Chapter 22
CHAPTER XXII. There was a long row of sheds at the far end of the town of Hull, open towards the Humber, and enclosed on three sides towards the town. A little patch of green lay on one side of the city wall, on the other, between the sheds and the river, ran a small footpath, and behind rose a good-looking dwelling of two stories
high. With a quick but quiet step, unusually quiet indeed, for he genuinely displayed his high opinion of himself in the elasticity of his shoes, Captain Bearcolt pursued the little path till he came in front of the sheds, and then paused to reconnoiter the ground. He first looked into the open side of the buildings, but nothing did he see, only sundry
stockfish hanging up in rows by the tails, together with a heap of coals in one corner, and two large bales, or packages, covered with canvas in another. He then looked over the Humber, where the sun was struggling with some misty clouds, gilding the sky and glittering on the calm, unruffled waters. There was nothing of great importance to be discovered on that side either, and the
only object that seemed to attract the attention of the worthy captain was the top of a boat's mast, which rose over the bank between him and the river. As soon as he perceived it, he turned an ear in that direction, and thought he heard people speaking, upon which he advanced quietly to the top of the bank and looked down. There was a man in the boat, apparently about to push off, and another standing on the shore,
giving him some directions. And the first sight of the latter showed our friend that he had not mistaken his way, for there he beheld the stout, tall, good-looking elderly man whom he had seen with Mrs. White on the preceding evening. His back was turned to Captain Bearcolt, and as the latter stood waiting till the boat
had pushed off, he heard him say, Well, don't make a noise about it. Do everything easily and quietly. The man in the boat, however, at once caught a sight of the intruder upon their conversation, and pointed towards him with his hand, upon which Mr. Hugh O'Donnell turned quickly round,
with an inquiring and somewhat stern expression, and then advanced straight up to Captain Bearcolt while the boat rode away. Pray, sir, are you wanting me? demanded Mr. O'Donnell, with a strong touch of that peculiar percussion of the breath which has acquired.
Why, or wherefore, who can tell? The name of Brogue, regarding the captain at the same time, with not the most amicable glance in the world. Yes, Master O'Donnell, replied Bearcolt in good plain English, I am wanting you, and by your leave we must have a little conversation together.
Hugh O'Donnell gazed at him with some surprise, for he recollected him well as the French who had visited the sign of the swan on the preceding evening. But he was a cautious man, notwithstanding his Malesian blood, long accustomed to deal with somewhat dangerous affairs, and well aware that the most indiscreet of all passions is surprise, and therefore without appearing to recognise his visitor, he said,
If our conversation is to be at all long, sir, it had better be within doors than without. It may be long, replied Bearcolt dryly, and yet it cannot be very long, for I have not too much time to spare. But whether long or short, it had better be where we can have no eavesdroppers, Mr. O'Donnell, and so we will walk in.
Bearcolt followed him to the house where a clean and respectable old woman servant was seen sanding the floor of a parlour, the boards of which were scrubbed to a marvellous whiteness, though the walls, to say the truth, were somewhat dingy, and a strong flavour of tobacco smoke rather detracted from the purity of the air. That odour, however, was no objection to the nose of Captain Bearcolt, who cast himself
into a chair, while the master of the mansion sent away the servant and closed the door. As soon as his process was complete, the worthy captain fixed his eyes upon Mr. O'Donnell, and demanded, You recollect me, of course, sir. I think I have seen your face somewhere, replied the Irishman.
But, Lord, love you, I never recollect anything after it is over. It's better not, sir. I make life a ready-money business, and keep neither receipts nor bills. Quite right, Mr. O'Donnell, replied Captain Bearcolt. But yet I think I must get you to draw a draft upon the past.
That word or two from Mrs. White will tell you what it is about. And he handed his companion across the little round oaken table a small bit of paper. O'Donnell took it, read the contents, and then mused for a minute or two, tapping the table with his fingers. Well, sir, he said at length, what is it you want to know?
Or that you can tell me about the young lady whom they call Aroneel. Oh, sir, I will tell you all I know about her in a minute, replied the other. She is now at the Swan, Mrs. White's own house, under the care, or, if you like it better, in the hands of a very reverent gentleman called Master Dry of Longsoken. That won't do, Mr. O'Donnell, that won't do, exclaimed Bearcolt.
What I want to know is about the past, not the present, of which I know more than you do, Mr. O'Donnell. I never seek to know anything of other people's business, replied O'Donnell dryly. I have enough to do to attend to my own. Which is the supplying Roman Catholic gentry with salt-fish for fast days, together with
beads, missiles, crucifixes, and other little trinkets for private use, answered Bearcolt, who have been using his eyes and forming his own conclusions from numerous indications apparently trifling. O'Donnell, without any change of expression, gazed at him gravely, and the captain continued, But that is nothing to the purpose, my good friend.
I see you are a prudent man, and I dare say you have cause to be so. However, I will tell you why I inquire, and then we will see whether you will not be kind enough to a poor young lady to give her some information concerning her own affairs, of which, from the death of poor old Sergeant Neel, and his papers having been carried off by this old puritanical hunks dry, she has been kept in ignorance.
You must know that this young lady has found great and powerful friends in the Lord Walton and his sister. Then why did they suffer her to fall into this man's hands? demanded O'Donnell. Because they could not prevent it, replied Bearcolt, and he went on to give a full account
of the march from Bishop's Merton and the skirmish which had taken place upon the road, with all of which we need not trouble the reader, whose imagination can supply, or not, as it pleases, Captain Bearcolt's account of his own deeds of arms. From those deeds, after due commemoration, he went on to speak of Lord Walton's anxiety for poor Aaron Neel's safety, and though we cannot presume to say his tale was plain or
unvarnished either, yet there was enough of truth about it to make some change in Mr O'Donnell's views. Where is Lord Walton to be found? demanded the latter. He is with the King at Nottingham, answered Bearcolt.
Well then, he shall hear from me before long, replied O'Donnell. You had better let me bear him your message, my good sir, said the Captain. You may judge from my being entrusted here with such important business that I am one in whom you may place the most unlimited confidence. Perhaps so, sir, answered O'Donnell, but if I were such a fool, or such a scoundrel, as
to betray other people's secrets, how should I expect that you would keep them? That is very true, rejoined Bearcolt. But if you do not tell them to me, and help me to, to get the young lady out of this town of Hull, you will be compelled to tell them to her enemies, and may make her situation a great deal worse than it is now.
They can't compel me, I defy them, cried O'Donnell sharply. I will help you, and will tell you what those questions will be, replied the Captain, and taking a paper from his pocket he went on. Before many hours are over, you will have Mr. Dry himself here, and perhaps the justices, if not the Governor, and you will be asked whose daughter was her mother?
Are any of her family living? In what county? In Ulster? Whether the estates were sequestrated, or the blood attainted? Where the money came from you used to send poor Neil, and how much it was a year.
Oh, but they must have got hold of a good clue, exclaimed O'Donnell, with more agitation than he had hitherto displayed. That they have, Master O'Donnell, replied Bearcolt, but if Dry comes alone, as he will most likely do at first, he will ask you one other question before he tries to force you, and that is, how much you will take to tell him the whole story, that he may possess himself
of the property, and force the poor child into marrying him. Ay, he's a reasonable man, I dare say, Master Dry, replied the Irishman, with a sarcastic smile, but he will find himself mistaken, and as to forcing me, they can't. Moreover, for your own questions, good sir, all I shall say is this, that you may tell Lord Walton that he must take care of this poor young lady.
That he is willing enough to do, without my telling, answered Bearcolt. Ay, but he must take care of her like the apple of his eye, replied O'Donnell, for if any harm happened to her, he will never forgive himself. He's a kind, good man, is he not? As gallant a cavalier as ever lived, said Bearcolt, and young, demanded O'Donnell, some seven
or eight and twenty, I should guess, was the answer. The master of the house mused. That may be fortunate or unfortunate as it happens, he said at length. At all events, he ought to have intimation of what he is doing. Tell him that he shall hear more from me very shortly, as soon as possible, as soon as I
can get leave, and now to speak of how to get her out of Hull. But will you not let me tell Lord Walton who she is? If Sergeant Neill has told him anything already, well, replied O'Donnell, if not, he shall hear more soon. But at all events, tell him to cherish and protect her as he would one of his own kindred,
for if he do not, and have any more heart than a stone, he will repent it bitterly. No more on that head, master. Now for your plans. Why, Master O'Donnell, replied Captain Bearcolt, my plans, like your secrets, are my own. And I do not tell them easily, especially when I get nothing in return.
But you said you wished me to help you to get the young lady out of Hull, rejoined O'Donnell. How am I supposed to do so without knowing what you intend to do? I will show you in a minute, Master O'Donnell, replied Bearcolt. What I need is horse-flesh, and as far as I can see, very little of it is to be found in Hull.
The governor walks afoot, the officers of the garrison, such as it is, trudge upon their own legs, and I have seen nothing with four feet but sundry cats, half a dozen dogs, and now and then a fat horse in a coal cart. I want beasts to carry us, Master O'Donnell, that is my need. And if you can find means to furnish us with them, I will contrive to get the young lady
out. Oh, there are plenty of horses in Hull, answered O'Donnell. But how did you come hither? By sea, replied his companion, but that matters not. If you can bring or send three good horses, one with a woman's saddle, to the first village
on the road to York—I forget the name of the place—you will do me a service, aid poor Aroneel, and be well paid for your pains. To Newlands, you mean, said O'Donnell. But Newlands is a long way for you to go on foot, tis more than two miles, and if you are caught you are lost.
Say, there is a little low ale-house by the greenside, just a mile from the town gates. The horses shall be there. But at what time? Some time before daybreak to-morrow, replied Bearcolt, for as soon as I see the first ray of the sun I am off with my companions.
Have you more than one? demanded the Irishman. The lady and a gentleman, a friend of mine, answered the worthy captain. Otherwise I should not have wanted three horses. But how will you pass the gates?
inquired the other. They are very stripped at that side, for they fear enterprises from York. There is my key, replied Bearcolt, producing the governor's pass. But for fear it should not fit the lock, master O'Donnell, I shall try it five or six times before nightfall.
What I mean is that I will go out and in several times, that the people may know my face. His companion gazed at the pass, and then at Captain Bearcolt for several moments, wondering not a little what might be the real character of his visitor, and what were the means by which he had contrived to obtain the document which he spread before him. There it was, however, not to be doubted, a genuine order under Sir John Hottam's own
hand, for the centuries guards, warders, and officers of all kinds of the town of Hull, to give free passage at any hour between daybreak and nightfall to Captain Francois Gersval and the workmen employed by him to inspect and repair the fortifications of the city, and to offer him no let or hindrance, but rather afford him every aid and assistance. And now, master O'Donnell, continued Bearcolt, observing with a certain degree of pride that
he had succeeded in puzzling his companion, let us speak about the price of these horses. That I cannot tell till I buy them, replied O'Donnell, but I shall see you tonight at the Swan, and we can settle that matter then. Perhaps I shall be out, answered Bearcolt, recollecting his engagement with Hazard and Folgate.
Well then, I will wait till you return, replied O'Donnell, but in the meantime I must get the horses out before the gates close to-night. To what price would you like to go for the two? I said three, master O'Donnell, exclaimed Bearcolt. Pray do not be short of the number.
No, no, replied the other, there shall be three, but I will pay for the young lady's horse. I have money in hand that should have gone to poor old Neil, but when I wrote about it he did not answer. Dead men seldom do, said Bearcolt, but as to the price there is no use of buying anything
very beautiful for me. My own charges are of the finest breed in Europe, between a Turkish courser and a powerful Norman mare, but as I don't want these horses that I now bespeak for battle, all that is needful will be to see that they be good strong beasts, willing to work for a day or two. But one thing that is to be remembered, Mr O'Donnell, is that if you do come up to the
swan seeking me, you are only to know me as de Capitaine Gersvaal, one French officier who be come to help de Gouverneur to put de fortification in de repair. And pray, sir, what is your real name? asked O'Donnell with an air of simplicity. What is our O'Neil's? rejoined Bearcolt, and both laughing, they separated for the time, without affording each other any further information.
End of chapter 22
