Part 23 (2/2)
n.o.body spoke, but I knew that every eye was fixed on those Indian signal-fires as we moved rapidly forward into the swale country where swampy willows spread away on either hand and little pools of water caught the starlight.
The road, too, had become wet, and water stood in the ruts; and every few minutes we crossed corduroy.
”Yonder stands the Summer House,” whispered Nick.
A ridge of hard land ran out into the reed-set water. A hinged gate barred the neck. Nick swung it wide; I led my mare and her rider through it; posted G.o.dfrey and Silver there; posted Luysnes and De Golyer a hundred paces inland near the apple trees; left Nick by the well, and, walking beside my mare, continued on to the little green and white hunting lodge where, through the crescents of closed shutters, rays of light streamed out into the night.
Here I lifted the Scotch girl from her saddle, walked with her to the kitchen porch, and knocked softly on the kitchen door.
After a while I could hear a stirring within, voices, steps.
”Nicholas! Pontioch! Flora!” I called in guarded tones.
Presently I heard Flora's voice inquiring timidly who I might be.
”Mr. Drogue is arrived to await her ladys.h.i.+p's commands,” said I.
At that the bolts slid and the door creaked open. Black Flora stood there in her yellow night s.h.i.+ft, rolling enormous eyes at me, and behind her I saw Colas with a lighted dip, gaping to see me enter with a strange woman.
”Is your mistress here?” I demanded.
”Ya.s.suh,” answered Flora, ”mah lady done gone to baid, suh.”
”Who else is here? Mistress Swift?”
”Ya.s.suh.”
”Is there a spare bed?”
Flora rolled suspicious eyes at the Scotch girl, but thought there was a bed in Sir William's old gun room.
I waited until the black wench had made sure, then bade Colas look to my mare, said a curt good-night to Penelope Grant, and went out to unroll my blanket on the front porch.
When I whistled softly Nick came across the garden from the well.
”Lady Johnson is here,” said I. ”Yonder lies my blanket. I stand first watch. Go you and sleep now while you can----”
”Sleep first, John. I am not weary----”
”Remember I am your officer, Nick!”
”Oh, h.e.l.l!” quoth he. ”That does not awe me, John. What awes me in you is your kindness--and to remember that your ancestors wore their gold rings upon their fingers.”
I pa.s.sed my arm about his shoulders, then released him and went slowly over to the well. And here I primed my rifle with bright, dry powder, shouldered it, and began to walk my post at a brisk pace to cheat the sleep which meddled with my heavy eyes and set me yawning till my young jaws crackled.
CHAPTER XI
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