CHAPTER XXVIII
THE THREE VOLUNTEERS
Some distance down the river a vessel lay at anchor. To this the boatmade its way and lay alongside. Devereaux, the young man whom he hadcalled Walter, and Francis scrambled aboard, and the wherry put off. Thesails of the ship were raised, and, as she glided swiftly toward the opensea, Devereaux gave a shout of exultation.
"Now for Plymouth and the Dons," he cried gaily. "Oh, Francis, is it notglorious to be free?"
"Yes;" replied Francis, scarce able to speak so overcome was she by heremotion.
"And as soon as we touch Plymouth thou canst take passage in anothervessel for France."
Then indeed did the girl turn upon him with flashing eyes.
"France?" she cried. "Go to France while England is in danger? Never!Never! At Plymouth do I stay, Edward Devereaux, with the fleet. I amresolved to meet the Dons as well as thou."
"But, Francis, thy faith! 'Tis the same as the Spaniards! Thou canst notmeet them."
"'Tis true that I am Catholic, but still am I not born English? Neverwould I see alien foot tread English soil, be the intruder of whateverfaith he may."
"And there spake a true Englishman," said he whom Edward had calledWalter. "So spake Charles Howard, Lord High Admiral of the navy. And soalso hath spoken every true Englishman of Roman Catholic faith. Who isthy friend, Edward? I was surprised to find that another accompanied theein thy flight from the Tower."
As Devereaux opened his lips to reply, Francis touched his hand warninglyand answered for herself.
"I am Francis Stafford. I was imprisoned in the Tower charged withtreason to the queen, though of that I am innocent."
"Well, Master Stafford, prove thy mettle at this, England's time of need,and it may be that England's queen will overlook thy past transgressions.I am Walter Mildemay, kinsman of Edward Devereaux, and a true subject ofthe queen's majesty, save and except for abetting the rescue of EdwardDevereaux. For that I hope to make my peace with the queen if we meet theSpaniards."
"Hath their ships been sighted yet, Walter?" asked Edward.
"Nay; but they watch for them hourly as they have been doing for days.'Twill surely not be much longer till they come."
The summer's sun was casting its lengthening shadows across the quietharbor of Plymouth as the little vessel containing the three, WalterMildemay, Edward Devereaux, and Francis Stafford, anchored not far fromthe town. A boat put off, bearing the three named to the place where theyhad been informed Admiral Lord Howard was.
It was the memorable evening of July 19, 1588, and an exciting game ofbowls was being played upon the green back of the Pelican Inn known toevery officer of Her Majesty's navy. Standing round the bowling alleywere a group of men watching the game with interest. Lord Howard ofEffingham, the Lord High Admiral of England; Sir Robert Southwell, hisson-in-law, the captain of the Elizabeth Joncas; Sir Walter Raleigh andSir Richard Grenville; Martin Frobisher and John Davis; John Hawkins andhis pupil, Sir Francis Drake, the vice admiral of the fleet.
The three paused as they entered this illustrious group. Sir WalterRaleigh was the first to spy them.
"Ha, my apt pupil of the sword!" he cried. "Why came you hither?"
"We are come to join the fleet," answered Francis boldly.
"Lord Howard, here be three more volunteers," cried Raleigh. "Verily itbeseems that all of England's sons have come forth for the fight."
"And they have done well," answered the deep voice of the noble admiral.
"'Come the three corners of arms, And we shall shock them! Nought shall make us rue, If England to herself do rest but true.'
So says that knave--Will Shakespeare. Edward, thou here again? I thoughtthe queen held thee in durance?"
"She did, my lord admiral," returned Devereaux. "But think you that I wasto be mewed up like a girl when England had need of me? I trow not!"
"Spoken like a true Englishman, boy, save the slur upon the girl. Know,Master Edward, that so enthusiastic are women and girls that if we menwax faint hearted in the strife English women and English maidens willtake up the battle for their country."
"I crave pardon, my lord. Such speech was unworthy an Englishman when theproof is by his----"
"I am Francis Stafford, my lord," interrupted the girl, knowing full wellwhat Edward was about to say. "My father and I were accused of treason tothe queen when Anthony Babington conspired against her life. I escapedfrom the Tower in company with Master Devereaux. Do not, I beseech you,say me nay when I plead for place with you. I would fain prove that I ama true and loyal subject of Her Majesty."
"And thou shalt be given the opportunity, lad. And thou, young sir," toWalter Mildemay, "art thou escaped from the Tower also?"
"Nay, sir; I am but accessory to their flight," replied the young man.
"The saints preserve us!" ejaculated his lordship piously. "Now Heavensend the Dons soon else I shall have such a storm about mine ears asnever wind did raise."
At this moment an old sailor burst into the midst of the group.
"My lord, my lord!" cried the weather-beaten old salt to the lord highadmiral, "they're coming. I saw 'em off the Lizard last night; they'recoming full sail, hundreds of 'em a darkening the waters!"
A cheer rose from the lips of the men; a spirit of excitement stirredevery heart. Nay; not every breast, for Sir Francis Drake, the viceadmiral, said coolly to his chief as he hurled the bowl along the smooth,worn planks:
"There will be time enough to finish the game, and then we'll go out andgive the Dons a thrashing."
And now the beacon lights flashed the news from hilltop to hilltop, andon to London, and thence northward to the Scottish borders, and westwardthroughout Wales until every village and town of every shire in Englandthrilled with the tidings. Forgetful of religious dissensions, of feud,and of private wrong, all Englishmen arose as one man to repel theinvading foe.
Amidst all the confusion incident to the announcement of the old seaman,Devereaux drew Francis aside and whispered entreatingly:
"Francis, I implore thee to remain here. 'Tis not seemly that thoushouldst board ship. There will be fighting, and----"
"And thou wouldst have all the glory, Edward Devereaux," cried the girlunjust as she often was when indignant. "Dost thou think that I fear?What hath life to yield that would equal the sweetness of striking oneblow for England? Think you an English girl cannot fight as well as anEnglish lad?"
"Nay, nay, Francis; but for my sake----"
"For thy sake?" echoed the girl in surprise. "Why should I stay for thysake? Come! we lose time."
In Doublet and Hose: A Story for Girls Page 28