Shad and Shed; or, The remarkable adventures of the Puritan brothers

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LTHOUGH Peter the sailor had the keen eyes of the seafarer, he had not seen one thing which the young man did before he rode away at a pace that equalled that of Cornbury.

The youug man had upon his arrival at the house asked if the master of it were in, and when the maid declared that he had already gone abroad, then it was that she was told to procure the rum for the sailor and to give him the balm. The young man then wrote upon a hit of paper this word :

MOAB,

and slipped it in the hand of the maid, with a glance that she understood as well as though he had spoken, as indicating his desire that the paper be given to the master of the house when he returned.

When the young man was beyond the outskirts of the town, and upon the road over which an hour before Oapt. Cornbury had galloped, he hesitated a moment, and then after his habit, communed with himself by speaking aloud :

I must first of all be cautious. Let me refiect. If this Capt. Cornbury has gone to Guilford by this road he will be nearly there now. But it will then take him an hour to reach Fort Providence. Therefore, if I take the short cut I may still reach Fort Providence before him. On the contrary, if he has been there already and has surprised them, he may be returning with them as prisoners this way. So if I go the other way I may miss them, while if I go this way I may be too late.'’^

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For an instant he seemed greatly perplexed, but of a sudden, calling to his horse, he galloped away, taking a nafrow path that turned from the highway, and he did so because he reasoned thus :

^^If the Judges are captured or killed, I am powerless anyway ; but if they are not yet discovered then I am all powerful, because 1 can give the warning/^

He rode with such rapidity that his face was whipped by the twigs and branches that in some places interlaced over his path, and which he had no time to part. But he seemed not to be conscious of pain, though his face was scratched and bleeding when he had passed through the forest and reached the open country.

llising in his stirrups and shading his eyes with his hand — for he was facing the sun — he looked earnestly in the direction, where from the highway a traveller would be obliged to turn into the path that led to the place known as Fort Providence. ^

An instant later he saw something which led him to urge his horse to its utmost speed ; then suddenly he checked the animal and allowed it to go at a moderate pace.

For,^^ he reasoned, I now see this Capt. Cornbury, and that he has not yet reached Fort Providence, and he has no one with him. If I ride fast he will be suspicious of my errand, but if I ride at a natural and easy pace then he will perhaps question me when we meet, and I may overcome him with subtlety.

So the young man rode quietly along, looking about as if he were merely examining the fields or trying to make an estimate of what the harvest might be. Nevertheless he kept his eyes first on Capt. Cornbury, who was rapidly approaching, and next on a small dwelling that was situated on the crest of a hill about equally distant between him and the Captain, and which he so earnestly desired to reach in time to serve its inmates.

So far as the Captain was concerned, the young man soon perceived that this ofiicer was eyeing him as closely as he was himself watching Cornbury; so far as the dwelling was con-

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cerned, the young man saw no one but a young girl who seemed to be busy with the vocations of the dairy or farm. ,

Nevertheless, the young man again rose in his stirrups, and letting the rains fall upon the pommel, stretched out his arms and made a motion with them similar to that which the swimmer makes as he propels himself through the water.

An instant later the young girl, without giving any sign that she had seen either of the horsemen, took up a pail and entered the house.

Jii&t after the door closed, Oapt. Oornbury and the young man met, and nearly in front of the slope that led up to the little farm house.

Good morning to you,^^ said .the young man, reining in his horse, You are a stranger, I perceive.

^^What^s that to you?"^ said the officer, with the manner of indignation, and glaring fiercely at the young man.

^^It is in one way nothing to |pe,^'’ said the young man,

and in another way it is much. It is nothing to me if. you choose to take the path I have just travelled, for then it will be your face that will be scratched and your ears that will tingle with the rebound of twigs; but it is much to me to show courtesy to all men, and the more to a stranger, as I perceive you to be.'’"’

Why do you come riding rapidly through those forests, and as soon as you see me check your horse to disguise your purpose?"’ said the Captain.

‘^^If I rode fast it was the more speedily to escape those vexatious branches; if I checked my horse it was to give him and myself breath, having made the escape.”

^ Do you know who I am?” asked Oornbury, after staring fixedly at the young man a moment, as if trying to read his mind.

‘^^ Had I known you, would I have regarded you as a stranger? And yet I am fortunate in not knowing you.”

Because I should not number among my acquaintances a man who permits arrogance and insolence to take the place of those qualities each man should show another.”

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‘ Who are you?^'’ asked the Captain, whose lips trembled with passion, which he tried hard to master.

My name is Theodore Dudley.

Diidley?^^ have known good men of that name; how, then, do you come by it?""

“You know no better or more godly men than it is my prayer that I may be.""

“ Get off of that horse, Puritan.""

“ Why? The horse is mine.""

“ Get off, or this weapon shall hasten your dismounting;"" and the Captain drew a pistol from the holster.

“I will dismount if you give me reason, but why do you wish to murder me?""

“ I shall not murder you, but I may kill you. I know why you are here, and that is to foil me. But what I do is done in the King"s name.""

“ In the King"s name ! Then I dismount,"" and Dudley dismounted.

“Now tie your horse to the tree,"" said the Captain, his pistol still in hand.

Dudley to gain time obeyed.. Then Cornbury dismounted and bade Dudley- hitch his horse also. When this had been done the Captain faced Dudley a moment, seemingly doubting whether it was best to discharge the pistol or not.

“No,"" said he at. last; “I will treat you as I do my horses. I will tie you, and you may rejoice that it isn"t your carcass that I leave here instead of your live body. But wait. You Puritans love money. I offer you- a bargain. Lead me to the hiding place in this Fort Providence, where the Itegicides ' are hidden, and you shall have a thousand pounds."’ .

“ A thousand pounds?"" ■ -

“Yes; and find for me the ring that one of them has concealed, and you shall have ten thousand pounds.""

“ Ten thousand pounds ?""

“Yes. Is it not enough ?""

^0

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Enough! A fortune. But how shall I know that you will keep your word

On my honor, as a gentleman, I promise

I In^sitate.'’^

My good fellow. You should not. For you will not only serv^e your king and find his favor, but you will also gain a fortune. Then, both duty and profit will go hand in hand.^^

Very well. I will do as you wish.^^

Precede me then. If you falter or betray me I shall certainly blow your brains out.^^

Dudley cast his eyes about for a moment. A few yards ahead he perceived a stout stick lying on the field, and when he saw that he fixed upon a plan. He walked rapidly, so that Cornbury was with difficulty keeping pace with him, and was about to call to him to go more slowly, when suddenly Dudley tripped against the stick and fell, Cornbury almost falling over him.

FoolP^ said Cornbury. Cannot you keep your feet ^^Ah, but my foot is sprained, I fear,^^ said Dudley, rubbing his ankle and assuming a look of pain. What did I trip on ? This stick! Ah, out of my way!’^ And he seized the stick as though angry with it, and made a motion as though to cast it away. Instead of doing so, however, he, by a turn of the wrist, brought it about with a mighty whirl, striking Cornbury^s wrist with such force that he dropped the pistol, which was discharged as it fell.

Though the blow must hav^e cost him the greatest agony, Cornbury drew his sword and was about to rush upon Dudley and pierce him, when the young man leaped to his feet and warded off the thrust with the oaken stick.

Then there began a battle which for Dudley meant simply delay and defense, while Cornbury seemed determined to kill the young man. Dudley made no other effort than to ward off with the stout stick the thrust of the sword, hoping by one powerful blow at last to knock it out of Cornbury’ s grasp.

They were men of the same height, the same figure, in which great strength ^was revealed, and seemed to be equally

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expert as fencers. However, Cornbury, having the advantage of weapons, began to press Dudley severely and caused him to retreat, and at last, stumbling upon a loose pebble, he was for an instant at Cornbury^s mercy. The Captain, by a powerful blow, struck the stick from Dudley^s hand, and then thrust viciously.

The point of the sword was within two inches of Dudley’s body when, of a sudden, it was struck down. Then, as though he had dropped from the skies, there stood a man of most venerable aspect with beard and hair white as the clouds above them, with eyes that seemed to be* coals of fire, and i with a majesty of manner that impressed even Cornbury.

' Suspended from his left arm ho carried a circular object folded in a cloth. In his right hand he held no sword, but a broom, with rough splints.

Proceed,” said he, calmly to Cornbury.

, You have no sword,” said Cornbury.

; But you attacked this one, who had none.”

You are an old man,” said Cornbury.

But eternally young. Guard yourself!”

I Here, as Cornbury hesitated, the old man, with a quick stroke, dashed the broom, which was soaked in dirty water, i in Cornbury’s face. The insult filled the officer with fury,

I and he dashed at the old man, who, with the broom, played 1 with Cornbury’s sword. Now and then he thrust the broom j splints in Cornbury’s face, so that the officer became furious i with anger. He could not, however, reach the old man’s body, desperately as he tried, for all his thrusts were easily parried by the broom.

At last the old man received a thrust in the circular object on his arm, whence Cornbury was unable to withdraw the 1 sword; and then with a blow the sword was knocked from i his hand.

1 Tell me who you are,” said Cornbury. You are either I Goffe, Whalley, or the Devil, for no man in England but j they can fence like this.”

I am William Goffe, sometimes called the Regicide,” said the old man. My friend,” turning to Dudley, ^^take

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the sword and bring this man with you that I may catecliise him/^

Oornbury did not move, but instead cast his eye furtively about, like one who looks afar for succor.

You may have within call all the legions of Belial, said the old man, taking heed of this glance, ^^but they will not suffice. You cannot make a captive of me."’^

‘‘We shall see,^^ said Oornbury, contemptuously.

That is a wise an-swer, for it argues patience. But what is your patience to mine ? Come, you shall not be harmed, but you shall hear Wbrds that it may, peradventure, be worth while to hear.^^

Here the old man turned to lead the way to the little farm house, and when they had gained the door, he called, saying:

Rebecca! Rebecca!'’^’

Then there came a maid, she whom Dudley had seen and to whom he had made the signal. She was a fair maid, and though her dress was of plain homespun and befitting the occupation which employed her, yet such a face and form as that stood in no need of brilliant raiment or of jewels, for the gentle tint of the blossoms was in her cheeks, and her hair was fair, so that the sunlight streaming through those locks .that had escaped their binding fillet gave suggestion of a web of golden threads. And as the, old man gave the maid the bundle in which he had received Oornbury's sword, there was revealed to the young man arms fair and dimpled, in which the play of the muscles as she lifted the bundle was rhythmic and delightful to behold.

Although upon this pleasing vision the eyes of both of the young men were fixed yet the maid seemed not aware thereof , but looked inquiringly at the old man.

He seemed to fathom her glance, for he said:

Yes, Rebecca, draw the bolt: 'we projwse entering.^^ She. went ill, and presently there opened in a massive stone wall, which seemed at a casual glance to be a part of the chimney, a door, and then Gofie, bidding the young men enter, stood aside to permit them to pass.

Wait in patience till I strike a light,^^ said he.

SHAD AND SHED.

A moment later he had lighted a tallow candle, and holding it up that the young men might see the apartment, he ™ said:

m Here is Fort Providence. Here the Regicides sometimes dwell. It is here that you expected to capture us.'’^

Cornbury glanced about the apartment, which was nothing more than an artificial cavern made by extending the chimney, and was scarcely ten feet square. It was without furniture, except a table, on which were the remnants of a meal.

You are looking to see whether there be any other egress but this door,"'’ said Goffe. But you will look in vain."" Then for some moments he stared fixedly at Cornbury,

; who, though he returned the glance firmly, seemed not free j from uneasiness or anxiety at this penetrating glance, j You are a servant of royalty ?"" said Gofle at last,

I ^'I am an officer in the service of his Majesty, Charles I the Second.""

I And you have been sent for my head and that of my friend Whalley ?""

I am sent to arrest you.""

! You are some thirty years of age ?""

1 Yes ; what of that ?""

I Then yoiu were not too young to remember the death of Charles the First.""

I remember it, and I shudder when I recall the fact that you were one of his murderers.""

That is what they say. If, then, it be true that I murdered a King, think you that I would hesitate to slay a I King’s servant ""

^‘I do not doubt your desire,"" said Cornbury, sneeringly. But you came that you might take my body and so my head.""

That is true.""

Therefore, if I take your life here, it will be in self preservation and that I may free myself of one enemy.""

I obey orders ; but you mean to assassinate.""

The distinction is subtle. I might slay you here. Bury : you here,"" and the old man pointed with his long finger to

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the earth. You disappear. The King*does not know how. His villainous tools do not surmise where. You disappear as though by one swift process your body had returned to the elements. If I should do this, I should simply do that which preserves me and still further confound that wicked thing — royalty.

My life belongs to the King. If in his service I lose it, I lose it with honor.

Not so,^^ said Goffe. It is upon such lies that thrones are supported. Your life belongs — shall I tell you to whoin

As you will.^^

To Him who gave it. To God, the only Euler of men.^^

Why, then, did you behead Charles the First

Because thus only, could the abhorrent idea of the divine right of one man to rule millions he destroyed.

Bah said Cornhury.

But it was not to discuss this that I brought you here. ^Twas for the sake of this young man, who might unjustly suffer on my account. Fear not, royalist, in whose features I see the likeness of an old adversary. If my eyes serve me as they always have, you are of the Cornhury blood. Ah ! I knew it. Nearly twenty years ago I met one who was your father, ITl warrant, and he threatened then to kill me as the son now seeks to do.'’^

^^'Twould have served you well had he done so.^^

Perhaps. But then God did not so will.^^

Are you going to keep me here ? Are you going to kill me ? Am I to depart ? Whichever your purpose is, I pray you execute it at once.^^

Yes, it is the Cornhury blood that speaks. That never lacked brute courage. I am not going to keep you. I am not going to kill you. I shall suffer you to depart after you have heard me. First, then, this young man must suffer no harm for what has happened to-day.

‘‘ That is as it may be,^^ said Cornhury.

He will prove that he is not rebellious to the King’s authority.”

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He will return with you to New Haven/’

To summon the Sheriff and Governor that they may assist you to apprehend us ?”

Why did he interfere ?”

Because he did not know that you were acting in the King’s name.”

If then he will serve me, he will go and summon my help.”

Not so.”

And why?”

Because there be statutes and laws here, and arrest must be made in prusuance of them. You having a command to apprehend us must show this command to the Sheriff and Governor, and it will be respected. Your help is not lawfully empowered to arrest.”

But you will escape while we are gone.”

If possible, yes.”

Oornbury stamped his foot impatiently.

I will not depart hence,” said he, until I have done that which I came to do.”

^^Then you will feel my power,” said Goffe, and his manner of speaking was terrible, so that even Oornbury looked upon him with amazement.

^'Know, then,” said Goffe, bending his face so that his eyes, which gleamed like hot coals, were rivetted upon those of Oornbury; ‘^know that it pleases God to give me protection, and by a marvellous power which he hath entrusted to me, he permits me to take the sight from your eyes — now you see no longer — and the power of speech from your tongue — now you speak no longer, and the power of moving from your limbs — now you can no longer move — ”

Here the old nian placed the body of Oornbury, which had grown rigid, upon the bench, and calling Dudley, said :

Behold the fixed eyes and the rigid form. Wa.t with him until he shall see and hear and feel ; then return witbjs*. him to New Haven and see that the Sheriff’s officers are put in pursuit. Meanwhile say to the Governor that we shall

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go hence to Hatchett^s Harbor or the J adge^s cave. But wait, and hold this candle.

Goffe quickly examined Oornbury^s person, and discovering thereon a wallet, opened it, and for some moments read from the papers contained in it. At last, after reading one paper, Goffe fell upon his knees, and returned thanks to God that He had permitted such knowledge as he had just learned to come to him. Then he placed the wallet back in Oornbury^s pocket, and said to Dudley :

Thus God uses his enemies to overthrow them, and He has by this instrumentality shown how a great service can be done His cause. Tell me now what you know of th's man.'’^

Dudley therefore told Goffe all that the sailor Peter had narrated, and when Goffe heard these words he took the whistle from Oornbury and kept it.

Of a sudden, Dudley knew not how or when, the old man disappeared.

Some moments later Oornbury recovered from his trance, not realizing that he had been unconcious of what had been said and done.

What ! Dudley ? What does this mean ? Where is Goffe

He has disappeared.^^

Yet I did not see him go,”

Why do I sit here ?”

^^He bore you there in his arms.^^

^^How of a truth, that which was said by this man in Boston is true. He is a sorcerer.