The Blue Pavilions Read online

  CHAPTER VIII.

  FATHER AND SON.

  Tristram, meanwhile, was lying in darkness on board the _GoodIntent_, a frigate of twenty-six guns, converted for the nonce into atransport-ship to accommodate three companies of his Majesty's SecondHousehold Regiment, the Coldstreams. To this regiment the Earl hadthought fit to attach him at first, not only on account of his fineinches, but also to keep him out of his father's way, being unwillingthat the two should meet until he had visited the Blue Pavilions andendeavoured to bring Captain Barker and Captain Runacles to terms.

  It cannot be said that his first acquaintance with military life hadlifted Tristram's spirits. The frigate--to which he had beenconveyed without further resistance--struck him as smelling extremelyill below decks; and he was somewhat dashed by the small amount ofroom at his service. Moreover, the new suit into which he waspromptly clapped, though brilliant in colour, had been made for asmaller man, and obstructed his breathing, which would have beendifficult enough in any case. On the gun-deck, where he foundhimself, it was impossible to stand upright and equally impossible tolie at length, every foot of room between the tiers of nine-poundersbeing occupied by kits, knapsacks, chests and mattresses litteredabout in all conceivable disorder, and the intervals between thesebridged by the legs of his brothers-in-arms. As the Coldstreams werean exceedingly well-grown regiment, and for the most part deeplyabsorbed just then in dicing, quarrelling, chuck-penny and livelydiscussions on the forthcoming campaign, Tristram had found theutmost difficulty in avoiding the sheaves of legs between him and theempty mattress assigned for his use. In his dejection of spirits itwas a comfort to find that none of his future comrades turned a headto observe him. He cast himself down on the mattress and gave ventto a profound sigh.

  "Alas, Sophia!" he ingeminated, "how liable to misconception--thoughdoubtless wise on the whole--are the rulings of Providence, which inone short hour has torn me from your soft embrace to follow a callingwhich I foresee I shall detest!"

  Unluckily this emotion, though warranted by his circumstances, provedtoo great for the ready-made suit which he wore. At the first sightwo buttons burst from his jacket, one of which flew a full twelveinches and gently struck the cheek of a Dutch sergeant who was takingforty winks upon the adjacent mattress.

  "Vat the devil for?" exclaimed Sergeant Klomp, opening his eyes andglaring upon the recruit.

  "I beg your pardon," said Tristram.

  "Zat was in fon, hey?"

  "On the contrary--"

  "Vat for, if not?"

  "It was accidental, I assure you. I was unbosoming myself--"

  "So; I will deach you to onbosom yourself of his Majesty's buttons.Agsidental! You shall not be agsidental to me!" Sergeant Klomprolled his eyes, and, picking up his cane, which lay beside him, roseto his feet and advanced with menace on his face.

  Tristram hastily applied his syllogism. "It is right," he said tohimself, "to resist when molested in a peaceful occupation.Sighing is a peaceful occupation. Therefore I must resist this man."In obedience to this valid conclusion he hit Sergeant Klomp in thestomach as he advanced, caught the cane out of his hand andbelaboured him the entire length of the gun-deck. It was impossibleto do this without discommoding the legs of the company and annoyingthem beyond measure. And consequently, at the end of ten minutes,Tristram found himself in irons in the lazarette, condemned to passthe night with two drunken men, whose snores were almost comfortingin the pitchy darkness; for, as he told himself, human propinquity,if not exactly sympathy, is the first step towards it. He had beenlistening to this snoring for four hours, when a hatchway above himwas lifted, and a lantern shone down into the lazarette. It wascarried by a corporal, who came cautiously down the ladder, lightingthe footsteps of an officer who followed and held a handkerchief tohis nose, for the smell of the bilge was overpowering.

  "Pah!" exclaimed this officer, as he arrived at the ladder's foot,and peered around. "Set the light down on the floor and leave us.What a hole!"

  He waited whilst the corporal re-ascended the ladder and disappeared;then, picking up the lantern, held it aloft and let its rays shinefull on Tristram's face.

  "Ah," he said, after regarding our hero in silence for a few seconds,"it is unmistakable!" And with that he sighed heavily.

  "Pardon me, sir," said Tristram, "but the sight of me appears tocause you sorrow."

  "On the contrary, it fills me with joy."

  "I am glad to hear you say so, because, as I am fastened here inthese irons, it would have been out of my power to relieve you of mypresence. Since you are glad, however--"

  "Unspeakably."

  "--You would do me a great favour by saying why."

  "Because--look at me, dear lad--because you are my only son!"

  "In that I really think you must be mistaken. There are twogentlemen yonder in the corner who at present are asleep. Are youquite sure one of these is not the object of your search?"

  "Quite sure, my dear lad. It is unmistakable, as I said. You areTristram?"

  "I am; though I don't see why it should be unmistakable."

  "Those eyes--that voice! It is impossible you should not beMargaret's son!"

  "My mother's name was Margaret," Tristram answered; "that's trueenough. She died when I was born."

  "Tristram," said his visitor, lowering the lantern and bowing hishead, "I was her unworthy husband, and am your father, RoderickSalt."

  "That would certainly be plausible, but for one difficulty."

  "What is it?"

  "My father was drowned some months before I was born."

  "You are mistaken. He was partially drowned, but not quite."

  "I admit that alters the case."

  "Shall I tell you how it happened?"

  "By all means, sir; for I think the story must be interesting.At the same time I ought to warn you that I already possess a father,on whom you can scarcely improve."

  "To whom do you refer?"

  "He is called Captain Barker by those who love him less than I."

  "Is it he, then, that has brought you up? Curse him!"

  Tristram opened his eyes. "Why should you curse him?" he asked.

  "Because he has stolen your love from me."

  "But--excuse me--it is only this moment that I have heard you werecompeting for it."

  "He has told you evil concerning me."

  "On the contrary, he has never uttered your name. It was my nursewho told me one day that you were drowned; and even this turns out tobe a mistake, as you were about to prove."

  "My son, your words and bearing cut me to the heart. It is no lessthan I have deserved, perhaps; though, could you know all, I am sureyou would judge me leniently. But at least I can give you some smallproof of my love. Let me first release you from those irons."

  He set the lantern on the floor, drew a small key from his pocket andunlocked his son's fetters.

  "Thank you. That is decidedly more agreeable," said Tristram,stretching his stiffened limbs.

  "You were suffering before I came?"

  "Why, truly," Tristram replied, shrugging his shoulders as he glancedaround; "I find military life duller than I expected. And since thisis the first night I have spent from home--"

  "My poor boy! Doubtless, too, you were brooding on what would happento-morrow morning."

  "Say rather on what happened this morning," corrected Tristram, histhoughts reverting to Sophia.

  "But surely the prospect of to-morrow's punishment--"

  "Oh, will there be a punishment to-morrow?"

  "Why, you kicked a sergeant from one end of his Majesty's ship to theother! Did you imagine you could do that with impunity?"

  "I assure you he deserved it."

  "Nevertheless, you would have been flogged on deck to-morrow had Inot come with a pardon."

  "You astonish me: and really you have been very kind to me.Still, it would have been quite unjust."

  Captain Salt regarded his son quietly for a moment or
two. In truthhe was somewhat staggered by this simplicity.

  "You wish to escape from this service?" he asked.

  "I dislike it more and more. Besides--"

  "Tell me your desires; for, believe me, my son, I have no dearer wishthan to further them."

  Tristram held out a hand and took his father's.

  "Forgive me, sir, for my coldness just now. Remember that I hadnever seen, had scarcely heard of, you before. You are very good tome. I believe, by looking in your eyes, that you love me; and Ibelieve--I know--that in time I should love you greatly in return.But you must pardon that which I am going to say. Sir, I cannot helploving best those who have dealt lovingly with me all my life. I washomesick--" he broke off, as a lump rose in this throat.

  "You shall go home," said Captain Salt.

  Still holding his hand, Tristram stared at him incredulously.

  "Why should you doubt me, my son? Do you think I despise thosefeelings, or can neglect them? No; I honour them, though bitterlyregretting that, as fate has willed it, they can never be entertainedfor me."

  "Don't say that, my father."

  "Why should I blink the truth?" Captain Salt turned and brushed awaya fictitious tear. "No, Tristram; you shall go back to those youlove better. I only ask you to be patient for a few days; for,indeed, I have but a certain amount of influence with those whoenlisted you to-day against your will. Listen. Early to-morrow thesquadron sets sail. If the wind holds we shall be within the Maeseby Sunday morning. As soon as your regiment disembarks you shall bea free man: for not till then shall I have an opportunity of speakingwith his Majesty. The squadron will be returning at once to thisport, and I trust you may return with it. In the meantime you mustgive me your word to remain where you are; for though the punishmentis remitted, you are still under arrest. I have seen your captain,however, and you will find matters made very light for you.The sentry will bring you food and drink."

  He stopped, for Tristram had fallen on one knee and was passionatelykissing his hand.

  "How ill you must think of me!" he murmured; "and how can I thankyou?"

  "By keeping one tender thought or two for a father who held alooffrom you, while it was for your good, and came to you when, for thefirst time, you wanted him. Mine has been a hard life, Tristram, andnot altogether a good one. By asking you to share it, I had done youHeaven knows what injury."

  This was true enough, and it struck the speaker as so pathetic thathe managed even to squeeze up a tear.

  "But come," he went on, with a sudden change to vivacity, "tell mehow you happened into this scrape?"

  And so, with the lantern between them casting long spokes of light onthe ship's timbers, the rafters and the two drunken sleepers in thecorner, father and son sat and talked for the better part of an hour;at the end of which time Captain Salt, who dexterously managed to donine-tenths of the listening, was pretty well posted in the affairsof the Blue Pavilions and their inmates, and knew almost as much ofTristram's past history as if he had spent a day with thethirty-seven green volumes. It was past two in the morning when hearose to return to his own ship.

  At parting he kissed Tristram on both cheeks. "Farewell, dear lad!"he said, with a manner that was admirably paternal. "We shall notmeet again till the ships cast anchor in the Maese. Meanwhile steelyour heart and look forward to a better fortune."

  He picked up the lantern and, climbing the ladder, nodded backreassuringly as he lifted the hatch. At the same time he wassecretly a good deal perplexed; for in all that he had learnt therewas nothing to throw light on the Earl's words. "Now, why the devilis the lad to be looked after?" he wondered. For in fact Tristramhad said nothing of the inheritance. And the reason for this was thevery simple one that he himself knew nothing about it, Captain Barkerand Captain Runacles having long ago agreed to keep it a secret fromhim until he should come of age. They had arrived at this resolutionafter many weeks of discussion, and beyond a doubt their wisdom hadbeen justified in the course of the last hour.

  There was no perplexity visible, however, in the kindly smile whichTristram beheld and returned with interest. A moment after he wasleft in blank darkness. But, being by this time tired out, as wellas greatly comforted, he curled himself up on the bare floor, andwithin five minutes had dropped off into a dreamless sleep.

  It was morning when he awoke, though he could not tell the hour; forthe only light that reached his prison was filtered through the hatchabove, which somebody had kindly tilted open. The sounds that wokehim were those of feet moving to and fro in the captain's cabinoverhead, and, far forward in the ship, the clatter of boots as thesoldiers turned out. He looked about him and made two discoveries.In the first place, his two drunken companions had vanished, or hadbeen removed; and secondly, their place was taken by a loaf and a tinpannikin.

  He reached out a hand for these, and began without hesitation thefirst meal in his life of which the green volumes were to keep norecord. With less hunger he might have found it nauseous; for thebread was incredibly mouldy and had been gnawed all round the crustby rats, while the liquor in the pannikin was a mixture of fiery rumand unclean water. The first gulp fetched the tears; but, aftersputtering a bit, he managed to swallow a good half of it. As hebreakfasted he heard a deal of muffled shouting above, and then adistant clanking sound that was unfamiliar. The _Good Intent_ wasweighing anchor.

  These noises, however, did not trouble Tristram, who was minded bythis time to bear his fortune with hardihood. Only the thought ofSophia vexed him while he ate, and he sighed once or twice with aviolence that set the rats scampering. Then it struck him that hismorning prayers were unsaid, and, scrambling on his knees, hecommitted himself to the care of Heaven, and afterwards felt stilleasier at heart. Also, being a prudent youth in some respects, hedecided to reserve half of the loaf in case no more should be broughtfor the day; and, because his hunger was excessive, it took some timeto decide on the amount to be set aside. Indeed, he was stilldiscussing this with himself when the _Good Intent_ shook with theroar of the royal salute.

  For the moment Tristram imagined that he must be in the midst of asea-fight at the very leat. But his apprehensions were presentlydistracted by the motions of the ship under him--motions which atlength became erratic and even alarming. For the _Good Intent_ wasnot only heaving up and down, but seemed to be tearing forward in aseries of vehement rushes, with intervals of languid indecision.Tristram's stomach soon began to abhor these intervals, and in alittle while he found himself wondering to what end he had set asidehalf a loaf from his breakfast. For, as it seemed to him, he wasgoing to die, and the sooner the better.

  "Decidedly," he thought, "my breakfast was poisoned, else I couldnever feel like this."

  The _Good Intent_ took another lurch forward, and a clammy sweatbroke out on both sides of his forehead.

  "If I have enemies so wicked," sighed he, "may God forgive them!"And, uttering this Christian wish, he fell forward with his foreheadagainst the boards.

  A little past noon the sentry brought him a fresh loaf, with a plateof fat bacon and another pannikin. The sea being choppy, by thistime the vessel echoed from end to end with groans and lamentations.

  "Is it a massacre?" Tristram asked, sitting up and regarding the manwith wild eyes. But the sight of the bacon, which was plentifullydoused with vinegar, conquered him afresh. The sentry chuckled andwent away.

  To be short, our hero passed two-and-twenty hours in this extremityof wretchedness, and was only aroused, early next morning, by acorporal who thrust his head in at the hatchway and bade him ariseand come on deck with all speed, as the regiment was about todisembark. And, as a matter of fact, when Tristram tottered up theladder into the fresh air which swept the deck, he found that, thoughhe had been beyond remarking any difference in the ship's motion, shewas now lying at anchor, and within a cable's length from a desolateshore, which began in sandhills and ended in mist.

  The rain was pouring perpendicularly from a leade
n sky and drenchingthe decks. The soldiers, in their great-coats, huddled together asthey waited for the boats, and shrugged their shoulders to keep thedrops from trickling down the napes of their necks. Somebody gaveTristram a great-coat and knapsack, and pointed out the group towhich he was to attach himself. He obeyed, though scarcely aware ofwhat he did: for his head was light, his hunger was ravenous, and hislegs were trembling beneath him. A soldier cursed close by, and hecursed too, echoing the man's words without knowing why. Another manslapped him on the back, mistaking him for a crony, and begged hispardon. "It really makes no difference," said Tristram politely, andat once fell to wondering if this remark were absurd or no. Beyondthe grey veils of rain he spied, now and then, a cluster of red roofsand a steeple close beside the shore.

  "What place is that yonder?" he asked the man who stood at his elbow.

  "Vlaardingen," said the fellow gruffly. It was Sergeant Klomp, andTristram turned it over in his mind whether to offer an apology orno. While he was still debating, a brisk young officer came alongand called out:

  "Get ready, boys. This is our turn."

  In less than a minute after, for no apparent reason, the crowd aroundTristram surged forward to the bulwarks, and he was carried alongwith the rush. Then he found himself swaying unsteadily down aflight of steps and calling to the men behind not to hustle andprecipitate him into one or other of the two longboats that laybelow. Into the nearer of these his company swept him, and poured inat his heels until the gunwale was nearly level with the water.The rowers pushed off in the nick of time, and pulled their freightslowly across the sullen tide, while the rain beat down relentlessly.

  As they neared the shore, a landing-stage, or low jetty, of sunkpiles disengaged itself from the mist. This was the sole object thatdiversified the melancholy line of sandbanks, and towards it theywere steered, Tristram looking eagerly out under the peak of his cap,from which a rivulet of water was by this time coursing down hisnose.

  Half a dozen grey figures were standing on the jetty, and, as thesoldiers scrambled up its dripping steps, one of them advanced andtouched Tristram by the elbow. It was his father.

  "Safe and sound, my boy? _Parbleu!_ but it's easy to see you're noaccomplished sailor; but that's all the better."

  Tristram was feeling too faint to contest this, though it appeared tohim to be disputable.

  "Let us get ahead of this mob," his father went on. "Come, use yourbest foot--it's no great distance."

  He struck off the sodden track and dived into the mist, Tristramfollowing close at his heels. Their way lay over hillocks andhollows of sand in which they sank ankle-deep at every step.In two minutes they lost sight of the regiment, and were walking withtheir faces set, as it seemed, towards a wall of grey atmosphere,impenetrable by the eye. After five minutes of this Tristramgroaned. He had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours, and his limbswere weak as water.

  "Courage, my son! A few paces more."

  Almost as he spoke a building loomed out of the mist, and they foundthemselves before a doorway, over which hung the sign of "The FourSeasons." A sentry, who stood beside the entrance, presented armsand let them pass. Captain Salt led the way indoors and up a ricketystaircase to the right, on the first landing of which they found twopages in waiting.

  "Say that Captain Salt desires to see his Majesty."

  One of the pages tapped at the door, and, having delivered themessage, commanded them to enter. The place in which Tristram nowfound himself was a low-browed room, smelling highly of sawdust andstale tobacco. It was bisected by a long table of clean white deal,at the end of which were seated three gentlemen whose attire bespokea considerable estate. All three looked up as the pair entered, andin the centre our hero at once recognised his Majesty, with the Earlof Marlborough upon his left hand, and upon his right a general of aplain but shrewd and honest countenance, who glanced at Captain Saltfor a moment and resumed the writing upon which he was engaged.

  King Willliam set down the bundle of papers that he had been conningwith a sour expression, as if tasting bad wine, and ordered theCaptain to come forward, which he did, with a profound salute.

  "I have examined the lists, Captain Salt. They tally with otherinformation which my admirals and generals have been able to give me;though, as they have not your advantages, their knowledge is ofnecessity scantier."

  Beneath his words there lurked a contempt which made the Captainwince.

  "Your Majesty, I have endeavoured to do my duty--such as it is."

  "You say well. The disgrace lies with those who make it necessary."

  "I am glad your Majesty should regard it in that light."

  "Rest assured that I do, and admit the magnitude of the service youhave done us. I understand you have come for your reward."

  "Say rather that I have brought it."

  "Explain yourself."

  "I ask no reward, your Majesty, but the discharge of this youngrecruit." As he spoke Captain Salt drew Tristram forward from thedoorway, where he was standing awkwardly.

  "This is very extraordinary. I expected some request for money, Iwill confess."

  "There are some things which rank above money," said the Captain withfeeling.

  "We are told so," replied William drily. "But might I ask for aninstance or two?"

  "There is paternal love. Your Majesty, this young man is my son."The Captain, at this point, brushed away a tear with the back of hishand.

  "Why--but surely I remember his face?"

  "That is probable: for you yourself, sire, did him the honour toenlist him, no longer ago than last Friday."

  "I remember the occasion. But it did not then appear--at least, tomy recollection--that he was a son of yours, Captain Salt."

  "Will your Majesty be good enough to note the likeness between us?"

  "I do not doubt your word. I merely remark that the two gentlemenwho then interceded for him omitted to mention his parentage."

  "Their names, I believe--"

  "They were two gallant but wrong-headed gentlemen of his lateMajesty's navy--Captain John Barker and Captain Jeremiah Runacles."

  "It is to those gentlemen, who have guarded him from his infancy,that I would restore this young man."

  "This is very magnanimous conduct."

  "A father, sire, may for his son's good disregard his own yearnings.I would, with permission, escort him back to Harwich and assuremyself of his happiness. Your Majesty need have no doubt of myreturn with the next transport."

  "Indeed, Captain Salt, I myself should advise you, for your ownsafety, to be out of the way until this small storm has blown over.Present yourself as soon as you return. Sir," he continued,addressing Tristram, "you are discharged from my service, which, Imust say, has not bettered your looks. Return to your guardians and,if they will allow you, cultivate some small amount of loyalty."

  "I thank your Majesty very heartily," Tristram replied ingenuously,"and I regret if the plant has, until now, found no place in ourgarden."

  "The squadron will sail again for England at midnight," said Williamwith a faint smile; then, turning to the Earl of Marlborough, "Mylord, will you write out the order?"

  At this moment one of the pages entered with a note for the King.

  "Let him come in," said William, after opening it and running his eyeover the contents; then, addressing Captain Salt, "I fear this putsan end to our conversation for the time. If you will wait below, thenecessary papers shall be brought to you. Farewell, young man; andwhen you embrace them, assure Captain Barker and Captain Runaclesthat I have still some hope of their finding a better mind."

  They bowed and withdrew, giving place to the newcomer, who entered atthat moment--an old gentleman in a suit of dark blue edged withsilver. As he passed them in the doorway his eyes scanned Tristramnarrowly, and he appeared to hesitate for a moment as if desirous ofputting a question to the youth.

  Unconscious of this look, Tristram followed his father down thestairs of the auberge. Th
ey had hardly reached the bottom, however,when a voice called from the landing above, and the Earl ofMarlborough descended after them.

  "Here are the papers," he said. "But, young sir, would you mindwaiting here for a minute or two while I speak with your father inprivate?"

  With this he opened a door upon the left and led the way through adark passage to a covered skittle-alley at the back of the house.It was a deserted and ramshackle arcade and offered the poorest coverfrom the rain, which dripped through the roof and drifted under theeaves. The skittles lay here and there, as if the last player, wearyof the game, had been tossing them about at haphazard. Here the Earlpaused, looked around him, and began in a low voice.

  "My friend, I regret to perceive that you begin to act withoutinstructions."

  "In what way?"

  "You propose to return at once to Harwich with this son of yours."

  "Certainly, my lord. It appears to me that I have deserved a holidayby this week's work."

  "You shall take one; but not at Harwich just yet."

  "And why not at Harwich?"

  "For two reasons. In the first place you do no good, but harm, inreturning thither at this moment. Understand that I am only askingyou to defer the visit for a week or two. At present I am awaitingcertain necessary information, without which you will hardly lay yourhands on the good fortune I intend for you."

  "You are mysterious, my lord. This boy of mine--"

  "Will bring you wealth and dignity, I promise, if you allow me toconduct the affair. If not--"

  "What is the other reason?"

  "The other reason," replied the Earl, looking down and moving askittle gently with the toe of his boot--"the other reason is that Irequire you to spend the first part of your holiday elsewhere."

  "Where may that be?"

  "At Saint Germains."

  "My lord, you risk my neck with much composure!"

  "There is no risk at all, unless--"

  "Pray finish your sentence."

  "--Unless you refuse," said the Earl significantly.

  "Proceed, my lord." Captain Salt's face flushed scarlet; then a sweatbroke out on his temples, where an instant before the veins hadswelled with rage.

  "There is nothing to prevent your starting at once. You have alteredthe fuses, I suppose?"

  "Yes."

  "And made all the arrangements?"

  "Nothing is omitted. The guns will be fired twenty minutes too soon,at ten minutes after nine. As William knows nothing about thesignal, and has made his dispositions for half-past nine, the poorfellows will have some fun for their pains, after all."

  "Excellent!" said the Earl smiling. "It only remains for you tostart. Here are the papers; I advise you to keep them carefullysorted. This, in cipher, is for James. It is full of promises; andin addition, to keep his spirits up, you can give him an account ofthe mutiny, pointing out how near it came to success. A boat shalltake you to Sevenbergen; after that you know the road--the usual one.The word is _Modena_. You will take your son with you, of course,and persuade him (if you can) that he is travelling back to Harwichby the shortest road."

  "That will be difficult."

  "From Paris return to Dunkirk, and there await a letter from me.By that time I hope to be able to send you information, on thestrength of which you may at once sail for Harwich. Meanwhile guardthat young man as the apple of your eye. . . ."

  We will return to the subject of this amiable advice. Tristram hadbeen kicking his heels for ten minutes or more in the draughtypassage, and wondering if he should ever know the taste of foodagain, when the door opened on the landing above, and the oldgentleman in blue and silver descended the stairs from his audience.He was clearly in something of a hurry, and strode past our hero asif unaware of his presence, but turned on his heel at the end of thepassage and came swiftly back.

  "I ask your pardon, young man," he began, in a quick, foreign voice,"but I thought I heard his Majesty speaking to you of a CaptainRunacles as I entered the room. Forgive me if I seem tooinquisitive, but do you happen to know Captain Jeremiah Runacles?"

  "I know no reason, sir, against my answering. I know him well, andlove him."

  "Ha? Where does he live?"

  "In Harwich."

  "He keeps hale?"

  "In excellent health for his age."

  "Could he still answer for himself with a small-sword?--I mean notwith a young adversary, but, say, with a man of my age?"

  "I have not the slightest doubt of it, sir." Tristram stared at theold gentleman, who was of a tall unwieldy figure, short bull neck andcholeric complexion.

  "You will see him again shortly?"

  "With God's help I shall see him in three days' time."

  "Then I'd be obliged by your taking him a message from me. Tell him,sir, that I, Captain Van Adrienssen, may be heard of at The Hague atany time, and have not forgotten a certain promise of his (to cut mycomb) which he uttered at one time when our ships lay alongside offthe Texel. Assure him that, though night parted us, I still retainthe boot which he flung at my head and into my ship. Say that I havebeen waiting ever since for the man who fits that boot, and warn himthat we are both well stricken in years and have little time left inwhich to try conclusions. You have that by heart?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Repeat it."

  Tristram did so.

  "Very well; now be careful to deliver it."

  And, nodding his head sharply, the old gentleman hurried away on hisbusiness just as the Earl and Captain Salt returned from theircolloquy.