Captain Jacobus. Certain passages from the memoirs of Anthony Langford ... Written by himself and now newly set forth [or rather, the whole written] by L. C. Cornford

Front matter

CAPTAIN JACOBUS CLIMBING INTO THE CART, WE SET OFF TOWARDS ST. SEPULCHRE Frontispiece. CAPTAIN JACOBUS Certain passages from the Memoirs of Anthony Langford, Gentleman : containing a particular account of his acquaintance with Captain Jacobus, the notorious Cava lier Highwayman : of his connection with the Penruddock Plot in the time of the Commonwealth ; and of the surprising adventures and singular turns of fortune that befell him in the course of these relations. Written by himself, and now newly set forth by L. Cope Cornford LONDON: METHUEN AND COMPANY 36 ESSEX STREET, STRAND : TO C. L. I would that these letters were engraven upon a nobler monument ; which, outlasting memorials of brass and marble, should be found worthy to re ceive the imperial warranty of time. So ambition, desperately outrunning performance, dwindles to a star : and lo ! it shines above a little, trifling house of pleasure.

And so, austerely regarding this frail arbour giving upon the King's Highway : I can but hope that some with whom I have travelled hitherto upon the great road may step aside and enter ; and that, discovering, perchance, in the furnishings a remembrance of their friendship, they may rest a while in pleasure from the dusty toils of the journey. I have inscribed the initials of your name upon the lintel : as though a man should set a design of diamonds in common freestone. And yet, to whom, out of all the world, should I dedicate this work of mine, but to you ? L. C. C. Brighton, June 1896, CONTENTS CHAP- PAGE I. RIVALS g II. captain jacobus 24 III. A DEN OF THIEVES 36 IV. ON THE ROAD 48 V. ON THE ROAD : THE INN AT FARNHAM . . 66 VI. ON THE ROAD : THE GOLDEN FARMER ... $2 VII. THE BELL-MAN OF SAINT SEPULCHRE'S . . 96 VIII.

MR. AND MRS. CUTPURSE 1 14 IX. I BECOME KING'S MESSENGER . . 1 26 X. A KING IN EXILE I43 XI. THE FRENCH GENTLEMAN WITH RED HAIR . ' l6o XII. I TAKE THE ROAD UPON MY OWN ACCOUNT . I76 XIII. HOW THE ROYALISTS TOOK SALISBURY TOWN . 188 XIV. HOW CAPTAIN JACOBUS EXECUTED THE KING'S COMMISSION 201 XV. A QUESTION OF CONSCIENCE 2l8 XVI. THE EIGHTEENTH OF APRIL 226 XVII. THE LAST NOTCH ON THE SCORE .... 243 XVIII. THE INEVITABLE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ARTIST PAGE CLIMBING INTO THE CART, WE SET OFF towards ST. sepulchre's . chas. SHELDON Frontispiece SHE ENTERED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY . CHAS. SHELDON 19 THE CAPTAIN UNLOCKED A GREAT CHEST AND DREW FORTH BOTTLES OF XERES WINE ..... „ 41 HE REGARDED US WITH A KEEN, FROWN- ING GLANCE .... ,, 57 I PINIONED THE LADY FROM BEHIND , ENOCH WARD 120 MANNING GAZED INSOLENTLY AT ME, HAND ON HIP .... ,, 197 GILVY, WHO WAS GIRT WITH A GREAT BROADSWORD, DREW IT . . ,, 25 1 i) THE PLEASANTEST MEETING IN THE WORLD ,, 266 it

Chapter I Rivals

/^^\NE March morning, in the year of our Lord 1655, I mounted my horse at the door of Langford Manor ; and filled with the blithest anticipations, set forth to Salisbury city. Such an occasion befalls a man but once in his life, and it behoves him to make the most of it. The weather was bright and sunny, with a merry breeze that shook down the yellow catkins upon man and beast as we passed : the countryside appeared to laugh and sing ; and when I entered the venerable city, it greeted me with a sparkling aspect whereto my eyes seemed newly opened. Leaving my horse at the Sign of the Sun over against the Conduit, in the High Street, I took my way towards the Market Place, where, just beyond the Poultry Cross, stands the house of Mr. Richard Phelps, at that time Mayor of Salisbury. As luck would have it, I had scarce gone twenty paces from the inn before I saw John Manning advancing down the street.

Now of all persons in the world I disliked Mr. Manning the worst ; and I think he hated me; but this morning (for the first time) I felt I could perfectly afford to be civil. For hitherto, John Manning had always the upper hand of me, in a manner of quiet domineering highly irksome to a generous nature. Our re spective fathers, serving under the headlong leader ship of Sir Harry Bard, were slain on Alresford field while I was still undergoing education at New College, Oxford. But young Manning, who was five years my senior, had fought side by side with his father, and had been wounded in the left arm and shoulder — a misfortune of which he was most inordinately vain. Moreover, he was a very proper man, with a silver tongue and a pretty trick of using it : while I, although greater of body, was a shy and plain youth, with no such mighty talent for conversation.

Time and again, when I have been sitting happily with Barbara, he has RIVALS entered upon us and put me to the blush with his courtly performances ; till I was fain to quit the room in the blackest of tempers. As he came cocking down the pavement, I per ceived that Mr. Manning was dressed as if for a festival, in silver-laced silken coat, quilted breeches slashed with crimson, and silken stockings of the same colour: he wore a silver-hilted walking sword ; and the black love -lock disposed upon his shoulder was tied with a knot of silver pointed crimson ribbon. " Well met, Anthony," cried Manning, stopping and holding out his hand. " You shall be the first to wish me joy this fine morning." His greeting took me very much aback, for it was precisely the manner of address I had pre pared in my own mind for himself.

Then it occurred to me that his attentions to Mistress Barbara Phelps had, after all, expressed no more than friendship ; and I shook his proffered hand till the bones cracked, and my gallant had much ado to preserve an unmoved countenance. " With all my heart," I said. " And who is the so fortunate lady ? " Manning smiled pleasantly. "I may not tell you her name," he replied. " For to say truth, I have won but the father's consent to my courtship. But I do not despair of the maiden's." " Why, here is a singular coincidence," I cried. " Give me your good wishes in turn, Manning, for I have the maiden's consent, and I am hoping for the father's." Manning's face darkened suddenly. " Indeed ! " said he. " And who is the so fortunate lady ? " His manner surprised me, and awoke a suspicion. "Well, the affair is private, at present," I returned.

" Nevertheless, I should think you might give a reasonable near guess." " I profess myself at a loss," replied Manning, coldly. " Why, then I will leave you to think over it at leisure. Give you good-den, Mr. Manning ; " and I made as if to go. But Manning planted himself squarely across my path. "And where are you going in such a mighty hurry, Mr. Anthony Langford ? " "What is that to you?" I retorted, losing patience, and attempting to push past him. " Out o' my way." RIVALS Manning caught me by the arm. "It is this to me," he said, "that there is just one house in this city which I warn you not to visit, or you and I will fall out. Do not feign to misunder stand me, Anthony." " I shall visit where I please," I said, wrenching my arm free. " What nonsense is this ? Stand back, or I draw on you."

I laid my hand on the hilt of my rapier, but Manning seized my wrist. The touch was as a match to powder, and I caught him a buffet on the point of the chin with my left hand, so that his teeth clicked together like the snapping of a trap, and he loosed his hold and staggered backwards. I drew sword and stood on guard, expecting of course that Manning would attack me then and there. But seeing the people beginning to throng from all sides, my adver sary thought better of it, and putting a laced kerchief to his mouth, he came up to me and slipped his arm through mine, as if we had been merely jesting. "Put up your blade," he said in a low voice. " Do you want to get us both in gaol, you madman ? " I had nothing to do but to comply, and we began to walk forward. The crowd followed us a little distance, but seeing there was no more sport to be had, presently dwindled away and left us to march arm-in-arm across the Market Place.

" You forget yourself strangely at times, Mr. Langford," remarked Manning. " But be assured that I shall not forget you. And since you will not take advice, I am going to do myself the honour of accompanying you upon your visit" " With all my heart," I returned. " And I beg you to remark that, for my part, I make no stipulation. It doth not appear to me a dignified proceeding." Manning replied nothing, and we arrived in silence at the door of old Richard Phelps' tall, gabled mansion, with the squares of white plaster between the black cross-timbering and projecting diamond-paned windows. Before Manning could speak, I had told the house-wench, who ushered us into the long, low room on the first floor, to inform Mr. Phelps that Mr. Anthony Langford requested the honour of a few minutes' talk with him.

A wood-fire crackled upon the hearth, for the weather was chilly ; and Manning and I stood RIVALS stiffly side by side with our backs to the high mantelpiece. We were careful that our respective shoulders should not touch, by the fraction of an inch : had they done so neither would have budged a hairsbreadth : and contention might have ensued. So we stood as rigid as a pair of statuas until the door opened and Mr. Phelps entered the room. The Mayor was a broad-shouldered, ruddy, bald old gentleman, with twinkling blue eyes and a grey beard. " Why, Anthony, my boy, how do you do ? What, back so soon, John ! Oons, what hast done to thy mouth, man ? Thou canst never go a-wooing in that guise. Or perhaps Barbara will help to make it well again, hey?" and the old man winked genially at me. I was resolved to take the lead in this three cornered interview if I could, and before Manning could open his damaged lips I began.

" Mr. Phelps, I have come upon a personal affair of some delicacy, which I should have preferred to discuss with you in private. But as Mr. Manning has thought fit, for reasons of his own, to force himself upon my company, I can very well say what I have to say before him. I am come, sir, to request your permission to pay my addresses to your daughter, Mistress Barbara," I concluded, with hot cheeks. " I have had the honour to inform Mr. Langford of what passed between us this morning," Manning put in. The Mayor comprehended us both in a glance that seemed to betoken some amusement. " And so then you fell to fisticuffs like a pair of schoolboys? I am ashamed of you, gentlemen," said he ; and Manning flushed deeply. " I will deal plainly with you," he went on. " One at a time is but fair play, Anthony.

Had you got up a little more betimes, you would have had the start : now Manning has the advantage. I will have no brawling in my house, and since you cannot agree, you must wait till John has thrown his main. If he fails in his suit, why, you may come to me again. I will favour neither of you by so much as a word. 'Tis for Barbara to choose : she shall do as she likes ; and so long as she is happy, you will find her father pleased," concluded this exemplary parent. This was what I desired, and a great weight lifted from my mind at his words ; for I had been B 17 RIVALS sore afraid that Mr. Phelps was set upon Manning for a son-in-law. Nevertheless, I did not see why Barbara should be cumbered with Manning's odious courtesies for an indefinite period. "Nothing can be fairer, and whatever befall, I am much beholden to your kindness," I said.

" But how long must I wait my turn, sir ? " " Nay, that you must ask John Manning," said the old man. "Your pardon, sir, but Mr. Manning's manner of conversation does not gratify me," I replied. " I had rather ask Mistress Barbara. Your daughter has been acquainted with both Mr. Manning and myself from childhood, and if she hath taken a fancy to either, doubtless her mind is settled." Manning must have known himself defeated, but he played a last card. " Perhaps Mr. Langford hath his own reasons for such a supposition," he struck in, and despite all I could do, I felt myself flush. Old Phelps looked sharply at me, and his face grew stern. "What have you to say to that, Anthony?" he asked. "It is true," said I, "and a breach of proper etiquette, I own. But it only occurred last night. I am instant to repair it, you see, sir." "You did very wrong, sir," returned the out raged father, angrily.

" Here is a pretty state of affairs. It would serve you right were I to forbid you the house." " I demand it," cried Manning. " Your pledge to me admits of no other course, Mr. Phelps." " Does it not ? " said the old gentleman, who was perhaps glad to find another outlet for his anger. " But I am not accustomed to take orders, John Manning, and I think differently. Come ! We will settle the matter off-hand : " and opening the door, he shouted " Barbara ! " Manning, seeing what was to follow, went as white as a clout, and, catching up his hat, strode towards the open door. " I fear I shall spoil your little plot, but I have no fancy to be made a show of," said he. " I have fallen into a strange mistake, it seems ; but 'tis not too late to amend it. Give you good den, Mr. Mayor:" and before the astonished old man could answer my rival was gone.

He must have passed Barbara on the stairs, for Page 19. ,HE ENTERED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY RIVALS she entered almost immediately. My betrothed dwelt ever in my thoughts: and when we were absent from each other I would please myself by picturing in my mind her look when we should meet again: and still, when it came to pass, her beauty struck me always newly, in a kind of revelation. So it was upon her entrance that morning, with her shining hair and blue eyes, apparelled in something checquered and dainty of the same colour. "Prithee, father, what's the matter?" asked Barbara. " Matter ? " said Mr. Phelps. " Why, the matter is, that, whereas this morning you had a couple of sweethearts, now you have only the one. Will he content ye, my dear ? " " We can but try, at all events," said Barbara. It was late that night before I found myself riding homewards under the stars.

My way lay across the old bridge that spans the river Avon, where a little islet, upon which is built a chapel, stems the mid-stream. The roadway of the bridge passes underneath groined arches which carry the chapel floor: on either side a stairway rises to an open balcony, which, running right round the building, and fenced by a stone balustrading of foliated open-work, gives access to the interior. The moonlight glittered upon the swirling flood below, and sparkled here and there, amid the elaborate confusion of flying buttresses and pin nacles, upon the tall windows of the chapel. Riding at a footpace across the bridge, I had come within a bow's shot of the archway, when a horseman leaped from the black shadow and came charging towards me. I had scarce time to note the glint of steel in his right hand ere he was upon me.

Hardly knowing what I did, I slipped from my saddle to avoid his onset. The rider swerved, but I dodged and ran for the chapel, as man and horse collided with my own steed. I heard a mighty clatter of hoofs upon the stones behind me and my horse galloped past just as I reached the archway. The moment's delay saved me. A dismounted man has little chance against a horseman, and I took no shame to myself for running away. I sprang up the winding steps and had reached the balcony, when I heard the echoing clang of hoofs. Peering over the coping, I perceived the road on the farther side of the chapel to be empty ; my pursuer had therefore dismounted, and was RIVALS probably at that very moment ascending one or other of the two staircases, pistol in hand. I had not seen his face, for it was masked with a black vizard and muffled, but I could think of no one who bore me such a deadly grudge as this appeared to indicate, save Manning.

He should find me ready for him this bout, at any rate. I drew my sword (a long Italian rapier), and taking off my horseman's cloak, wrapped it twice round my left arm, grasping the collar in my hand, allowing a yard or so of the skirt to hang loose. Going to the top of the steps, I listened intently. There was no sound save the stamping of the impatient horse below and the jingling of his bit, so that Manning must have chosen to escalade the fort ress by the opposite stairs. I reflected, with some emotion, that my enemy doubtless had pistols, whilst I had none. Never theless, I had no intention of being stalked like a beast; and treading noiselessly to the angle buttress, laid my cheek to the stone, and stole a glance round the corner. Sure enough, there was Manning, with a naked rapier in one hand, and a long pistol in the other, advancing with the most excessive caution.

The moon shone full upon his upturned face, so that I could see the whites of his eyes behind the black mask, and the lips beneath the bristling mustachio curling from the clenched teeth like the snarl of a dog, as he lifted and noiselessly put down first one foot and then the other. It was my turn to charge this time, and I dashed out upon him. The suddenness of my onset caused him to shoot wide with his mained arm, as I had hoped and prayed, and I heard the bullet sing past my head. Manning there upon thrust at me swiftly, but with an old trick of the fencing school I entangled his blade in my heavy cloak, and catching the hilt with my left hand, tore it from his grasp, at the same time lunging forward till my right foot was behind my adversary's back. He was thus at my mercy ; but I had never killed a man at that time, and my blood turned from the deed.

I have never ceased to regret my surrender to that womanish impulse. As it was, I girt him round the lower ribs, and began to squeeze the breath out of him. Mann ing sobbed and struggled and swore, but his arms were pinioned, and I was the stronger man. So soon as he was quiet I let him drop, and he lay RIVALS gasping. Then I picked up his sword and snapped it across my knee : his pistols I stuck in my belt ; and stood a paternoster-while to fetch my breath. " Look you, John Manning," I said, presently, " we will call quits, and no squares broke. But I have just one word to say. Mark me, if ever I meet you within sight of Salisbury Cathedral spire again, may I be judged by the Four Evangelists, but I will fight you. You had best be packing before daylight, for I am about pretty betimes. I wish you joy, John Manning."

With that I left him, and started to walk to Langford Manor ; but I had not gone far before I came upon my horse, cropping the hedge ; and mounting, I rode home, and so to bed.

Chapter II Captain Jacobus Next

day, and for several days afterwards, I rose very betimes to transact the affairs of my estate with my steward, then rode away hot-foot to Salisbury, to the house of Mayor Phelps. Looking back upon that brief period of felicity, I behold a rich procession of sunny hours, musical with the falling chimes from the Cam panile hard by the towering Cathedral, during which we found such happiness that I sometimes felt afraid. I could not think that I had earned such fortune, and I doubted whether God would allow it ; and indeed, after events put some colour on this reasoning. My betrothed was an only child ; her father, old Richard Phelps, was a master cutler, and (so it was said) had amassed a pretty fortune in his business. How much it was I did not know, and took no pains to discover ; but when we came to discuss marriage settlements, the old man told me he would endow his daughter with three thousand pounds.

My own estate of Langford Manor, although much impaired and impoverished during the Civil Wars, was yet sufficient; and there seemed no reason why we should not marry out of hand. But Barbara, it appeared, had a great equipment of garments to buy or to make, and although I could never apprehend the force of the argument, some delay appeared inevitable. At length, however, the wedding was settled for the 1 8th of April; and, like a schoolboy, I put up a calendar over my bed's head, and scored out a date every morning. And in my voyages to and fro I rode very circumspectly, lest some accident should befall me. There was scarce a month to run before the day appointed, when destiny fulfilled my fearful ex pectations at a blow. Riding homeward in the moonlight across country, as I topped the bare down that shelters Langford village I was aware of a horseman galloping along the ridge towards me.

Remembering Mr. Manning's former exploit, I drew rein, and putting myself in a posture of defence, awaited the rider, who thereupon slackened speed, so that I had time to observe him as he drew near. But the stranger was a smaller man than Manning ; bestriding a huge roan horse, and carrying an arquebus slung across his shoulders, besides pistols in his holsters, and a French riding sword. " I have the honour to address Mr. Anthony Langford of Langford Manor, I believe ? " said he, reining up and removing his black montero-cap with a very courtly gesture. " At your service, sir," I replied, saluting him in turn. The stranger had a quick, military manner of utterance, and before the words were out of my mouth he continued earnestly. " Then will you do me the favour, Mr. Langford, to ride with me a little way ?

I have somewhat to say to you. Oh yes," he added, as I hesitated, "y'are perfectly right, I am a highwayman, 'tis true, but I am not here to rob you, nevertheless. Why, you and I have met before, sir. Have you forgotten Captain Jacobus ? " I had not : and now I knew why I remembered mistily the square, strong face, with its great jaw and long nose hooking over the curling mustachio. For one night, before my mother died, she and I were driving homewards in our great family coach over the downs. I was barely in my teens, but I could fence a bit and shoot at a mark ; and sitting by my mother, with my arm round her waist as the huge vehicle swung and jolted over the ruts, and my little sword between my knees, I felt myself a match for a whole band of robbers. But I must have forgotten my wardship and fallen on sleep, for I awoke with a start as the coach stopped suddenly, to see the dark figure of a horseman abreast of the window.

My mother bade me sit still ; and the highwayman swung himself from his horse and leaned over the sill. "Madam," — he began, but got no further, for my mother cried out in astonishment. " Sir Clipseby Carew ! " she exclaimed. " No, not now," he returned, — " Captain Jacobus, Alicia, at your sweet service." They conversed for a while in the French tongue, a language of which I had but small understand ing; then the Captain kissed my mother's hand, and rode away into the night. When I asked my mother who was the strange man, she told me how Sir Clipseby Carew was an old friend of hers ; and how the Parliament-men had robbed him of his estates, obliging him to change his name and to take to the road for a living, like many another Cavalier at that unhappy time. The incident engraved itself upon my boyish imagination, so that for a long time the Captain used often to ride through the mazes of my dreams ; and ever since, rumours of his exploits had reached my ears from time to time, and kept the remembrance green.

Recalling all this, I was glad enough to put up my pistol, and turning my horse's head, to jog along beside Captain Jacobus. " Why, now I remember, and I am glad, indeed, to renew my acquaintance with Sir Clipseby Carew," I said. "'Tis long since I heard the title," he re turned, twisting his moustache. " But other days are coming, we'll hope. Will you join us, Mr. Langford, to help regain the King his own ? " " Well, I am a King's man, sure enough," I answered. " But the fact is, Captain, I am going to be married. I do not want to meddle in broils and insurrections." " You do not ? " returned the Captain. " Why, then, what else have you been doing of late, Mr. Langford ? " " Unless a-preparing for wedlock be an offence against the Protector, I do not know," I said in surprise. " You have no hand in the plot, then ?

" On the rood, no ! What plot ? " " Then why are Crook's dragoons billeted in Langford Manor House?" asked the Captain. " And why are patrols posted along the Salisbury Road, to lag you by the heels ? " " What ! " I cried, reining up. I knew Captain Crook very well by repute for a zealous servant of Ironside's, who patrolled a district of the West Country with a troop of horse. " Don't stop, man. We can talk as we're going. Well, I thought you knew naught of it, and that was the reason I stopped you. Your estates are confiscate, young man, and you yourself outlawed, as like as not. I don't know why, but there it is, you see." The blow had fallen then. I thought of Barbara, and our towering hopes toppled into the dust. Then I felt the Captain's hand on my shoulder for a moment, and his rough exhortation rang in my ears.

" What, man ! worse has happened to better men. We'll be upsides with the bloody regicides before all's done. Come ! Take the road with me and 'list yourself into Sir John Penruddock's volunteers ; we want men of your inches. This is no time for marrying. Wait until the King is cocking it at Whitehall, and then you can marry as much as you please. " I must go to Salisbury first," I cried. " Do you desire your sweetheart to behold her lover's head aloft on Chapel Bridge, a-sun-drying on a pike-end?" inquired the Captain grimly. " But you may send her a letter by a messenger of mine to-night," he added. "But what have I done? Why should I, as peaceable a citizen as God ever made, be suddenly clapped up for a traitor ? " "How should I know?" replied the Captain. " The point is, I take it, that so it is, most un mistakably.

Hast quarrelled with anyone who hath the ear of Cromwell, or that bloody spider Secretary Thurloe, by any chance ? " " I have quarrelled with no man, excepting Mr. John Manning, and he is a Royalist and a Catholic." " Ah ! " said Captain Jacobus, " and how was that?" Whereupon I related the story of our difference, without, of course, mentioning the lady's name. "And you have not fallen across him since?" inquired Jacobus, when I had finished. " No." " Well, Mr. Langford, if you get a man stark mad with jealousy under your hand, and then you let him go free, — and why you did so passeth my poor imagination, — you must not be astonished at disaster. That is all there is to be said. And now to the business in hand — which is the only thing that can help you, or any of us, in this dis traught realm."