by G. A. Henty
Chapter 17: A Grave Risk.
Nothing could be kinder than the reception of the fugitives byMadame Flambard. She had heard so much of Patsey, she said, fromher husband, to whom she had been married six months before, thatshe had quite shared his anxiety about the fate of Jean Martin, whohad more than once been mentioned as being one of the leaders ofthe Vendeans. She soon went off with Patsey to put the child to bedand, while they were away, Monsieur Flambard took Leigh into hissmoking room.
"Before," he said, "I ask you anything about your adventures, Imust explain to you the state of things here. Until November lastBordeaux, and indeed the whole of the Gironde, was moderate. Allour deputies--who have now, as perhaps you know, either fallen onthe scaffold or been hunted down like wild beasts--belonged to thatparty. They were earnest reformers, and were prominent among theleaders of the Revolution. They went with the stream, up to acertain point. They voted for most of the sanguinary decrees,although in time they strove to mitigate the horrors inflicted bythe extreme party; but after a long conflict the latter, supportedby the mob of Paris, obtained the ascendency, and the Girondistsunderwent the same fate that had befallen so many others. Formyself, I cannot pity them. They were all men of standing and ofintelligence but, without perceiving the terrible results that mustfollow, they unchained the mob and became its victims.
"Up to that time there had been but few executions here, and thepower remained in the hands of the moderate party. Two monthssince, however, there was a local insurrection. The party of theterror suddenly rose, seized the members of the council, and threwthem into prison. Other prominent citizens were seized, and theguillotine began its bloody work in earnest. Since that time everycitizen of position or standing lives in momentary danger ofarrest. Not a day passes, but a dozen or so are seized and draggedoff. I grant that, at present, there is nothing like the wholesalebutchery that goes on at Nantes under that fiend Carrier; it isonly those who have wealth and property that are seized. Not onlyin this town, but in the whole department, the agents of those whoassumed power are busy. It is the Gironde, and therefore hateful tothe party of Robespierre; and the proprietors of the land, who havehitherto been left unmolested, are being brought in daily.
"The trial is of course a mere farce. The prisoners are murdered,not because they are moderates, but because they are rich; andtheir wealth is divided among the members of the council, and themob who support them. So far I have been unmolested. I have nevertaken any part in politics, business being sufficient to occupy allmy time. Another thing is that I employ a considerable number ofmen, in addition to the crews of some ten vessels which belong tome. I believe that I am popular generally on the wharves, and it isthe knowledge that my arrest might promote a tumult, and mightreverse the present order of things, that has led to my being leftalone so far.
"Fortunately my servant, who let you in, has been in the family forthe past five-and-thirty years, and is devoted to me. Had it beenotherwise the position would have been a dangerous one. A report tothe council that a young man in the attire of a sailor, accompaniedby a lady and child, had arrived, and been at once received, wouldsuffice to set them in motion. I should be accused of having asuspect, probably one of the emigres hidden here, and it would bedifficult for me to explain your reception. You must, in the firstplace, attire yourself in clothes such as are worn by the mate of aprivateer. I suppose you have papers, or you would not have beenpermitted to land."
Leigh took out the passes and handed them to him. Monsieur Flambardglanced through them.
"You must have managed well to have got hold of these passes, andthey certainly put the matter on safer ground. However, I shouldfind some difficulty in explaining how I came to show hospitalityto two persons who, by a strangely roundabout course, had madetheir way from Arthenay. It is a little unfortunate that yoursister kept her own name. Had it been otherwise, I might have saidthat her husband was captain of one of my ships. But he isunfortunately not unknown here. After Martin's flight from Nantes,a claim was made by the committee of public safety at Nantes forthe Henriette. Fortunately your brother-in-law had dated his billof sale to me a fortnight before he left. The trial took place hereand, as in those days law and justice still prevailed in the civiccourts, the decision was given in my favour.
"It was urged on the other side that the transaction was invalid,as Martin must have parted with his vessel knowing well that he wasa traitor to the Republic, and that his property would beconfiscated. However, we got the best of them. There was no proofwhatever that Martin was conscious that he was suspected of beingdisaffected, and we claimed that he had only sold it as, havingmarried, he had decided to give up the sea and to settle upon hisestates in La Vendee. Of course, at that time La Vendee had notrisen, and it was not a crime worthy of death to own an estatethere. Still, the case attracted attention, and the fact that myguest was a Madame Martin might recall the circumstances, and atonce awake a suspicion that she was the wife of one of those whohad led the insurgents of La Vendee; in which case her life andyours would be certainly forfeited, and my receiving you would beregarded as amply sufficient evidence of my connection with theinsurgents.
"Now, for our sakes, as well as yours, I think that it would bestrongly advisable that you should take up your abode elsewhere.Believe me that it is no want of hospitality, but a measure ofprecaution, both for your sake and ours. Tomorrow morning I shouldhave to send in a statement that two guests have arrived here, andit is therefore most desirable that you should move without delay.Fortunately the wives of two or three of my captains live here; oneof these especially, an excellent woman, has a house much largerthan she needs, and takes in lodgers, generally captains whosefamilies do not reside here, when their ships are in port.Therefore the fact that a sailor, with a sister and her child, havetaken rooms there will excite no suspicion, whatever. She will, asa matter of course, send in your name to the police of the town,together with your passes. They will be marked and returnedwithout, probably, being glanced at."
"I think that that will be an excellent arrangement, sir," Leighsaid, "and I quite see that our stay here might be awkward for you,as well as us."
"I will at once go with you; that is, as soon as you have told yoursister the reason why it will be better for you to establishyourselves elsewhere than here. I may tell you that I, myself, havebeen quietly making preparations for flight; but it is not all mycaptains whom I can trust. The Henriette, which I expect hereshortly, has been delayed; but on her arrival I propose that weshall all cross the Channel together. I hear the ladies' voices inthe next room. It were best that we got this painful business over,at once."
Madame Flambard was greatly distressed, when Leigh gave his sisteran account of the conversation they had had, and the resolution atwhich they had arrived; but Patsey at once saw that it was mostdesirable that the change should be made, and assured her hostessthat she fully recognized that their safety would be imperilled bystaying at their house.
"It would be a cruel kindness, on your part, to insist upon ourstopping here, Madame Flambard. We know that it is from no lack ofhospitality that we are leaving, but that you are making a realsacrifice, in order to procure our safety.
"Shall I put on my things at once, monsieur?"
"By no means. I will go with your brother, first, to see if MadameChopin has other lodgers. If so, I will go to the wife of one of myclerks, who also lets a portion of a house; or, if you would notmind poor accommodation, to another of the captains' wives as, inyour brother's character of a sailor, it would be more natural foryou to go to such a lodging, which may very well have beenrecommended to you by the skipper of the lugger in which you camehere. When we have arranged things, we will return. It is but aquarter of an hour's walk, for the house stands near the river,above the bridge."
He at once set out with Leigh. On arriving at the house, they foundthat there were at present no lodgers there.
"This young sailor has brought a letter of recommendation to me,Madame Chopin. He has a married s
ister and her child with him, andI am sure that you will make them very comfortable, and can supplythem with what they may require. They have just arrived by sea,from Havre; the length of their stay is uncertain. This young manis looking for a berth as mate, and shall have the first vacancy onone of my vessels. His sister may stop with you for some time, asshe is hoping that her husband will return here, though he is solong overdue that I fear his ship has been either lost or capturedby the English."
"I will do my best to make them both comfortable, MonsieurFlambard, and thank you for recommending them to me."
Leigh saw the rooms, which consisted of two bedrooms, and a thirdroom which was similarly furnished; but Madame Chopin said that shewould take down the bed and put some other furniture into it, sothat they could use it as a sitting room.
"We should prefer that, madame; for my sister at times is greatlydepressed, and we should prefer being alone."
"I can quite understand that," the woman said. "Well, you will notbe troubled with society here, as I have only these three rooms tolet so that, unless my husband comes home before you go, we shallbe quite alone."
"I shall return with my sister in an hour's time," Leigh said;"that will not be too late for you?"
"No, monsieur, it is little past eight o'clock yet, and it willtake me fully two hours to get everything straight and tidy."
"Very well, then, we will say ten o'clock," Monsieur Flambard said."I will keep Monsieur Porson, as he has news to give me concerningthe friend who recommended him to me."
On their return to the merchant's, they sat chatting for an hourover the adventures through which Leigh and his sister had passed,and the manner in which they were separated from Jean Martin.
"I think you have every reason to hope, madame," Monsieur Flambardsaid cheerfully. "Jean is not the sort of fellow to let himself becaught in a hole; and I expect that, when he found that he couldnot rejoin you, he at once struck north, either for Dunkirk orCalais, and has probably managed to be taken over in a fishing boator a smuggler and, if he failed in doing so, he would probably makeoff in a boat single handed. I think that you have every reason tohope that you will find him at Poole, when you arrive there; buteven should he not be there, there will be no reason for despair.He may have had difficulty in getting away. He may have beenimpressed for the naval service. At any rate, I have great faiththat he will turn up, sooner or later. Certainly, when he has oncemanaged to get a seafaring outfit, he will be safe from any fear ofdetection as one of the terrible Vendean insurgents."
At a quarter to ten little Louis was taken out of bed, wrapped upin a cloak, and carried by Leigh. Monsieur Flambard insisted onagain accompanying them. The streets were now almost deserted, andthey soon arrived at Madame Chopin's.
"I quite forgot to ask if you would want anything, before going tobed; but I can make you a cup of good coffee, if you would likeit."
"Thank you, but we have eaten but an hour ago."
Saying goodnight to Monsieur Flambard, they went up to their rooms,their hostess leading with a candle. She had made the most of hertime, since Leigh left the house. White curtains had been put up atthe windows, and everything looked beautifully clean; and Patseyuttered an exclamation of pleasure when she entered the room.
"This does indeed look fresh and homelike," she said. "Thank youfor taking so much trouble, madame."
The next morning Leigh procured a jacket and waistcoat, with brassbuttons; and a cap with a gold band. He then sauntered along thewharves and went aboard the Trois Freres, and told the skipper thatno news had been received of his sister's husband. It had beenagreed that it was best that they should not go to MonsieurFlambard's house, but that the merchant should call at the lodging,after dark. When Leigh returned to the midday meal, he found thatthe papers had come back from the mairie, duly stamped andcountersigned, and that as no one had been to the house to makeinquiries, it was evident that no suspicion had been excited.
During the next four or five days Leigh went but little into thetown, contenting himself with keeping near the wharves, watchingthe vessels loading or discharging cargo, and spending much of histime on board the Trois Freres. On the afternoon of the fifth dayhe saw a lugger approaching and as it came near, he made out, tohis great delight, that it was the Henriette. As soon as shedropped anchor in the stream, her boat rowed to the wharves. Lefauxwas sitting in the stern and, as soon as he landed, went off in thedirection of Monsieur Flambard's office.
Leigh did not go near him. He thought that it would be better thatthe honest sailor should learn that he and his sister were therefrom the merchant, before he spoke to him; as any imprudent remarkon the sailor's part might be caught up by one of the spies of thecommittee, and lead to trouble. As he expected, Monsieur Flambardcame round with Lefaux, that evening.
"I am heartily glad to see you again, madame," he said, as Patseyshook him by the hand; "and you too, Monsieur Stansfield. I beganto think that I never should do so, and I only wish that MonsieurJean was here, too. Still, I feel confident that he has got safelyaway; trust a sailor for getting out of a scrape. You must havegone through a lot, madame, but you don't look any the worse forit."
"Except anxiety for my husband, I have gone through nothing tospeak of. I had a horse to ride, and generally a shelter to sleepunder, and for myself I had little to complain of; but it wasterrible to see the sufferings of the peasant women and children,and of the many men broken down by sickness. And there was, too,the anxiety as to the safety of my husband and brother, in eachbattle that took place. But of hardship to myself there was verylittle."
"Well, madame, I hope that I shall soon have the pleasure ofsailing into Poole again, with you and Monsieur Leigh on board; andalso with my good master, Monsieur Flambard, and his wife."
"When will you be off again?" Patsey asked eagerly.
"That is what I have come to talk with you about, Madame Martin,"Monsieur Flambard said. "I have pretty good information as to whatpasses, at the meetings of the wretches who call themselves thecommittee of public safety, and I hear that there will very shortlybe a seizure of a number of prominent citizens, and my name hasbeen mentioned. They are only hanging back until they can decideupon what shall be the pretext, since none of those named havetaken any part in politics here. All those who have done so havebeen already seized. However, the blow may come at any moment.
"The Henriette has already begun to discharge her cargo.Fortunately, there is not much of it. The moment that she hasfinished she will drop down below the rest of the shipping, and beready to start at any moment. If we find that the matter is notabsolutely pressing, we will go quietly on board as soon as she isready, and sail at once; as there will then be no fear of her beingstopped.
"If, however, I find that the order for our arrest is on the pointof being issued, I will send her down and let her lie beyond FortMedoc and Blaye. If it were discovered that I was missing, a fewhours after she had started, it would be suspected at once that Ihad gone in the Henriette. Mounted messengers would carry the newsdown to both forts, and the boat would be forced to heave to, asshe passed between them.
"Therefore I shall have a light carriage, with two fast horses,kept in readiness a quarter of a mile outside the town; and a relayof horses fifteen miles on, which is about halfway, and join theship below the forts. If, as may possibly happen, I am suddenlyarrested in the streets, I shall have my servant near me. He willhave his orders, which will be to hurry back home to tell hismistress to put on the disguise of a peasant woman, that hasalready been prepared for her, and to go with her at once to thecarriage; and another man, whom I can also thoroughly trust, is tocome here and say to you, 'It is a bad day.'
"Then you and your sister and the child will at once start to joinmy wife. She has most reluctantly consented to carry out this planfor, as I tell her, it will add to my sufferings a hundredfold,were she also to be arrested."
By dint of great exertions the Henriette was unloaded by thefollowing evening and, half an hour after her last bale
was ashore,she dropped down the river with the tide. She was to anchor off asmall village, two miles beyond Fort Medoc; and if inquiry was madeas to why she stopped there, Lefaux was to say that he was to takein some wine that Monsieur Flambard had bought from a large growerin that district, and that the lugger was then going to Charente tofill up with brandy for Havre.
Leigh had, the day before, gone with the merchant into theextensive cellars which adjoined the house.
"There is not a man here," Monsieur Flambard said, "who would notdo all in his power for me. Some of them have been with the firmnearly all their lives. I treat them well, and I am happy to saythat not one of them has taken any part in our last troubles.Indeed, I am told that is one of the matters that, if I amarrested, will be brought against me. It will be said that it was aproof of my enmity to the Convention that none of my people tookthe side of the patriots.
"However, it tells both ways. I have over forty men here. Theyhave, of course, friends among the porters and others working onthe wharves; and a disturbance might take place, were I arrested.However, the scoundrels have now got such absolute power that, nodoubt, they feel that they could disregard any local rising and,indeed, with the plunder of my store before them, they could reckonon the devotion of the greater part of the mob of the town."
On the morning after the Henriette had sailed, the merchant tookLeigh down to a little wayside inn, half a mile below the town,where he had placed his carriage and horses; and gave instructionsto his coachman that he was to place himself under Leigh's orders.
"At whatever hour of the day or night he comes, you will start atonce with him, and the lady and child who accompany him. You willknow in that case that I am not coming, but have been arrested."
"But, master--"
"It must be as I say, Pierre. Once I am arrested--and it is almostcertain my wife would be arrested with me--nothing can be done tohelp, and it would be a great satisfaction to me to know that myfriends have escaped. There will be in that case no need of extremehaste, for no one knows that they are in any way connected with me,and there will be no inquiries for them."
Leigh told Patsey that afternoon that, in the event of theFlambards being arrested, he might possibly, instead of cominghimself, send a messenger to her; and that she must then start atonce, and await his coming in front of the church, at the end ofthe street in which the merchant's house stood.
"You had better have a letter written to our landlady, inclosingthe sum due to her and a week's rent in advance; and say that weare hastily called away to Blaye, but may return in a few days, andbegging her to keep the rooms vacant for a week, for which youleave the money. You had better write the letter at once, so thatif you get my message you can leave instantly. There is nothinglike being prepared for everything. Of course the arrest of theFlambards would not really affect us in any way, or add to ourdanger; but if the coachman were to hear of it before we got there,he might disregard his master's orders, and return at once with thecarriage."
Leigh had in his mind the very short notice that Desailles had hadof his danger, and how narrowly he escaped being arrested, althoughhe had a friend who kept him acquainted with what was going on. Hethought that it was still more likely that the arrest of theFlambards would take place suddenly. It would probably be decidedupon by two or three of the men, who were the leaders of the partyof terror; and no word would get about as to their intentions untilthe arrest had been absolutely made, in which case the captiveswould be lodged in prison before the matter would be known, and allfear of an emeute be thereby prevented. He had therefore decidedupon what was the best course to pursue, and posted himself in thestreet, where he could observe anyone who entered or leftFlambard's house.
It was already getting dusk when he saw two commissaries of thecommittee, with six armed men, stop before the door and knock. Itwas opened. Two of the men remained outside, and the rest entered.He ran to the stores. The head cellarman had gone round the placewith him and his master, and Leigh at once went to him.
"Lefranc," he said, "your master and mistress have just beenarrested. Two commissaries and six armed men have gone into thehouse. There is time to save them yet. They have a carriage inwaiting, a short distance away; and if we can overpower these menand tie them up, so that they cannot give the alarm until morning,Monsieur Flambard and his wife will get safely away. They have avessel waiting for them in readiness, down the river."
"I am your man, sir, and every one here."
"Half a dozen will be enough. Pick out that number of strongfellows, whom you can rely upon. Let them all take off theiraprons, and tear up this black silk handkerchief and, as we leavethe cellar, let each man put a piece over his face, to act as amask. There is a private door leading to the house, is there not?"
"Yes, monsieur."
"Well, draw the men off quietly, so that the others shall notnotice them; and tell them to go to that door, and to put on theirmasks there. Let each man take some weapon, but not a mallet, oranything used in the trade. Let them bring some stout rope withthem."
The man nodded and hurried away, and Leigh went to the end of thestores abutting on the house, and stopped at the door he foundthere. In a minute the men began to arrive. They had, as hedirected, thrown aside their leather aprons and put on blouses; sothat they differed in no way, in appearance, from ordinary workingmen. One or two were armed with hammers, others with long knives.Each carried a piece of black handkerchief in his hand, long enoughto go from the forehead down to the mouth. Leigh tied these on withstrings, cutting holes with his knife through which they could see.
When the six men and the foreman had assembled, they entered thehouse. The old servant was standing in the hall, wringing his handsin distress.
"Where are they?" Leigh asked.
"In the master's study, sir. They are searching the drawers."
"Come on quietly," Leigh said to the men. "We must take them bysurprise."
The door of the study was standing open, and lights burned within.Leigh had already instructed his followers to go at once for thearmed men, and to knock them down before they had time to use theirmuskets. Going noiselessly up, they entered the door with a suddenrush.
The two commissaries were engaged in emptying the contents of thetable drawers into a basket. The armed ruffians had leant theirmuskets against the wall, and had seated themselves in comfortablechairs. Flambard stood with his arm round his wife, lookingdisdainfully at the proceedings of the commissaries.
In a moment the scene changed. Before the men could even rise fromtheir seats they were knocked down, bits of sacking thrust intotheir mouths, and their arms tied. Leigh had levelled one of thecommissaries by a blow in the face, and the foreman had struck downthe other with a hammer. These were also securely tied.
The Flambards stood, a picture of astonishment. The whole thing hadpassed so instantaneously that they could scarcely realize what hadhappened. When they did so, Madame Flambard, who had hithertopreserved her calmness, burst into tears; while her husbandembraced Leigh with passionate gratitude.
"Now, monsieur," the latter said, "you had better collect at onceany money and jewels you wish to take with you, while we are makingsure of these ruffians.
"Now, my men," he went on, "take these fellows into differentrooms; but first let me see that the ropes are securely tied;although, as sailors, you are not likely to make any mistake thatway. Still, it is as well to be on the safe side."
He himself then examined the fastenings, and added a few morecords.
"Now, when you have got them into separate rooms, tie their feet toa heavy piece of furniture. Make a slipknot at the end of anotherrope, put the noose round the neck, and fasten the other end toanother piece of furniture, that there may be no chance of theirgetting loose, till their friends come to their assistance."
He saw all this securely done. Then he said:
"There is one more thing to see to. In time those fellows at thedoor will be getting impatient, and will begin to suspect that allis not
right. We must get them inside, and then tie them up withthe others. Stand back behind the door as they enter and, as Iclose it, throw yourselves upon them. One of you grip each of themby the throat, and another seize his musket and wrench it from him.The rest will be easy."
The men placed themselves as directed, and Leigh then opened thedoor and said:
"You are to come in. They will take some little time over thepapers, and there is plenty of good wine for you to amuseyourselves with."
With an exclamation of satisfaction, the two men entered.
"It is very dark in here," one said, as Leigh closed the door. "Whydidn't you get a light?"
The words were scarcely spoken when there was a rush, a suddenexclamation, the sound of a short struggle, and then silence.
"Keep hold of them tightly, while I fetch a candle," Leigh saidand, running upstairs, soon came down with the light.
The two guards were standing helpless in the hands of theircaptors, and gripped so tightly that they were unable to utter theleast sound.
"Now, put the gags into their mouths and truss them up, as you didthe others."
Leaving the men to carry out his orders, he ran upstairs again.
"Everything is arranged now," he said. "The whole of the fellowsare bound, and the road is free for you. I should go out by theback way, for there is sure to be a little crowd in front of thehouse, attracted by the sight of the guard standing outside. I donot think that there is any extraordinary hurry, but in an hour orso, if either of the men who have ordered your arrest is waiting atthe prison, he may get impatient, and send down to see what detainsthe party here.
"I am going, in the first place, to have the servants bound, sothat they may not be suspected of having aided in this business. Assoon as that is done, I shall hasten to my lodging and bring mysister and the child to the inn where you have your carriage. Ofcourse, you will have the horses put in as soon as you get there. Ishall not be very long behind you, as I shall take the first fiacreand drive down to that end of the town, and then discharge him. AsI am not in any way associated with you, even if inquiries aremade, our movements will throw no light upon yours."
The conversation took place in the bedroom where Madame Flambardwas, with her husband, packing up a few necessaries.
"As we go downstairs," he went on, "I shall make some remark aboutour going straight on board. That will put them on the wrong scent,and they will waste a lot of time searching all the craft in theriver. I do it principally because I want them to believe that youhave been rescued by a party of sailors. You heard me say that, assailors, they would be accustomed to tie the knots tightly; and ofcourse my uniform will help to lead them astray. The men with mewere really some of your cellarmen, under Lefranc."
"We shall be ready in three minutes. Fortunately we have not muchbeyond my wife's jewels that we want to save. Like your wife'sbrother, I have already made provision in England for this."
"I will be off as soon as I see the servants tied up."
He ran downstairs again. The two men and the maids willinglysuffered themselves to be tied up, when Leigh explained to them thereasons for which it was done.
"Mind," he said, "if questioned, you say you believe that the menwho rushed in and fastened you up were sailors."
Before the work was done Monsieur Flambard came down and, standingat the door which communicated with the cellars, shook hands withhis rescuers as they went out; and thanked them most heartily, inthe name of himself as well as his wife, for the service that theyhad rendered. The men, before they passed through the door, tookoff their masks. It had already been arranged that they should atonce scatter, and return quietly to the places where they had beenat work, and in so large a place it was not likely that theirabsence had been noticed, as it would be supposed that they hadgone to another part of the cellar, and it was not above twentyminutes since they had left it.
As soon as they had gone out, the door was locked on the inside.Leigh and the Flambards went out at the back entrance into anotherstreet, and there separated, Leigh hurrying back to his lodgings.Madame Chopin opened the door.
"Madame," he said, "I have good news for my sister. I hope that weshall be able to obtain news of her husband at Blaye; for he may,if my information is correct, have sailed up the Dordogne, and wemay catch him as he comes down again. If my information is notcorrect, we shall return here. I will therefore, if you will allowme, pay you our reckoning at once, and also the rent of the roomsfor another week; so that if we return, we may find themunoccupied."
"But you are not going to start this evening, surely, monsieur?"
"Yes; I have arranged for a passage on a boat that is on the pointof starting, and have not a moment to lose."
He ran upstairs to Patsey.
"They have gone on to the carriage," he said. "Put on Louis'sthings and your own. I will tell you all about it, as we go."
He then went down again and settled up with his landlady, who wasprofuse in her exclamations of regret at their departure. In acouple of minutes Patsey came down. She had the letter that she hadwritten in her hand. Leigh took it from her.
"I have already settled up with our kind hostess," he said. "Saygoodbye, dear, at once, or the boat may be starting without us."
A minute later they were out of the house. Leigh carried Louis, andled the way to a spot near, where two or three fiacres were alwaysstanding. He took the first, and told the driver to put them downin a street at the lower end of the town, the name of which he hadnoticed when he went with Monsieur Flambard to the inn where thecarriage was standing.
When he got to the end of the street he told the driver to stop,saying that he was not sure of the number. Paying the man his fare,they walked slowly down the street until the fiacre had driven off;and then, returning, took the road leading into the country.
Ten minutes' walking brought them close to the little inn. They metthe carriage coming along slowly, three hundred yards before theyarrived there. It stopped at once.
"You are here sooner than I expected, madame," Monsieur Flambardsaid, as he alighted and helped Patsey.
As she took her place by the side of Madame Flambard, the latterthrew her arms round her neck.
"Thank God this awful time is over!" she said. "It is to yourbrother we owe it that we are not, both, now in that terribleprison.
"Leigh is good at breaking prison," Patsey said. "He rescued mefrom the gaol at Nantes."
By this time her husband and Leigh had taken their places. Louis,still soundly asleep, was transferred to his mother's lap; and thecarriage, turning, went back at the full speed of the horses.
Chapter 18: Home.
"Why did you come down the road?" Leigh asked Monsieur Flambard, asthe carriage flew past the little inn. "We had not arranged forthat, and in the dark we might have passed it without knowing thatit was yours."
"We were on the lookout for you, and had no fear of missing you. Idecided to drive back to the town as we went out. I believe theinnkeeper to be an honest fellow, and he has been one of ourcustomers for a number of years; but I thought it just as well tothrow dust in his eyes. Therefore, as I got into the carriage, Isaid in his hearing:
"'Don't go through the main streets of the town, but drive roundand strike the road beyond it. Keep on to Langon. We shall stopthere tonight.'
"We drove off fast, and only broke into a walk just before you metus. The innkeeper would have gone into the house again, before wemet; and as I noticed that the shutters were up, he certainly wouldnot have supposed that the vehicle which passed was our carriage,coming back again.
"Well, thank God we are all safe and together! In three hours weshall be at the village. Lefaux was to keep a boat ashore, and tobe himself at the inn. There is only one in the village."
The road was a good one, and the horses fast, and in less than anhour and a half they reached the spot where the relay of horses hadbeen stationed. Five minutes sufficed to make the change and, in alittle under three hours after starting, they arriv
ed at thevillage two miles below Fort Medoc. They stopped at the firsthouse.
"Now, Gregoire," Monsieur Flambard said, as they alighted, "hereare five louis for yourself. You had better drive back to the placewhere we changed horses, and put up there for the night. Tomorrowyou can go quietly back to Bordeaux. Don't get there until late inthe afternoon. Return the carriage and the other two horses to thestables where you hired them, and take my two horses back to ourstables.
"You are sure to be questioned, and can tell them the truth. Saythat you acted by my orders, and had no idea of the reason forwhich I had hired the carriage and the extra horses; that you knewthat I often made flying visits to the vineyards, and you thought Iwanted to see some proprietor of Medoc, on business, and to returnas quickly as possible; and were much surprised when you saw thatmadame went with me. Do not say anything about our picking up myfriends on the road."
"I understand, monsieur, and I will stick to that story. God blessyou, sir, and you, madame; and I trust that, before long, you willbe back again with us."
"I hope so, Gregoire, but I fear it will not be for some time tocome."
They now walked forward, Leigh hurrying on in front until he cameto the little village inn. It was already closed but, on hisknocking violently at the door, a window above was opened.
"What are you making such a noise for, at this time of night?"
"I have come to call Captain Lefaux," he said. "A messenger hasjust brought an order, from Bordeaux, that he is to get up anchorat daylight."
"I will call him," the landlord said, and in three minutes Lefauxcame out.
"We are all here, Lefaux," Leigh said, "and we want to go on boardand get up anchor at once, and to be as far down the river as wecan, before daylight."
"The saints be praised that you have all escaped, MonsieurStansfield! We will lose no time. I have two men sleeping in acottage, close to where the boat is made fast. They sleep on theground floor, and I can tap at the window and get them out. I toldthem to turn in as they stood, as they might be wanted at anymoment."
The others had now come up, and together they went down to theboat. The tide had turned about an hour before, and the boat wasafloat.
"Now, I will fetch the men out," the skipper said, and in fiveminutes he came down with them.
They untied the head rope of the boat, from the stump to which itwas fastened, and hauled it in.
"That is the lugger, I suppose?" Leigh said, pointing to a darkobject, a hundred yards from the shore.
"That is her, sir, and it won't take us long to get under weigh.Everything is ready for hoisting sail."
They rowed off to the Henriette, and Leigh could hardly restrain ashout of joy at finding himself once again on board her. The crewhad been unchanged since they left Nantes and, tumbling up on deckas they heard the boat coming off, greeted Leigh most heartily; andrespectfully saluted Patsey and their owner. They would have brokeninto cheers, had not their skipper sharply silenced them.
"It will be time enough to cheer when we reach the open sea, lads,"he said; "and we will do so more heartily still, when we landMadame Martin, Monsieur Leigh, and the owner and his wife either onEnglish ground, or the deck of an English ship."
"You mistake, captain," Monsieur Flambard said. "As you know, thelugger was only passed over to me by Monsieur Martin to escapeconfiscation. There is no longer any need that I should appear asowner; and in fact Madame Martin, as representative of her husband,is the owner of the Henriette, and I and my wife are passengers onboard her."
"I hope that you will find it all right below, madame," CaptainLefaux said. "Captain Martin's cabin--we have always called itso--is ready for you and Madame Flambard. Monsieur will take thespare cabin, and Monsieur Leigh mine."
"I will sleep on one of the sofas in the saloon, captain. I shouldnot feel comfortable if I turned you out; and besides, I like beingable to pop quietly on deck, whenever I feel inclined: so that issettled."
"Now we will have a tumbler of hot brandy and water," the captainsaid. "You have had a cold drive.
"What will you take, ladies?"
Both declared that they wanted nothing but to get to bed, and theyat once retired to the after cabin with little Louis, who had sleptwithout waking, ever since he had been lifted from his bed atBordeaux. The captain had given orders, as soon as he came onboard, to have the sails hoisted and, as Monsieur Flambard andLeigh sipped their grog, they had the satisfaction of hearing thewater rippling past; and of feeling, by the heel of the boat, thatthere was sufficient wind to send them along at a good rate.
"What is she making, captain?" Leigh asked, as he went up to take alast look round.
"About five knots, but the wind is getting up. There was scarcely abreath when I turned in, at ten o'clock."
"How far do you call it to the mouth of the river?"
"It is about forty miles to the tower of Cordouan. Once past that,we reckon we are at sea."
"Eight hours going, at five knots. It is nearly twelve now. It willbe daylight when we get there."
"I hope that we shall be there before that, sir. You have notallowed for the tide, nor for the wind increasing. I reckon weshall be there by six, and day does not begin to break till an hourlater.
"I want to get past without being seen. There are always a coupleof gunboats lying there. I fancy that they know us pretty well bythis time, but sometimes as we go out they make us lie to, and comeon board to see that we are not taking off suspected persons, andthat any passengers we have tally with those on the manifest. Ifthey should take it into their heads to do that in the morning, itwould be awkward; and I am anxious to get past without being seen.Once out of gunshot I do not mind. I fancy that we can show ourheels to either of the gunboats."
Leigh and Monsieur Flambard turned in. The latter slept soundly,but Leigh went frequently on deck.
"She is doing well," the captain said gleefully, "she is goingfully seven knots an hour. You see, Master Leigh, I still keep toCaptain Martin's terms, and count by knots instead of by leagues.The tide is giving us another two knots. I reckon that, at the ratewe are going, we shall keep it pretty nearly down to the mouth ofthe river. Seven and two are nine, and as I have just been lookingup the chart, and as I find that it is but thirty-seven from thevillage where we started, we shall do it in five hours at theoutside.
"The river is wide at the mouth, and by heading south directly weget there, and running so for a couple of miles before we putstraight out to sea, there will be no chance whatever of our beingseen. Once away, we shall of course lay a course inside the islandstill we are off Finisterre; then we can either strike out into theChannel, or coast along as far as Cape la Hague, and thence sailstraight for Poole. But there is no occasion to discuss that, atpresent."
Satisfied with the assurance of the captain, Leigh turned in againat two o'clock, and this time slept soundly. When he awoke themotion of the vessel told him he was at sea, and he saw that it wasbroad daylight. Leaping off the sofa, he saw by his watch that itwas eight o'clock, and he was speedily on deck. The mate was incharge.
"The captain turned in half an hour ago, sir. Do you wish him to becalled?"
"Certainly not. Where are we now?"
"We are just passing between the island of Oleron and themainland."
"Oh, yes, I see. When I came down, of course we saw it from theother way; and I did not recognize it, at first. So we managed toget past Cordouan without being seen?"
"Yes, we rounded the south point of the river before six o'clock,laid her head southwest for an hour and, just as it became light,changed our course north and passed three miles to seaward of thetower. They doubtless supposed that we were coming up from Bayonne.At any rate, they paid no attention to us."
"The wind is blowing pretty strongly."
"Yes, sir, we should have had a rough tumble of sea if it had beenfrom the west, and should have had to lie up under shelter of theisland; but as it is blowing right off shore, it is just about theright strength for us, and we shal
l make a quick run of it if itholds.
"I hear there is no news of Captain Martin, monsieur?"
"No, I am sorry to say there is not; but I have every hope that weshall find he has got to Poole before us."
"We are all hoping that nothing has happened to him. Of course, weheard that he was fighting in La Vendee and, as every one of uscomes from one port or another there, we only wished that we hadbeen with him."
"You were well out of it, Edouard. It was a terrible business. Noone could have fought better than your people did, but they had allFrance against them; and few, indeed, of those who were engagedfrom the first can ever have returned to their homes. And even whenthey get there there can be no safety for them, for Carrier and hiscommissioners seem to be determined to annihilate the Vendeansaltogether."
The mate indulged in many strong expressions as to the future fateof Carrier and his underlings.
"We heard of that attack on the jail, Master Leigh. I guessed thatyou were in that, for among the prisoners who were delivered thenames of Monsieur Martin and Madame Jean Martin were mentioned."
"Yes, Captain Martin and I were in the thick of it. There was verylittle fighting to do, for we chose a time when the troops were allbusy with Cathelineau's and Stofflet's attack; and we had reallyonly to open the door of the prison, to get them out."
"The captain has been telling us that Monsieur Flambard was also indanger of arrest. It is atrocious. Everyone knows that he is a goodmaster, and I never heard a word said against him."
"That has very little to do with it," Leigh said. "His crime wasthat he was rich, and the scoundrels wanted his money. They didarrest him, but he was rescued before they got him out of hishouse, and fortunately everything had been prepared for his flight.At the present moment they are searching high and low for him, andI expect that no craft there will be permitted to leave till shehas been thoroughly ransacked, to make sure that he and madame arenot hiding there."
"Ah, they are bad times, monsieur. It may be that things were notquite as they might have been, though for my part I never sawanything to grumble at; nor did any other Vendean, as far as I everheard; but if things had been ten times as bad as they were, theywould have been better than what is going on now.
"Why, monsieur, all Europe must think that we Frenchmen are devils.They say that more than a hundred thousand people have been put todeath, not counting the loss in La Vendee."
"Which must be quite as much more, Edouard; and it is noconsolation to know that the loss of the Blues must have been fullyequal to ours."
"How is it to end, monsieur?"
"I think that the first part will end soon. As far as I could findout as we travelled through the country, and in Paris, even the mobare getting sick of this terrible bloodshed. That feeling will getstronger, until finally I believe that Robespierre and his gangwill be overturned. What will come after that, I don't know. Onemay hope that some strong man will rise, drive out the Convention,and establish a fixed government. After that, I should say that noone can guess what will follow."
"There is one consolation, monsieur. No change can be for theworse."
"That is absolutely certain."
He went to the galley.
"Well, cook, when are you going to let us have some breakfast? I amfamishing, for I have eaten nothing since twelve o'clockyesterday."
"It will be ready in twenty minutes, monsieur. I was just going toask you if you would call the ladies, or whether you will take thecafe au lait and eggs to their door."
"I will go and ask them."
He went and knocked at the cabin door.
"Patsey, cafe au lait will be ready in twenty minutes. Will you andMadame Flambard take it in your cabin, or come into the saloon?"
"I am just dressed, and shall be up on deck with Louis in two orthree minutes. Madame Flambard will not get up. It is her firstvoyage, and she will not take anything to eat."
He was just going to knock at the merchant's door, when there was ashout from within:
"I have heard what you are saying, and shall be dressed in tenminutes."
Patsey was soon on deck.
"This is splendid, Leigh! And now that we have got away sowonderfully, I feel more hopeful than I have done before that Jean,also, will have made his escape.
"Well, Louis, what do you think of this? You had better keep holdof your uncle's hand, as well as mine, or you may get a nastytumble."
"Nasty, bad ship, mama?"
"It is because the wind is blowing hard, and the sea is rough. Wehad smooth water on our last voyage, you know."
"Louis not like him," he said positively; "very bad ship."
"You will be all right, if you keep hold of your uncle's hand. Hewill walk up and down with you."
"This is good, indeed," Monsieur Flambard said. "If we go on aswell as we have begun, we shall have nothing to grumble at."
The voyage to Ushant was accomplished without any adventure. Thelugger was so evidently French that two or three privateers, whopassed close by, paid no attention to them; and although they sawthe sails of more than one British cruiser, they either escapedobservation or were considered too insignificant to be chased.
On the voyage they had agreed that, when they came to Ushant, theywould be guided by the wind. If it continued to blow as it haddone, from the east, it would be a great loss of time to beat in toSaint Malo, and they would be within sight of England long beforethey could make in there.
As the wind was unchanged, they therefore laid their course fromUshant for the Isle of Wight. Before they had been many hours outthey saw an English brig of war, making toward them. They did notattempt to escape, but slightly changed their course so as to headfor her.
As the brig approached, they lowered their mainsail. The brig wasthrown up into the wind, a couple of lengths away.
"Send your boat on board!" the captain of the brig shouted.
They had indeed already got the boat over the side.
"You may as well come with me," Leigh said, as he stepped into her."Monsieur Flambard will take care of Louis while you are away."
Seeing that there was a woman in the boat, the brig lowered itsaccommodation ladder, and the captain was standing at the gangway.
"We are English, sir," Leigh said. "The lugger is owned by mysister's husband, if he is alive. If not, I suppose it belongs toher. We are escaping from France, with two French friends. Mybrother-in-law was a Vendean, and has fought through the war. Wewere with him until, at the attack on Le Mans, we were separated.We hope to meet him at Poole. The vessel traded between that portand Nantes until the war broke out. Some members of the family arealready established there, and our father is a magistrate, livingwithin a couple of miles of the town."
"I am sorry, madam, that I cannot offer you a passage; but I mustnot leave my cruising ground."
"Thank you, sir. We are doing very well in the lugger. We intend toregister her as a British vessel; and the crew, who are allVendeans, will probably remain in our service until things settledown in France."
"And were you through the war too, madam?" the captain askedPatsey.
"Not through the whole of it," she replied. "Our chateau was burneddown by the Republicans, and I was carried to the prison at Nantes;and should have been guillotined had not my husband and brotherrescued me, when the Vendeans were attacking the town. I remainedat the farmhouse, until the Vendeans could no longer maintainthemselves in La Vendee and crossed the Loire; then I accompaniedmy husband."
"Well, madam, I congratulate you heartily on your escape. We heardterrible tales, in England, of what is going on in France."
"However terrible they are, they can hardly give you an idea of thetruth. At Nantes, for instance, the guillotine is too slow; andhundreds of men, women, and children are put into boats, which aresunk in the middle of the river. It is too horrible to think of."
"Is there anything that I can do for you, madam? Anything in theway of provisions with which we can supply you?"
"No, than
k you, we have everything that we can want."
"Then I will detain you no further," he said, "and can only wishyou a pleasant voyage. I see, by the course you are steering, thatyou are making for the Isle of Wight. You ought to be theretomorrow afternoon."
The boat returned to the lugger, the sails were filled again and,at four next afternoon, the Henriette passed Handfast Point, andheaded for the entrance to Poole harbour. As the distance from homelessened, Patsey's excitement increased hourly. She could not sitdown for a minute, quietly, but walked restlessly up and down thedeck. She had scarcely spoken when Leigh said, after a long lookthrough the telescope:
"I can make out the house on the hill, quite plainly, Patsey."
At any other time Patsey, who dearly loved their old home, wouldhave shown the liveliest interest; but just then her thoughts wereall of Jean, and she could spare none for anything else.
"They must have made us out, by this time," she said, as theypassed Durleston.
"I should think so, but I don't suppose they watch as we used to doin the old days. The revenue men up there--" and he nodded up thecliff "--must of course see that we are French; and if there areany of them who were here, three or four years ago, no doubt theyknow us again, and must be wondering what brings us here."
They had scarcely passed Durleston when Patsey sprang on to therail, holding fast by the shrouds, and gazed intently at the narrowentrance of the channel, between the island and the mainland.
"There is a boat coming out," she exclaimed.
"The coast guard are sure to have launched their boat, as soon asthey made us out. They would naturally come out to inquire what aFrench lugger is doing here."
He went forward with his telescope, and took a long look at theboat.
"Yes, it is the coast guard, rowing six oars."
In a minute or two he went back to his sister.
"Do get down, Patsey," he urged. "Of course they may have news ofJean, but you must not be disappointed, too much, if they have not.You know that we have agreed, all along, that very likely we shallbe the first back; and no news cannot be considered as bad news. Itwill only mean that we must wait."
She shook her head, but did not reply.
"There are three men in the stern," she said at last.
Leigh sprang up onto the rail behind her.
"Yes, there are three sitters."
Suddenly one of the men stood up. The boat was still too far awayfor the figure to be distinguished. Leigh would have called to thecaptain, to use his glass; but he feared to hold out even a hope,to Patsey, that Jean might be in the boat.
A minute later the standing figure began to wave his arms wildly.
"It is Jean, it is Jean!" Patsey cried. "He has made me out."
It was well that Leigh had taken his place beside her, for suddenlyher figure swayed; his arm closed round her and, calling to thecaptain to help him, he lowered her and laid her on the deck.
"My sister has fainted. Bring a bucket of water."
Madame Flambard took Patsey from him.
"She thinks she sees her husband in that boat," Leigh said. "Praytry and get her round, before it comes up. I think it must be he;but if it should not be, we will take her below, directly we aresure. It will be a terrible blow to her to be disappointed, now;but possibly they may have news of him, and that would be almost asgood as his being here."
"She could not have recognized him, at this distance," MonsieurFlambard said.
"No, she did not; but he would have recognized her. At least, hemust have seen that there was a woman standing upon the rail,watching them; and it was hardly likely that, coming in his ownboat, it should be anyone but her. I don't see why anyone elseshould have waved his arms, suddenly, in the way that he did."
He took the bucket of water from Lefaux's hands.
"We think it is Captain Martin," he said. "Run up the shrouds andtake a look through the glass."
Then, taking a double handful of water, he dashed it into hissister's face.
"But, monsieur--" Madame Flambard began to remonstrate.
"Oh, it does not matter about her being wet a bit," Leigh said."The great thing is to bring her round.
"There, she is opening her eyes. I never saw her faint before. Sheis not that sort."
At this moment, there was a joyous shout from the skipper:
"It is Captain Martin, himself! Hurrah, boys! It is the captain."
The crew broke into joyous shouts.
"It is Jean, Patsey," Leigh said, sharply. "Thank God, it is he.
"Steady, steady!" he added, as his sister suddenly sat up, and heldout her arms to be lifted to her feet. "Are you all right, dear? Hewill not be alongside for some little time. Don't try to get up fora minute or two."
As Madame Flambard supported her, he ran down into the cabin,poured out a little brandy and water, and ran upstairs again withthe glass.
"There, dear, drink this. You must be strong enough to greet him,as he comes alongside."
She drank it up, and then he helped her to her feet. She stoodleaning on the rail, but unable to see the boat through her tears.Leigh ran up a few of the ratlines and waved his cap and, two orthree minutes later, the whole crew, clustered along the side,raised a loud cheer as the boat came near.
Patsey held out her arms to Jean, who had, after his first eagersignal, dropped back into his seat; and sat there, with his facecovered in his hands, until within two or three hundred yards ofthe lugger. Then he had stood up again. He waved his cap in replyto the cheers of the crew, but his eyes were fixed upon Patsey.
For two or three minutes, husband and wife stoodtogether.]
As the boat came alongside he sprang on to the channel, swunghimself over the rail, Patsey falling into his arms as his feettouched the deck. The others all drew back and, for two or threeminutes, husband and wife stood together. Then Jean, placing Patseyin a chair, turned and embraced Leigh warmly.
"I felt sure that you would bring her back safely," he said. "Inever allowed myself to doubt it, for a minute; and as soon as Imade the lugger out, from the height there, I was sure that she wason board; and ran down to the coast guard station, and CaptainWhittier and the crew were in her, in a couple of minutes.
"Where is Louis?"
"Here he is!" Monsieur Flambard said, coming forward with the childin his arms.
Louis knew his father at once, and greeted him with a little shoutof pleasure.
"And you, too, Flambard?" Jean said, after he had kissed andembraced his boy. "I am glad indeed that you, too, have escapedfrom that inferno they call France."
"Yes, and my wife too, Martin; and, like your wife, we owe oursafety to Leigh."
Although they had not met before, Jean and Madame Flambard shookhands as warmly as if they had been old friends, filled as theywere by a common happiness.
Captain Whittier now came on board. He had hitherto remained in theboat, in order that the family meetings should be got over beforehe showed himself.
"I am glad to see you, Master Leigh," he said, shaking hands as hespoke; "though I certainly should not have known you again. Youought no longer to be called Master Leigh, for you are a grown man.We have talked of you, often and often; and it was not untilCaptain Martin arrived, a week ago, that we had any idea of whathad become of you.
"Everyone will be glad to know that you are safely back; and youtoo, Mrs. Martin. Everyone has missed Miss Patsey, as they stillcall you when they speak of you."
Jean had been shaking hands with Lefaux and the crew, and nowreturned.
"I don't know how we stand with this craft, captain. She has comeinto port of her own free will, and not as a prize. I claim thatshe is the property of a French Royalist, now an emigre; and asEngland, so far from being at war with French Royalists, is theirally, I intend to transfer her to my wife, and to have herregistered as an English ship."
"Well, I suppose that you will have to settle that with theauthorities, Captain Martin; but I should think that you are right,for ot
her French craft have come across with emigres, and havealways been allowed to return. Is there any cargo on board?"
"None," Leigh said. "She left Bordeaux the moment she dischargedthe cargo she brought there."
As they dropped anchor off the island another boat came alongside,with Mr. Stansfield and his two sons, and there was again a sceneof tender greeting between them, her, and Leigh.
"Where is Polly?" Patsey asked.
"She was married, two years ago," her father said, "to Harry King,the son of the banker, you know. Of course, she lives in Poole now.
"And so this is your little boy?"
"Yes, but he cannot understand you, at present. We have alwaystalked French with him since the troubles began as, had he spoken aword or two of English, it might have been fatal to him, and to us;but he will soon pick it up, now he is among you all."
It was a happy party, indeed, that evening at Netherstock, whereMr. Stansfield had insisted that Monsieur and Madame Flambardshould stay, till they could find a lodging to suit them in Poole.Madame Martin and her daughter, Louise, arrived a few minutes afterthe others had reached the house; as Jean had sent off a boy totell them, as soon as he made out the lugger; and a little laterPatsey's sister, Polly, came over from Poole.
At first, innumerable questions were asked on each side; and thenLeigh related all that had happened, since they left Le Mans.Monsieur Flambard interrupted, when it came to the point whereLeigh had rescued him and his wife, and gave full particulars of itto Jean, who translated it to the others. Then it came to Jean'sturn.
"I was with Rochejaquelein," he said. "We had made our last chargedown on the head of the enemy's column. It was hot work. Desailleswas shot through the head, close by my side and, as we rode off, Ifelt my horse stumble, and knew that it was hit. Almost at the samemoment my sword fell from my hand, my right arm being broken by amusket ball.
"La Rochejaquelein had given orders that this charge was to be thelast. He knew that, by this time, the main part of the army wouldhave left the town. My horse lagged behind the others, and I wasjust turning it to ride to our meeting place, when it fell underme.
"I decided at once not to attempt to come to the rendezvous. In thefirst place, I felt sure that you had already followed out myinstructions; and in the next place, had I joined you, I shouldhave ruined your chance of escape. Being dismounted, I should havehampered your flight and, even had we escaped pursuit, your havinga man with a broken arm with you would, everywhere, have rousedsuspicion. I therefore determined to go as far as I could, and thenhide in a wood and shift for myself.
"I got a peasant, who was running past me, to stop for a moment andbind my arm tightly with my sash. It was broken high up. I walked,for two or three hours, in the direction opposite to that in whichthe army had retreated. The peasant who had bound my arm upaccompanied me. I found that he came from a farm near us. He hadrecognized me at once, but I had not noticed who it was. I told himto try and save himself, but he would not hear of it.
"'Monsieur will require my aid," he said, 'and it is my duty torender it. Besides, I am as likely to escape one way as the other.Monsieur knows more about the roads than I do, and will be able todirect me.'
"Of course, I assented, for I was glad indeed to have him with me.As soon as we hid up in a wood, he cut two strips of bark off thetrunk of a young tree, cut off the sleeve of my coat and shirt, putthe arm straight and, with a strip torn off my sash first bandagedit, and then applied the two pieces of bark as splints, and finallybound another bandage round them.
"He had carried with him the blanket and valises he had taken offthe saddle. The latter contained a bottle of wine, and some food,and on this we lived for three days. Then I determined uponstarting. He went out in the evening and managed to buy, at acottage, two loaves of bread and a couple of bottles of wine. Wedivided these. Then I put on my disguise, and we started indifferent directions, he making south for the river, which I trustthe good fellow managed to reach and cross safely, while I strucknorth.
"My wine and bread lasted me for four days, by which time I hadarrived at Louviers, on the Seine. I was now a hundred miles fromLe Mans, and altogether beyond the line of action. I feltcomparatively safe. My arm was so painful, however, that I feltthat, at whatever risk, I must see a surgeon.
"I went first to an inn, where my appearance as a stranger, andwithout means of conveyance, excited the surprise of the landlord.
"'You are hurt, monsieur,' he said.
"'Yes; my horse fell under me and threw me heavily, and broke myarm. Before I could recover myself, it had run away. Fortunately apeasant who was going by bandaged my arm up, and I was able to walkon here. Who is the best surgeon in the place?'
"He mentioned the name of the doctor, and said that he had thereputation of being very skilful and kind. He offered to send forhim but, being close by, I said that I would rather go to him.
"The man's face gave me confidence, as soon as I entered. I knewthat it would be of no use to tell him the story of a fall, and Isaid at once:
"'Monsieur, I believe doctors are like confessors, and that theykeep the secrets of their patients.'
"He smiled.
"'Monsieur has a secret, then?'
"'I have,' I said. 'I have had my arm broken by a musket ball--itdoes not matter how or when, does it?'
"'In no way,' he said; 'my business is simply to do what I can foryou.'
"'It is seven days old,' I said, 'and is horribly painful andinflamed.'
"He examined the wound.
"'The bone is badly broken,' he said. 'It is well for you that ithas been bound up with some skill, and that these rough splintshave kept it in its place. Of course, what you require is rest andquiet. Without cutting down to the bone I cannot tell how badly itis splintered and, in the state of inflammation that it is now in,I could not venture upon that. I can only rebandage it again, andgive you a lotion to pour over it, from time to time.
"Tell me frankly what you are. You can trust me.'
"'I am a sailor,' I said, 'captain of my own craft. I am also aVendean and, as the cause is now lost, I am making my way down tothe sea. I hope, in some way or other, to make my escape toEngland, where I have friends, my wife being an Englishwoman. WhatI require more than anything is a suit of sailor's clothes.'
"'I will do what I can to help you, my friend. I am not one ofthose who think that France can be regenerated by the slaughter ofthe whole of the best of her people, and by all power being givento the worst.
"'Let me see; I cannot go and buy sailor's clothes myself, but myold servant can be trusted absolutely. There is a shop down by theriver where such things are sold. I will get her to go down there,and say that she has a nephew just arrived from sea, and that shewants to give him a new rig out; but as he has hurt himself, andcannot come, she must choose it. What is your height?'
"'About five foot ten,' I said.
"'And how broad round the shoulders?'
"'Forty-three inches. I have plenty of money to pay for all that isnecessary, and more,' and I took out my roll of assignats.
"'Since you are well provided,' he said, 'I will take some. Thepeople are very poor, and we all suffer together. They pay me whenthey can and, so that I can make ends meet, I am well content.'
"In an hour the woman returned, with a suit of rough sailor'sclothes, and you may imagine how glad I was to put them on, thedoctor helping me on with the jacket.
"'Now,' he said, when I had dressed and eaten some food the oldservant had set before me, 'it happens that at daybreak tomorrowone of my patients, the master of a river boat, is starting on theturn of tide for Honfleur. I will first go round to the auberge,and tell the landlord that your arm is badly broken, and that Ishall keep you here for the night, as you will require attention;then I will go to the captain, and arrange for your passage. When Itell him that you are a patient of mine, and that I should beobliged if he would find you some quiet lodging at Honfleur, whereyou can remain till your arm is better and you are fit to
be aboutagain, I have no doubt he will manage it. He is a good fellow, andI shall let him understand that you don't want inquiries made aboutyou.
"'Now, you had better lie down on a bed upstairs, and try to sleep.I will call you in time to go down to the boat.'
"'There is no fear of my getting you into trouble?' I asked. 'Iwould rather go on to Honfleur by road at once, than do so.'
"'There is no fear of that; the maire is a friend and patient ofmine. And if, as may be the case, the landlord mentions the arrivalof a stranger, and his coming to me; I shall simply tell the mairethat, your arm being badly broken, I kept you for the night, andthen sent you on by boat; and that as for papers, not being agendarme, I never thought of asking you for them.'
"The next morning he dressed my arm again, and then himself took medown to the boat, and handed me over to its skipper. He absolutelyrefused any payment for his services; but I insisted on hisreceiving a couple of hundred francs, in assignats, for the use ofhis poorer patients.
"The skipper carried out his instructions to the letter. We got toHonfleur after dark, on the day after starting, and he went with meto the cottage of a widow of his acquaintance.
"He said to her, 'Mother, I want you to take care of this youngsailor. He has broken his arm, and wants nursing. He does not wanthis being here to be known, because he is afraid he might be packedoff in one of the ships of war, as soon as he recovers. I supposeyou can manage that?'
"'Oh, yes,' she said; 'I have very few visitors, and no one wouldguess that I have anyone upstairs.'
"'He has plenty of money to pay your charges. Now I will leave himwith you, and will look in tomorrow, to see how he is getting on.'
"I stayed there a fortnight, by which time the inflammation hadpretty well subsided. No one could be kinder than the old womanwas. She used to bathe my arm by the hour, and she fed me up withbroth.
"At the end of that time I felt ready for work, though my arm wasof course useless. So, having paid my account, I went down boldlyto the river and crossed to Harfleur, and then went on to Havre. Istayed there for a couple of days, at a sailors' cabaret; wherethey supposed that I belonged to a vessel in port, and no questionswere asked.
"Finding that it would be difficult to pass the gunboat lyingthere, I walked up to Fecamp, picked out a likely looking boatafloat by the quay; and at night got on board, rowed quietly out,and then managed to get the sail hoisted. The wind was offshore,and by the morning I was out of sight of the French coast. I laidmy course for Portsmouth, and landed there that evening. Beingfortunately able to speak English, I had only to leave the boattied up to the quay, and go up to a small inn close by. I sleptthere, crossed to Gosport, and walked to Southampton the nextmorning; and got into Poole on the following day, and soon foundwhere my mother and sister were staying.
"So you see I had, altogether, very little adventure on my way fromLe Mans. Since then, I have spent most of my time up here sweepingthe water with your father's glass. I had been watching theHenriette, for hours, before she came near enough for me to be surethat it was she; though of course, I could see that she was aFrench-rigged boat.
"As soon as I made her out I sent off word to my mother, and randown to the coast guard station. I felt sure that you were onboard, for otherwise the lugger would not have come over here.Still, of course, I could not be absolutely certain until I sawthat the figure I could make out, standing on the rail, was that ofa woman."
It was some little time before their plans were finally decidedupon. It was evident that, at present, no trade could be done inFrench wines. However, as Jean, his mother, and his friend Flambardhad sufficient capital to enable them to live without trade, forsome time, they agreed that they should establish themselves atonce, in London, as wine merchants. Flambard had correspondents inSpain and Portugal, from whom he could obtain wine of thesecountries; and they agreed that Poole did not offer opportunitiesfor carrying on any considerable trade. Both insisted that Leighshould become a member of the firm and, a month after their arrivalat Poole, the party moved up to London.
Madame Martin, her daughter, Jean and his wife took a house,between them, at Hackney; and Monsieur Flambard and his wifeestablished themselves in another, a few hundred yards away.
From time to time came scraps of news from across the Channel. LaRochejaquelein and Stofflet, after being separated from theirfollowers when crossing the Loire, had gathered a small bandtogether, and gained some successes over parties of the enemy. Twogrenadiers, after one of these skirmishes, were on the point ofbeing shot by the peasants when Henri came up to save their lives.One of the prisoners, however, recognizing the gallant leader ofthe Vendeans, raised his musket and shot him dead.
It was not for two years after this that the struggle was finallybrought to a conclusion, for the heroic people of La Vendeecontinued to resist all the efforts of their enemies; untilStofflet and Charette were captured and executed, the one inFebruary, 1796, the other in the following month. The moderationand judgment of General Hoche finally brought about the end of awar which stands unexampled, in history, for the noble resistanceoffered by a small body of peasants to the power of a greatcountry.
As soon as Monsieur Flambard heard, from his correspondents abroad,that a consignment of wine was on its way they took an office; forit had already been agreed that, having no connection for sales toprivate customers, they would work only as wholesale merchants,dealing with the trade and with large hotels and other establishments,contenting themselves with the smallest possible rate of profit untilthey made a connection; and at the end of two or three years, theywere doing a considerable business.
The Henriette sailed for France, shortly after their arrival inPoole, as the crew preferred returning home. Lefaux was to trade asbefore and, being so well known at all the western ports, wascertain of obtaining freights. He was to pay wages and all otherexpenses, and to transmit the balance as opportunity occurred.
Three years later, when the internal affairs of the country hadcalmed down, Jean managed to get a letter sent to the priest oftheir village, asking him to inquire about Marthe; and after aconsiderable time an answer was received, saying that she andFrancois had reached home in safety, had been married shortly aftertheir return, and were doing well; having, with their jointsavings, purchased at a very low price one of Jean's confiscatedfarms.
Ten years later the firm of Flambard, Martin, & Stansfield weredoing a large business, and when the war came to a termination, andtrade with Bordeaux, Charente, and Nantes was renewed, MonsieurFlambard returned to Bordeaux and, having a large connection there,the firm soon became known as the largest importers of foreignwines in London.
Madame Martin had, long before that, died. Patsey was the mother ofthree boys and two girls, and Leigh had a separate establishment ofhis own, and had been for fifteen years a married man. Mr.Stansfield was still alive, and things went on at Netherstock invery much the same fashion as before Patsey left home.
Jacques Martin had been one of the many who were guillotined whenthe terror came to an end, after the death of Robespierre.
THE END.