The marquis looked at both of them. "A coup de main —-by way of Jenkin's Bay? But, sirs, that cliff wall is three hundred feet down, and straight down!"
"In ancient castles they used scaling ladders. On shipboard, we use rope." Barney said, next, "What I noted about your men, sir, was that they wore uniforms almost exactly like the British—red coats with yellow reveres. Did the similarity ever strike you? Well," he ended, "all that later. First get the men off. We will approach the island from the north, m'lord. We'll slip out tonight."
Joshua woke suddenly, sitting upright. The late moon, hovering halfway down the incline of the star-sprinkled skies, threw its light palely in the cave and on the sleeping girl at his side.
In its white light her face had an ethereal quality. She slept with one bared round arm under her head; her long braids tumbled over one shoulder. Joshua reached down and covered her legs carefully with her skirt, tucking the material around her bare feet, and pulling his shirt over the bare arm. He felt her hand.
It was cool. In sleep now, her face looked thin, too. The long lashes covered the darkish blue signs of fatigue. In sudden anxiety he felt her forehead; it too was cool. Propped on one elbow, he looked at her and slowly the long lashes lifted and her eyes opened.
She said, "Joshua?" She sighed a little, and moved slightly toward him; he put his arms around her and drew her close. For a moment neither spoke.
Then Lucie said, "What wakened you, Joshua?"
"I don't know," he said. But he did know. "You looked so sweet."
"I was dreaming." She smiled at him.
"What?" he asked, kissing the edge of her cheek.
"I was dreaming we were having supper again tonight."
"I could have eaten it twice," he said.
"I know. But I was listening again to you and Francois talk, and
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it was nice to hear you. It is nice to have such warm regard for another, is it not?" She traced her finger along the side of his face. "As it grows, it gets smoother."
"Oui," said Joshua. He was silent.
Lucie glanced at him. "Food did not waken you, then?" She asked the question as if she knew the answer.
She did. "No," he said.
"You want to tell me?"
"I was thinking."
She said soberly, "Please tell me."
He held her a little away. Then he said, "You cannot stay here longer. I am going to give myself up, and take you with me."
"Ah, no!" She twisted away and sat up. She repeated, "No, please!"
He stretched out full length and frowned up at her. "Don't cozen me, wench." Then he took her hand, and turned it over in his. "Thin little hand," he said. "I can't stand it any longer, Lucie. It's impossible." His voice was strong. "Tomorrow I take you into the town, and surrender you into the care of the British."
"Please, Joshua!" she said.
"There are a few times when I arrive at decisions and do not alter them." He sat up himself and kissed her. "I love you, sweetheart." He pulled at one braid and stretched out again. "But I can't stand it any longer, Lucie!"
"I do not argue," she said, whereupon Joshua laughed. "I do not argue because I know it is useless," she added, and curled up beside him with her head on his shoulder.
Joshua said, "I may be able to bribe our way out. At first I hated to give up."
His arms tightened around her. "I don't want to do it, darling! But I must. If something happened to you," he spoke slowly, "I should never forgive myself. Never."
The moonlight shimmered. "But," she began, and then stopped. "What will they do to you?" Her eyes fastened on his bearded face; he could see the rise and fall of her breast as she waited for the answer.
"Probably nothing," said Joshua comfortingly.
She didn't believe him. She said clearly, "I love you so much."
He caught her close. "Listen, darling. Even if we are separated, it won't be for so long! We'll be together again. It won't last long! It
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can't, can it?" He tipped her face up. "If you squeeze even one tear out, I'll beat you, wench, so help me God." As he stopped speaking, he heard the crackle of a branch under a man's foot. He set her away from him, rolled over and seized his knife. He went to the mouth of the cave, the knife held down by his side.
"Who comes?" he called.
"It is I," answered de Bouille breathlessly, and Joshua saw him, then, running across the clearing as though the devil himself pursued him. De Bouille couldn't speak for a moment.
Joshua felt a wild surge of hope. He stared at de Bouille, coming out of the cave to stand in front of him. "What?" he said.
De Bouille pointed. "The 'Athena,' " he said. "Barney's come."
Lucie came out of the cave, dressed in her torn blouse and skirt, braids swinging. They each took her by the hand and smiled down at her. Nevertheless, when she passed the clearing and the firepit, and came to stand on the edge of the little pool, she turned for a last look. Now at night in the moonlight it was peaceful and lovely— she would never see it again. This part of their life together had ended. There had been so much good in it.
Joshua caught her eye. He squeezed her hand and smiled. Now that it was over he could forget the anxiety. "Now you go home and marry George," he said, and chuckled.
De Bouille looked puzzled, and Lucie said, "That is one of m'sieur's private jokes, and it really has no merit as humor."
Joshua grinned again, and picked her up in his arms. "I carry you, wench," he said. "You can't get your feet wet at night."
He splashed ahead with her, de Bouille coming behind. They both knew the way by heart, to the beach, where they swam every day; in fact they both had explored this wilderness together, sometimes taking her along with them, on a hunt for game.
"If I never see a wild fowl again, or a fish," de Bouille muttered from behind them.
Joshua held Lucie tight and safe in his arms as he carried her easily through the water. When they came to the sandy path, he set her down carefully.
Trees brushed at her with impatient fingers. For the last descent she gathered her skirts in one hand and held to Joshua with the other. She heard voices.
The other men were gathering. The news had been spread fast through the forest. Then suddenly they were at the small sandy
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beach. And there, riding just a few hundred yards from shore, was the "Athena." She had already put out her boats, and for the first time in many months Joshua heard Barney's voice, coming across the water in a crisp command.
"Hold water!"
Joshua saw the boat was waiting for the oncoming breaker behind it.
"Stern all!" cried Barney.
The oars were backed. The boat waited, and then the breaker seized it like a toy and lifted it and Barney yelled "Oars!" and the men pulled fast with the wave, and in the next second, it seemed to Joshua, it was flung on the beach and right before their feet. The men jumped out and pulled it to safety on the white sand.
W^hereupon Barney leisurely stepped out of the boat. He stood there a moment, hands on the big pistols in his belt, and looked around. "Well, gentlemen," he said, and Joshua saw his flashing smile.
Joshua and de Bouille each took Barney's hand in a strong grip. "Nice to see you again, sir," Joshua commented.
Barney grinned. "Bunch of jolly tars landlocked, I see." He bowed to Lucie.
Lucie said, "You came just in time!" She put out her hand and Barney took it. "François and Joshua—they say nothing! But they thought you would come!" She stopped breathlessly, looking up at Barney's dark face, seeing past him the rolling waves which used to be empty. Now the "Athena" rode out there.
"You did come, sir," Lucie repeated, eyes shining. "And they waited long. Ecoutez; they call your name!"