The Splendid Spur | Page 3

is in the
introduction of historical figures and episodes. Scott would have been a
great man if he had written no novel but "The Abbott" (one of his
second best), and no part of "The Abbott" but the scene in which Mary
signs away her crown. Mr. Quiller-Couch almost entirely avoids such
attempts, and even Mr. Conan Doyle only dips into them timidly. There
is, one has been told, a theory that the romancist has no right to picture
history in this way. But he makes his rights when he does it as Scott did
it.
Since "The Splendid Spur," Mr. Quiller-Couch has published nothing
in book form which can be considered an advance on his best novel,
but there have appeared by him a number of short Cornish sketches,
which are perhaps best considered as experiments. They are perilously
slight, and where they are successful one remembers them as sweet
dreams or like a bar of music. All aim at this effect, so that many
should not be taken at a time, and some (as was to be expected with
such delicate work) miss their mark. It might be said that in several of
these melodies Mr. Quiller-Couch has been writing the same thing
again and again, determined to succeed absolutely, if not this time then
the next, and if not the next time then the time after. In one case he has
succeeded absolutely. "The Small People," is a prose "Song of the
Shirt." To my mind this is a rare piece of work, and the biggest thing
for its size that has been done in English fiction for some years.
These sketches have been called experiments. They show (as his books
scarcely show) that Mr. Quiller-Couch can feel. They suggest that he
may be able to do for Cornwall what Mr. Hardy has done for Dorset--
though the methods of the two writers are as unlike as their counties.
But that can only be if in filling his notebook with these little comedies
and tragedies Mr. Quiller-Couch is preparing for more sustained
efforts.

"Our hope and heart is with thee We will stand and mark."
J. M. BARRIE.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
I.
THE BOWLING-GREEN OF THE "CROWN"
II. THE YOUNG MAN IN THE CLOAK OF AMBER SATIN
III. I FIND MYSELF IN A TAVERN BRAWL; AND BARELY
ESCAPE
IV. I TAKE THE ROAD
V. MY ADVENTURE AT THE "THREE CUPS"
VI. THE FLIGHT IN THE PINE WOOD
VII. I FIND A COMRADE
VIII. I LOSE THE KING'S LETTER; AND AM CARRIED TO
BRISTOL
IX I BREAK OUT OF PRISON
X. CAPTAIN POTTERY AND CAPTAIN SETTLE
XI. I RIDE DOWN INTO TEMPLE; AND AM WELL TREATED
THERE
XII. HOW JOAN SAVED THE ARMY OF THE WEST; AND SAW
THE FIGHT ON BRADDOCK DOWN

XIII. I BUY A LOOKING GLASS AT BODMIN FAIR; AND MEET
WITH MR. HANNIBAL TINGCOMB
XIV. I DO NO GOOD IN THE HOUSE OF GLEYS
XV. I LEAVE JOAN AND RIDE TO THE WARS
XVI. THE BATTLE OF STAMFORD HEATH
XVII. I MEET WITH A HAPPY ADVENTURE BY BURNING OF A
GREEN LIGHT
XVIII. JOAN DOES ME HER LAST SERVICE
XIX THE ADVENTURE OF THE HEARSE
XX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE LEDGE; AND HOW I SHOOK
HANDS WITH MY COMRADE

THE SPLENDID SPUR.
CHAPTER I.
THE BOWLING-GREEN OF THE "CROWN."
He that has jilted the Muse, forsaking her gentle pipe to follow the
drum and trumpet, shall fruitlessly besiege her again when the time
comes to sit at home and write down his adventures. 'Tis her revenge,
as I am extremely sensible: and methinks she is the harder to me, upon
reflection how near I came to being her lifelong servant, as you are to
hear.
'Twas on November 29th, Ao. 1642--a clear, frosty day--that the King,
with the Prince of Wales (newly recovered of the measles), the Princes
Rupert and Maurice, and a great company of lords and gentlemen,
horse and foot, came marching back to us from Reading. I was a
scholar of Trinity College in Oxford at that time, and may begin my

history at three o'clock on the same afternoon, when going (as my
custom was) to Mr. Rob. Drury for my fencing lesson, I found his
lodgings empty.
They stood at the corner of Ship Street, as you turn into the Corn
Market--a low wainscoted chamber, ill-lighted but commodious. "He is
off to see the show," thought I as I looked about me; and finding an
easy cushion in the window, sat down to await him. Where presently,
being tired out (for I had been carrying a halberd all day with the
scholars' troop in Magdalen College Grove), and in despite of the open
lattice, I fell sound asleep.
It must have been an hour after that I awoke with a chill