Part 62 (2/2)

Madness but meanly represents my rage.'

And then, again, that little, soft, shy, tearful trembler, for Statira, to hear her recite--

'He speaks the kindest words, and looks such things, Vows with such pa.s.sion, swears with so much grace, That 'tis a kind of heaven to be deluded by him.'

What a play we might have run up!--I was a beast not to think of it before I sent them off--I to be Alexander--Claud Halcro, Lysimachus--this old gentleman might have made a Clytus, for a pinch. I was an idiot not to think of it!”

There was much in this effusion which might have displeased the Udaller; but, to speak truth, he paid no attention to it. His eye, and, finally, his spy-gla.s.s, were employed in watching the return of his daughters to the sh.o.r.e. He saw them land on the beach, and, accompanied by Halcro, and another man, (Fletcher, doubtless,) he saw them ascend the acclivity, and proceed upon the road to Kirkwall; and he could even distinguish that Minna, as if considering herself as the guardian of the party, walked a little aloof from the rest, on the watch, as it seemed, against surprise, and ready to act as occasion should require. At length, as the Udaller was just about to lose sight of them, he had the exquisite satisfaction to see the party halt, and the pirate leave them, after a s.p.a.ce just long enough for a civil farewell, and proceed slowly back, on his return to the beach. Blessing the Great Being who had thus relieved him from the most agonizing fears which a father can feel, the worthy Udaller, from that instant, stood resigned to his own fate, whatever that might be.

FOOTNOTES:

[38] Liquor brewed for a Christmas treat.

CHAPTER XVII.

Over the mountains and under the waves, Over the fountains and under the graves, Over floods that are deepest, Which Neptune obey, Over rocks that are steepest, Love will find out the way.

_Old Song._

The parting of Fletcher from Claud Halcro and the sisters of Burgh-Westra, on the spot where it took place, was partly occasioned by a small party of armed men being seen at a distance in the act of advancing from Kirkwall, an apparition hidden from the Udaller's spy-gla.s.s by the swell of the ground, but quite visible to the pirate, whom it determined to consult his own safety by a speedy return to his boat. He was just turning away, when Minna occasioned the short delay which her father had observed.

”Stop,” she said; ”I command you!--Tell your leader from me, that whatever the answer may be from Kirkwall, he shall carry his vessel, nevertheless, round to Stromness; and, being anch.o.r.ed there, let him send a boat ash.o.r.e for Captain Cleveland when he shall see a smoke on the Bridge of Broisgar.”

Fletcher had thought, like his messmate Bunce of asking a kiss, at least, for the trouble of escorting these beautiful young women; and perhaps, neither the terror of the approaching Kirkwall men, nor of Minna's weapon, might have prevented his being insolent. But the name of his Captain, and, still more, the unappalled, dignified, and commanding manner of Minna Troil, overawed him. He made a sea bow,--promised to keep a sharp look-out, and, returning to his boat, went on board with his message.

As Halcro and the sisters advanced towards the party whom they saw on the Kirkwall road, and who, on their part, had halted as if to observe them, Brenda, relieved from the fears of Fletcher's presence, which had hitherto kept her silent, exclaimed, ”Merciful Heaven!--Minna, in what hands have we left our dear father?”

”In the hands of brave men,” said Minna, steadily--”I fear not for him.”

”As brave as you please,” said Claud Halcro, ”but very dangerous rogues for all that.--I know that fellow Altamont, as he calls himself, though that is not his right name neither, as deboshed a dog as ever made a barn ring with blood and blank verse. He began with Barnwell, and every body thought he would end with the gallows, like the last scene in Venice Preserved.”

”It matters not,” said Minna--”the wilder the waves, the more powerful is the voice that rules them. The name alone of Cleveland ruled the mood of the fiercest amongst them.”

”I am sorry for Cleveland,” said Brenda, ”if such are his companions,--but I care little for him in comparison to my father.”

”Reserve your compa.s.sion for those who need it,” said Minna, ”and fear nothing for our father.--G.o.d knows, every silver hair on his head is to me worth the treasure of an unsummed mine; but I know that he is safe while in yonder vessel, and I know that he will be soon safe on sh.o.r.e.”

”I would I could see it,” said Claud Halcro; ”but I fear the Kirkwall people, supposing Cleveland to be such as I dread, will not dare to exchange him against the Udaller. The Scots have very severe laws against theft-boot, as they call it.”

”But who are those on the road before us?” said Brenda; ”and why do they halt there so jealously?”

”They are a patrol of the militia,” answered Halcro. ”Glorious John touches them off a little sharply,--but then John was a Jacobite,--(_e_)

'Mouths without hands, maintain'd at vast expense, In peace a charge, in war a weak defence; Stout once a-month, they march, a bl.u.s.tering band, And ever, but in time of need, at hand.'

I fancy they halted just now, taking us, as they saw us on the brow of the hill, for a party of the sloop's men, and now they can distinguish that you wear petticoats, they are moving on again.”

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