His Grace o' the Gunne

Chapter I. I

Lurlin Kirke, whom they nicknamed His Grace o' the Gunne — when I dwelt in that foul sewer for rats to skulk in — set down unskilfully the many strange and noteworthy happenings of a life which, I am well assured, draws nigh to its close. And this I do in part because I desire that Squire Challoner and Madam Celia may know my mind on many matters whereof I lacked speech to tell them. For I wish that, in so far as may be, my life may be set plainly O' THE GUNNE before them. As Master William Shake speare hath it, ' Nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice.' I have ever esteemed that writer. I hope that the young and heedless, who are ready enough to be led astray by the baits of Satan in London town, may take warning by me. Not that, as I think, it is likely they will do so. For I hold that a man learns best by hard experience, and, it may be, by harder knocks.

It was in the year 1664 that I first did meet the master whom I serve. In the summer of that year I was living at the Gunne, Smart's Keye. There I had bided since I was five years old, and early I learned to spell out the posie that one — I know not who 'twas, for it was an ancient carving — had cut upon a table in the parlour : ' Si spie sporte, si non spie, tune steale.' For I was by trade a thief, and very high in my calling, being clever and having gentle 0' THE GUNNE 3 blood — as soon will be seen, by my way of regarding matters, and the high esteem in which I hold the quality. I shall be careful that I do not set down here foul words, and matters that may offend. For I know all that be due to gentlewomen. In that same year of 1664, I was past twenty-one years of age, and come to my full strength and wit.

The first thing I can remember in my childhood was when I was but four years old. I followed with the crowd that trooped down the street to see my mother whipped at the cart's tail, for the stealing of some small matter from a gentleman of quality. Though I never saw my father, I know he was of gentle blood. And my first name is that by which my mother knew him. As for her, I never saw her after I was five years old. It was then she sold me to Ned Ottley of the Gunne, to be trained for a thief, or — as they do call young children 'prenticed to the budge — a wild rogue. 1 — 0' THE GUNNE Now, most lads are punished for ill-doing. For me, it was otherwise. I was beaten if I failed to do evilly. Once in my childhood I remember punish ment for a fault. I was a young boy of some seven years, and with another lad I was ill-using a beast — a little cat that slinked about the Gunne.

In there came Myles Heath, the highwayman. He loved beasts, so that when he saw what we did, he thrashed us both for a pair of cruel young devils. It was new to me to be beaten for doing ill. I mused on it, as children use to do, in silence. Two weeks later Master Heath sat drink ing i' the parlour. Thither went I. He was alone. ' Hey, my kinching coe !'* said he ; ' dost need another lambasting ? I'll be sworn on't thou deservest one.' ' If it please you, sir,' said I respectfully, * A child trained to theft. 0' THE GUNNE 5 for he was a great man, and grand in his ways, ' I wish to ask you a question.' ' Ask, and be d d to thee, thou little scamp,' said he. He had drunken, and was in a good humour. Now, I spoke in the canting tongue, know ing no other ; but afterward I did not so. Therefore I will now put the matter in such terms as gentlewomen may understand, and not as I, at that time, did speak. ' Sir,' I said, ' will you tell me which things be right to do, and which be wrong ?' He stared at me.

He was a younger son of a good family, and had taken to the road, as do many such ; for very high families be impoverished by the war, and gentlemen cannot, as all men know, turn traders. At length he said : ' My God ! To me ! Poor little devil !' He pulled me towards him, and set me on his knee. ' Why, child ?' he said. 0' THE GUNNE And I answered : ' You beat me t'other day ; it was the first time I have been beaten for doing amiss ; and now I wish to know what things be wrong to do.' Then he said : ' I'll give thee precepts.' He poured me out a cup of Spanish wine, stopped, looked at me, poured half away, and filled it full with water. He set it to my lips, and said : ' Imprimis, be kind unto the dumb beasts.' For he loved beasts, as indeed I do myself. ' Next, when thou be'st a man, and will fag thy doxy, remember that she be weaker than thou.

Do not strike too hard. Do not squeek upon thy kin, bung nyppers, foisters, and the like. If thou dost trine the cheat, die like a man, in silence. Do not whine. Lastly, avoid the strong waters, save so far as in good fellowship be needful. Wert thou a gentleman. I should add, lie not more than be needful ; and if thou fight, fight fairly.' 0' THE GUNNE 7 ' Master Heath,' said I, ' ist be not ill done to go on the budge, nor to live like your honour, by the rum pad, why do we fear the queer cuffin and the nubbing cove ?' For so they call the justice and the hang man in the canting tongue. He laughed. ' Because these gentlemen and we be out, and they be the stronger.' ' Then, it is not wrong for me to be one of Master Ottley's autem divers?' said I. For, though I was so young, Ottley was sending me forth to pick the pockets of devout folk in the churches, and to cut the gold buttons from their coats. ' No,' said he, ' not in my view, for such as thou art.

What else canst be ? Never theless, thou'lt shove the tumbler ' — videlicet, be whipt — ' if thou'rt caught. Wherefore, be not thou caught. Therein lies thy sin.' Then I perceived why I was beaten if I failed, or was lazy in learning of my trade. Thereafter Heath was very kind to me. 0' THE GUNNE 8 He had used to frequent the White Hart, Turnmill Street, which Heth near Fleet Ditch. That house, with the Red Lion Tavern, is a resort of many a knight o' the road. But now Heath came more often to the Gunne, and he always called for me. He taught me the ways of gentlefolks and their modes of swearing, so that I disdained to speak as the others, and use their cant and patter. He forbade me straitly to drink of the strong waters till I was grown to manhood. He told me if he ever caught me so doing, or heard of me doing it, he would flog me.

I loved him the better, that I knew he would keep his word. And I obeyed him, not for fear of the flogging — for I was used to such — but because I loved him. And when he was hanged, which befell when I was fourteen years old, I cried for him, so that Ottley knocked me senseless, for a fool. And I cried the more bitterly, because no man did buy his body from the hangman, O' THE GUNNE 9 so that it was thrown into the common ditch. Shortly thereafter I suffered my first im prisonment ; for, by reason of my fretting for Heath, I was clumsier. So they took me ; and I was put to ' look through the nut crackers,' i.e., set in the pillory ; and in prison I had gaol-fever and ague mighty badly. Once again I was caught, at Bar tholomew's Fair, when I was sixteen. This time I suffered a severe punishment, and it was long before I was well again.

And I was taken when I was eighteen years old, a ring falling. The man who took me was a mere hob from the country ; but he had been tricked in like manner once before. I was then sentenced to hang ; but I broke from prison, and Ottley thought me worth a bribe to the thief-takers. After payment of that dawb, they did not look for me overmuch. From that day I was never taken. Ottley held me to be more expert and of a better wit than any, 0' THE GUNNE 10 and Fleming — of whom more anon — ordered that I should be taught to read and write, saying that I had a good wit and gentle blood o' the father's side. Moreover, Heath had taught me fine ways and speech. And I, being so clever with my fingers, could counterfeit the hand of any man ; and, in truth, this gift hath many times been near bringing me in trouble.

In the summer of 1664, in the month of August, I was in the Gunne with Staring Robyn, playing shovel-board. This is a low game, and but fit for peasants, but Robyn himself was a coarse and clumsy knave. I therefore played shovel-board, and every time I beat him, whereat he swore and I laughed, well pleased. In there came Ottley. He entered the parlour. ' Bing awast, my dell,' said he to the girl who was there. She was one whom they called N ask in Bet, because she had oft been taken to the Bridewell. 0' THE GUNNE 11 As she went forth he said : ' Who's within ?' ' Staring Robyn,' said she, 'and His Grace o' the Gunne.' The wenches they so called me because of my fine ways. ' Ho,' said he, ' Lurlin Kirke.' He turned the girl out, and Robyn, too, and called me into the inner room. There he locked the door, that no man might hear our talk. ' Kirke,' said he, using for the most part a patter and cant words, ' you are needed by — you know who.' For he was very careful how, even within locked doors, he named the man who did in truth own the Gunne, and take heavy toll of us all. ' What doth Fleming want of me ?' said I. ' I do not know,' he replied ; 'but in the darkmans thou and I will bing out to a gentry cove ken, where you shall know more.

Only — be cank.' 'Am I a fool,' said I, 'or do I use to tell my business to my doxy, to have it blabbed i' the street ?' ' No,' he answered. ' Fleming saith that of all here you are the least for the young mortes and the bowsing ken. Moreover, you have a bene squawl, and sweet's your hand.' By this the knave meant that I was chosen because I was not much for strong waters nor for the wenches. Moreover, that I had a good speech, and a neat hand at my trade. And, indeed, at that time Ottley chiefly employed me for that which they do term a 'courtesy man,' 'counterfeit crank,' or ' Pr'gger>' meaning a genteel cheat of some learning. I have always held that for a man of my calling it is dangerous to be overfond with women. For a man's fancy veers, and then, oft times, a wench who would sell herself, body and bones, to the devil, for his sake, will turn 0' THE GUNNE 13 and betray him to the watch.

I have seen no less than three stout fellows hang for this very cause. That night I went with Ottley through the streets, which were empty, by reason of the nickers and scowrers. We left Smart's Keye, and walked to a mighty grand house. Ottley opened a little gate in a wall. He led me through a garden, through a fine courtyard, and up a staircase. At the head thereof was the man who owned the Gunne. He ordered Ottley to be gone. Then, using no patter, he spoke to me very shortly and sternly, for I had been in his hands since I was five years old, and he knew me and my affairs within and without. He bade me be silent, and follow him. I did so, and he led me into a room, where sat a gentleman very richly dressed. He was a sandy-haired man, with small eyes and thick lips. He nodded to Fleming, raised a glass, and looked at me from top to toe.

Then he said : ' Is this the fellow ?' ' Aye, my lord,' said Fleming, meek and soft enough. 'Out, Dickon,' said my lord; 'thou'rt a fool ! Can a cut-purse from the gutter carry this matter ? Here is a question of dealing with folk of quality.' ' Young Kirke will carry it, my lord,' said Fleming. ' Trust me !' My lord turned to me. ' What's thy name, knave ?' said he. ' Lurlin Kirke, my lord,' I answered him, bowing very low, and with a fine flourish, which I learned from Heath. 'H'm!' said he, 'a good voice. The rogue speaks well. Tell him the business, Dickon.' He filled a cup of wine for himself, and sat there, his feet on the table, drinking, and heeding neither of us. I know the respect due to folk of quality, and I have gentle blood myself ; but, for all that, his insolence angered me. ' Look you, Kirke,' said Fleming : ' this noble gentleman is my Lord Lulworth.

His lordship hath a young cousin left in his ward, a little lad of some six or seven years. The child is very sickly, and my lord would send him a tutor.' He paused. I stared at him in great surprise. ' This young gentleman is the son of my lord's uncle, on the mother's side, and he will succeed to fair estates in the West. But if the poor babe should not live, then, faith ! the estates would come unto my lord.' He looked at me and smiled. ' And my lord would have a tutor to care for this young gentleman,' I said, ' so that learning may preserve his life ?' ' Aye,' answered Fleming, ' or end it ' Speak plainly, Dickon,' said my lord. ' This knave will not need nice dealing. Fellow, this child is a cripple, and is like to be sickly all his life, be it long or short. A pure young soul is better in heaven.

By God's grace, I purpose to send it there. He is in the care of his mother's schoolmate, Madam Catherine Challoner, of Pyne. I propose to send you thither as a young gentleman of good family, but poor estate, who purposeth to be a parson. When there, you shall have your orders. Carry them out well, and you shall have a hundred pounds ; bungle, and you shall swing.' ' My lord,' said I pridefully, ' I do not bungle at my trade.' Which was true, for I had never been taken since Iwas eighteen years old, although I had been engaged in work enough for Fleming and Ottley ; and I lacked then some three months of two-and-twenty. But I had never had so much money as he promised me in my life. ' So,' said he, ' give him his orders, Flem ing, and all that he lacks. And now take him away.' 0' THE GUNNE 17 His eyes followed me as I went out, as a man views that which he hath bought for some mean purpose, and scarcely values.

I bowed to him, and he did not so much as nod in return. He nodded slightly to Fleming, and poured out some more wine. Fleming took me very secretly to his house. There he gave me letters, clothing, and money in my purse. He gave me a horse to boot, and arms. And he told me of these gentlefolk, Colonel and Madam Challoner, of Pyne, in whose care the boy, Everard Clinton, was, and of their only son, Ulick Challoner. He told me how they had been warned that my Lord Lulworth purposed sending a young gentleman, one Mr. Ralph Marwood, to tutor his young cousin. He said I was to take heed that my father was Mr. Jasper Marwood, who had left England after the death of the blessed martyr, His Majesty King Charles I. (for 0' THE GUNNE I have ever been loyal, I praise God, as becomes my gentle blood).

How Mr. Jasper Marwood had fought in Spain, and had there been taken and slain by robbers. How I had returned to England in 1660, being alone and poor. How my lord's late respected father had educated me, and how I was very staid and pious, and was going to be a parson. Therefore I was a most fit tutor for a young child. It was a mighty pretty story, and I laughed heartily. ' In any case,' said Dickon Fleming, ' do not use oaths, nor tell lewd tales, for Madam be of Puritan stock, so that the household is very sober and God-fearing.' ' Trust me, Dickon,' quoth I. And I thought I should enjoy the sport of the matter, and was flattered that I should be so chosen. Then he told me that I might do some business for him, for Madam Challoner had O' THE GUNNE 19 some very rich jewels, and if I could filch them cleverly, Staring Robyn would hide about that country, and take them back to London, to what the canting crew do term a fencing ken.

But he could not trust Robyn wholly, as being a coarse and clumsy knave. At last he took me to his laboratory. He professed to be a leech and astrologer, and he had many patrons at Court. He was well received. None knew that he owned the Gunne. He was a gentleman by birth, and reputed a learned man. He gave me some strange and subtle poisons, bidding me be very wary how I used them on the child. He explained to me their properties, and how slowly and craftily, and withal how surely, they slew. I did not like that part of the business much, but I was ashamed to say so ; therefore I pretended that I relished it, more than in truth I did. 2 —

Chapter II

On the second day of September I rode forth, dressed well, but not too foppishly, well mounted and armed, and with money in my purse. I was in a good humour and high spirits. I sang tavern catches as I rode, till I made the woods ring. After a while, as I drew farther West, I waxed quieter, and was in no roistering mood. For the land was different, and of great beauty. The earth was crimson. I had never seen such richness of pasture, nor such clear streams ; and the air smelled mighty sweet. So that 1, who had scarce ever been far 0' THE GUNNE 21 from London, and who had lived always about the Fleet Ditch in Billingsgate, and Alsatia the lower, forgot to sing, in noting of these things. I know my father was a grand gentleman of Devon, who honoured my mother awhile by his fancy, and went his way.

So love of that land woke in my blood, and hath never died. For we of Devon, I make bold to say it, do justly love that country. One evening, nigh sunset, I, riding slowly, came round the sweep of a hill, sliding greenly down into a smooth cleft. Afterward I learned they call such a place a 'goyal,' in their talk. I saw little brown beasts slipping in and out of the fern, and these were conies. The fern was turning colour, and here and there the heather was purple. I saw the sea for the first time. And so riding, I came upon a gray house, nigh to the cliff verge. This house was backed by trees. Inland O' THE GUNNE 22 there ran a deep narrow valley, down which a stream flowed to the sea. A path, like a white riband, lay across the meadows, back of the house, running toward a little cluster of cots.

I knew the big house must be Pyne, so I rode down through the wood. On the terrace I saw a tall and comely young gentleman, fair-haired and strong, and, it may be, a year older than I. And he, approaching, bowed, saying very courteously: ' Mr. Ralph Marwood ?' 'The same, sir, at your service,' said I. Whereat he said : ' I am Ulick Challoner. You are very welcome, Mr. Marwood.' I dismounted. He called a serving-lad to take my horse, and then he led me within. There he made me known to Colonel Challoner, a tall old gentleman, with a face burnt well-nigh black with the sun, and the mark of a sword-cut down his right cheek. He was a mighty sine peremptory old man, 0' THE GUNNE 23 but I thought I had rather not be brought before him for sentence. Mr. Ulick Challoner led me also to Madam, his mother.

She was a fair and delicate gentlewoman, who, being of Puritan family, was very grave and discreet, but withal tender. She wound the Colonel with a finger, bluff and tough as he was. They were all very kind and courteous, and Squire Ulick led me to my room. It was full of comfort, having therein a fine wrought bed, with canopy and curtains. The room smelled of the flowers without, and of the pines and sea. I did not see the child that night. In the even, after supper, at which there was a plenty both to eat and to drink, there came in a venerable-looking old man, one Master Roger La Charme, whom all greeted with great respect and affection. I found that he was a very learned leech and scholar, having once been tutor to Squire Ulick. I was presented to him, as being a young 0' THE GUNNE 24 gentleman os grave and studious habits.

He placed his library at my disposal. Thereafter I borrowed books of him in craft, the which I often could not read. But soon I borrowed in great sincerity, for I learned to read some books for pleasure — to wit, the works of one Master William Shakespeare, a player of no great repute. I heard Squire Ulick say to Master La Charme: 'Will not Mistress Celia come hither to-night, sir ?' And Master La Charme said ' No, Ulick ; I think the maid hath some weighty business of fruit-picking in hand.' Soon afterward I saw Squire Ulick walking through the meads by the way Master Roger had come. But shortly after eight o' the clock he returned. We supped at that hour, and when supper was ended had a solemn service of prayer, all the household being present. It seemed to me mighty queer, but I was very discreet ; then, after a posset of spiced ale, we bade good-night and to bed.

Chapter III

The next morning Madam led me to the room where the child lay whose life I was to take. That was a business I did not relish. I thought very little of life. I had seen death — yes, and death by violence and treachery — many times. The huffers think little of stabbing or poisoning either man or wench. And there be a many murders in the two Alsatias. But as yet I had never taken a life. I liked better to think of those jewels I was to convey. I was pleased to think that Staring Robyn was too dull and clumsy to be used for such a business. He was a fellow who was of no use save as a dommerer, or one 0' THE GUNNE who feigns dumbness — a trade that needs no wit nor skill. The child's room was long, with oaken panels and a ceiling of very fine stucco work. A little tame hare was hopping to and fro upon the carpet, and a chough and divers small birds sat on the sill, feeding and chattering.

The child was feeding a robin that perched upon his hand, and flew forth as we entered. There was a cat in the room, too, but she touched not the birds. And there was a big deerhound. He rose, a-bristle with wrath at a stranger, but after viewing me he thrust his muzzle in my hand and wagged his tail. I think the beast then knew me better than I did at that time know myself. For I was fully in the mind to slay this young boy who stood between my lord and his fortune. He lay on the couch. He was but a little fellow, scarcely seven years old. Through being ever in such pain from his 0' THE GUNNE 27 back, he had no rough boyish ways, but was gentle as a little maiden. He had the biggest, softest eyes that ever I saw — pure and babe-like, yet wise as those of one who looketh upon heavenly matters.

Yet they were not always thus, but sometimes only loving and very trustful, like those of my dog I left with Ottley. The child's face was very small and pretty ; he had fair silky hair and little thin fine hands. ' Everard,' said Madam, ' this gentleman is the tutor thy cousin, my Lord Lulworth, hath sent thee.' Then to me she added : ' The child hath been spoilt, Mr. Marwood, but you will find him docile. I pray you, do not press him overmuch with books, nor be other than gentle with him if he seem idle and backward. For often he is too ill to learn.' ' Madam,' said I, ' I will use all gentleness.' The child looked like the little white flowers I had seen in the wood, and though 0' THE GUNNE I had come there to kill him, I could not have been harsh nor rough with him. I could not teach him more than to read and write ; but these he could not do. ' Sir,' said he, with great respect, whereat I went nigh to laughing, ' forgive me if I do not stand, as another would do, for I am ill.' I think Madam had told him to say that to me, and had bidden him use courteous phrases and gracious ways. ' Are you always ill ?' said I, and I sat down beside him.

I was ever at ease with children, and they with me. He was not at all afraid of me. When Madam left us together, we were soon mighty good friends. Lest I should lose the skill I had with my fingers, and also to amuse the child, I showed him tricks of jugglery and speed of hand ; and I carved him all manner of things from sticks. So it came to pass very soon that he was happier with me than with any other. O' THE GUNNE 29 This was prudence in me, so that none should suspect me. But on that first morning he begged me to carry him out upon the bowling-green, for he was not able to walk so far. Therefore I lifted the child. He said, very seriously, that he hoped I should not find him very heavy. At this I laughed, for he was a wisp of a thing ; I could have lifted him with one hand. He clung to me in fear, lest I should let him fall.

When he found that I was strong, he sighed with contentment, and rested his head on my shoulder in great comfort. I laid the child on the grass under a lime tree, and he hoped most earnestly that I was not tired. The dog came with us, and the cat, too, walking daintily. The dog was well pleased with me ; but the cat viewed me proudly, till I took pains to win her. For I love beasts ; indeed, it was hard to leave my dog in London. I hope Ottley was heedful of him ; but I never knew. 0' THE GUNNE 30 As I sat there with the child, I made a little bow, and shaped a stick for an arrow, to amuse him. I had no notion of plaguing him to learn what he would not live to profit by. I said to myself I would tend him, and play with the little fellow till I had to do that which I was sent to carry out. Suddenly he cried out : ' Here she comes !

Look, look, Mr. Mar wood, here she comes !' I looked across the green toward the house. And what I saw was a very fine young gentlewoman, with a skin like cream, and softly-curling hair. She was running very fast, with a free gait and fine swing of her fair body, which she held very upright, like the tall lilies that do blow in June. Now, I never cared for the wenches, though they liked me. Partly, as I think, because I am straight and comely, though so brown, and their eyes are ever easily caught ; partly because of the fine courtly ways Master Heath taught me. 0' THE GUNNE 31 I was mightily at my ease with them ; but this was a different matter, for she was a gentlewoman and a very virtuous maid. She halted when she saw me, and blushed, because she felt she had approached too swiftly for dignity.