The town was full of women, the wives, mothers, and sisters of our peasants, who had come in from far and near to see their loved ones once more. Fleet Street or Cheapside upon a busy day are not more crowded than were the narrow streets and lanes of the Somersetshire town. Jack-booted, buff-coated troopers; scarlet10 militiamen; brown, stern-faced Tauntonians; serge-clad pikemen; wild, ragged12 miners; smockfrocked yokels13; reckless, weather-tanned seamen14; gaunt cragsmen from the northern coast — all pushed and jostled each other in a thick, many-coloured crowd. Everywhere among them were the country women, straw-bonneted and loud-tongued, weeping, embracing, and exhorting15. Here and there amid the motley dresses and gleam of arms moved the dark, sombre figure of a Puritan minister, with sweeping16 sad-coloured mantle17 and penthouse hat, scattering18 abroad short fiery19 ejaculations and stern pithy20 texts of the old fighting order, which warmed the men’s blood like liquor. Ever and anon a sharp, fierce shout would rise from the people, like the yelp21 of a high-spirited hound which is straining at its leash22 and hot to be at the throat of its enemy.
Our regiment23 had been taken off duty whenever it was clear that Feversham did not mean to advance, and they were now busy upon the victuals24 which our night-foray had furnished. It was a Sunday, fresh and warm, with a clear, unclouded sky, and a gentle breeze, sweet with the smack25 of the country. All day the bells of the neighbouring villages rang out their alarm, pealing26 their music over the sunlit countryside. The upper windows and red-tiled roofs of the houses were crowded with pale-faced women and children, who peered out to eastward27, where the splotches of crimson28 upon the dun-coloured moor3 marked the position of our enemies.
At four o’clock Monmouth held a last council of war upon the square tower out of which springs the steeple of Bridgewater parish church, whence a good view can be obtained of all the country round. Since my ride to Beaufort I had always been honoured with a summons to attend, in spite of my humble29 rank in the army. There were some thirty councillors in all, as many as the space would hold, soldiers and courtiers, Cavaliers and Puritans, all drawn together now by the bond of a common danger. Indeed, the near approach of a crisis in their fortunes had broken down much of the distinction of manner which had served to separate them. The sectary had lost something of his austerity and become flushed and eager at the prospect30 of battle, while the giddy man of fashion was hushed into unwonted gravity as he considered the danger of his position. Their old feuds32 were forgotten as they gathered on the parapet and gazed with set faces at the thick columns of smoke which rose along the sky-line.
King Monmouth stood among his chiefs, pale and haggard, with the dishevelled, unkempt look of a man whose distress33 of mind has made him forgetful of the care of his person. He held a pair of ivory glasses, and as he raised them to his eyes his thin white hands shook and twitched34 until it was grievous to watch him. Lord Grey handed his own glasses to Saxon, who leaned his elbows upon the rough stone breastwork and stared long and earnestly at the enemy.
‘They are the very men I have myself led,’ said Monmouth at last, in a low voice, as though uttering his thoughts aloud. ‘Over yonder at the right I see Dumbarton’s foot. I know these men well. They will fight. Had we them with us all would be well.’
‘Nay, your Majesty35,’ Lord Grey answered with spirit, ‘you do your brave followers36 an injustice37. They, too, will fight to the last drop of their blood in your quarrel.’
‘Look down at them!’ said Monmouth sadly, pointing at the swarming38 streets beneath us. ‘Braver hearts never beat in English breasts, yet do but mark how they brabble and clamour like clowns on a Saturday night. Compare them with the stern, orderly array of the trained battalions39. Alas40! that I should have dragged these honest souls from their little homes to fight so hopeless a battle!’
‘Hark at that!’ cried Wade41. ‘They do not think it hopeless, nor do we.’ As he spoke42 a wild shout rose from the dense43 crowd beneath, who were listening to a preacher who was holding forth44 from a window.
‘It is worthy45 Doctor Ferguson,’ said Sir Stephen Timewell, who had just come up. ‘He is as one inspired, powerfully borne onwards in his discourse46. Verily he is even as one of the prophets of old. He has chosen for his text, “The Lord God of gods he knoweth and Israel he shall know. If it be in rebellion or if in transgression47 against the Lord, save us not this day.”’
‘Amen, amen!’ cried several of the Puritan soldiers devoutly48, while another hoarse49 burst of shouting from below, with the clashing of scythe-blades and the clatter50 of arms, showed how deeply the people were moved by the burning words of the fanatic51.
‘They do indeed seem to be hot for battle,’ said Monmouth, with a more sprightly52 look. ‘It may be that one who has commanded regular troops, as I have done, is prone53 to lay too much weight upon the difference which discipline and training make. These brave lads seem high of heart. What think you of the enemy’s dispositions54, Colonel Saxon?’
‘By my faith, I think very little of them, your Majesty,’ Saxon answered bluntly. ‘I have seen armies drawn up in array in many different parts of the world and under many commanders. I have likewise read the section which treats of the matter in the “De re militari” of Petrinus Bellus, and in the works of a Fleming of repute, yet I have neither seen nor heard anything which can commend the arrangements which we see before us.’
‘How call you the hamlet on the left — that with the square ivy-clad church tower?’ asked Monmouth, turning to the Mayor of Bridgewater, a small, anxious-faced man, who was evidently far from easy at the prominence55 which his office had brought upon him.
‘Westonzoyland, your Honour — that is, your Grace — I mean, your Majesty,’ he stammered56. ‘The other, two miles farther off, is Middlezoy, and away to the left, just on the far side of the rhine, is Chedzoy.’
‘The rhine, sir! What do you mean?’ asked the King, starting violently, and turning so fiercely upon the timid burgher, that he lost the little balance of wits which was left to him.
‘Why, the rhine, your Grace, your Majesty,’ he quavered. ‘The rhine, which, as your Majesty’s Grace cannot but perceive, is what the country folk call the rhine.’
‘It is a name, your Majesty, for the deep and broad ditches which drain off the water from the great morass58 of Sedgemoor,’ said Sir Stephen Timewell.
Monmouth turned white to his very lips, and several of the council exchanged significant glances, recalling the strange prophetic jingle59 which I had been the means of bringing to the camp. The silence was broken, however, by an old Cromwellian Major named Hollis, who had been drawing upon paper the position of the villages in which the enemy was quartered.
‘If it please your Majesty, there is something in their order which recalls to my mind that of the army of the Scots upon the occasion of the battle of Dunbar. Cromwell lay in Dunbar even as we lie in Bridgewater. The ground around, which was boggy60 and treacherous62, was held by the enemy. There was not a man in the army who would not own that, had old Leslie held his position, we should, as far as human wisdom could see, have had to betake us to our ships, leave our stores and ordnance63, and so make the best of our way to Newcastle. He moved, however, through the blessing64 of Providence65, in such a manner that a quagmire66 intervened between his right wing and the rest of his army, on which Cromwell fell upon that wing in the early dawn, and dashed it to pieces, with such effect that the whole army fled, and we had the execution of them to the very gates of Leith. Seven thousand Scots lost their lives, but not more than a hundred or so of the honest folk. Now, your Majesty will see through your glass that a mile of bogland intervenes between these villages, and that the nearest one, Chedzoy, as I think they call it, might be approached without ourselves entering the morass. Very sure I am that were the Lord-General with us now he would counsel us to venture some such attack.’
‘It is a bold thing with raw peasants to attack old soldiers,’ quoth Sir Stephen Timewell. ‘Yet if it is to be done, I know well that there is not a man born within sound of the bells of St. Mary Magdalene who will flinch67 from it.’
‘You say well, Sir Stephen,’ said Monmouth. ‘At Dunbar Cromwell had veterans at his back, and was opposed to troops who had small experience of war.’
‘Yet there is much good sense in what Major Hollis has said,’ remarked Lord Grey. ‘We must either fall on, or be gradually girt round and starved out. That being so, why not take advantage at once of the chance which Feversham’s ignorance or carelessness hath given us? To-morrow, if Churchill can prevail over his chief, I have little doubt that we shall find their camp rearranged, and so have cause to regret our lost opportunity.’
‘Their horse lie at Westonzoyland,’ said Wade. ‘The sun is so fierce now that we can scarce see for its glare and the haze68 which rises up from the marshes69. Yet a little while ago I could make out through my glasses the long lines of horses picketed71 on the moor beyond the village. Behind, in Middlezoy, are two thousand militia11, while in Chedzoy, where our attack would fall, there are five regiments72 of regular foot.’
‘If we could break those all would be well,’ cried Monmouth. ‘What is your advice, Colonel Buyse?’
‘My advice is ever the same,’ the German answered. ‘We are here to fight, and the sooner we get to work at it the better.’
‘And yours, Colonel Saxon? Do you agree with the opinion of your friend?’
‘I think with Major Hollis, your Majesty, that Feversham by his dispositions hath laid himself open to attack, and that we should take advantage of it forthwith. Yet, considering that trained men and a numerous horse have great advantage by daylight, I should be in favour of a camisado or night onfall.’
‘The same thought was in my mind,’ said Grey. ‘Our friends here know every inch of the ground, and could guide us to Chedzoy as surely in the darkness as in the day.’
‘I have heard,’ said Saxon, ‘that much beer and cider, with wine and strong waters, have found their way into their camp. If this be so we may give them a rouse while their heads are still buzzing with the liquor, when they shall scarce know whether it is ourselves or the blue devils which have come upon them.’
A general chorus of approval from the whole council showed that the prospect of at last coming to an engagement was welcome, after the weary marchings and delays of the last few weeks.
‘Has any cavalier anything to say against this plan?’ asked the King.
We all looked from one to the other, but though many faces were doubtful or desponding, none had a word to say against the night attack, for it was clear that our action in any case must be hazardous73, and this had at least the merit of promising74 a better chance of success than any other. Yet, my dears, I dare say the boldest of us felt a sinking at the heart as we looked at our downcast, sad-faced leader, and asked ourselves whether this was a likely man to bring so desperate an enterprise to a success.
‘If all are agreed,’ said he, ‘let our word be “Soho,” and let us come upon them as soon after midnight as may be. What remains75 to be settled as to the order of battle may be left for the meantime. You will now, gentlemen, return to your regiments, and you will remember that be the upshot of this what it may, whether Monmouth be the crowned King of England or a hunted fugitive76, his heart, while it can still beat, will ever bear in memory the brave friends who stood at his side in the hour of his trouble.’
At this simple and kindly77 speech a flush of devotion, mingled78 in my own case at least with a heart-whole pity for the poor, weak gentleman, swept over us. We pressed round him with our hands upon the hilts of our swords, swearing that we would stand by him, though all the world stood between him and his rights. Even the rigid79 and impassive Puritans were moved to a show of loyalty80; while the courtiers, carried away by zeal81, drew their rapiers and shouted until the crowd beneath caught the enthusiasm, and the air was full of the cheering. The light returned to Monmouth’s eye and the colour to his cheek as he listened to the clamour. For a moment at least he looked like the King which he aspired82 to be.
‘My thanks to ye, dear friends and subjects,’ he cried. ‘The issue rests with the Almighty84, but what men can do will, I know well, be done by you this night. If Monmouth cannot have all England, six feet of her shall at least be his. Meanwhile, to your regiments, and may God defend the right!’
‘May God defend the right! cried the council solemnly, and separated, leaving the King with Grey to make the final dispositions for the attack.
‘These popinjays of the Court are ready enough to wave their rapiers and shout when there are four good miles between them and the foe,’ said Saxon, as we made our way through the crowd. ‘I fear that they will scarce be as forward when there is a line of musqueteers to be faced, and a brigade of horse perhaps charging down upon their flank. But here comes friend Lockarby, with news written upon his face.’
‘I have a report to make, Colonel,’ said Reuben, hurrying breathlessly up to us. ‘You may remember that I and my company were placed on guard this day at the eastern gates?’
Saxon nodded.
‘Being desirous of seeing all that I could of the enemy, I clambered up a lofty tree which stands just without the town. From this post, by the aid of a glass, I was able to make out their lines and camp. Whilst I was gazing I chanced to observe a man slinking along under cover of the birch-trees half-way between their lines and the town. Watching him, I found that he was indeed moving in our direction. Presently he came so near that I was able to distinguish who it was — for it was one whom I know — but instead of entering the town by my gate he walked round under cover of the peat cuttings, and so made his way doubtless to some other entrance. He is a man, however, who I have reason to believe has no true love for the cause, and it is my belief that he hath been to the Royal camp with news of our doings, and hath now come back for further information.’
‘Aye!’ said Saxon, raising his eyebrows85. ‘And what is the man’s name?’
‘His name is Derrick, one time chief apprentice86 to Master Timewell at Taunton, and now an officer in the Taunton foot.’
‘What, the young springald who had his eye upon pretty Mistress Ruth! Now, out on love, if it is to turn a true man into a traitor87! But methought he was one of the elect? I have heard him hold forth to the pikemen. How comes it that one of his kidney should lend help to the Prelatist cause?’
‘Love again,’ quoth I. ‘This same love is a pretty flower when it grows unchecked, but a sorry weed if thwarted88.’
‘He hath an ill-feeling towards many in the camp,’ said Reuben, ‘and he would ruin the army to avenge89 himself on them, as a rogue90 might sink a ship in the hope of drowning one enemy. Sir Stephen himself hath incurred91 his hatred92 for refusing to force his daughter into accepting his suit. He has now returned into the camp, and I have reported the matter to you, that you may judge whether it would not be well to send a file of pikemen and lay him by the heels lest he play the spy once more.’
‘Perhaps it would be best so,’ Saxon answered, full of thought, ‘and yet no doubt the fellow would have some tale prepared which would outweigh93 our mere57 suspicions. Could we not take him in the very act?’
A thought slipped into my head. I had observed from the tower that there was a single lonely cottage about a third of the way to the enemy’s camp, standing94 by the road at a place where there were marshes on either side. Any one journeying that way must pass it. If Derrick tried to carry our plans to Feversham he might be cut off at this point by a party placed to lie in wait for him.
‘Most excellent!’ Saxon exclaimed, when I had explained the project. ‘My learned Fleming himself could not have devised a better rusus belli. Do ye convey as many files as ye may think fit to this point, and I shall see that Master Derrick is primed up with some fresh news for my Lord Feversham.’
‘Nay, a body of troops marching out would set tongues wagging,’ said Reuben. ‘Why should not Micah and I go ourselves?’
‘That would indeed be better.’ Saxon answered. ‘But ye must pledge your words, come what may, to be back at sundown, for your companies must stand to arms an hour before the advance.’
We both gladly gave the desired promise; and having learned for certain that Derrick had indeed returned to the camp, Saxon undertook to let drop in his presence some words as to the plans for the night, while we set off at once for our post. Our horses we left behind, and slipping out through the eastern gate we made our way over bog61 and moor, concealing95 ourselves as best we could, until we came out upon the lonely roadway, and found ourselves in front of the house.
It was a plain, whitewashed96, thatch-roofed cottage, with a small board above the door, whereon was written a notice that the occupier sold milk and butter. No smoke reeked97 up from the chimney, and the shutters98 of the window were closed, from which we gathered that the folk who owned it had fled away from their perilous99 position. On either side the marsh70 extended, reedy and shallow at the edge, but deeper at a distance, with a bright green scum which covered its treacherous surface. We knocked at the weather-blotched door, but receiving, as we expected, no reply, I presently put my shoulder against it and forced the staple100 from its fastenings.
There was but a single chamber101 within, with a straight ladder in the corner, leading through a square hole in the ceiling to the sleeping chamber under the roof. Three or four chairs and stools were scattered102 over the earthen floor, and at the side a deal table with the broad brown milk basins upon it. Green blotches103 upon the wall and a sinking in of one side of the cottage showed the effect of its damp, marsh-girt position.
To our surprise it had still one inmate104 within its walls. In the centre of the room, facing the door as we entered, stood a little bright, golden-haired maid, five or six years of age. She was clad in a clean white smock, with trim leather belt and shining buckle105 about her waist. Two plump little legs with socks and leathern boots peeped out from under the dress, stoutly106 planted with right foot in advance as one who was bent107 upon holding her ground. Her tiny head was thrown back, and her large blue eyes were full of mingled wonder and defiance108. As we entered the little witch flapped her kerchief at us, and shooed as though we were two of the intrusive109 fowl110 whom she was wont31 to chevy out of the house. Reuben and I stood on the threshold, uncertain, and awkward, like a pair of overgrown school lads, looking down at this fairy queen whose realms we had invaded, in two minds whether to beat a retreat or to appease111 her wrath112 by soft and coaxing113 words.
‘Go ‘way!’ she cried, still waving her hands and shaking her kerchief. ‘Go ‘way! Granny told me to tell any one that came to go ‘way!’
‘But if they would not go away, little mistress,’ asked Reuben, ‘what were you to do then?’
‘I was to drive them ‘way,’ she answered, advancing boldly against us with many flaps. ‘You bad man!’ she continued, flashing out at me, ‘you have broken granny’s bolt.’
‘Nay, I’ll mend it again,’ I answered penitently114, and catching115 up a stone I soon fastened the injured staple. ‘There, mistress, your granddam will never tell the difference.’
‘Ye must go ‘way all the same,’ she persisted; ‘this is granny’s house, not yours.’
What were we to do with this resolute116 little dame117 of the marshes? That we should stay in the house was a crying need, for there was no other cover or shelter among the dreary118 bogs119 where we could hide ourselves. Yet she was bent upon driving us out with a decision and fearlessness which might have put Monmouth to shame.
‘You sell milk,’ said Reuben. ‘We are tired and thirsty, so we have come to have a horn of it.’
‘Nay,’ she cried, breaking into smiles, ‘will ye pay me just as the folk pay granny? Oh, heart alive! but that will be fine!’ She skipped up on to a stool and filled a pair of deep mugs from the basins upon the table. ‘A penny, please!’ said she.
It was strange to see the little wife hide the coin away in her smock, with pride and joy in her innocent face at this rare stroke of business which she had done for her absent granny. We bore our milk away to the window, and having loosed the shutters we seated ourselves so as to have an outlook down the road.
‘For the Lord’s sake, drink slow!’ whispered Reuben, under his breath. ‘We must keep on swilling120 milk or she will want to turn us out.’
‘We have paid toll121 now,’ I answered; ‘surely she will let us bide122.’
‘If you have done you must go ‘way,’ she said firmly.
‘Were ever two men-at-arms so tyrannised over by a little dolly such as this!’ said I, laughing. ‘Nay, little one, we shall compound with you by paying you this shilling, which will buy all your milk. We can stay here and drink it at our ease.’
‘Jinny, the cow, is just across the marsh,’ quoth she. ‘It is nigh milking time, and I shall fetch her round if ye wish more.’
‘Now, God forbid!’ cried Reuben. ‘It will end in our having to buy the cow. Where is your granny, little maid?’
‘She hath gone into the town,’ the child answered. ‘There are bad men with red coats and guns coming to steal and to fight, but granny will soon make them go ‘way. Granny has gone to set it all right.’
‘We are fighting against the men with the red coats, my chuck,’ said I; ‘we shall take care of your house with you, and let no one steal anything.’
‘Nay, then ye may stay,’ quoth she, climbing up upon my knee as grave as a sparrow upon a bough123. ‘What a great boy you are!’
‘And why not a man?’ I asked.
‘Because you have no beard upon your face. Why, granny hath more hair upon her chin than you. Besides, only boys drink milk. Men drink cider.’
‘Then if I am a boy I shall be your sweetheart,’ said I.
‘Nay, indeed!’ she cried, with a toss of her golden locks. ‘I have no mind to wed9 for a while, but Giles Martin of Gommatch is my sweetheart. What a pretty shining tin smock you have, and what a great sword! Why should people have these things to harm each other with when they are in truth all brothers?’
‘Why are they all brothers, little mistress?’ asked Reuben.
‘Because granny says that they are all the children of the great Father,’ she answered. ‘If they have all one father they must be brothers, mustn’t they?’
‘Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, Micah,’ quoth Reuben, staring out of the window.
‘You are a rare little marsh flower,’ I said, as she clambered up to grasp at my steel cap. ‘Is it not strange to think, Reuben, that there should be thousands of Christian124 men upon either side of us, athirst for each other’s lives, and here between them is a blue-eyed cherub125 who lisps out the blessed philosophy which would send us all to our homes with softened126 hearts and hale bodies?’
‘A day of this child would sicken me for over of soldiering,’ Reuben answered. ‘The cavalier and the butcher become too near of kin2, as I listen to her.’
‘Perhaps both are equally needful,’ said I, shrugging my shoulders. ‘We have put our hands to the plough. But methinks I see the man for whom we wait coming down under the shadow of yonder line of pollard willows127.’
‘It is he, sure enough,’ cried Reuben, peeping through the diamond-paned window.
‘Then, little one, you must sit here,’ said I, raising her up from my knee and placing her on a chair in a corner. ‘You must be a brave lass and sit still, whatever may chance. Will you do so?’
She pursed up her rosy128 lips and nodded her head.
‘He comes on apace, Micah,’ quoth my comrade, who was still standing by the casement129. ‘Is he not like some treacherous fox or other beast of prey130?’
There was indeed something in his lean, black-clothed figure and swift furtive131 movements which was like some cruel and cunning animal. He stole along under shadow of the stunted132 trees and withies, with bent body and gliding133 gait, so that from Bridgewater it would be no easy matter for the most keen-sighted to see him. Indeed, he was so far from the town that he might safely have come out from his concealment134 and struck across the moor, but the deep morass on either side prevented him from leaving the road until he had passed the cottage.
As he came abreast135 of our ambush136 we both sprang out from the open door and barred his way. I have heard the Independent minister at Emsworth give an account of Satan’s appearance, but if the worthy man had been with us that day, he need not have drawn upon his fancy. The man’s dark face whitened into a sickly and mottled pallor, while he drew back with a long sharp intaking of the breath and a venomous flash from his black eyes, glancing swiftly from right to left for some means of escape. For an instant his hand shot towards his sword-hilt, but his reason told him that he could scarce expect to fight his way past us. Then he glanced round, but any retreat would lead him back to the men whom he had betrayed. So he stood sullen137 and stolid138, with heavy, downcast face and shifting, restless eye, the very type and symbol of treachery.
‘We have waited some time for you, Master John Derrick,’ said I. ‘You must now return with us to the town.’
‘On what grounds do you arrest me?’ he asked, in hoarse, broken tones. ‘Where is your warranty139? Who hath given you a commission to molest140 travellers upon the King’s highway?’
‘I have my Colonel’s commission,’ I answered shortly. ‘You have been once already to Feversham’s camp this morning.’
‘It is a lie,’ he snarled141 fiercely. ‘I do but take a stroll to enjoy the air.’
‘It is the truth,’ said Reuben. ‘I saw you myself on your return. Let us see that paper which peeps from your doublet.’
‘We all know why you should set this trap for me,’ Derrick cried bitterly. ‘You have set evil reports afloat against me, lest I stand in your light with the Mayor’s daughter. What are you that you should dare to raise your eyes to her! A mere vagrant142 and masterless man, coming none know whence. Why should you aspire83 to pluck the flower which has grown up amongst us? What had you to do with her or with us? Answer me!’
‘It is not a matter which I shall discuss, save at a more fitting time and place,’ Reuben answered quietly. ‘Do you give over your sword and come back with us. For my part, I promise to do what I can to save your life. Should we win this night, your poor efforts can do little to harm us. Should we lose, there may be few of us left to harm.’
‘I thank you for your kindly protection,’ he replied, in the same white, cold, bitter manner, unbuckling his sword as he spoke, and walking slowly up to my companion. ‘You can take this as a gift to Mistress Ruth,’ he said, presenting the weapon in his left hand, ‘and this!’ he added, plucking a knife from his belt and burying it in my poor friend’s side.
It was done in an instant — so suddenly that I had neither time to spring between, nor to grasp his intention before the wounded man sank gasping143 on the ground, and the knife tinkled144 upon the pathway at my feet. The villain145 set up a shrill146 cry of triumph, and bounding back in time to avoid the savage147 sword thrust which I made at him, he turned and fled down the road at the top of his speed. He was a far lighter148 man than I, and more scantily149 clad, yet I had, from my long wind and length of limb, been the best runner of my district, and he soon learned by the sound of my feet that he had no chance of shaking me off. Twice he doubled as a hare does when the hound is upon him, and twice my sword passed within a foot of him, for in very truth I had no more thought of mercy than if he had been a poisonous snake who had fastened his fangs150 into my friend before my eyes. I never dreamed of giving nor did he of claiming it. At last, hearing my steps close upon him and my breathing at his very shoulder, he sprang wildly through the reeds and dashed into the treacherous morass. Ankle-deep, knee-deep, thigh-deep, waist-deep, we struggled and staggered, I still gaining upon him, until I was within arm’s-reach of him, and had whirled up my sword to strike. It had been ordained151, however, my dear children, that he should die not the death of a man, but that of the reptile152 which he was, for even as I closed upon him he sank of a sudden with a gurgling sound, and the green marsh scum met above his head. No ripple153 was there and no splash to mark the spot. It was sudden and silent, as though some strange monster of the marshes had seized him and dragged him down into the depths. As I stood with upraised sword still gazing upon the spot, one single great bubble rose and burst upon the surface, and then all was still once more, and the dreary fens154 lay stretched before me, the very home of death and of desolation. I know not whether he had indeed come upon some sudden pit which had engulfed155 him, or whether in his despair he had cast himself down of set purpose. I do but know that there in the great Sedgemoor morass are buried the bones of the traitor and the spy.
I made my way as best I could through the oozy156 clinging mud to the margin157, and hastened back to where Reuben was lying. Bending over him I found that the knife had pierced through the side leather which connected his back and front plates, and that the blood was not only pouring out of the wound, but was trickling158 from the corner of his mouth. With trembling fingers I undid159 the straps160 and buckles161, loosened the armour162, and pressed my kerchief to his side to staunch the flow.
‘I trust that you have not slain163 him, Micah,’ he said of a sudden, opening his eyes.
‘A higher power than ours has judged him, Reuben,’ I answered.
‘Poor devil! He has had much to embitter164 him,’ he murmured, and straightway fainted again. As I knelt over him, marking the lad’s white face and laboured breathing, and bethought me of his simple, kindly nature and of the affection which I had done so little to deserve, I am not ashamed to say, my dears, albeit165 I am a man somewhat backward in my emotions, that my tears were mingled with his blood.
As it chanced, Decimus Saxon had found time to ascend166 the church tower for the purpose of watching us through his glass and seeing how we fared. Noting that there was something amiss, he had hurried down for a skilled chirurgeon, whom he brought out to us under an escort of scythesmen. I was still kneeling by my senseless friend, doing what an ignorant man might to assist him, when the party arrived and helped me to bear him into the cottage, out of the glare of the sun. The minutes were as hours while the man of physic with a grave face examined and probed the wound.
‘It will scarce prove fatal,’ he said at last, and I could have embraced him for the words. ‘The blade has glanced on a rib8, though the lung is slightly torn. We shall hear him back with us to the town.’
‘You hear what he says,’ said Saxon kindly. ‘He is a man whose opinion is of weight —
“A skilful167 leach168 is better far,
Than half a hundred men of war.”
Cheer up, man! You are as white as though it were your blood and not his which was drained away. Where is Derrick?’
‘Drowned in the marshes,’ I answered.
‘’Tis well! It will save us six feet of good hemp169. But our position here is somewhat exposed, since the Royal Horse might make a dash at us. Who is this little maid who sits so white and still in the corner.’
‘’Tis the guardian170 of the house. Her granny has left her here.’
‘You had better come with us. There may be rough work here ere all is over.’
‘Nay, I must wait for granny,’ she answered, with the tears running down her cheeks.
‘But how if I take you to granny, little one,’ said I. ‘We cannot leave you here. ‘I held out my arms, and the child sprang into them and nestled up against my bosom171, sobbing172 as though her heart would break. ‘Take me away,’ she cried; ‘I’se frightened.’
I soothed173 the little trembling thing as best I might, and bore her off with me upon my shoulder. The scythesmen had passed the handles of their long weapons through the sleeves of their jerkins in such a way as to form a couch or litter, upon which poor Reuben was laid. A slight dash of colour had come back to his cheeks in answer to some cordial given him by the chirurgeon, and he nodded and smiled at Saxon. Thus, pacing slowly, we returned to Bridgewater, where Reuben was carried to our quarters, and I bore the little maid of the marshes to kind townsfolk, who promised to restore her to her home when the troubles were over.
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1
ferment
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| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
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2
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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3
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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4
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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5
fen
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| n.沼泽，沼池 | |
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6
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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7
levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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8
rib
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| n.肋骨，肋状物 | |
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9
wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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10
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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12
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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13
yokels
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| n.乡下佬，土包子( yokel的名词复数 ) | |
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14
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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15
exhorting
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的现在分词 ) | |
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16
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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17
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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18
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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19
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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20
pithy
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| adj.(讲话或文章)简练的 | |
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21
yelp
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| vi.狗吠 | |
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22
leash
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| n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住 | |
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23
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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24
victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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25
smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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26
pealing
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的现在分词 ) | |
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27
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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28
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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29
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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30
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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31
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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32
feuds
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| n.长期不和，世仇( feud的名词复数 ) | |
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33
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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34
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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35
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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36
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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37
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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38
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 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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39
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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40
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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41
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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42
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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43
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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44
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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45
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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46
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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47
transgression
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| n.违背；犯规；罪过 | |
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48
devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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49
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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50
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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51
fanatic
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| n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的 | |
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52
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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53
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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54
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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55
prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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56
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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58
morass
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| n.沼泽，困境 | |
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59
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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60
boggy
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| adj.沼泽多的 | |
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61
bog
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| n.沼泽；室...陷入泥淖 | |
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62
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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63
ordnance
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| n.大炮，军械 | |
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64
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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65
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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66
quagmire
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| n.沼地 | |
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67
flinch
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| v.畏缩，退缩 | |
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68
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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69
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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70
marsh
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| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
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71
picketed
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| 用尖桩围住（picket的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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72
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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73
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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74
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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75
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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76
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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77
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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78
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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79
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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80
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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81
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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82
aspired
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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84
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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85
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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86
apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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87
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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88
thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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89
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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90
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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91
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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92
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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93
outweigh
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| vt.比...更重，...更重要 | |
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94
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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95
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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96
whitewashed
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| 粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
reeked
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的过去式和过去分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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98
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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99
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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100
staple
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| n.主要产物，常用品，主要要素，原料，订书钉，钩环；adj.主要的，重要的；vt.分类 | |
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101
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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102
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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103
blotches
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| n.（皮肤上的）红斑，疹块( blotch的名词复数 )；大滴 [大片]（墨水或颜色的）污渍 | |
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104
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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105
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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106
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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107
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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108
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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109
intrusive
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| adj.打搅的；侵扰的 | |
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110
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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111
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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112
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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113
coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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114
penitently
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115
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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116
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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117
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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118
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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119
bogs
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| n.沼泽，泥塘( bog的名词复数 )；厕所v.（使）陷入泥沼， （使）陷入困境( bog的第三人称单数 )；妨碍，阻碍 | |
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120
swilling
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| v.冲洗( swill的现在分词 )；猛喝；大口喝；（使）液体流动 | |
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121
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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122
bide
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| v.忍耐；等候；住 | |
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123
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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124
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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125
cherub
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| n.小天使，胖娃娃 | |
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126
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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127
willows
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| n.柳树( willow的名词复数 )；柳木 | |
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128
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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129
casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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130
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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131
furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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132
stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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133
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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134
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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135
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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136
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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137
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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138
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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139
warranty
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| n.担保书，证书，保单 | |
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140
molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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141
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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142
vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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143
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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144
tinkled
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| （使）发出丁当声，（使）发铃铃声( tinkle的过去式和过去分词 )； 叮当响着发出，铃铃响着报出 | |
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145
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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146
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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147
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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148
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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149
scantily
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| adv.缺乏地；不充足地；吝啬地；狭窄地 | |
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150
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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151
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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152
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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153
ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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154
fens
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| n.（尤指英格兰东部的）沼泽地带( fen的名词复数 ) | |
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155
engulfed
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| v.吞没，包住( engulf的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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oozy
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| adj.软泥的 | |
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157
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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158
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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159
Undid
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| v. 解开, 复原 | |
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160
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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161
buckles
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| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
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162
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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163
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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164
embitter
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| v.使苦；激怒 | |
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165
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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166
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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167
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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168
leach
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| v.分离，过滤掉；n.过滤；过滤器 | |
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169
hemp
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| n.大麻；纤维 | |
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170
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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171
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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172
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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173
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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