Dungeon Rock; or, the pirate's cave, at LynnEmerson, N. S. (Nannette Snow)
History
Dungeon Rock; or, the pirate's cave, at Lynn
Emerson, N. S. (Nannette Snow)
Pirates -- Massachusetts -- Lynn -- History
“We have moved them all,” was the reply, “and are now waiting for you
to tell us what shall be done with our Madonna tonight. We might leave
her there, if we were sure Sir Wolf would wed her before daybreak;
but, then, she is a woman, and will be certain sure to do as she is not
wanted to.”
“Hold your peace, Don Jose!” thundered Harris, “or we will know the
reason. I would have you to know that my _wife_ is your _queen_;” and
there was a slight, mocking emphasis on the words, which brought back
the courage of the abashed Don Jose. “Remember you are seven in number
and one in thought,” added Harris, as he turned to leave them; “and now
go on with your work.”
Then he retraced his steps to the deserted Glen, and knelt by the couch
where Arabel had thrown herself. Her eyes were closed; one white hand
lay above her head, half shaded by the rich fold, of her satin dress,
that looked, with its glittering ornaments, better fitted for a bridal
or a banquet, than for that lonely forest home.
“Mother,” she moaned, faintly, “I am not dying; I shall not die.”
“Arabel,” said Harris, softly.
“I did obey you, mother. I spoke my marriage vows, kneeling by the
altar side,” she went on; “the priest’s white robes swept by us, and
the holy prayers went softly up to God in the twilight.”
“Yes, Bel, we were married in proper order; but don’t stop to talk of
that,” Harris said again. “I want to ask you how much misery you can
bear?”
Slowly she opened her large dark eyes, and fixed them on his face. “I
can bear all things, for I am strong,” she replied, quoting his own
words on a former occasion.
Harris paused; a momentary shudder passed over him, and he asked,
“Would you not like to be back to Italy?”
“Not yet,” she answered, for she feared the idea of being known and
recognized as the pirate’s bride, and felt that she was not strong
enough to carry out her two parts.
Then he told her how and why they must leave the Glen, pointed out
the slight but perfect trail they had formed, and took his own pocket
compass to show her how she could tell in what direction they each lay
from each other.
The next morning there was no trace of human life at the Glen; but
away across thick, densely-growing wood, and low, slimy swamps, where
the high cliff rose in bold relief against the fiery eastern sky, two
living beings could be seen upon the firm land, where a natural road
wound round the brow of the rocky hill. They were Harris and Carl, the
rest having left some time before, and they were now going to join
them, leaving Arabel alone there in the large chamber which the earth’s
convulsions had formed in the solid rock.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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