按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
alive。
But enough of myself and my appearance in those years that seem as far
off as though they had never been save in the land of dreams。
Now I and my two serving men； sailors both of them like myself and
most of the folk of Hastings set out upon a summer eve； purposing to
fish all night and return at dawn。 We came to our chosen ground and
cast out the net； meeting with wonderful fortune since by three in the
morning the big boat was full of every kind of fish。 Never before；
indeed； had we made so large a haul。
Looking back at that great catch； as here in this far land it is my
habit to do upon everything； however small； that happened to me in my
youth before I became a wanderer and an exile； I seem to see in it an
omen。 For has it not always been my lot in life to be kissed of
fortune and to gather great store； and then of a sudden to lose it all
as I was to lose that rich multitude of fishes？
To…day； when I write this； once more I have great wealth of pomp and
love and power； of gold also； more than I can count。 When I go forth；
my armies； who still look on me as half a god； shout their welcome and
kiss the air after their heathen fashion。 My beauteous queen bows down
to me and the women of my household abase themselves into the dust。
The people of the Ancient City of Gold turn their faces to the wall
and the children cover their eyes with their hands that they may not
look upon my splendour as I pass； while maidens throw flowers for my
feet to tread。 Upon my judgment hangs life or death； and my lightest
word is as though it were spoken from heaven。 These and many other
things are mine； the trappings of power； the prerogative of the Lord…
from…the…Sea who brought victory to the Chanca people and led them
back to their ancient home where they might live safe； far from the
Inca's rage。
And yet often； as I sit alone in my splendour upon the roof of the
ancient halls or wander through the starlit palace gardens； I call to
mind that great catch of fishes in the English sea and of what
followed after。 I call to mind also my prosperity and wealth as one of
the first merchants of London Town and what followed after。 I call to
mind； too； the winning of Blanche Aleys； the lady so far above me in
rank and station and what followed after。 Then it is that I grow
afraid of what may follow after this present hour of peace and love
and plenty。
Certainly one thing will follow； and that is death。 It may come late
or it may come soon。 But yesterday a rumour reached me through my
spies that Kari Upanqui； the Inca of Tavantinsuyu； he who once was as
my brother； but who now hates me because of his superstitions； and
because I took a Virgin of the Sun to be my wife； gathers a great host
to follow on the path we trod many years ago when the Chancas fled
from the Inca tyranny back to their home in the ancient City of Gold
and to smite us here。 That host； said the rumours； cannot march till
next year； and then will be another year upon its journey。 Still；
knowing Kari； I am sure that it will march； yes； and arrive； after
which must befall the great battle in the mountain passes wherein； as
of old； I shall lead the Chanca armies。
Perchance I am doomed to fall in that battle。 Does not the rune upon
Wave…Flame； the sword of Thorgrimmer my ancestor； say of him that
holds it that；
〃Conquering； conquered shall he be；
And far away shall sleep with me〃？
Well； if the Chancas conquer； what care I if I am conquered？ 'Twould
be a good death and a clean； to fall by Kari's spear； if I knew that
Kari and his host fell also； as I swear that fall they shall； St。
Hubert helping me。 Then at least Quilla and her children would live on
in peace and greatness since they can have no other foe to fear。
Death； what is death？ I say that it is the hope of every one of us and
most of all the exile and the wanderer。 At the best it may be glory；
at the worst it must be sleep。 Moreover； am I so happy that I should
fear to die？ Quilla cannot read this writing； and therefore I will
answer； No。 I am a Christian； but she and those about her； aye； my own
children with them； worship the moon and the host of heaven。 I am
white…skinned； they are the hue of copper； though it is true that my
little daughter； Gudruda； whom I named so after my mother； is almost
white。 There are secrets in their hearts that I shall never learn and
there are secrets in mine from which they cannot draw the veil because
our bloods are different。 Yet God knows； I love them well enough； and
most of all that greatest of women； Quilla。
Oh！ the truth is that here on earth there is no happiness for man。
It is because of this rumour of the coming of Kari with his host that
I set myself to this task； that I have long had in my mind； to write
down something of my history； both in England and in this land which；
at any rate for hundreds of years； mine is the first white foot to
press。 It seems a foolish thing to do since when I have written who
will read； and what will chance to that which I have written？ I shall
leave orders that it be placed beneath my feet in the tomb； but who
will ever find that tomb again？ Still I write because something in my
heart urges me to the task。
I return to the far…off days。 Our boat being full with merry hearts we
set sail before a faint wind for Hastings beach。 As yet there was
little light and much fog； still the landward breeze was enough to
draw us forward。 Then of a sudden we heard sounds as of men talking
upon ships and the clank of spars and blocks。 Presently came a puff of
air lifting the fog for a little and we saw that we were in the midst
of a great fleet； a French fleet； for the Lilies of France flew at
their mast…heads； saw； too； that their prows were set for Hastings；
though for the while they were becalmed； since the wind that was
enough for our light； large…sailed fishing…boat could not stir their
bulk。 Moreover； they saw us； for the men…at…arms on the nearest ship
shouted threats and curses at us and followed the shouts with arrows
that almost hit us。
Then the fog closed down again； and in it we slipped through the
French fleet。
It may have been the best part of an hour later that we reached
Hastings。 Before the boat was made fast to the jetty； I sprang to it
shouting：
〃Stir！ stir！ the French are upon you！ To arms！ We have slipped through
a whole fleet of them in the mist。〃
Instantly the sleepy quay seemed to awaken。 From the neighbouring fish
market； from everywhere sailormen and others came running； followed by
children with gaping mouths； while from the doors of houses far away
shot women with scared faces； like ferreted rabbits from their
burrows。 In a minute the crowd had surrounded me； all asking questions
at once in such a fashion that I could only answer them with my cry
of：
〃Stir！ the French are upon you。 To arms； I say。 To arms！〃
Presently through the throng advanced an old white…bearded man who
wore a badge of office； crying as he came； 〃Make way for the bailiff！〃
The crowd obeyed； opening a path； and soon we were face to face。
〃What is it； Hubert of Hastings？〃 he asked。 〃Is there fire that you
shout so lo