“Have the dead returned?” quoth Willis, joyfully2, as I strode into the big room.
“Nay; ’tis myself in the flesh,” I answered, “as you may know, when I tell you that I am most woefully hungry. Some meat and drink, I pray you, for I must away soon again.”
The tavern keeper bestirred himself to much advantage, and it was not long ere there was plenty on the round table. I drew up a chair, and, while I lingered somewhat over the food, I had time to look about the familiar apartment.
In one corner I noticed a man seated. His legs were stretched out in lazy comfort, one foot crossed over the other, while, with a riding whip in his hand, he switched at his boots. He seemed not to notice me, so that I had a chance to take a good look at him. Then I knew him for 112the same man who had ridden down to the beach, the day the sloops4 sailed; the mysterious messenger of the night, the man with whom I had nearly come to sword strokes in the Governor’s room. I own I was startled, for I could not help feeling that something portended5 of no happy omen6.
Once he caught me looking at him, but he said nothing until I had finished. Then he rose, lifted his hat from his head, and snapped his whip so that it cracked like a pistol shot.
“Good day to you, Captain Amherst,” he said. “May I have the honor of a few words?”
As he finished he smiled, and, though I could not tell why, I hated him for it.
“As many as you wish,” I answered, “but I am pressed for time now. Will not another occasion do? I----”
“Some other time might serve,” he interrupted, “but I am on the King’s business, and you know that ever presses us men of the sword.”
Not very graciously I led the way to my former apartment, from which I had been absent so long. Wearily I sat down, pointing to another chair, opposite, for my visitor. He took it, doubled the riding whip in his hands, and, with a slight bow to me, said:
“I have been waiting for your return, Captain Amherst,” and he seemed to hesitate over the name. “I have waited ever since you sailed against St. Johns.”
113“Then you had a wearisome delay,” I responded, little heeding7 my own words, for I was in haste to be away. “One, I fear, not much to your profit or pleasure.”
“I did not look for profit,” was his reply. Then he spoke8 slowly, and with a mocking, sneering9 tone. “But it was pleasant enough, tarrying here--with Lucille!”
I sprang to my feet and half drew my sword, for there was more than insult in his words; there was a threat.
“Lucille!” I cried, leaning forward and peering into his handsome, sneering face.
“Aye, Lucille,” he answered coolly, and he never glanced at me, but played with the buckle10 of his sword belt.
“We had many happy hours together,” he went on; “she and I, while I was waiting for you.”
“Damn you!” I shouted; “what means this! Know you that----”
“Aye, I know,” was his response, and then he looked me full in the face. He seemed to drop his jaunty11, careless air, as, at midnight, a dancer casts aside his mask. “I know,” he repeated slowly. “I know you, and I know Lucille.”
My sword was out in an instant, and, with its point, I menaced his heart. But, with a coolness that I could not help admiring, he never moved, nor did he seem at all alarmed.
“Draw, sir!” I cried out. “Draw, in the devil’s name, or I’ll run you through where you stand! The Governor 114is not here now to stay our hands. Who are you, crossing my path so often?”
“There is time enough to draw my sword when I have finished,” he replied, never taking his eyes from my face. “So if you will but put up your weapon, perchance there may be no need to take it from the scabbard again, Sir Francis Dane!”
If he had struck me I could not have been more startled than at the sound of that name. My knees grew weak from very fear, and I sank back into my chair, while my sword which I had held outstretched, clattered12 to the oak floor.
That my secret had been laid bare, after so many years, when I supposed it safely buried across the sea, shook me as a tempest might a sapling.
“Have I touched you with the point?” asked the stranger, as he cut the air with the little whip.
“Yes! A thousand times, yes!” I cried, and I leaped at him, and would have run him through on the instant with my sword, which I recovered from the floor, had he not nimbly sprang behind the bed.
There he stood, his face working with emotion, his eyes glaring, and his hand clasped so tightly on his sword hilt that his knuckles13 went white with the strain. I lunged at him again and again, fiercely, blindly, almost, until, in very shame at thrusting at one who had no weapon out, I stopped and stood breathless, like one who had run far.
115“Why do you stand there, silent?” I panted. “Are you a man, or----?”
“Perchance a witch,” he replied, with an air of easy assurance. “I hear there be many hereabouts. Indeed, no later than yesterday three were hanged on the hill yonder.”
I started, in sudden fear, for his words brought back to my mind the witch trial, some months past.
For a space there was silence in the chamber14, and I could hear our breaths, as we stood gazing at each other. Then he spoke.
“Well, what is it to be?” he asked. “Peace or war?”
“War!” I cried. “War to the end, now that you know what you do!”
“Very good, then,” was his answer. “But, perchance you will hearken to me for a little. Proclaim an armistice15, as it were?”
I nodded, as one in a dream, for I seemed to be asleep, watching all these things transpire16, but taking no part in them.
“What would you say,” he went on, “if I told you that I held a warrant from His Most Gracious Majesty17, King William, for the apprehension18 of one Sir Francis Dane, or, as he is known now, Captain Edward Amherst? The charge being high treason.”
“What would I say? Why, that you lied most damnably.”
“Have a care!” he whispered, rather than spoke, and his 116hand fell to his sword hilt with a quick motion. “Have a care! I have suffered much from you. Do not tempt19 me too far.”
“I am no traitor20,” I said proudly, “for I have but now returned from the defense21 of Pemaquid, which, though it fell was only given up in the face of heavy odds22, and because the garrison23 would not stand by me. I am no traitor. Ask the men who tramped the woods and sailed the sloops with me.”
“Then this must be in error,” was his sudden exclamation24. He threw a parchment to me across the bed, behind which he still was, and, while I unrolled it he came out, and sat in the chair again. I recognized the royal arms of England.
“Read,” he said. And then he settled back in his chair most comfortably, as one disposed to listen to some pleasant tale.
I read. True enough it was a warrant for Sir Francis Dane, formerly25 of the army of “that arch-traitor” Duke Monmouth. All the way through I read the scroll26, my heart growing heavier as I proceeded.
“Does it suffice?” he asked.
“Aye,” I answered, moodily27.
I turned toward him.
“It is enough,” I went on, pacing back and forth28. “But, look you, sir, I know not your name. Not that it matters greatly.”
117“I am Sir George Keith, at your service, and at that of His Majesty,” he said, smiling and bowing low.
“Well, then, Sir George Keith, what is to prevent me from destroying this warrant? From casting it into the fire, thus----?”
With a quick movement I tossed the parchment into the blazing pile of logs on the hearth29, Willis having kindled30 them, though there was little need of warmth.
The sheepskin burned in a sudden puff31 of flame, but Sir George never turned his head to see what became of it.
“It was but a copy,” he said.
“Then what is to prevent me from killing32 you?” was my next question.
“Would one tainted33 with treason, add to his crimes and attack the King’s messenger? Or if he dared, that same bearer of the royal warrant might have somewhat to say touching34 on the killing. I am no schoolboy to be frightened by words!”
I knew he spoke the truth, and I sat down again.
“Perchance,” went on Sir George, “I may weary you with the tale, but I will relate it, and if I tire you I pray your pardon.”
Then while the shadows grew long outside, and the darkness settled deeper and deeper over the earth, I listened as one not fully3 awake, who hears a voice afar off.
“There is little need,” said Sir George, “of telling that which you know better than I do. How you were of the 118personal guard of Monmouth, and how, when the last battle went against him you fell into the hands of King James’ men, that day on Sedgemoor field. Of your trial before his Worshipful Honor, Judge Jeffreys, and his merciful sentence that you be sold as a slave, instead of being hanged, as you, and all that army of ragamuffins deserved, I need not speak. You recall how Lord Cordwaine begged that you might be given to him so he could sell you into slavery. You managed to escape from prison, none knew how, before Lord Cordwaine had secured you, and you fled.
“The noble lord reported his loss to His Majesty, and, being in great favor then, the King granted a royal warrant for you, that, wherever you could be found, you might be brought back to England as a traitor, to be dealt with as Lord Cordwaine might elect. That was seven years ago.
“Of your wanderings in that time I have heard a little. How, having sold your sword to prince after prince in Europe, you finally came to America, and offered your services to His Excellency, Sir William Phips, under the name of Captain Amherst. I have had a long search for you.
“Do not think that I followed you over seas all these years merely to gratify the revenge, or satisfy the whim35 of Lord Cordwaine. He might rot in hell for all I cared,” and Sir George, with a vicious snarl36 to the words, doubled his riding whip until it snapped in twain.
119“No,” he proceeded, “I sought you for myself; for my own ends.”
I looked at him, trying to fathom37 whither he might be drifting. He had no more of the careless air, and his tone had changed to a low, intense and rapid one.
“Can you call to mind,” he asked, “when the last charge was made at the ditch that proved so disastrous38 to Monmouth’s forces?”
“Yes,” I said, my memory going back to the fierce struggle between farmers and religious fanatics39 on one side, and trained soldiers on the other.
“Do you remember how, when a dark haired lad, aye he was but a boy, opposed you as you urged your horse on?”
“Yes,” I answered, as one awaking from a sleep.
“Then,” came from Sir George suddenly, “call to mind also how you cut him down with a single stroke, though you might have disarmed40 and spared him, for he could not have prevailed against you. His life’s blood dyed the marsh41, and he was trampled42 under foot, a shapeless mass. Do you recall that?” The words were hurled43 at me with every look of hate.
“It was in a fair fight,” I said, somewhat sorry for the lad. “I had to save myself. It was give and take, no quarter asked or granted; no time to parry.”
“I saw the blow. I marked who gave it,” went on Sir George. “Had not my horse fallen under me then you 120would ne’er have dealt another. A sudden surge in the battle carried me from you, but I knew I could remember your face, your form; and I vowed44----,” a strong emotion seized the man,--“I vowed your death when once more we should stand face to face. Now after many years that time has come. For--for----”
He seemed to choke with the words.
“Was he----?” I began softly.
“He was my only brother,” he replied, “and his death broke my mother’s heart, and sent my father to an early grave.”
“’Twas the fortune of war,” I answered, but I had no heart to mock his grief.
After a pause he went on.
“When the prisoners were taken,” he said, “I sought among them for you. One day, to my joy, I saw you penned in with others like the cattle you were. I hastened to the King to beg one boon45: that you might be given or sold to me. But Lord Cordwaine, curse him, was before me, and he had chosen you among others that the King gave him. His Majesty dared not, for reasons of policy, offend Lord Cordwaine, by making the change.
“I begged and pleaded with the lord that he would give you to me, but he was short of purse, and had made a bargain to sell you as a slave. I had not money enough or I would have been the buyer.
“Then came your sale to the slave dealer46, and your escape 121from prison, before Lord Cordwaine had delivered you to the purchaser. He secured a royal warrant for your arrest, wherever you might be found, on the charge of high treason. Fearful that you might escape my vengeance47 I besought48 Lord Cordwaine to let me serve the document. Glad that he was not to be out of pocket by the arrangement he consented. Since then I have followed you from place to place, always arriving just as you had gone. I lost track of you when you sailed for this land, but now I can reap my reward.”
I know not what prevented me from springing at him then and ending it all. I wish I had. Perhaps it was his devil’s coolness, or his mastery over my feelings that held me to my chair. He proceeded after a pause, not heeding that I had risen as he began again.
“When King James fled,” he went on, “I managed to acquire some influence at the court of William and Mary. The warrant was renewed, though Lord Cordwaine, to my joy, died in the meantime, and I knew I could have you all to myself when I found you. So I continued my search, and now I have found you--and Lucille.”
“What of Lucille?” I cried. “Would you drive me mad by harping49 on her name, as if you had a right to use it? Speak, man. What are you to her, or what is she to you? There is some mystery here, of which I have had enough. Now out with it, or, warrant or no warrant, I’ll run you through as I would a dog.”
122“What of Lucille?” repeating my words in a sneering tone. Then changing suddenly: “This of Lucille. That I love her better than life. Aye, I love her more than I hate you, and God knows that hate is as wide and as deep as the sea. I love her; I love her, and she loves me! For Lucille de Guilfort is my wife!”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
tavern
|
|
| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
joyfully
|
|
| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
sloops
|
|
| n.单桅纵帆船( sloop的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
5
portended
|
|
| v.预示( portend的过去式和过去分词 )；预兆；给…以警告；预告 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
omen
|
|
| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
heeding
|
|
| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
sneering
|
|
| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
buckle
|
|
| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
jaunty
|
|
| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
clattered
|
|
| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
knuckles
|
|
| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
armistice
|
|
| n.休战，停战协定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
transpire
|
|
| v.(使)蒸发，(使)排出 ；泄露，公开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
apprehension
|
|
| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
tempt
|
|
| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
traitor
|
|
| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
defense
|
|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
odds
|
|
| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
scroll
|
|
| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
moodily
|
|
| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
hearth
|
|
| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
kindled
|
|
| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
puff
|
|
| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
killing
|
|
| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
tainted
|
|
| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
whim
|
|
| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
snarl
|
|
| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
fathom
|
|
| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
disastrous
|
|
| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
fanatics
|
|
| 狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
disarmed
|
|
| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
marsh
|
|
| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
trampled
|
|
| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hurled
|
|
| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
vowed
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
boon
|
|
| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
dealer
|
|
| n.商人，贩子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
besought
|
|
| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
harping
|
|
| n.反复述说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |