The Cornet of Horse: A Tale of Marlborough's Wars

by G. A. Henty

  Chapter 11: A Death Trap.

  Never did a patient receive more unremitting care than that whichwas lavished upon Rupert Holliday in the stately old house at Dort.The old housekeeper, in the stiffest of dresses and starched caps,and with the rosiest although most wrinkled of faces, waited uponhim; while Maria von Duyk herself was in and out of his room,brought him flowers, read to him, and told him the news; and herfather frequently came in to see that he lacked nothing. As forHugh, he grumbled, and said that there was nothing for him to dofor his master; but he nevertheless got through the days pleasantlyenough, having struck up a flirtation with Maria's plump and prettywaiting maid, who essayed to improve his Dutch, of which he had bythis time picked up a slight smattering. Then, too, he made himselfuseful, and became a great favourite in the servants' hall, wentout marketing, told them stories of the war in broken Dutch, andmade himself generally at home. Greatly astonished was he at thestories that he heard as to the land around him; how notinfrequently great subsidences, extending over very many squaremiles, took place; and where towns and villages stood when the sunwent down, there spread in the morning a sea very many fathomsdeep. Hugh could hardly believe these tales, which he repeated toRupert, who in turn questioned Maria von Duyk, who answered himthat the stories were strictly true, and that many such great andsudden catastrophes had happened.

  "I can't understand it," Rupert said. "Of course one could imaginea sea or river breaking through a dyke and covering low lands, butthat the whole country should sink, and there be deep water overthe spot, appears unaccountable."

  "The learned believe," Maria said, "that deep down below thesurface of the land lies a sort of soil like a quicksand, and thatwhen the river deepens its bed so that its waters do enter thissoil it melts away, leaving a great void, into which the land abovedoes sink, and is altogether swallowed up."

  "It is a marvellously uncomfortable feeling," Rupert said, "tothink that one may any night be awoke with a sudden crash, only tobe swallowed up."

  "Such things do not happen often," Maria said; "and the districtsthat suffer are after all but small in comparison to Holland. So Iread that in Italy the people do build their towns on the slopes ofVesuvius, although history says that now and again the mountainbubbles out in irruption, and the lava destroys many villages, andeven towns. In other countries there are earthquakes, but thepeople forget all about them until the shock comes, and the housesbegin to topple over their heads."

  "You are right, no doubt," Rupert said. "But to a stranger thefeeling, at first, of living over a great quicksand, is notaltogether pleasant.

  "Tomorrow the doctor says I may leave my room. My own idea is thatI need never have been kept there at all."

  "If there had been any great occasion for you to have moved about,no doubt you might have done so," Maria said; "but you might havethrown back your cure, and instead of your bones knitting well andsoundly, as the leech says they are in a fair way to do, you mighthave made but a poor recovery. Dear me, what impatient creaturesboys are!"

  "No, indeed I am not impatient," Rupert said. "You have all made meso comfortable and happy, that I should indeed be ungrateful were Ito be impatient. I only want to be about again that I may spare yousome of the trouble which you bestow upon me."

  "Yes, that is all very well and very pretty," Maria said, laughing;"but I know that you are at heart longing to be off to join yourregiment, and take part in all their marching and fighting. Do youknow, an officer who came here with you after that terrible fightnear Antwerp, told me that you covered yourself with glory there?"

  "I covered myself with mud," Rupert laughed. "Next day, when I haddried a little, I felt as if I had been dipped in dough and thenbaked. I am sure I looked like a pie in human shape when you firstsaw me, did I not?"

  "It would have been difficult to tell the colour of your uniform,certainly," Maria smiled. "Fortunately, neither cloth nor tailorsare scarce in our good town of Dort, and you will find a fresh suitin readiness for you to attire yourself in tomorrow."

  "Oh, that is good of you," Rupert said, delighted; for he had beenthinking ruefully of the spectacle he should present the next day.

  As to Hugh, he had been fitted out in bourgeois clothes since hecame, and had said no word as to uniform.

  In another fortnight Rupert was thoroughly restored to health. Hiswound had healed, his bones had perfectly set, and he was as fitfor work as ever. Even his host could not but allow that there wasno cause for his further detention. During this time Rupert hadtalked much with the Burgomaster, who spoke French fluently, andhad told him frequently and earnestly of the grievous harm that wasdone to the prospects of the war by the mischievous interferencewith the general's plans by the Dutch deputies, who, knowingnothing whatever of war, yet took upon themselves continually tothwart the plans of the greatest general of the age. Van Duyklistened with great attention, and promised that when he wentshortly to Haarlem he would use all his influence to abbreviate thepowers which the deputies so unwisely used.

  Two or three days before the date fixed for Rupert's departure, hewas walking in the town with Mynheer Von Duyk and his daughter,when he observed a person gazing intently at him from the entranceto a small bylane. He started, and exclaimed:

  "There is that rascal, Sir Richard Fulke!"

  "Where?" exclaimed both his companions.

  "He has gone now," Rupert said. "But he stood there in shadow, atthe entrance to that lane."

  So saying, he hurried forward, but no sign of his enemy wasvisible.

  "Are you sure it was he?" Mynheer Von Duyk asked. "What can he bedoing in Holland?"

  Rupert then in a few words recounted their meeting in Liege, thesubsequent attempt to murder him at the mill, and the disappearanceof Sir Richard Fulke, and his exchange into some other regiment.

  Von Duyk was much disturbed.

  "This touches me nearly," he said. "It is from your interference onbehalf of my daughter that you have incurred this fellow's enmity,and it is clear that he will shrink at nothing to gratify it.Moreover, I cannot consider my daughter to be in safety, as long asso reckless a man as this is in the town. I will go at once to themagistrates, and urge that my daughter goes in danger of him, andso obtain an order to search for and arrest him. In a few hours wewill have him by the heels, and then, after a while in prison, wewill send him packing across the frontier, with a warning that ifhe comes back he will not escape so lightly."

  The search, however, was not successful; and Mynheer Von Duyk wasbeginning to think that Rupert must have been mistaken, when theofficer of the magistracy discovered that a man answering to thedescription given had been staying for three days at a small tavernby the water, but that he had hastily taken a boat and sailed,within a half hour of being seen by Rupert.

  "It is a low resort where he was staying," Von Duyk said, "A tavernto which all the bad characters of the town--for even Dort has somebad characters--do resort. If he came here to do you harm, or withany fresh design upon my daughter, he would find instruments there.I had intended to have left Maria behind, when I travelled to theHague next week; but I will now take her with me, with two or threestout fellows as an escort.

  "As for you, friend Rupert, you have but two more evenings here inDort, but I pray you move not out after dusk, for these long warshave made many men homeless and desperate, and it is not good forone who has an enemy to trust himself abroad at night, alone."

  The next morning Hugh went down to the quay with one of the clerksof Von Duyk, and struck a bargain with some boatmen to carry Rupertand himself to Bergen op Zoom. It was a craft of some four or fivetons burden, with a good sized cabin.

  The next day Hugh went down early to the boat with the banscontaining Rupert's luggage and his own, and a servant of Von Duykaccompanied him, bearing some provisions and a few choice bottlesof wine for their use on the way.

  "Do you know, Master Rupert," he said on his return, "I don't muchlike the look of that boatman chap. When we got down to the quaythis morning, he
was talking with two men whose faces I did notsee, for they walked suddenly and hastily away, but who seemed tome to flavour much of the two men we disturbed that evening whenthey were carrying off Miss Von Duyk. I could not swear to them,for I did not get a fair sight of them before, but they were aboutthe same size and height, and it was clear that they did not wishto be recognized."

  Rupert made no reply for a while, but thought the matter over.

  "Well, Hugh, I wish it had not been so, for I hate quarrels andbrawls, but I do not think that we need be uneasy, especially nowthat we are warned. The boat carries but three men, and as we shallhave our pistols and swords, I imagine that we are a match forthese Dutch boatmen. See that the pistols are loaded, and saynaught to our kind friends here as to your suspicions. I would notmake them uncomfortable."

  Before taking leave of their friends, Rupert was drawn aside byMynheer Von Duyk, who begged to know if he had any necessity formoney, and assured him that then or at any other time he should beglad to honour any drafts that Rupert might draw upon him.

  "I am not a man of many words," he said, "but in saving my daughterfrom that ruffian you have laid me under an obligation which Ishould be glad to discharge with half my fortune. I am, as youknow, a rich man--I may say a very rich man. Had you been a fewyears older, I would gladly have given my daughter to you did yourinclination and hers jump that way. As it is, I can only regard youas a younger brother of hers, and view you as a sort of son byadoption. Young men in cavalry regiments require horses and havemany expenses, and you will really pain me much if you refuse toallow me to act as your banker. I have, believing that you wouldnot take it wrongly, paid in to your account with the paymaster ofyour regiment the sum of two hundred pounds, and have told him thatthe same sum would be paid to your account annually so long as theregiment might be in Flanders, and that he may further cash anyorder drawn by you upon my house.

  "There now, my daughter is waiting, and the hour for sailing is athand. Do not let us say any more about it."

  So saying he hurried Rupert out into the hall where Maria Von Duykwas waiting, before he could have raised any objection, had hewished to do so. But in truth Rupert felt that he could not refusethe kind offer without giving pain, and he knew moreover that thisallowance, which to the rich merchant was a mere trifle, would addgreatly to his comfort, and enable him to enter more freely than hehad yet done in the plans and pursuits of his brother officers, whowere for the most part young men of fortune. With a word or two ofsincere thanks therefore, he accompanied the worthy Dutchman, andtwelve minutes later the party were on their way down to the quay.

  "A surly looking knave is your captain," Mynheer Von Duyk said asthey stood by the boat while the men prepared for a start. "I seehe belongs not to this town, but to Bergen. However, the voyage isnot a long one, and as you know but little of our language it willmatter but slightly whether his temper be good or bad.

  "There, I see he is ready. Goodbye, Master Holliday. Goodbye, mygood Hugh. All fortune attend you, and God keep you both fromharm."

  Maria added her affectionate adieux to those of her father, and ina few minutes the boat was moving down the river under full sail.

  "Hugh, you may as well overhaul the cabin at once," Rupert said;"we have paid for its sole use during the voyage. Cast your eyecarefully round, and see if there is anything that strikes you asbeing suspicious. I see no arms on deck; see that none are hiddenbelow."

  Hugh returned on deck in a few minutes.

  "It seems all right, Master Rupert. There are some provisions in alocker, and in another are a cutlass, a couple of old pistols, anda keg half full of powder; I should say by its weight there are tenpounds in it. The arms are rusted, and have been there some time, Ishould say. There is also a bag of heavy shot, and there is a longduck gun fastened to the beam; but all these things are naturalenough in a boat like this. No doubt they fire a charge or two ofshot into a passing flight of wildfowl when they get the chance."

  "That's all right then, Hugh, especially as they evidently couldnot go down into the cabin without our seeing them; and as with ourpistols and swords we could make short work of them even if theydid mean mischief, we need not trouble ourselves any further in thematter. It's going to be a wet night, I am afraid; not that itmakes much difference, but one would rather have stayed on deck aslong as one could keep awake, for the smells of the cabin of aDutch fishing boat are not of the sweetest."

  Rupert was not mistaken. As the darkness came on a thick heavy mistbegan to fall steadily; and he and Hugh descended through the halfdoor from the cockpit into the cabin.

  "Now let us have supper, Hugh; there are plenty of good things; andI have a famous appetite."

  The thoughtfulness of Mynheer von Duyk's housekeeper had placed twocandles in the basket together with two drinking glasses; and theformer were soon lighted, and by the aid of a drop or two of theirown grease, fixed upright on the rough table. Then a splendid piewas produced; the neck was knocked off a bottle; the lads drew outtheir clasp knives, and set to work.

  "Here is a bottle of schnapps," Hugh said, examining the basketwhen they had finished a hearty meal.

  "You may as well give that to the boatman, Hugh. I expect the goodfrau had him in her thoughts when she put it in, for she wouldhardly give us credit for such bad taste as to drink that stuffwhen we could get good wine."

  Hugh handed out the bottle to the boatman, who took it with a surlygrunt of satisfaction. It was raining steadily, and the wind hadalmost dropped. An hour later the lads agreed that they were readyfor sleep. Hitherto the door had been slightly open to admit air.

  "Shall I shut the door, Master Rupert?"

  "Well, perhaps you had better, Hugh. We have got into the way ofsleeping heavily at Dort, without any night guard or disturbance. Idoubt not that these Dutchmen mean us no harm. Still it is well tobe on the safe side."

  "There is no fastening to it, Master Rupert."

  "Well, take your sword out of its scabbard, Hugh, and put thescabbard against the door, so that it will fall with a crash if thedoor is opened. Then, if we have a pistol close to hand, we cansleep in security."

  Hugh obeyed his instructions; and in a few minutes, wrapped intheir military cloaks, they were fast asleep on the lockers, whichserved as benches and beds. How long they slept they knew not; butboth started up into a sitting attitude, with their hands on theirpistols.

  "Who's there?" both shouted; but there was no answer.

  The darkness was intense; and it was clear that whoever had triedto open the door had shut it again.

  "Have you your tinderbox handy, Hugh? If so, let us have a light.

  "Those fellows are moving about overhead, Hugh; but we had betterstay where we are. The scabbard may have shaken down, for the windhas got up, and the boat is feeling it; and if they mean foul playthey could knock us on the head as we go out from under the lowdoor.

  "Hallo! What's that?"

  The "that" was the falling of some heavy substance against thedoor.

  "Those are the coils of cable, Hugh; they have blocked us in. Go onstriking that light; we can't push the door open now."

  Some more weight was thrown against the door, and then all wasstill.

  Presently Hugh succeeded in striking a light--no easy task in thedays of flint and steel--and the candles being lighted, they satdown to consider the position.

  "We are prisoners, Master Rupert; no doubt about that."

  "None at all, Hugh. The question is what do they mean to do withus. We've got food enough here to last us with ease for a week; andwith our pistols and swords, to say nothing of the duck gun, wecould hold this cabin against any number."

  Presently they heard the men on deck hailing another boat.

  "I suppose that is that rascal Fulke," Rupert said. "I hope that Iam not quarrelsome by disposition, Hugh; but the next time I meetthat fellow I will, if time and place be suitable, come to areckoning with him."

  There was a movement above, and then a bump came against
the side.The other boat had come up.

  "Now we shall see what they are up to."

  Nothing, however, came of it. There was some low talking above, andsome coarse laughter.

  "Master Rupert," Hugh exclaimed suddenly, "I am standing in water!"

  Rupert had half lain down again, but he leapt up now.

  "They have scuttled the boat, Hugh, and mean to drown us like rats;the cowards."

  "What's to be done now, Master Rupert?" Hugh asked.

  "Let us try the door, Hugh."

  A single effort showed that they were powerless here. The door wasstrong, it was fastened outside, and it was heavily weighted withcoils of rope and other substances.

  "The water rises fast. It's over our ankles," Hugh said quietly.

  The bumping of a boat was again heard outside, then a trampling offeet, and all was still again.

  "They have taken to the boats."

  Not all, however, for through the door there came a shout,"Goodbye, Master Holliday," and a loud, jeering laugh.

  "Au revoir, Sir Richard Fulke," Rupert shouted back; "and when wemeet next, beware!"

  "Ha, ha! it won't be in this world;" and they heard their enemy getinto the boat.

  "Now, Hugh, we must set to work; we have got the boat toourselves."

  "But what are we to do, Master Rupert?"

  Rupert was silent for a minute.

  "There is but one way, Hugh. We must blow up the boat."

  "Blow up the boat!" Hugh repeated, in astonishment.

  "Yes, Hugh. At least, blow the deck up. Give me that keg ofpowder."

  Hugh opened the locker. It was, fortunately, still above water.

  "Now, Hugh, put it in that high locker there, just under the deck.Knock its head out.

  "Now tie a pistol to those hooks just above, so that its muzzlepoints at the powder.

  "Now for a piece of cord."

  "But it will blow us into smash, Master Rupert."

  "I hope not, Hugh; but we must take our chance. I would rather thatthan be drowned gradually. But look, the water is up nearly to ourwaists now; and the boat must be pretty nearly sinking. I will takehold of the cord. Then both of us throw ourselves down to thefloor, and I will pull the string. Three feet of water over usought to save us; but mind, the instant you feel the shock, jump upand rush for the opening, for it is pretty sure to sink her.

  "Now!"

  The lads dived under water, and the instant afterwards there was atremendous explosion. The deck of the boat was blown into the airin a hundred fragments, and at the same moment the boat sank underthe water.

  A few seconds later Rupert and Hugh were swimming side by side. Fora while neither spoke--they were shaken and half stunned by theshock.

  "It is a thick fog, Hugh. All the better; for if those scoundrelscome back, as is likely enough, there is no chance of their findingus, for I can hardly see you, though I am touching you. Now we mustpaddle about, and try to get hold of a spar or a bit of plank."