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The Heart

Page 60

Captain Tabor burst out with a loud guffaw of laughter. "You have

not seen the maid for whom you run the risk, Dick," said he. "'Tis

the fairest--"

"What care I for fair maids?" demanded the other. "Have I not a

wife and seven little ones in old England? What think you a dimple

or a bright eye hath of weight with me?"

"Time was, Dick," laughed Captain Tabor.

"Time that was no longer is," answered the other, crossly; then to

me, "Send down my goods by some of those black fellows, and no more

parleying, sir."

"But, sir," I said, "'twill be a good fifteen pound for Mistress

Watson and the little ones when the merchant be paid."

"Go to," he growled out, "what will that avail if I be put in

prison? What am I to say to my Lady Culpeper for the non-deliverment

of her goods? Answer me that." Then came Captain Tabor to my aid

with his merry shrewdness. "'Tis as easy as the nose on thy face,

Dick," said he. "Say but to my lady that you have searched and the

goods be not in the hold of the Earl of Fairfax, and must have

miscarried, as faith they have, and say that next voyage you will

deliver them and hold thyself responsible for the cost, as you well

can afford with Master Wingfield's money."

"Hast ever heard my Lady Culpeper's tongue?" demanded the other.

"'Tis easy to advise. Would you face her thyself without the goods

in hand, Calvin Tabor?"

"Faith, and I'd face a dozen like her for fifteen pound," declared

Captain Tabor. Then, with another great laugh. "I have it; send thy

mate, send thy deaf mate, Jack Tarbox, man."

"But she will demand to see the captain."

"Faith, and the captain will be on board the Earl of Fairfax seeing

to a leak which she hath sprung, and cannot leave her," said Tabor.

"But in two days' time the governor sails in my ship for England."

"Think ye the governor will concern himself about my lady's

adornments when he be headed for England and out of reach of her

complaints?"

"But how to dodge her for so long?"

"Dick," said the other, solemnly, "much I have it in mind that a

case of fever will break out upon the Earl of Fairfax by to-morrow

or next day."

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