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John river and those desirous of entering the holy estate of matrimony were obliged like James Simonds to proceed to Massachusetts or to follow the example off Gervas Say and Anna Russell, whose marriage is described in the following unique document: "Maugerville, February 23, 1766.
That ball grazed her tail, but she is too old a soldier to wince at trifles. Hullo, friend, where is your horse? 'At the bottom of the ditch, said Sir Gervas, scraping the mud off his dress with his sword-blade. ''Tis now half-past two, he continued, 'and we have been at this child's-play for an hour and more. With a line regiment, too! It is not what I had looked forward to!
"Nay, but Gervas since told me that he had met some of my Lord's men who told him that your daughter was one of the Queen of Scots' ladies, and said he, 'I held my peace; but methought, It hath come of the talebearing of that fellow to whom my wife prated." "Gervas guessed right," said Richard.
Caracco, I would that I were a young King's officer with a troop of light horse on the ridge yonder! My faith, how I should sweep down yon cross road like a kestrel on a brood of young plover! Then heh for cut and thrust, down with the skulking cannoniers, a carbine fire to cover us, round with the horses, and away go the rebel guns in a cloud of dust! How's that, Sir Gervas?
'We had best draw, gentlemen, and defend the gap in the rails, if we may hold it good until help arrives. He flashed out his rapier as he spoke, and took his stand on the top of the steps, with Saxon and Sir Gervas upon one side of him, Buyse, Reuben, and myself upon the other.
'Shall we not make for it at once? I asked impatiently, for our commander sat stolidly upon his horse as though by no means sure what course he should pursue. 'I am here, Captain Clarke, said he, 'to convey supplies to the army, and I am by no means justified in turning from my course to pursue other adventures. 'Death, man! there is a woman in distress, cried Sir Gervas.
Moreover, there had been a sharp storm a few days previously, and experience had not hardened her to the anxieties of a sailor's wife. She had been down once already to the quay, and learnt all that the old sailors could tell her of chances and conjectures; and when her boy began to fret from hunger and weariness, she had left her serving-man, Gervas, to watch for further tidings.
''Twere fratricide for such a man to shoot a bear, quoth Sir Gervas, 'with all respect, friend Clarke, for your honoured progenitor. 'No more than for you to shoot at a popinjay, I answered, laughing; 'but as to the Mayor's offer, we can but go to meat with him now, and should it prove irksome it will be easy for you to plead some excuse, and so get honourably quit of it.
'Town! said she in surprise. 'What is Taunton but a town? 'Heaven forbid that I should deny it, replied Sir Gervas, 'more especially in the presence of so many worthy burghers, who have the name of being somewhat jealous of the honour of their native city.
Sir Gervas Jerome continued, however, to chatter freely to Reuben and myself over the wine, rattling along as gaily and airily as though we were old acquaintances. 'Sink me, if I have not frighted your comrade away! he remarked, 'Or is it possible that he hath gone on the slot of the plump widow? Methought he looked in no very good temper when I kissed her at the door.
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