The Buccaneer - A Tale

"Shall not!" repeated Burrell, who was as much of the bully as the

coward, and still trusted his cause to the knowledge of Constantia's

filial affection, and her readiness to sacrifice all for her father;

"let the lady decide."

"So be it; though I hardly think it--there must be some hidden motive.

Yet no, Sir Willmott Burrell, I will not,--even if she will, I will

it otherwise. Ah! think ye to control me? Didst ever hear of one Cony?

or of Maynard Twisden, and Wyndham, his counsel? What if I imprison ye,

Sir Willmott, till this Jewess be found, and compel ye to wed her again,

even here in England! What say ye now?"

"Would you have me wed a murderess?" inquired the villain, in a calm

tone.

"My child is not that," said the heart-broken father, who had been

examining the papers, with overpowering anxiety.

"What! good Manasseh?" inquired Cromwell.

"That which he did call her," replied the Jew.

"There needs no farther parley. Colonel Jones, we will ourself accompany

our worthy friend to the Isle of Shepey, and investigate more minutely

this most unhappy business. You will take all requisite care of Sir

Willmott Burrell, who goes with us--willing or unwilling--Perhaps he

would like to appeal from our decree? To-night we will set forth, so as

to arrive at King's-ferry before to-morrow's sunset; for we must stay an

hour at Whitehall, and say a word in passing to Colonel Lilburne, at

Eltham."

"How does your Highness travel?"

"As befits our state," replied the Protector. "Worthy Rabbi, be not cast

down; all may yet be well."

"Your Highness is ever kind; but justice is inflexible. My child!--that

which he called my child, rings in mine ear--pierces it! O Father

Abraham! I knew not the curse that fell upon Israel until this day!"

"All may yet be well, I say again," observed the Protector, "know ye not

what was said by the prophet of old--the prophet of the Lord--'Now thus

saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O

Israel, fear not!'"

"May I return and commune with your Highness?" craved Colonel Jones, as

he escorted Burrell to the door--"there is much that I would mention,

although this is the Lord's day."

"Ay, certainly.--Gracious Meanwell! I would speak with him who brought

this parcel."

A lad was introduced; but he could tell nothing, except that passing

along the crags of the Gull's Nest, (the Protector started at the name,)

he saw the packet dangling in the air; he pulled at it, and it came

easily away in his hand; and finding it directed to his Highness, he had

been recommended to bring it forthwith--that he had ridden part of the

way in company with some who were coming as far as Gravesend, and had

'lifted' him. He looked like what he was, part oyster-dredger, part

smuggler. Cromwell saw nothing in him that would justify detention, and

dismissed him with a liberal gratuity.