Won from the Waves Part 33

"We are merely going to call on some relations who live at a village in the neighbourhood," said Julia, who had as little wish for the general's company as did Harry.

"Then let me have the honour of mounting you, Miss Julia," said the old officer, shuffling down the steps.

At the same moment Mrs Appleton, who was pa.s.sing across the hall, came to the door with most of the remaining guests.

Headland had been prepared to a.s.sist Julia in mounting, but the old general so perseveringly offered his services that she could not refuse them.

She placed her foot in his hand as he bent down, and sprang lightly into her saddle, but at the same moment the horse moving on, the general's head came in contact with the body of her habit, when his wig catching in one of the b.u.t.tons, off it came, leaving him bald-headed. He bore the misfortune, however, with much less equanimity, especially as Julia, in spite of the effort she made, gave expression to her amus.e.m.e.nt in a hearty laugh which was echoed by the bystanders, even the grooms being unable to restrain their merriment.

"I beg your pardon, general," said Julia. "I had no intention to return your courtesy in so cruel a manner; here is your wig, do put it on, and forgive me."

"Of course, young lady, of course; though I do not see that the occurrence should produce so much merriment among our friends."

"My dear general," cried Mrs Appleton from the steps above, "pray do not take the matter to heart. Come into the drawing-room and look at yourself in the mirror, and you may arrange your peruke in a more becoming way than it is at present."

In fact, the general had in his hurry put on his wig hind part before, a mode which did not improve the appearance of his countenance, reddened with anger and annoyance.

Harry, eager to be off, called to Julia, who, again apologising to the angry general, followed her brother, and Headland soon overtook them.

Harry explained the cause of his being late, but he felt little inclined for conversation. Julia and Captain Headland were, however, perfectly ready to monopolise it, while Harry road on a little way ahead.

At length Julia called to him, and as he slackened his speed she came up to his side.

"Harry," she said, "you warned me some days ago not to allow myself to give my heart to your friend; but as he has a.s.sured me that I have his in spite of what you said, I could do nothing less than give him mine in return."

"You don't mean to say so," cried Harry. "What, has he proposed?"

"Yes, and I have accepted him, though he has told me his whole history.

You won't be angry with me, will you? He has asked me to intercede for him."

"No, indeed, I will not," exclaimed Harry. "I am heartily glad for his sake and yours. I congratulate both you and him."

"Headland, my dear fellow, she has told me," and Harry grasped his friend's hand. "You offered to stand my friend, and I will stand yours, though really I consider your merits are sufficient to overcome all opposition. Still we may possibly have a hard battle to fight with Sir Ralph."

"Julia and I are prepared for it," said Headland, "though I cannot tempt her to be disobedient. I am sure that perseverance will overcome all difficulties."

"Spoken like yourself, Jack," said Harry. "In your case, I am sure it will. For myself, I am not quite so certain; even my good cousins began to lecture me," and Harry described how the Miss Pembertons had spoken to him in the morning. "I do not think that May will quite agree with them, however," he added. "No one will forbid her acting as she thinks right."

"Then are you actually engaged to that beautiful girl?" asked Julia.

"Yes; and I told our mother, and she acknowledges that it would have been surprising had I not fallen in love with her; and I am sure you will think the same."

Harry felt in much better spirits as they rode on. He had determined, however, to say nothing of May's parentage till his sister had become better acquainted with her.

As they were approaching Downside, and had reached a part of the road between their cousins' and the Halliburts' cottage, the tall figure of Mad Sal was seen approaching them, waving her staff and talking wildly to herself. As she drew near she stopped, and, gazing at them, exclaimed--

"Who gave the command to bear the poor lad away over the salt sea, salt sea? Stay! answer me, I charge you!"

"What do you mean, my good dame?" asked Harry, as he at once recognised the occupant of the hut in which he and his brother had taken refuge from the storm.

"Good dame, forsooth; you call me so now, for ye have learned to respect me. I ask, was it by your orders yon lad was forced away against his will over the wide, salt sea?

"'The lot fell on the youngest, The youngest of the three, That he should go a-sailing All on the salt sea, salt sea - That he should go a-sailing All on the salt sea.'"

"I know of no lad having been forced to go to sea against his will,"

said Harry, quietly. "Of whom do you speak? Tell me his name."

She pa.s.sed her hand over her brow, as if to collect her thoughts. She then answered in a calmer tone than before--

"He is the son of old Halliburt, the fisherman. Two of his sons have been borne away already to feed the insatiate maws of the cruel salt sea; 'tis hard that the old man should lose a third."

"I will do all I can to save the lad, and punish those who have attempted to treat him as you say," answered Harry, much interested.

"If you can tell me where he has been carried to, I will do my utmost to get him set at liberty."

"I stay for no one when on my destined course," she answered, moving forward. "Your help will avail him nothing, as he will soon be far away from the sh.o.r.e," and Mad Sal, flourishing her staff, as she generally did when walking, took the way towards Adam's cottage.

Harry and his companions rode on to Downside. He intended, should May not have returned, to leave Julia there, and go in search of the mad woman. An undefined fear seized him that something might have happened to May. On reaching the house, Harry threw himself from his horse.

Miss Jane, in a state of great agitation, was at the front door directing Susan to summon the gardener, that he might set off and ascertain what had become of Jacob. Harry fancied that she was speaking of May, and the dread seized him that she had been carried off.

At that moment he caught sight of her as she came out of the drawing-room, and forgetting everything else, he sprang forward and pressed her to his heart, as he exclaimed--

"Thank heaven you are safe, May! what has happened?"

"Jacob was attacked while defending me from some men on horseback, and I fear they have carried him off, as they failed to capture me," she answered, making no very great effort to release herself, though she saw that Julia's eyes were fixed on her.

Harry, however, recollecting that others were present released her, and having learned more particulars, had no doubt, coupling them with what he heard from Mad Sal, that Jacob had really been carried on board some vessel off the coast.

"We must do our best to recover him."

"Oh yes, do," exclaimed May. "Had it not been for him, I should probably have been carried away."

"Headland, will you accompany me?" asked Harry. "We will go to Adam Halliburt, who has a craft, in which we can pursue the vessel his son has been carried on board. When we get to the beach we shall probably ascertain what craft she is, as she cannot have got far."

Headland at once agreed to do as Harry proposed, and leaving Julia with the Miss Pembertons, they rode down to the fisherman's cottage.

They found Adam at the door, Mad Sal having just before left him; but the information she had given had been in such incoherent language, that not till Harry and his friend arrived did he comprehend what had happened.

"It must be the doing of that scoundrel Miles Gaffin," he exclaimed, "as his lugger is the only vessel lying off the mill. Ah, there she stands under all sail away from the coast," looking through his gla.s.s. "I saw a boat go off to her just now, but I little thought my Jacob was aboard.

The villains cannot have the heart to hurt him, yet it's hard to say what they won't do. Oh Jacob, my boy, my boy," and Adam lifted up his eyes to heaven, as if for protection for his son.

Directly Harry spoke of the possibility of recovering him by going in pursuit, he exclaimed--

"Yes, to be sure, sir; the _Nancy_ is as fast a craft as any, and there will be plenty of lads to go off with us."

Headland, meantime, was looking seaward.

"What is that craft out there?" he asked, "she looks to me like a cutter."