Antony Waymouth Part 8

This question very naturally led Edward to describe the battle, and how he had been taken prisoner and brought to Goa, and thence transferred to the safe keeping of Don Lobo, and how he and his companions had been treated, and how they had been enabled to come off to the a.s.sistance of the s.h.i.+p in consequence of the cowardice of her countrymen, who were glad to get others to do the work which they were afraid to attempt.

This account was listened to with interest by the rest of the pa.s.sengers, who all exclaimed against the cruelty and injustice of Don Lobo, and promised, should they be preserved, to use their influence in obtaining the liberty of the brave Englishmen.

"See, d.i.c.k, did I not say right when I told thee that we should do our duty, and leave the consequences to Providence?" Raymond could not help remarking to Lizard. "We shall now have many friends about us on sh.o.r.e, and some of them will get us set free, depend on that."

"I hope you are right, Master Raymond; but to my mind the Portugal chaps haven't much grat.i.tude in their nature, and out of sight with them is out of mind," was d.i.c.k's reply.

As the day drew on, the anxiety of all in the boat to reach the land increased; indeed, it was very evident that without water several would be unable to exist through another night. Accordingly, about four hours after noon, as was guessed by the height of the sun, Raymond announced his intention of making the attempt to run into the harbour. He had carefully noted the bearings of the marks at the entrance on coming out, so that he was able to steer a direct course for the spot. The long swells still rolled in, and broke along the coast in sheets of foam, and all he hoped to find were a few yards of green water through which he might steer his boat. The belief that their toils were to come to an end roused up even the most exhausted of the crew. On glided the boat.

Now those on board looked down on the sh.o.r.e full in view before them-- now a smooth green wall of water rose up and shut it from their sight.

Even the bravest held their breath as they approached the rocks, and the loud roar of the breakers sounded in their ears. Edward and Lizard stood up, grasping the tiller between them. There was no going back now. Had they allowed the boat to come broadside to one of those watery heights she would instantly have been rolled over and over, and cast helpless on the rocks. Many a silent prayer was offered up that such a fate might be averted. Nearer and nearer the boat approached the rocks.

"Back water--back water, lads!" cried Raymond, and a huge roller lifted the boat high above the sh.o.r.e, but failed to carry her forward. It broke with a thundering roar into sheets of foam, and then opened before them a smooth channel. "Pull--pull for your lives, lads!" cried Edward.

The seamen obeyed with a will. The boat shot on, and, amid showers of spray on either hand ere a breath could be completely drawn, she was gliding forward, all dangers pa.s.sed, towards the beach, where hundreds of persons, Portugals and natives, stood ready to receive them. The boat was hauled up on the beach, and, this task accomplished, even Edward and Lizard sank down, unable to support themselves. They and their companions were carried up to the castle, and, although somewhat better chambers were provided for them, they found themselves still prisoners, and strictly guarded.

"I told you so, Master Raymond--I told you so!" exclaimed d.i.c.k.

"There's no grat.i.tude in these Portugals."

However, after the lapse of a few days their condition was altered very much for the better, and provisions and luxuries of various sorts were sent in as presents from those who had heard of their brave exploit.

Raymond also received visits from Don Joao d'Almeida, as also from various other persons of influence. He was himself allowed rather more liberty than before, and was even permitted to ride out in a morning with an escort, in company with some of the officers of the fort, and to enter into such society as the place afforded. He thus constantly met the young Donna Isabel, whom he could not help regarding with interest.

At the same time, whatever might have been his private opinion regarding the attractions of that fair lady, even had they been far greater than he esteemed them, he would not have allowed himself to be influenced by them; first because there was one in his far-off home to whom his troth was plighted, and secondly because he fancied that her affections were fixed on Waymouth, and though he devoutly hoped that his friend would never marry her, yet he considered that as a messmate and a friend he was not the person to stand between them. These were the very reasons which suggested themselves to his mind as an excuse, as it were, for not following the rules of all romances, and falling desperately in love with the young lady whom he had been the means of preserving from a dreadful death.

It is possible that even had Edward not been influenced by these two reasons for not falling in love, as the phrase goes, with Donna Isabel, he might have found others--indeed, that she was a Romanist and of a different nation would have had great power with him alone--but it is not necessary to enter into them; the fact remains, he did not in the slightest degree set his affections on her. He, however, believing firmly that she was in love with Waymouth, and having a true and honest heart himself, placing full confidence in the constancy of woman, undoubtedly paid her great attention--such courteous attention as a brother would pay a sister, or an honest man his friend's wife, certainly thinking no evil, or that evil could arise therefrom.

Now it happened that Don Lobo, the governor of the Castle of San Pedro and its dependencies, was a bachelor, and, although a surly, cruel, and morose fellow, had a heart susceptible of the tender pa.s.sion, or rather of what he fancied was the tender pa.s.sion, for it would be difficult to suppose any thing tender connected with him. It had been very long since he had seen anybody so young and so beautiful as Donna Isabel, and no sooner did he set eyes on her after she had recovered from the effects of her voyage and exposure in the open boat than he began to be unusually agitated, nor could he rest night or day for thinking of her.

His siestas in his hammock at noon, with slaves fanning his face, brought him no rest, nor was it afforded by his couch at night. He resolved to make Donna Isabel his wife. He did all he could to exhibit his feelings towards her; but, powerful as they might have been, and although she might have discovered what they were, she certainly did not return them.

Notwithstanding this, matters went on smoothly enough for some time.

Don Lobo was not a despairing lover, and he knew enough of the female s.e.x to be aware that their feelings are not altogether immutable, even if they change only by slow degrees. Donna Isabel's sentiments might alter, and he might reach a high point in her favour. Time, however, pa.s.sed on as it has done ever since the world began, and no such change as the governor antic.i.p.ated took place; on the contrary, as the young lady's eyes were more and more opened to the true state of the case, so did her dislike to the don the more and more increase. Indeed, whenever she looked at him, or thought about him, or heard him spoken of, it was with a feeling rather akin to disgust than to devotion. She did not, nevertheless, exhibit these uncomplimentary sentiments as forcibly as under other circ.u.mstances she might have done. She and her father were, in the first place, guests of Don Lobo, and dependent on him. Poor Don Joao had also lost all his property in the s.h.i.+p, and, it having been supposed that he was lost, another person had been appointed to his proposed government, and he had to wait till he could receive a fresh appointment from home. Don Lobo was also rich, and had pressed money on Don Joao, which he had accepted, and had thus become still more indebted to him. All these circ.u.mstances would have made it very impolitic in Donna Isabel to exhibit her real sentiments, which she was thus in part compelled to disguise, though she could not do so altogether; nor did she afford the slightest encouragement to her unattractive admirer. At first the surly don was very indifferent to this state of things.

"She'll yield--she'll yield before long to my powerful persuasions and personal attractions," he observed to his confidant and factotum, Pedro Pacheco, a worthy always ready to do his master's behests, whatever they might be. "I'll put on my new doublet and hose, and my jewel-hilted sword, and I'll attack her again this day manfully."

"Certainly, most certainly, Senhor Don Lobo. A man of your excellency's superlative qualities, no female heart, however hard, can possibly long withstand," observed Pedro.

"I knew that would be your opinion, my faithful Pedro," said the governor--the fact being that the faithful Pedro always did agree with his patron, not troubling himself to decide whether he thought him right or wrong. In this instance both were wrong.

The governor, to the surprise of the garrison, who had been always accustomed to see him wearing a greasy old doublet and a rusty-hilted sword, made his appearance in a richly ornamented suit, which, though somewhat fusty from having been long shut up, had the advantage of being costly.

He was received, however, as usual by Donna Isabel, who, though she could not help remarking that he wore a handsomer dress than usual, said nothing whatever which might lead him to suppose that she saw in him the least improvement. He tried to talk, but in vain; not a word of sense could he produce. Then he tried to look unutterable things, but he only grinned and squinted horribly, till he frightened the young lady out of her senses, and made her suppose that he was thoroughly bent on going into a fit. Although he did not suspect the cause, he had the wit to discover that he had not made a favourable impression, and returned to his quarters disappointed and not a little angry with his ill success.

Pedro Pacheco could only advise him to try again. He might have acted a more friendly part if he had said "Give it up." Don Lobo did try again, and with the like ill success.

"Persevere," said Pedro.

The governor did persevere day after day, and at length, in spite of the entire absence of all encouragement, declared his pa.s.sion. Donna Isabel frankly told him that she did not love him, and did not believe that she ever should. She might have said she did not think she ever could. He said nothing, but made his bow and exit. He told Pedro Pacheco of his ill fortune.

"Then she loves another!" observed Pedro.

"Who can he be?" exclaimed the governor in a fierce voice.

"Where have your excellency's eyes been of late?" asked the confidant quietly.

"What!" cried Don Lobo, giving a furious pull at his beard, "that Englishman?"

"The same," said Pedro Pacheco, nodding his head.

"Then I will take good care he no longer interferes with me," said the don in a savage tone.

"Of course it would be unwise not to exert your authority when you have him in your power," said Pedro. "Better put him out of the way altogether."

"He has friends--I must have an excuse," said the governor.

"He has been plotting or will be plotting to make his escape," observed Pedro. "To effect this he would not scruple to murder all in the castle. He and his companions have shown what daring rogues they are by going out to the rescue of Donna Isabel and the rest when none of our heroic countrymen would attempt the exploit. Ah, those English are terrible fellows!"

"Proof must be brought to me of their abominable intentions, and then we shall have this officer and his men in our poorer," observed the governor savagely.

"Proof, your excellency! there will be no want of that, considering that our garrison consists of the very sc.u.m of the streets of Lisbon,"

answered the confidant. "Why, we have men here who for a peco have sworn away the lives of their most intimate acquaintances. Of course, in so admirable a cause they would have no scruple in swearing whatever we may dictate, even should it not be absolutely correct."

"What you may dictate, honest Pacheco, not we, understand," said the governor. "They may bungle when brought into court as witnesses, and though under ordinary circ.u.mstances that would not matter, some of these s.h.i.+pwrecked persons are likely to be favourable to them, and might report unfavourably of me if matters did not go smoothly. As to the means I am indifferent when so important a result is to be attained."

"Ah, most n.o.ble governor, I understand all about your wishes in the matter, and will take care that the affair is carried out in a satisfactory way," answered the honest Pedro, making his master an obsequious bow as he left the room.

Don Lobo clinched his fist, and, grinding his teeth, struck out as if he had got his prisoner's face directly in front of him. The performance of this act seemed to afford him infinite satisfaction, for he walked up and down the room with a grin which might in courtesy have been called a smile on his countenance for some time till his legs grew weary of the exercise.

Not long after this, Edward was one evening pacing the terrace facing the sea, casting many a longing glance over the gla.s.s-like water of the ocean, on which the rays of the setting sun had spread a sheet of golden hue, and he was considering by what means he could possibly with his companions make his escape, when rough hands were laid on his shoulders and he found his arms suddenly pinioned from behind. His first impulse was to endeavour to shake them off, and having by a violent effort done so, his next was to double his fists and to strike at them right and left, knocking two of them down at the instant in a true British fas.h.i.+on. At that instant, d.i.c.k Lizard, coming on the terrace and seeing his officer a.s.sailed, rushed forward to his a.s.sistance, and quickly sent two more Portugals tumbling head over heels right and left of him.

"To the rescue! to the rescue!" he shouted out, and his voice quickly collected all the English prisoners who were within hearing. Of course more Portugals hurried up to the spot, who at once joined in the fray.

Swords and daggers were drawn, which the Englishmen quickly wrenched from the hands of their a.s.sailants, though not till several of the prisoners had been wounded; and now the clash of steel was heard and fire-arms were discharged, and the skirmish became general. In the midst of it Pedro Pacheco rushed out of his quarters, crying out--

"Treason! treason! the English are rising and murdering every one of us," and at the same moment he levelled a pistol at Raymond's head. The bullet would probably have, ended the life of the gallant adventurer had not d.i.c.k Lizard struck up the Portugal's arm, for he had no time in the first instance to do more, but a second blow from his fist sent Senhor Pedro sprawling on the ground among several others of his party who had been placed in the same horizontal position by the st.u.r.dy Englishmen.

In spite of the superior numbers of the Portugals, the fate of so many of their party made the rest unwilling to close with the prisoners, who, not knowing what was intended, stood boldly at bay, resolved to sell their lives dearly, d.i.c.k Lizard singing out--

"Come on--come on, ye varlets! we don't fear ye. One Spaniard lick two Portugee, one Englishman lick all three!"

This state of things could not, however, last long. Trumpets were sounding, drums were beating, and soldiers from all quarters were collecting, who now with Don Lobo at their head surrounded the Englishmen. At the command of the governor they were levelling their matchlocks (fortunately the matter of discharging them was not a speedy operation), when Don Joao d'Almeida and his daughter Donna Isabel made their appearance on the scene with most of those who had been preserved from the wreck.

"Hold, hold, countrymen!" cried Don Joao. "What! are you about to slaughter those who so gallantly risked their lives to save ours? Hold, I say; I am sure that you, Don Edoardo, have done nothing intentionally to deserve this treatment."

Donna Isabel joined her entreaties with those of her father.

"Certainly I have no wish to break the peace," answered Raymond. "The arms we hold were taken from those who a.s.sailed us, and we are ready to lay them down instantly at the command of the governor, in whose lawful custody we consider ourselves."

Thus appealed to, Don Lobo could not, without outraging all law, order the destruction of his prisoners. Those who had possessed themselves of weapons put them down, when they were immediately seized each by not less than six Portugals, and marched off to the cells in which they had at first been confined.

"I must inquire into the cause of this outbreak, when punishment will be awarded to the guilty," said Don Lobo, as he stalked back to his quarters.

The unpleasant look which the governor cast on him made Edward feel that evil was intended. His suspicions were speedily confirmed, for instead of being taken to the chamber he had lately occupied, he was marched off to the prison in which he and his companions had at first been confined, and was thrust alone into a dark, close, foul dungeon, at a distance, he feared, from Lizard and his other men. He knew nothing of the jealous feelings which had sprung up in the bosom of Don Lobo, or his apprehensions would naturally have been greatly increased. The air of the dungeon was noxious and oppressive, and he had not been in it many hours before he began to feel its ill effects.

"A week or two in such a hole as this will bring my days to a close," he said to himself as he surveyed, as far as the obscurity would allow, the narrow confines of his prison-house. "Alas! alas! my adventure has turned out ill indeed. My own Beatrice, for thy sake I left my native land, and thou wilt have, ere long, to mourn me dead. For thy sake, sweet girl, I pray that I may escape."