It puts itself up, it is elevated, it will not
have meat, or any substance coarse. Wine of the softest and fruit of
the finest is what it must then have, or unmouth itself. That miserable
Cheray, his maledictioned name put me forth to be on fire for the good
thing he designs. Cherays you call them, and for cherays I despatched
him, suspended between the leaves in the good sun. Bah! there is nothing
ever fit to eat in England. The cherays look very fine, very fine
indeed; and so many did I consume that to travel on a gate was the
only palliation. Would you have me stay all day in this long cellar?
No diversion, no solace, no change, no conversation! Old Cheray may
sit with his hands upon his knees, but to Renaud Charron that is not
sufficient. How much longer before I sally forth to do the things,
to fight, to conquer the nations? Where is even my little ship of
despatch?"
"Captain," answered Caryl Carne, preparing calmly for his frugal supper,
"you are placed under my command, and another such speech will despatch
you to Dunkirk, bound hand and foot, in the hold of the Little Corporal,
with which I am now in communication. Unless by the time I have severed
this bone you hand me your sword in submission, my supper will have to
be postponed, while I march you to the yew-tree, signal for a boat, and
lay you strapped beneath the oarsmen."
Captain Charron, who had held the command of a French corvette, stared
furiously at this man, younger than himself, so strongly established
over him.
Pages:
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159