The Jolly Roger Tales: 60+ Pirate Novels, Treasure-Hunt Tales & Sea Adventures. Лаймен Фрэнк Баум
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Название: The Jolly Roger Tales: 60+ Pirate Novels, Treasure-Hunt Tales & Sea Adventures
Автор: Лаймен Фрэнк Баум
Издательство: Bookwire
Жанр: Книги для детей: прочее
isbn: 9788027219605
isbn:
Tell me but this — is there poetry in it?”
“Chokeful to the seal, with song, sonnet, and elegy,” answered Bunce; “ but let her have it cautiously and secretly.”
“Tush, man! — teach me to deliver a billet-doux! — me, who have been in the Wits’ Coffeehouse, and have seen all the toasts of the Kit-Cat Club! — Minna shall have it, then, for old acquaintance’ sake, Mr. Altamont, and for your Captain’s sake, too, who has less of the core of devil about him than his trade requires. There can be no harm in a farewell letter.”
“Farewell, then, old boy, for ever and a day! “ said Bunce; and seizing the poet’s hand, gave it so hearty a gripe, that he left him roaring, and shaking his fist, like a dog when a hot cinder has fallen on his foot.
Leaving the rover to return on board the vessel, we remain with the family of Magnus Troil, assembled at their kinsman’s mansion of Stennis, where they maintained a constant and careful watch against surprise.
Mordaunt Mertoun had been received with much kindness by Magnus Troil, when he came to his assistance, with a small party of Norna’s dependants, placed by her under his command. The Udaller was easily satisfied that the reports instilled into his ears by the Jagger, zealous to augment his favour towards his more profitable customer Cleveland, by diminishing that of Mertoun, were without foundation. They had, indeed, been confirmed by the good Lady Glowrowrum, and by common fame, both of whom were pleased to represent Mordaunt Mertoun as an arrogant pretender to the favour of the sisters of Burgh-Westra, who only hesitated, sultan-like, on whom he should bestow the handkerchief. But common fame, Magnus considered, was a common liar, and he was sometimes disposed (where scandal was concerned) to regard the good Lady Glowrowrum as rather an uncommon specimen of the same genus. He therefore received Mordaunt once more into full favour, listened with much surprise to the claim which Norna laid to the young man’s duty, and with no less interest to her intention of surrendering to him the considerable property which she had inherited from her father. Nay, it is even probable that, though he gave no immediate answer to her hints concerning an union betwixt his eldest daughter and her heir, he might think such an alliance recommended, as well by the young man’s personal merits, as by the chance it gave of reuniting the very large estate which had been divided betwixt his own father and that of Norna. At all events, the Udaller received his young friend with much kindness, and he and the proprietor of the mansion joined in entrusting to, him, as the youngest and most active of the party, the charge of commanding the nightwatch, and relieving the sentinels around the House of Stennis.
Chapter XL
Of an outlawe, this is the lawe —
That men him take and bind,
Without pitie hang’d to be,
And waive with the wind.
The Ballad of the Nut Brown Maid.
Mordaunt had caused the sentinels who had been on duty since midnight to be relieved ere the peep of day, and having given directions that the guard should be again changed at sunrise, he had retired to a small parlour, and, placing his arms beside him, was slumbering in an easychair, when he felt himself pulled by the watch-cloak in which he was enveloped.
“Is it sunrise,” said he, “ already?” as, starting up, he discovered the first beams lying level upon the horizon.
“Mordaunt!” said a voice, every note of which thrilled to his heart.
He turned his eyes on the speaker, and Brenda Troil, to his joyful astonishment, stood before him. As he was about to address her eagerly, he was checked by observing the signs of sorrow and discomposure in her pale cheeks, trembling lips, and brimful eyes.
“Mordaunt,” she said, “ you must do Minna and me a favour — you must allow us to leave the house quietly, and without alarming any one, in order to go as far as the Standing Stones of Stennis.”
“What freak can this be, dearest Brenda? “ said Mordaunt, much amazed at the request — ” some Orcadian observance of superstition, perhaps; but the time is too dangerous, and my charge from your father too strict, that I should permit you to pass without his consent. Consider, dearest Brenda, I am a soldier on duty, and must obey orders.”
“Mordaunt,” said Brenda, “ this is no jesting matter — Minna’s reason, nay, Minna’s life, depends on your giving us this permission.”
“And for what purpose?” said Mordaunt: “ let me at least know that.”
“For a wild and a desperate purpose,” replied Brenda — ” It is that she may meet Cleveland.”
“Cleveland!” said Mordaunt — ” Should the villain come ashore, he shall be welcomed with a shower of rifle-balls.
Let me within a hundred yards of him,” he added, grasping his piece, “and all the mischief he has done me shall be balanced with an ounce bullet!”
“His death will drive Minna frantic,” said Brenda; “and him who injures Minna, Brenda will never again look upon.”
“This is madness — raving madness! “ said Mordaunt — ” Consider your honour — consider your duty.”
“I can consider nothing but Minna’s danger,” said Brenda, breaking into a flood of tears; “her former illness was nothing to the state she has been in all night. She holds in her hand his letter, written in characters of fire, rather than of ink, imploring her to see him, for a last farewell, as she would save a mortal body, and an immortal soul; pledging himself for her safety; and declaring no power shall force him from the coast till he has seen her. — You must let us pass.”
“It is impossible! “ replied Mordaunt, in great perplexity — ”This ruffian has imprecations enough, doubtless, at his fingers’ ends — but what better p^dge has he to offer? — I cannot permit Minna to go.”
“I suppose,” said Brenda, somewhat reproachfully, while she dried her tears, yet still continued sobbing, “that there is something in what Norna spoke of betwixt Minna and you; and that you are too jealous of this poor wretch, to allow him even to speak with her an instant before his departure.”
“You are unjust,” said Mordaunt, hurt, and yet somewhat flattered by her suspicions, — ”you are as unjust as you are imprudent. You know — you cannot but know — that Minna is chiefly dear to me as your sister. Tell me, Brenda — and tell me truly — if I aid you in this folly, have you no suspicion of the Pirate’s faith?”
“No, none,” said Brenda; “if I had any, do you think I would urge you thus? He is wild and unhappy, but I think we may in this trust him.”
“Is the appointed place the Standing Stones, and the time daybreak? “ again demanded Mordaunt.
“It is, and the time is come,” said Brenda, — ” for Heaven’s sake let us depart!”
“I will myself,” said Mordaunt, “ relieve the sentinel at the front door for a few minutes, and suffer you to pass. — You will not protract this interview, so full of danger?”
“We СКАЧАТЬ