"Gentlemen," he said, "I must ask you all to accompany me to the common room. I have news of importance to give you."
He and those with him dismounted, and, followed by the wondering officers of the regiment, went into the large room where they gathered in the evening.
"The news that I am about to give you is of an important and happy nature. His Most Gracious Majesty3 has decided4 to send an expedition to Scotland, where the whole country is ready to rise in favour of our lawful5 king."
A cheer broke from his hearers.
"Many Scottish and Irish gentlemen," the colonel went on, "have been selected to accompany it. Among them is my friend, Colonel Wauchop, and the officers with him. The expedition will consist of six thousand French troops. I regret to say that no Irish regiments6 will accompany it."
"We must hope," the colonel said, "that Irish troops are not employed, only because it is intended that another expedition will sail to Ireland, in which case we may be sure that some of us will have an opportunity of fighting, again, on our own side of the water. Moreover, between France and Scotland there has long been a close connection and friendship, and the employment of French troops would, therefore, better suit the Scots than would be the case with Irishmen. Another reason perhaps is, the King of France does not like to spare his best troops, when he has sore need of them in Flanders and Spain.
"However, a number of Irish officers will accompany the expedition, for the purpose of drilling and commanding the new levies8, for which work they will be far better suited, by their knowledge of English, than French officers would be. Therefore, the various Irish regiments are all to furnish a certain number of lieutenants10. Generals Hamilton, Sheldon, Dorrington, and Lords Galmoy and Fitzgerald, and our friend Colonel Wauchop will be in command of the newly-raised force, having with them many Scotch11 officers now in the service of France.
"The secret of the expedition has been well kept, but I have known it for a fortnight, and have prepared a list of the fifteen officers who are to go. I may say that, in order to avoid partiality, I have, with one exception, selected them by lot. Those who are to go will doubtless consider themselves fortunate. Those who are to stay are still more lucky, if, as I hope, the regiment will form part of a similar expedition sent to Ireland."
He then read out the list of the officers chosen. O'Sullivan and O'Neil were both among them, and the name of Desmond Kennedy was the last read out.
"You will, gentlemen, start in an hour's time, taking the northern road through Montvidier and Arras. In each of these towns you will be joined by officers from other regiments. Colonel Wauchop will accompany you. I do not name the port from which you are to sail, and no word must be said, by you, as to the route you are to travel; but you can no doubt judge for yourselves, by the road that you are taking, what port is your destination. The French troops will be already there, and the fleet is all in readiness.
"You all have horses. You can each take your soldier servant with you, but those who do so must either hire or purchase a horse for him. All further details you will learn from Colonel Wauchop, and the paymaster will have orders to issue two months' pay to each of you, in advance. The distance will be about a hundred and fifty miles, and you will perform it in five days."
Colonel Wauchop then addressed a few words to the officers, all of whom were under the rank of captain.
"Gentlemen," he said, "you have an honourable12 task before you. For years we have been waiting for the day when our swords might aid to place our king upon the throne. At last it has come. I need not say that the struggle will be a severe one, and that your courage will be taxed to the utmost, but you have proved that in a score of desperate fights.
"The task before you will need tact13 to no ordinary degree. The Scotch are as peppery a race as the Irish are, and it will be necessary in no way to hurt their feelings, or to excite among them the smallest degree of discontent at being drilled and led by men who are not of their own race.
"And now, as we have much to do before starting, I will leave you to make your arrangements. The rendezvous14 for us all is in your barrack yard, and at nine o'clock we shall be here."
The colonel now left the room, and the officers eagerly and excitedly talked over the startling news that they had just heard. The greater part of those who had been selected for the service were delighted to go, while the others were equally pleased, at the thought that they might shortly be fighting for King James on the soil of Ireland.
"Sure, your honour, I wish it had been in the ould country instead of Scotland," Mike said, when he heard the news.
"I cannot say that I agree with you, Mike. In Ireland, we should find tens of thousands of brave hearts ready to join us, but they are unarmed, undrilled, and undisciplined, and would be of comparatively slight assistance to us against the English troops. Defeat would bring down fresh persecutions, fresh confiscations, and greater misery15 upon the land."
"Sure we would beat them, your honour."
"We might, Mike; but you must remember that we failed to do so, even when the people were armed. No doubt we shall take a certain amount of muskets16 and ammunition17 with us, but the power of England is more assuredly fixed18 in Ireland now than it was then--the influence of the old Irish families is broken, and even if we armed all who joined us, it would be but an armed rabble19 and not an army.
"In Scotland it is altogether different. The Scottish clans20 would join us under their chiefs, to whom they give absolute obedience21, and they would turn out armed and ready for action. Thus, then, I think that, allowing that Ireland is as loyal as Scotland, the choice has been a wise one."
"Sure, you know best, your honour; but I will warrant that as soon as Scotland rises, Ireland will be in a blaze from one end to the other."
"That may well be, Mike; but there will then be a chance of success, since the English forces will be fully22 occupied by our descent in the north, which will threaten London, while Ireland can be left to itself until the main question is settled."
"It is mighty23 lucky, your honour, that I should have stuck to the horse we got when we rescued Miss Pointdexter."
"I am very glad, too, Mike, for otherwise I should have had to buy one, and it is likely enough that I may want all the money I have, before this campaign that we are starting upon is over."
O'Neil and O'Sullivan, at this moment, burst into the room.
"It is glorious that we three should all be going, Kennedy!" the latter exclaimed. "It is just your luck, for you are the only ensign named, while the regiment will be left with only four lieutenants. Of course, I should be still better pleased if we were going to Ireland. Still, for anything we know that expedition may not come off, and, so that we are fighting for the king, it's all one whether it is in Scotland or at home."
Having seen that all was ready for departure, Desmond went to the colonel's quarters to say goodbye. Several of the officers who were going were already there, and the colonel motioned to him to stay until they had left. When they had done so, he said:
"Perhaps you guessed, Kennedy, that you were the one exception I mentioned to the rule I adopted, of fixing by lot upon those who were to go."
"No, indeed, sir," Desmond said, in surprise; "I thought it an extraordinary piece of good fortune that I should be the only ensign to go, when there were so many others all senior to me. Indeed, I thought for a moment of saying that I would resign, in favour of one who was older and more experienced than myself; but then it struck me that if I did, some of the junior lieutenants might feel themselves obliged to do the same, in favour of their seniors."
"I should not, in any case, have permitted a change to be made. I had decided that, in order to avoid jealousy25, chance should decide the matter. Indeed, you are the only ensign going with the expedition. I informed Colonel Wauchop and General Hamilton of the reason for which I specially26 included you.
"So long as it was supposed that the regiment was on the point of marching to Spain, I considered that, if you took my advice and did not leave the barracks after nightfall, no harm would befall you. But the case is altered, now that it may remain here for some time, for no doubt it will take part in any expedition sent to Ireland. I have heard, within the past forty-eight hours, that the friends of de Tulle have made very strong representations to the king. They have urged that your proceedings27, involving what they call the murder of their kinsman28, were of the nature of civil war; and that, if his conduct had been reprehensible29, it was for the Baron30 de Pointdexter to lay the matter before His Majesty and ask for redress31.
"I hear, however, the king received their remonstrances32 coldly, told them that de Tulle had brought his fate upon himself, that it was the duty of every gentleman to endeavour to rescue a lady, so feloniously carried off, and that he approved of the readiness and energy with which you had taken steps to do so.
"On finding, then, that they have failed in their hope of having you sent to one of the royal prisons, from which you would probably never have come out alive, I have no doubt whatever that these people will endeavour to take the matter into their own hands, and that, with the means at their disposal, they will find no difficulty in procuring33 persons who would undertake to assassinate34 you. As I have said, if you had at once started for the army, we might have looked after your safety until you crossed the frontier, but here in Paris you would not be safe for an hour, and could scarce venture between the barracks and your lodging35, unless under a strong guard. Under such circumstances, I consider that I was justified36 in placing you on the list of the officers who would accompany the expedition.
"I explained to General Hamilton and Colonel Wauchop, who both happened to be with me, my reasons for wishing to include so young an officer in the ranks of those selected for the service. The officers heartily37 agreed with me, having, of course, heard the story, or, at any rate, the main facts of your rescues of Mademoiselle de Pointdexter."
"I am indeed greatly obliged to you, Colonel. I know that it is a dangerous thing to incur38 the enmity of one of those powerful families, and, though I should certainly have taken every precaution in my power, I felt that I should be in constant danger until we fairly embarked39 upon a campaign."
At nine o'clock the party started. It numbered some fifty officers, Scotch and Irish. The baggage had started half an hour before. It was to join the carts, with the baggage of the other officers, outside the northern gates; and was under an escort of dragoons, whose officer had powers given him to requisition fresh horses at each town through which he passed, and so to push on to the port with but two halts.
Once off, there was no longer any necessity for keeping their destination a secret, and the officers were informed that, as they had already guessed, Dunkirk was the harbour from which they were to sail.
The journey was a pleasant one. All were in the highest spirits. A short distance behind them marched a body of infantry40, composed entirely41 of noncommissioned officers, of whom O'Brien's regiment furnished thirty. All were picked men, and, marching each day as far as the party of officers rode, arrived at Dunkirk on the fifth day after starting, and were at once embarked on the ships of war.
Colonel Wauchop and the officers of O'Brien's regiment were told off to the Salisbury, which was a ship that had been taken from the English, and was now loaded with military stores, arms, and munitions42 for the use of those who were expected to join them on landing. After seeing that the officers were all properly accommodated, the colonel went ashore43, and when he returned it was at once seen, by the expression of his face, that something was wrong.
"I have very bad news," he said. "King James, who arrived here two days ago, has been taken suddenly ill, and until he is partially44 recovered we cannot sail, for it is absolutely necessary that he should be with us. This may mean the delay of a week or ten days, and may defeat all our arrangements. The English Government have spies here, as well as elsewhere; and their fleet has, for the last week, been hovering45 off the coast. They may not have known the purpose of the assembly of troops here, for this has been kept strictly46 secret; and few even of the French officers of the expedition knew, until they arrived here, for what reason the regiments had been ordered to Dunkirk. But the arrival of King James, of course, showed what was the intention, and, as soon as the news reaches London, you may be sure that the English fleet will be sent to intercept47 us."
It was, indeed, ten days before James was sufficiently48 recovered to be embarked--a delay which probably cost him his kingdom, for there can be no doubt that, on landing, he would have been joined at once by all the great clans, and by no small proportion of the able-bodied men of the country.
The consequences were so evident, to all engaged in the expedition, that despondency took the place of the enthusiasm with which they had embarked. The fact that the expedition, after being so carefully and secretly prepared, should at its outset meet with so serious a misfortune, was considered an omen24 of evil. At last, however, James embarked, under a salute49 by the guns of the ships of war; and as the sails were hoisted50 and the anchors weighed, the spirits of all again rose.
They had sailed but a few miles when it became evident that the Salisbury was the slowest ship in the fleet, for, although she had every stitch of canvas set, she lagged behind the rest, and the other vessels52 were obliged to lower some of their sails, in order to allow her to keep up with them.
"I begin to think, Kennedy," O'Neil said, "that the good fortune that has hitherto attended you has spent itself. O'Sullivan and I both regarded it as a good omen that you should be the one ensign selected to go with us, but this miserable53 delay at Dunkirk, and the fact that we are on board the slowest tub in the fleet, seems to show that Dame54 Fortune is no longer going to exercise herself in your favour."
"It looks like it, indeed," Desmond agreed. "Still, I can't hold myself responsible for either the king's illness, or for our being allotted55 to this heavy-sailing craft; and, perhaps, even if fortune should not favour me any longer, she will do something for some of the others.
"She has always been favourable56 to Colonel Wauchop. He has been through innumerable engagements. Though many times wounded, he has never been seriously so, though scores of other officers have fallen in enterprises in which he has taken part. In his case, fortune has not been fickle57, and, as he is the chief officer on board, we must hope that she has not deserted58 him on this occasion. I think there is a certain amount of luck in the fact that we carry a large amount of guns and ammunition. If that had not been the case, it is likely that, rather than delay, the squadron would sail on at full speed, and have left us to follow as best we might."
A constant watch was maintained at the masthead of the ship, but no signs were seen of the English fleet, until, on the 23rd of March, six days after sailing, they reached the mouth of the Firth of Forth59, and were congratulating themselves that they had brought the voyage to a successful termination.
At daybreak next morning, however, just as they were about to enter the estuary60, they beheld61 the masts of a great fleet coming out to meet them. This was the squadron of Sir George Byng, which had for some days been on the coast, having been despatched as soon as the news reached London of the gathering62 of ships and troops at Dunkirk, and of the arrival of the Pretender there. The French admiral at once signalled to all the ships to put about, and he lay off until the English fleet were near enough to discern its composition, which was far superior in force to his own. Seeing the impossibility of landing the troops and stores, and the slight chances of success in giving battle, he hoisted the signal for all to make their way back to Dunkirk, keeping as much as possible together, in order to defend themselves if overtaken, or if intercepted63 by another hostile fleet.
In vain, James begged that a few boats might be given him, with which to land with his chief followers64. The French admiral replied that his instructions would not justify65 him in doing so, and that he had been ordered to specially protect the person of the young king, whose safety was of the highest concern to his sovereign.
It was with the deepest feeling of disappointment, and depression, that the Scotch and Irish officers heard that it was determined66 to sail for Dunkirk again. Had the troops on board the ships been of their own nationality, they would have ordered them to disobey the admiral's commands, and to insist upon the fleet, if it succeeded in evading67 the pursuit of the enemy, making another effort to effect a landing. As, however, all the soldiers were French, with the exception of the two or three hundred noncommissioned Irish officers, they were powerless, and were half mad with rage and grief.
"This looks bad for us," O'Sullivan said gravely to his two friends. "I think that the French ships will outsail the English, but there is little chance that this unwieldy craft will do so; in which case, my friends, it is likely that we shall all see the inside of an English prison, and that probably not a few of us will be executed. The colonel should be safe, for he came over with the Brigade after Limerick, and therefore by that treaty was allowed to enter the service of France; but it is different with the rest of us. We have all joined since those days, and are therefore not covered by the treaty, and so are liable to be tried as traitors68."
"Well, we knew that when we joined," he said. "However, I hardly think they are likely to proceed to such an extremity70. Very many of our Brigade have been taken prisoners, at Blenheim and other places, and they have always had the same treatment as other prisoners of war."
"That may be," O'Sullivan replied; "but this is a different matter. It is not a question of war on foreign soil. We were going to attack the throne of Anne, to promote civil war, and to overthrow71 the Government. The attempt once made can be made again, and you may be sure that the news of our sailing has created a tremendous scare throughout the country. However, we are in for it, and there is no use grumbling72 against fate. Already, you see, the rest of the fleet are leaving us--faster, I think, than the English fleet are gaining on us--and I trust they will get safely away into Dunkirk.
"The fact that we so nearly succeeded will, perhaps, act as an inducement to Louis to renew the expedition; and the loss of a colonel, fifteen lieutenants, and thirty noncommissioned officers will not seriously affect anyone except ourselves."
"However," Desmond put in, "I think that, after all, things may not be as bad as you think. In the first place, our execution would have an extremely bad effect in Scotland and Ireland, and would add to the general hostility73 to the present Government. In the next place, Louis has many English prisoners in his hands, and might threaten reprisals74. Lastly, there is always a chance of escape."
"Your first two arguments are good, Kennedy," O'Neil said, "but I cannot say as much for the last. The chances of escape from an English prison must be small indeed."
"Nevertheless there must always be chances," Desmond said. "If you will take my advice you will at once go below, and conceal75 your money."
"Where are we going to conceal it?" O'Sullivan said. "You may be sure that we shall be searched."
"Well, you took my advice, in changing the silver in which you were paid into gold, though you lost pretty heavily by the transaction. We did it to prevent lugging76 about a heavy bag of silver. Now, it has its advantages. You could not hope to conceal silver, but we may, at least, hide a few pieces of gold. Mike is a handy fellow, and I have no doubt will be able to help us. At any rate, let us go below and see what can be done."
Mike was summoned to the cabin.
"Now, Mike," Desmond said, "I suppose, in a campaign, a good many of you carry what money you may have about you, and I dare say some of you hide it so that, if you are taken prisoners, you may have means of adding to your prison fare."
"We do, your honour; and, by the same token, I have a score of crowns in between the soles of my boots. It does not always succeed, for if your boots happen to be good, the chances are that someone takes a fancy to them. Still, on the whole, that is the best place there is, for they are sure to feel all the lining77 of your clothes."
"Well, we want to hide some gold, Mike. In another hour we shall have the English within shot of us, and, of course, fighting is out of the question. Do you think that you will have time to hide a dozen gold pieces in each of our boots?"
Mike looked doubtful.
"To do the thing properly, your honour, one should take off the lower sole, take some leather out of the upper one, put some money in, and then sew it up again; but it would take more than an hour to do one pair."
He thought for a moment.
"The quickest way would be to get out the inside lining of the sole, then to cut out enough leather for the money to lie in, then to put in the lining again. It would not be soft walking on a twenty-mile march, but I think, if I get the lining in tight, with a few little nails to keep it from dropping out, if anyone takes the trouble to turn the boots upside down, I might manage it."
"Well, let us commence at once, then, Mike. We have all got riding boots, and can put them on before we are taken prisoners. Do you take the linings78 out, as you say, and then we will help to cut out some of the leather of the upper sole."
They were quickly at work. Mike cut out enough of the thin lining to admit of a hole being made, large enough to hold ten louis in each boot, and he and the two officers then set to work, to cut out a sufficient depth of leather for the coins to lie side by side. Half an hour sufficed for this.
The coins were put in. Mike had, in the meantime, obtained a handful of pitch and melted it at the galley79 fire. This he ran in over the gold, and then replaced the pieces of lining with hot pitch.
"There, your honours," he said, when he had finished. "I call that a neat job, and it would be hard, indeed, if the spalpeens find that there is anything amiss. And, with these heavy boots, the extra weight won't betray that there is anything hidden.
"Don't put them on till the last moment. Give them time to cool, for if any of it oozes80 out, you will stick your stockings so tight to it that you won't get your foot out without laving them behind."
Leaving their high boots in the cabin, the three young men went on deck. The leading vessel51 of the British fleet was not more than a mile astern, while the French fleet was three miles ahead, having gained more than a mile since the chase began. Mike had been given four louis, which he said he could hide in his mouth.
Five minutes later, there was a puff81 of smoke from their pursuer's bow. The ball struck the water close to them.
"Shall I hold on, Colonel?" the captain of the ship asked Colonel Wauchop.
"There is no use in your doing so. That ship will be alongside in an hour, and it might only cause a useless loss of life were we to keep on. If she were alone I should say, let her come alongside, and with your crew and our officers and men we might, if we had luck, take her by boarding; but, with the whole fleet close behind us, it would be madness to think of such a thing, as we have but twelve guns, and those of small weight."
Accordingly, the topsails were run down, and the courses brailed up, and the ship lay motionless till the English frigate82 came up. Signals had been exchanged between the English vessels, and as they came along six of them dropped boats, each with some twenty men in it. While these rowed towards the prize, the fleet pressed on, under all canvas, in pursuit of the French squadron.
The English officer in command of the boats received the swords of the French officers, and the noncommissioned officers were all sent below into the hold. All sail was at once got on to the vessel again, and she followed in the wake of the fleet. The English lieutenant9 then took the names of the prisoners.
"You are all Irish," he said, seriously. "I am sorry, gentlemen, that this should be so, for I fear that it will go harder with you than if you were French, when, of course, you would be merely prisoners of war."
"We should be prisoners of war, now," Colonel Wauchop said. "We are in the service of the King of France, and were but obeying his orders, along with our French comrades."
"I hope they may see it in that light, in London," the officer said courteously83; "but I doubt whether, at the present moment, they will take a calm view of the subject. However, I hope they will do so, especially as no shot has been fired by you, and they cannot charge you with resisting capture. At any rate, gentlemen, I will do my best to make you comfortable while you are under my charge. I must ask a few of you to shift your quarters, so as to make room for me and the three officers with me; beyond that you will continue, as before, to use the ship as passengers."
When darkness set in, the pursuit was discontinued. The French fleet was fully ten miles ahead, and it was evident that there was no chance, whatever, of overtaking it; while there was a risk of its doubling back during the night, and again making its way north. The greater part of the sails of the men-of-war were therefore furled, while the frigates84 and corvettes made off, on either hand, to establish themselves as sentries85 during the night, and to give warning should the French fleet be seen returning. An hour and a half after the pursuit had ceased, the Salisbury joined the fleet, and the officer in command went on board the admiral's ship, to report the number of prisoners taken and the nature of her cargo86.
The officers had, at his invitation, dined with him and his officers in the cabin. All political topics had been avoided, and no one who had looked in would have supposed that the majority of those present were the prisoners of the others. The Irish temperament87 quickly shakes off a feeling of depression, and the meal was as lively as it had been during the voyage north.
The lieutenant, however, omitted no precaution. A dozen men kept guard over the prisoners below, and as many more, with loaded muskets, were always stationed on deck. The Irish officers saw that, among many of the sailors, there was a strong feeling of sympathy with them. The fleet had been largely recruited by impressment; and by the handing over, to the naval88 authorities, of numbers of men imprisoned89 for comparatively slight offences; and, as was natural, these had but small feeling of kindness towards the government who had so seized them; while many shared in the feeling of loyalty90 towards the house of Stuart, which was still so prevalent among the population.
At daybreak, the cruisers all returned. None had seen any signs of the French squadron, and Sir George Byng, leaving the majority of the fleet to maintain watch, sailed with his prize for Harwich. Here the prisoners were handed over to the military authorities; while the admiral started for London, in a post chaise, to carry the news of the failure of the French to effect a landing, and of their return to Dunkirk,--news that was received with exuberant91 delight by the supporters of Government, and the commercial portion of the population, who had been threatened by ruin. The run upon the banks had been unprecedented92, and although the House of Commons had relaxed the regulations of the Bank of England, the panic was so great that it could not have kept its doors open another twelve hours.
The treatment of the prisoners was now very different from what it had been on board ship. Not only were they confined to prison, but, to their indignation, irons were placed on their legs, as if they had been common malefactors. The only mitigation allowed to them was that their servants were permitted to attend upon them. Their clothes had been rigorously searched, and their boots taken off, but no suspicions had been entertained that coin had been hidden in those of Desmond and his friends.
Two days later an order was received from Government, and the officers were marched up to town, ironed as they were, under a strong guard, and were imprisoned at Newgate. Callaghan and the other servants remained in prison at Harwich.
"Things are looking bad, Kennedy," O'Neil said dolefully, for the three officers had, at their own request, been allotted a cell together.
"They don't look very bright, but we must make allowance for the awful fright that, as we hear, has been caused by the expedition. Possibly, when they have got over the shock, things may be better."
"I will never forgive them for putting irons on us," O'Sullivan said passionately93. "If they had shot us at once, it was, I suppose, what we had a right to expect; but to be treated like murderers, or ruffians of the worst kind, is too bad."
"Well, we were rid of the irons as soon as we got here. No doubt these were only put on to prevent the possibility of any of us escaping. I am sure, by their looks, that some of our escort would willingly have aided us, only that it was impossible to do so; and, knowing how large a number of persons would sympathize with us, I cannot blame them so very much for taking steps to prevent our escape."
"I never saw such a fellow as you for finding excuses for people," O'Sullivan said, almost angrily. "You look at things as calmly as if they concerned other people, and not ourselves."
Kennedy smiled.
"If an opinion is to be worth anything, O'Sullivan, it must be an impartial94 one; and it is best to look at the matter calmly, and to form our plans, whatever they may be, as if they were intended to be carried out by other people."
O'Sullivan laughed.
"My dear fellow, if you had not gone through those adventures, I should have said that you had mistaken your vocation95, and were cut out for a philosopher rather than a soldier. However, although your luck did not suffice to save the Salisbury from capture, we must still hope that it has not altogether deserted you; and anyhow, I am convinced that, if it be possible for anyone to effect an escape from this dismal96 place, you are the man."
Newgate, in those days, stood across the street, and constituted one of the entrances to the city. Its predecessor97 had been burnt, in the great fire of 1666, and the new one was at this time less than forty years old, and, though close and badly ventilated, had not yet arrived at the stage of dirt and foulness98 which afterwards brought about the death of numbers of prisoners confined there, and in 1750 occasioned an outbreak of jail fever, which not only swept away a large proportion of the prisoners, but infected the court of the Old Bailey close to it, causing the death of the lord mayor, several aldermen, a judge, many of the counsel and jurymen, and of the public present at the trials.
The outward appearance of the building was handsome, but the cells were, for the most part, small and ill ventilated.
"This place is disgraceful," O'Neil said. "There is barely room for our three pallets. The air is close and unwholesome, now, but in the heat of summer it must be awful. If their food is as vile99 as their lodging, the lookout100 is bad, indeed."
"I fancy the cells in the French jails are no better," O'Sullivan said. "No doubt, in the state prisons, high-born prisoners are made fairly comfortable; but the ordinary prisoners and malefactors, I have been told, suffer horribly. Thank goodness I have never entered one; but even the barrack cells can scarcely be called inviting101."
"You are learning philosophy from Kennedy," O'Neil said, with a laugh.
"I don't know that I shall feel philosophic102, if we are served with nothing but bread and water. However, the turnkey told us that, until we have been tried and condemned103, we are at liberty to get our food from outside--certainly a mockery, in most cases, considering that we all were relieved of any money found upon us, when we arrived in Harwich. It is a comfort that we are, as he said, to take our meals together, and the money we have in our boots will alleviate104 our lot for some time. Probably, it will last a good deal longer than we are likely to be here."
When they joined their companions, in the room in which they were to dine, all were astonished at seeing an excellent dinner on the table, with eight bottles of wine.
"Is this the way they treat prisoners here?" Colonel Wauchop asked one of the jailers, of whom six remained present.
The man smiled.
"No, indeed. It has been sent in from a tavern105 outside, and with a message that a like meal will be provided, as long as you are here. One of us was sent across, to enquire106 as to the person who had given the order. The landlord said that he was a stranger to him, but that he had paid him a fortnight in advance, and would call in and renew the order, at the end of that time."
"Well, gentlemen," the colonel said, "before we begin to eat, we will drink the health of our unknown benefactor107. Not only is the gift a generous and expensive one, but it cannot be without danger to the donor108, for none but a strong adherent109 of King James would have thought of thus relieving our necessities."
It was plain that the authorities suspected that some message might have been sent in to the prisoners, concealed110 in the viands111. The bread had been cut up into small squares, the crust had been lifted from two pasties, the meat had evidently been carefully searched; and the turnkeys placed themselves round the table so that they could narrowly watch every one of the prisoners, as they ate, and notice any movement that would seem to indicate that they had come across some pellet of paper or other substance.
Every day, the servants at the tavern brought in similar fare, and this continued as long as the prisoners were in the jail; and it was a matter of deep regret, to all, that they were never able to discover the name of the person to whom they were so much indebted.
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1
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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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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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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lieutenants
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| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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11
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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16
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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20
clans
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| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
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21
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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22
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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23
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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24
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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25
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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29
reprehensible
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| adj.该受责备的 | |
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30
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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31
redress
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| n.赔偿，救济，矫正；v.纠正，匡正，革除 | |
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32
remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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33
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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34
assassinate
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| vt.暗杀，行刺，中伤 | |
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35
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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36
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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37
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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38
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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39
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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40
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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41
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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42
munitions
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| n.军火，弹药；v.供应…军需品 | |
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43
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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44
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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45
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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46
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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47
intercept
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| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
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48
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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49
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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50
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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52
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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53
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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54
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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55
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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57
fickle
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| adj.(爱情或友谊上)易变的，不坚定的 | |
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58
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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estuary
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| n.河口，江口 | |
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61
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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62
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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63
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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64
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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65
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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68
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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69
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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71
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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72
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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73
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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reprisals
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| n.报复（行为）( reprisal的名词复数 ) | |
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75
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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lugging
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| 超载运转能力 | |
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lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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linings
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| n.衬里( lining的名词复数 )；里子；衬料；组织 | |
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galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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80
oozes
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| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的第三人称单数 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
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81
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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82
frigate
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| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
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83
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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frigates
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| n.快速军舰( frigate的名词复数 ) | |
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sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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foulness
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| n. 纠缠, 卑鄙 | |
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99
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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103
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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104
alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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107
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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108
donor
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| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
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109
adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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