CHAPTER XVI
The surrender of Lord Cornwallis was admitted to be the practical end ofthe war. The English people, as a mass, rose up and declared that thestrife must end. Parliament, it was known, would not vote anothershilling for soldiers or ships for America. The Ministers gave up indespair, and even George III., the most obstinate king of which historymakes any record, saw that he must yield.
The attitude of the English people and Parliament was known in Paris bythe middle of December, and at once ended the projects for thefitting-out of hostile ships for America, and likewise for the exchangeof the few American officers in Europe who were on parole. With the endof the long and obstinate conflict in view, they had to exercise alittle more patience and wait for the formal preliminaries of peace inorder to be unconditionally released.
One of the first letters that Archy received after the great news fromAmerica was from his uncle, Colonel Baskerville. It said:
"There is no longer any question of a renewal of hostilities. I have it on authority that the Government is considering an armistice and the appointment of plenipotentiaries of peace, and the only delay in the way is that the Colonies cannot make peace without France, nor can France make peace without Spain and Holland--and Spain means to make one last desperate effort to regain Gibraltar. But I will leave it to your friends, Dr. Franklin and Commodore Jones, whether there is any chance of active employment for you, and if there is not, I beg that you will come to England under a safe-conduct to see your grandfather. You have no relatives in America, and nothing can be arranged concerning your future until peace is declared and the navy of the Colonies is reorganized, or rather established, for they have nothing which can be called a navy at present. I understand that the arming and equipping of such few vessels as the Colonies can get together is now totally abandoned. Meanwhile your grandfather is extremely desirous to see you for a very special purpose. He is an old man, and may not long survive; and if you once cross the ocean, there is but little likelihood of your return during his remnant of life. Therefore, if your friends, who are older and more experienced than you, think that you can come with honor, pray do so. Your safe-conduct will enable you to return at any time to either France or America. You will certainly not be called upon to fight any more, and the emergency of the case justifies me in urging you to come."
Archy showed this letter to Paul Jones and to Dr. Franklin, and, afterboth had considered it, they advised him to go.
"My impression is, Mr. Baskerville," said Dr. Franklin, "that LordBellingham wishes to make some arrangement about his estates; andalthough you are under age, and have no guardian--and you say that yourfather united with your grandfather in cutting the entail--yet he maywant to make you some amends, and I recommend you to accept thesafe-conduct and go."
Paul Jones, with whom Archy had lived for many months, talked with himlong and confidentially, and his advice was of the same tenor as Dr.Franklin's.
"Nothing will be easier," he said, "than for me to arrange with theMinister of Marine to notify you if, by any chance, there should be aresumption of hostilities; and meanwhile you will be better off withyour own relatives, especially such a man as you represent ColonelBaskerville to be, than alone in Paris, for I may leave for America anyday. And you know very well, my dear Archy, that both our purses arelow, and are likely to remain so until the _Bon Homme Richard's_prize-money is paid over, and Heaven knows when that will be. I havegreat confidence in you, but for a young man to be alone and living byhis wits in a city like Paris would test the integrity of the finestyoung man in the world. True, Dr. Franklin remains; but he is often instraits for money, and you could scarcely expect him, with his vastcares, to take upon himself the charge of confidential friend, adviser,and banker of a young man like yourself. So, I say, go to BellinghamCastle, and if your grandfather will do the handsome thing by you, somuch the better. I have not the slightest fear that you can be beguiledfrom your allegiance to your country by any blandishments LordBellingham can offer."
"That I cannot!" cried Archy, with energy; "and I will show him Icannot."
Nevertheless, it was not with gayety of heart that Archy prepared totake his friend's advice. He almost wept when he bade farewell to PaulJones on the morning that he took the diligence for Calais, and wasrather hurt by his old commander's laughing air and gay manner at themoment of parting, until Paul Jones said:
"Perhaps I may see you in England myself. True, I believe there is astanding offer of ten thousand guineas for me, dead or alive; but didnot Captain Cunningham, who also had a price upon him, take his vesselinto an English port and refit? And I have had a fancy to see Englandever since I was honored with so high a price upon my head."
A light broke in upon Archy's mind.
"I see! I see!" he cried. "Very well; all I can say is that if thepeople molest you there is Admiral Digby, at the Admiralty, who willdefend you."
"But the people will not know that I am Paul Jones," significantlyreplied the Commodore. "I grant you, if I went in my proper character Ishould see only the inside of Newgate Prison; and as I wish a moreextended view, I would do better not to tell my name and adventures. Isay this to you: we shall meet again in England."
This started Archy off in high spirits, and he already began to planconcealing Paul Jones at Bellingham Castle. His cheerfulness lasteduntil he began to think of his "enemies" at Gibraltar. Were they stillalive? There was no news from the Rock except that it still held outstubbornly, and that before Spain was forced by her allies to sign apeace she meant to make one last desperate and unprecedented effort toregain that mighty fortress.
However, nothing could damp his happiness at the splendid prospects ofhis country, and, elated with the idea, he easily persuaded himself thateverything concerning everybody he loved would come right. This happyconviction, which was partly justified by circumstances and partlyaccounted for by youth and health and motion along a fine high-road on abright morning, inspired him to raise his voice in song; but as he sangvery badly, and the guard laughed at him, he concluded to try some otherform of amusement.
He had the box-seat, and having a little gold still left in his belt heslyly insinuated a piece into the hand of the coachman, who, in return,passed him over the reins. But a few jolts and bumps, a growl from thepostilion, and a sharp volley from the guard, together with a chorus ofshrieks from several nervous old ladies inside, caused the coachman toresume his job hurriedly, much to Archy's chagrin. This was but atemporary damper, and he proved a very lively companion all the way toCalais.
They arrived in the afternoon, just at the turn of the tide, and with afavorable wind for the Channel Islands, where Archy meant to go. Therewas a guardship, he knew, stationed off the island of Jersey, and if hecould get to her he knew there was constant communication with Spithead.
As soon as he got to Calais he at once reported to the authorities,who, on the strength of his safe-conduct, directed him where to find aboatman. He soon found one with a tolerably large boat, who agreed totake him for a moderate sum to the British guardship. The boatman was asanxious not to lose the wind as Archy, so in an incredibly short timethey were off, and before midnight, by the light of a brilliant moon,they made the island of Jersey. As they sighted the guardship theyhoisted for a flag of truce a sheet which Archy had bought at a Calaistavern. They were suffered to come alongside--a small sailboat with twomen not being alarming.
Archy handed up his credentials in a small bag tied to an oar, and afterthey had been sent to the captain for inspection, and returned as beingall right, he was asked to come aboard.
In a few minutes he was on the deck of the guardship, and the littleboat had tacked for France. The reception he met with from the officerof the deck, and subsequently the captain, was rather chilling. TheBritish people, as a whole, had opposed the war, but there were manypersons, especially in the army and navy, who regarded the Americansstill as t
raitors. Archy's first question was well meant, butunfortunate. He eagerly inquired of the captain if there was any newsof Gibraltar.
"News of its fall, I presume you mean," was the captain's brusque reply."No, sir, there is no news of that--and will not be. The enemies ofEngland need not expect those gallant men to yield. Gibraltar willremain ours."
Archy had so long been accustomed to regard Gibraltar as the abode ofhis friends that he was a little staggered for a moment, but recoveringhimself, he said, with dignity:
"Sir, I was a prisoner at Gibraltar for nearly a year, and I was sokindly treated by the brave garrison that, although they were theenemies of my country, I could not but consider them as personalfriends, and my question was inspired by the most sincere solicitude forthem."
Even this did not melt the captain's icy manner, and his next words werean offer to let Archy sail next morning in a tender that was to carrydespatches to Spithead. The invitation was given so like an order tokick him off the ship that Archy promptly accepted it--and as promptlydeclined a rather cool invitation to accept a berth. He returned to thedeck, and selecting a sheltered corner under one of the boats, wrappedhimself in his cloak, used his portmanteau for a pillow, and in alittle while was sleeping the sleep of the just, the young, and thehealthy. At daylight he was aboard the tender. It was a mild Januarymorning, and the good breeze of the night before still held. When theycame within sight of the splendid British fleet in The Downs, Archycould not repress a sensation of envy. Could but his country have thehalf of such a fleet!
The journey from Spithead to Yorkshire was not very pleasant. Archy,like most hot-headed young persons, was fond of airing his opinions andproclaiming his beliefs in season and out; and, armed with hissafe-conduct, he enjoyed an immunity that he had never known before. Heswaggered on his way, announcing with vast pride and belligerence thathe was an American; he inquired for news concerning the surrender ofCornwallis wherever he judged it would be most annoying; he entertainedsulky English travellers with accounts of the fight between the_Serapis_ and the _Bon Homme Richard_ whenever he had the chance; andwhen he did all this without getting a broken head he rashly concludedthat it was due to his own superior wisdom; and, in short, conductedhimself in such a manner that in after-life he often bitterly regrettedthat he had not been well thrashed for his behavior. Being naturallygood-tempered, he was much surprised when people took offence at remarksthat amused him but were exasperating to others, and he always assumedthe air of a much injured person when called to account for hisimpertinence.
He travelled over the same road from London to Bellingham Castle that hehad taken more than two years before, and he really began to lookforward with pleasure to seeing his grandfather again--so strong is thetie of blood when once acknowledged. Colonel Baskerville he thought ofwith the greatest affection; and when, at the same hour of the eveningthat he had first arrived at the village, the coach rolled in and he sawhis uncle waiting for him at the door of the inn and posting-house,Archy's heart beat with joy, and, jumping down, he seized the staidColonel in an embrace that very much surprised and startled him. And hisvery first remark, after asking affectionately of his uncle's health,was to proclaim, with an air of triumph:
"And, nunky, what do you say to General George Washington now?"
"I say that he is a very remarkable man," good-naturedly replied ColonelBaskerville; "but from your tone and manner of confidence and arroganceI imagine that you yourself contributed largely towards the result ofLord Cornwallis's surrender"--which almost brought a blush to Archy'ssunburned cheek.
Lord Bellingham had sent the coach to meet Archy, much to his amusement,as well as Colonel Baskerville's, and as they were bumping along theroad through the park the Colonel said, smiling:
"Grandsons are all the rage now. Lord Bellingham has actuallycondescended to admit that he had a grandson in the continental navy,but he continues to speak of your commission as if your holding it werea mere boyish escapade."
"He does, does he? Poor grandfather! He will know better before he ismuch older."
"I will say to you, frankly, that Lord Bellingham mortally hates theidea of the title lapsing; and if you will agree to accept it, and tocease to be an American, no doubt your grandfather will make you hisheir. But if you stick to your country, as you call it, I am equallysure that Trevor Langton will be the heir--that is, if he is alive, forthe latest reports from Gibraltar show that although the loss of lifefrom the bombardment is small, there is an epidemic of fever andscurvy, and, naturally, we are all anxious about Trevor Langton. It ispiteous to see his poor mother."
Archy remained silent, distressed by what he had just heard, and ColonelBaskerville continued:
"Langton's mother, my niece, is now staying at Bellingham--the firsttime her father has recognized her since her marriage. Her two daughtersare with her--Mary and Isabel--fine, handsome girls they are."
"If they are anything like Trevor they must be everything they ought tobe, for he is the finest fellow: so brave, so gentle, so quiet--sounlike me."
Colonel Baskerville smiled again at this, while Archy went on to explainthat he and Langton knew the status of affairs perfectly well. "When wewere in the hut at Gibraltar we often talked it over, but it never madethe least difference between us. I am an American, and shall remain so,and Trevor will get the money; but I'll never want for it while helives, and you know I have enough to keep me in clothes and food,candles and fuel, anyhow."
Presently they rattled up to the great pile of Bellingham Castle. Buthow different was Archy's reception from his first visit! LordBellingham had developed a whim, or possibly something better, ofliberality and large-heartedness, and it had impelled him to open hishouse, send for his daughter and her children, and receive Archy in amanner calculated to please a much older and better-balanced person.Lord Bellingham, with all his faults and freaks, was not withoutfeeling. Archy's spirit, intelligence, and strong personal resemblanceto Lord Bellingham in his youth had softened the old man's heart. Hefelt a natural desire that the title should remain in his family, whichcould only be done by Archy's accepting it. At first he had regarded hisgrandson's unwillingness to give up his citizenship in his own countryas a mere boyish impulse; but he had become convinced that it would takeall his powers of persuasion, and all that could dazzle a young andimpressionable mind, to induce the boy to become a subject of a king whowas so well hated by Americans. Nothing, however, was to be lacking inthe way of subtle flattery, and for that reason Archy's reception wasimposing. The great hall doors were flung wide open as soon as the coachdrew up; an army of servants in livery were drawn up on each side of theentrance, the men on one side, the maids on the other, and LordBellingham, elegantly dressed, as usual, and looking like a prince--and,what was more, like a prince in a good-humor--greeted Archy with statelycordiality.
"My grandson! Welcome to Bellingham."
A man quite as fastidious as Lord Bellingham might have felt pride andpleasure in the beautiful young man before him. Archy's figure hadfilled out, his handsome features had not lost their natural, joyousexpression; but instead of his boyish confidence he had gained a manlyself-possession, and the likeness to his grandfather in every respecthad become simply astounding. In Archy Lord Bellingham saw himself inthe brightness and the glory of his youth, and it did not make his heartless tender towards this handsome grandson.
Archy greeted him affectionately, and then came forward Mrs. Langton,who was just what Archy thought Trevor Langton's mother should be, andwho met him and kissed him with all the affection of a mother. Mary andIsabel were two tall, handsome young girls, the most self-possessedcreatures that Archy had ever seen, who, instead of dropping their eyesand curtseys at the same time, looked him full in the face withlaughing glances, and were not nearly so ready to take him on trust astheir gentle mother.
Archy's first eager words on greeting her were: "Have you heard anythingof Langton?" Mrs. Langton's eyes filled with tears.
"Not one word direct for nearly two ye
ars. I know from your letters tomy father and uncle much that happened at Gibraltar while you were withhim, but the last word I had from my son was when Admiral Rodney's fleetleft Gibraltar in the March of '80."
Archy's heart went out to his aunt, as it had done to Mrs. Curtis, andalways did when sweet and motherly women were kind to him. But his heartdid not go out to his cousins, Mary and Isabel. They looked at himloftily; they seemed disposed to treat him as a bandit and an insurgent,and evidently regarded his connection with their brother as his onlytitle to consideration; in short, they were a good deal like Archyhimself, and for that reason they did not affiliate very promptly.
As Archy looked around him after the first greeting, he could scarcelybelieve it the same place that he had known two years before. Instead ofa simple dinner served in the little dining-parlor for ColonelBaskerville and himself, the great dining-hall was thrown open, and asplendid dinner was served to the family party of six--Lord Bellinghamleading his daughter out on his arm, with his antique courtesy. Theyounger, prettier, and saucier of his cousins, Isabel Langton, fell toArchy's share.
"Dear me," remarked Isabel, looking critically at Archy when they wereseated at the table, "I had no idea you were so old."
"Nineteen is not old, my dear," responded Archy, in a tone as if he wereaddressing Dolly Curtis, who was ten.
"Isabel!" said her mother, in a warning voice.
"Let them alone, ma'am," remarked Lord Bellingham. "I think my grandsoncan take care of himself."
Mary, seated on Archy's other side, now came to her sister's rescue,while Colonel Baskerville, with a grin, prepared to enjoy seeing theyoung ones having it out, hammer and tongs.
"My sister is not accustomed to such familiarity as 'my dear' fromstrangers, even if you are a cousin," she severely remarked.
"Mary!" was Mrs. Langton's next protest.
"Isn't she?" said Archy. "I beg a thousand pardons. The last littlegirl I had much to do with was a darling of ten years old--DollyCurtis--and I used to ride her on my shoulder and steal apples for herfrom the stores; and I thought, perhaps, you and your sister--but nevermind."
Isabel and Mary took refuge in silent indignation, exchanging wrathfulglances; Mrs. Langton looked distressed, Colonel Baskerville highlyamused, and Lord Bellingham's handsome old face was quite impassive.Archy, as if to show that Isabel and Mary were quite too childish tohave any claim upon the attention of a young man of nineteen, thenturned to his grandfather and said, airily:
"By-the-way, sir, the conduct of Captain Curtis at Gibraltar is secondonly to that of General Eliot, and we Americans congratulate ourselvesthat these two officers were not in Virginia with Lord Cornwallis. Itmight have delayed the surrender considerably."
An electric shock ran round the table at that. The old butler quietlyremoved a decanter that was handy at Lord Bellingham's elbow, and Mrs.Langton looked ready to faint. But, to everybody's amazement, after amoment's pause, Lord Bellingham suddenly smiled; his laugh was quitesilent in contrast to the happy ripple that had been his throughoutyouth, and which he had lost during a long course of selfishness and badtemper.
Then Colonel Baskerville shouted, and Mrs. Langton smiled, and Archy,with a fine assumption of addressing two very small children, remarkedto Mary and Isabel:
"Haven't you heard the news, my dears? Lord Cornwallis, on the 19th dayof last October, surrendered his whole force to General GeorgeWashington. Didn't know it, eh? It's a shame that you are kept so coopedup in the nursery that you never know what is going on in the world";and then even the two girls laughed while they scowled.
The dinner was very jolly after that. The girls continued to snap atArchy, and he gave it them back in his best style; but it wasgood-natured snapping, and it so amused Lord Bellingham and ColonelBaskerville that Mrs. Langton not only permitted the girls to defendthemselves, but she even smiled faintly at the scrimmage. Nevertheless,when Archy and Colonel Baskerville were parting for the night, Archysaid, in a grave manner:
"I can hardly believe, uncle, that those pert misses are Langton'ssisters. They need to be sent to a good stiff boarding-school to bringthem down a peg or two."
"They are as much like you as girls can be like a boy," was theColonel's cool rejoinder, "and that is why you do not fancy them."
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