Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v108.djvu/62

56 "You shall go with us bird's-nesting," said the Admiral.

"That falls in with my humor," Master Sark made answer. "For, look you, there are such things as a heavy score and an ancient grudge, to say nothing of true service to a true Queen."

"Then," said the Admiral, you shall feed fat your grudge. But if what you have told me is leasing and not truth, I will hang you from the yard-arm of my ship!"

"It is God's truth," swore the other. Thus it was that, having, like all English adventurers upon Spanish seas, to trust to strange guides, the Mere Honour, the Cygnet, the Marigold, and the Phœnix shaped their course for the mainland and Nueva Cordoba, where were bars of silver, pearls, and gold crescents, and up in the castle that fierce hawk De Guardiola, who cared little for the town that was young and weak, but much for gold, the fortress, and his own grim will and pleasure.

[]

BY THEODOSIA GARRISON

