Prisoners of Chance Read online

  CHAPTER IV

  WE HOLD A COUNCIL OF WAR

  The last object I remember seeing was the white face of the Capuchinmonk peering at me over the rail, and my earliest thought as I arose tothe surface, was that as the water had probably cleansed my skin itwould be wise to keep well out of sight from the deck. Fortunately theboat floated close at hand. Laying hasty grasp upon it, but remainingwell immersed in the river, I bade the thoroughly frightened blackpaddle with diligence out of that neighborhood. This was a task he wasnot slow in accomplishing, fear lending strength to trained muscles,and we soon had the good fortune to discover a safe landing-placebeneath the lee of a long molasses shed, where our plight wasunobserved by any one.

  Remaining hidden here myself, feeling reasonably secure from pryingeyes, I despatched Alphonse after dry clothing, meanwhile tramping backand forth across the packed earthen floor to keep chilled blood incirculation, seeking eagerly to evolve out of the confused events ofthe afternoon some programme for future guidance. This task was nolight one. The closer I faced the desperate work remainingunaccomplished the less I enjoyed the outlook, the more improbableappeared success. Getting aboard the "Santa Maria" was now, to mymind, the simplest part of the adventure, but beyond the accomplishmentof that feat I could perceive little to encourage me. What mustnecessarily follow my safe gaining of that guarded deck, during thedark hours of the night, depended so largely upon the occurrence ofhelpful circumstances, any definite plan of action arranged beforehandbecame simply an impossibility. Still, striving to make allowances forthe unexpected, I managed to put together a chain of details, trusting,with the blind faith of a fatalist, that these would somehow fall intoline when the hour came. If they failed, as was likely, I determinedto shift them about in any way possible as each fresh emergency arose.I realized how small a part any preliminary survey holds in such anenterprise as now fronted me, an enterprise to be worked out amiddarkness and grave personal peril, where any bungling act or false movemight overturn everything in an instant; yet it is always well--or atleast so I have found it--to trace some outline of procedure, ratherthan trust wholly to the intuitions of the moment. God's aid seemsusually granted to those doing most for themselves.

  I felt little confidence by the time Alphonse returned, yet my firmdetermination to make the effort had in no way abated. Indeed, hadfailure been an absolute certainty I should have gone forward exactlythe same, for I was bound to it by my pledge to Eloise de Noyan. Ihave reason to suppose dogged determination a part of my nature, butthen something far more compelling than this inherited tendency droveme irresistibly forward to my fate. This is no story of the rescue ofa prisoner of war, but rather of how love impelled an ordinary man tothe accomplishment of deeds which seemed impossible.

  It was evening, already quite dark, it fortunately proving a night ofcloud and threatened storm, when I ventured to steal into the littlecottage on the Rue Dumaine, and found there, even as I had left them,Madame de Noyan and the _pere_ awaiting me. How anxious a day she hadbeen compelled to pass since the hour of my departure was plainlyimprinted upon her beautiful face, gently touched by the softened lightfrom a shaded candle near which she rested; nor was the naturally pale,emaciated countenance of her spiritual adviser entirely free fromoutward marks of care impressed upon it by his patient vigil.

  I recall still, a pang tugging at my old heart, with what unspeakablegentleness Eloise came forward, holding forth both white hands ingreeting, while unrestrained tears glistened upon the long lashespartly veiling the eager glow of soft eyes searching my face. Sheuttered never a word of questioning relative to the result of mymission; merely stood there silent, her warm hands in mine, her gazefastened upon me, as if within my eyes she sought to read everythingunasked. Perhaps she did, yet to me it seemed the perfect abandon oftrust, and often since have I thought upon it as illustrative of herunswerving confidence in my honor.

  "I do so thank you, Geoffrey Benteen," she said in all simplicity, "forthus coming to us once more."

  "I returned the earliest moment possible, Madame," I replied quietly,although all my heart must have leaped responsive into my eyes,contradicting such coolness of speech. Be that as it may, my sweetmistress never glanced aside, nor drew back her hands from mine. Itwas the gravely observant priest, standing behind within the shadows,whose natural impatience caused him to interrupt our greeting, althoughhe spoke not unkindly.

  "My son," he said, deep anxiety evident in the tone of his soft speech,"we have remained in solemn prayer ever since the hour of thydeparture, and, while we doubt not our petitions have found favor ofboth Mother and Child, yet the flesh sorroweth, and we yearn greatly toknow all from thine own lips as to the fortunes of this day. Tell us,I beg thee, hast thou discovered aught of comfort or help for thecondemned?"

  His words brought me back to earth with sudden rush. Releasing thesoft hands I had been clasping so tightly in momentary forgetfulness, Iled the lady to a seat, even finding another myself before venturingupon reply.

  "I thank you heartily for your prayers, Sir Priest. Often have I heardmy father say the prayer of the righteous availeth much, and although Ibe not of Holy Church--for those to whom I looked in earlier years forguidance were of the dissenting breed--yet I yield respect to all truereligion; and even in the woods, where men grow rough, giving smallthought to the voice of their souls, I have discovered much to tell meof God, and to make me thankful for His mercies. But you ask adifficult question. The day has not been ill spent nor wasted. Thismuch, at least, I may say--I have discovered one weak spot in theSpanish guard-line, and intend to make the best possible use of it.Yet the venture is bound to prove a desperate one, and nothing exceptthe overruling care of Him who guides us all can secure the desiredoutcome."

  He piously crossed himself, his thin lips moving silently above thesilver crucifix resting in his white fingers, but Eloise only leanedmore eagerly forward, her dark eyes anxiously scanning my face.

  "Have you seen my--the Chevalier de Noyan?" she questioned tremblingly.

  "No, Madame, yet I have been aboard the 'Santa Maria,'--though in truth'twas not altogether an enjoyable experience,--and now know preciselywhere the prisoners are confined, even to the room of the Chevalier.If you will listen patiently I will briefly relate the story; then wecan outline together our further plans for the night. Are we alone?"

  Both nodded, far too eager to waste time in words, and as rapidly aspossible I described those incidents already narrated. At the closeEloise simply thanked me in silence with an appreciative glance, butthe priest proved more demonstrative.

  "Thou hast, indeed, accomplished much, my son," he exclaimedimpulsively, clasping and unclasping the slender fingers of his whitehands nervously. "Surely but for our fervent prayers the good Lordwould never have led you amid such imminent and deadly peril. Yet tome the venture appeareth even more hopeless than before. You mademention of plans; shall we not discuss such at once, for the rapidlyspeeding time must greatly press us. The great Apostle once said, inconnection with the work of the Spirit, 'Brethren, the time is short';it seemeth a fit text for us even now."

  "It is too early for action," I replied thoughtfully. "I require food,and it will be best to delay until a late hour before moving in such ascheme as mine. As to plans--faith, the word was ill-chosen if I usedit, for excepting the mode already outlined for attaining the deck, Ihave none. Yet there are certain matters I require to have arrangedbefore I depart. Madame de Noyan, can you furnish me with a strongboat and two stout oarsmen? They must be men to trust, who will carelittle where they go."

  "It shall be done," she answered promptly, her eyes brightening."Alphonse will gladly go, and he can select another from among theslaves."

  "The Chevalier, can he swim if occasion arise?"

  "He is perfectly at home in the water."

  "Good; then we need run no extra risk by keeping a boat beside thefrigate. Let it await our coming beneath the darkest shadows of thecotton sheds near
the North Gate. Have them place within it my rifleand ammunition, together with whatever weapons of war your husband maybe accustomed to use; see that the boat be well provisioned for a longvoyage, as it will require much travel before we get beyond Spanishreach, and we go not into a region of settlements. Bid the men exhibitno light, nor converse above whispers. My word to them will be'Virginia'; they are to pay heed to no other. You understand all this?"

  "It is engraven upon my heart," she responded gravely. "You need haveno fear."

  "That I think will be all you can do to aid success--nay, wait!instruct them also, if we have not arrived before the dawn to bide nolonger; it will be useless."

  "Oh, say not so, Geoffrey Benteen," she cried, a sudden sob evidencingthe strain upon her. "Surely the good God will aid us now."

  "It is upon Him I rely," I responded, not knowing how best to ministerto her deep distress. "We will do all we can, Madame, to win Hisfavor; beyond that nothing remains but to submit to His will."

  She hid her face in her arms upon the table, the light of the candlestreaming almost golden in the heavy masses of her hair. InstinctivelyI rested my hand caressingly upon it.

  "Nay, Madame, this is time for strength, not weakness. Afterwards wemay have opportunity to weep; to-night there is call for action."

  She glanced up with a quick, impulsive gesture, and I saw her eyes weredry of tears.

  "You think me unduly nervous and unstrung," she said quietly, and Icould detect a touch of indignation in the tone. "It is merely mynature, for the impatient blood of the South has place in my veins, yetwhatsoever a lady of France may do, you can trust me to accomplish,Monsieur."

  Faith! but she had a way with her which ever left me helpless, and nodoubt my face exhibited how abashed I felt at the regal manner in whichshe fronted me. At least I spoke no word, yet the proud look fadedfrom her eyes, and I felt her hand touch mine.

  "Forgive me, Geoffrey," she whispered softly. "We do not doubt eachother, yet I was over hasty of speech with one who has proven so loyala friend."

  "Nor have I aught to forgive, Madame, or more to say, except that mywords meant no injustice," I responded. Then to avoid longer facingher I turned to where the watchful Capuchin stood.

  "And now, Sir Priest, I propose being perfectly frank with you, as Ido not believe this a time for mincing of words. I am of Protestantblood; those of my line have ridden at Cromwell's back, and one of myname stood unrepentant at the stake when Laud turned Scotland into aslaughter-house. So 't is safe to say I admire neither your robe noryour Order. Yet the events of this day have gone far toward convincingme that at heart you are a man in spite of the woman's garb you wear.So now, what say you--will you be comrade with me this night?"

  At the brutal bluntness of my speech and question--for I fear I tookout upon him those feelings I ventured not to exploit with Madame,recalling how this same difference of faith had come between us twowith its dread shadow--a red flush sprang into the priest's thin,wasted cheeks, and I could see how tightly his hands clinched about thecrucifix at his girdle.

  "As to my Order, it hath little to fear from thy dislike, young man, asthat is born from early prejudice, and lack of proper learning," hereturned gravely, meeting I my eyes fairly with his own. "Yet,speaking as frankly as yourself, I doubt if I would prove of muchassistance upon a ship's deck; such effort as you propose for thisnight would be wholly foreign to my habit of life."

  "Spoken truly; nor would I make choice of one with muscles so inertfrom disuse were this to be an onset, where men give and take hardblows. I ask you not upon the ship's deck at all, my friend, nor shallI require your company one step farther than the roof of the greatsugar warehouse of Bomanceaux et fils. Still, it will require steadynerve to do even what little I require, and, if you doubt your courage,say so now, and I will seek among the slaves for stouter heart andreadier hand."

  That my words touched his pride I could read instantly in his upliftedface.

  "Nay, thou needest seek no further," he announced briefly, his thinlips tightly pressed together. "I will go, Monsieur." I knewinstantly by the bold ring of the words that henceforward I might trusthim to the death.

  "I thought you would. Now a question more, and then I must have food.Can you prepare for my use one of your robes?"

  "Easily, Monsieur; Father Cassati left one behind at the chapter-housewhen he went aboard ship, and you do not greatly differ in point ofsize. But is it possible thou proposest to turn priest, and of ourOrder?"

  "In outward vesture merely, and that not for long. It would afford megreater liberty of movement on the 'Santa Maria' than my own garb, andmay spare me some unpleasant questioning. Yet, perchance, there may bedanger of my overdoing the priestly character, as well as ofoverestimating the privileges granted the clergy on board."

  He shrugged his shoulders, nettled somewhat by my words and manner.

  "I have indeed reason for gravely distrusting your naturalness in thewearing of a robe dedicated to religion," he made answer. "But as forthe other matter, there can be little danger of your overstepping themark. Father Cassati is of a somewhat roistering disposition,over-fond of the bottle, in truth,--although it giveth me pain to speakthus of one of my own Order,--and I have been informed, moveth at hisown will about the ship. He is of the sort to be 'hail fellow, wellmet' with those roistering Spaniards, who care little for God or man,as he possesseth few scruples of his own."

  "Bear I sufficient resemblance to pass in his stead?"

  "You are not unlike as to height and build; as to face, you are far thebetter featured. With the cowl up it might be reasonably safe in a dimlight."

  "My beauty has always been my undoing," I ventured, in awakened goodhumor. "Nevertheless I shall be compelled to venture it this time;moreover, I am pleased to learn that things aboard are as you describe,for such a state of affairs may greatly serve our purpose."

  I turned away from him to recross the room and murmur a few words ofbrighter hope into the ear of Eloise, where she sat in white-facedsilence amid the deeper shadows of the portiere.