CHAPTER XXIV.
PETER TROLLOPE SHUTS UP SHOP.
On a certain gray, windy morning in late October, Peter Trollope's shop was more than usually busy. Every bench had its occupant, and the talk was loud and animated. In the big chair near the fire sat that great courtier Sir Walter Raleigh, smoking a stick of twisted tobacco, to which he gave the Spanish name of _cigarro_. He joined not much in the gossip, for he had already recounted all that was so far known concerning the last fight of the _Revenge_, news of which had come to England some few days earlier, and he was passing doleful in spirit over the death of his noble kinsman, Sir Richard Grenville. Now and again he did indeed put in a word when it was question of deciding the number of Spanish galleons that had been vanquished in the fight, or the number of Spaniards that had been slain, but for the most part he was gloomily silent.
"My brother Tom was aboard of her, and I'll engage that he gave not up his life ere he had laid a good dozen of the Dons low," said a burly fisherman from one of the corners of the shop.
"Ay," added another man, "and my son Bill was among 'em; likewise my good wife's brother Dick."
Peter Trollope snipped his scissors over the head of the young gallant whose hair he was trimming.
"My boy Timothy went also out with the fleet," said he; "though 'twas not on one of Her Majesty's ships that he sailed, but aboard Jacob Whiddon's _Pilgrim_, of which there hath been no word."
"She was seen taking some part in the battle," remarked Sir Walter Raleigh, puffing a cloud of blue smoke in a column above his head, "for since Whiddon was but an adventurer and owed no duty of obedience to my Lord Thomas, he was free to do what he listed. And he listed to have a shot at the galleons, and so, for aught I know, came to grief."
"Ah!" sighed the barber. "Then peradventure Timothy hath, after all, been slain?"
"As like as not," nodded Sir Walter; "as like as not. And you may take it that since naught hath been heard of the _Pilgrim_, she hath either gone to the bottom in the battle, or else been broken on the rocks of the Western Isles, as so many others were in the great storm that followed on the heels of the fight."
"The rascal was full eager to join the _Revenge_," continued the barber, "and did declare most positively to me that Sir Richard had promised him a berth. 'Twas his desire to be with his young master, Master Gilbert Oglander, that took him away--"
"Touching Master Gilbert Oglander," broke in Christopher Pym, addressing Sir Walter Raleigh, "he was on board the _Revenge_. I pray you, Sir Walter, I pray you, tell me is there aught of news concerning the lad?"
Sir Walter shook his head.
"No," he answered. "Much do I fear me that he hath gone with the rest. And 'tis a pity if it be so, for now that the vile traitor, his uncle, hath paid the penalty of his treachery--"
"The penalty!" interrupted Christopher Pym. "Hath he then been proven guilty?"
"Ay," returned Raleigh. And at this the whole room was silent, for the information was new. Sir Walter Raleigh, resting his elbows on the arms of his chair, held his two hands in front of him, busying his be-ringed fingers with adjusting the outer leaf of tobacco about his cigar. "Ay," he went on, "Jasper hath paid the penalty, for being found guilty by the judgment of the Star Chamber, he was on Monday morning last beheaded on Tower Hill."
Sir Walter paused, and having adjusted his cigar to his satisfaction he took up the fire-tongs, and with them picked out a piece of burning wood from the fire the while he lighted the end of his cigar.
"You may be sure," he went on, "that 'twas not as Lord Champernoun that the rascal was tried. For apart from the fact that he had not yet proved that his nephew, Master Gilbert Oglander, was dead, and that therefore he was himself by right of succession the real Lord Champernoun--apart from this, I say, he had neither taken out his license as a baron nor taken his seat in Her Majesty's House of Peers. He had been over eager to claim his dead father's name and estates, you see, my masters, and by very reason of his too great eagerness he revealed his trickery and the vile treachery that lay behind it."
"Ay, but his treachery and his machinations and intrigues with the King of Spain would yet have been discovered," said Peter Trollope, "even although he had not sought to make himself Baron Champernoun. For it hath been amply proven that even before my Lord Thomas Howard's fleet departed out of Plymouth, Jasper Oglander had connived at the escape of the Spanish prisoners of war--had even planned their escape, indeed,--and had sent off his son Philip to Spain to inform the Spanish king of the purpose of my Lord Thomas's expedition against the plate fleet."
"All that and more than that was brought out at the man's trial in London," said Sir Walter Raleigh. "And now it seemeth that that same son of his, Philip Oglander, was present on board Don Alonzo Bassan's galleon."
"'Twere well, methinks, that the lad had accompanied his father to Tower Hill," remarked Peter Trollope. "And now," he added, "a strange thought hath occurred to me. It is that, should Master Gilbert--or Lord Champernoun as he should truly be named--have been slain in the fight on the _Revenge_, and should his cousin have escaped, then the cur Philip Oglander must now be regarded as the head of the Oglander family, and the rightful owner of the title and estates."
No one seemed to take notice of this remark, but at last Christopher Pym spoke.
"Better that the title and estates should fall into oblivion than that," said he. "Howsoever it be," he added, rising and taking up his walking-staff, "I am now impelled to take horse and journey to Willoughby Grange, there to inform my Lady Betty Oglander of this news, and bid her return to her rightful home at Modbury."
"I pray you give her ladyship my most devoted remembrances," said Raleigh; "and bid her from me to be of good cheer concerning her son Gilbert, for if the lad be no more, he hath at least given up his life for the honour of his Queen and country, even as his sire and so many other of his noble family hath done before him. Give you good-day, Master Pym, and God speed you."
An hour or so after this conversation had ended, Peter Trollope sat alone in his shop thinking sadly over the remark that had fallen from Sir Walter Raleigh touching the probable fate of the _Pilgrim_. Trade had not been brisk at the "Pestle and Mortar" during the months of Timothy's absence. Of hair cutting and the trimming of beards there had been plenty, but it chanced that a very skilful man of medicine had opened a business a few doors away, and had succeeded so well that he had drawn all Master Trollope's surgical trade away from him, so that, but for an occasional customer who came in to have a tooth drawn, Peter could scarcely with justice call himself a barber-surgeon, but merely a barber. Also, he had fallen into debt, and his creditors were pressing him for a settlement. Upon all his other distresses had come the word that in all probability his son Timothy had been either killed in battle or drowned in a storm; and this was the destruction of all his hopes, for he had in his more sanguine moments nursed the thought that Tim, even though he returned penniless and ragged, might yet be a help to him at this present time, and a joy to him in the future. But if Tim were really dead, what more could be looked to in this world but continued poverty and hard work and unhappiness?
In the midst of his doleful sorrowings and regrets he heard the clatter of horse's feet on the stones of the street outside. The door of the shop was swung open, and in bounced Timothy himself.
His face was rosy brown and it wore a joyous smile, and although his clothing was woefully ragged and white with the salt of the sea, yet there was an air of dignity about him that was quite foreign to the lad who had gone away seven months earlier. He strode into the shop as though he had been one of the lords of the land, and stood in front of his father with his arms akimbo, looking down upon the amazed barber and laughing at his confusion.
"Father," said Timothy, "I am come back."
"In sooth," said the barber, "my eyes give me ample evidence of the fact."
"And art glad to see me, father?"
"Ay, God knoweth I am that, Tim. Give me thy hand!"
"What, though I am dressed as a beggar withal?"
"Ay, though thy rags were e'en raggeder than they are," said Peter, the tears filling his eyes. He shook the lad's hand with a grip whose strength betokened his fulness of joy. "Tim, my lad," he added after a brief pause, "tell me, I pray you, hast thou been in battle?"
"Ay," returned Timothy, "the most glorious battle that ever was. I have fought, father, as my wounds shall presently prove to thee, and have killed as many Spaniards as might fill thy poor shop."
"An thou hast proved thyself a man and not a coward?"
Timothy nodded.
"'Tis enough for me," said Peter. "And now, I pray you, tell me where is thy ship?"
"Lying in Polperro Bay," answered Timothy, "where we dropped anchor but a half-dozen hours since. Master Whiddon and my Lord Champernoun--Master Gilbert Oglander that was--have come with me into Plymouth, and bade me beseech thee to come with me to the sign of the Crown, where they now are, and where we are presently to sit down to the lordliest banquet mine host can provide. So get thee ready instanter, while that I go within to see my mother and don some goodlier raiment."
"Nay, but I cannot leave my business at this hour of the day," objected Peter.
At which Timothy laughed and said:
"Hark ye, father, and listen to me. Thou hast cropped thy last head of hair and shaven thy last chin. No more work shalt thou do for the rest of thy days. Thou shalt have a coach to drive in, and a lordly mansion to live in, with a tribe of serving people to do thy bidding, and shalt live on the best in the land--"
"Nay, mock me not, boy," cried the barber. "I can ill bear thy jests just now; for of a truth I am deep in debt, and know not how we shall contrive to live without charity beyond another week."
"A truce to your charity," cried Tim. "Hark'ee, father, I am rich. Ay, rich as a king." He plunged his hands into his pockets and scattered many golden coins upon the chair near which he stood. "These be but a few trifles that have slipped into my pockets unawares, and are but a small sample of the _Pilgrim's_ cargo. If more be needed for the nonce, thou hast but to send a cart round to Polperro and get more. But bear this in mind, good my father, thou shalt shut up shop for good and all, and never again shall thine ears be assailed by the snipping of barber's scissors or the fizzling of curling-tongs!"
Now this that Timothy promised did actually come to pass. Nor was Peter Trollope the only one in Plymouth who enjoyed some benefit from the treasures of _The Golden Galleon_. Every man and boy of the ship's company of the _Pilgrim_ received his proportionate share of the wealth, while Captain Whiddon--without whom Timothy and Gilbert might never have returned to England--received only less than Gilbert and Timothy.
The _Pilgrim_ had not been large enough to hold all the treasure that _The Golden Galleon_ had contained, not even although her very ballast had been jettisoned to make more room. But when she had been loaded with as much as she could safely carry, she had been brought home as quickly as the winds would drive her. What became of the old derelict, whether she sank to the bottom as a consequence of the shots that were fired into her hull by the departing _Pilgrim_, or whether she remained afloat long enough for yet another ship to board her and take toll of her remaining treasure, Gilbert Oglander and his companions never learned. But, judging by circumstances, it is pretty certain that she sank to the bottom, and that, as Jacob Hartop had expressed it, her treasures went down to the mermaid's halls, where her precious gems might serve to bedeck the mermaid's necks.
* * * * *
It was on the third day after the return of the _Pilgrim_ that Gilbert Oglander--or, as we may now call him, Lord Champernoun--rode along the familiar lanes to Modbury. He had thus delayed his home-coming because he had heard that his mother and Drusilla were still absent. But on this morning Christopher Pym had come to him and told him that they had returned, and were expecting him.
Timothy rode in his company, not now as his squire but as his companion, for it was as companions and loving friends that they were always afterwards to regard each other.
Gilbert waxed indignant when he saw the work that his uncle had done in hewing down the trees in the avenue of the manor, but his indignation was soon overcome by the joy of meeting his mother and Drusilla.
To tell of that meeting, and to record all that was said and done on that momentous day would make a long story in itself. In the evening Gilbert sat at the head of the table with his dearest friends and all his household about him. It was a happy occasion, not only for himself who had endured so much, but also for his mother and for Drusilla, who now realized for the first time that the terrors held over them by Jasper Oglander were no more to be feared, and whose anxiety concerning Gilbert was at last allayed by seeing him there alive and well, occupying his rightful place, and bearing within himself the promise of a great and useful manhood.
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These two volumes are the first of a series, the object of which is to provide reading of "real adventures" of those pioneers who have helped to lay the foundations of the British Empire. The story is truthfully told in a picture of splendid colouring, and with great accuracy.
ALEXANDER MACDONALD
Through the Heart of Tibet: A Tale of a Secret Mission to Lhasa. 6_s._
"A rattling story."--_British Weekly._
--The White Trail: A Story of the Early Days of Klondike. 6_s._
"Should satisfy any boy's mental appetite."--_Outlook._
--The Pearl Seekers: A Story of Adventure in the Southern Seas. 6_s._
"This is the kind of story a boy will want to read at a sitting."--_Schoolmaster._
--The Invisible Island: A Story of the Far North of Queensland. 5_s._
"A well-told story."--_World._
--The Quest of the Black Opals: A Story of Adventure in the Heart of Australia. 5_s._
"An admirable tale."--_Westminster Gazette._
--The Lost Explorers: A Story of the Trackless Desert. 6_s._
"As vivid a narrative as any boy could wish to read."--_Daily Graphic._
HARRY COLLINGWOOD
A Middy of the King: A Romance of the Old British Navy. Illustrated by E. S. HODGSON. Olivine edges, 5_s._
--The Adventures of Dick Maitland: A Tale of Unknown Africa. Illustrated by ALEC BALL. Olivine edges, 3_s._ 6_d._
--A Middy of the Slave Squadron: A West African Story. 5_s._
"An up-to-date sea story."--_Truth._
--Overdue: or, The Strange Story of a Missing Ship. 3_s._ 6_d._
"A story of thrilling interest."--_British Weekly._
--The Cruise of the Thetis: A Tale of the Cuban Insurrection. 5_s._
"A good, stirring book."--_Times._
STAFF SURGEON T. T. JEANS, R.N.
On Foreign Service: or, The Santa Cruz Revolution. Illustrated by W. RAINEY, R.I. 6_s._
"It is a rousing good yarn."--_Athenæum._
--Ford of H.M.S. Vigilant: A Tale of Adventure in the Chusan Archipelago. 5_s._
"A distinctly good story."--_Naval and Military Record._
--Mr. Midshipman Glover, R.N.: A Tale of the Royal Navy of To-day. 5_s._
"Full of exciting adventures and gallant fighting."--_Truth._
HERBERT STRANG
The Adventures of Harry Rochester: A Story of the Days of Marlborough and Eugene. 6_s._
"One of the best stories of a military and historical type we have seen for many a day."--_Athenæum._
--Boys of the Light Brigade: A Story of Spain and the Peninsular War. 6_s._
Professor Oman (Chichele Professor of Modern History at Oxford, and author of _A History of the Peninsular War_) writes: "I can't tell you what a pleasure and rarity it is to the specialist to find a tale on the history of his own period in which the details are all right . . . accept thanks from a historian for having got historical accuracy combined with your fine romantic adventures".
--Brown of Moukden: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War. 5_s._
"The book will hold boy readers spellbound."--_Church Times._
--Tom Burnaby: A Story of Uganda and the Great Congo Forest. 5_s._
"A delightful story of African adventure."--_Spectator._
--Kobo: A Story of the Russo-Japanese War. 5_s._
"For vibrant actuality there is nothing to come up to Mr. Strang's _Kobo_."--_Academy._
ROBERT M. MACDONALD
The Rival Treasure Hunters: A Tale of the Debatable Frontier of British Guiana. 6_s._
"A story which every schoolboy would probably describe as 'simply ripping'."--_Daily Graphic._
--The Great White Chief: A Story of Adventure in Unknown New Guinea. 6_s._
"A rattling story told with spirit and vigour."--_British Weekly._
DAVID KER
Under the Flag of France: A Tale of Bertrand du Guesclin. 5_s._
"Full of vigour and movement."--_British Weekly._
--Among the Dark Mountains: or, Cast away in Sumatra. 3_s._ 6_d._
"A glorious tale of adventure."--_Educational News._
ERNEST GLANVILLE
The Diamond Seekers: A Story of Adventure in South Africa. 6_s._
"We have seldom seen a better story for boys."--_Guardian._
--In Search of the Okapi: A Story of Adventure in Central Africa. 6_s._
"An admirable story."--_Daily Chronicle._
MEREDITH FLETCHER
Every Inch a Briton: A School Story. 3_s._ 6_d._
"Mr. Meredith Fletcher has scored a success."--_Manchester Guardian._
--Jefferson Junior: A School Story. 3_s._ 6_d._
"A comical yarn."--_Yorkshire Daily Observer._
FREDERICK P. GIBBON
The Disputed V.C.: A Tale of the Indian Mutiny. 3_s._
"A good, stirring tale, well told."--_Graphic._
G. MANVILLE FENN
The Boys at Menhardoc: A Story of Cornish Nets and Mines. 3_s._
"The story is well worth reading."--_British Weekly._
--Bunyip Land: Among the Blackfellows in New Guinea. 3_s._
"One of the best tales of adventure produced by any living writer."--_Daily Chronicle._
--In the King's Name. 3_s._ 6_d._
"This is, we think, the best of all Mr. Fenn's productions."--_Daily News._
--Dick o' the Fens: A Romance of the Great East Swamp. 3_s._ 6_d._
"We conscientiously believe that boys will find it capital reading."--_Times._
Dr. GORDON STABLES, R.N.
The Naval Cadet: A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea. 3_s._ 6_d._
"An interesting travellers' tale, with plenty of fun and incident in it."--_Spectator._
--For Life and Liberty: A Tale of the Civil War in America. 3_s._
"The story is lively and spirited."--_Times._
--To Greenland and the Pole: A Story of Arctic Regions. 3_s._
"One of the best books Dr. Stables has ever written."--_Truth._
FRED SMITH
The World of Animal Life: A Natural History for Little Folk.
With eight full-page coloured Illustrations and numerous black-and-white Illustrations. Crown 4to, 11¼ inches by 9½ inches. Handsome cloth cover. Gilt top, 5_s._
"An admirable volume."--_Birmingham Gazette._
A. J. CHURCH
Lords of the World: A Tale of the Fall of Carthage and Corinth. 3_s._ 6_d._
"As a boys' book, _Lords of the World_ deserves a hearty welcome."--_Spectator._
G. I. WHITHAM
The Nameless Prince: A Tale of Plantagenet Days. Illustrated by CHARLES M. SHELDON. 2_s._ 6_d._
--The Red Knight: A Tale of the Days of King Edward III. Illustrated. 2_s._ 6_d._
"It holds the imagination from beginning to end."--_British Weekly._
ESCOTT LYNN
When Lion-Heart was King: A Tale of Robin Hood and Merry Sherwood. 3_s._ 6_d._
"A lively tale."--_Birmingham Post._
WILLIAM BECK
Hawkwood the Brave: A Tale Mediæval Italy. 3_s._ 6_d._
"A good story for boys."--_Literary World._
DOROTHEA MOORE
God's Bairn: A Story of the Fen Country. 3_s._ 6_d._
"An excellent tale, most dainty in execution and fortunate in subject."--_Globe._
--The Luck of Ledge Point: A Tale of 1805. 2_s._ 6_d._
"We thoroughly recommend it as a giftbook."--_Schoolmaster._
WALTER C. RHOADES
For the Sake of His Chum: A School Story. 3_s._ 6_d._
"There is a breeziness about the book which is sure to commend it."--_Athenæum._
--Two Scapegraces: A School Story. 3_s._ 6_d._
"A school story of high merit."--_Liverpool Mercury._
PAUL DANBY
The Red Army Book. With many Illustrations in colour and in black-and-white. 6_s._
"Every boy would glory in the keeping and reading of such a prize."--_Daily Telegraph._
J. CUTHBERT HADDEN
The Nelson Navy Book. With many Illustrations in colour and in black-and-white. 6_s._
"A stirring, heartening tale, bold and bracing as the sea itself."--_Standard._
PERCY F. WESTERMAN
The Quest of the Golden Hope: A Seventeenth century Story of Adventure. Illustrated by FRANK WILES. 2_s._ 6_d._
Transcriber's Notes:--
Variations in hyphenation (e.g. "port-hole/porthole") have been retained.
The word "lintlock" (see Pgs. 285 & 288) has been retained, although the author probably intended to use either "linstock" or "lintstock", a staff to hold the lighted match for firing cannon.
Pg. 209 "there was a single occasion on which the Spandards gained a footing" changed to "there was a single occasion on which the Spaniards gained a footing"
Pg. 211 "in the meat to Prestor John's table." changed to "in the meat to Prester John's table."
Pgs. 227, 228, 229 The character name "Red Rob" corrected to "Red Bob"
Pg. 233 "for the carrying of water-breakers" changed to "for the carrying of water-beakers"
Pg. 282 "Let cut your mainsail" changed to "Let out your mainsail"
Pg. 287 "was defeaning to hear." changed to "was deafening to hear."