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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1933-05-11, Page 6(Continued .from last week.) (Around him were only 'the stillness a,nd the shadows of the night, but to his vision men sat and drank with arim, diced and swore and tolld, wild tales of this or that. For a time he (talked loudly and at random of the vile quality of the drink, and his viler Iluok at thedice; then he began to tell a story. As he told it, his senses (seemed to steady, and he spoke with adherence and like a shadow of him - 'self, "And you call that a great thing, 'William Host?" he demanded. "I can tell a true tale worth two such lies, my Matters, (Robin tapater, more ale! And move less like a sing, or any tankard and your ear will cry, "Well !nett') It was between• Ypres and Courtrai, friends, and it's nigh fifteen years ago. There were fields in which nothing was sowed because they were ploughed with the hoofs of war horses, and ditches in which dead men were thrown, and dismal Imarah.es, and roads that were no roads at all, but only sloughs. And there was a great stone house, old 'and ruinous, with tall poplars sttiv- .ering in the ram and mist. Into this house there threw themselves a band .of Dutch and English, and hardon their heels came two hundred Span- iards, All day they beseiged that house, — smoke and flame and thun- der and shouting and the crash of masonry,—and when eventide was come we, the Dutch and• the English, thought that Death was not an hour behind." (He paused, and made a gesture of raising a tankard to his lips. His eyes were bright, his voice was firm. The memory of that old day and its mor- tal strife had wrought upon him like wine, "There was one amongst us," he where each twig snapped but to be an the instant stiff -in place again, brake it with what patience I might; when 1 Must turn aside for this or that obstacle I made tlie detour, Though my heart -cried outat the necessity. Once I saw reason to be- lieve that two or •mtire. Indians were upon my trait. and lost time in out- witting them; and once I must go a mile out of my way to avoid an ra- dian village. • As the day wore on, I began to go as in a dream. Lt had came to seem the gigantic wood of some fantastic tale through which I was traveling. The fallen trees ranged themselves into an abatis hard to surmount; the thickets withstalad one like iron; the streamlets were like rivers, the mar- shes leagues wide, the treetop's miles away. Little things, twisted ro'orts, trailin.g vines, dead and rotten wood, made me stumble. A wind was Maw- ing that had blown just so since time began, and the forest was filled with the sound of the sea. Afternoon came, and the shadows began to 'lengthen. They were lines of black paint spilt in a thousand places, and stealing swiftly and surely across the brightnesls of the land. Torn an'd bleeding ,and breathless, (I 'hastened on; for it was drawing tavoard night, and 1 Should have been at Jamestown hours before. Hy bead pained me-, and as 1 ran I 'saw men 'and women stealing in and out among ,the trees before me; Pocahantas with her wistful eyes and braided hair and ifinger on her lips; Nantattquas; Dale, the knight -marshal, and Argall with aia fierce, unscrupulous face; my cou- sin !George Percy. and my mother with her stately figure, her embroid- ery in her hands. I knew that they were but phantoms of my brain, but their Presence confused and troubled me. The shadows ran together, and the said, ''he was our captain, and it's of sunshine died out of the forest. Stu.m- him I am going to tell the story. tiling nn. I saw through the thinning Robin tapster, bring me no mare ale, trees a long gleam of red, and thought but good mulled wine! It's cold and it was blood, but presentfy knew getting dark, and I have to drink to that it 'we's the river, crimson from a brave man besides"— the sunset. A minute more and !With the old bold laugh in his eyes, stood upon the shore of the mighty he raised himself', for the moment as stream, 'between the two 'brightnesses strong as I that held him. "Drink to of flood and 'heaveits. There was a that Englishman, all of yel" he cried, silver crescent in the sky with ode "and not in filthy ale, but in good, white star above it, and fair 'in sight, ,gentlemanly sack! Ill pay the score, dawn the Jam.es, .with lights spring - Here's to him, brave' hearts! Herels ing up through the twilight, was the to any masterl" town,—the Englilsh town that we 'had With his hansi at his mouth. and built and named for our 'Xing, and his story untold, he fell back. I held had held in the teeth of Sp'ailn, in the him in my arms until the brief strug- teeth of the wilderness 'a.nd its ter- gle was over, and then laid his body rors. It was not a mile away; a little dawn upon the earth, langea—a little longer and I could It might have been one of the clock. rest, with my tidings told. IFor a little while I sat beside him, 'The dusk 'had quite (fallen when with my head bowed in my hands. reached the neck of land. The hut to Then I straightened his . limbs( and which I had been enticed .that night crossed his hands upon his breast, stood dark and ghastly, with its door and, kissed him upon the brow, and swinging in the 'wind. I ran past it left him lying dead in the forest. and across the neck, and, arriving at itt wa s hard going through the the palisade, beat upon the ,gate with (blackness of the night-thne woodsmy hands, and called to the warder Once I was nigh sucked under in a to opera When I had told him my great swamp, and once I stumbled name and he didt ab, with into some hole ar pit in the earth, and shaking knees and stanting eyes. dos a time thought that I had broken Cautioning him to raise no alarm in any leg. The night was very dark, and the town, 11 hurried •by him into the 'sometimes when I could nal\ see the street, and down it toward the house stars, 1 Fast my way, and went to the that was set aside for the Governor right or the left, or even back upon of Virginia, I should find there now, nay track, ,T1hough I heard the wolves,' not Yeardley, but Sir Francis NV(yatit. they did' not come nigh me. Just The torches were lighted, 'and the before daybreak, I crouched behind folk •were indoors, for the night was a log, and watched a party of say- cold. One Or two figures that I met ,ages file past like shadow's of the or paned, would have ac.costed me, night. not knowing who 'I 'was, but I brush - Alt last the dawn came, and I. catala ecl by them, and 'hastened on. Only press on more rapidly. Boa two days when. 1 Passecl the guest house 1 and two nights I had not slept; for a' looked up, and saw That mine host's day and a flight I had not tasted chief rooms were yet in use. The 'Govenner's dear was open, and in the"'hall servingmen were moving to 'oact iso. When I •came in upon them they 'cried out as it had been a ghost, and one fellow let a (silver dish that he carried 1al1 clattering to the floor. 'They shook and stood back, as passed' them withaut a ward, and went an to the ,'Governar's great room. The cloar was' ajar, and 1 pu'alied it mien and stood for a minate upon the it seemed some enchanted' thicket' ihresh'°Id'r all'°'1)served by, the ants of the room, (toed. As the sun climbed the aeavens, a thousand black .spots, liike summer gnats, 'danced between his face and my weary eyes. The forest laicl skim- latingabtacks before me, and drove me hack, andmade me wind in and • out when I would have had my path • straighter than an arrow, When ,the arouncl allowed 1 ran; when I must break nay way, panting, thrthigh un- dergrowth so dense and stubborn that • ' THE SEAFORTn NEWS After -the claakness .aistside the'lights dazeted ine:a the ackan; too 'seented 'crowded with then, though ,When,'1 acatiale d'aheat „there were nat,lsa many, AlPter ail: ,Sa(Plier had been put tklort 'the table, hut they' Were "not eating, Before the'aare, 'his. bead thoughtful- ly bens, ;and his Lfi s tapping nabs the saran of his chair, sat the .1Gov, ernorj oder against •him, and as seri:- anis af aspect was the 'Treasurer. West stood by . the mantel, ,tuggilig at his IOng (intis‘aalres.. artdasoatly laweariag: Clayborne was. in', the scan,Piersey the' tap'e , -Menchant; and'- one Or two besides. 'And:061E6 stood there, walking up and •cleitan with hasty steps, and a :flus'hed and haggard' face. :His suit of buff was torn and stained, and his greataboats were' spattered with mud. . Tale IG'averner Aet his fingers rest 1.410111- the arm alt his chair, and raised 'hie "dde is dead, aasiter !Rolfe," 'lie said. "There :aan.,''he'no other coneinsion,-- 4 brave man last to you and to the colony. 'We 'mourn with you, sir," Ve to have searched, jack" .put in 'West. "We have oat .been idle, though vvell-nigh all men believe that the 'Indians, :who we lenow had a 'grudge against him, murderesihim and his man that night, then, tiarew their 'bodies into the river, and them-, selves ntaxl.e off (out Of our 'reach. But ,we hoped against 'hope that ' When your panty returned he would be in your midst." • "Als for .thls. latest. loss," continued the Govennar, "within an hour of its discovery this morning search parties were out; yea, if I 'had .allowed it, the whole town 'would have betaken itself to the swoods. The searchers have trot returned-, and we are gravely anxious. Yet we are not utterly cast down. This trail can hardly he Missed, and the an- •dians are friendly. There were a 'nuns- ber in town 'overnight, and, They went with .the searcihers, volunteering to act as their guides. We cannot but think that of This load, our hearts will scan 'be eased." '"God grant it!' groaned ,Rolfe. will drink but a cup of wine, sir, and then will be gone upon this new quest." . There was a movement in the room. "You are worn .and. spent with your fru'i'tless travel, sir," said the Gover- nor kindly. "I give you my word that all that can be done is doing Wait at least for the morning and the good rears it may bring," !The other shook his head. "I will go now, 1 could not look my friend in the face else—Cod in heaven!" ' 'The 'Governor sprang to is feet; through the Treasurer's lips came a long, sighing breath; West's dark face was ashen. 'I came forward to the table and leaned my weight upon it; for all the waves of the ,sea were roaring in my ears, and the lights were going up and dawn. "Are you man or spirit?" cried Rolfe through white lips. "Are you Ralph iPercyaaa "Yes, I am 11?ercy," I said. "I have POI well underatood what quest you ,would go upon, 'Rolfe, but you cannot go to -night, And -these parties that your Honor talked of, that have gone with Indians to guide them to look ,tor some lost per,son,--JI think that you will never see them again." (With an effort I drew myself 'erect, ,and standing so told my tidings, gitiet- ly and with •circumstance, so as to leave ITO room for doubt as to their verity, or as to the sanity ea him who .brought them. They listened, as the warder had listened, with .shaking iinIbs and gasping 'breath; for this was the fall and wiping •out of a people of which 1 brought warniag. When all was told, and they stood there before me, white and shaketa seeking in their minds the thing to say or do first, I thought to ask a question myself; bat before my tongue could frame it, .the roaring af the sea 'became so loud that II could hear naught else and the lights all ran together into a wheel of 'fire. Then in a 'moment all sounds ceased, and to the lights suc- ceeded the blackness of outer dark- ness. ,CHAIP'TER X X XVII (In Whica a Heaa 111'1 Tidings When I awoke from th.e sleep on stupor into 'whic-h 1 must have passed from that swoon, it was to 'find myself lying uposa. a bed in a I:0,0111 flooded with sunshine. I was alone. For a mo- ment I lay still, staring at the blue sky without 'the window, and wand.er- ing where I was and how 'I calm there. A drum 'beat, a dog banked, and a man's quick yoice'eaa,ve a command. The sounds stung me -into remem- brance, and I was at the window while the voice was yet speaking. (It was West in the (street below, pointing with his sword 'now to the io,rt, 'now to the palisade, ',and giving directions to the armed men about him. There were many people isi the street, VT -amen hurried by to the fort with - white, seared faces, their arms filled with household gear; children ran (beside thern, sturdily bearing their share of- goods, but pressing close to their elders' skirts; men 'went to and fro, the most 'grimly silent, that a few talking loudly. Not all of the faces in the crowd belonged to the town: there was Kingsmell and his wife from the main, anti John Elltison, from Archer's ,i(131-FoOrpnear(dabnctiraot :tahtelia.cniisaisVs ,i,t'aad hre nearet theit,"-,.had .been Wanted, and their ,peaple had, come far rednaa toelle ,city( negro Paased,ibut an that marning; ',alone of many • days, M1,04rlien ,ab -red lii5 Paiat and'fealtheas in th,e ,white mares . V'ciotild• not see the palisade. denass gide neck, hut I lchew that it was ,.there .that the fighti—ii fightthere twere-=- would be made. Should • the '!incliaris takethe palisade,, there- Would. yet 'be the ,houses the town, a.ricl last of all, the:fart isa (which' 'to Make a stand.•I believed itcSt- that blfey 'Would take -it; Lpssg since iwe had found Out the1. method of warfare. They used,,antlatts, cade,''surprise, ,and massacre; When ;withstood ,in -twice and with cletermin- atiari "they, withdrew to Their , strong- .tiald the feaeat, there to; ' bide their aline ,untia in the blociloness: (seine might; they could again, swoop, down .a - elver 'from the palisade . came 'down the street at a. run; "They're m the weeds over againslt us, thicker :than ants!" .he cried to West a's.he passed. ''A boat has just drifted ashar.e yond- er, With two men in it, dea.dand scalp - e61" I turned to leave the roam, .and ran ,agailist 'Master 'Pory coming in an toe, with a red .and siklemn face. •He started when Ihe saEvr Inc "The roll Of the drum brought. you to your feet, thew!" he cried. '"Yo.u've lain like the dead all night, I came :but to see If you were 'breathing." "'When II have eaten, (I( shall/be my- self again," r said. "Tihere's no attack as yet?" "No," he .artawered. "They must knelw that we are 'prepared. But they have -kindled 'fires along the river bank, and we can hear- them yelling. Wheth- er they'll be mad' enough to come a.g,ainat us remains to he seen." "The nearest settlements have been warned?" "AY. ,The Governor offered a thou- sand pounds orf tobacco and the per- petual esteem of 'the Ccimpany to the .fltan or men (Who would carry the word. Six volunteered, ,and went off in boats, three 'up TiVeT, three down. HOW many they reached., or if they still have their atalle,s, we know not. Aad awhile ago, just before daybreak, comes with frantic haste Richard Pace who had rowed up from Pace's Plains to tell the news (which you had already brOught. Chant° the Ohristiaa had be- trayed the plot ta him, and he manag- ed to give warning at Pow.el'a ,and one or two other..places as ,he came tip the river." 1He broke off, but when I would 'have spoken interrupted me with: "And so you were on the Pammikey all this' while! Then the iPaspaheghs fooled us with the simple truth, for 'they swore so stoutly that their absent chief men were but gone on a hunt toward the Pamunkey that we had PO choice but to believe them gone in quite another diTection. Ancl one and all of every -tribe we 'questioned aware that Opeahancanough was at Orpax. So Master Rolfe 'pats off up river to 'find, if not you, then the ,Emperor, and make (him give up your murderers; and the Go4ertior sends a party along the hay, and West another up the Chicka- 'hominy, And there yon were, all the time, mewed up in the village ,above the marshes! ,And Nantauquas, after ,saving our 'lives like ane of us, is turn- ed Indian again! And your man is kiliesil Alackadayl [there's naught but trouble in the world. 'A's the sparks fly uipwards' you know. IBut a brave man draws his breath and sets his ItefitIllit'l'uis Manner, his rapid talk, his uneasy glances (toWarct the door, 1 found something forced and strange. "I 'thought Rolfe was behind me," he said, "but he must have been delayed. There are meat and drink set out in the great room, where the 'Governor and those of the 'Council who are safe here with us are advising together, !Let's :descend; you've not eaten, and the good sack will give you strength. Wilt coque?" "Aly," I answered, "but tell ine, he aews as we go. I 'have been 'sone.ten days,—faith, it seems ten yearsi There have' no ships • sailed, Master Pory a IThe George is still here?" 1 tooke,d him full in the eye, for a sadden guess at • a possible reason far his confusion (had stabbed roe iiike knife. "Ay," he said, with a readiness. that could scarce be feigned. "She was to have sailed this vveek, it is true, 'the (Governor tearing to keep her longer, nut (the Esperance, coming in yes(tera 7t, 44, r933' day, brought new% .Whlialt•reinaVeti hes • • " •' ' • • ' •• wait • tb• see ootlthis ,(hand alt :the, Ord§ and • ta -a-kc hiasn-eIIe narties:af faro:seal/Oa), ara left alive atire:red iarleta dos tneliVe,ipottrideiis;, :theY''•att..d. „ • talk: ant,. TIlie:GOoi4,e•,11'a'4 niat Safied,.1 SIAM •.A'relit• •a 'panther Ito went dawn deeP';:' in the ,att• Medical ' , Woliti:cfs had siiinewhat IGeonge would wait, tfor hnia wauld sear:dela :dare to sail 1)00M:tit .hini, .and 'anouid ' fi nd the lady whean',ahe Was .to carry .away Englan•d in Virginia still, It was this 'that II 'had' built titian 'that g,rain. (of •carnfort- ,(the Passionate 'ante tame sustaining lean:Hal of. those y.0a:o+llo.rig: days' in the village above ithe 'Parounkey, i 'My heart was sore becittse 'af .Dir" Von; bult I could speak of that grief to liar, and' she would 'grieve with 'tile. There were awe .and dread and StIehri kaavaledge that even, now bn tha bright spring anlarniug. Mead. ails:ilia 'a hundred Ironies might be flow- , ang to rriaetathe ishining careless ibsen Rut it was springitame, and she, was isnalltingor inc. II .sltrode Oh ,iloWand the ••silairway, 'so fast that when I :aalced a question !Master [Rory, .at my side, was lob out ,01 breath to answer it. Hall- way ..dlOwn the Stairs I asked it,. again, arat again received no answer (save a "Zookal you go too fast for my years and having in flesh! Go more slowly, )Ralph: 'Percy; there's time enough, Ithere'.'s time enough!" • There was a tone in Hs Voice that I liked oat, for it savored •af pity. I looked at him with knilted 'beams; but we were maw in the hall, and blirough the open 'door af the great DOOM I caught a glimitise of a woman's skirt. ITthere were men in the hall, servants and messengers, who made way for us, staring at me 'as they did so, and wihispering. I lons6 iiirat my clothing was tones and muddied and stained iwith blood; as we paused at the door there came sia me in a flash that day in the courting meadow when I had tried with my dagger to scrape the dried mud from my boots. I laughed at myself dor caring now, and for 'thinking that she would care that I, was net dres.sed for a lady's bower. 'The next moment we were in the great roam. 'She was not there. (The silken "skirt that I had seen, and—there ,being but one woman in all the world for me— had 'taken for hers, belonged ito Lady ['Wyatt, who, pale and terrified, was sitting with clasped h•ands, mutely fol- lowing with her eyes her husband as he walked to and fno. West had come in from the street and was making !some report. Around the table were ,gathered two or three'of the :Council; blaster Sandys stood at a window, !Rolfe beside Lady Wyatt's chair. The rcrain was filled with, sunshine and caged bird was .singing, singing. It made the only sound there when they saw that I stood amongst (them. (When' I had made my 'bow to Lady i\Vyatt and to the Governor, and had clasped hand's with Rolfe, a began to find in the silence, ale I had found an (afester Po.ryls foquaciousness, some- thing strange. They looked at the un- easily, .aad I caught a sMift glance from the 'Treasurer to ,Master Pory, and an answering slhake of the latter's head. Rolfe was very white and bis lip -s were .Set; West was palling at ais mustaches and 'staring at the ;floor. "With all our hearts we welcame you back to life and to the service or Virginia, Captain Percy," said the Governo-r, When the sileace had be - some awkward. A murinur of assentwent sound the room. I 'bowed. "I thank you, sir, .and these gentlemen very heartily. You have ,bult 'to command me no -w. 1 find that I have to -day the beat will in the world toward fighting. I trust that Your Ha- noi- does not deem it necessary to sead.ine 'hack Jo gaol?" ' "Virginia 'hea no, gaol 'for 'Cap tain (Percy," he answered -gravely. 'She (has only grateful thanks arra fullest sym- pathy." fI glanced at dim 'keenly. "Then I hold myself at :.your comMand, sir, irshen I shall have seen and spoken with my wife." • He fOoked at the floor, and tliey one and all held their peace. (To be. Continued.) A DOLLAR'S WORTH Clip this coupon and mail it with $1 for a six weeks' trial subscriptiOn to THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR Published by TIIE SHB/STIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY Boston, Massachusetts, II 8, A. In it you 5111 1505 the daily BOW news of the world from its 800 special writers, as well as departments devoted to women's and children's Interests, sports, mimic, finance, faiodation, radio, etc You will be glad to welcome into your home' so feMless ah advocate of peace and prohibition. And don't miss Snubs, Our Dae, the Sundial and the other THE Ounismnuf Sanwa Mounts, Back Bay Station, Boston, Mass. Please send me a six weeks' trial subscription. I enclose one dollar 01). au. ^ Mame, please print) °'5,4-,•c„ (AfIdt ass) (Town) - (State) to..f......da II*. H. HUGH 'ROSS; PhYsicisa and' Surgeon. Late of., .LOnclon 'Hos-,•,, London,. aEnglead. ' ettentiOa to diseases' of' the .eYe ear ! • nose and.,.throat,. . Office and rool-:. • .h.• • '1D 1j1 -k Off • nee e sce r., Phone; NO. 54.;,Itesidenfee l'hOne; '104.', IDR. F. j. ElliR1ROWS, Seaforth, Office and residence,' Goderich street. east of the United Chtneh. Cononer, for the County of Huron. l'elephoar, DR. F. J. R. FORSTBR—,Eye,,Eui Nose and Th'roat. Graduate in Medi -l' cinei University of Toronto ,I897., Late Assistant New York Ophthal-, 'irtie and Aural Institute, Moorefield'a Eye, and Golden Square throat London,: England. At Comas ercial Hotel, .Seaforth, 3rd- Monday iai each month, from 11 a.m. to 3 lam, DR. W. C. SPROAT.—,Graduate el Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London. Member of College of Physicians and Sur- geons of Ontario. Office in rear of Aberhart's drug store, Seaforth. Phone 90. Hours 1.30-4 p.m., 7.30, -9 p.m. Other hours by appointment, Dental DRI J. A. MUN1N, SuccessOr tn, Dr, R. R. Ross, graduate of North- western :University, Chicago; 111. Li- centiate Royal College of Dental Sur- geons, Toronto. Office over Sills' hardware, Main St., Seaforth. Phone 151. DR. F. 3. REMEDY, graduate Royal College of Dental Surgeons, Toronto, Office over W. R. Smith's grocery, Main St., Seaforth. Phones, office 185W, residence 1853. Auctioneer. ,••• GEDIRGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Hurott. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seafarth News. Charges 'moderate and satisfaction guranteed. WATSON AND REID'S REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGEN•DY (Succssors to James 'Watson) MAIN S'T., SEAFORTH, ONT, All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class, Companies, THE McKJLLOP Mutual FirOlosurance Coe HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont - OFFICERS 'Geo. R. McCartney, Seaforth - Pres. James Connelly, Go.derich - Vire-'Pres.. Merton A. Reid, Seaforth-Sec,- Treas. . AGENTS: W, E Hinehley, Sea forth; John Murray, R, R. 3, (Seaforth; E. R. G. Jarinauth, Rrodaragen; James, Watt, Blyth; C. 17.'1 -Tear -la, Kiacardine. DIRECTORS: William Knox, Londeaboro; George- Learthardt, Brodhagen; James Con- nolly, Gaderich; Alex. 13 n:1a:divot, No. 3, 8'eahor th; Robert Ferris, Blyth; George IVLoCartney, No. 3, Seaforth; folio Pepper, attrucefield; James Shol- dice, Walton; Thomas Moylan, No. 5,. Seaforth. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business', will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers ad-' dressed to their respective post offices, .Most infants are inifested by WODMS, which cause great suffering nd if they are net ,ofifectually 'd'ealt with may cause co.n.stitutinal weaknesses diffi- cult to ,reinedy. MEler's Worm Pow- ders will clear the start -path and hovaa els of lAIOYIDA and will so act upon the system that there, will be no recur- rence of the trquble. An.c1 nal' only this, but they will repair ' the injuries to the organs that worms cause and restore them to soundness. • ;"•:„'„,.; •