For Love of Country: A Story of Land and Sea in the Days of the Revolution

by Cyrus Townsend Brady

  CHAPTER XVII

  _An Incidental Passage at Arms_

  There were two entrances to the channel, lying perhaps a half mileapart, the first the better and more practicable, and certainly, withthe frigate rapidly drawing near, the safer. They were almost abreastof the first one now. Bentley, who had been observing him keenly, cameup to him.

  "We are almost abreast the first pass, Mr. Seymour," he saidrespectfully.

  Seymour turned as if he had been struck. Was the decision already uponhim? He could not make it.

  "We--we will try the second, Bentley."

  "Sir," said the old man, hesitating, and yet persisting, "the frigateis coming down fast; we may not be able to make the second pass."

  "We will try the second, nevertheless," said the young man,imperatively.

  "But, Mr. John--"

  "Silence, sir! When have you bandied words with me before?" shoutedSeymour, in a passion of temper. "Go forward where you belong."

  The old man looked at him steadily: "When, sir? Why, ever since I tookyou from your dead father's arms near a score of years ago. Oh, sir, Iknow what you feel, but you know what you must do. It's not for me totell you your duty," said the old man, laying heavy emphasis upon thattalismanic word "duty," which seems to appeal more powerfully to seamenthan to any other class of men. "Love is a mighty thing, sir. I knowit, yes, even I," he went on with rude eloquence, "ever since I tookyou when you were a little lad, and swore to watch over you, and carefor you, and make a man of you--Ay, and I 've done it too--and the loveof woman, they say, is stronger than the love of man, though of that Iknow nothing, but honor and duty are above love, sir; and upon yourhonor, and your doing your duty, our country depends. Yes, love ofwoman, Mr. Seymour, but before that love of country; and now," said theold man, mournfully, "after twenty years of--of friendship, if I maysay it, you order me forward like a dog. But that's neither here northere, if you only save the ship. Oh, Mr. John, in five minutes moreyou must decide. See," pointing to the frigate, "how she rises! Thinkof it. Think of it once more before you jeopard the safety of thisship for any woman. Honor, sir, and duty--it's laid upon you, you mustdo it--they come before everything."

  Seymour looked at the old man tenderly, and then grasped him by thehand. "You are right, old friend. Forgive my rough words. I will doit. It kills me, but I will do it--the country first of all. O God,pity me and help me!" he cried.

  "Amen," said Bentley, his face working with grief, yet iron in itsdetermination and resolution.

  Seymour turned on his heel and sprang aft, bringing his hand the whileup to his heart. As he did so, his fingers instinctively went to thepocket of his waistcoat and sought the letter he carried there.

  He took it out half mechanically and glanced at the familiar writingonce more, when a sudden gust of wind snatched it out of his hand andblew it to the feet of Talbot.

  "My letter!" cried Seymour, impulsively.

  The soldier courteously stooped and picked it up and glanced down atthe open scrap mechanically, as he extended his hand toward Seymour;then the next moment he cried,--

  "Why, it's from Katharine!"

  One unconscious inspection sufficed to put him in possession of thecontents. "Where did you get this note, sir?" he exclaimed, his faceflushing with jealousy and sudden suspicion; "it is mine, I am the oneshe loves. How came it in your possession?" he continued, in risingheat.

  Seymour, already unstrung by the fearful strain he had gone through andthe frightful decision he would have to make later on, nay, had madeafter Bentley's words, was in no mood to be catechized.

  "I am not in the habit of answering such personal questions, sir. AndI recognize no right in you to so question me."

  "Right, sir! I find a letter in your possession with words of love init, from my betrothed, a note plainly meant for me, and which has beenwithheld. How comes it so?"

  "And I repeat, sir, I have nothing to say except to demand the returnof my letter instantly; it is mine, and I will have it."

  "Do you not know, Mr. Seymour, that we have been pledged to each othersince childhood, that we have been lovers, she is to be my wife? Ilove her and she loves me; explain this letter then."

  "It is false, Mr. Talbot; she has pledged herself to me,--yes, sir, tome. I care nothing for your childish love-affairs. She is mine, if Imay believe her words, as is the letter which you have basely read.You will return it to me at once, or I shall have it taken from you byforce."

  "I give you the lie, sir, here and now," shrieked Talbot, laying hishand upon his sword. "It is not true, she is mine; as for the note--Ikeep it!"

  Seymour controlled himself by a violent effort, and looked around forsome of his men. Wilton and Bentley had come aft in great anxiety, andthe whole crew were looking eagerly at them, attracted by the arousedvoices and the passionate attitude of the two men. For a moment thechase was forgotten.

  "Oh, Hilary," said Philip, addressing his friend.

  "Hush, Philip, this man insults your sister. I am defending her honor."

  The lad hesitated a moment; discipline was strong in his young soul."That is my duty--Mr. Seymour," he said.

  Seymour turned swiftly upon him. "What are you doing here, Mr. Wilton?All hands are called, are they not? Your station is on the forecastle,then, I believe," he said with deadly calm. "Oblige me by goingforward at once, sir."

  "Go, Philip," cried Talbot; "I can take care of this man."

  "Aft here, two or three of you," continued Seymour, his usually evenvoice trembling a little. "Seize Lieutenant Talbot. Arrest him. Takehis sword from him, and hand me the letter he has in his hand, and thenconfine him in his cabin."

  Two or three of the seamen came running aft. Talbot whipped out hissword.

  "The first man that touches me shall have this through his heart," hesaid fiercely. But the seamen would have made short work of him, if ithad not been for the restraining hand of Bentley.

  "Gentlemen, gentlemen!" he said.

  "Out of the way, Bentley. You have changed my plans once. I will notbe balked again. I am the captain of this ship, and I intend to beobeyed."

  "'T is well that Mr. Seymour is on his ship and surrounded by hisbullies. He dare not meet me man to man, sword to sword. Would wewere on shore! You coward!" screamed Talbot, advancing toward him,"shall I strike you?"

  "You will have it then, sir," said Seymour, at last giving way. "Noman so speaks to me and lives. Back, men!" and white with passion andrage he drew his own sword and sprang forward. No less resolutely didTalbot meet him. Their blades crossed and rang against each other.Bentley wrung his hands in dreadful indecision, not knowing what to do;he dared not lay hands upon his superior officer, yet this combat mustcease. But the fierce sword-play, both men being masters of theweapon, as was the habit of gentlemen of that day, was suddenlyinterrupted.