Dont pray dont let him come near me! cried the lady excitedly; and she clung to the young mans arm.
Fear not, said the latter, with an encouraging smile, one which seemed to give her confidence, for she sighed, cast down her eyes, and then stood firm, as the adder-hunter took a knife from his pocket, and with a sly smile opened the gaping jaws, and showed the lookers-on the little keen poison-fangs lying flat down backwards on the roof of the vipers mouth, till he raised them up, ending by jerking them both out with the knife-point, and placing the reptile in his wallet.
You do something with them, Churr, do you not? said Sir Thomas, for his guests behoof, for he knew by heart the whole of Abel Churrs career.
Yes, worshipful sir, said Churr, humbly: the people come from far and near to get neddars fat from me. It cures all kinds of ills in the skin, and heals the worst of cuts.
I wonder whether it would heal broken hearts, said the young man in a whisper, as his eyes met those of Mistress Anne, who cast hers down and blushed.
That will do, Abel Churr, that will do, said Sir Thomas, importantly; and the adder-hunter pulled the front of his hair humbly and slunk away; the big, grizzled man sat himself down on a ledge of the bank, pulled out flint and steel, and proceeded to fill and light his pipe; and, rested by the incident they had witnessed, the little party proceeded on their journey along the rugged lane.
Now, frankly, Sir Thomas, said the young man, how much farther is it?
Not five hundred yards, Sir Mark. There, you can see the furnace-smoke over yon clump of beeches, and just to the left, there that light patch thats Roehurst Pool.
And pray what has Roehurst Pool to do with Master Jeremiah Cobbe, may I ask?
To do with him, Sir Mark? Why, it is a great piece of dammed-up water that sets his wheels in motion
to make the tilt-hammers beat his iron, grind his charcoal, and blow his furnaces when he casts cannon. Oh, it has everything to do with him, Sir Mark.
Then he really has extensive works here?
Not so very large; not so very small; but he has many men at work for him getting the iron out of the hills, cutting down wood, making charcoal, and tending his furnaces. He is a busy man, Sir Mark.
Yes? said the visitor inquiringly; and what does he do with his guns and powder when he makes them?
I cannot say, replied the baronet; only that they are shipped away, and go down the little river here out to sea in the same ship that brings him sulphur from Sicily and Chinese salt from the far East. That was one of the captains men.
What captain? What men?
That tall, stout fellow we talked with Wat Kilby he is the captains head man Captain Carr Culverin Carr they call him here.
A fine, handsome, corsair-like fellow, with the look of a Spaniard and the daring of a hero? said the visitor mockingly.
Yes, said the baronet quietly; you have just described him, Sir Mark. His father, they say, went with Sir Walter Raleigh on his ill-fated expedition. The son was in the same ship, and when old Captain Carr died he left his son to the care of his crew.
And they made the youth their captain, said Mistress Anne, with heightened colour.
Yes, said Sir Thomas, and he has been their captain ever since.
But, said Sir Mark curiously, what are they buccaneers pirates?
Heaven knows, said Sir Thomas, giving a glance round. There are matters, Sir Mark, he continued nervously, that it is not always wise to discuss in a place where the very trees have ears.
Absurd! cried Sir Mark. Here, in his Majestys dominions, all men should be able to speak freely, and you excite my curiosity, Sir Thomas. Please to bear in mind that I am his Highnesss representative, he continued stiffly, sent here upon a special ambassage. Reports have reached the Court of a reckless buccaneering party, of the refuse and dregs of Raleighs freebooters, haunting the south coast; but I knew not that it was here in Sussex.
For heavens sake, Sir Mark, whispered the baronet, mopping his face, be advised and say no more. The place here is haunted by them, and they do what pleases them best. I am a justice, Sir Mark, but my authority is set at naught. You heard that man Kilby, how wanting in reverence he was? He is a sample of the rest, and I pray nightly when their ship sails from here that she may never return again.
A noble Christian-like feeling, cried Sir Mark. But, tut, tut, Sir Thomas, this must not be. Rouse up, man. These knaves must be brought to book if they dont behave. Have no fear, sir; a word from me to the King, and his Majestys wisdom would be brought to bear on the need of sweeping this place clear of such dregs.
Sir Thomas was gazing uneasily around, while Mistress Anne seemed to cast off her mincing ways, and her eyes flashed eagerly as she drank in the young courtiers words.
I know his Highness means well to all his subjects, Sir Mark, said the baronet, nervously. I thank him for conferring upon me my title, and he has no more loyal subject in these parts; but pray, Sir Mark, do not be too eager to report all you see. We are very lonely here, and far from cities and their ways. There is no man in these parts, sir, who is not influenced by by