The White Gauntlet
He bent forward to catch any sound that might come from the road before him. He could hear none – at least, none of a character to make him uneasy. The soft monotone of the goatsucker fell upon his ear, mingled with the sharper note of the partridge, calling her young across the stubble. He heard, also, the distant barking of the watch-dog, and the sheep-bell tinkling in the fold; but these sounds, though characteristic of tranquil country life – and sweet to his ear, so long hindered from hearing them – were not inconsistent with the presence either of footpad or highwayman; who, lurking concealed among the trees, need not interrupt their utterance.
Walter Wade was far from being of a timid disposition; but no youth of eighteen could be accused of cowardice, simply because he did not desire an encounter with robbers.
It did not, therefore, prove poltroonery on his part, when, proceeding along the road, his heart beat slightly with apprehension, – no more, when on perceiving the figure of a horseman dimly outlined under the shadow of the trees, he suddenly came to a halt, and hesitated to advance.
The horseman was about a score of paces from where he had stopped – moving neither one way nor the other, but motionless in the middle of the road.
“A highwayman!” thought Walter, undecided whether to advance, or ride back.
“But no, it can scarce be that? A robber would not take stand so conspicuously. He would be more likely to conceal himself behind the trees – at least until – ”
While thus conjecturing, a voice fell upon his ear, which he at once recognised as the same he had late heard so emphatically pronouncing “The People!”
Reassured, the young traveller determined to advance. A man of such mien, as he who bestrode the black steed – and actuated by such a sentiment, as that he had so boldly announced – could scarcely be a disreputable person – much less a highwayman? Walter did not wrong him by the suspicion.
“If I mistake not,” said the stranger, after the preliminary hail, “you are the young gentleman I saw, a short while ago, in rather scurvy company?”
“You are not mistaken: I am.”
“Come on, then! If you are my only pursuer, I fancy I shall incur no danger, in permitting you to overtake me? Come on, young sir! Perhaps on these roads it may be safer for both of us, if we ride in company?”
Thus frankly solicited, the young courtier hesitated no longer; but, pricking his horse with the spur, rode briskly forward.
Together the horsemen continued the ascent of the hill.
Half way up, the road swerved towards the south-west. For a short distance the track was clear of trees, so that the moonlight fell full upon it. Here the two travellers, for the first time, obtained a distinct view of one another.
The stranger – who still retained his incognito– merely glanced towards his companion; and, seemingly satisfied with a slight inspection, allowed his eyes to wander elsewhere.
Perhaps during his halt before the hostelry, he had made a more elaborate examination of the young courtier.
Walter, on the other hand, had at the Inn caught only a glimpse of the black horseman. Now, though out of courtesy, looking furtively and askaunce, he proceeded to examine him more minutely.
The personal appearance of the latter was striking enough to court examination. Walter Wade was impressed with it – even to admiration.
He saw beside him, not a youth like himself, but a man in the full prime and vigour of manhood – perhaps over thirty years of age. He saw a figure of medium size, and perfect shape – its members knitted together, with a terseness that indicated true strength. He saw shoulders of elegant tuornure; a breast of swelling prominence; a full round throat, with jaws that by their breadth proclaimed firmness and decision. He saw dark brown hair, curling around a countenance, that in youth might have appeared under a fairer complexion, but was now slightly bronzed, as if stained with the tan of travel. He saw eyes of dark hazel hue – in the moonlight shining softly and mildly as those of a dove. But Walter knew that those same eyes could flash like an eagle’s: for he had seen them so fired, on first beholding them.
In short the young courtier saw by his side a man that reminded him of a hero of Middle Age romance – one about whom he had been lately reading; and whose character had made a deep impression upon his youthful fancy.
The dress of the cavalier was in perfect keeping with his fine figure and face. It was simple, although of costly material. Cloak, doublet, and trunks were of silk velvet of dark maroon colour. The boots were of the finest Spanish leather, and his hat a beaver – the brim in clasp coquettishly turned up, with a jewelled front holding a black ostrich feather that swept backward to his shoulder. A scarlet sash of China crape, looped around the waist – an embroidered shoulder-belt crossing the breast, from which dangled a rapier in richly-chased sheath; buff-coloured gloves, with gauntlets attached; cuffs of white lawn covering the sleeves of his doublet; and broad collar of the same extending almost to his shoulders. Fancy all these articles of costly fabric, fitted in the fashion of the time to a faultless manly figure, and you have a portrait of the cavalier whose appearance had won the admiration of Walter Wade.
The horse was in keeping with the rider – a steed of large size and perfect proportions – such as an ancient paladin might have chosen to carry him upon a crusade. He was of the true colour – a deep pure black, all except his muzzle where the velvet-like epidermis was tinged with yellowish red, presenting the hue of umber. Had his tail been suffered to droop, its tip would have touched the ground; but even while going into a walk it swung diagonally outward, oscillating at each step. When in the gallop, it floated upon the air spread and horizontal.
The spotted skin of a South American jaguar, with housings of scarlet cloth, caparisoned the saddle; over the pommel of which hung a pair of holsters, screened by the thick glossy fur of the North American beaver.
The bit was a powerful mameluke – about that time introduced from the Spanish peninsula – which, clanking between the teeth of the horse, constantly kept his mouth in a state of foam.
This beautiful steed had a name. Walter had heard it pronounced. As the young courtier rode up, the horse was standing – his muzzle almost in contact with the road – and pawing the dust with impatience. The short gallop had roused his fiery spirit. To tranquillise it, his rider was caressing him – as he drew his gloved hand over the smooth skin of the neck, talking to him, as if he had been a comrade, and repeating his name. It was “Hubert.”
After exchanging salutations, the two horse men rode side by side for some moments, without vouchsafing further speech. It was the silence consequent upon such an informal introduction. The rider of the black steed was the first to break it.
“You are Walter Wade – son to Sir Marmaduke, of Bulstrode Park?” said he, less by way of interrogative, than as a means of commencing the conversation.
“I am,” answered the young courtier, showing some surprise. “How learnt you my name, sir?”
“From your own lips.”
“From my own lips! When, may I ask?” inquired Walter, with a fresh scrutiny of the stranger’s countenance. “I don’t remember having had the honour of meeting you before.”
“Only within the last half-hour. You forget, young sir, having given your name in my hearing?”
“Oh! true – you overheard then – you were present – ?”
“I rode up just as you were declaring your identity. The son of Sir Marmaduke Wade has no need to conceal his name. It is one to be proud of.”
“In my father’s name I thank you. You know him, sir?”
“Only by sight and —reputation,” answered the stranger, musingly. “You are in the service of the Court?” he continued, after a pause.
“No longer now. I took leave of it this very morning.”
“Resigned?”
“It was my father’s wish I should return home.”
“Indeed! And for what reason? Pardon my freedom in asking the question.”
“Oh!” replied the young courtier, with an air of naïveté, “I should make you free to the reason, if I only knew it myself. But in truth, sir, I am ignorant of it. I only know that my father has written to the king, asking permission for me to return home; that the king has granted it – though, I have reason to think, with an ill grace: since his Majesty appeared angry with me at parting; or, perhaps, I should say, angry with my father.”
The intelligence thus communicated by the ci-devant courtier, instead of eliciting any expression of regret from his companion, seemed rather to gratify him.
“So far good!” muttered he to himself. “Safe upon our side. This, will secure him.”
Walter partially overheard the soliloquised phrases, but without comprehending their import.
“Your father,” continued the stranger, “is likely to have good reasons for what he has done. No doubt, Master Walter, he has acted for your best interests; though it may be rather unpleasant for you, to exchange the gay pleasures of a royal palace for a quiet life in the country.”
“On the contrary,” replied the youth, “it is just what I was desiring. I am fond of hawking and hunting; not in the grand ceremonious fashion we’ve been accustomed to at Court – with a crowd of squalling women to fright away the game – but by myself on the quiet, among the hills here, or with a friend or two to take part. That’s the sport for me!”
“Indeed!” said the strange horseman, smiling as he spoke. “These are heterodox sentiments for a courtier? It’s rather odd to hear one of your calling speak disparagingly of the sex, and especially the ladies of the Court. The maids of honour are very interesting, are they not? I have understood that our French queen affects being surrounded by beauties. She has a long train of them, it is said?”
“Painted dolls!” scornfully rejoined the ex-courtier, “tricked in French fashions. Give me a genuine English girl – above all one who keeps to the country, and’s got some colour. And some conscience besides; for, by my troth, sir, there’s not much of either about the Court – except what’s artificial!”
“Bravo!” exclaimed the stranger, “a Court satirist, rather than a courtier. Well! I’m glad to hear my own sentiments so eloquently expressed. Give me also the genuine English girl who breathes only the pure air of the country!”
“That’s the style for me!” echoed Walter in the warmth of youthful enthusiasm.
“Well! there are many such to be met with among these Chiltern Hills. No doubt, Master Wade, you know some; and perhaps you have one in particular before your mind’s eye at this very moment? Ha! ha! ha!”
The colour came to Walter’s cheeks as he stammered out a reply, which only partially repudiated the insinuation.
“Your pardon!” cried the cavalier, suddenly checking his laughter. “I don’t wish to confess you. I have no right to do so. I have given you reason to think me unmannerly.”
“Oh! not at all,” said Walter, himself too free of speech to be offended by that quality in another.
“Perhaps you will excuse the curiosity of a stranger,” continued the black horseman. “I have been only a short time resident in this part of the country; and one is naturally curious to know something of one’s neighbours. If you promise not to be offended, I shall make bold to ask you another question.”
“I shall not be offended at any question one gentleman may ask of another. You are a gentleman, sir?”
“I have been brought up as one; and, though I have parted with, or rather been deprived of, the fortune that attaches to such a title, I hope I have not forfeited the character. The question I am about to put, may appear rather trivial after so elaborate an introduction. I merely wished to ask, whether you are the only member of your father’s family?”
“Oh! dear no,” frankly responded the youth; “I have a sister – sister Marion.”
“Grown up, like yourself?”
“She should be by this. She wasn’t quite grown, when I saw her last; but that will be three years come Christmas. She’s older than I; and, i’faith I shouldn’t wonder if she be taller too. I’ve heard say she’s a great, big girl – nearly the head taller than Lora.”
“Lora?”
“Lora Lovelace – my cousin, sir.”
“’Tis his sister – ’tis Marion. I thought as much. Marion Wade! A noble name. It has a bold clarion sound – in keeping with the character of her who bears it. Marion! Now know I the name of her who for weeks I have been worshipping! Who for weeks – ”
“My cousin,” continued the candid young courtier, interrupting the silent reflections of his travelling companion, “is also a member of my father’s family. She has been staying at Bulstrode Park now for many years; and will remain, I suppose, until – ”
The heir of Bulstrode hesitated – as if not very certain of the time at which the stay of his cousin was to terminate.
“Until,” interrogated the cavalier, with a significant smile, “until when?”
“Really, sir,” said Walter, speaking rather confusedly, “I can’t say how long our cousin may choose to remain with us. When she comes to be of age, I dare say, her guardian will claim her. Papa is not her guardian.”
“Ah! Master Walter Wade, I’d lay a wager, that before Mistress Lora Lovelace be of age, she’ll choose her own guardian – one who will not object to her staying at Bulstrode for the remainder of her life. Ha! ha! ha!”
Instead of feeling indignant, the cousin of Lora Lovelace joined in the laugh. There was something in the insinuation that soothed and gratified him.
Conversing in this jocular vein, the two travellers reached the summit of the sloping declivity; and, continuing onward, entered upon a wild tract of country known as Jarret’s Heath.
Volume One – Chapter Nine
Jarret’s Heath – now Gerrard’s Cross Common – was at the time of which we write, a tract of considerable extent – occupying an elevated plateau of the Chiltern Hills, and one of the largest. Commencing at the brow of Red Hill, it extended westward for a distance of many miles – flanked right and left by the romantic valleys of Chalfont and Fulmere.
At that time only the adjoining valleys showed signs of habitation. In the former stood the noble mansion of Chalfont House, with its synonymous village; while on the other side, quaintly embowered amid ancient trees, was the manorial residence of Fulmere. About two miles farther to the westward, where the plateau is broken by a series of rounded indications, stood the magnificent mansion of Temple Bulstrode, the residence of Sir Marmaduke Wade.
The elevated plain, lying between the above-named lordships, bore scarce a trace of human occupancy. It’s name, Jarret’s Heath, would indicate the condition of its culture. It was a waste – upon which the plough had never broken ground – thickly covered with high gorse and heather. Here and there appeared straggling groves and copses, composed chiefly of black and white birch trees, interspersed with juniper and holly; while on each side towards the valleys, it was flanked by a dense forest of the indigenous beech.
Lengthwise through this waste trended the King’s highway – the London and Oxford road – beyond it impinging upon the Park of Bulstrode, and running alongside the latter towards the town of Beaconsfield.
In the traverse of Jarret’s Heath the main road was intersected by two others – one passing from the manor house of Fulmere to the village of Chalfont Saint Peter’s: the other forming the communication between Chalfont and the country towards Stoke and Windsor. These were but bridle or packhorse paths, tracked out irregularly among the trees, and meandering through the gorse wherever it grew thinnest. That running from Stoke to Chalfont was the most frequented; and an old inn – the Packhorse– standing upon the Chalfont side of the waste, betokened traffic and travel. There was not much of either; and the hostelry bore only a questionable character.
Such as it was, however, it was the only sign of habitation upon Jarret’s Heath – if we except the remains of a rude hovel, standing by the side of the London road, just at the point where going westward from Red Hill, it debouched upon the waste.
This hovel had been long untenanted. Part of the roof had fallen in: it was a ruin. An open space in front, through which ran the road, might once have been a garden; but it was now overgrown with gorse, and other indigenous shrubbery – only distinguishable from the surrounding thicket by its scantier growth.
It was a singular spot to have been selected as a residence: since it stood more than a mile from any other habitation – the nearest being the suspected hostelry of the Packhorse. Perhaps it was this very remoteness from companionship that had influenced its original owner in the choice of a site for his dwelling.
Whether or no, it had been at best but a miserable tenement. Even with smoke issuing out of its clay chimney, it would have looked cheerless. But in ruins, with its roof falling piecemeal upon the floor, tall weeds standing close by its walls, gorse overgrowing its garden, and black birches clustering thickly around, it presented an aspect of wild and gloomy desolation: the very spot where one might expect to be robbed, or even murdered.
Conversing as we have described them, the two travellers had arrived near the edge of the opening in which stood this ruined hut. The moon was still shining brightly; and through the break in the brushwood, formed by the cleared causeway of the road, they could distinguish – though still at the distance of a mile or more – the tops of the magnificent trees, oaks, elms, and chestnuts, that crowned the undulating ridges of Bulstrode Park. They could even see a portion of the noble mansion of Norman architecture, gleaming red and white under the silvery sheen of the moonlight.
In ten minutes more Walter Wade would be at home.
It was a pleasant anticipation for the young courtier to indulge in. Home so near, after such a long protracted absence – home, that promised the sweet interchange of natural affection, and – something more.
The cavalier – whose journey extended farther up the road – was about congratulating his companion on the delightful prospect; when a rustling noise, heard to the right of the path suddenly stopped their conversation. At the same instant a harsh voice, sounded in their ears, pronouncing the significant summons: – “stand and deliver!”
The two travellers had already ridden into the open ground, in front of the ruined hut, out of which the voice appeared to proceed. But they had no time to speculate as to whence it came: for on the instant of its utterance, a man was seen rushing forward into the middle of the road, and placing himself in a position to intercept their advance.
His threatening attitude, combined with the mode in which he manipulated a long-handled pike – the point of which he held close to the heads of their horses – left no doubt upon the minds of the travellers that to stop them was his determination.
Before either could make reply to his challenge, it was repronounced in the same loud tone, and with a fresh gesture of menace – in which the pike played an important part.
“Stand and deliver?” interrogated the cavalier, slowly repeating the stereotyped phrase. “That’s your wish, is it, my worthy fellow?”
“It is!” growled the challenger, “an’ be quickish, if ye’ve any consarn for yer skins.”
“Well,” continued the cavalier, preserving the most perfect sang froid, “you can’t say but that we’ve been quick enough in obeying your first command? You see we have both come to a stand instanter? As for your second, it requires consideration. Before delivering, we must know the why, and the wherefore – above all, to whom we are to unburthen ourselves. You won’t object, to obliging us with your name – as also your reason for making such a modest request?”
“Curse your palaver?” vociferated the man, with an impatient flourish of the pike. “There be no names given on the road, nor reasons neyther. Yer money, or yer blood! It be no use yer tryin’ to get out o’ it. Look thear! Ye see there be a dozen o’ us! What’s the good o’ resistin’? Ye’re surrounded.”
And as he said this, the robber with a sweep of his formidable weapon indicated the circle of shrubbery – near the centre of which the scene was being enacted.
The eyes of the two travellers involuntarily followed the pointing of the pike.
Sure enough they were surrounded. Six or seven fierce-looking men, all apparently armed with the same sort of weapon as that in the hands of their leader, stood at equal distances from each other around the opening – their forms half concealed by the trees and gorse. They were all standing perfectly motionless. Not even their weapons seemed to stir; and not one of them had as yet spoken, or stepped forward; though it might have been expected they would have done so – if only to strengthen the demand made by their spokesman.
“Keep your places, comrades!” commanded the latter. “There’s no need for any o’ ye to stir. These are civilish gentlemen. We don’t want to hurt them. They bean’t a-goin’ to resist.”
“But they be” interrupted the cavalier, in a mocking but determined tone, at the same time whipping a pistol from its holster – “I am to the death; and so too will the gallant youth by my side.”
Walter had drawn his slender rapier – the only weapon he possessed.
“What! yield to a pack of cowardly footpads?” continued the cavalier, cocking his pistol, as he spoke. “No – sooner – ”
“Your blood on your own head then!” shouted the robber, at the same time rushing forward, and extending his pike so that its steel point was almost in contact with the counter of the cavalier’s horse.
The moonlight shone full upon the footpad, showing a face of fierce aspect – features of wild expression – black beard and whiskers – a thick shock of dark hair matted and tangled – eyes bloodshot, and gleaming with a lurid light!
It was fortunate for their owner, that the moonlight favoured the identification of those fear-inspiring features – else that moment might have been his last.
The cavalier had levelled his cocked pistol. His finger was upon the trigger. In another second the shot would have been discharged; and in all likelihood his assailant would have been lying lifeless at the feet of his horse.
All at once, the outstretched arm was seen to drop; while at the same instant from the horseman’s lips issued an exclamation of singular import.
“Gregory Garth!” cried he, “you a highwayman – a robber? About to rob – to murder – ”
“My old master!” gasped out the man, suddenly lowering the point of his pike. “Be it you? Pardon! O pardon, Sir Henry! I didn’t know ’twas you.”
And as the speaker gave utterance to the last words, he dashed his weapon to the ground, and stood over it in a cowering and contrite attitude – not daring to raise his eyes to the face of him who had brought the affair to such an unexpected ending.
“O Master Henry!” he again cried, “will you forgive me! Brute as I am, ’twould ha’ broke my heart to a hurted a hair o’ your head. Curse the crooked luck that’s brought me to this!”
For some moments there was a profound silence – unbroken by any voice. Even the companions of the robber appeared to respect the situation: since not one of them moved or made remark of any kind!
Their humiliated chief was himself the first to put a period to this interval of embarrassment.
“O Master Henry!” he exclaimed, apparently in a paroxysm of chagrin. “Shoot me! Kill me if ye like! After what’s passed, I doan’t desarve no better than to die. There’s my breast! Send yer bullet through it; an’ put an end to the miserable life o’ Greg’ry Garth!”
While speaking, the footpad pulled open the flap of his doublet – laying bare before the moonlight a broad sinewy breast, thickly covered with coarse black hair.
Advancing close to the cavalier’s horse he presented his bosom, thus exposed – as if to tempt the death he had so strangely solicited. His words, his looks, his whole attitude, proclaimed him to be in earnest.
“Come, come, Garth!” said the cavalier in a soothing tone – at the same time returning the pistol to its holster. “You’re too good a man – at least you were once– to be shot down in that off-hand fashion.”