Martin Conisbys Vengeance | Page 2

Jeffery Farnol
called upon my name:
"Martin--Oh, Martin!"

And this a voice that came to me in the blazing heat of tropic day, in
the cool of eve, in the calm serenity of night, a voice calling, calling
infinite pitiful and sweet, yet mocking me with my loneliness.
"Martin, dear love! Oh, Martin!"
"Joan!" I whispered and reached out yearning arms to the empty air.
"Damaris--beloved!"
Beyond the open door I heard the sighing of the wind and the roar of
the surf, soft with distance, infinite plaintive and despairing. Then,
because sleep was not for me, I arose and came groping within my
inner cave where stood a coffer and, lifting the lid, drew forth that I
sought and went and sat me on my bed where the moon made a glory.
And sitting there, I unfolded this my treasure that was no more than a
woman's gown and fell to smoothing its folds with reverent hand; very
tattered it was and worn by much hard usage, its bravery all tarnished
and faded, yet for me it seemed yet to compass something of the vivid
grace and beauty of that loved and vanished presence.
Almost three years of solitude, of deluding hopes and black despair,
almost three years, forgotten alike of God and man. So that I had surely
run mad but for the labour of my days and the secret hope I cherished
even yet that some day (soon or late) I should see again that loved form,
hear again the sweet, vital ring of that voice whereof I had dreamed so
long.
Almost three years, forgotten alike of God and man. And so albeit I
prayed no more (since I had proved prayers vain) hope yet lived within
me and every day, night and morn, I would climb that high hill the
which I had named the Hill of Blessed Hope, to strain my eyes across
the desolation of waters for some sign which should tell me my time of
waiting was accomplished.
Now as I sat thus, lost in bitter thought, I rose to my feet, letting fall the
gown to lie all neglected, for borne to me on the gentle wind came a
sound there was no mistaking, the sharp report of a musket.

For a moment I stood utterly still while the shot yet rang and re-echoed
in my ears and felt all at once such an ecstasy of joy that I came nigh
swooning and needs must prop myself against the rocky wall; then, the
faintness passing, I came hasting and breathless where I might look
seaward and beheld this:
Hard beyond the reef (her yards braced slovenly aback) a ship. Betwixt
this vessel and the reef a boat rowed furiously, and upon the reef itself a
man fled shorewards marvellous fleet and nimble. Presently from his
pursuers in the boat came a red flash and the report of a musquetoon
followed by divers others, whereat the poor fugitive sped but the faster
and came running to that strip of white beach that beareth the name
Deliverance. There he faltered, pausing a moment to glance wildly this
way and that, then (as Fortune willed) turned and sped my way. Then I,
standing forth where he might behold me in the moon's radiance, hailed
and beckoned him, at the which he checked again, then (as reassured by
my looks and gesture) came leaping up that path which led from the
beach. Thus as he drew nearer I saw he was very young, indeed a mere
stripling. From him I glanced towards his pursuers (they being already
upon the reef) and counted nine of them running hitherward and the
moon aglint on the weapons they bore. Thereupon I hasted to my cave
and brought thence my six muskets, the which I laid ready to hand.
And presently comes this poor fugitive, all panting and distressed with
his exertions, and who (clambering over that rampire I had builded long
ago to my defence) fell at my feet and lay there speechless, drawing his
breath in great, sobbing gasps. But his pursuers had seen and came on
amain with mighty halloo, and though (judging by what I could see of
them at the distance) they were a wild, unlovely company, yet to me, so
long bereft of all human fellowship, their hoarse shouts and cries were
infinitely welcome and I determined to make them the means of my
release, more especially as it seemed by their speech that some of them
were Englishmen. To this end I waited until they were close, then,
taking up my nearest piece, I levelled wide of them and fired. Startled
by the sudden roar they incontinent scattered, betaking them to such
cover as they might. Then I (yet kneeling behind my rampire) hailed
them in
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