Old Fires and Profitable Ghosts

astle, in Cornwall: of her coming in the Portugal Ship, anno 1526; her marriage with the said Milliton and alleged sor

o fight the Devil with his own armoury. He never was a robber as Mr. Thomas St. Aubyn and Mr. William Godolphin accused him; nor, as the vulgar pretended, a lustful and bloody man. What he did was done in effort to save a woman's soul; as Jude tells us, "Of some have compassion, that are in doubt; and others save, having mercy with

outhward of Pengersick. She was bound from Flanders to Lisbon with a freight extraordinary rich - as I know after a fashion by my own eyesight, as well as from the inventory drawn up

' 2,250 '. Silver vessels, plate, patens, ewers and pots, beside pearls, precio

00 barber's basins; 3,200 laten candlesticks; a great chest of shalmers and other instruments of music; four sets of armour for the King of Portugal, much harness for his ho

in the neighbourhood saved all that was most valuable of the cargo. But shortly after (says he) there came on the scene three gentlemen, Thomas Saint Aubyn, William Godolphin, and John Milliton, with about sixty men armed in manner of war with bows and swords, and made an assault on

he ambassador obtained of the English Court a Commissioner, Sir Nicholas Fleming, to travel down and push enquiries on the spot - where Master Porson did not scruple to repeat his accusation, and to our faces (having indeed followed the Commissioner down for that purpose). I must say I thought him a very honest man - not to say a brave one, seeing what words he dared to use to Mr. Saint Aubyn in his own house at Clowance, calling him a mere robber.

e the cargo also, a man of Mr. Saint Aubyn's - one Will Carnarthur - was drowned; that, in fact, very little was rescued; and, seeing the men destitute and without money to buy meat and drink, we bought the goods in lawful bargain with the master. As for the assault, we denied it, or that we took

nown him lie or deceive, or engage me to further any deceit; his word was his bond, and by practice my word was his bond also. Further, of this affair I had already begun to wonder if a man's plain senses could be trusted, as you will hear reason by-and-by. As for Mr. Saint Aubyn and Mr. Godolphin, they had no doubt at all that my Master was lying, and that I had come wittingly to further his lie. They would have drawn on him (I make no doubt) had he brought the tale in person. From me, his intermediate, they took it as the bes

nd as I was mounting my horse in Clowance courtyard, Mr. Saint

l come and take my share - you may tell your master - and a trifle over! And the n

tood at an easy distance with his eye on us - I

two hours after noon: the date, the 20th of January, 1526, and the weather at the time coarse and foggy with a gale yet

rmhouse on the road to Helleston: and so turning aside, he, whose dwelling lay farthest from it, came first to the cove. The news reached us at Pengersick a little after three o'clock; as I

he ship's extremity to bury them): and three as good as dead - among whom was Master Porson, with a great wound of the scalp; also everywhere great piles of freight, chests, bales, and casks - a few staved and taking damage from salt water and rain, but the most in apparent good condition. The crew had worked very busily at the salving, and to the g

hat older, being pinched and peaked by the cold, yet the loveliest I have ever seen or shall see. Her hair, which seemed of a copper red, darkened by rain, was blown about her shoulders, and her drenched blue gown, hitched at the waist with a snakeskin girdle, flapped about her as she turned to one or the other, using more play of hands than our home-bred ladies do. Her feet were bare and rosy; ruddied doubtl

e a dark-skinned fellow whom two of Saint Aubyn's men held prisoner with his arms trussed behind him. On her other hand were gathered the rest of the Portuguese, very sullen and with dark looks wheneve

low"- pointing at the prisoner -"has just drawn a knife on the lady here; and indeed would have killed her, but for this hound of hers. My fellows have him tight and safe, as you see: but I was thinking by your leave to lodge him with you, yours being the nearest house for the safe keeping of such. But the plague is," says he, "ther

tter, though but a moment since she had been using excellent English. Only she stood, sligh

g but that his name was Gil Perez of Lagos, the boatswain of the wrecked ship. Questioned of the assault, he shook his head merely and shrugged his shoulders. His fa

rust forward a small man who seemed not over-willing. Indeed his face had nothing t

y Master deman

ugged his shoulders and replied with an oath he knew nothing about her beyond this, that she had taken passage with him at Dunquerque for Lisbon, paying him bef

rmured something here, but for a look from her, who

e took me for passenger, and how he has behaved towards me. Yourselves may see how I have saved his freight. And for the re

ce past thirty) and a handsome, the deep wedge-mark showed between th

e prisoner to Pengersick and have him there in safe keeping. And if"- with a bow -" the Lady Alicia will accept my poor shelt

ly breakers between her and shore; and so balanced that every sea worked her to and fro. Moreover, her mizzen mast yet stood, as b

he more tractable to Mr. Saint Aubyn's offer to set a mixed guard of our three companies upon the stuff until daybreak. He plainly had his doubts of such protection: and I could not avoid some respect for his wisdom while showing it by argument to be mere perversity. To my Master's persuasions and mine he shook his head: asking for the present to be

Godolphin, who took charge of the three wounded men; while we carried the Lady Alicia off to Pengersick (whither the pri

that had been his mother's, and in these antique fittings the lady looked not awkwardly (as you might suppose), but rather like some player in a masque. I know not how 'twas: but whereas (saving my respect) I had always been to my dear Master as a brother, close to his heart and thoughts, her coming did at once remove him

t, and turning in a kind of fever: so returned and fetched a cooling draught in place of the victuals, and without questioning made him drink it. He thanked me amid some rambl

eaten from the spoils by a number of men with pikes (no doubt belonging to Saint Aubyn or Godolphin, or both), and forced to flee to the cliffs. But (here came in the wonder) the assailants, having mastered the field, fell on the casks, chests, and packages, only to find them utterly empty or filled with weed and gravel! Of freight - so Will Hendra had

g his fast. And I went about my customary duties until full daybreak, w

ion, and while applying it thought no harm to tell him the report from the Cove. To my astonishment it threw him into a transport, though wh

r doing, I tell you. It is she who has killed that fool Affonzo. She is a witch!" He fell back

ht-headed with your hurt. Li

e, and nothing for me but to say my prayers. But listen you"- here he sat up again and plucked me by the

id I, inc

s my watch. I was leaning on the rail of the poop when I caught sight of her first. She was running for her life across the dunes - running for the waterside - she and her hound beside her. Away behind her, like ants dotted over the rises of the sand, were little figures running and pursuing. Down by the waterside one boat was waiting, with a man in it - or the Devil belike - leaning on his oars. She whistled; he pulled close in shore. She leapt into the boat with the dog at her heels, and was half-way across towards ou

ne, holding but six men besides the one rower, and then over-laden. They pulled towards us and hailed just as the lady took the master's promise and

rove below so many of our crew as had gathered to the side to listen, commanding me with curses to see to this. Yet I heard something of the mayor's accusation; which was that the woman had come to Dunquerque, travelling as a great lady with a retinue of servants and letters of commendation to the religious houses, on which and on many private persons of note she had bestowed relics of our

let weigh incontinently and clear with the tide, which by this was turned to ebb. And so, amid curses which we answered by display of our guns, we stood out from

him, but was in time called off by her. Within an hour we met with the weather which after three days drove us ashore. Now whether Affonzo suspected her true nature or not - as I

ns; and afterwards lay back as one dead. Before I could make head or tail of my wond

the outside of it. My Master had dismounted, and while he called his orders the blood ran down his face from a cut above the forehead. As for

thief or robber; as you may satisfy yourself by search and question, bringing, if you will, Mr. Godolphin and three men to help you under protection of my word. If you will not, then I am ready

rstand. And after a moment Saint Aubyn, who was a very courteous

earching will satisfy me. But that some of your men have made of

when Godolphin's sneering laugh broke in o

his parley for my stomach. Look ye, Penge

ot in my keeping, nor do I believe them stolen by any of my men. For the words that have passed between us today, he knows me well e

rot away towards Godolphin. Happening to take a glance upwards at the house-front, I caught sight of the strange lady at the window of the guest-chamber, which faced towards the sou

ought him to have his wound seen to. "And after that," said I, "there is another wounded man wh

end to him first," said he shortly, and led the way to the strong room. "Hullo!" was his nex

move," I stammered,

not well done," he re

his eyes wide open in a rigor. "Take her away!

d on me sharply. To this day I know

ed you. For the present yo

e came forth my Master's face was white and set beneath its dry smear of blood. Pas

m. The en

ablemen; and not too soon. For by this he was foaming at the mouth and gnashing, the man in him turned to beast and trying to bite, so that we were forced to strap him to his bed. I sha

sure of the wall, looking over the sea: to the eye a figure so maidenly and innocent and (in a sense) forlorn that I recalled Gil Perez' tale as the merest frenzy, and wondered how I had come to listen to i

at in the gayest spirits, and laughed and talked with the stranger throughout the meal. And afterwards, having fetched an old lute which had been his mother's, he sat and watched her fit new strings to it, rallying her over her tangle. But when she had it

oner showed himself pardonably suspicious of us all. He was a dry, foxy-faced man, who spoke little and at times seemed scarce to be listening; but rather turning over some deeper matters in his brain behind his grey-coloured eyes. But at length, Mr. Saint Aubyn having twice or thrice made

below and busy with the cargo at the time, and knew nothing

all the statements received by me Mr. Milliton bears no small part: his house lies at no distance from Gunwallo Cove: and I have heard much of your Cornish courtesy. It appears to me singular, therefore, that although I have been these

protested, "I have my Mas

rative that I see Mr. Milliton of Pengersick and hear his evidence, as also this Lady Ali

had not been seen at Pengersick! They had vanished, and two horses with them: but when and how I neither knew nor dared push inquiries to discover. Only the porter could have told me had

d now on the road home from Clowance I carried an anxious heart as well as a sore. To tell the truth - that my Master was away - I had not been able, knowing how prompt Saint Aubyn and Godolphin might be to take the advantage and pay us an unwelcome visit. "And indeed," thought I, "if

I found my Master there and helping the strange lady to dismount, with the porter and two sleepy grooms standing by and holding torches. Beneath the belly of the lady's horse stood her hound, his tongue lolling and his coat a cake of mire. The night had

yet full of a sort of happiness: and I saw that his clothes were disordered and his boots mi

repeated i

hts lit in the hall, and a table spread. My la

?" was my

nceforward your Mistress. Lead the way,

l her) showed no fatigue, though her skirts were soiled as if they had been dragged through a sea of mud. Her eyes sparkled and her bosom heaved as she watched my Master, who ate greedily. But beyond the gallant words with which he pledged her welcome home to Pengersic

ming, nor any profit. The goods are not with us:

Mistress, who with bent brows s

y and well. I will go to my room now and rest: but let me be aroused when this visitor comes, for I be

ommissioner arrived: and with him Master Porson. I led them at once to the hall and, setting wine before them, sent to learn when my Master and Mistress would be pleased to give audience. The la

m the top of her packet. It was spotted with sea-water, but (as I could see) yet legible. The Commissioner studied it, sh

manner: a great part of the cargo had undoubtedly been landed. It was on the beach when she had left it under conduct of Mr. Mill

saluted the Commissioner and

servants. My livery is known by everyone in this neighbourhood to be purple an

rve colours: and for that matter to disguise them would have been a natural precau

a bite received from this lady's houn

turned to my Mistress -"shoul

" She glanced from the Commissioner to Master Porson. "Sir Nicholas Fleming - surely I have heard his name spoken, as of a good friend to the Holy Father and not too anxious for the Emperor's marriage with Mary Tudor?" The Commissioner started in his chair, while she turned serenely upon his companion. "And Master Porson," she continued, "as a faithful servant of His Majesty of Portugal will needs be glad to see a princess of Portugal take Mary Tudo

ew back. "The Emperor -" I heard the Com

the paper and, replacing it, addressed my Master. "Your visito

Nicholas. My lady stood smiling upon the both for a moment, then dismissed me to the kitchens upon a pretended errand. They were gone when I returned, nor did I again set eyes upon the Commissioner or the

an I tell you how it was? At first to see them together was like looking through a glass upon a picture; a picture gallant and beautiful yet removed behind a screen and not of this world. Suppose now that by little and little the glass began to be flawed, or the picture behind it to crumble (you could not tell which) until when it

k clear to view over our broad bay) she would take up her lute and touch it to one of those outlandish love-chants with which she had first wiled my Master's heart to her. As time went on, stories came to us that these chants, which fell so softly on the ears of us as we went about the rooms and gardens, had been heard by fishermen riding by their nets

confession ever passed my lips - the common folk soon held it for a certainty that the cargo saved from the Saint Andrew had been saved by her magic only; that the

easier to us to fear witch-craft than to denounce it. Also (and it concerns my tale) the three years which followed the stranding of the Saint Andrew were remarkable for a great number of wrecks upon our coast. In that short time we of our parish and the men of St. Hilary upon our north were between us favoured with no fewer than fourteen; the most of them vessels of good burd

men of Market Jew, I happened on hints of this; but nothing which could be taken hold of until one day a certain Peter Chynoweth of that town, coming drunk to Pengersick with a basket of fish, blurted

" said I. "What ne

me that have seen the false light on Cuddan Point more time

ould not be so dismissed. "It may be," thought I, "some one of Pengersick has engaged upon

pskin with me and a poignard for protection; and for a week, from midnight to dawn, I played sentinel on Cuddan Point, walking to and fr

and stepped behind a boulder. The light drew nearer, came, and passed me. To my bewilderment it was no lantern, but an open flame, running close along the turf and too low for anyone to be carrying it: nor was the motion that of a light which a man carries. Moreover, though it passe

ily back towards me by the way it had gone, and as it came I ran upon it with my dagger. But it slipped by me, travelling at speed towards the mainland; whither I pelted after it hot-foot, and so across the fields towards Pengersick. Strain as I might, I could not overtake it; yet contrived to keep

. Also - but this had become ordinary - a smell of burning gums and herbs filled the passage leading to his door. He opened to my knock, and stood before me in his dressing-gown of sables - a tall f

broke into my tale, giving him no time to forbid me. And presently he drew me inside, and shutting the d

rew back, "this must not come to my la

since: of a disease

then broke out violently: "She is in

n a voice which showed

these things do but happen in her sleep. In her waking senses she is mine, as one day she shall be mine wholly

I stammer

ow and resolute, "I will win her from

he pointed to the door. "I will win her," he repeated. "What you have se

meaning. "There will be less peril

py man!" He flung a hand to his forehead, but recovering himself peered at me under the shadow of i

him my promise readily. Upon this understand

carce above once a month. In form it never varied from the cresseted globe of flame I had first seen, and always it took the path across the fields towards Cuddan Point. No sound went with it, or announced its going or return: and while it was absent, my lady's chamber would be utterly dark and silent. My custom was not to follow it (which I had proved to be useless), but to let myself out and patrol th

ight was a dark one, with flying clouds and a stiff breeze blowing up from the south-east. The flame left my lady's window at the usual hour - a few minutes after midnight - but returned some while before its due time. In ordinary it would be away for an hour and a half, or from

omething. It means something," he kept repeating. He had already run to his wife's chamber, but found her in a deep slumber and

had run ashore that night, under the Mount; but with how much damage was doubtful. She lay within sight, in a pretty safe position, and not so badly fixed but I guessed the next tide would float her if her bottom were not broken. The Moslems (nine in all) had rowed ashore in their boat and landed on the causeway; but with what purpose they had no chance to explain: for the inhabitants, catching sight of t

making signals that he intended no mischief but rather sued for assistance, at once a cry went up, "The Plague!" "The Plague!" at which I

sick was a magistrate and would be forward to help them either with hospitality or in lending aid to get their ship afloat; further that they need have no apprehension of the crowd

hed from his crew not only by authority as patron of the ship, but by a natural dignity. I judged him about forty. Me he treated with courtesy, yet with a reticence which seemed to say he reserved his speech for my Master. Of the wreck he said nothing except that his ship

er in the hall, went off to seek my Master. For the change that came over my de

preading both hands helplessly on the table bef

s but a chance pirate cast ashore by misadventure; and as vain that, his fears

aschal, I shall win. Another time I shall be no better prepared. Bring hi

aster signalled me to run on my further errand. Having delivered my message at my lady's door, I went down to the hall, an

food, listening. From the courtyard came the noise of the grooms chattering and splashing: but from the left wing, where lay my Master's rooms, no sound

nning to the window, saw the porter closing his wicket gate. A minute later, on a rise beyond the wall, I spied the Moo

my Master's door. No one answered. I could

ith her hands crossed upon a crucifix. My Master had no crucifix: but his f