The Buccaneer - A Tale

"With a damned black heart!" exclaimed Robin, whose faithful spirit beat

so warmly in his bosom that he forgot for an instant in whose presence

he stood, and gave full vent to his feelings, which doubtless he would

not have done had he seen the expression of Cromwell's countenance--that

awe-inspiring countenance which had full often sent back the unspoken

words from the open lips of bolder men who looked upon him.

"With that I have nothing to do," said the Protector calmly, after

taking another turn along the platform: "but you mistake the case--it is

only justice, simple justice."

"My Lord Protector of England," said Robin, whose thin, disproportioned

figure, as it moved in the dim light, might have been taken for a dark

spirit summoned to some incantation--"My Lord, with you it may be

justice: you believe the Buccaneer deals not only in the free trade, but

imports persons who endanger your Highness's life and the peace of your

protectorate. I believe, from my soul, that he never bore off or brought

over one of the Syndercomb gang, or any that had evil intent against

your person. There are others who deal in that way; and now, when he is

soliciting your mercy, it would speak but little for his wisdom if he

went on provoking your vengeance. My Lord, Hugh Dalton has a daughter,

and it is to save her name from ever-continuing disgrace, that he pants

for honest employment. And may it not offend your Highness, for one so

ill-read as myself in aught that is good or godly, to remind you that

the Bible somewhere tells of those who were received into pardon and

glory at the eleventh hour. As to myself, could your Highness make me

what my heart has so panted after, but as vainly as the carrion-crow

might seek to be the gallant falcon of the chase--could you give me a

well-proportioned figure--make me one who could repel an injury or

protect a friend--stretch out this dwarfish body to a proper

length--contract these arms, and place the head right well upon a goodly

pedestal--then give me wealth--rank--all a man's heart covets in this

most covetous world--weigh these advantages against a portion of Hugh

Dalton's life;--the scale turns in the air, my Lord--there's nothing

in't!"

Cromwell folded his arms in silence, while Robin, who had been much

excited, wiped the night-dew from his brow, and sighed heavily, as

having rid himself of that which weighed upon his conscience.

"One word more, young man--those who hear the Protector's wishes, and

in some degree can draw conclusions as to his projects--if--mark ye

well--if they act not upon them, if they agree not with them, they are

seldom of long life."