They were left undisturbed in the farm-house, though they heard on two occasions the jingling6 of bridles7, the clank of weapons, and the tramp of marching men upon the road, bound apparently8 for Londonderry; and upon one occasion they were upon the point of being discovered. Gervase was alone in the house when he heard the sound of voices without, and going to the window, he saw 70half a dozen dragoons drawing water from the well in the farm-yard. They evidently thought the house deserted9, for they bestowed no attention upon it. At that moment Macpherson came swinging down the lane in the rear of the house, and was about to enter the yard when he caught sight of the steel head-pieces, and stopped short. Having filled their bottles, the fellows rejoined their comrades without suspecting the discovery they were on the point of making. Thereafter Macpherson was more careful, going out only when the twilight10 came down, and carefully avoiding the highway.
The chickens in the byre had gone the way of all flesh, and the cow in the meadow had been turned into wholesome11 beef, from which the old soldier concocted12 many a savoury stew13. He was a rare hand at cooking, setting about the matter with sober and becoming earnestness, and mightily14 proud of his achievements therein. All the herbs of the field lent themselves to his purpose; he had studied their uses aforetime, and now he turned the knowledge to account. He knew something, too, of their medicinal qualities, and insisted with a solemn persistence15 on Gervase swallowing many nauseous draughts16, which, indeed, the latter did rather from a feeling of good comradeship than from any liking17 for the dose. He greatly preferred the stories of Macpherson′s earlier days when he carried a halbert with Turenne, or one of the ballads--of which he had quite a store--which he crooned in a low tone with a solemn shaking of the head. They 71were all of battles, sieges, and warlike fortunes, and touched not at all upon the lighter19 passions. “Mary Ambree” was a great favourite of his, and another whose refrain ran thus:--
“Then be stout20 of heart when the field is set, and the smoke is hanging low,
And the pikeheads shine along the line to meet the advancing foe21.”
But chiefly he preferred to sing from the psalms22 in Francis Rous′s version, especially those which speak of battle and vengeance23, and the rugged24 metre and halting lines lost their homeliness25, and were clothed with a fine vigour26 and glowed with inspired fervour as he followed the measure with the motion of his hand. So earnest he was, indeed, and so direct, with a touch of childlike simplicity27, that Gervase was lost in continual wonder.
As a rule he was reticent28 regarding his past life and spoke29 of it in only a general way. On one occasion he had been more communicative. Gervase had become perfectly30 convalescent and was able to move about without being supported, the fever having entirely31 disappeared, and his strength having returned in some considerable degree. They were sitting together discussing the various plans by which they might reach Londonderry, and Macpherson′s brows were drawn32 into a curious frown, as always happened when he was engaged in deep thought.
“Could we,” he said, “come haply on a garron, the thing were as good as done; I doubt not we 72shall find one to our hand as we proceed, and in the meantime you will ride Bayard while I tramp as best I can. I have done as much before, and with a little strategy, which is just and necessary we shall be able to satisfy all civil inquiries33.”
“′Tis out of the question,” Gervase answered. “Turn and turn will I take if you will; and it may be that this passport of De Laprade′s will be of some service after all, though I do not think the rogues34 we may meet will care much for aught but a strong arm and the sword′s point.”
“′Tis a curious document,” said Macpherson, spreading it out before him and laying his open palm upon it. “I am not a great scholar, but I think no man could tell in what language it was written, or what may be its purport35. Even his name has so fallen to vinous pieces that ′tis impossible to pick up the fragments. But I think he hath a good heart, a very good heart.”
“That I will answer for,” said Gervase, “and I will answer for it also that you are rejoiced that you did not harm him. I was not brought up to understand his ways, but I know he is brave as a lion and true as steel; and what a handsome fellow he is!”
“Pooh! wax and paint. I have seen too many pretty fellows to care for the tribe. But he is as you say, I doubt not, though he be a Frenchman--for which latter reason I do not love him.”
“Still, it is no reason why you should hate him.”
“I know not that; the narrow seas divide us for 73some wise reason, and we speak with different tongues for a purpose. I have lived too long with Frenchmen not to love my own country best. God forbid, however, that I should hate any, though it is permitted to hate their works. He is, as you say, a gallant36 fellow. I remember when I was of an age with him, I thought as little of the end whereunto all life tends, and wine and women were the gods I worshipped. The devil is a liberal paymaster but he pays in his own currency; I have a bagful of his ducats.”
“Then you carry them easily,” said Gervase, feeling that he was treading on tender ground.
“That do I not. Alas37; memory will not die; we cannot slay38 it even with prayer, though we may fall back on that to help us to bear the pain. Why I should talk thus to you I know not, but the spirit prompts me, and ′tis ever safe to follow its promptings. I shall open for you one of the pages that I have striven to tear out of the book of my life, and failing in that, to blot39 out with the tears of penitence40 and contrition--haply in vain. ′Twas in ′64, and the April of that year I was in the service of the Elector of Brandenburg, and we were quartered at Spandau. Our company was wicked enough, but I think none could touch me in all manner of iniquity41. We drank deep, quarrelled and fought at will, and rejoiced greatly in fearing not God nor regarding man. I knew my work as a soldier, and men said I had some skill in the art of war. Howbeit I had got some preferment which I held lightly 74enough, as I cared but little whom I served as long as there was wine in the measure and women for the asking. One man I was drawn toward in a special manner, for we had both known better things and had some sorrow together when our cups were spilt, and the headache and heartache came in the morning. Jack42 Killigrew (for he was an Englishman, and well born, as I have since learnt) should have been a parson, but the devil set him trailing a pike and drinking deep as the rest of us. After a while I noticed a change in his ways, which change I could not well understand at first, but soon I discovered. He drank no more, foreswore the dicebox, would not beat up the town, and I shrewdly suspected took to saying his prayers in secret. Then one day he made his confession--I laughed loud enough thereat--that he was in love with the daughter of the Protestant parson outside the city gates. He would not rest satisfied until I had gone thither43 with him, and in an evil hour I consented. Beware, boy, of women; avoid them like the pestilence44, and trust not the fairest. Delilah, Jezebel, and Herodias, these are but samples of the smiling, treacherous45, beautiful devils that go up and down on the earth to catch men′s souls in a silken snare46. Annchen was of the same order but carried her wickedness more demurely47. Poor Jack gave her all his heart, and the little vixen was not content therewith, but needs must have mine too. And mine she had, ay, and my soul too--all, all.”
Macpherson rose and paced the kitchen with a 75hasty stride, his long brown hands clasped before him, and his leonine head thrown back. His eyes were filled with the strange, wild light Gervase had noticed once or twice before; his voice thrilled with suppressed emotion.
“How she purred and ogled48 and slighted honest Jack, to whom she had plighted49 her troth, and whom she was to marry in a sennight! God help me! I was wicked and mad; I forgot my friend and robbed him of his mistress. Then the end came. Never, never shall I forgot it. ′Twas a moonlight night in the pleasant summer time; I was drunken with the passion of lust50, and Annchen and I had forgotten the hours as we stood locked in each other′s arms, under the shadow of the city′s walls. Suddenly a tall form came between us, and a sword flashed out in the moonlight. I knew it was Jack Killigrew, and knew that either he or I must die for this deed. Our blades crossed, and while Jezebel stood looking on, my friend and I (and truer comrade had no man) sought each the heart′s blood of the other. May God in His mercy forgive me, for I shall never forgive myself. Oh! we fought a bitter fight under the walls that June night, and he died hard. For I killed him; yes, I killed him. Do not start or turn away from me--his sweetheart did not, Nay51, when he was down and his life blood was flowing from his breast, she threw her arms about me, and told me that I was a man, and she loved a man. You do not know what it is when love turns to hate. I flung her from me, cursing her, with anguish52 in my heart that I 76had not words to speak of. I never saw her again, but often I see the face of Jack Killigrew lying there turned up to the moonlight and frowning as he died. ′Twas the sin against the Holy Ghost, I sometimes think. An ocean of tears will not wash out the deed.”
“′Tis a sad story,” said Gervase, with emotion, “and better left untold53. But I think not that all women are like Annchen, whom I cannot understand, else were life hardly worth living, and death better than life.”
“That it is--that it is. Life is a burden we must bear as best we can--a heavy load for the back of the strongest. You are young and cannot yet understand the matter, but for me I would that my salvation54 was assured, as sometimes I have hoped it is, and that I were entering into my rest. But youth cannot understand this, nor will I compel you to listen to me.”
“Nay,” answered Gervase, “rather would I be by your side fighting in the good cause, for Heaven knows strong arms like yours are needed now, if need ever was. I cannot foresee how it will end.”
“Have no fear for the end; Londonderry may fall, but Dutch William is stronger than a walled city. I know the Stadtholder of old, and I tell you behind that cold look and slow speech there is the power of many regiments55. I have seen his eyes in the day of battle. He is one of a race that never knows when it is beaten. I think that he will not 77leave the men in Londonderry to die like so many rats. But, believe me, they are the stuff whereof fighting men are made, and will make a gallant stand.”
“I would,” said Gervase, “we were among them once more. By this time, I doubt not, if Colonel Lundy be a true and loyal man, Roaring Meg and her iron sisters have given joyful57 voice.”
“Bah! How goes your burghers ditty?”
“‘Scour me bright and keep me clean--
I′ll carry a ball to Calais green.′”
“Your colonel is no true man, but a hypocrite and a coward, and I put no faith in the long guns, though they have their uses, but in stout and loyal hearts that will hold out in trial and privation. The Irish do not understand the practice of artillery58; they may not batter59 down the walls or breach60 them, while there are men there to say ‘stand back′; but hunger and disease are enemies that few can fight against: and hunger and disease Londonderry will have to face. ′Tis here the Protestant faith must make its last stand. Should the city fall before relief may come, then the end is far off, and the Stuart may yet wear the crown of his ancestors. Relief ever comes slowly--how slowly, only that man knows who, like myself, with wasted shanks and shrunken jaws61, has kept his place on the ramparts, while women and children were dying indoors by the score, and brave fellows were struck down at his side by an enemy no man could see.”
78“But William of Orange is a soldier, as you say, and, being a soldier, will not leave the city to stand alone. Besides, the Irish cannot fight a stubborn fight.”
“There you are wrong utterly62, and here I speak of what I have seen and known. In the army of Louis is many a gallant gentleman of Irish birth, who has displayed a courage and devotion in a foreign country that he might not show in his own. These wild kernes want but the sergeant′s drill and a cause to fight for to prove the stoutest63 soldiers in Europe. But they care not for James Stuart, and I think he has no general who can take their measure. Rosen is a foreigner, and Hamilton a man of few parts; while Sarsfield, of whom I have heard much, lacks discretion64 and temperate65 wisdom, else might he do greatly. ′Tis ever the general that makes the soldier--that is the difference between a rabble66 and a regiment56. Tilly and Gustavus and Turenne, all of whom fought great battles, first put heart into their men, and then taught them to fight as if fighting were the easiest trade in the world.”
“But in Londonderry,” said Gervase, “we fight for all that men hold dear--for liberty, religion, wife, child, and even for life itself. If that does not give men heart and inspire them with courage, there is no general in the world can do it.”
“You are right, and therein I rest my confidence. Religion is the best cordial in the world to tune18 the coward′s heart. If all goes well, behind yon 79poor walls I look to see as bold a stand as ever was made in Christendom, even should England leave us to tread our own path--which Heaven forfend. But ′twere easy to succour the city. With the Foyle running close by the city walls, men and provisions were easily furnished. Heaven send a man with a wise head on his shoulders, for Providence67 never yet wrought68 through fools and cowards. Howsoever, it is for us to do as best we may, and I doubt not, my lad, you will do your part bravely.”
“Mine is a small part and easily played,” Gervase answered, “but how we are to get into the town, I see not, even were we so far on our journey.”
“A way will be provided, I doubt not, with a little strategy. For you, that fine cloak and hat, even those riding boots, must be left behind, while like the stage-player, you must enact69 the rapparee and speak nought70 but the Irish speech, or what will pass for such, till you are behind stone walls. For myself, I think the story I shall tell and my knowledge of the French tongue, will carry me through. As David played the madman in the city of Achish, and as the spies went into the walled city of Jericho and abode71 in the house of the harlot Rahab, so shall we do with the like success.”
“I hate all masquerading,” Gervase said, “and had rather take my chance even as I am.”
“Ay, and find a pikehead between your ribs72 for your scruples73. We have Scripture74 precedent75 which it is ever safe to follow. In this you shall not 80thwart me. So to bed, for at cockcrow we must start, first having commended our lives to Providence, and put a new edge on this sword, whose late owner was a careless fellow and knew not how to care for a good blade.”
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1
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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tedium
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| n.单调；烦闷 | |
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beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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concocted
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| v.将（尤指通常不相配合的）成分混合成某物( concoct的过去式和过去分词 )；调制；编造；捏造 | |
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stew
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| n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 | |
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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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persistence
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| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
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draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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psalms
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| n.赞美诗( psalm的名词复数 )；圣诗；圣歌；(中的) | |
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vengeance
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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homeliness
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vigour
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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reticent
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| adj.沉默寡言的；言不如意的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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purport
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gallant
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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46
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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48
ogled
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plighted
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| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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50
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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51
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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52
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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53
untold
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| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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57
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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58
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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59
batter
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| v.接连重击；磨损；n.牛奶面糊；击球员 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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stoutest
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| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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65
temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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66
rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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68
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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69
enact
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| vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演 | |
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70
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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71
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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72
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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73
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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74
scripture
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| n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段 | |
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75
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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