An Adventure of Hardress Fitzgerald, a Royalist Captain Page #6

"An Adventure of Hardress Fitzgerald, a Royalist Captain" is a historical novel by Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu, set during the tumultuous times of the English Civil War. The story follows Hardress Fitzgerald, a valiant Royalist captain, as he navigates a world filled with intrigue, loyalty, and betrayal. The novel explores themes of honor and duty while depicting the struggles between royalists and parliamentarians. Le Fanu weaves a tale rich in atmospheric detail and character development, highlighting the personal and political conflicts of an era defined by its fervent loyalty and passionate disputes.

• Fiction

								

would have compassed my death if it lay in his power to do so, even at
the hazard of his own life and soul, for I had been--though God knows
with many sore strugglings and at the stern call of public duty--the
judge and condemner of his brother; and though the military law, which I
was called upon to administer, would permit no other course or sentence
than the bloody one which I was compelled to pursue, yet even to this
hour the recollection of that deed is heavy at my breast.

As soon as I saw this man I felt that my safety depended upon the
accident of his not recognising me through the disguise which I had
assumed, an accident against which were many chances, for he well knew
my person and appearance.

It was too late now to destroy General Sarsfield's instructions; any
attempt to do so would ensure detection. All then depended upon a cast
of the die.

When the first moment of dismay and heart-sickening agitation had
passed, it seemed to me as if my mind acquired a collectedness and
clearness more complete and intense than I had ever experienced before.

I instantly perceived that he did not know me, for turning from me to
the soldier with all air of indifference, he said,

'Is this a prisoner or a deserter? What have you brought him here for,
sirra?'

'Your wisdom will regard him as you see fit, may it please you,' said
the corporal. 'The man is a travelling merchant, and, overtaking him
upon the road, close by old Dame MacDonagh's cot, I thought I might as
well make a sort of prisoner of him that your honour might use him as
it might appear most convenient; he has many commododies which are not
unworthy of price in this wilderness, and some which you may condescend
to make use of yourself. May he exhibit the goods he has for sale, an't
please you?'

'Ay, let us see them,' said he.

'Unbuckle your pack,' exclaimed the corporal, with the same tone
of command with which, at the head of his guard, he would have said
'Recover your arms.' 'Unbuckle your pack, fellow, and show your goods to
the captain--here, where you are.'

The conclusion of his directions was suggested by my endeavouring to
move round in order to get my back towards the windows, hoping, by
keeping my face in the shade, to escape detection.

In this manoeuvre, however, I was foiled by the imperiousness of the
soldier; and inwardly cursing his ill-timed interference, I proceeded to
present my merchandise to the loving contemplation of the officers who
thronged around me, with a strong light from an opposite window full
upon my face.

As I continued to traffic with these gentlemen, I observed with no small
anxiety the eyes of Captain Oliver frequently fixed upon me with a kind
of dubious inquiring gaze.

'I think, my honest fellow,' he said at last, 'that I have seen you
somewhere before this. Have you often dealt with the military?'

'I have traded, sir,' said I, 'with the soldiery many a time, and always
been honourably treated. Will your worship please to buy a pair of lace
ruffles?--very cheap, your worship.'

'Why do you wear your hair so much over your face, sir?' said Oliver,
without noticing my suggestion. 'I promise you, I think no good of thee;
throw back your hair, and let me see thee plainly. Hold up your face,
and look straight at me; throw back your hair, sir.'

I felt that all chance of escape was at an end; and stepping forward as
near as the table would allow me to him, I raised my head, threw back my
hair, and fixed my eyes sternly and boldly upon his face.

I saw that he knew me instantly, for his countenance turned as pale
as ashes with surprise and hatred. He started up, placing his hand
instinctively upon his sword-hilt, and glaring at me with a look so
deadly, that I thought every moment he would strike his sword into my
heart. He said in a kind of whisper: 'Hardress Fitzgerald?'

'Yes;' said I, boldly, for the excitement of the scene had effectually
stirred my blood, 'Hardress Fitzgerald is before you. I know you well,
Captain Oliver. I know how you hate me. I know how you thirst for my
blood; but in a good cause, and in the hands of God, I defy you.'

'You are a desperate villain, sir,' said Captain Oliver; 'a rebel and a
murderer! Holloa, there! guard, seize him!'

As the soldiers entered, I threw my eyes hastily round the room, and
observing a glowing fire upon the hearth, I suddenly drew General
Sarsfield's packet from my bosom, and casting it upon the embers,
planted my foot upon it.

'Secure the papers!' shouted the captain; and almost instantly I was
laid prostrate and senseless upon the floor, by a blow from the butt of
a carbine.

I cannot say how long I continued in a state of torpor; but at
length, having slowly recovered my senses, I found myself lying firmly
handcuffed upon the floor of a small chamber, through a narrow loophole
in one of whose walls the evening sun was shining. I was chilled
with cold and damp, and drenched in blood, which had flowed in large
quantities from the wound on my head. By a strong effort I shook off the
sick drowsiness which still hung upon me, and, weak and giddy, I rose
with pain and difficulty to my feet.

The chamber, or rather cell, in which I stood was about eight feet
square, and of a height very disproportioned to its other dimensions;
its altitude from the floor to the ceiling being not less than twelve or
fourteen feet. A narrow slit placed high in the wall admitted a scanty
light, but sufficient to assure me that my prison contained nothing to
render the sojourn of its tenant a whit less comfortless than my worst
enemy could have wished.

My first impulse was naturally to examine the security of the door, the
loop-hole which I have mentioned being too high and too narrow to afford
a chance of escape. I listened attentively to ascertain if possible
whether or not a guard had been placed upon the outside.

Not a sound was to be heard. I now placed my shoulder to the door, and
sought with all my combined strength and weight to force it open. It,
however, resisted all my efforts, and thus baffled in my appeal to mere
animal power, exhausted and disheartened, I threw myself on the ground.

It was not in my nature, however, long to submit to the apathy of
despair, and in a few minutes I was on my feet again.

With patient scrutiny I endeavoured to ascertain the nature of the
fastenings which secured the door.

The planks, fortunately, having been nailed together fresh, had shrunk
considerably, so as to leave wide chinks between each and its neighbour.

By means of these apertures I saw that my dungeon was secured, not by a
lock, as I had feared, but by a strong wooden bar, running horizontally
across the door, about midway upon the outside.

'Now,' thought I, 'if I can but slip my fingers through the opening of
the planks, I can easily remove the bar, and then----'

My attempts, however, were all frustrated by the manner in which my
hands were fastened together, each embarrassing the other, and rendering
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