for the term of his natural life-第120章
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。 In plain terms； he was trembling on the verge of madness。
The days passed swiftly； and Blunt's preparations for sea were completed。 There were two stern cabins in the schooner； one of which was appropriated to Mrs。 Frere； while the other was set apart for North。 Maurice had not attempted to renew his overtures of friendship； and the chaplain had not spoken。 Mindful of Sylvia's last words； he had resolved not to meet her until fairly embarked upon the voyage which he intended should link their fortunes together。 On the morning of the 19th December； Blunt declared himself ready to set sail； and in the afternoon the two passengers came on board。
Rufus Dawes； gazing from his window upon the schooner that lay outside the reef； thought nothing of the fact that； after the Commandant's boat had taken away the Commandant's wife another boat should put off with the chaplain。 It was quite natural that Mr。 North should desire to bid his friends farewell； and through the hot； still afternoon he watched for the returning boat； hoping that the chaplain would bring him some message from the woman whom he was never to see more on earth。 The hours wore on； however； and no breath of wind ruffled the surface of the sea。 The day was exceedingly close and sultry； heavy dun clouds hung on the horizon； and it seemed probable that unless a thunder…storm should clear the air before night； the calm would continue。 Blunt； however； with a true sailor's obstinacy in regard to weather； swore there would be a breeze； and held to his purpose of sailing。 The hot afternoon passed away in a sultry sunset； and it was not until the shades of evening had begun to fall that Rufus Dawes distinguished a boat detach itself from the sides of the schooner； and glide through the oily water to the jetty。 The chaplain was returning； and in a few hours perhaps would be with him； to bring him the message of comfort for which his soul thirsted。 He stretched out his unshackled limbs； and throwing himself upon his stretcher； fell to recalling the pasthis boat…building； the news of his fortune； his love； and his self…sacrifice。
North； however； was not returning to bring to the prisoner a message of comfort； but he was returning on purpose to see him； nevertheless。 The unhappy man； torn by remorse and passion； had resolved upon a course of action which seemed to him a penance for his crime of deceit。 He determined to confess to Dawes that the message he had brought was wholly fictitious； that he himself loved the wife of the Commandant； and that with her he was about to leave the island for ever。 〃I am no hypocrite；〃 he thought； in his exaltation。 〃If I choose to sin； I will sin boldly； and this poor wretch； who looks up to me as an angel； shall know me for my true self。〃
The notion of thus destroying his own fame in the eyes of the man whom he had taught to love him； was pleasant to his diseased imagination。 It was the natural outcome of the morbid condition of mind into which he had drifted； and he provided for the complete execution of his scheme with cunning born of the mischief working in his brain。 It was desirable that the fatal stroke should be dealt at the last possible instant； that he should suddenly unveil his own infamy； and then depart； never to be seen again。 To this end he had invented an excuse for returning to the shore at the latest possible moment。 He had purposely left in his room a dressing…bagthe sort of article one is likely to forget in the hurry of departure from one's house； and so certain to remember when the time comes to finally prepare for settling in another。 He had ingeniously extracted from Blunt the fact that 〃he didn't expect a wind before dark； but wanted all ship…shape and aboard〃； and then； just as darkness fell； discovered that it was imperative for him to go ashore。 Blunt cursed； but； if the chaplain insisted upon going； there was no help for it。
〃There'll be a breeze in less than two hours；〃 said he。 〃You've plenty of time； but if you're not back before the first puff； I'll sail without you； as sure as you're born。〃 North assured him of his punctuality。 〃Don't wait for me； Captain； if I'm not here；〃 said he with the lightness of tone which men use to mask anxiety。 〃I'd take him at his word； Blunt；〃 said the Commandant； who was affably waiting to take final farewell of his wife。 〃Give way there； men；〃 he shouted to the crew； 〃and wait at the jetty。 If Mr。 North misses his ship through your laziness； you'll pay for it。〃 So the boat set off； North laughing uproariously at the thought of being late。 Frere observed with some astonishment that the chaplain wrapped himself in a boat cloak that lay in the stern sheets。 〃Does the fellow want to smother himself in a night like this！〃 was his remark。 The truth was that； though his hands and head were burning； North's teeth chattered with cold。 Perhaps this was the reason why； when landed and out of eyeshot of the crew； he produced a pocket…flask of rum and eagerly drank。 The spirit gave him courage for the ordeal to which he had condemned himself； and with steadied step； he reached the door of the old prison。 To his surprise； Gimblett refused him admission！
〃But I have come direct from the Commandant；〃 said North。
〃Got any order； sir？〃
〃Order！ No。〃
〃I can't let you in； your reverence；〃 said Gimblett。
〃I want to see the prisoner Dawes。 I have a special message for him。 I have come ashore on purpose。〃
〃I am very sorry； sir〃
〃The ship will sail in two hours； man； and I shall miss her；〃 said North； indignant at being frustrated in his design。 〃Let me pass。〃
〃Upon my honour； sir； I daren't；〃 said Gimblett； who was not without his good points。 〃You know what authority is； sir。〃
North was in despair； but a bright thought struck hima thought that； in his soberer moments； would never have entered his headhe would buy admission。 He produced the rum flask from beneath the sheltering cloak。 〃Come； don't talk nonsense to me； Gimblett。 You don't suppose I would come here without authority。 Here； take a pull at this； and let me through。〃 Gimblett's features relaxed into a smile。 〃Well； sir； I suppose it's all right； if you say so；〃 said he。 And clutching the rum bottle with one hand； he opened the door of Dawes's cell with the other。
North entered； and as the door closed behind him； the prisoner； who had been lying apparently asleep upon his bed； leapt up； and made as though to catch him by the throat。
Rufus Dawes had dreamt a dream。 Alone； amid the gathering glooms； his fancy had recalled the past； and had peopled it with memories。 He thought that he was once more upon the barren strand where he had first met with the sweet child he loved。 He lived again his life of usefulness and honour。 He saw himself working at the boat； embarking； and putting out to sea。 The fair head of the innocent girl was again pillowed on his breast； her young lips again murmured words of affection in his greedy ear。 Frere was beside him； watching him； as he had watched before。 Once again the grey sea spread around him； barren of succour。 Once again； in the wild； wet morning； he beheld the American brig bearing down upon them； and saw the bearded faces of the astonished crew。 He saw Frere take the child in his arms and mount upon the deck； he heard the shout of delight that went up； and pressed again the welcoming hands which greeted the rescued castaways。 The deck was crowded。 All the folk he had ever known were there。 He saw the white hair and stern features of Sir Richard Devine； and beside him stood； wringing her thin hands； his weeping mother。 Then Frere strode forward； and after him John Rex； the convict； who； roughly elbowing through the crowd of prisoners and gaolers； would have reached the spot where stood Sir Richard Devine； but that the corpse of the murdered Lord Bellasis arose and thrust him back。 How the hammers clattered in the shipbuilder's yard！ Was it a coffin they were making？ Not for Sylviasurely not for her！ The air grows heavy； lurid with flame； and black with smoke。 The Hydaspes is on fire！ Sylvia clings to her husband。 Base wretch； would you shake her off！ Look up； the midnight heaven is glittering with stars； above the s
