Prince Rupert, the Buccaneer

by Charles John Cutcliffe Wright Hyne

The sad procession wound down steps of stone, into a long row of dungeons smelling of earth, and of these there seemed an inordinate quantity, burrowed out from amongst the very roots of the city. In most was a dank, cold silence, but two emitted groans from some part of their black recesses, and from one the faint glow of a fire shone out into the alley, and with it came the smell of grilling flesh. But by no word or sound did the familiars show that they appreciated these things. They pressed on their way with noiseless tread, and held on to their prisoners with an iron clutch. They were most daunting gaolers.

The prisoners were flung together into one dungeon, and the door closed with soft heaviness on their heels. The place was black as the grave, and smelt too like a grave of new-turned earth.

The secretary lay on the damp floor where she had pitched, a prey to the worst despair. But the Prince undauntedly began to make exploration, treading with caution to avoid pitfalls which are common in these places, and not resting till with his hands he had traced out the whole of the walls and the floor. But at last he too flung himself on the ground. "We're built in all ways by cemented stone," said he, "so we need not risk our dignity by trying to break gaol. There's nothing against which we can grind these bracelets from our wrists and shanks, or we'll contrive to make a fight of it somehow and at least die like gentlemen. So we must e'en be philosophers, Master Laughan, and take what comes."

"That woeful mermaiden——" said the secretary.

"Pish! you fool. I tell you there was no mermaiden. It's the mere fortune of war, and it's my one consolation that they can do their ugliest on me and yet they'll not learn my name. It'll be a sharp time, lad, for both of us when they begin their devilish torturings, but I know you're as staunch as myself, and I thank you in advance for carrying out your service to me faithfully to the end."—And with that he turned on his side and promptly went off into heavy sleep.

To the poor secretary no wink of sleep would bring relief. Death or torture she could have faced bravely; but the thought that her sex must be discovered drove her well-nigh crazy. For consider what it meant: Rupert would learn for the first time that she was indeed a maid, and he would die sickened at her shamelessness in following him, and she would die beside him, knowing that after all that had been endured, she had at the very last lost his esteem and affection.

Wearily the hours dragged on, and how many they were cannot be told here, as there was no means of reckoning them. But at last the door opened and again those noiseless familiars entered, bearing lights. The secretary, poor soul, attempted a jest by way of carrying a brave front. "We think little enough of your inn, Landlord, so far," she gibed. "See to it that you improve the service from now on, or our recommendation will bring you little further custom."

But they answered by no word, and as the cowls hid all of their faces, there was no way of seeing how they took it. Once more with iron grip these silent men took the prisoners in charge, five familiars to each, and led them out along the passageways.

There was little enough of dignity about the judgment chamber of the Inquisition when it was arrived at. It was just a bare room, furnished meanly with a bench, a table and a curtain. And in the middle of the room the prisoners were drawn up and stood with the familiars, waiting. From behind the curtain from time to time there came the faint rustle of movement, and, in little gusts, the smell of burning charcoal and heated iron.

There is a certain intolerableness about waiting like this when one expects the worst indignities that human ingenuity can put upon one; though that doubtless is part of the calculated cruelty on which this accursed Inquisition coldly prides itself. But Prince Rupert, like the gallant gentleman that he was, had a power of mind that rose above the pinch of the moment. An idea had come to his mind during the night for an improvement in that process of mezzotint engraving in which he was so interested, and calmly and scientifically, with his accustomed clear phrases he commenced to discuss it with the secretary. There was no mention in his speech of the perils which threatened them, no quiver of fear or annoyance lest his invention should be left incomplete by those who became his heirs. But in that gristly judgment chamber he spoke with as much ease and interest in his subject as though he had been seated giving audience to his artistic friends at The Hague.