THE SEA-HAWK
By Rafael Sabatini.
s._I_J
Chapter I
THE HUCKSTER
■ir Oliver Tresailian eat at hia ease
In the lofty dining room of the
handsome house of Penarrow, which
he owed to the enterprise of his fa
ther of lamented and lamentable
memory and to the skill and Invcn
tlon of an Italian engineer ranted
Bngnolo who had come to Knglnnd
half a century ago as one of l he as
sletants of the famous Torriginni.
This house of such a startlingly
singular and Italianate grace for ao
remote a corner of Cornwall deserves,
together with the story’ of Its con
struction, a word In passing.
The Italian Bagnolo who combined
with his salient artistic talents a
quarrelsome. "volcanic humor had
the mischance t<> Kill s man In a
brawl in s Southwark tavern Aa *
result he fled the town, nor paused
In his headlong flight from the con
sequences of that murderous deed un
til he had all hut reachtd the very
ends of England. Under what cir
cumstances he became acquainted
with Tresslllan the #der I do not
know. But certain It Is that the
meeting was a very timely one for
both of them. To the fugitive. Ilalph
Tressillan—who appears to have her n
Inveterately partial to the company
of rascHle of all denominations—af
forded shelter; and Bagnolo repaid
the service by offering to rebuild
the decaying half-timbered house
of Penarrow. Having taken the
task In hand he went about it
with all the enthusiasm of your true
artist, nnd achieved for tile protee
toi a residence that was a marvel
of grace in that crude age nnd out
landish district. Thero arose under
the supervision of ttie gifted engi
neer, worthy associate of Messer Tor
rlgiani, a noble two-storied mansion
of mellow red brick, flooded with
light and sunshine by the enormous
ly tall mullloned windows that rose
almost from base to summit of each
pilastered facade. The main doorway
wan set In a projecting wing and
was overhung by a massive balcony,
tile whole .surmounted |,y a pillared
pediment of extraordinary grace, now
partly clad in a green mantle of
creepers. Above the burnt red tiles of
the roof soared massive twisted
chimneys in lofty majesty.
But the glory of Penarrow—that is.
of the new penarrow begotten of the
fertile brain of Bagnolo—was the gar
den fashioned out of the tangled
wilderness about the old house that
jhad crowned the heights above Pen
arrow point. To i he labors of Bag
nolo, time and nature had added
their own. Bagnolo had cut those
handsome esplanades, hud built
those noble balustrades laddering the
three terraces with their fine con
necting flights of steps; himself he
had planned the fountain, and with
his own hands had carved the gran
ite faun presiding over it and the
doxen other statues of nymphs and
sylvan gods in a marble that gleamed
in white brilliance amid the dusky
green. But time and nature had
smoothed the lawns to a velvet sur
face, had thickened the handsome
boxwood hedges, and thrust up those
black spear-like poplars that com
pleted the very Italianate appearance
of that Cornish demesne.
Sir Oliver took his ease in his din
ing-room considering ay this as it
was displayed before him in the
mellowing September sunshine, and
found it all very good to see, and life
very good to live. Now no man has
ever been known so to find life with
out some immediate cause, other than
that of his environment, for his op
timism. Sir Oliver had several causes.
The first of these—although it was
one which he may have been far from
suspecting—was his equipment of
youth, wealth, and good digestion;
the second was that he had achieved
honor and renown l>oth upon the
Spanish Main and in the late harry
ing of the Invincible Armada—or,
more aptly perhaps might it be said,
in the harrying of the late Invincible
Armada—and that he iiad received In
that the twenty-fifth year of his life
the honor of knighthood from the
Virgin Queen; the third and last con
tributor to his pleasant mood—and I
have reserved it for the end as I
count this to be the proper place for
the most Important factor—was Dan
Cupid who for once seemed com
pounded entirely of benignity and
who had so contrived matters that
Sir Oliver’s wooing of Mistress
Rosamund Godolphln ran an entirely
smooth and happy course.
so, men, Sir Oliver sat at his ease
in his tall, carved chair, his doqblet
untrussed, his long legs stretched be
fore him, a pensive smile about the
firm lips that as yet were darkened
by no more than a small black line
of moustachios. (Lord Henry's por
trait of him was drawn at a much
later period ! It was noon, and our
gentleman had just dined, as the plat
ters, the broken meats and the half
empty flagon on the boards beside
him testified. He pulled thoughtfully
at a long pipe—for he had acquired
this newly imported habit of tobacco
drinking—and dreamed of his mis
tress. and was properly and gallantly
grateful that fortune had used him so
handsomely as to enable him to toss a
title and some measure of renown into
his Rosamund's lap.
By nature Sir Oliver was a shrewd
fellow Cfcunning as 10 devils.” is my
Lord Henry's phrase* and he was also
a man of some not inconsiderable
learning. Yet neither his natural wit
nor his acquired endowments appear
to have taught him that of all the
gods that rule the destines of man
kind there is none more ironic and
malicious than that same Dan Cupid
in whose honor, as It were, he was
now burning the incense of that pipe
of his. The ancients knew that in
nocent-seeming boy for a cruel, im- j
pish knave or did not heed that sound
piece of ancient wisdom. It was to
be borne in upon him by grim ex
perience, and even as his light pen
sive eyes smiled upon the sunshine
that flooded the terrace beyond the
long mullioned window, a shadow fell
athwart it which he little dreamed
to be synjbolic of the shadow that was
even falling across the sunshine of his
life.
After that shadow came the sub
stance-tall and gay of raiment under
a broad black Spanish hat decked with
blood red plumes. Swinging a long
beribhoned cane the figure passed the
windows, stalking deliberately as
fate.
The smile perished on Sir Oliver's
lips. His ’swarthy face grew thought
ful, his black brows contracted until
no more than a single deep furrow
stood between them. Then slowly the
smile came forth again, but no longer
that erstwhile gentle pensive smile.
It was transformed Into a smile of
resolved and determination, a smile
that tightened his lips even as his
brows relaxed, and invested his brood
ing eyes with a gleam that was mcnck
ing. craftv and almost wicked.
Catne Nicholas his servent to an
nounce Master Peter Godolphtn, and
close upon the lackey's heels came
Master Oodolphin himself, leaning
upon his her ribboned cane and carry
ing his broad Spanish hat. He was a
tall, elender gentleman, with a shaven,
handsome countenance. stamped
with an air of haughtiness: like
Sir Oliver, he had a high-bridged, in
trepid nose, and in age he was the
younger by some two or three years.
He wore his auburn hair rather long
ci than was the mode Just then i n
in his apparel there was no n n,
I foppishness Hum is tolerable in
gentleman of his years.
Sir Oliver rose and bowed from
his great height in welcome. But
wave of tobaccco smoke took his gr»< •
ful visitor in the throat and set him
coughing and grimacing
•'I ree." lie choked, 'that je ha a
acquired that filthy habit."
"I have known filthier," said tfu
Oliver composedly.
"I nothing doubt it," rejoined M.,
ter Godolphin. thus early giving it
dictations of his humor and the object
of his visit.
Sir Oliver checked an answer the*
must have helped his visitor to ii,
ends, which was no part of f(|.
knight's intent.
"Therefore," said he ironically. ' i
hope you will be patient with niv
shortcoming. Nick, a chair for Mast.-;
Godolphin and another cup. I bid
you welcome to Penarrow."
A sneer flickered over the youngc,
man s white face. "You pay me a com
pliment. sir. which 1 fear 't is not
mine to return to you."
"Time enough for that when I
come to seek It," kaid Sir Oliver,
with easy, if assumed, good, humor.
"When you coine to seek it?"
‘‘The hospitality of your house
Sir Oliver explained.
“It is on that very matter X am
come to talk with you.”
"Will you sit?” Sir Oliver invited
him. and spread a hand towards the
chair which Nicholas had set. In the
same gesture he waved the servant
away.
Master Godolphin ignored the it
citation. "You were,” he said, "at
Godolphin Court but yesterday. I
hear.” He paused, and as Sir Olivet
offered no denial, lie added stiffly: "(
am come. sir. to inform you that tie
honor of your visits is one we shall
be happy to forego.
In the effort he made to preset "
his self-control before so direct an af
front Sir Oliver paled a little und
his tan.
"You will understand. Peter,” is
replied slowly, "that you have sack
too much unless you add somethinw
more.” He paused, considering his
visitor a moment. "I do not know
whether Rosamund has told you that
yesterday she did me the honor tc
consent to become my wife. ..."
"She is a child that doeB not know
her mind,” broke in the other.
"Do you know of any good reason
why she should come to change it?
asked Sir Oliver, with a slight air of
challenge.
Master Godolphin set down, crossc
his legs and placed his hat on hi*
knee.
I know a dozen. he answerer!
“But J need not urge them. Suff
cient should it be \i> remind you l:.
Rosamund is but 1? and that she ;»
under my guardianship and that of
Sir John Killigrew. Neither S
John nor I can sanction this be
trothal.”
“Good lack!" broke out Sir Olive
"Who asks your sanction or Sir
John's? By God's grace your sister
will grow to Ire a woman soon am!
rffistrea* of herself. I am in no de
perate haste to get me wed. and by
nature—as you may be observing—
I am a wondrous patient man. I'll
even wait." And he pulled at hr
pipe.
“Waiting cannot avail you in t!. -
Sir Oliver. T is best you should
understand. We are resolved. Sir
John and I.”
“Are you so? God's light Semi
Sir John to me to tell me of his rt
solves and I'll tell him something of
min*. Tell him from me. Master
Godolphin. that if he will trouble to
come as far as Penarrow I'll do hv
him what the hangman should ha\
done long since. I'll crop his
pimpish ears for him. by this liandi
“Meanwhile." said Master Godolph -
whettingly. “will you not essay your
rover's prowess upon me?"
"Yon'" quoth Sir Oliver, and look
ed him over with good-humoured cot
tempt. "I'm no butcher of fledgelinp
ray lad. Besides, you are your sister *
brother, and 't is no aim of mine to
increase the obstacles already in nt
path." Then his tone changed. IP
leaned across the table. "Come, now
Peter. What is at the root of ail
this matter? Can we not compos
such differences as you conceive exist '
Out with them. 'T is no matter for
Sir John. He's a curmudgeon who
signifies not a finger's snap. But
you. ’t Is different. You are her
brother. Out with your plaints, thee.
Let us be frank and friendly."
"Friendly?" The other sneered
again. "Our fathers set us aji ex
ample in that."
"Does it matter what our father*
did? More shame to them if. beim:
neighbors, they could not b* friends.
Shall we follow so deplorable an ex
ample?’* *
"You'll not impute that the fault lay
with my father.” cried the other, with
a show of ready anger.
"I impute nothing, lad. I cry shame
upon them both.”
" 'Swounds”* swore Master Peter.
“Do vou malign the dead? ’
“If I do. I malign them both But
I do not. I no more than condemn x,
fault that both must acknowledge
could they return to life.”
“Then. air. confine your eondemn
ings to your own father with whom
no man of honor could have lived in
peace. . . .”
softly, softly, irood sir. , ,
"There's no call to go softly. Ralph
Tressilian wm a dishonor, a soan ial
to the countrywide. Not a hamlet be*
tween here and Truro, or between
here and Helston, but swarms with
big Tressillan noses like your own.
in memory of your debauched parent.''
Sir Oliver's eyes grew narrower;
he smiled. "I wonder how vou cams
by your nose?" he wondered.
Master Godolphin got to his feet in .
a passion, and his chair crashed ove ■
behind him. "Sir," he blared, "you
insult my mother's memory:"
Sir Oliver laughed. "I make little
free with it. perhaps, in return for
ynur pleasantries on the score of mv
father.”
Master Godolphin pondered him in
speechles anger, then swayed by hs
passion he leaned across the boar,
raised his long cane and struck
Oliver sharply across the shoulder.
That done, hr strode off in is
(fcently towards the door. Half wa r
thither he paused.
"I shall expect your friends ar
the length of your sword. ' said he.
Sir Oliver laughed again. 'I d • •
think 1 shall trouble to send them
said he.
Master Godolphin wheeled fully h>
faro him again "How? You w
take a Mow?”
Sir Oliver shrugged, "None saw
given." raid he
"Put I shall publish It abroad th
I have caned you."
"You will publish vourself a
if vou do for none will believe yvi: "
Then he changed his tone vet *g.<
"lYunc Peter, we are behaving n
worthily. As for the blow, I eonfv.
that I deserved tt. A m m's mother
more sacred than his father So v, •
may rry quits on that score Can n
not cry quits on all else" \\ hat Can
it profit us to perpetuate a f1’* h>
quarrel that sprang up hetween oi.
fathers?"
"There Is more tlvan that between
us." answered Master Godolphin s
"I II not have my sister wed a pirate
"A pirate? Gods light' I am vl.
there's none to hen" vou. for M„e
her grace has knighted me fo r v
dotngs upon the seas your words t '
very near treason purely 1st what
ihe queen approves. Mash lv r
Godolphin may approve tr. < -n
' our nventoi Sti I >1 > K, .. -w
V m've lv*.n hMcr.tng WWW
i lie sent vou hither
tie Be Vwliint Xubmtss,'
FAITHFUL FIDO Directed for The Omaha Bee by Sol Hessj
- _'_
/ JUST OtsE LETTER
/ FOftVOU TM\S
NEQB
/ TufwswCS,
1m8. San SOM
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' mr.Rudolph nebb. „, p
DEAR SIR: - l WANT TO REPORT THAT WORK ON TOuR ESTATE IA
PROGRESSING AS SLOwLT AS POSSIBLE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF NO*
1 SPEND SOMETIME AT THE PLACE EACH DAT. THE WANTON WASTE OF TIM!
MATERIAL IS HEART-BREAKING. J CAUGHT NOAH SNEAKING HOME WITH A
of lumber we called it’kinbung wood", i told wim whatever it wa„
COULD USE IT. I WAVE SOME <*OOD NEwS - SinCL I STOPPED EVERV&ODV
/WES & MARVELOUS REPRESENTATIVE
WORKOO NlBLlCR ! SUCH DEVOTION TO \
RESPONSIBILITY- 1TS A SHfcME \
IMS OLD DAME TORTONE D'Dn T GRMS
Uim 0s/ the hand and -Stick him in /
TWL BPsSLNIENT Of OPPORTONlTV. (
OU WELL PULL MANT A f LOWER. /
IS BORN TO BLUSH UNSEEN MnO /
V WASTE ITS SWEETNESS On THE ,/
DESERT AIR _^— ,
1 ■■ ■ **r- -
j (Copyright. 1W4, by Th« Bell Syma^tc^lM-W^O^A^Qa^LSOrO
Barney Google and Spark Plug Barney Is Struck by a Very Forceful Reminder.
Drawn for The Omaha Bee by Billy DeBeck
(Copyright 1924)
VUG RE PUULIN<r INTO \
Sr couis- a*ecu — The Papers )
SAX THERE'S a big CrocopT_
at -me Depot. .- --
HOW LONG D'YE \ That ail depends'.
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I’ve h*d enough,
sleep
OH-My DEAR
PROFEt>t>OR:
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CLO>Se ReLATlON TO
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from a <3iA(_ That
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LOOK AX HIM iOMt
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\ C*,,.l|ku 1914. M. V. 1>ik>M |M.
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SAYS "HotAJ LUCKY /S
The ia/omaw who to
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BY YbuH AIDE, HAPPY „
WITH Youft CARCO'SES
That'** A hot oaiS .
IF She 0*JLY KivJiSwJ
WHAT I -TrUMK OP HlS
• CAWgase^^^
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HIM the H^MBiOMgST
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mis t-toeav is
HlS LITTLE VAJtFE AwD
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MoMThs the *S>TlFP,
ABIE THE AGENT Drawn for The Omaha Bee by Herahfield
Keeping I p Appearance*.
1 VRi ."XHHX .'bo'i HEANV ENOttrtt \
UAQE^ SO HE SW0UV.0 EE MlOUWb /
NOT LEfVOE NNE
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TU)0 ELECTRIC RULES NO 42
AY ONCE, Yo MRS. <*U)Y2y
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NULTOfi AltfT SHOUJLT
UP AMT 1 HAX> Tt> D€ •
A PACKA'ife N''f$ELF.
AS 1 OJAS lEAMU^r/THfe
VWOMAN OPRfXLET ME A
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/ \ TOOK »T -1 D\t)NT\
OUfVNT HER To KNOW '
\ rr w»vs the boss
\RUNK>\N<i ERR*Nt>$
’ ----^
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