Martin Conisbys Vengeance | Page 8

weapon. "You have a sword, I
mind--go fetch it and I will teach ye punto riverso, the stoccato, the
imbrocato, and let you some o' your sluggish, English blood. Go fetch
the sword, I bid ye."
But I nothing heeding, she forthwith pricked me into the arm, whereon
I caught up a sizable timber to my defence but found it avail me no
whit against her skill and nimbleness, for thrice her blade leapt and
thrice I flinched to the sharp bite of her steel, until, goaded thus and
what with her devilish mockery and my own helplessness, I fell to
raging anger and hauled my timber full at her, the which, chancing to
catch her upon an elbow, she let fall her sword and, clasping her hurt,
fell suddenly a-weeping. Yet, even so, betwixt her sobs and moans she

cursed and reviled me shamefully and so at last took herself off,
sobbing wofully.
This put me to no little perturbation and distress lest I had harmed her
more than I had meant, insomuch that I was greatly minded to follow
her and see if this were so indeed. But in the end I went back to my
boat and laboured amain, for it seemed to me the sooner I was quit of
her fellowship the better, lest she goad me into maiming or slaying her
outright.
Thus worked I (and despite the noon's heat) until the sun began to
decline and I was parched with thirst. But now, as I fitted the last of my
timbers into place, the board slipped my nerveless grasp and, despite
the heat, a sudden chill swept over me as borne upon the stilly air came
a voice, soft and rich and sweet, uplifted in song and the words these:
"There be two at the fore At the main hang three more Dead men that
swing all in a row Here's fine, dainty meat For the fishes to eat, Black
Bartlemy--Bartlemy, ho!"
Awhile I leaned there against the boat, remembering how and with
whom I had last heard this song, then wheeling about I caught my
breath and stared as one that sees at last a long-desired, oft-prayed-for
vision: for there, pacing demurely along the beach towards me, her
body's shapely loveliness offset by embroidered gown, her dark and
glossy ringlets caught up by jewelled comb, I thought to behold again
the beloved shape of her I had lost well-nigh three weary years agone.
"Damaris!" I whispered, "Oh, loved woman of my dreams!" And I took
a long stride towards her, then stopped and bowed my head, suddenly
faint and heartsick, for now I saw here was no more than this woman
who had fled me a while ago with curses on her tongue. Here she stood
all wistful-eyed and tricked out in one of those fine gowns from Black
Bartlemy's secret store the which had once been my dear lady's delight.
Now in her hands she bore a pipkin brimful of goat's milk.
"I prithee, sir," said she softly, "tell now--shall there be room for me in

your boat?"
"Never in this world!"
"You were wiser to seek my love than my hate--"
"I seek neither!"
"Being a fool, yes. But the sun is hot and you will be a thirsty fool--"
"Where learned you that evil song?"
"In Tortuga when I was a child. But come, drink, amigo mio, drink an
you will--"
"Whence had you that gown?"
"Ah--ah, you love me better thus, yes? Why, 'tis a pretty gown truly,
though out o' the fashion. But, will you not drink?"
Now, as I have told, I was parched with thirst and the spring some way
off, so taking the pipkin I drained it at a draught and muttering my
thanks, handed it back to her. Then I got me to my labour again, yet
very conscious of her as she sat to watch, so that more than once I
missed my stroke and my fingers seemed strangely awkward. And after
she had sat thus silent a great while, she spoke:
"You be mighty diligent, and to no purpose."
"How mean you?"
"I mean this boat of yours shall never sail except I sail in her."
"Which is yet to prove!" said I, feeling the air exceeding close and
stifling.
"Regard now, Master Innocence," said she, holding up one hand and
ticking off these several items on her fingers as she spoke: "You have
crossed me once. You have beat me once. You have refused me

honourable fight. You have hurt me with vile club. And now you would
leave me here alone to perish--"
"All true save the last," quoth I, finding my breath with strange
difficulty, "for though alone you need not perish, for I will show you
where--where you--shall find abundance--of food--and--"