"My shoulder, Adam, a sword-cut. But thou ... Oh, Adam, come away ... go down to the boats."
"Ay, ay, George,—yet first——" He turned and went hasting back but, coming where she had lain so placid and beautiful, saw no more than a mound of earth whereby stood Ned and Giles Tregenza with bowed heads.
"So then," quoth Adam, looking up and round about him wide-eyed, "here is—the end! Dreadnoughts to your ranks,—down with ye to the sea."
They obeyed him instantly, and presently were marching down the cliff path with Adam last of all.
Now when they were all embarked, with oars shipped ready to push off, Adam remained looking down on them with that same wide, vacant stare.
"Come, Adam, prithee come now!" said Sir Benjamin, reaching forth his hands.
"No!" answered Adam. "No, I am done with ships and the sea ... my heart is dead and buried—up yonder. So now hearkee Ben and George and Ned,—hearken every man of ye to my last will and testament. I, Adam Penfeather, believing that God is all merciful, do therefore believe in a life hereafter, a life of glory ever-lasting. And this is my testament! I do now bequeath all I am possessed of to be divided equally among my crew and those I named 'Dreadnoughts'. The Santissima Trinidad shall be sold and the money to found a hospital for seamen, in Port Royal, and called 'Antonia'. And this is my will. Is't understood?"
"Ay, to be sure, Adam, but now I pray you——"
"Smidge, come you here!" Eagerly the boy obeyed, sobbing and half blind with tears.
"Oh, sir.... Oh, Cap'n Adam ... I loved her too! So now let me bide with you, sir, wherever you go ... take me along o' you.... Oh please!"
"No!"
"Ah, Cap'n Adam!" The boy was on his knees, arms upraised in passionate supplication. "Don't go ... without me ... take me ... for her sake."
"For her sake be a man, Smidge, brave and bold, faithful and true."
As he spoke, Adam did off his sword and girt it about the boy, saying as he did so: "This was my father's sword that I loved and treasured for his sake. Thus now, in this day of parting and farewell, I give it to thee, boy, hoping and believing thou shalt grow into a man even as she said—'valiant and brave, faithful and true'. Remember this and keep thine honour bright and life clean as this good steel. And so—Farewell!"
Then Adam turned from them all, heeding no one any more, and went slowly up the path where Moa, the Indian, stood motionless awaiting him.
And thus, weaponless, moneyless, with only this Indian youth to companion him, Adam Penfeather went to face his destiny, which, because of his resolute soul, was to bring him at last through peril and hardship to honour, glory and a noble dying.
The which is yet to tell.
By the same author
THE AMATEUR GENTLEMAN
THE MONEY MOON
THE BROAD HIGHWAY
THE HONOURABLE MR. TAWNISH
THE GESTE OF DUKE JOCELYN
THE CHRONICLES OF THE IMP
THE DEFINITE OBJECT
BELTANE THE SMITH
OUR ADMIRABLE BETTY
BLACK BARTLEMY'S TREASURE
MARTIN CONISBY'S VENGEANCE
PEREGRINE'S PROGRESS
THE LORING MYSTERY
THE QUEST OF YOUTH
THE HIGH ADVENTURE
SIR JOHN DERING
GYFFORD OF WEARE
THE SHADOW AND OTHER STORIES
ANOTHER DAY
OVER THE HILLS
THE JADE OF DESTINY
CHARMIAN, LADY VIBART
THE WAY BEYOND
THE WINDS OF FORTUNE
JOHN O' THE GREEN
A PAGEANT OF VICTORY
THE CROOKED FURROW
THE LONELY ROAD
A MATTER OF BUSINESS AND OTHER STORIES
EPICS OF THE FANCY
A BOOK FOR JANE
A NEW BOOK FOR JANE