The Guinea Thief - Chapter 10 Between the devil and the deep grey sea

A shot rang out. The shot was followed by a cry, a splash and a girl’s scream. In the darkness it was hard to make out who had been hurt. Robert and Fred stood on the jetty’s, their faces lit by the lanterns. It was not them. Robert jumped into the water and ran towards the sounds. Jack was frozen with fear. He felt that he recognised the girl’s voice. Frantically he too began to run.
“Delphine is that you? It’s me, Jack. Where are you?” he shouted into the darkness.
“Here. I’m here.” Delphine’s voice trembled.
In the distance Jack saw two horses standing in the sea. As he got nearer he saw Delphine was standing between them. An officer lay in the water and Robert was cradling the man’s head on his lap.
“Davy, it’s me, Robert, can you hear me?”
Davy groaned, blood trickled from his mouth.
“Robert.” Davy reached up and pulled Robert closer. “I came to warn you......the Antigone they turned back. They are on their way here.”
Davy put a hand to his side. Even in the darkness Jack could see the dark blood staining the whites of his palm.
“How bad does it look?” asked Davy.
Robert looked up at Jack, and shook his head. Jack understood he was not to say anything.
“A few days rest and you’ll be just fine Davy.”
“Good. Good.”
“Jack, give me a hand, I need to get him out of the water.”
Together they carried Davy’s limp body out of the water and laid him on the muddy shore. Delphine had followed behind with the horses.
Davy’s eyes were barely open. “Davy, Davy. Can you hear me.” said Robert.
“Robert........” Davy struggled to speak. “I can’t feel my legs.”
“We need to get you somewhere warm lad.”
“Jack get Fred, tell him what’s happened and that the excise are on their way. You and Delphine need to get out of here. Delphine can you ride? ”
“Yes, yes. I’m fine. “
“Take the horses, and go.”
“But what about you?” asked Jack.
“I can’t leave Davy. Fred and I will take care of him.
Jack touched Robert’s shoulder and shook his hand.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Don’t be daft lad, now get going. And Jack for God’s sake, don’t get caught.”
Jack and Delphine rode the horses back to the jetty where Fred was waiting for them.
“What’s happened?”
“An officers been shot. Captain Davy? Robert’s with him down on the shore. The excise are on their way, they will be here any minute. He’s asked for you to go over and help him move Davy somewhere warm.”
“Who’s this?” Fred pointed to Delphine.
“It’s Delphine.” Fred looked at her in surprise.
“Well bless me. I’d never have guessed. I haven’t got time to ask why. But some day you are going to tell me. Don’t worry about Robert, I’ll take care of him. You take care of Delphine here. Head north. Lay low and keep safe. ”
“Thanks Fred. We’ll be seeing you at the Red Lion, soon.”
“Don’t come back for a few days Jack. This is going to be bad. Smuggling is one thing. Killing a revenue officer, that’ll bring the whole county down on us.”
Jack nodded and turned his horse towards the church.
“Godspeed.” said Fred, and ran off along the shoreline.
“Let’s go, we need to warn the others.” said Jack.
Jack and Delphine quickly reached the church. Jack could see the brothers working in the graveyard.
“Hi, John!”
“Jack? What’s up?”
“The excise are coming. Captain Davy’s been shot. Robert and Fred are down on the shore with him. ”
“Lad’s. Get that stone back over the grave. We need to get out of here. “
“Where you going to go Jack?”
“I don’t know.”
“Head for Steep. The Half Moon. And wait there till it’s safe. And keep off the main roads. There’ll be watchmen everywhere.”
“What about you?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll think of something. It’s best if we split up.”
Jack and Delphine rode as fast as they could down the lane, away from the sea, away from the dying man. They rode past the ruined castle, and arrived at Spook Lane, the lane forked.
“This way.” Jack turned his horse to the right.
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t know where it goes, but I know the other road will lead us back to the sea, and that is last place we should be.”
“Bon. Allez-y.”
The lane was wide and with a few cottages on the left hand side. On the right thick hedges obscured the view.
“What happened?” asked Jack.
“I don’t know. We were on our way to warn you the soldiers were coming back. I was riding along the shore with Captain Davy, when suddenly there was this loud crack and Davy fell.”
“But what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see Papa. Georges refused to let me come. So I came anyway. Davy found me on the beach. I didn’t know who he was. He was going to send me home. But then he got a message from this little boy. He said that Robert was in danger, that the soldiers were coming back. As soon as I heard Robert’s name I told him that I was looking for Robert too. That it was my father who was bringing Robert’s cargo and I wanted to see him, but no-one would tell me where the landing was, so I’d followed my brother. But once he went into the pub I’d lost him. Why isn’t Georges here? And where’s Papa?”
“Gone. It was all done in a few minutes. Jacques’ men dropped the barrels over the side all tied together. Georges had gone on board and collected the money, he wouldn’t let us touch it. As soon as it was done, Jacques pushed off. Georges went up to the church to fetch his horse and he was going straight off to London. No fancy farewells. You just missed him. “
“Are you hurt?”
“No. I’m fine, Just wet, and muddy. It could have been worse.”
When they reached the road into Havant, Jack signalled that they should ride across and keeping heading north. The way they took quickly became little more than a muddy track, the cottages became further apart , beyond the briar hedges were fields and oaks. The path began to climb a little, they had reached the edge of the hills. The way ahead curved and then stopped. A wide path ran east to west, to the north was thick woodland. A little way along the path to the west a fire burnt in a brazier next to a shepherd’s hut. Beyond that a stones throw away stood a flint cottage, flanked either side by an impenetrable holly hedge which appeared to go as far as the eye could see.
“This way.”
Delphine nodded.
By the shepherd’s hut there was a path through the trees, it was wide and clearly well used. Along the north side ran a deep ditch. The oaks were now interspersed with holly birch and yew trees. They rode slowly their horses hooves crunching in the thick leaves which covered the path. Neither spoke, they were too nervous and too weary for words. Jack’s legs ached from the riding, he was not used to horses. Delphine looked just as tired.
“I think we should find somewhere to rest.”
“But where?”
Jack saw a yew tree across the other side of the ditch where the lower branches on the far side hung so low to the ground that it formed a prickly cavern.
“Here, let’s rest here.” he said.
Jack crossed the ditch and pushing the boughs aside entered into the dark space. He found to his surprise that under the tree was a mass of leaves trapped by the branches. It formed a deep soft bed. He went back to get Delphine.
“It’ll do. It’s good enough for a few hours. We can sleep and start again in a few hours.”
Jack decided to the tether the horse a little way back along the path in the woods. He hoped it would still be there in the morning, he needed it to be far enough away so it didn’t give away their own hiding place. When he got back to the yew tree Delphine had settled into the leaves. It was cold, and they were exhausted. Jack used some fallen branches to further obscure the view of their cave from the path. Jack lay down next to Delphine. He still had not asked her to explain what had happened with her brother, kissing her on the cheek in the same place where Georges had slapped her, he stroked her hair and whispered softly.
“Go to sleep. Sleep deep. I’ll wake you in the morning light.”
Delphine smiled, nodded and curled up against his body and slept.

Jack stirred. Was that a footstep he heard? He strained for another sound. Was there someone there? His arm was stiff and cold, but he was conscious that every movement could make a noise and alert someone to their presence. He glanced across at Delphine. She was still asleep, her mud streaked face partially covered by her dirty blonde hair. Somehow she looked even more beautiful.
No, it must have been nothing. It must have been his imagination. Some leaves rustled. Maybe that was all it was.
He kept himself still, hardly daring to breathe. Jack saw the leaves move. A hedgehog’s snout poked out. He smiled with relief and allowed himself to move his arm. It ached, everything ached. He had not dared to light a fire. They could not spend another night like this without warmth or shelter. He was going to have to find them somewhere to keep them safe.
The wood was dark and gloomy, but daybreak was not far off and in the daylight it would be hard to move around unseen. He realised it was better to leave now in the dark, than wait for the dawn. He woke Delphine.
“We have to keep moving, we can’t stay here.”
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere where we will be safe. ”
Delphine nodded. She hugged her body in an effort to get warm.
Jack stood up and put out his hand.
“Let’s go. This way.”
They untied the horse and followed the path back. A November mist hung in the hollows of the wood. The first fingers of daylight were breaking through the cloud. Jack hoped that the cloak of mist might keep them safe a few hours longer.

“Jack, what do you think happened to the others?”
Jack looked at Delphine and shook his head.
“I really don’t know what to think. If it’s true that the Antigone was on it’s way back, Robert wouldn’t have had much time. Perhaps he and Fred were able to move him back to the Church?”
“Do you think he’s dead?”
“Who Davy?”
“Yes, Davy.”
“He looked pretty badly hurt.”
“I liked him. I cannot believe my brother would do something so stupid.”
“Georges was trying to help. He thought Davy was coming to get us. We would have done the same for him.”
“But would you? None of you have guns. I know you don’t. Robert told Georges that he never carried a gun. He said guns just cause trouble. Robert is right.”
“Robert is right about most things.” said Jack.
“Do you think my father is safe?”
“Yes, I do. The Antigone was coming from the west, your father was heading down the east side. They won’t have even seen his ship.” Jack took Delphine’s hand.
“And my fool of a brother?”
“Georges will be fine. He’ll have slept comfortably in a nice warm bed and be on his way to London with a hot breakfast inside of him.”
“ And not an ounce of remorse.”
“He’s a soldier. Soldier’s don’t think about the dead, only the living. Otherwise they’d go mad.” Jack stoked the back of Delphine’s hand. “Now let’s stop worrying about everyone else, and start working on our plan.”
Delphine nodded. “Yes let’s.”
“We could go to the White Hart and ask for directions. It’s a smuggler’s pub in Rowland’s Castle. I’ve never been there before but Fred told me about it once.”
“Do you think it will be safe?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t know of anywhere else. I’m a city boy remember. We could wander these woods for days and never find our way. I have nothing to hunt with; no knife, no gun, nothing. I think we are going to need some help.”
“Alright, let’s do it then. Let’s go to the White Hart. Which way is it?”
“I hope it’s those lights in the distance.”
They slipped down from the horses and edged slowly towards the village, the path soon becoming a road. Ahead Jack could see a large village green, a thick stone wall run along one side. On the other side was a row of houses, and a pub. An orange glow filled the sky to the east, daybreak was just moments away now. They quickly crossed the village green, the sign on the tavern said the Fountain Inn. An archway was built into the middle of the building so coaches could drive straight into the courtyard beyond.
“This is isn’t it.” Jack was disappointed, the inn had looked inviting and for a moment he thought he had done something right at last. Jack thought he could see someone moving in the courtyard, a faint but unmistakeable smell of pipe tobacco wafted towards them.
“Let’s keep going.”
“Which way?”
“North, at least that way if we can’t find the White Hart we can keep going until we reach Sheet. But I hope we find it, Sheet is a good 15 miles from here, and if we have to avoid the roads, we could easily get lost in the woods. ”
They skirted the edge of the green and passed the last cottage. The stone wall surrounding the manor house on the other side came to an end and there was a fork in the road. Two roads went north, one slightly to the east, the other to the west. Another flint wall marked the boundary of a huge wooded estate.
“Let’s take the left road.” said Jack.
“Why?”
“Because I’m left handed .”
“Oh, alright.”
The two of them trudged along the road, the sun was now an orange orb on the horizon to their right. The road began to climb up a hill, thick woods surrounded them on both sides. The road seemed relatively well used. Coach wheels had left deep ruts in the mud and rain water had filled the indents. The road turned a sharp corner and there in front of them stood the White Hart. The white walls were grey with grime, the black timbers flaked and rotten, the windows were thick with dirt and the door was firmly closed.
“Well we’ve found it.”
Delphine arched her eyebrows.
“I see that.”
Neither of them made a move towards the inn.
“What do you think?”
“Tell me again why you think his place is a good idea?”
“Fred told me this story once about a customs officer who was murdered by smugglers from this pub. They’d stolen back a cargo of tea from a warehouse in Poole that had been confiscated by the excise. But they were recognised as they travelled through Dorset and the customs officer tracked them back to Rowland’s Castle. The officer and the witness had been travelling all day and stopped here for a drink. The landlady was part of the smuggling gang and she sent her son to warn the gang. They came and took the men out and tied each them to the back of a horse and dragged them for miles. One of them died, but the other one was still alive. So they took him and threw him alive down a well and filled it in with rocks and stones.”
“And this is a good reason to go here?”
“It happened a long time ago.”
“I see. And do you think anyone has used it since?”
“Well they did get caught. The smugglers were hung.”
“Jack, I know we need help, but this looks wrong.”
“Let’s get off the road, and try to ride alongside it through the woods. “
“D’accord.”
“What?””
“I agree. Let’s do that. ”
They turned their horses into the woods opposite the White Hart, crossed a stream and turned north to follow the road. A stone wall enclosed the wood and it was fairly easy to keep it in sight. The way was becoming steeper, they were heading deep into the hills now. t the bottom of the next hill a brook ran across their path. They waded through the burbling water and onto the mossy bank beyond. In the distance they heard a horse whinny. The sound was quickly followed by a dog barking just a few yards ahead. Jack and Delphine froze in their tracks.
“Wait here, let me see if someone’s there.”
Jack slipped off his horse and handed Delphine the reins. He stepped forward as quietly as he could In the direction of the dog. He was aware that however hard he tried to be silent the leaves strewn across the forest floor made it almost impossible.
A dark haired man with a swarthy beard and big gold hooped earrings stepped out from behind a tree.
“What ye doing in this ere wood laddie? Don’t ya know this is our land?”
“I’m sorry sir. I’m lost. I was looking for a shortcut through the woods.”
“Oh aye. And where’s you headed?”
“Sheet sir. The Half Moon, at Sheet.”
“That’s a long walk from here. And now why would ye be wanting to go all that way?”
“Please sir I’m going to fetch a horse for my father. He lent it to a friend who was going to London. He was to change horses at the Half Moon and I’m to fetch it back home.”
“Well this ain’t much of a shortcut. Ye should be on the London road. It’s much quicker than wandering lost in these trees. You can’t see a thing for miles. Just trees and more trees. Ye needs to be down there in the valley. I suggest ye get going laddie, you’s still got a long ways to go.”
The man turned to leave. “Sir?” asked Jack.
“Ay?”
“I’d rather not use the road. I’m afraid I’ll be set upon by thieves. If I keep going in this direction would I get to Steep?”
“Ya would if I let’s ya.”
Just then a loud cracking sounded behind them. Delphine stepped out, knowing she had snapped a twig and given away her presence.
“Well now what do we have ere? Two lad’s going to fetch an orse. Whose ya friend?”
“It’s De...Desmond. “
“Desmond is it? Well now that is a fancy name. Fancy is as fancy does my wife says. I wonder what fancy tricks you two ave got up ya sleeves. I think you needs to come with me. “
“Please, can’t we just be going on our way?”
The man smiled devilishly. “Now why would I let ya do a thing like that? Please, this way Gentlemen.”
Delphine took a step forward.
“Please I need to go back, we’ve got horses over there. “ She spoke in as low a voice as possible pointing towards the brook.
“All the bedder, ye can bring them too. Now hurry along and fetch yer horses. I don’t likes to be kept waiting.”
Delphine quickly returned with the horses.
“Follow me dog. He know his way home, bedder than I do. Gan ome boy. ”
The dog set off quickly and Delphine, Jack and the horse followed. The man walked just a couple of steps behind them. There was no chance of escape.

The dog led them to a clearing, more dogs ran out to greet them. None were friendly. In the clearing a central camp fire was burning. A dozen raggedy dressed children were chasing each other around the camp. Five gypsy caravans encircled the camp fire. On the steps of the farthest one sat a brown skinned old lady her hair was tied in a red and gold scarf. Her dress was black, with a large colourful apron around her waist. She looked up at the sound of the dogs, distracted from her task of peeling potatoes.
“Sampson! Whose that with ya?”
“Some boys lost in the wood so they say.”
The woman put down her knife shook off her apron and came to meet them. As she came towards them she regarded them shrewdly. The children all ran to hide in one of the vans.
“You.” She pointed to Delphine.
“Take off your hat.”
Delphine stood her ground defiantly.
“No. Why should I.”
The woman reached up and grabbed it from Delphine’s head. Her mud encrusted her fell around her shoulders.”
“Yer bloody fool Sampson. Could ya not see it was a girl?”
Sampson stared in disbelief at Delphine.
Well she’s dressed like a boy. How was I supposed to know she’d gone and dressed up?” Sampson shifted his feet uncomfortably.
“You girl. What’s your name? “
“He said she was called Desmond.”
“Are you an idiot?”
“Eh?”
“Course she’s not called Desmond. She’s a GIRL!”
“Now what’s your name dearie?”
“My name is Delphine. And this is my friend Jack. We really are lost.”
“Delphine eh? And the boys clothes? “
“I was told I couldn’t go somewhere. I borrowed these clothes so no one would know it was me and stop me.”
The old woman stroked her chin thoughtfully. Delphine could not help noticing two thick white hairs sprouting from the bottom of it. She wondered if the woman could feel them.
“I’ve seen you before somewhere.”
Delphine shook her head. “Me? No you couldn’ t possibly have seen me. I’ve never been here before. I’m French.”
“That’s it. I remember. The girl with the pearl necklace. Shame you couldn’t have given it to me, lovely it was. You sent that gentleman to settle your debt. The comte of something or other.”
Delphine glanced at Jack and blushed.
“Oh. It was you, at the fair.”
“Indeed it was Missie.” The old woman smiled and revealed her gold tooth. “And this must be one of those two knights. The light one. Well this is a fine to do. Do you still have the necklace?”
Delphine nodded.
“Is it here?”
“No!”
The old woman flashed a look of disappointment.
“Sampson, you are a terrible host. Tie up their horse, and rake up the fire. They looks cold and hungry to me. I’ve got some porridge you can have, or a bit of broth? ”
Delphine and Jack glanced at each other, unsure at the sudden change in the woman. But they both knew they had little choice really. Jack shrugged his shoulders.
“Thank you.”
“Which, broth or porridge, you can’t have both. ”
“”Broth please.” answered Jack. Delphine flashed him a smile of relief.
“Alright lad, come sit by the fire. You missie you need to get yourself a bit cleaned up, go down to the brook and wash your face. I’ve got a glass in my van.”
The woman turned and walked back towards the van, went up the steps and moments later returned with a mirror.
“Thank you Madame.”
Delphine went and sat down on the bank of the brook. She held the mirror to her face and was appalled to see it was covered in dark streaks of mud. She quickly cleaned herself as best she could. Her hair would have to wait to later, she was too cold to wash it.
When she got back to the fire jack was tucking into a steaming bowl of broth. “It’s good.” He said between mouthfuls.
Delphine gratefully took the bowl and spoon the woman was holding out to her.
“So when you’ve finished you can tell me where you are really doing here.”