Part 18 (2/2)
”My Lord, de traders do not much stop, when dey would turn a penny, to reckon who shall get de loss, so dey get de profit. Dese same Indians I saw afterwards in de town of New York, trading in de same way wid Master Grimes, a merchant.”
”Mischief will come of this,” said the Proprietary, ”unless it be speedily taken in hand. What reason was given by the Northern Indians for joining in this scheme?”
”I tink it was said,” replied the Doctor, ”dat your Lords.h.i.+p had not made your treaties wid dem, nor sent dem presents, dese two years past.”
”True,” interposed the Chancellor; ”we have failed in that caution--although I have more than once reminded your Lords.h.i.+p of its necessity.”
”It shall not be longer delayed,” replied the Proprietary. ”You are sure, Doctor Debor, these were Sinniquoes you saw?”
”I only know dem by dere own report--I never heard de name pefore. My man Dobel heard dem as well as me; wid your Lords.h.i.+p's permission I shall ask him,” said the Doctor, as he went to the door and directed some of the domestics to call the man Dobel.
It happened that Dobel, after his disgrace, had kept apart from the servants of the household, and was now lamenting his misfortune in a voluntary exile on the green at the front door, where w.i.l.l.y of the Flats having hastened to seek him, gave him the order to appear before the council.
”Dobel, you are a made man,” he said by way of encouragement; ”your master wants you to speak to their honours: and the honourable council want to hear you, Dobel; and so does his Lords.h.i.+p. Hold up thy head, Dobel, and speak for thy manhood--boldly and out, like a buckler man.”
”Ya, ya,” replied Dobel, whose acquirements in the English tongue were limited to his professional advertis.e.m.e.nt of Doctor Debor's fame, and a few slender fragments of phrases in common use. Thus admonished by w.i.l.l.y, he proceeded doggedly to the Council Chamber, where as soon as he entered, the Proprietary made a motion to him with his hand to approach the table,--which Dobel interpreting into an order to deliver his sentiments, he forthwith began in a loud voice--
”Goot beoplis.h.!.+ dish is de drice renowned und ingomprbl Doctor----”
Before he had uttered the name, the Doctor's hand was thrust across Dobel's mouth and a volley of Dutch oaths rapped into his ears, at a rate which utterly confounded the poor trumpeter, who was forcibly expelled from the room, almost by a general order. When quiet was restored,--for it may be imagined the scene was not barren of laughter,--the Doctor made a thousand apologies for the stupidity of his servant, and in due time received permission to retire, having delivered all that he was able to say touching the matter in agitation before the Proprietary.
The Council were for some time after this incident engaged in the consideration of the conspiracy against the Proprietary, of which new evidences were every day coming to light; and it was now resolved that the matter should be brought into the notice of the judicial authority at an early day.
The only circ.u.mstance which I have further occasion to notice, related to a diversion which was not unusual at that day amongst the inhabitants of the province, and which required the permission of the Council. It was brought into debate by Colonel Talbot.
”Stark Whittle, the swordsman,” he said, ”has challenged Sergeant Travers to play a prize at such weapons as they may select--and the Sergeant accepts the challenge, provided it meet the pleasure of his Lords.h.i.+p and the Council. I promised to be a patron to the play.”
”It shall be as you choose,” said the Proprietary. ”This martial sport has won favour with our people. Let it be so ordered that it tend not to the breach of the peace. We commit it to your hands, Colonel Talbot.” The Council, a.s.sented and the necessary order was recorded on the journal.
CHAPTER XVII.
Some do call me Jack, sweetheart, And some do call me Jille: But when I come to the king's faire courte, They call me Wilfulle Wille.
THE KNIGHT AND SHEPHERD'S DAUGHTER.
The Skipper's necessary affairs in the port engaged him all the day succeeding that of his interview with father Pierre, and therefore prevented him from making his intended visit to the Cripple of St.
Jerome's. When the next morning broke upon him, the early bell of St.
Mary's Chapel informed him of the Sabbath,--a day seldom distinguished in his calendar from the rest of the week. It was, however, not unheeded now, as it suggested the thought that an opportunity might be afforded him to gain a sight of Blanche Warden--and even, perchance an interview--at the service of the Chapel. In this hope he at once relinquished his design of going to St. Jerome's, at least until after the morning offices of the church were performed. Accordingly, at an hour somewhat in advance of the general attendance of the congregation, the Skipper was seen loitering in the purlieus of the Chapel, where he marked with an inquisitive but cautious watchfulness the various groups that were coming to their devotions. When at length his strained vision was able to descry a cavalcade approaching from the direction of St.
Inigoe's, and he discerned the figures of Albert Verheyden and Blanche Warden dallying far in the rear of the Collector and his daughter Alice, their horses almost at a walk, and themselves manifestly engrossed in an earnest conference, he turned hastily towards the church and with a compressed lip and knitted brow, ascended the stair and threw himself into an obscure corner of the little gallery which looked upon the altar. Here he remained a sullen and concealed observer of the rites of the temple,--his bosom rankling with uncharitable thoughts, and his countenance clouded with feelings the most ungenial to the lowly self-abas.e.m.e.nt and contrition of heart which breathed in every word of the solemn ritual that addressed his ear.
The Collector's family entered the place of wors.h.i.+p. The Secretary still accompanied Blanche, knelt beside her in prayer, opened her missal to the various services of the day, and tendered the customary offices of familiar gallantry common to such an occasion, with an unrebuked freedom: all this in the view of the Skipper, whose eye flashed with a vengeful fire, as he gazed upon the man to whom he attributed the wrong he deemed himself to have suffered in his recent interview with the maiden. The service ended and the throng was retiring, when c.o.c.klescraft planted himself on the outside of the door.
His purpose was to exchange even but a word with the daughter of the Collector--at least to win a recognition of his presence by a smile, a nod, the smallest courtesy,--so dear to the heart of a lover. She came at last, loiteringly with father Pierre and Albert Verheyden. Perhaps she did not see c.o.c.klescraft in the shade of the big elm, even although her father's weaker sight had recognised him, and the old man had stepped aside to shake his hand. She pa.s.sed on to her horse without once turning her head towards him. The Skipper abruptly sprang from the Collector to help her into her saddle, but Blanche had already Albert's hand, and in a moment was in her seat. c.o.c.klescraft's proffered service was acknowledged by a bow and only a casual word. The Secretary in an instant mounted his steed, and, with the maiden, set forth on their ride at a brisk gallop. The Brother of the Coast forgetful of his usual circ.u.mspection, stood with folded arms and moody visage, looking darkly upon them as they disappeared, and muttering half-audible e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns of wrath. He was, after an interval, roused from his abstraction by the hand of father Pierre gently laid upon his shoulder:
”You have forgotten the censer of virgin silver, you promised to offer at this shrine,” said the priest in a grave voice. ”It was to be an offering for the sin of a wayward spirit of anger. Beware, son, that thou dost no wrong to a brother.”
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