Part 15 (1/2)
But then, again, when he found himself by the side of Elizabeth, he came to the conclusion that a short time longer would make but little difference, and for that time, at all events, he would enjoy her society, while he might also take a few more gallops on Master Pearson's thoroughbred horses. He had not forgotten Alethea, however, and he nattered himself that he was as true in his allegiance to her as he had been before.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
JOURNEY TO LONDON WITH LONG SAM.
The month of February, 1696, had commenced, when one evening a rider was seen coming across the marsh from the direction of the sea. He threw himself from his horse, and called out loudly for Master Pearson. Jack recognised his voice as that of the tall stranger, Long Sam, whom he had met on his first arrival. He took Pearson, who went out to him, by the arm, and walked up and down in front of the house rapidly for some time, talking earnestly to him. Meantime, the dame and Elizabeth were preparing the evening meal. The new arrival, whose appearance was very different to what it had been formerly, now entered the house, and placed himself before the table, to partake of the food provided for him. While he was thus engaged, Pearson called Jack aside.
”Our friend here has business in London of importance, and requires a trustworthy attendant. Are you disposed to accompany him?” he asked.
”You will find it, as I have before promised you, a good opportunity of seeing the great city, and all your expenses will besides be paid, while you will receive a handsome gratuity to boot. Take my advice: don't throw the chance away. As I told you before, you will be as safe there as you are in the middle of the fens, and you will, besides, very likely find an opportunity of pus.h.i.+ng your fortune, which you certainly will not out here.”
Jack thanked Pearson for the offer. The temptation was strong, and whatever might have been his suspicions of the tall stranger, he determined to accept it.
”You will set off to-morrow morning by daybreak, with eight horses.
Each of you will take charge of three and bestride another, and you will be able to dispose of them in London or its neighbourhood for handsome prices. They will make fine chargers, and will very likely be purchased by officers of cavalry. Long Sam knows London well, and will make all the necessary arrangements for their sale.”
Elizabeth's colour changed when Jack told her that he was about to take his departure for London.
”Going away!” she exclaimed; ”I thought that you would remain here always and help my mother look after the farm when Mr Pearson is away.
She much requires help. Oh, I wish that you were not going!”
”I hope to come back again soon, Elizabeth,” he answered, taking the young girl's hand. ”You have made my stay here very pleasant, far pleasanter than I expected, and I shall always remember you.”
”And I, I am very sure, shall not forget you, Master Deane,” replied Elizabeth, looking up in his face. ”I have never felt sad or dull as I used sometimes to do before you came--and I have been very happy! My only fear is that you will not recollect me as I shall you; and I want to give you something to make you remember me. I have very few jewels or any thing of value of my own, besides this ring. Please, then, take it and wear it for my sake.”
She took his hand, and put on his finger as she spoke a ma.s.sive gold ring of a peculiar make, with a chameleon and a vessel under full sail engraved on it.
”It is all I have to give, but I entreat you to accept it, that you may be reminded how grateful I am for the kindness you have shown me since you came to live here!”
Jack did not like to refuse the gift, and yet he thought that he ought not to accept it.
”I should ever remember you without it,” he answered. ”But it is too valuable. Give me something of less cost, which I shall prize as much for your sake as this, for I shall value whatever you give me.”
”Oh, no, keep it!” she murmured. ”It is the only thing I possess suited for you. I have a locket and brooch and other jewels, but they are not such as you would care for.”
Jack could no longer resist the gift. He kissed her brow and thanked her again and again, and promised never to forget her. He felt honestly what he said.
Jack slept very little all that night, thinking of what he was to see in London, and the adventures he might meet with on his journey there.
Whatever suspicions might have arisen in his mind he shut out, anxious to have nothing to interfere with the pleasure he antic.i.p.ated. The light of Pearson's lamp, as it gleamed in his eyes when he came to call him in the morning, aroused him from his sleep, and he found the horses already at the door prepared for starting. The dame and Elizabeth were on foot with breakfast prepared, and they gave him a friendly farewell, as, following Long Sam's example, he stepped out to mount his horse. A thick rime covered the ground, and a cold air blew across the fens, as the two riders with their charges took their way south. Jack, who by this time was well accustomed to the devious track across the fens, led the way at as rapid a pace as the horses could move, closely followed by Long Sam, who was now dressed as an ordinary jockey or rough-rider.
They stopped to bait at various places: sometimes at the private residence of some gentleman who Long Sam said wished to look at their horses; at other times at a farm-house, and occasionally at inns, but these were generally avoided. While traversing an open country, Long Sam called Jack by his side.
”You will understand, Deane,” he observed, ”that you have a very simple part to play when you reach London; but I must have your promise that you will do nothing without my orders, and that you will make all the inquiries I may direct, and gain all the information you can on certain points which I will explain to you. You will thus be enabled to render great service to an important cause, and run no risk or danger yourself.”
”As to that,” answered Jack, ”I am ready enough to run all sorts of risks where there is a good object to be attained; and I would rather be trusted than asked to act in the dark, as I am now doing!” Long Sam smiled grimly.
”Others may not be so willing to trust you as you suppose,” he answered.
”Indeed, it is better for all parties that you should not be acquainted with what is taking place. I wish you, however, to understand, that the men with whom I am engaged are persons of honour and character, and are not likely to do any act unworthy of their position.”