Beauvallet · Chapter 13 (2/2)

But there was to be another traveller bound thitherwards of whom she knew nothing. Back at the Rising Sun again Sir Nicholas studied such maps as he could come by, and conned the road as best he might. Joshua Dimmock, watching, took heart again, and said darkly to the coat he was folding that the sooner they were off upon this journey the better it would be for them. “Yet,” said he, brushing dust from a pair of hose, “I must ask myself, what if the Venture be not there? With the General not on board it is to be questioned whether she may keep safe in Spanish waters. Ay, there’s a rub.” He eyed his master’s abstracted profile, and sighed. “We may make marks upon a map, I grant you, and mutter of stages, but I hold, and mark me well, that we may not be sure of a happy issue. I had rather than fifty pounds I were snug at home. It needs not to tell me that we shall make that smuggling port. I make bold to say that we may do that in spite of all these bisson Spaniards. But how if we come upon this port, and find no ship awaiting? Ay, then we are shent. We spend the remainder of our days in Spain, and they will not be many, I warrant me! All to hang upon the Venture, and the Venture sailing without her General! Ah, the whole emprise is very barful.”

Beauvallet looked up. “Peace, chewet! What ails you?”

“This ails me, master, that you have not the means to be avised of the Venture’s being in these waters.”

“Am I so often disobeyed then?”

“Nay, I do not say that, sir, nor would I doubt the good faith of Master Dangerfield, but I say, master, that he is not Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, and he may well fail.”

“Oh, croaker! You bring up objections cut and longtail. You’re bird-eyed, man, and see danger in every corner. Diccon has as cool a head as you may wish to see, and has my orders to go upon beside. I don’t fear for aught there. What, would my men fail me when I was in need?”

“Nay, nay, but if you fear naught there, master, what is it you do fear?”

“To say truth.” Beauvallet answered. “I mislike the look of yon French Ambassador.”

“For my part, sir, I mislike that popinjay cousin of your lady’s. If he is not of a mind to pick a quarrel with you I do not know the signs when a man will be in fighting humour.”

“God help him, then!” Beauvallet said, and bent again over his map. “My lady goes to Vasconosa on Tuesday next. Now, it is in my mind that we will attend her on that journey.”

“Ay, and then, master?”

“God’s Death, man, how do I know who have not seen the place. We shall carry her off, and to the coast. Ask me more when I know more.”

“I fear a mischance,” Joshua said sadly. “This runs too smoothly for a coil of yours, sir.”

Beauvallet folded his map, and put it safely away. There was a look in his face that Joshua had seen there once or twice before. “Fear what you will,” said Sir Nicholas, “and let come what may. I tell you, by this hand, I will reach Vasconosa, and have my lady away before she has slept two nights in the place!”