Prisoners of Chance Read online

  CHAPTER VI

  THE ROLE OF PERE CASSATI

  I have no knowledge as to what the surprised priest thought regardingthe astounding apparition thus bursting upon him. Perchance he mistookme for the ghost of some ancient Father Superior visiting him inwarning of his sins. However, I permitted him small space for anyreflection. I have ever been swift in action; was awake then with theexcitement of my venture, and little accustomed to hesitancy at such atime. Moreover, I despised the fellow, and was not loath to be theinstrument of punishment to him, and I never struck any man a deadlierblow with the bare fist than that I put in just back of his ear. Myposture was not the best for such exercise; nevertheless it permittedme to do the work, and he went over without word or groan, even as Ihave seen a buck fall to the rifle when the ball sang straight to theheart.

  Indeed, so limp did he drop upon his side, with not a sigh to relievethe sickening impression, I feared at first I had killed him--for it isa wicked blow, such as has caused death more than once. I wasreassured, however, by listening intently at his heart, and, notknowing how soon he might revive in the cool night air, tookprecautions to keep him dumb before venturing to leave him huddledagainst the butt of the great mast, and proceed forth on my own mission.

  To lower the long gray skirt of my monk's robe until it touched thedeck planks, loosening as I did so the hunting knife securely hiddenwithin my waist-belt, and to draw up the coarse, ample hood, thusbetter to conceal my features, after the same manner I was pleased tonote Cassati wore his, were my first duties. The way of procedure hadbeen made clear; fate had seemingly solved that problem. My soleprospect of attaining the guarded space between decks, of reaching thecell of the man I sought, lay in careful impersonation of the drunkenFrench priest, now lying insensible at my feet. Nor in this imposturedid I anticipate serious difficulty. Everything thus far had developedso favorably I became hopeful of the outcome--the inspiration ofsuccess brought with it renewed courage and confidence. The excitingincidents of the night had awakened me to the humor of the venture, andI smiled grimly at the rare conceit of the contemplated masquerade.Nor did it promise an especially difficult part to play. We were ofsimilar size, broad-shouldered, stocky men, with smoothly shaven faces,the difference therein hardly likely to be observed by careless eyes,beneath dimly burning lights. I knew enough regarding hispeculiarities of voice and manner to imitate both fairly well, so onlyan accident, or some careless slip of the tongue, would be apt toreveal the fraud. In short, I was armed with audacity, doubting littlethat I should safely pass the guards. Anyway, there was nothing elsefor it; 'twas a moment when one must cast timidity to the winds.

  Yet I found it difficult to essay the first step in so desperate anenterprise. For several moments I waited, hanging back within theshadow of the mast, gathering my wits together for the chances of theplay, while endeavoring to pick out details of the situation alongthose silent, gloomy decks. Owing to the mass of over-hanging cordageand the high wooden bulwarks on either side, the night appeared evendarker than when I was above, perched on the dizzy yard. Occasionallysome deeper shadow, or the noise of voice or footfall, made apparent tome the life on board. Toward the stern that steady tramping back andforth of the officer on watch continued uninterrupted, as he pacedsteadily from rail to rail. I could even distinguish the dim outlinesof his lower limbs as he passed and repassed before the single gleamingpoint of light on board. I was also assured as to a group of seamenforward, hard against a steeper rise of the deck; once I heard theofficer aft call out some unintelligible order, when one of the groupdetached himself from among those others and passed along the oppositeside of the mast from where I lay, yet so close I could have touchedhim with extended hand. I felt convinced a sentinel stood beside thehatch, and imagined I could distinguish the faint outlines of anotherfarther back, near the rail. Trusting to avoid interference from thislatter soldier,--for I sought no risk of accident which might beescaped,--I crept around upon the opposite side of the deck from whereI had been crouching so long. Getting my new bearings as well aspossible amid such confusing darkness, I finally set my teeth to it,rose, and bore directly down upon the hatchway, lurching somewhatheavily and unsteadily upon my feet.

  Whatever vestige of doubt lingered as to the nature of my reception onboard the "Santa Maria" was quickly out to rest. In return there cameto me, from that first experience, a measure of confidence in myassumed character that enabled me to impersonate my drunken priestlypredecessor with a degree of cool perfection that surprised myself.Faith, 't is always so; life is like the teetering-board of children,ever up or down. Evidently the father in his night migrations hadpassed that way before, as the sentry--he appeared a burly fellow inthe gloom,--after making certain as to the identity of his unsteadyvisitor, asked no unpleasant questions, merely contenting himself withgruff, good-natured warning to the _padre_ to be more careful this timeand not fall down the ladder.

  "Holy saints!" he added soothingly, "your worship's head must beringing yet with the blow it got."

  To this uncharitable remark I maintained dignified silence, and,flinging my somewhat uncertain limbs over the coamings, went scramblingdown, leaving him to his solitary meditations.

  There was no light burning in the big square room below, merely a faintyellow reflection stealing forth from that passageway leading aft. Forthis blessing of Providence I was profoundly thankful. A goodhalf-dozen of the night guard, wearing similar uniform with those I hadmet on duty during the afternoon, were idly lounging about the butt ofthe mainmast, evidently awaiting turn on sentry post, and ready enoughto welcome any diversion chancing their way which would help to breakthe dull tedium of the night. I observed likewise, as I made a drunkenpause at the foot of the ladder in an apparently vain endeavor tosteady myself, that these roisterers of the night-watch were a set ofjolly dogs, and had been opening numerous bottles of red wine withwhich to pass lagging hours more pleasantly. They were already in thatgay, thoughtless spirit of badinage which comes of fair allowance.Good humor had laid careless hand on duty, until, the stern restraintof discipline noticeably relaxing, good fellowship had become king.Their officer lay outstretched at full length upon three camp stools, afellow long of limb, with face as dark as a Moor. He made no effort toarise from his undignified position, yet hailed me as though I had beena boon companion of his revel.

  "Ha!" he exclaimed gleefully, tapping as he spoke an empty glassagainst the deck. "Comrades, 't is as I prophesied; we are not longrobbed of the Church. See, the most reverend Father hath alreadyreturned unto his own. Truly art thou welcome, _padre_, for I fear thyflock were about to go astray without a shepherd. Ho, Alva! seest thounot the coming of thine own liege lord? or art thou already so blindedby good liquor thou would'st dare neglect the very Pope himself, did hehonor us with his company? Alva, I say, you roistering hound, youdrunken blade, bring hither a stool for the worthy confessor! Faith!doth he not bear the sins of us all, and must he not be greatly awearywith so vast a load. Saint Theresa! 't is fortunate there is yet abottle left uncracked for the good _padre_!" I gathered the heavy hoodcloser about my face, so as better to muffle voice as well as concealfeatures; made an apparent effort to stand firm, but with such poorsuccess I noticed the grins expand on the faces watching me.

  "Peace, my son," I hiccoughed, with an assumption of drunken gravity,uplifting my disengaged arm as if in priestly benediction of theimpious crew. "Tempt me not to turn aside from the solemn path of dutyby offerings of that foul fiend which doth so corrupt and despoil men.Know you, I am now on my way to perform the sweet offices of our mostholy religion, and need greatly to permit my mind to dwell in peaceupon more soulful things than that which lieth in the wine pot. Youare mere beasts of the field, sons of Belial, children of wrath, everyone of you, doomed to death, even as it is written, 'He that taketh thesword shall perish by the sword.' Laugh, will you, you drunken scum ofthe sea!" I shouted, glaring about savagely on the grimacing faces."'T is truth out of Holy Writ I
speak, but I waste the precious word insuch company--'t is casting pearls before swine--for there be none herewho comprehend the things of the Spirit."

  "The spirit say you, _padre_?" interrupted the officer, evidently inrare good humor. "_Bastinade_! thou doest wrong to all this worshipfulcompany by so grievous a slur. The spirit we know right well, althoughI confess thou art ever a full bottle in advance of the most of us."

  I cast upon him a withering glance of scorn as rebuke to his unseemlylevity, venturing to lurch a step nearer.

  "Hush such vain and impious speech, thou man of war," I commandedthickly, indignation apparent even through my drunkenness. "Thoumakest mock of the sacred teachings of Holy Church, and art fromhenceforth accursed by virtue of my office. I pause here, holdingconverse no longer with such mocking tongue, nor linger in presence ofthis blasphemous crew. There resteth upon me the eternal destiny of ahuman, unshriven soul, and I bid thee permit my passage; 't is thefinal night of earth for some upon this ship, and I have until nowneglected to perform my priestly duty with one of the condemned. 'T isupon this holy mission I would pass thee now."

  "I truly think, _padre_," exclaimed one of the group, with a carelesslaugh, "if you had another drink of red wine beneath your cassock youcould never tell a prayer from a song; so for the sake of those poordevils yonder we ought to pass you this time without demanding toll."

  "To whom do you go at such unseemly hour with ghostly consolations?"inquired the Commandant, negligently rolling a cigarette between hislong fingers, and resting back his head in supreme content.

  "I give absolution unto De Noyan." In spite of my utmost endeavors myvoice trembled mentioning the name. I watched the fellow's facenarrowly, yet read nothing save reckless indifference.

  "Ah! the gay Chevalier. Faith, I doubt not he hath grave need of theeand thy paternosters ere he find peace. Yet surely, _padre_, 'twaswith him you were this very afternoon, while I was on guard before. Imarvel greatly he should care for your company so much. Saints, heseems scarcely of the kidney to take kindly to so many prayers."

  I felt a chill sweep across me even at this slight check. Had I daredtoo much? Had I ventured too far? I knew not, yet spoke my next wordsboldly, realizing that any retreat now would be impossible.

  "Thou knowest little of men at such a moment; even careless heartslearn fear of God as they face the end. Holy Mother! but 't would evenpale your black face, and put a stopper on that ribald tongue, weregrim Death stalking at your very heels. You may smile now, makingreckless mock of the sacraments, but that hour will come when you willbe as a child at the knee of Mother Church. Ay, I was with theChevalier to-day; 'twas the coming of that negro huckster which took mefrom his side before, and I seek now to complete the gracious workwhich then had well begun. Surely thou wilt not stand between a dyingman and his last confession!"

  "Nay; not I. Let the poor devil have his chance, as may the good Lordgrant me mine. But, _padre_, I have only just returned from my lastround among the prisoners, and am greatly wearied, nor will I journeythat way again with you. In truth, 'tis all I can well do to guide myown footsteps, without helping along a priest of thy weight. So here,_padre_, take the key, and, mind ye, have it safely back in my handsbefore the ship's bell soundeth the half hour."

  Hastily snatching the bit of iron he flung rattling on the deck at myfeet, I paused merely long enough to favor the company with partingadmonition on their probable future. Then, glad enough to be thuseasily rid of them, I lurched heavily forward into the narrowpassageway. Some coarse joke launched at my expense attracted theattention of those behindhand speeded me onward.

  My heart throbbed in anxious anticipation of what unknown trial was athand. Such rare fortune as had thus far attended my efforts, seemedtoo remarkable to endure; nor was it impossible that, through someunforeseen mischance, the cup of success might yet be stricken from myvery lips. So far at least I had made no mistake; evidently this PereCassati was "hail fellow, well met" among these riotous guards aboardthe "Santa Maria," and I had played the part to their complete undoing.But now I was facing a new experience, and stiffened myself to meet itboldly, uncertain still what trick fate might have in store.

  The sentinel, whom I discovered facing forward, hardly more than twopaces from that door having the figures "18" painted upon it, quicklylowered his gun as I lurched unsteadily into sight. Greatly to myrelief, as soon as he obtained distinct view of his unexpected visitor,he returned the piece carelessly to his shoulder, and leaned back, hiselbow against the arm-rack. He was a good-natured-looking fellow, withround, boyish face, upon which streamed the full glare of aswinging-lamp suspended from a chain fastened to an upper beam. Hisunsuspicious appearance served greatly to reassure me.

  "I give thee peace of Holy Church, my son," I muttered solemnly,leaning heavily against the jamb of the door, uplifting my hand inbenediction. "May the presence of the Mother and Child guard thee intime of battle."

  The face of the young soldier grew sober, and he withdrew one hand fromits grasp on the shining musket piously to make the sign of the cross.

  "I thank thee, _padre_, for thy blessing," he returned gratefully. "Itwill be in accord with the prayers of those I left at home in Spain."

  Whether or not guards on duty in the corridor had orders to pass thefather unquestioned, this lad, at least, made no effort to prevent myinserting the great iron key within the lock of the door. Doubtless mypossession of it was accepted as evidence of my right to its use;anyway he remained there in that same careless posture, a pleased smileon his face, watching me curiously. The heavy nail-studded door swungnoiselessly ajar; with single questioning glance backward at themotionless sentry, I stepped within, closed it behind me, and stood, myheart throbbing fiercely, face to face with her husband--the man towhom had been given the woman I loved,--Chevalier Charles de Noyan,condemned to die at sunrise.