Dawn saw him far upon his way, and its grey light touched his grey face and revealed new marks of storm for ever stamped there. His cheeks were somewhat sunken; his life and energies seemed concentrated in his eyes. He sat heavy and inert3 upon his horse, yet sometimes spoke4 aloud. His eyes were never still. Their dark gaze ranged the desert, and nothing, near nor far, escaped his scrutiny5 in the murk of the dawn. The chill hour cooled his forehead and helped him to reflect.
"A man's daughter of all things living to turn upon him! And of all daughters mine! She who has lived long enough to see me in the right a thousand times. The only one left to me. And knowing the deep love I bear her! And knowing how that my judgment6 errs7 not. 'Tis beyond belief that we should bring out of our own blood a thing that can feel so little thankfulness for the blessing8 of worthy9 parentage. I grudged10 her nothing. I gratified her every wish from childhood. And the only one left to me! Oh, God, how comes it that a man's own offspring can show him so little of his own self? She should be my image and her mother's blended together. Yet what is she? An exemplar of all that is hateful in woman. And yet—and yet—when she was not crossed she could be as other maids—sweet and daughterly to those that doted upon her. She has made me think that I was all in all to her. But disobedience—to break from the control of her father. And to love an American! Fiends of hell, to love one of them! Madness—'tis some strain of erotic madness that turned her eyes to this enemy. The love I've wasted there—and would again—and would again!"
His mind broke off, then returned to the matter. "But no—never again. She shall be nothing now—I've cast her off; I have prayed to God that she may be dead—rather than——"
He yawned and his sleepy brain relaxed its grip upon his wrongs. Memory was worn out. He stopped once and actually asked himself upon what mission he rode thus in the dayspring hour along this solitary11 waste.
The morning star waned12 above the Prison and another dawn broke to the murmur13 of many waters. Light stole out of the thin sweet air; a rosy14 illumination washed the sky, tipped the tors and spread beneath his horse's feet. Prince Town stretched its granite15 rings before him; and some fairy tincture of light touched even those solemn walls. They glowed as the morning opened golden eyes, and the ascending16 sun arose from a pillow of fire.
The master rode straight to Ockery Bridge, where Captain Short's cottage stood; and upon his demand instantly to see the Commandant, a servant assured him that it was impossible. This he expected, and it did not suffice. Before the man could interpose, Malherb had pushed past him and entered the little dwelling17. He shouted aloud for Captain Short, and was about to lift his voice again when the officer himself appeared. He was dressed in full uniform.
"They refused me, Short, but I would take no refusal. Matters of life and death may be afoot."
They were acquainted, and the soldier answered civilly.
"Good morrow to you. As for life and death—why, I believe it is as you say, though I pray the affair may end sans bloodshed. My patience is near gone, however. These men have the devil in them, but, luckily, there is always a traitor18 to reckon with. Cottrell also found it so."
"I am concerned about one man."
"Then your business can wait, my dear sir; for I am concerned about several thousands. You come at a momentous19 time. Look yonder. Within eight-and-forty hours my hive would have been empty and my bees swarming—God knows whither."
Commandant Short laboured under excessive emotion. He was very red and excited. His hands continually failed him while he endeavoured to buckle20 on his sword.
"I desire to learn all you can tell me of Cecil Stark21," said Malherb, "and know I must at once."
"In good time. What think you of a tunnel burrowed22 under those walls? They have done it—scraped a hole clean through! At midnight came a message for me, and in secret I received the news from one of themselves. Two hundred pounds and liberty was his reward."
"Not Stark! You do not say that he turned traitor?"
"The rascal23's name cannot be divulged24. But at least you shall see the sequel."
"Stark has escaped—I know it."
"Then you know more than I do. 'Tis a scheme almost wins my admiration25. Yet I should have had little admiration to waste had they succeeded. Now I crush 'em—within this hour. All is perfected by their leading men—and by me."
"So much to your credit; but I must see Stark if he is yet there."
"It is not possible to have speech with him before my coup26. Afterwards I may arrange for it. You shall come with me, if you please. To think that within two days my Yankee rats had all been away to the sea!"
The soldier's fervour grew. He had planned a dramatic answer to the plotters and now set about it. Malherb rode beside him to the War Prison; but first they visited the barracks, where a regiment27 of soldiers was drawn28 up under arms. One company immediately marched to the cottage of Lovey Lee outside the walls; the remainder proceeded with Commandant Short.
It was then that Sam Cuffee, while engaged in preparing his master's breakfast, caught sight of the troops, dropped a pot of coffee, and came flying to Stark with his news.
"Dey come, sar—de lobsters—tousands ob dem! And de officers an' Marse Commandant wid de plumes29 in him hat. Dey march straight off to No. 6. It am all ober wid us—we cotched sure—damn de debbil!"
Stark cried that discovery was impossible; but a moment later he saw the truth for himself. Many hundred half-dressed Americans swarmed30 into the yards and a hedge of steel confronted them.
Captain Short stepped to the front of his forces, and a subaltern in a loud voice cried out certain names from a paper. He rehearsed correctly every member of the prisoners' committee. Stark, Burnham, Ira Anson, and the rest stood forward in turn as they were called.
"Follow me, gentlemen, if you please," said the Commandant; then, while a growl31 of rage went up from the assembled masses, Stark and the leaders, heavily guarded, were marched to the scene of their operations in Prison No. 6.
Short, who had been informed most punctually of this affair, marched straight up to the flagstones that concealed32 the descent to the tunnel. He bade two turnkeys raise the pavement, and then all marvelled33 to see the perfection of engineering work pursued under such difficulties.
"A notable feat34! Accept my hearty35 congratulations," said the Commandant drily. "And when was this accomplished36, good sirs?"
"It has taken many months, Captain," answered Cecil Stark. "'Twas finished but yesterday at midnight."
"I know that; one of your friends has thought better of the matter and sold you all."
"No true American," said Anson hotly; "I'll stake my life 'twas a renegade Britisher."
"No, no. Don't imagine that. He is one of yourselves. However, you'll not have any more to do with him. He has his reward. Now tell me—where in thunder did you dispose of the enormous quantities of soil you must have displaced in this business?"
"Ate it—to make up for short rations," shouted David Leverett.
"A good idea; but there will be no burrowing37 out of the cachots, my man. 'Woe38 to the vanquished39' is the tune40 now. Away with them!" Then he added to the guard: "Let them be separately confined. I will question each man in turn later on. Now for their tunnel! You little thought, gentlemen, that I, your Commandant, would be the first through this ingenious exit!"
The soldiers separated. A company one hundred strong, with loaded muskets41, marched Cecil Stark and his companions to the cachots; while thrice that number of soldiers formed square and stood facing all ways about the pit mouth. Then Captain Short and two of his officers with lighted torches descended42. Once there was an ugly rush of prisoners in the confined space above them; but the bayonets kept all back, and before any organised resistance or counter demonstration43 was possible, the Americans had been driven out of No. 6 and the doors locked against them.
Meantime, while Captain Short crept from end to end of the tunnel and presently thrust his head through the floor of Lovey Lee's empty cottage without the walls of the War Prison, Malherb had followed Stark and endeavoured to get speech with him. But an officer in charge knew nothing of the master of Fox Tor Farm, and ordered him back. Malherb made a rough retort, and the soldier promptly44 sent him out of the Prison precincts.
"I would serve you if in my power, sir," he said, "but to allow any speech with these men at present is out of the question. Get you gone, therefore, and impede45 us no more."
"You whipper-snapper—what know you of this? There are affairs of vital importance that demand my speech with that rascal. I will speak with him! Have I toiled46 through a century of suffering to be denied by a starveling subaltern? And the knave47 actually under my eyes! Speak with him I will, so stay me at your peril48!"
He woke the echoes from many walls; he fumed49 with indignation that a youth should affront50 him thus; while the officer, ignorant of all that boiled in this man's mind, and conscious of the gravity of his own charge, made short work with Mr. Malherb. He called a sergeant51.
"Take half a dozen men, Bradridge, and turn this lunatic out. If he won't go, rogue's-march him! We've enough on our hands without madmen to-day."
As though to confirm his assertion, a great uproar52 rent the air behind them—a clamour like the wind-driven sea breaking upon some mighty53 cliff. The nature of their disappointment had permeated54 through the prisons; and thousands of baffled captives cursed their fortune and threatened those dangers that lie in concerted action of desperate men.
Sergeant Bradridge obeyed the word of command, and, despite his impotent raving55, Malherb was thrust forth56 by force. He called down destruction upon the great fastness behind him; he wished the Americans all free to overwhelm their guards; and then, at the entrance, another company of soldiers appeared with two prisoners handcuffed together.
"Waal, I guess they'll be astonished—some of 'em—when they see me alive and hearty," said James Knapps to his companion. "Not many knew as I was snooking round t'other side that wall, and digging like hell day and night."
John Lee did not answer, for he had observed Maurice Malherb.
"I must speak to that man!" he cried to the soldiers. "For God's love do not deny me! 'Tis like to be death for an innocent woman if I don't!"
"Not your grandmother—eh?" asked Knapps; "I reyther reckon she can take care of herself."
John had now turned to Sergeant Bradridge, and earnestly addressed him. The sergeant was a local man—a native of Buckfastleigh, and the uncle of Mr. Putt.
"Sergeant," he said, "you know your nephew Tom: he's my friend, and I beg you to let me speak to Mr. Malherb there. It's a fearful thing if I'm denied."
Then he lifted his voice to his old master.
"I implore57 you, sir, to give heed58. There's danger threatening Miss Grace—I alone——"
But the other turned and roared him down.
"You hound—you lying rascal; you, that plotted to help this knave Stark! Shall I hear a groom59 when I may not hear his master? Take him away and shoot him for a traitor to his country!"
"Your daughter, sir!"
"Keep her off your lips, or I'll strangle you with my own hand," bellowed60 the other. "You're at the bottom of half this cursed business—I know it—I know everything!"
"Her life, I tell you——"
"Is not in your keeping. I'll not hearken to a word from you. Take the damned dog away and let him die as he deserves to die. My horse—my horse!"
Sergeant Bradridge addressed the raving man aside.
"If he's got aught to say, your honour, best hear it. You may not have another chance."
"Never! He has nothing to do with my daughter. Is she not a Malherb? Hang the lying, infamous61 scoundrel! Take him from my sight. Let all such be hanged. I would say it if he was my son!"
A moment later he rode away full charged with frenzy62: while Lee and Knapps passed into the War Prison.
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1
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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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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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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errs
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| 犯错误，做错事( err的第三人称单数 ) | |
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8
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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10
grudged
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| 怀恨（grudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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12
waned
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| v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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13
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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14
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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15
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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16
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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22
burrowed
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的过去式和过去分词 )；翻寻 | |
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23
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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divulged
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| v.吐露，泄露( divulge的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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26
coup
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| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
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27
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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28
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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29
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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30
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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31
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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32
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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33
marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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35
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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36
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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37
burrowing
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的现在分词 )；翻寻 | |
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38
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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39
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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40
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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41
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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42
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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43
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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44
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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45
impede
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，阻止 | |
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46
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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47
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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48
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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49
fumed
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| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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50
affront
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| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
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51
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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52
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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53
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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54
permeated
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| 弥漫( permeate的过去式和过去分词 )； 遍布； 渗入； 渗透 | |
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55
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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56
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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57
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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58
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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60
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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61
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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62
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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