I saw that the maid was in earnest. No one was near, for I had not
entered the village, so I dismounted and stood by her side.
"You seem a good maid," I said, "and I believe you would not tell a lie.
What know you of these Killigrews?"
"I'm feared to tell 'ee, sur. Nearly everybody es feared to go there.
The 'ouse es full ov rubbers. Say rubbers, and land rubbers. People
miles round 'ave bin rubbed, and murdered, and people do zay tes they.
But we ca'ant tell. And everybody es feared to tackle 'em. They be
fighters, terble fighters. Some ov 'em do ride ere zumtimes like maazed
people. Doan't 'ee go 'mong 'em, sur, doan't 'ee now.
"Yes, I must go."
"Then taake care ov yezelf, sur. You be very big and strong, sur; and do
car a sword. But doan't 'ee vex 'em."
"I'll be careful. Is that all you know?"
"That's oall, sur."
"And yonder is the road?" I said, pointing northwards.
"Iss, sur, that's ev et."
I gave the maid a crown piece and a kiss, whereupon she blushed finely,
but curtsied like one well reared, as I believe she was.
"Whan you git to the crossways, sur, turn to the right. The left road do
laid to Rosecarrick. Do 'ee be careful, sur, an' doan't 'ee vex 'em."
I laughed as I mounted my horse. "I'll remember," I said; "what is your
name, my maid?"
"Jennifer Lanteglos, sur," and she curtsied again as I rode away.
"Evidently Jennifer Lanteglos is afraid of the Killigrews," I thought as
I rode away. It was now becoming dusk, but I felt sure I could easily
cover the three miles before dark. I had not gone a mile, when I saw a
man tramping along the lane. I stopped as I overtook him. I saw that he
was the droll I had seen at Molesworth Arms at Wadebridge.
"Uncle Anthony," I said, using the term I had heard the innkeeper use,
for the term "uncle" is one of respect towards elderly people, "go you
my way?"
"What a question," retorted the old man. "How do I know ef you doan't
tell me where you be goin'?"
"I am going to Squire Colman Killigrew's at Endellion," I replied.
"Do 'ee think you'll git in?" laughed Uncle Anthony.
"Yes," I replied, "the Killigrews are of an old Cornish family, they
will give shelter to a traveller."
He eyed me keenly. "A traveller! Ugh! a purty traveller. But doan't 'ee
be sa sure of gittin' into Endellion!"
"Go you there?"
"Iss," he replied.
"Then if you can get shelter, why not I?"
"I--I?" he retorted sharply. "I go everywhere. Nobody'll zay no to ould
Ant'ny. I zing, an' tell taales, an' shaw 'em wizard's tricks, I do."
"Then if we go as fellow-travellers, both will be taken in."
"I zeed 'ee at Wadebridge," he said. "You come from a long way off, you
do. Wa's yer name, young squire?"
"Roger Penryn."
"Penryn, Penryn," he repeated the name slowly, and looked at me again.
"Iss, we'll be fellow-travellers. I'll take 'ee to Endellion."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account