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As they ran inward, all eyes were strained greedily to find some opening in the mangrove belt; but none was to be seen for some time. The lead was kept going; and every fresh heave announced shallower water. "We shall have very shoal work off those mangroves, Yeo," said Amyas; "I doubt whether we shall do aught now, unless we find a river's mouth."
A growl arose from those of the men who understood him; and more than one hinted that a cord twined round the head, or a match put between the fingers, would speedily extract the required information. "God forbid!" said Amyas; "a brave and loyal man he is, and as such will I treat him. Tell me, my brave fellow, how do you know us to be his Catholic majesty's enemies?"
They met hers, so full, and keen, and dreadful, that forgetting she was utterly invisible, the terrified girl was on the point of shrieking aloud. "He has overlooked me!" said she, shuddering to herself, as she recollected his threat of yesterday. "Who has wounded you?" asked Campian. "My cousin Amyas and taken the letter!"
So they chatted on; and before night was half through a plan was matured, desperate enough but what cared those brave hearts for that? This was their new dream. It was a wild one: but hardly more wild than the one which Drake had fulfilled, and not as wild as the one which Oxenham might have fulfilled, but for his own fatal folly. Amyas sat watching late that night, sad of heart.
That would have been too delicious." "Just so, too delicious; wherefore, I suppose, it was ordained not to be, that which was being delicious enough." "And is she as pretty as ever?" "Ten times as pretty, dear lad, as half the young fellows round have discovered. "Humph!" said Amyas, "I hope I shall not have to make short work with some of them." "I hope not," said Frank, laughing.
Sky, sea, and islands were one vast rainbow; though little marked, perhaps, by those sturdy practical sailors, whose main thought was of Spanish gold and pearls; and as little by Amyas, who, accustomed to the scenery of the tropics, was speculating inwardly on the possibility of extirpating the Spaniards, and annexing the West Indies to the domains of Queen Elizabeth.
Whereon Amyas treated three-quarters of the story as a tipsy dream, and contented himself by getting a warrant against the landlady for harboring "Egyptians," which was then a heavy offence a gipsy disguise being a favorite one with Jesuits and their emissaries.
"You seem to forget the danger and the woe of us weak women, sir?" "I don't forget the danger and the woe of one weak woman, madam, and she the daughter of a man who once stood in this room," said Amyas, suddenly collecting himself, in a low stern voice. "And I don't forget the danger and the woe of one who was worth a thousand even of her. I don't forget anything, madam."
Amyas, because his mind was fixed firmly on the one object of saving the honor of his house; and Will, because he was hesitating between Ireland and the wars, and Rose Salterne and love-making. At last he spoke suddenly. "I'll go, Amyas." "Whither?" "To Ireland with you, old man. I have dragged my anchor at last." "What anchor, my lad of parables?" "See, here am I, a tall and gallant ship."
Amyas saw his bright blade glance in the clear October moonlight. "Stand in the queen's name!" The man drew a pistol from under his cloak, and fired full in his face.
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