When a man has conceived a deadly hatred1 of one of his fellow-men, and has further resolved to let slip no chance of satisfying it, his revenge becomes to him simply a question of time, for the chance is sure to come sooner or later.
It was this conviction, I think, that kept my cousin Jasper Stapleton quiet during the next few months. He knew that in due course his revenge would have an opportunity of glutting2 itself, and for that evil time he was well content to wait. You may wonder that so young a man should have possessed3 such cruel feelings toward one who had never done him any willful wrong. But as events proved Jasper was of an exceeding cruel and malignant4 nature, and [Pg 46]his wickedness was all the worse because it was of a cold and calculating sort. If a man gave him an honest straightforward5 blow or buffet6, it was not Jasper’s way to strike back there and then, face to face, but rather to wait until some evil chance presented itself—and then, his adversary’s back being turned, Jasper would plant a dagger7 between his shoulders. In other words, he bided8 his time, and when he did strike, struck at an unguarded place.
Now at that time I had very little idea that Jasper entertained such hard thoughts of me—my knowledge of his cruelty only came by later experience. All that spring and summer of 1578 I was living in a very paradise, and cared not for Jasper or Dame9 Barbara or anybody else. My uncle had sanctioned the betrothal10 of Rose Herrick and myself, and the good vicar had given us his blessing11 in choice Latin. There had been some little scolding of us from both manor-house and vicarage, for Sir Thurstan [Pg 47]and Master Timotheus both thought us too young to talk of love and marriage; but in the end our pleadings prevailed, and it was arranged that we were to consider ourselves plighted12 lovers, and that our wedding was to take place in two years. This settled, there was naught13 but happiness for me and Rose. I think we spent most of that summer out of doors, wandering about the Chase, and talking as lovers will, of all the days to come. Never once did there come a cloud over the fair heaven of our hopes, unless it was once, when in a remote corner of the woods, we suddenly came face to face with Jasper Stapleton. He had been out with his bow, and when we met him he was advancing along the path, with a young deer slung14 over his shoulders. At the sound of our footsteps on the crackling underwood, he stopped, looked up, and, recognizing us, turned hastily away and vanished in the thick bushes.
[Pg 48]
“Why did Jasper go away so suddenly?” asked Rose.
“Because he was not minded to meet us,” said I.
“But why? And I have not seen him these many weeks—he seems to avoid me. Did you mark his face, Humphrey,—how white it turned when he set eyes on us? And there was a look on it that frightened me—a look that seemed to promise no love for you, Humphrey,” she said.
“Have no fear, sweetheart,” I answered. “Jasper is a strange fellow, but he will do me no harm. He is only disappointed because I have won a flower that he would fain have possessed himself.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I mean, sweetheart, that Jasper was much in love with Mistress Rose Herrick, and liked not that Humphrey Salkeld should win her. There—perhaps I have done wrong to tell thee this; but, indeed, I like not mysteries.”
[Pg 49]
But so strange are women, that Rose immediately fell to sighing and lamenting15 on Jasper’s woes16. “It is sad,” she said, “that any man should sorrow over a maiden’s pretty face, when there are so many girls in the world.” This train of thought, however, suddenly slipped from her when she remembered Master Jasper’s ugly looks.
“He will do you a mischief17, Humphrey,” she said. “I saw it in his eyes. He hates you. They say that jealousy18 breeds murder—oh! what if Jasper should try to kill you?”
I laughed at the notion. I was so cock-a-whoop at that time, so elated with my love and my fair prospects19, that I did not believe anything could harm me, and said so. Nevertheless, I believe Rose was from that time much concerned as to the relations between me and Jasper, having some woman-born notion that all might not go so well as I, in my boyish confidence, anticipated. [Pg 50]But when she set forth20 her fears from time to time, I only laughed at her, never thinking that my cousin’s opportunity was already close at hand.
Early in the month of October in that year Sir Thurstan called Jasper and myself into the library one morning, and informed us that he had business for us at the port of Scarborough. There was, he said, a ship coming over from Hamburg, the master of which had been entrusted21 with a certain commission from him, and as the vessel22 was now due, he wished us to go over to Scarborough and complete the matter, by receiving certain goods and paying the master his money. Neither Jasper nor I were displeased23 at the notion of this trip, for we were both minded to see a little of the world. True, I did not like the idea of being separated from my sweetheart for several days; but then, as she said, there would be the delight of looking forward to our meeting again. Alas24! neither of us [Pg 51]knew that that meeting was not to take place for three long and weary years.
We set out from Beechcot, Jasper and I, one Monday morning, having with us money wherewith to pay the charges of the ship-master. From the manor-house to Scarborough there was a distance of twenty odd miles, and therefore we rode our horses. Sir Thurstan had given us instructions to put up at the Mermaid25 Tavern26, near the harbor, and there we accordingly stabled our beasts and made arrangements for our own accommodation. The ship which we were expecting had not yet arrived, and was not likely to come in before the next day, so that we had naught to do but look about us and derive27 what amusement we could from the sights of the little fishing town. Small as the place was, it being then little more than a great cluster of houses nestling under the shadow of the high rock on which stands Scarborough Castle, it was still a place of [Pg 52]importance to us, who had never for many years seen any town or village bigger than our own hamlet of Beechcot, where there were no more than a dozen farmsteads and cottages all told. Also the sailors, who hung about the harbor or on the quay-side, or who sat in their boats mending their nets and spinning their yarns28 one to another, were sources of much interest, so that we felt two or three days of life in their company would not be dull nor misspent. Moreover, the merchant, whose ship it was that carried Sir Thurstan’s goods, showed us much attention, and would have us to his house to talk with him and tell him of our uncle, whose acquaintance he had made many years previously30, but had not been able to cultivate.
There is, near the harbor of Scarborough, lying half-hid amongst the narrow streets which run up towards the Castle Hill, a quaint29 and curious inn known as the Three Jolly Mariners31. At its door stands a figure [Pg 53]carved in wood, which at some time, no doubt, acted as figurehead to a ship, but whether it represents Venus or Diana, Hebe or Minerva, I do not know. Inside, the house more resembles the cabin of a vessel than the parlor32 of a tavern. On the walls are many curious things brought by mariners from foreign parts, together with relics33 of ships that had made many voyages from the harbor outside, and had finally come home to be broken up. In this place, half-parlor, half-cabin, there assembled men of seafaring life: salts, young and old, English, Scotch34, Norwegians, and Danes, with now and then a Frenchman or Spaniard, so that there is never any lack of interesting and ofttimes marvelous discourse35.
Our ship not having come in on the Tuesday night, Jasper and I, in company with the merchant aforesaid, entered the Three Jolly Mariners, and having saluted36 the assembled company, sat down to wait [Pg 54]awhile, the harbor-master thinking it likely that our vessel would shortly be signaled. There were several men in the inn, drinking and talking, and all were of interest in my eyes, but one of them much more so than the others. He was a stoutly-built, tall man of middle age, dressed in what seemed to my eyes a very fantastic style, there being more color in his dress than was then usual. He had a high, white forehead, over which his jet-black hair was closely cropped, his eyes were set rather too near together to be pleasant, his nose was long, his teeth very white and large, and his beard, almost as black as his hair, was trimmed to a point. As he sat and listened to the conversation around him he never laughed, but occasionally he smiled, exposing his cruel teeth, and reminding me of a dog that shows its fangs37 threateningly.
Our friend the merchant whispered to us that this gentleman was a certain Captain Manuel Nunez, who came trading to Scarborough [Pg 55]from Seville. He further informed us that his ship now lay outside in the harbor, and was a fine vessel, of very graceful38 proportions, and much more beautiful to look at than our English ships, which are somewhat squat39 and ugly, though not difficult to handle.
“And although he is a Spaniard,” continued our friend, “this Senor Nunez is well liked here, for he makes himself courtly and agreeable to those who have to do with him, so that our recent relations with his country have not prevented him from coming amongst us.”
However, there was something about the man which almost made me afraid. He reminded me of a viper40 which I once killed in Beechcot Woods. And though we entered into conversation with him that night, and found him a mightily41 agreeable companion, I still preserved the notion that he was a man not to be trusted, and like to prove cruel and treacherous42.
[Pg 56]
The following day, going down to the harbor-wall to see if there were any signs of our ship, I saw my cousin engaged in close conversation with Senor Nunez. I did not intrude43 myself upon them, but presently the Spaniard, catching44 sight of me, came to my side, and with a courteous45 salutation addressed me.
“I have been inviting46 your good cousin, Master Stapleton, to go aboard my vessel yonder,” said he, “and I would tender the same courtesy to yourself, Master Salkeld. It is not often that an English country gentleman has a chance of seeing a Spanish ship in these sad days, unless, alack! it be in this deplorable warfare47; and, therefore, I thought you might both be glad of this opportunity.”
“What do you say, Humphrey?” asked Jasper, who had now approached us. “I would like to see the inside of a Spanish ship. If ’tis aught like the outside it should be well worth an examination.”
[Pg 57]
“A look at the Santa Luisa will repay your trouble, gentlemen,” said the Spaniard with a proud smile. “There is no faster ship for her size on the high seas.”
“I am agreeable,” said I. “Our own ship is not yet come, and time begins to hang heavy.”
“Then you shall come on board to-night,” said Captain Nunez. “Until six of the clock I am engaged on shore, but at that hour I will have a boat awaiting us at the harbor stairs, and you shall go aboard with me, gentlemen.”
So we agreed and parted with him, Jasper full of the matter, and exclaiming that we should have much to tell the folks at home. I, however, was beginning to get somewhat impatient with respect to our own ship, which its owner now believed to have been unexpectedly detained, and I only regarded the visit to the Santa Luisa as a diversion.
At six o’clock that night, Jasper and I [Pg 58]met the Spaniard at the harbor stairs and went on board his vessel. We found the Santa Luisa to be a very fine ship, and of much more pretentious48 appearance as regarded her fittings than our own English trading vessels49. We passed an hour or so in examining her, and were then pressed by Senor Nunez to enter his cabin and enjoy his hospitality.
I have no very clear recollection of what followed. I remember that we ate and drank, that the Spaniard was vastly amusing in his discourse, and that I began to feel mighty50 sleepy. After that I must have gone to sleep.
When I came to my full senses again I was lying in a hammock, and I could tell from the motion of the ship that we were at sea in a good, fresh wind. The Spaniard stood by me, regarding me attentively51. I started up and addressed him.
“Senor Nunez! I have been asleep. Where am I? The ship seems to be moving!”
[Pg 59]
“The ship is moving, Master Salkeld,” he answered, in his smooth, rich voice. “At this moment she is off the Lincolnshire coast. You have slept for twelve hours.”
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1
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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2
glutting
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| v.吃得过多( glut的现在分词 )；（对胃口、欲望等）纵情满足；使厌腻；塞满 | |
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3
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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4
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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5
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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6
buffet
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| n.自助餐；饮食柜台；餐台 | |
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7
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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8
bided
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| v.等待，停留( bide的过去式 )；居住；等待；面临 | |
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9
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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10
betrothal
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| n. 婚约, 订婚 | |
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11
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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12
plighted
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| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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13
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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14
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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15
lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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16
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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17
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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18
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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19
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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20
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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23
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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24
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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25
mermaid
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| n.美人鱼 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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27
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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28
yarns
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| n.纱( yarn的名词复数 )；纱线；奇闻漫谈；旅行轶事 | |
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29
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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30
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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31
mariners
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| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
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32
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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33
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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34
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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35
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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36
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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37
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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38
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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39
squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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40
viper
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| n.毒蛇；危险的人 | |
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41
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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42
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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43
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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44
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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45
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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46
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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47
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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48
pretentious
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| adj.自命不凡的，自负的，炫耀的 | |
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49
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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50
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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51
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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