The Splendid Spur

by Arthur Quiller-Couch

  CHAPTER XVIII.

  JOAN DOES ME HER LAST SERVICE.

  We came, a little before midnight, to Sir Bevill's famous great houseof Stow, near Kilkhampton: that to-night was brightly lit and full ofcaptains and troopers feasting, as well they needed to, after the greatvictory. And here, though loth to do so, I left Delia to the care ofLady Grace Grenville, Sir Bevill's fond beautiful wife, and of allgentlewomen I have ever seen the pink and paragon, as well for her loyalheart as the graces of her mind: who, before the half of our tale wasout, kissed Delia on both cheeks, and led her away. "To you too, sir,I would counsel bed," said she, "after you have eaten and drunk, andespecially given God thanks for this day's work."

  Sir Bevill I did not see, but striding down into the hall, picked myway among the drinking and drunken; the servants hurrying with dishes ofroast and baked and great tankards of beer; the swords and pikes flungdown under the forms and settles, and sticking out to trip a man up; andat length found a groom who led me to a loft over one of the barns: andhere, above a mattress of hay, I slept the first time for many monthsbetween fresh linen that smell'd of lavender, and in thinking howpleasant 'twas, dropped sound asleep.

  Sure there is no better, sweeter couch than this of linen spread overhay. Early in the morning, I woke with wits clear as water, and not anache or ounce of weariness in my bones: and after washing at the pumpbelow, went in search of breakfast and Sir Bevill. The one I found,ready laid, in the hall; the other seated in his writing-room, studyingin a map; and with apology for my haste, handed him Master Tingcomb'sconfession and told my story.

  When 'twas over, Sir Bevill sat pondering, and after a while said, veryfrankly----

  "As a magistrate I can give this warrant; and 'twould be a pleasure, forwell, as a boy, do I remember Deakin Killigrew. Young sir----" herose up, and taking a turn across the room, came and laid a hand on myshoulder, "I have seen his daughter. Is it too late to warn you againstloving her?"

  "Why yes," I answer'd blushing: "I think it is."

  "She seems both sweet and quaint. God forbid I should say a word againstone that has so taken me! But in these times a man should stand alone:to make a friend is to run the chance of a soft heart: to marry a wifemakes the chance sure----"

  He broke off, and went on again with a change of tone----

  "For many reasons I would blithely issue this warrant. But how am I tospare men to carry it out? At any moment we may be assail'd."

  "If that be your concern, sir," answer'd I, "give me the warrant. I havea good friend here, a seafaring man, whose vessel lies at this momentin Looe Haven, with a crew on board that will lay Master Tingcomb by theheels in a trice. Within three days we'll have him clapp'd in LauncestonJail, and there at the next Assize you shall sit on the Grand Jury andhear his case, by which time, I hope, the King's law shall run on easierwheels in Cornwall. The prisoners we have already I leave you to dealwithal: only, against my will, I must claim some mercy for that rogue,Settle."

  To this Sir Bevill consented; and, to be short, the three knaves werenext morning pack'd off to Launceston: but in time, no evidence beingbrought against them, regained their freedom, which they used to cometo the gallows, each in his own way. Their doings no longer concern thishistory, and so I gladly leave them.

  To return, then, to my proper tale, 'twas not ten minutes before Ihad the warrant in my pocket. And by eleven o'clock (word having beencarried to Delia, and our plans laid before Billy Pottery, who on thespot engaged himself to help us) our horses were brought round to thegate, and my mistress appear'd, all ready for the journey. For tho'assured that the work needed not her presence, and that she had bestwait at Stow till Master Tingcomb was smok'd out of his nest, she wouldhave none of it, but was set on riding with me to see justice done onthis fellow, of whose villainy I had told her much the night before. Andglad I was of her choice, as I saw her standing on the entrance steps,fresh as a rose, and in a fit habit once more: for Lady Grace had lentnot only her own bay horse, but also a riding dress and hat of greyvelvet to equip her: and stood in the porch to wish us _Godspeed!_ whileSir Bevill help'd Delia to the saddle.

  So, with Billy tramping behind us, away we rode up the combe, whereKilkhampton tower stood against the sky; and turning to wave hands atthe top, found our host and hostess still by the gate, watching us, withhands rais'd to shield their eyes from the sun.

  The whole petty tale of this day's ride I shall not dwell upon. Indeed,I scarcely noted the miles as they pass'd. For all the way we werechattering, Delia telling me how Captain Settle and his gang had hurriedher (tho' without indignity) across Dartmoor to Ashburton, thence toLynton in North Devon, and so along the coast of Somerset to Bristol;how they there produced a paper, at sight of which Sir NathanielFiennes, the new Governor, kept her under lock and key. And thus sheremained four months, at the end of which time they convey'd her onboard a sloop, call'd the _Fortitude_, and bound for the Virginias,with the result that has been told. To all of which I listened greedily,stealing from time to time a look at her shape, that on horseback wasgraceful as a willow, and into her eyes that, under the flapping greybrim, were gay and fancy-free as ever.

  "And did you," asked I, "never at heart chide me for leaving you so!"

  "Why no. I never took thee for a conjurer, Jack."

  "But, at least, you thought of me," I urged.

  "Oh, dear--oh, dear!" She pull'd rein and look'd at me: "I remember nowthat last night I kiss'd thee. Forget it, Jack: last night, so glad wasI to be sav'd, I could have kiss'd a cobbler. Indeed, Jack," she wenton seriously, "I would that some maid had got hold of thee, in all thesemonths, to cure thy silly notions!"

  At Launceston, Billy Pottery took leave of us: and now went, due south,toward Looe, with a light purse and lighter heart, undertaking thathis ship should lie off Gleys, with her crew ready for action, withineight-and-forty hours. Delia and I rode faster now toward the southwest:and having by this time recover'd my temper, I was recounting my flightalong this very road, when I heard a sound that brought my heart into mymouth.

  'Twas the blast of a bugle, and came from behind the hill in frontof us. And at the same moment I understood. It must be Sir GeorgeChudleigh's cavalry returning, on news of their comrades' defeat, and wewere riding straight toward them, as into a trap.

  Now what could have made me forgetful of this danger I cannot explain,unless it be that our thorough victory over the rebels had given me thenotion that the country behind us was clear of foes. And Sir Bevillmust have had a notion we were going straight to Looe with Billy. Atany rate, there was no time to be lost: for my presence was a danger toDelia as well. I cast a glance about me. There was no place to hide.

  "Quick!" I cried; "follow me, and ride for dear life!"

  And striking spur into Molly I turn'd sharp off the road and gallop'dacross the moor to the left, with Delia close after me.

  We had gone about two hundred yards only when I heard a shout, andglancing over my right shoulder, saw a green banner waving on the crestof the road, and gathered about it the vanguard of the troop--some scoreof dragoons: and these, having caught sight of us, were pausing a momentto watch.

  The shout presently was followed by another; to which I made no answer,but held on my way, with the nose of Delia's horse now level with mystirrup: for I guess'd that my dress had already betrayed us. And thiswas the case; for at the next glance I saw five or six dragoons detachthemselves from the main body, and gallop in a direction at an acuteangle to ours. On they came, yelling to us to halt, and scattering overthe moor to intercept us.

  Not choosing, however, to be driven eastward, I kept a straight courseand trusted to our horses' fleetness to carry us by them, out of reachof their shot. In the pause of their first surprise we had stolen twohundred yards more. I counted and found eight men thus in pursuit ofus: and to my joy heard the bugle blown again, and saw the rest of thetroop, now gathering fast above, move steadily along the road withoutintention to follow. Doubtless the news of the Cornish success made t
hemthus wary of their good order.

  two arrows]

  Still, eight men were enough to run from; and now the nearest let flywith his piece--more to frighten us, belike, than with any other view,for we were far out of range. But it grew clear that if we held on ourdirection they must cut us off: as you may see by these two arrows, thelong thin one standing for our own course, the thicker and shorter forthat of the dragoons.

  Only now with good hope I saw a hill rising not half a mile in front,and somewhat to the right of our course: and thought I "if we can gainthe hollow to the left of it, and put the hill between us, they mustride over it or round--in either case losing much time." So, pointingthis out to Delia, who rode on my left (to leave my pistol arm free andat the same time be screen'd by me from shot of the dragoons) I drove myspurs deep and called to Molly to make her best pace.

  The enemy divin'd our purpose: and in a minute 'twas a desperate racefor the entrance to the hollow. But our horses were the faster, and wethe lighter riders; so that we won, with thirty yards to spare, from theforemost:--not without damage, however; for finding himself baulked,he sent a bullet at us which cut neatly through my off rein, so that mybridle was henceforward useless and I could guide Molly with knee andvoice alone. Delia's bay had shied at the sound of it, and likely enoughsaved my mistress' life by this; for the bullet must have pass'd withina foot before her.

  Down the hollow we raced with three dragoons at our heels, the restgoing round the hill. But they did little good by so doing, for afterthe hollow came a broad, dismal sheet of water (by name Dozmare Pool,I have since heard) about a mile round and bank'd with black peat.Galloping along the left shore of this, we cut them off by near half amile. But the three behind followed doggedly, though dropping back withevery stride.

  Beyond the pool came a green valley; and a stream flowing down it, whichwe jump'd easily. Glancing at Delia as she landed on the further side, Inoted that her cheeks were glowing, and her eyes brimful of mirth.

  "Say, Jack," she cried; "is not this better than love of women?"

  "In Heaven's name," I called out, "take care!"

  But 'twas too late. The green valley here melted into a treacherous bog,in the which her bay was already plunging over his fetlocks, and everymoment sinking deeper.

  "Throw me the rein!" I shouted, and catching the bridle close by thebit, lean'd over and tried to drag the horse forward. By this, Mollyalso was over hoofs in liquid mud. For a minute and more we heav'd andsplashed: and all the while the dragoons, seeing our fix, were shoutingand drawing nearer and nearer. But just as a brace of bullets splashedinto the slough at our feet, we stagger'd to the harder slope, and weregaining on them again. So for twenty minutes along the spurs of thehills, we held on, the enemy falling back and hidden, every now andagain, in the hollows--but always following: at the end of which time,Delia call'd from just behind me--

  "Jack--here's a to-do: the bay is going lame!"

  There was no doubt of it. I suppose he must have wrung his off hind legin fighting through the quag. Any way, ten minutes more would see theend of his gallop. But at this moment we had won to the top of astiff ascent: and now, looking down at our feet, I had the joyfullestsurprise.

  'Twas the moor of Temple spread below like a map, the low sun strikingon the ruin'd huts to the left of us, on the roof of Joan's cottage, onthe scar of the high road, and the sides of the tall tor above it.

  "In ten minutes," said I, "we may be safe."

  So down into the plain we hurried: and I thought for the first time ofthe loyal girl waiting in the cottage yonder; of my former ride intoTemple; and (with angry shame) of the light heart with which I left it.To what had the summoning drums and trumpets led me? Where was the newlife, then so carelessly prevented? But two days had gone, and here wasI running to Joan for help, as a child to his mother.

  Past the peat-ricks we struggled, the sheep-cotes, the stragglingfences--all so familiar; cross'd the stream and rode into the yard.

  "Jump down," I whisper'd: "we have time, and no more." Glancing back, Isaw a couple of dragoons already coming over the heights. They had spiedus.

  Dismounting I ran to the cottage door and flung it open. A stream oflight, flung back against the sun, blazed into my eyes.

  I rubbed them and halted for a moment stock-still.

  For Joan stood in front of me, dress'd in the very clothes I had wornon the day we first met--buff-coat, breeches, heavy boots, and all. Herback was toward me, and at the shoulder, where the coat had been cutaway from my wound, I saw the rents all darn'd and patch'd with packthread. In her hand was the mirror I had given her.

  At the sound of my step on the threshold she turn'd with a short cry--acry the like of which I have never heard, so full was it of choking joy.The glass dropp'd to the floor and was shatter'd. In a second herarms were about me, and so she hung on my neck, sobbing and laughingtogether.

  "'Twas true--'twas true! Dear, dear Jack--dear Jack to come to me: holdme tighter, tighter--for my very heart is bursting!"

  And behind me a shadow fell on the doorway: and there stood Deliaregarding us.

  "Good lad--all yesterday I swore to be strong and wait for years, ifneed be. Fie on womankind, to be so weak! All day I sat an' sat, an' didnever a mite o' work--never set hand to a tool: an' by sunset I gave inan' went, cursing mysel', over the moor to Warleggan, to Alsie Pascoe,the wise woman--an' she taught me a charm--an' bless her, bless her,Jack, for't hath brought thee!"

  "Joan," said I, hot with shame, taking her arms gently from my neck:"listen: I come because I am chased. Once more the dragooners are afterme--not five minutes away. You must lend me a horse, and at once."

  "Nay," said a voice in the doorway, "the horse, if lent, is for _me!_"

  Joan turn'd, and the two women stood looking at each other;--the onewith dark wonder, the other with cold disdainfulness--and I between themscarce lifting my eyes. Each was beautiful after her kind, as day andnight: and though their looks cross'd for a full minute like drawnblades, neither had the mastery. Joan was the first to speak.

  "Jack, is thy mare in the yard?"

  I nodded.

  "Give me thy pistols and thy cloak." She stepp'd to the window hole atthe end of the kitchen, and look'd out. "Plenty o' time," she said; andpointed to the ladder leading to the loft above--"Climb up there, theboth, and pull the ladder after. Is't _thou_, they want--or _she?_"pointing to Delia.

  "Me chiefly they would catch, no doubt--being a man," I answer'd.

  "Aye--bein' a man: the world's full o' folly. Then Jack do thou lookafter _her_, an' I'll look after _thee_. If the rebels leave thee inpeace, make for the Jews' Kitchen and there abide me."

  She flung my cloak about her, took my pistols and went out at the door.As she did so, the sun sank and a dull shadow swept over the moor."Joan!" I cried, for now I guess'd her purpose and was following tohinder her: but she had caught Molly's bridle and was already astride ofher. "Get back!" she call'd softly; and then, "I make a better ladthan wench, Jack,"--leap'd the mare through a gap in the wall, and in amoment was breasting the hill and galloping for the high road.

  In less than a minute, as it seem'd, I heard a pounding of hoofs, andhad barely time to follow Delia up the ladder and pull it after me, whentwo of the dragoons rode skurrying by the house, and pass'd on yelling.Their cries were hardly faint in the distance before there came anotherthree.

  "'A's a lost man, now, for sure," said one: "Be dang'd if 'a's not tookthe road back to Lan'son!"

  "How 'bout the gal?" ask'd another voice. "Here's her horse i' theyard."

  "Drat the gal! Sam, go thou an' tackle her: reckon thou'rt warriors enowfor one 'ooman."

  The two hasten'd on: and presently I heard the one they call'd "Sam"dismounting in the yard. Now there was a window hole in the loft,facing, not on the yard, but toward the country behind; and runningto it I saw that no more were following--the other three having, as Isuppose, early given up the chase. Softly pulling out a loose stone ortwo, I widen'd this
hole till I could thrust the ladder out of it. To myjoy it just reach'd the ground. I bade Delia squeeze herself through andclimb down.

  But before she was halfway down I heard a wild screech in the kitchenbelow, and the voice of Sam shrieking---

  "Help--help! Lord ha' mercy 'pon me--'tis a black cat--'tis a witch! Thegal's no gal, but a witch!"

  Laughing softly, I was descending the ladder when the fellow came roundthe corner screaming--with Jan Tergagle clawing at his back and spittingmurderously. Delia had just time to slip aside, before he ran intothe ladder and brought me flying on top of him. And there he lay andbellow'd till I tied him, and gagg'd his noise with a big stone in hismouth and his own scarf tied round it.

  "Come!" I whisper'd: for Joan and her pursuers were out of sight.Catching up her long skirt, Delia follow'd me, and up the tor we pantedtogether, nor rested till we were safe in the Jews' Kitchen.

  "What think you of this for a hiding place?" ask'd I, with a laugh.

  But Delia did not laugh. Instead, she faced me with blazing eyes,check'd herself and answer'd, cold as ice---

  "Sir, you have done me a many favors. How I have trusted you in returnit were best for you to remember, and for me to forget."

  * * * * *

  The dark drew on; the western star grew distinct and hung flashing overagainst our hiding; and still we sat there, hour after hour, silent,angry, waiting for Joan's return, Delia at the entrance of the den,chin on hand, scanning the heavens and never once turning toward me; Ifurther inside, with my arms cross'd, raging against myself and all theworld, yet with a sick'ning dread that Joan would never come back.

  As the time lagg'd by, this terror grew and grew. But, as I think, aboutten o'clock, I heard steps coming over the turf. I ran out. 'Twas Joanherself and leading Molly by the bridle. She walk'd as if tir'd, andleaving the mare at the entrance, follow'd me into the cave. Glancinground, I noted that Delia had slipp'd away.

  "Am glad she's gone," said Joan shortly: "How many rebels pass'd thisway, Jack?"

  "Five, counting one that lies gagg'd and bound, down at the cottage."

  "That leaves four:"--she stretch'd herself on the ground with asigh--"four that'll never trouble thee more, lad."

  "Why? how--"

  "Listen, lad: sit down an' let me rest my head 'pon thy knee. Oh, Jack,I did it bravely! Eight good miles an' more I took the mare--by theFour--hol'd Cross, an' across the moor past Tober an' Catshole, an' overBrown Willy, an' round Roughtor to the nor'-west: an' there lies thebravest quag--oh, a black, bottomless hole!--an' into it I led them; an'there they lie, every horse, an' every mother's son, till Judgment Day."

  "Dead?"

  "Aye--an' the last twain wi' a bullet apiece in their skulls. Oh, rare!Dear heart--hold my head--so, atween thy hands. 'Put on his cast offduds,' said Alsie, 'an' stand afore the glass, sayin' "Come, true man!"nine-an'-ninety time.' I was mortal 'feard o' losin' count; but afore Igot to fifty, I heard thy step an'--hold me closer, Jack."

  "But Joan, are these men dead, say you?"

  "Surely, yes. Why, lad, what be four rebels, up or down, to make thiscoil over? Hast never axed after _me!"_

  "Joan--you are not hurt?"

  In the darkness I sought her eyes, and, peering into them, drew back.

  "Joan!"

  "Hush, lad--bend down thy head, and let me whisper. I went too near--an'one, that was over his knees, let fly wi' his musket--an' Jack, I havebut a minute or two. Hush lad, hush--there's no call! Wert never theman could ha' tam'd me--art the weaker, in a way: forgie the word, for Ilov'd thee so, boy Jack!"

  Her arms were drawing down my face to her: her eyes dull with pain.

  "Feel, Jack--there--over my right breast. I plugg'd the wound wi' a peatturf. Pull it out, for 'tis bleeding inwards, and hurts cruelly--pull itout!"

  As I hesitated, she thrust her own hand in and drew it forth, leavingthe hot blood to gush.

  "An' now, Jack, tighter--hold me tighter. Kiss me--oh, what brave times!Tighter, lad, an' call wi' me--'Church an' King!' Call, lad--'Churchan'--'"

  The warm arms loosen'd: the head sank back upon my lap.

  I look'd up. There was a shadow across the entrance, blotting out thestar of night. 'Twas Delia, leaning there and listening.