Lysbeth, a Tale of the Dutch

by H. Rider Haggard

  CHAPTER XIII

  MOTHER'S GIFTS ARE GOOD GIFTS

  At a few minutes to eight that morning a small crowd of people hadgathered in front of the Witte Poort at Leyden waiting for the gate tobe opened. They were of all sorts, but country folk for the most part,returning to their villages, leading mules and donkeys slung withempty panniers, and shouting greetings through the bars of the gateto acquaintances who led in other mules laden with vegetables andprovisions. Among these stood some priests, saturnine and silent, bent,doubtless, upon dark business of their own. A squad of Spanish soldierswaited also, the insolence of the master in their eyes; they weremarching to some neighbouring city. There, too, appeared Foy van Goorland Red Martin, who led a pack mule; Foy dressed in the grey jerkin ofa merchant, but armed with a sword and mounted on a good mare; Martinriding a Flemish gelding that nowadays would only have been thought fitfor the plough, since no lighter-boned beast could carry his weight.Among these moved a dapper little man, with sandy whiskers and sly face,asking their business and destination of the various travellers, andunder pretence of guarding against the smuggling of forbidden goods,taking count upon his tablets of their merchandise and baggage.

  Presently he came to Foy.

  "Name?" he said, shortly, although he knew him well enough.

  "Foy van Goorl and Martin, his father's servant, travelling to The Haguewith specimens of brassware, consigned to the correspondents of ourfirm," answered Foy, indifferently.

  "You are very glib," sneered the sandy-whiskered man; "what is the muleladen with? It may be Bibles for all I know."

  "Nothing half so valuable, master," replied Foy; "it is a churchchandelier in pieces."

  "Unpack it and show me the pieces," said the officer.

  Foy flushed with anger and set his teeth, but Martin, administering tohim a warning nudge in the ribs, submitted with prompt obedience.

  It was a long business, for each arm of the chandelier had beencarefully wrapped in hay bands, and the official would not pass themuntil every one was undone, after which they must be done up again.While the pair of them were engaged upon this tedious and unnecessarytask, two fresh travellers arrived at the gate, a long, bony person,clothed in a priest-like garb with a hood that hid the head, and afierce, dissolute-looking individual of military appearance and armed tothe teeth. Catching sight of young van Goorl and his servant, the longperson, who seemed to ride very awkwardly with legs thrust forward,whispered something to the soldier man, and they passed on withoutquestion through the gate.

  When Foy and Martin followed them twenty minutes later, they were out ofsight, for the pair were well mounted and rode hard.

  "Did you recognise them?" asked Martin so soon as they were clear of thecrowd.

  "No," said Foy; "who are they?"

  "The papist witch, Black Meg, dressed like a man, and the fellow whocame here from The Hague yesterday, whither they are going to reportthat the Heer Adrian routed them, and that the Broekhovens with theJufvrouw Elsa got through unsearched."

  "What does it all mean, Martin?"

  "It means, master, that we shall have a warm welcome yonder; it meansthat some one guesses we know about this treasure, and that we shan'tget the stuff away without trouble."

  "Will they waylay us?"

  Martin shrugged his shoulders as he answered, "It is always well to beready, but I think not. Coming back they may waylay us, not going. Ourlives are of little use without the money; also they cannot be had forthe asking."

  Martin was right, for travelling slowly they reached the city withoutmolestation, and, riding to the house of Dirk's correspondent, putup their horses; ate, rested, delivered the sample chandelier, andgenerally transacted the business which appeared to be the object oftheir journey. In the course of conversation they learned from theirhost that things were going very ill here at The Hague for all who weresupposed to favour the New Religion. Tortures, burnings, abductions, andmurders were of daily occurrence, nor were any brought to judgmentfor these crimes. Indeed, soldiers, spies, and government agents werequartered on the citizens, doing what they would, and none dared to lifta hand against them. Hendrik Brant, they heard also, was still at largeand carrying on business as usual in his shop, though rumour said thathe was a marked man whose time would be short.

  Foy announced that they would stay the night, and a little after sunsetcalled to Martin to accompany him, as he wished to walk in the BroadStreet to see the sights of the town.

  "Be careful, Mynheer Foy," said their host in warning, "for there aremany strange characters about, men and women. Oh! yes, this mere is fullof pike, and fresh bait is snapped up sharply."

  "We will be wary," replied Foy, with the cheerful air of a young maneager for excitement. "Hague pike don't like Leyden perch, you know;they stick in their throats."

  "I hope so, I hope so," said the host, "still I pray you be careful. Youwill remember where to find the horses if you want them; they are fedand I will keep them saddled. Your arrival here is known, and for somereason this house is being watched."

  Foy nodded and they started out; Foy going first, and Red Martin,staring round him like a bewildered bumpkin, following at his heel, withhis great sword, which was called Silence, girt about his middle, andhidden as much as possible beneath his jerkin.

  "I wish you wouldn't look so big, Martin," Foy whispered over hisshoulder; "everybody is staring at you and that red beard of yours,which glows like a kitchen fire."

  "I can't help it, master," said Martin, "my back aches with stooping asit is, and, as for the beard, well, God made it so."

  "At least you might dye it," answered Foy; "if it were black you wouldbe less like a beacon on a church tower."

  "Another day, master; it is a long business dyeing a beard like mine; Ithink it would be quicker to cut it off." Then he stopped, for they werein the Broad Street.

  Here they found many people moving to and fro, but although the companywere so numerous it was difficult to distinguish them, for no moonshone, and the place was lighted by lanterns set up on poles at longdistances from each other. Foy could see, however, that they were forthe most part folk of bad character, disreputable women, soldiers of thegarrison, half-drunk sailors from every country, and gliding in and outamong them all, priests and other observers of events. Before they hadbeen long in the crowd a man stumbled against Foy rudely, at the sametime telling him to get out of the path. But although his blood leapt atthe insult and his hand went to his sword hilt, Foy took no notice, forhe understood at once that it was sought to involve him in a quarrel.Next a woman accosted him, a gaily-dressed woman, but she had no bowupon her shoulder, so Foy merely shook his head and smiled. For the restof that walk, however, he was aware that this woman was watching him,and with her a man whose figure he could not distinguish, for he waswrapped in a black cloak.

  Thrice did Foy, followed by Martin, thus promenade the right side of theBroad Street, till he was heartily weary of the game indeed, and beganto wonder if his cousin Brant's plans had not miscarried.

  As he turned for the fourth time his doubts were answered, for he foundhimself face to face with a small woman who wore upon her shoulder alarge red bow, and was followed by another woman, a buxom person dressedin a peasant's cap. The lady with the red bow, making pretence tostumble, precipitated herself with an affected scream right intohis arms, and as he caught her, whispered, "Are you from Leyden,sweetheart?" "Yes." "Then treat me as I treat you, and follow alwayswhere I lead. First make pretence to be rid of me."

  As she finished whispering Foy heard a warning stamp from Martin,followed by the footsteps of the pair who he knew were watching them,which he could distinguish easily, for here at the end of the streetthere were fewer people. So he began to act as best he could--it was notvery well, but his awkwardness gave him a certain air of sincerity.

  "No, no," he said, "why should I pay for your supper? Come, be going, mygood girl, and leave me and my servant to see the town in peace."

  "Oh! Mynheer, let me b
e your guide, I beg you," answered she of the redbow clasping her hands and looking up into his face. Just then he heardthe first woman who had accosted him speaking to her companion in a loudvoice.

  "Look," she said, "Red Bow is trying her best. Ah! my dear, do you thinkthat you'll get a supper out of a holy Leyden ranter, or a skin off aneel for the asking?"

  "Oh! he isn't such a selfish fish as he looks," answered Red Bow overher shoulder, while her eyes told Foy that it was his turn to play.

  So he played to the best of his ability, with the result that tenminutes later any for whom the sight had interest might have observed ayellow-haired young gallant and a black-haired young woman walking downthe Broad Street with their arms affectionately disposed around eachother's middles. Following them was a huge and lumbering serving manwith a beard like fire, who, in a loyal effort to imitate the actionsof his master, had hooked a great limb about the neck of Red Bow's stoutlittle attendant, and held her thus in a chancery which, if flattering,must have been uncomfortable. As Martin explained to the poor womanafterwards, it was no fault of his, since in order to reach her waist hemust have carried her under his arm.

  Foy and his companion chatted merrily enough, if in a somewhat jerkyfashion, but Martin attempted no talk. Only as he proceeded he was heardto mutter between his teeth, "Lucky the Pastor Arentz can't see us now.He would never understand, he is so one-sided." So at least Foy declaredsubsequently in Leyden.

  Presently, at a hint from his lady, Foy turned down a side street,unobserved, as he thought, till he heard a mocking voice calling afterthem, "Good-night, Red Bow, hope you will have a fine supper with yourLeyden shopboy."

  "Quick," whispered Red Bow, and they turned another corner, thenanother, and another. Now they walked down narrow streets, ill-kept andunsavoury, with sharp pitched roofs, gabled and overhanging so muchthat here and there they seemed almost to meet, leaving but a ribbonof star-specked sky winding above their heads. Evidently it was a lowquarter of the town and a malodourous quarter, for the canals, spannedby picturesque and high-arched bridges, were everywhere, and at thissummer season the water in them was low, rotten, and almost stirless.

  At length Red Bow halted and knocked upon a small recessed door, whichinstantly was opened by a man who bore no light.

  "Come in," he whispered, and all four of them passed into a darksomepassage. "Quick, quick!" said the man, "I hear footsteps."

  Foy heard them also echoing down the empty street, and as the doorclosed it seemed to him that they stopped in the deep shadow of thehouses. Then, holding each other by the hand, they crept along blackpassages and down stairs till at length they saw light shining throughthe crevices of an ill-fitting door. It opened mysteriously at theirapproach, and when they had all entered, shut behind them.

  Foy uttered a sigh of relief for he was weary of this long flight,and looked round him to discover that they were in a large windowlesscellar, well furnished after a fashion by oak benches and a table setout with cold meats and flagons of wine. At the foot of this table stooda middle-aged man, prematurely grey, and with a face worn as though byconstant care.

  "Welcome, Foy van Goorl," said the man in a gentle voice. "Many yearshave passed since last we met; still I should have known you anywhere,though I think you would not have known me."

  Foy looked at him and shook his head.

  "I thought so," went on the man with a smile. "Well, I am Hendrik Brant,your cousin, once the burgomaster of The Hague and its richest citizen,but to-day a hunted rat who must receive his guests in secret cellars.Tell me now, did my daughter, Elsa, reach your good father's house insafety, and is she well?"

  So Foy told him all that story.

  "As I thought, as I thought," said Hendrik. "Ramiro knew of her journeyand guessed that she might carry some letter. Oh!" he went on, shakinghis fist in a kind of frenzy, and addressing the two women who hadplayed the parts of Red Bow and her servant, "who among you is thetraitor? Can it be that you, whom my bounty has fed, betray me? Nay,girls, do not weep, I know that it is not so, and yet, in this city, thevery walls have ears, yes, even this deep vault gives up its secrets.Well, if only I can save my fortune from those wolves, what do I care?Then they may take my carcase and tear it. At least, my daughter issafe--for a while, and now I have but one desire left on earth--to robthem of my wealth also."

  Then he turned to the girl decked out in the gay clothes, who, now thatthe chase was over, sat upon a bench with her face hidden in her hand,and said, "Tell me your story, Gretchen," whereon she lifted her headand repeated all that happened.

  "They press us hard," muttered Brant, "but, friends, we will beat themyet. Eat now, and drink while you may."

  So they sat down and ate and drank while Hendrik watched them, and theman who had led them to the vault listened without the door.

  When they had finished, Brant bade the two women, Red Bow and the other,leave the cellar and send in the sentry, replacing him as guards. Heentered, a hard-faced, grizzled man, and, taking a seat at the table,began to fill himself with food and wine.

  "Hearken, my cousin Foy," said Brant presently, "this is the plan. Aleague away, near to the mouth of the great canal, lie certain boats,a score or over of them, laden with trading goods and timber, in thecharge of honest men who know nothing of their cargo, but who haveorders to fire them if they should be boarded. Among these boats is onecalled the _Swallow_, small, but the swiftest on this coast, and handyin a sea. Her cargo is salt, and beneath it eight kegs of powder, andbetween the powder and the salt certain barrels, which barrels arefilled with treasure. Now, presently, if you have the heart for it--andif you have not, say so, and I will go myself--this man here, Hans,under cover of the darkness, will row you down to the boat _Swallow_.Then you must board her, and at the first break of dawn hoist her sailand stand out to sea, and away with her where the wind drives, tyingthe skiff behind. Like enough you will find foes waiting for you atthe mouth of the canal, or elsewhere. Then I can give you only onecounsel--get out with the _Swallow_ if you can, and if you cannot,escape in the skiff or by swimming, but before you leave her fire theslow-matches that are ready at the bow and the stern, and let the powderdo its work and blow my wealth to the waters and the winds. Will you doit? Think, think well before you answer."

  "Did we not come from Leyden to be at your command, cousin?" saidFoy smiling. Then he added, "But why do you not accompany us on thisadventure? You are in danger here, and even if we get clear with thetreasure, what use is money without life?"

  "To me none, any way," answered Brant; "but you do not understand. Ilive in the midst of spies, I am watched day and night; although I camehere disguised and secretly, it is probable that even my presence inthis house is known. More, there is an order out that if I attempt toleave the town by land or water, I am to be seized, whereon my housewill be searched instantly, and it will be found that my bullion isgone. Think, lad, how great is this wealth, and you will understand whythe crows are hungry. It is talked of throughout the Netherlands, it hasbeen reported to the King in Spain, and I learn that orders have comefrom him concerning its seizure. But there is another band who would gethold of it first, Ramiro and his crew, and that is why I have been leftsafe so long, because the thieves strive one against the other and watcheach other. Most of all, however, they watch me and everything that ismine. For though they do not believe that I should send the treasureaway and stay behind, yet they are not sure."

  "You think that they will pursue us, then?" asked Foy.

  "For certain. Messengers arrived from Leyden to announce your coming twohours before you set foot in the town, and it will be wonderful indeedif you leave it without a band of cut-throats at your heels. Be notdeceived, lad, this business is no light one."

  "You say the little boat sails fast, master?" queried Martin.

  "She sails fast, but perhaps others are as swift. Moreover, it mayhappen that you will find the mouth of the canal blocked by theguardship, which was sent there a week ago with orders to search everyc
raft that passes from stem to stern. Or--you may slip past her."

  "My master and I are not afraid of a few blows," said Martin, "and weare ready to take our risks like brave men; still, Mynheer Brant, thisseems to me a hazardous business, and one in which your money may wellget itself lost. Now, I ask you, would it not be better to take thistreasure out of the boat where you have hidden it, and bury it, andconvey it away by land?"

  Brant shook his head. "I have thought of that," he said, "as I havethought of everything, but it cannot now be done; also there is no timeto make fresh plans."

  "Why?" asked Foy.

  "Because day and night men are watching the boats which are known tobelong to me, although they are registered in other names, and only thisevening an order was signed that they must be searched within an hourof dawn. My information is good, as it should be since I pay for itdearly."

  "Then," said Foy, "there is nothing more to be said. We will try to getto the boat and try to get her away; and if we can get her away we willtry to hide the treasure, and if we can't we will try to blow her upas you direct and try to escape ourselves. Or--" and he shrugged hisshoulders.

  Martin said nothing, only he shook his great red head, nor did thesilent pilot at the table speak at all.

  Hendrik Brant looked at them, and his pale, careworn face began to work."Have I the right?" he muttered to himself, and for an instant or twobent his head as though in prayer. When he lifted it again his mindseemed to be made up.

  "Foy van Goorl," he said, "listen to me, and tell your father, my cousinand executor, what I say, since I have no time to write it; tell himword for word. You are wondering why I do not let this pelf take itschance without risking the lives of men to save it. It is becausesomething in my heart pushes me to another path. It may be imagination,but I am a man standing on the edge of the grave, and to such I haveknown it given to see the future. I think that you will win through withthe treasure, Foy, and that it will be the means of bringing some wickedones to their doom. Yes, and more, much more, but what it is I cannotaltogether see. Yet I am quite certain that thousands and tens ofthousands of our folk will live to bless the gold of Hendrik Brant, andthat is why I work so hard to save it from the Spaniards. Also that iswhy I ask you to risk your lives to-night; not for the wealth's sake,for wealth is dross, but for what the wealth will buy in days to come."

  He paused a while, then went on: "I think also, cousin, that being, theytell me, unaffianced, you will learn to love, and not in vain, that dearchild of mine, whom I leave in your father's keeping and in yours. More,since time is short and we shall never meet again, I say to you plainly,that the thought is pleasing to me, young cousin Foy, for I have a goodreport of you and like your blood and looks. Remember always, howeverdark may be your sky, that before he passed to doom Hendrik Brant hadthis vision concerning you and the daughter whom he loves, and whom youwill learn to love as do all who know her. Remember also that pricelessthings are not lightly won, and do not woo her for her fortune, since,I tell you, this belongs not to her but to our people and our cause, andwhen the hour comes, for them it must be used."

  Foy listened, wondering, but he made no answer, for he knew not what tosay. Yet now, on the edge of his first great adventure, these words werecomfortable to him who had found already that Elsa's eyes were bright.Brant next turned towards Martin, but that worthy shook his red head andstepped back a pace.

  "Thank you kindly, master," he said, "but I will do without theprophecies, which, good or ill, are things that fasten upon a man'smind. Once an astrologer cast my nativity, and foretold that I shouldbe drowned before I was twenty-five. I wasn't, but, my faith! the mileswhich I have walked round to bridges on account of that astrologer."

  Brant smiled. "I have no foresight concerning you, good friend, exceptthat I judge your arm will be always strong in battle; that you willlove your masters well, and use your might to avenge the cause of God'sslaughtered saints upon their murderers."

  Martin nodded his head vigorously, and fumbled at the handle of thesword Silence, while Brant went on:

  "Friend, you have entered on a dangerous quarrel on behalf of me andmine, and if you live through it you will have earned high pay."

  Then he went to the table, and, taking writing materials, he wrote asfollows: "To the Heer Dirk van Goorl and his heirs, the executors of mywill, and the holders of my fortune, which is to be used as God shallshow them. This is to certify that in payment of this night's workMartin, called the Red, the servant of the said Dirk van Goorl, orthose heirs whom he may appoint, is entitled to a sum of five thousandflorins, and I constitute such sum a first charge upon my estate, towhatever purpose they may put it in their discretion." This document hedated, signed, and caused the pilot Hans to sign also as a witness.Then he gave it to Martin, who thanked him by touching his forehead,remarking at the same time--

  "After all, fighting is not a bad trade if you only stick to it longenough. Five thousand florins! I never thought to earn so much."

  "You haven't got it yet," interrupted Foy. "And now, what are you goingto do with that paper?"

  Martin reflected. "Coat?" he said, "no, a man takes off his coat if itis hot, and it might be left behind. Boots?--no, that would wear itout, especially if they got wet. Jersey?--sewn next the skin, no, samereason. Ah! I have it," and, drawing out the great sword Silence, hetook the point of his knife and began to turn a little silver screw inthe hilt, one of many with which the handle of walrus ivory was fastenedto its steel core. The screw came out, and he touched a spring, whereonone quarter of the ivory casing fell away, revealing a considerablehollow in the hilt, for, although Martin grasped it with one hand, thesword was made to be held by two.

  "What is that hole for?" asked Foy.

  "The executioner's drug," replied Martin, "which makes a man happywhile he does his business with him, that is, if he can pay the fee. Heoffered his dose to me, I remember, before--" Here Martin stopped, and,having rolled up the parchment, hid it in the hollow.

  "You might lose your sword," suggested Foy.

  "Yes, master, when I lose my life and exchange the hope of florins for agolden crown," replied Martin with a grin. "Till then I do not intend topart with Silence."

  Meanwhile Hendrik Brant had been whispering to the quiet man at thetable, who now rose and said:

  "Foster-brother, do not trouble about me; I take my chance and I donot wish to survive you. My wife is burnt, one of my girls out there ismarried to a man who knows how to protect them both, also the dowriesyou gave them are far away and safe. Do not trouble about me whohave but one desire--to snatch the great treasure from the maw of theSpaniard that in a day to come it may bring doom upon the Spaniard."Then he relapsed into a silence, which spread over the whole company.

  "It is time to be stirring," said Brant presently. "Hans, you will leadthe way. I must bide here a while before I go abroad and show myself."

  The pilot nodded. "Ready?" he asked, addressing Foy and Martin. Thenhe went to the door and whistled, whereon Red Bow with her pretendedservant entered the vault. He spoke a word or two to them and kissedthem each upon the brow. Next he went to Hendrik Brant, and throwinghis arms about him, embraced him with far more passion than he had showntowards his own daughters.

  "Farewell, foster-brother," he said, "till we meet again here orhereafter--it matters little which. Have no fear, we will get the stuffthrough to England if may be, or send it to hell with some Spaniards toseek it there. Now, comrades, come on and stick close to me, and if anytry to stop us cut them down. When we reach the boat do you take theoars and row while I steer her. The girls come with us to the canal,arm-in-arm with the two of you. If anything happens to me either of themcan steer you to the skiff called _Swallow_, but if naught happens wewill put them ashore at the next wharf. Come," and he led the way fromthe cellar.

  At the threshold Foy turned to look at Hendrik Brant. He was standing bythe table, the light shining full upon his pale face and grizzled head,about which it seemed to cast a halo. I
ndeed, at that moment, wrapped inhis long, dark cloak, his lips moving in prayer, and his arms upliftedto bless them as they went, he might well have been, not a man, but somevision of a saint come back to earth. The door closed and Foy neversaw him again, for ere long the Inquisition seized him and a whileafterwards he died beneath their cruel hands. One of the charges againsthim was, that more than twenty years before, he had been seen readingthe Bible at Leyden by Black Meg, who appeared and gave the evidence.But they did not discover where his treasure was hidden away. To win aneasier death, indeed, he made them a long confession that took them astill longer journey, but of the truth of the matter he knew nothing,and therefore could tell them nothing.

  Now this scene, so strange and pathetic, ended at last, the five of themwere in the darkness of the street. Here once more Foy and Red Bow clungto each other, and once more the arm of Martin was about the neck of herwho seemed to be the serving-maid, while ahead, as though he were paidto show the way, went the pilot. Soon footsteps were heard, for folkwere after them. They turned once, they turned twice, they reached thebank of a canal, and Hans, followed by Red Bow and her sister, descendedsome steps and climbed into a boat which lay there ready. Next cameMartin, and, last of all, Foy. As he set foot upon the first step, afigure shot out of the gloom towards him, a knife gleamed in the air anda blow took him between the shoulders that sent him stumbling headlong,for he was balanced upon the edge of the step.

  But Martin had heard and seen. He swung round and struck out with thesword Silence. The assassin was far from him, still the tip of the longsteel reached the outstretched murderous hand, and from it fell a brokenknife, while he who held it sped on with a screech of pain. Martindarted back and seized the knife, then he leapt into the boat and pushedoff. At the bottom of it lay Foy, who had fallen straight into the armsof Red Bow, dragging her down with him.

  "Are you hurt, master?" asked Martin.

  "Not a bit," replied Foy, "but I am afraid the lady is. She wentundermost."

  "Mother's gifts are good gifts!" muttered Martin as he pulled him andthe girl, whose breath had been knocked out of her, up to a seat. "Youought to have an eight-inch hole through you, but that knife broke uponthe shirt. Look here," and he threw the handle of the dagger on to hisknees and snatched at the sculls.

  Foy examined it in the faint light, and there, still hooked above theguard, was a single severed finger, a long and skinny finger, to whichthe point of the sword Silence had played surgeon, and on it a goldring. "This may be useful," thought Foy, as he slipped handle and fingerinto the pocket of his cloak.

  Then they all took oars and rowed till presently they drew near a wharf.

  "Now, daughters, make ready," said Hans, and the girls stood up. As theytouched the wharf Red Bow bent down and kissed Foy.

  "The rest were in play, this is in earnest," she said, "and for luck.Good-night, companion, and think of me sometimes."

  "Good-night, companion," answered Foy, returning the kiss. Then sheleapt ashore. They never met again.

  "You know what to do, girls," said Hans; "do it, and in three days youshould be safe in England, where, perhaps, I may meet you, though do notcount on that. Whatever happens, keep honest, and remember me till wecome together again, here or hereafter, but, most of all, remember yourmother and your benefactor Hendrik Brant. Farewell."

  "Farewell, father," they answered with a sob, and the boat driftedoff down the dark canal, leaving the two of them alone upon the wharf.Afterwards Foy discovered that it was the short sister who walked withMartin that was married. Gallant little Red Bow married also, but later.Her husband was a cloth merchant in London, and her grandson became LordMayor of that city.

  And now, having played their part in it, these two brave girls are outof the story.