CHAPTER XV.
The night was just falling, about three hours after the death of Inez, as the bark “Eliza” entered the Thames. Master Halyard, who commanded the watch, was about to go in quest of Hildebrand, in order to inform him of the ship’s position, when Hildebrand appeared on the deck.
Halyard fairly started as he glanced in his face. Its complexion was quite ghastly, and, though not inanimate, the expression that it wore, like that which the cunning sculptor gives to marble, was still and fixed, and wanted the spirit of motion. Moreover, his eyes, which were naturally light and penetrating, were heavy and swollen, and red with weeping.
“We must come to anchor at Leigh, Master Halyard!” he said. “Don Rafaele is dead.”
“Dead, Sir?” echoed Halyard.
Hildebrand’s eyes filled with tears.
“By my life, I could have better spared an older friend!” said Halyard, blowing his nose with great violence. “Dead!”—He was silent a moment, when he added, in a loud voice—“Ho, there! aft! hang the flag half-mast high!”
“We shall be at Leigh in an hour, Master Halyard,” resumed Hildebrand. “I will then go ashore, and settle concerning our friend’s funeral. That done, I must take to horse, and proceed, with what haste I can, to my Lord Admiral. Thou must tarry at Leigh till further orders.”
“Ay, ay, Sir!” said Halyard.