red eve-第34章

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aboard　her　save　the　devil　himself　in　a　yellow　robe　and　a　many…hued
head…dress　like　a　cock's…comb　with　a　red　eye。　He　swears　that　this
fiend　landed　and　that　the　mob　set　on　him；　whereon　two；　some　say　three；
other　devils　clad　in　long　black　gowns　appeared　out　of　the　water　and
drove　them　back。　Also；　it　seems　that　this　same　cock's…combed　Satan
stole　a　boat　and　rowed　about　the　city　afterward；　but　now　none　can　find
him；　although　they　have　got　the　boat。〃

〃Then　they　should　be　well　satisfied；〃　said　Hugh；　〃since　its　owner　has
lost　nothing　but　the　hire；　which　with　Satan　at　the　oars　is　better　than
might　be　hoped。　Perhaps　he　was　not　there　after　all；　Sir　Geoffrey。〃

〃I　know　not；　but　at　least　the　galley　/Light　of　the　East/　is　there；　for
ever　since　the　dawn　they　have　been　taking　the　dead　out　of　her　to　bury
them。　Of　these　they　say　things　too　terrible　to　repeat；　for　no　doctor
can　tell　of　what　sickness　they　died；　never　having　seen　its　like。　For
my　part　I　pray　it　may　not　be　catching。　Were　I　the　Doge　I　would　have
towed　her　out　to　sea　and　scuttled　her；　cargo　and　all。　Well；　well；
enough　of　these　wild　tales；　of　which　God　alone　knows　the　truth。　Come；
eat；　if　you　can　in　this　heat。　We　must　be　on　the　Place　of　Arms　by　half…
past　eight。　You　and　the　captain　go　thither　in　my　own　boat；　Sir　Hugh；
your　horse　David　Day　takes　on　presently。　Now；　while　you　breakfast；
I'll　explain　to　you　these　articles；　one　by　one；　for　they　are　writ　in
Italian；　which　you　cannot　read。　See　you　forget　them　not。　These
Venetians　are　punctilious　of　such　forms　and　ceremonies；　especially
when　the　case　is　that　of　combat　to　the　death；　which　is　rare　among
them。〃



The　articles；　which　were　lengthy；　had　been　read；　and　the　breakfast；　or
so　much　as　they　could　eat　of　it；　consumed。　At　last　Hugh；　accompanied
by　a　Venetian　squire　of　high　birth　sent　by　the　Doge　to　bear　his　casque
and　other　armour；　stood　in　the　vestibule　waiting　for　the　ambassador's
barge　of　state。　With　him　was　Grey　Dick；　accompanied　by　no　one　and
carrying　the　mail　shirt　in　which　he　was　to　fight；　like　a　housewife's
parcel　beneath　his　arm；　although　he　wore　bow　on　back；　axe　and　dagger
at　side　and　iron　cap　upon　his　head。

Presently；　while　they　lingered　thus；　out　from　a　side…door　appeared
Lady　Carleon；　clothed　in　a　white　garment　such　as　women　wear　when　their
dressing　is　half　done；　down　which　her　grey　hair　hung　dishevelled。

〃I　am　come　thus　unkempt；　Sir　Hugh；〃　she　said；　〃for；　not　feeling　well；
I　could　not　rise　early；　to　bid　you　good…bye；　since　I　am　sure　that　we
shall　not　meet　again。　However　much　that　black…browed　Doge　may　press
it；　I　cannot　go　down　yonder　to　see　my　countrymen　butchered　in　this
heat。　Oh！　oh！〃　and　she　pressed　her　hand　upon　her　heart。

〃What's　the　matter；　madam？〃　asked　Hugh　anxiously。

〃A　pain　in　my　breast；　that　is　all；　as　though　some　one　drove　a　dagger
through　me。　There；　there；　'tis　gone。〃

〃I　thank　you　for　your　goodness；　Lady　Carleon；〃　said　Hugh　when　she　was
herself　again；　then　paused；　for　he　knew　not　what　to　add。

〃Not　so；　Sir　Hugh；　not　so；　'tis　for　your　sakes　in　truth　since　you
remember　you　never　told　me　what　you　would　wish　doneafterward。　Your
possessions　alsowhere　are　they　to　be　sent？　Doubtless　you　have　money
and　other　things　of　value。　Be　sure　that　they　shall　be　sealed　up。　I'll
see　to　it　myself；　buthow　shall　I　dispose　of　them？〃

〃Madame；　I　will　tell　you　when　I　return；〃　said　Hugh　shortly。

〃Nay；　nay；　Sir　Hugh；　pray　do　not　return。　Those　who　are　gone　had　best
keep　gone；　I　think；　who　always　have　had　a　loathing　of　ghosts。
Therefore；　I　beg　you；　tell　me　now；　but　do　not　come　back　shining　like　a
saint　and　gibbering　like　a　monkey　at　dead　of　night；　because　if　you　do
I　am　sure　I　shall　not　understand；　and　if　there　is　an　error；　who　will
set　it　straight？〃

Hugh　leaned　against　a　marble　pillar　in　the　hall　and　looked　at　his
hostess　helplessly；　while　Sir　Geoffrey；　catching　her　drift　at　length；
broke　in：

〃Cease　such　ill…omened　talk；　wife。　Think　you　that　it　is　of　a　kind　to
give　brave　men　a　stomach　in　a　fight　to　the　end？〃

〃I　know　not；　Geoffrey；　but　surely　'tis　better　to　have　these　matters
settled；　for；　as　you　often　say；　death　is　always　near　us。〃

〃Ay；　madam；〃　broke　in　Grey　Dick；　who　could　bear　no　more　of　it；　〃death
is　always　near　to　all　of　us；　and　especially　so　in　Venice　just　now。
Therefore；　I　pray　you　tell　mein　case　we　should　live　and　/you/　should
die；　you　and　all　about　youwhether　you　have　any　commands　to　give　as
to　what　should　be　done　with　your　gold　and　articles　of　value；　or　any
messages　to　leave　for　friends　in　England。〃

Then；　having　uttered　this　grim　jest；　Dick　took　his　master　by　the　arm
and　drew　him　through　the　door。

Afterward；　for　a　reason　that　shall　be　told；　he　was　sorry　that　it　had
ever　passed　his　lips。　Still　in　the　boat　Sir　Geoffrey　applauded　him；
saying　that　his　lady's　melancholy　had　grown　beyond　all　bearing；　and
that　she　did　little　but　prate　to　him　about　his　will　and　what　colour　of
marble　he　desired　for　his　tomb。

After　a　journey　that　seemed　long　to　Hugh；　who　wished　to　have　this
business　over；　they　came　to　the　Place　of　Arms。　Their　route　there；
however；　was　not　the　same　which　they　had　followed　on　the　previous
night。　Leaving　the　short　way　through　the　low　part　of　the　town
untraversed；　they　rowed　from　one　of　the　canals　into　the　harbour
itself；　where　they　were　joined　by　many　other　boats　which　waited　for
them　and　so　on　to　the　quay。　Hugh　saw　at　once　that　the　death　ship；
/Light　of　the　East/；　was　gone；　and　incautiously　said　as　much　to　Sir
Geoffrey。

〃Yes；〃　he　answered；　〃one　of　my　rowers　tells　me　that　they　have　towed
her　to　an　island　out　at　sea；　since　the　stench　from　her　holds　was　more
than　could　be　borne。　But　how　did　you　know　that　she　lay　at　this
particular　quay；　Sir　Hugh？〃

〃I　thought　you　said　so；〃　he　answered　carelessly；　adding；　to　change　the
subject：　〃Look；　our　fray　will　not　lack　for　spectators；〃　and　he　pointed
to　the　thousands　gathered　upon　the　great　tilting…ground。

〃No；　no；　all　Venice　will　be　there；　for　these　people　love　a　show；
especially　if　there　be　death　in　it。〃

〃Mayhap　they　will　see　more　of　him　than　they　wish　before　all　is　done；〃
muttered　Grey　Dick；　pausing　from　the　task　of　whetting　his　axe's　edge
with　a　little　stone　which　he　carried　in　his　pouch。　Then　he　replaced
the　axe　in　its　hanger；　and；　drawing　Hugh's　sword　from　its　sheath；
began　to　give　some　final　touches　to　its　razor　edge；　saying：　〃Father
Sir　Andrew　Arnold　blessed　it；　which　should　be　enough；　but　Milan　steel
is　hard　and　his　old　battle　blade　will　bite　none　the　worse　for　an　extra
sharpening。　Go　for　his　throat；　master；　go　for　his　throat；　the　mail　is
always　thinnest　there。〃

〃God　above　us；　what　a　grim　man！〃　exclaimed　Sir　Geoffrey；　and　so
thought　all　in　that　boat　and　in　those　around　them。　At　least　they
looked　at　Dick　askance　as　he　whetted　and　whetted；　and　then；　plucking
out　one　of　the　pale　hairs　from　his　head；　drew　it　along　the　edge　of　the
steel；　which　severed　it　in　twain。

〃There！　That'll　do；〃　said　Grey　Dick　cheerfully；　as　he　returned　the
long　sword　to　its　sheath；　〃and　God　help　this　Cattrina；　I　say；　for　he
comes　to　his　last　battle。　That　is；　unless　he　runs　away；〃　he　added
after　reflection。

Now　they　landed　and　were　received　by　heralds　blowing　trumpets；　and
conducted　through　a　great　multitude　of　people　with　much　pomp　and
ceremony　to　a　pavilion　which　had　been　pitched　for　them；　where　they
must　arm　and　make　ready。

This　then　they　did；　helped　or　hindered　by　bowing　squires　whose
language　they　could　not　understand。

At　length；　when　it　lacked　but　a　quarter　to　the　hour　of　nine；　David　Day
led　Hugh's　horse　into　the　wide　entrance　of　the　pavilion；　where　they
examined　its　armour；　bridle；　selle　and　trappings。

〃The　beast　sweats　already；〃　said　Hugh；　〃and　so　do　I；　who；　to　tell
truth；　dread　this　heat　more　than　Cattrina's　sword。　Pray　that　they　get
to　the　business　quickly；　or　I　shall　melt　like　butter　on　a　hot　plate。〃

Then　his　lance　was　given　to　him；　a　lance　that　was　sharp　and　strong。
When　they　had　been　tested　by　them　both；　Hugh　mounted　the　grey　and　at
the　agreed　signal　of　a　single　blast　upon　a　trumpet；　walked　it　slowly
from　the　pavilion；　Dick　going　at　his　side　on　foot。

At　their　coming　a　shout　went　up　from　the　assembled　thousands；　for　in
truth　it　seemed；　as　Sir　Geoffrey　had　said；　as　though　all　the　folk　in
Venice　were　gathered　on　that　place。　When　they　had　finished　shouting
the　people　began　to　criticise；　finding　much　in　the　appearance　of　this
pair　that　moved　their　ready　wit。　Indeed　there　was　little　show　about
them；　for　Hugh's　plain　armour；　which　lacked　all　ornament　or　inlay；　was
worn　with　war　and　travel；　and　his　horse　came　along　as　soberly　as　if　it
were　going　out　to　plough。　Nor　was　there　anything　fine　about　the
apparel　of　Grey　Dick；　who　wore　a　loose　chain　shirt　much　out　of　fashion
it　was　that　which　Sir　Andrew　had　given　to　Hughan　iron　cap　with
ear…pieces；　and　leather　buskins　on　his　legs。　In　his　hand　was　his　axe；
heavy　but　not　over　large；　at　his　side　hung　a　great　knife；　and　on　his
back　was　the　long　black　bow　and　a　quiver　of　arrows。

Thus　arrayed；　taking　no　heed　of　the　jests　and　chatter　of　the
multitude；　they　were　led　to　the　front　of　the　bedecked　timber　stand
which　they　had　seen　on　the　previous　night。　In　the　centre　of　this
stand；　occupying　a　kind　of　tribune；　sat　the　Doge　Dandolo　in　state；　and
with　him　many　nobles　and　captains；　while　to　right　and　left　the　whole
length　of　the　course；　for　the　stand　was　very　long；　were　packed　a
countless　number　of　the　best…born　men　and　women　in　Venice。　These；
however；　were　but　a　tithe　of　the　spectators；　who　encircled　the　Place
of　Arms　in　one　serried　horde　which　was　kept　back　by　a　line　of
soldiers。

Arriving　in　front　of　the　Doge's　tribune；　the　pair　halted　and　saluted
him；　whereon　he　and　his　escort　rose　and　saluted　them　in　turn。　Then
another　trumpet　blew　and　from　a　second　pavilion　at　the　other　end　of
the　course　appeared　Cattrina；　wearing　a　splendid　suit　of　white　armour；
damascened　in　gold；　with　a　silver　swan　upon　the　helm　and　a　swan
painted　on　his　shield。

〃Very　fine；　isn't　it？〃　said　Grey　Dick　to　his　master；　〃only　this　time　I
hope　he's　inside　the　steel。　Ask　to　see　his　face　before　you　fight；
master。〃

On　came　Cattrina　on　a　noble　black　horse；　which　pawed　and　caracoled
notwithstanding　the　heat；　while　after　him　strode　a　gigantic　figure
also　clad　from　top　to　toe　in　white　mail；　who　fiercely　brandished　a
long…handled　battle…axe。

〃Ambrosio！〃　said　Dick。　〃Now　I　ought　to　feel　as　much　afraid　as　though
that　fellow　wore　a　yellow　cap　and　fur　cape　and　pearls　like　another
warrior　whom　we　met　last　night。　Yet；　to　speak　the　truth；　I　believe　he
has　the　fainter　heart　of　the　two。　Also　if　he　swings　that　chopper　about
so　much　he'll　grow　tired。〃

To　the　multitude；　however；　the　gallant　appearance　of　this　pair；　whom
they　looked　on　as　the　champions　of　Venice　against　foreigners；　appealed
not　a　little。　Amidst　clapping　of　hands　and　〃/evvivas！/〃　they　advanced
to　the　Doge's　tribune　and　there　made　their　salutations；　which　the
Illustrious　acknowledged　as　he　had　those　of　the　Englishmen。

Then　the　heralds　intervened　and　again　all　the　articles　of　combat　were
read　and　translated；　although　to　these；　of　which　they　were　weary；　Hugh
and　Dick　listened　little。　Next　they　were　asked　if　they　had　any
objections　to　make　and　with