Captain Kyd (Vol 1 of 2)

crag descendin

wn, nor once he

lies, until his

ends the cliff,

Cors

he flow of

ocks were bri

r of

he, whose

e midst of g

b

ch a few shrubs and dwarf cedars found precarious roothold, or where a fragment, hurled from its seat by the lightning, or fallen through age into the sea, left a narrow shelf, it presented to the passing boatman on the bay below a naked and gigantic wall, of nearly perpendicular ascent and inaccessible to human foot: indeed, from a midway brow seventy feet from the base, it receded, leaving a sheer descent of that space from the water, which lay black, still, and of profound depth beneath. Near the top of the cliff gr

height above him, was as even as a wall of masonry; and an upward glance satisfied him that, without assistance from those above, to reascend again would be impossible. Quietly smiling at the difficulty in which he had involved himself, the fearless lad placed his eyes again on the hawk with the confident and resolute, and almost stern, expression they had before borne, and began to examine narrowly his position, and to look about for some safe way of descending to a perilous spur, the breadth of a man's two hands, which, on pee

crevice, an inch wide, obliquely downward along the rock to the shelf below, on which grew a handful of long grass and two or three slender shrubs. On a level with it was the top of the tree; underneath, thirty feet below, were visible its gnarled roots clinging to a mere lip of the rock, yet vigorou

nd passed it in its turn under the right: he changed the position of his feet in the same manner so long as he could obtain, which was not always the case, a resting-place for his toes; and in this way, with cool self-possession and undaunted nerve, which even the wild cries and beating wings of the bird could not move, he succeeded in safely reaching the small projecting leaf, and stood on a level with the top of the tree. The falcon was now within seven feet of him horizontally; but he seemed as far from the attainment of his object as before. It was impossible to spring into the tree, even if its roots should not be torn from their rocky bed by the force of the lea

ly upon a wall, close against the side of the rock, he now fearlessly yet cautiously let go his hold, and stood with one foot on the projection, with no other support but his muscular adhesion to the wide wall of the precipice. This was a situation attended with the most imminent peril; and by the firmly-cl

est deviation from the equilibrium would be fatal. His foot at length touched the horizontal limb, which was the thickness of a man's arm where it met the rock. He repeatedly pressed upon it, each successive time harder and heavier, until he fo

with a fearless recklessness, for which there is no sufficient term in language, he half anticipated the possibility of such a catastrophe, and caught himself calculating the chances in favour of his taking in safety a flight into the deep pool beneath. Letting go his grasp on the point of rock, he now settled himself astride the branch, and made gradual approaches towards the trunk. It remained firm as the rock in which it was imbedded, and scarcely gave signs of feeling his weight till he touched the body, when the top slightly vibrated. He paused; but, findin

e demonstration on the part of his human foe, than, with an intelligence supernaturally called forth by existing suffering and anticipated danger, he struck at him fiercely with his sharp, glittering talons; while, stretching downward his head to the full extent of his neck, he uttered long, wild cries of mingled fear and menace. Nothing daunted by what, in itself, was sufficiently appalling, the young man coolly watched his opportunity, and, at the expense of several severe wounds in the

th the wing, which was broken by the fall to the earth, and, thence passing upward, the barb had come out through his back, without touching any vital part. His strength was, therefore, through pain, rather augmented than diminished; and notwithstanding the manual pressure upon his windpipe, he now began to battle fiercely with his captor, fighting both with his claws and remaining wing. Though holding him out at arm's length, the young man was unable wholly to defend himself from the strong blows of the wing, which was three feet in length, with which he violently assailed him about the head, while with his talons he succeeded in striking his person and inflicting a deep wound in his breast. He for a time coolly bore the heavy sweeps of the wing, hoping he would soon tire; but he forgot that his terrible antagonist was "the bird of tireless wing;" and, at length,

exercising in the hour of danger. The extraordinary young fisherman evinced the possession of these qualities in a degree adequate to the crisis which called them into action. With his eyes fixed unflinchingly on the burning eyeballs of the hawk, and calmly indifferent the while to the terrible hisses which came hot from his throat and fell warm upon his face, he continu

at he had seen him follow the hawk to the verge of the cliff. Calling him by name and not receiving any reply, he approached the precipice; but finding that he was on the most perpendicular part of it, he cast only a hasty glance down, and was about to turn away, supposing he had, unseen, descended to the beach by the usual route a little

ild cry, he would have fallen from the precipice had he not caught by a tree that hung over its verge. Kate Bellamont was the first to reach the cliff on hearing the alarm given by the old man;

rtal danger! A shriek, or a sign of fear among us

re sensibility of nerves, unable to control their fears, turned and fled towards the castle, as if in the retirement of th

!" he said, his eyes spark

en, quickly. "Something must be done for him. How c

ted on the ground shaking his head mournfully, turning his eyes away from t

nis, he may yet be saved,

bird!" sho

y the shout of the old man, and who had watched the movements of those abov

will peril his life for tha

, or he will throw you off. How could you be so fool

it, I dare swear," said Lester, with a ton

en. "Mark, let the bird go, I command you. If your life

tuation create such an interest in your breast, fair lady." This was spoken

; and with a manner that eloquently conveyed the feel

n low in his own self-esteem t

Especially was this the case where Kate Bellamont was the party interested. With an instantaneous change peculiar to hasty spirits, he sought pardon of the offended maiden with his eyes, and at once appeared

k confidence in her tones, "and we must devise some means to save both him and his prize. Has

fe!" said the young noble.

hending the object of his inquiry. "

ree men. Aid me, Kate, in

ng five feet long. Firmly securing one end to the top of the precipice by carrying it over an upright limb, they successful

e, he saw that the youth no longer retained the bird, which, notwithstanding the command of the ma

ed him to his back, and so ascended with him), and satisfied that, while holding him in his hand alive, he could not reascend, he reluctantly had been compelled by a severe wound in the hand to let him go. In his fall the bird struck heavily against the root of the tree, and, bounding off, descended twenty feet lower, when the p

e perilous facilities of descent that the zigzag one above had afforded. When Lester looked over the cliff preparatory to letting down the chain of bows, he beheld him, therefore, to his astonishment, in the act of swinging himself from the horizontal limb, and the next moment clinging about the trunk below it. Before either Kate or he could speak to warn

"Lester, look! Is he not attempting to reach the bird? Or perhaps he finds tha

nstant rousing himself. "He will die, lady, and I shall have to convey his mangled corpse in my skiff to my lo

o the chain of bows and swing himself over the dizzy verge. As he descended from her sight, with a smile on his lip and a devotion of the eyes as he met hers, that told her,

spite of himself,

e tree, and reach the roots of it as the other had done before him. He had accomplished, however, but a few feet of his passage down the rock, not without great peril, though at each junction of the bows he found a resting-place for his feet and a hold for his hands, when the young fisher's lad lowered himself from his shelf, and, getting his fingers in the cleft, began to descend, alternately supporting his weight by his arms, with a celerity and apparent recklessness that, to the spectators above, was fearful to witness: he, however, took a firm grasp of the rock each time, and with a cool head and steady eye, gained the spur where the hawk was fixed. In the mean w

ly produces in those who are spectators of your foolhardiness, that you peril it after this fashion?"

life should be of value in your eyes," said the youth,

us. I have periled my life to assist thee-not by mine own will, by Heaven! for thou deservest to be rewarded for thy temerity by a bath in the sea; but at the bidding of a lady, who, perforce, thinks, if thou shouldst, by any lucky chance, break thy nec

n, with a quiet smile of superiority (as the noble construed it). "I need none o

, his eyes flashing with anger; "by the rood, if I had thee

ve thanked me like a noble for the deed at the time, have after cancelled it by treating me like a slave, because the accident of birth has made

of the consequences of this accident of birth. Believe me, I have never forgotten what I owe to thy courage: once saved from drowning by thee! once snatched from a peril almost equal to that thou art now in! once preserved from death b

g fisherman, not unmoved by this generous and manly defence of th

ned face of the young fisherman, and thought he disc

after a few moments' reflection. "He

with which his impulsive feelings changed,

trange fondness for dead hawks set thee

hearing their voices without understanding the words, "why th

next. By the cross! If he does not smile and wave his daring hand to her! And she answ

d; "yet, as there is barely room for me, it is certain th

to descend by the crevice; but the coolne

uld not injure thee. But," he added, ste

penetration of the lover's motives under a look of simp

summit. She only had this instant arrived, drawn hither by the rumour of the danger of the fisher's lad

chain of bows, and have the end of it firmly tied to the tree. She then bade the men to lower it

ng into his former haughty mood, "here

ll not," said the youth, firmly. "I

energy. "I have pledged my word to save thee, and I will redeem my pledge. Ho! there

, and the next moment, sliding down like a ring a

e rope," he again shouted, "and

had quietly watched these preparations, and, as they were completed, he coolly glanced into the depth beneath, and then upward to the

laimed Lester, reading a fatal determ

to you for my life, I will fling it away, as freely as I have no

both, I would waive my birth, and do battle with thee on that score, hind as thou art! and see if I could not beat out of thy bones this leave

holding in one hand the coil of line, by which it was evidently his intent

emplation for me! But I will owe you no favour, not even that of life. Nor shall you lay a finger upon me to force me to do your ple

the next moment he let the bow to which he held slip through his hands, and he descended with velocity till his foot struck upon the last link, which was on a level with the young fis

guish from many voices; for this act had been witnessed by all, without the cause which influenced it being apparent. Preserving the erect attitude with which he had left the rock, the young fisherman descended like lightning, cut the still bosom of

ested but puzzled spectator (for their voices, at the height she stood, had not distinctly reached her) of the previous conduct of the parties, and had beheld with horror the seemingly fatal act of the adventurous

reeted him from the cliff; and no voice was louder or more glad in the joyful welcome than Lord Robert's. With the hawk elevated in one hand, and buffeting the waves with the other, he swam bravely towards a belt of sand a few yards farther northward; and in a few moments after

ne of these he discovered, on running his eyes upward, was chafed by some sharp point of the rock with which it had come in contact. There remained, however, no alternative. It was plain that he must either trust himself to it, or follow the example of the young fisherman, and take the leap into the sea. For a moment he gazed down into the water, and seemed to measure with deliberate purpose the

'" he said, in a careless tone; "I fear the ragged points of the r

en have been sent to the cove for ropes, but it is far, and it will be long before they return, even if they succeed in getting them. God p

it to his lips, and gallantly waved it towards her. She answered it encouragingly in return; but instant

hem. Taking the cord, which he had demanded for a very different intention, he fastened one end around his wrist; then leaning backward from the rock, sustaining himself by the grasp of one hand on the chain, he threw it upward with such accurate aim that it passed through the bow next above the one with the stranded string, and fell down within his reach. He then loosened it from his wrist, firmly secured the ends to the lower bow on which he was sustained, and so made the cord supply the place of the weak bow-string, and bear the whole strain. This done, he prepared to ascend the smooth face of the rock twenty feet to the foot o

other's bosom, and with tearful eyes and clasped hands, she was looking heavenward, breathing a silent prayer for his safety. A shout of joy announced to her his success! Once more she dropped her face and wept with joy. Lady Bellamont, who

ing with one hand, when a series of loud reports rapidly followed each other as one after another the roots snapped; the top of the tree waved wildly to and fro, and then the huge trunk plunged, crashing and roaring, into the flood beneath. For an instant afterward the appalled Lester continued to cling to the fragile chai

he would take a last look at his grave, and for ever impress upon her heart's tablet his sea-covered tomb. It was at this moment of her soul's anguish she confessed within her own heart that, notwithstanding the lightness with which she might have attempted to disguise it, she loved him with all the fervour and devotedness of a first passion. Approaching the verge with such feelings, her surprise was only equalled by her

itherto passed through such trying scenes, was not now to be daunted by any obstacles, of whatever magnitude, that opposed his farther progress. Nerving himself to the effort, he grasped the rope, which here had taken the place of the chain of bows, and extended himself, as before, into a horizontal position, meeting and returning with a smile, as he did so, her look of solicitude. As he slowly and laboriously ascended, she inspired the

rue love will out, give it occasion to speak for itself! And what fitter one than this? At such a time, love is both deaf and blind. It sees, hears, knows no voice but its own; is indifferen

opriety. Such, the next moment after abandoning herself to the first wild gush of joy at his escape, were the thoughts that rushed thick on the mind of the proud and sensitive maiden. She sprang away from him; hid her face in her hands; and, for the moment, scarcely knew whether her wounded feelings would have vent in tears or laughter. True to her character as "Wild Kate of Castle Cor," the l

womanly sincerity, to feel hurt at this change in her manner, which his good sense enabled him to refer to its

ectator of his hazardous adventure, now advanced, grasped hi

so generously set for us. Oh no! What with your exploit and Kate's folly, you will be completely spoiled for me! I da

e sea for a similar reception from Grace Fitz

g monster as you would make of yourself? No, no, I

chly, "that, if I will go down and come up

care of your beau cavalier, for he is no longer fit for any compa

cause of putting in peril two human lives. He was accompanied by the old fisherman, who, having remained on the summit of the cliff, paralyzed and inert through alarm and anxiety until assured of his

and all for that great black bird, which Kate, forsooth, must shoot instead of sending her arrow at the target. Well, you are a noble and gallan

t of the party, including Lord Robert and K

ding his hand, "you deserve a better career tha

native dignity of manner by the humble youth, that, to all present, atoned

s, Lord Robert: friendship between the high and lo

atulated him on his escape with an honest warmth and sinceri

said the noble, earnestly; "

thout dependance, my lord?

ring, "have it your own way. You

," said the other, with a v

. A proper degree of pride is the secret of independence. Perhaps

th playful raillery; "nobody ought to know so

her bright lips. "What will you now do, Mark, with this bird, that has

as not quite a secret before,

!" cried Kate, with

authority. "I will nail it on the door of the lodge at

towards Kate Bellamont; and gracefully kneeling as he

ill. I have obtained it for thee at the risk of life and limb, valuing neither, so that I might d

e will be offering next, fair Kate," he added, scornfully, "to share with thee his palace of bark and poles, and his wide realm of sand a

s in the fine face of the young fisherman a calmer, sweeter, more chastened expression; a reverence without humility; devotion without awe. Was it love? She trembled, as she thought so, and dared not a second time meet his dark-beaming eyes. The peculiar character of the expression of his face was read aright by none but herself and Lester: for only love and jealousy can translate the lan

y, supposed to be characteristic of the ancient Briton. Over his clear, high forehead fell locks of light flaxen hair of rare beauty, and shining tresses of the same pale, golden hue floated about his shoulders. His eyes were his most remarkable feature. They were large and blue, clear as light, and of a beautiful shape, glowing with intellect and sparkling with animation, and, when undisturbed, beaming with a soft and gentle expression betokening gayety of temper and lightness of spirit; but, when roused by anger, they flashed fierce fire, and seemed literally to bla

time, taught to regard all of low degree as created for their use and pleasure. His faults were those of education rather than of the heart; and, where these deeply-grafted prejudices were not attacked, he was frank, noble, and generous, and not unworthy the love of a noble maiden like Kate Bel

noble. He was about the same age, and nearly as tall, but had not such fulness in the chest, and was wanting something of his breadth of shoulders; but his figure, if lighter, was more elegant, and united great muscular activity with native dignity and ease of motion. He wore fishermen's loose trousers, with a coarse jacket of brown stuff, and was both barefooted and bareheaded. His face was exceedingly fine. It was oval in shape, w

hought Grace Fitzgerald

ous eyes!" t

finely chiselled lips were full of spirit; and, when silent, seemed most to speak, so eloquent were the thoughts that coloured them with their ruby life. The merest movement of the upper conveyed the intensest feelings with the vivid rapidity of the lightning's flash, whether they were begotten of scorn or irony, love or hatred. His bearing, as well as his appearance, was above his station; and he manifested a haughty independence of s

ce to himself-for there could scarcely be a lower scale-that mysterious principle of the heart by which it attracts, and is attracted to, woman-he beheld Kate Bellamont, and this moral loadstone, acting as nature intended it should do, irresistibly drew him towards her. Without reflection, wit

. It would seem to be taken for granted that the knowledge of this fact would have a directly contrary effect; for the presumption irresistibly follows, that whoever feels an interest in the object to which we ourselves are so closely bound by ties of love, must, without regarding the delicacy of the compliment to our individual t

tions of a hostile character; for love is a famous leveller, and the prince can deign even to hate his slave if love raises him to a ri

d suddenly assumed a character that alarmed her; who, all at once, had been converted, as if by a spell, from the quiet, yet handsome fisher's boy, who was accustomed to attend her in her excursions along the beach, into a bold and daring lover! She could not be insensible to the compliment. She loved Le

ood Cormac will lay claim to it, as it was hit with his own arrow. It would make a brave ornament, with its wings spread at length above the door of h

s lips. The eyes of the young noble sparkled with anger as he saw the offer of the hand, but they shot forth a menacing glare as he witnessed the act on the

fter your fatigue. I wish, Robert, you would present him with one of your green hunting-sui

y crazy, Grace,"

eyed far more than the words to Kate's comprehension, and made her, in

his accent alone made biting; "I have no doubt whatever that it would oblige yo

what sort of a fisherman you would make. I dare say a very nice one

to the station, I discover," he added, with cool irony, "and doth recomm

assuming the same tone, yet qualifying its bitterness with good-humour, "that you renew

marked emphasis of manner that excited both maidens to laughter; but he was far

lant esquires all," she added, gayly, "and I will soon follow you. As for you, Mark, I will send to you some

t better," replied Grace, glancing

hat made her start. "By the cross of Christ! peasant, if you betake not yourself spee

nched upon his windpipe, he reeled violently backward by the force of a blow upon his chest, dealt with a skill and accuracy of aim that compensated for any inequality of physical strength. With eyes darkening with rage, he recovered himself, and seeing lying not far from him on the ground his short hunting-spear, he snatched it up,

act you have forfeited all that belongs to you as a noble gentleman, and also," she added, with deep fe

rowing himself at her feet, an

leave me! Leave us all! The farther festivitie

ad

roused heiress of Bellamont flashed with such

tarting to his fe

easant. I degrade you from your esquireship; and, faith! if the more noble Mark

udly smiled,

father's blood runs in my ve

Lester, his eyes assuming that remarkable shape that c

I wonder," she added, with a slight touch of her usual manner, "that I e

s forehead violently, with mingled shame and rage he rushed from the spot towards the castle, and walked rapidly until he disappeared behind an angle of one of the towers. Kate Bellamont followed him with her eyes, her brow unbent, her prou

ess of yonder haughty boy will not mar our festivities. Mark, you will attend me

iting scene, "didst take note of that look out of the eyes of Lord Robert? Well,

llowed the party to the pavilion, whither they had already directed their steps, to partake, with what spirits

uilly-spoken excuse for her absence left them and fled to the castle: she ran through its long hall like a hunted hart; flew up the broad staircase to her boudoir, and entering it, closed the door. Then uttering a

gain, dissolve these bands, and convert resentment into tenderness. It is its nature to obliterate all dark spots that wrong may have cast upon the heart; to palliate offences, and to forgive even where forgiveness is a wea

ought of the thousand noble qualities of Lester's head and heart

g men are regarded praiseworthy attributes of highborn gentlemen-for these shall I make him unhappy, and myself-for it will kill me-miserable? O

rying his armed heels into his sides, and riding as if he would outstrip the winds. For a moment she watched him with an earnest gaze, then threw open the lattice, shouted his name, and waved her hand! But his back was towards her, and he was too far off to hear even her voice calling him