St. George's Cross Part 11

"It is not a flag of truce," shouted Haine. "G.o.d do so to me and more also if I make them not like unto Oreb and Zeb!"

The text seemed to relieve the veteran like an execration.

"What mean you by your flag, Mr. Prynne? I am not to take my orders from you, sir, I hope."

"It is the flag of England," answered the politician, "of your country and of theirs--the red cross of S. George. The Royal Ensign has been hauled down; do you not see? G.o.d save England!"

With the impulse of Latin manners, Lempriere held out his arms, and Le Gallais fell upon his breast. Meanwhile a drummer from the Castle was seen to ascend the bill, bearing a white pennon at the end of a lance, which he planted on the ground when he came within sight, and beat the _chamade_ upon his instrument.

The messenger being brought before the Brigadier, handed him a small packet. Among them was a short note to the address of Captain Le Gallais, in which Carteret, reminding the militia officer of their past relations, invited him to plead his cause and that of the garrison with Lempriere and Prynne. This note Le Gallais, after attentive perusal, handed to Lempriere, who read it over, and waited in silence until Haine had finished his own despatch. He then addressed the Brigadier, and pleaded strongly the cause of his countrymen, concluded with these words:

"Carteret, sir, was a sentinel; he hath but done his duty to his master.

So long as he was not relieved, he could not honestly leave or surrender that which he was placed to guard. Why he now lowers his arms he hath made plain I doubt not, to your Honour."

"Why, yes, Mr. Bailiff; for the matter of that, he hath put a fair case.

Yonder barque, it seems, brought him cold comfort. As for that thing they call their 'King,' he is lost. He can only offer them aid on condition of delivering the island to the French. Not that Mazarin dares affront us by sending a French army to occupy the Castle in the name of his King, and risk the giving us battle. Far from that, he hath a conjunction of counsels with the Lord General, and they understand one another. Nevertheless, there is ever a rabble of Irish cut-throats, Flemish mercenaries, and such-like, and no lack of Maulevriers to be their leaders."

"But if such men come into Jersey," said the Bailiff, "who can say when or how they would quit, or what mischief they might not have wrought first."

"One remedy for that," said the soldier, grimly, "will be to storm the Castle forthwith, and let all be over before their friends can arrive."

"For G.o.d's sake, do not so!" cried Lempriere; "not now that they have surrendered."

"I will be bail," added Prynne, "that Carteret shall depart in peace, after giving up all that is in his charge. Only let Captain Le Gallais go to him with a note of your Honour's terms; and let us await, I pray you, his return."

The General having at last consented, after just so much show of hesitation as to make it appear that the terms were yielded to the persuasion of his chief a.s.sociates, Le Gallais returned with the drummer bearing the _ultimatum_ of the English commander. He found the interior of the Castle a scene of havoc; among the _debris_ Carteret, like a modern Marius, maintained an air of resolution.

"It is not enough, Captain," said he, after brief salutations had been exchanged, "that we have fired away all our ammunition, and eaten our last horse, while the blockade of your friend's cruisers ever increases its rigour. After all was done, we could die in the breach or in a general sortie. But there is treachery abroad. Not indeed among ourselves, but among those whom we desire to serve."

"Your King, urged by his necessities, would sell you to the French?"

"It shall not be!" cried Carteret, with a fierce oath. "Let me see your General's terms. Better an English Parliament than a Popish King." He called into the corridor, "Bring the best bottle of wine that is left in my cellar!"

Le Gallais handed him the note containing the heads of Haine's terms.

"Perhaps, messire, you would consult with your council?" he asked.

"_'A quoi bon?_" said Carteret. "You heard what the States carried by acclamation, in October, 1649? All who are with me are of the same mind still." The wine was brought. "What was said then in a triumph, I say now in the day of my downfall; Captain, fill your gla.s.s! 'England for ever! England above all!'"

The happy effect of this unexpected but welcome end of strife was soon made known throughout the island. In the towns and villages tar-barrels blazed all through the winter-night, and the best cider flowed free in the farms.

At Maufant all was happiness. The character of Marguerite de S. Martin had come out purified from the trials of the past two years, and the coquette-girl had grown into a woman, with but a lingering spice of _mutinerie_. Rose, happy in the restoration of her husband to all public honour and private joy, was anxious that her sister should partake in her happiness.

"Alain Le Gallais is no Solomon; that I grant you," so she concluded a conversation on family matters, which they held after the labours and excitement of the day; "but he can do his duty to his country; he has proved himself a serviceable friend. Take him, _tel quel_, my little heart, thou canst not hope for a better."

"Marriage is a slavery, _quand meme_," said Marguerite, with a saucy shake of the head. "But it is not," she presently added, "I that will be the slave; and there is some comfort in knowing so much."

So the public and private troubles wore brought to an end at the same time. Carteret and his followers were allowed to go to France in peace and honour. Lempriere and he had held no intercourse since the surrender, but the Bailiff and his wife were honoured members of the a.s.sembly that gathered on the quay on the morning of the Cavaliers'

departure. The rising sun threw his orange hues on their swelling sails.

"We have won this time," said Rose, pressing her husband's arm. "Mr.

Prynne, have you no compliment for us?"

"It is our advantage," said Prynne in answer; "let us see that we deserve it. There as a Power that judgeth right, and in serving of whom there is great reward. For my part, I have done much wrong, to your husband among others. I have been punished for mine offences; if I would avoid more punishment, I must offend no more."

APPENDIX.

The character of Sir George Carteret is taken from the materials of the time, without aid from fancy.

It should be added that Charles showed no ingrat.i.tude towards this faithful servant. After the Restoration he settled in London, where--in spite of his bad English, noticed by Andrew Marvell--he rose to high rank and founded a n.o.ble family, now represented by the Marquess of Bath.

Carteret was employed at the Admiralty, first as Treasurer, afterwards as Commissioner--or Junior Lord. He was also Vice-Chamberlain of the Royal Household; and he ama.s.sed considerable wealth.

But he never forgot his native island. He endeavoured to found a High School at St. Helier, what in the pompous style of these days would be called a "College." But the project broke down for want of earnestness on the part of the Jersey people, though Sir George offered the then very large sum of 50,000 _livres tournois_ towards the endowment. He lived till 1680.