Bladys of the Stewponey | Page 9

my boat only; but with God's help I will maintain you with honour.
Take me, and I will snatch you away before this hideous scandal can
take place, and you become the talk of the country."
Again the voice of the landlord called.
"I must run," said Bladys, changing colour.
"Then go, and return with an answer, Yes or No."
She left.
Whilst away, Crispin Ravenhill stood motionless, leaning against the

table, with his arms folded and his dark eyes fixed on the ground. His
contracted fingers alone showed that he was a prey to disturbing
thoughts.
As he thus stood, a strong dark man came up, and brushed rudely
against him. Crispin glanced at him with an expression of annoyance,
and recognised the stranger, Luke Francis.
"You have much to say to that wench," said the latter.
"Whether I have or no concerns you not. Go your way, and for the
future, when you pass a man, measure your distance more nicely."
"I shall go where I list, and those that stand in my way I shall thrust out
of it."
"Those who jar against others must expect bruises."
Ravenhill threw his weight on the end of the table so as to tilt up the
opposite end, and he then swung it round against the elbow of Francis,
which it struck. The man thus hit sprang up with an exclamation of pain,
and clapped his hand to the joint for a moment. Francis did not speak
for a minute, but after that he flared out in rage--
"So you will try issue with me?"
"I have no further quarrel with you. You, having rudely thrust against
me, have received a thrust in return. Our account is balanced."
"You are not afraid to provoke me?"
"Not in the smallest degree."
"Look at my arms."
Francis extended his hands, and then, indeed, Ravenhill observed how
long the arms were; unduly so, out of proportion to his lower limbs; for
when he lowered his hands they touched his knees. The stranger now
bent his arms, and the muscles swelled like knotted cables. Then he

laughed.
"There are few like me. I could take your head between my palms, and
squeeze it as you would a Seville orange. Are you one that has entered
for the bowling match?"
"I am not."
"I am sorry for that, for I would like to be pitted against you. Perhaps
you will not deny me a cast at wrestling; that will give more spirit than
a game at bowls."
Before Ravenhill was ready with an answer, the inn-keeper arrived,
with Bladys following him.
"What is this?" he asked. "You, Crispin, stepping in and trying to
forestall everyone? That's against all laws of gaming. Look here, Mr
Francis. This boatman has been asking my wench to let him carry her
off afore the match. That's unfair dealing all the world over. I say it
can't be."
"And it shan't," said Luke Francis.
"It can't and it shan't," shouted the host. "Why, there's forty-six guineas
paid down by the gentlemen, as'd be all forfeited without the match.
They gave it on condition; and I reckon that we shall have a take nigh
on twenty pounds, what with the gate and with the sale of liquor and
the stakes. It'd be a flying in the face of Fortune. Besides which it'd not
be honourable; and I pride myself--I haven't got so much to pride
myself on, but I do on that--as I'm a straight, honourable man in all my
dealings."
"I have paid my guinea. I demand my right to contest for the prize--and
win--to take her off," said the stranger.
"And he--has he staked?" asked the host.
"No, he has not," retorted Francis. "He told me so himself."

"I have had the crier round the neighbourhood. All the world will be
here. Am I to befool them? It cannot be."
Then Ravenhill stood forth.
"I have sought to save the poor girl from a cruel and wanton insult,
your house of Stewponey from the acquisition of a bad name, our vicar
from the commission of an act which he will repent in his sober
moments, and the parish from a scandal."
"And I refuse your interference," said Cornelius.
"What does she decide?" asked the barge-man. But Bladys was too
frightened to reply.
"I answer for her. I am responsible. If you want her," said the taverner,
"put down your guinea like a man, and try your chance with the rest.
We'll have no underhand dealings here."
"Stewponey Bla," said Crispin, "is it your desire that I should enter for
you?"
She nodded. She could not speak.
"Then here is my guinea."
He cast the coin on the table.
"May God give her to me!" he added with suppressed emotion. "Would
I could