"By Heaven!" said Amyas, "I can stand this no longer.Cut that devil's throat I must--""She is lost if his dead body is found by her.""We are lost if we stay here, then," said Amyas; "for those negroes will hurry down at her cry, and then found we must be.""Are you mad, madam, to betray yourself by your own cries? The negroes will he here in a moment.I give you one last chance for life, then:" and Eustace shouted in Spanish at the top of his voice, "Help, help, servants! Your mistress is being carried off by bandits!""What do you mean, sir?"
"Let your woman's wit supply the rest: and forget not him who thus saves you from disgrace."Whether the brothers heard the last words or not, I know not; but taking for granted that Eustace had discovered them, they sprang to their feet at once, determined to make one last appeal, and then to sell their lives as dearly as they could.
Eustace started back at the unexpected apparition; but a second glance showed him Amyas's mighty bulk; and he spoke calmly--"You see, madam, I did not call without need.Welcome, good cousins.My charity, as you perceive, has found means to outstrip your craft; while the fair lady, as was but natural, has been true to her assignation!""Liar!" cried Frank."She never knew of our being--""Credat Judaeus!" answered Eustace; but, as he spoke, Amyas burst through the bushes at him.There was no time to be lost; and ere the giant could disentangle himself from the boughs and shrubs, Eustace had slipped off his long cloak, thrown it over Amyas's head, and ran up the alley shouting for help.
Mad with rage, Amyas gave chase: but in two minutes more Eustace was safe among the ranks of the negroes, who came shouting and jabbering down the path.
He rushed back.Frank was just ending some wild appeal to Rose--"Your conscience! your religion!--"
"No, never! I can face the chance of death, but not the loss of him.Go! for God's sake, leave me!""You are lost, then,--and I have ruined you!""Come off, now or never," cried Amyas, clutching him by the arm, and dragging him away like a child.
"You forgive me?" cried he.
"Forgive you?" and she burst into tears again.
Frank burst into tears also.
"Let me go back, and die with her--Amyas!--my oath!--my honor!" and he struggled to turn back.
Amyas looked back too, and saw her standing calmly, with her hands folded across her breast, awaiting Eustace and the servants; and he half turned to go back also.Both saw how fearfully appearances had put her into Eustace's power.Had he not a right to suspect that they were there by her appointment; that she was going to escape with them? And would not Eustace use his power? The thought of the Inquisition crossed their minds."Was that the threat which Eustace had whispered?" asked he of Frank.
"It was," groaned Frank, in answer.
For the first and last time in his life, Amyas Leigh stood irresolute.
"Back, and stab her to the heart first!" said Frank, struggling to escape from him.
Oh, if Amyas were but alone, and Frank safe home in England! To charge the whole mob, kill her, kill Eustace, and then cut his way back again to the ship, or die,--what matter? as he must die some day,--sword in hand! But Frank!--and then flashed before his eyes his mother's hopeless face; then rang in his ears his mother's last bequest to him of that frail treasure.Let Rose, let honor, let the whole world perish, he must save Frank.See! the negroes were up with her now--past her--away for life! and once more he dragged his brother down the hill, and through the wicket, only just in time; for the whole gang of negroes were within ten yards of them in full pursuit.
"Frank," said he, sharply, "if you ever hope to see your mother again, rouse yourself, man, and fight!" And, without waiting for an answer, he turned, and charged up-hill upon his pursuers, who saw the long bright blade, and fled instantly.
Again he hurried Frank down the hill; the path wound in zigzags, and he feared that the negroes would come straight over the cliff, and so cut off his retreat: but the prickly cactuses were too much for them, and they were forced to follow by the path, while the brothers (Frank having somewhat regained his senses) turned every now and then to menace them: but once on the rocky path, stones began to fly fast; small ones fortunately, and wide and wild for want of light--but when they reached the pebble-beach? Both were too proud to run; but, if ever Amyas prayed in his life, he prayed for the last twenty yards before he reached the water-mark.
"Now, Frank! down to the boat as hard as you can run, while I keep the curs back.""Amyas! what do you take me for? My madness brought you hither:
your devotion shall not bring me back without you.""Together, then!"
And putting Frank's arm through his, they hurried down, shouting to their men.