CHAPTER X.
The Crow and Archer presented a busy scene on the evening of the dayreferred to in the last chapter. A report had been lately spreadthrough the country that the brig Olive Branch,--an occasional traderbetween the province and the coasts of Holland and England--had arrivedat St. Mary's. In consequence of this report there had been, during thelast two days, a considerable accession to the usual guests of the inn,consisting of travellers both by land and water. Several small sloopsand other craft had come into the harbour, and a half score inlandproprietors had journeyed from their farms on horse-back, and taken uptheir quarters under the snug roof of Garret Weasel. The swarthy andgaunt watermen, arrayed in the close jackets and wide kilt-likebreeches and in the parti-coloured, woollen caps peculiar to theirvocation, were seen mingling in the tap-room with the more substantialcultivators of the soil. A few of the burghers of St. Mary's were foundin the same groups, drawn thither by the love of company, theoccasions, perchance, of business, or the mere attraction of an eveningpot and pipe. The greater portion of this assemblage were loiteringbetween the latticed bar of the common room, and the quay in front ofthe house, which had somewhat of the occupation and bustle of a littleexchange. On a bench, in one corner of the tap-room, sat, in a ragged,patched coat resembling a pea-jacket, a saucy, vagrant-looking fiddler,conspicuous for a red face and a playful light blue eye; he wore adingy, pliant white hat, fretted at the rim, set daintily on one sideof his head, from beneath which his yellow locks depended over eithercheek, completely covering his ears; and all the while scraped hisbegrimed and greasy instrument to a brisk tune, beating time upon thefloor with a huge hob-nailed shoe. This personage had a vagabondpopularity in the province under the name of Will of the Flats--adesignation no less suited to his musical commodity than to thelocality of his ostensible habitation, which was seated on the flats ofPatuxent, not above fifteen miles from St. Mary's, where he was tenantof a few acres of barren marsh and a lodge or cabin not much largerthan a good dog kennel.
Will's chief compeer and brother in taste and inclination, though ofmore affluent fortune, was Dick Pagan, or Driving Dick, according tohis more familiar appellation, the courier who had lately brought themissives from James Town; a hard-favoured, weather-beaten, sturdy,little bow-legged fellow, in russet boots and long spurs, and wrapt ina coarse drab doublet secured by a leathern belt, with an immense brassbuckle in front. Old Pamesack, likewise, formed a part of the group,and might have been observed seated on a settle at the door, quietlysmoking his pipe, as unmoved by the current of idlers which ebbed andflowed past him, as the old barnacled pier of the quay by the dailyflux and reflux of the river.
Such were the guests who now patronised the thriving establishment ofMaster Weasel. These good people were not only under the care, but alsounder the command of our hostess the dame Dorothy, who was a woman byno means apt to overlook her prerogative. The dame having been on avisit to a neighbour did not show herself in the tap-room until nearthe close of the day; in the mean time leaving her customers to theunchidden enjoyment of their entertainment which was administered byMatty Scamper,--a broad-chested, red-haired and indefatigable damsel,who in her capacity of adjutant to the hostess, had attained to greatfavour with the patrons of the tavern by her imperturbable good natureand ready answer to all calls of business. As for Master Weasel, neverdid pleasure-loving monarch more cheerfully surrender his kingdom tothe rule of his minister than he to whatever power for the time wasuppermost,--whether the dame herself, or her occasional vicegerentMatty of the Saucepan.
Matty's rule, however, was now terminated by the arrival of MistressWeasel herself. It is fit I should give my reader some perception ofthe exterior of the hostess, as a woman of undoubted impression andconsideration with the towns-people. Being now in her best attire whichwas evidently put on with a careful eye to effect, I may take occasionto say that one might suspect her of a consciousness of some deficiencyof height, as well as of an undue breadth of figure, both whichimperfections she had studied to conceal. She wore a high conical hatof green silk garnished with a band of pink ribbon which was set on byindentation or teethwise, and gathered in front into a spirited clusterof knots. Her jacket, with long tight sleeves, was also of green silk,adapted closely to her shape, now brought into its smallest compass bythe aid of stays, and was trimmed in the same manner as the hat. A fullscarlet petticoat reached within a span of her ankles and disclosed abuxom, well-formed leg in brown stocking with flashy clocks of thicklyembossed crimson, and a foot, of which the owner had reason to beproud, neatly pinched into a green shoe with a tottering high heel. Herblack hair hung in plaits down her back; and her countenance,--distinguishedby a dark waggish eye, a clear complexion, and a turned-up nose, towhich might be added a neck both fat and fair, half concealed by aloose kerchief,--radiated with an expression partly wicked and partlycharitable, but in every lineament denoting determination and constancyof purpose. This air of careless boldness was not a little heightenedby the absence of all defence to her brow from the narrow rim of thehat and the height at which it was elevated above her features.
The din of the tap-room was hushed into momentary silence as soon asthis notable figure appeared on the threshold.
"Heaven help these thirsty, roystering men!" she exclaimed, as shepaused an instant at the door and surveyed the group within--"On myconscience, they are still at it as greedily as if they had just comeout of a dry lent! From sunrise till noon, and from noon till night itis all the same--drink, drink, drink. Have ye news of MasterCocklescraft?--I would that the Olive Branch were come and gone, that Imight sit under a quiet roof again!--there is nothing but riot andreeling from the time the skipper is expected in the port until heleaves it."
"True enough, jolly queen!" said Ralph Haywood, a young inland planter,taking the hand of the merry landlady as she struggled by him on herway to the bar--"what the devil, in good earnest, has become ofCocklescraft? This is the second day we have waited for him. I halfsuspect you, mistress, of a trick to gather good fellows about you, bysetting up a false report of the Olive Branch."
"Thou art a lying varlet, Ralph," quickly responded the dame: "youyourself came jogging hither with the story that Cocklescraft was seentwo days ago, beating off the Rappahannock.--I play a trick on you,truly! You must think I have need of custom, to bring in a troop ofswilling bumpkins from the country who would eat and drink out thecharacter of any reputable house in the hundred, without so much as onedoit of profit. You have my free leave to tramp it back again toProvidence, Ralph Haywood, whenever you have a mind."
"Nay, now you quarrel with an old friend, Mistress Dorothy."
"Take thy hand off my shoulder, Ralph, thou coaxing villain!--Ha, ha, Iwarrant you get naught but vinegar from me, for your treacle.--Butcome--thou art a good child, and shalt have of the best in thishouse:--I would only warn you to call for it mannerly, Master Ralph."
"Our dame is a woman of mettle," said another of the company, as thelandlady escaped from the planter and took her station behind the bar.
"What has become of that man Weasel?" she inquired somewhat petulantly."The man I am sure has been abroad ever since I left the house! He isof no more value than a cracked pot;--he would see me work myself asthin as a broom handle before he would think of turning himself round."
"Garret is now upon the quay," replied one of the customers;--"I sawhim but a moment since with Arnold the Ranger."
"With some idle stroller,--you may be sure of that!" interrupted thehostess:--"never at his place, if the whole house should go dry asCuthbert's spring at midsummer. Call him to me, if you please, MasterShortgrass.--Michael Curtis, that wench Matty Scamper has something todo besides listen to your claverings! Matty, begone to the kitchen;these country cattle will want their suppers presently.--Oh, Willy,Willy o' the Flats!--for the sake of one's ears, in mercy, stop thateverlasting twangling of your old crowd!--It would disgrace thepatience of any Christian woman in the world to abide in the midst ofall this uproar!--Nay then, come forwa
rd, old crony--I would not offendthee," she said in a milder tone to the fiddler. "Here is a cup of alefor thee, and Matty will give you your supper to-night. I have dancedtoo often to thy music to deny thee a comfort;--so, drink as you will!but pray you rest your elbow for a while."
"And there is a shilling down on the nail," said Driving Dick, as heand the crowder came together to the bar at the summons of thelandlady: "when that is drunk out, dame, give me a space of warning,that I may resolve whether we shall go another shot."
"Master Shortgrass told me you had need of me," said Garret Weasel, ashe now entered the door;--"what wouldst with me, wife Dorothy?"
"Get you gone!" replied the wife--"thou art ever in the way. I warrantyour head is always thrust in place when it is not wanted! If you hadbeen at your duty an hour ago, your service might have been useful."
"I can but return to the quay," said Garret, at the same time beginningto retrace his steps.
"Bide thee!" exclaimed the dame in a shrill voice--"I have occasion foryou. Go to the cellar and bring up another stoop of hollands; thesesalt water fish have no relish for ale--they must deal in thestrong:--nothing but hollands or brandy for them."
The obedient husband took the key of the cellar and went on the dutyassigned him.
At this moment a door communicating with an adjoining apartment wasthrown ajar and the head of Captain Dauntrees protruded into thetap-room.
"Mistress Dorothy," he said--"at your leisure, pray step this way."
The dame tarried no longer than was necessary to complete a measure shewas filling for a customer, and then went into the room to which shehad been summoned. This was a little parlour, where the Captain ofmusqueteers had been regaling himself for the last hour over a jorum ofale, in solitary rumination. An open window gave to his view the fullexpanse of the river, now glowing with the rich reflexions of sunset;and a balmy October breeze played through the apartment and refreshedwithout chilling the frame of the comfortable Captain. He was seatednear the window in a large easy chair when the hostess entered.
"Welcome dame," he said, without rising from his seat, at the same timeoffering his hand, which was readily accepted by the landlady.--"By St.Gregory and St. Michael both, a more buxom and tidy piece of flesh andblood hath never sailed between the two headlands of Potomac, than thouart! You are for a junketing, Mistress Dorothy; you are tricked outlike a queen this evening! I have never seen thee in thy new suitbefore. Thou art as gay as a marygold: and I wear thy colours, thoulaughing mother of mischief! Green is the livery of thy true knight.Has your goodman, honest Garret, come home yet, dame?"
"What would you with my husband, Master Baldpate? There is no good inthe wind when you throw yourself into the big chair of this parlour."
"In truth, dame, I only came to make a short night of it with you andyour worthy spouse. Do not show your white teeth at me, hussy,--you aretoo old to bite. Tell Matty to spread supper for me in this parlour.Arnold and Pamesack will partake with me; and if the veritable and mostauthentic head of this house--I mean yourself, mistress--have no needof Garret, I would entreat to have him in company. By the hand of thysoldier, Mistress Dorothy! I am glad to see you thrive so in yourcalling. You will spare me Garret, dame? Come, I know you have notlearnt how to refuse me a boon."
"You are a saucy Jack, Master Captain," replied the dame. "I know youof old: you would have a rouse with that thriftless babe my husband.You sent him reeling home only last night. How can you look me in theface, knowing him, as you do, for a most shallow vessel, CaptainDauntrees?"
"Fie on thee, dame! You disgrace your own flesh and blood by suchspeech. Did you not choose him for his qualities?--ay, and with allcircumspection, as a woman of experience. You had two husbands beforeGarret, and when you took him for a third, it was not in ignorance ofthe sex. Look thee in the face! I dare,--yea, and at thy wholeconfiguration. Faith, you wear most bravely, Mistress Weasel! Standapart, and let me survey: turn thy shoulders round," he added, as by asleight he twirled the dame upon her heel so as to bring her back tohis view--"thou art a woman of ten thousand, and I envy Garret suchstore of womanly wealth."
"If Garret were the man I took him for, Master Captain," said the damewith a saucy smile, "you would have borne a broken head long since. Buthe has his virtues, such as they are,--though they may lie in anegg-shell: and Garret has his frailties too, like other men: alack,there is no denying it!"
"Frailties, forsooth! Which of us has not, dame? Garret is an honestman;--somewhat old--a shade or so: yet it is but a shade. For my sake,pretty hostess, you will allow him to sup with us? Speak it kindly,sweetheart--good, old Garret's jolly, young wife!"
"Thou wheedling devil!" said the landlady; "Garret is no older thanthou art. But, truly, I may say he is of little account in thetap-room; so, he shall come to you, Captain. But, look you, he is weak,and must not be over-charged."
"He shall not, mistress--you have a soldier's word for that. I couldhave sworn you would not deny me. Hark you, dame,--bring thine ear tomy lips;--a word in secret."
The hostess bent her head down, as the Captain desired, when he said ina half whisper, "Send me a flask of the best,--you understand? Andthere's for thy pains!" he added, as he saluted her cheek with a kiss.
"And there's for thy impudence, saucy Captain!" retorted the spiritedlandlady as she bestowed the palm of her hand on the side of his headand fled out of the apartment.
Dauntrees sprang from his chair and chased the retreating dame into themidst of the crowd of the tap-room, by whose aid she was enabled tomake her escape. Here he encountered Garret Weasel, with whom he wentforth in quest of Arnold and the Indian, who were to be his guests atsupper.
In the course of the next half hour the Captain and his three comradeswere assembled in the little parlour around the table, discussing theirevening meal. When this was over, Matty was ordered to clear the boardand to place a bottle of wine and glasses before the party, and then toleave the room.
"You must know, Garret," said Dauntrees when the serving-maid hadretired, "that we go to-night to visit the Wizard's Chapel by hisLordship's order; and as I would have stout fellows with me, I havecome down here on purpose to take you along."
"Heaven bless us, Master Jasper Dauntrees!" exclaimed Garret, somewhatconfounded with this sudden appeal to his valour, which was not of thatprompt complexion to stand so instant a demand, and yet which thepublican was never willing to have doubted--"truly there be three ofyou, and it might mar the matter to have too many on so secret anoutgoing"----
"Tush, man,--that has been considered. His Lordship especially looks toyour going: you cannot choose but go."
"But my wife, Captain Dauntrees"----
"Leave that to me," said the Captain; "I will manage it as handsomelyas the taking of Troy. Worthy Garret, say naught against it--you mustgo, and take with you a few bottles of Canary and a good luncheon ofprovender in the basket. You shall be our commissary. I came on setpurpose to procure the assistance of your experience, and store ofcomfortable sustenance. Get the bottles, Garret,--his Lordship pays thescot to-night."
"I should have my nag," said Garret, "and the dame keeps the key of thestable, and will in no wise consent to let me have it. She wouldsuspect us for a rouse if I but asked the key."
"I will engage for that, good Weasel," said Dauntrees: "I will cozenthe dame with some special invention which shall put her to giving thekey of her own motion: she shall be coaxed with a device that shallmake all sure--only say you will obey his Lordship's earnest desire."
"It is a notable piece of service," said the innkeeper, meditating overthe subject, and tickled with the importance which was ascribed to hiscooperation--"and will win thanks from the whole province. His Lordshipdid wisely to give it in charge to valiant men."
"In faith did he," replied the Captain; "and it will be the finishingstroke of thy fortunes. You will be a man of mark for ever after."
"I am a man to be looked to in a strait, Captain," said Weasel, growingvalorous with the thoug
ht. "I saw by his Lordship's eye yesternightthat he was much moved by what I told him. I have had a wrestle withdevils before now."
Arnold smiled and cast his eye towards the Indian, who, immediatelyafter supper, had quitted the table and taken a seat in the window.
"There be hot devils and cold devils," said he, "and he that wrestleswith them must have a hand that will hold fire as well as ice: that istrue, Pamesack?"
"Pamesack has no dealing with the white man's devil," replied theIndian; "he has enough to do with his own."
"Drink some wine, old blade," said Dauntrees as he presented a cup toPamesack; "the Knife must be sharp to-night--this will whet his edge.We shall have need of your woodcraft."
The Indian merely sipped the wine, as he replied, "Pamesack knows thebroad path and the narrow both. He can lead you to the Black House dayor night."
"Brandy is more natural to his throat than this thin drink," saidWeasel, who forthwith left the room and returned with a measure of thestronger liquor. When this was presented Pamesack swallowed it at adraught, and with something approaching a laugh, he said, "It is thewhite man's devil--but the Indian does not fear him."
"Now, Garret," said Dauntrees, "we have no time to lose. Make readyyour basket and bottles, and lay them at the foot of the cedar belowthe bank, near the Town House steps; then hasten back to the parlour. Iwill put the dame to sending you on an errand which may be done only onhorseback;--you will mount with the basket and make speedy way to theFort. Tell Nicholas Verbrack, the lieutenant, that I shall be there inreasonable time. We must set forth by ten; it may take us three hoursto reach St. Jerome's."
"My heart is big enough," said Weasel, once more beginning to waver,"for any venture; but, in truth, I fear the dame. It will be a livelongnight carouse, and she is mortal against that. What will she say in themorning?"
"What can she say, when all is come and gone, but, perchance, that thouwert rash and hot-headed? That will do you no harm: but an hour ago sheswore to me that you were getting old--and sighed too, as if shebelieved her words."
"Old, did she say? Ho, mistress, I will show you my infirmities! A figfor her scruples! the hey-day blood yerks yet, Master Captain. I willgo with thee, comrades: I will follow you to any goblin's chapel twixtSt. Mary's and Christina."
"Well said, brave vintner!" exclaimed the Captain; "now stir thee! Andwhen you come back to the parlour, Master Weasel, you shall find thedame here. Watch my eye and take my hint, so that you play into my handwhen need shall be. I will get the nag out of the stable if he werecovered with bells. Away for the provender!"
The publican went about his preparations, and had no sooner left theroom than the Captain called the landlady, who at his invitation showedherself at the door.
"Come in, sweetheart. Good Mistress Daffodil," he said, "I called youthat you may lend us your help to laugh: since your rufflers aredispersed, your smokers obnubilated in their own clouds, your tipplersstrewed upon the benches, and nothing more left for you to do in thetap-room, we would have your worshipful and witty company here in theparlour. So, come in, my princess of pleasant thoughts, and make usmerry with thy fancies."
"There is nothing but clinking of cans and swaggering speeches whereyou are, Captain Dauntrees," said the hostess. "An honest woman hadbest be little seen in your company. It is a wonder you ever got out ofthe Low Countries, where, what with drinking with boors and quarrellingwith belted bullies, your three years' service was enough to put an endto a thousand fellows of your humour."
"There's destiny in it, dame. I was born to be the delight of youreyes. It was found in my horoscope, when my nativity was cast, that acertain jolly mistress of a most-especially-to-be-commended inn,situate upon a delectable point of land in the New World, was to begreatly indebted to me, first, for the good fame of her wines amongstworshipful people; and, secondly, for the sufficient and decent praiseof her beauty. So was it read to my mother by the wise astrologer. Andthen, dame, you slander the virtue of the Low Countries. Look at Arnoldthere: is there a more temperate, orderly, well-behaved liegeman in theworld than the ranger? And did he not bring his sobriety with him fromthe very bosom of the land you rail against?"
"If Arnold de la Grange is not all that you say of him," replied thehostess, "it is because he has lost some share of his good quality byconsorting with you, Captain. Besides, Arnold has never been hackneyedin the wars."
"A Dutch head," said Arnold, laughing, "is not easily made to spin. Inthe Old World men can drink more than in the New: a Friesland fog is anexcellent shaving horn, mistress!"
"Heaven help the men of the Old World, if they drink more than they doin our province!" exclaimed Mistress Weasel. "Look in the tap-room, andyou may see the end of a day's work in at least ten great loons. Onehalf are sound asleep, and the other of so dim sight that neither cansee his neighbour."
"The better reason then, Mistress Dorothy," replied Dauntrees, "whyyou, a reputable woman, should leave such topers, and keep company withsober, waking, discreet friends. That cap becomes thee, mistress. Inever saw you in so dainty a head-gear. I honour it as a coveringaltogether worthy of thy comeliness. Faith, it has been a rich piece ofmerchandise to me! Upon an outlay of fourteen shillings which I paidfor it, as a Michaelmas present to my excellent hostess, I have got inreturn, by way of profit, full thirteen bottles of Garret's choicestCanary, on my wager. Garret was obstinate, and would face me out withit that you wore it to church last Sunday, when I knew that you wentonly in your hood that day:--he has never an eye to look on thee, dame,as he ought,--so he must needs put it to a wager. Well, as this is thefirst day thou hast ever gone abroad in it, here I drink to thee andthy cap, upon my knees--Success to its travels, and joy to the merryeye that sparkles below it! Come, Arnold, drink to that, and getPamesack another glass of aqua vitae:--top off to the hostess,comrades!"
The toast was drunk, and at this moment Garret Weasel returned to theroom. A sign from him informed the Captain that the preparation he hadbeen despatched to make was accomplished.
"How looks the night, Garret?" inquired Dauntrees; "when have we themoon?"
"It is a clear starlight and calm," replied the publican; "the moonwill not show herself till near morning."
"Have you heard the news, mistress?" inquired the Captain, with anexpression of some eagerness; "there is pleasant matter current,concerning the mercer's wife at the Blue Triangle. But you must haveheard it before this?"
"No, truly, not I," replied the hostess.
"Indeed!" said Dauntrees, "then there's a month's amusement for you.You owe the sly jade a grudge, mistress."
"In faith I do," said the dame, smiling, "and would gladly pay it."
"You may pay it off with usury now," added the Captain, "with no moretrouble than telling the story. It is a rare jest, and will not diequickly."
"I pray you tell it to me, good Captain--give me all of it," exclaimedthe dame, eagerly.
"Peregrine Cadger, the mercer, you know," said the Captain--"but it isa long story, and will take time to rehearse it. Garret, how comes itthat you did not tell this matter to your wife, as I charged you todo?" he inquired, with a wink at the publican.
"I resolved to tell it to her," said Weasel, "but, I know not how, itran out of my mind--the day being a busy one----"
"A busy day to thee!" exclaimed the spouse. "Thou, who hast no more todo than a stray in the pound, what are you fit for, if it be not to doas you are commanded? But go on, Captain; the story would only bemarred by Garret's telling--go on yourself--I am impatient to hear it."
"I pray you, what o'clock is it, mistress?" asked the Captain.
"It is only near nine. It matters not for the hour--go on."
"Nine!" exclaimed Dauntrees; "truly, dame, I must leave the story forMaster Garret. Nine, said you? By my sword, I have overstaid my time! Ihave business with the Lord Proprietary before he goes to his bed.There are papers at the Fort which should have been delivered to hisLordship before this."
"Nay, Captain," said the
hostess, "if it be but the delivery of apacquet, it may be done by some other hand. There is Driving Dick inthe tap-room: he shall do your bidding in the matter. Do not let solight a business as that take you away."
"To-morrow, dame, and I will tell you the tale."
"To-night, Captain--to-night."
"Truly, I must go; the papers should be delivered by a trusty hand--Imay not leave it to an ordinary messenger. Now if Garret--but I willask no such service from the good man at this time of night; it is along way. No, no, I must do my own errand."
"There is no reason upon earth," said the landlady, "why Garret shouldnot do it: it is but a step to the Fort and back."
"I can take my nag and ride there in twenty minutes," said Garret. "Iwarrant you his Lordship will think the message wisely entrusted tome."
"Then get you gone, without parley," exclaimed the dame.
"The key of the stable, wife," said Garret.
"If you will go, Master Garret," said Dauntrees--"and it is veryobliging of you--do it quickly. Tell Nicholas Verbrack to look in myscritoire; he will find the pacquet addressed to his Lordship. Take it,and see it safely put into his Lordship's hands. Say to Nicholas,moreover, that I will be at the Fort before ten to-night. Youcomprehend?"
"I comprehend," replied Garret, as his wife gave him the key of thestable, and he departed from the room.
"Now, Captain."
"Well, mistress: you must know that Peregrine Cadger, the mercer, whoin the main is a discreet man----"
"Yes."
"A discreet man--I mean, bating some follies which you wot of; for thistrading and trafficking naturally begets foresight. A man has so muchto do with the world in that vocation, and the world, Mistress Dorothy,is inclined by temper to be somewhat knavish, so that they who havemuch to do with it learn cautions which other folks do not. Now, in ourcalling of soldiership, caution is a sneaking virtue which we soon sendto the devil; and thereby you may see how it is that we are more honestthan other people. Caution and honesty do not much consort together."
"But of the mercer's wife, Captain."
"Ay, the mercer's wife--I shall come to her presently. Well, Peregrine,as you have often seen, is a shade or so jealous of that fussock, hiswife, who looks, when she is tricked out in her new russet grogramcloak, more like a brown haycock in motion than a living woman."
"Yes," interrupted the dame, laughing, "and with a sunburnt top. Herred hair on her shoulders is no better, I trow."
"Her husband, who at best is but a cotquean--one of those fellows whohas a dastardly fear of his wife, which, you know, Mistress Dorothy,truly makes both man and wife to be laughed at. A husband should havehis own way, and follow his humour, no matter whether the dame rails ornot. You agree with me in this, Mistress Weasel?"
"In part, Captain. I am not for stinting a husband in his lawful walks;but the wife should have an eye to his ways: she may counsel him."
"Oh, in reason, I grant; but she should not chide him, I mean, nor looktoo narrowly into his hours, that's all. Now Peregrine's dame hath afree foot, and the mercer himself somewhat of a sulky brow. Well,Halfpenny, the chapman, who is a mad wag for mischief, and who iswithal a sure customer of the mercer's in small wares, comesyesternight to Peregrine Cadger's house, bringing with him worshipfulMaster Lawrence Hay, the Viewer."
At this moment the sound of horse's feet from the court-yard showedthat Garret Weasel had set forth on his ride.
"Arnold, I am keeping you waiting," said Dauntrees. "Fill up anothercup for yourself and Pamesack, and go your ways. Stay not for me,friends; or if it pleases you, wait for me in the tap-room. I will beready in a brief space."
The ranger and the Indian, after swallowing another glass, withdrew.
"The Viewer," continued Dauntrees, "is a handsome man,--and a merry manon occasion, too. I had heard it whispered before--but not liking toraise a scandal upon a neighbour, I kept my thoughts to myself--thatthe mercer's wife had rather a warm side for the Viewer. But be that asit may: there was the most laughable prank played on the mercer byHalfpenny and the Viewer together, last night, that ever was heard of.It was thus: they had a game at Hoodman-blind, and when it fell toLawrence to be the seeker, somehow the fat termagant was caught in hisarms, and so the hood next came to her. Well, she was blindfolded; andthere was an agreement all round that no one should speak a word."
"Ay, I understand--I see it," said the hostess, eagerly drawing herchair nearer to the Captain.
"No, you would never guess," replied Dauntrees, "if you cudgelled yourbrains from now till Christmas. But I can show you, Mistress Dorothy,better by the acting of the scene. Here, get down on your knees, andlet me put your kerchief over your eyes."
"What can that signify?" inquired the dame.
"Do it, mistress--you will laugh at the explosion. Give me thehandkerchief. Down, dame, upon your marrow bones:--it is an excellentjest and worth the learning."
The landlady dropped upon her knees, and the Captain secured thebandage round her eyes.
"How many fingers, dame?" he asked, holding his hand before her face.
"Never a finger can I see, Captain."
"It is well. Now stand up--forth and away! That was the word given bythe Viewer. Turn, Mistress Dorothy, and grope through the room. Oh, youshall laugh at this roundly. Grope, grope, dame."
The obedient and marvelling landlady began to grope through theapartment, and Dauntrees, quietly opening the door, stole off to thetap-room, where being joined by his comrades, they hied with all speedtowards the Fort, leaving the credulous dame floundering after a jest,at least until they got beyond the hail of her voice.
Rob of the Bowl: A Legend of St. Inigoe's. Vol. 1 (of 2) Page 10