out that
I saw the gigantic Arthur leaning upon I had hardly strength to ward off his blows
an iron ferruled staff, with eyes and and keep my staff in my clenched hands.
mouth wide open watching a herd of In leaping back to avoid a terrible attack,
deer within a few feet of him. His I neglected to keep up my guard, and he
gigantic appearance, the air of candid took advantage of it to deal me the most
innocence which overspread his large terrific crack on the skull I have ever
face, made me wish to amuse myself at received. I fell back as though pierced by
his expense. I ghded dexterously behind an arrow, but I did not lose conscious-
him, and accosted him by a vigorous blow ness, and again sprang to my feet. The
with the fist between his shoulders. combat, suspended for an instant, began
Arthur started, turned his head, and again Arther rained his blows upon me
;

glared at me wrathfully. with such tremendous force, he scarce

" '
Who art thou ? 'said I to him, and gave me time to defend myself.
'
Thus
what dost thou mean by wandering in we fought for nearly four hours. We
the wood ? Thou hast all the appearance made the echoes of the old wood ring
of a robber going to steal the deer. Be with our blows, revolving round one
so good as to clear off at once. I am the another like two wild boars when they
Keeper of this part of the Forest, and I fight. At length, thinking there was not
will not suffer the presence of rascals of much use in continuing a struggle in
thy kind.' which there was little to gain, not even
" Well,' he replied carelessly, try
'
*
and the satisfaction of thrashing my adversary,
remove me if thou dost wish it, but I do I threw down my staff.
not intend to go. Call for help, if it be " Enow,' I said to him
' let us finish
;
'

thy good pleasure I will not oppose thee.' the quarrel.

; We
might knock each other
" I need call for no one to enforce the about until to-morrow and both be ground
'

law or my wishes, my fine fellow. I am to powder without winning aught thereby.

accustomed to trust to mine own resources, I give thee the free run of the Forest, for
which, as thou mayst see, are worthy of thou art a brave lad.'
respect. I have two good arms, a sword, " Gramercy for that great favour,' he
'

and a bow and arrows.' replied disdainfully. I have purchased

'

•"My little forester,' said Arthur, the right to go my own way by the aid of

I
 ' '

KOBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 71

my therefore it is to that rather devoted or more faithful follower than

staff ;

than to thee my thanks are due.' Peaceful Arthur, the tanner of Nottingham
" That is true, my brave lad, but thou town.'
'

wouldst have found it difficult to defend " Thy frankness pleaseth me, Arthur,' '

thy right with thy staff alone to enforce it. I answered him, and I consent gladly to '

Thou wouldst find some doughty opponent admit thee as one of the Merrie Men who
in the green wood, and thou couldst only form my band. Our laws are few and
preserve thy liberty at the cost of broken simple, but they must be observed. On
crowns and aching limbs. Believe me, every other point thou shalt have complete
life in the town even would be preferable liberty, and in addition to that thou wilt
to that which thou wouldst lead here.' be well clothed, well nourished, and well
" However,' replied Arthur, I am fain treated.'
' '

to dwell in the old Forest.' " heart swells as I listen to you, '
My
" My
valiant adversary's answer made Robin Hood, and the thought of being
me consider," continued Robin. " I looked one of your band makes me very happy.
at his tall figure, the amiable frankness of I am not quite the stranger you might
his face, and I told myself that the attach- imagine, for Little John is a kinsman of
ment of such a young blade as this might mine. maternal uncle married John's My
be to the advantage of our community. mother, who was a sister of Sir Guy
" Then thou dost not like living in the Gamwell.
'
Shall I see Little John soon ?
town ?
'
asked him.
I I am all impatience to do so.'
" Nay,' he replied, am aweary " will bring him
'
'
I of '
I hither,' I said, and
being the slave of these cursed Normans. wound my horn.
I am tired of hearing myself called " dog, " Some minutes later Little John
knave, serf," My master hath applied to appeared.
me this morning some of the worst epithets " At sight of our blood-bespattered
in his vocabulary, and, not content with faces and frightful bruises, Little John
baiting me with his viperish tongue, wished stopped short.
to strike me. I did not wait for the blow. " '
What is it, Robin ?
' he cried, startled.
I found a stick within reach of my hand, *
Your face is in a frightful state.'
and used it, giving him a blow over the '*
have been thrashed,' I replied
' I
shoulders that knocked him senseless. calmly, *and the culprit stands before
That done, I fled.' thee.'
" What is thy trade ? I asked him.
*
'
" If '
that rascal hath beaten you, he
" I am a tanner,' he answered, and '
must wield his staff very prettily,' cried
' I
have lived for several years in the county Little John. '
Well, I will repay with
of Nottingham.' interest the blows he hath given thee.
Well, my fine friend,' I said to him, Step forward, my fine lad.'
** *

*
thou have not too great a liking for
if " Stay thy hand, friend John, and give '

your trade, canst say good-bye to it, it to a faithful ally, to a cousin this ;

and come and live here. I am Robin young man iscalled Arthur.'
Hood. Is the name known to thee ? " Arthur of Nottingham, known
' as
" For sure it is
' but are you Robin Peaceful Arthur ? questioned John.
; '

Hood ? You told me just now that you
were one of the Keepers of the Forest.'
" I am Robin Hood, I give thee
' my
word of honour,' I replied, holding out
" The same,' replied Arthur. ' '
We
have not met since our childhood, but all
the same I recognised thee. Cousin John.*
" I cannot say as much,' said John, *

my hand to the poor lad, who was over- with his simple frankness. I do not '

come by surprise. Upon my soul and recall thy features, but that matters little
'
;
!

conscience thou art welcome, Cousin, and thou wilt

" Then I am very glad to have met you,' find good and merry hearts in the green
'

added Arthur, joyfully, for I came to wood.' '

seek you, generous Robin Hood. When " Arthur and John embraced each other,
you told me that you were one of the and the remainder of the day passed
Keepers of the Forest I believed you, and merrily."
should not have dared to tell you my " Have you ever striven against Arthur
reason for coming to Shervv"Ood. I wish since that day ? " Will asked Robin.
to join your band, and if you will accept " I have had no opportunity of doing so
me as a companion you will have no more as yet but it is probable that I should be ;
 ' ' ' '

72 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

vanquished again, and that would be for arrest Robin, and proposeth me the
the third time." reward.'
"What, for the third time?" cried " Thou speakest of this arrest, already
'

Will. so often vainly attempted, as if it were

" Yea, Jasper the Tinker gave me a the easiest thing in the world to accom-
sound drubbing." plish.'
"Really? When was that? Doubt- " It will not be very difficult for me,'
'

less before he was enrolled in the band ? " replied the Tinker. I am of solid build, I
'

" Yea," replied Robin. " I am in the have muscles of iron, a tried courage, and
habit of proving the courage and strength much patience. Thus can I well hope to
of a man for myself before putting my catch my man.'
confidence in him. I do not wish for " ' Wert thou to meet accidentally,
companions with weak heads and hearts. shouldst recognise him ?
" I have never seen him
One morning I met Jasper the Tinker on ' an if I ;

the road to Nottingham. You know his knew his face, my task would be half
vigorous broad-shouldered person, and I accomplished. Art any wiser than I am
need give you no description "of the jolly in this respect ?
rascal his looks pleased me, as he walked
;
" Yea, I have met Robin Hood twice,
'

with a firm step, whistling a gay air. I and perchance it would be possible for me
advanced to meet him. to help thee in thine enterprise.'
" Good day, my friend,' said I to him.
'
" My fine lad, an thou canst do that,'
'

' I see thou art a traveller. 'Tis said said he, I will e'en give thee a large
*

there is bad news abroad is that true ;

? share of the reward I shall gain.'
" What news dost speak of ?
'
he '
" I will point oat a place where thou
'

asked. I know of none worth naming. couldst meet him,' I replied

*
but before ;
'

I come from Bamborough, and am a tin- going any further in our undertaking, I
smith by trade, and I think only of my should like to see the order for his
work.' arrest; to be valid it must be drawn up
" The
*
news in question ought to according to rule.'
interest thee all the same, my fine fellow. " I am greatly obliged for thy pre-
'

I have heard that ten of you Tinkers caution,' answered the Tinker, defiantly,
have just been put in the stocks for being but I shall confide the paper to no one.
'

drunk.' I know it is valid and in order that ;

" Thy news is not worth a groat,' he satisfies me, and so much the worse for
'

replied but if all who drank were put in thee if thou dost not believe it. Robin
;
'

the stocks, thou wouldst certainly take the Hood shall see the King's order when I
first place there, for thou hast not the air have him in my power, bound hand and
of a man who despiseth good wine.' foot.'
" In truth, I am no enemy to the
'
' Perchance thou art right, my good
'

bottle, and I do not think there is a jovial man,' I replied indifferently. I am not so '

heart in all the world that despiseth wine. anxious to assure myself of the value of
But what brings thee hither from Bam- thy permit as thou seemest to think. I
borough ? For assuredly it was not the am going to Nottingham as much from
interests of thy trade.' curiosity as from idleness, for I heard
" It was not my trade, in sooth,' this morning that Robin Hood was going
'

responded Jasper. I am. seeking a robber into the town, and if thou wilt come
'

called Robin Hood. A reward of one with me I will show thee the famous
hundred golden crowns is promised to Outlaw.'
any one who can capture him, and I much " I will take thee at thy word, my
'

desire to gain that reward.' lad,' said the Tinker, quickly, but an if, '

" How thinkest to capture Robin when we arrive at our destination, I see
*

Hood ? I asked the Tinker, for I was any sign of deceit on thy part, thou shalt
'

greatly surprised at the calm and serious make acquaintance with my staff.' i

way in which he made this strange "I shrugged my shoulders in disdain.

confidence. He saw the action, and began to laugh.
" I have an order for his " Thou wilt not regret having helped
' arrest, '

signed by the King,* Jasper made answer. me,' said he, for I am not an ungrateful
*

" Is the order strictly in rule ?

'
man.'
" Perfectly
•
it empowereth me to
; " When we arrived at Nottingham we
 — ' ! ' ' ' ' ;'

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 73

" Of my companion. He hath plundered
stopped at Pat's Inn, and I asked the '

master of the house for a bottle of a me.*

special kind of beer. The Tinker, who "Well, that doth not suit me at all,'
'

had been on his feet since early morning, said the Innkeeper, with an appearance
was literally dying of thirst, and the beer of anger, for you have here a long shot
'

soon disappeared. After the beer I to settle.'

called for wine, and after the wine again " '
A groaned Jasper.
shot to settle !
'

for beer, and so on for an hour. Without *

I have naught left, naught whatever
perceiving it, the Tinker had emptied the wretch hath utterly despoiled me. I
every bottle set before him, for I, being had in my purse a warrant of arrest under
by nature averse to the immoderate use the King's hand and by the help of that ;

of wine, contented myself with a few
glasses. I need hardly tell you that the
worthy fellow became completely intoxi-
cated. Then he began to regale me with
a boastful account of all he would do to
capture Robin Hood, and how, after
warrant I might have made my fortune,
I might have captured Robin Hood.
This thief of a stranger promised to help
me, and was going to conduct me into
the presence of the outlaw chief. Oh,
the rogue He hath abused my confi-
!

taking the Chief of the Merrie Men dence and carried off my precious paper
!

prisoner, he would arrest the whole band, " '

How
returned ?
the Innkeeper. '

and take them all to London. The King *

Youconfided to that young man the
would reward his bravery by giving him evil intentions that have brought you to
'
a fortune and the privileges of a grand Nottingham ?

dignitary of the State ; but at the very " The Tinker threw a sidelong glance
moment when the illustrious conqueror at his host.
was on the point of marrying an English " It appears,' said he,
'
that you would '

Princess, he fell from his chair, and rolled, not lend a helping hand to the brave
fast asleep, beneath the table. fellow who would wish to arrest Robin
" I took the Tinker's purse it contained, Hood ?
;

besides money, the order for my arrest. " By my faith,' replied the Innkeeper,
'

I paid our expenses, and told the Inn- Robin Hood hath never done me harm,
'

keeper and his quarrels with the rulers of the

" When this fellow awakes, you will land do not concern me.
' But how the
ask him to pay for our refreshment then, devil,' continued the man, did you come
;
'

if he asks you who I am and where I am to be drinking joyously with him, and
to be found, you will answer that I live showing him your little paper, instead of
in the Forest, and that my name is Robin seizing his person ?
Hood.' " The Tinker stared wildly at him.
" The Innkeeper, a worthy man, in " What do you mean ? he asked.
*
'

whom I have every confidence, began to " I mean that you have lost an oppor-
'

laugh gaily. tunity of capturing Robin Hood.'

" Be easy. Master Robin,' said he, I
' ' " How so ? '

will faithfully carry out your orders and

;
" Oh, what a dolt you be
' Robin 1

should the Tinker wish to see you again, Hood was here just now. You entered
he will only have to seek you.' together, you drank together, and I
" 'You understand me, my good fellow,' thought you were one of his band.'
I replied, picking up the Tinsmith's bag. " I drank with Robin Hood
' I clinked !

' And there is every reason to believe the glasses with Robin Hood cried the
!

'

good man will not let me wait his visit for astounded Tinker.
!
long.' " Yea, a thousand times yea
•

" Saying which, I bade the Innkeeper " This is too much ' exclaimed the !
'

farewell, and left the house. poor man, seating himself heavily in a
" After sleeping for some hours, Jasper chair. But he shall never say that he
'

awoke. He soon became aware of my tricked Jasper the Tinker with impunity.
absence and of the loss of his purse. Oh, villain! Oh, thief!' bellowed the
" Landlord,' he shouted, in a voice of Tinker,
'
wait, wait, wait while I seek'

thunder, I am robbed, I am ruined

•
thee out.'
Where is the thief ? " I would fain see the colour of mr
'

" Of what thief do you speak ? asked money before you go,' said the Inn
'
'

the host, with the greatest coolness. keeper.

 ' '; .

74 ROBIN HOOD T?IE OUTLAW

" *
What
the amount of your bill ?
is I pointed out the reinforcement which
asked Jasper, wrathfully. had come to my assistance.
" len shillings,' replied the host, over-
* " What is it ? asked John. '
'

joyed at the unhappy Tinker's furious " My lad,' I replied, here is a Tinker
' '

countenance. wight who hath given me a sound drub-

" I have not a penny to give you,' bing, and I recommend him to you, for
'

returned Jasper, turning out his pockets he is worthy of your consideration. My

'
but as guarantee for the payment of this good man,' I added, an if you will join '

unlucky debt, I will leave my tools with our band, you will be very welcome.'
you. They are worth three or four times " The Tinker accepted forthwith, and
what you claim. Can you tell me where from that time, as you are aware, he hath
to find Robin Hood ? been one of us."
" Not this evening, but to-morrow you
* " I prefer a bow and arrows to all the
will find your man hunting the King's cudgels in the world," said William,
deer.* •* whether
as a game or taken as weapons
" Well, then, to-morrow the robber of offence and defence.
' It is better, in
shall be captured,' rejoined the Tinker, my opinion, at least to be sent out of the
with an assurance which gave the Inn- world by one single blow than to go
keeper food for thought; for," added Robin, piecemeal and the wound of an arrow is ;

" when recounting this to me, the host a thousand times preferable to the pain
avowed that he greatly feared Jasper's caused by a blow from a cudgel."
rage against me. " My
good friend," returned Robin,
" The next morning I started in quest, " the cudgel renders very good service
not of the deer, but of the Tinsmith, and I where the bow hath no power. The
had not long to seek. As soon as he effect doth not depend on whether your
perceived me, he uttered a cry, and threw quiver is empty or full, and when you do
himself upon me, brandishing an enormous not desire the death of an enemy, a good *

cudgel. beating will leave him a sharper remem-

" What clown is this,' I cried,
' who brance than the wound of an arrow."
*

dares to present himself before me in so The three friends were making their
unseemly a manner ?
'
way to Nottingham as they conversed, and I

" It is no clown,' replied the Tinker, all at once they met a little girl dissolved
'

but an ill-used man, resolved to take his in tears.

'

revenge.' Robin hastened toward the weeping

" Saying this, he attacked me with his beauty.
cudgel but I placed myself beyond his
;
" Why
dost weep, my child ? " he
reach and drew my sword. asked in a kindly tone.
" Stop,' I said to him.
' will fight '
We
The little girl broke into sobs.
with equal weapons I must have a ;
" I want to see Robin Hood," she
cudgel.' answered, " and if you have any pity in i

me quietly to trim the your heart, Master, take me to him."

" Jasper suffered
branch of an oak tree, and then recom- " I am Robin Hood, my pretty child,"
menced his attack. replied the young man, gently. " Have my
**
He
held his staff in both hands, and men been wanting in respect to thy youth
hacked at me like a woodcutter at a tree. and innocence ? Is thy mother ill ? Dost
My arms and wrists were beginning to come toask my help? Speak, I am
fail me, when I called for a truce for ; entirely at thy disposal."
there was no honour to be gained from " Master, a great misfortune hath be-
such a contest. fallen us ; three of my brothers, who
" I would fain hang thee on the
' belong to thy band, have been taken
nearest tree,' he said furiously, throwing prisoners by the Sheriff of Nottingham."
down his staff. " Tell me the name of thy brothers, my
" leapt back and blew my horn
I the child." ;

fellow was strong enough to send me into "Adalbert, Edelbert, and Edwin the
another world. Merry-hearted," sobbed the little girl.
" Little John and the Merrie Men ran An exclamation of dismay escaped
up at my call. Robin.
" I was seated beneath a tree, spent " Good companions," said he, " these
with fatigue, and, without saying a word, are the bravest and hardiest of all my
 ; ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 75

troop. How did they fall
"
into the Sheriffs take care to prevent any attempt at
hands, my little friend ? deliverance on my part, and would hang
" In rescuing a young man who was our comrades within the Castle. So
being taken to prison for having defended much for the prisoners. As for you, you
liis mother against the insults of some are well aware that his Lordship hath
joldiers. At this very moment, Sir, they loudly boasted that if ever we fell into his
ire getting ready the gallows at the gate hands, he would hang us upon the town
Df the town, doubtless to hang my gallows. The Sheriff hath conducted the
brothers thereon." affair of the Merry Hearts so swiftly that
" Dry thy tears, pretty child," answered he cannot fear that I have been warned
Robin kindly. " Thy brothers have naught of the fate in store for them consequently,
;

o fear there is not a man in all

; in order to instil a wholesome lesson into
Sherwood Forest but would not be ready the citizens of Nottingham, he will hang
o give his life for these three good our companions publicly. I will make all
ellows. We
will go into Nottingham speed to the town do you rejoin your
;

eturn to thy home, console thy father's men, and follow my instructions to the
ifflicted heart by thy sweet voice, and tell letter."
hy mother that Robin Hood will give As he said this, Robin hurried off.
ler back her children." Hardly had he left his companions ere he
" I will pray Heaven to bless thee, met a pilgrim of the Mendicant Order.
vlaster," murmured the little girl, smiling " What news from the town, good
.mid her tears. *' I had heard that thou Father ?
" asked Robin.
vert alway ready to help the unfortunate " The news from the town, young
.nd protect the poor. But, I beseech man," replied the pilgrim, " is full of woe
hee, Master Robin, haste thee, for my and lamentation. Three of Robin Hood's
[ear brothers are in sore danger of companions are to be hanged by order of
heir lives." the Lord Fitz-Alwine."
" Trust me, dear child ; I will arrive at A sudden idea crossed Robin's mind.
he most propitious time. Hurry back to "Father," said he, "I should like to
lottingham, and tell no one of what thou be present at the execution of these
last done." poachers, without being known for one of
The child took Robin Hood's hands the Keepers of the Forest. Wilt ex-
"
,nd kissed them warmly. change thy clothes for mine ?
" I shall pray for thy happiness all my " Art joking, young man ? "

ife, Master," said she, in a voice full of " Nay, father, I simply desire to give
motion. thee my costume and to put on thy robe.
" God bless thee, my child Good-bye." If thou dost accept my proposition, I will
!

The little maid ran off down the road give thee forty shillings, to use according
the town, and soon disappeared be- to thy fancy."
leath the shade of the trees. The old man looked curiously at the
" Hurrah " said Will. "
! We
shall have author of this strange request.
omething to do now. I shall be amused. " Thy clothes are handsome," said he,
" " and my robe is ragged. It is not possible
Nha.t are your orders, Robin ?
" Go to Little John, tell him to assemble to believe thou shouldst wish to change
,s many of the men as he can find, and thy brilliant garb for these wretched
2ad them —
of course without being seen rags. He who makes fun of an old man
-to the outskirts of the wood nearest to commits a great sin he mocks both God ;

Jottingham. Then at sound of my horn and misfortune."

ou will cut your way through to me, " Father," replied Robin, ** I respect thy
word in hand and with bows bent." white hairs, and I pray the Virgin to take
" What do you purpose, then, to do ? " thee under her Divine protection. I put
sked Will. my request with no ill intent in mine heart
" I shall go into the town and see 'tis necessary for the accomplishment of
whether there be any means whatever of a good work. Hold," added he, offering
elaying the execution. Forget not, the old man twenty pieces of money,
dends, that you must act with extreme " here is an earnest of our bargain."
aution, for should the Reeve come to The pilgrim looked covetously at the
iarn that I have been warned of the coins.
ritical condition of my men, he would " Youth hath many foolish ideas," said

II
 j ,

76 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

he, " and if thou art in a paroxysm of head of the procession, advanced towards
fantastic mirth, I see not why I should Baron Fitz-Alwine.
refuse to let thee have thy way." " Noble Lord," said he, in a snuffling
" Now, that is well said," returned voice, " what will you give me, an 1 con-
"
Robin, " and if thou wilt disrobe. . . . sent to take the hangman's place ?
Thy hose are fashioned by events," con- The Baron stepped back, as one who
tinued Robin, gaily, " for, to judge by the fears a dangerous contact.
innumerable pieces of which they are " Methinketh," replied the noble Baron,
composed, they have gathered to them the looking Robin up and down, " that if I
materials of the four seasons." should offer thee a new assortment oi
The pilgrim began to laugh. clothing, thou shouldst be glad to accepi
"My robe is like a Norman's con- such reward. Therefore, beggar, if thoi
science," he said, " 'tis made up of odds wilt get us out of this difficulty, I will e'er
and ends, while thy doublet is the image give thee six new suits, and beside thai
of a Saxon heart, strong and without the hangman's perquisite of thirteer
blemish." pence."
" Thy speech is golden. Father," said "And what will you give'me, my Lord
Robin, donning the old man's rags as fast if I hang you into the bargain ?
" askeci

as he was able, " and if I must do homage Robin, approaching the Baron.
to thy wit, 'tis likewise my duty to accord " Keep thy distance, beggar, and repea
praise to the manifest scorn I inspire in what thou hast just said I did not under
;

thee, for thy robe is of quite a Christian stand it."

simplicity." " You offered me six new suits an(
" Am I to keep thy arms ? " asked the thirteen pence," returned Robin, " fo
pilgrim. hanging these poor lads. I ask what yoi 1
" Nay, Father, for I shall want them. would add to my reward an if I engag
Now that our mutual transformation is to hang you and a dozen of your Norma:
complete, allow me to give thee some dogs.'
advice. Get thee hence from this part of '
Shameless ragamuffin ! What is th
the Forest, and above all, in the interests meaning of thine insolence ? " cried th
of thine own safety, beware of attempting Baron, astounded at the pilgrim's audacitj
to follow me. Thou hast my clothes " Dost know whom thou art addressing
upon thy back, my money in thy pocket, Impertinent knave, one word more an
thou art rich and well clothed, go seek thou wilt make the fourth bird hanging o
thy fortune some leagues away from the gallows-tree."
Nottingham." " Have you remarked," quoth Robii
"I thank thee for thy advice, good lad; " that I am a poor man, very miserabl
"
it doth accord well with mine own wishes. clad ?

Take the benediction of an old man, and " Yea, in truth, very miserably clad,
if thine enterprise be honest, I wish it replied the Baron, making a face (

immediate success." disgust.

Robin saluted the pilgrim gracefully " Well," continued our hero, " th;
and made off with all haste in the direc- outer misery hides within a large hea
tion of the town. and a
right sensitive nature. I am vei i

At the moment when Robin, thus sensible

dis- to an insult, and resent disda: P.
guised, and bearing no weapon save an and injury at least as much as you d
oaken cudgel, arrived at Nottingham, a noble Baron. You do not scruple '

procession of mercenaries left the Castle, insult my misery." ,

and took the road toward the end of the " Hold thy tongue, thou beggar fj
town, where three gallows had been set up. chatterbox. Dost dare compare thyse
Suddenly an unexpected piece of news with me, the Lord Fitz-Alwine ? Go t
went round the crowd ; the hangman was thou art mad."
ill, and, being on the point of death him- " I am a poor man," said Robin, " a vei
self, was quite unable to launch another poor, miserable man." ;;~

into eternity. By order of the Sheriff, a " I did not come here to listen to tl '-'^

proclamation was made and a man was prating of one of thy sort," returned tl
;

called for who would consent to fulfil the Baron, impatiently. "If thou dost refu V^^
office of hangman. my offer, get you gone if thou do ^ ;

Robin, who had placed himself at the accept it, prepare to fill thine office."

I
 "

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 77

" do not rightly know in what mine
I of the knife, and the shining reflection
office consists,"returned Robin, who was dazzled the old lord, and made him appre-
seeking to gain time for his men to reach ciate his adversary's power so, instead of ;

the outskirts of the wood. " I have never attempting an impossible resistance, he
acted as hangman, and I thank the Holy submitted with groans.
Virgin for it. Cursed be the infamous " What dost desire of me ? " he said,
trade and the miserable wretch who doth trying to put a conciliatory softness into
practise it." his voice.
" How now ? dost mock me ? " roared ** The life of the three men whom you
the Baron, Robin's would hang, my Lord," replied Robin
beside himself at
insolence. " Hark thee, if thou dost not Hood.
set about thy work at once, I will have **
I cannot grant thee that boon, my
thee soundly beaten." good man," returned the old man " the ;

" And would that help you on at all, my unhappy creatures have killed the King's
Lord ? " returned Robin. " Would you deer, which misdemeanor is punishable
the more readily find a man disposed to by death. The whole town of Nottingham
carry out your orders ? No, you have knows of their crime and their sentence,
just made a proclamation which all have and if, from a culpable weakness I grant
heard, and yet I am the only man who thy prayer, the King would be informed
hath offered to do your wishes." of a compliance so entirely inexcusable."
" I know well enow what art driving At that moment a great tumult was
at, base wretch," cried the Baron, over- observed among the crowd, and the
whelmed with rage. " Thou wouldst have whistling of arrows was heard.
the sum promised thee for despatching Robin, who knew his men were come,
these clowns into another world increased." gave a shout.
Robin shrugged his shoulders. " Ah, you are Robin Hood," groaned
" Let them be hanged by whom you the Baron.
please," replied he, affecting complete " Yea, my Lord," replied our hero, " I
indifference. am Robin Hood."
" Not
at all, not at all," returned the Protected in a friendly manner by the
Baron, in a milder voice " thou shalt do inhabitants of the town, the Merrie Men
;

the work. I will double the reward, and now appeared from all directions, and
if thou dost not thine office exactly, I
fill Will Scarlett with his brave fellows soon
shall have the right
to call thee the least joined their companions.
conscientious hangman in the world." The prisoners once free. Baron Fitz-
"If I wished to put the unhappy Alwine saw plainly that the only means
creatures to death," replied Robin, " I of getting himself safe and sound out of
should content myself with the reward such a critical situation was to conciliate
you have already offered me, but I refuse Robin Hood.
point blank to soil my hands by contact " Take the prisoners away quickly,"
with the gallows." said he. " My soldiers, exasperated by
" What dost mean, wretch ? " bellowed the remembrance of a recent defeat,
the Baron. might put obstacles in the way of the
" Wait, my Lord I will call for men
; success of your project."
who, at my command, will deliver you for " This act of courtesy was dictated to
ever from the sight of these terrible you by fear," retorted Robin Hood,
culprits." laughingly. " I do not dread any violence
As he finished speaking Robin blew a from your soldiers the number and ;

joyous flourish upon his hunting-horn, and valour of my men render them invulner-
laid his hands upon the terrified Baron. able."
" My Lord," said he, " your life hangs Saying which, Robin Hood saluted the
by a thread if you make a movement, I old man ironically, turned his back on
;

plunge this knife into your heart. Forbid him, and ordered his men to hie them
your servants to come to your assistance," back to the Forest.
Robin added, brandishing an immense The Baron's livid features expressed
hunting-knife over the old man's head. rage and fear. He called his men together,
" Soldiers, remain in your ranks remounted his horse, and rode off in all
1

cried the Baron, in a stentorian voice. haste.

The sun glanced off the sparkling blade The citizens of Nottingham, who
F
 ;

78 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW j

regarded poaching as hardly a blame- meet with Sir Richard, or, in default of
worthy action, surrounded the Merrie that ungrateful man, some rich Norman,
]\Ien, uttering shouts of joy. Then the or even some half-famished devil. I wish
chief men of the town, put at ease by the to see some unknown face go, seek some ;

Baron's flight, testified their sympathy to adventure, and bring me any guest what-
Robin Hood, while the parents of the soever."
" That indeed is a strange way of con-
young prisoners embraced the knees of
their sons' deliverer. soling yourself, my dear Robin," laughed
The humble and sincere thanks of Will, " but it shall be as you wish. We
these poor people appealed more to Robin will go in search of some passing dis-
Hood's heart than any lofty sentiments traction."
expressed in flowery rhetoric could have The two young men called Much, and
done. on his appearance they all set off togethei
in the direction indicated by Robin.
" Robin is very gloomy to-day," saic
Will, thoughtfully.
CHAPTER IX " Why ? " asked Much, in a tone o:
surprise.
WHOLE
A year had slipped
since the day when Robin had
generously succoured Sir Richard of the
away " Because he fears he hath been deceivec
so in trusting Sir Richard
replied Little John.
of the Plain,'

Plain, and for some weeks past the Merrie " I do not see why it should causi
Men had again taken up their abode in Robin such sorrow we do not neec I
;

Barnsdale Forest. From the early morn- money, and four hundred crowns more o
ing of the day fixed for the Knight's visit our treasure-chest ."
less in . .

Robin had been prepared to receive him, " Robin doth not think of the money,
but the appointed hour did not bring the interrupted John, almost irritably. " Yo
expected visitor. are talking very foolishly, cousin. Robi:
" He will not come," said Will Scarlett, is wounded at having helped an ungratefi
who, with Little John and Robin, was soul, that is all."
seated beneath a tree watching with some " Stop," said Will.I "
hear horse
impatience the road which stretched before approaching."
them. '•
I will go and meet the travellers,
" Sir Richard's ingratitude will give us cried IMuch, running off.

a lesson," replied Robin. "It will teach us
to put no trust in the promises of men
but for the sake of the human race I
should not like to be deceived by Sir
Richard, for I have never seen a man
who bore in his countenance more visible
imprints of loyalty and frankness and I ;
declare that if my debtor doth not keep
his word, I shall no longer know by
what external sign to know an honest
man."
" I await the good Knight's coming
"If it is the Knight, call us," saij
John.
William and his cousin waited, an.
soon Much re-appeared at the end of th[
path.
" It not Sir Richard," said he, as V
is
came up to his friends, " but two Dominj
can friars accompanied by a dozen men.
"If these Dominicans have a cavalcac
at their heels," said John, " you may t
sure they are richly provided with goli
consequently they must be invited 1

with certainty," said Little John. " The partake of Robin's repast."
sun is not yet hidden beyond the trees, "Shall we call some of the Merr
and Sir Richard will be here before another Men ? " asked Will.
hour hath passed." " 'Tis not needful the cravens' hear
;

" May God grant it, my dear John," are in their legs and are so much tl
replied Robin Hood, " for, like you, I would slaves of the latter that in the presence i

fain hope that the word of a Saxon is a danger their one thought is flight. B'
pledge of honour. I will stay here until hold here comes the monks.
! Remembe
the first stars begin to peep out, and if we absolutely must take them to Robin ;
1

the Knight come not, I shall mourn for is dull, and 'twill be a pleasant distractic
him as for a friend. Take your arms, for him. Get ready your bows, and 1

my lads, call Much, and patrol the road ! prepared to bar the way of this fii
leading to St. Mary's Abbey. You may '
cavalcade."
 " — ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 79

William and Much hastened to carry once more, and stood ready to discharge
out his orders. their arrows. Seeing the bows raised and
On turning a corner of the road, which turned against them, the Dominicans'
wound at will among the trees, the men set spur to their steeds and saved
travellers perceived the Foresters and the themselves with a precipitation which
hostile position they had taken up. spoke volumes for their prudence. The
The servants, terrified at the dangerous Monks were preparing to follow the
encounter, reined in their steeds, and the example of their men when they were
Monks, who occupied the front rank of arrested by John, who constrained them
the little column, tried to hide themselves stop by seizing the bridles of their
to
behind their men. Behind the Monks, John per-
horses.
" Do not attempt to move," cried John, ceived a young groom who appeared to
commandingly, '* or I will surely kill be in charge of a sumpter horse, and near
you." the groom stood a boy, dressed as a page
The Monks grew pale, but, finding and dumb with fear.
themselves at the mercy of the Foresters, IMore courageous than the men of the
they obeyed the order so roughly given. escort, the two youths had not deserted
" Fair stranger," said one of the their posts.
Monks, grinning most amiably, " what do " Keep an eye on those young rogues.
you desire from a poor servant of Holy I give them permission to follow their
Church ? masters."
" I desire that ye bestir yourselves. Robin had remained seated beneath the
My master hath awaited you this three Trysting Tree, but when he saw John
hours, and the dinner groweth cold." and his companions, he rose quickly, and,
The Dominicans exchanged uneasy advancing to meet them, greeted the
looks. IMonks with effusion.
" Your words are a riddle to us, my " Never heed the insolent fellows,
friend. Be so good as to explain your- Robin," said John, irritated by the
self," replied one of them honeyed Monks' want of respect. " They are but
in
tones. ignorant fellows they have never a kind ;

" I will say it once again, and it needs word for the poor nor courtesy toward
—
no explanation my master awaits you." any one at all."
" Who is your master, my friend ? " " No matter," replied Robin. " I know
" Robin Hood," replied Little John, the Monks, and I expect from them
shortly. neither good words nor gracious smiles
A shudder of fear passed like an icy but I am a slave to politeness. Whom
blast over the men who accompanied the have you there, Will ? " added Robin,
Monks. They glanced fearfully around looking at the two pages and the sumpter
them, expecting, no doubt, to see more horse.
outlaws burst from the thicket. " The remainder of a troop consisting of
Robin Hood," repeated the IMonk,
*'
in a dozen men," replied the young man,
a voice more harsh than musical. " I with a laugh.
know of Robin Hood he is a robber by;
" What have you done with the main
"
profession, on whose head a price is set." body of this valiant army ?

" Robin Hood is no robber," replied "

Naught at all the sight of our bent
;

Little John, furiously, "and I do not bows threw itsranks into confusion, and
counsel any one to echo the insolent they fled without even turning their
accusation you bring against my noble heads."
master. But I have no time to discuss Robin began to laugh.
so delicate a point with you. Robin Hood " But,
worthy brothers," he continued,
invites you to dinner follow me without
; addressing the Monks, " you must be
demur As for your servants, I warn
! very hungry after so long a journey will ;
"
them to show me their heels, an if they ye share my meal ?
wish to save their lives. Will and Much, The Dominicans regarded the Merrie
bring down the first man who attempts Men, who had run up at the sound of the
to remain here against my wishes." horn, with so terrified an expression that
The Foresters, who had lowered their Robin said kindly to them, in order to
bows during the conversation between calm their fears
the Monk and Little John, raised them " Fear naught, good Monks no liarm ;
 " —
8o ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
shall befall you. Seat yourselves at the Hood's question, grew pale, and stammered
table, and eat your fill." out in an almost unintelligible voice
The Monks obeyed, but it was easy to "I have scarce anytliing, Master; at
see that they were but little reassured by most but a score of gold pieces."
the young Chief's kind words. " Only twenty pieces of gold ? " re-
" Where is your Abbey " asked turned Robin, fixing a stern look upon
?
"
Robin " and what name doth it bear ?
; the Monk.
" I belong to the Abbey of St. Mary," "Yea, Master," replied the Monk,
said the elder of the Monks, " and I whose livid face became suddenly suffused
am the Grand Cellarer of the Monas- with colour.
tery." "If you are speaking the truth," said
" Welcome, Brother Cellarer," said Robin, in a friendly tone, " I will not take
Robin. " I am happy to receive a man of one groat of your small fortune from you,
your worth. You shall give me your Better still, I will give you as much
opinion on my wine, for you must be an money as you may need. But, on the
excellent judge in such matters though other hand, if you have had the bad taste
;

I dare hope you will find it to your taste, to lie to me, I will not leave you even a
for, being myself difficult to please, I penny piece. Little John," continued
always drink wine of the best quality." Robin, " open the little trunk if you find
;

The Monks took heart they ate with there but twenty pieces of gold, you maj
;

a good appetite, and the Cellarer acknow- respect our guests' property, but if the
ledged the excellence of the dishes and sum is double or treble that amount, take
the full body of the wine, adding that it it all."
was a real pleasure to dine upon the turf Little John hastened to obey Robin's
in such joyous company. order. The colour faded from the Monk's
" My good brothers," said Robin Hood, cheeks; tears of rage coursed down his
toward the end of the meal, " ye cheeks he clasped his hands convulsivel}
;

appeared surprised at being asked to together, and a deep groan burst froir
dinner by a man whom ye did not know. him.
I will explain the mystery of the invita- '•
Ho, ho " said Robin, watching the
!

tion in a few words. A year ago I lent a Brother, " it appears that the twentj
sum of money to a friend of your Prior, pieces of gold are in numerous company
and accepted as a guarantee the Holy Well, John," he asked, " is our guest as
Mother of Jesus, our sainted patroness. poor as he would fain make out ? "
My unshakeable confidence in the Holy " I know not if he be poor," answerec
Virgin led me to believe firmly that at the John ;
" but of one thing am I wel
expiration of the appointed term I should assured, and that is that I have jusi
receive in some manner the money I had found eight hundred gold pieces in the
lent. Whereupon I three of m.y
sent little trunk."
men they saw you,
to seek for travellers ;
"Leave me the money. Master," saic
and brought you hither. You belong to the Monk; "it is not mine, and I an
a Monastery, and I can guess the delicate responsible for it to my Father Superior.'
mission confided to you by the provident " To whom bear you these eight hundrec
and generous benevolence of our Holy pieces of gold ? " questioned Robin.
Patroness you are come to repay me in
;
" To the Inspectors of St. Mary's
Her name the money lent to the poor Abbey, from our Abbot."
man. Be ye welcome " !
" The Inspectors abuse the generosit)
" The debt of which you speak is quite of your Prior, Brother, and it ill becomes
unknown to me. Master," returned the them to repay themselves so heavily for i

Monk, " and I do not bring you any few words of indulgence. This time the)
money." shall have nothing, and you will tell then
You are mistaken, Father I feel
" ; that Robin Hood, having need of money
certain that the chests carried by that hath carried off the sum they expected."
horse led by your page contain the " There is yet another chest," sak
amount due to me. many pieces of John " shall I open it ? "
How ;

gold have you in that pretty little leathern " Nay," replied Robin " I will conten
;

trunk attached so securely to the poor myself with eight hundred pieces of gold
beast ? Sir Monk, you are free to continue you:
The Monk, thunderstruck by Robin journey. You have been treated witl
 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 8i

courtesy, and I hope I see you depart who had stretched himself carelessly on
satisfied on all points." the grass.
" do not consider a forcible invitation
I The unexpected arrival of a body of
and an open theft very courteous," said men so formidable in proportion to the
the Monk, superciliously. " Here am I number of the Foresters, who were mostly
obliged to return to the Monastery, and scattered all about the wood, disquieted
"
what can I say to the Prior ? Robin slightly, and he did not wish to
*'
You will greet him from me," laughed commence hostilities before being assured
Robin Hood. " He knows me, the of victory.
worthy Father, and he will be very The horsemen advanced rapidly along
sensible of this token of good friend- the glade. When they were an arrow's
ship." flight from where Robin lay, the man who
The Monks mounted their horses, and, seemed to be their chief cantered up to
with hearts bursting with rage, galloped encounter Robin.
off along the road leading to the Abbey. " It is Sir Richard," cried John gaily,
" The Holy Virgin be praised " cried as he looked at the approaching horse-
!

Little John " she hath returned to us man.

;

the money you lent Sir Richard, and if " Holy Mother, I praise thee " said 1

the latter have broken his word, we can Robin, springing to his feet. " Saxon A
still console ourselves in that we have hath not broken his word."

lost nothing." Sir Richard leapt from his horse, ran

" I cannot so easily console myself in toward Robin, and threw himself into his
having lost confidence in the word of a arms.
Saxon," replied Robin, " and I should " God keepthee, Robin Hood," said he,
have preferred a visit from Sir Richard, giving the young man a fatherly embrace.
poor and despoiled of everything, rather " God keep thee in health and happiness
"
than be convinced that he is ungrateful to thy last day !

and without honour." " Be welcome to the green wood, gentle

" Noble Master," suddenly called a Knight," replied Robin, with emotion. " I
voice from the glade, " a Knight ap- am happy to see thee true to thy promise,
peareth on the high-road, accompanied by and with a heart full of kindness to thy
an hundred men, all armed to the teeth. devoted servant."
"
Shall we prepare to bar their way ? *'
I should have come empty-handed
"Are they Normans?" asked Robin, even, Robin Hood, to have the honour of
quickly. wringing thy hand ; but, luckily for mine
" One seldom sees Saxons so richly own satisfaction, I can return the money
clothed as these travellers," answered the thou didst lend me with so much grace,
lad who had announced the approach of kindness, and courtesy."
the troop. " Hast, then, recovered entirely the
" Look alive, then, my Merrie Men," possession of thy property ? " asked
cried Robin. " To your bows and lurking- Robin Hood.
places. Get ready your arrows, but draw " Yea, and may God prosper thee in
not ere you receive my order to attack." proportion to the happiness which I owe
The men disappeared, and the cross- to thee."
road where Robin remained soon appeared Robin's attention was next attracted by
completely deserted. the men, magnificently clad in the fashion
" You come not with us ? " John asked of the day, who formed a glittering line
Robin, who sat motionless at the foot of behind Sir Richard.
" "
a tree. Doth this fine troop belong to thee ?
'*
Nay," rejoined the young man " I asked the young man.
;

will await the strangers, and find out with " It doth at present," answered the
whom we have to deal." Knight, with a smile.
" Then I remain with you," said Little " I admire the bearing of the men and
John " to be alone might prove dangerous their martial figures," continued Robin, in
;

for you, an arrow is so quickly sped. If a tone of some surprise " they seem to ;

they strike you, I am at least here to be perfectly disciplined."

defend you." " Yea, they are brave and faithful, and
" too,
I, remain as body-guard," all of Saxon origin, and their
will temper
said Will, seating himself beside Robin, loyal —
for I have proved all the qualities
 —
82 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
which have I described to thee. Thou " My dear Knight," interrupted Robin,
wouldst do me a good service, dear Robin, " let us put aside this part of thy story,
if thou wouldst instruct thy men to enter- and tell us how thou didst arrange thy

tain my companions they have made a business with the Abbot of St. Mary's."
;

long journey, and will require some hours " Patience, good host, patience," said
of repose." Sir Richard, with a smile. " I do not wish
They shall learn the meaning of to praise thee. Be not afraid I know thy
'*
;

forest hospitality," replied Robin, heartily. admirable modesty on that point. Never-
My
*'
Merrie Men," continued he to his theless, I must tell thee that sweet Lilas
band, who began to appear on all sides, joined her prayers to Herbert's, and I
" these strangers are brother Saxons, they was obliged to exert all my paternal
are hungry and thirsty I pray you show authority to calm the impatience of their
;

them how we treat the friends who visit young hearts. I promised my children
us in the green wood." in your name, however, that they should
The Foresters obeyed Robin's orders have the happiness of seeing you at the
with a promptitude which should have Castle."
satisfied Sir Richard, for before retiring " Thou didst well, Sir Richard, and I
with his host he beheld the turf covered promise thee that some day I will seek
with viands, pots of ale and bottles of thy hospitality," said Robin, with emotion.
good wine. " Thank thee, good host I will inform;

Robin Hood, Sir Richard, Little John, Herbert and Lilas of the engagement
and Will sat down to a succulent repast, thou hast just made, and the hope of
and when dessert was brought, the Knight thanking thee in person will give them
began the following account of the events great satisfaction."
which had befallen him since his first " On the morrow of my return," con-
encounter with our hero. tinued Sir Richard, " I presented myself
" I cannot depict to you, my good at St. Mary's Abbey. I learnt later that
friends, with what sentiments of grati- at the very moment that I was making my
tude and infinite joy I quitted the Forest way towards the Abbey, the Abbot and
a year agone to-day. My
heart leapt the Prior were together in the refectory
within me, and I was in so great a haste and speaking of me in these terms
" It is a year to-day,' said the Abbot
to see my wife and children once more, '

that I regained the Castle in less time to the Prior, ' since a Knight whose
than it would take to tell you all my domains adjoin the Monastery, borrowed
story. from me four hundred pieces of gold he ;

" '
We
are saved,' I cried, straining my was to repay me the money with interest,
beloved ones to my heart. My
wife or leave me the free disposal of all his
dissolved in tears, and almost fainted. property. According to me, the time is
" '
Who
is the generous friend who hath up at mid-day, therefore I consider the
come to our aid ? asked Herbert.
' moment for payment hath arrived, and I
" '
My
children,' I replied, I knocked consider myself absolute master of all his
'

in vain at every door in vain I implored hereditaments.'

;

the succour of those who called them- " Brother,' returned the Prior, in-
'

selves my friends and I received no pity dignantly, ' you are cruel a poor man
; ;

save from one man to whom I was with a debt to discharge should in all
unknown. This benevolent man is a justice have a final delay of four and
noble Outlaw, the protector of the poor, twenty hours. It would be shameful of
the support of the wretched, the avenger you to lay claim to property on which you
of the oppressed, and his name is Robin had no rights. In acting thus you would
Hood.' ruin an unfortunate creature and reduce
'*
My
children knelt around their him to great misery, while as a member
mother, and piously rendered to God the of Holy Church it is your duty to relieve
sincere thanks of a profound gratitude. as much as possible the burden which
This duty accomplished, Herbert en- doth weigh upon our unfortunate fellow-
treated me
to allow him to pay thee a creatures.'
visit, pointed out to him that such
but I
" Keep
' your counsels for those who
a step would give thee more pain than need them,' replied the Abbot, angrily. I '

pleasure, since thou dost not love to hear will do what meseemeth good without
thy good deeds spoken of," heeding your hypocritical reflections.'
 — — ' ''

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 83

" At this moment the Chief Cellarer company and, with an air of false humility,
entered the refectory. I said to the Abbot
" Have you any news of Sir Richard
* " You see. Sir Abbot, I have kept my
'

of the Plain ? the 'Abbot asked of him. promise and have come back.*
" Nay. But that matters not. All I "
'
Have you brought the money ?
know is that his property is now yours, demanded the holy man, sharply.
Sir Abbot.' " Alas
'
! not one penny. .'
. .

" The Chief Judge is here,' continued

' " A pleased smile hovered on the lips of
the Abbot ;I will
' ask him whether I may my generous creditor.
now claim Sir Richard's Castle.' "
'
Then what doest thou here, an thou
"The Abbot went to find the Judge, art not prepared to discharge thy debt ?
and the latter, for due consideration " I am come to entreat you to give me
*

received, replied to the Monk yet a few days longer.'

'"Sir Richard will not come to-day, " It is impossible
*
; according to our
therefore you may consider yourself agreement, thou must pay this very day.
entitled to all his estates.' If thou canst not do it, thine estates belong
"This iniquitous judgment had just been to me besides which, the Judge hath so
;

given when I presented myself at the gate decided. Is that not true, my Lord ?
of the Monastery. "'It is,' replied the Judge. 'Sir
"In order to prove the generosity of Richard,' he continued, throwing a con-
my creditor, I had arrayed myself in temptuous look at me, the lands of your
'

mean garments, while the men who ancestors are the property of our worthy
accompanied me were also very poorly Abbot.'
accoutred. "I feigned a great despair and entreated
" The porter of the Abbey came to meet the Abbot to have compassion upon me,
me. I had been kind to him in the time to grant me three days longer. I depicted
of my prosperity, and the poor man had to him the miserable fate in store for my
not forgotten it. He told me of the con- wife and children, an they were turned out
versation which had taken place between of their home. The Abbot was deaf to
the Abbot and the Prior. I was not my entreaties, he wearied of my presence,
surprised ; I knew well that I had no and imperiously commanded me to quit
reason to expect any grace from the holy the Hall.
man. " Exasperated by this unmerited treat-
" Be welcome,' continued the Monk
*
;
ment, I held up my head proudly, and
'your arrival well be a very agreeable advancing to the middle of the great room,
surprise to the Prior. My Lord Abbot I laid upon the table a bag full of money.
will doubtless be less satisfied, for already " 'Here are the four hundred pieces of
he looketh upon himself as owner of your gold you lent me. The dial doth not as
estates. You will find a large company yet show the hour of noon I have there-
;

in the Great Hall, several lords and fore fulfilled all the conditions of our
gentlemen. I hope, Sir Richard, that agreement, and, despite your subterfuges,
you will put no confidence in the honeyed my estates will not change owners.'
words of our Father Superior, and that " You cannot conceive, Robin," added
you have brought the money,' added the Knight, laughing, " the Abbot's
the porter, in tones of affectionate solici- stupefaction, rage, and fury. He rolled his
tude. head from side to side and glared around
" I reassured the good Monk, and pro- him, muttering incoherently, and looking
ceeded alone to the Great Hall, where the like a madman.
whole of the Community was assembled " After enjoying the spectacle of his
in solemn conclave, to make arrangements dumb fury for a few seconds, I left the
for informing me of the sequestration of Hall and regained the Porter's lodge.
my property. There I arrayed myself in more suitable
" The exalted assembly was so disagree- garments my men also changed their
;

ably surprised at my appearance that I clothes, and, accompanied by an escort

might well have been some phantom come worthy of my rank, I re-entered the Hall.
from another world on purpose to snatch " The change in my outer appearance
from their grasp some ardently coveted seemed to strike the company with as-
prey. tonishment deliberately I advanced to
;

" I humbly saluted the honourable the Judge's chair.

 ' "

84 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

" '
I address myself to you, my Lord,' I " Yea, Sir Knight, let us speak no more
said, in a loud firm voice, '
to ask in the of it," said Robin gaily. " But tell me
presence of this honourable company how it is thou didst come so late to keep
whether, having fulfilled all the conditions thine assignation."
of my bond, the lands and Castle of the " On my way hither," replied Sir
Plain are not mine ? Richard, " I passed through a village
" They are yours,' replied the Judge, where all the best yeomen of the West
'

reluctantly. Country were gathered together, occupied

" I acknowledged the justice of this in trying feats of strength against one
decision and left the Monastery with a another. The prizes destined for the
light heart. victor were a white bull, a horse, a saddle
" On the way home, I met my wife and and bridle studded with gold nails, a pair
children. of gauntlets, a silver ring, and a cask of
" Rejoice, my dear ones,' I said, as I old wine.
' I stopped awhile to watch the
embraced them, and pray for Robin sport. A yeoman of ordinary size gave
'

Hood for without him we should be such proofs of strength that it was evident
;

beggars. And now let us try to show the prizes would be his, and, indeed,
generous Robin Hood that we are not having felled all his adversaries, he re-
insensible of the service he hath rendered mained master of the field. They were
us.' about to give him the objects he had
" Weset to work the very next day, earned so well, when he was recognised as
and my estates, with proper cultivation, one of thy band."
soon realised the value of thy loan. I " Was he in truth one of my men ? "
bring thee five hundred pieces of gold, my asked Robin, quickly.
good Robin, one hundred bows of the " Yea, they called him Jasper the
finest yew, with quivers and arrows, and Tinker."
besides that, I make thee a present of the " Then he gained the prizes, brave
troop of men whose fine appearance thou Jasper ?
didst but now admire. The men are well " He gained them all but under pre- ;

armed and each one hath a good horse to text of his being one of the band of
ride. Accept them as followers, they will Merrie Men, they disputed his right to
serve thee with gratitude and fidelity." them. Jasper defended his cause valiantly.
" I should hurt mine own self-esteem And then two or three of the other com-
an I were to accept so rich a gift, my batants set to calling thee evil names.
dear Knight," replied Robin with emotion. Thou shouldst have seen the vigour of
" Nor can I take the money which thou lungs and muscles with which Jasper
dost bring. The Chief Cellarer of St. defended thee he spake so loud and;

Mary's Abbey broke his fast with me this gesticulated so wildly that knives were
morning and his expenses here have put drawn, and thy poor Jasper would have
eight hundred pieces of gold into our been vanquished by the number or
coffers. I do not take money twice in treachery of his enemies, when, aided by
one day I have taken the Monk's gold my men, I put them all to flight. This
;

in place of thine, and thou art out of my small service rendered to the brave lad,
debt. I know, my dear Knight, that the I gave him five pieces of gold to
revenues of thy property have been drink with, and I invited the fugitives
impoverished by the King's exactions, to make acquaintance with the cask of
and they must be carefully managed. wine. As you may imagine, they did not
Think of thy children. I am rich; the refuse and I brought Jasper away in
;

Normans crowd into these parts with order to save him from their future
their pockets full of money. Never speak vengeance."
of service or gratitude betwixt us, unless " I thank thee for having saved one of
I can be useful in furthering the fortunes my brave fellows, my dear Knight," said
or the happiness of those whom thou dost Robin. " He who lends his support to my
love." companions hath an endless claim upon
" Thou dost treat me in so noble and my friendship. An ever thou have need
generous a manner," replied Sir Richard, of me, ask me what thou wilt my arm ;

greatly moved, " that I feel I should be and purse are ever at thy disposal."
indiscreet to force upon thee a gift which " I shall always look upon thee as a
thou dost refuse." true friend, Robin," answered the Knight;
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 85

"and I hope that thou wilt treat me in had fixed the day on which the bloody
the same spirit." battle was to take place.
The remaining hours of the afternoon This gave the Foresters time to put
wore merrily away, and toward evening themselves on the defensive, and to
Sir Richard accompanied Robin, Will, prepare to receive the Sheriffs troops.
and Little John to Barnsdale Hall, where Attracted by the hope of a rich reward,
all the members of the Gamwell family the Baron's men marched to the attack
were again assembled. with every appearance of indomitable
Sir Richard could hardly refrain from courage. But no sooner had they entered
smiling as he admired the ten charming the wood, than they were met by such a
women who were presented to him. terrible volley of arrows that the ground
After having directed the Knight's was strewn with the corpses of half their
attention to his beloved Maude, Will took number.
his guest aside and asked him in a A second volley, more vigorous and
whisper if he had ever seen so ravishing more murderous still, followed the first
a face as Maude's. each arrow found its mark while the
The Knight smiled, and whispered to bowmen remained invisible.
Will that he would be lacking in Having thus filled the ranks of the
gallantry toward the other ladies, if he enemy with fear and confusion, the
permitted himself to say aloud what he Foresters broke from their hiding-places,
thought of the adorable Maude. shouting loudly and overthrowing all who
William, enchanted by this gracious tried to resist them. A terrible panic
reply, went over to his wife and kissed spread among the Baron's troop, and in
her with the firm conviction that he was indescribable confusion they regained
the most favoured of husbands and the Nottingham Castle.
happiest of men. Not one of the Merrie Men was
When night fell, Sir Richard left wounded in this strange encounter, and
Barnsdale, and, escorted by some of in the evening, recovered from their
Robin's men, who were to guide him fatigue, as fresh and vigorous as they
through the Forest, he soon regained the had been before the combat, they col-
Castle of the Plain with his numerous lected upon litters the bodies of the
following. soldiers who had been killed, and de-
posited them at the Outer Gate of Lord
Fitz-Alwine's Castle.
Desperate and furious, the Baron
CHAPTER X passed the night in cursing his luck. He
accused his men he said that his patron
;

THE Nottingham (we are

Sheriff of
now speaking of Lord Fitz-Alwine
saint had deserted him he laid the blame
;

of the non-success of his arms on every-

of happy memory) having learnt that body, and proclaimed himself a valiant
Robin Hood and a portion of his band leader, but the victim of the fainthearted-
were in Yorkshire, thought it would be ness of his subordinates.
possible,with a strong troop of his own On the evening of the following day,
brave men-at-arms, to clear Sherwood one of Lord Fitz-Alwine's Norman
Forest of these outlaws, who, separated friends came to visit him, accompanied
from their chief, would find it impossible by fifty men-at-arms. The Baron told
to defend themselves. In planning this him of his misadventure, adding, doubt-
clever expedition. Lord Fitz-Alwine less to excuse his perpetual defeats, that
resolved to watch the approaches to the Robin Hood's band was ever and always
Forest in order to catch Robin as he invisible.
returned. We know that the Baron's **
My
dear Baron," quietly replied Sir
mercenaries were not very courageous, Guy Gisborne (such was the visitor's
but he likewise sent to London for a name), " if Robin Hood were the devil
troop of ruffians and trained them himself in person and I took it into my head to
for the pursuit of the Outlaws. tear out his horns, I should tear them
The Merrie Men had so many friends out."
in Nottingham that they were warned of " Words are not deeds, my friend,"
the fate in store for them and the Baron's answered the old man sharply; "and it
kind intentions, even before he himself is very easy to say, I could do that, an I
'
86 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
would,* but I to put me on the track of this man whom
defy you to catch Robin
Hood." you are pleased to consider invincible,
" An it pleased me to take him," said only because you are unable to vanquish
the Norman, carelessly, " there would be him. I undertake to seize him, crop his

no need to excite myself. I feel strong ears, and hang him up by the feet, with no
enough to tame a lion, and, after all, more compunction than if he were a hog.
Robin Hood is only a man a clever man, Where is this mighty man to be met
;
"
I admit, but not a diabolical or unassail- with ?
able being." " In Barnsdale Forest."
" You may say what you please. Sir " How far is tlie Forest from Notting-
"
Guy," declared the Baron, evidently bent ham ?

on persuading the Norman to make an " Two days' journey would take us
attempt against Robin Hood, " but there there by unfrequented ways and as I ;

is not a man in England, be he peasant, should be grieved, my dear Sir Guy, if

soldier, or great Lord, could make this you were to come to any harm through
heroic Outlaw bow down before him. me, if you will permit it, I will join my
He believes in naught, he fears naught, men to yours, and together we will go
and a whole army would not intimidate seek the rascal. I have learnt from a

him." trustworthy source, that, at this moment,

Sir Guy smiled disdainfully. he is separated from the greater part of
" I do not doubt the bravery of your his men it would therefore be easy, if
;

fine Outlaw in the very least," said he we act with prudence, to surround the
;

•'
but you must own, Baron, that up to robbers' den, carry off their Chief, and
the present Robin Hood hath fought only deliver his band over to the vengeance
phantoms." of our soldiers. Mine have suffered
" What " cried the Baron, cruelly greatly in Sherwood Forest, and they
!

wounded in his self-esteem as com- would be overjoyed to take a fierce and

mander-in-chief. savage revenge."
" Yea, phantomsrepeat it,
; my
I " Iam right glad to accept your offer,
friend. Your soldiers are made, not of my good friend," replied the Norman;
flesh and bones, but of mud and milk. " for it will give me the satisfaction ot
Who ever saw such fools ? They fly proving to you that Robin Hood is
before the Outlaws' arrows, and the name neither a devil nor invincible. And, not
alone of Robin Hood sets them a-shudder- only to equalise the struggle between the
ing. Oh if I were but in your place "
! ! Outlaw and myself, but likewise to show
" What would you do ? " asked the you that I do not intend to act in any
Baron, eagerly. underhand manner, I will don a yeoman's
"would hang Robin Hood."
I costume and fight hand to hand with
My good intentions in that respect Robin Hood."
"
are not lacking," replied the Baron, The Baron concealed the pleasure
sombrely. which his guest's vainglorious reply gave
"So I perceive, Baron. It is the power him, and in a fearful and solicitous tone;
that is lacking. Well, it is lucky for hazarded some timid remarks on the
your enemy that he hath never found danger his excellent friend would run
himself face to face with me." and on the imprudence of a disguise
" Ha, ha " laughed the Baron, " you which would put him in direct contad
!

would put your spear through his body, with a man renowned for his strength anc
would you not ? You amuse me very skill.
much, my friend, with all your bragging. The Norman, bursting with vanity anc
Let be, you would tremble from head to self-confidence, cut short the Baron'j
foot, if I were only to say, There is false-hearted objections and the lattei
*
;

Robin Hood.' " hastened with a briskness quite remark

The Norman bounded up. able in one of his age to make ready hi;
" Know well," said he, furiously, " that men-at-arms.
I have no fear of either man or devil or An hour later. Sir Guy Gisborne anc
of anything in the world, and I challenge Lord Fitz-Alwine, accompanied by i
you to test my courage. Since the name hundred men, and with the air o:
of Robin Hood was the starting-point of conquerors, took the cross-road thaj
our conversation, I ask you, as a favour, would lead them to Barnsdale Forest.
 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 87
I It had been arranged between the thrush was singing with all its might.
Baron and his new ally that he should Your awakening put it to flight. Perhaps
direct his troop toward that part of the it came to warn you."

wood agreed upon beforehand, while, " Are you getting superstitious, friend
guarding against any appearance of John ? " asked Robin, pleasantly. " Come,
sinister motive by his yeoman's garb, come, at your age 'twould be ridiculous ;

Sir Guy would take another direction, such childishness is for young girls and
seek out Robin Hood, and fight him boys, not for us. However," he continued,
whether or no, and would, of course, slay " perchance 'tis wise, in an existence so
him. The success of the Norman (we adventurous as ours, to pay attention to
might add that he did not in the least every occurrence. Who knows ? Per-
doubt his own success) would be an- haps the thrush said, 'Sentinels, beware!'
nounced to the Baron by a peculiar blast and we are the sentinels of a troop of
upon a hunting-horn. At this trium- brave men. Forward, then ; forewarned
phant call, the Baron would proclaim the is forearmed."
Norman's victory, and gallop up to the Robin wound his horn, and the Merrie
field of battle. The victory verified by Men, dispersed through the wood, ran up
the sight of Robin's corpse, the soldiers in answer to his call.
would search the thickets and copses and Robin sent them down the road to
underground retreats, to kill or take York, for on that side alone was an
prisoner (the choice was graciously left to attack to be feared, and, accompanied by
them) any Outlaws unlucky enough to John, he went to search the opposite side
fall into their hands. of the wood, William and two stout
Whilst the troop were making their Foresters taking the road to Mansfield.
way secretly to Barnsdale Forest, Robin After searching the paths and roads
Hood was stretched carelessly beneath toward which they had bent their steps,
the thick foliage of the Trysting Tree, Robin and John made their way down
fast asleep. the road followed by Will Scarlett.
Little John was seated at his leader's There, in a vale, they met a yeoman with
feet, thinking the while of his charming his body wrapped in the skin of a horse,
wife and his sweet Winifred's many good which served him for cloak. At that
qualities of heart and mind, when his epoch, this strange garment was in great
tender dream was disturbed by the shrill favour among the Yorkshire yeomen, the
cry of a thrush, which, perched on one greater number of whom were engaged
of the lower branches of the Trysting in horse breeding.
Tree, sang out loud and shrill. The newcomer wore at his side a sword
This strident warbling woke Robin and dirk, and his face, with its cruel
abruptly, and he leapt up with a gesture expression, told plainly enough of the
of fear. murderous uses to which his weapons
"Why, Robin," said Little John, were wont to be put.
" what is it ? " "Ha, ha!" cried Robin, as he per-
" Naught," replied the young man, ceived him, " upon my soul, here comes a
composing himself again. " I had a dream, very ruffian. Crime oozes from him. I
and I know not whether I should say it, will question him but an if he do not
;

but I was frightened. Methought I was answer like an honest man, I will see the
attacked by two yeoman they beat me colour of his blood."
;

unmercifully, and I returned their blows " He hath the appearance of a mastiff
with an equal generosity. However, I with good teeth, Robin. Beware do you ;

was almost vanquished, death stood remain beneath this tree, while I ask his
beside me, when a bird which came I name, surname, and qualities."
know not whence, sang to me, Take ' " My dear John," replied Robin, quickly,
courage, I will send thee help.' I am " I have taken a fancy to that rascal.
awake, and I see neither the bird nor the Let me tan his hide in mine own way.
danger. But then dreams do not come It is a long time since I was beaten, and,
true," added Robin, smiling. by the Holy Mother, my good pro-
" I am not of your opinion, Captain," tectress, I should never exchange a blow
said John, seriously, " for part of your with any one if I listened to your prudent
dream was true. A moment agone, upon advice. Take care, friend John," added
I

the branch which you are touching, a Robin, in an affectionate tone, " there will
 ;

88 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

come a time when in default of an adver- long. John saw the danger to which his
sary, I be obliged to beat thee
shall cousin was exposed, and falling upon the
unmercifully oh only to keep my hand
; ! group of combatants, he snatched Will
in, but thou wilt be none the less the from their grasp, urging him to fly.
victim of thy benevolent generosity. Go " Never," cried Will, firmly.
and rejoin Will, and do not return to me " For pity's sake, Will," said John,
until thou hearest the sound of a trium- continuing to hit out at his aggressors,
phant blast." " go seek Robin and call the Merrie Men.
" Your will is my law, Robin Hood," Alas, rivers of blood will flow this day
answered John, in an offended voice, " and the song of the thrush was a heaven-sent
it is my duty to obey, however unwill- warnmg.

ingly." William went at his cousin's request;

We will leave Robin on his way to it was easy to understand its import con-
meet the stranger, and we will follow sidering the number of soldiers who now
Little John, who, faithful slave to his appeared in the glade. He dealt a terrific
Chief's commands, hastened after William, blow at a man who attempted to bar his
who had started with two men on the way, and disappeared in the thicket.
high-road to Mansfield. Little John fought like a lion, but it
About three hundred yards from the was madness to try and fight so many
spot where Little John left Robin alone enemies single handed he was vanquished
;

with the yeoman, he found Will Scarlett and fell, and the soldiers, after binding
with his two companions, occupied in him hand and foot, tied him to a tree.
exercising all their strength against a The Baron's arrival was to decide the
dozen soldiers. John gave a shout, and fate of our poor friend.
with a bound placed himself beside his Lord Fitz- Alwine hastened up,'attracted
friends. But the danger, already so by the shouts of the soldiers. At sight
great, became even more so as the clash of the prisoner, a smile of gratified hate
of arms and the sound of horses' hoofs lent a ferocious expression to the Baron's
attracted the young man's attention to the features.
extremity of the road. " Ha ! ha " said he, relishing with
!

At the end of the road, and in the half- unspeakable joy the triumph of his victory,
shadow cast by the trees, appeared a '* I have you in my hands then, great
company of soldiers, and at their head maypole of the Forest. You shall pay
trotted a richly caparisoned horse. dearly for your insolence, ere I despatch
John sprang forward to meet the new- you into another world."
comers, bent his bow, and took aim at the " By my faith," said John, in a flippant
Baron. The movements of the young tone, biting his lip furiously the while,
man followed each other with such " whatever tortures it may please you to
rapidity and violence that his too tightly inflict upon me, they could not make you
stretched bow broke like a thread of forget that I have held your life in my
glass. hands, and that if you still have the power
John uttered a curse upon his inoffen- to martyrize the Saxons, it is to my good-
sive arrow, seized a new bow handed to ness that you owe it. But beware Robin !

him by an outlaw, who had been mortally Hood is coming, and you will not have
wounded by the soldiers fighting with the easy victory over him that you have
William. had over me."
The Baron understood the archer's " Robin Hood," sneered the Baron.
actions and intentions he bent down low " Robin Hood's last hour will soon arrive.
;

upon his horse until he appeared to be I have ordered his head to be cut off and
one with the animal, and the arrow des- his body to be left here as food for man-
tined for him sent a man behind him eating wolves. Soldiers," he added, turn-
rolling in the dust. ing to two men, the vile slaves of his
His fall maddened the whole troop, wishes, " place this villain upon a horse
who, determined to carry off the victory, and let us remain on this spot to await
and finding themselves in the majority, the return of Sir Guy, who will, I presume,
spurred their horses and advanced rapidly. bring us Robin Hood's head."
One of William's comrades was dead, The men who had dismounted stood
the other was still fighting, but it was ready to leap into the saddle, and the
easy to perceive that he could not last Baron, seated comfortably upon a grassy
 " ; "

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 89

hillock,waited patiently for Sir Guy " Me ? I did not know him even by
Gisborne's bugle call. name until a few hours agone and, as ;

Let us leave his lordship to recover you will see if you will take me to him,
from his fatigue, and see what has been my face is quite unknown to him."
passing between Robin Hood and the " For what reason, then, would you
"
man in the horse-skin cloak. take his life ?
" Good morrow, fair Sir," said Robin, " For no reason at all, simply because
approaching the stranger. " One might it is my pleasure."
think, judging by the excellent bow you " A singular pleasure, if you will pardon
carry, that you were a brave and honest me for saying so; and moreover, I pity
archer." you greatly for having such bloodthirsty
" I have lost my way," replied the ideas."
traveller, disdaining to reply to the inter- " Well, you are wrong. I am not really
rogatory supposition addressed to him, ill-natured, and had it not been for that
" and I fear much to stray in this labyrinth fool Fitz-Alwine, I should be at this
of cross-roads, glades, and paths." moment wending my way quietly home-
" To me all the forest paths are well ward. It was he who induced me to
known. Master," replied Robin, politely, make the attempt, by defying me to van-
" and if you will tell me to what part ofquish Robin Hood. My self-esteem is
the wood you wish to make your way, I involved, therefore I must bear off the
will be your guide." victory at any price. But, by the way,"
" I am not making my way to any added Sir Guy, "now that I have told
particular spot," answered the stranger, you my name, estate, and projects, you
'

examining his interlocutor attentively. must answer me in your turn. Who are
" I wish to get near the middle of the you?"
wood, for I hope to meet there a man " Who am I ? " repeated Robin, with
with whom would
fain converse."
I loud voice and serious look. " I am the
" This man is doubtless some friend of Earl of Huntingdon, the King of the
yours ? " asked Robin, amiably. Forest I am the man you seek, I ; am
Robin Hood
!
" Nay," returned the stranger, quickly
" he is a villain of the deepest dye, an The Norman leapt back.
Outlaw who doth well deserve the noose." " Then prepare to die," he cried, draw-
" Oh indeed," said Robin, still smiling. ing his sword.
!
" Sir Guy Gisborne hath
" And may one inquire without indiscretion, but one word he hath sworn to kill
;

"
the name of this scapegrace ? thee, thou shalt die To thy prayers,
!

" Certainly Robin Hood.

; he is called Robin Hood, for in a few minutes the
And hark ye, young man, I would gladly call of my hunting-horn will announce to
give ten pieces of gold to have the my companions, who are near at hand,
pleasure of meeting him." that the Outlaw Chief is only a headless,
" My good Sir," said Robin, " con- shapeless corpse."
gratulate yourself upon the luck which " To the vanquisher shall be reserved
hath placed you in my way, for I can the right of disposing of the body of his
conduct you into the presence of Robin adversary," replied Robin Hood, coldly.
Hood without putting your generosity to " Look to thyself Thou hast sworn to !

the proof. Only suffer me to ask your spare me not I swear on my side that ;

name." if the Holy Virgin grant me the victory,

" I am called Sir Guy Gisborne. I am I will treat thee as thou dost deserve.
rich and own many vassals. My costume, Come then, no quarter for either; 'tis
as you may well imagine, is but a clever a matter of life and death."
disguise. Robin Hood, not being on his And with that, the two opponents
guard against a poor devil so wretchedly crossed swords.
attired, will let me come right up to him. The Norman was not only a perfect
So the question is simply how to find Hercules, but also a past master in the
him. Once within reach of my hand he art of fencing. He attacked Robin with
will die, I swear it, without having either such fury that the young man, hard
the time or chance to defend himself; pressed, was forced to step back, and
I will slay him without ruth or pity." caught his foot in the roots of an oak
" Robin Hood hath done you much tree. Sir Guy, whose eye was as quick
evil then ? as his hand was strong, at once perceived
 " — !!

go ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

his advantage he redoubled his blows, disgust, and when he had thrown the
;

and several times Robin felt his sword horse's skin over his shoulders, he resem-
turn in the nervous grasp of his hand. bled Sir Guy Gisborne nearly enough to
His position was becoming critical his be mistaken for him.
;

movements fettered by the gnarled roots The disguise accomplished, and the
of the tree, which bruised his ankles, he Norman's head made unrecognisable at
could neither advance nor retire he a first glance, Robin Hood sounded the
;

therefore determined to leap beyond the horn.

circle in which he was enclosed, and with A hurrah of triumph answered the
a spring like that of a stag at bay, he young man's call, and he rushed toward
leapt to the opposite side of the path, but the spot from whence he heard the joyous
in jumping he caught his foot in a low voices.
branch which sent him rolling in the dust. " Hark hark again " cried Fitz
! !

Sir Guy was not the man to miss such Alwine, starting up. "Is not that the
"
an opportunity for revenge he uttered sound of Sir Guy's horn ?
;

a triumphant cry, and threw himself on " Yea, my lord," replied one of th(
Robin with every intention of splitting Knight's men " it could not be mistaken
;

open his head. my master's horn hath its own peculiai

Robin saw his danger, and closing his note."_
_
i
eyes, he murmured fervently, " Victory, then man
!
" cried the old
" Holy Mother of God, help me
Dear "the brave and worthy Sir Guy hat)
!

Lady of Succour, wilt thou leave me slain Robin Hood."

to die by the hand of this miserable " An hundred Sir Guys could not sue
Norman ? ceed in beating Robin Hood, if the;
Hardly had Robin pronounced these attacked him one by one and fairly,
words, which Sir Guy did not dare to roared poor Little John, his heart oppress&
interrupt (taking them no doubt for an by terrible anguish.
act of contrition), than he felt a new force " Silence,
thou long-legged dolt
in all his limbs. He turned the point ofanswered the Baron, brutally " and ; i

his sword towards his enemy, and, as the thine eyes be good, look toward the en
latter sought to turn aside the menacing of the glade, where thou wilt see, hurryin
weapon, Robin leapt to his feet and stood to us. Sir Guy Gisborne, the vanquishe
up strong and free in the middle of the of thy wretched chief."
road. The combat, suspended for a John raised himself, and saw, as th
moment, began again with renewed Baron had said, a yeoman with his bod
vigour but the victory had changed sides half enveloped in a horse's hide. Robi
;

and was now with Robin. Sir Guy, dis- imitated the gait of the Knight so wel
armed and struck full in the breast, fell that John thought he recognised the ma ,

dead without even a cry. After thank- whom he had left face to face with h: ,

ing God for the success of his arms, friend.

Robin assured himself that Sir Guy had " Ah, the ruffian the miscreant !

really breathed his last and, as he looked shouted the young man in despair.
; " H
upon the Norman, Robin remembered hath killed Robin Hood He hath kille ! i

that this man had not come alone to seek the most valiant Saxon in all England
him, but had brought with him a troop of Vengeance vengeance ! vengeance ! ;

companions, who were now hidden some- Robin Hood hath friends, and in Netting »

where in the wood, awaiting the call of hamshire there are a thousand hands ab)
his hunting-horn. and willing to punish his murderer " ! j
" I think it would be wise," thought "To thy prayers, dog!" cried tl' |j|
Robin, " to find out whether these brave Baron, " and leave us in peace. Tb j,

fellows are not Baron Fitz - Alwine's master is dead, and thou shalt die lil i.
soldiers, and see for myself the pleasure him. To thy prayers, and try to preser^ 4
^
which the news of my death will give thy soul from the tortures which awa i

him. I will dress myself in Sir Guy's thy body. Dost think thou hast a clai: i
|
clothes, cut off his head, and call hither upon our pity in pursuing with tl '

his waiting companions." vain threats the noble Knight who hal i

Robin Hood stripped the Norman's rid the earth of an infamous Outlaw ;

body of the chief parts of his costume, Approach, brave Sir Guy," continue i
'

put them on, not without a feeling of Lord Fitz Alwine, addressing Rob- ,
^
 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 91
Hood, who advanced quickly. " Thou dost Robin Hood, left alone with Little
merit all our praise and consideration John, hastened to cut his bonds, and put
;

thou hast rid thy country from this scourge mto his hands the bow and arrows which
of Outlaws, thou hast killed a man whom had belonged to Sir Guy then he wound ;

the popular terror declared invincible, his horn.

thou hast slain the celebrated Robin Hardly had the sound stirred the depths
Hood ! Ask me for the reward due to of the wood ere a great clamour was
thy good offices. I will place at thy dis- heard as the branches of the trees were

posal my favour at Court, the support of thrust violently aside to make way, first
my eternal friendship. Will Scarlett, whose face was of so
Ask what thou for
wilt, noble Knight, I am ready to do thy vivid a red as to approach purple, and
bidding." next for a body of the Merrie Men, sword
Robin had taken in the situation at a in hand.
glance, and the fierce look which John This terrifying apparition appeared to
shot at him revealed to him even more the Baron more like a dream than an
clearly than the old Baron's protestations actual fact. He saw without perceiving,
of gratitude, how complete was the success heard without understanding, his mind
of his disguise. and body were completely paralysed by
" I merit not such thanks," answered an overwhelming terror. This moment
Robin, imitating the Knight's voice to the of supreme agony seemed of endless dura-
echo. " I have slain mine adversary in tion he made a step forward towards the
;

fair combat, and since you are willing to supposed Norman, and found himself
allow me to claim the reward of my face to face with Robin Hood, who,
prowess, I ask, my dear Baron, in return having rid himself of the horse-skin and
for the service I have just rendered you, drawn his sword, commanded the respect
permission to array myself against yonder of the soldiers as well as that of their no
rascal whom you have seized. He sits less dejected leader.
glaring at me so that he doth quite anger The Baron, with clenched teeth and
me I will e'en send him to bear his unable to utter a word, turned abruptly,
;

amiable comrade company in the next mounted his horse, and without any orders
world." to his men galloped away with all haste.
" As you will," returned
Fitz- Lord The soldiers, carried away by so praise-
Alwine, rubbing his hands gleefully. worthy an example, imitated their Chief
" Kill him, an it so please you, his life is and followed in his steps.
yours." " May the devil catch thee in his
Robin Hood's voice had not deceived claws!" cried Little John, furiously;
Little John, and a sigh of unspeakable " but thy cowardice shall not save thee ;

satisfaction had lifted from his heart the my arrows carry far enow to strike thee
terrible anxiety he was beginning to dead."
experience. '•
Shoot not, John," said Robin, holding
Robin approached John, followed by his friend by the arm. " Thou canst see
the Baron. that by all the laAvs of nature this man
" My
Lord," said Robin, laughingly, hath not long to live why ; then hasten
" pray leave me alone with this villain. his death by a few days ? Leave him to
I am convinced that the fear of an igno- his remorse, to his loneliness cut off from —
minious death will compel him to confide all family ties, a prey to his malevolent
in me
the secret of the hiding-place of helplessness."
the robber band. Keep back, and draw " Hark ye, Robin, I cannot let the old
off your men, for I will treat any inquisi- thief save himself thus let me give hini ;

tive person in the manner that I used a lesson, as reminder of his sojourn in
toward the man whose head you see the Forest. I will not kill him, I give
here." word." thee my
As he spoke these words, Robin put "
So be it, then draw, but swiftly, or ;

the bloody trophy into Lord Fitz-Alwine's he will be out of sight round the bend of
arms. The old man uttered a cry of the road."
horror Sir Guy's disfigured head rolled
; John let fly an arrow, and, judging by
upon the ground, face downwards. the way in which the Baron bounded
The terrified soldiers decamped with in his saddle and the haste he made to
all speed. draw the arrow from the wound, it was
92 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
impossible to doubt that it would be long order to equalise the match between the
rival parties, we would hold the encountei
ere he would mount a horse again or be
able to sit at ease in a chair. on the borders of the two Counties, the
Little John shook hands warmly with victor's prize being an arrow with silvei

his rescuer. Will asked Robin to give barb and feathers of gold."
them an account of his doings, and the The citizens, called together by th(
memorable day slipped Baron's ally, received the suggestion witl
latter hours of this
merrily away. a generous heartiness, and, in company
with the merchant, they went to ask Lore
Fitz-Alwine's permission to announce ai
archery competition between the riva
Counties.
CHAPTER XI old man, delighted at the promp
The
success of the first part of his project
BARON FITZ-ALWINE looked concealed his secret satisfaction, and, witl
upon Robin as the curse of his exist- an air of supreme indifference, gave thi
ence, and his insatiable desire to avenge required consent even adding that, if hi
;

himself liberally for all the humiliations presence would give any pleasure or bi
he had suffered at the young man's hands of any advantage to the success of tb
did not lose one whit of its intensity. festivities, it would be both a pleasur
Beaten on every occasion by his enemy, and a duty to him to preside over th
the Baron returned to the charge, swear- games.
ing, both before and after the attack, to The citizens cried unanimously tha
exterminate the whole band of Outlaws. the presence of their liege Lord would b
When the Baron found himself forced a heaven-sent blessing, and they seemc'
to recognise that it was quite impossible as happy at receiving the promise of th
to vanquish Robin by force, he resolved Baron's presence as if the latter ha
to have recourse to cunning. This new been bound to them by the closest tie;
plan of conduct having been long medi- They left the Castle with light hearts, an
tated, he hoped that he had at last dis- made the Baron's condescension know
covered a means of decoying Robin into to their follow citizens with enthusiast!
his snares. Without losing a moment, gestures, and eyes and mouths agape wit
the Baron sent for a rich merchant of astonishment. Poor fellows, they wer
Nottingham and confided to him his so little used to politeness from a Norma
plans, recommending him the while to Lord.
keep the most profound silence regarding A proclamation, learnedly wordec
them. announced that a match would b
This man, who was of a feeble and thrown open to the inhabitants of th
irresolute character, was easily led to Counties of Nottingham and Yorl
share in the Baron's hatred for one whom The day was fixed, the spot chose
he described as a highway robber. between the forest of Barnsdale and th
On the morrow of his interview with village of Mansfield. As great care ha
Lord Fitz-Alwine, the merchant, true to been taken to spread the news of thi
the promise he had given the irascible old public joust to every corner of the tw
man, gathered together in his house the Counties concerned, it reached Robi
principal citizens of the town, and pro- Hood's ears. The young man at one
posed to them to go with him to ask the resolved to enter the lists and sustain tli

Sheriff to establish a public shooting honour of Nottingham. From furthf,

match, where the men of Nottinghamshire information which he received, Robi
might try their skill against those of learned that Baron Fitz-Alwine woul
Yorkshire. preside over the games. This condescer
" The two Counties are not a little sion, so little in harmony with the ol
jealous of each other," added the man's morose character, explained t
merchant, " and for the honour of the Robin the secret end to which the nob]
town, I should be happy to offer our Lord's wishes tended. " Oh, indeed,
neighbours an opportunity of proving said our friend to himself, " we mu;
their skill at archery or, better still, an
; needs attempt this venture with ever
occasion to set forth the incontestable necessary precaution for a valorou;
superiority of our able marksmen. And in defence." !
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 93

The eve day on which the Nottingham grazed the target, each of
of the
contest was place,
to Robin them touched the mark without reaching
take
assembled his men, and announced to the centre. After them came three yeomen
them his intention of bearing off the from Yorkshire, who were equally suc-
archery prize for the honour of the town cessful. Will Scarlett presented himself
of Nottingham. in his turn, and he pierced the centre of
" My lads," he added, " hearken to me. the mark with the greatest ease.
Baron Fitz-Alwine will preside over the A shout of trimph greeted Will's
games, and there must certainly be some prowess, and Little John took his place.
particular reason why he should be so The young man sent his arrow into the
anxious to please the yeomen. I think I hole made by William. Then, even before
—
know the cause it is to attempt my the range-keeper had had time to take it
capture. Therefore I shall take with me out, Robin Hood's arrow broke it in
to the range one hundred and forty pieces and took its place.
companions. I will enter six of them as The enraptured crowd became violently
competitors for the prize the others will excited, and the men of Nottingham laid
;

be dispersed among the crowd in such big wagers.

manner as to re-assemble at the first call The three best archers of Yorkshire
in case of treachery. Hold your arms came forward, and with steady hands,
ready, and prepare for a desperate com- hit the bull's-eye.
bat." It was now the turn of the Northerners
Robin Hood's orders were faithfully to cry victory, and accept the wagers of
carried out, and at the appointed hour his the citizens of Nottingham.
men, in groups, took the road to
little All this time the Baron, but little
Mansfield, and arrived without hindrance interested in the success of either one or
at the place, where a crowd was already other of the Counties, was attentively
assembled. watching the archers. Robin Hood had
Robin Hood, Little John, Will Scar- attracted his attention but as his sight
;

lett, Much, and five others of the Merrie
Men were to take part in the contest
they were all differently dressed, and
hardly spoke to one another, in order to
avoid any danger of being recognised.
The place chosen for the archery was
had for some time been getting feeble, it
was impossible for him to recognise his
enemy's features.
Much and the Merrie Men selected by
Robin to compete touched the mark
without difficulty four yeomen followed
;

a large glade situated on the borders of them, and succeeded equally well.
Barnsdale Forest, and a short distance The greater number of the archers
from the main road. An immense crowd were so well used to shooting at a target,
gathered from the neighbouring country, that it appeared as though the victory
and pressed noisily into the enclosure, in would be to none in particular, and it was
the centre of which were placed the decided to set up wands, and choose
butts. A platform had been erected seven men out of the victors on either
opposite the shooting range this was for ; side.
the Baron, on whom devolved the honour The citizens of Nottingham chose
of judging the shooting and awarding the Robin Hood and his Merrie Men to
prize. sustain the honour of their county, while
The Baron soon arrived, accompanied the inhabitants of Yorkshire took as their
by an escort of soldiers, fifty of his men champion the yeomen who had proved
having already mingled with the crowd, the best archers.
clad in yeomen's dress, with orders to The yeomen began. The first split the
arrest any suspicious characters, and take wand, the second grazed it, and the third
them before the Baron. skimmed it so closely that it appeared
These precautions taken. Lord Fitz- impossible that their adversaries would
Alwine had hopes that Robin Hood, be able to surpass their skill.
whose adventurous nature courted danger, Will Scarlett advanced, and taking up
would come to the joust alone, and he his bow, he shot underhand, and broke
vvould have the satisfaction of taking a the willow wand into two pieces.
avenge, for which he had waited beyond " Hurrah for Nottinghamshire," cried
!

he term of human patience. the citizens of Nottingham, throwing

The match began ; three men from their caps into the air, without in the
G
 ; — i|

94 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

least considering how impossible it would he took the arrow, and bowed politely as
be to recover them. he stuck it in his belt.
New wands were prepared. Robin's A moment passed Robin pretended to ;

men, from Little John to the least of the move off. Then, as the Baron, desperate at
archers, splitthem easily. Robin's turn seeing him thus escape, was about to take
came; he shot three arrows at the wands decisive measures he raised his head, and
;

with such rapidity that, had it not been
seen that the wands were shattered, it
would have been impossible to believe in
such skill.
Several fresh attempts were made, but
Robin triumphed over all his adversaries,
although they were all tried bowmen, and
it began to be said that Robin Hood him-
self could not compete with the yeoman
in the red doublet, for it
crowd had named Robin.
This supposition, so dangerous to the " Stop, stop " roared the Baron.
looking full at the old man, said with a
laugh
" fail me to express the value
Words
whichattach to the present you have
I
j ust given me, my excellent friend. I shall
return with a heart full of gratitude to
the green trees of my fair dwelling-place,
and there I will treasure with care this
precious token of friendship. I wish you
was thus the a very good day, noble Lord of Notting-
ham."
!

young man, soon became an affirmation "Soldiers, do your duty! That man is
;

and the report circulated that the victor Robin Hood. him "
Seize !

was none other than Robin Hood. *' Miserable coward " returned Robin.
!

The Yorkshiremen, smarting under " You proclaimed that the game was
defeat, hastened to assert that the match public, open to all, destined for the amuse-
was not an equal one between them and ments of every one without exception and
a man of Robin Hood's strength. They without fear."
complained of the slur cast upon their " An Outlaw hath no rights," said the
honour as archers, of the loss of their Baron ;
" thou wast not included in the
money (the most weighty consideration appeal to all good citizens. Now then,
with them), and they attempted, no doubt soldiers, seize the robber."
with a hope of eluding their wagers, to " I will slay the first who advanceth,"
turn the discussion into a quarrel. cried Robin, in a stentorian voice, directing
As soon as the Merrie Men became his bow toward the fellow who approached
aware of their adversaries' ill-will, they him. But at sight of his menacing atti-
rallied together, and formed, though with- tude, the man drew back, and disappeared
out apparent intention, a group of eighty- into the crowd.
six men. Robin wound his horn, and his Merrie
While the seeds of strife were being Men, prepared to sustain a bloody combat,
sown among the wagerers, Robin Hood advanced quickly to protect him. Stepping
was borne to the Sheriff amid the joyous back into the midst of his men, he ordered
acclamations of the citizens of Notting- them to bend their bows and retreat slowly,
ham. for the Baron's soldiers were too numerous
" Way for the victor ! Hurrah for the to make it possible to fight against them
skilful archer " cried two hundred voices. without risking much bloodshed.
!

" He is the winner of the prize."
Robin Hood, with eyes modestly cast
down, stood before Lord Fitz-Alwine in
the most respectful attitude.
The Baron stared hard to try and
descry the young man's features. A by the loss of their money in the wagers
certain resemblance of figure, perhaps
even of dress, led the Baron to believe
that the invincible Outlaw stood before
him; but torn between conflicting emotions
of doubt and a faint certitude, he could
not show too great precipitation without
compromising the success of his plan.
He held out the arrow to Robin, hoping
to recognise the young man by the sound
of his voice. But Robin cheated his hopes
The Baron precipitated himself before
his men, and in a furious voice commanded
them to arrest the Outlaws. The soldiers
prepared to obey, and the Yorkshiremen,
irritated by their defeat and exasperated
they had just made, joined the Baron's,
men in pursuing the Foresters. But the,
citizens of Nottingham owed Robin Hoodj
too great a debt of friendship and grati-i
tude to leave him helpless at the mercy ol
the soldiers and their Lord. They opened]
a way for the Merrie Men, and, saluting;
them with friendly acclamation, recloseoi
it again behind them.
Unhappily, Robin Hood's adherent
 " —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 95
were neither numerous enough nor strong- " Come, John," replied Robin, much
enough to protect his discreet flight for affected, do not ask me anything so
"
any length of time they were obliged to
; impossible. Thou knowest well that I
break their ranks, and the men-at-arms would not leave thee to die helpless and
gained the road along which the Foresters away from me; thou knowest that I
had fled. would sacrifice mine own life and the
Then began a desperate chase. From lives of my men to preserve thine. Thou
time to time the Foresters faced about and knowest, further, that far from abandoning
sent a volley of arrows at the soldiers, who thee, I would shed my last drop of blood
retaliated as well as they were able, and to defend thee. When I fall, John, I
in spite of the ravages made in their ranks, trust that it will be at thy side, and then
courageously continued the pursuit. we shall depart for the next world with
After this exchange of hostilities had hands and hearts united as they have
lasted an hour, Little John, who was ever been here below."
marching at the head of the Foresters with " We will fight and die beside thee, if
Robin, stopped suddenly, and said to his Heaven withholds
aid," said Will, its
young Chief " and thou shalt
embracing his cousin ;

" My good friend, my hour is come I see that there are still brave men in the
;

am grievously wounded, my strength world. friends," he continued, turn- My

faileth me, I cannot keep up the pace." ing to the Foresters, who had come to a
" What " cried Robin
!
«'
thou art halt, " here is your friend, your comrade,
;

wounded ?
mortally wounded do you think that we
;

" Yea," replied John, " in the knee and ; should abandon him to the vengeance of
"
I have lost so much blood in the last the wretches who pursue us ?
half-hour that my strength faileth me. " No no
! an hundred times no "
! !

I cannot stand on my feet." And as he
spoke, John sank to the ground.
" Great Heavens " cried Robin, kneel-
! defence."
ing beside his brave comrade. " John,
good John, take courage try to rouse
thyself and lean upon me. I am not tired,
and will support thy steps. Only a few
minutes more, and we shall be in safety.
Let me bind up thy wound, it will give
thee great relief."
" Nay, Robin, 'tis
John, in a weak voice " my leg is almost
paralysed 'tis;impossible for me to
move. Do not stay. Abandon a useless
wretch who only asks for death."
" I abandon thee " cried Robin Hood. Foresters.
!
cried the Merrie Men, with one accord.
" Let us surround him and die in his
"Allow me," said the vigorous Much,
; advancing. " It seemeth useless to risk
our lives without a cause. John is only
wounded in the knee, he will therefore
bear being carried without fear of losing
blood. I will take him on my shoulders
and carry him as long as my legs will
useless," replied carry me."
;
" When you fail, Much," said Will, " I
will take your place, and another after
"
me. Is it not so ?
"Yea! yea!" replied the gallant

" Thou dost know that I am incapable of In spite of John's attempt at resistance,
so cruel an action." Much raised him with a strong hand, and
" It would not be in the least a cruel with Robin's assistance took the wounded
action, Robin, but a duty. Thou must man on his back, after which the fugitives
answer to God for the lives of these brave continued quickly on their way. This
men who have given themselves, body forced halt had enabled the soldiers to
and soul, to thee. Leave me here, there- gain on the Foresters, and they now came
fore, and if thou lovest me, if thou hast in sight. The Merrie Men sent a flight
ever loved me, do not let that wicked of arrows among them, and redoubled
Baron find me alive plunge thy hunting- their pace in the hope of reaching their
;

knife into my heart, that I may die like retreat, well persuaded that the soldiers
an honest and brave Saxon. Hearken to would never dare to follow them there.
my prayer, Robin, and kill me thou wilt ; At the end of a branch road leading from
spare me cruel sufferings and the unhappi- the main road, the Foresters descried above
ness of again seeing our enemies they ; the trees the turrets of a Castle.
"
are so cowardly, these Normans, that " To whomdoth this domain belong ?
they would take a delight in insulting me asked Robin. " Doth any one among you
"
in my last moments." know the owner ?
 '

96 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

" I do, Captain," said a man, who had appear upon the road, " they will overtake
been but lately enrolled in the band. us, an we do not hasten to seek shelter
"Good. Dost know whether we should behind the Castle walls."
be favourably received by its Lord ? " The drawbridge is already lowered,"
For we are lost, an the gates be closed said Herbert. " Let us hasten, and in ten
to us." minutes you will have nothing to fear
" I will answer for the benevolence of from your enemies."
the owner, for Sir Richard of the Plain is The Sheriff and his men arrived in
a brave Saxon." time to witness the little troop defiling
"Sir Richard of the Plain!" cried along the drawbridge of the Castle.
Robin. " Then are we saved Forward, ! Exasperated by this fresh defeat, the
my lads, forward Praised be the Holy
1 Baron immediately took the audacious
Virgin " he continued, crossing himself
! resolution of commanding Sir Richard, in
gratefully " she never abandons the un-
; the King's name, to deliver up to him
fortunate in the hour of their need. these men, who, doubtless abusing his
Will Scarlett, go thou on in advance, credulity, had placed themselves under
and say to the keeper of the drawbridge, his protection.
that Robin Hood and a band of his men, Whereupon, at Lord Fitz - Alwine's
pursued by Normans, ask permission of request, the Knight appeared upon the
Sir Richard to take refuge within his ramparts.
Castle walls." "Sir Richard of the Plain," said the
With the speed of an arrow, William Baron, whose people had told him the
covered the space which separated him name of the owner of the Castle, "do
from Sir Richard's domain. you know who the men are that have
"
While the young man accomplished entered your domain ?

his errand, Robin and his companions " I know them, my Lord," replied the
proceeded toward the Castle. Knight, coldly.
Soon a white flag was hoisted on the " What ! you know that the rogue who
outer wall, a horseman emerged from the commands this troop of robbers is an
Gate, and, followed by Will, advanced at Outlaw, an enemy of the King, and yet
full speed to meet Robin Hood. Arrived you give him shelter ? Do you know
in the young Chief's presence, he leapt to that you incur the penalty of treason ?
the ground, holding out both hands. " I know that this Castle and the
"Sir," said the young man, grasping grounds that surround it are my property.
Robin's hand with visible emotion, " I am I know that I am master here, and do as
Herbert Gower, Sir Richard's son. My I please, and receive whom I choose.
father wishes me to tell you that you are That is my answer, Sir. Will you with-
welcome to our home, and that he will draw at once, an you would avoid a
feel the happiest of men, an you will give combat in which you would not gain the
him the opportunity of discharging even advantage, for I have an hundred men-
a portion of the great debt we owe you. at-arms with the best sharpened arrows
I am yours, body and soul. Sir Robin," the country-side at my disposal.
in all
added the young man, with an outburst Good day, my Lord."
of profound gratitude, " do with me what And with this ironical reply the Knight
you will." left the ramparts.
" I thank you with all my heart, my The Baron, who felt that he was not
young friend," replied Robin, embracing well enough supported by his soldiers to
Herbert " your offer is tempting, for I attempt an attack on the Castle, decided
;

should be proud to place so good a horse- to retreat and, with suppressed rage in
;

man in the ranks of my lieutenants. But his heart, as can be well imagined, he
for the present we must think of the took the road to Nottingham with his
danger that threatens my men. They men.
are worn out with fatigue; my dearest " Welcome, a thousand times, to the
comrade hath been wounded in the leg house which I owe to thy goodness,
by a Norman arrow; and for near two Robin Hood," said the Knight, embracing
"
hours we have been pursued by Baron his guest " welcome, a thousand times
; !

Fitz-Alwine's soldiers. Behold, my lad," " I thank thee. Sir Knight," said Robin.
continued Robin, pointing out to the " But, prithee, speak not of the paltry
youth a band of soldiers who began to service which I had the satisfaction to

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
render thee. Thy friendship hath already
repaid it an hundred-fold, and to-day thou
savest me from a real danger. Hark ye,
I have brought a wounded man I pray
; smile upon her rosy lips. She raised two
that thou wilt kindly entreat him."
" He shall have the same consideration
as thyself, dear Robin."
*' The worthy lad is not unknown to
thee, Sir Knight," replied Robin. " It is
Little John, my first lieutenant the dearest
; raised the white hand to his lips.
and most trusty of my companions."
" My wife and Lilas will look
him," returned Sir Richard. "And he
will be well cared for; be easy on that
score."
" If you are speaking ofLittle John, or
rather of the biggest John, sure, who ever
wielded a cudgel," said Herbert, " he is
already in the hands of a clever leech
from York, who hath been here since last
evening. He hath already tended the
wound and promiseth a speedy cure."
" God be praised " said Robin Hood
!
" my dear John is out of danger. Now,
Sir Knight," added he, " I am at the dis-
posal of thyself and of thy family."
My
'*
wife and Lilas are impatient to
greet thee," said the Knight. " They await
thee in the next room."
" Father," said Herbert, with a laugh,
" I have just told my friend —
I mean the
—
young man, Will Scarlett that I am the
husband of the most beautiful woman in
the world. And do you know what he
"
replied ?
Sir Richard and Robin Hood exchanged
smiles.
" He declared that he possessed a wife
whose beauty was unrivalled. But he
shall see Lilas, and then ."
. .
" Ah ! had you but seen Maude, you
would not speak thus, young man. Would
"
he, Robin ?
" Certainly Herbert would think Maude
very pretty," replied Robin, in a concilia-
tory tone.
" Doubtless, doubtless," said Herbert.
•'
But Lilas is marvellously beautiful
and, in my opinion, there exists no woman
to be compared with her."
Will Scarlett listened to Herbert with
a frown. The poor young husband's self-
love was wounded. But we must do him
the justice to say that, when he beheld
Lilas, he uttered an exclamation of sur-
prise and admiration.
Lilas had fulfilled all the promises of
her youth the pretty child we saw at St.
; that time, Robin, Little John, entirely
Mary's Abbey had become a beautiful
; —
97
woman. Tall, slim, and graceful as a
young fawn, Lilas advanced toward the
visitors with downcast eyes and a lovely
timid blue eyes to Robin Hood and held
out her hand.
" Our deliverer is no stranger to me,"
she said sweetly.
Mute with admiration, Robin Hood
Herbert, who had followed Robin, said
to to Will, with a smile of tender pride,
" Friend William, this is my wife. ." . .
" She is very beautiful," whispered
Will " but Maude
;
." he added, in a
. .
still lower voice.
He said no more. Robin Hood com-
manded him by a glance to have no eyes
save for Herbert's charming wife.
After a mutual exchange of compli-
ments between Sir Richard's wife and her
guests, the Knight, leaving Will and his
;
son to talk to the ladies, took Robin Hood
aside, and said
" My
dear Robin, I wish to prove to
thee that there is no man in the world
whom I love like thee, and I declare again
my friendship for thee, so that thou
mayest carry out thy plans according to
thy will. Thou wilt be secure here so
long as this house can shield thee, so long
as there remains a man standing upon its
ramparts, and, sword in hand, I will defy
all the Sheriffs in the Kingdom. I have
given orders for the Gates to be closed,
and for none to be permitted to enter the
Castle without my leave. men are My
under arms, and ready to offer a stout
resistance to any attack. Thy men are
resting let them remain one week in
;
peace, and when that time hath elapsed,
we will take counsel together as to the
part thou shouldst play."
" I willingly consent to remain here
some days," answered Robin. " But on
one condition only."
"
" What is that ?
My Merrie Men will return to-morrow
"
to Barnsdale Forest. Will Scarlett shall
accompany them, and he will return
hither with his dear Maude, Marian, and
poor Little John's wife."
Sir Richard readily acquiesced in
Robin's wishes, and all was arranged to
the mutual satisfaction of the two friends.
A fortnight passed happily away at the
Castle on the Plain, and at the end of
.
cured of his wound, Will Scarlett and the
98 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
incomparable Maude, Marian and Wini-
fred, found themselves once more beneath
the green trees of Barnsdale Forest.
The day after his return to Nottingham,
Baron Fitz-Alwine made his way to
London, obtained an audience of the
King, and recounted to him his pitiful
adventure.
" Your Majesty," said the Baron, "will
find it strange, no doubt, that a Knight
with whom Robin had sought shelter
should have refused to deliver up this
great criminal to me, even though I asked
in the King's name."
tance from the Castle. He had not lonsf
to wait. The next morning. Sir Richard,
his son, and some followers fell into the
trap laid for them, and in spite of the
valiant resistance they offered, they were
vanquished, gagged, tied to horses, and
carried away to Nottingham.
One of Sir Richard's servants suc-
ceeded in making his escape, and came,
all black and blue with the blows he had
received, to announce the sad news to his
mistress.
Lady Gower, distracted with grief,
wished to join her husband but Lilas
;

" What a Knight, and failed to show

! made the unhappy woman understand
respect to his Sovereign " cried Henry,
1 that this step would be of no help to
in an irritated tone. them. She advised her mother to apply
" Yea, Sire, the Knight, Sir Richard of to Robin Hood he alone was capable of
;

the Plain, refused my righteous demand. judging calmly of Sir Richard's position
He replied that he was king of his domains, and effecting his deliverance.
and cared but little for the power of your Lady Gower yielded to the entreaties
Majesty." of the younger woman, and without losing
As may be perceived, the worthy Baron an instant, she choose two faithful
lied freely for the good of his cause. servants, mounted a horse, and set out in
"Well," replied the King, "we will all haste for Barnsdale Forest.
judge for ourselves of the impudence of A Forester, who had remained ill at the
this rogue. We will be in Nottingham Castle, was now sufficiently recovered to
within fifteen days. Bring with you as act as guide to the Trysting Tree.
many men as you think needful to give By a providential chance, Robin Hood
battle, and if any untoward occurrence was at his post.
should prevent our joining you, act as best " God bless you " cried Lady Gower,
!

you can. Carry off this indomitable throwing herself with feverish haste from
Robin Hood and Sir Richard. Imprison her horse " I come to you as a suppliant.
;

them in your gloomiest dungeon and when I come to ask you yet another favour in
;

you have them safe under lock and key, the Holy Virgin's name."
advise our justices. We will then reflect " Lady, you frighten me. For mercy's
upon our course of action." sake, what ails you ? " cried Robin, over-
Baron Fitz-Alwine obeyed the King's come with astonishment. " Tell me what
orders to the letter. He assembled a you desire; I am ready to obey."
numerous troop of men and marched at " Oh, Robin," sobbed the poor woman,
their head against Sir Richard's Castle. " my husband and my son have been
But the poor Baron was the sport of carried off by your enemy, the Sheriff of
fate, for he arrived the day after Robin's Nottingham. Oh, Robin, save my husband,
departure. save my child Stop the wretches who
!

The idea of pursuing Robin to his have taken them away; they are few
retreat did not commend itself to the old in number, and have only this minute left
Baron's mind. A certain remembrance, the Castle."
and a certain soreness, which still ren- " Be reassured. Madam," said Robin
dered riding painful to him, checked his Hood. " Your husband shall soon be given
ardour in that direction. He resolved, as back to you. Remember that Sir Richard
he could do no better, to take Sir Richard, is a Knight, and under this title he has a
and, as an assault of the place would be a right to the law of the Kingdom. What-
difficult thing to attempt and dangerous ever the power of Baron Fitz-Alwine, it
to put into execution, he made up his mind does not permit him to put to death a
to attain a more certain success by means noble Saxon. He must bring Sir
of treachery. Richard to trial, if the fault of which he
The Baron dispersed his men, keeping is accused offer occasion for trial. Take
with him only a score of stout fellows, and courage, dry your tears your husband
;

placed himself in ambush at a short dis- and son shall soon be in your arms."
 — !

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 99

" May Heaven bless you !
" cried Lady behind imagine there was nothing
to
Gower, clasping her hands. more to sound of a horn rang
fear, the
" Now, Madam, allow me to give you through the air, and a flight of arrows
some advice. Return to the Castle, keep saluted the front rank of soldiers. The
all the gates shut, and do not allow any Sheriff commanded a halt, and sent some
stranger to enter. For my part, I will thirty men to beat the underwood they ;

assemble my men, and fly at their head in went to their death.

pursuit of the Baron."
Lady Gower, much reassured by the
young man's consoling words, left him
with a more tranquil heart. Robin Hood
announced to his men the capture of Sir
Richard, and his desire to capture the
Sheriff. The Foresters gave a shout, half of
indignation against the Baron's treachery,
half of joy at having a fresh opportunity
of bending their bows, and gleefully they
prepared to set out.
Divided into two groups and attacked
on both sides at once, the soldiers were
soon forced to lay down their arms and
cry for mercy.
This exploit terminated, the Merrie
Men threw themselves upon the Baron's
escort, who, being well mounted and used
to arms, defended themselves with vigour.
Robin and his men fought with the
hope of delivering Sir Richard and his
son the soldiers from London, on their
;

Robin put himself at the head of his side, sought to gain the reward promised
valiant troop, and accompanied by Little by the King to whoever should capture
John, Will Scarlett, and Much, started in Robin Hood. The struggle was desperate
pursuit of the Sheriff. and furious on both sides, and the victory
After a long and fatiguing march, they uncertain, when suddenly the shouts of
reached the village of Mansfield, where another band of Foresters told that the
Robin learnt from an Innkeeper, that, situation was now to be changed. It was
after having rested, the Baron's soldiers Little John and his band, who flung
had continued their way to Nottingham. themselves into the conflict with an
Robin made his men refresh themselves, irresistible violence.
left Much and Little John with them, and Some ten archers already surrounded
accompanied by Will, galloped at the best Sir Richard and his son, cut their bonds,
speed of a good horse to the Trysting gave them weapons, and, undismayed by
Tree of Sherwood Forest. the danger to which they were exposing
Arrived at the confines of the sub- themselves, fought hand to hand with
terranean dwelling, Robin blew a joyous men clad in coats of mail. With the
flourish upon his hunting horn, and a heedless impetuosity of youth, Herbert,
hundred Foresters ran up at the well- with some of the Merrie Men, hurled
known call. himself into the midst of the Baron's
Robin Hood took this fresh troop with escort. For nearly a quarter of an hour
him, and so arranged them as to get the the courageous youth held his own against
Baron's men between the two troops for the horsemen but, overcome by numbers,
; ;

the men left at Mansfield were to take the he was about to pay for his foolhardiness,
road to Nottingham after an hour's when an archer, either to help the young
repose. man or to precipitate the issue of the
The Merrrie Men soon arrived at a battle, took aim at the Baron, and pierced
spot, a short distance from the town, his throat with an arrow, flung him from
where they learned to their great satis- his horse, and cut off his head then, ;

faction that the Sherift's troops had not hfting it in the air on the point of his
yet passed. Robin chose an advantageous lance, he cried in a loud voice
position, hid some of his men, and placed " Norman dogs, behold your Chief
the remainder on the opposite side of the Contemplate for the last time the ugly
road. face of your proud Sheriff, and lay down
The appearance of half a dozen soldiers your arms or prepare yourselves to meet
soon announced the approach of the a like ..."
Sheriff and his cavalcade. The Forester did not finish his sentence,
The Foresters prepared to give them a Norman broke open his head, and he
a warm welcome. The advance guard rolled in the dust.
passed beyond the limits of the ambush The death of Lord Fitz-Alwine con-
without hindrance, and when they were strained the Normans to lay down their
far enough for the troop that came arms and ask for quarter.
lOO ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
By Robin's orders some of the Merrie thee the word of an honest man that
Men conducted the vanquished men to while a breath of life is in my body, thou
Nottingham, while, at the head of the shalt be safe under the care of my Merrie
rest of his band, he carried away the Men."
dead, succoured the wounded, and removed " I gladly accept thy generous offer,
all traces of the combat, Robin Hood. I accept it with joy and
" Farewell for ever, thou man of blood gratitude. But before establishing myself
and iron," said Robin, throwing a look of in the Forest, which my children's future
disgust at the Baron's corpse. " At last makes my duty, I am going to try and
thou hast met thy death, and wilt receive soften the King's anger. The offer of a
the reward of thine evil deeds. Thy heart considerable sum of money may induce
hath been covetous and pitiless, thy hand him to spare the life of a well-born
hath been as a scourge to the unhappy Knight."
Saxons. Thou hast oppressed thy vassals, That very evening Sir Richard sent
betrayed thy King, and abandoned thy a message to London to ask a powerful
daughter. Thou dost merit all the member of his family to speak to the
tortures of hell. Yet do I pray the God King for him. The messenger came back
of infinite mercy to have pity on thy soul from London at full speed, and announced
and to pardon thy sins." to his master that Henry II,, deeply
'•
Sir Richard," said Robin, when the irritated by the death of Baron Fitz-
old man's corpse had been raised by the Alwine, had sent a company of his best
soldiers, and borne away in the direction soldiers to the Knight's Castle, with
of Nottingham, " this hath been a sorry orders to hang him and his son to the
day. We have saved thee from death, first tree on the roadside. The Chief
but not from ruin, for thy goods will be of this company, who was a penniless
confiscated. I could wish, Richard, that Norman, had received from the King's
I had never known thee." hand the Castle of the Plain as a gift to
" How is that ? " asked the Knight, in himself and his descendants to the last
great surprise. generation.
" Because without mine aid, thou Sir Richard's kinsman likewise sent
wouldst assuredly have succeeded in word to the condemned man that a pro-
paying thy debt to the Abbey, and thou clamation was to be made in the Counties
wouldst not have been obliged to render of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and
me service out of gratitude. I am the Yorkshire, offering an immense reward
involuntary cause of all thy trouble. to the man clever enough to capture
Thou wilt be banished, outlawed from the Robin Hood and give him, alive or dead,
Kingdom, thy house become the property into the hands of the Sheriff of either of
of a Norman, thy family will suffer, and these Counties.
it will be my fault. . . Thou canst see
. Sir Richard at once warned Robin
for thyself. Sir Richard, how dangerous Hood of the danger menacing his life, and
my friendship is "
1 announced his own immediate arrival.
«'
My dear Robin," said the Knight, Actively assisted by his vassals, the
with an expression of ineffable tenderness, Knight despoiled the Castle of all that it
" my wife and my children are alive, thou contained, and sent his furniture, arms, and
art my friend, what have I to regret ? If plate to the trysting-place of Barnsdale.
the King condemn me, I will leave my When the last wagon had crossed the
Castle, deprived of all, but still happy drawbridge. Sir Richard, his wife, Herbert,
and blessing the hour that led me to and Lilas rode away from their dear
noble Robin Hood." home, and gained the Forest without
The young man gently shook his head. hindrance.
" Let us speak seriously of thy situa- When the troop sent by the King
tion, my dear Richard," returned he. " The reached the Castle, the doors were open
news of the events which have just and the rooms completely empty.
occurred will be sent to London, and the The new owner of Sir Richard's domains
King will be pitiless. Wehave attacked seemed much disappointed to find the
his own soldiers, and he will make thee place deserted, but as he had passed the
pay for their defeat, not only by banish- best part of his life in struggling against
ment, but by an ignominious death. the freaks of fortune, he readily accommo-
Leave thy home, come with me. I give dated himself to his circumstances.
 ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW lOI

Consequently he sent away the soldiers still Their home,

lived happily together.
and, to the great despair of the vassals, under the
built chieflyKnight's directions,
established himself as master of the was a marvel of comfort and good taste.
Castle of the Plain. A circle of old trees shut off" the garden
from inquisitive eyes, and seemed to place
an insuperable barrier around the place.
Beautiful children with sweet faces,
living flowers in this oasis of love, en-
CHAPTER Xn livened the calm repose of the great
House with their turbulent spirits, their
THREE peaceful
events we have
years followed the
just related. Robin
laughing voices awoke the echoes, and
the light steps of their little feet left a
Hood's band had developed in a remark- fleeting imprint on the sandy paths of the
able manner, and the renown of their park. Allan and Christabel had remained
intrepid Chief had spreadall over England. young in heart, spirits, and looks, and for
The death of Henry H. had placed his —
them a week seemed like a day a day
son Richard on the throne, and the latter, passed as quickly as an hour.
after having squandered all the Crown Christabel had not seen her father
treasure, had set out for the Holy Land, since her wedding with Allan Clare in
abandoning the Regency of the Kingdom Linton Abbey for the irascible old man
;

to his brother. Prince John, a man of was cruelly determined to repulse all the
dissolute habits and extreme avarice, efforts at reconciliation made by his
whose feeble spirit rendered him incap- daughter and the Knight. The Baron's
able of fulfilling the high mission entrusted death affected Christabel profoundly but ;

to him. how much greater would her sorrow have

The misery of the people, already very been if, in losing the author of her being,
great under Henry, became complete she had a true father.
lost
destitution during the long period of this Allan hadintended to maintain his
bloodstained regency. Robin Hood, with rights to the Barony of Nottingham, and,
inexhaustible generosity, relieved the cruel by Robin's advice, who recommended
sufferings of the poor in Nottinghamshire him to make all haste in putting forward
and Derbyshire, and he was the idol of his very just claim, he was on the point
them all. But if he gave to the poor, he of writing to the King, when he learned
took from the rich in return, and Normans, that the Castle of Nottingham, with its
prelates, and monks contributed largely, revenues and dependencies, had become
to their great vexation, to the good works the property of Prince John. Allan was
of the noble Outlaw. too happy to risk his peace and well-being
Marian still lived in the Forest, and in a struggle which the superior rank of
the young couple still loved each other his adversary would render as dangerous
as tenderly as in the first days of their as it was useless. He therefore took no
happy union. further steps, and did not regret the loss
Time had not lessened William's pas- of this magnificent heritage.
sion for his charming wife, and in the Robin's attacks upon the Normans and
eyes of the faithful Saxon, Maude, like a clergy became so frequent and so pre-
pure diamond, still kept her immutable judicial to the rich that they attracted
beauty. the attention of the Lord Chancellor of
Little John and Much still congratulated England, Longchamp, Bishop of Ely.
themselves on their choice in taking to The Bishop resolved to put an end to
wife sweet Winifred and witty Barbara the existence of the Merrie Men, and he
and as for Will's brothers, they had no prepared a serious expedition. Five hun-
reason to repent of their hasty marriages ;
dred men, with Prince John at their head,
they were happy, and life was rose-coloured arrived at Nottingham Castle, and there,
to their eyes. after a rest of several days, they made
arrangements to seize Robin Hood. He,
Before we leave for ever two persons
who have played an important part in however, being promptly informed of the
our story, we will pay them a friendlyintentions of this honourable troop, only
visit at the Castle of the Dale in thelaughed, and prepared to baffle all their
valley of Mansfield, attempts without exposing his men to the
Allan Clare and the Lady Christabel dangers of a fight.
 ; —
102 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
He made his band take arrayed come to his aid. But none could tell him,
shelter,
a dozen foresters in different costumes, and he was obliged to seek information
and sent them to the Castle, where they from the Reeve of Nottingham.
presented themselves and offered to guide This Reeve was the same man upon
the troops into the inextricable recesses whom Robin had played the trick of
of the Forest. taking him into the Forest and making
These offers of service were accepted him pay three hundred gold crowns for
with alacrity by the chiefs of the troop his visit.
and as the Forest covered very nearly Under the influence of this poignant
thirty miles of ground, it was not easy memory, the Reeve answered the King
to take account of the turns and twists that the archers in question could certainly
through which the guides led the unhappy be none other than those of the terrible
soldiers. Now the whole of the troop was Robin Hood.
engulfed in the declivities of a valley, " This Robin Hood," added the malici-
now they sank knee deep in the muddy ous Innkeeper, *• is a downright rascal.
water of swamps, now they found them- He supports his band at the expense of
selves dispersed on wild and barren travellers ; he robs honest men, kills the
heights. They cursed a soldier's life, King's deer, and daily commits every sort
wished the Lord Chancellor of England, of brigandage."
Robin Hood, and his invisible band at the Halbert Lindsay, pretty Maude's
devil ; for it should be observed that not foster-brother, who had had the good
a single green doublet had ever appeared fortune to keep his place as Warden of
upon the horizon. the Castle, happened by chance to be
At the close of the day the soldiers near the King during this interview.
found themselves seven or eight miles Impelled by a feeling of gratitude toward
from Nottingham Castle, which they Robin and by the natural impetuosity of
must regain if they did not wish to pass a a generous nature, he forgot his lowly
night in the open. They returned there- condition, made a step towards the Reeve's
fore, exhausted with fatigue, dying of august listener, and said in an eager
hunger, and without having seen a thing tone —
that could reveal to them the presence of " Sire, Robin Hood is an honest Saxon
the Merrie Men. and an unhappy Outlaw. An if he
For two weeks they renewed these despoil the rich of their wealth, yet he
fatiguing marches, and the result was doth allay the misery of the poor and in;

always the same. Prince John, recalled the Counties of Nottingham and York the
to London by his pleasures, abandoned name of Robin Hood is aye spoken with
the undertaking, and returned with his respect and eternal gratitude."
escort to the town. " Do you know this brave bowman
Two years after this expedition, Richard personally ?
" asked the King of Halbert.

returned to England and Prince John,

; The question recalled Halbert to him-
who justly dreaded to face his brother, self. He blushed crimson, and replied
sought refuge from the King's anger confusedly
within the walls of Nottingham Castle. " I have seen Robin Hood, but it was a
Richard Coeur de Lion, having learned long time ago and I only repeat to your
;

of the Regent's obnoxious behaviour, Majesty what is said of him by the poor
stayed only three days in London and whom he hath saved from dying of
;

then, accompanied by a small troop, starvation."

marched resolutely against the rebel. " Come, come, my good lad," said the
Nottingham Castle was besieged. After King, wnth a smile, " hold up thy head
three days it surrendered at discretion, and never disown thy friend. By the
but Prince John managed to escape. Holy Trinity, if his conduct be such as
While fighting like the meanest of his thou hast described to me, he is a man
soldiers, Richard had noticed that a troop whose friendship must indeed be precious.
of lusty yeomen gave him great assistance, I avow I should be charmed to meet this
and that it was owing to their valuable Outlaw and as he hath done me a service,
;

help that he was able to win the victory. it shall never be said that Richard of
After the combat, and once installed in England hath shown himself ungrateful,
the Castle, Richard asked for information even toward an Outlaw. To-morrow even-
concerning the brave archers who had ing I will hie me to Sherwood Forest."
 —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 103
The King kept his word. Early next said he " pray tarry a while and receive
;

morning, escorted by Knights and soldiers, my hearty welcome."

and conducted by the Reeve, who did not
find this expedition very attractive, he
explored the paths, roads, and glades of
the old wood, but the search was in vain.
Robin Hood was not to be seen.
But little pleased at his ill-success,
Richard sent for a man who fulfilled the
functions of Keeper in the Forest, and
asked him whether he knew of any means
of encountering the Outlaw Chief.
" Your Majesty might search the wood
for a year," rejoined the man, " without
perceiving even the shadow of an Outlaw,
" Profane sinner," cried Richard, seek-
ing to imitate the habitual language of
the clergy. " Dost dare arrest the passage
of a holy man on a sacred errand."
" I am a yeoman of this Forest,"
repliedRobin Hood, " and my companions
and I live upon the proceeds of the chase
and the generosity of pious members of
Holy Church."
" Upon my word, thou art a daring
rogue," answered the King, concealing a
smile. " To dare tell me to my face that
thou eatest my the King's deer, and
. . .

if you went accompanied by an escort. plunderest members of the Church. By

Robin Hood avoids strife as much as St. Hubert thou dost possess at least
!

possible —
not from cowardice, for he the merit of frankness."
" Frankness is the only resource of
knows the Forest so well that he hath
naught to fear, not even the attack of five those who possess naught," returned
or six hundred men —
but from moderation Robin Hood. " But those who have
and prudence. If your Majesty wishes revenues, lands, and gold and silver can
to see Robin Hood, it were best to go pass them on, when they know not what
disguised as a Monk, with four or five to do with them. I believe, noble Abbot,"
of your Knights, and I will be your continued Robin, in a mocking tone, " that
Majesty's guide. I swear by St. Dunstan you are one of the happy number of
that your lives will be in no danger. whom I speak. That is why I ask you
Robin Hood waylays ecclesiastics, he to come to the aid of our modest wants,
entertains them., he despoils them, but and of the misery of our poor friends and
never doth he ill-use them." dependants. You too often forget, my
" By the Holy Cross, Forester, thy brothers, that round about your rich
speech is golden," said the King, laughing, dwellings there are homes lacking bread,
" and I will follow thy wise counsel. The although you possess more money than
garb of a Monk will become me but ill. wants for it to satisfy."
No matter Let them fetch me a Friar's
!
" Perchance thou speakest truth,
robe." yeoman," replied the King, partly forget-
The impatient monarch was soon ting the religious character with which he
clothed in an Abbot's costume, and chose was invested. " And the expression of
four Knights, who dressed themselves as loyal frankness which shines from thy
Monks, to accompany him. Moreover, face pleaseth me singularly. Thou hast
following another stratagem suggested by an appearance of being more honest than
the Keeper, they harnessed their horses thou art in reality. Natheless, for the
in such a manner as to convey the impres- sake of thy good appearance, and for love
sion that they carried a load of treasure. of Christian charity, I make thee a gift
About a league from the Castle, the of all the money I possess at this
Keeper, who served as guide to the moment forty pieces of gold. — I am
supposed Monks, approached the King sorry that it is no more, but the King,
and said who hath been staying for several days
" My Lord, look to the end of yonder at Nottingham Castle, as thou hast
glade; there you will see Robin Hood, doubtless heard, hath almost entirely
Little John, and Will Scarlett, the three emptied my pockets. This money, how-
Chiefs of the band." ever, is at thy service, for I like well thy
*'
Good," said the King, gaily. And fine face and the strong countenances of
urging his horse forward, Richard made thy lusty comrades."
as though he would escape. With these words, the King handed
Robin Hood leapt on to the road, Robin Hood a little leathern bag contain-
seized the animal's bridle, and compelled ing forty pieces of gold.
it to stop. " You are the paragon of Churchmen,
" A thousand pardons, Sir Abbot," Sir Abbot," said Robin, laughing; " and if
 ;; ! — ;

104 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW I

I had not made a vow to squeeze more or " Well hit ! well hit cried the King,
less every member of Holy Church, I heartily.
should refuse to accept your generous " That is not a very wonderful shot.
offer. However, it shall not be said that Sir Abbot," said Robin, looking at Richard
you have suffered too cruelly on your way in surprise. " All my men, without excep-
through Sherwood Forest. Your escort tion, can kill a deer like that, and my wife f [!

and horses may pass freely, and more, herself can draw a bow and accomplish
you must allow me to accept only twenty acts of skill far superior to the feeble
pieces of gold." exploit which I have achieved before your
"Thou dost behave nobly, Forester," eyes."
replied Richard, who appeared sensible " Thy wife ? " repeated the King, in
of Robin's generosity ;
" and I shall give questioning tone. " Thou hast a wife ?
myself the pleasure of speaking of thee to By the Mass, I am anxious to make the i

our Sovereign. His Majesty knoweth acquaintance of the woman who shares
somewhat concerning thee, for he told me the perils of thine adventurous life."
to greet thee from him if I were so " My
wife is not the only one of her
fortunate as to meet thee. I believe, sex. Sir Abbot, who prefers a faithful
betwixt ourselves be it said, that King heart and a home in the wilderness, to a
—
Richard who doth love bravery where'er faithless love and the luxury of a town
—
he finds it would not be sorry to give existence."
" I will introduce my wife to you, Sir
his thanks in person to the brave yeoman
who helped him to open the Gates of Abbot," cried Will Scarlett, "and if thou
Nottingham Castle, and to ask him why dost not acknowledge that her beauty is
he and his valiant companions disappeared worthy of a throne, thou must permit me
so soon after the battle." to declare either that thou art blind or
" If some day I were happy enough to that thy taste is execrable."
find myself in His Majesty's presence, I " By St. Dunstan " returned Richard !

should not hesitate to reply to the latter " the popular fancy is quite right in calling
question but at present. Sir Abbot, let
; you the Merrie Men. You want for
us speak of something else. I love King —
nothing here lovely women, royal game, |

Richard well, for he is English in heart fresh verdure, and entire liberty."
and soul, though he belongeth by ties of " Yea we be very happy folk, Sir,"
!

blood to a Norman family. All of us replied Robin, laughing.

here, priests and laity, are the faithful The escort soon reached the green-
servants of His Most Gracious Majesty, sward, where a repast awaited the guests
and if you will consent. Sir Abbot, we and this repast, sumptuously furnished
will drink in company to noble Richard's with fragrant venison, excited Richard
health. Sherwood Forest knoweth how Coeur-de-Lion's appetite by its mere
to be freely hospitable when it receiveth appearance.
Saxon hearts and generous Monks beneath " By my mother's conscience " he cried !

the shade of its old trees." (letus hasten to say that the Lady Eleanoi i

" I accept thy kind invitation with had so little conscience that it was sheer
pleasure, Robin Hood," replied the King pleasantry to appeal to it), " here is a truly
" and I am ready to follow thee wherever royal dinner!" Whereupon the King
thou dost wish to conduct me." took his place at the board and ate with I

" I thank you for your confidence, good great enjoyment. Towards the end ol; fii

Monk," said Robin, leading Richard's the meal, Richard said to his host
horse toward a path ending at the Trysting "Thou hast made me anxious to meet!
Tree. the beautiful women who people thy vast
Little John, Will Scarlett, and the domain. Introduce them to me. I am
four Knights disguised as Monks, fol- curious to see if they are worthy, as thy
lowed the King, who was preceded by red-headed companion assured me, tc
Robin Hood. ornament the Court of the King of
The little escort had hardly entered England
upon the path when a deer, startled by Robin sent Will to find the beautiful
the noise, ran quickly across the road woodland nymphs, and to tell his men to
but more alert than the poor animal, prepare the sports in which they engaged
Robin's arrow pierced its side with deadly on days of rest,
effect. "My men will endeavour to amuse you kl

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
a little, Sir Abbot," said Robin, again
taking his place beside the King " and
; respect."
you will see that there is naught really
blameworthy in our pleasures and the
wild fashion of our lives. And when
you find yourself in the presence of good
King Richard, I ask it as a favour that
you will tell him that the Merrie Men
of Sherwood are neither to be feared by
brave Saxons, nor unkind to any who
have compassion on the inevitable hard-
ships of the rough life they lead."
" Rest assured, brave yeoman, His
Majesty shall know of all that hath hap-
pened here, as surely as though he himself
had partaken of thy repast in my stead."
" You, Sir, are the most gracious Abbot
that I have ever met in all my life, and
I am very glad to be able to treat you as
a brother. Now be pleased to direct your
attention to my archers. There is nothing
to equal their skill, and, in order to amuse
you, I am sure they will accomplish
wonders."
Robin's men then began to draw the
bow with such extraordinary steadiness
of hand and aim, that the King compli-
mented them with an expression of real
surprise.
The exercise lasted about half an hour, amongst us."
when Will Scarlett reappeared, bringing
with him Marian and Maude, arrayed in
Amazon costumes of Lincoln green cloth,
and each carrying a bow and quiver of
arrows.
The King opened his eyes in astonish-
ment, and gazed speechless at the charming
faces that blushed beneath his gaze.
" Sir Abbot," said Robin, taking Marian
by the hand, " allow me to present to you
the Queen of my heart, my dearly loved
wife."
" Thou mightest well add the Queen of
thy Merrie Men, brave Robin," cried the
King " and you have every reason to be
; own, " thou hast chosen a very hard life,
proud of inspiring a tender passion in
such a charming creature. Dear Madam,"
continued the King, " allow me to salute
you as the Queen of Sherwood Forest,
and to render you the homage of a faithful
subject."
So saying, the King knelt upon the
ground, and taking Marian's white hand,
touched it respectfully with his lips.
"Your courtesy is great, Sir Abbot,"
said Marian, modestly ;
" but I pray you
remember that it doth but ill become a
man of your holy character to bow thus
before a woman. You should render to
— ;!
105
God alone that token of humility and
That is a very moral rebuke for the
"
wife of a simple forester," murmured the
King, again taking up his position under
the Trysting Tree.
" Sir Abbot, here is my wife," cried
Will, leading Maude up to Richard.
The King looked at Maude, and said
laughingly
*' This
lovely lady is without doubt the
one who would do honour to a King's
palace."
" Yea, Sire," said Will.
" Well, my friend," replied Richard,
" I share your opinion, and if you will
allow me, I will implant a kiss upon the
beautiful cheek of her you love."
William smiled, and the King, who
took this smile for a reply in the affirma-
tive, embraced the young woman gallantly.
" A word in your ear, Sir Abbot," said
Will, approaching the King, who listened
with complacency to the young man.
" You are a man of taste," continued
Will, " and you will never have anything
to fear in Sherwood Forest. From this
day forth I promise you a cordial reception
every time a happy chance brings you
" I thank you for your courtesy, good
yeoman," said the King, gaily. " Oh
oh but what more do I see ? " cried
!
Richard, with his eyes upon Will's sisters,
who, accompanied by Lilas, appeared
before him. " Truly, my lads, your dryads
are real fairies." The King took Lilas's
hand. " By our Lady " he murmured, !
" I did not believe that so beautiful a
woman as my sweet Berengaria existed
but, upon my soul, I am forced to confess
that this child equals her in purity and
beauty. My
pretty one," said the King,
pressing the little hand he held in his
deprived of all the pleasures of thine age.
Dost not fear, poor child, that the stormy
winds of this Forest will destroy thy frail
"
life, as they destroy young flowers ?
" My
father," replied Lilas, gently,
" the wind is tempered to the strength of
the plants it spareth the feeble ones.
; I
am happy here one who is dear to me
;
lives in the old wood, and I know no
sorrow by his side."
" Thou art right to acknowledge thy
love the man whom thou lovest is
if
worthy of thee, my sweet child," returned
Richard.
io5 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
"He is worthy of even greater love and soon the top of the wand was seen
than I give him, my father," repUed above a circle formed by the flowers.
Lilas. " Albeit, I love him as tenderly as "Now, my lads," cried Robin, " take
can be." aim at the wand he who misses his
;

Saying these words the girl blushed.
Richard's big blue eyes were fixed upon
her with such a burning look that, seized
with an undefinable fear, she gently drew
her hand away from the King's clasp, and
sat down by Marian.
" I own to you, Master Robin," said
the King, " that there is not a single
Court in Europe that can boast of gather-
ing around the throne so many young and
beautiful women as we see around us. I another was put up in its stead. Wil
have seen the women of many countries,
and I have never met anything to com-
pare with the sweet and tranquil beauty
of Saxon women. Curse me, if any one
of the fresh faces that meet my gaze be
stroke will have to give me a good arrow
with which he shall receive a blow
Attend, for, by Our Lady, I shall no1
spare the maladroit. It is well under-
stood that I take part with you, and
in case of unskilfulness, I submit to £
like punishment."
Many Foresters missed their aim anc
received with good grace a sturdy blow
Robin Hood broke the wand in pieces
and Little John missed their aim, anc
amid shouts of laughter from all the
onlookers they received the reward o:
their awkwardness.
Robin had the last shot but wishing ;

not worth an hundred women of the East
or of any foreign race."
" I am pleased to hear you speak thus,
Sir Abbot," said Robin. " You prove to
me once more that pure English blood
to show the supposed Abbot that in sucl
a case there was no distinction made be
tween himself and his men, he purposeh
missed the wand.
" Oh, oh. Master " cried an astonishec
!

flows in your veins. I cannot presume yeoman, " you have missed the mark."
to judge of so delicate a point, for I have " 'Tis true, i' faith, and I deserve th(
never travelled, and know no lands beyond punishment. Little John, thou art tht
Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Natheless, I strongest of us all, and thou wilt knov
am strongly disposed to say with you that how to strike hard."
Saxon women are the most beautiful in " I do not hold with it in the least,'
all the world." replied John " the mission is a disagree
;

" They are certainly the most beauti- able one, for 'twould set me at variance
ful," cried Will, decidedly. " I have with my right hand for ever."
travelled over a great part of the Kingdom " Very well, then. Will, I ask you."
of France, and I can certify that I have " Thank you, Robin I refuse entireb
;

not met with a single matron or maid to do thee this kindness."

who can compare with Maude. Maude " I refuse too," said Much.
is the pick of English beauty, that is " I too," cried another man.
my opinion." " And so do we all " exclaimed thi !

" You have served as a soldier ? " asked Foresters with one accord.
the King, looking at the young man " All this is ridiculous childishness,'
attentively. said Robin, severely. " I did not hesitati
"Yea, Sir," replied Will, "I have to punish those who did wrong, yoi
served King Henry in Aquitaine and must do the like to me, and as severely
Poitou, at Harfleur, Evreux, Rouen, and As not one of my men will lay his banc
in many other places." upon me, it is for thee. Sir Abbot, t(

" Ah, ah " exclaimed the King, turn-

! settle the dispute. Here
bes is my
ing his head for fear that Will would arrow, and I pray you. Sir, to serve mi
end by recognising him. " Robin Hood," as I served my unskilful archers."
he continued, "your men are preparing " Nay I dare not take it upon me t(
!

to continue the games. I shall be very my dear Robin Hood," criec

satisfy thee,
pleased to witness some fresh exercise the King, laughing, " for I have a heav}
of skill." hand, and I hit hard."
" It shall be as you wish. Sir. I will " I am neither tender nor delicate, Si:
show you how I set about forming my Abbot so be easy." ;

archers' hands. Much," cried Robin, " Thou dost really wish it ? " asked th(
" place garlands of roses upon the wands." King, baring his muscular arm. " Well
Much executed the order given him, thou shalt have thy wish."
 ; ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 107

The blow was so vigorously applied of our fathers by unjust and cruel oppres-
that Robin fell to the ground, but he sion. Poor and without shelter, we have
soon rose again. found a refuge in the solitude of the
" I confess before Heaven," said he, woods. We have lived by the chase, on
—
with smiling lips and a red face, "that alms exacted by force, no doubt, but
you are the most powerful monk in all without violence, and with the most
merry England. You have too much engaging courtesy. These alms were
strength in your arm for a man who given with good or bad grace but we
;

doth exercise a holy profession, and I never received them before we were
would wager mine head (it is valued at quite certain that he who refused to
four hundred gold crowns) that you know come to the help of our distress carried
more about stretching a bow and wielding a Knight's ransom at the least in his
a cudgel than carrying a crozier." wallet. Sire, I implore your Majesty's
" It may be so," cried the King, laugh- pardon for my companions and their
ing;
" and let us add likewise, an thou Chief."
—
wilt handling a sword, a spear, or a " Rise, Robin Hood," replied the King,
shield." kindly, " and tell me the reason why
" Your conversation and manner reveal thou didst lend me the help of thy brave
rather a man accustomed to the adven- archers in the assault on the Castle of
turous life of a soldier than a pious Nottingham."
servant of Holy Church," returned Robin, " Sire," returned Robin Hood, who,
examining the King attentively. " I while obeying the King's command, still

should much like to know who you are, held himself respectfully inclined before
for strange thoughts have come into my him, "your Majesty is the idol of all
head." true English hearts. Your actions, so
" Dismiss those thoughts, Robin Hood worthy of general respect, have won for
and do not seek to discover whether or you the gracious title of bravest of the
'

no I am the man I represent myself to brave,' the man of the lion's heart,' who,
'

be," replied the King, quickly. like a loyal Knight, triumphs personally
The Knight, Sir Richard of the Plain, over his enemies and extends his generous
who had been absent since the morning, protection to the unfortunate. Prince
appeared at this moment in the midst of John earned your Majesty's displeasure,
the group and approached Robin. Sir and when I heard of my King's appear-
Richard trembled when he perceived the ance before the walls of Nottingham
King, for Richard's face was well known Castle, I secretly placed myself under
to him. He looked at Robin, but the his orders. Your Majesty took the Castle
young man seemed completely ignorant which sheltered the rebel Prince, my task
of his guest's high rank. was accomplished, and I retired without
" Do you know the name of him who saying anything, because the knowledge
wears the garb of an Abbot ? " Sir Richard of having loyally served my King satisfied
asked in a low voice. my inmost wishes."
" Nay," replied Robin ;
" but I think " I thank thee cordially for thy frank-
I discovered a few minutes agone that ness, Robin Hood," Richard replied
those russet locks and those large blue " and thine affection for me is very
eyes could only belong to one man in gratifying. Thou dost act and speak
England, to .
."
. like an honest man. I am pleased, and
" Richard Cceur-de-Lion, King of bestow full and entire pardon on the
England," cried the Knight, involuntarily. Merrie Men of Sherwood Forest. Thou
Robin Hood and Sir Richard fell upon hast had it in thy power to do wrong,
their knees. but thou hast not taken advantage of
" I now recognise the noble countenance this dangerous power. Thou hast only
of my Sovereign," said the Outlaw Chief levied courteous contributions upon rich
" 'tis our good King Richard of Eng- Normans, and then only in order to
land. May God protect your gracious supply the needs of thy band. I excuse
Majesty " ! —
A benevolent smile played thy faults they were only natural in
upon the King's lips. " Sire," continued such an exceptional position ; but, as
Robin, without changing his humble the Forest laws have been broken, as
attitude, " your Majesty knoweth who Princes of the Church and noble Lords
—
we be Outlaws driven from the homes have been obliged to leave bribes out of
 ; — ;

io8 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

their immense treasures in thine hands, and if he will permit me, I will choose
thy pardon needs be set down in writing from among my men an hundred and
so that thou mayest Hve henceforth in forty archers who will humbly serve your
safety, free from all reproach and all most gracious Majesty with absolute
pursuit. To-morrow,
in the presence of devotion."
my Knights, proclaim aloud that
I will The King, as much flattered as sur-
the ban of proscription, which hath placed prised by the heroic Outlaw's humble
thee below the meanest serf of my demeanour in his presence, thanked
kingdom, is entirely removed. I restore Robin Hood cordially, and making him
to thee and to all those who have par- send his men back to their momentarily
ticipated in thine adventurous career the suspended games, took a cup from the
rights and privileges of free men. I table, filled it to the brim, drank it to the
have said it, and I swear to keep my dregs, and said with an expression of
word by the help of Almighty God." friendly curiosity
" Long live Richard Cceur-de-Lion " !
" And now, friend Robin, tell me, I
cried the Outlaws with one voice. prithee, who
that giant over yonder
is
" May the Blessed Virgin protect your for it is difficult otherwise to describe the
Majesty for ever," said Robin Hood, in a huge lad whom Heaven hath likewise
tone of emotion, and kneeling upon one blessed with such an honest face. Upon
knee on the ground, he respectfully kissed my soul, I thought until to-day that I was
the generous Monarch's hand. more than ordinary tall, but I see now that
After this token of gratitude, Robin if I stood beside that jolly dog, I should

rose, sounded his horn, and the Merrie look but an innocent chicken. What
Men, who had all been variously occupied, breadth of limb, what vigour The man !

"
some in drawing the bow, others in wielding is magnificently made !

the quarterstaff, at once abandoned their " He

is likewise as good. Sire," replied
respective occupations to group themselves "
Robin, as his strength is enormous he ;

in a circle around their young Chief. could stay the march of an army with his
" Brave comrades," said Robin, " kneel, single arm, and yet he will listen to a
all of you, upon the ground, and bare touching story with the simple innocence
your heads ye are in the presence of
;
of a child. The man who hath the
your legitimate sovereign, of the well- honour to attract your Majesty's attention
beloved Monarch of Merry England, of is my brother, my
companion, my dearest
Richard Coeur-de-Lion. Do homage to friend. He hath a heart of gold, a heart as
our noble Master and Lord." The Out- true as the steel of his invincible sword.
laws obeyed Robin's command, and while He wieldeth the staff with such wonderful
the troop remained humbly bowed before skill that he hath never once been
Richard, Robin made known to them beaten moreover, he is the best archer in
;

their sovereign's clemency. " And now,"
added the young man, " make
the old
Forest ring with your joyous hurrahs. A
great day hath dawned for us, my lads
ye are free men by the grace of God and
of noble Richard."
The Merrie Men did not need fresh
encouragement to express their inward
joy they gave vent to such a formidable
;
hurrah, it were easy to believe that the
echo of it was heard two miles off from
the Trysting Tree.
This noisy clamour stilled, Richard of
England took up the thread of the
conversation, and invited Robin and all
his troop to accompany him to Notting-
the county, and the finest lad in all the
world."
" Truly, these be praises right pleasant
to hear, Robin," returned the King, " for
he who inspires them is worthy to be thy
friend. I should like to speak with this
"
honest yoeman. What is his name ?
"John Naylor, Sire; but we call him
Little John on account of his small
stature."
" By the Mass," cried the King, laugh-
ing, " a band of such Little Johns would
greatly terrify those dogs of infidels. Ho
there, fine tree of the forest, tower of
Babylon, Little John, my lad, come to
me would fain look at thee nearer."
; I

ham Castle. John approached with bared head, and

" Sire," replied Robin, " the flattering awaited with an air of quiet assurance for
notice that your Majesty deigns to show Richard's commands.
me, fills my heart with unutterable joy. The King asked the young man several
I belong body and soul to my Sovereign, questions relating to the extraordinary
RICHARD CCEUR DE LION, KING OF ENGLAND
 — ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 109

strength of his muscles, tried to wrestle of entering upon a contest without know-
with him, and was respectfully vanquished ing the cause of it, put a check upon
by his gigantic adversary. After this their bellicose ardour.
trial, the King took part in the games and *'
Behold our warriors," said Richard,
exercises of the Merrie Men as naturally with a sly look at the cowardly defenders
as though he had been one of their of the town. •' Meseemeth the citizens,
companions, and finally declared that it as well as the soldiers, cling to life. The
was long since he had spent such an Reeve is absent, the leaders tremble
enjoyable day. good Heavens, but these cowards deserve
That night the King of England slept exemplary punishment."
under the protection of the Outlaws of The King had scarce arrived at this by
Sherwood Forest, and the next day, after no means flattering conclusion concerning
doing justice to an excellent breakfast, he the citizens of Nottingham, when his own
prepared to take the road once more to personal body-guard, led by a Captain,
Nottingham. left the Castle in all haste, in line of
" My brave Robin," said the Monarch, battle and with spears at rest.
" could you place at my disposal some " By St. Denis, my fine fellows joke
"
clothes like those worn by your men ? not," cried the King, putting to his lips
" Yea, Sire." the horn that had been given him by
" Well, then, give me and my Knights Robin, Twice he sounded a call betoken-
costumes like thine own, and we will ing the advance to the Captain of his
have a diverting scene upon our entry Guards, and the latter, recognising the
into Nottingham. Our men of office are signal agreed upon by the Monarch,
alway extraordinarily active, whenever the lowered his arms, and respectfully awaited
presence of a superior puts them on their the approach of his Sovereign.
good behaviour, and I feel certain the The news of the return of Richard of
good Reeve and his valiant soldiers will England, triumphantly accompanied by the
give us proofs of their invincible courage." Prince of Outlaws, spread as quickly as the
The King and his Knights donned the news of the approach of the Outlaws with
costumes chosen by Robin, and after a murderous intent. The citizens, who had
gallant kiss bestowed upon Marian, in prudently retired into the recesses of their
honour of all the ladies, Richard, accom- houses, sallied out again with pale faces,
panied by Robin, Little John, Will but with smiles upon their lips and as ;

Scarlett, Much, and a hundred and forty
archers, gaily took the road to his lordly
dwelling.
At the gates of Nottingham, Richard
commanded his suite to give vent to a
shout of victory.
This formidable hurrah brought the
citizens to the thresholds of their re-
pective houses, and at sight of a body of
Merrie Men, armed to the teeth, they
imagined that the King had been killed
by the Outlaws, and that the robbers,
soon as they learnt that Robin Hood and
his band had won the King's favour, they
pressed round the Merrie Men, compli-
menting this one, shaking the hand of
that, vying with one another in proclaim-
ing themselves the friends and protectors
of them all. From the midst of the
multitude cries of felicitation and joy
arose, and one heard these words repeated
—
on every side " Glory to noble Robin
Hood, glory to Robin Hood, the tender
"
and true !

whetted by their bloody victory, were The voices growing more and more
going to descend upon the town and emboldened, proclaimed the presence of
massacre all its inhabitants. Distracted the Outlaw Chief so loudly and enthusi-
with fear, the poor creatures rushed about astically, Richard, tired
that of the
in disorder, some into the most obscure increasing clamour, cried at last
recesses of their dwellings, others straight " By my crown and sceptre, meseemeth
before them. Others pealed the bells, that thou art King here, Robin."
besought the aid of the town guard, and " Ah, Sire," replied the young man, with
went to find the Reeve, who by an a bitter smile, "do not attach any im-
extraordinary miracle had completely portance or value to these tokens of
disappeared. apparent friendship they are but the
;

The King's troops were about to make vague result of the gracious favour with
a dangerous attack upon the supposed which your Majesty doth overload the
Outlaws, when their Chiefs, little desirous Outlaw. One word from King Richard
H
no ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
could change the admiring shouts which heart beating high with hope, presented
my presence here excites, into howls of himself respectfully before the Monarch,
hatred, and these very men would pass at " Sir Richard of the Plain," said the
once from praise to blame, from admira- King, graciously, " thy valiant friend,
tion to scorn." Robin Hood, hath just told me of all the
" Thou speakest true, my dear Robin," misfortunes that have occurred to thy
laughed the King " rogues are the same family, and the dangers to which thou
;

everywhere, and I have already proved hast been exposed. In doing thee justice,
the heartlessness of the citizens of Not- I am happy to testify to the sincere
tingham. When I came here with the admiration and profound esteem which
intention of punishing Prince John, they his conduct inspires in me. I restore
greeted my return to England with a pro- to thee possession of thy goods, and for
found reserve. For them, might is right, one year thou shalt be freed of all imposts
and they did not know that with thy help and taxes. Besides this, I annul the
it would be easy for me to capture the decree of banishment proclaimed against

Castle and expel my brother. Now they thee, in order that the remembrance of
show us the fair side of their ugly faces, this act of injustice shall be entirely
and plaster us with their vile flattery. effaced both from thy memory and from
Let us leave the wretches, and think only that of thy fellow citizens. Return to
of ourselves. I have promised thee, thy Castle letters of full and entire par-
;

Robin, a noble reward for the services don shall be delivered to thee by our
which thou hast rendered me. Put thy command. As for thee, Robin Hood, ask
request King Richard hath but one word, something more from him who feels that
;

to which he ever holds, and he aye fulfils he can never repay his debt of gratitude,
the promises he doth make," even after having granted all thy wishes,"
" Sire," replied Robin, " your gracious " Sire," said the Knight, kneeling upon
Majesty hath made me happy beyond the ground, " how can I express the grati-
"
expression in renewing your generous tude which fills my heart ?
offer of support. I accept it for myself, " By telling me that thou art happy,"
for my men, and for a Knight, who, dis- the King replied gaily " and by promising
;

graced by King Henry, hath been obliged me never again to offend against members
to seek a refuge in Sherwood Forest. This of Holy Church."
Knight, Sire, is a warm-hearted man, the Sir Richard kissed the hand of the
worthy father of a family, a brave Saxon, generous Monarch, and discreetly retired
and if your Majesty will do me the honour among the groups standing a short distance
to hearken to the history of Sir Richard from the King.
of the Plain, I am sure you will grant the " Well, brave archer," continued the
request I am about to make." Monarch, turning toward Robin Hood,
We
" have given our kingly word to " what dost desire of me ? "
grant any favour which it may please " Naught at present. Sire; later on, if
thee to beg of us, friend Robin," replied your Majesty will permit me, I shall ask i

Richard, affectionately. " Speak out fear- one last favour."

lessly, and tell us by what chain of cir- "It shall be granted thee. Now, let
cumstances this Knight fell into disfavour us return to the Castle. We have received
with my father." generous hospitality in Sherwood Forest,
Robin hastened to obey the King's and it is to be hoped that Nottingham
command, and recounted as briefly as Castle can furnish resources for a right
possible the history of Sir Richard of the royal feast. Thy men have an excellent
Plain. mode of preparing venison, and the fresh
" By our Lady," cried Richard, " this air and fatigue of the march had singularly
good Knight hath been cruelly treated, sharpened our appetites, so that we ate
and thou hast acted nobly in coming to greedily."
his aid. But it shall never be said, brave " Your Majesty had the right to eat your
Robin Hood, that in this case again thou fill," Robin laughingly replied, " consider-
hast surpassed the King of England in ing that the game was your own property."
large-heartedness and generosity. I will " Our property or that of the first hunter
protect thy friend in my turn bring him that comes along," the King returned
;

to our presence." gaily; "and if all other folk make out

Robin called the Knight, who, with a that the deer of Sherwood Forest belong

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
exclusively to us, there is a certain yeoman
whom thou dost know very well, Robin,
and three hundred of his companions
forming a merry band, who reck mighty
little of the prerogative of the Crown."
Talking thus, Richard proceeded toward
the Castle, and the enthusiastic acclama-
tions of the populace followed the King
of England and the famous Outlaw to the
gates of the old fortress with their noisy
clamour.
The generous IMonarch fulfilled the
promises he had made to Robin Hood the
very same day he signed an act annulling
;
the ban of proscription, and restored to
the young man possession of his rights
and title to the wealth and dignities of the
Huntingdon family.
The day after this happy event, Robin
assembled his men in the Court-yard
of the Castle, and announced to them
the unhoped-for change in his fortunes.
This news filled the hearts of the brave
yeomen with sincere happiness they ;
loved their Chief devotedly, and with one
accord they refused the liberty he wished
to give them. It was decided forthwith
that for the future the Merrie Men were
to cease from levying contributions even
on Normans and Churchmen, and that
they should be fed and clothed afresh by
their noble master Robin Hood, who had
become the rich Earl of Huntinsfdon.
" My lads," added Robin, " since ye
wish to live near me and to accompany
me to London, if I be commanded to pro-
ceed thither by our well-beloved Sovereign,
ye must swear to me never to reveal the
situation of our cave to any one. Let us
reserve this precious refuge in case of
fresh misfortune."
The men loudly took the oath demanded
by their Chief, and Robin urged them to
make their preparations for departure
without delay.
On March 30th, 1194, the eve of his
departure for London, Richard held a
council at Nottingham Castle, and amongst
the many important matters that were
then discussed was the establishment of
Robin's right to the Earldom of Hunting-
don. The King peremptorily announced
his wish to restore to Robin Hood the
property held by the Abbot of Ramsey,
and Richard's councillors formally pro-
mised to carry out to his entire satisfac-
tion the act of justice, which was to make
amends to the noble Outlaw for the mis-
fortunes he had so courageously borne.
;
III
CHAPTER XIII
BEFORE leaving, perhaps for ever,
the ancient Forest that had so long
sheltered him, Robin felt such an intense
regret for the past, and such apprehen-
sions for the future, but little in keeping
with the prospect which Richard's gene-
rosity had opened up for him, that he
j
decided to await under the protecting
j
shelter of his leafy home the definite
results of the arrangements made by the
King of England.
It was a lucky decision that kept him
at Sherwood, for Richard's coronation,
which took place at Winchester shortly
after his return to London, so much
absorbed his thoughts that all proceedings
tending to restore the recognised but still
unproclaimed rights of the young Earl of
Huntingdon, were rendered inexpedient.
The coronation festivities ended, Richard
departed for the Continent, to which he
was summoned by a desire for vengeance
upon Philip of France, and, relying on
the promises of his Counsellors, he left
the re-establishment of brave Robin
Hood's fortunes to their care.
Baron Broughton (Abbot of Ramsey),
who enjoyed the wealth of the Huntingdon
family, set in motion all his influence and
the resources of his immense fortune, to
retard the execution of the decree made
by Richard in favour of the true inheritor
of the titles and domains of this rich
Earldom. But all the time he was gather-
ing to himself friends and protectors, the
prudent Baron did not attempt openly to
oppose the edict issued by Richard, con-
tenting himself with asking for time, and
loading the Chancellor with rich presents
and thus maintaining quiet possession of
the patrimony he had usurped.
While Richard was fighting in Nor-
mandy, and the Abbot of Ramsey gradu-
ally winning over the entire Council to
his cause, Robin Hood confidently awaited
the message that would inform him of
his having entered into possession of his
father's estates.
Eleven months of fruitless waiting
lessened theyoung man's patience. He
plucked up courage, and trusting in the
kindness shown him by the King during
his sojourn at Nottingham, he addressed
a request to Hubert Walter, Archbishop
of Canterbury, Keeper of the Great Seal
of England, and Lord Chief Justice of
112 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
the Kingdom. Robin Hood's request The Abbot of Ramsey addressed him-
reached its destination. The Archbishop self to the King, and John, who at that
was aware of it. But if this very just time greatly needed the support of the
demand was openly repulsed, it
not nobles, lent an ear to the Abbot's com-
remained unanswered, and was treated plaint, and forthwith sent a hundred men
as though it had never been made. under Sir William de Grey, the eldest
The ill-will of those who had to do brother of John de Grey, the King's
with restoring Robin Hood's possessions, favourite, in pursuit of Robin Hood, with
manifested itself in this inactivity, and it orders to cut the whole band to pieces.
was not difficult for the young man to Sir William de Grey, who was a
guess that an underhand struggle was Norman, hated the Saxons, and moved
going on against him. Unluckily, the by this feeling of hatred he swore ere
Abbot of Ramsey, who had become Baron long to lay the head of his insolent
of Broughton, was too strong an adversary adversary at the feet of the Abbot of
to make it possible for Robin to revenge Ramsey.
himself upon him in Richard's absence. The unexpected arrival of a company
He therefore decided to shut his eyes to of soldiers of warlike appearance and clad
the injustice of which he was a victim, and in coats of mail, caused a panic in the
prudently to await King Richard's return. little town of Nottingham but when it ;

Acting on this decision, Robin Hood was understood that their destination was
sent a second message to the Lord Chief the Forest of Sherwood, and their pur-
Justice. He confessed to great dissatis- pose the extermination of Robin's band,
faction at the evident protection accorded terror gave place to discontent, and some
to the Abbot of Ramsey, and declared of the Outlaws' friends hastened to warn
that, hoping for prompt j ustice on Richard's them of the fate in store for them. Robin
return to England, he would again place received the news as a man on his guard,
himself at the head of his men, and who awaits the reprisals of a deeply
continue to live in Sherwood Forest as injured enemy, and he did not doubt for
he had done before. an instant that the Abbot of Ramsey had
Hubert Walter apparently paid no lent his assistance to this sudden expedi-
attention to Robin's second message; but, tion. Robin assembled his men, there-
while taking strong measures to restore fore, and prepared to offer a stout resist-
peace and order throughout England, ance to the Norman attack. He at once
while destroying numerous bands of men sent out a skilful archer, disguised as a
who had gathered together in different peasant, who was to meet the enemy
parts of the kingdom, the Archbishop and offer to conduct them to the tree
left Richard's friend and his Merrie Men known throughout the county as the
in peace. rallying-point of the band of Merrie Men.
Four years went by in the false calm This simple trick, which had already
that precedes the storm of revolutionary rendered Robin such good service, again
disorders. One morning, the news of succeeded completely, and Sir William
Richard's death fell upon the kingdom de Grey accepted the offices of Robin's
of England like a thunderbolt, and filled spy without hesitation.
all hearts with fear. The genial Forester then put himself
The accession to the throne of Prince at the head of the troop and took them
John, who seemed deliberately to have through bushes, thorns, and thickets for
undertaken the task of making himself uni- three hours, without noticing, apparently,
versally hated, was the signal for a series that their coats of mail rendered the
of crimes and acts of reckless violence. progress of the unhappy soldiers very
During this disastrous period, the Abbot difficult. Then, when they were over-
of Ramsey, accompanied by a numerous come by the crushing weight of their
suite, passed through Sherwood Forest armour and spent with fatigue, the guide
on his way to York, and was waylaid by led them, not to the Trysting Tree, but
Robin. The Abbot and his escort were to the middle of a vast clearing surrounded
taken prisoners, and could only obtain by elms, beeches, and century-old oaks.
their freedom at the cost of a considerable On this spot, where the turf was as fresh
ransom. He paid, storming and pro- and as green as the lawn before a country
mising himself a fierce revenge the while house, was gathered, some sitting, some
;

and this revenge was not long delayed. standing, the entire band of Merrie Men.
 — ;;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 113

The sight of the enemy, to all appear- light garb of archers, and armed with bows
ances disarmed, revived the soldiers' spirits. and arrows, small swords, and bucklers.
Without giving a thought to their guide, Robin Hood and his men had been at
who had slipped into the ranks of the their posts for about an hour, and the
Outlaws, they uttered a shout of triumph soldiers had not yet appeared. The young
and threw themselves upon the Foresters. man began to think his enemies had
To the great surprise of the Normans the changed their minds, when an archer, who
Merrie Men hardly quitted the listless had been posted as sentinel, ran up in
attitude they had taken up, and almost all haste to announce that the Normans
without a change of position, they raised (who had lost their way) were now
their immense cudgels above their heads, marching directly upon the Trysting
whirHng them round and round with Tree, where, by Robin's orders, the
shouts of laughter. women had assembled.
Exasperated by this derisive reception, This news struck Robin with a fatal
the soldiers rushed confusedly, sword in presentiment. He turned pale, and said
hand, upon the Foresters, who, without to his men
manifesting the slightest emotion, knocked " Let us intercept the Norman dogs
down the threatening weapons with lusty they must be stopped on their way.
blows of their cudgels then, with dazzling
; Woe to them and to us if they get near
rapidity, they dealt a shower of deadly ourwomen " !

blows upon the heads and shoulders of the The Foresters rushed as one man to
Normans. The clatter of the coats of the road taken by the soldiers in order
mail and helmets mingled with the cries of to bar their way or to reach the Trysting
the terrified soldiers and the shouts of the Tree before them. But the soldiers had
Foresters, who did not appear to be de- advanced too far for the Merrie Men
fending their lives, but merely exercising either to stop them or even to be in
their skill upon inanimate bodies. time to prevent a terrible disaster. The
Sir William de Grey, who was in com- manners, or rather the want of manners,
mand of the soldiers, saw with rage in of this lawless period, made Robin and
his heart, the best of his troop falling his companions fear cruel retaliation upon
around him, and he cursed the folly that the group of completely isolated women.
had made him load his men with such The Normans soon reached the Tryst-
heavy accoutrements. In a combat with ing Tree. At sight of them the women
men of such superior strength, and where rose in terror, uttering cries of anguish,
the victory was so uncertain, bodily skill and fled distractedly in every direction
and agility were the first elements of open to them. In the weak and forlorn
success, and the Normans could hardly position of their terrified wives. Sir
move without an effort. William saw at a glance a means of
Terrified at the probable result of a satisfying his hatred against the Saxons
total defeat, the Knight called a he resolved to seize them, and by their
truce,
and thanks to Robin's generosity, he was deaths to avenge the ill success of his
able to take back the remnants of his first attack upon Robin Hood.
troop to Nottingham. At their Chief's command, the soldiers
It is needless to add that the grateful halted, and for a second Sir William
Knight promised himself secretly to re- followed with his eyes the tumultuous
commence the attack on the following day movements of the poor distracted women.
with men more lightly equipped than the One of them ran forward, and her com-
Normans he had brought from London. panions endeavoured to join her, and to
Robin Hood, who had guessed Sir protect her flight. This evident solicitude
William's hostile intentions, arranged his conveyed to the Norman the superior
men in order of battle on the same spot position of her who headed the retreat;
on which the combat of the previous day he also considered that it would be
had taken place, and awaited calmly the according to the rules of war to strike
appearance of the soldiers, who had been her first, and seizing his bow, he fixed
met some two miles from the Trysting an arrow to it, and coolly took aim.
Tree by one of the Foresters sent as The Knight was a good marksman the ;

scouts to different parts of the Forest in unhappy woman, struck between the
the neighbourhood of Nottingham. shoulders, fell bleeding in the midst of
This time the Normans were clad in the her companions, who, without a thought
 ;

114 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

of their own safety, knelt around her, the arrow hath been withdrawn. Thou
uttering piercing cries. knowest well, my dear, that if there were
A man had seen the miserable Norman's anything to fear, I should be the first to
murderous action, and hoping to arrest perceive that mine hour was come. . . .

the fatal stroke, he took aim at the Look, look at me, Robin dear."
Knight. His arrow reached its mark, As she spoke, Marian tried to draw
but too Sir William had shot
late, for Robin's head towards her but her last
;

Marian before he met his own death at
the hand of Robin Hood.
" Lady Marian is wounded
"
mortally
wounded ! Marian soon came to herself, and after
The terrible news flew from mouth
mouth brought tears to the eyes of
; it
all the Saxons, who dearly loved their
young Queen. As for Robin, he was
mad with grief he did not speak, he ; the mossy bed in the shade of the trees,
did not weep, but he fought. Little
John and he leapt like tigers thirsting
for blood upon the Normans, and scattered
death through their ranks without utter-
ing a cry, without even opening their livid
lips. Their active arms seemed endowed
with superhuman strength they avenged
Marian, and they avenged her cruelly.
The bloody battle lasted for two hours
the Normans were cut to pieces, and
shown no grace or mercy. One soldier
alone escaped, and went to tell Sir William
de Grey's brother of the fatal result of
the expedition.
Marian had been removed to a clearing
some distance from the scene of the
combat, and Robin found Maude there,
weeping as she vainly tried to staunch the
blood which gushed from a frightful wound.
Robin knelt beside Marian, his heart
torn with anguish he could neither
speak nor move, and felt as though
he must choke. At Robin's approach
strength was spent in the effort, and
when the young man raised his weeping
— eyes to her, she had fainted.
to having sweetly consoled her husband, she
expressed a wish to rest a little, and soon
fell into a profound slumber.
As soon as Marian was asleep upon
that had been prepared for her by her
companions, Robin went to inquire into
the condition of his band. He found
John, Will Scarlett, and Much occupied
in tending the wounded and burying the
dead. The number of the wounded was
; very inconsiderable, for it resolved itself
into half a score of men seriously hurt,
;
and there was not a single death to
deplore amongst the Outlaws. As for the
Normans, we know that they no longer
existed, and several large ditches were dug
in the glade to serve as their sepulchre.
On awaking after three hours' deep
sleep, Marian found her husband beside
her, and the angelic creature, still wish-
ing to give some consoling hope to him
she loved so dearly, began softly to say
that she felt no weakness at all, and
would soon be well.
; Marian was suffering, she felt a deathly
depression creeping over her, and she
knew there was no hope but Robin's
;

Marian had opened her eyes and looked anguish wrung her heart, and she sought
tenderly at him. *' Thou art not wounded, as lay in her power, the
to soften, as much
my dear ? " she asked, in a
weak voice, fatal blow which must soon be dealt him.
after a moment's mute contemplation. Next morning she was worse, inflam-
" Nay, nay," murmured Robin between mation had set in in the wound, and all
his clenched teeth. hope of recovery faded even from Robin's
" The Holy Virgin be praised " added heart. !

Marian, smiling. " I have prayed to Our " Dear Robin," said Marian, laying her
Dear Lady for thee, and she hath heard burning hands in those of her husband,
my prayer. Is this terrible combat over, " my last hour approaches the hour of ;

"
dear Robin ? our separation will be cruel, but not in-
" Yea, sweet Marian, our enemies have supportable to such as have faith in the
disappeared; they will never come back mercy and goodness of Almighty God."
again. But let me speak of thee, think of " Oh, Marian, my beloved Marian " !

thee thou art

; I Holy Mother of
. . . . . . cried Robin, breaking into sobs, " hath
God This grief is more than I can bear."
! the Holy Virgin abandoned us, that she
" Come, come, courage, my well-beloved can permit this desolation of our hearts ?
Robin lift up thy head, look at me,"
; I will die at thy death, Marian, for it will
said Marian, still trying to smile. " My be impossible to live without thee."
wound is not deep, it will soon be cured " Religion and duty will be the support
 ; —"

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 115

of thy weakness, my Robin," replied the her pale face against Robin's shoulder,
young wife, tenderly. " Thou wilt resign " My
days, or rather mine hours, are
thyself to bear the sorrow that over- numbered. God hath sent me a dream
whelms us, because it hath been imposed to warn me."
on thee as a Heavenly decree and thou "A dream What dost say, dear child ?
; !

wilt live, if not happy, at least calm and " Yea, a dream listen to me. I saw ;

strong, amidst the men whose happiness thee, surrounded by thy Merrie Men, in
depends on thy life. I am going to leave a vast clearing of Sherwood Forest. Thou
thee, but, ere I close mine eyes to the wast evidently giving a feast to thy brave
light of day, let me tell thee how much comrades, for the trees of the old wood
I have loved thee, how much I do love were twined with garlands of roses, and
thee. If the gratitude that fills all my purple streamers waved merrily upon the
being could be clothed in visible form, perfumed breath of the breeze. I was
thou wouldst comprehend the strength seated by thee I held one of thy hands
;

and the extent of a feeling that hath no clasped in mine, and my heart was full of
equal but my love. I have loved thee, unutterable joy, when a stranger, with a
Robin, with the confident surrender of pale face and black garments, appeared
a devoted heart I have consecrated my
; before us, and beckoned to me with his
life to thee, only asking of God the one hand to follow him, I arose in spite of
gift of pleasing thee," myself, and, still in spite of myself, I
" And God hath granted thee that obeyed the dark stranger's summons.
gift, dear Marian," said Robin, trying Natheless, before leaving thee I ques-
to moderate the violence of his grief tioned thee with a look, for my lips could
" for I can tell thee truly that thou alone not even give vent to a sigh from my
hast filled my heart, that whether at my anguished bosom. Thy calm and smiling
side or far from me, thou hast ever been looks met mine. I directed thine attention
my only hope and sweetest consolation." to the stranger thou didst turn thy
;

"If Heaven had permitted us to grow head toward him and didst smile again.
old together side by side, dear Robin," I made thee understand that he was
replied Marian " if a long succession
; leading me far away from thee. A slight
of happy days had been granted to us, pallor spread over thy face, but the smile
the separation would have been still more did not leave thy lips. I was desperate,
cruel, for then thou wouldst have had a convulsive trembling seized my limbs,
less strength to support the crushing and I began to sob with my head buried
sorrow. But we are both young, and I in my hands.
leave thee alone at a time of life when " The stranger still led me on. When
solitude is crowned by remembrance, we found ourselves a short distance from
perhaps even by hope. Take me in
. . . the clearing, a veiled woman appeared
thine arms, dear Robin, so let me . . . before me ; the stranger stepped back,
rest my head against thine. I would and this woman, raising the veil that hid
whisper my last words in thine ear. I her features from me, disclosed the sweet
would have my soul take its flight lightly face of my mother. I uttered a cry, and
and happily. I would breathe my last trembling with wonder and fear, I held
sigh upon thy heart." out my arms to her.
" Beloved Marian, speak not so," cried " Dear child,' said she, in a tender and
'

Robin, in heartrending tones. '* I cannot melodious voice, 'weep not, submit with
bear to hear that fatal word separation
'
'
the resignation of a Christian soul to the
upon thy lips. Oh, Holy Mother of common destiny of all mortals. Die in
God Holy Protectress of the afflicted
! ! peace, and leave without sorrow a world
Thou who hast ever granted my humble that hath only vain pleasures and passing
prayers Grant me the life of her whom
! joys to offer thee. There exists beyond
I love! Grant me the life of my wife, this earth an abode of infinite bliss. Come
I pray thee, I beseech thee with clasped and dwell there with me. But ere thou
hands and on bended knees " ! follow me, look Uttering these words
!

'

And Robin, with his face bathed in my mother passed her hand, white and
tears, raised supplicating hands to Heaven. cold as marble, across my forehead. At
" Thou
dost address a vain prayer to this touch the veil fell from mine eyes
the Divine Mother of the Sorrows of till then obscured by tears —
and I saw
Mankind, sweetheart," said Marian, laying around me a resplendent circle of maidens
 ' ' ! !

ii6 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

of supernatural beauty and with a divine Robin embraced the dying woman
smile upon their fresh and shining faces. feverishly, while his burning tears fell
They did not speak, but they looked at upon her brow.
me, and seemed to convey to me how " God bless thee, my beloved," repeated
happy I should feel in coming to augment Marian in a more and more feeble voice.
their numbers. " God bless thee in the present and in
" While I was admiring
future the future. my
May He extend His Divine
companions, my mother leant toward me, mercy over thee and over all whom thou
and said tenderly, Dear child of my dost love. All grows dark about me, and
'

heart, look, look again.' yet I would fain see thee smile once more.
"I obeyed my mother's tender injunc- I would fain read in thine eyes how dear I
tion. All around me was spread a vast am to thee. Robin, I hear my mother's voice.
garden of sweet-smelling flowers, trees She calls me she calls me "
Farewell
—
! ! !

laden with fruit crimson apples and " Marian Marian " cried Robin, fall- !

—
!

golden-tinted pears bent their branches ing on his knees beside his young wife's
to the thick grass, which was all enamelled couch. " Speak to me speak to me !

with the blossoms of the white Easter I cannot let thee die! No, I cannot!
daisies. The air was full of a sweet Almighty God, come to ray aid Holy !

perfume, and a multitude of many-coloured Virgin, take pity on us " !

birds fluttered and sang in the balmy air. •'

Dear Robin," murmured Marian, " I
I was enchanted. My heart, which late wish to be buried 'neath the Trysting
was full of grief, gradually lightened, and Tree. ... I want my grave to be covered
my mother, smiling at said with flowers. my happiness,
." . .

to me again with an expression of caressing " Yea, dearest Marian yea, my sweet —
tenderness, Look, dear child, look
'
angel, thou shalt sleep beneath a carpet
!

" I heard the sound of light footsteps of balmy verdure, and when my last hour
behind me. The sound was scarce is come, I swear it by all I hold sacred,
audible, yet it seemed like music in mine I will demand a place beside thee from
ears, and without understanding the feel- him who closes mine eyes. ." . .

ing that redoubled the beating of my " I thank thee, my beloved. heart's My
heart, I turned round. last beat is for thee, and I die happy,
" Oh then, Robin, my joy was com- for I die in thine arms.
!
Good-bye, • . .

plete, for thou wast running down the good "

garden path thou wast running to me
; A and a kiss fell from Marian's
sigh
with shining eyes and open arms. Robin '
lips her hands feebly clasped Robin's
;

Robin I cried, trying to run to thee.

!
'
neck, around which they were entwined,
My mother held me back. He will '
then she grew quite still.
come,' she said. He comes here he * — Robin remained bending over her sweet
is.' And taking both our hands she joined face for a long time. For long he hoped
them together, kissed me on the brow, to see the closed eyes open again for ;

and said, My children, you are here

'
long he waited for a word from the pale
where joy is everlasting, where love is lips, a tremble from that dear form but ;

never ending you are in the abode of alas he waited in vain. Marian was dead
!

—
; I

the elect be happy !

" Holy Mother of God " cried Robin, !

" The end of the dream escapes my laying the motionless body of the poor
memory, dear Robin," continued Marian, girl upon the bed, " she is gone gone for ;

after a short silence. " I awoke, and I ever my beloved, my only joy, my wife
! ''
!

understood that Heaven had sent me a And, maddened with grief, the unhappy
warning and a hope. I must leave thee, man rushed from the spot crying wildly,
doubtless for many years, but not for " Marian is dead "
Marian is dead ! !

ever God will re-unite us in the blissful

;

eternity of the next world."

" Dear, dear Marian " !

" My beloved," continued the young

feel that my strength is ex-
" I
wife,
hausted. Let me rest my head upon thy
XIV CHAPTER
h2art entwine thine arms around me, and
like a tired child that falls asleep upon its
religiously performed
his wife's last wishes. A grave was
ROBIN HOOD
mother's bosom, will I sleep my last sleep." dug beneath the Trysting Tree, and the

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
mortal remains of the angelic creature
who had been the guide and consolation
of his life, were interred beneath a bed of
flowers. The maidens of the County-
hastened to attend the funeral ceremony,
strewed Marian's tomb with roses, and
mingled their tears with poor Robin's sobs.
Allan and Christabel, informed by
messenger of the sad occurrence, arrived
early in the day ; they were both in
despair, and bitterly bewailed the irre-
parable loss of a well-beloved sister.
When all was over, and Marian's body
had disappeared from sight, Robin Hood,
who had presided over the heartrending
details of the burial, gave a piercing cry,
trembled from head to foot like a man
wounded full in the breast by a murderous
arrow, and without listening to Allan,
without answering Christabel, who was
frightened by his fierce despair, he escaped
from their hands, and disappeared into
the wood. Poor Robin wished to be
alone with his grief, alone with God.
Time, which calms and softens the
greatest griefs, had no such effect upon
the open wound in Robin's heart. He
wept ceaselessly, he mourned continu-
ously, the wife whose sweet face had
brightened their woodland home, who
had found happiness in his love, who had
been the only joy of his life.
Life in the Forest soon became in-
supportable to the young man, and he
retired to Barnsdale Hall. But there, the
distressing memory of the past was live-
lier than ever, and Robin Hood fell into
a gloomy apathy that numbed all his
moral faculties. He seemed to be alive
neither in mind, spirit, nor memory.
This splenetic sorrow, if it may be so
described, threw a shadow of the deepest
melancholy over the band of Merrie Men.
The grief of their young leader had
quenched the light of their mirth, and
they wandered through the old Forest
like lost spirits. No longer did Friar
Tuck's loud laugh echo through the
greenwood ; no longer was heard the
sound of the nimble quarter-staves strik-
ing against each other with vigour and
skill, amidst a chorus of bravos. Arrows
remained idle within their quivers, and
the butts were deserted.
Want of sleep and a distaste for food
wrought a visible change in Robin's
features ; he grew pale, his eyes were
encircled by dark rings, a dry cough
shook his frame, while a slow fever
"
;
117
finished the work commenced by sorrow.
Little John, who silently watched this
cruel transformation, at last succeeded in
making Robin understand that he must
not only leave Barnsdale, but even
Yorkshire, and seek to assuage his grief
in the distractions of travel. After an
hour's resistance, Robin had taken Little
John's sage advice, and before leaving his
companions, he had placed them under
the command of his excellent friend.
In order to run no risks of being
recognised, Robin dressed himself as a
peasant, and in this simple garb he
arrived at Scarborough. Here he stopped
to rest at the door of a small hut occupied
by the widow of a fisherman, and claimed
her hospitality. The good dame gave our
hero a kindly welcome, and as she served
him with food, she related to him all the
little sorrows of her life, adding that she
owned a boat manned by three men,
whose support pressed heavily on her,
although they were insufficient in numbers
to row the boat to shore when it was
fully laden with a full catch of fish.
Eager to kill time in any way Avhatever,
Robin Hood offered, for a small wage, to
complete the number of boatmen, and the
peasant woman, much taken with her
guest's kindly disposition, gladly accepted
the offer of his services.
" What are you called, fair lad ?
asked the woman, when the arrangements
for Robin's installation in the hut were
complete.
" I am called Simon of Lee, good
dame," replied Robin Hood.
" Well, then, Simon of Lee, to-morrow
you will begin your work ; and if the trade
suits you, we shall long live together."
Early next day, Robin Hood embarked
with his new companions, but it must be
owned that, despite his will, Robin, who
was ignorant of the most elementary de-
tails of the work, was of no use whatever
to the experienced fishermen. Luckily for
our friend, he had not to deal with evil com-
rades, and, instead of grumbling at his
stupidity, they only laughed at the idea of
his bringing with him his bow and arrows.
"If I had these fellows in Sherwood
Forest," thought Robin, " they would
not be so ready to laugh at my expense
but there —every one to his own trade. I
certainly am not their match in the one
they follow."
After loading up the boat to the gun-
wale with fish, the men unfurled the sails
ii8 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
and made for the jetty. As they sped along, seeing that all opposition was dangerous
they saw a httle French corvette making and useless, had laid down their arms and
for them.The corvette did not appear to surrendered at discretion. The sailors
have many men on board, but none the were given their lives, and allowed to re-
seemed terrified at her ap- turn to France on board a fishing smack.
less the fishermen
proach, and cried out that they were lost. The French corvette was a fine prize,
" Lost, and wherefore ? " questioned for she was carrying a large sum of
Robin. money to the King of France, twelve
" Wherefore ? Simpleton
that thou thousand silver pieces.
!
art " returned one of the fishermen. Needless to add, that, in taking posses-
" Because the corvette is manned by the sion of this unlooked-for treasure, the
enemies of our nation because we are at
; gallant sailors made excuses to him at
war with them because, an they board
; whom they had been poking fun so short
us, they will take us prisoners." a time before then, with heartfelt disin-
;

" I trust indeed that they will never do terestedness, they declared that the whole
that," replied Robin ;
" we will e'en try prize belonged to Robin, because he had
to defend ourselves." won the victory by his skill and bravery.
" What defence can we offer ? They " Good friends," said Robin, " the right
are fifteen, we are three." of settling this question is mine alone,
" Then you do not count me, my
"
—
and thus will I arrange matters half the
man asked Robin.
? corvette and her contents is to be the
" Nay, my lad thy hands have never
; property of the poor widow to whom this
been blistered by handling oars. Thou boat belongs, and the rest will be divided
art no sailor, and shouldst thou chance to betwixt the three of you."
fall into the water, there would be one *'
Nay, nay," said the men " we will
;

fool the less upon the earth. Nay, never not allow thee to deprive thyself of the
take offence, thou art a pretty fellow, wealth thou hast acquired without our
I bear thee no ill will but thou art not
; aid. The vessel doth belong to thee, and
worth thy keep." if thou wilt, we will be thy servants."

A half smile hovered on Robin's lips. " I thank you, good lads," returned
" I am not very sensitive," said he Robin *' but I cannot accept this testi-
;
;

" however, I will prove to you that I am mony of your devotion. The division of
some good in the presence of danger. the prize is to be according to my wishes,
My bow and arrows will help us out of and I will employ the twelve thousand
this difficulty. Bind me to the mast, for pieces in building for you and the poor
my hand must be sure then let the inhabitants of the village of Scarborough
;

corvette come within range." healthier houses than you possess at

The fishermen obeyed Robin was present." ;

firmly lashed to the mainmast, where he The fishermen tried, but in vain, to
waited with bended bow. change Robin's plans. They tried to per-
As the corvette drew nearer, Robin suade him that in giving a quarter of the
took aim at a man standing in the bows, twelve thousand pieces to the widow, to
and sent him rolling on the deck with an the poor, and to themselves, he would still
arrow through his throat. A second be acting very generously. But Robin
sailor met a like fate. The fishermen, would not listen to a word, and ended by
overwhelmed with wonder and delight, imposing silence on his honest companions.
uttered a shout of triumph, and the fore- Robin Hood stayed for several weeks
most among them pointed out to Robin with the good people who had been made
the commander of the corvette. Robin so happy by his generosity. Then one
killed him as quickly as he had killed the morning, tired of the sea, hungering to
others. The two vessels placed themselves see the old woods and his dear com-
•side by side. There were only ten men left panions once more, he called the fisher-
upon the corvette, and soon Robin had men together and announced his departure
reduced the numbers of the unhappy to them.
Frenchmen to three. As soon as the " My good friends," said Robin, " I
fishermen perceived that only three men leave you with a heart full of gratitude for
were left alive on board the boat, they all the care and kindness ye have lavished
determined to seize her, and this was upon me. Probably we shall never meet
made still easier because the Frenchmen, again but I hope that ye will preserve ;
 ! ;

ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 119

a pleasant memory of him who hath been Foresters, joyously " be welcome
; a
"
your guest, of your friend Robin Hood." thousand times !

Before the wonderstruck fishermen had The transports of delight induced by

recovered their power of speech, Robin
Hood had disappeared. To this day the
little bay, upon whose shores stood the
hut which sheltered the noble Outlaw,
bears the name of Robin Hood's bay.
It was in the early hours of a beautiful
June morning that Robin Hood reached
the confines of Barnsdale Forest. With
a spirit stirred by deep emotion he entered
a narrow path, where often, alas the dear but the latter was the stronger, and after
!
his presence shed a refreshing balm upon
our hero's incurable heart wound. He
felt that he must no longer give himself
up to his grief, and leave helpless the
brave men who had attached themselves
to his evil fortunes.
This courageous resolution caused the
blood to mount to poor Robin's face.
His heart, alas ! revolted against his will

creature, whose absence he must ever addressing a mental farewell to Maid

mourn, had awaited him with merry heart Marian's memory, he held out his hand
and smiling lips. After some moments' to his faithful followers, saying in a
silent contemplation of the spots which strong, calm voice, " Henceforth, dear
bore witness to his lost happiness, Robin friends, ye will have in me your friend,
breathed more freely. He lived again in your guide, your chief, Robin Hood the
the past, and the memory of Marian stole Outlaw, your captain, Robin Hood !"
lightly and sweetly like a perfumed vapour " Hurrah " cried the Foresters, throw-
!

along the dim alleys, on the flowery ing their bonnets in the air " hurrah ; !

"
meads, and into the glades shaded from hurrah !

the sun's rays by the foliage of the old " Be my Merrie Men once more," said
oaks. Robin Hood followed the beloved Robin, "and let happiness once more
shadow, with it he penetrated into the reign supreme here. To-day we will rest,
thick groves, in its steps he descended to-morrow the chase, and let the Normans
"
into the vales, and, still accompanied by beware !

the sweet vision, he arrived at the cross-
road where the greater part of the Merrie
Men were usually to be found.
To-day, however, the large open space
was empty. Robin raised his hunting-
horn to his lips and made the old wood
resound with a vigorous call. A cry, or
rather a sort of clamour, answered the
notes of the horn the branches of the
; Outlaws.
surrounding trees were abruptly pushed
aside, and Will Scarlett, followed by the
whole band, threw himself upon Robin
Hood with open arms.
" Robin, my dear, dear Robin," mur-
mured W^ill in a broken voice, " so thou
art returned at last, the Lord be praised
We have awaited thee with much im-
patience, have we not, Little
Robin Hood's new exploits soon became
the subject of men's talk through the length
and breadth of England, and the rich
Lords of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire,
and Yorkshire contributed to the needs of
the poor and to the support of the band.
Long years slipped by without bring-
ing any change in the condition of the
But before
closing this book,
we must acquaint our readers with the
fate of some of our characters.
Sir Guy Gamwell and his wife died at
very advanced ages, leaving their sons at
Barnsdale Hall, to which they had retired
on ceasing to form part of Robin Hood's
band.
"
Will Scarlett had followed his brothers'
John ? example he lived in a charming house
;

" Yea, 'tis indeed," replied John,

so with his dear Maude, already the mother
whose eyes were sadly contemplating the of several children, and still as tenderly
traveller's pale face " and Robin hath
; loved by her husband as in the first days
pitied our anguish and anxiety, since he of their union. Much and Barbara
is come back to us." settled down near Maude but ; Little
" Yea, good John, and I trust never to John, who had had the misfortune to lose
leave thee again." no reason
Winifred, having to desert
John took Robin Hood's hand and the Forest, remained faithful to Robin's
wrung it with a violence so full of tender- commands. Besides, let us hasten to
ness, that he had not the heart to com- add, John loved Robin too dearly to
plain of the pain which the too ardent have ever thought for a single moment
pressure caused him. of leaving him, and the two companions
" Be welcome among us " cried the lived side by side, thoroughly convinced
!
 ;

I20 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

that nothing but death would have the The band prepared for battle; Robin
power to separate them. Hood awaited his opportunity.
Let us not forget to mention good In approaching Sherwood Forest, the
Tuck, the pious chaplain who had con- Norman chiefs sent a small body of
secrated so many marriages. Tuck re- scouts in advance, and when the greater
mained faithful to Robin he was still part of the army penetrated into the
;

the spiritual adviser of the band, and he wood, they saw, hanging motionless from
had lost none of his remarkable qualities the branches of trees along the roadside,
he was still the dignified drunken monk, or expiring in the dust, the men whose
noisy and boastful. return they had vainly looked for. This
Halbert Lindsay, Maude's foster- terrifying spectacle chilled some of their
brother, appointed Warden of Notting- warlike ardour but as they were in large
;

ham Castle by Richard Coeur-de-Lion, numbers, they continued their march.

fulfilled the duties of his post so well Robin could not openly attack a whole
that he succeeded in keeping it. Hal's army ; he could only hope to succeed
wife, pretty Grace May, retained her by stratagem ; and he therefore skilfully
charms in spite of passing years, and turned to advantage the agility and in-
her little Maude promised to be the imitable dexterity of his men. He harassed
living image of her mother later on. the soldiers, killing them with arrows that
Sir Richard of the Plain lived quietly came they knew not whence he pursued
;

and happily with his wife and two children, them, slaughtering the stragglers, and
Herbert and Lilas. The meanest Saxon pitilessly massacring all those who had the
preserved an afiection and gratitude for ill-luck to fall into his hands. A general
Robin Hood which would only end with terror paralysed the movements of the
life ;and there was merrymaking in the army it had quite lost its bearings, and
;

Castle whenever the gallant Outlaw, drawn the superstitious ideas of the age led the
by the magnet of affection, came there with men to believe that they were the victims
Little John to rest from his fatigues. of some infernal witchcraft. One of the
Shortly after signing Magna Carta, foreign leaders, Sottim the Cruel, en-
King John, after a series of monstrous deavoured to put an end to a massacre
actions, started personally in pursuit of which threatened to cause terror and
the young King of Scotland, who fled confusion throughout the army. He
before him, and marched towards Notting- called a halt, conjured his men in the
ham, scattering desolation and terror in his interests of their own safety to overcome
path. John was accompanied by several their fears, and at the head of fifty
generals whose exploits had earned for determined Normans, he started to ex-
them pithy surnames, such as Jaleo the plore the underwood. But scarcely had
Ruthless, Mauleon the Bloody-Minded, the little band plunged into the inex-
Walter Much the Murderer, Sottim the tricable windings of a by-path than a
Cruel, and Godeschal of the Iron Heart. volley of arrows descended from the tree-
These wretches were the chiefs of a band tops and arose from the depths of the
of foreign mercenaries, and their footsteps thickets, striking down Sottim the Cruel
were marked by rape, fire, and death. and his fifty companions.
The news of the approach of this robber The disappearance of these scouts and
band fell like a funeral knell upon the their intrepid leader, redoubled the terror
ears of the terrified populace, who fled of the Normans, and lent them wings to
in dismay, leaving their homes at the fly through Sherwood Forest to Notting-
mercy of the Normans. ham. Arrived there, spent with fatigue,
Robin Hood heard of the odious con- and furious with rage, they abandoned
duct of the soldiers, and resolved there- themselves with fresh zest to the unquali-
upon to inflict upon them the same fied excesses which had signalised their
tortures to which they forced their un- sojourn in the valley of Mansfield.
lucky victims to submit. On the morrow of these fatal reprisals,
The Foresters responded to their leader's the army, still led by King John, made its
appeal with an enthusiasm which would way into Yorkshire, burning and massacring
have made King John's men tremble, for at will the unoffending inhabitants of the
all the old hatred of the conquered for villages through which it passed.
their conquerors, of Saxon for Norman, Whilst the Normans thus ploughed for
remained unappeased. themselves a furrow of tears and blood
 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW
and the Saxons, some of whom had
fire,
been despoiled of their wealth, others
violently torn from their wives and chil-
dren, joined themselves, drunk in their
turn with murder and carnage, to Robin's
band, and our hero, at the head of eight
hundred brave Saxons, started in pursuit
of the blood-stained cohort.
Aprovidential chance protected the
peaceful dwelling of Allan Clare and the
Castle of Sir Richard of the Plain. Neither
of these two houses was in the way of
the pillagers, for it goes without saying
that John did not spare the rich Saxons.
He chased them from their dwellings, and
permitted his favourites to instal them-
selves as masters in the homes of the
unhappy gentlemen. But then Robin
and his formidable companions would
arrive, and the new owner and the soldiers
whom he had paid to help him to main-
tain by force the rights of this unjust
usurpation, fell into the hands of the Out-
laws and were mercilessly put to death.
The King learned from the public out-
cry, and the complaints of his men, of
the Saxons' triumphal avenging progress,
and sent against him a small portion of
his army, hoping that it would succeed in
investing Robin Hood's band, which was
said to be encamped in a little wood. It
is hardly necessary to say that John's
soldiershad not even the satisfaction of
returning to announce their defeat to the
King they were killed without having
; in her power to bestow.
so much as reached the supposed camp in
which they were to surprise Robin Hood.
Our hero's prowess made a great noise
throughout England, and his name be-
came as formidable to the Normans as had
been that of Hereward the Wake to their
predecessors in the reign of William I.
John reached Edinburgh, but not being
able to capture the King of Scotland, he
returned to Dover, leaving orders to his
scattered troops to rejoin him. But the
greater part of these troops were captured
by Robin Hood's men, some in Derby-
shire and some in Yorkshire. In the
mean time King John died and his son
Henry succeeded him.
In the reign of this Prince, Robin
Hood's existence was not so adventurous
or active as it had been during the blood-
stained reign of King John, for the Earl
of Pembroke, tutor to the young King,
set to work seriously to improve the condi-
tion of the people, and succeeded in main-
taining peace throughout the kingdom.
121
The sudden suspension of all physical
and mental activity depressed Robin and
weakened his powers. It is true our hero
was no longer young he had attained his
;
fifty-fifth year, while Little John was
gently nearing his sixty-sixth. As we
have already mentioned, time had brought
no solace to Robin's grief, and the memory
of Marian, as lively and fresh as on the
morrow of their parting, had sealed Robin's
heart to any other love.
Marian's tomb, piously tended by the
Merrie Men, was covered every year with
fresh flowers and many a time, after the
;
return of peace, had the Foresters sur-
prised their Chieftain, pale and sad, kneel-
ing upon the greensward which extended
like a green girdle around theTrysting Tree.
Day by day, Robin's sorrow grew
deeper and more overpowering. Day by
day, his face took a more dejected expres-
sion ; the smile left his lips, and John,
the patient and devoted John, could not
always succeed in obtaining from his
friend a reply to his anxious questions.
It came about, however, at long last, that
Robin was touched by his comrade's care
for him, and he consented, at his prayer,
to seek the assistance of a Lady Abbess
whose convent was a short distance from
Sherwood Forest. The Abbess, who had
already seen Robin Hood and knew all
the particulars of his life, welcomed him
heartily, and offered him every assistance
Robin Hood showed himself sensible
of the frank welcome of the kindly Nun,
and asked her if she would be good
enough to bleed him immediately. The
Abbess consented. She led the sick man
to a cell, and with wondrous skill she
performed the wished-for operation then, ;
as skilfully as a clever physician could
have done, she bandaged up the invalid's
arm and left him, nearly worn out, stretched
upon a bed.
A strangely cruel smile played about
the Nun's lips when, coming out from the
cell, she locked the door and carried away
the key. Let us say a few words about
the Nun in question.
She was related to Sir Guy of Gisborne,
the Norman Knight who, in an expedition,
attempted with the aid of Lord Fitz-
Alwine, against the Merrie Men, had had
the misfortune to die the death vv^hich he
had hoped to give Robin Hood. How-
ever, it would not have occurred to this
woman to avenge her cousin, had not the
 " — ;

122 ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW

latter's brother, too cowardly to expose
himself in an honourable combat, per-
suaded her that she would be doing both
an act of justice and a good deed in
ridding the kingdom of England of the
too celebrated Outlaw. The weak-minded
Abbess submitted to the will of the
miserable Norman. She committed the
murder, and cut the radial artery of
the unsuspicious Outlaw.
Having left the sick man for an hour
to the overpowering sleep which was the
inevitable consequence of so great a loss
of blood, the Nun went silently to him
sound of the horn, he gained the call
where, in a pool of blood, lay poor Robin
Hood. At the sight of Robin dying, the
strong Forester felt his strength fail him
tears of grief and indignation rolled down
his bronzed cheeks. He fell on his knees,
and taking his old friend in his arms, he
said to him amid his sobs
" Master, my well-beloved master, who
hath committed the infamous crime of
striking a sick man ? Whose is the sac-
rilegious hand which hath committed this
murder a Holy House ? Answer me,
in
"
for pity's sake, answer !

again, took off the bandage which covered Robin slowly shook his head. " What
the vein, and when the blood had again boots it," he said, " now that all is over
begun to flow, she crept away on tip-toe. for me ? Now that I have lost to the last
"
Robin Hood slept till morning with no drop all the blood in my veins
feeling of discomfort, but when he opened " Robin," replied John, " tell me the
his eyes and tried to rise, he felt so weak truth. I ought to know I must know. ;

that he thought his last hour was come. Must I accuse this cowardly assassin of
"
The blood, which had flowed ceaselessly deliberate treachery ?
from the wou \ flooded the bed, and Robin nodded his head.
Robin Hood then grasped the full danger " Well, beloved friend," continued
of the situation. By an almost super- John, " give me the supreme satisfaction
human effort of will he managed to drag of avenging thy death. Permit me in my
himself to the door. He tried to open it, turn to bring murder and sorrow where
found it was locked, and, still sustained murder hath been committed, where for
—
by the strength of his will a will so me hath arisen the most cruel sorrow.
powerful that it succeeded in reviving his Say one word, make one sign, not one
—
exhausted body he got to the window, vestige of this hateful house shall remain.
opened it, and leaning out, tried to leap I will have it destroyed stone by stone.
from the sill then, failing in this, he I still have the strength of a giant,
;

made one last appeal to Heaven, and, as and I have five hundred brave men to
though inspired by his good angel, he took come to my assistance."
his hunting-horn, raised it to his lips, and " Nay, John, nay I do not wish thee
!

with difficulty made some feeble sounds. to lift up thy clean and honest hands
Little John, who could not be separated against these women who are vowed to
from his well-beloved comrade without God that would be sacrilege. She who
;

sorrow, had passed the night under the hath slain me obeyed, doubtless, a will
walls of the Convent. He had just stronger than her religious feelings. She
awakened, and was preparing to take will suffer the tortures of remorse in
measures to see Robin Hood, when the this life, an she repent and she will be ;

dying echoes of the hunting-horn sounded punished in the next world, an she win
in his ears. not from Heaven the pardon which I
"Treachery! treachery!" cried John, accord her. Thou dost know, John, that
running like a madman towards the little I have never harmed a woman nor per-
wood where a party of the Merrie Men had mitted one to be harmed, and for me a
encamped for the night. " To the Abbey, Nun is doubly sacred and to be respected.
my lads to the Abbey Robin Hood is Let us speak no more of that, my friend.
! !

calling to us !Robin Hood is in danger

!
Give me my bow and arrow. Carry me
In an instant the Foresters were on their to the window. I would breathe my last
feet and hastening in the wake of Little where my last arrow falleth."
John, who was hammering at the gate of the Robin Hood, supported by Little John,
Abbey. The attendant refused to open. took aim, drew the string of his bow, and
John lost not a second in prayers, which the arrow, skimming the tree-tops like a
he knew would be of no avail. He bird, fell some distance away.
smashed in the door with a boulder of " Farevv^ell, good bow farewell, trusty ;

granite laying at hand, and guided by the arrows," murmured Robin, in a trembling
 —
ROBIN HOOD THE OUTLAW 123

voice, letting them slip from his hands. of lively tenderness, saying, with a sad,
" John, my
friend," he added, in a calmer wan smile
tone, " bear me to the spot where I have " I thank thee, good Will, but I do not
said that I wished to die." wish to be avenged. Put from thy heart
Little John gathered Robin in his arms, all feeling of hatred for the murderer of
and laden with this precious burden went one who dies, if not without regret, at least
down to the Court of the Convent, where, without pain. Doubtless I had reached
by his orders, the Merrie Men had quietly the term of my existence, since the Divine
assembled. But, at the sight of their Chief Mother of the Saviour, my Holy Protec-
lying like a child against John's strong tress, hath abandoned me at this fatal
shoulder, at the sight of his white face, they moment. I have lived long, Will, and I
uttered a cry of fury, and wanted to punish have been loved and honoured by all who
forthwith those who had struck Robin. have known me. Painful though it be to
" Peace, my lads " said John !
" leave leave you, good and dear friends," con-
;

vengeance to God. For the moment the tinued Robin, with a tender look at Little
state of our well-beloved master should John and Will, " that grief is sweetened
alone occupy our thoughts. All of you by a Christian thought, by the certainty
follow me to the place where the last that our separation will not be for ever, and
arrow shot by Robin is to be found." that God will unite us in a better world.
The troop divided in two to make a Thy presence at my death-bed is a great
passage for the old man between them, consolation to me, dear Will, dear brother;
and John walked on with a firm step, and for, indeed, we have been good and loving
soon gained the spot where Robin's arrow brothers. I thank then ;pr all the tokens
was stuck in the ground. of affection with which thou hast sur-
There John spread upon the turf some rounded me. I bless thee with heart and
garments brought by the Merrie Men, and and with lips I pray the Holy Mother to ;

on them he laid, with infinite precautions, make thee as happy as thou dost deserve
the poor sufferer. to be. Thou wilt tell thy dear wife Maude
" Now," said Robin, in a weak voice, from me, that did not forget her when
I
" call all my Merrie Men. I would be praying for thy happiness, and thou wilt
surrounded once again by the brave hearts embrace her for her brother, Robin Hood."
that have served me so well and so faith- William sobbed convulsively.
fully. I would breathe my last in the midst "Weep not. Will," said Robin, after a
of my gallant, my life-long comrades." moment's silence " thou dost grieve me
;

John sounded the horn three several too much. Has thy heart then become as
times, for this call, while warning the weak as a woman's that thou canst not
"
Outlaws of an imminent danger, hastened bear sorrow more hardily ?
their progress. William did not reply he was choked;

Amongthe men who came in response with tears.

to John's bugle-call was Will Scarlett; " Old comrades, dear friends of my
for although he had ceased to belong to heart," continued Robin, addressing the
the band, he paid them frequent visits, and Merrie Men grouped silently around him,
he rarely passed a week without coming " ye who have shared my toils and
to greet his friends and bringing down a my dangers, my joy and my grief, with
stag, which he would share with them. a devotion and beyond all praise,
fidelity
We wall not attempt
to depict William's take my last thanks and my blessing.
despair and
stupefaction on learning Farewell, my brothers brave Saxon
;

Robin's condition, and seeing the distorted hearts, farewell. Ye have been the terror
countenance of that dear friend who was of the Normans ye have gained for
;

so worthy of the love that he inspired, ever the love and gratitude of the poor.
" Holy Virgin " said Will.
!
" Ah my ! Be happy, be blessed, and pray some-
poor friend my poor brother my dear
! ! times to our dear Protectress, the Mother
Robin, what hath happened ? Tell me of the Saviour of Mankind, for your
all ; art wounded ? Doth he who laid his —
absent friend for Robin Hood."
cursed hand upon thee still live ? Tell Stifled groans were the only reply to
me, me, and to-morrow he will have
tell Robin's words. Distracted with grief,
"
expiated his crime ! the yeomen heard these farewells, but
Robin Hood raised his aching head refused to realise their cruel significance.
from John's arm, upon which it had been " And thou. Little John," resumed the
resting, looked at Will with an expression dying man, in a voice that grew weaker
 "
!
;

124 ROBIN HOOD TPIE OUTLAW

every moment, " thou of the noble heart,
thou whom I love with all the strength
of my soul, what will become of thee ?
To whom wilt thou give the affection
thou didst bestow on me ? With whom
wilt thou dwell beneath the grand old
forest trees ? Oh, John thou wilt be !
very lonely, very desolate, very miserable
forgive me for leaving thee thus. I had
hoped for a sweeter death. I had hoped
to die with thee, beside thee, bow in hand,
defending my country. God hath willed
wood. Robin Hood's death had rendered
that abode too painfully sad.
Little John could not decide to leave
the Forest after all. He stayed there for
several days, wandering about the deserted
paths like a soul in pain, and calling aloud
to him who would never answer him
again. At last he decided to go and seek
shelter with Will Scarlett. Will received
him with open arms, and sad as he was
himself, he tried to afford some consola-
tion to this inconsolable grief but John
;

it otherwise. Praised be His Name would not be comforted.

My hour approaches, John. Mine eyes One morning William, seeking for
are failing. Give me thy hand I would ; Little John, found him in the garden,
die holding it in mine own, John. Thou standing upright, his back against an
dost know my wishes thou knowest
; oak, and his head turned toward the
where my mortal remains are to be in- Forest. John's face was very pale his ;

—
terred beneath the Trysting Tree, beside fixed and staring eyes appeared to have
—
her who awaits me beside Marian," no sight in them. William seized his
" Yea, yea " sighed John, sadly, his
! cousin's arm in terror, and called to him
eyes brimming with tears " thou shalt ; in a trembling voice but the old man
;

be
"
made no —
reply he was dead.
" I thank thee, old friend. I die happy. This unexpected blow was a great grief
I go to be with Marian for ever. Fare- to William. He carried Little John into
well, John " The great Outlaw's the house, and the next day the whole
dying voice became inaudible. A light Gamwell family followed this second
breath touched Little John's face, and dearly-loved brother to Hathersage
the soul of the friend he had so dearly Churchyard, situated six miles from
loved took its flight from earth. Castleton in Derbyshire.
" To your knees, my children" said the
! The tomb containing the remains of
old man, crossing himself; " the noble and Little John still exists, and is remarkable
generous Robin Hood hath ceased to live
!

for the extraordinary length of the stone

All heads were bowed as W^illiam that covers it. This stone presents to a
uttered a short but fervent prayer over curious eye two initials, J. N., very artfully
Robin then, with the help of Little
; engraven in the heart of the granite.
John, he carried the body to its last A legend recounts that a certain anti-
resting-place. Two Foresters dug the quary, a great lover of the curious, had
grave beside Marian, and there Robin the gigantic tomb opened, removed the
was laid upon a bed of flowers and foliage. bones, and bore them away as worthy
Little John placed Robin's bows and of a place in his cabinet of anatomical
arrows beside him and the dead man's curiosities. Unhappily for the worthy
;

favourite dog, which might never serve man of learning, from the moment that
another mas -, was killed upon the grave these human remains entered his house,
and interred with him. he knew no repose he was visited by ;

Thus ended the career of one of the sickness, ruin, and death. And the grave-
most extraordinary characters in the digger who had helped to profane the
annals of England. May he rest in peace tomb was equally afflicted in his tenderest
The possessions of the band were feelings. Then the two men understood
loyally divided among its members by that they had offended against Heaven
Little John, who wished to pass the in violating the secrets of a tomb, and
remaining days of his sorrowful life in they piously reinterred the old Forester's
some peaceful retreat. The Outlaws remains in holy ground,
separated, some going to live in Notting- After which the antiquary and the
ham, others settling down here and there grave-digger lived quietly and happily.
in the neighbouring counties, but none God, who grants remission to all repented
had the heart to remain in the old green sins, had pardoned their sacrilege.

THE END
tss