The Count of Talavera

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During the summer of 1718, after a two years’ absence in foreign parts, I, Ferdinand Huyck, once more set foot in my native country, Holland.

Arrived at Amersfoort at an early hour, I left the coach, and determined to continue my journey on foot as far as Naarden, and then to travel by barge to Amsterdam.

It was a beautiful morning ; in fact, for a pedestrian, the weather was rather too fine. There was little or no wind, and as the day drew on, the air, close and oppressive, gradually became heavy with that peculiar haze which not unfrequently is the forerunner of an atmospheric change.

In the north-west of the horizon threatening clouds were gathering, and swarms of sea-gulls hovered about like messengers of ill-omen presaging the coming storm. The sun was as red as blood, and with its scorching rays turned the sand of the footpath into glowing embers. To give relief to my wearied eyes I gazed on the black clouds in the distance, and I gladly anticipated the rain which would refresh the parching soil and ease me on my road. In this mood I continued to walk on steadily, 5 A

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and soon forgot the difficulties of the journey, when I bethought myself that each step brought me nearer to my beloved parents and to my native city. After a long walk, my appetite grew keen, and it was with infinite pleasure that I came in view of the steeple of Zoest, where I determined to halt and breakfast. At this point a bend in the road afforded me a full view of the exterior of the village church, which looked charming. In bold outline to the sombre sky in the rear, and the luxuriant verdure surrounding the edifice, arose the grey steeple, striped by the rays of the morning sun, whilst the hilly ground still separating me from the village and the extensive fields rich with golden corn and snowy buckwheat heightened the charms of the landscape. I never was an enthusiast, but the beautiful aspects of nature always impressed me deeply; and at that moment I involuntarily fell into a peaceful, meditative mood, and on entering the village wiped away a tear.

This feeling, however, soon passed away when I came upon the chief inn of the place, distinguished from the other houses by an elaborately carved signboard suspended from the front.

A number of country carts and waggons filled the yard, where an old jade of a horse regaled himself with freshcut grass. The animal was harnessed to an old-fashioned tilt cart, and leaning against this conveyance stood a man of tall stature, attired in a long red cloak, so glaring that it looked in the sunlight like fire. I could not discern his features, as his back was turned ; but my appetite rebelled against any further delay ; I left the stranger to himself, and, lilting the latch, I opened the door and entered the inn.

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I ordered some refreshment, and sat down at the lower end of a long table. I had scarcely had time to observe that the upper end was occupied by a sturdy, well-dressed countryman, and that my other neighbour presente.d a rather shabby appearance, when I was aroused by a shrill cry of Pipes ! pipe-cleaners ! pick them out where you like ! I ain’t gained a farthing yet to-day, may I never move ! ”

On turning round, a pedlar stood behind me.

“ No, thank you, my man,” said I, after looking at him for a moment. I do not want anything;” and in order to make him understand that I wished to be left alone, I abruptly turned my back upon him.

Now, get along with you,” he once more sang out, at the same time thrusting his hand containing a dozen or so of pipe-cleaners directly under my nose. ‘‘ Just let me sell you a dozen ; I ain’t got a farthing about me, may I never move ; and I’ve got a long way to go to-day.”

Knowing from experience how useless it was to take offence at such an unmannerly intrusion, I again contrived to thrust the pipe-cleaners from me.

But there was no getting away from him. With the doggedness common to folks of his calling, he continually worried me with his shouting, and occasionally, by way of a more forcible argument, he contrived to press his whole tray against me, so that I ^was compelled to look him straight in the face. I now felt certain that I had seen that olive complexion, the sharp features, and sparkling black eyes before ; but where and when, 1 could not recollect. Having at length rid myself of his company by buying a corkscrew of him, I resolved once more to turn my eyes to the bar in anticipation of coming breakfast. -

‘‘Good-luck to you,” said the pedlar; “ but look out,’* he added, in a whisper; “don’t forget to ask for a knife with your breakfast, and don’t you use the one that stands down there.”

I listened with some surprise; but casting my eyes towards the spot which he indicated, I noticed a knife which my opposite neighbour ha<i stuck point downwards in the table. At the same moment I recollected having frequently heard that some of the peasants in that part of the country were in the habit of hanging their knives in some prominent part of the wall in an inn, or stick it in the table, and that the unwary stranger who used it, or even looked at it, was challenged to a fight. With an almost imperceptible nod, I thanked the pedlar for his good advice, which seemed to me an ample return for the price I paid for the corkscrew. Having obtained a knife from the serving girl, I commenced my breakfast, and as I did so I particularly noticed an expression of disappointment on my neighbour’s features, which were most unprepossessing. His hair, which was lank and 'thin, and of no particular colour, fell almost upon his shoulders; his eyes had something of the sneaking glance of a hyena, and were nearly bare of eyebrows or lashes ; his mouth was wide and drawn on one side of his face. Whether our frierwj possessed a nose or not was, as yet, an unsolved problem ; for an indescribable number of furrows, seams, cross-lines, and scars combined to unite the shapeless little stump above his mouth with cheek and upper-lip. His dress was in perfect harmony with the entire appearance of such an amiable being, and was partly that of a countryman, partly that of a sailor, and full of patches and tatters.

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The peculiar expression which I had observed in his features became more noticeable ; and after blowing a great cloud of tobacco smoke from his mouth, and gulping down a glass of brandy that stood before him, he asked me why I had not made use of the knife sticking in the table.

‘‘I did not see it,” said I indifferently; “besides, I prefer to have a knife for myself.”

“You didn’t see it!” he exclaimed with an oath. “What was that you set your eyes on just now? It’s my knife, hang you,” he continued, striking his clenched fist upon the table and raising his voice; “and any one who looks at it must have a go with me ; there’s no help for that. You looked at it, and when you’ve swallowed your bread we’ll just see who’s the best man of us two.”

This bold challenge produced a sudden silence among the farmers present, who were discussing questions of harvests and agriculture. In fact, I fancied that many of them already gloated over the idea of seeing a right good fight with knives. As for myself, as may be imagined, I was not quite at xpy ease. However, I felt that I had better remain as unconcerned as possible, and endeavour to avert the storm by an undaunted attitude. I emptied my glass, and then, as coolly as possible, I said that I saw no cause whatever for a fight, and had not given offence to any one. My words were well received by the farmers ; and the peasant at the other end of the table, approaching the sailor, inquired —

“What has the chap done to you, Andrew Mathissen, that you want to fight ? ”

“ Well, Boss Roggefeld,” said Andrew, “ that fellow

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there sits looking at my knife, and gives me a deuced impudent answer into the bargain. Am I to be set upon by such a lad ? But he is only a numskull of a fellow, so I won’t handle him too roughly ; and just after he has got one little slash across his carving board. I’ll let him go to the deuce. But fight ne shall.”

With this he rose from his seat and approached me.

‘‘Take care !” said I, crossing my arms and looking him straight in the face. “Don’t touch me. You will repent it if you do.”

“I’ll repent it, you confounded numskull !” he cried, rushing up to me. “ Til just teach you to strike your flag. Up you get now. Now you’re beginning to talk like that, we’ll see if I can’t cut a slice from your frontispiece.”

I must confess that I began to find my position far from pleasant, for I saw no great fun in the idea of returning to my parents without a nose. Wherever I glanced I encountered none but looks of indifference, and the farmers continued to smoke their pipes and sip their spirits as imperturbably as possible.

Aid, however, came from another quarter.

At the first words of Andrew, the pedlar rushed to the landlord and whispered something in his ear.

The latter seemed somewhat confused at the mysterious information, and, in an undertone, asked —

“ What is that you say, the son of . . . ? ”

The pedlar’s reply was given in such a low whisper that I could only distinguish the words —

“ High bailiff of Amsterdam.”

“That’s rather awkward,” said the landlord. “Those Amsterdam magistrates have far-reaching arms, and they would make it pretty hot for me if I left one of their crew in a pickle. I say, friend Andrew,” he all at once began, laying his hand on his noisy guest^s shoulder.

“ Well, what do you want?” asked Andrew sullenly.

“What do I want.^^” repeated the innkeeper, placing his corpulent figure betwixt us. “ I want you to leave that lad alone. He has not done you any injury. Sit down and drink your liquor. Don’t you see that he isn’t your match ? ”

“So!” said Andrew, with a savage leer, “you’ll get plenty of customers, when you’re going on like that, trying to prevent a thoroughbred countryman like me, who knows all the islands of the West Indies as well as you know your way to your cellar, from having a quiet little fight. But do as ye like — that’s what I say ; and 1 promise you that you’ve seen my face for the last time if things are to go on like that.”

“ Come, come,” said the host, giving Andrew a friendly tap on the shoulder, “you mustn’t talk like that. You know very well that I like to see an honest set-to as well as anybody ; but then it m«st be a square business on both sides, so that neither magistrate nor bailiff can have anything to say about it.”

“Landlord,” said I, “just give us a drop of brandy, and let us put aia end to the matter.”

Andrew accepted a glass ; and having emptied it, by way of a final warning, remarked —

“And I wish you may never cross my path again, just for your own sake.”

I was somewhat struck with this strange wish ; the tone in which it was uttered, as well as the sidelong glance which accompanied it, impressed me with h vague fear.

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A kind of false shame moved me to stay a few moments longer in the inn, so that a too-hurried departure might not be attributed to cowardice.

“ Is it true ? " I heard Roggefeld ask one of his mates ; “is it true that Effie Jansen was robbed last night on the Laren heath?'"

“ Yes, and stripped as well," was the reply ; “ I hardly believe that the rascals left a rag on her body. There were three of 'em, I’ve heard."

Here Andrew interposed with a ditty, sung at the top of his voice.

“It’s Black Peter's* band," said anotlier farmer.

“ Indeed," muttered Andrew between his teeth, at once resuming his song.

“ Now, you, who've been everywhere, and have roved about on so many seas," remarked the landlord to Andrew, “ I suppose you’ve seen Black Peter too, eh ? "

“ Bother Black Peter ! " cried Andrew, pulling a wry face ; “ it's all bosh what folks is a-talking. To ease a jolly fat trading ship of her over-ballast, that’s the kind o’ work for Black Peter ; do you think a true tar like him would trouble himself to rob an old wench on the highroad ? "

Then he once more resumed his song.

I fancied that his idea was to give another turn to the conversation, and it was as if somo secret voice whispered to me that Andrew knew more about these escapades than he cared to confess.

I now thought I had stayed long enough, and was just going out, when my attention was directed to the man

* Black Peter was a well-known bandit who, during the latter part of the last century, scoured the woods in the north-east of Holland and the German frontiers with his band.

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in the red cloak, whom I had noticed on my arrival at the tavern, who came into the room, and in an authoritative tone ordered some breakfast.

The stranger took up a position in front of the bar, and stood erect with folded arms, evidently unaware that he was the observed of all observers.

His appearance, indeed, was well calculated to attract attention \ he was unusually tall of stature, but very well shaped, and the red cloak, which almost fell below his knees, was worn with a natural grace, and gave something noble and picturesque to whatever attitude he assumed. The lower part of his features was concealed by a black scarf, and the broad brim of his hat fell over his forehead and temples, so that little more could be distinguished than a somewhat aquiline nose and a heavy iron-grey moustache.

On his arrival the pedlar took refuge in an obscure corner, as though that gigantic form struck him with terror, but after many furtive glances towards the red cloak he at length summed up courage, and, approaching the stranger, commenced to offer him his wares for sale.

“ Pipe-cleaners ! knives ! scissors ! spectacles ! Buy somethink, master; ain’t got a farthing about me, as true as heaven.” The stranger turned aside.

“Now, let me earn something by you,” continued the pedlar, laying hold of his cloak ; “ almanacs, snuffboxes I tracts on the politics of the day — nice to read along the road. Or will you rather have some comedies, or the Dying Speech of Barneveld ? ”

“Go away!” muttered the stranger, indignantly snatching his cloak out of the pedlar’s hands.

At the same time he took a piece of bread and a plate lO

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from the counter, and made a movement towards the street door. But he turned round with some abruptness, looked about as if in search of something, took up Andrew^s knife, and having cut up his bread went out, followed by the pedlar, who was still loud in praise of his wares.

All at once Andrew ruslied along through the street door into the street, and flourished his knife in the air, whilst the innkeeper and the farmers followed at his heels.

‘‘ Confound it ! ” he cried, looking at the stranger, •‘^you shan’t get off so easy as that numskull. Who told you to touch my knife ? ”

Don’t you hear you’re challenged,” continued Andrew, as the stranger, taking no heed of his words, stood immovable. “What did you want with my knife?”

The stranger made no answer, but having emptied his plate, handed it to the landlord, and asked what there was to pay.

“Hang it, man, will you answer?” growled Andrew, grasping the stranger by the cloak.

“Now, look here,” said the latter, “I interfere with nobody, but nobody must touch me, or it will be the worse for him.”

“ I say, old fellow,” said Andrew, “ don’t you have so much to say ; you’re a tall one, but I’ve given bigger ones than you a taster. If you like. I’ll just cut you a little bit of a red ribbon over that face o’ yours.”

The stranger did not condescend to reply, but he went to the driver, who was just coming along with a newshod horse, and ordered him to make haste.

This was looked upon by all as a sign of fear, and the landlord, not sorry at having a chance of seeing Andrew dis])lay his prowess, jocularly remarked to Roggefeld —

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TI

“ Now, then, well have a lark, and our friend Andrew will stand treat, for he always does that jolly fair, I must say, when he has made his mark/’

“ I don’t believe it,” said Roggefeld ; “ that fellow ain’t one of the right sort.”

“ What the deuce ! ” exclaimed Andrew, ‘‘ I ain’t worth your answer ? And you would march away without showing fight, would you? No, old man, as tall as you are, you shall ask my pardon on your knees ()r — up with your knife.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” asked the stranger of his driver, who stood staring about him. “ Put the harness on, and don’t bother yourself with the talk of this drunken brute.”

“ Drunken brute ! I drunk ? ” roared Andrew in a great rage. “ Wait a bit — I’ll teach ye ! ”

At the same moment he fell upon the traveller, who was just helping the driver to harness the horse. The stranger proved to be more on his guard than he had supposed, for, suddenly turning round, he dealt the would-be combatant such a blow in the chest that he fell back and lay on the ground gasping for breath.

“The deuce! that was a stunner,” said Roggefeld; “ that fellow ain’t a soft one either.”

“It’s disgraceful,” growled Andrew, getting up with difficulty. “ And now I take all of you to witness if he ain’t to fight me.”

“ Fight he must,” was the unanimous reply ; “ there’s no help for that.”

“And I take you all to witness,” said the stranger sternly, “that it was not I who picked a quarrel; and that, if the law should follow up this affair, punishment will fall heavier on those who attack an unoffending

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traveller, or who permit it, than on him who defends himself when attacked.”

‘‘ That^s nothing to * do with it,” cried the farmers. “ YouVe touched his knife, and youVe struck him; you must fight.”

I saw that the traveller would get the worst of the affair, and I do not know what it was that all at once inspired me with the absurd story which I invented to help him out of his difficulty.

Let them mind what they are about,” I whispered to Roggefeld, who stood next to me ; “ I am not mistaken ; the tall man in the red cloak is Czar Peter of Russia.”

‘‘You don’t say so, eh?” said Roggefeld, staring at the stranger in amazement. “ Well, well ! you don’t mean that now ? In that case ”...

And he forthwith proceeded to tell the tale to his neighbour, which he had no sooner done but it was repeated from mouth to mouth.

The invention was the readier believed as, a few years since, the Czar had travelled to Amsterdam incognito and without any suite. Besides, the stranger’s tall stature, his authoritative tone, and even the manner in which he had laid about him, did somewhat answer to the popular idea formed of the Russian monarch.

I was curious to observe the effect produced by my information. All the hats and caps of the peasants were raised as if by magic, and they stood staring at the traveller in mute wonder. The landlord was especially effusive, and by dint of numerous courtesies tried to make him forget that he had taken the part of his antagonist.

Andrew himself, who, judging from his expression, appeared to be rather sceptical on the point, dared not renew the attack, but remained irresolutely standing in the centre, alternately casting a sullen glance at the supposed Czar and at the bystanders.

There was one person, however, who could make nothing of the whole affair, and that was the stranger himself. He wondered at the sudden civility of all, and looked at every one in turns, until his eye met the smile which played about my mouth at the success of my stratagem.

I understood his inquiring look; I approached him, hat in hand, made a movement, as if about to assist him to his carriage, and whispered in his ear —

“ They take you here for the Czar — move away as soon as you can.”

‘‘ Thank you,” said he as he mounted the cart. “ Go on, coachman ! ”

The driver leaped on the box, smacked his whip, and with more speed than I had given it credit for the horse pulled its burden along the sandy ground.

The whole assemblage remained staring at the retreating carriage in mute wonder, until the host broke the silence, exclaiming —

‘‘Well, what do you think of that now? Fancy, that red cloak should be the Czar ! ”

At length I resolved to continue my long-delayed journey, and hurried away with quick steps on the Naarden road.

IL

Nothing remarkable occurred to me during the first stage of my walk. After an bourns progress I began to feel the urgent necessity of again finding an inn or some equally convenient resting-place; not that I cared either for refreshment or rest, but because the state of the sky and atmosphere filled me with grave apprehension. Soon the deathlike calm which had prevailed until then was disturbed by a furious whirlwind, which suddenly came sweeping along from tlte depths of the forest. At the same moment a lurid flash of lightning, immediately followed by a rattling peal of thunder, the presage of , the strife of the elements, proclaimed that now, indeed, the storm had brok^ loose in terrible earnest At its commencement I set oif at a sharp running gait, hoping soon to reach a place of shelter ; but as I proceeded the whole road became one mass of soft, pulpy quagmire, and my boots once being saturated, I ran and splashed through thick and thin, setting aside all thoughts except that of getting farther on my way.

At length, in turning round a corner I came upon an extensive country-seat. Present circumstances did not allow of my taking a thorough survey of* the place, but from what I could judge at a hasty glance I came to a most favourable conclusion as to the wealth and good taste of its owner. But what with my weather-beaten travelling costume, and soaked and dripping wet as I was, I felt ashamed to enter such fashionable quarters.

To my great relief I saw close by another building of great elegance, apparently some supplementary summer-house, and thither I proceeded. I ascended some marble steps and found a door standing ajar; without hesitation I thoroughly wiped and scraped my boots free from their load of mud-and entered. Scarcely had I. done so when I discovered that I was not alone.

On a garden-chair, half concealed behind a curtain, sat a young girl, whom, it appeared, I had disturbed in reading. The first thing that I observed was that she was attired in a white morning dress, which displayed to great advantage her slender shape ; whilst her small head and face were most captivating. She also seemed anything but charmed at my unmannerly intrusion.

However, I could not help remarking the inferiority of young men under such circumstances to the youth of the weaker sex in instinctive good manners, owing to the fact, no doubt, that women are gifted with keener perceptive faculties, and therefore sooner recover their presence of mind than our noble selves. As for myself, I cut a most foolish figure. Blushing, and, as it were, transfixed to the spot, I stood behind a large table, placed between us, ejaculating some disconnected w'ords of apology about the bad weather and about my regret at having disturbed her.

Then, continually moving backwards, I took up my hat, which I had thrown down on the floor, and announced that I would no longer intrude, but depart immediately.

‘‘Sir!” said she, “you do not disturb me at all, and it is really such fearful weather that one may well set aside all ceremonies.”

I made a low and somewhat awkward bow, and it seemed as if my ridiculous attitude brought back her good-humour, for her features lightened up, and with a cordial smile she continued —

“ I have really no authority in this summer-house, but my uncle will not blame me if I usurp his rights for a moment and offer you a temporary shelter.”

I was beginning again to sum up courage, and at these friendly words my bashfulness was completely gone.

“ The weather is so bad,” said I, “ that I will avail myself of your kindness with pleasure.” I made another bow, less awkward than the first, laid hat, stick, and bundle aside, and remained at the same respectful distance.

The young girl asked if 1 would not sit down, once more took up her book and continued reading, without taking any further notice of me. I complied, and thus sat for some time, during which the moments seemed so many hours. It is true, I might have agreeably occupied myself in the. contemplation of the delicately- shaped nose, the charming little dimpled cheek, and the fresh, ruddy lips, which adorned her captivating face, but I thought that politeness forbade me to sit constantly staring at her. I therefore contented myself with now and then casting a look out of the window, to see whether the rain did not leave off, a prospect still very unlikely to be realised, and with taking observation of the interior of the summer-house, which was built, decorated, and furnished with a noble and artistic simplicity.

But this, too, was a monotonous pastime, and whenever I cast a sidelong glance at my pretty hostess, I noticed that she occasionally lifted her eyes from her book to look at the weather, which I could not help ascribing to a desire to get rid of me. My position now became so unendurable, that I rose and in a tone which belied my words remarked, “I believe that the storm is almost over, so I shall leave you, with many thanks.”

“ I think you had better wait until the rain ceases,” said she, lifting her bright blue eyes at the dark clouds above. “ It is really not quite the weather for walking.”

At this moment a most terrific clattering of rain against the window appeared to confirm her words.

‘‘You are very kind, miss,” I replied; “but I was in hopes of entering Naarden before the closing of the town gates, and it is getting rather late.”

She did not answer ; I saw that she wished to evade all conversation with one who was an utter stranger to her.

“ I am afraid,” I continued, somewhat piqued, “ that the corn will suffer much from this weather ? ”

The corn did not appear to be a subject which she took very much at heart, for she was still silent.

“ I pity the poor fishermen in the Zuider Zee,” said I, thinking that if she possessed the least feeling she could not leave my remark unanswered ; but, no, she bit her lip and looked into her book.

“This seems to be a beautiful seat; I have seldom seen finer trees than those beeches.”

Again no answer.

“ The deuce,” thought I, “ is this affectation, pride, or want of intellect ? ” And yet I could nof much blame her for not wishing to enter into familiar conversation with a man who had all the appearance of a tramp. However

B wishing to discover whether a pretty face was the only gift Nature had bestowed upon her, I determined to alter my style of conversation, and with some abruptness I asked her if she could kindly tell me whether the villa belonged to a Mr. Blaek of Amsterdam.

‘‘Yes, sir, Mr. Blaek is my uncle, she replied in a tone of icy coolness ; but I was determined to continue the attack with the same weapons.

“ I am very pleased to hear it,” said I. “ I do not recollect ever having seen Mr. Blaek.”