Page:The Dark Frigate (Hawes).djvu/38

“We must have this out between us,” the fellow said at last, breathing hard. “I’ll not bear the shadow longer. Come, let us sit while we talk, for thereby we may rest from our travels. You see, ’t was thus and so. Jamie Barwick and I came out of Devon and took service with Sir John—Jamie in the stables, for he has a way with horses, and I as under-steward till my wits should be appreciated, which I made sure, I’d have you know, would be soon, for there are few scholars that can match my curious knowledge of the moon’s phases and when to plant corn or of the influence of the planets on all manner of husbandry; and further, I have kept the covenant of the living God, which should make all the devils in hell to tremble; and if England keeps it she shall be saved from burning. So when I made shift to get the ear of Sir John, who hath a sharp nose in all affairs of his estate, said I,—and it took a stout heart, I would have you know, for he is a man of hot temper,—said I, if he would engage a hundred pounds at my direction I would return him in a year’s time a gain of a fourth again as much as all he would engage.

“‘Aha!’”? quoth he, “‘this is speech after mine own heart. A hundred pounds, sayest thou? ’T is thine to draw upon, and the man who can turn his talents thus shall be steward of all mine estates. But mind,’—and here he put his finger to his nose, for he hath keen scent for a jest,—‘thou shalt go elsewhere to try the meat on the dog, for I‘ll be no laughingstock; and if thou fail’st then shalt thou go packing, bag and baggage, with the dogs at thy heels. Is ’t a bargain?’

“Now there was that in his way of speech which liked me little, for I am used to dealing with quieter men and always I have given my wits to booklearning