CHAPTER IX. FARE WELL TO HOME.
"My lord," said Tom, "I am but a country squire's son. I am no fitguest for the house of a duke. I pray you let me turn aside, and govisit mine own home, and say farewell to mine own people. If, asyou say, we shall speedily be sent forth upon some errand of peril,I would fain kiss my mother once again before parting. I have notbeen to her as good a son as I should wish. Let me ask her pardon,and show her that I have not forgotten her, ere we fare forth onour mission."
Tom and his companion were drawing near to the Duke's property ofHolywell, when Tom suddenly burst out with these words. He hadbegun to feel a sort of proud, shy shrinking from thrustinghimself, even as invited guest, into the house of the greatMarlborough. Moreover, the sight of the familiar country--for hehad been wont to pay visits afore times to St. Albans--had awakenedin him memories of the life which now seemed so very far distant,together with more tender thoughts of mother and sister than he hadever felt towards them in the days of old.
"I would meet you in three days' time wherever you would appointme," he added, as Lord Claud remained silent and thoughtful; andthere was a note of pleading in his voice which showed how muchbent he was upon this visit of farewell. "You have said you do notlook to be less than three days at Holywell. I pray you spare mefor this last farewell."
Lord Claud's face softened, as though he felt sympathy for Tom'seager desire. He spoke kindly and thoughtfully.
"In sooth, I see no objection," he replied. "It is to me that theDuke must impart his wishes, as you know nought of foreign lands ortongues. A stout and trusty comrade I need to take with me; but itis not necessary, so far as I see, for us both to wait upon theDuke. Belike, too, he may be busy, and it may be I shall have towait his leisure; or he may himself have to wait for despatchesfrom abroad ere he can give me mine. So do you take your ease atyour home of Gablehurst; and when I have received instruction, Iwill, by your leave, join you there. We shall certainly cross thesea to Holland; for we must not adventure ourselves in the hostileports of France. So 'twill all be in my way for the coast; andperchance your good mother will afford me the shelter of herfriendly roof for one night."
Tom's face lighted up as though a sunbeam had touched it.
"For a dozen, my lord, if you will thus far favour us! In sooth, Ithank you heartily for this grace. The village of Gablethorpe iswell known to some persons even in these parts; and Gablehurst isthe largest house in the place. A hearty welcome will be yours, mylord, whenever you arrive there."
"Thanks, good Tom. I doubt it not if thy folks are of thine owntrusting kidney. And hark ye, look well to the mare Nell Gwynne;let her be well fed and well tended, for it may well be that shehas hard times before her. If we have to cross the sea on urgentbusiness, I shall do my best to take our good steeds with us. Dutchnags may be strong, but I would sooner feel the English bloodstirring beneath me. Besides, in matters where despatch and cautionare needed, it is half the battle to have a horse who has beentrained under one's own eye. They have ways with them that can beof vast use in moments of peril, and will brook no strange riderson their backs. See to the mare, Tom, and do well by her; for itmay be that thy very life may hang one day upon her speed andstrength!"
Tom felt the blood tingling in his veins.
"I will not forget your charge, my lord."
"And now, what will you do, Tom? Will you sleep one night atHolywell? For I would not have you adventure yourself alone in theforest at dark; and you must needs pass through a part of it toreach your destination."
"No, my lord, nor I either, after what I experienced there before.But hard by here is the house of a friend. I would gladly turn inthither; and tomorrow he will certainly ride with me through theforest and homewards. Doubtless, too, when you have to pass thatway, the Duke will give you escort till you near our friendlyvillage."
So the matter was thus arranged to the satisfaction of Tom; andalmost immediately the two companions parted company, the countryhere being safe and fairly populated. Before long Tom found himselfknocking at the gate of an old friend of his, who gave him heartyand boisterous welcome.
It was with strange feelings next day that he found himself ridingalong the familiar track which led straight to the village ofGablethorpe! It was only three months since he had left the place,but he felt as though full as many years had passed over his head.
He was not very finely dressed; but there was a style about hisLondon-made riding suit which his country clothes had lacked, andthe peruke upon his head gave him the air of a fine gentleman. Henoted with amusement that some of the rustics who gaped at him ashe passed did not recognize him, although he knew them well. If hehad been riding Wildfire they would have known the horse; but nowboth steed and rider seemed strange to them.
Then as he rode at a foot pace through the village, smiling atsight of the familiar places and faces (his friend had turned backwhen they had passed the limits of the forest, and had ridden homewith his servant, not to be belated), one of the women at thecottage doors smote her hands together and cried:
"Bless us all! if it bean't Master Tom hisself!"
"Golly! and so it be!" cried her husband, who was just coming infrom the fields; and the next minute Tom was surrounded by agaping, admiring crowd, all eager to give him welcome, and wonderat the fine figure he cut amongst them.
The restiveness of the mare shortened the greetings of the rustics;for Nell Gwynne was not accustomed to being so surrounded, andshowed a disposition to lay about her with her heels, or to rearand strike out with her forefeet. These manoeuvres soon scatteredthe crowd, and Tom rode on, laughing and waving his hand; whilstthe fleet-footed of the village urchins started in a beeline acrossthe meadows for Gablehurst, knowing that the lady there wouldcertainly bestow a silver groat upon him who first brought the newsthat Master Tom was at hand!
So when Tom rode up the avenue towards the fine old gabled house,which had never looked so pleasant to him as in the evening glow ofthis January afternoon, mother and sister were out upon the stepswaiting for him; and the servants were assembling from within andwithout to give him a hearty cheer, and receive his kindly smileand greeting in reply.
His mother folded him in her arms, with the tears running down hercheeks. She had only heard once from him all these months; for theletter he had sent at Christmas time had never found its waythrough the snow drifts of the forest. Tom kissed mother and sisterwith real feeling, and then turned aside to give minuteinstructions and warnings with regard to the mare, who was put intothe care of the old servant who had most experience in the matterof horse flesh, and felt no uneasiness at the vagaries and tantrumsof her ladyship.
Then Tom turned to enter the familiar hall, his hand upon hismother's shoulder, Rachel clinging to his other arm.
"O Tom!" she cried, "have you come back to us for good? Have youhad enough of gay London town?"
There was already a traveller's meal set out in the warm southparlour, and the servants were hurrying to and fro with eager zealand excitement. Tom was pushed into a seat by his sister, andhelped with no unsparing hand; whilst the mother hung over him,eager not to lose a single word.
"Yes, truly, for the time being I have had enough of London town,"answered Tom; "although it is a monstrous fine city, and I shouldwell like to see it again, as indeed I may. But for the moment I amon my way to foreign lands, as my father wished. I am like to havework to do there for my lord of Marlborough, whose coming to thiscountry has set all the town in a commotion, as perchance you haveheard."
They had heard something of it even at Gablehurst; and Racheleagerly asked Tom if he had seen the great Duke.
"Oh, many times," answered Tom, with the complacency of one whofeels himself a great man in his present surroundings. "I witnessedmany pageants in which he took part; and I was of the same companyat the house of my Lord Craven, and was presented to him, and hadspeech with him!"
Mother and sister were impressed and surprised; but yet Tom was sogreat a personage in their estimation
that perhaps they took thispiece of news more quietly than more enlightened dames would havedone. They made him tell his story from end to end, sitting withhis feet towards the hearth, the cheery glow of the fire warminghis limbs and imparting a sense of well-being and homelike comfort.
"And who is this Lord Claud, who has shown you so much kindness?"asked the mother, when the outlines of the story at least hadbecome known to them.
"That I cannot rightly tell you," answered Tom; "there is somemystery about his birth and name. He goes everywhere, and isreceived by the best and finest people of the town, short of thecourt circle. And even my lord of Marlborough exchanged civilitieswith him, and let him present me as his friend. But more than thatI cannot tell you, nor can any man in town. If it be a secret, itis mightily well kept. All have heard of Lord Claud; but none knowmore of him than his name."
"That seems a strange thing," said Rachel.
"Not more strange than half the things one sees and hears in theworld," answered Tom, with the air of a man of vast experiences, asindeed he felt himself to be in this company.
Nor did the pleasant feeling wear off with the rapid flight ofdays. He was courted, and feted, and made much of by rich and pooralike. All the gentry of the neighbourhood came flocking to seehim; and his old companions, hanging about the stable yard, notdaring to present themselves at the house, would beg for a wordwith Master Tom, and feel themselves quite uplifted and glorifiedwhen he came out to them, and stood in their midst, smiling andjovial, but with a something now in his appearance and bearingwhich seemed to put a great gulf betwixt him and them.
All this was mighty pleasant for Master Tom, though perhaps not themost salutary experience for him. He had felt qualms of penitenceand remorse as he rode homewards, thinking of his follies andweaknesses in the past, ashamed of the class of comrades he hadaffected then, ashamed of the fashion in which he had spent hisdays, and of the indifference he had shown to his parents.
But the reception accorded him had dimmed these healthy sentiments,and given him the idea that he was a mighty fine fellow and a greatman in his way. He no longer craved the rule at Gablehurst; he hadambitions of another sort. He must see the world first, and drinkthe cup of pleasure to the dregs. Gablehurst was all very well as aresting place for him when he had had enough of travel, ofadventure, of the gay and rollicking life of the town; but for thepresent let his mother reign there undisturbed. He had no wish todo so.
Therefore he found it easy to be loving and gentle and kindlytowards her and Rachel. Indeed, Rachel seemed to him a moreattractive maiden than she had ever been before. She had smiles forhim, where once she had only grave looks of disapproval; and shedelighted in his stories almost as much as Rosamund Cale had done.Altogether, this visit was a mighty pleasant one for Tom; and itlasted for ten whole days before the news was brought to him that astrange gentleman had ridden up and was asking for him, and he knewthat Lord Claud had come to fetch him.
Tom had had the prudence to say very little about their purpose ingoing abroad. His mother and sister knew that it had someconnection with the war, and that the Duke of Marlborough was goingto send some despatches by them; but he told them not to name eventhis fact to the neighbours, and he had not mentioned to them themysterious words "secret service."
When he reached the hall door, there was Lord Claud mounted uponthe black horse Lucifer, who looked in tip-top condition. Mrs.Tufton and Rachel had come out to welcome Tom's friend, and therider was sitting bare headed in the afternoon sunlight, lookingmightily handsome and gallant.
"Ah, good Tom, so you are e'en at hand when wanted. I have beendetained somewhat longer than I thought; but all is in readinessnow for a start for the port of Harwich. Have you got yourself andNell into first-class condition? for we have work before us, mylad."
"But, sir, you will not surely start today, with the shades ofevening drawing on so fast?" pleaded Mrs. Tufton, who felt asinking at heart in the thought of parting from her son again. "Youwill lie here for one night at least, and start forth with the daybefore instead of behind you?"
"If you will favour me with so much hospitality, gracious madam, Ishould be glad to do so," answered Lord Claud with a courtly bow;and in another minute his horse was being led away to the stables,and he was following the ladies into the house, speaking so manywords of well-chosen admiration for the quaint old manor and thefine meadowland and timber trees about it, that Tom was prouder ofhis home than he had ever been before, and even of the mother andsister who dwelt there. For Lord Claud paid them as much attention,and gave them as courtly treatment, as though they had been thehighest ladies in the land; and it seemed as though their nativerefinement and tact enabled them to make fitting reply to him, andto show a certain simple dignity of mien which Tom had nevertroubled himself to observe in them before.
He observed now that Rachel was a very handsome girl, rather likehimself in feature, but with more refinement of aspect and morethoughtfulness of disposition. This thoughtfulness gave a depth toher eyes and a piquancy to her talk which Tom noted with surpriseand admiration; and he was well pleased that both his home and hiswomenfolk pleased his friend so well.
Mrs. Tufton would fain have learned something of the nature of theerrand upon which her son was to start upon the morrow; but LordClaud fenced cleverly with her questions, and, whilst seeming toreply to them, left her little the wiser. They were going to takeship for Holland, and thence make their way with despatches to oneof the allies of the Duke; so much he let them freely know. Andwhen she asked if there were peril to face, he laughed lightly ashe replied:
"Madam, there is always peril to be faced whether we bide at homeor travel beyond seas. Your son Tom met more peril in the forestonly a few short miles from home, than he has encountered in thatgreat Babylon of London. It is so with us all. Ofttimes those thatstay snug and safe at home meet with some mishap, whilst the roverscome back safe and sound. No life can be without its perils; but Ihave come through so many unscathed, that I have learned not tofear them beforehand."
"And Tom at least will be serving his country," said Rachel; "andthat is a thousand times better than receiving hurt when in searchafter idle pleasures."
Lord Claud bowed to her across the table as he replied:
"You speak a great truth, fair lady. We do indeed go forth upon theservice of our country, and of the great Duke, who is a master tobe trusted and obeyed. He is never reckless. He never throws awaylives needlessly. Never was general in battle so tender for thewounded as he. His first thought after a fight is for his injuredsoldiers; and he looks personally after the arrangements for theircomfort. This fact should be enough to show you that he is carefulof human life, and would not intrust men with missions that are tooperilous to be successfully carried out."
Mother and sister took heart at this, and trusted to see Tom returnsafe and sound from his present journey.
This farewell was more easily gone through than the last, althoughTom felt a keener sense of affection for his relatives than he haddone on the first occasion, and a greater affection for his home.But he had made trial of a new life now, and was full of hopefulconfidence; and both mother and sister had begun to believe in him,and had shown pride and satisfaction in his career.
So they rode forth in the first sunshine of a bright Februarymorning, with three stout serving men from Gablehurst to attendthem as far as Harwich. Lord Claude was willing to accept theescort, as the road was unfamiliar to him, and he wanted noneedless delays along the route.
Rachel brought the stirrup cup, and the household assembled tocheer the travellers as they rode away. There were tears in themother's eyes, but she smiled and waved her hand bravely. Thehorses were in first-rate condition, and full of life and spirit.They were delighted to find themselves travelling side by sideagain; and the riders were pretty well occupied for the first fewmiles of the road in curbing their gay spirits.
They had plenty of time to get to Harwich before the light failedthem, and the servants knew the road and t
he best inns to bait at.The journey was performed without misadventure; and Tom dismissedhis retainers when he and his companion were safely installed in agood inn upon the quay, as the servants intended making one or twostages on the homeward road before stopping for the night.
Lord Claud had gone straight down to the harbour so soon as theyarrived, leaving Tom to make arrangements for the night. So far hehad said almost nothing as to the errand upon which they were bent,and Tom had asked no questions, knowing he should be told what wasneedful in due time. So when he had ordered a plentiful supper, hestrolled out upon the quay, and presently saw his comrade returningwith a satisfied look upon his face.
"Well, Tom, we are in luck's way. There is a skipper in harbour whohas unshipped his cargo, and is going back almost empty by themorning's tide. He is glad enough to take us and our good horsessafely across to Rotterdam; and, with the light, favouring breezethat has been blowing steadily these last three days, he declareswe ought to make the anchorage there before nightfall. With the seaas smooth as this, too, I am not afraid to adventure the horses;which I should be were a gale to blow."
"Do they suffer from seasickness?" asked Tom.
"Ay, from the nausea of it," answered Lord Claud; "but the reliefthat we can gain by sickness is impossible to them, and thereforethey must needs die if things be too bad with them. But if theweather change not--and there looks no fear of that--we shall havea swift and prosperous voyage; so now let us to supper, and I willtell you more of what lies before us."
But as it turned out, there were too many other guests at the tablefor private talk to be possible; and only when on board the goodsloop Marlborough did Tom hear anything of the details of theprojected expedition.
It was a clear, promising morning, a light breeze blowing from thewest, but the sea still and smooth, only dimpling with the puffs ofwind. Tom stood on board beside the horses, soothing their fears atthe strange sights and sounds about them, his own heart beatingsomewhat high with excitement at the thought of putting to sea forthe first time.
The sailors were busy hauling in ropes, singing and shouting. Thevessel gave a little start and shiver, there was a rattle of canvasoverhead, and a gentle lurching movement. Then the shore seemedsuddenly to be slipping away; and Tom knew, with a start ofsurprise and exhilaration, that they were off upon their voyage tounknown lands.
Presently the horses grew calm and quiet, used to their strangesurroundings, and willing to nibble at the heap of fragrant hay putdown at their feet. Tom was able to leave them with a clearconscience, and came over to where Lord Claud was standing in thefore part of the vessel, watching the sheets of green water thatfell away from the prow as the sloop cut her way through the waves.
"Well, friend Tom, so we are off at last."
"Yes, my lord; but I have not heard yet whither."
"No; and, like a wise and prudent fellow, have not desired to knowtoo much. You are a model of patience, Tom--an excellent companionto have. But the time has come when I can safely enlighten you asfar as you need be enlightened. I shall not tell you all I know;for, in truth, you would not understand it."
"That may very well be," answered Tom humbly.
"But I will tell you this much, Tom; we are bound upon an errand ofperil. We have some difficult journeyings to make, and there willbe certain persons lying in wait for messengers from Marlborough;and we may be sore beset to avoid them. Tom, do you remember thetall dark man with whom my duel was fought?"
"Sir James?"
"That is the name by which he goes in England. He passes there asone Sir James Montacute, a man of bravery and wealth. But there isanother side to the picture. That man, Tom, is a spy, and in thepay of the King of France. If I had known as much that day as Ihave since learned from his Grace the Duke, methinks I should nothave left him alive upon the field. Tom, we shall probably have tomeasure our wits against his in a duel of another sort ere long."
Tom threw back his head with a defiant gesture.
"Well, my lord; and I am ready!" he said.
"Very good, Tom; I thought as much. You did not love ourdark-skinned friend much better than I did. I think we shall findhim lurking in wait for us somewhere amid the snows of the St.Bernard Pass. Hast ever heard of the St. Bernard, Tom, and the goodmonks there?"
"I think I have," answered Tom, who had heard so many new things oflate that he could not be expected to keep them all in mindtogether.
"Well, it may be we shall have to seek their hospitality yet;although our way lies across the Little St. Bernard, as it iscalled, that ancient pass which Hannibal and his host crossed whenthey marched through the snows of Switzerland to pour themselvesupon the fertile plains of Italy. It is to this very day the onlyroute by which those snowy Alps may be crossed; and we must findour way thither, Tom, and go down to the fair city of Turin."
"Is that where we are going?"
"Ay; hast heard of Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy?"
"Is he not one of the Allies?"
"Yes; albeit for a while he sided with the French King, who didmuch to hold his fidelity. But now he is one of the Allies, and heis sore beset by the armies of Louis. The King of Prussia is aboutto send relief; but His Majesty is tardy, and the snows of winterlie thick in his land, hindering rapid action. It is our part totake the Duke news of the welcome aid, and of other matters I neednot be particular to name; and we shall need all our wits about usto carry this matter to a successful issue."
"You mean that the pass will be watched?"
"Yes; we shall be certain to fall in with spies of the French King,perhaps with Sir James himself. He has left England, so much isknown; and though he may be at the court of France, yet it may beour hap to light upon him at any time. He is a man of cunning andresource and ferocity. We shall want our best wits and our bestswordsmanship if we are to cope with him."
Tom's eyes sparkled with excitement and joy.
"And is the mountain pass the only way of getting into Italy, for Ihave heard that Savoy lies in that land?" said Tom.
"Ay; Italy has had its strange vicissitudes of fortune, and hasbeen divided and redivided into duchies and kingdoms, till it needsa clever scholar to tell her history aright. But it is enough forour purpose that Savoy lies just beneath those grim mountains whichwe must scale; and that for the present no other entrance ispossible."
"But there are other ways then?"
"Why, yes, we could at other times go by sea; but now that theSpaniards are seeking to win back the rock of Gibraltar, which wehave lately reft from them, and which Marlborough says must neverbe yielded up again, we cannot safely try that way; for we mightwell fall into the hands of some Spanish vessel, and languish,unknown and uncared for, in Spanish dungeons. We cannot travelthrough France, and reach it from the shores of Genoa; because itwere too great peril for Englishmen to ride through the dominionsof the French monarch. So we must needs land at some friendly Dutchport, and ride through their country, and so into Westphalia, andthence to these mountain regions which cut us off from ourdestination.
"Have you ever seen snow mountains, Tom, towering to the very skiesin virgin whiteness, with the rivers of ice, miles in width,flowing silently down their rocky sides? It is a strange andmarvellous sight when viewed for the first time. I could find it inmy heart to wish I stood in your shoes, that all these new thingsmight be seen and heard for the first time!"
"And I would that I knew more of these strange lands, and the waysof the people there," answered Tom; "for I fear me lest mineignorance may lead us into peril. But if such a thing as that wereto befall, I would lay down my life to save yours, my lord."
"I believe you, Tom," answered the other very gravely. He wassilent a while, and then he said slowly, "Tom, I am going to say astrange thing to yon--at least it would sound strange to some; and,indeed, I should not dare to say it to every companion in peril.But I believe you to be stanch and true."
"I trust you will ever find me so, my lord."
"Well, Tom, this is the word that I would
say to you. It may chancethat things come to this pass with us, that one of us twain mustneeds fall into the hands of the enemy, and die; for there islittle hope of any other end when that befalls. And if we know andcan so arrange matters, it must be you and not I who will fall intothat peril."
Tom looked back without flinching.
"You speak well, my lord," he said. "It must be my lot to die. Youwill not find me hold back when the moment comes."
Lord Claud took his hand and held it in both of his.
"It must be you, Tom; and yet I would rather it were myself. But Ihave that intrusted to me which I must speak in the Duke's ear. Thedespatches are as little compared with what I have had fromMarlborough's own lips--what may not be trusted upon paper.Moreover, I could find my way through the countries, where youwould be lost for lack of words to ask your way. If one of us hasto be delivered over to death, it must be you."
"It must. I see it well."
"Yet we may both succeed in getting through, or we may both leaveour bones lying amid the eternal snows. Perhaps in years to come itwill matter little enough. Just now it seems a matter of moreimportance. But I have told you this to show my trust in you, Tom.There are not many comrades to whom I could have thus unburdenedmyself. I should have had to use subtlety where now I use truth andopenness."
"You shall not find me fail you, my lord," answered Tom.
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